Looking over the bulk of modern fiction for children, one can be disheartened by the general mediocrity and poor craftsmanship. However, there are always authors who have wonderful stories to tell and the skill with which to tell them.
Though Pure Chance, by Gillian Rubinstein (Walker, £3.99 UK), is devoid of depth or beauty of language, it is a competently written tale of a girl and her horse. Unlike her friend Sarah, Lizzie belongs to a family who can't afford riding lessons let alone to buy her a pony. But perseverance, hard work and a stroke of good luck gain her what she wants most in the world. The simple prose and strong narrative are ideal for reluctant and problem readers, while the confident will race through it. Presumably this is why it belongs to a series called "Racers" established by Walker who are renowned for high quality children's books. Ages 7-12.
Willa and Old Miss Annie, by Berlie Doherty (Walker, £3.50 UK), is comprised of three beautifully written and interconnected stories which deserve to be described as miniature masterpieces". For under 7's, to be read aloud or alone, each story centres on an abandoned animal: Joshua the goat a Shetland pony and a fox cub whose family has been killed by dogs. Helping the animals are a cast of unusual characters including a lonely little girl called Willa, and Old Miss Annie with her hair like wool and "a tiny whispery voice". Evocative images of the countryside offset character portraits of depth and complexity. The style is innovative and artistic, using literary techniques such as repetition, Joycean listing of events, and the presentation of characters from oblique angles. This kind of writing for very young children is a rare gift; inspiring and enjoyable stories which also expose a young reader to the mastery of language.
Charming full-colour plates and more text than usual for picture books distinguish three offerings from a series called "Stories from Pinecroft Farm", written by Heather Henning and illustrated by Roger Best (Kevin Mayhew, £4.99 each in UK). The books have a specific but not heavy-handed Christian theme. Only Dandy the Donkey contains religious references within the body of the text. The little donkey who wishes to be a horse is told to be proud of himself in memory of the donkey from Palm Sunday. The Adventures of Misty, Minty and Mango is a coming-of-age tale about three owlets who must grow up and leave home. In Biffy to the Rescue, several seasons and events are compressed into one story of a resourceful sheepdog who protects Jacob sheep. Not as tightly written as the other two, the tale meanders but still holds the reader's interest, particularly with the aid of the illustrations. All three books contain excellent farm and wildlife information both within the text and at the back of the book.. Biblical questions and activity suggestions are also provided. Ages 5-9, aloud or alone.
The Beast of Whixall Moss, by Pauline Fisk (Walker, £3.99 in UK) is an extraordinary if poorly titled work. Though not a typical fantasy novel per se, it presents the drama of family relationships against the faint and mythical backdrop of fabulous beasts. In the foreground is an awkward eleven-yea-old boy struggling with loneliness, failure, his mother's unspoken disapproval, and a family fraught with tension and hardship. In the background is the vague and immense presence of all things invisible and intangible for which humanity yearns - hope, beauty, unity, harmony - depicted through the existence of a gentle six-headed beast. Age level 9-12, calling for confident readers in the lower age-range. Adults will enjoy this too.