Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules

Chook Doolan: Rules are Rules by James Roy, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Walker Books) PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 9781922244932

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Chook Doolan is scared of everything. That’s why he’s called Chook, for chicken, because he’s not very brave. He always walks to school with his brother Ricky. Today Ricky is sick and Chook must go to school by himself. Dad can’t drive him as he’s running late, so he gives Chook some rules to follow for his own safety.

But Chook takes the rules literally, and without meaning to, upsets all his friends in his community. Can things get worse?

Joe, his best mate, comes up with a brilliant solution to rectify the damage done.

This is a brilliant series for early readers which carry themes of family and community, and being brave when attempting things for the first time. Each book has a specific problem Chook must address, and young readers will easily associate with his feelings of insecurity and fear. They will also applaud his successes and the way he keeps trying no matter how difficult he finds the challenge.

Sheeza

Sheeza by Clancy Tucker (Morris Publishing Australia)

PB RRP $18.00 including postage E-book$3.00

(Overseas $21.00 including postage)

ISBN 9780646935843

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Danny has an artificial limb and wears glasses. He’s the perfect target for bullies and ‘Mad Dog’ Fletcher is out to get him. Danny can’t play sport so longs to have a dog.  Towards this end, he has been doing odd jobs for the lovely oldies in his area, and saving every penny.

He doesn’t want any dog, he wants a Kelpie, to train and enter into the sheep dog trials at the Agricultural Show. He has read every book he could find, and watched every video available in preparation for the moment he gets the go-ahead from his parents.

Joey is Danny’s best friend, confidant, and protector when things get rough. Joey is optimistic, lovable and daring. He balances Danny’s smart and responsible side well which makes for a perfect friendship.

When Danny sees the physically-challenged pup in the pet shop, he knows it’s the one. They bond immediately and training the pup, which he names Sheeza, is a breeze. They end up winning the sheep dog trials at Wanganui.

It’s when Sheeza is stolen that everyone joins the hunt to find her. Who could have taken her? Where can she be and will she ever be found? Posters, Current Affair programs, truckies with two-way radios across Australia and an informed public, set out to find and reunite the dog with the boy.

This is Clancy Tucker’s second novella. He’s a writer who loves to get his teeth into difficult themes and always manages to weave several issues into one story.

A well-researched book, Sheeza incorporates detailed information about working dogs, their training and habits. I loved this story. It kept me reading without stopping until the end. As usual, there are fantastic characters - humans and animals, bad versus good in people, and problems that are overcome due to a tight community and strong friendships. To never give up is a powerful message that flows through all the issues addressed.

Faraway Friends

Faraway Friends written and illustrated by Russ Cox (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-1-63220-408-0

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Sheldon’s next-door neighbour and best friend moves away, he is desperate to go visit.  So, with the help of his dog Jet, he builds a rocket ship and takes off to the stars.  When the rocket ship falls apart, Sheldon finds a surprising source of help and a potential new friend with his new neighbour Rubin.

Faraway Friends is the latest book from American author/illustrator Russ Cox.  A sweet story about friendship and adventure, it primarily deals with a young boy’s attempts to deal with his best friend moving away from the neighbourhood. 

On seeing the “Jupiter Moving Co” truck leave, Sheldon decides that his friend has moved to Jupiter and a rocket ship needs to be built so he can visit. With his dog, Jet, he builds a rather rickety rocket from various items around the house and, with the help of a lot of imagination, they take off for the stars.  It’s a short trip, however, as the rocket falls apart before they make it to Jupiter.  Looking over the fence at them is what appears to be a pair of alien eyes.  To their surprise, the eyes belong to their new neighbour Rubin who helps with the repairs to the rocket ship and joins them as they take off again.

This is an energetic and fun story about friendship that also comes with a hint of adventure; it would make a great read-aloud book.  Visually, each page is filled with big colourful illustrations.  With a mixture of full-page and cartoon-style panels, there is enough detail and variety to entertain any young reader as they flip through each page.

Russ Cox was raised in the backwoods of Tennessee, where he spent his time drawing, whittling and throwing dirt clods at his cousins.  He has taught classes at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and he runs his own studio, Smiling Otis Studio, where he specialises in illustration for the children’s book market.  She can be found online at: http://www.smilingotis.com/