Lucy’s Pet Dilemma

Lucy’s Pet Dilemma by Kate Bennett (Celapene Press) PB RRP $14.95 ISBN 978-0-9924414-7-0

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

Most children, at one time or another, want to have a pet. Parents know that caring for a pet encourages responsibility, awareness about the needs of living creatures and a sense of compassion.

Lucy has had two pets plus a pet rock. Unfortunately, she forgot to feed her goldfish and they died then she overfed the budgie, she abandoned her pet rock and re-homed it in the garden and she’s not very fond of the family dog.

When Lucy’s second best friend, Charlotte asks her to take her pet mouse, Albertine since she can’t take the mouse with her when she moves, Lucy is desperate to show her parents that she can now be a responsible pet carer. They agree on a two week trial and Lucy does try extra hard and all goes well until the pet mouse accidentally escapes. The way in which Lucy deals with Albertine’s temporary escape indicates to her parents that she is definitely becoming a much more responsible pet carer and also brings an unexpected bonus to Lucy.

Lucy’s Pet Dilemma is 42 pages long with six chapters and suitable for independent readers aged six plus years. The cover by illustrator Jenny England will attract young readers and the interspersed small b/w illustrations break up the text which makes for easier reading.

Mr Crikey and the Greedy Griffith

Mr Crikey and the Greedy Griffith by Matt Porter (Celapene Press)

 Paperback RRP $14.95

ISBN 9780975074282

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

Take one enthusiastic year 6 class, introduce a crazy relief teacher and you have a recipe for unexpected adventures and outcomes.

Students of 6B at Outback Creek have a problem. The local Swimming Hole, surrounded by bush that is home to many species of native birds and animals is about to be sold to developers.  6B wants to raise enough money to buy the property but failing that they hope that their next relief teacher might be a billionaire or just a millionaire who will buy the property and save the Swimming Hole and the bush habitat.

6B doesn’t get their millionaire relief teacher but they do get Mr Crikey who bursts into the classroom wrestling a gigantic green and brown snake. He’s a wildlife warrior and just the right person for the task when it comes to helping 6B with their creative solution to outwit the unscrupulous businessman Benjamin Griffith and their two wily classmates, Weasel and Radley.

Mr Crikey and the Greedy Griffith is a fun read with lots of humorous descriptions and situations. It is the fourth book in the Crazy Relief Teachers series and will be enjoyed by primary aged students.

No Matter Who We’re With

No Matter Who We’re With by Robert Vescio, illustrated by Cheri Scholten (IP Kidz)

HB RRP $26.95 (e-book $13.00)

ISBN 9781922120212                                            

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

This is a heartwarming story that reinforces the fact that if parents divorce, both parents still love their children. Told from the children’s perspective, the story has an authentic feel. The children relate favourite activities they do with each parent but also gently remind the reader that life isn’t the same as it used to be e.g. when they ask dad to read a particular book and he tells them it’s at their mum’s house or when mum takes them to the pool and they ask to go again tomorrow but are reminded they will be at their dad’s place.

 The children understand that while they love their mum and dad and sometimes miss one when they are with the other that one thing remains constant: both parents love them and they love both parents.

Cheri Scholten’s cover is bright and engaging showing happy children with their parents with each parent being on one side of a fence and the children between them. It literally and metaphorically sends a message of a happy family even though they are sometimes apart. The endpapers are bright little images set against a vivid yellow background. This leads into the bold images depicting a range of different activities and also different emotions.

No Matter Who We’re With is a book that would be valuable to read and discuss with young children to help them understand that even though parents might separate, their love for their children remains the same.

The Ruby Bottle

 The Ruby Bottle by Janet Reid, illustrations by Michaela Blassnig (IP Kidz) 

PB RRP $17.00; E-book $8.00

ISBN 9 781921 8691402   

Reviewed by Margaret Warner     

The bright colours and bold style of the cover of The Ruby Bottle invite readers to open the book to start the story. When Amber finds a dusty red glass bottle in the shed of her elderly neighbour, Mrs Heggety she feels certain that the bottle is meant for her to keep. It doesn’t take long before she discovers a secret: a curious djinn named Jimell lives in the beautiful red bottle. As she gets to know his story, he tells her that she must perform an important task but cannot say what it is.

While the story of the djinn in the bottle unfolds and the history of the bottle is revealed through Roger Heggety’s diary, another story interweaves through the narrative. Amber is lonely since her best friend, Bethany moved house and she is being bullied at school by Marissa and her friend, Rachel.

The two stories merge in a tale of mystery and adventure that subtly explores the theme of friendships and relationships: new and old friends as well as young and old friends. Jimell encourages Amber to believe in herself and through his friendship and that of a new friend, Ricco she gains confidence to be independent and achieve by herself … not by magic.

Readers aged 9 to 12 will be drawn into the intriguing mystery of The Ruby Bottle from the first pages till the final pages.



Margaret Warner is a children's author whose books often have an environmental theme. Her latest book is Lone Pine published by Little Hare Books. Margaret's website is  www.margaretwarner.com.au 

Kangaroo Footprints

7

 Kangaroo Footprints by Margaret Warner  

 PB RRP $20

 ISBN 9780987112507

 Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

One of the highlights of compiling Buzz Words is the number of books I review and Kangaroo Footprints is among the best non-fiction books that have crossed my desk. The scope of the research is impressive and Warner is obviously very knowledgeable, and passionate about, kangaroos. Information about kangaroo ancestors, species, diet, and heroes are all covered. Also included are a traditional Indigenous story, information on caring for wildlife, threats to kangaroos and a page on my childhood favourite, Skippy.

Kangaroo Footprints is aimed at children aged seven to twelve and Warner knows her target audience well. It would have been very easy for the child reader to have been overwhelmed by the scope of the information. However, each double-spread is balanced with one page of information and the other filled with a related fun activity. The activities are varied and will maintain reader interest: word puzzles, riddles, mathematical puzzles, drawing activities and origami are but a few of the options. Each spread also boasts a ‘Fast Fact’ text box.

Schools will find Kangaroo Footprints an ideal teaching tool. The book has been supported by Voiceless, an organisation committed to ‘a world in which animals are treated with respect and compassion’.