Thursday, March 05, 2015

Longacre publishes two new paperbacks for young readers

The Pirates and the Nightmaker
James Norcliffe
A strange and mischievous story written with exceptional style, pace and grace — a true classic in the making.

It’s 1740 . . .
The Firefly is taken in the night by pirates who sail the Caribbean. The ship’s boy and a handful of men are set adrift in a jolly-boat. Without food or water the half-starved men eye up the young boy.
Astonishingly, a mysterious Mr Wicker saves the boy by turning him into an unearthly creature — an invisible flying boy with beautiful emerald-green wings.
When the boy is drawn to a ghost ship sailed by Captain Bass, he learns of the dangerous power of a magical astrolabe which Mr Wicker desperately seeks — and why Wicker must never find it.
The boy cannot trust Wicker . . . but is there anyone he can trust ? Captain Bass? Sophie Blade, the pirate’s daughter? And who can return him to himself?


Published 6 March 2015 | Longacre  | RRP $19.99

The ACB with Honora Lee
Kate de Goldi

A story that reminds us again of the enduring alliance between the young and the very old.
Perry’s mother and father are busy people . . . they’re impatient, they’re tired, they get cross easily. And they think that only children, like Perry, should be kept busy. Perry would prefer a dog. But there is no dog – they’re far too messy – just week after week full to the brim with after-school activities: piano, clarinet, homework tutoring, movement class . . .

On Saturday mornings Perry and her father visit her gran, Honora Lee, at the Santa Lucia rest home, but Gran never remembers them. After movement class is abruptly cancelled, Perry is allowed to go to Santa Lucia on Thursday afternoons. She discovers her Gran has an unconventional interest in the alphabet, so Perry decides to make an alphabet book with the help of Honora and the others and soon everyone is interested in Perry’s book project.

Kate De Goldi has drawn on her own family’s experience of dementia to create a story which unfolds with characteristic warmth, quirky humour and a rich cast of residents. Illustrations by renowned artist Gregory O’Brien feature throughout the book enhancing the story while at the same time adding to its mystery.

The ACB of Honora Lee is a meditation on kindness, patience and acceptance; that of the very young and the very old. It will resonate with echoes of recollection for many – from Perry’s endearing perspective on the adult world to the embracing kindness of those who care for the elderly. 

Published 6 March 2015 | Longacre | RRP $24.99 | NOW IN B FORMAT

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