HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780008153823.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. It is 1932 and
Violet Speedwell, whose fiance and brother were killed in the Great
War, has become a 'surplus woman', doomed to be a spinster because
of the demise of a generation of young men. In an effort to become
independent she leaves her family home and goes to Winchester where
she joins a society of broderers who are embroidering kneelers and
cushions for Winchester Cathedral. It is here that she makes friends
and begins to make a new life.
I am a great fan of Tracy Chevalier's stories and her wonderful
ability to describe the lives of women, while giving a snapshot of
the history of the time. In A single thread, Chevalier
weaves the story of how the fictional Violet becomes independent,
twining it with the real life of Louisa Pesel, who was asked to
design the cushions and runners that can still be seen in the
Cathedral today. The group of broderers becomes Violet's mainstay,
fending off loneliness with the friendship of Gilda and Dorothy and
the calm helpfulness of Louisa Pesel.
I loved the descriptions of the embroidery and was fascinated to
learn of the fylfots that were a border on the vestments of the
effigy of 14th century Bishop Wodeloke, and how the Nazis took the
fylfot symbol as their own swastika. Chevalier writes about Louisa
Pesel and embroidery on the author's
website.
The details of the art of bell ringing were so graphic that a reader
could almost hear the bells pealing. And it was the understated way
that Chevalier describes how women were treated in the 1930's that
is most poignant and memorable, as she tells of the struggle
of Violet to find love and make a family of her own and of Gilda and
Dorothy's love for each other. Family life and the loss of a child
and the devastation it leaves behind are also described in a very
moving way.
A quote from Geraldine Brooks on the back cover sums it up:
'Chevalier is a master at foregrounding the small, dramatic stories
of overlooked people from the past.' An interview with Chevalier is
available on the NPR
website.
This is a gentle and engrossing novel that nevertheless touches on
complex themes, that of women's sexuality, the plight of the
unmarried mother and the importance and difficulties of family life.
It is one too that celebrates the beauty of Winchester Cathedral's
embroidered cushions and runners and the talent of the women artists
who designed and made them.
Pat Pledger
Captain McCool by Natasha McFarlane
Illus. by Andrew McIntosh. Little Steps Publishing, 2019. ISBN:
9781925839319.
(Age: 4-8) Highly recommended. Themes: Pilots, Flying, Aviation
Industry, Friends. Captain McCool is written by first time
Adelaide children's author, Natasha McFarlane. Natasha worked in the
aviation industry for many years and felt there was a need for young
children and adults to have their fascination for planes and flight
recorded in an easy to read picture book. Captain McCool is
the first in a series that will allow readers to gain an insight
into an industry which is a part of our everyday lives.
Josh McCool has always dreamt of being a pilot. Right from an early
age, he has attempted to fly - often not with success. However he
joins the junior flying cadets where he learns about many of the
roles people have at an airport. Josh and the friends he made in
cadet school support each other throughout their pilot training and
all achieve their long held dream.
The entertaining and clever rhyming text with emphasis placed on a
significant word or two on each page holds the reader's interest and
adds to the enjoyment of story. The illustrations by Andrew McIntosh
are beautifully drawn and visually appealing.
An excellent book to have in a school or public library as it is a
perfect read-aloud for younger students.
Kathryn Beilby
Elena's shells by Rose Robbins
Starfish Bay Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760360573.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Sharing, Possession, Shells, Empathy.
Elena loves to collect shells. And she has a large pile of them. But
one day, one of her shells starts to run away. She is distressed and
follows the shell over the sand and the rocks to the water's edge.
She has an idea and calls out 'Shark' making the shell stop in its
tracks. Elena shakes the shell, asking why it would want to run away
and a small hermit crabs falls out.
The crab explains to Elena, the tapir, that the shell is its home and
he needs to change his home now and again when he grows. But Elena
says that it is her shell and walks back to her pile of shells to
place it with the others. But that night she has second thoughts and
in the morning goes in search of the crab, worrying that she may
have left him homeless.
She finds the crab and returns the shell, the effort giving her an
idea of what to do with her shells, and a neat resolution comes
about making all readers and the hermit crab most satisfied.
A bold colourful illustrative technique will encourage all readers
to look at the details presented on the page, ponder why Emma is a
tapir, look more closely at shells and shell collecting, tapirs and
hermit crabs, and try to draw some shells themselves, using the
sparkling endpapers as a guide.
Fran Knight
Self harm by Michelle Mitchell
Big Sky, 2019. ISBN: 9781925675573
Recommended book for parents and counsellors. Subtitled Why
teens do it and what parents can do to help. 'In this book,
award-winning speaker, author and educator Michelle Mitchell has
combined her 20 years' experience, with the latest research,
interviews with experts and stories from professionals and everyday
families, to give parents and teachers fresh insights into how to
prevent, understand and respond to self-harm.
Full of evidence-based strategies, this unique resource will provide
parents with the facts, practical help and comfort they need.'
(Publisher)
Recommended reading perhaps even as teacher reference. Big
Sky Publishing's page on the book contains a link to an
interview with Mitchell by the ABC Radio, and a link to a video
about teens' self harm. It also contains several very positive
reviews and comments about the usefulness of the book.
Vincent Hermann
Wacko by Ali Durham
Starfish Bay Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760360733.
(Age: 3+) Rhyming story, Grandparents, Growing up. In four line
rhyming stanzas the story is told of a young boy growing up showing
the stages he goes through from a toddler to school age. Each
milestone is punctuated by a comment to Grandpa Look Grandpa, Look
I grew in the night!
My head is up here
and my shoes are too tight!
The same unvarying format is used on every page, making it easy for
younger children to recognise the rhythm, and join in, predicting
the rhyming words.
Grandpa then responds Wacko, said Grandpa.
'You really have grown! Such a big lad
Who would have known?
The word, 'wacko' appears in every second stanza, indicating it is
the grandfather speaking, using an old Australian expression not
often used today which recognises delight and pleasure.
Young children will delight in the new found word, repeating the
stanzas after the reader, learning them for themselves, following
the interaction between the older man and the child, recognising the
humour that lies in the words.
But they will also recognise the developmental stages of children
before going to school, as the boy learns to stand, use a spoon, or
jump up and down. Potty training comes along with learning to use
underpants, learning to swim, learning rules about bedtime, reading
together and finally going to school.
A fixed layout is pursued on every double page and the colours are
bright and breezy.
Fran Knight
Supernova by Marissa Meyer
Renegades series. Pan Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781760787394.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Supernova is the long-awaited
conclusion of the Renegades series. Set in a world where
prodigies are rife and the war between good and evil is continuing
to rage; Supernova follows the problematic romance between
an anarchist and a renegade as they try and negotiate a way peaceful
way forward and out of the wars of the past.
Having stolen Ace Anarchy's helmet from the Renegades in the
previous novel, Nightmare's Renegade disguise as Insomnia is growing
increasingly precarious. Unsure how much longer she has as her
good-girl alias, Nova dreads the moment when Adrian will see her for
who she truly is - a villain. Her time with the Renegades is
starting to make her question her own beliefs. Previously a staunch
Anarchist, Nova starts to question if Anarchy is really the solution
to the problems in Galton City.
Adrian's little brother was badly injured during the break-in at
Renegade headquarters and despite his innovative tattoos Adrian
can't let his Dad know he's been to see Max without revealing his
identity as The Sentential. Switching between identities, Adrian is
struggling to keep his secret but knows better than to reveal
himself as the vigilante super-hero. Having idolised the Renegades
his entire life, Adrian finds himself questioning if they are the
great force of good they present themselves as. Supernova is the perfect combination of superheroes and
star-crossed lovers. An enjoyable novel, I would highly recommend to
lovers of superheroes and dystopian novels. Inevitable dealing with
questions of right and wrong, Marissa Meyer presents arguments for
and against the need for order and leads the reader towards the need
for peaceful non-violent solutions.
Kayla Gaskell
No place for an octopus by Claire Zorn
UQP, 2019. ISBN: 9780702262609.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Octopus, Sea creatures, Environment.
When a boy finds an octopus in a rock pool on the beach, he imagines
what it would be like if the creature were his friend. The octopus
is all alone in the rock pool and has no friends there with him, he
is hiding behind the seaweed and looks hungry. They could do all
sorts of things together: the animal could bathe in his bath, eat
his food, read a book with him, go on the roller coaster, travel and
be very quiet.
The boy watches the animal in the rock pool, pondering its
environment and sees the array of things children can find in a rock
pool: seaweed and shells, small fish, sea urchins, crabs and
limpets, ledges and shallow water in which animals can hide. The
octopus peers at the boy from behind his seaweed and the boy decides
that the rock pool is the best place for the creature and leaves him
alone.
This lovely story, full of information about a rock pool and its
inhabitants, will appeal to every reader as they peruse the
illustrations for signs of life in the rock pool, listing the
various things they spot. The pencil and water colour illustrations
are marvellously informative, allowing the reader to pick things out
for themselves, and giving a subtle message about conservation at
the same time.
The hole in the cover will encourage readers to pick up the book to
read, and the faces peeping through at the reader are an extra
inducement guaranteeing a lot of enjoyment. The book will stimulate
discussion about why things are in a particular place, why creatures
are linked to the environment in which they live and the hazards of
removing them from their environment. Classes will get a buzz
reading about the possibilities of an octopus sharing their bedroom
and going on trips with them, seeing the inappropriateness of such
an action, underscoring again the link between an animal and its
environment. Teacher's
notes are available.
Fran Knight
A flamboyance of flamingos by Jennifer Cossins
Hachette, Lothian Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780734419859.
(Age: 5 -12 years). Themes: English Language, Collective Nouns,
Animals, Birds, Sea Creatures. Tasmanian artist Jennifer Cossins is
the author of the bestselling 101
Collective Nouns that has entertained both teachers and
students with its vibrant drawings and easy to read collective
nouns. Her newest publication, A Flamboyance of Flamingos,
provides a snapshot of some popular creatures of the Animal Kingdom
and their more unusual collective nouns, for example: a tiding of
magpies, a paddle of platypuses, an aurora of polar bears, an
ostentation of peacocks. A Flamboyance of Flamingos is a small illustrated hardback
compendium that would make a perfect gift for those readers who are
fascinated by the use of the English language combined with simple
yet colourful illustrations. It is a delightful book that would be a
welcome addition to any young person's home or classroom library.
Kathryn Beilby
Cunning crow by Gregg Dreise
Magabala Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925768862.
(Age: 4+). Highly recommended. Themes: Crows, Aboriginal themes,
Cautionary tales, Australian folklore. Author illustrator Gregg
Dreise a descendent of the Kamilaroi tribe, from south-west
Queensland and north-west New South Wales, was born and raised in St
George, Queensland, in a family that loved sport, art, music and
poetry. He has published several books with Magabala Books, Silly
birds, Kookoo
kookaburra and Mad
magpie, and My
culture and me(Penguin). He uses didgeridoos, guitars,
laughter and physical performance to pass on his culture to a wide
audience, and through his educational talks and storytelling,
promotes the environment and interaction with other people.
His cautionary tales are full of humour, and dazzle with bright,
colourful illustrations, making a point about morality to the
readers.
Cunning crow watched the other birds get their magnificent colours
from the rainbow. Lightning, fire and rain preceded the appearance
of the rainbow and once there, the birds thrust parts of their
bodies into the streams of colour, changing their white feathers to
other shades. So the white cockatoo became a sulphur crested
cockatoo, the lorikeets became multi-coloured, the budgies, blue.
Waan the crow became orange and red but was dissatisfied. He envied
the other brighter birds and resolved to change his colours to
something more dramatic. When next a rainbow appeared he ducked into
it but nothing happened. He thought that perhaps he needed fire as a
part of the change so built a ring of fire. This time he burnt his
feathers becoming black all over.
Today Waan the black crow reminds us to be happy with our
differences, to be satisfied with what we are, that we are all
beautiful. This fitting cautionary tale about appearance will appeal
to the younger reader, and the bright eye-catching illustrations
bring an extra layer of interest and learning for the readers.
Fran Knight
The thing about Oliver by Deborah Kelly
Wombat Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925563818.
(Ages 10-16) Highly recommended. Themes: Autism, Disability,
Siblings, Family. This book is dedicated to the 'glass children'.
These are the children whose lives are almost invisible because they
have a sibling with special needs. In The thing about Oliver,
Deborah Kelly has revealed a heart-wrenching story about the
difficulties for Tilly as she lives as the 'ignored' capable child
because her single-mother's attention must so often be directed to
her autistic and non-verbal younger brother, Oliver. From the first
page, the struggles are evident. When Tilly's mother decides to
relocate to Townsville in order to be near her sister, Tilly suffers
the normal change and separation dilemmas. However, Oliver's
inability to deal with change of any sort, and his loud reactive
tantrums escalate in the new environment. The distress for everyone
is palpable in the story, but the distress that Tilly feels goes to
another level when Oliver destroys her Aqua journal - the precious
and personal recording of all the aquatic things she loves. Her
response to this dilemma leads to even more drama, when Oliver goes
missing. Her inability to swim becomes a metaphor for the way that
circumstances are flooding her life, with no hope of escape. The
story does not end with a 'cure' for all the struggles of Tilly's
life, but there is some light ahead.
The dramatic story-line is incredibly powerful and the complexities
of life with a mute autistic sibling make for an emotional story.
This is a story that leaves the reader heart-broken for the young
Tilly and her mother, but also for the boy Oliver. Because of the
content and the maturity needed to handle the emotional dilemmas,
this book could be read by older readers (older than Primary-aged
Tilly) even though it is relatively simply written. There were many
moments when I was nearly in tears as I felt the pain and distress
of the young girl (and her tired and distraught mother), and I am
sure that an empathic response would be the result from reading this
book.
(Note: Readers who have enjoyed Wonder by R. J. Palacio
could read this book as it also addresses a sibling response to
disability.)
Carolyn Hull
I see, I see by R. Henderson
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760524746.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Perspective, Senses, Sight.
Two or more people sharing this book will gain a lot of pleasure
working together. The book asks them to sit opposite each other and
read the book in a particular way, so giving each reader a different
perspective of what is on the page. The author has very cleverly
used words and images that when turned upside down, mean the
opposite. So when one view says, I see full, when the page is turned
the text says, I see empty, while the image of a glass of liquid
looks full or empty depending on which way it is viewed.
It is most enlightening, looking at the same thing from a different
perspective, and will encourage children to share their points of
view to help them understand that how you see something is entirely
your own perspective and others will differ. It is full of fun and
whimsy, and will encourage sharing and discussion as the book is
read.
From the endpapers with their green or is that blue arrows, to the
last page which to some is the last but to some is the first, the idea
of perspective will intrigue and delight younger readers.
Fran Knight
Sorcery of thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781534445383.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. An exciting book that will tantalise book
lovers! Elisabeth has grown up in a Great Library where magical
grimoires are chained and book lice scuttle along the skirting
boards. If provoked they can turn into monsters creating
devastation. Elisabeth is desperate to become a warden but after
facing down one of the grimoires, she is accused of treason and sent
to the capital to face justice. Nathaniel a young sorcerer escorts
her there and together they begin to realise that much is at stake
for the country. Accompanied by Nathaniel's demon, Silas, they
battle to save the Great Libraries and their nation as well.
Elisabeth is a feisty young woman who has a clear sense of right and
wrong and she doesn't shirk her duty to the Libraries and her
country even when it is very difficult and dangerous. There are many
thrilling battles, when armed with her sword Demonslayer, she fights
off grimoires and other enemies. Heart stopping episodes draw the
reader in as she tries to prove her innocence and control her
powers.
The slow burning romance between Nathaniel and Elisabeth is a
subplot in this sweeping fantasy but will satisfy readers who will
be interested in the themes of loyalty, how perceptions can change
and the difficulties of being true to oneself.
Witty and often hilarious dialogue is a standout feature of the book
and the contrast between Nathaniel's sly asides and Elisabeth's
serious nature is beautifully written.
There is much to like about Sorcery of thorns, not least the
descriptions of all the magical books and the Great Libraries. I
will certainly pick up other books by Margaret Rogerson.
Pat Pledger
Our little monster by Ben Cunningham
Illus. by Chris Champan. Little Steps Publishing, 2019. ISBN:
9781925545852.
This is a funny picture story about the consequences of not paying
attention to your surroundings. Everyone has had a busy week and no
one notices when the parents in this book take home the wrong child
at the end of the week.
When Eric's parents took home little monster and Eric went home with
Mr. and Mrs. Monster both sets of parents noticed something was not
right but neither realised they had the wrong child. Eric and little
monster worked out things were not right and were able to fix the
problem and go back to their own home and family. Everything works
out in the end.
This is a fun story about parents not getting everything right all
of the time. Parents are not perfect.
The bold illustrations in this book add to the story. I recommend
this book.
Karen Colliver
The painted ponies by Alison Lester
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781741758894.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Horses, Fairs, Farms, Family.
Matilda adores staying with her Grandma, Lucky and playing with her
set of painted ponies kept in a covered wagon each in their own
stall. One of the set of six has a white star on its nose and
Matilda asks Lucky about it. Grandma tells her a story of when she
was young and her family owned a travelling show.
The family moved with the sun, along with the football playing dogs,
the big horse called Hercules, the ringmaster, Uncle Remmy and
Grandma, the trick rider, who could twirl a lasso and was called
Lucky Star. Travelling cross the mountains they saw a group of wild,
dancing horses, and even though they would have loved to keep them
in their show, it was not possible. But in the throes of the cold
winter months when the ponies were shivering with cold and could no
longer dance, Mother and Uncle Remy brought them back to the show
and trained them as performers. They were a hit and people came from
far away to see them, but when summer came around, the ponies stared
at the mountains, their home.
One night, Grandma loosed the rail on their fence and let them go,
but hearing a whinny she saw that her favourite pony, the one with
the star had remained behind to stay with the young girl, Lucky
Star.
Award winning author illustrator needs no introduction with her
range of beautiful family oriented stories of life on the farm.
Horses and ponies have pride of place in all of the books and
introduce city based children to the delights that these animals
bring to a child's life.
Lester's charming pencil and watercolour illustrations reflect a
life that many will only ever read about, but bring that life to the
fore. Readers will love the tale of grandma's past life and her
meeting and training the horses, they will learn some things about
the wild horses in the mountains of Australia, and about their
training, as well as the travelling shows that used to be a much
anticipated form of entertainment in rural Australia.
Alison Lester was the first Children's Laureate, sharing that
position with Boori Pryor in 2012, received the Dromkeen Medal in
2018, and was the recipient of an AM in 2019.
I can imagine readers looking closely at the illustrations of the
animals in the book, turning to the glorious last endpaper which
gives a more recent history of the ponies and the dogs.
Fran Knight
A minute to midnight by David Baldacci
Atlee Pine book 2. Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509874460.
(Age: 15+) Recommended for lovers of thrillers. Themes: Kidnapping,
Murder. In this exciting and suspenseful novel, Baldacci immediately
grabs the reader's attention with a graphically described rescue of
an abducted girl by the intrepid Atlee Pine, who then realises that
she needs to resolve her anger about the mystery of the kidnapping
of her twin sister thirty years ago. She returns to her hometown in
Georgia, where not only does she uncover some of the secrets of her
past, but faces a serial killer who leaves victims posed in a
ritualistic way.
Baldacci's has a reputation as a leading thriller writer and it is
easy to see why: the flow of his narrative, the short chapters,
often with cliff hangers, and the interesting characters and
settings all combine to make for a satisfying read. I had not read
the first Atlee Pine book, but it was easy to follow both her
character, with Baldacci giving enough background information about
her for me to pick up this book and run with both her ability as an
FBI agent to solve dreadful crimes, but her desire to find out what
had happened to her sister so long ago. Her assistant, Blum, was
also fully fleshed out and added to the interest of the story.
There are enough twists in the plot about the serial killer to
ensure the reader is engrossed to the end, and the mystery
surrounding her sister's kidnapping turns up many twists and turns
that will surprise. And of course there is a cliff hanger at the end
that will guarantee readers will want to return to Atlee's quest to
solve the mystery of her past.
Pat Pledger
