Nice Garry #1: Bowled Over

Nice Garry #1: Bowled Over by Nathan Lyon and Michael Wagner, illustrated by David Williams (Harper Collins) BPB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 97814607613442

Nice Garry #2: In a Spin by Nathan Lyon and Michael Wagner, illustrated by David Williams (Harper Collins) BPB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781460761359

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

We all have our own special talents – even if we haven’t found them yet. Ten-year-old Garry Keenan loves cricket. He plays in the backyard with his older brother, Jamie, and is a great commentator to boot. What he doesn’t realise – until he tags along to his brother’s tryout for a spot in the Under 16 Youngstown Yabbies team – is that he has an extraordinary talent as a spin bowler.

What’s more, after the tryouts, it’s Garry, not Jamie, who is offered the spot on the team. All he was doing was bowling a few balls while he waited for his brother. And he’s only ten!

With the support of his coach and teammates, Garry manages to quell his nerves and rise to the occasion. However, a ten-year-old playing in an Under 16s side is not without its problems, including the jealousy of his brother.

The first book in the Nice Garry series, Bowled Over, follows Garry as he trains with the team and plays his first competitive game.

Book 2, In a Spin, picks up where Bowled Over left off. The brothers are mates again and working harder than ever to see Garry overcome several obstacles that are put in his way, not the least of which being when Garry innocently manages to get on the wrong side of the captain of opposing team, Falcon’s Nest.

Inspired by Nathan Lyon’s Australian Test cricketing career and memories, author, Michael Wagner has worked with Lyon to create relatable characters and a strong storyline that will keep younger readers engaged and cheering for Garry throughout.

The illustrations by David Williams add to the story and give life to the characters and their emotions.

If you love cricket, you’ll love Nice Garry. Even if you’re not into cricket, you’ll soon be cheering Garry on and, perhaps, even a little inspired by his passion and resilience.

The Nice Garry books are ideal for independent readers aged 7+ but will also appeal to younger children who are ready for shared reading experiences with their parents or teacher.

The Story of Us

The Story of Us by Michael Wagner & Beck Feiner (ABC Books) PB HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 978 0 733339936

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Each of us belong to our own unique family that has its very own treasured family members with stories. If family members are not asked to share their stories, they are often lost as time goes by. The Story of Us encourages children to ask a relative a specially chosen question from the book. Then the children are invited to listen to the story and write a quick summary of it in this gorgeous book. I love that the children decide who to ask what question. The book, when completed, becomes a lovely biography that helps give a child a stronger sense of place in the world.

 

The Story of Us shows that each of us are a part of something big and important - our family. Michael Wagner starts this book with a short summary of what a family is and then encourages children to fill in their family tree. Some families are small, but all families are full of love…and stories. He lets children know that it is okay to include people who are not related to you, but who you would consider to be part of your family.

 

There are 24 questions to be investigated and children become the biography creators. The end of the book allows for family photos. The book then serves as a precious reminder as it already is but it will become even more important as children grow older. I like how it is the children who decide who in their family to ask which question. It is not an overnight project -- it will take time and patience. A younger child might need help recording but I think the book is linked to memory more when a child completes it. The questions inside are quite broad so they give scope for individual answers. My favourite place in the world is…. or One of the best books I’ve ever read – or movies I’ve ever seen – is…

 

Beck Feiner has illustrated this 64-page book with bright and bold colours that pop. The blue dotted endpapers give the book a fun yet official sort of appeal. The title page mirrors the bold red cover with lettering sprinkled with people and pets. Feiner has captured the reader with her statement, You Are About to Make History! Much like any documentary would start.  The illustrations for each question complement and bring in diversity and fun. The illustrations radiate with much happiness and love.

 

The Story of Us is a picture book for children aged 3 years and up. This is a book that is an heirloom in the making. It would make a wonderful gift to any child to learn about their place inside their family. Stories tie us together and once recorded they can always be shared and revisited anytime. When we feel we belong in the world we are so much stronger and confident.

Goodnight, Little Tough Guy

Goodnight, Little Tough Guy  written by Michael Wagner, illustrated by Tom Jellett. (ABC Books, 2019). HB 32 pp RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9780733339356

Reviewed by Julie Anne Thorndyke

This unique bedtime picture book has a lively, fun text by Michael Wagner, making extensive use of alliteration without being twee. All the tired little tough guys are finished saving the world and ready for sleep. Has a spell been cast over the entire hero kingdom, just as in the time-honoured tale of  Sleeping Beauty? (I wish! say parents everywhere.)

                             “The firefighters are fitting in forty fabulous winks.”

 “Cowboys and cowgirls are completely cactus.”

 These fun statements using wordplay, puns and lavish language sounds are sustained throughout the book. In a sense, the story is one extended “dad joke”. Bathing, cleaning their teeth, falling asleep over their food, our little tough guys

(and gals) are seen doing all the normal bedtime routines young children perform daily. Many of the characters have already shut their eyes, and the others are yawning.

The matt-finish of Tom Jellett’s engaging artwork—line drawings with flat colours, muted midnight-blue backgrounds, teal, black, yellow-orange areas and fluro accents—resemble early TV cartoons. The end papers are reminiscent of vintage 1950s wallpaper from a boy’s bedroom.  The square, sturdy hardback binding will withstand repeated use by your own little superhero.

This book has a masculine feel, full of trucks, rockets, planes, cricket bats,   tools and footballs, and as such seems to target boys— but there are also many suggestions in the text and illustrations that make the book gender neutral. Parents will appreciate the “falling asleep” scenarios depicted in the pictures. Although “heroes” are referenced visually there is no direct reference to the standard copyrighted superhero characters of popular culture, and the costumes worn by the children are generic. This will increase the longevity of the book.

A fun read-aloud story for little boys (and superhero wonder women) from the creators of Why I Love Footy.

So Wrong Uncensored

So Wrong Uncensored by Michael Wagner illustrated by Wayne Bryant (Billy Goat Books) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9780994251756

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This book is the first in So Wrong, described by the publisher as ‘a humorous, hyperactive kind of series that targets 10-13 year old reluctant readers’. The series even has an accompanying website,  www.sowrongbooks.com, and book club that hopefully will attract kids who wouldn’t ever normally join a book club.

The first sign that this book is ‘different’ is on the first page with its message, ‘HEY YOO! Wee need to tork.’ It then asks the reader, ‘Isnt it tyme yoo stopped reeding boring books onse and for all?’

The invented spelling continues for some pages with cartoon heads inviting the reader to ‘…gon on… reed it now… youll luv it.’ This is followed by ‘segments’ from the book’s hero, Mitey Mikey, who is supposed to have filmed the following stories.  The first story -- in conventional spelling -- is titled ‘The Nappy’ and of course there is reference to a pooey nappy that at one stage flies through the air aimed at a dad.

As this is said to be a film, there are, of course, a number of (satirical) ads, the first being one for a ‘very private school’ (clothing not necessary). Other stories are titled ‘Soccerhead’, ‘The Veree Hungree Caterpooper’ and ‘Mitey Mikey’s Sampel Lyfe Lesson.’ Throughout the book there are black and white cartoon illustrations, some of which make use of speech balloons.

It’s all very over the top, but in what the publisher describes as ‘a bit naughty but always good-natured.’ As two former reluctant readers themselves, the author and illustrator (both Australian) have created the book (and eventually a series) they wish had existed when they were kids. It would be good to have the opinions of today’s reluctant readers. One imagines they will be attracted to the book, not just for the ‘Uncensored’ label on the front cover and the zany adventures with the frequent plot twists and surprises, but for the one-on-each page lively illustrations.

So Wrong titles are due to roll out every six to nine months; the expected audience is reluctant readers (principally boys) aged 10 to 13 years.

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.

Maxx Rumble Book 3: Grand Final

Maxx Rumble Book 3: Grand Final by Michael Wagner, drawn by Terry Denton (Walker Books)

PB RRP $9.95

ISBN 9781922244826

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The Soccer Knockout Grand Final is here at last. The other teams that played the Stone Valley Saints were pretty rotten with their tacky tactics, but the Plankluvin Pirates are the ‘rottenest’ of the bunch. They look and are big and tough with their crayon moustaches and pirate chant that’s sung to the tune of the ‘drunken sailor’ song.

Arriving at the park, Maxx and his team are amazed at the amount of spectators. But they are there only for the Plankluvin Pirates. Everything reflects their pirate preference from their outfits to their nasty placards. But the Saints won’ be intimidated. 

Playing in the Grand Final is a special moment in time for Maxx and his team. But the cry of all-out attack from Blackbeard has the Pirates stampeding across the field. Mr Nuffin the referee is unable to blow his whistle because he’s being water cannoned by the crowd. It’s a free-for-all and the Saints have to come up with something bigger than the Pirates.

Mr Nuffin refuses to be intimated also. He finds a spare whistle and doesn’t spare the blows. The ever-optimistic leader Maxx digs deep to find that little bit more and calls all-out-attack as the pirates make a wall.

Can the Saints find enough energy to stay in step with the Pirates? Can a ball to the face again for Rexx be the Saints’ saving grace? If so, how? And can Maxx Rumble bring his team to victory and take the trophy?

Outrageously entertaining, with its clever word play and with the round-up of the series the best of all, this series is a winner. Michael Wagner’s smart prose teamed up with Terry Denton’s amazing translation of the text guarantees that.

These chapter books are not to be missed by parents searching for reading matter for their reluctant reader. Highly creative with strong optimistic messages in every book, kids who loved the Crazy Relief Teachers series by Matt Porter will love these as well. 

Maxx Rumble Soccer Book 2: Shocker!

Maxx Rumble Soccer Book 2: Shocker! by Michael Wagner, drawn by Terry Denton (black dog books)

PB RRP $ 9.95

ISBN 9781922244819

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The second round of the Soccer Knockout Competition begins after the Stone Valley Saints manage to defeat the Kreepy Crawlies. Now they are up against the Outhouse Rodents and need to win this match to get into the Grand Final. The Rodents’ captain, Boofa, is a subversive captain of cheats. But his twin sister Jennifer takes the cake.

Rexx’s tummy is telling him that things are going to happen. He has no idea that they are going to happen to him, as his heart betrays him when he catches sight of Jennifer. Her flattering ways debilitate Rexx and her rocket kick has the Rodents ahead and the game almost won.

Can Maxx shake Rexx out of his love spell before they’re destroyed? How can the Stone Valley Saints catch up, with Boofa and Jennifer wearing them down emotionally? What tactics are left to them with the minutes ticking away?

More laughs, action, and deviousness as the teams battle to get into the Grand Final. The names of the characters in this series are entertainment in themselves. The point-to-point descriptions of play are fantastic, and the language clever. Again Terry Denton has surpassed himself with the characters and their expressions that add humour and mischief to the story. Look out for Book 3 – Grand Final.

Maxx Rumble Soccer Book 1: Knockout

Maxx Rumble Soccer Book 1: Knockout by Michael Wagner, drawn by Terry Denton (black dog books)

PB RRP $9.95

ISBN 9781922244802

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Round one of the Soccer Knockout Competition is at hand. It’s Maxx Rumble’s team, the Stone Valley Saints against the Kreepy Crawlies - said by coach Beckham to be geniuses. But these geniuses use crafty ideas and secret weapons like Peli the pelican. He seems to be classed as a part of nature and there’s nothing the Stone Valley Saints can do about it.

Rexx gets the ball in the face right at the start and needs his good luck charm, teddy, which he stuffs up his jumper. Peli scores and the Crawlies are ahead. Can Rexx’s brilliant idea be the game-saver they need? Will teddy be the secret weapon Maxx’s team needs to get into the next round?  

Terry Denton’s drawings are priceless! The language is spot on, and the laughs are endless.

This is a no-holds-barred soccer game full of excitement, devious shots, brilliant brain work and lots of fun. Aimed at boys of the 8+ age group who are interested in physical activity, this chapter book series will crack them up and draw in reluctant readers easily. The first of three books, I advise parents to buy all three together  as they will be digested quickly.