Mika and Meero: Djeran Djerup

Mika and Meero: Djeran Djerup by Alton Walley (UWA Publishing), RRP $16.99 Junior Fiction ISBN 2-370002-215343

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

From the moment it arrived in the letterbox, I couldn’t wait to read Mika and Meero: Djeran Djerup. What first attracted me were the action images of the two Nyoongar (First Nation) siblings on the front cover, the multi-coloured pages in various shades of ochre and the large-print text interspersed with fun illustrations and deadpan commentary. As I riffled through the pages, their thickness and texture told me a lot of care had gone into preparing what presents as a high-quality product. It was time to find out if the storyline would also deliver!

It’s Djeran season when the weather turns cool before the rains come and the lowlands flood. That means it’s time for the extended family of Mika and her little brother Meero to move camp to higher ground. Mum and Dad are leading the way towards the Kaarta Moorndah (Perth Hills); they easily remember their way around Boodjar (Country). Meero, on the other hand, can’t even remember what he had for breakfast. Meero is in a grumpy guts mood – he’s tired from climbing the path, and his older cousins are teasing him. Even worse, they throw his precious fish and marron that he’s been carrying in his bag for the last two days over the cliff. So what if his snacks were stinking? He convinces himself that his snack-stealing cousins are jealous of him.

Luckily, they soon reach camp where a hearty feed and good night’s sleep work wonders for Meero’s mood. Ahead lies a day of dancing and celebration, and Meero regards himself as an excellent dancer. If his feet moved any quicker, he’d be lighting the ground on fire. But in his whirlwind of spinning and kicking up sand, he stubs his toe and hurtles through the air. How is he ever going to learn the new dance?

Meanwhile, Mika’s having her own problems. She’s expected to sing a special part to accompany the dances, but everyone is familiar with Nana’s beautiful version. How can she ever compete with that? Nana advises her to head out into the bush with Aunty to see what Boodjar can teach her. But that’s silly. The bush can’t sing. What is she to do?

Told alternately from Meero’s and Mika’s point of view, this story takes you along on their respective journeys combatting their fears of cave monsters, fire ants and fanged birds, learning from the trees, the djerup (birds), the animals and even the cave. Along the way, the readers learn a selection of words from the Nyoongar language weaved into the narrative with context. Overall, the story indeed delivers with playful humour and satisfying resolutions. I’d suggest this book will resonate best with kids around Years 3-4 and is an excellent complement to topics on First Nations culture being taught at school.

Trouble for Toby

Trouble for Toby by Janet Reid, illustrated by Amanda Francy (Wombat Books) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781925563351

Reviewed by Anne Helen Donnelly

Toby wants a pet more than anything. He isn’t fussy, almost anything will do, a dog, a rat or a hermit crab. His parent’s response to his request is always the same, “We’ll think about it. But only if you’re good at school.” And this is where Toby’s problem lies.

Toby finds it difficult to stay out of trouble. First, he leaves his friend Sam buried in the sandpit, then he knocks two girls off the playground equipment, there is the unfortunate accident at the flying fox and then the inquisitive spider at the tranquillity garden. It seems, no matter how hard Toby tries to stay out of trouble he ends up right in the centre of it, until one day, when his quick thinking and swift action saves Jenna from a snake bite.

Toby’s bravery is acknowledged and rewarded but best of all, his parents let him get a pet and he decides to choose a snake.

Trouble for Toby is a junior fiction chapter book for children of ages 6+ years. It is aimed at Australian audiences with Aussie references, and the story flows well from chapter to chapter. It is set primarily in the school and school yard with funny and entertaining adventures that children will be able to relate to and enjoy.

Heroes of the Wild: The Whale who Saved Us

Heroes of the Wild: The Whale who Saved Us by Nicola Davies, illustrations by Annabel Wright (Walker Books)

PB RRP $11.95

ISBN 9781406356106

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Suki is a young Inuit girl in trouble at school after hitting a boy who released a scathing attack on her older brother Levi, who has now run away. Suki and Levi are one of the many young Inuit caught between the old world and its teachings, and the new electronic age. Without jobs and no hope, many come to a bad end.

Levi and the preacher’s son try to commit suicide due to their feelings of hopelessness, but Suki’s mother doesn’t tell her this. She simply says he’s in trouble and she is going to him. Suki is sent to her Granny Jaiku whom she hasn’t seen in years, at Whale Bay in the Arctic Circle.

She initially feels like a stranger. In no time, there is a shift in her opinion as she experiences the challenges of the old life with Granny and her brother Noah. Seal hunting, fishing, how to clean and prepare her catch, and eat raw fish instead of take away. She also learns about the sled dogs which many people have stopped keeping due to motorised transport, how to feed and harness them, drive the sled, and build an igloo.

She also finds out about Levi. Grief-stricken, she wants to go to him but knows she can’t.

She slips into life at Whale Bay as if she was born to it. The language comes back to her from childhood. It slips into her mind as if it had never left, but waited unused like her interest in life, which now reawakened.

Suki wishes she could share all the beauty and the zest for life she’s discovered in Whale Bay, with Levi who now lies in a coma. Noah produces an old tape recorder and a brilliant idea. Will her voice have the power to reach into Levi’s mind and bring him back from his faraway place? Is the sighting of the first bowhead whale for years, a sign that Levi will live?

In the following weeks, the recordings flow to Levi’s bedside without result. Could the sound of the bowhead blow be strong enough to save the now dying Levi as it has the almost dead Inuit community?

The story’s main theme is the power and force of love and nature, to move far beyond human understanding and create miracles. It’s about roots and identity and claiming who you are, while focusing on the effect of hopelessness on both people and the environment with the bowhead whale as the centrepiece. Aimed at the 7+ year age group, The Whale that Saved Us is for all ages. Its rich Inuit background information, defined words and six pages of facts about bowhead whales, calls attention to the over-hunting of whales on the Inuit communities and their environment. Look out for the other titles in the Heroes of the Wild series.

Ship of Dolls

Ship of Dolls by Shirley Parenteau (Candlewick Press)

HC RRP $19.95

ISBN 9780763670030

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The Immigration Act of 1924 stopped East Asians from migrating to America. To promote goodwill and ease the friction between the two countries, former missionary Dr Sidney Gulick, who had spent many years in Japan, participated in the formation of the Committee on World Friendship Between Children.  

In 1927, the first program was to send almost 13,000 of what were called the American blue eyed dolls, also known as Friendship dolls, to Japanese children. It took into account the importance of dolls in Japanese culture. Each doll travelled with a passport, tickets, and a change of clothing. The doll delivery was to coincide with the Hinamatsuri, the yearly Japanese Doll Festival.

This little-known historical fact was the inspiration for this book.

The story begins in Portland, Ohio, 1926. Eleven year old Lexie lives with her grandparents after her unconventional, widowed mother remarries a man who doesn’t want kids around. Jack’s house connects with Lexie’s grandparents’ home by a tree branch that extends from his window to hers. They are secretly friends but enemies at school and in public.

Jack double dares Lexie to find, pick up and hold the Friendship doll that the school children had raised money to buy. This forbidden act leads to a complex web of half-truths, white lies, and humiliation for Lexie and her grandparents.

A letter writing competition is announced. The best letter will accompany the doll to Japan. Lexie longs to see her mother and when an undreamed of opportunity arises Lexie knows she must be the winner.

Spoilt, rich Louise is always in the light. Her popularity is threatened when the focus begins to fall on Lexie. High expectations by her parents lead the devious Louise to steal Lexie’s far better letter and claim it as her own. The whole competition becomes a nightmare when Lexie is accused of lying and dishonouring her grandparents.

Armed with her mother’s and grandmother’s ethics and teachings, can Lexie rise above all these challenges with her chin up?

This is a unique, multi-layered storyline with the Friendship dolls as the main tier. All the other themes are strong supports of a unique structure. The main theme is truth: how it is misused, abused, falsely claimed, but ultimately rises to the surface. Other themes include love and pride, relationships between children and grandparents, friendship and loyalty, the importance of being yourself, and finding your place in life.

This extraordinary book is for the 8+ age group. Further research is recommended to those interested in the incredible history behind the Friendship dolls.

Frankie Fox, Girl Spy: READY, SET, SPY

Frankie Fox, Girl Spy: READY, SET, SPY by Yvette Poshoglian
(Lothian/Hachette)
PB RRP $12.99
ISBN: 9780734415684
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Eleven-year-old Francesca (Frankie) Fox, motherless but with a millionaire Dad, has a boathouse for her room which she shares with Boss, her West Highland Terrier. It is located on a cliff 178 steps down from the main house called Griffin where Hanna the housekeeper keeps house for her Dad and cooks for the three of them when her Dad is home. He is a brilliant scientist and runs a secret set of labs on Fortress Island which Frankie can see from the boathouse window. Frankie's Dad protects his property with an electric fence, and is concerned that his wealth and scientific knowledge could make him a target of an evil group called the Alliance, a threat to the whole world.

Frankie has always wanted to be a spy. She is studying The Spy's Handbook which belonged to her Dad and pours over it every free moment. There is a code scribbled inside it that she needs to decipher and so far has been stumped. Unusual things have been happening. Frankie thinks she is being watched and her room has definitely been searched. Later, when kayaking, her boat is almost overturned by a woman in a kayak who she recalls later was the stand-in bus driver on the school bus. Also, strange underwater lights are puzzling.

James Jensen (JJ), a new neighbour but previous resident returned from Iceland who attends Frankie's school, arranges to kayak across to Fortress Island with Frankie and Boss. The two kayakers set off one evening and once again Frankie sees the underwater lights. When they land on the island, they come across soldiers and are captured. Their captors are agents for Griffin and are fighting the Alliance. When Frankie is told her father has been kidnapped by the Alliance, she is amazed to discover both JJ and herself have been in training as Griffin spies, and as things fall into place, she knows whatever she has to do to rescue her father, she will do it. It is vital she deciphers the code in her spy handbook and completes Mission Icefall. And Boss and JJ have a role to play, too.

Yvette Poshoglian, a Sydney-based high school teacher involved in creative writing workshops, has created an exciting story with plenty of intrigue and drama. She uses retrospect cleverly to keep the momentum charged and pacey. Each chapter is headed by a quote from The Spy's Handbook which alludes to the content and increases interest.

Dexter the Courageous Koala

Dexter the Courageous Koala by Jesse Blackadder (ABC Books)   

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN:  9780733331787   

Reviewed by Elaine Harris

There has been many a discussion in Buzz Words and elsewhere about POV or point of view: i.e. should a story be told from the point of view of one protagonist only or can other perspectives be introduced without confusing the reader?

At the risk of introducing a note of heterodoxy, I confess to an inclination to the latter. Different voices, or different perspectives if a story is told in the third person, have always fascinated this reader and from a very young age at that.

Not surprisingly, then, the split chapters in Jesse Blackadder’s powerful new book captured me from the outset. I almost found myself holding my breath, waiting to see how or even if the two main characters would come together.

Ashley is a headstrong, impulsive though not unsympathetic young teenager, Dexter a yearling koala still learning about the world around him. Together they rehabilitate one another, learning and growing along the way as they help to solve each other’s problems as well as their own.

Inadvertently, I found myself approaching this book as the child reader I once was and perhaps still am - revelling in having to look up new words, learn new concepts and gain general knowledge, all neatly camouflaged by a compelling, fast-paced story.

There is enough introspection or what the late John Wyndham called “Behind thinks” for the thoughtful reader. The story is moved along by the skilful use of animated, realistic dialogue while scenes are set as well as the plot advanced with the aid of one of my favourite ploys, plenty of colourful description painting vivid word pictures.

Despite the deliberately misleading opening to chapter one, this book is essentially concerned with wildlife care and rescue, leaving us with no illusions. Any wildlife carer will tell you that the job is messy, time-consuming, exhausting and often heartbreaking, especially when working with nocturnal joeys. Although you learn specifically about the rescue and rehabilitation of koalas, many of the principles apply to other species. There are strict rules to follow about feeding, sterilization of equipment, too much handling, leaf collection, observation and why dogs and wildlife don’t mix. 

There is still plenty to interest dog lovers though and a surprise satisfying ending. Jesse Blackadder presents the story from a koala’s perspective with warmth and conviction while successfully avoiding sentimentality. We learn about fears, predators, territory, feeding, climbing, illness, the vagaries of extreme weather and even aggression among members of the colony. There is a school of thought objecting to this type of anthropomorphism but it has worked as a storytelling tool for generations of both children and adults and probably always will.      

Finally, the pivotal character in Dexter the Courageous Koala is Micky, Ashley’s aunt. She is one of fiction’s true eccentrics, a major asset to the novel and deserves a book in her own right.

It is a joy to be able to recommend this book which should work equally well read aloud to a class or family or devoured alone by any child or adult who loves animals in general and wildlife in particular.

(If you’re not familiar with the mythical drop bears or Thylarctos plummetus you’re in for a treat.)  For readers aged 8-12.

Being Jack

Being Jack written by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox (Harper Collins)

PBK RRP $14.99
ISBN 9780732296148
Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

We first met Jack five years ago in I Am Jack, when, as an eight year old, Jack experienced bullying. In the years (and books) that have followed, Jack has endured his father leaving, dealt with the bullying at school, acquired a stepfather when his mum remarries and works out a relationship with stepbrother Leo.

Now in Year 6, family and school life appears to have settled, with Jack enjoying his photography and sharing a love of surfing with Rob his stepfather. The bullying issue however, again raises its ugly head, this time directed at Jack’s friend Christopher and Jack is forced to relive his experience and find a solution to help his friend.

When Jack and Christopher witness dirty play in a football scrum at school, they know that something must be done about the bullies once and for all. Bullying and unfair play are not Jack’s only concern though, as he is soon to turn thirteen and questions about why his father left and his lack of contact begin to niggle. How will he find a father who may not wish to be found? If he finds him, what effect will this have on his mum?

Susanne Gervay again has written a story that is heartfelt and honest. We feel Jack’s fear, his doubt and worries. The perfect ending to the series, we are left confident that Jack is resilient and confident to take on the challenges of adolescence. Suitable for children aged 9+ years.

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545–38701-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Dak, Sera and Riq are this time transported to Scotland 1943, right in the middle of World War II. They will need to get close to the enemy, the Nazi Party and Hitler, to convince them that (false) papers recovered from a dead British airman are credible. If this allied plot fails, Hitler, and the SQ will win the war, again.   

But Hitler is not the only evil these time travellers are up against. Tilda reappears and she has her heart, and future, set on destroying the trio. Their Square breaks, Dak has his first remnants (an unsettling and often physically painful feeling that something is missing), and for the first time, all three children must run solo missions. They are split, in three different countries, with no guarantee of re-uniting.

Behind Enemy Lines is the sixth book in a time travelling, multi-platformed adventure series, Infinity Ring. Each book is written by a different author and continues the adventure undertaken by three children in an effort to save the world. There is a top secret clue, hidden inside the cover of the book, which may be opened at the conclusion of the story. This clue gives access to a new adventure awaiting the reader on www.infinityring.com.

This fast paced, time travelling adventure series is a good one for eight to fourteen year olds.

Tilly and Billy Travel the World

Tilly and Billy Travel the World by Dawn MacKenzie with Angela Knights, illustrated by Kev Howlett (quikmark media)
PB RRP $ 12.95
ISBN 9780987599766
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This new junior fiction series introduces the Thomas family through character profiles. Each member has crime-solving skills. Dad James is an Australian forensic scientist and mum Alison a crime writer. Billy creates gadgets, and has won the junior inventor’s award. He has been recruited by the organisation Goodies Against Baddies (GAB).

Tilly, Billy’s clever older sister helps solve crimes, loves travel, karate, and dancing, and won the Smart Award for history and geography at school.

Meeka is their talking Meerkat whose other special abilities include a strong sense of smell and binocular vision. She was adopted by the Thomas family during their tour of Africa.

Last but not least is the baddie they chase, Odious McSlimey. His skin is green and belongs to the Anti Happiness Org (AHO).

Billy, Tilly and Meeka set out for Hollywood. The letter D in the word Hollywood has been stolen. They have only a few hours to find it. With their Go-Phone, solar powered backpacks and Meeka’s special potions, can the group catch the culprit and replace the letter in the short time they have?

This adventure series will appeal to fans of Zac Power. Reluctant readers will be drawn to its simple storyline, active characters and imaginative, vibrant coloured artwork.

Eric Vale Super Male

Eric Vale Super Male by Michael Gerard Bauer, illustrated by Joe Bauer (Omnibus Books)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-993-8
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Things are looking up for Eric Vale. His school is about to hold the annual fete and the week leading up to it has been designated superhero week. And there is no subject Eric knows more about, or enjoys as much, as superheroes.

In fact, there just may be a few chances for Eric to save the day (and Sophie Peters) and become a superhero himself. That would stop the bullies teasing and the sneers of Meredith Murdoch. But in Eric’s world, nothing runs quite to plan. For once in his life he’d like to be known as Eric Vale Super Male, rather than Eric Vale Super Fail!

Eric Vale Super Male is a fun follow-up to Eric Vale Epic Fail. Eric still fails to keep his focus in class, turning his attention instead to the creation of his comic strip hero Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale. With his loyal sidekick Chewy Rodriguez, Eric continues to bumble his way good-heartedly through school life.

This is an entertaining story for primary aged children and there is much for them to relate to. The ‘Danger’ Dale comic strip woven throughout is fabulous too and adds to the many laugh-aloud moments throughout. It is an easy read with fun illustrations on every page making it accessible to beginning readers.

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter - series by Jack Wells, illustrated by Lachlan Creagh (Random House Australia)
PB RRP $9.95 each
Book 1 - The Discovery
ISBN 9871864718454
Book 2 - Ambush at Cisco Swamp
ISBN 9871864718461
Book 3 - Armoured Defence
ISBN 9871742750910
Book 4 - The Dinosaur Feather
ISBN 9871742750927
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

This new series featuring Robert Irwin, son of Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is every boy’s dream. With the aid of a dinosaur claw fossil, 9-year-old Robert and his friend, Riley, time travel back 95 million years into the Cretaceous era where they witness first hand living with (and escaping from) dinosaurs.

Imagine being in the middle of a dinosaur stampede or crawling through a swamp, or camping in the Badlands of Canada or finding an abandoned dinosaur egg in prehistoric China.

Each book features a particular dinosaur. The font is large and clear and the chapters are scattered with black and white sketches heightening the action. The level of language is suitable for the readership of 6 – 9 year olds. Challenging words are used that will make readers feel more grown up, words like: carnivore, palaeontologist, Cretaceous as well as the Latin names of the various dinosaurs. Readers will love all the prehistoric facts and finding out how to use a fossicker’s took kit to find fossils.

At the back of each book is a field guide detailing the chosen dinosaur. Lots of interesting information is given about their discovery, physical characteristics and the origin of their names. Robert Irwin has also sketched each dinosaur.

Book 1 – The Discovery takes place in Winton, in outback Queensland. Robert and Riley are at the dinosaur digs. Robert is chipping away and discovers a dinosaur claw that becomes his portal. He is ‘dragged down a plughole really fast’ into the prehistoric world to a waterhole where the dinosaurs ‘don’t have good table manners.’ As he is about to be made into a prehistoric meal, he is whisked back to the dino lab in Winton.

Book 2 – Ambush at Cisco Swamp. Robert and Riley are on a research trip to the Cisco Swamp in Texas for the annual census of alligators, where they tag, measure and weigh each gator. Robert soon finds himself in the prehistoric swampland where he comes face to face with the largest prehistoric crocodile, four times bigger than its relative today. The croc is angry as it has a stick lodged in its massive jaw. Robert creatively thinks of a solution making sure he doesn’t become a ‘boy-sized meal’. A flock of pterosaurs wheel overhead as an enormous carnivore with ‘blood-stained teeth’ runs clumsily towards him. After a battle between the land dinos and the water dinos, Robert is back in the present, telling Riley of his adventures. Next time, Riley’s going with him!

Book 3 – Armoured Defence. The boys are camping in the Canadian Badlands, where the T-rex, Triceratops and Stegosaur roamed. At night, they are tumbled into the vortex of time travel to 70 million years ago, where instead of the desert they had left, they are in a swamp with quicksand and monster-sized mozzies. Vines have trapped a duck-billed dino and a meat-eating gorgosaurus is after it as an easy meal. Riley goes missing as Robert rescues the trapped dino only to become the target of the hungry predator.

Book 4 – The Dinosaur Feather. Back at Australia Zoo, where Robert lives with his family, he is making a video of the cassowary, the third largest bird in the world. There is a theme of evolution here as the boys are whisked to prehistoric China where they come in contact with an oviraptor, a dinosaur completely covered in colourful feathers. They find an abandoned egg and go in search of its nest only to be confronted by a giant dino, 9 metres long with a horn on its forehead. It is searching the trees for tasty birds and perhaps a couple of tasty humans!

What’s also exciting for lovers of all things prehistoric is that there are four more Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter books scheduled for release later in the year.

Stories for 5 Year Olds

Stories for 5 Year Olds edited by Linsay Knight, illustrated by Tom Jellett (Random House Australia)
PB RRP $14.95
ISBN 9781742756660
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

It’s a perennial question asked by parents, relatives and friends. What book can I buy for a 5 year old to read?

Editor, Linsay Knight, has responded to the question with the first in a series of anthologies for young readers.

At 5, some children are reading independently, some are reading with help and others are being read to. This selection of 10 stories has something for everyone.

Most are short stories, but three are written in chapters. The font is friendly to new readers, the sentences are short and simple and there are small twists in the plots to keep the readers guessing. That doesn’t mean that the stories are simple. On the contrary, there are many quirky stories.

There’s Dianne Bates’ inventive adventure story set in the middle of the post-Christmas sales and Sophie Masson’s layered plot that builds and builds the suspense and then cleverly unwinds it.

Humour paves the way with Bill Condon’s descriptions of Jasper, the bottom-biting dog and in Victor Kelleher’s story, The Gorilla Suit.

There are challenging words, lots of alliteration, onomatopoeia and vibrant verbs. These stories come from a variety of sources including Aussie Nibbles and The School Magazine.

Tom Jellett’s cute sketches break up the prose on every second or third page so that the reader doesn’t get too word-weary.

You can even find out about the award-winning authors by reading their biographies at the back of the book.

With writers like Mark Macleod, Janeen Brian, Phil Cummings and more, the 5 year old in your life will be well catered for.

Ella and Olivia: The New Girl

 The New Girl (Ella and Olivia) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-499-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella is seven years old and starting year two. Olivia is five and a half and starting big school. Their brother Max is a baby and is “picking his nose. He is not quite ready for school yet.” But school starts a little more smoothly for Olivia than Ella because a new girl in year two presents challenges for Ella and her friends.

I love that the children in the Ella and Olivia series sort out their problems without teachers or other adults pointing the way too much. The issues explored are approached in a gentle manner. In this story, the problem is a new girl who is trying to fit in to the class, and comes across as mean and bossy.
The relationship Olivia has with her big sister’s friend is beautiful. Zoe loves and protects Olivia in the same way that Ella does. All the relationships in these stories have a realistic balance of jealousy, respect, love and annoyance.

Simple black and white illustrations of varying sizes are dotted throughout the chapter book. These are sweet but also enhance the text. One illustration shows Zoe and Ella sharing sandwiches at lunchtime while Millie, the new girl, sits by herself behind, watching them with a sad look. It is the first clue that Millie’s meanness may stem from loneliness. There is also a charming illustration of Ella’s family all walking to school together on the first day. It shows beautifully the togetherness of their family.

I highly recommend this series for all girls from the age of 5 up, regardless of reading ability. The large text makes it perfect for beginner readers, but it would be just as enjoyable for more experienced readers or as a read aloud at bedtime for those who are not reading yet. There is also a website to find out more, play games or do other fun stuff. Visit www.ellaandolivia.com.au

My Father's Islands: Abel Tasman's Heroic Voyages

 My Father's Islands: Abel Tasman's Heroic Voyages by Christobel Mattingley (National Library of Australia)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 9780642277367
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton


What a fantastic book! I read My Father's Islands in one sitting. It is an account of the great Dutch explorer Abel Tasman’s journeys of discovery which took him into uncharted waters and led him to find islands previously unknown to Europeans.

The book is told from the perspective of Tasman’s young daughter from his first marriage, Claesgen. While Claesgen’s inquisitive and bright personality are entirely fictional, the accounts of Tasman’s journeys are 100% accurate.

Claesgen gives a real sense of who her father was, not only as an accomplished seaman and navigator, but also as a man. She reveals Tasman’s triumphs and disappointments and the appalling treatment of people, both sailors and natives, by the Dutch East Indies Company which had thoroughly unrealistic expectations of what could be achieved on these voyages and only assessed success in monetary terms.

Christobel wrote My Father’s Islands when the National Library of Australia contacted her to ask if she would write a children’s story around one of the items in its Treasure Gallery. When she spotted the portrait of Tasman with his second wife Jannetje and Claesgen she knew this was a way to tell the story of a giant contributor to modern Australia through a child’s eyes. Remarkably, for a man whose achievements are integral to establishment of our nation, his efforts have been grossly undervalued by Australians. Very few books have been published here on his journeys.

Throughout the book, are prints of original maps and drawings of Tasman's voyages. The copious footnotes on the page are a boon to younger readers, clarifying sailing and Dutch terminology without having to flick back and forth and interrupt reading enjoyment.

My Father's Islands is Christobel Mattingley's 51st book. She has been nominated for, and been the recipient of, many gongs for her books including the Children’s Book Council of Australia inaugural award for a book for junior readers, Kids Own Australia Literature Awards, International Board of Books for Young People’s Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Alice Award from the Society of Women’s Writers.

The Youngest Cameleer

The Youngest Cameleer by Goldie Alexander (Five Senses Education)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-74130-495-4

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

In 1873, William Christie Gosse set out on a mission to the Northern Territory to map a route from the Overland Telegraph Line at Alice Springs to Perth. He was unsuccessful in this mission, but succeeded in discovering and naming Ayers Rock, and naming the Agnes River, Harry’s Reservoir, and Mount Hay in the MacDonnell Ranges. This story of Gosse’s expedition is taken from his diary.  It is a significant piece of historical reference for those who aren’t familiar with Gosse’s generally unknown trek into the interior.

The fictional, main character, Ahmed, is fourteen years old when he leaves Afghanistan after the sudden death of his father, and sails with his uncle to Australia to work as translator for the Afghans, and as the youngest cameleer. His goal: to earn money for his sister’s dowry and his mother’s livelihood. In the group is Gosse’s brother Harry, Edwin Barry, Henry Winnell, Patrick Niter, three Afghans - Kamran, Jemma and Allanah, and the aborigine, Moses.

A detailed insight into the life of cameleers and their bond with the animals in their care is presented in minute detail. Accompanied are descriptions of the harsh elements, unfamiliar terrains and lack of food and water, days of heavy rains and floods, and unrest from aborigines who see their land as being threatened by the explorers. The characters and their experiences on the trek appear as visual frames, and all the senses are awakened within the author’s clear and precise prose. The valuable equipment becomes visible; you can smell the camels, ride on them across the dry, merciless land, and share the warmth of the camp fires at night.

  

In the desert night scenes, we learn about Gosse’s past, family and education when Uncle and Ahmed exchange information. During Ahmed’s sleepless nights, we enter the boy’s internal struggle with homesickness, the unknown land, strange people and stranger customs. His suspicions about his uncle and the part he may have played in his father’s death accompany him everywhere, shadowing Jemma’s relentless cruelty that is meted out when they are alone.

Although aimed at the young adult age group, it is suited to every age group because of its valuable historical content. This is Goldie’s fifth historical fiction book set in Australia. All these books have generous amounts of Teacher Notes to be accessed on her website.

The Wandering Wombles

The Wandering Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford (Bloomsbury)

PB RRP $13.99

ISBN 9781408808337

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

Following on from the first book in the series, The Wandering Wombles continues with the adventures of our familiar furry friends who clean up after us messy, rather wasteful human beings. In this book the Wombles face the problem of finding somewhere new to live. The story is quite fast paced and would suit readers aged eight to twelve. Black and white illustrations by Nick Price depict the Wombles with their pointy noses and shy expressions. Who wouldn't want to meet a Womble some day?

Two new characters are introduced in this book. Wellington is a young, bespectacled Womble who works in the library. The responsible Miss Adelaide is in charge of the Womblegarton. In case adding two more to the already large cast of characters confuses any readers there is a Wombles Who's Who at the back of the book. This is followed by a few Wonderful Wombling Facts to further satisfy the fans.

This story is not just set around Wimbledon Common. In their search for a new home, the Wombles send out a scouting party (Bungo and Orinoco) to Loch Ness in Scotland. The gardens of Buckingham Palace are also checked out as a possible place for a new burrow but are found to be far too tidy for Wombles.  

To the obvious recycling message is added an environmental message. The destruction of the burrow is caused by heavy trucks passing by the Common. But don't worry, the Wombles are resourceful and the book has a satisfying ending. The reader can then look forward to the next book in the series of six.  

Henry Hoey Hobson

Henry Hoey Hobson by Christine Bongers (Random House)
HB RRP $16.95
ISBN 978-1-8647-1995-6
Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

Henry Hoey Hobson is a highly amusing novel for younger readers. Henry’s the new kid at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In fact, he’s the only boy in his grade. As if fitting in wasn’t hard enough, the rumour that Henry is a vampire effortlessly continues to grow.

Henry tries to prove the other kids wrong by making a splash in the school’s swimming carnival. But he has to keep his overbearing mother and creepy neighbours under control first.

Henry is a charming kid, an unlikely hero that readers can relate to, especially when he tries to make friends in various ways. There’s a great scene about Henry playing handball and he can’t keep up with the outrageous rules. Henry has an immense desire to be liked, which gets him into crazy situations.

Bongers does a great job in brewing up trouble for Henry. She has created some quirky characters with an enduring appeal. There’s a loving relationship between Henry and his mum that shines throughout the story.

Henry Hoey Hobson is an excellent example of how a kid at a new school can make the most of their talents, even when they’re unsure of what it is yet. It is recommended for ages 8 and up.