Paul Cookson (text/poetry), Steve Wells (illus) Crazy Classrooms, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books/Walker Books, 1 July 2015, 95pp., $14.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9781847805058 This book of poetry from celebrated English poet Paul Cookson, is all about the school environment. At times funny, at times gross, and at other times poignant, Cookson turns the spotlight on students, teachers, the playground, school photos and even the classroom furniture in this collection of poems. Some of the characters, sentiments and events in this collection are universal and readily identifiable within the Australian context, however this is stretched with poems addressing British lunch-time canteen scenarios. Cookson’s poems are…
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Dean Lahn, Bad Ned, Omnibus/Scholastic Australia, 1 November 2015, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781742991313 This is a cleverly packaged, humorous book referencing Australian legends like Ned Kelly and Waltzing Matilda in a story about a young farm boy’s antics and imagination. The narrative begins by announcing that “Ned was a bushranger” and we see a young boy playing bushranger by tying up his toys to a post, and stealing cupcakes. He makes some armour from cardboard boxes and then his imagination takes over, and the illustrations begin to show how Ned sees himself in his play – dark escapades riding…
Maggie Thrash, Honor Girl: a graphic memoir, Walker Books, 1 September 2015, 272pp., $24.95 (hbk), ISBN: 9780763673826 This beautiful hardback edition of Maggie’s account of the summer she spent at camp when she was 15, is a coming-of-age story, and a coming-out story. The framing device at the beginning, where as a 19 year old, she reconnects with her older crush from summer camp, Erin, initially seems contrived and clichéd, however, by the end of the novel, it’s clear to see why the book has this structure. The majority of the story is set during this summer camp, in the middle…
Michael Northrop, Amulet Keepers (Tombquest #2) Scholastic, 28 April 2015, 193pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760150389 Amulet Keepers is the second episode in a fast-paced Tombquest series. It is possible to read this book without having read the first but it would make more sense to start at the beginning to flesh out the back story. The first book, Book of the Dead, was set in New York where Alex’s mother disappeared after using the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead to save him from terminal illness. She also unleashed several terrifying ancient evil Deathwalkers, the first of which is defeated…
Candida Baker (text), Mitch Vane (illus), Belinda, the Ninja Ballerina, Ford Street, 25 August 2015, 32pp., $24.95 (hbk), ISBN: 9781925272031 This is a ballet book with a refreshing difference. The ballerina, Belinda, goes to ballet lessons on her mother’s insistence but prefers to do cartwheels and head stands rather than practice ballet positions. Her assertion that she would prefer to be a ninja, rather than a ballerina, are dismissed by her mother and her always encouraging ballet teacher, Miss Kate. Things come to a head when Belinda vehemently asserts her wish to be a ninja rather than participate in the much planned…
David Harding and Israel Folau, Chance of a Lifetime (Izzy Folau #1), Random House Australia, 1 July 2015, 176pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780857986610 David Harding and Israel Folau, Reality Check (Izzy Folau #2), Random House Australia, 1 July 2015, 176pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780857986634 I recently signed up as a Reading Time reviewer. I admit to feeling a little disappointed on seeing the illustration of rugby players on the covers of my first books to review, because rugby is a subject I am ignorant of and disinterested in. Nonetheless, I was pleased to discover that there is more depth to the books than…
Knife & Packer (text, illus), Deep Sea Dash (Wheelnuts! #4), Scholastic Australia, 1 June 2015, 96pp., $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781743627259 Fourth in the Wheelnuts! series is Deep Sea Dash; an exciting, fast-paced and vivacious story of a crazy car race between six teams under the sea. Best suited to independent readers from age seven, there are plenty of sophisticated terms, sub-plots and tongue-in-cheek humour to reel them in. Warren ‘Wheelie’ Wheelnut, an eccentric billionaire, sets up this fantastical racecourse deep below the water. In this book, which almost resembles a virtual game, the drivers must be the first, second and…
Louise Zanni (text), Anna Pignataro (illus), Too Busy Sleeping, Little Hare Books, 1 September 2015, unpaged, $24.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781742979625 Too Busy Sleeping is a gentle, sensitive and delightful story about a little girl’s curiosity and eagerness to play with her new baby brother. As with any older sibling adjusting to changed family dynamics, Eleanor experiences feelings of frustration and disappointment. But it is only with good intentions to engage with Rueben; the baby who is always too busy sleeping. She imagines carting him to the park and sharing her blocks with him, but to her dismay newborns have their…
Ant Wood (text), Lorraine Robertson (illus), Flaming Charli, Envirobook, January 2014, 32pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780858812482 This story tells of an overly raucous, squawking Sulphur-crested cockatoo named Charli. Her favourite trick is the ‘curly wurly Raaaarrrkkk!’, but this puts off the neighbouring inhabitants in the Australian bush. Although warned by Mum to keep quiet, it is Charli’s loud screech that alerts the creatures to a fast-approaching, thunderous bushfire and allows them to successfully reach safety. Perhaps a more unique trick would have individualised Charli in this typically gregarious group of birds. The story ended happily for the creatures but leaves…
Knife & Packer (author, illus), Meet the Robotsons (Freak Street), Scholastic Australia, 1 June 2015, 96pp., $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760150075 In this quirky neighbourhood on ‘Freak Street’ an assortment of families reside, including the Supersons, the Humansons, the Wizardsons, the Aliensons, the Zombiesons, and, of course, the Robotsons, just to name a few. In mostly uncomplicated language, with regular references to gadget-focused puns, we are amused by the odd and entertaining antics of this family. Mr Robotson has a strong desire to re-fuel his robotic stunt hero acting ways, whilst Mrs Robotson takes her job as Maintenance Manager at the…