News from 191: We have some very exciting new things in our children’s shop! Feeling crafty? Want something to keep those winter-ravaged hands busy while Spring idles toward warmth?

Firstly, some fabulous new crayons. Crayon Rocks are completely non-toxic, made in the US, from Kosher soy wax, and other natural waxes such as beeswax. Originally created by an occupational therapist, they are the shape of smooth pebbles, which makes them pleasant & easy to hold. They come in 16 beautiful colours, and are quite delicious to use & look at. They come in either a natural cheesecloth or red velvet drawstring bag. They are not for anyone under 3, or those who might put them in their mouth, as they could be a choking hazard. $12.00.

Keble Crafts is based in Palm Beach, Sydney. They make craft tools from pieces of driftwood, and other recycled woods. We have some of their beautiful handmade crochet hooks, each one has been test run, and works well. $12.00

From Art Viva, a company based in the Huon, Tasmania, we have children’s knitting needles. Handmade from Tasmanian oak, and with small brightly coloured wooden balls on the end, these have to be the nicest needles with which to learn how to knit. As well as needles, we have a few knitting kits, for baby strawberry hats—suitable for established knitters. Or trawl through our books of knitting projects for other functional or decorative ideas. The knitting kits are $19.95, and the needles are $9.95.

From Orange, NSW, we have some beautiful handmade wire birds & snails. The snails are life size, and fit perfectly in the palm of a hand; the birds, slightly larger, have colourful beaded eyes. All these delicate creations differ slightly from one another, hinting at individual personalities. You can see them on the website. The snails are $16.95, and the birds, $21.95.

We’re also pleased to expand our gallery of limited editions prints for sale. Already stocking prints by Shaun Tan and Lisa Stewart (see www.lisastewart.com for selection), we’re now carrying some by our own resident author/illustrator, Louise Pfanner. Her pictures are hand coloured (in watercolour), limited edition prints (ed of 20). The actual drawings have been printed on French watercolour paper, and then painted with watercolour. Each distinctive print has a myriad of tiny details to pore over, while presenting a cohesive image of winsome delicacy. For examples of Louise’s work, see www.papernation.com.au. Lynndy

Picture Books by Louise Pfanner

A Rat in a Stripy Sock by Frances Watts (ill.) David Francis ($25, HB)

One would think that working in a bookshop would be a safe place for a muscophobe such as myself. But no, mice abound in the pages of children’s books these days: dancing mice, church mice, Christmas mice, artistic mice, to name a few. Now, I can grit my teeth and bear them, these literary mice, but when it comes to rats, well....So, a rat in a stripy sock, that’s a big ask for me. Reluctantly I read this book, expecting not to like it, predicting that I wouldn’t even finish it. How wrong I was—yes it is a book about a rat who finds a sock, and yes he does live a ratty life, but this rat has hopes and dreams and generosity. When a stripy sock floats into this rat’s life he claims it with alacrity, and allows his imagination to take him away. Frances Watts’ language is rich and interesting, spare but highly descriptive. David Francis’ fluid pen and ink illustrations are given extra depth by the materials he uses—crayon and watercolour—which give the images a real sense of lightness and airiness, and a certain Dufyesque touch. This is a very uplifting, hopeful book, and despite its apparent rodency, is full of humanity.

*** Those who buy early will also receive the accompanying toy: a small plush toy rat swaddled in his very own appealing stripy sock!

There Are No Cats in this Book by Vivianne Schwarz ($27.95, HB)

It’s quite hard to describe this book. On one level it’s a fun picture book, full of cheerful colourful cats—who happen to be leaving the book (hence the title). But it’s also a very postmodern take on children’s books, the narrating cats include the reader, not only in direct speech, but action, and in a really meta way. Normally, I don’t like clever books, and I don’t like tricky ones either, but this is different. It’s brilliant in its own way, but still well within the realm of the child reader, in concept, text and illustration—it’s a sort of entity unto itself. And it’s really very funny. If you loved Schwarz’s preceding work There Are Cats in this Book, you’ll find even more to entertain you in this one, despite the absence of a knitting pattern.

A Bedtime for Bear by Bonny Becker (ill.) Kady MacDonald Denton ($27.95, HB)

In the world of picture books, big bears and little mice make a good team, given the inherent humour in the contrast between their size and temperament (Gabrielle Vincent’s Ernest & Celestine spring to mind). In the charming A Bedtime for Bear, Bear is more than a little set in his ways, and is seriously taken aback when his houseguest, Mouse, arrives ahead of schedule. Kady Denton has created a warm and friendly place in her delightful pen, ink and watercolour illustrations, and has created two really endearing characters with her depictions of the rather stolid bear, and friendly little mouse. Bonny Becker’s text is gentle and humorous, and good to read aloud. This would be a perfect bedtime story, particularly for those who like a regular routine before they go to sleep. This is the third encounter between curmudgeonly Bear and blithe little Mouse. The first, A Visitor for Bear, was awarded the 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award, which honours books reflecting the universal read aloud standards that were created by the work of the author E.B. White.

Reference

Moomins Cookbook: An Introduction to Finnish Cuisine by Sami Malila based on the books by Tove Jansson ($30, HB)

Although I’ve seen only the cover so far, I’m very excited about this book, as are my fellow Moominoholics here at Gleebooks. The ever so endearing Moomins introduce us to 150 culinary combinations of drinks and food, and if you’ve no Nordic supplier nearby I’m sure you can substitute some familiar items from the southern hemisphere. Moomin fever has taken off, with board books, colouring books, and, next year, a Moomin movie: Moomins and the Comet Chase, with a theme song by Björk. Lynndy

Fiction

Nobody’s Horse by Jane Smiley($17, PB)

A great admirer of Jane Smiley’s adult novels, I was thrilled to see her debut into younger fiction, as will be any young horse-mad reader. Abby’s strict father who trains and resells horses won’t allow any attachment to the horses they work with, simply referring to all the females as Jewel and all the males as George, because successful training means the horses aren’t at their farm for long. Abby’s role is to ensure her father’s boast that ‘even a little girl can ride it’ is accurate, and until the rogue Ornery George asserts himself, that claim is true. Set in the 1960s, Smiley’s novel illuminates Abby’s love of the horses, the solace she finds in training them (especially important against the backdrop of starting year seven and being bullied and spurned by the popular clique), and the very nature of horses themselves. Running counterpoint are the personal dynamics: the relationships between Abby and her evangelical father; between her brother—who was driven away from the farm by their father; their mother and Abby; and the vital connection to Jem, a freelance horse trainer whose methods reveal to Abby a way to engage with stubborn behaviour in horses and people alike. While the 1960s references might not resonate with all of today’s readers, the ‘Horsiness’ will. Immerse yourself in the world of horses: that welcome aroma of horse and tack, the thudding of hooves on well-tended ground, the language of flickering skin, whinnies and neighs, the reality of life with these magnificent animals. Lynndy

The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher by Doug MacLeod ($17.95, PB)

Forget all those vampires, werewolves, faeries and hybrids which for so long have been the themes du jour. Resurrectionism rules! 16-year-old Thomas Timewell is an impeccably-raised young gentleman with a great sense of honour, as evinced by the opening of this book in which Thomas is disinterring his beloved grandfather, newly buried, in order to ensure the old man’s last wish—to be left to medical science—is met. From this unorthodox beginning when he is discovered by the enigmatic Plenitude, Thomas’s story becomes increasingly bizarre as he is swept unwillingly, lassoed by his own ethics, into the night world of body-snatchers. MacLeod’s latest book is riddled with noir humour, satire of C19th society, and exposure of upper class whims and attitudes. I was helplessly laughing aloud at some scenes, such as the earnest discussion between Thomas and his best friend Charlie, who is desperate to find somewhere he can practise his passion for dancing, as his father scorned not only Charlie’s masculinity, but the fact that he danced in the continental style! The boys’ genteel conversation occurs as they are digging up another poor soul, under Plenitude’s instruction. Just as vampiric novels have their darker elements so too does this, with its foundation in the rampant trade of stolen exhumed bodies for medical research. The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher, however, is so much more than an historical novel focusing on dubious practices. It is crammed with misleadingly mysterious characters, mannered conversations, eerie thrills, and satirical wit. I’d even go as far as to declare it Doug MacLeod’s best work ever (and that includes his Kath & Kim scripts)! Lynndy