Are You the Easter Bunny?

Are You the Easter Bunny? by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Angus & Robertson) HB ISBN 9781460765494

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Bilbies, which not many know, are one of Australia’s most important and endangered animals. 

In this joyful picture book, an Australian author and illustrator show the animal in its natural habitat, the desert.

Numerous children's books have been written about the Easter bilby, but this picture book, ideal for readers aged 4 to 7, turns that idea on its head. This bilby replies to a small red bird that asks if it’s the Easter bunny. It explains its world: how it digs holes that shelter it from the heat, how it listens, sniffs, and feels for its food, how it uses its’ whiskery sniffer-snout’  to find seeds and grubs, and how it uses its ‘tall pink straight ups’ (its ears) to listen.

Ideal for carers and teachers to read aloud, this text in strong, rhyming verse, uses rich language such as ‘four scritcher-scratchers’ and 'a long, slim bottom wriggler’ which will surely elicit giggles from young children.

The illustrations make good use of white space and reds and greys, showing the bilby in its environment.

By the book’s end, the reader will be assured that a bilby is not an Easter ‘bunny’, but an animal that is Australian. It concludes with the words, ‘I’m a bilby, hip hooray! But I think it’s grand to help the lands. And I hope I’m here to stay.

Whitney and Britney: Chicken Detectives

Whitney and Britney: Chicken Detectives by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic) RRP HB $17.99 ISBN 9781743836057

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

The dazzling Whitney and Britney are back! If you loved this talented author-illustrator’s book Whitney and Britney: Chicken Divas, you are in for another treat. This time these marvellous chooks are more than just divas, they are also detectives! After performing in a fabulous stage show with their friend fox, Dora, the chickens realise she is down in the dumps. Dora says she misses performing with Gloria, who simply disappeared one day. The chooks hate seeing Dora sad, so, despite not knowing any details, they set off to find Gloria. Will pure determination find her?

Whitney and Britney: Chicken Detectives is a lively narrative written in rhyming verse, complemented by vibrant illustrations. This fun and engaging picture book is suitable for children aged 3-8 years.

This book is the sequel to Whitney and Britney: Chicken Divas, the official story chosen for ALIA’s National Simultaneous Story Time 2020.

 

 

 

Lily's Balloon

Lily's Balloon by Katrina Roe and illustrated by Helene Magisson
(Wombat Books) https://www.wombatbooks.com.au/index.php/lily-s-balloon HB RRP $20.00 ISBN: 978-1925563399

Reviewed by Lucinda Gifford

"When Lily finds a beautiful, big, shiny balloon she wants to keep it forever. But what if somebody else needs it more?"

This is a gentle, philosophical book which guides us towards looking beyond ourselves to see the bigger picture. Lily loses her balloon, but her spirits soar as she watches it drift out towards the clouds, 'dancing on the wind'.  The balloon's journey raises the spirits of two other children, each unaware of the balloon's overall 'story', of who it will encounter and what its future will be.

This is a perfect book for talking about how we are all connected, the deeper meaning of objects, and how our actions, and our journey, affect others.

Talented illustrator Helene Magisson has created wonderful illustrations, which are gentle, atmospheric and well suited to the story. The spreads are lovely: varied and elegantly paced.

Lily’s Balloon won the pitching competition at the CYA Festival in 2014. Perhaps the story itself drifted a little while, until it found a home with Wombat Books. It will be interesting to see where Lily's balloon' goes next!

Ziggy’s Zoo

Ziggy’s Zoo by Pat Simmons illustrated by Vicky Pratt (Little Pink Dog Books) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN: 978-0-9946269-05 https://littlepinkdogbooks.com/2018-book-list/zoes-zoo/

Reviewed by Lucinda Gifford

"Ziggy's creating her very own zoo. She wants to find ten exhibits. What will they be?"

This is a clever, simple and fun book idea suitable for readers aged 4 to 7 years. In Ziggy's Zoo, young Ziggy creates her own zoo from the creatures she finds in the garden – as well as from some of her favourite toys and people.

Written in rhyme, the text is poetic, rhythmic and enjoyable. I really liked the way that Ziggy forages in the garden, handles the scuttling bugs and oozy slugs with confidence and creates her own zoo map. She's a great role model!

Ziggy's Zoo is an excellent book for inspiring children to get out into the garden or to explore the park and will be a useful tool in kinder and early primary school as part of a nature activity. The illustrations, by Vicky Pratt, are particularly accomplished when it comes to bugs and nature. Pratt's joyful colours, detailed bugs and flowers, and strong sense of rhythm and pattern really bring the garden to life. I do hope to see Pratt's illustrations in an insect or nature anthology soon!

Illustration by Lucinda Gifford

Today’s illustration, ‘At the Zoo’, is by Lucinda Gifford.

Cloud Conductor

Cloud Conductor by Kellie Byrnes, illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn (Wombat Books)
https://www.wombatbooks.com.au/index.php/cloud-conductor HB RRP $24.99
ISBN: 978-1925563344

Reviewed by Lucinda Gifford

Suitable for children aged 4 to 7 years, this picture book by debut author Kellie Byrnes uses poetic language, and soft, collaged illustrations to sing the joys of daydreaming. Cloud Conductor reminds us that imagination can take us anywhere, especially if our bodies need to rest.

Frankie is an active, lively girl who loves to be outside and, in quieter moments, to sit and contemplate the clouds. When a long illness restricts her to her room, watching the moving, changing skies out her window allows Frankie's imagination to wander, gives her hope, and shows her a way to connect with others.

This sensitive story will inspire young imaginations, and could be a useful tool for teaching children the beauty of being in the moment, and taking time to observe nature.

The Fifth Planet

The Fifth Planet by Antoinette Connolly (self published) PB RRP $16.00 ISBN 978-0 9775860-5-9. Copies from a.conolly@optusnet.com.au

Reviewed by Lucinda Gifford

The Fifth Planet is Antoinette Connolly's sixth science fiction novel for children. The enterprising self-published author has also written "The Cauchemar Series", as well as "A Key To Time". The "Fifth Planet" follows the adventures of Abby and Matthew as, after a dramatic electrical storm, they find themselves on an alien ship destined for the planet of Zorgon. Rather than imprisoning the children, the furry, vegetarian, telepathic alien crew of this space shuttle enlist their help in finding a new planet to inhabit, as their own world is politically and geologically unstable. The fantastical adventures that follow encompass travel to planets in our own solar system (which harbour unexpected surprises), wormholes, and the dark side of our own moon. 

Children who are interested in space travel, science fiction – and even geology – should enjoy this book.

Chook Doolan: the Newest Pet

Chook Doolan: the Newest Pet by James Roy, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Walker Books)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 9781922244949

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

A new illustrated chapter book series for the 5+ year age group introduces the lovable character, Simon ‘Chook’ Doolan. He has been named Chook, because he’s chicken (as in not very brave). Chook has two pets: Flexy-Lexi the cat, and Bruce a goldfish he inherited when his cousin moved overseas.

It’s ‘bring a pet to school’ day. Chook’s mate Joe doesn’t have a pet, so Chook tries to find him one for the day. This is a big step for the not very brave Chook, even if it isn’t successful.

When Chook takes Bruce to school with the idea of sharing him with Joe, to their delight, there is an amazing development.

This is the first of the series written by the award-winning James Roy. Talented illustrator Lucinda Gifford has created delightful and expressive characters in pencil, ink, crayon, marker and watercolour, to complement Roy’s text. The series is produced in bright, different coloured covers. The first two titles are available now with two more due in August.

Themes of confidence, being brave, family and community are blended together to create a lively story for early readers. 

Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules

Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules by James Roy, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Walker Books) PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 9781922244932

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Chook Doolan is scared of everything. That’s why he’s called Chook, for chicken, because he’s not very brave. He always walks to school with his brother Ricky. Today Ricky is sick and Chook must go to school by himself. Dad can’t drive him as he’s running late, so he gives Chook some rules to follow for his own safety.

But Chook takes the rules literally, and without meaning to, upsets all his friends in his community. Can things get worse?

Joe, his best mate, comes up with a brilliant solution to rectify the damage done.

This is a brilliant series for early readers which carry themes of family and community, and being brave when attempting things for the first time. Each book has a specific problem Chook must address, and young readers will easily associate with his feelings of insecurity and fear. They will also applaud his successes and the way he keeps trying no matter how difficult he finds the challenge.

The Witch’s Britches

The Witch’s Britches by P. Crumble, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-153-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

What would happen if it started raining magical underwear? Ethel, a young witch, is about to find out. A gust of wind steals her britches from her washing line and blows them off towards the park. Can Ethel catch up to them before too much magical damage is done?

Crumble is very clever with humorous rhyme. Her stories always have great imagination and silly situations which children love. The Witch’s Britches is a funny story with a catchy rhythm.

Each week she washed her britches with care.

Her magic relied on clean underwear.

The vibrant illustrations add to the fun and it is through them that the personalities of Ethel and her cat emerge. Along with the colour and movement, there is plenty to see in the pictures when you look closely; the seasons changing outside the window, what people are doing before the magic undies hit, and many other subtle details.

This is a story which will engage preschool children, hit their funny bones and be read many times.

Space Alien at Planet Dad

Space Alien at Planet Dad by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $15.99

ISBN 978-1-76015-368-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Jake loves spending Saturdays at Planet Dad. He and his father have an awesome time together. They have intergalactic battles, build rockets and eat meals fit for space explorers. But one Saturday Jake arrives to find a space alien at Planet Dad. Jake tries his high-glare-laser-beam, his invader blaster, even his sonic boom but nothing seems to budge this Space Alien. Will things ever get back to normal? Will he ever get his Dad back for himself?

This is a wonderfully imaginative and entertaining story about a young boy dealing with his dad’s new relationship, the ‘alien’ in his space. Being told totally from Jake’s (space-obsessed) perspective makes it really accessible and relatable for other children who find themselves in Jake’s position. Split marriages and blended families are situations that many children need to navigate.

The words often become part of the illustrations which are bold and loud. The colours are used well to indicate emotions. Warm oranges and yellow create a cosy glow when Jake and Dad are building together, while lots of red and icy blues are used when he’s angry.

The characters are well-drawn, both in pictures and words, making it easy to feel for all three in the emotional triangle. The story is told with humour and empathy. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it and am sure many children will too. This is a great picture book to read to three year olds and up.

Arthur and the Curiosity

Arthur and the Curiosity by Lucinda Gifford (The Five Mile Press)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-1-76006-838-7

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Run your hand across the cover of this book and the three raised Egyptian sarcophagus illustrations will transport you to the Museum setting of the story.

Children and adults alike will identify with this story of a school excursion. On his class visit to the museum, Arthur notices something the others do not and is distracted. The teacher tries to keep the children together and moving through the exhibits only to be exhausted and require time out herself. This is a marvelous book for an independent reader, or perhaps a teacher with her class group. The exhibits that Arthur’s class visit will act as ideal talking points as young children should ask many questions, the adult reader will enjoy the explanations which only adds to the experience of the shared reading.

The illustrations which are simple and clean show a diverse group of children. I believe this will allow extra fun in the reading process as the children identify themselves and their friends in the pictures. The illustrations also add to the story by leaving unanswered questions giving children the opportunity to imagine what may happen next.

Lucinda Gifford is the author and illustrator of Arthur and the Curiosity. On her website she calls herself ‘emerging’ but having already illustrated six books for other writers and two of her own, it would seem she has already emerged. 

This book should appeal to teacher librarians as much as parents. I’m looking forward to reading my copy to some young children and being involved in a lively conversation afterward.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools, two picture books and one local history book. www.jacquesartandbooks.com