Ill. by Deborah Niland. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743319123
(Age: Preschool - K) 'This little piggy went singing
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had noodles
This little piggy had none
And this little piggy went toot, toot, toot all the way home.'
In a whimsical twist on the traditional rhyme Margaret Wild and
Deborah Niland have combined to bring us this charming book to
herald in the festive season for 2014. Whether it is out singing
Christmas carols, posting a letter to Santa, and partying it up or
staying home reading a Christmas story, making decorations and
putting them up, each little piggy has a wonderful time in the days
before the BIG day, even the one who has none because it's been made
into a necklace by a mouse or shared with a feathered friend. And
they all come together for something special on the very last page.
But this is more than just a take on a tale - each piggy has a
different role on each page and so young readers can pick a
favourite and follow their adventures all the way through the story.
There is also a trend of activity throughout - the first little
piggy is always out of the house doing something Christmasy the
second stays at home doing something special the third piggy has
something to eat and the fourth does not - but it doesn't matter
because there's a delightful explanation as to why not. And the
fifth little piggy makes a cacophony of noises all the way home that
young ones will love to join in with. Picking the pattern is as much
fun as picking the piggy! Can you work out how Deborah Niland might
have mapped out her illustrations so each piggy did something
different each day?
It's also an opportunity to talk with the children about the
traditions they recognise and which have endured over time as well
as what happens in their house in those busy days and compare and
contrast the various activities. While the original rhyme has been
in English folklore since 1760, Margaret and Deborah have brought it
right into the 21st century, giving it a richness that will ensure
it continues to endure.
This is a delightful way to herald in the Christmas Countdown - 24
books, one a day till THE day - and I can't wait to share it with my
little ones. It's sparkly, glittery cover already caught their eye
as it waited its turn in the pile so I know it will be the first in
our countdown calendar.
Barbara Braxton
Mouse Mansion: Sam and Julia at the Circus by Karina Schaapman
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781760112028
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Karina Schaapman's Sam & Julia
stories are photographed inside the real-life Mouse Mansion. She
created over one hundred, amazingly detailed rooms from orange
boxes, recycled materials and vintage fabrics. Her inspiration came
from the experiences and everyday happenings of her four (now adult)
children.
Julia and Sam are the young mice who live in this amazing place.
Julia is curious and stubborn, a girl mouse who wants to take on the
world and her friend Sam is quiet and shy, their special
friendship takes them on adventures. The circus is in town and Julia
encourages her mother to apply for the job of cook and seamstress.
All of the neighbours appear to wave goodbye to Julia and her mother
as they leave for their summer adventure with Circus Roberti.
Exchanging letters, both friends keep in touch Sam is staying at
Ella's, sleeping in the triple bunk bed and helping with the
triplets. Julia's life is filled with circus tales and characters,
Enrico the Clown, the mini-elephant and helping the escapologist
with his act.
What a delight it is to turn the page and discover another
creatively photographed space, brimful of treasures, lovingly
gathered and crafted - button wheels, necklace chain railings and
hand sewn characters. Mouse Mansion picture books are wonderful
gifts, something to visit again and again, they stimulate creativity
and imagination. Why not create a mouse
house as a holiday activity?
Highly recommended for readers from 5 years and for families to
share.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Broken Sun by Darrell Pitt
A Jack Mason Adventure bk 3. Text Publishing, 2014. ISBN
9781922182166
(Age: 10-12) Recommended. Fans of Darrell Pitt's Jack Mason
series will find this novel has all the historic, Steampunk and
mystery elements they enjoy reading. Jack Mason, Scarlet Bell and
Mr. Doyle return to solve a mysterious disappearance from the
British Museum, a piece of the Broken Sun, an ancient artifact. As
they travel on airships and steam trains across England, to Scotland
and Norway to locate the other pieces of the relic, they are up
against an evil group also determined to find the pieces a map that
points to the treasures of Atlantis.
When Gloria, Mr Doyle's receptionist is poisoned, the trio must
follow the clues to rediscover the lost city of New Atlantis and
find the antidote a rare plant. In their battle to save Gloria, they
also discover a plot to attack the English Houses of Parliament.
During this race against time, Mr Doyle receives news that his son
Phillip may still be alive. Of course the villains are connected
with both calamitous situations.
Fast-paced action, ingenious escapes, The Broken Sun delivers all
the factors the readers enjoy. Scarlet's constant comparisons to her
favourite story character Brinkie Buckeridge are ever present,
Doyle's references to his previous ways to solve puzzles with three
bizarre objects are less evident, though he still consumes
lint-covered cheese from his pockets. Jack is growing up and his
investigative skills developing, together they make a great
detective team.
Recommended for readers from 10-12.
Rhyllis Bignell
K-9 by Rohan Gavin
Knightley & Son series, Bk 2. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN:
9781408851432
(Age: 12 - 14) In this second installment of Knightley & Son,
thirteen year old detective Darkus Knightley returns to fight
another evil villain. With his companion ex-war dog Wilbur, Darkus
is drawn into the frightening disappearances of pet dogs on
Hampstead Heath and the mysterious sightings of ferocious 'smart
dogs' roaming the streets of London. Even more menacing is a hairy
werewolf-like creature causing havoc as well, Knightley & Son
are needed again.
Darkus is a highly intelligent boy whose life needs order or his
catastrophiser takes over. His decision to leave school, find his
father and assist in this investigation, sets him on a dark and
dangerous path. His father is still suffering from bouts of deep
coma-like sleep and his son steps up to solve the mysteries. Along
to help are his sister Tilly and his Scottish Uncle Bill, Darkus
needs their assistance to foil the plans of Barabas King and his
attack dogs.
Darkus and his family traverse London in search of the beast and the
tension builds as the full moon approaches. Uncle Bill is captivated
by celebrity dog-trainer Fiona Connelly, who lives with her many
dogs next to Hampstead Heath. The fast-paced adventure is full of
twists and turn and unexpected outcomes.
Rohan Gavin has written another great detective novel, however,
there are some frightening scenes involving animals and more mature
concepts included. This book is suited to an audience from 12-14
years.
Rhyllis Bignell
Chick 'n' Pug Meet the Dude by Jennifer Sattler
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781619634022
(Ages: 2-4) Board book. Chick and Pug enjoy backyard adventures,
playing with their squeaky toys and pretending to be superheroes.
After a nap, they wake to discover their favourite toy Squeaky
Hamburger is missing, stolen by a new huge, hairy, slobbery dog.
While Pug keeps on napping, the little chicken sets off in pursuit
of the thief, passed the sand-pit, under the clothesline, looking
for their toy. The Dude turns the Squeaky Hamburger into the
Squishy, Slimy Hamburger, luckily there are more toys to play with.
Jennifer Sattler's bold, colourful illustrations bring the
characters to life - little Chick bravely balanced on the Dude's
nose, the close-up of his dribbling face and the friends
playing in the yard. Some of the phrases used require
explanation for this young audience.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Wombats series by Roland Harvey
Allen & Unwin, 2014. The Wombats go on camp. ISBN 9781760111533 The Wombats at the zoo. ISBN 9781743319048
(Age: Yr 2+) The Wombats are a group of kids and their two teachers,
Mrs Nott (Mumbat) and Ms Annabel. Naucia Compostine's a bit posh,
Audrey Gaudrey's a literary genius, and Hugh Jarmez is scared of
nothing. Ima Lemington loves baking, Oliver Hammenex is small and
fast, while Sardinia Jones likes to do magic tricks. Albert Onestein
knows everything, Dante Pozzebon's never without his ball, and
winning is very important to Ava Navratilova. Freddie Flannery has
one eye, Alecia Morosi hates everything, and Horrie Bull loves his
pet rat which is really an antechinus. The Wombats Go on Camp is the first in this series by one of
Australia's best loved illustrators and in it the children go on
their very first camp with all the fun and games that can happen
there. Each child writes about the experience from their own
perspective and each entry is accompanied by the iconic style of
Harvey with its inimitable detail and humour. The format is the same
for The Wombats at the Zoo where each child is required to
write a report about their favourite animal, and through these,
Harvey embeds a lot of interesting facts.
However, rolling through both of them is Harvey's humour - in both
prose and picture there is much that will make the reader laugh out
loud. Starting with the careful choice of names for each child
through to Mrs Nott wishing she had not worn her zebra-like outfit
near the cheetahs, each page brings something to delight and engage.
Apart from the genius of Roland Harvey, it is this interesting
format that sets these two books apart from others that tell of
children visiting the zoo or going on camp.
While the multiple narrators might make it seem a bit tricky as a
read-aloud, an astute teacher could draw on what the listener
already knows about the character (from the endpaper introductions)
and combine this with a close examination of the accompanying
illustration to predict what the prose might be about. It could lead
to a discussion about perspective and how the same experience can be
viewed in many ways depending on the lens it is viewed through.
Similarly, it could also serve as a model for creating a class book
about similar excursions. The introductions to the children on the
endpapers reflect their knowledge and interest in the situation at
hand which could inspire the students to create a similar thumbnail
sketch of themselves and their perspectives, and provide the basis
for more interesting report writing.
This is a must-have to promote to teachers as a perfect vehicle for
entertainment and education!
Barbara Braxton
The Cleo Stories: The Necklace and The Present by Libby Gleeson
Ill. by Freya Blackwood. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743315279
(Age: Yr 1-3) This is the first in a series of books about Cleopatra
Miranda McCann, an independent and creative young lady who is very
comfortable in her own skin.
In the first story, The Necklace, Cleo is going to her
friend Nick's birthday party. He will be 6 so she's making him a
special card with lots of balloons and gold stars on it. When her
mother shows her a pretty party frock to wear, Cleo chooses her
Christmas t-shirt and spotty shorts instead. At the party, Cleo's
card is left on the table with the presents while everyone oohs and
ahhs over Isabella's card which plays Happy Birthday when you press
a button. But Cleo is not fazed. She joins in the party fun, playing
Pin the tail on the Donkey and Hide-and-Seek. But she is quite
envious of the beautiful necklaces her friends are wearing and wants
one too. But her mother says such gifts are just for special
occasions and Cleo's birthday is ages away. But as she and Nick take
a break from their game of shipwrecks, she spots Uncle Tom with his
shirt off. And that gives her an idea . . .
In the second story, The Present, Cleo is counting the days to her
mum's birthday and is agonising over what to get her. Her brain is
'as empty as the garbage bin after the truck comes and takes
everything away.' Dad suggests she do a painting but that's what she
did last year. Nick suggests a food whizzer but Dad is the cook in
the house. Dad suggests they get something together but Cleo is
determined it will be something just from her. She decides that she
will glue the bowl she broke back together but Superglue and little
fingers are not a good combination. On the morning of mum's birthday
she STILL doesn't have a present. And then she has an idea . . .
This is the latest in a line of collaborations between Libby Gleeson
and Freya Blackwood and once again, it is a winner. The clever,
creative, free-spirited Cleo is charming and Freya's illustrations
complement the text perfectly. Based on Freya's daughter Ivy, they
are gentle but capture the quirks of childhood so well. The sequence
of trying to get unstuck from the Superglue is superb - who hasn't
'done a Cleo' in their time? There are clues to Cleo's creativity in
the bedroom scene (many of them inspired by Ivy's creations) and so
her out-of-the-box solutions are not a surprise.
Newly independent readers, or those who are nearly so and are ready
for a slightly longer but complete bedtime story will love her and
her imagination. There is more text than usual in a picture book,
but not so much that it is too daunting a task to read. A perfect
stepping stone that will delight any little girl.
Barbara Braxton
Whale in the Bath by Kylie Westaway and Tom Jellett
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743318584
(Age: 3-6) Picture book. In a joyful exploration of imagination,
Kylie and Tom romp riotously through Bruno's bathtime - which is
somewhat impeded due to there being a whale in the bathtub!
Sent upstairs for his bath, Bruno finds a very large, very blue
whale overflowing the edges of the bathtub, using, if you don't
mind, Bruno's bubblegum scented bubblebath! How RUDE!
Poor Bruno tries to explain this fishy situation to his sister, big
brother, his mum and finally his dad but no one believes him. Just
because last week he had said there was a bear under his bed, and on
Dad's birthday he had seen a walrus in the backyard seems no just
reason to disbelieve his whale tale.
Sanguinely, the whale takes his time with his ablutions despite
Bruno's protestations. After all, it's not easy washing all your
bits when the bath seems bucket-sized to the bather. When things
start to get a little heated (and not just the bath water) because
Bruno still has not had his bath, the laidback whale comes up with a
very 'splashy solution'.
With a fabulous text and Tom Jellet's outstanding illustrations,
this is a marvellous read-aloud for little folk and a humorous take
on children's imaginations. It could easily springboard to joint
writing of other situations - brushing teeth? Getting dressed for
school? Taking out the rubbish?
Sue Warren
Squish rabbit by Katherine Battersby
University of Queensland Press. 2014. ISBN 9780702253447
(Age: Preschool - Yr 1) Recommended. Board book. Friendship. Size.
CBC Children's Choice book in the US (2012). It was also shortlisted
for the Crichton Award and was a Notable Book in the Australian CBCA
Book of the Year Awards (2012).
'Squish was just a little rabbit.
But being little led to big problems.
It's not always easy to make friends when you are small and are
easily overlooked. In fact sometimes Squish Rabbit is so small that
he is squished by bigger creatures because he is so small. He tries
all sorts of things to find a friend. He makes a cloth toy but
'pretend friends can only do so much', and playing with the trees
made the apples fall on him. When he throws a tantrum, an unexpected
event occurs and he finds a friend who makes him feel bigger.
A delightful story about loneliness, feeling small and neglected and
the power of friendship, this reissue of Squish Rabbit in a board
book format will be a boon for very young children. It is a really
good read aloud and is sturdy enough for little fingers to handle
and enjoy.
The illustrations are very simple but very appealing and there are
tiny details that the more astute reader will notice and find
entertaining. The drawings of Squish Rabbit give him a real
character that is easy to identify with and the collage effect of
the trees and the bold background colours give depth.
An exceptionally fine book for young children, this would be an
ideal gift or just a wonderful book to have on hand to read aloud.
Pat Pledger
Lulu loves colours by Camilla Reid
Ill. by Ailie Busby. Lulu loves series. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN
9781408849644
(Age: Preschool - Yr 1) Recommended. Colours. Lift the flap board
book. One in the Lulu loves series finds Lulu going swimming with
her father. It is a lovely day and Lulu notices the yellow sun, her
bathers are green, her goggles pink and as she gradually gets into
the pool, the reader is introduced subtly to many more colours.
The whole story line is one that children will be familiar with. It
describes in vivid detail what happens on a trip to the swimming
pool. The reader is enticed to lift the flap on every second page
while being asked a question that begs for an answer to guess what
colour something will be or what will happen next. This is a good
way of introducing prediction to young children in a fun way.
The line drawings are colourful and portray Lulu as a most engaging
character. The relationship between her and her father is also
delightful, warm and loving.
This is a sturdy board book which will stand up to repeated readings
and exploration by young children.
Pat Pledger
The Great Garden Mystery by Renee Treml
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857984166
(Age: Early childhood) Who is stealing the beetroot from the garden?
Is it hare or horse, cockatoo or koala, or maybe even bilby? With
two curious curlews (from her previous book) leading the
investigation, the animals decide to find the culprit using the
clues that have been left. First is a square poo; a hole underneath
the fence is another; and a patch of fur left behind is yet another.
One by one each suspect is ruled out, but the finger is pointed at
Roo who seems to confirm her guilt by bounding away. So the garden
is repaired and all is well, until night time comes . . . and
the real thief gets hungry and comes visiting again!
This is the third book from Ms Treml that I have reviewed and once
again, she has delivered a story that works on all levels. From the
clever illustrations such as the hare's eye being magnified to the
information tidbits embedded in the story through to the subtle
references to her previous characters, this is another winner. Proof
of that came when I shared it with a Year 1 class recently, the same
class who, as Kindy Kids heard Colour for Curlews about a
year ago, and one little fellow not yet known for his literacy
mastery immediately recognised and remembered the curlews and was
very quick to come and whisper who he thought the thief was - and he
was right! Something clearly resonated with him and when I asked
him, he said he remembered the pictures, and he knew he was going to
like this story too . . . You can read more about how these are
created on her website. The
children delighted in solving the clues along with the characters
and like them, they were originally fooled by the conclusion they
drew. All is not necessarily what it seems.
This is the third picture book from this author/illustrator and
hopefully there will be many more to come. I know a seven-year-old
who will be looking forward to them! In the meantime teachers'
notes are available.
Barbara Braxton
Alligator in an Anorak by Daron Parton
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857983091. Ebk ISBN 9780857983114
(Age: Preschool - K)Alligator in an anorak; bear in a bathtub . . .
this is a quirky learn-your-alphabet book that will delight very
young readers. The creator's English-ness shows through with some
animals and objects that might be unfamiliar to younger readers but
the illustrations provide very strong visual clues that will not
only draw on their predictive skills but also extend their
vocabulary. Getting early readers to examine the illustrations for
clues to the meaning of the text -even if that text is offbeat- is
one of the most powerful tools we can help them develop, not only on
their journey to being independent readers but also being
information literate. Many of Parton's interpretations such as the
yak in a yacht and a whale in a wigwam are laugh-out-loud funny. Why
not put an elephant in an eggcup? How did the jackdaw get in the
jar? The word for X will inspire some investigation with a
dictionary or Wikipedia! What is a xantus? Can an urchin really wear
undies successfully?
Alphabet books are great fun for reading aloud and exploring the
concepts but they also provide a model for young children to create
their own stories. Brainstorm all the animals you can think of
beginning with each letter of the alphabet and then let the children
put them in a strange place that calls for alliteration. Build a
weird and wonderful wall story for the library that will not only
give them a feeling of pride and ownership but will be an excellent
teaching tool for the year. I'm thinking a Kiwi in the Kitchen would
be just right for K! (And hilarious if I am that Kiwi!)
Barbara Braxton
A-Z of convicts in Van Diemen's Land by Simon Barnard
Text Publishing, 2014, ISBN 97819207934
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Australian history, Convicts, Tasmania. In a
large hard cover book, this detailed A-Z gives information at once
easy to read and informative, a treasure house of facts about a
cruel part of our history, the sending of 73,000 convicts, men,
women and boys to Van Diemen's Land between 1803 and 1877.
Each page has in the main a new letter to deal with, and so we get
Absconder and Assignment on opening the book. Each of these is given
a definition with information about how the term was used in convict
times, with an illustration and information about a person or two
who fits the entry. So with Absconder, for example, information is
given about what one is, then paragraphs about how these people
lived after they absconded, and finally a paragraph about that most
notorious of absconders, Alexander Pearce, who absconded several
times with young men only to be found with parts of their bodies in
his possession. That story on the first page will intrigue readers
to keep going.
Double pages detail facts about the Hulk, or Female Factory, or
Ship, or Military or Punishment, while smaller entries are given to
Gibbet, Whaling, Suicide, Leg irons and so on. Many contain three
dimensional drawings grabbing the reader's immediate attention and
interest. The Double page spreads, Juvenile or Punishment, or Road,
contain facts and drawings so realistic that young readers can get a
idea of just how children of their age were treated under this grim
system.
Eagle Hawk Neck comes after Dog, but I think the title has been
omitted, so watch out for it, as it shows the lengths the regime
went to to keep absconders on the peninsula south of Hobart. A
couple of other entries which caught my eye included one on Suicide,
and I learnt that attempted suicide was a punishable offense, while
later a religious person deemed that it was lamentable but possibly
due to the severity of the system. Another word which leaped
out at me was Zanyism. Amazing. Have a look at this book, it
is worth dipping into.
Illustrations which accompany the entries have been drawn from
contemporary sources, and a bibliography at the end will help
readers research further. An excellent glossary, list of weights and
measures and detailed Index follow, all making this a useful
resource for those studying this period of history or simply
interested in browsing through a book packed full of factual
information which is fascinating and very readable.
Fran Knight
The secret abyss: A Jack Mason adventure by Darrell Pitt
The Text Publishing Company, 2014. ISBN 9781922147967
(Ages 10 to 15) Recommended. In this sequel to The Firebird
Mystery, we are again immersed in the Steampunk world of Jack
Mason, a 14 year old orphan working as an assistant to detective
Ignatius Doyle. Jack, Mr Doyle, Scarlet and Bertha the tarantula,
travel by airship from London to New York , where they must try to
stop the deadly assassin The Chameleon from assassinating the
President and sending the country to the brink of another Civil War.
There is also the threat of a device called the Whip of Fire which
is believed to have the power to destroy the whole planet.
This is an exciting adventure, set in an alternative history of
steam-powered cars and airships. There are enough thrills and
near-misses to keep middle school readers engaged, even when the
Civil war politics and history ideas may become confusing. Older
readers will enjoy the steampunk atmosphere and the often-absurd
humour which pops up. It introduces some themes not generally found
in books for this age, especially suffragettes. There is some
wonderful character development in this book, and it will be
interesting to see this continue in the next title.
Donella Reed
Amelie and Nanette: Snowflakes and Fairy Wishes by Sophie Tilley
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781408836644
(Age: 3+) Snowflakes and Fairy Wishes is a beautiful story
of friendship and Christmas fun. Amelie and Nanette are busy getting
ready for Christmas but in between the decorating and the baking is
also time for fun in the snow. After a lovely afternoon building a
snowman, Nanette starts to feel ill and heads home. Will she be well
enough for the Christmas party? Amelie can't believe she will have
any fun without Nanette. Snowflakes and Fairy Wishes is a beautiful Christmas story
with gorgeous illustrations. It is a story of friendship and
understanding that it is that friendship that makes everything
better. Girls aged 3+ will enjoy having the story read to them and
girls aged 7+ can read it on their own.
Kylie Kempster
