Ella & Olivia series. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743620557
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. The Ella and Olivia series
are enjoyable beginning chapter books recommended for readers from
5-7 years. Ella is seven and Olivia is five and a half, they live with
their baby brother Max and Mum and Dad. It's Christmas time again
and this year the celebrations include an exciting Street Fair and a
competition with the neighbours. Who will have the best decorated
house and front yard?
The girls enjoy the arrival of the big Christmas tree delivered by
Dad and Uncle Stu. Max is old enough to help decorate the lower
branches whilst the girls help him. Bob their golden retriever puppy
is confused about a tree inside the house. With a special Christmas
Street Fair planned, Dad and Uncle Stu, an electrician, bring home a
van filled with festive lights and reindeers, ready for everyone to
help decorate the yard and roof. Ella and Olivia join in and help
with the decorating. The Azzopardi's across the street, however
decorate their front yard with fake snow and a giant blowup Santa.
When a news crew come to film their neighbours' Christmas display,
Ella and Olivia are disappointed that their own house isn't
included. Of course the Street Fair brings all the families together
and Mr. Azzopardi has a welcome surprise.
With decorated borders, simple line drawings and easy to read text,
this book is a great welcome addition to the series.
Rhyllis Bignell
Deck the sheds with bits of wattle by Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion
Ill. by Glen Singleton. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743620427
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Christmas. Carols. Australian life. The Aussie singing duo, Bucko and Champs
have teamed up once again with Scholastic to publish another one of
their popular Christmas parodies. Following on the success of their
Aussie jingle bells and Fair dinkum Aussie Easter picture books,
this new publication with accompanying CD makes for a great
Christmas present or class celebration.
Epitomising the Aussie bush and filled with Aussie slang, this song
introduces the reader to Syd Echidna and his thoughtfully decorated
outback shed. His wattle and gumnut ornaments suffer when a wild
willy willy sweeps through his place. Syd is greatly disappointed
and disheartened. In true country spirit Bush Cocky comes up
with a plan and enlists the aid of all Syd's bush friends to
redecorate the shed. This is a story of friendship and mateship as
they all rally round to cheer Syd up.
Glen Singleton's lively illustrations are fun and vibrant. He has
successfully brought to life Bucko and Champs' cast of Australian
animals.
A wonderful addition to the Australian Christmas celebrations, a fun
and festive gift and an exciting new carol for the school
festivities.
There's never been a shed this decked.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Rhyllis Bignell
One night by Penny Matthews
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781742990279
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Christmas. Animals. One of the tales
emanating from the story of Christmas, is that of the first
Christmas Eve, when animals were given the gift of speech. Penny
Matthews has used this story as the basis of this book, in which she
celebrates the role of animals on that first Christmas Eve. The folk
tales of this occurrence are concentrated in northern Europe and
many people in Germany and Poland still tell the story of the
animals speaking on Christmas Eve, and in telling this tale this new
book gives a different viewpoint from which to discuss Christmas
with younger readers.
In her modern version, Matthews has a farmyard of animals
remembering what happened on the first night, listing all of the
animals and what they did to help Mary and Joseph, and the newly
born baby. From the donkey which took them to the stable, the sheep
that gave its fleece for a blanket, the mice which chewed the straw
for the crib, each animal had a part to play on that night. The
story Matthews tells outlines many of the images we have about
Christmas, and will provide a firm standing point from which to
discuss Christmas and the customs surrounding that event in the
western world, with children, as well as telling a gentle story of
nurture.
King's illustrations render the story in tender understated images
of the animals in awe at the birth of Jesus, and surprised at the
roles they took on the first Christmas Eve. His pencil and water
colour pictures glow on the pages, melding the perspective from two
thousand years ago with that of today, linking the past with the
present through his illustrations. I love his depiction of the two
stables, the one in the past having nothing but hay on the floor,
the one in modern times with its range of equipment, buckets, things
hanging from the overhead beams and the bicycle. Each image King
presents begs a question to ponder, a thought to pursue with the
readers. This little known story is a lovely addition to the books
being produced for Christmas, and adds to the range of stories that
surround the event.
Fran Knight
Santa's busy reindeer by Ed Allen
Ill. by Nathaniel Eckstrom. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743624180
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Christmas. Reindeer. Counting game. Rhymes.
Paralleling the song of 'Ten green bottles', this rhyming
story will entreat younger readers with its easy flowing style and
rhyming words. The ten reindeer getting ready for Christmas get into
all sorts of trouble, reducing their numbers down to one.
Each task they have to do reminds readers of the array of customary
things to do around Christmas, and will encourage them to be
involved themselves in these tasks either at home or in the
classroom.
A long list of activities, from singing carols, putting up the
lights and the tree, delivering Christmas cards, baking special food
and trying to be nice is included in the song. Children will be able
to do some of these themselves, or recall times in the past when
these have happened, or be made more aware of things in their
community that celebrate this event.
Eckstrom's illustrations are richly detailed using a variety of
media to achieve his finished work. He uses oil paint on canvas as
well as pencil drawings which he fills with colour, while adding
images which are digitally created to produce mixed media images.
Again a reader will have fun working out just what he has used and
why, in creating his pictures. It adds another level of interest for
the reader to contemplate the choices an illustrator has made in
producing the work that he does. Santa's busy reindeer is great to
read aloud (practise first) and can be sung using 'Ten green bottles'
as its model.
Fran Knight
Tea and sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly
Ill. by Robert Ingpen. National Library of Australia, 2014. ISBN
9780642278630.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Christmas. Australian history.
Nullarbor. Aboriginal themes. Kathleen is eagerly waiting for the
train. But this is no ordinary train. It is the Tea and Sugar Train
which runs each week between Port Augusta in South Australia and
Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, a vital lifeline for those living
and working on the Nullarbor Plain. But today is the first Thursday
of December, and each year, this train brings a special visitor for
the children along the line. They are not interested in the goods or
the equipment, the groceries or the fresh vegetables or the banking
facilities, not even the gossip offered by this train. They are
waiting to see Father Christmas.
Jane Jolly's charming story tells of the girl and her family and
through their conversations we see why they live where they do, what
Dad does along the line and how eagerly Kathleen waits for this
train.
Each double page has a black and white illustration of one of the
characters in the book, and the facing page has the text, but
opening the illustrated page reveals a double page of colour, an
illustration of the life of these communities, so isolated from the
rest of Australia. Ingpen's illustrations are uniquely different,
presenting people readily identifiable, giving the Australian
Outback a presence within the story. The corrugated iron, the wooden
walls, the dust and the saltbush, the few houses at the siding, all
tell of the life lived by people in the past, a time when the steam
trains needed to stop to take on water, and gangers lived in these
houses to repair the track.
But now, steam is replaced by diesel, timber sleepers by concrete,
and the Tea and Sugar Train no longer needs to run, closing down in
1996. This is a wonderfully vivid part of the story of Australia and
those who had a role to play in building the Australian character.
Reading this will add to the knowledge of Australia's history,
increase student awareness of the part played by a small group of
people, and fill the reader with wonder at the vastness of
Australia's landscape. And of course give a different perspective on
the celebration of Christmas.
Fran Knight
The Christmas rose by Wendy Blaxland
Ill. by Lucy Hennessey. Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9781921720406
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Christmas. Folk tale. Flowers. The folk tale
of the Christmas Rose, the white hellebore is retold in this
stunningly different book. The white hellebore flowers during the
cold winter months and looks a lot like a rose so has been called
Christmas Rose for many generations.
In this story, the child, Madelon wants to accompany her uncle to
see the baby in the manger, but is told she is too young. Through
the story of her making the effort to get through the fields to the
stable, the story of the birth of Jesus is told. Children will hear
of the Three Kings and their magnificent gifts to the Saviour. They
will hear of the child's parents and the animals that surround the
manger. They will hear of Madelon and her tears, forming the bush
producing the white hellebore, so giving an offering to the child.
Her gift of love is in stark contrast to the opulent gifts of the
Three Kings and the practical but expensive gifts of her uncle and
his men.
The soft oil pictures by Hennessey are quite different from the
styles usually seen in books about Christmas and create images which
seem at once far away and intimate. And yet details can be spotted
which make clear the basic story of Christmas. They will be a
talking point amongst readers of all ages.
This lovely folk tale seems to have arisen from a song during the
Middle Ages, and classes may be interested in reading that song,
which can easily be found online.
This is a rarely heard story well suited to being presented in
classrooms where so many of the Christmas stories are about the
customs of Christmas, gift giving, spending money, decorations and
feasting. A neat contrast all round.
Fran Knight
Yikes, Santa Claws! by Pamela Butchart and Sam Lloyd
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 978408851388
(Age: Preschool) Christmas. Verse. Vibrantly illustrated, this story
of a stand-in Santa Claus will cause a ripple of mirth amongst
younger readers, as they hear of the silly dinosaur and his antics
on Christmas Eve. When he arrives at the stegosaur house, he munches
on the Christmas tree, rips open the presents and tries them all on,
opens all the crackers and eats the Christmas turkey in one gulp.
Even when he goes outside he leaves a trail of poo behind. The
children trot upstairs to tell their mum and together they follow
the mayhem he has caused, asking who will stop him.
The real Santa Claus arrives in the nick of time, and puts things to
rights, causing Santa Claws to feel ashamed. He then tries to redeem
himself by cleaning up the poo, and mending the presents he has
broken. As Santa's helper he has made sure the children enjoy their
special day.
Told in verse, the lines hum along and will be enriched read aloud.
The background will be a neat starting point for discussions about
Christmas and the customs surrounding this event.
Fran Knight
The wild one by Sonya Hartnett
Ill. by Lucia Masciullo. Penguin/Viking, 2014. ISBN 9780670076970
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Environment, Generations, Childhood. Charlie
loves going into the woods to meet his friend, the wild one, his
inner self. He whiles away the days, climbing trees, running through
the woods, kicking up the leaves, catching tadpoles. When Charlie
goes home, wild one stays behind. Eventually Charlie must go to
school, and gradually his days are filled with learning, with
mathematics and science and astronomy. Charlie hopes that he has not
forgotten his wild self and next time they meet he tells him that he
wishes to be a doctor. He achieves his aim but his days are now so
filled with work that he forgets the wild one, until he one day has
a son.
An allegory for our times, this fable like story talks of the power
of not forgetting one's childhood.
Charlie has a carefree existence as a child, but once he becomes an
adult with adult responsibilities, the life he knew disappears. He
remembers when he has a son, and as life goes on, his granddaughter
is the one he takes to the woods to see what he had learnt as a
young boy.
Things may have changed, Charlie has changed, older trees have died,
some have been replaced by new saplings, but the wild place is still
there. Regeneration and rebirth continues. Life goes on.
Masciullo's illustrations perfectly parallel and add to the words,
offering a clear image of the cycle of life and death, of rebirth
and regeneration. The soft pencil and watercolour drawings show the
city in the background, the woods and river closer to the reader. As
the pages are turned we see images of Charlie doing all the things
that kids do when outside, things that some may have forgotten. His
wildness may have been neglected for a while, but it returns to pass
onto a new generation.
This will have wide appeal. Many adults reading it will recall their
own wild self, long forgotten and it is hoped they may resolve to
ensure their children experience it as well. Children will see the
life cycles, of birth, death and regeneration, and reflect on the
freedom of former generations, resolving too to make use of their
time in the wild.
Fran Knight
Pandora Jones: Deception by Barry Jonsberg
Pandora Jones bk 2. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743318126
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Thriller. Dystopian fiction.
Pandemic. Survival. In Admission,
the first in the series, Pandora has been admitted into The School,
believing that her world had ended and that billions of people had
died in a pandemic and the people at the school are the survivors
that will enable the world to continue. In Deception, Pan
teams up with Jen, a strong independent girl, to try and see if her
fears that The School is betraying her and that her nightmares about
everyone being dead have been implanted. Pan is determined to find
out the truth, and together with Jen, breaks rule after rule in her
quest to find out what is happening.
In a clever first chapter Jonsberg encapsulates what has happened in
the first book through Jen's memories and lays the groundwork for
the story to follow. When she talks to Jen about her suspicions, Jen
doesn't really believe in them, but as an adrenaline junkie is more
than happy to take big risks, and to accompany Pan as she prowls The
School and the nearby village looking for answers. The reader is
taken on a roller coaster ride of midnight swims through dangerous
waters, hang gliding in a flimsy home-made glider and facing a huge
storm at sea, all vividly described and leaving the reader reading
on to find out whether the pair will survive.
With Nate out of the picture, the story concentrates on the
characters of Pan and Jen, and the reader gets to know them very
well and to see how their different skills and expertise lead them
on their quest. Those who like a romance will be tantalised by a few
references to Nate and a cryptic message, 'Trust me' left with Pan,
but the friendship that grows between the two such different
characters as Pan and Jen is a highlight of the book. Other
characters, especially the staff, are almost shadow figures, but
very sinister all the same.
Jonsberg is a very accomplished author and this shows in this
beautifully crafted, exciting novel that kept me gripped in the
excitement surrounding the two girls. The cliff-hanger at the end
left me gasping and wishing that this was one series that I had all
three books to read at once. I can't wait for the next one.
Pat Pledger
The Secret Abyss by Darrell Pitt
A Jack Mason Adventure Book 2. Text, 2014. ISBN 9781922147967
Recommended for readers from 11 years of age. Jack Mason, Scarlet
and Mr Doyle are back for their second mysterious adventure. This
time they are on the trail of a prison escapee, the world's most
evil killer, the Chameleon. In a world filled with huge Metrotowers,
giant metropolis', polluted cities and a sky teeming with airships,
steam cars and giant monuments, the three adventures follow the
villain across the Atlantic and set out to thwart the plot to kill
the President of the United States. Charles Ashgrove the evil rich
mastermind wants to incite a civil war and has a mysterious weapon
The Whip of Fire ready to wreak havoc.
Jack's physical skills, insight and ability to think quickly are
extremely useful in the variety of situations, he unpicks the
warehouse locks just in time for them to escape and he rescues the
President from an arrow attack. Scarlet is a willing accomplice, a
modern woman capable of meeting any challenge. Mr. Doyle's detective
skills also help save the day, he adds light to the story with his
never-ending supply of cheese in his pockets and his humorous
reminders about past cases solved by using three crazy items.
Darrell Pitt's second novel is another exciting, fast-paced
adventure filled with heroes and villains, steam-driven transport,
inventors and inventions, near drownings, rescues and cataclysmic
events. Will the introduction of electricity change the course of
history?
Rhyllis Bignell
The Party by Gabriel Evans
Woodland Whiskers series. Five Mile Press, 2014. ISBN
9781760060992
(Ages: 2 - 6) Recommended. It was Saffron's birthday and she woke
bright and early. The little mouse was excited.
The party 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 picture.
Questions can immediately be asked by a child reader as to which
mouse is which and the flowing text slowly answers the inquisitive
reader.
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. The Party is a beautiful book to read your 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 on a special day. In a time where books are getting
increasingly louder and brighter it is lovely to see a book that is
simple and quiet in delivery.
Steve Whitehead
Editor's note: Another in this delightful series is A new pet
ISBN 9781760061005.
Noni the pony goes to the beach by Alison Lester
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743311141
(Age: pre school) Recommended. Animals, Beach, Friendship. Friendly
Noni loves going to the beach when it is sunny, and takes her
friends, Dave the dog, Coco the cat, and the ladies next door. At
the beach the cows love standing in the water up to their knees,
Coco who doesn't like to get wet, snoozes in an old fishing net
strung between the branches of a tree, while Dave dives like an
arrow into the sea. They all frolic with the seagulls, and watch the
dolphins, eventually coming together to build a sandcastle in he
shape of a boat. Coco sleeps on the top while Dave digs the moat.
But the waves crash in and strand Dave so Noni has to go and rescue
him. They all return home, tired and very contented.
In rhyme, Lester tells the story of a day at the beach, friends
playing together and having a wonderful time. Not a shop or piece of
electronic equipment in sight, no people to tell them what to do, not
mobile phone or ipad. The day is just wonderful: the beach wide and
open to all sorts of play, the friends involving themselves in a
range of activities which they all enjoy.
Children will love reading of Noni and her friends, wishing they
were there too, detailing to others the adventures they have had at
the beach, listing the things they would do if they went. The
unstructured nature of the day is just glorious, the sun is shining,
the friends frolic together, they look at a variety of plants and
animals and build something in the sand. This is a delightful
book to read out loud and share.
Fran Knight
Create your dream room by Sophie Splatt
Five Mile Press, 2014. ISBN 9781760060916
Fans of re decorating shows can celebrate. In this book they have
found a cheap alternative to redecorating their daughter's room with
the bonus being she can either do it herself or help too!
Using basic materials, paper, scissors, glue glitter and paint, and
the odd trip to the local craft shop, many of these projects can be
completed by any competent, committed ten year old.
Very simple projects include paper bunting, desk decorations, paper
pompoms and hanging hearts with detailed illustrated instructions,
other ideas and hints. More equipment is needed for other projects
like terrariums, pinboards and fabric wall hangings, however with a
little help these too are quite achievable for the junior bedroom
decorator.
The inclusion of eight pages of cardboard removable templates, for
items such as picture frames, bunting and stencils and storage tags
will enable the most enthusiastic decorator to get a flying start if
they are happy with the colour choices offered, predictably
featuring pink, green and blue.
Whilst the book is aimed at girls, with a bit of adaptation the
projects, with their easy to follow instructions, would be suitable
for all students to attempt either for their own use or for
fundraising gifts.
Sue Keane
The Naughtiest Girl Keeps a Secret by Anne Digby
Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., 2014. ISBN 9781444918861
(Age: 9+) The main character in The Naughtiest Girl Keeps a
Secret is young Elizabeth, who goes to Whyteleafe Boarding
School and has a reputation for being the naughtiest girl in the
school. She has worked hard to change her ways but when she is asked
to keep John's secret her old reputation starts to cause problems
for her. This novel is aimed at girls and is recommended for those
who are aged 9+ and independent readers. The story is quick moving
with easy to read and descriptive text. It tackles the issues most
children face - pleasing everyone, being your own person and doing
the right thing.
Author, Anne Digby, takes on the classic writing of Enid Blyton to
recreate more stories about Elizabeth, the naughtiest girl.
Kylie Kempster
Are You Seeing Me? by Darren Groth
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780857984739
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. In the past few months I have been
slightly disappointed in the Australian YA fiction which I
have encountered, as compared to the international ditto. This book
knocked that opinion for six. Darren Groth has written a sensitive,
funny and insightful novel that explores themes and issues common to
many families in dilemmas of family relationships, confusion and
identity.
Justine and Perry are twins. Justine is bright, capable, caring and
logical. Perry is also bright, capable, caring and logical but with
one major difference. Perry has a brain condition that can cause him
to feel anxious of upset in different places and circumstances. He
has trouble with people 'mixing with them and communicating with
them and it sometimes results in inappropriate behaviours. I
appreciate your understanding and patience.' This is almost
Justine's mantra. When she and Perry were around four, their mother
took off and their father subsequently raised the twins with loving
support and insightful belief. Sadly, shortly before their 18th
birthdays, Dan (Dad) dies of an unpleasant and lingering cancer
illness. Since the time their mother left, Justine and Dan have
cared for Perry, Justine, as his twin, with enormous empathy even at
the age of four. However, unbeknownst to either Dan or Perry,
Justine has begun some contact with her mother and following their
father's demise, she decides it is time for Perry to also be
introduced to his mother (who now wants to be part of their lives).
This is especially important as the pair has made a decision, based
on their father's thinking that Perry will move into sheltered
independent (semi-independent) care and Justine can pursue her own
life. Before this event, Justine makes the decision for the two
siblings to go to America and not only pursue Perry's quirky
interests (seismology, mythical beasts) but also to meet their
mother.
This is a road trip with a difference. There are numerous
complications, scares and surprises along the way but eventually a
resolution that is neither cloying nor predictable. My opinion is
that this is a marvellous novel for exploring what constitutes the
caring, competent, logical persona, family relationships,
mother/father and siblings and letting go of preconceived ideas,
values and beliefs.
I would highly recommend this novel for students, both boys and
girls, from around 14 up. There is nothing untoward that would
justify a senior label but does require some maturity of thought to
grasp the concepts.
Sue Warren
