New Release Books for Children

Ivy Loves to Give

by Freya Blackood, illus Freya Blackwood Hardback RRP $24.99
Ivy is very generous with her giving, she offers a cup of tea to the chook, a thong to the snail...her presents are not always perfect but they are always perfectly given. Let this picture book be a warm reminder of the gift of giving. Freya is another local author.

Stuck!

by Charlotte Calder, illus. Mark Jackson Hardback RRP $27.95
The children's kite swoops and soars on a sunny day but then flies into a tree. The children take it in turns to throw things to dislodge it but everything they throw gets stuck too. This playful story with lively illustrations will be enjoyed by all young children.
Strongly recommended. Charlotte is a local Orange author.

Her Mothers Face

by Roddy Doyle, Illustrated by Freya Blackwood HB RRP $24.99
This simple story begins like a fairy tale There once was this girl and her name was Siobhan and follows a classic format - Siobhan is searching to remember her dead mother, who eventually appears to her magically when she is at her lowest point. Doyle's words are spare and well-judged and is highly readable. What takes the book to another level, though, is the combination of Doyle's simple story with Freya Blackwood's tender, expressive illustrations. Blackwood's watercolours are evocative, warm and touching.

Harry & Hopper

by Margaret Wild, Illustrated by Freya Blackwood PB RRP $15.99
Harry and his dog Hopper (jumpy as a grasshopper) have done everything together. One day Harry comes home from school to find his dog is not there to greet him. He will never know the smell or the feel of Hopper again. The story tenderly demonstrates the shock of grief and the sustaining power of love. Freya Blackwood's illustrations beautiflly evoke the varying moods of the story. Ages +4 years

Zac Power Shipwreck

by H I Larry Paperback RRP $9.95
A GIB agent has gone missing in the mysterious Black Triangle deep underwaer. Can Zac find him among the sea of shipwrecks before it is too late? Zac works for the Government Investigation Bureau, aged 12 he is one of their yougest agents. This is the 20th book in this very popular series for boys 7-13 years old.

The Phoenix Files 1 Arrival

by Chris Morphew Paperback RRP $16.95
This is an exciting new series for teenagers from a new young Australian author. Luke ends up in a brand new town in the middle of nowhere. He discovers that someone is plotting to wipe out the human race. The clock is ticking. Highly recommended by Margaret.

Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel 3 The Sorceress

by Michael Scott Paperback RRP $29.95 OUR PRICE $27.99
Book 3 in this excellent series where Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic - Water Magic. The problem? The only Elder who can do that is Gilgamesh and he is quite, quite insane! Highly recommended for tennagers, especcially those interested in mythology.

Enigma a Magical Mystery

by Graeme Base Hardback RRP $29.99
A warm-hearted funny story about the special relationship between a grandson and his grandpa with the extra challenge of a code to break, a magic panel to unlock and lots of hidden things to find. Another sensational book from Graeme Base who is one of the worlds leading creators of picture books.

.

CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA AWARDS
THE 2009 SHORT LIST

Book of the Year Older Reader - for mature readers
Cornish D M Monster Blood Tatto 2 Lamplighter
Eaton, Anthony Into White Silence
French, Jackie A Rose for the Anzac Boys
Marchetta, Melina Finnikin of the Rock
Moloney, James Kill the Possum
Tan, Shaun Tales from Outer Suburbia

Book of the Year Younger Reader - for independent readers
Bateson, Catherine The Wish Pony
Fussell, Sandy Polar Boy
Gleitzman, Morris Then
Harris, Christine Audrey of the Outback
Millard, Glenda Perry Angels Suitcase
Rodda, Emily The Wizard of Rondo

Book of the Year Early Childhood - for pre-reading to early reading stages
Graham, Bob How to Heal a Broken Wing
King, Stephen Michael Leaf
McKimmie, Chris Special Kev
Millard, Glenda Applesauce & the Christmas Miracle
Sullivan, Rosemary Tom Tom
Wild, Margaret Puffling

Picture Book of the Year
Blabey, Aaron Sunday Chutney
Dunstan, Kylie Collecting Colour
Ottley, Matt Home and Away
Riddle, Tohby Nobody Owns the Moon
Holfeld, Greg Captain Congo & Crocodile King
Thompson, Colin The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness

Eve Pownall Award for Information
Dubosarsky, Ursula The Word Spy
Greenwood, Mark Simpson & his Donkey
Hall, Lincoln Alive in the Death Zone
Nicholls, Catroina Chicken the Story of the Chicken in Australia
Ramage, Jan Tuart Dwellers
Ross, John Every Picture Tells a Story
Booth, Anna Adventures in Australian Art

Contact Margaret about any of these books.

The Childrens Book of the Year Awards for 2008.
The winner in the Early Childhood category is Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley by newcomer Aaron Blabey. A lovely simple story of friendship and indivuality.

The other winners are - Picture Book Requiem for a Beast by Matt Ottley This is an impressive detailed artwork for older children, with a story revolving around the stolen generation.

Information Book Parsley Rabbits Book About Books by Frances Watts. It covers the basics of books, their layout, etc and is brimming with cuteness. The Honour Books are also excellent: Girl Stuff: Your Full-On Guide to the Teen Years by Kaz Cooke and Kokoda Track: 101 Days by Peter Macinnis.

Younger Readers Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson is the third in a trilogy set in ancient China with the young girl Ping seeking haven for her juvenile dragon. Honour books are the imaginative Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp by Odo Hirsch and Sixth Grade Style Queen (NOT!) by Sherryl Clark. A series of short poems that explores a young girls anxiety about family & school.

Older Readers winner is Sonya Hartnett's stunning The Ghost's Child. An elderly woman recounts her life to a strange young boy which has elements of a fairy tale, romance and coming-of-age realism combined to create a wonderous and truely unique tale. Honour books were Black Water by David Metzenthen and Marty's Shadow by John Heffernan.

.

Inheritance Cycle 3 Brisingr

Christopher Paolini Paperback RRP $34.95
Forces collide in the third part of the phenomenally successful Inheritance Cycle. Eragon represents the greatest hope for a better Alagesia. Can this once simple farm boy rise to become a leader who can unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

.

Breaking Dawn

by Stephenie Meyer Paperback RRP $29.99 Ages +12 years
Twlight tempted the imagination...New Moon made readers thirsty for more...Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon...And now - Breaking Dawn where the fate of Bella and Edward will be revealed.

The Wizard of Rondo

by Emily Rodda Hardback RRP $29.99
The exciting sequel is out NOW. Find out how Leo and Mimi continue the battle to keep Rondo safe from their deadly enemy the Blue Queen.

.

.

The Key to Rondo

by Emily Rodda Paperback RRP $19.99 Ages +9 years
The old music box has been handed down to Leo and it comes with strict rules. There are secrets hidden within. When Leos least favourite cousin Mimi breaks the rules they are plunged into a thrilling quest in the fantastic world of Rondo. A gripping story, well written high quality novel. I could not put this book down once I started. As good as any of Emily Roddas other excellent books. It has a stunning jacket.

Snakehead

by Anthony Horowitz Paperback RRP $16.95 Ages +11years
Alex Rider bites back! Alex is in Australia, this time working for the Australian Secret Service and his target is the criminal underworld of South-East Asia. Alex will need all his wits to survive.
Explosive thrilling action-packed. Highly recommended for teenage boys who like adventure.

The Alchemist the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

by Michael Scott Paperback RRP $17.92 Ages 11-16
Nicholas Flamel is the greatest alchemist of all having found the secret to eternal life and is now nearly 700 years old. Another alchemist Dr John De is after his secrets and is after the powerful Book of Abraham the Mage. Sophie & Josh, teenage twins living in San Francisco, get swept in in the adventure. The author is an Irish authority on mythology and is their "King of Fantasy". High paced exciting read - highly recommended. The second book of this trilogy, Magician, has just been published.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by J K Rowling, Paperback, RRP $22.95

The seventh and final instalment of the Harry Potter series is here. I've just finished and I think its an exciting climax that has lots of unexpected twists.

.
.

Give Peas a Chance

by Morris Gleitzman Paperback RRP $16.96 Ages 8-14

Surprise your mum with a chainsaw, be a bigger star than Tom Cruise, save the would with a plate of veggies, start your new life in a taxi, rescue your family with a tomato, send your dad into a panic with a tractor, do a good deed with a paper bag on you head pack your bags for a trip to the spleen, upset your auntie with ten kilos of chocolate, swap a bomb for three ice-creams on a train . . . and lots more. There are 14 clever, funny stories kids of all ages will enjoy. Some have an edge that can make you think afterward. A great title for a great book!

Fly Kite Fly a Story of Leonardo and a Bird Catcher

by John Winch Hardback RRP $24.95 Ages +3 years

Unfortunately this will be the last book from local author and artist John Winch (Stuart Town). John draws on his abiding interest in Leonardo da Vinci's inventiveness to tell a tale of the meeting of da Vinci with a boy who became his life long friend and companion. The superb drawings delight the eye.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick Hardback RRP $24.95. Ages +10 years

If you're ready for a unique kind of reading experience that takes storytelling to a whole new level this is the book for you. Here is a unique book that has all the makings of a compelling tale, realistic and animated characters, a page-turning plot, and a cinematic feel. (Imagine watching a movie on paper!). Combining elements of picture book, graphic novel, and film, Caldecott Honor artist Selznick breaks open the novel form to create an entirely new reading genre.

Hugo is a young orphan boy who leads an invisible life in a busy Paris train station. When his uncle and guardian, the station clockkeeper dies, Hugo finds himself at the crossroads of a life-changing adventure. He comes across a grumpy old man who runs a toy shop, a bookish girl, a mysterious notebook and a broken automaton. I don't want to give away much more of the plot, but suffice it to say that the chain of events in this story is definitely not predictable. "This can't be said emphatically enough - it's brilliant" Sydney Morning Herald