Angus and Mouse Go to Town

Angus and Mouse Go to Town by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton (Scholastic) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781760663155

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Angus is dreading going to town with his mum. However, his friend Mouse has never been shopping and thinks it sounds exciting. Despite Angus warning Mouse that shopping is boring, Mouse insists upon going too. It does not take long until Angus realises that taking an egocentric and energetic youngster shopping can be quite a handful.

Angus and Mouse Go to Town is a picture book with colourful illustrations and anthropomorphic characters that would appeal to an early childhood audience. It is a companion book by the same creators to Angus and Mouse Read a Book.

Look Me in the Eye

Look Me in the Eye by Jane Godwin (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN9780734420794

Once trust is gone, what is there to hold onto? From award-winning author Jane Godwin, here’s a novel about young teens navigating friendship and trust in a post-pandemic world of surveillance and control.

 

running late
drop it off without me

I type drop what off? I don't know what Mish is talking about.
While I'm typing, another message appears. don't tell bella
But I am Bella.

 

Best friends Bella and Connie live on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish, Connie's cousin, who must be included even though she is unfriendly and unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted, and the three teens are eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up, there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them. But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?

 

Do we have a right to know everything about those we love? Look Me in the Eye is a tale of young teens navigating freedom and trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.

Angus & Moose Read a Book

Angus & Moose Read a Book by Jane Godwin & Terri Rose Baynton (Scholastic) PB HB RRP $19.99 9781760661557

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Jane Godwin is a highly acclaimed author of many books for children across all styles and ages. She is published internationally and has won numerous awards. Godwin was also a Children’s Publisher at Penguin Books Australia for a long time.

Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new library book to share with Mouse something terrible happens. Can Angus forgive Mouse?

Godwin has written a thoughtful, sweet story that celebrates friendship and reading. The voice is endearing and helps you fall in love with Fergus and Mouse. The opening sentence introduces both characters and shows the depth of their friendship. A long time ago, Mouse found him asleep in a pile of hay in the back garden. The dialogue is character driven and childlike. ‘Mouse will really like this book.’ The librarian Ms Goode calls Angus the wrong name. A child wants to be called by the right name. I like that this is included in the story.

My favourite part of the story is when Angus is challenged the most. ‘Mouse what have you done? You’re not supposed to eat it!’ The story tension increases as Angus tries to solve the problem. Godwin has Angus not wanting to read his library book anymore because the damage will be discovered. A child too often hopes a problem will go away, but it doesn’t. I love the takeaway message that Angus doesn’t let what happened ruin his friendship with Mouse. Forgiveness is an important message.

The illustrations by Baynton are so whimsical and perfect for this type of picture book story. The cover feels warm and tender with Mouse perched cheekily upon the end of Angus’ nose as they both gaze at each other. The soft pastel colour palette suits the characters and the friendship theme. The mix of single- and double-page spreads enhance the text and give the book a more classic picture book feel. I think the characters as animals really strengthens the story. It was clever to make Ms Goode the librarian a flamingo. I love the page where Angus is in bed worrying and Mouse gently has a paw on Angus’ arm. It shows so much more than words can about their friendship.

Angus & Mouse Read a Book is picture book for 3- 8 years about friendship, forgiveness and reading. The endearing characters and strong themes are sure to appeal to parents, teachers, and librarians. This is a book that is sure to be found upon many bookshelves to be visited again and again.

 

A Life Song

A Life Song by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker (Penguin Random House, Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781761047640

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Music is a form of storytelling. Songs are inspired by life events – the ups and downs, the joys, and the sadness – and can be added to, verse by verse, with a chorus, a (heart)beat and a melody. So, it makes sense that life could be seen a song.

This is the metaphor that Jane Godwin and Anna Walker use in their beautiful book, A Life Song. It’s a celebration of individuality and the precious nature of life and is skilfully rendered through Godwin’s uplifting words and Walker’s gentle, welcoming illustrations.

As the book explains, our stories start at birth. They grow and evolve over the years and capture all our memories. But when we leave, our story – our song – stays behind, a tribute to our time on earth.

A Life Song reminds me a little of the classic Dr Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! However, it is gentler. More lyrical. Quieter. Ultimately, I would go as far to say that it has the potential to be more powerful.

Share this book with your child from the first time you read to them. Then again as they grow. Encourage them to compose their song – one that is unique to them – to embrace the moments of joy and learn from the difficult ones.

This book is more than a story. It’s a journey, and a catalyst for inspiration that should be shared through generations.

A Walk in the Dark

A Walk in the Dark by Jane Godwin (Puffin) Paperback RRP $16.99 ISBN 978 0 734 420770

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

 

Five teenagers set off on an overnight school hike. 'It's just a walk in the dark. What is there to worry about?' That’s what head teacher, Johan says. But what he doesn’t know is that a storm is brewing. The teens head into the forest late afternoon, unaware of what will unfold. Yet, what happens will change them forever. To survive, each must use their own individual strengths and learn to trust each other. Set in the rainforest of Victoria’s Otway Ranges, A Walk in the Dark is about friendship, family, trust, identity and setting boundaries.

Jane Godwin has written a unique, enthralling read with a strong plotline and characterisation. The story is both fresh and modern. For example - same parent families, not fitting in, self-acceptance, family dynamics and home situations are explored. The voice is strong and believable. The reader is constantly surprised as each teen grows and changes.

‘I’ll catch you before your ankle hits the ground. Trust me,’ said Elle, the water rushing so close to them. ‘Hold my hand.’ As the storm builds, dangers unfold, and relationship dynamics increase. They stood in a little circle, soaked through, shivering, frightened and exhausted. ‘What do we do now?’ said Ash.

 

Godwin has created tension in each chapter and the dialogue moves the story along. The sentence lengths vary according to the tension and story pacing. Chrystal hummed. Looked up. ‘Where are the birds now?’ There are no adults which is attractive to its readership. I love the fact that lots of information about various topics is shared by each character which lets a reader learn things informally. This book has a strong Australian environmental element too.

 

A Walk in the Dark is a brilliant read for children aged eleven and up. I would highly recommend this book to teenagers, parents, schools, and librarians because it’s so well written and captivating. Just as the highly acclaimed book Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden (1993) captivated a middle grade audience and still does today A Walk in the Dark will gain a young readership today.

All the Words I Need to Know

All the Words I Need to Know by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Andrew Joyner (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760897277

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here is a first dictionary picture book for toddlers (or super-bright babies!) The fly pages, front and back, list all the letters of the alphabet, sketched by two owls -- a child and an adult --who appear on all the following pages as guides. The text is for the most part written in rhyming verse, such as ‘All the words you need to know/Will help you as you learn and grow. /From ant and ball to yak and zoo, /Here’s a word book/JUST FOR YOU!’

The pages of the book are filled with lots of humorous action as the two unnamed owls get involved. For example, with the letter ‘A’, they collect apples, eat avocado, and examine an ant. On the ‘B’ page, they engage with a bouncing baby in the bath, in bed, and playing with a ball. All the ‘A’ and ‘B’ words -- and throughout the book -- appear in large black font, and a single, larger red letter. 

The illustrations are so zany, one can imagine a small child laughing at pictures such as the giant elephant using its eye to peer into the end of a periscope, the owls climbing a ladder to reach the giraffe’s head, and the horse licking an ice-cream, also the octopus building a tower of bricks. When the owls are in a boat on water, there is a question about the fish (How many fish are in this pond?) so the adult reader will guide the child as they count together.

There is so much to investigate on each page that there’s no doubt many hours will be spent with adult reader and child (or children) reading and re-reading and laughing at the numerous pictures. The last pages finish with a rhyming summary of what’s been seen and heard in the book, with the final double spread showing mum and dad and small son accompanying the owls into a silly zoo (where the octopus plays a fiddle, the yak balances on a watermelon, the snake plays a xylophone and more.)

This book comes highly recommended.

Bear Make Den

Bear Make Den by Jane Godwin, Michael Wagner and Andrew Joyner (Allen & Unwin 2016)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN: 9781760110017

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Meet Bear, a lovable, can-do kind of a guy sporting a broad smile and a pair of blue overalls. Bear has a simple plan to build himself a den. He has a reference book that tells him how to go about it, but he also has a problem. No matter what he does, his den just never feels done.

Something’s missing from Bear’s new home, but it takes him a while to figure out exactly what…

Bear Make Den – a new picture book from Jane Godwin, Michael Wagner and Andrew Joyner – will delight readers and listeners alike as Bear leaves no stone unturned in trying to solve his problem.

He crafts bespoke furniture, bakes swoon-worthy cakes and paints his walls with fine works of art before he finally realises exactly what his den needs.

He yells into the seemingly lonely woods: “DEN NEED BEARS!”, and when his new-found bear friends arrive in droves to share his hospitality, Bear finally feels satisfied that his den is done.

I’m always blown away by the deceptive simplicity of a good picture book and this creation is no exception. The language provided by Godwin and Wagner plus Joyner’s vibrant and playful illustrations enhance Bear’s journey and the happiness and warmth he finds in companionship.

When read aloud, I have little doubt that Bear Make Den will be a hit with pre-schoolers as they guess what Bear might try next and simple, rhythmic language and effortless appeal make this a terrific choice for encouraging new and reluctant readers.