When our little ones begin to show a curiosity for the world around them, this may include exploring nature; its particular features, elements of growth and change, as well as discovering their own individual attributes and the differences in one another. Understanding and appreciating these fascinating aspects can be facilitated through gentle and nurturing guidance, […]
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Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: margaret wild, Wendy Binks, Scholastic Press, New Book Releases, bond, affection, Working Title Press, Anna Pignataro, Scholastic Australia, P. Crumble, Karen Blair, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, How I Love You, Our Baby, Romi Sharp, Deborah Mailman, Hush Little Possum, Our Love Grows, love, child, mother, Add a tag
Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: illustrator, children's picture books, margaret wild, Ben Wood, New Book Releases, Windy Hollow Books, Karen Collum, Scholastic Australia, Omnibus Books, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, The Bush Book Club, Romi Sharp, Carol Ann Martin, Small and Big, Underneath a Cow, Add a tag
Contrasting colour palettes, use of mixed media, energetic and always adorable themes pop from the pictures in all three of these books. But there are differences, too. In my opinion, illustrator Ben Wood knows just how to adjust his tone perfectly to suit the nature of each story. The Bush Book Club, Margaret Wild […]
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JacketFlap tags: Book News, Fox, Walker Books, Children's Book Council of Australia, margaret wild, New Book Releases, Judith Rossell, Little Hare Books, Harry and Hopper, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Ritva Voutila, The Treasure Box, The Stone Lion, Romi Sharp, Bogtrotter, Davy and the Duckling, Lucy Goosey, Picture Book of the Year Awards, The Very Best of Friends, Add a tag
Margaret Wild is a much-loved, award-winning author with over 70 titles to her name, having great success with acclaimed books including Fox, The Very Best of Friends, Harry and Hopper, Lucy Goosey, Davy and the Duckling, and The Treasure Box. Her books extend to a wide range of themes, and are characteristically known for their […]
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JacketFlap tags: I don't wan't to go to school, Julia Donalson, Kate Miller-Heike, Kate Mulvany, lally katz, Sieb Postuma, The Scarecrows' Wedding, The Snail and the Whale, The Very Lonely Firefly, Tiddler, Where is Rusty?, Book News, school, theatre, shaun tan, The Gruffalo, Eric Carle, Gecko Press, Jane Godwin, First Day, John Marsden, aaron blabey, margaret wild, Masquerade, Axel Scheffler, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Starting School, Kit Williams, Anna Walker, kim gamble, Ahlberg, Stephanie Blake, Stick Man, the rabbits, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Joy Lawn, Add a tag
It’s holiday time so some shows based on outstanding children’s books are currently being performed in Sydney and surrounds, as well as in other cities around Australia. A highlight is The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Penguin), a production created around four books by Eric Carle: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, of course, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse – […]
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JacketFlap tags: Book News, rhyming, Picture Books, counting, Australia, margaret wild, New Book Releases, Festive season, The Twelve Days of Christmas, ruthie may, Hachette Children's Books, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Book Reviews - Fiction, Tamsin Ainslie, Karen Erasmus, Allen&Unwin, Count my Christmas Kisses, deborah niland, HarperCollinsPublishers, This Little Piggy Went Singing, Add a tag
What a wondrous time for the kidlets; so much sparkle, magic, excitement and curiosity in the air. Christmas time is about bringing families together, and what better way to get close to your ‘little’ loved ones than to snuggle up with some adorable books. Here we count through three delightful books that foster a love […]
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JacketFlap tags: Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Davy & the Duckling, Speech Pathology Australia, The Short Giraffe, Book News, friendship, diversity, Picture Books, Bea, Australia, unique, Jonathan, Jane Godwin, Shortlist, margaret wild, 2014, Starting School, Anna Walker, Peter Carnavas, Add a tag
The Lucky Country. That’s Australia. We embrace difference. Celebrate diversity. Stand up for what we believe in. Be ourselves. Show compassion for those in need. The following picture books, as chosen for the 2014 Speech Pathology Australia Books of the Year shortlist, all share common themes; diversity, friendship and uniqueness. The Short Giraffe […]
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JacketFlap tags: children's picture books, Jackie French, margaret wild, Kerry Argent, Ben Wood, Narelle Oliver, New Book Releases, nina rycroft, Australiana, Scholastic Australia, Omnibus Books, May Gibbs, Sally Morgan, Dimity Powell, Colin Buchanan, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Book News, Add a tag
Worrisome wombats, bouncing bilbies and even talking gumnuts may not be your de rigueur when it comes to picture book characters. Yet their antics make up a substantial percentage of picture book storylines and provide vital introductions and links between Aussie kids and our rich, endemic Australian flora and fauna.
Look around and you’ll find dozens of titles touching on everything from spoonbills to fruit bats, puggles to possums and jacanas to joeys. Many are by authors you know and trust offering true works of art worthy of coveting and collecting. Here is a tiny selection of some of the more recent releases.
Perennial author illustrator, Kerry Argent, has a tatty new First Reader series out now tailored for pre-schoolers. Small colour-popping paperbacks perfect for little hands and new readers feature old mate, Woolly Wombat, his bestie, Bandicoot and a swag of other Aussie birds and beasts in easy-to-read adventures. Beautiful introductions to counting, colour, rhythm and language conventions. Scholastic Australia March 2014
Book club nuts along with reluctant readers will adore Margaret Wild’s and Ben Wood’s The Bush Book Club. It has a little bit of brilliance on each page; rhyme, comedy, cuteness, colour and galahs! Bilby sorely needs to slow down and smell the ink but he is too busy and bouncy to read let alone actually enjoy a book until one fateful night he discovers what it’s like for his head to be ‘full of words and stories’. A marvellous look at what it takes to appreciate the wonderment of stories and a must in the classroom and home. Modestly adorable. Omnibus Books March 2014
Rhyming picture books are not always easy to digest (when produced badly), but done well they glide across our palates as smoothly as birthday cake frosting. So it comes as little surprise that Possum’s Big Surprise by celebrated duo, Colin Buchanan and Nina Rycroft, is a feast for 4 + year-olds and above. Fun, frisky, teasing verse coupled with super-rich, eye-pleasing water-colour illustrations, an Aussie bush backdrop and a perky possum named Flossy, give kids plenty of reasons to keep page turning. Scholastic Australia May 2014
Slightly more serious but quietly impressionable is Karana: the Story of the Father Emu, by Brisbane and Wakka Wakka leader, Uncle Joe Kirk and Sandi Harrold. In spite of the unwieldy title, this cyclical story is written in simple rhyming verse which unfolds easily leaving the reader fulfilled, enlightened and emphatic towards father Emu as he assumes the role of parent, nurturer, and chief educator for his chicks; just as father figures in many indigenous cultures do. An enjoyable tale to share with children because of its simplicity and heart but it was the emus’ eyes that clenched it for me; cute and clever! Scholastic Australia May 2014
A Feast for Wombat features another Aboriginal author, Sally Morgan and first time picture book illustrator, Tania Ezinger.
Wombat is your typical underground slumber-champion with a strong predilection for his burrow. He rarely surfaces. When he does he encounters the goodtime antics of his friends, Goanna, Magpie and Dingo but is slow to join them in play until their persistence and kind-hearted surprise re-instates how much they value Wombat’s friendship.
Sounds a little trite and ordinary I know, however Morgan attempts to balance Wombat’s self-depreciating, woe-be-gone attitude with a questioning optimism that he displays by complimenting his friends’ various talents and by trying to replicate them albeit with little success.
I was pleased Wombat’s self-doubt is finally conquered and replaced with a greater sense of self-worth however felt a little muddled by the oscillating attitudes of Wombat’s friends towards him; sometimes generous and grateful, sometimes hurtfully frank. Four year-olds are unlikely to dwell on this (it is after all how true friends can be) gaining immense pleasure instead from Erzinger’s spirited acrylic based artwork. Keep an eye out for the hapless little spinifex mouse on each page too. Gorgeous! Omnibus Books April 2014
Whether these titles stand up alongside such favourites as May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Narelle Oliver’s Don’t Let a Spoonbill in the Kitchen! and Fox and Fine Feathers, Yvonne Morrison’s The Emu that Laid the Golden Egg or Jackie French’s Diary of a Wombat to name a few, time will tell. But like the tiniest creature in the Aussie bush, there is bound to be a spot for them in your heart and on your book shelves.
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Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's picture books, margaret wild, New Book Releases, Little Hare Books, acts of kindness, Dimity Powell, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Ritva Voutila, The Stone Lion, review, Book News, Add a tag
When picture books have the ability to make your heart beat a little faster, fill your eyes with tears and send your spirits soaring. When they effortlessly harness thoughts and project feelings with poignant clarity; to say they are exceptional seems woefully insufficient. Rare are the picture books that can fit this bill, yet Margaret Wild has little trouble doing so.
The Stone Lion is her newest picture book with Ritva Voutila (mums with school aged kids may recognise her unique art from the dozens of Storylands Early Readers). The austere cover and title leave little doubt as to the subject matter but the subtle beauty of the regal, maned lion crouching upon his engraved stone pedestal (you can really feel it), spur the need to know more about him.
Wild cleverly chisels out a tale of unlikely heroes (the stone lion) and unseemly characters (homeless youths, librarians and gargoyles). There is also the subtle persuasion that hope is determined by the passing of time as shown by the illustrations of swirling leaves, fleeing birds and umbrellas adrift.
The magnificent stone lion statue stationed outside the library dreams of a life more animated if only so he can ‘pounce and prowl and leap’. But one fateful snowy night, he is forced to re-evaluate his own desires when a baby is abandoned at his paws.
Ritva Voutilda’s beautiful, muted pastel illustrations mirror both the stone lion’s cold forlorn heart and the kernel of hope that beats within us all. Miracles are easy to believe when they result in great change as The Stone Lion so ably demonstrates.
Using unadorned yet intensely sensitive language, Wild makes us feel something real for something which is unable to feel yet wants to in an incredible allegory about wanting more, accepting less and understanding the power of benevolence.
This is not a picture book brimming with rainbows and lollypops, and sunshine and happiness. But it does sing with a clear purity of heart that kindness is indeed its own reward. The Stone Lion is a picture book older readers will enjoy for its touching and profound celebration of humility.
It is truly exceptional.
Little Hare Books a Hardie Grant Egmont imprint April 2014
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JacketFlap tags: displacement, Morris Gleitzmann, The Treasure Box, Book News, Holocaust, Viking, children's picture books, Penguin, Sonya Hartnett, margaret wild, Freya Blackwood, Dimity Powell, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Add a tag
Many of my generation (sadly not all) and those of the next, fortunately have not endured the atrocities of war like those seen during the Holocaust. That we are able to feel its impact, appreciate the drama and acknowledge its implications is the unique potency of a picture book. Margret Wild and Freya Blackwood exploit this power wondrously well.
The quiet unassuming cover of the Treasure Box magnetised me from the moment I was handed the book. The subdued colours, lone tree bereft of leaf and life, fragments of words adrift; all at conflict with the title, which promises something far brighter and more uplifting. I was a little unprepared for the subtle magnitude of the tale, again preoccupied by the end papers, comprising scraps of text which interestingly are taken from Sonya Hartnett’s and Morris Gleitzmann’s foreign editions of their own wartime tales of displacement and loss.
We join young Peter’s story after his home town is destroyed leaving the library in ruin. Books once housed there are transformed to nothing more substantial than bits of ash as ‘frail as butterflies.’ That is all but one; a book that by fortuitous happenstance had been taken home by Peter’s father before the bombing.
Peter’s father is intent on safe-guarding the book for the stories it contains; stories that tell the history of Peter’s people, of a past ‘rarer than rubies, more splendid than silver, greater than gold.’ The book is secured in an old iron box which forms part of the meagre possessions they flee with from their homeland.
Peter’s father does not survive the soul crushing exodus but instills in Peter tremendous tenacity and a promise to keep their ‘treasure safe’. Unable to continue with such a load but true to his word Peter buries the box under an ancient linden tree, to which he returns many years later. His single-handed courage and loyalty perpetuates the most valuable treasure of all – the gift of hope and love.
Margaret Wild’s eloquent sense of story and place transports the reader into the very heart and soul of Peter and his father. Her thoughtfully sparse narrative paradoxically permeates every inch of the page and ounce of our attention. Neither her words nor the illustrations compete for space in this book. They work in convincing unison, caressing the story along and guiding us skilfully through horrific, almost unimaginable situations like sleeping in ditches, and holding the hand of a dying father.
Freya Blackwood’s artwork is instantly recognisable, however is taken one step higher using collage and multi-layering to create a stunning subtle 3D effect. Characters literally appear to be trudging across the page, accompanied by the metaphoric charred fragments of the leaves of a million books. The story is further enriched with delicate contrasts and symbolism on each page, all in the haunting sepia coloured tones of despair and misery.
Only the intensity of the treasure box itself, shown in vibrant red throughout, never fades. By Peter’s maturity, colour and prosperity have returned to his hometown. Even the library radiates with a glorious, golden yellow – hope restored.
I happened upon this picture book late last year, in spite of its 2013 publication date. I thought it was a most serendipitous discovery, but did not fully appreciate its immense value until I uncovered its contents. Truly one to treasure.
Penguin / Viking January 2013
Add a CommentBlog: Playing by the book (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Pigs, Jeanne Willis, Ducks, Margaret Wild, Stephen Michael King, Kangaroos, Garry Parsons, Fantastic Fiction for Kids, Being independent, Jonathan Allen, Add a tag
Although it’s been a while since we had a Fantastic Fiction for Kids post I’m thrilled this week to be able to bring you another post in the series all about brilliant picture books which share a common theme, which this week is independence.
Today’s contributor is Stephanie Burgis. Stephanie was born in the US but has ended up in Wales via Vienna, Pittsburgh, and Yorkshire. She’s a full-time writer, having published almost thirty short stories for adults. Her first published novel, A Most Improper Magick came out yesterday in the UK! Many congratulations to you, Stephanie! Stephanie’s husband is also an author, and he and Stephanie have a young son, who I’m sure gets read to a great deal what with 2 writers as parents!
Now, without further ado, let me hand you over to Stephanie:
One of my [Stephanie's] favourite parts of parenting so far has been getting to discover great new books together with my son. Even before he was born, I’d started collecting some of my old favourites from my own childhood, but for this post I wanted to talk about three books we discovered together and both love. The linking theme is independence: all three of these books feature characters going out into the wide world without their parents, dealing with strange adults and facing the unknown, just like every little kid eventually has to do.
Baby Owl ventures out into the woods at night, carrying his stuffed owl with him. He’s not scared…or at least, he won’t admit he is, despite all the interfering adults who keep on startling him by popping up out of the darkness to worry about his feelings.
My son and I laugh and laugh when we read this book. The writing is sharp and funny, the pictures are hilarious, and I love that at the end, when Papa Owl whispers: “It’s okay to be a little bit scared of the dark,” feisty Baby Owl immediately says to his stuffed owl: “He means you, Owly.” Baby Owl is not about to learn any silly moral lessons himself…but his story is wonderfully reassuring, as well as funny, for little kids to read. (And as a parent, I’m intensely grateful for picture books that make me laugh on the hundredth re-read!)
Blog: Picture Book Junkies (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: alicia padron, favorite illustrator, Margaret Wild, Stephen Michael King, library, Add a tag
I'm traveling right now and got to go to the library, a huge and beautiful one by the way! I couldn't help but picture what it would be like to spend the night there all by myself with a flashlight and some chocolate. ;o)
Anyway, I found this adorable book. The author is Margaret Wild and the illustrator is Stephen Michael King. Published by Harry N. Abrams.
The cover just instantly grabbed me but then the story and inside illustrations just stole my heart. It's a loving story of a piglet looking for his mom. It's tender yet fun at the same time. The illustrations are amazing, so alive. The line work is so organic and free as well as the watercolor splashes on every spread. I fell in love with Stephen's style and characters.
This is such a nice book to read with your little one. I highly recommend it.
And here is a great little video of Stephen painting. I like what the fun flying text says too. :o)
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: News, SCBWI, Writing, Chris Cheng, JUlie Vivas, Margaret Wild, Donna Rawlings, Simon French, Add a tag
Chris Cheng, the much loved Australian author and co-RA (leader) of Society of Children’s Book Illustrators and Writers (SCBWI) Australia & New Zealand with me - the other coRA of SCBWI.
Chris and his wonderful wife Bini partied at their arty inner city house.
I was excited to Simon French & Donna Rawlings and their smart and car focussed baby - cute as a button. Apologies for the cliche.
Add a CommentBlog: A Patchwork of Books (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Melanie Watt, Lauren Child, Margaret Wild, Add a tag
Fun choices for you this week!
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, retold by Lauren Child, is just one of those books that all book lovers need to have on their shelves. Child gives us the the age-old story of Goldilocks, with her own imaginative words, in a very cool format.
Emily L. Jenkins lends a hand to set creation and Polly Borland did the beautiful and fun photographs that accompany the text. I'm not sure I'll ever see Goldilocks the same way, but Lauren Child made the little girl into such a fun character! She's the same curious girl that just wants to try out porridge, chairs, and beds of strangers, but the photographs and dialogue turned her into a quirky, cute, and imaginative character.
Includes a cool section on how the photography was done, the building of the sets, etc. A nice behind-the-scenes look.
Lauren Child can't do much wrong in my eyes!
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Lauren Child
32 pages
Picture Book
Hyperion
9781423119982
August 2009
Piglet and Granny, written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Stephen Michael King, is a very sweet story about the relationship between a little pig and her beloved Granny.
Piglet loves when Granny comes to visit and she's always right on time. This day, however, Piglet has been waiting for a very long time for Granny to show up! While Piglet waits she shows Cow, Duck, Sheep, and Horse exactly what she loves so much about her Granny. And when Granny does finally make it, there is a special surprise in store for Piglet!
A very sweet book that exhibits the love between Grandmas and grandchildren (or pigs in this case). The illustrations were a nice compliment to the soft, flowing story. Wild is also the author of Piglet and Mama and Piglet and Papa. Equally cute I'm sure!
Piglet and Granny
Margaret Wild
32 pages
Picture Book
Abrams
9780810940635
September 2009
Finally, Melanie Watt, author of the very funny Scaredy Squirrel books, has a new stand alone title out, Have I Got a Book for You! If you've ever watched an infomericial and laughed at the salesman, this book will remind you exactly of that!
Al Foxword is an incredibly persistent and successful salesman. He has lots of happy customers to prove his success, but now he's trying to sell YOU a #1 bestseller. He tries every trick in the book and his slick, cunning last resort leaves the reader unable to refuse to buy what he's selling!
The illustrations, also done by the author, are a perfect fit with the story. Al's facial expressions are similar to that of Piggie's in Mo Willems "Elephant and Piggie" series, always mischeivous!
A very cute, VERY funny book to read aloud at storytime or just with the family. This one is begging to be read aloud in your best car salesman voice!
Have I Got a Book for You!
Melanie Watts
32 pages
Picture Book
Kids Can Press
9781554532896
August 2009
Thank you to Hyperion, Abrams, and Kids Can Press for review copies :)
To learn more about any title, click on the book cover to link to Amazon.
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Cynthia Kadohata, Juan Felipe Herrera, young readers, John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Beacon Hill Boys, Cinnamon Girl, Jamie Bastedo, Ken Mochizuki, Kira Kira, Margaret Wild, multicultural subjects, National Reading Group Month, On Thin Ice, Woolvs in the Sitee, C Title, B Authors, B Title, H Authors, K Authors, M Authors, O Title, W Authors, W Title, Children's Books, Young Adult Books, Picture Books, Book Groups, The Tiger's Bookshelf, Book Chat, The Tiger's Choice, Add a tag
Since we are already in the middle of National Reading Group Month, our thoughts have turned to reading suggestions for book groups for young readers. At PaperTigers, we are deeply committed to books on multicultural subjects that bring differing cultures closer together. So of course the books on our little list are novels that we think will accomplish that, while they keep their readers enthralled and provide the nourishment for spirited book group discussions. Almost all of the suggested titles are in paperback editions and all should be available in libraries. Most of them have been reviewed by PaperTigers and one has been chosen by our own online bookclub, The Tiger’s Choice.
1. Beacon Hill Boys by Ken Mochizuki (Written for older readers, this novel explores teenage rebellion, parental expectations, and racial stereotypes with humor and perception. This is a perfect book for boys who are reluctant readers–by the end of the first page they’ll be hooked.)
2. On Thin Ice by Jamie Bastedo (Through entries in Ashley’s diary that she keeps while visiting family in an Inuit village, this book addresses the issue of climate change in Arctic Canada, where the polar bears are coming far too close for comfort.)
3. Woolvs in the Sitee by Margaret Wild (Who are the “woolvs” who terrify Ben and keep him sequestered in a place where he is safe from them? This is a title for older readers that falls into the realm of picture book/graphic novel, and one that will keep them reading.)
4. Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata (Winner of the 2005 Newbery Medal, this is a novel that takes a serious look at serious issues, through the lives of an extended Japanese-American family who are struggling in tough times.)
5. Cinnamon Girl: Letters Found Inside a Cereal Box by Juan Felipe Herrera (The tragedy of 9/11 as seen through the eyes and voice of thirteen-year-old Yolanda, whose uncle had “inhaled Twin Towers of dust,” while delivering flowers at the moment that the planes struck.)
6. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (This is a book group selection for all ages, and when we chose it for our own book group, the discussion was thoughtful and lively–much to think about in this slender little volume.)
And there is our baker’s half-dozen–what suggested titles would you add to this little list? Let us know!
Nice list!