Lowly’s Book Blog

Haven’t times changed. There was a day when a book like this would be taken off any boy trying to read it and a boring chapter book shoved in his face instead. Now this graphic nove/comic book has been actually nominated as the CBC picture book of the year.

Captain Congo and his offsider Pug the Penguin are off to Africa to rescue a missing archaeologist. The man was last seen searching for the lost Treasure of the Queen of Sheba. Congo and Pug travel by tramp steamer, encountering spies, murderers, crocs and angry natives.

This book is right out of the 50s. It reads like a Saturday afternoon serial, one madcap adventure after another with a bare minimum of plot in between. But that is fine because that is exactly the what the book pretends to be. The presentation is so much like those comic books from the 50s that I thought for a moment time had run in reverse.

But it is a great, entertaining read.

Ages ago I was asked to read this series because a parent expressed concern that some of the themes in the series were far too controversial for young readers.  So far I have managed to find the time to read the first two books in the series and in my opinion these two are fine.

Last August I reviewed the first book in the series, the Gypsy Crown. You will need to have read the first book, or at least a comprehensive review of the book in order for the plot of this second book to make sense. In the second book the children are negotiating for the second charm, held by a family of horse traders. Emilia must sacrifice her beloved horse to get this charm, but her confidence that the magic will succeed convinces her that it is only a matter of time before the charm can be returned and her horse reclaimed.

Again this is very much a transition book. It tells its own story, but needs to be read in the context of the full series.

This is another book that was read long ago. Therefore some of the details are unclear.

Two brothers, opposites in every way, live on the shore of Lake shimmer. When Thomas hears the call from the lake, he throws himself in without thinking. Nick, who is older and more practical, jumps in as well in an effort to save his brother. And there begins an adventure…

Seacastle is the first of a series of books written for young readers. Each book is written by a different Australian author, but all have a linking theme as the race of the Shimmaron try to reunite. Children must help them find each other and repair their ship in order to go home.

This is a very pleasant fantasy book for readers aged 8-10.

Recognize the author’s name? A few weeks ago I heard a radio interview with the daughter of Spike Milligan about a new children’s book she had written. During the interview she talked about her father’s wonderful imagination and his ability to tell stories that kept his children enthralled. Reading this book is as delightful as listening to a Goon Show! Thank goodness another Milligan is continuing the family tradition.

Hocus Pocus is a very happy island, filled with magic, friendly giants and absolute silliness. That is until it is invaded by a mysterious pong and green slime. Then adults start to disappear! It is up to Lucy, Joe and Grandfather to solve the mystery.

I absolutely adored the silliness. This book was fun to read. Half of my fun was imagining Spike Milligan reading the voices. But children will love this book as well. There is certainly enough naughtiness to delight any 8 year old. And the whole idea of a wizzlepop competition …

I read this book about a year ago. I wasn’t inspired to review it then, and even less so now. 

Set in the distant future, Earth is facing imminent disaster. The only solution is to pack up all of humanity and move to a new planet. All goes well, until it is discovered that the ship carrying all pet dogs has gone missing. An entrepreneur makes millions selling robotic dogs, but they are not the same. So the Clark children head off to find their beloved pet…

This book is the basis for an award winning animated television series. I can see the scope for a superb adventure series. But reading the book is a bit like watching Saturday morning television. Time has been wasted and nothing gained.

Sometime in the next week or two I am going to need to report on the pile of books I have collected together for the Reading Challenge. So this weekend is dedicated to clearing this collection, well, starting to.

This book has also been short listed for the CBC Younger Readers award. Not surprising considering all the hype that was around when the Key to Rondo was released last year.

This time the two children move through the music box simply in order to preserve the illusion that the Key has been destroyed. The idea was to go into Rondo only until the Blue Queen’s spies spotted them and reported back and then return to their normal existence. But wouldn’t you know it, Leo and Mimi got caught up in another quest. This time they were out to rescue Wizard Bing from the cloud castle.

This is very much the next book in the series. Rodda maintained the delightful links to folklore that made her first Rondo book so wonderful. But somehow served up the second time, it doesn’t seem as exciting or as fresh.

I am absolutely certain that thousands of children will eagerly devour the book cover to cover. And the hardcover will help convince parents and grandparents that the children are reading quality literature. And don’t get me wrong, this is still quality literature. Rodda knows that newly confident readers love series. They can comfortably stay in one imaginary place and read forever. It is just that I am greedy. I wanted more from the second book.

Kate Forsyth is an accomplished author of fantasy fiction for both adults and children. This book is the first in a series of six books set in the time of Cromwell and the Puritans.

The main characters are two Romany children whose family has hidden for years within one of the Great Forests, but venture out briefly in order to trade for supplies. The family are arrested by the pastor and imprisoned while they await execution. Luke and Emilia escape arrest and are sent on a quest to collect 6 charms, one from each of the Romany families. Together the 6 charms will help their family escape.

However, the children cannot travel undetected. Their entourage includes a horse, a dog, a dancing bear and a monkey. This troup inevitably attract attention as they travel around.

The first book in the series is simply setting up the tale. Collecting the first charm is easy because Maggie’s grandmother gives it to her as she sends her off on the quest.

I am reading the series in order to determine what age level is most appropriate. There have been questions raised about some of the later books. Certainly this first in the series is very gentle.

OK so the title says it all. It may not be the longest title of any book I have read, but pretty close. This second book in a new series of detective stories for children was lovely and funny.

Whiffy Newton has noticed that trousers in the neighborhood are being stolen and then returned, altered. Actually they are cut in half and sewn back together. It appears no one is safe. Even Whiffy’s favourite tracky dacks get taken. Can Whiffy get to the bottom of the mystery? (Pun intended).

This is a series that will certainly appeal to those kids in primary school who absolutely adore Captain Underpants and all those other books that just venture over the boundary normally drawn around children’s literature. It is not a book of great literary worth. Turn the brain off and get ready to enjoy some silliness as you read any of the books in this series.

This book was a bit of fun. A graphic novel set on a space station sometime in the future. The story centres on a rocketboard race, kind of like a skateboard race, but different. There is also a solid sub-plot about the dangers of gambling. Well done in a tiny book of only about 60 pages.

This is a tiny little book designed for the girls in primary school who really are not interested in spending time reading. This simple story told in 60 pages is about a group of friends trying to set up their own fashion design business. This can be difficult if the workroom is haunted. Actually the haunting isn’t as difficult as the fact that friends fall out, and then a business can be in trouble.