The Riding Gallery by Sally Murphy illustrated by Martina Heiduczek

The horses are four abreast in 14 rows. 

There are also two hand carved wooden elephant carriages. 

One elephant is white the other is grey. 

Tell me about this merry-go-round: It was the largest portable steam riding gallery seen in Australia, with a mechanical system allowing it to carry fifty tons without noise or vibration. It carried forty-eight ornately carved horses galloping four abreast; a steam-engine of brass against a highly decorative mirrored background; twisted brass upright bars and an elaborate organ with moving mechanical figures. The carved wooden horses, imported from Germany were impaled on brass bars made in Scotland. They were brightly painted with coloured glass on their harnesses and gargoyles on the rear of their saddles. The horses were all named after popular racehorses of the time. 

The carousel and organ were installed on the Esplanade of the Melbourne bay side suburb of St. Kilda adjacent to Luna Park, the recently built (December 1912) amusement park modelled on a similar American establishment at Coney Island. The carousel travelled the rural “show circuit” during the winter months for a number of years, before being located permanently on the Esplanade at St.Kilda. Anton Weniger, a German immigrant ran the carousel until he relinquished it to William Kelly after about fifty soldiers arrived at the Esplanade in January 1916 during the First World War and attacked Weniger’s Riding Gallery because he was German. (from “St.Kilda - The Show Goes On” by Anne Longmire, 1983). It is likely that the organ facade was damaged at this time since the maker’s name (Gebruder Bruder) was emblazoned on it above the Glockenspiel. The board bearing the maker’s name and the wings, which carried the drums, are missing from those parts of the facade that still exist. Source

You can see the merry-go-round here in Canberra. 

Sally Murphy saw this actual merry-go-round in Canberra (more about how it came to be there below) and this inspired her to do some research and then create a story told as a verse novel. 

I only had enough money

for one ride.

It had to be Mr Weniger's of course.

Rory wasn't so sure.

There are bigger rides

he said.

But he followed me anyway

and I could see he was impressed

that Mr Weniger

knew me.

And let us ride for free!

Afterwards though

he said something funny.

Something that shocked me.

Something I am not even sure is right.

Mr Weniger is all right,

he said.

For a German.

The story is told in three voices - Anton Weniger, Evelyn who has moved to St Kilda from Wodonga where she previously met Anton Weniger and Rory who has three older brothers who have just enlisted. The year is 1915 and Australia is now part of the war that is being waged in Europe. 

Here are some teachers notes from the publisher. Here is a detailed review from The Bottom Shelf. There are useful references included at the back of the book.

More background information: The story begins with Herbert Thomson, born in Melbourne in 1890. By age 19, he had helped his father install machines in coal mines and built a steam engine used in a boat launch on the Yarra River. By 27, he had set up his own business producing steam engines and boilers. In July 1899, he revealed his tour de force – a self-propelled, steam-driven vehicle – or, to put it another way, Australia’s first car. It reached a top speed of 24 km/h, hit during a 56 hour, 36 minute maiden journey from Bathurst to Melbourne. The Thomson Motor Car Company was born, and subsequent models reached 40 km/h and even beat a Benz imported from Germany. The company went out of business in 1912, but not before Herbert had designed a steam-powered carousel for St Kilda beach. It was a properly international effort. The animals, including 50 horses and two elephants, were hand carved in Germany, and sit four abreast in 14 rows, while the twisted brass poles were made in Scotland. Jaunty accompaniment was taken care of by a steam-powered 69-key pipe organ, also from Germany. It drew crowds in Melbourne until September 1973, when Canberra locals collectively raised $40,000 to purchase it from a public auction. Source

Listen to this ABC interview with Sally Murphy.

My friend tells me this book will be welcomed in our New South Wales schools because one of the 'set texts' for the English syllabus is Worse Things by Sally Murphy - sorry I have not been able to find the unit of work but she explained how she creates sets of books for classrooms filled with books to further extend these prescriptive English units containing books by the author being studied or books from a related genre or theme. I hope you can hear me cheering her hard work.

Here are some other books by Sally Murphy I have talked about on this blog:

Worse Things

Pearl verses the World

Toppling

Queen Narelle

This book by Pamela Rushby would be the perfect companion book to extend readers understanding of the way German citizens were treated in Australia during World War I.

Interned

Other books about Merry-go-rounds:

Merrylegs

The midnight fair

We Know a Place by Maxine Beneba Clarke

"We know a place that's mysterious-magic, 
a window to lives you can't even imagine."

The place is a bookshop on Ballarat Street. We have a town in Victoria here in Australia called Ballarat and there is a Ballarat Street in the city of Melbourne in the suburb of Brunswick but I love the way this story is universal. International and interstate readers do not need to relate to any real place - Ballarat Street just has a pleasant ring. Of course there is also a real bookshop in Ballarat Street, Yarraville also in Melbourne - The Sun Bookshop and just up the road the sweet little Younger Sun children's bookshop.

The children in this family enjoy their visit to the bookshop each week once their chores are completed but this week their new book is filled with trolls and they escape from the pages and cause havoc in the family.

Publisher blurb: Every Saturday, when the chores are done, two children set out on a journey to their local bookshop, a magical place where sneaky stories escape as you peep in the door and there's plentiful magic for each and for all. Monsters, giants, trolls and pirates ahoy! But what happens when some cheeky creatures follow the children home one day?

If there was a prize here in Australia for end papers I think I might give Maxine Beneba Clarke and her book, We Know a Place, first prize.

I am trying to anticipate the 2024 CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) notable titles which is the first step towards the short lists (Picture Book, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Older Readers, Non Fiction and New Illustrator). This book might make the Early Childhood notable selection. The announcement is due in just over a week. 

Here are some teachers notes by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright for We know a place. Here are a few quotes from the author notes:

If you look closely among the pages of We Know a Place, you will find fairytale characters you may recognise from other stories, including a runaway gingerbread man, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, one of the Three Bears from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, pirates, monsters and more. 

The illustrations were drawn with watercolour pencil and soft lead pencil on heavily textured cardstock. As an illustrator, I always like to start with a coloured page, rather than a white page, as it means there is already a ‘mood’ on the page. This is why you will rarely see white backgrounds in any children’s books I have illustrated.

The notes also contain a list of other picture books about bookstores, reading and libraries.

Book shopping in Melbourne

 

My friends and I recently visited Melbourne and we were able to visit several independent bookstores:

Younger Sun in Yarraville

The Little Bookroom in Fitzroy North

Readings in Carlton

Hill of Content Melbourne CBD

We also looked at picture books in number of specialty stores and we found an antiques store with a very good selection of picture books - I should have bought Satin by Sophie Masson for only $10 but as usual I do worry about heavy luggage.

Here are the books I purchased and have already read - most will appear on this blog over the coming days.

Click this link to read about the first two books in this series

This one is an action packed page turner. The first in a series.

This is a verse novel

I Know You're Lying

Sea Glass

Sea Glass by Rebecca Fraser

Over the last few weeks I have been trying to find and read Australian middle grade or junior novels published in 2023 which might be listed as CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) notable titles or even possible short list contenders. I am fairly sure this book would have been submitted and I was pleased to find it in a Melbourne bookshop perhaps it will be a notable title. I was interested to see this independent bookstore (Readings) short listed Sea Glass for their own prize. The Readings judge said:

There are no great adventures to be had, or mysteries to be solved in this book. It is instead a slim, simple story about a world which children, and their parents and grandparents, will easily recognise. Perfect for reading together. — Kate McIntosh

I did want this book to have a deeper emotional impact on me. Some of the confusion and disappointments felt by Cailin seemed to somehow resolve a little too quickly. I guess I anticipated a slightly different story line based on my reading of the blurb. This is a very short book which can easily be read in one sitting. It is a sweet story for younger readers aged 9+ who enjoy stories about family relationships. It certainly is a very Australian book with the references to a Summer Christmas celebration, cricket, Don Bradman, the Christmas day Queen's message, and eating fish and chips at the beach. Grandpa also has a colloquial Australian accent. 

Publisher blurb: When Cailin has to spend Christmas at her eccentric grandfather's shack at Whitefoam Cove, her holiday plans are ruined. She barely remembers him, let alone knows him. Memories of her father are everywhere and, to make matters worse, she's left her cricket bat at home. It's going to be the worst summer ever. But there's treasure to be found at Whitefoam Cove! However just when it seems she and Grandpa are finally making a connection, disaster strikes ... and Cailin knows it's all her fault.

Sea Glass - "Every piece has a story to tell." "Cailin picked up a few pieces from the table and examined them more closely. They really were beautiful, with their perfectly smooth edges and frosted surface. She could see why Grandpa had chosen to decorate his Christmas tree with them." "The sea glass was all different shapes and sizes. Some were round like pebbles and others were oblong, triangular, or whatever-shaped." "Every piece has a tale to tell ... It all starts with what it used to be and where it came from." "Anything that originally started out as glass. Broken bottles that once held beer, wine, juice, milk, even perfume. ... You'd be surprised what ends up in the sea ... It sinks to the bottom of the ocean, breaks apart as it tosses against coral and rocks, and little pieces of it gradually become smoother and smoother after years of rolling against the ocean floor. Until finally, the sea glass gets tossed up on the shore as beautiful sea gems for us to find."

Image Source: Galicia Spain

Here is an interview with Melbourne author Rebecca Fraser. Read more about Rebecca Fraser here. And here are ten questions with Rebecca Fraser.  Listen to an audio sample here. Here is a 39 minute interview by Reading with a Chance of Tacos.

Click these review comments to read more plot details:

Every word in every sentence is beautiful. Visual descriptions place the reader directly in the characters’ lives and helps them experience the emotions that are portrayed on the page. Kids'  Book Review

Sea Glass is a calm yet captivating book about reconnecting with family, how grief and loss affects people, the importance of keeping memories and traditions alive for the next generation, and owning up to your mistakes and prejudices. This is a deceptively complex book with strong themes hidden in quiet and unadorned writing, making it a joy to read. Story Links

This tender story explores the power of family, unbreakable family ties, the diverse ways loss and grief may impact individuals and how they cope in the aftermath of such loss. It also explores what at times can feel like a massive intergenerational chasm, yet one that can be bridged by sharing an interest, exploring nature and treasure hunting. This story is also a celebration of the many and beautiful ways a grandparent can influence family dynamics – they are caregivers, teachers, a link to the past, keepers of stories, sharers of knowledge and wisdom. Reading Opens Doors

Peregrines in the City by Andrew Kelly and Sue Lawson illustrated by Dean A Jones

 

"The tiercel hunts, searching for prey."

What is a tiercel? Where is this huge bird? Where does he take is prey? Is this the place you expect to find a nest?

"She settles back to incubate her clutch. Not all eggs may hatch and not all those that hatch may survive to fledge."

How long does it take to incubate falcon eggs? What does fledging mean?

"The tiercel arrives with the eyases' first meal. He strips meat from bone and delicately feeds the balls of wobbling fluffy down."

Some facts about peregrine falcons:

• They live on every continent except Antarctica
• The have a yellow ring around their eyes, yellow and feet with black talons.
• The female is larger than the male.
• They can reach speeds of up to 300km per hour.
• Falcons eat pigeons, seagulls and other small to medium sized birds.
• Falcons mate for life.
• They lay eggs on high stoney ledges or cliff faces, in hollow trees and on skyscrapers.
• Their nest is called a scrape, the chicks are called eyases.

This book is based on a pair of Peregrine Falcons who nested at 367 Collins Street in Melbourne back in 1991. In 2020 volunteers added raised nesting boxes to the ledge. The same pair have bred chicks since 2017. 

Publisher blurb: As urban development encroaches more and more on wild areas, many species have to adapt to survive. One species that has adapted to city living is the peregrine falcon. Falcons normally nest on high cliffs but in many cities across the world they can be found nesting on tall buildings.

The writing in this book is so powerful as evidenced by the poignant moment at the end when the three young birds leave the ledge and all that is left is one abandoned egg.

This is a fabulous book with such a striking cover. I well remember talking about peregrine falcons with all of the children in my school when Home by Narelle Oliver was short listed in 2007. 

I do wish this book had a glossary. I had to look up ‘tiercel’ and ‘gravel scrape’ and ‘eyases’.  I know some of these are explained on the falcon facts page, but I wanted a quick word list to refer to as I was reading. Here is a review of Peregrines in the City in Reading Time. And here are a set of detailed teaching notes. 

Peregrines in the City was a 2023 CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Notable title (Eve Pownall - Non Fiction). I imagine it would have come close to short listing (6 titles) but was probably 'beaten' by Opal and Dart - a book with truly wonderful bird illustrations.

Recently I watched a video from the Evanston Public Library in Chicago where they also have had a pair of nesting falcons since 2004. Sorry the video on this page is not available in Australia. 

Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer

Sport fans, especially fans of basketball and netball are sure to enjoy this new Australian verse novel due for publication in June 2023. This is the second book I have read by Karen Comer and I was happy to discover this one relied a little less on familiarity with Melbourne.

There are a few reasons I enjoy verse novels. They are quick to read of course but more than that they usually contain quite emotional stories. Sunshine on Vinegar Street didn't quite touch my heart but I did relate to Freya's fear of riding in lifts. At her age of twelve, I had a fear of riding on escalators. 

Back to the setting of this book. Freya has moved with her mother to the eleventh floor of a city apartment building. She has to navigate a lot of stairs each day and worse, she now has to navigate relationships in a new school. Especially relationships with awful girls who plan to be selected for the A Grade basketball team. Freya loves basketball and she is a skilled player but Val is determined to see her fail. Freya also has to cope with desperately missing her dad who is working in Broome. 

Across the road from their new apartment there is a Melbourne landmark - The Skipping Girl Sign or Skipping Girl Vinegar Sign, colloquially known as Little Audrey - an historic animated neon sign in the inner suburb of Abbotsford, Melbourne. You can read more about Little Audrey here. Turn off the sound and watch this video of the neon sign in action. 

Publisher blurb: Freya's world is turned upside down when she and her mum move to inner-city Melbourne. Now she's ... Stuck in a new apartment on the eleventh floor and Freya is afraid of lifts. Stuck in a new basketball team where not everyone likes a killer new player.  Stuck in a classroom of kids who don't know Freya is a donor-conceived baby. Stuck, just like little Audrey in the Skipping Girl sign suspended in mid-air over the suburb of Abbotsford. Being the new girl makes Freya feel like a dark cloud on a summer's day. Can she figure out how to belong on Vinegar Street?

Here is Karen Comer's previous book which was also a verse novel but aimed at an older reader:

Grace Notes by Karen Comer

The only reason I gave this book four stars is because it has a very Melbourne setting and so I am not sure how well it will be understood in other parts of Australia and this probably limits sending the book to other English speaking countries. 

On the other hand this book is a splendid study of our modern times as we all negotiated Covid-19 and lockdowns, and daily government updates, and possibly even the death of a loved one. I do wish I could give it five stars because I found this story utterly engrossing. 

Grace is the third daughter in a high achieving family. Her father plays the violin beautifully but he gave up his dream to be a musician and became a communications trainer. But music is in her soul just as it is for her grandmother Ettie who was one a member of the symphony. Her mother is an international lawyer and as the story opens she has left for Italy. The date is 28th February, 2020 and the world is becoming concerned about a virus in China. Listen to the music Grace plays with her dad. 

Crux (James Michael Cruz) is an artist - he uses spray cans to create his huge works but for now he is limited to art on the garage wall because he is not allowed to buy spray cans until he is eighteen. His work is not tagging it is art. His father is a television cameraman so he is right in the thick of daily updates and news about Covid. He is also a youth counsellor. His mother loves crystals but she works as a nurse and so is all caught up in all the Covid panic, procedures and confusion.

Crux sees a YouTube video of Grace with her violin. He is invited by some street artists to assist with a huge commission piece in the city and when one guy fails to turn up, the other invite Crux to paint the violin girl.

This story is told in two voices, and it is a verse novel so it is filled with emotion. It is obvious from the beginning that Crux and Grace will meet but they will also have to navigate parents and the pandemic. The title has two meanings - grace notes are a part of music - optional but important and often beautiful. There are lots of notes in this book as Grace and Crux negotiate their new relationship, friendships and parents. They need to draw on grace to accept rules and change. They also have to convince their parents that even though they are both only fifteen they are old enough to make their own life decisions. 

"My violin always feels warm,

like there's still a breath in it

from the spruce trees,

from the maple tree,

living wood

cut down, carved out

to create a stringed voice.

There's still a life-force that sings

that can't ever be suppressed,

even when my violin lies alone in its case."

"Mum never let us wear

Disney princess dress-ups.

She never let us read

the pink-and-purple-coloured books

-a dozen in a series - 

with stories

about princesses who waited for princes

to rescue them.

So when we played princesses,

we rescued princes but refused to marry them,

fought dragons with homemade swords ... "

Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance copy. Grace Notes was published on 1st February, 2023. I highly recommend this book as a terrific addition to a High School library especially one in Melbourne or Victoria but perhaps in other parts of Australia too. I'm sure teenagers will know the name Dan Andrews and many will vividly remember zoom lessons and lockdowns and even the toilet paper stampedes. 

I can’t recommend this stunning debut novel highly enough. It explores the challenges imposed by the pandemic but is also a beautiful rendering of how much we need art to sustain us during tough times. This highly accessible story will inspire readers to think about art and its role in society. For ages 12+. Readings Melbourne

"Six days later Dan the man is up for his presser,

North Face jacket,

grim determination on his face.

I watch him from my laptop in bed,

still in my pyjamas ...

I already know what he's going to say.

He will tell Victorians,

the deflated Victorians,

the number of cases 

in the preceding twenty-four hours - 274 -

the number of death in the preceding twenty-four hours

from coronavirus - 

nine."

"Mum's face has almost permanent lines

from her PPE.

The AFL players catch planes with their families.

play footy for us.

We judge daily numbers

on whether Dan Andrews

is wearing his North Face or his suit.

We are over sourdough bread."