PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10594, 25 October 1910, Page 2

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

FOUR CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

"a; -Little Bush Maid," by Mary 'Grant Bruce. , , r „, "Tliree New Chum Girls, by Lilian Turner. . .-„ T "The Raft in the Bush," by Utliei Turner. . ~ , " Teddy and Trots in Wonderland, .by Agnes J. 'Herbejrtson. (Price 2s Ccl each. A. Fraser, bookseller.)

The first-named of the above quartette is the story of a little girl who as brought up oil a large station in Victoria. Left motherless wheit a babj, the child is naturally made rnucli of by her father and only brother. The two youngsters have plenty of pets, both or animals and birds, and among the many amusing incidents in the book, a* menagerie race stands out prominently. During the course of-the story, we aie introduced to an old hermit, who is an interesting character in his way. Ine dialogue is bright; the adventures at times are exciting; and the tale throughout is of a healthy typo. Lilian Turner's story deals with the experiences of three girls, who, with their brothers, immigrate to' Australia to-better their fortunes. As is generally the ease, the realisation was not nearly equal to the anticipation, and some rough paths have tor'be trodden before the new clmms are finally sett loci in tlieir southern , home. There is plenty of lively incident in the book, and those wlio have-made the acquaintance of "The Perry Girls" will be wise it they place the three new chums on tlieir list of friends.

In "The Baft in the Busli/' Ethel -Turner has produced a quaint faiitasy. "Tlio drought had lasted such a lons time, that people said when it did break,.something would happen." Accordingly, King Billy builds a quasiNoah's Ark, which accommodates: the animals and birds of the locality, and provides comfortable lodgings for his Majesty and family! The raft and its occupants encounter some strange and rather weird adventures, the understanding of which is considerably assisted by the uncommon illustrations that accompany the text, and the story is well calculated to amuse young folk. The -second half of the book is taken up with the "Chronicles of the Court,"" wherein is found l some clever foiling, that occasionally merges into real humor. "Teddy and Trots in Wonderland" -originally appeared in the "Wonder Book." The story was evidently inspired by Lewis Carroll's masterpiece, and the influence of Tenniel can be traced in some of the pictures. But the /book is all the better for that; in fact, it is quite the best wonder tale that has come under our notice for some time. Teddy and Trots were twins; and their adventures; took place in the Land of Blue China, the Land of Gnomes and Green Cheeses, and other unconventional countries.' The change from the natural to the supernatural is hardly noticeable, so easily is the transformation made. The book is illustrated by Maybank, whose delicate line drawings will at once appeal to all who can appreciate the quaintly-beautiful in black and white. . "Teddy and Trots" is a-capital story for the young; and also, for those who, while not exactly young, are still not too old to find pleasure in Wonderland.