Reviews

The bookshop of the broken hearted by Robert Hillman

Text Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781922268228.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Themes: Love, Loss, Grief, Parenting, Child custody, Abuse.
Stoic hardworking Tom Hope leads a simple life caring for his farm in Victoria, but it all comes undone when his wife Trudy leaves him. She returns and leaves more than once, each time causing him further anguish and heartbreak, taking with her the son he had grown to love. It seems like he is just not made to be a husband or a father.
But when an exotic stranger arrives to set up a bookshop in the local country town, Tom dares to hope again. Hannah Babel is beautiful, vibrant and emotional, she tells him she adores him. But Hannah is a Hungarian Jew, a survivor of Auschwitz, scarred by the loss of her husband and her son. Tom is careful, he doesn't want to get this relationship wrong, but the grief and loss in both their pasts will ultimately test their chance for happiness.
Hillman has perfectly recreated the country town, the characters and the way people talk, the down to earth humour and the gossip. The newcomer, Hannah, is such a vivid personality, she dresses with style and her conversation bubbles with intellectual topics, politics and books. It is easy to picture Tom and Hannah, his cautiousness and patience, and her rollercoaster of emotions. But beneath that, both are dealing with deep-felt grief. Tom's son, however, is not dead - he is trapped in another town, suffering abuse and longing to return to his father and old home. Little Peter is the final tension, the spring that may set them all apart.
This is a thoroughly engrossing story, of the strength of parental love, one of desolation but ultimately also of hope.
Helen Eddy

The birthday wars by Kate and Jol Temple

Yours Troolie, Alice Toolie book 2. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760875435. 197p
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Epistolary novel. Alice Toolie and Captain Jimmy Cook communicate almost exclusively through notes, or rather letters, which are ostensibly written during class. We're not privy to the method of delivery but the publisher has photographed a scrapbook wherein each letter and reply is alternated, complete with drawings and doodles, by an assortment of patterned sticky tape.
The novel's problem is their only topic - their birthday parties are planned for the same day and time - September 19. Each was expecting a simple RSVP but Alice no sooner invites Jimmy to her Woodland Princess Tea Party, than Jimmy responds with his own invitation to his Antarctic Explorer Birthday Party. The book becomes a series of written entreaties for the other to change the date. They go beyond functional writing and resort to hilarious, overt parables. Frustration mounts as the other students in the class are conflicted about which party to attend.
Various ideas to decide the winner are proffered. Whilst some are untenable, a few ideas are tested. The jelly bean jar competition is foiled by Mr Macaloon, the relief teacher replacing Ms Fennel, who is taking a 3D printing course. The highlight is Jimmy's disappearance, which is followed by the disappearance of most of the class. In Ms Fennel's absence, Alice and Jimmy take it upon themselves to administer the class points system. That doesn't end well either.
Which ambitious Third Grader will triumph or will the birthday wars end in a truce? One thing is certain, this is another laugh-out-loud hit from the creators of Alice Toolie and Captain Jimmy books. In The birthday wars, Alice and Jimmy continue to be both very polite and very manipulative - in other words, extremely intelligent and interesting children.
Read more about the authors on their website.
Deborah Robins

Monkey time by Michael Hall

Greenwillow Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780062383020. 48pp., hbk.
Monkey is trying to catch time.
Up, down, and all around Monkey goes.
Can Monkey catch a minute
Can you?
From the creator of both Little i and Red, a crayon's story comes a new story that explores time, this time. Asleep in a tree with branches remarkably like a clock face, Monkey is taunted by Minute who challenges him to catch him as he races around the 'clock'. And when, despite Monkey's frantic effort, Minute beats him another Minute pops up with the same challenge.
'We are lightning fast, and you are a slowpoke, Monkey.'
Fifty-nine times, Monkey chases the minutes until . . .
Time is a very abstract concept for young children and while they constantly hear about 'Just a minute' and 'Wait a minute' and so on, it is hard for them to know just how long a minute is. For anyone, even an adult, who is watching the clock a minute can whiz by or it can drag like a gammy leg, so it's no wonder it's a tricky concept for a little one to grasp. However, by having fun with the book and challenging the child to see what can be accomplished in a minute using a one-minute egg-timer as a visual reference, it will start them on the journey towards understanding. The addition of the strategy for breaking an hour up into blocks and the counting endpapers enhance the power of the book, as do the descriptions of the rainforest creatures that appear in Monkey's story.
Barbara Braxton

The little mermaid by Geraldine McCaughrean

Illus. by Laura Barrett. Orchard, 2019. ISBN: 9781408357231.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fairy tales, Hans Christian Anderson, Mermaids, Cautionary tales. When a little mermaid gives up her tail, voice and her home in the sea because she loves a prince, it is to be hoped that she receives his love in return, after all she saved his life when he was drowning at sea. But no, she cannot tell him, she has given up her voice, and he marries the princess from the country next door. This Hans Christian Anderson tale always intrigued me, and even more so when it was modernised so that true love came out trumps in the end. I preferred the one where she went back to sea a wiser and happier mermaid, although Anderson's tale has a religious ending that surprised me when checking the original story for the review.
This wonderful retelling by McCaughrean comes from the original Anderson fairy tale and will be a pleasant surprise for all readers.
Mermaid Delphine falls for the prince, and despite warnings from her five golden haired sisters, takes the potion from the sea witch who, in exchange, swallows her voice like an oyster. Delphine stays with the prince in his palace, a companion who dances for him but must wash her feet each night to wash off the blood. But the prince does not know that she loves him and marries the princess from another land, and with that the witch's curse says that Delphine's heart must break and she return to the sea as sea foam.
Her sisters sell their hair to the sea witch in return for a knife with which Delphine must kill the prince in order for her to return home, the magic spell broken. But Delphine cannot do this and so jumps into the sea where a greater magic than that of the sea witch restores her to her family.
This beautiful retelling is accompanied by the most engaging of illustrations: against a sea of blue, black silhouettes appear, mermaids and sea creatures wind their way across the pages, the mermaids' hair spilling out behind their tailed bodies, the weeds, small fish and different blues contrasting with the world on land with women in their large ornate dresses, along with castles, horses and the prince.
This would be a wonderful read aloud as well as an engaging series of lessons in comparing fairy tales, or comparing this with the film or asking people to retell the story of The little mermaid before reading one of the versions. And of course there is the statue in Copenhagen to wonder at.
Fran Knight

The middler by Kirsty Applebaum

Nosy Crow books, 2019. ISBN: 9781788003452.
(Age: 12-14) Recommended. Themes: Dystopian fiction, Future society, Friendship, Loyalty, Siblings, Betrayal. Maggie is looking for a way to make herself noticed. She is a middle child, not a heroic eldest, who will help to fight in the silent war to help her society. When you turn 14 you go to camp and then to fight, it is a tradition that no-one questions. But Maggie is not an eldest and laments the fact that she is often forgotten even by her own family, so finding and catching a Wanderer seems the best and most noble thing she can manage to change that. Maggie and all the other townsfolk are indoctrinated during their schooling to believe that the boundary of the town is there to keep them safe from the outside world and the wanderers - dirty, deceitful, dangerous people that don't have a town to call home. So why does the one that Maggie has met seem so nice and friendly? Una and her father are certainly dirty but are they dangerous? She has connected with them and she feels compelled to help. Una's father is badly injured, her mother is dead, so Maggie gets the medicine they need and gives them food. She tells herself that she will turn them in but when this happens facts are revealed that make her question everything she has ever been told about her society.
Maggie narrates the story, telling us about her family in such detail that we get to know them well: her eldest brother Jed, about to leave for Camp; her youngest brother Trig, who is special and needs extra care; her hard-working mother and father; a family living in the 20th century but at a time when the war has meant life is a struggle and they don't always have the things they need to live an easy life.
This book allows us to see that everyone has a different point of view and putting yourself in another's shoes often reveals the truth about life instead of the beliefs and prejudices that surround us. The story could link with discussions about refugees and how their lives are affected by the way society views their situation and life choices.
Gabrielle Anderson

100 ways to fly by Michelle Taylor

UQP, 2019. ISBN: 9780702262500.
(Age: Younger readers) Recommended. Themes: Poetry. I confess that I like poetry . . . for the play that can be enjoyed with woven words, for the power of a well-placed rhyme or of the quirk of an idea that stretches the imagination. And so, this book by Michelle Taylor is a delightful excursion into poetry for younger readers that I am happy to recommend. She manages to explore language in ways that are appealing to the young, but without being childish. Some of her poems, riddles or tongue twisters are very short - but incredibly potent in the way they have been squeezed into such a small space. Some of her explorations of metaphor or an idea can transport you to far away places . . . and perhaps even to fly; and her use of pattern and shape gives new examples of this form of expression.
This would make a great book for a classroom teacher looking for ways to inspire their students to love poetry or to modify their own thinking about what a poem might look like or sound like as the words trip off the tongue. Teacher's notes are available. And there are of course young readers who love to read something that does not take a long time. This poetry collection would appeal to them too.
Carolyn Hull

Daddy cuddle by Kate Mayes

Illus. by Sara Acton. ABC Books, 2015. ISBN: 9780733338021. 32pp., pbk.
Very early in the morning and as Little Bunny's eyes go ping, his brain thinks of only one thing! And he sets to work to achieve it. As Little Bunny does all that he can to rouse his sleeping daddy and get him to play, there is no response. But eventually, Daddy wakes up and despite all the plans that Little Bunny has suggested there is just one thing that they both want . . . and Daddy gets to stay in bed just that little bit longer!
Celebrating the special relationship between father and child, with its gentle illustrations, this is one that despite its sparse but repetitive and predictable text builds tension and anticipation as the reader wonders whether Daddy will ever wake up - and just how he will react when he does. This is a charming story that will resonate with both parent and young child because it tells a tale that we are all familiar with.
Barbara Braxton

The pillars by Peter Polites

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733640186
(Age: Adult) Themes: Identity, LGBTQI+, Consumerism, Racism.
Pano, a Greek Australian gay guy has been commandeered by his housemate/landlord into campaigning against the proposed mosque in their neighbourhood, because of its posited impact on house values; and the schemes that he and Kane become involved in are both funny and horrible at the same time. Pano is an aspiring writer, he is sensitive and thoughtful, but he is always at the beck and call of others, powerless in relationships that verge on callous and abusive.
The author's style of writing is humorous and ironic, the reader is engaged by the wit, but the subjects are dark, dealing with racism, classism, exploitation, predatory sex and 'indifferent relationships'.
When Pano reaches an all-time low, it seems the only way forward is to play the same game as his abusers.
The novel is clever and well written; it exposes elements of Australian life we might not like to confront. Not a story for everyone, but no doubt authentic in its portrayal of marginalisation.
Teachers/librarians are advised the book contains explicit sex scenes.
Helen Eddy

The place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta

Noodle bear by Mark Gravas

Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760651022.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Bears, Noodles, Food, Seasons, Friendship. One the first day of spring, Fox holds a party and invites all the other animals. But Bear does not come. Fox goes to his cave to see if he is alright and finds him snoring loudly, his cave littered with empty noodle bowls and packets. He has spent the whole winter bingeing on Noodle Knockout, a weird TV show, and eating noodles. He has eaten all the noodles he could find and now waking wants more. He searches but cannot find any and the other animals offer him their food. Each is rejected as being too crunchy or too flowery or too splintery. He cannot find anything to eat so decides to go to the city and become a contestant on the show where he can eat all the noodles he could wish for.
The digital illustrations will provoke laughter from the readers as they see the bear in his messy cave, watching TV incessantly, and rejecting the food from the other animals. Readers will recognise themselves in the bear, and empathise with his longing for noodles.
Of course, once in the city he is invited to be a contestant and wins easily, becoming a TV star with his own TV show. As good as this is, he begins to remember his friends in the forest and the good things they did together, and decides to return home. Once there he has enough noodles for everyone, and they find that they are just to their liking.
Fran Knight

Brave adventures, little girl by Iresha Herath

Little Steps, 2019. ISBN: 9780648267485.
Recommended. If you have a little girl (or boy) who sometimes feels anxious, or angry that things do not quite go to plan then this book is for you. Anika is a gorgeous little girl who loves visiting her Grandparents as there is always an adventure to be had. She wants to show them what she has learnt at Kindy but alas, things do not go to plan. She does not feel brave and she needs the help of her Seeya (Sinhalese for Grandfather). He takes her on a story time adventure through various countries and tells her fantastical things that he hopes will make her feel brave.
Iresha Herath is the author of this book and after doing some research on her, I found that she is a very interesting woman and many of her interests come through in this book. She is a lawyer, has a theatre company, is a social justice advocate and is in the process of redeveloping her late father's house in Sri Lanka. Her varied life shows through the multitude of countries presented, the text flows and Seeya (based on her late father) is an excellent main character. The bond between Anika and her Seeya is also a lovely touch when many children do not know much about the past lives of their grandparents.
We really loved the colourful pictures, and my daughter thought Anika looked 'just like her, a kindy girl!'
This book could be used to discuss feelings of anxiety and fear, discuss countries and travel, different names used for grandparents and even discuss visits to family members.
An interesting book, we give it 4 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain

The wolf wilder by Katherine Rundell

Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN: 9781408872352.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Themes: Wolves, Russia, Nineteenth century, Animals, Survival. A totally engrossing adventure story about Feo and her wolves, seeking to survive in the harsh Russian winter while being pursued by those who see wolves as a threat, something to be hunted down and killed.
While a wolf wilder, someone who helps wolves survive in the wild after years of living with humans, may be a fiction, there are many people around the world helping partially domesticated animals return to the wild. Rescue parks exist to return animals to the wild, their natural place rather than be dependent upon humans.
In Russia, the wolf is seen as a sign of strength and power and pups are stolen shortly after birth to be sold for large profits to the idle rich, in whose grand houses the wolves are trained to beg and sit, fed inappropriate food, discarded when they grow too big or become aggressive.
Feo and her mother take these abandoned wolves and show them how to survive in the cold snow covered wilds 1000 miles from St Petersburg, but into their area comes General Rakov, a man obsessed with ridding the woods of these wolves and their benefactors. Feo befriends one of the garrison, a boy her age entranced when he sees a pup born, Ilya, slipping away from his work to help Feo raise the pup.
But one breathless night he comes to warn the women: a cow has been killed and the general is on the rampage, death in his heart.
After seeing her mother bound and taken away by the soldiers, Feo flees, determined to find her and free her.
So she, Ilya, the three wolves and new pup set out on the journey to St Petersburg. They have the most extraordinary of adventures, meeting others, slipping past the soldiers, helping villages with their own survival as the soldiers move against anyone who helps Feo. Staying with others gives her the opportunity to educate them and the readers about wolves, their habits, habitat and lifestyles, and I can assure all readers that they too will come away from this book with a wolf sighting added to their to do list.
Rundell writes with incredible sympathy, engaging the reader in a story so real, you feel the need to brush the snow from your eyelashes, duck beneath the overhanging fir tree boughs and nestle your face in the warm fur of the new pup.
It is the last days of Tsarist Russia, and glimpses of that failed system of government can be seen throughout this amazing story. Teacher's notes are available.
Fran Knight

The flowers of Vashnoi by Lois McMaster Bujold

Subterranean, 2019. ISBN 9781596068926. 96pg.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Science fiction. Lovers of Bujold's Hugo Award winning Miles Vorkosigan series will rejoice to discover a short stand-alone novel starring Ekaterin, Miles' clever wife who is determined to help Vashnoi exclusion zone that was been devastated by radiation when the Centagandans attacked the planet. With the help of scientist Enrique Borgos, she has attempted to use bioengineered insects to regenerate a region but when checking on the experiment finds that some have been stolen. Further investigation from the air uncovers the fact that there are four individuals living in the area. It is up to her to help them leave Vashnoi for medical treatment.
Ekaterin is clever and empathetic and readers will enjoy getting to know her character and her abilities in this short work. She emerges a formidable woman who is equally as compassionate and intelligent as her husband and is very good at problem solving. The unique science behind the bioengineered insects is also fascinating.
Fans who want to know more about the planet Barrayar and Miles' wife will not be disappointed and readers new to Bujold's work will discover a satisfying short stand-alone read that will have them searching for the Miles Vorkosigan series.
Pat Pledger

Every child a song by Nicola Davies

Illus. by Marc Martin. Wren and Rook, 2019. ISBN: 9781526361417.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Themes: Universal rights of the child, Human rights. A unique and moving picture book combines a tender story with information about the rights that children are entitled to under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It begins with the birth of a child: 'When you were born, a song began...' and goes on to show that the child needs to be 'nourished, cherished, celebrated.' Using a song as metaphor, the reader sees the child soaring and exploring and meeting other children 'unique and special', but the short lyrical text also shows what it is like to be exploited, imprisoned or part of war and needing refuge. It exhorts everyone to raise their 'voices for the right of every song to sing out loud, bold and unafraid'. In conclusion Davies has chosen some of the rights of the child to emphasise.
Marc Martin's watercolour illustrations complement the text and give the reader extra information to help understand the needs of the child. Dark colours show the tribulations of child labour and boat people, while bright colours portray the happiness of children when their rights are maintained.
This would be a wonderful book to use to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (30 November) and could be used at any time when discussing human rights and the needs of children everywhere. It is a book that would help children to show compassion and kindness and to stand up for human rights.
Pat Pledger

All aboard! True train tales by Pauline Deeves

National Library of Australia, 2019. ISBN: 9780642279392.
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Subjects: Trains - History, Australian Railway History, Museums, Grandfathers. Eight-year-old Jack's family are train enthusiasts, his parents work for the railways and his grandparents worked on trains before retiring. His grandpa always has an interesting train tale to tell and Jack loves helping him at the local railway museum. Once a year, there's a special Open Day at the end of the spring school holidays. With the museum under threat of closing, Jack and his family come up with creative ways of raising enough funds to save the station, trains and memorabilia.
Each one of Grandpa's stories lead into a recount of historic events, the convict powered train in Tasmania, the Hawkesbury Crash, as well as Ned Kelly's stand at Glen Rowan. Before the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened it was loaded with more than 90 engines to test its strength! Each section has a Position Vacant box that lists the skills needed to be a guard, driver, even the fettler who kept the tracks in good condition.
Interspersed between the factual accounts, the story continues. The museum committee listen to the fundraising suggestions from Jack and his family; they veto younger brother Max's bank robbery idea! The local community, football club and service groups rally together to support the Open Day, providing food, help with preparation and clean up and managing the crowds. Grandpa surprises everyone, organising two smelly camels corralled in the old station yard, reminding everyone about the times when circus trains carried the performers and animals from town to town.
Pauline Deeves All aboard! True train tales is an engaging read, just right for families to share, discovering a very important part of Australia's past, linked with the fictional account of Jack's family and the journey to save the Railway Museum. Many of the photos included are from the National Library of Australia, showcasing the eras when trains connected the capital cities and inland routes. Presented in colourful boxes, with speech bubbles and captions added, each section of well researched information covers all aspects of the railways from signals, tracks to goods trains. An excellent HASS resource for Middle Primary classes investigating the importance of the rail industry, connecting the country, moving passengers and goods.
Rhyllis Bignell