Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743313435 Come count with me! is the first picture book produced by
Indigenous artist Marika Wilson. Published in conjunction with the
Little Big Book Club it will be a popular book to share with younger
preschoolers.
The joyous picture on the front cover of an older bird and a young
chick dancing encourages the reader to meet the characters within.
There is Nana, complete with spectacles, being encouraged to count
with her young grandchild who is so proud he can count. But when
Nana tries to count
'1,2, and 7,8, and 9?'
The chick is horrified!
'No! Nana! No!
You've got it all wrong... '
The little chick gives Nana a lesson in counting but when she still
gets it wrong, he is angry,
'Nana! Nana!
Are you listening to me?'
But becomes more sympathetic as Nana reminds him of her age.
'I'll help you,
It was hard for me too, Nana.'
He proceeds to show her the numbers one to five culminating in the
joyous picture from the cover as they dance around surrounded by
five bees.
The simple stylised birds are full of character and love with the
bright yellow of the chick and the more subdued colours of Nana
washed over the ink outline.
This is a good introduction to counting for parents to share with
their youngsters as they grasp the concept of numbers and one to one
relationships. The parents will be amused by Nana's antics as she
encourages her chick to teach her whilst he counts himself.
Sue Keane
Wrestling Trolls: The Giant Rumble by Jim Eldridge
Ill. By Jan Bielecki. Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471402630
Whilst I am not a wrestling fan, I am a fan of the idea that
students can see their suggestions, as strange and interesting as
they can be, combined into a funny story and published by a
successful author. What a great way to promote reading and writing! The Giant Rumble is the third book in the Wrestling Trolls series
but, as a story, easily stands alone. Written in collaboration with
students contributing through 'The Story Adventure' website, the wild
combination of characters and events featuring throughout add to the
fantasy.
The Wrestling Trolls team, Big Rock, The Masked Avenger and their
support team, Milo, Jack, Meenu and the horse Robin, are tricked by
the villainous Lord Veto into a Giant Rumble with his Wrestling
Orcs. Unfortunately the challenge requires both teams to provide ten
wrestlers each which is easy for Lord Veto to assemble but means the
Trolls need to go on a road trip, in their trusty caravan pulled by
Robin, to recruit more wrestlers.
A series of adventures follow as they travel around the country.
There are troll hating Billy goats and villainous wrestlers, spiders
whose bite is deadly to Trolls, piranhas, a very angry wrouse and an
army of gnomes protecting Mediterranean Brussell Sprouts that scream
on being picked.
Evil Lord Veto conspires with kings and others to keep them from
attending the Big Rumble. However with a motley collection of taco
eating, garden loving and bendy friends, not to mention the phoenix
Blaze and shy Jack who when angry transforms into the giant troll
Thud, the Trolls are just in time for the contest.
Whilst you are never quite sure what will happen next, the reader can
be confident that the Trolls will triumph against their obviously
evil, cheating opponents.
Sue Keane
The mystery of the midnight crunch by Simon Mitchell
Ill. by James Davis. Five Mile Press, 2014. ISBN 9781743467251
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Crime. Mystery, Animals.
Mrs Hopper is convinced that she has a monster in her house. He
comes out at night, and raids the kitchen eating the food, and
leaving the room in a dreadful mess. The monster is big, green and
furry, with huge feet and a long nasty claw. And it goes crunch in
the night. She goes to Sniffy the mouse for help, after all he is a
renowned detective. He and his offsider, Cooper, go to Mrs Hopper's
house and inspect the damage, accumulating clues as they go. They
decide to hide themselves in a cupboard for the night to catch the
monster, all the while, Sniffy reassuring Cooper that there is no
such thing as monsters.
But falling asleep they are both scared when one does appear and
they run to the door, only to find Mrs Hopper coming in. She turns
on the light to reveal the 'monster'.
A goodhearted story about a monster, ridiculing the fear some
children may have about monsters, but adding a large dose of humour
to the underlying message. Sniffy is a cute little mouse full of
confidence which subsides when confronted by the monster, and his
efforts to solve the case will further entrance the reader. The
illustrations are full of life and colour, covering the whole page,
full of little things to point out and find, small points to further
amuse and intrigue. And I love the end papers, with their Hopper
style of illustration showing an empty street in a city with
streetlights lighting up small areas of the pavement. A world of
discussion is presented here about city life, and the rodents that
we share the space with. And a wonderful read aloud as well.
Fran Knight
Macavity by T. S. Eliot
Ill. by Arthur Robins. Faber & Faber, 2014. ISBN 9780571312122
(Age: All) In 1939, T.S. Eliot wrote his iconic Old
Possum's book of practical cats which became the foundation
for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats'. Within that collection, is a
poem which begins...
'Macavity's a mystery cat
He's called the Hidden Paw.'
It's a tale that stays in your head forever and begs to be shared
with others, read aloud with its rhyme and rhythm savoured as they
roll off the tongue. So when I read this 75th anniversary edition to
a group of six-year-olds, I was not surprised that they loved it and
begged to hear it again. They didn't need to know the exact meanings
of some of the phrases to enjoy it and understand that here was a
cat of most devious tricks who is also a master of disguise and
alias-building. They used words like 'cunning' and 'mischievous' and
'naughty' to describe him showing that Arthur Robins has illustrated
it perfectly to underscore the concepts of 'a fiend in feline
shape' and 'a master of depravity'. They then delighted in sharing
their own stories of the dastardly deeds their own cats have got up
to, and what was going to be a five-minute filler when I popped it
in my bag for the day became a fun-filled thirty minute sharing
session!
Yet, at the other end of the scale, it's just as much fun for older
readers and a group of Year 6 students had great delight in
exploring the language choices and appreciating how such a complete
story with its come-to-life description can be told in just 400
words, proving that great writing transcends all age groups!
Definitely one to put in your collection and promote!
Barbara Braxton
Escape from Wolfhaven Castle by Kate Forsyth
The Impossible Quest : bk 1. Scholastic Australia, 2014.
ISBN 9781743624067
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Escape from Wolfhaven Castle is the
introductory book in this new series from Scholastic. Set in a
fantasy world of castles, lords and ladies, knights and squires not
to mention bog-men and unicorns, Kate Forsyth's opening
'Tell your lord to beware,' the wild man said, gripping Tom's arm
with a dirty hand. 'The wolves smell danger in the wind.'
immediately creates an expectation of action and drama, encouraging
the reader to ask questions and read on.
We are introduced to castle life as Tom, the cook's son, attempts to
pass the message on. When he helps win a game of mob-ball against
the squires, he incurs the wrath of Sebastian, one of the squires,
in the process. Whilst escaping Sebastian, Tom happens to meet Lady
Elanor in her tower room.
The castle folk assemble to celebrate midsummer with a feast and are
joined by Lord Mortlake, from the neighbouring Frostwick Castle, who
is keen to broker a deal Lord Wolfgang. During the evening Arwen,
the Grand Teller, also dramatically foretells of death and danger
but her warning is not acted upon except by Quinn, Arwen's
apprentice, and Tom who decide to keep watch.
Tom, Quinn, Lady Elanor, Sebastian and Tom's trusty wolfhound Fergus
are the only ones to escape Wolfhaven Castle three weeks later when
it is overrun by a mysterious leader and his army of Bog-men. Arwen
entrusts them with some strange but obviously useful gifts and the
spell which will save the castle, before they escape.
The adventure begins. All they need to do now is find a Unicorn,
Griffin, Sea Serpent and a Dragon, a seemingly impossible quest.
Whilst at times the story line and character interaction appear a
little predictable, Kate Forsyth's descriptive, easy to read style
and the continuing action within the story keeps the reader
interested. The encounter at Frostwick Castle with Lady Mortlake and
the children's escape with her final threat ringing in their wake,
leaves the reader keen to follow the story in the next book. Sue
Keane
The Nights Before Christmas ill. by Tony Ross
Koala Books, 2014. ISBN 9781742761404
As December begins what better way to herald the coming of Christmas
than to share, each night, or day, a classic story of the season as
each door of the Advent calendar is opened. The Nights Before Christmas collection features a variety of
traditional stories, poems and songs as well as extracts from
newspapers and letters with a forward by illustrator Tony Ross. His
intention in assembling this collection is to remember the
preparation for, and anticipation of, Christmas Day through sharing
stories from the past, illustrated in his easily recognised style.
Beginning with Clement Moore's classic A Visit from St Nicolas,
the collection features a German folk story and Hans Christian
Anderson's Fir Tree celebrating the Christmas tree tradition, though
Professor Branestawm's Christmas Tree features a far from
traditional tree.
The King James Bible version of The Nativity reminds us of the
origin of the Christmas Story. Tolstoy's Papa Panov's Special
Christmas , Good King Wencelas and an extract from Little
Women, celebrate giving to the poor whilst an extract from
Dickens' Christmas Carol features Scrooge at his cold
hearted best. The extract from The New York Times, reporting the
Christmas truce between soldiers fighting in the trenches in
Northern France during World War One, reflects the Christmas message
of peace and goodwill.
The cold and frozen northern winter features in stories from The
Snow Queen and The Little Match Girl as is the wintery
garden created by the selfishness of The Selfish Giant.
Of course no Christmas collection can ignore the presence of Santa
who is celebrated by the quirky Letter to Suzy penned by her
father, Samuel Clements, Baum's A Kidnapped Santa Claus and
the iconic Yes Virginia, There is a Santa.
Whilst the compendium has a definite European traditional focus,
adult readers are sure to be reminded of Christmases past as they
share with the younger generation.
Sue Keane
The Ministry of Ghosts by Alex Shearer
Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471403880
Do ghosts exist? Can it be proven? The Ministry of Ghosts is on the
case . . . or is it? This is an adventure that 'creeps up on you
softly and taps you on the shoulder'.
In an obsure building, in an out of the way place called Bric-a-
Brac street, is the Ministry of Ghosts where four civil servants,
and a cat, attend to the serious business of investigating the
existence of ghosts and reporting their quarterly progress, to the
government, as they have done since 1792. Unfortunately they have
not produced any evidence of ghostly existence in all that time.
Enter Mr Beeston, from the Economies Office, unofficially known as
the Department of Cuts, bent on closing down this, in his opinion,
time and money wasting Ministry and relocating its employees to
Ministry of Sewage. With only three months to prove what they have
been unable to in over 200 years, a plan of action is put in place.
For a small wage Thruppence and Tim, students from the local primary
school are employed to search out ghosts, as it is well known that
children are more likely to be aware of their presence.
As the children investigate and learn more, they become anxious to
save the Ministry of Ghosts and its employees. Will they find a
ghost in time and if not how will they convince Mr Beeston to allow
the Ministry to continue? Or is the answer to their problem in plain
sight?
Written in the formal style of older times, reflecting the times and
values of the older characters and the formality of English
government departments, this story moves slowly but is entertaining
in its descriptions of the inner workings of the Ministry. The
introduction of the young investigators contrasts with this
formality as they bring light, life and a modern touch to the
language and to the Ministry.
Sue Keane
The Raven's wing by Frances Watts
Harper Collins, 2014. ISBN 9780733332913
(Age: 13+) Set in Imperial Rome under the reign of Caesar, this
story opens with Claudia, the central character and narrator being
abducted during the night before her wedding day.
Consideration and analysis of power is evident on various levels
within this story. Senators jostle for political influence by
cultivating friendships and marrying to acquire wealth and noble
attachments. Women have limited influence within the patriarchal
society beyond what respect is accorded them by their wealth and
familial connections. Slaves acquired from defeated colonies are at
the mercy of masters who purchase them like animals and as such,
they could be treated humanely, leading a tolerable existence or
they could be abused and tortured by unfeeling, brutal owners.
Claudia had been living happily with her Aunt and Uncle in a small
provincial town and was betrothed to marry a sweetheart when her
plans fell suddenly awry with the arrival of a messenger from Rome.
News is delivered that her absent and completely unfamiliar father,
a wealthy Roman Senator commands her presence and she complies,
accepting the ignominy of breaking off her engagement and enduring
the distress of leaving her beloved Aunt and Uncle.
Claudia's father had remarried to a new wife with grown children, a
son with Senatorial aspirations and two daughters, the eldest being
independently wealthy as the widow of an elderly aristocrat. Claudia
is distinctly aware that she is considered rough and uncultured,
possessing unrefined clothing and adornments, but equally from being
ignorant of the complex social intricacies and expectations in the
capital city. Whilst she is naive, Claudia is intelligent and
beautiful, and soon discovers that her situation is being
manipulated by her stepmother who desires that she marries her son,
in order to secure a noble pedigree via adoption, and wealth from
her Senatorial father. Claudia's romantic feelings for a man
betrothed to her widowed stepsister causes her angst and confusion,
as does her awareness that as a woman, she has no say in how her
future is decided whilst she is treated as a commodity in marital
plans which value the acquisition of power and influence over love
and happiness. An unexpected death sees Claudia trying to unravel a
mystery whilst having to tread carefully as she determines who
deserves her trust and affection.
13+ readers who have a specific interest in Ancient Rome may enjoy
this historical mystery.
Rob Welsh
State of Grace by Hilary Badger
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2014. ISBN: 9781760120382
Recommended. Wren lives in utopia. Her world is perfect. The trees
laden with fruit and the water in the lagoon is crystal clear. Wren
and her friends live in paradise, what more could they want? Wren
starts having strange and somewhat disturbing visions and all she
wants is them to stop. Flashes of another world and people that she
doesn't know but it all seems familiar. Beautiful and mysterious
Blaze knows something about the flashes that Wren is having. What
are the lies that are hidden in these flashes and what will Wren
uncover. Is the truth easier to face than being blissfully ignorant?
A captivating read. Instead of the dystopia we have a utopia and it
was great to have something different from the many books I have
read based on dystopia and utopia. Badger explained this new
utopia extremely well and it was easy to follow the storyline. I was
immersed in this story and was lost in it. The characters are
complex and fascinating, their relationships with one another was
interesting to read.
Cecilia Richards
The Wild One by Sonya Hartnett
Ill. by Lucia Masciullo. Penguin/Viking, 2014. ISBN 9780670076970
(Age: F-12) Charlie met the wild one when he was young. His kite got
stuck in the branches of the tree and there, sitting on the bough
beside it is a barefoot, slightly dishevelled little boy - looking
remarkably like Charlie himself. All day they did things that little
boys liked to do running, jumping, splashing, playing in the water,
rolling in the mud, hanging from trees and scattering the leaves of
autumn. At the end of the day, it was time for Charlie to collect
his kite and he was surprised to find that his new friend didn't
have to go home. 'Here is where I live,' he said.
Whenever he could, Charlie visited the wild one and played and
explored the wonders of nature. They caught tadpoles and saw the
tiny legs; they watched caterpillars spin cocoons and spiders
weaving webs; and they hooted to the mopoke who stared at them
through feather goggles. But such an idyllic life cannot last and
Charlie had to go to school to learn mathematics and history and
science. Every now and then Charlie visited the wild one and he had
not been forgotten but as life intervened the visits became fewer
and fewer, until one, day, with his own son in his arms, he cannot
find him at all. Is he lost forever?
This is a most gentle story of a boy who finds another side to
himself, but loses it as life intervenes but as the sun rises and
falls and the moon circles the earth, he discovers it again in time
to share it. Beautifully illustrated by Lucia Masciullo - this is
the third partnership between the pair - it celebrates the joys of
childhood and shows that the magic never quite leaves us, even if we
cover it with layers of adult life. The passage of time and the
cycle of life are inexorable but deep down we never lose the wonder
of our earliest days, and the need to replicate it for our children
and our grandchildren.
Like all excellent picture books, this appeals to so many ages. It's
perfect for helping the very young understand that time passes and
things change, yet at the other end of the scale it would also be a
perfect addition to a more abstract, conceptual theme of belonging
or journeys or discovery. The more you read it, the more you
discover.
Barbara Braxton
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Penguin, 2014. ISBN: 9780143572046
I tore through Afterworlds faster than any novel I've read
in the last six months. It was irresistible and I could hardly bear
to put it down. This novel takes every writer's dream and shows them
how it could play out . . .
Darcy is an eighteen year old that has just finished high school
and, with it, her very first novel,Afterworlds. On a spur of
the moment decision she sends her book to an agent and lands herself
in writer's paradise with a two book contract and a year for
re-writes. The publishers love her novel and they pay her an
enormous advance which she uses to make the biggest leap-of-faith
decision of her life: moving to New York to become a full-time
writer. Darcy quickly blows her budget and looses herself among the
fame of the authors she meets. While Darcy explores her new life as
a writer in New York, her protagonist Lizzy, tells her story on the
pages in between. Lizzy is the only survivor of a terrorist attack
in a Dallas airport, in the attack she crossed over to the flipside
where the good and the evil of death lurk. Meanwhile Darcy finally
gives herself in to the inevitability of rewrites and struggles to
find the happy ending for Lizzy and her lover Ramaraj (a Hindu death
god) as the publishers demand. While she struggles, Lizzy uses her
new found psychopomp abilities to investigate the murder of her
mother's childhood friend, Mindy, whose ghost had been haunting her
mother ever since Mindy's death. As Darcy's writing nears the end so
does Lizzy's investigation; with the final three chapters Darcy
opens her ears and does her best to type out an ending which is true
to her characters and their story.
Highly engaging, Westerfeld uses his novel to tell a fantastical
dual story which any aspiring writer would love. He talks about the
relationship between a writer and his/her novel and much of what was
written will resonate familiarity with any writer. It is the perfect
novel for writerly discussion and tips when other writers are
scarce.
Kayla Gaskell, age eighteen.
Timmy Failure: We Meet Again by Stephan Pastis
Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9781406356748
(Ages 6 -12) Recommended. His name is Failure, Timmy Failure. He
doesn't drive a fancy car or travel by limousine; he gets around on
his mother's Roomba. (Robotic vacuum that roams across his mother's
carpet in a pattern Timmy is yet to understand)
Timmy is the founder, president and the CEO of Failure Inc. a
detective agency which is on the verge of global domination, global
riches and global fame. He claims openly that the agency has solved
most of the world's crimes. He also has his own polar bear who
sleeps 20 hours a day and declares hibernation if you attempt to
complain.
From an uneducated eye the incredible accomplishments that Timmy has
achieved must look like everything goes his way. This is however not
true. Timmy is constantly being met by roadblocks in life like the
academic probation that his horrible Principal has put him on.
Considering the small crime of throwing a tree stump through the
principal's window Timmy believes he is being singled out and
unfortunately Timmy's lawyer (also a polar bear) can't save him.
The coveted Miracle Report is the key to everything, including a
good grade. It's dirty business. It's best you know nothing. But one
thing is for sure: Timmy Failure will be triumphant again!
A naive adult (must be an adult) could be forgiven for thinking that
this is just a Captain Underpants book with a new cover and focus.
Its absurdity and ridiculousness is very similar. The main
characters in both series also bare similarities. It evoke laughter
through situations that often leave an adult saying 'what the', but
a child in fits of laughter.
Any school library should invest in the Timmy Failure
series. It will be continuously borrowed. The series is funny,
ridiculous and a great option for children who loved the Captain
Underpants style but need a new story in their life.
Steve Whitehead
The adventures of Autumn Day: My big fat hairy lies by Melinda Wills McHugh
Ill. by Amy Borrel. Silver Wood Books, 2014. ISBN
9781781322093
(Ages 8-10) Recommended. What happens when you tell a small lie? It
grows and grows. Autumn Day is the same as any nine year old who
wants to be liked however she realizes that owning up to her
mistakes and telling the truth easier in the end.
Autumn Day just wants two things: To be best friends with Aimee and
get a pink mobile phone for her ninth birthday simply to impress the
other girls in her class. For a girl who has to endure being called
all the other seasons or, due to her hair, Carrot Top, Flame Brain
or Tomato Head, Autumn thinks this is not too much to ask for.
Unfortunately despite telling Aimee on the school bus that she had
received the pink phone she in reality received a rag doll with red
hair like hers and a jewellery box. Of course everyone wants to see
the phone and Autumn has to think up more lies to keep her friends
from knowing the truth.
Later in the day when she had to talk about her pets in front of the
class, Autumn tells them that she has 'One dog, two fish and a
pony'. The pony is a complete fabrication and means Autumn has to
maintain two lies. Life becomes more and more complicated for Autumn
until she decides it is time to come clean and admit the truth to
her friends.
The author has given Autumn an authentic voice especially as we are
privy to her innermost thoughts and feelings as she tries to justify
her lies to herself. We are just as relieved as she is when she
finally realises that she doesn't need to lie to have friends.
Sue Keane
Bubbay: a Christmas Adventure by Josie Wowolla Boyle and Fern Martins
Magabala, 2012. ISBN: 9781921248726
Highly recommended for Lower/Middle Primary children. With themes
about loneliness/friendship/hope and Christmas, this is a timely
book for this time of the year. Bush magic is always special and
when it comes at Christmas time, it's even more special.
Bubbay is a little boy who lives alone in the desert, looking after
his herd of goats. The only human with whom he has contact is Mrs
Timms. He swaps goat's milk for eggs and while he is generally happy
in his own company there are times when he does get lonely so he
always enjoys his visits with Mrs Timms. This Christmas Eve is
different though. Bubbay feels sad when he thinks about everyone
else getting ready for festive celebrations in their homes and
suddenly, more than anything, he wishes he had a Christmas tree,
presents, a home and a family. Imagine his surprise when a streak of
shimmering light swoops down from the sky before him and a little
Christmas tree appears. Even more surprising is that the tree talks
to him! It tells him that if he can find five very special items for
decorations on its branches, he will have a very special Christmas!
A stone, a feather, an egg and a seed might not be too difficult to
fin but a shell? In the desert? How will he ever manage such a task?
Suddenly, the glow of his own little fire reveals old grandmother
Gubarlee appearing to the sound of tapsticks and singing. Throughout
the rest of the magical Christmas Eve Gubarlee guides Bubbay to find
each of the special decorations and they finish just in time
for sunrise. As the desert dawn floods the landscape with light,
Bubbay sees Mrs Timms approaching, her arms wide open, inviting him
to come and be her own little boy.
Truly this is a very special Christmas for both these characters,
finding comfort, company and love in each other's presence. A lovely
and gentle tale about reaching out to others in the real and the
spiritual worlds, lavishly illustrated with vibrant colours
depicting the desert and it's animal inhabitants.
Teaching notes can be found here
Sue Warren
Go to sleep, Jessie! by Libby Gleeson
Ill. by Freya Blackwood. Little Hare, 2014. ISBN 9781742977805
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Sleep, Siblings, Family. The young girl
cannot sleep, because her new sister, Jessie screams when put to
bed.
She goes down to see her parents and asks their help, and Mum comes
upstairs to check on the baby. She changes her nappy, pats her on
the back and whispers a song, then creeps back downstairs. But still
Jessie screams. Dad comes upstairs and tells them a story and leaves
the music box on as he creeps back downstairs. But still Jessie
screams. The girl decides that she no longer wants Jessie in her
room, so father takes Jessie off in the car to try and get her to
sleep. The girl watches from her window, she is alone, and she
cannot sleep. A wonderful twist occurs at the end of the book when
Jessie is returned to the bedroom.
With Blackwood's engrossing illustrations redolent of family life,
of the disruption caused by a new member of the household, the
beautiful words are paralleled on every page. Freya's drawings range
from small rows of pictures to full page, with many framed images
reflecting a range of episodes within the family. The text layout
and use of white is wonderful, ensuring readers are aware that this
is deliberate, making them look more closely at the words and
pictures on each page.
Fran Knight
