January 2009
Many of the following books have been
shortlisted for the CBC Book of the Year Awards and have also received
other commendations however, because of lack of space, I have only mentioned
the CBC Book of the Year Awards and a few other major International Awards. These
picture books are suitable for use throughout the Elementary School but
where a book is especially suitable for preschoolers or older readers,
I have indicated it. Titles newly included in this list are
marked with •
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Recommended by Kate Shepherd
Pamela Allen
Her picture books are loved by young
children because of their bold bright illustrations and their fast moving
story-line with lots of rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Her books have
twice won the CBC Picture Book of the Year Award as well as many other
awards.
Who sank the Boat? pb $14.95 and Mr
Archimedes' Bath pb $14.95
Marvellous stories which are unusual
in that they also deal with science concepts.
Fancy That! pb $14.95, My
Cat Maisie pb $14.95, Bertie
and the Bear pb $14.95
Winner of CBC Award 1984. The
Bear's Lunch pb $14.95 Mr McGee pb $14.95
and Mr McGee Goes to Sea pb $14.95 These
are simpler stories, especially popular with preschoolers because of
their noisy exuberance. And a very itchy, scratchy Mr
McGee and the Biting Flea pb $14.95 and Mr McGee and the Perfect Nest pb $14.95 where the bird decides that
Mr McGee's umbrella is the perfect nest. Mr McGee and the Blackberry Jam pb $14.95 and the most recent is Mr McGee
and the Big Bag of Bread hardback $24.95 pb $14.95
Belinda pb $14.95 Belinda
the cow has a mind of her own but Old Tom is determined to match her, and milk
her.
Alexander's Outing pb $14.95 (Alexander is a
wayward duckling).
Clippity-Clop pb $14.95 Two
stubborn donkeys won't shift and so the little old man and woman have to
think hard...
The Pear in the Pear Tree pb $14.95 Lots of action and fun
as two children want to get the pear on the pear tree but how? It's
too high. Pamela Allen uses their attempts to illustrate a number of science
concepts such as gravity and water displacement, beautifully integrated into this very simple story.
The Potato People hardback
$25.95 pb $14.95 When Jack
and his grandma make potato people Jack is very surprised when he sees
what happens to them over time. There are more science concepts in
this simple picture book which is great fun to read aloud.
Grandpa and Thomas pb $14.95
describes the special relationship between Grandpa and his small grandson
as they spend a day at the beach.
Grandpa and Thomas and the Green Umbrella hardback $24.95 is the latest in these delightful stories about Thomas and Grandpa at the beach.
Where’s the Gold? hardback $24.95 is a typically exuberant picture book in which three brave pirates and a noisy parrot are searching for gold.
Doodledum Dancing written by Meredith Costain illus by Pamela Allen hardback 24.95 is a collection of simple lively rhymes for young children
• Shhh! Little Mouse hardback 24.95 Pamela Allen uses black and white illustrations to contrast very effectively with colour pages to tell the story of this little mouse who dares to taste so many foods even though the cat is near.
Jeannie Baker
Jeannie has an international reputation
because of her intricate collage work.
Where the Forest meets the Sea hb $27.95 pb $15.95 Big
Book $39.95 is set in the Daintree rainforest in northern Queensland.
The Story of Rosie Dock hardback $27.95 pb $15.95 shows the devastating effect of an introduced plant to the desert area of central Australia.
Window hardback $27.95 pb 15.95 Big Book $39.95 is a
study of a changing view through the window of a house as more and more houses
encroach on the countryside seen from the window.
Belonging hardback $27.95 pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95 follows
the same format as Window but it looks at an inner city suburb
bleak in its drabness, ugly signs, graffiti and dilapidated houses and
how over
time the street is gradually transformed into a green inviting place where
people can meet and enjoy their environment..
The Hidden Forest hb $27.95 pb $14.95 Big Book $37.95 This
latest work is set in the Tasmanian kelp forests, giving an eerie quality
of luminous pale green and blue, as if looking through the water. As usual
the collages are made up of natural materials - rock, sand, wood, feathers
and seaweed.
• One Hungry Spider pb $11.00 is one of her earlier college picture books. And also • Home in the Sky hardback $27.95 pb $15.95
Graeme Base
Graeme Base is world famous for his phenomenally
successful Animalia pb $19.95 It is an A
- Z which has a wealth of hidden objects and ideas. Also available as a Big Book $45.00
Also The Eleventh Hour pb
$19.95 and The Sign of the
Seahorse pb $19.95 The
earlier My Grandma lived in Gooligulch pb
$16.95 is well worth a look because of the stunning illustrations of
emus, lizards, galahs and others.
The Discovery of Dragons hardback $29.95 is a delightful tongue
in cheek tribute to the wonder of dragons and their discoverers round the
world. Beautiful illustrations support this text on Serpentology.
The Worst Band in the Universe pb
$19.95 Graeme Base obviously had great fun writing, and illustrating
as well as composing and performing the music for this book. It
is a cosmic musical adventure written in verse, a search for musical freedom. (9
- 14 years)
The Waterhole hardback $29.95 pb
$19.95 At one level this is a counting book but for those who search
there are many other delights to find. It also has a strong message
about the diversity of animal life round the world and the importance of
water. It is a complex beautiful book that will reward and
delight all ages.
Jungle Drums pb
$19.95 pb $19.95 Another ingenious treat from Graeme Base this time set
in the African jungle and involving the distinctive colours and patterns
of African animals.
• Uno’s Garden hardback $29.95
This one again has an environmental theme. This is, like so many of Base’s books, part-counting book, part-puzzle and part-storybook and of course there is always the search for the elusive Snortlepig. (5 – 9 years)
• Enigma is his latest picture book hardback $29.95. It is very complex with lots of puzzles and things to search for. (8 – 12 years)
Nan Bodsworth
A Nice Walk in the Jungle pb $14.95 Miss
Jellaby is such an enthusiastic teacher that as she walks and talks her
way through the jungle she doesn't notice that her class is, one by one,
being consumed by a hungry boa constrictor.
John Brennan
A is for Australia pb $10.95 A stunning
photographic alphabet book in which some of the best known Australian icons
are shown such as U for Uluru and V for Vegemite and B for billy tea. An
excellent introduction to Australia for elementary age children.
Thelma Catterwell
Sebastian lives in a Hat illus by Kerry Argent pb $11.00 The
true story of Sebastian, the baby wombat who was orphaned and lived the
first few months of his life in a woollen hat.
Rod Clement
Counting on Frank pb $14.95 The
story of a boy who is a whizz at mathematics and is always estimating and
working things out. How many Franks would fill up the bedroom? (Frank
is a dog). Striking illustrations add to the fun.
Also Just Another Ordinary Day pb $14.95 Except
that the day isn't that ordinary...
Gary Crew
Gary Crew is well known for his thought
provoking novels and the way he experiments with a range of styles in picture
books especially for older children.
The Watertower illus by Stephen Woolman pb $17.95 Won
the 1995 CBC Picture book Award. It is a story for sophisticated
readers who can sense the alien threat that is present as two boys go for
a swim at the old water tower. The stunning illustrations
and understated text combine very effectively to convey the enigmatic latent
menace.
Beneath the Surface pb $17.00 is the even more chilling
sequel.
The Lost Diamonds of Killicrankie illus by Peter Gouldthorpe pb
$19.00
Using a range of textual styles including
letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and maps this absorbing book
explores a mystery involving of the early settlers in Tasmania and Aboriginal
peoples. Middle School and Secondary.
C J Dennis
• A Bush Christmas illus by Dee Huxley hardback $25.00
Written in 1931, this is a much-loved poem about a very Australian Christmas in the bush. It is a stiflingly hot day and Mum is cooking the traditional turkey and vegetables, followed by hot plum pudding. Dee Huxley brings the family and the hot dry dusty countryside vividly to life through wry, at times satirical illustration.. This picture book would be great for discussion of Christmas in different lands. (4 – 10 years)
Mike Dumbleton
• Cat illus by Craig Smith hardback $19.95 Big Book $44.95
There is so much life and vitality in this book. The text is minimal while the illustrations vividly depict a series of vignettes in the life of cat as he encounters a dog, a sprinkler, a mouse, a bird, a bike, milk and a mat. At the end of each amusing encounter is repeated the heartfelt expression “Thank goodness for that!” (3 – 7 years)
Mem Fox
Mem is extremely well known because of
the success of Possum Magic, illus by Julie Vivas hardback $30.00 pb $16.00 Big Book $40.00, and she is
also a wonderful storyteller. Also:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge illus
by Julie Vivas pb $16.00
Hattie and the Fox illus by Patricia Mullins pb $16.00
Shoes from Grandpa illus by Patricia Mullins pb
$16.00
Wombat Divine illus by Kerry Argent pb $16.00 Wombat, who is a most appealing creature, wanted desperately to take part in the Christmas nativity play but for each part he was too big, or too small or … A marvellous text to read aloud and the illustrations have charm and humour.
Night Noises illus by Terry Denton pb $14.95 Lily Laceby is an old lady and is dreaming of happy times long ago when there are strange noises outside. (5 – 9 years)
Where is the Green Sheep? hardback
$19.95 Board book $14.95
Great fun to read aloud. In this rhythmic rollicking
quest for the green sheep, we come across many other amazing sheep.
A Particular Cow illustrated by Terry Denton hardback $24.95 Her latest is a fun nonsense story focusing on the word “particular”.
Jackie French
Diary of a Wombat illustrated by Bruce Whatley hardback
$24.95 pb $15.00 This is a very funny book, ironic and whimsical. Bruce
Whatley's illustrations of this hefty, very determined but endearing
wombat are also a delight. The text is very simple but it has layers
of irony.
Simon French and Donna Rawlins
Guess the Baby pb $13.95 A delightful picture book about a class
of young children who each bring a photo of themselves as a baby to school. Lots
of animated discussion results.
• What Will You Be? hardback $24.95 The same children and their teacher Mr Jarvis prepare for a special day at school when parents and friends are invited to see all the children dress up for a costume parade.
Libby Gleeson
Shutting the Chooks In by
Libby Gleeson and Ann James pb
$16.00
There is a distinctly Australian
feel to this story about a young boy in the country who goes out to shut
the chooks in for the night. However by the time he finds a missing
chook, dusk is falling and then he makes a breathless dash through the
darkening shadows to the warmth and light of the house.
Amy & Louis by Libby Gleeson, illus. Freya Blackwood hardback $25.00 pb $16.00
A simply written and poignant story about the close friendship of two children who lived next door to each other and who are bereft when Amy moves away with her family to the other side of the world.
Bob Graham
Through his own very idiosyncratic cartoon
style of illustration and gentle sense of humour, Bob Graham creates wonderful
stories about families.
Greetings from Sandy Beach pb $17.00 A superb portrait
of a family camping trip to the beach! Winner of the CBC Picture
Book of the Year Award 1991.
Queenie the Bantam pb $15.95 is a warm,
typically haphazard story about a family and their very important relationship
to Queenie the adopted bantam and Bruno their dog.
Buffy An Adventure Story pb $15.95 Buffy
is a talented performing dog who is searching the world for a place where
he can just be himself and be loved.
Has Anyone Here seen William? pb $15.95 This is a common cry as William is always wandering off.
Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten pb $15.95 Rose is a little frightened of fierce old Mr Wintergarten but she overcomes her fears and her delightful spontaneity and the fairy cakes baked by her mother have a surprising effect on the grumpy old man.
Max pb $15.95 Max,
the son of flying superheroes, is slow to learn to fly until he spontaneusly
leaps to the rescue of a baby bird falling from its nest.
"Let's get a PUP!" pb
$15.95 A wonderful evocation of a family - the type of warm
slightly zany family that Bob Graham creates so well. When Kate breathlessly
decides she wants a pup they end up getting Dave, a wonderfully bouncy
excitable puppy and also Rosy, an old grey dog.
• The Trouble with Dogs hardback $27.95 is the delightful sequel. Dave is still wonderfully excitable but the family decides that is hard to live with such excitement and consult a severe dog trainer to help. But he too succumbs to Dave’s infectious enthusiasm.
Jethro Byrde Fairy Child by
Bob Graham hardback $27.95 pb $15.95 Bob Graham succeeds
again in bringing a touch of the magic and fantasy of a child's world to
the most mundane of family outings.
• Crusher is Coming pb $17.00 It is wonderful this old favourite back in print. When Crusher, the tough kid from school comes round after school, Peter is amazed that all he wants to do is play with Peter’s little sister Claire. A delightful story about stereotypes and expectations. (4 – 9 years)
John Heffernan
My Dog illus by Andrew McLean pb
$16.00 A very moving understated story of terrible suffering as a
consequence of ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. Seen through
the eyes of a young boy, the story is sensitively illustrated in water
colours. (8 - 11 years)
Two
Summers illus
by Freya Blackwood pb $16.00 The
difference between two summers on an Australian farm is graphically illustrated
but subtly told by a young boy pondering the difference between the last
year when Rick came to stay on the farm and this year when the farm is
stricken by drought.
Elizabeth Honey
Not a Nibble pb $14.95
A young girl goes fishing with her father and is so disappointed when she doesn’t catch anything but is delighted when they see a whale.
• Clancy the Courageous Cow by Lachie Hume pb $15.00
Written by Lachie when he was just 11 years, the book has a charming sense of humour in the text and illustrations. Clancy was different from the other Belted Galloway cows and so the other cows were mean to him because of this. He courageously takes on bigger cows in the annual Cow Wrestling competition. A very funny book which can be used to discuss discrimination. (4 – 7 years)
Sheena Knowles
Edward the Emu illus by Rod Clement pb
$14.95 Edward is the most expressive emu imaginable as he shows
his boredom at being an emu and tries to imitate the other animals in the
zoo. The sequel is Edwina the Emu pb $14.95
Sofie Laguna
Too Loud Lily illus
by Kerry Argent pb $16.00 Lily couldn't
help being noisy in almost everything that she did and she was forever
being told to shush. However when the new drama teacher arrives at
the school, Lily's loudness is appreciated and she is the exuberant star
of the school play.
• On Our Way to the Beach illus by Andrew Mclean pb $16.00 As
the family travels over days by van from the country to the beach the little
girl tries to imagine the beach which she has never seen before.
Alison Lester
Her illustration style has a charming
simplicity. One of my favourites is Imagine pb
$14.95 in which there are detailed scenes of children at play among the
animals of the jungle, ocean, farm, Australian bush, dinosaur swamp etc.
Bordering the page are the names of all the animals shown in the illustrations. So
there is lots of searching and learning.
Also Magic Beach pb $14.95 • Big Book $40.00 A
description of a beach so beautiful it is like magic. Lots of things at the beach to search for and discuss in the Big Book.
My Farm pb $14.95 Life
on an Australian farm.
Clive eats Alligators, Tessa Snaps Snakes, Rosie Sips Spiders, Celeste Sails to Spain, and When Frank was Four pb $17.00 each These simple picture books show the individuality and strong likes and dislikes of seven children. Ernie
Dances to the Didgeridoo pb
$17.00 A wonderfully simple but vibrant introduction to Aboriginal
life and to the tropical seasons in the north of Australia as Ernie leaves his friends and goes to live in the north of Australia.
Are We
There Yet? A Journey around Australia hardback
$24.95 vividly depicts a family journey by campervan around Australia. Told
though the eyes of 8 year old Grace it describes the many adventures
and different landscapes of Australia.
John Marsden
The Rabbits illus by Shaun Tan hardback
$29.00 pb $18.00 A sophisticated picture books for middle & secondary
students. A powerful allegory which surveys, aided through
extraordinarily innovative illustrations, the impact rabbits (and human
rabbits) have had on the Australian land. Winner of the CBC
Picture Book of the Year Award 1999.
• Home and Away illustrated by Matt Ottley hardback $29.00
In this picture book for older readers, John Marsden and Matt Ottley challenge us to imagine that we are refugees, sailing the world in search of refuge. An ordinary family living in the suburbs of Sydney has to flee because of a sudden disastrous war. They have a harrowing journey and the children are finally taken to a very unwelcoming detention camp. This is a bleak depiction but well worth discussing in the light of the plight of refugees throughout the world. (9 – 15 years)
Penny Matthews
A Year on Our Farm illus by Andrew McLean pb $16.00 This picture book is a vibrant account
of a year on an Australian farm. The text is simple but the
illustrations add complex detail as we see the children helping their parents
in the many farm activities. The book is a celebration of the
seasons on an Australian farm in the country, not in the harsh outback
but a softer Australian countryside.
Junko Morimoto
The Two Bullies translated by Isao Morimoto pb $16.95 Ni-ou was the strongest man in Japan and Dokkoi was the strongest in China but when they get within hearing distance of each other they show that bravery is not one of their strengths. Illustrated with great inventiveness, humour and beauty using both traditional and modern elements of style.
Big Nuisance pb $16.95 Vibrant
illustrations bring to life this surprising story of a giant, really a
Big Nuisance who brings surprising changes to a sleepy Japanese village.
Deborah Niland
Annie's Chair pb $14.95
Annie has a very special chair that no one else is allowed to sit in. The only exception is for Benny the dog but only, says Annie, if they sit in the chair together! Very appealing bright illustrations show Annie as a character with a very distinctive personality. The lively text will appeal especially to three and four year olds.
• Annie to the Rescue hardback $24.95
Another delightful story about Annie who is very resourceful as she climbs a tree to rescue her cat and then climbs carefully down again.
• Fat Pat by Kilmeny Niland hardback $24.95
“That dog is a big pudgy pudden”, says the vet. When Pat is put onto a strict diet he runs away in horror to discover that life on the streets is much more difficult. When he is finally found, he is a very bedraggled and skinny dog. (4 – 7 years)
A B Paterson
Some of the most well known and popular
poems by Australia's most well loved poet who wrote at the turn of the
last century, beautifully illustrated by a variety of artists.
Waltzing Matilda illus Desmond Digby pb
$14.95
Mulga Bill's Bicycle illus by K & D Niland pb $14.95 IBBY
Illustration Diploma 1976
The Man from Snowy River This famous poem is available in two editions, each illustrated by a different illustrator. The version illustrated by A Macarthur-Onslow is a classic pb $14.95, • whereas the version illustrated by Freya Blackwood pb $15.00 was published in 2008.
Gillian Rubinstein
Dog In, Cat Out illustrated by Ann James pb $11.00 Through the simple changing refrain of dog in, cat out, we follow the activities of a family through a whole day as the dog and cat come in and out of the house.
Sharon keep your hair on illus by David Mackintosh pb $14.95 This rap poem is great fun to read aloud. It is a virtuoso rhyming performance about an extended family which grows and then shrinks.
Julie Vivas
The Nativity pb $16.00
The beauty and solemnity of the text of the original King James version of the Bible is wonderfully contrasted with the vitality, humour and originality of Julie Vivas’ illustrations.
Jenny Wagner
The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek illus by Ron Brooks hardback $24.95 pb $14.95 A
classic with a marvellous text and illustrations. The bunyip stirs
from the billabong but doesn't know who he is and none of the animals or
people that he meets are much help. Winner of the CBC Picture Book
of the Year Award 1974.
John, Brown, Rose and the Midnight
Cat illus by
Ron Brooks pb $14.95
A more subtle story about love and possessiveness. One
of those stories that younger children love but there are depths that children
in upper elementary will also appreciate. Winner of CBC Picture Book
of the Year Award 1977.
Nadia Wheatley
My Place illus by Donna Rawlins pb $19.95 Brilliant
in concept and in execution. By moving backwards in decades from
1989, the book shows how a particular neighbourhood in Sydney has changed
from a modern urban street to the first white settlement and earlier to
the time when the aborigines lived there. The story is told through the
eyes of the various children who lived there. Winner of the CBC Award
Younger Readers 1989.
Margaret Wild
Jenny Angel illus
by Anne Spudvilas pb $14.95
A moving story about a girl who believes
that she is her brother's guardian angel and as long as she and he believe,
then he will not die. This is a story about the Jenny's journey
from denial to acceptance. Beautifully illustrated. CBC Award
winner for 2000.
First Day illus by Kim Gamble pb $14.95
A delightful picture book which captures the varied emotions of a group of six very different children on their first day at school. The book follows the actions and thought of the children throughout their whole first day at school. (6 – 10 years)
Fox illustrated by Ron Brooks hardback $27.95 pb $15.95 A
highly acclaimed moral fable about the friendship between Dog and Magpie. Beautifully
illustrated by Ron Brooks.
Little Humpty illus
by Ann James pb $14.95
Very endearing illustrations
of camels add to the charm of this story about Big Humpty and Little Humpty
who set off across the desert, beautifully depicted in soft muted oranges,
to the Big Waterhole. A warm story about playing, family love and
making friends.
Very Best of Friends illus by Julie Vivas. pb $11.00
A moving story about friendship and loss.
Pocket Dogs illus by Stephen Michael King pb $16.00 Children will love this story about two little dogs who go shopping carried in the pockets of Mr Pockets’ coat until the day when Biff falls through a hole in one of the pockets.
• Pocket Dogs Go on Holiday hardback $25.00 is the latest book about these little dogs.
• Chatterbox by Margaret Wild, illus. Deborah Niland hardback $24.95 pb $14.95
The charming story of Daisy who is a lively baby sister for Max but who can’t say any words. To everyone’s surprise when Daisy does start to speak she speaks in sentences and then the family wonders when will she ever keep quiet.
Tim Winton
The Deep illus by Karen Louise pb $14.95
Another book which celebrates Winton’s deep love of the ocean. Alice can swim but is very frightened of the “deep.” Intensely realistic illustrations.
If you would like to order any
of the books listed above, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or
email. All prices are in Australian dollars.
For additional lists
of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net.au
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