Born to Sing by Sally Morgan ill Craig Smith

I’m a singer!

I make up songs in the shower, while I’m doing my homework, when I’m bored, and even in my sleep!

Dad says I was born to sing. ‘One day you’ll be a famous rock star, Maddie!’

Who cares about fame? I just want to sing, sing, sing!

I’m a singer!

I make up songs in the shower, while I’m doing my homework, when I’m bored, and even in my sleep!

Dad says I was born to sing. ‘One day you’ll be a famous rock star, Maddie!’

Who cares about fame? I just want to sing, sing, sing!

Maddie loves to sing. No matter what she’s doing, singing is part of her day. She also loves whales and when she, her mother and her grandmother set off north to do some whale watching  she spontaneously composes and performs a new song about whales. It’s a long car trip and there’s plenty of time to sing together. Everything is perfect until the car stops and can’t be started again.  Maddie worries that they will miss out on seeing the whales. Black and white illustrations appear on every opening and each page has a border that could variously be interpreted as pattern, path or more.

Maddie and her family have split up to holiday, boys going to Tasmania, the girls going to see whales. Maddie tells her own story and that includes the challenges of having brothers, and worries about their aging car and caravan. Maddie shares her (extensive) knowledge about whales on their journey, her mother and grandmother shaping their holiday around her interests. Text is large and illustrations appear on almost every page, making ‘Born to Sing’ ideal for newly independent readers.

Born to Sing, Sally Morgan ill Craig Smith
Omnibus Books 2016
ISBN: 9781742991511

The Dog Emergency by Sally Morgan ill Craig Smith

My brother Ryan spots the dog first, but it’s me who crawls under the bushes to see if he’s okay.

‘What’s up, buddy?’

The dog whines in pain.

‘Hurry up, Dillon!’ Ryan calls. ‘If we’re late home, Mum will do her block.’

‘Poor thing’s got a bung leg, bro. Don’t think he can walk.’

Ryan peers through the leaves.

‘He’s a proper cattle dog!’

‘Yeah. Maybe he came into town with a station worker and got lost.’

My brother Ryan spots the dog first, but it’s me who crawls under the bushes to see if he’s okay.

‘What’s up, buddy?’

The dog whines in pain.

‘Hurry up, Dillon!’ Ryan calls. ‘If we’re late home, Mum will do her block.’

‘Poor thing’s got a bung leg, bro. Don’t think he can walk.’

Ryan peers through the leaves.

‘He’s a proper cattle dog!’

‘Yeah. Maybe he came into town with a station worker and got lost.’

Dillon and Ryan live in a small town surrounded by cattle stations. They’re missing having a dog, after the death of their old dog, Buster. So when they spot an injured dog, they hope he can come home with then. There’s only a couple of problems. Firstly, Mum is still mourning Buster. Secondly, this dog is injured and will need vet treatment – and they have very little money between them. They are undaunted though. Ingenuity gets this dog to the vet, and if they have their way, ingenuity will help them find a way to pay the vet. Each opening has borders on each side and there are black and white images on every page. Cover art introduces both the boys and the dog they rescue.

The Dog Emergency introduces everyday life in a small country town. Two boys (who incidentally happen to be indigenous) encounter a dog who just might become their new pet. They are determined and resourceful boys and even though they know there’s no guarantee they’ll take the dog home, they make sure he gets the care he needs. It’s their way of dealing with missing Buster. A lovely story of everyday life, of boys and dogs, of love and loss, and family and community. Short chapters make this ideal for newly independent readers. Recommended for lower primary.

The Dog Emergency, Sally Morgan ill Craig Smith
Scholastic 2016
ISBN: 9781742991351

My Mum’s Special Secret by Sally Morgan ill Ambelin Kwaymullina

My mum teaches me

To laugh with the sunrise.

Kaa, Kaa, Kaa

Will you catch me breakfast, Mum?

My mum teaches me

To laugh with the sunrise.

Kaa, Kaa, Kaa

Will you catch me breakfast, Mum?

A baby kookaburra and mother begin the day early, singing to the sunrise. The pair move through the day together, mother caring for and teaching her baby. Each activity they share is accompanied by the sounds these activities might make, eg flying ‘across the cloudy sky. Swoop, Swoop, Swoop’. When Mama kookaburra reveals a final secret, Baby kookaburra offers one too. Illustrations are stylised and full of bright, engaging colours. Endpapers offer a colourful night sky and suggest the cycling day and night.

Baby kookaburra makes statements about his world and his learning on the left page of each opening and questions are held for the right-hand page of each spread. This structure encourages speculation about what the answer will be and how it will be answered. Listeners are offered the opportunity to join in the movement sounds, and/or act them out. My Mum’s Special Secret is pitched for pre-schoolers and offers information about an iconic Australian animal wrapped up in the relationship between a parent and a child.

My Mum’s Special Secret, Sally Morgan ill Ambelin Kwaymullina
Omnibus Books 2016 ISBN: 9781742991368

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Midnight Possum by Sally Morgan ill Jess Racklyeft

Possum loved the deep dark.

But when Moon rose

high in the sky,

he loved midnight

even more.

At midnight,

Possum went travelling.

Possum loved the deep dark.

But when Moon rose

high in the sky,

he loved midnight

even more.

At midnight,

Possum went travelling.

Possum loves the night, particularly after midnight when he can explore his territory. He encounters other Australian animals then settles in for dinner before hearing a call for help from another possum. Leaving his dinner, he responds to the call to discover that a mother needs help to find one of her babies, who has fallen and is now lost. When they locate the lost baby, there’s rescuing needed and Possum is up to the task. The rescue becomes complicated, and Possum must be brave if he is to safely return baby to waiting mother and sibling. Only then can Possum finally eat his dinner. Illustrations are patchwork-like digital collage with a strong nod to Eric Carle’s art. They include a wide variety of Australian animals. Endpapers feature gum leaves and the gum blossom of Possum’s dinner.

The Midnight Possum explains all those noises in the night experienced by those who share their neighbourhood with possums! In this outing, a male possum is needed to rescue a baby when a mother cannot leave her other baby to effect the rescue herself. Readers may speculate and/or investigate the differing parental roles of possums and other night-dwellers. Illustrations introduce other night animals and also a range of native flora. They also note those non-native animals that can pose a threat to possums when habitats overlap. Recommended for pre- and early schoolers.

The Midnight Possum, Sally Morgan Jess Racklyeft

Omnibus Books 2016 ISBN: 9781742991047

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

I Love Me, by Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina

I Love MeI love me!
I love my eyes.
I love my nose.
I love the way my curly hair grows.

From mother-daughter dup Sally Morgan (author) and Ambelin Kwaymullina (illustrator), I Love Me is a lively celebration of being yourself – and loving yourself. From physical features, inside and out, to emotions and personality, text and illustrations show indigenous children loving being who they are.

The book aims to build self-esteem in indigenous and non-indigenous children and the bright illustrations and bouncy, prose, which uses rhyme, rhythm and repetition will engage youngsters and encourage them to join in the reading.

I Love Me, by Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina
Fremantle Press, 2016
ISBN 9781925163490

We All Sleep by Ezekiel Kwaymullina ill Sally Morgan

Against pink skies kookaburra calls

Over swaying reeds frog leaps

Against pink skies kookaburra calls

Over swaying reeds frog leaps

Beginning at sunrise and ending with starlight, a child observes their world. The light changes, the animals appear at their ideal time of day, plants wave in the breeze. On each page is a small companion blue bird and a hint of which animal will feature next. Artwork is colourful, simple and complex, full of pattern and life.

We All Sleep is a particularly Australian lullaby, featuring iconic animals and birds, doing their thing in an Australian landscape, watched by an Australian child. It offers an opportunity to introduce our native fauna and flora, while the rhythm of the language is informative and soothing. An ideal gift to send overseas, and to keep close at home. Recommended for pre- and early schoolers. And art students.

We All Sleep, Ezekiel Kwaymullina ill Sally Morgan
Fremantle Press 2015
ISBN: 9781925162684

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Cyclone Fever by Sally Morgan ill Beth Norling

It was my unlucky day.

I faked being sick so I could miss school.

My plan was to hang out with Piper, my dog. Read comics, Eat Gran’s apple cake.

But that was before the weather alert about Cyclone Thelma. Gran was in a panic. My plans were in a mess.

It was my unlucky day.

I faked being sick so I could miss school.

My plan was to hang out with Piper, my dog. Read comics, Eat Gran’s apple cake.

But that was before the weather alert about Cyclone Thelma. Gran was in a panic. My plans were in a mess.

Danny and his family live in north-western Australia, where cyclones are an irregular reality. Gran has lived here all her life and has experienced many cyclones so she knows what to do when the weather reports begin monitoring a storm at sea. Danny’s plans of a relaxing day at home with is dog go out the window as Gran and the family make their preparations. Not everyone thinks this level of preparation is necessary, but what Gran says, happens. As the storm approaches, Danny begins to realise the danger a cyclone can bring to a town. Perhaps Gran knows more than the weatherman? On each page there are words presented in different font, sometimes because they may be challenging for young readers. Each opening includes header and footer illustrations and there are colour illustrations on every page.

Cyclone Fever is a new title in the fabulous ‘Mates’ series from Omnibus. Each title presents a particularly Australian story. Cyclone Fever is funny and real, showing a multi-generational family living their normal life – which just happens to include cyclones. The approaching storm is treated with the respect it deserves. The family works together to prepare and they also extend that support into their community. The characters are warm and empathetic and Danny’s story is told with great humour. Recommended for early primary readers.

Cyclone Fever, Sally Morgan ill Beth Norling

Omnibus Books 2015 ISBN: 9781742991030

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Flying High, by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith

Flying HighIf a set of wings suddenly grew out of my back, I’d be over the moon! I haven’t told any of my friends about my dream of flying. They’d just laugh at me. Every kid knows there are good laughs and bad laughs. I’m sick of the bad laughs.

Larni struggles at school. Words and letters don’t keep still on the page, and the other kids laugh at her – even her friends. So she can’t wait for the school holidays, when she is going on a plane to visit her Gran up north.
Gran is delighted to see Larni, but sad when Larni says she isn’t good at anything. Gran assures her that she will find the thing she is good at. Sure enough, when Gran sits down to her sculpture proejct, Larni finds that she has a special talent for making things.

Flying High is a short chapter book about self-confidence, and family ties, especially between grandparents and grandchildren.

This is the latest of several books by Morgan and Kwaymullina, a mother-son team, and illustrated by Craig Smith. Each story is a stand alone tale, but all feature indigenous chidlren and their families doing things which all children will relate to – family outings, holdiays, spending time with extended family and so on. As such, these books are not only a wonderful opportunity to engage indigenous children, but also for children of all backgrounds, who are offered so many books with anglo-saxon characters, or where non-anglo characters confront issues of difference. The issues here – learning difficulties, self-belief and family closensess – are universal.

With lots of illustrative support and accessible text Flying High is suitable for junior primary or for older readers who require extra support.

Flying High, by Sally Mprgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith
Omnibus Books, 2015
ISBN 978174299070

Available from good bookstores and online.

Sister Heart, by Sally Morgan

I am lost
lost
lost
in my saltwater tears.

Snatched from home by a policeman, and sent south on a terrifying ship voyage, Annie finds herself trapped in an institution with other stolen children. She longs for her home up North, with her mum, her baby sister, and her extended family. Instead, she has rules, and strange surroundings, a teacher who yells and punishes and even a new name. The only light comes from her new friend, Janey, who treats her like a sister and helps her learn how to survive. But even their friendship can’t ensure they will be happy.

Sister Heart is a brilliant, beautiful verse novel which uses the poetic narrative to explore the issues of the stolen generation in a form which makes them accessible to young readers. Annie speaks directly to the reader with heart breaking honesty. The immediacy and intimacy of this first person voice will draw readers of all ages into the story.

From the author of My Place and many other books for children, Sister Heart is an important, moving book.

Sister Heart, by Sally Morgan
Fremantle Press, 2015
ISBN 9781925163131

Available from good bookstores and online.

Magpie Learns a Lesson, by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Tania Erzinger

Secretly Magpie felt jealous of her friend.
He could soar to great heights.
He could drop from the sky like a stone.
He could see over a long distance.
Magpie decided to play a trick on him.

Magpie can sing beautifully, but she is jealous of her gentle, kind friend Brown Falcon, for his hunting and flying skills. So she plays a series of mean tricks on him to make him look silly. AT first Falcon tries not to mind, but eventually he gets cross and flies away. When Magpie gets caught in a hunter’s nest she realises, almost too late, the value of Falcon’s friendship.

Magpie Learns a Lesson is a charming lesson about friendship and, in a story with echoes of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, the importance of being honest. The story is brought to life in beautiful acrylic paintings, with the oil sketch paper adding . texture. Rich blue skies alternate with creamy backgrounds and eucalypt greens for the ground and tress scenes, giving a generous echoes of the Australian bush.

A wonderfully Australian title.

Magpie Learns a Lesson, by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Tania Erzinger
Omnibus Books, 2015
ISBN 9781742990590

Available from good bookstores or online.