WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN USED HOMESCHOOL BOOKS!
CULTURAL FICTION - THE PACIFIC, ASIA & THE MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East
One Candle (Eve Bunting) $7 HBDJ EC (Ex lib) Another finely tuned intimate, first-person narrative from Bunting, who delivers a moving family history framed within the celebration of Hanukkah. Grandma ritualistically makes a candle from a hollowed-out potato in memory of the time she and Great-Aunt Rose spent in Buchenwald. The repeated story unites the family as they celebrate the present and remember the past. Exceptionally handsome illustrations lend a realistic quality to the memorable text: sepia tones mute and distance the concentration-camp flashbacks; softly coloured tones define contemporary scenes. 6-10 YO http://www.amazon.com/One-Candle-Eve-Bunting/dp/0060085606
Good Yontif: A Picture Book Of The Jewish Year (Rose Blue) $6 HBDJ EC (Ex lib) a visual celebration of the Jewish year. The reader follows one family through the cycle of holidays and festivals which punctuate and thereby define Jewish life. Conceived by author Rose Blue, the story is told through the art of Lynne Feldman. The book is wordless, but the illustrations portray the life of one family in such rich detail that we begin to know them. There is something very familiar about Bubba, the grandmother, as she arrives for each holiday, wrapped in her colourful shawl and laden with holiday objects. We can almost place the synagogue where the family worships. And their seder is one in which all Jews have participated at some time in their lives. The holidays are named in both English and Hebrew and additional background information about each one is provided by the author's notes at the back of the book. For a story that is told with only holiday names, Good Yontif speaks loudly to all with a traditional Jewish past and beckons to those who wish to create a cultural heritage for future generations. http://www.judaism.com/gif-bk/49509a.gif
Hanukkah (Jenny Koralek) $6 HB EC Two thousand years ago, when the Jews reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem from pagan invaders, they found only enough lamp oil to burn for a single day. Yet the lamp gave light and hope for eight whole days. In simple, moving prose, Jenny Koralek tells the story of Hanukkah. Her version fleshes out more dramatically the desecration of the temple, the family of Mattathias, and their slow but steady battle with the evil Antiochus. A final page details and illustrates a modern family lighting the candles in celebration of the religious aspects of the holiday. Wijngaard frames each picture and the text solidly in marble-like pedestals and lintels. Amply shaded dark colours give the paintings the antique look of hand-tinted old prints. 5-10 YO http://www.amazon.com/Hanukkah-Festival-Lights-Jenny-Koralek/dp/0688093299
The Magic Horse (Sally Scott) $5 PB VGC Scott has adapted this story from Sir Richard Burton's The Arabian Nights with startling authenticity and splendid detail. Riding the flying ebony horse, the Prince meets his true love and then rescues her from the designs of the evil creator of the horse and from a rival Sultan, but the practical wit of both lovers is also instrumental. Scott's paintings shimmer with jewel-like intensity. Her text is fluid, each word in place; a more enchanting adaptation of this story is hard to imagine. 6-10 YO http://cgi.ebay.com/Magic-Horse-Sally-Scott-1ST-AMERICAN-EDITION_W0QQitemZ110074006054QQihZ001QQcategoryZ279QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Jamil’s Shadow (Christine Harris) $4 PB EC (Ex lib) Set in a remote village of Turkey, the story is about Jamil, a lonely boy who was recently orphaned. He finds a scruffy, dirty and lame dog in the mountains while tending to his cattle. This dog starts to annoy Jamil by following him around everywhere. Jamil has found the loss of his loved ones too taxing. So he tries to avoid Shadow as he does not want to get emotionally attached to anyone, not even a dog. Determined to receive Jamil’s attention the dog sleeps around his hut at night. Slowly the dog earns Jamil’s love and eats, sleeps and even survives an earthquake with him. 8-11 YO THE CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SHORT-LISTED BOOK http://shelftales.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/jamil.jpg Lesson ideas: http://www.christineharris.com.au/pdfs/jamil_notes.pdf
My Arabian Home – Leila and Mustapha’s Story (Christina Balit) $4 HB EC The author has spent many years in Arabia and like her characters, Leila and Mustapha, she has lived in a city and gone out into the desert to visit the Bedouin. The children go the the Souk, or market, with their father to buy a gift for a cousin who is getting married and the next day the whole family drive into the desert to attend the wedding.. A lovely picture book with pen drawings and paintings helping portray life in Arabia. 5-10 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/My-Arabian-Home-Leila-Mustaphas-story-CHRISTINA-BALIT_W0QQitemZ260213041593QQihZ016QQcategoryZ1102QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262#ebayphotohosting
Nadia The Willful (Sue Alexander) $3 PB EC Nadia’s father, the Sheik, mourned the death of his son, Hamed, and decreed that no one utter his name. But his young daughter did not obey because to her, not mentioning his name meant forgetting Hamed. And that she would never do. Lovely picture book with a wealth of Middle eastern lifestyle evident. 6-10 http://www.amazon.com/NADIA-WILLFUL-Dragonfly-Books-Alexander/dp/067983480X
Two Greedy Bears (James Reeves) $2 HB GC Morad the woodcarver and Yussef the goldsmith lived in Persia (Iran) and were the best of friends until their money bags disappeared. Morad knew well enough who was the thief, but to make him confess to the crime was another matter. A plan involving Yussef’s two children, a carved wooden figure and two greedy bears was hatched to catch the thief. 7-10
Indonesia
Miss Bunkle’s Umbrella (David Cox) $3 HB FC (Ex lib) Miss Bunkle took her umbrella with her everywhere – even when she went on holiday to the island of Java. And it was because of it that she met Ali and had such an amazing adventure. Great culture study, great piccies in this picture book. 5-9 http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetailssu.asp?b=9815&m=863
Favourite Stories: Indonesia (Marguerite Siek) $2 PB EC A collection of short stories and historical articles about the way of life of Indonesia. Nice piccies, clear text, very interesting 8-12 YO.
Macmillan Folktales Series “Indonesia” (Sheila Hatherley) $2 HB EC Nicely illustrated picture book with four popular folktales from Indonesia including Dungu Sells His Water Buffalo and Panji Kelaras. Great cultural intro for younger readers. 6-10
Folk Tales Of Indonesia (Albert Koutsoukis) $2 PB EC A collection of three traditional tales: The Mouse-Deer And The Crocodile, Why Dogs And Cats Are Enemies and The Fish People. Nice illustrations throughout. 7-11 YO.
Vietnam
The Scarlet Boots: A Vietnamese Folktale (David Lander) $2 PB EC A lovely picture book illustrated with detailed ink drawings highlighting ways of life and culture of Vietnam. 6-10
The Lost Boy (Frances Leigh) $3 PB GC When a blond-haired, European boy was found in the forest of Indonesia, Kate, Don and Cessy believe that it could be their younger brother, Brian, believed killed in rioting five years previously. But the skinny, frightened child who comes to stay seems a complete stranger to them. 8-11
Thailand
Princess September (W. Somerset Maugham) $3 HB GC (Ex lib, tape residue) Gorgeous pictures depicting Thai custom and culture illustrate this picture book. Caught up in the exoticism and allure of Siam, a kingdom still immune to Westernization, Maugham had visited Bangkok several times and, happily, selected that setting for his fairy tale. Princess September learns the true meaning of love when she sets her nightingale free from his cage. 5-10 YO http://www.amazon.com/Princess-September-Nightingale-Childrens-Literature/dp/0195124804 (Cover different)
I Am From Siam (Tatiana Balkoff Drowne) $3 HB VGC An older picture book treasure showing Thai culture through the story of Aat, the sealpoint Siamese kitten. Recommended! 5-10 YO
The Kite That Was Bigger Than Anything – A Thai Folktale (David Lander) $2 PB EC A picture book illustrated with detailed ink drawings highlighting ways of life and culture of Thailand. 6-10
Children Of The Meo Hill Tribes (Frances Hawker) $2 HB EC Have you ever tasted rice cooked in bamboo? Have you ever woven your own skirt? Have you ever made silver jewellery? This book tells us about these customs and gives us an insight into the everyday work and play of people in a Meo village (where the women wear rings around their neck to stretch their necks in the pursuit of beauty) in northern Thailand, through the story of Susa, a young tribal girl. Lovely photographs. Very informative picture book. 6-10
Other Asian
A Dog For Ramon (Janet Bartosiak) $3 HB GC Ramon lives in a village near Manila, in the Philippines. He is the Kuya, the oldest brother in the family and his father is a jeepney driver, earning a few pesos each day. Ramon yearns to own a dog and how he comes about obtaining the pedigree German Shepherd puppy is an interesting tale. 6-10 YO
Ladybird “Malaysian Tales” (Adibah Amin) $2 HB EC A great introduction to the culture and landscapes of Malaysia through this colourful little book’s traditional folktales. 5-9
A Kingdom Lost For A Drop Of Honey And Other Burmese Folktales (Maung Htin Aung) $4 HB GC (Ex lib) A lovely collection of 16 Burmese tales including The Greedy Stallkeeper And The Poor Traveller, Mister Luck And Mr Industry, A Kingdom Lost For A Drop Of Honey, Why The Tiger Is So Angry At The Cat and The Drunkard And The Opium-Eater. Stunning wood block engravings and a key to the Burmese meanings at the rear. Great cultural insight. 8-12 YO
The Pacific
The Turtle And The Island: Folk Tales From Papua New Guinea (Barbara Ker Wilson) $5 HBDJ GC (Ex lib, tape residue on inturns) A wonderful collection of 42 folk tales from Papua New Guinea including The Giant Eel, The Proper Way To Make Sago, The Drum Of The Timpenni, The Gift Of The White Cockatoo, The Turtle Wife, The Batwomen Of Koitabu and many more. Splendid sepia illustrations with an authentic New Guinean feel add extra insight and interest to the book. 6-12 YO
Children Of Oropiro (Alex & Roslyn Poignant) $1 HB VGC A book of delightful photos featuring three children - two boys & a girl - photographed on the Polynesian island of Raiatea. The majority of the photos are in colour. The very last one, of a little girl dancing, is particularly nice. Follow their daily activities of work and play through the interesting photographs and story. 6-10
New Zealand
Sione’s Talo (Lino Nelisi) $2 PB VGC One day, Sione found a huge talo growing on his New Zealand plantation. He pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but he couldn't pull it out. 4-8 YO http://www.childrenslibrary.org/icdl/BookPreview?bookid=nlssnst_00270004&summary=true&categories=false&route=simple_0_0_zealand_English_0&lang=English&msg=%20
Maori Legends For Young New Zealanders (Katarina Mataira) $6 HB VGC A selection of legends retold including In The Beginning, The Sons Of Rangi And Papa, Children Of The Gods, Mako And Tuatara, Maui Snares The Sun, The Pet Whale, The Treacherous Kae, The Giant Pouakai Bird, Rata And The Totara Tree, Pou And The Bird of Rua-Kapanga and The Boy And The Seedpod Canoe. 6-10 YO http://www.storylines.org.nz/book_details.asp?book_id=568 (Cover different)
James The Captain Cook Pig (Brian Birchall) $3 HB VGC Beautiful children's book with stunning illustrations. Anout James, a descendant of one of the pigs that travelled to New Zealand way back with Captain Cook. Full colour paintings throughout, charming story. 5-10 YO. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Books/Children-babies/Picture-books/Other/auction-147786621.htm
Hinemoa And Tutanekai (Peter Gossage) $4 PB VGC Peter Gossage is the author of many fine books that retell Maori myths and legends of old with his beautiful artwork. He has rendered this well-known and popular tale of two young Maori people who fall in love at a level suited to readers 7 years and older. The story of Hinemoas courageous journey to be with her love is accompanied by bright and attractive artwork. OUT OF PRINT 4-9 YO
New Zealand Shake-Up (Stacy Towie Morgan) $3 PB GC Eight-year-old Hope Brown and her little sister, Annie, love to travel, and because of their dad's job, the two home-schooled girls have lots of opportunities. Join the fun as they visit exciting countries and meet inspiring Christians from all over the world. In New Zealand Shake-Up, Hope and Annie visit a sheep ranch in New Zealand and see farm life close up. And when an earthquake shakes things up, Hope finds that living on a farm is anything but dull! But something more than an earthquake is troubling the friendly farmhand, Rangi. Can Hope help him before he gets hurt? 8-11 YO http://www.acloserlook.com/9708acl/children_youth/rubyslippersseries.html
Biddy Alone (Wanda Cowley) $2 PB GC (Light tanning) Be enthralled by Biddy’s adventures in the New Zealand bush where her father is a park ranger of a bird sanctuary. Learn about conservation and bushcraft in New Zealand. 8-11 http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/cowleywanda.html (Same format as top book)
