Did You Take the B from my _ook? by Beck & Matt Stanton

I think mt favourite letter has gone from this _ook!
Let’s check!

Designed to be read aloud to one or more children, Did You Take the B from My _ook? is an interactive offering which will have kids laughing and interjecting throughout. The reader, it seems, has sneezed the B from the bok in the arly pages, and so everyword that should begin with B is incomplete. There are _ulls, _eds, _alls and _utterflies aplenty – just no Bs to correctly pronounce them. The solution, it seems, is to have the listeners call out for B to come back.

Did You Take the B from My _ook? tags itself as a book that drives kids crazy, but it’s mor elikely to make them laugh and want to join in with the tongue-twisting silliness of trying to say all those B words without the letter b.

With simple illustrations and a sturdy format, this is perfect for sharing in a school or child care setting as well as at home.

Did You Take the B from My _ook? , by Beck & Matt Stanton
ABC Books, 2016
ISBN 9780733334832

Clarrie’s Pig Day Out by Jen Storer ill Sue de Gennaro

The sun is up and I have a lot to shoe.

No. I have a lot to poo.

No, no, no. I have a lot to do.

I’m going out and my dag is coming with me.

‘Bert!’ I say. ‘Bert, are you ready?’

But Bert doesn’t come.

The sun is up and I have a lot to shoe.

No. I have a lot to poo.

No, no, no. I have a lot to do.

I’m going out and my dag is coming with me.

‘Bert!’ I say. ‘Bert, are you ready?’

But Bert doesn’t come.

Clarrie is a farmer, who has things to do in town. He also has a bit of trouble with words – getting the right ones, that is. He wants to take his dog but Bert can’t be found. So Clarrie sets off without him. His day in town is full of tasks, from having morning tea, through getting new footwear to acquiring some new farm animals. But disaster strikes on the way home and perhaps Clarrie and his purchases may not make it. Clarrie and his chickens will need help if they are going to make it home. Illustrations use many mediums (acrylic, watercolour, ballpoint pen, grey lead and collage) and are set in white space. The font is handwriting-like and the mixed up words are presented letter by letter as if they have been torn from a newspaper or other source.

Clarrie’s Pig Day Out bumbles gently along though a day in the life of farmer Clarrie. The language is poetic and funny, the illustrations an ongoing chuckle. The word substitutions will set the reader giggling. Readers can spot Bert when Clarrie cannot, and find the other animals who populate the farm. Clarrie’s Pig Day Outoffers the opportunity to play with words, while subtly introducing meaning and variety to vocabularies. A hoot to read out loud, sure to be enjoyed by pre- and early-schoolers.

Clarrie’s Pig Day Out Jen Storer ill Sue de Gennaro

ABC Books 2016 ISBN: 9780733334443

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Danny Best: Full On, by Jen Storer & Mitch Vane (ill.)

https://i.harperapps.com/covers/9780733333330/y648.pngI creep across the grass like a MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE Secret Agent. I am silent. I leave no trail.
I pick up a stone and hurl it at the chook shed. The stone hits the tin rook with a CLANG and the chooks SQUAWK.
That’ll trick Fab.

Danny Best and his best mate Fab are playing cops and robbers. Danny is the robber, and his job is to get away from Fab for long enough to steal the treasure. But hiding under the house is a bit tricky, and policeman Fab has got back-up in the form of their other friends.

“Cops and Robbers” is one of five short stories featuring Danny and his friends in Danny Best: Full on, the first book in a new series. Danny doesn’t just think he’s the best – he knows it. And most of his adventures feature races or competitions of some sort, including obstacle courses and child-built race circuits.

Danny is a little bit full of himself (aren’t most 8 and three quarter year olds?) but is able to laugh at himself when things go wrong, and his friends have his measure. The stories are fast paced and humorous and feature cartoon-style illustrations, maps and more, including humorous quizzes after each story.

Lots to like here for primary aged readers.

Danny Best: Full on, by Jen Storer, illustrated by Mitch Vane
ABC Books, 2015
ISBN 9780733333330

There is a Monster Under My Christmas Tree Who Farts, by Tim Miller & Matt Stanton

There is a monster under my Christmas tree who farts.
You don’t want his help putting up the star.

It doesn’t matter how hard you try to be good when you are plagued by a farting monster who seems intent on getting you put on Santa’s naughty list. the young unnamed protagonist of this funny picture book sees (and smells) the monster under the Christmas tree, in his room where he should be wrapping up presents, even in Santa’s grotto when he goes to have his photo taken. What if Santa thinks it’s him, and doesn’t leave him any presents?

There is a Monster Under My Christmas Tree Who Farts is a humorous tale which will appeal to pre an early schoolers who will enjoy the fun of (and probably relate to) the dilemma of who to blame for stinky smells, and the resolution on the final page, which shows the monster and Santa out-stinking each other under the Christmas tree.

Great for Christmas laughs.

 

There is a Monster Under My Christmas Tree Who Farts, by Tim Miller & Matt Stanton
ABC Books, 2014
ISBN 9780733332951

Available from good bookstores and online.

Count My Christmas Kisses, by Ruthie May & Tamsin Ainslie

One kiss for baby, under mistletoe.
Two kisses for baby, catching falling snow.

Playing under mistletoe, singing with the choir or jingling Christmas bells, Christmas kisses abound in this gentle rhyming offering. Counting from one to ten, and finishing with the children (and their animal friends) asleep on Christmas Eve, the text would make a perfect bedtime wind down in the lead up to Christmas.

The pastel toned illustrations are adorable, with the numbers hanging in large baubles, the kisses snowflake adorned love hearts and the characters – two older children, baby and a rabbit and a fox – happily preparing for Christmas.

This would make a perfect gift for a baby or toddler.

 

Count My Christmas Kisses, by Ruthie May & Tamsin Ainslie
ABC Books/Harper Collins, 2014
ISBN 9780733332203

Available from good bookstores and online.

The Adventures of Scooterboy and Skatergirl by Andy Jones ill Doreen Marts

Cool can mean a lot of things.

Amazing, wicked, awesome, epic, radical, insane, ridiculously good and, of course – cold!

Jim Belicious was someone who lived on the not-so-cool side of cool, if you know what I mean. It wasn’t that Jim didn’t have cool T-shirts. And sneakers. And a semi-cool haircut. But being cool did not come naturally to him.

Today, Jim was about to meet someone who was naturally cool …

Cool can mean a lot of things.

Amazing, wicked, awesome, epic, radical, insane, ridiculously good and, of course – cold!

Jim Belicious was someone who lived on the not-so-cool side of cool, if you know what I mean. It wasn’t that Jim didn’t have cool T-shirts. And sneakers. And a semi-cool haircut. But being cool did not come naturally to him.

Today, Jim was about to meet someone who was naturally cool …

Jim isn’t quite cool. And it’s more to do with his take on the world and his interests than anything else. But a chance encounter of the potentially calamitous kind, evolves into a firm friendship with Skatergirl. Fortunately she always carries a scooter in her bag just in case her skateboard lets her down. She generously gives it to Jim and he is transformed into Scooterboy. And the adventures begin. There’s a race around the shopping mall and adventures with elevators, raps and rhymes. Skatergirl and Scooterboy are very different but their difference unite rather than divide them and their similarities cement their friendship. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout, breaking up the text.

The Adventures of Scooterboy and Skatergirl is an action-stuffed, break-neck paced novel for newly independent readers. Skatergirl is an accomplished and successful skater and Scooterboy loves information almost as much as racing around the place with Skatergirl. Together they make a powerful team. Skatergirl has the confidence, Scooterboy the knowledge for the pair to succeed at almost everything they do. Each has an ‘Achilles heel’ fear and these add to their friendship and to the fun they can have with each other. Just when it seemed they are invincible, security guards deliver them to their parents who confiscate their wheels. These characters are at once ‘super’ and ‘everyday’ making it easy for readers to connect with them. Most chapters have almost complete stories, although there is also an over-arching narrative tying them together. There is plenty of absurdity and humour to keep reluctant readers engaged throughout. Recommended for lower- to mid-primary independent readers.

 

The Adventures of Scooterboy and Skatergirl, Andy Jones ill Doreen Marts ABC Books 2013 ISBN: 9780733331596

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

I Got This Hat by Jol and Kate Temple ill Jon Foye

I got this hat in China

I got this hat from a miner

I got this hat from a deep-sea diver

I got this hat from a racing car driver

I got this hat in China

I got this hat from a miner

I got this hat from a deep-sea diver

I got this hat from a racing car driver

I Got This Hat features a small child trying on all manner of hats. Across the story, he showcases hats from his – clearly extensive – collection. Each opening offers text on one page and hat with young child under it. In fact, all that is ever seen of the child before the final spread, is the upper half of a head. Text is rhyming and builds to bedtime when the child must decide which of  the hats will be worn to bed. Text is mostly capitals, painted and fills the page. Pencil and water colour illustrations are set in almost-white space and childlike.

It’s easy to imagine I Got This Hat being used in a classroom to introduce different professions, jobs, climates and fashion choices. There is a free downloadable iphone app in which even more hats can be created. I Got This Hat features a young child who would be seen as a toddler by a toddler and potentially as a slightly older child by older children. The text is simple and rhythmic and will soon be ‘learnt’ by young children becoming familiar with the concept of reading. Recommended for toddlers, pre-schoolers and early-schoolers.

 

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I Got This Hat, Jol and Kate Temple ill Jon Foye ABC Books 2013 ISBN: 9780733332303

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Truly Tan, by Jen Storer

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

There seems to be a trend these days for spunky female characters with a slightly acerbic wit. Tan is such a character. She and her three sisters, all named after colours, her parents and an assortment of animals move to the country. A house with an attic, it sounds like a great place for keeping an eye on the neighbourhood and for Tan setting up her world headquarters with her telescope. That is if she can find anything more interesting to watch than cows.

Then Tan, Amber, Emerald and Rose meet up with Ted, hear of the dead fox curse and are welcomed into the Purple Haunt. Suddenly Tan thinks life here might get better after all, especially when Rose develops photos which Amber claims show a ghost.

Tan’s attitude and humour comes through, in the way she speaks about her sisters and toward Amber’s dog, Doodad, who wear a bow with sequins. ‘Things with sequins belong on people not dogs. You cannot respect a dog wearing sequins.’ Anyone who ever owned a Box Brownie will smile at the comments about this now antiquated item.
Truly Tan

The occasional black and white illustrations add to the humorous text. This book is sure to be a winner with girls around the 9 year old age group. A lot of fun to read.

Truly Tan, by Jen Storer, illustrated by Claire Robertson
ABC Books, 2012
ISBN 9780733331213

Available from good bookstores or online.

How I Got My Wiggle Back, by Anthony Field

He’s spent more than 20 years Wiggling, singing and smiling his way around the world. But that happy face, which has in turn brought happiness to so many youngsters (and adults, too) has often hidden a lot.

Illness and ailment used to define me. I was addled by theories and advice on what I needed to do to get back on track and my life-light was dimming. I had a litany of health challenges and they were defeating me, until through luck, desperation, and determination I found answers.

Anthony Field is an international superstar – the founder and co-star of mega-successful chidlren’s band, The Wiggles (he’s the blue one). He’s spent more than 20 years Wiggling, singing and smiling his way around the world. But that happy face, which has in turn brought happiness to so many youngsters (and adults, too) has often hidden a lot. For years, Field battled with depression, illness and chronic illness, at times so bad that he struggled to take the stage. He had seen numerous doctors and tried different treatment regimes.At times he despaired of ever finding a cure.

Field’s life was changed forever when he met two revolutionary chiropractors, who helped him to get his health – indeed, his whole life – back. In How I Got My Wiggle Back, he details the health and fitness regime which he used, and continues to use to stay healthy. Readers are offered a step by step guide to follow the same process to improve their own health.

This is an inspiring story. Field offers an honest, intimate look at his personal journey, The Wiggles’ journey, and the story of his health struggles, which is both entertaining and moving. The practical guide to getting and staying healthy will also inspire readers to work towards better health.

How I Got My Wiggle Back

How I Got My Wiggle Back, by Anthony Field
ABC Books, 2012
ISBN 9780733329685

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

Rudie Nudie, by Emma Quay

This is a book that youngsters will giggle at and will want read over and over – but, be warned, they’ll also want to mimic the rudie nudie fun. And why wouldn’t they?

One, two Rudie Nudie,
Rudie Nudie in the bath.
Squeaky clean and splishing, splashing, sploshing –
Rudie Nudie laugh.

So begins this delightful celebration of being naked (nudie!) and delighting in the freedom of childhood in the time between bath and bed. Two young children (the older seems to be a girl and the younger a boy) bath together, then, before being dressed, escape their towels and run and romp over different surfaces including the smooth floorboards, the furry carpet and the slightly prickly doormat. The pair jump and pirouette and run for cuddles before finally allowing their parents to catch and dress them ready for bed.

Rudie Nudie is a celebration of childhood and of freedom. The children’s nudity is natural and presented in a way that leaves nothing for anyone to complain about – there are no genitals on display, for example. This is a book that youngsters will giggle at and will want read over and over – but, be warned, they’ll also want to mimic the rudie nudie fun. And why wouldn’t they? This pair is having fun, and is warmly nurtured by a pair of parents who watch and support the fun.

A book about living.

Rudie Nudie

Rudie Nudie, by Emma Quay
ABC Books, 2011
ISBN 9780733323355&

This book is available from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond.