Trouble at Home

Trouble at Home by Cate Whittle, illustrated by Kim Gamble (Omnibus Books) PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-076-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

When Georgia’s family home was stolen – with baby brother Godfrey inside – she saw it happen. But no-one believes that she witnessed a dragon swoop down and fly off with the house and Godfrey. So Georgia and her brother Henry go in search of the dragon, following the only clues they have -- sarsaparilla and potato chip crumbs. But even if they find the dragon, can he be persuaded to give up their house and brother?

This is a fun story about family unity and a troublesome dragon. While the family can make do without the house by cooking on the barbeque and sleeping in the garden shed or car, they do miss Godfrey. And Georgia’s teacher doesn’t believe she actually did her project (or that a dragon carried it off with the house) and Mum is very weepy (being constantly worried about Godfrey).

Georgia’s voice is fresh, young and very entertaining. She is a spunky girl, determined and full of bravado when she faces the dragon. The secondary characters are well rounded, too, especially Henry and the dragon. Dragon is a huge personality; he and Georgia play off each other delightfully.

‘Now what are we supposed to do?’ I said, feeling a bit crazy.

The dragon looked thoughtful.

‘I could make you a cup of tea,’ he suggested.

‘...But you just stole our house!’

‘The cave was getting a bit dull.’

‘Our house!’ I repeated.

The dragon shrugged, his big wings shuddering. ‘I always take what I want. I have to. What else can I do?’

‘You don’t even fit inside!’ I shouted, while Henry tugged my arm.

‘Georgia,’ he whispered, ‘you’re shouting at a dragon.’

Of course, he had missed the bit where I had – possibly- vanquished the dragon in the staring contest, because he had fainted.

Enhancing this text are the illustrations of Kim Gamble, who many will recognise from the hugely popular Tashi series. These pictures show not only the action, but also give clues to the emotions and motivations of the characters.

They also help to create an appealing chapter book which is a great tale for boys and girls seven and up. Trouble at Home is the start of a new series so there will be plenty more adventures with Georgia and Dragon to be enjoyed.

Tashi 20th Anniversary Edition

Tashi 20^th Anniversary Edition by Anna and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble (Allen and Unwin)

HB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781743319697

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

It is over twenty years since Tashi escaped from a war lord in a faraway place and, flying on the back of a swan, landed into the lives of enchanted child readers aged five and up.  Since then he has told dozens of daring and imaginative adventure stories in books featuring dragons, giants, genies and princesses. But readers did not know the story of Tashi’s birth, produced in the 1995 book which is reproduced here in 2015. In the book’s first story, ‘Tashi and the Silver Cup’, Tashi’s mother yearns for a child; one is not forthcoming until she and her husband go to a wise and kindly man who creates a mixture for her – which works.

On Tashi’s first birthday during a family party, a silver cup gifted to the small child goes missing. Despite extensive searching, it remains missing until Tashi, tottering and crawling to his uncle Tiki Pu, cleverly finds it. Everyone knows that Tashi is destined for remarkable things in his life.

Turning the page from this first chapter there is a completely new story about Jack (who, if you haven’t read other Tashi books, is Tashi’s good friend). Jack explains to his parents that Tashi ‘came here on a swan.’

He goes on to tell how Tashi’s parents sold their son to a wicked warlord, but the boy managed to escape onto the wings of the swan.  One has to wonder why the parents, who had been so desperate for a child, would later hand said child over to anyone, let alone one known to be evil. Perhaps child readers wouldn’t care about such a deed, but it worried this (much older) reader.

In ‘Dragon Breath’, the final story in this anniversary book, Tashi relates to Jack how he tricks the dragon into falling into a river. Now he’s one enemy down, but there’s another – the dragon’s friend Chintu the giant ‘as big as two houses put together.’ But Chintu is ‘for tomorrow.’

What most impressed me about this book is not just its beautiful, hardback presentation and its episodic stories, but the quality of the illustrations. They are an absolute stand-out. The extraordinarily talented Kim Gamble creates detailed, exotic and mesmerizing pictures with simple black lead pencil. I spent far more time poring over the illustrations than I did reading – or even thinking – about the written text. Suffice to say I wonder if the Fienberg’s stories would be anywhere near as effective without such brilliant illustrative support.

The continuity of stories in this collection is not always free-flowing – it has a cobbled-together feel – but the story-telling is fine, the writing clear and imaginative. Suitable for readers 8 to 11 years.

You Can Draw Anything

You Can Draw Anything by Kim Gamble (Allen & Unwin)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74237-798-8

Reviewed by Thalia Kalkipsakis

  

Created by Kim Gamble, the much loved illustrator of the Tashi series, this appealing paperback reprint is both entertaining and highly informative.

Designed to teach young artists how to draw, the instructions are given in light-hearted, simple language, but it is also possible to learn the techniques simply by following the step-by-step visuals. My nine-year-old daughter opened the book, followed the illustrated instructions showing how to draw a lion, and then declared: ‘That’s the best drawing I’ve ever done!’

Any budding artist who takes the time to read Gambles instructions will not be disappointed. He clearly and deftly demonstrates the shapes that make up all objects around us, how to draw by following a grid, faces and expressions, perspective, shading and much more. He is encouraging, warm and full of useful tips; ‘Practise expressions in front of the mirror – look for the little lines that change, especially around the eyes.’

Despite the apparent ease with which he draws, the humour and character in each image makes it clear that we are in the hands of a true talent. Designed for children from eight to twelve, the dedication for this book reads: ‘For Mum, who kept me supplied with pencils and paper.’ Any parent of a budding artist would most likely already be following the lead of Kim Gamble’s mum, but they would do even better to add this book to the supplies.

  

Thalia’s latest book is called Head Spinners: six stories to twist your brain (www.thaliakalkipsakis.com).