Where Do Teachers Go at Night?

Where Do Teachers Go at Night? by Harriet Cuming, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117424

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

  

Fantastamogorical flights of fancy roll through this fun and appealing book. It begins by posing a question: ‘Where do teachers go at night?’ The answers are as wild, imaginative and varied as crocodile-wrestling in Kakadu, sipping tea in Belgravia and skinny-dipping in the Caribbean.

Each bright and cheery spread features an art teacher, the PE guy, the librarian, the scientist, the music teacher and the teacher who has a pet frog. They are pictured in a variety of glamorous locations and are generally engaged in thrill-seeking activities.

The rhyme scheme is complex (Mumbai and Versailles, Tahiti and sushi, Scandinavia and Belgravia) but should appeal to pre-schoolers and young school entrants who like wrapping their tongues around big or exotic words.

The last page features a rough world map, showing the locations of the teacher’s nocturnal visits. There is lots of opportunity for geographical discussion in this book.

Elephant Kitten

Elephant Kitten by Margaret Evans, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN: 9781925117394

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Towser the kitten is a gift to Toby, a tow-headed boy who wanted an elephant. When Toby goes to answer the door, Towser escapes the family room and goes exploring. His adventures take him from room to room while he reflects on what he’d do if he really was an elephant. Finally he comes face to face with a kitten which mimics his every move. Perhaps it’s fortunate he’s not an elephant or there’d be a lot of broken mirror around!

The easy, fluid style of the illustrations generally complements the text beautifully. However one or two have busy, muddy backgrounds that (at least in print) detract from, rather than enhance, the story.

The story is based on a real-life experience when the author’s kitten was spooked by his own reflection. The fun, imaginative elements are based on her father’s interpretation of the kitten’s elephant-like heart and soul.

Emilia Mouse

Emilia Mouse by Elisabeth Hardy, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (Little Steps Publishing)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN: 9781925117288
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

How did the cat-and-mouse band come about? How did traditional enemies overcome their differences and unite in harmony (in more ways than one)?

This is the story of Emilia Mouse who discovered a treasure trove of musical instruments hidden behind a wall of boxes. Blowing the trumpet, she awakens the cats that have a hidden sleeping spot in the wall of boxes. With a flying leap, they’re after Emilia. In desperation, she thrusts the trumpet at one of the cats who grabs it with his mouth -- and finds fabulous music coming out. The other cat wants to join in. Soon cats and mice are converging on them all, wanting to be part of it all. As they pick up the different instruments and start to play them, Emilia steps forward to lead the band.

This is a warm and attractive hardcover story with eye-catching illustrations.

Matilda Saves Santa Claus

Matilda Saves Santa Claus by Alex Field, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (New Frontier Publishing)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781921928604
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Matilda Saves Santa Claus is a simple Christmas story for preschoolers. Matilda Mouse is poor but leaves the last of her milk and her only mince pie for Santa. What she really desires is a Christmas tree. When she ventures into the forest to search for one, she finds Santa's sleigh trapped in vines. Matilda gnaws and gnaws through the vines until Santa is free to continue his journey.

Matilda returns home exhausted and without a tree but when she wakes in the morning , she discovers not only a beautiful tree in her house but presents galore and a thank you note from Santa.

Young children will enjoy this Christmas story with its simple message of the value of helping others. The plot is uncomplicated and the text sparse making this a book that emerging readers could tackle themselves. The book is well presented with its hard cover and illustrated endpapers and Sophie Norsa's vivid pictures reflect the text and fill the pages with colour and life. I particularly like the double spread when Rudolph and Matilda first meet. Most importantly, the thought that a creature as small as a mouse can save Christmas is a concept that will delight all young readers.

Indigo Solves the Puzzle

Indigo Solves the Puzzle by Wendy Fitzgerald, illustrated by Sophie Norsa (Little Steps Publishing)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781921928987
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

What an important book this is. Dyslexia is a condition that can alter a child's course in life, socially, educationally and career-wise. Indigo Solves the Puzzle centres on the true-life story of Indigo who struggles academically at school, not because she is unintelligent but because she is dyslexic. She is bullied and doubts her own self-worth until her mother takes her for tests which reveals the true source of Indigo's difficulties. Fortunately for Indigo her dyslexia is discovered early and she is enrolled in reading programs. This has a positive flow on effect through to all aspects of her life.

The book is written from Indigo's point of view. Young children encountering similar difficulties will easily relate to Indigo's story written in simple and direct language that is never didactic. Sophie Norsa's beautiful watercolour illustrations have a delightful playfulness about them. Yet, in the period of the story where Indigo is suffering most, Norsa's use of darker tones shows how devastated Indigo becomes. I particularly like how the bullies are shown as dark, faceless figures in the background. 

Real-life Indigo is remarkable, not only for dealing with the difficulties of dyslexia, but for her desire to help others. With her mother she launched the Indigo Express Foundation which assists with a literacy program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Parents and teachers will be particularly interested in the forward from Professor Kevin Wheldall of the MultiLit Research Unit at Macquarie University regarding the importance of early intervention in dyslexia. He also debunks the myth that dyslexia is almost exclusively a problem encountered by boys. Rather than being four to five times more common in boys than girls as previously thought, it less than twice as common. At the back of the book there is an information resource page with numerous website addresses.