Reviews

Noah Wild and the floating zoo by Alexander McCall Smith

Bloomsbury, 2020. 120p. ISBN: 9781526605542.
(Age: 7+) Adventure. The scene is set for a classic children's book. There are no responsible parents, only eccentric aunts and uncles. Noah & Hattie are living happily enough with Aunt Smiley when their pirate Uncle Loafy, having closed his Zoo, invites them to help re-locate his last four wild animals to their homelands.
Monkey Robertson, Henrietta Alpaca, Mrs Roo, a tiger called Ram and four humans, set sail on a magnanimous quest, investing time and money to ensure the well-being of all species. After the practicalities of fixing the Ark and the obligatory storm, the expansiveness of travel is a steady learning curve . . . and as always they're dogged by the enraptured reader.
The author ponders many different versions of the nature vs nurture conundrum: Mistaken identity is a thing. Upbringing counts. Sometimes genetics and animal natures are insurmountable. And when the roguish Monkey Robertson proves incapable of rehabilitation, we must accept that he is a higher species trapped in the wrong body.
Children's authors sometimes write best-selling adult literature. Alexander McCall Smith has proven the reverse is also possible. In future, adults may not draw parallels to Noah Wild's musings when compelled to turn the pages of The Life of Pi, or when shedding tears at the treatment of lab animals in We are All Completely Beside Ourselves but Smith's brushstrokes on an early literacy canvas will have played a part.
Deborah Robins

Whose bones? by Chihiro Takeuchi

Berbay Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9780648785163.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. A most amazing book to read and reread, impelling readers to look closely at the illustrations, urging them to ask questions. Each set of bones is changed into an animal, bird or human when the page is turned. Children will be eager to recognise the being from the bones, while over the page shows the animal and its bones all arranged together. Readers will eye off the number of hands, piece together the bones that may be the back bone, look for the skull and so derive some idea of what it may be. All questioning, all enticing, all making those thought processes work overtime. Children will be made more aware of the skeletons that make up vertebrates of the world, make observations about their own skeletons, look for pictures which give more information, tantalised by this book and the openings it offers.
The single hued pages give a clear image of the bones, firstly paid out like a puzzle, then put in their correct order with a similar image of the animal beside it. The colours used accentuate the bones encouraging young readers to look more closely, and be
in awe of the artist who is able to cut out such shapes with accuracy. Again younger readers (and others) will be enthusiastic to try out their own skills.
The pages for vertebrates: snake, lion, crocodile, koala, elephant, flamingo and whale follow the same pattern, and these are followed by a double page with six more to puzzle over. At the end of the book is a double page with information about each of the vertebrates shown, and I love the end papers, with the human skeletons at one end and a filled in version of little people at the other.
This is a book which will inform and delight, introducing younger readers to the idea of vertebrates and their skeletons, encouraging a lifelong interest in science.
Themes: Vertebrates, Animals, STEM, Humour.
Fran Knight

Hector and his highland dancers by Anthony Seviland and Amy Calautti

This is a fun story. Mr McFowler wants to win a prize at the show. Every year he goes to the show and every year he comes home without a prize.  Mr McFowler’s prize bird Hector gets sick of sitting in a cage and being poked and patted and always gets himself in trouble so he never wins a prize.

Mr McFowler enjoys listening to Scottish music and dancing, and one day he teaches Hector how do dance a highland fling. Then Hector with some difficulty teaches the chickens to dance.  They finally learn the highland fling and Mr McFowler takes them to the show where he finally wins a prize.  This is just the start of their adventure and they are invited to perform an a number of events, achieving success each time.

The illustrations in this book add another element to this story.

I recommend this book for chicken lovers and anyone who enjoys a good story.

Themes Chickens, Highland dancing, Humour.

Karen Colliver

School rules are optional: the grade 6 survival guide by Alison Hart

Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760525712.
(Age: Years 4-6) This is the first novel from new author Alison Hart, and what a great entry into the literary world she has made!
The story follows Jesse and his friends as they step into their first day of year six and their final year in primary school. Very quickly Jesse tells us about his terrible start to the year (lost jumpers, terrible teachers and possible school captaincy) and you begin to wonder if this is how the story will continue . . .
I gave this book to my year 4 son and his first questions was "I wonder if this will tell me what to expect in year 6?" He read this book quite quickly and was engrossed in it from day one! He told me that he could imagine lots of the things happening and thought the camp sounded particularly fun! He liked how it was written from Jesse's perspective and said that over the course of the book he could 'hear' him reading it in his head. His only criticisms were that he thought no one who was a prep teacher would ever teach year 6's and that in this day computers would never blow up on a hot day!
I enjoyed the way that both the teachers and students were portrayed. The teachers were shown as real people who care for their students but are also flexible and work with a variety of students needs. Students are diverse and Alison shows how the final year at primary school is one of change; friends, hormones and attitudes!
As a first novel, Alison Hart has really excelled. I liked the way she writes and the story she has told. It is a story that kids can relate to, which makes it even better in my opinion!
It is funny, with laugh out loud moments. A great book for students from years 4-6.
Teacher's tips are available on the publisher's website.
Lauren Fountain

Shadow Sands by Robert Bryndza

Kate Marshall book 2 . Little Brown, 2020. ISBN: 9780751572759.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. Kate Marshall and her offsider Tristan Harper are back in another exciting adventure. The duo first appeared in Nine Elms and continue with their successful sleuthing in Shadow Sands. When Kate and her son are diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir, Kate finds the body of a young man floating above the sunken village. The body has extensive injuries and even though he is identified as a swimmer capable of going to the Olympics, the authorities deem it to be an accident. When the victim's mother contacts Kate, she and Tristan gradually uncover the fact that people have been disappearing from this area for years. Then a young lecturer from the university disappears and the hunt is on.
Bryndza has the happy knack of writing in a very easy to read style, with engaging characters that are relatable. Kate is a recovering alcoholic, who only sees her teenage son Jake in holidays. Both must deal with the fact that Jake's father is a convicted serial killer. Meanwhile Tristan has some personal issues to deal with as well. Both Kate and Tristan come across as highly intelligent and capable, and the reader will enjoy all the clues that they pursue.
The setting of a reservoir as the dumping ground for bodies is unusual. Add a very thick fog that rolls in over the land and a desolate, empty old club which was the last place some of the victims were seen and readers can expect to hold their breath. A rich and powerful local aristocratic family raises issues about class and the wielding of power and influence.
The case is concluded with some surprise twists and turns, and heart-stopping moments and readers can expect to see Kate and Tristan in further investigations.
Pat Pledger

Disgusting McGrossface on holiday by Rove McManus

Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760973827.
(Age: 4-7) This is the second book by well known Australian comedian Rove McManus (he is both the author and illustrator). Disgusting McGrossface is a green, stinky, grumpy looking monster who joins his human family on a beachside holiday. He partakes in lots of yukky activities such as paddling in the sewer, using a dirty nappy as a hat and making a sandcastle toilet. The family obviously aren't too happy with his holiday list, but seem to tolerate it nonetheless.
I think this story is reasonable, and can almost hear Rove's familiar voice in my head as I read it.
I read this to my 6 year old who is right at the peak of finding anything gross hilarious - so this book was well received. She thought that Disgusting McGrossface was very funny, gross and (in her words) "probably the stinkiest monster in the whole world!"
The illustrations are bright and colourful which are generally engaging for readers/listeners from 4-7 years old and highlight all the horrid things that happen on this disastrous holiday.
The rhyming is good, with some predictability for younger listeners, and there is also multiple highlighted words (in bold) for the reader to add vocal interest and flare.
I would recommend this picture book for children who love going on holidays and love anything gross!
Lauren Fountain

Leave the world behind by Rumaan Alam

Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526633095.
(Age: Adult / Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Clay and Amanda and their two teenage children, Archie and Rose, head off for a much needed family holiday staying in a luxurious Airbnb far off the grid. It's just what they all need, comfortable, with an entertaining area, French doors to the deck, a swimming pool, spa bath, and forest scenery with turkeys and deer in the background. Then the next evening, whilst relaxing after a day spent at the beach, there is a knock at the door. A genteel black couple claim to be the owners of the house, returning back to their home because of a huge power outage across the east coast. Is what they say true?
From here, this highly original story spirals out beyond anything you might expect. I was gripped, reading each short chapter after the next. Not wanting to give away any plot surprises, I can only say that Rumaan Alam draws readers into an overwhelming sense of dread, in the beginning reminding me of the 2007 psychological thriller Funny games. However Alam's novel isn't that kind of sadistic horror; instead it cleverly shines a spotlight on ourselves, our class divisions, prejudices, stereotypes, self interest, dependence on technology, in fact the whole modern world; and asks of us, if faced with the end of the world as you know it how would you behave, what would you do?
Themes: Dystopia, Social commentary, Human condition, Ethics.
Helen Eddy

The unwilling twin by Freya Blackwood

Angus & Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460757536.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Jules does everything with her twin brother, George. They are identical twins, right down to the birthmark on each of their bottoms. They get up in the morning and practise their yoga together, they don their identical jumpsuits and eat breakfast together, then play together all day long. In summer they go to the beach, wearing their identical swimsuits, sunglasses and hats. They frolic on the sand, collect shells, look at the other bathers and get into the water, although George is not too keen on the waves.
Readers will by now be rolling about on the floor with helpless laughter at George's antics, paralleling those of Jules, but noticing that something is a little different. Kids of all ages will love seeing the humour behind Jules' assumption that she and George are identical, seeing George get up to the sort of things that pigs do well, but also going along with Jules as his playmate. But at the beach, George falls asleep, dreaming of lolling about in a bath of mud, while Jules builds a sand castle.
She imagines the two of them living in the castle, but when she calls out to George she cannot find him at all.
Pencil, watercolour and pastel were used by Freya Blackwood for her distinctive illustrations. The title and publications pages showcase framed photos of the pair from newborn, seeing Father Christmas, donning tutus for a performance and blowing candles out on their third birthday cake. Readers will get a thrill seeing Jules and George doing the same sort of things they have done and recognise stages in their lives that are similar. Blackwood's illustrations fill the pages with beautiful images of family life, culminating in the wonderful sweeping images of children at play at the beach. All the fun of the beach is shown: the long hot drive there, setting up a spot for the umbrella, chasing seagulls, collecting shells, eating an icecream, and playing in the water.
A small disagreement occurs when George wakes and want to play, but Jules is not too willing. But like all siblings, the disagreement is soon resolved and an icecream settles the day.
This charming tale of siblings, of identity, of getting along with others will find an instant audience, asking for it to be read out loud over and over, reprising trips they have had to the beach with their families, laughing at Blackwood's gentle humour.
Theme: Sibling rivalry, Twins, Identity, Beach, Family life, Humour.
Fran Knight

Grug and the Bushfire by Ted Prior

Simon & Schuster Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760858483.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Grug, that strange little creature made from the top of a Burrawang tree, is back in another exciting and dangerous adventure. In his note at the beginning of the book, Ted tells the reader that his home on a 200-acre rural property was saved by the Rural Fire Service in a bushfire, but much of the surrounding forest was burnt. Because Grug lives underground he would have survived and in this story, Prior tells of that adventure.
In simple, easy to read aloud sentences the reader is taken through what happens when there is a bushfire and why it occurs. A delightful little Grug, with his brown and yellow grass body with a tuft on his head, sees that the grass around his home is very dry and brown and leaves were falling from the trees. Cara the snake tells him that the smoke he could see in the distance is a bushfire and that he would be safe underground in his home. Soon it was full of other creatures taking shelter, and they could hear a roar and smoke started to come in. When the fire had passed, they went outside to see the devastation that it had caused, animals' homes burnt, and food lost. Grug shares what he had stored and is very glad when the rain comes and begins to restore the earth.
Grug has been a favourite of children for many years, remembered fondly by my son and this one is sure to be read aloud to my little grandson. The important messages about looking after each other and sharing in times of adversity, as well as caring for the land, are ones for everyone. And beginning readers will enjoy the large black print and illustrations that complement the text.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
Pat Pledger

Elizabella breaks a leg by Zoe Norton Lodge

Illus. by Georgia Norton Lodge. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760652555.
(age: 9+) Recommended. The fourth in this new series by the Norton Lodge sisters will delight fans of this zany Year Four student. Elizabella goes to the theatre with her year four class and teacher, Mr Gobblefrump. She is with her friend Huck and they have left their parents home with Toddberry, Elizabella's brother. Huck and Elizabella are a bit off about his mother and Elizabella's dad dating, but Tod tells them to get over it. The play proves a turning point for Elizabella. She adores it and cannot stop talking about the magic she has witnessed on the stage. She approaches Mr Gobblefrump the next day about staging a play of their own. He consents but tells her it is very costly and unless it is free, cannot go ahead. A challenge has been issued. Meanwhile, Elizabella's best friend, Minnie keeps wanting her attention and finally blurts out that she is off to New York where her mother has secured a job. Elizabella's world comes crashing down.
Light hearted, fun from beginning to end, Elizabella is a bright vivacious girl with lots on her mind. From working out how to grease down her dreadlock so the people behind her can see the stage, to making an undie flag to run up the school flagpole, to getting her friend join her and not be sad about leaving, the situations are all close to home, things younger readers can relate to, involving family and friends, school life and family concerns. And all told with a large dollop of humour inspiring readers to seek out the other three stories and hope for number five.
Illustrations by younger sister, Georgia add another level of humour to the tale.
Themes: School, Drama, Family, Friends, Relationships.
Fran Knight

The great realisation by Tomos Roberts

Illus. by Nomoco.HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9781460759806.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. An optimistic look at the follow on from the COVID-19 year that we have all had, is revealed as the author strives to help children learn from the effects of the virus which has swept the world. Some would love the world to go back to simpler times, and revisit times past where things always seem to be so much greener, and this author's attempts at encouraging children to see an alternative path are commendable.
A spoken word poet, film maker and performer, New Zealand born Roberts wrote his poem in response to the pandemic sweeping the world, worried that children would be affected with the negative avalanche surrounding us all.
His poem, viewed 60 million times on youTube, was an instant success and snapped up by HarperCollins who enlisted Japanese artist, Nomoco to apply her glorious watercolour images to the words. So the book has been published, ready for children to read and think about life after the pandemic. The book will encourage discussions around the post pandemic world, and what children think can be done better.
Prior to COVID-19, the world's people had become too neglectful of each other in their wasteful, instant lives, clicking on their phones for goods, and despite the cities growing bigger and some societies having access to all they could want, many people were just alone. When the virus hit, people were told to stay at home. And here, people reverted to the old ways: smiling, clapping for thank you, talking to each other, going for runs, leaving the car keys untouched.
A positive image is given of people keeping in touch, watering the garden, growing vegetables, dancing, singing and baking. The question at the end of the book 'so why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?'  will be one talked of in many classrooms, as children dream of a better tomorrow.
Theme: Pandemic, COVID 19, 2020, Fear, Hindsight.
Fran Knight

Rain before rainbow by Smriti Halls

Illus. by David Litchfield. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406382358.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. A girl and her dog sit rather pensively on the front cover, looking forward, seeing a newly formed rainbow peeping through the trees. Light shines around them urging the reader to open the book to see how the story unfolds. The title is repeated on page one, followed by 'clouds before storm' alerting the reader to a rhyming pattern that will entreat them, encouraging them to read on. The dog looks forward, the girl hesitatingly looks behind, but over the page they have a light to guide them as the words tell the reader the 'old day is done'. By now readers will be in tune with the direction the book is taking, that of reminding all readers that there is darkness before morning, and that they must look forward to a brighter day rather than hesitate in the gloom.
With mental health such an issue for adults and children alike, more books are being published which encourage a positive attitude amongst younger readers. This one with its double pages of luminous colours will intrigue readers as they follow the girl's journey from darkness to light, night to morning. The words remind us that there are mountains to cross and journeys to take, decisions to make, and sometimes the dark will be upsetting, with dragons to fight and worries to overcome, there are ways to get over these fears. They can seek out friend and pathways, journeys, maps, ropes to hold on to, and finally a new day will dawn that is full of light and promise. And all of this is brightly reflected in the accompanying colour filled illustrations.
The rhyming pattern will enthral readers as they predict what the rhyming word might be, ready to call out a rhyming word at the end of each page, learn some of the lines to call out when the book is read again. Read out loud or in small groups, the whole will encourage positive attitudes, allowing children to discuss some of their fears, and give them pathways to help themselves maintain hope. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes: Courage, Hope, Mental health, Depression, Friendship.
Fran Knight

Pandemic by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760976088.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Reflecting the year we have had it is fitting that a book be presented for younger readers to learn of a pandemic that happened in the past. Children can read and learn of the Spanish Flu which circled the world in much the same way as COVID19 has, but with bitter consequences because of the paucity of scientific knowledge and care.
Whatley's pen and wash illustrations show us a different time, with men returning to Australia from The Great War, bringing home this deadly virus. In quarantine himself Whatley resorted to a quick and available medium for his images: a ball point pen. Overlaid with sparse colour washes of mainly browns and greens, the images he developed have an appealing freshness, with sepia tones communicating times past.
Children will readily notice the similarities and differences in government and public responses to the virus. Seeing families remain behind closed doors, shutting their curtains to warn others not to approach, noting the widespread use of masks, closed shops and homes but equally noting the vastly different medical responses. They will be intrigued with the ambulance, the transport used by the children to ferry the food to their neighbours, the lack of plastic tubs and containers, and equally delighted with images of how children looked one hundred years ago. In French's story she draws on the efforts of her great grandmother, galvanising the children to supply food to those in need in their community. They picked the food from neglected gardens and trees, fed the lambs, collected eggs from chook houses, taking it back to her to cook into soups and food parcels, ready to be cycled out and left on front porches for those in quarantine.
Readers will marvel at the self sacrifice of these families one hundred years ago and be equally impressed with communities' responses to COVID 19, able to share stories of what happened in their neighbourhoods.
This beautiful book, extolling the positive community acton which happened during the Spanish Flu, will ignite readers' interest in keeping alive the neighbourliness which occurs during COVID 19, so reviving the feeling of friendliness needed when a whole country is in quarantine.
To learn more of the Spanish Flu in Australia see the National Museum of Australia's site.
Themes: Pandemic, Virus, World War One, Community, Neighbours, Sharing, COVID 19, Kindness.
Fran Knight

Fighting words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922330628.
(Ages: 14+ / Young Adult). Highly recommended. "Sometimes you've got a story you need to find the courage to tell." Based on author Bradley's personal experience Fighting words deals with child sexual abuse yet is so much more than that. It is about what comes after, and about survival. By the time the story begins the abuse is in the past and is mostly hinted at and not explicitly spelled out, except for on one page (pg. 130). Two sisters, 12 year old Della and 16 year old sister Suki are involved and must deal with all the emotions and damage from what has occurred. It is about getting help and making plans and being safe and finding people to trust. And it is about consent, about love and about the unshakeable bond between sisters.
The girls have fled their home and been taken into foster care. Della, who tells the story, has a tough outer shell and doesn't trust or need anyone but her sister. She also swears a lot (in the book actual swear words are replaced with the word 'snow'). Suki has always been the strong one, but she suddenly starts screaming in her sleep and becomes distant.
When Della starts at a new school she encounters a bully but also a chance to make friends. Her therapist gives her the tools to handle the bully by making a strong statement about consent and about adults needing to believe children when they share problems. For Della the hardest part of telling her story now is realising how much of it she didn't know about at the time. And she bravely decides it's her turn to be the strong one and to speak out about the terrible things that Suki endured.
This is the first young adult novel for Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. The story has some lows (including a suicide attempt) but maintains a strong thread of hope, humour and positivity. There are 14 discussion points in the back of the book which are wonderful ways to get teenagers talking about issues such as family, sacrifices, problem solving, power imbalances, consent, decision making and consequences. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes: Sexual abuse, Sisters, Suicide, Relationships, Emotions, Family.
Kylie Grant

Ernie's journey by David Woodland

Berbay Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9780648785149.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. The spotlight falls on the power of storytelling in this new book from Berbay which publishes 'clever books for curious kids'. Woodland, a debut author uses his considerable skills honed in the film and animation industries to produce a story which highlights the way in which the telling of stories can influence others. Eli loves listening to Uncle Ernie, especially his stories about his travels and adventures. He has been hang gliding over the Great Dismal Swamp, used a cactus mobile to cross the Gobi Desert, skated across Antarctica and now home, wearing his bed socks and glasses, tells his nephews and nieces about his adventures. Eli asks him about one particular adventure, that of helping the occyphants and so the story unfolds of how Uncle Ernie helped them stop floating in the air with a simple change to their diet. Eli then asks for a story he has not heard before, and Uncle Ernie tells him about the chameleon mice. Eli then responds telling his own story about his big adventure with a giant crab, and when the cousins question the truthfulness of the story, Uncle Ernie points out the two large crab claw scratches on Eli's shell.
Uncle Ernie then tells the children of the time he was in the cave with the snakes and spiders, where all you could do was run away.
Each story focusses on a different type of adventure: helping others, testing your endurance, being creative and knowing when to retreat.
Uncle Ernie gives Eli his golden compass with which to go on his own adventures, and so he does, following in Uncle Ernie's footsteps and seeing the stories for himself.
Children will envisage a future where he now rests in his bed socks and tells an appreciative audience of his adventures.
This delightful tale of the power of storytelling, of imagination and creativity will be a hit read aloud to younger children. They will delight in the unusual creatures and machines Uncle Ernie meets, the adventures he has, the problems he solves.
The curiously understated illustrations with whiffs of Shaun Tan, Steven Woolman and Paul O'Sullivan, are engrossing in their detail and array of creatures which kids will love finding. I loved the compass endpapers and the scary caves in which the snakes and spiders lived and so will the readers.
Find out more about David Woodland and his work on the author's site.
Themes: Courage, Storytelling, Adventure, Family.
Fran Knight