The Grinny Granny Donkey

The Grinny Granny Donkey by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley (Scholastic) HB RRP $17.95 ISBN: 9781775435976

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘There was a sweet donkey who lived on the heath. She was so funny with her false teeth …’ The Grinny Granny Donkey joins Craig Smith’s funky, spunky donkey family, continuing the giggly, wiggly fun of The Wonky Donkey and The Dinky Donkey. Inspired by a viral video of a Scottish grandmother laughing as she read The Wonky Donkey, Craig’s new book is sure to tickle everybody’s funny bone.

Aimed at kids aged four to six, the language utilises simplicity and repetition to both entice young listeners and encourage new readers. Recurring end rhymes with ‘donkey’ roll off the tongue with ease, adding a quirky, perky layer to this charming tale. Craig brings Wonky Donkey and Dinky Donkey into the story at the end, ensuring that this will become a beloved book to share between generations.

Katz Cowley’s colourful illustrations light up the pages with love and life. Grinny Granny Donkey’s airy, hairy coat looks soft enough to touch, while eagle-eyed youngsters will enjoy searching the illustrations for Granny’s itty, bitty butterfly friend. As with the previous two books in the series, Katz’s ever-clever visual characterisation of the donkey protagonist is endearing.

Fans of world-famous The Wonky Donkey will adore this latest addition to the family, and it is the ideal book for grandparents to read to their grandkids. The singsong nature of the text lends itself perfectly to music, so there is a special Grinny Granny track that can be downloaded or streamed for free.

Gus Dog Goes to Work

Gus Dog Goes to Work written by Rachel Flynn and illustrated by Craig Smith (Working Title Press) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504884

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

Sheep dog, Gus, does much the same thing every day. He has his breakfast, hops into his owner’s ute and goes to work with him. One day, though, he wakes to an empty bowl. What’s more, his owner, Tom, seems to have left home without him! What follows is a warm and witty tale of Gus Dog’s mischievous trek around town to locate Tom. And perhaps to find some breakfast.

Tom has taught Gus Dog several colloquial expressions that come in handy on his adventures: ‘gidday, getup, getdown, come’ere, getoutovit, gohome and goodboy’. (There is some fantastic alliteration with the letter ‘G’ in this book!) Gus Dog goes to school, rounds up people’s chickens and sheep and forages through some garbage bins. He receives tirades of abuse from people around town and is never really sure what he has done wrong, but he certainly recognises some of their words. He even learns a new word, mongrel, after it’s said to him a couple of times. Somewhat confused, he good-naturedly trots off elsewhere each time he is berated.

Eventually, Tom finds him and Gus Dog gets to hear a far more comforting expression: ‘goodboy’. The author cleverly contrasts the use of the phrase ‘gohome’, also, subtly showing how it can be interpreted positively or negatively in different situations.

Popular author-illustrator team, Rachel Flynn and Craig Smith, have published several books together and have a complementary style. Smith’s illustrations – a combination of pencil and Corel Painter – are superb, as always. The rustic colours throughout the book perfectly reflect the dustiness of rural Australia. Gus Dog has a comical appearance, to match the humour in the text, and a soft expression in his eyes that makes him very endearing. Whenever Gus is being spoken to, the language appears in speech bubbles within the illustrations. Gus Dog’s journey is beautifully reflected in a wider view in the endpapers, where sepia-toned pictures offer an additional picture revealing Tom’s path. (Smith’s illustrations in the story itself also reveal the reason why Tom disappeared.)

This simple story reflects on the power of language, while observing country life, pets, working dogs and animal behaviour. At around 800 words, it’s a great length for lower primary school students aged 5 years and up.

The Unforgettable What’s His Name

The Unforgettable What’s His Name written by Paul Jennings and illustrated by Craig Smith (Allen and Unwin)  PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781760290856

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

Imagine a boy so terrified of being noticed, that he has the chameleon-like ability to blend in with his surroundings. Imagine his fear escalating so greatly, that he can change how he looks entirely. Now, imagine that you have Paul Jennings’ imagination … and send that boy on a two-day series of madcap adventures.

When our narrator, ‘What’s His Name’, finds himself running from thirty, angry, tough-looking bikies, his fear generates a physiological response that allows him to camouflage. Throughout the story, the boy’s pursuers constantly change and he constantly tries to evade them. For every chase, the reader is treated to an interactive ‘look-and-find’ double-paged colour spread by the talented Craig Smith (who teamed up with Jennings for The Cabbage Patch Fib series). Jennings cleverly connects these drawings to the story using language to create smooth segues. For example:

They started to laugh … They fell about wetting themselves. What? What? What? What did they see?

At that point, the reader turns the page and searches for the boy in the picture. The illustrations are cleverly drawn, in Smith’s award-winning, recognisable style. Readers will enjoy the challenge of spotting the boy in the pictures and can use the clues in the text to help them. Also appealing to the age group (7–12 years) is the large font, and the numerous black-and-white sketches complementing the story throughout. (Almost every double page features a picture.)

It’s a highly amusing story that is lots of fun to read. The zany tale includes a couple of new friends called Fearless and Banana Boy. There’s an altercation with the leader of a pack of escaped monkeys, The Big Pee. There’s a charming girl called Gertag. And a huntsman spider quite possibly saves the day. But, in amidst the craziness, it really is a heartwarming story of a lonely boy who just wants his dad back. Jennings has written it for children who shy away from the spotlight, stating that the story:

‘… tells the quiet people that their lives can be exciting and successful without having to ceaselessly promote themselves.’

Oh, and we do learn the boy’s name eventually … and it’s much nicer than Gertag!

Born to Sing

Born to Sing by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-151-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The holidays are here again and during a family meeting Dad announces they will all be taking a special trip. He is taking the boys to Tasmania to see the penguins and Mum will take Maddie and Nan to Shark Bay to see the whales. Maddie is a little concerned when Mum says they are taking the ratty caravan, but nothing can spoil her excitement at the possibility of seeing whales. Maddie loves to sing and her favourite music is whale songs. She is super excited!

Born To Sing tells the story of the adventure Maddie has with her Mum and Nan as they make their ten-hour journey. It also shares the fun they have when they arrive, including an encounter with the huge and magnificent whales in Shark Bay.

A humorous and happy story, it is based around an indigenous family with a lovely bond and is set firmly in the Australian landscape and culture. Where else would you see an emu walking down the main street with no-one batting an eye?

Informative and entertaining, this is a great book for those just starting to extend their reading skills to chapter books. It is well written with easy to read sentences for younger readers. Lovely black and white illustrations break up the short chapters, filling the pages and enhancing the light, fun atmosphere of the story.

The Dog Emergency

The Dog Emergency by Sally Morgan, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-135-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The Dog Emergency is a new title in a series based on indigenous characters. In this story brothers Dillon and Ryan help an injured dog and hope they can keep him. Unfortunately Mum is still upset over the recent death of their old dog Buster. She has said there will never be another dog; it’s too upsetting when they die.

But the boys are determined to find a way to keep him. Maybe if they can raise the money to pay for the dog’s surgery? This plan seems to be working until, just when they think they have enough money, the dog’s owner reads the lost dog signs and comes to the nursing station to claim him.

Authentic voices and interesting characters with a hint of mischief come through the text strongly, as does the outback, small Australian town setting.

Short, with uncomplicated words, humorous illustrations, an appealing layout and light but universal themes, this is a great chapter book for early readers from the age of 8 years old.

The Memory Shed

The Memory Shed by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-034-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Annie is helping her grandmother to clear out an old shed in the back yard. They sort objects for a garage sale, in order to make way for a new shed to be built. But it would seem that the old shed is not happy about this. As Annie tries to guess what is in the shed it looks as if Grandma is changing her mind about knocking it down. Will Grandma and Annie listen closely enough to hear the long forgotten, dusty old things which hold many childhood and family memories?

The Memory Shed is another title in a series of early readers chapter books based on indigenous characters. This is a familiar story with twist. It emphasises the importance of listening and the value of family histories as Grandma creates wonderful stories for Annie about how life used to be.

A touch of mystery and a sprinkle of humour make this an enjoyable story with the bond between grandmother and granddaughter forming the core of a tale about family and memories, both keeping them alive and creating new ones.

The soft illustrations on every page enhance the stories and character personalities, adding to the appeal for young readers.

It’s heartening to see the inclusion and continuing growth of indigenous culture in mainstream publishing.

A lovely read for 6 year olds and up.

Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept

Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders, illustrated by Craig Smith (UpLoad Publishing, 2013)
HB RRP $22.68
ISBN: 9780646546230

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Jayneen Sanders’ picture book Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept tells the story of Sir Alfred, an endearing and brave little knight. Sir Alfred is small and innocent, and conveyed perfectly by illustrator Craig Smith. He comes from a broken family. His mother works hard cleaning Lord Henry’s castle, and after school, Lord Henry offers to look after Sir Alfred while his mother finishes her cleaning.

Sir Alfred and Lord Henry have such fun together until one day Lord Henry touches Sir Alfred inappropriately and refuses to stop when Sir Alfred asks him to. Lord Henry warns Sir Alfred that if he tells anyone about their “tickling game” his mother will lose her job and it will be his fault.

As the story progresses, Sir Alfred changes. He becomes quiet, introverted, frightened and sick with worry. His attempts to stay away from Lord Henry fail until one evening his mother hears him sobbing in his bed and reminds him that ‘some secrets should NEVER EVER be kept’.

Wrapped in the warmth of his mother’s love, Sir Alfred discovers that speaking up and sharing his terrible secret is the right thing to do.

This is a difficult story to tell, but an important one. It is a disturbing reality that sexual offenders are more often than not known to their child victims, and, according to Sanders’ website, an astounding one in three girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn eighteen.

An experienced primary school teacher, counsellor, editor, author, publisher and mother, Sanders has recognised the need for resources that assist parents, carers, teachers and child welfare professionals in educating and empowering children to speak up, no matter what.

This book includes a useful Note to the Reader and a set of Discussion Questions. It is recommended by the author that it be read to children by a parent or caregiver. Suitable for reading with children from pre-school and beyond and a recommended school library resource.

One Rule for Jack

One Rule for Jack by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-033-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

If there is one thing Jack hates more than showers, it’s the jobs Mum gives him on Saturday mornings. They always need to be finished before he is allowed to go hang out with his mate Thommo. Jack knows how to get out of chores. It’s just that somehow all his efforts seem to be backfiring.

And then Dad gives him the worst job of all. Surely his plan cannot fail here.

Australian indigenous culture is quietly but firmly present in this story.  Yet the book transcends race.  This is a story every young boy, or girl, will easily relate to. Who wants to be sweeping the patio or washing the dog when their mate is waiting on a sunny Saturday morning?

One Rule for Jack is a gentle, funny, tale. There is a lovely family atmosphere - with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Joe living next door. And the lesson Jack learns comes across naturally without being preachy or moralising.

Jack is an engaging narrator, giving tips to the reader throughout. 'Okay - here's a pro tip. Inside jobs are the hardest. One parent is usually hanging around. If you're not careful they can catch you out.'

The cheeky sense of fun is carried in the illustrations as well. The look on Jack's face as he manoeuvres a plunger into the toilet is priceless. And the way his mother and grandmother gather around to help him solve his problems reinforces the closeness of the family.

Smith's soft black and white pictures illustrate each page of the book and help to create an easy and enjoyable story for beginner readers. The short chapters, large font and straight-forward words and sentences make this an accessible story for young primary aged children, while the humour and storyline speaks to every child.

Going Bush With Grandpa

Going Bush With Grandpa by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-026-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Pete and his Grandpa are going camping in the bush. They both love to prospect for gold and with Grandpa's new metal detector they are sure to find some. Enough even, for a holiday in the city. Pete would love to go to Perth to watch a footy match.

But on the camping trip Pete learns about more than prospecting. There is so much more to the bush experience than gold. There's unexpected wildlife, fire-side tales, singing lessons and Grandpa's cooking. And with all the other bits of metal and junk in the ground will the super duper metal detector detect any gold before it's time to head home?

Going Bush With Grandpa is a lovely story about a boy's relationship with his grandfather. It is about the passing on of wisdom and the gentle lessons of nature and the bush. And it's about patience and persistence in the search for gold nuggets.

The dialogue is wonderfully colloquial with the atmosphere of the Aussie bush strongly present.

Beautifully written, the humour is subtle and the characters are the star of this story. Grandpa serves another tinned curry for dinner but noting that Pete is a growing boy, 'I had better give you some green vegetables too.' He stirs in a tin of peas.

The illustrations reflect this gentle humour between Grandpa and Pete as well. When Grandpa 'lets me swing the metal detector back and forth' the picture shows Pete enthusiastically in control of the detector while Grandpa sits back on a log having a drink.

This is a lovely family tale, wonderfully told, with gentle lessons about life. Short sentences, short chapters and simple, universal concepts make this a great book for young readers. It would also be a great read aloud book for five and six year olds. Many children, boys and girls, will be caught up in the bush experience and hunting for gold.

This is the first in a series of chapter books to be written by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina based on indigenous children, country and family. I look forward to the next title One Rule.

My Daddy Ate an Apple

My Daddy Ate an Apple [with CD] by Craig Smith, illustrated by Scott Tulloch (Scholastic NZ)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-77543-200-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

There’s a classic joke that was a favourite in our house for some time. What is worse than finding a worm in your apple? A: Finding half a worm.

This very silly book (good silly) explores exactly this idea. When Zebra’s daddy eats an apple he accidently eats a worm as well. And the consequences are not too good for poor Daddy.

Kids are going to love the funny story, sing-song lyrics, and fabulous illustrations which enhance the humour. The worm - it was a fuzzy one, a buzzy one, a great big fat juicy one –also stars in many of the pictures and has as big a personality as the daddy zebra. The picture of the worm hanging on to Daddy’s tonsils before being swallowed is very funny. I also love the trip to hospital on the elephant ambulance, and the nurses (monkeys) taking Daddy’s x-ray, and ... I could go on. The illustrations are delightful.

The words fit cleverly into a well-known tune and kids are going to love how Daddy’s stomach ache is resolved. Craig Smith plays the guitar and sings the song on the accompanying CD and will keep young children happily entertained and engaged. Smith is also the author of the wildly silly and very popular The Wonky Donkey.  

The Windy Farm

The Windy Farm by Doug MacLeod, illustrated by Craig Smith (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781921504419
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Living on the windiest farm on Windy Hill is not easy. Some days the pigs are nearly blown away, and one day half the house is blown away. But Mum comes to the rescue. Not only is she an inventor (love the heavy metal shoes that keep everyone grounded) but she comes up with the idea to save the farm. Why not harness the wind and build a wind farm?

This funny and tongue in cheek picture book not only tells the story about the windiest farm on Windy Hill, but also sends a message about the environment, especially sustainability and harnessing wind power. Issues that are very current.

Smith’s delightful and detailed illustrations add to the sense of humour of this book. The image of Grandpa with his favourite pig, Big Betty and the pigs and chickens in the background wearing Mum’s metal shoes is one of my favourites. I also love that the wind becomes a character, appearing in every page.

This would be a good book for younger readers, but lower primary school children would also find this a good jumping off point for discussions on the environment and issues such as sustainability and energy consumption.

The House that Wonky Built

The House that Wonky Built [with CD] by Craig Smith, illustrated by Katz Cowley (Scholastic NZ)
PB RRP $24.99 (includes CD & activity kit)
ISBN 978-1-77543– 115-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The House that Wonky Built is an activity pack inspired by and including the well loved picture book The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. 

‘I was walking down the road and I saw ... a donkey. He had only three legs ... And one eye! He was a winky wonky donkey.’

The rhythm of the words, the build up of the repetition and the increasingly difficult tongue twisting end line all make this story a delight to read no matter how many times you are called to.

The illustrations by Katz Cowley are fabulous. The Wonky Donkey’s character is portrayed through his cheeky grin and is charming, playful and attractive despite his three legs, one eye and bad smell. The little bird, who follows Wonky through the pages, is a great character too. This small yellow companion experiences the donkey’s characteristics for us. He faints at Wonky’s bad smell, flies off with the donkey’s eye, and plays Wonky’s honky tonk music on the gramophone. My favourite picture is Bird sitting in the grass looking up at Donkey, emphasising the clever perspective from below, making Wonky Donkey look tall and slim.

The activity pack with the book includes a play set, removable stickers and a cd. This play set folds out to create Wonky’s stables, three rooms and an outdoor area. Along with this are several pages of foldable furniture and accessories to create Wonky’s world, as well as Wonky Donkey and Bird. I especially love the inclusion of the coffee machine and pot. This has all been cleverly created by paper engineer Phillip Fickling.

While playing with Wonky Donkey and recreating the story, children can listen to the very amusing CD included in the kit. The honky-tonky tune is performed by Craig Smith.

This book can be enjoyed from a very young age, but the play set is best suited for over six year olds. Even at this age, children will need adult help to construct the furniture as it is more complex than paper dolls, but there are hours of fun to be had during and after construction. I think upper primary children would enjoy the humour and ingenuity of the furniture, stables and ‘setting up house’.

Sister Madge’s Book of Nuns

Sister Madge’s Book of Nuns by Doug MacLeod, illustrated by Craig Smith (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 978-1-921504-43-3
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

This is a new full colour hardback release to celebrate the 26th anniversary of its first publication. Now, back by popular demand, a new generation can become acquainted by the sisters of Our Lady of Immense Proportions.

This book is a collection of funny, weird, warped, hilarious, mirthful, amusing, chuckle-worthy and even funny poetry.  Doug Macleod’s comic verse introduces us to Sister Madge Mappin and her fellow nuns. From Sister Bossy and her descent to warmer climes, to Sister Cristabel and the Cushion of Joy. ( I will never think of nuns in the same way.)

With the artwork of Craig Smith, detailed pen, ink and watercolour; the book is alive with colour. My favourite is the image of Sister Isobel in the pool with the ‘deadly fishes’.

A great picture book to read out loud. Suitable for the older reader, 7 and up. It will become a favourite for children that like ‘silly and naughty poetry’.