BRAT: Spring 2000 Issue
BRAT is published as part of the Book Council's quarterly magazine Booknotes.
It includes profiles of authors on the Writers in Schools programme, and a round up of recently published New Zealand books for children and young people.
To receive the latest issues of BRAT hot off the press, join the Book Council.
This issue of BRAT was prepared for the Book Council by Judith Holloway.
Books for Readers And Teachers
Penelope Huber
As all writers do, I’ve spent hours tucked away alone putting my imaginary worlds on paper. So it’s a strange thing, on publication, to be suddenly called to extroversion.
‘Can you come and talk to our girls?’
Oh, yes. How many? (ten? Twenty?)
‘Seven hundred.’
So, I’ve done that, but I’ve preferred a class at a time of children who are discovering the joys of reading, of being read to, of telling their own stories; talking about books and characters, how ideas take shape and form.
It’s a huge thrill to meet the girl who’s read Three’s A Crowd 21 times and to find wide-eyed audiences for my first novel that no publisher wants. It’s good to share common stories; I used to write banal diaries, was a slow and dogged reader, didn’t think I had what it took to write a whole novel.
But I hope to add some encouragement to children to find in writing, a safe (if necessarily secret) place to express their unmitigated selves.
Bill Nagelkerke
"I suspect I’m one of those writers who thinks, deep down, that the story should do the telling, not the person who wrote it. Nevertheless I know from my own experience of meeting and listening to other writers, as well as talking with children in schools, that making the connection between the story and the writer is both fascinating and important in itself. What it reveals is that we are all storytellers and that stories have the power to bring us together. I also value the opportunity, through school visits, to receive feedback. After a visit where I shared a brand new story, some of the children told me it took too long to get to the action. And they were absolutely right. Having had a poem reprinted recently in an anthology that included two other Bills — Shakespeare and Wordsworth — it was good to be brought back to earth!"
Mandy Hager
I wrote my first book at intermediate, and have been hooked on writing ever since. There are times when I think that writing should be listed right up there with alcohol and tobacco, ie. WARNING: WRITING IS ADDICTIVE AND WILL CONSUME YOUR LIFE.
But then my sub-conscious serves me up something unexpected and new , and I feel totally alive — a leap-up, dancing kind of joy. And to write one good line, or two, or three…well, nothing else can beat the ‘buzz’ of that.
Add to this a love of writing for kids, and for the kids themselves. Big ones, small ones, naughty, sad — I strongly believe in the potential of young people to shape a better world. Creativity, compassion, hope and joy — these are the messages I hope to share through my writing, and also through my work in schools.
Mix all this with a little (okay, a lot of) bad-taste humour — and there, I guess, you have me.
Andrew Crowe
Andrew Crowe has written over 30 books, the last of eight of which have been award finalists, two of them winners. His writing began with a three-year project: A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand, illustrated with his own photos and line drawings. It has sold over 15,000 copies.
He explores his strong interest in visual language through the design and illustration of his books. ‘It is my aim to reach children as young as four, while holding the interest of adults. I am passionate about planting the seeds of a life-long respect for the natural world.’
During one of his school visits, a highlight for Andrew came when an 11 year old girl read her first book out loud and chose When the Tuatara came.
Bookshelf - Picture Books
Clyde’s Ride, written and illustrated by John Tarlton, Scholastic, $14.95, pb.
Clyde (an elderly motor-biker) takes his dog Tim for a ride to the park, promising him there are always ‘interesting’ things to see on the way. So there are very exotic things (alligators, elephants, emus, etc) —and they’re only in the pictures, not explained away by the text. 4–6.
The Pungapeople of Ninety Mile Beach, by Barry Crump, illustrated by Natalie Ward, Hodder Moa Beckett, $24.95, hb.
Tells, in Crumpy rhyme, how the magical green pungapeople who inhabit the sand-dunes have driven away the humans with their cheek and sorcery. 7–9.
Sam’s day — in the city, text and photographs by Jillian Moses and Lynn Clayton, Puffin, $12.95, pb.
Simple text about a day in the life of six year-old Sam from eating breakfast, trotting off to school, joining in with all the (multi-cultural) school activities, after-school swimming and biking, then dinner, bath, story and bed. Good for preparing pre-schoolers for school and for presenting a familiar world to junior school kids. 4–6.
Amy’s day — in the country, text and photographs by Jillian Moses and Lynn Clayton, Puffin, $12.95, pb.
Amy is four and lives on a farm. She has lots of girly things in her room but she’s a vigorous outdoors person, familiar with animals, has heaps of friends at Playcentre, goes with her mother to meet her brothers off the school bus and pick up the groceries at the General Store. Good for young children whose lifestyle is similar, and for those who know nothing about country life. 3-5.
Tamatoa and the Great Tree, created by David Zakaria, written by Julian Stokoe, illustrated by Brent Chambers, Golden Press, $12.95, pb.
The boy, Tamatoa, finds a huge egg at the bottom of a big tree. He tries to find a nest for it, but it is too big and when the bird hatches out in the overcrowded nest at the top of the totara tree, Tamatoa is shocked to see it is not like any bird he knows. However, as it turns out, this is a kiwi bird. 3-5.
Tamatoa and the Big Wind, created by David Zakaria, written by Julian Stokoe, illustrated by Brent Chambers, Golden Press, $12.95, pb.
Tamatoa, helping Ihu Nui Po untangle his eel net, finds a large piece of greenstone. Ihu Nui Po warns him that he must make something beautiful out of the stone, otherwise he should give it back to the river. A wild wind blows up, causing havoc in the village. The greenstone is dropped and breaks into four pieces which Tamatoa and his friends make into a lovely wind chime to appease the destructive wind.
Where Kiwis Go at Night, written and illustrated by Michael Salmon, Puffin, $12.95, pb.
Just like the inhabitants of other countries in the world, Kiwis come in all types, shapes and ages. Consequently, they pursue a great variety of activities at night— feeding themselves, exercising, learning things, nurturing things, etc, etc. Amusing pictures. 5–7.
Tom’s Story, by Mandy Hager, illustrated by Ruth Paul, Mallinson Rendel (in association with the Mary Potter Hospice), $12.95, hb.
A beautifully illustrated and produced book with an important theme—coming to grips with the sudden death of a parent. First published in 1995. A message for all ages.
Henry the Hungry Frog, by Sue Galbraith, illustrated by Nina Cook, Junior Educational Publications (Christchurch), $12.95, pb.
One of a series being produced in Christchurch to give very young children some basic facts about familiar creatures, but wrapped up in a fictional storyline. In this case, we find out what frogs eat, and how they catch some of their food on their tongues. 3–5.
Maisie the Monarch, by Sue Galbraith, illustrated by Nina Cook, Junior Educational Publications, $12.95,pb.
Another in the series outlined above. This book tells about the complicated life cycle of the exquisite Monarch butterfly. Useful for ages 4–7.
Rudy the Nude Mouse, by Michael East, illustrated by Trish Bowles, Orca Publishing (Christchurch), $16.95, pb.
The only mouse in the litter of nude babies to have not developed hair after the first week, Rudy is rejected by his family. He sees a TV advertisement for hair-restoring oil and he feels he must have some…Amusing story, attractive production altogether. (Rudy’s website is www.rudymouse.co.nz) For ages 4–8.
Annie and Moon, by Miriam Smith, illustrated by Lesley Moyes, Mallinson Rendel, $14.95, pb.
Welcome reprint of this prize-winning book with its gorgeous illustrations, first published in 1988. All about Annie, a girl and Moon, a cat. Annie’s father has left and Annie and her mother try out a few different living arrangements, but they can’t feel really happy—even sharing Grandma’s ‘just-right’ house—until Moon has settled down too, and learned to get on okay with Grandma’s dog, Brutus. Perfect for 3–6 year-olds.
Simply Delicious! By Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Jonathon Allen, Puffin, $14.95, pb.
As he rides bumpily through the jungle to deliver a double-dip-chocolate-chip-and-cherry ice cream to his boy Finnegan, Mr Minky is positively menaced by cheeky animals, trying to sneak a lick—two butterflies, a toucan, a spider monkey, a ferocious tiger and a huge crocodile. The tactics poor Mr Minky has to employ to keep that ice-cream safe will take your breath away! For zany 3–33 year-olds.
Let’s Make Mud!, story and illustrations by Gwenda Turner, Puffin, $12.95, pb.
Mud, mud, glorious mud— there’s nothing quite like it for cooling the blood! And for making roads and bridges, loading trucks, making pies. And for jumping and sliding in, and for having something to wash off under the hose straight afterwards. And so say all of us! 2–6.
Roimata’s Cloak, story by Esther Tamehana, illustrated by James Molnar, Huia, $12.95, pb. Also a te reo Maori version, He Kahurere.
A legend-like story set in Urewera country. The young girl, Roimata, who lives on Maungapohatu, wishes to show off her new feather cloak (kakahu) to her grandmother, who lives across the river at the base of the mountain. The story tells of the tuna and birds who help her along the way and of being delayed by the Maiden of the Mist, Hinepukohurangi, who covers the mountain after sunset. 6–8.
Tulevai and the Sea, by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Manu Smith, $14.95, pb.
Let your lips go slack and say the name ‘Tulevai’ in a soft, breathy way. That is the sound the sea makes to try and lure the Island boy Tulevai down, down into its depths. But luckily, a mother’s love is stronger than the sea and Tulevai’s mother manages to roll back the surf and rescue her son. An admired story, first published in 1995, now in reprint. 5–7.
Bookshelf - Junior Fiction
Pumpkin Pie, by Margaret Beames, illustrated by Jean May Frank, Bea-line Books, Halcombe, $8.00 + postage, pb.
A sweet little old-fashioned story involving a mischievous, stingy witch called Ermingarde and her cat Wesker, poor Baron Bluffenbluster with his nice daughter Alice he’s trying to marry off, a string of awful suitors, a diamond necklace and a nice traveller in herbs (a sort of Rawleigh’s Man) and a happy ending. 7–9.
Penguin Lost at Sea, by Robin J. Johnson, illustrated by Richard Gunther, Joseph Ministries, Te Awamutu, pb.
A simple, short story—but divided into chapters—about Ally the little adventurous blue penguin who, very daringly, takes off by himself one morning and goes exploring. Of course, he comes up against a heap of dangers before he’s rescued. There are good notes at the back of the book about the life cycle of the tiny ‘blue’ or ‘fairy’ penguins. 6–8.
Bookshelf - Intermediate Fiction
Intermediate FictionJust looking, thanks, by David Hill, Penguin, $14.95, pb.
Joel is depressed because his parents have split up and live with new partners. He decides to disappear for a while and finds refuge in a city mall. While endeavouring to maintain his independence, he stumbles along a number of learning curves. Vintage Hill kid, finding his balance. Probably of great appeal to the sort of boy who is on the outer with his family and not a great fan of reading.
Give it Hoops, by David Hill, Scholastic, $13.95, pb.
Ethan Pascoe (a rather film-starish name!) goes to Mt Andrews School, a school that is somewhat ‘underprivileged’. Ethan is in the basketball team and the chance to win money from a game is a great incentive to play the dreaded Banks Street team. Themes: sports, cheating.
Fantasy with Witches, by Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, Hazard Press, $19.95, pb.
A novel by the well-known poet about enchantment, set on a fictional island in the Pacific, the inhabitants of which are under the spell of two witches—a mother and daughter. At the heart of the story is Kimi who falls in love with the younger witch.
Shadrach Girl, by Joy Cowley, Puffin, $15.95, pb.
This is the third and final book in the delightful, prize-winning Shadrach series. (Bow Down, Shadrach and Gladly, Here I Come have also been reprinted.) Everyone has grown a couple of years older. Little Sky is ten, Mikey and Eden are teenagers and Hannah is sixteen. But their mother Sophie seems to be gravely ill. What can be wrong? Read the book to find out. 10–11 upwards.
Te Mere, by Mokena Potae Reedy, Huia, $14.95, pb.
Written in te reo Maori, Te Mere is a gripping story about three children who travel back in time to save their friend and his iwi from disaster. It is the first book in a trilogy by Reedy, a native speaker, of Ngati Porou. For fluent readers at kura kaupapa and bilingual schools.
The Lies of Harry Wakatipu, by Jack Lasenby, Longacre, $14.95, pb.
There’s not a funnier character, to me, than the dreadful MCP packhorse, Harry Wakatipu. What a scheming, bone-lazy, self-centred, whining egomaniac. And, of course, the biggest liar in the NZ bush. Scandalously good for reading aloud. 10+.
The Aroha Pendant, by Marlene J. Bennetts, Emjay Publishing, $10, pb.
Set in the early 1920s, this is the sort of adventure story that, read aloud to a class, would give students a very good feel for what life was like in those days. The plot is good—about a girl, Bernadette, who disguises herself as a boy and goes in search of her long-lost father, travelling from Wesport to Rotorua and having many adventures on the way. All she has with her is a letter from her father to her mother (now dead) and a carved bone pendant. 11+
Bookshelf - Senior Fiction
Hey Tony, by Jillian Sullivan, Orchard Press, Nelson, $19.95, pb.
A collection of fifteen, fresh, honest short stories about a range of teenagers and the issues they’re trying to confront. Issues like shyness, a bad report, wanting to leave home and just pick apples instead of committing to university, family break-up, longing for ‘labels’.
Red Cliff, by Bernard Beckett, Longacre, $14.95, pb.
Red Cliff is the fancy new subdivision which Samuel’s parents have dragged him to live in. It’s right at the end of his sixth form year. We meet Katrina, Uncle Neil, Samuel, Carissa, Kurt, Leon and a host of other characters. All with their own problems. Beckett has us following the major characters from their own perspectives—at home, at Stanway High, as they interact with each other, and the wider world. It’s page-turning stuff with a ring of authenticity.
The Duffle Bag Kid, by Hank Venrooy, Horizon Press, $19.95, pb.
A novel for teenagers. An attractive cover wrapped around ‘an exciting tale of intrigue, action, romance and adventure, set in rural New Zealand’. Fed up with his slobbish father, 15 year-old Danny Duncan runs away from home and becomes unwittingly entangled in an international drug-running operation.
Impact, by Jeannie McLean, New House Publishers, $9.95, pb.
Ben listened to the harsh words of the autopsy report and felt ill. Greg, his best mate, was dead. But how? Why? Greg’s family wished to believe it was an accident, others believed it could have been suicide. Or was there an even more sinister reason for Greg’s death?
Such Good Mates, by Jeannie McLean, New House Publishers, $9.95, pb.
Toby’s plans for the holidays are wrecked with the arrival of his cousin Mark. Mark was bad news, but Toby’s father, Dave, insists, ‘He’s family. He needs us.’ Will it take a total disaster to convince Dave?
Bookshelf - Books With Study Notes
Gifts, poetry for senior students, edited by Harvey McQueen, Longman, $24.95, pb.
As a one-time teacher of English, I feel very appreciative of the quality of this book. McQueen has selected a highly personal bunch of poems and poets to look at—with a strong NZ slant, but including some Americans and Australians, two Pacific Islanders and one Canadian. It is so good, its notes so helpful, its indexing so logical, I feel I could front up to discussing poetry in the classroom with far more verve and confidence than I ever mustered in the past.
Small Packages, edited by Linda Burgess and Raewyn Bright, Longman, $24.95, pb.
What a good idea for a resource for NZ English teachers! This is a collection of NZ short stories (usually under 2000 words) with young central characters, mostly involving relationships (boy–girl, friends, father–son, etc) and epiphanic moments. Accompanying each story is a biographical note about its author, plus a ‘craft comment’ about the genesis of the story, and, at the end, some probing ideas for students to think/write about. Ideal class sets for third and fourth formers.
Bookshelf - Adult Books of Interest
On the Loose, by Josh Kronfeld – as told to Brian Turner, Longacre, $44.95, hb.
All Black Kronfeld’s life to date, plus his opinions on aspects of rugby and all sorts of other things. Easy to read, plenty of photographs, full of insights into the game and its key personnel. Likely to have great appeal to a few of those rugby fanatics who can’t find many books to hold their attention. (Which is not, of course, to imply that all rugby fanatics are non-readers!)
The Flamingo Anthology of New Zealand Short Stories, edited by Michael Morrissey, $29.95, HarperCollins, pb.
500 pages, 21 well-known writers, this collection of 42 stories (from KM’s famous ‘A Dill Pickle’ to Emily Perkins’ hilarious ‘The Shared Experience’) represents top dollar value. An absolute treasure trove for the general reader, for reading aloud to secondary students, and for the kids to borrow.
Think and Play Winning Rugby, Hugh de Lacy with Grant Fox, Harper Collins, $29.95, pb.
All Black Grant Fox has a reputation as a rugby thinker and strategist (as well as a great player). Hugh de Lacy is an award-winning journalist. Strictly for young men who dream of becoming All Blacks, this book discusses seriously such ideas as goal-setting, affirmations, creative visualisation, relaxation techniques, mind games…as well as straight tactics and techniques (which are often illustrated by photographs).
Mene Confessions — Tall Tales from Netball’s Inner Circle, by Auckland journalist, Geoff Young, Hodder Moa Beckett, $24.95, pb.
So is her father’s little girl really looking after herself? Yes, Bernice is—and this account proves it. Interestingly divided into chapters that concentrate on different aspects of Mene’s life and career as a top netballer eg, diary entries about being at the World Champs in 1995, childhood (daughter of top athletes), on being a Silver Fern, on coaches, tours, and so on.
Bookshelf - Non Fiction
Life-size Guide to Insects and Other Land Invertebrates of New Zealand, by Andrew Crowe, Penguin, $24.95, pb.
Full-colour photographs present the insects life-size, often in an actual habitat. Identification notes are easy for children to read and understand.
(Also available in a Nature Flip Guide for all-weather use in the field or for display on the nature table, $19.95)
Spiders of New Zealand and their Worldwide Kin, by Ray and Lyn Forster, University of Otago Press, $79.95, pb.
A most magnificent production sure to fascinate both experts in the field and ordinary people interested in natural history. An invaluable resource for science teachers and the school library, it covers the anatomy, physiology, behaviour and ecology of spiders, including 800 more spider species to have been discovered since the Forsters wrote their comprehensive 1963 book, Spiders of New Zealand.
Tony Johnson’s 1001 Sports Stumpers, by Tony Johnson, Hodder Moa Beckett, $14.95, pb
An ideal book to get those non-reading, sports-mad kids reading and committing to memory heaps of factual information they can be tested on in Trivial Pursuits-style, inter-form or inter-school quizzes. Formerly a TV3 sports news anchorman, Johnson is now a Sky TV rugby commentator. He’s divided his quiz questions into 56 sections and the answers are, of course, printed elsewhere in the book.
English Basics: the essential tools you need to improve your English skills, by Tania Roxborogh and Jenny Thomas, New House Publishers, $9.95, pb.
This is a workbook for independent study by students wishing to improve their understanding and knowledge of English grammar and punctuation. An excellent guide to give senior primary school and junior high school students practice in coming to grips with good sentence construction, parts of speech and the components of ‘poetic’ language. (A follow-up, More English Basics, is also available.)
The ‘What Now?’ Laugh Collection, compiled by two characters called Shakespeare and Schubert (yeh, right!), Puffin, $14.95, pb.
Jokes, tricks and stories submitted to a What Now? on-air competition running in mid-1999. At least five cackles per page guaranteed. For readers 6–10 to share with their poor friends and whanau.
My Maori Numbers, written and illustrated by Tracy Duncan, Reed, $9.95, pb.
This book employs a very good method of introducing young children to Maori language construction as far as talking about numbers is concerned, eg, we learn that ‘kotahi te kiwi’ means ‘one kiwi’, ‘e rua nga tuatara’ means ‘two tuatara’. Each double page spread contains a stunning illustration, the Maori phrase on the left, the English on the right. There is also a version in te reo Maori only, called Nga Tau ki te Reo Maori.
Fountains of Fire – the Story of Auckland’s volcanoes, by Geoffrey J. Cox, HarperCollins, $17.95, pb.
A colourful, concise account of Auckland’s 48 volcanoes. What was it like when they erupted? When and why did they erupt? Where are they today? Will they erupt again? Author and artist Cox answers these questions and many more with an easy-to-understand text and dramatic illustrations. 10+, and of general interest.
Wildlife Stuff, by Dave Gunson, Scholastic, $17.95, pb.
An excellent little book with great drawings of dozens of smallish examples of NZ wildlife—living, endangered and (occasionally) extinct. Lots of humorous interaction in speech bubbles, and plenty of intriguing information tucked into feature boxes. 7+, and terrific for an older child to share with a younger one.
Caught in the Crunch: Earthquakes and Volcanoes in New Zealand, by Rebecca Ansell and John Taber, HarperCollins, $34.95, pb.
NZ’s varied and spectacular scenery is apparently the result of the constant seismic activity of two of the mighty tectonic plates that make up the crust of the earth—on which our islands are perched. This book explores these forces of nature in plain language with a wealth of diagrams, maps and photographs. Reprinted from its original 1996 edition. For senior primary and secondary students.
Alan Duff’s Maori Heroes, by Alan Duff, Random House, $39.95, hb.
In his columns, Duff has often raged against the dearth of Maori heroes being held up as inspiration to Maori children. In this book, he has collected facts and photographs of 56 such role models. It’s an eclectic mix of artists, political activists (of a certain ilk), professionals, actors, comedians, singers, plus the more commonly-known sports stars and soldiers, and a marvellous man called Henare O’Keefe who has fostered (with his wife Pam) 192 children. For intermediate and secondary students.
Wahine Toa, text by Patricia Grace, paintings by Robyn Kahukiwa, Penguin, $34.95, pb.
This celebrated book, first published to acclaim in 1984, marries Kahukiwa’s distinctively beautiful paintings and drawings, with Grace’s elegantly plain prose to present the powerful ancestral goddesses of Maori myth. An essential book for every New Zealander to linger over.
