Tag: new frontier

Rhino Neil, by Mini Goss

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

Living in a zoo filled with exotic animals doesn’t always mean that you have friends. Rhino Neil is big, and because the other animals in the zoo find him scary, he is lonely. Then, one day a new animal arrives and Neil is no longer the biggest animal at the zoo. The arrival of Tuscany means the arrival of a new friend for Neil.

This is a wonderful story inspired by one of Mini Goss’s children and a visit to Werribee Zoo. We meet a fantastic range of African animals; giraffes, zebra’s, ostriches and antelope’s as we learn why they fear Rhino Neil. The book is an excellent way to promote discussion about fear, likes and dislikes.

The illustrations are beautiful, bright and emotive. Mini Goss’s ability as an illustrator is highlighted through her wonderful use of perspective and showing Neil as he appears to the animals. Using symmetry and shape well, the animals fill the pages, showing their emotions through their facial expressions and in particular their eyes.

This is a well written, enjoyable story that does not waste words. The language is suitable for early readers and it is easy for younger children to follow and listen to. The illustrations will delight everyone. A highly recommended read for everyone who enjoys picture books.

Rhino Neil, by Mini Goss
New Frontier, 2005

Up and Down, by Peter Whitfield

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

Up and Down is the second in a series of books based on Zen Tales. There are nine characters in the series each representing a human characteristic such as love, fearlessness or anger.

This story is about inspiration. Monkey is bored and when he finds that he cannot occupy himself, he focuses his attention on wanting to destroy Shri Shelley’s home. Shri Shelley, as the teacher in this story, helps Monkey occupy his time by giving him meaningless tasks to perform. When he becomes tired from the repetition of a task, Monkey soon realises that he has wasted his day, rather than doing the things he enjoys.

The major difference between Up and Down and the first book in the series, Bruno Dreams of Ice Cream is the number of characters in the story. This time there are only two of the nine characters and this makes the story much easier to follow. The message seems clearer and the story is easier to read than the first.

Once again, Nancy Bevington’s illustrations provide a delightful visual accompaniment to Peter Whitford’s text. They are clear and colourful and whilst the first book had an earthy feel about it, Up and Down focuses on green. There is an abundance of it from the colour on the text pages to the landscape that dominates many of the pictures. The illustrator has contrasted the green with brown and blue allowing the characters to become the focal point of the pages.

As with the first book, Up and Down has a message told within a story that children will enjoy. Unlike Bruno Dreams of Ice Cream, this story would be suitable for children aged five and over. Younger children will still get some enjoyment from the pictures.

The original Zen Tale is included at the end of the story.

Up and DownBevington, Nancy (illus.), Peter Whitford (text)
New Frontier Publishing, 2004, $19.95, ISBN 0975090739

No Presents Please, by Peter Whitfield

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

 

The third book in the Zen Tale series, No Presents Please is as enjoyable as the first two. The books are based on Zen Tales, with each of the nine characters in the series representing a human characteristic such as love, fearlessness or anger.

No Presents Please is about dealing with anger. Grizzel Bear becomes angry when Guru Walter Wombat does not do as he demands. Whilst Grizzel becomes angrier during the meeting, Guru Walter remains calm. This eventually leads Grizzel to question his own behaviour.

This is a message that many adults could learn from. The Zen Tale itself provides the answer to dealing with anger, “I refuse to accept your anger, so you will have to keep it for yourself.” This is a powerful message.

As with Up and Down, this story benefits from having only two characters. It is easy to follow and clearly conveys the essence of the original tale, an advantage in getting the message across to readers. This is a story that should help children, and hopefully adults, address issues they may have with anger.

Nancy Bevington’s illustrations again provide a delightful visual accompaniment to Peter Whitford’s text. They are clear and colourful and the focus this time is on blue. The Zen symbol and page frames are a soft pale blue and do not detract from the illustrations in any way. The use of colour to frame the pages and display the Zen symbol is a pleasing theme with the Zen Tail series. There is also the predominance of green within the pictures as once again the activity of the story takes place outside. The orange and red of the character’s clothing breaks up the browns and greens, which could become monotonous as they series continues.

The illustrations convey the emotions felt by the characters and in this case anger, confusion, contentment and happiness are all defined in the faces of Grizzel and Guru Walter.

Once again, this is an enjoyable story with a message we could all learn from. The Zen Tale is again provided at the back of the book.

 

No Presents PleaseBevington, Nancy (illus.), Peter Whitford (text)
New Frontier Publishing, 2004, $19.95, ISBN 0975090747

 

Bruno Dreams of Ice Cream, by Peter Whitfield and Nancy Bevington

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

 

Bruno Dreams of Ice Cream is the first in a series of books based on Zen Tales. There are nine characters in the series each representing a human characteristic such as love, fearlessness or anger.

This story is about focusing attention and not allowing yourself to be distracted. Everyone has an ice cream, except Bruno, and he wants one. This is all he can think about. When his fearless quality is needed to help a friend, Bruno is able to focus his attention on something other than the ice cream. He soon forgets about it and gets what he wants – ice cream.

Nancy Bevington’s illustrations tell the story without any distractions. The colours are earthy; a lot of browns brightened by greens, yellow and red. The square pictures sit beautifully within a pale brown frame on the page.

There are a lot of characters in this story, seven of the nine in the series, but once children become familiar with them, this should not be a problem. This is a book with a subtle message told within a story that children will enjoy. The word length means it is for older children, although younger children might like the pictures. The original Zen Tale is included at the end of the story.

Bruno Dreams of Ice Cream, Bevington, Nancy (illus.), Peter Whitfield (text)
New Frontier Publishing, $19.95, ISBN 0975090712

Taming Butterflies, by Sue Whiting and Mini Goss

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

 

Sometimes a solution is much easier than we expect. Tilly has thousands of butterflies living inside her stomach. They are not always there, but when they wake up they make Tilly shiver and shake. One day, Marjory-Anne comes to visit and helps Tilly tame the butterflies. The answer to Tilly’s shyness and nerves is simple: tell the butterflies to be still.

Sue Whiting’s story is almost rhythmical at times and the language is simple, yet accurately describes how butterflies behave.

The bright illustrations by Mini Goss are beautiful with much more to offer than just telling the story. They show the underlying emotions. Younger children may not understand what being shy means but they will recognise the emotions of sadness, happiness and fear on Tilly’s face.

This is a fabulous story offering a simple method of dealing with nerves and shyness. It lets the child take control. Whilst the solution may not work for everyone, it is straightforward and fun to try out. It is a great book to read aloud and lets the listener join in with taming the butterflies. This is a story that children will want to read, or listen to, over and over again.

Taming Butterflies, Goss, Mini (illus.), Sue Whiting (text)
New Frontier Publishing, 2004
Hardcover, RRP$24.95, ISBN 0975090755