Thou Shell of Death
by Nicholas Blake (Collins, 1936); audiobook read by Kris Dyer (Bolinda, 2015)
A marked improvement on the first book. Nigel Strangeways appears from the outset and isn’t so abstruse in puzzling out the murder(s). Still, he remains slow on the uptake—less dazzling detective, more scatter-brained dilettante bumbling his way through a crossword puzzle.
The Hunting of the Snark
by Lewis Carroll (Macmillan, 1876); ill. Chris Riddell (Macmillan, 2016)
Carroll’s nonsense poem is unevenly paced and awkward in metre, more memorable for creatures spoken of in passing than for the narrative of the hunt itself. Riddell illustrates for children, but the language and allusions are suggestive of a more adult whimsy.
The Adventures of John and Tigger
by Delia Huddy; ill. John Spiers (Hamlyn, 1979)
A collection of three short stories for young school children. Rather sweetly, the adventures are thoroughly domestic and humdrum, revolving around family life, playing with friends, and visiting relatives—albeit that this last escapade involves a runaway car! A little bit Pooh-like.
Five Go to Mystery Moor
by Enid Blyton (Hodder & Stoughton, 1953); audiobook read by Jan Francis (Bolinda, 2021)
The children’s classist (pitched as precocious) assumption of superiority remains off-putting, but the supporting characters are memorably drawn and the set-up pays off in a sudden breathless rush, transforming the meander into a boys’ own (and girls-as-boys’ own!) adventure with real stakes.
The Middle of Nowhere
by David Gerrold (Bantom, 1995)
An odd novel, consisting for the most part of logistical speculation and a backstory for Korie (as if to justify or bolster the previous two books). The action, once it comes, is murky and confused… yet still somehow pulls the reader in.
Return of the Nimbin
by Jenny Wagner (Penguin, 1992)
Wagner plots an unusual path to conflict, channelling the heat of the Australian summer into a sweltering ennui that saps her protagonist of good decision-making. A sweet, sad story where affection is tempered by lethargy, and doing nothing—badly—has disastrous consequences.
Spy vs Spy: An Explosive Celebration
by Antonio Prohías; ed. John Ficarra (Liberty Street, 2015)
Hardcover, 250+ pages, featuring newly colourised versions of Antonio Prohías’s classic Cold War espionage gag strip (plus newer material by Peter Kuper and one-off Spy vs Spy illustrations by various artists). A beautiful collection, though somewhat overpowering when taken in large doses.
Mr Browser and the Mini-Meteorites
by Philip Curtis; ill. Tony Ross (Andersen, 1983)
Though Spiky Jackson is nominally the protagonist, Curtis treats the entirety of Chivvy Chase School as one communal character. In this instance the alien invasion threat is thwarted due to adult intervention—inherently something of a let-down. Tony Ross’s illustrations add pep.
Classroom Peanuts
by Charles M. Schulz (Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1982)
A 200-page large-format compendium, five black-and-white dailies or one colour Sunday per page. Peppermint Patty and Sally feature most often, and school is where Sally is at her funniest. Given how wearisome themed collections can be, this one holds up remarkably well.
A Necklace of Raindrops
by Joan Aiken (Doubleday, 1968); audiobook read by Lizza Aiken (ABC Audio, 2016)
A collection of short stories for very young children. Aiken employs the same sort of text repetitions often seen in picture books, and structures her tales around wondrous impossibilities strung from matter-of-fact child logic. Lizza Aiken’s narration captures the dreamy storytelling essence.