The Catawampus Cat

The Catawampus Cat by Jason Carter Eaton, illustrated by Gus Gordon (Viking) HB RRP $24.99   ISBN 9780143785583

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Catawampus (cat-uh-wahm-pus): n. <1. Diagonal or at an angle. 2. Askew, awry.

The Catawampus Cat is a fun and humorous tale of a slightly askew cat that wanders into a busy town, unaware that he is about to change everything. The beautifully simple endpapers, outlining the cat’s journey, set the tone but don’t give too much away.

The townsfolk are busy… busy doing what they’ve always done. As the catawampus cat meanders around town on a regular Tuesday morning, he unknowingly has a profound effect on the people who notice him. The grocer, the barber, the housepainter, the librarian, a school boy and even daredevil Captain Whizzbang all alter their perspectives and are left with a positive change. And it doesn’t stop there! People begin to talk, and the happiness spreads, all because of this catawampus cat. But as the town celebrates, the cat’s reaction to all the fuss may not be what you expect!

Jason Carter Eaton has written an engaging book for a young audience and there is plenty to keep them entertained. Gus Gordon’s collage illustrations are as wonderful as ever, with lots for young eyes to devour. The mixed media artwork, a little off-centre, complements the story beautifully.

This is a fantastic story about how looking at things from a different angle can be helpful, literally and metaphorically. This picture book would also be a great resource for a class lesson on synonyms (There are no fewer than 10 synonyms for ‘catawampus’ woven throughout the book!). Highly recommended for children aged 4-8.

Somewhere Else

Somewhere Else written and illustrated by Gus Gordon (Viking) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780607078861

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

When Australia’s children’s laureate, author-illustrator Leigh Hobbs says of a book on its cover (as he does on this picture book): ‘Adorable characters, superb artwork and an engaging story… everything a great picture book should be,’ it certainly sets up expectations. So let’s see…

This is the story of George Laurent, a duck which isn’t like most birds: he doesn’t go north or south – he prefers the comforts of home where he enjoys baking ‘the most astonishing pastries.’ Bird friends like Penelope Thornwhistle and Walter Greenburg suggest that he travels, but baking and ironing are what George prefers to do. Come Winter, though, George is alone, except for a visit from Pascal Lombard. It is now that George admits a secret – he is unable to fly. ‘On that important day when everyone learned to fly, he was simply doing something else.’ Pascal, who is a brown bear, decides to teach his duck friend how to fly. Failure!

When the two see a hot air balloon in a newspaper, they are inspired to built one themselves. Off they go to discover ‘the world was bigger and more brilliant than they had ever imagined.’ However, something was missing… And to find out what is missing you will have a read Somewhere Else.

The illustrations in this delightful and charming book are marvellous, ranging from the huge array of different (and fascinating) travelling cases on the fly pages to the first page spread of a wide assortment of birds flying north and south, and on to the story of George. Some of the pages have coloured illustrations with line drawings, while others are full-page collages. The double-page spread of Paris at night, with the Eiffel Tower lit up by a pale cream moon, are simply splendid.

Every page is worth poring over – each is full of interest with so many different artistic techniques. The story is simple and straight forward – there is nothing here that is deep and meaningful, but as well as the adorable characters the Laureate mentions, there is certainly superb artwork. This is a book for readers of all ages.

My Life and other Massive Mistakes

My Life and other Massive Mistakes by Tristan Bancks, illustrated by Gus Gordon (Random House)

HB RRP $15.99

ISBN 978-0-85798-529-3

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

Warning: Do not attempt to read this book in church, during a board meeting or if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome; and you’re kidding yourself if you expect to be able to sneak in a few pages while waiting in a doctor’s surgery; you are likely to be politely redirected to the psychologist down the hall!

Because it is not just the laughing, giggles and chortles that are likely to draw odd glances from onlookers, but your contorted facial expressions that may also breed concern for your mental state. Yes, thanks to Tristan Bancks’ latest book in the My Life series, you are likely to find yourself alone on bus seats and in elevators (oh hang on; I see what he did there)!

                                             

My Life and other Massive Mistakes is a chapter book, however when teamed with illustrations from the brilliant Gus Gordon it transforms into a vivid out of control billy cart ride (and we all know how those end).  The short story nature of the chapters will appeal to 8 – 12 year olds and those who find longer form stories more painful than picking a broken nose.

Each chapter is its own hilarious tale recounted by Tom Weekly, a primary school revolutionary hell bent on mischief and taking down any administration within a 15 minute recess, but in a disarming loveable, larrikin kind of way.

Similar to the appeal of the Wimpy Kid or Treehouse books, the My Life series contains many fun ponderings along the way, including Nine Reasons Why Sloppy Food Should Be Banned and 15 Things You Won’t Hear Your Mum Say Anytime Soon.

Essentially the book conveys a sense of living life to the fullest and embracing creativity, which is what childhood should be. I remember a time when my younger brother embraced his creativity when he decided to make money by selling statues of dead cane toads, but not before storing them in the freezer and giving my mother a nasty surprise when she took out the frozen chook for a Sunday roast! I think we all know someone like Tom Weekly.

In addition to the My Life Series, Tristan Bancks has also released the Mac Slater, Coolhunter books. His YA novel Two Wolves was recently shortlisted for the 2015 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Younger Readers.

My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up

My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up by Tristan Bancks and illustrated by Gus Gordon (Random House)

PB RRP $15.95

ISBN 978-1-8647-1817-1  

Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up is a collection of short stories for younger readers. These bite-sized bursts of fun are inspired by Paul Jennings, Andrew Daddo and Andy Griffiths, the sort of stories that will keep kids enthralled and wondering if it really happened or not.

Tom Weekly is just your normal kid with a wacky life. This collection kicks off with his pet dog that is constantly getting kissed by a weird dog lover. Bancks just keeps upping the zaniness and laughs from there. Tom takes part in a hot dog competition, dared to eat vegemite off his sister’s toe and gets attacked by magpies. Kids will be able to relate to that for sure! In fact, kids will find a part of themselves in Tom, who always finds himself in all sort of weird situations. My personal favourite is to see who has the toughest nan. When his nan and his mate’s nan battle, it reads like a wrestling match.   

Bancks is joined by Gus Gordon, who provides some illustrations to flesh out Bancks’ out-there descriptions. They’re a reliable combination to deliver laughs on each page. The notebook layout will inspire kids to write out their own fantastic tales.

My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up has been tried and tested by Bancks. There are some amusing lists and answers from kids on his school visits. He has tapped into a kid’s curiosity and runaway imagination with these short stories. They’re easy to devour and perfect for reading out loud.      

My Life and Other Stuff I Made Up is highly recommended for ages 9 and up. 

My Aussie Dad

My Aussie Dad by Yvonne Morrison, illustrated by Gus Gordon (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978 1 7416 9 228 0
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton
http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/

My Aussie Dad is a humorous rhyming picture book for young children with a feel good ending that will delight all.. On each double spread we meet a different dad doing the Aussie thing. There is the dad burning the chops at the barbie, the DYI dad and the beach cricket dad. Most of the dads are casual, laconic blokes but there is also a dad in a business suit and the stressed out camper. Australia's multicultural society is not ignored. Non-Anglo dads are also depicted in Gus Gordon's wonderful pencil and watercolour illustrations that extend the text with irony and humour.

Endpapers with illustrations of dads and their essential equipment such as sauce, thongs and a footy add to the enjoyment of the book. There is also a framed space saved at the front endpaper for a picture of the book owner's dad. My Aussie Dad represents exceptional value and is ideal to be shared by fathers with their children.