Gold

Gold by Jackie Kerin and Annie White (Ford Street Publishing) RRP: $24.95 ISBN: 9781925804539

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Gold is an illustrated non-fiction picture book about the goldrush in the Victorian goldfields, and four men who struck it big. The Blanche Barkley nugget was one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found in Australia. Although the government at the time tried to keep the find a secret, word got out and triggered the Victorian goldrush.

Gold is a non-fiction book but Jackie Kerin’s text reads like a story. It is evocative and in parts poetic. Young readers who thrive on factual texts will find this book exhilarating. There are several pages of cameo appearances at the back of the book from the diggers, young Blanche, for who the nugget was named, through to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. These expand on the historical importance of the story. The illustrations by Annie White are delightful and bright. They capture the feel of the gold diggings and complement the text beautifully.

The gold rush in Australia is a staple history subject in primary schools and Gold would make an excellent learning resource. I definitely recommend this book for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 teachers to enhance their lessons on this subject. This is a must-have book for school libraries.

Clementine’s Bath

Clementine’s Bath written and illustrated by Annie White (New Frontier)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-92505-942-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Clementine, the loveable dog from Clementine’s Walk, is back. This time, the family want to give her a bath but Clementine doesn’t like baths, and anyway, she wants to keep the wonderful smell she just found and rolled around in. What follows is a funny romp through the house and garden as Clementine tries unsuccessfully to hide, a journey which is captured and recorded in a wonderful map at the end of the story.

Clementine’s Bath has an even rhyme which rolls off the tongue well and is easy – and a pleasure - to read aloud.

‘What a pong!’ sniffed Nana.

‘What a stink!’ gagged Dad.

‘Oh Clementine!’ James grumbled.

‘That smells really bad!’

The beautifully painted illustrations show Clementine and her family in a soft, warm, gentle light. I love mum in her gumboots as she prepares the dog bath, the cloud of smell which follows Clementine wherever she goes, and the inquisitive chooks who just want to be part of the action.

Dogs are well loved and Clementine’s Bath is a lovely story which young children will engage with and delight in. The humour, in both words and pictures, will be enjoyed by both children and adults alike and will fast become a favourite.

Gallipoli

Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood, illustrated by Annie White (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-129-5

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Anzac Day honours the Anzacs who, among other campaigns, fought for a small area of land on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Written by Kerry Greenwood, Gallipoli tells the story of Bluey and Dusty, close mates who are among the lucky ones to make it home at the end of the campaign. 

This is a well-written and wordy story which explores the issues of bravery, hardship, fear, humour and mateship. With much more text than is usual in a picture book, this is suitable for primary aged children. It includes interesting detail such as Simpson and his donkey Duffy, the Roses of No Man's Land (nurses), and the battles at Gaba Tepe and Lone Pine. 

The writing creates a little distance between the events and the reader. The story is more about what happens than a more personal account:

In between the fighting, an unexpected bond began amongst the exhausted enemies. They worked together to bury the dead and swapped gifts instead of gunfire.   The diggers offered bully beef, and the Turks gave fruit and sweets in return.

The emotion is in the pictures. Annie White's illustrations are watercolour, unusually soft and gentle for depictions of war. And it is the people who dominate these illustrations. Here, human emotions are beautifully expressed and shine strongly through. As well as full paged illustrations, White has painted sepia photographs, complete with photo corners, which run throughout the story, creating a feeling of a personal photograph album. These begin inside the front cover and continue all the way to the end pages where more recent photos of family round out a life story.

Between the text and the illustrations, a story of Aussie mateship, humour and stoicism is portrayed, making this a tale of Australians at Gallipoli with memories which can be shared with younger children as well as older.    

Clementine’s Walk

Clementine’s Walk by Annie White, illustrated by Annie White (New Frontier Publishing)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN – 9781921928475

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

The opening spread shows Clementine atop a jumbled pile of items; book, bag, blanket, puzzle pieces and toy – some that seem rather chewed. The text says “Clementine was very bored”  and readers see her eyes fixed on her lead, which they’re told she’s spotted and that it “gave her a clue”. Lead in her mouth she’s then off to coax someone to take her walking. But everyone’s busy.

Nostalgic colour illustrations show varied reactions to her intrusive behavior. James is frustrated she’s messed up his jigsaw, Nana is perplexed at her knitting unravelling, Dad is frightened into waking from under his newspaper, Mum is shocked as paint squirts across her art work and baby does nothing but cry. Even the chooks squawk at Clementine. Dejected, she slinks away.

Satisfied that each of their projects have reached a satisfactory point, the family is ready to play but Clementine is nowhere to be found. Everyone searches high and low, eventually finding her “fast asleep, sprawled on the washing”. It’s then that they decide it’s too nice a day to miss the chance of a walk and a delighted Clementine takes front position as they head off.

Suitable for 3-6 year olds and told in rhyme the story’s simplicity is in each situation and in characters’ reactions. Everything comes forth in illustrations that pull readers into the ups and downs of being the energetic dog in the house of people who are occupied with their own concerns. Young readers will be able to access all they need to in the visual story without referring to the text at all.

I’m a sucker for great endpapers and these ones are beautiful. The first immediately draws readers in with a trail that includes a long strand of wool, a bone, a puzzle piece, a ball, a book, a teddy and a shoe. The final double page spread is a map showing the route the family take on their walk from Clementine’s home, past shops that sell Nana’s wool, Dad’s paper, Clementine’s bones and Mum’s art supplies. An enjoyable book.

Grumpy Grandpa

Grumpy Grandpa by Kate Forsyth, illustrated by Annie White (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-175-6
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Grumpy Grandpa is a humorous story, told in rhyme, about a young girl’s visit with her grandfather. She is a little scared of him and his gruffness, but by the end she overcomes this fear and comes to the realisation that he is, as her mum says, ‘a funny old teaser’.

I am immediately drawn to the title and the first page – both text and illustration – is an enticing start to the story plunging the reader straight in. It does take a couple of read-throughs to get the rhythm right but it is worth it. The language is rich and descriptive, Grandpa ‘honks like an elephant into a hanky’ giving her ‘ghastly nightmares’.

The illustrations are fabulous and focus mainly on the girl – with her braid always flying backwards – and her grandpa in his flannel shirt and braces. Although the words make Grandpa seem harsh and scary especially when he asks ‘are you grizzling? Or are you singing?', the pictures give away the suppressed grin beneath his bushy eyebrows and crinkly eyes.

This story presents a unique view of a grandparent/grandchild relationship and is one that I think many young children will find reassuring. And they will respond also to the cheekiness of the story.
A great picture book to add to any collection.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Tom Skinner, illustrated by Annie White, Audio CD read by Antonio Kidman (New Frontier Publishing)
HB RRP $27.95
ISBN 9781921042096
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a colourful and lively contemporary adaptation of Goethe's famous poem and attests to the enduring popularity of this story. First written in 1797 (and titled Der Zauberlehrling), the poem was put to music by Paul Abraham Dukas in 1897, and has been the basis of two Disney movies; Fantasia (1940) and Fantasia 2000. 


Tom Skinner has brought The Sorcerer's Apprentice into the era of the car while still retaining the magic and wizardry. The sorcerer's apprentice Rizwan uses spells to help him with his tasks at the Wizard Car and Camel Wash. As in the original tale, everything goes wrong and the sorcerer must fix all on his return. However, that is not until after the mayor, his limousine and the whole Wizard and Camel Car Wash have nearly disappeared under a cloud of foamy bubbles.Annie White's illustrations are bright and colourful and full of movement. As with Skinner's text she manages to combine magic and modern.

The third title in New Frontier's Music Box series, the book is accompanied by an audio CD read by Antonia Kidman. At various times during the reading, Dukas' classical composition of The Sorcerer's Apprentice plays. There is further music after the reading ends and I must say it is delightful to be writing this review while it plays. The Sorcerer's Apprentice could stand as a picture book on its own but is also a perfect way to introduce young children to some of our literary and musical traditions.