Red by Libby Gleeson

Red

By Libby Gleeson

Synopsis (from the publisher): Mud. In her mouth, her nose and her eyes. Mud in her hair and caked on her neck and her arms. Mud filling her shoes and seeping through the thin cotton weave of her trousers. She lay sprawled on her side, a garbled, barely distinct sound coming from her: jaymartinjaymartin. Her world was mud and pain.
'What's your name?' A boy was sitting on a kitchen table floating in a muddy pool. At his feet was a child's doll, the head lolling to one side.
'jaymartinjaymartin' she repeated mechanically.
He stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face. 'Shut up that stupid talk.'
Red can't remember the cyclone. She can't remember anything - her name, where she lived, who her family might be. Her identity has been ripped away. Then she makes a discovery, and finds she has an important mission to accomplish. But in this chaotic, bewildering world, can she do it on her own? Who can she trust? Wonderfully written!

I liked this book because it was unexpectedly fascinating, well thought out and wonderfully unfolded in it's telling. Gleeson does not disappoint in the junior fiction section. I interviewed Gleeson about her writing to go with an article for the book:

Q: What was your favourite picture book growing up?

A: There were no picture books back then_ just Little Golden Books and some illustrated stories.  The Taxi That Hurried was a favourite .

Q: What was your favourite novel that you read when you were teenager?

A: The Girl of the Limberlost – a  gothic American novel from the early 20^th century. It’s about a girl in conflict with her mother over her attempts to get an education. It’s also a novel of conservation.

Q: Where do you find ideas for your books?

A: Everywhere – my life, my family’s life and also social and political history.

Q: Who or what helped you to write the way you do?

A: I joined a writer’ group when I lived in London and that group helped shape my first novel. They taught me to focus on language and structure as well as the obvious plot and character.

Q: Your latest book is about a teenage girl called, ‘Red’, who finds she’s lost her memory after Sydney was hit by a natural disaster. What gave you the idea to write a book with this opening?

A: My fear of the consequences of Global Warming and the possibility of extreme weather events.

Q: If you could encourage young readers and budding writers out there to do anything, what would you say to them?

A: Read, read read and write, write and write some more.

Find out more about Libby on her website: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/

Monsieur Albert Rides to Glory by Peter Smith, illustrated by Bob Graham

Monsieur Albert Rides to Glory by Peter Smith, illustrated by Bob Graham (pub. 2012) *Warning: I think Bob Graham is the BOMB!

This is a cleverly written (almost too clever for the age group intended) story about Mr Albert and his tour de France with a Tortoise and the Hare-esque twist. Written in verse, it's clever timing with rhyme and metre is lovely to read aloud, but must be practiced beforehand. (It is important to have the knowledge of where the sentence is heading and on which word emphasis is to be placed does not necessarily come naturally.)

The illustrations are fun, and light-hearted and not only create unique mirroring to the text, but also allows a depth of exploration to be enjoyed. Graham does this with every piece of literature I've seen his work accompany. He is truly an Australian gem, in the world of literature and illustrations.

Although some children may find this a hard story to follow, due to some complicated and long verse, it is one worth reading to them time and time again, as it educates them in how rhyme and metre work, beyond a two stanza poem. This is very, very important and is a point in society we seem to be losing within the field of children's literature. (For more on this hobby horse read any of Michael Rosen's articles when he was children's laureate.)

My understanding is that this is Bob Graham's first ever illustrated book, never before published. So he's kept this one in his back pocket for a number of years, and due to his illustrative popularity, this work has finally been put to press. I'm sure it must be a delight to him and his brother-in-law, the author, Peter Smith, for this piece of work to be published.

About the authors:

Illustrator Bob Graham was born in Sydney, and studied painting, drawing and design at the Julian Ashton Art School where he met his future wife Carolyn. They had two children, Naomi and Pete, and a dog called Oscar. Bob has written and illustrated around 35 picture books, and illustrated as many again for other authors. His books are known for their charm, simplicity and humour, and have won countless awards in Australia and overseas, including fiveChildrens Book Council of Australia awards and the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Peter Smith was born and grew up in England, but at age 19 came to Australia with his sister Carol. Pete is a dedicated cyclist, having ridden from Sydney to Melbourne and from Sydney to the Gold Coast among other trips, and works in Abbey's bookshop in Sydney. He is Bob Graham's brother-in-law.

LITTLE WITCH WALKER STORIES By Juliette MacIver Illustrated by Cat Chapman

Little Witch Walker Stories By Juliette MacIver 
Illustrated by Cat Chapman (Pub. 2012)

Little Witch’s favourite things are broom races with her best friend Billy Wicked and lemon-and-slime ice-cream with crunchy spider sprinkles. She would love to eat marshmallows for breakfast too, but she’s stuck with toadflakes. Little Witch doesn’t mean to get into mischief. Somehow though, she always does. Join Little Witch and her friend Billy Wicked for three fun stories full of word plays, set in a magical land

This is a great book for those emergent readers. It feels like a chapter book, without being too think and young readers loosing energy or interest to get to the end of the tale.

This will also be teaching the readers how to play with words, and to have fun with them... I'm all for the didactic relationship of emergent books of teaching whist the kids are enjoying reading.

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon (Pub. Sept 2012)

*Disclaimer - I am a huge Gus Gordon fan, especially after his book Wendy.

Herman is an oboe-playing crocodile by night and an office worker by day. Rosie is an aspiring jazz-singing deer by night and a waitress by day. Both are struggling to make ends meet and slowly giving up on their dreams, until one day their paths cross.

Set in New York, this picture book is an urban tale of music, friendship and following your dreams. It is a story of two music-loving souls who lose their way in a big city that’s too busy to care. Until they find each other.

I thinks this is a lovely books showing parts of New York, as Gordon has interwoven into the story. As you read it to your child, explore the pages and teach them about the various parts of this city. It is interesting in subject matter - eg a children's book about money problems - but it is done in such a gentle way that it opens up this topic for thought and discussion taken whatever pace the child-listened may want.

I love the ideology in this book, the message, of following what you want to do, even when it's hard to do, and maybe, just maybe, it'll work out. A cute tale.