Ill. by Sue Hendra. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408838846
(Age: Preschool - K) It's Max's monster party - there are yucky,
scary games to play like bouncing on the jumping castle that sprays
out gunk and pass-the-parcel which contains something
not-quite-nice. There's even a hairy green magician who can make
frogs hop from behind Max's ear, and before they eat there's time to
cool down in the paddling pool filled with buzzing botfly eggs and
whiiffy fruit-bat drool. The food is just as savoury and there's
excitement when Max's birthday cake appears. Earwax candles? But the
piece de resistance is the dragon jelly that is scary hot to eat.
This is a fun romp through a children's birthday party told in
rhyming verse that will delight the very young - perhaps their first
introduction to the horror genre or an inspiration for their next
birthday party. Whichever, the imaginative text and the bright
pictures set against a black background for extra effect will engage
and entertain and this is sure to become a firm favourite. Just
perhaps not as a bedtime story just in case of nightmares.
Birthday parties are big deal for the very young so this would be an
ideal way to help young students think about the steps required to
plan them, starting with lists of guests and games and food and then
a flowchart to sequence and sort - the first steps in helping them
to select and organise their information. Information literacy can
start at a very young age with the simplest of scenarios.
Barbara Braxton
The Christmas Book by Dick Bruna
Hardie Grant Books, 2014. ISBN 9781921288814
About forty years ago the first books I bought my firstborn child
were Dick Bruna's Miffy,
Poppy Pig and I Can Count. So how excited was I to
win a copy of The Christmas Book from my friend The Book Chook!
Last night after taking Small to see some Christmas Lights and
particularly the magnificent display and 'festival' at the Sandgate
Uniting Church, it seemed most fitting that our bedtime story
should be the story of Christmas as told by Bruna.
With a simplified but engaging text and Bruna's signature
illustrative style, this is such a charming book - and timeless.
First published in 1964, there is no doubt it is just as appealing
to today's audience as those of fifty years ago.
Share the joy and reason for the season with a little one you know
with this beautiful book and if you have not yet done so explore the
Miffy site and
Dick Bruna House.
Sue Warren
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Cycle bk 3. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781407136639
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. The third book in The Raven Cycle
carries on the quest for the Welsh King Glendower begun in The
Raven boys and The
dream thieves. Blue Sargent has found a place for
herself with the Raven boys, Gansey, Adam, Ronan and the ghostly
Noah, but things are unravelling around her. Her mother has been
missing for months and she and the ex-hit man seem to be the only
ones worried. As the group explore a cursed cave guarded by a
strange mountain man, and discover strange and wonderful things, the
mysteries surrounding the ley lines and Glendower remain
tantalisingly near.
Stiefvater draws the reader into this mystical quest with ease and
clever writing. The characters all develop along the way, with
tantalising clues given. Blue and Gansey's growing attraction for
each other is heart breaking as Blue knows that 'If she kisses her
true love, he will die.' The enigmatic Adam begins to realise that
money isn't everything and that friendship is really important.
Ronan's power is frightening and poor Noah tries desperately to hold
onto a corporeal appearance.
The group gradually get closer to solving the mystery of Glendower,
but there are many problems to be solved on the way. The appearance
of a new Latin teacher who is terrifying and Gwenllian, Glendower's
daughter, add to the suspense.
Steifvater's plotting is unique and wonderfully creative. She
doesn't write in an easy straight forward - she expects her readers
to be clever and to wend their way through the plots and twists and
characters that make up the Raven Cycle. This is a rich and
rewarding experience and fans of the series will love this book. The
cliff hanger at the end will ensure that the fourth instalment is
read as soon as it appears in print or e-book.
Pat Pledger
Where Bear? by Sophy Henn
Puffin, 2014. ISBN: 9780723288916
This delightful picture book from a new talent in the industry was a
great hit when Small and I read it together on Saturday night. A
little boy and a little bear lived together and all was wonderful
until they both started to grow and as one might expect the bear was
suddenly MUCH bigger than the boy. So much bigger in fact that
living in a house no longer seemed the best option for him.
So they begin their quest to find Bear a suitable and happy home.
Young readers will love the delightful refrain as the pair explore
each possibility - the zoo, the jungle, the pet shop and more - in
turn and each is rejected because Bear finds them unsuitable. But
'Where Bear?' asks the boy . . . until finally they find the very
perfect place for a very large Bear to settle down and raise a
family of his own.
Like so many enduring friendships, just because the boy and the bear
now live in separate places does not mean they no longer enjoy their
same close relationship. Chatty phone calls and even shared
'holiday' expeditions ensure their closeness remains.
This is a gorgeous book with simple resonant themes - the skilful
illustrations are typical of Sophy's artistic style after exploring
her website. Children will enjoy the tenderness between the two and
the opportunity to share their own stories of friendships -
including those where friends may have moved away.
Sophy has also been appointed the official illustrator for World
Book Day 2015.
Sophy has a new picture book being released next year and I look
forward to seeing that one - as I'm sure does Small.
Sue Warren
Ten Terrible Dinosaurs by Paul Stickland
Picture Corgi,2014. ISBN: 9780552572514
The most extraordinary thing about this book - which is great! - is
that when I first read it, my immediate reaction was that it was
almost identical in its text as one I created for a maths resource
when I was at uni doing my teacher's degree!
Mine was pretty dodgy with cut out 'lift the flaps' of dinosaur
wrapping paper images to hide the subtraction algorithm but it was
quite astonishing how closely Paul Stickland's writing and mine
coincided! Perhaps I have
missed my calling after all!
All that aside, this a fun book in the Dinosaur Roar series, which
are not only fun reads but teaching tools as well. A story of
diminishing numbers from 10 to 1 accompanied by wonderfully
colourful illustrations of extremely expressive dinosaurs which
Small and I very much enjoyed last night.
If you are looking for some new maths/literature resources for next
year, this might well be a good choice for your Preps.
Check out Paul Stickland's website
and the Dinosaurs Roar
website .
Sue Warren
Stolen Girl by Trina Saffioti and Norma MacDonald
Magabala Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921248252
(Ages: Lower primary) Although this is an older picture book from
Magabala's catalogue, the fact that it has now had two reprints
testifies to its value in any library collection or indeed home
bookshelf.
A fictionalised telling of one girl's experience as part of the
Stolen Generation, it is based on what might have happened to the
author's own grandmother who was stolen away from her family. The
illustrator's grandmother was also a stolen child so both Trina and
Norma are able to bring personal family stories and emotions to this
work.
The story begins in children's home and the reader finds out how the
girl arrived there through her recollections of her life before
being taken. The reader is taken into the home with its harshness
and lack of compassion but rather than dwell on the grimness of the
situation, we become part of the girl's dreaming hopes and her
determination to return home.
In the spirit of Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence this little
girl plans her route and at the right moment makes her escape
homeward. As she sets off our hearts go with her, willing her safety
and success in her journey.
A beautiful book which tells an important story, beautifully
illustrated by highly successful Indigenous artist Norma MacDonald.
Find teaching notes for this book here.
Sue Warren
Gezani and the Tricky Baboon by Valanga Khoza
Ill. by Sally Rippin. Ford Street, 2014. ISBN 9781925000740
(Age: Preschool - Yr 3) Gezani lives somewhere in the middle of
Africa with his mother and father, grandmother and grandfather, and
his twelve brothers and sisters. One day his grandfather asks him to
take a bunch of bananas to his cousins on the hill. Feeling very
grown up, Gezani sets off but it is not long before he meets Baboon.
Baboon is hungry and le loves bananas, but Gezani will not let him
carry them. He is on an important, trusted mission. But Baboon is
wily and he tricks Gezani into fetching him some water. When Gezani
comes back Baboon has eaten all the bananas. Gezani is laughed at
and humiliated by the villagers when he returns and confesses to his
grandfather, so he determines to get Baboon back by playing a trick
on him.
This is a multi-layered book that could spark lots of investigations
such as cautionary tales, stories from other countries, comparing
and contrasting lifestyles and so on. But its outstanding feature
for me is the characterisation of Gezani. In just 32 pages, Valanga
Khoza takes us on a journey through Gezani's emotions that really
bring him alive. Using guide questions such as 'How is Gezani
feeling?' and 'What do you think he is thinking now?' students can
get to know him and empathise with his situation. Follow-up
questions such as 'How would you be feeling?' and 'What would you
do?' might also help them understand the universality of the story.
This sort of thing happens to kids everywhere, even though it
probably isn't a baboon and bananas causing the angst. Mapping his
feelings and actions could also help them understand the setup of a
story - setting, task, complication and resolution - as each signals
a distinct change in his thoughts and feelings.
Sally Rippin's bold illustrations also offer insight - is the baboon
tricky or scary - and the double page spread where Grandfather
learns that Gezani has been tricked is an excellent illustration of
perspective depicting power.
All in all, this is so much more than a story about an African boy,
a baboon and some bananas. A Year 4 boy who selected it for a
read-and-respond task was engrossed in it for almost an hour!
Barbara Braxton
Found You! by Mardi Davies
Ford St Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9781925000665 (hardcover)
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Mardi Davies has long
been involved with creating art for children. As part of Walt Disney
Animation Australia's team she has drawn pictures for 8 full-length
movies. Her animation skills have now been delightfully applied to
her first picture book with great success.
Florence Moon and her dog Trevor are great friends and share a
backyard that is just perfect for playing hide-and-seek. It's just
that Trevor is pretty awful at hiding. In fact he's terrible at it.
Everytime!
It simply does not matter how long Florence counts, waiting for
Trevor to find a great hiding spot, he just can't manage a
successful attempt. It doesn't help that he chooses places like a
too-small box or the washing hanging on the clothesline!
But Florence Moon doesn't give up. In an inspired moment, she turns
around her approach, realising that although Trevor is a terrible
hider he just might be a really good finder. And he is!
With beautifully imaginative illustrations, this book about a simple
game that becomes a little complicated is a wonderful exploration of
perseverance and creative thinking.
This is a terrific book to share with little humans about fun and
friendship - and being ready to change a 'game plan'.
Highly recommended for young readers from toddlers up.
Sue Warren
Australia's greatest landmarks and locations by Virginia Grant
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780857983886
Highly recommended for readers from 10 - adult and for Years 6-9,
History and Social Sciences. Australia's Greatest Landmarks and
Locations is the third comprehensive information book in the Australia's
Greatest series. Celebrating the diverse geographical wonders
from Uluru to the Great Barrier Reef, iconic buildings, famous
beaches and natural attractions, this book explores our nation's
amazing places and historical background. This is an excellent
resource for school libraries.
Places of cultural and political significance such as Old Parliament
House in Canberra, Fremantle Prison, The MCG and the German
settlement of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills are clearly and
concisely explained. Each state's indigenous heritage is included
with recognition of their traditional lands, significant events -
The Mabo Treaty and art and artists. In the Northern Territory, the
Nitmiluk Gorge system, previously Katherine Gorge, is an amazing
sandstone feature with walls higher than 70 metres, this land was
handed back to the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.
Editor Virginia Grant has written and produced a comprehensive,
factual book, that is easy to read with bold titles and labelled
paragraphs. Photographs accompany each entry and extra information
is included in text boxes. A bold photo collage concludes each
section. The information covers climate, environment, history,
sport, art, everything Australian from The Aboriginal Messenger to
Zebra the ship that brought the German settlers to Port Adelaide.
The comprehensive reference list websites for further research. This
would make a great present for an overseas visitor or for an adult
who enjoys reading factual books.
Rhyllis Bignell
Poppy Muddlepup's daring rescue by Daisy Meadows
Magic Animal Friends. Orchard Books, 2014. ISBN 9781408331750
Recommended for ages 6+. In this Bumper Special Edition, three
Magical Animal Friends stories are included, telling the tale of
Lily and Jess and their delightful adventures to help spell-bound
Patch Muddlepup. Goldie the magic kitten summons the girls into the
enchanted Friendship Forest, they need to help the puppy that has
had an evil sleeping spell cast on him by the evil witch Grizelda.
There only hope is searching for three special ingredients to make
the Rise and Shine potion. The final ingredient Sunrise Berries only
grow at the witch's castle, here the girls need all of their
creativity and resourcefulness to outwit Grizelda's evil spell. The
forest animals talk to the girls and provide help and support along
the way. Mr Greenhop and his frog family ferry the adventurers
across the lake on their lily pads, to the banks of the snow-covered
garden, where Grizelda lives in a dark tower.
Daisy Meadows is the popular author of the Rainbow Magic fairy
books and the Magic Animal Friends series. These junior
novels presented in an easy to read style, include all the elements
that young readers love; magic adventures, friends working together
to solve problems, cute talking animals and good triumphing over
evil. They are quintessentially English and a fun introduction to
chapter books for girls. The appealing black and white illustrations
appear as large borders, around the page numbers and across the
double page spreads.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
Ill. by Richard Johnson. Random House 2014. ISBN 9780552569880
'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse . . . '
Are there any more recognisable words than these at this time of the
year? This poem, written by Clement Clarke Moore 192 years
ago, stirs the imagination of generation after generation and every
child should have at least one copy in their home library.
This one, beautifully illustrated by Richard Johnson in a very
traditional way, is perfect to introduce children to the story of
Santa Claus and his reindeer.
At this time of the year there are many books published that have a
Christmas theme but this one has proven its popularity and if your
library doesn't have a copy then this is the one to get.
Barbara Braxton
Christmas in Australia by John Williamson
Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780670077724
First of all, let me start with my favourite John Williamson story.
A long time ago, probably around 1987 or so, I was the leader of a
very enthusiastic Brownie Pack in Brisbane and the Save the
Koala campaign was kicking in. These little girls and I were
committed to highlighting the plight of the koala and were planning
a presentation for our usual Christmas activity of presenting at our
local nursing home and other functions. In those days before my
teacher-librarian research skills (indeed teaching skills) were even
thought of and certainly before the ease of internet research, I was
struggling to find the sheet music and lyrics for John's Goodbye
Blinky Bill song. The music teacher at my local
primary school said she knew John and had a contact address for him
so I duly wrote and explained my dilemma. This wonderful and
generous human responded with not only an autographed copy of the
sheet music but the 45 record (yes! It was that long ago!) also
autographed, with a lovely handwritten note telling me to keep up
the good work with these little Australians.
About seven years later, I was teaching in my first post in the
South Burnett and John came to Kingaroy. I took my daughter, Mum and
stepfather to the concert and after the show, John came out the
front of the hall and chatted, signed posters etc and proved himself
what I had already known - a top bloke!
Many people will already know the Christmas Photo song but
this concept of putting the lyrics into a picture book format with
the superb illustrations of Mitch Vane was an inspiration! This is
quintessentially Australian Christmas time: cricket and camping,
family, food and fun, Santa in a ute and nicknames all around as one
Aussie family tries to get everybody into the annual photo.
Mitch Vane's illustrations are perfectly suited to the
rambunctiousness of the whole production with much detail for
observant readers to discover and compare with their own
experiences. A terrific book for exploring family traditions at this
festive time of year! By the way, if you enter the ISBN of the book
at John Williamson's website
, you can download the mp3 of the song for free. Enjoy the magic
of our absolutely incomparable Aussie bush troubadour and share with
your family. Don't forget to make sure everyone is in the Xmas Day
photo!!!
Sue Warren
Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf by Belinda Murrell
Ill. by Selina Geddes. Random House, 2014. ISBN 978857982254
(Age: Newly independent readers) Christmas starts in many families
with the decorating of the tree, and it's the same in the Bell
household. The smell of pine resin mingled with that of the mangoes
in a bowl as together they enjoy this family tradition which Rosie
completes when she puts the angel at the top. Then it's time to make
the costumes for the school's Christmas concert, angels for the
little ones and elves for Lulu's class. She's just trying on her
costume when her neighbours come in to visit and it's not long
before Lulu picks up that something is wrong. Bonnie, the twins'
cat, has been missing since the day before.
And so begins another charming story of Lulu Bell helping others
against a backdrop of all that is familiar with Australian children.
Making and baking, writing letters to Santa (with a twist in the
request), worrying about next year's teacher, the excitement of the
end-of-year performance, even a beach party on Christmas Eve. And to
top it off, instructions for some of the crafts and food featured in
the story, including Lulu's elf costume and hat. There is even a
downloadable Christmas
kit with instructions and activities guaranteed to delight. as
well as teachers'
resources for the series.
Lulu's fans will be thrilled that she's back with another story,
perfect for this time of year and as a present under the tree. For
those unfamiliar with Lulu, it's a lovely introduction to a series
about a family that includes eight-year-old Lulu, her six-year-old
sister Rosie, who loves wearing angel wings and sparkly shoes; her
three-year-old brother Gus who always wears his superhero suit; her
dad, a busy vet and her mum, an artist - not to mention a menagerie
of pets. Miss 8 really enjoys this refreshing series of stories
about characters she can relate to, particularly Lulu as the strong,
sensible level-headed lead.
Belinda Murrell has crafted a series of stories that really appeal
to those who are newly-independent readers, ready to venture into
the world of "chapter books". Miss 8 is going to be delighted when
she opens this on Christmas morning.
Barbara Braxton
Everything I Need to Know About Christmas I Learned from a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780553497359
So far my reviews of the current crop of Christmas books have
focused on those for children. Here's one that would make a splendid
gift for a festively frazzled friend!
Taking illustrations from Little Golden Books of the past (and who
didn't have a whole shelf of them as little kid! What was your
favourite?) and a wide variety of the most well known illustrators
of LGB, handy precepts for
making it through the silly season are offered up with
tongue-in-cheek humour.
Advice on the food, the gifts, the celebrations, the traffic, the
weight gain and more is cleverly matched with illustrations from
many Little Golden Books - each with its title and details
captioned.
This is a fun gift for someone in your life who needs a bit of a
'pep up' during this sometimes stressful time of year, particularly
if they relish the 'retro' look or a gift for a teacher, carer or
similar. It would also make a nice conversation piece for your
coffee table when you have guests with whom you struggle for small
talk .
Enjoy this - it's certainly a bit of a giggle!
Sue Warren
Cooper Bartholomew is dead by Rebecca James
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743319239
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Mystery. Drugs. Suicide. Libby, Cooper's
girlfriend, has doubts when the official finding states that Cooper
Bartholomew's death was a suicide. His body was found at the foot of
a cliff, but she had believed that they were happy together and that
Cooper had a fulfilling job. She is determined to find out the truth
and starts to unravel just what happened on the night that he died.
The main characters have all left school, and many are at
university. Cooper's best friend Sebastian and his ex-girlfriend
party hard and take drugs but Cooper, happily employed as a cabinet
maker, was beginning to find that was not for him before his death.
The story is told through the eyes of the main characters, with the
reader getting to know both the past and the present events and the
people who feature in them. Starting with 'Now', a short chapter
describes Cooper's death from his point of view. The story then
veers to a chapter told by Libby when she hears about Cooper's
death. Sebastian, Cooper's best friend from childhood, is
devastated, and Claire who is still in love with Cooper, tells of
her feelings and the events that happened that night. With Libby,
the reader has to unravel all the clues and red herrings left by the
different characters, hoping to find the truth behind his death.
This is an engrossing book, which I read in a couple of sittings,
eager to get to the end and find out the truth of what happened to
Cooper. James tied the mystery up very neatly with a few twists and
unexpected turns, making it a very satisfying read for those who
love mysteries.
It is definitely aimed at the 'New Adult' market with drugs, a drug
overdose and a sex scene and protagonists who are of university age.
However the themes of peer pressure, being in the right group,
respecting friends and self-esteem make it a thoughtful for older
teens.
Pat Pledger
