Level 1. DK Readers. Lego, 2017. ISBN 9781465461933
(Age: 4-6) Recommended. In Shark attack! readers will meet Lord
Garmadon, the villain of the Lego Ninjago move. He is the most evil
man in Ninjago City and he has built up a Shark Army with special
weapons and vehicles in an effort to take over the city. The ninja
must defeat him and his army.
This has instant appeal for any child who likes Lego and who has
seen the movie. Level 1 is for the child who is beginning to read.
It doesn't look like a reader, but it contains short sentences and
words that children will be familiar with and will have no trouble
pronouncing. The illustrations are colourful Lego figures which
complement the text and give clues to what is going on.
The book has a table of contents with 24 headings as well as an
index at the back, making it seem much more like a book than a
reader. There are 24 pages in the book and a 5 question quiz that
children will enjoy doing. The note to parents is helpful as well.
Well designed and produced, with a hard cover and the popular Lego
figures, this is sure to be a hit with children and is likely to
lure a child to begin reading.
Pat Pledger
Triple the Laughs by Danny Katz
Ill. by Mitch Vane. Little Lunch series. Black Dog Books,
2017. ISBN 9781921977398
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. Themes: School life, Friends, Humorous
stories. Little Lunch is an extremely popular ABC Children's
television series based on the successful books written by Danny
Katz and illustrated by Mitch Vane. Each humorous story focuses on
the fifteen minutes of fun, friendship and drama that occurs at
Little Lunch each school day. Andy Katz lifts the lid on the
humorous, the silly and the real issues and problems that occur with
Mrs Gonsha's Year 5 students.
Atticus who is slightly nerdy, smart and always hungry, throws away
his playlunch every day. His mum and dad are away for a week in New
Zealand and his Ya-Ya has moved in to look after her grandson. Each
day he lifts the lid on his blue lunchbox and there are weird
smelly, small brown wrapped things inside. He becomes very hungry
and angry without his playlunch. On Friday, Atticus leaves his lunch
at home and Ya-Ya kindly brings it to school along with plates of
the smelly food for everyone to share.
Imagine a special 'Dress Up As What You Want To Be When You Grow Up'
day at school! Atticus comes in a chef's outfit, Debra-Jo borrows
her mum's surgical scrubs, while Battie wears his superhero outfit.
His Stretcho costume with its long rubber arms helps him do good
superhero deeds for his friends; unfortunately, they all backfire on
him.
In the third story, Melanie is suddenly germblocked after a visit to
the girl's toilets, she really did wash her hands. She hasn't done
anything wrong and feels upset, as she is banished to sit on the
Junior School steps. The most surprising culprit finally owns up; he
snuck into the girls' toilets and did not wash up.
Packed with Mitch Vane's funny cartoons and photos of the television
series cast, these short stories are just right for young readers.
Students in Years 2-4 will enjoy this series read aloud to them.
They can engage in creative and critical thinking as they compare
the character depiction and plot development in both written and
screen format.
Rhyllis Bignell
A jigsaw of fire and stars by Yaba Badoe
Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786697981
(Ages: 14+) Highly recommended. The story starts with a treasure
casket thrown into the sea as a ship sinks. Inside is a pillow of
gold dust, and another of diamonds, a bamboo flute, a jewel studded
dagger, and a tapestry cloth wrapped around... a baby, a black
African baby, who is blissfully unaware of the fire and oil, and
people drowning around her. It sounds like the beginning of a
fantasy story, a foundling washed up on a shore and rescued by a
circus troupe, brought up to dance on a pony in the circus ring.
There are many elements of a fantasy adventure: the eagle Priss who
guards and protects the baby floating in the casket and remains at
her call whenever she is in danger; there are the circus twins,
Cobra, the green-eyed boy who can call up snakes, and Cat the fierce
girl who hurls daggers. Other characters make up the bizarre troupe
- Mama Rose, Redwood, Midget Man, Mimi and Bizzie Lizzie. These are
the people that Sante knows as family, yet there is another family
somewhere, ghosts in the shadows, that come to her in dreams, a
mystery that she yearns to find the answer to. But seeking the
answers puts her and her friends in grave danger.
However this is not some story set in a mystical other world, it is
here and now in Spain, and reminders of the modern world intrude,
things like television, mobile phones, the Internet. There are
police, the 'black-boots', and there are malevolent criminals like
Miguel and Grey Eyes. The story uncovers serious issues such as
'illegal migrants', human traffickers and sex slavery. Sante and the
circus troupe are just one group of people trying to live 'beyond
the grid', avoiding attention and possible arrest, not sure who to
trust, staying together in their tight little group and always
moving on. A jigsaw of fire and stars is a very beautiful magical story
encompassing modern day issues in a way that may be easier for
younger people to deal with. It is completely enthralling, and would
be a book enjoyed by both teenage readers and adults. The author
Yaba Badoe is a Ghanaian-British filmmaker whose focus has been on
stories of black African women, but often also incorporating
traditional Ghanaian folktale. It makes for a unique approach to
telling a story of complex issues that is very imaginative and also
satisfying.
Helen Eddy
Mr Bambuckle's remarkables by Tim Harris
Ill. by James Hart. Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143785859
(Age: 7-10) Recommended. Humour. School life. Teachers.
What amazing, funny and strange things will happen when flamboyant
and mysterious Mr. Bambuckle arrives to take charge of class 12B at
Blue Valley School? The fifteen students arrive to see their new
teacher riding a unicycle on top of his desk. After this, bacon,
eggs and a self-heating frypan magically appear to cook his
breakfast. Mr. Bambuckle knows so much about each of the fifteen
class members, his insights are spot on, Vex Vron challenges him and
is totally flustered when the teacher reveals his middle name -
Wilberforce. He even allows the class to ask personal questions, he
learnt to sing from his cousin an Icelandic rock star, his
unicycle's from Lithuania and he has special powers.
With kindness and encouragement Mr. Bambuckle asks individual
students to share their personal stories. Evie Nightingale's
frightening experience with the washing machine from hell is first.
She needs to face her fears, take the laundry downstairs, and load
the evil machine in the basement. Last week the machine decapitated
her teddy and this week it spits out all the clothes she puts in,
when she uses the broom to load it, the handle is chomped into
woodchips. How Evie escapes from the flooded basement and blocked
door proves she can overcome her fears and be courageous.
Mr Bambuckle's conversation with Canteen Carol is clever, his method
of turning her questions around and flummoxing her, allows the
teacher to leave with a whole box of chocolate bars. With the extra
energy of chocolate, the whole class spend the afternoon researching
phone apps and brainstorming new ideas for apps that don't exist
yet. Mr Sternblast the principal is enraged with the new teacher's
style of teaching and tries to have him sacked. Harold Mcagil's use
of the Parental Rental app is hilarious, as his over-the-top
Scottish family embarrass him at an important school event. His
bare-chested kilt-wearing father's singing 'Kilt of Fire' is one of
his worst memories.
Tim Harris' novel and his new character Mr Bambuckle is an absolute
delight to read aloud to Middle Primary classes. There's a cast of
fun characters, unusual and exciting situations, different
approaches to presenting the narrative all wrapped up with a teacher
who shows empathy, understanding and acknowledges individuality.
James Hart adds to the humour with his sketches, cartoons and
caricatures. Where to next for this unique teacher?
Rhyllis Bignell
What George forgot by Kathy Wolff
Ill. by Richard Byrne. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408884027
(Ages: 3-7) George is off to school. He knows he has forgotten
something but he can't quite remember what. He remembered to wake
his mum (with a running bear hug) and to put on his brand new
superhero watch. He has even remembered to tell his dad his three
funniest pirate jokes. So what is he forgetting? Could it be...
oh yes, his shoes! Phew! says George as he boards the bus without
his pants...
George's morning routine is sure to amuse readers, with the text and
playful illustrations both contributing to the humour of the story.
From the mess he leaves in his wake to the hairy-foot tickle
inflicted on his sleeping father, there are plenty of opportunities
for laughter. George is a great, happy character with so much
enthusiasm for the important things in life (like inventing a flying
backpack-putting-on machine) that he simply can't remember those
other things (like putting his pants on).
Parents and children will identify with this morning struggle and
giggle at George's funny antics. They might also be squawking at
him: Your pants, George, you have forgotten your pants!
Nicole Nelson
My encyclopedia of very important animals
Dorling Kindersley, 2017. ISBN 9780241276358
Anyone who has spent time with little people, particularly boys,
will know that they often gravitate to the non fiction collections
of the school library where they can get a THICK book (very
important) and then pore over the pictures for hours at a time. If
the pictures and diagrams are of high quality then they can absorb a
lot of information from them even if they can't manage the text yet.
In this new publication from non fiction experts DK the editors have
mastered combining stunning illustrations with just the right amount
of text to support the beginning reader, often only one sentence and
using vocabulary that is appropriate to the age group whilst not
'talking down.' Divided into four sections - All About Animals;
Amazing Animals; Animal Antics and More Very Important Animals - it
begins with a clear explanation of what animals are, differentiating
them from plants, and then moves on to those of land, sea and air.
Using lots of colour, a clear, clean font of a good size, labels,
speech bubbles and other literary devices, the young reader is taken
on a journey through the animal kingdom that they will return to
again and again, all the while honing their reading skills as they
want to know more than just the pictures can tell them. At the back
they are introduced to the concept of a glossary which explains the
meaning of some of the more unusual words they might encounter like
amphibian and exoskeleton, as well as an index that will help them
find just what they are looking for.
With more and more research emerging about the need for children to
develop basic literacy skills using print if they are to use and
interpret online information efficiently and effectively, this is a
must-have addition in both the school and home libraries.
Barbara Braxton
Little baby books: Outdoors ill. by Mel Four
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408873786
(Ages: 0-2) Board book. High-contrast pictures. Animals. The other
book in this new series for the very youngest of children is Everyday.
Both feature bold black and white pictures with pops of coloured
foil on each page. The shine of the foil will draw baby's eye as
well as providing a tactile element. Each double page has one word
(bird, ladybird, bee, snail, butterfly) and features an illustration
of outdoor things (leaves, flowers, etc.) The visually beautiful and
high-contrast illustrations will engage the developing eyes of very
young infants. This is a perfect first baby book but older babies
and toddlers will also enjoy it, especially due to the shiny foil
inlays. Older infants will also be able to point to and name the
objects and creatures on the pages.
Nicole Nelson
Literature to support the Science Curriculum Foundation - 7 by Fran Knight and Pat Pledger
Pledger
Consulting, 2016. ISBN 9781876678470
Following the same layout as some of their previous Australian
Curriculum publications, the authors provide lists of titles for the
various year levels from Foundation to Year 7. They use the headings
that exist in the Science curriculum, including Biological Sciences,
Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth and Space Sciences.
They supply useful lists of resources that suit the year level
content in each strand. The various ReadPlus reviewers have highly
recommended many of the titles listed and the annotations give one a
great overview as to the content of each book. This document will
join the other LinksPlus publications as a major time saver for
teachers planning their overviews for Science, and for librarians
putting together bulk loans of resources for classroom teachers.
Given that most of the books listed are recent publications of less
than ten years of age, they should be readily accessible in most
libraries.
The introduction contains a reminder to the teacher or librarian to
'read the books to judge their suitability for their particular
clientele and school situation before using them in the classroom.'
A selection of related websites are also provided, along with a
suggestion that the ReadPlus database also exists to save time when
checking for up to date information on the titles recommended. There
is a comprehensive index, containing the authors and general subject
headings which appear within the pages of this publication.
This is another 'must have' title for every school library and will
prove to be a major asset, supporting any time poor teacher or
librarian keen to provide useful resources for teachers wishing to
use fiction titles as an integral part of their science curriculum.
Jo Schenkel
Letters to the lost by Brigid Kemmerer
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408883525
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Themes: YA Romance; Grief;
Relationship; Family; Juvenile Justice; Photography; Alcoholism.
This is a story of the compounding distress of grief and loss; a
story of two young teen lives irreconcilably altered by different
tragic circumstances who happen upon each other through their words
on a page - delivered at a graveside. Their twisted and distorted
realities make them vulnerable and uncertain, and as strangers they
bond as they share with one another truths that they could not say
face-to-face. This dialogue enables them to come to grips with all
that is happening in their lives and leads them to a relationship
that could all come unravelling very fast if they actually knew who
it was that they were unburdening themselves to. The complexities of
grief and the impacts that it has when those who grieve feel an
element of guilt, are part of the burden for the teen protagonists,
Juliet and Declan. The two letter writers (and eventually email
correspondents writing under assumed names) are both reeling,
pushing people away in real life and hiding from help, but the
lifeline of their correspondence gives them hope and draws them
together. This is not a Romeo and Juliet saga, but it does have some
of the anguish of a developing young relationship built on shaky
ground.
The secondary characters in this book are winningly portrayed -
Declan and Juliet's teachers, who care in an above-and-beyond way
and see through the masks that are exposed to the world; friends who
are robust in complexity and yet are strongly loyal, and are not
stereotyped; family members who themselves need to deal with the
torturous path of recovering from loss. This aspect of the book
makes this a multi-layered romance and exploration of deeper
relationship issues, but while still retaining clever plot
development and nuanced characterisation. The power of photography
to capture a moment is also used in an intriguing way through this
story.
Note: No inappropriate language issues - rare in YA fiction and very
much appreciated.
Carolyn Hull
Why can't I be a dinosaur? by Kylie Westaway
Ill. by Tom Jellett. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760294724
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Dinosaurs, Family, Weddings,
Determination. A delightfully funny look at a family wedding, in
which Nellie is to be a flower girl, this book will appeal to all
readers, adult and children alike. Adults will readily recognise the
child who does not want to get out of her favourite costume, and the
nervousness that applies to everyone before a wedding, while
children will laugh out loud at Nellie's attempts to remain in her
favourite guise.
Nellie stomps around in her dinosaur costume, roaring and scaring
all others in the house, with Mum quietly reminding her of her
position in the wedding as a flower girl. Nellie is adamant that she
will not wear the purple dress, preferring dinosaur green and she
will be able to eat the cakes on offer even though dinosaurs prefer
vegetation. She has an answer for each obstacle. Finally the family
arrives at the wedding, seemingly happy with Nellie in her purple
outfit, but when she sprinkles the petals, the seated friends and
family notice her claws. On closer inspection they see how Nellie
has remained true to her dinosaur costume, without quite fooling
everyone.
Jellett's illustrations are full of humour as the family prepares
for Aunt Daisy's big day. It is wonderful to see a quiet family and
friends gathering at home, taking their vows with a celebrant in the
back yard of a single fronted cottage in the inner suburbs. This is
not the traditional wedding which children see so often in the media
and many things about this wedding will engender lots of questions
and comments about weddings and what makes a wedding. And Jellett's
wry expressions on the faces of all participants add another level
of humour to the day.
A wonderful book to read and reread, read out loud or use as the
basis of class work and discussion.
Fran Knight
The cursed first term of Zelda Stitch by Nicki Greenberg
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760294908
(Age: Year 3 - Year 6) Recommended. Zelda Stitch is about to start
her career as a primary school teacher. She is nervous because she
is facing a new class and hopes to keep the fact that she is a witch
a secret from the school, especially the principal. All the students
in the class have their own personalities and ways but Zelda is
particularly aware of Phoebe who happens to be the vice principal's
niece. The vice principal seems wary of Zelda and this only adds to
her anxieties.
Zelda feels she has been unsuccessful as a witch and doesn't match
up to the skills of her witchy friends. Even her own mother would
like Zelda to excel more at witchcraft. To add to Zelda's worries is
her very grumpy cat, Barnaby who pays her little interest and is a
destructive force at home. There are mysterious magical odd goings
on happening in the class and the principal seems always to be
missing. Can Zelda balance her two worlds successfully or will the
subtitle 'Bad teacher. Worst witch' sum up her life?
This is a fun story told in the first person, so we closely follow
Zelda's ups and downs, most of them comical. As we see the world
through Zelda's eyes we make the same assumptions as she does about
what is happening magically in the school but all is not as it
seems.
The pages are peppered with Nicki's energetic black and white
illustrations. The bright cover is appealing with the stunned
looking Zelda and grumpy Barnaby staring out at the reader,
suggesting things are not going very well at all!
I recommend this book to primary school students, years 3 to 6.
Jane Moore
Alice-Miranda in China by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2016. ISBN 9780857985200
(Age: Year 3+) Recommended. When Alice-Miranda and her friends
depart on a school exchange to China, adventure, mystery and a small
amount of mayhem ensue, especially with Ms Baldini as one of the
chaperones. With their journey taking them from Hong Kong to
Shanghai and Beijing, the students have the opportunity to
experience everyday life, as they stay with the local families. With
some mutual interests, the girls share in their passions of
performing in an acrobatic troupe, shopping, eating the local
cuisine and learning about cultural differences, while living in the
homes of the various girls they meet. They see the different sides
of life, with some staying in the home of a wealthy family and the
others in a traditional hutong. As can be expected, they rise to
these challenges in different ways.
From their initial meetings with the gymnast, Summer, the mystery
begins to unfold and the girls, ably lead by Alice-Miranda, solve
the riddles with which they are faced. True to form, Alice-Miranda
proves herself to be a delightful guest, relishing the opportunities
afforded her and, in good grace, accepting all that is on offer.
Caprice, however, meets her match in the form of a spoilt little
rich girl. Many characters learn a lesson, as the resolution is
reached.
As with all of the other books in the series, this title is an
engrossing read and Alice-Miranda, the girl who is everyone's best
friend, is as endearing as ever. Independent female readers from
year 3 and above will ensure that this title is never on the library
shelf.
Jo Schenkel
Do you know about space? by Sarah Cruddas
DK Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9780241283820
What is space? Where does space really begin? Why is Jupiter stripy?
What is a light year? How are rockets launched?
There are few parents of young, curious children who have not been
confronted with questions like these as their offspring begin to
realise that there is a world even larger than the one immediately
around them and they want to find out more.
So here is the answer - a new publication by DK that uses children's
questions and an inquiry approach to provide the answers. Using
extraordinary photos and clear diagrams supported by child-size
bites of text over 200 common questions about space have been
answered at a level that the child will understand. Yet there is
enough information for the really curious to want to investigate
further. For example, in 2007 tiny animals called tardigrades
survived for 10 days in space outside a spacecraft - but what is a
tardigrade? (You can find out here.)
There are even quick quizzes that encourage them to read the text
closely, including picture captions, critical information literacy
skills.
DK have a sound and deserved reputation for bringing non fiction to
young readers in a way they can access and engage with and this new
addition is no exception. Ideal for the eyebrow-raising questions
for parents who can get themselves off the hook by suggesting they
use the book to find out together, yet tantalising enough for those
with a need to know more.
Barbara Braxton
The build up season by Megan Jacobson
Penguin Books Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780143573388
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Themes: domestic
violence, first love, first sex, family, coming of age, Darwin. 17
year old Illy and her mum are living in her Nan's house in Darwin,
escaping domestic violence. Illy had been sent to boarding school to
keep her safe but angry and rejected she managed to get expelled.
Her mum, Eve is a wellness expert, hosting retreats to make a living
but her calmness belies the fact that they all live in fear of being
found and punished by Iliad's violent father Troy. Refusing to be a
victim Illy takes her anger out on her family and schoolmates, she
doesn't fit in and is only interested in Art. Max, a boy who lives
near her is also keen on art, wanting to make films but when he asks
her to drive him home and suggests they stop at his house to see his
python Illy misinterprets, overreacts and orders him out of the car.
A prank war ensues mediated to some extent by Mia, a geeky,
idiosyncratic classmate Illy feels protective of. Mia turns out to
be strategically perceptive and supportive and she and Max's mate
Hamish are there for their friends when they are most needed.
When Illy meets and falls in love with Jared Lovett, the principal's
son, she learns that love is not rational. She becomes besotted with
the self-centred frustrated actor, spending all her time with him,
working out ways to help him be successful. As the relationship
develops she makes a conscious decision to have sex with him,
pondering the meaning, in this modern world, of the significance of
losing one's virginity. However, Jared has anger management problems
and becomes very jealous leading to a violent outburst. Illy finds
herself making excuses for him, slipping into the role of victim.
Dealing with this revelation pales into insignificance once the real
terror begins and she discovers who she can turn to in a crisis.
Just as the heat and humidity of Darwin builds, so does the threat
of violence but for Iliad things also become clearer as she makes
her own decisions and adjusts her perspectives.
A powerful story about surviving domestic violence and first love
and while explicitly exploring first sex it is with empowerment
rather than loss. The minor characters are well drawn, each with
their own issues but subtly looking out for one another. The novel
also acknowledges the academic disruption caused by domestic
violence and shifting schools yet Illy is able to have very real
aspirations not dependent on broad academic excellence which many
students will relate to. Highly recommended for senior students.
Sue Speck
Pea pod lullaby by Glenda Millard
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN
9781760290085
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Lullaby, Hope, Refugees. A small boat with a
mother and her two children leave the barbed wire enclosed camp
where they live. They sail across the seas, taking a huge risk
leaving the war torn land behind them.
In beautifully simple lines, Millard extols the link between us and
them, between the me and the you, between us and the rest of the
universe. Each of the three lines stanzas underlines the compassion
felt for the plight of the refugee.
From, I am the small green pea
you are the tender pod
hold me,
as they step foot onto the boat, to I am the falling star
you are the wishful hands
catch me
as they float across the boundless seas, to I am the castaway
you are the journey's end
welcome me
as they finally reach shore, the message of interdependence and hope
is suffused throughout the text.
Millard's bare words say it all, how people are set adrift because
of war and dislocation, taking their chances on a sea of hope
eventually reaching a place which welcomes them.
The trio on the boat meet another drifting things on their journey:
a polar bear, far from his land, and whales which guide them back to
the bear's home, while they sail on through the high seas, wind and
rain until finally land is sighted.
The beautifully crafted water colour illustrations embrace the
journey taken by the family, reflecting the trauma experienced in
the land they leave behind and the discomfort of the journey they
undertake, not knowing where they will end up.
Together the text and illustrations make a hymn for the plight of
the refugee, tossed upon unknown seas, making their way across the
ocean to a new land.
The collaboration between the author and illustrator came about as a
result of a poem Millard wrote while writing for the Hush Foundation
book. The two came together to produce the final book, Pea pod
lullaby, which is a timely reminder of all of our backgrounds,
as our families made their way to Australia, many of whom in
situations not unlike the family in the book.
Fran Knight
