Penelope the Mountain Pygmy Possum

Penelope the Mountain Pygmy Possum by Gordon Winch, illustrated by Stephen Pym (New Frontier)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-92505-959-5

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Penelope is a Mountain Pygmy Possum which lives in the Snowy Mountains in Australia. She hibernates throughout the winter in her home under the boulders while her mate Percy and the other males spend the cold months further down the mountain where snow and ice do not reach. When spring arrives, Penelope hungrily snacks on Bogong Moths, but then her thoughts turn to Percy and she wonders why he has not made his way back to her yet.

This is a lovely story which finds the balance between make-believe and fact. It is a story about with these tiny endangered marsupials the impact humans have on their environment. But it also a hopeful story which shows that, with a little thought, humans and animals can exist together well and demonstrates how these little animals help to keep the environmental balance in check.

Even though this story contains a clear message, this is not a wordy picture book. The simple writing style makes it a good read aloud. It an easy story for young children to follow and they will empathise with plight of Penelope, Percy and all their friends. And the expressive eyes of the Pygmy Possums will make children fall in love with these adorable little creatures.

Beautiful soft muted illustrations give the story gentleness. The colour palette enhances the Australian setting and emphasizes the quiet humour in Percy’s brightly striped socks or the unexpected shock of the yellow bulldozer.

Penelope and the Mountain Pygmy Possum will make a nice bedtime story for 4 to 8 year olds. The happy ending sees a reunited Penelope and Percy at the end of ‘The Tunnel of Love’, snacking on their Bogong Moths ‘with a crackle and a crunch, a chomp and a munch.’

The Rescue Ark

The Rescue Ark by Susan Hall, illustrated by Naomi Zouwer (NLA)

PB RRP $18.99

ISBN 9780642278104

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

It’s the children that discover the pollution and damage to the environment, and therefore to the habitats of many Australian wildlife. They decide to build an ark and travel around the country, collecting two of each species to protect, until their homes are cleaned up.

We follow the trail the children take around Australia with their ark, on a map which indicates where each of the twenty animals represented, can be found. The delightful, detailed illustrations of each animal pair are presented within circles, giving the impression that the reader is looking through a window. This is set against a coloured background.

Stunning plates from the National Library of Australia’s collection are included at the end with an informational block that carries a description of each animal, how they live etc, if they are endangered, critically endangered, or vulnerable. This is followed by a List of Illustrations with the archive details included as always.

This is another outstanding production from the NLA that again, both entertains and educates. It promotes awareness of the environment and the need to protect our endangered native species. These subtle persuasions come wrapped in the entertaining sing-song rhyming verse of the animals went in two by two that will stay in children’s minds.   

Herbert Peabody and his Extraordinary Vegetable Patch

Herbert Peabody and his Extraordinary Vegetable Patch by Bianca C. Ross, illustrated by Tabitha Emma Bray (Farinet Pty Ltd, distributed by Pan Macmillan)

HC RRP $18.95

ISBN 9780987595508

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

There are countless children that think their milk, fruit and vegetables come from a supermarket. They’re in for a shock for the National Curriculum has added sustainability to their list; a subject that will be of great value and benefit to children and their future. It will change their relationship to food forever. With very few books on the market of this kind, Bianca C. Ross has come up with a winner. This delightfully created and beautifully produced book addresses sustainability, and environmental productivity amongst other issues. It is the first in a five-book series.

Herbert Peabody is a farmer that supplies his farm grown vegetables and fruit to the local bakery. When Herbert’s niece Clementine and nephew Digby come to stay over at the farm, Herbert is faced with a challenge. Digby is only interested in his electronic games and Clementine in watching TV. Herbert is determined to teach the two city children how and where their vegetables and fruit come from.Theo Knead-a-lot’s bakery is under threat due to the lack of produce in the area. Can Herbert’s plan save the delicious products that the whole town enjoys? Will the outcome end in something magical for Theo, the children, and the whole community?

The characters have been ideally portrayed and the story focuses on getting children interested in the vegetables and fruit they eat, how it is grown and the benefits of growing your own produce. It also touches on creative gardening in small areas, the cycle of food, and how many people in the chain depend on farmers’ produce. Ideal for the 4-8 age group, it will instil in children an interest in the earth and environment, sustainability, and awaken in them the immense pleasure that can be derived from sowing a seed and watching it grow into the food we eat.

Finnley’s Great Escape

Finnley’s Great Escape (Condamine Alliance)

PB RRP $15.00

ISBN 9780992432409

Also available as an ebook at Amazon

Finnley lives in a beautiful home where the water is clean, the trees are shady and there is plenty of food for everyone. But one day, Finnley and his friends are swept away to a smelly, muddy, toxic shallow far from their home. Soon they realise they are not alone and must find a way to escape what lurks in the murky water. 

Who will save them? And will they ever return to their beautiful home again?

Finnley’s Great Escape is a story about an Australian smelt called Finnley and his native fish friends. One day they are swept away from their beautiful, clean home to a toxic shallow that is infested with one of the world’s worst pest fish, tilapia.

The book has been a collaboration between natural resource management group Condamine Alliance, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and 13 young people who helped write and illustrate the book. The book’s beautiful hand painted illustrations and clever storyline carry an important message about the threat of tilapia to the Murray-Darling Basin.

It was produced as part of the Northern Basin Tilapia Exclusion Strategy which is funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and has been officially endorsed by Jackie French, the Australian National Children’s Laureate for 2014-15 and author of popular children’s book The Diary of a Wombat.

Written and illustrated by Alli Purtill, Corey Lenton, Jessica Larkin, Josiah Richards, Kelsey Francis, Kirrily Pauli, Paige Joyce, Peter Von Stieglitz, Rani Deane, Rebecca Sherrie, Rhianna Conaghan, Samantha Lenton and William Butler under the direction of Emma Mactaggart.

Rivertime

Rivertime written and illustrated by Trace Balla (Allen and Unwin)

PB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74331-633-7

Reviewed by Ann Harth 

After reading Rivertime, I felt like hopping in a canoe and paddling down the nearest river for a few days. This picture book will take you on a joyful and meandering journey on the Glenelg River in Victoria.

10-year-old Clancy takes a 10 day canoe trip with his Uncle Egg. Although Clancy misses his screens and technology at first, he gradually begins to appreciate the challenges, beauty and peace that fill each day. He spends his time perfecting his paddling, spotting wildlife, learning camping skills and, when his arms get tired, making a sail for the canoe. Clancy swims with the local kids during the day and, in the evening, their families join him and Uncle Egg to share music, stories and a campfire. As the time slips past, Clancy merges into the rhythm of the river and develops a bond with nature that will follow him home.

The layout and format of Rivertime invites the reader to slow down and look around as each page contains Clancy’s first person narrative as well as speech bubbles to offer a closer look at the characters’ personalities. Trace Balla’s illustrations also give this book a gentleness that bolder colours and stronger lines would not have captured. The detail she includes encourages the reader to slow down and look around as the reader will want to see everything.

Children from 8-12 will enjoy Rivertime but I wouldn’t limit its ability to reach any age. This is a story that celebrates nature, people and the importance of protecting our natural environment. The parallels between the visual aspects of this book and its story work well to offer a rich experience.

Trace Balla is a woman with many talents and interests. As well as writing and illustrating picture books, she is an art therapist, animator and works in computer illustration. She also facilitates art workshops that incorporate a variety of techniques, many of which use natural or recycled materials. For more information about Trace Balla, please visit http://traceballa.yolasite.com/.

Ann Harth is a published children's author and writing tutor at Australian College of Journalism. She loves to read and is committed to creating children's literature that inspires, entertains and triggers a tiny twist in the mind. Her latest middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, was released in 2012.

Eco Warrior: Writing for the National Library of Australia

Buzz Words is thrilled to welcome children's books writer and advocate-extraordinaire Tania McCartney to chat about her new release from NLA Publishing Eco Warriors to the Rescue!. The multi-talented Tania researched and wrote the book as well as contributing the photography and the layout/design concept. Tania and the National Library of Australia have collaborated on a number of titles recently and Tania tells us how it all began (and check out my review of Eco Warriors in a separate post today, too!).

Writing for the National Library of Australia
Someone once said to me this: ‘Ask five people something you’ll be absolutely certain they’ll say no to—and see what they say.’

So I did.

And one of those people was Susan Hall, publisher at the National Library of Australia. Basically, I asked her if I could show her some book ideas. And guess what? She said yes.

Fast forward around two years and my fourth NLA book is now in production. It’s kind of hard to believe. My grandfather and literary idol—Wilfred Winter—was an historian, author, journalist and photographer, and following in his footsteps in even the smallest way, while simultaneously fulfilling my love of history and book production, is a major life achievement on a deeply personal level.

The NLA’s general publications are renowned for their significance, excellence and beauty. Their children’s department is relatively new to the organisation, yet its book list is already award-winning and well-respected.


NLA Publishing believes that their books will contribute to the organisation's aims of nourishing the nation’s memory, of supporting the vitality of Australian culture and heritage, and demonstrate a strong national focus contributin to an understanding of our country and peoples. The Library believes their publications are a wonderful way to ensure its striking collections are widely used and disseminated, and that they contribute to an understanding of our country and peoples.

Writing for the National Library has become more than a personal achievement for me. It’s allowed me to contribute to our country’s historical references—something I feel passionately about.

As I live relatively close to the NLA in a geographical sense, I’ve been able to develop a warm working relationship with the children’s publishing team, particularly Susan Hall and Manager, Publications Sales and Promotion, Maureen Brooks. Along with their highly creative and dedicated team, they work hard to produce books that not only showcase the Library’s impressive collections, but that delight and entrance children.


All NLA Publishing books need to feature the Library’s collection in some way. My second NLA book——does just that, showcasing eleven early botanical paintings within its pages, along with ‘cuttings’ from other collection paintings. In Eco Warriors, three children—our young eco warriors—enter the pages of their favourite book in search of ways to save our native flora. Along the way, they meet up with the featured plants, who offer them tips on how to be more ‘green’.

At the back of the book, as with most NLA publications, references to Collection images are provided, as well as addendum information such as plant facts, native birth flowers, and Australian floral emblems.

Researching Eco Warriors and imparting an ecological message into its pages was a lot of fun. I love creating books that teach adults something new, too. But I was also very fortunate to have the opportunity to become even more involved in the production of this book.

An early draft, illustrating the concept of
 plants speaking to readers.  This image
 was not used in the final draft of the book.

As the Library is a relatively small team and are so open to working closely with their authors, I took much delight in designing and laying this book, including the photography and image-creation. Along with the wonderful NLA designer Amy Cullen, who put together the cover and addendum pages (and finessed the entire look of the book), it was amazing to be so involved in the production and layout; something I truly love to do.

The end result is a picture book teeming with input from a group of dedicated, talented people, including research and fact-checkers, early childhood teachers, and botanical specialists like the wonderful Barrie Hadlow. I’m hoping Australian kids will take as much joy from the book as I did in putting it together—and hopefully, somewhere up there, my dear grandfather would be proud.

And to think, this all came about because I was brave enough to ‘ask’. I highly recommend it.

Learn more about National Library Publishing.

Join Tania McCartney and her three real-life eco warriors—Banjo (Riley), Ned (Andrew) and Matilda (Claire)—as they launch Eco Warriors to the Rescue! at Canberra’s National Arboretum Gift Shop, Saturday 5 October 2013, at 11am. 

Tania McCartney is an author of both children’s and adult books. An experienced magazine writer and editor, she also founded respected literary site Kids’ Book Review. She is passionate about literacy, and loves to speak on reading, books and writing. Her latest books include Eco Warriors to the Rescue! (National Library Publishing), Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A journey around Canberra (Ford Street), Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend (New Frontier) and An Aussie Year: Twelve months in the life of Australian Kids (EK Publishing). Tania adores books, travel and photography. She lives in Canberra with her family, in a paper house at the base of a book mountain.
www.taniamccartney.com; www.kids-bookreview.com

Go to Tania's site for the full blog tour schedule. 

Eco Warriors to the Rescue!

Eco Warriors to the Rescue! by Tania McCartney (NLA Publishing)
PB RRP $17.99
ISBN 9780642277800
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

It's no secret I'm a fan of NLA Publishing and I can add Eco Warriors to the list. The multi-talented Tania McCartney has written, designed and contributed the photography for this delightful book which also delves into the archives of the National Library of Australia.

Readers follow the three eco warriors Banjo, Matilda, and Ned (what names could be more Australian?) into their favourite and far from ordinary book where they discover ways to help save Australia's native flora from extinction, learning from the plants as they go.

The book is a visual treat with glossy pages showing off the botanical artworks to their very best. However, through their interactions with each other, the landscape and the plants, the children really get the message of this book across about caring for Australia's unique plant life. There is also a green butterfly to look for on each double spread.

With plenty of facts about plants at the back including Australia's Floral Emblem, Native Birth Flowers and more, plus a full list of illustrations for lovers of botanical art, this book is full of information. As a tactile person, I also loved the quality and weight of the paper and the embossed cover. A top notch production with such an important message that will be appreciated by young and old.

Eco Warriors

And here's the full schedule!

Sunday 1 September

Sneak Peek

Tania McCartney’s Blog taniamccartney.blogspot.com

                     

Review

Boomerang Books Blog blog.boomerangbooks.com.au

Giveaway

Pass It On jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine

Article: Mixed Media Illustrations for Picture Books

Angela Sunde Under the Apple Tree

Monday 2 September

Book Review and Book Giveaway

Kids Book Review kids-bookreview.com

Article: Eco Tips for Little Readers

Sheryl Gwyther’s Blog sherylgwyther.wordpress.com

Article: Bringing Up Eco Warriors

The Book Chook www.thebookchook.com

Review

Books for Little Hands booksforlittlehands.blogspot.com.au

Article: Literature Supporting Sustainability

Children’s Books Daily www.childrensbooksdaily.com

Author Interview

Alison Reynolds www.alisonreynolds.com.au

Tuesday 3 September

Giveaway

My Little Bookcase www.mylittlebookcase.com.au

Review and Article: 5 Multi-Media Writing Tips

DeeScribe deescribewriting.wordpress.com

Review and Article: Writing for the National Library of Australia

Buzz Words buzzwordsmagazine.com

Review

Elaine Ouston Blog elaineoustonauthor.com

Review and Giveaway
Soup Blog soupblog.wordpress.com

Homecoming

Homecoming by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Peter Bailey (Walker Books)
PB RRP 14.95
ISBN 9781406341072
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Mrs Pettigrew is a loner who lived in a railway carriage by the sea wall. She knows all the birds of the air that nest in the surrounding marsh and their calls, and which animals inhabit the sea ahead and the marsh areas. This story is about her unconventional life, her fierce bond with the surrounding natural world, and a boy called Michael.

Michael returns to the place of his past to revisit his memories and is flooded with the remembrance of all the people and the happenings both good and bad, of a youth made richer by having known Mrs Pettigrew. He is confronted by the monstrosity that is the closed atomic power station, a permanent reminder of what was lost in the name of progress. He remembers the impassioned speech given by the usually silent Mrs Pettigrew on the disaster that awaited the town should they consent to the power station being built.

Michael recalls the cheers of support first given in the hall, and how at the end only his mother was left standing with Mrs Pettigrew holding the banner of protest against the power station. He sadly brings to mind the unexpected climax that separated all that was with all that was to be. These memories, especially those associated with Miss Pettigrew and what she stood for, are all recalled in exquisite and superbly moving prose.

This tender recollection of memories is juxtaposed with the lies and deceit marketed as progress that ultimately ends in environmental destruction. Morpurgo’s challenging themes together with the outstanding illustrations by Peter Bailey in double-page spreads complement the important messages in this book.

Picture Book Review: Cloth From the Clouds

Cloth from the Clouds by Michael Catchpool, illustrated by Alison Jay (Walker Books)

HB RRP $29.95

ISBN 9781862337992

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

A boy spins thread from the clouds – gold in the morning, white in the afternoon and crimson at evening – to weave cloth on his loom, but only as much as needed. His mother’s words are always foremost in his mind as he works, ‘Enough is enough and not one stitch more.’ He weaves two scarves, one to protect his head when it is hot and another to wrap around his neck when it is cold.

The King notices the uniqueness of the cloth and orders the boy to make a longer scarf for him. The child tries to explain that the king doesn’t need it. This angers the royal who commands the boy to do what he’s told. The finished item is breathtaking. So much so, he then commands clothing for his wife and daughter.

Slowly the precious resource is exhausted.  There are no clouds, therefore no rain for the farmers and their flocks and crops. It is not until the princess, believing ‘there is still time’, rolls up the garments and returns them to their source, that the clouds and a natural balance is restored once again.

Awareness between need and want, greed and excess, is the theme of this poignant, and delicately illustrated book. The illustrations throughout are created to identify with cracked china, symbolic of the fragile state of nature, and the outcome of misuse by humankind. The joyous fact that children have the wisdom to see things clearer than the adults projects hope and optimism for the future.

This is definitely a book that will be shared and discussed by adult and child readers because of the significant messages it carries.

Seekers Fire in the Sky

Seekers Fire in the Sky by Erin Hunter (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-1-4052-5462-5

Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang

www.thestoryline.com.au 

  

This is book five of the Seekers series – an unusual adventure tale that takes us into the minds of four bears. The main characters include a brown, a black, and a white bear although they are accompanied by a brown bear that is a shape shifter. He is related to the legends of old, he has visions, special talents and serves as their guide, their mission is to save the wild.

Erin Hunter does a beautiful job of weaving the landscape in as a distinct and strong character. The descriptions range from the tantalising – dancing firelights in the sky at night, to the horrifying - oil drilling machines and animals that have been affected by them. Erin Hunter is the author of the Warriors series that has sold 5 million copies and spent 63 weeks on the New York Times Best selling list.

The story is set on ‘the great ice’ where the younger white bear has to take a leadership role. The story takes the brown and black bears onto the unfamiliar landscape of the ice. They need to learn to trust in another bears knowledge and give in to another’s ability to lead. The white bear, Kallik also embarks on a journey of learning to trust herself. It is a story that includes slow thoughtful moments and page turning action.

It is aimed at 9 year old plus. The writing style is thoughtful and descriptive. It is equally attractive to girls and boy readers and deals with issues of the natural environment and human impact, all very relevant to the modern young reader and learner.

Terry – Adventures of a Terek Sandpiper

Terry – Adventures of a Terek Sandpiper by Anne Hamilton, illustrated by Sandra Temple (Wombat Books)

HB RRP $21.95

ISBN 978-1-921633-30-0

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

This book is suitable for independent readers and will encourage young minds to ask more questions regarding their environment and the migration of animals. The vast subject of the migration of Terek Sandpipers from Siberia in the Arctic Circle to the Australian beaches is tackled within a sensitive story.

Terry is a new hatchling; we meet him not long after his birth. He is counting his toes, 1, 2, 3, and asking how many sleeps. He has to wait till he is three weeks old before embarking on this epic journey with his father, sister and other late hatchlings.  We learn the number three is important in the life of a Terek Sandpiper. Together they fly half way around the world facing harsh conditions, and although not necessarily in the story, life and death situations are suggested giving the journey you travel with Terry a sense of urgency.

Sandra Temple the illustrator is an award winning artist with a love of conservation. Her illustrations are beautiful; they are kept soft with the use of an airbrush, coloured pencils and subtle colours. This softness adds to the sensitivity of a potentially traumatic journey the reader embarks upon with Terry.

An information page about the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereous) is in the back of the book along with a glossary of words used in the story, and as a bonus there are downloadable maps available to show the path of these birds.

This book is not just for children but could also be a lovely gift for a bird lover.

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

Tiger Tames the Min Min

Tiger Tames the Min Min by David Reiter, illustrations by Chris Green and Monkeystack (IP Kidz)

PB RRP $16.95, eBook $9.95

ISBN 9781921479748

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

This is the third entertaining book in the Project Earth-Mend series. Once again Tiger the Cat, Wanda the blue-tongue lizard and Syd the crow join with the extra terrestrial, Tark from Planet Griffon who can shape change but usually takes the form of a frog, in their quest to save the Earth from The Great Danger. Along the way, the band of eco warriors is joined by a camel named Number 12, who has decided that his racing days are over.

Number 12 leads the group to central Australia to spread the word about how to save planet Earth and to search for the mysterious Min Min lights. They also have to seek out the influential but elusive Kangaroo who has the power to enlist other native animals in the campaign. While on their important mission, the little group is confronted by Mick, another extra terrestrial from the distant Planet Abell 2218, who is on his own secret and highly questionable mission on Earth.

The underlying messages about sustainability and saving the planet are artfully integrated into an entertaining sci-fi storyline with a hint of suspense. The humour is quirky and contemporary and often quite sophisticated and will really appeal to readers who ‘get it’, for example when they make contact with sand monitors in the desert…the geeky monitor who was already so good at YouTube that he had uplpoaded a short film about water conservation and collecting bush tucker in the desert that quickly became a best seller and was aired in the Birdsville Cinemaplex instead of the popcorn and soft drink ads for a week, shortly after achieves celebrity status when the film was seen by a film producer.

There are a number of references to people and events that may go ‘over the head’ of some readers but that won’t detract from the overall storyline or intended humour. Readers who loved the first two books in the Project Earth-Mend series will love this one too, which is suitable for upper primary readers. 

Last Tree in the City

Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnavas (New Frontier Publishing)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781921042218
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

There is one word for Peter Carnavas's Last Tree in the City; outstanding. The story is beautifully simple. Edward lives in a beige world of 'concrete and cars' where, for a few moments each day, he finds refuge in the tree at the end of his street. It is the last tree in the city. Edward is shattered when the tree is cut down but when he discovers a small branch, plants, waters and nurtures it, the city ultimately undergoes an environmental transformation bringing life and joy. Last Tree in the City is a reminder that individual efforts can lead to great changes.

The uncluttered illustrations complement and extend the story. With plenty of white space and the use of bright colour restricted initially to Edward, his bike and duck, and the tree, the reader's focus remains on the little boy and his reactions. Carnavas has managed to portray emotion with a brush stroke or two. The illustration of Edward when he finds the tree gone is heart wrenching. Importantly for young children, the text, and illustrations in particular, finish on an inspirational and hopeful note.

Last Tree in the City brings to my mind two of my favourite picture books of recent years: Bob Graham's How To Heal a Broken Wing and Stephen Michael-King's Leaf. Peter Carnavas is bound to be around for a long time to come and I am sure he will continue to garner awards for his exceptional work.