Finn’s Feather

Finn’s Feather by Rachel Noble, illustrated by Zoey Abbott (Enchanted Lion Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781592702749

Review by Wendy Haynes

This debut picture book was written from the heart by Noble after the death of her son Hamish, and in her search to find a way to help his brother cope with loss. It represents how quickly life can change and is a gift to other children dealing with grief.

It is warm-hearted story for three to five-year-olds about Finn and the feather he finds at his doorstep that he believes is from his brother Hamish. With feather in hand, and bubbling with excitement he explores the playgroup with his friend Lucas. This makes Finn happy that it’s like having fun with Hamish.

This story touches on a deep subject in a light way, and is a wonderful resource for parents, carers, and teachers. The theme of loss and acceptance is enhanced by illustrator Zoey Abbott bringing to the page mainly soft shades of yellow throughout the full-page sketches. Yellow is a wonderful choice as it brings on the feeling of happiness, with the picture showing activities, expression and moods of the characters within.

Whether dealing with grief or not, it is worth having on the shelf as a subject to explore with children.

Leave Taking

Leave Taking by Lorraine Marwood (UQP) PB   RRP $14.95 ISBN: 978 0 7022 6011 7

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here is a new verse novel for younger readers from the celebrated author of Star Jumps, the 2010 winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Fiction. The theme of Leave Taking had its genesis in the author’s own (successful) battle with cancer and her move away from the farm where she raised her children. Basically, this book is a journey through grief and a celebration of hope, with Toby, his mum and dad, leaving their family farm after the death of Toby’s younger sister, Leah. Together, they sort through all their belongings and put things aside to sell or throw out. It’s a big task, and naturally Toby doesn’t want to leave the only place he’s called home.

As his last day on the farm approaches, Toby has a plan -- to say goodbye to all the things and places that mean something special to him and Leah, from the machinery shed and Pa’s old truck to the chook house. With the help of his best friend, Trigger the dog, he learns what it means to take your leave.

As Toby says good-bye in this final week, he experiences camping, a clearing sale and a bonfire night, meanwhile undertaking chores such as milking cows, tidying up and packing.

This is a gentle story with no dramatic moments; the story action rolling smoothly through the course of the last week on the farm.

Written in easy-to-read free verse, the book will appeal to readers aged 7 to 10 years who prefer short sentences and stanzas with plenty of white space and pared-back descriptions. Simple black and white line illustrations scattered through the book with drawings on the fly pages add to the book’s appeal.

The Fix-it Man

The Fix-it Man written by Dimity Powell, illustrated by Nicky Johnston (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-925335-34-7

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

Grief, love and loss are a natural part of life and The Fix-it Man broaches them all. In the hands of Dimity Powell and Nicky Johnston, the treatment of this often challenging subject is accessible, masterful and most importantly of all, age-appropriate.

A young girl believes her dad to be the king of fixing things. After the death of her mother, both the child and her father discover that broken hearts are not as easily repaired as damaged toys or cracked teapots.

The media release calls this, ‘A hopeful story of life, loss and love,’ and it is definitely that. It is also a celebration of what children do so well – living in the moment. It is important to note that this is a book for everyone, not just those who are moving through the challenges of grief and loss. It’s divine.

What is not spoken out loud through the text is delicately conveyed through detailed pen and wash illustrations. Together the text and images work in tandem to create a colourful, uplifting and profoundly affecting narrative. I particularly love the snippets of rhyme which provide an unexpected change of pace at significant moments.

The ability of this work to travel into sadness and move through to the other side with joy is remarkable. Every element of this picture book has been explored deeply, to create a work of strength and hope.

The story, with its subtle directives for dealing with grief and loss in young children, cuts to the heart of what it means to live and to love. Reading this book actually warmed my heart.This is a simply beautiful picture book for 4-8 year olds.

Substantial teachers’ notes from the author are also available.

Ida, Always

Ida, always by Caron Levis, Illustrated by Charles Santoso (Koala Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-190-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Gus is a polar bear who lives in the New York City Zoo. Ida is his best friend. Every day they swim together, play together, sit together, cuddle, watch and listen to the world around them from their home. Then one day, Ida is not there when Gus emerges from his sleeping quarters.

Based on a pair of real polar bears in New York City’s Central Zoo, Ida, always is a stunning, poignant, breath-taking picture book about friendship, love and death.

The writing is beautiful:

Gus lived in a big park in the middle of an even bigger city. Buildings grew around him and shifted the shape of the sky. Zookeepers poked in and out. Visitors came and went.

The words have a lyrical and rhythmic quality,  and evoke strong images and powerful emotions. They read smoothly and portray the noises of the city, ‘the city’s heartbeat’, the connection between the two bears as well as with the keeper, and with the visitors as well.

The illustrations glow. The emotion of the story is emphasised by these beautiful and moving pictures. The bond between the two friends can be seen strongly and these illustrations capture their togetherness, their care, and the eventual loneliness of Gus, not only through the images but also with the use of colour throughout the pages.

It is not often that a picture book moves me to tears. This one did every time. Even on today’s fourth read I sobbed. An adult reader may like to read it to themselves first, before sharing it with a younger reader. But please do share it; there is so much to gain from this story. It is not just sad; there is friendship, love and hope offered.

This is one of the best picture books I have read all year. Its text and illustrations work together to create an amazing reading experience.

My Best Friend is a Goddess

My Best Friend is a Goddess by Tara Eglington (Harper Collins Australia) PB RRP $19.99   ISBN 978-0-7322999-0-3

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Australian Tara Edlington has written a powerful novel that is seriously smart, having a unique appeal that highlights the turmoil of self-discovery with all the hurts and triumphs of growing and changing as a teenage girl. 

The book’s theme is more than friendship: it also covers bullying, death, family, self discovery, boys, school, parents, and change. In doing this, it touches the hearts and souls of its teenage readers.

An addictive read that celebrates girlhood with Emily and Adrianna, both in the role of narrator, the story seamlessly moves along with each girl’s perceptions and experiences. 

Emily and Adrianna have been friends since Year One and have a strong friendship bond that is threatened by the inevitable challenges of not only boy crushes but learning to love and to accept themselves.  One girl is confident, outgoing, and tackles life head on, while the other is stunningly beautiful but feels like an ugly duckling. Each girl envies the qualities of the other.   

“I don’t want it to get to me. Happiness shouldn’t have anything to do with ‘pretty’ or ‘not pretty’. And yet none of that logic stops me from falling into the oh-so predictable trap of looking in the mirror and wishing I was different.  And with that, I let ‘pretty’ rule my world, too.”

The two best friends suffer a crush on the same cute guy, Theo James, but sadly one girl will be left heart-broken.

Unique to the book are references in Emily’s art class to artworks, culture and mythology which adds further interest for the reader.  Character, drama and the information blend together seamlessly so that the reader learns as she reads. My Best Friend is a Goddess is a must-read for young people – especially girls -- aged 13 years and over.

Flossie the Fairy

Flossie the Fairy by Nancy Watson, illustrated by Natasha Farrar (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN: 9781925117684

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Delicate pastel illustrations enhance a subtle story of death and new beginnings.

Flossie is a tiny, invisible fairy who delights in the contents of an elderly lady’s rose-red handbag. There are mirrors and make-up to use for dress-ups; pockets to live in without drawing suspicion. Flossie is entranced by the music Mistress plays on her electric organ each day.

But one day, the music stops. The light, airy atmosphere of the house falls into grey gloom. Strangers come to tidy up the house, throw out things, remove the furniture. They toss the rose-red handbag out in a box of unwanted items for the council truck to pick up on its garbage run.

Flossie leaves the rose-red handbag behind when a little girl comes by and takes a birdcage from the discard pile. Darting into the birdcage, Flossie comes to a new house where she is welcomed by a whole troupe of toys.

This story for 3-6 year olds presents a story of a difficult life transition without either cloying sentimentality or raw facts.

The Book of Storms

The Book of Storms by Ruth Hatfield (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0298-2

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Danny O’Neill is an 11-year-old boy forced to do many adventurous things when his storm chasing parents disappear.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, and found the blurb intriguing. But I didn’t love it all. While parts of this book were brilliantly thought out and had me on the edge of my seat, they didn’t happen early enough in the story for me to be hooked. Sadly, there are parts that are very standard middle grade to the extent of being overly simplistic.

There was far too much thinking going on in the first half of the novel and the recurring conversations between Danny and his disbelieving older cousin Tom (a difficult character to like) made the book an overly long read.

Some of the characters are excellently written -- their voices perfect. Mitz the cat, and Shimny the pony, both add to the story as do the voice of the river and the song of the worms, clever really. Then you have the disturbing character of Sammael, a truly unsettling villain. I’ve not seen a villain quite like him in children’s literature since Lord Voldamort, actually I think he is more vicious and abusive than Voldy. He is utterly immoral and clearly missing any human empathy. He is a very strong, overpowering character. I kind of enjoyed reading him but found his nastiness just didn’t sit well with the cutesy talking animals and the over explanation of each ‘happening’.

It is as though the book was written for two completely different audiences and mashed together. Sammael deserves to have his own story, possibly something along the lines of a Criminal Minds episode.

As children often read characters older than themselves I thought eleven was too young for most of the content. This story had all the right ingredients, just in the wrong quantities. The ending is not completely expected and gives room for sequels as indicated by the final half of this novel with its change in pacing.

The book, if read in a classroom situation, could raise discussions of death, immortality, and the soul.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the book series ‘That’s not a …’ used in all Queensland state primary schools, a picture book The Bear Said Please and one local history coffee table book. www.jacquesartandbooks.com

When I See Grandma

When I See Grandma by Debra Tidball, illustrated by Leigh Hedstrom (Wombat Books)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-1-921632-59-4

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Visiting Grandma can sometimes be sad but with a little imagination and thought, a little girl and her brother brighten Grandma’s dreams. 

When I See Grandma is a beautiful book.  The story follows a young girl as she visits her grandma, who is unresponsive in a nursing home.  By bringing in the special parts of her own life, the young girl tries to bring some happiness to Grandma’s dreams.

                  I love singing in the school choir.

                  The songs are happy and bright.

                  Grandma loves singing too…

                  When I see Grandma I sing her a song,

                  For her dreams to dance on.

Apart from the beautiful relationship depicted between the girl and her grandmother, what I especially loved about the book is that there is no shying away from reality.  At no point does the grandmother magically awaken; in fact the story ends, rather sadly, with her death.

                  I don’t like it when Daddy goes away for work.
                  I miss him a lot, but I think about how much he loves

                  me until I see him again.

                  I give him a big kiss before he leaves.

                  Grandma loves kisses too…

                  When I see Grandma again, I kiss her goodbye.

Although poignant, it is also a celebration of memories, family relationships and the simple things in life – music, laughter, having your hair brushed.

Leigh Hedstrom’s illustrations are the perfect accompaniment - fun with lovely little details and warm colours. They are also a little understated which suits the gentleness of the story. 

When I See Grandma is a heart-warming, touching and sentimental book.  Overall, I loved it and would recommend it as a must have for any child’s book collection. 

Debra Tidball is a social worker, parent and author.  When I See Grandma is her first book and was drawn from her own experience of having a parent with dementia.  She lives in suburban Sydney with her husband, sons and furkids.  She can be found online at:

http://www.debratidball.com/

Leigh Hedstrom is a freelance illustrator with over 10 years’ experience illustrating for educational and children’s media.  She has illustrated for school readers and children’s magazines.  When I See Grandma is her first picture book.  She can be found online at:  http://leighhedstrom.carbonmade.com/

Life is Like the Wind

Life is Like the Wind by Shona Innes, illustrated by Irisz Agocs (Five Mile Press)

HC RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781760060558

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

‘Life is like the wind. When life goes, the body is very still’.

Coming to terms with, or understanding death is so difficult for children, and at times for many adults too. This simple, emotive, deconstructive approach to death, loss and grief, explains what happens when something or someone dies. It discusses various beliefs about where people go after death, and how a part of that person or thing remains alive in people’s memories.

In this second book in the Big Hug series by Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Shona Innes, feelings are addressed. What can be done to make loss feel less painful and how does one cope, regardless of age?

All the ideas and suggestions in these books encourage conversation and questions, and in discussing feelings, reasons and beliefs, a way of accepting death as part of life can be found.  

These exciting new and extremely well produced books are very well priced for a hardcover, and the superb watercolour paintings enhance the messages carried in the text. There is also a note to parents and teachers at the end of each book.

   

What the Raven Saw

What the Raven Saw by Samantha-Ellen Bound (Woolshed Press)
PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 9781742757353
Also available as an ebook
ISBN 9781742757360
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

On first sighting the gothic cover of What the Raven Saw I was reminded of Edgar Allan Poe’s equally gothic poem, The Raven, with its dark imagery and philosophical concepts.

Readers who love something different, something ethereal, something a little enigmatic, will enjoy this extraordinary and original tale about a raven that lives in the belltower of Father Cadman’s church. Here, the raven converses with a bookish but inferior pigeon, a flirty weather vane and the many ghosts who inhabit the graveyard.

The raven is vainglorious as he preens and protects his treasure of ‘bottlecaps and silver-stippled stones, curls of flashing tin … human jewels … gleaming slender bones of small animals.’ 

But there are other stories happening around the raven. There’s the child-ghost of Todd, who has just been buried. His sister, Mackenzie, frets that his death is her fault. Somehow the raven finds a way to communicate between the two.

There’s the man who the raven sees in the churchyard tree; he is full of despair and ready to jump. The raven ‘dealt out life’s lessons in the branches of a tree’ and saved the man’s life. There’s a lonely scarecrow in a nearby field in need of solace, and a church thief. Both come under the watchful wing and the philosophical wisdom of the raven.

The concepts of this book are old, almost fable-like. You learn that beneath the raven’s cool, black feathers, there is a soul both proud and lonely. He loves to live in Father Cadman’s church as it welcomes all creatures.

Beauty is found in death, in storms, in tatty old scarecrows, ‘everything from tombs to abandoned wheelbarrows to the spires of the church, (they) had a lightness, a sense of belonging to only themselves’. This is the crux of the story.

It’s a book about mythology and symbolism. Its values are those of generosity and kindness and its themes are of loneliness, helping others and dealing with death. It’s about philosophy and finding your voice.

Samantha-Ellen Bound has done a fine job in writing such a layered, complex and compelling story that will hold the interest of readers 11+. Next time you see a raven, look it in the eye and wonder what it’s thinking.

Jac of Hearts

 Jac of Hearts  by Jenny Mahoney (Even Before Publishing)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 978-1-922074-13-3

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

With my teen years forever behind me, I am not a target reader for this book. In fact, when I first picked it up, I groaned inwardly. Not only is it aimed at teens but it has a religious flavour too. I took a deep breath, and started reading. I soon discovered I couldn't put it down.

I did have to push past a slightly awkward start, but then the story enveloped me like a warm shawl on a chilly evening. I read late into the night, turning pages in a way that would have gratified the author. As I mentioned, I am not this author's target audience but her writing transported me in a way few books have. And I read a lot of books. If my experience is anything to go by, preference has little to do with captivating a reader.

This is author Jenny Mahoney’s first young adult novel and with it being this good, I can't wait to read her next installments, she has a fan in me. Jenny has written a beautiful story of love, betrayal, strength and conviction of self. Jac, the main character wakes in a hospital bed after a car accident from which she is left an orphan. An estranged aunt and step cousin deliver her to her new home where she discovers that her spikey personality and attitude are no barriers to the friendship on offer.

The book, if read in a classroom situation, would raise healthy discussion. I found it refreshing: the serious matters of sex, drugs and death are raised in this story and handled in a modern yet sensitive way without being condescending or preachy. The characters are fully formed and each have their own story to tell.

The story gives room for sequels and I am sure each would be an enjoyable read.

  

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

www.jacquesartandbooks.com

The Sky Dreamer

The Sky Dreamer by Anne Morgan, illustrated by Céline Eimann (IP Kidz)

HB RRP $26.00, eBook $13.00

ISBN 9781921479977

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

In a very sensitive and gentle way, this book invites the reader to experience the journey of a child coping with grief after the death of a sibling.

On the night before Liam’s birthday he experiences a dream connection with his sister, Cassie as she arrives in her boat the Sky Dreamer, floating just outside his window above a silver ghost gum. Cassie welcomes her brother aboard and off they sail into many adventures while Cassie sews her brother a birthday present. As they journey through the sky, Cassie encourages Liam to learn to sail the Sky Dreamer by himself through the many hazards of thunder, lightning, meteorites, past distant planets and comets. Gradually he gains confidence to steer on his own and all the while his sister sews his birthday present. As daylight appears, Liam leaves the Sky Dreamer with his special birthday present, which will brighten his life.

Liam’s journey with Cassie in the Sky Dreamer is a beautiful analogy of a child’s journey through the grey times of the grief to very gradually learning to live without a sibling and once again experience the sunny, happy times. The dreamlike quality and changing colours of the beautiful illustrations reflect the emotions that Liam experiences as he learns to steer the Sky Dreamer. His stark, grey world of grief is mirrored in the grey tones of the background as he stares at the cloud formations in the sky. This contrasts with the changing colours in illustrations throughout the narrative, ending with the sunny colours of the final illustration.

This beautiful book very gently explores the process of loss and healing and would be very comforting to share with a child going through this process.