Tag: david kennett

Forward March, by Christobel Mattingley & David Kennett

Forward MarchIn towns and cities across Australia bells ring,
drums beat, bagpipes keen, kilts swing, medals jingle,
proud battalion banners flutter and for a moment
the music of the bands is swallowed by the scream
of jets in formation flypast…

On Anzac Day every year Australians gather at war memorials and line streets to commemorate the men and women who fought and served not only in World War 1, but in conflicts before and since, including the Boer War, World War 11, Vietnam, Korea, the Gulf and more. Forward March explores what happens at the Anzac Day marches, and the events they commemorate.

Simple text highlights who we are remembering, and why, and the many illustrations, using techniques including acrylic paint, pencils and ink say so very much. Most spreads have multiple smaller illustrations, in rectangles reminiscent of photographs or postcards. The contemporary scenes of parades and ceremonies are in full colour while those of older scenes are in sepia or duller tones, visually delineating past and present. There are seemingly endless opportunities to discover details and explore what is happening in the illustrations, and the sparse text allows room for this to happen, in a perfect complement.

Suitable for classroom use near ANZAC Day or at any time of year, but also great for home reading and discussion.

Forward March, by Christobel Mattingley & David Kennett
Omnibus Books, 2016
ISBN 9781742990804

The Roman Army, by Dyan Blacklock & David Kennett

The Roman Empire was one of the largest and most successful empires of all time…Such a broad and diverse empire was difficult to control. This complex and dangerous work was the job of one of the most fearsome forces the world has ever seen – the Roman Army.

This quality offering provides an in depth profile of that army – from its membership structure to its equipment, modes of transport, camp lay out and much much more. The information is presented in easy to understand text, without being over simplistic or condescending to young readers.

David Kennett’s detailed illustrations are outstanding, with a comic-book style layout which provides multiple cells on most pages allowing for close-ups and more detailed explorations of points of interest. Two double paged spreads, one a map showing the breadth of the Roman Empire, the second a detailed battle scene, contain no explanatory text, allowing for maximum impact. Even the end papers are utilised as visually explanatory tools, with multiple illustrations of the various warrior enemies of Rome.

This is the second non-fiction offering from the team of Dyan Blacklock and Kennett. Their first, Olympia:Warrior Athletes of Ancient Greece was the winner of the Eve Powell Award for Information Books in the CBCA book of the Year Awards. With such quality productions coming from the pairing, it is hoped it will continue.

The Roman Army, by Dyan Blacklock and David Kennett
Omnibus, 2004

Chimpanzee, by David Kennett

How do chimpanzees show they are frightened? What’s the difference between a chimpanzee and Tarzan? Why did a chimp go to space in a rocket?

Author/llustrator David Kennett provides the answers to these questions and more, in a format accessible to newly independent readers.

With simple yet informative text and a range of illustration forms, Chimpanzee is suitable for students in the early years of primary school, although it would also be appropriate for much older students with reading diffulcties.

Solos give newly independent readers a reading experience which bridges the gap beteen picture books and chapter books, with short paragraphs and an abundance of illustrations. There are 32 fiction titles and 14 non-fiction titles in the series, and Chimpanzee is one of six Solo Wildlife titles.

Chimpanzee is suitable both for classroom use and for home reading, as well as school and public libraries.

Chimpanzee, written and illustrated by David Kennett
A Solo Wildlife book, from Omnibus Books, an imprint of Scholastic Australia, 2002

Killer Whale, by David Kennett

How does a killer whale find its way in the dark? How can killer whales be told apart? What causes killer whales to swim onto land?

In this new title from Omnibus/Scholastic, David Kennett gives youngsters the answers to these questions and many more.

Combining clear illustrations and diagrams with simple texts, Kennett provdes a wealth of information in a manner accessible to children in the early years of primary school.

Interesting facts and figures are complemented by a variety of diagramatic representations including maps, comparisons and close-up views.

Solos give newly independent readers a reading experience which bridges the gap between picture books and chapter books, with short paragraphs and an abundance of illustrations. There are 32 fiction titles and 14 non-fiction titles in the series, and Killer Whale is one of six Solo Wildlife titles.

Killer Whale is suitable both for classroom use and for home reading, as well as school and public libraries.

Killer Whale, written and illustrated by David Kennett
A Solo Wildlife book, from Omnibus Books, an imprint of Scholastic Australia, 2002