Reviews

The happiness box by Mark Greenwood

Ill. Andrew MacLean, Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925081381
(Ages: 6+) Highly Recommended. Themes: War. Prisoners of war. Children in war. World War Two. Changi Prison (Singapore). Sgt Griffiths (Griff) was a prisoner of war, detained by the Japanese for three years in Selarang Barracks and then the notorious Changi Prison on Singapore Island, the aftermath of a terrible defeat for the Australian Imperial Force in 1942.
Here he watched the children and women of Singapore marched into the prison and as Christmas approached he wondered what sort of Christmas these children would have. He and other prisoners than used every scrap they could find to make presents for the children, and Griff began to write a story, one that encapsulated hope and happiness. The story revolved around three animals and another of his peers, Captain Greener, illustrated the book. But when it was inspected by the Japanese General, he rejected it saying it held secret messages. It was to be destroyed. Another of the prisoners took it to get rid of it, instead burying it and at the end of the war it was dug up, a little worse for wear, but impressive in its hope for peace and happiness for the imprisoned children.
It was published in 1947 and again in 1991, the original now held at the State Library of New South Wales, where it was part of a touring exhibition in 2007.
Greenwood's story of this book is inspirational, showing the survival mechanisms of people entrapped by war. Despite their appalling situation, the men were involved in helping the children of the camp, offering them solace and hope in the midst of unimaginable suffering and despair. That the book survived is another story that resonates hope, and it has become an icon in its own right.
MacLean's pen and watercolour illustrations rely on a palette of browns and greys, ochres and greens to reflect the sombre, dreary nature of everyday life in the prison. There is no variance, no colour, no hope, except for the toys being made and the colours used to illustrate the book. The contrast is outstanding and underscores the belief that life will go on, that colour will return.
Behind the story of the book, readers will see the life led by the POW's and the women and children within these walls. MacLeans' illustrations realistically evoke the times with drawings of the men lying on their bamboo bunks, or watching over the walls towards the barracks, or being taken away to assured death working on the Burma Railway. Biographies of the author and the illustrator of The happiness box are given at the end, alongside a brief history of the book itself, and a bibliography encouraging readers to further research the story.
This book offers a fresh approach for classes to look at Australia's involvement in World War Two and the affects of war on children.
Fran Knight

Secret Seven: Mystery of the skull by Pamela Butchart

Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9781444941531
(Age: 7+) "When Peter discovers an old skull hidden in his bedroom, it's time for an urgent meeting of the Secret Seven. Setting off to investigate, the friends see a gigantic hole in the grounds of a local hotel. Could there be any connection between the two strange events? The Secret Seven are determined to solve the mystery. It's time to look behind the green door of the Secret Seven's shed again." (Publisher)
I was so excited to be given this book to review - a much loved author and series from my childhood! Pamela Butchart does not disappoint with her take on the series and I am sure a whole new generation will discover them. Surprisingly the series is set in the same world and time as the original but it has intertwined new mysteries. The addition of the illustrations by the very talented Tony Ross will be sure to please the reader. Of course things such as sandwiches, cake and midnight adventures feature heavily throughout the book and it took me right back to my childhood. The book does not feel the least bit dated in our modern world and I was impressed to see that the author stuck to the 50s and 60s - the time of the original series. Fans of Enid Blyton, mystery, adventure and stepping back in time will love this book. Ages 7 and up will rediscover or discover their own love of a truly classic series. The new cover will ensure it attracts the attention of a new generation.
Kathryn Schumacher

The fierce country by Stephen Orr

Wakefield Press, 2018. ISBN 9781743055748
(Age: 14+) Recommended. True stories.
Forget the spiders, snakes and crocodiles, the true danger of Australia is its fierce heart, the harsh country that has continually challenged those who dare venture here. Stephen Orr's collection of stories are all true, some will be familiar to readers from past newspaper reports, others less known or forgotten, from the 1830s to the present day. He calls it Australia's unsettled heart, evoking not just the scarcity of people but also the sense of unease, and of something disturbed, beginning with the intrusion of white settlers and explorers, intent on conquering the land and dispersing the Aboriginal people. He tells of the black line in Tasmania, the Myall Creek massacre in New South Wales and the resistance of Jandamarra in the Kimberleys. But the stories reveal not just a frontier conflict with the people, it is a conflict with the land itself. People venture into a land that they have no understanding of, no appreciation of its power - so there are the stories of men, women, children and families who perish in the desert - the Calvert expedition of the 1890s, Lasseter in the 1930s, Nicholas Bannon in 1959, the Page family on the Birdsville Track in 1963, the jackeroos Simon Amos and James Annetts in 1986, Austrian tourist Caroline Grossmueller in 1998, and so on.
And then there are the stories of the murderers and felons who roam the interior - the stories of the Gatton murders, the Murchison murders, the disappearance of Peter Falconio, the murder of Imran Zilic. Australian cinema has drawn on this horror with films such as 'Wake in Fright', 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', and 'Wolf Creek'.
As Stephen Orr says, these are just a few of the stories, there are hundreds more. He writes
"...the legacy of the last 200 years will be hard to shake. We are still tempted to see our country as some sort of marauding monster... Then there is the realisation we are the aliens...
The Fierce Country holds no malice, but neither pity. It just sits, and bakes, and waits. We do the rest. We provoke it... Misunderstand it... Resent it..."
I recommend this book for students of Australian history, for readers of non-fiction, for readers of murder and mystery stories, for anyone who just enjoys a good collection of short stories.
Helen Eddy

Alpha pups! and Pup and down by Sophie Beer

Little Hare Books, 2018, ISBN 9781760501952, 9781760501808
(Ages: 2+) Themes: Dogs. Dog Breeds. Opposites. Sophie Beer's fun board books focus on all things canine. With a bright bold palette, her lively puppy characters and everyday settings are just right to share with toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Alpha pups stretches the imagination with a dog breed for every letter of the alphabet from Afghan Hound to Zuchon. She includes everything from the unusual breeds - the Xoloitzcuintli - Mexican Hairless Dog to the more familiar Pug and Fox Terrier. Each puppy is dressed to impress and the additional props also start with the same letter, there's the Border Collie in a baseball shirt with his bat and ball and the Irish Wolfhound emerging from his icy igloo. The bold backgrounds and anthropomorphic characters flying kites, dancing, even riding scooters, add to enjoyment.
Pup and down introduces the concept of opposites with a puppy focus. While grandma is helped by her slow-walking dog, a young skateboarder zooms past with her dog balanced on her foot - fast and slow. Over and under go the two dogs that have stolen sausages from the butcher's shop, At the groomer's one dog has a curly do while the others had her hair straightened and her toe nails polished. At the library, there's a stereotypical shushing librarian silencing the loud dog while another reads quietly in the arm chair.
Sophie Beer's quirky digital illustrations are delightful, these puppy board books are bold and bright and lots of fun to share with youngsters.
Rhyllis Bignell

The hunter, and other stories of men by David Cohen

Transit Lounge, 2018. ISBN 9781925760064. Short stories.
(Age: Adult) Ibis have so flourished on a building site that they have become like a plague, causing problems for the project. Henrik the site manager aka 'the hunter' has to come up with a solution. After spending all day, every day, watching the birds, wearing a gas mask, Henrik has the answer... at least for the time being.
'The Hunter' is the first in this collection of stories about men, and if one were to attribute a theme to the collection, it could be one of the intricacies of thought in pursuing a problem until its resolution (or non-resolution) - all sorts of problems and strange situations, from the mysterious deliveries to the archivist, the woodcutter posing in the forest, the recalcitrant recycler, the traveller with Jerusalem Syndrome, the man always in the same bus seat, the pioneering cabin builder. Cohen creates many bizarre situations for us to consider - with a curious intellectual detachment. It is perhaps only in the story of the archivist that emotion finds a brief moment, as we gradually discover the dilemma of the female delivery person. Women, and emotion, generally do not have a large role in Cohen's stories; they are, after all, 'stories of men'.
Helen Eddy

Things my Pa told me by Anthony Bertini

Ill. by Jonathan Bentley. Little Hare, 2018. ISBN 9781760501426
(Ages: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fathers and sons, Fathers' Day, Generations. An inviting stroll through an Italian village and surrounding countryside sees three generations walking and sharing stories. At first the lad can fit into a box, but soon he will have two front teeth and grow into the shoes he now wears that are so big and clumsy. He is afraid of the dark and doesn't like to hear dogs growl, but he is undaunted by the rain and everyone likes him.
Gently they tell the boy about what will happen when he is older, how being small is only a tiny part of his life, but all he learns then will carry with him into adulthood.
Each double page sees a wise word passed on. On one page the two older men are having a disagreement, but they counsel for anger to be quickly gone. On another page, the small boy is snuggling into his father's shoulder, surrounded by many large people, and he is told that soon he will be just as big.
The softly evocative illustrations by Bentley, now a Brisbane based illustrator and cartoonist, reveal the love between the men in the family. Generations of men pass on wisdom all the while watching over the lad seeing how he develops and grows, guiding him to develop the traits he will need as an older man.
Pages of pencil and watercolour illustrations show the boy trying different things, some dangerous, but always with his father and grandfather nearby. The last few pages remind us that time is fleeting as the men become older and eventually disappear from the boy's life. With their wisdom to guide him, he has no fear oft he future as they are always in his heart.
With Fathers' Day coming up, this is a beautiful evocation of the place a father has in a boy's upbringing, and readers will enjoy talking of the role of their father in their family.
Fran Knight

Grandpa's space adventure by Paul Newman

Ill. by Tom Jellett. Puffin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780143785569
(Ages: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humour, Space, Camping, Fear of the dark. Following the warm hearted tale, "Grandpa's big adventure" (2016) comes another just as funny, warm and encompassing when his grandson reveals a secret, that he is afraid of the dark Taking this in his stride, Grandpa tells him that the dark allows them to see all the wonders of space and relates the story of when he went up into space, building a space ship in the back yard. He tells of all the things he did in space: looking at the dog star, throwing a stick for Rover but it didn't come back, avoiding the restaurant on the moon because of its lack of atmosphere and walking in space. Each story is full of humour and factual information which kids will love, initiating questions about space: was Rover the first dog in space, who first walked on the moon, as well as questions about the stars and planets. There are allusions to things the audience will know: the story of the cow that jumped over the moon, UFO's, floating in space and what to wear in space. And it will intrigue and delight, and kids will love the boy's losing his fear of the dark through Grandpa's marvellous story. Camping out doors with Grandpa is inventive and comforting and the readers will laugh out loud as Jellett's wonderful illustrations showing the range of things Grandpa did in space, along with his wise dog, Rover, and I can see lots of classes making the boy's space helmet after they read this book.
Fran Knight

My old man he played rugby by Peter Millett

Hide and seek with grandpa by Ed Allen

Ill. by Nicky Johnston. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742765426
(Ages: 3+) Recommended. Themes: Grandparents, Family, Play, Lions. Younger readers will immensely enjoy spying out the little lion as it hides form Grandpa during their outing in the park. The two go for a picnic, Grandpa holding the littlest bear in his arms, while the older bear goes off to hide. Instructions are given to Grandpa to look up high, or down low, as the little bear hides in all sorts of places giving the reader a great deal of fun in finding its hiding place.
In the meantime, all sorts of activities are taking place in the park: some are practising their Tai Chi, others are playing on the equipment, some are eating (particularly the mouse and the line of ants), some are taking a photo, some flying a kite and some are in a parade, while they all seem to gravitate to the ice cream van to buy an ice cream.
This is a loving picture of children at play with their grandpa, covering a range of things children can do when out of doors, encouraging the readers to also participate in these activities, and also to look more closely at the charming illustrations to find what it there, and laugh out loud as the tables are turned on the last page.
Fran Knight

My Dad is a Robot by Matt Cosgrove

Koala Books Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742993256
(Ages: 3-6) Themes: Fathers, Robots. 'It's PRETTY FUN having a robot for a dad! Even if he's an older model.'
Matt Cosgrove's imaginative picture book "My Dad is a Robot" is jam-packed with dad jokes, robot comparisons and loads of humour. He draws and writes from his personal experiences of being a son and a father. Who doesn't want their dad to be a robot?
This is a top-secret story as the small boy takes us on his journey of discovery, firstly his dad's not the awesome futuristic type with laser eyes, jet-powered feet and retractable arms. His characteristics are quirkier, they belong to an older model, one that can robot dance, has X-ray vision and runs entirely on leftovers. This dad loves working in his 'Secret Headquarters for Engineering and Development - S.H.E.D. for short.
Of course, Cosgrove includes those classic dad responses to common questions and situations. 'Dad I'm hungry.' 'Nice to meet you, Hungry!' Each scene shows dad and son in a different place, wearing embarrassing bathers at the beach, dressed as a chauffeur and as a personal beanbag for his son to rest on. This dad loves to rest, his batteries often run low and he falls asleep on the couch. The son's unique solution is a solar-powered helmet made from everyday items, and dad's response is really funny!
"My Dad is a Robot" is a wonderful amusing picture book, just right for dad and grandpas to share with their families. Take time to look at each scene and situation both the dad, his son and their dog find themselves in, delight in the jokes and robot comparisons!
Rhyllis Bignell

The mulberry tree by Allison Rushby

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650202
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Supernatural, Friendship, Depression (mental health). When Immy (short for Imogen) and her family, dad, a doctor on sabbatical and mum a cardiologist working for a year at Cambridge, look for a place to live, they have fixed ideas. Wanting a thatched cottage within commuting distance of Cambridge and a garden proves hard to find, but driving past a place called Lavender Cottage, Immy calls the reluctant estate agent to stop, as the place seems to have all the right characteristics. Once inside, the garden with its huge old mulberry tree seems to call her, but when she arrives at school the Monday after they move in, she learns the stories of the place, that girls turning eleven are taken by the tree. As it is her eleventh birthday next month she is a little concerned, but the bullying by the trio of girls is put aside as she and another school newbie, Riley investigate the stories about the tree.
With her father's depression resulting from his perceived part in the death of two people back in Australia, Immy finds it hard to maintain patience with his illness. Her anger boils, and she realises that the tree too has issues and is angry, and she must find out why. Her eleventh birthday looms, with the family inviting friends along for a party in the garden. Many refuse the invitation, shocked at the family's refusal to believe the legend of the tree, but as Saturday looms, the readers' interest deepens.
I loved Rushby's "The turnkey" (2017) with its overlay of the supernatural seeming as natural as any life lived in a cemetery can be, and this book too with its nuance of being able to communicate with the tree and the disappearance of two girls, will hook readers into its world. Classroom ideas are available.
Fran Knight

The dog with seven names by Dianne Wolfer

Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780143787457
(Age: 9-14) Highly recommended. Themes: World War 2 - Australia, Dog stories. Dianne Wolfer's "The Dog with seven names" is set against the backdrop of World War 2 in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. Creatively told from a dog's perspective, we follow her journey, her different owners and experience her struggles and deprivations and her happiness and her quest to be reunited with her first owner Elsie.
Born the runt of the litter, this little Australian terrier dingo crossbreed, seems destined to die. Young Elsie saves the pup, nursing her back to health, dressing her up, even teaching her to dance. Her first name is Princess. Looming large in the background is 'a thing called war'. The radio's broadcast of the fall of Singapore, then the bombing of Darwin signals changes to the young dogs' life when Elsie is evacuated south and there's no room for her dog.
Herding the station's cattle across the plains to Port Hedland with stockman Dave proves challenging. Dog becomes the Flying Doctor's companion, enjoying flights into the countryside to help sick patients and settles in to life at Port Hedland Hospital. She is renamed Flynn by a very ill girl Beth as she provides comfort for her on a mercy flight to the hospital. Now a military garrison, Flynn finds her life in the hospital grounds both difficult and enjoyable. Chinese cook Lee Wah cares for her, feeding her scraps and names her Gengi-Golden-eyes. The impact of the Japanese bombing of Broome and the huge influx of patients to the hospital, sees the frightened dog providing comfort to an injured Dutch boy. Even Matron is happy for the dog's help. As the war continues, the little yellow dog never gives up hope that he'll be reunited with his first owner Elsie.
Dianne Wolfer's junior novel is imaginatively written and well researched, exploring the impact of World War 2 on the residents, soldiers, families and evacuees in the north of Western Australia. Her characters are realistically portrayed, as we experience the sights, smells, the seasonal changes and the harsh realities of life from the little dog's point of view. "The Dog with seven names" is an excellent class novel for Middle and Upper Primary students, providing opportunities to undertake historical research.
Rhyllis Bignell

Brontide by Sue McPherson

Magabala Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925360929
(Age: 14+) Themes: racism, bullying, peer pressure, indigenous youth. Sue McPherson's "Brontide" is a series of interviews of 4 young teenage boys living in Taralune, Queensland.  Sue acknowledges that her interview technique was "at times, clunky, unconventional and embarrassing".  I believe her natural approach encouraged the boys to speak to her naturally and without inhibition.
The boys aged 12 to 17 were interviewed independently but their stories were intertwined in ways they did not know nor understand.  Each child's stability comes from the love they receive from their various different and unique caregivers.  While the boys have had different upbringings they are all faced with the challenge of finding their own path and who they want to be.  
"Brontide" is a thought-provoking, interesting book, which highlights the complexities of growing up in a small urban town whether you are of Aboriginal heritage or white Australian.
This book would be good for older reluctant readers especially boys. 14+.
Ali Martin

Maximus by Steve Heron

Ill. by Tash Macfarlane. Serenity Press, 2018. ISBN 9780648146612
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Animal-human relationships, Friendship, Bullying. "Mitch says stuff sucks. His life has been turned upside down since his dad started working FIFO at the mines.
From a messy bedroom to a close footy match; an annoying little sister to incredible Anzac projects; losing friends and losing face, Mitch deals with an explosion of feelings associated with bullying, fighting, suspension, family conflict and his first crush, all in the space of eight days.
Will an encounter with a surprising new feathered friend and the reliability of old ones help Mitch get his mojo back?" (Publisher)
You never quite know where the help or support you need is going to come from. This is exactly what happened to Mitch, as far as Mitch was concerned life sucked and that was just how it was. Through an incredible friendship with the most unlikely character Mitch was able to start seeing life in a different way. He was able to look at things through new eyes, and experience things in a different way. This allowed Mitch to start to enjoy life in a way he hadn't for a long time.
Mitch is a very believable character with family problems that could be happening in any home. This book showed Mitch that there are things that happen that he doesn't understand but still impact on his life, and he learnt the importance of talking about problems with someone to help work through them.
This is a well-written book and I would highly recommend this book to children aged 10+. Resources on the publisher's website include: Maximus class activity, teacher's notes and curriculum notes.
Karen Colliver

Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey by Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman

Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN 9781911171140
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. "Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey" is big, colourful, engaging and full of facts. Each double page offers interesting facts and illustrations about the different parts and systems of the body. Readers can follow Professor Astro Cat as he explains in short, descriptive paragraphs and labelled diagrams what is going on inside the body. Look inside a cell or at the different bones of the body. Read about the medicines humans need as well as ways to be healthy. There are a collection of fun characters supporting Professor Astro Cat as well as their human helper (the author in cartoon form) Dr Dominic Wallman.
"Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey" is a gorgeous way to learn about the body from a young age. Each double page could be investigated before bed and independent readers can start anywhere in the book. This book is full of technical language which is a great tool for getting children talking and increasing their vocabulary. The double pages could also be read in a classroom when there are a few minutes to spare (great in a Health lesson). The Glossary/Index is also helpful as there are many definitions to support understanding. This text is also good for teaching children about the elements of a non fiction text thanks to its larger format being easier for a whole class to see.
It is highly recommended for independent readers aged 8+ but younger readers will love investigating the illustrations and asking questions (just like Mr 6 in my classroom).
Kylie Kempster