Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop

Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop by Jess Black, illustrated by Sara Acton (Puffin Books) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793090

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The real Mr Walker is a dog, which, trained by Guide Dogs Victoria to aid vision-impaired people, now resides with his official foster carer at Park Hyatt Melbourne hotel. Australian author Jess Black, has written a series of chapter books for children aged 7 to 10 years about Mr Walker, fictionalising his many adventures in the hotel.

Mr Walker, Labrador Ambassador, works with hotel manager, Henry Reeves, head concierge Omid Abedini, porter Thomas Glover and a slew of other hotel staff. At the start of this story, the Reeves family, who include children Sophie and Amanda, are leaving Mr Walker for a holiday and can’t take their pet with them. While Mr Reeves is away, the hotel is expecting a new guest, the fastidious reviewer Jamie Gibson who invariably pans hotels, and a hospitality student seeking work experience.

While preparing for the reviewer and aiming to totally impress her, staff are bothered by Mr Walker’s attempts to help, which invariably cause more troubles. Then there’s a mix-up, cleverly handled by the author, about who the student and the reviewer both are, but like all books for young readers that are written to entertain, all is fine by the end of the book.

This is an impressive-looking hard-back book which feels good in the hand and is well-designed with occasional black and white wash illustrations and sharp, clear typeface. There are moments of humour when poor Mr Walker misunderstands figures of speech he overhears. He’s a dog who everybody clearly loves and he’s right in the thick of the action in Operation Five Stars which is what the preparation for the arrival of the guest reviewer is called.

Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight

Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight by Jess Black, illustrated by Sara Acton (Puffin Books) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143793083

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Mr Walker, Labrador Ambassador, works with hotel manager, Henry Reeves and other staff at the Park Royal. His job is to meet and greet new people and help whenever he can. Like all dogs, his favourite topic is food and eating his favourite pastime, so he is excited to hear that Grethe Schmidt is to share the hotel’s kitchen with Chef Remy and his staff to cook a three-course meal for the hotel’s twentieth birthday party. Remy, a temperamental Frenchman, is not at all pleased to hear this and causes a ruckus.

The book follows the adventures of Mr Walker as he observes the interaction of Grethe with hotel staff and works to stave off the trouble which invariably brews. Of course, in this cheerful and well-written book for children aged 7 to 11 years, troubles are overcome by the end of the book when the anniversary dinner is celebrated. Mr Walker is particularly happy as Henry’s daughters save an ‘utterly delicious indeed’ desert for him as a reward for all his fine work.

To help young readers, the book includes a note about the real-life Mr Walker, as well as a list of his friends who work and live at the hotel. There are already other books about Mr Walker, the dog with a nose for adventure, and they are sure to have a huge following.

Ginger Green Play Date Queen: The Only Friend

Ginger Green Play Date Queen: The Only Friend written by Kim Kane, illustrated by John Davis (Hardie Grant Egmont) PB RRP $9.99 ISBN 9781760127855

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Ginger Green Play Date Queen is a fabulous new chapter book series starring a cute little fox. In each book, Ginger has a play date with a different friend, overcoming inevitable challenges and conflict along the way.

In The Only Friend, Ginger Green invites her friend Maya over to play. Problems arise when Ginger’s big sister Violet takes a liking to Maya and wants to play too. When the jealousy escalates and Ginger storms off, all seems lost – until Ginger comes up with an idea so everyone is included.

The story explores jealousy, anger, problem-solving and appreciating different types of families. While Ginger is sometimes annoyed by her bossy big sister and her little sister Penny (who, adorably, insists on being ‘nude’), Maya points out that as an only child, she doesn’t have instant playmates like Ginger does. Ultimately, the books celebrate compromise and friendship.

Super short and with only three chapters, the Ginger Green Play Date Queen series offers a wonderful introduction to the world of chapter books for newly independent readers, with lots of repetition throughout. That the illustrations depict the characters as little foxes (which isn’t mentioned in the text) adds a charming point of difference.

The Bunyip in the Billabong

The Bunyip in the Billabong written by Elaine Ouston (Morris Publishing)

PB RRP $13.99

ISBN 9780994246301

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The first in a new chapter book series called ‘Bush Tails’, The Bunyip in the Billabong tells the story of Matthew, an eleven year old boy who is enamoured of his grandfather’s tales about the elusive bush creature, the bunyip. His grandfather describes the bunyip as a large, walrus-like animal, with long black hair and a bloodcurdling howl that lives in a cave by a waterhole.

When some lambs go missing on their remote, rural property, Matthew is convinced it must be due to the bunyip. Matthew’s father mocks his belief in this supposedly mythical creature, yet his spritely grandfather supports Matthew, suggesting they camp by the billabong to be sure.

When Matthew hears strange sounds and sees ripples on the water’s surface, he’s more and more certain it must be a bunyip. On a subsequent trip with his older brother bearing scuba diving gear, Matthew discovers the truth.

The book’s traditional rural setting and characters are reminiscent of a bygone Australian era, with echoes of bush poetry along the lines of Waltzing Matilda evident. Matthew’s endless curiosity and determination would resonate with readers, and his grandfather and brother’s support is truly endearing. This is an entertaining story with enough mystery and rising tension to keep a primary school-aged reader hooked.

The Wilderness Fairies: Daisy’s Quest

The Wilderness Fairies: Daisy’s Quest by Jodie Wells-Slowgrove, illustrated by Kerry Millard (Puffin Books) PB RRP $9.99 ISBN 9780143307471

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

As a child aged 7 to 9 years I would have read this book and taken it to bed with me every night. And, too, my imagination fired, I would have gone into the bush time and again looking for the Fairy Wilderness in hopes of catching sight of Daisy.

Daisy at the start of this book series, of special appeal to girls, is a wingless fairy waiting for the Fairy Queen to grant her wings. Her older sister Maggie has wings and a Calling (she is musically gifted); Mum’s Calling is horticulture and Dad’s is healing. Armed with her magical wand and travelling shoes, Daisy now goes with her special friend, the beetle Vu, on the quest for her wings. She has numerous encounters along the way, first with a Monarch butterfly that leaves her a Telling Tube which is opened by a Painted Lady butterfly following advice given to her by Pea, an awkward winged fairy.

Next, Daisy faces danger when she is trapped under water by waterlily pads, but once again she is helped by nature in the form of a water nymph. The persistent and brave Daisy goes on, but in her final struggle to succeed, she uses kindness which in effect results in spoiling her whole mission. Eventually the hapless fairy child meets Queen Jasmine. But although she failed the task, does Daisy still get rewarded for her courage, persistence and kindness?

This is book full of exciting, fast-paced adventure with frequent cliff-hangers. It is also full of magic and secrets, peopled by characters who are genuine, three-dimensional fairies that one cares about. Daisy faces disappointment and frustration, but she remains full of hope and joy. At the front of the book is something many children love – a map showing places where action happens and where people in the story live. During her quest the reader can consult the map as she ventures with Daisy into the Australian wilderness which is full of familiar – and not so familiar – flora and fauna. 

The end of the book offers interesting notes for the reader – in this case how Daisy gets her name (from the Golden Everlasting or Paper Daisy), also how to make Lemon Myrtle Cordial (featured in the story), and about the endangered beetle for which Vu is named.

It is so good to see a book about fairies that young readers can engage with and who are Australian to boot. Most readers of this first book in the series will be hanging out for the next – will Daisy successfully learn how to fly? Highly recommended.

Little Lunch: The Off-Limits Fence

Little Lunch: The Off-Limits Fence by Danny Katz, illustrated by Mitch Vane (black dog books)

PB RRP $ 9.95

ISBN 9781742032375

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Little Lunch: The Off-Limits Fence is the sixth installment of this exceptionally popular chapter book series. It is released to coincide with the July release of its television show on ABC3, which will be 26, 15 minute episodes.

With three stories in the book, each story is about what happens during the 15 minute snack break in a primary school playground. In The Bench that Goes in a Circle around the Big Old Tree the five friends play Chinese whispers about why Max and Elsa went home from school that morning.  Language chaos ensues as hearing is distorted then related in a grossly exaggerated form. It is hilarious and gross. Exactly what 8 year olds love to read.

The Equipment Shed sees Max and Elsa having a snail race. Battie is next to the equipment shed watching a cobweb. Manny and Amber are in a pip spitting competition. Melanie Applebum is eating an apple as she watches Battie watching the cobweb, waiting for the spider to come and eat the fly that is caught in the web. All Melanie can think of is saving the fly. This sets off a chain of events that involves all the children with incredible results.

Rory is running with the footy accompanied by a commentary in The Off-Limits Fence. He manages a superb kick but the ball falls beyond the back fence which is off limits. What happens now? Will zombie-aliens get the ball? Has he lost the ball for good? He can’t stop the images going around in his head and certainly can’t imagine the outcome, no matter how many guesses he has.

Mitch Vane’s illustrations are true to the characters, their antics, and the text. There is a seamless unity between the two creators’ work that makes the outcome so successful. The gross bits are really gross. That adds to the fun. This is illustrated fiction at its best. These books are ideal for difficult or early readers, and they’ll be hooked from the first title.