The Memory Shed

The Memory Shed by Sally Morgan & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Craig Smith (Omnibus Books for Scholastic)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-034-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Annie is helping her grandmother to clear out an old shed in the back yard. They sort objects for a garage sale, in order to make way for a new shed to be built. But it would seem that the old shed is not happy about this. As Annie tries to guess what is in the shed it looks as if Grandma is changing her mind about knocking it down. Will Grandma and Annie listen closely enough to hear the long forgotten, dusty old things which hold many childhood and family memories?

The Memory Shed is another title in a series of early readers chapter books based on indigenous characters. This is a familiar story with twist. It emphasises the importance of listening and the value of family histories as Grandma creates wonderful stories for Annie about how life used to be.

A touch of mystery and a sprinkle of humour make this an enjoyable story with the bond between grandmother and granddaughter forming the core of a tale about family and memories, both keeping them alive and creating new ones.

The soft illustrations on every page enhance the stories and character personalities, adding to the appeal for young readers.

It’s heartening to see the inclusion and continuing growth of indigenous culture in mainstream publishing.

A lovely read for 6 year olds and up.

Shaun the Sheep Movie: Shear Madness

Shaun the Sheep Movie: Shear Madness (Walker Books)

PB RRP $9.95

ISBN 9781406359657

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Shaun the Sheep of Mossy Bottom Farm is the new series of books released by Walker Books for early readers, to coincide with the movie currently showing. It’s full of humour and its success on the ABC guarantees the books’ success.

Smart Shaun hates having his hair cut. At the sound of the shears’ buzz he tries to get away but gets shorn first. The spectator pigs enjoy a great laugh.

Shaun decides it’s time for a day off but how will they get away from the farmer. Counting sheep always puts him to sleep, so Shaun as usual, devises a plan.

With the farmer finally off with the fairies in his caravan, the party begins. Pizza and DVDs is the menu. When Bitzer the dog can’t find his master, Shaun reluctantly leads him to the caravan. Here the loyal companion tries to wake his master by pushing and jumping against the door.

The caravan starts to roll. It ends up in the town, crashing to a halt. By the time Bitzer reaches him, his master is being placed in an ambulance.

The flock returns to their party but the greedy pigs have got there first.

The farmer has lost his memory and nothing can stimulate its return. Confused, he runs away. He stops at a hair salon and remembers clippers. What happens next sees the farmer embark on a career that makes him rich and famous.

Meanwhile, the sheep and Bitzer have been unable to track the farmer down. A giant billboard with his picture finally leads them to the lost farmer. Their mission to kidnap and return the farmer to the caravan on Mossy Bottom Far is a success.

Will the farmer remember his great adventure when he wakes?

This highly entertaining chapter book series is suitable for early readers.

Annie’s Snails

Annie’s Snails by Dianne Wolfer, illustrated by Gabriel Evans (Walker Books)

PB RRP $11.95

ISBN 9781921720635

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Annie loves the glistening snail trails that lead to her beloved pets. She collects snails, takes them to her cubby house to play with, and names them. But can snails live in a plastic ice cream container?

Annie discovers many things about snails, their needs and their environment. A lesson is learnt when she has to make a major decision about freeing them so they can live.

This story is a terrific example for young children on rules about keeping living things in confined spaces. It is presented in three short stories ideal for early readers. Its outdoor theme encourages play in the natural world and will certainly create discussion about how things in nature live and survive.

The delightful black and white illustrations reflect Annie’s dilemma beautifully alongside the sorrow and acceptance of her final decision.

A One-Eyed Chook Called Sheila

A One- Eyed Chook Called Sheila by Pat Clarke, illustrated by Graeme Compton (Little Steps Publishing)
HB RRP A$24.95
ISBN 9781925059014
Reviewed by Rose Davies

A chapter book for the 5 to 12 age group, this hard back has very expressive almost cartoon-like drawings of the personalities and key scenes by Graeme Compton. Graeme is an award winning wildlife and portrait artist with a passion for illustration and cartoons and it shows. 

Sheila, a white chook, wears a black eye patch over her right eye because one day on the farm she just managed to escape a hovering eagle, who unfortunately took her right eye. Sheila’s friend Carol the Christmas turkey, has just been gobbled up by a greedy fox, before Christmas! Is chicken his next course, she wonders, now there is no turkey? 

Sheila is worried because her eye laying days are long gone, so she may be next for the chopping block. Along with chook friends Zelma and Louise, the trio hatch a plan to escape from the farm and run away before there are any other dramas or they are some one’s dinner. Their white cockatoo friend will distract Rex the rooster while the three make their escape.

Unfortunately all does not go well. Rufus the fox sees them and comes after them, just as he is about to pounce an eagle swoops from the sky and picks up Shelia from behind and soars into the sky towards his nest. He does not eat her but instead has a polite chat, tells her he is very lonely interested in eating her but rather. would she come and live with him. He apologises for pecking out her eye by accident and chasing her chicks then introduces himself- Elvis, the wedge-tailed eagle. Meanwhile Shelia’s two friends have run for their lives from the fox, flapped their wings  and flown off a cliff, swum in a river and are now in a forest where they meet all sorts of new friends including an owl, koalas, goanna, kookaburras and a Mallee fowl. 

Sheila tells Elvis she’s very worried about her chook friends.  He takes her in his claws and flies out over the forests to find Shelia’s two friends. The chooks are eventually reunited. While they are chatting, the old fox coming up behind Sheila and just as Rufus the fox is about to pounce on Shelia for the second time, Elvis swoops from the sky and picks up the fox, rather than Sheila in his claws.  Elvis takes the fox far, far away so he cannot get back to chase the farm and forest creatures again, or is it going to be far enough???? 

This is a fast-paced gripping story with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Friendships are built, there’s team work, respect, fun, adventure, excitement and a happy ending!

Rose Davies is an established non-fiction author of environment and nature books for adults. She also writes freelance for several publications, runs a consultancy business focussed on community nature and environment education. She’s also been writing reviews for a variety of publications for over 25 years.  

Tales from the Waterhole

Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham (Candlewick)
PB RRP $11.95
ISBN 9780763668761
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Tales from the Waterhole comes from fantastic Candlewick Sparks series for those just beginning to read. There are 27 books in the series written and illustrated by popular authors, using loved and known characters.

This four chapter book offers short stories with Morris and his animal friends that live around the waterhole of the African savannah.

Bob Graham’s easily identifiable watercolours bring to life the animals’ antics, their fun-loving characters, and the theme of friendship within a perfect blend of illustration and simple prose.

This series is produced in a new edition which is smaller than the normal sized picture book, and will fit neatly on any child’s book case.

Wombatman and the Veggie Patch Vandals

Wombatman and the Veggie Patch Vandals by Mike Ferguson, illustrated by Steph Ryan (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN – 9781921928628

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Herbert Wilfred Arnold Tinkleton and his wife Rhonda, who he calls Wonda, live on the grounds of Noseville Public School. Herbert considers it his job to keep the grounds tidy because “This is the North Shore of Sydney … and we do have certain standards.”  He is therefore horrified to discover that not only is someone stealing from the school vegie patch, but that he is considered a suspect.

In a ‘meanwhile back at the ranch’ style often used on t.v shows, this tale jumps from scene to scene telling readers what each player is discovering as they learn it. Principal Wingebottom orders Mr Wagstaff the janitor to get rid of Herbert and Rhonda. Rhonda keeps an eye on the local paper to learn that someone is selling fresh vegies twice a week at the market. And Herbert spies the true culprits in the act. But Wingebottom is determined he must go.

The school’s Enviro Kids are also on the case. They place a tomato on a stump and watch Herbert reject it, which they believe proves he is innocent. Later, when finding a capital ‘K’ drawn in a circle on the ground beside an advertisement for fresh vegetables from the paper, the Enviro Kids take action. Camera in hand they spy on the thieves. It’s school canteen lady, Mrs Kranski, and hubby.

At the same time, Herbert (AKA Wombatman), sporting cloak and goggles, accidently steps on a skateboard which sends him streaming down hill, barreling into the thieves and setting off the school alarm system. The police haul the culprits off. At assembly the next day Wingebottom awards the Enviro Kids, acknowledging Herbert’s help. Pleased that his contribution was valued, Herbert heads home for “Rhonda’s roots shoots and onion surprise”.

Told in sixteen short chapters of large font, the book also includes at least one colour illustration on every double page spread. This helps break up the text so that most of the time the book does not appear at all overwhelming for early readers.

Clementine’s Walk

Clementine’s Walk by Annie White, illustrated by Annie White (New Frontier Publishing)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN – 9781921928475

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

The opening spread shows Clementine atop a jumbled pile of items; book, bag, blanket, puzzle pieces and toy – some that seem rather chewed. The text says “Clementine was very bored”  and readers see her eyes fixed on her lead, which they’re told she’s spotted and that it “gave her a clue”. Lead in her mouth she’s then off to coax someone to take her walking. But everyone’s busy.

Nostalgic colour illustrations show varied reactions to her intrusive behavior. James is frustrated she’s messed up his jigsaw, Nana is perplexed at her knitting unravelling, Dad is frightened into waking from under his newspaper, Mum is shocked as paint squirts across her art work and baby does nothing but cry. Even the chooks squawk at Clementine. Dejected, she slinks away.

Satisfied that each of their projects have reached a satisfactory point, the family is ready to play but Clementine is nowhere to be found. Everyone searches high and low, eventually finding her “fast asleep, sprawled on the washing”. It’s then that they decide it’s too nice a day to miss the chance of a walk and a delighted Clementine takes front position as they head off.

Suitable for 3-6 year olds and told in rhyme the story’s simplicity is in each situation and in characters’ reactions. Everything comes forth in illustrations that pull readers into the ups and downs of being the energetic dog in the house of people who are occupied with their own concerns. Young readers will be able to access all they need to in the visual story without referring to the text at all.

I’m a sucker for great endpapers and these ones are beautiful. The first immediately draws readers in with a trail that includes a long strand of wool, a bone, a puzzle piece, a ball, a book, a teddy and a shoe. The final double page spread is a map showing the route the family take on their walk from Clementine’s home, past shops that sell Nana’s wool, Dad’s paper, Clementine’s bones and Mum’s art supplies. An enjoyable book.

Billie B Brown – The Missing Tooth

Billie B Brown – The Missing Tooth by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $7.95

ISBN 978-174297310-4

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Billie B Brown is the only one in her class who has never lost a tooth. But one of hers is now wiggly! Mum tells her to stop playing with it and that it will come out when it’s ready. Dad offers to pull it out for her but Billie declines, because that would hurt. As it turns out, it’s only a few hours before the tooth does fall out. It leaves Billie’s mouth when she trips over during a game of chasey at recess, hitting her chin on the ground.

Her teacher gives her a tissue to wrap the tooth in to keep it safe and Billie is excited that the tooth fairy will visit soon. When Billie arrives home she unwraps the tissue to show Mum, but the tooth is missing. Though Billie is at first sad about this she quickly comes up with a solution. She decides to try leaving a note for the tooth fairy to explain what happened and ask for money anyway.

Her letter is displayed on a page that gives readers a great example of this text type as well as demonstrating what funny thoughts Billie has. My favourites were ’PS If you don’t believe me, check my mouth’ followed by ‘PPS I will try to sleep with my mouth open, but if it’s closed, could you come back in a little while?” Her note does the trick and in the morning she wakes to find a coin under her pillow.

Four short chapters in large font are spread over forty-two pages and they skillfully include many of the worries and concerns that young readers can identify with, as well as a few simple but sweet illustrations to break up the text. It’s the perfect type of story for those embarking on the earliest chapter books.

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Hannah Shaw (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-710-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Granny is moving in with Elmo and his family and they need to find a bigger home. Mr Crocodile shows them many houses and Elmo and his sister fall in love with a rundown house surrounded by a large, scruffy jungle garden. But Mum and Dad fall for the house next door, neater, tidier and much more practical. Still, Elmo and his sister can play in the jungle garden and empty house next door. Until one day, a moving van arrives and mean old Mr Birdsnest moves in. The jungle garden becomes out of bounds. However, when granny goes missing and the children spy her through a window next door, they must risk everything to get her back.

Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door is full of lovely characters. Elmo’s nicknames for people are wonderfully descriptive and the children have fabulous curiosity, imagination and a love for exploration. Donaldson writes really well, with an intriguing plot and fun characters, including two cats, Tiger and Panther, which keeps a reader hooked.

The great black and white illustrations throughout the story break up the pages of words, easing the reading and populate the pages with birds, insects and animals creating the jungle atmosphere. There are instructions for drawing jungle birds inside the back cover and masses of birds and butterflies crowd the endpapers.

This is an entertaining story to read aloud to children of five plus and would also be perfect as a read alone for confident early readers.

Stick Man

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustration by Axel Scheffler (Scholastic UK)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-407132– 32-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Stick Man lives happily at home with his family in his family tree. One day he strays too far on his morning jog and is reluctantly taken on a long journey. He is retrieved by a dog, used as a Pooh-stick by a child, taken as a hook for a bag, and all the while Stick Man gets further and further away from his family tree and his Stick Lady Love. How is he ever going to get home again? Will someone rescue him?

I have to confess to being a huge fan of Julia Donaldson’s rhyming stories. They are just so quirky, amusing, and lovely to read aloud. This one is no exception.

They do tend, however, to have many more words than are traditionally present in picture books. This makes them perfect for the early reader form, of which this edition of Stick Man is. And even as an early reader the illustrations are a huge part of the story. Scheffler’s style is instantly recognisable with his bold bright colours, detailed scenes and wonderfully expressive characters – people, animals and stick men. There is always something peeping around a corner or hiding behind a tree.

This is a very entertaining story with wonderful rhythm and will suit six and seven year-olds learning to read. It will also be enjoyed by much younger children as a fabulous read aloud.

Ticklish Tom

Ticklish Tom (Little Mates) by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Lachlan Creagh (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $4.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-738-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ticklish Tom is a new title in the sweet alliteration alphabet series Little Mates. Tom is a Tasmanian Devil who happens to be the most ticklish Devil across the whole of Tassie. His friends take advantage of this most of the time but when Tom gets himself into a tricky situation, they all team up to help.

As with other books in this series, friendship, teamwork and helping others feature strongly in Ticklish Tom. But it is the humour, fun and word play that shine brightest. The author manipulates all of the t words in the story with great skill and style. And the illustrator is extremely talented at depicting Australian animals and their surrounds.

This is a great read-aloud story for young children who are exploring the world of the alphabet.

Hello Hugs

Hello Hugs by Bettina Strong, illustrated by Valerie Bouthyette
PB RRP $14.95
ISBN 978-0-9871624-4-1
Reviewed by Cindy Shames

This picture book is a lovely book that would suit 3 – 5 year olds. The story is a simple story of a little girl who doesn’t like goodbyes. After she says goodbye to her grandmother, she looks forward to her next hello.

The text is very simple and easy to read. The delightful large illustrations enhance the story for the young reader. The colour palate is chosen well as it gives off warmth and a re assuring feel for the mood of the story.  The main character Elizabeth has a warm happy face, which should be enjoyed by the reader. The book demonstrates how positive thinking can make situations seem better.

Bettina Strong has also written Go Ella, Go!

This review was done by Cindy Shames www.cindyshames.com.  A writer and illustrator of a children’s book and an art teacher.

Little Good Wolf

 Little Good Wolf by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Shannon Melville (Wombat Books)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 978-1-921633-64-5

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

A junior fiction chapter book for early independent readers.

Little Good Wolf is lonely and sad, the other fairytale kids at Fairytale Land's Top School want nothing to do with him, not even Ugly Duckling. All of Little Good Wolf's problems would be solved if his father The Big Bad Wolf wasn't so mean and terrifying.

Little Good Wolf has a talk with his father and shares his worries, he asks his father to change his ways and his job, the resulting job search outcomes are entertaining.

The humorous black and white illustrations by Shannon Melville have been created in such a way children will relate to them and perhaps be encouraged to draw.

I believe this to be a good book for reading in lower primary classrooms. The story can be used to raise discussions on bullying, and how this antisocial behavior can become expected. The story also fuels discussion as to how this expected behavior can be changed.

Aleesah Darlison is an award winning author of stories for children and young adults. Her twist on the much loved fairytales in this book are stimulating and unexpected and will keep a smile on the reader's face.

 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

Early Readers Book Review: Little Witch

 Little Witch (Walker Stories S.) by Juliette MacIver, illustrated by Cat Chapman (Walker Books)

PB RRP $11.95

ISBN 9781821720468

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Here are three stories in a compact book that will keep early readers entertained from the first to the last word. In The Wonderful Sorceress Little Witch’s parents decide to go out for the evening leaving the hard-of-hearing Sorceress Monda to babysit.  Little Witch anticipates an evening of boredom. But the words that are lost in translation between being spoken and heard cause a hilarious and anything but boring outcome for both Little Witch and her baby sitter.

The Magic Word has more than one definition for Little Witch. Her mother is trying to teach her to say the magic word ‘please’ which Little Witch keeps confusing with the magic word ALAKAZAM! Through trial and error, confusion, correction, and finally clarification, Little Witch finally learns which magic word is which.

Wixed up Merds is so funny that the reader won’t stop laughing until they close the book. Mixed up or misheard words are the pivotal part of all these stories and this one is the best! Little Witch gets into her father’s spell room and casts a word-mixing spell on herself.  Fourteen pages of non-stop laughter ensue accompanied by an equal amount of complementary illustrations. Mention must be made to the well- considered illustrations throughout this book which support and add zest to the hilarious text. Keep this book handy for days when it’s hard work bringing a smile to the lips.

Lazy Lou Lou

Lazy Lou Lou by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Lachlan Creagh (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $4.99 

ISBN 9781741698367

recommended for children 3 yrs+, readers 9 years+

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

This terrific series, Little Mates is quality. McFarlane’s text is alliteration heaven and Lachlan Creagh’s illustrations are whimsical and imaginative.

Late one day, Lou Lou was languishing on her li-lo at the lake. Little Lenny was leaning over a ledge to look at larvae…

Lo and behold! Lou Lou learned it was lovely to be lively and loyal.

 Lou Lou is a lizard with attitude. At first her attitude is frowned upon – laziness was her thing. Various animal friends tried to interest her in exciting activities to no avail. But when little Lenny falls into the lake, Lou Lou dashes in and saves him, discovering to her own surprise a talent for lifesaving. Now she wears the red cap and everyone dotes on her. What a gal!

In soft back, full gloss wrap-around covers, these little sized books are cute and highly collectible. Although touted as ‘helping children learn to read,’ the actual reading age is a little higher due to the phonemic complexity of some words, ie: lethargically, laconically, laborious, languishing, which is why I have put the independent reading age at 9 years+. The meanings of some words would need explaining. However, the content could easily please a younger child when an adult reads aloud.

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains and is a May Gibbs Fellow 2011. Her new book, The Anything Shop will be launched October 15^th. See here for details: www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com