July 2007 – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

There's a Worm on My Eyeball! by Dr Adam Taor

It’s thought that we have about 100,000,000,000,000 bacteria (that’s 100 trillion) just in our intestines! If you shared out all of the bacteria living in your guts among everyone in the world, each person would get about 15 000. So, if you’re stuck on what to give your family and friends next festive season, why not give the gift of bacteria?

There’s no doubting that kids like reading about gross subjects, and the title of this offering is certain to attract them on that basis. There’s a Worm on My Eyeball takes a detailed look at the germs, works and bacteria that live in and on the human body, from the harmless ones which live inside every person, to the more fearsome ones which can cause illness and even death.

Author Dr Adam Taor doesn’t spare the reader – he gives plenty of gruesome details of worms that crawl across eyeballs, bugs that poo toxic germs onto your body and nasty deaths from gruesome bacteria. He does this, however, with plenty of humour and a chatty voice that speaks directly to kids in their language. There are also humorous illustrations by Douglas Holgate, lots of useful text boxes and other helpful aids like pronunciation guides to help kids say the names of the different bugs.

This is sure to appeal to kids age 9 and up. My boys were fascinated by the title and the cover illustration, which shows a large, realistic looking eye, with a fierce red cartoon-style worm.

Great for private reading and for primary school libraries.

There’s a Worm on My Eyeball!, by Dr Adam Taor, illustrated by Douglas Holgate
Random House, 2007

Gold, Graves and Glory, by Jackie French

For 60,000 years the rest of the world had pretty much left Australia and its Aboriginal nations alone. Then it became a home for Britain’s criminals and poor. Now a con man had found gold and suddenly everyone was heading to Australia: adventurers, revolutionaries, camels…Australia would never be the same.

Gold, Graves and Glory is a humorous yet accurate look at the gold rush days in Australia. Charting the difficulties and hardships faced by the settlers, the impact that they had on the Aboriginal way of life and population, and the development of the colonies. It details the early time of the colony from 1850 through to 1880.

Whilst this is not the first book written on the subject, for children it is certainly the most accessible. The cartoon style illustrations of Peter Sheehan, putting his own funny spin on events, compliments French’s humorous yet honest style which doesn’t gloss over serious events.

This is history which kids can enjoy, even while they are learning plenty about this important part of Australian history. It is the fourth instalment in an eight-part series covering Australian history from prehistoric times to the Centenary of Federation.

Good stuff.

Gold, Graves and Glory, by Jackie French, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic Press, 2007

The Joke Trap, by Richard Glover

Ben didn’t really get it, so I told him about the church, not far from my house, that has an old cemetery next to it. ‘Every time we drive past, Dad says to me, “Look, Jesse, there’s the dead centre of town”. Or, “Look at that place, Jesse, people are just dying to get in there”.’
Ben shot me an amazed look. ‘My uncle does exactly the same joke. Exactly the same words…’

Jesse has a problem. His dad is just so embarrassing. His constant stream of bad jokes are so silly that Jesse is too scared to invite his new friends home. His mate Ben has a similar problem. He is into music and wants to start a band – but his dad is always singing – badly.

When Jesse and Ben compare notes they decide it is time to do something about their dads. With help from their little sisters and Jesse’s Granddad, they give the dads a taste of their medicine.

The Joke Trap is the second title in the new ABC Kids Fiction series, aimed at beginning and reluctant readers aged 7 to 10. With 72 pages, plenty of support from the illustrations of Gus Gordon, and a humorous plot, it is sure to be enjoyed by young readers.

Good stuff.

The Joke Trap, by Richard Glover, illustrated by Gus Gordon
ABC Books, 2007

A Nest for Kora, by Claire Saxby

Reviewed by Jackie Hosking

A Nest for Korais a picture story book about a safe place to fall. Its subtle message shows that from firm foundations, namely Kora’s Granny, Kora is able to explore and experience things without fear. Kora, like any youngster, is out to amaze the world with her first egg. Granny is keen to share her own experience with Kora who is determined that her first egg-laying is going to be very different.

Kora searches the farmyard looking for the perfect place for her nest, refusing to listen to Granny’s advice. It’s not until she is sitting in her perfect nest does she realise that sometimes perfect is not perfect at all. Back in the hen house surrounded by family and friends Kora lays her first egg and everyone agrees that it is a very fine egg indeed.

A Nest for Kora is a simple while important story about the importance of family, told with the help of Judith Rossell’s E. H. Shepard – like (of Winnie the Pooh fame) illustrations.

A Nest for Kora, by Claire Saxby Illustrated by Judith Rossell
Windy Hollow Books, 2007
ISBN 9781921136030

This review first appeared in Pass it On Newsletter. It is reprinted here with permission.

Run, Kid, Run! by Andrew Daddo

Mum folded some money into Jess’s hand and told Harrison to be careful. ‘The security guards are in hats, white shirts and black pants. They’ve got badges on their sleeves. If you see one with a black ponytail and a knife tattoo, disappear. Got that?’
‘Got it, Mum.’
‘And don’t draw on any more posters.’
The two of them left the meeting room in a crouch.

When Mum is called in to work for an emergency, Jess and Harrison have to go with her, because it’s the school holidays. But Mum works at a television station where high security means kids aren’t allowed. So the kids are told to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble. But keeping out of sight is proving harder than they thought.

Run, Kid, Run! is the first title in the new ABC Kids Fiction series. The fast moving plot and the short length (72pages), coupled with the cartoon illustrations by the talented Craig Smith, makes it very accessible to young readers, especially those making the transition from picture books and easy readers to longer chapter books or novels. The shape cut into the book, reflective of the ABC symbol, will be appealing to kids, echoing the bite in Aussiebites books, and making the series readily identifiable.

As the first instalment in the series, Run, Kid, Run sets a standard for what is to follow. Lots of illustrative support, bright covers and a humorous plot ensure success both in the private reading and school library markets.

Run, Kid, Run! by Andrew Daddo, illustrated by Craig Smith
ABC Books, 2007
ISBN 9780733319280

The Aussie A to Z, by Heath McKenzie

D is for Dingo and dugong and drop bear and damper and dunny and dual flush toilet and Daddy Cool and dog on the tucker box…and a whole lot more.

This gorgeous alphabet book has as much to offer adults and older children as it does the prereaders it is apparently aimed at. With a page devoted to each letter of the alphabet, the text for each is minimal, highlighting just one or two things that begin with the specified letter (D is for Dingo, for example). The illustrations, however, feature a bevy of things beginning with the letter, many more readily identifiable by adults than children. John Farnham features on the W page – as Whispering Jack, of course, Daddy Cool on the aforementioned D page and the Seekers on the S page. A back of book guide identifies the various objects and people shown in each illustration.

The illustrations themselves are comic and colourful, with plenty of detail for youngsters (and oldsters, too) to discover things on repeated readings. The colours vary from spread to spread, as befits the changing subject matter.

This is a fun offering for any young Aussie.

An Aussie A to Z, by Heath McKenzie
black dog, 2007
ISBN 9781921167447

Dragon Moon, by Carole Wilkinson

Everything was bathed in orange blight. The breeze rippled the grass. There were bushes covered with yellow blossom. The grass was speckled with purple bells and spikes of blue flowers. A stream cut its way across the plateau before it plunged over the edge and became the Serpent’s Tail. Long Gao Yuan was just as Ping had imagined.
A sorrowful sound broke the silence. It was Kai. It made Ping’s heart ache.

For more than a year Ping and Kai have sheltered at Beibai Palace, but now Ping knows they must continue their journey. Ping is the last dragon keeper, charged with the care of Kai, the last dragon. She must take Kai to safety, but where this safety lies is not yet clear. All she has is a message from Danzi, Kai’s now dead father.

Together the pair cross China, searching for the haven Danzi has instructed them to find. Along the way they encounter old friends, and many perils, but gradually Ping unravels the clues Danzi has given,. When they reach the dragon haven, Kai will be safe and there might even be other dragons to help raise him. Or are they in for more heartbreak?

Dragon Moon is the brilliant third and final instalment in the Dragonkeeper trilogy, by award winning author Carole Wilkinson. This superb fantasy offering will have readers from ten to adult enthralled, turning pages eagerly to keep up with Ping and Kai’s journey. The ancient Chinese setting and the wonderful rendering of the dragon characters carries the reader into the fantasy world that Wilkinson has created, suspending disbelief with ease.

The only negative about this book is that it marks the end of such an awe-inspiring trilogy.

Dragon Moon, by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2007

Rotters and Squatters, by Jackie French

Cannibal convicts, murdering squatters, sea captains who kidnapped their crew, poor farmers forced off their land – they had all come to the colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land to make better lives for themselves.

Rotters and Squatters is a wonderful look at the colonial days in Australia, charting the hardships and difficulties faced by the settlers, the impact their arrival had on the Aboriginal way of life and population, and the development of the colonies. It details the early time of the colony from two tiny colonies at the end of the world in 1820 through to 1850.

It is the third installment in an eight-part series covering Australian history from prehistoric times to the Centenary of Federation. This is history which kids can enjoy, even while they are learning plenty about this important part of Australian history.

Good stuff.

Rotters and Squatters, by Jackie French, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic Press, 2007

Digger J. Jones, by Richard J. Frankland

Dear Diary
Me pop wants me to keep a diary ‘cause he wasn’t allowed to read and write on the mission and he spoke to my teacher and my teacher thinks it’s a good idea. So now I’m writing a diary. As if I don’t get enough reading and writing to do from school.

Digger Jones’ diary is about the day to day happenings in his life – piffing yonnies at the meatworks, battling the school bully, and keeping track of the footy scores. But at the same time, much bigger events are happening, and Digger finds himself writing about those as well. First his big brother, Paul, away fighting in Vietnam, is killed. Then, as the family struggles to overcome their grief, they become involved in the campaign to make Aborigines full citizens. Digger’s dad is white, and a citizen, but Digger and his mum are aborigines, and in 1967 are not considered citizens. As the year progresses Digger learns a lot about himself and his beliefs.

Digger J. Jones is a wonderful blend of humorous first person narrative and much deeper examination of issues, as well as being a historical novel set in the year that a referendum gave Aborigines full rights as citizens. Digger and his family are actively involved in the campaign, and also very personally touched by the Vietnam war. At the same time, Digger also deals with childhood issues of bullying and friendship.

This is a very accessible offering, both highly readable and enlightening. Excellent.

Digger J. Jones, by Richard J. Frankland
Scholastic, 2007

Severo's Intent, by Fiona McIntosh

Saxten was winded. He lay on hard ground. His eyes were closed, but he saw sparkles behind his lids. Gradually he became aware of birds singing and his own breathing as it slowed. The air smelled a bit strange – not bad, just different.
‘Are you hurt, boy?’ It was the voice of the old man.
He opened his eyes to slits. ‘No, I’m all right, I think. The wolf?’
‘Severo will have to find his own way back,’ the man said triumphantly. ‘I closed the portal behind us.’

Saxten thinks he’s a fairly ordinary boy, despite being unhappy at his new school, but when he starts being followed by a big dog that no one else can see, he doesn’t know what is going on. Then, when a man appears in a painting his family has always owned – and, again, only Sexton can see him – Sexton gets scared. Soon, though, his fear turns to disbelief when the man starts talking to him and tries to get Sexton to come with him to escape the dog. Sexton’s life will never be normal again.

Severo’s Intent is the first title in the new Shapeshifter series, part of Scholastic’s Fantastica imprint. Its short length, with a high-action plot makes it ideal for readers new to the fantasy genre, as well as reluctant readers who might be deterred by longer fantasies.

Young readers will look forward to the next instalment in the series.

Severo’s Intent, by Fiona McIntosh
Scholastic, 2007