Reviews

Bear out there by Jacob Grant

Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526607416.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Difference. Bear just loves being at home, where he can spend the day cleaning his house and then sit in an easy arm chair reading a book and having a nice cup of tea. His friend, Spider, on the other hand, loves the outdoors. He makes kites and needs to go out into the wind to fly them. But one day his kite is lost. He asks Bear to help him find the kite. Bear is not sure, he tells Spider that although he wants to help him find his kite, he does not like the forest. He does not like the dirty ground or the prickly plants and pesky bugs, but he still goes with Spider on his quest. The forest with its noise does not appeal to Bear and when it starts to rain he is even less happy. He determines that he will go back home to his easy chair and cup of tea, but seeing Spider's dejected look, decides that he will keep looking. When the sun comes out he finds the kite in the tree and all is well. Bear goes back home to his warm bath, easy chair and cup of tea, while Spider flies his kite, outside with Bear looking on. The two friends could not be more different: readers will see that being a bear and a spider are two quite different animals, and not only are they different in what they are, but also in their habits and what they like to do. But friendship overcomes their difference.
This charming tale, following on from the equally engrossing Bear's scare (2018) when the fastidious Bear finds a cobweb in his house, is accompanied by bold brightly coloured illustrations, pared back to the basics, but with enough difference to ensure readers will hunt out the detail as they turn to each new page with a different layout from the one before.
Fran Knight

The great toy rescue by Yvette Poshoglian

Vincent and the Grandest Hotel on Earth by Lisa Nicol

Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760890681.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Themes: Hotels, Hopes and dreams, Friendship, Family, Fantasy. Vincent is the epitome of ordinary and yet his ordinary life is transformed in a moment the first time he uses his late Grandfather's shoe-shine equipment and then is offered a job that goes beyond his wildest dreams. The Grandest Hotel on Earth opens up possibilities, friendship opportunities and reveals all sorts of solutions to the problems and concerns of the Hotel's patrons, and perhaps even Vincent's problems too. The hope it offers to Vincent is of a reprieve from his own family concerns. Since the arrival of his younger brother their world has been battered with the distress of a child with tantrum-wielding, egg-eating and non-verbal chaos, and the whole family is weighted with the burden. The Hotel itself is anything but ordinary. The rooms are magical in the way they meet the needs of those who stay (reminiscent of the worlds of Disneyland and The magic faraway tree, and the rooms are never the same for each visitor) and the staff are equally restorative in their approach, as is the theme-park-like experience. It is indeed the Grandest Hotel! The wonders of the experience go beyond ordinary, but Vincent may have created a problem by being too curious and a friendship may be at risk.
This book is delightful, with magical moments and human restoration, and the development of the wonderful young boy, Vincent, and his growing friendship with the young girl left in charge of her family's Hotel. This book explores the transformation of ordinary into extraordinary and reveals some wonderful quirky characters and experiences. The hint of a 'co-writer' mentioned in the early part of the book, is a nod to the inspiration for the author Lisa Nicol and his input is revealed in a Post-word at the end of the book. This book is funny in a subtle, understated way, but there is also a poignant reminder that not all of life is easy. The Hotel, though, seems to have a solution, and reading this book will be uplifting and rewarding for young readers and they too will want to stay at The Grandest Hotel on Earth. Teacher's notes are available.
Carolyn Hull

Turning point by Michael Veitch

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733640551.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Non-fiction. Michael Veitch has thoroughly researched the background to the battle for Milne Bay in 1942, a momentous battle in New Guinea, and the first land defeat of the powerful Japanese forces as they advanced towards Australia. Veitch asserts that it was at Milne Bay that the myth of Japanese invincibility was smashed forever. Australian infantry and air force, and American engineers and anti-aircraft gunners worked together in the most horrendous of conditions - mud, rain, mosquitoes and disease, not to mention the impenetrable jungle, all made life unbearable for the soldiers. The Allies had set up air strips, rolling out new steel matting for runways, only to continually battle mud that seeped up through holes in the matting to create a slippery mud sluice that plastered the aircraft. Nevertheless Milne Bay became a base for the Kittyhawks providing essential firepower and cover for the men on the ground.
Veitch includes the stories of the many larger than life personalities, Australians from all walks of life, who fought heroically and determinedly to prevent the advance of the Japanese. We also learn about 'silent Cyril', Major General Cyril Clowes, the calm and cautious strategic thinker determined not to make useless sacrifice of men, who ultimately led a successful campaign, but received little recognition in later years.
Milne Bay was also the scene of Japanese war crimes, the mutilation and killing of prisoners and helpless Papuan natives, leading to a hardening of attitude of the Australians towards their enemy.
In many ways a significant event in the history of Australia's participation in World War II, this book brings to life the people and the formidable situations they endured - making it a commendable resource for students of the history of the war in the Pacific, as well as an engrossing read for the general reader.
Helen Eddy

Baa baa blue sheep by Tony Wilson

Illus. by Laura Wood. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760666446.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Counting, Colours, Sheep. Before the pages are opened all readers will have the nursery rhyme, Baa baa black sheep, running through their heads. And this funny turn on the well known rhyme will have children reading along, smiles on their faces as they recognise the different hues used for the wool, and the clever rhymes used by the writer. And reading the story they will notice the repetition of the refrain, the colours used and the numbers counting back from nine to three.
Two people are arguing over the bags of wool. A well dressed master pipes up that he wants all the nine bags of blue wool, because he is 'a blue kind of guy'. But the dame also wants the bags, and in the end they fight over them only to see the bags of wool roll into a ditch. Next comes the purple wool. The dame wants the eight bags but the master disagrees so they fight and the purple wool is torn apart. Then the red wool is fought over, and the yellow and the green, until finally the little boy who lived down the lane puts a halt to the proceedings and they work out a compromise.
I loved the way this rhyme uses the original Baa baa black sheep, and readers will recognise elements of the original nursery rhyme as they read this.
Recognition of rhyming words, prediction of words that rhyme, laughing along with the reading out loud, a shoo-in to talk about nursery rhymes that are well known and perhaps even some attempts at turning a well known rhyme around, will all emanate from this cute tale.
The digital illustrations cleverly reflect what is happening in the text, and readers will love searching out the parallels between this tale and the original Baa baa black sheep.
The endpapers with their balls of differently coloured wool will initiate some talk about wool, sheep and knitting and perhaps encourage some classes to try knitting or any wool crafts for themselves.
Fran Knight

Movie time! by Anh Do

Illus. by Dan McGuiness. Hot Dog 6. Scholastic, 2019, ISBN: 9781742997872.
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Films, Play, Movie making, Friends. Hot Dog and his best friends, Kev the cat and Lizzie the lizard, return for another fun adventure in Movie time! They love playing cops and robbers especially when Kev's loot bag is filled with muffins. After the game, they grab an icecream and notice some special posters, 'Actors Wanted - a Hero Ninja, a Brave Ballerina and a Volcano Monster' with try-outs soon and free food as an incentive. The new movie called 'The Volcano Monster' sounds thrilling, Hotdog thinks he's perfect for the ninja (with a little practice), Kev wishes to star as the ballerina (lots of practice needed) and Lizzie wants to be the volcano monster (she's afraid of heights, though).
With only a week until the auditions, the friends need to practise their skills and train really hard, if they want to stand out from the others keen to be in the movie. What great friends they are, encouraging, guiding, helping and creating challenges to hone their skills. Hot Dog's ninja chopping skills create a perfectly sliced fruit platter, although leaping over a wobbly line of tree trunks with spiky porcupine obstacles proves a little tricky. Kev looks gorgeous in his tutu, but his spins and leaps need finesse. Hot Dog's especially helpful adding a layer of rubber to Lizzie's shoes at each training session to help her overcome her fear.
At the auditions, the friends try their best and are given special roles, which come in very handy when the real volcano erupts!
Books in Anh Do's Hot Dog series are jam-packed with humour, slap-stick comedy, cheesy jokes and loads of fun. He focuses on friendship, teamwork and caring for others, while creative and imaginative play is encouraged. Some of the animals' actions need to come with a word of caution, especially the volcano rescue and dealing with the lava and flying rocks.
Dan McGuiness continues to capture the humour, fun and crazy actions of the characters. The brussel sprout icecream, Lizzie's unusual practice volcano and the spiky porcupines add excitement. Red is the predominant colour, making the illustrations stand out, bold key words, and differing text styles and sizes make this another easy to read story for readers from six and great for hi-lo readers as well.
Rhyllis Bignell

Jack and the beanstalk by Matt Ottley

Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660581.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Themes: Classic tales, Fairytale, Giants. The classic tale of Jack and the beanstalk has been retold and illustrated by award winning author/illustrator Matt Ottley. The first page shows an impoverished family, thin and ragged, with a poor cow so starved that its ribs are obvious, having to make a decision about their most precious possession. From there the illustrations cover the pages as they tell the tale of Jack and his cow going to the market. Children will sympathise with the decision that has to be made, wondering what they would do in Jack's place. Along the way to town, Jack is waylaid by an old man who exchanges three magical beans for the cow. Jack's mother is incensed and throws the beans out of the window, sending him to bed. But the beans are magical and a beanstalk grows up into the sky. Climbing the beanstalk, Jack finds he is in the giant's grip and must escape doing so with the giant's magic singing harp and golden egg laying hen.
A well known fairytale, Jack and the beanstalk has been revisited many times since it first appeared as The story of Jack Spriggins and the enchanted bean in 1734. The story was published in 1807 as the The History of Jack and the beanstalk, and then Joseph Jacobs included the most well known version in his English Fairy Tales in 1890.
A story of a poor boy winning against a huge giant will always win friends as readers pit themselves against the giant, willing Jack to succeed and return home with something good for his mother. His poor family is enriched by the fabulous hen and can enjoy the music played by the harp. The giant is a nasty giant, eating Englishmen so deserves to fall from the beanstalk. His refrain will cheer the hearts of the readers as they practise the small poem, repeating it as the giant comes into the story.
Ottley portrays his characters with a great deal of humour. I love the images in the giant's house of necessity looming over the tiny Jack, the giants' feet and hands, large, gnarled and lumpy coming out at the reader. Readers will love looking at the detail included by Ottley, the shadows, the cow's eyes and eyelashes, the castle, the giantess' thongs, the bones under the table and the bright green endpapers, and ask for the story to be read again.
Fran Knight

The Good Son by Pierre-Jacques Ober

Illus. by Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan. Candlewick Studio, 2019. ISBN: 9781536204827.
(Age: Upper primary +) Highly recommended. Themes: War, Patriotism, military history, toy soldiers. A story from the First World War told in miniature as the sub-title suggests this beautiful picture book re-creates realistic scenes from the First World War using miniature soldiers. Also it tells the story of the little soldiers in the Great War, caught up in a conflict where they joined as patriots, to make their families proud but as the war progressed it became clear they were pawns in a larger game. The monochrome images of the war torn countryside and the narrative ribbon stating the bleak facts about WW1 bring us to young Pierre, locked up in a barn. What unfolds is his story from when the world had colour, with emphasis on the red white and blue of the French flag. He joined up to stop the Germans, and marched through the beautiful countryside dreaming of glory but when they finally saw battle 'we won . . . it was terrible.' Pierre has a friend, Gilbert, who stands by him throughout. When the Colonel comes and tells Pierre he will be shot for desertion it is Gilbert who brings him food and companionship. His commanding officer is sympathetic but tells Pierre morale is low so he is to be made an example of to deter others from walking away. Pierre's crime? To slip away for three days to be with his mother over Christmas. He writes a letter to his mother recounting an incident where he was commended for bravery he felt he didn't earn, whereas he is to be shot for desertion for wanting to spend two days with his mother. He promises to wear the socks she gave him 'Maman those were the best two days of the war.' Gilbert comes before dawn bringing food and comfort and he talks of a younger brother killed in the first week of the war. Gilbert promises to deliver the letter to Pierre's mother.
In a note from the author we learn that the idea of using WW1 figurines to create a series of images was originally a gift for his father's 80th birthday and the centenary of the start of WW1. The project 'developed into an homage to all the men who fulfilled their patriotic duty unprepared for the horror unleashed upon them'.
A highly recommended but harrowing story that would make an excellent history teaching aid for upper primary or middle school students, younger students might need to read this with a grandparent or adult.
Sue Speck

The guardian of lies by Kate Furnivall

Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781471172328.
(Age: 16+) Historical fiction. Furnivall's novel is set in 1950s France during the Cold War. American air bases are being established around the country to protect Europe from the growing threat of the Soviet Union. France is divided between those who view the American presence as a necessary protection against the reach of Communism, and those who resent American capitalism and the development of nuclear weapons.
Wanting to follow in the path of her elder brother Andre, Eloise had applied to become a secret agent with both the French Intelligence Service and the American CIA but following rejection by both, she embarks on detective work in an agency run by Clarisse Favre. Eloise's detective skills are turned to her personal life after her faulty decisions see her brother crippled in a car smash and she learns that her father has sold part of their precious family property to the American air base in the south. The burning questions are: Who tried to kill her brother? And why would her father part with the land that he loves?
Returning to her home in the Camargue, Eloise is drawn into a tangled web where it becomes hard to work out who can be trusted and who is an enemy. Someone is leaking top secret information about the American secret weapons to Soviet Intelligence, the MGB. And someone is determined to stop Eloise from finding out what is going on. Caught in the lies and deception, there seems to be only one person she can turn to - her childhood friend Leon Roussell, now the local police officer, but how much can she tell him without endangering members of her family?
Eloise is a strong determined woman, extremely resourceful and well trained by her brother to consider the evidence . . . and then to also consider the impossible. But as she gradually uncovers the secrets, she knows that she herself is drawing closer and closer to danger.
Readers will find themselves carried along with the fast moving plot, wanting to know who is the spy and who the counter-spy, but also ultimately which world view one should trust.
Helen Eddy

The happy unicorn by Sally Odgers and Adele K Thomas

Pearl book 4. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760664275.
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Unicorns, Magic, Ogres. Pretty in pink, Sally Odgers continues her delightful magical series in The Happy Unicorn. With bright colourful pages, borders and magical words, this is another easy to read and share story, just right for young unicorn fans.
Sometimes Pearl has problems with her magic, instead of stopping the rain, it may turn pink or even create a towel that helps for a short while. Tweet the Firebird and Olive the Ogre enjoy the pink rain, it makes them happy. Olive's busing practising her loudest roars for the upcoming Ogrefest. Pearl and Tweet want to attend, and with a little help from Olive and Granny Ogma's ogre-lotion mixed from mud and leaves, they are disguised as ogres.
Pearl's talent is flicking her tail and stomping her hooves, while Tweet the Firebird can compete in the fire lighting competition with the flick of her tail. The Ogrefest is loads of fun; ogres from all over the valley gather to sing, roar and share piles of snacks. Each day is filled with laughter and fun, contests, activities and plenty of eating. Pearl wishes she could use her magic to help her friend Olive win, but that's not allowed, until the gobble-uns invade the festival. When their stinky magic fills the air, Pearl's had enough, she stamps and stomps, swishes her tail and down comes the magic pink rain which washes the gobble-uns clean and clears the air. What a wonderful outcome and a special conclusion to a difficult situation!
Sally Odgers continues to explore the themes of problem solving, valuing friends and believing in yourself. Adele K Thomas' fun, pink, grey and black pictures showcase both Pearl's magical world and add sparkle to the enchanting story. The Happy Unicorn is just right for readers venturing into early chapter stories.
Rhyllis Bignell

The last Balfour by Cait Duggan

Harper Collins 2019. ISBN: 9781460757017.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Cait Duggan's first novel follows the witch hunt phenomenon of 19th century Scotland. With rich imagery and a cast of interesting characters, this novel is a welcome escape from reality. Incorporating spells and songs from historical texts as well as charms and pagan traditions, Duggan pays homage to the healers of old and those who were persecuted in the Scottish witch trials.
Iona is only fourteen when her aunt Grizzle is convicted of being a witch and burned at the stake. Her powers have not yet come in yet her sister is unconcerned with the danger they are both facing. Blinded by her love for her husband, Gregor, Ishbel refuses to act until it's too late. Under her aunt's instructions, Iona must set off through the forest for Edinburgh with little more than her wits and a family jewel. With a witch-finder in hot pursuit she must let go of all that is dear to her, even the neighbour's boy, Daziel, who has returned from his studies to help her. Making new friends along the way, Iona must come into her magic and gather all of her courage in order to survive. But will that be enough?
The novel explores Iona and Ishbel's strenuous relationship following Ishbel's marriage and subsequent infatuation with someone her sister cannot stand. Dealing with issues of trust, secrecy, betrayal, and the power of intent, The last Balfour tells us to be careful who to trust and why.
Highly recommended to young people twelve and up, particularly those interested in Scottish history, witchcraft, and the supernatural. Teacher's notes are available.
Kayla Gaskell

The time travel diaries by Caroline Lawrence

Time Travel Diaries book 1. Piccadilly Press, 2019, ISBN: 9781848128002.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Time travel, Boys, Roman Britain. 'There are three rules of time travel, a naked entry and exit, only drink don't eat and keep interactions to a minimum!' Billionaire inventor Solomon Daisy needs a willing subject to travel back to Roman Britain and find the blue-eyed girl with the ivory knife. Only pre-adolescent children without piercings or fillings can enter the portal and twelve-year old Alex Papas fits the criteria. He loves Latin Club and can speak the language too, it's like Greek which he speaks with his grandma who cares for him, as well.
Alex weighs up the consequences and considers the benefits of the million pounds reward, four million extra, if he finds the blue-eyed girl. (Daisy's fascination is borderline obsessive.) Alex uses his wits, prior knowledge of Londinium to navigate out of the dark Temple of Mithra into the streets. Chased by a mad woman, traversing the Thames in a coracle, stealing a knife, sleeping beside a warm kiln, losing Dinu, the first day and night is problematic for Alex. At the marketplace, he uses the tune of 'Greensleeves' and his schoolboy Latin to inform the crowd of his goal.
Fortuitously, Lollia the knife-carrying girl finds Alex. She is pretty but rather spoilt and treats her slave girl, Plecta, badly. There's a budding romance that develops when Dinu reappears, as he falls for Plecta. Do the boys return unscathed to modern day London? How does Alex ensure the safety of the girls as well?
Carolyn Lawrence's rich background knowledge of Roman life, the nitty-gritty, sights, smells and sounds, make this a thrilling novel. She includes 'Ten Things You Didn't Know About Roman London' to ensure the readers understand the differences between the realities and representations glamorised in Hollywood movies. The time travel diaries is a fast-paced junior novel perfect for sharing with classes studying Ancient Roman history.
Rhyllis Bignell

The sharp edge of a snowflake by Sif Sigmarsdottir

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781444935301.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Nordic mystery, Thriller, Iceland, Murder, Social media, Sexual abuse. Lovers of Nordic noir and mysteries will be thrilled to pick up this gripping thriller set in the snowy cold of Iceland. Hannah has been sent to live with her father, a man she barely knows after the death of her mother. She is to work as a trainee journalist at her father's paper. On the way from the airport she witnesses the body of a man who has been murdered and becomes embroiled in finding out what has happened.
Meanwhile Imogen Collins is also coming to Iceland. She is a social media influencer and works for a company that manipulates sales. She is also haunted by the man she calls the Beast. Hannah and Imogen meet and secrets start to spill out as the action speeds up.
This book was very hard to put down. It ticks all the boxes on many levels - the mystery of the murder is quite riveting, and is central to the story, but the background of both Hannah and Imogen give the story depth and interest. What has happened to Imogen in her past? Will Hannah inherit the mental problems that plagued her mother? Both young women are feisty characters that readers will identify with, while the manipulative aspects of social media are thoroughly explored and Hannah's comments on Instagram are amusing and relevant.
This is a really engrossing mystery with psychological overtones and is sure to appeal not only to teens but to adult mystery readers as well. And the unexpected cliff-hanger at the end suggests that readers may see more of Hannah's investigative powers in the future.
Pat Pledger

The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733641169.
(Age: Adolescent - Adult) This delightful novel plunges us into the lives of four women at different stages in their lives. Meeting at one of Sydney's beaches for a daily swim, named as Shelly Beach in the novel, the four women discover a lifting of the spirit, supported as they are by the growing understanding, interest and care of the others. The issues that the women face are very much at the heart of coping with the changing world of today, and, even more so, of recognizing the challenge of the roles that each plays.
While on the surface this may appear to be a 'light read', Green's gentle persuasive tone lures us into the lives of these women and we are caught up in their growing friendship and daily lives. While Green explores the complications that the four women have in their lives, she also draws characters who are able to change, developing greater strengths to face their challenges. Each discovers that the caring support of others enables them to face their lives with a more positive stance and stronger determination to complete what they have begun. Focussing on each one's issue in the individual chapters, Green draws us into the increasingly important shared times swimming in the beautiful, deep waters of the bay, and what that offers each woman. We realise that, for the women, this recurrent meeting enables a deeper exploration of the complexities of their lives, and we begin to see the strength of the circle that can support them.
Leanne, a nurse, offers support and care to patients but is alienated from her family. Swimming with the others, she experiences the 'magic' of the sea. Marie lives alone, surviving on the age pension. She finds the friendship of the others and the freedom of the water exhilarating. Elaine moved to Sydney from England with her Australian husband, a doctor who works long hours, and has begun to use alcohol while spending much time alone. Theresa is married with two young boys, her husband having left her. Her mother, delightfully spirited and supportive, helps in the home while keeping her own 'room' in the garden shed.
Ultimately this story is a lesson to all of us in these busy worlds that we inhabit, that giving and receiving kindness, friendship and support can bring about change in our lives, especially in our level of well-being. This is a book for both adults and adolescents who are curious as to the decisions they might make as adults. Indeed, it is probably a woman's book, but would be a salutary lesson for all genders as the modern world is shown to present difficulties, intruding and sometimes alienating us from what matters in life.
Elizabeth Bondar

Impossible music by Sean Williams

Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760637156
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Simon is a young musician with his own band. He loves creating music, it means everything to him. He wants to go on to study music at university. And then one night he is struck deaf, by a stroke that destroys the part of the brain that hears. He has cortical deafness, an extremely rare form of sensorineural hearing loss. He becomes obsessed by what that means for music and sound - can there be music without hearing? Can he create music that is silent? Williams explores these questions in a way that intrigues without being too difficult to understand.
Simon gradually develops a friendship with another newly deaf person - George, a girl, whose deaf name is the sign for the letter G with an extra twist evoking her love of coffee. She has the inverse problem to him - tinnitus, so loud and so obtrusive, that it wipes out any other sound - another form of deafness. Simon thinks he is being the helpful understanding friend, giving her space to adjust, but gradually comes to realise that perhaps he is the person most in need of help and support in adjusting to his new circumstances.
Williams' descriptions of relationships is so authentic: the tentative newly budding romance between Simon and G, Simon's relationship with his confrontative struggling sole-parent mother, his relationship with his opted-out equally music obsessed father, and his annoying but caring sister, Maeve. Every reader can relate to these situations.
I can highly recommend this book as a story of finding one's identity in overwhelmingly changed circumstances, the struggle to reach better understanding of relationships with the most significant people in one's life, and also an insightful portrayal of what it really means to be deaf. Williams is a skilled writer; the chapters are short, each adds another layer to the story and carries you along to a conclusion that is positive and optimistic.
Helen Eddy