The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjery Williams Bianco ill Helene Magisson

There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming.

There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; his coat was spotted brown and white, he had real thread whiskers, and his ears were lined with pink sateen. On Christmas morning, when he sat wedged in the top of the Boy’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between his paws, the effect was charming.

The rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbitis a Christmas gift to a young boy. Although the Boy has many toys, he comes to love the Rabbit and for a long time they are close companions. Another toy in the nursery, the Skin Horse, tells the Rabbit that if a child really loves you, for a long time, then you become Real. The Rabbit longs to become Real, but there are many twists and turns along the path he wants to travel. Illustrations are in gentle blues and greens, lyrical and lovely. Endpapers offer two views of an empty toy room a

The Velveteen Rabbitwas first published in 1922 and has been a favourite of many young and old. This beautiful edition of the story about the magic of love is sure to win a new generation of fans. Readers will enjoy their visit to a different time, and empathise with the longings of a loved companion. Observant readers may also find extra details in the endpapers. Recommended for pre- and early schoolers.

 

The Velveteen Rabbit, Marjery Williams Bianco ill Helene Magisson New Frontier Publishing 2015 ISBN: 9781925059304

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Little Fairy Sister, by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbry Outhwaite

“Nancy!” said Bridget suddenly, and as she said she sat bolt upright. Her eyes had been closed the moment before, and when she had opened them she had seen a most exquisitely-dressed little girl standing by the hammock on tip-toe looking down upon her. It was extraordinary, but she was sure, perfectly certain, it must have been Nancy.

Once Bridget had a sister. But when they were very young, Nancy ailed, and, Bridget’s mother tells her, went back to live in the Country of Fairies. Bridget loves this story and longs to meet her sister and visit the land of fairies. One magical afternoon Nancy comes to visit and takes her on an adventure with the fairies.

The Little Fairy Sister is a classic children’s book, newly re-released by the National Library of Australia from an early edition of the book. Whilst the story may not be known to all readers, many will be visually familiar with Ida Rentoul Outhwaite’s fairy paintings which have been used in books, on murals, in advertising materials and on galleries since the 1920s.

Whilst the story may be a little dated – particularly the euphemistic handling of the death of a sibling – it is also both charming and enlightening as a sample of the literature of its time. Outhwaite’s illustrations are reproduced in a mixture of full colour and black and white, and the book is a sturdy hardcover with colour slip case. An enchanting offering for the lover of fairies, art and classic children’s books.

 

The Little Fairy Sister

The Little Fairy Sister, by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite and Grenbry Outhwaite
This edition NLA, 2013
ISBN 9780642277725

Available from good bookstores or online.

Ducky’s Nest by Gillian Rubinstein ill Terry Denton

When Claudie’s mum went to hospital to have the new baby, Nana came to stay with Claudie.

Nana looked after Claudie very well but she didn’t know much about Ducky. Ducky was Claudie’s special toy. She carried him around all day and at bedtime she made a little nest with her arms and Ducky slept in it.

When Claudie’s mum went to hospital to have the new baby, Nana came to stay with Claudie.

Nana looked after Claudie very well but she didn’t know much about Ducky. Ducky was Claudie’s special toy. She carried him around all day and at bedtime she made a little nest with her arms and Ducky slept in it.

Ducky’s Nest tells the story of what happens when Ducky is inadvertently left at the park after a walk with Claudie and Nana. But it begins before that, with Mum going off to hospital to have a baby. Nana can do most things, but because she’s not Mum, Ducky spends a night in the park. While Claudie and Nana go home, Ducky is cared for by the residents of the park. They try their best to find his home, but his descriptions evoke other houses, other homes, other nests, other locations around the city. Finally, he sleeps in a nest made by the wild ducks at the park. It is there he is found next morning by Claudie. By this time, the family has altered forever with the arrival of the new baby. Illustrations are in pen, ink and watercolour.

Ducky’s Nest was first published in 1999 and is reproduced here in paperback with end notes by original publisher Mark McLeod. Also here are bios and comments from Gillian Rubenstein and Terry Denton. Ducky’s Nest is a story within a story. Claudie has been an only child and now is to have a new sibling, with all the changes that entails. Ducky, who has nested nightly in Claudie’s arm spends a night with the caring wild ducks, seeing for the first time, a much bigger world than he’s previously known. The link is the nest. Melbourne-dwellers will recognise much of the landscape Ducky experiences. Very subtly, the reader is introduced and supported through the changes that a new baby can bring. The trauma of separation is ameliorated by the support of other ‘family’, until they are reunited in their new configuration. Along the way, there are lovely interpretations of the way others may see what we describe. A lovely picture book, back in print. Recommended for pre-school and early years readers.

Ducky's Nest (Walker Classics)

Ducky’s Nest , Gillian Rubinstein ill Terry Denton Walker Books Australia 2013 ISBN: 9781922077721

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

“A true Englishman doesn’t joke when he is talking about so serious a thing as a wager,’ replied Phileas Fogg, solemnly. I will bet twenty thousand pounds against anyone who wishes, that I will make the tour of the world in eighty days or less.’

It’s not often a book so obviously not set in Australia, or featuring any Australians, is reviewed here on Aussiereviews, but when the illustrator is one of Australia’s best, the review is more than warranted. Around the World in Eighty Days is the latest in a wonderful series of classic books brought to life in the wonderful illustrative work of Robert Ingpen.

These are the sort of books which make a book lover’s heart swell just to hold – hard cover, sumptuously illustrated, gorgeous cover, jacket, endpapers…in short, pure bliss.

At the same time, the opportunity to discover, or rediscover, the Jules Verne classic story is also a treat. I thought I knew it, but knew only the bare bones – and, perhaps like many other readers, was surprised to realise there was no balloon travel involved in the story!

Text and illustrations combine to transport the reader back to 1872 on a journey of wonderful imagination.

Suitable for readers of all ages.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
Walker Books 2012
ISBN

Available from good bookstores and online.

Tom Sawyer, illustrated by Robert Ingpen

On an Australian-focussed website such as this one it is not often that you’ll find a review for an iconic American novel. However, whilst The Adventures of Tom Sawyeris just that, this particular edition of the book has been illustrated by one of Australia’s foremost illustrators, Robert Ingpen.

This sumptuous hard cover offering presents the original text with seventy delightful coloured illustrations as well as beautiful end papers and slip cover.

With thick parchment paper, and the aforementioned illustrations which are simply breath taking, this is an offering for collectors, and would make a beautiful gift, yet is also something kids would love to own.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
Walker Books, 2010

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

Norah of Billabong, by Mary Grant Bruce

Reviewed by Tash Hughe

Norah of Billabongis the third in a series of fifteen books about Norah Linton and her family on their station, Billabong. The series was very popular with girls as they were printed, and has touched generations of Australians and others. Billabong is an isolated cattle station in Northern Victoria in the early 1900s. Having never known her Mother, Norah lives with her Father, David, elder brother, Jim, and their friend, Wally Meadows.

This book opens with the closing of Norah’s first year at school. Although Bruce takes care not to portray school in very negative terms, it is clear that Norah longs for the bush, the cattle station and her Father.

For the first time, Norah develops a female friendship in the form of Jean Yorke. Jean’s family is in New Zealand so she spends the summer at Billabong with the Lintons and Wally.

Before leaving the city, David Linton treats them to a pantomime and dinner, which greatly excites the country-bred children. The morning is spent doing Christmas shopping and a charitable visit to a children’s hospital. As usual, Bruce introduces her characters to the “right thing” without moralizing about it to her readers.

Back at the station, the children settle into horse riding, mustering, working and playing. Their lives are interrupted by Wally’s misadventure with a snake and a lazy station hand.

The disgruntled station hand was dismissed, but, in a drunken state, took his revenge by starting a bushfire on the station. No lives were lost, but the house was uninhabitable for a while so David took the children on a horseback holiday. Their holiday adventures complete the book.

Norah of Billabong, by Mary Grant Bruce
Ward, Lock & Co, 1913

About the Reviewer: Tash has always been an avid reader, which has lead her to running her own writing business. Melbourne born and bred Tash is proud to be an Australian and be Mum to two beautiful little girls. To learn more about Tash and her writing, visit Wordconstructions

A Little Bush Maid, by Mary Grant Bruce

Reviewed by Tash Hughes
Eleven year-old Norah Linton lives on an isolated cattle station in Northern Victoria in the early 1900s. Having never known her Mother, she lives with her Father, David, and elder brother, Jim.

After introducing Norah and her life, A Little Bush Maid tells the story of Jim’s return from his first term at boarding school in Melbourne. Jim brings along two mates, Wally Meadows and Harry Trevor, and the four youngsters enjoy the Easter holidays together.

The four children entertain themselves riding horses, going on picnics and running a menagerie race in the home paddock. They also cheerfully take care of their pets and various jobs around the station. All four, although the eldest is only fifteen, have a great sense of maturity and a desire to “do the right thing”; although they also have a certain naiveté compared to their twenty-first century contemporaries.

One morning, the foursome goes on a fishing expedition, accompanied by the aboriginal station hand, Billy. Billy is a pleasant character although somewhat patronized, as was the norm in those times; he is patronized, but at the same time, he is treated as human and respected by the family.

Norah gets bored of fishing and the boys’ talk, so she walks into the bush alone. Unexpectedly, she stumbles across a clearing where a man has set up camp. The man is equally surprised to see Norah, but is very polite and friendly to her. The Hermit, as Norah labels him, joins them for lunch and more fishing.

David has been called to Sydney before they return to the station and doesn’t return until after the boys return to school. The hermit isn’t mentioned again until Norah hears of an escaped criminal and wonders if the two are the same.

A few unexpected twists and the hermit’s identity is revealed at the end of the book.

This book was published nearly one hundred years ago, so it tells of a simpler time in rural Australia. Without being moralistic, it teaches children the virtues of hard work, helping others and treating others with respect and compassion. The adventures are no less exciting for lacking violence, bad language and sex, and the story shows one aspect of the Australian heritage in an easy to read format.

A Little Bush Maid is the first in a series of fifteen books about Norah and her family on their station, Billabong. The series was very popular with girls as they were printed, and has touched generations of Australians and others.

A Little Bush Maid,by Mary Grant Bruce
First Published in 1910 by Ward, Lock & Co
Current edition published by Harper Collins

About the Reviewer: Tash has always been an avid reader, which has lead her to running her own writing business. Melbourne born and bred Tash is proud to be an Australian and be Mum to two beautiful little girls. To learn more about Tash and her writing, visit Wordconstructions