SURI'S WALL by Lucy Estela and Matt Ottley

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos  

 

     Magnificently illustrated and beautifully written, Suri’s Wall immerses the reader into an imaginative and empowering story with messages of hope, wonder and friendship. The intricate details of Matt Ottley’s illustrations not only provide the reader with many amusing scenes to observe, it also adds visual depth to Lucy Estela’s heartfelt story. Here is what Joseph, aged 6, had to say after reading Suri’s Wall.

     Suri likes to walk next to the wall around her home. The wall makes her happy but she is very lonely. Suri is already the tallest but she grows taller and taller and then she can see over the wall. Then a little girl asks Suri what she can see, and Suri tells her she can see lots of beautiful things. Then more children come closer to Suri to listen and then Suri is not lonely anymore.

     Suri is like a storyteller and I think she is nice because she shares her imagination and cares about all the other children. I think the other children would be sad and scared if they didn’t have Suri’s stories.

     I really liked the pictures of the elephant and the big ship. I also like the page with the town because I like the waterwheel and the animal cart. I liked watching the people with carts walking past very tall trees. My favourite part of the story is when Suri is storytelling to the children and she is not lonely anymore.

     This is a truly beautiful picture book to be enjoyed by dreamers, storytellers and readers of all ages. Thank you to Penguin Books Australia for sending us a copy of Suri’s Wall in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 26 August 2015

Author’s Website: lucyestela.com

Illustrator’s Website: mattottley.com

Publisher’s Website: https://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780670077755/suri-s-wall

About the Author

     Lucy Estela's love of writing became apparent as early as age seven when she began writing and illustrating a multitude of storybooks and newspaper columns that were printed up at home and forced upon her family. Since then she has taken a fascinating path towards publishing her first book.

Her university degree focused on languages but rather than becoming a language teacher, Lucy was introduced to the world of computer games and has pursued a successful career in London and now in Australia as a developer of websites and games for the kids and youth entertainment market including such brands as Disney, Warner Bros Pictures, Chorion and Xbox.

Suri's Wall, illustrated by the talented Matt Ottley, is Lucy's debut book with Penguin. Lucy lives in Sydney with her husband and three children.

About the Illustrator

     Matt Ottley is a multi-modal artist working across the fields of visual arts, music and literature. He is an award-winning picture book writer and illustrator, with 25 picture books published. He spent his childhood in Papua New Guinea, and has travelled widely throughout Australia and the world. As a teenager and during his early twenties he worked as a stockman on remote cattle stations in the Australian outback, before studying fine arts and music. He lived for three years in Britain working as an equestrian painter, painting some of Britain's finest racehorses and polo ponies.

     He is now one of Australia's most popular children's author/illustrators, and has been published in several different languages around the world. His book and musical work for young adults, Requiem for a Beast was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia's Picture Book of the Year in 2008, and the Queensland Premier's Award for Young Adult Literature in the same year. His picture book, What Faust Saw was an international best seller. Matt has also worked as a professional flamenco and classical guitarist. He is currently working on two large-scale orchestral projects that will also have visual and literature components.

Soon by Morris Gleitzman

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos

     A few years ago my son read a Morris Gleitzman book titled Once. My son’s response to the book was positive, and I remember him asking me so many questions about World War II and the Holocaust. Although Once was fictional, it encouraged my son to explore the reality of what happened during a very important time in history. My son couldn’t wait to read the next book of the series titled Then. Morris Gleitzman has also written three more books, After, Now and Soon. When I received his latest book Soon, I was curious to see if the story was too confronting, and whether it was appropriately written for a young reader. So I read Soon as a stand- alone book without having read the others. Slight mention was given to characters from the previous books, which was enough for me to have a glimpse into the background of the main protagonist, Felix, and what he had already endured during World War II.

     Soon continues the journey of Felix, a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy facing the emotional and physical challenge of having to endure the devastating post war environment of Poland. Food is scarce, theft abounds, black market trading is thriving, living conditions are terrible, and innocent people are still being shot. Felix finds himself living in a secret hideout amongst the ruins of the city buildings with Gabriek, a middle-aged man skilled at repairing things and making vodka. Gabriek provides Felix with protection, food, shelter, and most importantly friendship. Throughout the story Felix’s friendships are tested as he deals with life-threatening situations and ruthless gangs. Felix’s circumstances give him reason to be angry, depressed and hopeless, yet Felix remains optimistic and soon learns that some aspects of life are out of his control. He may not have the ability to solve these big problems but his capacity to love and care for others amid all that is happening around him is a mark of a true hero.

     Morris Gleitzman tells this exceptionally moving story from a child’s perspective. The thought monologue by the main character allows the young reader to get closer to Felix’s feelings. It also invites the reader to journey alongside Felix as he discovers the shocking effects of war. In Felix, Gletzman has certainly created a likeable and believable character. The reader will easily be drawn into this fictional narrative that is connected to a past reality. Soon is appropriately written for 12 year olds and up, or early high school readers. Older readers will also appreciate the talent of Gleitzman.

     With themes of love and friendship, highly appealing characters, plus a powerful and action-packed storyline, Soon by Morris Gleitzman is a gripping and enjoyable read.

     Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for sending us a copy of Morris Gleitzman's latest masterpiece Soon in exchange for an honest review.

RELEASE DATE : 24 June 2015

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE : http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/fst_contents.html

PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE : https://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780670078875/soon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

     Morris Gleitzman is the bestselling Australian children's author of almost 40 books, published in more than 20 countries, and is loved by children around the world.

     In the ten years since publication of the first book in his series about a Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland, Once has enjoyed phenomenal worldwide success. Once has sold more than 130,000 copies alone and alongside subsequent books in the series Then, Now and After, more than 300,000 copies have sold in total in Australia and over 150,000 in the UK. The series has been published in ten different languages, including Chinese, Italian, German and Slovenian and is continuously nominated for and the winner of numerous awards in Australia and overseas including many readers choice awards.

How Big is Too Small? by Jane Godwin & Andrew Joyner

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos

     Sam’s big brother excludes Sam from playing because he is “too small". Sam ponders the question of ‘how big is too small?’ by comparing himself to the world around him. When Sam’s brother calls on him to climb and get back their ball, Sam easily completes this mission because of his size. While Sam is up high finding the ball, he meets another boy who shares a different perspective on size, and it doesn’t take long for these two boys to become new friends.  

      Jane Godwin is definitely in tune to the thoughts and struggles of a younger sibling feeling lonely and left out. Her writing is emotive, effective and appealing. Not only can the story easily connect with a young reader, it is also beautifully written in rhyme.

     
     The brush and ink drawings of Andrew Joyner look spontaneous and fun, and successfully help the young reader to understand the content of the story.  The illustrations are meaningful, energetic and entertaining. Andrew Joyner’s illustrations always make me smile, there is a familiarity about his drawings that is so appealing (They posses a similarity to the old picture books I was fond of as a child). I also liked the use of collage and vintage cutouts, from the plants around the house to the toy trains and scotch tape in Sam’s bedroom.

How Big is Too Small? is a picture book to treasure and will surely impress.

Thank you Penguin (Australia) for sending us a copy of this brilliant Picture Book.

RELEASE DATE : 22 April 2015
ILLUSTRATOR'S WEBSITE : http://andrewjoyner.com.au

For more information on the book go to http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780670070756/how-big-too-small

Jane Godwin (AUTHOR) 

     Jane Godwin is the Publisher for Young Readers at Penguin Books Australia. She is also a highly acclaimed author of many books for children. Her work is published internationally and she has received many commendations. Together with Anna Walker, Jane has created several bestselling picture books, including Little Cat and the Big Red Bus, All Through the Year and its companion volume Today We Have No Plans and, most recently, Starting School.

     
Andrew Joyner (ILLUSTRATOR)

     Andrew Joyner is an Australian illustrator and author. His books have been published in more than 20 countries, and they include Tim and Ed and The Terrible Plop, both written by Ursula Dubosarsky; The Swap, written by Jan Ormerod (winner in 2014 of the CBCA Book of the Year, Early Childhood, and the WA Premier’s Children’s Book Award); and the Boris series.

DROPPING IN by Geoff Havel

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos

‘Three mates, one beat-up old couch, a couple of skateboards and a really steep hill…  what could possibly go wrong?’

     Dropping In exhibits Geoff Havel’s adeptness in writing a fun and engaging story which addresses social issues pertaining to bullying, friendship, ADHD and living with disability. Geoff Havel convincingly writes from the point of view of a teenager and uses language well suited to the protagonist’s age.

     Sticks, a timid and likeable teenager, has known Ranga since he can remember and enjoys spending time with his fearless and energetic friend. When Sticks and Ranga meet James, the new kid in their street, they initially can’t see past his wheelchair and disability. The boys soon discover they have a lot in common. Judgements about each other’s capabilities transform into thoughts of acceptance, inclusion, trust and respect. Together the three mates not only face the fun challenge of becoming a ‘Dip and Gunk’ champion, they also have to deal with the aftermaths of involving themselves in creative yet risky skateboard stunts. While Ranga and James have to contend with all sorts of issues arising from living with ADHD or cerebral palsy, Sticks has to deal with his own concerns of helping Ranga when a social worker questions his bruises, sorting out a complication with a girl he likes, and having to face up to a bully at the local skatepark.

     Dropping In highlights the value of true friendship and underlines how perceptions and expectations can impact the way people with special needs are treated. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and highly recommend Dropping In to 10 to 14 year olds.

Thank you Fremantle Press for sending us a copy of this fun and action-packed story in exchange for an honest review.

RELEASE DATE : April 2015
AUTHOR'S WEBSITE : http://geoffhavel.com
For more information on the book go to www.fremantlepress.com.au

About the author

     Geoff Havel has been a primary school teacher for 30 years and has written two picture books and five children's novels, including The Real Facts of Life (2001) and Grave of the Roti Men (2003). Geoff has been the recipient of a West Australian Young Readers' Book Award and was shortlisted for a Western Australian Premier's Book Award.