Raps and Book Raps : Book Week

CBCA Picture Book of the Year shortlist
Book Week 2001 (All CBCA Book of the Year shortlisted titles and related Scan reviews)
Books by Cathy Applegate
Books by Ron Brooks
Books by Dee Huxley
Books by Matt Ottley
Books by Tohby Riddle
Books by Elaine Russell
Books by Shaun Tan
Books by Margaret Wild
Internet sites and Author profiles
Background readings
Illustrator's notes by Matt Ottley (for Luke's way of looking)
Children's Book Council of Australia web site.

CBCA Picture Book of the Year shortlist

(Some of these books may be for mature readers; arranged alphabetically by illustrator)

BROOKS, Ron Fox. (text Margaret Wild) Allen & Unwin, SCIS 1001015, reviewed Scan 19(3)
HUXLEY, Dee (text Kathy Applegate) Rain dance. Scholastic (A Margaret Hamilton book), SCIS 1005199 reviewed Scan 19(4)
OTTLEY, Matt Faust's party. Hodder Children's, SCIS 1011211, reviewed Scan 20 (1)
RIDDLE, Tohby The singing hat. Penguin (Viking), SCIS 1022036, reviewed Scan 20(2)
RUSSELL, Elaine A is for aunty. ABC, SCIS 1006498, reviewed Scan 20(2)
TAN, Shaun The lost thing. Lothian, SCIS 1014762, reviewed Scan 20(1)

WILD, Margaret & BROOKS, Ron *Fox* Allen & Unwin, 2000 ISBN 1864484659 Here is an inspiring picture book. Beautifully spare, elegant text is illuminated by powerful illustrations and intriguing page design. The result is a rich reading experience. Dog and Magpie become friends when Dog's goodness enables the injured Magpie to survive and again find pleasure in life. Magpie feels deep foreboding when Fox arrives and disturbs their relationship. The resulting temptation and betrayal unfold in an understated and compelling way. Young readers will understand and appreciate this story about friendship, presented on pages designed as a pastiche of a child's handwritten story. More experienced readers will find much to contemplate in this outstanding work. The interaction of its elements creates a resonance that provides a wonderful example of the power of good picture books. J. Buckley USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
$27.95		SCIS 1001015

OTTLEY, Matt *Faust's party* Hodder Children's, 2000 ISBN 0733601898 Ottley's delight in his canine and alien characters is abundantly evident on every double page spread picture in this rollicking, uproarious picture book, a companion and sequel to What Faust saw. Size and placement of text on the page show equal playfulness and invention. In the absence of the family, Faust's visitors return, and the confrontation between them and Faust and his neighbourhood supporters quickly turns into a riotous and uncontrolled romp through the house. Young readers will envy the abandon with which the characters play, and relish the absurdities of their behaviour. Human characters are amusingly matched to their canine companions. Look for the joke on the second last page! W. Smith USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2
$27.35		SCIS 1011211

APPLEGATE, Cathy & HUXLEY, Dee *Rain dance* Scholastic Australia, 2000 (A Margaret Hamilton book) ISBN 1876289392 The first person, present tense narrative of this evocative and atmospheric picture book firmly establishes the narrator's voice. The details of setting, characters, and events are illustrated and enlarged by Huxley's free, sweeping drawings. The hot, dry conditions, and the child's joy in the rain shower, are well captured. Unfortunately, this attractive, well presented book is marred by some inconsistencies between text and illustrations, leading to a suggestion that drought only affects the flat, treeless inland. This could be a useful model for first person present tense narrative, and a discussion starter when comparing city and country lifestyles, and particularly the effects of the weather on people's lives. W. Smith USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2
$24.95		SCIS 1005199

RIDDLE, Tohby *The singing hat* Viking, 2000 ISBN 0670892661 A bird makes its nest on Colin Jenkins' head. Colin's gentle, courteous, and matter of fact acceptance of what has happened to him, and his reaction to it, defines his character, and redefines his life in this lightly told, whimsical and charming story. Young readers will enjoy the ironic tension between the deadpan treatment of the absurd situation, Colin's reactions, and those of his daughter. Clever illustrations combining collage, watercolour and line drawing add to the appeal of this picture book, recommended not least for its subtle message of the inherent value of all living creatures. W. Smith USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2
$25.00		SCIS 1022036

RUSSELL, Elaine *A is for aunty* ABC, 2000 ISBN 0733307299 [994.4] Memories of having a Possum as a pet, and Aunty Goldie using Zinc ointment for just about every ailment, are examples included in this interesting account of living on an Aboriginal mission in New South Wales. It is an alphabet picture book with a difference, reflecting the fond memories and joy associated with living on an Aboriginal mission with extended family and friends. Many of the featured memories are shared with humour, often reflecting events of that time. For example, on Inspection day, the houses would be checked by the manager's wife to ensure that they were clean. The colourful, distinctive illustrations complement and add insight to the story, with interestingly drawn maps showing features of the community. The text highlights the stylised use of capital letters for effect, and to reflect cultural significance. Biographical information about the author/illustrator is included. The collection of childhood memories would generate interesting discussion and comparisons. D. Anderson USER LEVEL: Stage 1 Stage 2 KLA: English; HSIE SYLLABUS: English K-6; HSIE K-6
$22.95		SCIS 1006498

TAN, Shaun *The lost thing* Lothian, 2000 ISBN 0734400748 Brilliant! Read it. Relish it. Return again and again to this intriguing, multi layered picture book, delighting in new discoveries and understandings. In Tan's surreal, high tech, mechanised world, a sad, lost thing, richly exotic and alien, remains virtually unnoticed by a busy populace. The story is told with a child's voice and finely wrought illustrations. It is rich in allusion, and set against a background of scrapbook clippings from newspapers, maths and science textbooks. Essentially it is an allegory about the degradation of the natural world, raising serious questions about humanity, market driven modernity, bureaucracy, conformity, isolation, and responsibility. Every intricately detailed page offers fascinating fun and search for meaning. B. Richardson USER LEVEL: Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Community KLA: English; HSIE SYLLABUS: English 7-10; English Stage 5; English Stage 6; HSIE K-6
$24.95		SCIS 1014762

Books by Cathy Applegate

(listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

Where's Itchy?, Margaret Hamilton, 1992
Red sand, blue sky, Margaret Hamilton, 1995
Rain dance (illustrated by Dee Huxley), Scholastic (A Margaret Hamilton Book), 2000, reviewed Scan 19(4)

Books by Ron Brooks (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

Timothy and Gramps, Collins, 1978
Aranea: a story about a spider (written by Jenny Wagner), Penguin, 1979
John Brown, Rose and the midnight cat [kit] (written by Jenny Wagner), Weston Woods, 1979
John Brown, Rose and the midnight cat [videorecording] (written by Jenny Wagner), Weston Woods, 1983
Annie's rainbow, Nelson, 1984
Go ducks go (written by Maurice Burns), Scholastic, 1987
The bunyip of Berkeley's Creek (written by Jenny Wagner), Penguin Books Australia, 1990
Motor Bill & the lovely Caroline (written by Jenny Wagner), Viking, 1994
This baby (written by Julia McClelland), Hodder Children's, 1995
John Brown, Rose and the midnight cat (written by Jenny Wagner), Penguin Books Australia, 1996
Old pig (written by Margaret Wild), Allen & Unwin, 1997
Henry's bath (written by Margaret Perversi), Penguin Books Australia, 1998
Henry's bed (written by Margaret Perversi), Penguin Books Australia, 1998, reviewed Scan 17(1)
Rosie and Tortoise (written by Margaret Wild), Allen & Unwin, 1998
Fox (written by Margaret Wild), Allen & Unwin, 2000, reviewed Scan 19(3)
Frankel Mouse (written by Odo Hirsch), Allen & Unwin, 2000
Honey and Bear: stories (written by Ursula Dubosarsky), Viking, 2000

Non fiction:

Ron Brooks archival file, University of Canberra Library. Lu Rees Archives, 1974
The story of Australia (written by Don Watson), Nelson Australia, 1984
The modern world since 1870: sources and perspectives, University Tutorial Press, 1985
The Macquarie bedtime story book (compiled and edited by Rosalind Price & Walter McVitty), Macquarie, 1987

Books by Dee Huxley (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

Tiffany's own story, Collins, 1979
Starlight: the brumby (written by Ann Ferns), Golden Press, 1983
The wild colonial boy (written by Pat Edwards), Reed, 1984
Marzipan (written by Virginia Arpadi), Child & Henry & Western Plains, 1984
I wish, I wonder, Collins, 1989
Oinkabella (written by Hazel Edwards), Margaret Hamilton, 1990
Country cousin (written by Mary Small), Harper Collins, 1991
Rainbow rabbits, National, 1991
Remember me (written by Margaret Wild), Margaret Hamilton, 1992
Morgan and the tooth fairies, Margaret Hamilton, 1993
Cheese please (written by Julie Hume), Mammoth Australia, 1994
Hairy Charlie and the pumpkin (written by Jackie French), CIS, 1994
Light the lamps (written by Margaret Wild), Margaret Hamilton, 1994
Mr Nick's knitting (written by Margaret Wild) Hodder Children's, 1995
Rain dance (written by Cathy Applegate), Scholastic (A Margaret Hamilton Book), 2000, reviewed Scan 19(4)
Unplugged! (written by Glenda Millard) Margaret Hamilton, 2000, reviewed Scan 19(1)
Hairy Charlie and the frog (written by Jackie French) Koala, 2001
Cinderella's wedding (written by Sally Odgers), Koala, 2001

Non fiction:

A children's treasury (Banjo Paterson), Lansdowne, 1984

Australia's underwater wilderness (edited by Roland Hughes), Weldon, 1985

The story of Noah's ark (written by Heidi Lee), Tiger, 1986

Bedtime fun book (written by Anne Ingram and Peggy O'Donnell), Ellsyd Press, 1988

Dee Huxley archival file, University Of Canberra Library. Lu Rees Archives, 1989

An illustrated treasury (Henry Lawson; selected by Glenys Smith), Lansdowne, 1997

Books by Matt Ottley (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

Albert's rainy day, Hodder & Stoughton, 1987

What Faust saw, Hodder Children's, 1995, reviewed Scan 15(2)

Sailing home (written by Colin Thompson), Hodder Headline, 1996

Mrs Millie's painting, Hodder Children's, 1997, reviewed Scan 17(2)

Luke's way of looking (written by Nadia Wheatley), Hodder Children's, 1999, reviewed Scan 19(1)

Faust's party, Hodder Children's, 2000, reviewed Scan 20(1)

Jack and Molly (written by Sarah Armstrong), forthcoming

Non fiction:

Exploring ancient Australia (written by Wade Hughes) [Discovery and exploration], Martin Educational, 1988

Books by Tohby Riddle
(listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction

The royal guest, Hodder & Stoughton, 1993

A most unusual dog, Macmillan, 1993

Careful with that ball, Eugene! Macmillan, 1993

The tip at the end of the street, Angus & Robertson, 1996

Caught in a trap (retold by Tohby Riddle; illustrated by Peter Viska) and Boggled (retold by Michael Verde; illustrated by Peter Viska), Angus & Robertson, 1998

Little Memphis PTD; and, Wandering star (retold by Tohby Riddle; illustrated by Peter Viska), Angus & Robertson, 1998

The great escape from City Zoo, Angus & Robertson, 1998

Arnold Z Jones could really play the trumpet! Penguin Books Australia, 2000

The singing hat, Penguin Books Australia, 2000, reviewed Scan 20(2)

Non fiction:

I wish I'd sailed with Captain Cook (written by Leonie Young) [Been there done that], Weldon Kids, 1993

I wish I'd flown the Atlantic with Amelia Earhart (written by Leonie Young & Avril Janks) [Been there done that], Weldon Kids, 1994

Amelia Earhart: alone across the ocean (written by Leonie Young & Avril Janks) [Been there done that], Weldon Kids, 1996

Captain James Cook: the adventures of the Endeavour (written by Leonie Young & Avril Janks; written & illustrated by Tohby Riddle) [Been there done that], Weldon Kids, 1996

Books by Elaine Russell (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

Bath time (written by Sue Briggs-Pattison & Bev Harvey), Scholastic, 1998

Possums on the roof (written by Sue Briggs-Pattison & Bev Harvey), Scholastic, 1998

Waiting for yabbies (written by Sue Briggs-Pattison & Bev Harvey), Scholastic, 1998

Fishing (written by Sue Briggs-Pattison & Bev Harvey), Scholastic, 1998, reviewed Scan 19(1)

Fishing [sound recording] (written by Sue Briggs-Pattison & Bev Harvey), Scholastic, 1999

Non fiction:

Gami's place (song Muurraby Language Centre) Board of Studies, 1995

Until the fire is out (written by Wendy Notley), Scholastic, 1997

A is for Aunty, ABC, 2000, reviewed Scan 20(2)

Books by Shaun Tan (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

The pipe (written by James Maloney), Lothian, 1996

The stray cat (written by Steven Paulsen), Lothian, 1996

The viewer (written by Gary Crew), Lothian, 1997, reviewed Scan 17(2)

The doll (written by Janine Burke), Lothian, 1997, reviewed Scan 17(2)

The half dead (written by Gary Disher), Lothian, 1997

The playground, Lothian, 1998

Memorial (written by Gary Crew), Lothian, 1999, reviewed Scan 18(3)

The Hicksville horror (written by Nette Hilton), Lothian, 1999, reviewed Scan 19(2)

The puppet (written by Ian Bone), Lothian, 1999, reviewed Scan 18(4)

The rabbits, (written by John Marsden), Lothian, 2000, reviewed Scan 18(2)

The lost thing, Lothian, 2000, reviewed Scan 20(1)

Books by Margaret Wild (listed chronologically within each category)

Fiction:

One shoe on (illustrated by Hannah Koch), Hodder & Stoughton, 1984

Something absolutely enormous (illustrated by Jack Hanna), Ashton Scholastic, 1984

Creatures in the beard (illustrated by Margaret Power), Omnibus, 1987

Kathy's umbrella (illustrated by Hannah Koch), Hodder & Stoughton, 1989

There's a sea in my bedroom (illustrated by Jane Tanner), Penguin Books Australia, 1989

A bit of company (illustrated by Wayne Harris), Ashton Scholastic, 1991

Children's Talking Books presents The very best of friends [sound recording], Children's Talking Books, 1991

The diary of Megan Moon (soon to be rich and famous) (illustrated by Shirley Peters), Angus & Robertson, 1991

Harvey Jackson's cubby (illustrated by Keith McEwan), Macmillan, 1991

Thank you Santa (illustrated by Kerry Argent), Omnibus, 1991

All the better to see you with! (illustrated by Pat Reynolds), Allen & Unwin, 1992

Belinda's blanket (illustrated by Alice Mak), Macmillan, 1992

Beast, Omnibus, 1992

Christmas magic (illustrated by Craig Smith), Australia Post, 1992

First best friends (illustrated by Donna Rawlins), Vic Roads, 1992

First best friends [sound recording], Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, 1992

Let the celebrations begin! (illustrated by Julie Vivas), Omnibus, 1992

Remember me (illustrated by Dee Huxley), Margaret Hamilton, 1992

Sam's Sunday dad (and Lorraine Hannay), Hamilton, 1992

The slumber party (illustrated by David Cox), Omnibus, 1992

Space travellers (illustrated by Gregory Rogers), Ashton Scholastic, 1992

Starting out safely: traffic safety education for pre-school children [kit], Vic Roads, 1992

When Penny was Mum (illustrated by Chantal Stewart), Vic Roads, 1992

When Penny was Mum [sound recording], Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, 1992

Not another sausage sizzle (and other edible episodes), Kellogg (Aust.), 1993 (Hands on food)

Something rich and strange [sound recording], Ashton Scholastic, 1993

Our granny [sound recording], Ashton Scholastic, 1993

But Granny did! (illustrated by Ian Forss), Nelson, 1994

Going home (illustrated by Wayne Harris), Ashton Scholastic, 1994

Light the lamps (illustrated by Dee Huxley), Margaret Hamilton, 1994

My dearest dinosaur (illustrated by Donna Rawlins), Ashton Scholastic, 1994

My dearest dinosaur [sound recording], Ashton Scholastic, 1990? 1994?

The queen's holiday (illustrated by Sue O'Loughlin), Penguin Books Australia, 1994

Toby (illustrated by Noela Young), Ticknor & Fields, 1994

Looking after Alice & co. (illustrated by David Cox), Margaret Hamilton, 1995

Mr Nick's knitting (illustrated by Dee Huxley), Hodder Children's, 1995

The midnight gang (illustrated by Ann James), Omnibus, 1996

Morris the reinbear (illustrated by David Francis), David Jones, 1996

Our granny (illustrated by Julie Vivas), Omnibus, 1997

Big cat dreaming (illustrated by Anne Spudvilas), Penguin Books Australia, 1997

Morris the reinbear's magic boots (illustrated by David Francis), David Jones, 1997

Old pig (illustrated by Ron Brooks), Allen & Unwin, 1997

The best of Margaret Wild [sound recording], ABC Audio, 1998

First day (illustrated by Kim Gamble), Allen & Unwin, 1998, reviewed Scan 17(4)

Rosie and Tortoise (illustrated by Ron Brooks), Allen & Unwin, 1998

Jeffrey: a shared book with road safety messages for children (illustrated by Peter Townsend), Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, 1999

Jenny Angel (illustrated by Anne Spudvilas), Viking, 1999, reviewed Scan 19(1)

The midnight feast (illustrated by Ann James), ABC, 1999

Tom goes to kindergarten (illustrated by David Legge), ABC, 1999

Miss Lily's fabulous pink feather boa (illustrated by Kerry Argent), Penguin Books Australia, 1999, reviewed Scan 18(2)

Children's Talking Books presents Miss Lily's fabulous pink feather boa [sound recording], Children's Talking Books, 2000

Children's Talking Books presents Big cat dreaming [sound recording], Children's Talking Books, 2000

Fox (illustrated by Ron Brooks), Allen & Unwin, 2000, reviewed Scan 19(3)

Nighty night! (illustrated by Kerry Argent), ABC, 2000

Robber girl (illustrated by Donna Rawlins), Random, 2000

Doctor Gemma (illustrated by Kerry Millard), Drug Education Unit, NSW Dept. of Education and Training, 2001

Out of reach (illustrated by Stephen Axelsen), NSW Dept. of Education and Training, 2001

The pocket dogs (illustrated by Stephen Michael King),Omnibus, 2001

Non fiction:

Margaret Wild archival file, University of Canberra Library. Lu Rees Archives, 1985

Literature-based activity pack for Toby (written by Louisa Casasola & others), Wide Bay Southern School Support Centre, Dept. of Education, Qld, 1994

Our granny [kit] (illustrated by Julie Vivas), Scholastic, 1995

Literature based activity pack for The midnight gang (edited by Louisa Casasola), Wide Bay Southern School Support Centre, 1997

Read it!: a classroom library publishing kit [kit], Scholastic, 1997?

Bim bam boom (illustrated by Wayne Harris), ABC, 1998

Doctor Gemma [kit], Drug Education Unit, NSW Dept. of Education and Training, 2001

Out of reach [kit], NSW Dept. of Education and Training, 2001

Other resources

Internet sites and author profiles (listed alphabetically)

Cathy Applegate
Brief biographies of authors and illustrators (Cathy Applegate)

Ron Brooks:

Allen and Unwin - Authors (Ron Brooks)
Booked Out Speakers Agency - Ron Brooks
Lateral Learning Speakers Agency (Ron Brooks)

Matt Ottley
Lateral Learning Speakers' Agency (Matt Ottley)
Matt Ottley
mattottley

Tohby Riddle
HarperCollins Publishers Australia - Authors (Tohby Riddle)
Puffin at Penguin Books Australia - Authors and illustrators (Tohby Riddle)
Click on Tohby Riddle then click on Artist's resume.

Elaine Russell
Elaine Russell - 5th Indigenous Art Award
Elaine Russell, Roo hunt (for everyone)

Shaun Tan
About Shaun Tan
Profiles - Shaun Tan

Margaret Wild
Allen and Unwin - Authors (Margaret Wild)

Background readings

The following are articles from Scan; copies of Scan articles can be requested from your teacher-librarian.

Atkins, H. 'Community participation through book raps at Nowra Public School', Scan 20(1) February, 2001, pp 3-15.

Bowie, B. & Mackinnon, G. 'Book raps: be tempted', Scan 19(1) February 2000, pp 4-5.

Bruce, L. & Belling, O. 'Collaboration in action at Pennant Hills High School: students review the CBC shortlisted books', Scan 17(3) August 1998, pp 10-13.

French, R. 'Reading and writing reviews with Stage 2 and Stage 3 students', Scan 20(1) February 2001, pp 4-9.

Longworth, A. 'Book rapping at Hay War Memorial High School', Scan, 19(1) February 2000, pp 10-11.

Melov, L. 'Once upon a time there was a librarian...', Scan 17(1) February, 1998, pp 8-9. (Nadia Wheatley and Robin Morrow discuss the inspiration and collaborative process behind the creation of The greatest treasure of Charlemagne the king, a picture book, and the contributions of illustrator Deborah Klein.)

Sinclair, A 'Maddie: a perspective from Deniliquin North Public School', Scan, 19(1) February 2000, pp 8-9.

Taylor, K. 'The Maddie book rap at Barham High School', Scan, 19(1) February 2000, pp 6-7.

Thorne, B. and others. 'Integrating technology in teaching and learning: reflections on recent book raps', Scan, 20(3) August 2001, pp 8-14.