In 2005 Alison Lester went to the Antarctic as an Antarctic Arts Fellow. Her alter ego, 9-year-old Sophie Scott, tells the story of the journey from the wide-eyed perspective of the captains daughter. This is a wonderful educational travel book for kids that is as readable and fun as any regular picture book. This book is jam packed with interesting info about Antarctica and the boat she’s on, picturesque photography and whimsical illustrations that will capture the imagination of intrepid children everywhere. With part of the proceeds going to the Royal Children’s Hospital, this is a wonderful book to be read to, and by, children 5 and up. Hardback, $29.95.
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2012
It certainly is the season for shortlists, and another has just been announced – the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2012. This year’s awards include the first ever Poetry Award, as well as a newly incorporated Australian History Prize. A total of $600,000 will be awarded across the six categories, making it the richest literary prize in Australia. It’s nice to see the Gillard government supporting our local industry, especially in the National Year of Reading!
The shortlists are:
Fiction
All That I Am by Anna Funder
Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville
Foal’s Bread by Gillian Mears
Autumn Laing by Alex Miller
Forecast: Turbulence by Janette Turner Hospital
Poetry
Ashes in the Air by Ali Alizadeh
Interferon Psalms by Luke Davies
Armour by John Kinsella
Southern Barbarians by John Mateer
New and Selected Poems by Gig Ryan
Non-Fiction
A Short History of Christianity by Geoffrey Blainey
Michael Kirby: Paradoxes and Principles by A.J Brown
When Horse Became Saw: A Family’s Journey Through Autism by Anthony Macris
Kinglake-350 by Adrian Hyland
An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark by Mark McKenna
Prize for Australian History
1835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of Australia by James Boyce
The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage
Breaking the Sheep’s Back by Charles Massey
Indifferent Inclusion: Aboriginal People and the Australian Nation by Russell McGregor
Immigration Nation: The Secret History of Us by Renegade Films Australia Pty Ltd
Young Adult
A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon
Being Here by Barry Jonsberg
Pan’s Whisper by Sue Lawson
When We Were Two by Robert Newton
Alaska by Sue Saliba
Children’s Fiction
Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper by Maggie Alderson
The Jewel Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base
Father’s Day by Anne Brooksbank
Come Down, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
Goodnight, Mice! by Frances Watts, illustrated by Judy Watson
There are some familiar names on the shortlists, as well as some first time entrants. Good luck to all!
Filed under Jottings
‘The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? ‘ A seriously adorable book!
The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?
by Mo Willems, PB $14.95
This series of books could not be any cuter and funnier if they tried!!!!
When the adorable little chicken asks politely for a cookie and gets one, Pigeon is NOT a happy chappy. He doesn’t get to drive the bus, eat a hotdog or stay up late and now he doesn’t get a cookie!
Mo Willems minimal, quirky but sweet illustrations make this picture book really beautiful and unique.
Check out the other great books in the Pigeon series…
Lonely Planet Pocket
Buying a Lonely Planet can be a very confusing venture for some. You’d think once you’d chosen the publisher you like you’d be set but well, you’d be wrong. For most locations there is more than one option and it can get a bit overwhelming between traditional, city, discover and encounter guides. And what’s all this about Pocket guides you ask? Well you can say goodbye to the Encounter name, Pocket is what you’ll see from now on. The same size and basic function as Encounter; Pocket are smaller (pocket-sized, in fact) shorter versions of traditional guides. An included pull-out map is a great touch, these are the ones you carry with you on a stop-over or short stay in a city, not the one you plan a whole trip with. In fact one of the major differences from the full sized guides is Pocket don’t include any accommodation. The focus here is on what you’ll see, do and eat when you’re already in a place, as opposed to planning a trip in advance. With a new look and easy to use colour coded layout the pockets are a practical and helpful guide that will ensure you fill your valuable time with the best of a city. The first release includes some expected cities in Paris and London, North American gateways in Los Angeles and San Francisco plus the European stalwarts of Berlin, Barcelona and backpacker favourite Prague. Still $20, the Pocket guides range will be gradually expand to cover all existing Encounter titles, and beyond.
Filed under Jottings, Non-fiction Reviews
Paper Puppets – make and play!
How do some Farm Finger Puppets sound? Or perhaps Robot Hand Puppets are more your style? These fantastic paper creations are a craft project that become a fun activity. Designed by Hector Serrano these puppets are easy to make and even easier to play with, all you need is glue and a little imagination! Both come in packs of 4; the finger puppets are $8.95 and robots are $19.95. A great rainy day activity!
Filed under Toys and Doodads
What Women Want. Meet Nelly Thomas
Meet the author of What Women Want Nelly Thomas at Preston Library on Wednesday June 6th at 7pm. She will be talking about the book and how it came about and answering questions. We will be there selling the book so you can purchase it and get Nelly to sign it for you. Go to the Darebin Libraries website for more information and bookings.
Filed under Events
There is an onion trapped in this book.
Sara Fanelli has created a wonderful book for young kids in The Onion’s Great Escape. A whimsical story meshed with interactive journal notebook type activities and an ongoing mission to Free The Onion*, this large board book makes a beautiful gift. Young boys or girls with a flair for riddles and a taste for the unusual will get hours of entertainment and joy out of this lovely book.
I found myself wondering what my own answers were to the questions I found inside this book when I picked it up. From introspective;
“Does remembering happy times make you feel happy or sad? Why?”
…to mind bending;
“If a chicken eats a worm and I eat the chicken, did I eat a worm?”
…to existential;
“Can you forget to remember? Can you remember to forget?”
This is the sort of book to be treasured long after its completed and reflected on (and laughed at) for years afterwards. Though careful, it claims to disappear…
Recommended for children 8+, $29.95.
*If books like this got the recognition it deserves we’d be seeing Free The Onion t-shirts everywhere a la Vote For Pedro. I’d wear one.
Frankenstein with Steampunk illustrations!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, HB $27.00
Steampunk illustrations by Zdenko Basic & Manuel Sumberac
Dr Victor Frankenstein got more than he bargained for when he tried to create a human being in his laboratory. His creature was grotesque and wreaked havoc across the country which makes this the perfect story for Steampunk illustrations.
Presented in a lovely hardback format, Frankenstein is filled with crazy futuristic yet old fashioned images that make this addition totally unique. The text is unabridged.
Filed under Fiction Reviews, Gift Ideas
WIN a GIANT Hungry Caterpillar plush!!!!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been a children’s favourite for over 40 years and now you can go into the draw to win a gorgeous, squishy GIANT caterpillar plush toy!
Come on down to our shop and simply purchase one 0f the many different Hungry Caterpillar products for your chance to win. There are heaps of variations to suit any age and need including a baby buggy book, counting blocks, finger puppet book and of course the original tale in either hardback or paperback format.
If you loved The Hunger Games then ‘LEGEND’ is for you!!!
Legend by Marie Lu, PB $19.95
This is an absolutely gripping first novel from Marie Lu that will have you on the edge of your seatl!
Set in the not too distant future, America has split into the Republic and the Colonies and they are in a constant battle for control.
Caught in the middle are two teenagers from completely different sides of the track. Day is a wanted fugitive from the slums and June is from a wealthy family and one of the Republic’s best soldiers.
Told from alternating points of view, Legend is a fantastic and exciting story that offers suspense, romance and action. By the end of the book you will be absolutely connected to the characters and eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Filed under Uncategorized, Young Adult (14+)
