Bill CONDON (text) Beth Norling (illus.) The Simple Things Allen & Unwin, 2014 160pp $12.99 pbk ISBN 9781743317242 SCIS 1648018 This is a delightful book about an initially reluctant young boy who has to spend his holidays with his parents and his really, really old, grumpy and scary great aunt for three whole weeks. Steve and Aunty Lola take a while to bond, partly because of Steve’s honest (and very funny) replies to her questions and his endless questions of her. Mind you, Aunty Lola can also be difficult. When Steve asks about her hobbies, she says: ‘Being alone’; however that…
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BRAID, Liz Half-Pint Publish Me (Brumby Girl), 201371pp $14.95 pbk ISBN 9780980753820 SCIS 1643396 An authentic and exciting tale for young ‘pony tragics’, this is the story of Jessica and her beloved filly Half Pint, revealed in 22 easy to read chapters with a useful glossary for real novice riders. Farm, home, stables, gymkhana and pony club settings are faithfully recorded in a yarn that is typically Australian and a warm representation of horses and owners alike. reviewed by Chris Dayman
BOUMA, Claudia Amy and the Wilpena Flood Wombat (Australian Girl), 2013 73pp $12.95 pbk ISBN 9781921632358 SCIS 1621318 It’s holiday time and Amy’s four friends are coming from their homes in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne to spend a week with her in Adelaide. The last time they were together they adventured back in time using their magic beads. Amy and the girls soon find an old map when exploring the vacant block next door and are transported back in history to Wilpena Pond, 1914. Together they must warn the Hill family of the danger awaiting them, a flash flood. This…
BINKS, Gweneth (text) Amber Flynn (illus.) Winston Purple Wren Pub, 2013 87pp $20.00 ISBN 9780646906102 We have read about teddy bears, train engines, cars and rabbits. All have talked to us and taken us on exciting adventures, but there are very few books about teapots, and that is what Winston is. He is taken off the high shelf in the shop and bought by a kind old lady, who has a daughter?, granddaughter? who finally takes him over. Nothing much happens to Winston: his life is tranquil, except when he swells with pleasure. Unhappily, Winston is a little dull. He…
BALLA, T. Rivertime Allen & Unwin, 2014 78pp $24.99 ISBN 9781743316337 SCIS 1653104 In Rivertime, lively ten year old Clancy embarks on a canoeing trip along the Glenelg river with his uncle. During this fun-filled adventure he learns some invaluable lessons about making friends, overcoming difficulties and appreciating the beauty and diversity of the world. Removed from the distractions and hectic tempo of life, Clancy and his uncle become part of the stillness of ‘rivertime’. The unhurried pace of the journey captivates them as they stop to socialize with fellow travelers, watch the wildlife and observe the birds. As Clancy settles…
ALEXANDER, William Ghoulish Song Much-In-Little, 2013 166pp $16.99 pbk ISBN 9781472108760 SCIS 1644337 Kaile’s life as a music loving daughter of a baker is convincingly told in a medieval type world of Zombay, peopled by goblins, witchmakers ghouls and humans with some mechanical body parts. Daily activities revolve around superstition and the power of the Captain of the Guard. The River and the Bridge are important. Kaile’s grandfather had been a famous musician who played by the Bridge to keep the town safe. A goblin gives her a flute made from bone but it only plays one mournful song, which…
Allen & Unwin The Juliette Chronicles #3 & conclusion Ignite Me Tahereh Mafi ($15.99 pbk) The Last Trilogy #2 The Last Shot Michael Adams ($19.99 pbk) Trouble Twisters #4 Missing, Presumed Evil Garth Nix & Sean Williams ($12.99 pbk) Constable & Robinson/Much-in-Little Fairyland #3 The Girl who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two Catherynne M. Valente ($19.99 pbk) HarperCollins/A&R Roxy Ran #3 & conclusion Black Warrior Tiffiny Hall ($14.99 pbk +e) Slave Girl #2 Talk Like An Ancient Egyptian Alexa Moses ($16.99 pbk) Scholastic The Last Thirteen #4 & #5, 10 & 9 James…
JANSEN, Adrienne (ed) Sarah Laing (illus.) The Curioseum. Collected stories of the odd and the marvellous Te Papa Press, 2014 160pp NZ$29.99 pbk ISBN 9781877385926 SCIS 1652874 What happens when you let loose a large group of writers into the national museum, Te Papa? They are allowed to scatter around and scavenger, to locate various objects and muse upon the creative possibilities? Who owned this? Why has it been hidden? What is the meaning of it? What story can it tell? You get, of course, a collection of the most odd and marvellous of stories! Joy Cowley kicks the ball…
FORMING CIRCLES P/L Written Portraits 2013: Portraits at Home: An Anthology of Short Stories by Australian Teenagers Green Olive Press, 2013 181pp $24.95 pbk ISBN 9780087599810 This is the second Written Portraits anthology, following upon the second writing competition auspiced and organized by Forming Circles. The organisation is only three years old and is incorporated as a social and ethical investment company. One of its aims is to inspire change in the way we do business in the twenty-first century. The publishing press is a ‘collaborative partner’ with Forming Circles. I am not sure how this information helps to make…
WOOD, Karen Jumping Fences Allen & Unwin, 2014 223pp $15.99 pbk +e ISBN 9781743316399 SCIS 1641258 Zoe has amnesia after a fall from her horse while mustering cattle for her over-worked father. As she recovers, she starts to have flashbacks about the scene: the correct number of cattle going in the yard, a boy rescuing her, a kiss meant for someone else. There are other puzzles, though, such as why her boyfriend and her best friend aren’t answering her texts, and her father’s reluctance to talk about Zoe’s horse. The only ones that seem to be standing by Zoe are…