Reviews

Evie and Pog: Take off! by Tania McCartney

Angus and Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460757932.
In a series of three stories we are introduced to Evie, a six-year-old who likes knitting, jumping, and books and cake; her companion is Pog, the pug who likes to drink tea and read the newspaper. The stories and characters are a little bit strange and their actions involve messiness, mishaps and chaos. They could confuse the targeted beginner readers rather than entertain them.
The quirkiness that McCartney has incorporated into the storylines is sometimes so bizarre that it left me scratching my head. Logical connections seem to have been abandoned from time to time, so that paragraphs jump and ideas are scattered, a ploy that may not help younger readers. The illustrations though are cute and well presented in naive style. Themes: Friendship, Animals.
Carolyn Hull

Fantastically great women who saved the planet by Kate Pankhurst

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781408899298. 32pp.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Readers will be engrossed as they follow the achievements of women who broke barriers in promoting scientific ideas and helping to preserve the natural environment. Many were unknown to me and it was wonderful to read about their achievements and even more to read the positive suggestions at the back of the book asking how the reader will speak up for our planet.
The first two pages name the women written about in the book, with small illustrations of them and the next page contains a general introduction about the women and how "they sowed seeds of change in others and inspired them to see they had the power to save the planet too . . . " The women chosen for the book come from many countries and nationalities and from many backgrounds, starting with Eugenie Clark who researched sharks and inspired others to learn about the oceans and respect marine life. Ingeborg Beling from Germany studied bees showing how the study of insects can lead to understanding nature. Eileen Kampakuta Brown and Eileen Wani Wingfield campaigned against a nuclear waste dump close to Woomera in South Australia, while poor women in India formed the Chipko Movement to save trees by hugging them and stopping the loggers. I was intrigued with the information about Maria Telkes who "became known as the Sun Queen for her solar-powered ideas" and loved the information about Isatou Geesay who led the movement to recycle plastic bags into things that could be sold.
Each woman is given a double page spread of information, interspersed with quirky illustrations and speech bubbles that grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more about the work that the woman did and what she achieved. This is a book that may on first look appeal to younger readers, but people of all ages will find it fascinating. Themes: Women - Biography, STEM, Activism.
Pat Pledger

In the key of code by Aimee Lucido

Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406389333. 416pp.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. There is nothing ordinary about this wonderful prose poetry book, it is an enjoyable and original narrative, written in poetic style, about a young girl who is trying to find her place in the world. Emmy has moved with her parents to California from Wisconsin. Her father is pursuing his dream as a pianist with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, her mother is an opera singer (currently working in a not-so-perfect job to support the family) and Emmy knows that she will never be a performer; fear has overtaken her in the past. Starting at her new school reminds her that she does not fit and is not like others around her, and although she is 'fine', it is very difficult being a solo student. By accident and providentially she ends up in the Computer coding elective and eventually discovers a friend in the musically gifted, Abigail. In this class with the amazing Ms Delaney she discovers the language of Java and the poetry of code and joy of performing on the computer keyboard. Abigail and Emmy are both attempting to find where they fit; music and code floats around them as they grapple with friendship and their future directions. Ms Delaney leads them with directions in Java that provide joy, but she has her own struggles to contend with. The joy of new friends, new pathways and the wonders of code make this a novel and poetic journey that is worthy of investigation.
Aimee Lucido acknowledges Kwame Alexander as editor in her post-word at the end of the book, and it is evident that the prose-poetry narrative writing fraternity has another writer of quality. The weaving of code language through this book is deftly managed - there is an inherent poetry in the alternate language, and it is beautiful and musical as it threads through the storyline. I hope young readers see the wonderful and unique style features of this story, as well as being drawn into the development of Emmy and Abigail as they find their place and develop their talents with independence and flair. They too become performers worthy of applause. At the conclusion of the book there are clear explanations of the Java coding terms and musical terms in use throughout the book. Teacher's notes are available.
Highly recommended for lovers of coding and readers aged 12+. Themes: Friendship; Fitting in; Identity; Music; Coding.
Carolyn Hull

Brother moon by Maree McCarthy Yoelu

Illus. by Samantha Fry. Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925936827. hbk., 32pp.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. This homage to the moon and all of its forms throughout the month, is told by an older man telling his great grandson of the environment in which they live. The story teaches the boy not to be frightened of the night as the moon shines enough light for him to see. Through his story he tells the boy how the moon is connected to country, the land of his birth.
It is a powerful and enthralling story of connection, of what the environment brings to the people, of how the moon's phases direct the people to the best times to hunt and fish.
Maree is a Wadjigany woman from the Daly Rover region of the Northern Territory, and the narrator of her story is her grandfather, Limam (Harry Morgan) a well respected elder statesman within his people, a storyteller and leader of his community. His story of the importance of the environment will resonate with younger people, alerted to the ravages our environment is subjected to each year. They will absorb the underlying themes of caring about and for the environment and in particular, look at the moon in all of its variety.
Liman tells his great grandson that he never fears the night as his brother is always there to guide him. When he looks in the mangroves for periwinkles the light of the moon is reflected in the crocodile eyes, warning him of danger, and even when the light is only half what it was, it is enough to see a snake.
Samantha Fry, descended from the Dagiman people of Katherine in the Northern Territory uses her skills with coloured pencils to create a book of night time images, where, despite the hour, detail can be seen using the light of the moon. Readers will love finding treasure hidden on each page and marvel at the phases of the moon overhead, learning as does the boy, not to fear the night but use the moon's light to see. Themes: Environment, Aboriginal themes, Aboriginal storytelling, Moon, Connection.
Fran Knight

Emergency Rescue Angel by Cate Whittle

Llama impossible by Aleesah Darlison

League of Llamas book 2. Illus. by Simon Greiner. Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9781760894184. 144pp.
(Age: 7-12) Recommended. This book takes off and runs away with the reader straight away. It's a quick read. Grab it and read aloud. Children (aged 7-12) will love it.
Aleesah Darlison obviously loves to play with words. Words trip and dance off her page to delight the young wordsmith reader. Random words and phrases are highlighted in a darker thicker font throughout for emphasis and just for fun too.
At around the age of ten children begin to love to play with the nuances of language, with jokes, puns and double meanings. The wacky llama detectives, clunking around with their hooves on top of trains and smashing through walls leaving llama shape holes are the stuff of good old wisecracking, smarty pants fun. LOL, LOL this book is lots of laughs.
Memories of the dialogue and action of old detective movies come to mind when reading League of Llamas. The laid back wisecracking monotone dialogue is at times reminiscent of Get Smart. The tricky llama detective action includes a wild train ride, solving a bank robbery and a diamond heist and getting into plenty of sticky situations along the way. The League of Llamas (top agents) operate under Mama Llama who just could be somewhat similar to M in James Bond movies. Darlison makes funny connections all the way through to delight the reader.
Such a play on words! The author has a field day with onomatopoeia, turns of phrase, alliteration, lots of action and spirited jabs of tongue in the cheek repartee between the characters as they pursue the guilty parties.
This is a quick read - easy to pick up and share to delight as a read aloud or to entice the reluctant reader to realise that reading and language can be a hoot. Not everything in the world has to be serious and children, if we want them to read, must get a good giggle out of a book now and then.
League of Llamas : Llama Impossible hits the mark!
Wendy Jeffrey

Bugs in danger by Mark Kurlansky

Illus. by Jia Liu. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781547600854.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Subtitled Our Vanishing Bees, Butterflies, and Beetles. Imagine reading a book by an author who is knowledgeable about a specialised subject and so skilled at writing, that learning while you read is a pleasure. Mark Kurlansky is such an author and the insects that are disappearing from our world are his subject.
Bugs in Danger is an informative and interesting exploration of the lives of insects, their interaction with humans over the ages, and the predators, pesticides and habitat destruction that threaten their existence. Throughout the text, Kurlansky emphasises the role played by insects in the survival of life on earth. The book is divided into five parts, each one dealing with a class of insects. The final chapter, 'What Can I Do?' suggests simple but effective strategies that people of all ages can use to save these tiny creatures. Humorous chapter headings add to the pleasure of reading the text, without detracting from its serious purpose. Despite his conversational writing style, Kurlansky uses scientific terms, explaining them clearly so that readers do not feel overwhelmed by expert knowledge. Similarly, the author weaves aspects of the work of scientists, including Charles Darwin, into the exposition. Although the book is largely concerned with insects in the United States, it includes references to species from around the world. Occasional text boxes provide additional information and statistics, while Jia Liu's drawings in shades of grey illustrate different species or help to explain insect behaviour. A bibliography, which has been divided into titles for younger and older readers, and a comprehensive index ensure that the book is a useful source of information.
Bugs in Danger is not only an enjoyable and rewarding book. It also provides a thought-provoking insight into what might be lost if insects disappeared.
Elizabeth Bor

There's a hippopotamus on our roof eating cake by Hazel Edwards

Illus. by Deborah Niland. Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. 40th Anniversary Edition, ISBN: 9781760896270. 32 pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Some picture books prove to be keepers, handed down from generation to generation and this is one of those highly prized picture books that are treasured by families. Highlighting the power of the imagination, a little girls knows why there is a hole in the roof - there is a hippopotamus there eating cake and that hippopotamus can do whatever he likes. He doesn't like baths so is having a shower, he eats cake all the time and when the little girl has a bandage on her knee he has one too. And no one growls at him because he is too big.
The text is delivered in short descriptive sentences on one side of the page and these bring the narrative to life. It is wonderful to read aloud and so easy to imagine the little girl pointing out all the things that the hippopotamus can do that she is not allowed to do. The illustrations by Deborah Niland are wonderful too. The little girl is featured under the text, and is quite small in comparison to the very large, pink hippo on the opposite page. The expressions on both are priceless and children with have lots of fun looking at the bold colours and laughing at the antics of the hippo.
This 40th anniversary edition has a beautiful felt pink hippo on the cover for little hands to touch and feel, making it even more memorable.
It is not difficult to see why this has become a children's classic, and I have no doubt that it will be kept for the next generation of young children to laugh over and enjoy.
Pat Pledger

Melting moments by Anna Goldsworthy

Black Inc, 2020. ISBN: 9781863959988. 224pp.
(Age: Adult) Recommended. A young woman and a young man tentatively try to consummate their marriage just ahead of him being shipped out to New Guinea, during the second world war. When he returns, they have to rediscover each other, relearn how to be together. It is their shared future, they are in it together - it is the time of staying out marriages, managing it somehow. Forget the other dreams.
Goldsworthy captures that sense of fate, of a path that is carved out, with many women who marry the man who becomes the husband and father, but who still remember the other man, the one who was special, who if things had been different, could have been a different partner, a different life. So it is for Ruby, she marries Arthur, the man who proposed to her before being shipped out, a man she respects and cares for, but she always remembers Bill, the one who made her heart leap.
Goldsworthy beautifully creates her characters - we know them, they are us: the husband and wife managing their lives, and the tension between mother and daughter - the mother who followed the expected path and the daughter who has wider more liberated aspirations. But as they mature, the mother and daughter draw closer together, and Arthur, the husband and father is the person for whom they both manage the care.
It is a heart warming story. Ruby remains the good wife, but in old age there is the rediscovery of romance and true love. It is a reminder that life continues, the joys and the sorrows, and the connections that become more meaningful and rewarding as time passes.
Themes: Love, Marriage, Romance, Women's roles, Old age.
Helen Eddy

Hattie by Frida Nilsson

Illus. by Stina Wirsen. Gecko Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781776572717. 160 pp.
(Age: 6 - 9 years) Hattie is a six year old child eagerly awaiting her first day at school. She lives in the Swedish countryside on a small isolated farm with her parents and a number of animals. On her first day at school she makes friends with Linda who is a quiet shy child but happily follows Hattie's lead throughout the story. Hattie acts before she thinks and often ends up having to apologise for her actions and face the consequences of her thoughtlessness. Putting soap in another student's drink bottle, locking another student in a shed, trying to conjure up a White Witch are just a few scenarios featuring Hattie at the forefront of things that happen during the school day. No wonder her poor teacher looks like he needs a holiday!
Even at home Hattie rules the roost. Her parents are forever caring of Hattie but she continuously tests their patience. When Hattie's mother is disappointed in her behaviour she runs away causing great angst for the family. While on holiday in Greece, a day's family outing is spoilt by Hattie's demands. Hattie is continually moving from one thing to another leaving some sort of upset in her wake. The story interestingly covers the seasons in the northern hemisphere and events such as Advent, Easter, Summer and Winter holidays, Hattie's birthday and end of year concert.
While Hattie is a mischievous child prone to dramatizing and over thinking situations, she is an endearing character. She has a very contrite and caring side when she realizes she has gone too far. It is an easy to read story with short chapters and would be a great read aloud story for Junior Primary students. The simple illustrations by Stina Wirsen are spaced throughout the text and make a welcome addition to the story. Themes: Starting school, Friendship, Farm life, Seasons, Mischief.
Kathryn Beilby

Red Day by Sandy Fussell

Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760651886. 240pp.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Cowra in New South Wales was the setting for a Japanese POW camp during World War Two and gained notoriety after the breakout of 1207 Japanese men on August 15, 1944. The impact of this escape and the subsequent deaths of many, lies undisturbed until an exchange student arrives at Charlie's farm. Charlie has synaesthesia and hence sees and hears differently: people have auras; days of the week are coloured; numbers and letters have attitudes. And when she shows Kenichi around her town, particularly the cemetery, she has an intense pain, one that is lessened when Kenichi touches her. There is a link between them which becomes obvious the more they delve into the town's past. At the cemetery they find the grave of the Japanese soldier who took shelter on Charlie's farm after the breakout, but she knows he survived, so the headstone is a mystery.
At first Charlie is adamant that she will not be the exchange student's minder, she is resentful that he has been installed in her dead brother's bedroom, cross with her single mother for taking this step without consulting her, worried that this boy will become friendly with her friends, shutting her out. Charlie is initially abuzz with ill will which Fussell writes sympathetically, revealing the girl's animosity with a deft hand.
Once the gravestone has been discovered the two work together as they strive to uncover the truth and this means going to see Charlie's grandmother who she has not seen since her brother's death. At first the town librarian seems helpful, but when she refuses to give back a photo deposited in the town archives, Charlie and Kenichi take steps.
Charlie's condition sees her empathising with the Japanese soldiers during the breakout, understanding what they were going through, feeling their pain. And her condition and the resolution of the problems set in motion by Kenichi's visit are resolved to perfection.
This is a wonderful read, giving the history of Cowra and the breakout against the background of a Japanese exchange student's search for an ancestor, missing since the war ended. It is the story of coming together, of resolution, of calm after unrest. I read it in one sitting and was enthralled with the setting, the characters and the history. Teacher's notes are available. Themes: Cowra (NSW), Japanese internment camp, World War Two, Synaesthesia, Exchange students.
Fran Knight

The proudest blue : a story of hijab and family by Ibtihaj Muhammud and S. K. Ali

Illus. by Hatem Aly. Anderson Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781783449712. 40pp.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. When Asiya wears her blue hijab to school for the first time, her little sister, Faizah is proud and excited: proud that her sister has reached this milestone in her life, eager for her own turn when she reaches grade seven. Mum and Asiya have been to the shop to buy a new headscarf, Mum wanting the pink one but Asiya standing firm with her choice of blue, the colour of the ocean, the colour of the sky.
Going to school Asiya and Faizah meet curious stares and field some questions from their peers, answering that wearing the hijab is important, it means being strong. But some laugh and point, and again mother's words remind the girls that the wearing of the hijab may perplex some at the start, but remaining firm and strong, they will come to understand.
Several boys call her scarf a tablecloth and again mother said that these are only words which can be discarded, not carried around. These words belong only to those who utter them.
At the end of the day Faizah meets her sister again at the school gate, standing proudly with her blue hijab, waiting patiently for her little sister. Faizah cannot wait to get home to show her the picture she has drawn of the two together, with matching blue headscarves.
An absorbing look at one girl's day at school, an ordinary everyday sort of day, except that Asiya is wearing her hijab for the first time. Curiosity meets the girls as they arrive at school and their questions are answered, but a few are more vocal and bullying. The answers allow the girls to turn their backs on these comments and disown the people who say them. They stand firm, gaining strength from within their family, proudly turning their backs on ignorance.
A charming story of standing firm, of not allowing comments to spoil the day, this story will be shared in classrooms, initiating discussions about the obvious wearing of the hijab and what it means but also the wider issue of difference and acceptance, of tolerance and awareness. And a book such as this will engage and educate while encouraging understanding. Themes: Islam, Family, Hijab, Clothing, Difference, Courage, Faith.
Fran Knight

How to make a better world (For every kid who wants to make a difference) by Keilly Swift

Illus. by Rhys Jefferys. Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN: 9780241412206. 96pp.
(Ages 8-14). Highly recommended. How to make a better world is a large colourful nonfiction book that helps to empower children who want to make a difference in themselves and their community. As adults we are constantly bombarded with bad news about what is happening to the earth and many children today have become stressed by feeling powerless to change what is happening around them. This book gives many suggestions and ways they can begin to make a difference.
The book is divided into four chapters; You, Community, Humanity and Environment. By first focusing on "You" the author is making children realize that any change needs to start with helping themselves to become healthier, happier and more positive about life. It then moves into the wider area around the children by suggesting how they can become involved in the community around them. It mentions friendship, volunteering and heritage among others. Then the author moves out to things to do in the world from finding a cause, to raising money and to going on a protest march, to name just a few. Helpful tips and strategies such as how to make a good poster feature in this chapter. The environment and information about the problems that face our world today including climate change, green living, vegetarianism and the plastic problem make up just a few of the many things in the last chapter.
Prominent people, including activist children and young people are mentioned throughout the book as examples both from the present day and from the past. The pages are brightly coloured and attractive including some side-ways pages to add interest. I think it is a valuable book to have in any home or classroom and will help to inspire children to act on the things about which they feel passionate. Themes: Social action, Personal development, Community improvement.
Gabrielle Anderson

Evie and Pog: Puppy playtime! by Tania McCartney

HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9781460757949. 144pp.
(Age: 6+) Here is a delightful, happy, fun-filled collection of 3 stories compiled into a paperback novel for beginner readers aged 6 and up.
Tania Mc Cartney has not only written but she has illustrated these stories with zany, zappy pictures that scatter unpredictably all over the pages, all around and in and out of the text in as uninhibited a way as Granny's knitting wool. The internal layout, design and typesetting is also done by the author.
Evie is a little girl. Pog is a dog. They are friends. Granny lives close and Noah is a friend who seems to pop up in each story. All these characters develop through their antics and they are loveable. Granny is a very young and unconventional granny with her own funny foibles. Pog is staid and Evie is full of life. They are the perfect foil for each other.
The books are full of continuous action and the dialogue is quite enchanting.
The little characters and some of the text reappear in each story to provide continuity and repetition of vocabulary securing pleasure and confidence for beginner readers. In the 3 stories in Evie and Pog: Puppy playtime!, the characters undergo a playhouse renovation, invent a classroom contraption and design a puppy park. For the young STEM enthusiast there are plenty of maps, plans and designs.
This is a smart book for kids which is sure to inspire them to read. I will be introducing our children to Evie and Pog and adding the other happy adventure books in the series to our collection.
Wendy Jeffrey

Sports Heroes by Clare Lloyd

When I grow up series. Dorling Kindersley, 2020, ISBN: 9780241412688. 18pp.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Dorling Kindersley presents pre-schoolers with a fun and inspiring board book focused on how youngsters become sports stars. Each double-page spread introduces the famous athlete describing their early years, how they started in their field and their achievements. Using bold backgrounds, easy to read sentences, both graphic illustrations and photographs, with flags of their home country, this is great for the future sports player.
Begin reading with Usain Bolt's story, the superstar sprinter wanted to be a Jamaican cricketer when he grew up. Paralympic Games swimmer Ellie Simmonds from Great Britain won two gold medals at the age of thirteen. Eight superstars from across the globe are represented, from Lebron James American basketball legend to Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu and Lionel Messi captain of F.C. Barcelona. Chinese volleyball player Zhu Ting thought she would grow up to work on her family farm, however her life changed when she was chosen to attend a special sports school.
Sports Heroes introduces the concepts of inspiration and aspiration, dreaming big and achieving your goals. Just right for sharing with a pre-schooler, discuss their family life, turning points and special achievements as adults. Subjects: Sports, Athletes.
Rhyllis Bignell