Sharon Greenaway.

Book review: One Stitch at a Time. Author: Gen West. Toymaker: Laura Clempson, puppet maker on Postman Pat

2011-12-05T17:19:00.001+10:30

One Stitch at a Time. Author: Gen West. Toymaker: Laura Clempson, puppet maker on Postman Pat, published by Black Dog Books, 2011, ISBN 978 1742031644. $24.99.

This book is an ideal introduction to the making of soft toys and is set out in a straightforward way with plenty of illustrations that the reader can readily understand what it is he/she needs to do.

The book is set out in four different coloured sections with a tab for each and it is well laid out with handy Top tips peppered throughout and relatively easy to read although some words a younger reader may be challenged by (embroidery). The paper is sturdy so that younger hands can easily turn the pages, but there lies the rub, while the indication on the back of the book is that it is for children ages 7 and up, I would, personally, strongly suggest that either an older sibling or adult be present while the child is learning the intricacies of learning to sew.

The front cover and blurb on the book state that The sewing box includes everything you need to make the cat, but once the book is unwrapped from its cellophane wrapping the reader discovers that as well as the ...materials needed to make your cat and his clothes there are several extra items needed for the young toymaker in order to have his or her own sewing kit. So unless the seven year old has an extensive range of needles, buttons, spare felt, pins etc on hand there will be help required. I would recommend to the person buying this book to check this list out before going home, particularly if the book is for a present; it can be quite stressful if a child gets a present and then has to wait until the next trip to the shops in order to be able to use it (even the most avid sewer may not have embroidery thread at their disposal.)

The book includes patterns to make up both the cat featured as well as a host of other characters.

So combined with a sewing kit this book will be a lovely introduction to the making of a toy.

World famous detective Phryne Fisher comes to Bendigo.... | Sharon Greenaway's Bendigo

2011-12-03T11:10:00.000+10:30

World famous detective Phryne Fisher comes to Bendigo.... | Sharon Greenaway's Bendigo

Review: A Bush Christmas C.J. Dennis, ill, Dee Huxley.

2011-11-30T09:11:00.001+10:30

A Bush Christmas, C.J. Dennis, illustrated by Dee Huxley, black dog books, ISBN 9781742032078, (2011) paperback, $16.95.

This exquisitely illustrated version of Dennis’ iconic Australian poem, (first published in the Herald newspaper 24^th December 1931[1]) is a reprint of the Huxley’s book from 2008 and is out just in time for Christmas 2011.

It is the one day of the year when old Rogan comes to share the Christmas meal with the mother, father and the children. Set in an Australian rural setting on a typical hot summer day, where “It aint a day for workin’ hard,” says Dad even though conversely Mum is very hot and busy in the kitchen.

The traditional English-inspired meal, turkey, vegies and plum pudding, once served allows all family members to sit back and listen to Rogan’s yarns from the past until it is time as the sun slants redly thro’ the gums for him to ride back to his life of solitude for another year or so.

Huxley’s closing illustration is a clever reminder of how life has (hopefully) changed since Dennis’ poem was first printed.

A lovely book for all Australians.

[1] "C.J. Dennis"
Herald, 24 December 1931, p4, http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/denniscj/newspapers/herald/1931/works/bushchristmas.html

Accessed 30^th November 2011.

Children's book review, 'A Bus called Heaven' by Bob Graham.

2011-11-27T13:45:00.001+10:30

‘A Bus called heaven’ by Bob Graham, Walker books 2011, ISBN: 978 1 4063 3419 7, RRP $27.95 Hb..

With current discussions going on in literary (and other interested) circles about whether the electronic readers will eventually lead to the demise of books, it is a welcome relief that this latest book from well known children’s author/illustrator Graham proves to be such a strong contender for the picture story book format.

With the sturdy hard cover format for little hands and tactile feel to the front cover, this book simply draws the reader into it. Choc-full of Graham’s distinctive drawings and attention to detail this story about a bus called Heaven that is abandoned in front of Stella’s home and what its appearance means to a suburban neighbourhood is one to treasure.

Two of my favourite illustrations were firstly the diptych where Stella’s mum greets the local graffiti artists one night and gives them the legitimate job of painting the old bus and the other where ...the Fingles showed their holiday pictures to a captivated audience of sleepers!

The positive effect the bus has had on the people in the neighbourhood is put to the test when the local authority tows the bus away to the scrap yard. Will Heaven be destroyed or will the people rise up to save it?

Another great book to add to a child’s collection and just in time for the giving season (or any time really.)

Highly recommended.

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet, Walker Books, 2011

2011-11-27T13:38:00.001+10:30

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet, Walker Books, 2011

Where's Wally? by Martin Handford...

2011-10-31T13:11:00.001+10:30

Read my latest book review on this iconic pic finding kids book at:
http://bookstove.com/children/book-review-of-the-25th-anniversary/

Feel free to comment there your thoughts.

Books I have reviewed for Magpies this year include:

2011-10-17T15:38:00.002+10:30

The Bush Concert (2011) Helga Visser, 32pp, Omnibus Books, 978 1 86291 886 3 $26.99 Hb.
The Heroes of the Kokoda Track (2011) Nicolas Brasch, Black Dog Books, 32 pp, 978 1 74303 134 7

Terry: Adventures of a Terek Sandpiper (2011) Anne Hamilton, ill. Sandra Temple, Wombat Books, (dist. Dennis Jones and Assoc.) 32 pp. 978 1 92 1633 30 0 $21.95 Hb.

Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Aussie Heroes. (2011) Hazel Edwards, ills. Pat Reynolds, New Frontier Books, 93 pp. 978 1 92104 270 6 $14.95 Pb.

Tobias Blow. (2011) Zacharey Jane, ill. Rosalie Street, 32 pp. University of Queensland Press, 978 0 7022 3876 5 Hb. $24.95

A Bigger Digger (2011) Brett Avison, ill. Craig Smith, 978 1 74248 410 5, Hb. 28 pp, 978 1 74248410 5 Pb.

What shall we call Wibbly’s Puppy? (2011) Mick Inkpen, Hodder, 978 1 444 902648 $28.99 Hb.

Sam and his Dad (2011) Serge Bloch. 978 0 9806070 8 6 Hb. 40 pp. $27.99

Cheer up Your Teddy Bear, Emily Brown, and (2011) Cressida Cowell, ill. Neal Layton, Orchard Books, 32 pp, 978 1 40830 848 6 $28.99 Hb.

The Not-so-Goblin Boy (2011) Ezekiel Kwaymullina , Walker Books Aust, 236 pp, 978 1 921720 15 4 $16.95 Pb.

Books for Cambodian kids

2011-10-17T15:28:00.000+10:30

A friend of mine has gone to Cambodia to teach English to year 1to4 children for a term. I plan to send some books to the school that I have collected with reviewing and wondered if any other interested people would like to also donate a children's book or two as well.
I plan to post them off this week.
BTW preferably soft covers as the cost of postage to Cambodia is very high.
Email if you can add to the list.
tessagree@yaho.com

Thanks.

Lara Morgan's Blog tour for fans of Rosie Black Chronicles

2011-09-28T20:16:00.001+09:30

Lara Morgan’s Blog Tour sign-up!

The author of hit teen series The Rosie Black Chronicles, will be embarking on a virtual blog tour in Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the much-anticipated release of Book 2: Equinox in November!

Watch the trailer here“This read will have you on the edge of your bus seat!” – The Rosie Black Chronicles Book 1: Genesis
- Dolly Magazine, October 2010

Blog Tour Dates: November 14 – 18, 2011

Email: jennifer.wood@walkerbooks.com.au to register your interest today

LARA MORGAN BIO:

Lara Morgan is the author of the hit teen series The Rosie Black Chronicles and usually lives in Geraldton, WA with her husband – unless she’s somewhere else. Lara grew up in the hills of Perth and has worked in the arts, at a newspaper and, once, a car wash but all pale in comparison to being a writer which allows her to work in her pyjamas. Her books are published in Australia, New Zealand and Germany and The Rosie Black Chronicles is her first series for young adults.

* * * LINKS * * *

Click here to learn more about the book

Get to Know Lara Morgan

www.walkerbooks.com.au

Vampyre by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Andrew Yeo. Book Review.

2011-09-12T21:57:00.001+09:30

Vampyre by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Andrew Yeo $29.95 ISBN 9781921529221

Hardback, 32 pages Age: 8+ Category: Picture Book

Below is the information received from Walker Books about the latest story from well known author Margaret Wild.

“I am Vampyre. Feared. Despised. I sleep in darkness. I long for light.

From the dark depths of his vampyre world, a vampyre boy reflects on the joyous days of

his childhood and his current life as a vampyre. Thought-provoking and atmospheric,

Vampyre is a monumental picture book about identity, making choices and being true to

oneself from award-winning author, Margaret Wild, with breathtaking illustrations by new

illustrator, Andrew Yeo.

Margaret Wild is one of Australia’s most highly regarded and awarded children’s book

authors. Some of her works include There's a Sea In My Bedroom, The Very Best of

Friends, Old Pig, The Midnight Gang, Nighty Night!, Fox and Woolvs in the Sitee.

Margaret has two titles in the Walker Classics series: Going Home and A Bit of Company,

both illustrated by Wayne Harris.

Andrew Yeo is a talented new illustrator from Sydney, Australia. Vampyre is his first

picture book.”

This poignant story is about a young (teen?) Vampyre who is struggling with his soon-to-be-role as a fully fledged member of the world of adult vampires- meaning he will need to kill to survive. The young vampire is struggling with these changes as it means he will no longer have the fun and carefree lifestyle he has had as a child where all the animals and birds in the forest trusted him.

When he finally escapes his family and flees to the sun, risking his own death in the process, the reader is left with the question of whether he will survive in the forest without killing his animal friends, (my impression was he has chosen to die in a place he loves rather than live a life that he would hate) or somehow he will be able to live blood free.

This hauntingly illustrated book is I feel unsuitable for the dedicated age of 8 +, being more suitable for older readers who will have the maturity and interest in questioning the motives of the main character, as there really isn’t enough action to sustain a younger reader.

An unusual book that I feel will have a limited audience despite the reputation of the author.

Sharon Greenaway's Bendigo: Free books for young children to celebrate Nationa...

2011-08-31T14:15:00.000+09:30

Sharon Greenaway's Bendigo: Free books for young children to celebrate Nationa...: FREE BOOKS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY WEEK To celebrate National Literacy and Numeracy Week the City ...

Bilby Secrets, Edel Wignell & Mark Jackson, (2011) Book Review

2011-07-25T08:28:00.000+09:30

Bilby Secrets, Edel Wignell & Mark Jackson, (2011) Walker books, Hb. $29.95, ISBN 978 1921529 320

This book cleverly combines fact with fiction in a tale of the life of one Greater Bilby. Wignell covers the time when the bilby mother prepares for the birth of her baby, near escapes from predators through to the young bilby going out on his own...

Read the full review here
http://bookstove.com/children/bilbys-secrets-childrens-book-review-by-sharon-greenaway/

Walker books acquires Black Dog Books

2011-07-01T20:58:00.000+09:30

WALKER BOOKS AUSTRALIA ACQUIRES IMPRINT OF AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S PUBLISHER,
BLACK DOG BOOKS

Leading Australian independent children’s publisher, Walker Books Australia, is pleased to announce that as of today, Friday 1st July, the book imprint Black Dog Books will be owned and distributed by Walker Books Australia.

Sarah Foster, Managing Director and Publisher for Walker Books in Australia, says the move is a big win for Walker Books, as well as the growing children’s publishing industry.

“We are so thrilled to be welcoming such a wonderfully respected and unique brand into the Walker Books family.

With a stimulating list of titles, and an array of superbly talented authors and illustrators, the inclusion of Black Dog Books under the Walker umbrella is an exciting step in our continuing quest to set the standard of publishing excellence for children and young adults.”

Black Dog Books is a multi-award-winning independent children’s book publisher, with a roster that includes some of Australia’s most highly-regarded authors and illustrators, such as Carole Wilkinson, best known for the five-time award-winning Dragonkeeper series; Robyn Annear’s Fly a Rebel Flag and Elizabeth Vercoe and Kerry Abramowski’s The Grief Book: strategies for young people.

Black Dog Books will be published, marketed and distributed by Walker Books Australia, through TL Distribution (TLD). TLD will supply stock for both Australia and New Zealand.

http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Black-Dog-Books

Writing Competition opportuntiy...

2011-04-02T19:40:00.002+10:30

Affordable Manuscript Assessments and Workshops is running a writing contest open to anyone attending an Australian school. We have some generous sponsors donating book prizes suitable for various age groups. If you know anyone who would be interested in entering, could you please let them know?

There is no entry fee

Age will be taken into account

There are three pictorial prompts … entrants may pick which one to use

Entry is by email

Open now

Closes June 30th

Details at http://www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com/contest.htm

Sally Odgers for -

www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com

for manuscript assessment you can afford.

www.affordablemanuscriptassessments.com/products

for affordable workshops

A Wax Museum for Bendigo???

2011-03-13T12:39:00.000+10:30

Aka. The Value of the English language...or what not to write!

You have probably heard of the explanation of how people view and interpret their world is tempered with what and how much baggage they bring with them (i.e. what life experience they have at any point in their life.) Well many years ago when I went to London I was eager to see Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and was not disappointed with the surreal life like people that ‘lived’ within its walls.

So on Saturday morning when I was sitting in bed reading the classifieds in the local paper and saw an advertisement for ‘Wax Gallery now hiring’, I was immediately interested. I thought ‘wow a new tourist attraction for Bendigo, I wouldn’t mind putting my hand up for that as a guide,’ and so on I read. However upon realising my mistake and thoughts of performing a Brazillian XXX (whatever that is!) clouding my mind, I quickly turned the pages to the ‘For Sale’ section. Skid Based chemical toilets got me shuddering, while a garage sale advertisement that included a ‘Baby also outgrown sturdy cot, change table and stroller’ sent my imagination reeling!

The written word is an incredibly important way that we interpret our world and needs to be carefully considered before leaving the safety of our notebooks and sailing across the web or into the local classifieds, thus allowing others into our thoughts. Perhaps upon reading this you will think that I am one strange puppy, or you may be nodding your head in agreement and can immediately recall other similar misunderstandings. Either way we need to be careful that when our words are read by others, people really understand what we mean.

BTW if you want to see the Madame Tussauds web site here is the link to the venue that I enjoyed:
http://www.madametussauds.com/London

Sanba Vintage hat made in England

2011-03-09T17:21:00.000+10:30

Can anyone tell me when this hat would have been made please? Any other info about this style of hat would also be appreciated,
Thanks

2011-03-07T14:21:00.001+10:30

Snake Handler Gary Bright

by stlg48, 4 minutes ago

Snake Handler ,Gary Bright. Mobile 0427 436 223. Born in Bendigo 52 years ago and having lived here all his life, Snake Handler Gary Bright lived in fear of snakes until ten years ago More »

2011-03-02T09:48:00.001+10:30

Sadness of Geography

by stlg48, 7 minutes ago

Opening of “Do you understand the Sadness of Geography?” exhibition in Allans Walk Art Space in Bendigo on 23rd Feb. More »

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2011-03-02T09:35:00.001+10:30

Historical Society on the March

by stlg48, 4 minutes ago

Members of the Bendigo Historical Society took to the streets of Bendigo yesterday in order to protest their concern that as of May this year they will not have a home. More »

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2011-02-17T12:59:00.001+10:30

Home made Tomato Sauce.

by stlg48, 2 minutes ago

When tomatoes start to ripen in their dozens, what can we use them for? A favourite in our home for many years has been to make them into tomato sauce. More »

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2011-02-06T18:19:00.001+10:30

Eppalock on a Sunday - Feb.2011

by stlg48, 7 minutes ago

Lake Eppalock. From an almost ghostly area (well, there were only people driving to see the state of the base of the mighty waterway or diehard fisher people or motor bike owners who really visited often) Lake Eppalock is now buzzing with people of al... More »

2011-02-02T14:42:00.001+10:30

A Caravan in a Cafe!

The Caravan...

Where would you never expect to find a caravan? What’s that I hear you say, inside a cafe? Well think again, ‘cos T’Hooft cafe in Bendigo has a full sized circa 1960’s caravan inside the front door. Coffee and drinks are prepared and served here by the friendly staff.
more...

2011-01-19T09:57:00.001+10:30

Waterwise Garden

by stlg48, 1 minute ago | Add a comment | 0 comments

Water wise Demonstration Garden still worth a look. Despite the incredible rain that we are currently experiencing in Central Victoria (the most in 30 years) we shouldn’t become complacent as here in generally-low-rainfall-Bendigo it is not tha... More »

2011-01-18T17:56:00.001+10:30

Road Closures mean just that.

by stlg48, 11 minutes ago | Add a comment | 0 comments

After visiting Lake Eppalock spillway on Saturday night and discovering that the spillway road had been closed to vehicle traffic, we returned to the lake yesterday, driving around to the other side of the closed spillway road to view it via McIvor Hig... More »

2011-01-17T20:40:00.000+10:30

Damaging summer floods caused the spillway way road, East side, near Moorabbee road, adjacent to two caravan parks at the lake area. Amazing the power of water! dead little fish. also pics of the spillway at Eppalock, gushing water into the Campaspe river.
Here is a montage of the base of the spillway, taken 17th January 2011, showing the strength of the water.