The danger seed: A story from Karajarri Country by Liz Thompson
Pearson Australia, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4425 4694 3.
(Age: Junior primary to be read to; Upper Primary and lower secondary
for research). Well recommended. This book follows the pattern of
Djulpan and has all the positive features mentioned there. This
story is set 170km south of Broome in the Kimberley region of Western
Australia. Topics for discussion surround the 'government ration
days'. The story of the danger seed, a type of acacia, is important to
these people who believe that if one of the seeds is dropped the person
will be punished. In this book the children's colourful and
detailed paintings are large and often cover half the page. The soft
wash background adds to the beauty of the pages and the book.
Again, the voices of the children and elders, often different and
always personal, gives the reader a sense of authenticity. The
glossary and index are very helpful. This is another beautifully
presented book, delightful to read and to research.
Sue Nosworthy
Neville No-phone by Anna Branford and Kat Chadwick
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921529962.
(Ages 8+) Highly recommended. Neville is desperate to get himself a
mobile phone and enlists his friend Enzo on this quest. Their schemes
are extremely entertaining to read and every character in the novel is
engaging, including all the parents. I laughed aloud at least 5 times
and loved the descriptions of old technology such as cans and string. A
hilarious and clever story for individual reading or as a class read
aloud for Year 3 - 6 students. It will also be useful for the new
Australian Curriculum in English to cover communication outcomes as
well as to reinforce the theme of persistence in classrooms.
Chris Lloyd
Under Town by Charles Ogden
Edgar and Ellen series. Hodder Headline Australia. ISBN: 9780733618918.
(Age 10+) The twins Edgar and Ellen continue on their mischievous ways
in the town of Nod's Limbs when they attempt to stop the building of a
new hotel. Unfortunately for Edgar and Ellen however there is someone
else in town also planning the same thing, but with different motives.
Edgar and Ellen discover that someone, or something, in town when they
discover the bricks that that they had been collecting to brick-up the
school, thereby forcing its closure, have been stolen. Soon they
discover that not only have the bricks been stolen but so have their
plans to disrupt the town so much that they Mayor will be forced to
give in to their demands and halt the construction of the hotel. As a
result the twins go on a quest to seek their rival prankster, the
Mason, who has steadily become more infamous than themselves. Under
Town is a quirky and entertaining read that contains many unexpected
twists and unusual characters. The clever illustrations give readers
and sense of the slightly dark nature of the twins and the underground
places in which they conduct their roguish pranks. This series, of
which Under Town is the third book, would be recommended for
upper primary readers looking for an entertaining and humorous read.
Adam Fitzgerald
The Bedtime Band by Michelle Worthington
Ill. by Sandra Temple. Wombat Books. ISBN 978-1-921633-57-7
Suitable for preschool and junior primary children. While you're asleep
the bush animals play in their 'bedtime band'. Each creature has a
sound to make or an instrument to play, 'They sing, they laugh, they
play all night . . . ' Written in rhyming text ('on your marks get
setty' is overdoing it a bit ), with a strong Australian setting,
this book will add to the general picture book collection.
The illustrations of the animals by Sandra Temple are appealing but her
human figures seem flat and unconvincing.
Wombat Books is a small publishing company and is happy to print both
new and established authors. My internet search on Michelle Worthington
indicates she is a new, young writer and this is her first publication.
Jane Moore
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
Picture Puffin, 2011. ISBN: 9780141340012.
Highly recommended for all ages. Eric Carle's new title is a
wonderfully energetic, joyous, vibrant yet simple picture book
celebrating colour, creativity and freedom in illustration. The young
child artist paints a blue horse, a red crocodile, a yellow cow, a pink
rabbit, a green lion, an orange elephant, a purple fox and a black
polar bear. With his final creation of a polka-dotted donkey comes his
pronouncement, 'I am a good artist' obviously not bound by the
constraints of critics, be they parents, teachers or others.
The blurb informs the reader that, as a child Carle lived in Germany,
despite having been born in the USA. As a boy, his teacher saw and
appreciated the 'freedom and looseness' in Carle's paintings and
introduced him to the works of 'degenerate artist', Franz Marc.
Apparently it was these early lessons which prompted Carle to break
free from the traditional expectations and stereotypes of those who
practiced realism. The predominantly white backgrounds and painted,
torn or cut pieces of tissue used in the collage leave room for the
sparse text with its strong message for the reader. Hopefully, this
book will encourage children to express themselves with the freedom
Carle is hereby promoting. I will certainly be using this book as a
lead in to art lessons in the future.
In Puffin's promotional video for the
book, one can listen to the artist as he describes both this story and
demonstrates the process used to create his illustrations.
Jo Schenkel
The goannas of No. 1 Martin Place by Vicky Steggall
Ill. by Danny Snell. ABC Books, 2010. ISBN 978 0 7333 2498 7.
(Ages 6+) Humour. Animals. When the goanna family which lives in
the Botanic Gardens on Sydney's shoreline find that their relative
peace has been marred by the addition of a park bench where people can
stop and sit, father decides to find another place for his family to
live. He goes off hunting and finds just the spot, the room on top of
the clock tower at No. 1 Martin Place. It has all the attributes that
they need. It is spacious, there are no cars on the space below, and
the ceiling is open to the night sky where they can see the stars.
Only one thing mars this perfect solution, the Pitt Street Cat.
So we have a neat little story about the family circumventing this
problem with the help of a lone pigeon which unwittingly flies into
their home. At first the pigeon is destined to be dinner, but when the
youngest goanna and the pigeon talk they find a solution to the problem
of getting food before the Pitt Street Cat gets there. With the help of
the rats all the animals are able to see off the cat and live
peaceably.
A story of resolution of problems and the putting their heads together
for a resolution, this will be a favourite amongst younger children.
Either read aloud or for more adventurous children to read alone,
this will entreat readers to keep going. Aided by the illustrations,
the story reflects much of inner Sydney and so not only useful as a
story but also to introduce life in that city.
Fran Knight
Where There's a Wolf There's a Way by Lisi Harrison
Monster High 3. Atom Books, 2011. ISBN 9781907410659.
(Ages 10+) Clawdeen is always overshadowed by her six brothers and her
friends, but she is finally getting her chance in the spotlight at her
upcoming Sassy Sixteen birthday party. Unfortunately after The Ghoul
Next Door goes viral all the RAD's go into hiding including Clawdeen's
family. She goes stir crazy being stuck with her brothers, until Lala
comes to keep her company, but is the Vampire Flirting with her brother
Claude? With no idea how to get in contact with her friends and not
being able to leave her family's hide out Clawdeen's Sassy Sixteenth
looks like it isn't going to happen.
This book was ok but I couldn't get in to it and I found it really
confusing because I didn't know enough about the characters. I would
only recommend this book if you had already read the first two books
(Monster high and The Ghoul Next Door).
Tahlia Kennewell (student)
Runaway - a young man's search for himself by Wendy Altschwager
Norwood, SA. Peacock Publications, 2011. ISBN 9781921601378.
(Age: 15+) Rural life. Robbie, now 15 years of age, was abandoned at
birth by his parents
who were part of a shearing team and had no plans for a baby. He was
cared for by his grandparents, his grandmother caring for him and his
grandfather hitting him. At 15 he longed to find his real parents and
left in
search of them. He lacked self esteem and social skills but was
determined
to make something of his life and so his adventure began.
Working on a farm for Trevor and Dot he starts to find confidence
and a sense of belonging, learning many farm skills and making new
friends. After a year he decides to head off again to try to find his
real
parents, ending up in Hamilton where he works as a rousabout and
then starts shearing. Here he meets his parents but unbeknown to them
Robbie is their son. While working on a sheep station he also meets
Harry
who he dreams about and Jake who becomes a longtime friend. The two
larrikins find themselves in all sorts of situations with country
life, B and S balls, bush races, girls and good country fun. Robbie
takes up
the rodeo circuit bullriding and it is here he meets Maggie Thornton,
the daughter of a powerful man within the district. A tragedy leaves
Robbie with no job and a long recuperating period. But his life is
about to change when Robert Thornton, father of
Maggie offers him a job and then calls him into his office one day.
This is an easy flowing story that is easy to read and relate to
with likeable characters.
Deb David
Edwina Downs by Wendy Altschwager
Norwood, SA.: Peacock Publication, 2011. ISBN 1921601442.
(Age: 15+) Rural life. This is the sequel to Runaway, Robbie now
with his newly found twin sister Maggie run the
magnificent property Edwina Downs with the help of Robert Thornton
and good farm help in the form of his best friend, Jake. Following
a freak accident Jake has been offered a job as the new
overseer.
They have many challenges and learning experiences connected to the
property but the love of horses and the many friends he has formed seem
to make Robbie almost content. He also meets Harry again after a long
time and can't get her out of his mind. Life at Edwina Downs is never
dull and they learn to deal with the new challenges, with Robbie
finding love and a sense of belonging with his new found family.
A book about a teenager with no real sense of family and belonging
who now has everything and more then he has ever thought possible.
The characters and places are easy to relate to of country life, with
all the fun and hardships that go with it. A great read for people
interested in
horses, rodeos, family, relationships and all things connected to
country
living.
Deb David
Pizza Cake by Morris Gleitzman
Puffin, 2011. ISBN: 9780143305989.
(Ages 8+) Highly recommended. Ten entertaining stories from one
of Australia's most popular children's authors. My personal favourite
is 'Saving Ms Fosdyke' a story in which teachers are paid huge salaries
and are hero worshipped by the community. To quote, 'Only the smartest,
cleverest, most brilliant, people get to be teachers.'
In some of the other stories lives are saved with a paper clip, an
Australian idiom is misunderstood and two siblings compete about
anything and everything. Gleitzman has an undoubted gift for writing
authentic and funny prose about young people and these stories all
showcase this gift. These imaginative stories would be ideal for
reading aloud.
Chris Lloyd
The Anything Shop by Dawn Meredith
Ill. Lesley Vamos. Wombat Books 2011. ISBN 9781921633515.
(Ages: 6 to 9) Recommended. Dawn Meredith admits to having weird ideas
in her head and this little story does have an odd starting point.
However, the story is a satisfying one, initiating some interesting and
thought-provoking ideas. Ten year-old Charlie is fascinated when he
comes across a new shop which seems to have magically appeared, calling
itself The Anything Shop, and inviting customers in to swap or buy
anything they wish. Could a shop really give Charlie whatever he
wanted? He has to find out. Charlie's inquiry seems to have
been prearranged as Alfred and Meryl, the shop owners, know exactly why
he is there. Charlie swaps those very embarrassing hugs he gets
at home for an amazing cricket bat, which is the answer to all his
dreams of becoming a champion player at school! It is not long before
he realises that 'no hugs at home' cannot be replaced by cricket
prowess; but he is locked into the swap for two years. How can he
get back to what life was like and why do Alfred and Meryl what to take
the joys of childhood away? As Charlie sets out to solve his
dilemma, along with Sam his new friend caught up in the same swindle,
he comes to an understanding of what is really important. There
is plenty of action in this simple, but cleverly told story, and the
interspersing of lively black and white drawings add to its
accessibility.
Julie Wells
Chanukah Lights by Michael J Rosen and Robert Sabuda
Walker, 2011. ISBN: 9780763655334.
(Ages: 5+) Highly recommended. This masterful combination of
Rosen's lyrical poetry and Sabuda's intricate pop-up art work has
created a book which I plan to treasure, hide away carefully and bring
out each year to share with students! It truly is a keepsake book which
reminds one of the trials and oppression of the Jews, as they refused
to relinquish their faith. Each page tells of a different place where
Jews have resided and reflected back upon the miraculous story of the
Temple lamp which burned for eight days. Sabuda includes the lighted
candles of the menorah cleverly within each of his illustrations. Apart
from the candles on each page, the paper-craft is entirely white, with
graduated shades of colour providing the backgrounds. The only
exception is the final page spread, in which the candles are
represented by the gold topped spires of the tall skyscrapers.
Although this book would be a wonderful asset in teaching Jewish
children about their stories and history, it also contains universal
truths, relevant to all who wish for peace, hope, freedom and the
ability to openly express and practice their own beliefs.
Jo Schenkel
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
Simon and Schuster, 2011, 9780857205438.
Recommended. Summer 70CE. Jerusalem has fallen to the Romans. Rael, the
young daughter of a Jewish assassin, flees across the desert with a
small group of other Jews seeking the refuge of the fortress Masada.
She arrives pregnant and is set to work in the dovecotes, along with
Shirah, known as the Witch of Moab, her daughters and other refugee
women. The doves are kept as indispensable food, sources of
fertilizer and as messengers. The women's lives are simple but rich
with Judaic tradition and complicated by love intrigues. Others who
have found shelter in Masada include the Essenes, an early form of
Christianity, and some Moabites who worshipped other gods, but who live
together amicably. However, the Roman army's advance is inexorable, and
as supplies within the fortress begin to fail the leaders prepare for
the deaths of all. The book is written in simple poetic prose enriched
by descriptions of the traditions of the Jewish faith. Each section is
presented through the eyes of a different woman, Rael who sees herself
as an outcast, Shirah, the beautiful and powerful 'witch', Revka, who
has lost all in the Roman advance and Aziza who becomes a warrior. The
reader is given a clear view of life as it was for women in Jerusalem
and Masada before the Roman conquest. While some of the earlier
passages seem forced, and some of the romantic elements are
implausible, the writing accumulates in power. The historical research
about the details of everyday life and Judaic traditions is sound, and
a convincing view of the pattern of life at that time is presented.
This novel is recommended for senior readers.
Jenny Hamilton
Wild whiskers and tender tales by Ute Wegmann with Dr Anthony Helman
Wakefield Press, 2011, S.A. Wild whiskers and tender tales, sub-titled Close encounters
with
Australian wildlife rescue and conservation, is a fascinating
behind-the-scenes look at the altruistic and hard-working individuals
who care for our injured wildlife.
The main author entry is for Ute Wegmann, who is the photographer. Ms
Wegmann has a very impressive and lengthy pedigree, so to speak, both
as an animal photographer (Burke's Backyard Magazine, Dog's Life
Magazine, Black and White), and in the wider commercial world (Luxury
Homes, Australian House and Garden, Australian HiFi Magazine, Iron Man
etc). The benefits of this professional expertise are immediately
apparent in the extremely high quality photographs - beautiful to look
at, informative and expressive, varied settings, and nicely
framed. A wide variety of rescued wildlife is covered, including
the Greater Bilby, Flatback Turtle, Platypus, Carpet Python, Swamp
Wallaby and many others. We read about the situation in which the
animal was found, and interesting information is provided about the
particular carer.
The book contains a significant amount of text, written by Dr Anthony
Helman, who has the added author entry. [I must declare an interest
here, as Dr Helman is my brother, but rest assured, I would not be
writing about the book in the first place if I did not think it
warranted a favourable review!] The writing takes an interesting
lateral approach to the study of wildlife, as we approach the topic
firstly through the circumstances of the animal's rescue and their
carer, and the focus then broadens out to a wider look at the animal's
particular behaviour and ecology. This is done in a humorous and
accessible manner, for example the section on Milsom the platypus:
The platypus was such a surprise to naturalists who received the first
specimens sent back to England that they thought someone had played an
elaborate hoax by stitching together the bill and webbed feet of a duck
to the body of a mammal!
This exerpt brings me to the only point of caution I would make about
Wild whiskers and tender tales, which is that although the
pictures and layout appeal
to a wide age range, the literacy, font size and text presentation
would be more suited to secondary than primary readers.
Peter J Helman
Battle Files: Air by Mac Park
Boy vs Beast. Border Files.
Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 978 1 92193 108 6.
(Age: Late junior and middle primary boys) Well recommended. The
challenge is to win a Border Guard Wing Badge award. Kai Masters sets a
challenging pace as each page unfolds the tasks to be undertaken in
order to win a badge. He of course achieves this easily. This novel
titled Air, details the environment to be encountered, the
amazing yet
familiar beasts to be overcome, the weapons to fight with and the
strategies needed to win.& Reminiscent of the computer games so
popular with young boys, this book sets out to challenge the reader to
join the game. Intended to attract boys who can read and are fascinated
with science fiction, the novel leaves no stone unturned in the fine
detail of each beast, its evolution, weaknesses, and the best way to
catch it with 'top tips'. It's a visual feast, cleverly set out with
differing fonts to engage the young reader and black and white detailed
illustrations which say it all! Font is large and easy to read
with short, sharp sentences. The setting out is clear and strong. The
invented language is amazing in itself. The Aquamaxitor, as the
name suggests 'takes in water through its mouth. It stores this water
in the bones of its wings. Then it blasts the water from its wings'
p38. The illustrations leave nothing out. There are many in the
series and young readers will keenly want to win all the badges.
Sue Nosworthy
