May Gibbs 1 2 3, May Gibbs Colours, Scholastic

Inspired by the work of May Gibbs, 1 2 3 and Coloursintroduce numbers and colours to young children. In 1 2 3, Australian flora and fauna feature in mostly pastel colours as they play host to gumnut babies, sleepy babies and wattle babies. There are butterflies, kookaburras and other Australian animals to identify. In Colours, the gumnut babies float through a world of gentle colour encountering Australian insects, plants and animals.

 

May Gibbs’ Gumnut Babies are part of Australian heritage and 1 2 3 and Colours introduce her work to a new generation. Books are sturdy Colours are pastel on white and provide an alternative to primary colour offerings in the same market. A perfect gift for overseas visitors or other new arrivals!

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Present 1 2 3 [Board book]

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Present 1 2 3, Scholastic Aust 2011 ISBN: 9781742830230

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Present Colours [Board book]
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Present Colours, Scholastic Aust 2011 ISBN: 9781742830421

 

 

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

The Golden Door, by Emily Rodda

Every night vicious flying creatures – Skimmers – attack the city of Weld, flying over its towering walls and eating anything alive they can get to. The people cower in shuttered, darkened houses, listening to the terrifying attacks, powerless to stop them. Then the Warden calls for volunteers to leave the walled city and find out who is sending the skimmers, and how they can be stopped.

Like all the other citizens of Weld in skimmer season, Lisbeth and her sons went to bed early. What else was there to do, when sound was dangerous, and the smallest chink of light might lead to a skimmer attack?
Rye lay in the room he shared with his brothers, listening to the rush of wings outside the shutters, the occasional scrabbling of claws on the roof.
He prayed that the wings would pass the house by. He prayed that he, his mother and his brothers would not wake, like those ill-fated families in Northwall, to find skimmers filling the house, and death only moments away.

Every night vicious flying creatures – Skimmers – attack the city of Weld, flying over its towering walls and eating anything alive they can get to. The people cower in shuttered, darkened houses, listening to the terrifying attacks, powerless to stop them. Then the Warden calls for volunteers to leave the walled city and find out who is sending the skimmers, and how they can be stopped. Rye is too young to go, but first his oldest brother, then the second one, leave and do not return. Rye believes that they are both out there waiting for help – and becomes determined to find them

The Golden Door is gripping fantasy by one of the finest creators for this age group, Emily Rodda. Rye is an unlikely hero – not strong, not smart, the youngest son – with the courage to try for the sake of his brothers, his mother and his city. He is accompanied on his journey by a girl who claims to be a resident of the Warden’s keep, but who readers will suspect is perhaps the Warden’s daughter. The tale is full of the things which Rodda fans have come to expect – weird and wonderful creatures, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and lots of action.

The Golden Dooris the first in a trilogy. Readers will look forward to the next.

Three Doors: #1the Golden Door

The Golden Door, by Emily Rodda
Omnibus, 2011
ISBN 9781862919129

This book is available in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Harry's War, by John Heffernan

Harry loves spending time with his Grandpa, especially when Grandpa shares his stories of the war. Grandpa is a war hero, and his stories are amazing. Harry’s dad was a soldier, too, but he died when Harry was little, so Harry never heard his stories. Harry’s War is a moving tale of one boy’s quest for the truth about his father and grandfather as he learns about truth, family and friendship…

What’s war? – you ask.

That’s a really hard question. I’m not even sure I can answer it. I’ll try, but, and I’ll do it by telling you about my war. Whether that’s enough you’ll have to figure out for myself.

Harry loves spending time with his Grandpa, especially when Grandpa shares his stories of the war. Grandpa is a war hero, and his stories are amazing. Harry’s dad was a soldier, too, but he died when Harry was little, so Harry never heard his stories. In fact, Harry doesn’t know much about his dad at all, because no one will tell him about Dad’s years in the army, or about his death. When he starts to unravel the truth, Harry realises why Mum has kept her secret. But it is another secret which has the power to really change Harry’s life.

Harry’s War is a moving tale of one boy’s quest for the truth about his father and grandfather as he learns about truth, family and friendship. With the reader he also learns about he realities of war and its effects on soldiers and those left behind. There is a lot being explored here – as well as the issues already mentioned, there is Harry’s struggle with reading and writing, his friendship with his bet mate Will, and his sometimes careless attitude towards himself and others. Mostly, though is just an absorbing story.
Harrys War

Harry’s War, by John Heffernan
Omnibus, 2011
ISBN 978186291927

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

Paws, Claws and Frilly Drawers, by Sarah Horne

Pencil. Check. Ruler. Check. Calculator…Check.’ Molly Potsome finished packing her bag for her first day at her new school and sat on the end of her bed.
Her eye fell on her neat school uniform hanging from the wardrobe. For the first time she felt a little nervous. What will school be like tomorrow? Will my teacher be strict? Will I make any new friends?

 

Molly looked after her neighbours’ cat, Mimi, while the family were on holiday. She was amazed to discover that Mimi talks, and loves dressing up. What a cat! But now the very rich Von Volavons are home and Mimi has gone home too. Now there’s school to worry about. Molly is new to this school and knows no one, not even Saffron Von Volavon. And it seems that Saffron is keen to keep it that way. Not a good start. Things become worse when Molly is paired with Saffron to do the costumes for ‘Bring a Pet’ day. Saffron has no intention of working with Molly. Things are looking miserable for Molly who doesn’t even have a pet, until Mimi becomes her pet for the day. Mayhem and madness ensue as Mimi and her costumes threaten to steal the show.

The best way to deal with a bully is to ignore them. But that’s hard to do when they live next door, they’re in your classroom and you have to sit next to them. Then it helps to have a really thick skin and some diversions. Oh, and the affection of a really unusual cat. Then you are so busy wondering what that cat is going to get up to, that the bully’s antics almost pass you by. Wrapped up in a fun and fantastical adventure, Molly is shown how to manage a bully, the bully gets her comeuppance and Molly learns how to make friends. Recommended for newly independent readers to mid-primary.

Paws, Claws and Frilly Drawers (Molly & Mimi)

Paws, Claws and Frilly Drawers , Sarah Horne
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781741698817

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book is available from good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood

‘Mummy,’ said Lucy, ‘can I have a hug before I go to bed? I promise I’ll give it back.’

When Lucy’s mum gives her her last hug, Lucy sets out to share it with everyone in the family. Daddy give sit back, a little bit stronger. The twins vie it back, a little reluctantly, but twice as big as before. Baby Lily gives it back all peanut buttery. But when Lucy hugs the family dog, Annie, Annie runs away without returning the hug. Lucy is devastated. How will she tell Mum that she lost the last hug? Luckily, though, Annie is not a bad dog – just energetic, and eventually she finds Lucy and gives her a slobbery hug, just in time for bedtime.

The Runaway Hug is a gorgeous picture book from two of Australia’s finest picture book creators, Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood. Bland’s story is strong, yet gentle and is well complemented by Blackwood’s watercolour and pencil illustrations. The family and their home are a lovely mix of whimsy and the kind of chaos that comes with big, loving families.

The Runaway Hug is a warm tale of love and laughter.

Runaway Hug

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 978186504405

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Alpha Monsters, by Chris Kennett

Young Freddy Jackson looked up at the rain
But he thought he might like to go out just the same.
‘I’m going outside,’ Freddy called out with glee.
‘OK,’ said his mum. ‘But be back before tea!’

Freddy discovers by accident an island of Alpha monsters. A monster – or rather – the monster named A, is sad because he’s lost his best teddy. Freddy offers to help him find his teddy and A explains that each of the animals has a letter. So they retrace his day, via alphabetic encounters like ‘In the town square H was digging huge holes, And I slipped in ink, dropping five icy poles.’ Illustrations are computer-generated and the monsters come in a friendly array of sizes, some with tails, different type and number of legs, single or multiple eyes. Pages are full-colour and monsters display a range of emotions.

There’s more than one way to skin a fish, so the saying goes, and there’s more than one way to present an alphabet. Chris Kennett has wrapped his alphabet in an island full of monsters. There are extra letter-words in some rhymes and opportunities for readers to count as well (how many eyes, how many feet, how many monsters?) There are happy monsters, grumpy ones and more. There are extras in each page to encourage rereading, as well as identifying the monster that matches the letter. Good pre-reading fun. Freddy solves the mystery of the lost teddy, retrieves his own teddy and still makes it home for tea! Recommended for pre-school children.

Alpha Monsters

Alpha Monsters, Chris Kennett
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781741697612

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased in good bookstores or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib, by Darren Farrell

Doug-Dennis and Ben-Bobby are best of friends. But even best friends get bored, so they set off to the circus, where wondrous things will happen. But before the wondrous things even get underway, a split-second decision has Doug-Dennis telling a fib. The fib quickly grows and Doug-Dennis floats away on the growing story, until he reaches highest sky. There he discovers what happens when fibs grow out of control. It’s a big lesson for Doug-Dennis. Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fibis illustrated in a very cartoon-y style, with fibs separated from truth by the colour of the speech bubbles. Endpapers feature a range of circus posters, with claims which just may or may not be fibs. At the beginning the characters on the posters welcome the reader to the story. At the end, it’s farewell.

Sometimes fibs just slip out. Often it’s due to a fear of getting into trouble. But here’s a fib, like most fibs, that very quickly becomes out of control. The follow-up fibs get bigger and bigger, rapidly outgrowing any potential or perceived trouble that the truth might have attracted. Darren Farrell wraps his truth in a wild over-the-top story, that will have readers giggling. There are plenty of extras to look for in the illustrations as Doug-Dennis’s journey to the truth floats him through the stratosphere. The endpapers link with the circus activities and provide their own separate narrative. For an ostensibly simple story about a fib, there’s plenty of other things going on! Recommended for pre- and early-schoolers.

Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib, Darren Farrell
Scholastic Australia 2011
ISBN: 9781741697568

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Shrieking Violet, by Emma Quay

Hello! This is my book
and it’s all about me!

A young girl wants to share her day with her mum and the reader, but is finding it difficult. Her little sister keeps distracting attention from her. Whether it’s falling over and crying loudly, or having to be diverted from mischief, Violet, with her very loud little voice, is everywhere. The girl perseveres, doing her best to ignore Violet and her interruptions, but this toddler is difficult to ignore. Eventually she’s had enough and has a shrieking fit of her own. While Mum comforts the main character, Violet tries to make amends. ‘Shrieking Violet’ ends with the two playing together, although the main character is still centre stage. Illustrations are bright and loose, almost messy in brush and ink, acrylic paint and collage. Backgrounds are spots, the size varying on different pages. And the page where the main character finally loses her cool? The yellow spots are large and almost vibrating with indignation.

It can be tough to lose your place in the family. Babies and toddlers draw the attention of family because their needs are immediate and constant. Sharing Mum can be tough. But this young girl makes a good job of entertaining Mum, refusing to be diverted. Violet is just doing what toddlers do…experimenting, copying, wanting to be part of the action. And that’s what the main character discovers. If she lets her little sister be involved, there’s more chance of Mum staying engaged too. This is a delightful picture book that captures family dynamics and personalities with simple images and few words. The reader will see that this situation is going to change and anticipate her eventual boil over. The resolution is satisfying and realistic. Recommended for preschoolers and early school age children.

Shrieking Violet

Shrieking Violet, Emma Quay
Scholastic Press 2010
ISBN: 9781741695687

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased in any good bookstore, or online from Fishpond.

I Love Ollie Activity Book, by Anna Walker

An activity book based on Ollie’s ‘I Love…’ books. Spot the difference between pictures of Ollie preparing for a beach trip; join the dots; colour and draw; add your own touches to a seascape and garden, using stickers and colours. And plenty more, besides!

Ideal for anyone who loves Ollie.

I Love Ollie Activity Book, Anna Walker
Scholastic 2010
ISBN: 9781741696455

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased in good bookstores or online from Fishpond.

Boy vs Beast Series

Kai Masters is a Border Guard in training. His work is top secret. He must protect Earth. The BMC watch Kai closely. Kai must not fail.
Let the battles commence.

12 year old Kai Masters is a high-tech border guard and beast battler. Helping to protect the wall between Earth and the world of the beasts, Beastium. With his robotic dog, BC, Kai tackles a variety of beasts, saving the world from new threats, using a range of tools and his own initiative in the process.

Boy Vs Beast is a new easy to read junior fictions series which will appeal both to beginning readers transitioning from reading books to chapter books and slightly older struggling readers. Using simple language and sentence structure, and with many elements of computer gaming, including movement between worlds and collecting points and powers, as well as the use of graphic novel format for a section of each book, tehse are likely to appeal to game and fantasy-mad boy readers.

Each new book sees Kai face a different beast using different tools, and, with the inclusion of plenty of front of book information, each tale can stand alone.

Aquatan (Boy Vs Beast)

Boy vs Beast, volumes 1-8

Lemon Fizz Media for Scholastic Australia, 2010