Tag: Simon Williams

Awesome Aussie Things to Do With Mum, illustrated by Simon WIlliams

Knit your own mobile phone cover
Bust out some groovy dance moves
Make a worm farm.

With school holidays once again here (or just a few days away, depending which part of Australia you live in), a book filled with cool things which can be done independently or, even better, with a parent, is a wonderful resource. Awesome Aussie Things to Do with Mum is just such an offering, with activities ranging from quiet inside activities such as pressing flowers or knitting, to physical, active things such as beach volleyball or dancing. Most have ways to either draw on Mum’s expertise or simply collaborate – though this could equally be Dad, or another adult, and many could be done without an adult.

Activities are clearly explained in step-by-step instructions and include equipment lists, tips and fun facts, as well as cartoon style illustrations, and, where needed, visual aids to following instructions. A sturdy hard cover offering, this would make a great gift for a primary aged reader.

 

Awesome Aussie Things to Do with Mum, illustrated by Simon Williams
Scholastic, 2014
ISBN 9781742839950

Available from good bookstores or online.

10 Hopping Bunnies by Ed Allen ill Simon Williams

Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon

Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

And if one hopping bunnies drops the egg too soon,

There’ll be nine hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon

Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

And if one hopping bunnies drops the egg too soon,

There’ll be nine hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.
10 Hopping Bunnies uses the familiar rhythm and rhyme of ’10 Green Bottles’ and introduces a family of bunnies. One by one, the numbers reduce until there is only one bunny remaining. That bunny flees a storm and takes refuge in a warm burrow, and then joins all the other bunnies in a pillow-fight before bedtime. Numbers are spelt out in each verse of the rhyme, but the illustrations feature the number symbol. Illustrations are comical and feature anthropomorphic bunnies of all sizes, shapes and colours.

10 Hopping Bunnies joins several other counting books from Scholastic which use familiar tunes/rhymes and feature animals. The animals are childlike and complete activities that will be familiar to many children. And there’s always a family/group reunion at the end. Young readers will soon be singing and counting along and become familiar with the number name and symbol. Recommended for pre- and early-schoolers.

 

10 Hopping Bunnies

10 Hopping Bunnies, Ed Allen ill Simon Williams Scholastic Aust 2014 ISBN: 9781742836362

10 Smiley Crocs by Ed Allen ill Simon Williams

Ten smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

Ten smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

And if one smiley croc suddenly hits a spike,

There’ll be nine smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

Ten smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

Ten smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

And if one smiley croc suddenly hits a spike,

There’ll be nine smiley crocs riding on a tandem bike.

Set to the rhythm of ‘Ten Green Bottles’, ‘10 Smiley Crocs’ follows the athletic and other antics of these crocs as one by one they meet with misadventure. But lest the reader fear they are lost forever, all crocs are reunited at bedtime, dressed in their pyjamas and getting ready for bed. Illustrations are comical and colourful.

10 Smiley Crocs is light and fun, full of wild antics for little readers to enjoy. It won’t take long before the familiarity of the tune will have them joining in the ‘reading’, and predicting what is going to happen next. These crocodiles are colourful and friendly-looking. For the most part their activities are exaggerated children’s antics although there are a couple of spreads where the action happens in a more natural environment  ie ‘being sneaky logs’ and ‘swims back up the stream’. Recommended for pre-schoolers.

 

10 Smiley Crocs, Ed Allen ill Simon Williams Scholastic Australia 2014 ISBN:9781742836355

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

10 Hooting Owls by Ed Allen ill Simon Williams

Ten hooting owls lounging in the sun

Ten hooting owls lounging in the sun.

And if one hooting owl should go off for a run,

there’d be nine hooting owls lounging in the sun.

Ten hooting owls lounging in the sun

Ten hooting owls lounging in the sun.

And if one hooting owl should go off for a run,

there’d be nine hooting owls lounging in the sun.

The hooting owls are taking a break from their nocturnal activities and experiencing all manner of leisure pursuits. Ten begin their adventure (modelled on a traditional rhyme) and page by page, the numbers decrease until there are no hooting owls. All ten return in the final spread to settle in for the night. All illustrations are full page and cartoony in style. In this counting book the numbers are spelled out throughout, although the relevant number (symbol) is secreted on the page. Text is informal, with the number spelled out in different colour, larger letters.

These are owls of a different colour indeed. They are doing their thing in the middle of the day, are of all shapes, sizes, hues and activity. This is a comical counting experience that begs to be shared. Out loud. Sung. Children will chuckle at the antics, enjoy finding the hidden numbers, and fix numbers in their order. Recommended for pre- and early-schoolers.

10 Hooting Owls

10 Hooting Owls, Ed Allen ill Simon Williams Scholastic Press 2013 ISBN: 9781742836980

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores and online. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.