A duck is watching me: strange and unusual phobias. Commentary by Bernie Hobbs
NLA Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9780642278647
(Age: 12+) Most people are aware of arachnophobia, the fear of
spiders, and claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed spaces. But what
about pupophobia, the fear of puppets, or lutraphobia, the fear of
otters? In A duck is watching me, photographs from the
collection of the National Library of Australia have been used to
raise awareness of a psychological condition that can be
debilitating to those affected.
The two page introduction by science writer and broadcaster Bernie
Hobbs is a textbook example of how scientific and medical knowledge
can be communicated to lay readers. After outlining the biology and
psychology of the fight-or-flight response, the author considers the
various origins of phobias including evidence that they can be
learned, inherited or develop after adverse experiences. She also
recommends programs organised by zoos to help those with phobias
about animals, and wisely advises anyone in the thrall of a phobia
to speak to a health professional. Bernie Hobbs has the ability to
convey information about a medical condition in a light-hearted
style that is enjoyable to read but maintains scientific credibility
and empathy for sufferers.
The book is neither a medical text book nor an in-depth study of the
causes and effects of phobias. Instead, readers can browse an
intriguing collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century
photographs, and dwell on the brief definition of the phobia with
which each picture is associated. For example, an 1890 portrait of a
child on a fur rug is matched with 'Doraphobia, the fear of fur' and
a photograph of spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1980
accompanies 'Demophobia, the fear of crowds'.
If the first step to overcoming a fear is to name it, then A duck is
watching me has certainly succeeded. Its playful approach to a
subject that is grounded in fear can help to promote an
understanding of the anxiety disorders that affect one in ten people
but are rarely discussed.
Elizabeth Bor
My First Elmer Collection by David McKee
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9781783441792
(Age: Pre-School) If the preschool children in your life haven't
been introduced to Elmer yet then you need to read the first story
in the series. He is a perennial favourite, even with children much
older than the target market of preschoolers.
In this collection of board books just the right size for small
fingers, there are four titles - Elmer's Day, Elmer's
Colours, Elmer's Friends and Elmer's Weather.
Each is perfectly pitched at the youngest of readers, introducing
them to basic concepts about their world while bringing delight and
laughter. McKee's bright pictures appeal enormously and he is a most
recognisable character.
It is 25 years since we were first introduced to Elmer, and given
the delight a group of Year 2 students took in exploring stories
about him just a week ago, it is clear that that appeal is not going
to fade. This would be an ideal set to begin your child's reading
journey. Recommend it to your parents for their Christmas list
because they can build on it for several years! Perhaps one family
member can become the 'Elmer giver'.
Barbara Braxton
Awful Auntie by David Walliams
Ill. by Tony Ross. Harper Collins, 2014. ISBN 9780007453610
(Age: 7-12 years) Recommended. As has been previously noted by
reviewers more knowledgeable than I, move over Roald Dahl, David
Walliams is in the house. With characters that remind us of the Dahl
classics, and illustrations that add to the humour of the text what
is not to like. Awful Auntie is set in Saxby Hall, during winter, in some
distant past. The Hall is occupied by Gibbon an ancient, bumbling
butler, Aunt Alberta, a Miss Trunchbull clone and the most awful
aunt ever, her companion Wagner a giant Bavarian Mountain Owl with a
strange and interesting relationship to Aunt Alberta, a ghostly
chimney sweep, Soot and Lady Stella, heir to the hall.
Stella awakes to find herself bandaged from head to toe only to find
that her parents were killed in a car accident, months ago and Aunt
Alberta was in charge. Aunt Alberta lost all her inheritance due to
an unfortunate addiction to Tiddlywinks and has designs on taking
over Saxby Hall.
Having been frightened by her Aunt, Stella escapes her bandaging and
frees herself from her room in an attempt to get away. Unfortunately
Wagner raises the alarm and she is tossed in the coal cellar 'for
her own safety'. Here Stella meets Soot, the young resident ghost,
killed by an unfortunate fire in the chimney he was sweeping at the
time. Soot is only visible to Stella and uses the chimney network to
move unnoticed about the house.
Having discovered the truth about her parent's accident, Stella and
Soot plan to expose Aunt Alberta as the murderer she is, through a
series of madcap adventures, where any and everything can happen
from marbles scattered on the floor, a bogus policeman, to a car
chase in the snow. Tony Ross's illustrations only add to the sense
of chaos and enjoyment .
The addition of a letter of complaint from a Walliam's favourite
character, Raj, alerts readers to look for other titles from this
author or visit the website. What an interesting form of self
promotion.
Sue Keane
The Imaginary by A. F. Harrold
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN: 9781408852460
(Age: 8+) Recommended. The Imaginary is a fiction story
about loss, friendship, determination and imagination. Amanda
Shuffleup is an extremely imaginative young girl; she can turn her
ordinary back yard into a whole new world. All of her friends think
she is a bit weird especially when she introduces them to Rudger,
her imaginary friend. No-one can see Rudger apart from Amanda . . .
and Mr. Bunting. Mr. Bunting is an imaginaries hunter, and when he
finds them he eats them. Soon Mr. Bunting has found Rudger and he's
hunting him down. Unfortunately Amanda is in an accident and she
forgets all about Rudger. What happens to imaginaries when they
don't have any one to dream them up? Now Rudger is fading and he
needs to find Amanda again, before Mr. Bunting finds him. A
mysterious talking cat shows Rudger to a safe place full of other
imaginaries, but Rudger is not happy without Amanda. He has to find
her before its too late. Rudger finds someone that might help lead
him to Amanda. But will his plan go as he wants or will he fade
completely?
When I read The Imaginary I was with the story the whole
time. It is a great book to read. It is quite different to other
stories because the main character is not even real, he's imaginary.
It made me think if I ever had an imaginary friend. I would
recommend this book to kids aged 8+. I definitely enjoyed reading The
Imaginary.
Jasmin Grist (Student)
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of glass, bk 3. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408839126
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Celaena cannot do the King of
Adarlan's wishes, she is sent off by Prince Dorian and Captain Chaol
to keep her hidden. She is approached by dark and mysterious
Rowan, sworn fae warrior to Celaena's Aunt Maeve, and is taken back
to Maeve's realm. Celaena needs to obtain the secrets of the
Wyrdmarks and to do so she needs to train with Rowen and prove her
worth. Celaena must come to accept her troubled past and her
heritage. Chaol must accept that the King he serves is an unjust
ruler, while Dorian must accept the forbidden magic within him.
This is the third instalment of the Throne of Glass series,
which is a must read. I love how the relationships in the Heir
of Fire have developed. The characters are strong and are
never as you first read them. After reading the first two books I
thought I understood Celaena but everything changes in Heir of
Fire. I could not put this book down; I just had to see the
ending. I had to know who Celaena really is and whether she will
accept her heritage or not. An amazing and captivating read that
many would enjoy.
Cecilia Richards
A New Pet by Gabriel Evans
Woodlands Whiskers series. Five Mile Press, 2014. ISBN
9781760061005
Recommended. 'Please clean your bedroom,' said Mum. But the little
mice didn't want to tidy today.
Just like the first book in the Woodlands Whiskers Lift a Flap
series, A New Pet is a beautifully drawn short story that
evokes memories of the Peter Rabbit books I was read as a
child. It has a delicate way of presenting the story and characters
in both text and pictures. Questions can immediately be asked by a
child reader as to which mouse is which and the flowing text slowly
answers the inquisitive mind.
Along the way a young reader is also drawn to each page by the
little lift the flap pop out windows that they must open to find out
what is hidden behind. Most depict what is happening in the text but
a pretty little lady bug also draws the imagination. A New Pet is a book that is perfect to read with a child just
before they go to sleep. It offers a story and interaction that
provokes conversation while delivering a sweet little story about a
quiet mouse family and a situation that imitates a real life
situation that many children and their families go through. In a
time where books are getting increasingly louder and brighter it is
lovely to see a book series that is simple and quiet in delivery.
Steve Whitehead
Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN: 9780802737496
Eve doesn't know much. She knows her name, Eve; she knows Malcolm
and Aunt Nicki but no one from her past. She knows only what the
agency tells her, she is on the run from a notorious serial killer
and her lost memories can help Malcolm find the killer. She is
placed into real life circumstances that jog her memory, she has a
home, she has a job and she has friends that she doesn't trust. Eve
loses more memories and can't remember time between each memory
flash; she loses days or even weeks. And she has to place everything
together so that she knows who she is before its too late for her. Conjured is an amazing and captivating read. I did find that
I was confused a fair amount but only to the extremes that Eve was.
An intriguing view on magic and mystery that kept me wanting to know
whether Eve will remember who she is at the end or not. I was
shocked at some of the betrayals that Eve had to go through but I
thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eve and watching her evolve into a
stronger character.
Cecilia Richards
Wombat went a'surfing ill. by Lachlan Creagh
Lothian, 2014. ISBN 9780734415578
(Age: 3-10) Picture book. Recommended. Wombat and his mates are
heading to the beach. Croc can surf, Goanna is a natural, Koala
thinks it's fun, Emu can't stand up but the question is, can wombat
hang ten? Wombat Went Surfing is a wonderful and simple story for the
average Australian child from 3 - 10. The book is a great story for
all parents to read to their children and a great book for an
emerging reader to take on a non-levelled picture book. The pages
are beautifully illustrated, the fonts are large and simple to read.
The language is very easy and will not stress a child with limited
vocabulary other than several Australian colloquialisms.
Lothian Children's Books have branched off from their well-known Captain
Kangaroo series and released a great book revolving around the
rollie pollie lovable character Wombat. They have kept the
Australian animal characters and beautiful coastal backdrops are
very well presented. Wombat Went Surfing is a beautiful book that shares its
mantle with other great Australian picture books such as Possum
Magic, Edward the Emu, Captain Kangaroo, Bilby
and the Bushfire and Mulga Bill's Bicycle with its
wonderful Australian colloquialisms.
Steve Whitehead
The Talkative Tombstone by Ursula Dubosarsky
The Cryptic Casebook of Coco Carlomagno bk. 6. Ill. by Terry
Denton. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743319529
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. Buenos Aires Chief of Police Coco Carlomagno
is in a terrible state, he needs the assistance of his cousin
Alberta to solve another Argentine mystery. She travels to the city
with her celery sticks, a torch, crossword puzzles and a fake
moustache in a brown paper bag; this case calls for the two guinea
pigs to be disguised. They travel on the Subte, the underground
railway to the grand cemetery of Chacarita, without stopping at the
famous churro factory nearby. The graves are small houses set
alongside little streets and Coco is extremely worried about the
strange noises coming from one of them. Alberta courageously
ventures inside and solves the mystery behind the talking tombstone.
Terry Denton's humorous sketches of the detectives in action are
combined with puzzles, mazes, codes and cryptic clues to make this
another great addition to the series. Fans will enjoy reading about
the crime fighting cousins, who solve two more mysteries in this
junior novel. A glossary of Spanish words is included at the end.
Recommended for readers from 7-9 years.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Icicle Illuminarium by N. J. Gemmell
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857985675
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. The Icicle Illuminarium is
entertaining and original. It had me holding my breath before I was
halfway through!
It was so good I couldn't stop reading: a real page turner!!
I loved it.
It tells the story of four little Australians whose father went
missing (from the Kensington Reptilarium), but has now been found.
Now they keep on hearing stories of their 'supposed to be dead'
Mother being alive; so the Caddy kids go on a mission to find her.
What lies ahead no-one knows - they could fall into deadly trap!!
You really need to read it!!
I highly recommend this book for ages 9 - 13.
Amelie Meinel (Student, Year 6)
Terry Denton's bumper book of the universe by Terry Denton
Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780143308003
(Age: 10+) Recommended. This bumper book by Terry Denton is full of
mazes, puzzles, codes and so much more. This fun book teaches about
everything from how the world was made to families, how things work
and even about me. The book is divided into 12 different
sections that have information as well as activities to help you
learn lots of things. There are 304 pages of fun. I liked being able
to draw my own diagrams and pictures in it.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for ages 10 and up.
Leah Meinel (Student, age 10)
Australian writers of influence by Bernadette Kelly
Our Stories series. Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN:
9781922179937
(Age: 6-12) Recommended. I found this book to be very informative
with the information written in clear and concise language, with the
print bold and well spaced for easy and quick reading, which makes
it great for jotting down notes etc when researching a topic.
Illustrations and photographs are explicit and clear.
A recommended book for Teachers and students alike for the study of
Australian authors and their work, or just for an interesting read.
Lorraine Birks
Clementine Rose series by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2014 Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box. ISBN 9781742757537 Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend. ISBN 9781742757551
(Age: K - Yr 3) Here are the next two adventures in this series
about this fun-loving five
year-old designed for the newly-independent reader who is looking
for a recognisable character and the support of short chapters, an
easy-to-read style with a splash of humour and cute illustrations
that add a richness to the story.
In Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box, Clementine Rose is
ecstatic because there are three new children in the new
family-next-door for her to play with AND the children's mother is a
ballet teacher. But as usual, fate steps in and things do not go
smoothly.
In Clementine Rose and the Famous Friend it's back to school
time and there is a new teacher who is very different from Mrs
Bottomley - a prospect nearly all our students are facing and
feeling a little anxious about. On top of that, there's a strange
guest at Pemberthey House whose mysteriousness adds to the anxiety.
Each time Miss 8 has come to visit lately, she's eyed these two
books in my review pile and asked "Have you reviewed them yet?" Even
though Clementine Rose is younger than she is, she really relates to
her as a character and I know Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box
with its ballet theme is going to be devoured when she finally gets
them. I will be the BEST grandma - I can hear it now!
This is a series that is going from strength to strength with the
newly-independent brigade and they eagerly await each new episode.
Clementine Rose shares a blog with Alice-Miranda and
her own website.
There are also teaching
notes for the series.
As a bonus this year there is also The
Clementine Rose Busy Day Bookfull of activities
to go with the series that is going to be a godsend in those lazy,
late January days when the heat is on and physical activity is off.
And if that's not enough, there are two more titles coming very
soon.
Barbara Braxton
You Choose series by George Ivanoff
Random House, 2014 The Haunting of Spook House. ISBN 9780857983862 Maze of Doom. ISBN 9780857983855
(Age: Yr 3+) It seems even our youngest children have been lured in
by the appeal of computer-based games as they allow each player to
have control of what happens to the characters driven by the
decisions he/she makes about the decisions the characters make. So
when that power is made available in book form, propelled not by
graphics and a controller but by words, reading and understanding,
everyone is happy - those who like to control the adventure and
those who like to see their children reading. Harking back to a very
popular format of about 20 years ago, where books were the most
accessible form of self-driven entertainment and where the reader
chose their own adventure by making a choice about what action to
take and therefore where to move next in the story, this series 'You
Choose' puts the power back in the reader's hands, rather than the
author's predetermined storyline. And each time the book is read a
different choice can be made and a new story created.
As with the first two in the series, The Treasure of Dead Man's
Cove and Mayhem at Magic School, the author has chosen
traditional venues that appeal to adventurers with just enough of
the dark stuff in them to maintain the suspense but not scare them
off completely. Maze of Doom is set in a 'lame-looking' sideshow at
the fun fair. However, its exterior belies what it contains inside
and if the reader doesn't discover its secrets, they may be trapped
inside forever. The Haunting of Spook House is all that is expected.
The reader is dared to go inside to investigate if a man was indeed
mummified there and now haunts the place.
Written by an author who, himself, was a devotee of this sort of
format and only became an avid reader after he discovered it -
something that my friend found happened when her 15 year-old
grandson who has been euphemistically called a 'reluctant reader'
discovered the books in her to-review pile - this is a series that
not only combines interactivity and reading, but also enables the
reader to think about cause and effect, to consider the options, to
take the time to make a decision, and to take risks in a safe
environment, all traits we try to encourage.
The appeal and importance of gaming within the formal education
setting is becoming the focus of a lot of research and literature
and this series provides a great foundation to actively engage and
explore options. Map the story, its choices and consequences on a
flow chart; have students add a few twists of their own and discuss
how these can have an exponential effect on the outcomes; perhaps
even venture down the Technologies strand of the Australian
Curriculum and let your budding programmers start to design the
coding. Then set a new scenario and start to explore the pathways
and fun of 'what if . . .', encouraging the students to let their
imaginations go, push the boundaries, think beyond the usual as they
draw on all they've seen and experienced. As well as offering an
engaging read, skilled teachers could use these books as models for
an absorbing, integrated project that would draw in their writers,
their illustrators, their mathematicians, their computer experts,
and their gamers to create something new that accentuates the need
for a team, encourages negotiation and compromise as well as the
skills of seeing things from another perspective and looking for
alternatives, and perhaps, even, the concept of empathy.
So glad this format is back on the reading agenda of the younger
readers in my life.
Barbara Braxton
Found You! by Mardi Davies
Ford Street, 2014. ISBN 9781925000672
(Age: Preschool - Yr 2) The backyard is full of great hiding places
and Florence Moon and her dog Trevor are having a wonderful game of
hide-and-seek. Trevor is doing the hiding and Florence Moon is doing
the seeking but Trevor is not very good at finding places to conceal
himself. Florence Moon finds him in seconds. Every time. They talked
about camouflage, disguises and choosing places that were big enough
but still she found him. Every time. She counted forward she counted
backward, she counted every number she knew. But still she found him
easily. This game was running out of fun so Florence Moon stopped
playing. But Trevor didn't get the message. He followed her wherever
she went. Everywhere. And that gave Florence Moon an idea . . .
Who doesn't like a good game of hide-and-seek? Miss 8 and Miss 3
play it endlessly when they are here but Miss 8 is a bit like
Florence Moon and Miss 3 is a bit like Trevor - obvious places,
giggles and little calls of 'I'm here!' give Miss 3 away every time.
So when this was their bedtime story on Saturday night, they loved
it, and not just because it resonated so strongly with their own
games.
Author/illustrator Mardi Davies has spent many years creating
animations at Walt Disney Animation Australia and her skill and
knowledge shine through this book. Both Florence Moon and Trevor are
very appealing with their expressions and body language being an
integral part of the text as well as the pictures, and the
techniques of frame-by-frame, close-ups and subtle hints like the
chicken reading 'Does Your Pet Have Separation Anxiety?' drag the
reader right into Florence Moon's thinking. Miss 3 loved looking for
the chickens -she'd spent the day trying to get friendly with our
new ones which she named Chicken and Licken - and Miss 8 was
fascinated by the representation of Trevor as a shadow. 'That's just
like Stacey - she follows me like a shadow!' Every page has riches
to explore and offers opportunities for talking and learning.
This is a charming book about friendship, loyalty and the joy of
childhood which has wide appeal.
Barbara Braxton
