Biologist Martin Wikelski shares his circuitous journey underlying the Icarus project - nearly 50 years of trial and error to support an unfolding vision he terms, the Internet of Animals. Along with the digital revolution, Wikelski drew inspiration from the 'internet of things'.
“Animals are so diverse that they all have different feelings, senses and social skills both as species and as individuals. The sum of their knowledge is superior to the sum of any knowledge we will ever gather from human-made systems.”
Proof for interesting theories such as the idea that animals domesticatedof Humans, include encounters with an arctic fox and a white stork. His experiences are global given the information he was first seeking from migrating birds who know no borders, but includes domesticated species such as earthquake detecting cows in central Italy and rice rats on the Galapagos. Martin’s fascination with animal behaviour, sprinkled through numerous stories of his fieldwork and determinations that animals needed to be seen and heard by upscaling data collection, motivate he and his colleagues to overcome insurmountable communication and technical struggles.
Martin’s family phylogeny (the web of ancestors) and ontogeny (academic development) including his formal and informal education, are foundational to a unique vision to track animal behavior to reveal their perceptions and collaborations with nature for myriad reasons; including a shared sustainability of our planetary ecosystem and species. The Icarus project too needed to be continually modified in a period of rapidly developing technology and geo-political shifts - facing multiple challenges and set backs and peppered with just enough tantalizing insights and successes to keep the dream alive. Partners included several long term colleagues and institutions such as German space startup SpaceTech, the ever dependable Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Inradios communication engineers and Roscosmos the Russian Space Agency.Suspense mounts when on the verge of largescale surveillance of earth’s wildlife geo-political events such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine cause delays.
The importance of reaching his goal meant staying open to new tech and partners over time. His perserverence means we can anticipate real-time exponential surveiling of earth's co-inhabitants, understanding their messages and acknowledging an interspecies partnership may help preserve or reverse the harm of the Anthropocene era. Al user friendly index and several colour plates increase the joy of sharing the extraordinary background to an even more extraordinary future purpose.
Big ideas certainly for all conservationists and animal lovers at heart.
Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire by L.M. Wilkinson. Illus. by Lavanya Naidu
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761180569. (Age:6+) Highly Recommended.
In the second Bravestone book, Titch, Huckleberry and Dollop are lost in a never-ending swamp. It is wet, cold and miserable and that isn’t even the worst of it! Faced with swamp monsters, a brave warrior squirrel who has been banished from her village by a group of brainwashed squirrels and a grumpy turtle, the trio must work together to survive, help the squirrels and continue on their journey to find out if Titch really is Bravestone or if it is all a huge mistake. As they are faced with each new and unexpected challenge, Titch will learn that there is a more to the Bravestone prophecy than she had previously heard and they will meet Briar, a warrior squirrel who helps the trio continue on their quest to save Alluria.
The second book in the Bravestone series is just as wonderful as the first with the addition of a couple of new characters, some of who are good, some not so good and some who are downright mean! The characters are well written and ensure the reader knows who is good, bad or beguiled!! The illustrations help the story and are wonderful additions to the text, guiding the reader in their journey to Alluria, if the fearless trio can find their way out of the swamp.
Titch and her friends have just the right amount of bravado vs. caution and their adventures are bound to be favourites in the classroom or library. These books are written for emerging readers but will be loved by any young reader as they combine adventure, fantasy, good vs. evil and friendship.
The Bravestone series is definitely one that could be read aloud or independently.
Themes Fantasy, Adventure, Good vs Evil, Friendship, Quests.
Tessa is excited to be going on holiday with her Mum, Uncle Mo, little brother Felix and the twins Kivi and Tess. They are going to the Nannup Music Festival, staying in a cottage, part of an old timber cutter’s village nearby, in a karri forest with lots of wildlife. The festival is great with lots of new experiences while the drive back to the cottage in the dark is a bit scary, especially after Uncle Mo tells them the Tasmanian Tiger didn’t just live in Tasmania but could have been in this area too. After narrowly avoiding a big kangaroo on the road everyone is on the lookout for wildlife, especially the Nannup Tiger. Then, on the second night they do hit something, a strange looking bird with big eyes. Tessa helps wrap the injured bird in some old towels and they take it back to the cottage. In the morning they find that there is a registered wildlife carer nearby and they take the bird, a tawny frogmouth, to Otto, a bit of a local character living off grid and caring for lots of injured wildlife. They leave the bird with Otto but Tess is conflicted, she has bonded with the bird and is worried about it being cooped up in an aviary. What should she do?
This simple story about a family rescuing an injured bird has a lot to offer, a lovely location with issues such as conservation and the importance of wild places to learn about Australian wildlife. There are incidental learning opportunities like not feeding wildlife inappropriate food, rules for handing over injured wildlife to a vet or registered carer within 72 hours and why light pollution interferes with viewing the night sky. Everyone can relate to the children’s reluctance to use the outside toilet at night but sharing it with a possum changes Tessa’s mind, even if she does scurry inside after and bolt the door against the tiger. Fremantle Press has an activity sheet for classroom use. Readers of Deb Fitzpatrick's Kelpie Chaos will enjoy this warm animal tale.
Themes Australian wildlife, Wildlife rescue, Conservation, Family.
Sue Speck
The Jolly Swagman by Bec Nanayakkara. Illus. by Kim de Haan
Woodslane, 2025. ISBN: 9781922800893. (Age:3+)
A story which parallels the poem by Banjo Patterson, Waltzing Matilda, written in 1895 when swagmen were a common sight on the back roads of Australia, will appeal to younger readers eager for more knowledge of Australian myths and stories.
In this story, Ollie, the swagman is a regular visitor to the station where this young boy, Will lives. Ollie and the boy have a close relationship, Ollie teaching Will of things within his culture, when he comes each year at shearing time. Will dreams of being a swagman and watches Ollie closely. At night the boy is astounded to see Ollie care for the sick and injured animals, and is taught the names these animals have.
When the troopers come to the farm looking for Ollie, convinced he has stolen a sheep, Will defends his friend, telling the men that Ollie has taken the wounded sheep to tend to its injuries. He is not believed and can do little, and Ollie is never seen again. But Will keeps on learning about his environment, often putting his swag on his back and going off to the bush.
The line, ‘come a waltzing Matilda with me’ is taken at its broadest meaning, that of inviting people to ‘come walking with me’, so Will invites the readers to come and see what the environment is like, to tread its paths, to see its animals, to be part of the land.
And the swagman Ollie is seen in a different light than that given in the poem, here is of a man who needs to tramp the countryside in search of work and keep himself going. These people, like today’s homeless, need our support.
A neat introduction to the Australian classic poem and song, this book gives a new background to the story and shows the swaggie in a different light. Kids will be eager to read the original and compare the differences, and find out which Aboriginal language is referenced in Ollie’s animals.
Themes Australian mythology, Australian classics, Swagmen, Australian bush life.
Neville's story begins well before the beginning of the book. It starts back in Frank's Red Hat, when, being a risk-taker, he agreed to wear the beautiful red hat that Frank had made. But as soon as he put it on, he was swallowed by a killer whale!
Now, Avery continues the tale because while everyone assumed that landing in the whale's throat was the end of Neville, in fact there was a further tale to tell. Because as well as being a risk-taker, Neville was brave and bold and figuring that he hadn't yet been eaten, he was determined to escape. Not helped by the pessimism of Reg - a seal also awaiting its fate in the whale's maw - he, nevertheless, is persistent in his efforts to get out of there. There's no wiggly teeth to dislodge and wriggle through, and the whale's blowhole is not only out of reach, but not even in the same part of its body.
So - does Neville succumb to what seems the inevitable, particularly as the whale starts to make eating-like movements, or is there a happy ending?
Avery is a master of offering original, whimsical, offbeat stories and this is no exception. Perhaps with some slight overtones of the biblical tale about Jonah, the reader finds themselves hoping that Neville's plans will work and that the joyless Reg who is happy to play cards while he awaits his fate will be proven wrong.
Given that Frank's Red Hat was not only shortlisted for the 2023 CBCA Picture Book of the Year but won the of Shadow Judges Picture Book of the Year this is a companion title that has to be in the collection, particularly as the ending suggests that there is yet more to come..
Themes Penguins, Killer whales, Individuality.
Barbara Braxton
Nightweaver by R.M. Gray
Penguin Random House, 2025. ISBN: 9780241735060. (Age:16+YA) Recommended.
A product of R. M. Gray's active imagination, Nightweaver's action, plot and setting leaps from the pirates' ocean world (which has previously been claimed for the safety of pirates and humanity) to gothic Bludgrave Manor in the Tamed Lands (which have been claimed by the sinister Nightweavers) on the shore of Ink Haven. Our heroine, seventeen- year-old pirate Aster Oberon, has been living a pirate life safe from the Nightweavers who are mystical beings with elemental powers who rule the land. There is an epic battle at sea and the Oberon family are defeated and forced to live on land with the Nightweavers who generously offer employment on their estate. Nothing and noone is as they appear it seems... There is elemental, brutal and supernatural violence of vampire-like monsters, the untamed powers of nightweavers, the violence of villagers and medieval type princes and the ordinary, cut-throat violence of pirates. The Nightweavers have been cursed in the past and the monsters who are on the hunt are so much worse than them. In stark relief to the violence are delightful mythical pixies and unicorns who inhabit an arborial area of the manor and the love between the pirate family members. There are references to a supreme being and much reference to symbolism which is important to the plot.
Although the setting is hundreds of years in the past (medieval aspects), Nightweaver somehow suggests a dystopian future - a world that has been plunged into chaos. Humanity are reduced to slavery to the new order of cruel beings.
The love interest is well-written. There is a sweet and powerful budding, forbidden romance between the determined female main character, Aster and Will, the morally grey male main character. It's a "dancing with the enemy" situation which is morally repugnant to Aster but strangely accepted by her proud, tightly-knit pirate family. Character development is slow burning and well written making the reader turn those pages.
Nightweaver is an absorbing and demanding read- an amalgam of characteristics of Pirates of the Caribbean, The book of Revelations, Star Wars, many books of contemporary fantasy and even the book of Esther. Aster is, like Esther, quite the archetypical brave and courageous woman who never gives up, has a special, yet-to-be-developed power and uses her pivotal role within a royal court to save her people. R.M Gray concludes her acknowledgements with a reference to Esther 4:14.
Dark and violent- sometimes almost to excess, Nightweaver is full of brutality and political intrigue. The reader is drawn close to Aster, as the story develops from her perspective. She suffers through many devastating twists and heartbreaks which test what she has wholeheartedly believed in all her life. Her belief in family, herself and the world as she knows it are severely rocked.
R.M Gray has allowed her characters to emerge partially and incrementally in Nightweaver in such a manner that the reader will really want to know what is in store for them; for Aster and Will of course - but what about Henry... a "dark horse" and Margaret... etc. The sequel to Nightweaver will probably be full of more dangerous and upsetting twists and painful betrayals, keeping readers on their toes.
Karma is three cats by Bella Montgomery. Illus. by Carolina Marando
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181955. (Age:3+)
Life according to Taylor Swift’s kitty best friends, the subtitle on the front cover, exposes what this book is about. For Taylor Swift fans, this book is a must, and for cat owners, there are many incidents which will evoke recognition and laughter.
The cats introduce themselves: Benjamin Button, Olivia Benson, and Meredith Grey, the hardest working cats in show business. Intrigued? Turning the page the animals reveal just what they do to bolster and encourage Taylor Swift’s talent. Meredith walks across the piano, making noises which are incorporated into the music, while Benjamin and Olivia purr on her lap, being the muse which impels her to work. They go along to the photo shoots, advise on her personal appearance and accompany her on her tours. At her shows it is the trio of cats that do their stretching exercise, encouraging her to do hers before she appears on the stage, and of course help her wind down after the show.
Sometimes she is feeling low and it is the cats who help her shake it off. They help her with the many letters she must write to the fans.
But the best of all jobs is to keep her happy, and bring joy into her life.
A cute story about Taylor Swift’s cats and how important they are to her life, will endear Swift fans enormously. Others will come to the book via their interest in the person or their love of cats. The book shows how the cats work in her life, even being taken on tours.
Lovingly illustrated by Carolina Marando, the cats are easily identified, and their antics recognised by eager readers. A great deal of Taylor Swift’s life is also shown: the friendship bracelets, her clothes, hair style and make up for example.
Themes Taylor Swift, Musicians, Cats, Friendship.
Fran Knight
Protecting the planet: Ice journey of the polar bear by Martin Jenkins and Lou Baker-Smith
High in the Arctic regions, it snowed last night - the first fall of the season and more is on its way. As the days get shorter, and the nights longer, for this polar bear, this is a sign it's time to make a den, a safe place to sleep through the harsh winter and to give birth to her cubs. But she has a long journey to make to find the right spot to make her safe haven, and eat enough to sustain her for the months ahead as she sleeps through the wild weather.
But the Arctic is changing; familiar landscapes are melting. What kind of world will her cubs grow up in?
The plight of polar bears as the Arctic ice shrinks as climate change takes hold is becoming more well-known, and readers will feel for the mother bear who only wants a safe future for her babies. The narrative is in accessible, direct text telling the mother's story without a lot of extra detail but these are included in the dramatic illustrations which portray a harsh world, where surely only the strongest can survive - but with less and less of what they need, what is the future for the cubs?
Part of the Protecting the Planet series which includes Emperor of the Ice and The Season of the Giraffes, its narrative non fiction format which focuses on a particular animal rather than the species will appeal to younger readers, while those who are independent readers may want to extend their knowledge through Hannah Gold's The Last Bear and Finding Bear.
As yet, there are only three in this series although with so many creatures who could be candidates there is scope for many more, but as each includes notes about what climate change is and how even small changes in what we do can make a difference, it is a valuable series to add to the collection as we try to protect and preserve the planet.
Themes Polar bears.
Barbara Braxton
You can't pat a fish by Ruth Paul
Walker Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781760656973. (Age:3+)
"I asked for a pet, but what did I get?"
The little girl's parents have agreed to let her have a pet, but when it comes to all the choices in the pet shop, they decide that a fish in a bowl is the best choice. Clearly the little girl is disappointed because while you can play with a puppy, cuddle a cat, snuggle a rabbit and pat a pet rat, no matter how much you wish, you can't pat a fish.
There are so many things you can do with any of the other creatures that she could have had, but instead she has a boring fish. Until...
This is a charming rhyming story for young readers that will resonate with any of them who have wished for a pet and all the reasons why. But while it is also a cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for, it's also a reminder of looking for the silver linings and being optimistic, because suddenly the little girl sees the positives of having a fish and where her imagination takes her.
Little ones will enjoy sharing their own stories about their pets, perhaps do some early graphing activities and enjoy the rhyme and rhythm as it carries the story along. Definitely one to share with the preschool group I read to weekly.
Themes Pets.
Barbara Braxton
We're looking for the perfect hug by Martha Mumford
We're looking for the perfect hug. Come and join the fun!
Once again, the bunnies are off on another adventure - this time they are on a mission to find the perfect hug. But who gives it? The prickly hedgehog? The woolly lamb? The snappy crab? Or the fluffy chick? Surely it can't be wily Mr Fox!
As with the others in the series, this is a joyous romp for our youngest readers through the countryside with lots to discover in the colourful, detailed illustrations and hidden under the flaps so cleverly disguised. As they join in the repetitive phrases that take them through the fields to the vegetable patch, across the lake to the farm and even to the seaside, there are lots of opportunities to help them build their vocabulary about the sorts of things they might expect to find at each location so even if it is unfamiliar to them, they are building a mind-picture for the next story they encounter with that setting. For example, while they are trying to predict where there might be a hug in the Giorgio's Fruit and Vege Patch, they could not only identify the vegetables they know (giving them a sense of empowerment) but learn words like "shed", "wheelbarrow" and "hedgehog". Sharp eyes might even see the beanstalk which could lead on to the story about Jack's adventure, while others might notice the colour of the leaves in the wheelbarrow and not only be able to identify the season, but perhaps explore why they are no longer green. Such wonderful opportunities for conversations and explorations - there might even be an opening to talk about who and why and when we hug, and sadly, how sometimes it might not be what we want or from someone we like.
Reading the pictures is such an essential early reading behaviour to enable the child to more precisely predict the text, that there is so much more to this series than just the interactivity of lifting the flaps. Add to that, familiar characters doing everyday things that the child will relate to and this is a winning series for our youngest readers.
Author of the bestselling Prison Healer series and the fantasy Medoran chronicles Lynette Noni has turned her writing skills to pen an exciting adventure/romance set in the rugged Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Zander Rune, Hollywood’s bad boy, desperately wants a key role but needs to clean up his reputation before the director will employ him. His agent and mentor Gabe suggests a publicity stunt to show him in a new light – a trip to the wilds with survivalist Rykon Hawke and his biggest fan chosen from a competition. Charlie Hart hates Zander’s reputation as a drunken driver but cannot let her scheming best friend Ember down when Ember wins the competition. Ember is not well enough to go on a survivalist trip so Charlie finds herself pretending to be Zander’s greatest fan. How will she survive four days in the wilderness with someone she despises?
The thrilling Prologue is sure to grip the attention of any reader who will be compelled to read on immediately to find out what has happened to the person being plunged down a giant waterfall. From then on, the story is told in alternate chapters by Charlie and Zander as they face all the dangers of the wild. I was swept along on their adventures as they sky-dive out of a helicopter, rappel down cliffs, wriggle through narrow tunnels, avoid poisonous snakes and cross a ravine on a disintegrating wooden bridge. As they navigate danger, Charlie begins to get to know Zander and learns more about herself and her dreams and Zander finds himself confiding in her, letting her know about many of his fears.
Although the ending is rushed with some unresolved issues, readers are sure to enjoy the drama, romance and escapism of Wandering Wild, dedicated to those who “Dare to dream again” and eagerly await the next book by Noni. In the meantime readers who enjoy the theme of survival in the wild might like to read Be not far from me by Mindy McGinnis, The lovely and the lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Nowhere on earth by Nick Lake.
Themes Survival, Celebrities, Reality TV, Romance, Blue Mountains (N.S.W.).
Pat Pledger
The EE in the deep blue sea by Judith Barker. Illus. by Janie Frith
The curious sound, 'EE', pops up in a lot of different places: reef and sea, beach, she and fishy. Each sound is that of the 'EE', but is written quite differently. So a story of the deep blue sea, offers children a funny tale with an emphasis on the sound that 'EE' makes but not necessarily written as it sounds.
A family walks along the pier to the boat will taken them to the island in the deep blue sea. Here they walk along the shore, watching the seagulls there, rising in that salty air. They see a hungry squid is looking for a feed while the hermit crab retreats swiftly into its shell.
All along the way they see many many things which promote the use of the 'EE' sound and its written forms. Children will love offering different examples and playing with the sound.
The vibrant illustrations reveal many animals that live in the sea, or are dependent on it for life. Readers will love spotting all the animals, comparing their lists with others.
Others in the series, include, The O in the snow, The OO in Uluru, The AA in the rainforest and The I in the island. The OO in Uluru was awarded first prize by the Speech Pathology Australia organisation in 2019.
all we lost was everything is the second novel by Sloan Harlow whose debut novel Everything we never said was a New York Times bestseller. all we lost was everything is narrated across alternate chapters from the first person point of view of River Santos and then of Logan Evans. Bi-racial River Santos has lost everything in a house fire. Her father died in the fire and her mother is missing. A couple of million dollars has been donated anonymously to a Gofundme campaign but she has not spent the money, choosing to live in a small apartment with Tita Anna, who seems to be one of the few stable and grounded characters in her life. River has just had her heart broken by her first boyfriend Noah and she subsequently meets Logan - a very "hot" boy who has just turned up at her workplace. Important to her is Tawny Mc Gill who has arrived recently at her school..."My best friend in the whole world..."
The setting of all we lost was everything adds flavour to the story. River lives in Scottsdale Arizona - a desert city east of Phoenix. The desertscape of hills, rockfaces and cacti provide an escape for River's mother where she can hike the trails. River's family are from the poor side of town. Life has been a struggle financially. The physical environment is barren and bleak; the house is broken down and beset with scorpions but there is "the unfurling tapestry" of the Sonoran Desert and the Saguaras... "towering cacti, their arms thrown to the sky, some bowing, some bending, all magnificent." The setting moves from the cemetery, to Gertie's diner and to interiors of homes and a short trip to Canyon Rock City (possibly Black Canyon City)
River has definite ideas about her parents but all is not as it seems and most of her beliefs are shattered. The novel moves from a bleak time in her life through more shocks and disappointments as she takes an active role in finding out the truth about her family. Sorting out who to trust, growing and giving oneself space to make wise decisions are further themes that are addressed as River matures.
all we lost was everything tackles the themes of identity, of grief, of romance and trust, of resilence and fresh starts. It is a quick read and presents a variety of intense emotions in succession. Sex is implied not graphic. It is recommended that only older teens read this book. The main characters, Logan and River are very likeable, relatable and multidimensional, displaying a wide range of emotions and motivations and personal growth across the book. The twist at the end is quite shocking. Older teens and fans of BookTok 's Laura Nowlin, If he had been with me etc. and Kathleen Glasgow, Girl in pieces etc...would enjoy this book.
Trigger: Young adult (steamy romance elements)
Themes YA romance, Thriller, Trust, Secrets, Revenge, Resilience.
Are there any more endearing characters for our youngest readers that Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, from the classic Guess How Much I Love You?
In this new story from the same team, Little Nutbrown Hare goes exploring on his own looking for a new friend to play with. When he comes across his reflection and then his shadow, he is not fooled and continues till he comes to Cloudy Mountain where a little white hare is waiting. They have a lovely time together until they play hide-and-seek and there is a misunderstanding. Both hide and wait for the other to seek until it is time to go home for tea. Will Little Nutbrown Hare find his friend again?
In board book format, perfect for little hands, this is a charming story about being curious, making new friends and playing together that will delight our youngest readers.
Barbara Braxton
The surface trials by H.M. Waugh
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181788. (Age:12+) Highly recommended.
The Surface Trials is the best adventure story that I have read in a long time! I devoured it in one sitting desperate to see who would survive The Surface Trials – where 100 participants are given the chance to join the elite Starquest Academy by enduring danger on an alien planet. The entire universe is watching them and they are under constant surveillance. Who will be a celebrity and finish the trials? Teamwork, problem solving, physical endurance and ethics will all be taken into consideration. Amethyst Antares dreams of leaving the prison of her home planet, and Rian has no other option than gain entrance to the Academy. Deneb is an outlier determined to win. Others will push through and many will fail. Can Ammy and Rian bond to make a viable team and win through when things go terribly wrong?
Waugh really ramps up the excitement with clever twists and a back-up system that fails. No longer is there a spaceship to rescue the contestants who are injured or eliminated and there is no way to contact the trials’ organisers. Ammy’s group will have to face carnivorous animals, difficult terrain and hide secrets while trying to find a way to get home.
Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner will be thrilled to have another novel that has participants facing danger as they race to complete the trials, while readers who enjoy novels set on alien planets like Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner’s Starbound trilogy are in for a treat. Unanswered questions at the conclusion leave room for a sequel which I hope will be here soon!
Themes Science fiction, Survival, Competition, Life on other planets, Secrecy, Reality TV.
