Pixel Raiders 1: Dig World by Stephanie Bendixsen and Steven O’Donnell, ill Chris Kennett

The gamer’s skin prickled with heat as he leapt from stone to stone, narrowly avoiding glowing sparks of fire and popping explosions of molten rock. One false step and it would be GAME OVER. The gamer was well-practised, however, with the sharpest of reflexes. Ahead, the level’s exit could be seen, beckoning from the very depths of the fiery cavern.

All he had to do was clear this platform section and make it to that narrow doorway, glowing bright atop the final stepping stone.

There were several paths ahead.

The gamer’s skin prickled with heat as he leapt from stone to stone, narrowly avoiding glowing sparks of fire and popping explosions of molten rock. One false step and it would be GAME OVER. The gamer was well-practised, however, with the sharpest of reflexes. Ahead, the level’s exit could be seen, beckoning from the very depths of the fiery cavern.

All he had to do was clear this platform section and make it to that narrow doorway, glowing bright atop the final stepping stone.

There were several paths ahead.

Rip (Ripley) and Mei are in the same class at school and are both very skilled gamers. When the class go on an excursion to Inreal Games to compete for the opportunity to test a new game, they are both determined to win. Their competitiveness proves counter-productive however and neither win. But another opportunity arises and before they really think it through, both are inside the game. They will have to work together, pool their gaming knowledge and experience if they are to survive. This is more than a game. Cover art is pixellated and reflects computer game style. Each opening includes black and white images, including pixellated words and indications of ‘health’.

‘Pixel Raiders’ is a new series from Scholastic, written by television presenters from ‘Good Game’. It is pitched squarely at gamers, full of gaming language and images.Gaming readers will be predicting what happens next. Themes include the value of collaboration and helping the enemy, even when they might not offer the same courtesy. Ideal for mid-primary readers, particularly those reluctant to read when they could be gaming.

Pixel Raiders 1: Dig World , Stephanie Bendixsen and Steven O’Donnell
Scholastic Australia 2016 ISBN:9781760159252

If you’re cheeky and you know it by P. Crumble ill Chris Kennett

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re cheeky and you know it,

then you really should just show it …

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re cheeky and you know it,

then you really should just show it …

If you’re cheeky and you know it, clap your hands.

If You’re Cheeky and You Know It! is a new take on an old rhyme/song. It takes a familiar rhyme/song and introduces a range of cheeky animals. It begins with a monkey and adds a new animal each opening. A cheeky monkey is joined by a penguin, frog, hippo and more, and they frolic through the pages. Illustrations are mostly set in white space although there are also full bleed spreads. Text bops around the spreads.

If You’re Cheeky and You Know It! offers the opportunity to add some silliness to your life and to the reading experience. The rhythm, illustrations and bouncing text make it almost impossible to just read – singing and joining in is almost mandatory. Young listeners will enjoy mimicking the actions portrayed. A fun experience for pre- and early-schoolers.

If You're Cheeky and You Know It!

If You’re Cheeky and You Know It!, P. Crumble ill Chris Kennett Scholastic Australia 2013 ISBN: 9781742836478

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores and online.

If You're Happy and You Know It!, by P. Crumble & Chris Kennett

An Aussie addition

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it,

then you really should just show it …

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!

The first lines of this traditional rhyme are true to the original, but from there on, there’s a distinctly Australian flavour. Firstly, if you’re a possum, climb a tree. The openings that follow provide activities for a whole range of Australian animals to ‘do their thing’. The final opening has the gang of Aussie animals being koalas and going to sleep. Illustrations are full page and stylised and mildly anthropomorphised, eg the wombat has a mining helmet and the koala is wearing pajamas. At the end each ‘verse’ is offered in full.

Traditional rhymes have remained popular in part because they are easy to learn and they provide opportunities in classrooms to get up and move about. ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It!’ will have children up, singing and dancing as they try to be cockatoos, bandicoots and crocodiles. Along the way, they’re discovering a little about Aussie animals and how they live. Young children will soon become familiar with the language patterns on the page and with the aid of the illustrations will soon be ‘reading’ this story for themselves. Recommended for pre-school and early school years and for use in the classroom.

If You're Happy and You Know It!

If You’re Happy and You Know It! P.Crumble & Chris Kennett
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781741698916

Alpha Monsters, by Chris Kennett

Young Freddy Jackson looked up at the rain
But he thought he might like to go out just the same.
‘I’m going outside,’ Freddy called out with glee.
‘OK,’ said his mum. ‘But be back before tea!’

Freddy discovers by accident an island of Alpha monsters. A monster – or rather – the monster named A, is sad because he’s lost his best teddy. Freddy offers to help him find his teddy and A explains that each of the animals has a letter. So they retrace his day, via alphabetic encounters like ‘In the town square H was digging huge holes, And I slipped in ink, dropping five icy poles.’ Illustrations are computer-generated and the monsters come in a friendly array of sizes, some with tails, different type and number of legs, single or multiple eyes. Pages are full-colour and monsters display a range of emotions.

There’s more than one way to skin a fish, so the saying goes, and there’s more than one way to present an alphabet. Chris Kennett has wrapped his alphabet in an island full of monsters. There are extra letter-words in some rhymes and opportunities for readers to count as well (how many eyes, how many feet, how many monsters?) There are happy monsters, grumpy ones and more. There are extras in each page to encourage rereading, as well as identifying the monster that matches the letter. Good pre-reading fun. Freddy solves the mystery of the lost teddy, retrieves his own teddy and still makes it home for tea! Recommended for pre-school children.

Alpha Monsters

Alpha Monsters, Chris Kennett
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781741697612

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

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