random house – Page 12 – Aussie Reviews

Pearlie and Great Aunt Garnet, by Wendy Harmer

Pearlie was busy hanging her beautiful clothes, frilly pillow cases and feather curtains in the warm sun, when her friend Jasper the elf flew straight into her wet pyjamas.

Pearlie and Jasper decide to host a surprise birthday party for their friend Opal. They write invitations for everyone except Scrag and Mr Flea. Next there are games to organise and food to order. Of course there must be a big birthday cake too. Scrag and Mr Flea hear about the party and decide to hold their own. Pearlie takes Jasper to Great Aunt Garnet’s wonderful shop. Great Aunt Garnet will deliver the cake later. Scrag and Mr Flea have a shopping list too, which also includes an enormous birthday cake. Great Aunt Garnet has two cakes to deliver. What could possibly go wrong?

Pearlie and Great Aunt Garnet is the latest in the ‘Pearlie’ series from Wendy Harmer. The illustrations are bright and the text accessible to readers making the transition from picture books to less illustrated works. Younger children will also enjoy having the story read to them. The book is a good size for small hands to hold. The credits refer to the animation experience of the illustrator and it’s easy to imagine these stories as an animated series. The story is simple, with a positive resolution and is sure to appeal to young readers.

Pearlie and Great Aunt Garnet, by Wendy Harmer
Random House 2007
ISBN 9781741667316

There's a Worm on My Eyeball! by Dr Adam Taor

It’s thought that we have about 100,000,000,000,000 bacteria (that’s 100 trillion) just in our intestines! If you shared out all of the bacteria living in your guts among everyone in the world, each person would get about 15 000. So, if you’re stuck on what to give your family and friends next festive season, why not give the gift of bacteria?

There’s no doubting that kids like reading about gross subjects, and the title of this offering is certain to attract them on that basis. There’s a Worm on My Eyeball takes a detailed look at the germs, works and bacteria that live in and on the human body, from the harmless ones which live inside every person, to the more fearsome ones which can cause illness and even death.

Author Dr Adam Taor doesn’t spare the reader – he gives plenty of gruesome details of worms that crawl across eyeballs, bugs that poo toxic germs onto your body and nasty deaths from gruesome bacteria. He does this, however, with plenty of humour and a chatty voice that speaks directly to kids in their language. There are also humorous illustrations by Douglas Holgate, lots of useful text boxes and other helpful aids like pronunciation guides to help kids say the names of the different bugs.

This is sure to appeal to kids age 9 and up. My boys were fascinated by the title and the cover illustration, which shows a large, realistic looking eye, with a fierce red cartoon-style worm.

Great for private reading and for primary school libraries.

There’s a Worm on My Eyeball!, by Dr Adam Taor, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
Random House, 2007

The Big Bazoohley, by Peter Carey

The King Redward Hotel welcomes finalists in the Perfecto Shampoo ‘Perfecto Kiddo’ competition.
‘Perfecto Kiddo,’ said Sam. ‘It’s not even English. It doesn’t make sense.’
‘Why would it make sense, kiddo?’ Earl Kellow grinned. ‘It’s a nonsensical situation. It’s a whole lot of crazy parents trying to make money from their children.’

When Sam Kellow and his parents arrive in Toronto, Sam knows they are in a lot of trouble. Their money is almost gone and his mum can’t find the millionaire who is going to buy her latest painting. But that night, when Sam sleep walks his way around the hotel, he meets Nasty Muriel and Droopy George, two desperate parents who force Sam to enter the Perfecto Kiddo competition. Their own son, Wilfred, has chickenpox.

Sam realises that if he can win the competition he will be able to help his parents, so he goes along with the idea, even though it means having his hair curled and learning to dance. If he can win the Big Bazoohley – $10 000 – his family’s problems will be solved.

The Big Bazoohley is a fun children’s novel from one of Australia’s most decorated authors, Peter Carey. His novels for adults, including The True History of the Kelly Gang and Oscar and Lucinda have twice won the Booker Prize as well as numerous other awards. The Big Bazoohley is Carey’s only novel for children, and is sure to delight.

The Big Bazoohley, by Peter Carey
Random House, 2006

The Sorcerer in the North, by John Flanagan

It happened as quickly as that. One moment there was nothing. Then, in the blink of an eye, the figure was there, fully formed. Huge and menacing, black against the mist, a shadow figure of a giant warrior in ancient, spiked armour, with a massive winged helmet on its head. It must have been twelve metres high, he thought as he stood, rooted to the spot in terror.

Will has finally completed his apprenticeship and is now a fully-fledged Ranger, assigned to a small, safe fief. But even a small, quiet fief holds challenges to test Will’s ranger skills. Then his friend Alyss arrives, bearing news of a secret assignment, and Will must travel North, disguised as a jongleur, to seek answers to the mystery of a ghostly Night Warrior. Here, Will must use all of his Ranger skills to solve the mystery and protect the future safety of the Kingdom.

The Sorcerer in the North is the fifth title in the wonderful Ranger’s Apprentice series and sees Will on his first top secret mission as a Ranger. He is no longer under the instruction of Halt, the Ranger to whom he was apprenticed in earlier books, but Halt is still a figure in this book, as are other favourites including Will’s friends Alyss and Horace. The story stands alone, though readers who’ve read the earlier books will have an advantage.

Exciting fantasy reading.

Ranger’s Apprentice: The Sorcerer in the North, by John Flanagan
Random House, 2006

Ranger's Apprentice Books One & Two, by John Flanagan

Will saw the muscles bunch in the massive hindquarters. He was too far from cover to run. He’d have to face the charge here in the open. He dropped to one knee and, hopelessly, held out the keen-bladed Ranger knife in front of him as the boar charged. Dimly, he heard Horace’s hoarse cry as the apprentice warrior charged forward to help him, his spear at the ready.

For as long as he can remember, Will has wanted to be apprenticed as a knight, so when he is rejected by the knights and subsequently accepted as an apprentice Ranger, his first reaction is one of disappointment. But as he learns more about this mysterious group, whose job in protecting the Kingdom of Araluen is just as important as that of the knights, Will realises he will have as much adventure as he could want – and then some.

Will first appeared in The Ruins of Gorlan in 2004, with his adventures continued in 2005 in The Burning Bridge. Now these first two books in the Ranger’s Apprentice series have been bound together in one hardcover volume providing both an attractive collector’s edition and a satisfying read for young fantasy lovers new to the series.

This is an enticing read suitable for ages 12 to adult.

Ranger’s Apprentice Books One & Two, by John Flanagan
Random House, 2006

Pearlie and the Christmas Angel

Jasper thought for a minute. ‘Will you take the angel’s place…just for one night?’ he asked Pearlie.
‘Me?’ exclaimed Pearlie. ‘But…I’m so shy…and…I…’
‘Go on, mate,’ said Opal. ‘You have to do it for the children. A tree without an angel? It just wouldn’t be Christmas!’

It is nearly Christmas and Pearlie and her friends can’t wait for the Carols by Candlelight in Jubilee Park. But then a fierce summer storm hits the park and the decorations are ruined. Pearlie and her friends manage to redecorate the tree and clean up the rubbish, but the angel from the top of the tree has been damaged and has caught a cold. Pearlie’s friends encourage her to overcome her shyness and save Christmas Eve for the children.

Pearlie and the Christmas Angel is a delightful story for Christmas or any time of the year. Pearlie and Opal the fairies and Jasper the elf, along with their various animal friends are cute characters, brought to life in full colour illustrations by Gypsy Taylor, based on original character illustrations by Mike Zarb.

This is the sixth story in the Pearlie series by author and comedienne Wendy Harmer, and will especially appeal to to kids aged 4 to 8.

Pearlie and the Christmas Angel, by Wendy Harmer
Random House, 2007

Lilies for Love, by Felicity Pulman

‘I can’t breathe properly, Mus,’ she protested, and pulled away from him. Not giving him a chance to respond, she forked two fingers and jabbed forward, throwing all her weight into the action and aiming straight for his eyes. As he howled in protest, she jerked up her knee and rammed him straight in the groin. For good measure, she then stamped down hard on his toes.

With her life under threat from lord Robert, Janna seeks refuge at Wiltune Abbey, where she must live the life of a nun. Janna is surprised to be accepted there by most of the other sisters, and makes friends with another lay sister, Agnes. She is assigned to work in the infirmary where she expands on the skills she has already learnt from her mother, and helps Sister Anne, the infirmarian, in caring for the sick and injured.

But nothing must distract Janna from her true mission – she wants to learn to read while she’s in the abbey, so that she continue her search for her father and seek justice for her mother, who was murdered by the lord Robert..

Lilies for Love is the third book in the Janna Mysteries series, and sees the feisty Janna solve more mysteries, some related to her ongoing quest and others – such as the disappearance of pages of precious manuscript – side issues, yet intriguing. Set against the backdrop of civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda over the mediaeval English throne, Lilies for love is an intriguing read.

Lilies for Love, by Felicity Pulman
Random House, 2006

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond.

Rue for Repentance, by Felicity Pulman

Almost everyone thought she had died. Only two people knew she was still alive, but Janna trusted them not to betray her. It was better for her to be gone from sight. Safer. Meanwhile these clothes, these filthy garments, were part of her disguise, and she would have to endure them.

When her home is brunt to the ground by angry villagers, Janna realises she must flee if she is to stay alive. Lord Robert knows that Janna knows his secrets, and is among those who wanted Janna dead. With no proof of his actions, Janna must keep her suspicions to herself until such time as she can prove them.

When she takes shelter on a manor farm , disguised as a boy, Janna hopes she can start a new life and begin her search for a father she didn’t even know existed until recently. But Janna’s disguise is tenuous and, when she discovers that the owner of the manor is someone she knows, Janna is once again in danger. When the boy Hamo disappears, Janna must find him before time runs out for both of them.

Rue for Repentance is the second title in the Janna Mysteries series, set in medieval times and featuring the feisty Janna, whose knowledge of herbs and healing and keen eye for detail, stand her in good stead as a sleuth. Whilst the book does stand alone, readers will enjoy it more if they have previously read the first title in the series, Rosemary for Remembrance and will look forward to reading the third instalment, Lilies for Love.

Rue for Repentance, by Felicity Pulman
Random House, 2006

You can buy this book online at Fishpond.

Rosemary for Remembrance, by Felicity Pulman

The wolf’s howl shattered the dark, secretive forest. Startled, Janna spun around, straining to pinpoint the direction of the sound. At the sudden movement, the flame of her torch flickered and almost died. Fighting panic, she cupped her fingers around the flame to protect and steady it.

Janna lives with her mother on the edge of the village and close to the forest. Her mother is a healer and villagers come to her with their ailments, even against the wishes of the local priest. Janna longs to leave the village and have the freedom to see the world, but when her mother dies suddenly, Janna realises how very frightening being alone can be.

Janna is convinced her mother’s death was no accident, but proving this is very difficult – Janna has no power and few friends. Yet she seems to be rapidly accumulating enemies – a posturing apothecary, the priest who denies her mother a churchyard burial, and even the husband of the woman Janna’s mother was treating when she died. It seems Janna’s own life might be taken before she has time to figure out who killed her mother.

Rosemary for Remembrance is an exciting mystery story set in medieval England. Janna is a strong teenager, fighting against the odds in her quest for truth and justice. Teen readers will find her strength and perseverance appealing, and will enjoy the novelty of the setting.

Rosemary for Remembrance is the first of The Janna Mysteries and readers will soon be looking out for the next title.

Rosemary for Remembrance, by Felicity Pulman
Random House, 2005

This book is available online at Fishpond.

The Watchmaker Who Saved Christmas, by Bruce Whatley

The days before Christmas had been quiet for the Watchmaker. Watches with faces and hands had been replaced by digital displays and flashing numbers. The Watchmaker felt sad.

Alone in his workshop, the Watchmaker does not expect to be visited by a mysterious Old Man. Nor does he expect to be given a task which might save Christmas. The Old Man has a special clock which needs fixing, and only some ingenuity will see the job done.

The Watchmaker Who Saved Christmas is a beautiful tale of friendship and perseverance, with a real message of Christmas spirit. Children will also love that it explains one of the mysteries of Christmas – how Santa manages to get right around the world in just one night.

Illustrator Bruce Whatley delights with stunningly detailed scenes which reflect the timeless feel of the story.

Delightful.

The Watchmaker Who Saved Christmas, by Bruce Whatley
Random House, 2006