Archive | December 2015

Queen Victoria’s Christmas

Queen Victoria's Christmas

Queen Victoria’s Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Victoria’s Christmas

Jackie French

Bruce Whatley

HarperCollins, 2014

32pp., pbk., RRP $A14.99

9780732293581

Strange things are happening at the Palace, things that have the Palace dogs puzzled.  There’s baking and decorating, people singing, crackers that rip and make a big noise, and the dogs themselves are being subjected to all sorts of indignities.  Then the weirdest thing arrives – an enormous green tree that is placed in a pot.  What can a dog so with that?  Not what dogs usually do to trees, that’s for sure. 

But at last the doors are opened and all is revealed… Well, almost.  The greatest surprise comes when the dogs do what dogs do and have the most marvellous payback for their inglorious suffering.

Once again the talents of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley have combined to bring a funny, charming story that paves the way for investigating the origins of so many of our Christmas traditions that were brought here from a very different time, place and climate as people tried to cling to the vestiges of what they knew as they pioneered a strange, new land.  Cards, crackers, paper hats, Christmas puddings and cakes and the magnificently decorated tree were all part of the British Christmas and they have been woven into this story in rhyme in a delightful way. Whatley’s illustrations which mirror the style and shades of the time are perfectly perfect.

A wonderful story and a wonderful starter for a timely inquiry.

Reindeer’s Christmas Surprise

Reindeer's Christmas Surpise

Reindeer’s Christmas Surpise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reindeer’s Christmas Surprise

Ursula Dubosarsky

Sue deGennaro

Allen & Unwin, 2015

24pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781760113025

 It’s Christmas Eve in Australia and Reindeer is all set and ready to go.  His tree glows with lights, the presents are wrapped and his little table is covered with delicious fruity things to eat.  Everything appears perfect – but reindeer is lonely.  When there is such a focus on family, it’s hard to have yours on the other side of the world.  To ease his loneliness, Reindeer delivers his gifts to his friends.  Each one asks “What’s inside – what can it be?” And Reindeer replies, “Open it and you will see”.  Reindeer has been both generous and thoughtful.  Each gift is just right.  There is a yoyo for Cat, a blow-up octopus for Dog, and rollerskates for Guinea Pig.  His friends are thrilled but when they ask him to stay and play, he always has an excuse.   He knows he had to get home because…

 Reindeer’s Christmas Surrpise was the inspiration for the traditional Christmas windows of David Jones in Sydney for 2014 so it is familiar to many children.  When the author was approached to create an original story with an Australian theme for the windows, she thought of kangaroos, koalas and possums but then she was presented with the toy reindeer that was to be the centrepiece.  This changed her thinking and she began to consider the fact that for many Australians, the Christmas experience “is very often an immigrant experience. Apart from indigenous people, we all appeared here from other cultures.” What must it be like to have those you hold nearest and dearest so far away? So as well as inspiring the magic of the windows she has told a charming story that will resonate with many, young and old. (You can read more of the interview at http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/childrens-authors-christmas-story-decorates-david-jones-windows-20141127-11unep.html#ixzz3qkYimRCb and view the YouTube clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLHi5FVXe6g)

Regardless of the David Jones connection, this is a delightful and different story of the Christmas experience that will engage children of all ages. Even though the central character was decided for her, the author has let him talk to tell a story that has all the characteristics of one that will become a perennial favourite.  Our traditional Christmas customs have come from many places and illustrator Sue deGennaro has made a feature of these in the traditional red and green palette encouraging discussions of their origins and why they continue to endure, as well as the way Australians have tweaked them.  For example, while Reindeer has the traditional Christmas tree, Cat has something very different.

 If, like me, you do a Christmas Countdown opening a new Christmas book to share each day, then this will be a great addition to that collection.  I’m putting it at the very end because I think its ending will set up great anticipation for THE day. A standout among the many that are published at this time each year.

The Naughtiest Reindeer at the Zoo

The Naughtiest Reindeer at the Zoo

The Naughtiest Reindeer at the Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Naughtiest Reindeer at the Zoo

Nicki Greenberg

Allen & Unwin, 2015

32pp., hbk., RRP $A15.99

9781760112141

Last year when Rudolph was too sick to lead Santa’s sleigh, Santa made the mistake of getting his cousin Ruby to do the job and she created havoc in the homes near Granny’s place and so when the opportunity to leave her behind arose, Santa grasped it.  This time when the family go away to spend Christmas with Granny and Pa, they leave Ruby at the zoo.

Poor Ruby.  She feels lonely and abandoned at the zoo which is quiet and no fun at all. When Polly the cockatoo tells her that the zoo is the worst place to be on Christmas Day, she is even more disheartened.

Oi, red nose!” a voice squeaked. “Don’t make such a fuss!

There’s no joy at Christmas for any of us.

No parties. No presents, no jingle bells here,

At the zoo it’s the lonesomest day of the year.”

Dismayed that even Santa doesn’t visit on the one day in the year that the zoo is closed, Ruby dreams up a plan to bring some fun and Christmas cheer to her other inmates.  It starts with finding the spare key to the cages and finishes in disaster as Ruby does not understand the concept of a food chain.  Amidst the chaos, Ruby spots Santa high in the sky with his trusty, reliable, well-behaved reindeer and immediately knows that this is the answer to the problem.  Or is it?  Because Ruby’s solutions often lead to bigger problems…

Nicki Greenberg has created another fun story which rollicks along in rhyming verse pulling listeners and readers along towards its crescendo.  The action-packed pictures all add to the atmosphere of mayhem and bedlam and you wonder if calm will ever be restored to what should be the most peaceful night of the year. 

Young audiences will be drawn into this story with Ruby becoming a favourite character so they will demand that it be read over and over.  But that’s okay because there is so much in both the text (like the echo of that other famous Christmas poem) and the pictures that each read is a new adventure.  Definitely in the Christmas Countdown collection along with the original story.  A double dose for special children.

The Naughtiest Reindeer

 

The Naughtiest Reindeer

The Naughtiest Reindeer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Naughtiest Reindeer

Nicki Greenberg

Allen & Unwin, 2013

hbk, 32pp., RRP $A15.99

9781743313046

 

Rudolf the reindeer was lying in bed with a runny red nose and an ache in his head.

“I’m sorry,” he groaned. “I just can’t pull a sled. You’ll have to ask my sister Ruby instead.”

It’s the night before Christmas and Rudolf is sneezing his little red nose off. So Santa needs another reindeer to help pull the sleigh. Rudolf’s sister Ruby is a little reindeer who always finds herself in BIG trouble. None of the other reindeer want her to come but Santa has no choice and she really does try hard to be good.  But it gets boring waiting outside while Santa is inside AND getting snacks to eat…

The Naughtiest Reindeer  features frequently on lists of favourite Christmas stories and it’s not surprising.  It’s a delightful story-in-rhyme that pounces along and features a lovable character than young children will relate to and the twist at the end is superb.  It will encourage littlies to make sure they’re on Santa’s NICE list, although Ruby suffers more from enthusiasm  than mischief!  She’s curious and spirited and it’s that which leads to mayhem and chaos.  It ‘s a great read-aloud and Greenberg’s artistic interpretation of a reindeer is very appealing.  A few corks , some toothpicks and imagination and there’s scope for a great craft activity.  Although drinking from the toilet is not to be encouraged!

This book is playful and fun and a great addition to the Christmas Countdown.

A peek inside...

A peek inside…

The Birds of Bethlehem

The Birds of Bethlehem

The Birds of Bethlehem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Birds of Bethlehem

Tomie de Paola

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012

40pp., hbk

9780399257803

It is the morning of the first Christmas and the birds of Bethlehem have gathered in the field to search for stray pieces of corn that might have dropped from the harvest.  But this morning they are more interested in gossiping than eating as they talked about the events of the previous day.  According to the green birds many people had been seen coming over the hills, while the yellow birds added the inn in the town was full, and the blue birds told of a man and his wife being led to a stable.  Even the red birds had a tale to tell – of an angel appearing and talking to the shepherds who were tending their sheep in the fields.  The brown birds saw the sky filled with heavenly hosts singing but the white birds tale was the most interesting of all because they followed the shepherds.  And so all the birds decided they needed to see for themselves.

Using his signature illustrative style and folkloric telling of stories, Tomie de Paola creates a new version of the Christmas story using the birds of Bethlehem to explain what happened on that day all those years ago.  Using a warm palette, soft lines and a simple background, the birds in their colours predominate just as they do in the text.  There is a sense of awe and anticipation as each couple shares their observations leading up to all of them flying to see what had taken place that had evoked such amazing sights.  It’s a new look at an old story that will appeal to those for whom the story is new as well as those who have heard it before – from a different perspective.

When I asked my US colleagues for their essential stories to read at this time, The Birds of Bethlehem was recommended by many.  It is easy to see why.

A peek inside...

A peek inside…

A Very Wombat Christmas

A Very Wombat Christmas

A Very Wombat Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Very Wombat Christmas

Lachlan Creagh

Lothian Childrens, 2015

24pp., pbk., RRP $A14.99

9780734116285

Tis the night before Christmas, and deep in his burrow,

Wombat is busy getting ready for tomorrow.

The stockings are hung by the campfire with care,

In hopes the Bush Santa soon will be there.

He’s done lots of cooking including a special Christmas pudding made from his nanna’s recipe and no ghost gum has ever looked so beautiful.  But as he checks his gift list he realises that he hasn’t got a present for Emu and it is too late to get to the shops.  What will Wombat do?  He can’t have Emu thinking he doesn’t care.   But nothing seems to be just right until he has an idea…

Brightly illustrated, the pictures in this book tell the story more than the text in a divine riot of colour and movement.  Written in rhyme to the beat of Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” it moves along at a great pace that young children really respond to. 

This is the latest in a series about Wombat and his bush friends – you can see the others here  – and it is perfect for that Christmas Countdown readalong.

The Christmas Peg

The Christmas Peg

The Christmas Peg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas Peg

Cameron Williams

Matthew Martin

Viking/Penguin 2015

32pp., hbk, RRP $A19.99

9780670078363

 Every child knows that Santa has a Naughty and Nice list, but even that didn’t deter Wal from being naughty.  Time and again he got himself into trouble and when Santa found him on his list he had to dive into his sack and take the helicopter that could really fly that Wal was going to get out and give it to someone else.  Imagine Wal’s disappointment as he raced downstairs before the sun to discover that his Santa Sack held only a wooden peg. 

The next year wasn’t much better.  Even though he tried to be good all year, it was impossible and once again his name was on THAT list.  So while his big sister Laura rode her shiny new bike, Wal had only a picture of a peg. Angry and sad, the following year he gave up even trying to be nice and when Santa saw his name for a third year in a row, he was really angry too and this time there was nothing in Wal’s sack at all!  Can Wal learn his lesson?  Can he redeem himself?

This story was created by Channel 9 personality Cameron Williams as a cautionary bedtime tale for his daughter but when his neighbour, illustrator Matthew Martin heard it he urged Williams to turn it into a book.  The result of the collaboration is a charming story that will resonate with children who are trying to be good as Christmas approaches as they realise that Santa really is watching and he does check that list.

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas

The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas

Ronda and David Armitage

Scholastic, 2002

 

978140144403

It’s Christmas and it is Mr Grinling’s last days as the lighthouse keeper before he retires.  His young, great-nephew George has come to share the time with them and he is thrilled when Mrs Grinling suggests that they spend Christmas in the lighthouse.  Both George and Mr Grinling write to Santa to let him know where they will be (no boring fluffy slippers for Mr G please) and then on Christmas Eve they set out in the dinghy for the lighthouse for the last time.  They clean and polish and polish and clean and when at last the lighthouse is shining like a new pin, they sit down for a splendiferous lunch in the wintry sunshine.  Afterwards they decorate the Christmas tree  and they are so engrossed that they don’t notice the darkening sky and the storm brewing.  It’s too late to get home to dry land and George is very concerned.  But between them, Mr and Mrs Grinling (who always has good ideas) solve the problems and they all have the best Christmas ever.

It’s been many, many years since I met Mr and Mrs Grinling through The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch  and fell in love with them and all the fun things I could do with this series of books.  This story is no different.  Full of problems to solve (before Mrs Grinling does), the charm of the story and bright pictures created by this husband and wife team The Lighthouse Keeper’s Christmas is a mix of traditional Christmas things with the added bonus of being embedded in a quality tale. 

One of my favourites.

The Best Christmas Present in the World

 

The Best Christmas Present in the World

The Best Christmas Present in the World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Christmas Present in the World

Michael Morpurgo

Michael Foreman

Egmont, 2004

9781405215183

In a junk shop in Bridport is an old roll-top desk, something the narrator has always wanted.  So he buys it and on Christmas Eve while his home resonates with the voices of over-excited relatives he begins the restoration project.  It really was in bad shape with both fire and water having taken its toll, but he persists in the preparation, forcing the final drawer open.  And in the banging of a fist, his life changes for the drawer contains a small black tin and within the tin is a letter.

This book is dedicated to “all those on both sides who took part in the Christmas truce of  1914” and this gives some indication of the contents of the letter.  Written and published for the 90th anniversary of the truce, it is even more poignant as its centenary is commemorated  Based on a true event, it is a heart-warming story of not only the truce but also the narrator’s determination to return the letter to its recipient and what happens when he finds her.

With such a focus on World War 1 this year, The Best Christmas Present in the World would be the perfect way to wrap it up and show the children that even in the most dire circumstances there is hope and humanity in the world.  

We Wish You a Ripper Christmas

 

We Wish You A Ripper Christmas

We Wish You A Ripper Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Wish You a Ripper Christmas

Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion

Roland Harvey

Scholastic Australia, 2013

9781742837239

We wish you a ripper Christmas

A full-bore ripper Christmas,

A deadset ripper Christmas

And a snappy New Year!

There is something about Christmas in Australia that inspires authors and illustrators to take traditional, well-known northern hemisphere songs and put a unique Aussie twist on them.  We Wish You a Ripper Christmas, which belts along to the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, is another example. Taken from the chorus of a previous song on their earlier book and CD Fair Dinkum Aussie Christmas the authors (aka Bucko and Champs) have created a new story that is perfect for sharing around the tree on Christmas Eve.

High above the farmhouse out in the bush, Santa Wombat is heading our way.  He has his list of who-wants-what in his hand to check it when out by the windmill, disaster strikes!  It flutters off on the breezes and without it no stockings can get stuffed.  Santa Wombat searches high and low for it while gangly emus play cricket with the red kangaroos and koalas hang tinsel and Christmas tree lights. Dingoes, galahs, even the possums are all part of the cast but the list is nowhere to be seen.  Then suddenly…

Accompanied by Roland Harvey’s iconic illustrations, this is a great romp through Australia’s countryside that will appeal to young and old alike.  With a CD included you just know that there will be a new version of the more familiar song being sung this year, particularly as it has a karaoke track.  Buchanan and Champion have been creating Christmas songs for Australian kids for a long time and this is a fantastic addition to the repertoire.