Summer Time

Summer Time by Hilary Bell, illustrated by Antonia Pesenti (NewSouth Publishing) RRP HB $24.99
ISBN 9781742236070

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

If you loved the highly acclaimed picture books, Alphabetical Sydney and Numerical Street, then you’re in luck! The talented duo who created these books have recently been collaborating on a third book. They have once again used rhyming verse and image, but this time to explore everything that the Australian summer brings.

Summer Time is the kind of book that young children and reminiscing adults can easily relate to. Every page will have the reader nodding, smiling or giggling... or all three, as they see their own summer time experiences depicted in the narrative and clever collage illustrations. 

The bright yellow patterned endpapers highlighting a pair of clocks are a great prelude to the ‘time’ theme that also runs throughout book. One ‘time’ related word on each page appears in large bold text, adding another dimension to the story.

Summer Time is a wonderful tribute to the uniquely Australian summer and is highly recommended for children aged 4+ years.

Daredevil Duck

Daredevil Duck written and illustrated by Charlie Adler (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-0-76245-456-3

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Meet Daredevil Duck.  He is the bravest duck in the world.  Well, at least he wants to be.  In truth he is afraid of everything so all he can do is dream of being brave while the other ducks make fun of him.  Until one day he needs to actually be brave and to his and everyone’s surprise he is.  From then on his life becomes very different because now, deep down, he knows he is Daredevil Duck.

Daredevil Duck is the first picture book authored by English illustrator Charlie Alder.  It is a story about facing and overcoming your fears and would be most suitable for pre-school or early school-aged children.

Apart from being a sweet and fun story that deals with an important life-lesson, this is visually a very enjoyable book.  Charlie Adler’s illustrations are colourful and lively and children will love seeing how Daredevil Duck discovers his true mettle.  There is also an interactive element with the inclusion of lift-the-flap, fold-out and uneven pages at various points throughout the book.  It would make a great read-aloud book but the interesting presentation will also encourage young readers to flip through the pages on their own.

Charlie Alder is an English illustrator and coffee lover.  Her books include Toot! and Express Yourself.  Daredevil Duck is her first author/illustrated picture book.  She lives in Devon, England with her husband and young son who is the inspiration for her book.  She can be found online at http://charliealder.com/.

Escape from the Overworld

Escape from the Overworld by Danica Davidson (NewSouth Books)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-634501-03-3

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Eleven-year-old Stevie doesn’t feel like he belongs in the Minecraft world.  He’s very good at building or fighting – even though his father is great at these things -- a legend, in fact.  Then one day, Stevie discovers a strange portal.  Stepping through, he finds himself in a new and weird world, our world.  He meets Maison, a bullied girl his own age who loves to build and create.  Stevie wants to learn all about this new world but when Maison takes him to school they discover that the portal has allowed more than just Stevie to come through.  The school is getting attacked by zombies, creepers and giant spiders from the Minecraft world. Together they must save the school and this world from the monsters that have been unleashed.

Escape from the Overworld is an unofficial Minecraft adventure by American author Danica Davidson. It’s a fun, fast-paced chapter book that leverages off the hugely successful computer game.

The characters are likeable and easy to relate to, both dealing with feelings of rejection, inadequacy and a sense of loneliness.  This, in part, is what helps them to bridge the obvious gap between them, become friends and work together when danger presents itself.  It is this friendship that also what helps them confront and deal with their own individual problems and become stronger.

While enjoyable just on its surface there are several sub-plots around bullying, friendship and acceptance.  Although not explored to their fullest extent, they do provide authenticity and some depth to the story. 

There is a lot of explanation throughout the book to reduce the need for an intimate understanding of Minecraft, but it would certainly be an advantage if the reader was familiar with the game.  On the other hand, for the young enthusiast, this is a successful blend of the game and an exciting adventure story that also touches on important issues facing kids today.

Danica Davidson is a professional writer from the US who has written for about fifty different magazines, newspapers and websites. Escape from the Overworld is her first unofficial Minecraft book with a sequel, Attack on the Overworld, currently available for pre-order.  She can be found online at: http://www.danicadavidson.com/

Don’t Push the Button

Don’t Push the Button written and illustrated by Bill Cotter (NewSouth Books)

BB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-49261-964-2

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Meet Larry. This is his book.  There’s only one rule in this book:  don’t push the button. The big, red, all-too-inviting button.  When the temptation gets too much and the button is pushed, things get a little crazy.  Getting everything back to normal is not easy but would it be such a bad thing to press the button again?

Don’t Push the Button is the debut picture book from American author/illustrator Bill Cotter.  Aimed at and ideal for pre-school aged kids, this is a playful and fun book. 

The storyline itself is pretty simple and the illustrations, although bright and colourful are also not excessive.  The novelty comes with the way the reader is invited into the story and to interact with the book; not with tabs or textures but with the actual book – shaking it, pressing the illustrated button.  It is a great way to engage young children, making them and the book itself an active part of telling the story.  The board format will also ensure that it is robust enough for energetic young hands.

Bill Cox is a children’s author/illustrator from the United States.  After completing studies in art and illustration in Baltimore, he taught both art and music in New York.  Eventually he put two and two together and started creating books.  He returned to his hometown where he spends his time drawing, playing music and daydreaming.  He can be found online at: http://www.cotterillustration.squarespace.com/

Faraway Friends

Faraway Friends written and illustrated by Russ Cox (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-1-63220-408-0

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Sheldon’s next-door neighbour and best friend moves away, he is desperate to go visit.  So, with the help of his dog Jet, he builds a rocket ship and takes off to the stars.  When the rocket ship falls apart, Sheldon finds a surprising source of help and a potential new friend with his new neighbour Rubin.

Faraway Friends is the latest book from American author/illustrator Russ Cox.  A sweet story about friendship and adventure, it primarily deals with a young boy’s attempts to deal with his best friend moving away from the neighbourhood. 

On seeing the “Jupiter Moving Co” truck leave, Sheldon decides that his friend has moved to Jupiter and a rocket ship needs to be built so he can visit. With his dog, Jet, he builds a rather rickety rocket from various items around the house and, with the help of a lot of imagination, they take off for the stars.  It’s a short trip, however, as the rocket falls apart before they make it to Jupiter.  Looking over the fence at them is what appears to be a pair of alien eyes.  To their surprise, the eyes belong to their new neighbour Rubin who helps with the repairs to the rocket ship and joins them as they take off again.

This is an energetic and fun story about friendship that also comes with a hint of adventure; it would make a great read-aloud book.  Visually, each page is filled with big colourful illustrations.  With a mixture of full-page and cartoon-style panels, there is enough detail and variety to entertain any young reader as they flip through each page.

Russ Cox was raised in the backwoods of Tennessee, where he spent his time drawing, whittling and throwing dirt clods at his cousins.  He has taught classes at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and he runs his own studio, Smiling Otis Studio, where he specialises in illustration for the children’s book market.  She can be found online at: http://www.smilingotis.com/

Sun and Moon

Sun and Moon written and illustrated by Lindsey Yankey (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-1-92701-860-6

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Sun and Moon have always held their own places in the sky, but after a lifetime of darkness Moon wants to trade places.  “Just for one day,” begs Moon.  Before agreeing to grant his wish, however, Sun makes a special request.  Will it change Moon’s mind?

Sun and Moon is the latest book from American author/illustrator Lindsey Yankey.  A grass-is-greener story, it shows the importance of appreciating what you have in life rather than yearning for that possessed, or what you imagine is possessed, by someone else.

Moon is envious of the sights he believes is enjoyed by Sun during the day as compared to his boring view at night.  So he proposes that they swap for a day.  Sun agrees but on the condition that it be permanent and that before they swap Moon takes the time to really look at the world, closer than he ever has before, for an entire night.  Moon is thrilled however, to his surprise, when he studies the world that night he discovers that there so much to see and that the world at night is an exciting and beautiful place.  When he really appreciates what he’d be giving up, he decides that he’d rather not swap with Sun after all.

This is a lovely story with an important message.  However, for me the real strength of the book is the beautiful full-page illustrations throughout.  They are bold, colourful and detailed.  There is a whimsical nature to Lindsey Yankey’s style that is a little bit art nouveau, tribal and even Yellow Submarine.  Such a visually striking book is sure to become a favourite in any child’s collection.

Lindsey Yankey is an American author and illustrator.  Using a variety of materials for her artwork, she finds her inspiration from nature, books, people, animals and travelling. Her work has been displayed as part of group and solo shows with the US.  Sun and Moon is her second children’s picture book.  She can be found online at: http://www.lindseyyankey.com/