Racing Puffing Billy

Racing Puffing Billy by Corinne Fenton & Mark Wilson (Windy Hollow Books) PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781922998279

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Racing Puffing Billy is based upon the true story of a faithful dog named Jerry and his best friend Lionel, a driver on the famous Puffing Billy steam train. Jerry was rescued as a cold and hungry pup by Lionel and his wife Bea. He became famous on Puffing Billy for racing the train back to the station. The moment he heard the blast from Puffing Billy’s whistle, Jerry came running.

Corrine Fenton is an award-winning author known for writing beautiful picture-book histories of animals whose lives have become legendary. Her award-winning books include Lionel and Me, My Friend Tertius, Bob the Railway Dog, The Dog on the Tuckerbox and Queenie: One Elephant’s Story.

Mark Wilson is a multiple award-winning author/illustrator with 39 books in print worldwide in nine languages. Mark has a passion for Australian history and the environment. In 2011 he received the Dromkeen Medal for Services to Children’s Literature.

Corrine Fenton has written a story with heart and much love for Jerry. Her heartwarming style pairs facts with word choices and sentence construction that deeply connect the reader to Jerry, the train and the setting. She characterises animal friendship and showcases Jerry’s dog personality and his impact on those around him to great effect. The flawless opening sentence captures the reader's attention. One windswept night, a sick and scruffy pup, owned by no one, limped up the path of a house in Upper Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges. The text is timeless; it captures Australian history and spirit beautifully, letting the reader time-travel and marvel. After his run, Jerry often clambered into a fire bucket to cool off.  The reader experiences the Puffing Billy through Jerry's eyes. Fenton shows emotion, history and setting rather than telling. Passengers leaned from the train windows or sat on the carriage sills, legs dangling, watching him race, and children would yell, ‘Go Jerry,’ which always encouraged him to run faster. This playful, rhythmic read tugs at the heartstrings.

Mark Wilson’s signature illustration style shines as he beautifully captures the historical vintage Puffing Billy steam train and the old stations. He is the perfect illustrator choice for this text. His attention to detail captures not only the engineering of the Puffing Billy steam train but also human and dog emotions and the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. He emphasises the deep emotional bond between the driver, Lionel, and Jerry, and, through detailed facial expressions, pulls readers into their friendship and shared love of the Puffing Billy steam train. The colour palette is realistic and perfectly suited to the era. The endpapers feature the Puffing Billy steam train sweeping around a bend, with passengers sitting on windowsills or waving, showing the magic of the ride as the train steams through the lush green ranges. I think what I like best is how beautifully it captures the absolute joy of Jerry racing the train.

Racing Puffing Billy is written for children 3 years and older. With its nostalgic theme and its focus on a unique friendship, it’s sure to be loved by parents, teachers and librarians. It’s also a wonderful book for train enthusiasts. This book brilliantly shares the themes of friendship, loyalty and history.

Corn Field

Corn Field by Gary Crew, illustrated by Aaron Hill (Windy Hollow Books)
HB RRP $25.95
ISBN: 9781922081377
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Slotting deftly into a niche for reluctant male readers with a taste for just a shivery suggestion of horror, this is a picture book for a teen audience.

This is a tricky proposition, because that age group is happy to be seen with a graphic novel but it’s uber-uncool to be spotted reading a picture book. However the macabre aspect has just what it takes to overcome the format and woo the boys in.

Take a spoonful of mystery, a cup of morbid, season with well-paced tension and layer with eerie, almost grungy illustrations. Crew and Hill have teamed up for this unusual offering, aimed mainly at early adolescent males.

One hot sticky day, two boys—fuelled by boredom, bravado and possibly a need to prove their parents and grandparents are ‘fraidy cats—dare to cross THE Cornfield.

Yeah, that cornfield. The one the Pinchy kid went in generations back and never came out. Festering rumours suggest the kid might still be in there. But he can’t be, can he?

So the boys go in.

Short, scary and moody. If you like your horror subtle and suggestive, rather than graphic, this is top stuff.

Big Sky Mind

Big Sky Mind by Whitney Stewart, illustrated by Sally Rippin (Windy Hollow Books)
HB RRP $25.95
ISBN: 9781922081339
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Author Whitney Stewart has trekked in Nepal, Tibet and India, learning from the best of meditation masters, including the Dalai Lama. Now a teacher of mindfulness practice, she has collected a set of meditation exercises in this simple book aimed at children.

Tranquil illustrations feature Elephant and Monkey and complement the instructive text. Meditations include:

Mind drawing

Protection circle

Jigsaw puzzle

Special place

Friendship meditation

Mind clearing

Wise friend

Bursting emotion

Big Sky Mind

Questions are included to help children in practical ways when they’re feeling bored or wriggly or otherwise distracted.

How Long Is A Piece of String?

How Long Is A Piece of String? by Madeleine Meyer (Windy Hollow Books)
HB RRP $25.95
ISBN: 9781922081346
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

A boy wakes to the sound of his lost dog, barking mournfully in the night. Putting on his hat and stepping out the window with the help of an orange crate, he sets off in search of the wandering canine, red string in hand. (No doubt he’s learned a thing or two from fairytale of the Hansel and Gretel or that old Victorian tourism ad about visiting mazy Melbourne.)

Past a funky castle

and a teetering town

across a moody mountain

into a monster’s meadow,

the boy finds the dog on a strange, otherworldly seashore.

All he has to guide him home is that trail of red string.

A friendly and fabulously grotesque flying fish lends a hand (or maybe a fin) to rescue the boy and the dog and bring them home safely.

 As unusual and quirky as Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, this wordless book shows that facing your personal monsters and getting past them to save a friend brings its own reward.

 

Calpepper’s Place

Calpepper’s Place by Trudie Trewin, illustrated by Donna Gynell (Windy Hollow Books)
HB RRP $25.95
ISBN: 9781922081322
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

In this picture book for young readers, Calpepper is a young camel with dreams of finding the perfect ‘camely’ sort of place. ‘Not desert with its hot, hot sand. Not snowfields with their cold, cold slopes. Not cities with their crowded concrete. Not surf with its wild, wild wipe–outs.’

Luminous watercolours uplift this simple story and portray the scrawny camel train with charm and vibrancy. The theme combines the proverbs ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ and ‘there’s no place like home’.  In fact, various motifs about the ‘grass is always greener’ are reproduced in the subtle endpapers. The combination has been done before but this is a fresh and delightful version of an old favourite.

I have just one question: who is THAT mouse? Unnamed and unobtrusive, he’s present in every scene. Is he Calpepper’s friend? Or just a random hitch–hiker who decides to tag along for the adventure? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

Miaka

Miaka by Anne-Louise Channon, illustrated by Beatriz Martin Vidal (Windy Hollow Books)

HC RRP $25.99

ISBN 9781922081315

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Here is a work of art that will entice collectors of exceptional picture books. It comes highly recommended.

Anya lives happily with her seamstress mother, farmer father, and pet bird, Miaka somewhere in the frozen countryside of Russia. The long freeze destroys their crops. Summer stays away that year and the next. Then father dies. Money runs out and so does the food after Anya’s toys are sold for firewood. Weakened by hunger, mother is forced to send Anya to live with the baker and his wife in the village.

But charity is not available. Anya must work hard in return for food for Miaka and herself. The bird grows strong and fat.  When the girl overhears a conversation that rocks her world, she is forced to make a drastic decision.

This is a haunting story about the bond between human and animal, and sacrifice that comes at the ultimate price. Anya’s emotions are portrayed incredibly well through the stunning, full page illustrations. The colours are dark like the theme. The only brightness exhibited is the girl’s hair and the bird’s feathers which carry messages of their own for the reader to interpret. 

Jack’s Bugle

Jack’s Bugle by Krista Bell, illustrated by Belinda Elliott (Windy Hollow Books)

HC RRP $25.99

ISBN 9781922081292

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Innocent about the meaning of war and looking for adventure along with so many others, Aidan Jackson, known as Jack, sets out for Gallipoli with his bugle. He becomes best mate to Harry, who later brings Jack’s bugle home.

This book is a salute to the men at Anzac Cove. It’s a hymn to the mateship and camaraderie shared in the sands of Egypt, and the trenches. And amidst the bullet fire, it’s always mates looking after mates with loyalty and sacrifice.

Ever present in the story is the bugle; Jack’s Bugle, that brought something singular to the men at Gallipoli and which remained along with a bent photo, the only reminder for Harry of his friend.

Krista Bell has again used a single object - the bugle - to create an interesting reflection on the war that was to end all wars. The story of the bugle is in itself a whole separate tale, uncovered at the end. These books are treasures and serve to remind us Lest We Forget.

Outstanding watercolour illustrations by Belinda Elliott take the reader back to the time and place perfectly with her perceptive translation of the text.

Waiting for Hugo

Waiting for Hugo by Amanda Niland, illustrated by Claire Richards (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $ 25.95
ISBN 9781922081216
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Amanda Niland has chosen an interesting subject for her book. Delicately handled and presented, this book shows that being different isn’t always a bad thing.

Hugo is four. But he knows that the neighbour’s wall has 392 bricks; that the trolley bay holds 52 trolleys, and the store’s refrigerator holds 487 bottles of milk. Hugo loves to count.

But it’s hard for his sister to wait while Hugo finishes counting. Nothing can make him hurry. So she waits and waits. She wishes he didn’t count all the time.

In rainbow watercolour illustrations and pen, and in carefully chosen text, we view the two sides of Autism Spectrum Disorder: the gifted side that belongs to Hugo, and the view of his behaviour by his sister, who loves Hugo dearly, but finds understanding his habits difficult. This is a title that should be found in all libraries and schools. It reflects on how some children are different and it’s this difference that makes them unique.

This Way Up

This Way Up by Kylie Dunstan (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $25.95
ISBN9781922081223
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Grace and her family are moving again. But home now is a strange shadowy place full of echoes and cardboard boxes. What will it take to make it a real home?

This delightful and delicate book with the dominant theme of moving away from familiar things and people, also addresses the mixed emotions experienced by a child in a new environment. The design of the text on the pages is a brilliant choice. Its purposeful placement on the page identifies with the boxes and chaotic coming and going within the house.

The illustrations are stunning; so creative and beautiful. With great insight, coloured pages have been used as background throughout. This adds additional uniqueness to the already outstanding preparation and design of the whole book. Kylie Dunstan just keeps getting better. This is her fifth picture book. Look out for this creator’s work. She is destined to leave a bold mark on the history of Australian children’s books.

Welcome Little Scrub Fowl

Welcome Little Scrub Fowl by Sandra Kendell (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $ 25.95
ISBN 9781922081261
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

How many readers know what a megapode is? Megapode is Greek for big foot. There are 19 species of birds that are megapodes and the Orange-footed Scrubfowl is one of them. This story is about the Scrubfowl, their laying and life habits.

From the beautiful shadowed illustrations on the fly pages to the vibrant, and eye-catching covers, every part of this book including the prose, is perfectly presented. The soft watercolour illustrations create a background of harmony and fluidity between the text and artwork.

Their house has legs. Their garden is ‘wild and green’, full of birds, fruit trees, lizards, frogs and vegetables. But the seedlings are found ‘scratched up’. Mum knows it’s the scrubfowl, and she gets cross. The child can hear them singing in the night and mum calls it courting. The child doesn’t know what that is, but imagines scrubfowls wearing crowns in the garden, surrounded by owls, possums, and tiny insects that have permanent residence there.

Mum knows they are scratching around to make a mound to lay their clutch of eggs. When it hatches, the little scrubfowl digs its way out of the earth to the surface. They are now independent beings.

This is a most informative, educational and entertaining story on the Orange-footed Scrubfowl found in the ‘Top End of the Northern Territory, north-eastern Queensland, and some islands in the Indonesian archipelago’. It has a double spread of information about this interesting bird at the end of the book.

Windy Hollow Books has caught the attention of lovers of children’s books everywhere with their excellent themes, beautiful productions and carefully considered presentation. They are a delight to read and learn from, and equally delightful to gift to anyone that enjoys quality in Australian children’s books.

Owl

Owl by Anna Pignataro (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $25.95
ISBN 9781922081162
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Owl and Frida live together in a cottage deep in the forest. Their life together has been enough for them for they share everything. But words are powerful objects. When Owl is told how beautiful he is and how the world would benefit by his presence, he begins to think. His thoughts create discontent, and what he is and what he has, seems minute compared to what awaits him out in the world.

He loses interest in sharing everything with Frida. After a hundred frozen nights of snow and retreat from the cold, the window of the house is again open. The external space beckons Owl and he follows its call.

Leaving Frida, Owl explores the world which is more than he knows. But he is only a small enough thing in a huge space. He thinks of Frida, her love and warmth. He returns to their snowy home in the forest. But what will he find?

Owl, in its burgundy cover, is a beating heart; the poignant story of love and freedom, home and belonging. Beautifully illustrated with delicate lines and equally delicate prose, this book is a collector’s item made so by its uniqueness in presentation, theme and overall content.

I Love Football

I Love Football by Matt Zurbo (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $25.95
ISBN 9781922081179
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

I Love Footy is a book full of fun and energy, optimism and encouragement, self confidence and assurance, and all the other positive emotions children should feel. When playing footy our unnamed character feels ‘safe from his problems’. He has a sense of power, energy and freedom when he’s running with the ball. He imagines he can do anything when he touches a footy. Weather is no obstacle. He takes it all in his stride with that inexhaustible energy that children own. And there are other feelings and emotions he experiences as well – good and bad.

It is obvious these wonderful feelings have been experienced by the author through the game. It is well and truly visible in the joy and enthusiasm of the boy at play; through the eloquence of the prose. The author transmits his passion through pictures full of vibrant colour and movement, and through words of pleasure.

This is a terrific book that teaches the freedom and joy that sport, especially footy, can bring to children. It encourages activity and movement, and promises a freedom that many children may never experience in any other form. Highly recommended.

My Friend the Idea

My Friend the Idea by Cheryll Johns (Windy Hollow Books)
HC RRP $25.95
ISBN 9781922081155
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

With three previous books illustrated for other writers, this is the first time Cheryll Johns has both written and illustrated a picture book. It’s a clever and introspective book that encourages creativity, imagination, and thought. It refers to the influence, use and outcome of an idea. Although people may mock it, if it’s nurtured it can ‘fly (you) to the clouds’.

This could easily be seen as an inspirational book; moving and sincere in its approach and message, filled with optimism and hope, belief in self, and with an idea as the pivotal point.

This book will be treasured by adults and children with a grasp of mature concepts. With its simple and strong messages it allows freedom to interpret and analyse as it challenges the reader to consider what an idea really is; where it can lead and take you; ‘It shows me life is never small’.

The illustrations created with oil on canvas are unique, bold and vibrant. The characters are interesting like the text, and they too, speak to you from the page. Highly recommended.

Bearly There

Bearly There by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Jill Carter-Hansen (Windy Hollow Books)

HB RRP $25.95

ISBN 9781922081056

Reviewed by Donna Austin

The opening line of this book tells readers that ‘Bearly There’ has been ‘Blake’s teddy forever’. The next page explains that this is why Bearly was considered to be ‘barely there’. Ironically, he isn’t barely there at all because everyone notices him. They all tell Blake how horrible Bearly’s old, tattered and ragged body is. Aunt Phelicia gives Blake a new bear with lovely fur, named Winston.

Pushing Winston’s special button makes him talk. He also behaves rudely. ‘Silly old bear, you don’t have a special button’ and Winston throws Bearly out the window when Blake is not around.

Turning the page reveals that it’s time to go to the park and Blake searches everywhere for Bearly. Mum tells Blake, ‘Look for him when we get back’. The next page begins, ‘As soon as Blake got home he went searching for Barely again’. I would have loved to have seen what a trip to the park without Bearly was like for Blake, or how being left home, discarded and alone, was like for Bearly.

At home, Blake still can’t find Bearly and can’t sleep without him. It’s not a problem though, as it is at this point that Blake sees Bearly climbing into the window. Barely and Blake drift off to sleep and Winston is sad to have been forgotten.

Bearly hears Winston sniffling and tells him there is plenty of room for him in the bed too, even though he is a naughty bear. Bearly helps Winston climb up and they both keep Blake ‘safe and warm all night.’ Black, grey and the occasional splash of red make for pleasing illustrations.

I Wish There Were Dinosaurs

I Wish There Were Dinosaurs by Amanda Niland, illustrated by Christina Booth (Windy Hollow Books)

HB RRP $27.99

ISBN – 9781922081049

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

End papers of this book immediately draw readers in with their map of a zoo that keeps dinosaurs. The map even has a key showing where to find viewing areas, education zone, café, toilets and bus stop. Childlike typeface and lively layout follow, adding to the appeal of whimsical yet exciting scenes which are mostly illustrated in earthy tones. Told in rhyme, the story delves into one young boy’s wish.

While museum exhibits endeavour to show us how big certain dinosaurs were, the effect is limited. Skeletons just aren’t the same as the real thing. This story’s narrator, who always wears a strapped on dinosaur tail, appears on the title page pushing an elephant away. While he admits he likes them, he wishes zoos kept dinosaurs. He decides that writing to the zoo is the answer.

From here each spread ensures readers see exactly what the narrator imagines. As they journey through the zoo with him they will get a feel for what different dinosaurs were like in comparison to existing zoo animals they will be familiar with. Giraffes are not at all that tall! I was especially relieved to see that the dinosaur eyeing off the woman at the ticket booth is obviously herbivorous.

Partway through enjoying his imaginative trip to the zoo, the narrator ponders over what could go wrong. What if the fences didn’t hold the dinosaurs in? How frightening would it be to face a T-Rex that’s escaped, or any large dinosaur for that matter? Even small ones have bigger jaws than monkeys. And the sheer size of many also means they could easily destroy our homes.

Such thoughts result in a quick and sensible decision to cancel the letter, balancing tension with humour to calm readers who might be frightened. Readers will delight in the logic of the solution and those in preschool and early primary years will undoubtedly visit the dinosaurs through the pages of the book over and over again.