the divided heart

by Rachel Power

red dog books. Adult Non-fiction, Australian. Paperback rrp $29.99

In the divided heart, journalist Rachel Powers explores the co-existing demands of art and motherhood. Is it possible for a woman to juggle both successfully? How does one affect the other? In her search for answers, Powers has interviewed twenty-five women prominent in literature, drama, dance, music, photography and fine art.

No reiteration of the content of this book would do it justice. Only the words of the women found in its pages can do that. So I am going to quote a few of my favourite lines.

“I wanted a family as much as I wanted to be an artist.” Sarah Tomasetti (painter)

“I always thought it (family life) would mean the death of the creative self. In fact I’ve found the opposite: it’s a springboard.” Claire Bowditch (musician)

“I felt a kind of resentment about being a mother and not being able to do my work… It was very hard, because my identity was so wrapped up in being creative that I sort of lost myself.” Beth Norling (artist)

“Art balances children for me. They both give my life meaning… I have always been both mother and artist.” Sally Rippin (children’s author and illustrator)

But perhaps my favourite quote, which best summarises the content, comes from the author’s introduction:

“A line of text now seamless was once broken, interrupted, hastily scribbled onto the back of an envelope before the lights turned green; a baby was fed backstage between scenes; a stroke of paint was applied with the telephone in the other hand; a song composed in the blue light of dawn before the family awoke.”

Maternal instinct and the creative urge are both very strong and rarely synchronised. the divided heart is a testament to the often difficult journey through motherhood by some amazing and talented women. It also provokes a number of questions about the different experience of family men and women in the arts.

This book cannot fail to inspire.

The Wish Pony

by Catherine Bateson

Random House (Woolshed Press). Junior Fiction, Australian. Paperback rrp $15.95

The Wish Pony is a treasure. The book I mean, although fittingly, the little glass pony is as well. This is a story which immediately goes to the heart of those things that trouble middle primary schoolers – best friends, school, fitting in, parents and in Ruby’s case, the pending birth of a baby brother she doesn’t even want.

Life is changing and Ruby doesn’t like it. Her parents have no time for her at the moment as her pregnant mother is often sick and eventually hospitalised. School is full of problems too and for the first time ever, Ruby is labelled troublesome and difficult. After Ruby tries to copy her best friend Sarah’s maths, Sarah abandons Ruby for the new girl at school. Ruby feels it’s all so unfair. After all, none of it is her fault.

Then Ruby meets Magda, the eccentric old neighbour who is asked to look after Ruby whenever her mother is in hospital. Magda opens Ruby’s eyes and shows her how to take responsibility instead of trying to blame everyone else. She gives Ruby a small glass pony. A Wish Pony.

Ruby makes a terrible wish. Then her baby brother is born premature and there’s a strong chance he won’t survive. Now things are going very wrong and it might truly be her fault. But something magical happens. Is it the pony or something Ruby finds within when she stops feeling sorry for herself and starts to put others first.

Catherine Bateson has won the Children’s Book Council Book of the Year for Junior Readers twice. And this book is another example why. She is a wonderful writer who tells equally wonderful stories perfectly pitched to her audience. Recommended for children 8 – 12 years and in particular, girls.

http://www.catherine-bateson.com/

Dog and the Bird See the Moon

by Tohby Riddle

Puffin Baby. Picture, Australian. Soft Cardboard rrp $12.95

Dog and Bird See the Moon has 11 pages of text and is particularly suited to young children. The book can initially be read to the child and then, when they start recognising words, they can read the single sentences on each page independently. So who better to review this than a 3 year old?

I read my reviewer the story and he enthusiastically pointed out the key story elements in the pictures. The Dog shows the Bird the moon… but where has it gone? Will it come back?

The pictures are simple but effective and the story is about something that fascinates every three year old – the moon.

When asked my reviewer what part of the story he liked the best he said “the moon” and pointed to it. He then pointed to the dog and said “Dewey” (his name for all dogs). And as for the final recommendation – ever since our reading, he takes Dog and Bird see the moon to bed with him every night!

www.tohby.com

Penalty

by Mal Peet


Walker Books. Young Adult. Paperback rrp $16.95

Kidnap, murder, dark tribal magic and a soccer game. Penalty by Carnegie Medal winning author Mal Peet is a superb piece of storytelling.

While it is not a sequel to his multi award-winning novel Keeper, it reprises the character of Paul Faustino, South America’s top sports journalist. Faustino is on holiday in San Juan when the teenage star of the Deportivo Football Club, amazingly misses a simple penalty and walks from the field – to disappear. El Brujhito, ‘the little magician’ is famous for his magic on the soccer field but how has he managed to evaporate into thin air?

Throughout the real-time narrative, Peet interweaves a history of slavery, dark religion and the deep spiritual power of the ‘pai’ or tribal priest. In this second strand of story, a young slave, Paracleto, opens his heart to the great ancestor Maco and a return to the old ways. Decades later this history casts its shadow across the soccer fields of San Juan.

The La Nacion newspaper already has a local journalist, Max Salez, covering the El Brujhito disappearance and Faustino, although intrigued, is initially loathe to become involved. However, when Salez is murdered, Faustino has no choice.

He begins to ask questions and finds a local guide, Edson Bakula, particularly helpful. A dangerous world of corruption, murder and the occult powers of the pai slowly unfold. Rico (El Bruhjito) is being held hostage and Faustino is forced to accompany a rescue group which includes Bakula and Rico’s sister.

When Rico is found they easily overcome the two men guarding him. Yet stronger constraints are still in place. Rico believes the pai has separated his spirit from his body and he cannot leave until the curse is lifted.

What is the real penalty and who has paid it? What is faith and how much do we need? Penalty raises thought provoking questions without interrupting the flow of a suspenseful and exciting story. This is a great book and Peet is capable of his own magic – beautiful language, sinister subplots, wonderful images of South America and action galore. Something to suit everyone. Readers from 14 to infinity will enjoy Penalty.

Blood Brothers

by Peter Corris

Hachette Livre (Lothian). Young Adult, Australian. Paperback rrp $17.95

Peter Corris, often referred to as ‘the godfather of Australian crime writing’ is internationally respected for his best-selling Cliff Hardy crime novels. Blood Brothers is his first book for young adults.

Blood Brothers is an entertaining and easy read. It’s a story of broken friendship and what to do next. Should Bart move on or go back and try to fix things with Jack? At 188 pages, it’s not a long book. The story moves quickly and the front cover artwork is striking. All these elements add up an excellent choice for young teenage boys (12 +) who are not avid readers and need to be prompted (or ‘arm twisted’!) to read the first few pages. By page three, they’ll want to continue on.

Bart Fletcher and Jack Chandra were best friends. Inseparable at school, around the neighbourhood and in the surf. But one day, on the football field, everything suddenly changed. Jack broke Bart’s leg on purpose. Bart is sure of it but has no idea why.

Jack’s life rapidly spirals out of control. He skips school and his behaviour turns violent and aggressive. He won’t even talk to Bart and when Bart persists, they end up throwing punches at each other. All Bart knows is Jack’s newfound anger has something to do with Bart’s father. A man Bart doesn’t even know. When he asks his mother, she eventually admits Aaron Bartholemew wasn’t interested in his unborn child and was in gaol when Bart was born.

The friendship with Jack is not the only part of Bart’s life undergoing change. He is spending more time with Kylie, his first girlfriend. She is pretty and smart, and teaches him about feelings and emotions. He’s starting to think a lot about sex. On top of all that, his mother has a new relationship too – and this time it looks serious.

Despite his other worries, Bart isn’t going to let go of Jack’s friendship easily. Kylie tells him ‘When friendships and relationships break up it creates waves. Lots of people get affected’. He decides to find his father, for himself and to sort out the problem with Jack. Then they can get back to surfing the real waves together.