Children's Book Week 2005
Children’s Book Week commenced on 20th August, 2005. The theme for 2005 was "Reading Rocks".
The shortlist of finalists in the Children's Book Council of Australia awards was released on 5th April, 2005. The winners were announced on Friday 19th August.
You may also like to visit the official Children's Book Council Web site to view information about their activities in children's literature, including conferences, author information and news of other literary awards managed by the Council.
Award Winners by Category
Picture Book of the Year | |
Lester, Alison | Are We There Yet? A journey around Australia |
Book of the Year: Early Childhood | |
Fox, Mem (Illus. Horacek, Judy) | Where is the green Sheep? |
Book of the Year: Younger Readers | |
Hartnett, Sonya | The silver donkey |
Book of the Year: Older Readers | |
Bauer, Michael Gerard | The running man |
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books | |
Sullivan, Bryan with French, Jackie (Illus. Gus Gordon) | To the moon and back: the amazing Australians at the forefront of space travel plus fantastic Moon facts |
2005 SHORTLISTED FINALISTS IN THE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Click on the award heading to be taken straight to the relevant Scan reviews.
Picture Book of the Year
(Some of these books may be for mature readers; note that CBCA listing is arranged in alphabetical order by name of the illustrator)
BAKER, Jeannie (2004) Belonging.Walker, SCIS 1177671, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
HARVEY, Roland (2004) At the beach: postcards from Crabby Spit. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1194111, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
KING, Stephen Michael (2004) Mutt dog! Scholastic, SCIS 1189562, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
LESTER, Alison (2004) Are we there yet? A journey around Australia. Penguin/Viking, SCIS 1187220, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
MILLER, David (2003) Refugees. Lothian, SCIS 1162620, reviewed Scan 23 (4)
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
DRAY, Matt (2004) Dougal the garbage dump bear.Penguin, SCIS 1191118, reviewed Scan 24(2)
FARRER, Vashti & CURTIS, Neil (2004) Mr Noah and the cats. Lothian, SCIS 1163394, reviewed Scan 24 (3)
FOX, Mem & HORECEK, Judy (2004) Where is the green sheep? Viking, SCIS 1167105, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
GRAHAM, Bob (2004) Tales from the waterhole. Walker, SCIS 1170091, reviewed in Scan 24 (2)
KING, Stephen Michael (2004) Mutt dog! Scholastic, SCIS 1189562, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
WILD, Margaret &RAWLINS, Donna (2004) Seven more sleeps. Working Title, SCIS 1195164, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
ORMEROD, Jan (2004) Lizzie nonsense. Little Hare, SCIS 1162620, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
HARTNETT, Sonya (2004) The silver donkey: a novel for children. Viking, SCIS 1188972, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
HAWKE, Rosanne (2004) Soraya the storyteller. Lothian, SCIS 1170052, reviewed Scan 24 (3)
HEFFERNAN, John (2004) A horse called Elvis. Scholastic, SCIS 1162797, reviewed Scan 23 (4)
METZENTHEN, David (2004) Tiff and the trout. Penguin, SCIS 1173800, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
ROGERS, Gregory (2004) The boy, the bear, the baron, the bard. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1169317, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
ROY, James (2004) Billy Mack’s war. University of Queensland Press, SCIS 1184156, reviewed Scan 24 (3)
Book of the Year: Older Readers
(These books are for mature readers)
BAUER, Michael Gerard (2004) The running man. Scholastic, SCIS 1189600, reviewed Scan 24 (3)
EATON, Anthony (2004) Fireshadow. University of Queensland Press, SCIS 1165407, reviewed Scan 23(4)
HERRICK, Steven (2004) By the river. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1181455, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
HORNIMAN, Joanne (2004) Secret scribbled notebooks. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1184519, reviewed Scan 23 (4)
JONSBERG, Barry (2004) The whole business with Kiffo and the pitbull. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1166938, reviewed Scan 23 (4)
LANAGAN, Margo (2004) Black juice. Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1161337, reviewed Scan 23 (4)
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
(Some of these books are for mature readers)
CHAPMAN, Helen (2004) Heritage and places. Heinemann Library, SCIS 1178840, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
LONG, John & RUSE, Jill (2004) Gogofish! The story of the Western Australian state fossil emblem. Western Australian Museum, SCIS 1164127, reviewed Scan 24 (3)
PYERS, Greg (2004) Life in a rockpool. Echidna, SCIS 1168607, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
SILKSTONE, Barry (2004) Amazing Australian mammals.Heinemann Library, SCIS 1160553, reviewed Scan 24 (1)
SULLIVAN, Bryan with FRENCH, Jackie (2004) To the moon and back : the amazing Australians at the forefront of space travel plus fantastic moon facts. Angus & Robertson, SCIS 1178624, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
VERCOE, Elizabeth with ABRAMOWSKI, Kerry (2004) The grief book: strategies for young people. Black Dog, SCIS 1181136, reviewed Scan 24 (2)
Reviews
Picture Book of the Year
BAKER, Jeannie
Belonging
Walker, 2004
ISBN 0744592275
In this long awaited companion to Window, Baker turns her attention to the reclamation and renewal of an urban landscape by local inhabitants. She vividly and powerfully shows the importance of the natural environment in the provision of urban amenity, and the way a community project can bring people together in significant ways. The strong political, social, and environmental message is personalised through the format of a baby growing into an adult. This highly recommended wordless picture book, with its intricate collages, offers an invaluable stimulus for discussion of social and environmental change within the Change and continuity and Environments strands of the HSIEK–6 syllabus. It also has value as a visual literacy study of picture books in English Stage 4. W. Smith.
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
27.95
HARVEY, Roland
At the beach: postcards from Crabby Spit
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 1741144124
A young boy and girl write postcards to their grandmother while on a beach holiday, in this visually intricate picture book. One sub text is a cheeky dog which commandeers camping and holidaying items, to be located by the reader. Student vocabularies will be extended with the explanation of such terms as ‘rotunda’ and ‘ancient midden’, many of which are labelled on a large hand drawn map. The postcard format will support outcomes involving recounts, and a comparison of the grandmother’s holiday with the children’s will provide discussion material for the HSIE syllabus. There is much support in the visual text for the HSIE unit: Relationship with places, as the artwork details all aspects of life at the beach. A. Beedles.
USER LEVEL: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3
$24.95
KING, Stephen Michael
Mutt dog!
Scholastic, 2004
ISBN 1865046361
A heart rending story of a homeless dog, this picture book will be enjoyed by all young readers who love animals, because of its happy ending. Mutt dog is alone in the city, until he finds a half way house. Here he finds kindness, but unfortunately, he cannot stay. Eventually, he finds a comfortable house in the country, surrounded by a family who love and care for him. Finally he is somewhere he belongs and he responds to their love, using skills he learnt on the streets. King's unique illustrative style dominates this simple narrative, and students will be challenged to identify sub layers of meaning in the written and visual text. J. Eade.
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1, Stage 1
$27.95
LESTER, Alison
Are we there yet?: a journey around Australia
Penguin/Viking, 2004
ISBN 0670880671
Based on a journey recently undertaken by the author’s family, this highly recommended picture book is narrated by eight year old Grace. It tells the story simply, through a series of significant and memorable incidents and famous locations. Meticulous drawings, showing the family’s relationships, activities and places visited, extend and develop this child centred text. Respect for Aboriginal culture is evident in the depiction of significant sites. Billy’s repeated query adds a note of humour, and helps to link the episodes of the journey. The book offers rich and varied opportunities for discussion and follow up activities, especially in the Environments and Cultures strands of HSIE Stage 2. W. Smith.
USER LEVEL: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3
$24.95
MILLER, David
Refugees
Lothian, 2004
ISBN 0734406339
In this beautiful and highly recommended picture book, two wild ducks symbolise the plight of refugees as they are driven from their home by violently disruptive change. Their increasingly desperate search for a safe place to live exposes them to danger, uncertainty, rejection, discrimination and further violence, until they are assisted to settle in a safe and appropriate place. Miller’s extraordinary paper sculptures add a high level of artistic accomplishment to this powerful story, which can be read and interpreted on several levels. There is much to pore over in the vivid and detailed pictures. Underlying ideas offer ample opportunities for classroom discussion about the protection of wildlife and of the environment, as well as the issue of human refugees. W. Smith.
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
$26.95
ORMEROD, Jan
Lizzie nonsense
Little Hare, 2004
ISBN 187700359X
Capturing the haunting beauty and loneliness which could be experienced in harsh outback Australia of the early 1900s, Ormerod uses this picture book to tell us of resourceful youngster, Lizzie, who entertains herself and her mother with her whimsical imaginings about life. Father spends much time away from the family property, transporting sandalwood, while Lizzie’s mother goes about completing her daily chores. Although Mama gently teases Lizzie, it seems that the mother also indulges in a little fantasy to escape this relentlessly difficult environment. Beautiful whole page paintings show very clearly the many contrasts of clothing, transport, buildings and labour saving devices, to modern day country and city life. I. McLean.
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1, Stage 1, Stage 2
$24.95
Book of the Year: Early Childhood
DRAY, Matt
Dougal the garbage dump bear
Penguin Books Australia, 2004
ISBN 0670041106
After being tossed away, Dougal the teddy bear lives happily at the dump. This delightful story relates his daily life there with the workers, his new friend Bumble the bee, and other found animals. Young readers will enjoy Dougal’s adventures and his dialogue with Bumble, and some students will empathise with the emotional state of these personified toys. Presented as an album with photographs that cleverly enhance the written text, the book is a recount of Dougal’s days. This unconventional layout will promote discussion about visual literacy and inspire students to create their own visually enhanced journals. A happy ending adds to the appeal of this picture book. A. Arnott
USER LEVEL: Stage 3
$19.95
FARRER, Vashti & CURTIS, Neil
Mr Noah and the cats
Lothian, 2004
0734406304
In this charming, offbeat take on the familiar Biblical story, Noah acquires two previously unknown animals as stowaways on the ark. He and Mrs Noah come to appreciate them during the long period afloat, and find them indispensable domestic companions afterwards. The Middle Eastern setting of the story is reinforced by the frequent mention of foods, and by Curtis's stylised line illustrations. Appropriate for its intended audience, the book avoids the purported reason for the destruction of the Earth by flood, limiting its focus to the animals and to domestic detail. Older students might usefully compare the story to other versions of the great flood story, as well as to other cat stories, and to Kipling. W. Smith.
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1, Stage 1, Stage 2
Paper $10.95
FOX, Mem & HORACEK, Judy
Where is the green sheep?
Viking, 2004
ISBN 0670041491
Young children will be engaged by this colourful and amusing picture book as they hunt for the elusive green sheep. Brightly coloured illustrations present sheep of varying sizes and colours in unusual situations, to support the rhythmical text as it reinforces early mathematical concepts and language acquisition. Suitable for reading aloud, the simple, repetitive text and visuals provide cues for predicting unknown words and will promote choral reading. Young readers will be inspired to use the book as a model to create their own silly sheep pictures, and perhaps to write descriptions for a class book. C. Keane
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1
$19.95
GRAHAM, Bob
Tales from the waterhole
Walker, 2004
ISBN 0744565936
A waterhole in the African savannah is the setting for a series of fun loving, and often mischievous, events involving young crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, zebras, turtles and wildebeest during the hot summer months. These five engaging tales are ideal for reading to a young audience, who will identify with familiar situations involving football, siblings, showing off, bickering, supporting and frolicking in the water with friends. Closer inspection is rewarded by the humour and clarity of Graham’s pen and ink drawings with a watercolour wash. These detailed illustrations support the text and provide a wealth of visual information about the characters. Adults will be entertained by the witty, yet understated, references to occurrences such as the annual wildebeest migration and the importance of the seasonal rains, as they share these short stories with a young audience. C. Keane
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1,Stage 1, Stage 2
$27.95
KING, Stephen Michael
Mutt dog!
Scholastic, 2004
ISBN 1865046361
A heart rending story of a homeless dog, this picture book will be enjoyed by all young readers who love animals, because of its happy ending. Mutt dog is alone in the city, until he finds a half way house. Here he finds kindness, but unfortunately, he cannot stay. Eventually, he finds a comfortable house in the country, surrounded by a family who love and care for him. Finally he is somewhere he belongs and he responds to their love, using skills he learnt on the streets. King's unique illustrative style dominates this simple narrative, and students will be challenged to identify sub layers of meaning in the written and visual text. J. Eade
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1, Stage 1
$27.95
WILD, Margaret & RAWLINS, Donna
Seven more sleeps
Working Title, 2004
ISBN 1876288388
Attractively laid out and appealingly illustrated, this child centred story is the perfect picture book to share with very young students. There are only seven more sleeps until the birthday party, and while they wait, Mum, Babs the baby, and Fog the dog, paint and post invitations, make and hang decorations, dance and play musical chairs, shop for good things to eat, blow up balloons, and make a cake. But, whose birthday is it? Children will love to join in the reading, counting down the days and predicting preparations for each day. They will enjoy the simple, bouncy, rhythmical narrative that is enriched with alliteration, rhyme, and repetition, and they will delight in the vibrant, expressive illustrations that exude fun, warmth and love. B. Richardson
USER LEVEL: Early Stage 1, Stage 1
$24.95
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
HARTNETT, Sonya
The silver donkey: a novel for children
Viking, 2004
ISBN 0670042404
Set in post war France, this enchanting novel revolves around a blind English soldier who is found by two French girls, Marcelle and Coco, in the hills above their home. The soldier owns a small silver donkey, and in return for the girls’ kindness in providing him with food and comfort, he tells them marvellous stories about donkeys, each of which depicts the animals’ honesty, loyalty, and courage. To help the soldier get home, the girls have to share their secret with their brother, leading to a satisfying conclusion. This well written story would be useful to discuss the futility and consequences of war, and would be a most enjoyable text to read aloud to Stage 2. J. Eade
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3
$24.95
HAWKE, Roseanne
Soraya the storyteller
Lothian, 2004
ISBN 0734407092
Fear of further persecution by the Taliban drives Soraya and her family from Afghanistan and compels them to continue their perilous journey in the hope of finding safety in Australia . Khala, a substitute grandmother, tells Soraya and her brother enthralling stories of bravery and love, keeping them in touch with their culture and memories, offering security in their uncertain world. More than a narrator, Soraya is the storyteller who uses her gift to remember and heal as she tries to make sense of her new life. Slowly Soraya's story unfolds, more poignant because of what is left unstated in her halting diary entries but leaving the reader with a sense of hope for the future as new experiences and friendships evolve. This thought provoking narrative will engender discussion about the plight of refugees in Australian detention centres. C. Keane
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
Paper $14.95
HEFFERNAN, John
A horse called Elvis
Scholastic, 2004
ISBN 1865046108
Rumours that Elvis is alive are quickly confirmed in this humorous novel. However, it is not the king of rock and roll that happily romps around a rural town causing chaos, but a pony that shares the famous moniker. Despite the threats of his disgruntled mother, Matt is adamant that the troublesome Elvis will not be given away or sold. A simple yet engaging story unfolds in this enjoyable read. Matt’s close bond with the horse is contrasted with his family’s struggle to mend fractured relationships. Moments of poignancy interspersed with humour and intrigue add to the novel’s overall appeal. H. Gardiner.
USER LEVEL: Stage 3, Stage 4
Paper $14.95
METZENTHEN, David
Tiff and the trout
Penguin, 2004
ISBN 0141306572
Twelve year old Tiff lives with her mother. Her life has just been turned upside down by her parents’ separation, and now it seems to get much worse with her mother threatening to leave. Will Tiff have to go with her, or can she live with her father? Does she want to move with her mother? She certainly does not want to leave her school, her friends and her father and brother, but she is worried about how her mother will cope by herself. Sensitively dealing with issues and feelings that may occur when families separate, this superb novel would appeal especially to those who may have experienced, or are experiencing, separation. E. Derouet.
USER LEVEL: Stage 3, Stage 4
Paper $16.95
ROGERS, Gregory
The boy, the bear, the baron, the bard
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 186508722X
Using an exciting mix of characters, Shakespeare’s London is the setting for a time travel experience in this finely executed wordless picture book. A young boy suddenly finds himself on the Globe’s stage. Pursued by a cranky Shakespeare, he frees a captured bear and a baron, and meets the Queen before travelling back to the present. The cartoon strip format, with panoramas and varying picture perspectives, offers a rich visual experience of 16 th century London, including clothing, architecture, executions, and life on the streets. The narrative style makes an ideal starting point for a range of activities, such as story telling and creative writing tasks on the themes of friendship, time travel, and escape. The text is ideal for a picture book study in English Stage 4. B. Kervin.
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
$27.95
ROY, James
Billy Mack’s war
University of Queensland Press, 2004
ISBN 0702234796
Dan, hero of the school yard and legendary conqueror of bully Shaun Gilmore, finds out just how war touches all, when he befriends WW11 veteran Captain Mack, and later, his son Billy. When the narrative shifts to the past, Billy’s reminiscence of his father’s return from a war prison places Danny’s small victories into perspective. Billy’s narration answers a few questions generated by this excellent tale, and more importantly, opens more territory for exploration. Strongly delineated characters and atmospheric writing conjure up the sterner side of the hero, Captain Mack. Issues dealt with include traumatic stress syndrome, Alzheimer’s, survival and guilt, masculinity, prejudice and dislocation. W. Bowie.
USER LEVEL: Stage 3, Stage 4
$16.95
Book of the Year: Older Readers
BAUER, Michael Gerard
The running man
Scholastic, 2004
ISBN 186291575X
Remarkably simple and movingly coherent, this haunting tale is filled with contemplation, secrets, and the act of creation. Young artist Joseph Davidson struggles to coax the character from his terrified sitter, Tom Leyton. Reclusive Tom’s face is closed and silent like a rock carving, but Joseph has seen the explosively powerful feelings beneath the mask of the Vietnam veteran. Each reaches to the other for the strength to face their internal demons. And then there is Joseph’s mysterious nemesis, the running man. Amid alleged child abuse, family break up, tragedy, both personal and vicarious; and that most insidious debilitation of personality, post traumatic stress disorder, there is friendship and there is hope, in the midst of personal desolation. Intelligent characterisation and themes make for a crafted and intriguing novel. W. Bowie.
USER LEVEL: Stage 4 Stage 5
Paper $16.95
EATON, Anthony
Fireshadow
UQP, 2004
ISBN 070223381
Internally and externally mutilated by fire and guilt over the death of his sister, Vinnie, a traumatised seventeen year old, seeks peace in the bush of Western Australia. His growth to self acceptance intersects with the tale of a young German soldier who was brought to Australia in 1943. In alternating narratives these two destinies intersect at the real setting of a WA prisoner of war camp, crisscrossing time settings from 1945 to the present. Using evocative imagery, these two thoughtful narratives reveal a common humanity amongst enemies, and the reconciliation of horrific conflict in new generations. W. Bowie.
USER LEVEL: Stage 5
Paper $18.95
HERRICK, Steven
By the river
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 1741143578
Recollections of growing up in a country town are presented through vivid sense memories in this verse novel. The observations of Harry Hodby, an adolescent boy, engage the reader in the daily life of another time and place. He shares the fears, loves and hardships of life in a poor, single parent family in the 1960s. The text’s economy of words is counter balanced by a richness of poetic imagery, and together these deliver a finely constructed narrative. Each segment of the story is readily accessible to readers, and its verse structure offers a means of cultivating an appreciation of the poetic form while enjoying the wistful reflections of the personal narrative. C. Sly.
USER LEVEL: Stage 5, Stage 6
Paper $16.95
HORNIMAN, Joanne
Secret scribbled notebooks
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 174114406X
After their parents desert them, Kate and her older sister are raised in a Lismore boarding house by its owner, Lil. Fifteen years on, in her last year of school, Kate records her aspirations and observations of the world. The notebooks evocatively record her feelings on life, love, and loss. Literary references, and a narrator who aspires to be a writer, mean this evenly paced novel will not suit every reader. Characters are thoughtful and very well drawn, but there is little conflict and less action. Descriptions of the old house, and of Kate’s wondering relationship with her new niece, are crafted pieces of writing. C. Thomas.
USER LEVEL: Stage 5
Paper $17.95
JONSBERG, Barry
The whole business with Kiffo and the Pitbull
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 1741141125
Teenagers Calma and Kiffo share an unlikely friendship. Despite their differences, they both despise their English teacher, Ms Payne, notoriously known as the Pitbull. It is not just the teacher’s authoritarian demeanour that rankles the duo, but the menacing air of mystery that shrouds her life. In order to discover the Pitbull’s secrets, the friends embark on a dangerous, yet funny and touching journey. Told from the perspective of Calma, the immediacy of events sweeps the reader along until an unexpected, shocking, climax is reached. With numerous points for discussion and diverse teaching opportunities, this excellent novel would be an ideal addition to an English program. H. Gardiner.
USER LEVEL: Stage 4, Stage 5
Paper $16.95
LANAGAN, Margo
Black juice
Allen & Unwin, 2004
ISBN 1865088269
Bizarre settings and characters will intrigue and challenge the most able readers of fantasy in this collection of ten stories. Lanagan crosses genre lines to provide quite different stories, using reality, futuristic towns after environmental disasters, and medieval fantasy villages. A whole range of genres is subverted in the stories which will puzzle and perplex some readers. Several stories are disturbing and poignant, with one young outcast dying as her family ‘sings her’ down into a quagmire, as punishment for an earlier crime. Others are less bleak but equally weird, with both settings and characters developed poetically at times. Lovers of language and literature may find this collection interesting. H. Cobban.
USER LEVEL: Stage 5, Stage 6
Paper $17.95
Eve Pownall Award for Information Books
CHAPMAN, Helen
Heritage and places
Heinemann Library, 2004
Specifically useful for the new History Years 7–10 syllabus, this Australia’s heritage series offers a practical in depth analysis of what constitutes heritage. Each book focuses on one broad aspect, explaining definition and authority, with examples and evidence. Aspects, ranging from Aboriginal examples to 20th century icons, are examined in the context of their heritage value. Information is presented in easy to read two page formats, complete with fact boxes, graphics, and linking support material. All information is well supported with definitions and Internet links. The series is an excellent resource, and especially valuable in its presentation of the concept of heritage and the functions of various heritage organisations. B. Kervin.
USER LEVEL: Stage 3, Stage 4
$29.70 each
LONG, John
Gogofish! the story of the Western Australian state fossil emblem
Western Australian Museum, 2004
ISBN 1920843086
In this handsomely produced glossy book, the process of searching for, finding, processing, and naming fossil species, is presented for young readers in an attractive and accessible way. Language is appropriate, and the book is splendidly illustrated with well captioned photographs, detailed drawings, diagrams, and a time line. A helpful glossary and pronunciation guide is included. The book shows how students were directly involved in nominating and lobbying for a Gogo fish to become the WA fossil emblem. The book has direct relevance to the Science and Technology Unit: An ancient land. W. Smith.
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4
$14.95
PYERS, Greg
Life in a rockpool
Echidna, 2004
ISBN 1740707907
Part of the series, Life in a, that focuses primarily on the various flora and fauna inhabiting specific biomes in Australia and the environmental issues affecting these habitats. Each book contains a definition of the biome as well as information about how it is formed and particular areas where different flora and fauna are found. Stunning close up photographs and colourful illustrations complement the text, while fact boxes provide extra information. Towards the end of each book, a colourful double page spread graphically illustrates the specific locations of the flora and fauna within the habitats studied. Safety issues and special features of the area are also explored. This would be a useful resource for teaching the Stage 2 HSIE unit: Australia: you’re standing in it, and the Stage 3 Science and Technology unit: A change for the better. Other reviewed titles in this series include: Life in a creek, Life in a desert dune, Life in a gum tree. J. Eade.
USER LEVEL: Stage 2, Stage 3
$29.70
SILKSTONE, Barry
Amazing Australian mammals
Heinemann Library, 2004
ISBN 1740701356
Part of the series, Amazing Australian, the Australian content and fabulous photographs found in this series provide instant appeal, and further investigation is rewarded with opportunities for classroom use. Each title has an introductory chapter that uses simple explanations, photographs and a diagram to classify the featured class of animals. Information about the appearance, habitat, diet, reproduction, movement and status of each animal is clearly presented on a double page spread. An introductory paragraph offers unusual facts about the animal, and a labelled colour photograph, boxed fact file and map of Australia showing where the animal is found, provides accessible information. Providing models and background material for students producing information reports, these resources would support research tasks, assisting students to achieve Science and Technology K–6 syllabus outcomes from the Living things strand. Other reviewed titles in this series include: Amazing Australian birds, Amazing Australian invertebrates, Amazing Australian reptiles,fish and amphibians. C. Keane.
USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2
$29.70
SULLIVAN, Bryan with FRENCH, Jackie
To the moon and back: the amazing Australians at the forefront of space travel plus fantastic moon facts
Angus & Robertson, 2004
ISBN 0207200092
Space travel has been popularised by many movies and, as a direct consequence, a plethora of myths have evolved about space exploration. Sullivan, one of the Australian technicians who tracked the first moon landing from Honeysuckle Creek in the ACT, presents the facts on the involvement of Australia within the space race and the Apollo program. The book is an engaging recount of some of the most famous missions, such as the Apollo 11 landing on the moon and the dramatic return to Earth of Apollo 13. Students will be able to explore the role of technology in getting man to the moon, investigate how the moon affects Earth, and find answers to a multitude of questions about the experiences of astronauts. B. Maher.
USER LEVEL: Stage 3, Stage 4
Paper $14.95
VERCOE, Elizabeth & ABRAMOWSKI, Kerry
The grief book: strategies for young people
Black Dog, 2004
ISBN 1876372524
Children and young people have to cope with grief and loss: people die, friends move away, parents separate. This is a book full of techniques to survive grief, which the author labels as tricks. These include practical advice about behaviour at funerals, saying sorry, and talking to someone who is dying. Vercoe has been in the depths of despair, and Abramowski is a social worker attuned to the needs of young people. This is a very practical and readable book which lets young people know that even in their darkest hour they are not alone. Every high school should have a copy of this book in the library and in the counsellor’s office. A. Soutter
USER LEVEL: Stage 4, Stage 5
Paper $16.95
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