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.

Harold and Grace by Sean E Avery

Reviewed By Carmela Ramos

     This creative and intriguing picture book, will definitely be a teacher’s delight. Harold and Grace is perfect for Kindy to grade 3 children. Written in simple and suitable language with enough unfamiliar words to expand children’s vocabulary, Harold and Grace will fascinate as it educates. Not only does it explore wetland ecosystems and the life cycles of butterflies and frogs, the reader will also be gifted with a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship between a plump, cute, furry caterpillar named Grace, and an adventurous, loveable, buck-toothed tadpole named Harold.

     Sean E Avery’s process of using a combination of traditional art and digital art is exciting and fresh. The sketchy ink drawings together with the runny green and purple tones are unique and effective. The colours successfully enhance the feel of a wet, slimy, leafy environment. The characters' expressions are fun and filled with emotion. My six-year-old son pointed out that “on the front cover Grace feels furry and Harold feels slippery.” I was also amazed when my son observed how Harold and Grace’s colours changed from the beginning of the book to the end. He stated, “They swapped colours!”.

     The story of Harold and Grace opens up discussions on friendship, bullying, feelings, the environment, and the wonders of metamorphosis. With so much to explore, Harold and Grace makes an ideal addition to children’s libraries and lower-primary classrooms.  

For more information and access to some great Teaching Notes go to the publisher's website  www.fremantlepress.com.au  

About The Author

     Sean E Avery is an internationally acclaimed sculptor, author and illustrator best known for his animal sculptures made from CDs and electronic waste, some of which are featured in the SciTech (Perth) and Ripley's Believe It or Not (USA) exhibitions. He has presented at various Writers festivals and represented Australia at the International Waste To Art exhibition in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2014.


AUTHOR'S WEBSITE : http://seaneavery.com/home.html

WHY I LOVE FOOTY by Michael Wagner, illustrated by Tom Jellett

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos

     Living in a house with quite a few footy fans has sometimes been a challenge for me. Being used as a launch pad for a ‘specky’ simply because I was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time at a family picnic is partly to blame. After reading Why I love Footy I must congratulate Michael Wagner for changing my perspective of this popular Australian game. His book not only highlights some of the ‘bazillion’ reasons why footy is so special, it also highlights how sport can bring a family together.

     My kids smiled while reading this book as they could relate to the feelings shared by the main character. It also opened up a discussion in our household as to why our family loves footy so much.

     Michael Wagner’s love of the game is contagious and truly shines out in this informative and fun Picture Book. The text is simple, straightforward and engaging. Tom Jellet’s expressive and colourful illustrations compliment this passion for footy. The bold, busy and detailed drawings have truly captured the atmosphere surrounding a footy game.  Tom Jellet has successfully created movement and emotion on each page. It was interesting to watch my child’s eyes dart all over the page not wanting to miss any action before the page turn. The only criticism I have for Mr Jellet is that there was WAY too much red used.  It would have been nice to see more purple – GO FREO DOCKERS!!!   

    With simple yet action-packed text and highly appealing illustrations, Why I Love Footy is a true reflection of a young footy fan’s experience of Australian Rules Football and will surely be appreciated by all ages.

Thank you Penguin Australia for sending us a review copy of this exciting Picture Book.

RELEASE DATE :                     25 March 2015
AUTHOR'S WEBSITE :            www.michaelwagner.com.au  
ILLUSTRATOR'S WEBSITE :  http://tomjellett.com 
More Information on the book :http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780670077878/why-i-love-footy


About The Author  : Michael Wagner is a children's author whose best-known books follow the funny and action-packed sporting adventures of Maxx Rumble, and the hilarious father-son rivalries of The Undys. Prior to becoming a children's author, he spent ten years working as a radio broadcaster with the ABC, then wrote and produced award-winning animation for television. This book is his love letter to Australian Rules Football, and the families that are bonded by it.

About The Illustrator : Tom Jellett is an acclaimed children's book illustrator. His work includes a series of books about a little pirate and a couple of books about a teddy bear called Ted. His picture book with Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting, The Gobbledygook is Eating a Book, has been an Australian bestseller.

Do You Dare? Jimmy's War by Sherryl Clark

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos

       My son and I were extremely happy to receive more books from the Do You Dare? Series. I managed to take one from his ‘I want to read this book next’ shelf and I’m so glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed the read.  Of course I will place it back for him to read because I highly recommend it.  Following suit with the other books from the Do You Dare? Series, Jimmy’s War has a boy as its central character, is written in the genre of historical fiction, has an exciting plot and is full of adventure. Sherryl Clark’s literary talent has contributed in making this historical story both enriching and entertaining for the reader.

       Jimmy loves to play footy and should be at school but with the absence of his father who died in a factory accident, a brother away at war, and an ill mother, Jimmy has to work to support his family instead.  With caring neighbours such as Mrs. Wimple, and cheerful friends such as Frank, Jimmy is encouraged to keep battling on. When Jimmy’s brother Arthur returns from war, he is not the same, and Jimmy not only has to deal with these changes but also the dilemma of working for the local crim, Bill Prosser.

       Sherryl Clark has clearly researched the era and the effects of Gallipoli on the returning soldiers and their families. The story is set in the suburb of Yarraville, and Clark’s description of the people, the food, the buildings and the surroundings give a real sense of what life was like in 1915. With a real historical setting, a well-driven main character and highly interesting support characters, Jimmy’s War is a fascinating story that will immerse young readers in an adventure in Australian history.

Thank you Penguin Australia for sending us a copy of this amazing book.

For more information go to http://www.penguin.com.au/products/9780143308027/do-you-dare-jimmy-s-war or check out Sherryl Clark's fantastic website http://www.sherrylclark.com

 SHERRYL CLARK (AUTHOR)

   Sherryl Clark's first children's book was The Too-Tight Tutu which was published in the Aussie Bites series in 1997. Since then she has published almost 30 children's books, including Sixth Grade Style Queen (Not!) and Motormouth. Sherryl is also the author of the Rose books in the Our Australian Girl series. She has had two collections of poetry for adults published by Pariah Press - Edge (1990) and Thicker Than Water (1999), and is a co-editor of Poetrix magazine. Sherryl teaches fiction and poetry writing in the Diploma of Arts - Professional Writing and Editing at Victoria University and Holmesglen TAFE.