“Close reading: Chuck Close and the artist portrait” by Friedman, Martin.

Chuck Close is a well-known contemporary American portrait artist. His main source of inspiration has been himself but this book also explores his other subject matter – his fellow artists. The book covers a period of thirty years and explores the changes in style, medium, and scale from the naturalistic renditions of the Pop Art era, through to his more expressionistic style in recent decades.

The first part of the book deals with Close’s biography; the second, the evolution of his self-portraiture; and the third deals with his portraits of other artists, and some of their works, as well as conversations he had with those artists.

This will be a useful addition to any secondary school library or art department’s collection of resources. Close is an icon and inspiration to many for his pioneering style and close study of the human face. He reinvigorated the art of portraiture at a time when it was more cutting edge to explore the rampant commercialisation of society.

reviewed by Suzanne Hardy

Play Time

Don't forget Wellington next Wednesday 4th June at the National Library 7 pm if you want to catch Child’s Play: Performing the School Journal.

Held in the National Library auditorium (off Aitken St) this play features a talented teenage cast trained by Sarah Delahunty who will be showcasing the School Journal over the past 100 years, all in under one hour. In other words it will be fast and furious fun.

Introducing the event is Greg O’Brien, who wrote, A Nest of Singing Birds:100 Years of the School Journal, and he's promising another f- word a, ‘funky presentation involving music and visual’. So as they say, be there or be square.

And there's more.

Learning Media has gorgeous sets of ten postcards featuring School Journal covers over the past 100 years, to give away to each audience member. Entry is by koha but bookings are advised. To book just email, reception@bookcouncil.org.na with the words Child’s Play in the subject line, let them know your name, how many tickets you want and you're in.

All guns blazing! : the 12 most action-packed Commando comic books ever! / edited by George Low, editor of Commando. 2007

Ah yes, the "graphic novel!" When I was young, (MUCH younger) we read "War Comics" and our parents frowned on our doing so.

If one is looking for realism, look elsewhere. To quote Blackadder, this "stuff's about as convincing as Dr. Crippen's defence lawyer. The British Tommies are all portrayed as six foot six with biceps the size of Bournemouth."

If one is looking for sharp, witty and incisive dialogue, look elsewhere. "Achtung!" "Gott in Himmel!" "Banzai!" "Mamma Mai!" et al are less than demanding, extending or authentic.

So if one is looking for stereotyped characters, wooden dialogue and unrealistic action then these are the very thing!

With all that said, these are SLIGHTLY engaging for someone who recalls them from their dim-distant past!

But literature? Let us not discount the entire "genre" of the "graphic novel" based on this and its companion examples.

The lowest denominator of the "at least they are reading" school! Don't start me on that - it is an entirely different debate!

Genuinely, and with the best will in the world, I tried really hard to find some merit in these. Sadly I couldn't.

But, as always, this is but one man's opinion! And no correspondence will be entered into!

Published by Carlton Books

Reviewed by David

Any comments?

Four Great New Zealand Inventors by Keith Tonkin

Famous New Zealanders, inventors, biographies – these are all popular school study topics. So we here at National Library School Services are pleased to have resources such as Four Great New Zealand Inventors that we can include in the collections we send out to schools.

The inventors are Ernest Godward, Richard Pearse, Bill Hamilton and (of course) John Britten. If you don’t know who Ernest Godward is (I didn’t) you will just have to read the book! Oh ok then – his first invention (many more complicated inventions followed) was the humble hairpin that actually stayed in place.

Good basic information, great photos, well designed and easy for the children to read. It is aimed at children from age 9 and up but I think some younger children could cope quite well

There are more in this series about great New Zealanders– adventurers, New Zealanders of action in WWII, film-makers and more. They are all useful and enjoyable reads

Published by Giltedge Publishing

Reviewed by Beth

Win win

There were a host of winners at last night’s NZ Post Children’s Books awards. First the magnificent venue, (the old Wellington Town Hall), the enthusiastic audience, the wonderful actors who performed excerpts from the finalists, and even the amazing Narnia-like entrance to the awards (see the pic on the left). Magic. And nice one Booksellers NZ, New Zealand Post, Saatchi & Saatchi, judges and all. But the real winners on the night (given here with the judges' comments) were:

Junior Fiction
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, published by Gecko Press.
“An utterly delightful book, a lucky dip that will make you laugh and sigh and read all over again. The words and characters are a sheer joy.”

Young Adult Fiction
Salt by Maurice Gee published by Penguin New Zealand
“Here is a dramatic story of escape and rescue, loss and love set against a backdrop of enslavement and the rise and fall of a civilisation.”

Young Adult Fiction Honour Award
The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie published by Longacre Press.
“This exciting page-turner is charged with confident writing, strong characters and a convincing evocation of wind-swept island life.”

Non Fiction
Which New Zealand Spider? by Andrew Crowe published by Penguin New Zealand.
“This often entertaining overview of those eight legged, eight eyed creatures we love to hate, shows just how appealing and comprehensive non-fiction can be when presented by the right hands.”

Picture Book
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly published by Random House New Zealand
“It’s a book that pushes boundaries, successfully weaves fiction with non-fiction. It leads with fresh innovative artwork and jumps into your head with its sparkling, snappy dialogue while giving readers a poignant but optimistic understanding of the dangers facing our national icon.”

Picture Book Honour Award
To the Harbour, written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer published by Lopdell House Gallery.
“The artwork is outstanding, the text memorable and evocative, the book’s production values superb. Here is a book from a new publisher that certainly gives established publishing houses a run for their money.”

Best First book
Out of the Egg, by Tina Matthews, published by Walker Books.
“A multilayered book that reinvigorates a traditional tale by reimagining it afresh for a new generation. It's a subtle and witty look at consumerism and self-interest. It's a story wonderfully delineated by its illustrations and considered use of colour.

Children’s Choice Award
The King’s Bubbles, by Ruth Paul, published by Scholastic New Zealand.

And taking out the top prize were none other than the inspired pairing (via Gecko Press) of Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop.

New Zealand Post Book of the Year 2008
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop, published by Gecko Press.
“a book that deserves a readership beyond its intended audience, a book whose high production values mirrors the exemplary work of its author and illustrator. Both witty and wise, these timeless stories are utterly engaging. They make you laugh, sigh and read them all over again.”

Well done, and congratulations to all the winners. The judges noted that this year over 130 books were submitted for the awards, books that dealt not only with NZ themes, “but also with other parts of the world, both real and imagined - and that surely is the voice of a confident and vibrant sector.”

Shadow of the Whale by Celia Davies

A little beauty this.

A short novel in which the main characters David and Emma, who are brother and sister, are transported back in time to a whaling station in early new Zealand circa 1838, after an accident. The timeslip mechanism is a little clumsy but the contrast of modern life with that on the whaling station in 1838, is what makes this novel worth it.

In today's world David and Emma are spoilt self-centred brats, while on the whaling station they work hard for their living and contribute equally to the survival of the family.

Simply told, and I can still smell the stench of the rotting whale carcasses. The ending of the book makes up for the barbarity of the early whaling industry in New Zealand.

A good read for middle school children years 5 through to year 8

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Reed

And the Wnners are…

No not the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults awards - we’ll blog that tomorrow. Right now it’s time to announce the winners of our own small NZ Post Book Awards related competition, the one where you place a comment on the blog and go into the draw to win a box of books for your school library. Actually we've been so impressed with your enthusiasm and reviews we've added another box of books

But first up, a big thanks to everyone who commented - you rock! We’ve been overwhelmed (and over the moon) with the hundreds of comments, one book (The King's Bubbles) alone received over 90 – just goes to show you can’t put a great book down.


Okay, time for the draw, hat please, and the winners are;

Ohuka School and Heretaunga College

Congrats and happy reading, books will be on their way tomorrow.

Flickr photo by Pinkpollyanna

New Zealand Post Book Awards 2008 - Young Adult Fiction category

Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Bridgid Lowry

Brigid Lowry uses her wonderful and often surprising prose in this collection of short stories and poetry. There are lovely phrases scattered through the stories – “mashed banana story”, or describing girls as “bewildered little puddings with … pretty names”. You can pretty much delve into any of the stories and get beautiful examples of Brigid Lowry language - examples that make you stop and think "goodness that's an amazing way of saying that!"

I guess if one was looking for a theme to the stories and poetry it is just “Life”.

Definitely one for the older more accomplished readers.

Published by Allen & Unwin


Reviewed by Beth

Apache – girl warrior.

by Tanya Landman. Walker Books, 2007.

This is the story of a young orphan girl driven to avenge the death of her young brother in a Mexican ambush. As a consequence she turns aside from her expected role of dutiful wife and mother, and instead takes the challenging route to become a Black Mountain Apache warrior.

While this is a work of fiction, it is an accurate portrayal of Apache life and values, and the training undergone by young warriors is vivid and well-researched.
The inexorable march of the ‘White-eyes’ across ancient tribal territories in the latter part of the 19th century is well documented and resonates with current situations in our modern world.

“Apache – girl warrior’ is a gripping, and at times harrowing read.

reviewed by Jan

Sea Dreamer

by Elizabeth Pulford

Cassie and Rana have been friends since childhood; now, in their teens, Cassie (a fourteen year old) is learning about shifting loyalties, friendships that aren't always forever, the boy she likes Mac - will her feelings remain for him in secret or will he ask her to the school dance? Then there Cassie's connections with the sea, poetry and her research project on her ancestor - Sarah Cassandra Addison - who was she and what relevance has her ghostly presence have in Cassie's life?
This is an intriguing and readable book, it's written in first person narrative and accompanied with descriptive language that adds to the atmosphere...."I'm in the dinghy rowing over to the island, the oars dipping in and out of the water, the smell of the bush strong, my strokes clean....The oars cut through the quiet swell of the inlet. One day, after I'm dead and gone, I wonder if there will be someone like me rowing up the channel wondering what we were like." Pulford's writing spoke to me in this very enjoyable book. Ideal for year 8 upwards.

Reviewed by Fiona

Restless Spirit. Te Wairua Whakariuka by Susan Brocker

A surprise package this and a great read-aloud for middle school children.

It's a story of the Kaimanawa horses told from the point of view of a white stallion who runs with the herd and has a proud history and pedigree, and Lara a teenage girl who becomes concerned for the welfare of the Kaimanawa horses.

Susan Brocker has us running with the herd, then competing in the classroom with Lara and her friend Kahu. Add a bad boy poacher and a race to save the white stallion and the herd, and you have great adventure that stays till the last page.

Simply written and very appealing to the reluctant reader.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by HarperCollins.

Here is a classroom unit from HarperCollins publishers using Restless Spirit

NZ Post Book Awards 2008 finalist - Non-Fiction category

Weather Watch New Zealand
By Sandra Carrod, published by Reed 2007

Why is the West Coast so wet? Why is Wellington so windy? Why is Auckland’s weather so changeable?

Here at last is a weather book with all NZ content. A large format book, it is attractively set out and generously illustrated with diagrams and photographs (all NZ). Interesting facts and explanations are accompanied by simple practical activities.

A two-page map of NZ on which the chapters are rearranged according to location follows the contents page. A detailed index completes the package.

This is a great book, which would be enjoyed by all young NZ weather watchers and, has also been shortlisted in the non-fiction section of the New Zealand Post Awards for Children and Young People.

Reviewed by Melva

New Zealand Post Book Awards - finalist Junior Fiction category

Dead Dan's Dee by Phyllis Johnston..

"My mother Said I never Should play with Gypsies in the wood"... If you know this skipping rhyme then you will know something of this book. If you don't, then you ought read it to find out.

The title is a nice bit of alliteration and it deals with New Zealand society just after World War 1. Dee's father has been killed in the war under mysterious circumstances and Dee's mother and aunt are suffering from consumption, and have been isolated from the community in which they live. Dee has been brought up as a literate free-thinker living an idyllic life by the sea. When the health of her mother and aunt hits crisis point she is shunted into an orphanage, then rescued by a mate of her father and made to work on a farm in the centre of the North Island.

The drama of the book is maintained through the mystery of her father’s death and the fate of her mother and aunt. While the book portrays a heartless and cold New Zealand, Dee herself is a warm and likeable character.

Very well written by one of New Zealand's best writers. It would most appeal to Intermediate and Secondary school children.

Published by Longacre Press

Reviewed by Bob

Don't forget our competition - closing date now 20 May.

The winners of the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults will be announced on the evening of 21 May. But there will be another important announcement earlier that day - the winner of the Create Readers competition! Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on any one of the reviews we've been posting of the 20 finalists. [Remember, you don't need a Google account to leave a comment].

2. Make sure you include the name of your school in your comment.

3. Sit back and cross your fingers.

All comments will be submitted into the draw for a big box of beautiful brand new books for your school library. We've extended the deadline to Tuesday 20 May.

P.S. don't forget that kids can also vote online for their fave finalist book here

New Zealand Post Book Awards finalist - Junior Fiction category

Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrations by Gavin Bishop

The chapters in Snake and Lizard are essentially short stories about a pair of unlikely friends. Each story is a little parable told with spare language and humour.

Snake and lizard argue and enjoy different things in life and yet they still have fun together and are able to come to many compromises.

Describing this book in such a way makes it sound dry as dust, but this is a fantastic book. It is gorgeously produced, the pictures are wonderful and the stories are extremely suitable for reading to the class. The children will laugh at every story.

Published by Gecko Press

Reviewed by Beth

New Zealand Post Book Awards Finalist - Picture Book Category

The King's Bubbles by Ruth Paul

"Perfect and round
A sigh without sound
A circle of air
Simple and spare"

King Bill is dismayed and becomes very bad tempered when all the beautiful bubbles he creates float away. After demanding his advisors find a solution he finally discovers for himself that letting them go was what made them such fun.

This rhyming picture book with its lovely illustrations would make a very good read aloud for junior classes.

Published by Scholastic

Reviewed by Louise Rose

New Zealand Post Book Awards Finalist - Picture Book Category

RATS! by Gavin Bishop

Intricate illustrations that appeal to children and adults alike are the hallmark of Gavin Bishop’s books. ‘Rats’ is no exception. The story, a twist to a well loved tale, is told simply and with enough repetition of sound and vocabulary for it to become a firm favourite for the youngest listeners and readers.

reviewed by Barbara Smaill