Reviews

Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads by Michael Rosen

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408851340
(Age: 7-9)
Uncle Gobb is that really annoying relative who's overstayed his welcome. Poor Malc and his mother have to endure his constant roaring, his interfering ways and his opinions about everything from learning history, to poetry and education. Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads is the second over-the-top story that sees Malcolm, his peculiar Uncle Gobb, their family and friends off to America. Malc's dad lives there and he really wants to reconnect. Along the way Uncle Gobb's genie 'Doctor Roop the Doop' and Malcolm's genie who streams out of his nose provide comedic moments and varying levels of assistance. Both protagonists have ulterior motives for travelling.
At school, Malc suffers episodes of Blurting Out and Big Trouble; with his best friend Crackersnacker they endure History and provide creative answers for the Timeline Book. Brenda the Mender offers the family her millions of air miles so they can travel overseas. More bamboozling and confuzling action follows, as Malcolm and his best friend, his mother, Uncle Gobb and the Weasels, Aunty Brenda the Mender leave to fly to America. While Malcolm is planning to get rid of Uncle Gobb, his relative also has an epic plan to get rid of his nephew.
This is definitely a lighthearted story, where questioning an adult's actions and motives aren't priorities. What a convoluted plot, with stream of consciousness asides, absolute silliness, jokes, fun chapter headings, and fact-filled text boxes interspersed with Layton's bold cartoons. This book is suitable for the younger reader who enjoys this humourous style of writing and silly characters doing crazy things.
Rhyllis Bignell

Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough

Hardie Grant Egmont, 2018. ISBN 9781760127152
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Romance. LGBT. Young adult. Contemporary drama. Australia. High school. Sydney, Australia, in 2016, is set for all to see in this brilliant new age novel by Erin Gough. This story was loosely based on a hoax that the author and two other students created in their senior year of high school, however their series of 'pranks' were not political like the novel but more mischievous.
For senior student prefect at Rosemead Grammar, Harriet Price, life was forever changed when she ran into Will Everhart, the social justice trooper at an after school hours' detention. Through a concerning comment both girls witnessed their PE teacher make that goes unnoticed, the girls united and the odd duo was born. They formulate a feminist plan during the detention where they combined Will's art skills and Harriet's literature abilities to create a cartoon to be submitted to the school newspaper under the pseudonym Amelia Westlake, calling out Coach Hadley's obscene remarks. After the girls get a taste of victory they decide to start calling out more problems within Rosemead Grammar, and get to know each other better. We watch their relationship blossom, while they try to overcome their fears, decipher what they want from this hoax and re-evaluate their current situations. But with not being entirely careful with their plans, having the principal on their tails, and risking their education, how will they pull through? This emotional but well written journey of the two girls gives the LGBTQ+ youth a solid platform to relate to.
Emily V. (Student)

Alma and how she got her name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763693558
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Ancestors. Family. Names. Upset over her very long name, Alma questions her father about why she has been given a name that doesn't fit on her page. He then explains, showing her where each of her names comes from and why she has been given that name. He takes a photo album from the bookshelf and shows Alma some of the reasons she has her names: Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Cabdela.
Sofia is for her grandmother, a woman who taught her father how to read. Esperanza is for her great grandmother, a woman who loved to travel and could not, following her son's voyages on her map. Jose is for his father who taught him to paint and how to to really see people. Each name has a tale to tell, as Alma comes to see the importance of her names and her naming. Each name shows a different aspect of her family and her forebears, and she can see how she gets some of her characteristics, handed down from generations of people who came before her.
Each page is built up with graphite images, enhanced with coloured pencil and print transfers, all done on handmade textured paper. The paper, not quite white, suits the idea of generations coming before, of continuity, of family. I love the repeated stripey trousers that Alma wears, paralleled with one of her ancestors, and the predominance of paintings and books which litter the pages underlining again the continuity of interests and skills which make up her family.
The author's story of her own name follows in an afterword, stressing again the ideas behind the picture book. A wonderful book to use when talking of families and their similarities.
Fran Knight

The Paris seamstress by Natasha Lester

Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780733640001
(Age: 16+) Recommended. In 1940, young Parisian Estella Bissette finds herself unwittingly drawn to help a dying man, and becomes the courier of secret plans to the French resistance. She passes them to a dark mysterious stranger, a spy, in an encounter that will change the course of her life. Because of her actions, she has to leave France, and finds herself on the last ship to New York, an escape route available to her due to American birth papers that her mother has kept secret and only now reveals. Estella has to leave her mother behind and set sail to start a new life in a foreign land. She wants to carve a career for herself as seamstress and designer with the help of her friends Sam, a cutter at a fashion house, and Janie, an adventurous Australian model.
In 2015, young Australian Fabienne Bissette attends the New York exhibition of her grandmother's fashion line Stella Designs. She also has a chance encounter with a two people she feels strongly attracted to. Somehow the lives of Estella and Fabienne are intermeshed with secrets that people have kept buried until it is almost too late.
The story is one of dark secrets and family shame, but also of drive and achievement by strong female characters, set in the context of a burgeoning fashion industry in America during the war and post-war years. The historical background has clearly been thoroughly researched and author Natasha Lester, previously a marketing executive for L'Oreal, shows her inside experience of the fashion world and her knowledge of fashion history. Also, her intimate knowledge of those iconic cities, Paris and New York, shines throughout the novel. Less detail is provided about the third city in the story, Sydney, but it is refreshing to read a historical novel set in Europe and America with Australian characters leading the story.
The novel maintained my interest throughout with its mix of romance, war history, fashion world, and mystery. It would appeal to readers of historical fiction, but especially to those interested in fashion.
Helen Eddy

Trouble at school by Chris Higgins, illustrated by Emily McKenzie

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408868850
(Age: 6+) Recommended.
Themes: School stories. Friendship. Problem children.
Chris Higgins brings best friends Bella and Magda back in Trouble at school an amusing story about first days, dealing with a new teacher and difficult classmates.
Before the start of term, perfectionist Bella sets her school bag in order and prepares her new uniform, she even organises her younger brother Sid. Unfortunately when they stop to pick up Magda she ends up with her friend's breakfast spilled all over her. To make matters worse, Bella stays and helps in Sid's class for the whole morning and Mr. Smart, her teacher, is not impressed. He's all about neatness, order and discipline. As Bella's first day continues there's more issues, some caused by Magda and some by troublemakers Claudia Cleverley and her friend Hetty Snoop.
Magda's view of life, her fun and cheekiness help Bella to gain confidence. There's the banter with the dinner ladies, Magda's always wanting something exciting and the creative way they sort out Claudia and Hetty. Miss Pringle the arty relief teacher brings a totally different energy to the girls' class. Her unique teaching style provides an opportunity for Bella, Magda and their classmate Tom to express themselves. Emily McKenzie's comic illustrations are fun and add humour to the story especially with the cow painting reveal!
Trouble at school is just right for a young reader beginning their chapter book journey; with themes of friendship, developing confidence, problem solving and growing in independence.
Rhyllis Bignell

Oma's buttons by Tania Ingram and Jennifer Harrison

Penguin Viking, 2018. ISBN 9780143786573
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Buttons. Memories. Grandparents. Family life. Sharing. While playing hide and seek at Oma's place, Ruthie comes across a small tin under her grandmother's bed.
Asking what the buttons are for, Oma tells her that each of the buttons reminds her of someone she loves. The first button is her mother's, and Ruthie cannot understand how a button can remind her of a person. But Oma explains that this button is from her apron and every Sunday morning the two would make strudels for the family, until the whole house smelled of cinnamon, so reminding Oma of the importance of family. A brown button is from her father and reminds her of him taking her to the beach and learning to swim, a safe, comfortable man who taught her many things. A blue button is from her husband's suit, who taught her that love never dies while another is from the first jumper she knitted for her daughter, who taught her about caring and laughter.
Finally Ruthie finds a small button at the bottom of the box and holding it up is told by Oma that this was from her coat, a warm snuggly coat, and she gives it to Ruthie to keep for her. But Ruthie loses the button, and Oma finds a way of giving Ruthie an even more precious button to remind her of her grandmother.
Redolent with love and family, this will be sighed over by many readers as they learn of the ties that bind families together over generations.
The photographic style illustrations suit the sentiment of the story well.
Fran Knight

Fearless Frederic by Felice Arena

Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143786757
(Age: 9-14) Recommended.
Themes: Courage. Paris. Floods. Friendship. Adventure.
Frederic's father would like him to develop his boxing and sparring skills. Who knows where this will lead? But Frederic is not sure. Does he just lack the fighting instinct and the bravery needed, or is his desire to work with horses a stronger influence? Sadly, a tragic event leads Frederic into circumstances where bravery is tested. And the floods of Paris in 1910 create a scenario where friendship is found amidst the flooded streets and the new trio of young heroes work together to fight against the dilemma of disaster that the flood has brought. They also give Frederic support as courage is needed to deal with the past and the responsibility of fighting for justice.
This book's adventurous drama will be enjoyed by young readers, and its historical setting of the Paris streets will intrigue those with an interest in the past and European culture. Young readers aged 9-14 years will enjoy this story as it is action-packed without being crowded with detail. Younger readers will enjoy the exploits, and older readers (especially Francophiles) will connect to the references to French literature and culture. Regardless of the age of the reader, they will recognise the naive quality of the trusty trio and the hint of humour in their risky endeavours.
Carolyn Hull

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

Pan MacMillan, 2018. ISBN 9781760555504
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Fantasy. The Queen is dead, the people have been enslaved, and princess Theodosia might as well be too. Confined to a pretty jail and watched constantly by three men, her shadows, since the castle was taken ten years before, Theodosia is now the obedient Lady Thora, and bears plenty of reminders to remain so. With every move of the resistance comes fresh pain and the familiar itch of skin knitting itself back together. She is an expert at surviving. When Ampelio is captured, everything changes. The man is familiar, and while Thora tries to ignore them, Theodosia's memories return. This man, who speaks hastily in Astrean, a language which has long since been forbidden, is her father. Unable to stay quiet, Thora mis-steps, speaking out in Ampelio's defence. The Kaiser, being a cruel man, rewards this disobedience not with a whip, as Thora expects, but with charging her with the execution. As the life floods from Ampelio she must decide whether surviving in this alien world is enough.
As the spark of rebellion grows into a flame, Thora/Theodosia is joined by three renegades who have replaced her shadows. Of the three, one is a childhood friend, Blaise, who is determined to see her safely away. But Theodosia is not finished. She can't leave without any retribution. Quickly, a plan is hatched to kill the Kaiser's right-hand man, the Theyn, and Prinz Soren. But will Theodosia be able to commit such cold acts when these are people she has been raised to admire? Can she, a young woman, rid Astrea of it's invaders?
While slow in places, the novel is overall a fun read. Recommended for fans of adventure fantasy twelve and up. Kayla Gaskell, 22

Growing up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Anita Heiss

Black Inc, 2018. ISBN 9781863959810
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended.
This is a collection of short stories that can easily be picked up and read whenever there is a spare moment - they are life stories drawn from around Australia, from different walks of life, but all with a heart-felt story to share about what it is like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia. There are stories from people you will probably recognise - Deborah Cheetham, Adam Goodes, Miranda Tapsell, as well as stories from 'ordinary' people not encountered before. Some titles may draw you in - 'This is Nat, she's Abo', 'White bread dreaming', 'Black bum', 'Nobody puts Baby Spice in a corner' - but each story selected brings its reward, a deeper understanding of personal experiences, often extreme hardships and suffering, but also of strong family connections, love and good humour. Somehow despite the hardships, the voices of these writers have a strength and resilience that draws respect and empathy. There are sad stories though, of people lost, but they are still remembered with love as special people not to be forgotten. All in all, it is a wonderful collection of inspiring stories of people who have survived adversity and kept their spirit.
I recommend this book for every school library.
Helen Eddy

Rory Branagan detective by Andrew Clover and Ralph Lazar

HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008265830
(Age: 8+) "Hello. I am Rory Branagan. I am actually a detective.
People always say, 'How do you become a detective?'
And I say, 'Ahhhh... you don't just FIND YOURSELF suddenly sneaking up on baddies, or diving out of the way as they shoot, or hurtling from an open plane towards the ground! You have to want it.'
And what made ME want it? I needed to find out what happened to my dad... "(Publisher)
What a highly entertaining book to read. Children 8 years and up will find this a highly entertaining read and will be proud of themselves for reading such a lengthy novel with it having in excess of 300 pages! Don't be put off by this - there are large illustrations interspersed between the text with some pages only containing a sentence. Rory and Cassidy are strong lead characters and have many likeable traits. This is the first book in a series of seven and the authors have successfully mixed crime with humour. Themes such as suspense, mystery, determination and friendship are developed throughout the book. It would make a fantastic read aloud and one that would be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. A welcome addition to the collection.
Kathryn Schumacher

Car, car, truck, jeep by Katrina Charman

Ill. by Nick Sharratt. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408864968
(Age: 3-5) Recommended. Themes: Cars. Rhyming story. Sing along. Read aloud, Nursery rhyme. Machines. Sung to the tune of 'Baa baa black sheep', this funny story will delight its younger readers, listeners and singers. In bright primary colours every possible form of wheeled transport is shown and included in the rhyming couplets, starting with
"Car, car, truck, jeep
Have you any fuel?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three tanks full"
children will quickly learn the rhyming sequence and participate in the sing along, predicting the rhyming words at the end of each pair of lines. There is a tank full for the red bus, one for the train and one for the jet plane. From there, mum and the kids go down the lane past the tractor, then see a motorbike weaving its way amongst the traffic, they pass another train, see a hovercraft, then a helicopter, a truck, a yellow taxi, a dumper truck, police car and ambulance, until finally they are amongst a lot of traffic all headed home, tired out by the day's work.
Each page will have children hunting out the things described in the verse, commenting on what each does or sounds like, participating in the rhyming lines and making appropriate sounds. A whole heap of fun for younger readers and teachers alike, along the way discussing with them what they can expect to see on the road and how useful each of these machines is to our lives.
This may even lead to discussions about road rules and safety on the road and in these machines.
Fran Knight

Wild asparagus, wild strawberries by Barbara Santich

(Age: Adult) Recommended. Food writer and historian Barbara Santich recounts her experience as a young mother of twins, moving to France with her husband in the 1970s and then immersing themselves in French village life. Brave enough to do as a young idealistic but penniless couple, but even braver with two babies in tow! The book provides fascinating insight into French provincial life, the trips to the local market, and the experiments with traditional cuisine - rabbit, mutton, fish soup, quail, partridge. For those who would like to try, there are recipes for pot-au-feu and other iconic dishes. I'm going to try the Potato gratin, one of the recipes from the time where the family had to subsist on 30 kilos of potatoes when their money transfer failed to turn up from Australia. Wild asparagus and wild strawberries are just some of the foraged treats, wine from the local 'cave', meat cooked over the burning grape vine clippings, and cherry clafoutis - it all sounds wonderful. It is a lovely recollection of a way of life that sadly is changing, but it is reassuring to know that there is still a shepherd leading his flock to pasture somewhere above the village of Nizas.
This book is a pleasure to read, and for the cooks among us, there is an index to the recipes at the end. Helen Eddy

The super life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson

Allen & Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631680
(Age: 8-10)
Themes: Boarding schools. Heroes. Bullying. Courage
Marcus Emerson, author of the popular 'Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja' introduces us to a new sarcastic superhero sixth-grader Ben Braver. After a boring summer hanging out in the basement watching the sixties Batman shows in his basement, Ben's life changes when he goes out in search of a peanut butter cup. Confronted by the school bully Dexter Dunn, Ben's special superpowers are unleashed. This manifestation hospitalises Ben and on waking up he's sent to Kepler Academy a unique school for kids with superpowers. When he gets there he finds most of the time is spent learning to control a super power, not develop it. This is a commitment as he has to have no contact with his parents while he's away.
Ben's diary is hilarious with plenty of asides, funny one-liners, jokes and comments directed at the reader. He expresses his fears and anxieties, unsure of how he fits in with the other academy students. Penny who can control small animals, and fire-belching Noah become great friends, they investigate the mystery of the ghost in Ben's dorm room and help Ben come to understand his powers. School life is filled with exciting classes, eccentric teachers, encounters with the school goat and midnight adventures. Bullies Dexter and Vic's evil trick at the Talent Show brings Ben to a crossroads, as he decides whether to return home or dig deep and learn to be resilient.
Emerson's cartoons add to the comedy and fun of this superhero story, there's his eccentric teachers, silly antics and mysterious meetings in the wood. The super life of Ben Braver includes plenty of 80's references suited to adult readers sharing this story with their pre-teens, or teachers reading to classes. Marcus Emerson's middle grade novel begins slowly and builds up the pace, leaving us with questions unanswered, Emerson will bring his superhero Ben back in a second and third instalment.
Rhyllis Bignell

Lessons of a LAC by Lynn Jenkins and Kirrili Lonergan

EK Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925335828
In one village on one side of the mountains live the LACs - Little Anxious Children who constantly look for danger and who only have negative self-talk; in another village on the other side of the mountains live their enemies the Calmsters who can take life as it comes because of their positive self-talk. The two sides are constantly battling because when one wins, the other shrinks.
One day Loppy the LAC decides to climb the mountain and spy on the Calmsters but his anxiety goes through the roof when he spies a Calmster looking back. And not only looking back, but coming to meet him! Who will win the impending battle? Does there have to be a winner and a loser?
Anxiety amongst children in on the increase. According to a recent national survey of the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children and adolescents, approximately 278,000 Australian children aged between 4 and 17 struggle with clinical symptoms of Anxiety. (For a summary see kidsfirst children's services). Therefore books which shine a light on this condition which affects 1 in 7 of those between 4 and 17 and which can be used as a starting point to help the child manage the symptoms are both important and welcome, particularly as mindfulness and mental health are gaining traction in school curricula. While there are almost as many causes of anxiety as there are children affected by it, such as not being perfect - Perfect Petunias by Lyn Jenkins, helping children turn their self-talk around, as Curly did for Loppy, is a critical starting point.
Not only do such explicit statements give the anxious child prompts for the new words, but they also acknowledge that anxiety is real and that there are others who are anxious too. While climbing that internal mountain as Loppy did can be hard, knowing that there are others who also battle can be reassuring. While teachers are not clinical psychologists like the author, having tools like the Loppy books in the mindfulness collection and using them not only to help the Loppies move forward but also to help the Calmsters learn that some of their friends may be like Loppy so deserve and need understanding rather than ridicule can be a starting point in achieving harmony in the classroom.
Teachers' notes which extend the story into practical applications are available.
Barbara Braxton

Mun Mun by Jesse Andrews