Everything of Nigel Gray’s I have read is humane, wise and linguistically melodic.
Kurt Vonnegut
Picture books:
A BALLOON FOR GRANDAD
A wonderful book full of colourful language and imagery. An exciting and inspiring experience.
Five to Eleven Magazine
Beautifully presented and filled with genuine feeling. A lovely confidence builder.
Carousel
A classic that shows the variety and richness of the Earth and its people.
Review Round up
It won my heart.
Bookland
The lilting, evocative text will charm young listeners. Heart-warming.
Booklist
Adults and children alike will appreciate the surprising treatment of what seems
to be, at first, a loss.
Publishers weekly
A nicely cadenced story. A satisfying picture book.
The Kirkus Review
Young readers will be well entertained by this colourful and affectionate picture book where the world is made to seem both small and also infinitely various, containing as much exotic detail as any infant could ever imagine.
Books for your Children
Nigel Gray's lyrical text makes this book a real pleasure.
The Reading Teacher
A stunning picture book.
Letterbox Library
A delightful book.
Contact
A tender, loving story. A charming picture book.
Bend Reviews
Highly recommended.
Madison Metropolitan
Sensitively told.
Multicultural Guide to Children's books
A COUNTRY FAR AWAY
An extraordinary book.
Publishers Weekly
This unusual, sensitive book really brings out our shared human experiences, regardless of race.
Child Education
A winner. What I liked about the book was that each kid's life seems far more interesting and exciting than the other's, and it's a hook that I can't see a young reader getting off.
Times Educational Supplement
Gray understands that children are capable of insight and compassion, even into complex issues.
The Irish Times
Conveys the most complicated ideas effortlessly.
Mother
Terrific.
Catholic Library World
A unique book.
Focus
Never condescends or patronises.
Five Owls
Simple in concept, yet rich in execution.
Booklist
An ingenious and worthwhile idea.
The School Librarian
A wonderful picture book. A welcome addition to the collection.
Nassau Library System
Well executed and intriguing.
Junior Bookshelf
Unique among picture books, it avoids didacticism while joyfully celebrating the kinship of human cultures.
Review
This book covers a portion of the early social studies curriculum far better than any textbook.
Times Herald
There is no sense that one life is better than the other, rather that they are the same tapestry rewoven with a slightly different thread.
Parents Magazine
A wonderful book.
Wings
Wow! The possibilities for follow-up in the classroom seem endless. Excellent.
Maine Collection
Cleverly done.
Lindsay Mackie
Unusual and thought-provoking.
Kent & Sussex Courier
A WALK WITH GRANNY
An unusual, sensitive story.
Books for Kids
AND KANGAROO PLAYED HIS DIDGERIDOO
Impressive. A great new Aussie book. Remarkable. A great bedtime treat.
Kids in Brisbane
Another delightful children's book by much-loved West Australian author Nigel Gray. The text is a real treat.
Down to Earth
A rollicking read-along picture book.
Sunshine Coast Sunday
A sensational picture book. Guaranteed to become a great Australian classic.
Review
It's a great story and it's good fun.
Manning River Times
ANNA'S GHOST
A delightful picture book.
Parents Magazine
Gentle, simple, straightforward.
Magpies
Recommended for school and public libraries and ghost-lovers everywhere.
Reading Time
Amusing. Recommended.
Min. of Education
A fun picture book. Just the tonic.
Herald Sun
DANIEL THE DREAMER
Once in a while a book appears that has that something extra, that special quality which says, 'Read me'. Such books often speak from and to the heart. They usually possess a number of layers of meanings and can be enjoyed at each level. They become the favourites and are read again and again, often until the child knows the story by heart. Daniel the Dreamer is that sort of book. The subtle text speaks of the importance of dreams and ideals. Gray writes superbly. His choice of words, his ability to describe a scene or situation simply yet meaningfully and his gentle, humorous way of exploring significant themes mark him as an outstanding writer.
Cathryn Crowe, Courier Mail
A delightful new children's book. It's subtle message has been beautifully presented in a rare harmony between writer and illustrator that captures the imagination of young and old alike.
The Western Review
A valuable parable.
The West Australian
DELIGHTFUL DELILAH
Funny and truthful. A total delight.
The Queensland Times
A delightful children's book.
Herald Sun
Highly recommended.
Classroom
Humorous and truthful. Absolutely delightful.
Sunday Times
An affectionate and funny story. Nigel Gray's clever narrative provides amusement for both adults and children.
The Age
A heart-warming delectable story that pleads to be read again and again.
Magpies
Nigel Gray has a wonderful line in stories from the child's viewpoint. This is delightful.
Reading Time
Highly recommended.
Primary Focus
DR FRANK'S MONSTER
A breezy, enjoyable style. A good book for the reader who has just started to read independently.
Magpies
This story is told in simple but extremely clever language. A great yarn.
Impeccable text. An irresistible invitation to reading.
Australian Bookseller
Crazy humour, energy and word play make this a winner.
Primary Focus
This book confronts human feeling in a fun way. The author has cleverly used word patterns which makes this a good resource in the language area. Recommended.
Review
FLY
A delight to read aloud. The audience will want to hear it again and again. The story is told with exuberance and panache. The whole book jumps with joy and play.
Australian Book Review
An exuberant, humorous picture book to delight young readers. A successful book to read aloud with appealing rhymes, easy rhythms and a wicked sense of fun.
Children's Book Council
The sort of humour that will appeal to young children.
The Courier
This book is cool.
Family Circle
A humorous story - where we all recognise ourselves.
Lollipops
A good book to help the littlies appreciate rhyme and rhythm. A big impact picture book.
The Singing Tree
An effective book, wonderful for beginning readers, and sure to bring a smile to all ages.
Dept. of Education
The kids will get a buzz out of this one.
Parents Magazine
Full of special insights.
The Post
FULL HOUSE
I loved this book. The story is simple yet amusing and the unexpected ending is sure to bring a smile.
Lollipops
A gentle little story. An enjoyable sharing experience.
Magpies
A charming romp.
Children's Book Council
Sure to become a favourite.
Bookphile
A delightful picture book.
Scan
Young children will delight in this simple cumulative story. Highly recommended.
Primary Focus
I'LL TAKE YOU TO MRS COLE
One of the most outstanding children's books for some time.
The Financial Times
A superbly imaginative inner-city story.
The Listener
Gray's story is sympathetic, humorous and a rollicking read-aloud.
Publisher's Weekly
A marvellous combination of words and pictures that goes way beyond any age barriers. the message has an appeal that is both wide and universal. There is a great degree of warmth and genuine affection in the story. One of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading for quite some time. This book stands head and shoulders above the rest. A positive feast of delight.
Burnley Express
Innovative and inspirational, it is a delightfully child-centred book.
British Book News
One of the most thoughtful and amusing children's books available.
Northampton Echo
A lively and entertaining picture book.
The Bookseller
It's not often that the text of a picture book can be singled out for praise, but Nigel Gray's could stand on its own.
The Signal
A touching tale. Excellent.
Children's Book News
Children enjoy the writing, they enjoy the characterisation, they enjoy the story, and they enjoy sharing a unique imaginative experience.
William Jordan
IT'LL ALL COME OUT IN THE WASH
The light touch, the child-oriented message, and the element of disaster-humour that so appeals to young children contribute to a pleasant read-aloud story.
Bulletin for the Centre for Children's books
The little girl learns. So does the mother. So do our children. And so do we. And that is a fine arrangement, is it not?
The jersey Journal
A wonderfully amusing book.
The Foothills Trader
Kids really respond to this book.
Prineville Newspaper
A delightful book.
Jackson Daily News
JAKE AND THE MERMAID
Love triumphs amidst a plethora of jokes based on word play. A fun picture book.
Bookphile
This could well become a cult book. Wry, laconic, ironic, punny, and very very clever. Lots of fun.
Reading Time
Witty and colourful.
Primary Focus
JUST THE RIGHT STRIPES
A very friendly book. A gentle story. The humour is subtle.
Magpies
An absolute delight.
The Courier
KEEP ON CHOMPING!
An enjoyable and amusing read.
Lynda Jones
LITTLE BEAR'S GRANDAD
A charming story. A touching tale tackled very sensitively. The story may well bring a tear to even the most adult eyes.
Youth in Mind
A thoughtfully written text. A profoundly moving book.
Books for Kids
A sensitive, gentle story.
School Librarian
I am in tears every time I read it.
Daily Telegraph
LITTLE PIG'S TALE
The best picture book that I've seen for ages.
Bob Graham
OLIVER TWIST FINDS A HOME
An ideal children's picture book.
The Age
A book to be treasured.
Reading Time
PIGS CAN'T FLY
A valuable addition to any classroom or personal book collection.
School Librarian
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME
A delightful picture book.
Primary Focus
It has a childhood theme that could be everyone's story. Spellbound six- and seven-year-olds will nod approval.
Naomi Lewis, Evening Standard
This will strike a cord with all under fives.
Parents Magazine
A gentle, humorous story.
The Rattler
A super picture book.
The Mail
The text is simple and easy to read but uses exciting language. Highly recommended.
Dept. of Education
A sensitive study of families and feelings. Recommended.
Magpies
SUN, SEA, CRAB AND ME
A delightful way to learn that reading can be fun. Highly recommended.
Magpies
A book that will become a favourite.
Fremantle Herald
THE DOG SHOW
Gray's talent for combining a meaningful storyline, memorable characters and expressive language are in evidence, along with his hallmark humour. His ability to communicate important messages to the young within the framework of a satisfying story marks him as an exceptional children's writer. Perceptive and witty, and the sense of spontaneity and chaos which pervades the book is most appealing.
Cathryn Crowe, Courier Mail
A charming tale.
Canberra Times
Nigel Gray's compassion for the 'underdog' is evident in the surprise ending of this delightful book.
Review
THE FROG PRINCE
Quirky. Fantastic.
The Echo
Witty.
Book News
Highly recommended as a springboard for encouraging student writing, or for the sheer pleasure of a good laugh.
Primary Focus
A wicked sense of fun.
Sunday Times
Readers will appreciate the humour in this enjoyable quirky tale.
The Examiner
A book to delight young and old. It gives an old fairy tale a new twist with hilarious results.
The West Australian
I can particularly recommend the Frog Prince. Excellent.
Write Away
Being a non-conformist with a healthy sense of humour, Nigel Gray moulds the storyline, introducing many imaginative and amusing elements. Relaxed and funny, positive and stimulating, it will entertain and extend young readers.
The Courier Mail
THE GROCER'S DAUGHTER
Wonderful rhythm. The story just gallops away. It will be read and re-read.
Reading Time
Wicked humour and rollicking verse.
Children's Book Council
A funny, frantic verse story.
New Englander
Good fun. I loved it.
Glenise Meldrum
THE ONE AND ONLY ROBIN HOOD
Preserves and invigorates the timeless story of Robin Hood.
Publisher's Weekly
A gleeful romp. An enjoyable opportunity for listener participation, this will be a hit.
Review
Highly original. An ideal story for children and adults to enjoy together.
Review
For children and young adults:
PRIVATE EYE OF NEW YORK
Good. Real good. So read it!
Books for your Children
The humour will be greeted with joy by any eight- or nine-year -old. It will be enjoyed by many.
School Librarian
Fast-moving and highly entertaining. A very enjoyable read.
Child Education
CARROT TOP
Zestful, true-to-life stories, ideal for reading aloud.
Junior Bookshelf
Nigel Gray has a good ear for dialogue and for everyday situations and has written a book that would be enjoyed by any experienced reader from seven upwards.
Books for Keeps
BLACK HARVEST
A powerful play. It will read superbly well in class and, later, generate original project work.
Times Educational Supplement
NIGHT MUSIC
This very fine novel is impelling for its honesty and lack of sensationalism. If you decide to read it, you will be rewarded with a great new Australian novel
Rippa Reading
A fast-paced story of courage, commitment and love. Exciting, funny, thought-provoking and honest. Down to Earth Nigel Gray writes directly to an audience he clearly understands and enjoys. Enthused readers will love this novel for the same reasons tired critics will hate it. Night Music contains all of the humour, vitality, compassion, perception and excitement one hopes to find in a good book for teenagers.
Glyn Parry
A stunning novel for older readers.
Magpies
SHOTS
Nigel Gray performs that most difficult of feats: he describes the impact of violent emotion with considerable intensity while neither glamorising nor minimizing its effect. Shots is a tightly-written and convincing story. It is a novel for our times.
Times Educational Supplement
I would thoroughly recommend this book. It is fast-moving and well-written.
East Anglian Daily Times
An excellent story.
The Book Exchange
The story is exciting, saying many of the things that ought to be said about racism.
New Statesman
It is well-written and excellently-paced and provides an interesting and entertaining read.
Letchworth Citizen
Gray is providing a crucial service for 11- to 14-year-olds with his intelligent and cleverly constructed novels.
Northampton Echo
There are poignant moments, and the inter-racial encounters are finely described.
Recent Children's Fiction
What emerges is the warmth, vitality and resourcefulness of the community of the street and the beauty that children find in the midst of ugliness and decay. Recommended.
Media Review
This fast-moving, well-written story may well bear a close resemblance to the real lives that some of our young people live.
Junior Bookshelf
A powerful, fast-moving novel. A great deal of action and excitement.
Warminster Journal
This is a brilliant book. It certainly kept me glued to the pages.
Mia Mountain (aged 14)
THE DESERTER
Believable and thrilling.
Leila Berg
While it is a good, exciting read, it raises several moral issues.
The Guardian
An exciting book with an unusual plot.
Tops TV Magazine
An appealing and useful novel. The first person narrative has an attractive freshness, and some punchy episodes allow a fine balance between reality and reassurance.
Books for Keeps
Closer to the experience of vast numbers of young people today than books that project a cosy and remote middle-class world. A good adventure story, it contains some gripping descriptive passages.
Northampton Echo
An interesting book. Exciting.
Daily Star
Behind the fast-paced action are all the problems of taking responsibility for one's own actions which were raised in the War Crimes trials.
The Birmingham Post