Jack’s Jumper

Jack’s Jumper by Sara Acton (Walker Books) HB RRP $25.99 ISBN: 9781760654054

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Jack’s jumper is large and soft, and one arm is longer than the other. It once belonged to his brother, Paul. The jumper is perfect for wearing as a hat, playing hide and seek, and even dressing up as an elephant. But mostly it holds the memories of what Jack and Paul did together before Paul went away. One day, Jack’s cat pulls at a thread until the jumper unravels into a ‘pile of wool’. Before Jack has time to be sad, Paul returns … and he transforms the wool into something special for Jack.

Ideal for kids aged three to six, Sara Acton’s gentle narrative knits the joy of playfulness with the ache of missing someone in a story that is as warm as a brotherly hug. Universal themes are carefully threaded through the text, from overcoming anxiety to the power of the imagination, while simple word choices stitch in reassuring moments of familiarity.

The wash of watercolours and the meander of hand-drawn lines give Sara’s illustrations an organic fluidity that will appeal to young eyes. Light hues ensure that the tone remains upbeat, even when Jack’s precious jumper is ruined. Littlies will love the cat’s visual journey through the book, as she stalks the jumper and eventually claims it as her own.

Sweet and heart-warming, Jack’s Jumper is tranquil enough to read before bedtime. Within the covers of the book, kids will discover an idea that is more comforting than a security blanket: no matter what happens, everything will be okay.

Mr Walker Braves the Night

Mr Walker Braves the Night by Jess Black illustrated by Sara Acton (PenguinRandom House Australia) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793106

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Following on from The Tales of Mr Walker, comes this new story about a dog with a nose for adventure. The stories about Mr Walker are inspired by the real-life Mr Walker, a Labrador Guide Dog Ambassador who now calls Park Hyatt Melbourne home.

The publisher has spared no expense with the design and format of these splendid hard-back books which are liberally illustrated with black and white pen and ink drawings. As this story starts, Mr Walker is being taken on a walk by Josephine the groundskeeper and Henry Reeves, the hotel manager. The two adults are discussing plans for Halloween at the hotel. Mr Walker can’t wait for the special night. However, strange noises start up in the hotel, and the dog’s toy wombat disappears. Is there a spooky guest staying at the hotel? It’s up to Mr Walker to investigate. This he does with intelligence and enthusiasm.

Mr Walker and the Perfect Mess by Jess Black illustrated by Sara Acton (PenguinRandom House Australia) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793113

In this book in the series, one of the hotel’s most treasured staff members is leaving, and while Mr Walker is sad to see Josephine go, he is determined to make her last week a memorable one.

With short chapters, cheerful stories and simple language, these adventure books are perfect for beginner readers to read with an adult, or for newly independent readers to tackle alone. To help readers new to the book series, there is a list in the back of the book of Mr Walker’s friends, including hotel staff and their children such as Sophie and Amada Reeves, and their cousin Lawrence.

Royalties from sales of this and other Mr Walker books go to Guide Dogs Victoria.

Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop

Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop by Jess Black, illustrated by Sara Acton (Puffin Books) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793090

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The real Mr Walker is a dog, which, trained by Guide Dogs Victoria to aid vision-impaired people, now resides with his official foster carer at Park Hyatt Melbourne hotel. Australian author Jess Black, has written a series of chapter books for children aged 7 to 10 years about Mr Walker, fictionalising his many adventures in the hotel.

Mr Walker, Labrador Ambassador, works with hotel manager, Henry Reeves, head concierge Omid Abedini, porter Thomas Glover and a slew of other hotel staff. At the start of this story, the Reeves family, who include children Sophie and Amanda, are leaving Mr Walker for a holiday and can’t take their pet with them. While Mr Reeves is away, the hotel is expecting a new guest, the fastidious reviewer Jamie Gibson who invariably pans hotels, and a hospitality student seeking work experience.

While preparing for the reviewer and aiming to totally impress her, staff are bothered by Mr Walker’s attempts to help, which invariably cause more troubles. Then there’s a mix-up, cleverly handled by the author, about who the student and the reviewer both are, but like all books for young readers that are written to entertain, all is fine by the end of the book.

This is an impressive-looking hard-back book which feels good in the hand and is well-designed with occasional black and white wash illustrations and sharp, clear typeface. There are moments of humour when poor Mr Walker misunderstands figures of speech he overhears. He’s a dog who everybody clearly loves and he’s right in the thick of the action in Operation Five Stars which is what the preparation for the arrival of the guest reviewer is called.

Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight

Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight by Jess Black, illustrated by Sara Acton (Puffin Books) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793083

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Mr Walker, Labrador Ambassador, works with hotel manager, Henry Reeves and other staff at the Park Royal. His job is to meet and greet new people and help whenever he can. Like all dogs, his favourite topic is food and eating his favourite pastime, so he is excited to hear that Grethe Schmidt is to share the hotel’s kitchen with Chef Remy and his staff to cook a three-course meal for the hotel’s twentieth birthday party. Remy, a temperamental Frenchman, is not at all pleased to hear this and causes a ruckus.

The book follows the adventures of Mr Walker as he observes the interaction of Grethe with hotel staff and works to stave off the trouble which invariably brews. Of course, in this cheerful and well-written book for children aged 7 to 11 years, troubles are overcome by the end of the book when the anniversary dinner is celebrated. Mr Walker is particularly happy as Henry’s daughters save an ‘utterly delicious indeed’ desert for him as a reward for all his fine work.

To help young readers, the book includes a note about the real-life Mr Walker, as well as a list of his friends who work and live at the hotel. There are already other books about Mr Walker, the dog with a nose for adventure, and they are sure to have a huge following.

The Tales of Mr Walker

The Tales of Mr Walker by Jess Black, illustrated by Sara Acton (Puffin Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780143793076

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Sub-titled ‘a hotel dog with a nose for adventure’, this is a beautifully designed and presented book which would suit children aged 8 to 11 years who enjoy chapter books. There are four mini books between the covers: Mr Walker at the Park, Mr Walker and the Mystery Guest, Mr Walker and the Garden Surprise and Mr Walker Finds a Home.

At the start of the first story, Mr Walker, a golden Labrador dog, is being driven by Tracy to the Park Hyatt Hotel where he is to take up the position of Guide Dog ambassador of a park. The dog has no idea what an ambassador is, but he is welcomed to the hotel first by Thomas then by Henry Reeves whose family lives in a hotel apartment and who befriend him.

All four books are told from Mr Walker’s point of view as he gets to know guests – all wealthy and privileged, some famous -- and embarks upon adventures within the hotel whose employees include Chef Remy, housekeeper Meraj and Omid on the front desk. Always eager to help, Mr Walker always identifies people by their smells, including a mysterious man who is discriminated against but who turns out to be quite different from what he first appears.

This is a gently-told story with much charm and no real dramas which is likely to appeal to readers who prefer a ‘quiet’ story. Mr Walker is lovable even though he acts in typical dog fashion at times which gets him into scrapes.

The watercolour illustrations fit the mood of the story while the text is in large font which makes for easy reading. Royalties from sales of this book go to Guide Dogs Victoria.

Quick as a Wink Fairy Pink

Quick as a Wink Fairy Pink by Lesley Gibbes and Sara Acton

(Working Title Press) HB RRP $24.99 

ISBN 978 1 921504 86 0

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

This is a gorgeous bedtime story featuring five little flutter fairies, Fairy Blue, Fairy Green, Fairy Gold, Fairy Red and the mischievous Fairy Pink. As the fairies do their nightly rituals, of taking a bath, cleaning their teeth, getting in pyjamas and reading a story, one little fairy is hiding.

Told in rhyming text, and with the repetitive verse

‘But someone’s playing hide and seek.

Can you see her? Take a peek.

Quick as a wink, find Fairy Pink.

it invites the reader to help find this elusive fairy pink.

With simple soft pastel coloured illustrations this book will be a favourite bedside read for your little one. Not only does it reinstate all that’s involved in getting ready for bed, it also gives the chance for the reader to discover Fairy Pink in her hiding places.

A great read for younger children, five and under, although older children will also enjoy the rhyme and illustrations.

Daddy Cuddle

Daddy Cuddle written by Kate Mayes, illustrated by Sara Acton (Harper Collins)                                  

HBK RRP $19.99                                                                                                                                 ISBN 9780733334054

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

This is a gentle story about a bunny who just wants to play – no matter how early her day starts. Daddy is still in bed as the young bunny peers around the bedroom door. 

‘Daddy up?’ she questions, before disappearing to grab a bouncy ball.

Daddy sleeps on as bunny brings in other items one by one, each will surely entice daddy to wake.

Only one thing left to do: ‘Daddy wake up!” she shouts.

The young early riser is common in all households with children. The soft illustrations by Sara Acton are the perfect accompaniment to Mayes’ light text.

Having previously written under her nom de plume Ruthie May, Cuddle Daddy is Mayes’ first title under her real name, the separation of her work as a nonfiction sales manager and children’s author has now disappeared.

This book is suitable for sharing with pre schoolers.

Bridie’s Boots

Bridie’s Boots by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Sara Acton (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504723

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

For her fifth birthday Bridie is given a pair of gumboots wrapped in rainbow paper. She loved these boots; they were the best boots ever.

When it rained they kept her feet dry as she crossed wild rivers.

When the sun came out she twirled on tiptoes and splashed in puddles.

Bridie wore her boots all that winter, but then the weather warmed and she put them away. For days, weeks, months and almost a year.  And when winter returns her boots won’t fit. She’s grown out of them, but now is the time to send them on an adventure of their own.

To someone, somewhere, on the other side of the world.

This is a charming story of a little girl who dreams of adventures, and when her boots no longer fit, she sends them on an adventure too. To a little girl on the other side of the world, who will love them just as much as she did.

Sara Acton’s soft and delightful illustrations add to this story of passing time and passing things on.  The simple addition of a seed being planted, then watered, flowering then dying back to nothing is a great visual of the passing of time.

Recommended for pre-schoolers,  this would be a good book to read before that ‘yearly toy clean out’.  Keeping the notion that someone else, somewhere in the world, will love your boots – or your toys - just as much as you do.

Poppy Cat

Poppy Cat by Sara Acton (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-016-8

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Poppy is a playful cat, a copy-cat, and this is just perfect for her young owner. She and her little girl spend the day doing things together but sometimes Poppy can be a little mischievous.

I love Sara Acton's picture books and this one is no exception. The companionship between the girl and cat are brought out wonderfully in the simplicity of the story, the gorgeous illustrations and the way the words roll off the tongue. 'Poppy is a copy cat. She follows me wherever I go.'

This would make a lovely bedtime story with it’s gentle nature and lovely rhythm. Also with the way the story 'holds' the day - beginning with the girl and cat rising to dress and ending with a calm cuddle; the little girl’s pink spotted pyjama's making lovely bookends to the story.

Acton's illustrations are painted and messy, giving a sense of movement and fun, but with gentle colours, not hectic. She doesn't fill the page with colour, but let's her pictures wander to any part of the page. A cheeky feather in the corner of a page teasing Poppy, or the delightful picture of a small cat followed by little blue paw prints after an incident with paint. This is a picture book where words and pictures come together to create the story a child experiences.

I think young children will respond to this book immediately, with affection and the intimacy that comes from relating to, and living in, a story.

A beautiful book for toddlers and up.

Esther’s Rainbow

Esther’s Rainbow written by Kim Kane and illustrated by Sara Acton (Allen and Unwin)
PB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74331-370-1
Reviewed by Ann Harth (www.annharth.com )

Esther’s Rainbow starts and ends with a rainbow and colours fill every page. Esther spies a rainbow while eating lunch on Sunday. It’s soft, warm and smells like honey.

On Monday Esther looks for her rainbow but instead, sees all things violet, like Daddy’s shirt and Granny’s chocolate creams. On Tuesday she sees indigo in a forgotten feather and the midnight sky but Esther still can’t find her rainbow. The days of the week go by and Esther sees a different colour each day. When she wakes on a Monday to a soft, sweet rain shower, her rainbow returns.

Kim Kane and Sara Acton have introduced colours and the days of the week within the page turning quality of their book, but the unique imagery and memorable language are what attracted me. Children will be able to relate to the violet in hard, shiny nail polish, the blue in the echo of a swimming pool and yellow on baby’s I-like-butter chin. The words flow beautifully and the simple but effective illustrations allow you to fall in love with Esther immediately.

Esther’s Rainbow is suitable for children aged 3-6 but children younger and older will enjoy it as well. It recreates a familiar but colourful week in the life of a child but enhances it with a unique touch. Most children will identify with Esther’s experiences.

Kim Kane was born in London but now resides with her family in Melbourne. 2011 was a big year for her as two of her picture books, Family Forest and Vegetable Ark were recognised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Family Forest was shortlisted for the CBCA award and Vegetable Ark was a CBCA notable book in two separate categories. But those aren’t her only awards. Her first book, Pip: the Story of Olive, received the Barbara Ramsden Award in 2008.

Sara Acton was also born in England and lived in New Zealand before moving to Australia. She now lives near the ocean in New South Wales. She is an award winner in her own right and her work in Esther’s Rainbow illustrates the reason for this. Her book, Ben and Duck, was the winner of the CBCA Crichton Award for new illustrators.

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, will be released in 2012.

Hold on Tight

Hold on Tight by Sara Acton (Scholastic Press)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-349-1
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

What would happen on a windy day if you let go of Mum’s hand and blew away? This lovely poetic picture book explores the possibilities. Soft ink and watercolour illustrations fill the pages creating breeze and movement rustling though the book. The gentle pictures and pastel palette match the gentle weightlessness of the story. The imagination of these pictures is inspiring. The rhyme is good, but the placement of the text on the page ensures that it is the rhythm that dominates. And this increases the dreamy flow of the experience.

The language, storyline and illustrations all work beautifully together making this is a delightful book to be swept up into. And I love that we are brought gently, but firmly, back to earth at the end of the book. I’m sure any young child would love to be the child in the story, floating high above earth with the wind, autumn leaves, lady birds and raindrops.

Hold on Tight is a dreamy book, just right for all children who would love to fly.