Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143792895.
(Age:3+) Recommended. Themes: Meerkats, Humour, Bath time, Verse,
Colours. In rhyming pairs of lines the story of a group of
differently coloured meerkats coming down the internal tunnels of a
meerkat burrow to their bath is told. Meerkat black, blue, green,
white and even pink, find their way to the large tub of water,
splashing around before bedtime.
Younger readers will love the bright breezy illustrations, full of
colour and movement showing the meerkats finding their way to the
bathroom. The colours of the animals are replicated in the
background of each page, reiterating the name that matches each.
Children will love telling the reader the colour and pointing out
the matching hue on each page.
The text begs children to call out the rhyming word, asking them to
predict the word that comes next, marvelling at the number of words
used to describe the meerkats' time in the bath. Splish, splash,
splosh, swim, slide etc will ensure the attention of the reader as
they try out these words for themselves.
Full of energy the meerkats love their bath and readers will spy
various things used by them in the bath, recognising their own bath
time. But one more meerkat is ready to jump in, and readers will get
ready for the commotion that this one creates, laughing at the waves
as they wash over them all. A fun filled treat for all bath times.
Fran Knight
Incredible journeys: discovery, adventure, danger, endurance by Levison Wood
Illus: by Sam Brewster. Wren and Rook, 2019. ISBN: 9781526360434.
(Age: 8-14) Recommended. Themes: World exploration, World explorers
- Alexander the Great, Vikings, Christopher Columbus, Magellan and
Drake, Captain James Cook, The Silk Road, Amelia Earhart. This book
is a shining light on the adventurous spirit of those who have
explored the world and opened the way for trade, adventure and
travel to those who have followed their path or been inspired by
their fortitude. Levison Wood is himself an explorer and adventurer
of some repute, even though he is not yet 40 years old. With a
background in the British Parachute Regiment, he has also travelled
extensively in some of the world's most difficult terrains and
circumstances - traveling the length of the Nile and of the
Himalayas as an example. His curiosity, bravery and pursuit of
knowledge as he traverses the world makes him the perfect person to
inspire a new generation of explorers.
The book details the routes and experiences of many early explorers
whose exploits are well known. The list of these important people
includes Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus. He
also details other lesser known explorers whose pursuits are also
significant and includes the details of many women who were able to
defy the stereotypes of their generation and venture into obscure
territory. Their stories are not so well known, but they too were
breaking new ground and exploring new possibilities. Interspersed
with personal reflections of Wood's own journeys through the lands
and routes of the historically famous explorers are annotated maps
and also some general information about how to pursue 'exploring'
for younger readers.
Illustrations by Sam Brewster are naively detailed and the colour
palette is limited, but the overall impact is still appealing for
young readers.
Recommended for ages 8-14, and especially for those of an intrepid
nature or who are 'armchair' explorers.
Carolyn Hull
Gym squad tumble by Meredith Costain
Illus. by Danielle McDonald. Ella Diaries book 16.
Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760662844.
(Age: 6-9) Themes: Gymnastics, Competitions, Djibouti. Ella's
super excited, her school is celebrating International Sports Day.
Each class will choose a country, research and practise the sports
and present one item at a special event. Will there be 'high
jumpering, table tennising, bicycling and hopefully gymnastics'
Ella's favourite event? Her diary shows just her excitement.
Unfortunately, Peach (Precious Perfect Princess) desperately pleads
with their teacher to be the special name-chooserer and much to
everyone's surprise she picks Djibouti out of the hat.
Miss Weiss, Ella's teacher guides her students in researching the
African country, she sets different groups and leaders to
investigate and report back to their class. Ella desperately wants a
leading role, but unfortunately others are picked and she's a little
upset. Ammi finally asks Ella to take on the job of Head Designer of
Gymanstical Outfits - imagine leotards with feathers, bells, tassels
and glitter mesh sleeves!
Dramas, design dilemmas and divas all play a part in the highs and
lows of Ella's diary entries. She has a wonderful, expressive way of
writing exaggerating and embellishing words. As her class develops
their special routine for the International Sports Day, Ella sense
of fairness is tested. She realistically portrays the personalities
and problems she faces.
Author Meredith Costain's Ella Diaries are fun to read,
filled with an abundance of girly things, exploring the ups and
downs of Ella's life, her friendships and difficult relationship
with Peach Parker. She openly and honestly portrays school life,
adding unique words to build Ella's character. Danielle McDonald's
illustrations add a liveliness and excitement: there's a ROO-TEEN,
Peach's dramatic dive off the tree stump and Ella's sparkly outfit.
Bold text, expressive sizes and styles of font make this another fun
and fabulous addition to the Ella Diaries, just right for
readers from six to nine.
Rhyllis Bignell
Goat on a boat by Nick Dent
Illus. by Suzanne Houghton. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760669164.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Goats, Migrants, Asylum
seekers, Refugees. When a goat turns up at the island on a boat, the
response from the sheep who live there is varied. The older gruffer
sheep, Bighorn Bill, tells everyone that if you let one land then
many more will follow. He warns that their island cannot sustain
more inhabitants and that the goat came uninvited.
The island does not have a lot of food, the sheep having to nibble
at anything that they spy on the ground, so uncertainly agree with
Bill.
One of the sheep, Fleecy Jean argues with the ram, that the goat has
as much right to be there as they, and what the ram is doing is
mean. Bill talks about detaining the goat, but the goat lands and
takes to the hills beyond the shore, a place where the sheep do not
go. The goat finds pasture at the top of the mountain and shows the
sheep how to access the slopes and so the new grass.
In a heart felt tribute to the skills migrants bring to a country,
Dent parodies the oft heard phrase from the rams of this world,
'stop the goats', while giving the ram the voice of detention
centres and fear of the unknown to bully people into seeing it his
way.
In gentle rhyming stanzas, the island of Joxx (rhymes with rocks!)
becomes a place where 'a warm welcome goes a long way' in this
lovely picture book. Readers will love the illustrations, looking
closely at the faces of each of the animals, reflecting arguments
each offer in their search for a solution. I love the image of Bill,
a large confronting face staring out on the page then reduced to a
much skinnier version at the end of the book, and the readers will
be intrigued with the variety of boats and animals coming ashore.
A gently amusing look at refugees will engender discussion amongst
the readers. Teacher
notes are available.
Fran Knight
When we were warriors by Emma Carroll
Faber and Faber, 2019. ISBN: 9780571350407. pbk., 148 pgs.
(Ages: 7+) Emma Carroll has beautifully written a book which
explores themes of family and friendship with some mystery and
adventure during World War Two. The book consists of three short
stories set along Devon Coast in war torn England during the summer
of 1942.
In each short story we enter the life of a child and discover how
their own life and other children's lives were disrupted by
evacuation to the country and bombings in these country towns. Many
children were separated from their families.
What I really liked was how an ordinary everyday child rose up and
showed both courage and strength and with their friends they took
hold of each adventure. The characters all had their own
personalities which were very real and likable. Out of everyone I
have to say Eddie Johnston the American soldier and Velvet were my
favourite.
Each story was a standalone read but also were connected in an
interesting way.
Story 1 - 'The Night Visitors' was about Stan and his sisters and
how their lives changed by being moved from London to Frost Hollow
Hall after their house was bombed.
Story 2 - 'Oliver's Army' was based on Oliver and his adventures in
Budmouth Point and oh what adventures he had. Oliver and his
siblings were part of the Kinder transport during the war.
Story 3 - 'Operation Greyhound' was about Velvet and how she coped
with obstacles found in bomb shelters to save everyone's pets and
what to do when she found a man lying in the street during an air
raid.
After reading When We Were Warriors I am interested in more
of Carroll's books especially the ones based around Frost Hollow
Hall.
Maria Komninos
First Science encyclopedia by DK Australia
Dorling Kindersley, 2019. Australian edition. ISBN: 9780143795018.
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Themes: Science; Life Science; Materials;
Physical Science; Earth and Space Science. Dorling Kindersley has
mastered the art of presenting information in a visually appealing
way for young readers. This introduction to Science is a simplified
reference book that includes information in small parcels and with
brilliant visual representations that make the book suitable for
very young readers. All information on a particular topic is divided
into small segments with clear headings and is explained in either
one or two sentences. This brevity means that lots of content can be
covered, albeit very briefly. As an introductory science book for
the youngest independent readers it explains some quite difficult
Science topics in an appropriately simple way. It is not terribly
helpful for school students who might need to investigate a topic in
some depth, but this is not the purpose of this book. The visual
appeal of the book means that it has the appeal of a magazine, and
with clarity presents information and some 'hands-on' projects to
explore a topic.
Recommended. This would make a wonderful book for the science
interested child aged 5-8.
Carolyn Hull
The Kowloon kid: a Hong Kong childhood by Phil Brown
Transit Lounge, 2019. ISBN: 9781925760361.
(Age: Adult) Non-fiction. Memoir. Phil Brown looks back with great
fondness on his youth growing up in Hong Kong during the 1960s. His
English grandfather Lord Roberts Brown first established the family
business, a construction company, back in the 1930s, and his son,
Phil Brown's father, continued it. Although Brown himself had no
interest in engineering, the city itself forever has a pull on his
heart, particularly the Kowloon district. Many subsequent visits
have continued his ties to the place, each time an opportunity to
revisit the scenes of his childhood.
He tells the stories with more than a little humour, stories of
colonial type hotels, the cricket club and larger than life
characters, but in the background we are aware of a parallel world
where aloof Chinese nannies and drivers fulfil their duties, with
little to no insight into their lives. There were just the bodies
washing up in the harbour reminding of the nearby threat of
Communist China.
It was a unique childhood, one shared with Michael Hutchence no
less! The book is a memoir of a special time in a city that is
changing fast, but still the sights and smells, and the exotic magic
linger on. Travellers to Hong Kong will enjoy this book.
Helen Eddy
Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson and Ronojoy Ghosh
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523435.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Grandparents, Separation,
Letter writing, Communication. Henry sees the 2003 kilometres
between him and his beloved Grandpa in terms of blue whales placed
end to end, and goodnight kisses as impossible as shooting stars.
The letters written between the two reveal the love that exists and
the things that they once did together. Henry's letters are crowded
with information, beginning with 'Did you know' and telling Grandpa
of the things that he has noticed without him, while Grandpa turns
Henry's letters into possible ways of getting to his new apartment
in the city.
Laugh out loud letters go between the two, encouraging the readers
to sympathise with the older man and his grandson, separated by
thousands of kilometres. Readers will love picking up clues about
where each of the protagonists reside, Grandpa on a farm with lots
of out buildings and animals portrayed and mango trees, while Henry
is in a city with city lights, access to the zoo, shipping and
whales. Readers will compare the two sites, asking themselves which
is the better place to live, thinking about the advantages of each
residence.
Letter writing is brought to the fore in this delightful book and I
can imagine kids and classes trying out this form of communication
for themselves, working out the advantages and disadvantages of
letter writing compared with the electronic forms of communication
which are so well known. Pondering just why the two write letters to
each other will increase their understanding of the vast distances
involved in maintaining relationships in Australia, and may lead on
to talking about the communication tools we take for granted and how
to keep themselves safe in using them.
Ronojoy Ghosh brings his humorous illustrative technique to the
pages, encouraging the reader to look closely at each image. And as
I read this charming book, a story about a letter in a bottle is all
over the news, a bottle dropped into the sea fifty years ago,
turning up on a South Australian beach.
What a wonderful side issue for students reading this book.
Fran Knight
A dinosaur ate Dad's hair by Trent Roberts and Chrissie Krebs
Omnibus Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781742762678.
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Fathers, Father's Day, Hair.
A unique and hilarious look at the reasons that one father comes up
with for explaining his hairless head, even though he does have very
hairy legs and a beard. First he says that a dinosaur ate his hair,
but the child is not convinced by that argument and then he comes up
with a number of implausible reasons culminating in the last one:
his hair just fell out, the one that his children find the funniest
of all.
The reasons that Dad give are very imaginative, especially the
Ty-eat-your-hair-us Rex that attacked his hair and the hair rope
that was used to rescue a ship's captain. All are accompanied by
cartoon like illustrations that still feel really life like. Readers
will be sure to identify with them and enjoy thinking of people that
they remind them of.
This could be read aloud to younger children who will enjoy the
narrative and pictures and emerging readers will have lots of fun
with the text and the humour, working out what is true and false and
perhaps researching to see why some men are bald. Teachers might
take the opportunity to talk about good manners when asking
questions about someone's appearance. However it is the humour of
the illustrations and narrative that make this a great read aloud
and lots of fun.
Pat Pledger
How (not) to annoy Dad by Dave Hughes and Holly Ife
Illus. by Heath McKenzie. Scholastic Australia, 2019. ISBN:
9781760663735.
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Fathers, Father's Day,
Parent and Child. A hilarious take on family life will have readers
chuckling aloud as they follow three children having lots of fun
with Dad. Everyone will be familiar with children's attempts to do
things for and with Dad and in How (not) to annoy Dad their
efforts often have disastrous results. Each double page spread has a
heading in bold upper case letters like 'WAKE DAD BRIGHT AND EARLY
TO START THE DAY' and then the results are illustrated with little
details like the clock showing 54.50, 5. 25, 5.50, and 6.15, each
time with a very funny picture to go with each. Further pages show
Dad being made a healthy breakfast, having fun in the park, doing
interesting things and visiting interesting places finally
culminating in a caption that reads 'BE SO ADORABLE THAT DAD CAN'T
WAIT TO DO IT ALL AGAIN TOMORROW'.
McKenzie's illustrations are an absolute hoot. His koala family,
complete with Dad with a gap in his teeth are just too cute for
words, and the chaos that the three children bring is brought to
life on each double page spread. I particularly love 'PLAY FUN
FAMILY GAMES TOGETHER' with an exhausted dad putting up with the
child who is determined to win, the one who is in tears and throws a
tantrum and the tiny child who just wants to play hide-and-seek.
Perfect for Father's Day, this is a book that will be enjoyed by
adults who read it aloud as well as the emerging reader who will
have lots of fun with the text and pictures.
Pat Pledger
I love my Dad because by Petra James
Illus. by Alissa Dinallo. Macmillan Australia, 2019. ISBN:
9781760784393.
(Age: 3-8 years) Recommended. Themes: Mothers, Father's Day, Family,
Interactive book, Shared reading. What a fun, happy book for a young
child to fill in and give to Dad because he is loved! Following on
from I
love my Mum because, James has come up with a book
filled with interactive activities that include drawing a picture
of 'Me and' 'my dad', filling in a height chart, telling a
story about dad and tracing a fish and colouring in scales on it and
its friend. Other pages describe the activities that Dad does like
showing beautiful fireworks and telling the bed bugs not to bite.
Then there are games that can be played with Dad like noughts and
crosses.
The illustrations by Dinallo are bright and busy and will appeal to
young children, while the opportunity to illustrate pages in a real
book will be a real incentive for children to carefully draw, write
and colour. And Dad is sure to appreciate a special book that will
remain a momento of his child's love and achievements.
This is a very appealing idea that is perfect as a gift from a child
for Father's Day or indeed any special day, showing the love that
the child has for Dad.
Pat Pledger
Ella and the ocean by Lian Tanner
Illus. by Jonathan Bentley. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760633691. (Age: 4+) Highly highly recommended. Themes: Drought, Families, Farm life, The sea, Dreams, Future. Now and again a book makes me hold my breath, amazed at the way the story is told, astonished at how the illustrations and text coalesce, dazzled by the aptness of the illustrations, drawing me into the power of its theme. And this is such a one. From the red hot dirt of the land surrounding the farm on the cover and first endpaper to the warm choppy blue of the ocean on the last endpaper, this book held me fast. About drought and its affect on one family, the book is positive, taking the family to the ocean where they are rejuvenated, ready to go back home and wait for the rain to come. Ella dreams of the ocean and asks each member of her family in turn about their recollections of the ocean. Each has a different response, tempered by their situation and the dire position the farm is in. Gran has never seen the ocean and determines that they should all go, so they drive and fly to greet this vastness of blue. They frolic and swim, scream and laugh, the water washing away their anguish. Returning they find the farm is the same but different. Reenergised they turn to face whatever comes with a positive outlook, Tanner's words at the beginning of the tale repeated in a way that shows hope and determination. Bentley's watercolour and pencil illustrations reveal a harsh, drought ravaged expanse of country, red hot and dry, trees stand withered in the background, father staring vacantly into a bleak future, mum battling the neverending dirt which seeps into the house, Ella's brother rolling out the expensive hay to hand feed the cows, with all the family's faces reflecting the hardships they are experiencing. Ella's dreams form a sharp contrast with the reality of the farm, and when the family reaches the ocean, their mood is decidedly changed. Bentley shows a family in distress: staring eyes, going about their chores with resignation, set against a red, bare landscape. The ocean calms them, changing their perspective, their eyes are larger, their mouths upturned, their shoulders held high, their stance positive and courageous, ready to tackle whatever comes. Fran Knight
Kulinmaya! Keep listening everybody by Mumu Mike Williams
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760524425.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Non-fiction. Kulinmaya! tells
of the life and work of Mumu Mike Williams, Anangu elder, healer,
pastor, activist and artist, reminding everyone that the culture of
the Anangu is and always has been strong. Fortunately when he was
sent as a child to school at Ernabella his teachers insisted on his
learning in his own language first, so he grew up reading and
writing in Pitjantjatjara as well as English. His book Kulinmaya!
is written in both languages, with Pitjantjatjara paragraphs
interleaved with English translations, a wonderful treasure for
Pitjantjatjara language speakers and students of the language.
As custodian of Tjukurpa Law, the cultural traditions and rules of
his Country, he was determined to protect his people's knowledge and
sacred sites, and was active in the APY land rights movement that
led to the signing of the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act in 1981 and
the return of land to the Anangu.
Williams' writings and his art are fierce with indignation that
there should be any doubt about his people's ongoing connection to
the land. He documented his cultural life in his paintings, and
seized upon the idea of painting on Australia Post mailbags sending
out messages on their journey, overlaying the warnings on the bags
to say 'theft or misuse of this land and culture is a criminal
offence. Penalties apply.' He also incorporated in his art the idea
of a fence of traditional Aboriginal spears surrounding and
protecting culture and country. The book includes a wonderful
collection of coloured photographs of his artworks, including a
fold-out 3-page spread of the huge 'Kamantaku Tjukurpa wiya' (The
government doesn't have Tjukurpa), 2018. Kulinmaya!, the completed draft approved just before he died,
is the realisation of Williams' determination to pass on knowledge
about Anangu culture, and a warning against mining and nuclear waste
dumps on Anangu land. He hoped that all school children would see
his paintings filled with stories. This book is an invaluable
resource for schools, providing insight into Anangu beliefs and way
of life and also an inspiring example in the history of Aboriginal
land rights activism.
Helen Eddy
As happy as here by Jane Goodwin
Lothian, 2019. ISBN: 9780734419231.
(Age: Younger teens) Themes: Friendship, Coming-of-age, Courage,
Identity, Trauma. When 13 year old Evie is hit by a runaway piano
while crossing a Melbourne street she ends up in a hospital ward
with two other girls, Lucy, who has pneumonia and leukaemia, and
Jemma who has had an emergency appendectomy. The girls are very
different but thrust together in hospital where nothing is private
and they are divorced from their normal lives, they learn to rub
along and support one another as they work through their various
issues. Evie, whose badly broken leg may prevent her resuming
running training, is worried about disappointing her dad. Lucy, who
has had many hospitalisations, is very self-contained and
thoughtful. 'Sometimes Lucy reminded Evie of an adult, someone who
had learnt not to cry or tell people how she felt.' p. 73. Jemma is
selfish and inconsiderate, curious about the other girls' lives, but
lies about herself. For a long time she has no visitors and it soon
becomes clear that she has no family, just a foster mother, Paulie,
and her dodgy boyfriend Steve. When the girls witness some
suspicious behaviour in the park below their ward window Evie and
Lucy want to tell the police but Jemma is afraid of them so the
girls investigate on their own. Accepting their differences and
working together they develop as individuals. They see Jemma's
disadvantage and how she copes - 'she looked up at them, her face
defiant, as if she couldn't bear for anyone to feel sorry for her'
p. 18, and Jemma for once has the support of friends. She is able to
contribute in a positive way when Evie gets her first period. When
the girls leave the hospital to go and stop the crime things go very
badly. Lucy and Evie wonder about life and chance and how they can
move forward. Is it really random what happens to us as Lucy's dad
suggests? 'We have to be here, as happy as here, and do our best to
deal with whatever comes along' p. 258. Evie settles on changing the
question from 'why' to asking herself 'what she would do now that
they had'. p. 260.
A thoughtful book for younger teens about friendship, kindness and
courage contributing to personal growth. The girls' voices sound
authentic even if the mystery is a bit convoluted.
Sue Speck
The returns by Philip Salom
Transit Lounge, 2019. ISBN: 9781925760262.
(Age: Adult) This is a book to be savoured, not read in a rush. It
is full of the minutiae of daily life, intersections of people,
conversations with strangers, and thoughts about books, reading and
art. Trevor is a bookshop owner; he and his wife have drifted apart
and she has just asked him to move out of their house. And by
chance, Elizabeth, a face-blind book editor, has a room to let,
though she had in mind a young woman as a lodger, not a middle-aged
man who seems to want to reinvent himself as an artist. Gradually we
learn more about these two unusual people - Trevor, as a boy was
abandoned by his father, missing presumed dead; Elizabeth was
largely neglected by her mother, wrapped up in the excesses of a
Rajneesh cult. Now, strangely each finds themselves at the beck of a
returned demanding parent.
The story is one of two people gradually learning more about each
other and becoming more comfortable with each other. The developing
friendship seems fragile at first, but maybe they might actually be
good for each other . . .
This book is a delight to read, with its insights into friendship
and loneliness, and way that people build better understanding
through conversation and time together.
Helen Eddy
