COLLIN, Chris (text) Megan Kitchin (illus.) A Bug Called Doug +CD Funkybooks, 2014 unpaged $24.95 ISBN 9780987450753 SCIS 1657604 Doug is a bug that is misunderstood when first discovered under a bed by two young boys. Their immediate reaction is to clobber him, and even their mother is unsympathetic to Doug’s plight. It’s not until Doug starts talking to them that they all take a closer look and realise their first impressions of Doug were wrong. He’s actually a loveable bug, and an Australian native! The rhyming narrative of this book makes it entertaining and easy to read aloud. When…
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BARNARD, Simon A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land Text, 2014 88pp A$45.00/NZ$55.00 ISBN 9781922079343 SCIS 1676106 This beautifully illustrated large-format book provides an enthralling journey through the personal histories and daily lives of the men, women and children who were transported to the British penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land between 1803-1853. Simon Barnard grew up in Tasmania, and his fascination with its history is clearly evident in the painstaking level of research that underpins this book. To ensure the authenticity of his drawings, he accessed a wide range of 19th century source materials such as physical objects, photos,…
Candice LEMMON SCOTT(text) Celeste Hulme (illus.) Moon Attack 113pp ISBN 9781925059090 SCIS 1675362; Robot Games 110pp ISBN 9781925059120 New Frontier (Jake in Space), 2014 $14.99 pbk Moon Attack is the exciting first book of this series. Set in the year 4040, eleven year old Jake lives on a space station with his parents. Having failed his Space Car Driving licence many times Jake is sent to remedial driving school on the moon where he is put under the care of triple ace pilot Cradock. There Jake makes friends with children from other planets, including Henry the cyborg who works for…
KHURANA, Vijay (text) Simon Greiner (illus.) Regal Beagle Random House, 2014 121pp $14.99 pbk ISBN 9780857983701 SCIS 1676277 In this highly improbable tale, the throne of a nameless kingdom is vacant after the death of the Queen. As she had no family members, not even distant ones, the royal scrolls are retrieved from the archives and consulted. They decree that when a monarch dies with no heir ‘the crown shall be passed on to his or her best friend.’ This puts the court in a dilemma because the Queen’s best friend was her beagle, Lucy. While Proctor Kindly has no…
FENSHAM, Elizabeth My Dog Doesn’t Like Me UQP, 2014 126pp $14.95 pbk ISBN 9780702250170 SCIS 1666673 Eric is sad and angry that his dog doesn’t like him, to the point where the only solution seems to run away. After all, his family seem to like Ugly more than Eric, and he gets blamed for dirty paw marks and bad smells that are clearly the dog’s fault. Eric tries to get Ugly to like him more, but it’s Grandpa who offers him some help, linking him to a firm-but-friendly dog trainer who explains the long and persistent journey Eric will have…
BRAXTON-SMITH, Ananda Plenty Black Dog, 2014 139pp $14.95 pbk ISBN 9781742032429 SCIS 1671936 Ten year old Maddy is terribly angry because her parents have decided that the family will move from their inner city house to a rural place called Plenty. The author describes Maddy’s attachment to her neighbourhood and friends in deeply personal terms. We are given a sense of Maddy’s identity being connected to her surroundings with ‘She was Maddy Frank, Keeper of the Street and Queen of the Back Lane. Friend to Dogs. Runner of the Fence Line’. Her territory is Jermyn Street in inner city Melbourne. …
BAUER, Michael Gerard (text) Joe Bauer (illus.) The Case of Animals Behaving Really Really, Really, Badly Omnibus (Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale), 2014 122pp $12.99 pbk ISBN 9781742990651 SCIS 1666662 This new release from the talented Bauer team is aimed at all fun- loving 8 to 80 year olds. Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale, who first appeared as a fantasy alter ego of Eric Vale in the Eric Vale series, now has a graphic novel all to himself. He is a secret agent, working for Archibald Boss. There have been three mysterious robberies, all involving animals. It does take Derek…
Anne Hanzl 1937 – 2015 The children’s literature world was saddened to learn of Anne’s death early in January 2015. Anne had a wide and profound influence in the area of children’s literature in many ways and over many years. Anne’s early professional life did not suggest that children’s literature would become her great love and her professional focus. Anne was born in England and emigrated to Australia with her parents in 1950, arriving here not long after her 13th birthday. After leaving school she began nursing training, first in Sydney and then in Melbourne following her family’s move…
Author Gregg Dreise talks about the story behind his first picture book, Silly Birds. It’s hard to soar like an eagle, when you are surrounded by turkeys. It is so hard to reach your potential without support. Support from parents, siblings, friends and great teachers can help everyone become the best that they can be. My life so far has been surrounded by inspiring people. I have also had times when I knew that I could do better. Silly Birds has been one of my opportunities to repay young people, and future generations, with inspiring words. Words to encourage people…
CAMILLERI, Michael (illus.) David Metzenthen (text) One Minute’s Silence Allen & Unwin, 2014 unpaged $29.99 ISBN 9781743316245 SCIS 1668846 This must surely be one of the most important, significant, poignant and thought provoking picture books, or novels, about Gallipoli and the ANZACS to have been published. The title is a metaphor that stills the heart, while challenging the intellect and demanding an emotional response. The stark black and white drawings are probably the most arresting among the spate of war books – especially those devoted to examining the truth behind the propaganda; the reality of warfare generally; and the ANZAC…