Fairfield author’s book to be read on Playschool

The extremely productive Fairfield author Zana Fraillon is very excited about having one of her books read on the ABC TV show Playschool.  The book is When no-one’s looking: on the farm.  The book is a rhyming rollicking ride through the farmyard, with large fold out pages. The illustrations are big and clear, and there is plenty of opportunity to make a lot of animal noises.  It is fun to read and really involves children.

The book will be read on Friday 8th July.

Zana has another similar book called When no-one’s looking: At the Zoo, which is also good fun.  We have them both in stock, signed by Zana. Hardback, $24.95

Heart of Darkness meets Poisonwood Bible: Ann Patchett in great form

Ann Patchett won the Orange Prize some years ago for Bel Canto, and that really established as a writer to watch.  State of Wonder is her latest novel and is set largely in the Brazilian Rio Negro in the rivers and jungles where giant anacondas and isolated tribes live.  Marina Singh is a scientist working for a pharmaceutical firm, who has a vested interest in the work of a researcher, Annick Swenson who has become incommunicado about her progress in the jungle. One of Marina’s colleagues, Anders Eckman, was sent there to get an update, but the team has just been informed that he has died.  Marina’s boss decides to send her down, to find out both what happened to Anders and just what Annick has been up to.  The prospect of the trip initially terrifies her, and the world she enters into is different from anything she has known previously.

When Marina finally meets Annick, things are at first testy, but Marina is drawn to the older woman and a kind of friendship develops.  The author keeps surprising with some turns in the story, and the characters develop in interesting ways.

Ann Patchett is a terrific writer, and this is a terrific book. $30