Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Eastern Regional Library Show 22nd April 2009

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next Wednesday for a great show.

On 22nd April show

Pia talked today about the germination of an idea in regards to the book Graveyard by Neil Gaiman. The idea came to him a number of years ago as his 2 year old son was riding his bike around a graveyard. Apparently their house at the time didn't have a backyard and the inside wasn't suitable for riding his bike around so Neil took him over the road to the graveyard. Whilst there he thought about a child being brought up by the ghostly occupants much in the same way the Mowgli is brought by the animals in The Jungle Book. He didn't think he had enough experience to write the book back then so put it on the back burner for years. The book begins with the murder of three members of family. A baby is the sole survivor. He ventures from his cot because he hears a noise and toddles down the street to the graveyard. The occupants of the graveyard decide to look after the little boy. A vampire agrees to help as he is the only one who can leave the graveyard to buy food for the baby. They name him Nobody as they don't know his real name. The story follows his life as he is growing up. Lurking in the background is the murderer who still wants to find him to finish the job! It sounds strange but is a very good book. It has been released with adult and children's editions illustrated by different people.

The two other books Pia reviewed were Her Mother's face by Roddy Doyle, illustrated by Freya Blackwood (an Aussie), and Wish pony by Catherine Bateson. The first book is about a young girl whose only memories of her dead mother are her hands, voice and being lifted to collect conkers. One day while sitting beneath the conker tree in the park she meets a beautiful lady to whom she can talk to about her sadness, and is cheered. The story goes on to describe how as a mother herself she can talk to her father about the lost mother and warmth is returned to their lives. This story hovers around the borderline of Picture book and a lovely book to read to primary age children.

The wish pony is about how the arrival of a new baby can be traumatic for older siblings; especially if Mum is unwell during the pregnancy. Ruby is the 10 year old who feels left out amid all the fuss around the new baby, and there are many trials and tribulations to be dealt with before she comes to terms with the change in her life. This book has been shortlisted for Children's Book of the Year Award and is suitable for 8-12 year olds.

---- Lesley

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