The rabbit's magician by Shae Millward and Andy Fackrell
Ford Street Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922696083. (Age:3-8) Highly recommended.
The Rabbit’s Magician is a beautifully illustrated picture book to share with younger readers who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. Ziggy has always been the companion of a magician known as The Amazing Albertino. One day he disappears, and Ziggy patiently waits and waits for him. While Ziggy is waiting, some very caring Australian animals reach out to him and ask him what he is waiting for. Ziggy explains about all the wonderful tricks he and Albertino did together and how he is waiting for him to reappear. A very wise owl explains to Ziggy that Albertino will not be coming back but has been transformed into things that are all around him. Ziggy begins to realise that Albertino is in the flowers, the rainbows, the stars, and their favourite place, the moon. While Albertino is physically gone the memory of him is everywhere.
This book will provide comfort to those who are struggling with grief. A lovely read with striking illustrations. Worksheets and activities are available from the publisher.
Themes Magic, Love, Loss, Grief, Australian Animals, Phases of the Moon.
Kathryn Beilby
The trip by Paul Beavis
Little Steps, 2022. ISBN: 9781912678648. (Age:3-6) Highly recommended.
The trip looks at the concepts of mine, yours and ours and can be used to support the teaching of me, you, us, mine, yours and ours to young children. It shows that some things are mine, some are yours and some are ours to share. This is a good book for an early reader as the words are minimal, repetitive and simple. Teacher's notes are available.
It has bold uncluttered illustrations that support the story well.
A very simple story with a good message and I highly recommend it.
Themes Dogs, Space flight, Aliens.
Karen Colliver
Tarni's chance by Paul Collins and Jules Ober
Ford Street Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922696052. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
Don’t you just love a book that surprises. This beautiful hard cover book fits comfortably in smaller hands. It tells a familiar tale: that of a beloved parent leaving. Tarni waits for her mother to return, the air thinning, her world losing its colour as the days become weeks, then months. One night she hears a garbage truck in the lane and looking outside, sees a dog in its path. She rushes out to save it but when she calls it to her, it runs away. A while later, it reappears and follows her to school, waiting outside until she returns home. She calls it Chance. Chance brings colour back to Tarni’s world and she meets other children at the playground to have fun with Chance.
A wonderful final double page shows Tarni with her friends, blowing bubbles, playing amongst the trees in a city playground. Life is now full of colour.
Spectacular illustrations compliment the text as each scene seems like a stage setting against which Tarni’s life is played out. And what a setting. Each page is a purpose built miniature, each scene designed and made then photographed by Jules Ober. Her images are breathtaking, a world created by the illustrator to reflect the story, the scenes executed in minute detail. A photo on the publication page gives a tantalising idea of how the pages were developed, and more about her work can be found here.
I am sure readers will want to know more and perhaps try out her creative work for themselves. The background image of an inner Melbourne street is very recognisable, and many readers with help, will be able to create a small section of a street using found materials.
A story of loneliness and friendship, the use of the word chance will intrigue readers as they think about the place chance has in their lives. Tarni is transformed by chance, by a dog that happens along, recovering her equilibrium, bringing hope back into her life, making her feel happy and content once again.
Finally, fans of The inheritance games and The Hawthorne Legacy will have all the questions that came up in these first two books answered, as well as some twisty riddles to try and solve and a powerful opponent to face in the final book in the series.
Avery has lasted almost a year at Hawthorne House and is almost set to inherit the billions that Tobias Hawthorne has left her. Then a familiar face turns up and she knows that she must solve the last problem that Tobias has left. With the help of the Hawthorne brothers, she pits her wits and intelligence against an unknown adversary, prepared to lose everything in the game.
As with the first two in the series, the reader is kept immersed in the riddles that surround Avery. In her determined way she goes about solving the clues to the mystery of the identity of the ruthless person who is threatening everything, and in a thrilling chess game she tries to outwit her opponent.
All the Hawthorne brothers, with Rebecca and Thea, and Avery's sister, play a part helping her to solve the mysteries surrounding Hawthorne House and her legacy, each growing in strength and understanding of themselves. Such a lot of characters to love! The themes of grief, not belonging to a family, and feeling unloved by parents, are managed sensitively by Barnes and bring depth to the story.
And of course, the readers who have been following Avery’s love life will enjoy the growth of her relationships, and those who have been asking themselves what they would do with billions of dollars, will follow the theme of the power of the very rich and how they manipulate money markets and adversaries.
This has been an engrossing series, well worth reading and recommending and The final gambit is a thrilling conclusion. Fans of other books like The Westing game by Ellen Raskin and One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus and We were liars by E. Lockhart will be sure to enjoy the series.
University of Queensland Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780702265426. (Age:12+) Highly recommended (but with sensitivity).
Roller Derby is a sporting pursuit that few know well, except perhaps for the classic Roller Derby nicknames that are part of the community culture. ‘Fred or Dead’ is a pre-teen girl (and Fred is genuinely her name!), the only child of a loving, semi-nomadic family who have regularly relocated, but have recently made Brisbane their home. Fred has joined her mother in the Roller Derby community as a Jammer in competitions, and she is a tough participant. Her mother Sarah ‘Scarer’ has been a passionate participant and coach in the quirky sport. When this story begins, we know that Sarah has just died after a fairly rapid cancer journey. Fred is deeply distressed and her sadness pervades the entire story and also undermines her opinion of Roller Derby and destroys her joy in skating. Fred and her grieving Dad take a road trip to Melbourne to rediscover Sarah’s story from her past, and it is in this journey into Sarah’s past and her beginnings as a Roller Derby participant that Fred finds healing and restoration and a possible climb out of the depths of her grief. The irony of her Derby name – ‘Fred or Dead’, is not meant to be funny, but instead is a deeply moving reminder of the tragedy in Fred’s life.
This story is powerful on many levels. There is the fascinating insight into the Roller Derby culture, but also the incredibly raw revelation of grief for a young girl and her father. This book is not easy to read because of its emotional rawness. But there is love amidst the tears, and wisdom (despite the pain of grief) in coming to Melbourne to learn about the mother who will no longer be able to speak of her own history. I know that this book will be incredibly hard to read for the sensitive reader or the one who has known their own grief, but at the same time there are small moments of humour and incredible sensitivity in peeling back the layers of a young girl’s grief response. The reality of a first period without your mother to support you through that, or of the constant reminders of loss when contemplating Roller skating or Roller Derby are potent messages of loss. This is a book that needs to be read and promoted, but as it is not fun or entertaining to be immersed in someone else’s tragedy, be cautious about who this is given to or who borrows this book. This incredible story will perhaps best be recommended for mature readers aged 12+. Caution:There may be tears as you read. Teacher's notes are available.
Daniella (Dani) Murphy is determined to play rugby league, but she keeps getting the message that girls don’t play footy. She is determined to play like her brothers, but since her mum passed away her grandma says no, and her dad says nothing. Dani is determined to show them that she is as good as any of the boys and can play. She has been training with her older brother and is getting good until a terrible accident that threatens her dream.
Dani doesn’t give up and with the inspiration of another local girl playing footy she is determined. Her brother comes up with a ploy to help her prove to her family that she has what it takes. Once her family see how passionate she is and that she can play they are reluctant but willing to let her have a go. Dani realizes that her family are not being mean when they say no, they are just overprotective since her mother passed away. In the end Dani is able to follow her dream and prove that girls can play footy.
This book highlights that you can achieve your dream if you are willing to work for it. Teacher's notes are available.
I recommend this book.
Themes Rugby League, Girls, Sexism, Persistence.
Karen Colliver
Coco and the bee by Laura Bunting and Nicky Johnston
Coco and the Bee is the third book in the series and this book does not disappoint.Coco is a little kitten who is living in a new house and discovering lots of new things. She is interested in gardening but doesn’t like bugs so is unhappy when she sees a bee on her strawberry plants.
Coco has moved to a new house in a new town and when her mum invites the boy next door over for a playdate Coco is concerned they will have nothing in common.Through the course of the book not only does Coco learn that friendships grow from not only our shared interests, but our differences and she also discovers that bees are very important and that there are many different bees in the world.
The Coco books are beautifully written with illustrations that support and enhance the text; the books have more words than a typical picture book and this makes them great as a classroom read aloud or bedtime story.The font is easy to read, making them a great first read alone book as well.
I adore the Coco series for its gentle stories and the real-life challenges that are solved through experiencing life from different perspectives. There is a lot of information in the book about bees however this doesn’t feel like an information book.The facts are woven into the story in such a way that the reader can learn new information while considering the other aspects of the story such as acceptance, presumptions and adapting our thinking for a happier outcome.
I genuinely believe that this series will be a classic in years to come as children and their families share the stories together.I also think that this book would be a great introduction for teachers to use in the unit on minibeasts or bees.The text is simple enough for children to understand and the story will engage students as they discover new facts about bees.
Mertales: The mysterious rainbow thief by Rebecca Timmis
Albert Street Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526580. (Age:6+) Recommended.
This was a Fin-tastic book.
Four friends, Pear Periwinkle, Shell Shimmerfins, Coral Clearwater and Sandy Starfish are faced with a mystery – all of the colour in Cockleshell Cove is disappearing. The friends decide they need to try and solve this mystery before all of the colour disappears and everything turns grey.
Sandy thought she could catch the colour thief by herself, she has read all the Merlock Holmes books and believes she can solve this herself. As the colour continues to disappear Sandy starts to realize she can’t catch the colour thief by herself. This is too big a job for one mermaid. Once Sandy accepts her friends' help and the four friends work together combining their individual strengths, they are able to catch the colour thief and restore colour to Cockleshell Cove. Sandy learns that working as a team can help get the job done.
The fin facts at the back of the book adds an extra element to this novel. The fun illustrations in this book also add another element to the story.
This book can be used to support the concept of working as part of a team to achieve a collective goal.
I recommend this early novel to anyone who likes mermaids and enjoys fishy puns. There are three more books in the set so if you enjoy this one I am sure you will enjoy the others.
Meet Ella is the newest series in the Ella and Olivia world. In these early chapter books children are introduced to Ella as a six year old who is just beginning school. The first book in the series follows Ella and her Dad as they go to the park, play with a puppy who follows them home and then try to find the owner. No other family are mentioned in this book which might be confusing for children who are familiar with the Ella and Olivia books but the simple text and format of the book means that there is no need for this extra information.
The book is written with large font and simple black and white illustrations and is pitched perfectly for children who are just starting to be independent readers. The story is relatable and helps children realise that just because they want something doesn’t mean they get it, especially when the something they want belongs to someone else. Ella and her Dad’s interactions and thoughts around the lost puppy and trying to find an owner will help to guide the young reader's thoughts away from the desire to keep a found thing to helping to find the owner as it is the right thing to do. I do love the fact that Ella’s thoughts are realistic and real. The final sentence, “even if Jellybean is a much better name for a puppy than John” made me laugh as this is exactly the kind of thing I hear from children all the time.
The Meet Ella series is going to be a popular one and with the other books in the series supporting the growth of readers I believe that it is a worthwhile addition to both home and school libraries. I can see this being used in a reader's circle or as a quiet read alone book. It is short enough to read together in one sitting.
Themes Family, Animals, Lost and found, Friendship.
This is a book with heart. It is an opportunity for children to hear words of encouragement from someone who has both struggled with poverty and racism, and also succeeded in sport. The author of this book is a global superstar playing soccer at an elite level for England and Manchester United. This career gives him a platform to be noticed, but in this book, he reveals his own personal history as a child of poverty and the people from his past who have made a big difference in his journey. He is also famous for missing a goal in a critical game in penalty time. The disappointment of letting down a nation is not something that is easy to forget, but Marcus Rashford shares in this book the truth that everyone makes mistakes and learning from them is also possible. The remarkable voice of kindness also flows through his life and his benevolent care of children in poverty via his food charity initiative is also used as an example for young readers.
The voice within this book is gently encouraging and personal. It reveals a man of heart who understands struggle, but also can inspire others to be the best version of themselves. He highlights the value of team, the opportunities for kindness, the value of small moments and the way to rise above disappointments and negativity, and all of this directly addressed to young people. Soccer players will be most likely to pick up this book because of Marcus Rashford’s name on the cover. It is a book that will be enjoyed by persistent readers, not because it is hard to read, but because kindness is not compelling to read about, even though kindness is naturally attractive. However, this is worth recommending if only to encourage kindness in our young. Presentation includes illustrations and highlighted quotations in black and white, and also end of chapter action points.
Themes Positivity, Resilience, Kindness, Soccer, Racism, Marcus Rashford.
Carolyn Hull
Where you left us by Rhiannon Wilde
University of Queensland Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780702265600. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Narrated in alternating chapters, Where you left us combines the stories of two sisters, Cinnamon and Scarlett, once close, but now estranged, brought together in their family home, Halycon House, for the summer break. Theirs is a highly dysfunctional family: their father is an aging and depressed rock star, their mother (separated from their father) a dreamy Tarot reader, Cinnamon is angry, Scarlett is fearful, and they are both haunted by the story of great-grandmother, Sadie, a madwoman and a murderer.
Issues of mental health come to the fore. Ian Prince spends his time in his room, rarely speaking to his daughters. Cinnamon’s anger and resentment at being left to take care of him, combined with her fear of emotional attachment, threatens her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, now best friend Will, as well as her budding interest in the new girl in town, Daisy. And timid Scarlett battles anxiety and panic attacks.
Threaded throughout there is also the historical mystery story of what happened to Sadie. As Will and Scarlett draw closer together following the clues, events lead to the inevitable climax when all the emotions explode.
This is a book that keeps your interest until the end, with its gothic atmosphere in the old house on the cliff, the mystery story, the mix of personalities, and the two romantic threads, one involving a tentative same sex relationship.
Rhiannon Wilde is particularly good at describing the hesitancy and the thrill of developing love between teenagers. The issues recalled for me Finding Jupiter by Kelis Rowe, with its portrayal of young love whilst also dealing with loss and grief, and a family secret. That was a story of young Black Americans. Wilde’s story is a welcome Australian young adult novel, equally powerful, and competently dealing with relevant contemporary issues. Readers who enjoyed Wilde’s first novel Henry Hamlet’s heart will love this book too. Teacher's notes are available.
Little Book Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781922678485. (Age:3-6) Highly recommended.
The one bird band is walking through the jungle playing his music when he comes upon a sad elephant, and the bird shares one of his instruments with the elephant to cheer it up. The bird then continues on his way, encountering more sad animals. Each time he encounters another sad animal he shares another of his instruments until he realizes he has none left. The bird then starts to feel sad. The other animals see this and together they make a friend band.
The illustrations in this book are bright and eye catching without being cluttered.
This book highlights that sharing with others can have a positive outcome for all. Teacher's notes are available.
Luna Chang has a picture perfect life - loving parents, financial freedom, perfect grades. Enter Hunter Yee - financially challenged, struggling student, disgruntled family. The Yees and the Changs are enemies, a seemingly long forgotten wrongdoing has caused the two families to never see or speak of each other, ever since Hunter and Luna were young. But now Hunter attends the same high school as Luna, even rides the same bus as her - their paths are crossing everywhere. They even discover they have the same birthdate... Ever since the night they met and accidentally brushed hands, strange things have been happening in their hometown of Fairbridge. Fireflies flock to Luna, cracks appear in the earth, rivers run wild. Could it have anything to do with the stone the Hunter's father has tucked away for safety? And Hunter's family is running from something, or someone... And even though they know they aren't meant to have anything to do with the other, they can't help being drawn to each other...
Written from multiple character view points (including main characters, parents, siblings, and more), this urban fantasy myth novel jumps seamlessly from one perspective to the next. Essentially a Romeo and Juliet reinterpretation with romance, magic and Chinese mythology, readers will find the book has a unique feel, while still being relatable. Little bits of history are sprinkled into the book as a fun little taster of Chinese history, with many cultural aspects being included, including Chinese medicine. Fans of cultural books such as The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh and Parachutes by Kelly Yang will find this an enjoyable read.
Stunning illustrations adorn this book as rain falls on every page, watering the landscape and the animals and flora that live on it. From the driving rain on the front cover, to pages of rain you can almost feel falling, to softer pitter patter and finally a rainbow, younger children will delight at the presentation of things they have seen and felt but perhaps not known much about. Readers are asked to look at the developing rain clouds, Johnny depicting the differences they can see when they do look. When the rain begins it comes in a pitter patter, falling on the tree tops where birds sing, wetting the dry earth where a lizard runs for shelter, allowing the wildflowers to bloom. The rain drips making puddles, allowing the kangaroos to have fun, filling the creekbeds where animals can drink. But then the sky changes again and a rainbow can be seen. And everyone dances with happiness, thanking the rain. Younger readers may not have thought about what the rain is for and this book allows them to see how rain is an important part of the seasons, filling waterhole for the animals to drink, stimulating seeds to flourish, wetting the dry earth and the trees.
Johnny’s wonderful illustrations illuminate each page depicting animals and plants that need water to survive in the hearth environment. Children will enjoy looking at the different things he shows on each page and look out for the other two books done by these two, Little bird's day and The river.
When his family moves from California to New Jersey, Harris must start at a new school at age 15, trying to make new friends, meet girls, find classrooms and complete homework. He is also navigating the usual teen-age rites; going to parties, getting drunk, watching sport, preparing for college. Except Harris has spinal muscular atrophy, so uses a wheelchair and has a carer with him constantly, either the attractive young student-nurse Miranda, or his over-worked mother Clare.
This is the sweet story of a teenager acutely aware that others judge him on his disability. His unorthodox opening question, 'What is your favourite colour?' is his way of evening the score and making his own assumptions about others.
He is determined to upend his current image as a lonely wheel-chair-bound boy. This involves working through his relationships with his distant brother Ollie, his one nerdy friend Zander and new romantic interest, classmate Nory whose refusal to divulge her favourite colour is a source of frustration as he becomes more attracted to her. He also needs to weigh up the relative benefits of associating with either the geeks or the football jocks.
The secondary characters are highly engaging. Miranda, alumnus of Harris’ school, makes Harris feel valued, but she is preoccupied by the memory of her best friend’s death and the increasingly controlling behaviour of her boyfriend. Clare does a wonderful job of appearing laid-back when with him at school, but becomes a regular, if flawed mother at home.
As might be expected in a gritty coming-of-age story, there is some profanity, alcohol and drug use and implied coercive control, however this fitted within the characters’ personalities and was not gratuitous.
Hayden writes from experience, having SMA himself, and demonstrates the daily battles that a person with SMA must deal with; health issues, mobility, access to education, harassment, challenges with personal care etc. Some of these issues will be an uncomfortable eye-opener to many readers, but they are an essential part of Harris’ story, often explored in detail, but without feeling didactic.
The First Thing about You, ‘a classic boy-in-a-wheelchair meets girl love story’ is a powerful read, written with humour and insight. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Disability, Friendship, School-days, Own voice.
