random house – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

Meet My Book: Meet Mary MacKillop, by Sally Murphy

Introducing a new series of posts, where I invite authors to drop in and tell us about their new books. To get the ball rolling, I thought I’d post about my own new release. I look forward to sharing lots of new books this way in the coming months.

1. Give us the details – title, publisher, illustrator, release date.
Meet Mary Mackillop, illustrated by Sonia Martinez, published by Random House Australia May 1 2013.

2. Why did you write the book?
Two reasons. Firstly, because I was asked to by Jeanmarie, the commissioning editor of Random House’s new Meet… series, a series focusing on great Australians. Secondly, because even before I was asked I had long admired Mary MacKillop as a woman who saw a need and set about filling it, even in difficult circumstances. It was a real honour being asked to bring her story to life for young readers.

3. How long from idea to publication?
I was approached about writing the story in March 2012, so just over a year. This is really quick for a picture book – my longest was about 8 years.

4. What was the hardest thing about writing it?
Finding a balance between the history and a story suitable for primary school aged readers. There was so much I wanted to share, and only a few words in which to get it across. For this reason I chose to focus on one year in Mary’s life, and chose the year in which she set up her first school.

5. Coolest thing about your book?
The wonderful illustrations by the incredible Sonia Martinez. I was delighted when Jeanmarie told me that she had commissioned Sonia, as I have long admired her work.

6. Something you learnt through writing the book?
To trust myself. I actually experienced a bit of self doubt when writing this book. I had done all this research and become so close to the story that I got a bit panicky about getting it right. As a result I found there was a period where I couldn’t work. In the end I had to give myself a good talking to and just get words down on the page. As any writer knows you can’t write a book without actually doing some rewriting – and it’s easier to fix a story that’s on the page than one that’s in your head. Once I sat down and wrote and experimented and rewrote and rewrote some more I had a story which worked.
I also learnt a lot about Mary MacKillop and the obstacles she faced to take education to children who wouldn’t have otherwise have had access to school.

7. What did you do celebrate the release?
In the midst of a busy week, I blogged, tweeted and also Facebooked about the release, put the book on display in my office at my day job, and also smiled a lot. There may have also been a quiet glass of red and some dark chocolate. I am hoping to have a launch a bit later on.

8. And how will you promote the book?
I do a lot of online promotion – on my blog, on other people’s blogs when I’m invited, and on Twitter and my Facebook author page. I also do school, festival and conference appearances (am off to the state ALEA mini-conference next weekend). On a smaller scale, I always have my latest book cover in my email signature line, and I also have an author website, which I am in the process of having redesigned to better promote my works.

9. What are you working on next?
A few things. I always have several projects at different stages of completion. At present I have two picture books for younger readers awaiting edits, a verse novel waiting for feedback, a collection of poetry I’m trying to pull together and a longer historical story which I’m researching. Not to mention several other stories which are ‘resting’ till I get back to them for rewrites, and a bazillion ideas waiting for me to write them.

10. Where we can find out more about you and your book?
At my website www.sallymurphy.net, and at the Random House website where you can also preview some of the book’s pages. And Meet Mary MacKillop is available from good bookstores or if you’d like to order online you can do so here

Enjoyed this post? Stay tuned for more Meet My Book posts in coming weeks. And if you’re in Aussie author who’d like to take part and introduce us to your book, drop me a line.

Stories for Eight Year Olds edited by Linsay Knight

‘Stories for Eight Year Olds’ a collection of short stories from eleven well known Australian authors. There’s something for everyone. Paul Jennings starts off with a tale about UFD – Unidentified Flying Dogs. Jacqueline Harvey’s narrative poem warns about the dangers of Grandparents’ Day at school. There are giants and magic carpets, photo-hogs, visitors from other worlds and a wealthy cat. There are stories about the perils of having a sister, the healing powers of cake and of jokes taken too far. Each story is about fifteen pages long, with a contents page at the front and a bio section at the end. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout.

You can be the judge. Am I the biggest liar in the world or do I tell the truth? There is one thing for sure – Dad believes me.

Anyway, I will leave it up to you. I will tell you what happened and you can make up your own mind.

It all starts one evening about teatime. Dad is cooking the tea and Mum is watching Sixty Minutes on television. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. ‘I’ll get it, yells my little brother Matthew. He always runs to be the first to the door and the first to the telephone. It really gets on my nerves the way he does that.

Stories for Eight Year Olds is a collection of short stories from eleven well known Australian authors. There’s something for everyone. Paul Jennings starts off with a tale about UFD – Unidentified Flying Dogs. Jacqueline Harvey’s narrative poem warns about the dangers of Grandparents’ Day at school. There are giants and magic carpets, photo-hogs, visitors from other worlds and a wealthy cat. There are stories about the perils of having a sister, the healing powers of cake and of jokes taken too far. Each story is about fifteen pages long, with a contents page at the front and a bio section at the end. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout.

Stories for Eight Year Olds is a delightful and wacky collection of short stories, perfect for the independent reader who wants to try a few authors without committing to a full length novel. A sampler of light-hearted and cautionary tales to dip into. A perfect way to introduce some of Australia’s foremost authors for the age group. Recommended for … eight year olds!

Stories for Eight Year Olds edited by Linsay Knight
Random House 2012
ISBN: 9781742756608

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

Troggle the Troll by Nick Falk and Tony Lowe

Troggle, small troll, lives with his parents and his baby brother. Stamping feet and grinding teeth are popular pasttimes but the family’s favourite activity is eating. Troggle is bored with the sameness of the diet, but none of his efforts bring any change. Then he meets Tom. Together they find the perfect solution and bring harmony to the dinner table. Illustrations are bright and colourful and almost cartoon-y.

Under a bridge

in a hole in the ground

lived a troll.

A small troll.

Called Troggle.

Trolls don’t get very good press. They live under bridges and underground and are generally grumpy and violent and not all that attractive. And Troggle’s family are working hard to meet the stereotype. But not Troggle. He’s sick of the family’s all-meat diet. He could leave, but he clearly loves his family despite their limited palate. He’s a sensitive soul. So, with the help of someone who could otherwise have been dinner, he finds a solution that keeps everyone in the family happy. Recommended for pre-schoolers and early primary-readers.

Troggle the Troll, Nick Falk ill Tony Lowe
Random House 2012
ISBN: 9781742756011

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

The Amazing Illustrated Floodsopedia by Colin Thompson

‘The Amazing Illustrated Floodsopedia’ is jam-packed with information about Transylvania Waters and its ruling family, the Floods. There are advertisements, stories, jokes, puns, poetry, inventions and more. Many of these are illustrated. Discover the life cycle of a wizard. Learn the Nalphabet. If you don’t know what a ‘preface’ is or a ‘postscript’, ‘Floodsopedia’ is here to enlighten you. You can even read your horoscope. And then, there’s bacon. Floodsopedia is a sturdy large format paperback, built to withstand multiple readings and referring-to and sharing with friends.

Dear Reader,

It is impossible for you to ever realise just what a MASSIVE honour it is for you to be able to buy this book. Although Queen Scratchrot warned that it would end in tears, because they are the kindest, greatest wizards who have EVER lived, the Floods have decided to shared their immense wisdomness, magic and bacon-orientated secrets and history with you, even though you are mere pathetic humans. Of course, they realise that because you are mere pathetic humans, lots of this book will be much too full of cleverness for you to understand, and by no means should you use this book without supervision and extremely strong pants.

CAUTION: This book contains words. Some of them have more than four letters and may improve your life in exciting and dramatic ways.

The Amazing Illustrated Floodsopedia is jam-packed with information about Transylvania Waters and its ruling family, the Floods. There are advertisements, stories, jokes, puns, poetry, inventions and more. Many of these are illustrated. Discover the life cycle of a wizard. Learn the Nalphabet. If you don’t know what a ‘preface’ is or a ‘postscript’, Floodsopedia is here to enlighten you. You can even read your horoscope. And then, there’s bacon. Floodsopedia is a sturdy large format paperback, built to withstand multiple readings and referring-to and sharing with friends.

If you are a fan of ‘The Floods’ you will know many of the characters featured in this Floodspedia, but not all. Perhaps you will learn things you didn’t know. If you are unfamiliar with the series, this will give you an introduction to the characters and their world. Like most kingdoms there is good and evil and it can be difficult to tell which is which (or witch is witch?). There is plenty to chuckle over, and when you’ve finished reading you can write a letter to Mr Thompson using the stamps featured and post it in the Transylvania Waters Post Office which is just over the nearby horizon. Recommended for a laugh.

The Amazing Illustrated Floodsopedia, Colin Thompson Random House 2012 ISBN: 9781742751047

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

The Floods 12: Bewitched by Colin Thompson

The Flood family are back. In this adventure, the family are worried that King Nerlin is going a bit doolally. All sorts of usual remedies have failed, so it’s time for drastic measures. He will have to visit the old crones, high in the hills. Old crones live far from people for many reasons, not all of them to do with their personal hygiene. But they know things, and lead Nerlin even higher in pursuit of his vanishing brain function. As in all the Flood adventures, things end well, with just enough loose ends to fuel further instalments. Footnotes explain, add to, and clarify the text. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout, illuminating this unique family and their world.

‘I can’t find my socks!’

It was the middle of the night and all through the castle not a creature was stirring, not even a rascal. Nothing, that was, except Nerlin, who was sitting bolt upright in the darkness in a confused panic.

‘I can’t find my socks and I’ve gone blind,’ he cried.

Mordonna, who had been fast asleep beside him, sat up. ‘Sweetheart,’ she said, turning on the light, ‘you haven’t gone blind. It’s the middle of the night.’

Bewitched is jam-packed with the puns, jokes and popular culture references that fans will be familiar with from previous Floods adventures. They may appear unusual to others, but they are a cohesive family unit, beset by some well-known family challenges. It’s just that their solutions are not quite so common. As with any large multi-generational family the complications are many, and the complexity mind-boggling. As always, the Floods stories are a whole lot of nonsense. Bewitched takes the reader to places they could never have imagined, and generally brings them back to completely different ones. Chuckling, guffawing, and sniggering are mandatory. Recommended for mid-primary readers.

The Floods 12: Bewitched, Colin Thompson Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781742755304

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

RSPCA Bumper Book of Pets and other Animals by Alexandra Hirst

There are no prizes for guessing what this book is about – it’s all in the title. ‘Bumper Book of Pets and other Animals’ has chapters on Pets, Farmyard Animals and Wildlife. Two thirds of the book is dedicated to pets, and covers the responsibilities of pet ownership as well as tips on different breeds and their particular requirements and behaviours. From the popular dogs and cats, to fish, reptiles, ferrets and more, there is something for every pet lover. Fun Stuff offers jokes and other activities all designed to increase knowledge of animals and their lives. Photos provide illustration throughout.

If you love animals, this is the book for you!

From pets to farmyard animals and Australian wildlife, this BUMPER book is crammed full of all the cool facts and pictures you need to become an animal expert. There are even jokes and some fun activities to get you thinking!

There are no prizes for guessing what this book is about – it’s all in the title. Bumper Book of Pets and Other Animals has chapters on Pets, Farmyard Animals and Wildlife. Two thirds of the book is dedicated to pets, and covers the responsibilities of pet ownership as well as tips on different breeds and their particular requirements and behaviours. From the popular dogs and cats, to fish, reptiles, ferrets and more, there is something for every pet lover. Fun Stuff offers jokes and other activities all designed to increase knowledge of animals and their lives. Photos provide illustration throughout.

Children and animals – a natural combination. The benefits of pet ownership are well-documented. But which animal? How do you choose? Do you go for the animal you had a child? Or the one that has captivated your child/children? When is the right time? Bumper Book of Pets and Other Animals is a perfect primer. Young children will flick through recognising animals. Young school children will learn about their favourites, and other animals, and discover the needs and wants of potential pets. There’s information about the longevity of different animals, and different breeds of the same animal eg some birds live for seven years, others may live as long as a human. All the information is presented in small bites, perfect for young readers. Recommended for all families considering pets. Ideal for children pre- and primary-aged.

R.S.P.C.A. Bumper Book of Pets and Other Animals by Alexandra Hirst,
Random House 2012
ISBN: 9781742757117

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or here.

Alice-Miranda in Paris by Jacqueline Harvey

‘Oh wow, look at that!’ Jacinta exclaimed as she pointed at an impressive building in the distance. The limestone mansion glistened in the summer sunshine.

‘It’s the hotel de ville,’ Millie replied. She had been consulting her guidebook as the group marched along the northern side of the river Seine. ‘But it’s not a hotel. It’s the mayor’s office. Pretty fancy, hey?’

‘I’ll say. Paris is so beautiful,’ said Jacinta, as the children passed yet another magnificent row of townhouses. ‘It’s no wonder they call it the City of Love.’

Alice-Miranda, some of her classmates and some from their brother-school are part of a choir. They are in Paris at short notice to sing at special events mostly to do with Fashion Week. But of course, wherever Alice-Miranda is, there is intrigue. And Paris is no exception. As their teachers strive to ensure the group is entertained, fed, rehearsed and on time for all their engagements, mysteries seem to multiply. If trying to manage a group of inquisitive children is challenging in any classroom, the challenges are multiplied when that group is in a foreign city, and that group contains Alice-Miranda and her friends.

Alice-Miranda is an expensively-dressed Pollyanna mixed with Sherlock Holmes! She sees the best in everyone, despite being exposed to all manner of behaviours by people with few excuses. Wealth offers no immunity from behaving well. She sees rudeness as the behaviour of unhappy people and she likes people to be happy. She sails through situations that would daunt far taller people. She is forthright and helpful, inquisitive and resourceful, the perfect young heroine. And who wouldn’t like the opportunity to visit Paris, to sing at shows and to visit magical places? There are dramas and red herrings, outbursts and surprising clues. Alice-Miranda invites all to participate in the mystery of life and to look beyond the obvious to find what people really want and need. Recommended for confident readers in middle-primary.

Alice-Miranda in Paris by Jacqueline Harvey Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781742752884

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter 1: The Discovery, 2: Ambush at Cisco Swamp, 3. Armoured Defence and 4: The Dinosaur Feather.

The assassin focused in on his target.

It was going to be easy. The target was concentrating so hard, there was no way he’d notice the stealthy footfalls of the assassin as he came at the target from behind. It was going to be the easiest job the assassin had had in ages. So easy, he wondered if he should delay it until the target could at least put up a bit of a fight.

Nah, he’d destroy him now anyway.

Then he could go dirt bike riding.

Robert Irwin, son of Steve and Terry, brother of Bindi, now has his own series. But where Bindi’s books are about her adventures at the family’s Australia Zoo, Robert is obsessed with slightly older animals. Prehistoric in fact. Robert is a huge fan of dinosaurs. In the first title, Robert finds himself crossing from the present to the mid-cretaceous period where he encounters real dinosaurs. Fortunately, his natural (genetic?) ability to ‘read’ animals is combined with the knowledge he’s garnered allow him to understand a little about what’s going on. And there’s a lot going on. Along the way, he learns more about dinosaurs than most people will ever know. In subsequent titles, he visits other periods, meets other dinosaurs in their natural habitat.

Many young children, boys particularly, develop an intense fascination with dinosaurs. Robert, star of these novels, is no different. Well, except that he gets to live his fantasy by visiting these amazing creatures in their habitat. More and more is becoming known about dinosaurs and children are adept at searching out knowledge when they are passionate about it. Young readers will understand Robert’s thirst for knowledge and empathise with his frustration that not everyone shares his passion. How can they not? But even if Robert wasn’t known because of his famous family, young readers would flock to this series written for the dino-phile. Recommended for newly-confident readers moving from illustrated texts towards novels.

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter 1: The Discovery Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781864718454

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter 2: Ambush at Cisco Swamp Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781864718461

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter 3: Armoured Defence Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781742750910

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter 4: The Dinosaur Feather Random House 2013 ISBN: 9781742750927

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Bureau of Mysteries and the Mechanomancers, by HJ Harper

I was about to take refuge under a table when a shadow fell across the hotel room, and I looked up to find a bull picking its way down Main Street. But this was no regular bovine: it stood three stories tall and was made of metal. Its iron hide glinted in the bright sunlight as clouds of steam snorted from its nostrils. The bull pawed at the earth and let out a bellow so loud it hurt my ears.

The land of Obscuria is in trouble once again. as crafty Mechanomancers wreak havoc. Blending magic with technology the giant trouble makers seem usntoppable. Even George and his partner Imp Spektor, and their fellows in the Bureau of Mysteries, are struggling to find a mix – but the heroic adventurer Lord Perwinkle Tinkerton seems to know how to overcome the menace. Could he be that with Tinkerton on the job, the Bureau is no longer relevant?

The Mechanomancers is the second in the Bureau of Mysteries series, a fast paced, code-cracking, humorous adventure for primary aged readers. With a steam punk flavour, and plenty of weird characters and messy scrapes, there’s a lot here to like.

Told from the first person perspective of George Featehr, a former chimney sweeper who has been taken into the Bureau because of his abilities to crack codes, the story moves quickly, encouraging readers to stop and have a go at cracking various codes, but allowing them to also progress without doing it for themselves.

Although this is the second in a series, it can be read independently of the first.

The Mechanomancers (Bureau of Mysteries), by HJ Harper, illustrated by Nahum Ziersch
Random House, 2013
ISBN 9781742756486

Available online or from good bookstores.

Paper Chains, by Nicola Moriarty

‘I’m India. You work at the museum, right? Sit.’
She watched as Hannah hesitated briefly and then obediently followed her instructions. ‘I’m Hannah,’ she mumbled.
‘Well, Hannah, have some watermelon. I’ve got too much. I’ll make myself sick if I eat all of this on my own.’
When Hannah didn’t move to pick up a piece of watermelon, India sighed at her in an exasperated sort of way and prodded her in the side. ‘Eat, please. I can tell you’re hungry…’

When Hannah meets India she isn’t looking for a friend. She doesn’t think she deserves one. Far from her Sydney home, she is working in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, trying to forget what she has left behind, but punishing herself for it just the same. India is everything Hannah isn’t – confident, outgoing, helpful. She sees that Hannah needs help, and is determined to give it. She is determined to uncover Hannah’s secret and, while Hannah doesn’t want to tell, she does need a friend.

What Hannah doesn’t see at first is that India has a secret too. Maybe she’s busy fixing things for other people ot avoid fixing that secret. Her secret is busy travelling Europe in the form of letters passed hand to hand by other travellers. Could it be that Hannah can help India as much as India helps her?

Paper Chains is a moving tale of friendship between two young women from opposite sides of Australia who meet far from home. Initially it seems to be a tale of two backpackers off ‘doing’ the almost obligatory European trip of young singles, but readers should be warned that there is much more to the stories of each of these women, which are heart wrenching.

Ultimately heart warming, Paper Chains is beautifully told.

Paper Chains, by Nicola Moriarty
Bantam, 2013
ISBN 9781742752624

Available from good bookstores and online.