Edward's Magic Paintbox by Sue Robinson and Helen Leach

Another interesting tale from Sue Robinson who grew up in the Blue Mountains. This beautifully illustrated book by award winning artist Helen Leach not only deals with bushfires but the rebirth of nature after the devastation. Edward can't believe no-one is making a fuss of him on his seventh birthday. Why all the rushing around and why are they going to Grandma's when he could be celebrating his birthday with his friends at school? His initial disappointment is quickly abated after he receives a special set of water colours which Edward immediately puts to good use. Everyone is intrigued by the painting, could it really be magical?

1. Edward at work

Rosie and Mack Head Outback: an Adventure in the Kimberley by Celia Shelmerdine

What a fantastic book for children to learn more about the Kimberley region, its geographical marvels and its fascinating flora and fauna. Rosie and Mack who have visited big cities around the world such as New York, Rome, Paris and London decide to explore their own country more and head off to the far north of Western Australia. They land at a terminal where there are bulls grazing on the airstrip and they are warmly greeted by Jackaroo Jim who has all sorts of activities planned to fill up their days. From the aboriginal rock art to the starts in the skies, as children accompany Rosie and Mack they will emerge from this book with a greater awareness and understanding of this beautiful part of Australia. The end papers show a map of El Questro Satation and Wilderness park and there is a detailed glossary at the back explaining the many aboriginal words in this text.

Boris the Riverbank Artist by Bruce and Anne Riddell

Boris the Riverbank Artist was first published in 1986 and is like a comic and a picture book in one. Boris is a hare and enjoys a pretty good life on the riverbank really, a very comfortable home, good friends and a hobby he loves, painting. He doesn't earn a lot despite his paintings being in demand so sets out to find his fame and fortune in the city. Despite his optimism and his immaculate personal presentation  things don't go so well. Then he meets Garth from "Almost Originals" company and the work comes flooding in...but is this what Boris really wants?

Author Bruce Riddell  was born in Cape Town South Africa, in 1944. He studied graphic design at St Martin's School of Art in London. He has worked as a book designer and art editor, an art teacher and lectured  in graphic design at the University of New South Wales and the Sydney College of Arts.  In 1982 he was appointed Head of Department of Graphic Design at Canberra College of Technical and Further Education. He also wrote a book, Art in the Making, for secondary students which was published in 1982. 

Coauthor, Anne Riddell was born in Glasgow in Scotland in 1941. She trained as a speech therapist and practised in both Scotland and Barbados before changing careers to become an editorial assistant. When the family moved to Sydney in 1979 she became a publications editor in a New South Wales government department. She also worked as a journalist with the Australian Public Service in Canberra.

First Light by Gary Crew & Peter Gouldthorpe

First Light by Gary Crew, is a great book to explore with middle or upper primary students and deals with a father/son relationship. The main character who is referred to only as "the boy" until the second last page of the story, is quiet and shy and enjoys constructing model planes in the privacy of his bedroom. The reader is given the impression that he does not normally spend much time with his father and he is often harshly judged by him. One morning before the first light of the day, his father takes him on a special fishing trip, maybe as an attempt to break the distance and silence which has grown up between them. His father obviously means well but is off-hand and gruff towards his son. It is only after a scary experience that the reader senses a change in the father's attitude. It is a subtle tale, poetically written and beautifully illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe showing  evocative scenes from above and below the waterline.

To learn more about this well-known Australian author click on the link below:
http://www.thelitcentre.org.au/author/gary-crew

Looking Out For Sampson by Libby Hathorn and Ann James

Looking after a younger sibling can be loads of fun but sometimes downright frustrating. This story follows the highs and lows of  Bronwyn who is increasingly put in charge of caring for her younger brother Sampson. To complicate matters, a family friend is staying with the family, and her daughter, Cherlyl,  is nothing short of obnoxious and likes nothing better than to criticize Bronwyn and put down her family and their way of life.

"I mean it does look a bit funny a big man like that in a tiny little apron. It's great that he wants to do the cooking but  must say its very unusual about the apron" 

She's the character you love to hate. Then one day they all go for a beach outing and once again Cheryl does her best to dominate the family's attention and steal the limelight. Bronywn feels hard done by and then... Sampson suddenly disappears.

This book is a great bridging book from picture books to novels written for the 7-12 age range. Each double page of text is accompanied by an illustration underscoring the Australian way of life. This is a welcome addition to The Little Library of Rescued Books and I know there are some students in the class who could really relate to this very Australian story. 

The Magic Hat by Mem Fox

True to Mem Fox style, quirky and with repeated rhymes designed to get your child to read, this picture book is the full package. It is a funny, dynamic read-aloud book which both entertains and allows for prediction from page to page. The illustrations by Tricia Tusa brings to life both the magic and the unpredictable nature of the marauding hat which flies into town out of the blue. It adorns a toad, a baboon, a kangaroo, a bear and then suddenly its wizardly owner appears...This book is now part of my grandson Archie's collection.

Robber Girl by Margaret Wild & Donna Rawlins

This book by Margaret Wild is probably best suited to upper primary students due to the language which is heavily influenced by traditional literature and its themes of physical and emotional isolation. That's not to say that the book isn't accessibe to, or couldn't be enjoyed and unpacked by a younger audience; depends on their experience with literature I guess. The illustrations by Donna Rawlins place Wild’s tale in the deep and unrelenting winter of a pre-industrial Europe with Wild drawing on many familiar motifs from this time, notably the feral child, the stolen child and groups of three in terms of animals and events. The main character "the robber girl" yearns for human companionship, yet finally understands that a person cannot really enjoy or justify keeping what is not rightfully theirs. The story centres around a young girl who ekes out an existence in an untamed forest which is harsh and unforgiving during the long winter months. Her closets companions are a wise old bear, a wolf and an owl. Despite their protective and nuturing ways, she feels overwhelmed by lonliness during the dark wintery months and when a farmer's son, Josiah, strays far from the house one day, the "robber girl" is compelled to do what she does... 

"Robber girl" with her companions, old bear, fox and owl

Pup by John Heffernan

This novel is an engaging follow-up to the books Chip and  Spud by the same author, and focuses on the life of Pup, another one of Farmer Morton's abused dogs. It follows the friendship of a young boy called Jack with the young kelpie whom he rescues from his cruel master. On the advice of one of his father's friends, Jack sets out to train Pup to a professional level in the rounding up of sheep. Jack doesn't enjoy school is currently struggling with reading, and is the brunt of ongoing jokes and verbal abuse at his school. Pup bring a new joy to his life and slowly things start to improve with his studies. Morton whose wife has left him along with his daughter, has spiralled further into the ugly tunnel of alcohol abuse and he is determined that Pup be returned to him. He is reckless in his pursuit of all he has lost. It is a hard book to put down and very suitable to an upper primary audience.

Eric by Shaun Tan

How excited was I when I found this little gem! I have a large collection of Tan's works and was not aware of this existence of this littler number. Turns out that this is a mini gift edition of one of the most loved stories from the multi-award-winning, internationally lauded masterpiece Tales from Outer Suburbia. Despite the fact that in general we tend to think of book with fewer words are reserved for children, this is really a book for all ages.

Some years ago we had a foreign exchange student come to live with us. We found it difficult to pronounce his name correctly, but he didn't mind.

Thus begins the story of the very amiable  "Eric," the name he chose for himself to make life easier for others. Eric chooses to live on a shelf in the pantry rather than in the freshly decorated room the family had provided for him.  Tan showcases Eric's interest in the smaller and less obvious things in the world; those things we often neglect to notice. His illustrations are what make this book so memorable as they are unique and whimsical, with the final illustration which makes you go tingly inside. It is a beautiful and fitting conclusion which makes everything else in the books suddenly very meaningful.

The Figures of Julian Ashcroft by Gary Crew and Hans De Haas

Another obscure and dark publication from Gary Crew first published in 1996 which deals with youth and the supernatural. Fans of Crew, especially The Tower, and Caleb,  will not be disappointed. On his home one day, solitary student, Julian, from a somewhat impoverished family (by Western standards!)  finds a figure which is pretty much a replica of himself. Some months later, whilst on his way to play footy, he purchases another figure exactly the same from a toy shop. However,  upon arriving home and eager to place it alongside the existing figure, he is astonished to find his treasure strangely missing! The story then, suddenly jumps forwards in time when Julian is considering going to university or getting a job. His parents offer him the departing gift of a figure. Yes, you guessed it, the same one he had fielded twice before. What could possibly be going on?  Some years later...he encounters an old woman with claw-like hands offering a curious figure which could contain clues to his future. To find the eternal truth Julian must run "the length of a nightmare."  This is a very unusual picture book which will leave the majority of upper primary readers baffled.  But then again, that is exactly what Crew's books are all about. Enjoy.

Spud by John Heffernan

Spud, a blue heeler, is born into city life in the times when owning a blue heeler was all the rage. However, she soon finds herself in the pound after her antics become too much for the family. Fortunately, one day an old farmer sees an advertisement in the paper and gives her a new lease of life as a cattle dog on his property where she enjoys the company of his other dogs Pup and Chester. Then, due to sad circumstances, Spud's fortune changes again and he finds himself with a new master, a cruel man with no real interest in her welfare. His down-trodden wife and young daughter do their best to protect Spud from the vicious outbursts of the man, but  it is not long before she is roaming the surrounding country fending for herself.  Parts of this book could be confronting for a young reader, as it deals with the realities of country life. Nevertheless it is a pacy read with never a dull moment. If you enjoy novels about dogs, this one will not disappoint. 

The one and only illustration in the novel

John Heffernan has a great website which is worth a visit at:
http://www.spudplus.com/wp/
There are two other books in this series: Chips and Pup.

Mister Eternity by Maggie Hamilton

Mister Eternity by Maggie Hamilton is basically a crime book for children set in Kings Cross, Sydney. Sebastian and Josie find themselves enmeshed in mysterious events after their elderly friend, Lil, is bashed nearly to death and her home set on fire.The teenagers had been visiting her only hours before having their futures read in tea leaves. Now, they are on a quest to find out what really happened to their friend and to discover what it is people seem to be after in her apartment. An elderly gentlemen appears in Sebastian's life scribing the word "eternity"on the sidewalk outside his apartment building, and Sebastian instinctively knows that this man is part of the puzzle. Sebastian has problems of his own at home, like his mother he misses his dad and his brother Scotty who were killed in a trucking accident and now his mother is thinking of selling up and moving out of Kings Cross. Sebastian is devastated at the thought of leaving his beloved neighbourhood and dreads the idea of having to move in with his cold and authoritarian grandmother. Then, suddenly, Razor, an old friend is found murdered and the two friends know they must act quickly to save Lil who has mysteriously been moved from the hospital to an aged-care facility  called Greystaines in the outer suburbs

According to the author, Maggie Hamilton, Mister Eternity was inspired by the life of Arthur Stace, a reformed alcoholic. She has dedicated her final chapter of the book to him Further information can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Stace

Mrs Bottle Burps by Robyn Archer and Victoria Roberts

This wacky book puts a whole new spin on Jerusalem artichokes, especially the parboiled, pan-fried variety. You see, Mrs Bottle Burps keeps a garden of the more exotic fruits and vegetables such as, pawpaws, mangoes, custard apples and fresh limes, asparagus and Jerusalem artichokes; the other more mundane ones, she prefers to buy from the fruit and veg shop. She loves to cook, she loves to party and, she loves a dash of brandy now and then. Now, one evening after eating an exquisite dinner she prepared complete with Jerusalem artichokes, she finds herself wanting to burp, but quite unable to do so. The following day her friends rally around and it is decided that garlic might be the necessary cure-all. What happens after that is simple ludicrous.

The illustrations by Victoria Roberts are really out there, detailed and colourful they add to the eccentricity of the characters and to the overall bizarre nature of this book. Roberts is also well-known for her cartoons which have appeared in the Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Cleo and other papers and magazines.  She is also a serious artist. Her website is worth a visit:
http://victoriaroberts.net/

There is also a song about this extraordinary lady put out by author, Robyn Archer, who is also a singer, an actress, a musician and a composer.
http://www.last.fm/music/Robyn+Archer/Mrs+Bottle's+(Absolutely+Blurtingly+Beautiful+World-Beating)+Burp

Wild and Woolly by Nan Hunt & Noela Hills

Wild and Woolly by Nan Hunt is a very off-beat little book about Mr Martin, who just can't get to sleep. His wife suggest he try the age old solution of counting sheep. Instead of nodding off to sleep Mr Martin begins the arduous task of buying sheep from an auction, rounding them up and generally coping with the workload a big flock brings. He is getting anything but a good night's sleep. "He almost went to sleep pondering the problem but he was a persistent man so he stayed awake." All of the  illustrations by Noela Hills are double page spreads and are very striking and detailed. This hardback edition is signed by Nan Hunt and Noela Hills as well as other Australian authors who were at the launching of this book in 1983. It is a beautiful addition to the Little Library of Rescued Books.

First at Last and Other Stories by Julia McClelland

First at Last and Other Stories by Julia McClelland is an Australian gem published in 1990. The stories are all about Zachariah whom we meet in the first story. He is not happy with his name or the teasing he receives from other students because of his name, but thanks to the ingenuity of his teacher, Miss Trams, the tables are turned. There are four other stories in the book which focus on Zacharia's family life and his close friends, Rebecca and Macca, and his newly acquired dog, Wombat. The stories are entitled: The Pet Party, Sun Sand and Sea, Big Brother, and, Away in a Manger. The stories are amusing and this book would have broad appeal to primary school students in general. The book has both ink sketches and full-colour plates sprinkled throughout with the illustrations by Ann James reflecting the light-hearted nature of the book.  The book was short-listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia.

The Great Wungle Bungle Aerial Expedition by Jill Arkell, Wayne Talbot and Greg McKee

A great swirling willy willy carries Wendi Wallaby off into the Australian outback skies and thus begins the Wallopa Wallaby's quest to track her down. He enlists the aid of Ranger Bugwatch and together with the talents of Snuffle and Trundle Echidna, Bluey, Bindie and Scribble the Kola Brothers, Wentworth Pelican, Felicity Flossy Fleece the flying doctor, and Ulinga, an indigenous boy, they build a pedal-powered flying machine from recycled materials. This is the first on many  inventions they make in their quest to travel the skies in search of Wendi. There is the giant boomerang, the 18 footer sky boat, an airship, a satellite but all have their own limitations. The detailed and humorous illustrations by Greg McKee and Wayne Talbot are awe inspiring and will keep children poring over them for hours. McKee is a man of many talents with a background in industrial design, zoology, illustration and animation. To read more about him and the illustrations in this book follow the link below; it is well worth your visit..

http://www.mckeewildthings.com/Illustrations.htm

The Bunyip Cage by Jill Eggleton

The Bunyip Cage by Jill Eggleton, first published in 1993, is all about  three little aussie children who have their sights set on catching a bunyip down at the local billabong so they can take it to the zoo.  They build  a wooden cage and imagine how it is all going to work out. However things don't pan out as they expected. They do indeed catch an animal but it is a far cry from the mythical bunyip of their imaginations.. The cover really doesn't do justice to the beautiful illustrations by Jeff Fowler enclosed within the book. The first page in the book would have made a striking cover. I just love the Kellogs Cornflakes box which sits on the table in the second illustration of the book. Product placement maybe?

Illustration from The Bunyip Cage by Jeff Fowler

Illustration from The Bunyip Cage by Jeff Fowler

Australian Verse For the Young by Bindi-Bindi and Lynne Wilson

Poetry at its best,  the book Australian Verse for the Young, written by Bindi-Bindi and beautifully illustrated by Gympie artist Lynne Wilson, offers a fresh and engaging look at some of our Australian animals and landscapes through its verse. Rhyming couplets are a big feature. There are poems about a crocodile and a snake, a bilby, a dolphin, a cassowary and many other well-known Australian animals.. The settings for these poems are typically Australian, the iconic sandy white beach, the Australian Bush and  the outback. There is also a celebration of the Aussie barbecue and one of our great national parks, Kakadu. The book has a handy contents page and also an informative glossary at the back which gives an excellent summary of each of the animals making an appearance in the book. This book is a welcome addition to the poetry bookshelf in our classroom. Finally, a message from the author Bindi-Bindi:

We hope you'll enjoy this book of verse,

Some poems are wordy. others quite terse,

But our fauna is there for you to enjoy,

So come and meet them - don't be coy.

And whenever you open this picture book,

And at each of these creatures, you take a look,

Make them your friends, and you will find,

That animals, like people, will respond if you're kind.

Arno the Garbo by Gary Crew & Craig Smith

Arno the Garbo by Gary Crew and Craig Smith is an off-beat book about a boy who basically, smells like and looks like garbage. You see Arno lives smack bang in the middle of a tip and this of course makes him the target of many jokes at school where he is known as Rat Head, Stink Bum, and Arno the Garbo. Academically, his performance is dismal and he has no friends. In fact his only consolation in life is his ability to make amazing inventions out of garbage. One day he decides to build a mechanical boy in his own image; the replica turns out to be smart, heroic and popular with the girls, and best off all minus the junkyard pong. This is certainly not in my top five favourite Gary Crew books, nevertheless the quirky illustrations by Craig Smith are up to his usual standard with many jokes to be had from the illustrations.

The Magic of Verse with poetry selected by Carol Odell

The School Bus Breaks Down is one of my favourites in this compilation of Australian poetry called The Magic of Verse.  I remember learning this poem for an Eisteddfod when I attended Ulverstone Central Primary School...and since I caught the bust to school for half of my school life, it holds a special place in my heart. The chance of missing even one lesson as a result of a bus breakdown was an extremely exciting prospect. This book also contains poetry by C.J. Dennis, Mary Gilmore, L. Porter, Judith Wright, Lydia Pender and Pixie O' Harris.  And of course, no compilation  Australian poetry could possibly be complete or considered seriously without at least one entry from A. B. Patterson. The illustrations by one of Australia's most respected and admired illustrators, Noela Young, are  welcome additions to the poems.