abc books – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

Firesong, by Libby Hathorn

From the back verandah, Ingrid Crowe watched her dog Blackie chase a stray bird across the garden. She saw the tall gum tree giving slightly in the breeze and, beneath it, her little sister Pippa playing happily in the sand pit. It looked the same as any other day out there. But it wasn’t. Her mother had just told her something bad. Something so shocking it was going to change her whole world. Ingrid’s mother had told her she was going to burn their house down.

Ingrid Crowe is twelve years old. Her father has re-partnered. Her two brothers have been sent to a foster home on a farm. Her grandmother recently died. It’s just Ingrid, her little non-speaking sister Pippa and Mum left in the house. And there’s no money. Then Ingrid discovers that her mother has devised a plan to make them some money. She proposes to burn down the house for the insurance money. Her mother is fierce in her determination and insists that Ingrid help her. Ingrid knows it’s wrong, but she doesn’t know what to do. A song, ‘Fire! Liar! Fire!’ plays over and over in her head. She can see no way to save her family and the house that she loves, with all its good memories. Over the course of a day, she contemplates many options. There are many people she could talk to, but whatever action she takes, she’s afraid of the consequences.

Ingrid Crowe has already had to grow up fast. Firesong is told in third person intimate and the reader gets as close to her as is possible, as she struggles with a dilemma that no one should ever have to face. The viewpoint allows some of the unreliable narrator elements that accompany first person, while allowing the reader a little broader view. Ingrid’s mother is desperate and their poverty has lead her to plan a desperate act. Ingrid loves her mother and wants to believe that her mother is doing what’s best. It’s a cross-road for Ingrid: to believe her mother and do as she is told, or to listen to her conscience and begin to be her own person. Along the journey, the reader discovers how the family arrived at this point. Recommended for early-secondary readers and mature upper primary readers.

Fire Song, Libby Hathorn
ABC Books 2009 ,br>ISBN: 9780733324208

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

God Is, by Mark Macleod

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

Mark’s name is well known is the book and publishing industry, as an editor and publisher, through his involvement the CBCA and more recently picture book workshops, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that’s he’s finally decided to turn his hand to writing a picture book.

God is with its colours of traditional pink and blue cover is the type of picture book many parents and grandparents may be prompted to buy. It is cute and is very firmly centred around family and enjoying the simple pleasures of friends and creation.

The gentle text has a soft lyrical quality. Each word in the text has been chosen with care. Two of those I particularly liked were

God is
in the light of the moon and
stars that chart a shining course
above the dark that never seems to end.
And more.

God is
in the changing colour of sunrise
and the shadows
that creep across your pillow
and stroke your cheek.
And more

The repetition of God Is at the beginning of each page and And More at the end is effective and gives a pleasing sense of rhythm and unity to the text.

Mark has very carefully avoided being closely aligned to any particular spiritual belief, so it is a general look at where God is in a young child’s life – in all the things that surround them and what they see and what they do. This well crafted book highlights friendship, love, family and creation- all the things that make up the details of a young child’s life. It could be a useful introduction to a young child of who God is.

I am sure a lot of people will find it very cute. I have no doubt it will sell well. It is the type of book I can see many grandparents and other relatives reaching for to give new parents and their little ones. It would be a good book for bedtime reading.

The subdued and gentle colours of the illustrations are effective and fit the mood of the text. The simplistic illustrations of the babies didn’t particularly appeal to me, although the dog was very cute. But I’m prepared to admit that many other people may well disagree and enjoy the illustrations.

God is, by Mark Macleod, ill by Kirrily Schell
ABC Books, 2009
HB RRP $24.95

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe
Out now The Goanna Island Mystery
www.daleharcombe.com
Write and read with Dale blog at
http://livejournal.com/users/orangedale/

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

The Cloudchasers, by Steven Hunt & David Richardson

Alice’s mind raced. The true horror of the Banker’s crime struck her with brutal force: he had STOLEN everyone’s imagination! Stolen it, so they’d be easier to control and enslave. She thought of her mother and her poor, broken father – even Thomas…Suddenly everything was clear.

Growing up in Bankertown is easy – if you conform. But Alice can’t conform. She sees beasts in the clouds, and likes to draw pictures. Now she’s been suspended from school and it is threatened that she’ll be sent to the Institute of Creative Conformity to be reformed. Instead, Alice escapes in a hot air balloon flown by her new friend Spinner, and accompanied by her unwilling brother Thomas, a model citizen of Bankertown.

In the land beyond the clouds Alice learns the terrible truth – that the Banker has stolen everyone’s imagination. Alice is determined to fix things, and restore imagination and freedom to her town, but first she must find the Banker’s father, and avoid recapture by the Banker’s henchman, the Catcher.

The Cloudchasers is an exciting picture story book, aimed at readers aged 9 and over. The story is dark, set in a world inspired by the Victorian-era, with factories and work houses, larger than life evil masters, and much drudgery. The story twists and turns, with fantastical creatures, goodies and baddies of equal strangeness, and surprises galore. Illustrated in dark colours using digital and 3D techniques.

Readers of all abilities will be drawn in to The Cloudchasers. For reluctant or less able readers, the illustrations and layout will add to accessibility, whilst more able readers will be delighted by the fantastical story. The only downside will be that they will be find themselves left hanging at the end, awaiting the conclusion to the story which will be released in October.

A visual and narrative delight.

The Cloudchasers, by Steven Hunt and David Richardson
ABC Books, 2008

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

The Middle Sheep, by Frances Watts

‘I don’t care who started it, or whose fault it is,’ Valiant Vera said, holding up a hand as Ernie and Maud began to talk at once. ‘Until you two can work together, I don’t want to see either of you here. Now, go home and don’t come back until this problem is sorted out!’
Ernie quaked inside. Not come back to the Superheros Society? Being a superhero was the most important thing in the world to him!

Extraordinary Ernie loves being a superhero, and has even got used to having a sidekick who is a sheep. But now, only months into his training, he has struck a problem. Maud, his sidekick, has become moody and grumpy, and obsessed with her problems as the middle sheep in her family. It seems to Ernie that she doesn’t have time to be his sidekick any more. Now Valiant Vera says that if the pair can’t sort out their problems, then they’ll be kicked out of the Superheroes Society.

The Middle Sheep is the humorous sequel to Extraordinary Ernie & Marvellous Maud and just as much fun as the first offering. The humour of having a sheep for a sidekick, and the cast of characters, along with the appeal of having a fairly normal boy becoming a superhero, is sure to tickle the funny bones of junior primary aged readers. The small format size and the short length add to the appeal.

Lots of fun.

The Middle Sheep, by France Watts, ill by Judy Watson
ABC books, 2008

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

My First Fairies, by Jen Watts

This sparkly four-book set of board books is presented as a boxed set. The individual titles introduce the characters from the ABC television series. Main characters Rhapsody and Harmony have their own books. Rhapsody’s book is pink, her favourite colour. Harmony’s book is also in her favourite colour, purple. Fans can discover about their favourite characters. Each of the other two titles features two characters from the series. Twinkle and Wizzy share a book, as do Barnaby and Elf. Their individual personalities are detailed, and the attributes they share. The background colour is consistent throughout each title and matches the cover. Characters float above a bed of flowers.

My First Fairies is a four-book collection of sturdy eight-page board books, tucked neatly into a sparkly pink box. Each title is small, almost square with rounded edges ideal for little hands to hold and ‘read’. Readers will recognise the characters from the television series and learn more about their individual traits. Each double spread includes a simple statement on the left and an illustration on the opposing page. There is no story as such, rather the intent is to familiarise with the nature of each character, their strengths, and for some, their challenges. For example, not all Wizzy’s spells work quite the way he intends. Recommended for preschoolers.

My First Fairies Jen Watts
ABC Books 2008
ISBN: 9780733322631

Passion for Fashion, by Ellie Royce

[Note passed in class]
Mimi Afro! Want to start a lettabook with me?
Aphra What in the name of Sass’n’Bide is a lettabook?
Mimi It’s this mad thing Jess told me about. You get a book and you can stick stuff in it – memories of what you like, where you go, what you do and stuff.
Aphra That’s a scrapbook, dummy.
Mimi No! It’s different. you write letters to each other too. It’s like a scrapbook corssed with a blog, kinda. You wanna?
Aphra Sounds a bit retro.
Mimi Don’t B boring! It’ll be fun. It’ll be mad, like a retro Myspace, except just for us two. Come on!!!!
Aphra Okay, whatever. You start it and show me. but don’t send me any more notes. Ms Mills is giving me the evil eye.

Mimi and Aphra have been friends for the longest time. Until recently they lived two doors apart and attended the same primary school. Now they’re at the same secondary school but only share two classes. It’s not as easy for them to spend time together like they used to. So Mimi proposes a letterbook. In it, they continue the conversations that they have in person and add more. They are both fashion mad, although Mimi is interested in photography and journalism, and Aphra wants to be a model. They enter a competition in ‘Real Girl’ magazine for a fashion shoot at their school. Life is wonderful. But the letterbook also is a place for secrets, some unspoken. Mimi’s widowed mother is seeing someone and it seems to be moving way too fast. Aphra’s sister is getting married and the house is overwhelmed by wedding fever. The more they tell each other, the more secrets there seem to be.

Passion for Fashion is the second book in the Letterbook series from Ellie Royce and ABC Books. The cover art is bright and funky with photos of the girls and doodles and more. The idea of a letterbook begins with two 13 year old girls just wanting to keep in touch. But although the title alludes to teenage girls’ love of fashion, there are much deeper issues explored as well. Mimi and Aphra have very different family experiences. Mimi is an only child and lives with her widowed mother. Aphra has three sisters and one brother and is part of a traditional Greek family. The letterbook helps both girls work through the daily dramas of life and strengthens a relationship that helps both girls keep perspective. They begin to look at boys differently, experience responsibility, body image, explore new paths (not always successfully). Ellie Royce has produced another very readable, fast-moving story that sympathetically examines big and small issues that affect young teenage girls. Recommended for upper-primary readers.

Passion for Fashion, Ellie Royce
ABC Books,2008
ISBN: 9780733324864

The Greatest Sheep in History, by Frances Watt

Ernie Eggers hurried along High Street on Thursday afternoon, his bright green cape billowing behind him. When he heard the clock on Baxter town hall strike four, he gave a sigh of relief. Phew! He’d been worried that he’d be late.
Further up the street, he could see his sidekick, Maud, already waiting outside number 32, the headquarters of the Superheroes Society (Baxter Branch).

There is to be a National Superheroes Conference and all the members of the Baxter Branch of the Superheroes Society are going. Ernie and Maud are particularly excited as this will be their first conference. The conference is all they expect and more, full of glittering superheroes and their fascinating sidekicks. It’s all so glamourous that Maud begins to feel a little insignificant. Then the conference is invaded by a very large chicken, who steals speakers notes and generally terrorises the gathering. Add a television super superhero and a bright red balloon and maybe it will Ernie and Maud’s chance to shine.

The Greatest Sheep in History is the third instalment in the series featuring these fledgling superheroes. Each title blends reality and imagination in a giggle-full adventure. Ernie and Maud are superheroes blessed with innocence and bravery in equal measures. They breathe fresh life into the slightly-jaded world of the Baxter Branch of the Superhero Society. The adventure is told in third person, from Ernie’s perspective. Ernie’s narration allows the reader to experience his world but also sometimes to see beyond his interpretation. Ernie and Maud are friendly and accessible heroes and demonstrate that sometimes bravery comes from the most unexpected actions. Very funny. Judy Watson’s black and white illustrations enhance and extend almost every opening. Recommended for middle primary readers.

The Greatest Sheep in History , Frances Watt ill Judy Watson
ABC Books 2009
ISBN:9780733323065

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

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

The ABC Book of Lullabies

Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

The ABC Book of Lullabies is a collection of lullabies, some familiar, some less so. Some contain extra verses that are less well known. But these lullabies have been gathered to showcase the work of some popular Australia’s children’s illustrators. There are thirteen double spreads and each features a lullaby illustrated by a different illustrator. Styles vary from realistic to fantasy, from watercolour to Photoshop. Many depict night-time scenes, but others, like Tamsin Ainslie’s illustration for ‘Lavender’s Blue’ depict an imaginary garden that is part collage. Lullabies like ‘Lavender’s Blue’ show that it’s sometimes less the words that count than the mood of the singer/singing. Emma Quay’s illustrations for ‘The Man in the Moon’ also grace the cover.

Books like The ABC Book of Lullabies are produced for two audiences simultaneously: the child who focuses on the images as the words are read to them and the adult (usually) who is reading. Each will take different things from the reading. An adult may well be interested in the differences between the images and the differing styles of each illustrator. Short bios, including sketches and photos are included in the final pages for those readers. Each illustrator shares a little about what they do and why, and why they’ve chosen the particular lullaby. Children will enjoy this collection whatever time they read or are read to, but it does make a lovely bedtime collection. For adults, The ABC Book of Lullabies is a bit like a sampler, introducing the work of some of Australia’s most talented illustrators. Or perhaps an illustrators’ version of a anthology. Recommended for 3-6 year olds and adults who love illustration.

The ABC Book of Lullabies, various illustrators
ABC Books 2008
ISBN: 9780733323621

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

The Case of the Diamond Shadow, by Sophie Masson

Friends Daisy Miller and George Dale live in Thornton, a village in the English countryside. Both long for a more exciting life. First Daisy secures a post with a rich and eccentric Australian woman, Mrs Peabody and moves to London, then George seizes his opportunity too. Daisy finds her new duties allow her ample time to get to know London. She also spends time with dashing and attentive young Frenchman, Victor. She is quite entranced by all the perks of her new life, including the chance to meet famous people like movie star, Olivia Marlow. But who is ‘The Shadow’, who sends cards to his intended victims detailing the time and location he intends to rob them? Both Daisy and George, helped and hindered by their employers find themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery. Sitting at home in their quiet English village, they had never have imagined quite such an exciting life!

The Case of the Diamond Shadow is a fast-paced, compelling mystery, set mostly in London of the 1930’s. Teenagers Daisy and George are good friends, with just a frisson of more hinted at (at least on George’s part). Both are employees of Miss Grantley’s Typing Bureau. Daisy is bright and enthusiastic and a fan of the movies. She is eager to sample life. George is painted as responsible and reliable, although a passionate fan of a famous detective and the books he writes about his cases. The action quickly moves away from their quiet home town, to the bustle and excitement of a posh London hotel. The narrative alternates between the two main characters, both told in third person. Styled like an Agatha Christie story, The Case of the Diamond Shadow is a twisting-turning-twisting mystery, with plenty of subtle humour. Recommended for 12+ readers.

The Case of the Diamond Shadow, Sophie Masson
ABC Books 2008
ISBN: 9780733323300

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

Christmas With the Wiggles

Christmas is almost here, and in the Wiggle House Murray, Sam, Jeff and Anthony are busy decorating the tree and wrapping presents. As their friends arrive to help, the fun really starts.

Sure to please young Wiggle fans, this little book shows the Wiggles dong things kids will relate to – decorating the tree, counting down the sleeps until Christmas, and even poking at presents to guess what’s in them. There are also more Wiggly type activities, such as performing at carols in the park, and Jeff falling asleep. The illustrations are bright and the text is simple. No surpises here – just more of the Wiggly formula which young fans enjoy.

Christmas With the Wiggles
ABC Books, 2008

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