Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Olivia's secret scribbles book 4.
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781760277093
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. Themes: Science. Friendship. Diaries.
Meredith Costain's fourth story in the Olivia's secret scribbles
series focuses on the school Science Fair. Olivia's excitement is
hard to contain, her diary entries are filled with her own projects,
ideas and drawings of her experiments. She's made a glittery lava
lamp, slippery slime and grown a magnificent array of mould on
watermelon, cheese, cookies and sandwiches. These stinky items are
hidden under her bed!
Mr Platt's divided the class up into four groups and Olivia's happy
to be working with her friends. When the classroom door opens and
new girl Bethany with the bouncy hair joins their group, Olivia's
put out. Bethany's ideas are better, she brings in cute T-shirts
with Super Science Stars printed on them. Nothing seems to be going
right, Olivia's secret scribbles show that sometimes it's hard to be
part of a team. She desperately wants to build a Time Machine;
however, the others don't think it is realistic and choose Bethany's
egg experiment instead. On Thrilling Thursday, Sage and Samira's
group make a mirror rainbow and Milo and Mehmet's group prepare to
video their duck experiment. Stinky Friday is a rather fun day, when
Olivia's group reveal the results of their tests. After an exciting
weekend, Olivia is determined to have her group build a volcano,
once again Bethany's idea is chosen.
Meredith Costain's easy-to-read book is just right for readers from
ages 5-7. Olivia's secret scribbles series is an excellent
introduction to chapter books for young girls. There is a brightness
and bubbliness to Olivia's point of view, that is presented with
pink-coloured bold text. Danielle McDonald's cartoon illustrations
add to the excitement and enjoyment of the story. Super science
stars looks at acceptance, how to be a team player and
celebrates having fun with Science.
Rhyllis Bignell
It's not scribble to me by Kate Ritchie
Ill. by Jedda Robaard. Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN
9780143790136
(Ages: 3-5) Themes: Drawing. Creativity. Rhyming books. The young
bear pictured on the front cover talks directly to the reader: 'I
have to say I'm not generally bad, but one thing I do makes my
family mad... You see, Mum, that red is far from a smear, it's
actually Santa, with a grin ear to ear'. This book is written from a
parent point of view and is aimed at parents. It starts by
identifying something that all parents struggle with (children
drawing anywhere and everywhere) and then reminds them that those
scribbles on the curtains, walls, windows (and sometimes a piece of
paper) have meaning. The voice changes towards the end of the book
and the little bear speaks to her parents: 'So please, Mum and Dad,
the next time you start crying and wailing at my works of art...
take a really deep breath and imagine you're me, then look a bit
harder, I promise you'll see - it's not just a scribble...' It is
then difficult to tell if the parent in the story or the reader is
being addressed: 'So what about you? Could you sit next to me, and
please draw me the magical things that you see?'
Yes, it's about how children create meaning through drawing (even if
it isn't visible to adults) and how important it is to provide
materials for expression. However, this is a written for parents
(albeit it slightly belittles them) and isn't going to be
particularly interesting for children. Also, we can encourage kids
to draw without advocating for total house destruction.
Nicole Nelson
The next person you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780751571899
(Senior secondary - Adult) Deeply evocative of the anguish we
experience when someone we love dies, this story is constructed as
both a reflection on life and a conversation with those who have
died. Mitch Albom tells the story of one woman, Annie, who is killed
in a freak accident, taking us through her life and the five lessons
that she experiences when she 'meets' five people who were part of
her life on earth.
Definitely unusual and slightly difficult to comprehend at the start
of the novel, this is not so much a story as a treatise on love,
care, generosity, decency and the values that we often overlook in
our busy lives. As Albom delves deeply into the reality of our
tendency to feel guilty when someone dies, so we begin to understand
that what is more relevant to our living on this earth is to
connect, to feel, to think about and to cherish those with whom we
live and those with whom we come into contact. Essentially this book
is about that idea of really connecting with others that enables us
and offers a renewed spirit in ourselves and in those with whom we
spend time, even if it is only a passing meeting or a short time.
Underlying the narrative is the feeling of guilt that pursues the
soul of those whose actions have caused the death of others, be it
strangers or loved family members. Moving between this temporal life
and that one he proposes as the spiritual life of heaven, Albom
positions us to see accidents from the survivor's point of view as
well as that of the ones who died. At its heart is that notion of
the incredible capacity of people to forgive others, and he proposes
that those who cannot forgive themselves suffer enormously. Hence we
are led to see the ending of a life and Albom's proposition of the
idea of 'heaven' as a simple concept. He writes of the value and
quality of what we offer others as intensely precious. Indeed, his
proposition is that the soothing balm of loving forgiveness heals
the pain of those who have hurt others.
Whether or not his afterlife reflects a possible life after death,
this little story posits the notion of loving kindness when fate
causes death. It proposes a connection between this world and
another, the 'afterlife', and this author asserts the inestimable
value of forgiveness as an act of goodness that has the capacity to
heal even the most damaged soul.
Elizabeth Bondar
A miniature Christmas ed. by Beattie Alvarez
Christmas Press, 2018. ISBN 9780648194514
Recommended. A miniature Christmas is an anthology of stories all
written by both emerging and established Australian story tellers,
based on the theme of 'miniature'. There are 12 wonderful stories
that feature characters such as elves, goblins, fairies and even
genies.
The stories are all equally fun and interesting; with a Christmas
twist of many different forms. There is a modern story about an app
that comes to life, a short story with magical disappearing green
men typing on a computer and even a story about a lifelong
miniaturist passing on his skilled trade to his granddaughter. All
of the stories are steeped in Christmas spirit and will delight
readers from approximately 4 years of age.
I loved that each story had its own illustrator, who presented the
story in their own way using a variety of mediums such as pencil
drawing, painting, models and cartoon-like characters. This added to
the book as I could compare and contrast the different stories and
illustrators, picking and choosing my favourite parts of each. The
final pages of the book also give a wonderful little behind the
scenes story about each author and illustration - a finishing touch
that I personally enjoyed.
My 4 year old enjoyed the shorter stories such as 'The Vaswe Elves'
and 'Quack', whilst Master 8 was able to read all the stories at his
leisure. There were a few difficult words, but he enjoyed this
Christmas themed book none the less.
This is an interesting and engaging compilation of books put
together by Beattie Alvarez, which would be well placed on any
library or book shelf at Christmas time. Beautiful illustrations and
a great range of writing styles, all from Australians!
We give it 4 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
Hopping around the Christmas tree by Johnny Marks
Book and CD. Ill. by Benjamin Johnston. Performed by Colin Buchanan.
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743811429
(Ages: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Christmas. Colin Buchanan, former
Play School presenter, brings great energy to this very catchy
Christmas sing-along. The classic song, Rockin' Around the
Christmas Tree is given an Australian twist, as Aussie animals
begin to gather for a bush Christmas celebration. The words are
mostly all changed but fit perfectly with the tune, making it easy
to sing along. In fact, it is difficult to read - it demands to be
sung! The illustrations are crisp, cheerful and full of action,
mirroring the energy of the song. Sometimes these adaptations suffer
because in the attempt to get the words to fit the tune sentences
start to lose meaning. That is not a problem here - it really is
well done. Each verse features a different animal (joeys are
'hopping around the Christmas tree, at the Christmas party hop';
cockatoos are 'flapping around the Christmas tree, let the Christmas
bells sway'). This is a real treat for young ones who will love
dancing and bopping along. Perfect for schools and music teachers as
well.
Nicole Nelson
Dear Santa by Elise Hartley
Ill. by Shannon Horsfall. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742993683
(Ages: 5-8) Themes: Christmas, Letter Writing, Humorous Stories.
This is a collection of mostly unrelated letters from different
animals to Santa. There is a letter from a moose asking if he could
take the place of a reindeer on the sleigh, one from a skunk asking
for lots of very nice-smelling gifts for Christmas and one from an
emu asking for a jetpack to help him fly. There is also a final
postcard from an elf who has popped off for a holiday in the
sunshine. The humour in here is mostly suited to older children as
many of the references won't be understood by those younger (the
turkey asks for Santa to give everyone chicken and vegetarian
cookbooks). There is one narrative thread running through the
letters which helps to hold it all together (the mouse asks Santa to
take away the cat he left him last year, the cat asks for
rollerblades to catch the mouse, the dog asks for a new skateboard
because the cat next door borrowed his). Older children will pick up
on all of these threads and will understand the witty humour in each
letter.
Nicole Nelson
Excuse me, Santa! by Dave Hughes and Holly Ife
Ill. by Philip Bunting. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742997896
(Ages: 4-7)Themes: Christmas, Humourous Stories, Manners. This is a
follow up to last year's Excuse Me! and it is basically the
same story except this time it is Santa with gas instead of Martha
May. It is Christmas Eve and Martha May has been polite all day when
she is 'woken up by the sound of very loud, and very impolite,
eating'. There in her kitchen is Santa and she has caught him eating
the reindeer's carrots. 'Delivering presents makes me so hungry!'
Santa admits. Martha May, being the well-mannered young girl she is,
offers Santa some Christmas pudding. Santa just keeps eating and
eating and Martha May is too polite to tell him to stop. 'Gurgle!
Gurgle! Gurgle' goes Santa's belly. Back in the sleigh, Santa can't
move: he's too heavy. 'Christmas is ruined!', the reindeers
announce. Meanwhile, Martha May whispers an idea in Santa's ear and
he lets out an incredible fart that 'sounded like Jingle Bells, it
smelt like cinnamon and it sparkled like glitter'.
This is a completely silly story but kids will no doubt think that
Santa farting is hilarious. This will be loved by fans of the first
Martha May book and toilet humour aficionados.
Nicole Nelson
Bab Sharkey and the Animal Mummies: The Giant Moth Mummy by Andrew Hansen
Ill. by Jessica Roberts. Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781760650018
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Themes: Magic, Ancient Egypt. Comedian
Andrew Hansen and his artist wife Jessica Roberts transport us back
to Ancient Egypt in a second uproarious instalment of Bab
Sharkey and the Animal Mummies.
Twelve-year-old Bab lives with his archaeologist mother in the
Sharkey Shack in Egypt. With his magical Pharaoh's beard attached,
he becomes Pharaoh of the Lost City of Mumphis and all of the animal
mummies. His job is to keep everyone safe, however, his archenemy
the Unpharaoh and her loyal jackal, Cainus are out to destroy all
the Mumphis mummies and Bab. With her special powers, she creates a
giant mummified moth who loves to devour dust, clothing and people's
sweat. The Unpharaoh sneakily disguises herself in six of the
jackal's shoes and unleashes the moth at the Osiris Theatre when
Bab's friends Prong is testing his comedic skills. Chaos ensues; the
giant moth Mummy is unleashed and begins to devour the audience of
animal mummies.
Unfortunately, in all the chaos, Bab is eaten and is sent to the
Underworld with Anubis as his tour guide. He uses spells from the
Book of the Dead to guide Babs into the Paradise of the Afterworld.
So much madcap adventure, difficult situations and desperate action
occurs; Babs even removes his own heart to be weighed on the golden
scales in the Hall of Truth. If he is judged to have a light heart
because of all his good deeds Babs can cross the river into
Paradise. Ingenious plots, a touch of magic and crazy actions are
needed to save the day.
Hansen and Roberts add some fabulous historical facts perfect for
readers to research. Their magical world is exciting and imaginative
and they take the reader on a frenetically paced journey. Jessica
Robert's lively line drawings add to the excitement. There are
possessed fluffy bunny slippers and snowshoes, a magical beard
scooter and Prong the ibis mummy whose head has been stitched on
upside down. The Giant Moth Mummy is a humorous action and adventure
junior novel just right for sharing as a class novel.
Rhyllis Bignell
Finding Your Path: A happy start to school by Amba Brown
Finding Your Path
Books, 2018. ISBN 9780648233930
A new school years is just over the horizon and next year's
Kindergarten students are starting their transition visits to 'big
school'. So this book by Positive Psychology author Amba Brown is
ideal for preparing them for what to expect when they begin this
next phase of their young lives, particularly as anxiety about
making this move is common and natural.
Written in rhyme with bright bold pictures, it will capture their
attention and help allay any fears they might have. Explaining some
of the things they will learn and encouraging them to try hard, use
their manners and smile will reassure the most concerned, making
this transition full of the fun, excitement and anticipation that it
should have.
Barbara Braxton
Timmy Failure: It's the end when I say it's the end by Stephan Pastis
Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781406382785
(Age: 9-12) Themes: Detectives, Film production, Fathers, Sons.
Stephan Pastis concludes his madcap Timmy Failure series
with this seventh novel It's the end when I say it's the end.
Timmy's acerbic comments, unusual outlook on life, ever-present
polar bear and his quirky class mates will be missed by the fans.
The young detective's narrative is humorously delivered; his take on
his school, life, family and his polar bear's problems are unique,
as is his mastery of the English language. Total, Timmy's polar and
detective partner is sadly missing his younger brother Timmy. After
a solar eclipse that Timmy decides is a sign from the gods, they
quit their detective business. They focus on sending faxes across
the globe in search of the missing polar bear. (Why didn't they
email?)
Meanwhile, Timmy's teacher assigns the class a movie-making project
and he's the script writer. Of course, he writes the epic story of
his life, from birth to the highs and lows of his investigator
business. New student Tom John John is chosen to direct the movie
and there are definite creative differences, location, actors and
actions, even a kissing scene with Corinna Corinna.
Timmy's father comes back into his life, he's working as a
bartender, not an international spy as Timmy hoped. Their
relationship is tenuous, his father doesn't know how to parent Timmy
and his son places demands on his father that are unacceptable. He
also wants to set some of the movie scenes in the bar which causes
problems. When the greatest script ever written disappears, Timmy's
life is turned upside down. How he manages to juggle all of the
difficult situations leads to some very funny scenes. There are
secrets hidden in a storage locker, family dramas with his Mum and
new Husband Dave, a family Christmas party with his quirky relatives
and encounters with some old enemies.
'Greatness Never Ends' gives the reader pause for thought, this
quote begins the final chapter in Timmy Failure's journey. Stephen
Pastis brings the series to a close with his usual flair. Fans who
love this unique character aren't ready to say goodbye. Comic book
illustrator Pastis has a penchant for the dramatic, with his graphic
diary style format, humourous scenes and snapshots of Timmy's
unusual life.
Rhyllis Bignell
We are young by Cat Clarke
Quercus Children's Books, 2018. ISBN 9781786540058
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. An engaging and enthralling novel
exploring family, friendships, loss, change and above all, the
importance of seeking help when you need it. The same night that
seventeen-year-old Evan's mother marries local radio DJ 'Breakfast
Tim', Tim's son Lewis is found unconscious and badly injured; the
sole survivor of a car crash that took three other lives. While
Lewis is fighting for his life, the media points the blame towards
Lewis, claiming he is a drug dealer, despite no evidence, while
simultaneously presenting the three victims as angels. Determined to
find out the truth, while also clearing her new stepbrother's name,
Evan seeks out the help of her recovering alcoholic father, Harry,
an investigative journalist and together they dig deep, but soon
find that 'the deeper you dig, the darker it gets.'
Cat Clarke provides authentic and relatable characters facing great
challenges in an unapologetic manner; the entire novel feels real
and unabashedly so. The story keeps the reader engaged from cover to
cover and has an impact that isn't easily forgotten. Clarke's
ultimate message is a vital one, and as important now as ever: if
you are struggling with mental health issues, seek help. And if
you're not, check on your friends. This is complete with resources
provided at the back of the book: 'if you are affected by any of the
issues in this book'. Note: Includes topics such as suicide, drug
use, domestic violence, allusions to sexual assault/violence, sex,
death, alcoholism and general violence. Not suitable for younger
readers.
Daniella Chiarolli
The universe is expanding and so am I by Carolyn Mackler
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408897041
(Age: 12+) Recommended. This book is the sequel to The Earth, my
butt, and other big round things however, it could be read as
a stand alone. Virginia is the third child in a family of achievers
and she feels like the odd one out. Her older sister is away serving
with the Peace Corp and helping the underprivileged and her older
brother is a popular good looking College boy. Both of her parents
are successful and they live in a beautiful apartment in New York
with a holiday house in the country. The whole family is into health
and fitness, except Virginia. She is overweight, her first (and
only) boyfriend is called 'Froggy' and she is not in the popular
crowd at her exclusive Manhattan school.
Virginia is looking forward to summer break, spending time with her
best friend and doing work experience at her dad's office when
things start to spiral downwards. Her best friend Shannon is now
going away with her parents and can't do work experience after all,
her brother gets arrested and her sister comes home with a secret,
just to name a few disasters. There is madness all around her and
she feels like she is being left in the background. Her parents are
consumed with Byron's arrest and impeding court case and her
sister's homecoming and Virginia feels like an afterthought in the
family.
While all this mayhem is going on around her, Virginia finds an
escape with a new boy she meets at the bagel store (a prohibited
item in her mum's eyes) and suddenly Virginia feels like the summer
holiday isn't lost after all. This new friendship isn't without its
complications but Virginia does her best to keep life simple in a
world of madness around her.
I really enjoyed this book and I will now read The Earth, my
butt, and other big round things. I would recommend this story
to those who love an easy contemporary story and the issue arising
from Byron's arrest is written in a non-confronting manner.
Recommended for 12+
Gerri Mills
Chomp goes the crocodile by Matthew Van Fleet
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781534438767
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Humour. Animals. Board book. Cut out
book. Counting book. Colours. A fun board book to delight younger
readers, the cut outs will mystify, amuse and maze as they learn to
pull out the slide at the side of the book to make the animal's head
move. And what an animal! From a very small green body appearing at
the top of the page, it grows through the book to an enormous
animal, multicoloured, taking up most of the last page. And when the
past page is turned, a surprise awaits.
The crocodile grows through eating other animals, and each page
counts these from one to ten. From one fish, then two otters, three
cranes, four beavers, five foxes up to ten hummingbirds, children
will be astonished at the variety eaten by the growing crocodile,
and learn about some animals they do not know.
Colours, numbers and animals are incorporated in this book, teaching
along the way about manners, verse and rhyme. Kids will love
predicting the rhyming word, reading the small print on the bottom
of each page, leading them to the animal overleaf, watching the
crocodile grow with each set of animals inside him.
A wonderful read aloud, I can imagine kids reading along, predicting
the rhyming word, asking questions about the animals shown, learning
the parts they really like, and go wow at the end when the surprise
page is revealed. On this page they will find more information about
the flora seen along the way and will be able to count over all
again the animals seen in the text. All great fun and a wonderful
teaching tool for younger readers.
Fran Knight
Hilda and the hidden people by Stephen Davies and Seaerra Miller
Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN 9781912497973
(Age: 6-9) Themes: Fantasy. Trolls. Elves. Giants. Moving house.
Hilda is a popular graphic novel character; she's a blue-haired
adventurer who loves to sketch the world around her, a valley and
mountains filled with trolls, elves and woodland creatures. This
novel is a retelling of the first Hilda comics, Hildafolk
and Hilda and the Midnight Giant. With the release of the
Netflix shows based on this series, British author Stephen Davies
was chosen to write tie-in chapter books. Seaerra Miller, the
illustrator, closely follows Hilda's original creator Luke Pearson's
style.
Hilda's character and fun-loving nature are faithfully presented.
She is independent, resourceful, attuned to the world around her and
curious about everything. Accompanied by Twig a deer fox, Hilda
spends her days hiking in the green valley and nearby mountains. She
sketches the landscape, labelling all the features based on what
they look like, Lamp Mountain, Beetle Mountain and Bobblehat
Mountain. On her way home one day, she stops to draw a troll rock
formation, that surprisingly turns to life and chases her. Twig and
Hilda roll down a hill and land next to a crater shaped by a giant's
footprint. After she helps remove a troublesome bell from the troll
and he returns her lost sketchbook, the little girl hurries home.
Hilda lives with her mother in a little cottage at the base of
Bobblehat Mountain. Unfortunately, their home is situated in the
middle of the elves' territory and they issue an eviction notice.
Mum is determined to move to the nearby busy, noisy town of Trolberg
but young Hilda doesn't want to leave her beloved countryside.
Hilda's unique ways of working through their problems, negotiating
peace with the very fussy elves and reuniting two ancient giants who
had lost each other for hundreds of years is wonderful. Hilda and the hidden people stays true to creator Luke
Pearson's story; adding a more detailed narrative to create a
chapter book is another way to keep readers engaged with these
whimsical fantasy stories. Miller's gold-toned illustrations capture
Hilda's unique style and the magical reality of Hilda's world.
Rhyllis Bignell
The first adventures of Princess Peony: In which she could meet a bear. But doesn't. But she still could. by Nette Hilton and Lucinda Gifford
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650445
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Princesses, Play, Imagination. The
first adventures of Princess Peony is a positively pink
princess book filled with everything royal, even practical tips for
carrying out the regal duties. Peony is a princess who lives in a
castle (which looks like a house) with her black dragon (dog) TOTTS.
She is a sassy girl who likes to be obeyed, however she sometimes
finds it difficult to control her royal temper. Peony loves picnics
in the park and practising how to act properly.
When Prince Morgan the Troll interrupts her playing in the
courtyard, she most impolitely tells him to 'get lost!' The Troll is
a tricky character who likes to ignore Peony's instructions
preferring to set bear traps instead. There are forays into the
forest searching for bears and so many more tricky situations that
the princess has to face. Princess Peony even includes a handy
reference guide 'The True Princess Information and Quiz Sheet for
All Princesses in Waiting.' This lists the essential tools needed: a
handkerchief, glittery stickers, a unicorn, a crown, cupcakes and
lots of smiles! 'Running a Happy Kingdom is Very Important.'
Nette Hilton's The first adventures of Princess Peony is a
delightfully funny picture book perfect for sharing with young
princesses and princes. The pink, black and white illustrations
provide the visual clues for the young reader to discover the layers
in the story. The author encourages imaginative play, creativity and
enjoying simple fun in the backyard as they are an important part of
early childhood development.
Rhyllis Bignell
