Katherine Tegen Books, 2023. ISBN: 9780062696649. (Age:13+)
Haven. A safe village, with elders who will anoint the fourth saint of the village. We meet her on her day of anointing, where her name is unimportant, as she will be given her new name, her Saint name. She has endured the trials, extra to make up for her mother's wickedness. She will become a saint for the village and don the red hood, be marked by the elders, join her sisters, the other saints. Today she will become Saint Amity. Together they will save the village from the evil that invades their village, nine men dead already.
But after her anointing, men still die. Amity still sees the faceless gray women, the black birds, the white-eyed beasts... Maybe to save the village, she will have to raise the devil and make a bargain...
This relatively slow paced supernatural/paranormal horror gives The Village (movie by M. Night Shyamalam) vibes along with powerful feminism movement vibes. Much of the 484 pages was given to the religious zealousness of the cult, with men being the authority and the 'saints' being the 'honoured' members of the village - who were to be beaten by the villagers. Somewhat strange interpretation of sainthood, much of the writing was to fuel the rage against men - not sure it's really needed, there is an entire history of men treating women poorly available, though it does build an aspect of the story. Ending was short given the length of the book, suggesting perhaps another to come. It would suit fans of horror, supernatural or those who have read the series by Suzanne Young, Girls with Sharp Sticks.
The first endpaper shows an array of cats and the things they get up to, causing mayhem and damage in the house. Readers will love seeing the looks on their faces, the damage they are causing, and their wonderful names. But the book is about dogs, so the stage is set for conflict between these two animals.
Percy is cross, he gets all the blame when things go awry, especially after he chases the cats around the lounge room, knocking over plants, upsetting the board game, causing mayhem. In rhyming lines, we see poor old Percy take the situation in hand, as he leaves home in search of something new away from the cats. A dog park! He finds a bunch of dogs! Absolute heaven. Again readers will love looking at the varieties of dogs, their facial expressions and the wonderful things they do. Initially Percy is absolutely rapt, he will have fun all day long. He will be free to do what he wants to do: roll in the grass, settle under a tree or dig a hole to bury something nice and smelly. But soon he runs foul of some of the other dogs. He gives up the smelly thing he wanted to bury, but when they want the bone he finds, he takes a stand.
Things are not so free! He finds them bossy and tough, and unwilling to play, so he heads home for his cats. Initially he is not sure of where to go, but hears the cats calling for him, and he is able to go back to the place where he is always top dog.
A funny story of friendship and belonging, Percy presents the feeling we may all share at some stage, that of not fitting in. He tries the alternative and finds that home is the best, a place where he feels he is understood and part of the fabric of the community.
The wonderful illustrations by Lucinda Gifford, accentuate the different cats and dogs that serve as pets. The endpapers are covered with the various breeds, and the images between show the personalities of all of them. Kids will enjoy poring over the range of dogs and cats sharing their knowledge of the animals and their own pets. They will love looking at the expressions on each dog/cat face, sharing their attributes.
Themes Dogs, Cats, Friendship, Relationships, Home, Dog parks, Humour.
Fran Knight
Little Rabbit and the Moon by Inda Ahmad Zahri. Illus. by Claire Wee
Little Book Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781923141339. (Age:0-5) Highly recommended.
This delightful bedtime story will provide joy and comfort to younger children. Told in well-constructed lyrical rhyming text, the story begins with the moon shining brightly on little Rabbit who should be sleeping like his siblings. But this little rabbit is ready to play the night away on an outside adventure.
Bats are flying in the glow. Fireflies come to say hello. Moon’s a mirror lost in space – Rabbit finds his little face. Craters, lakes and mountains, too, Whiskers tickle, ah-ah-choo!
Finally, after a glorious night under the moon, a tired little Rabbit settles down to sleep as the dawn is breaking. The softly toned illustrations in the colours of night sky across the hours, perfectly complement this engaging story for young readers. The endpapers cleverly reflect the traditional bedroom quilt shown in the beginning and ending of the story.
For those who might not have read Shelley Burr’s earlier novels, the first thing to say is that her detective investigator is in prison. Lane Holland has been convicted for murder and kidnapping. However there is an unsolved crime that the prison governor Patton Carver is keen to enlist Holland’s assistance to solve: the disappearance, twenty years ago, of his daughter Matilda. For that reason he is prepared to show Holland some leniency and allow the detective to follow up leads as a prisoner on a study release program on Karpathy farm.
Karpathy farm is new-age community that attracts anxious young people looking for escape from their troubles. In other words, it operates very much like a cult, and Lane Holland suspects that the community is linked to a number of disappearances in the region. It is up to him to make the connections, and work out what happened to Matilda. But a problem looms early on, when he meets up with someone from his past.
This novel works well as a stand-alone, although there are obvious threads linking to the earlier two books. There is enough back story to fill in the picture. It begins with a prologue describing an unnamed person struggling to gather consciousness, painfully labouring to move. Gradually a little more is added to that excerpt as we read through chapters that follow the present time experience of Holland. The tension increases as we learn more with each discovery Holland makes.
Burr’s character-building is fascinating. How do you draw the line between a detective who is obsessive and manipulative in order to get information, and the tunnel vision and ruthlessness of a so-called cult leader? How is one good and one bad? It’s an intriguing twist which along with the building tension, keeps the reader glued to the book. Added to that, Burr’s knowledge of permaculture and sustainable agriculture provides an authenticity of detail that keeps the story within the realms of believability. There are even suspect mushrooms!
Burr’s earlier novels are reviewed on ReadPlus: Wake (2022) and Ripper (2023). If you haven’t already read them, I’m sure you will want to seek them out.
Themes Detective, Mystery, Missing persons, Cult.
Helen Eddy
The book of disappearance by Ibtisam Azem. Trans. by Sinan Antoon
Text Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781923058620. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
Originally written in Arabic in 2014 and translated into English in 2019, this latest edition of The book of disappearance is now available to Australian and UK readers, and was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025. Most disturbing for readers of this novel is the realisation that the central premise of a book written over ten years ago, can today be an infamously touted slogan in the current political environment with the call by a world leader to solve all problems in the contested Middle Eastern lands by simply clearing the Palestinians out of the region. Ten years ago, author Ibtisam Azem actually explored this idea and imagined what would happen if the Arabs all just disappeared from Israel overnight.
The varied reactions are her focus; from those who suspect a devious Arab plot to strike while the Israelis are complacent, to those who think the government has secretly achieved its objective, to those who thank divine intervention. The situation is confounding: there are no refugee workers for the flower farm, buses wait for bus drivers who don’t turn up, a surgery is cancelled, a prison guard robbed of his torture victim suffers an anxiety attack. Everyone is aghast, and anxiously awaits the government’s explanation.
At the start of the novel there is a personal experience of disappearance, as Alaa joins his mother in searching for his grandmother, who has gone missing from their house. They are a Palestinian family; Alaa’s grandmother was the keeper of memories of their home, the city of Jaffa now renamed and subsumed within the greater Tel Aviv. His grandmother remembers the old city, the original places and streets, the ghosts of the past before the Nakba of 1948, the ethnic cleansing of their land and property, and suppression of their rights. Obstinately she would eat the famous Jaffa oranges, though she didn’t actually like the fruit, in memory of the past and in symbolic defiance of the current Israeli regime. Alaa holds on to those precious memories in a red covered journal.
It is Alaa’s journal that provides the framework of the novel, as Ariel, Alaa’s ‘liberal’ Jewish journalist friend reads chapters between crafting articles on the Palestinian disappearance for the newspapers. Yet even the friend, the moderate Ariel, once served in a troop that fired on a child throwing rocks, and despite his professed liberal views, he has no compunction about moving into his missing friend’s apartment, eating his food and sleeping in his bed.
There are reminders of the history, of the Palestinians displaced from their land, their homes taken, people turned out, children killed and women raped. Even after their disappearance, the regime that has been set up to control the Palestinians continues, with policing of the districts, searches of people entering buildings, and demands that everyone produce documentation of their identity. The so-called democratic nation of the Middle East is as authoritarian as ever.
This is a powerful novel, enduring in the issues it exposes, with the recurring themes of oppression and ‘disappearance’ of people. It is a novel that will stay in your mind, and provides a compelling case for dialogue about a story that is ongoing. For another outstanding literary work on this subject, read Hasib Hourani’s award-winning poem Rock flight.
Laugh in the bath by Rory H. Mather. Illus. by Brent Wilson
Little Book Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781923141483. (Age:2-6) Highly recommended.
Giraffe bathtime is lots of fun for the two main characters and will be very relatable for younger readers. The front and back endpapers showcase the pink bathroom tiles and lots of bubbles which might be a clue of what is to come.
The spirited and lively rhyming text flows easily across the pages and the addition of the bath song is a welcome and engaging addition. The bright, bold colour palette used, combined with the large character images will draw the reader’s attention to the playfulness and rambunctious antics of the giraffe family. The expressions on the faces reflect the delight the young giraffes are feeling.
In this lively household, bathtime is most definitely a fun family affair and this wonderful story, full of jokes and humour reflect this special time.
Themes Bathtime, Giraffes, Humour, Family, Rhyme.
Kathryn Beilby
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star by Rowan Foxwood
In Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star the reader discovers that there are more deities and daemons in the world than stars in the sky but only Heartseers like Anise Star can see them because only they still believe... Anise's job is to help humans and daemons live happily together. But when the villainous Mr Babbitt tries to steal her home in the White Woods and drive the daemons out, she is forced to travel to the capital to ask the High King for help. First, though, she'll have to convince him that daemons still exist. Accompanied by loyal daemon-dog Wolf, Anise sets out on a spellbinding and treacherous journey, meeting magical musician Robin and fox god Whin, and facing the cunning Magpie Queen and a deadly poisonous ink monster. In the midst of her battles she learns that it's not just the daemons of the White Wood she must save, but all the daemons of the world.
The genre 'fantasy adventure' is described as combining "the elements of fantasy (supernatural, magical, and often imaginary worlds) with the adventure genre (epic journeys, quests, and exciting undertakings), resulting in stories with magic, danger, and exploration." Unique landscapes, societies and cultures are the background to seemingly ordinary human characters embarking on personal quests that involve action, risk and danger and usually in company or conflict with imaginary beings to quell the malicious intent of those who seek to harm them. As they seek to ensure that good triumphs over evil, often with unique and mysterious powers, they also learn much about themselves, who they are, what they stand for and what they can accomplish and achieve as regular people.
Popular since the days of Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree series when young readers transported themselves away from the horrors of World War II to lands where fairies, elves and other magical beings dwelt and life was so different to their lived reality, continued through the 50s as my generation went through the wardrobe into Narnia, then brought into the realm of the modern young reader through the exploits of Harry Potter and his friends and the making of the movies based on Tolkien's classics of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and perpetuated through any number of video and computer games, it is a firm favourite with independent readers across the ages. Those written for children not only allow the child to dwell in an alternative world that may be more appealing than the one they are in, but also enable them to become the hero with both power and powers that the real world denies them. They are in charge, they are calling the shots and making the decisions - something rare in the pre-teen's life.
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star fits the genre, the demand and the library collection perfectly. It features those essential elements of the fantasy adventure genre with fast-paced narrative that draws the reader into both the setting and the action, while dropping tiny but important clues along the way whose significance only becomes apparent as the climax approaches. There are elements that echo the reader's world making the transition to the imaginary one seem more seamless as they take on the role of the protagonist as they are able to relate, perhaps even empathise, with the struggles they face, yet each features a lightness of touch that makes them ideal read-alones or read-alouds. They also all seem to set themselves as the possible beginning of a new series that keen readers will seek out.
Currently, in the school library in which I volunteer, it is series like these that seem to be constantly circulating, so to be able to bring some new reads to the selections will definitely spike interest as our long winter nights approach. An activity is available.
241p. Grace off the Court is the third title in Maddy Proud’s Netball series. Given her previous books are, Grace on the Court and Grace Back on the Court, it's not hard to predict Grace's new dilemma. Grace is still in Year 9 and determined to make Netball her thing. A star player for the Lions, she is thrilled to be invited to try out for the Australian U15 team at the AIS in Canberra with Daisy - that is when not chilling with her family and Lions teamates plus her brothers and boyfriend Seb, who play in a local rockband together.
The AIS is everything Grace imagined it would be. She thrives on the deep dive into the professional life of an athlete, rigorous training sessions and mountains of food to fuel her physical and mental performances. Both Grace and Daisy impress the selectors. Tragically only Daisy is accepted because Grace is rushed to hospital for surgery on her knee, injured during tryout sessions. It's bad news and Grace is out of the running, facing weeks of rehab on crutches, which means she may not even return to play in the finals for her own club.
Her 'village' including team mates Stella, Mia, Amber and Daisy gather round to support Grace as she heals. How will she manage to be inactive and miss weeks of school, which also necessitates extra study to catch up on her missed school work. Mum and Dad, Ethan and Angus all empathize with her disappointment and restrictions, but she reverts to being overwhelmed and sends Seb mixed signals causing Grace to become jealous and the two simply break up in anger. Is the whole world against Grace? Hardly, she leads a full balanced life and her happiness is not dependent on one single part. Her family and friends provide necessary support, pushing her to attend netball practice if only to participate in assisting Coach Peters with canny strategy and team insights. Will Grace have time to feel sorry for herself? Will rehab give her time to re-evaluate so everything works out better in the end.
Like all of Maddy Proud’s books, being herself a co-captain of the NSW Swifts and in the Australian Netball squad 2022-23, the on-court commentary is authentic and high action. Her themes of loyaty, sportmanship and perseverance foster growth mindset in all Netball loving tweens. However the disproportionate boy talk amongst the girls, while never improper, is more age appropriate to 13+ readers in high school.
Hugs still feel the same by Kiralee Strong and Jenni Barrand
EK Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781922539960. (Age:4-8)
Even though once again the rain is lashing the window, the clouds hide the morning sun and paint the outside grey, things will be okay because morning hugs are still the same. And as the day progresses, the little girl is still calm and optimistic because everyone's hugs feel the same. Even when her life is turned upside down, even the hugs of strangers are reassuring because a hug can get us through so many tough times.
This story starts like the beginning of any wet day - there might be a bit of regret as plans have to be changed, but a hug from a loved one will soothe that away. But as the rain continues and the refrain is repeated, you know there is something brewing - what has gone wrong? Whose hug is going to be missing?
Sadly, this is a story that is going to resonate with many of its readers, particularly children, and particularly those in coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales right now, and while its message is a positive one of resilience, the kindness and care of strangers and the power of a hug, it could be a trigger because the climax is the family having to evacuate their home as floodwaters rise, and are rescued by the SES and taken to a community shelter as they watch their home float away. (I'm disclosing the end because it could also be a trigger for the adult sharing it.)
Inspired by the author's real-life experience of the severe flooding that engulfed the Northern Rivers of NSW, Australia in 2022 and being a volunteer for the recovery efforts, it was important to look for the beauty amongst the devastation and regardless of what was going on around, the comfort that a hug from a loved one was palpable. It's just sad that it's publication comes at this time, so soon after the events on the Gold Coast and Brisbane and the current events in Townsville, but then, perhaps fortuitous because it could be a timely reminder that hugs are still the same. They still offer a consoling message of a shared experience and emotion.
But even for those who haven't been through the trauma of such scary weather events, there is still a strong message for anyone who has gone through similar profound tragedy - that reaching out and physical connection between loved ones and even strangers gives so much comfort and empathy and works so well when words won't. While teachers' notes help explore the book more deeply, to me its essence is in its reassurance of family resilience, of community connection and that, no matter whether you're giving or getting them, hugs still feel the same.
Themes Floods, Love.
Barbara Braxton
Earthspeak by Sean McCann. Illus. by Jade Goodwin
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181238. (Age:3+) Recommended.
Littered with Nyoongar words, shown in a glossary at the start, this lovely book follows a family as they walk through the area that is part of their ancestry. After a long drive they arrive at their destination, donning hats and backpacks. Papa tells them to look, listen and feel their surroundings. They walk alongside the creek, watching the black cockatoos, listening to the leaves and grass, feeling the weight of the backpack. This special place, Papa tells them, was shaped by wind, water and fire.
But the wind picks up, and lightning begins to fill the sky. The group finds a cave to shelter in, waiting for the storm to pass by. They walk on, eventually arriving at the waterhole, where they settle down for a picnic. But one of the children notices smoke in the distance. Papa tells them not to be concerned as it was probably started by a lightning strike and will do some good for the environment. It burns off old wood and debris and encourages new growth, he tells them. Papa and the children let some of the earth run through their hands, feeling the closeness to Mother Earth, a special day they will always remember.
Boodjar Wangkiny’s words speak to the heart of the country, a country at the heart of all of its people, a country that needs understanding and reverence, protection and sharing. The family that visits the waterhole and waterfalls know that they have visited a special place. They listen and see, feel and listen to the heart beat. Sean McCann’s words are wonderfully reflected by the illustrations by Jade Goodwin.
A journey of learning as the children walk through an area their Papa knows well, the environment is opened to them as well as the reading audience and Papa shows them how to experience what they are seeing.
At the end of the book is information about Sean and Jade which tells the readers of their backgrounds and what impelled them to write and illustrate this book.
Themes Aboriginal themes, Environment, Family.
Fran Knight
Butterflies by Mark Russell
Wild Dog Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781742037097. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
This non-fiction text has amazing photographs and information related to butterflies and their life cycle. This is a book designed for primary school readers with bite sized information complemented by photographs.
The up close and under the microscope images will enthrall the reader as they learn all about lepidoptera (butterflies). The book begins with broad information and moves into more detail focusing on the life cycle. Using simple words mixed with scientific terms makes this book accessible to all readers and allows them to learn.
Up Close: Butterflies has many interesting facts and as someone who loves seeing butterflies this book would have been an absolute favourite on my childhood bookshelf. The information varies from the life cycle to where butterflies fit in the classification of all species. The photographs are clear and brightly coloured making them appeal to the reader. This is an excellent resource for classrooms and home bookshelves and is sure to be a favourite for any reader who likes butterlies, scientific knowledge and understanding or who is interested in insects.
Themes Science, Non-fiction, Butterflies, Insects, Life cycles.
Mhairi Alcorn
Where shall we travel today? by Kristin Martin. Illus. by Nicky Johnston
Just in time for this year’s CBCA 2025 Book Week Theme: Book An Adventure, this glorious new picture book from talented SA author and poet Kristin Martin, will delight both children and adults. Beginning and ending with endpapers silhouetting childhood friends against a setting sun, this adventurous and playful story will provide reminders of those long summer holidays spent outdoors where time had no routine.
The poetic rhyming verse is skilfully constructed and floats across as the pages as the children follow their imaginations and joyfully engage with each other. The clever use of bold and larger text to place emphasis on key words provides an opportunity to introduce new concepts and vocabulary for younger readers.
The softly muted pastel illustrations by Nicky Johnston are full of life and capture beautifully the friendship and the fun the children experience. The energy and vitality that these young friends display and their creative thoughts and play will hopefully encourage other children to head outside and enjoy time outdoors.
Where Shall We Travel Today? is a wonderful read aloud and definitely deserves a place in public and primary school libraries.
Morris and the magic of stories by Didier Lévy & Lorenzo Sangió
Thames & Hudson, 2023. ISBN: 9780500653258.
Morris the cat's favourite food was mice, but he was tired of having to run around all day to hunt them. He decided it would be much better if he were to lure them to him by reading them stories, just like magic. But no matter what story he chose - sad, funny, boring - he and the mice got so involved in it that when it ended, he was no longer hungry and the mice sauntered off, safe. Just like magic.
Morris even tried writing his own story - but after many attempts at trying to make one up, he decided he wasn't a story teller at all. But when he shared his own story about a cat who tried to catch mice by reading to them and who, as usual, came to listen, he found that he couldn't eat them after all. They had all become friends through the magic of stories.
Was Morris going to starve? Or did the mice have a surprise for him?
Ever since I reviewed Wolfgang and the Magic of Music and learned of this predecessor, I've been waiting for it to arrive because it seemed to be at the very essence of what we do - share the magic of stories to anyone who will listen - and I was not disappointed because it echoes my current situation. At the start of the year, I volunteered to read to the littlies at the local preschool each week so I could leave the books with them and try to shrink the piles I have collected, but now they give me more than I give them in the form of cuddles and smiles and the inevitable shout of recognition in the supermarket aisle! Love it. The magic of stories. And it spans time and space as 2,204,658 registered participants in 16 632 locations took part in ALIA's National Simultaneous Storytime last week and already excitement is mounting as CBCA Book Week approaches. And that's just in Australia!
This is one for all ages. Little ones will just love it for the story itself while those who are older can share their own stories of stories that have significance for them for whatever reason, and maybe create a display of the titles to encourage their friends to read more widely. There is the opportunity to introduce genre as they share sad, funny and boring stories, particularly in the build-up to the Book Week theme - or just celebrate the magic of the printed word that can be revisited over and over or lead you to new places altogether.
Barbara Braxton
Wolfgang and the magic of music by Didier Lévy & Lorenzo Sangio
When Wolfgang posts a notice on a big tree in the forest about wanting to start a band, he is very disappointed that no one comes to join until, just as he gives up and decides to take it down, a rabbit appears and asks to audition. Even though Wolfgang has more culinary ideas about the rabbit than musical, nevertheless he listens and rather than seeing Rex as a tasty snack, Wolfgang sees him as the perfect partner. The Big Bads group is born. They are an immediate hit, and their fans come to listen from all over the forest. And even though sometimes Wolfgang's tummy rumbles, all it takes is for Rex to start playing and the music overwhelms them.
This is a story about how the most unlikely of friendships can be formed through the shared love of something common like music or sport, that offers much food for thought for those wanting to look beyond the storyline and charming illustrations. So while little ones will enjoy identifying some of their favourite fairytale characters who make up the audience, perhaps even listening and moving to the sort of music that some of the newly-formed bands create, older readers could delve a little deeper. Why might Wolfgang have struggled to find band members? Could there be more to the Big Bad Wolf than his reputation? After all, even Little Red Riding Hood comes to listen to The Big Bads Play. Are characters, or even real people, one-dimensional? What is the meaning of "stereotype"? What can we learn about characterisation from this story that we can apply to our own?
While building connections through the universal language of music is not an uncommon theme in children's literature, and those focusing on unusual friendships even more so, stories that readily enable young writers to focus on their own storycraft are rarer and that is the real appeal of this one for me. Now I am keen to get my hands on its predecessor, Morris and the Magic of Stories.
Mark Greenwood calls himself a 'history hunter'. His author bio says he "enjoys searching for lost explorers and glittering treasure, delving into baffling mysteries and investigating famous cold cases".
He has now completed a 4-book History Hunter series which started in 2024 with The dragon's treasure and The vanishing. The final two books in this series are The wonder horse and The deadly diamond, both released in June 2025.
The History Hunter series is fabulous for middle grade readers, especially those who love a juicy story about true events!
This one is all about the famous racehorse, Phar Lap, and draws readers in immediately, as it starts with a chapter called The End, detailing the horse's tragic death at just 5 and a half years old.
Phar Lap grew from an unwanted, lanky and clumsy yearling into an inspiring success - winning 37 of his 51 races over 4 seasons. It was the Great Depression, and the people loved their new equine hero. But amid the success and love for this winning horse there were also dangers lurking, with some people prepared to go to extreme lengths to stop Phar Lap from winning.
The way this book is written is completely captivating from start to finish (yes, even for those who have no interest in horses or horse racing!). It is written in a conversational style which engages instantly, while also maintaining historical accuracy. It shares the full story behind the headlines, and includes fascinating tidbits of information, such as the superstition that resulted in Phar Lap's naming.
The final few pages of this book include extra resources: Phar Lap statistics, and a list of 'more to explore' including 12 books, 2 films, a podcast and 4 websites. There is also a sneak peek chapter of The deadly diamond - all about the Hope Diamond.
