pamela lofts – Aussie Reviews

Snug as Hug, by Marcia Vaughan & Pamela Lofts

Joey is sleeping curled up in Mum’s pouch.
Koala is resting on a limb like a couch.
Turtle is dreaming far out in the sea.
Cockatoo is yawning high up in a tree.

This wonderfully Australian offering is a delightful bedtime book which will appeal to parents and children alike. Snug as a Hug is a rhyming offering which visits the Animals of the bush as they settle down for the night before focussing in on the child also settling down for the night, with the parent-reader’s reassurance that they’ll be close by all night.

The illustrations, in the soft tones of the night time bush show the animals settling down, with the final spread showing soft toy versions of the animals on the child’s bed.

Perfect for children from birth to preschool, this is sure to be a favourite bed time offering.

Snug as a Hug, by Marcia Vaughan & Pamela Lofts
Scholastic, 2010

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

Wombat Stew Cookbook, by Marcia K Vaughan & Pamela Lofts

Few Australian children are not familiar with the delightful picture book Wombat Stew with its refrain of: wombat stew, wombat stew, gooey, brewy, yummy chewy, wombat stew and a host of delightful Aussie animal characters. The Wombat Stew Cookbookis a delightful complement to the picture book, filled with yummy recipes that are easy for kids to make with minimal parental help.

The book includes recipes for main dishes, salads and vegetables, bread, drinks and desserts, as well as helpful information about measuring, cooking terms and safety in the kitchen. Kids and parents will enjoy cooking such delights as Bandicoot ginger biscuits and Echidna avocado dip and will love the accompanying illustrations of the animals from Wombat Stew enjoying the dishes.

Yummy fun.

Wombat Stew Cookbook, by Marcia K Vaughan & Pamela Lofts
Scholastic, first edition 1989, this edition 2006

Wombat Stew, by Marcia K. Vaughan, illustrated by Pamela Lofts

One fine day, on the banks of a billabong, a very clever dingo caught a wombat…
and decided to make…
Wombat stew,
Wombat stew,
Gooey, brewy,
Yummy, chewy,
Wombat stew!

Of course the poor Wombat isn’t very keen to be made into stew, but his clever friends have a sneaky way to help outwit Dingo. Each friend tells Dingo he is missing an essential ingredient for his stew, so soon Dingo is adding mud, feathers, flies, bugs and more. But, when he tastes the stew, he thinks he’s been poisoned and hurries away leaving Wombat and his friends celebrating.

This classic Australian picture book was first launched twenty one years ago and, to celebrate, has just been re-released by Scholastic Australia. The rhythmic text and the repetition of the ‘Wombat Stew’ chant make it very appealing to young readers, who will join in on the first or second read. Pamela Lofts’ illustrations are a delight, with amusing yet somehow lifelike Australian animals peppering the pages. Even the mean Dingo is cute and dopey rather than scarey.

Loads of fun.

Wombat Stew, by Marcia K Vaughan and Pamela Lofts
Scholastic, 2005

Warnayarra the Rainbow Snake, compiled by Pamela Lofts

One of a series of eight Aboriginal stories compiled by Pamela Lofts, Warnayarra the Rainbow Snake tells the story of the rainbow Snake and of the Warlpiri people, who were forced off their land. They settled the Lajamanu community.

Although they were in unfamiliar territory and forced to adapt to a new lifestyle, the people’s culture and traditions helped them to adapt and stay strong.

This story, told and illustrated by the children of Lajamanu, is an example of the strong storyelling tradition of the Aboriginal people. It will appeal to, and educate, children of all cultures.

An excellent classroom resource.

Warnayarra the Rainbow snake, Told by the Senior Boys Class, Lajamanu School, Compiled by Pamela Lofts
Scholastic Press, 2004

The Echidna & the Shade Tree, by Mona Green and Pamela Lofts

Under the shade of a huge tree in the desert, Echidna spends his days minding the young of the other animals while they hunt for food. But, in spite of his assistance, the other animals will not share their food. In anger, Echidna uproots the tree, endangering their safety. Their efforts to stop him explain why today he has stubby feet and spikes.

The Echidna and the Shade Tree is one of a series of eight Aboriginal stories told in picture book format and published by Schoastic press.

The story is compiled by Pamela Lofts based on a telling by Mona Green of the Jaru people to students in Halls Creek, Western Australia. The book’s illustrations are adapted from the children’s picture interpretations of the story.

Simply told and presented, this is a book which is accessible and entertaining for all children and which would make an excellent classroom resource for students of all backgrounds.

The Echidna and the Shade Tree, told by Mona Green, compiled by Pamela Lofts
Scholastic Press, 2004