Funny Kid Book 7. HarperCollins/ABC Books, 2020. ISBN:
9780733340598. pbk., 256 pp.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Great for reluctant readers. Funny
Kid is the mega-bestselling series from author/illustrator
Matt Stanton that's got everyone laughing especially me. Peeking Duck is the seventh book in the series and I had to
fight kids in my class to read it. As soon as they saw that I was
reading the newest book they couldn't wait till I finished so they
could read it. They were begging me to pass it over.
Max is the funny kid, he isn't the fastest, tallest, best looking or
smartest kid around. Plus, his best friend the duck follows him
around. In Peking Duck, Max is being questioned about how
brave he is by his friends. He is put to the test to see if he or
Abby is braver. And so the competition begins.
We read funny situations Max gets into with the brave competition and
of course a family road trip from hell is involved. Oh yeah . . .
Duck goes missing too.
I loved reading Peking Duck and can't wait to read other
books in the series.
This is a great series for reluctant readers or anyone that likes a
breezing read. I would highly recommend it on any classroom or library
shelf. I'm loving the new books coming out by authors at the moment
that kids are loving like Funny Kid, Bad Guys, Hot
Dog etc, all easy reads for reluctant readers with great
pictures.
Maria Komninos
The ballad of songbirds and snakes by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press 2020. ISBN: 9781743836811.
(Young Adult/Adult). Recommended. Fans of The Hunger Games,
rejoice! Suzanne Collins is back. A decade after the last book in
the original trilogy was published, Collins has finally released a
prequel novel. Set decades before the events of The Hunger Games,
The ballad of songbirds and snakes takes us back to a Panem
that is feverishly preparing for the tenth annual Hunger Games.
Centering on eighteen year old Coriolanus Snow - yes, THAT Snow - we
see this eventual master villain in a new light. Snow is a member of
a once mighty but now fallen family. His only chance to redeem his
house and make a name for himself is to mentor the winning tribute
in this year's Hunger Games. He is therefore appalled when he is
assigned the tribute from District 12, a district that never
produces winners. But the tribute is Lucy Gray Baird, a girl with a
beautiful voice who has captured the attention of the Capitol. Snow
begins to see a way forward working with Lucy but what he does not
expect is for stronger feelings to develop.
While this novel is never going to produce the same levels of
adoration that are still associated with The Hunger Games
trilogy, it is nevertheless an interesting take on a much-maligned
and much-hated character. The book acts as a villain 'origin story'
of sorts and gives readers much greater insight into the background
of Snow. There is perhaps a little too much internal dialogue and
focus on Snow's feelings about what is occurring around him. Fans of
the original series may also find the pacing and tone different from
Collins' previous works. However The ballad of songbirds and
snakes is a worthwhile and engaging read with a very explosive
ending. Themes: Dystopias, Violence, Inequality, Romance, Identity.
Rose Tabeni
Confident Coco by Chanh Kien, Phuong Ong and Claire Amore
Illus. by Aleksandra Szmidt. Little Steps Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9781925839760.
(Ages: 3-6) From her appearance alone Coco oozes confidence; the
front page shows her wearing a cape, with a wide stance, hands on
hips and head held high. The illustrative style uses large heads on
a small body which also adds to her larger than life confidence. But
there's one thing at the park Coco isn't confidence about: the big
slide. Her other friends go down but Coco feels too small, she's
scared that she might fall or go too fast or crash to the ground.
Her friends are wonderfully empathetic in a way that we hope all
children would respond to the fears of others: "Ruby shared, 'I know
how you feel, I was scared too, and the fear is real. But I pushed
through, I told myself I'd be fine . . . What was holding me back
was all in my mind." We hear Coco's thoughts as she works to push
through her fear, emotions that will be identifiable to most young
children. Eventually she takes a deep breath and with a new push of
confidence and encouragement from her friend she decides to give it
a go and trust that everything will be okay. "This is the fear that
I own today. I need to do this in my own way," she says as she sits
down and pushes off from the top of the slide.
This is quite direct in the way it teaches strategies for confidence
and resilience but it is told in a way that is accessible and
meaningful, especially because it uses a context that most young
children will identify with. "With belief in herself and a friend
supporting her through, Coco's got the confidence to tackle anything
new". The modelling of both how to support a friend though fear and
strategies to support yourself through fear is near perfect. The end
of the book also contains discussion questions that will help to
facilitate conversations about these two aspects. Themes:
Confidence, Fear, Rhyming story.
Nicole Nelson
Will Kostakis once again delivers a great Aussie YA series which is fun to read, where a bunch of Greek gods are waking up beneath sanctuaries of Aussie schools.
Rebels Gods is the second book in the Monuments series and it picks up where Monuments let off. We find the newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky wanting to change the world . . . but they are soon drawn into a centuries old conflict that just might destroy the world that they are trying to make better.
I enjoyed reading Rebel Gods; it was fast paced, fun and action packed. Many times I found myself laughing at how the characters discovered what they could do in society today with the power of a god. Hmmm . . . turning parish lawn rainbow colour, making tunnels to visit secret boyfriends and the fear of never getting old around their loved ones.
I found Rebels Gods more about relationships. You got to love the relationships they build and learn more about their internal struggles between the characters and family. They are also exposed to community and societal issues and how they cope while also fighting the Rebel Gods. Rebel Gods is also one of the first YA books I have read that have parents still around and with a loving family that supports the main characters.
Rebel Gods to me was a book about teen identity which explores our place in the fantasy world of Modern Greek Mythology. It also shows us how social media also works in getting things out there too. It's a great easy read of adventure, family and of course love.
Themes Modern Greek Mythology, Fantasy, Friendships, Adventure, LGBT.
Maria Komninos
Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson
Illus. by Leila Del Duca. DC Comics 2020. ISBN: 9781401286453.
(Age: Upper primary+) Recommended. Lovers of DC Comics' creation Wonder
Woman will recognise the birth story of Princess Diana of
Themyscira on that mythical island populated by Amazons, but in this
story she is celebrating her 16th 'born day' like any other gawky
teenager, hoping she will shed childhood weakness to join the
warrior women of her island. Her gifts include the magical lasso,
bracelets and tiara which will contain Wonder Woman's signature
power but just as the celebrations begin the warrior women are
called to repel mortals who are washing up on the island's shore.
Diana ignores warnings and leaps to their aid, rescuing those in the
sea and returning them to their boats. But her island has
disappeared and she is left to join the refugees in their boats and
experience first-hand their plight when they reach land, as they are
processed and interned in a camp. Her aptitude with languages means
she is able to be of great assistance to the people which attracts
the attention of United Nations inspectors who organise for her to
go to America and study to help refugees. There Diana has to learn
that not all societies are like hers, that there are homeless
people, poverty and injustice in America. She also learns about
being an American teenager, about 'facepox' 'moonbleeding' mood
swings and friendships as well as enjoying parcour and polka. When
she learns about child trafficking she draws on her 'heart strength'
and we see her tap into her superpowers to fight evil.
The graphics are strong and accessible, using varied and interesting
framing and point of view. Important moments occupy double page
spreads and insets and border art keep it lively. Diana is tall,
energetic and relatable as a teenager with clear speech bubbles and
thoughts in blue. The dedication is to refugees and asylum seekers
and the title echoes the inscription on the Statue of Liberty
welcoming exiles. There are resources at the end of the book for
those in need of support. Recommended for upper primary and middle
school lovers of superheroes who may learn something about poverty
and refugee issues.
Themes: Superheroes, Refugees, Justice.
Sue Speck
League of Llamas: Undercover Llamas by Aleesah Darlinson
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760894191.
(Age: 6-10). Highly recommended. The League of Llamas (LOL) are a
group of secret Llama agents with distinctive traits. Agent 0011,
Phillipe Llamar is quite vain and secretly in love with the gorgeous
Elloise Llamaresky (agent 0077). His sidekick, Lloyd Llamanator is
always on the lookout for food! This is the third book in the series
which started with The
golden Llama, followed by Llama
impossible.
As this story begins, Phillipe is ambushed and has allowed the
chickens from Chickenlovakia to get hold of some important files
from the Llama Republic. He is rescued by the lovely Elloise and
returns to home base where Mama Llama gives them their next mission.
Phillipe and his group are to go undercover as band members with
another famous Llama who has helped LOL before, the talented,
handsome and very famous singer, Bruno Llamars. Their mission is to
apprehend the nasty Hilda and her hench-chickens but to do this they
must go into Chickenlovakia with Bruno to perform at his next
concert.
As the Llama friends wrestle with the pressures of a real
performance in addition to working out what the chickens have in
mind for the world, Phillipe also has to contend with the idea that
Elloise may prefer the dashing Bruno over him after all, and he is
devastated.
The books in this series are full of wonderful Llama puns and word
plays and this book also adds lots of egg-cellent egg and chicken
word plays to the mix. There many references to real world spy
stories that will delight readers and keep parents who are reading
this aloud to younger children in fits of laughter. They are great
books for those newly independent readers and they also read aloud
well for JP classes who are looking for an action-packed story for a
class novel. Themes: Llamas, Detectives, Bands(music), Villains,
Criminal Investigation.
Gabrielle Anderson
Hope: 50 ways to help our planet every day
Puffin 2020. ISBN: 9781760896737.
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Hope: 50 Ways to Help Our Planet Every
day is an Australian non-fiction resource targeted towards
children who are becoming increasingly aware of the need for action
to combat our growing environmental issues. This global problem is
prevalent for children all around the world and this extremely
user-friendly book will give children in Australia ideas of where to
begin and what steps to take to make small changes that fit in with
their daily lives. The book contains 50 short chapters beginning
with Chapter 1: Take a Pledge and Chapter 2: Start a Save The Planet
Squad continuing to the final chapter Use Your Voice. In each
chapter are various quotes, illustrations and facts that relate to
the topic. As well as this, case studies, instructions and
activities are spread throughout the book.
Some of the topics covered include: the 4-minute shower, love your
leftovers, start a school swap shop, change your light bulb, make do
and mend, and love your library. This book is easy to read and
garner ideas from. It is written in a manner that both children and
adults will understand and be able to go back to time and time
again. Hope: 50 Ways to Help Our Planet Every day reinforces
the idea that it is not hard to make a difference and the simplest
of ideas will help. Themes: Case Studies, Environmental Issues,
Global Change, Climate Change, Children, Ideas, Australia.
Kathryn Beilby
Roald Dahl: Words by Roald Dahl
Illus. by Quentin Blake, Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241440001.
(Age: 0-4) Highly recommended. Another sturdy board book will bring
joy to both faces of very young children and their parents as they
explore the world of words as illustrated by the wonderful Quentin
Blake, at the same time being introduced to some of the characters
that they will encounter when they begin to read the Roald Dahl
stories.
This is a very colourful, durable board book, which has the addition
of substantial lift the flaps that should stand up to rugged use by
young children. Right from the first page, where children will hear
the instructions, "Up, up and away!" they will have fun finding the
pictures of the words that are read, and then counting the balloons
that are soaring on the page. The engaging crocodile, so familiar to
many adults, is on the next page, and there is a lift-the-flap for
children to uncover a fabulous elephant. The book continues in this
manner, with several pictures and words, fun exclamations and
exciting lift-the-flaps, sure to engage any young child, while they
learn new words and skills.
This is a perfect gift for a young child whose vocabulary will
increase in a very fun way, and all will love the exhortation at the
end, "Never stop reading".
Pat Pledger
Burn by Patrick Ness
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406375503.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. It is 1956, the Cold War is at its
height, and Sarah Dewhurst's father has decided to hire a dragon to
help him work the farm. Sarah and her father are grieving over the
death of Sarah's mother and are finding it difficult to cope and the
arrival of a blue dragon doesn't help matters. Kazimir, the blue
dragon, saves Sarah and her friend Jason Inagawa from a racist
policeman, and then tells Sarah that she is part of a prophecy and
will be instrumental in saving the world. Meanwhile Malcolm, a young
man who is part of a dragon-worshiping cult, is travelling to
assassinate Sarah believing that he will be the one to save the
world.
Ness cleverly combines details of a universe where dragons co-exist
with humans, but where there are alternative universes, where fear
of the Soviet Union using a satellite to spy on the United States
might escalate into a nuclear war, and where racial harassment is
almost a daily event for Sarah and Jason, who are just trying to
survive from day to day. Then he adds a LBGTQIA relationship into
the mix, making Burn a memorable story, both as fantasy and as
historical fiction.
The twisty plot and the surprising creation of an alternative
universe make for exciting reading, as it is impossible for the
reader to predict what is coming next. Scenes of the devastation
that the fierce dragon has wrought across the countryside are vivid.
There are many characters, all deftly fleshed out by Ness. Malcolm's
relationship with Nelson is handled sensitively and the FBI agents,
especially Woolf, are quite fascinating characters. Readers too,
will find the comparison of the actions of the different people in
alternative universes an engrossing plot device from a master in
narrative prose.
Themes of racial discrimination, historical insights into the Cold
War and Japanese internment camps, tension between dragons and
people and gay relationships all make for a fabulous story. Anyone
who loves dragons will be interested in this one and might like to
read on with The
story of Owen: Dragon slayer of Trondheim by E. K.
Johnston.
Pat Pledger
All the science you need to know by age 7 by Katie Daynes
Illus. by Stefano Tognetti. Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474968966.
80pp., hbk.
Little people always have lots of questions about the world around
them - it's how they find out how it works. Often the answers to
those questions lie in quite profound science and relate to topics
like plants, animals, materials, time, weather, forces and energy,
all of which are gathered together with others in this single volume
that provides the basic answers beginning with the premise that a
scientist is one 'who studies the world around us' and therefore
anyone can be one using their powers of observation and some simple
tools.
Author Katie Daynes is a specialist in answering questions
about science for young people and so you can be assured that the
information in the book is pitched at just the right level and
offered in a format that is accessible and appealing. As well as the
colour-coded sections there are also a glossary and an index, both
supporting early information literacy skills as students learn to
navigate nonfiction texts efficiently and effectively. And, as is
common with publications from Usborne, there are curated quicklinks
which provide further information to support
further questions.
This is an ideal text to capitalise on children's natural curiosity,
demystify what science is and open up a whole new world at the same
time. Perhaps an interest piqued today will be the knowledge that
defeats a pandemic tomorrow.
Barbara Braxton
Mermaid School: The clamshell show by Lucy Courtenay
Illus. by Sheena Dempsey. Andersen Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781783448388.
(Ages: 6-9) Recommended. The clamshell show is the second
book in a series of three so far by Lucy Courtenay and is perfect
for those younger children who have a higher reading ability. The
series started with the book Mermaid School which introduces
the main character, Marnie Blue, a girl trying to fit into a new
school and make friends. This second book in the series focusses on
a large-scale school musical production in which Marnie and her
friend Orla vie for the lead role of Queen Marietta. However, there
is a new girl called Gilly who gets the part. Gilly tries to make
friends with Marnie to meet her famous Aunt Christabel Blue and her
friends are suspicious of her motivation. She and her brother seem
more focused on themselves and their rise to stardom than really
putting any effort into the performance for her school. Her actions
put the performance in jeopardy along with the appearance of a human
at the concert venue, leaving Marnie and her friends to pick up the
pieces and save the day. Underlying this storyline is more about
Marnie's famous aunt who is also a singer and her mystery love
interest that has sparked Marnie's curiosity.
The books in this series incorporate aspects of school life that
will be familiar to children but in the unique underwater setting of
the Mermaid world. Aspects of life as a mermaid are well
incorporated including lovely details of the food being eaten and
the beautiful flowing clothing and unique pets in Mermaid Lagoon.
The illustrations that are scattered throughout the book provide
some lovely details of the characters and life in Mermaid Lagoon.
The map at the beginning of each book also adds interest for young
readers to make Mermaid Lagoon come to life for them in these
stories. Themes: Mermaids, Marine animals, Friendship.
Gabrielle Anderson
That's not my narwhal by Fiona Watt
Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474972109. 10pp., board book.
A little board book in this popular series that encourages children
to explore both language through its repetitive text and their sense
of touch through its textured patches actually has the potential to
appeal to a much wider audience as students get ready to enjoy the
2020 Book Week theme of 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds'.
This almost mythical creature, which actually lives in the cold
waters of Greenland, Canada, and Russia, is rapidly becoming the
'creature-du-jour' with young readers looking for something more
exotic than the unicorn which has become a bit ho-hum. So even
though this book in this popular series explores why none of the
five narwhals depicted is the reader's narwhal, the question that
begs to be answered is, 'What IS a narwhal?', a question that could
spark an interesting investigation and perhaps lead to a
presentation entitled This is My Narwhal satisfying the Critical and
Creative Thinking outcomes of the Inquiry strand, as they pose
questions to identify, explore and organise information and ideas.
I love discovering books written for littlies that have application
across the ages and this is surely one of them, and a most timely
release.
Barbara Braxton
Finding our heart by Thomas Mayor
Illus. by Blak Douglas. Hardie Grant Travel, 2020. ISBN:
9781741177176.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Subtitled A story about the Uluru
Statement for young Australians, this beautifully illustrated
picture book provides insight into the history and intention of the
'Uluru Statement from the Heart'.
From the first page, this book drew me in with its depiction of an
adult and two kids sharing a laugh over cups of tea at the kitchen
table. One child has their leg comfortably drawn up on the chair,
arms thrown back in laughter, all three faces with wide grins, in a
very happy relaxed scene. The words 'We live in a big, beautiful
country' capture the feeling of familiarity and being at home.
It goes on to describe Australia as a country that includes people
from many parts of the world, and shows the map with flags from
Lebanon, China, Japan, France, Italy, Israel, United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.
The next page shows the place before it was called Australia, with
the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia with its many language and
tribal groups. There is a reminder that Aboriginal people are the
original caretakers of the country, and are the oldest living
culture on the planet.
But there is a problem, the First Nations people were treated badly,
the country is sad, and no-one can find the heart of the nation.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart was the outcome of a 2017
gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all
parts of the land, and is an invitation to accept Aboriginal voice
and culture as a gift to be respected and appreciated. It is an
opportunity to listen to Aboriginal people, and learn about how to
care for our environment.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart suggests that First Nations
people should have a Voice, a Treaty, and Truth about the past. An
image shows the statement with all the signatures around the borders
of the page.
While the book is presented as a children's story about the search
to find the heart of the nation, and can be enjoyed on that level
with the simple text and colourful illustrations, the final pages
give the statement in full so that all readers can appreciate the
heart-felt appeal for a new respectful relationship between the
government and the First Nations people. And there are two pages of
suggestions of what each person can do to 'help find our heart'. Teaching resources are
available on the website of The Uluru Statement.
Themes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
Reconciliation, Caring for Country.
Helen Eddy
The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle by Pamela Rushby
Illus. by Nelle May Pierce. Walker Books Australia, 2020. ISBN:
9781760651930.
(Age: 8-12). Highly recommended. Hatshepsut Lambton (Hattie) is no
stranger to tragedy. Her name is a reminder that when her parents
disappeared, she was left outside the Egyptian tomb she is named
after and now her guardian, Uncle Heracles, seems to have been eaten
by a crocodile. Her fate is to go and live with another set of
distant unknown relatives. Great-uncle Sisyphus and Great-aunt
Iphigenia live in a castle in the misty marshes near Ely. The year
is 1873 and to help restore their crumbling castle Hattie's
great-aunt, a respected Egyptologist, performs Mummy unwrapping
parties at the homes of the wealthy London set. Her Great aunt has
two assistants, Edgar and Edwina Raven, who manage the finances and
organisation of the parties for her.
Hattie is grateful to be away from boarding school at last and to
have a home to live in, compared to the lonely existence she has
endured up to this point. But the Ravens don't seem too impressed
with having Hattie in the house and seem to have their own agenda.
The more Hattie learns about Egypt the more she has doubts about
whether it is right to destroy the bodies of the ancient Egyptians
and considers whether she can convince her Aunt to stop the parties
altogether. But the Ravens are determined it will continue, and they
will not allow a small child to come between them and their growing
little nest egg. Suddenly, Mummies become impossible to buy in
England when it becomes illegal to export them from Egypt, so the
whole crew set out on a long voyage up the Nile to obtain some more
for the parties. The voyage provides an opportunity for Hattie's
great aunt and uncle to show her many tombs and temples along the
way and catch up with old friends they have left in Egypt.
This novel is quite challenging to read as it is very descriptive
and in-depth. Lovers of Egyptology will thoroughly enjoy the details
included throughout the story including many descriptions of what
Hattie sees in Egypt and the customs and culture of the people she
encounters on her journey. It would make a great class novel to read
while studying the History unit on Ancient Egypt in Year 7. Themes:
Orphans, Egypt - History, Castles, Smuggling, Mummies.
Gabrielle Anderson
The battle of Book Week by Kate & Jol Temple
Illus. by Georgia Draws A House. Yours Troolie, Alice Toolie
book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760875572.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. The battle of Book Week is the third
book in the Yours Troolie, Alice Toolie series. Once again
Alice Toolie and Jimmy Cook who are more frenemies than friends are
thrown together - this time as library monitors organising events
for Book Week. Alice takes her library monitor job very seriously
and as Jimmy has a very overdue library book, she will not let it
go. She hounds him on a daily basis until he decides to become a
library monitor as well. Disaster! They are eventually fired from
their positions due to a catastrophic mix up with visiting authors.
Following on from this is a suspicious incident with an unidentified
object found in the library which is closed for health and safety
reasons. Both Alice and Jimmy are desperate to win back their
positions as library monitors and must win the best costume in the
Book Week parade in order to achieve this.
This book is written in letters and notes through the library
monitor communication book. The reader gains an understanding of the
different personalities of the two protagonists through the cleverly
written conversations. Both are egocentric and totally focused on
their own agendas but eventually collaborate to achieve their goal.
The humour used throughout the book will appeal to a wide audience
as well as the short letter/note writing method. Illustrations by
Georgia Draws A House add to the humour and enjoyment of the story.
Themes: Humour, Book Week, Library Monitors, School, Friendship,
Costumes.
Kathryn Beilby
