Month: November 2011

That's Not a Daffodil, by Elizabeth Honey

When Tom’s neighbour. Mr Yilmaz, gives him a funny looking bulb in a brown paper bag, Tom isn’t convinced that it could really be a daffodil. But with Mr Yilmaz’s guidance, and lots of patience, Tom watches the bulb become first a green beak, then green fingers, then a rocket-bud and, at last, a golden daffodil. That’s Not a Daffodil! is a playful tale of nature in action…

‘What is it?’ asked Tom.
‘It’s a daffodil,’ said Mr Yilmaz.
‘That’s not a daffodil,’ said Tom. ‘That’s an onion.’
‘Well, let’s plant it and see,’ said Mr Yilmaz.

When Tom’s neighbour. Mr Yilmaz, gives him a funny looking bulb in a brown paper bag, Tom isn’t convinced that it could really be a daffodil. But with Mr Yilmaz’s guidance, and lots of patience, Tom watches the bulb become first a green beak, then green fingers, then a rocket-bud and, at last, a golden daffodil.

That’s Not a Daffodil! is a playful tale of nature in action, with a gorgeous focus on intergenerational friendship. Apart from a bird, a dog and one scene involving Mr Yilmaz’s grandchildren coming to play, Tom and the old man are the only characters in the book, giving their special friendship a lovely focus.

Illustrated with creator Elizabeth Honey’s usual deft simplicity, this is a warm, heart-filled offering.

That's Not a Daffodil!

That’s Not a Daffodil!, by Elizabeth Honey
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN 978174237248

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

Too Small to Fail, by Morris Gleitzman

All that Oliver wants is a dog. Not just any dog, though – he wants the little black and white dog in the pet store. But Oliver can’t have a dog, because his parents are too rich for a pet. Then a strange lady buys the dog, Barclay, which is soon in a lot of trouble, and so are sixteen camels, Mum and Dad – and even Oliver himself. It’s up to him to try to figure out a way to save them all…

Oliver wanted more.
Not squillions of dollars and private jets and solid gold zips on his school bag. Not even his own paint-ball island in the Pacific or lolly trucks backing up to his place every day.
Just more than this.

All that Oliver wants is a dog. Not just any dog, though – he wants the little black and white dog in the pet store. But Oliver can’t have a dog, because his parents are too rich for a pet. Then a strange lady buys the dog, Barclay, which is soon in a lot of trouble, and so are sixteen camels, Mum and Dad – and even Oliver himself. It’s up to him to try to figure out a way to save them all.

Too Small to Fail is a funny story about an unlikely hero in the form of a small boy who isn’t good at maths and whose parents are incredibly rich. As the world faces a financial crisis, Oliver finds himself face to face with people affected by his parents’ investment strategies and proves to himself – and others – that being god at maths in’t the only way to make a difference. In places the story is sad, and very serious, but mostly it is a humorous adventure which middle and upper primary aged readers will love.

Good stuff.

Too Small to Fail

Too Small to Fail, by Morris Gleitzman
Puffin, 2011
ISBN 9780143306429

 

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

Christmas Wombat, by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley

It’s Christmas Eve. Mothball the wombat has no idea what Christmas is, or why there are strange, annoying dangly things hanging on the tree but she does know the smell of carrots, her favourite food. When she finds strange creatures are eating her carrots, she fights a battle of wills. Soon, though, her quest for carrots and a comfortable place to sleep sees her taking an unexpected sleigh ride around the world…

Strange creatures are eating my carrots!

It’s Christmas Eve. Mothball the wombat has no idea what Christmas is, or why there are strange, annoying dangly things hanging on the tree but she does know the smell of carrots, her favourite food. When she finds strange creatures are eating her carrots, she fights a battle of wills. Soon, though, her quest for carrots and a comfortable place to sleep sees her taking an unexpected sleigh ride around the world.

Christmas Wombat is a wonderfully quirky Christmas picture book starring Mothball, the wombat who first starred in Diary of a Wombat. Text is funny and simple, from Mothball’s point of view and readers left to make their connections about what is happening. The reindeer (the aforementioned strange creatures) are delightful, but of course Mothball is the star of this book – and readers will love her.

A perfect Christmas gift for readers young and old.

Christmas Wombat

Christmas Wombat, by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley
Angus & Robertson, 2011
ISBN 9780732291716

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

Santa's Aussie Mix-Up, by Colin Buchanan & Simon Swingler

Santa is in desperate need of help to get the Christmas presents delivered on time. All the Aussie animals want to help, but in the end Santa chooses Kangaroo and Emu. Thus begins the biggest Christmas mix-up ever, with the wrong presents delivered far and wide. Santa’s Aussie Mix-up is a humorous song and picture book which youngsters will love…

‘Australians all I need your help,’ said Santa Claus one day,
‘to get my Christmas stocking stuffing done by Christmas day!
I need an Aussie animal, but who can pass the test?’
‘Pick me! Pick me!’ the creatures cried. ‘Pick me ‘cos I’m the best!’

Santa is in desperate need of help to get the Christmas presents delivered on time. All the Aussie animals want to help, but in the end Santa chooses Kangaroo and Emu. Thus begins the biggest Christmas mix-up ever, with the wrong presents delivered far and wide.

Santa’s Aussie Mix-up is a humorous song and picture book which youngsters will love. Sung to the tune of ‘Advance Australia Fair’, the song features all the silliness which we’ve come to expect from singer/songwriter Colin Buchanan and, of course, the book includes a CD recording of the song. Illustrations, by Simon Swingler are digitally produced and full of life and colour.

Perfect as a Christmas gift and for classroom use.

Santa's Aussie Mix-up

Santa’s Aussie Mix-up, by Colin Buchanan and Simon Swingler
Scholastic Australia, 2011
ISBN 9781742830070

Available from good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

Liberator, by Richard Harland

Once, Col and Riff worked side by side as they lead the revolution which saw the Filthies liberated. Now, though, it seems they hardly see each other. A saboteur on board the juggernaut is causing suspicion and hatred and the Filthies have turned on the remaining Swanks. Col has cause to wonder if he and Riff can ever be partnered, but worse, it seems the Swanks are not safe on board the Liberator…

Something bad had happened on First Deck. The news travelled the length and breadth of the iron juggernaut: from the storage decks to the old Imperial Staterooms, from the coal bunkers on Bottom Deck to the Bridge on Fifty-Fourth Deck. The saboteur had struck again, and the Revolutionary Council had called a general meeting of Filthies in the Grand Assembly Hall.

Once, Col and Riff worked side by side as they lead the revolution which saw the Filthies liberated. Now, though, it seems they hardly see each other. A saboteur on board the juggernaut is causing suspicion and hatred and the Filthies have turned on the remaining Swanks. Col has cause to wonder if he and Riff can ever be partnered, but worse, it seems the Swanks are not safe on board the Liberator. Then, when other juggernauts hear of the revolution, it seems their relationship is the least of their problems.

Liberator is the terrific steam-punk sequel to Worldshaker and will delight teen readers, regardless of whether they’ve read the first. There is action, humour and plenty of intrigue, as characters new and old develop and change.

Lovers of history will enjoy seeing the similarities and differences with real world places and events, with the English passengers of the Liberator (once known as the Worldshaker) visiting the colony of Botany Bay, and battling with juggernauts from Russia, Austria, Turkey and France.

Finely crafted, this is an offering which demands to be read.

Liberator

Liberator, by Richard Harland
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN 978174237342

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

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

Since 1944 children around the world have sung – and lisped – this classic Christmas song. This Christmas it has been brought to life in picture book format illustrated by Katz Cowley. The protagonist is a delightfully cheeky monkey called Danny who is, of course, missing his front teeth and is pictured envying those who DO have their front teeth, as well as imagining ways he can get some for himself…

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth.

Since 1944 children around the world have sung – and lisped – this classic Christmas song. This Christmas it has been brought to life in picture book format illustrated by Katz Cowley. The protagonist is a delightfully cheeky monkey called Danny who is, of course, missing his front teeth and is pictured envying those who DO have their front teeth, as well as imagining ways he can get some for himself. The final illustration shows the new teeth just starting to peek through his guns.

The book is accompanied by a CD with performer Craig Smith (of Wonky Donkey fame) singing the song, as well as a second song “Toothless” and a Monkey version of the title song – that is, the tune is ‘sung’ with monkey noises, which adults may find slightly grating, but kids will love.

An excellent Christmas gift.

All I Want for Christmas

All I Want for Christmas, by Don Gardner, illustrated by Katz Cowley
Scholastic Australia, 2011
ISBN 9781741697841

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

The Farmer's Hat, by Kim Barnes

The farmer’s hat has gone walkabout, lifted by the wind. The animals help by telling him where it’s been but they can not tell him where it is now, because it keeps blowing further. The farmer tells the life of the hat and why it’s important that he find it. But it’s not the same hat that returns to him…

What happened to my hat?’ asked the farmer.
‘I had a fine hat, a well-worn hat,
that smelled of hay and grass and sweat.

The farmer’s hat has gone walkabout, lifted by the wind. The animals help by telling him where it’s been but they can not tell him where it is now, because it keeps blowing further. The farmer tells the life of the hat and why it’s important that he find it. But it’s not the same hat that returns to him…it’s subtly altered and brings with it a special surprise. Illustrations in country colours show an Australian farm, in the hot summer and in the memories of the farmer.

There is plenty to look for as the story of the farmer’s lost hat unfolds. Not only can the track of the floating, flying hat be seen, but there are lambs being born, paddocks lush and green, sheep catching a ride on the tractor, a dog ‘skiing’ behind the tractor and more. ‘The Farmer’s Hat’ is told in gentle rhyme with a refrain repeated throughout, ‘The wind took it whooshing and whirling.’ Only at the end does the reader discover that the wind was bringing the rain. This ending encourages the reader to go back and look for the signs of drought that are certainly there, although the narrative mentions only the affection and memories the farmer attaches to the hat. Recommended for preschool and early primary-aged children.

The Farmer’s Hat, Kim L. Barnes & Andrew Joyner
Omnibus Books
ISBN: 9781862918351

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

Where's Santa? by Louis Shea

Mischievous elf, Elvy, couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve. So he took Santa’s sleigh and tried to deliver the presents early. But he’s lost, and now Santa – who went looking for Elvy – is lost too. Readers are asked to help Detective Inspector Scrooge to find Santa.

Where’s Santa? is a look and find book, in the tradition made popular by the ‘Where’s Wally’ series, is lots of Christmas fun. Readers are asked to find not just Santa, but also Elvy, Mrs Claus, Detective Inspector Scrooge and even Fluffy, Santa’s pet yeti, in settings including the beach, a shopping centre, a holiday parade and a school ground. There are lots of Santa look-alikes to make the job more challenging and, at the back of the book, a list of extra things to find on each spread.

Suitable for preschool and primary aged readers, this would make a great stocking stuffer.

Where's Santa?

Where’s Santa? by Louis Shea
Scholastic Australia, 2011
ISBN 9781741697650

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

The Bushwalk, by Sandra Kendall

As the unseen narrator of this simple tale walks through the bush s/he sees splashes of colour, in the form of blossoms, and hears birdsong and croaking, before seeing a variety of animals and insects. The bush is, we are told, an amazing place. The Bushwalk is a delightful offering which aims to encourage children to explore the natural environment…

I love to walk in the bush.
If I keep my eyes and ears open, it’s always an adventure.

As the unseen narrator of this simple tale walks through the bush s/he sees splashes of colour, in the form of blossoms, and hears birdsong and croaking, before seeing a variety of animals and insects. The bush is, we are told, an amazing place.

The Bushwalk is a delightful offering which aims to encourage children to explore the natural environment, especially within Australia. The text focuses on what the narrator (presumably the author, visible in one picture as a pair of booted legs walking on a path) sees and hears on regular bushwalks. Each page includes a fact about the wildlife pictured, written on leaves, rocks and pieces of bark. The illustrations present realistic, softly toned watercolour images of the bushland inhabitants in double page spreads.

A wonderful classroom resource, this is also suitable for home reading.

Bushwalk

The Bushwalk, by Sandra Kendall
Windy Hollow, 2011
ISBN 978192113671

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

Hazard River Series, by JE Fison

Jack, his little brother Ben and their family are holidaying at Hazard River. Lachlan has been staying here every summer for years and he knows all there is to know about this holiday place. He’s also a practical joker and doesn’t seem to have a ‘caution’ speed. When Jack finds a shark washed up on the shore, they begin a search for the killer they are sure is nearby…

Shark Frenzy
I made a deal with sharks. I don’t swim near them and they don’t play cricket. It may be a little unfair. I can swim, whereas they haven’t got a hope of hitting a six. The arrangement worked well for many years. I never once saw a shark bowl a bouncer. And no one ever praised a wicket keeper for a safe pair of fins. But the whole deals fell apart when my family spent the summer holidays at Hazard River…

Jack, his little brother Ben and their family are holidaying at Hazard River. Lachlan has been staying here every summer for years and he knows all there is to know about this holiday place. He’s also a practical joker and doesn’t seem to have a ‘caution’ speed. When Jack finds a shark washed up on the shore, they begin a search for the killer they are sure is nearby. Lachlan is keen and Ben will follow where Jack goes. And they are joined by Mimi, who has travelled the world in her yacht and knows a lot about everything. She also has her own Zodiac boat.

Snake Surprise Until we found the message…

Jack is sick of playing Monopoly, but it seems that is the only thing to do when the rain just won’t stop. When he looks out the window and sees a houseboat floating down the river on a collision-course for his friend, Mimi’s yacht home, he and his friends can stay inside no longer. They ‘catch’ the houseboat and look for clues to tell them how the boat came to be washed along by the floodwaters. If only the snake could talk. That’s the very large snake that’s coiled up on the bed in the houseboat, the one with the bat in its mouth.

Hazard River is a new series of short novels for mid- to upper primary readers. They are about 10000 words, laser-fast and very exciting. No theme park or council holiday program could deliver half the adventure that being in the bush between the river and the sea does. The friends need all their luck and skill to resolve the mysteries they find in and around Hazard River. And when it comes to it, they all have skills to contribute to the adventures. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers, particularly those who find it difficult to sit still for very long!

Hazard River: Shark Frenzy! J. E. Fison
Ford St Publishing 2010
ISBN: 9781921665110

Hazard River: Snake Surprise! J. E. Fison
Ford St Publishing 2010
ISBN: 9781921665127

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