From rockets to rubber bands

Press, 1 October 1983, Page 18

From rockets to rubber bands

(Reviewed by Elizabeth Monteath) Collins have recently reprinted as paperbacks two picture books by Australian authors and illustrators. Lydia Pender’s “Barnaby and the Rocket” ($4.95) was first published in 1972 and it is encouraging to find her work being made accessible to a wider market. Her writing is superb — the quality use of language that children deserve and enjoy. This is a simple story about Barnaby, an Australian country boy, and his experiences before and on cracker night. Through her poetic use of carefully chosen words Lydia Pender brings the character and emotions of Barnaby to life. Barnaby has been looking forward to cracker night and as the time nears he empties his money-box to buy something special. He is captivated by a large rocket — and still has just enough money left to buy sparklers for his small sister. Cracker night is magical — the bonfire, the fireworks (provided by Grandfather) the noise and the solemn final moments when Barnaby goes alone to the riverside to let off the wonderful rocket. Judy Cowell’s watercolour, ink and chalk drawings depict convincing Australian scenes and are full of feeling for the family and the country. “When the Wind Changed” ($4.95) is a real hoot of a book by Ruth Park, winner of the 1981 Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award (for “Playing Beatie Bow”). The idea is not a new one, but the treatment is unique. The illustrations, by Ruth Park’s daughter Deborah Niland, are outrageous, grotesque and very

appropriate (my one complaint being that the stripes on Josh’s jerseys are not joined up and young children are convinced that Josh’s body has been sliced through and that his hands have been similarly detached). The story is full of the humour, spiced with suspense, that children enjoy. Josh has been warned by his father that, “If you’re making a face and the wind changes it will stay that way.” “Ho ho,” said Josh, and continued practising faces until one day he made the best face of all. “It was hideous ... Suddenly the wind changed.” The outcome is totally unpredictable and Josh gets the last laugh. “The Case of the Bank Hold-Up” is the fourth collection of solve-it-yourself detective stories by Wolfgang Ecke to be published by Magnet ($3.95). As with the previous titles this book should find a place in the “high interest” collection for older children (12 and over) who are just becoming independent readers. Despite the use of many long words and somewhat stiff expressions, the conversational style of the language used and the accompanying humourous sketches help to sustain interest. There are 12 stories in this collection, each coded for difficulty in the table of contents. Solutions are at the end of the book. Also from Magnet ($3.95) is Moira Miller’s “Oh, Abigail!” illustrated by Doreen Caldwell. Abigail is a typical, busy five-year-old and the 10 stories in this collection are about situations and incidents with which many young children will identify.

“The Rubber Band Helicopter and 20 Other Working Things to Make” is Written by the Aucklanders Stephen Barnett and Christine. Brown with New Zealand children in mind. All the equipment used is available. The projects vary in complexity from simple paper planes to a more complicated crystal set radio. Other projects include a rubberband motor, an electric buzzer, a motorised balsa glider, a matchbox radio, and a model steam engine. The book is well set out with clear, easy to follow instructions and diagrams which show exactly what to do. Materials needed for each project are listed at the beginning of the instructions. This is a very worthwhile book with the potential to spark off interests and encourage readers to try their own projects. It is suitable for children aged eight and over. (Methuen, soft cover, $5.95.) “Fire in the Town” and “Secret of the Forest,” by Neil and Ting Morris, illustrated by Anna Clark, are books three and four of “Tales of the Blue Banner.” This series of tales of the Middle Ages has been designed to present facts in “an interesting, highly visible way.” The main characters are children and it is through their adventures that the life of the times is illustrated. Interspersed through the stories are information pages which focus on a single aspect of that era. The illustrations are detailed and attractive. This series would be of most use at upper primary school level. (Hodder and Stoughton, $7.95.)