About Face

Words by Robert Moore, Pictures by Monkeystack

IP Kidz. Australian, Children, Picture. Hardcover RRP $26.00

About Face is a funny, quirky and definitely colourful story of a boy who has a dream that his facial features leave his face and roam the house.

                “My eyes jumped out of their sockets.
                My nose fell on the floor.
                My ears unscrewed themselves.
                Then my lips slid off my mouth.
                And opened the door.”

The adventures of six appendages (two eyes, two ears, a nose and lips) making pies, listening to music and sneaking about the house will delight children. The wonderful 3D graphics will mesmerise the reader and I was just waiting for the eyes to blink.

A wonderful and different story that is soon be turned into an animation film. Now that will be one to keep your eyes and ears posted out for…

http://www.moorethemerriest.com/
http://www.monkeystack.com.au/

I Love You Book

by Libby Hathorn, illustrated by Heath McKenzie

IP Kidz. Australian, Picture, Children’s. Hardcover RRP$26.00

A wonderful romp along with Libby Hathorn’s words and Heath McKenzie’s funny and colourful drawings, I Love You Book tells the story of a young girl and the books she meets.

‘The pictures that you show me,
The stories that you tell.’

‘Yes, book you are my friend,
And though you take me far away,
You always, always, always, book,
You bring me home again!’

This is a book that children will enjoy reading, because it is just that… a book about reading and the stories that you discover along the way. For any child that doesn’t like to read, this may just be the right book to get them started. For others, it is a gentle reminder of why we love to read.

http://www.libbyhathorn.com/
http://www.heathmck.com/

The Sky Dreamer

by Anne Morgan, illustrated by Celine Eimann

IP Kidz. Australian, Picture Book. Hardcover RRP $26.00

Reviewed by Sandy Fussell

Liam is struggling to come to terms with the death of his sister, Cassie. On the day before his birthday, late at night, he sees Cassie sailing a boat through the sky, ‘The Sky Dreamer’. While Cassie sews a birthday present, Liam must learn to sail the sky by himself – a touching metaphor for facing life without her.

When Cassie leaves, and Liam wakes in bed, he has his special birthday gift to help him feel warm and safe.

The Sky Dreamer is a story written to help children cope with grief.

Dr Anne Morgan writes heartfelt words from her own experience and Celine Eimann’s soft pastel images add a sense of comfort.

http://www.annemorgan.com.au/
http://www.celineeimann.com/

Christina’s Matilda

by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Elizabeth Botté

IP Kidz. Australian, History, Children, Picture. Hardcover RRP $26.00

Everyone knows (or should know) who wrote the words to Waltzing Matilda – Banjo Paterson. But who wrote the music?

Christina’s Matilda is the story of Christina Macpherson, a woman born to a wealthy family in Victoria in 1864. Her story is interesting, not only in relation to the famous song but her family were the last people to be held to ransom by Mad Dog Morgan.

When Christina’s mother died, she moved up to Queensland to be with her brothers and father on their large property, Dagworth. In the early 1900’s Christina met up with an old school friend, Sarah Riley who was engaged to Banjo Paterson. They spent many evenings entertaining with songs and poetry and readings.

Over the course of one such evening Christina played a tune by ear that she had heard at a race and Banjo started to write the words. The two spent the evening collaborating and ended up with the first verse of Waltzing Matilda.

But Christina was not recognised as the original composer when the publisher organised for another woman, Mary Cowan, to create a tune to go to the words. It wasn’t until 1983 that Christina Macpherson was acknowledged for her part in the history of the song.

This is a fascinating story where the use of historical photographs brings the story of the swagman to life. Australia has a wonderful and colourful history and Christina’s Matilda is a great book to read, to look at, and to learn from.

The Reading Stack reviewed Elizabeth Botté’s The Giggle Gum Tree in August 2009.

http://www.edelwignell.com.au/
http://www.coroflot.com/minium