Tatiara

Written and Illustrated by Jo Oliver

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture Book. Hardcover RRP $24.95

This book tells the story of a friendship between a young girl and an injured seal she names Tatiara.

The girl wears a back brace and is unable to swim in the ocean. She watches Tatiara, who has come to the quiet waters of the bay to heal. The healing ocean reaches out to include the girl, through her relationship with Tatiara. When her brace is removed, the girl can finally swim in the bay with the seal.

Extensive use of blue and brown brings to life the quiet water of the bay, the waves the whales ride and the sepia tinge of history.

Tatiana is set around the Tathra Wharf, an area I know well. The words and illustrations evoke a wonderfully accurate sense of place. This is a safe haven:

 The wharf shelters from the Great Southern Ocean in the crook of the bay’s arm.

The text also contains a gentle conservation message about whaling, once common in the area:

It’s been forty years since they were hunted here. There were only one hundred left before they were protected.

A truly beautiful book.

Lily’s Wish

by Barbara Pyett and Illustrated by Serena Geddes

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Children’s Picture. Soft cover RRP $9.95

Lily writes to Santa asking for just one Christmas wish. Santa writes back to Lily with suggestions for her wish. The correspondence continues until Christmas Eve when Santa pays Lily a visit to grant her wish.

Lily’s Wish is primarily a book for young children but it is also a book grandparents all over the world will love to be given from their grandchildren for Christmas.

A beautiful story with captivating yet simple watercolour illustrations that will become a favourite in many families.

Serena Geddes - http://www.reeni.com.au/

Nancy Bentley

The First Australian Female Sailor

by Tracey Hawkins and illustrated by Jacqui Grantford

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Junior, Historical. Hardcover RRP $24.95

Nancy Bentley lived in Port Arthur, Tasmania in 1920. While playing around the harbour she was bitten by a snake. There were no hospitals or doctors nearby but luckily the HMAS Sydney was moored in the bay. The problems began the moment Nancy set foot on the ship. In those days, no woman was allowed on board a naval vessel. The Captain was at a dilemma. How could Nancy stay on board under the care of the ships surgeon? A unique solution was found. At six years of age Nancy Bentley was enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy.

Children will delight in reading this wonderful story that tells a small but interesting part of Australia’s history. With original photographs and scans of Nancy’s entrance and discharge papers, Nancy Bentley is an excellent Australian history book to have on school shelves.

The Reading Stack reviewed Tracey Hawkins Martha’s Journey in April 2009 and Jacqui Grantford’s Molly’sMemory Jar in March 2010.

Samuel’s Kisses

by Karen Collum, illustrated by Serena Geddes

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture. Hardcover RRP $24.95

Reviewed by Barbara Brown

Here is a beautiful book to give to a child, a parent, a grandparent or anyone who needs a kiss!

Samuel loves going shopping with his mother and on this particular day Samuel encounters lots of people – in the post office, the supermarket, the bank. When Samuel smiles at the people that are cranky, tired, impatient or have things on their mind, these people don’t smile back.

Samuel’s solution to help these people – as only a toddler can – is to send them a kiss. What happens next is a wonderful thing.

The simple art of sending a kiss can brighten up anyone’s day. In Samuel’s Kisses Collum and Geddes bring this feeling to us all through the wonderful words and simple but beautiful illustrations. Geddes has captured the expressions on each and every face perfectly. It has brightened my day.

http://www.karencollum.com.au/
http://www.reeni.com.au/

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

by Tom Skinner, illustrated by Annie White, Audio CD read by Antonia Kidman

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Children. Hardback with CD RRP $27.95

Music Box Series is an excellent way to introduce young children to classical music and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the third book of this series.

Rizwan is a young apprentice at the Wizard Car and Camel Wash. Rizwan is like most children – looking for an easier way out, and when he starts to cast his own magic on the mayor’s camels and long car, you just know it isn’t going to

end well for him.

The story is a funny tale that has some lessons gently embedded in it. The narration will help young readers follow the words with Paul Abraham Dukas’ music playing in the background – perfect for car travel. The tension rises as the magic and Rizwan’s mistakes reach a crescendo. The illustrations by Annie White tie the story together into a wonderful package. Readers and listeners will want to repeat the experience. Fantastic!

The Reading Stack reviewed Flight of the Bumblebee in March 2009 and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in August 2009.

The Great Expedition

Written and Illustrated by Peter Carnavas

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture book. Hardback RRP $24.95

Guest Reviewer - Jo Burnell

When illustrations partner with text to multiply viewpoints and reveal hidden meaning, a winner is born. The Great Expedition is one such winner.

The trials of Burke and Wills are mirrored in the modern day by two smaller heroes. Robert and Will head off with their brave and resourceful team under strict instructions as to their mission. Alas, things go wrong. Even the toughest fall by the way side. Thirst and harsh conditions threaten the expedition’s success.

Will anyone survive? This tale of friendship, resilience and courage is irresistible. Parallels with the historical expedition of Burke and Wills are poignant. I wonder if you’ll guess where these tiny travellers are trudging.

Don’t peek or you’ll spoil the surprise. The Great Expedition is a delight to explore, whether you are 3, 4, 104 or any age in between.

The Reading Stack reviewed Peter Carnavas' Sarah's Heavy Heart in June 2009.

http://petercarnavas.com/

Samantha Seagull’s Sandals

by Gordon Winch, illustrated by Tony Oliver

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Children’s Picture book. Soft Cover RRP $14.95, Hardcover RRP $24.95

Samantha is a seagull who wants to be different.

‘Why am I the same as all the other young gulls? she asked.’

She feels that she needs to be different even though Simon, her friend, thinks she is beautiful and is already special. But Samantha still tries very hard to change and the only way to change is to try different human shoes.

Samantha ends up in all sorts of trouble with her high heels, her gum boots, her slippers and her sandals. And every time Simon is there to help her out.

Samantha Seagull’s Sandals is a story that will delight children and teach them some interesting facts about seagulls. Tony Oliver’s quirky but true to life illustrations add a sense of fun to this wonderful story.

This book is a special 25th Anniversary edition of continuous publication.

http://www.gordonwinch.com.au/

I Spy Mum!

by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Chantal Stewart

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture Book. Hardcover rrp $24.95

On the first page is a young boy in a sailor’s suit atop a boat’s mast with a telescope to his eye searching the seas for his mum.

'I spy with my little eye mums all starting with m.
But can I find the one who’s mine?’

From baking mum to dabble-drawing mum, slip-slap-sliding mum to ding-a-linging mum, there are lots of mums for this boy to see. Is one of these mums the right one for him?

Children, both boys and girls, will love the characters and they may even spot their own mother in the wonderful illustrations by Stewart. As a mother I searched for myself in a few of the mums and found that my son did the same – from the colour of their hair, to even a pattern on their clothes.

A delightful book for young children to investigate and read, cuddled together with their mums..

Brian and Stewart’s I Spy Dad! was reviewed by The Reading Stack in October 2009.

http://www.janeenbrian.com/

Molly’s Memory Jar

by Norma Spaulding. Illustrated by Jacqui Grantford

New Frontier Publishing. Picture Book, Australian. Hardback rrp $24.95

Molly’s golden retriever, Lucy, has died and Molly is sad. Molly’s father suggests that she creates a special memory jar for Lucy.

Molly uses different coloured marbles for the different memories of Lucy. Soon the Memory Jar is full of colours and Molly has something special to remember Lucy by.

Jacqui Grantford’s pictures are magical. As Molly thinks of a colour, the pages light up with the same colour. Gradually the impressive black and white illustrations burst forth with vibrant colours.

Molly’s Memory Jar is a beautiful story of a child coping with loss. A very special book.

http://www.jacquigrantford.com/

Delilah’s Dream

by Ian Trevaskis and illustrated by Janine Dawson

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Junior. Hardback rrp $24.95

Delilah is a young hen with dreams - of flying in outer space, soaring over the farmyard, and soaring among the stars. When she told her sisters, Priscilla and Esmeralda, they laughed at her.

But Delilah never gave up her dreams.

Then, one evening, a sinister shadow slunk in through the fence. Delilah knew she had to do something. But what?

How could one young hen overcome such a powerful and frightening threat?

Delilah’s Dream is a story of imagination and beliefs. It shows that through perseverance you can follow your dreams and instincts to lead a long and happy life.

http://www.iantrevaskis.com.au/
http://www.janinedawson.com.au/

I Spy Dad

by Janeen Brian. Illustrated by Chantal Stewart

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture book. Hardcover rrp $24.95

Some books are wonderful fun and I Spy Dad is definitely one of those. The little girl has a paper telescope to her eye looking for her Dad but she finds all sorts of fathers.

I can see a splashing dad, a crashing dad, a dashing dad,
A rowing dad, a mowing dad and a snip-snap sewing dad.
But none of them belong to me.

So many dads to choose from but eventually the little girl finds the one that is just right.

There’s my dad who loves me so.
He’s the one for me.

The words rollick across the page in glorious read-aloud rhythm. Newly independent readers will excitedly barrel along. The illustrations are full of humour whether dad is falling backwards while pulling out weeds or creeping along with the crawling toddlers. I love the way Stewart draws young faces – so full of fun and mischief. Dad looks mischievous too!

This book is a celebration of fatherhood. The perfect gift from a young son or daughter.

http://www.janeenbrian.com/

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

by Sue Whiting. Illustrated by Sarah Davis


New Frontier Publishing. Picture book, Australian. Hardback rrp $27.95.

I was immediately entranced by the cover’s lifelike fairy whose mischievous eyes dared me to open the book. Maybe there was magic inside.

Candymakers Mary and Marcus struggle to meet the greedy king’s ever increasing demand for their sugar plum lollies. When he gets an awful stomach ache from overeating, he expects them to cure it too. Fortunately they have the fairy’s help.

The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is a clever combination of classic fairytale storytelling and rich passages full of movement and sound. Young readers will delight in the bubble, slap, slap, thump, swish, swoosh, bang of the candy making process.

There is plenty to giggle about as well. Marcus worries about being ‘strung upside down in the market square so pigeons can poop on us’ and the king is drawn with a ridiculous long nose, perfect for sniffing out tasty treats.

The illustrations are gorgeous. Not normally a word I use but perfect to describe Sarah Davis’ sugar plum fairyland. Davis has been shortlisted for the 2009 CBCA Crichton Award given to an outstanding new illustration talent.

Words and pictures mesh to provide a rich sensory experience but there is also a third dimension. The book is part of a unique concept series introducing young children to classical music and is accompanied by a CD of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite ballet (which contains The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) with Antonia Kidman narrating the story.

This book would make an excellent gift – appreciated by readers (and listeners) young and old. And yes, there is magic inside.

Sarah’s Heavy Heart

by Peter Carnavas

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture, Young Reader. Hardback rrp $24.95

Sarah’s heart was hers to carry but it was so large and heavy. She found that all her everyday activities, such as getting on the bus, having a bath, and playing at school were hard because of her heavy heart.

Then one day Sarah sees a boy floating by with a heart that isn’t heavy enough. Could this boy help Sarah with her problem? And could she help him?

Sarah’s Heavy Heart is a beautifully illustrated story that will touch the hearts of many. One which will take away the heaviness for others. A special book about friendship and love.

Carnavas’ Jessica’s Box has been shortlisted for the 2009 Crichton Award for new illustration talent and was a CBCA Notable Book in the Early Childhood section. It was reviewed in The Reading Stack issue 7.

Zen Tails – The Know It All

by Peter Whitfield. Illustrated by Nancy Bevington

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Young Reader, Junior. Hardcover rrp $19.95

Zen Tails is a series of books that are classic philosophical stories that have been adapted for children. There is a moral in each book (the “Tail”) and an original Zen tale (the “Zen”).

The Know It All is the story of a group of friends who are being shown how to do different things, such as building a dam, swimming underwater and diving. But Furball, the cat, doesn’t want to learn so he tells his friends that he already knows how to do it all. Furball soon learns a very valuable lesson!

The Know It All is a beautifully illustrated book that could be left on the coffee table as well as on the book shelf. It may be aimed at children but I’m sure there are many adults who could read it and take heed of the advice given!

http://www.zentails.com.au/

Martha's Journey

by Tracey Hawkins

New Frontier Publishing. Junior Fiction, Australian. Paperback rrp $14.95

Martha Winstanley was only 12 years old when, in 1880, she was sent away from her home in St Helens, England to live with an Aunt in Australia. Someone she had never even met. Martha’s father felt there were more opportunities for a better life in Australia and forced his young daughter to leave her mother and loving extended family behind to travel the long sea voyage alone.

This is a true story as author Tracey Hawkins is Martha’s great-great-granddaughter. Inspired by the gift of a family heirloom, Martha’s original sea-chest, Tracey began the family tree research which ultimately led to the book, Martha’s Journey.

And what a fascinating journey it is. She makes new friends – Owens the sailor who always looks out for her, Mrs Wilby, who was once the cake baking opponent of her grandmother at the local fair and Sarah, a girl her age traveling with her mother. She survives homesickness, seasickness and the shipboard Matron.

In the beginning, Martha is unsure and afraid. As the voyage progresses her natural problem solving ability and compassionate nature sees her develop into a confident and capable girl. She is still fearful of what lies ahead when the ship reaches shore, but she is ready for what the journey’s end will bring.

I am not an avid reader of Australian history, fiction or non-fiction. Nor did I expect a story about a long sea trip to hold my attention. I was wonderfully surprised. This is a raw emotional piece of storytelling. The reader cannot help but experience every pitch of the boat and every step Martha takes. I cried in the middle of the coffee shop and I had to explain why I was laughing on the schoolyard steps. Martha is a character as large as the ocean she sails on.

Martha’s Journey is carefully researched, rich with authentic detail about the traveling conditions, day to day domestic tasks and social customs of the times. It’s an excellent way to learn Australian history. Put down the text book and read this!

I hope there is a sequel. I want to know how Martha faired on the streets of early Sydney. There are hints the Aunt has a possible mental illness so I am sure there are more trials and challenges ahead. Recommended for reading for enjoyment or as an Australian History resource.

http://www.traceyhawkinsauthor.com/

FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE

by Hazel Edwards. Illustrated by Mini Goss.
CD Narrated by Antonia Kidman

New Frontier Publishing. Australian, Picture. Hardback with CD rrp $27.95

This new series from New Frontier Publishing, The Music Box Series, is an excellent way to introduce young children to classical music. Flight of the Bumblebee is the first book in the series and is written by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by Mini Goss.

Bumble is a clumsy bee who can’t fly properly. He can’t even target a flower to get the nectar. With the help of a kind Drone, Bumble soon discovers that if he uses music as his flight plan and flies in tune, he can visit the flowers instead of bumbling past them altogether.

Edwards has written an entertaining and humorous story that keeps excellent time with the music. It’s not hard to picture Bumble buzzing and zipping around, missing the flowers. Especially when the background music is Rimsky Korsakov’s famous Flight of the Bumblebee.

The beautiful and zany illustrations, combined with the musical backdrop, will have young readers dancing and buzzing around the room.

This is a very clever concept that will become popular amongst little bees and blossoming music buffs everywhere.

www.hazeledwards.com