BRAT: Winter 2005 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

Senior Fiction

The Pearl of One Foot Island by Graeme Lay (Penguin, $18.95)
Lay concludes his One-Foot island trilogy, set in the Cook Islands, with an older, more confident Tuaine testing her independence. After her grandfather suffers a fatal heart attack Tuaine’s preoccupation with her absent boyfriend intensifies, and she plans a secret trip to Melbourne to seek him out. The plot is engaging, and Lay is obviously familiar with the Cook Islands and island culture, which has been well drawn. However, the novel has several weak elements: some of the minor characters, particularly older women, are crude outlines rather than fully-fleshed individuals, and their presence – or lack of – weakens the story. At times, the main character is also denied complexity, a problem that is intensified by Lay’s handling of the third person point of view. For example, when her father dies, ‘If Tuaine thought her world had ended once with the loss of Adam, it had now ended again.’ And this, when she meets her birth mother, ‘So she – Tuaine – was part English. That was quite cool, in a way. Maybe that was why she wasn’t quite as dark as some of her friends were. And when she had been born, Tanya had been younger than she was now. Wow.’ The inclusion of several strange subplots (advances from the lecherous preacher man and the sudden appearance of Tuaine’s birth mother) compromise the novel further. It’s impossible to understand the point of these scenes, which hang awkwardly and add little more than gratuitous drama. Surely such events, even in tropical paradise, have more resonance than this? 13–16 years.

The Unknown Zone by Phil Smith
(Random House, $18.95)
Phil Smith’s first novel, like Joanna Orwin’s recent Out of Tune, has parallel storylines, one of which is set in the nineteenth century. This historic section is especially strong with its recreation of the experiences of sealer Rupert Revington after he is taken captive by Ngai Tahu cannibals. Smith’s mostly successful attempts at formal, nineteenth century vernacular sometimes strain too hard (‘I held out my cup for more rum and caroused vociferously with the men until the afternoon gave way to eventide’), but generally his writing is fluid and easily read. (He needs to re-evaluate his use of similes, though, many of which lack inventiveness.) The second storyline, belonging to Hemi Ratana, begins in the Coromandel in the 1960s. It eventually dominates the final third of the novel – a pity as Smith’s writing is at its best and the content more interesting, when he’s dealing with Revington. Hemi’s sections, told in the third person, battle to remain personal. At times, his story verges on the emblematic, with his life charting the growth of a nation rather than the growth of a character. Smith too often relies on pat summaries. ‘By the age of twenty-five the boy who climbed trees owned two houses, a large shareholding in Larkin Corp, and drove a new Toyota Land Cruiser. Sounds very nice, but one wonders how Hemi feels about this? 12–16 years.

Intermediate Fiction

A Canoe in the Mist by Elsie Locke
(Collins, $16.99)
This is the third title reissued by Collins as part of its Modern New Zealand Classics series. First published in 1984, Locke’s well-known children’s novel details the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. This historic content has helped the story hold its own, despite its age. Some of the material is based on the experiences of real people, and Locke resists unnecessary embellishment, allowing the inherent drama of the eruption to dominate. She has also taken care to represent both Pakeha and Mäori experiences of the eruption, the inclusion of the latter’s worldview adding another dimension to the story. The novel’s main limitation is the two main characters, 11 year olds Lillian and Mattie. Their unchecked, girlish enthusiasms may not be to every reader’s tastes. One hopes the compelling action will win over the modern reader. 10–14 years.

The Moa Cave by Des Hunt
(HarperCollins, $16.99)
Hunt’s second novel, set in the Catlins, contains material increasingly found in books for intermediate readers: young protagonists stumbling upon and eventually putting an end to some form of ‘eco crime’ (in this case, the slaughtering of dolphins for meat). Despite this well-traversed ground, the plot doesn’t disappoint, and it builds steadily toward a tense ending. Hunt’s writing is at its best when driving events. Straying from this, he has a tendency to hit false notes that are both condescending and intrusive (swimming with dolphins leaves behind ‘three youngsters with memories that would last for the rest of their lives’, and, a bit further on, ‘Hine started giggling and soon they were all laughing. It was a happy group of kids who finally sat down for dinner’). There’s also the main character’s disdain for girls, which isn’t a convincing aspect of his nature. Other characters are clumsily handled (Alice, the chaperone and Hine’s kindly ‘Auntie’ both of whom suffer from gross stereotyping), but the novel’s engaging content manages to diminish these flaws. Hunt’s writing, when he describes the characters’ surroundings and experiences, is thoughtful. He’s also very good on the pre-historic and archaeological content. An enjoyable read. 11–14 years.

The Stone Boat by Anthony Holcroft
(Tarn Publishing, $17.95)
Anthologies for children are readily available, but collected short stories by the same author are a rarer find, especially from local publishers. This is a pity because the material often joins together thematically to form a more complex and satisfying whole. This is definitely the case with Holcroft’s seven stories, most of which contain lonely outsiders who have encounters with other-worldly creatures. The repercussions of these experiences are varied, some being more life-changing than others. While several of the stories have a local setting, this is never an important element. In fact, most have a flavour reminiscent of European fairy tales and their more formal traditions – but with a twist. Holcroft’s writing is inventive and dark, and each tale intrigues from the outset, the reader confident that they will be lead to a place worth arriving at. Their mood lingers – in part because of the accomplished writing but also due to their open-ended nature. Holcroft sees the attraction of the unknown and is unafraid to leave things at that. A stylish production, lovingly designed, that provides excellent material for reading aloud to an older child. 10–14 years.

Aunt Effie and the Island that Sank by Jack Lasenby (Longacre, $16.95)
This is Lasenby’s third Aunt Effie title. He returns with much of the same, described in the blurb as a ‘crazy kaleidoscope of time, place and circumstance’, a fair summary of the content. Lasenby’s writing remains firmly tongue in cheek as he springs from one scene to the next, each of which has no time for the restraints of realism. Energetic and vibrant, the adventures, like the tall tales from a jocular uncle, appear to have no end. 8–12 years.

Picture Books

The Potato People by Pamela Allen
(Puffin, $16.95)
Part of Pamela Allen’s success can be attributed to her use of simple, familiar material. Routines such as spending every Friday with Grandma are often a significant part of a child’s life, and this scenario forms the framework for The Potato People – spiced with a twist of the unexpected (seemingly worthless potatoes, buried in the compost heap, provide a new crop). As always, Allen’s text isn’t embellished with frilly detail, and each sentence has direction and purpose. This approach is also evident in the illustrations, which contain only the essentials. Allen isn’t afraid of white space, and it is used to good effect. The images, although verging on the iconic in their simplicity, are imbued with life through Allen’s use of humour. First printed in 2002. 2–4 years.

Mr McGee and the Big Bag of Bread by Pamela Allen (Penguin/Viking, $29.95)
Conversely, Allen also enjoys exploring the impossible, although her starting point is still grounded in the familiar. Feeding forbidden animals at the zoo is a tempting prospect for most young readers, and Allen allows them to vicariously experience the repercussions of such actions through Mr McGee, who is belligerent in the face of danger and appears programmed to push his luck – behaviour that is bound to have some resonance. Her use of rhythm and repetition creates text perfect for reading aloud, the language making a dramatic reading impossible to avoid. 1–3 years.

Where do flies go in winter? by Dawn McMillan; illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
(Puffin, $16.95)
The creators of Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms? deal with another query about the animal kingdom, providing a predictably wacky answer. Although a reasonable question, the idea loses its impact in the telling, mainly because of the amount of time taken and the lack of focus. Much of the detail could have been sacrificed to prevent the story’s meandering path. The same criticism applies to the artwork. Kinnaird’s loose style can work against him. Fewer lines may have given the illustrations more impact, ‘lifting’ them from the page to better effect. However, this isn’t the case with every spread; on a few the illustrator’s wit is allowed to shine through. Some challenging vocabulary should keep older readers interested – younger children may need assistance. 4–7 years.

Pounamu’s Stones by Dot Meharry; illustrated by Bruce Potter (Reed, $14.99)
The young Pounamu is brought up by her grandmother, who teaches her how to live and appreciate a traditional lifestyle. Besides the relationship between the two main characters, Meharry’s story focuses on the grandmother’s gifting of two stones, said to summon dolphins. Potter’s illustrations are a perfect match to this gentle story. His experience as an oil painter, specialising in portraits, is evident. Strong, beautiful faces dominant the pages, striking in their realism. The only criticism is their posed quality, as if the characters are waiting for their photo to be taken, which seems ill-judged for such a naturalistic story. 5–7 years.

Oscar, Star of the Opera by Dinah Priestley (Scholastic, $15.99)
The pros and cons of fame are examined through the experiences of Oscar the dog after he discovers a talent for singing opera. Priestley is particularly concerned with the impact of success on Oscar’s personality, and this is the source of much of the book’s humour as she charts the dog’s demise into divahood. The illustrations are especially amusing, providing detail that will be appreciated by all ages. Like the illustrations, the text is well judged. Priestley has a nice sense of rhythm, and her sentences are well balanced and contain interesting vocabulary (impresario, critics, soprano). A successful book. 3–6 years.

The Biggest Number in the Universe by Julie Leibrich; illustrated by Ross Kinnaird (Scholastic, $15.99)
As the inaugural winner of the Joy Cowley Award (established by the Children’s Literature Foundation of New Zealand), this book makes an interesting choice. It describes the relationship between Nesta, who needs an impressively large number to take to school, and Mr Abacus, a distracted mathematician who has little time for little girls. Like the main character, the storyline is thoroughly eccentric, plunging children into a world that has its own logic. Some elements of the plot are recognisable, such as the battle of wills between child and adult, but for the most part, there’s a lot of nonsense involved. The inclusion of chunks of light verse, muttered by Mr Abacus, emphasise this feature (‘I’ve got numbers in bottles and numbers in jars/and a giant bowl for counting stars./I don’t let my numbers go out to play./I don’t like my numbers running away!’) Kinnaird’s illustrations are as distinctive as ever. Done in pencil and ink, the images are impossible to contain and appear to have a life of their own. His artwork is an especially good match to the content of the book, its zaniness as irrepressible as the mathematician’s frantic mind. Some spreads are more effective than others, particularly those that contain space. An original book, pleasantly lacking in overt morality, and cleverly put together. Also available in hardback. 3–7 years.

Non-fiction

The Treaty: Every New Zealander’s Guide to the Treaty of Waitangi by Marcia Stenson (Random House, $27.95)
Stenson outlines key events she considers essential to the understanding of present-day race relations in New Zealand, beginning with the articles of the Treaty and contemporary versions of the Treaty’s principles. The remaining ten chapters include life in Aoteaora before 1840, the Treaty signing, the decades up to 1975, land marches, the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal and the seabed and foreshore debate. Although thorough, the information isn’t excessively dense, an impression that is helped by the book’s clean design. At times, Stenson assumes too much knowledge on the reader’s behalf, neglecting to ensure that key people, events, and developments are fully explained. A consistent footnoting system is also missing – as is the origin of some quotes. A sometimes challenging read, but also worth the effort. Senior students and beyond.

Introducing New Zealand Birds by Alina Arkins; photographs by Len Doel
(Reed, $14.99)
Arkins’s very general book is useful for readers wanting an overview of the birds commonly found in New Zealand. An eight-page opening chapter outlines key events that have impacted on our native bird populations (the breaking up of Gondwana, the lack of land-dwelling mammals, the arrival of Mäori and pakeha). The rest of the book organises birds by habitat, including sea, forest, coastal, alpine, wetland and town birds. Clear photographs illustrate the main species. An attractive resource. 12 years plus.

Introducing New Zealand Trees by Alina Arkins; photographs by Len Doel
(Reed, $14.99)
Like the above title, this is a very general guide for the novice. Arkins explains how trees are classified and their importance, then goes on to outline the species in the four main groups. A clear design and good photographs enhance the content, which will help with identification if the book is to be used as a field guide. 12 years plus.

Scarecrow Army: The Anzacs at Gallipoli by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books, $19.95)
Many books describe the Gallipoli campaign, but few cater to younger readers as effectively as Davidson’s detailed, 180-page history. Arranged chronologically, the content explains what happened and why; however, the author is equally interested in the daily experiences of the soldiers. In many ways, this preoccupation is what distinguishes Davidson’s book and makes it so readable. While the expected details are present (diet, duties, various battles), the text contains numerous anecdotes that bring the story to life and provide insights not always found in this kind of book. Davidson writes very well, and he manages to sustain interest throughout the substantial number of pages. He is thorough, but never boring. Each chapter is preceded by imaginary diary extracts from soldiers – the text is also broken up by numerous quotes and more detailed, boxed explanations. A thoughtful, thought-provoking publication. Published in Australia.12 years plus.

Dave Gunson’s New Zealand Wildlife (Penguin, $45.00)
Painter, Dave Gunson, has been involved in countless wildlife publications. As he explains in the introduction, this book is a personal view of New Zealand’s plant and animal species. While enthusiasm is the motivating factor, the book does have some order, and species are divided into eight chapters (The Coast, Estuaries, Wetlands, Open Country, The Forests, High Country, Urban and Gone). It’s an interesting publication: part resource, part artwork collection and part nature-lover’s journal. In his accessible prose, Gunson enters into a conversation with the reader, sharing his knowledge and observations. A very attractive book best suited to older readers with an interest in the natural world. 14 years plus.

Other recently published books

What Arnie Saw by Cheri Pinner; illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller (Puffin, $14.95)
Part of the Kiwi Bites series, this book is designed for recent graduates to chapter books. The story examines, in a light-hearted way, the consequences of not wearing one’s glasses. The text is well levelled, although its occasional placement in narrow columns is unsympathetic to the needs of newly independent readers. 7–9 years.

The Slave-Stealers by Eirlys Hunter (Scholastic, $16.99)
The final instalment in the Finn’s Quest trilogy is a weighty number, running to almost three hundred pages. Courtesy of his computer game, Finn is transported back to the land of Coralia for a final mission: ‘To prevent a war, Let cunning win, Free those in chains, And then find Finn’. In a strange defiance of the traditions of fantasy, the modern protagonist is provided with numerous trips back home to shower and change. Well written and no doubt eagerly anticipated by fans of The Queen-Seekers and Coldkeep Castle. 11–13 years.

Down to the Sea Again: True stories for young New Zealanders edited by Tessa Duder (HarperCollins, $19.99)
Inspired by the success of two anthologies containing tales of the sea for adults, Duder provides something along similar lines for young adults. Authors of the forty short stories include both the experienced and well known (Deborah Burnside, David Hill, James Norcliffe) in addition to stories from young adults themselves. The content, of varying quality, is roughly divided into three main subgroups: At the Beach, On Board and Drama at Sea. 12–16 years.

Daisy Doll by Elizabeth Pulford; illustrated by Denise Durkin (Scholastic, $15.99)
A picture book detailing a classic experience of an older child: overcoming a reluctance to share something precious with a younger sibling when it would be churlish not to. Pulford sensitively portrays this rite of passage, capturing the strong, conflicting emotions involved as the main character struggles to do the right thing. Durkin’s illustrations have looked better. Her use of light has caused a dappled effect that may not suit a young reader’s tastes. 3–5 years.

The Man Who Loved the Sea by Tracy Duncan; illustrated by Jonathan Huntley (Reed, $14.99)
Duncan tells the story, in the third person, of a man who wishes to protect the sea for future generations – eventually achieved through the creation of a marine reserve. A simple story that explores the issues involved in a very limited way. 4–6 years.

Four Rowdy Crickets by Carolyn Carter; illustrated by Robert Farrier
(Scholastic, $15.99)
Zippy the cricket decides to dump his musical siblings and strike out on his own, starting with an appearance in a hip-hop song quest. Paralysed by stage fright, he is rescued by his forgiving whanau. Simple, rhyming text accompanied by clean, appealing illustrations. 3–5 years.

Little Kiwi and the Dinosaur by Bob Darroch (Reed, $14.99)
Darroch’s Litte Kiwi cartoon character returns to help rid the forest of a stoat. Little sister also makes a guest appearance, although Little Kiwi struggles to accept her. (‘He was a ‘bloke’ and blokes like rough games and exploring and scary things.’) Even in the world of Kiwis, it would appear that blokes don’t like being upstaged by little girls. 2–4 years.

Eel Dreaming by Ben Brown; illustrated by Helen Taylor (Reed, $14.99)
Eel tires of his swamp and seeks greener pastures with the assistance of Pukeko. Will he find a mighty river that is just right for him? He does, although, bizarrely, this appears to involve ascending to the heavens. Also available in Mäori. 3–5 years.

Boating Fun: Activities and science for boating families by Mike and Dee Pigneguy (Reed, $19.99)
A large book, with an emphasis on developing competence to have fun on the water. Covers such things as engines, anchors and compasses. Very practical for those with access to a boat. 8–12 years.

Claws & Jaws: 30 New Zealand Animal Stories edited by Barbara Else; illustrated by Philip Webb (Random House, $24.95)
A collection of mostly light-hearted and mostly well-written stories involving numerous creatures. Popular authors represented, including David Hill, Jack Lasenby and James Norcliffe. The bite-sized pieces make the book useful both for reading aloud and for newly independent readers. Good value for a hard-back book. 7–11 years.