Gracie and Josh by Susanne Gervay and Serena Geddes

My name is Gracie

Today, I’m a squiggly black spider.

My brother Josh helps me make my spider legs

They look like fat sausages.

Josh gives me his woolly black beanie.

His favourite one has green stripes.

My name is Gracie

Today, I’m a squiggly black spider.

My brother Josh helps me make my spider legs

They look like fat sausages.

Josh gives me his woolly black beanie.

His favourite one has green stripes.

Gracie makes a spider costume with the assistance of her older brother, Josh. He’s happy to share one of his beanies, and today he wears his favourite one. Together the pair play. Gracie acts and sings, and Josh captures it for his film. Shooting a film takes some time and the reader follows the pair through the days and weeks as Josh captures footage for his film. There are good and bad weeks as Josh battles cancer and has a visit to hospital. There are appointments to do with his treatment, and every day events like visiting the dentist and attending school. And then there is the grand premiere of their film. Illustrations are pencil and watercolour set in plenty of white space. There are dark days when Josh’s is less well, and brightness when they can temporarily put aside their worries in the joy of living each day.

Gracie and Josh is the story of making a film, with Gracie on stage, and Josh recording her antics. It is a portrait of normal things in a time of great challenge, as Josh and his family do what they can to fight his illness. Gracie’s observations are simple and direct as they reflect their life, and the passage of time is marked by Josh’s ups and downs. ‘Gracie and Josh’ seems simple but the depiction of family is powerful without any glossing over of the seriousness of Josh’s illness. It is a moving story of love and laughter, written and illustrated with realistic and delicate style. Recommended for early primary readers and any family who may be experiencing the trauma of serious illness.

Gracie and Josh

Gracie and Josh, Susanne Gervay ill Serena Geddes Ford Street Publishing 2013 ISBN: 9781921665851

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Model Mania, by Aleesah Darlinson

es, I know it’s Sunday morning and impossibly early, but I can’t sleep. I bought this new diary yesterday and I’ve been dying to write in it. So many fresh, white pages to fill! So here’s the scoop. I’m Persephone River Pinchgut and this is my second ever personal diary. My first diary started out TOP SECRET because I didn’t want my sister, Portia, snooping. She eventually found out about it anyway – but promised not to snoop – so my diarising is now out in the open.

Persephone Pinchgut and her sister, Portia, are 10 years-old and identical twins. On the outside. On the inside though they have very different personalities. Persephone is quieter and not that fond of being in the public eye, but Portia loves the spotlight. In this adventure, Portia decides she wants to be a model. Mum finally agrees, but it’s Persephone who has to accompany her to auditions and the like, because Mum is too busy. Portia decides she quite likes life in the limelight, despite the effect it has on her sister and her friendships. Welcome to model mania! The text is in a large font and there are illustrations scattered throughout.

This is the second diary of the new Totally Twins series from New Frontier Publishing. Middle-primary can be a time for ‘trying on’ all sorts of personalities and potential careers. Many seem romantic and glamourous. But they are not always what they seem. Portia transforms into a model, complete with a new wardrobe, new mannerisms and new friends. Persephone tries to be pleased her sister is happy but she also sees the effect Portia’s new behaviours are having on those around her. Themes are around friendship and family. Recommended for early/mid-primary aged readers.

Model Behaviour Fabulous Diary

Totally Twins 2: Model Mania Aleesah Darlison Serena Geddes
New Frontier 2010
ISBN: 9781921042409 review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased in good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

Samuel's Kisses, by Karen Collum & Serena Geddes

Samuel was excited.
It was shopping day.
He loved going shopping with Mummy.

Samuel is a small boy who loves to go shopping with his mum. But not everyone they see while shopping looks or seems happy. Some are distracted, others just look tired. So while Mum is doing her thing, Samuel sends them a kiss. The kisses travel over, under, around before reaching their destination. The effect is immediate, and brightens the day for the recipient and those nearby. Soon the whole shopping centre is feeling the effects of Samuel’s kisses. Illustrations are ink and watercolour, soft and whimsical, set in lots of white space.

Samuel is quite magic. Not only does he brighten days, he gives them a new lease of life, or a refreshed sense of fun. Children have a wonderful simplicity that adults often lose. They also sometimes feel powerless in the face of sadness or tiredness or ill-health in others. But Samuel just gives out happiness with his kisses. And at least temporarily, he is able to share his joy of life. Children reading Samuel’s Kisses will surely be tempted to try out the kisses themselves. Hopefully, the adults around them are taking notice. Recommended for preschool aged children.

Samuel's Kisses

Samuel’s Kisses, Karen Collum Serena Geddes
New Frontier Publishing 2010
ISBN: 9781921042157

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased in good bookstores or online from Fishpond.