BRAT: Winter 2002 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.

Books for Readers and Teachers

Karalyn Joyce I write when something has happened that makes a difference - it might be just something like forgetting to put the Otto (wheelie bin) out, or lining up to give blood for the first time. Often, especially with poetry, when I'm reading something out it'll strike a chord with other people - or with a short story it'll be like that for them too. That's when it's the best, when your stories or poems are theirs too. But, it can get a bit embarrassing when fiction becomes too real and you get accused of things you haven't done - especially in a small town. Another reason I write is that one day my children, and my children's children will be able to look at my work and know me.

Maggie Lilleby Books have always been an important part of my life - I'm a compulsive reader. I believe strongly in the magic and power of words. A story that whirls you away into a new and exciting world is an uplifting and unforgettable experience. The thrill of creating my own stories took hold at an early age. I've always loved making things up, creating imaginary worlds, and putting these worlds - and the characters who inhabit them - on paper. A lot of my writing centres around sport and the outdoors. Over the years I've been heavily involved in cycle racing, cycle touring, mountain biking, sea kayaking, and tramping, and I often incorporate my own experiences into my stories and articles. I'd like to think that, my stories will inspire more kids to get out there and involve themselves in all that our amazing natural world offers.

Susan Frame Why do I write? All thanks for getting into the writing business goes to our three sons. When they were small I would read story after story to them. I got to thinking, hey, you've always wanted to write, give it a go. So I did. I write readers, which gives me a great deal of satisfaction. It's a lovely thought knowing that an idea that started at the kitchen sink while I was peeling spuds finishes up in Africa, China or wherever, helping young children learn to read. I love a challenge and I love to be creative so writing fits the bill perfectly. Admittedly there are times when being a writer isn't all that wonderful - the rejection letter bit. But it's all part of the writing process. As long as ideas keep cropping up at the kitchen sink, I'll be writing for a few years yet!

Sandy McKay There is something enchanting about the process of writing. When ir's going well, things happen that you don't expect, uncanny coincidences occur and problems are solved. Like magic! Of course there are times when it doesn't happen that way. That's when you have to keep believing, keep plugging away, be patient It's exciting when an idea plants itself in your mind that sparks off a story. Usually I let it slosh around for a while, testing it now and again to make sure it's real. Letting it grow, slowly, until it's ready to be written down. (And rewritten and rewritten and rewritten). I enjoy talking to children about writing. I like showing them my scruffy manuscripts and explaining how I make lots of mistakes and have to rewrite things over and over again. I think writing is both a very ordinary and a very extraordinary thing. It's a great way of communicating with other people and making sense of the world. When it goes badly there is nothing more frustrating but when it goes well there is nothing more exhilarating or magical.

New Publications Our winter offering of new publications for emerging readers, students and teachers. A fine selection. Picture Books Ice Cream Snow, by Janet Slater Bottin and illustrated by Vasanti Unka, Scholastic, $17.95, pb. In this rhyming tale, the author entices the reader to indulge in an afternoon of ice cream fun - playing in ice cream snow with ice cream snowballs, building giant ice cream cakes and ice cream mountains, and, of course, eating ice cream cones. Bold and simple illustrations depict plenty of pink piglets having fun with their dairy delights. 4-7 yrs.

The Potato People, by Pamela Allen, Viking, $24.95, hb. The latest book from this much-loved author tells the tale of Jack and Grandma, who like to spend time together, playing hide-and-seek and roly-poly, reading stories, and eating cake. One rainy day, they make potato people, and when they are buried in the compost, exciting things happen. Simple, affectionate, and effective illustrations and text that will appeal to 3-6 year-olds. Pudding, by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Fraser Williamson, Scholastic, $24.95 hb, $17.95, pb. Captain Edwina Bear and Patrick Duck are out in their tub, cruising the seas in search of pudding. They become alarmed when they can spy only a school of salad swimming by. Their alarm is heightened by the fact that they must soon return to the real world, where the duck has to keep a little boy company in the bath and the bear must accompany him to bed. Happily, Party Island is found after a brief skirmish with some pirates, and the pair gorge themselves silly. A story that would suit being read aloud to 5-7 year-olds. The Great White Man-Eating Shark, by Margaret Mahy and illustrated by Jonathan Allen, Penguin, $11.95, pb. Norvin is a good actor, a good swimmer, and has the questionable attribute of looking like a shark. When his resentment at having to share Caramel Cove with less able swimmers boils over one summer, he combines his skills to excellent effect in an effort to hog the sea for himself. A cautionary tale about the perils of selfishness told with humour and simple, appealing illustrations. 4-7 year-olds. Duck Walk, by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Jennifer Cooper, Scholastic, $17.95, pb. Two popular storytellers collaborate once again to tell the story of the little duckling that strays from the big ducks when they are out walking one day. Luckily, the duckling's family finds it again before the cat has its wicked way. The story is told through clever rhyming text and cute, large-sized illustrations that will appeal to 4-6 year-olds. The Best-Dressed Bear, by Diana Noonan and illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller, Scholastic, $21.95, hb, $15.95, pb. The sequel to The Best-Loved Bear, Tim is feeling sad that he no longer fits some of his more special items of clothing, and he is feeling ambivalent about growing any bigger. His nostalgia threatens to overwhelm him before his mum offers some wise counsel. A gentle story that has a strong sense of a child's perspective and illustrations that will appeal to younger readers. 3-6 years. How the Kiwi Lost its Wings, by Alwyn Owen and illustrated by Dave Gunson, Reed, $12.95, pb. A long time ago, according to Maori myth, the native birds of New Zealand were very different from how they are now, particularly the kiwi, who lived in the treetops and had brightly coloured feathers. A plague of insects threatens to destroy the forest, and Tane Mahuta enlists the birds' help. Only Kiwi is willing to selflessly give up what he has in order to live on the dark forest floor to help eat the insects. A poignant myth that is valuable reading for children and adults alike. All ages. Pigtails the Pirate, by David Elliot, Random House, $29.95, hb. Jess's father has been missing for a long time, and she is haunted by the sound of his violin travelling across the sea. She sets out in her small boat to find him, encountering Pigtails the giant pirate on the way. Jess finds herself back at Pigtail's cave, where her father has been held captive. Together, they strike a deal with the pirate. A generously proportioned book with illustrations that dominate. 5-8 years. My Brown Bear Barney at the Party, by Dorothy Butler and illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller, Reed, $29.95, hb. When Barney gatecrashes Harold Hinkel's birthday party, his adventures are just beginning - taken over by Harold's baby sister Poppy, he gets painted in rainbow colours then dropped into the fish tank. It's still the best party ever, though. Pre-school. A Fishing Story, by Dawn McMillan and illustrated by Julia Crouth, Reed, (English and Maori editions), $12.95, pb Another sea story by a popular duo. Koro knows about doing things right and he's taught Jasie well. He and his grandson go fishing on the wharf, catching enough for their needs only. When another fisherman pulls in a stingray, Jasie persuades him not to cut off its tail, but release it. Primary.

Bidibidi, Gavin Bishop, (English and Maori editions; Maori translation by Apirana Mahuika), Scholastic, $13.95, pb. First published way back in 1982, this now has a Maori edition to give children learning te reo the chance to meet the adventurous sheep who ignores the warnings of the keas and goes exploring in the high country of the South Island. As she escapes from one disaster after another, to find haven with the man who makes the rainbows, Bidibidi will endear herself to a whole new generation of young readers. Tulevai and the Sea, by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Manu Smith, (English and Maori editions; Maori translation by Apirana Mahuika), $17.95, pb. A mother's love is greater than the sea - as we discover in this classic Cowley tale, first published in 1995. The sea wants the strong young boy who is fishing in his boat for itself; unable to lure him the sea enlists the help of the wind to sink his canoe. His mother's love is strong enough to push back the sea, revealing terrible monsters, before finding her son crying in a coral forest. The story springs from a time the author spent sitting by the bedside of her seriously ill son. The Sea Daughter, by Joy Cowley and illustrated by Manu Smith, (English and Maori editions; Maori translation by Apirana Mahuika), $17.95, pb. The sea's daughter falls in love with the fisherman Kahu, leaves her weeping mother and marries him to live onshore. They have children and it is many years before she will tell him the truth about her origins. A tsunami changes the couple into rocks and their children into seals. A classic story beautifully told. Lost, by Kevin Boon and illustrated by Jenny Young, Kotuku Publishing, $13.95, pb. This picture book for older children tells the story of a trio whose day walk to Butterfly Creek, a popular destination over the hill from Eastbourne, turns into a nightmare and a search and rescue callout. Lorna and the Ladybird, by Kevin Boon and illustrated by Trish Bowles, Kotuku Publishing, $13.95, pb. Reading her natural history book on the lawn, Lorna is swept away into an Alice in Wonderland world where she meets a ladybird, aphid, caterpillar and other insects 'up close and personal'. Moonbiter, retold by Kevin Boon and illustrated by Kym Shury, Kotuku Publishing, $13.95, pb. An introduction to aboriginal mythology through the story of the bunyip (a taniwha-like creature) who ate the land, the sun and the moon; a story told to the author's class by an aboriginal visitor. Non-fiction The Albatross, by Barbara Todd, Reed $12.95, pb. Most of the twenty-four kinds of albatross live in the southern oceans, and ten of these kinds nest only in New Zealand. Read about this and other useful introductory information about the albatross in Reed's Nature Kids series. Excellent photographs, accessible language, and a basic contents page and index. 6-8 years. Samantha's Sea, by Angie Belcher, Shortlands, $7.95, pb. "With a pounding heart and a babble of bubbles, I am a noisy intruder in this silent world." Narrated by a young diving enthusiast, this book explores the ocean's hidden depths through factual text and vibrant photography. A 48-page chapter book with a glossary, for 7-10 year-olds. Fibonacci's Cows, by Ray Galvin, Shortlands, $8.95, pb. Ryan is given a special assignment by his teacher to encourage his maths skills - to find out about Fibonacci's cows. A search on the Internet proves fruitless, but then Ryan has a dream in which he meets an informative old man called Leonardo [Fibonacci] who seems to know a lot about maths and talks him patiently through the famous equation. The book's complex content is relieved by plenty of dialogue between Ryan and Fibonacci and a light, spacious design. Shortlisted in the non-fiction section at this year's New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. 9-12 year-olds. Kiwi, by Jenny Jones and photographed by Rod Morris, Reed, $14.95, pb. Another title in Reed's New Zealand Wild series, this 32-page book (with glossary) contains, among others, chapters about the kiwi's territory and burrows, food, kiwi and Maori, the kiwi's prehistoric distribution, early classifications, and future survival. There is also a fact file that contains a page of information and a photograph for each of the six different kinds of kiwi. 12 years plus.

Weta: A knight in Shining Armour, by Joy Cowley and photographed by Rod Morris, Scholastic, $24.95, pb. This is a unique non-fiction picture book about the weta. Beautiful, enormous photographs and simple text describe the lives of some wetas living in their nest in a tree. The final page provides in-depth information about the weta for the older reader. An original book to share with younger children, suitable for 4-7 year-olds. Junior Fiction When the Kehua Calls, by Kingi McKinnon, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Warmth and aroha infuses this story of a family's move back to their marae, told through the eyes of Rewi. The strength of the whanau is especially important when it comes to discovering the source of the negative energy that results in the near-death of baby sister Megan. A must for every school library. 8 years plus. No Half Measures, by Judy Knox, Reed, $14.95, pb A caught-out-in-the-bush cautionary tale of twins who go tramping with their uncle, only to have a disastrous accident befall him first day out. In their attempt to get back to civilisation, Chloe and Mitch do everything wrong. 8 years plus. Mischief and Mayhem, by Margaret Mahy and illustrated by Helen Bacon, Shortlands, $8.95, pb. Two stories, "Quizzybeak" and "The Outsmarting of Kaloom", in which kids use their wits to save the day. Jinkie Jensen-Jones is nosy, and she is given an extra-large nose as punishment for spying on the local magician one day. This proves to be an asset, and Jinkie has a grand time about the neighbourhood, sniffing out everyone's secrets, eventually using her nose for a more admirable task. In the second story, Teddy proves his worth as a babysitter of his twin sisters when he consistently outwits Kaloom, a magician on the prowl for children to work in his emerald mines. Light-hearted fairy tales from one of New Zealand's best writers, complimented by humourously detailed illustrations. 7-10 years. Stella Steller in the Mystery of the Haunted Bay, by Simon Grant and illustrated by Kate Wells, Breaksea Productions, $14.95, pb. One in a series of stories about Stella Steller, who lives at Breaksea Bay, this new adventure finds Stella and her friend Horace investigating a spate of hauntings in the bay. Although the locals suspect a sea monster, Stella and Horace embark on a night-time sortie to sort things out, which leads them to Geronimo's Fairground - a place of gruesome ruins and nasty traps. A nicely produced book that will be enjoyed by 5-9 year-olds. When the Kehua Calls, by Kingi McKinnon, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Warmth and aroha infuses this story of a family's move back to their marae, told through the eyes of Rewi. The strength of the whanau is especially important when it comes to discovering the source of the negative energy that results in the near-death of baby sister Megan. A must for every school library. 8 years plus. Groovy Gran and the Karaoke Kid, by Janine Scott, Shortlands, $8.95, pb. Billy's level of enthusiasm for school is low, and it is plunged even further when his teacher announces a talent show, with a week to practise. Sammy Starbright, a resident at the rest home where his mum works, is keen to offer advice and training. With Sammy's help, Billy devises a music immersion programme, but things are not looking good. And his crazy gran's hunt for an old flame, his crush on the most popular girl at school, and his attempts to prevent his family from finding out about the talent show all provide taxing diversions from the task at hand. A humourous tale for 9-12 year-olds. Survival in Cyberspace, by Angie Belcher, Shortlands, $8.95, pb. Computers, and anything to do with them, are the highlight of Jen's life. She particularly loves chat rooms, virtual reality software, and spying on the goings-on at Future-Tech Laboratories, where a top secret project involving complete 'molecular transfer' is going on. Naturally, Jen is asked to help with the final stages of trialling, which leads to a series of cyber adventures with her new friend whom she has met through a chat room. A well-paced and imaginative story with plenty of detail that will be particularly enjoyed by 9-12 year-old technophiles.

Collections Stories for Kiwi Kidz, Book 3, Tauranga Writers for Children, $15.00, pb. This collection, like the previous two, arose from stories commissioned for and first read on Storyline, a free service offering stories to the local free-call area. Children's drawings will add to its appeal for classroom libraries. Taped collections of Books One & Two are also available. Primary. The Great Pavlova Cover Up: New Zealand Stories for Children, edited by Jo Noble, Illustrations by Jennifer Cooper, Cumulus (Whitcoulls) $19.95, hb. Jo Noble's experience as a children's bookshop owner and magazine editor shows in this selection of stories by New Zealand writers old and new. Cooper uses different illustrative styles to suit the content of each story. Primary. The Puffin New Zealand Storybook, edited by Gwen Gawith, Puffin, $19.95, pb. Forty-seven short stories and poems from some of New Zealand's leading children's writers, including Margaret Mahy, Joy Cowley, Diana Noonan, Ron Racon, Patricia Grace, Witi Ihimaera, and Norman Bilbrough, form the basis of this revised collection, first published in 1991, from Puffin. A great proportion of the pieces were first published in the School Journal, and they are lively, fun, well written, and relevant to the lives of Kiwi kids. An attractive book that has a great cover and would make an excellent classroom resource. 8-12 years. Intermediate Fiction Snapped, by Julia Owen, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Shawny is one troubled teen. Unable to come to terms with her mother's mental illness, she takes to shoplifting and makes a right royal mess of family relationships and friendships. Her real friends are surprisingly loyal and non-judgemental, enabling Shawny to put things right once she's bombed out - quite literally, in her neighbour's car. 9-12 years. SOMUCH2DO, Vince Ford, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. The characters from 2MUCH4U, the award-winning saga of life on a rural New Zealand block, return in this sequel, which also revolves round Davin's moneymaking schemes. His results this time with chooks, worms and eels exceed even his wildest expectations - and the project is totally legitimate, part of new teacher Ms Wing's class project called Mind Your Own Business. 10-14 years. Where All Things End, by David Hill, Puffin, $16.95, pb. Jotan is on his first space mission that all goes badly wrong when the crew and its pod are sucked into a black hole. A well-written, action-packed storyline with tense moments on every page, this book has plenty of details about space exploration and astrophysics and lots of humour to relieve the detail. A thrilling read, recommended for 12-14 year-olds. Breaking Away, by Maggie Lilleby, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Part of the Sport Max series, this features cycling (and incidentally triathlons). Dealing with a redundant parent is the least of Michelle aka Mitch's problems as she attempts to get into the inter-school cycling team -learning to be part of a team is the biggest challenge, along with keeping her bike in good nick. 10-13 years. Unmasked, by Bill O'Brien, Lothian, $15.95, pb. Jaye works at the local museum after school and takes a keen interest in the Egyptian artefacts, but it appears someone is scheming to steal some of them. Jaye slowly pieces the crime together and enlists the help of his BMX-riding friends to foil the thieves' plans. A part of the Crime Waves series, this book is well written and well paced and will be enjoyed by 8-12 year-olds. Limelight, Tania Roxborogh, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Daily life for pre-teens is so full of doubt - Nicole sees herself as drab and boring, a real Cinderella, compared with Jasmine of the glamorous name and person. Nicole's chance comes when she gets the part of Cinders in the school production; romance comes in the form of David, her Science Fair and play partner. But Jasmine's malice may yet prevent Nicole's chance to stand in the limelight. Nicely moral. 9-13 years. Yeah! Short Stories for Teenagers, by Martha Morseth, Pearson Education, $24.95, pb.

Despite its title, this collection of twenty-one short stories also contains a one act play, a radio play, a telephone conversation, and a soap opera script. Written by an ex-schoolteacher, each piece is based around issues that concern teenagers - weight, future plans, family problems, boyfriend problems - and the book is divided into three main sections: Knowing what's right for me, Challenges I don't need, and Friends and other complications. Designed to be used in schools, the collection comes with a teachers' guide that contains curriculum-based activities. Pig Apples, by Ged Maybury, Scholastic, $13.95, pb. Randy and his pal Piho are back with another boys' own adventure. This time, the two boys stumble upon a goldmine in the local reserve when they are out walking Piho's uncle's troublesome dog one day: they find truffles. Kiwi ingenuity and a lust for cash soon sees the two earning lots of money. But things become complicated when Randy somehow becomes entangled with some animal rights activists, and then there's the mysterious BMW that's hanging about the reserve. Randy learns that there's more important issues in life than earning cash, such as liberating some exploited pigs, saving his dying small town, and impressing Tammy. A readable, well-judged story for the target audience with plenty of colloquial language and well-written dialogue. 11 years plus. Poetry Snapshots on the Journey, Rod MacLeod, Steele Roberts, $29.95, hb. This superb collection of poems by an experienced hospice care doctor includes many of our best-loved writers - Lauris Edmond, Alistair Campbell and Glenn Colquhoun among them - and their insights into people's feelings before, during and after the death of a loved one. MacLeod started his collection to help medical students and doctors learn about the world of the dying and the bereaved but it obviously has a much wider audience. Secondary. Time of the Salamander, Margaret Beere, Steele Roberts, $24.95, pb. The title sums up this collection about surviving the fires of love, as a wise woman looks back on loves lost and lives gone. There are some wonderful, very short poems set alone on the page. An insight for secondary students into the world of their elders. Non-Fiction Haka: A Living Tradition, Wira Gardiner, Hodder Moa Beckett, $19.95, pb. More than an introduction, this excellent resource covers every aspect of the history of haka as well as its modern day manifestations, including a look at the controversy surrounding Ka Mate and its takeover by the marketing department. There's even a 'how-to' of this most famous haka of all. All ages. Dinosaur New Zealand, by Geoffrey Cox and Joan Wiffen, HarperCollins, $19.95, pb. Although palaeontologists once believed that dinosaurs never lived in New Zealand, twenty-five years ago, they discovered otherwise. One of this book's authors was the first person to discover dinosaur bones in New Zealand. This excellent and unique resource provides general information about dinosaurs with plenty of specific sections about and references to New Zealand. Despite its A5 format, this book has a greater emphasis on text, although there are still numerous illustrations, maps, and diagrams. 12 years plus. Maori Animal Myths: Mokai Rangatira, by Warren Pohatu, Reed, $14.95, pb. In his introduction, Warren Pohatu explains the Maori belief that all living creatures are descendants from Ranginui and Papatuanuku, which makes animals and humans whanau. The book goes on to explain how some of the more significant animals are incorporated into the Maori world view. It includes explanations of Maori animal myths as well as of their attitude towards various creatures and their relationships with them, with reference to both the past and present. Each double-page spread is devoted to one animal, including the whale, dolphin, seal, shark, Gecko, dog, and wood pigeon. An excellent resource for all ages. Senior Fiction Blue Murder, Ken Catran, Random House, $16.95, pb.

This sequel to Talking to Blue sets out to fill in the gaps left by the earlier tale. Transcripts of Mike's interviews with the police are interspersed with his first-person recount of events surrounding the brutal murders of his parents, their lovers and other people deemed guilty by Mike/Blue. There's still some ambiguity in the link between Mike and Blue, his cellphone co-dependent and some will find the amorality disturbing. 11 years plus. Letters from the coffin-trenches, Ken Catran, Random House, $16.95, pb. "Coffin-trenches they are nicknamed and, like many a soldier's joke, it is half serious," writes country boy Harry Wainwright to his sweetheart Jess, back home in New Zealand. Catran's telling of the Anzac story, crafted through letters between Harry on Gallipoli and Jess, who makes it to Egypt as a nurse, are compelling, with a sense of immediacy. Attitudes to Harry's German New Zealander mate as well as the Turks - "men defending their homeland" - seem surprisingly 21st century. 13 years plus.