Angus and Robertson, 2018. ISBN 9781460753095
(Age: 12 - 16) Highly recommended. Themes: Historical fiction. Roman
history. Survival. Persecution. Courage. Siblings. Jewish people.
Mary (mother of Jesus). Jackie French is a master of storytelling
and in this book she immerses us in the daily life of a Jewish girl
in Judea in 71AD. Judith's daily life has changed since the men from
her village have gone to fight in Jerusalem and she must take up
tasks normally not allowed by girls - minding sheep and using a
sling-shot to kill small animals for her family. Little does she
realise how much different it will become when two Roman chariots
pass her small village.
As predicted by Rabba, (Judith's great, great grandmother) the
village is looted and destroyed by the Romans the following day.
Judith is saved when Rabba tells Judith to take her, her little
sister and the goat away from the village during the night to a very
well-stocked cave nearby. When a Roman slave comes close to the cave
Judith uses her sling-shot to protect them and he falls over a
cliff. He is left for dead by his Roman masters and is rescued by
Judith and joins the others in the cave for the long winter. The
slave is a Christian and is curious to find out about a special
woman Rabba mentions as she tells them stories of her life. The girl
is Maryiam from Nazareth (the mother of Jesus) but Rabba is
reluctant to talk too freely about the relationship she may have had
with Mary who she describes as "just a girl" from her village.
Mary's story is slowly revealed as a life of someone with the
courage to overcome the humiliation of her unexplained pregnancy and
the loss of her son in such violent circumstances. This account from
the Jewish point of view makes it a very interesting novel.
At the end of the book there are comprehensive author's notes about
the history behind this story. It also explains some of the
language, food and other customs.
Gabrielle Anderson
The Bulldog Track by Peter Phelps
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780733639777
(Age: 14+) Recommended. When the Japanese Army invaded New Guinea in
1942, Australian civilians working as gold miners in the Highland
region of Bulolo fled on foot after the company's aircraft were
strafed and destroyed. Not to be confused with the more legendary
Kokoda track to the East, the Bulldog offered their only means of
escape. However its terrain was more extreme and weather more
appalling than even the almost insufferable conditions endured by
the Australian and Japanese soldiers as they later fought each other
and the landscape.
Peter Phelps' Grandfather Tom was one of the miners who survived.
The author conveys evident and justifiable pride telling this
remarkable story, not just for the man's superhuman effort to endure
the ordeal but equally for his mettle and decency as a human being
throughout his life. Considered unfit for military service due to
age and a massive leg injury, Tom Phelps made the difficult decision
to take work as a carpenter and miner in New Guinea to provide for
his family after financial hardship caused by the Great Depression.
Peter Phelps presents the perspective of his father George, his
sisters and their mother as they are tormented by the absence of
their father and husband for years on end. Whilst Tom missed his
family dearly, living in extreme isolation, complex and lasting
suffering was felt at home, including resentment felt by George.
The family had no knowledge of Tom's welfare or progress beyond the
fact that miners deemed too sick or old to join the New Guinea
Volunteer Rifles had abandoned Bulolo to make their way to New
Guinea's Southern coast. They were however only too aware of the
extreme brutality of the invaders and naturally feared the worst
whilst waiting for any scraps of information.
The trekkers were unsupplied and faced gruelling hardship including
starvation and countless medical problems caused by disease and
mishap. These men would not have survived without the guidance and
physical aid of local New Guinea villagers who had formerly been
employed by the mine but who assumed responsibility for ensuring the
welfare of the escaping miners of Australian and sundry nationality.
It must be emphasised that their own villages and families faced
great danger from the advancing Japanese. Una Beel was a local
highlander assigned as assistant to Tom Phelps in his role as
carpenter and the two developed a close relationship which must have
been pivotal to Tom's survival. I found the description of the
pair's parting after they had been delivered to European
missionaries on the coast to be curiously understated. These
villagers risked their lives sharing the arduous journey and as the
author notes, they were essentially in foreign lands themselves,
having left their own territory. The journey demanded that they
communicate with fearsome, potentially lethal villagers along the
way and it is difficult to imagine the miners' survival without
their efforts.
The author has undertaken tremendously detailed research to give
voice and description to both the plight of his grandfather and the
daily trials of his family waiting at home. The amazing feat of his
indomitable grandfather and his ragged but resilient companions has
been presented in an exciting story demonstrating great family pride
and affection. There is no doubt that Tom Phelps earned this respect
but I was disappointed that Una Beel and his companions were not
acknowledged in the conclusion and epilogue.
Recommended for 14 years +
Rob Welsh
Twinkle twinkle, little bat: Beastly bedtime stories for all kinds of kids
Pan Macmillan, 2018. ISBN 9781760557263
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Short stories. Once upon a time,
there were 9 beastly bedtime stories. Stories with vampires and
bats, and a sleepover of doom: of a pirate dance party and a zoo in
a room. There were bears who were scared, and three bags of wool.
Kids who ate pasta till their tummies were full. And if things go
splat in the night... hold tight. The dreamo-machino will help
you sleep deep.
We are frequently asked for scary stories in the library and I am
not sure this will fit the bill. Featuring short stories from some
of Australia's most successful authors including Andy Griffiths,
Morris Gleitzman, R. A. Spratt and Judith Rossell - there are 9
included in the anthology, this book is filled to the brim with
stories bursting with humour and terrifying twists. These stories
are sure to have the children shaking in their beds - with laughter
not fear!
Each story is beautifully written which you would expect from these
successful writers. I particularly enjoyed Andy Griffith's choose
your own adventure - this genre of books is becoming more and more
popular with our children. At the end of the book each author is
featured with a short biography and all are asked the question
"What are your favourite beastly bedtime stories?" I always love
these insights into an author.
This book will be great to hand to teachers when they ask for
something short to read to their students.
Suitable for children aged 7 and up. A welcome addition to the short
story collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
The brave knight by Sally Gould and Celeste Hulme
New Frontier, 2018. ISBN 9781925594119
(Age: 2-5) Themes: Imagination. Play. Knights and Castles. The
brave knight is a charming story, a celebration of imaginative
play. With simple craft items the young boy arms himself with a
cardboard sword and shield and wears a painted silver tunic. He's
ready to be brave and bold, standing in front of his castle
treehouse surveying the surrounding countryside - his backyard. He
proudly declares "I guard the castle. Enemies BEWARE!"
From the castle turret, he spies three enemy knights dressed in
helmets, one holding a sword. Using trickery, he disguises himself
as a peasant and lures his monkey, teddy bear and dog into the
fortress with promises of gold. He is a brave knight who uses his
imagination to protect the castle and help his baby brother escape
from his playpen enclosure. Thankfully, all is well in the kingdom
and his creativity has saved the day!
Celeste Hulme's whimsical paintings enliven Sally Gould's simple
story. From the end covers detailing the creation of the knight's
armour and sword through to the fun of the castle treehouse there is
much to explore with a toddler or preschooler. They will be
captivated by the details of the castle and the actions of the young
boy as he leads his toys joined together up the stairs and into his
fortress. The brave knight is a wonderful example of imaginative play
and graphic storytelling.
Rhyllis Bignell
Eve and the rebel fairies by Jess Black
Keeper of the Crystals series, book 7, New Frontier, 2018
ISBN 9781925594218
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Fairies. Fantasy. Jess Black's Eve and the
rebel fairies is a magical adventure written for young readers
just starting junior novels. Friends Eve and Oscar have uncovered
the special secret power of crystals and in each story, they travel
into a different and dangerous world to help save the community.
Eve and Oscar are enjoying their school holidays, playing with
Ingvar Eve's dragon and sleeping over at Eve's grandma's house. The
discovery of a tiny pink fairy-sized door leads them into a new
adventure. With a miniature fairy crystal in her hand, Eve with
Oscar and Ingvar holding on, they shrink down to fairy size and
enter a new kingdom. Summoned by Orla the Golden Queen of the
Fairies, Eve and her friends are needed to stop two rebel fairies.
They have stolen pixie dust from the Tree of life and are using it
to upset the balance of nature. Creating a hot pink river that
poisoned the fish, causing rockfalls and floods, they are
troublemakers.
Lilith and Azura wreak havoc in the human world too turning sharks
vegetarian, melting a glacier and turning a flock of sheep green!
Eve must use her special skills to cross the troll bridge and stop
the rebel fairies.
Jess Black's environmental messages are woven throughout her series,
making the young reader thinks about the consequences of climate
change and upsetting the natural balance. Her fairy fantasy world
and the characters are beautifully described. Celeste Homes'
sketches are delightful chapter headings. Eve and the rebel fairies is a charming novel for young
chapter book readers.
Rhyllis Bignell
Tales from the inner city by Shaun Tan
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760523534
(Age: middle school to adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Design,
Cities, Animals. Twenty five stories about the relationship between
humans and animals is explored in this richly illustrated book from
Tan, a companion volume to Tales from Outer Suburbia (2008)
and one Tan has been working on ever since. Every page has something
startlingly new, making the reader pause and read again, then pore
over the illustrations, making sure they have absorbed every nuance,
before starting again.
His last chapter begins, "We tell each other the same story" but the
details of Shaun Tan's stories are entrancing. His sometimes
dystopian view of the city and its relationship with animals is
highly individual, placing animals in the oddest of settings:
crocodiles living on the eighty seventh floor, an eagle in an
airport, deer peering out of an office window, making us question.
One of the first sequences in the book, "Once we were strangers",
devotes forty pages to a dog, at first wary of the human with a
spear in one hand, but over time becoming a companion, ending as a
dog on a lead walking with its human. The illustrations reflect the
passage of time. The broad strip between the human and the dog
begins as a wide black expanse, the void of the early cosmos
perhaps, then it becomes a track, changing to a bridge, a railway
line, a road, and finally the double page is fully paved. Time has
passed, reflecting the changes in our environment as well as the
changed relationship between humans and animals.
Shaun Tan talks
about his work providing insight into his book as he provokes, prods
and perplexes his readers.
Each of his works in this volume initiates a response, the richly
illuminated and detailed images giving more as the reader looks,
ponders and talks about what they see. The almost poetic text forces
the reader to read it again, viewing the illustration with new
ideas, evaluating the links between the two.
People and animals may live in each other's shadow, but they are
still very visible in Tan's work, from the tiger strolling by the
similarly coloured wall on the last endpaper, or the rhino watching
over the traffic or the killer whale in the night sky.
Light in various forms is shown to advantage: city lights on the
front cover, the coloured light of the crowds of butterflies, the
light behind the snails on the bridge, the light pouring in through
the classroom windows, the light coming out of the high rise flats,
contrasting with the many dark and gloomy images redolent of a
dystopian landscape, stressing the tension within the city, leading
to the last page of the book with its apocalyptic image.
The inner city is shown in images of crumbling high rise buildings,
homeless people, train tracks, telegraph poles and animals, all
giving a different perspective than the one expected. The teacher in
the classroom is hugging a sheep, the boy on the cover holding a
glass fish, owl's eyes peer out at the reader from the hospital
ceiling, a bear is led up the steps, a shark rises up out of the
landscape, but unlike the lonely vistas of Jeffrey Smart's cities,
Tan's images of the concrete structures force the reader to
reevaluate the connection between human and beast.
I found this book totally captivating, sometimes unsure that I had
missed something, but always satisfied at the myriad of references,
allusions and journeys down unexpected pathways that Tan takes his
readers. Teacher
notes can be found on the Allen and Unwin site.
Fran Knight
Just flesh and blood by Jane Caro
University of Queensland Press, 2018. ISBN 9780702260018
(Age: Children - Young adult) Recommended. Themes: Historical
Fiction (1500-1600 England Royalty). Just Flesh and Blood is
the last novel in the Trilogy which include Just
A Girl and Just a Queen which depicts the life
of the very famous and long reigning Queen Elizabeth 1, Protestant
Queen of England and Ireland. The story is told from the perspective
of the Queen as a flesh and blood person with emotions, love,
intellect and daily personal and political struggles.
Queen Elizabeth 1 is a woman in a man's world who had accomplished
much more than was ever expected for any Royal during an extremely
long period of 44 years of reign. Her main concern was always for
the welfare of her people and country and as such she became as a
mother to them all. But, she still craved loving attention and
acknowledgment from her father (Henry VIII) and although she was a
young child when her beautiful mother Anne Boleyn died, Elizabeth
never resolved her grief and guilt. Her loving mother was beheaded,
sentenced to death by a husband King. Elizabeth was always well
aware that if she had been born a boy, a successor to the Tudor
throne, her mother would have been in the King's favor and she would
not have met such a terrible fate. Elizabeth was born a princess and
through political motives she was declared as 'illegitimate', hence
unimportant and mostly unseen by those in the majesty's court.
As Queen Elizabeth 1, lies on the floor and then on her death bed,
she drifts in and out of sleep. She is reflecting on her life and
she is assessing herself and her path of destiny which she
diligently worked hard throughout. Has she done enough? Would her
father and mother be proud of her? Has she failed them, made a
mistake, by remaining a maiden Queen and not marrying or bearing
children to carry on the Tudor family reign? Who would be the first
person that she meets in the afterlife?
Although I came across this last book in the trilogy and have not
read the previous two, Jane Caro does a marvelous job in summarizing
the Queen's life during her final days, hence, the storyline flows
well and the reader is not left feeling confused or as though parts
of the story are missing. In fact, it leaves the reader wanting to
read/re-read the trilogy set without pause and the writing skill of
Jane Caro is such that the reader will find it difficult to put down
the books.
This book is a marvelous way to learn some history of the Royals of
England. It motivates the reader to delve into further research
about the era and come to know Queen Elizabeth 1 not only as a great
ruler, stern and at times merciless Queen - but as a child, young
girl and woman living an exceptional life in a difficult time.
About the Author - Jane Caro Jane Caro is often a guest on the
Channel 9's Weekend Sunrise and Gruen Planet. A busy 60 something
year old who keeps herself busy as a novelist, columnist and
novelist. Jane has won awards for her ability to write outstanding,
"to the point" and relatable advertising material.
Maria Burford
How did I get here? by Philip Bunting
Omnibus, 2018. ISBN 9781742769684
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes; Life, Evolution, Big bang,
Universe, Solar system, STEM. Young readers will find this
straightforward presentation of life on earth enlightening and
informative, as Bunting explains how life began, encouraging them to
question as they read of these big issues. I found it riveting, from
the Big Bang to the development of sea creatures and then animals as
a fish came up on the land, leading to humans. It is told in such a
matter of fact way that young readers will be able to understand the
basics of how life life began, making it more personal with the
story leading to their birth and life on earth.
Questions bigger than our solar system are presented in a way that
is very readable, while at the same time, posing questions that
require further research.
The Big Bang and other evolutionary ideas are so big they can
overwhelm, but this seemingly simplistic explanation will satisfy
those looking for the words to explain the idea but intrigue them
enough to ask questions and seek out more answers.
Bunting is an avid believer in dialogic reading, which means that
reading should be interactive. The more interactive, playful and
entertaining the better the book is for young readers. An
explanation of his ideas behind what he writes can be found here and is well worth a
read.
He goes on to say that good books, those that encourage interaction,
particularly within a family setting, will increase a child's love
of books and reading and so a love of learning. Good picture books
will do this, and so he aims to write picture books that will be
read with carers and parents, an interaction with positive outcomes.
Consequently How did I get here? is produced to encourage
interaction between the carer and the child, begging them to ask
questions, to discuss, to talk about what they are reading.
Fran Knight
Whimsy and Woe: The Final Act by Rebecca McRitchie
Angus and Robertson, 2018. ISBN 9781460754672
(Age: 10+) Recommended. "As a blazing inferno rages through Whitby
City. Whimsy and Woe Mordaunt see their last clue go up on flames
and their journey to find their parents has seemingly come to a
fiery end. That is until the siblings spot a very familiar man in
the crowd . . . .
In the final act of this dramatic tale, Whimsy and Woe must escape
villainous thieves, travel beneath a desert, climb the Mountainous
Mountains and perform a death-defying trapeze act in the Benton
Brothers Circus . . . all before going undercover at the annual
Thespian Society Masquerade Ball.
Can they stop the Purple Puppeteer's evil plans in time and rescue
their parents? Or will the Purple Puppeteer pull their family's
strings forever?" (Publisher)
We had a number of excited students who were eagerly awaiting the
release of this book. And I am sure they will not be disappointed
with the result. McRitchie has managed to continue the gripping
story line from the first book, Whimsy
and Woe. Whimsy and Woe continue to be enthralling characters
who rise to the many twists and turns that are presented to them.
Although the book is quite thick, the text is fairly large and
interspersed with illustrations.
A must to fit on the shelf along side the first book. Suitable for
ages 10 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher
The 13th reality: Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner
The 13th Reality series. Scholastic, 2018 ( First
published by Simon and Schuster in 2008). ISBN 9781742998190
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Alternate realities;
Adventure; Heroism. Atticus Higginbottom (best known as Tick to his
friends) has again been needed to restore some order to the world
(and worlds of alternate realities). With his friends Sofia and
Paul, and the other odd assistant Master George Deems they needed to
solve the incredible tweaks of strangeness that have entered the
world and Tick is the one who seems destined to be the solution.
Unleashing the most incredible bravery, intelligence and
uncontrolled capacity for power, Tick is again required to be a
hero. In the first book in this series, Tick was revealed as having
extraordinary capabilities with Chi'karda - part of the wisdom and
magical power of the unconventional world where quantum physics seem
to explain alternate realities. In Hunt for Dark Infinity
Tick is needed to respond to a challenge that seems to send him on a
course of potential destruction in opposition to Mr Chu - the evil
'alternate' to his favourite science teacher. The forces surrounding
the Dark Infinity seem to be both evil and insane and Tick is needed
again to solve puzzles and make things right. But his powers seem to
be operating messily without rules. Where will it all end, and what
was the message that his mother nearly 'spilled' before the
adventure spun out of control?
Yet again James Dashner has unveiled a tense and riveting adventure
tale of fantasy, with more than a dash of science fiction, involving
young teen protagonists. This is best read as soon as possible after
the first book, Journal
of Curious letters, in order to maintain the flow. Young
readers will probably want to binge read this series in the same way
they devour a Harry Potter fantasy. It has a similar good vs evil
atmosphere and the pace is charged with the same serious intensity.
It is not quite as long as J K Rowling's books and more science
fiction fantasy than magical fantasy, although there are points of
similarity. And yes, there are more books in the series.
Recommended for fantasy lovers, aged 11+
Carolyn Hull
Lemonade Jones by Davina Bell and Karen Blair
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781925266733
(Age: 6+) "There are a lot of rules that don't interest Lemonade
Jones.
No running in the classroom, not even in an emergency.
Dangerous animals should be in cages. No biting. (Not even your
worst enemy)
It's especially hard to stick to rules when you're trying to make
life loud and exciting.
And Lemonade Jones likes it when loud and exciting things happen.
Two delightful stories about Lemonade Jones, a feisty girl with a
lot of fizz." (Publisher)
I love the fact that the lead character is a quirky girl who likes
to bend the rules or at least push the boundaries. The first story,
The First Day Backis a great starting point for children with
worries about beginning school. I like the idea that it is not a
picture book and would be a great read aloud for those starting at a
new school. Parts of the book are quite funny - and raises some
great conversation starters including it's ok to make mistakes and
how we can learn from them.
This book is a light hearted book presented with a mix of pictures
and text. The latter being a reasonable size - while at the same
time making the reader feel as if they are reading a chapter book
(although there are not any chapters in the book!). I can see this
book fitting into a 'quick read' section of a school library and I
am sure with the bright cover it will not spend a great deal of time
on the shelf.
Suitable for children 6 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher
Dinosaur day out by Sara Acton
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650049
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. Themes: Dinosaurs, Museums. Dinosaur Day
Out by author/illustrator Sara Action will entertain and
excite its young audience with a multi-layered approach. While we
read the story of Sally and Max's day out with Dad and their visit
to the museum, there is so much more happening in the visual
storytelling.
Sally and Max love dinosaurs and are keen to see the dinosaur
exhibition. Unfortunately, the area is closed with a large sign
stating "Dinosaurs Unleashed . . . dino's day off!" The children are
upset and their father buys them a book all about their favourite
animals. Off to the park they head, with "paths to explore and trees
to climb." Dad keeps up their spirits by reading dinosaur facts
aloud, "did you know about the diplodocus, the pterodactyl or the
stegosaurus?" While their father is busy reading and eating Sally
and Max are thoroughly enjoying the dinosaurs' day out! Hanging
upside down on a branch with the pterodactyl, feeding the diplodocus
leaves and watching it drink from the fountain. Even the t-rex
enjoys a triple scoop ice-cream when they stop for a treat. Their
day ends with Dad piggy-backing Sally as they walk back through the
park observed by a pack of dinosaurs.
Sally Acton's wonderful pictures seamlessly blend the dinosaurs into
the familiar park and city settings, natural tones of green and
brown sweep across the spreads. She shows Max and Sally's enjoyment,
their liveliness and interaction with the dinosaurs, a story within
a story that will enchant the reading audience. Dinosaur Day Out
is both an imaginative and informative picture book just right for
sharing with pre-schoolers and junior primary students.
Rhyllis Bignell
Inheritance by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650360.
(Age: 12-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Australian history.
Aboriginal peoples. Time travel. Family histories.
"Generations of women in my family have been able to time travel...
" Nic (Veronica) tries to explain to her only friend in her new
town, Strathmartin. Keeping a secret like this is proving difficult
for a lonely girl who has been left to live with her Grandfather on
a very remote farm. She is at a new school, a situation with which
she is very familiar having been to numerous schools over her
childhood after losing her mother at birth and having a father whose
music career has taken precedence over raising his daughter. To her
dismay the townspeople seem to be holding a grudge because of the
actions of her wealthy ancestors who grew up in the area. Thinking
her mother is dead and wanting to find out more about her family she
stumbles onto the "isching", as one relative calls it, which enables
her to travel back in time. Her grandfather objects to her
"travelling" but this does not deter her as she searches desperately
for the answers to the many questions about her family.
Written mostly in the first person this novel also has several
chapters written by her relatives and other characters, which allows
the author to round out this extraordinary story. The theme of
conflict between Aboriginal people and early settlers runs through
the story. Nic's journeys into the past lead her to believe her
mission is to prevent the slaughter of a local Aboriginal tribe and
this theme will provide valuable discussions in History classes.
A very enjoyable book has lots of opportunities to study Australia's
early history. The detail included by the author about sourcing
evidence and primary sources for historical study will also prove
valuable in schools.
Gabrielle Anderson
His name was Walter by Emily Rodda
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9781460710203
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Storytelling. Books and
reading. Mystery and suspense stories. Folk tales. Supernatural
phenomena.
The idea was to do some research for an authentic History lesson in
an historic outback town, but what the four students and their
teacher encounter that night is much more powerful than anything
they had ever imagined. After they are stranded when their bus
breaks down they rush to take refuge in an old house nearby as a
wild storm brews around them.
This book is suspenseful, eerie and enjoyable from start to finish.
It gives a story within a story as the students decide to fill in
the time by reading aloud a hand-made book they find in the house.
The story is written and illustrated in a fairytale/folktale way
using animals as characters and while some of them dismiss it as
just a story a few feel an unearthly power that draws them into
believing they need to finish the book and release some supernatural
phenomena that seems to be lurking in the house. The theme of true
love conquering all is also a strong influence in the story.
The students' characters are also used to develop the story - the
shy new boy who is grieving the loss of his grandad and their
country home, the computer nerd who doesn't believe in anything he
can't see, the popular girl who always gets what she wants, the shy
sensitive girl who feels the supernatural power of the book first. A
large range of readers will find someone to relate to in this book
and I think it could be successfully read aloud to a class. Walter,
the character in the Folktale is also worth a mention as he develops
from a meek boy to an assertive character who accepts his fate but
always tries to do the right thing.
A mystery from the town's past is solved, and the book has a
fantastic way of showing how history can be uncovered in the most
unexpected places and corrected by uncovering the truth. Teacher's
notes are available.
Gabrielle Anderson
The amazing world of Olobob Top by Leigh Hodgkinson and Steve Smith
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408897652
(Age: 3-5) The amazing world of Olobob Top is an activity
book created by Leigh Hodgkinson and Steve Smith based on the ABC
and BBC Children's show Olobob Top (If you have young children there
is a good chance you will have seen this show before!).
The blurb states "Have fun in the wonderful world of Olobob Top...
weave your way through mazes to explore forests, climb mountains
and soar up into the sky! With lots of exciting mazes and over 250
stickers, there are so many adventures to be had with the Olobobs"
and I think it sums it up pretty well. Each page surrounds a
different character or activity and asks the reader to complete
tasks and decorate with the supplied stickers. You may have to
follow the lines through the sky, find your way out of a maze or get
the Olobobs home safe. This part was probably the only downfall of
the book, there were just too many follow the line/maze pages
(actually all of them) and were a touch repetitive for Miss 4.
We did however love all the stickers and it kept her amused for an
hour which was a win for me!
It was also a good vehicle for directing learning towards shapes,
colours, sizes, counting and following directions - all of which are
key skills for young children.
I think this book is probably best suited for 3-5year olds who are
familiar with the show and its characters. There is another activity
book available (Make your own Olobob Top home), plus two
board books which would be fun activities for any young fan. We give
it 3 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
