A Sure Thing

Hi Riverbenders
There's no doubt that around the nation today and tomorrow there will be much speculation about the winning potential of the various horses which will line up at Flemington for the big race. So in the spirit of the Melbourne Cup here are some of my favourites in the book stakes...

Christmas books are in abundance. There are all sorts of stories for all age groups. Olive the other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh is full of flaps to lift, panels to sniff and a fabulous pop up at story's end. Olive is an adventurous dog who hears Christmas songs being played on her daily walks. In fact, she only ever hears one song, Jingle Bells and more specifically hears "Olive the other reindeer" instead of "all of the other reindeer." Olive reports to the North Pole to do her bit and do her bit she does. In fact, Olive saves Santa both time and potential embarassment. This is a tenth anniversary deluxe edition.

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry is the story of another endearing animal. The bright blue giant squid rejoices in being the biggest thing in the ocean, comparing himself to all manner of sea creatures he encounters. His comeuppance occurs when he falls foul of a whale but undeterred he soon discovers that in fact he is the biggest thing inside the whale! Illustrations are big and bold and the simple story lots of fun.

Remember the very talented Chris van Allsburg? His new book is Probuditi, a cautionary tale in which Calvin, the practical joker goes too far when he hypnotises his sister and forgets the magic word which will bring her back from the canine world. Illustrations are sepia toned, reveal a fifties setting and dominate the double page spreads.

Another stunningly illustrated new book on the shelves is The Moon Rock by Boriana and Vladimir Todorov. This is the story of Elliot who one night borrows his grandfather's prized specimen of moon rock. What follows is a fantastic adventure in which Elliot finds himself transported to the far side of the moon where he becomes embroiled in battles between good and evil. Illustrations are cinematic in style and scope. This really is a "sure thing" for fantasy fans.

Our teen book of the month is Lissie Wilcock's first novel Losing It. Fourteen year old Gabbie Martyn had thought that life was pretty good the way it was but then things start to go awry. Her uncle moves in. Her best friend gets arrested. She falls in love.
Suddenly life isn't so easy, and Gabbie is losing the things she needs most.
At times moving, funny and confronting, 'Losing It' is an outstanding first novel.

All books are sure bets so..

Happy reading
Jane