Month: July 2005

Great White Lies, by Pamela Morrissey

“Good morning, Year 3/4,” Ari says, and pauses. “This is my news. I’m going to see my uncle in Arabia.” Emily Fatou almost vomits on the carpet.
“Ariadne, this is special news,” Mrs Baxter says and opens her eyes wide.

Ari has an unfortunate habit. She likes to impress people – and to do this, she tells lies. First she tells the class she has a horse, then that her uncle is in Arabia. But finally, when she tells them her dad is in jail, her lies are exposed. Now, she’s been branded a liar and no one will speak to her.

When Ari meets her new next door neighbour, Chloe, she has a chance to feel good about herself again. But will her classmates believe her when she tells them what Chloe does for a living?

Great White Lies is a Little Stirrers title from Limelight Press. With plenty of humour, a plot kids will relate to and at a length that will not daunt reluctant readers, this is likely to appeal to readers aged 7-9, as they make the transition from picture books and early readers to chapter books.

Great White Lies is a fun offering.

Great White Lies, by Pamela Morrissey
Limelight Press, 2005

Trapeze, by Goldie Alexander

Bump! Bump! CRASH!
Ritchie started up in bed. He switched on his reading lamp.
That noise! He was sure that noise came from straight above his head. He sat up and gazed at the ceiling. To his astonishment, he saw a small lump like a blister bulge out of the plaster.
He must be asleep.
This must be a dream.

Ritchie’s life isn’t going well. First his parents separated. Then his dad went to work in Darwin and he and his mum moved into a flat. The only good thing in his life is his new friend Lilla, who used to be an acrobat in a circus.

When strange things seem to be happening on his bedroom ceiling every night, Ritchie thinks he must be dreaming. Could these strange happenings be a turning point amidst all this gloom?

Trapeze is a new title in the Trekkers series from Macmillan Education. Aimed at children with a reading age of around 11 and a half years, it is suitable both for classroom reading and private enjoyment.

Trapeze, by Goldie Alexander
Macmillan Education, 2005

The Brotherhood of Airmen, by David Wilson

The Royal Australian Air Force was formed during World War 1 and in the 90 years which have followed, its members have served on almost every continent and in major conflicts including both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, New Guinea and Iraq.

The Brotherhood of Airmen details the major activities and operations of the RAAF over the past ninety years, looking at the roles not only of the pilots and aircrew, but also the back-up support of the cooks, clerks, drivers, technicians and more.

This book will be valuable to anyone with an interest in Australian military history, or in aviation history. The author, David Wilson, was formerly the executive officer in the historical records department of the RAAF and has written five books about the RAAF.

The Brotherhood of Airmen is a tribute to all that the RAAF has achieved.

The Brotherhood of Airmen, by David Wilson
Allen & Unwin, 2005

Angel Breath, by Glenda Millard & Dee Huxley

With no eggs and no fat chickens, all Pierre has left is his pig. But oh, how he loves Jean-Jacques! He is a fine fellow, big and black and whiskery.

It is Autumn and the poor farmer, Pierre and his pig, Jean-Jacques, are searching for truffles. Pierre dreams of the money they will have if they can find some. He will buy himself a new red beret and, for Jean Jacques, a fine leather collar.

Jean-Jacques does not know what truffles smell like, but Pierre tells him they smell like the breath of an angel. When Jean-Jacques smells something beautiful, he is sure it smells like an angel. But are there truffles underneath the mound of leaves in the forest – or something far more beautiful?

Angel Breath is an evocative book from one of Australia’s foremost children’s authors. Set in the European forest, the tale is warm and the characters endearing. The subdued colours of Dee Huxley’s illustrations are perfect for the setting and tone of the story.

Children will love the twist in the story and guessing what it is hiding under the leaves. Adults will love the gentle, lyrical text.

Beautiful.

Angel Breath, by Glenda Millard and Dee Huxley
ABC Books, 2005

The World That We Want, by Kim Michelle Toft

The World That We Want is an awe-inspiring offering, with a message about caring for the environment which is neither preachy nor watered down. Instead it combines a simple, but catchy text with some of the most beautiful illustrations to grace a picture book.

The text is a repetitive rhyme, in the style of The House That Jack Built. The first page, showing birds flying against a deep blue sky, tells us: This is the air, that circles the world that we want. The next spread moves to the rainforest, with a cassowary, frogs, snakes, butterflies, trees and more, and the text: This is the forest that filters the air that circles the world that we want. From here, text and illustrations move from forest to the river, beach, water and more, with young listeners quickly picking up on the repetition and joining in.

Each double page spread features detailed images of the animals and plant life of the particular environment. The final spread folds out into a four page spread and shows all of the different environments, moving from air and forest through to ocean and reinforces the message that all the different environments are connected to make one world.

The illustrative technique is unusual for a picture book – each illustration has been hand-painted on silk – but the print quality is superb, with vibrant colours and life-like definition throughout. The adition of a four page guide, providing the name of each animal pictured and giving further information, adds an extra educational benefit.

This picture book is simply breathtakingly beautiful, and sure to delight children and adults alike.

The World That We Want, by Kim Michelle Toft
UQP, 2005

Springboard to Learning Through Play

It seems hardly a day goes by without a new learning programme, educational toy, or multimedia product being launched, encouraging parents to spend sometimes exorbitant sums to help their child learn. It is, then, refreshing, to see parents being encouraged to help their children learn through play, with a multitude of no-cost, as well as some low-cost activities.

In Springboard to Learning Through Play, author and educator Kerrie Shanahan provides parents with an insight into how children play and, importantly, how they learn through play. She provides a wealth of suggestions to help extend children’s informal learning in the years before formal education.

There are pages of suggestions, information boxes which clearly explain how they help your child, short-cut tips and more.

Springboard to Learning would be an excellent gift for a first-time mother, but has plenty to offer all mothers, no matter how experienced.

Springboard To Learning Through Play, by Kerrie Shanahan
Ibis Publishing, 2005

Shelf Life, by Robert Corbet

Louisa can’t believe she has just been named employee of the month. She already struggles to balance her studies, night shifts at the hospital, her dependent mother and this supermarket job – now she’s been made a sitting duck. Adam is not impressed when his Dad tells him he’s got him a job – at the local supermarket. He doesn’t want to do anything except watch television. Why would he want a job? Still, it shouldn’t be too hard to get himself sacked.

Shelf Life has an unusual format which teen readers will love. Each chapter is a self-contained story focusing on a different employee in the supermarket. From Chloe the promiscuous check-out chick, to the disappearing frozen foods assistant, from managers to shelf-stackers, the whole microcosm of the supermarket is explored. Characters come and go, as do the customers, but the two central ones – Louisa and Adam – keep reappearing as they move towards getting to know each other.

Each chapter represents an aisle on the supermarket – stationery, fruit and veg, frozen foods, meat, hardware and more. There are also smaller chapters in between some of the ‘aisles’ for other parts of the store – the tearoom, accounts, the loading bay and so on.

Corbet’s style is casual yet sharp – he has a keen eye for the world around him, and his characters are very real. Whilst the story meanders up and down through the aisles, readers will find themselves with a trolley full of insights, laughs and experiences.

Excellent.

Shelf Life, by Robert Corbet
Allen & Unwin, 2004

The Reef, by David Caddy

When Tom heads out for a sand boarding session, the last thing he expects is to be drawn into a huge mystery. But in the sand dunes, he meets two men, who have set up a makeshift camp and seem to be up to no good.

In the days that follow, Tom has to overcome his fears as he works with his new friend Ellie to piece together the mystery. Ellie’s father died last year in mysterious circumstances and now it seems there may be a link between that death and these strangers. Tom and Ellie have to tread carefully or they, too, could be in real danger.

The Reef is a thrilling story for children. It is fast-moving and packed with action and suspense, keeping the pages turning. Whilst so many children’s mysteries are humorous in tone, this one is serious, but not heavy-going, which will make it appealing to readers aged 10 and up, especially those looking for something a little different.

The Reef, by David Caddy
Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 2005

The Phantom Mudder, by Darrel & Sally Odgers

Jack’s Facts
Dogs don’t do anything if there’s nothing in it for them.
People sometimes do.
That makes dogs smarter than people.
This is a fact.

Jack Russell is a fact loving dog. So, when there is a mystery to be solved he carefully establishes the facts then, with a dash of luck, comes up with a solution.

In the Phantom Mudder Jack visits a dog show, with his owner, Sarge. When dogs start turning up for their judging covered in mud, Jack senses a mystery and sets out to solve out. But who would want to mess up the dogs, and how would they do it?

This is the second hilarious title in the Jack Russell: Dog Detective series and is just as clever as the first. There are plenty of cute doggy illustrations, courtesy of illustrator Janine Dawson, and the use of a variety of text-types, including lists, glossaries and maps, which add an element which could be used for classroom purposes.

Loads of fun.

The Phantom Mudder, by Darrel and Sally Odgers
Scholastic Australia, 2005

My Uncle Wal the Werewolf, by Jackie French

Buster loves being a werewolf, but when his parents vanish and his uncle starts acting suspiciously, his whole way of life is threatened. Uncle Wal has become leader of the pack and is telling Wal and the other werewolves that they must become more human. Buster is appalled. He doesn’t want to be more human – and besides, how will that help him find his missing parents?

When Buster decides to take things into his own hands (or paws) he meets Prunella, a girl his own age, who says she is a detective. Even though Buster is her first client, she is determined to help him solve the case and find his parents.

My Uncle Wal the Werewolf is a cleverly crafted, humorous title from much-loved author Jackie French. French continues to delight children with her ability to create funny stories, each different but all entertaining.

My Uncle Wal the Werewolf will appeal to readers aged nine to twelve.

My Uncle Wal the Werewolf, by Jackie French
Harper Collins, 2005