Buzz Words: photography

Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts

Friday, 2 December 2016

My Donkey Benjamin

My Donkey Benjamin by Hans Limmer and Lennart Osbeck (Scribble) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN 9781925321234

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Originally published in the late 1960s and currently in its 42^nd edition, this is a new English tradition of a modernist picture book classic. Illustrated throughout with clear black and white photographs, My Donkey Benjamin is told from the point of view of blonde-haired Susanne whom everyone calls Susi. Benjamin, who Susi calls Ben, is small like her, a baby donkey found by the girl and her father alone among rocks on Rhodes, near the Mediterranean Sea. Angelika, Susi’s baby sister, squeals with delight when toddler Susi and her dad bring home the donkey.

The book’s photos show the interior of Susi’s house with its white-washed walls and pebble floor where Ben seems to be allowed to have free reign. Susie lies across Ben, washes his face from a tub, ties white bandages on his head, and romps through the house. When the two are outdoors, the reader can see the dozens of Mediterranean houses and the sea beyond. At night Susi and Ben fall asleep in a makeshift bed – indoors, of course.

One day, Ben disappears, and of course Susi goes in search of him, and then the two are lost. Of course the book ends happily, both greeted at home by Mum and Dad.

This is a beautiful and engaging picture book sure to be enjoyed by small children being read to by their mum or dad.

Thursday, 1 December 2016

My Pig Pauline

My Pig Pauline by Hans Limmer and David Crossley (Scribble) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN 978192532121241

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Author Hans Limmer was born in 1926 but in 1960 he emigrated with his family to Greece where he lived on the island of Rhodes where this hardback picture book is set. The story is of Angelika who lives on Rhodes with her parents and sister Susi (who owns Benjamin the donkey, another charming tale by Limmer). A blonde-haired toddler, Angelika loves roaming the Mediterranean island with her favourite doll, Hippi. When she adopts a piglet named Paulina she finds in a small sack near the road, the two have lots of fun together. We see Paulina’s small pen, the pig rolling in mud (Angelika muddy, too), and Angelika on a trike, pulling Paulina along in a cardboard box. The little girl also dresses her pig in striped underpants.

Illustrated by president of the Houston Centre for Photography, David Crossley, there are numerous engaging photos such as the small girl and her pig friend are nose to snout, the two are racing through a field of flowers and chubby-faced Angelika lifting Paulina up from the cobblestones.

However, when a farmer wants to take Paulina away, Angelika knows she has to save her best friend. Equipping herself with supplies, she sets off with her pig to run away where they can’t be found. On the way to who knows where, the two meet a cow and a straggly-coated goat before arriving at some woods. Deeper in the woods Angelika finds a small cave. Of course little girls can’t be lost forever…

Like its companion classic bestseller book, My Donkey Benjamin, this is a picture book with compelling, naturalist photographs, sure to entertain and amuse children aged 5 to 7 years.

Friday, 28 November 2014

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.

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves

The Story of Silk: From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves by Richard Sobol (Walker Books)
HB RRP $ 29.95
ISBN 978-0-7636-4165-8
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This is another book from the highly interesting and successful Travelling Photographer series. There is so much to say about this book that only to own/read it will do justice to the information contained throughout.

The book initially weaves the legend of how silk was first discovered on a mulberry tree full of cocoons. It talks about the history of the Silk Road, and how the many tales written in the Travels of Marco Polo informed Europeans about this wonderful cloth. It refers also to the origins of silk which was exclusively made in China and kept a secret for two thousand years.

During the dry season after the rice harvest, Thai farmers occupy themselves with silk worms, which aren’t really worms, but the caterpillar or larva of a silk moth. Its scientific name is Bombyx mori. To ensure that the worms have enough food to eat, the farmers grow mulberry trees for that specific purpose.

Through the lens and photographs of Richard Sobol, we enter the life cycle of the silkworm, and the regiment of silkworm farming of the people of North Eastern Thailand. We learn how after twenty-eight days of continuous eating, the silkworm is now a fully grown pupa. After spinning its cocoon through the pupa phase, the cocoons are boiled to release the silk strands of fibre that are woven together. Before they are boiled they every cocoon must be washed. Children, who are the main workers for the ‘poop patrol’, wash every single cocoon, because their fingers are small and fast for this essential and most important task.

The Story of Silk presents the detailed process which extends to the tools used, how the thread is removed from the boiling pot, what the spinning wheels are made of and what becomes of the boiled cocoons after releasing the thread. We follow the weaving process and the hand-tying patterns, where the threads are tie-dyed using pigments harvested from native roots, tree bark or herbs.

There are maps on both end pages highlighting the farming areas. The photos show up-close all the procedures from beginning to end. This book will impress readers of all ages.

Friday, 2 September 2011

Melbourne Via the Pages of Grumpy Wombat

Today is a first for Buzz Words Books, the debut visit by a 'blog tourer' and it is the wonderfully talented Tania McCartney. Tania is currently on her Grumpy Wombat for her new book Riley and the Grumpy Wombat where the intrepid friends visit my hometown of Melbourne.

Come with Tania, Riley and, of course, the Grumpy Wombat as they give you a sneak look at Melbourne.

What better way to enjoy the beauty of Melbourne and surrounds than via the pages of a children’s book? In Riley and the Grumpy Wombat, lead character Riley is on the hunt for a very grumpy wombat – and during his search, this adventurous little aviator and his team tour the spectacular sights on offer, from Federation Square to the Great Ocean Road.

Even if you’re already a Melbourne aficionado (and there are many), this insight into the places Riley visits during his journey are fascinating to learn. Enjoy the tour!

Bourke Street Mall is located right in the heart of Melbourne city and is traversed by trams. Bourke Street is named after Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor of New South Wales (1837). The city centre is laid out in a block-like fashion which is called the Hoddle Grid. In Grumpy Wombat, you may see more than a tram or two – you may just see a certain illustrator!

Federation Square was built to commemorate 100 years of Federation in Australia (1901-2001). Two large office towers had to be torn down to make way for the Square which is now a centre for multimedia including a cinema, function centre, restaurants, cafés, street theatre and music. The sandstone used in construction was mined and quarried from the Kimberley Region in Western Australia.

Flinders Street Station is located at the southern end of the city centre, right next to the Yarra River. Every day, over 110,000 people and 1,500 trains pass through the station. People wanting to meet near Flinders Street Station often say “I’ll meet you under the clocks.” The Station is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The Southbank area is so named because it runs along the south bank of the Yarra River, right in Melbourne city. The area is an entertainment hub for Melburnians with shops, cafés, restaurants, a riverside food court, and also features the Crown Casino and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Tall columns line the river along Southbank, intermittently spurting fire.

St Kilda Beach used to be a seaside resort and is now one of Melbourne’s most famous beaches. It is fringed by palm trees, and fairy penguins are sometimes seen on the beach. The Melbourne Marathon passes through St Kilda and its beach is used for State and International volley ball tournaments.

Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens are one of the world’s most famous gardens and cover 36 hectares, right near the centre of the city. The gardens were originally built on marshland and swamp. In 1877, Australia’s first prime minister, Sir Edmund Barton, was married in the gardens (to Jane Ross). The gardens now host over 10,000 floral species. The 300-year-old ‘Separation Tree’ can be found in the gardens. It’s a River Red Gum.

Lygon Street in the inner city suburb of Carlton is one of Melbourne’s most famous restaurant, café and shopping strips. The street is particularly famous for Italian restaurants and cafés, and hosts the annual Lygon Street Festa, one of Australia’s largest street festivals. Toto’s Pizza House was Australia’s very first pizzeria, and the FIFA World Cup and Ferrari Festival are celebrated in this famed street.

The Dandenong Ranges were formed more than 300 million years ago by a major volcanic eruption near the town of Olinda. When white man arrived in Australia, the ranges were inhabited by the Wurundjeri tribe who called the area Corrhanwarrabul, meaning a desirable place where birds sing, kangaroos jump and lyrebirds perform. Indigenous plants, ash forests and fern gullies thrive in the rich volcanic soil of the Dandenong Ranges.

Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps north of Melbourne stands 1861 m high and has the highest natural snowfall of any other resort in Victoria. The first ski run was developed by 1900 and there are now a number of resorts available to skiers.

Situated at Ballarat, north of Melbourne, Sovereign Hill is an outdoor museum which showcases one of Australia’s most historical events – the Gold Rush. People from all over the world flocked to Victoria to find their fortune when gold was discovered in the area in 1851. Sovereign Hill museum attracts over 750,000 visitors a year. Visitors can explore the area indoors, outdoors, above ground and even below ground.

The Great Ocean Road lies west of Melbourne and is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. One of its major attractions is The Twelve Apostles – massive limestone stack formations that were once named The Sow and Piglets but were renamed in 1922 for tourism purposes. The road stretches for 243 kms and was actually built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932. The rate of erosion at the base of the limestone pillars is approximately 2 cm per year.

Phillip Island is located 140 kms south-east of Melbourne and was named after the first governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip. The island is visited by 3.5 million people every year, who come to see a nightly beach parade of the Fairy Penguin or Little Penguin. Fur seals also frequent Phillip Island, and settle on Seal Rock, forming the largest colony in the Southern Hemisphere.

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: A journey around Melbourne is published by Ford Street Publishing, A $22.95 hard cover

Tania McCartney is an author, editor, publisher and founder of well-respected children’s literature site, Kids Book Review. She is an experienced speaker, magazine and web writer, photographer and marshmallow gobbler. She is the author of the popular Riley the Little Aviator series of travelogue picture books, and is both published and self-published in children’s fiction and adult non-fiction. Tania lives in Canberra with a husband, two kidlets and a mountain of books.

www.taniamccartney.com

www.kids-bookreview.com

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat Blog Tour

Thursday 1 September

Blog Tour Announcement: Tania McCartney Blogspot

Blog Tour Schedule: Kids Book Review

Book Review and Give away: Bug in a Book

Publishing v Self-Publishing: Claire Saxby’s Let’s Have Words blog

Friday 2 September

Author Guest Post and Book Review: Read Plus

Hosting a Fabulous Book Launch: Sheryl Gwyther 4 Kids blog

Melbourne Via the Pages of Grumpy Wombat: Buzz Words’ Book blog