kim gamble – Aussie Reviews

First Day by Margaret Wild, ill Kim Gamble

Before school
Salma gets out the ham, salad and cheese. She’s making her own lunch because her mum is busy with the three little ones. Salma makes the biggest, fattest sandwich ever.
Khalil puts on his shiny new shoes. He is excellent at tying his shoelaces. He can do double bows, even triple bows! He likes tying shoelaces more than anything in the world.

It’s the first day of school for 6 children and the first day back at school for one of the mums. Each child and family is introduced separately, with telling details about their personality and home structure. They travel to school and meet their teacher and the pages are crammed depictions of this first school day and the responses of individuals to the class and to each other. Alex’s dog visits and she has a brilliant idea. When their day is done, the children (and dog) all return home. Watercolour and pencil illustrations begin simply, then as the children move through their day, the images become a combination of group ‘shots’ and vignettes.

‘First Day’ was initially published in 1999, but loses none of its relevance in 2017. The children, from diverse homes, carry all the innocence, anticipation, trepidation and bravery that are displayed in any first day classroom. It’s a delight to see the classroom through the eyes of these young children and to remember that first days don’t ever stop. It’s Alex’s Mum’s first day back at ‘school’ and she carries many of the same emotions and fears as the children – a lovely thing for young children to understand. The illustrations invite empathy and model gentleness. Ideal for use at home and in the classroom. Recommended for pre- and early-schoolers.
First Day, Margaret Wild ill Kim Gamble Allen & Unwin 2017 ISBN: 9781760293918

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller
www.clairesaxby.com

Trouble at Home by Cate Whittle Ill Kim Gamble

Ages and ages ago – about two weeks since next Thursday – a giant green dragon stole my baby brother, Godfrey.

Well, okay, the giant green dragon actually stole the house. Godfrey, who is only almost three, was inside watching TV.

I saw it all happen. An actual eyewitness. From two houses down and across the street. At thirty-two-and-a-half minutes past three o’clock. Exactly.

Gran was minding Godfrey while Mum fetched me – Georgia – and my other brother, Henry, from school. Gran wasn’t in the house when it was stolen though.

Ages and ages ago – about two weeks since next Thursday – a giant green dragon stole my baby brother, Godfrey.

Well, okay, the giant green dragon actually stole the house. Godfrey, who is only almost three, was inside watching TV.

I saw it all happen. An actual eyewitness. From two houses down and across the street. At thirty-two-and-a-half minutes past three o’clock. Exactly.

Gran was minding Godfrey while Mum fetched me – Georgia – and my other brother, Henry, from school. Gran wasn’t in the house when it was stolen though.

Georgia returns home from school one afternoon to witness her house being stolen by a big green dragon. No one else saw it though and she has a struggle to convince them that she knows what has happened. Dad keeps trying to convince the family to look on the bright side, but Mum in particular is finding it difficult to see any positives in losing her baby – and their house. Georgia sees clues everywhere but no one will listen to her. It becomes clear to her that she’s going to have to make plans of her own if her house and her baby brother are to be reunited with the rest of the family. Black and white illustrations begin each chapter and are scattered throughout.

Trouble at Home is the first in a new series of stories from Cate Whittle with illustrations by the late Kim Gamble, with three forthcoming instalments listed in the final pages. At first it’s not apparent whether the dragon is a figment of Georgia’s imagination, but as her investigations progress, it’s evident that this dragon does exist. There are parallels with Anna and Barbara Fienberg’s ‘Tashi’ series, not only because they share an illustrator. There is plenty of deadpan humour as the family dynamics and adventures are reflected through Georgia’s first person perspective. Ideal for the newly-independent reader, chapters are short and there is plenty to giggle at.

Trouble at Home, Cate Whittle ill Kim Gamble
Omnibus Books 2016
ISBN: 9781742990767

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived, by Anna Fienberg

Hector was sad.
He was unbearably, bone-achingly sad.
‘No offence, Minton,’ he said to his salamander, ‘but I would give up my mangoes, my treehouse, even my view of the volcano, just for someone to talk to.’

Hector is the hottest boy who ever lived, which makes it hard for him to be around other people. Only Minton, the fire salamander, can get close to him. But whilst Hector is glad to have Minton, he is still lonely.

When a storm sweeps Hector and Minton away to cold snowy lands, they meet Gilda, a Viking adventurer, who likes Hector’s warmth. Though it takes the other Vikings some time to get know Minton, soon his life has changed for the better.

First published in picture book format, The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived is a gorgeous chapter book showing the strength and the magic of friendship. Illustrated in colour, this is an ideal text for beginning readers, but independent readers will also enjoy the absurdity and gentle humour of the concept.

From the creative team behind the Tashi series, The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived is a heart-warming tale.

The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived , by Anna Fienberg & Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2009

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

Victor's Quest, by Pamela Freeman

“My mother’s sending me on a quest,” Prince Victor said gloomily. He bit into the pumpkin scone Marigold had just handed him. “Mum says if I’m going to take over the queendom from her I have to find myself a princess to marry who’ll show a bit of sense.”

Prince Victor is not very bright and not very happy. His mother, the queen, is sending him on a quest. Fortunately he has a smart horse, Quince, and is armed with some potions made by his friend Marigold. Victor and Quince venture bravely into the Dark Forest of Nevermore, where there is plenty of trouble afoot, and where somebody needs help.

Victor’s Quest is a delightful fantasy book for younger readers. First published in 1996, it has been republished by Walker Books Australia, and is likely to appeal to young readers as much now as it did twelve years ago. As well as adventure, humour and appealing characters, the story is brought to life in grey scale illustrations by Kim Gamble.

A wonderful offering for primary aged readers.

Victor’s Quest, by Pamela Freeman, ill by Kim Gamble
Walker Books, 2008

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

Tashi and the Phoenix, by Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg and Kim Gamble

As I watched, the ash beneath the logs began to stir. Flashes of colour glowed through the grey: red, gold, purple, emerald, like jewels…Something was moving in the embers. A bird with a tail like sunrise. I watched it step right out of the embers and preen itself.

When Tashi’s Uncle lands the family in trouble, Tashi is furious. But when he meets a phoenix, he thinks it might be the answer to the family’s problems. But will the phoenix land the family in more trouble when it escapes?

Tashi and the phoenix is the fifteenth title in the Tashi series, aimed at primary school aged readers. As with its predecessors, it contains a story within a story as the happenings in the boy Jack’s family inspire a story form Tashi about life in his village.

Tashi’s adventures this time around include an encounter with a phoenix and a mission to save a hoity princess from an unwelcome marriage. Tashi’s solutions are always clever and entertaining.

Young fans will enjoy this new pair of adventures as much as the previous ones – and they will also appeal to those who are new to the series.

Tashi and the Phoenix, by Anna Fienberg and Barabare Feinberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2008

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

Tashi and the Mixed-up Monster, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

A second later, Wise-as-an-Owl burst out of the workshop. “Tashi, children, run! – no, it’s too late. Hide!” He pulled them over to some thick bushes.

When Much-to-Learn finds instructions for creating a Chimera, he does so, and soon the monster is creating havoc. As always, it is Tashi who comes up with a solution to this latest problem.

Tashi and the mixed-up Monster is the fourteenth title in the Tashi series, and offers as much fun, adventure and whimsy as previous titles in the series. Once Tashi has dealt with the Chimera, he must also figure out who has killed Soh Meen’s carp. Clever Tashi always finds a way.

Tashi is a feisty fantasy character who shares his stories with a contemporary family. The stories are told in response to events happening in the family’s lives, sometimes told in first person by Tashi himself and other times recounted by a family member who has heard Tashi’s story.

Suitable for middle primary aged readers, Tashi deserves a place in every child’s heart and library.

Tashi and the Mixed-Up Monster, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2007

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

Tashi and the Stolen Bus, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

“The demons are crazy for buses!” said Can-Du. “And when I wouldn’t hand this one over, they kidnapped my son.”

When Tashi’s village restore an old bus, there is great excitement. The villagers plan their first bus trip to the city markets, but once they are on their way, they realise something is wrong. The bus has been hijacked by demons, and only Tashi can defeat them.

Tashi and the Stolen Bus is one of two tales in the latest Tashi offering. In the second story, The Mysterious Thief , things start mysteriously disappearing form the village. Tashi is determined to catch the thief, but what he discovers surprises even Tashi.

This is the thirteenth book in the delightful Tashi series. Each book features Tashi recounting some his fantastical adventures in his village to Jack, his friend in the contemporary world. This latest instalment won’t disappoint Tashi fans, with lots of adventure and the quirky characters that make Tashi so unique.

Tashi and the Stolen Bus, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2006

Tashi and the Forbidden Room, by Anna & Barbara Fienberg

It all began with the castle on the hill…The castle had stood empty for many years. It had twenty-three bedrooms, upstairs and downstairs, and they were dark and dusty with cobwebs. But one day Second Aunt came to tell us that she had just met the new owner. He was a wealthy merchant, she said, tall and handsome, with hair as blue-black as a raven’s wing.

When Tashi’s cousin decides to marry the wealthy Bluebeard, the whole village is excited – except Tashi. He has glimpsed Bluebeard’s evil heart, and doesn’t want Ho Hum to marry him. When Ho Hum takes Tashi to visit the castle, Tashi uncovers Bluebeard’s secrets. But is he too late to save his cousin?

Tashi and the Forbidden Room is the twelfth book in the Tashi series. As in the previous titles, Tashi tells his friend Jack of his adventures back home in the village. In each adventure, Tashi is faced by a tricky dilemma or shady character and uses his wile and a little magic to fix it.

Bluebeard, Tashi tells Jack, is the most frightening character he ever faced, who will always haunt me. The second adventure in this book, The Three Tasks features another villain, the Baron, who has appeared in earlier stories. Tashi must complete three tasks in order to rescue the Baron’s dog, Pongo, who the Baron has locked in a dungeon.

These are exciting stories, with a pleasing blend of old and new. Tashi’s adventures in his unnamed land are mixed with Jack’s life in a contemporary setting. Perfect for reading aloud, or independently, Tashi and the Forbidden Room will appeal to readers aged 6 to 10.

Tashi and the Forbidden Room, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2005

Bunyips Don't, by Sally Odgers

Young Bunyip lived with Old Bunyip in the dankest part of the creek.
It was cold and not much fun.
‘Why can’t we live on the sunny side of the creek?’ asked Young Bunyip? “Because we’re bunyips, fathead,’ said Old Bunyip, ‘and bunyips don’t!’

Poor Young Bunyip. He is lonely and bored and just wants a little fun. But whenever he suggests anything fun, Old Bunyip repeats his refrain: ‘Bunyips don’t!’

Young Bunyip grows sadder and sadder until he meets some children who show him that old Bunyip doesn’t know everything – and that, perhaps, bunyips do.

Bunyips Don’t! is a fun picture book combining the writing genius of the talented Sally Odgers with the superb illustrative talent of Kim Gamble. Odgers has a knack of creating stories which are very Australian, full of fun, yet able to provide food for thought.The fun of Bunyips Don’t is enriched by the gentle messages about following your instincts and believing in yourself.

Gamble’s watercolour illustrations are a delight. The juxtaposition of the darkness of Young Bunyip’s loneliness with the brightness of company is clever and Young Bunyip’s facial expressions and cute cuddly body are endearing.

Bunyip’s Don’t was first published in 1996. It is little surpise that Scholastic have chosen to rerelease it.

Bunyips Don’t, by Sally Odgers, illustrated by Kim Gamble
This edition Scholastic, 2005

There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg

There once was a boy called Tashi, who had a way with witches and warlords and guessed the secrets of ghosts … Tashi wasn’t afraid of the giant on the mountain or the wicked Baron by the river, but never, ever, had he dreamed of an ogre such as Gloomin.

When Gloomin comes to the village people run and hide and the sky grows dark. The sad ogre takes up residence in the village and the days which follow are bleak.

Finally, when the ogre starts eyeing people for his cooking pot, Tashi realises he has to do something. He sets about finding out what is making Gloomin so sad, and what can be done to fix the problem.

Tashi has previously appeared in ten chapter book titles, but now the talented team of Anna Fienberg and Kim Gamble have combined to bring him to life in full colour in his first full colour picture book. Tashi fans, young and old, will love the opportuntiy to see this loveable character and his friends brought to life in colour, and those who have not previously been introduced to Tashi will be left clamouring for more.

The Tashi stories arose from a collaboration between Fienberg and her mother, Barbara Fienberg. The stories quickly became popular with children and also with parents and teachers. The arrival of Tashi in full colour is special – bringing him to life and doing full justice to Gamble’s illustrative talents.

There Once Was a Boy called Tashi is pure delight and would make an excellent gift.

There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi, by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen & Unwin, 2004