Tag: abc books

Hoosh! by Janeen Brian

They are as tall as doorways and weigh around 450 kilograms.
They have two sets of long, curly eyelashes and extra inner eyelids to see through during sandstorms.
They are smelly and flies love them.
They can drink about 100 litres of water in a couple of minutes.

Camels are not native to Australia, yet they have played a very important role in our nation’s history since first being introduced in 1840. They have carried explorers, moved freight across the country, and played an essential role in massive construction projects such as the Rabbit-Proof Fence and the Canning Stock Route.

In Hoosh! Camels in Australia, author Janeen Brian provides a comprehensive study of camels, focussing on their role in Australia. From their evolution and physiology, to their introduction into Australia, their roles in Australia’s history, and a discussion of their current and future role.

Brian uses accessible language and her comprehensive research into the subject is evident – this is no lightweight treatment of the subject. The text is complemented by colour and black-and-white photographs, maps and sketches, providing a visually pleasing presentation, which kids will be drawn to – especially captivated by the cover photograph of the camel’s face, his mouth and nose shown in close-up detail.

This is an outstanding nonfiction offering.

Hoosh! Camels in Australia, by Janeen Brian
ABC Books, 2005

By Jingo! by Janeen Brian

Few adults would dispute the value of alphabet books in presenting the letters of the alphabet and basic words to young children, but the challenge is always to take the book beyond a bland instructional tool and into something which will actually engage youngsters’ attention. If kids enjoy what they are reading (or listening to) then they are far more likely to absorb the intended lessons.

In By Jingo, author Janeen Brian manages to achieve this balance by presenting the alphabet lesson through a series of verses, one for each letter of the alphabet. Instead of just being told, for example, that G is for giraffe, youngsters can enjoy the following poem:

Giraffe
is made up
of five long stalks,
one for his neck
and
four
for his walks!

The accompanying illustrations, by the talented Dee Huxley, are full of colour and humour, again drawing children into the text.

Children will love the rhymes, the humour and the vibrant chalk-pastel illustrations so much that they won’t realise they are also learning. Teachers and parents will find the book a delightful way to teach children letters and sounds.

Superb.

By Jingo!, by Janeen Brian and Dee Huxley
ABC Books, 2005

Wishbone, by Janeen Brian

Henry wanted a dog…a little rough-and-tumble dog with feathery ears…Or a happy-go-lucky dog that splashed in puddles…Or a roly-poly dog that loved to have its tummy tickled.

All Henry wants is a dog, but Henry’s mum says that it isn’t possible. So Henry has to content himself with playing with the dog next door, Wagger. One day Wagger presents Henry with a bone, and soon Henry has an idea. He plants the bone just like his mum plants her bean seeds – and makes a wish.

When a little dog turns up on Henry’s back doorstep he learns that sometimes wishes do come true.

Wishbone is a cute doggy story filled with both the real dogs and those of Henry’s imagination, brought to life in the watercolour illustrations by Kilmeny Niland..

Youngsters will love the dogs and the whimsy of this story, and, of course, the happy ending.

Very cute.

Wishbone, by Janeen Brian and Kilmeny Niland
ABC Books, 2002

The Perfect Princess & the Bog Monster

This book is a worthy demonstration of the importance for children to learn how to read and write. These children are the real ‘ambassadors’ for the fight against illiteracy. They show us all what literacy can bring to life–stories full of joy, wit and love.

When the world celebrated the two hundredth birthday of storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, Australia’s ABC television decided to hold a competition for young writers. Over 4000 children from around Australia submitted their stories. The Perfect Princess & the Bog Monster is a collection of the twenty short listed entries, including the winning tale, The Perfect Princess.

This is an excellent collection, with entries from children aged as young as seven showing the depth of writing talent among Australian children. A great read for children, to show them what other kids are achieving and to inspire them to write their own stories, this is also a humbling read for an adult storyteller.

Mitch Vane’s comic illustrations are a perfect complement and do not overshadow the wonderful work of the talented contributors.

The Perfect Princess & the Bog Monster, edited by Jody Lee
ABC Books, 2005

Double Cross, by Greg Pyers

Things were bad. The gravel was racing by in a blur only centimetres under my backside, while the wheels blasted me with sand and grit. The tractor was bouncing on its suspension, and me with it, like it was actually trying to shake me off. A big enough bump and I’d hit the road. I didn’t care who was driving. I just wanted to stop!

For Carly, a world where thylacines once again roam free and cows can produce strawberry milk is normal. It is, after all, 2032 and genetic manipulation is used to produce whatever people want. But when Carly meets Ace, a teenage fugitive, she quickly sees the other, darker side of this new world. Soon, Carly and Ace are on the run, running from something Carly cannot begin to understand.

Double Cross is a chillingly dark adventure set in a not so distant future and exploring a possible future created by advances in genetic technology. Award-winning author Greg Pyers presents twists and turns which have the reader guessing and being surprised right to the final page.

Suitable for readers aged 12 and over.

Double Cross, by Greg Pyers
ABC Books, 2005

101 Great Killer Creatures, by Paul Holper & Simon Torok

Which is most deadly – a lion or a flea? If you answered lion, you might be right, on a case- by-case basis. Most of us would rather meet a flea than a wild lion. But in fact, fleas have caused more human deaths than any large animal. This tiny insect is the transmitter of disease – and in the year 542, it spread the plague so widely that an estimated 40 million people died.

The flea is just one of the many dangerous animals discussed in this non-fiction offering aimed at fact-mad young readers. From the ocean to the jungle, and even back in time, 101 Great Killer Creatures explores the facts and myths that surround all kinds of animals.

The small, fairly dense text of the book is still highly readable. Authors Paul Holper and Simon Torok, both employees of the CSIRO, use a conversational style to convey information simply and with humour. The use of cartoons and anecdotes adds to its readability.

A fun read for ages 8-12.

101 Great Killer Creatures, by Paul Holper & Simon Torok
ABC Books, 2005

Whose Poo? by Jeannette Rowe

Parents who have older children may look at the title of this book and wonder if there is a need for yet another poo book. But those who are familiar with Jeannette Rowe’s other Whose books (including Whose ears? and Whose feet?) will be tempted to look at this one, too, and won’t be disappointed.

There is not a sign of any ‘real’ poo in this one – which is a relief in an illustrated book – with the poo instead being humorous and unexpected. Robot’s poo, for example, is nuts and bolts, whilst rocking horse’s poo is wood shavings. The final picture has a potty-training message with a child pointing into a potty and saying ‘my poo’.

Kids will love the humour and the lift the flap format, while adults will like the simple message about potty training – that it is fun.

Very cute.

Whose poo? by Jeannette Rowe
ABC Books, 2005

Totally Awesome! Weird! Cool! by Moya Simons

When Winnie’s dad tells her she is part-alien, she doesn’t really believe him. So when her cousin Lena come to stay, Winnie is amazed to realise that Lena can read her mind. When Lena starts flying, too, Winnie wonders if it’s possible that Dad’s story could be true.

Totally Awesome is the first of three stories in this volume, each previously published as single titles. With different child characters in each, the common thread is the subject matter – all deal with alien encounters – and the humour. The second story, Totally Weird sees Mop beamed up into an aliens hip – and rejected because she’s too smelly – whilst the third title, Totally Cool sees two spacemen attending a fancy dress party. Children will love the silliness of all of these stories and the humour of the cartoon-style illustrations of David Cox.

Suitable for children aged 8 to 12, thi is a totally fun offering.

Totally Awesome! Weird! Cool!, by Moya Simons
ABC Books, 2005

Amazing Science, by Simon Torok & Paul Holper

 

• Have you heard about the turtle that breathes through its bottom?

• Did you know that your toilet seat is probably more hygienic than you kitchen chopping board?

• How do you drop an uncooked egg 10 metres without breaking it?

The answers to these questions and many more bizarre, baffling and simply amazing pieces of information can be found in this volume.

This new edition is actually a bind-up of four smaller, earlier titles – Weird! Amazing Inventions & Wacky Science, Whiz! Maths & Science Puzzles, Zap! Science Experiments and Wow! Science Facts & Trivia – and as such features a range of activities and facts, presented in a fun, easy to follow format, which will keep young scientist entertained for hours and interest children who think they aren’t ‘in’ to science.

The authors, Dr Simon Torok and Paul Holper both work for the CSIRO and have backgrounds working with kids, so are well-equipped to present such a book. The illustrations, by Stephen Axelsen, add to the entertainment.

An excellent read for kids aged 8-12 and for classroom and library collections.

Amazing Science! by Paul Holper and Simon Torok
ABC Books, 2005

The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry

At Henry’s house there are funny little noises coming from the bathroom.
Toot…squeak…toot!
Henry’s mum says, ‘He’s so musical!’
Henry is slowly climbing the ladder of notes on his little plastic recorder.

Learning the recorder, going to the movies, having sleepovers with friends; these are just some of the familiar childhood experiences told in the charmingly simple stories which make up The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry.

These slice-of-life stories are each self contained and fully illustrated with author-illustrator’s Bob Graham recognisable brand of humorous detail. Each story is self-contained and comprises about six pages, with short text and lots of illustrations in full colour, with most pages having two illustrations with text beneath each.

This format would suit reading aloud as bedtime stories or independent reading by 6 and 7 year olds.

Very cute.

The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry, by Bob Graham
ABC Books, 2005