Sam’s Surfboard Showdown

Sam’s Surfboard Showdown by Allayne L. Webster (text), Amanda S. Clarke (illus.), Scholastic Australia PP RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781742991894

Reviewed by Heather Gallagher

This easy-to-read chapter book focuses on a sporting competition; a relatable topic for middle primary students. Protagonist Sam Sumner is the best at most things at Robe Primary School – he’s the best cricketer, the best Nippers kid, the best mathematician and (according to his own assessment) one of the best-looking boys. But when new kid Finn Hester comes to town, Sam finds himself challenged on all these fronts. When a Nippers competition is announced with the winner receiving a surfboard signed by the legendary Mick Fanning, Sam becomes obsessed with beating Finn and winning.

The book is co-written by step-sisters Webster and Clarke and is part of Scholastic’s program of diversity in literature, featuring Indigenous creators and characters in contemporary Australian stories. Clarke, an Aboriginal artist, has created an attractive beach-themed dot painting cover complemented by decorative chapter headings and dinkuses throughout the book.

Aboriginal culture is backgrounded in the story with Sam’s Dad employed by the local council, working to protect the land and honour the original landowners, the Boandik people. I particularly liked all the aunts and uncles who appeared to cheer Sam on in the big race. The sub-plot about Sam and Finn’s mothers indulging in a little competitive baking was a lot of fun too – would’ve liked to have been one of the kid tasters!

I was curious to see how this tale would resolve given Sam’s desperation to win takes up most of the story. Without giving away the plot, the ending is both surprising and satisfying. Having had sporty children in the target age group, I know this idea of winning and losing in competitive sport can be a huge issue. (It’s not easy to forget the heartbreak that followed the third consecutive grand final loss for my daughters under 11s basketball team!) It’s great to see a story that shows you can grow and change and that winning isn’t everything.

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Happy Pants

Happy Pants by Heather Gallagher, illustrated by Liz McGrath (Wombat Books)

HB RRP $22.99

ISBN 978-1-921632-93-8

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Mummy wears her happy pants we build sandcastles, go out for babycinos and have lots and lots of cuddles.  But when she comes home with baby Darcy, her happy pants stay in her wardrobe. 

Happy Pants is a lovely story about a young child struggling to understand his mother’s post-natal depression.  He first notices the problem after his mum stops wearing her “happy pants”.

         ‘Mummy’s a bit blue,’ says Daddy.

         I love red – fire engines, racing cars and toffee apples.

         But a person can’t be a colour…can they?

         Some days, Mummy stays in bed, sleeping all day.

         ‘Mummy, let’s cuddle,’ I say.

         But she lies as still as the statue in the park.

The reader is taken through the young boy’s attempts to understand the change in his mum.  It is a gentle journey from his observations of her changed behaviour to being babysat by Nanna while Mum goes to the doctor.  Despite the book ending on a positive note, it’s made clear that the problem will take time to be resolved. 

         ‘Did the doctor make you better Mummy?’

         ‘Not quite, my love,’ she says.

         ‘You’ll need to be patient with me…but I will get better, I promise.’

Liz McGrath’s illustrations are big and colourful.  With many full-page pictures, they provide a bright, beautiful backdrop throughout the book.      

Happy Pants is a lovely, heartfelt book that provides insight into a painful and confusing situation that many children find themselves in.  It is a beautiful book on its own or would be a great way to begin necessary conversation on a condition that deserves greater attention. 

Heather Gallagher wrote Happy Pants based on her own experience with post-natal depression.  It is her second book; her first, Ferret on the Loose, was published in 2013.  She lives by the seaside with her husband and two daughters.  When she’s not writing she works in community development at a church.  She can be found online at: http://heathergallagher.com.au

Liz McGrath is a freelance illustrator that specialises in projects that deliver health and community messages to parents and children.  She runs arts projects at a special school in Geelong and, since 2013, has been working on a number of projects through the Bluebird Foundation.  She can be found online at: http://www.lizmcgrath.com.au 

Ferret on the Loose

Ferret on the Loose by Heather Gallagher, illustrated by Benjamin Johnston (New Frontier Publishing)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN – 9781921928420

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Lucy hopes all the training she’s done with Flash will see him win the Annual Fastest Fearless Ferret Race. Elisha, Lucy’s nemesis, wants her ferret Bad Boy Blue to win. He stands a good chance. Sable, who Li owns, is fast but no real threat to either Lucy or Elisha’s entries. Due to falling asleep during races, Mr Olfart’s dopey Sadie will never win. He tells Lucy Flash might, with better training. He’s desperate to win a title he’s never won before.

While training, Flash is injured. Mr Goodo, the vet, prescribes pain killers, banning training for a week. Feeling sorry for him, Lucy lets Flash out of his cage at home. He bolts. After a chase around the house he launches himself into Lucy’s arms and she takes him to the next training session so he can watch. She arrives early. The only one there yet is Mr Olfart. He goads her into letting Flash have a practice race against Sadie with, “What are you: chicken?”

Not long before race day, Flash disappears. No matter how much Dad, Lucy and her friend Penny search, he’s nowhere to be found. On race day, Lucy goes to watch. When Mr Olfart arrives with a new ferret named Mr Incredible as his entry, her sad mood turns to suspicion. His ferret wins and, with help from her brother and Penny, Lucy exposes Mr Olfart as a ferret-napper.

Mr Olfart is banned from racing for two years. Lucy’s ferret is, fairly, disqualified due to having been trained by someone else. To everyone’s delight, Mr Olfart is also punished by being placed on duty for the job nobody likes. Yes, cleaning up the poo after each race. And Lucy says having Flash back is the best prize of all.

This straight-forward, easy to follow tale presents good lessons in fairness and inappropriate behaviour. Like all titles in the Little Rockets series its high quality paper contains well-spaced text and colourful illustrations that break up its ten chapters. Readers aged 7+ are likely to enjoy it very much.