Tag: Lesley Gibbes

Little Bear's First Sleep, by Lesley Gibbes & Lisa Stewart

Maybe it would be soft like his mother’s fur.
He waited with his legs curled high.
Maybe it would be firm like his father’s hug.
he waited with his head tucked low.
Maybe it would be sweet like fresh woodland grass.
Little Bear waited and waited…nothing happened.
Little Bear was awake.

It is time for Little Bear’s first big witer sleep. His moother and father fall asleep quickly, but Little Bear is wide awake. What will the big sleep feel like? And what will happen if he can’t get to sleep? He tries all kinds of positions, but it is only when he snuggles in close to his parents that sleep finally finds him.

Little Bear’s First Sleep is a gentle picture book story about – of course – bears, and sleep, but also about navigating rites of passage towards independence. With his parents asleep, Little Bear must solve his dilemma for himself, but it is with the knowledge that his aprents are close that he finally does so.

The illustrations, using soft colours in watercolour and gouache, are just beautiful, and teamed with the gentle text make this a lovely bedtime story.

Little Bear’s First Sleep, by Lesely Gibbes & Lisa Stewart
Scholastic Australia, 2016
ISBN 9781743624012

A Police Dog Adventure 3: Fizz and the Show Dog Jewel Thief by Lesley Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King

‘I did it! I’m really here!’ barked Fizz, as he stood outside Sunnyvale City Police Station on his first day of work. Is heart was beating fast. This was the day he’d been dreaming of. This was the day he would be a real undercover police dog.

‘Too chicken to go in, Powder Puff? Little loser!’ sneered Amadeus, bounding up the stairs. ‘Why don’t you go back to the dog shows where you belong? Leave the police work to the big boys.

‘I did it! I’m really here!’ barked Fizz, as he stood outside Sunnyvale City Police Station on his first day of work. Is heart was beating fast. This was the day he’d been dreaming of. This was the day he would be a real undercover police dog.

‘Too chicken to go in, Powder Puff? Little loser!’ sneered Amadeus, bounding up the stairs. ‘Why don’t you go back to the dog shows where you belong? Leave the police work to the big boys.

Fizz, undercover police dog arrives at Sunnyvale Police Station for his first day of work. The last thing he expects is to be assigned at a dog show – the very life he joined the police force to avoid. But he’s an undercover police dog and he’ll do the best job he can. Along with his undercover friend and colleague Remi, Fizz must masquerade as a competitor if they are to discover who is stealing jewels. There is a character page, contents list, and illustrations on every opening. Each named chapter includes a full page image giving hints to the content.

Fizz and the Show Dog Jewel Thief is the third instalment of a new series of early chapter books from Allen & Unwin. Fizz has been determined that he will make his own mark on the world beyond the show arena, despite the urgings of his parents. While he is not a stereotypical police dog, he finds his place in an undercover police dog squad. His attention to detail, clear thinking skills and persistence help him to succeed in solving mysteries. Along the way, he encounters many other dogs who have found their perfect jobs, despite not succeeding as police dogs. Young readers will enjoy all the adventure and mystery as well as the humour. Character pages, contents and chapter pages all add to the access for new readers discovering the magic of chapter books. Recommended for newly confident readers ready for a longer story.

A Police Dog Adventure 3: Fizz and the Show Dog Jewel Thief , Lesley Gibbes Stephen Michael King
Allen & Unwin 2016
ISBN: 9781760112882

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

A Police Dog Adventure 4: Fizz and the Handbag Dognapper by Lesley Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King

Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before.

I’d like to speak to you in my office,’ said the sergeant. Remi and Amadeus were already sitting by the desk.

‘What’s happening?’ whispered Fizz.

Ít’s a special undercover assignment,’ said Remi, swishing her tail excitedly. ‘Sergeant Stern called me in this morning. I think it has something to do with the Handbag Dognapper.’

Fizz shivered.

Fizz arrived for work at Sunnyvale City Police Station and straightaway smelled trouble. He’d never seen Sergeant Stern look so worried before.

I’d like to speak to you in my office,’ said the sergeant. Remi and Amadeus were already sitting by the desk.

‘What’s happening?’ whispered Fizz.

Ít’s a special undercover assignment,’ said Remi, swishing her tail excitedly. ‘Sergeant Stern called me in this morning. I think it has something to do with the Handbag Dognapper.’

Fizz shivered.

Undercover police dogs have to keep their cool in all sorts of dangerous situations. And this time, it’s personal. Fizz is no stranger to the world of handbag dogs – his sister is the handbag dog for a famous actress, and is often seen at public events. Now, she is the third victim of the Handbag Dognapper. Fizz has to go undercover at the launch event of a new security collar. With the help of his undercover colleague, Remi, and regular police dog, Amadeus, Fizz has to discover who is stealing the handbag dogs and why. Early pages show the world where the mysteries take place and another spread introduces the characters who appear in this adventure. A contents page lists the named chapters and a full page illustration accompanies the start of every new chapter. Each opening includes illustrations.

Fizz and the Handbag Dognapper is Book 4 in a new series of chapter books from Allen & Unwin’ from the perspective of Fizz, a newly-trained undercover police dog. Fizz may be small, but like many small dogs, he has enthusiasm and energy to spare. He’s gutsy and clear-thinking, resourceful and happy to accept the help of his colleagues. Beneath the adventure and the humour, there is also cooperation, tolerance, and fair play. Newly independent readers can check the character pages to keep track of the larger than normal cast and pause at each chapter to predict what is likely to happen next. Recommended for newly-independent readers ready for a slightly longer chapter book but not yet ready to tackle unillustrated text.

A Police Dog Adventure 4: Fizz and the Handbag Dognapper, Lesley Gibbes Stephen Michael King
Allen & Unwin 2016

ISBN: 9781760112899

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

 

Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts by Lesley Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King

‘I’m not a little puppy anymore!’ sang Fizz to the world. ‘I’m all grown up and ready to find a job.’

Fizz knew exactly what job he wanted.

‘I want to be a police dog,’ he said, puffing out his chest.

‘I’m not a little puppy anymore!’ sang Fizz to the world. ‘I’m all grown up and ready to find a job.’

Fizz knew exactly what job he wanted.

‘I want to be a police dog,’ he said, puffing out his chest.

Fizz has all the right attributes for a police dog: he is brave; clever; and super-fast. There’s only one teensy tiny problem – Fizz doesn’t look like a police dog. He is ‘a small cute ball of white, fizzy, fuzzy fur’. But while others may think his looks disqualify him from any real chance of becoming a police dog, Fizz is determined. It’s clear that he’s not the only dog keen to tryout – there are dogs of all shapes and sizes lining up for the tryouts. Most are friendly, but Amadeus, a big, black, cold-eyed, gang-leader dog, is scathing. Fizz, he says, has less than no chance. One by one, dogs are sent home as they fail the tests. Fizz is undaunted. There are illustrations on every opening, a character spread and a contents page.

‘Fizz The Police Dog Series’ offers four titles about Fizz and his adventures. Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts is Book 1. Each title is in a different colour, and numbers on the spine are complemented by a letter on each title, spelling out the name of the main character. Fizz makes many friends, although not all of them are destined to be police dogs. The character sketches introduce the reader to the dogs and people they will encounter. Titled and numbered chapters also include full page illustrations which hint at the action to come. Fizz may be little, but he’s friendly, smart and determined. Fizz has a lovely supportive family, although his mother, particularly, thinks he really should join the show circuit. Recommended for junior primary independent readers.

Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts, Leslie Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King
Allen & Unwin 2016 ISBN: 9781760112851

Fizz and the Dog Academy Rescue by Lesley Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King

‘Whoo-hoo!’ barked Fizz, as he leapt out of bed and raced to his breakfast bowl.

‘Slow down, son,’ said Fizz’s father. ‘There’s plenty of time before you leave for the academy.’

Fizz buzzed all over. His dream of becoming a police dog had come true.

‘Did you clean your ears, sugarplum?’ asked Fizz’s mother.

‘Yes, Mum,’ said Fizz, between mouthfuls of food.

‘Well, give your fur a good shake. I want you to look especially fluffy on your first day of training.’

‘Whoo-hoo!’ barked Fizz, as he leapt out of bed and raced to his breakfast bowl.

‘Slow down, son,’ said Fizz’s father. ‘There’s plenty of time before you leave for the Academy.’

Fizz buzzed all over. His dream of becoming a police dog had come true.

‘Did you clean your ears, sugarplum?’ asked Fizz’s mother.

‘Yes, Mum,’ said Fizz, between mouthfuls of food.

‘Well, give your fur a good shake. I want you to look especially fluffy on your first day of training.’

Fizz is very excited to be beginning his training as an undercover police dog. He may not look like a police dog, but that’s going to be an advantage in undercover work. But first there are detective skills for him and new friend Remi, to master. Only then can they graduate as undercover police dogs. Amadeus, the dog who does look like a police dog, is convinced that Fizz and Remi will fail. There are illustrations on every opening, chapter headings and full page illustrations, a character spread and a contents page.

‘A Police Dog Adventure’ featuring Fizz and friends is a new series of early chapter books from Allen & Unwin. This is Book 2 of four titles so far. In this instalment, Fizz, his friends and his nemesis are at the Academy for training. Amadeus is sure Fizz is a poor chioce as a recruit, but Fizz and his friend Remi are to be undercover police dogs precisely because they are not stereotypically police dogs. Their extra training begins almost immediately when other recruits are being injured and sent home. It’s up to Fizz and Remi to work out what’s going on. Lots of fun and pun for beginner readers. Recommended for newly independent readers ready for first chapter books.

Fizz and the Dog Academy Rescue, Lesley Gibbes ill Stephen Michael King
Allen & Unwin 2016 ISBN: 9781760112844