Designing Australian Bush Gardens

By Maloney, Betty & Walker, Jean

A.H. & A. W. Reed Pty. Ltd., 1966, 127 pp

This book is a work of both propaganda and advice. Its underlying philosophy is that it is destruction of the native landscape and not so much bad individual design that makes our suburbs such a mess.

The book extends design principles, through practical advice about gardening and the care of particular plants, to enable its user to create his own environment in harmony with his needs and the dictates of nature.

The opening section deals with general questions of horticulture and design. There are then detailed discussions of five specific garden plans, including a school courtyard garden. There are then notes on regeneration planting and floral emblems.

Consumer Watch: Your guide to value for money and consumer rights

By Peter Fitzgerald

Victorian Commercial Teachers Association in association with the Herald, Melbourne, 1978, 57 pp, $1.95 pb

The book is based on a series of articles produced for the Melbourne Herald to assist consumers to benefit from others’ experiences, and to avoid the pitfalls that concern the unwary. The opening article states general principles and is followed by articles giving specific advice to consumers on how to avoid or redress wrongs. Then follow a series of articles dealing with such matters as purchasing a bicycle, obtaining a loan, and renting a house.

The book would be of use to classes in consumer education as well as to the general public. It is based on Victorian State law and practices.

ASLA V, Fifth Biennial Conference of the Australian School Library Association, Volume 2 - Papers

By School Library Association, Canberra & District.

Australian School Library Association 1976, 68 pp

NB: The proceedings and additional papers, on microfiche, are available on request at a cost of 25c. per fiche.

Although the ASLA Conference V was held in 1976, the proceedings, now published following editing by the School Library Association of Canberra and District, retain their relevance.

The opening address by the late H.P. Schoenheimer reminds us of the vision and humanity of this educator whose talk on ‘The Librarian and the New World Order’ reminds us of the vast potential for good of the school library. Other papers deal with the relationship of school and other libraries, information services, obtaining value for money, and childrens’ literature in the library.

A record of proceedings gives some of the flavour of the conference.

Australian Government Style Manual

(Revised Edition)

Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra 1978, XVI + 463 pp, $9.95 hb, $7.00 pb

The Australian Government Publishing Service has just issued a third and revised edition of this invaluable style manual. The contents remain much the same as in the earlier editions, but have been revised in consultation with the late Professor Grahame Johnston and Mr John Pitson. The alterations bring the material up-to­date, and new material has been added, for example, on recent developments in type­setting.

The manual has five sections, on: Writing and Editing, Copyreading and Proofs, Designing for Print, Printing, and Duplicating and Copying, and eleven appendices covering such matters as modes of address, difficult spellings, special signs and symbols, and the law relating to publication.

The manual is indispensable for anyone concerned with the written word. Its advice is simple and the reasoning behind its rulings is explained. It would be of much greater use to English and Language teachers than most textbooks prepared specifically for their assistance, although it is probably too detailed for student use.

The advice it gives for the preparation of copy would assist every professional writer.

How to Grow Better House Plants

By Leslie Johns.

A.H. & A. W. Reed, 1975, 98 pp

Another Reed reprint, this book was first issued in 1975. The photographic illustrations show what the various plants discussed in the text will look like in the house. The text gives practical advice on their care.

A Power of Roses

Bv Ruth Parks

Penguin Books Australia Ltd., Aug. 1978, 286 pp, $3.25 pb

The Big Smoke

By D’Arcy Niland

Penguin Books Australia Ltd., Aug. 1978, 224 pp, $3.25 pb

Australia’s Home: Why Australians built the way they did

Bv Robin Boyd

Penguin Books Australia Ltd., Aug. 1978, 316 pp, $3.95 pb

These Penguin reissues of well-known books will enable new readers to make their acquaintance with these authors. The Robin Boyd volume is a classic of Australian domestic architecture, taste, and social history. The re-reading of Ruth Park’s novel confirms the power of her writing.