Tashi series by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Allen and Unwin, 2015.
Tashi and the Golden Jawbone. ISBN 9781925267020
Tashi and Giant Squid. ISBN 9781925266993
(Ages: 6-8) Recommended. Based on the Popular Television Series.
Tashi has been a much-loved character since 1995, when mother and
daughter Anna and Barbara Fienberg published their first junior
novel. Flying Bark Productions has taken the wonderful stories,
special characters and created an animated series for ABC3. These
colourful new stories showcase the bold graphic designs from the
animations.
Each story begins with the explanation that Jack's parents have sent
him to stay with his cousin Tashi and they are caught up in magical
adventures in a fantastical land inhabited by unique creatures and
evil villains, trolls, giants or witches. Of course feisty Lotus
Blossom is there to help the boys in the difficult situations that
they always seem to find themselves in.
In Tashi and the Golden Jawbone the annual Storyteller's
Competition is being held and the prize is a huge golden shark's
jawbone. Jack's story of the box factory impresses the villagers,
however, all Tashi can think about is wanting to experience
something new, exciting and dangerous. Desperate to steal a tale
from Tashi the storyteller, the Baron captures the boys. After
escaping from the Baron and avoiding capture by the bandits, the
boys run into Baba Yaga's house. She is delighted and sets about
making boy stew. With the help of an old Instamatic camera, they
escape from the witch and avoid the Baron's clutches. After an
encounter with a white tiger and a little help from the Thunderdove,
the boys are back just in time for Tashi to recount his adventures
and win the master storyteller prize.
The villagers are excited to be competing in the Annual Fishing
Contest in Tashi and Giant Squid. Jack's first attempt with
his new techno-rod and glittering lure catches a small baby squid -
a Kraken. Of course The Warlord marches in with his soldiers
carrying a gigantic Trumper eel which he claims he's caught (without
any proof.) Even though Tashi informs Wise-as-an-Owl that eels are
freshwater creatures and can't be caught in saltwater, the Warlord
wins the prize again. The boys set up an aquarium for the little
squid, not heeding Lotus Blossom's warning. When the Warlord calls
the next morning demanding that his prize is returned to him,
another chase begins. Jack and Tashi use their keen detective skills
to solve the disappearance of the trophy and Squidly is returned to
his mother, a giant squid with huge pink tentacles.
Twenty pages of puzzles, activities and games are included as well.
These stories are a great gift for the young Tashi fan.
Recommended for 6-8 year olds
Rhyllis Bignell