It is Winston’s special day and so he dresses himself in his most special clothes, his yellow outfit which befit the thrill of the day. He walks down the street seeing many of his friends, and he asks them what is special about this day. They respond according to their own thoughts; for one it is special because he broke his favourite mug, for another it is Thursday, for another it is close to Christmas so he hurries off to wrap presents. Winston almost bumps into Miles who is acting most mysteriously. Together they hide behind a corner, then jump into a street bin to avoid being seen.
The pair hide themselves behind a lamp posts and hide in a cafe to watch what the other animals are up to. All the while Winston is trying to tell Miles why this day is special. Readers will be calling out what the day could be, attempting to stop Miles in his quest and listen to his friend. They avoid the other animals, then Miles decides they are too obvious in their clothes and so gets some new ones to make them fit into the street of people.
But Miles tell him that they are surrounded so they both climb a tree to make them look less obvious. At the top of the tree Miles tells Winston that the mission has succeeded and they shimmy down the tree to greet all their friends waiting for Winston to celebrate his special day together. Mission accomplished.
An unusual story about a celebration and one animal's anticipation of his special day.
Themes Celebration, Adventure, Friends.
Fran Knight
My cousins, my world by Sharara Attai & Michelle Pereira
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761180972. (Age:3+) Recommended.
A celebration of just how close the world’s people are is shown in this joy-full, colourful book exploring the links between all of us. Cousins can be quiet or loud, dark or fair, young or old, they can live nearby or far away. No matter where they live or how far away, when they get together, they have a wonderful time. Sometimes they go to the beach, sometimes they go camping, and sometimes seen singing or dancing. On birthdays some cousins can be there in person, at other times they can be there via the internet.
When visiting Abdul, the cousins eat kibbeh, while at Kimmy’s house they eat sushi, when more of the family come together for a celebration, they all eat a variety of things, sing and dance, watching the grown-ups drinking tea and exchanging stories.
Some cousins speak different languages, some cousins cannot visit for a long time, or are separated by a different time zone.But when they all meet again, it is as if nothing has changed, and the friendship is picked up again. Cousins are the first friends, the best friends, the friends that last a lifetime.
What a wonderfully joyous book to read with a class where family and relationships are being discussed. Children will love seeing the world wide spread of cousins, reflecting on their own cousins and relationships with their wider families. Boisterous, generous illustrations cover each page, reinforcing the idea of a world of cousins, with their differences shown; food, housing and costumes, which children will love to spot. Wherever they live, they are still cousins, a link which will last a lifetime.
After reading Winter’s Orbit I immediately picked up Ocean’s echo, a stand-alone space opera set in the same universe. Tennalhin Halkana is a rich tearaway, who is a Reader. Readers can read minds as well as having the ability to navigate chaotic space. When his aunt will no longer put up with his exploits, he is conscripted into the military to be placed under the control of Lieutenant Surit Yeni, a loyal soldier and the son of a notorious traitor general. Surit is an Architect who can influence minds and he is told to fully control Tennal by syncing with him. However Surit is principled and is unwilling to follow his orders when Tennal will not consent to them and together they fake a sync bond and plan Tennal’s escape. They are sent on a mission to salvage Remnants in chaotic space, where they uncover a conspiracy dating back to the neuromodifcation lab that Surit’s mother had tried to destroy. There are secrets and plots that will jeopardize their lives and test their loyalties.
Maxwell cleverly combines riveting action and the growing understanding between Tennal and Surit. Tennal is selfish and destructive, while Surit has a strict code of conduct and belief in justice. Gradually the pair begin to trust each other and together they face the possibility of a civil war where the use of Remnants enhance the ability to control minds and actions.
The themes of loyalty, justice, neuromodification, power mongering and space warfare result in an exciting feel-good reading experience for sci fi fans, while the slow burning romance will appeal to romance lovers.
Themes Psychic ability, Space flight, Space warfare, LGBTQI people.
Pat Pledger
Chihuly in the Botanic Garden by Chihuly Studio
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, 2024. ISBN: 9781922027672. (Age:All) Highly recommended.
The full colour catalogue of Chihuly in the Botanic Garden is a beautiful memento of an absolutely stunning exhibition of glass sculptures by Seattle-based artist Dale Chihuly, held in the Adelaide Botanic Garden over a period of seven months. Photography by Nathaniel Wilson comprises full page coloured photographs of each installation in its garden setting frequently followed by close-up images showing all their amazing detail.
Drawing inspiration from nature, the glass sculptures in their Botanic setting both meld and contrast with the plants around them. Thus the red and orange of the ‘Cattails and Copper Birch Reeds’ is interspersed with the red of the kangaroo paw growing among the glass stalks; the golden 'Vivid Lime Icicle Tower' is in the centre of similarly hued spiked grasses and succulents; and the blue 'Walla Wallas' onion shapes float in and reflect the pond waters.
Featured on the cover, the most spectacular of all, is the purpose designed two-tier 'Glacier Ice and Lapis Chandelier' reflecting the blue glass facets of the heritage Palm House; the glasshouse to become its permanent home thanks to a generous philanthropic donation.
The catalogue presents the large-scale works in the landscape of the gardens, and smaller pieces within the rainforest setting of the Bicentennial Conservatory, photographed in natural daylight and also in their sparkling glory at night. Director of the Botanic Gardens, Michael Harvey describes the collaboration between the Chihuly Studio and the Adelaide Botanic Garden to find the unique context for each piece, ‘twin threads of art and nature’.
An essay by Tim Richardson describes the genesis of Dale Chihuly’s work from within glasshouses to outdoor exhibitions that evolve and extend the sculptural power of glass as a medium, complementing and collaborating with the landscape. The Adelaide exhibition is only the third outside the U.S., the first in the southern hemisphere. JamFactory Director Brian Parkes highlights the relevance of Adelaide as a major centre for glass art globally. If the Chihuly catalogue inspires and attracts more to explore this field of art, there is the JamFactory Glass Studio offering a training program and access to the glassblowing facility. Visitors can also view glassblowers at work, from a viewing platform.
This is not just an exhibition catalogue, it is a treasure of beauty and inspiration to explore again and again, and would be a worthy addition to a library’s art section, for readers to discover the imaginative possibilities of glass art.
Themes Glassblowing, Art, Nature, Sculpture, Plants in art, Gardens.
An ALA Alex Award (2022) winner, Winter’s orbit is an engrossing space opera that is a feel-good read. When Prince Taam dies in a space shuttle accident, the Iskat Emperor considers that it is imperative that his widower Jainan from the planet Thea, is married immediately to keep relations stable. Prince Kiem, a disreputable cousin is chosen but when it appears that Prince Taam’s death may have been murder, the pair must join forces to uncover secrets that could lead to an interplanetary war.
First published on Archive of Our Own (AO3), a place for fanfiction and other fanworks, Winter’s Orbit was taken up by traditional publishing. It ticks all the boxes for readers of science fiction and those who like a slow burning romance mixed with inter-planetary relations. The world building is fascinating and the politics involving the planets is riveting. When Prince Kiem finds out that Jainan is being investigated for the murder of Taam, he must begin to leave his careless lifestyle and use his contacts and confidence to find out what is happening. There are some very exciting moments as the pair trace clues to Taam’s actions with the Kingfisher mining project and the reader will be compelled to quickly finish the book to find out what has happened.
In the interview at the end of the book, Maxwell cites Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan saga) and Ann Leckie (Ancillary Justice) as influences, and readers may enjoy books by both those authors.
Readers who want a satisfying, easy to read book about space politics, action and romance will not be disappointed. I immediately went on to read Ocean’s echo, also set in the same world.
Themes Same sex marriage, Murder, Loyalty, Space warfare.
Pat Pledger
Me and you by Ellie Royce & Penelope Pratley
Ford Street Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781922696502. (Age:3+)
A wonderfully playful story of a child and her Gran, getting up, getting ready for the day and being together.
When the child gets out of bed she is ready to go, and this contrasts with her Gran who takes a little longer. The young one is full of bounce, while Gran creaks her way to the bathroom.
With backpacks on, the pair is ready to roll.They go to the beach, chase the seagulls, wade in the shallows, then find the ice cream van. Each shared event brings the pair closer as they see that they love the same things. They dance to the music played by the buskers, and shortly head for home, both needing a nap.
After the nap, they work in the garden, the child helping Gran with digging and planting. A quiet time follows with Gran reading some stories, followed by bedtime, the child asking Gran to hold her hand as she goes to sleep. Gran responds, ‘if you will hold mine’.
This charming circular story has a child and her Gran both at different stages of life, coming together through things they do together. Gran takes the child to the beach sharing lots of activities, and growing closer as a result. The share things they like and are worried by, they share silly moments when they both drop ice cream on their shirts, and share holding hands as the child goes to sleep.
The watercolour and pencil illustrations form a warm, inviting background to the story. Young readers will love looking at the activities the pair does, comparing the child’s time with her Gran with their own. The playful illustrations reflect the emphasis on family that flows from the text, inviting a warm response from readers as they see a multi generation interaction. Gran is shown as an older woman working with her grandchild, in doing things the pair can do together. They both share quiet times and at bedtime share the best of all things, holding hands as the child sleeps.
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760897024. Recommended.
The ANZACs is one of 6 in the new series, Puffin Little, celebrating 80 years of Puffin. These books return to the publisher's roots of non-fiction books educating children about world events. Each book is essentially narrated by Little Puffin (the cute penguin from the logo) and follows an easy to read format that will enable younger readers to engage and learn through the text and illustrations.
This particular title is for 'Little Historians' (others include Little Cook, Little Environmentalist and Little Scientist) and is an excellent way for children to learn about the War and the ANZACs' contribution. The non-fiction text is set up with an introduction, 6 chapters, a glossary, fast facts section and a quiz to finish off. Each section is visually pleasing, with the black text well-spaced and always on a white background. Important words are highlighted in purple (The feature colour of this title, each in the series has its own predominant colour) and can be find in the glossary.
I think the writers of this title have been considerate in their approach and have explained details of what occurred during this time thoughtfully and age appropriately. I gave this book to my 10 year old son, who was able to easily read it, but more importantly he said that it was very interesting and explained the information to him in a way that was easy to understand. He liked the two-colour nature of it, and thought that the illustrations were nice, but there could have been more.
Although aimed at the younger readers, I learnt a few things myself and appreciated that the text was not filled with a strenuous amount of detail. This book would be great for a project and also as a potential starting point for older students who may be doing a project about the ANZACs.
This title, and the others in this series would be all of great benefit to any home or school library.
Lauren Fountain
The last Light Horse by Dianne Wolfer. Illus. by Brian Simmonds
The Last Light Horse is the fourth and final book in the Light series, which began with Lighthouse Girl followed by Light Horse Boy and In the Lamplight. Each story provides older children with an historical account of different aspects of World War One. Each book is a stand-alone story and this final book with its striking purple cover and gold writing, contains detailed charcoal sketches as well as archival facts and photographs and will truly complete this wonderful series.
This remarkable story is about Sandy, the only returning Australian warhorse from 136,000 sent to the battlefields of the World War One. His journey was one of hardship and danger and is told from his perspective in four compelling sections under the title of his handler at time. We first meet Sandy as a foal in the High Country of Victoria and then with Francis who trained him to carry bricks in the town of Tallangatta. Francis patriotically donates Sandy to the war effort, and he becomes the property of Major General Bridges. In October 1914, Sandy is loaded onto the Orvieto, flagship of the Australian Fleet, and is one of three horses, or Walers as they were known, belonging to Major Bridges. Conditions on the ship were hard for the horses and they were at sea for five weeks. They disembarked in Alexandria where they regained fitness before heading off to the Gallipoli Peninsula arriving on April 25.
Sadly, Major Bridges was seriously injured and passed away. Sandy then came under the care of veterinarian, Captain Leslie Whitfield, and in 1916 they were sent to France where they were a part of the Battle of the Somme. Captain Whitfield handed over the care of Sandy to Private Archibald Jordan who was suffering from the horrors of the war. Archie and Sandy formed a strong bond and Sandy who had damaged his eyes relied on Archie more and more.
Eventually Sandy and Archie were sent back to Australia in November 1918. Sandy’s journey did not end there. As the only returning war horse he was very much in the public eye. He was saddled and ridden in ANZAC Day marches for as long as his health allowed and was honoured with a replica statue placed at Albany’s Mount Clarence.
For older primary and lower secondary students this book along with the others in the series would make excellent resources for ANZAC Day and World War One topics.
Further information for teachers is available here.
Themes First World War, Horses, Australia, Infantry, Suffering, Death, Loss, Light Horse, ANZAC Day.
Kathryn Beilby
Krithia: The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli by Matt McLachlan
This book describes in great detail the murderous disaster of the Helles and Anzac battles at Gallipoli, on Turkey’s Dardanelles peninsula in1915. The story examines the outcome of the often overlooked battle for the key village of Krithia from the perspectives of individual soldiers from New Zealand, Australia, England and France as well as the views and actions of the Turkish enemy.
The key elements highlighted in this thoroughly researched story are incompetent leadership, lack of well thought out plans, inadequate equipment, poor communication, and underestimation of the capacity of the Turkish response to the invasion of their homeland. The author highlights individual acts of extreme bravery at the landings and in the following days as the Australians and New Zealanders attempted to capture the strategic village of Krithia by frontal assault against deadly machine gun and rifle fire.
Recommended for senior secondary students: the events depicted are not for the faint hearted reader. Hand to hand combat is described from vivid first hand accounts and horrendous conditions on the battle field are heart-rending.
Themes Gallipoli, Anzacs, World War 1.
Paul Pledger
The hidden hat by Phil Cummings. Illus. by Jennifer Goldsmith
How do you write a picture book about war that exposes young children to the unknown stories of their grandparents’ lives, gives information that can be easily absorbed and at the same time provide a rush of pride in the ceremony of Anzac Day. Phil Cummings has shown that he is a master of this genre, with Anzac biscuits (2013) and Ride, Ricardo, ride (2015) showcasing children touched by war in widely different circumstances.
And this book strengthens his reputation, using an old man’s hat to unlock memories that have lain dormant. Just as in Newspaper hats (2015) where a hat helps recall memories in a nursing home, this one enables the grandfather to recall things that he was part of sixty years ago.
Hiding in Grandpa’s wardrobe, Mitch finds an old hat. Tumbling out of the wardrobe parallels the grandfather, now pictured as a young man, hiding in the jungles in Vietnam, and from this page on the words and actions of the children on one side of the page complement the actions of the soldiers on the facing page.
This way of showing the war and Grandpa’s involvement, gives it a more personal feel for young readers, while the illustrations by Jennifer Goldsmith are amazingly detailed in their imagery of the man’s farm and his time in war.
Showing their find to Grandpa, unlocks memories of his time in Vietnam: going on patrol, walking carefully through the jungle, helping his mates, waiting for a chopper, losing his hat, looking down from the chopper at the jungle below.
The watercolour illustrations bring the children and their grandfather to life. Smiles radiate from the faces, arms hold the children to the old man's chest as he remembers his youth glancing back over his shoulder at the choppers in the sky.
The movement achieved with the watercolour medium is spectacular. The wind whips up the leaves on the farm, swirling around the children’s feet, while in Vietnam, the choppers cause mayhem as the men's clothes and foliage are picked up as the blades rotate. The soft images of the old man and the children are admirable, and bear closer inspection, particularly on the second last double page of the story which shows the march along the main street, Grandfather with his old mates, his family (watch out for the dog) looking on.
Over the page can be seen a meal with the family and an outline of facts about the Australian soldiers’ hats.
This is a most satisfying picture book about war. It begins and ends with the family, the children now more aware of their Grandfather’s time in Vietnam, he supported by his old friends and the stories they share together.
Themes War, Vietnam War, Families, Grandchildren and grandparents, Memory, Anzac Day.
Fran Knight
Australia remembers Len Waters: Boundless and born to fly by Catherine Bauer
Big Sky, 2021. ISBN: 9781922488602. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly is the third book in the Australia Remembers series and tells the story of Len Waters, a proud Kamilaroi man and Australia’s only Indigenous fighter pilot, who struggled through prejudice and adversity to achieve his dream of ‘taking to the skies.’ Author Catherine Bauer has shared Len’s journey in this historical non-fiction narrative with an honest account of the struggles he, and indeed many other First Nation Australians, underwent during his lifetime. We learn of Len’s humble beginnings, his family life, early schooling and passion for learning, his work ethic, joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1942 at the age of 18 and his life after World War Two ended. The discrimination suffered by Len and others during this time is both shameful and distressing yet Len was able to stay focused, study and work hard to achieve his dream. He rose through the ranks of Aircraftman to Sergeant and finally Flight Sergeant. Len’s incredible story is intermingled with quotes, fast facts, questions for the reader, maps, diagrams, captioned photographs and Did You Know segments. There are 14 chapters with the last chapter providing simple activities, as well as a glossary, bibliography, online sources section, index and acknowledgements.
This book is truly an excellent informative and historical record of the time particularly suited to middle to upper primary students. A prefect resource for ANZAC Day. YouTube video Remembering Australia’s only Indigenous WWII fighter pilot is available.
Themes Australia, First Nation Australians, Dreamtime Stories, Aboriginal Culture, Royal Australian Air Force, Racism, Prejudice, Bravery, War, History, Family, Resilience.
Kathryn Beilby
Australia remembers: Wartime nurses by Jacqui Halpin
Big Sky, 2022. ISBN: 9781922615602. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
The latest book in the Australia Remembers series gives a fascinating and highly readable account of military nursing in Australia. Chapter 1 begins with a brief introduction to nursing and the formation of the NSW Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSWANSR) in 1899 with the first group of Australian nurses setting sail for South Africa in 1900. Each chapter that follows gives further information about the role nurses played during world conflicts ending with Chapter 11 where modern-day military nursing is discussed. In these more recent times, ADF nurses have served with medical teams during military and peace keeping operations, humanitarian aid missions as well as Australian natural disasters.
The easily accessible text is broken up into segments of information with introductory paragraphs in white boxes and further headings such as Fast Facts, Did You Know? Medical Breakthroughs, in different shaped and coloured text boxes. There is also the opportunity for the readers to answer some deeper questions related to the information being shared e.g. Do you have a uniform you wear with pride? The archival photographs from the 100 years of nursing add an important element to the book and each is clearly captioned.
For those readers familiar with Sister Vivian Bullwinkle, a worthy recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, there is a page dedicated to her amazing heroism. Further information can be found at ABC Documentary Vivian Bullwinkel An Australian Heroine DVD Trailer - Bing video There is also mention of South Australian nurse Sister Caroline Wilson who survived the Antwerp invasion, a tidal wave striking her ship on the way to England and was among the survivors of the HMAS Barunga when it was torpedoed in 1918.
The final two chapters in the book discuss ‘Medals and Memorials’ and ‘The Sacrifice of Serving’ and are followed by simple activities, glossary, index, bibliography, electronic resources and acknowledgements. This new release, with so much information to impart, is another valuable book to share with students in the lead up to 2023 ANZAC Day commemorations.
Themes Australia, War, Nursing, Military Nurses, Care, Sacrifice.
Kathryn Beilby
Blood and fury by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland are both New York Times bestselling authors of multiple Star Wars stories and YA SFF books. They have effectively combined their talents to write the duology Chaos and Flame and Blood and Fury. Chaos and Flame (2023) is the first book in this "ferocious" YA fantasy duology. Blood and Fury, the sequel, is a challenge to read as a stand-alone novel but once the reader sorts the complexities of the fantastic world and creatures that Gratton and Ireland have built, the effort is worthwhile.
The novel begins with a preface which introduces the villain of the story, Aurora, second scion of House Cockatrice. In the introduction, Aurora is eleven-years-old, living in the Dragon Castle and unloved. She is drawn to a room under the castle, where she discovers an old journal belonging to "the blood" which will give her the strength to leash and crush Chaos and have power instead of love. The story then leaps ahead thirty years where the results of this unleashing of blood magic has caused catastrophe in the Kingdom of Pyrlanum. The first section of the book is entitled "Blood" and the second is "Fury". The chapters throughout the entire book alternate between the point of view of Talon Goldhoard, first scion of Dragon House, to that of Darling Seabreak, as the two move from being enemies to allies. Darling is transformed into the legendary Phoenix and her destiny is to unite the fractured Houses of the land. Talon has the task of ending the war which his family began. They have to learn to recover from the betrayal that lies between them in order to unite to save the kingdom. The violence, the dark blood forces, are deep within his own House Dragon.
A glossary of mythical creatures, ancient military hardware etc. would be useful at the back of these books to aid the reader who is unversed in the medieval and ancient worlds. However what is complex and obscure for the uninitiated is fuel and fire for fantasy lovers. For fans of the Science fiction/fantasy (SFF), Blood and Fury may be relatively easy but for those unfamiliar, the story is initially difficult to follow because of the complexities of the concepts, terms, society and culture of the mythical kingdom of Pyrlanum that Gratton and Ireland have built. Once the code is untangled there is great satisfaction in the logic of the structure within the political and military structure of the kingdom and the Houses. The colourful and complicated system of governing scions, with their regents, empyreals and armies will be disbanded as a future that looks more like a democracy with elected leaders is brought in.
Despite the military interest (albeit a very mythical and mystical form of military) and the bloody violence of the clashes between good and evil, there is a tenderness and gentleness in most of the major characters. There is romance, loyalty and betrayal and lovely relationships between war princes and their "war drakes" which are reminiscent of the relationship between cavalry and their steeds. The strangeness of the whole landscape and pageant of castles, soldiers and mythical creatures would make a visually stunning screen adaptation or a challenge and delight for the artist.
Chaos and Flame is indeed a challenging and engaging ride into a "ferocious" fantasy and ancient magical world resplendent with wonderful transforming mythical creatures and strong and engaging characters. The duology is recommended as a powerful SFF read - dramatic visually and action-wise.
Themes Mythical beasts, Ancient fantasy kingdoms, Love, Betrayal, Political intrigue, Magic.
Wendy Jeffrey
Outrageous Fortunes by Megan Brown and Lucy Sussex
La Trobe University Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781760645052. (Age:Adult)
Who knows the identity of the first female author of a detective series, years before Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’? It is an Australian woman, Mary Helena Fortune, author of The Detective’s Album, in 1871. As was the case with many female authors of those times, she wrote under her initials or pseudonyms such as Waif Wander, Nessuno (nobody), or Nemia. And it is only through the extensive detective work of the two researchers, Megan Brown and Lucy Sussex, that the full extent of her prolific writing output has been uncovered.
As the onetime wife of a policeman, then as the mother of a young criminal, and perhaps even as an informer herself, Mary Fortune had insight into the criminal underworld, a world that would become a mine of stories to be told in her detective series and her newspaper articles. She dared to write stories of murder, rape, assault and armed robbery, in published serial chapters, short stories and articles, which captured the attention of colonial-era Australia. In her ‘Ladies Column’ for 'The Herald', she dared to describe her visit to Pentridge prison, disguising the fact she was visiting her own son, for George had led a life of recidivism, from one crime to another. Mary Fortune herself led a colourful life, as bigamist, flaneuse, and drunkard, an independent woman who crafted stories, often autobiographical, that captured the attention of her readership.
If it were not for the persistent research of Brown and Sussex, Mary Fortune’s life and that of her son George, the other outrageous Fortune, would have disappeared from memory. The extracts from Mary’s writing that are included in this book, reveal a competent and entertaining writer, that readers might like to discover further. Happily some of her stories have been collected in a NewSouth publication Nothing but murders and bloodshed and hanging (2025) also collated by Brown and Sussex.
Written with a poetic touch, this short novelette tells the story of a blackbird and his family and their encounter with a cuckoo. The blackbird is known for his appealing call; the cuckoo known for her heartless abuse. In this short story the wind is also given a voice and an all-seeing perspective, looking out over the blackbird’s family (with its interloper offspring). With a little bit of heartache and the tenderness of family connection, this is a simple tale set within an English woodland that is home for many innocent creatures (excepting the cuckoo and the fox).
The poetic style for this story creates an almost lyrical feeling and the author who writes as a Blackbird (a pen name), gives a gentle telling of the natural world. More a fantasy tale than an environmental revelation, the story has a gentle quality with a hint of the compassion and tenderness of the Blackbird family - an example of literary personification. For those who enjoy short stories and also love poetic play or portraiture with language, this is a quick and enjoyable reading journey. Suitable for 10–14 year-olds looking at the short story genre or for others who just love language used well. It is published in pocket sized format, so could easily fly as a gift with the benefit of the postal service.
Themes Birds - Blackbirds and Cuckoos, England, Family, Short stories.
