Princess Betony Series, by Pamela Freeman, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

“Mother,” she hissed, but her mother didn’t hear. The shadowy figure set out across the terrace and down to the lawn below, heading across the grounds.
Betony’s breath caught in her throat.
Her mother was going into the Dark Forest of Nevermore. She was leaving.

Princess Betony adores the queen, her mother, and knows that her mother loves her, too. But her mother is a dryad, a tree spirit, and misses the Dark Forest. And with the Lord Chancellor, the King’s chief advisor, making life very difficult for the queen, Betony is worried she will lose her to the forest. So, when she sees her mother disappear into the trees in the middle of the night, Betony follows her, even though she knows it is dangerous. She will do whatever it takes to get her mother back – even catch a unicorn.

Princess Betony and the Unicorn is the first of four adventures featuring the adventurous, feisty but loyal Princess Betony. First published in 2012, its has been re-released along with the other three titles. Each features a magical adventure and is beautifully illustrated with grey scale illustrations on each spread, and charming cover designs.

Suitable for young fantasy lovers and those new to the genre, these are gorgeous books which will be treasured.

Princess Betony and the Unicorn (ISBN 9781925381023)
Princess Betony and the Thunder Egg (ISBN 9781925381030)
Princess Betony and the Rule of Wishing (ISBN 9781925381047)
Princess Betony and the Hobgoblin 9ISBN 9781921720260)
Walker Books, 2016

Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre, by Pamela Freeman and Liz Anelli

Far up north, clouds are gathering: thunderheads and rain clouds.
Rain falls.
Rivers fill and break their banks,
And water swirls and roars down the empty riverbeds towards the lake.

Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre – is a dry salt lake in the centre of Australia. But once roughly every ten years heavy rains to the north fill the lake with water, awakening frogs and shrimp. carrying fish down creek beds, giving new life to parched plants, and bringing birds, including pelicans and ducks, to the lake to breed, feed and flourish. When the lake starts to dry out again the birds and their new young fly away and the other life returns to dormancy waiting for the next flood.

Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre is a beautiful non-fiction book which brings the changing lake to lif through the combination of well-written text and stunning mixed media illustrations. The narrative text is complemented on each spread by the inclusion of facts, presented in a different font so that readers can read the story and facts separately, if desired. The illustrations show the diversity of the lake’s inhabitants and the lake itself through contrasts between the ochres and browns of the dry, and the greens and blues of the wet.

Par of the Nature Storybook series, Desert Lake is excellent both as an educational tool and for prib=vate enjoyment.

Desert Lake: The Story of Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre, by Pamela Freeman & Liz Anelli
Walker Books, 2016
ISBN 9781921529436

Princess Betony and the Thunder Egg by Pamela Freeman, ill Tamsin Ainslie

Princess Betony looked nervously behind her. She wished Lady Pineal would stop hovering so close.

‘Now, Your Highness,’ Lady Pineal said, in that tone of voice which meant she didn’t believe Betony could do anything right. ‘If you please: toe pointed …’

Betony pointed her right toe. Then she swept her foot around behind her, as far as she could –

‘Ow!’ Lady Pineal said, and started hopping on one foot, rubbing the leg that Betony had accidentally kicked.

Princess Betony looked nervously behind her. She wished Lady Pineal would stop hovering so close.

‘Now, Your Highness,’ Lady Pineal said, in that tone of voice which meant she didn’t believe Betony could do anything right. ‘If you please: toe pointed …’

Betony pointed her right toe. Then she swept her foot around behind her, as far as she could –

‘Ow!’ Lady Pineal said, and started hopping on one foot, rubbing the leg that Betony had accidentally kicked.

Princess Betony is back in a second fantastical adventure in Floramonde. This time she is to collect the thunder egg, a gift from the Wild Magic. She is apprehensive, but it will mean a break from the tedious curtsey practice with the relentless Lady Pineal. And it seems that it is a task that only she can fulfil and she must do it alone. Opinions are varied: ‘too dangerous’; ‘impossible’; ‘too tricky’. Only her mother, Queen Salixia understands what an honour it is that Betony has been asked, and only Salixia realises the consequences if Betony doesn’t go. Betony makes her own decision to go, excited and apprehensive in equal measures. What follows is a magical adventure through the Dark Forest and into Teapot Mountain. Black and white illustrations appear on each opening.

Princess Betony and the Thunder Egg is a beautiful almost pocket-sized hardback book, complete with dust jacket and place-marker ribbon. The cover and endpapers are covered in snowflake or ice crystal shapes. Betony is more comfortable making decisions outside in the ‘real’ world than she seems to be with the formalities required of a princess in a palace. Her clumsiness vanishes as she sets out on her quest to bring home the thunder egg. Her parents support her quest, her mother with less anxiety than her father – perhaps trusting her to be open to the world around her and therefore in less danger. Wrapped in this fairy tale are many reassuring messages about becoming independent even when it might be a bit scary. It also recognises that success and bravery are more likely when others believe in you. But mostly, this is a lovely and thoughtful adventure for quiet and resourceful princesses who don’t mind getting their frocks dirty. Recommended for early primary and younger children as a read-to.

Princess Betony and the Thunder Egg

Princess Betony and the Thunder Egg, Pamela Freeman ill Tamsin Ainslie
2013 Walker Books
ISBN: 9781921720246

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

Victor's Quest, by Pamela Freeman

“My mother’s sending me on a quest,” Prince Victor said gloomily. He bit into the pumpkin scone Marigold had just handed him. “Mum says if I’m going to take over the queendom from her I have to find myself a princess to marry who’ll show a bit of sense.”

Prince Victor is not very bright and not very happy. His mother, the queen, is sending him on a quest. Fortunately he has a smart horse, Quince, and is armed with some potions made by his friend Marigold. Victor and Quince venture bravely into the Dark Forest of Nevermore, where there is plenty of trouble afoot, and where somebody needs help.

Victor’s Quest is a delightful fantasy book for younger readers. First published in 1996, it has been republished by Walker Books Australia, and is likely to appeal to young readers as much now as it did twelve years ago. As well as adventure, humour and appealing characters, the story is brought to life in grey scale illustrations by Kim Gamble.

A wonderful offering for primary aged readers.

Victor's Quest

Victor’s Quest, by Pamela Freeman, ill by Kim Gamble
Walker Books, 2008

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Hair of the Skeleton, by Pamela Freeman

When the residents of Tiger Beach Village claim to be visited by a ghost Jake, Peter and Ruby decide on a stake-out to see if they can catch the ghoul. Their surprise to find that the ‘ghost’ is definitely not dead soon turns to determination to figure out who it is and what they want.

Hair of the Skeleton is the first in the new Network Mysteries series by Pamela Freeman. The young sleuths solve the mysteries they encounter with high technology – robots, biosensors and digital cameras.

With the use of this technology, the stories will appeal to most youngsters, especially gadget-lovers and mystery enthusiasts.

A high-tech, fast paced mystery with a touch of humour.

Hair of the Skeleton, by Pamela Freeman
Koala Books, 2003

Shipborn, by Pamela Freeman

Katie and her brother Sam are both shipborn – born in space aboard their parents’ space ship. Katie longs to visit Earth. She wants to see the soil, watch plants growing in their natural environment. Sam isn’t so sure. He’s quite content living in space.

Katie’s parents say they’re not taking them to Earth any time soon, so it appears Katie’s wish won’t be granted. Until her Gran decides to run away – abandoning the ship at a space station and seeking passage to Earth. Katie and Sam follow her to try to get her to come back to the ship and find themselves accidentally aboard a space ship headed for Earth. And this is no joy ride – the ship is destined for an illegal rendezvous with smugglers. Will they ever get to see Earth? At this point that’s not their biggest worry – they may have to fight just to stay alive.

Shipborn, by Pamela Freeman is a Blue Tadpole novel from Koala Books. Its fast pace, humour and space setting will appeal to 10 to 12 year old readers.

Pamela Freeman is a talented Australian writer who lives in Melbourne with her husband and young child. Her previous work includes Victor’s Quest, shorlisted for the 1997 Children’s Book Council awards and Pole to Pole, also shortlisted. Her stories frequently appear in the NSW School Magazine.

Shipborn, by Pamela Freeman
Koala Books, 2003

The Wonder Dog, by Pamela Freeman

When Luke’s parents ask him what he wants for his birthday, he asks for a puppy. He really wants a puppy to take for walks, to play with and to love. His friend Celia has a puppy and he wants one too. Luke’s parents aren’t so sure. They tell him that puppies are messy, expensive, dangerous and prone to digging up garden beds.

After this Luke knows he won’t get a puppy for his birthday so when he opens his present on his birthday, he is delighted to find a dog inside. Until he discovers it’s a Wonderdog – a robot.

Ruff looks and sounds like a real dog. Luke can take him for walks and throw sticks for him to fetch. He even barks like a real dog. But he’s a robot – he can’t be loyal to Luke and he can’t love.

Luke’s parents don’t understand the problem, but Celia does. She can see the difference between her dog, Digger and Luke’s Wonderdog. What will it take to convince Luke’s parents that a Wonderdog is just not the same as a real live one?

The Wonder Dog, by Pamela Freeman, is a funny tale of friendship, loyalty and love, part of the Orange level Tadpoles series from Koala Books. Well paced and with plenty of excellent illustrations by David Stanley, it will appeal to young readers just making the transition from picture books to chapter books.

Two of Ms Freeman’s earlier books, Victor’s Quest and Pole to Pole made the Children’s Book Council shortlist in their categories.

The Wonder Dog, by Pamela Freeman, illustrated by David Stanley
Koala Books, 2002.