Malibu and the Naughty Elf

Malibu and the Naughty Elf by Michelle Worthington, illustrated by Dave Atze (Big Sky Publishing)  PB RRP $14.9   ISBN 9781925520644

Reviewed by Kate Simpson

Malibu and the Naughty Elf is the Christmas-themed follow-on from The Three-Legged Kangaroo from Uluru. In this new instalment, Santa and Mrs Clause have donned their cozzies and come to spend Christmas in Australia with their friend Malibu the kangaroo. The elves and the reindeer are enjoying the fun and sun on Bondi Beach, but one elf isn’t happy. There is nothing that Bobby the elf likes about Christmas and while the other elves are enjoying themselves, he is grouchy, miserable…and naughty. Soon Santa is tearing his hair out and it is up to Malibu to figure out why Bobby is spoiling Christmas for everyone.

Full of surfing Santas, skateboarding reindeer and elves playing in the sand, Malibu and the Naughty Elf sets itself up as a classic Christmas down-under tale and, certainly, there’s plenty to satisfy on that front. The story itself, however, is less about Christmas and more about the struggles of an elf trying to fit in and the unhappiness that comes from pretending to be something you’re not. The illustrations by Dave Atze are bold, colourful and packed with humour, surely a winning combination for any pre-schooler.

With Christmas just around the corner, Malibu and the Naughty Elf is one to consider for the stocking.

EJ Spy School: Hide and Peek

EJ Spy School: Hide and Peek by Susannah McFarlane, illustration by Dyani Stagg (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-92193-165-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

It’s nearly Christmas and Emma Jacks loves everything about this time of year, especially Christmas secrets. Emma is very good at keeping secrets. She has a secret identity; Agent EJ, spy in training for SHINE.

One morning close to Christmas, Emma and her friends Hannah and Elle arrive at school early as their class is leaving on an excursion to Christmas Town to visit the Giving Tree. But before they can leave, Emma’s spy watch beeps and she knows she will not be going on the excursion. Emma is disappointed, but a good spy knows she must do her job and soon she is rushed off on her first official mission.

EJ’s mission is at the Giving Tree, Shadow is planning to steal the presents destined for underprivileged children, so she gets to see it after all as well as earning her Spy School disguise badge.

This story emphasises the giving side of Christmas. There is a code to crack, lots of Christmas disguises and plenty of the gadgets reader have begun to expect. This, and the whole EJ Spy school series, would make a great first chapter book for beginner readers from five years, with its large text, simple vocabulary, short chapters and active storyline.

 

The sweet illustrations break up the text and enhance the storyline and young readers can try to spot EJ when she is in her disguises.

This is the sixth book in the EJ Spy school series.

Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker

Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker by James Mayhew (Orchard/Hachette)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN: 9781408314081
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

James Mayhew has created and beautifully illustrated a charming story inspired by the famous Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Ella Bella Ballerina is once again central to this third ballet-themed story which willl undoubtedly delight all small girls who love to dance. Previous picture books are Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty and Ella Bella and Cinderella.

The snowy winter setting of the story features the old theatre where Ella Bella's classes are taught by Madame Rosa. The stage is dominated by a shimmering Christmas Tree and Madame Rosa's special music box has the dancers twirling around like snowflakes. The children become enthralled by the Christmas Eve story of Clara and the enchanted Nutcracker and the nasty Mouse King who has cast the spell.

While the other children are led into a room with tables groaning with delicious sweets, Ella Bella dances alone to the musical box and suddenly finds herself with Clara as her partner dancing in the Nutcracker story. When Clara defeats the Mouse King, the spell over the Nutcracker is broken to reveal a handsome young prince who whisks Clara and Ella Bella off to his kingdom on a magic sleigh. Dancing with snowflakes, meeting the Sugar Plum Fairy and attending an extraordinary party at the Marzipan Palace all happen before suddenly Ella Bella is once again alone on the stage.

Madame Rosa takes Ella Bella into the party room where great plates of sugary treats await her, including one very special item for readers to discover.

Facts about The Nutcracker ballet are told on the last page which complete this dazzling picture book text. The retro art-style is perfect for creating the atmosphere of a classic ballet theatre and its dancers, and will inspire and delight many a would-be prima ballerina.

This picture book may be themed around Christmas but it is perfect for any ballet enthusiast to begin the New Year.

Matilda Saves Santa Claus

Matilda Saves Santa Claus by Alex Field, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (New Frontier Publishing)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781921928604
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Matilda Saves Santa Claus is a simple Christmas story for preschoolers. Matilda Mouse is poor but leaves the last of her milk and her only mince pie for Santa. What she really desires is a Christmas tree. When she ventures into the forest to search for one, she finds Santa's sleigh trapped in vines. Matilda gnaws and gnaws through the vines until Santa is free to continue his journey.

Matilda returns home exhausted and without a tree but when she wakes in the morning , she discovers not only a beautiful tree in her house but presents galore and a thank you note from Santa.

Young children will enjoy this Christmas story with its simple message of the value of helping others. The plot is uncomplicated and the text sparse making this a book that emerging readers could tackle themselves. The book is well presented with its hard cover and illustrated endpapers and Sophie Norsa's vivid pictures reflect the text and fill the pages with colour and life. I particularly like the double spread when Rudolph and Matilda first meet. Most importantly, the thought that a creature as small as a mouse can save Christmas is a concept that will delight all young readers.

My Merry Christmas

My Merry Christmas by Rosie Smith, illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-801-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

As Christmas approaches, everyone prepares in their own way. And although we may all get ready differently, the end result is much the same. When Christmas comes we all gather to share the joy together.

My Merry Christmas is a deceptively simple story told with sparse, well chosen text. There are three to four words on every double spread, accompanied by beautifully illustrated animals – bold, yet gentle and soft. The text and illustrations go hand-in-hand, with as much of the story is told through the pictures as through the words – just as I’ve come to expect from this well known author/illustrator team.

My Merry Christmas is perfect for the very young. It expresses a wonderful message about the festive season. If you only buy one Christmas book this year, make it this one!

My Christmas Crackers

My Christmas Crackers by Bronwen Davies (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-958-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

    Q: Why does Santa always come down the chimney?
    A: Because it soots him.

Everyone loves a good laugh at Christmas time. Christmas crackers, pulled with a crack and a bang, are traditionally packed with charms, funny hats and jokes for family and friends to share around the dinner table. The riddles which make up My Christmas Crackers are exactly the sort of silliness which may lurk in these bonbons.

This attractive hardback has thick strong pages which will endure many page turnings and are filled with bright, shiny illustrations. These are simply drawn and eye-catching in their boldness. My Christmas Crackers is a vivid, glossy joke book, just right for the young and young at heart this silly season. It would make a great Christmas gift.

    Q: What’s brown and hides in the kitchen at Christmas?
    A: Mince Spies.

Ella and Olivia: The Christmas Surprise

Ella and Olivia: The Christmas Surprise by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-921-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia, the two young girls who star in the Australian series for five plus readers, are back in this seasonal special.

In The Christmas Surprise the two sisters help their mother get ready for Christmas. They decorate the tree, ice the Christmas cupcakes and help make up the spare room for Nanna and Grandad who are coming to stay.

But even all this activity cannot distract them from wondering about the presents beneath the Christmas tree. Will anyone notice if one or two are opened early? If they sneak down at night to try, will they ruin Christmas?

Ella and Olivia are not always perfect children, but do try to be good. These five and nearly eight year-old sisters are part of a realistic family and circle of friends which young readers will be able to relate to.

The series features simple, fun stories, told in large, bold, easy-to-read type along with pictures and borders which create attractive pages for beginner readers. There are already nine titles in the series and I’m sure there will be more to come for followers of Ella and Olivia.

Where’s Santa? Around the World

Where’s Santa? Around the World by Louis Shea (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-685-0
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Santa and Mrs Claus are going on holiday. As they travel they are shadowed by Naughty Nat and Mr Paws who want to swipe Santa’s list to add their names to the Nice list. As well as these four characters, there are plenty of other delights to find on each page in this entertaining look-and-find book. From the Great Wall of China, to the tombs in Egypt and the historic site of Stonehenge, the reader must search through humorously detailed illustrations to spot up to 600 different things.

This is a great book for school aged children and will even keep adults busy as well. Although not as hard as the Where’s Wally books, the pictures are teeming with interesting mini-scenes, interactions and some truly hilarious moments. I’ve always enjoyed Louis Shea’s sense of humour and this book is no exception. It would make a great addition to the Christmas books on the shelf and with the long days of summer holidays approaching, this book could come in handy.

Blossom Possum and the Christmas Quacker

Blossom Possum and the Christmas Quacker by Gina Newton, illustrated by Christina Booth (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-959-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Koala Claws has fallen asleep beneath the gum tree after his last stop on Christmas Eve and Blossom Possum cannot wake him. What will happen if he sleeps through Christmas? Can Blossom and her buddies save Bush Christmas?

Blossom Possum and the Christmas Quacker is a fun picture book filled with Australian animals who all have different suggestions about how to help Blossom Possum wake Koala Claws. The story does not always have an even rhythm, or pure rhyme. But the rhyme exists within the sentence structure; the rhythm is exposed as the story builds with lovely intermingling of rhyme, prose and repeated verse:

But Koala Claws wasn’t stirring,
he stayed sleeping like a log.
Stuck in the Land of Nod was he.
So who would do his job?

As the story develops and animal names are added, a wonderful tongue twister is created. Echo Gecko, Neville-the-Devil, Good Luck Wood Duck and many more – try saying them fast.

The language is very much Australian. They 'set off down the track, round the back of the beyond and go past the black stump'. And the story plays out in an Australian setting too. The soft watercolour illustrations bring the gum trees to life, making the landscape very much a part of the story. They show the procession of animals getting longer and longer, stretching across the page and emphasising the vastness of the country around them. Then on alternating pages, the pictures draw closer to very busy animals in a group.

I especially love the image of the animals on their way back, their silhouettes throwing purple shadows, as the trees on the distant hills do, emphasising the passing of time. This is echoed also at the end with Claws and his reinroos silhouetted in the sky as Santa Claus is often depicted at the end of Christmas stories.

This is a Christmas story with a difference, very Australian and, with its balance of repetition and action, and its humour, it should catch the imagination of preschool aged children.

The Gift

The Gift by Penny Matthews, illustrated by Martin McKenna (Omnibus Books)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-545-86291-698-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

As Christmas approaches and all the special Christmas toys are being bought one by one, Brown Bear feels very plain sitting on the shelf in the toyshop. As he sits waiting with the crocodile, he gifts the only Christmassy thing he has, his ribbon, to his friend. When the crocodile is bought the next day, Brown Bear is alone and sad until finally on Christmas Eve, his wish is granted.

The Gift is a beautifully and simply told story filled with hope and expectation in the lead up to Christmas. It embodies the warmth and generosity of spirit which characterises Christmas and shows in a lovely way how insecurities can be overcome by love.

The text captures the rush of shoppers with, ‘worried faces’ and ‘long shopping lists’. It also brings out the friendship as well as the insecurities and anxieties of Brown Bear and the crocodile. All told in a soft and gentle manner.

The story is mirrored in the gorgeous and realistic illustrations. By not showing people’s faces, the focus is kept on the toys until the very last page. Here the baby is sleeping with Brown Bear, and here their relationship is highlighted.

This is a quiet Christmas story which will be welcomed in the frantic rush of December and I’m sure it will find its way into the hearts of young children.

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Star

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Star by P. Crumble, illustrated by Louis Shea (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-330-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

‘There was an old lady who swallowed a star.’
Now if you think that’s bizarre, read on as she polishes of larger and larger items including an elf, fairy lights, and eventually, Santa Claus himself!

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly has captured the imagination of children for decades and I’m sure some adults can still recite this whole poem. Such a silly and humorous premise with an easy and familiar rhythm has spawned many picture book variations. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Star is a Christmas version.

Unfortunately the rhythm doesn’t quite work for me after the first two layers of the poem. It is uneven and awkward, hard to read aloud. I have read and enjoyed many other P. Crumble books, but the text in this one doesn’t flow.

The illustrations by Louis Shea are intense, and at times a shade on the scary side, but this is not a book for pre-schoolers and should be engrossing for primary students. I imagine they will respond with humour, rather than anxiety to images such as the elf who hides fearfully behind the table just before he is swallowed by the old lady.

And the detail in the illustrations is great. On the first page the old lady sits up in bed yawning, which is when the star drops into her mouth. On the wall is a framed photo of the old man and his chook from a previous book by this author and illustrator There Was an Old Man Who Swallowed a Chook. There are two cheeky mice that can be found on most pages doing something naughty. And I love the spines on the books in the book case: Captain Corelli’s Mandarin, Oliver Twisty, Pride and Prune Juice and many, many more.

It will catch the eye of children between the ages of 7 and 12 with its lenticular moving image cover. As you tilt the book in different directions, the Old Lady climbs to the top of the Christmas tree to eat the star. It will appeal to their sense of humour and the detail in the illustrations will entertain.

This is an enjoyable book, just don’t expect it to be an easy read aloud for pre-school children.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Aussie Christmas by Colin Buchanan, illustrated by Glen Singleton (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-367-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Over the years there have been many versions of the Christmas classic Twelve Days of Christmas and this is a really enjoyable addition to that assortment.

Beginning with a platypus up a gum tree, the countdown to Christmas is filled with iconic Aussie images such as footy fans, rusty Utes, cricket legends and meat trays.

The bright, cheerful illustrations enhance the fun and frivolity of the text, and indeed of Christmas itself, and bold clear colours impress summer on every page. Along with the heat, unique traditions of an Aussie Christmas come through strongly in the pictures of the backyard barbeques, cricket games, cheeky chooks and meat tray raffle. Everyone, people and animals, are having a fantastic Christmas. We’d all love a ‘best mate’ who could help provide this.

Included with the book is a sing along CD, complete with wobble board, performed entertainingly by Colin Buchanan. There is also an instrumental version for the adventurous souls.

Out in time for Christmas, this delightful book is aimed at pre-schoolers, but I think its appeal will stretch upwards many many years. And get ready to sing...

On the first day of Christmas, my best mate gave to me...
A platypus up a gum tree.
 

Blog Tour: Dimity Powell and PS: Who Stole Santa's Mail?

We're on the home stretch to Christmas and today Buzz Words hosts someone who knows more than most about Santa. Dimity Powell's new book is PS: Who Stole Santa's Mail? (Morris Publishing Australia). There's also my review at the end of our chat with Dimity and a chance to win a copy of her book.

Q. Hi Dimity, Thanks for dropping by. Other than writing, what else do you love? 

A. Food; cooking it, eating it and growing it. Oh and the feeling of the breeze on my cheeks when I’m reaching along on a sail boat. I suppose the real answer should be my family but for some reason ‘ice cream’ keeps popping up in my mind. I really, really love ice cream. But I can’t eat ice cream and write and sail at the same time.

Q. What were you in a past life (if anything) before you became a writer?

A. Waitress, Activities Supervisor, Chef de Brigade, Stewardess aboard a super yacht, Charter Liaison Officer, Director of Marketing. That’s in this life. Not sure about a past, past life … but I wouldn’t have minded being a pelican.

Q. Describe your perfect day. 

A. Any of my days would be perfect if I could get a perfect night’s sleep!

A day filled with kind words, kind smiles, kind encounters, kind outcomes and kind weather would be ideal. A large bowl of ice cream would end it perfectly, of course.

Q. What five words best sum you up?

A. Tenacious, weird, organized, talented, diligent. (Not all these are self-attributed)

*****

PS: Who Stole Santa's Mail? by Dimity Powell, illustrations by Scott Anastasi (Morris Publishing Australia)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 9780985914714 
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

There's no time of the year more exciting for kids than Christmas. But when best friends Tobii and Sam go to post a letter to Santa they discover that the post boxes are going missing. No one pays them any attention. Matters go from bad to worse when Sam's little sister Maddie is kidnapped and the boys have to really save the day. With a bully brother, an evil elf, a stolen sister and more, this certainly will be a Christmas to remember.

Dimity Powell has written a highly original, fast-paced action adventure for younger readers with twists and turns around every corner. Readers will love how it is the kids who solve the mystery, rescue Maddie and save Christmas. But will they get what they want for Christmas?

WIN! In conjunction with this blog tour, you can go in the draw to win one of three copies of the book PS: Who Stole Santa’s Mail?. Send the answer to this question: 'What do you think Santa wants for Christmas?' to submissions@morrispublishingaustralia.com In the subject line put, PS: WSSM entry. The competition will close at midnight on November 30th  2012.

All entries will be assigned a number, and that number will be put in a draw. The winners will be notified by email. The book can be purchased at your local bookshop. If it is not in stock, please ask them to order it for you. A signed copy can also be purchased from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com

For the next stop on Dimity's blog tour tour visit From Hook to Book on 8 October. For the previous stop see Alison Reynolds. Check out all of Dimity's blog tour stops.

Santa’s Secret

Santa's Secret by Mike Dumbleton, illustrated by Tom Jellett (Random House Australia)
HB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9781742752396
Also available as an ebook
ISBN 9781742748801
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness


Here’s another rollicking, rhyming picture book to romp us towards Christmas.

Santa is zonked out after his exhausting Christmas Eve round-the-world trip. After a refreshing sleep, he’s ready to holiday … Aussie style!

Out goes the Santa speak of ‘Ho, ho, ho!’ and in comes ‘G’day’, ‘Fair go!’ as Santa lands at a beach shack where he secretes his reindeer and unpacks a surfboard from his sleigh.

Illustrator, Tom Jellett, dresses Santa in a tropical pineapple-patterned shirt and thongs before he dons a squeezy wetsuit (red of course!) and hits the waves. He bedazzles the grommets with his surfing skills: ‘He’s in the zone! He’s in a class all of his own!’

The lovely twist at the end reveals the Christmas spirit of giving in a fun way, without being preachy: ‘So, watch out after Christmas Day, for the greatest surfer in the bay.’

Santa’s Secret is a jolly read aloud book for three to five year olds. Children will love the clear and colourful illustrations that depict, not only Santa’s changing expressions, but also the humour of such a bizarre situation. Keep your eye out for the tyre swans, kettle barbecue and wind chimes at Santa’s beach shack.

Seven of Mike Dumbleton’s picture books have been selected as ‘Notable Books’ by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. He is also a multi-award winner for his titles. Illustrator Tom Jellett has illustrated a number of best-selling books for children; he combines this with his work as editorial illustrator for the various papers of News Limited.

A fine and quirky team!

Christmas at the Toy Museum: a Fairytale

Christmas at the Toy Museum by David Lucas (Walker Books)
PB RRP $ 16.95
ISBN 978-1-4063-38520-2
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

After the visitors have left the Museum, the toys go to the Christmas tree and find that there are no gifts there for any of them. Bunting isn’t going to allow them to become discouraged and he suggests that they wrap each other up and give themselves to one another.

A double page spread shows the toys wrapping up each other in turn, using coloured paper or boxes, and tying each gift with ribbons. Bunting remains with no one to wrap. Always ready with a solution, he jumps into a box.  All the toys try not to fidget. But this doesn’t last long as they all soon believe it is morning.

Another delightful double page spread shows the toys as they unwrap the present of each other in turn, until again, Bunting had no one to unwrap.

But the angel on the Christmas tree is real. She has a solution to Bunting’s dilemma. She presents him with a golden box tied with a golden ribbon, containing a wish in the form of a glowing star. What did Bunting wish for?

This magical book with a novel way of presenting the theme of true Christmas giving features characters from the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood in the UK. The objects in the collection span from the 18th to the 21st centuries. The Museum explores all aspects of childhood, not only toys, but books, photographs and clothing.

The front end pages feature all the characters in the book along with their name labels.  The back end pages have all the toys with a curved Merry Christmas sign across the top. The front and back covers, and every page in the book are all fully illustrated. A joyous mixture of images of the toys and the golden star stand against the green background on the front cover. The shiny red tinsel decorating the title adds to the festive look. Ideal for age 5+.

The Down-under 12 Days of Christmas

The Down-under 12 Days of Christmas by Michael Salmon (Ford St Publishing)
PB $12.95, also available in HB $19.95
ISBN 9781921665608
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Talented author Michael Salmon has a vast range of achievements. He’s been involved in television and theatre since 1967 with his Alexander Bunyip show on the ABC for ten years. In 2010, a bronze statue of Alexander Bunyip was commissioned by the ACT Government, which stands outside the Gungahlin Public Library. He has written and illustrated over 160 books.

In his latest book The Down-under 12 Days of Christmas, Salmon’s wonderfully entertaining illustrations bring visual life to the Aussie song that children love to hear and sing.

A kookaburra in a gumtree (with a black hat that matches his beak); two snakes on skis (spotted and striped snakes on yellow skis with glasses, and scarves flying in the wind) ; three wet galahs (pink galahs, throwing water on clothes hanging on the clothesline but getting washed themselves at the same time); four lyrebirds (preening themselves after being attended to by Mr Robert’s Robot Cleaning Service); five kangaroos (two painting the roof, one sitting reading the Bunyip Bulletin with his bucket and brush resting at his feet, one sweeping, and the last one taking notes).

Six sharks a-surfing (on coloured surfboards with huge grins on their faces); seven emus laying (their facial expressions are priceless as they all watch an egg hatch!); eight dingoes dancing (in full ballroom costume with partners); nine crocs a-snoozing (but their eyelids are half-open, teeth visible); ten wombats washing (in a bathtub with snorkels, bubbles galore, scrubbing brushes and rubber duckies); eleven lizards leaping (over a pole that rises higher and higher); twelve  possums playing ( in a cool band called The Possum Band, under a tree). Then it’s ‘all together now’ and the whole song goes back to the beginning. Absolutely delightful!

Each of the twelve numbers is introduced on a full page spread in full colour. The opposite page contains a smaller picture of the previous days’ animals and their antics. Along the bottom of each page is an array of colourful indigenous animals, changing position as the pages change.

On the last double page spread, there are four pictures representing the stages of Christmas celebrations: Carol Singing - candles lit, decorations and expectations; Christmas Eve - Santa arrives with his presents and anticipates the goodies in the plate; Christmas Day – the excitement of opening the presents by the sea in the sun. And then Boxing Day –over-fed and tired, everyone has a good rest!

There is a colour-in picture on page 32, to be photocopied and coloured in.

Lily's Wish

Lily's Wish by Barbara Pyett and Serena Geddes (New Frontier Publishing)
PB RRP $9.95
ISBN 978192104289
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Lily writes to Santa with just one wish: wings to fly. She has a gift that needs to be delivered to the other side of the world. Santa ponders the request. On Christmas Eve, he drops by Lily's house and takes her on a sleigh ride across the world  and Lily delivers a kiss to her grandmother in London. Lily wakes the next morning and wonders if it's all a dream until Grandma rings to tell Lily she has company-Lily's toy rabbit.

Lily's Wish explores the meaning of Christmas without being didactic or ignoring the excitement Santa brings to children. Gorgeous water colour illustrations bring the minimal text to life and extends it. Throughout the story there is no mention of the rabbit though it appears as Lily's constant companion in the illustrations. The illustration of Lily blowing the kiss is perfect. 

Lily's Wish is a book that will certainly feature under many Christmas trees.

Santa's Birthday Gift by Sherrill S. Cannon, illustrations by Kalpart (Eloquent Books)
PB RRP US $11.50
ISBN 9781608608249
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Santa's Birthday Gift does something I have never seen before. It combines the traditional story of Christmas with Santa. I am sure I am not the only parent to be asked how Santa fits in with Christmas. This book may provide an answer.

The rhyming tale starts with the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem stable. At the North Pole, 'an angel named Santa Claus' (who is toy maker) wakes to starlight, packs toys into a sack, hitches his reindeer and offers a prayer. The reindeer fly Santa Claus to the manger in Bethlehem where he offers his gifts and promises to deliver gifts each year in celebration of Christ's birth.

Santa's Birthday Gift has won two awards: a Silver Readers Favorite Award and a National Indie Excellence Finalist Award. Australians can buy through any online store and the book is printed and shipped from Melbourne.

The Aussie Nutcracker

The Aussie Nutcracker by Heath McKenzie (black dog books)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74203-161-3
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton
www.buzzwordsmagazine.com


The Aussie Nutcracker is heath McKenzie's best book so far. Just in time for Christmas, McKenzie Australianises E.T.A. Hoffmann's classic story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Clara and Fritz become Clare and Felix and their magical godfather Herr Drosselmeyer is Uncle Don.


McKenzie stays true to the story but all the characters (apart from the mice) are depicted as Australian animals. Clare, Felix and Uncle Don are koalas, Felix's toy soldiers are a platypus, goanna, wombat and a possum, and the nutcracker is a giant red kangaroo. I loved the sugar glider cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy, ruler of the Land of Lollies. 


McKenzie's illustrations are as bright, bold and colourful as always with the focus on the characters and the action. The snowy edging around the pages pays homage to the original tale. This book will be a sure Christmas hit, an ideal gift for children or to send to relatives and friends overseas. I highly recommend it.

The Little Drummer Boy

The Little Drummer Boy by Bruce Whatley (Random House)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 978-1-8647-1990-1

Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

The Little Drummer Boy is a delightful Christmas tale by Bruce Whatley and a picture book for all ages. The story is about a wooden Christmas ornament, a little drummer boy who is given to a sweet girl named Annie. Annie’s affections for the drummer boy grow over the years and eventually through different generations. It’s a touching tale about Christmas traditions that stand the test of time.

Whatley’s illustrations are warm and inviting. There are some glorious illustrations that bring Christmas to life, with a dazzling Christmas tree being one of the highlights. I loved seeing Annie grow up, and I’m sure that readers will enjoy seeing the little drummer boy change too. Whatley’s humour is littered throughout the story, making it a great story to read aloud, especially leading up to Christmas.

The Little Drummer Boy is a warm tale that breathes new life into an old Christmas tradition. It’s recommended for ages 3 and up.