Tag: craig smith

The Big Ball of String, by Ross Mueller, illustrated by Craig Smith

George wanted to play soccer.
But he didn’t have a soccer ball to kick.
All he had was a big ball of string.
George decided he could use his big ball of string for a game of soccer.

So begins this delightful story of a little boy with a big imagination. Sent to play outside, George takes his ball of string to the park, where he kicks it and kicks it round and round. George doesn’t notice what the reader does – that the string is unravelling – until, having kicked the ball all the way home, he suddenly realises it is gone. Spying a piece of string, he starts to wind it and wind it – all the way back to the park, where he suddenly realises that the ball of string is in his hand.

This cute story will tickle young imaginations as they watch the ball of string unravel wherever George goes and see his astonishment when it reappears. They will love the illustrations of Craig Smith – from endpapers with squiggles of green string to the curious birds who watch George’s comings and goings, and, of course, George himself with delightfully baggy short-alls and a grin that shows his simple joy.

This is a delightful read aloud title – the repetition and rhythm make it both easy and fun to read and encourages children to join in.

Gorgeous.

The Big Ball of String, by Ross Mueller and Craig Smith
Allen & Unwin, 2004

Just You Wait, by Megan de Kantzow

On the first day of school Prince Roderick pulls the ribbon from Eleanor True’s long hair and tells her she has to do what he says. On the second day he throws her precious ball into the forest of thorns. Each day after that he has some new torture – throwing her tiara into the mud, locking her in the Dark Tower and more. As the list of insults and taunts grows, Eleanor True can do nothing but glare at the Prince and warn “Just you wait!” On the sixth day of school, however, things change. Prince Roderick chases Eleanor through the castle and finally lassoes her. But this time, Eleanor has a chance to put her threats into action. She kisses the unsuspecting Prince and he turns into a frog!

Just You Wait is a comical picture book which will appeal to children of all ages – from toddlers through to upper primary. Younger kids will love ths story and the surprise, humorous ending, while older children will love the cartoon-like illustrations of the talented Craig Smith and will have fun identifying the elements of familiar fairy tales, both in the text and the illustrations.

This is a hilarious read, great for home, but also wonderful for the classroom.

Just You Wait! by Megan de Kantzow and Craig Smith
Omnibus, 2004

The Fairy's Wings, by Gillian Rubinstein

Tania has fun building a fairy house underneath the lavender bush. But the next morning, she is surprised to find a pair of tiny wings hanging on the clothesline. Who could they belong to?

Tania’s brother Troy doesn’t believe in fairies – he says the wings must belong to an insect.

But someone is trying to leave messages for Tania. She can’t quite read them but is sure a fairy must be resoonsible. Is the owner of the wings asking for them back?

The Fairy’s Wings is the third book about Tania and Troy, from the talented combination of writer Gillian Rubenstein and illustrator Craig Smith. Full of magic and humour, the story is sure to delight youngsters aged six to nine.

The Fairy’s Wings, by Gillian Rubinstein, Illustrated by Craig smith
Puffin Books 1998

Little Fingers, by David Johnson

Kerry loves to take things apart to see how they work. All of her toys are in pieces, her brother’s radio doesn’t work properly any more, and the television is stuck on one channel.

When Kerry tells her Dad she wants to fix things, just like he does, he gives her a projector to fix. She uses his rules, and a little patience to get the machine going again, just in time to watch an old home movie of her parents wedding on their anniversary.

Little Fingers is a Solo book from Omnibus books,designed to help children make the transition from picture books to novels. Simple yet fun plot lines are supported by ample illustrations to encourage comfort and success.

The illustrations of Craig Smith are, as always, an excellent complement to the text.

A fun story.

Little Fingers by David Johnson, illustrated by Craig Smith.

Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia, 2002

Alan the Alien, by Penny Hall

It’s student exchange time – country kids coming to stay with city kids to experience city life. Clark doesn’t want anyone staying at his house, sharing his room and his things, but Mum thinks it’s a great idea, and signs the form.

When a visitor arrives at their front door the next day, he’s not what anyone expected. He looks kind of different. He tells Clark he’s come from another planet, but Clark isn’t so sure at first. He just wants this strange kid to go away and leave him alone.

But Alan the alien isn’t going away – he’s won a trip to visit Earth and he wants Alan to show him around. When he helps Clark defeat the bullies, Clark realises that having Alan to stay might not be so bad after all. Perhaps he and Alan can become friends.

Alan the Alien, by Penny Hall, is an orange level Tadpole book from Koala Books. Aimed at readers making the transition form picture books to novels, Tadpoles are highly illustrated books well pitched at young readers. The illustrations of Craig Smith complement Hall’s text, adding to the pacing and excitement of the story.

An earlier Tadpole written and illustrated by the duo, Fixing the Tiger was listed as the Children’s Book Council Notable Books. Other titles by Penny Hall include A Knight in Different Armour, Fantastic and Fabulous and Fraidy Cats.

Alan the Alien is a fun read which will be enjoyed by 6 to 10 year old readers.

Alan the Alien, by Penny Hall, illustrated by Craig Smith
Koala Books, 2002.

Intergalactic Heroes, by James Moloney

Joe Spencer is crazy about Space Movies, and spends his days playing space games, especially when his friends Damien and Lizzie come to play. They have a space ship built out of carboard boxes and painted with silver spray paint, and unreal space costumes and together they fight to save the universe from imaginary space creatures. Of course, they never expect to meet any real aliens.

When they find a set of old walkie talkies they try to fix them up to use in their games. But when they jiggle the wires to try to get the walkie talkies working, something strange happens. Suddenly, they can hear voices talking to them. Voices belonging to aliens. Is this some clever trick being played on them or are there really aliens out there needing to be saved and wanting to destroy Earth? Together they must work to save their new alien friends and to save the Earth.

Intergalactic Heroes, by James Moloney, with illustrations by Craig Smith, is a Quick Reads title from Word Weaver Press. Quick Reads are aimed at young reluctant readers, and especially at boys. Intergalatic Heroes meets this brief with face paced action, plenty of humour and enough illustrations to comfort the young reader making the transition from picture books to longer works. Intergalactic Heroes is a fun read for kids aged eight to ten.

Intergalactic Heroes, by James Moloney, illustrated by Craig Smith
A Quick Read from Word Weavers Press, 2002
ISBN 1-877073-01 6