Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Little Mates series. Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 978
1 74283 223 4 6.
(Ages 4+) Alphabet books, Australian animals. Freya and Felix
show off their fantastic fathers and the fabulous things they can do.
Think of anything beginning with the letter f, and there it is:
football, frittatas, flapjacks, and so on, all being done on a
Friday. The two devise something to celebrate their fantastic
fathers, and a fabulous feast beneath the frangipani tree with a
festival and lots of food. This is yet another in the series of Little
Mates, offering a little, hand sized book of simple stories of
Australian animals from A to Z.
Small children will love this series of Australian animals, and join in
with finding things which begin with the nominated letter as well as
following the bright illustrations with anticipation and glee.
Fran Knight
When Mr McGee climbs his apple tree, he becomes stuck, but two elephants passing by spy him and rescue him. He invites them to sat for tea, and goes off to make a cup of tea with vegemite and butter slices of bread. While doing this for his rescuers, the third elephant climbs the tree, grabbing at the apples for himself. Despite being told to come down, the elephant choses not to hear Mr McGee, eventually picking him up in his trunk and throwing him away. Mr McGee lands in something not very nice but when he returns, covered in mud and slime, the elephant thinks he is a monster and runs away, leaving the two friendly elephants to wash him down. All ends well. Told in rhyming sentences, the story simply begs to be read aloud again and again. Children young and old will love to hear the tale, joining in when some of the lines are learnt, suggesting the rhyme at the end of each line, predicting the word that will rhyme with the line before. They will be horrified with the naughty elephant's behaviour, and pacified when the two others help Mr McGee. From this seemingly simple story, discussions will evolve about right and wrong, about different behaviours and helping those in need. The familiar figure of Mr McGee will entice and delight readers, and the illustrations of the apple tree spreading across the page, along with the elephants will grab their attention. This is a wonderful tale, beautifully illustrated from start to finish and will add to the enormous pile of Pamela Allen's books which are rarely on the shelf.
Themes Elephants, Verse stories, Read aloud.
Fran Knight
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
Headline Publishing Group, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7553-8474-7.
(Age: 15+) Mathew and Diana's adventures continue in this stunning
second
instalment of the All Souls Trilogy. At five hundred and eighty pages
this novel may seem daunting but the reader is guaranteed to fall head
over heels in love as they lose themselves amongst the pages of time.
An informative book, Deborah Harkness has created a wonderful work of
historical fiction which I am sure will be enjoyed for years to come. Shadow of Night covers the plight of Diana (a spellbound witch)
and her
forbidden lover Mathew (an outstanding figure amongst vampires) as they
continue their search for the mysterious book of origins, Ashmole 782.
Having found refuge in the past from her fellow witches and the Covent
(a secret network of creatures charged with the task of ensuring that
humans live in ignorant bliss of creatures) Diana set out to find a
witch from whom to learn her craft but she soon finds that learning her
craft won't be as simple as she'd first believed.
From the little things such as fitting in to discovering the secrets of
her own spellbound nature Diana finds she's found a lot more then she
bargained for in the refuge of the past. What will she do when the
impossible becomes reality? How can the pair stave off disaster as they
tweak the strands of time as prominent figures of the sixteenth century
even as their notoriety grows across time?
Littered with sixteenth century notoriety such as William Shakespeare,
Christopher Marlowe, John Dee and Queen Elizabeth you'll find it hard
to tear yourself away. I would highly recommend both A Discovery of
Witches and its sequel Shadow of Night for anyone aged
fifteen and over
who love history and paranormal romance . . . and even those that
don't! I
have very rarely read anything that could contend with these novels.
Deborah Harkness' work as it is truly a cut above the rest and I look
forward to reading the yet to be released final instalment as I am sure
that it will match its predecessors in sophistication and excellence.
Kayla Gaskell (age sixteen)
Wizard Undercover by K. E. Mills
Rogue Agent, Book Four. Hachette Australia, 2012.
(Age: 12+) Like steampunk? . . . fantasy? . . . spy
stories? . . . adventure? . . . humour? . . . romance? . . . fast-paced
stories that rocket along their way through an exciting plot? In
that case, definitely you should test out K. E. Mills' Wizard
Undercover because this book has it all.
Wizard Undercover continues the sequence as a royal wedding
heralds an alliance between Splotze and Borovnik. Clearly not everyone
is thrilled with this proposal and a sinister but unknown plot to
sabotage the nuptials is uncovered by one of Gerald's fellow 'janitors'.
Though barely recovered from some serious interference with his magic,
Gerald Dunwoody, is sent by his Department into the field along with
Crown Princess Melissande and the indomitable Emmerabiblia Markham
(taking brief leave from their usual business Witches Inc.).
Thrown into a jumble of political and royal miscreants, odd and
eccentric officials and some downright unpleasant guests - the trio are
bent on preventing disaster amidst many intentional and accidental
mishaps designed to thwart their progress.
It soon becomes evident that not only does Gerald have a struggle
to ensure peace between factional and longstanding enemies, he
also has to keep Mel and Emmie contained in their natural exuberance
and inherent desire to become active in the investigation - and perhaps
even more sinister and important, protect himself from the evil magic
threatening his very existence.
With some definite overtones of the Terry Pratchett kind of mischief
and mayhem, with a dash of rather Black Adder like settings and
characters, this book will delight many readers, both boys and girls,
in the 12+ range.
Sue Warren
Five times dizzy and Dancing in the Anzac deli by Nadia Wheatley
Lothian Children's Books, 2012, 208 pgs., p/b. ISBN 9780734413819.
Recommended for readers 10-14. The award-winning stories Five times
dizzy and Dancing in the Anzac deli by Nadia Wheatley are now combined
in this 30th anniversary edition. Together they tell the tale of
Mareka and her Greek Australian family who run a deli on Smith Street
in the multi-cultural suburb of Newtown, Sydney.
In Five times dizzy Mareka is worried about her grandmother who is
listless, sad and homesick. Mareka has a plan to help her Greek
grandmother settle in Australia and with the full support of the Smith
Street community she just might be able to make it happen.
'Have you ever turned round and round in circles till you've gone
completely giddy?' Well, when Mareka gets an idea, she feels her mind
whirling in a spin like the Five times dizzy dance. Dancing in the Anzac deli focuses on Mareka's family's deli, named
after the Australian and New Zealand soldiers hidden by Greeks in
Crete. What's going on in Smith Street? A rock is thrown
through the Anzac deli window and Mareka's father has been strange for
a couple of weeks now, talking hush hush with certain customers.
The kids on Smith Street had been gathering at the haunted house, which
is now being occupied by a standover merchant and the mysterious Munga,
leaving the kids with nowhere to go. Can they unite as a
community and fight the harassment or will they give in and just accept
it? And will there be celebrations and dancing in the Anzac deli again?
Both of these humorous adventure stories place an emphasis on a
community coming together to achieve a common goal. The books are
told from the different characters' points of view and are easy to
follow. This 30th anniversary edition includes a section at the
back where Wheatley provides the answers to some commonly asked
questions and some good tips for any young budding writers out there.
Michelle Thomson
The terrible thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne
Doubleday Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 9780857531469.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Barnaby Brocket is unusual - very unusual
indeed. His parents on the other hand, are normal - well, they are in
their own view. In fact, his parents strive so hard to be normal that
they are actually quite abnormal.
John Boyne's new fable is a delightful whimsy about a boy who floats
and the experiences which befall him following a cruel rejection by his
parents.Through Barnaby's story Boyne explores most the theme of
prejudice against those/anything considered 'different' and in
doing so, compels the reader to examine their own perceptions of
'normality'.
Set in Sydney with quite convincing detail (the only jarring note an
episode when the family dog chases a squirrel in the backyard - sorry,
John, we don't have squirrels in Australia), the story unfolds with
examining Barnaby's life till the age of eight, when he is rather
horribly betrayed by his parents. Barnaby finds himself cast adrift
quite literally, floating around the world and meeting all kinds of
wonderful characters who also share the tragedy of rejection by those
who should value them most - their families - simply because of their
'differences'. The reader has ample time to reflect on the adage of not
judging by looks alone, as these new friends of Barnaby's demonstrate
that character and compassion by far outweigh other attributes.
Barnaby's highly developed sense of compassion and sensitivity enable
him to help these various characters - Boyne's deft touch avoids
this becoming cloying sentiment and celebrates a triumph of indomitable
spirit.
With a lovely twist, it becomes gradually clear that the unswerving
'normality' so carefully preserved by Barnaby's parents was in itself
once the subject of rifts between themselves and their own families.
With a definite touch of Roald Dahl's eccentric players and scenarios,
this book is a little hard to define - not least in terms of
readership. There are some trickier concepts which some may prefer to
confine to a more mature reader (e.g. same sex relationships, language,
jokes). The inclination here is to recommend for readers 13+. All in
all, this is a rather delightful and unusual book - this author
continues to impress.
Sue Warren
The fantastic flying books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Blumm
Atheneum Books for Younger Readers, 2012. ISBN 9781442457027.
(Ages: 6+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Books and
reading.
One boy's life is circumscribed by books, but when his books are swept
away he must chase them, for he is lost without his books and their
words. When a woman floats overhead and gives him a book, he follows
the path the book takes, leading to a house of books, where he spends
the rest of his life, writing, immersed in books, repairing books,
giving them to others to read, and writing his own story in his book.
In this beautifully illustrated book about books and libraries, reading
and the sharing of story, the words shine through, as the man remains
devoted to words, story and books all of his life, leaving his own
story for others to read when he leaves.
The illustrations follow the story beautifully, rendering the first few
pages in an almost sepia tone, nodding to time passing as each page is
turned. Each page is jammed full of books, there are books in shelves,
books on the floor, books on top of cupboards, books in the man's hand,
books on a reading mount, and books that open for the man when he is
too old to do it himself. Each stunning illustration has more to
see than meets the eye, and deserves closer attention, underlying the
multiplicity of themes expounded by the tale, and adding a level of
humour to an already multi layered story.
A beautiful reiteration of the significance of story in our lives, this
book will find a place in all classrooms and libraries, on people's
shelves and on display in bookshops, promoting the part story plays in
all of our lives. With nods to Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, and
the Wizard of Oz, readers will recall many other stories from their own
reading as they look at the influences behind this one.
This is the story that inspired the Academy Award winning animated
short film (2011) of the same name. There is a lovely trailer on
Youtube, and more information on Wikipedia, that deserves watching and
reading.
Fran Knight
The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco
Vintage Books, 2012. ISBN 9780099555971.
(Age: 18+) Reading an Umberto Eco novel is always a rich and
challenging experience and this novel is no exception. However, it is
hard to see it appealing to many teen readers. This is partly due to
the style and structure of the work; set in the 19th century it reads
like a novel from this era with a 'Narrator' who addresses the reader
in a formal manner. It is partly due to the slow and rambling pace of
the work. It is partly because the novel is teeming with real life
historical figures, most of whom will be unfamiliar to teens, even
those who are keen on history. It is also partly due to the rather
unlikable nature of the main character who makes a living from
fraudulent dealings and who is stridently anti-Semitic. This stance may
well have the reader feeling uneasy and struggling to fathom whether
there is an element of intended irony at play.
On the design side, the novel is beautifully presented, with frequent
black and white sketches of the characters which not only complement
the story but also add to the 19th century feel of the work. Eco's
writing is always dense and full of intriguing ideas but this novel has
a decidedly slow-burn approach which may test the patience of readers.
Ultimately there is an adult feel and flavour to this novel which may
make it less appealing to teenagers, even the most mature of readers.
Deborah Marshall
Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson
Simon and Schuster, 2012. ISBN 9780857071972.
Lila is a 'psy'. This means she belongs to a genetic group with special
abilities. She can move objects by concentrating her mind but others in
her group can read minds or 'freeze' people. Richard Stirling heads up
a military unit with a special agenda. He would like to harness these
special abilities and use them as warfare weapons. He is ruthless and
powerful. Already he has Lila's brother and mother under his control.
Since uncovering the sinister goals of the unit Lila has been on the
run with Alex, her childhood friend and previous employee of the
unit. She loves him and yearns for a normal relationship.
However, her family is in great danger and she cannot rest until they
are safe. Her father is unwittingly helping the unit with its
evil research and Lila is unsure who can be trusted. With the help of
friends Lila decides to return and face her tormentors.
This book is the sequel to Hunting Lila and readers will derive
maximum
pleasure from reading them in order. Regardless, Losing Lila
can
be read independently and there is much to enjoy.The first
chapter plunges straight into adventure and the action continues to
escalate until the thrilling climax. The relationship between Alex and
Lila is fuelled with sexual tension but does not overshadow the main
game.
This book will be appreciated by sophisticated young adult readers of
both sexes. Encompassing elements of sci-fi , thriller and romance it
will leave readers eagerly awaiting the third volume.
Tina Cain
The duckling gets a cookie!? by Mo Willems
Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781406340099.
(Age: Preschool- 6) Recommended. Easy reader. The Duckling uses his
best manners and asks for a cookie. The Pigeon is rather upset that the
Duckling got a cookie just by asking nicely and goes through a string
of things that he has asked for and not received, kike a Yummy Chip
robot, a walrun a bus, hot dog parties, to drive a bus and stay
up late, but the answer is always 'Noooooo!'. When the Pigeon
asks the Duckling why he got the cookie he replies that it was to be a
gift for the Pigeon.
Mo Willems has another story starring the Pigeon from the Caldecott
Honor book, 'Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus!' With his signature
stylised drawings and sparse prose, The duckling gets a cookie!?
brings to life the story of the Pigeon who is jealous that the Duckling
got a cookie, and one with nuts as well. It is sure to be a hit with
young children, who will identify with Pigeon and his rants about not
being allowed to do whatever he likes.
There are opportunities for the adult who is reading this story aloud
to talk about good manners, asking for things politely and for being
generous and sharing with friends. Astute listeners will also learn
that sometimes adults can be persuaded to give out more treats if they
believe that someone has been helpful and will smile at the clever
Duckling.
This is a book that can be read aloud and shared with young children,
but also has the potential to be a book that the beginning reader could
start with, with the repetition of words, few words to a page and
pictures that give clues to what is going on.
Pat Pledger
After by Morris Gleitzman
Viking, 2012. ISBN 9780670075447.
(Age 12 +) Highly recommended. Although this novel is the fourth one to
be written by Morris Gleitzman in his Once series, from a plot
perspective, it would be number three chronologically, as it picks up
the story after Then and opens with Felix hiding in a
farmhouse. Poor
Felix has been forced to grow up quickly as he has struggled to survive
during the Holocaust. The innocent narrative voice Felix brought to
Once has been replaced by a more realistic perspective on life.
He
now knows that humans can be cruel to each other and cruel to children.
This more realistic approach brings a touch of poignancy to the
observations that Felix makes about his current life, especially when
he reflects on the role of parents and the difficulties he faces in his
unwanted role of parent to a group of children in the latter stages of
After.
One of the strengths of this novel is the air of credibility that is
maintained. Felix has survived against the odds but he has needed the
support of adults to do so, as would be expected in a time of war. The
subject matter of the Holocaust is not an easy one for young readers
but Gleitzman skilfully crafts this story. Death and cruelty are not
shied away from but are dealt with sensitively so that even young
readers (in upper primary school or lower secondary) can understand the
struggle to survive during wartime without being too terrified by the
horror of the situation. The simplicity and brevity with which Felix
writes about events helps to minimise the potential trauma of the
reading experience. The fact that most readers will know that Felix
survives (to be a grandfather in Now) will no doubt also help
young
readers. Furthermore, there is a positive message that underlies the
grimness of the main story: for even in times of darkness, Felix
constantly finds glimmers of light in the friendship and compassion of
others. The best of humanity will always be there to outweigh the
worst. And the story concludes on a positive note, albeit mingled with
tears and loss.
Deborah Marshall
My Dad's the coolest by Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 9781 74283 074 2.
(Ages 2+) Recommended. Picture book. Family. Fathers. In a softly
illustrated book with gouache filled pencil line drawings
of a series of animals around the world, Smith and Whatley extol the
virtues of a father and his offspring doing things together. Each
double page sees a line of deceptively simple writing on one side
complimented by a beautiful illustration on the facing page, adding a
slice of humour to the already inviting book.
The young child is presented with a lion for example, with the line,
'Dad is very brave', contrasting with the lion cowering from a mouse,
with the baby lion hiding behind him. On another page is an
illustration of a mountain goat high on a rock, with the kid on its
back, and the sentence reads, 'We climb'. Each page shows a father and
his offspring doing things together, having an adventure, being close,
finishing with the line 'My Dad's the coolest', the title of the book
and
reprising the picture of the polar bear and his cub on the front cover.
This is a delightful hard cover book to share with young children.
Parents, kindergarten and early primary teachers will have the chance
to discuss an array of stories with their charges through this book,
ranging from animals and their habitats and habits, to the main thrust
of the book, Fathers and their part in the family. Reading the book
will encourage a range of discussions and activities.
Fran Knight
Waiting for it by Chrissie Keighery
Girl v the World series. Hardie Grant Egmont 2012. ISBN 13579108642.
Hazel is not finding the first year of high school very easy. For
a start, the boys have posted a list ranking all the girls in terms of
their 'hotness'. Seventeen out of forty isn't too bad but the list
thing makes her feel uncomfortable. Then there's all the anxiety about
fitting in with the other girls. Sometimes Hazel feels like they treat
her differently, as if she's not quite as important. It could be
because she is the only one in her group of friends who hasn't got it -
the only one who hasn't started having periods.
Life at home isn't much better. Mum doesn't treat Hazel like the grown
up she is becoming and isn't concerned about the whole period thing at
all. Even worse she has a dorky boyfriend who seems to be taking over
the house with his yoga mats and strange music. Hazel can only conclude
that being thirteen sucks.
This is one in a series of Girl v The World books aimed at young teen
girls and the issues that preoccupy them. Waiting for it is
realistically and sensitively written and certain to be a hit with its
target audience. It is refreshing to read a book for young teens that
is so
honest and relevant.
Tina Cain
The Comic Strip Book of Dinosaurs by Sally Kindberg and Tracey Turner
Bloomsbury, 2012.
Highly recommended. I am a big fan of the Comic Strip History series
from Bloomsbury and the latest instalment from illustrator Sally
Kindberg and writer Tracey Turner is thankfully no exception. Following
in the path of the History of the World, History of Space and Greatest
Greek Myths, here we are now given The Comic Strip Book of Dinosaurs.
I simply love this format. The excellent easy-to-read design of the
text (even though it is in comic speech bubble format) will appeal to
even the most reluctant of readers. The information seems very well
researched as usual and Kindberg's humorous and beautifully coloured
illustrations make this little book a delight for children and adults
alike. The topic of Dinosaurs is a perennial favourite and allows much
discussion of important scientific discoveries, methods and theories. I
thoroughly enjoyed this and trust it is not the last in the series.
Stephen Bull
Can we save the tiger? by Martin Jenkins and Vicky White
Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781 4063 3208 7.
(All ages)Highly recommended. Information book. Endangered
species. This marvellous picture book with astonishingly enticing black
and white line illustrations and paragraphs of words outlining the fate
of animals around the world that have been made extinct by human
activity, makes a heartfelt plea for saving those that are endangered.
A winning topic for the young and not so young, this book is a gem to
handle and browse, read all the way through, use as a reference with
its simple index, and click onto the plethora of websites given for
further information. It will have a wide classroom use and will be a
popular book for students to borrow and take home, there to read
further and share with their family.
The strong words describe some of the animals that have become extinct,
from the well known, Dodo, Marsupial Wolf, and the Great Auk for
example, to those like the Tiger on the cover, an endangered species,
and many others on the brink of extinction. So the book takes many of
these animals in turn, outlining their habitat, their history and why
they have come so close to extinction. Students and readers will be
amazed and enraged at some of the stories, wanting to find out more,
and certainly work to acquaint people of the dangers these animals
face.
The animals this book discusses are, amongst others, the Asian
Elephant, the African Hunting Dog and the Sawfish. Towards the end of
this book, several positive stories are told, of animals once on the
brink of extinction being brought back. The Bison is a case in point,
which almost died out in North America, to be saved int eh nick of
time. The Kakapo is one of my favourites, a New Zealand flightless
parrot, decimated by feral animals brought to the country by its
European settlers, now rekindled by being taken to a small island where
no feral animals exist. This is a lovely story which hopefully can be
emulated.
The book is the second written and illustrated by the same pair, the
first being Ape, published again by Walker in 2008, and one I
often
reread.
Fran Knight
