#365PictureBooks 57. Between the Pages by Joan van Loon, illustrations by Chantal Stewart

Van Loon, J., & Stewart, C. (2010). Between the Pages. Frenchs Forest, Australia: New Frontier.

ISBN: 9781921928444
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Join Billy and Jack on an exciting adventure in the rainforest where they are chased by snakes and lizards and big scary emus ... just to name a few.  With some quick thinking they escape through the pages of their book. 

Van Loon's use of descriptive language and the way she tells the story right from the start gives the impression of tension and adventure.  Told simply enough that younger children will enjoy it as a read-aloud, it is sophisticated enough for middle primary school children to enjoy as well.  The spacing between lines and the font (which looks like 'actual' writing) make it a book that beginning readers will be able to enjoy on their own.

I like how this is a story within a story ... the boys are actually reading about their own adventure!

I'm just loving the illustrations.  They are a combination of full page and graphic novel panels (either inserted in boxes within the main illustration, or like this image as 2 or 3 full length panels beside each other).  The images are quite busy and full of lots of detail so I'm leaning more towards this being a Middle Childhood book rather than an Early Childhood book (although younger children will definitely love the story!).

What a fantastic book.  As it says on the back cover this 'is a story that celebrates the pleasure of reading'.  A great addition to your collection as a read-aloud, for prediction and getting kids imaginations working.  Also a good exemplar to use with students for a story writing text.

I got my copy of Between the Pages from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 12. The Return of the Jabberwock by Oakley Graham, illustrated by David Neale

Graham, O., & Neale, D. (2013). The Return of the Jabberwock: Inspired by Lewis Carroll's famous poem. Heatherton, Australia: Hinkler.

ISBN: 9781743670286
Pages: 24
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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Wow!  What an awesome book. 

I've got to admit that when I had to do a study of Lewis Caroll's Jabberwocky poem in high school, I just didn't understand it.  Quite a few years later as an adult ... yeeeeaaaah, nah!  I still don't get it.  But boy, Oakley Graham does!

Setting the scene right from the get-go, this book starts off with Lewis Carroll's 1872 Jabberwocky poem in a two-page spread, surrounded by a misty forest and dark looming trees.  Devoid of much colour the illustrations lend an air of suspense as you read the poem. 

Then starts the story of a young boy who sets off on an adventure into the Tulgey Wood to find his own Jabberwock, just like his great grandfather did.  Will he be brave enough to go into the woods and face the creatures that live there?  And if he is will he find a Jabberwock?  

Graham's use of language, from his rhyming text to his imagery, really help give the story a sense of excitement, tension and relief.  I really love this particular verse:

'It had an ugly beak and a toothless smile,

And it perched in a nest by an old sundial.

The boy started to tremble; the adventure felt real.

Would he end up as the creature's next meal?

Neale's illustrations are just freaking awesome.  They are perfect for the story.  The young boy stands out as the main character with his use of a muted almost transparent background and scary creatures in shadowy relief.  Shafts of moonlight peeping out from behind the clouds and car lights show what the scary creatures really are - just woodland creatures out and about!  The expressions of fear, determination, and dissapointment are shown so well on the young boy's face.  And Neale's depiction of the animals are just so cute - especially the little piggy!  

I'm so glad I purchased this for school.  It will set a new generation of youngsters on the path of discovery of Lewis Carroll's awesome works.  Whether they understand his original poem, or like me have noooooo freaking idea, they will certainly love this story that it inspired.  Actually it's really a poem, and I can see our older students using it for their poetry competition this year - I'll just have to remember to recommend it!

I got my copy of The Return of the Jabberwodk from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

Woops!  I couldn't find a copy at our local library but you can order a copy from your local bookseller.

#365PictureBooks 6. Edward and the Great Discovery by Rebecca McRitchie, illustrated by Celeste Hulme

McRitchie, R., & Hulme, C. (2014). Edward and the Great Discovery. Frenchs Forest, Australia: New Frontier.

ISBN: 9781925059007
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook / Adventure
Rating: 4 stars

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Edward comes from a long line of archaeologists who have ALL made important discoveries.  Sadly he has never discovered anything.  Until ... one night after digging in the back-yard ... he trips over an egg. 

Taking it inside he carefully cleans it, keeps it warm and loves it.  And then one day it hatches!  But it's not an ordinary bird - it's a bit big and it can't fly!  They are great companions with the strange bird following Edward everywhere, helping him out on his digs and loving him.  Edward begins to think his bird is broken so he takes a trip to the museum to cheer himself up.  There he finds a never-before seen room full of birds and a book about Dodos.  Maybe his bird isn't broken after all!!!   

Hulme's use of muted hues give the illustrations a distinctive vintage feel which fit perfectly into the theme of the story.  You see many images of Edward and his bird having all sorts of fun together.  As an adult reader Edward appears to be a very lonely child - rambling around in the huge house and grounds with nary a sight of his family, though I doubt he children would see this in the images.  


The love Edward and his bird have for each other is clearly evident on their faces, as is the disappointment on Edwards face when he thinks his bird is broken.

This is a lovely book about friendship, adventure and discoveries.  On the end-papers children can check-out Edward's archaeology kit (and maybe put their own kit together - parents beware!!!)   

Although it is classed in the Early Childhood age range, I believe it will be more appreciated by children in the 6-10 year old age range.

I got my copy of Edward and the Great Discovery from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.