Here’s the latest in the crop of reviews by our schoolkids from the Book Fair we had recently. Janet Martin has written four rhyming books to date, based around NZ birds. Janet says she is ‘not a ‘literary’ person, and the books were written in fun and with love for our grandchildren’.

She and her partner Chris live in a glorious bush haven in the Waitakeres and her environment is no doubt conducive to her spot-on kiwi story-telling. They published the books themselves through their home-based label ‘Jampot Productions’. They have just added a fifth book to their list: Janet the Gannet, yet to be reviewed.

Here’s what the kids (from years 5 and 6 at Laingholm Primary) had to say:

Abigail Fantail – review by Rosa
Abigail Fantail is a descriptive and effectively written little book, for ages five and six. Janet Martin has written a simple story but created a little adventure for Abigail because she gets lost and spends the night by herself.

In the end, Abigail hears something rather familiar and she just knoww it is her mother! The one thing that worried me was when she was out in the bush alone at night, but I was relieved she safely got back to her nest.

Marigold Freeman, the illustrator, used different texture of colours, and wove intricate patterns of bush throughout the book.

As a rating our of ten, I give it a ten!

Mia the Kea – review by Kieren
Mia the Kea is best suited for Juniors aged 6 and up. The illustrations [by Ivar Treskon] are very supportive to the storyline and have a humorous effect.

Mia is a cheeky bird and is always up to some mischief. Thinking her pranks and tricks funny, Mia carries on with her antics until given a piece of her own medicine. As a result, Mia is chosen to be Roger the Ranger’s deputy Ranger.

I give it an eight out of ten rating.

Louie the Tui – review by Jack
This book is cleverly written in rhyme and is recommended for six year olds.

Louie the Tui does not know how to sing, but with a little help from a friend, he finds it is easy. From Granny Annie playing the guitar Louie realises he can sing, and as he practices his song all the kids gather round to hear Louie the Tui and Annie the Granny sing.

The pictures [by Ivar Treskon] have a cartoon style and are very detailed. They have been drawn and coloured by pencils.

[The rating is.. er, unavailable for this story].

Molly the Morepork and the lost campers – review by Isobel
Molly the Morepork is best suited for Juniors. It is both informational and humorous. Ivar Treskon has created the intricate and detailed coloured drawings to support the story.

Janet Martin has written in rhyme, which is very effective and entertaining.

The story is set in the bush when a group of kids decide to go for a walk, but the teachers who led the group were not well prepared. By late afternoon they are hopelessly lost. It was now dark but who do you think came to the rescue? MOLLY! They followed her calls and they were able to return to the campsite safely.

I give it a ten out of ten rating.

So there you go. The kids said it: intricate, effective, entertaining, supportive and humorous! We think Janet Martin is underselling herself. And all books have fantastic illustrations – Ivar Treskon is a brilliant artist.

The books retail for $14.95 and are available in bookshops around the country, or online.