March 2013 – Page 2 – Aussie Reviews

Topsy-turvy World, by Kirsty Murray

To the first Europeans who came to Australia, everything about the new land was topsy-turvy. Christmas was in summer instead of winter. Trees shed their bark instead of their leaves. The smells sounds and tastes of the new land were nothing like Europe. Everything they assumed about the way the world was made was turned inside out and upside down.

The title of Topsy Turvy World: How Australian Animals Puzzled Early Explorers says it all. This intriguing offering looks at some of Australia’s unique animals, and at how they were seen by first Europeans to encounter them.

For each animal there is a description of first contact with, and impressions of, the animal, followed by an exploration of the characteristics of the animal, under the heading ‘What the Europeans needed to learn’, accompanied by a ‘Fast Facts’ box. Illustrations have been sourced from the National Library of Australia’s collection, allowing readers to see the early illustrations and contrast them with the reality.

This beautifully designed hard cover offering is suitable for classroom, library or home reading.

Topsy Turvy World: How Australian Animals Puzzled Early Explorers, by Kirsty Murray
National Library of Australia Press, 2012
ISBN 9780642277497

Available from good bookstores or
online.

The Light by Jo Oliver

The lighthouse stands on the high, smooth rock of the island. The light shines from dusk until dawn to protect those at sea.

My father is the lighthouse keeper.

Our family lives in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage.

The lighthouse stands on the high, smooth rock of the island. The light shines from dusk until dawn to protect those at sea.

My father is the lighthouse keeper.

Our family lives in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage.

Louisa and her family live on a little island off the NSW coast, for their father is the lighthouse keeper. Theirs is an isolated life, in a remote location. Louisa, second daughter in a family of four narrates a day in their life. The day begins with chores and schooling, and more chores. They don’t see much of their father because he works all night keeping the light shining to sea. On this day, he cannot sleep long, and will need to be extra vigilant as a storm closes in. But in the meantime, there is also free time to enjoy the wildness, the seals and penguins, the sounds of their world. Louisa accompanies them on her tin whistle. When jobs are done, dinner is finished, they gather to share music. Mother plays the piano, Dad the fiddle and Louisa the tin whistle. A wrecked boat brings extras to the island, drawn first by the light, then by the music. Fittingly, presentation is portrait and the cover design increases this notion of height.

‘The Light’ documents a day in the life of a lighthouse man and his family from the perspective of a young girl. The first person narrative brings the reader close while the illustrations offer more details. The clothing suggest an earlier time, as does the formality of ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’. Illustrations are charcoal and soft pastels and also introduce a nostalgia for another, simpler time. Most are framed, as if looking at photos, and some are set on music scores, bringing to life the sounds of the island. ‘The Light’ shows not only another way of living (in isolation and self-sufficiency) but also the dangers of the coastline and the role lighthouses and their keepers played in keeping sailors safe. Endpapers feature diagrams of a lighthouse and cottage. Recommended for lower- to mid-primary readers.

The Light, Jo Oliver New Frontier Publishing 2013 ISBN: 9780921928413

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Where are Snugglepot and Cuddlepie?

A Gumnuts lift-the-flap book

A Gumnuts lift-the-flap book. featuring the characters created by May Gibbs. Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are playing hide-and-seek with their friends. The reader is invited to help Ragged Blossum find them, by lifting the flaps. Along the way there are other plants and animals to be discovered. This gentle lift-the-flap is rendered in pastel colours showing the Australian landscape on a full-sun day. It provides an introduction to the characters from May Gibb’s classic book and also to some iconic Australian flora. A perfect gift for a young international reader or for those wanting to pay homage to Gumnut Babies.

Where are Snugglepot and Cuddlepie?, Scholastic Australia 2012 ISBN: 9781742831664

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author www.clairesaxby.com

Gracie and Josh by Susanne Gervay and Serena Geddes

My name is Gracie

Today, I’m a squiggly black spider.

My brother Josh helps me make my spider legs

They look like fat sausages.

Josh gives me his woolly black beanie.

His favourite one has green stripes.

My name is Gracie

Today, I’m a squiggly black spider.

My brother Josh helps me make my spider legs

They look like fat sausages.

Josh gives me his woolly black beanie.

His favourite one has green stripes.

Gracie makes a spider costume with the assistance of her older brother, Josh. He’s happy to share one of his beanies, and today he wears his favourite one. Together the pair play. Gracie acts and sings, and Josh captures it for his film. Shooting a film takes some time and the reader follows the pair through the days and weeks as Josh captures footage for his film. There are good and bad weeks as Josh battles cancer and has a visit to hospital. There are appointments to do with his treatment, and every day events like visiting the dentist and attending school. And then there is the grand premiere of their film. Illustrations are pencil and watercolour set in plenty of white space. There are dark days when Josh’s is less well, and brightness when they can temporarily put aside their worries in the joy of living each day.

Gracie and Josh is the story of making a film, with Gracie on stage, and Josh recording her antics. It is a portrait of normal things in a time of great challenge, as Josh and his family do what they can to fight his illness. Gracie’s observations are simple and direct as they reflect their life, and the passage of time is marked by Josh’s ups and downs. ‘Gracie and Josh’ seems simple but the depiction of family is powerful without any glossing over of the seriousness of Josh’s illness. It is a moving story of love and laughter, written and illustrated with realistic and delicate style. Recommended for early primary readers and any family who may be experiencing the trauma of serious illness.

Gracie and Josh, Susanne Gervay ill Serena Geddes Ford Street Publishing 2013 ISBN: 9781921665851

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Divine Clementine by Hayley S Kirk

The smell of the incense fills my lungs; the spicy floral aroma drifts from hymn books and throughout the pews. I close my eyes because they are stinging. I don’t want them to sting anymore. I close my eyes because I am afraid if I open them, they will cry me a river and stain this holy place forever. My heart is stained. My ears are open. Sounds flood in – sounds of pages turning, of silver clasps clicking on special-occasion purses, of sniffles and sobs, of sadness …

Sixteen-year-old Clementine (Clem) witnesses the death of her adored aunt, Stella. Her aunt was only 26 years old and as much as best friend as her mother’s sister. Clem is sure that her life will never be the same and she can’t understand members of her family and her friends when they suggest that life goes on. Clearly, she thinks, they haven’t lost as much as she has. Clem finds her aunt’s diaries and discovers that there was much more to Stella than she knew. Clem is hurt and very angry that she was so deceived by Stella and by all her family. She sets on a path of self-destruction, convinced that everything she knew, everyone she trusted is based on lies. Nothing seems to matter. It will take more than time for her to realise she will survive.

Teen age can be tough. So many hormones, so many body changes, so many new challenges. Clem was doing well, until her aunt dies. Not only is she wracked by grief, she discovers that the certainty she felt about life in general was based on less than full truth. Now she is flailing about like other teenagers, feeling misunderstood and questioning her own worth, and the value of those previously-trusted others of her close circles. Divine Clementine delves deeply into troubled times, and shows that even with the best of supports, the best love and care, some things have to come from within. There are themes of loss, mental illness, love and friendship, all explored within the journey of a single hurting teen. Clem doesn’t always behave well. Her character is flawed and often hurtful, but she has a solid foundation and from this, she begins to recover. A thoughtful coming-of-age story for mid-teens.

Divine Clementine, Haley S Kirk Random House 2012 ISBN: 9781864718997

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Brave Heart, by Brett & Hayley S. Kirk

First of all, let me start out by saying that this book isn’t just about me. I know that’s probably not what you’re expecting, and some of you might even be thinking that I’ve had one too many knocks on the head during my AFL career, but I truly mean it. This book is written for you and about you.

You might think of me as a confident, strong leader who can communicate well and someone who has lived his ultimate dream. But I have not always been the person you kow today. My evolution as a person, of which I am proud, has been the result of a culmination of life experiences, events, failures, connections, mistakes, lessons, love and heartbreak – it is an ongoing process.

Brett Kirk, former Sydney Swans player and captain has written this ‘Brave Heart’ with his wife, author Hayley S. Kirk. It is the story of his life, his club, his career. It is also a book about life, with support and strategy for taking charge of your own life and making it what you want it to be. ‘Brave Heart’ is divided into chapters. It begins with his country childhood and ends with looking forward to the future. In between there are chapters on self-discipline, perseverance, spirit and communication emotion, as well as many more. Each chapter delves a bit further into his life including on- and off-field challenges and then introduces strategies for achieving life goals. There are quotes from others and excerpts from Brett’s journal. There are photos throughout, both on- and off-field.

Brave Heart is a book to read from cover to cover. It’s also a book to dip into at times of need. Brett and Hayley Kirk have produced a very readable and informative book. Brett has modelled his life lessons on lessons he has encountered, making it both intensely personal and universal. Young football players will benefit from Brett’s experience, but anyone, sportsperson or not, can discover strategies for living a worthwhile life, and achieving personal goals. Young boys, particularly Swans fans will lap up the game and locker room stories and photos. Recommended for secondary readers, particularly Swans fans.

Brave Heart: Lessons Learnt from Life, Brett & Hayley S. Kirk Allen & Unwin 2012 ISBN: 9781742753256

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author