Awesome Animals: Dogs - Fun Facts and Amazing Stories

Awesome Animals: Dogs - Fun Facts and Amazing Stories by Dianne Bates, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781925275384

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Although aimed at the 8-12 year age groups, this delightful, well-researched book on dogs throughout history will entertain, inform and amaze adult readers, pet lovers, and trivia buffs as well with its astonishing and unusual stories and facts.

Under the 20 chapter headings, gems of tales emerge about moving and impressive feats of courage, loyalty, love and miraculous acts from dogs of all kinds and with varying needs. Stories recorded are of famous dogs such as Laika, Greyfriar’s Bobby, Old Shep, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Old Yeller. Other stories about heroic dogs of war will impress, as will those on dedicated working dogs. And the list goes on.

There are dog jokes, and doggy verse; amazing but true stories and facts about dogs. I found this excellent compilation educational and highly entertaining. It produced many laughs and readers will be eager to share it with others.

The outstanding photographs featured throughout the book are of the dogs from the Best Friends Rescue in Brisbane on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas of Queensland. It sent me straight to the site to learn more about these animals that are looking for a ‘forever’ home and love. The book draws attention to all the knowledge that is essential when choosing a dog for a pet, for owning any pet is a lifelong commitment and must be seen absolutely as that. It also brings to light the amount of dogs sadly put to sleep each year.

Awesome Animals: Dogs, is one of three books under the Awesome Animals banner. There are Cats and Horses also. Look out for them for these books are truly worthwhile. They come Highly Recommended.

Little Rhymes for Little People

Little Rhymes for Little People by John Westlake, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Published by John Westlake)
PB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-0-646-92462-5
Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

In this new release, John Westlake has created a collection of rhymes that aim to educate children about animals of both land and sea and their environments. Suited to children aged three to seven, Little Rhymes for Little People features 21 rhymes written about animals from all over the world including Australian natives.

Each rhyme brings the reader closer to the animal by depicting a relationship between them and people, with the narrator an active participant in each scene.  This gives a gentle portrait of animal behaviour and their characteristics.

The bright illustrations by Sophie Scahill enhance the rhymes through a collage of texture and layering, giving them a somewhat 3D quality and bringing the animals’ habitats to life, at times in a humorous context. Zebras in disguise, a tea drinking leopard and a parachuting kiwi bird will entertain young readers as each page is unveiled. The illustrator has employed various colour palates that reflect a specific animal or environment. These are presented as full colour pages opposite their corresponding rhyme.

Each rhyme is short, in simple to read text, allowing the reader to move quickly. The illustrations support further discussion or reflection. There are opportunities for young children to identify pets or animals they may have encountered on visits to animal parks or sanctuaries. Little Rhymes for Little People is a light-hearted interpretation of animal life that can integrate with other pre-school environmental awareness. 

Little Rhymes for Little People is available now and available through Woodslane distribution.

Jaquelyn Muller is an author and publisher of the Elizabeth Rose picture book series. Jaquelyn is an author champion for the Let’s Read early childhood literacy program. She conducts literacy and publishing workshops for children from kinder to upper primary. jmullerbooks.com

 

Sisters

Sisters by Amy Laizans,  illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN – 9781921928895

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

The simple message brought to young readers in this book is that, although they have some differences, people are very much the same at the core. The first half of the story, told in first person, introduces readers to the narrator’s best friend Jane and shows their friendship and shared love of playing chasings outside, blowing and popping bubbles, reading, baking and doing craft.

Once the relationship has been established for readers we see the happiness disturbed, when … ”a schoolmate asked Jane if she speaks English”. Jane’s response, ”Of course I do! I was born here like you.” The issue then becomes greater as Jane then introduces the schoolmate to the narrator saying, “This is my best mate and my sister.’” Sadly Jane’s words see the schoolmate tell her this is not possible, because they have different skin colour.

Fortunately the narrator comforts Jane, telling her they are sisters at heart. As readers ponder this, the story winds up to reveal something previously unknown; that it is, in fact, Jane who was born in this country and speaks only English but the narrator speaks two languages and moved here from overseas. To round things off, the final line reinforces the story’s sentiment by repeating the refrain, “We will always be sisters in our hearts.”

Scahill’s hand-drawn digital compositions lend a sense of simplicity that matches the text while bringing emotion to the reader as they see the two friends sharing a beautiful bond, becoming unsettled by the inconsiderate intrusion of another, and then reaffirming their closeness as they turn their back on such a misguided view. The work will certainly suit its target audience of 5-8 year olds.