January 2012 – Page 2 – Aussie Reviews

How Now Brown Frau, by Merridy Eastman

n her first book there’s a Bear in There Merridy Eastman shared her life away from stage and the small screen working as a receptionist in a brothel. Her second book Ridiculous Expectations shared her story of travelling to England for a book tour only to meet and fall in love with a handsome German named Tom. Now, in her third book, the story continues.

Right. This was it. There was no turning back now, I thought, glancing at the tall German sitting by my side as we sped down the A92 towards Munich. here began my new life in Bavaria , with a man I’d met eight months earlier on a jetty in Lymington.
‘Your thing is on inside out, he’d said then, gently touching the sleeve of my cardigan.
In her first book there’s a Bear in There Merridy Eastman shared her life away from stage and the small screen working as a receptionist in a brothel. Her second book Ridiculous Expectations shared her story of travelling to England for a book tour only to meet and fall in love with a handsome German named Tom. Now, in her third book, the story continues, with her arrival to live in Bavaria, four months pregnant and unable to speak German.

How Now Brown Frau does pick up where the second book left off, which will delight fans of the previous books, but is also self contained enough to read on its own. Eastman is forthright and funny, sharing her experiences with an honesty which is delightful, and often laugh out loud funny.

Witty, clever and true.

How Now Brown Frau, by Merridy Eastman
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN9781741759754

This book is available from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Little Refugee, by Anh Do & Suzanne Do

The Little Refugee is a beautiful, important picture book, telling of one family’s refugee experience. Aimed at primary school readers, it tells Do’s story in simple language using details which children will connect with -t he fear of being in a leaky boat out at sea, the humour of his younger brother being dressed as a girl, the difficulties of making new friends and the pride of being chosen as class captain.

‘What a great country!’ my parents said to each other when we arrived in Australia.

In this first person narrative, Ahn Do tells readers about his early years in “a faraway country called Vietnam” where his family was poor but happy – thirteen people living in a tiny three room house. He then tells of the dangers the men of the family faced staying in Vietnam, and their subsequent journey to Australia in “an old wooden fishing boat that stank of fish”. He also shares details of the family’s new life here in Australia, finishing on the upbeat note of Anh’s election as class captain at his new primary school.

Illustrations, by Bruce Whatley use ink outlines and a mix of warm pastel colours for the pages in Australia and sepia tones for the spreads set in Vietnam and aboard the boat, creating a visual contrast between the parts of Do’s life.

Do’s earlier autobiography aimed at adults, The Happiest Refugee has received many accolades. The Little Refugee provides a wonderful means of sharing his story with a younger audience and in highlighting the refugee experience more generally.

The Little Refugee, by Ahn Do & Suzanne Do, illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN 9781742378329

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Lola's Secret, by Monica McInerney

Jim simply raised an eyebrow, before pulling out a chair and sitting down opposite his mother. ‘I was talking about you with Bett and Carrie today. We’ve all agreed it’s not too late to change your mind…About you sending us away and taking charge of a fifteen-room motel on your own for five days. At Christmas. At the age of eighty-four.’

Lola Quinlan is no normal eighty-four year old. If she isn’t helping her son and daughter-in-law run a country motel, she’s running the local charity shop, or sorting out tiffs between her adult grand daughters. But this Christmas it seems she may have gone one step further. Her son, Jim, is heading off for a holiday, and Lola will be in charge of the motel in his absence. She’s come up with a plan to fill the motel with guests. Never mind that Jim has no idea what’s going on – Lola is looking forward to the company. First, though, she has to see if she can get her two granddaughters speaking to each other, and sort out her great-granddaughter’s problems with her father. And perhaps calm the waters at the charity shop where the newest volunteers is trying to take over.

While Lola tries to help everyone around her, the guests sh’s invited to the hotel for Christmas are also needing to work through their own problems, and closer to home the rest of Lola’s family have their own demons to face, most particularly the loss of Annie, Jim’s daughter, four years before. Lola might want to fix everything, but it just might be that those around her can help her, too.

Lola’s Secret is a warm tale of family, of friendship and of acceptance of the past. Each character is cleverly wrought and although Lola is the glue that binds the story, the individual trials and dramas of the other characters are also well developed. There are tears along the way but ultimately this is a feel-good book as the characters work through issues and events which will be familiar to most readers.

Moving.

Lola’s Secret, by Monica McInerney
Penguin, 2011
SIBN 9781021518751

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Gamers' Challenge, by George Ivanoff

Sequel to ‘Gamers’ Quest’

Zyra took aim, almost saying a prayer to the Designers out o habit, and pulled the trigger. She watched the crossbow bolt slice through the air, pinning all her hopes on it as it made its way to its target. Could this bold be different? Could the fact that it belonged to the monks from the Temple of Paths be the deciding factor?

But just like every other wean Zyra had tried, the bold did not do its job. It froze as it met its target. Pixel by pixel, it was deconstructed and absorbed into the grey, sizzling nothingness.

Zyra and Tark have been part of a game world. Now, although they’re still in the world, they no longer have the protection of the Designers. They are no longer invincible, their weapons aren’t working, they need food and sleep. In their new quest for survival, they must find the Ultimate Gamer. Only he has the skills to help them overcome the virus that is sending deadly grey balls of static after them. Even when they think they know everything there is to know about the game, they discover that there is so much more to learn.

Gamers Challenge is a sequel to ‘Gamers’ Quest’. As in the first novel, there are many explosions, near misses and even bells and whistles! Zyra and Tark are keen to be together but events conspire to keep them apart. There are clues to be investigated, wrong turns, trusted figures who can not be trusted. There are also visitors from ‘Gamers’ Quest. <a href=”http://www.fishpond.com.au/product_info.php?ref=271&id=9781921665516&Gamers Challenge could be read as a stand alone title, but is much richer for the knowledge of ‘Gamers’ Quest. There are themes of trust, loneliness and family. This is a fast-moving novel, guaranteed to attract those who love video quest games. Recommended for 12+.

Gamers Challenge;, George Ivanoff&
Ford St Publishing 2011
ISBN: 9781921665516

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book is available from Fishpond.

Pearlie in Paris, by Wendy Harmer & Gypsy Taylor

It was springtime in Paris! From high on Queen Emerald’s magic ladybird, Pearlie could see many grand buildings, the Eiffel Tower, and beautiful parks bursting with fresh flowers.

‘Hurly-burly!’ sang Pearlie. She was thrilled to be visiting one of the world’s loveliest cities when it was at its prettiest.

Pearlie arrives in Paris for a holiday with Fifi, a fairy who lives in the garden of the Royal Palace (Jardin du Palais Royal). Instead she is met by a flustered, slightly bossy French fairy. After an initial misunderstanding, Pearlie helps Fifi prepare for the showing of her new Spring fashion collection. Pearlie is overwhelmed by the gorgeous, if slightly impractical for her, gowns. When disaster strikes overnight, in the shape of a runaway snail, it’s up to Pearlie to save the day. Illustrations are full colour and share the ‘joie de vivre’ of Paris in the springtime.

Pearlie in Paris is the 14^th adventure with Pearlie, the fairy who normally resides in an inner Sydney park. She’s a hard-working fairy, so it’s good she also gets to take holidays. Even if, on those holidays she also gets to solve problems and avert disasters. Pearlie is a very good-hearted fairy, never taking offence and always finding ways to help out. But she does get to tour around Paris in the end, even if it’s not with her new friend, Fifi, who is presumably too busy filling orders after her spectacular fashion show! Fans of Pearlie will enjoy this instalments and new readers of this series will want to search out other Pearlie adventures. Recommended for newly independent readers and for younger children as a read-to.

Pearlie in Paris, Wendy Harmer & Gypsy Taylor
Random House 2011
ISBN: 9781741663808

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

Murgatroyd's Garden, Judy Zavos & Drahos Zak

Murgatroyd is a happy, loved child. He has all he could possibly want. He’s a good, contented child too – most of the time. But he really, really doesn’t like having his hair washed. And no one nearby likes the sound of Murgatroyd trying to avoid having his hair washed. So a decree is made: he shall no longer have his hair washed. He is initially happy to avoid the hair-wash torture, until the garden that grows in his hair threatens to completely overwhelm him. Illustrations combine sketches with colour, giving an almost-collage feel to the work.

Murgatroyd’s Garden was first published in 1986 and was an CBCA Honour book. There are notes in the back about the genesis and first publication of Murgatroyd’s Garden. The story was inspired by the author’s own challenges when trying to wash her sons’ hair. It’s a cautionary tale, sufficiently wild to invite wonder rather than fear, although Judy Zavos reports that it induced her children to submit with less noise! The illustrations are full of delightful details, far too many to be absorbed fully in a single read. Another title from Walker Books Classics series, guaranteed to entertain a new generation of readers. Recommended for early primary readers.

Murgatroyd’s Garden, Judy Zavos & Drahos Zak
Walker Books 2011
ISBN: 9781921720529

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

Losers, by Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers

Monday morning. School Assembly day. I have to give a report on our team’s soccer match on Saturday. I have to stand up on the stage in the big school in front of everyone.

It’s the Monday after the Saturday before, when the Wiggly Worms played and lost in the final soccer game of the season. The un-named narrator has to present a report on the game and from the score – 15 to 1 – its going to be tough to present it in a positive light. But as he recalls all the elements of the game, from the parents cheering on the sidelines to the improvements made by individuals he discovers there is plenty to say about their favourite winter sport. Illustrations are full of humour. Header and footer carry a story of their own, a soccer game between a Wiggly Worm and a Rotten Rat.

Losers? is a new title in the Mates series of ‘Great Australian Yarns’. Weekend sport is part of many Australian lives and many players and their families will recognise the characters portrayed here. There’s the enthusiastic but unskilled coach, the fierce and way-too-serious coach, advice from the sidelines, the player keen to play but terrified of the ball, the player who has no clue about the rules and many others. Each is almost caricatured for effect, burying truth in humour. The narrator uncovers the real reason to play sport and it’s not all about winning. The print size is large and potentially unfamiliar words are presented in alternate fonts. Losers? is a funny and fun addition to a great Australian series for newly emerging readers.

Losers?, Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers
Omnibus Books 2011
ISBN: 9781862918511

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be pruchased online from Fishpond.

Lazy Daisy, Busy Lizzie, by Mary Ellen Jordan & Andrew Weldon

One by one, in rhyme, the reader is introduced to the animal occupants of a farm. But few of these animals behave quite as might be expected.

This is my cow,

she’s called Daisy.

She should eat grass,

but she’s too lazy.

One by one, in rhyme, the reader is introduced to the animal occupants of a farm. But few of these animals behave quite as might be expected. There’s the lazy cow, who’d rather be spoon fed jelly; the hen who prefers dancing to laying eggs. Alternate double-page spreads introduce the animals and what they ‘should’ be doing, with following spreads detailing their preferred activities. But despite their un-farmlike activities, there is something they all do well, and the narrator suggests that on balance their combined life is a good one. Illustrations are pen and watercolour, in cartoon-style. Front endpapers show the farm in daytime, end endpapers show the farm at night.

From the outset and from the title, it’s clear that Lazy Daisy, Busy Lizzie is a book about playing with language, playing with sounds, and encouraging the reader to do the same. The illustrations include many other details and reader and child will easily be able to conjure up names, words and activities for further occupants of this farm. Readers will engage with the language, be tickled by the illustrations and come away with a sense of just how much fun it can be to play with words. And all this wrapped in delightful package of silliness. Win-win. Recommended for pre-school and early school readers.

Lazy Daisy, Busy Lizzie, Mary Ellen Jordan Andrew Weldon Allen & Unwin 2011 ISBN: 9781742374291

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

Jake's Great Game, by Ken Spillman

‘Dad, why can’t I play soccer?’

Jake imagined running down the pitch, super-fast and much too tricky for other players. He’d fire the ball at goal like a cannon.

Jake wants to join the soccer team with Jonah his mate. Dad takes him to buy soccer boots and Jake chooses silver ones, sure they will be perfect. But the reality of the game and his skills doesn’t come close to matching the playing he can do in his imagination. The gloss goes off the boots and his enthusiasm. Everyone reminds him that it takes practice to be good at anything, and all his family help him with that. Still, he sees his friend Jonah getting better much faster than him. He tries and tries and tries. When it comes to game time, Jonah discovers that there are skills he has developed that make him ideal for a special role. Illustrations are pencil sketches, on every spread.

Jake is back in a fourth book about his life and adventures. In ‘Jake’s Great Game’ he realises that reality doesn’t always match fantasy when it comes to playing soccer. But he does discover the value of practice. Along the way to the first game, he experiences great frustration at his apparent inability to improve. He does discover he’s better than his father though in their first park play! And he also realises that Nana is a much better player than he could ever have imagined. He persists, practises and sees the rewards for that effort in his first game. When he begins, he sees only the glory and the shiny shoes, but by the end, he’s learned about playing a team sport. Recommended for newly independent readers.

Jake’s Great Game, Ken Spillman
Fremantle Press 2011
ISBN: 9781921888502

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

Have You Seen Ally Queen, by Deb Fitzpatrick

I have survived. Today was my first day at this new school. I feel like I’ve run a cross-country or something; I’m exhausted. I drop my bag outside our house and head down to the beach. I don’t feel like answering Mum’s questions about how it went – I just want a bit of space.

…

New schools aren’t such a big deal – some kids move every couple of years, don’t they? But I’ve gone right through to Year 10 at the same school, and now this. It’s the first time for Jerry, too. We’ve changed schools and towns. Well, regions, actually. Sometimes I feel like we’ve changed mums, too. Which is weird ,because we haven’t. I didn’t want all this change, I really didn’t. It’s messed everything up.

Ally and her family have moved from Perth to a small surfing town on the south coast of Western Australia. Yes, it has the beach, but it also has surfies, bogans and hippies. Ally feels like she doesn’t belong. Fitting in to a new school is not fun. It’s not made any easier by Mum’s strange behaviour. Then things get worse as Mum goes to stay with her sister and doesn’t really seem to want to be with Dad, Jerry and Ally. Ally is confused and angry. Even Killer Pythons, her favourite lollies, taste different, stale. She misses her old friends, is struggling to make new ones and is torn between feeling sorry for her mother, and wishing she’d just snap out of it and stop punishing them all. And as for the boy who catches her bus … well, how could he possibly be interested in her prickly self?

Moving and change are never easy. Particularly when you are fifteen years old, and your world still spins with you at its centre. Mum’s post-traumatic stress disorder has shaken everyone in the family, and its in noticing these effects that Ally begins to evolve. Have You Seen Ally Queen? says goodbye to Ally Queen, drama queen, and a halting hello to a new, more mature Ally. Ally has to contend with many changes in this year, but she begins to realise that she has both more control than she thinks, and less. A lesson in growing up. Throughout, she is a likeable character, even when her alter-egos rear their less gorgeous heads. She comes to realise that despite the changes she is surrounded by loving people and that she too might actually be lovable. Recommended for early- to mid-secondary readers.

Have You Seen Ally Queen?, Deb Fitzpatrick Fremantle Press ISBN: 9781921888489

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.