Tashi and the Phoenix, by Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg and Kim Gamble

As I watched, the ash beneath the logs began to stir. Flashes of colour glowed through the grey: red, gold, purple, emerald, like jewels…Something was moving in the embers. A bird with a tail like sunrise. I watched it step right out of the embers and preen itself.

When Tashi’s Uncle lands the family in trouble, Tashi is furious. But when he meets a phoenix, he thinks it might be the answer to the family’s problems. But will the phoenix land the family in more trouble when it escapes?

Tashi and the phoenix is the fifteenth title in the Tashi series, aimed at primary school aged readers. As with its predecessors, it contains a story within a story as the happenings in the boy Jack’s family inspire a story form Tashi about life in his village.

Tashi’s adventures this time around include an encounter with a phoenix and a mission to save a hoity princess from an unwelcome marriage. Tashi’s solutions are always clever and entertaining.

Young fans will enjoy this new pair of adventures as much as the previous ones – and they will also appeal to those who are new to the series.

Tashi and the Phoenix

Tashi and the Phoenix, by Anna Fienberg and Barabare Feinberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2008

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Tashi and the Mixed-up Monster, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

A second later, Wise-as-an-Owl burst out of the workshop. “Tashi, children, run! – no, it’s too late. Hide!” He pulled them over to some thick bushes.

When Much-to-Learn finds instructions for creating a Chimera, he does so, and soon the monster is creating havoc. As always, it is Tashi who comes up with a solution to this latest problem.

Tashi and the mixed-up Monster is the fourteenth title in the Tashi series, and offers as much fun, adventure and whimsy as previous titles in the series. Once Tashi has dealt with the Chimera, he must also figure out who has killed Soh Meen’s carp. Clever Tashi always finds a way.

Tashi is a feisty fantasy character who shares his stories with a contemporary family. The stories are told in response to events happening in the family’s lives, sometimes told in first person by Tashi himself and other times recounted by a family member who has heard Tashi’s story.

Suitable for middle primary aged readers, Tashi deserves a place in every child’s heart and library.

Tashi and the Mixed-up Monster (Tashi S.)

Tashi and the Mixed-Up Monster, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Tashi and the Stolen Bus, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

“The demons are crazy for buses!” said Can-Du. “And when I wouldn’t hand this one over, they kidnapped my son.”

When Tashi’s village restore an old bus, there is great excitement. The villagers plan their first bus trip to the city markets, but once they are on their way, they realise something is wrong. The bus has been hijacked by demons, and only Tashi can defeat them.

Tashi and the Stolen Bus is one of two tales in the latest Tashi offering. In the second story, The Mysterious Thief , things start mysteriously disappearing form the village. Tashi is determined to catch the thief, but what he discovers surprises even Tashi.

This is the thirteenth book in the delightful Tashi series. Each book features Tashi recounting some his fantastical adventures in his village to Jack, his friend in the contemporary world. This latest instalment won’t disappoint Tashi fans, with lots of adventure and the quirky characters that make Tashi so unique.

Tashi and the Stolen Bus, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2006

Tashi and the Forbidden Room, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

It all began with the castle on the hill…The castle had stood empty for many years. It had twenty-three bedrooms, upstairs and downstairs, and they were dark and dusty with cobwebs. But one day Second Aunt came to tell us that she had just met the new owner. He was a wealthy merchant, she said, tall and handsome, with hair as blue-black as a raven’s wing.

When Tashi’s cousin decides to marry the wealthy Bluebeard, the whole village is excited – except Tashi. He has glimpsed Bluebeard’s evil heart, and doesn’t want Ho Hum to marry him. When Ho Hum takes Tashi to visit the castle, Tashi uncovers Bluebeard’s secrets. But is he too late to save his cousin?

Tashi and the Forbidden Room is the twelfth book in the Tashi series. As in the previous titles, Tashi tells his friend Jack of his adventures back home in the village. In each adventure, Tashi is faced by a tricky dilemma or shady character and uses his wile and a little magic to fix it.

Bluebeard, Tashi tells Jack, is the most frightening character he ever faced, who will always haunt me. The second adventure in this book, The Three Tasks features another villain, the Baron, who has appeared in earlier stories. Tashi must complete three tasks in order to rescue the Baron’s dog, Pongo, who the Baron has locked in a dungeon.

These are exciting stories, with a pleasing blend of old and new. Tashi’s adventures in his unnamed land are mixed with Jack’s life in a contemporary setting. Perfect for reading aloud, or independently, Tashi and the Forbidden Room will appeal to readers aged 6 to 10.

Tashi and the Forbidden Room, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2005

There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg

There once was a boy called Tashi, who had a way with witches and warlords and guessed the secrets of ghosts … Tashi wasn’t afraid of the giant on the mountain or the wicked Baron by the river, but never, ever, had he dreamed of an ogre such as Gloomin.

When Gloomin comes to the village people run and hide and the sky grows dark. The sad ogre takes up residence in the village and the days which follow are bleak.

Finally, when the ogre starts eyeing people for his cooking pot, Tashi realises he has to do something. He sets about finding out what is making Gloomin so sad, and what can be done to fix the problem.

Tashi has previously appeared in ten chapter book titles, but now the talented team of Anna Fienberg and Kim Gamble have combined to bring him to life in full colour in his first full colour picture book. Tashi fans, young and old, will love the opportuntiy to see this loveable character and his friends brought to life in colour, and those who have not previously been introduced to Tashi will be left clamouring for more.

The Tashi stories arose from a collaboration between Fienberg and her mother, Barbara Fienberg. The stories quickly became popular with children and also with parents and teachers. The arrival of Tashi in full colour is special – bringing him to life and doing full justice to Gamble’s illustrative talents.

There Once Was a Boy called Tashi is pure delight and would make an excellent gift.

There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2004

Tashi and the Royal Tomb, by Anna Fienberg & Barbara Fienberg

There is great excitement when an ancient burial site is uncovered in Tashi’s village. Tashi manages to get a job helping the team of archaeologists. But, as always, the wicked Baron has plans for the site – and he wants Tashi out of the way.

Later, the precious Book of Spells is stolen from Wise-as-an-Owl, and no one can be cured unless Tashi can find it. Of course, who else would be foolish and selfish enough to steal the book, but the ever-scheming Baron?

This is the tenth Tashi book, written by the mother-daughter team of Anna and Barbara Fienberg and illustrated by the talented Kim Gamble. Kids love the tall tales of this brave and resourceful boy from a mysterious far-off land.

If Tashi isn’t in your home yet, now might be the time.

Tashi and the Royal Tomb, by Anna Fienberg & Barbara Fienberg
Allen & Unwin, 2003

Tashi and the Haunted House, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg

There’s a light in the window of the haunted house, and Tashi is going in.

Tashi is back and has two new adventures to share in Tashi and the Haunted House. In the first story Tashi finds Ning Jing hiding in the haunted house, scared of her nasty cousin Bu Li. Tashi comes up with a spooky plan to scare him right out of the forest. In the second, Tashi is confronted by two mysterious creatures in the village square. Tashi knows the demons are back and they want to beat him. Can he outwit them, and save the village school?

Tashi is an appealing character from a magical far away land, the creation of Anna Fienberg and her mother Barbara. This is the ninth book in the Tashi series, and is sure to convince those who are not yet Tashi fans to read the whole set.

Brought to life in the illustrations of Kim Gamble, Tashi shares his adventures with his friend Jack and the whole family.

Anna Fienberg is the author of many popular and award-winning books for children, including Joseph, shortlisted for the 2002 Children’s Book Council Awards, and Horrendo’s Curse. Her mother, Barbara Fienberg, is the chief plot-deviser for the Tashi books.

Kim Gamble is an award-winning artist. He has illustrated many of Fienberg’s books as well as those of other authors, including Margaret Wild.

Tashi and the Haunted House is sure to delight youngsters aged 6 to 10.

Tashi and the Haunted House, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2002