Resource Services > Curriculum topics >

Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Titles 2004

The following reviews have been prepared by Library Services' Resource Evaluation team. The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) does not necessarily endorse the comments in these reviews. The only reviews endorsed officially by the CBCA are those of the Judges themselves.

These resources are available for loan from Central Library. View how to register and borrow.

To request items:

Click on the box to the left of the title.
Complete contact details at end of list.
Click the submit button.

Level codes: EC = Early Childhood (Years P-3); LP = Lower Primary (Years 1-3); MP = Middle Primary (Years 4-5); UP = Upper Primary (Years 6-7); LS = Lower Secondary (Years 8-9); MS = Middle Secondary (Year 10); US = Upper Secondary (Years 11-12).

Book of the Year: Older Readers
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
Picture Book of the Year
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Book of the Year: Older Readers

Winner

Marchetta, Melina 2003, Saving Francesca, Viking (Penguin Books), Australia.
Paperback, 241 p.
When St. Sebastian's, a Catholic boys' school, opens its doors to girls in Grade Eleven, Francesca Spinelli is sent there in order to broaden her educational options. She is desperately unhappy: the boys are hostile, labelling any girl who has an opinion a lesbian, and she is forced to hang out with three 'losers' from her old school.
Francesca is sustained by her close, loving family but when her ebullient and controlling mother succumbs to a nervous breakdown, she is thrown completely. The novel traces Francesca's attempts to 'save' herself with humour and insight, focusing on her discovery of real friends, including some of the boys, her struggle to hold her family together, and her first love. The characterisation is brilliant.
This is a novel that celebrates individuality joyfully, that does not hold back from describing the gross, hormone-driven behaviour of teenage boys but looks beyond to see their basic decency, and that also shows teachers as human beings - some good, some bad. The dialogue is perfectly pitched, honest, believable and funny - in fact, it's difficult to fault Marchetta's technique. This moving but ultimately upbeat novel is a worthy successor to Looking for Alibrandi and should prove extremely popular with adolescents of both sexes.
F MAR 2003 (Level: US)

Honour Books

Metzenthen, David 2003, Boys of blood & bone, Penguin Books, Australia.
Paperback, 292 p.
In this most moving and gripping novel, the parallel lives of two young men - Henry Lyon, a university student on a sailboarding holiday and Andy Lansell, a soldier killed in 1918 in World War I - intersect in the small country town of Strattford when Henry's car stops dead there. A chance meeting introduces Henry to Andy's diary and to a whole new life.
In Strattford, Henry meets one hundred and one year-old Cecelia Hainsworth, who lends him Andy's war diary. Andy's terse entries reflect his sense of being on 'borrowed time' but barely let us glimpse the horrors of trench warfare, the 'real fear coiled deep in [his] flesh'. The narrative illustrates that brilliantly and shockingly, pulling no punches. Andys' mate Darcy's sardonic and expletive-laden humour underscores the violence, the terror and the bloodshed; Andy's diary betrays his longing for something clean and good and safe. Where the diary only hints at Andy's concern over his illegitimate child and his love for two girls (one of them his ex-fiancée Miss Hainsworth) the narrative fleshes out his despair and then turns full circle to provide a very satisfactory conclusion. The parallel narrative of Henry's experiences eighty-five years after Andy's, set in alternating chapters, meshes beautifully with the historical one. The writing is startlingly vivid, the sense of place strong, the dialogue apt and relationships cleverly and perceptively handled.
This is a thoughtful and engaging novel, most suitable for mature students because of its occasionally explicit language. It provides excellent extension material for the Senior Modern History unit, 'Nationalism and internationalism in the twentieth century: World War I and nationalism' and for the trial/pilot Senior Modern History syllabus: 'Studies of conflict'.
F MET 2003 (Level: US)
Nix, Garth 2003, Mister Monday, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Paperback, 328 p.
This first volume in the series introduces Arthur, the asthmatic student who has been selected by Mister Monday as the temporary holder, or heir, of the 'Lesser Key'. Mister Monday believes that Arthur will die within minutes and thus return the key to him so that he can legitimately continue to be the master overall of the Secondary Realms, in the absence of the Architect who left 10 000 years ago.
The story has the appearance of a quest that will cover seven books, since the Architect's Will, which she left before departing, was torn into seven pieces and the seven trustees, beginning with Mister Monday, have been behaving in ways that must eventually bring retribution in some form. The unlikely hero is Arthur, given strength by the minute hand that he receives from its keeper and whose fast-moving, adventurous, hazard-filled journeys will be enjoyed by boys, although Leaf and Suzy Turquoise are by no means retiring females and their contributions are significant. Characters like the deceptively frail Sneezer, tricky Pravuil and the ferocious Old One add interesting dimensions to the story. Although the plot revolves around time, the story also explores concepts of retribution, loyalty, responsibility, fashion and faith, as well as the power of the written word, whereby letters move by themselves to carry out actions normally the province of people. Fantasy readers will finish this three-hundred page volume quickly and wait impatiently for the next instalment.
F NIX 2003 (Level: UP-MS)

Other Shortlisted Titles

Gardner, Scot 2003, Burning Eddy, Pan (Pan Macmillan), Australia.
Paperback, 217 p.
Daniel Fairbrother, living with his parents in country Victoria, is making heavy weather of adolescence. His father is continually morose and bad-tempered, he is teased and humiliated at school, and he appears unable to confront a traumatic event in his past. He is buoyed up, however, by a tender and playful relationship with his younger brother. Then he meets Eddy. This free-spirited eighty year-old woman helps him gain the confidence to confront issues relating to his father's past and the tragic accident in which his primary school friend died, and to deal with the school bully Michael Fisher. He is also able to begin a relationship with a classmate, Chantelle. Daniel, the dutiful son and brother, seems at times almost too good to be true, and the plot is also occasionally unbelievable, but the natural world is captured in some powerfully descriptive language. To emphasise Daniel's nature and particularly his habit of learning something from each animal he encounters, the author has created a framework for the novel by naming each chapter after a different creature. In general, this is an honest and reflective account of growing up that will resonate with many young people.
F GAR 2003 (Level: MS-US)
Moloney, James 2003, Black taxi, Angus & Robertson, Harper Collins Publishers, Australia.
Paperback, 282 p.
When Rosie Sinclair inherits her grandfather's black Mercedes (he is 'inside' for various nefarious activities), she also acquires his responsibilities. These include acting as a taxi service for various 'oldies' all of whom have something to hide. Coping with these irresponsible and demanding senior citizens and managing a love life that threatens to become chaotic make vastly entertaining reading.
Rosie's voice is true and her relationship with her grandfather is warm and loving. Her dealings with her loathsome Uncle Bruce, the Slimeball, are another matter altogether and provide a note of menace that underlines the humour. Her descriptions of her disadvantaged Brisbane suburb Prestwidge ('Petrol Head City'), her sibling (slugs have 'more get-up-and-go'), her lap-dancing girlfriend Glenda and the loves of her life, Todd and Chris, are vivid and entertaining and the characterisation is the strong point of the novel. The plot is wildly improbable - stolen jewellery - but great fun. The language flows very well and there is warmth as Rosie describes her relationships with the elderly. Rosie is feisty, credible and very, very funny.
F MOL 2003 (Level: LS-US)
Murray, Martine 2003, How to make a bird, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Paperback, 232 p.
Older students will appreciate and perhaps understand Mannie's struggles to come to terms with her developing sense of self and awareness of her feelings and attitudes to the world, in particular her family, Harry, her school friends and acquaintances. Her hero is probably Harry, her brother's friend, who seems to have all the qualities she wants for herself, particularly inner strength, but her inner voice, 'Mean Voice' constantly tells her she is worthless. Much of the story is in the head and heart of Mannie, with occasional dialogue and sensitive descriptions of the environment, the people and the animals that mean so much to her. Her father, a veterinary surgeon, had married a seamstress attached to a visiting French theatrical company, who assumed the persona of a French actress, unable and unwilling to endure existence as a vet's wife in suburbia. Edouard and Manon (Mannie) were raised believing their mother was an actress and gradually came to an understanding of her manic-depressive state of mind. Mannie's story is recounted in a series of flashbacks as she dresses in her mother's elaborate red dress and travels by bike and train to Melbourne with the vague aim of business and the possibility of going to Sydney or Paris. It is this trip that helps her to make some meaning of what has happened and leads to her coming to accept herself, and life generally, more fully.
F MUR 2003 (Level: MS-US)

^ Top of page

Book of the Year: Younger Readers

Winner

Wilkinson, Carole 2003, Dragonkeeper, Black Dog Books, Australia.
Paperback, 346 p.
Ping, slave girl to the Han Dynasty Imperial Dragonkeeper, is accused of killing eleven dragons, which have been neglected then turned into dragon pickle by her idle and corrupt master. Ping escapes custody with the surviving dragon, Long Danzi, and her pet rat, Hua, and they begin the long trek to Ocean at Danzi's command.
Exciting and action-packed, this is a vivid and believable fantasy. As the three companions battle the imperial forces, necromancers, shape-changers, soldiers and thieves in their quest to reach Ocean, Ping's pragmatic and undemanding character provides an excellent foil for the mystical, Confucius-quoting dragon. When Ping learns of her destiny, the reader is not surprised although Ping herself is astonished. The numerous twists and turns of the plot heighten suspense and the vivid language and subtle humour (the dragon specialises in obscure pronouncements) make reading an absorbing experience. Cleverly chosen quotations entice the reader into each chapter as the story reveals all the magnificence and brutality that was ancient China. This story preserves all the mystique of dragons while discoursing on the nature of friendship and loyalty. A sequel is promised.
F WIL 2003 (Level: UP-LS)

Honour Books

Herrick, Steven 2003, Do-Wrong Ron, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Paperback, 126 p.
This quirky and moving verse novel about a boy who can do nothing right, and whose 'best friend is his bedroom', has cleverly delineated characters, delightful sketches by Magerl and some hilariously written poems about Ron's predicament. Children will both identify with and laugh sympathetically at Ron.
Poor Ron, even the only goal he ever kicked benefited the opposing team and the class Best Friends Ball was a non-event for Ron as he hadn't a friend, let alone a Best one. With busy parents (including a mother whose solution to Ron's problems is that he should 'worship the energy source within'), and an only friend who is a guinea-pig called Charlie, Ron is lonely until the arrival of Isabelle, who proves to be a soul mate. Their alternating voices carry the plot, with Charlie's comments in translated 'guinea-pig-talk'. Together they engineer a clever solution to bring Isabelle's Nana Shirl out of her self-imposed isolation and to help a shy opera singer at the same time. Charlie is used as a device to extend the reader's understanding of the characters. The conclusion is very satisfying.
A821.3 HER 2003 (Level: MP-UP)
Millard, Glenda 2003, The Naming of Tishkin Silk, ABC Books, Australia.
Paperback, 94 p.
Griffin Silk is a target for bullies at school with his intelligence, long hair, unusual name and home schooling background. The family habit of 'cogitation' does not allow for quick responses to schoolyard insults either. Griffin also has a problem - a secret that he dares not share with his five sisters or his new friend Princess Layla. It concerns his absent mother and newborn baby sister, Tishkin.
The reader is caught up in the magical lives of this 'uncommon' family of the Kingdom of Silk. A poignant story of loss, it is moving but never sentimental. The writing is fresh and lyrical and the characterisation is convincing. The schoolyard scenes ring true and Griffin's whimsical world is enchanting. This is an uncommon book for an uncommon reader.
F MIL 2003 (Level: MP-UP)

Other Shortlisted Titles

Base, Graeme 2003, TruckDogs: a novel in four bites, Viking (Penguin Books), Australia.
Paperback, 141 p.
From the pen and brush of Graeme Base comes another highly original work that could have been called Mechanicalia. The TruckDogs, part mechanical, part human/animal, are inhabitants of the outback town of Hubcap, where the local, homeless street kids, the Mongrel Pack, cause some consternation among their more conservative elders.
Sparky, the Jack Russell/Ute son of the Mayor, is attracted to the Pack and their lifestyle. When the Pack leaves town as a result of the town's unfriendliness, drifter Rex, the Red Setter/Tractor mechanic, follows them to see them through any trouble they may face. Sparky and Rex earn the town's respect when they defeat Mr Big and his gang of RottWheelers. Boys in particular will enjoy this fast-moving story with its range of characters from the flatulent farmer, Windy Howell (Red Heeler/Ford 50 Pick-up), to the fierce Truckram (Merino/VW Kombi), that terrifies the Mongrel Pack and others who enter its domain.
The story has the ring of a Western, as the hero, a quiet, gun-slinging (spanner-spinning) loner has hidden depths, such as the ability to bring out the best in people. Themes include age versus youth, small town ethos, bullying, leadership, betrayal and the value of each individual. Graeme Base's superb drawings capture the essence of particular types of cars, animals and people, bundling them up in delightful images that will encourage student experimentation. The visual jokes will tickle the fancies of those who look carefully.
F BAS 2003 (Level: MP-UP)
Starke, Ruth 2003, Stella by the sea, Puffin Books (Penguin Books), Australia.
Paperback, 90 p.
Stella Seaton lives with her parents (her Mum is a top real estate identity) in a penthouse apartment with a million-dollar coastal view. After years of living the rich and flamboyant life, Stella dreams of living in an ordinary house with an ordinary back yard and a dog she can call her own. One day, flipping through the real estate pages of the paper, Stella finds an advertisement that will transform her dreams into reality. There are some wonderful cameos of minor characters and Stella is an independent, resourceful and very engaging heroine. The issues of urban development and the isolation of the old are introduced subtly.
This easy-to-read chapter book would be suitable for students who have mastered independence in reading in the early years. Teachers could use this story to stimulate discussions on evidence of changes in the diversity of real estate options for living in Australia's coastal regions - Level 2, Place and Space for Studies of Society and Environment.
F STA 2003 (Level: LP)
Stephens, Michael 2003, Mudlark, Angus & Robertson (Harper Collins Publishers), Australia.
Paperback, 170 p.
In this evocative and moving story, Jim is adjusting to the news of his mother's terminal illness. His elder brother copes through his music, his distressed father has shut himself away, so Jim is isolated and bereft of comfort. Home is just a 'heap of bricks' so Jim finds solace in the class bird, Mudlark, which he brings home for the weekend. Then Mudlark escapes and during his pursuit of the bird Jim encounters the kindness of neighbours and learns that he is not alone. His quest for the bird is also a personal journey of discovery where he faces his fears and confronts a bully. The characterisation is superb. Jim is a complex character in a complex family. His gift is the power of imagination, as demonstrated by his 'stories', but this gift also has its price. This is a sensitively told, multi-layered story for the older young reader.
F STE 2003 (Level: UP-LS)

^ Top of page

Book of the Year: Early Childhood

Winner

Allen, Pamela 2003, Grandpa and Thomas, Viking (Penguin Books), Australia.
Hardcover, 29 p.
In this meticulously plotted story of a beach outing, Allen's beautiful ink and colour wash illustrations are matched by a simple and clever text that reads aloud very well. Grandpa and Thomas's actions are underscored by the 'Swish, swash, swoosh' of the sea as they build sandcastles and paddle.
The pair's actions are complementary and their sheer joy in each other's company is engaging. The dynamic illustrations focus on the simple pleasures of a day at the beach. White space is used judiciously so the text stands out clearly. The endpapers, with their squawking seagulls, add to the pleasure of reading this quality picture book.
JF ALL 2003 (Level: EC)

Honour Books

Barbalet, Margaret; McLean, Andrew (illus) 2003, Reggie, Queen of the street, Viking (Penguin Books), Australia.
Hardcover, 30 p.
Reggie, an endearing and loveable dog, is the main character in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Although small in stature, she is Queen of the street and her dog life is focused on the neighbourhood children. When Helen and Doug move house, Reggie is distraught. Desperate for her old home she sets off on the long journey but learns that you cannot go back. The soft muted colours of the pencil and water colour illustrations work wonderfully with the text. The story and the illustrations go full circle. Reggie's larger than life personality shines throughout the book; her size indicating her role and sense of belonging. Different perspectives allow the reader to see the world through a dog's eyes. The simple but effective text is well suited to the target audience. Particularly stunning is the double spread as Reggie views the city from a hill.
This is an ideal book to use as an example of a circle story. A wonderful resource to use when discussing pets and pet care.
JF BAR 2003 (Level: EC-LP)
Wild, Margaret; James, Ann (illus) 2003, Little Humpty, Little Hare, Australia.
Hardcover, 28 p.
The gawky and exuberant baby camel gambols across the 'hot, hot desert' as he and his mother go in search of the waterhole so Little Humpty can have playmates. This is both a joyous language experience and a delight for the eye as Little Humpty learns about the world from his mother and explores all its delights.
James's glowing desert colours and her appealing, long-lashed baby camel are complemented by Wild's lyrical and humorous text with its extensive vocabulary. Smaller illustrations balance the double spreads that often reflect Litle Humpty's imaginings. Children can easily relate to Little Humpty's imaginary play and his ardent questioning of his mother and their warm relationship is comforting. This is an action-packed, lively picture book where even the endpapers are integrated into the story. This is a beautifully produced book whose font size and appearance are just right for small readers.
JF WIL 2003 (Level: EC)

Other Shortlisted Titles

Cox, Tania; Miller, David (illus) 2003, Snap! went Chester, Hodder Children's Books Australia (Hodder Headline Australia).
Hardcover, 32 p.
Exquisite paper sculptures illustrate this simple text that has a young Nile crocodile testing his limits by snapping at the animals that share his African waterhole habitat. His increasing bravado is quickly quashed when something snaps back. Use for Level 1, Place and Space and Life and Living strands.
A minimal amount of text describes the youthful boredom that leads Chester to go on a snapping spree and his delight at the responses of the startled creatures. This could prompt discussion on the way that animals move and verbs to describe movement. Students could be challenged to consider the coverings of a variety of African animals (these are listed on the final page) through a close examination of the techniques used to construct the paper creatures' feathers, fur or skin. Folding, rolling, fringing and other techniques could be replicated in art activities to create other animals. The quality of the artwork extends the application into middle and upper primary classes. This is a delightful resource to stimulate many valuable learning activities.
JF COX 2003 (Level: EC-UP)
Gleeson, Libby; James, Ann (illus) 2003, Shutting the chooks in, Scholastic Press, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
The evocative illustrations and the economical text, with its vivid vocabulary, reveal a small boy's fear of the dark. As the late afternoon draws to a close, a young boy tends to his chooks; he feeds them and counts them, but one is missing. The threat of a lurking fox raises the boy's anxiety and fear of 'what might be'. Eventually the chook is found and returned safely and the boy makes a dash from the lurking shadows of the farmyard to the house.
The free-form poetry is set in short eye-spans of text that is clear and easy to read and there is comforting closure in the conclusion. The charming charcoal and oil pastel illustrations successfully portray changes in time, thought and mood throughout the story. The purpling colours indicate the onset of night and the slow growth of the boys' fears as the unfamiliar become threatening. Teachers may wish to have children respond to the text by sharing a 'scary' moment they've experienced or by story mapping the action in the text. This story lends itself to book graphing activities as its pace increases with the intensity of the boy's fear.
JF GLE 2003 (Level: LP)
Wild, Margaret; Legge, David (illus) 2003, Baby Boomsticks, ABC Books, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
This beautifully written and executed story celebrates difference. When Baby Boomsticks is born into his teeny-tiny world his parents are delighted. Before long their teeny-tiny baby grows to be an enormous child who grows and grows until he becomes so gigantic that the villagers are appalled and ostracise him.
When Baby Boomsticks claps his hands like thunder and rain buckets down from the sky to flood the village, he is reviled. Can Baby Boomsticks save the village he's outgrown and make new friends? Bold and exuberant illustrations capture the enormity of Baby Boomsticks in his imaginary teeny-tiny world. The joy lies in discovering the ingenuity of the baby's parents and revelling in the contrasts between him and the Lilliputian villagers. This delightful picture book with easy to read text will entertain young readers as they read alone or aloud with a group.
JF WIL 2003 (Level: EC)

^ Top of page

Picture Book of the Year

Note: Some of these picture books may be for mature readers. (Arranged by illustrator.)

Winner

Curtis, Neil; Grant, Joan (text) 2003, Cat and Fish, Lothian Books, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
This superbly illustrated book about the nature of friendship is a visual feast. Cat and Fish explore each other's environment, concluding that, while they cannot live in each other's world they can find common ground to pursue their friendship. Curtis's pen and ink, finely detailed black and white illustrations support Grant's minimal text beautifully.
The dynamic text weaves across and around the page, reflecting the action in the illustrations. Clever use of white space highlights the detail of the drawings, which use a myriad of patterns and shapes to convey character, weather and day and night. This story of compromise is humorous, enchanting and very engaging. Even the endpapers reflect the changing nature of their friendship cleverly.
Year 8 and Year 12 Art and English teachers will find this beautifully produced book very useful for units on making and illustrating picture books.
F GRA 2003 (Level: LP-US)

Honour Books

James, Ann; Gleeson, Libby (text) 2003, Shutting the chooks in, in Scholastic Press, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
The evocative illustrations and the economical text with its vivid vocabulary reveal a small boy's fear of the dark. As the late afternoon draws to a close, a young boy tends to his chooks; he feeds them and counts them, but one is missing. The threat of a lurking fox raises the boy's anxiety and fear of 'what might be'. Eventually the chook is found and returned safely and the boy makes a dash from the lurking shadows of the farmyard to the house.
The free-form poetry is set in short eye-spans of text that is clear and easy to read and there is comforting closure in the conclusion. The charming charcoal and oil pastel illustrations successfully portray changes in time, thoughts and mood throughout the story. The purpling colours indicate the onset of night and the slow growth of the boys' fears as the unfamiliar become threatening. Teachers may wish to have children respond to the text by sharing a 'scary' moment they've experienced or by story mapping the action in the text. This story lends itself to book graphing activities as its pace increases with the intensity of the boy's fear.
JF GLE 2003 (Level: LP)
Thompson, Colin 2003, The Violin man, Hodder Headline, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
Thompson's exquisite, many layered illustrations (a combination of digitally manipulated original images and photographs) and simple but evocative text tell the story of Oscar, the eponymous 'Violin Man', whose dreams came true when he was reunited with his eight year-old daughter Marietta, the dancer. Oscar 'lived in a world of dreams', drawing the queues of patrons outside the theatre into his fantasies. Marietta was a distant, phantasmagorical figure, alive only in Oscar's imagination. The reader is drawn into Oscar's fantastical worlds of objects and creatures out of context, of the ubiquitous and familiar Max and his cafe, and of the strange pink creatures that adorn the pages. Thompson's use of light, shadow and colour is brilliant, imparting a dream-like quality to the work. Some illustrations escape their frames, impacting on the reader's space. Characters from other books (e.g. Ethel the chicken from 'Future Eden') lurk about, musicians' scores provide the background to the artwork and the text placement is clever and varied. Children and adults will finds much to absorb them in this beautiful picture book. Use for Year 8 Art studies of the techniques for illustrating of picture books.
F THO 2003 (Level: MP-US)

Other Shortlisted Titles

Blackwood, Freya; Heffernan, John (text) 2003, Two summers, Scholastic Press, Australia.
Paperback, 28 p.
A rural boy ruminates on the upcoming visit of his city friend, Rick, who will be shocked by the changes wrought by a drought, since his previous stay the summer before. Elements of life on a rural property are wonderfully portrayed through text and illustrations.
As the boy reminisces about the previous summer, his thoughts turn to the current summer that finds the river dry and life so busy managing the drought affected stock that he and Rick will find little time for play. Much is implied through the illustrations that beautifully capture Rick's practical ineptitude and the changing colours of the Australian landscape. The difference between the two summers is marked by subtle changes in colour and the deteriorating condition of the stock. The effect of drought on the family's financial situation is also subtly conveyed.
This is an excellent resource for a Farm topic in Studies of Society and Environment, TCC 1.4, TCC 2.4, PS 1.1, PS 2.1.
JF HEF 2003 (Level: EC-MP)
King, Stephen Michael 2003, Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat King, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
This delightful picture book explores the feelings of liberation that come from discovering your strengths and talents and allowing your imagination the freedom to share these with others. Milli is an extraordinarily talented girl who keeps her creativity hidden until the arrival of two vagabond minstrels.
When Jack and Dancing Cat visit Milli for new boots, they offer dancing lessons as payment. Milli loves the freedom that dancing gives her and slowly she feels the need to release the creativity she has stifled for so long. Her joyous and quite bizarre creations slowly invade the village, transforming its inhabitants as well. Font size, text amount and full page pen and wash illustrations make this an ideal book to be read aloud. The illustrations match the text superbly as the colours change depending on the tone of the text on the particular page. Brown and green are used to evoke feelings of entrapment and blandness but vivid green, red, orange, yellow and purple are used to portray joy, freedom and creativity. There are many important messages to be found in this text.
Teachers could use this book to explore issues such as self-esteem, conformity, peer pressure, acceptance, tolerance and individual strengths and talents. This could also be used as a motivator for construction or sculpture units.
Shortlisted 2004: the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year.
JF KIN 2003 (Level: LP-UP)
McLean, Andrew; Barbalet, Margaret (text) 2003, Reggie, Queen of the street, Viking (Penguin Books), Australia.
Hardcover, 30 p.
Reggie, an endearing and loveable dog, is the main character in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Although small in stature she is Queen of the street and her dog life is focused on the neighbourhood children. When Helen and Doug move house, Reggie is distraught. Desperate for her old home she sets off on the long journey but learns that you cannot go back. The soft muted colours of the pencil and water colour illustrations work wonderfully with the text. The story and the illustrations go full circle. Reggie's larger than life personality shines throughout the book; her size indicating her role and sense of belonging. Different perspectives allow the reader to see the world through a dog's eyes. The simple but effective text is well suited to the target audience. Particularly stunning is the double spread as Reggie views the city from a hill.
This is an ideal book to use as an example of a circle story. A wonderful resource to use when discussing pets and pet care.
JF BAR 2003 (Level: EC-LP)

^ Top of page

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Note: Some of these books are for mature readers.

Winner

Nicholson, John 2003, Animal architects, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Hardcover, 32 p.
This fascinating book details the amazing skills of different creatures that build spectacular and intricate places to live in for safety, shelter, raising young and storing food. Short chapters group and discuss animals as nomads, diggers, weavers, carpenters, and bricklayers.
Teachers and students addressing Level 2.3 in the life and living strand of Science will be intrigued by the information presented, which includes illustrated stages of how creatures build their homes. Eye-catching illustrations of animals and their homes are clearly labelled in italics. The inclusion of an index and a glossary add to the overall quality of the informative text.
591.56 NIC 2003 (Level: LP)

Honour Books

Carlyon, Patrick 2003, The Gallipoli story, Penguin Books, Australia.
Paperback, 204 p.
This is a riveting and unbiased account that explodes myths and reveals the human faces behind the tragic Gallipoli campaign. It tells of the misery, courage, humour and mateship that flourished in the Australian and New Zealand trenches and also extols the bravery of 'Johnny Turk'. Combining fact and speculation, the book reveals the misplaced spirit of adventure that saw 28,150 Australians killed or injured. Enlistment, the landing on the wrong beach and the subsequent 'baptism of fire' are described through contemporary letters, news items and official documents, linked by the narrative.
What stands out is the soldiers' initial naivet about war, expressed in their letters home, and the horrors of trench warfare. Boxed information contains anecdotes, statistics, jokes and the origin of ANZAC. The blow-by-blow accounts of battles do not mince words. Character sketches of Simpson and his donkey, ordinary soldiers, generals and VC winners provide the human element. The humour is laconic. Black and white photographs, maps, an index and endnotes make information easy to access.
This is a 'must-have' for studies of Senior Modern History Bridging and comparative studies, 'World War I and nationalism after World War I' and for Studies of Society and Environment strand, 'Time, Continuity and Change' for an examination of situations in Australia before and after a change in Australian or global settings.
940.426 CAR 2003 (Level: LS-US)
Nicholls, Christine 2003, Art, history, place, Working Title Press, Australia.
Paperback, 40 p.
40,000 years of diversity in Aboriginal art is explored in this enticing book. This is a quality production, beautifully illustrated, with panels of explanation for each illustration and artist running down the border of each page. The contemporary Australian Indigenous art movement, the history of Indigenous Australian art and profiles of Indigenous artists are covered in this slim volume.
There is a very useful, easily understood interpretation of one style of Aboriginal art, the iconographic art of the Central and Western Desert, and the strictures of kinship rules that govern its choice of subject. Precise descriptions of colours and the methods of their production, an explanation of the Dreaming and the Dreaming Ancestors and kinship rules are provided by the clear and simple text with its carefully chosen vocabulary. The book includes discussions of all forms of Aboriginal art - carvings, weapons, necklaces, baskets, musical instruments and bark paintings - and emphasises their diversity. There is a map, a pronunciation guide for Aboriginal words and names and a glossary. The large font size and use of white space make this a very accessible text.
704.0399115 NIC 2003 (Level: UP-LS)

Other Shortlisted Titles

Dale, Kim 2003, Bush babies, Lothian Books, Australia.
Hardcover, 30 p.
This engaging lift-the-flap book, with its muted illustrations accompanied by lyrical poetry, introduces Australian mammal and bird babies in their habitats. Young readers have to guess the creature' identities before lifting the flaps. As an appendix, the 'Fauna facts' on the three types of mammals extend the picture book's usefulness to the upper grades.
The meticulously detailed illustrations are set against the soft wash backgrounds of the daylight and nocturnal settings. The verse introduces a number of scientific facts, describing the physical characteristics, habits and habitats of each species. (Note: Despite the title, not all animals mentioned are 'bush' creatures.)
This is a beautiful book that could be gainfully used as extension material for Lower primary Science syllabus, 'Life and living' strand, Discretionary learning outcome D1.4 and Core learning outcome 2.1.
591.30994 DAL 2003 (Level: EC-LP)
Malbunka, Mary; Morecroft, Richard; Mackay, Alison 2003, When I was little, like you, Allen & Unwin, Australia.
Hardcover, 30 p.
The author tells of growing up at Papunya - the extended family structures, schooling, learning about bush tucker and traditional medicines. Her voice strongly reflects the oral tradition of the Aboriginal elder passing on her culture. Ample illustrations enhance the book's value in Studies of Society and Environment across the Primary Levels.
The quite extensive text is dotted with words from the Luritja language, their meaning given in brackets on first use. Relationships with family, the combination of European and traditional recreations and foods and bush trips are all described in simple language, logically and cohesively arranged, alongside the engaging crayon drawings. Dot paintings are sometimes used. The use of symbols as language is explained in the notes at the back of the book. Notes on language and pronunciation, a map of Papunya's Central Australian region, a glossary of Luritja language words as well as a brief biography on the author are included.
305.89915 MAL 2003 (Level: LP-UP)
Morecroft, Richard; Lloyd-Diviny, Karen (illus) 2003, Zoo album, ABC Books, Australia.
Hardcover, 47 p.
This exquisitely presented book examines ten real animals from the Taronga and Western Plains Zoos, demonstrating the rationale behind the establishment of zoos. For each animal there are four pages of text accompanied by beautiful and detailed watercolour, pencil and gouache illustrations that contribute much to the book's success.
The information provided includes physical features, food, habitat and endangered status. Details such as how an anaconda's jaws expand and the reason for the bad breath of a komodo dragon extend the bare facts. The tone of the text is informal and often humorous, with definite child-appeal. An anecdote from each Keeper adds a personal touch. A glossary is provided.
This is an excellent resource for Science - Life and Living strand, Levels 1 and 2 for examining the needs of living things and adaptation to environments. Table of contents includes: Mammals - Birds - Reptiles - Amphibians.
636.088 MOR 2003 (Level: LP-UP)

Contact details

* Denotes mandatory fields

Name:*

School/Work unit:*

Email:*

Telephone:*

Please remember my contact details for future requests. (Do not check this box if using a public computer and you want to keep your contact details private.)

^ Top of page

Last updated: 21 April 2008

Topic lists

Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Titles 2004

To request items:

Book of the Year: Older Readers

Winner

Honour Books

Other Shortlisted Titles

Book of the Year: Younger Readers

Winner

Honour Books

Other Shortlisted Titles

Book of the Year: Early Childhood

Winner

Honour Books

Other Shortlisted Titles

Picture Book of the Year

Winner

Honour Books

Other Shortlisted Titles

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Winner

Honour Books

Other Shortlisted Titles

What's new?

Quick links