I LOVE Halloween and so I felt that doing a draw this evening would be perfect. Not the most scientific way of choosing a winner but I assigned a number to all of the comments and then had my son (4 years)  choose a number between 1 and 8. He chose...8! So congratulations scratchy, you are the winner of Trash!

Also while I'm on the topic of Halloween I managed to get my hands on a gorgeous picture book called "Halloween Good Night" by Doug Cushman. It is a very simple story that wonders how all the different creatures that are most frequently associated with Halloween would say goodnight to their children. It has delightful illustrations and my son loved mimicking the way the creatures said good night. Not a book I would necessarily buy, but one I think is worthwhile getting from the library, especially around this time of year.

Trash by Andy Mulligan and the first ever give away!

Sorry for the long absences but there have been new adventures afoot in our house of which more will be undoubtedly discussed as the year draws to a close. I could not pass up the opportunity to review a book for Kiwi Mummy Blogs however and so this blog brings to you not only my opinion of the book Tash by Andy Mulligan but also the chance to win a copy! How exciting is that? So without further ado here are my thoughts on this novel.

Trash 

This novel was written for children 12+ years and it certainly is an eye opener. If you love Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce or Slumdog Millionaire (Q+A by Vikas Swarup) then this book will undoubtedly appeal.

The story is told by a number of narrators, mainly three young "dumpsite" boys, all contributing their memories about the drama that unfolds. Raphael is the first character we meet and he introduces us to the world in which they live, a place called Behala where the inhabitants shift through tons of rubbish each day looking for things that can be recycled and turned into enough money to live off. It is a world away from the comforts that we are used to and Mulligan writes in such an enticing and colourful way that it is easy to picture the places he describes.

One day Raphael is sifting through the rubbish like normal when he comes across a bag, inside the bag is a wallet filled with eleven hundred pesos, a photo and an ID, a folded up map, and a key. Little does he know that this key is going to take him and his two friends on a dangerous adventure with the police at their heels and one of the most well know political figures in the country wanting their head on a platter.

What did I think?

As I have already noted I found it easy to immerse myself in this book. He writes in a manner that is unpretentious and before you know it you are 50 pages in and want to know what happens. I enjoyed it for the simple reason that the setting intrigued me. It is the first time I have read a young adult's book that has been set in an environment such as this and it does make me wonder if children in New Zealand realise just how lucky they are. The idea of sifting through mountains of rubbish every day full of human excrement is just so alien to us and our way of living.

The characters are developed JUST enough so that you get an idea of their world and how they feel about things, unfortunately I didn't think they were developed enough to make me truly care about them. I think this could have been worked on a bit more as there were plenty of opportunities to delve more into their lives, especially the character Junjun (Rat) but this is never done. 

I also love that the politics of a place are being pulled into question, as the age group that this novel is aimed at are old enough to start asking questions about corruption and how money so often leads to people's suffering through greed. It's a story about how little people when given the opportunity, no matter the risks, can make a positive difference to the world.

Definitely worth a read.

Here's a cute little teaser as well: Trash

So how can you win your copy.

Due to postage costs this give away is open to New Zealand residents only. To win your own copy of Trash by Andy Mulligan just tell me the name of your favourite children's book in the comments box.

Happy reading.

Duck's Stuck by Kyle Mewburn

I am so sorry for the length between blogs. Things have been very up in the air at my house recently nicely rounded off with a bone marrow biopsy for myself yesterday. Not something I ever thought I would need to have done, and certainly not something I am planning to rush back and do again. Now it is just a waiting game for the test results and so I have found that all the things I was procrastinating about before have suddenly become of some importance.

I tried to read the Hugo Cabret book I seriously did, but I just could not get into it. The idea of having pictures and beautiful ones at that in a novel format intrigued me, but it just didn't work for me. I became distracted and lost the plot, so I admit I stopped reading about half way through as I had just had enough. Apologies to anyone who is a major fan, but I don't feel as though I can review it with any justice and I really couldn't finish it. So I'll leave it at that.

Instead I will review a major favourite in this house at the moment and that is Duck's Stuck by Kyle Mewburn. Read on below:

Duck's Stuck by Kyle Mewburn

This bookis just an utter delight. My two year old absolutely adores it, she laughs every time it is read and demands it every night.

It is a story about a duck who sticks his head in a crack in a barn, gorges himself on grain and can't get his head back out again. The other farmyard animals rally around to help and just as they are about to give up, Rat comes along and saves the day.

Kyle Mewburn is the author of Kiss, Kiss, Yuck, Yuck and Old Huhu. I claim him as a Kiwi because he lives here but actually hails from Oz. He is incredibly clever and I can see that this book is such a hit here that we may need to buy a copy for ourselves if we can find it. Love it, love it, love it.


Now just to warn you, because of the ups and downs currently occurring I will more than likely be reviewing picture books quite steadily for the next wee while, they don't tend to need as much focus as novels. Although, after saying that I am currently reading Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief so will undoubtedly review this for next time.

Happy reading ; ).

Blue Bloods- a vampire novel

Wow! I have to start by saying, thank goodness for good Children's Librarians as I would never have selected this book if left to my own devices. My husband is an ex-librarian and through him I have developed a good relationship with some of the local librarians whom he used to work with. One lady in particular suggested Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz to me after we had spent a mini session moaning about what a negative role model Bella from Twilight is for teenage girls, with her whiny, obsessive personality. I have to thank her next time I see her, as I spent the whole weekend (when I wasn't with the kids) engrossed in this book. It was very gripping and I can't wait to get the next one, requested online already. Don't be put off by the boring cover, the contents while not "Pulitzer prize winning" are very entertaining.


Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

Set in New York at a pretentious private school we are introduced to a type of vampire we have never met before. The author has made the clever decision to cast her vampires as fallen angels and they are working on making their way back into Heaven, albeit a lot of them are a way off the mark at the moment. They have rules they must live by, but these rules are falling by the wayside or being twisted to suit their own personal needs/gains. Add to this that they are being hunted and killed by something they cannot easily recognise and you have a gripping novel (or series as is the case here).

Schuyler Van Alen is a misfit at this school, but is happy in this role. She is the protagonist and while a bit too skinny for my liking, is actually a great role model for outcasts and misfits everywhere as she is comfortable in her own skin and dances to her own tune.

I loved this book, the author has developed interesting characters that can be related to, especially in the catty high school world we all know so well. There are no wishy-washy, whiny, needy characters which is quite surprising for a book chock full of teenagers. Yes, they have their own individual issues but there is no "tormented" character as of yet.

If I had one complaint it would be that De la Cruz flits from idea to idea a little too quickly, sometimes not fully developing a situation, such as the love that develops between Jack Force and Schuyler (Skyla) Van Alenen. After saying that, this is a series of books and she does need to hold on to some things that she can build upon in other novels.

There is a sex scene (and the characters aren't much older than fifteen) so if you are wanting to keep your child innocent for a little bit longer then maybe this book isn't for them. There is also death and violence but it is necessary for the story, it is about vampires after all.

Masquerade is the follow on from this novel and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. A great novel to huddle up under the covers with. Don't be put off by the boring cover, the contents while not "Pulitzer prize winning" are very entertaining.

Havoc

Havoc my children are very good at causing this in our lounge. In fact it isn't very often that I feel comfortable in inviting people over as the house is such a mess, it looks as though a medium sized toy box has exploded. Then if we move into the car, it is just the same, however in this instance it is more a case of used tissues and baby wipes used to clean up dirty fingers, and remove squashed raisins from in between seats.

I'm pleased to write though that this blog entry is actually about the next installment of the comic Malice that Chris Wooding has so cleverly scripted. Now, once again I must digress, if your school does the Scholastic Book pamphlets I would seriously recommend that you take a look at them when the kids bring them home as they are full of fabulous books at some fabulous prices. Even if you don't buy them you are up with the play on what current books are around and you can order them from the local library. There is also the Scholastic Bookshop in East Tamaki in Auckland, where they have fantastic deals, and every now and then a warehouse sale where the books are HALF PRICE!!!

I have been a fan of Chris Wooding's ever since I first read Poison a few years ago. His writing has always had a different "feel" to it from other authors. Almost as though he taps into a completely different creative outlet from the rest of us. I also get the impression that he bases his stories on his personal views and philosophies of the world. I admit to having bought a few of his books and they sit on our bookshelves waiting for the children to be of an age to enjoy them, which I hope they don't reach too quickly. Malice and shortly Havoc (once I go to Scholastic) are among them

His stories always have a few layers to them, meaning you can read as much or as little as you like into the tales he weaves. That is why he appeals to me so much I think, his books encourage me to think "outside the square" so to speak.

Havoc by Chris Wooding llustrations by Dan Chernett

Havoc is the follow up to Malice, so if your child hasn't read Malice I would strongly suggest they do before reading Havoc. It continues in the comic book world where Tall Jake reigns. This novel has portions that are written in a graphic novel style, as Malic is a comic book that children in our world desperately try to get their hands on, and once they have they complete a ritual to call "Tall Jake" to take them to Malice. The ritual is similar to the "Bloody Mary" urban myth. Once he comes to claim them there is a great chance that they will die inside the comic book.

Personally, I don't understand why this appeals to so many of the characters in the book, but it is suggested that all young people are looking for a thrill, as they believe their lives are too safe. I suppose you could say they are after the adrenalin rush that Malice promises as our world has become more about T.V and computers than real life experiences (so it suggests in Havoc).

I loved Malice and couldn't wait to get my hands on Havoc. It took me awhile to actually feel involved with the characters this time, in comparison to Malice, but now it's over I know I will miss them. It may seem weird, but Tall Jake was actually one of my favourite character's, although he was taking children to their deaths there is something in the way that he is written that makes me want to see him stick around.

The main characters Seth, Kady, Justin and Tatyana are back, and this time they have the Sgard and are on a quest to find The Queen of the Cats to help them confront and hopefully defeat Tall Jake.

It's not a story for the faint hearted, Chris Wooding's books never are. There are plenty of scary, nightmarish creatures and some deaths. So I would certainly recommend this book for mature readers, those who aren't likely to want to crawl into your bed if they wake from a nightmare about Tall Jake.

I would certainly recommend Malice and Havoc. Wooding is a very talented story teller and if you have a child who is a reluctant reader but loves gory horror movies and late night camp fire tales then this book is for them.

I couldn't wait to get to the comic book sections in the book which have been illustrated by Dan Chernett, they certainly add interest to the novel. It is very, very cleverly done. There's no word if Wooding is planning on another Malice book, but looking on the Internet there is certainly a lot of pressure from fans for him to do so, and Havoc is written in such a manner that gives him the opportunity to if he so wished.

Pants by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Nick Sharratt

A new Kids Outlet bookstore has opened up in Onehunga, just up from Toyworld, on the corner. So, me being me, I just had to go and check it out. It was good that I did because I stopped off at Toyworld and discovered they were having a 40% off Schleich sale so needless to say this household now has a few more animals and elves.


Now I feel I must digress a bit here so you can understand what led me to this book. A girl I used to go to school with posted this Youtube clip which is a book called Pants by Giles Andrea, sung by Lenny Henry (G. Andrea is the creator of Purple Ronnie if you are interested). vvvvv bbbb Now my son had watched it months ago and loved it, so when we walked into this bookshop, he saw it and pointed it out to me. It was the only one on the table and I had never seen it before, so I snatched it up, it was quite the bargain I have to say.


Once we got it home it was demanded by both children that I read it, after I had read it through once, my daughter automatically demanded I read it again. It is super cute and the children love the rhyme. As I am also struggling a bit with toilet training at the moment with my eldest, I'm using it to get him excited about wearing underpants.


I think there is an 80% chance that if you have a preschooler in the house or a middle aged man, they will probably find themselves smiling at it : ). Oh, who am I kidding, I love it too. So imagine my excitement when I discovered there is More Pants!!!Finding a copy of this be it from the library or second hand bookshop is my next mission. I love finding books that the kids enjoy so much and demand again and again.

How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Just before the last set of school holidays began I took my two kidlets to see How to Train your Dragon on the big screen. It was the first time either of them had ever been to the movies and it was a roaring success. They were fixated for at least 45 minutes on the massive images in front of them before I had to reside to food bribery. The movie was adorable and if you haven't had a chance to see it here is a quick clip from YouTube.

So it pains me to say this, it really does, but... I liked the movie better than the book.

Phew, that was a hard confession to make, especially as one of the worlds biggest book lovers.

Perhaps if I had read the book first and thought they were fantastic I would be feeling rather differently around about now, but I truly found the book lacking.

The storyline in the movie is COMPLETELY different to the book. Did I emphasize, the completely enough? In fact the only common threads were the vikings, the dragons (even Toothless was a different kind of dragon to the one in the book), and the name Hiccup. Otherwise I wouldn't have thought they were the same story at all.

Now, don't get me wrong, the book is O.K. Just not what I was expecting and the movie has probably renewed interest in these books but don't get them for your kids thinking that they will relate it to the movie, because it is sooooo different.

I would think they would suit 7 years +, and perhaps particularly boys, because girls don't even really rate a mention in the story at all so there may not be a character they can relate to.

I do intend to read another book in the series (although I am in no hurry now) as the idea is good, but lets put it this way. I wouldn't race out to buy one for the kids bookshelf.