Illus. by Amanda Enright. New Frontier Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9781925594966.
(Ages: 3-7) Recommended. Rich, vibrant illustrations by Amanda
Enright complement this slow, rhythmic story about a brave sloth who
dares to go adventuring. The sloths are reminiscent of the sloth in
Margaret Wild's The
sloth who came to staybut the setting in this book is
vastly different to the sparse suburbia portrayed there. The jungle
scenes in the book are layered and textural, filled with plants,
flowers and animals. The night scenes are especially beautiful, as
elements seem to glow and the bright colours really pop off the
page. The illustrations are similar in style to Leonard
doesn't dance(illustrated by Judy Watson) and the
story carries similar themes to Once
upon a small rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay. The slow pace
of the longish text sits well with the context of this slow sloth
story, also allowing time to take in the magical illustrations on
each page.
It's sunrise in the jungle and the sloths are still snuggling
happily in their beds ('Some grumbled and groaned in their little
brown hut, Some peeked at the sun and then closed their eyes shut').
But Samuel the sloth has had enough rest; he's ready for something
more. 'He yearned for adventure, he yearned to explore, The sloths
found him strange because he wanted more'. Venturing to the top of
the tree, Samuel meets a strange bird: 'I'm the Dinglewot Jinglewot
Dingledum Dee, If you want an adventure then please come with me!'
Samuel is a little worried at first but with a little encouragement
from the Dinglewot and some bravery he decides to give it a shot.
And so begins his adventure, flying through the air, dancing with
baboons, listening to the bat brass band and eating pineapple
fritters in dinglewot world.
This is a sweet and fun story about venturing outside of your
comfort zone and the rewards that can come from being brave enough
to try something new: more adventures, great friendships and
happiness. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Adventure, Bravery, Rhyming
story.
Nicole Nelson
The Phantasmic Detective Agency by Julian Leatherdale
Illus. by David Allen. Eagle Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780648194538. pbk.,
283 pp.
(Age: 10+) A gripping, historical fantasy story set in London, 1911,
Christmas Eve. Lily and Leo Keeper are children of the famous stage
magician Edmund Keeler. Their lives are in danger and torn apart
when their parents disappear while performing a new magic trick on
stage. Along comes their eccentric Uncle Alfred who is a brilliant
and notorious Sherlock Holmes-like paranormal detective.
Lily and Leo are led on an adventure to find their missing parents
and along the way they find secrets their parents have kept from
them. They are in a fast changing era of our history of giant
warships, aeroplanes with bombs, spies and assassins and the fear of
war with Germany.
While reading I found the story similar to reading Miss
Peregrine's Peculiar Children series. It was full of secrets,
espionage and monstrous creatures that threaten to destroy the
Keeler family.
I enjoyed the reading the historical events and places they visited
especially the Catacombs in Paris. I could picture them there as I
have visited them and many other places that were mentioned.
I managed to find teacher's
notes based on the book and think they would be a great
history lesson with the students. Just imagine how you could use
this novel in your class
This is Julian Leatherdale's first children's novel. He has written
adult novel. I enjoyed reading The Phantasmic Detective Agency
and can't wait to see what will happen on Lily and Leo's next
adventure.
Maria Komninos
Her Perilous Mansion by Sean Williams
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877361. pbk., 336 pp.
(Age: Middle school+) Sean Williams brings us his new stand-alone
middle grade fantasy novel. Her Perilous Mansion is a wonderfully written story about two
children that find themselves working in some strange mansion miles
from anywhere. Almanac is an orphan boy and Elta is the youngest of
12 daughters. They both have been invited to the mansion and work
side by side in the largely deserted rooms. They never meet the
inhabitants of the mansion but do talk to them through the walls,
doors and chimneys. They soon realise that this is not an ordinary
mansion and they are trapped there and quickly realise they have to
solve a puzzle to leave.
I enjoyed reading this fun filled story of mystery, magic and
fantasy. I wanted to learn more about the characters and their
background that were living within the mansion and how they got
there and why could they not show themselves.
I liked the way Sean has set the novel which kept you reading and
solving the pieces of the puzzle to break the spell upon the
mansion. He does know how to keep a reader reading.
Middle grade who enjoy fantasy with adventure will enjoy reading Her
Perilous Mansion while trying to uncover the secrets the
mansion holds.
Maria Komninos
A dance with Fate by Juliet Marillier
Warrior Bards book 2. Macmillan Australia, 2020. ISBN:
9781760784225.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Following the Aurealis Award
shortlisted novel, The
harp of kings, once again the reader will be drawn into
an ancient Celtic world, where Liobhan and Dau are determined to win
a place on Swan Island's elite force. In their final bout, Dau
accidentally knocks his head and loses his sight. Not knowing the
awful treatment that Dau had received at the hands of his family,
the leaders of Swan Island contact Oakhill. His family blame Liobhan
for the accident and she agrees to go back with him and spend a year
as a bond servant, but things are difficult there. Both Dau
and Liobhan are treated badly and dark secrets abound. Meanwhile
Brocc is trying to fit in the Otherworld with Eirne, fighting the
Crow Folk and struggling to understand why they behave as they do.
The story is told in the voices of Liobhan, Dau and Brocc, each
chapter giving their points of view of what is happening. Oakhill is
a dangerous place for both Dau and Liobhan. Seanan, Dau's older
brother, has virtually taken over running the estate, as their
father is ill, and the servants must tread very warily, obeying his
often-cruel commands. Memories of the awful treatment that Dau and
his dog received at the hands of his brothers plague him and he
struggles with despair, but Liobhan is resolute and caring,
determined to help him behave like the Swan Island fighter that he
has been trained to be even though he is blind. The steps that bring
them to an understanding of what is happening at Oakhill and the
resolution that brings Liobhan, Dau and Brocc back together is
exciting and satisfying, and will leave the reader wishing that the
next instalment in the series was available to read immediately.
Themes of abuse, both human and animal, torture, redemption,
misunderstanding between husband and wife and the growing
relationship between Liobhan and Dau are key elements of A dance
with fate. Readers will enjoy reading how Dau and Liobhan both
grow in strength and maturity, and how Brocc's compassionate and
inquiring nature may lead to identifying why the Crow folk act as
they do.
This series is beautifully written and sure to please any fan of
fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Edie's Experiments: How to be the best by Charlotte Barkla
Illus. by Sandy Flett. Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN:
9781760891763.
(Ages 8-12). Highly recommended. Being the new kid in a primary
school is never easy and for Edie, who lives and breathes Science in
her daily life, it can be a bit of a struggle to make others see the
importance of her endless Science experiments and Environmental
tests. This is the second book in this series which began with the
book Edie's
experiments: How to make friends .
Edie has settled into her class with her best friend Annie B, so
when their teacher announces a science competition Edie is sure she
and Annie can win it. However, a former student, Dean Starlight, who
has spent the last year at a special Science school, returns. He is
very popular with all the other students who all look up to him. He
is an impressive student who always seems to have the right answers
in the teacher's eyes and is extremely capable in class. However,
when Edie tries to make friends with this apparent science soul
buddy, he becomes quite sneaky and nasty, causing havoc with Edie
and Annie's project with some very awful pranks.
Friendship and teamwork are important themes throughout this book
and finding out the reasons behind Dean's behavior towards Edie
forms an integral part of this story. Most of Edie's Science
experiments involve an Environmental theme. Her family endures cold
showers in her attempt to force them into saving water by having
shorter showers as a homework project. Edie is all about doing small
things to make an improvement to our environment and this is a
lesson we can all take out of books such as these. She makes science
look fun and cool for everyone.
I think these books could provide the kids who really like science
an opportunity to engage with like-minded characters and follow
their interests. Themes: Science, Experiments, Science competitions.
Gabrielle Anderson
Peppa Pig: I Love You, Daddy Pig
Peppa Pig. Ladybird, 2019. ISBN: 9780241371572. 32pp.
(Ages: 2 - 6) Recommended for lovers of Peppa Pig. Fans of
the TV series are in for a treat as Peppa and George have lots of
fun with Daddy Pig. Daddy Pig makes everything into an exciting
adventure for the young pigs. When they go to the supermarket, he
rolls the tins down his arm and into the trolley and fills it right
up to the top. Lunch with Granny and Grandpa Pig turns into a Pirate
lunch and Miss Rabbit takes them off in her helicopter to Daddy's
work. There they sit in a big truck pouring concrete all over the
playground and then they go off to the fair and fill in holes. What
a fun day for everyone.
This is a lovely book to read aloud. Not many daddies could fly
their children to work in a helicopter! Children will enjoy
discussing what jobs their fathers do and contrasting them with the
day out that Peppa and George had with their daddy.
As always with the Peppa Pig books, the bright colours and
beautiful expressions on the faces of the pigs will keep readers
involved, and toddlers will love the blue sparkly cover. Emerging
readers will be happy to try and read about the familiar characters
in the book, and the text, supported by the drawings, will aid their
endeavours.
Full of enjoyment and illustrations of love, this will be a perfect
book to read aloud on Father's Day.
Pat Pledger
Baby touch. Hello, Daddy!: a touch-and-feel playbook illus. by Lemon Ribbon Studio
Ladybird Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780241422328.
(Age: 0-3) New fathers will love reading this Baby Touch
book to their little child. And any baby will love the
touch-and-feel aspects of the books, feeling the soft nose of the
horse, the black stripes on the tiger, the soft white fur of the dog
and textured pink material of daddy elephant. The bright colours are
very attractive and will hold the baby's attention, their simple
shapes and design engaging.
A lot of fun can be had when reading the book, with the adult making
the appropriate noise that goes with each baby animal and its daddy.
There will be lots of neighing with daddy horse, roaring with daddy
tiger, woofing with daddy dog, and tooting with daddy elephant. But
the page that the baby will most love is the last page with its
wonderful mirror with the words, Baby, look. Here you are!
Others in the series are Baby
touch: Opposites and my little grandson's
favourite, Baby
touch: Night-night.
Pat Pledger
The Paris secret by Natasha Lester
Hachette Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9780733641886. pbk., 450pp.
(Age: Secondary) Historical fiction at its best that will set you
flying high above the clouds. Australian author, Natasha Lester
brings us her new novel about three women who are bound forever by
war. Lester's blending from fact to fiction is perfect in The
Paris secret. I can just imagine how much research she did to
make it this story feel real, making me feel as if I am there in the
story. The Paris secret is set in the 1930s, 1940s and present day
Australia. It's a story about fashion, aviation, spies, romance,
lost love, friendship that lasts a lifetime and war. We follow the
story of Kat Jordan discovering secrets her grandma has kept for the
last 65 years. We discover her role during the war and about the
lengths people go to protect one another. Skye Penrose and her
sister Liberty have an amazing story alongside Skye's soulmate
Nicholas Crawford who is engaged to Margaux Jourdan.
Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres especially about
women and how they survive in a man's world. I loved reading about
the struggles of women pilots in the war, as men then didn't believe
women had the intelligence and strength to fly planes. Well this
story shows us otherwise and the role that some females played. We
learn a bit about the Air Transport Auxiliary and how women were
treated in concentration camps. I am not a fashion person but learnt
quite a bit about fashion designer Christian Dior and his sister
Catherine. I would really love to see the blue dress.
As an educational book, I think this is a great read for readers to
learn about the struggles of single mums and female pilots and
female spies with their struggles and what they achieved during the
war.
Maria Komninos
Funny Kid: Peeking Duck by Matt Stanton
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
