little hare – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

The Brain Finds a Leg, by Martin Chatterton

Sheldon sat up. Brilliant! They would solve the Biff Manly case, catch his killer (although personally Sheldon still hadn’t forgiven Biff for that smack on the head) and be the toast of Farrago – hooray! There might even be a reward from Dento.

Sheldon’s life isn’t going too well. His dad is dead after a mysterious boating accident involving humpback whales, and he’s the target of the school bullies. Then a mysterious new boy, called The Brain, arrives at school, which coincides with a string of strange occurrences around the usually dull Farrago Bay. Birds are flying backwards, bats are active in the daytime, and Sheldon sees a horse hunting a bird. But that’s nothing compared to the massive crocodile which thinks it is a dog.

When local surfing hero Biff Manly is found dead, The Brain decides that he is the man (or boy) to solve the case – and he chooses Sheldon to be his sidekick. Sheldon has no idea what a sidekick does, but he’s on a steep learning curve, and soon is involved in sleuthing, hunts and chases, and even a fight for his life, as he works with his new friend to figure out exactly what is going on.

This is a fast-paced, humorous read suitable for upper primary aged readers. The silliness and complete unlikelihood of the events will appeal especially to boy readers, who will love that it is the children who solve the mystery, in spite of the efforts of the stereotypically bumbling local police.

There is lots here to like.

The Brain Finds a Leg, by Martin Chatterton
Little Hare, 2007

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

Audrey Goes to Town, by Christine Harris

Audrey Barlow bounced as the wheels of the wooden cart hit a pothole. Although the floor was padded with blankets and what was left in the food bags, each bump jarred Audrey and her brothers.
Douglas fell sideways, giggling. He was only three, so he giggled at nearly everything.
‘Sesiting, isn’t it?’ said Audrey.

Audrey has never been to town, and she can’t wait to get there. There will be houses and trains and even cars. But she isn’t so sure about staying with Mrs Paterson, a strict old lady who looks like a burnt stick. When Dad and Price go off dogging, the rest of the family must board with Mrs Price. Then Mum falls ill and Audrey and her little brother Dougie are alone with Mrs Paterson.

Mrs Paterson’s project is to try to turn Audrey into a lady – and Audrey’s project becomes finding something good about Mrs Paterson. Fortunately, Audrey has new friends to make her life easier.

Audrey Goes to Town is a funny tale of outback life. Audrey is a likeable main character – honest and with a humorous take on life, she is also compassionate. Even the dour Mrs Paterson can’t help but like her, even if it takes time.

A sequel to Audrey of the Outback, this story stands alone, likely to be equally as enjoyable to a reader new to the series.

Lots of fun.

Audrey Goes to Town, by Christine Harris
Little Hare, 2008

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

Too Tight, Benito

Benito Bear had grown during the long days of summer…

Benito has enjoyed his warm-weather romps, but now it is time to crawl into his cubby-hole to sleep for the winter. But when he tries, he discovers his hole is too tight – he has grown during the summer. So Benito sets out to find a new hole – without much success. Every other hole is either too small, too high or too smelly. Finally, Benito returns to his hole and discovers that some hard work will make his hole just right.

Too Tight, Benito is a beautiful picture book with simple text, humorous twists and turns and sumptuous illustrations. Benito romps from hole to hole, accompanied by a nameless squirrel who is not mentioned in the text – although alluded to in the final page when we learn that Benito’s hole has room for one more. A pleasure to read aloud, and a visual delight, this offering will become a firm favourite with adults and children alike.

Too Tight, Benito, by Janeen Brian & Judith Rossell
Little Hare, 2008

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

Lizzie Nonsense, by Jan Ormerod

When Papa takes the sandalwood he has cut into town, it is fifty miles along sand tracks, and he will be away a long time.
Then Lizzie and Mama and baby are all alone in the little house in the bush.

Alone in the bush with her mother and baby brother for months on end, Lizzie must entertain herself – and she does. With her imagination she creates weddings and parties, oceans and churches. Her mother fondly calls it ‘nonsense’ but Lizzie knows her mother likes nonsense too.

Lizzie Nonsense is a charming look at the experience of pioneering families in the Australian bush. Lizzie’s carefree nature makes light of the hardships that she and her mother face, with hard work, low rations, snakes and isolation all there for contemporary readers to see.

Jan Ormerod’s illustrations, using a combination of crayon, watercolour and gouache, complement the historical nature of the story and are simply delightful. The cover illustration, showing Lizzie sitting on the limb of a gum tree and looking into the distance, yet directly at the reader, provides a nice link between past and present, as if Lizzie is waiting to share her story with the reader.

Lizzie Nonsense is perfect for sharing at home, but would also make an excellent classroom tool, especially for themes relating to history.

Lizzie Nonsense by Jan Ormerod
Little Hare, First Published 2004
Paperback edition with DVD Storytelling, 2008.

This book is available from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Possum and Wattle, by Bronwyn Bancroft

Subtitled My Big Book of Australian Words, Possum and Wattleis just that – a big, beautiful book of words from throughout Australia, illustrated in eye-catching colours by talented illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft.

Including words unique to Australia, such as didgeridoo, boomerang and echidna, as well as words for things which come from other parts of the world, but which are found in Australia, and words for things found in other parts of the world, but with special Australian features, the book contains over a hundred words and illustrations, as well as a glossary explaining some of the words, and providing interesting extra information.

With an introduction by author and artist Sally Morgan, Possum and Wattle will delight very young children with its bright colours, but will also prove absorbing for older children and lovers of Australian art, who will appreciate the detail in the illustrations.

A visual delight.

Possum and Wattle, by Bronywn Bancroft
Little Hare, 2008

Bridget's Book of Nursery Rhymes

Nursery rhymes are age old. Some are steeped in symbolism, others tell stories of great historical events. Some teach counting, others are plain nonsense. But children are generally not interested in any of that, they love nursery rhymes for the rhyme and repetition, the absurdity and the familiarity. The collection opens with full page colour for ‘Pat-a-Cake’ and ends with bath, bed and a final ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’. In this last, a smaller image looks through the bedroom window at the night sky as the text diminishes in size (volume? wakefulness?) In between, there are a variety of well-known rhymes.

Bridget’s Book of Nursery Rhymes, released in hardback in 2006, is now in a sturdy, large-format square paperback. Bridget’s illustrations are in bright primary colours with black outlines. Some openings have bright colour backgrounds, others make use of the white space. A young teddy bear features strongly but there are also rabbits, pigs, mice and more. A small mouse is present on each page for a child to find. It is easy to imagine this book being a bedtime favourite with both reader and child. Recommended for preschool children.

Bridget’s Book of Nursery Rhymes, Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Little Hare 2007
ISBN: 9871921272127

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

Little Blue, by Gaye Chapman

Little Blue has been lost for the longest time. Then Will finds her. All she wants to do is go home. Will wants to help her but it’s not easy. Her descriptions of the way home sound similar to Will’s way home, but as he brings her to the hills, the creek, the trees, family, they are not quite right. They cannot find the way to Little Blue’s home. Only when Will takes Little Blue to his home with Grandmother, do they find Little Blue’s home.

Gaye Chapman is both author and illustrator of Little Blue. From the four seasons of the front ‘end papers’ showing us how long Little Blue has been lost to the final endpaper detailing her return home, this is a beautiful book. The story is a simple one of a boy trying to help a lost girl find her way home. A small blue bird is on every page, guiding or accompanying the travelling pair. The girl’s way home and her home are by her account much grander than Will’s simple existence, yet he is the one who brings her home. She describes mountains, he describes hills. The reader is left to wonder at the accuracy of her description – perhaps she is exaggerating? On alternate pages Little Blue (in words and image) draws for Will a growing picture of her way home, The sketches provide clues for the reader as to the ending. These alternate openings have blue borders, as if to differentiate the world from the differing points of view. Will and Little Blue progress their way across the pages, emerging from a tunnel of trees near Will’s home. At the conclusion, both Little Blue and Will are safely home again. Recommended for 4+.

Little Blue, by Gaye Chapman
Little Hare 2008
ISBN: 9781921049989

Audrey of the Outback, by Christine Harris

Price gave another generous shake of the tin, replaced the lid and put it outside the dunny.
‘Be careful,’ said Audrey.
‘I know what I’m…’ Price cleared his throat. ‘It’ll be okay. Move back if you’re worried.’
Audrey obeyed.
Price took a matchbox from his pocket, lit a match and threw it into the open hole.
There was an enormous whoomph, followed by a bang. A rush of heat knocked Audrey backwards.

Audrey lives in the remote outback with her mother, her big brother Price and her baby brother Dougie. Dad lives with them too – when he’s home – but he’s been gone for the longest time. With Dad away, Audrey and Price have to help Mum, but Audrey doesn’t mind too much – except when she has to clean out the chook pen or help Price with the long drop dunny.

Audrey and her best friend Stumpy spend their spare time building cubbies and chatting to the rare visitors who come by, including the swaggie, Toothless. And Audrey also has time to ponder important questions – like whether she should be a girl or a man, and whether it would be better to be a sheep or a cow.

Audrey of the Outback is a delightful tale of life in remote Australia. Audrey is a loveable main character with an upbeat, if skewed, take on life. Her friend Stumpy is a curious choice for a best friend, and readers will enjoy unravelling just who (or what) he is.

Perfect for private reading for kids aged 8 and over, it is also ideal for share reading in either a classroom or home setting.

Audrey of the Outback, by Christine Harris
Little Hare, 2008

Sam and the Killer Robot, by Judith Rossell

This time Sam didn’t notice Uncle Andy’s strange new voice: he was too busy looking at the price of the boxes of Bisky Bricks and counting his money.

From the moment Sam sees the boxes offering purchasers the chance to collect the parts to build a killer robot, he absolutely has to have one. He’ll do anything to buy enough boxes of Bisky Bricks to get the parts he needs, even though Bisky Bricks taste awful and the parts he has are acting very strangely. It’s as if he’s being called to complete the model.

In the meantime, Sam’s Uncle Andy, who owns the supermarket where Bisky Bricks are sold, is acting very strangely – even more strangely than he usually does. But Sam is too busy trying to build his robot to do anything about Uncle Andy.

This fast-moving, humorous adventure suitable for middle and upper primary aged readers, has plenty of action and laugh aloud moments. This is Rossell’s second novel and shows her keen sense of humour and understanding of what kids want to read.

Sam and the Killer Robot, by Juidth Rossell
Little Hare, 2007

This review first appeared in Reading Time Magazine.

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

The Team, by David Bedford

“Can’t he talk?” said Harvey.
“No,” said professor Gertie. “His brain is pure football. He chases. He tackles. He keeps the ball. And he scores goals. He’s a Football Machine, and he’s programmed to win! Watch.”

Harvey Boots and his friends have a football team – but, Harvey says, they’re rubbish. They can’t win a game. Then Harvey’s friend Professor Gertie comes up with a new invention to help them. Mark 1 is a football-playing robot, and he’s good. The only problem is that inventions aren’t allowed on the field. Can Mark 1 help them at all?

The Football Machine is the first of three titles in this compilation, which brings together author David Bedford’s first three books about The Team. With plenty of soccer action (the author is UK-based, hence the term ‘football’), lots of humour and illustrative support, the stories are suitable for readers aged seven to ten, especially boys.

Good fun.

The Team, by David Bedford, illustrated by Keith Brumpton
Little Hare, 2007

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