Big Sky Publishing, 2021. ISBN: 9781922265227. (Age:6-12) Highly recommended.
Australia Remembers: Customs and Traditions of the Australian Defence Force is the second book in the Australia Remembers series. The first book presented information on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and War Memorials. This new release looks at the history behind customs and traditions of these significant events and the ADF. It also looks at the symbolism, significance and how these events are preserved. The contents page clearly lists each topic covered and includes headings such as: Missions, Mottoes and Codes, Ceremonial Parades, Drills & Salutes, Animals & Mascots and Understanding our Past. At the end of the book there is a glossary, detailed index, acknowledgements and information about the author. Each double-page spread is visually appealing with colourful text boxes showing segmented blocks of information. Also included are Fast Facts and Did You Know boxes as well as distinct images and photographs to support and further enhance the text. The information presented is written in simple text which will be easily read and comprehended by younger readers. Older reluctant readers who are fascinated by war will find this an engaging and informative read.
With Anzac Day 2021 on the horizon, this book would be a valuable resource to share with students or family members. The activities in Chapter 13 are a thoughtful starting point for discussions about family or school custom and traditions. A worthwhile resource for a school or public library.
Themes Customs, Traditions, Australian Defence Force (ADF), Australia, Wars, Symbolism.
Nala, a Jamaican-American teen, is dragged along to an Inspire Harlem event with her cousin-sister-friend. Inspire Harlem is a group for teen activists with high ideals, but Nala does not fit. For a start she buys bottled water and she loves bacon! She falls head-over-heels for Tye, a young activist within the group, but hides her true opinions in order to stay the focus of his affection. Pretending she is someone she is not and lying to hide her true self creates complications for their developing friendship and romance.
This is a story about a teen coming to grips with her own identity, her own appearance, and her own view of life and love. The romance is gentle and Tye almost seems too good to be true. Nala uses music and song lyrics and a journal to help her work through her insecurities, and the old folks home where her Grandmother lives provides the opportunity to seek wisdom.
This is a gentle coming-to-wisdom and self-affirming story with a larger than life central character approaching her senior year at High School. Written with journal entries, and the poetry of song lyrics scattered throughout the summer holidays narrative, this is also an insight into a culture and family within a New York borough. Black lives matter, and stories that have strong black females as lead characters are important. This book will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy romance stories.
Penguin Bloom, the true story of an unlikely hero by Chris Kunz is adapted from the movie Penguin Bloom and is the young readers' edition of Penguin Bloom, the odd little bird who saved a family by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Greive.
Chris Kunz is a writer who works across the TV, film and publishing industries. Work along similar lines that she has written include the children's series with the Irwin family and Australia Zoo and the RSPCA for Random House Australia. Writing a book that is a film adaptation is a different craft. In this young readers' edition, Kunz writes from the point of view of Noah, the oldest boy of the family. Written in first person, it offers a slightly different perspective to the original version which was written by Noah's father.
Penguin Bloom, the true story of an unlikely hero, describes a family coping with the aftermath of a shocking accident through the eyes of a son. Sam, the mother, suffers a freak accident while the family are on holidays in Thailand when a balcony collapses. As a result of the fall she becomes a paraplegic. The story follows her depression and the family's attempts to rally around her and adjust to having a once active mother becoming totally dependent on others for her every need.
Into the story comes Penguin, an injured, orphaned magpie who has been abandoned after falling from her nest. She is unable to fly. The plight of the bird mirrors that of Sam. Penguin becomes a much loved member of the Bloom family. Her attachment to the family, her uncanny understanding and her funny antics are just what the family needs in order to heal.
As in all stories where an animal is involved, there is heartbreak but what a beautiful story of hope, courage and survival this book is. It is frightening for us all when we read about something that could happen to any of us. The raw truth, the pain and the love remind us of our frailty, our shared humanity and the mystery and wonder of other creatures.
From the first glimpse of three wide-eyed monkeys set against a vivid red background on the front cover, children will be intrigued and want to find out what happens in the story. Opening up the book, the deep purple and blue of the endpapers with animals hiding amongst the foliage further add to the mystery and those three little monkeys beckon the reader and listener on, waiting to see what happens. Mother Monkey goes off after warning the three little monkeys not to go to the mango tree because there are tigers down there. Of course, mangoes are a huge attraction and just maybe . . . the monkeys could look at them.
The delightful narrative just begs to be read aloud, with rhymes and repetition for a young listener to call out and questions to answer. The cheeky little monkeys can't resist the sweetness of the mangoes and readers will have lots of fun finding the tigers that are hiding behind the trees as they clamber down to the ground and are sure to want to scream out to warn them of danger. And they will be laughing at the final pages when they know that the monkeys will not be able to resist bananas.
The print is set in white against tones of bright red, pink, yellow, orange and purple background with the little monkeys in navy blue and other tones of blue, eyes outlined in white making them stand out beautifully. There is a double page spread with just the word TIGERS and three tigers, white teeth gleaming at the cowering monkeys holding mangoes, that is truly memorable, but the reader will be confident that those monkeys are agile enough to get away.
Sure to become a favourite with both children and adults Maybe . . . joins others by Haughton like Goodnight everyone and will grab children's attention with its wit and great illustrations.
A beautifully presented book, this volume explores the hitherto under-researched and under-appreciated subject of folk art in Australia, and presents an impressive tribute to the authentic art of the Australian people. It includes a recognition of the place of Aboriginal art in the folk art tradition of this country, with Ioannou making a convincing argument for its inclusion. Subsequent chapters explore pioneer folk arts, Germanic folk arts, working men's traditions, textiles, landscapes, paintings, the 'making-do tradition', the art of rebels and outsiders, and new age folk art.
It is truly a treasure trove of the varied forms of folk art from stone engravings to wood carving to needlework, pottery, bush furniture, mosaics, chain-saw sculpture, portraits and paintings; a rich tradition that has been meticulously documented and photographed. There is so much to contemplate and so many interesting stories to read, that readers will enjoy returning to this book again and again.
Those unfamiliar with this art field will delight in discovering the representations of folk hero Ned Kelly, iconic Australian 'Big Things' such as the Big Lobster or the Big Merino, the Lobethal Christmas lights, and many other creations that we've enjoyed but not considered within the context of an artistic tradition. Ioannou provides insight into the long tradition of Australian folk creativity. He has called it 'a folklife history of Australia: art, diversity, storytelling'.
Themes Australian art, Folk art, Aboriginal art, Australian history.
Helen Eddy
The plastic throne by Amani Uduman. Illus. by Kera Bruton
When Denver flushes his hated broccoli down the toilet, he has a good idea. Why not flush every unwanted item down the toilet. So he sets about tossing out the things he wants to discard; a soft toothbrush, the cat, pink jumper, his sister's bicycle, old shoes, unfinished homework, a Texta missing its lid. Maisy, his sister is appalled, and reminds him that things put down the toilet end up being flushed into the ocean. Denver does not care. But that night the ocean takes its revenge and swells up, forcing the children to paddle for their lives. When Denver sees the mayhem he has caused, he asks his sister to help him set things right and they scour the water to retrieve the things thrown into it. By the time the sea has relaxed back into its former self, the throne of plastic cast-offs sit on the shore, higher than the highest buildings. Denver is at a loss as to what to do with this waste and looks up into space for a solution. A book designed to get children thinking and talking about waste and where it goes, about recycling and the need for less waste, particularly plastic, this book parallels some of the initiatives taken around the world to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Themes Recycling, Waste, Plastic.
Fran Knight
When the world was ours by Liz Kessler
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781471198298. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Three young friends - Leo, Elsa and Max - spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness, and that events soon mean that they will be cruelly ripped apart from each other. With their lives taking them across Europe - to Germany, England, Prague and Poland - will they ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to? Three friends. Two sides. One Memory. Inspired by true events, this story will captivate readers right until the very end. The book follows multiple narratives, one of each of the children, and depicts three very different experiences of World War II. Leo and Elsa are Jewish and the experiences they both face as young children are utterly heartbreaking. Max is German and whilst his story can be frustrating, in the end the poor boy just wanted to be loved and appreciated, to fit in. The style of writing is very easy to follow, the chapters are short but informative. It flows throughout the years of the War without skipping any important details. The content however is quite hard to read, as with any Holocaust story. Reading about the horrors of the war through the eyes of children will leave you reaching for the tissues. You can see their innocence vanishing as the book goes on and your heart will ache for them.
Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in the Holocaust and seeing it from different perspectives. Please note, there are graphic depictions of crematoriums, gas chambers, gun violence and antisemitism. Take care when reading.
Themes Children in War, Concentration Camps, Death, Different Points of View, Holocaust, Jewish, 1939-1945, Hitler, Adolf, World War, 1939-1945.
This biography of June Bronhill's life and work is a detailed and chronological journey from her humble beginnings (as June Gough) in Broken Hill to operatic stages around the world and to the end of her career and life in Sydney. There is great detail of her working engagements and the performances that led her to be a star in the world of opera and musical entertainment. Her personality and vivacity are also revealed as a reason for the success she achieved and she earned respect from co-stars and audiences around the world. Along the way, it is also evident that being a successful performer has its challenges in terms of financial security. June though was a performer who gave her best even when personal difficulties challenged her.
June Bronhill was an interesting Australian from the world of opera, but only those well versed in the musical world (and particularly the world of opera) would have an interest in all the detail of the musical performance pieces that were June's life and work. Because of the chronological nature of this work, it is less 'editorial' commentary, but rather it is an intriguing insight into a public life lived hitting high notes on the world stage. Unfortunately, this biography lacks some of the verve that June herself must have had.
Themes Opera, June Bronhill, Biography.
Carolyn Hull
The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781760854324. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
Harper Brown has a super power: she can break up with a guy in less than three minutes and make him think that it was his idea. The demonstration of this super power is how we meet our heroine, art and culture reporter Harper.
Harper is new to Paris, immune to emotional attachment and ready to rock the world of journalism. Harper doesn't like people (except for her best and only friend Camilla) and doesn't believe in love but she does love to write and she's good at it too.
Harper knows that she is just one big scoop away from leaving the world of gallery openings and opera reviews and becoming a serious investigative journalist. She seems to be getting her life back together after the end of a long-term relationship with her self-obsessed musician ex (random one night stands and 7am scotch withstanding). That is, until Harper meets up and coming artist Noah X. Sent to review his new art exhibition, Harper finds herself becoming attached, something that she has sworn not to let happen. Add in jealous ex-wives and meddlesome muses and Harper and Noah seem doomed from the start.
Something much more serious is happening though. Someone is murdering young women in Paris and unless Harper can figure out who it is, and soon, she thinks she may be next.
The Paris Affair is the third offering from Australian author Pip Drysdale. It is an easy and intriguing thriller that does not take itself too seriously. Drysdale’s writing is peppered with pop culture and social media references that make this book an undemanding read, particularly for millennial and Gen Z audiences.
The romance between Noah and Harper takes a backstage to Harper's investigation of the missing women. While dealing with serious subject matter, The Paris Affair is witty and entertaining, perfect for a holiday read or for those looking for lighter fare. Paris is an interesting and vivid backdrop and may be particularly appealing to those missing the world outside Australia in a post-pandemic society.
Themes Romance, Paris, Journalism, Art and Culture, Murder, Friendship.
Two authors can make me cry - Michael Morpurgo and now Hannah Gold. It is interesting that Michael Morpurgo is quoted on the front cover of The last bear stating that this book by Hannah Gold is ". . . an important first novel, important for us, for polar bears, for the planet. It is deeply moving, beautifully told, quite unforgettable." I can only agree.
For those of us who have ever had a relationship with an animal, who have looked into the eyes of an animal and seen trust, Michael Morpurgo and Hannah Gold know how to capture this wonderful understanding into words, action and story. In The last bear, eleven year old April is the central character. She is a lonely child whose mother has died. The polar bear (Bear) has lost his pack. Both lonely creatures meet on Bear Island which truly exists and the reader is transported to the Arctic Circle to real places that are outside his or her experience; wonderful, wild and threatened.
Though April's father works within the field of science and the environment he is an adult and he misses the true and palpable relationship that April has with animals. This book is a war cry for children. It is raw and brave and suggests that adults may have lost some of the proximity to what is really important that can only be seen strongly through the clear eyes of children. The threat of climate change as indicated through the depletion of the polar bear population and the enormous loss of sea ice to the extent (according to NASA) of 1.75 million square kilometres over a forty two year period of satellite surveillance is what inspired Hannah Gold to write this novel.
Illustrated by multiple award winning Levi Penfold, this beautiful adventure story with its roots in the reality of our troubled planet and its animals will go straight to the heart of children from eight years of age through Middle School. Anyone who loves Michael Morpurgo's animal books or Paxby Sarah Pennypacker or Thiele's Stormboy will recognise that here is another powerful story, maybe an instant classic, which is about kindness, adventure and finding your own individual path in life. It is a coming of age story with all that is important in life learnt through the love of an animal. The last bear is grounded in real life through its setting and representation of human characters but there is adventure and magic in this book too!
Highly recommended.
Themes Climate change, Planet, Polar bears, Children and relationship with animals, Adventure.
Radok describes her latest book as 'connecting[ing] stories about travel and home, museums and memory, art and freedom, reverie and nest-building with what is at hand'. With a chapter for each month of the year, her writing often starts with a postcard or some kind of artwork which brings forth thoughts and memories of the many galleries and museums she has visited and the artists she has researched, drawing connections with others, with Indigenous culture, and with the natural world in which she finds herself. They are musings that spark our own thoughts about art and life.
A constant thread is the pleasure to be found in gardens, plants and wildlife. Like returning to home, most chapters return to the reassurance and warm companionship of the dog that is her friend. But for me it is her observations of birds that are most captivating: 'being a bird is not all about freedom and flight but frequently homelessness, fear and constant alertness.' Birds are observed quietly and with great joy, their lives played out alongside us.
This is a book you could pick up and read a chapter at random and enjoy the pictures she creates, and the memories and ideas they bring to life.
Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo is the third book in the very entertaining Fish Kid series written and illustrated by Kylie Howarth. Fish Kid Bodhi and his best friend Emely are in the Maldives with Bodhi's parents who are once again involved in marine research. This time Bodhi's dad is studying dead coral which is lining the seashore of this beautiful island they are staying on. Both children though, have time on their hands to swim, snorkel and race hermit crabs on the beach. While swimming they encounter a large sea turtle floating precariously on the top of the ocean and unable to swim down under water to safety. They realise it is sick and Bodhi's super fish powers help him to take it to his parents who are able to transport it to a turtle sanctuary. Meanwhile Emely has been left behind and when Bodhi goes back to get her, he realizes she is missing. Eventually he finds her but their friendship is strained by Emely being unable to keep up with the Fish Kid and his super fish powers. Over the time left on the island Emely mysteriously disappears each morning and Bodhi is left on his own. He swims, snorkels and encounters all sorts of sea creatures on his travels. He spends time at the turtle sanctuary helping out the sick turtle, now named Scute, and trying to find out what Emely is up to. Her secret is eventually revealed and she helps Bodhi find a missing turtle deep in the ocean.
Added to the enjoyable story, the author cleverly gives the reader facts about the main sea creatures mentioned as well as providing important information on environmental issues. This novel would be an excellent class read aloud or small group novel. An activity kit is available for the series.
Let's go! On a digger by Rosalyn Albert. Illus. by Natalia Moore
Catch a Star, 2020. ISBN: 9781921928710. (Age:1-3)
This is one in a series of board books about vehicles (others include On a Rocket and On a Train). Short text and large illustrations make for a perfect toddler book that will hold attention and encourage discussion and new vocabulary. The story is told in first person ("Let's go on a digger and dig up lots of mud: I scoop it high into the air and drop it with a thud") and the characters working on the construction site even look like children, so listeners will be able to put themselves into the story. Technical and mathematical language is used to good effect (high, deep, joysticks, boom, treads, heavy, caterpillar treads) and will give children the vocabulary to use in their own imaginative play or when making observations. It is no secret that toddlers are fascinated by machines and while there is no shortage of suitable books on these topics this is another good addition to any library catalogue or home collection.
A heart warming celebration of the grandmothers in people's families, a person known by all sorts of names whether they live with the family or another place entirely, loved and esteemed by everyone.
In rhyming stanzas the text outlines a hymn to a grandma, one called Nai Ni who loves to cook sweet things, another Yia Yia whose house is all of music, or Jaja who sings her every step.
Each double page celebrates a grandma from a different culture, so the name is one from another language, underlining the point that a different name means the same no matter what language is used. So Kui, Ba Now, Bibi and MeeMaw all mean grandma somewhere in the world. And each is part of the rhyming sequence in the stanza, encouraging children to predict rhyming words as the story is read.
What each double page does spectacularly well is give reference points to the different cultures where that word is used. Readers will delight in seeing kids and their grandmas in such diverse settings, and look closely at each of the panoramas taking in the detail. From shadow puppets on the wall, to vistas of white houses on the Mediterranean Sea, winding wool for a rug, sitting beneath an olive tree, donning a kimono while it snows outside, each different culture is evoked through the illustrations. I love the way the children are often pictured interacting with their grandma: winding wool, cooking, playing on a seesaw, driving, reading, writing letters etc. Grandmas are not shown as static, but active and the child connected and responsive.
And at the end of the book is a page outlining where that particular word is used and by what peoples, very handy!
This is a lovely book, full of interest and variety, reinforcing the diversity that is our world, where a word, no matter how different, means the same in every language - love and family.
First published in 1988, this board book edition of A Dragon in a Wagon is perfect for young ones, who will appreciate its simple rhymes and matching illustrations. Beginning readers will also enjoy being able to read much of the story for themselves. "Susie Fogg took Sam her dog along by Jackson's Stream. As as they walked Susie talked, and dreamed a wishful dream". Her dream is for a more exotic pet...perhaps a snake eating cake? Or a whale in a pail? The simple rhymes are perfect for young children and their emerging phonological awareness and older children could be encouraged to come up with their own rhymes. It could also be used alongside the similar title Frog on a Log.
This is another truly timeless Lynley Dodd tale that will delight all young Hairy Maclary and Slinky Malinky fans.
