Blue Flower

Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Gabriel Evans (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760894450

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Sonya Hartnett is best known for her award-winning YA novels, so a picture book finds her in new territory. In this book, she writes about a small girl lacking in confidence who doesn’t want to go to school. She is shy about making friends; she’s not competent at physical pursuits, and she worries that in class she will go wrong. ‘Sometimes our teacher tells us something, and I don’t know what she means.’ She waits in the playground hoping her mother will come past in the car, but she doesn’t appear. She asks Mum if she can stay home, but the answer is always ‘no.’ The only thing she appears to be good at is art. ‘When I draw pictures, everyone gathers around.’

The girl gains comfort from her cat, Piccolo with whom she sits in the grass watching birds. She discovers a few blue flowers among a field of yellow, and plucks one, saying, ‘This flower isn’t yellow, but that’s good, isn’t it? No-one wants everything to be the same. Things being different is what makes the world so wonderful.’ This epiphany makes her realise she is different, but that’s acceptable.

The gentle black pencil, water-coloured illustrations of children are worth poring over: the face and body of every child in the playground and in the classroom are expressive and distinctive. Evans is known internationally for his illustrations and is the right fit for Hartnett's book.

This story about the discovery that being different can be something wonderful is suitable for readers aged 5+ years.

Goldie Makes the Grade

Goldie Makes the Grade (Little Paws series) written by Jess Black, illustrations by Gabriel Evans (Penguin Random House Australia) PB RRP $9.95

ISBN 978-0-14-378183-7

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

Goldie Makes the Grade is one in a series of four short chapter books about the puppies that train to become Guide Dogs and the families who look after them. If I were back in primary school now, I know I would have devoured every one of these! For reviewing purposes I have read just this title in the series.

Author Jess Black has penned all four books, and hopefully illustrator Gabriel Evans has also worked on each. The simple, black and white pencil sketches dotted throughout this story are wonderfully evocative and well-placed to support the narrative. The delightful storyline is engaging and very readable.

Goldie is a fourteen-month old Labrador who is due to leave eight-year-old Abby Agresta and her family soon, to begin her final Guide Dog training.

However, young Abby faces the urgent dilemma of clearing Goldie’s ‘name’ in order to ensure that she will be accepted as a service dog. An unfortunate incident in the Agresta household involving cupcakes, has cast some doubt on Goldie’s ability to control her Labrador eating instincts!

This short chapter book punches well above its weight in terms of providing thoughtful ideas for both individual pondering and further classroom discussion. Without being at all ‘preachy,’ it opens up issues of gender and cultural stereotypes, friendships, loyalty, standing up for what you believe in, self-empowerment and doing the right thing, and, of course, information about looking after a guide dog puppy.

I really enjoyed the fact that although child and dog share a very close bond (Goldie even sleeps on Abby’s bed), the story doesn’t delve into the sadness that the two will feel at the time of separation. It rather focuses on the gifts that will be brought to both Goldie and her future vision-impaired owner.

A section with interesting facts and further information is included at the end of the story. An added bonus is that ‘Buying this book helps me become a Guide Dog!” as claimed by the gorgeous golden Labrador on the front cover.

Both girls and boys of primary school age will enjoy, and be informed by, this book.

Roses are Blue

Roses are Blue by Sally Murphy, illustrated by Gabriel Evans (Walker Books)

PB RRP $ 16.95

ISBN 9781922244376

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This superlative verse novel is about people being different and varying perceptions of what that means through a child’s eyes. Highly emotive, this gentle story has additional sub-themes of fitting in, acceptance and trust.

Amber Rose thinks a lot about her family; about before and now. Before the accident her mum was a free spirit - happy, playful, and artistic. Now she sits in a wheelchair, with a lopsided mouth, unable to talk or care for herself. Amber’s before mum has disappeared and she misses all the things Mum was and isn’t anymore. It is only one of many changes in Amber’s life.

Moving house, starting a new school and making new friends is hard. So Amber hasn’t yet told anyone about Mum. Not even her new best friend, Saffron. She doesn’t know how people will react. We see the state of Amber’s heart and mind, and the internal battle she is dealing with. Her feelings and thoughts reach the reader through her measured and precise descriptions about her doubts and fears. Mother’s Day and high tea at school puts Amber in a panic. She has a lot to consider and difficult decisions to make. And if her mum comes, will being different make a difference to anyone?

Sally Murphy’s preference for verse novels is an inspired choice. Amber’s narrative voice is perfect. This book taught me so much about acceptance and seeing things from both sides of every situation. A thought-provoking and moving book.

Annie’s Snails

Annie’s Snails by Dianne Wolfer, illustrated by Gabriel Evans (Walker Books)

PB RRP $11.95

ISBN 9781921720635

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Annie loves the glistening snail trails that lead to her beloved pets. She collects snails, takes them to her cubby house to play with, and names them. But can snails live in a plastic ice cream container?

Annie discovers many things about snails, their needs and their environment. A lesson is learnt when she has to make a major decision about freeing them so they can live.

This story is a terrific example for young children on rules about keeping living things in confined spaces. It is presented in three short stories ideal for early readers. Its outdoor theme encourages play in the natural world and will certainly create discussion about how things in nature live and survive.

The delightful black and white illustrations reflect Annie’s dilemma beautifully alongside the sorrow and acceptance of her final decision.