Charlie’s Whale

Charlie’s Whale by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville (Lothian Children’s Books) HB ISBN9780734420886

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

This is a highly imaginative book about a small boy, Charlie, who loves whales and goes in search of them. Charlie loves all things associated with the sea, from seashells to seahorses, sharks, and stingrays, but it’s whales that are his main love. He looks up about whales in books and on the internet and writes about them in his project book. While his brothers build towers of blocks, Charlie reads stories from his sea books and sings songs to his collection of sea toys. His brothers say he is dreaming when he expresses his interest in seeing a whale.

There are no whales at the aquarium when Charlie’s family goes to visit. When Mum says that whales will be too far out to sea, in the deep ocean, Charlie practises spotting things far away. Without success. It’s only on a visit to the seaside that one day there’s a whale…

Award-winning children’s author Gleeson uses language which stays in the reader’s mind (‘He closed his eyes tightly and saw the darkness of the deep, deep ocean. Huge whales moved with a gentle swish of their giant tales.’) Her poetic writing is accompanied by eye-catching, beautiful illustrations which capture the main character and his family as well as sea creatures. This is a picture book which is likely to interest children from ages 5+.

Clare’s Goodbye

Clare’s Goodbye written by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books) HB RRP $24.99  ISBN 9781760127527

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Clare and her siblings Rosie and Jacob are about to move house. Rosie and Jacob insist on saying goodbye to everything, from their tree-house to the place their pet bunny is buried, but Clare refuses to participate. Clare’s sadness is apparent in her silence, as well as through Pignataro’s touching, charcoal illustrations, like the image of Clare with her back turned as the removalists cart their furniture away.

It’s hard not to feel for her – the youngest child, and the least likely to process a big change. The stark emptiness of the rooms highlights the finality of the move, and allows Clare to bid farewell in her own, special way. The illustrations convey a childlike innocence and evoke much emotion, with a moody grey palette tinged with colour reflecting the poignancy of the story.

This is a touching tale about the difficulties faced in saying goodbye and moving on, and the importance of allowing little ones the space and time to cope with change.

Eleanor, Elizabeth

Eleanor, Elizabeth by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Beattie Alvarez (Christmas Press) PB RRP $18.99

ISBN 9780994234070

Reviewed by Catherine Bauer

This touching, evocative and thrilling tale of family, belonging, growing up and the Australian bush is as enjoyable today as when first published 32 years ago. With a new forward by the author and simply rendered black and white line drawings by Alvarez, Eleanor, Elizabeth is set in 1959/60.

It’s the story of 12-year-old Elizabeth and her family, who relocate to a remote farm that was home to her grandmother, Elizabeth. 

Eleanor struggles with the new situation, including unwelcoming classmates and an equally harsh climate. An abandoned schoolhouse sits among the farm’s old outbuildings. It’s full of webs, old junk and dark corners and when Eleanor decides to explore one day, she discovers her grandmother’s diary, written when she was just 13.

Through the diary, not only does Eleanor get to know her grandmother and the commonalities they share, but she learns about Elizabeth's special haven - a cave. It’s a spot that becomes a refuge for Eleanor, her brothers, and a new friend when a deadly firestorm sweeps the area. The fire is a dramatic high point and one that’s vividly conveyed as we follow Eleanor as she leads her small band to safety against many odds. The story ends with a gift from Eleanor's mother - a diary. It’s a fittingly touching gesture and one that brings the story to a satisfying end. 

In Gleeson’s new foreward, the now acclaimed author describes that she was suffering homesickness in northern Italy when writing her first draft of what was to be the first of her many awarded children’s books and novels.  It’s a fact that clearly influenced her vivid rendering of the Australian environment, as does Gleeson’s  revelation in the forward that she was impacted by her mother’s retelling of old family stories of regional settlement.

Eleanor, Elizabeth is more than a first novel; Gleeson says that its acceptance and success gave her the confidence to continue as a writer.

Christmas Press is to be congratulated for reissuing this Australian children’s classic under its Second Look imprint. Just as it did when first published in 1984, the story is sure to delight and resonate with a whole new generation of young readers.

Mum Goes to Work

Mum Goes to Work by Libby Gleeson, illustrated by Leila Rudge (Walker Books)

HC RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921529825

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

It’s morning. The childcare centre is a-buzz with activity as parents drop of their children and head off to work. Lunchboxes and backpacks are handed over. Hugs are exchanged and goodbyes said. It’s the most hectic time of day because mum goes to work.

But where do mums go? What work occupies them all day between dropping off and picking up their little ones again? What’s more, what do children do throughout the day while their mums work at all these important roles? We get a look into the lives of so many different mums at work or study, juxtaposed with all the activities that fill a child’s day at childcare.

This book is ideal for children from 3 years old and up will be entertainment for every child that has asked their mum what she does at work. Maybe they can find their mum’s job among the many here. Mums also get an overview of their child’s hours away from them.

Themes cover learning skills, the importance of play, friendship, interaction with others and more. The entire book is alive with curiosity and discovery due to the detailed illustrations and their layout. These are beautifully designed and presented, and created by mixed media, including watercolour, coloured pencil and collage. The end pages are eye-catching. These too, can be a source of name-the-picture play.

Mum, Goes to Work should be in all homes with children, schoolrooms and libraries. It will generate lively discussion between adult and child about working mothers in general and their roles, particularly in classes of pre-schoolers and first graders.

Event: Lady Cutler Dinner

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (NSW) is holding its annual Lady Cutler Dinner on 19 November at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel to celebrate the achievement of this year's Lady Cutler Award Recipient Vivienne Nicoll-Hatton. The Lady Cutler Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature in NSW has been presented annually since 1981 by the NSW Branch of the CBCA. This year's Award is sponsored by Peribo.

The Charlotte Waring Barton Award for an aspiring children's writer, which comes with a mentorship with Random House, will also be presented on the night.

With a two course meal, tea/coffee, complimentary drink on arrival and After Dinner Speaker Libby Gleeson the night will be one to remember.

Tuesday 19th November at 7pm for 7.30
The Castlereagh Boutique Hotel,
169 Castlereagh St Sydney
$70 for members, $85 for non-members
Includes 2 course meal, tea/coffee plus complimentary drink on arrival

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL PLEASE BOOK BY WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER

YA Review: Red

 Red by Libby Gleeson (Allen and Unwin)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-1-74175-853-5
Reviewed by Ann Harth (www.annharth.com )

She wakes in pain, covered in mud and with no memory of who she is or why she is lying in a scene of flooded devastation.

Written from the viewpoint of a young girl with amnesia, Red is the captivating novel of her struggle to piece together the past after a devastating cyclone tears apart the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Befriended by Peri, a compassionate but troubled boy, she agrees to be called Red until they can discover her true identity. The two develop a strong friendship as they search for clues about her family and her place in the world.

Snippets of Red’s memory begin to return after she is reunited with Jazz, an old friend from primary school and Red and Peri move in with Jazz’s family until they decide on their next move.

While staying with Jazz, the discovery of a locket containing a memory stick with a message from Red’s father triggers the start of a dangerous mission for the three friends. The information on the memory stick must be delivered into the right hands. Red’s life depends on it, her father’s too – if he’s still alive.

Throughout the book, the strength and courage of Red’s character shine through as she overcomes numerous obstacles. Her loyalty to her father and friends is inspiring as she battles to achieve her goal.

Libby Gleeson has created a fast-moving plot filled with conflict, suspense and with a cast of believable characters. She plunges into the story from the first sentence and keeps the intrigue and emotion high until the very last page.

Younger readers will be riveted by this compelling story as they follow Red on her quest for the truth. The writing is rich with sensory images and invites the audience to enter the world of post-cyclone Sydney.

Award-winning author, Libby Gleeson has published over 30 books for children and teenagers. She is the winner of the 2011 Dromkeen Medal, awarded for her significant contribution to children’s literature. For more information about Libby Gleeson, please visit her website: www.libbygleeson.com.au