The Great Barbie Disaster by Tania Ingram ill Christina Miesen

My family never owned a NICE barbecue bought from a shop like other people.

Dad thought shop barbies were for WIMPS.

Whenever we’d see a barbecue at the hardware shop Dad would shake his head.

‘Real Aussies don’t buy barbies,’ he’d say. ‘Real Aussies make their own.’

My family never owned a NICE barbecue bought from a shop like other people.

Dad thought shop barbies were for WIMPS.

Whenever we’d see a barbecue at the hardware shop Dad would shake his head.

‘Real Aussies don’t buy barbies,’ he’d say. ‘Real Aussies make their own.’

Sarah’s dad’s family have a long tradition of making their own barbecues, from the simple to the world-famous. So it comes as no real surprise when Dad decides he’s going to make them a barbecue. There’s only one problem. Unlike some of the barbecue-makers of the family, Dad’s not known for his building skills. Sarah and Mum try to talk him out of it, but barbecue-making is in his blood and he’s determined. What a disaster! Sarah watches (from a safe distance) as Dad builds and tests his barbecue. Finally, he’s sure he’s got it right. Now it’s time to test it. There are colour illustrations on each opening and a header and footer illustrations (sauce and mustard trails)

The ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus are early chapter books are tall tales and true from Australian back yards. Sarah narrates this story of her father and his recycling and building adventures. She is captivated by his building projects, even the ones that don’t quite work. ‘The Great Barbie Disaster’ is full of fun and sure to have young readers giggling. Recommended for newly-independent readers.

The Great Barbie Disaster, Tania Ingram ill Christina Miesen
Omnibus Books 2016
ISBN: 9781742991245

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

One More Friend by Bill Condon ill Lucinda Gifford

Here I am, heading off on the bus for my first day at Cordo Hill Primary. The weather is rainy and gloomy, which is exactly how I feel. Starting at a new school is scary.

The trip is long and boring. I feel myself drifting into a daydream.

Here I am, heading off on the bus for my first day at Cordo Hill Primary. The weather is rainy and gloomy, which is exactly how I feel. Starting at a new school is scary.

The trip is long and boring. I feel myself drifting into a daydream.

Jack has just started at a new school and he’s a little apprehensive. His first attempts to make friends and to fit in are a bit rocky, but he’s soon making people laugh and seems to be settling in. There’s only one boy, Mark, who doesn’t think Jack is funny. No matter what Jack does, Mark seems determined not to like him. It’s going to be a big first day. Colour illustrations appear on every opening, and there are headers and footers reflecting elements of a school day.

‘One More Friend’ is part of the ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus Books. Each title offers a particularly Australian story, full of humour. Jack is a relatable character, his early nervousness manifesting in a certain clumsiness. This makes others laugh at him, but soon he’s realised he can make them laugh with him. Only Mark doesn’t laugh, and it takes a while for Jack to realise why. Rather than laugh at Mark, Jack quietly helps him and in the process makes another friend. This is a realistic depiction of school life as it should be, with characters having the insight to look behind bullying behaviour to see the world from the perspective of the bully. Go Jack! Recommended for newly-independent readers.

One More Friend, Bill Condon ill Lucinda Gifford
Omnibus Books 2016 ISBN: 9781742991184

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Cyclone Fever by Sally Morgan ill Beth Norling

It was my unlucky day.

I faked being sick so I could miss school.

My plan was to hang out with Piper, my dog. Read comics, Eat Gran’s apple cake.

But that was before the weather alert about Cyclone Thelma. Gran was in a panic. My plans were in a mess.

It was my unlucky day.

I faked being sick so I could miss school.

My plan was to hang out with Piper, my dog. Read comics, Eat Gran’s apple cake.

But that was before the weather alert about Cyclone Thelma. Gran was in a panic. My plans were in a mess.

Danny and his family live in north-western Australia, where cyclones are an irregular reality. Gran has lived here all her life and has experienced many cyclones so she knows what to do when the weather reports begin monitoring a storm at sea. Danny’s plans of a relaxing day at home with is dog go out the window as Gran and the family make their preparations. Not everyone thinks this level of preparation is necessary, but what Gran says, happens. As the storm approaches, Danny begins to realise the danger a cyclone can bring to a town. Perhaps Gran knows more than the weatherman? On each page there are words presented in different font, sometimes because they may be challenging for young readers. Each opening includes header and footer illustrations and there are colour illustrations on every page.

Cyclone Fever is a new title in the fabulous ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus. Each title presents a particularly Australian story. Cyclone Fever is funny and real, showing a multi-generational family living their normal life – which just happens to include cyclones. The approaching storm is treated with the respect it deserves. The family works together to prepare and they also extend that support into their community. The characters are warm and empathetic and Danny’s story is told with great humour. Recommended for early primary readers.

Cyclone Fever, Sally Morgan ill Beth Norling

Omnibus Books 2015 ISBN: 9781742991030

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Dropping in, by Geoff Havel

Across the street a person is framed in a watery yellow square. It’s a kid looking out – like me – except his head is wobbling about all over the place. He sort of tips it back and then it nods forward on a different angle. I can’t see his eyes, but I know he’s watching, checking out his new neighbourhood.

When a new boy moves in across the road, Sticks isn’t sure what to think. He already has a best friend, Ranga, who lives down the road. Sticks and Ranga love getting into mischief, playing on the Playstation, and skateboarding. James has cerebral palsy, and is in a wheelchair – so he can’t do any of those things. Or can he? Where there’s a will there’s a way, and with James’ determination and try-anything attitude, plus the ingenuity and friendship of Sticks and Ranga, James could soon be flying. Unless something goes wrong.

Dropping in is a funny, moving story of friendship. The three friends are as different as they are good mates, and each battles his own set of challenges – including bullying, ADHD and disability. What they have in common is their loyalty and their love of life, a blend which makes this a really satisfying story.

 

Dropping in

Dropping in, by Geoff Havel
Fremantle Press, 2015
ISBN 9781925162219

Available from good bookstores and online.

The Ugg Boot War, by Kylie Fornasier

I would need a book the size of the Yellow Pages to list all the embarrassing things about my dad. The most embarrassing thing of all is his ugg boots. he wears them all the time, even in public, even in summer, even with shorts.

Jake has a problem – two problems actually, and both of them are on the ends of Dad’s legs. Dad seems permanently attached to his ugg boots. He wears them everywhere, all year round. They are old and stained, but Dad doesn’t care. He says they’re his pride and joy. Jake cares, though. He worries what people might think, and tries desperately to find a way to get Dad and his ugg boots separated – for good.

The Ugg Boot War is a humorous, easy to read story about ugg boots and family. The resolution is both satisfying and fun, and the story is complemented with colour illustrations, by Tom Jellett, bringing the action to life.

Part of Omnibus Books’ fantastic Mates series, The Ugg Boot War is a fabulous Aussie tale for beginning readers.

 

The Ugg Boot War (Mates)

The Ugg Boot War, by Kylie Fornasier & Tom Jellett
Omnibus Books, 2014
ISBN 9781862919990

Available from good bookstores and online.

The Boy From Snowy River, by Edwina Howard

‘Well, maybe this is a way you can go. Read this,’ says Gran. She tosses the paper at me.

It’s about the Dargan’s Ridge Festival. On the bottom Gran has circled this:

Celebrate the spirit of ‘The Man From Snowy River’ with the Stockman’s Cup! $500 first place!

George really wants to go to Bill Spills Water World, but it’s expensive, and a long way from Mumblegum, where he lives. Gran has a solution: he can enter a horse race on their old stock horse, Bandicoot. Not much can go wrong – unless Bandicooot’s friend Croak gets involved, or George is accused of cheating, or some rogue goats get free.

The Boy from Snowy River, new in Omnubus Books’ Mates series, is a fast moving, easy to read offering with plenty of humour. Colour illustrations, by Joe Bond, and text embellishments add interest and help in making the text accessible.

Lots of fun for lower primary readers.

 

The Boy from Snowy River, by Edwina Howard, illustrated by Joe Bond
Omnibus Books, 2014
ISBN 9781862919976

Available from good bookstores or online.

Losing Reuben by Leonie Norrington ill Beth Norling

There are so many kids in Reuben’s family, his mum has to count them when they go out to make sure no one gets lost or left behind.

‘One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,’ she says touching each one as they climb in the car.

Reuben’s big brothers and sisters duck and growl.

‘You are SO embarrassing, Mum,’ they say. ‘Everyone is looking at us.’

But Reuben loves his mum touching his head and counting. It makes him feel safe, because he knows she will never leave him behind.

There are so many kids in Reuben’s family, his mum has to count them when they go out to make sure no one gets lost or left behind.

‘One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,’ she says touching each one as they climb in the car.

Reuben’s big brothers and sisters duck and growl.

‘You are SO embarrassing, Mum,’ they say. ‘Everyone is looking at us.’

But Reuben loves his mum touching his head and counting. It makes him feel safe, because he knows she will never leave him behind.

Reuben is part of a large family living in the north of Australia. Every Saturday they go fishing. This Saturday, they are going to One Mile Beach. Reuben loves to go, but he also does some worrying. He worries a bit about the waves, and the crabs and other things that might go wrong. As the outing progresses, Reuben, although sometimes scared, calls on all his inner resources so he can help where help is needed. With the help of his brothers and his father, he decides to be brave and to be strong, where this is required. Helping his father and his bigger brothers makes him feel different. He’s not quite sure how it feels and wanders off to think about it instead of taking a nap with his younger siblings. And that’s when the biggest test of his strength and bravery is needed. ‘Losing Reuben’ is illustrated throughout in colour. A header and footer shows Reuben cartwheeling across spreads, progressing as the story unfolds. Some words are picked out in larger or different fonts.

Losing Reuben is a new title in the ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus Books. This series offers uniquely Australian stories for newly independent readers. It introduces a way of life particular to the north of Australia and indigenous Australians. At the same time, it is a story common in many families. Reuben is a small (but not the smallest) member of a large family. In the past, he’s been one of the little kids, staying with his mother and older sisters as his father and older brothers embark on more adventurous aspects of their outings. But this time, he’s in transition to being one of the big kids. And that means facing his fears. These challenges are just a normal part of the day. Reuben, like many children, internalises some of these fears, but when required to, finds a way to overcome them. ‘Losing Reuben’ is a delightful story of the ups and downs of being part of a large family. Recommended for newly independent readers.

 

Losing Reuben, Leonie Norrington ill Beth Norling Omnibus Books 2013 ISBN: 9781742990224

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

Bush Holiday by Leonie Norrington ill Brenton E McKenna

Tillithia loves living in Palmerston Heights. She loves her school. She loves hanging out with Lily, her next door neighbour. But most of all she loves the school holidays.

Sometimes she goes with her mum and Lily to a market for breakfast, or they ride their bikes to the park. This morning Tillithia has a plan.

Tillithia loves living in Palmerston Heights. She loves her school. She loves hanging out with Lily, her next door neighbour. But most of all she loves the school holidays.

Sometimes she goes with her mum and Lily to a market for breakfast, or they ride their bikes to the park. This morning Tillithia has a plan.

Tillithia might have plans for this holiday day, but so does Mum. And Mum’s plan is not the same as Tillithia’s. Tillithia and Mum are off to Goose Camp with Auntie Doreen. Mum knows Auntie Doreen will help Tillithia to learn Aboriginal ways. Tillithia just remembers their last trip, when she got wet and dirty and ate mussels that tasted like snot. She’d much rather stay in town. But that’s not going to happen. Tillithia begins by sulking but is gradually won over by curiosity and the good humour of Mum and Auntie. Eventually, Mum’s teasing stops when Tillithia helps Auntie gather food for the old ladies. Now it is Tillithia’s turn to tease. Bush Holiday has coloured illustrations throughout and uses several text types to highlight different words.

The ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus has many titles. Each is full of humour and tells a tale that is particularly Australian. In Bush Holiday the reader travels to Northern Territory and is taken on a road trip holiday. It is a story of family, and learning and sharing. Tillithia experiences a different sort of education in the holidays, where knowledge of and respect for the land are taught in an active way. Bush Holiday gently reminds the reader that life is full of learning and that there are many teachers. The joyfulness of Mum and Auntie as they travel and teach their reluctant student is delightful and should resonate with readers young and not-so. And when Tallitha reflects on her unexpected bush holiday, it is the connection with the land and her greater family that she remembers most fondly. Recommended for newly confident readers.

 

Bush Holiday, Leonie Norrington ill Brenton E McKenna Omnibus Books 2013 ISBN:9781742990019

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Larrikin Lane by Kate Darling ill Ben Wood

I live in a farm house. There’s no farm here any more though. Before I was born, this house sat in the middle of paddocks. They stretched from Cooper’s Creek to the top of the ridge. My granddad had hundreds of sheep, and a few horses too.

Over time, the farm shrank like wool in the wash. Now there are houses where the sheep used to graze.

I live in a farm house. There’s no farm here any more though. Before I was born, this house sat in the middle of paddocks. They stretched from Cooper’s Creek to the top of the ridge. My granddad had hundreds of sheep, and a few horses too.

Over time, the farm shrank like wool in the wash. Now there are houses where the sheep used to graze.

A young boy narrates the story of his home, explaining that it was once part of a large grazing property, and that even though it is now part of suburbia, a little bit of the old farm remains. There’s Mum, Dad and Arkie; the vegie garden; the big gum tree and the tree house. And there’s Delilah the crazy-eyed goat and Lola the hand-reared black sheep. Unfortunately, grumpy Mr Meyer who lives next door is less than relaxed about his neighbours. There’s the noise, and the wandering animals. When Delilah eats some of Mr Meyer’s prize roses, he declares war. It’s up to the narrator and his little sister Arkie to find a solution.

Larrikan Lane is a new offering in the ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus Books. These are short, fully colour-illustrated chapter books with fast-paced over-the-top stories. Each opening also features header and footer borders. Words that might be difficult or unusual are presented in different fonts. At the completion of the story is a spread about the story or the idea being explored. In Larrikan Lane this spread explores the notion of larrikins and urban vs rural living. ‘Larrikin Lane’ shows how hostility between neighbours can be converted into cooperative living with just a little understanding and compromise. As with all Mates titles, Larrikan Lane is a humourous and rewarding read for newly-confident readers.

Larrikan Lane (Mates)

Larrikan Lane, Kate Darling ill Ben Wood Omnibus Books 2013 ISBN: 9781862919891

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Losers, by Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers

It’s the Monday after the Saturday before, when the Wiggly Worms played and lost in the final soccer game of the season. The un-named narrator has to present a report on the game and from the score – 15 to 1 – its going to be tough to present it in a positive light

Monday morning. School Assembly day. I have to give a report on our team’s soccer match on Saturday. I have to stand up on the stage in the big school in front of everyone.

 

It’s the Monday after the Saturday before, when the Wiggly Worms played and lost in the final soccer game of the season. The un-named narrator has to present a report on the game and from the score – 15 to 1 – its going to be tough to present it in a positive light. But as he recalls all the elements of the game, from the parents cheering on the sidelines to the improvements made by individuals he discovers there is plenty to say about their favourite winter sport. Illustrations are full of humour. Header and footer carry a story of their own, a soccer game between a Wiggly Worm and a Rotten Rat.

 
Losers? is a new title in the Mates series of ‘Great Australian Yarns’. Weekend sport is part of many Australian lives and many players and their families will recognise the characters portrayed here. There’s the enthusiastic but unskilled coach, the fierce and way-too-serious coach, advice from the sidelines, the player keen to play but terrified of the ball, the player who has no clue about the rules and many others. Each is almost caricatured for effect, burying truth in humour. The narrator uncovers the real reason to play sport and it’s not all about winning. The print size is large and potentially unfamiliar words are presented in alternate fonts. Losers? is a funny and fun addition to a great Australian series for newly emerging readers.

Losers? (Mates)

Losers?, Pauline Deeves & Adam Carruthers
Omnibus Books 2011
ISBN: 9781862918511

 

 

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be pruchased online from Fishpond.