It’s our great pleasure to reveal today the gorgeous cover of the brand-new omnibus edition of Ian Irvine’s fabulous fantasy quartet for young readers, The Sorcerer’s Tower.
The cover illustration is by David Allan.
Internal illustrations are by D.M. Cornish.
The book will be launched on September 15 in Armidale.
Reading Time reviewer Mem Capp highly recommends the book. Here’s the review:
Max Fatchen grew up on the land, a fact reflected in his poems full of humour, fun and keen observation. Using a range of poetic styles, from couplet, to limerick, to prose poetry, he revels in family fun and folly, dances in the woodshed, and the joy of a flooding creek after times of drought; especially when it means being late for school.
A journalist and writer of more than 20 books, Fatchen wrote novels, picture books and poetry. This new edition of his much loved favourites has an introduction by Janeen Brian and playful black and white illustrations by Kathy Creamer.
An important addition to any home or school library. Highly recommended for ages 5+.
Well-known children’s poet and novelist Di Bates has published a fabulous review of A Pocketful of Rhymes in Buzz Words. Here’s an extract:
What a wonderful idea it was of Australian publisher Christmas Press to introduce a second imprint to re-introduce children’s books which were popular in their day and/or which have gone on to become classics. Hence this collection of poems, his 13th book, written by Max Fatchen, first published in 1989 by Omnibus, is now given new life with an introduction by award-winning author/poet Janeen Brian, and illustrations by Kathy Creamer.
You can read the whole review here.
There’s a fabulous review of A Pocketful of Rhymes on the excellent Kids Book Review site.
Here’s an extract:
I’m thrilled to see this book. As a poetry lover, I long for children to have access to poems that are so imaginative and clever being brought back to life. They are designed to inform, educate and entertain, bringing smiles and laughs to the reader in the process.
The poems vary in length. Some are short and sweet 4 lines. The 3 – 4 word sentences are as brilliant as the lengthy poems.
The illustrations complement the poems beautifully. Kathy Creamer’s translation of the poems is to be complimented. Overall, this is a welcome publication that should be in all schools and libraries in general.
Check out other favourite titles available through Second Look, and those that are forthcoming.
You can read the whole review here.
Author Ian Irvine
We are very pleased to announce that our next Second Look title will be an omnibus volume of bestselling fantasy author Ian Irvine’s fabulous Sorcerer’s Tower quartet for young readers, to be published in September. The book will be launched at the Sorcery to Spaceships speculative fiction festival in Armidale, NSW on Friday September 15.
Cover reveal coming soon, but here’s a bit about the book:
Illustrator DM Cornish
Join orphan Tamly and his best friend Kym as they embark on a dangerous mission to save their home from the evil forces that threaten it at every turn! Packed with magic, adventure, and unexpected twists and turns, bestselling author Ian Irvine’s exciting fantasy quartet for younger readers, fabulously illustrated by D.M Cornish, is a treat for readers aged 8-12.
This new omnibus edition, published in the Second Look imprint of Christmas Press, contains all four books in the series: Book 1, Thorn Castle; Book 2, Giant’s Lair; Book 3, Black Crypt; Book 4, Wizardry Craig.
This edition with a new cover illustration by David Allan.
‘It has all the things that turn reluctant readers into avaricious readers – fast moving plot, big grabby monsters and really cool illustrations.’ (Reading Time)
Second Look Publishing 