Title: When Dad Was a Teenager
Author: Mini Goss
Illustrator: Mini Goss
Publisher: Black Dog Books, $16.95 RRP
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9781876372361
For ages: 6-12
Type: Picture Book
About: Nothing like a little sentimentality to upturn the corners of the mouth. The subtleties of this bright, giggle-inducing book may be lost on the very young, but they’ll no less enjoy barrelling into the past to witness the life of Dad pre-… well – pre-Dad.
For young children, it’s hard to fathom that parents and grandparents were once also kids and teens themselves – they’ve just always been Dad or Mum or Granny. This fun book by the talented Mini Goss takes readers back in time to the late 1970s when Dad was an early teen. You see, Dad was not always bald. He used to have hair back then.
He also had a penchant for hair gelled spikes, an über messy room, parachute silk tracksuits (OMG, how embarrassing), videos and super high tech walkmans. Basically, he was just like a modern day teen with all the new mod-cons and desire to be cool, only it all looked so tragic back then – and kids and adults alike will just adore the total cringe factor, especially older readers (and – sorry Mum and Dad – I mean old).
Goss has written a humorous storyline in the voice of Dad’s reminiscing children, and has filled each double page spread with a riot of illustration, cataloguing the trend of the day through the late 70s to mid 80s, showcasing an eyefest of hilarity and relatability that will have parents guffawing and reliving the memories with their kids… although I defy you to explain those parachute pants, thankyouverymuch MC Hammer.
Each page features a line from a song of that year, from Devo to Cyndi Lauper, Wham, Olivia Newton John and The Police, which will also get you humming a tune and heading straight to youtube with the kids in tow. If you search the pages carefully, you’ll spot a catalogue of icons endemic to each year from Dynasty and Woman’s Day to teddy bear biscuits, Garfield and Cabbage Patch dolls.
Despite the hilarity and fun of this book, there is a subtle undercurrent that clearly reminds us that adults were once rule-breaking, over-sleeping, cool-seeking teens, too. And that regardless of the changes in high-tech gizmos and music, some things never change.
Note: kids can look out for the guinea pigs hidden on each page of the 80s.
Father's Day: A Dad's Job
They even read books to kids at night - one of the most important roles of all.
Title: My Sister Olive
Author: Paula Russell
Illustrator: Gaye Chapman
Publisher: Little Hare, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: September 2010
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781921272882
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
About: Big sisters are wonderful. But sometimes it’s difficult to live up to their standards.
The little girl in this story has a big sister, Olive. Olive is not just good at everything, she is the best in the world at things like skipping rope, tying her shoelaces, doing cartwheels and all the other things little girls love to do.
The younger sister isn’t jealous. She looks up to her sister. She wants to be just like her.
Eventually, her big sister Olive helps her realise that she is perfect the way she is – and there is something that she is the best in the world at doing.
Written in beautifully repetitive language (“my Olive is the best in the world at…”), this is a tale of finding your own identity from beneath the shadow of talented siblings.
Illustrated in pretty, feminine colours, with pinks, purples and flowers all over the pages, it is a story especially designed for sisters (no brothers allowed!).
This is a story that all little sisters will love.
This book is available online
3.47pm
Take a pause. Sit in car for a few minutes with head reeling. Eat something. Drink something (only water!!!). Smile and laugh to myself and reminisce. Remember the faces of the kids, the lightbulb moments, the laughter, the questions..."...where do you get your ideas from?"
"...my mum is an author, too."
"...how long did it take you to write this book?"
"...I've been to Hong Kong. And the south of France. And Africa." (lucky you!)
"...how much money do you make?" (my reponse? "Enough for an occasional jam sandwich.")
"...who is the boss? you or the illustrator?"
"...how many books have you sold?"
"...what's your favourite book you've written?"
"...what other authors do you like?"
"...how do you come up with the ending?"
"...my cat coughed up a furball, and then he ate it."
"...is it hard to write a book?"
"...do you like writing books?"
And my personal favourite...
"...do you get writer's block or mental breakdowns?"
My answer? Yes.
Follow up question...
"...how do you deal with them?" All this adorable kid needed was a pipe, a pair of argyle socks and some slippers!
4.12pm
Sigh gratefully at how much I love speaking to kids and how utterly clever and gorgeous they are. Grab books and water bottle and head in to St Monica's PS for the Children's Seminar. Meet some absolutely gorgeous, talented, warm and funny (funny ha ha) authors who share my passion for children's literature and write some of our country's finest books and published works. Natter endlessly.
4.40pm
Spread out around the library to our 'stations' where we meet with rounds of kids every 15 minutes, chatting about our work and about writing and reading. The children range in age from around 8 through to mid-teen. Be fascinated and enthralled by the talent and passion of these children. Sign some autographs (yes, you read it right!). Too cute.
6.30pm
Head to a nearby Thai restaurant for dinner where other CBCA members join us for lots of laughter and lively literary discussion. We are also joined by Stephanie Owen Reeder whose book Lost! A True Tale from the Bush was shortlisted for the Eve Pownall Award and nominted an Honour Book in the Junior Judges Project.Illustrator Christina Booth was also shortlisted for the Book of the Year Awards this year with her beautiful book Kip, which became an Honour Book.
9.15pmish
What a glorious Book Week experience. We wrapped up dinner and I drove Krista back to Kingston (after getting partially lost, needing instruction from a non-Canberran! thank goodness I had Krista in the car with me!) before heading home for a hot shower and a solid night's sleep, dreaming all the while of smiles, great conversation, fabulous fun and... books.The perfect day.
