The littlest things give the loveliest hugs by Mark Sperring
Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408338049
(Age: 2+) Highly recommended. The littlest things give the
loveliest hugs is a beautifully illustrated picture book about
hugs. Each page is bright and detailed, depicting different animals
hugging and snuggling their children. From elephants to foxes to
koalas, this book is ready to be part of a child's nightly bedtime
routine. Even before reading the rhyming sentences, children and
their carers will be busy discussing all of the details in each
illustration. Children can discover where the different animals are
found, make observations about animal families and learn about their
appearance - great Science links.
The rhyming sentences are all about cuddles and snuggles and it
reads like a poem. The rhyming couplets can help children identify
rhyming words, supporting older children to create their own
couplets. The content is aimed at younger children and is highly
recommended for children aged 2+ and younger readers aged 5+.
Kylie Kempster
George Parker goes global by David Metzenthen
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760523466
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. Themes: Travel, Humour, Adventure. Madcap
mayhem, hi-jinks and hilarious rescues, treacherous travel and crazy
disguises makes "George Parker goes global" a fantastically fun
novel for confident readers who like a fast-paced story. David
Metzenthen throws everything into the mix and comes up with an
international adventure and two unlikely characters whose lives have
little in common.
The catalyst for super-nerd George Parker's international adventure
begins with a disastrous half-mohawk haircut from Maddylyne the
local hairdresser. Back at Tapley Grove Academy super-rich Chase
Landon-Bond befriends George and insists they team up to rescue
Chase's sister imprisoned in a New York clinic. Luckily, the teens
can still travel in their private jets, access funds and enjoy a
wealthy lifestyle, well for a while anyway! Things drastically
change when Chase's parents go into hiding because they've lost
hundreds of millions of dollars of their clients' funds.
George comes from a different background, his parents are scientists
who are researching uses for moon rocks in a Swiss laboratory, and
they've left George safely behind at school. George's phobias, rigid
codes of conduct and eccentricities are tested at every turn.
Accompanied by Amy the little dog George rescues, their first
destination is New York, and fortunately, they have the use of the
Landon-Bond's private jet. Chase relies on George's deductive powers
and creativity to release Isobel from the hospital. With touches of
philanthropy, some of Chase's family wealth is put to good use,
sponsoring two hundred African children.
George's penchant for crazy disguises and his ability to think
creatively help the trio travel from New York to London as a part of
the cruise ship entertainment. Chased by some rather ineffective
criminals, they are pursued to France where they lurch from one
dangerous situation to the next. Impossible, impractical, unusual
and clever, each scene seems funnier than the last, especially when
influenced by George's ever-increasing coffee addiction. Do they
find their way home and how will the problems relating to the lack
of funds be solved?
David Metzenthen has created a crazy cast of characters in this
globe-trotting adventure that is amazingly far-fetched, filled with
laugh out loud humour and huge doses of silliness. "George Parker
goes Global" also explores issues surrounding the use and misuse of
wealth, the acceptance of people's difference and valuing
friendships.
Rhyllis Bignell
The nothing to see here hotel by Steven Butler
Ill. by Steven Lenton. Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471163838
(Age: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Hotels: Magic. In a
rollicking and amusing way, Steven Butler has created a fantasy
holiday resort for magical creatures that can only be described as
disgustingly spectacular. The resort is filled with magical and
fantasy oddities, all hosted by Frankie Banister and his family (A
family that has a befuddled, hybrid-ish troll heritage, with some
human qualities too!) The normally smelly and idiosyncratic (and
invisible to normal folk) hotel is turned upside-down (not
literally) when a rather royal goblin decides to make a visit and
creates instant chaos, leading to holes in walls, hand-to-hand
fights, and piratical attacks. All in a day's work in the hotel
industry for the fantasy world!
Written and illustrated in a very humourous style, the author even
talks to his readers in digressions that poke fun at his own family
and at the action that is taking place. It is no wonder that the
book cover includes recommendations from "Tom Gates" author, Liz
Pichon as it will appeal to readers of her books for its silliness.
Certainly not "Harry Potter"-esque in the quality of the fantasy
writing, but absolutely light-hearted and warm imaginary nonsense
that will appeal to young readers.
Recommended for readers aged 8-11
Carolyn Hull
Hello horse by Vivian French
Ill. by Catherine Rayner. Walker Books, 2018 ISBN 9781406349948
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Horses, Overcoming fear,
Confidence. Through an afternoon spent with Shannon the horse owned
by the illustrator of this lovely story, a child learns to overcome
her fear of horses, and learns to ride.
With little steps, Catherine introduces the child to her horse,
Shannon, a horse she has owned for twenty years. The child is given
a carrot to feed the horse, reminded to place it flat on her hand so
the horse can tell what is carrot and what is fingers. She is then
allowed to lead the horse around the paddock, brush and groom her,
and finally to ride her. Each little step brings the child closer to
becoming a friend of the horse, riding her and feeling confident
with the large animal.
French's words tell us of the afternoon with the horse, telling the
reader of why things are done, giving background to the way the
horse is treated, and instructing the reader in the ways of a horse.
So on the pages where the horse is groomed, for example the reader
will not only see what is being done, and read in the story of the
child and Catherine doing this to the horse, but there is
information at the bottom of the page in a different font which
tells the reader the facts of the undertaking and h why it is done.
These facts are on most pages and an index at the end of the story
allows the reader to quickly find the page again.
This beautifully presented picture book with illustrations that will
make every reader want to go out and pat the nearest horse, has a
double page at the end which contains the index, a short piece of
factual information about the horse and its owner, and a reference
to more information along with small illustrations about the brushes
used for grooming.
Readers will love picking up this book, seeing the child take little
steps to overcoming her fear of the horse, and in this way the
reader may equate the role of little steps in overcoming others
worries they may have.
Fran Knight
The little mermaid by Alex Field
Ill. by Owen Swan. Happily Ever After series. New Frontier
Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781925059816
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Everyone knows the story of "The
Little Mermaid" thanks to the Disney movie. This is just as
beautiful but with characters more attuned to the original version
of the story. "The Little Mermaid" is a traditional fairytale of a
mermaid falling in love with a human and sacrificing something
special for a chance to see her dreams come true. Ariel is the
mermaid who has many sisters and a king for a father. Once Ariel
turns 16, she is allowed to visit the ocean's surface where she
first sees and falls in love with a young prince. After rescuing him
from a shipwreck, Ariel chooses to give up her voice to walk like a
human and hopefully have the prince fall in love with her too. Will
the sacrifice work? How can her father help Ariel's dreams come
true?
"The Little Mermaid" is easy to read and especially good for
children who may have never seen the movie. The illustrations are
simple and feel like they belong to the original version of this
story. Like all fairy tales, "The Little Mermaid" is a great bedtime
story and this version is not as dark with the good king quickly
overcoming the evil sea witch. In classrooms, fairy tales are always
used as part of the English curriculum. This version of "The Little
mermaid" could be used to deconstruct the structure of a narrative,
support children with identifying problems and solutions and support
writing the story with different characters. Younger children will
enjoy having the story read to them and independent readers will
find this easy and quick to read. The book is highly recommended for
readers aged 5+.
Kylie Kempster
The Dream Bird by Aleesah Darlison
Ill. by Emma Middleton. Wombat Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925563337
(Age: 2-4) Themes: Sleep, Lullabies, Dreams. Aleesah Darlison's "The
Dream Bird" is the perfect bedtime story, just right for
reading softly and calming a little one at bedtime. Day child George
is super-active he loves climbing trees, kicking his brightly
coloured ball, he's always on the go. Sunshine and light energise
him, but as night falls he finds it hard to settle down and sleep.
His sister suggests 'counting sheep' while his brother says to
'count backwards from a hundred.' Is that something George could do?
Dad and Mum both try to help settle the toddler, even a glass of
warm milk fails to help.
When he seeks comfort with Gran, she tucks him into her bird and
shares a special, magical story. In a faraway land lives the unique
Dream Bird who sings children to sleep, 'giving the happiest dreams
imaginable.' Each child imagines a different fantasy world, mountain
kingdoms with snow leopards, gorgeous treasures and lands filled
with lollies. Gran's gentle voice and enchanting story send George
off to sleep.
When Gran finds George in her room crying, she promises she has
'just the thing that will help.' Subsequently, with her small
grandson tucked into her bed, Gran tells him the story of the dream
bird 'as tall as a flamingo and as graceful as a butterfly' which
sings children 'to sleep, giving them the happiest dreams possible.'
Of course, the story works and George slips into 'the happiest dream
he'd ever had.'
Emma Middleton's detailed paintings capture the beauty of the Dream
Bird with its shimmering pink and gold feathers. She beautifully
captures George's range of emotions from his restlessness and the
quiet restfulness as Gran kisses her sleeping grandchild. Darlison's
gentle, calming story will help send little ones off to sleep, as
they remember the Dream Bird whispering 'sweet dreams, beautiful
child.'
Rhyllis Bignell
Emergence by Marita Smith
Harbour Publishing House, 2018. ISBN 9781922134899
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Environment.
Ariana, Fletcher, and Eli are walkers, people who carry a rare gene
which allows them access to the spirit world as well as the ability
to talk with animals. In the previous novel they discovered that the
earth is under threat of a severe solar storm and they are the only
ones who can prevent it.
Sequel to "Convergence",
this novel picks up only weeks after the events of the previous
novel conclude. Ariana has been taken captive by the MRI to a secure
facility in Bulgaria which doubles as a school for convergers
(children whose genes have been activated). However the school is
just a cover for the MRI's experiments - think "The Hunger Games".
Before long Ariana finds herself thrown into an arena in a vicious
game of capture the flag where everyone is armed with tasers, and
determined to hurt the new kid. Unable to access any of her powers
she is absolutely defenceless against the others - all of which are
incredibly fit and violent. Ariana only hopes that she can survive
long enough for Robyn and the others to rescue her.
Meanwhile things on the farm are tense. Fletcher is furious with
himself for unable to reach the spirit realm and desperate to get
Ariana back. Eli and the other convergers are happy to sit tight
while Kate and Kara try to get the word out of a solar storm
brewing. While they're hard at work on their cause Robyn and
Catherine are carefully avoiding each other, even working in their
lab on a rotation.
Smith's message about environmental awareness still comes across
strong in this novel. She blends the spiritual, scientific, and
environmental elements together well among a cast of authentic
characters. I would recommend for people twelve and up with an
interest in science fiction and the environment.
Kayla Gaskell
Thimble by Rebecca Young
Ill. by Tull Suwannakit. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743811627
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Death and loss, Grief, Acceptance,
Grandparents. Suwannakit's soft watercolour and pencil illustrations
set the scene for an emotionally involving story of a child who has
lost a loved grandmother. When Grandma died she had nearly finished
a crochet tug, and the remains of the rug and the wool and crochet
hook lie on her chair near her glasses and photo of her and her
husband. Nearby the young girl finds Grandma's thimble and puts it
in her pocket. Mum is busy helping Grandpa and asks Mabel to go into
the garden. Here she remembers her grandmother and the things they
did together. She finds things that she wants to show her, and
eventually slips the little thimble onto her finger. Going inside
she watches as Mum tries to help Grandpa learn to look after
himself. She does his washing and helps him prepare tea, but as
Mabel cannot help, she is told to find something to do. The thimble
reminds her of something she can do for them all - finish Grandma's
blanket.
This is a charming story of loss and grief, of getting on with life
after a death, but remembering all the good things about that
person. Grandpa must learn to look after himself, Mum is in a rush
trying to help him adjust and the young girl, almost seen as in the
way, does something wonderful that all will relate to, seeing the
finished rug, reminding them of the woman who has died and the love
that keeps on giving through the thimble and the blanket. The soft
illustrations cover the pages, sometimes taking in a whole scene,
while some are in small boxes, showing things that happened in the
past. Children will love looking at the images depicting the
relationships between the four people, Grandpa and Grandma, Mum and
Mabel, thinking about how those relationships have changed now that
one has died. For classes looking at the make up of a family and the
ups and downs of a family life, this is an admirable addition to the
list of books to peruse.
Fran Knight
Herstory: 50 women and girls who shook up the world by Katherine Halligan
Ill. by Sarah Walsh. Nosy Crow, 2018. ISBN 9781788001380
(Age: 8-13) Highly recommended. Themes: Women - Biography. 50
wonderful women feature in this fascinating and gripping book, women
who been leaders, creators, healers, problem solvers and ones who
have inspired and given hope to many. Each of the women is featured
in an illustrated double page spread, which gives a brief outline of
their early life, the challenges that they faced and what they
achieved. The illustrations include photos, quotes and documents as
well as colourful drawings by Sarah Walsh. The table of contents
includes an Introduction, and then lists women under the following
headings: Believe and lead, Imagine and Create, Help and Heal, Think
and Solve, Hope and Overcome. There is a wide range of women
included from ancient times (Hatshepsut, Boudicca) to modern times
(Theresa Kachindamoto, Rogoberta Mechcu, Cathy Freeman and Malala
Yousafzai), and from many countries and backgrounds.
I was especially interested in reading about women whose names were
unfamiliar to me: Theresa Kachindamoto, Malawi chief and children's
rights activist, Elizabeth Blackwell, first Anglo-American female
doctor, Rosalind Franklin, chemist who discovered the structure of
DNA and Katherine Johnson, pioneering NASA mathematician and
physicist. Even reading about those who were familiar to me gave
extra information, like Ada Lovelace's background and education.
Children will be inspired by these biographies, and reading about
the women's challenges and resilience will give them faith that they
too can overcome difficulties with hard work and self-belief.
This would make a welcome addition to the library or classroom.
Pat Pledger
To kill a kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Hot Key Books, 2018. ISBN 9781471407390
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Told in the first person present tense, "To
Kill a Kingdom" follows Lira, a siren princess who is only a few
hearts off ruling the entire ocean, as she rebels against her
mother's reign of cruelty. Having been encouraged most of her life
that human traits were a sign of cowardice, Lira's mistake of
protecting her cousin almost costs Lira her life. Instead she is
forever changed and forced to embrace her 'disgusting' humanity -
her only opportunity for redemption being to return with the heart
of Prince Elian, the notorious siren hunter and heir to the golden
kingdom of Midas. But is embracing her humanity such a bad thing for
Lira? Particularly when the prince is devastatingly handsome and
enchanted with her human looks. And what is Prince Elian planning
now that he's sailing with only half his crew? Is there another way
for Lira to return to her siren self?
Christo weaves a story which runs in parallel to "The Little
Mermaid", using many familiar plot points interspersed with the
murderous nature of sirens. "To Kill a Kingdom" is, as the cover
betrays, in the same vein as works by Sarah J. Maas and Leigh
Bardugo. It deals with coming of age issues, political games, and
the importance of compassion, loyalty, and kindness. While Lira's
mother is painted as an evil sea witch, the novel could also be
taken as a lesson in dealing with bullying and the pressures of
someone determined to inform the way you think. I would recommend to
girls aged twelve and up who like fantasy and fairy-tale retellings.
Kayla Gaskell
Leah on the offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780241331057
(Age: 14 +) Recommended. Themes: School friendships. LGBT. Sequel to
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The story is set around Leah
and her friendship group in the last year of high school. Leah loves
her drawing, music and drumming but the tensions of finding her way
and conscious of being bisexual is constantly on her mind. She is
not sure about the attraction she feels to a girlfriend in her
group, especially when this girl has a boyfriend.
Leah's life as an only child to a single Mum is so different to the
privileged lives of her friends. This has no effect on her tight
friendship group throughout high school, even though she sometimes
feels it. Simon, her best friend, is openly gay and is in a
relationship within her group. A disagreement about racism with one
friend leads to fights and disharmony. The realisation of senior
year friendships coming to an end as they will be going their
separate ways after Prom adds to her confusion. Leah stuggles with
her feelings and emotions and the reader can sympathise and gain an
understanding of the issues she is facing with her sexuality.
This is an American teenage novel but we can find similarities with
the School Prom and our year 12 formal.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and it was engaging. It gave me a
clear insight into the issues and emotions of teenage sexuality. It
will certainly be picked up by the readers who enjoyed the first
book which has been made into a movie "Love, Simon". Rating: 8/10
Debra Pepper
A wild adventure by Yvette Poshoglian and Danielle McDonald
Ella and Olivia series, Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742761947
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. Themes: Holidays. Australian animals. Ella
and Olivia's twenty first book sees the family set out on a holiday
trip to Wild Animals Adventure Park. They have packed their bikes in
the trailer and the sisters and little brother Max are ready for the
long drive. There's plenty of conversation about the animals they
will see and activities to help pass the time in their travel bags.
At the park they settle in to Lizard Lodge, where Ella is surprised
by a bearded dragon on the cabin's verandah.
When the family ride through the park, there are lot of animals to
observe, even a lyrebird that mimics a mobile phone ring. Ella and
Olivia are keen to cuddle a koala at the Koala Kuddle Korner,
however the queue is very long, perhaps they can try again on
another day. The sisters are excited for their first bike ride
without Mum, Dad and Max. Trusting the girls to stay safely on the
path and stick together is important. When something happens, Ranger
Alice comes to the rescue and rewards the girls with a special treat
for observing a mother and baby koala nestling in a nearby tree.
Yvette Poshoglian's charming stories are written specifically for
early readers who enjoy simple plots and relatable characters. She
celebrates the special relationship sisters Ella and Olivia share
and the simple joys of family life. The extremely large font and
Danielle McDonald's cute drawings support the transition from
picture book to beginning novel. Each book is written with a
specific theme and each includes a range of familiar text and some
specific trickier words relating to the theme.
Rhyllis Bignell
Roald Dahl's 123 illustrated by Quentin Blake
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780241330364
(Age: 1-5) Quentin Blake brings his unique illustrations to
this early counting book. He even borrows from his previous work,
with his distinctive enormous crocodile featuring on each page. The
word 'chiddler' (meaning child) as coined by Roald Dahl in The BFG
is also used. The board book counts chiddlers from one to five ('1
little chiddler going for a walk. 2 little chiddlers waiting for
their friend'). Each page also asks the reader to spot the enormous
crocodile that is badly hidden within the illustration ('Can you
spot 1 enormous crocodile hiding in the grass?'). The illustrations
are funny in parts: when the crocodile pretends to be a carousel
animal or a coconut tree for example. The numerals are large and
bold to help with number recognition and the pages are not too busy.
This will enable readers to easily count the children (or chiddlers)
on each page. The ending is clever as it is implied that the
crocodile eats the children but the last page lifts out for a double
spread to show the children all fleeing from the enormous crocodile
who just missed them with his snapping jaws. This is a simple but
fun counting book and a nice introduction to the illustrative genius
of Quentin Blake.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Roald Dahl's opposites ill. by Quentin Blake
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780241330555
(Ages: 1-5) Board book. Opposites. Lift-the-flaps. Each double page
spread of this concept board book features one set of opposites
(big, little; empty, full; tall, short; right way up, upside down;
day time, night time; etc.) The words are accompanied by illustrated
and often humourous examples (e.g., the enormous crocodile with his
jaws wide open and then with them closed upon the feathers of a
shocked bird). There are interactive flaps on some pages but not
all.
The distinctive Quentin Blake illustrations (with his signature
enormous crocodile featured on several of the pages) are delightful
as always, with many familiar characters from his popular works
(elephant, pelican, giraffe).
This is a light-hearted introduction to opposites for young
children, not unique in its field but pleasant due to its simplicity
and wit.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
The astonishing colour of after by Emily X. R. Pan
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9781510102965
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Depression, grief, friendship,
magic, art, culture. Leigh's mother commits suicide and leaves very
little clue as to why. As far as Leigh knew, everything seemed
normal. Or was it? Looking back there may have been signs but
nothing that stood out. Leigh and her father are devastated and try
desperately to find out why Dory (mum) could not stay.
The night before the funeral Leigh's mum comes to her in the form of
a red bird and speaks to her in her mother's voice, a voice she
would know anywhere. And so starts a voyage of discovery for Leigh
which leads her and her father back to Taiwan, her mother's place of
birth in search for answers.
This book addresses depression, immense grief and a myriad of other
emotions, which are described by the use of colours and art right
throughout the book. Leigh and her friend Axel even describe their
moods to each other by referencing colour.
This is a gentle, beautiful story overshadowed at the beginning with
sadness, but as the journey continues, there is hope and
understanding. Leigh's heartbreak is softened by being reunited with
her mother's parents in Taiwan with whom she had never met. Dory had
left the family home under a cloud and the divide had never been
healed before she died. Leigh's connection with Waipo and Waigong
(her grandparents) teaches her about who her mother was and the
culture she grew up in before moving to America. Questions are
answered for Leigh through discovery and persistence.
The connection with her best friend Axel is another beautiful
dimension to the story. Leigh was with Axel at the time her mother
committed suicide and Leigh often dwells on the fact that she may
have been able to stop her mum had she been at home instead. Theirs
is a true friendship that endures the grief and pain right to the
end.
I would recommend this book to those 12+
Gerri Mills
