‘Whistleblower’ by Ben Sanders. [Image: www.bensanders.com.au]

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] D [/dropcap]ENNINGTON  is a little town that punches above its weight in terms of growing serious talent – think Shane Howard (Goanna) and Val Bertrand (champion rower and netballer) – and it is where talented author and illustrator Ben Sanders was born.

Michaelie Clark, from Warrnambool Books, has chosen Ben’s new children’s book as her selection for the week and what a fine choice it is.

[We love children’s books – even though we don’t have any children – because they can take you to another place, a bit like a Disney movie, or the wonderful stuff from Pixar. Who can resist Dr Seuss, Shaun Tan, Mem Fox, Pamela Allen…no matter how old you are. If you are having a bad day, try reading a kid’s book: we promise it will improve your mood.]

Meanwhile, here is what Michaelie has to say about Ben’s book:

“Written and illustrated by award-winning artist Ben Sanders, I’ve an Uncle Ivan is a delightfully whimsical picture story book that has been a stand-out over the last few months for its cruising rhythm and retro style.

Following Uncle Ivan in his pie van is his entire extended family on various modes of transport, including Kate on a single roller skate and Michael on a unicycle. Through a romp of rhyme and nostalgia, they form a capering convoy all the way to their ultimate destination – the circus.

The book also includes a make-your-own 3D paper craft van.

Check out Warrnambool Books on Facebook for more updates on new releases by local authors.

 [box] Ben Sanders has a sensational website. You can check it out at www.bensanders.com.au [/box]

Catch up on our other Bookmarks…

Can Paul Jennings put a foot wrong?

Getting fit the fun way with Marie Bean

Gorgeous working dogs

Hello, it is Barney Bluestone here (one of the two Bluestone cocker spaniels).

Normally the two-legged people in the household write these introductions to Bookmarks, but this week it is my turn because it is a book about DOGS!

Most people think that dogs don’t like to read and that only cats read (especially newspapers; cats just LOVE newspapers), but where do you think the term dog-eared pages came from?

That’s right – from us dogs trying to turn the pages with our big old paws.

But I digress.

This is a wonderful book: it is full of gorgeous dogs and their stories. I am giving it four-paws.

Michaelie Clark from Warrnambool Books will now tell you why it is almost certain to be a best seller:

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] A [/dropcap]ward-winning Australian photographer, Andrew Chapman, has teamed up with fellow photographer, Melanie Faith Dove, to create Working Dogs, a spectacular tribute to the cleverest and most colourful canine characters of the countryside.

The book features unique and captivating photographs of man’s best friend, both hard at work and in more playful moments, with accompanying snippets of text to provide background and complement the atmosphere of the photos.

While focused mainly on Smithfields, Koolies, Heelers, Kelpies and Collies, the book also includes a section dedicated to ‘The Wannabes’ – the Pugs, Jack Russells and other small or ‘funny looking’ dogs on the farming frontline, who are no less important or enthusiastic in their endeavours, but who contribute more to light relief than the serious business of making a living on the land (though they may think otherwise at times).

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] A [/dropcap]s with Chapman’s Woolsheds and Around the Sheds, the photographs have been taken in various locations around the country, including several areas in South-West Victoria, such as Bushfield, Merino, Darlington, Port Fairy and Casterton.

(I am inspired! I think I may have to pen a book called “Work? Work? A cocker spaniel guide to doing nothing and getting away with it”. – Barney).

Please visit Warrnambool Books on Facebook for regular updates on new releases.

EXERCISE IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS that sounds really great, until you have to do it.

If only getting fit – and staying that way – was as easy as buying all of the right gear. Unfortunately having the best jogging shoes and sexiest running top is only the start: you still have to use them.

Which is why this week’s book choice by Warrnambool Books really appeals to us.

This is what Michaelie Clark, from Warrnambool Books, has to say about her selection:

Hot on the (jogger-shod) heels of the UK tour of Lazy Runner comes the release of Lazy Loser, the second book by local-born author and health & fitness guru, Marie Bean.

Confronting weight-loss myths and diet fads head-on, Lazy Loser offers sustainable and practical strategies and advice for implementing simple, effective and enjoyable changes to lifestyle and mindset.

Lazy Loser examines Australia’s food, exercise and body image mentality to evaluate where the real problems lie; it breaks the population into ‘temptation categories’ and then suggests realistic approaches to overcoming weight issues long-term.

Best of all, this is done in Marie Bean’s entertaining and down-to-earth style: “There is no magic bullet to weight-loss. I wish there was and it came coated in chocolate, but alas, there is not.”

(No chocolate-coated solution? Damn – Carol)

• Please visit Warrnambool Books on Facebook for regular updates on new releases.

WE DON’T NEED TO TELL you that Paul Jennings has come a long way since lecturing primary school teaching students in the 1980s at what was then the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education.

(Actually, I can remember Paul reading us bleary eyed third years the draft of his very first book and asking us for feedback. ‘Not bad,’ we said. Hell, what did we know? – Carol).

We have invited Michaelie Clark from Warrnambool Books to each week choose a reading highlight for people who love books and, where possible, to pick a work by a local author. Michaelie has this week chosen Paul’s new series for young adults:

“The imagination of award-winning Warrnambool author Paul Jennings has soared to new heights with his latest series, Don’t Look Now. The four book series, illustrated by Melbourne cartoonist Andrew Weldon, tells the story of Ricky, a boy who desperately wants to be famous – and has the means to be.

You see, Ricky can fly.

The only problem is, Ricky can’t stay airborne if there’s anybody around to witness it. If anyone were to see him flying, he would promptly fall out of the sky and surely plummet to his death, leading Ricky to quite a conundrum…”

(Does anybody see an analogy here between Ricky’s problem and the fears that hold all of us back if we know somebody is watching us? I like it already – Carol).

• Please visit Warrnambool Books on Facebook for regular updates on new releases.