Merry Christmas from Story Time, and may 2010 be a wonderful year for you all. Thanks for reading, and thanks to all who buy from us, visit with children and conversation about the wonders of children’s books, and support us in so many ways. It’s been a great year and we look forward to 2010.
Look out for further notice of another concert with Nelson-based singer-songwriter Kath Bee in late January, just before school goes back. Friday 29 January at 10 am is when that is planned for, so pencil that into your new diary.
Story Time will be closed until 11 January so that we have a break to return refreshed. See you then.
Debi Gliori’s Witch Baby series continues to grow along with the eponymous baby herself. The same recipe as the two earlier books with a new twist: it’s Halloween, with witches at the peak of their powers, except that the sisters of Hiss who live in Akron House have to keep theirs in check to avoid being noticed by the other locals. Not so Daisy though, who indulges herself. The other notable plot thickener here is that WayWoof, the invisible “dog” is pregnant and missing, and Lily and her friend Vivaldi have to be very careful not to mention that or Daisy disolves into loud sobs, with Debi Gliori’s brilliant phonetic rendering of witch baby speak. Much more toilet humour, many more flatulence (and other) jokes; very clever and very funny. Read it with a six- to eight-year-old you know soon and you’ll both enjoy the experience.
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, was a fantastic read. This is the second volume of the trilogy, and is just as exciting. If you haven’t read the first volume, don’t read any further, because any review of this book will give away the plot of the first. Katniss and Peeta have won their games, and returned to the Victor’s Village and a different life, but there are of course, problems of adjustment for them and their families and friends. And because Katniss defied the Capitol in the nature of the ending of her games, the Capitol is out to reassert its dominance. As I said of the first book, it’s a delicate balance of action, character and comment which is handled incredibly well. The writing is deceptively simple, the characters satisfyingly complex, the comment on power and politics, family and relationships thoughtful and thought-provoking. The violence is sufficiently real to be sickening, but the consequences are not overlooked, and it’s not gratuitous or revelled in. I was just as grabbed by this volume as by the first, and like many readers, I’m sure, look forward to the third with real anticipation. I think I said 11+ for the first book, but now see it as a teenage/young adult series. This is a very, very good series which many adults would also enjoy.
Great combination, Jeanne Willis and Korky Paul, and a wickedly subversive book about Mr Rufus Skumskins O’Parsley, who has rather disgusting eating habits. After those are rather gleefully recounted: “Wormcast butties, tubes of glue, / Pans of slugs in slimy stew, / Bogey burgers, brown rat roast, / Fat black tadpoles squashed on toast,” etc. the story delights in a list of ingredients for a Christmas cake which he decides to concoct. But when all the ingredients are mixed in “a reeking, rusty rubbish bin,” the resulting mixture begins to climb out, with hilarious effects and a suitably cautionary conclusion. Kids will love this, so it’s a great book to give to nieces and nephews whose parents might not buy it for them. Complete with engagingly anarchic illustrations.
Turn off the tv, turn off the computer and the playstation, take out this book, a pack or two of cards, a few dice, pens and paper, and have fun together. Old games, new games, games of skill and games of chance, silly and serious, riotous and quiet: they’re all here, charades to hangman, snap to whist, blind man’s buff to knucklebones, thumb wrestling to dictionary games. This book is a veritable treasure trove of ways to be entertained and connected with your family. Two Australian women, Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras have collected the games, each of which shows at a glance the number of participants, suitable ages and equipment required. A wonderful resource for any family, and a great present. Go and play, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Even if you think you know lots of games there will be reminders and new ones here. I’ve taken one home already.
Judith Kerr’s first picture book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea was published over 40 years ago, when she was 45, and now here is her latest one. It’s a counting book, and one of the best I’ve seen, with the author’s trademark humour and child-centred anarchy. It’s the story of what happened, “one magical, moonlit night at the zoo” when the animals let go of their conservative characteristic ways and had fun. Here’s an example: “Four bears cooked a squid and squidgeberry stew / Which turned five flamingos from pink to blue. / Six rabbits climbed a giraffe for the view.” Wonderful laugh-making stuff which children will love, and the adults who read it to them will too.