Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526629418.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Eleven year old Kate and her younger
brother Tom embark on a remarkable adventure in a magical steam
train aptly named The Silver Arrow. In Kate's mind her life so far
is mundane and boring as her parents are busy with work and she
feels it is time for something interesting to happen so she contacts
her wealthy Uncle Herbert and asks for a present. Uncle Herbert
delivers a steam train much to the horror of Kate and Tom's sensible
parents and they are forbidden to climb on it. However as children
do, they ignore their parents and are whisked away for the adventure
of a life time. Along the journey they collect an assortment of
talking animals who are waiting patiently at train stations in a
variety of continually changing landscapes and environments. The
steam train is their teacher while they are on the journey and
encourages the children to solve each problem thoughtfully as it
arises, as well as managing the roles of the driver, conductor and
carrying out maintenance on the train. Both Kate and Tom show
surprising resilience and perseverance to overcome some challenging
situations and they learn to work as a team. The animals befriended
by Kate and Tom finally admit that they are running away from humans
who have destroyed their habitats and they are on the brink of
extinction. The children form a close bond with the animals and grow
to understand how dangerous the human world is for them.
This is the first children's novel written by author Lev Grossman
who is well known for his Magician's trilogy. In The
Silver Arrow he has created a wonderful world of magic and
fantasy where animals have an opinion and are listened to, where two
young siblings overcome dangerous situations and learn to be kind to
each other, as well as realising the adult world is fraught with
complications. An exciting and action-packed read which young
readers who love to escape into imaginary worlds will appreciate and
enjoy. Themes: Adventure, Magic, Endangered Animals, Steam Trains,
Siblings, Fantasy.
Kathryn Beilby
Bush school by Peter O'Brien
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760876807.
Written in the first person, this is an interesting detailed memoir
of life as a "bonded" primary school teacher at a first country
teaching appointment during 1960-61. Teachers would empathize with
the challenges of teaching 18 children from all grades in a one room
school with minimal materials - and no electricity!
From a 2020 perspective, it is surprising to note the level of
control over the content of the curriculum by the NSW Education
Department monitored by its inspectors. In contrast, a theme
throughout the book is the effort of O'Brien to devise student
centred teaching methods and individual programmes for his varied
cohort of students. Student centred teaching is an enduring theme
and strong belief of the author at a time when rote learning was
more the norm.
The memoir is also a social history of the customs and life of a
very small, isolated country community encompassing class, poverty,
racial discrimination, and the value placed on education. O'Brien
often expands these issues to Australian society in general.
The mental toll on the author (only 20 years of age and with limited
teaching experience) separated from family, friends, girlfriend and
colleagues is apparent.
Having spent time in several country appointments, I found the
reminiscences interesting. Something called "a jelly tray" was used
to replicate written materials from a master copy!
The book is an easy read and would be of use for students studying
life in Australia during the early sixties.
Ann Griffin
Sleep 101: How to sleep like a baby by Beck & Matt Stanton
Self-Help for Babies book 1. ABC Books, 2020. ISBN:
9780733341151.
(Age: All) Recommended. Filled with delightful illustrations and
instructions of where a baby should or could sleep, this little book
is a lot of fun and reassurance for parents or grandparents about
getting a baby to sleep. It is also suitable to read to a small
baby.
The authors combine their skill in making people laugh and drawing
wonderful evocative little pictures, starting with the message
'Babies need sleep' with a picture showing a cot with the
instructions, 'You sleep here'. The book then proceeds with pictures
and very short sentences showing the places that a baby doesn't
sleep: a bouncer, a stroller, a car, a backpack and finally the
parent's bed. It then goes on to describe the same places for the
desperate parent to try if the baby won't go to sleep in the cot.
The black and white line drawings against a blue or green background
are hilarious and I especially identified with the grinning baby
sitting on the parent's bed and the final picture of a contented
baby breastfeeding.
Every parent will have gone through the process of trying to get a
baby to go to sleep and will recognise the situations and
instructions in this little book, knowing that they are not alone in
the trials of getting a baby to sleep. Siblings will also have fun
reading it aloud.
Pat Pledger
Bear in space by Deborah Abela
Illus. by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781760651510.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Bear dreams of space travel, building
himself a rocket ship and taking on board his dog, books, an extra
blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate to drink.
He tries to tell the other bears of his interest and plans but they
laugh at him and his interesting facts. But he finally is ready and
blasts off, drifting around in space, drinking his chocolate and
reading his books. Here no one laughs at him or calls him names. One
day just as he is beginning to feel somewhat alone he spies
something coming towards him. It is Panda and he invites her on
board. She is just as interested in space and they share their
enthusiasm about rockets and asteroids and alien life forms, making
plans for future forays into space together. When they return
to Earth they find their plans are noticed by the other bears, and
one even volunteers to go into space with them. The bears no
longer laugh but ask questions, and they are answered.
This delightful story about space, complete with a sprinkling of
interesting facts throughout the book, will enthral younger readers
as they notice the trappings that all good space explorers need to
have. Not only will readers be encouraged to look up and view the
night sky, but will be intrigued by Bear's explorations, asking
about other space explorers and what they have seen. The facts
dotted in the story also intrigue and delight, giving a few basic
facts about space that are easily absorbed and become a stepping
stone to learning more about the space above us.
The digital illustrations are also a treat as we see the space gear
that Bear and Panda wear and use, all easily made from recycled
material available in the home or classroom, encouraging readers to
emulate Bear and Panda in their endeavours.
Each page is illuminated with images of space: stars, galaxies,
constellations, satellites, rockets, the sun and many many books
with titles that will bring smiles of recognition to the reader. A
quiet humour instills the story and is replicated in the
illustrations, as Bear and Panda find each other in space, sharing
the same passion.
The bullying by the other bears is undermined when they see his
success, and begin to show interest themselves. Activities are
available in the Story
Time Kit. Deb and Marjorie introduceBear in space.
Themes: Space, Rockets, Space travel, Bullying, Friendship.
Fran Knight
The abstainer by Ian McGuire
Simon and Schuster, 2020. ISBN: 9781471163609.
(Age: Senior secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. In 1867, three
members of the Fenian Brotherhood were hanged in Manchester for the
murder of a policeman. McGuire imagines a story of revenge flowing
from this event as an Irish American man with a heart set on
retribution is brought to Manchester fresh from the bloody Civil War
that had engulfed the USA in previous years. He must keep himself
well hidden, knowing the local police have a network of informers.
Within a day of his landing he has killed three of these men,
sending a brutal message to others who may be tempted to help the
police.
Constable James O'Connor, brought over from Dublin to help the
Manchester Police find this man, is under suspicion from the start:
his accent, his sympathy with the Irish cause, his recent history
with his superiors, all contrive against him. His dead wife and
child form a cross he carries and and he must fight his need to
resort to drink.
The paths of Doyle and O'Connor are destined to cross as one seeks
mayhem and the other justice for his dead informer.
McGuire captures the atmosphere within the city of Manchester with
impressive detail. Poverty is ever present as O'Connor walks the
streets, visits people in their slum accommodation, talks to his
superiors, all the while noting the vast difference between Irish
and English with detail about food, housing and access to work.
We meet all sorts in McGuire's Victorian Manchester from the pimps
to the well healed, the prostitutes and drunks who inhabit the pubs,
the informers, corrupt police, and those who want the case to be
wrapped up quickly, so putting O'Connor at odds with his own
organisation. After the hasty hangings at the beginning of the
novel, sympathy lies with the Fenians struggling to free Ireland
from the British overlordship but their methods alienate O'Connor
and the reader. Both men struggle with the burden of their pasts,
and their contest makes for involving reading. Themes: Crime,
Manchester (UK), Fenian Society, Revenge.
Fran Knight
Huberta's big surprise by Klay and Mark Lamrpell
Illus. by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN:
9781742994109.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Huberta loves to spring surprises on the
other animals at her zoo. Often they are surprised but also a little
put out by her antics. One day the zookeeper announces that she has
been invited to another zoo to visit. The truck that pulls into the
zoo to take her on her visit arrives, but cannot start. Huberta is
undeterred and announces that she will make her own way there. So
she catches a bus, sitting next to a young girl with blue hair. When
she alights from the Number One bus, she catches the Second tram to
the wharf to catch the ferry. She talks to the three pirates on
board, eats four flowers in the park, takes the escalator to
platform five and catches metro six to the airport, sitting with
seven passengers. She sits in row eight and then on the way to the
zoo, sees nine hot air balloons in the sky. There are ten animals
waiting to greet her, but she has a big surprise for them, something
quite unexpected.
Digitally illustrated the animals leap from each page, encouraging
younger readers to recognise and name them, counting as they turn
each page. What child could resist following Huberta's antics as she
splashes, jumps, pogo sticks, laughs and surprises all the animals
in turn. They will enjoy her interactions with others on the forms
of transport she uses though the story, and watch as she seems to
collect things along the way. She sees a range of people and animals
on her journey, and the story underlines the behaviour expected on
forms of transport children might use with their parents or
teachers.
For classes discussing different modes of transport, this book will
easily fill a niche, and for sheer good fun, it is a playful read.
Themes: Animals, Zoos, Transport, Humour.
Fran Knight
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
Penguin Random House UK, 2020. ISBN: 9780241376621.
(Ages: 13+ or Yr 9+) In this Arthurian legend retold, women play
more of a part in the story, with strong female characters
supporting the female lead. Following outcast Nimue, Fey born though
cursed by The Hidden, this adventure filled fantasy begins when
Nimue's entire village is slaughtered. Before passing, her mother
charges Nimue to get the Sword of Power to Merlin, but on the way
Nimue discovers her own power and joins forces with other outcast
Fey. Now working to protect those who made her an outcast, Nimue
must find a way for them to survive. With royalty, religious groups
and Fey kind coveting the Sword of Power, Nimue has an arduous
journey ahead of her.
Now available as a series on Netflix, Cursed is a dark (and
loose) retelling of the traditional Arthur stories, with plenty of
battles and action. Having read the book, I am curious how the
TV-show adaptation might be in comparison - I expect it would be
just as epically violent and bloodthirsty (which means I might not
watch it!). Littered with illustrations throughout, the book has
more female characters than I've ever heard of in an Arthur legend,
which is a nice addition. As is the potential for a legendary QUEEN
(back cover), in place of the traditional legendary king. Along with
the renowned Merlin, Arthur makes his appearance, but the story
focuses on Nimue, her quest and the battle for the Sword of Power.
Themes: Folklore, Myths and legends, Vengeance, Refugees, Unifying
groups, Girl power.
Melanie Phillips
From Stella Street to Amsterdam and everything that happened by Elizabeth Honey
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781865084541. 424pp.
(Ages: 12 - 15) Highly recommended. This story is the very welcome
return of Henni Octon but this time she leaves Stella Street and
accompanies elderly and feisty Willa to Amsterdam. The neighbours of
Stella Street have raised funds so that Henni can undertake this
important role on their behalf. Willa has not been back to the
Netherlands since the end of WW2 and is returning for a family
wedding and also to contend with unresolved family issues. After a
frightening flight to Dubai Willa behaves strangely and alludes to
important secrets. Henni loves bike riding back home and soon buys a
bike on which she can escape but also explore Amsterdam. This is the
area where Anne Frank hid away in WW2. Henni learns more about
Willa's family involvement in hiding Jewish people and she battles
with the responsibility of knowing this secret information. At times
she feels unwelcome by the family, however she also makes a good
friend who introduces her to the world of younger people in the
town.
Honey has created an admirable 3D character in Henni who is often
wiser than adults and cares about a fairer world. The book serves as
Henni's journal and in this way we understand Henni's self-doubts,
humorous observations and emotional growth. Also, since Henni
(Elizabeth Honey) is a poet and illustrator, there are great
sketches, jottings, poems and photos. Emails and text messages bring
conversations from family and friends back home in Stella Street.
There are very sad poignant scenes and a few amazing coincidences in
the plot, but that's fiction! You get to learn a about Amsterdam's
cobbled streets, canals, red light district and architecture. You
also learn how to pronounce many Dutch words. Readers who enjoyed
the Morris Gleitzman Once series or Anne Frank's Diary
of a Young Girl, may enjoy this book. It is quite long but a
compulsive read. This is suitable for young adult readers because of
its more mature emotional themes. Teacher's
notes are available.
Jo Marshall
The World of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241447970.
Highly recommended. The World of Roald Dahl is a fabulous
book for anyone who thinks that Roald Dahl's books are wonderful
(and who doesn't!) and also those who love activity books.
This book is 95 pages of laughter, interesting facts, amazing
illustrations, and anything else you could imagine to be written
about Roald Dahl. There are fascinating pieces of information such
as how he only wrote on yellow lines paper and hated beards! And
even a section dedicated to teaching readers how to be a storyteller
just like Roald.
I also enjoyed reading about Quentin Blake, the illustrator who at
almost 90 is still illustrating the new editions and writing his own
books. His pictures are on every page and that makes this book
unapologetically all about Roald Dahl and his famous style.
The book has pages where readers can add in their own information;
such as what they would do if they had their own giant peach,
tallying up how many books they had read, make their way through a
maze and using a special code to make up their very own Wonka style
chocolate bar.
On top of all of that there is a delicious sounding chocolate cake
recipe and a 30-question long Roald Dahl quiz. This book really has
it all and covers so many of his wonderful books, characters and
curious facts that go along with it.
This is a really great addition to any library, or as a gift, as
Roald Dahl is one of those authors that seems to have the ability to
reach out to so many children at so many stages of their reading. He
is funny, quirky, and a pleasure to read about.
4.5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
Sunflower by Ingrid Laguna
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922268754.
(Age: 8-12+) Recommended. Sunflower by Ingrid Laguna is the
second story with Jamila as the main character. In the first book Songbird,
eleven year old Jamila has arrived in Australia and has difficulty
settling in until she joins the choir and it is realised that she
has a beautiful voice and a gift for song writing. In this first
story she makes firm friends with Eva and it changes her life. In Sunflower
Jamila has been in Australia for six months and with her closest
friend Eva at her side is finally feeling like she is starting to
belong. The two girls do so much together and support each other
through life's obstacles. Jamila is excited to learn that her best
friend Mina from Iraq is coming to Australia to live nearby. She
imagines that Eva, Mina and herself will form a fast and cohesive
friendship. However that does not happen and the three girls have to
learn to work out their differences. Mina is struggling with a
terrible sadness from her time in Iraq and language barriers. Eva is
also going through a tough time as it is the birthday of her
deceased mother coming up. Jamila feels frustrated as she is trying
to appease both girls at the same time. The Year 6 class including
the three girls travel to a school camp in the Australian Bush and
it is there that the friendship issues are eventually sorted out
after a worrying situation develops.
The author Ingrid Laguna has a deep understanding of issues
surrounding refugees in Australia and a strong sense of friendship
complexities of this age group of girls. This story is sensitively
written and will interest readers in the primary years 3-6. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Friendship and Friendship Issues,
Iraqis in Australia, Refugees, Singing, School Camp.
Kathryn Beilby
Ninja Kid 6 : Ninja Giants! by Anh Do
Illus. by Anton Emdin. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743835135.
(Age: 6+) This is the most recent humorous story in the Ninja
Kid series. Nelson Kane who lives with his mother, grandma and
cousin Kenny, was a nerd for the first nine years of his life. On
his tenth birthday he developed Ninja Powers and his whole life
changed after he became the Ninja Kid. Cousin Kenny is his sidekick
H-DUDE and they spend their super hero moments stopping Nelson's
evil uncle Dr Kane from destroying the town of Duck Creek. In Book 6
the school students will be attending the Duck Creek Halloween Fair.
Nelson and Kenny are hoping to be tall enough this year to go on all
the amazing rides and of course cannot resist trying out grandma's
latest invention - The Size Converter - even after they were told
not to play with it. Instead of becoming taller the boys' size is
halved and that poses hilarious complications for them to deal with.
While at the fair Dr Kane unleashes his two evil companions Einstein
and Ultimate Ninja on the unsuspecting crowd and mayhem takes place.
The T-Rex Tail of Terror ride becomes alive and stomps all over the
fair ground. The other students are hoping the two anonymous super
heroes will arrive but as they are half their size they will have
little effect on the damage. Fortunately grandma arrives just in
time with a recharged Size Converter and zaps the boys to a
different size. An exciting battle takes place between the
superheroes, Einstein and the Ultimate Ninja with the boys
eventually triumphing. At the end of the battle Nelson confirms a
suspicion he has had about the identity of the Ultimate Ninja and
talks it through with his mother and grandma.
Throughout the story the bold text and graphic illustrations add to
the enjoyment of the story for readers of all ages. Themes: Humour,
Friends, Fair, Good vs Evil, Super Heroes, Inventions.
Kathryn Beilby
The world's worst parents by David Williams
Illus. by Tony Ross. HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008430306.
(Age: 6-10) Highly recommended. The plot of this book is all about
introducing you to terrible parents who are either embarrassing or
mean to their children.
My favourite character is: Terry Tech, because when he sees queues,
even queues of only one person, which isn't really a queue until you
join it, it is so funny.
My opinion/rating out of 5: I'd say 5/5.
I liked this book because: The parents are sooo funny.
My favourite part of the book was: When Miss Tutelage kicked Mr.
Slab into the air and he landed in the bin.
I would recommend this book to: anyone between 6-10.
Adella, aged 8 years
Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean! by DK
DK., 2020. ISBN: 9780241412886.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean!
is a really great resource for students to have access to, as it
covers a variety of topics surrounding oceans. It is split into 7
sections encompassing Ocean science (How oceans are formed, ocean
life evolution and tides), Open ocean (food chains, jellyfish and
the various ocean zones), Shallow seas (animals from the sunlit
areas), Seashores (turtles, rockpools and seabirds), Polar oceans
(all things ice related), Oceans and us (human impacts) and Ocean
maps.
All of these sections are filled to the brim with excellent
information that can be read or accessed by children aged from
approximately 7 years old. There are lots of diagrams and charts
which explain various concepts such as tropical cyclones, salt
marshes, and how a fish farm works (an underwater view). Each of
these (and all images) are well labelled and split into smaller
sections so that that the reader knows which part that information
is specific to but also, so they do not get too overwhelmed by the
text.
I really think that this book would be a huge benefit to any
library, but also to any animal or ocean loving child as it really
is just filled with information. My 10-year-old (who has a long
history of loving animals) thought that this book was amazing. He
had it next to his bed for a week and read it every night in bed. He
would come out and tell us all the cool facts he learnt and has now
begun trying to remember all the interesting words and their meanings
from the glossary.
This is also a great non-fiction book for students to use and
practice their skills using a contents page, glossary, and index.
I give this book 5 out of 5 - another winner in the DK range.
Lauren Fountain
Kitty is not a cat: Lights out by Jess Black
Hachette Children's Books 2020 ISBN 9780734419750.
(Age: 6+ years) Recommended. Kitty is not a cat: Lights out
by Jess Black is one of four books being released this year by
Hachette. The book series is based on the Australian animation
television series which has been sold around the world. The story
begins with a brief introduction to the characters and an
explanation of the context of the story. Kitty is a girl who is
dressed in a bright orange costume with ears, a tail and paws. She
joins the clutter of cats that live in the mansion on the hill. Each
cat has its own name and special qualities it brings to the group.
In this story the cats settle down to watch scary movies. While
watching the movies, the cats hear a loud "MEOW" from Kitty's room
where she is having nightmares and wakes up frightened. The cats try
all sorts of ways to comfort Kitty and let her know that nothing can
hurt her in the house. They realise in the end that her night light
is missing and create a new light to help her sleep and feel safe.
During the night Kitty wakes and hears the lullaby from the night
light and finds it in a surprising place.
This book is a very simple, enjoyable story that will entertain
young developing readers who are ready for short novels. The fact
that it is a series will also appeal to those students who will
benefit from word repetition. The book contains very detailed
illustrations and highlighted text where emphasis on a specific word
is important to the flow of the story.
Themes: Cats, Friendship, Scary movies, Nightmares
Kathryn Beilby
Aunty Lee's delights by Ovidia Yu
Singaporean Mystery book 1. HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN:
9780062227157. 288pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A perfect book for mystery lovers to read in
these troubled times, Aunty Lee's delights introduces the
intelligent Rosie Lee, who owns a restaurant in Singapore featuring
her delicious home cooking. When two young women who had dined at
one of her dinner parties are murdered, she turns her hand at
solving the mystery, with the aid of her domestic Nina and Police
Commissioner Raja.
The large cast of people involved are introduced at another dinner
party as well as the spicy food she prepares. There is her stepson
Mark and his rather obnoxious wife Selina, Lucy and Frank
Cunningham, an elderly couple visiting from Australia, Harry
Sullivan an expat trying to make his way in Singapore, and an
American looking for the two young women. Interwoven are
descriptions of the mouth-watering Singaporean food, which is an
integral part of the plot.
This could be described as belonging to the cosy section of the
mystery genre. There are no lingering descriptions of the murders,
other than a memorable section when one of the bodies was discovered
in the water. The story concentrates on Aunty Lee's preoccupation
with solving the mystery of the deaths. As she says, if people have
eaten her food, she considers them as family. Themes of gay love,
the treatment of foreign domestics, and women striving to climb the
social ladder are all dealt with subtly and with compassion.
Easy to read, with often amusing asides, this was an enjoyable story
with a great setting, diverse characters and lots of food! I am sure
to pick up more by this author.
Pat Pledger
