Review: Sounds Spooky

Whilst reading through this extraordinary new book, I found myself asking lots of questions (of no one in particular):

Paintings? Computer-generated art? Models? A blend? What the?

Already completely enamoured with the superlative talents of multi-tasking artist Sarah Davis, I was simply quite boggled as to how this picture book was put together.

It wasn't until the end of the book that all was revealed (I love it when books reveal the artist's medium!) 0 and quite astonishingly, Davis has not only created models of each of the book's characters, she even created an entire haunted house from cardboard and plaster.

Review: The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon

This limerick-style rhyming picture book by the talented Blabey is unique as it is beautiful. Graced with exquisite, evocative images created with acrylic paint, pencil and pen on watercolour paper, the story follows the tale of the ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon – a dour and sour presence haunting the village of Twee (seven miles from the sea).

Review: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

After an excellent breakfast, Horace the Pig and his wide Glenda the Duck open a formal letter from Dr A. Hunter F.R.S.W., inviting them to a gourmet weekend at Eatem Hall.

Excited, the couple pack and head off, but on the way to Eatem Hall, Glenda becomes unnerved. She doesn't like the strange noises in the forest surround the Hall - but Horace thinks she's a silly old bird ... it was just his tummy rumbling!

ebook Review: What Was I Scared Of?

Whilst walking through the woods one dark and spooky night, our little Seussy friend insists he's not afraid of anything. Never has been. Until he sees something rather curious. A pair of pale green pants. In the woods. With no one in them!!

Of course, our friend insists he isn't scared. What could those pants be for? Why are they standing there in the night? Alone? And then - they jump! and the little critter's heart finally begins to thump!

Of course, our 'unfrightened' friend runs away - and a week later - he sees the pants again - only this time riding a bike! The next night, whilst fishing on the Roover River - what should he see that makes him shiver? The pants, again, this time rowing  a boat!

Review: Hubble Bubble Granny Trouble

My granny is a little bit different to other grannies. She wears a funny hat. She has a menagerie of interesting pets - like bats, frogs and cats. She cooks icky soup (no fish fingers allowed at her house!) and drives a skinny car with no windows or doors, and a bushy thatch of straw on the end.

She can even make things disappear.

Why can't my granny be normal? Why can't she knit? Wear typical clothing? Travel by bus? Find a normal pet (pink bunnies are good)?

Review: The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones

This book is awesome because I’ve read all the books and secrets and it is great. I love the great words they put in the book.

I have got all the books but what I probably like is book one because not only does the cover looks cool, I understand the book.

It’s about that Amy and Dan going to Grace's library and then…. I am not going to tell you what happens! At the end they went on a hunt to find some bones but what there was there was a ……….. TRAP!!!!

Review: Surface Tension

“The Day I was born, they drowned my town.”

Cassie, from New Lower Grange is born the day her old town is covered in 15,000 swimming pools' worth of water.

As the city's Centenary comes near and the lake levels drop, Cassie and Liam go swimming in the forbidden part of the lake, piecing together the mystery of the ‘Atlantis’ city.

Why is Liam’s father petrified of the colour red? Why did Cassie's old home that she never lived in get flushed away?

Cassie slowly uncovers these secrets hidden from the least suspicious person of all.

This mysterious book will make you think twice and want to read on.

- this review by Ella, 11

Title: Surface Tension
Author: Meg McKinlay
Publisher: Walker Books, $15.95 RRP
Publication Date: March 2011
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781921720284
For ages: 8+
Type: Novel

Guest Post: Story Ideas with Hazel Edwards

KBR is delighted to welcome friend and talented author Hazel Edwards with this insightful post on where she gets her story ideas ...

I conducted a casual poll of authors I know. Yes, I agree it’s not totally balanced and statistically valid, but there were more than a dozen, late at night, at a literary festival, and …they all agreed.

‘Where do you get your ideas? ‘ is the question most asked of any writer. Won by a kilometre from ‘Will you put me in a book?’ or ‘Do you pinch ideas from TV?’. But an author who has more than one publication finds it genuinely difficult to answer, even when readers think they are being polite in asking.

A Massive Book Giveaway

We at KBR are lucky lucky people. We get to see literally dozens and dozens of books per month for review - and it's a joy to immerse ourselves in such literary wonder, from picture books to young adult fiction. Because we amass so many brand new, beautiful books, we eventually end up with a very tall mountain of fabulous stories - and no one to read them.

Books need to be read.

Do you have children who need books to read?

We have two sets of brand new, beautiful, current books to give away but it's very important to us that these books go to children who really need them. We are therefore calling for NOMINATIONS. Do you know of a school, childcare centre or child-focused organisation in the Canberra region that could use these books?

We are giving away two lots of books:

• children aged 0 - 8 (including baby books)
• children aged 9+ (and including young adult fiction)

The lots feature a variety of amazing, current, brand new books, including full chapter book series - and each set is valued at over $1000. The sets cannot be split or picked over - they come as is, and are of the highest-quality, from both major and indie publishers. Each set will go to a different recipient.

Because these books are majorly heavy, this giveaway is only open to those in the immediate Canberra area (within a 50km radius of its borders). We are happy to open it to those outside the Canberra, but the recipient will need to organise collection of the books within one week's notice, no exception.

How to Nominate  

Please write up your nomination - using no more than 500 words, telling us why your nominee deserves these books, and which book set they would benefit from - younger or older children.

Yes, you can self-nominate. Yes, you can ask your friends and colleagues to nominate you, as well. Multiple nominations (not from the same person) are warmly accepted.

The nomination must include the full name, address and contact details of the school, centre or organisation you are nominating. It must also include the full name, address and contact details of the nominating person. Please also advise if you are willing to have your name revealed to the winning nominees.

Remember, the nominee should ideally be located within the Canberra region. If they are over 50km outside the ACT border, you will need to ensure the books can be collected either by the recipient or someone else locally, within one week's notice.

Send your nomination to taniaATkids-bookreviewDOTcom.

Nominations are NOW OPEN and close 5pm 30 November. The recipients will be notified by email on 30 November, and announced on the KBR website on 1 December 2011. Recipients will be published on the website, unless recipients specify otherwise.

The nominations will be judged by the KBR team, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Let's get these amazing books to someone who needs them. Nominate now!

Review: Knuffle Bunny Free - An Unexpected Diversion

I first fell in love with Knuffle Bunny back in 2005, when book one - A Cautionary Tale - stole my heart (and that of my kids).

The story of young Trixie and her prone-to-be-lost toy rabbit certainly rang bells with parents everywhere... and in fact, I can still remember the terror, as a young tot myself, when my beloved pink teddy bear was lost forever - thrown one too many times from a retro 60s pram whilst out shopping with Mum.

Review: Claude in the City

This is the kind of book I so wish was around when I was a little girl. Everything from the Hilary Knight-style colours to the fantastically charming Euro-style illustrations, superlative characters and funny-dog-bone tickling text, the Claude series is a special one indeed.

In Claude in the City, we meet an adorable puppy, of Francophilian persuasion, complete with red beret, who lives with Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes, so called because their shoes are shiny.

Review: The Unicorn Riders Series

Finally, there is a well-written and compelling quest fantasy series for younger girls, packed with adventure, mystery and magic.

The Unicorn Riders are four very different girls, each with their own strengths and quirky foibles. Like real girls, they don’t always get along but when it comes to looking after the people of Avamay, they band together with the stirring call, ‘We ride as one!’

Review: Moomin and the Winter Snow

Sometimes friends go away. Sometimes permanently. Sometimes for a short time - but no matter the length of time, little ones find it hard to be patient - and the waiting can simply go on forever.

Sure, they will miss their friend - but will they miss them, too? And how will they know they are being missed?

Review: The Django

Have you met a Django? Jean did and it caused him all sorts of strife. For the Django was full of mischief, a troublesome NOBODY that only Jean could see.

Jean is a strong-willed lad who stoically withstands the cheeky pranks of the Django until one day when his patience is stretched too far. In anger, he lets the Django know that he does not want him in his life.

Guest Review: The Mystery of Nida Valley

KBR welcomes author Michael Gerard Bauer with this guest review on a book that travels deeply into a mysterious past.

I first read The Mystery of Nida Valley as a manuscript and then again recently in its final form. It is truly a story that has everything. In it, we find time travel, dinosaurs, mythical creatures, Megafauna from Australia’s past, magic, ghosts, good guys and villains, all wrapped up in a fast-paced action-adventure story with a dash of romance to boot!

Review: The Undys Series

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Phil and Josh Undy for Kids' Book Capers - and what a joy it was to meet such a crazypants, refreshing, down-to-earth pair. This is indeed a father/son team you'd love to run into and spend a spontaneous afternoon cavorting with - so totally is this pair invested in the spirit of life and fun.

Having lost his mum to cancer when he was just four, young Josh Undy could not have lucked out more with his dedicated dad Phil, who promised that when she was gone, he would be the best mum a dad can be.

News: National Year of Reading shortlists announced

Kids Book Review is very excited to be partnering with the National Year of Reading in 2012.

Before their official kick off on the 14th of February 2012, they are extending an invitation for everyone to vote for the book that they think should represent their state or territory. The winners of each state and territory will represent the national recommended reading list for 2012.

They are hoping to create a collection of books which, read together, describe the Australian experience. Celebrating the difference of living in the city or in a remote community all across Australia.

You can have a part in helping decide the eight books that will be the National Year of Reading 2012 collection. Pretty cool huh?

The list of eight winning titles will be announced at the launch of the campaign on 14 February, 2012, at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

The state and territory shortlists, chosen by independent panels of readers, have been announced, see below, or go to www.love2read.org.au.

Voting commences 1 November 2011, online at www.abc.net.au/yearofreading and in participating libraries and book shops. The closing date is 6 January 2012.


Shortlist for the ACT
· John Clanchy, Vincenzo’s Garden, University of Queensland Press
· Alan Gould, The Lake Woman, Australian Scholarly Publishing
· Marion Halligan, The Fog Garden, Allen & Unwin
· Jack Heath, The Hit List, Pan Macmillan Australia
· Dorothy Johnston, The White Tower, Wakefield Press
· Kel Robertson, Smoke and Mirrors, Pan Macmillan Australia

Shortlist for New South Wales
· Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen & Unwin
· Kate Grenville, Lilian’s Story, Allen & Unwin
· Ian Hoskins, Sydney Harbour: A History, New South Publishing
· John Hughes, The Idea of Home, Giramondo
· Ruth Park, The Harp in the South, Penguin
· Chris Womersley, Bereft, Scribe

Shortlist for the Northern Territory
· Ros Moriarty, Listening to Country, 2010, Allen & Unwin
· Daena Murray (editor), The Sound of the Sky, 2006, CDU Press
· Judy Nunn, Territory, 2003, Random House
· Alan Powell, Far Country: A Short History of the Northern Territory, 2009, CDU CDU Press
· Alan Powell, Shadow's Edge: Australia's Northern War (Revised Edition), 2007, CDU CDU Press
· Nicholas Rothwell, The Red Highway, 2009, Black Ink

Shortlist for Queensland
· Chloe Hooper, The Tall Man, 2008, Penguin
· Andrew McGahan, The White Earth, 2005, Allen & Unwin
· Alex Miller, Journey to the Stone Country, 2002, Allen & Unwin
· Estelle Pinney, House on the Hill, Penguin
· Ian Townsend, Affection, 2005, Harper Collins
· Matthew Condon, Brisbane, 2010, New South Publishing

Shortlist for South Australia
· Max Fatchen, River Kings, Wakefield Press
· Kerryn Goldsworthy, Adelaide, 2011, New South Publishing
· Peter Goldsworthy, Three Dog Night, 2003, Penguin
· Scott Monk, The Never Boys, 2011, Random House
· Stephen Orr, Time’s Long Ruin, Wakefield Press
· Alastair Sarre, Prohibited Zone, Wakefield Press

Shortlist for Tasmania
· Richard Flanagan, Wanting, 2008, Random House
· Anna Krien, Into the Woods: The Battle for Tasmania’s Forests, 2010, Black Ink
· Julia Leigh, The Hunter, 1999, Penguin
· Kathyrn Lomer, What now Tilda B?, University of Queensland Press
· Peter Timms, In Search of Hobart, 2009, New South Publishing
· Rohan Wilson, The Roving Party, 2011, Allen & Unwin

Shortlist for Victoria
· Robyn Annear, Bearbrass, 2005, Black Ink
· Brendan Gullifer, Sold, Sleepers
· Barry Heard, Well Done Those Men, 2005, Scribe
· Alice Pung, Unpolished Gem, 2006, Black Ink
· Jeff & Jill Sparrow, Radical Melbourne, Vulgar Press
· Maya Ward, The Comfort of Water, Transit Lounge

Shortlist for Western Australia
· Elizabeth Jolley, The Newspaper of Claremont Street, Fremantle Press
· Sally Morgan, My Place, Fremantle Press
· Howard Pederson & Banjo Woorunmurra, Jandamarra and the Bunuba Resistance, Magabala Books
· Kim Scott, True Country, Fremantle Press
· Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones, 2009, Allen & Unwin
· Tim Winton, Cloudstreet, 1991, Penguin

For more information, visit the website www.love2read.org.au.

Review: I Want My Hat Back

Have you ever stolen something from someone? Shafted them out of something? Removed their possession to make it your own?

You have? Well, you do know about Karma, right? That all-pervading law of the universe that dictates a backlash to the power of 10 (and sometimes more)?

Bear has lost his hat. Well, he hasn't lost it. Someone has nicked it. And as lovely, lumbering bear wanders around asking all manner of woodland creatures if they've seen his hat, he gives every critter the benefit of the doubt ... even those wearing items on their noggins that curiously look like hats.

Review: The Jewel Fish of Karnack

Jackal and Ibis are petty thieves who steal a trinket from the marketplace of Asyut in Ancient Egypt. Caught red-handed, they are taken to the Cat Pharaoh who promises them pardon if they travel to Karnak in search of the Jewel Fish once stolen from the Pharaoh by the Crocodile Prince.

Keen to escape punishment, the two head off for Karnak and quite quickly find the Jewel Fish amongst the considerable treasure of the Crocodile Prince.

Dee White's Writing Classes for Kids blasts off!

Author, literacy advocate, blogger, reviewer, editor, presenter (yes, she's that prolific!) and all round lovely gal - Dee White - has been working very hard on a brand new initiative that is sure to blow the socks off anyone who loves to write. Teachers, librarians, parents and kids will adore Writing Classes for Kids (& Adults), Dee's brand new website.

Blasting off today, the site provides free and low-cost classes, lesson plans and writing activities for children - that will also appeal to adults looking to hone their writing skills or challenge themselves with new perspectives on writing.

Di will also be updating the site with posts on writing and getting published, free writing tips, visits from published authors, and will even be offering manuscript assessments.

Check out this glorious site now - it's sure to become a valuable resource for the writer in all of us.

Review: 10 Bush Babies

Five Little Ducks is a warm favourite of young children – an interactive song that sends many an adult winging back to childhood, counting through the little ducklings who wander out one day, and fail to come back ... until Mother Duck heads out to gather her babies home.

In 10 Bush Babies, ten adorable little bush babies also go out one day – into the sun to jump and play. Teacher Mrs Roo rings her schoolhouse bell – ring-a-ding-ding! but only nine bush babies run in (baby wombat would rather go home for a wee nap in his burrow).

News: Astrid Lindgren Nominees

KBR is thrilled to hear that Jackie French, Hazel Edwards and Morris Gleitzman have been shortlisted for The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (the world’s richest prize for children’s and young adult literature)!

SO well deserved and best of luck to all three of these super-talented Aussies.

You can read more here.

KBR Recommends… Our Top Pick Activity Books

Activity books are not like they used to be. Sure, we all love classic fun and games but the new breed of activity books sit firmly outside the square – and in a class of their own. Here are our top picks for the some of best activity books on the market right now.

Doodle Cook by Hervé Tullet (Phaidon, $16.95 RRP)

This extraordinary book from über talent Tullet, ticks all the boxes when it comes to fabulous fun and supersonic artistic style. Renowned for his strikingly artistic, unique books, Tullet’s latest offering is just like reading pages made from candy. Even the contents pages are delectable in this line-up of scrumptious.

Doodle Cook invites kids to create their own culinary delights – from the tip of their paintbrush or crayon. With consummate culinary gusto, Tullet invites kids to add squiggly coloured lines to a pasta-strewn plate, create quick circle salad, whip up zig zag soup, decorate a ruby sugar cookie, and more.

Review: Fluff and Billy

Fluff and Billy do everything together. They run, they slide, they splash, they scream. If one does one thing, the other does it, too. Like fuzzy little twins, it’s all for one and one for all.

But when Fluff rolls up a snowball and Billy rolls one, too – then hoiks it at Fluff, all in the name of fun – things go wrong, and these darling little penguins do something else together ... they refuse to speak each other (until a penguiny tear rolls down a sweet little penguiny face, that is).

Guest Post: Science Fiction - Hal Spacejock Style

KBR warmly welcomes guest reviewer Steve Dunchouk, with his musings on Simon Haynes' Hal Spacejock series.
 
I have been a reader of Science Fiction for many years and over time, due to work and family commitments, the habit of reading was slowly fading.

In 2007, I fell foul of the dreaded Heart Attack. As anyone who has had a hospital stay would know, you go through all sorts of phases but the one you look for is that good/positive phase ... anything to get you out of the dulldrums, doom, gloom all is lost, post traumatic stress.

There are many ways of doing this and my way was to try and keep positive. I was looking for that elusive ‘good read’ that I had had many years ago when I lived in the outback of Western Australia and reading books was the staple diet of both myself and my wife (until the kids came along), when canned tv shows were boring or the power failed, for whatever reason.

KBR Recommends: Picture Books, October 2011

In the lead-up to Christmas, now is the time to set your sights on a Santa’s stocking of bookish goodness. Here are our picks for some gorgeous picture books for everyone - from toddlers to picture-book-obsessed adults.

Busy Day by Sally Grindley (Bloomsbury, $14.99, Sept 2011, ages 2 - 4)

A group of friends is heading off on the bus to have a day together at the seaside.  On the way, they encounter lots of vehicles and other animals all busily going about their day.   Perfect for little ones, the book features bright illustrations and plenty of things to identify as the story travels along.

Guest Post: Author Betty Johnson

Kids Book Review is excited to have Betty Johnson talk to us about how her new book, 'Mrs Echidna's Dilema' - a gorgeous multimedia creation. Betty shares her love of animals, textile crafts and education with us. Grab a cuppa and enjoy!

‘Mum, can you make me some finger puppets, please?’ Not an unusual request for my daughter, who at that time was working in the early childhood sector. Over the years, I had made many resources for her – puppets and cloth books; multicultural dress-up clothes; fabric wall hangings for matching, sorting, comparing and classifying activities. This was just one more resource in a bulging cupboard of ideas.

Review: Crow Country

Sadie Hazzard is new to the town of Boort, forced there by her single mother, Ellie. At first Boort appears to be the typical sleepy, quiet country town, but there is a deep dark secret that the town holds connected with the earlier locals of the township, heroes from the First World War.

Within initial investigation of her new hometown, Sadie stumbles across a sacred place, associated with the custodians of the land, and Waa the Crow.

Review: From Little Things Big Things Grow

Having just spent several months researching poignant moments in Australian history, it was a joy to read a far more detailed account of an immensely important time in native Australian history.

From Little Things Big Things Grow tells the tale of the Gurindji people who rose up against lousy working conditions and wages and made a land rights claim that set in motion an 8-year 'wait' for land rights.

Events: The Children's Bookshop, Sydney

Here's your chance to meet some pretty serious literary celebrity at The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft.

Meet author John Flanagan who will be talking about his new book (and new series!) Brotherband Chronicles: The Outcast.

When? Saturday 8 October
10.30am-11.30am
Morning Tea provided!

All are invited to meet children’s author and singer Craig Smith who will be singing from the new picturebook All I Want for Christmas (and he will be singing The Wonky Donkey).

When?
Friday 28 October
9.45-10.15am

All are invited to meet children’s author Jackie French who will be sharing her new picture book Christmas Wombat.

When?
Friday 18 November
9.45-10.15am
RSVP Essential
tel: 9481 8811 or staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au

 

Review: Guess How Much I Love You Pop Up Book

Too adorable for eyes, the pop-up version of Sam McBratney's worldwide bestseller Guess How Much I Love You is just as charming as the best-selling original, with the added delight of pop-ups - and who doesn't love a pop-up?

This timeless book tells the story of a game Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare play as they try to express their love for each other. But as each tries to outdo the other, they discover that love is not an easy thing to measure!

Review: The Perfect Present

I quite simply adore Fiona Roberston’s work. She’s one of these author/illustrators I wish I could ‘be’. Her books are an eternal delight and so I was ecstatic to open her latest offering – The Perfect Present.

Little Henry is eagerly awaiting his birthday – and is guessing, alphabetically, what his gift from Spot might be. Spot, his pet duck, is keeping mum. He’s hoping his fishing rod – an item Henry has swooned over for quite a while now – will be the perfect present.

My Fave Dr Seuss Book: Jacqueline Harvey

This week we have farewelled another group of intrepid Year 12 students – and at final assembly, two staff members chose to read excerpts from my favourite Dr Seuss story, Oh the Places You’ll Go! as part of their message to the girls.

It’s nostalgic for so many, having read it or had it read to them as young children, but of course now as young adults the students can perhaps more fully appreciate Dr Seuss’s humorous life lesson.

With his trademark rhythm and rhyme, ‘You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose,’ I can’t imagine there is a children’s book more suited to sharing with those who are at a pivotal point on their life journey.

And while the sentiment of the story is overwhelmingly positive I simply adore the lines, ‘Except when you don’t. Because sometimes you won’t.’

The whole idea that life doesn’t always go the way you plan is executed brilliantly and I admire Dr Seuss’s wisdom on waiting – or not, and being on your own.

As a child, I loved the magic of Dr Seuss – his way with words and all that fun. But as an adult and an author, I marvel at his cleverness and the beauty of his language. I think perhaps it would do us all a power of good to re-read Oh the Places You’ll Go! at least once a year! Certainly it’s an inspiring story that has indeed stood the test of time.

‘You're off the Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!’

Learn more about Jacquie and her beautiful books at www.jacquelineharvey.com.au.

Dr Seuss Fun Facts

Real name: Theodor (Ted) Seuss Geisel

He was an American of German immigrant parents.

His father ran a brewery.

Whilst attending Dartmouth College, he was caught drinking gin with friends and was suspended from all extra-curricular activity, including work on the college magazine. To continue working for the Jack-O-Lantern magazine, he began using pen name 'Seuss'.

Ted went to Oxford University in England but never completed his degree.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was originally a poem inspired by the rhythm of the ship's engines on a return voyage to Europe in 1937.

My Fave Dr Seuss Book: Jackie Hosking

My favourite Dr Seuss book is Horton Hears a Who, and I have to admit that I saw the film before I read the book. So while, growing up, I loved Green Eggs and Ham. As a writer of children's rhyming poetry, I am in awe of Seuss' ability to maintain, not only a longer but a brilliant story that is written in perfect rhyme and meter.

Many of Seuss' books are written in anapaestic tetrameter which means that each line consists of four rhythmic units or anapaests. An anapaest is composed of two weak beats followed by one strong beat.

If you chop up the first two lines of Horton Hears a Who you can see quite clearly what an anapaest is.

On	the	fif	teenth	of	May	in	the	Jun	gle	of	Nool
In	the	heat	of	the	day	in	the	cool	of	the	pool

It's a lovely lilting meter - a bit like a waltz which carries the reader, featherlike over the story. And of the course the message of this book is delivered in such a simple way - the lines always bring tears to my eyes...

"I'll just have to save him. Because, after all
A person's a person, no matter how small."

Jackie is a writer and founder of Pass It On - a must-have industry newsletter - jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com.

My Fave Dr Seuss Book: Susan Whelan

Choosing my favourite Seuss is like choosing my favourite child. It simply isn’t possible. I have so many childhood memories of reading Dr Seuss books that it is impossible to choose one above the others.

One of my recent Seuss finds is the wonderful book Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, completed posthumously by children’s poet Jack Prelutsky and children’s book illustrator and author Lane Smith from Theodor Geisel’s notes and sketches.

I found Diffendoofer Day at a local library and was immediately in love. An undiscovered Seuss and one with a wonderful, encouraging, important message at that. An exciting discovery indeed.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is set in Diffendoofer School in Dinkerville, an usual school with an unusual philosophy on teaching. The teachers are quirky and the subject choices bizarre. Even the cafeteria is fun. In comparison, the neighbouring town of Flobbertown has a school where everyone looks and acts the same dreary, boring way.

When a surprise test is held, the students panic. Failure will mean that Diffendoofer School will be closed and all the children will be forced to attend school in Flobbertown. The irrepressible teacher Miss Bonkers reassures the students that they don’t need to panic because they have been taught what is really important – ‘We’ve taught you how to think’.

Strongly based on Seuss’ notes, the illustrations also include elements of his sketches as well as some images from other Seuss books. The story is followed by an explanation by Seuss’ editor Janet Schulman of how the book developed from the original notes and features some of Seuss’ draft sketches and scribbled story ideas.

I have bought several copies of this book over the years to give to my children’s class teachers as Christmas gifts. The story is silly and entertaining and the message is simple – it is important to value learning, creativity and individualism. Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is a Seuss book with a message for both children and adults and it has been one of my favourite book finds in recent years.

Susan Whelan is a writer, reviewer and creator of gorgeous literary site Reading Upside Down.

Ode to Dr Seuss by Adam Wallace

KBR fell about laughing at this glorious ode to Dr Seuss by talented author Adam 'Wally' Wallace. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

To dedicate to Dr Seuss,

I have to, have to, stay all loose,

I have be loose like a goose,

A moose, some juice, a freed caboose.

And I have to, have to, write in rhyme,

I have to, have to, all the time.

Because even now, I have to say,

I’m influenced, right now, today.

This very day, this hour, this second,

This minute too, I think, I reckon.

This micro-second, yes, that too,

His words are still in me, and you.

They’re in that guy just over there,

They’re in the nits in that girl’s hair,

They’re in that baby,

And that old lady,

Dr Seuss is EVERYWHERE!

Now some people don’t like Seuss. I know. It’s weird.

I think they usually wear a beard.

And shorts with long socks, and long socks with sandals,

And have fancy certificates on their fancy mantles.

But these people are, to me, the exception,

So here’s the thing. Here’s my perception.

DR SEUSS IS A LEGEND!

Most of the words he uses, you see,

Are the same words used by you and me.

But in his hands they’re NOT the same,

He played with words like he owned the game.

So every word in the Dr Seuss books,

Will seep in the crannies, pervade all the nooks,

Of all the senses that you own,

And cheer you up if you’re sad, or alone.

Now as a child I’d sit for hours,

Enthralled and enraptured by this man’s powers.

Every word and every letter,

Could he have done it any better?

Perhaps.

But in the end it doesn’t matter,

Because in this world of mindless chatter,

Of abbreviated pitter patter,

Of texts and tweeted nitter natter,

Of “I’m too busy” witter watter,

Whose words will save us? Who’ll be there?

When 6 week old kids are shoved in day care,

So our fancy car can have a pair,

And our giant TV can cover where,

A wall used to be?

Who will help when life’s unfair?

Who will say, “It’s scary out there!

But go and live life anyway,

Have fun, try hard, and it’s okay,

If you don’t quite reach where you’re going,

If things feel like they’re barely flowing,

KEEP ON GOING!

Because the heights you’ll reach will be so high,

That you will leap, and you will fly,

And you will soar just like an eagle,

(And sometimes sleep just like a beagle).”

Who will say this?

Dr Seuss!

So when you feel lower than a tiger snake’s belly,

Forget that car!

Forget that telly!

Go out and find joy in the world,

Do things that make your toes all curled,

And things that make your head all whirled,

And things that make your eyes all squirled.

You’ll fall. Of course you’ll fall.

But I’ll tell you something … that’s okay!

Just read a little Seuss each day,

Live life. Read Seuss. That’s what you need,

And you, my friend, will surely succeed,

98 and ¾ percent guaranteed!

See more on Wally's wonderful work (and have a giggle, too) at  www.adam-wallace-books.com.

My Fave Dr Seuss Book: Goldie Alexander

I don’t think there are as many story picture books that influenced a generation of kids as much as Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat.

Briefly: “The Cat brings chaos one rainy day while two siblings’ mother is out by balancing a multitude of household object to amuse. The results are chaotic. Then, the Cat finds a box hiding Thing One and Two, who fly kites inside the house. These antics are vainly opposed by the family fish until the children capture One and Two and the cat cleans up his mess, disappearing a second before the mother turn up.”

What has fired children’s imagination is the straight out naughtiness behind the cat. He’s a total anarchist who seems, at least until the very last minute, to defy all authority.

What kid, particularly any child with a parent who insists they keep the household neat and tidy, wouldn’t love that? And then not to be caught for all naughtiness.

Irresistible.

Learn more about lovely author Goldie at www.goldiealexander.com.

Dr Seuss - A Timeline

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on 2 March 1904 in Springfield, Massachusets, USA. He was a Pisces.

In 1925, Theodore publishes his first cartoon in Jack-O-Lantern magazine, using the name 'Seuss'.

In 1926, Ted moves to England where he attends Oxford University. Here, he meets Helen Palmer.

In 1927, Ted marries Helen Palmer and moves to New York City.

In 1928, he writes his first advertisement  - 'Quick! Henry the Flit!' (Flit is a brand of insecticide)

In 1931, Ted's wife Helen learns she can't have children. Ted writes his first children's book - an ABC of fanciful creatures - but can't find a publisher.

In 1937, his first children's book And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, is published.

In 1938, in honour of his growing collection of hats, Ted's second book The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is published.

In 1939, The King's Stilts is published by Random House (his first two books were published by Vanguard).

In 1940, Horton Hatches the Egg is published.

My Fave Dr Seuss Book: Jackie Small

Like all of us, when I think of Dr. Seuss I think of wacky rhymes, but the one Dr. Seuss book that always comes to mind is Wacky Wednesday.

As a child this was my favourite book. I read this book religiously for two years. I’d hide away from my siblings and read it on my own, finding palm trees in toilets and crocodiles in prams. I could do that easily with Wacky Wednesday. 

As a six year old, still learning to read independently, it was an enjoyable read with lots of repetitive words and rhyme and a huge focus on the visual element of the story. It wasn’t filled with Seuss-invented words that I needed my parents’ help to read and pronounce.

Silly I know, but there was a part of me that believed the story.  Each Wednesday during Grade 4 as I would get ready for school, I’d hope that it would be a wacky day for me. I finally gave up on waking to a Wacky Wednesday and instead decided to pay homage to the book by proclaiming that every Wednesday would be Opposite Day for my friends and I. We’d say words that were opposite in meaning to what we intended. The whole class played along and it certainly felt wacky to me. It went on for a few weeks until our teacher grew frustrated with the game.

Like all favourite childhood books, Wacky Wednesday has found a place in my adult home. My daughter and I have fun together as we look for the wacky things to find on each page. 

Looking back I can see why I was attracted to Wacky Wednesday. I’ve got quite a visual memory and I’m easily bothered by asymmetry. It wasn’t hard for me to find the peculiarities on each page, but fun nonetheless. 

Jackie is the founder of My Little Bookcase - where you can read more about her complete obsession with children's book and literacy.