For The Younger Reader’s Bookshelf

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 4

For The Younger Reader’s Bookshelf

Each volume in Hamish Hamilton’s Sandman series incorporates several old-time stories on a single theme. The new Sandman’s MOONLIGHT STORIES is naturally about nocturnal things real and imaginary, such as owls, elves, fireflies and gnomes. The title, Sandman’s STORIES OF PRINCES AND PRINCESSES explains the theme of a second new book in the series. The stories are for reading by both mothers and children; large, clear print makes reading easy when eyes may be tired at “Sandman” time.

The action of THE BLACK JOKE, by Farley Mowat (Macmillan, 177 pp) takes place at St. Pierre and Miquelon—islands off the coast of Newfoundland. Peter and Kye, who were crewing for Peter’s father, Jonathan Spence, discovered the plot made by Simon Barnes, the unscrupulous storekeeper, to gain possession of “The Black Joke” and use her for rumrunning. Whilst Jonathan was held in prison the boys, with the help of Pierre and Jacques, recaptured the now improved boat and brought her home. The authentic setting, attention to detail, and dramatic writing make this one of the most tense and informative books written for 10-14-year-old boys.

In THREAT TO THE BARKERS (Angus and Robertson 188 pp) Joan Phipson once again uses her knowledge of children and of Australia to good effect to produce a thrilling tale for the over-twelves. When Edward and Garey went fishing and decided to explore a deserted house they set off a chain of events which were to threaten the safety of the entire Barker family. Jack’s stud ewes were in danger and so were the children who were guarding them, while Edward was to have some painful experiences before common sense prevailed and he enlisted the help of the family and the police to deal with the sheep stealers. Set against day-to-day life in an Australian sheep station this book has much to offer in interesting detail, good characterisation and fast moving and funny adventures.

LAZY TINKA, by Kate Seredy (Harrap), is a folktale type of book for small people. Profusely and colourfully illustrated, it tells the story of lazy Tinka who went into the forest to find the Heavenly Father who would feed and clothe her without making her work. She did not find him but she found the crow, the spider, the fox, the baby bear, the robin, the chipmunk and the rabbit all very busy working at one thing or another and she helped them all before she met the wolf. Then the friendly animals helped Tinka in turn and she returned home a happier, wiser and hard working little girl. LIFE IN THE PA, by Ray Chapman-Taylor, Paul’s Book Arcade, 108 pp., was originally published as a primary school bulletin. It is a most exciting, interesting and informative account of life in a Maori pa before the coming of the European. Opening with a vivid description of the kumara planting in a village of the Nga-puki people, it continues with a raid by the Ngati-maru in which the artist Takarangi and his son Takarua were taken prisoners and made slaves. In flash-back form the book describes the preparations for the raid—the felling of trees, building of the canoes and the voyage, and from there goes on to tell details of Takarua’s new upbringing as the son of a slave and the training of the Maori boys as tohungas, bird catchers, makers of adzes, etc. In between descriptions are interspersed old stories as of the trips to the south for greenstone. In the end Takarangi has his revenge, but Takarua is less certain of where his loyalties lie. Quite as good as the story are the many precise black and white drawings which so aptly illustrate and embellish the text.

Mat and his friend Liz were leaders of the Gang of Oak Robbers and they played on the heath at being highwaymen, outlaws and cowboys, but when Mat’s cousins Milly and Tom came up from the country, everything went wrong. Liz walked out, the tree-walk was slashed, the view-finder broken and an elderly couple were hurt. It became apparent that two gangs were in existence and Mat’s was being blamed for the bad deeds of the other. Eventually Milly and Liz solved the problem and in so doing each took a further step towards growing up. THE VIEW-FINDER, by Jean MacGibbon (Hamish Hamilton, 143 pp.) starts -slowly, but becomes more interesting as it develops and should interest thoughtful children of 1012 years.

Two books by the accomplished American writer of children’s stories, Eleanor Frances Lattimore, are published by Angus and Robertson. FAIR BAY is about a girl’s holiday on a South Carolina sea island. THE BITTERN’S NEST tells of a week-end when contacts with visitors changed a boy’s outlook. Mrs Lattimore’s convincing stories are told in a taut literary style that makes easyreading. The books are beautifully produced, printed and illustrated.

Works of three Victorian writers for children are added to the 60 volumes in Dent’s Children's Illustrated Classics. Jean Ingelow, a writer and poet, is represented by MOPSA the FAIRY, the book for which she is best remembered. In a haunting fantasy, the reader follows the young hero Jack on a journey as strange as Alice’s. Mrs Ewing’s book includes two of her stories, her well-known LOB-LIE-BY-THE-FIRE and THE STORY OF A SHORT LIFE. The third writer is E. Nisbet who, at the beginning of this century found her metier in the realm of children's books. Her THE ENCHANTED CASTLE, now added to Dent’s series, has delighted several generations of children. The books conform with the excellent production for which the series is notable, and the illustrations profusely spread through the texts —are the work of first-class artists. The present-day reader will perhaps be struck more forcefully even than readers of earlier years by the strength and quality of the storytelling of these writers.

PETER on the ROAD, by Ursula Moray Williams (Hamish Hamilton, 198 pp.) is a republication of “Peter and the Wanderlust” and deals with the finding of a 1902 Viking in an old barn. In this vintage car Peter and his father took part in the London to Brighton rally and attracted much attention—some of it unwelcome. Later, when on holiday in Wales the car was stolen and by luck Peter was able to pick up the trail and with help, to recover his father’s stolen property. This makes an easily-read and exciting story for 8-11 year olds and is pleasantly illustrated in black and white by Jack Mathews.

Izzybizzy, a timid and peaceable hedgehog, sets off on a journey full of dangers and excitements. Only the resolute and resourceful action of Bill Badger saves him from a dreadful fate. “8.8.’5” new adventure of Bill Badger and his shipmate, Izzybizzy, is told in BILL BADGER’S BIG MISTAKE (Hamish Hamilton, 119 pp.). This is one of the Reindeer series, designed for young children to read to themselves.

Helen Dawson in NOREEN AND THE MISSING SCHOOLGIRL (Dent and Whitcombe and Tombs, 153 pp) continues the adventures of Joan Gray and her niece and assistant Noreen of the Gray Detective Agency. They investigate the disappearance of a schoolgirl in a small town on the New Zealand coast. Things become complicated before Noreen unmasks a group of criminals and their activities.

Owen Riddell was enjoying a well-earned holiday in Saadana photographing the scenes in the market when a stranger borrowed his camera and later returned it with the anxious request that the film shou.d be delivered to one Mustafa Kineen immediately. Little did Owen realise that compliance with this request was to involve him and Dana, his American friend, in an Arabian night’s adventure of violence and political intrigue, culminating in the exciting train battle which forms the conclusion of Ronald Symes interesting and dramatic story, SWITCH POINTS at KAMLIN (Hodder and Stoughton, 158 pp.).

Margaret Baker, in THE SHOE SHOP BEARS (Harrap. 96 pp.), tells a happy and Christmasy story of three teddy bears —Boots, Slippers and Socks, which have fallen on hard times. With the assistance of Polly, the shoe shop assistant, the bears learn that after all there is always someone who needs a bear.

WORDS and MUSIC, by William Mayne (Hamish Hamilton, 143 pp.) is about a very busy term at the choir school and especially busy for Owen, Iddingly and Dubnet for, as well as lessons, services, choir and opera practices, they had space rocket ambitions and they were interested in Crew who had returned late and was behaving most mysteriously. He kept disappearing in an odd fashion and was seen frequently in the company of the Pargales who were investigating a 16th century drain in the Cathedral precincts. In solving the mystery of Crew and incidentally laying the precinct’s Ghost, Owen and Dubnet had some very anxious moments, but eventually they felt free to continue enjoying the rest of the term. Mr Mayne has once more succeeded in producing an unusual and memorable tale for 10-14 years olds.

THE SECRET PASSAGE (Gollancz, 192 pp.) is Nina Bawden’s first book for younger readers. The discovery by the three Mallory children of a secret passage and their exploration of a mysterious house sets in train a chain of events which solves a number of problems. The story is pleasantly gripping, it deals with real issues—the splitting up of a family and the characters are described with great care. An 11-year-old heir to the oil-rich Sheikdom of Kaid, an attempted assassination and a ski escape over the Alberhorn in bad weather, make a holiday at the ski-ing resort of Walberg an especially exciting one for Tim and his sister, Ursula. David Severn’s CLOUDS OVER THE ALBERHORN (Hamish Hamilton, 160 pp.) is a thoroughly convincing adventure story. In Holland, in the days of horse-buses, a little invalid, Dolly, watched the world go by from her window. That was before the arrival of Uncle Boom-la-la, a retired circus clown, and his six performing dogs. Dolly soon found herself the centre of activities as her uncle, set about raising money to send Dolly to Switzerland to be cured. UNCLE BOOM-LA-LA (Methuen, 140 pp) by D. A. Cramer-Schaap is a delightful story for 6-10 year olds.

Pony-lovers will enjoy Primrose Cummings THE MYSTERY TREK (Dent. 18;. pp.). The trek takes the form of a circular tour on ponies, in the course of which the party camps out each night There is plenty of action and plenty to be learnt about horses and their management. This will be a prized addition to the library of any schoolgirl pony-club enthusiast.

Dorothy Reid’s TALES OF NANABOZHO (Oxford University Press, 128 pp.) introduces the great creator-magi-cian of Ojibwa Indian mythology. Nanabozho was a supernatural figure sent by the Great Spirit to teach and help the Ojibwa people. His life was a constant battle against evil spirits. With magic powers Nanabozho performed great deeds for the Ojibwas and even remade the earth after a great flood. Indian imagination has woven around issues of universal significance. stories of humour and adventure. Thu collection of folk-tales from the Canadian lakeland could well become a classic.

Hester Burton’s TIME OF TRIAL (Oxford University Press, 216 pp.) is a first-class historical novel for girls. The time is 1801; the place, a small book-shop in Holly lane under the shadow of St Paul’s. This is Margaret Pargeter’s home. When disaster strikes Holly lane, Margaret's father, a gentle and prophetic figure, protests against scandalous social conditions and is imprisoned for sedition. His shop is burned by a drunken mob. Happiness comes eventually to Margaret and her family, but first she had to bear a hard winter of banishment in Suffolk—a time of trial indeed.

Plans for a mountaineering tour in the Austrian Tyrol are interrupted when all adults form a rescue party to assist an injured climber. Simon and Mag are left behind. Before the rescue party return, they go to the assistance of a small plane which has made a forced landing. At the plane they find two men and unexpected danger. Showell Styles’ new Simon and Mag adventure A NECKLACE OF GLACIERS (Gollancz, 144 pp) has suspense, unflagging pace and plenty of expert climbing knowledge.

Strange things are happening on the island of Umleo off the coast of New Guinea. The natives, under the influence of a Cargo Cult, have given up work. Sarky Morgan, an unsavoury character, is trying to buy land. Jim Blair In THE SECRET OF THE REEF (Rigby, 164 pp.) tells how Rags Bunting and the two boys, Podge and Tiny discover the secret of the reef and thwart the criminals.

Charlotte Zolotow’s WHEN THE WIND STOPS (AbelardSchuman, 39 pp.) is a bedtime catechism in which a mother helps her small son to understand that nothing really ends but only changes shape or form to become the beginning of something else. A fine partnership of text and illustrations conveys a childlike sense of wonder and delight.

The line drawing! spread through the text are from illustrations by Dora Curtis in Jean Ingelow's MOPSA THE FAIRY (Dent).