Scary Night

Scary Night by Lesley Gibbes, illustrated by Stephen Michael King (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504631

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Once upon a scary night,

three friends set out on a journey.

Hare with a hat, Cat with a cake, Pig with a parcel.

But where were they going in the dead of the night,

tip-toe creeping in the pale moonlight?

It was a mystery!

This cute story tells the tale of three friends, Hare, Cat and Pig journeying out one scary night. They encounter snapping crocodiles and roaring grizzly bears on their way. 

Were they scared?

Did they shake?

Did they hide? You bet they did.

Did they give up?

Of course they didn’t!

This book not only has charming rhyme and repetition, it gently tells children that it is okay at times to be scared. To shake and even scream (love the double page spread when all three ‘let it rip’).  As long as you don’t give up. 

Blue

Blue by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Michael Foreman (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781406354546

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Raffi wants to discover what he’s good at. His brother Jake seems to be good at everything.  Unable to sleep and seeing only the dark, Raffi wriggles and jiggles in his bed. Blue, a magical light appears and invites Raffi to follow. The boy immediately trusts the voice, and is carried on streams of blue light into the dark and on an adventure, by what turns out to be a giant blue magical cat.

Together they head off into the night, lighting the up the dark with a single pointing action. Raffi awakes next day from his glorious dream with a new-found confidence. He now feels he is good at something too. Even his fear of the dark is diminished.

This thoughtful book reflects on doubts, fears and insecurities that children may have about the dark, seeing themselves as not being good at anything, and lacking confidence.

Gorgeously created by two big names in children’s picture books, the blue illustrations that fill the book identify strongly with confidence and inner security, the main themes of this story. An ideal book for initiating conversation between adult and child about insecurities/fears, for there’s a lot to touch upon.

Wimpy Shrimpy

Wimpy Shrimpy by Matt Buckingham (Koala Books)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-102-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

‘Down at the bottom of the sea lived a little shrimp. And this little shrimp was a bit of a wimp.’

Shrimpy is too scared to play with his friends. He is worried he will get lost in hide-and-seek, worried the ball will squash him during a game of catch or that his legs will get tangled during hopscotch. His friends encourage him to join in but nothing will convince him. Until one day something does happen.

This story identifies the anxieties many young children have. As young children begin to step into the world by themselves, at playgroup or kindergarten, the possibilities of things that can go wrong are endless. The courage it takes for most of them to become involved in social groups is enormous. And this is all explored in a light and humorous way.

The illustrations are bright and playful. I love that some pictures are close up and some further away, encompassing more. Shrimpy’s loneliness and isolation is emphasised so well in this manner.

This is a tale told well. It has a nice structure, with a repeated refrain. Kids will enjoy chanting “Oh, don’t be wimpy, Shrimpy!” over and over again. And when the worst that can happen does, it is unexpected, but perfectly logical.

The story has a satisfying solution which should be a confidence booster for any young children with similar fears to Shrimpy’s. A great read for three to six year olds.

Marlo Can Fly

Marlo Can Fly by Robert Vescio, illustrated by Sandra Temple (Wombat Books)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-1-921632-41-9

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

On first impressions this book invites you to pick it up and have a read. I was not disappointed when I did. It is not only beautifully illustrated but beautifully written. It is the story of Marlo a young magpie that doesn’t want to fly. Instead she tries to copy the movements of various animals with humorous results.

The author Robert Vescio has managed to tell a story of this young magpie’s fear of failure, and the overcoming of this fear in a way that is not at all didactic and one children will enjoy.

Sandra Temple, the illustrator, is an award-winning artist with a love of conservation. Her illustrations are beautiful; they are soft but show the strength of the Australian bush and animals with the use of clean and crisp coloured pencils. This softness adds to the sensitivity of Marlo not wanting to fly and discovering it is something she can and should do.

 

With all of these positive elements rolled into one hard cover, this story shared by parent and child will make this book a favourite.

  

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

Millie’s Special Something

Millie’s Special Something by Tania Cox, illustrated by David Miller (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 978-1-921504-38-9
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Everybody has something special that makes them feel brave when they are scared. Or that’s what Millie’s friends tell her. Don stomps, Gus roars and Lea flies and swoops. But Millie is too small to stomp and roar, and her feathers aren’t meant for flying. So what is Millie’s special something when big bad Reggie comes along?

Tania Cox has written a delightful story about a small dinosaur that discovers, with the help of her friends, what her special something is. The text is full of action and a lovely use of language and noises makes this a great book to be read out loud.

The vibrant paper sculptures by David Miller add an extra depth to the story. Intricate and detailed, they manage to create texture and movement on the page.  Tania Cox and David Miller also worked on Snap! Went Chester, shortlisted for the 2003 CBCA.

This picture book is ideal for pre-schoolers but as it also touches on the topics of self-esteem, fear and bullying, it would also be suitable for lower primary readers.

Get a Grip, Cooper Jones

Get a Grip, Cooper Jones by Sue Whiting (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781921529788

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Thirteen-year old Cooper Jones’ easy going way of life is changing. He’s arguing with his single mum and constantly thinking about a dad he’s never known. Add to that, the troubled but gorgeous Abbie has come to stay next door and Cooper goes through the first pangs of attraction and all the confusion that inevitably involves.

Sue Whiting writes in an engaging manner which draws the reader into the world of Wangaroo Bay. Get a Grip, Cooper Jones is set during a hot, dry summer in a ‘surfie’ town. Not that Cooper likes the beach. He fears it, preferring instead swimming training at the local pool. However, Cooper must confront his fear of the ocean when a bushfire sweeps through and he must swim to get help for Abbie who has been bitten by a brown snake.

Readers will relate easily to Cooper Jones and all his foibles. There is great humour and warmth in this book and it is one that upper primary and lower secondary school kids are bound to enjoy.