Song of the White Ibis

Song of the White Ibis by Phillip Gwynne and Liz Anellie (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760897949

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

In this picture book, told from the point of view of an ibis, there is a recurring phrase: ‘Call me Bin Chicken. Call me Tip Turkey. Call me Picnic Pirate’ which is interesting as the dedication from Gwynne to his son Gabriel reads ‘I saw a bin chicken; you saw an ibis’. Thus, the book would appear to be inspired by this interchange between father and son.

This is a tale from the point of view of an Australian White Ibis, related to the Sacred Ibis of Egypt, which is endemic to all states in Australia. It tells how the bird aerates the soil for farmers, and eats locusts when there are plagues, as well as crayfish and mussels, but which was forced from the wetlands when people built their dams, roads, and houses. So now, adaptable, it is to be found in the city where it is forced to feed from bins (hence the recurring phrase).

Anellie’s illustrations are eye-catching and attractive with lots of details for the reader to search for as they take one from the natural into the settled world. The recurring refrain gives a strong sense of rhythm, making the text ideal for reading aloud.

The book finishes with the sage sentence, spoken by the ibis narrator: ‘…if I could whisper some advice: Renew. Recycle. And replenish.’ The final page, showing people holding up posters which read, ‘One day we might all be bin chickens.’ 

 Song of the White Ibis would be of most interest to readers aged 5 years and older.

The Break

The Break by Phillip Gwynne (Penguin Books) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780143789383

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

Sixteen-year-old Taj has grown up with the famous Bali surf at his back door so he’s had an idyllic childhood, except for one thing – his father was a drug-smuggler and has been in the infamous Kerobokan Jail for the past ten years. As this story opens, his father is scheduled to be put to death. Of course, this is frightening for Taj and so he thinks what he can do about it. Nothing. Except for busting his dad out of jail and taking him back to Australia. When he succeeds – a breath-taking ride – he and his father are on the run. It’s then that Taj uncovers startling truths about his family, in fact about most of the people in his life.

This novel for young adults aged 14+ years, manages to capture Taj’s personality as well as the surfing culture of Bali. It also captures Taj’s confusion as events unfold and time runs out. This is a fast-paced rite-of-passage which is up to its neck in the complexities of politics and the terrifying consequences of breaking the rules

The Worried Elephant

The Worried Elephant by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Penelope Pratley (Scholastic) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN 9781760974909

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Little Elephant loves participating in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, but unfortunately things change when he hears bad news. He starts to worry. Elephant then becomes overwhelmed by his thoughts and stops doing the things he loves. When bad news comes from multiple sources, Elephant worries so much that he can no longer sleep. Fortunately, Elephant has a caring family and great friends who share some strategies to help manage his worry.

The Worried Elephant (Feelings: Book 3) is a picture book suitable for children aged 3 years and older and is particularly relevant in the current climate. The gorgeous illustrations are produced using a soft colour palette, helping to create a sense of calm. Discussion questions on the back page prompt interaction between the reader and its young audience and encourages little ones to talk about their feelings. Other titles in this series include: The Shy Zebra and The Lonely Penguin.

Brothers from a Different Mother

Brothers from a Different Mother by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (Viking) HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 9780670078486

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

It’s not often there is a tapir in a children’s story so it’s a refreshing change to see one on the cover of this picture book, knowing it’s sure to be a main character!

Every day two animals see each other playing down at the waterhole - Tapir, from the jungle, and Pig, from the village. Both animals look very similar and, at first, they are curious as to whether they are in fact the same. When eventually they notice some differences, they decide that they are ‘Brothers from a Different Mother’ and develop a special bond.

This new friendship sees Tapir and Pig happily playing together every day until their fathers get involved and forbid the friendship due to their prejudices. The separation naturally causes sadness for Tapir and Pig, who are both their parents only offspring. Both miss their new ‘brother’. Will Tapir and Pig find a way to be together again or will others’ misconceptions force them apart forever?

The life-like illustrations are presented in a combination of single page images, double page spreads and vignettes. The text is very repetitive with both animals having the same thoughts, the same conversations and the same experiences, however the repetitiveness also highlights just how similar both characters are...perhaps even Brothers from a Different Mother!

This picture book is suitable for children aged 5-8. This story can be a great addition to the primary classroom and form a great conversation starter about friendship, similarities, differences and prejudices.

Little Owl

Little Owl by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Sandy Okalyi (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504587

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Whoooo? Whoooo? Whoooo am I? asks Little Owl.

He has fallen from his nest and when he opens his eyes all he wants to know is who he is. He nibbles on a blossom like a sugar glider, hangs upside down like a bat, stretches out his neck like an emu and even puffs himself up like a spiky echidna…but he’s none of these animals. Eventually he hears an answering Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! in the night and is reunited with his mother.

This is a very cute book about identity and trying to belong. Little Owl tries so very hard but in the end learns who he really is…an owl.

The illustrations are bright, colourful and have a great sense of humour, adding a fun element to what could have been a traumatic story of a small, lost child.  

Okalyi’s ability to get personality into Little Owl is remarkable, and the way she morphs the owl almost, but not quite, into the animals he tries to become is very comical. I love his attempt at becoming an emu, very amusing.

This is an enjoyable story with simple repetitive language that looks at identity, belonging and being who you are. Ideal for pre-schoolers.

What's Wrong with the Wobbegong?

What's Wrong with the Wobbegong? by Phillip Gwynne and Gregory Rogers (Little Hare)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921714962

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

The wobbegong lies on the beach and says nothing. Watching him are a crab, a stingray, a clam, a humpback whale, a sea bird and an octopus who talk and talk about what might be wrong. What makes the wobbegong so quiet and still? Suddenly he gets moving and impresses them all with his swimming skills. The animals chatter that there is nothing wrong with the wobbegong. Finally this is proven without a doubt, without the wobbegong needing to say anything at all.

This is a simple story about the dangers of gossiping or perhaps making incorrect assumptions about others. The text uses repetition and gradually builds up with each character adding its own observation until the moment the wobbegong moves. Following this, the text is reduced by each character, winding down to the final hilarious twist. This is the highlight of the book. 

The illustrations are effective, with deceptively simple line drawings conveying the expression (or in the wobbegong's case, the lack of expression) on each character's face beautifully. Colour is used quite sparingly, mostly for the character's bathers, umbrellas and hats. There are often pages with large patches of white and the sky is shown as orange. Most importantly, the illustrations are funny.

What's Wrong with the Wobbegong? is an Australian picture book suitable for children or parents with a slightly black sense of humour.  

Ten Green Geckos

Ten Green Geckos by Phillip Gwynne, illustrated by Lloyd Foye (Scholastic Press)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74283– 348-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ever since I saw my first wild gecko on holiday many years ago, they have fascinated me and held a place in my heart. They are such cute, awkward creatures with big eyes and toes. And the geckos in Ten Little Geckos are super cute. I think they’ll be a huge hit with children.

Based on the popular driving and campfire song Ten Green Bottles, this is a counting book with a difference; the count is backwards. As the geckos do the sorts of things geckos do – walking upside down, eating flies and climbing the walls – they drop out of the story one by one.

There were eight green geckos swimming in the sink
But when one green gecko had a bit too much to drink
        There were only seven green geckos swimming in the sink.

I found the text a little bumpy in parts. The rhymes were sometimes slightly off and as I’m used to the rhythm of Ten Green Bottles it was hard to read without wanting to add a repeat line at the beginning of each stanza. But this was a small issue and the humour and exuberance of the words far outweighed these bumps.

I loved the bright illustrations. The geckos (and the mouse) are playful and fun. Look out for the gecko that drops off the ceiling fan!

Children from two years and up are going to love this book, laugh out loud and learn their backwards counting. It is a very entertaining read.

Yobbos Do Yoga

Yobbos Do Yoga by Phillip Gwynne and Andrew Joyner (Little Hare Books)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921714832

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

With a catchy title and lively cover illustrations, Yobbos do Yoga immediately draws the reader in. The narrator of the story is a small, dark-haired girl whose neighbours have moved out (with their noisy cat, Sir Reginald the Third). The girl's dad is at peace to do his favourite yoga poses — the fish, the lightning rod and the salute to the sun. Then, with their cars in the front yard and their dogs in the backyard, yobbos move in next door.   

       

The newcomers have a party where there is yobbo music, yobbo dancing and yobbos singing yobbo songs. Dad gets so angry he can't do his yoga any more. But when the little girl goes over the fence to get her ball and actually meets Tubby, Ferret and King Wally Kahuna, they call her Princess and give her cordial. Even their dogs let her pat them. She knows if she can just get her father to talk to these nice people, he might begin to get along with them.

       

This is a humorous story about tolerance and the importance of not judging people by appearances. The very Australian prose, use of repetition and the colourful illustrations work together to allow the readers to come to their own conclusions, way before the dad does. The friendly-looking yobbos have flannelette shirts, ACDC t-shirts and one has a great mullet. The skinny dad with his bald patch and spectacles is a nice contrast.

       

Suitable for children over the age of three (and quite a good read for adults as well) Yobbos Do Yoga ends on a positive note with everyone joining in for a yoga session.

       

Phillip Gwynne's picture books include Ruby Learns to Swim and The Queen with the Wobbly Bottom. Among the books illustrated by Andrew Joyner are The Terrible Plop and Too Many Elephants in this House. 

Catch the Zolt

Catch the Zolt (The Debt: Instalment One) by Phillip Gwynne (Allen and Unwin)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74237-844-2
Reviewed by Ann Harth (www.annharth.com )

It’s Dom’s 15th birthday and his life will never be the same. A meeting with his father and grandfather leaves him reeling when he discovers that it is up to him to repay a debt that’s been haunting his family for generations.

If he fails? He pays with a pound of flesh – his own.

A secret and deadly organisation called The Debt, requires Dom to complete six formidable tasks. Catch the Zolt tells the story of Dom’s first assignment.

Zolt, a 17-year-old Facebook hero is in the habit of stealing small planes. Although he has eluded capture many times, he is finally caught – but not for long. After the Zolt escapes, it’s Dom’s job to find him and hand him over to The Debt.

The last place The Zolt was seen is Reverie Island where Dom’s self-centred and arrogant neighbour, Tristan has a family holiday home. Dom finagles an invitation accompanied by his beautiful best friend, Imogen, and the recent object of his affection. Unfortunately, Tristan is the recent object of Imogen’s affection. Although Dom’s focus is slightly blurred, he has a job to do. He’s determined to hang onto every pound of his flesh.

Catch the Zolt is a novel packed with adventure, danger and the stirrings of new love. Readers aged 10-14 will be swept up in this fast-paced tale from the very first page. Dom is a likeable and believable character in an unbelievable situation. His reaction to his plight makes the story realistic and his courage and newly tapped skills allow readers to feel empowered as they follow Dom on his perilous mission.

Phillip Gwynne uses language in such a way that he hands over his story like a gift. The writing flows smoothly as the story of Dom’s first daunting task unfolds. The best aspect of this book? There are five more to come. I would recommend Catch the Zolt to anyone with a taste for adventure.

Award winning Phillip Gwynne is no stranger to success. His first novel, Deadly Unna? won numerous awards and was also Children's Book of the Year in 1998, selling over 200,000 copies. It was later made into a film, Australian Rules, and winning an AFI award in 2002. Since then Phillip Gwynne has written many novels for children as well as adults. The Debt is his first middle-grade series. For more information about the Debt Series visit http://thedebtbooks.com.au/default.html 

Ann Harth is a published children's author and writing tutor at Australian College of Journalism. She loves to read and is committed to creating children's literature that inspires, entertains and triggers a tiny twist in the mind. Her latest middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, is available from Amazon.