Tania McCartney – Aussie Reviews

Smile/Cry by Tania McCartney ill Jess Racklyeft

Sometimes – A lot of sometimes – I want to smile.

It could be …

Sometimes – A lot of sometimes – I want to smile.

It could be …

Smile/Cry is a ‘flip’ book. ‘Smile’ is read from the front, and offers different kinds of smiles that appear on the faces of three childlike characters: a rabbit, a cat and a pig. Flip the book and ‘Cry’ details the trio experiencing sadness of different sorts as they traverse their day/week/friendship. ‘Smile’ and ‘Cry’ meet in the middle with a double page spread that envelops the reader in a big hug full of smiles and tears simultaneously. Illustrations are pencil and watercolour and help the reader to recognise emotions. The ‘Smile’ cover is bright sunshine-y yellow and the ‘Cry’ cover is in more muted tones.

Smile/Cry has a sticker on the front advertising that it is a ‘A Beginner’s Book of Feelings’. (It also suggests which side to start reading). It’s also a story about friendship and play. It offers the opportunity to talk about how each individual feels and about how their feelings can affect how they relate to others. It’s easy to imagine young readers emulating both the activities and the response depicted. Recommended for preschoolers and early schoolers.

Smile/Cry, Tania McCartney ill Jess Racklyeft
EK Books 2016 ISBN: 9781921966989

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

This is Captain Cook, by Tania McCartney & Christina Booth

James was a very good sailor.
He could steer by the stars, make maps and read charts.
In fact, he was so good he joined the Royal Navy.

Englishman Captain James Cook played a big role in charting Australian and New Zealand coastlines, as well as exploring and having adventures around the globe. In This is Captain Cook, his story is told via a class play presented by Miss Batts’ class.

As Cook’s story is told in a simple, accessible narrative, illustrations show it being acted by students on a stage, in front of an audience of family members. Extra interest is added through speech bubbles and through side-stories happening with in the illustrations, such as escaped chickens running amok on stage, and interactions between audience members and the cast. The aforementioned chickens also feature on the end papers.

Useful for classroom study but also suitable for private reading, This is Captain Cook provides an entertaining introduction to the life of James Cook.

This is Captain Cook, by Tania McCartney & Christina Booth
National Library of Australia Publishing, 2015
ISBN 9780642278692

Available from good bookstores and online.

Meet My Book: Tottie and Dot, by Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling

Today I am delighted to welcome Tania McCartney who is here as part of her fabulous blog blast, a magic day of celebrating her new book. Welcome, Tania – and over to you.

1. Give us the details – title, publisher, illustrator, release date.

Tottie and Dot, illustrated by Tina Snerling, EK Books, September 2014.

2. Why did you write the book?

Like the inspiration behind most of my books, it was just a random thought while observing children and the way they interact with and view the world. I love that children are not yet conflicted by such challenges as ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ but they can be nonetheless competitive. I toyed with the idea of having two girls compete with each other by creating the prettiest, most outlandish, crazy-pants house—and the idea just grew from there. It ended up being a lot of fun.

3. How long from idea to publication?

I wrote the first draft back in 2010, and pottered with it on and off for the next two years. In 2012, I submitted a revised version to the CYA awards and received some wonderful feedback from the judges, so felt inspired to rework it again. I submitted it to EK Books in April 2013 and it was accepted within weeks. Tina and I finished production in January 2014, so I guess it was around 3.5 years all up. Never fast!

4. What was the hardest thing about writing it?

Ensuring it wasn’t didactic. There is no direct, conscious messaging in this book. It’s become a book crafted purely for entertainment purposes and I hope the end result—the drama, the action, the stunning illustrations—are just a lot of fun for kids. Despite my intentions, however, some strong messaging has still come through, with themes such as friendship, inclusion, self-respect, and appreciation for what we already have.

5. Coolest thing about your book?

The illustrations. They’re just fantasmagorical. Sorry, but they are.

6. Something you learnt through writing the book?

How important it is for authors and illustrators to work closely together. Tina and I already had this experience with An Aussie Year, but the Tottie and Dot experience really cemented the fact that a close collaboration can’t be beat for seamlessness and a finer narrative dance. I changed text for Tina. She altered illustrations to more powerfully impact the text. We liaised, laughed, bubbled with ideas, and came up with new concepts and nuances that took the book to a whole other level. EK Books are fantastic to deal with and entrusted us with so much.

7. What did you do celebrate the release?

Champagne! Always champagne. I’m almost teetotal now, so it’s the ultimate indulgence.

8. And how will you promote the book?

This Blog Blast! It runs all day today and we’re also visiting DeeScribe for Tuesday Tips on 9 September. I’m hosting a book launch party at Dymocks Canberra today at 11am and we’re running a Tottie and Dot Drawing Competition, too (closes 7 October 2014) . It’s for kids aged 12 and under, and they can win an exclusive prize pack.

9. What are you working on next?

I’m working on a picture book on the life of a famous Australian, but I’m illustrating it, too. It will be the second book I’ve illustrated this year and will be mixed media. It’s been unbelievablyrewarding and exciting, most especially because this person was an artist/designer—very inspiring. I’m also working on some new junior fiction and loads of and loads of illustrations, some for my 52-Week Illustration Challenge (which will be exhibiting publicly in Perth next March!).

You can find out more about me at www.taniamccartney.com and Tina at http://www.theloop.com.au/tinasnerling/portfolio. Tottie and Dot have their own website … www.tottieanddot.com, with links to purchase. You can see the full tour Tottie and Dot Blog Blast schedule on my blog at http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/tottie-and-dot-blog-blast-schedule.html and also catch snippets and updates while you’re there. Tottie and Dot can be purchased from all good bookstores Australia-wide or online. And if there isn’t a copy at your local bookstore, just ask them to order it in!

Thanks for calling in, Tania. You can follow the rest of the blast by visiting this link.

Eco Warriors to the Rescue! By Tania McCartney

This is Banjo, Ned and Matilda.

They are everyday curious kids …

but they are also eco warriors.

Grrr …

Grrrrrr …

Greeeen!

This is Banjo, Ned and Matilda.

They are everyday curious kids …

but they are also eco warriors.

Grrr …

Grrrrrr …

Greeeen!

Banjo, Ned and Matilda are mid-primary-age children interested in maintaining and improving their environment. They are able to enter their favourite book, ‘Australian Flora, Fauna & Other Curiosities’ to learn more about the needs of individual plants. The characters and other contemporary elements of each spread are photographed, but the images of the flora are taken from artworks in the National Library of Australia collection. Along their journey, the children identify challenges for the environment and provide the reader with tips for helping to maintain and improve the local environment. Final spreads include flower facts, national and state flower emblems, and native birth flowers.

Australia has a diverse range of native flora, from the showy to the very shy. From the earliest white settlement, our flora has fascinated scientists and artists. Indeed, in those first days of settlement, artists were necessary to record the details of these plants. And fortunately, many of these works of art exist today to be shared with new young Australians. It is important for children to understand their potential role in maintenance and improvement of our environment, and understanding includes being able to recognise plants and the conditions they need to thrive. It’s easy to see this book being used in the classroom as part of environmental conversations and in preparation for excursions into the bush. Recommended for early- to mid-primary readers.

Eco Warriors to the Rescue!

Eco Warriors to the Rescue! Tania McCartney NLA Publishing 2013 ISBN: 9780642277800

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores and online.

An Aussie Year, by Tania McCartney & Tina Snerling

We are going to take you on a journey – from the sea to the outback and through all the seasons of the year. Join us on this glorious tour through twelve months in the life of Aussie kids! Let’s go!

Ned, Zoe, Lily, Kirra and Matilda are from different ethnic backgrounds, but they have one thing in common – they are all proudly Australian. After being introduced individually on the first spread, together they take the reader on a journey through the months of the year , focussing on special celebrations, seasons, past times and more.

Each month is explored in a double paged spread highlighting both well known and lesser known features of that time of the year, drawing on the children’s differing backgrounds. For example, the April spread highlights Easter, April fool’s Day and Anzac Day, as well as the Antipodes Festival, celebrated by the Greek community, and National Youth Week. The text is supported by divine illustrations from debut illustrator Tina Snerling, and design highlights include text embellishments to highlight key words.

A wonderful tool for helping Aussie kids learn about, and celebrate, so many wonderful aspects of our eclectic culture, An Aussie Year would also make a wonderful gift for an overseas relative.

Delightful.

An Aussie Year

An Aussie Year, by Tania McCartney & Tina Snerling
Exisle Publishing, 2013
ISBN 9781921966248

Available from good bookstores or online.

You can read about the creation of An Aussie Year here

Meet My Book – An Aussie Year, by Tania McCartney

Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend by Tania McCartney

Young Caroline Jones tucked a auburn curl behind one ear and arranged a chain of tiny wooden dolls on the windowsill of her family’s front room. Her tongue played at the corner of her mouth in concentration. Outside the window, faded roses crowded the sill. Through the petals, Caroline caught a glimpse of her father, William Jones, working in the garden.

Caroline caught sight of her father sprinting across the yard towards two local men who were lifting a wounded soldier from the carriage. The soldier had a rickety old crutch splayed at his side, and as her father helped lift him the soldier’s face twisted with pain. One of his legs was missing.

Caroline Chisholm was born into a large, loving and socially liberal family in England in the early 1800s. From an early age, she was aware that life was different for many other people. She developed a keen interest in travel, but also in guiding those who she was sure with a little help could improve their own lives. Her work started on a small scale, helping her mother support families around their home. After she married, she lived in India for a while before travelling to Australia. There, as in India, she found girls and women who lacked the skills necessary to gain meaningful work. For a year, she helped train and place women in towns and regions around Sydney. But her work broadened over time so that she could help more and more people. Her policies helped bring families to Australia. Most openings are accompanied by colour illustrations from Pat Reynolds.

‘Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend’ is a new offering in the Aussie Heroes series from New Frontier Publishing. Each showcases an influential Australian, who may or may not be well known to a present generation of young readers. ‘Caroline Chisholm’ introduces the child Caroline, showing the foundations that led to her adult work. A time line at the end of the book provides the ‘facts and figures’ allowing the narrative to read like a story without being bogged down with numbers. The narrative mixes non-fiction with fiction, providing a warm introduction to a character who has sometimes polarised historians. There are hooks here that will encourage further research and exploration. Recommended for mid-primary readers.

Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend, Tania McCartney ill Pat Reynolds
New Frontier Publishing ISBN: 9781921928482

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A journey around Canberra by Tania McCartney, ill Kieron Pratt

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Riley was sitting in Parliament when the thumping first began.

Confuddled, he scooped up his friends and dashed outside.

It was a kangaroo! Popping and pinging all over the grassy lawns of Parliament House.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Riley was sitting in Parliament when the thumping first began.

Confuddled, he scooped up his friends and dashed outside.

It was a kangaroo! Popping and pinging all over the grassy lawns of Parliament House.

Riley is back in a new city with a new adventure with his friends and his little red plane. This time, he’s in Canberra, hot on the track of a very jumpy kangaroo. They follow the kangaroo around the sights of Canberra. Although the kangaroo stops at many spots, she seldom lingers, and Riley has to keep alert or he’ll lose her. Illustrations are digital art imposed on photos with yellow sunshine-y page edges.

‘Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A journey around Canberra’ is the latest in the ‘Riley’ series from Tania McCartney and Kieron Pratt. They are travel guides for children wrapped up in madcap adventure. The animal featured is generally an icon of the country being explored, and provides a child-friendly entry point for young children. Titles in this series also offer tourists a souvenir of their touring, one that can be shared with young children wherever in the world they might be. Young children will enjoy following the antics visually as Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo is read to them. Recommended for early primary readers and younger tourists.

Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A Journey around Canberra, Tania McCartney, ill Kieron Pratt
Ford St Publishing 2013
ISBN: 9781925000030

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline, by Tania McCartney

ith such a huge time span to cover, and much of it predating written history, author Tania McCartney still manages to cover a wide array of events

Once there was nothing.
Then there was something.

So begins this wonderful nonfiction offering, which uses this simple. yet powerful, introduction to then explore Australia’s history, from Earth’s beginnings, to the time of the dinosaurs, Indigenous Australia pre European exploration and settlement and through the stages of history since then to the modern day. With such a huge time span to cover, and much of it predating written history, author Tania McCartney still manages to cover a wide array of events and, imporrtantly, to acknowledge important aspects of Aboriginal history such as the Dreamtime, and the impact of European settlement on the original owners. Post settlement history includes key dates such as Federation, exploration and Australia’s involvement in war, as well as Australia’s sporting, industrial and artistic achievements, as well as natural disasters, economic development and more.

The timeline is supported throughout by illustrations including photographs and artworks from the National Library’s collection, as well as new illustrations by Peter Shaw. Young readers will enjoy exploring the visual material and the overall design of the book is excellent, being both accessible to young readers and visually pleasing.

This is an outstanding classroom or school library tool, but is also likely to be enjoyed at home for private reading, being the sort of book that can be either read cover to cover or simply browsed and dipped into.

An excellent resource.

Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline, by Tania McCartney
NLA Publishing, 2012
ISBN 9780642277459

This book is available in good bookstores, directly from the National Library of Australia’s bookstore, or online from Fishpond.

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat, by Tania McCartney

Riley was making mud pies when he first saw the hole.
Curious, he poked his head inside and this is what he saw…
Riley didn’t know what it was. But he knew that it was grumpy.
Grrrowl…

Riley is a small boy with an amazing array of gizmos and gadgets. So when he discovers a grumpy wombat in Nanny’s back yard and it flees, he’s able to follow it in his little red plane. Using a combination of black and white photos of inner city Melbourne and computer images, Riley and his friends search the city for the grumpy wombat. He zooms high and low, in the city and the gardens. He even digs burrows along St Kilda Beach. But there’s no sign of the wombat. When he does eventually find her, the wombat is no longer grumpy, but happy and ready for a snooze.

Tania McCartney began this series while she and her young family were living overseas. The books link images of iconic landmarks in Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney with Riley and his adventures. The use of a similarly iconic animal in each story helps small children relate to the familiar and unfamiliar in their worlds. This new title is published by Melbourne-based Ford Street Publishing. Recommended for pre-school and early primary children and children living in/or visiting a new country or city (or visiting interstate/international family or friends).

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat, Tania McCartney Kieron Pratt
Ford Street Publishing
ISBN: 9781921665486

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

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.