abc books – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

The King's Fool, by Amanda Holohan

‘Foolish boy!’ Jurd cursed. ‘He has no idea what he has got himself involved in, or where he may end up!’
‘We’re the ones who got him involved,’ Perry said. ‘We have to go after him.’
‘Come on, girl,’ Jurd took her hand, led her forward and they stepped hand in hand into the tunnel of lights. The lights winked once, twice and the tunnel disappeared. The room was empty.

All Perry wants is to be normal, for once in her life. But her guardian, Jurd, has her living a strange existence, moving constantly, changing schools, and training ceaselessly in self-defence. And then the terrifying Collector of Children appears in the little town of Trucel and Perry’s life is changed forever. The Collector is looking for Perry, but while he’s in town, is attracted to the little sister of Perry’s friend Rowland.

Perry finds herself back in the land of her birth, a land where everything is overshadowed by the presence of the collector. She becomes the unwilling apprentice to the King’s Fool, but soon learns that her role is to be something much more –s he is the champion who is supposed to defeat the Collector of Children.

The King’s Fool is a riveting fantasy novel for young adult readers. Perry is a likeable main character who faces the challenges life deals her with termination and some humour. She is an unwitting hero, but manages to find the strength to deal with life-threatening situations and many blows. This would appear to be the first book in the Perry Brightfield Chronicles as the book is badged, though there is no indication whether further titles will be available.

The Perry Brightfield Chronicles: The King’s Fool, by Amanda Holohan
ABC Books, 2006

Five Minutes More, By Jan Page and Mellie Buse

It’s time for a story
So STAY,
For five minutes more.

Regular watches of ABC television’s children’s line-up will know the tune for the Five Minutes More series, and have seen the soft toy characters acting out their stories in the play room. Now two of the stories from the series are available in print format, in small hard cover books using still images direct from the show.

In Little Gnome, Louisa tells the story of a Fairy King and Queen who argue constantly about which of them is the most important, until a visiting gnome proves that he is important – and teaches them a lesson that perhaps everyone is important.

In Neptune’s Visit it is Georgie’s turn to tell the story, and she tells about an impending visit from King Neptune. The sea creatures are all busy preparing, practising their special skills to show the King – but Morva the mermaid is worried that she has no special ability. When she realises she has a beautiful singing voice, she also realises that everybody is good at something – even if some gifts are harder to see than others.

These two books, and the television series they are based on, attempt to focus on storytelling rather than special effects. They use the same group of characters to narrate and enact the stories, so that the focus is mainly on the story and its message. Children will enjoy seeing the television series in a book format and adults will enjoy the positive messages each story portrays.

Five Minutes More: Neptune’s Visit and Little Gnome Upon the Wall, by Jan Page and Mellie Buse
ABC Books, 2007

The Fairy Alphabet

A is for alphabet,
A leads on to B
B is for Barnaby,
the Bizzy Buzzy Bee

So begins this cutesy alphabet book, featuring the characters from ABC television’s The Fairies. With a combination of photography and full colour illustration, simple rhyming text and lots of sparkles, the book is aimed squarely at the under-fives, especially little girls.

Whilst the rhyming pattern is a little inconsistent – in the latter pages it almost disappears, with ‘bright’ rhymed with ‘ripe’ and ‘tot’ with ‘drops’ – the book is sure to sell well in the gift market and appeal to young fairy fanatics.

The Fairy Alphabet, The Fairies
ABC Books, 2007

A Book for Kids, by CJ Dennis

First published in 1921, C. J. Dennis’ A Book for Kidswas dedicated to ‘good children over four and under eighty four’ and continues to offer much for children of all ages. This audiobook version, read by well known Aussie actor Colin Friels, brings the familiar stories and poems from this long-enjoyed book to life.

Including well known and loved verses such as Hist!, The Triantiwontigongolope and Our Cow as well as the familiar series of poems about various occupations including The Teacher, The Sailor and The Baker, kids and adults alike will laugh aloud, whether the poems are new to them or already familiar.

This would be a valuable addition to classroom collections, but will be equally enjoyed for private listening.

A Book for Kids, by C. J. Dennis, read by Colin Friels
ABC Audiobooks, 2006

Audiobook Review: Life's Like a Crocodile, by Rolf Heimann

What if a snail decided to seek a starring role on television – in a snail pellet advertisement? Or what if a cabbage managed to trick a rabbit into not eating it for dinner? This collection of stories by funny Australian author Rolf Heimann tells these tales and more, in a fun offering for children aged 7 to 10.

Read in this audiobook version by Anna Steen, the eighteen stories are each brief (the longest takes 7 minutes but most are less than 4), making them suitable for short listening spells of one story at a time, although they are just as appropriate for listening to in a longer sitting of several stories.

This would be a wonderful offering for the classroom, but will be enjoyed for private listening, too.

Life’s Like a Crocodile, by Rolf Heimann, read by Anna Steen
ABC Audio, 2006

You can buy this CD online at Fishpond.

Audiobook Review: Don't Pat the Wombat! by Elizabeth Honey

When grade six gets to go on a camp to a pioneering village, Mark and his mates are rapt. No school and no parents for a whole week. But, best of all, they get to escape from the teacher they call the Bomb, who has it in for Jonah, one of Mark’s mates. But when one of the teachers on camp falls ill, guess who they send as replacement? With the Bomb there, the whole camp could be ruined.

Don’t Pat the Wombat is a fun story which deals with serious issues of friendship, victimisation and adult alcoholism, but in author Elizabeth Honey’s hands, these serious issues are dealt with using humour and loads of interest, to engage readers without trivialising the issues.

This audio book version is read by Damon Herriman, whose reading brings the first person narration of Mark to life, and gives life to the character and his tale.

Good stuff.

Don’t Pat the Wombat!, text by Elizabeth Honey, reading by Damon Herriman
ABC Audio, 2006

Go to Sleep, Jeff!

Oh no! Jeff is having a very unusual problem. He can’t seem to fall asleep! Night after night, the other Wiggles give Jeff ideas to help him catch some ZZZs, but nothing works.

Jeff Wiggle is known for his regular naps – he even falls asleep during concerts – so when he can’t sleep, everyone is concerned. The other Wiggles make some suggestions – Jeff should count sheep, or do star jumps, or drink warm milk before he goes to bed. But none of these ideas work. Then Captain Feathersword has a suggestion. The other Wiggles should write a special lullaby for Jeff. When they do this, and sing to Jeff when he goes to bed, he sleeps through the night.

Go To Sleep Jeff is a bedtime story for young Wiggles fans and comes complete with a CD recording of Jeff reading the story, and two original lullabies sung by the Wiggles. Youngsters seem to love anything and everything Wiggles, and this one should be no less popular.

The Wiggles: Go to Sleep, Jeff
ABC Books, 2007

You can buy this book online at Fishpond

Audio Book Review: The Rainbow Wand, by Emily Rodda

Jessie’s heart lurched. She remembered Tasha’s silver fairy wings. Her grandmother’s voice echoed in her mind.
‘There are Doors to the Realm all over the world, Jessie. But only people who believe in magic can find them.’
“Tasha found the Door!” Jessie heard herself saying. “She’s gone into the Realm!”

Jessie has always enjoyed her adventures in the Fairy Realm, travelling through the door at the bottom of her grandmother’s garden, but when another human child, four year old Tasha, accidentally enters the Realm, Jessie knows she could be in trouble. She must find Tasha and return her home before anything goes wrong.

Meanwhile, she must also stop her sticky beak next door neighbour, Mrs Tweedie, from finding out too much about the Realm. Has Mrs Tweedie sent Tasha in deliberately and what can Jessie do about it?

The Rainbow Wand is the fourth and final title in the second series of the Fairy Realm series. There are plenty of fairies and other magical creatures, as well as adventure and mystery. This audio book version is beautifully read by Lucy Bell. This is a story well suited to reading aloud and with a running time of just under two hours would suit a car trip or plane journey.

Lovely.

Fairy Realm: The Rainbow Wand, by Emily Rodda, read by Lucy Bell
ABC Audio, 2006

Bob the Builder and the Elves, by Emily Rodda

One Thursday morning, Bob woke up and went downstairs as usual. He knew at once that something was wrong. Someone had cleaned his kitchen. Nothing looked the same. Even the kettle. Someone had washed the windows…And on the table, instead of the Cornflakes pack, was a dainty plate of fairy bread and a flower in a vase.

Bob the builder is a very happy man who lives alone and is happy that way. But one morning he wakes up to find that his house has been infested with elves. Now everything is clean and shiny and Bob has to go to work with his boots and hard hat polished and fairy bread in his lunch box. Bob needs to get rid of the elves before his mates come around to play cards in Saturday night. But how?

This is a humorous offering for younger readers, with delightfully funny illustrations by the talented Craig Smith. Since its was first published in 1998 it has been reprinted 6 times (this latest edition with anew cover) and has won a swag of awards, including being named a Children’s Book Council Honour Book.

Good stuff.

Bob the Builder and the Elves, by Emily Rodda, illustrated by Craig Smith
First published 1998
This edition ABC Books, 2006

The Rainbow Wand, by Emily Rodda

essie’s heart lurched. She remembered Tasha’s silver fairy wings. Her grandmother’s voice echoed in her mind.
‘There are Doors to the Realm all over the world, Jessie. But only people who believe in magic can find them.’
“Tasha found the Door!” Jessie heard herself saying. “She’s gone into the Realm!”

Meanwhile, she must also stop her sticky beak next door neighbour, Mrs Tweedie, from finding out too much about the Realm. Has Mrs Tweedie sent Tasha in deliberately and what can Jessie do about it?

The Rainbow Wand is the fourth and final title in the second series of the Fairy Realm series. There are plenty of fairies and other magical creatures, as well as adventure and mystery. Young readers will also enjoy the hard back format and beautiful fairy illustrations. This is an excellent series for girls aged 8 to 10, and maybe a little older, and is also suited to reading aloud.

Fairy Realm: The Rainbow Wand, by Emily Rodda
ABC Books, 2006