Be careful, Xiao Xin! by Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng
Working Title Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781922033932. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Xiao Xin (little heart) longs to take on the world as a Red Fire Warrior. He dreams of adventures outside his home, but is confined by an overprotective family. Brought up to the mantra of ‘be careful Xiao Xin’, he knows nothing else except being rugged up for the cold outside, of being told not to fall or slip or jump. He sees other children playing with their parents, running and skipping, without being told to be careful. When his sister arrives he is told he must watch out for her, not to let her fall, to stop her from trying to walk in case she slips over. He is saddened that she is being overprotected just as he was. But he believes that he needs to fall so that he can walk. He must take a chance. He must show his family that he is old enough to try different things, to act independently of them. So one night as they search the house for him, he tucks his dog under his blankets and leaves the house. He does not slip or fall or freeze and comes home with more confidence. a confidence reflected by his parents.
Sher Rill Ng’s graphic novel style of illustration adds another layer of interest and intrigue. The dark shapes permeate the pages giving an ominous ambience, underlining the dark world which exists outside the home, propping up the family’s fears for Xiao Xin. But in his Red Fire Warrior guise he can do anything, and is able to show his family that with their help he will cope with life away from them.
Inspired by Alice Pung’s home life where her grandmother would rug her up against the cold even in summer, so much so that her arms stuck out like those of a penguin. Pung has created a story to encourage all members of the family to take a chance. And this book is presented in both English and Mandarin. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Confidence, Over protection, Helicopter parents, Growing up.
Fran Knight
News Hounds: The dinosaur discovery by Laura James. Illus. by Charlie Alder
For readers who love dogs and a little bit of crime or mystery this book is perfect. It is told from a dog’s perspective and is a wonderfully funny adventure story.
Puddle Train Station is run by the stationmaster and Bob is his dog, he is also a reporter for The Daily Bark, a newspaper for dogs. It is up to Bob to ensure the trains run on time and who better to sniff out all the comings and goings of the people and animals than Bob. Bob has his station running like clockwork until he hears about the scoop of a lifetime, someone has dug up bones, and not just any bones – a dinosaur skeleton.
Now Bob’s life is crazy as he and the other News Hounds try to catch a sniff of a despicable dinosaur thief and keep life at the station running like normal.
This is a fabulous first chapter book for children, especially those who know that dogs don’t lie in the sun waiting for their owners to come home from work. It is filled with fabulous illustrations that are sure to engage children and ensure their enjoyment on the story. I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it for any school or home library as a great first step to reading alone, it would also work as a read together or read aloud but I think this is one that children will want to spend time exploring the illustrations and the imaginative text on their own.
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781838992262. (Age:4+) Recommended.
Any young child who is interested in dinosaurs will love to join Aimee, a Priddy Explorer, to learn some amazing facts about their world and how to identify them. A very useful Contents page starts off the book and gives a simple guide to what the reader can hope to find: What is a dinosaur? Identifying dinosaurs, In the sea, and a quiz, glossary and index.
Like Space in the Priddy Explorers series, the book is full of fun facts and colourful illustrations to enhance the information given in bite sized portions. Photographs of dinosaur skeletons and maps provide further information while Aimee has a Did you know? section on each double page spread with a fascinating piece of information about dinosaurs.
This a well designed, interesting book about dinosaurs that will be welcomed by young children and very useful in a class discussion of dinosaurs.
Mim and her family live in a caravan bookshop, their horse guides them to where they are needed most and Mim and her family try to work out who needs their help and which book on their shelves is the right book for the right person at the right time.
In the second book of the series written by Katrina Nannestad, Mim has arrived on a Greek Island and everyone is talking about the wedding that is about to take place, everyone that is except the bride and groom! Mim really wants to follow in her father's footsteps and guide people through their book choices to make better choices and change their lives, however every time she tries to convince the bride to read a book another book is chosen. Mim is convinced the wedding shouldn't take place but she feels like she is the only one who can see it.
I loved this story as Mim is trying so hard to ensure that Angelica, the bride reads a book that will convince her to stop the wedding, except that Angelica is reading all the wrong books and so is the groom. The reader will love following along and discovering new facets of the bookshop and learning that sometimes the right book might not be the one you think you should read but the one that falls into your lap.
This is a great story for reading aloud or reading alone, it is an easy read that will engage readers of all ages. Definitely one to add to the list of must reads along with any subsequent books in the series.
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781838992279. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A young boy named Nick is the Priddy Explorer in the series Priddy Explorers as the author aims to teach young children about space. Nick guides the reader through some amazing facts and illustrations about space. Starting with a comprehensive but simple Contents page (What is space? What is the moon?), the reader is invited to explore the contents of the book, either from start to finish, or popping into a section that is of interest. Children will learn about the sun, moon and stars, the solar system and the planets and can check what they have learned with a quiz. A glossary and index are also included at the back of the book.
The book is a sturdy board book, full of colourful drawings. There are also photographs which illustrate topics like telescopes, artificial satellites, rovers, rocket ships and astronauts and the exploration of Mars. Each of the photographs has a caption with fascinating information which will intrigue readers, and Nick the Priddy Explorer is featured on each double page with a Did you know? question for the reader.
This is an ideal book for the young child who is curious about space and wants to learn more. It would be very useful in a classroomwhen learning about space.
Winner of the 2022 Locus Award for Best Collection, in Even greater mistakes, Charlie Jane Anders has written 19 short stories that span her writing career. The publisher’s blurb states: ‘Here are delightful upending’s of genre cliches, and heartfelt revitalisation of classic tropes. Here is social commentary with teeth, and here are scenes of pants-wettingly funny comedy. Here are characters and situations that by their very outrageousness achieve a heightened realism unlike any other. Here is one of the strongest voices in modern science fiction, the writer called by Andrew Sean Greer, 'this generation’s Le Guin.'
These stories are challenging to read and will be enjoyed by lovers of science fiction and fantasy. The first in the book As good as new, has a survivor isolated in a panic room and she turns the fairy story of the genie in a bottle upside down into a memorable tale. Rat catcher’s yellows is an intriguing take on being a carer of a life-time partner and brings all the heartbreak and diffuclties alive for the reader.
All the stories are original, unique, and often strange. Some are not easy to read but for hard core fans of science fiction and fantasy this will be a compelling collection. Some may like to try her novel Dreams bigger than heartbreak.
Themes Short stories, Science fiction, Fantasy, LGBT.
What about Thao? is the latest novel from best-selling author Oliver Phommavanh. In a similar vein to Thai-riffic, Con-nerd and The other Christy, Oliver brings to heartbreaking and hilarious reality the experience of being the other in a new situation. Of Thai-Australian heritage, Oliver has the credentials to write authentically about the experience of trying to fit into new cultures. Being young and an ex-primary school teacher he knows the lingo and the workings of modern classrooms. Oliver is also a stand-up comedian appearing on national TV and radio and a number of comedy venues. His signature style permeates his writing. Oliver is very popular and well-reviewed on the school writing workshop scene. With a presence as engaging as the voice we hear in his books it is no wonder that he is invited to speak to reluctant writers about story creation.
What about Thao? features Thao (pronounce as towel without the l). He has a Vietnamese cultural heritage but has always lived in Australia. Thao and his family move to a small town (Megulla) in rural NSW and being the easy going, cool sort of guy that he is, has no problems other than the usual (which are perceptively described) of being the new kid in a multi levelled class of which he is one of the year 6’s. Shortly after Thao arrives, Kadir from war-torn Syria arrives. He has a background of shocking trauma and loss. When it comes to who is going to help Kadir out, the teacher asks “What about Thao?” Hence the title and the resulting friendship choices, dilemmas, wonderful Thai and Syrian cooking and slam poetry!
Oliver cleverly reveals stereotypical thinking and comments and frequently turns them on their head. With the surety of a comedian he upends expectations and the relief is comedy. For example, as Thao’s family arrive in Megulla … “that’s when the lady told us to go back to where we came from.” Instantly the reader thinks RACIST but it is revealed shortly after that she meant literally that the family needed to do a U-turn because they had already passed their house. Australian expressions are scattered throughout as the two boys come to grips with the slang spoken e.g. p.137 “It’s so lovely to see some young blood.”
“Blood?” Kadir says, looking alarmed.
“It means young people,” I say, nudging him in. The story is narrated in the first-person voice of Thao so the reader knows the highs, the lows, the worries and the plans of Thao and views the little remote country town and its people through his eyes. “Somewhere on the trip here, my excitement must have leaked out the window. The milkshake churns in my stomach. This was my parent’s dream but what about me?” It is easy for the reader to identify with Thao.
This is a story about friendship, identity, belonging and multiculturism written with a great deal of unforced naturalness, great humour and the observation of an author who knows.
An entertaining read.
Themes Friendship, Refugees, Social groups.
Wendy Jeffrey
Guinness World Records 2023
Guinness World Records, 2022. ISBN: 9781913484231. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Guinness World Records books are borrowed constantly by students of all ages keen to catch up on a variety of quite extraordinary records achieved by individuals and groups. The latest 2023 edition will provide endless reading and browsing.
The striking cover and end papers of year’s book has a space/final frontier theme and indeed the introduction is called Missions. The Contents page this year lists ten chapters to browse through with the headings of Space, Life on earth, Human Body, Extraordinary Exploits, Around the World in 300 Records, Epic Engineering, Entertainment, Modern World and finally the ever-popular Sports. Each chapter lists the topics or people discussed with adjacent page numbers and recognises one Hall of Fame award under each main heading.
In the Around the World in 300 Records section, Australia’s list of six records includes the Lone Pine Sanctuary which is the world’s oldest koala sanctuary set up in 1927 by Claude Reid as well as the oldest rainforest, the Daintree, which dates back to around 180 million years.
Towards the end of the book is a Stop Press section where entries that came in after the closing date for submissions are added. This makes for very interesting reading. Did you know the longest time standing on one leg blindfolded goes to an Australian, 12-year-old Max Petoe who stood for 35 minutes? There is always so much to discover in the Guinness World Records book and this latest edition will fly off Library shelves.
I loved this book, and I really wasn't expecting to. As much as I like Adam Hills, I was expecting this to be another TV star writing a book and it isn't, this is a book with twists and turns that is well written and enjoyable.
The story starts with Charley and her best friend George being accused of stealing a priceless painting, the two friends are enjoying a European tour as Charley is the latest internet singing sensation and George is the one who made her videos. As they continue their tour of Europe and keep up with their schoolwork - they are only 12 after all, they now need to solve the building case against them as artefacts go missing from each place they visit.
Charley and George must face accusations from their schoolmates, principal, and international police forces all while trying to keep the tour on track and convince the adults in their lives that they can handle anything the world throws at them. The two friends work together to solve the crimes and clear their names, even when faced with jealousy and sabotage from others in their class.
This is a brilliant book and would be great as a read aloud or as a class text. It is really well written and will engage both young readers and adults alike.
Where’s Wally? Destination: Everywhere! is the 30th anniversary addition of the ever popular Where’s Wally series. As fans of Where’s Wally will know, his journeys can take him to the past, present and future. This well-presented hard cover edition contains 12 classic scenes from past books which have been given a more complex makeover! These scenes include The Great Portrait Exhibition, Jurassic Games, Cake Factory, Pirate Panorama, Dragon Flyers and finishing with The Land of Wallies. This latest book offers the reader the opportunity to find more things that Wally saw on his travels but with multiple surprises instore. Each double page has a paragraph of information explaining what might be found as well as clues to something that may be hidden, doubled, or changed. So many clever twists to each page. This book would make a wonderful gift for all fans of Where’s Wally.
Themes Where’s Wally, Travel, Activities, Clues.
Kathryn Beilby
Storm Goliath by James Sellick and Craig Shuttlewood
New Frontier, 2022. ISBN: 9781922326546. (Age:5+)
Storm Goliath is a brightly illustrated picture book from the Dealing with Feeling series. The book tells the tale of one very angry gorilla called Goliath who finds it hard to manage his anger. Even the smallest things can set him off such as birds singing or the warthog whining. He is not a settled gorilla and once his anger sets in, he is destructive and very unkind. The detailed and expressive illustrations manage to convey the range of emotions that Goliath is expressing and the use of capital letters to shout the words to the reader allows the emotions to be felt.
Goliath is feeling BIG feelings as do so many children nowadays. They find it hard to self-regulate these emotions but as Goliath shows us it can happen with practice. The descriptions of hanger – anger made worse by hunger and sanger – anger expressed with sadness mixed in - are important words to share with children.
This book would be a valuable tool to share with children who are struggling to contain feelings of anger. My only personal concern is the use of the words ‘shut up’ in the first couple of pages. If I was reading it out aloud I would change it to ‘be quiet’.
One Last Secret is the latest thriller from prolific writer of popular women’s fiction, Adele Parks. The novel centres on British escort Dora, who has finally decided to leave her profession, marry her best friend and start a new life. The only issue is, Dora has received an offer too good to refuse from a long-time client. Daniel asks her to take one last trip with him, to pretend to be his girlfriend at a house party being held at a chateau in Southern France. He promises a few days of luxury, sunshine and fun and Dora reluctantly agrees. What should be a simple and straightforward job however, rapidly turns sour when she realises that Daniel’s eccentric group of friends might turn out to be downright dangerous.
Adele Parks is known for producing slick and suspenseful contemporary thrillers with a strong focus on their female protagonists. One Last Secret is no different. Every character has a hidden backstory and secret purpose. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns and the backdrop of the luxurious chateau is an excellent contrast to the dark dealings happening within. The sense of oppression builds throughout, as both Dora and the reader try to discover who is the sinister presence moving events along. One Last Secret will keep you guessing until the end. This book is recommended for all those who enjoy a dark and sultry thriller. However, be advised of the extremely adult and at times disturbing content.
Themes Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Secrets, Relationships, France.
Rose Tabeni
Dirt by sea by Michael Wagner, Illus. by Tom Jellett
Front and centre of this colourful large format picture book is an orange combi van with a Queensland number plate, the van Daisy (Daze) and her Dad take on a road trip around Australia’s coast. Five year old Daze loves her home in outback Queensland with its vast areas of red dirt but objects to the national anthem saying “our land is dirt by sea”. When it is explained that Australia is “girt” by sea, Dad realises he has never taken her to the beach and resolves to do the road trip, in their old van, he and her Mum did before Daisy was born. Setting out on Boxing Day it is a twelve hour drive to their first stop, Airlie Beach and from there they continue to the Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Northern NSW. Next stop is Sydney and Bondi Beach where Dad teaches Daze how to always swim between the flags, signal if she gets into difficulties and float on her back until help comes. We also learn that “your mother was a lifeguard, that’s how we met” the first of many references to Mum, absent but lovingly remembered. The trip, encompassing over 20 coastal locations, has its challenges, like tasting Coffin Bay oysters, and playing eye spy crossing the Nullarbor, but they experience the wonders of Australia’s coastline and grow with the experience. Snorkelling, jetty jumping, making sand mermaids and friends on the beach are all part of Australians’ love of the beach and all are represented here.
This is a joyful trip with lots to see on every colourful, detailed page where the author and illustrator operate together seamlessly. Summed up in the endpapers where Daisy’s worksheet naming the states and territories becomes a riot of colour and trip notes by the end, this is a book that will bear repeated readings, new details noticed each time.
When I'm an Astronaut written by South Australian urological surgeon Dr Samantha Pillay is Book Three in the Inspirational Careers for Kids picture book series with the first two books titled, When I’m a Surgeon and When I’m an Entrepreneur.
In this latest book a young girl dreams big and shows the reader all that she will be able to do when she becomes an astronaut. The stunning illustrations support the simple text beautifully, show diverse characters, and enable this book to become a very special read. Both children and adults will be able to relate to the excitement and anticipation of becoming an astronaut, learning so much about what is needed to be able to undertake this role as well as the endless possibilities to find out more about our world and beyond.
The addition of an excellent activity book where more space-related terminology is introduced through activities such as word searches, spot the difference and unscrambling words, could be used by teachers, parents and students to complement the text.
Dinosaur Chew! The Iguanodon is another in the popular The World of Dinosaur Roar! series and this time explores the life of the iguanodon who loves to laze around chewing grass. After being challenged by Dinosaur Munch to try something new he decides to go on an adventure.
In rhyming text, the pre-schooler will be introduced to this grass eating dinosaur, learning about some of its habits and habitat on the way. He will meet other dinosaurs in the series and will have fun looking at the brightly coloured pictures of the land and its inhabitants.
