The Party Club

The Party Club by Anne Fine, illustrated by Arthur Robins (Walker Books)

HC RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781406353129

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Rosie loves birthday parties. She loves everything about them from the balloons to the give-away bags at the end. She gets excited about the birthday list at school and looks forward to being invited.

But things have changed this year. All the kids on the birthday list are considering alternate ways to celebrate their birthday. As one reveals their idea, a new idea is born for other birthday celebrations as some children feel they are getting too old for parties.

Rosie decides to create a Party Club to keep birthday parties alive. She suggests a ghost party, perhaps a monster party, or even a clown party.  But there is no interest in any of them. Even Rosie’s parents are considering not having any more birthday parties.

Rosie makes a list of all the good things about birthday parties. Her parents make a list of all the bad things about having them. Rosie can’t seem to convince her friends or parents that things should remain the same.

It isn’t until Gracie invites Rosie to a show and dinner to celebrate her birthday that Rosie realizes that birthdays can be celebrated in lots of ways, and with just a few best friends.

This is a great story about adapting to change, and being open to new ways of celebrating and having fun.

The Only Child Club

The Only Child Club by Anne Fine, illustrated by Arthur Robins (Walker Books)
HC RRP 21.95
ISBN 9781406348064
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

What is it that an only child never gets to do? Are they missing out on anything significant? Ryan, an only child, decides to create a list of only children from within his class, to discover if there is something missing from their life.

He is meticulous and detailed in his preparations, adding and deleting names as he goes through his list to make sure he’s chosen the right children. But the hilarious and surprising outcome of his experiment is hardly what he expected.

This is a fun-filled chapter book for beginners with lots of terrific illustrations to support Anne Fine’s clever theme.

Under a Silver Moon

 Under a Silver Moon by Anne Fine (Walker Books)
PB RRP $13.95
ISBN 9781406319248
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Anne Fine has created a delightful moral tale of two boys born at the same time; one rich, one poor. The story tells how Prince Haroun, the Sultan’s son and Heir to Throne, and Akil, son of a kitchen servant and a gardener, played together in the scented gardens of the palace. But too soon it was time for Haroun to learn his Princely duties, and for Akil to learn gardening skills under the supervision of his father.

But everything was done for the Prince. The only thing he was allowed to do was feed himself. This became his sole occupation since play was forbidden, until he was too fat to move and pain and boredom was all he experienced. Meanwhile, Akil grew strong and sturdy outside in the fresh air, working beside his father.

A hooded stranger dares to approach the royal family with an unusual suggestion and a solution is finally found to rid the Prince of his pain and boredom.

Illustrator Lotte Klaver has created black and white pencil images of the characters and their activities that complement and accentuate the text. This is a compact chapter book, but one that carries a great tale and a worthwhile lesson for children. The attractive cover is presented in sky blue, with silhouetted images of the two boys in a darker shade of blue, sitting together under a sliver moon.