Deck the Shed with Bits of Wattle

Deck the Shed with Bits of Wattle [with CD] by Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion, illustrated by Glen Singleton (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-042-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Syd the Echidna is getting his shed decorated for Christmas when an unexpected willy willy blows through and scatters all his hard work. Dejected, Syd goes to bed. But while he sleeps, his friends sneak in and redecorate his home. What a wonderful surprise for Syd on Christmas morning.

Deck the Shed With Bits of Wattle is a classic Christmas carol cleverly rewritten with Australian flavour. It reflects the true spirit of Christmas, full of friendship and community with not a present or anything materialistic in sight. The Book is warm and fun with wonderfully drawn bush animals, from Syd the Echidna to Boss Cocky to the pygmy possums with their huge eyes holding brightly shining glow worms.

Australia flora also plays a large role in the story as the shed is decorated with wattle, bottle brushes, ferns and other bush flowers and foliage. Even the language is a fun play on Australian slang, ‘Whack some gum leaves in a bottle’ and ‘To help a mate who was in trouble’.

For a truly Australian Christmas, grab this book and sing-along with words and pictures which shine on every page. And when you get sick of all the Fa la la la la la la la la’s, whack on the accompanying CD and let the wonderful Colin Buchanan sing it for you. 

Barnabas the Bullyfrog

Barnabas the Bullyfrog written by Em Horsfield, Carol Heuchan and Yolande Bromet, illustrated by Glen Singleton (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117202

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

The illustrations in this book remind me of Quentin Blake’s work -- they’ve got that flavour and sense of style. But these are bigger and bolder and spread wider across the page.

This is a fun book that begins with a page introducing the characters. Great touch! There’s Max the boy, Maureen the kangaroo, Madge the emu, Arnold the koala, Dean the echidna, Gus the wombat, Borris the goanna, Nosh the nutmobile and of course Barnabas the Bullyfrog.

The story begins with Arnold reading his beemail and exclaiming, ‘No! The bullYfrog is back! He’s blaming bees-es for his sneezes, threatening to attack! He plans to bullYdoze the bees and drive them far out west; demands we meet him at the hive, if we know what is best.’

Yep, it’s rhyming verse again! Generally it scans quite well but it’s probably worthwhile for the adult reader to look it over once before attempting it because the rhythm only works when the emphasis is correctly placed.

Barnabas the BullYfrog is back and he plans to bullYdoze the bees because he’s blaming them for his sneezing. Nosh the nutmobile and his friends have been bullied before, so they rally to the defence of the bees. I’m sure kids will love the picture of Barnabas with his tongue trapped under one of Nosh’s wheels while Dean spreads honey along its length.

Barnabas changes his tune when his sneezes ease at the honey application.

With a mixture of themes on friendship, bullying and the benefits of bees, this is a book for more than one occasion. It is created by Macadamia House and is part of ‘The Nutmobile Series’.

Big Book of Aussie Dinosaurs

Big Book of Aussie Dinosaurs by Kel Richards, illustrated by Glen Singleton (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-056-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Dinosaurs are endlessly fascinating, especially to young children. And this Big Book of Aussie Dinosaurs is perfect for small dinosaur fans. With exciting page headings such as Attack! and Dinnertime! Children will be flipping through the pages to discover all the facts and legends attributed to these prehistoric creatures.

Focussing on the dinosaurs who roamed Australia, this fabulous book talks about the fastest, slowest, oldest, youngest, biggest and smallest Aussie dinosaurs. The author compares them to animals such as chickens and whales so his young audience will understand comparisons immediately.

The text is humorous and informative and there is a gallery at the back of the book to help with pronunciation of dinosaur names and what they mean. There is also a small section explaining how we know what we know about them.

A large hardcover, this book is a great size for little hands. The short nature of picture books means the bites of information about each dinosaur is just right for the focus of the very young.

The humour in the text is emphasised in the illustrations. Bright and attractive, they hook the reader in straight away. They also give added meaning to the facts in fun and silly ways. A Skartopus is scaring a postman, a Muttaburrasaurus with its round snout perfect for smelling with holding a very stinky sock, and Australia's youngest dinosaur, Wintonopus, holding balloons and a birthday cake with one candle. 

Big Book of Aussie Dinosaurs is entertaining, informative and easy to read and understand. A must for young dinosaur fans from 4 years and up.

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.