Phaidon, 2016. ISBN 9780714872551
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. Art, Board book. In the series, First
Concepts with Fine Artists, this board book reveals a series
of shapes through the art of twentieth century Modernist, Josef
Albers. On each page is an example of his abstract paintings: a
square, squares within square, rectangles, circles, lots of circles,
triangles and many triangles. Each page shows a bright illustration,
revealing a shape or series of shapes for children to recognise.
They will eagerly tell the adult reading the book what each shape is
and delight in the image given them. The adult reader will be able
to encourage their enjoyment at recognisinsg the shapes shown and
with their increased understanding of fine art. This is the first
book in the series, the second being Blues and other Colours
with Henri Matisse.
Each of the books presents an artist to the younger reader in a way
that will encourage identification, discussion and interaction.
Fran Knight
The unforgettable What's his name by Paul Jennings
Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760290856
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. The unforgettable What's his name
explores what it is like to be invisible. The main character is
commonly referred to as 'What's his name' and feels like nobody sees
him. He has no friends. He feels like he doesn't belong. In a moment
of stress, he blends into his environment to escape a group of angry
bikers. He literally becomes the bush he is standing in front of. He
then blends into a wall and then becomes the tree. Eventually, he
can change at will. Mum doesn't believe him and his new biker friend
thinks he is a bit strange. Along the way, our main character makes
friends with a dog and rescues a group of monkeys. Maybe you can be
quiet and shy but still be amazing! The unforgettable What's his name is an adventure as well as
a trip of discovery for our young main character. Readers will not
find out his real name until the end. The story is thoughtful,
dramatic and funny. It is full of adventures and discoveries,
proving it is okay to be yourself and there is no need to change.
The text is descriptive, with just enough suspense to keep readers
wondering what will happen next. The accompanying illustrations are
detailed and colourful and readers can see if they can find the main
character as he changes and hides. The unforgettable What's his
name is a thicker novel at over 200 pages but it is still
ideal for more reluctant readers thanks to the illustrations. Highly
recommended for all readers aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9780545581608
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Dog Man is a book that looks like a
novel, has a lovely illustrated cover - this was in a hardcover, but
is a comic. A quick flick through the book and you will see bright
illustrations and speech bubbles telling the story. Reluctant
readers aged 8+ will thoroughly enjoy this story as some pages don't
even have writing to read. It is also great for younger children
experimenting with their first novel style books or for older
readers with lower skills (they look like their mates).
Dog Man is a dog-headed policeman and is created by the author of
the Captain Underpants series. That alone lets readers know
they are in for some funny stuff. The story starts with how Dog Man
came to be. This is quite hilarious and the colourful drawings
explain the silliness well (you will have to read it to find out).
Now Dog Man might be a man with a dog's head and the villains might
keep trying to ruin his day but Dog Man always saves the day. Read
each new and hilarious chapter and find out how Dog Man fights
vacuum cleaners and robots while still saving the day and annoying
the police chief all at once.
Kylie Kempster
The amateurs by Sara Shepard
The amateurs bk. 1. Hot Key Books, 2016. ISBN 9781471405266
(Age: 15+) Some strong language. Mystery. Alcohol. Parties. Aerin's
sister Helena had been brutally murdered years before and when a
group of young people who belong to an online forum, Case not
closed, turn up on her doorstep offering to investigate the murder,
things begin to get out of hand. The amateur sleuths, Seneca, Maddy,
Madison and Brett all have different talents and together they begin
to unravel the truth.
This was quite a suspenseful plot and very intriguing to begin with.
I enjoyed the idea of the amateurs having a go at solving the crime
and having more success than the police had originally. Seneca was
the most interesting and well fleshed out character, but the others
were often immature and not very likeable. The romances between the
main characters didn't really jell and I found the constant partying
and some sexual innuendos off-putting. As the action progressed, the
country club scene and the wealth of the participants began to
become tiresome, but this may well appeal to a teen audience.
There were a succession of suspects, many red herrings and a
surprise ending which will lead to a second in the series.
Pat Pledger
The cranky ballerina by Elise Gravel
Katherine Tegan Books, 2016. ISBN 9780062351241
Ada does not look forward to weekends, particularly Saturdays,
because Saturday is ballet day and she HATES ballet. Her
leotard is too tight and her tutu too itchy and as for the moves she
is forced to do and practise and practise... as she says,
'Arabesques are GROTESQUE.' As for pirouettes - well! Even with her
little monster sidekick who tries to offer support and
encouragement, she just doesn't like it. For Ada, it is definitely
NOT a case of 'practice makes perfect'.
But one Saturday morning when she is trying to please Miss Pointy
she pirouettes right out the door and into a whole new world, one
where she fits perfectly.
Across the world, Saturday mornings see young girls and boys going
off to do things like ballet and music and sport and so on because
their parents think they should, or they should enjoy them or the
parents are reliving their dreams, but how many are like Ada and
have no aptitude or passion for the activity? Many were the
freezing mornings I cycled many miles to piano lessons thinking of
excuses for not having practised until my long-suffering teacher
told my mum she was wasting her money. Based on the creator's one
disastrous attempt at ballet when she was four, this story will
resonate with those whose abilities, talents and interests lie
beyond those that they are expected to do.
The illustrations are very expressive - even the youngest non-reader
can tell that this is a story about an unhappy child who seems to
have a permanent scowl and for all their apparent simplicity, the
feelings of Miss Pointy and the other girls are very obvious.
With a predominantly gentle colour scheme, lime greens and bright
reds punctuate Ada's discomfort along with speech bubbles and
onomatopoeia giving it a fast pace that will encourage young readers
to read it for themselves independently without much trouble. The
final page is perfect.
Barbara Braxton
Zombiefied! Outbreak by C M Gray
Harper Collins, 2016. ISBN 9780733334238
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Zombiefied! Outbreak is book
three in the series and finds our main character, Ben, facing yet
another challenge. Since becoming a half zombie, Ben has had many
adventures and has been getting use to his new strength and infrared
vision. Unfortunately, Ben's brother is missing and zombie hunters
think Ben has attacked him. Ben is tricked into an underground room
where he discovers the hunters are his best friend's parents! What a
plot twist. Will Sophie defy her parents' orders and set him free?
While these events are occurring, a teacher is also watching Ben's
every move. Why does he seem to be everywhere Ben is? Does he have a
secret? Is he a zombie hunter or is he the Lurker (the zombie who is
very human and turns humans into zombies)? It is a race to find
Ben's brother and keep Sophie's parents safe. Zombiefied! Outbreak is a quick moving, hilarious tale. At a
time when zombies are popular, the story is an age appropriate and
engaging version for younger readers. The text is easy to read, the
characters are quirky, the events are funny and there is something
for everyone in the book. It is highly recommended to readers aged
7+ and will make a great addition to a school or class library. The
novel is also recommended for older students who want to read
popular fiction but are limited with their decoding skills.
Kylie Kempster
King baby by Kate Beaton
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406371758
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Babies, Family, Humour. No-one will be
able to hold back tears of laughter as the baby in this story is
shown at the centre of all that goes on within the family. We all
have experience of how a baby disrupts the orderly routine of the
household, and how it becomes the centre of everyone's attention,
but this wonderful picture book shows this with infectious wit and
humour. The proud parents show off their offspring to all visitors
in the first double page. They are all entranced, taking photos,
gurgling, cooing, holding, watching and kissing. But then it starts.
The demands come thick and fast: feed me, burp me, carry me and
change me, until the parents are exhausted, surrounded now not by
the neat, orderly house but a mess comprised of a load of baby
detritus.
I love the way the seemingly simple illustrations detail the baby's
moods and behaviors : aggression, boredom, smugness, contentment,
demanding and so on, all with a stroke of the pen for his mouth. His
crown is firmly stuck on his head as he goes from one development
stage to the next, despite his weary parents, but another story is
growing in the background in the last few pages, designed to knock
the crown from his head. I laughed out loud, with sniggers of
recognition at a baby's unfailing self centredness. This is a joy.
And an excellent read aloud and sharing story for younger readers
and adults alike.
Fran Knight
Scarlett and Ivy: The Dance in the Dark by Sophie Cleverly
Harper Collins Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9780007589227
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Scarlett and Ivy: The Dance in
the Dark is book 3 in the series. It refers back to the events
from book 1 and 2 so they are not needed to understand this story
but book sets are always good to read from the beginning. Scarlett and Ivy: The Dance in the Dark finds Scarlett and
Ivy, twin sisters, back at their boarding school Rookwood
after the evil principal has been removed. Everyone is hoping things
will get back to normal until the ballet teacher mysteriously
disappears, a strange (almost threatening) message is left on a
board, the horses are let out and a student is pushed from a window.
What is going on at Rookwood School? Are the girls and other
students safe or has the terror started again? Who is the Mistress
Zelda and what does her suspicious behaviour have to do with it all?
Can Scarlett, Ivy and their best friend Ariadne get to the bottom of
another mystery before someone else is injured? Scarlett and Ivy: The Dance in the Dark is an easy to read
novel with a quick moving storyline. It is also easy to follow and
easy to find favourite characters. The characters are a mixture of
different personalities and the subplots make the story interesting.
Readers will also cheer for Ivy as Penny (the bully of the story)
picks on her. They will cheer for Scarlett who just wants to protect
everyone. They will wonder who is behind all of the troubles but can
they read the clues and pick the instigator? The themes are well
suited to readers aged 10+ and is highly recommended for girls.
Kylie Kempster
Blue and other colours with Henri Matisse
Phaidon, 2016. ISBN 9780714871325
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. Board book, Matisse, Art, Colour. A board
book full of reproductions of Matisse's work with scissors, done
when he was old and arthritic, sitting in bed with painted paper and
a pair of scissors is offered to encourage younger children to
recognise colours through the medium of an artist's work. It is a
lovely book to hold and look at each page in turn. The text draws
the reader onto the next page, a child wondering what the words will
say as they explain the colours on each page. Some pages reflect one
colour, then another colour is added, then several colours are
shown, then the book comes back to one, adding a subtle level of
excitement for the reader. Reading aloud with a group of children
will encourage their colour recognition, involvement in an artist's
world and the possibility of trying the technique themselves. The
last double page shows a whole range of colours inviting the reader
to recognise and point to each in turn, the last page has a potted
history of Matisse and his work for the adult to read out to the
child and incorporate in the use of the book, while inside the front
cover is a list of all the works shown in the book with their
details. This is one of a series of board books published by
Phaidon, First Concepts with Fine Artists. Fran Knight
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Wild and wacky edition 2017 by Ripley's Entertainment Inc.
Scholastic, 2916. ISBN 9781338113242
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Crazy facts. Humour. The latest edition of
Ripley's believe it or not looks at crazy facts, and really weird
wonders of the world. It is sure to be an absolute winner with
people of all ages who like to read about strange and wonderful
things and often get a laugh or a sense of amazement about what goes
on in the world. The cover with its vivid face set in a lettuce leaf
and with a pickle protruding from the mouth will be enough to entice
the reader to open up the book and see what is inside.
There is an easy to read and enticing Contents page, with the
headings Extra-ODD-inary Legacy, Entertaining Enterprises, Bend over
backwards, Bizarre World, Funky Fauna, Cross your fingers, and
Culture Collection. An index is also available for those who want to
go back to a particular occurrence. The Extra-ODD-inary Legacy gives
an overview of the Ripley world and how it began, with pictures of
the different spots around the world where Ripley worlds can be
found. The reader is then off to read about the wonderful things
that have been gathered together. I was particularly intrigued by
the little girl who invented ZolliPops, tooth friendly treats and
the creation of cardboard shoes. The picture of a giant African
tortoise being taken for a walk, dressed in a pink outfit also
brought a smile to my face while the photo of the elephant selfie
was amazing.
Interspersed throughout the book are quizzes, which when answered
will send the reader off to sections that may interest them, another
way of browsing according to what the reader may want to read. The
photos are so vivid and interesting that they make the reader want
to read the captions and find out about the wild and wacky things
that are going.
This will appeal not only to reluctant readers but anyone who picks
it up and would make a great addition to a classroom or library and
will give individuals the chance to talk about strange things.
Pat Pledger
Classic nursery rhymes introduced by Chris Riddell
Ill. by Dorothy M Wheeler. Bloomsbury Education, 2016. ISBN
9781472932389
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Nursery rhymes. Nostalgia. This stunning
re-release of a book of English nursery rhymes, was first published
when World War One was raging. Apparently a chance discovery in
company archives exposed the original book which is now presented
with its original illustrations by Dorothy Muriel Wheeler
(1891-1966). Wheeler is best known for her illustrations for the
books of Enid Blyton, but she also produced postcards and a series of
cards, particularly featuring fairies, and illustrated books by Anne
MacDonald. First published by A. & C. Black (bought by
Bloomsbury in 2000) in 1916 as a music book, the nursery rhymes
featured were selected and edited by L. Edna Walter, and the
harmonies were written by Lucy E. Broadwood.
The watercolours accompanying the text in the new edition which
features an introduction from Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell,
have been restored giving the classic rhymes included in this volume
a new life while the musical arrangements created by Lucy E.
Broadwood have been kept for this new edition.
This lovely presentation of a book first published one hundred years
ago, will make any Gran happy as she recalls nursery rhymes of her
childhood and can present them to a new generation. The book
includes some old favourites, 'Little Jack Horner', 'Jack
and Jill' and 'Humpty Dumpty' and with its stunning
illustrations, redolent of books from long ago, the book is aimed at
the Christmas market.
Fran Knight
Timing the machine by Gary Crew
Ill. by Paul O'Sullivan. Harbour Publishing, 2016. ISBN
9781922134530
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Fantasy. Future. Science fiction. Time
travel. When Enoch becomes lost in the museum, he is at a loss to
even remember who he is, let alone why he is there, who his teacher
is, and how he was separated from his class. He questions himself as
he tries to find his way, stumbling over things in his path.
Bleeding, he begins to even question his own humanity, as he
continues to stagger on through the place. Mixed with time travel, H
G Wells' The Time Machine which the class is studying, a
museum full of strange offerings, Enoch's journey will intrigue all
readers. They, like him, will struggle to find out where he is and why
he is there. Sometimes there appears to be someone else in the room,
sometimes his hands become automated, sometimes he climbs large
staircases finding something at the top of the stairs that may
unravel the mystery. All lead the reader on, wanting to know about
the journey Enoch is taking. The mystical language, full of what if's
and why's, never offering an answer, will delight younger readers,
while O'Sullivan's illustrations will carry the reader into the
story, offering clues and hints, about what is going on.
This is a marvellously intriguing book, with writing that charms and
insinuates, complimented with illustrations that sometimes defy the
imagination, but always take the reader further along into a fantasy
world where time is immaterial and time travel an option.
I love the Escher style staircase, the hands that move with metallic
parts, the soaring Gothic building, the rolls of film on every few
pages that tell part of the story of Enoch looking for an answer. He
doesn't get an answer and neither do we, but the journey is
fascinating, and well worth the travel.
A sequel to The
visions of Ichabod X, which was shortlisted for the
Australian Book Designer's Award in 2016.
Fran Knight
Little Owl's egg by Debi Gliori
Ill. by Alison Brown. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408853795
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Little Owl is surprised and a little jealous
when Mother Owl announces there is a new baby owl inside the egg
Mummy has lain. He wants to remain Little Owl and is scared there
won't be enough of his mother's love to share with a new baby as
well.
Clever Mummy decides a walk in the woods with the egg safely in its
nest pusher will help. Little Owl is adamant: 'I'm your baby owl.
You don't need a new one'. Mummy pretends the egg will hatch
into an array of different creatures. Is it wiggly worm crawling
underground, a chocolate egg, a penguin eating a fish on the
freezing ice or a baby crocodile? Each suggestion is met with a
negative response from Little Owl, not a baby crocodile, until Mummy
suggests an elephant, and Little Owl loves the idea of water fights!
There's the suggestion of a dragon, much to Mummy's horror and a
wonderful imaginary creature who eats eighty legged snort beans and
green tubers. As they return to their home in the tree, Little Owl
contemplates all the suggestions and comes to an important
realisation that a baby owl may be the best thing of all.
Alison Brown's charming creatures take on human characteristics and
show a range of emotions as Mummy Owl and Little Owl venture through
the green woodland. Her paintings delightfully depict Debi Gliori's
humourous narrative and fantastic story. A story to share before a
new sibling arrives.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9781460752036
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Inquisition. Middle Ages. France -
History. Miracles. Dolssa de Stigata is a deeply religious girl who
believes that she must preach. Persecuted by the Inquisition and
hunted by Dominican Friar Lucien, she flees for safety and is found
by Botille, a matchmaker in a small seaside town. Hidden in Botille
and her sisters' inn, Dolssa talks to God and begins to help the
villagers. But danger stalks all of them.
This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction. Berry brings the
period and the characters to life - the deeply religious Dolssa and
her belief in God, the Friar Lucien who believes that Dolssa is a
heretic, and the three sisters struggling to make a living in a poor
inn. There is humour and heartbreak as Berry describes the daily
life of the villagers, their love and needs, as well as the horror
of the Inquisition that hangs over ordinary people and leaves a
sense of impending danger throughout the story. Botille is a
courageous young woman and her narration brings both tears and
laughter to the reader.
At the back of the book Berry gives an historical note, writing that
the historical setting is real and that 'Dolssa de Stigata's story
is based on the lives of several medieval female mystics'. There is
more information about the period and a glossary adds to the
authenticity of the narration.
This is a demanding and engrossing read, beautifully written, that
vividly describes the life and beliefs of the Middle Ages. For
readers who have problems with the ending, Berry has written a piece
on her home page: About
the Ending: Unraveling The Passion of Dolssa not to be read
until the reader has finished the book.
Pat Pledger
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Ill. by Chris Riddell. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408870600
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Myths. The story, first
published in 2009 and a World Fantasy Award Nominee for Best
Novella, has been given a new face with the fabulous illustrations
by Chris Riddell. Odd, whose name means tip of a blade, is left
fatherless when his Viking father dies after a raid. His mother
remarries but his step-father and step siblings don't want a boy who
is a cripple around. One winter that doesn't want to end sees Odd
fleeing to the forest and the old woodcutter's hut that his father
once used. There he encounters a fox who leads him to a bear that
has become trapped while trying to gather honey. Overhead an eagle
has hovered watching what was going on. Odd becomes aware that the
trio are Norse gods, who have been trapped in their animal forms by
the frost giants who have taken over Asgard the city of the gods.
Odd goes on an epic journey to find Thor's hammer and overcome the
frost giants all the while carrying a wooden sculpture that his
father had left behind.
The narrative flows along and keeps the reader engrossed in the tale
of Odd, who is a most engaging young man and whose courage in the
face of danger and disability is as strong as his resilience and
kind heart. The legendary figures of Thor, Odin, Loki and Freya are
fascinating and readers will laugh at Loki's antics and smile at the
Riddell's illustrations which make them seem life like. The
knowledge that Odd's mother had been taken from Scotland by his
father and that she had always sung songs in her own language,
provides a theme that readers will want to pursue and makes the
ending all the more poignant.
The black and white pencil drawings are stunning. The front cover
shows Frey, a frost giant and Odd, with a fabulous cut out of
icicles and when the reader opens it up there is the strange face of
a frost giant. The illustrations of the transformation of Odd from a
young boy to a tall young man and the three gods to their proper
forms are wonderful and readers will want to pore over them.
This is a story that begs to be read again and again for its
approach to adventure, Norse myths and Vikings, while the
illustrations ensure that it will be a keeper for families and in
libraries.
Pat Pledger
