A Little Bookshelf

I have done a lot of travelling around the world and in Australia. To the Galapagos Islands, Amazon rainforest and .  To Delhi, London and New York.  To the pyramids, Macchu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.  Today I was thinking about all the places I have been and wondering which one was my favourite.  With such a great list, it's hard to choose.   When I really sat down and thought about it, the surprising answer was the library.

For someone who loves to explore new places, meet new people and have new experiences, the library is the ultimate travel destination.  In every book there is a world waiting to be discovered.  A world that I can pick up and explore at whim.  A world that I can carry with me wherever I go. The library is the best place in all the world to find all those wonderful books which I love.  When I was a kid I wanted to own all the books I read.  Now I am content to borrow them from the library.  

At the library I can travel in time throughout history. I can experience what it is like to be a male slave in the Roman Empire. I can travel through space and visit other planets.  I can go wherever imagination can take me and that is pretty much everywhere and anywhere thanks to the millions of authors who have published books. All I need is my trusty library card and some free time.

Luckily for me, I have the most enlightened library filled with wonderfully helpful librarians who are unfailingly polite and helpful to me and my kids. There are no late fees at my library.  I can get any book I want either from my own library service or from any public library in the state.  My wonderful library even does fortnightly or month visits for elder residents who cannot make it to the library.

Free books! What's not to love about a library? And if, like me, you are lucky enough to live near a fabulous library, you even get free talks, concerts and plays for you and your family.

Go check out your library and start borrowing!

Freemantle Press, Freemantle WA, 2011

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-9216-9600-8

Suggested reading age: 9+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

I'm loving the great children's books I'm finding at our local library that celebrate Australian history.  I don't remember books like these from when I was growing up and they're a welcome addition to the great pantheon of children's literature.  Australian children deserve to have stories that tell of their unique history and culture.

This book is based on a true story of a shipwreck off the south coast of Western Australia in 1876. Michelle Gillespie has managed to make this tale come alive with a beautiful retelling of events and portrayal of the two main characters - 16 year old Grace and stockman Sam.  The story is ably illustrated by the talented Sonia Martinez.

Random House, London, 2013

Paperback, 144 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8494-1803-4

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

These tales from Norwegian author Alf Proysen are hilarious and funny (according to my nine year old daughter).  Mrs Pepperpot is an old woman who can shrink to the size of a pepper pot at any moment. Each chapter in this book is a complete story, making this a perfect bedtime book for younger readers. They may ask for more as her adventures are very entertaining and unexpected but they won't be left with a cliff hanger of an ending.

Other titles in this series: Mrs Pepperpot Stories, Little Old Mrs Pepperpot, Mrs Pepperpot to the Rescue, Mrs Pepperpot's Year, Mrs Pepperpot's Outing, Mrs Pepperpot Again.

Candlewick Press, Massachusetts, 2009

Hardback, 208 pages

ISBN: 978-0-7636-4410-9

Suggested reading age: 10+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This is a gorgeous modern fable by well known children's author Kate DiCamillo.  Peter Augustus Duchene is an orphan living in an attic room with a retired soldier named Vilna Lutz.  Vilna is training Peter to become a soldier but Peter is filled with thoughts about his baby sister. Peter believes that his baby sister died until the fateful day he steps into the fortune teller's tent that has magically sprung up in the market square. 

A beautiful story filled with wonder, hope, love and magic.

Orchard Books, NY, 1999

Hardback, 42 pages

ISBN: 978-0-5313-3133-0

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

The queen of fantasy, Ursula K Le Guin has written a gorgeous tale for younger readers.  Complete with colour illustrations by S.D. Schindler, this is a lovely tale about being different and finding your place in spite of the difficulties and dangers that being different can create.  Jane, the heroine of the story is a cat with wings who longs to venture out into the wider world, in spite of all the dangers.  She longs for adventure and new friends.

Other titles in this series: Catwings, Catwings Return, Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings

Penguin Putnam, NY, 2008

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6700-6336-9

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

I love that in spite of a lifetime of reading, there are still gems like this one to discover.  Books that I missed in my childhood but that I can meet and share with my children in their childhoods.  And I am sure that I will still be doing the same when my girls have kids of their own!

This is a lovely tale of a forgotten toy sitting on the shelf at a toy shop, waiting for an owner.  He is lonely until one day along comes a little girl who falls in love with him and takes him home.

Walker Books, Place, Year

Hardback, 108 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4063-0491-6

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

I have to admit, it was the cute squirrel on the cover that got me to pick up this book.  And the collage style in which it is illustrated.  When I opened the book I wasn't disappointed. (see, you can judge a book by its cover!).  The gorgeous illustrations of Mark Herald are accompanied by beautiful prose from author Nicola Davies.  This is a book to dip into for inspiration and connection to the seasons.

Complete with recipes and activities based around each of the seasons this is a great book to have on your shelves at home.  Especially for those readers in the northern hemisphere.  Now if only there was a similar book for us antipodeans!  Leave me a comment if you know of one.

Barefoot Books, Bath, 2000

Harback, 36 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8414-8300-9

Suggested reading age: 10+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

"A person's life is just a moment in infinity." Leonardo da Vinci

I really like the illustrations in this book about the life of Leonardo da Vinci.  They are in a more abstract style, reminiscent of paintings from the period.  The story itself is told from the perspective of his apprentice, Giacomo.  His master had this to say about the young Giacomo "1490. Giacomo has come to live with me.  He is ten years old.  He is a liar, a thief and a greedy brute."  The book skilfully weaves quotes from Da Vinici's journals into the story.

At the beginning and end of the book are two double page spreads that describe the work of Da Vinci, using pages from his journals.  A great book to introduce readers to the work of this influential thinker.

Albert Whitman & Company, 1997

Hardback

ISBN: 978-0-8075-5178-3

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

A cute story within a story, Mr Pak Buys a Story is a historical tale from Korea.  At that time, wandering storytellers would travel through the land, telling stories and entertaining audiences.  In this tale, Mr and Mrs Kim live deep in the heart of the country and they send their servant to the city to buy a story.  A theif swindles the hapless Mr Pak but in the end it is Mr Pak who has the last laugh as you will discover when you read this book.

Simon and Schuster, NY, 2010

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4169-8703-1

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Emily Gravett is one of my favourite authors and illustrators. She has a very quirky and mischievous way of looking at the world and her books are anything but ordinary.  In this book, the unseen narrator tells us all about her love of dogs.  All dogs.  Stroppy dogs, soppy dogs, hairy dogs and bald dogs.  But who is her favourite dog?  Read the book and find out!