One Thousand Snapshots

One Thousand Snapshots by Steve Heron (Shawline Publishing Group) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9781922594747

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Haunted by a car accident that killed her father four years earlier, Maddy is determined to capture every important part of her life through the lens of her Instamatic camera. But photos are static, and life is not. Changes wrought by puberty, her mother’s new partner, friendship dramas, and a boy she likes are beginning to take their toll. Can Maddy ride the churning tide of emotions and arrive at a calm harbour of belonging and contentment?

Ideal for kids aged ten and older, One Thousand Snapshots is a charming ode to growing up in Western Australia. Steve Heron replicates the regional language beautifully (for example, with the use of ‘dardy’ to mean ‘cool’), and there are nods to local Indigenous words as well (djidi djidi, the Noongar name for the willie wagtail). Repeated references to AFL football also add a sporty WA flavour.

The first-person narrative invites tweens into Maddy’s moiling mind, revealing the depth of her fears and the strength of her desires. This builds an understanding of and empathy for the struggling protagonist, and ensures that the reader quickly becomes invested in seeing Maddy succeed in all areas of her life.

Thought-provoking and poignant, One Thousand Snapshots is a wonderfully Australian take on growing up. Its underlying message of hope will buoy young readers who, like Maddy, are dealing with the turbulence of difficult transitions.

Perfectly Me

Perfectly Me by K A Farrell, illustrated by Emma Hay (Shawline Publishing Group) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN 9781922594235

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath 

Olivia struggles with strong feelings. Some days she wakes up happy and puts her ‘positive knickers’ on, but other days there are rain clouds looming over her mood. The book follows her dad explaining how Olivia can see her ‘perfectly me’ self every day, regardless of how she is feeling.

This is a simple instructional book in rhyme for toddlers and preschoolers. There is no plot or character development to speak of, but littlies will likely enjoy the ‘positive knickers’ motif.

Each page is saturated with strongly coloured illustrations. Olivia makes for a cute cartoon character with huge eyes and pigtails.

Suitable for 3 to 5 year olds. Parents might also find useful ways of talking young children through big feelings.

The Corrected Lore of a Famous Philanthropist

The Corrected Lore of a Famous Philanthropist by Dustin Perry, illustrated by Aaron Wolf (Shawline Publishing Group) PB RRP $19.95 ISBN 9781922594273

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Santa. Everyone knows who Santa is… or do they? Tales of a cheerful tubby old man clad in red have been passed down through the ages, but are they true? This book exists to set the record straight.

You’ll be surprised to know that Santa’s main role is actually to protect the world from an iniquitous beast named ‘Krampus’. For many years, Krampus would make an appearance on the night of December 24th and take an innocent victim from their home. Something had to be done. Lucky for us, Dolph the wizard suggested that Santa and his crew could counteract this annual fear inducing night, by patrolling the night skies to keep everyone safe. It was only in later years that Santa would also deliver presents, so that the children had something to look forward to.

After a long hiatus, Krampus has now returned and kidnapped little Sophie White on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, Santa is NOT a portly older gentleman. Santa is a fit and muscly 6’6” man, trained to battle and take on evil with his loyal elves Dash, Dan, Rance, Vick, Comet, Coop, Donny and Blitz. Santa and his team, along with Sophie’s older brother Aiden, make it their mission to rescue her. However, there is plenty standing in their way. Krampus lives at the infamous and remote ‘Black Rock’ and is protected by an army of wicked creatures including trolls, gargoyles, wolves and a dragon.

The Corrected Lore of a Famous Philanthropist is a middle-grade narrative recommended for readers who enjoy twisted fairy tales, adventure, magic, mythical creatures, and good vs evil storylines.

The Amazing Adventures of Bub and Tub

The Amazing Adventures of Bub and Tub Volumes 1&2 by Gillian Wells (Shawline Publishing Group – Playtime Books) ISBN  978 1 922594 29 7 RRP $19.95

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

These books contain stories about Bub, a grey pony and Tub, a black and white dog who live on a cattle station with Emily and her younger brother Jim. All the animals, including another horse called Trixie, a kangaroo called Mr Roo and a kookaburra called Kookie can talk to one another. They are portrayed as being cleverer than the humans and usually save the day in each adventure.

Volume one’s stories include the kids riding around, exploring waterholes, camping, and visiting cousins at the beach. They also play circuses and go to the zoo. Volume two continues as the children grow older. Jim’s Granny teaches him to eat vegetables, they go to a dog show and Jim and his pony alert the family to a bushfire. Emily goes off to boarding school and there’s the introduction of a new puppy called Masie and a new pony called Sunny.

The sepia tinted photos on the covers suggest times gone by and there are hand-drawn illustrations (mostly of dogs or horses -- or wombats!) at the beginning of some chapters. Previously published for adults, The Amazing adventures of Bub and Tub are author Gillian Wells’ first children’s books.  

Billycan’s Tail of Two Crocodiles

Billycan’s Tail of Two Crocodiles by Alistair Pirie and Aaron Wolf (Shawline Publishing Group) PB RRP $19.95 ISBN 978 1 922594198

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Alistair Pirie acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. His story is based on the Yalukit-Willam people who are members of the Kulin nation. It is a story that opens doors into some of Melbourne’s history that is not really known.

This adventure takes five children back in time. They descend into a tunnel where they discover an underground river system. The children then learn parts of Melbourne’s history. A mysterious stranger, called Peter Billycan, is the children’s guide and he helps them to learn about Aboriginal culture and how things were in the past. This includes how people lived and their connection to the environment. ‘I am going to send you on an adventure to see the land as it was and to learn from the experience.’

 

The children board a ferry boat that’s captained by an old sea dog and are swept away. They encounter fighting crocodiles, an Aboriginal campsite, and a bungalow house on the seaside. The children return changed with their new knowledge and understanding.

 

Alistair Pirie, uses his own experiences growing up in bayside Melbourne in this semi-fictional story. The places that are explored were a part of his childhood. ‘We have just left the swamp and are crossing the entrance of Kororoit Creek. The creek goes back into the inland plains for miles and miles.’ This gives the story authenticity and depth. The reader can follow the adventurers by using the enclosed maps.

 

Pirie’s descriptive text is filled with information that takes the reader on their own journey of discovery. The children are distinct each in their own way and work together as a team. The story gives the feeling that although the children are on their own they are safe. At times, the story gives the feeling of someone older sharing their stories as if talking to you. It is fascinating for children to learn that in early days people didn’t go to the supermarket. Pirie even introduces the man who emptied the dunny cans which to today’s children would seem incredible.

 

Aaron Wolfe’s bright cover captures the eye with two fighting crocodiles and the maps add information to the reader.