Non-Fiction

• Warren, Kathleen; Carter, Karen (illus) 2008, You make me feel like dancing, (Wiggle and learn. Social and emotional development), ABC, Sydney.
  Paperback, 31 p.
  The Wiggle and learn books are a companion series for the DVDs of the same name. The appeal and familiarity of ‘The Wiggles’ will capture the attention of children, while parents and early childhood teachers may use this resource for interactive teaching and learning. Recognisable characters inhabit a colourful cartoon world, inviting the reader to participate and share personal knowledge and experiences.
  You make me feel like dancing focuses on developing self esteem and personal confidence through social responsibility. Sam, Jeff, Anthony and Murray entice young children to play games and express themselves artistically in a spirit of cooperation and friendship. Each double-page spread addresses a different topic including teamwork, helpfulness, turn-taking, respecting others and recognising their strengths. The discrete nature of each chapter inhibits fluidity but, alternatively, allows for expansion and elaboration by teachers and parents.
  C 302.14 WAR 2008 (Level: Prep-Year 1)
• Pyers, Greg 2007, Finding out about- bandicoots, (Finding out about-), Echidna, Port Melbourne, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  Facts about a variety of bandicoot species and their conservation status are delivered in this book. An ideal resource for primary students developing research skills or investigating animal diversity in Science (Life and Living, Level 3).
  The 'Finding out about…' series examines the feeding behaviours, habitat, breeding and conservation issues associated with specific animals. The accessible text features large print and manageable vocabulary supported by photographs and illustrations. Text boxes support the main paragraphs providing further interesting facts and regularly answering the question ‘How do we know?’ by simply explaining the scientific processes used to uncover specific information about the animal. The contents page, index and glossary are all user friendly.
  C 599.26 PYE 2007 (Level: Years 3-7)
• Dubosarsky, Ursula, Riddle, Tohby (illus) 2008, The word spy, Penguin, Camberwell, Vic.
  Hardcover, 245 p.
  Dubosarsky draws young people into the fascinating world of words with her ‘spy’ approach and conspiratorial tone. While few students will read the book from beginning to end, this is a great resource from which teachers might select succinct excerpts to read aloud for examples of language usage that will add interest and meaning to English lessons.
  The narrative voice is that of ‘the word spy’ who takes the reader on a journey through the evolution of the English language and the resulting idiosyncrasies. Within the chapters ‘the word spy’ reveals information on topics such as the history of the alphabet, the invention of printing, punctuation, anagrams, acronyms, palindromes, rebuses, puns, euphemisms, malapropisms and texting. No stone is left unturned in the endeavour to make a fairly academic topic appealing to students. Small chunks of narrative non-fiction text are broken by word games, codes to be solved and small illustrations. Included throughout are examples of language use from popular television series such as Seinfeld and The Simpsons as well as the inevitable Shakespearean quotes. For those students who do persevere, this book will also reward them with an introduction to many varied and classic texts.
  C 420 DUB 2008 (Level: Years 6-9)
• Tarakson, Stella 2007, Making the law, (The law in Australia), Heinemann Library, Port Melbourne, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  Part of the 'The law in Australia' series, this book is a contemporary overview of Australia’s legal system including information on who makes and changes the law. Appropriate for use in Studies of Society and Environment (Systems, Resources and Power) and as a concise starting point for senior students of Legal Studies.
  Succinct yet informative, this book does not talk down to younger students. Photographs, diagrams, tables and charts illustrate key concepts. ‘Just the facts’ boxes provide additional information and ‘Legal brief’ boxes are a highlight of the text. Besides extending facts in these text boxes, questions are also posed to the reader, forcing them to analyse what they have read. This may be a small highlight, but in light of the fact that civics and government topics do not always engage the target audience, it is a notable one.
  The presentation is appealing and a comprehensive glossary as well as an index are provided. Websites and book references are included for further research.
  C 349.94 TAR 2007 (Level: Years 6-10)

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Fiction

• Hoy, Catriona; Webster, Mal (illus) 2008, Daddies, Lothian Children's, Sydney.
  Paperback, 29 p.
  With delightful energy and humour, this book explores the many different duties of a father in the family setting. Told from the perspective of a child, the playful and active role a father can play is a significant focus. A useful book to explore family member roles and responsibilities as well as stereotyping of these roles.
  Although Mum thinks daddies are for washing dishes, and Grandma thinks they’re for changing light bulbs, this little boy thinks daddies are for ‘wild things’. Across the pages, Daddy is depicted partaking in all manner of active fun and mischief, including flying in spaceships, walking the plank, chasing and cuddling. Webster combines both watercolour and pastels in his artwork, creating detailed and vibrant illustrations. These beautifully capture the delights of creative play as well the emotion and mayhem of the father-child interactions. The text font and placement is highly complementary to the story’s tempo and, combined with the illustrations, invites whole-class engagement.
  JF HOY 2008 (Level: Prep-Year 2)
• Matthews, Cecily; Broekstra, Lorette (illus) 2008, Cock-a-doodle-doo!, Little Hare Books, Surry Hills, N.S.W.
  Hardcover, 31 p.
  Leonard thought he was too small to cry the ‘cockle-a-doodle-doo’ that would awaken the farm, but necessity helps him find his voice. A lovely book to read aloud and to explore themes of fear, confidence and farmyard animals.
  Big, bossy, burly Basil usually starts the farmyard day with his loud crowing, but one day he loses his voice. All the farm animals turn to peaky, puny, pipsqueak Leonard to fill in, but he doesn’t think he is capable of this important task. Only the stamping of the cows waiting to be milked provokes him into a loud crowing of protest. His confidence boosted, Leonard takes over from Basil as chief rooster.
  Broekstra’s bright colours, bold outlines and simple wash and ink illustrations catch the eye and support the text perfectly. Consonantal alliteration and textual contrast are used to great effect in this story that may be compared and contrasted with Rooster can’t cock-a-doodle-doo by Karen Rostoker-Gruber.
  JF MAT 2008 (Level: Prep-Year 2)
• Sherry, Kevin 2007, I'm the biggest thing in the ocean, Puffin, Camberwell, Vic.
  Paperback, 31 p.
  While he’s busy taking inventory of all the sea animals he overshadows in size, the loveable giant squid is quite oblivious to an even bigger danger. Perfect for reading aloud, this book has applications for English, as well as for the exploration of sea environments in Science and measurement in Mathematics.
  Big in size but even bigger in self-importance, the giant squid is cavalier and confident in his travels through the ocean. In simple text he compares himself in size to shrimps, clams, turtles, an octopus and even a shark, swelling with pride all the while. He is only temporarily flummoxed when swallowed by a whale because he soon discovers he’s the biggest thing in there too
  The bold and bright collage illustrations have great comic appeal and are likely to inspire excited collage experimentation by the reader. Quirky and fun, this book will have enduring popularity in classrooms and libraries.
  JF SHE 2007 (Level: Prep-Year 3)
• Gleeson, Libby; Cox, David (illus) 2007, Happy birthday x 3, (Walker stories), Walker, London.
  Paperback, 64 p.
  Triplets - Amy, Josephine and Jess – are excited about their impending sixth birthday festivities. Keen to buy each other the perfect gift, they put great effort into their choices. This humorously illustrated book, divided into three scenarios, is an encouraging introduction to chapter books for young readers.
  Amy loves to play with toys. Jo loves to read and Jess is the drama queen, dressing up for any occasion. Earning money for presents is their first priority, but distractions into their passions for toys, books and clothes slow them down. Soon, with cash for gifts, they go shopping for a gift that isn’t too boring or expensive. True to character, each girl finds a gift that reflects her own interests. The much anticipated day arrives, gifts unwrapped and party celebrated. Happily, at the end of the day, the warrior, the magician and the princess are delighted with their own choices. David Cox’s black and white illustrations masterfully reflect the characters and add a sense of fun to the text.
  F GLE 2007 (Level: Years 2-3)
• Bancks, Tristan 2008, The rules of cool, (Mac Slater, Coolhunter), Random House Australia, North Sydney, N.S.W.
  Paperback, 262 p.
  This first book of the series, aptly titled The rules of cool, opens with explosive action that will immediately engage boys and lower secondary readers. Extreme thrill seekers, Mac and friend Paul, invent prototypes and dream up wild escapades that are delivered in an easy-to-read style. Cat DeVrees and her gang competitively challenge the boys to win an online ‘vlog’ contest. They are required to hunt down ‘cool’ film and edit and upload it to the web. This engaging concept forms the basis of many tit-for-tat strikes that will involve both male and female readers.
  Illumination of gender difference is one of the highlights of this book and could provide stimulating classroom discussion. Whilst it may not necessarily be ‘cool’ to be interested or verbalise enjoyment, readers of this book will connect fervently. The conversational yet spare writing style, realistic characters and short chapters will allow reluctant readers to clearly visualise Kings Bay beach and smell the rancid stench from the chicken farm.
  F BAN 2008 (Level: Years 7-10)
• Morpurgo, Michael; Foreman, Michael (illus) 2007, The Mozart question, Walker, London.
  Hardcover, 72 p.
  One person’s fortune is often at the expense of another’s misfortune, and so it was for Lesley, novice journalist. This work of historical fiction is a poignant reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust, softened by the saving grace of music. It is a short novel of hope and survival.
  When her boss has a skiing accident, Lesley is sent to Venice to interview the world famous violinist, Paolo Levi. Given strict instructions on how to conduct the interview, she is told one vital restriction: not to ask ‘the Mozart question’. Nervously initiating conversation with a blundering acknowledgement of this taboo subject, she hits a nerve with Paolo and he realises that it is time the story is told. The secrets of the past are revealed, for, in Paolo’s opinion, secrets are like lies and are never safe. Memories of his parents’ escape from the gas chambers because of their musical talents are now aired, and in an author’s note at the end of the book, Morpurgo acknowledges the factual basis for this story.
  Foreman’s watercolour illustrations capture the essence of the mood and setting of this account. His dark prisoner of war scenes contrast with the bright visions of Venice in peacetime. Paolo Levi’s story gives testimony to this dark period in history.
  F MOR 2007 (Level: Years 7-10)

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