Violet Everly lives with her uncles, Gabriel, who is rarely around, and Ambrose who cares for her and the isolated old house they live in. Her mother, Marianne has been “travelling" since Violet was 10 and she has never known her father. Violet’s quiet life is rich in fairytales and books overlooked by portraits of the Everly ancestors but all that changes when a strange lady, smelling of vanilla, visits them with her assistant Aleksander. It transpires that the Everlys owe a debt and Marianne is the tithe owed to the witch Penelope and unless she is offered up within ten years, Violet must take her place. While the adults are talking Aleksander, who is not much older than Violet, shows her a magic marble which he manipulates to create a whole galaxy of stars, changing Violet’s life forever in a shower of stardust. As the deadline comes nearer, to break the curse, Violet sets out to find her mother, “long dissolved from her life, like so much salt in the sea….nowhere to be found, yet she is everywhere” p.14. Some of the prose is beautiful but the pace can be slow. It picks up half-way through when there is more action and readers are drawn into the fantasy world through the detailed and engaging descriptions of keys to open magic portals, places with stardust artisans and scholars of arcane knowledge. Worlds where the gods, like the Norse gods, are cruel, vindictive and demand sacrifice. Violet turns out to be brave and loyal in the face of betrayal, and the search for her mother is no sort of happy reunion. This is a novel of complex relationships, with powerful women and weak men, though I did like the uncles who had the raising of a child thrust upon them. A new, young adult writer to watch out for.
Themes Fantasy, Quest, Power, Relationships.
Sue Speck
I hear a buho by Raquel Mackay. Illus. by Armando Fonseca
Using Spanish words in amongst the story adds to the language experience a child gets reading this book. Some books offering a different language experience have two side by side texts, one in English, the other in the language being pursued, but this one is differently presented, giving an extra push for the brain to enjoy. Lines such as, ‘Ojos shut, rocking steady’ accompanies the page in which a child’s face with closed eyes is shown, prompting the child to see that ojos means eyes.
‘Woof, woof, I hear a perro' prompts the child to see that something woofing must be a dog, so the meaning of the word, perro is discovered.
The story goes on with the discovery of a gate, rana, patio and lobo, each time the child telling her mama that it is she donning a disguise. But at the end, they spy a buho, hooting as it flies, and that is definitely not the child. Readers will love working out all the ‘animales’ they can hear and see under the moon.
The child is getting ready for bed, and the game of seeking out the animals is played before bedtime, until she goes to sleep, noting the sounds that they make.
Children will love working out the names of the animals and getting around the Spanish words, using the dictionary at the back of the book along with the pronunciation guide to check what they mean and their use of the word. The handful of words offered in this story will stimulate children to seek out more.
The wonderful, vibrant illustrations drag the eye across each page, taking in the unusual style, the repeated motifs, the colours used, and the surprising amount of detail. I love the page depicting the face, as it blends into the night sky, the colourful earrings like the phase of the moons. Lovely tale before bedtime, the Spanish words will roll about in their dreams.
The blurb says, "Ash, Pikachu and friends head out on an adventure to discover an unusual Pokémon in the cold mountains of the Crown Tundra. Meanwhile Lillie searches for her lost father. Will they all succeed in their quests?
Find out in this exciting chapter book, with a puzzling twist. At the end of each chapter, readers will have to complete an activity to tell them where to find the next part of the story."
I am the first to admit that I know nothing about Pokémon and Pikachu and company so reviewing this book is w-ay- out of my depth, but I do know that there is a whole world both in and out of the story that has captured the imagination of kids and adults alike, if the experiences of my granddaughters and D-I-L are a guide. And so, like The Goblin's Revenge, this and any others that are proposed in the series have a place in the library's collection for those who prefer gaming to reading and who think that there is nothing relevant to their interests in the print-focused library.
In the meantime, I ventured into this unknown world to discover just what it was about, and perhaps get inside the head of those I love to understand what on earth (or beyond) they are on about and so this explanation from Wikipedia was very helpful, and I can now see why Miss 12, particularly, and her mum seem to have no trouble swapping between the real world and the fantasy, even sometimes blurring the lines completely. They would not be alone...
Barbara Braxton
Grandmas are the greatest by Ben Faulks and Nia Tudor
A companion story to Grandads are the greatest, this rhyming text will bring out lots of stories about the readers’ grandmas, as they read of the things grandmas do with their grandchildren.
The innocent question from a child, asking if her grandma had a grandma just as good, opens the gate to many grandmas being recalled. Everyone has a grandma, and these grandmas had grandmas, so the way is open for a plethora of different things each grandma does.
All grandmas are special with secrets and tricks up their sleeves showing how different each is. One grandma is an actor, and her grandchild loves helping her with her costume and make up. Another is a gardener and her grandchild loves to help her in her allotment. Another is an ambulance driver, one an acrobat, while others include a racing car driver, a mountaineer, a secret spy. But while she may not be extraordinary, she will have a twinkle in her eye, just for her grandchild. They will share secrets and jokes together, be quiet and snuggle together, play games, no matter what the weather, but more importantly spend a lot of time together, radiating love.
With pages full of colour and movement, the first few pages show amazing things that grandmas do, but the last few pages show that no matter who they are or what they do, it is the time spent together, full of love that matters most.
And coming up to Mother’s Day, grandmas are celebrated as they are mothers too.
Themes Grandmothers, Mothers, Love, Sharing.
Fran Knight
Anzac Ted by Belinda Landsberry
10th Anniversary Special Edition. Exisle Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781922539755. (Age:K-3)
'Anzac Ted's a scary bear And I can tell you why. He's missing bits, his tummy splits, He only has one eye.
His fur is torn and dirty And he hasn't any clothes. He doesn't hear with just one ear; He should have two of those.
His head is kind of wobbly And his legs are rather slow. Perhaps it's due to one or two Encounters with a foe!'
So begins an enchanting story-in-rhyme about a very special teddy bear - one that doesn't win prizes in the toy show and sometimes makes the other children cry when he turns up for Show'n'Tell. He isn't shiny and new and he can't change into something else and the other kids in the class just ridicule him. But Anzac Ted has a story - a story that no other child's toy has about why is he so old and torn and how brave he has been.
With a gentle touch on both text and illustration, Belinda Landsberry has crafted a delightful story about a bear who has seen better (or worse) days that is just perfect to introduce the youngest children to the stories of ANZAC and why there is such a focus on this special day on the calendar. With a clever shift of colour tone between now and then, there is a seamless transition between the two eras of Anzac Ted's life tied together with the love and reverence with which he has been passed down through the family and clearly will continue to be so. The unconditional love of the boy for his teddy is obvious and it remains constant despite the opinions of his peers. Perhaps if his story were told, Ted would have all the votes at the toy show. But really, some heroes don't want, need or get medals or accolades.
On my Pinterest boardRemembering Gallipoli I've pinned over 150 titles of books about World War I for the primary-aged student and Anzac Ted is one of just a handful suitable for sharing and exploring with the K-2 brigade to help them understand. It offers just a broad overview from a family perspective - Grandpa Jack leaves home and even though he's 21, his wife pops his childhood teddy is his case . "For luck." She said, "take Anzac Ted. I know he'll bring you home." And even though we think of soldiers as being big and brave and daring, there are times when they are lonely and afraid and Anzac Ted brings them comfort and courage.
Now 10 years on from its original publication which was timed for centenary of this special commemoration, and with a special cover and including additional content such as a page of information on the history of the ANZACS and the shared experience of ANZAC and Turkish soldiers, as well as a 'How to draw Anzac Ted' activity page to celebrate its endurance, this story remains a must-have and a must-share in your collection.
Barbara Braxton
One minute's silence by David Metzenthen. Illus. by Michael Camilleri
Allen & Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760527051. (Age:9+) Recommended.
Sitting in a classroom where a desultory group of young adults must observe one minute's silence to remember those who fought, the illustrator shows them slouched and unhappy, but the author uses the refrain, 'in one minute's silence' to show what may have happened to people their own age at Gallipoli in that one minute. Metzenthen's story tracks back and forth across the cliffs, to the Turks uneasily waiting for the army below to climb the hills, to the women left behind, to the Anzacs landing on the beach, the machine gun and its impact, the burying of the dead, the packing up and retreating. Each encounter only takes a minute, a minute in which young men's lives are lost.
Camilleri transposes the images of the children in the class with those of the soldiers waiting for the ships, or climbing those hills, or waiting to be buried, making it clear to that reader that they could easily have been there, that the one minute's silence is a small thing to do to say thank you.
The procession of books, particularly picture books, about Australia's involvement in wars, has been intense, some offering a new perspective, but all reminding students and readers of the sacrifice made by those who volunteered to fight.
Metzenthen's story offers a truly original perspective, forcing readers to view war from a more personal perspective. With the illustrations offering a closely detailed image of things like the machine gun and the bullets fired at the troops, the small vignettes of leaving the front to evacuate along with the repetition of the image of a clock, no reader can help but be glued to the pages. Teacher's notes are available.
Kupala village lies near the spirit wood, Driada. Liska Radost knows about the spirits who haunt it through family and village stories in nearby Stodola where she lives. Liska has always been able to see spirits but she also has magic which mostly she has used to heal animals but it has more recently led to tragic consequences. Liska’s mother is Stodola’s folk healer and she recognizes in her daughter a wild magic which is difficult to control. Liska is urged to live quietly to avoid being denounced by the villagers as a witch. Fear of spirits and demons is very strong where people live close to the Driada which is ruled by the demon Leszy. On the night of the solstice it is said the fern flower will bloom, legend says that if you pick the flower it will grant a wish. Liska plucks up her courage and enters the Driada, hoping to find the flower and wish away her magic power forever so she can live in peace like a normal person. Inside the Driada Liska is beset by spirits and loses her lantern, stumbling about in the dark until a glowing white stag appears. Rather than killing her it leads her into the wood as she follows its glowing footprints only to fall prey to a rusalka, a demon disguised as a beautiful woman, only her magic preserves her, coming unbidden to fight off the demon. She finally finds the fern flower but it is another trap, this time set by the Leszy, the warden of the wood, the white stag. She eventually agrees to serve him for a year after which he will grant her wish.
Gothic fairytales are always popular, allowing us to escape into magical realms and fantasy worlds especially in our complicated modern times. This one is beautifully told, uncovering folklore from the author’s Polish background. The exotic names, like the kikimora, rusalka, stryzgon, skratzky, each with its characteristic origin and power give an authentic feel to the tale and the protagonist’s resilience and courage, along with a wry sense of humour, finally help her find her place in the world.
A funny, captivating roam around the neighbourhood of mums and the moggies that attach themselves, is offered in this wonderful picture book, full of colour and fun, family and just a bit of nonsense. Four cats of different hues stroll across the title page, their eyes firmly watching the reader, readying them for the fun to be had when the page is turned.
Just as there are many names for the mother in the family, so too are multi names for cats. From then on are a series of full page images of mums and their cats, snuggling together, to building or cooking together. Each page shows a companionable relationship between the cats and the mums, paralleling the closeness of the family and the things stye do together.
Mixing mum with milky dog shows mum in the kitchen baking. There are several helpers, a couple of kids licking fingers and making a mess, while the cat licks up the overflow from the bench. Handy mag with a helpful go shows the mum changing the car’s tyre with the dog operating the jack. Meeting mum with a messy dog shows mum at the computer trying to do some work while the messy go spreads her papers all over the floor Seesaw mum with a sliding go shows mu and a child playing on the seasaw, the dog sliding up and down between them.
Every page presents a wonderful image of mum and what they do with their children, accompanied by a cat. The mogs are wonderful with their streamlined bodies and nonchalant looks, while the mums range from extreme wakefulness to resting and camping, playing hide and seek to reading, sledding down the hill with the children and the cat to playing the trumpet and playing with their kids on the playground equipment.
This is a wonderful celebration of mums and the roles they play in a child’s life. Full of colour and fun, wisdom and humour, the pages are a treat, inviting readers to make up their own alliterative phase about their mum and their mog.
I loved the various images of mogs and mums, and the extra details on each page to ponder over, while the cover has the faces on the front, peering out at the reader, and the backs of heads on the back cover.
Lots of fun will be had producing the alliterative word on each page, and then making up their own once the book has been read.
Albert Street, 2024. ISBN: 9781761068607. (Age:6-10)
Deep under the ocean in the Shallow Side of Chumville Finley the reef shark lives with his dentist parents Su and Shi, and his siblings, Dash, Smash, Crash, Flash , Splash and Bash. During the day Finley goes to school with his mates Hunter the tiger shark, Gnash the pointer shark and Gilleon the lemon shark, but at night, they are secretly the super-famous rock band JAWSOME!
In this, the second in the series, the band is off to play at Euro-fishin, and international music competition, where there will be bands like Swim Shady and Mertallica. But at the airport as departure time draws closer, Gnash (aka Gnarly Gnelson) hasn't turned up, and a phone call to his parents reveals that he is missing. Immediately suspicious, and the police not taking the matter seriously, the band members find themselves deep in mystery and intrigue which includes stopping evil A.B.B.A. (Alliance of Brutally Bad Anglerfish) agents from destroying the ocean. Then, in the second story, unmasking a strange new band called the Killer Wails, that everyone seems to follow, and having to use all their rockstar skills to save Chumville from becoming mindless zombies.
This is a fun series for those emerging readers who like a light-hearted read, peppered with pun humour and plenty of illustrations. Verging on a graphic novel because so much of the action happens in the illustrations as it does in the text, it will also appeal to those students who like to be seen with thick books - it has over 300 pages because of the large font and copious graphics. With most of the puns printed in bold, it is also a good opportunity to investigate that literary technique and how its use adds humour to many situations, as well as identifying the common elements and themes of such stories so readers start to understand the concept of genre, in this case the tropes of spy stories.
Released at a time when so many of our students are swept up in the Swifties craze as Taylor Swift tours the nation, this is an engaging and enjoyable read on many levels that will have wide appeal.
Themes Sharks, Secrecy, Musicians, Crime.
Barbara Braxton
Engineers making a difference by Dr Shini Somara
What on earth books, 2023. ISBN: 9781804660270. (Age:12+) Highly recommended.
In this detailed lengthy hardcover book, Engineers Making a Difference, 46 engineers are showcased and celebrated. The book begins with a contents page divided into the following 12 chapters with a number of engineers included under each heading:
1. Human Needs 2. Climate and Environment 3. Powering our future 4. Infrastructure and construction 5. Healthcare 6. Advanced materials 7. Communication 8. Smart Manufacturing 9. Transportation 10. Entertainment 11. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence 12. Exploring beyond our planet
The introduction talks about the diversity of the engineers who are on inspiring journeys. In this book, ten of the most common types of engineers are considered: aeronautical, biomedical, chemical, civil, environmental, computer, geotechnical, electrical, materials and mechanical.
Each engineer is discussed over two or three pages beginning with their name, occupation, project title plus photo. There is also a fact file and career highlights section. Biomedical engineer, Jennifer Olsen is passionate about making prosthetics better. She was named as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering in the UK in 2021. Professor Mischa Dohler is an electronics engineer who works on bringing creativity to engineering and innovation to art. He co-found Worldsensing. Dr Lynsey Melville is a Professor of Environmental Engineering who is involved in making waste useful. She has a PhD and her own laboratory to work with students.
While this book is about engineers in the UK, it does give a valuable insight to possible career choices for those students considering engineering. It would be suitable for a secondary, tertiary or public library.
Nick and Charlie are nearing the end of high school and facing the reality of Nick going away to university. They have also come to a point in their relationship where they both feel comfortable with each other and the talk in their peer group is starting to be about taking relationships to the next level. Charlie is managing his anxiety and eating disorder better but Nick is very aware that making a wrong move might have adverse effects. Nick is also worried that choosing a university course a long way away would disrupt their lives and he is unsure of what he wants to do anyway. A road trip to various U.K. university open days with friends Tara and Elle is a good opportunity to get some perspective on a lot of things and to imagine possible futures. As with all this graphic series, Alice Oseman’s consistent characters ooze emotion often with just a few lines. I loved the second frame down on page 1301 where a sleeping Nick has echoes of a Picasso sketch. Readers of the previous four graphic novels will be invested in their story but the issues and personal challenges these young adults are wrestling with are universal, not just for the LGBTQ community and new readers will still enjoy seeing the growth possible as the characters mature. While the series is now a live action Netflix series, these simple black and white graphics on newsprint have an immediacy that still appeals, and new readers can read up on the story and illustrations on the website.
Themes LGBTQ relationships, Friendship.
Sue Speck
The most amazing thing by Ian Hayward Robinson and Matt Shanks
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761180118. (Age:5-8)
What is the most amazing thing? What a great conversation starter before you even open the cover to read the first page.
One rainy, dark day Henry is stuck inside with nothing to do. His family are all occupied. "Sorry. I have to finish this chapter", says his mother when he goes to her first. Her suggestion of drawing 'the most amazing thing' is an interesting one though, so off he goes with a big sheet of paper and some crayons. Too bad he can't think of the singular most amazing thing! Life, says his sister Greta. 'It is so vibrant and exciting'. The mind, says his brother Simon. 'The human mind doesn't just know things. It also knows that it knows things', he says. More confused than ever, Henry asks his mother for help. 'The most amazing thing is you', she says. 'Did you know there is nobody else in the world world exactly like you?'' Finishing on a lovely message regarding the importance of having your own opinion and about the different ways of finding wonder in the world, this is a classic tale that will work well for all ages. Not only does Henry realise there is not one answer to the question, but he realises that every person in the world is equally special.
Smatterings of visual humour will add to the engagement level as will the wonderfully warm and comforting illustrations. Outside is dark, cold and dreary, but inside we are treated to the warm glow of Henry's well-lit house, with friendly family members around every corner.
Themes Curiosity, Wonder, Humankind.
Nicole Nelson
Easter Bilby's friends: Banjo Frog's concert spectacular by Kristin Martin & Bianca Richardson
Banjo Frog’s Concert Spectacular sends a very significant conservation message to readers young and old. This is the first book in a series that will support the work of the Rabbit Free Australia organisation Home - Rabbit Free Australia which hopes that “Easter Bilby’s Friends books introduce native plants and animals suffering due, at least to some extent, to rabbits; and how humans are coming to their aid.”
The engaging cover by Bianca Richardson with the lively and joyful Australian animals is an immediate draw in for readers. The clever endpapers, front and back, show the animals’ feelings through the book from not being able to perform to finally holding their concert. The bold illustrations throughout complement the creative arrangement of text and ideas.
Easter Bilby has arrived in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges on the Fleurieu Peninsula, all set for the annual Easter concert. Sadly though Banjo Frog is too hungry due to a lack of insects to eat, Glossy Black Cockatoo is too hungry because there are no sheoak seeds to eat and Southern Brown Bandicoot is too tired as there are no bushes to sleep under. Easter Beilby explains that due to wild rabbits eating the native vegetation that there is no longer food and shelter for the animals that live there. Easter Bilby comes up with the idea to send children a letter asking for help. The children respond and change begins.
In the final pages facts behind the story are shared with detailed information about each of the animals and the sheoak tree affected by wild rabbits. Banjo Frog’s Concert Spectacular is an important story to be shared with children of all ages. Teacher Resources are available.
Right Way Down is a superb collection of Australian poetry of many forms and varieties, similar to A Boat of Stars but aimed at an older audience. There is something for everyone: humour, a rhyming poem telling the true story of Alfred Nobel, assorted poems about animals and pets, a fibonaci, some haikus and a good mix of short and long and first person and third person narration. There is even a poem written partially in Noongar language. Black and white illustrations on each page and oodles of blank space make this an approachable poetry collection that will reward multiple readings. Relatable, yet varied subject matter such as swimming in the ocean, throwing a ball to a dog and playing basketball mean that there really is something to suit everyone. In addition, these provide the perfect springboard to discuss how poems have a purpose, just as other texts do: some to inform, some to persuade, some to convey emotion and others to entertain. Contributors include James Foley, Sally Murphy and Meg McKinlay and the book is separated into 5 loose sections. This is a wonderfully fresh addition to the poetry shelf in every school library or classroom bookshelf. Teacher's notes are available.
When Sawyer Taft finishes her shift as an auto mechanic in her small town’s car garage, the last person she expects to see is the grandmother she has never met and has never heard a positive word about.
Lillian Taft, the matriarch of a powerful and immensely wealthy Southern family, has an offer – and a contract – which Sawyer finds hard to refuse. All Sawyer must do is live with Lillian for nine months and participate in a debutante season. Afterwards, she will be half a million dollars richer. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. Sawyer has barely come to terms with her new wardrobe, living quarters, makeover, and family before she is unwittingly drawn into an environment of deceit, backstabbing and blackmail that could only be perpetuated by teenage girls. Along with her cousin Lily and new friend Sadie-Grace, Sawyer must navigate a world in which money is no object, rules are meant to be broken and public scandal is the greatest sin of all.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the bestselling The Inheritance Games series, is excellent at bringing to life ‘fish out of water’ stories. Sawyer is a sassy, clever and no nonsense heroine who manages, despite increasingly trying circumstances, to take everything in her stride. Her calm and pragmatic narration is the ideal foil to the more dramatic characters and situations around her. At its heart, Little White Lies is a mystery story with just enough romance, friendship and danger to keep it interesting.
