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New curriculum titles as at 19 October 2009

These items have recently been added to the Curriculum Collection and will be on display at and available for loan from Library Services, Coorparoo Education Precinct, 347 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo.

All items have been reviewed for suitability for the Queensland P-12 curriculum by the Resource Evaluation team and have been rated as Highly Recommended or Recommended. Reviews are included.

To view more titles search the Central Library Catalogue (new window).

Items can only be lent to clients registered with Library Services. View how to register and borrow for eligibility and conditions.

For more information contact Library Services.

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• Horacek, Judy 2009, These are my hands, Penguin, Camberwell, Vic.
  Boardbook, 24 p.
  This lovely little board book celebrates the wonder of hands and the freedom, fun and empowerment they afford the energetic owner. While it’s a book perfect for reading aloud, the simplicity of the language lends itself to independent reading by experimental and beginning readers. Useful for English as well as body awareness and physical activity in Health and Physical Education.
  A small girl revels in the things her hands allow her to do – picking things up, holding hands with others, colouring in and splashing in the bath. Short and uncomplicated sentences capture the joys of an active childhood in child-friendly language. Horacek’s watercolour illustrations are simple, uncluttered and full of action and movement. The sturdy cardboard pages, rounded corners and the small, square format will ensure this book’s longevity in young, eager hands.
  JF HOR 2009 (Level: Prep - Year 1)
• Holmes, Janet A ; Rossell, Judith 2008, Me and you, Little Hare, Surry Hills, N.S.W.
  Hardcover, 24 p.
  Rabbit is happy with the simple things in life and especially content because he can enjoy them with his friend, Mouse. Easy enough for a developing reader to tackle alone, this endearing picture book about friendship and self-esteem will be enhanced by share-reading with a friend, parent or class.
  Rabbit celebrates the joy of living and his enthusiasm is contagious. Mouse mimics his every action, sitting still, being active on land and in the water, soaking in the sunshine and resting in the shade. The words on each page move with the verbs in the text, complementing the illustrations. Rabbit can sit, hop, skip, jump, do handstands, turn somersaults, float, swim, romp, rest, build, dig, ride, roll, run, climb, blow, reach and curl, but most importantly, he can love his friend. Rossell’s charcoal and watercolour illustrations convey the delight of the two characters. Together, text and image reinforce the notion that it’s important to make the most of every day, valuing the blissful reassurance that friendship and love provides.
  JF HOL 2008 (Level: Prep - Year 1)
• Burke, Tina 2009, Ruby makes a friend, Penguin, Camberwell, Vic.
  Hardcover, 30 p.
  This is an affirming story about imaginary friends and the supportive function they can serve in a child’s development. The subject matter and large, clear illustrations make it a perfect book for reading aloud, while the simplicity of the language lends itself to independent reading by beginner and transitional readers. Particularly useful for visual literacy.
  On the day Ruby’s big brother leaves for his first day of school, Ruby acquires a new (imaginary) friend, Milo. He’s a wonderful friend who joins Ruby in chasey, fancy dress, tea parties, drawing and cloud gazing. He even accompanies Ruby to her first day of school, where she meets Jacinta and her imaginary friend, Boris. Milo and Boris make a natural exit when the two girls develop a growing security and comfort in themselves and each other. Burke’s soft hued illustrations are simple and uncluttered and make lovely use of white space. Emotion and movement are captured through the deft placement of line, and warmth is imbued through the artful use of colour and shading. A sensitive exploration of a sensitive topic.
  JF BUR 2009 (Level: Prep - Year 2)
• Arena, Felice 2008, Hey, Cat!, Viking, Camberwell, Vic.
  Hardcover, 30 p.
  Mouse and Cat are an unlikely couple. Mouse loves the fact that Cat seems to appreciate him in so many ways, but scrutinising the illustrations tells the opposite story. Contradiction of text and image extends the humour in this tale. Perfect to share, this picture book subtly introduces the concept of sarcasm.
  Mouse is a lovable character, multi-talented, cultured, the life of the party. Such is his inflated ego, he genuinely believes Cat loves him. However, Cat follows his feline instincts, trying to lure Mouse into a vulnerable, edible position. Sadly for Cat, Mouse has a black belt in karate and so the promise of future encounters exists.
  Arena’s bold ink and watercolour illustrations tell the story from the perspectives of the two main characters. He cleverly uses the font to playfully integrate with the pictures, adding impact and exploring the implausible plot. The funny combination of the endearing mouse and the frustrated cat successfully spins a jovial yarn.
  JF ARE 2008 (Level: Prep - Year 3)
• Browne, Anthony 2008, Little Beauty, Walker, London.
  Hardcover, 30 p.
  A gorilla, competent in sign language, can communicate his needs to the zoo keepers. He has every material need met, but lacks the emotional support of a friend. Based on a true story, this picture book lends itself to the exploration of the meaning of friendship and the appropriate expression of anger.
  Gorilla’s loneliness is palpable until the zoo keepers give him a kitten called Beauty. Despite their obvious physical differences, they enjoy a touching compatibility, amusingly illustrated by the contented expressions as ‘they did everything together’. The story darkens, however, with Gorilla’s uncontrollable rage which could have dire consequences. The zoo keepers threaten to take Beauty away. Only when Beauty takes the blame for the destruction, is the problem resolved.
  Browne’s famously detailed illustrations offer visual indulgence, bringing the characters to life. For the very observant, peering into the heart of the roses will reveal a surprise, reflecting the enduring love of these two creatures. This fictional interpretation of the reported story of a signing gorilla and his pet kitten is one to share with those who enjoy animal stories.
  JF BRO 2008 (Level: Prep - Year 3)
• Yoo, Taeeun 2008, The little red fish, Penguin, Melbourne.
  Hardcover, 33 p.
  When JeJe visits his grandfather’s library in the middle of the forest, a world of wonderful books to ignite his imagination beckons him. Outstanding for its award-winning illustrations, this book about the treasures that are held on the pages between the covers would suit intimate reading rather than whole class sharing.
  JeJe takes his red fish to the library, but mysteriously, it escapes from the bowl. JeJe follows its trail, tracking it down in a book remarkably like this one, with its pillar-box red cloth cover. In an explosion of red which contrasts starkly against the sepia and black background, many fish burst from the pages. JeJe becomes magically drawn into the pages of the book, whisked away by a flock of flying flamingos, across the sea. Recapturing his fish, he returns it to the fishbowl and replaces the book on the shelf, promising to return to the library for more intellectual adventures.
  Whether JeJe was dreaming or lost in thought is up to the reader’s interpretation. Yoo’s stunning etchings use the interplay of light and dark to create the world within the library, inviting readers to become involved in the many literary journeys available to them.
  JF YOO 2008 (Level: Prep - Year 3)
• Cowley, Joy ; Belton, Robyn (illus) 2009, The duck in the gun, 25th anniversary ed, Walker, London.
  Paperback, 34 p.
  The General has positioned his army to fire cannon balls at the town, but there is a problem. A duck is hatching some eggs in the barrel and nobody can coax her out. This heart-warming picture book demonstrates the futility of war and the joy of peace.
  Originally written in the late 1960s as a protest against the Vietnam War, this book became a school reader a decade later. Its popularity has resulted in a reworking and republishing, validating its timeless message. Belton’s charming, almost comic illustrations convey a light-hearted feel to a serious topic. The use of gentle satire to expose the irrationality of fighting when peaceful coexistence is a preferable option works perfectly - its pacifist message being honoured by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum as one of ten selected children’s titles from around the world. Notes from the author and illustrator at the end of the book add interest and information.
  A digitised version of this book is available at http://www.natlib.govt.nz/collections/digital-collections/icdl
  JF COW 2009 (Level: Prep - Year 5)
• Barrett, Judi ; Nickle, John (illus) 2008, Never take a shark to the dentist, Simon and Schuster, London.
  Paperback, 30 p.
  This quirky and creative picture book will have readers laughing out loud… and then laughing out loud some more when the subtleties in the illustrations are further examined. The simplicity of the text makes it accessible to beginning readers yet the clever humour will draw older readers in as well.
  On the left-hand page of each double-page spread, a sentence states what one should never do; a hilarious illustration on the opposite page shows the consequences of not heeding the advice. ‘Never take a goat to the library’ is depicted with a paper-strewn, page-eaten scene of a near-empty shelf that was once full of books; the goat happily munching away while his naïve mouse-escort looks ruefully on. All of the illustrations feature animal characters and the anthropomorphised characteristics are reminiscent of Anthony Browne. The juxtaposition of ordinary reality with the bizarre heightens the eccentricity and appeal of the illustrations. Various fonts are used in the text and are well chosen to reflect the idiosyncrasies of the featured animal. An excellent resource to explore visual humour and develop visual literacy.
  JF BAR 2008 (Level: Prep - Year 7)
• Macaulay, David 2008, Angelo, Andersen, London.
  Paperback, 48 p.
  In his work restoring old buildings, Angelo is annoyed by the damage caused by pigeons, but his discovery of an injured bird changes his attitude completely. With very detailed illustrations requiring the reader to interpret text and image simultaneously, this picture book is particularly useful for teaching visual literacy.
  Angelo takes special care of the bird that he names Sylvia, and in return, is rewarded by loyalty and companionship. Themes of determination, caring, grief and circle-of-life are explored. The sadness surrounding Angelo’s death is counterbalanced by the lasting monument he created for Sylvia and the hope of new beginnings with the chicks in her nest. Macaulay’s pen and ink sketches, awash with the colours of the Italian landscapes and cityscapes, invite revisiting to uncover subtle messages, humour and supporting information skilfully provided to extend the enjoyment of this book.
  JF MAC 2008 (Level: Years 1 - 4)
• Base, Graeme 2008, Enigma: a magical mystery, Penguin Viking, Melbourne.
  Hardcover, 36 p.
  Enigma is not only the perfect title for this book of puzzles, it is the name of the rabbit in the hat belonging to Bertie Badger’s grandpa, the once-famous ‘Gadzooks the Great'. Expressed in verse, begging to be read aloud, the mystery unfolds, delivering a heart-warming message of love, honesty and forgiveness.
  Bertie loves visiting his grandpa in the retirement home for elderly magicians. He looks forward to his private viewing of his grandpa’s tricks, but one sad day he finds that a thief has stolen from every resident. Dismayed, yet determined to find the culprit, Bertie visits everyone looking for answers. When Enigma, the missing rabbit crawls from under the bed, the sorry tale is revealed. All ends happily, though, with a magical show starring ‘Magic Bertie’ and ‘Enigma the Incredible’. Reaching the end of the story, the reader finds that the fun is just starting. Encrypted codes, clues in the detailed illustrations, and an interactive code-breaker place the reader in the role of super-sleuth, directing them back to examine Base’s exquisitely creative illustrations. Not just a satisfying read, this stunning book is a literary experience of magical proportion.
  JF BAS 2008 (Level: Years 1 - 7)

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Previous new curriculum titles

• New curriculum titles as at 2 November 2009
• New curriculum titles as at 19 October 2009
• New curriculum titles as at 5 October 2009
• New curriculum titles as at 7 September 2009

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Last updated: 15 October 2009

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