Castle: the siege chronicles

by Derek Farmer, illustrated by Mark Bergin
Book House, 2007

Knights and castles have boundless appeal for both the adventurously and romantically inclined. Here is a book which cannot fail to please from the moment the reader sets eyes on it: a padded cover made to look like an old, heavily decorated leather-bound journal; richly marbled endpapers; busy drawings full of intricate detail of medieval castle life; miniature “diary” pages in old style script; fold-outs and scrolls with fascinating snippets of information. Throughout all this runs the narrative thread of the true story of Baron Roger de Lacy and his 12th century castle Chateau-Gaillard, whose imposing ruins still stand in Normandy, France. This book will be enjoyed immensely by readers aged 8 and up.

Reviewed by Pamela

Invincible, Untouchable, Immortal.

Welcome to the third in the series of short lists of great contemporary YA fiction titles created by our New Schools adviser. Here’s Invincible, untouchable, immortal.

The awakening. Michael Carroll. New York: Philomel Books, 2007.
Ten years after the disappearance of superhumans, both heroes and villains, thirteen-year-olds Danny and Colin begin to develop super powers, making them the object of much unwanted attention. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.

Berserk. Ally Kennen. London: Marion Lloyd, 2007.
When fifteen year old Chas finds a website asking people to write to prisoners on Death Row, he thinks it would be funny to get letters from a murderer. He writes to an inmate, pretending to be his mum. When his new pen pal is unexpectedly released, Chas’ already problematic life spirals horribly out of control. Suggested level: senior secondary.

Enemy at the gate. Philippa Werry. Auckland, N.Z.: Scholastic, 2008.
It’s December 1936 when the first polio cases are suspected. Soon a polio epidemic is sweeping the country. Schools are closed, swimming pools and movie theatres banned to children, and travel is restricted. Tom is the best runner in the school, but you can’t outrun polio, and nobody knows when it will strike next. Suggested level: primary, intermediate, junior secondary.

Life as we knew it. Susan Beth Pfeffer. Orlando: Harcourt, 2006.
Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family’s struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

Living hell. Catherine Jinks. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2007.
A group of humans is travelling away from the Earth on a generational spaceship called Plexus. When they travel through a ray in space, Plexus comes alive and starts killing the humans. Cheney and his family and friends must find a way to survive. Suggested level: secondary.

Peak. Roland Smith. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, 2007.
After several illegal skyscraper climbs in New York City, fourteen-year-old Peak is taken by his father to Tibet, where he attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.



Flickr image by rougerouge

Town by James Roy

This book is as Australian as it gets but more perceptive than the culture that vigorously protects it's she'll be right image.

Thirteen individual short stories told over the time span of a year, about what it is like to be a teenager in a small Australian town. The subject matter, and the characters, who appear in more than one story, show some depth. The stories are all interrelated, but can be read in isolation, to give a very satisfying read.

The topics include disability (the story of Robbie Blair is just beautiful), sexuality, gossip, family dysfunction, sickness, death and school life.

At times hugely funny and at others sad and thought provoking. My favourite stories are those surrounding gossip, particularly concerning the girl nicknamed "carbo". She got called carbo because a chemistry teacher described the element carbon as the "slut of elements" as it combined with anything.

You will not have read a story like this before so do yourself a favour and read it. Suitable for secondary school readers and of course adults.

Published by University of Queensland Press

Reviewed by Bob

Life on the edge New Zealand’s natural hazards and disasters

Text, photographs, diagrams and maps have been blended in this book to provide the reader with a great read on the natural forces that shape the N.Z. environment. Actual disasters are described, many illustrated with archival photographs, and information given on the impact they have had on the environment and the community. Attention is also given to possible future events, warning systems that are in place and our community’s preparedness to cope.
All of the contents of this publication have been taken from Te Ara, New Zealand’s on-line multi-media encyclopedia. Visit the site @ www.TeAra.govt.nz to find more, including sound clips and moving images.

Reviewed by Melva

Blood Red Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick

Sometimes you read a book that just captures your interest completely, and is so well written that you just weep with desire over the author's skill. This is one of those.

It is the story of the Russian Revolution told in three parts by the famous children's writer of Swallows and Amazons, Arthur Ransome, who was stationed in Russia as a journalist, and fell in love with Russia, and with the beautiful secretary of Trotsky.

The first part of this novel is told as a Russian Fairytale, the second part tells of the intrigue that covers the two revolutions of 1917, and the third part covers the personal life of Arthur Ransome as he struggles with his home life, his love life with Evgenia, and with his professional life as a journalist and eventual spy for both British and Bolshevick camps.

Told in lyrical writing that will melt your heart with its passion and it's simplicity. One of the best books I have read this year and aimed at Secondary and Senior Secondary levels. Adults will love it too.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Orion Children’s Books

Friends, family, and other disasters!

Here’s the second in our Fabulous fiction for terrific teens! series of great contemporary fiction titles with a focus on YA years 9 -13. These have been developed by our New Schools adviser. Welcome to friends, family, and other disasters!

Problem child. James Roy. St Lucia, Qld.: University of Queensland, 2007.
Max Quigley doesn’t think he’s a bully, but one day he goes too far when he shuts the school nerd, Triffin Nordstrom, in a fire escape on a school trip. Max and Triffin are then forced to spend time together, and they discover they have more in common than they thought. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Shadow of the mountain. Anna Mackenzie. Dunedin, N.Z.: Longacre Press, 2008.
Geneva’s world has been blown apart by loss. Maybe that’s why her decisions are not always the sharpest. One thing she knows: there’s no way back to the person she once was. When Angus appears in her orbit it seems an omen that things are changing, but life is never that simple. Suggested level: intermediate, secondary.

The Wednesday wars. Gary D. Schmidt. New York: Clarion Books, 2007.
During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker’s classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns much of value about the world he lives in. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

Allie McGregor’s true colours. Sue Lawson. Fitzroy, Vic.: Black Dog Books, 2006.
Allie McGregor’s list of problems is longer than a list of movie credits. She has to share a room with her little sister, her little brother is plain gross, and her best friend Lou is fighting with her new friend, Romy. And Allie’s mum has cancer. Suggested level: intermediate, secondary.

Lonesome howl. Steven Herrick. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2006.
Jake’s dad saw the wolf, before Jake was born. They say wolves don’t live in this country, yet in the night Jake hears it howling, long and lonely. When Jake and Lucy hike to Sheldon Mountain in search of the wolf, Jake is out to prove his dad right or wrong; Lucy is escaping her father’s cruelty. Both are tested physically, emotionally, spiritually, but what they find on that dangerous, dark mountain surprises them both. Suggested level: secondary.

Memoirs of a teenage amnesiac. Gabrielle Zevin. London: Bloomsbury, 2007.
After a nasty fall, Naomi realizes that she has no memory of the last four years and finds herself reassessing every aspect of her life. Suggested level: secondary.

Flickr Image by Mr.Arteest

Illustrated History of Antarctica

By Marcia Stenson. Published by Random House, 2007.

This is one of the finalists of the Elsie Locke Award - part of the 2008 LIANZA Children's Book Awards.

How do we know about Antarctica? What evidence do we have and how does that evidence get collected? Is the collection of evidence reliable? Check out Stenson's discussion to where evidence comes from and you will have a greater understanding about Antarctica.

This is a superb book with plenty of maps, pictures and easily readable information on a wide range of topics. The Contents page indicates the breath of topics explored: from the continent and its place in the world, to the humans who first visited then later on, those who subsequently explored Antarctica.

Its up-to-date information covers international involvement and treaties and also includes the impact of the tourist industry and environmental issues.

Many new photographs, not previously seen, are sourced from notable library collections like Alexander Turnbull Library and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Features include boxed summaries of key points on every topic and a comprehensive index. This book would be a delight to have on anyone's shelf and an ideal place to learn more about this fascinating continent.

Reviewed by Fiona

Minna's Quest by K.M. Peyton

I had never read a K.M. Peyton book before, but I knew that she wrote mainly about girls and horses or should it be the other way round. Well she has done it again and this time it is set in Roman Britain at a time when Roman civilisation is at its height and the barbarians are knocking on the door.

Minna is a feisty, but hugely attractive girl on the verge of womanhood, and with the help of her brother she saves a newly born horse from certain death, when it is discarded by the Roman soldiers as a runt. The horse of course grows into a champion and the girl grows into a beautiful woman with a love interest in the handsome centurion who becomes head of the local garrison. To add some action we have a difficult older brother and barbarian raiders attacking the settlement from the sea. Heroes are found from all quarters.

A very readable book for horse lovers at intermediate level who like a bit of romance with their horses. But the history is not flash. I did in fact enjoy my first and last experience of K.M. Peyton

Reviewed by Bob

Published Usborne Publishing Ltd.

If you go to the Usborne Quicklinks page you can see some fantastic links for daily life in Roman Britain. If you find the link doesn't work click here and type "Minna's Quest" in the search box. It is a very interesting site and if you are doing Roman Britain as a topic, or even if you want to show the children an interesting site, the children will love it.

London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

If you like mysteries and you enjoyed Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night by Mark Haddon, then you will love this book. Like Mark Haddon's book this too has a character who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, although this term is never used in the book.

Ted's cousin, Salim, goes missing under mysterious circumstances while travelling on the London Eye. Ted with his no nonsense literal way of seeing things, solves the mystery.

A much simpler book than Mark Haddon's classic but riveting from start to finish. A bonus is the literal interpretation of idiom and slang expression by Ted and his obsession with weather and Meteorological terms.

A great read for intermediate and junior high school students.

Published by David Fickling Books

Reviewed by Bob

Killer Whale

by Justin D'Ath Published by Puffin Books, 2008.
Series: Extreme Adventures

This is a jaw-snapping, heart-pounding riveting read for primary, intermediate and junior secondary students. Sam Fox is in the Antarctica with his Dad and 5 year old brother...sightseeing via plane but their plane crashes on the ice. Their Dad and pilot make it to safety however Sam and Harry are fighting for their lives in more ways than one. Each chapter is a wild, action-packed ride and the action is very believable. The story is further enhanced by some background knowledge of the Antarctica environment and the animals who live there. Whale environmentalists also feature in this book. The cover hints of what is to come....is Sam the orca's next meal? and who is the guy swinging out in the rope over the sea? More action than you would think was possible crammed into 140 pages. Enjoy!

National Library also have available the following Justin D'Ath titles in the same series:
Crocodile Attack
Bushfire rescue
Scorpion Sting

Reviewed by Fiona

Fabulous Fiction for Terrific Teens!

Each week over the next month or so we will be posting a series of short lists of great contemporary fiction titles with a focus on YA years 9 -13. These have been developed by our New Schools adviser. First up; sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll!

Deadline. Chris Crutcher. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2007.
Given the medical diagnosis of one year to live, high school senior Ben Wolf decides to fulfil his greatest fantasies, ponders his life’s purpose and legacy, and converses through dreams with a spiritual guide known as "Hey-Soos." Suggested level: secondary.

Before I die. Jenny Downham. Oxford: David Fickling Books, 2007.
Tessa, a terminally ill teenager, works through a list of things she wants to do before she dies. Suggested level: secondary.

Duet. David Hill. Wellington, N.Z.: Mallinson Rendel, 2007.
Kallum plays blues guitar but, despite reservations, accepts an invitation to play in the youth orchestra. There he meets Paige, a flutist, with whom he is to play a duet. They are drawn together, but their relationship rapidly spirals out of control with consequences that may change their lives forever. Suggested level: secondary.

Boy toy. Barry Lyga. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
After five years of fighting his way past flickers of memory about the teacher who molested him and the incident that brought the crime to light, eighteen-year-old Josh gets help in coping with his molester’s release from prison when he finally tells his best friends the whole truth. Suggested level: senior secondary.

The astonishing adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl. Barry Lyga. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
A fifteen-year-old "geek" who keeps a list of the high school jocks and others who torment him, and pours his energy into creating a great graphic novel, encounters Kyra, Goth Girl, who helps change his outlook on almost everything, including himself. Suggested level: senior secondary.

Fickr image by debassy

Enemy at the Gate

by Philippa Werry Published by Scholastic, 2008

This book is set during the polio (infantile paralysis) epidemic in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Tom’s family shares the concern and fear about the disease, and when his sister becomes ill and is taken away to hospital, they experience the community’s reactions, both good (food left on the doorstep) and bad (my mum says I can’t play with you). The schools were shut (lessons were published in the daily newspaper, and broadcast on the radio), and children were not allowed to meet together in places such as picture theatres and swimming pools, either.

The ignorance and fear, and the (nowadays regarded as inhumane) way of treating polio patients, or any hospitalisation of children can make harrowing reading, but the story ends on a hopeful note, with the introduction of Australian Nurse Kenny’s method of treatment.

Brief factual notes are included at the end of the story. Best suited for Year 6 and older.

This is a welcome addition to our NZ historical fiction, especially as it encompasses a part of our history which is not written about very much.

Reviewed by Lynn

Mang the Wild Orangutan by Joan van Loon

If you can imagine the plight of finding yourself separated from your family and your normal environment, to be caged forever in a secure pen you will have empathy with this story.

Mang reminisces from his zoo enclosure of days past, when he and his mother happily wandered the rainforest, wild and free.

Joan van Loon’s illustrations capture this poignant story perfectly.

A great read for junior primary.

Reviewed by Coral

Published by Lothian Books

Orangutans are in critical danger of becoming extinct because of rainforest destruction.

Find out more about orangutans.

Maths and Probability in Picture books - two new titles

A very improbable story: a math adventure
By Edward Einhorn Published by Charlesbridge publishing Inc.

It certainly is an improbable story. Ethan wakes up one morning with a talking cat on his head. And it refuses to get off. And it isn't even his cat! The cat's name is Odds and he likes to play probability games. He challenges Ethan to play some games, and says he will get off Ethan's head only when Ethan wins a game. Each time they play a game, the concept of probability is further explained. Ethan's understanding is developed with each game, and he sees how he can use it not only to get the cat off his head, but to help him win his up-coming soccer game.

This book is a good introduction to probability for children around year 3. They might like to try out the games too.

It's probably Penny
By Loreen Leedy Published by Henry Holt and Company ,2007

Lisa's class is studying probability. Their teacher, Mr Jayson, asks them to make predictions about the colours of jelly beans he is could pick from different groups he puts on the table. They carry out experiments to see if their predictions are correct. He sets them some homework for the weekend - they have to find events that will, might and can't occur, events that have a tiny or impossible chance of happening, events that have equal chances, and events that have unequal chances. They then have to find out the results and record them. If this sounds a bit long and complicated, it is. Lisa decides to use her dog Penny in her predictions and they have fun working through the homework.

While this is a story for junior primary classes, it is mainly a book for teaching probability. It might be best used when the children have gained some understanding of probability rather than as an introduction, because it is packed with information and examples. Each of the examples in the story may need to be revisited, one at a time, and discussed. It is interesting, humourous, well set out, has lots of colourful pictures, and is fun to read.


Reviewed by Heather

Why I Hate School by Kris Stanhope

The winner of the Tom Fitzgibbon Award this year and a very good story of school, of friends but most importantly of family life when faced with a tragedy.

Michael Fatarsky, (I am not sure whether he does have a large bottom, we are never told), is the main character. He says that he hates school and even writes a book with all the reasons why he hates school. This is printed at the end of the book but it is not as bad as that however, and he actually does very well at school by the end of the book. Sharon Cramshaw is the girl interest and there is a link between her and Michael that evolves as the story is told.

A good read-aloud for mid primary to Intermediate aged children.

Published by Scholastic

Reviewed by Bob

Storylines Festival of New Zealand Children's Writers and Illustrators

This past Sunday, Wellington hosted its biggest ever Storylines festival event in the at Te Whaea Dance & Drama Centre in Newtown. Under a warm winter sun thousands flooded through the gates. Inside the noise and energy was almost seismic, and the kids like swallows as they darted from one activity to another. You could make a book and a crown, grab a balloon, pat Hairy Maclary. You could listen to Gavin Bishop read, get you fav Barbette Cole book autographed and watch amazing artists in action. Best of all for exhausted parents you could grab a latte and a chair.

And you could do it all over again! - if you live in Auckland and Christchurch. Next weekend Storylines Family day will be held both in Christchuch (Saturday 14 June 10am-3pm at Heaton Normal Intermediate School) and on Sunday 15 June in Auckland at the Aotea Centre - 10am-3pm.

Come along if you can. It’s simply one of the year’s best free events for kids and parents.

How strong is it? A mighty book all about strength.

By Ben Hillman Published by Scholastic Inc, 2008

This is the second book by Ben Hillman, the first being "How big is it? : a big book all about bigness" published in 2007. Like the first book, it is fascinating! Ben Hillman asks questions like how strong is a spider web? and then gives us a detailed answer. Well, if each strand was as thick as a pencil, it would stop a Boeing 747 in mid flight! He goes on to describe and compare the strength of the web with synthetic fibres. Did you know it is five times stronger that anything humans have produced!
Other strengths he describes include animals, materials and machines - 22 altogether. Each strength has a full page spread - a wonderfully detailed one and a half page photographic illustration, in colour, and a half a page of interesting text. All measurements are imperial followed by the metric equivalent in brackets.

A great non fiction read for years 3 to 8.

Reviewed by Heather

Outcast by Michelle Paver

This is part 4 of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness and if you haven't caught up with this series before, do so soon, because they are brilliant.

It is the story of three major characters - Torak a teenage boy who is a Spirit Walker, his wolf brother Wolf and his companion Renn, a girl of similar age to Torak. They live in a world 6000 years after the Ice Age when Humans, animals, forests and the whole of the natural world were in harmony and everything that happened in this world had a reason or was pre-destined.

In the previous book Soul Eater, Torak, Renn and Wolf prevented the Soul Eaters from acquiring the power of the Fire Opals which would have made them supreme rulers of the world they all lived in, but Torak, while captured by the soul eaters, had their mark tattooed on his chest. When this is discovered by the clans who feel he has become a soul eater, he is banished, loses his clan membership and becomes an outcast to be hunted until killed. This becomes the basis of this book, but it also reveals some previously unknown but vital information about Renn. This is an outstanding adventure and fantasy story set in a sometimes brutal, natural world.

Suitable for Intermediate through to young adult readers.

Published by Orion Children's Books

Reviewed by Bob

Tree shaker: the story of Nelson Mandela

by Bill Keller Published by Kingfisher, 2008

Nelson Mandela is high on many people’s list of personal heroes, and here is a biography designed to attract and absorb young people. Smart use of graphics and colour, an engaging title and a vivid writing style are combined in a book which has both substance and huge visual appeal. The author does not balk at raising the more controversial aspects of this inspiring leader’s life, and has included plenty of extra background reading for those who are keen to explore the story further. Especially suitable for junior secondary level, but there will be many readers both younger and older who will love this book.

Reviewed by Pamela

2008 LIANZA Children's Book Awards finalists announced

More awards! The winners of the 2008 LIANZA Children's Book Awards will be announced on 18 August. Here are the finalists - click the links to read reviews of the books.

Esther Glen Award (Fiction)

Salt by Maurice Gee (Penguin New Zealand)
Losing it by Sandy McKay (Longacre Press)
Smashed by Mandy Hager (Random House New Zealand)
The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)
The Dumpster Saga by Craig Harrison (Scholastic New Zealand)
Time of the Eagle by Sherryl Jordan (Simon & Schuster)

Russell Clark Award (Illustration)

Dad's Takeaways by Melanie Drewery, Illustrated by Christopher White (Mallinson Rendel)
Willy's Dad by Scott Tulloch (Harper Collins)
Rats by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Te Po Roa by Andrew Burdan (Huia Education)
Tahi, one lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, Illustrated by John O'Reilly & Ali Teo (Random House New Zealand)

Elsie Locke Award (Non Fiction)

What is a .....? (series - Amphibian/Bird/Reptile/Mammal/Fish) by Feana Tuákoi (Scholastic New Zealand)
Rubbish by Rachael Goddard (Raupo Publishing)
Weather Watch New Zealand by Sandra Carrod (Raupo Publishing)
Draw New Zealand Birds by Heather Arnold (Raupo Publishing)
The Illustrated History of Antarctica by Marcia Stenson (Random House New Zealand)

Te Kura Pounamu (te reo Maori)

A-Kara-Ka-Ru-Ra by Charisma Rangipuna (Huia Publishers, Ministry of Education)
Kai Ora! 2 - Putaiao (series) by Kararaina Uatuku, Che Wilson and Hana O'Regan (Hana Ltd)
Kai Ora! 2 - Tikanga a-Iwi (series) by Kararaina Uatuku, Che Wilson, Hana Pomare and Charisma Rangipuna (Hana Ltd)
Te Haeata (The Dawn) by Mike Davey (Raupo Publishing)
Te Wheke-a-Muturangi by Lee Watt (Hana Ltd)

Offical announcement - LIANZA website

CHINA EVERYDAY

by Zhang Yao and Bu Yi, Southbank Publishing 2007

This gem of a book deals with just about every aspect of Chinese culture that you can think of ... food, clothing, graphic design and symbols, toys,folklore, household items.

Each page deals with an aspect of the above mentioned topics combing glorious coloured photographs and illustrations, combined with short succinct explanations which are a feast to the eye without being a distraction.

This is must for a study of China for years 5-7, and it can be used as teacher reference for younger children (the photos and illustrations would be a joy for the children to look at) … in fact it could also be used with junior secondary school children. It’s by no means ‘the’ book on China but it should whet the appetite for more study on that country.

Reviewed by Robin

What Do Publishers Really Want?

Time to dust off my 100 page rhyming picture book epic, Milly Molly Moa - the Missing Years.

If you fancy a crack at the lucrative (ha ha) children’s publishing market and live in Wellington then the following panel discussion is perfect for you.

What Publishers Want. Monday 23rd June, 7.00pm
Turnbull House, Bowen St, Wellington

Navigating publishing fashions, fads, the hot and the not, Gecko Press, Gilt Edge & South Pacific Press will give an overview of exactly what they are looking for in a manuscript.

Put on by the Wellington Children’s Book Association who will be also be holding a (short) AGM, here’s a free evening of wise advice not to be missed!

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

An essential read for High School students and for young adults. The last months in the life of a 16 year old girl dying of Leukemia would not seem to be a subject that people would want to read about. If you think this you would be wrong.

Tessa who narrates the book, writes about the last months of her life with an intensity that is breath taking. She has a list of ten things that she wants to do before she dies and top of the list is having sex with a boy. Sometimes getting what you want does not satisfy the need that you have, and this is one of the themes that are explored in this excellent novel. Tessa has a number of relationships and friends, plus a brilliant father, and her last months are inventive, funny, embarrassing, but most of all understandable and real. There is no sentimentality about this book, and the ending will leave you glowing for days. You just have to talk about it to everyone.

Read it!

Published by David Fickling Books

Reviewed by Bob

Putting the “ill” back in family

Two recent sophisticated picture books from that master of the genre, Colin Thompson, both deal with the mad, bad, glad and sad times experienced by families, but in very different ways…and with very different families.

The Floods Family Files features the lifestyle of a Munster-like family group.
Samples of their regular activities include the sponsorship of the local Transylvania Waters Underwater Olympic Choir, which has to practise in Lake Tarnish (so polluted that it dissolves ships); and putting their cat out at night in the knowledge that it will roam the town ‘looking for babies to eat’. And they have problems as well.

Recommended for Intermediate to 103 years old.

The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness is very aptly named. Like the song says
“[it] makes you laugh, it makes you cry”—sometimes both at the same time. Unlike the beautifully detailed vivid depictions of the Floods family, the illustrations here begin muted and somehow damp- looking. They then explode into a burst of wild exuberance as a sad little family re-invents itself. This is largely brought about by a three-legged dog whose greatest sorrow, among many, is that he has never been able to lift his leg against a tree. Orphaned George and his grandmother get to work on a solution, with hilarious results.

Although The big little book would be a useful addition to the Change, Loss, Grief area of the Health Curriculum, it is in its way as thoroughly over-the-top as the exploits of the charmingly bloodthirsty Floodses.This is in fact its best feature, as it removes any danger of its becoming maudlin as it deals with real human sadness.

We would recommend this for people from approximately year 3 upwards.

The Floods Family Files and The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness published by Random House

Reviewed by Cecily