BRAT: Winter 2004 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
Non-fiction
Illustrated History of New Zealand by Marcia Stenson (Random House, $24.95).
A quick flick through this book, and its appeal is immediately obvious. It fills a significant gap for parents and teachers of children who are curious about New Zealand’s past and ready to learn about it in some detail. Stenson explains the salient events of the last six hundred years in clear, precise prose, and her background as a teacher means she has a good sense of what’s interesting to children and what’s not. The design is uncluttered, without being boring. Photographs, etchings, and paintings are well chosen to capture children’s imaginations. While New Zealand’s story is told chronologically, beginning with the arrival of Maori around 1350, each of the twenty sections has its own thematic focus (“Land of Birds”, “Maori Settlement”, “Missionaries and Musket Wars”, “Pioneer settlers”, “Disasters”, etc.) An intelligent, thoughtful, and accomplished book – and excellent value. 11–12 years and beyond.
Mates at the War by Rae Collins (self-published, $20.00).
Based on the letters and diaries of the author’s father and uncle, this book reconstructs life at the front during the First World War. Fact is embellished by the author’s imaginings and by a generous use of dialogue. For the most part, the text reads like a novel told in the third person. While quotes from the diaries and letters provide authenticity, they also introduce problems, confusing the perspective and disrupting the flow. Other times, they add nothing to what’s already been said. The overall result isn’t entirely successful, though it’s not a fatal flaw. All stories of war are worth sharing, and Collins’ book is a good starting point for senior history students. It’s a pity the epilogue is so brief. Well priced. Available from 12 Roys Road, Plimmerton.
World of Invertebrates: Introducing Invertebrates by Graham Meadows and Claire Vial (Pearson/Longman, $11.95).
This book meets well the needs of children reading non-fiction independently for the first time. The clean design uses colour to good effect, and the font is large and well positioned on each page. It also contains mostly high-quality photographs. Unfortunately, the authors have covered too many species (around twenty, and it’s only a 24-page book), and while the text is accessible, the ambitious coverage results in descriptive generalisations rather than more useful detail. Although the book does claim to be only an introduction, the content is still too wide ranging. 7–10 years.
Through the Lens: Three Decades of New Zealand News Photography by Ian Stuart; photographs by John Selkirk (Reed, $49.95).
John Selkirk was a news photographer for the Dominion for thirty years, and this book showcases some of his best photographs. The material is divided into three decades (1970s, 1980s, and 1990s), and many of the significant events and people from these times are represented. Each photograph is allocated a generous amount of space and is explained in a caption of several sentences. A readable book that shares the access privileges enjoyed by newspaper photographers. Who else gets to photograph the likes of Mick Jagger, Pat Phoenix, Mother Teresa, and Bob Charles? Some amazing images. 12 years and beyond.
Where’s Kiwi Kevin? by Richard Gunther (Reed, $19.95).
This book defies all the usual genres. It borrows the idea of the Where’s Wally series – but with a local twist. Readers are challenged to find Kev in the kiwi crowd as he tours the usual spots (Cape Reinga, Rotorua, Kaikoura, etc.). Each of the thirteen locations is accompanied by a few paragraphs of text, reading like a junior Lonely Planet guide. It’s an odd mix – illustrations (and a task) that will appeal to young children paired with historic and geographic information more suitable to those who are older. On its own, the informative text works well, but it sits uncomfortably beside the cartoon-like artwork (which is very unexceptional). Obviously younger readers could enjoy the challenge and skip the text, but in the end, the different elements don’t gel. It’s difficult to gauge what the author was hoping to achieve.
John Britten: The boy who did do better by Jennifer Beck (Scholastic, $17.99).
The title of this book clearly signals its message: those branded as underachievers can still surprise parents, teachers, and themselves. While this sub-text lurks beneath this story of John Britten’s life, it’s thoughtfully handled. Beck writes well, using an economical, snappy approach, ensuring that her target audience is well hooked. The large format (A4-sized pages) further entices the reader – as does the unfussy yet effective design. Scholastic claims that the book will interest those between the ages of 6 and 14. I would guess from 8-9 years and up. A truly inspirational story about an exceptional person.
Picture Books
Oliver’s Party by Margaret Beames; illustrated by Sue Hitchcock (Scholastic, $24.99 hardback and $15.99 paperback).
Mrs Bundy is fussing over preparations for a party, and Oliver is seduced by the balloons, overhanging tablecloths, and wrapping paper. Like all cats, Oliver has a limited grasp of consequence, and this characteristic drives the story’s plot as well as its playful sense of the inevitable. From the opening line (“Something was going on”), Oliver’s experiences are central. People loom as dark shadows on the periphery of a world otherwise bright with possibility. The illustrator’s experience as an animator has been put to good use, particularly her ability to use caricature. The story achieves a good balance. To show affection for your subject yet remain smart and funny is a fine thing.
4 years plus.
Little Kiwi Looks after the Egg by Bob Darroch (Reed, $14.99).
Reed seems to think that we can’t get enough of contrived stories about kiwis and the like. The plot this time: Kiwi has to keep an eye on his unhatched sibling. The only trouble is, the egg has a mind of its own. A frantic chase through the bush ensues, disturbing Weka, Kingfisher, Heron, and co. along the way. “Will Little Kiwi manage to keep the egg safe?” the blurb enquires. I read on without a doubt as to the outcome because the tension isn’t there in the first place. Reasonable illustrations let down by text that suffers from a terminal case of over-egging. 4–6 years.
Grandpa and Thomas by Pamela Allen (Penguin, $29.95).
Pamela Allen is very good at capturing the experiences of young children. Her simple text is well-matched to the simple pleasures she pays homage to – this time: the routine of preparing for an afternoon at the beach, receiving the undivided attention of a grandparent, being absorbed by the minutiae. The large, clear font encourages children to follow along, as do the uncluttered pages, which make a nice change from the sometimes frantic look of other picture books. A finalist in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
Enough is Enough! by Scott Willis; illustrated by Jenna Packer (Scholastic, $24.99 hardback and $17.99 paperback).
Henry, Zoi, and their cat have moved to Italy. It’s Zoi’s first day at work, so man and cat decide to go shopping and explore. Effective communication with the locals was always unlikely, and Henry’s shopping basket is soon overloaded by gregarious stall holders. The illustrations (using both watercolour and pen and ink) use different perspectives to emphasise the chaos, and the red, orange, and yellow tones evoke the warm, friendly atmosphere. A celebration of newness, adventure, and being open to the possibilities of life. A finalist in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas by Rhonda and David Armitage (Scholastic, $24.99 hardback and $15.99 paperback).
Rhonda and David Armitage have created many popular titles, especially those about the lighthouse family. Again, they have produced a feel-good tale in which things work out well in the end. The artwork, done in watercolour, has a loose, hazy look. There are a few lapses in logic, and I’m not sure that the chatting seagulls were a wise inclusion. A sentimental story about domesticity triumphing over the elements. 4–6 years.
The Littlest Whale by Margaret Albert; illustrated by Helen Humphries (Reed, $14.95).
A sensitive story about a young girl who helps out at a whale stranding. The pencil and watercolour illustrations have a fluid, open style and evoke an almost nostalgic atmosphere. Children will appreciate the message: despite their size and lack of experience, they can help make a difference – both in the natural world and within their own families. 5–7 years.
Fred the (Quite) Brave Mouse by Murray Ball (Scholastic, $14.95).
A funny tale about a mouse on a quest for true love. Along the way, Fred meets friends and foes, battles despair, feigns bravery in the face of danger, and hangs in there until matters reach a happy conclusion. A wry, knowing tone pervades the text as does a sense of humour reminiscent of Spike Milligan. Atmospheric illustrations. An entertaining, fresh publication, which is a finalist in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. Somewhere in-between a picture book and a full-length text – great for parents to enjoy with their children. 8 years plus.
Intermediate Fiction
Colin Goes Bush by Sandy McKay (Longacre, $14.95).
Sandy McKay has had some success with her writing. The prequel to this story (Recycled) won a New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award, and her second novel also received a fair amount of attention. McKay is an accomplished writer, and her skills have been well employed for a third time. Her text flows well, free of awkward manoeuvrings, and she has a good sense of pace. Those wanting to be entertained will be satisfied by the comedy – the only level the story really operates on. It’s a somewhat superficial take on life, with limited characterisation and clichéd observations and happenings. This, for example, when Colin’s dad takes up meditation to help him deal with supposed depression brought on by unemployment: Was this man really my dad? Maybe he’d had a visit from aliens or something. I saw a movie like that once. These aliens came and inhabited this guy’s body for a week. Scary! Or maybe Dad was converting to some new religion. Serious issues become material for yet another gag – but then maybe I should grow a better sense of humour and learn to appreciate the limitations of the genre? Still, it would have been a better story if it had more heart. It’s life, but not as most people know it.
8–12 years.
A Better Life: The Diary of Ivana Ivanovich, Dargaville 1924-25 by Amelia Batistich (Scholastic, $15.99).
The ‘My Story’ series, while a good idea, has yet to produce a satisfying read. Period details are often forced, and the main historic event is usually inserted in awkwardly near the end. Again, this title fails to bring the 1924 polio epidemic to life, and the tone feels self-conscious. That said, Batistich does write well given the usual constraints of the diary format. She has a nice feel for the rhythm of language, and her sentences are varied and well-constructed. The narrative voice does veer around at times, and some characterisation lacked depth. 10–13 years.
Senior Fiction
Tiggie Tompson’s Longest Journey by Tessa Duder (Puffin, $16.95).
Tessa Duder has a soft spot for over achievers. In this, the final Tiggie title, the heroine continues on her meteoric rise. Aside from the cheesy chapter headings, Duder’s text is resoundingly contemporary. At first, the loose, conversational style that shuns conventional grammar can irritate. Although this soon settles down, the frantic pace doesn’t. Tiggie’s journey is in one gear: overdrive, and the reader is pulled along in her slipstream. Likewise, the first-person voice is incessant, and there’s little dialogue to provide breathing space. In many ways, this is effective characterisation. Other times, the pace and endless words threaten to overwhelm. A more rigorous edit would have been beneficial – I was itching to cull the superfluous strings of adjectives, which only cluttered the text. Criticisms aside, for the most part, this is accomplished writing. Tiggie’s world is absorbing, and I was a satisfied voyeur. I imagine that one of Duder’s so-called third millennium chicks, reared on “Shortland Street”, will love it. A finalist in this year’s New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. 13–15 years.
Home Boys by Bernard Beckett (Longacre, $18.95).
Either I’ve never properly appreciated Bernard Beckett’s writing, or this, his fifth novel, is his best yet. It tells the story of fourteen-year-old Colin, a working class boy who is shipped to New Zealand in 1945, where he is told he will enjoy a better life. What follows is a harrowing story, often of Dickensian proportions, as Colin begins his search for belonging in a country filled with souls as lost and numb as his own.
The decision to write in the third-person was a wise one. Beckett avoids the limitations of character – free instead to celebrate his craft. His text is beautifully weighted, combining the necessary business of story telling with writing you want to linger over.
So it was just like Colin had thought; he was on his own now. He wouldn’t cry or ask for help. He would go numb until the world around him took shape again; and when he was certain it would take his weight, maybe then he would move forward.
The authenticity of the writing is also impressive. Whether it’s a farm, the bush, complex emotional terrain, or banter between adolescent boys – everything feels carefully observed and immediate. Beckett handles the material with consummate skill, his wonderful details and imagery breathing life into the text. Another reviewer commented that the book would have benefited from some humour. I think it’s perfect just the way it is. 13 years plus.
Bloody Liggie by Ken Catran (University of Queensland Press, $22.00).
An intense and strange story. Hardened pragmatists may need to suspend their disbelief. As is often the case with Catran, there’s a lot to buy into (strange girl moves to town, catches attention of nice boy who discovers she’s really a fugitive axe-murderer who hacked her parents to bits back in Dunedin). It’s a seductive plot, well told in the first person by a likeable and believable character. For the most part, it’s satisfying writing: complex, observant, and pacey. On the other hand: it can feel dashed off, with Catran relying too heavily on a clutch of recycled phrases. Still, that’s for his editors to sort out. He’s an old hand who knows what he’s doing, and I chewed through this in a night. 13 years plus.
Other recently published books
Kiwi of the Great Forest by Dave Gunson (Reed, $19.95).
An appealing, well-designed comic book, with pages that look fresh, clean, and inviting. The novelty of the format carries the storyline (a family of kiwis in search of some peace and quiet). Not so original, but not so bad either. The large double-page spreads work well. More of these would have been a good idea. 8–12 years.
The Reed Dictionary of New Zealand Slang by David McGill (Reed, $29.95).
This dictionary of slang contains over three thousand entries of unique NZ-isms. Amusing and informative. Some of the slang, and its meaning, is a bit raw. Definitely for a mature audience. Very small font.
Longman World of Animals: Cheetahs by Graham Meadows and Claire Vial (Pearson/Longman, $11.95).
A useful book that successfully achieves what it sets out to do. The text is well organised, detailed, and of high interest to young animal lovers. One side of each spread contains only a large photo, which provides excellent visual impact and brings the book to life. 6–8 years.
Maori Art: The Photography of Brian Brake (Reed, $49.95).
A lush publication that celebrates both photography and traditional Maori art. Information about the artefacts is sometimes incomplete, but this will only bother the serious scholar. Senior students and beyond.
Fascinating Frogs and Toads by Graham Meadows and Claire Vial (Pearson/Longman, $11.95 ).
The first page of text expects a great deal of children, providing little orientation or support. What follows is generally easier to read, and the descriptions are concise and interesting. Some challenging vocabulary. Amazing photos; beautiful frogs. It’s difficult to get a feel for their actual size – some kind of representation of scale would have been useful. A map would also have helped. Overall, a nice book. 7–9 years.
Peter Jackson: From Prince of Splatter to Lord of the Rings by Ian Pryor (Random House, $39.95).
A comprehensive biography that focuses on Peter Jackson’s career, written by someone with a great appreciation for both the man and the movies. The appreciation was not reciprocated – the biography is very much unauthorised. Thoughtful and detailed. Senior students and beyond.
Wild about Flying: Dreamers, Doers, and Daredevils by David Marshall and Bruce Harris (Random House, $44.95).
This book is a lavish celebration of the people involved in the aviation industry over the last hundred years. The story is told through a series of biographies about the numerous inventors, engineers, and pilots who worked to make flight possible. Formal text paired with two hundred coloured paintings and portraits. Some photographs. A seriously large book for serious fans of flying. Senior students and beyond.
