Fiction delights

Oh it has been quite a few weeks between posts with trips attending conferences and right now putting the finishing touches to a booklet of techers' notes for the 2010 CBC shortlist for e:lit (the face of the Primary English Teaching Association) but never fear -- a heap of books have been read and will start appearing this week.
In the meanimte I wanted to add three titles that had completely slipped by last year. They are great fiction reads and of coruse are shortlisted.

The Whisperer Fiona McIntosh (Angus&Robertson)
This is a terrific fantasy novel, a triumph of good over evil, by an author more recognised for her fantasy titles for adults.
Griff has exceptional powers ... he can hear people's thoughts without them knowing. The greedy circus owner, for whom he works, wants to put Griff's powers to use - for his profit of course! Griff's friend Tess and her magical creatures also work in the circus and so this menagerie escape. But Griff continues to hear the voice as they flee. Meanwhile Lute, the Crown Prince of the realm of Destonia is under attack from his evil Uncle - who wants his throne and will stop at nothing to obtain it - even if it means killing his nephew. When Lute and Griff meet, secrets are revealed and their lives are changed forever as Tess's plan for survivial is enacted. There are also magical creatures, mysterious foces and amazing heroes within these pages.

Matty Forever Elizabeth Fensham (UQP)
This is a delightful story of friendship, families, jealously, betrayal and trust. It is a lovely read.
Bill and Matty are neighbours who share secrets that only best friends do. Bill misses his dad and is having trouble at his new school (he has moved a few times recently) but Matty and her family makes life easier for both Bill and his mum. Matty and Bill form a special club with just two members.
When a new girl arrives at the school, who lives a very different lifestyle to that of Matty and Bill, secrets are betrayed and trusts broken and the friendship is tested when Bill starts spending more time with Isabelle and it is up to Bill to sort this one out!

Darius Bell And The Glitter Pool Odo Hirsch (Allen&Unwin)
Another absolutely delightful work of optimism, frienship, family and hope from this wonderful storyteller.
For generations Darius' family has given a gift to the town every 25 years. Now it is the turn of Darius's father. But the Bell family do not have a gift of immense value to give to the rather obnoxious local council and so will loose their property and be shamed. But Darius has other ideas. He is determined to save the family honour. When an earthquake reveals a cavern that is exquisite to behold on the family property Darius begins the process, facing many obstacles, of making this the most delighful gift that the town has ever recievid.
But has Darius found the answer to the family problems?


Lots of new titles will start appearing here later this week.

Margaret Wild Picture Book Treats

Margaret Wild is the wonderful creator of the most gorgeous picture book texts and here are three of her latest.

Hush, Hush! Margaret Wild & Bridget Strevens-Marzo (Little Hare)
In this gorgeous sequel to the hugely popular Kiss Kiss! it is the end of the day and a restless Baby Hippo is having trouble falling asleep so off he walks and as he wanders he hears those words 'Hush, Hush' as other mother animals hush their babies to sleep. Soon baby hippo begins to yawn and he knows what to do ... he retraces his steps until he gets back to his mother (seeing sleeping animals along the way) and soon snuggles up to sleep.
Gentle soothing rhythmic text will make this a bedtime favourite.

Kiss Kiss! (My Little Library) Margaret Wild & Bridget Strevens-Marzo (Little Hare)
First published in 2003 this is a new edition of this hugely popular book in the My Little Library collection of books. It is just delightful and if you missed it in its first version then jump on in and grab this one for the home library.
Baby hippo wakes one morning and is in such a hurry to ge tout and play that he forgets to give his mum a kiss. as he wanders baby hippo hears other baby animals giving their mothers a 'kiss kiss'. Suddenly he stops and remembers what he has forgotten to do so baby hippo retraces his steps until he gets back to mum and ... well we all know what happens!

No More Kisses Margaret Wild & Nina Rycroft (Little Hare)
This lovely repetitive text with terrific soft illustrations will have toddlers and their parents playing with the sound words in this book.
The three animals are in the garden playing Baby runs away after lots and lots of kissing with the other two animals in hot pursuit first up the steps where they go trip trap, trip trap and then down a slide where they go whooshy-whoo, and more until they end up under the old oak tree were baby finally stops and it is Baby's turn to start smothering the others in kisses!

Enjoy these fantastic Picture Book treats by Australia's best Picture book creator.

More Picture Book Treats for Youngsters

Enjoy these delights for babies and toddlers.

Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House Libby Gleeson & Freya Blackwood (Little Hare)

Clancy and his family have moved to a lovely house but to Clancy this house is just way too big. Clancy remembers the beauty of his old familiar house. When outside he discovers the pile of moving boxes and starts playing with them. A voice from Millie, his new neighbour, is heard and soon the two are playing with the boxes, creating towers to the sky and trains all over the garden. Then together they build houses, just like the three little pigs until they build the best house that is a very fine dwelling that Clancy loves.
This book about friendship, change, moving house and belonging from this award-winning team is just delightful. Lovingly written and gorgeous illustrations.

Ivy Loves to Give Freya Blackwood (Little Hare)
Beautiful illustrations make this a very special book about giving.
Ivy loves to give and she gives lovingly. Sometimes the gifts she gives are not quite right, although they are always given with love. They might be too big, or too small - slippers to a snail, glasses to a dog, tea to a chicken. But sometimes Ivy gives gifts that are just right - the right fitting glasses to grandma, or slippers to father, or the perfect cup of tea.
This is a book that is a celebration of giving and receiving!

Count My Kisses, Little One Ruthie May & Tamsin Ainslie (Little Hare)
A sweet new counting book with simple rhyming text for babies and toddlers that is of course filled with kisses.
A young girl and her toys, with the dog being the baby, and numbers and love hearts for kisses are in this small book which is great for small hands.
One kiss for baby on baby’s nose.
Two kisses for baby tickling toes.
This will be just right as the last book before bedtime - along with the kisses for baby!

More coming soon ...

Picture Book Treats for the Young

These picture books are just delighful for sharing with young readers.

Itsy-Bitsy Babies Margaret Wild & Jan Ormerod (Little Hare)

This is just beautiful and perfect to share with a baby or youngster. I love the baby pictures and the simple verse.

Mums and dads everywhere will be doing the itsy-bitsy baby ...
playing peek-a-boo,
twiddling toes,
wrinkling up noses,
playing all fall down,
looking through legs and a whole lot more.

Two Bad Teddies Kilmeny Niland (Little Hare)

Two Bad Teddies is oh so good. I just love the illustrations of the teddies ... and those facial expressions show how bad they really are! This is such a delight and so very lovely.

Gruffy and Tilly are Mollie-Sue's teddies (from the delightful book Two Tough Teddies) and they do everything together but one day a new toy arrives - Bendy Bill and he even squeaks. When Bendy Bill becomes the centre of attention the two teddies soon find things to dislike about Bendy Bill and they show it too. But when Gruffy falls out the window it is Bendy Bill that stretches his arms to do the rescue and teh three become friends.

A beautiful book about jealousy, friendship and sharing.

The Flying Orchestra Clare McFadden (UQP)

Have you ever heard music on windy days? If you have then it must be the flying orchestra playing those melodies.

The Flying Orchestra's repertoire includes
a violin solo for someone missing their train,
a symphony at the airport for a traveller coming home,
even a concerto when someone stay awake all night thinking!
Music is all around us ... we just have to stop and listen.
This is a lovely tale with deligthful illustrations - listen to it as well with some delighful music!

More picture book treats soon.

Great Fiction Reads for Independent Readers

I have just finished reading three great fiction titles for independent readers, each are special in their own way and all great reads.

Send Simon Savage Stephen Measday (Little Hare)
Simon arrives home from school to be confronted first by police and then federal agents (they wear dark suits Ray-Ban sunglasses). His dad is missing, drowned under mysterious circumstances ... and soon pronounced dead. The agents immediately start searching Simon's father's home office for research papers and his computer because Simon's father was working on a top-secret government project. They leave, but not before scanning the family with a forensic scanning device. And within months Simon and his family have moved from Australia and are in England and Simon has been enrolled at a very special school. Simon has become an agent for the very secretive Time Bureau ... agents, temponauts, who travel through time! But as well as travelling through time on mission for the Tim Bureau Simon also has a mission to find out about his father's disappearance!
Fantastic, riveting read. Where will Simon go next?

Chess Nuts Julia Lawrinson (Puffin)
A wonderful read about friendship, sports, chess (of course) and
Anna loves chess - in fact she is a chess nut and captain of her schools chess team. She loves chess. Jackson is the schools star athlete, racing for the title of the Outstanding athlete of the year for the school. Anna detests the physical sports and the sporting people, so admired by the school population. So when Jackson, joins the schools chess club and shows that he is also an excellent chess player (as well as a sporting jock) Anna has to confront her sporting issues (and learn to do some running too) and Jackson has to make some very serious decisions.
It's great to see a title where chess is the star school sport!


Willy Waggle-Dagger: By the Picking of My Nose Martin Chatterton & Gregory Rogers (Little Hare)
Wearing a fake beard to see the latest production of hugely famous Black Skulls, we meet young illy Shakespeare wearing a big false ginger beard (because he is in disguise as only grown-ups are allowed inside the theatre). Soon Willy is hiding beneath the Queen's petticoats. but when the beard starts tickling the queen - chaos begins and Willy is on the run. The Queen's guards are chasings him. His own father is chasing him! Where will Willy hide .. with the Black Skulls of course!
There are giggles and laughter by the bucket loads with this book - which is not quite Shakespeare as we know it although there are plenty of links to the great bard and his works!
Hilarious fun, lovely reading and terrific illustrations.

More Treats

The Tomorrow Book Jackie French & Sue de Gennaro (Angus&Robertson)
This is a book for today about the environment, about change and very timely - how important BOOKS and LIBRARIES are!
A young prince has been left in charge of the kingdom by his parents who are off travelling in their royal campervan. Using the resources of the palace library (a must for every palace) the prince sets about improving real life which, as it turns out, is nothing like he imagined!

When the local kids visit informing the prince that water is sparse the Prince access the library and suggests water collection, when they ask for better ways to get around he suggests solar or helium to fly!... and heaps more. As well as the great text the pictures, with their own reusing message, and wonderful.

This book is also printed on recyclable paper from sustainable plantation forest. All in all just brilliant.

Mum And Me Anne White (Lothian)

What is so good about mothers? Well this charming book written in rhyming verse shares all those special delights between a mother and daughter that include wearing favourite clothes, painting nail polish on toes, wishing and laughing and playing hide and seek, and making yummy food.

With Mother's day just around the corner this book is a timely addition to the library.


Many more gorgeous picture books shortly.

Picture Book Treats

Heaps of Picture books have arrived so here we being with a few ....

The Littlest Pirate and the Hammerheads Sherryl Clark & Tom Jellett (Puffin)

The latest instalment in the Littlest Pirate is just terrific.
This time Captain Hammerhead is to blame for the ill state of Nicholas' family, and for the stolen treasure, so with barely a crew, Nicolas sails in hot pursuit of the much bigger and deadlier Captain hammerhead. Of course Nicholas might be the littlest pirate but he is very, very clever and it is amazing what he can create with the sparse food in the galley to deter sharks, and how he can protect himself with his special garlic repellent used in the water.
Pirate lovers all over will enjoy this adventure.

All Together Now Phil Cummings & Cassandra Allen (Scholastic)
Dad is organising the family holiday. Things are pretty desperate but they head off for Wallaby Creek to camp and sing songs and to enjoy - even the cat and dog are in the truck too ... they check the map and camp under the gums. And as you read this if it all feels like tie me kangaroo down ... well you might just be right because this time it is:
Throw your bags on the truck, kids, Throw your bags on the truck.
Stop your running amuck, kids, And throw your bags on the truck.

Can I Cuddle the Moon Kerry Brown & Lisa Stewart (Scholastic)
A fluffy baby owl is looking for something to cuddle including the moon, a shining star, the sun, a butterfly and even a snake (and many more unusual things). Each time baby owl considers what to cuddle advice is offered from the mother-owl nearby until eventually baby owl realises that the cuddle is there right under baby owl's nose.