Month: September 2014

Awesome Aussie Things to Do With Mum, illustrated by Simon WIlliams

Knit your own mobile phone cover
Bust out some groovy dance moves
Make a worm farm.

With school holidays once again here (or just a few days away, depending which part of Australia you live in), a book filled with cool things which can be done independently or, even better, with a parent, is a wonderful resource. Awesome Aussie Things to Do with Mum is just such an offering, with activities ranging from quiet inside activities such as pressing flowers or knitting, to physical, active things such as beach volleyball or dancing. Most have ways to either draw on Mum’s expertise or simply collaborate – though this could equally be Dad, or another adult, and many could be done without an adult.

Activities are clearly explained in step-by-step instructions and include equipment lists, tips and fun facts, as well as cartoon style illustrations, and, where needed, visual aids to following instructions. A sturdy hard cover offering, this would make a great gift for a primary aged reader.

 

Awesome Aussie Things to Do with Mum, illustrated by Simon Williams
Scholastic, 2014
ISBN 9781742839950

Available from good bookstores or online.

Crashing Down, by Kate McCaffrey

She’s sitting under a tree, knees pulled up to her chest, waiting for her mum. All she can imagine is Carl and JD in the car. She cringes and tries to make the images disappear, but they won’t. She imagines Carl and JD in hospital beds. A broken neck – that doesn’t necessarily mean paralysis; she’s sure she’s heard of people who have broken their necks and totally recovered. And what’s a coma anyway – isn’t that just sleeping? Don’t people usually wake after a little while?

The end of year 12 is drawing close, and Lucy can sense change coming. It’s time to knuckle down and study hard, to make sure she does well. She has plans for after school, too. Perhaps she doesn’t need to be a serious relationship with Carl, especially when he seems to smother her – except for the night of the formal when he ignores her. Breaking up with someone can be difficult, but for Lucy, it’s very very complicated.

Crashing Down is a gripping tale of consequences, life choices and growing up the hard way. Like any seventeen year old school leaver, Lucy has hopes and dreams, but she also has some pretty hefty decisions to make, and after her boyfriend is injured in a car accident, and she realises she is pregnant, those decisions are pretty weighty.

McCaffrey doesn’t shy away from putting her characters in difficult situations, and Lucy’s situation is one which would challenge any teen – or adult. But the chain of events which follows is both plausible and thought provoking.

Suitable for older teens.

Crashing Down, by Kate McCaffrey
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781922089854

Available from good bookstores or online.

The Break, by Deb Fitzpatrick

‘…You mean live there?’
‘Yeah.’
The woman next door was clattering about in her garden, shushing the dog when it barked.
‘Well…’ He struggled to get it into his head. ‘Why would we do that, exactly?’…
‘To be our own people,’ she eventually managed, in a whisper.
‘Instead of…’ And he was quiet for a moment. ‘Being other people’s people,’ he said finally.

Rosie can’t be a journalist if it involves chasing ambulances and looking for shock value. Cray has had enough of the fly in fly out lifestyle, especially when it means long stretches away from home. When they throw in their jobs, they decide to make a change, and head down to Margaret River, a place they’ve always loved. But starting again in a place that’s facing challenges of its own might not be all plain sailing.

Fergus and Liza have always lived in Margies, and Fergus runs the farm which his father built up. Their son Sam loves life – watching stars, fishing and swimming in the river, and following his favourite sci-fi serial on the computer his much loved uncle gave him. The only thing he doesn’t like is when his parents fight. Lately they’ve been arguing more, especially about Uncle Mike.

Rosie gets to know Liza and Sam, through their common concern of the effects a big development will have on their favourite piece of coastline. Development, though, proves the least of their worries, when the coastline itself proves a natural enemy.

The Break is a heart-wrenching novel about family, community, loss and change, set in the South West of Western Australia in the 1990s. Though there are parallels with real events,including the Gracetown Cliff Collapse in 1996, this is a work of fiction, allowing readers into the lives of deftly drawn characters and allowing readers to consider one version of how such an event might impact individuals and a community. Fitzpatrick does this with a special touch.

This is Fitzpatrick’s first novel for adults, but would also be suitable for young adult readers.

 

The Break, by Deb Fitzpatrick
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781922089632

Available from good bookstores and online.

The Boy From Snowy River, by Edwina Howard

‘Well, maybe this is a way you can go. Read this,’ says Gran. She tosses the paper at me.

It’s about the Dargan’s Ridge Festival. On the bottom Gran has circled this:

Celebrate the spirit of ‘The Man From Snowy River’ with the Stockman’s Cup! $500 first place!

George really wants to go to Bill Spills Water World, but it’s expensive, and a long way from Mumblegum, where he lives. Gran has a solution: he can enter a horse race on their old stock horse, Bandicoot. Not much can go wrong – unless Bandicooot’s friend Croak gets involved, or George is accused of cheating, or some rogue goats get free.

The Boy from Snowy River, new in Omnubus Books’ Mates series, is a fast moving, easy to read offering with plenty of humour. Colour illustrations, by Joe Bond, and text embellishments add interest and help in making the text accessible.

Lots of fun for lower primary readers.

 

The Boy from Snowy River, by Edwina Howard, illustrated by Joe Bond
Omnibus Books, 2014
ISBN 9781862919976

Available from good bookstores or online.

Elephants Have Wings by Susanne Gervay ill Anna Pignataro

‘Please tell us the story.’

‘Yes, the story.’ My brother nudges me.

‘Pleasssse, Father.’

Father always pretends he won’t tell us, but he always does.

Each time, the story is more amazing.

‘Alright, tonight I will tell Grandfather’s story.’

‘Please tell us the story.’

‘Yes, the story.’ My brother nudges me.

‘Pleasssse, Father.’

Father always pretends he won’t tell us, but he always does.

Each time, the story is more amazing.

‘Alright, tonight I will tell Grandfather’s story.’

Two children beg their father to tell them Grandfather’s story. And tonight he agrees and tells them the story of children searching in the dark to discover the secret. Each is sure they have discovered the secret until Grandfather brings a torch and reveals that what they have each discovered is both true and only part of the truth. The two young children having heard this story then embark on a flying journey aboard their grandfather’s mystical elephant. They see the world from above, their grandfather’s home in a distant country, the war that hurt so many and many more places. Eventually they return home to the safety of home. Illustrations are in soft beautiful watercolours, realistic and mythical in turns. Text wanders about the page, adding to the dream/mythical sequences. Endpapers begin monochrome red and end rainbow-hued, though the underlying ink patterns remain the same.

Elephants Have Wings is both realistic and allegorical. The family are safe in their home, but the story the father shares with the children reflects a previous life that wasn’t so safe, and tells a tale that reminds us that there are many perspectives and only by looking at the whole picture can we truly understand others. Elephants symbolise many things for different cultures. They are strong, live long, are considered wise and steadfast. All these characteristics are inherent in any journey to safety. Elephants Have Wings is a beautiful story and will be enjoyed by many young readers purely on a superficial level. But there is much more to be explored here. Migration, oppression, endurance, perseverance and more, illuminated in word and image. A rich and delightful story for young and old alike. Recommended for primary readers.

 

Elephants Have Wings, Susanne Gervay ill Anna Pignataro Ford Street Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9781925000399

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Fairy Who Wouldn’t Fly retold by Bronwyn Davies

The Fairy-who-wouldn’t-fly loved to lie about all day in her hammock amid the swaying blossoms.

She listened to the wind and watched the clouds sailing high overhead. She watched the bees gathering honey, and the birds sipping nectar from the flowers. When she folded her wings and closed her eyes, she looked just like a dried leaf, so no one could see her.

The other fairies, their bright, beautiful wings flashing in the sunlight, worked hard in the bush. They lifted up the heads of flowers after rain, helped lame beetles over bush tracks, and saved silly baby birds who fell out of their nests before they were ready to fly. They helped to keep the bushland and all its creatures healthy and strong.

The Fairy-who-wouldn’t-fly loved to lie about all day in her hammock amid the swaying blossoms.

She listened to the wind and watched the clouds sailing high overhead. She watched the bees gathering honey, and the birds sipping nectar from the flowers. When she folded her wings and closed her eyes, she looked just like a dried leaf, so no one could see her.

The other fairies, their bright, beautiful wings flashing in the sunlight, worked hard in the bush. They lifted up the heads of flowers after rain, helped lame beetles over bush tracks, and saved silly baby birds who fell out of their nests before they were ready to fly. They helped to keep the bushland and all its creatures healthy and strong.

The Fairy Who Wouldn’t Fly is a retelling of a 1945 Pixie O’Harris story, which incorporates her original illustrations and includes additional images from the National Library of Australia’s collection. This young fairy prefers to sit and think about her world. She wonders where the wind came from, how seeds knew what kind of flower to become, why she hadn’t seen the Leaf-cutter Bee for so long. But the Fairy Queen considers her lazy and sends her to the Woodn’t to be with other creatures who don’t do as they ought. There she meets an assortment of creatures, all banished. She finds herself becoming as grumpy as they are before discovering the talent of each in the rescue of a little lost boy. They want to return home but don’t want to be compelled to behave in ways that feel wrong to them. News of their adventure wins a reprieve from the Fairy Queen and they return home. Brave Fairy asks the Queen to accept their differences and allow them to be themselves, before asking for a final favour.

Bronwyn Davies says The Fairy Who Wouldn’t Fly was her favourite book when she was a child. Here she written her own version of the story and kept the original illustrations. In place of the original ending, where Fairy returns to Fairyland compliant, Davies offers a celebration of difference and acceptance of those who might sometimes be less easy to understand. The Fairy Who Wouldn’t Fly is a rich collection of art, both the original and extras, and a story sure to delight fairy-fans. Additional images are fully referenced in the final pages. It’s a fabulous way to share NLA art and entice young visitors and artists. This is a sumptuous hardcover sure to win many new fans to a well-loved story.

 

The Fairy Who Wouldn’t Fly, retold by Bronwyn Davies NLA Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9780642278517

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Riddle Gully Runaway by Jen Banyard

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Will Hopkins is not a huge fan of rollercoasters. It’s clear that too much can go wrong. His friend, Poll, couldn’t be more different, she seems to have no fear. In fact, Poll seems determined to run at everything, sometime too fast to be sure it’s a good idea. When the Mayor’s nephew, Benson, leaves town in a hurry, Poll and Will and Poll’s pet ram Shorn Connery give chase. More than one reputation is at stake. Will is a timid but resourceful Watson to Poll’s madcap Holmes. And Shorn? Who knew that this adventure would make his heart beat so fast.

It’s often said that life is a rollercoaster, and it’s certainly true for the characters in this novel, both literally and metaphorically. Particularly for Will Hopkins who really doesn’t seem to have much control of this adventure. Despite this, he hangs on for the ride and provides assistance that the adventure cannot succeed without. Even when he’d really rather be at home having takeway Chinese dinner with his mother and stepfather. Puns abound in this adventure mystery, while the problems encountered by the characters are all too realistic. Riddle Gully Runaway is a wild adventure with a clear message about facing your fears, even if running away initially seems an easier option. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

 

Riddle Gully Runaway, Jen Banyard Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781922089878

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Remembered by Heart, various authors Foreward by Sally Morgan

This moving collection of youthful memories touches on a broad sweep of history and includes people from many Aboriginal countries. The stories have been shared in the hope they will make a difference to people’s understanding of the past, and in the belief that a just future can be created for all.

These are powerful stories of survival that share pain, humour, grief, endurance, life experience and hope. Take as a whole, they detail the devastating impact of many decades of repressive legislation on the lives of individuals and families. Legislation which, while aimed at ‘protecting’ Aboriginal people, obliterated any access to basic human rights.

This moving collection of youthful memories touches on a broad sweep of history and includes people from many Aboriginal countries. The stories have been shared in the hope they will make a difference to people’s understanding of the past, and in the belief that a just future can be created for all.

These are powerful stories of survival that share pain, humour, grief, endurance, life experience and hope. Take as a whole, they detail the devastating impact of many decades of repressive legislation on the lives of individuals and families. Legislation which, while aimed at ‘protecting’ Aboriginal people, obliterated any access to basic human rights.

Remembered by Heart is an anthology of true stories from a diverse range of Aboriginal Australians, often about their youth of that of their parents. The anthology reflects a variety of experiences across many years. Authors detail what it was like to live on a mission, to be removed from your family to live miles away from anywhere familiar, to a variety of education opportunities. For some, education meant learning to keep house for others. For others, there was the chance to complete high school.

Remembered by Heart is a moving collection of true stories about growing up in a different time. It details the range of Aboriginal experiences from 1930s to more recently. The collection reflects many voices, and reads like oral stories. Publicity material with the collection suggests it is aimed at upper-primary and early-secondary readers, but there is much here for a broader readership. No one should be able to say that they haven’t heard these stories, so that there is no risk of repeating mistakes of the past. But as well as tales of horror, there are many stories of family, connection and reconnection. Recommended for anyone who wants to understand Australia’s past.

 

Remembered by Heart, various authors, foreward by Sally Morgan Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781922089779

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Monster Who Ate Australia (30th Anniversary Ed) by Michael Salmon

The Boggabri is an extremely rare Australian mammal. Like its cousin the bunyip, it eats a lot and is very shy. But, unlike the bunyip, it has peculiar teeth that grow longer each day.

To keep them trimmed, the Boggabri chews rocks and other hard objects. It lives in large caves in central Australia, grows to about ten metres and is green with a spotted stomach.

The last person to see one was Ms Alice Humbold in the Nullabor Desert in 1962.

The Boggabri is an extremely rare Australian mammal. Like its cousin the bunyip, it eats a lot and is very shy. But, unlike the bunyip, it has peculiar teeth that grow longer each day.

To keep them trimmed, the Boggabri chews rocks and other hard objects. It lives in large caves in central Australia, grows to about ten metres and is green with a spotted stomach.

The last person to see one was Ms Alice Humbold in the Nullabor Desert in 1962.

The title page of The Monster Who Ate Australia features a map of Australia and the route taken by Burra the Boggabri on his journey around the country. The first opening offers images of the cities and areas he visits, plus and introduction to the ‘Boggabri-Australis’. Burra’s story begins at Uluru where his long-time home is invaded by tourists of the noisy kind. Burra can’t endure the noise and sets off to find a new home, wandering through the desert, the ocean and city after city. But although there are interesting things to see, and to eat, nowhere feels like home. Eventually he travels full circle and back to his Uluru cave home. Images depict Aussie landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, events including the America’s Cup, apple-growing in Tasmania, pineapples in Queensland and more.

Michael Salmon has been creating books for young people for many years. It is 30 years since The Monster Who Ate Australia was first published. Although this new generation of readers may not get all the cultural references (eg America’s Cup. Blue Poles), there is plenty of humour to keep them turning the pages. Each image is full of extra information to keep young readers chuckling and returning for another read. There are also subtle references to the impact of tourists on the environment and our fauna. Take a fun journey around Australia with Burra. Recommended for pre- to early-schoolers and beyond.

 

The Monster Who Ate Australia (30 Anniversary Ed), Michael Salmon Ford Street Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9781925000542

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Jake in Space: Moon Attack by Candice Lemon-Scott

Remedial Space Car Driving School! Remedial! Jake thought. Why didn’t Mum and Dad just put a big sticker on my forehead that said ‘Universe’s Biggest Loser’? He scrunched the letter up in an angry fist and threw it back at his parents – except the letter stuck fast to his fingers. He tried to shake it off but the paper just seemed to hold tighter to his skin.

‘It’s Slooper Goo. We thought you might react this way ,’ Mum said, shrugging.

‘There’s no getting out of it,’ Dad added. ‘You have to get that licence.’

Remedial Space Car Driving School! Remedial! Jake thought. Why didn’t Mum and Dad just put a big sticker on my forehead that said ‘Universe’s Biggest Loser’? He scrunched the letter up in an angry fist and threw it back at his parents – except the letter stuck fast to his fingers. He tried to shake it off but the paper just seemed to hold tighter to his skin.

‘It’s Slooper Goo. We thought you might react this way ,’ Mum said, shrugging.

‘There’s no getting out of it,’ Dad added. ‘You have to get that licence.’

Jake is mortified. His parents have signed him up for remedial driving lessons. Everyone at school will know. But he’s tried every driving instructor on Earth and now he’s about to start on the moon. The instructor, Gradock, is so confident that all his students will graduate with their licences, he offers a money-back guarantee. But all is not well on the moon and before long Jake can tell that something dodgy is going on. As his course progresses, he is determined to not only pass, but to solve the mystery. ‘Moon Attack’ isa sturdy blue and silver covered paperback with illustrations beginning each chapter and a border along the bottom of each page.

Moon Attack  is the first of three ‘Jake in Space’ titles slated for 2014 release. Moon Attack introduces the reader to a futuristic universe where it’s entirely feasible to do your driving training on the moon. And it’s accepted that you should be driving to school long before you are eleven (as Jake is). Adventures unlimited by gravity – what’s not to like? Throw in a mystery to solve and ‘Moon Attack’ shows that there is fun to be had on the moon in space cars, both inside and outside the space centre. There’s a nod to examination anxiety which it seems has contributed to Jake’s previous licence failures, but it’s not laboured. Moon Attack will appeal to confident young readers and to older readers not yet ready to progress to longer novels. Recommended for lower- to mid-primary readers and beyond.

 

Jake in Space: Moon Attack , Candice Lemon-Scott New Frontier Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9781925059090

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com