Harriet and the Fox, by Rina Foti

Life is great on Peachberry Farm until a greedy fox starts paying regular visits. He keeps stealing Harriet’s eggs. Harriet knows he is scary, but she is also determined to stop his raids. None of the other animals want to help – they are too scared. So it is up to Harriet.

When the fox makes his next visit, Harriet is ready for him with some special eggs which she has prepared just for him – with a dash of chilli. The unsuspecting fox gets more than he bargained for when he gobbles up the special eggs. Harriet watches in glee as he flees the farm, never to be seen again.

Harriet and the Fox is a bright and humorous picture book offering from author Rina A. Foti and illustrator Judith Rossell. The text is simple and youngsters will love seeing the mean old fox outwitted by the clever hen. They will also adore the illustrations with big, bold animals and loads of colour.

Fun.

Harriet and the Fox, by Rina A. Foti, illustrated by Judith Rossell
Koala Books, 2004

The Shack That Dad Built, by Elaine Russell

In the mid 1940s, when Elaine Russell was five, she moved with her family to La Perouse, just outside of Sydney. There her father, Clem built a shack from old tin and other salvaged materials. The Shack That Dad Built is author/illustrator Russell’s recollection of the time she and her family spent in the shack where they lived for the next five years.

The author recounts memories of her everyday life – sweeping and dampening the dirt floor, playing in the sand dunes, going fishing with her mother, as well as of more specific events like being visited by gypsies and missing out on a Christmas gift at a charity function. The memories are also portrayed in Russell’s bold yet simple illustrations which use bright blues, oranges, greens and yellows to recreate the scenes.

The story is further supported by a fact sheet at the back of the book outlining the history of the La Perouse area and its significance to the Aboriginal people, who have camped there for at least 7 500 years.

This is an informative tale which will interest children as private reading but which would also be an excellent classroom resource.

The Shack That Dad Built, by Elaine Russell
Little Hare, 2004

Desi Detective Solves a Mystery, by John Parker

Desi Detective is at home eating a ham and salad roll when her phone rings. Sharif Shopkeeper has a very important mystery for her to solve. Someone has stolen all the free jellybeans from Sharif’s jar! Desi is straight on the case and, in no time at all, has followed the clues and located the greedy thief.

Desi Detective Solves a Mystery is one of four titles in the Buzz Town series from brand new publisher Ibis. This one has the feel of a retro comic book, with its slapstick humour and narrative style. Desi carries a Catch-a-Burglar magnifying glass as she heads off to catch Lickface Larry, the bad-guy who quickly sees the error of his ways.

These simple stories are accompanied by suggestions for parents to help get children involved before, during and after reading and supported by online activities and printables at the Ibis website.

Desi Detective Solves a Mystery, by John Parker, illustrated by Russell Tate
Ibis, 2004

Waldo Waiter Makes a Mess, by Trevor Wilson

Everyone loves the food at Lotti’s restaurant. But when Lotti’s nephew Waldo starts work as a waiter, business starts to go downhill. Waldo is so clumsy that people won’t risk coming to eat there any more. They would rather eat somewhere where they won’t end up with dinner in their laps.

Waldo is sad and plays some music to cheer himself up. When he realises that he isn’t clumsy when he is dancing, he finds the solution. Soon, people are flocking to Lotti’s restaurant to see Waldo, the dancing waiter.

Waldo Waiter Makes a Mess is one of the titles in Ibis Publishing’s new Buzz Town series. These small format books have retro style illustrations by Russell Tate and are supported by parent tips inside the front cover and activities available online.

Cute.

Waldo Waiter Makes a Mess, by Trevor Wilson, illustrated by Russell Tate
Ibis Publishing, 2004

Hamish Hairdresser and the Arty Hairdo

Hamish is the worst hairdresser in the world. Too many curls, too many plaits, too many beads – and not enough hair! These are the complaints of Hamish’s customers, so that soon he doesn’t have any customers at all. No one will come near him

Then Hamish’s friend, Aron Artist, asks him for a special arty hairdo for an opening night. Hamish is nervous. What if he messes Aron’s hair up on this special night? When he falls asleep while Aron’s hair dye is working, it seems disaster might strike. Will people like Aron’s blue, red and purple striped hair?

It is more than just the art (by Russell Tate) in this series which has a retro feel. The focus on jobs and the use of a small format book with text on one side and illustration on the other also adds to the feel.

Hamish the Hairdresser is part of the Buzz Town series from new Australian publisher, Ibis Publishing. A useful addition to the book is the presence of suggestions for parents inside the front cover. The Ibis website has additional ideas.

Fun.

Hamish Hairdresser and the Arty Hairdo, by Adrienne Frater, illustrated by Russell Tate
Ibis Publishing, 2004

The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard, by Gregory Rogers

This is a delightful, wordless picture book – original in its concept with unexpected treasures on every page.

It is a time travel fantasy which relates the chase by the Bard of a young boy who wanders through the curtain onto the stage of the Globe Theatre in London while following his soccer ball.

The format has obvious appeal to children (up to 10 years of age) with the main character – ‘the boy’ – depicted as a very young protagonist.

Gregory Rogers uses sequential, individual picture frames to relate this exciting tale. He incorporates a sustained, understated sense of humour throughout.

This is a book to be revisited more than once to discover the detail in the pictures and the subtlety in the humour. The joy of childhood and children’s play contrasts with the more serious presentation of adult play in the Shakespearean work. Is it ‘Romeo and Juliet’? I think that I can see the good Friar on the stage.

This sophisticated adventure will also be attractive to older students and adults. It will be useful for History, Art and Drama students in the secondary school with attention to detail in the landscapes, settings and costumes of the Elizabethan period. Even without words much about the design, construction, colour and texture of the costumes of the period is conveyed to an older audience. For English students it would be a stimulating introduction to the study of a Shakespearean text in the Middle school – particularly ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard, by Gregory Rogers
Allen & Unwin, 2004

Clio Cleaner Cleans Up, by Adrienne Frater

Clio Cleaner loves cleaning. So when she starts work cleaning Tessa Teacher’s house, she is delighted to find it very messy. She cleans and polishes all morning. But the next time she comes to clean Tessa’s house, there is no mess, and she doesn’t have enough to do. Then a messy mouse gives her an idea which will give her plenty of cleaning to do – she invites Tessa Teacher to bring her class for morning tea.

Clio Cleaner Cleans Up is one of four titles in the new Buzz Town series from Ibis Publishing. The books are small format paperbacks – just slightly smaller than those in the popular Cocky’s Circle books sold in supermarkets – and the illustrations of Russell Tate have a retro feel which parents might liken to the comics and television programs of their childhood.

Ibis have focussed on providing learning opportunities, with activity suggestions for parents inside the front cover and more support material on the Ibis website.

Clio Cleaner Cleans Up, by Adrienne Frater, illustrated by Russell Tate
Ibis Publishing, 2004
RRP $6.95 (AU)

Fox, by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks

This picture book combines two of Australia’s best-known names in picture books – author Maragret Wild and illustrator Ron Brooks. In the four years since it was first published it has assumed classic status as a truly memorable and great example of the picture book form.

The fable like story tells of an unusual friendship between a dog and a magpie. Magpie’s wing is injured in a fire and she can no longer fly. She is looked after by Dog, who wills her to get better. He is blind in one eye. He puts Magpie on his back and runs with her. Magpie tells Dog that he can be her wings and she will be his missing eye. The friendship continues until a Fox arrives. Seeing the pair cosily together, he conspires to part them. He cajoles Magpie to come with him. He can run faster than Dog and Magpie will love the feeling of really flying on Fox’s back. When Magpie finally agrees, Fox abandons her in the desert, telling her that now she and Dog will learn what it is like to be truly alone. The story ends with Magpie, regretting her abandonment of Dog, beginning the slow journey back to her friend.

This is a story which grips the reader. The temptation of the fox and his leading Magpie into the desert has a biblical quality, and the seemingly sad ending still rings with the courage of the flightless Magpie hopping towards home across the desert.

Brooks’ illustrations and hand-lettering add to the myth-like feel of the story. This print, the use of collage and the reds and ochres prevalent in the book all combine to create an illusion of age, as if this a story created long ago and perhaps drawn on ancient parchment or etched on a cave wall. The dark colours of the illustrations also reflect the serious tone of the tale.

With this tone, Fox may not make for fun bedtime reading, but it is an outstanding book which kids will be drawn to and which will encourage discussion about friendship, loyalty and betrayal. It would also make an excellent classroom text for literature study and visual literacy lessons.

Superb.

Fox, by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks
Allen & Unwin, First Published 2000, new edition 2004

Feels Real Series

Board books are popular with parents and youngsters alike. Their sturdy format, bright presentation and simple language make them perfect both for sharing sessions and individual exploration.

Scholastic Australia’s newest board book offering has an added dimension – tactile panels in each page.

There are four titles in the series, Cuddly Puppies, Furry Kittens, On the Farm and Little Ponies. Each includes five double page spreads with beautiful animal photography, one or two simple sentences and an invitation to touch the tactile insertion in one of the pictures. Children are invited to touch the furry mane of the pony, stroke the silky fur of the sheepdog, feel the kitten’s rough tongue and more. This provides an interactive element to the book which will keep youngsters turning pages and coming back to the books again and again.

Priced at just $7.95 (rrp) each, these little books are delightful.

Feels Real: Cuddly Puppies, Furry Kittens, Little Ponies and On the Farm
Scholastic Australia, 2004

Too Many Monkeys, by Margaret Wild

Mum, Dad, Eenie, Meenie and Baby Mo live in the jungle in a tree that is just the right size for a family of five. But when Granny and Grandpa come to visit, suddenly the tree is not big enough any more. So begins a funny chain of events as the family move from tree to tree and more and more relatives come to stay. Each new arrival heralds the need for a new move to a tree with more room.

Youngsters will love the silliness of this cumulative story and will enjoy predicting what will happen next. The ending, which shows the extended family finding a whole clump of trees with branches that touch – allowing each smaller family unit their own tree – is not only satisfying in the context of the story, but also gently paralells the human world, where families can be close yet still give each other room.

The gouache illustrations of Sally Rippin are delightful, with the various monkeys coloured in rich blues, purples and reds, and each monkey uniquely defined. The backgrounds are also bright and the book’s cover, with crowded monkeys within a black frame is eye-catching.

Like all of Margaert Wild’s picture books, Too Many Monkeys is bound to be a success.

Too Many Monkeys, by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Sally Rippin
Omnibus, 2004