Some thought-provoking Australian novels for children have appeared recently. Standouts include New Boy by Nick Earls (Puffin), Run, Pip, Run by J.C. Jones (Allen & Unwin), Dropping In by Geoff Havel (Fremantle Press), Birrung the Secret Friend by Children’s Laureate, Jackie French (Angus & Robertson) and Plenty by Ananda Braxton-Smith (Black Dog Books, Walker Books). […]
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By: [email protected],
on 7/15/2015
Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Jackie French, plenty, Nick Earls, Ananda Braxton-Smith, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Joy Lawn, dropping in, australian children's novels, Birrung the secret friend, J.C. Jones, New Boy, Run Pip Run, the real facts of life, geoff havel, Add a tag
By: Sally Murphy,
on 1/25/2009
Blog: Scribblings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: aussiereviews, australia day, geoff Havel, australian books, Add a tag
By: Sally Murphy,
on 8/20/2007
Blog: Pemberthy's Ponderings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture books, children's book week, geoff havel, Add a tag
By: Ginger*:)*,
on 3/26/2007
Blog: Picture Bookies Showcase (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children, dog, Easter eggs, basket, happiness, Add a tag
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By: [email protected],
on 7/15/2015
Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Jackie French, plenty, Nick Earls, Ananda Braxton-Smith, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Joy Lawn, dropping in, australian children's novels, Birrung the secret friend, J.C. Jones, New Boy, Run Pip Run, the real facts of life, geoff havel, Add a tag
By: Sally Murphy,
on 1/25/2009
Blog: Scribblings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: aussiereviews, australia day, geoff Havel, australian books, Add a tag
Not strictly related to writing for children, but as a proud Aussie I'd like to wish all readers a wonderful Australia Day. I am off to to the Corrigin Australia day breakfast this morning, then to the pool this afternoon.Enjoy the day!And, to make this post book related, I'm asking a big Aussie question. What is your favourite Australian children's book?To me, this one of the hardest questions
24 Comments on Happy Australia Day and a Big Question, last added: 1/28/2009
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By: Sally Murphy,
on 8/20/2007
Blog: Pemberthy's Ponderings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture books, children's book week, geoff havel, Add a tag
It’s the third day of my toy room story time, in honour of Children’s Book Week. I wondered if the novelty might wear off for my toy room friends – but they seem to be enjoying it. I asked my friend Sally for a story suggestion, and she lent me one of her favourites. It’s called Ca-a-r Ca-a-a-a-r, and it’s by a West Aussie called Geoff Havel, with illustrations by Peter Kendall. Sally said she loves it so much because it always brings a smile to her face.
Well, the toy room has never heard so much laughter. The little toys giggled and giggled, and Robbie Robot nearly blew a gasket eh was beeping and boinging so hard. I had to read it three times because they loved it so much – and on the third reading they all joined in. Then, when story time was over, you could hear little cries of ‘roof roof’ or ‘screech’ from around the toy room as different toys re-enacted their favourite bits.
What fun! I hope you are enjoying Book Week as much as we are here in the toy room.
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By: Ginger*:)*,
on 3/26/2007
Blog: Picture Bookies Showcase (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children, dog, Easter eggs, basket, happiness, Add a tag
Possum Magic. Well, that's my choice today. Seems like lately each new Australian book I read is my current favourite.
I have that problem, too, Bookchook.And I love Possum magic, too. I especially love Julie Vivas' illustrations - she is a wodnerful illustrator.
One Hungry Spider, Jeannie Baker. It was a favourite with my children, but it also showed me that a counting book could be much more than just numbers.
Ooh - yes I loved that one, too. So many to choose from!
My nearly 8-year old still loves The Magic Hat by Mem Fox. My favorite, however, is Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French.
Excluding books I love for personal reasons, "Polymer", by Sally Rogers-Davidson is a brilliant book that ties in first place with "Witchbank", by Catherine Jinks and the "Chain of Charms" series by Kate Forsyth. They are all wonderfully individual takes on done-to-death genres (though not, admittedly, done to death... or even often ... in Australia. Polymer is space opera with a gloriously
Tricia - I read magic Hat about a gazillion times to my kids, and we all love Diary of a Wombat, too. Great chocies.Sally O, these all sound intriguing, though I must admit I haven't read them i do love Catherine Jinks' work - but Witchbank is one I haven't read. Must keep an eye out for all of tehse recommendations.Thanks for sharing ladies.
My choice would be Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. I love all of Fox's work, but especially this one! It always makes me cry and I use it in my classroom every year to write about memories.
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay...an Aussie friend sent me a copy and I was completely entranced. I someday hope to be a member of the Honorable Society of Puddin' Owners
I am very ashamed to say that the only Australian book I have ever read is The Arrival by Shaun Tan. :o( The Arrival knocked me off my feet, but I know I need to read more Australian children's/YA books! Any recommendations for which titles I should start with?Happy Australia Day! :o)
I really like John Marsden's Tomorrow series. I have yet to read the Ellie Chronicles, but I'm sure I'll like those, too.
I loved the possibilites of Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park, the switch between historical and fantasy really excites me. So that was a favourite for me as a writer on the early stages of her craft.
THE RED TREE by Shaun Tan.
Samantha Seagull's Sandals by Gordon Winch with its lovely message about being different. The pic book was in print for 23 years and is to be re-published in 2010. Yay!Kay
I love The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay too; and Ruth Park's Playine Beatie Bow. I also have to add Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy!
My very favorite Australian book is Pigs Might Fly by Emily Rodda. It is wonderful! Such an incredibly well written middle-grade fantasy.
I think Garth Nix is the only Australian author I've read anything by, and I like the Abhorsen trilogy best of his books (so far). Diary of a Wombat is on my list of books to read, though.
And for picture books, I *love* the Red Tree by Shaun Tan.
I agree that Abhorsen is the best of Nix's books (the ones I've read, anyway). And Cheryly, anything by EMily Rodda is worthr eading - I should have mentioend her, so thanks for remidning me. I was fortuante enough to interview EMily for Reading Time magazine last eyar.Also LOVE Shaun Tan. A genius and a nice guy too.
We lived in Australia for a number of years, fortunately when the children were young and were able to enjoy the rich Australian heritage of children's books. Among those that they enjoyed were the Tashi stories and the Minton stories by Fienberg, The Tram to Bondi Beach by Hathorn, Okra and Acacia also by Hathorn, Harry and the Anzac Poppy by Lockyer, Possum Magic by Mem Fox, Shy the Platypus
I have to put in a good word for The Terrible Underpants as well as Wanda-Linda Goes Berserk. Both by Kaz Cooke. They're just so funny they're guaranteed to get both me and my kids giggling.
Wow, Charles that's quite a list - and a wodnerful blend of classics and more recent offerings. Your chidlren were certainly given a smorgasbord of quality Australian literature to read.And Lizann, I had forgotten Kaz Cooke. not sure how I could - her 'adult' books are also evry funny.
L love Bobbie Dazzler by Margaret Wild and Janine Dawson. It's a picture book that's got the lot - a great story, marvellous illustrations, Australiana, humour and heart.(Sorry for the late post - I'm just getting over the Oz Day BBQ lunch!)
Thanks for dropping in, Julia. i like Bobbie Dazzler too - and love the title, because when I was a kdi I had a pair of Bobbie Dazzler socks (stripey kneehighs) which I adored.