Tots to Teens
Star Mag, 10th December 2006
Gifts of words and pictures
IT’S that time of the year again, when book lovers spend insane amounts
of money on –what else?– books, as Christmas presents. As I was saying
to a friend today, “My poor loved ones ... it doesn’t matter whether or
not they like to read, they’re going to get books from me this
Christmas.”
This is the way it is every Xmas. I spend hours browsing at my
favourite bookstore and end up staggering out of there with several
bulging shopping bags, completely broke but terribly happy. I think
I’ve made most of my friends and family happy with my choices. Either
that or they have perfected the art of smiling sunnily while irritably
thinking, “Now why in the world would she think I want to know why men
have nipples?”
If you have children to shop for this Christmas and you’re thinking of
buying them books, here are my recommendations. I’ll start with fiction
and move on to picture books and non-fiction titles next week.
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AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES
By John Green
Publisher: Dutton Books, 227 pages
(ISBN: 0-525-47688-1)
COLIN and his best friend Hassan go on a road trip after the former is dumped by his girlfriend. John Green’s follow-up to Looking for Alaska
is a lot less angsty, and as far from dark and disturbing as you can
possibly get, so get that if you want a book for a moody teen who bites
his fingernails and sulks all day long. Katherines is geeky, witty,
enjoyably aimless and totally addictive. And – dare I say this? – it
blows Jack Kerouac’s On the Road out of the water! There! For ages 14 to 18.
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THE GREEN SEA GLASS
By Ellen Klages (ISBN: 0-670-06134-4) DEWEY Kerrigan loves science and inventing
gizmos, which marks her as an oddity amongst her peers. However, Los
Alamos, the military base where her mathematician father works, is
really the perfect home for the 11-year-old as she gets to pick the
brains of brilliant scientists and scavenge for discarded material for
the radio she is designing.
Dewey’s non-conformity makes her an engaging character, while the
Manhattan Project and the significance of the “gadget” her father is
helping to build serves as an unusual and interesting backdrop for this
coming-of-age story that explores important issues connected with war
and nuclear weapons, and the concept of right and wrong. For ages 10 to
13.
Publisher: Viking, 272 pages
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CLARICE BEAN, DON’T LOOK NOW
By Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard Books
(ISBN: 1-846-16049-9)
IF you have a kid who’s grown up with Clarice Bean picture books, this is an ideal present for her – a whole, illustrated chapter-book about the most neurotic tween in the universe. Don’t Look Now sees Clarice worrying about her many worries and compiling a Worst Worries List ... just so she knows where she stands. Unfortunately, troubles often have a habit of sneaking up on you. For worry-wart seven- to 10-year-olds.
THE RACKETTY
PACKETTY HOUSE
By Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 90 pages
(ISBN: 0-689-86974-6)
DOLLSHOUSE enthusiasts will love this charming story about two doll
families and the very different houses they inhabit, the
Racketty-Packetty House and Tidy Castle. Burnett’s droll and chatty
style is suitable for children between five and eight, and Halperin’s
illustrations will convince even the most cynical reader that toys
really do come to live when there are no humans around.
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
By O. Henry
Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 32 pages
(ISBN: 1-416-93586-X)
Della’s decision to sell her long, beautiful hair so that she will have
enough money to buy the perfect present for her husband Jim is not the
only sacrifice made in O. Henry’s heart-warming tale about
unconditional love. Lisbeth Zwerger’s spidery line drawings are filled
with lively yet fine colours that light up every picture spread. A must
for sentimental, romantic souls, aged 10 to 16.
THE GOLDEN COMPASS (Audio Book)
By Philip Pullman
Performed by the Author and a Full Cast
Publisher: Listening Library
(ISBN: 0-739-33704-1)
HAS it really been 10 years since The Golden Compass/Northen Lights by Philip Pullman was first published? This nine-CD audio book is a special anniversary edition and is gorgeously packaged and illustrated. It comes with a booklet of notes by Lord Asriel, with illustrations by Ian Beck.
The book is read by the author, with the dialogue performed by a full cast. This is an ideal gift for those who love fantasy and aren’t fixated on Harry Potter. Even if they were, this is a great way to encourage them to move on up. A must for the whole family.
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