The Jewel Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base, HB $29.95
Once again Graeme Base takes us on an incredible visual journey, this time, through ancient Egypt. We follow the story of two naughty thieves called Jackal and Ibis as they go on a quest for the powerful Cat Pharoh to recover the breathtaking Jewel Fish. As always the illustrations are amazing and the story is full of adventure and intrigue.
This gorgeous hardback book includes a slip cover with a map and fun facts about ancient Egypt as well as a quest of your own to complete. The Jewel Fish of Karnak would make a fantastic gift for any boy or girl!
Below is a post written by guest blogger George Ivanoff He will be here at Fairfieldbooks on the next Fairfield Village Market Day, Saturday 29th October between 11am and 12pm talking to customers and signing books.
Writing in a computer game world
By George Ivanoff
Authors write for many different reasons. Some do it for money; some do it for glory; some do it for therapy. Often the individual project will dictate why the author will write it. Sometimes it’s a story that’s stuck in his head and he just has to get out before it drives him insane. Sometimes it’s something that an editor has specifically asked for. And for famous authors, it can sometimes even be simply a case of writing the story that their fans are clamoring for. But what about me?
When I stared out, writing was a hobby. Now, I write for a living. I choose to write predominantly for kids and teens because that’s what I enjoy most. I write a fair bit for the primary school education market because it provides me with regular money (remember that whole writing for a living thing). But there’s more to my writing than money.
A couple of years ago I wrote a novel called Gamers’ Quest. I wrote this novel because I wanted to produce the sort of book that I would have loved reading as a thirteen-year-old. And you know what? I had heaps of fun writing it. I enjoyed the experience so much, that I couldn’t wait to return to the world I had created. And so I wrote a sequel — Gamers’ Challenge.
As a thirteen-year-old I loved reading science fiction. But I also loved playing computer games, particularly things like Space Invaders and Asteroids. I loved fiction that involved computer games — everything from Gillian Rubinstein’s novel Space Demons, to films like TRON and The Last Starfighter. I wanted to recapture how I felt about all those stories, and so I wrote a book set entirely within a computer game world. I structured it like a computer game. I filled it with bizarre, over-the-top characters. And I crammed in lots of things the thirteen-year-old me would have loved to have in a book. So Gamers’ Quest had magic swords, robots, dragons, a killer cyborg, a giant robot spider, warrior monks, a space battle and an invading army of Roman Centurions.
You would think that this may have left nothing for the sequel. But no — there were still lots of things the younger me wanted. So Gamers’ Challenge has a giant pinball machine, homicidal balls of static, computer game cheat codes, World War II trenches, zombies, unicorns, more dragons and a climactic video game battle. Oh, and for the geeks, there’s even an entire page of binary code.
As a teenager I spent a lot of time wondering what sort of person I would be when I grew up. And I craved the perceived freedom I would have when I finally finished school. I also spent many hours pondering the bizarre notion that I, and everyone else in the world, might just be pawns in some game controlled by a higher power. So…
The themes of reality and identity that I wove through the story of Gamers’ Quest are continued in Gamers’ Challenge. This time I took the question of identity a step further — is it possible to choose the sort of people we want to be, or are we destined to be what we are programmed or taught to be; how much say do we have over who we really are? And to all this, I added the concept of freedom. One character even asks “What do you do with freedom when you get it?”
To tie in with the computer game theme of the book, there is a computer animated book trailer. Its visuals are designed to look like a computer game. Take a look…
So… did I achieve what I set out to do? Well, my inner-teen loved writing the book, and I think that if I could send this book back in time to the 1980s, my thirteen-year-old self would be pretty pleased. Now I’ve just got to hope that the teenagers of the 21st Century also like it!
Remember to come and say hello to George on the 29th October at 11am
Bonnie and Pete live in inner city Melbourne with their three young children. Pete is self-employed, and Bonnie has put her career as a guitarist on hold to be a full-time mother. They don’t have a lot of money, but get by and are essentially content with their lives. Until, that is, an old mate of Pete’s turns up and insinuates himself into their family. Pete accepts Doug’s presence with vague good humour, but Bonnie is not sure if Doug likes her and finds his opinions and manner disconcerting. She begins to wonder if something more sinister is going on, and Doug becomes the catalyst for a crisis in Bonnie and Pete’s relationship.
House of Sticks won the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Award for best unpublished manuscript, and is Peggy Frew’s first novel. She really knows her subject matter, having been bassist for indie band Art of Fighting and having three young children herself, and it shows in this very assured debut. The characters feel like people you know, even the creepy Doug, and she has a marvellous ear for dialogue. Her prose is deceptively simple, and she builds up the tension masterfully. Can’t wait to see what she does next! Trade paperback, $29.95
Join our favourite four Australian girls for their final adventures in this delightful historical fiction series. Each girl encounters unique challenges and lives vastly different lifestyles as they face life in 1808, 1841, 1864 and 1901.
This series has been incredibly popular and makes a great birthday or Christmas gift. Learn about Australian life in the past and enjoy the company of some amazing girls!
Although technically there was no ‘Australia’ back in 1788, this comprehensive anthology takes us from our British roots all the way through to modern times. Edited by poets Geoffrey Lehmann and Robert Gray, this collection includes over 1000 poems from 170 different authors. Each author’s work is prefaced by a short biography and often includes humourous details.
Many different styles of poetry are represented in this lovely hardback book that would undoubtedly make a lovely addition to any collection.
Don’t let your school holidays slide idly by this break, indulge in some creative building with The Lego Ideas Book! This large hardback is bright and colourful and full of fantastic building suggestions for kids that love lego.
This in-depth guide covers the most simple task (the classic lego car) to the most intricate design (a hot air balloon, anyone?!), and includes ideas from their many popular ranges such as castles, pirates, jungles and animals. Hours of (quiet) fun!!
The instructions are clever and easy to follow, with every task accompanied by multiple photos. This book is a winner!!
From the author of Kidwrangling, Up the Duff and Girl Stuff comes this fabulously insightful go-to guide for women. Kaz Cooke writes with humour and honesty and covers a full range of topics over 700+ pages with an easy to use Index.
The broad chapters are; Confidence, How We Look, Eating & Exercise, General Health, Hormones & Health, Mind, Family & Friends, Love & Sex, Work & Home, Money and Being True To Yourself. Each chapter is clearly divided into different specific subjects and often includes phone numbers or websites for more information.
‘Everything you need to know…without the fibs, faff or fakery!’
Eric Carle, of Very Hungry Caterpillar fame, has a lovely new picture book out for toddlers to four year olds.
It is called The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, and it encourages children to explore artistic freedom and break through the shackles of conventional colouring-in! Definitely something we should all aspire to do!
This gorgeous, large-size hardback is full of illustrations of favourite animals in not-so-conventional colours. Along with the horse who is very blue, you’ll find a bright green lion, a purple fox, and even a polka-dotted donkey! As we have come to expect from Carle’s books, the pictures are extremely engaging and will inspire your little ones to reach out and touch the vivid images in front of them. Come and have a look for yourself!!
Born to Run is an intriguing story about the US Presidential system. The story line strikes chords with the anti-Obama sentiments, based on race or origins and tells the story of Isabel Diaz is set to be the first woman to win the White House. Her chances fall when a Muslim protege is accused giving money to terrorists and a young Australian software whizz is mysteriously tossed off a London skyscraper. Then, when a TV journalist digs up a dark secret from Isabel’s past, her presidential hopes shatter. With the public stunned, and only days before the vote, terrorists use the Australian’s stolen software to launch a daring attack on New York City. Isabel Diaz is born to run. But can she ever win? You won’t believe the final episode that brings her close to her dream.
You are undoubtedly VERY excited, as are we!, about the movie release of The Adventures of Tintin: the Secret of the Unicorn. Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Jamie Bell (of Billy Elliott fame) and Daniel Craig, this adventure classic is sure to be a hit. Unfortunately, we must waiting until Boxing day for the Australian release! Check out the trailer below for a sneak peak.
Nick Place is here for the next hour! :D 1 hour ago
If you like crime but are over the creepy makes your skin crawl stuff come & meet Nick Place 11am in store. A crime caper in our own area!! 2 hours ago
The Jewel Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base, HB $29.95
