Chooks in Dinner Suits

Chooks in Dinner Suits by Diane Jackson Hill, illustrated by Craig Smith (Museum Victoria) PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9781921833380

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Sub-titled ‘A tale of big dogs and little penguins’ this picture book was inspired by a true story about a town’s efforts to protect their population of Little Penguins (or Fairy Penguins). In 1999 there were 600 penguins and 350 burrows on Middle Island, Victoria; mostly due to death by foxes, by 2005 there were no active burrows and only four penguins left. This project, a world-first and called Middle Island Maremma Project, saw a Warrnambool man train two Maremma dogs to become penguin guardians.

Told in third person past tense, the picture book text tells how civilisation arrives near Middle Island and how gradually the penguin colony is decimated. Then a character named Swampy Marsh is introduced. Swampy becomes acutely aware of the penguin problem; when he presents his solution ‘... (At first) the townsfolk aren’t convinced. Some laugh.’  When they change their minds, Swampy picks his two protective and loyal dogs Mimi and Max who have long protected his chooks to go onto the island where they then protect the penguins from intruders such as dogs and foxes. Problem solved when the colony begins to repopulate!

The author says she wanted to help with the project and ‘thought a picture book would be a good way to promote the project nationally.’ This book certainly works to do this. It is beautifully illustrated by well-regarded illustrator Craig Smith who uses watercolour pictures to help tell the story. As well, there is a page at the end of the book which relates the Maremma story; it also includes a website with more information on the project.

This book will certainly not only tell the penguin-saved story, but will help readers, young and old, to see how a mammoth effort made by small groups of people (and individuals) can help to protect and restore their environments.

Engibear’s Bridge

Engibear’s Bridge by Andrew King, illustrated by Benjamin Johnston (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $24.95
ISBN: 9781925117059
Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Brilliant, superb, ingenious… I am in danger of using up all my superlatives describing this book.

Ok, maybe I’m biased because of my background in mathematics. And maybe I was so startled by a story that departs from the usual themes and goes so far off the ‘beaten track’, it seemed like a refreshing and revitalising novelty. But I stand by my superlatives. A picture book that presents the basic principles of civil engineering in rhyming couplets, more than reasonable rhythm and detailed diagrammatic spreads is an exceptional achievement.

Yep, this is the book for all budding bridge-builders. It’s longer than the minimalist offerings so common today—and that makes it perfect in my view. As far as bedtime stories go, it’s an eminently satisfying Goldilocks length. Not too long, not too short—just right. It’s made for bonding and talking and discovering. And I can see it appealing hugely to dads and granddads as story-tellers, though it would be just as good in a school context.

A foot-bridge is needed in Munnagong. When Engibear present several designs to the school children, they choose an arch—because it looks like a dinosaur’s skeleton. Month by month, the bridge grows with the help of Engilina, the city’s Chief Engineer, as well as Bearbot and an occasional penguin. The detailed pictures will mean hours of absorbing fascination for the right kind of child.

Unusual and so very different from the usual picture book offered for children, this is an invigorating change. Lovingly detailed illustrations by Benjamin Johnston enhance the text. I spent ages on the ‘Construction Team Page’ which, I suspect, is meant more for adults than kids. I just loved the motto of the penguins.

Alberta

Alberta by Tania Cox, illustrated by Janine Dawson (Working Title Press)

RRP PB $14.99

ISBN 9781921504037

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Who can’t help but love Alberta? Nothing she does is small. From snowballs to fish, everything is big, especially her personality. So when her parents tell her that she soon will be a big sister, she is very excited. She waits, impatiently…. only to be quite disappointed when the eggs arrive. They are not big…they are not even large…. they are… little.

When Alberta is left in charge of the eggs, she soon discovers that being a BIG sister is a very important job. ‘Yipppeeeeeee!’ she cheers knowing the eggs are safe after tricking a hungry egg thief.  

When the eggs do hatch, Alberta can’t help but notice that the babies are rather, well, little.

So very, very little that Alberta suddenly felt like a very, very BIG sister!

Her heart skipped two tiny beats.

Then Alberta opened her flippers wide…

and hugged her little sisters...in a very Alberta way.

With delicate and soft pen and ink and watercolour illustrations this lovely story is a great way for parents to introduce a child into the idea of having a baby brother or sister.

Eddie Pipper

Eddie Pipper by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Emma Stuart (New Frontier Publishing)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN – 9781921928215

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Soon to turn nine, Eddie Pipper hopes to get a pet penguin for his birthday. The fact it’s an unrealistic aim in terms of species doesn’t matter. See, in the past, Eddie forgot to latch the mouse cage (they escaped) and to feed the goldfish (they died), so Mum said no more pets. Still, the penguin obsessed dreamer hopes that if he proves to Mum and Dad that he’s responsible he’ll get a penguin.

At story opening, readers see Eddie’s creativity with his obsession. Not only is he making a penguin out of paper mache, he dressed up his little sister as one. Sadly, he forgot that he left her in the blow up pool with ice in the water. And he used paper from Dad’s study to paper mache with. Paper containing plans for an origami competition Dad was entering. Origami is Dad’s obsession. Like father, like son. But this helps Dad understand Eddie a little better.

As a fan of Brian’s work I was pleased to see the writing bore her signature humour. I laughed out loud, not only in regard to Eddie’s action but also that of others. Like when Mum finds he placed his sister in a pool of ice and forgot her, she points out the evidence like so, ‘Fridge door. Open. You?’ Eddie nodded. Why did his mum talk like she was texting him? He was right in front of her.

While it may at first seem that Eddie is simply forgetful, the story unfolds to show how his obsession overtakes and consumes his thoughts to the exclusion of practical things like remembering his school bus money or his swimmers and towel the day of the swim certificate test. Readers who have longed for something special not quite within reach will empathise and cheer dear Eddie on.

When he arrives home late for his birthday party, Mum is pleased to learn it’s not because he forgot about it but because he stopped to help an abandoned dog. This results in Eddie winding up with a pet. Not the one he hoped for but one he’ll have much fun with.

Colourful illustrations within each of the nine chapters break up the well-spaced text, making it most appealing to readers finding their feet in the world of chapter books. High quality paper used in production of this Little Rockets series, for readers aged 7+, will prove excellent for very likely repeated library borrowing.

Fluff and Billy do everything together

Fluff and Billy do everything together by Nicola Killen (Egmont)

PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 978-140525425-0
Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang
www.thestoryline.com.au

Fluff and Billy are best friends. The two penguins do everything together. When Fluff climbs up, so does Billy, when Fluff slides down so does Billy, they have a great time playing, yelling and copying each other. When Billy hits Fluff with a snowball Fluff is hurt and not impressed and their friendship takes a turn for the worse. Thankfully their playful attitude overcomes any problems and the friendship resumes.

Bright blue, a lot of white and yellow are used liberally throughout this book. The graphics are entertaining and easy on the eye. The layout of text and the placement of graphics is fun. It adds another level of enjoyment for young readers.

This is a heart-warming story. The text includes a high level of repetition, which young readers to actively engage. The graphics compliment the story and allow independent interaction with the story. My three year old enjoys reading this book with me as she understands the pattern of the text and can say her lines with ease. It is already a bedtime favourite in our household.