Reviews

Diary of a wimpy kid: Double down by Jeff Kinney

Puffin Books, 2017. ISBN 9780143309338
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Diary of a wimpy kid: Double down finds Greg Heffley continuing his hilarious journey through middle school. In Double down, Greg starts his diary by reflecting on what it would be like if his life was a documentary being watched by TV viewers everywhere. Greg's thoughts are funny and readers will be drawn into his crazy daydreams. Greg continues to reflect on his mum seeing him as gifted and he ended up in a so called champion group which was all about him learning to speak properly.
In Diary of a wimpy kid: Double down, every few pages is a new story in Greg's life; from talking about his pet pig to winning candy and his sneaky brother getting out of doing chores. Each entry has an accompanying cartoon that is as funny as the text.
This series of books sells itself and all fans will want the next instalment. The vocabulary continues to be enticing and exciting. It is highly recommended for readers aged 9+. Old fans and new fans will enjoy it and won't be able to put it down.
Kylie Kempster

Beatrice Zinker upside down thinker by Shelley Johannes

Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9780734417336
(Age: 6-9) Recommended. Themes: Individuality. Self-perception. School. Friendship. Humour. 'Beatrice Zinker did all her best thinking upside down.' Life in the Zinker family proves difficult for middle child Beatrice, everyone else 'likes boxes and boundaries, they follow the rules and prefer to fit in with their friends'. In first and second grade Beatrice and her best friend Lenny loved wearing costumes, playing pirate games and testing the limits. Over the summer holidays, Beatrice waits for her best friend to return from the Philippines; she has big plans involving ninja suits, reconnaissance and spying.
On the first day back, Lenny has transformed into a normal third grade student, new sparkly shirt, a skirt, and no more glasses. What a shock for Beatrice, but instead of accepting the changes, she concentrates on still trying to be friends. While Lenny, her new buddy Chloe and their classmates are playing veterinarians at recess, Beatrice creatively tries to fit in. Could she be a bat, hanging upside down, or a sticky gecko? When an accident happens and Beatrice spends time in the nurse's office, her creative mind works on a possible solution to her friendship and classroom dramas.
Shelley Johannes' gentle story encourages young readers to think positively and celebrate their different styles and personalities. Her creative language uses alliteration, humour and sensory experiences to build a picture of Beatrice's journey. Beatrice Zinker upside down thinker is a wonderful read aloud novel for years 2-4, one to stop and ponder the sage advice, the creative thinking and discuss the valuing of individual differences. Johannes has drawn from childhood experiences and this is beautifully crafted in this junior novel as she explores emotional wellbeing, friendship, self-perception and anti-bullying.
Rhyllis Bignell

Married quarter: Boots, berets and bloody uniforms by Maria Augustus-Dunn

Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925520453
(Age: Adult) Themes: Military life. Family relationships. Cambodia. Travel. Identity. Life as the spouse of a serving Australian Military man is revealed, 'boots and all', in this very personal memoir. Maria Augustus-Dunn reveals her own big personality and sociable self to her audience as she details 21 years of life with her identity impacted by the highs and lows of the Armed Services. With multiple moves and homes along the way she quite delightfully shares how the 'other half' of a married Military man is impacted when decisions are made for deployment and redeployment. Her social life gathers friends in far off places; she needs to deal with uniforms and expectations that have no training College for preparation; she is forced to find new work after another move across the country or just contend with being alone for long periods. In addition, Maria finds herself having to deal with a foreign diplomatic posting to Cambodia, with the difficulty of language learning and addressing the myriad of cultural issues that accompany this change. The author's good humour and respect shines through the text, and her enjoyment of a good party is also abundantly clear.
This honestly written memoir reveals other participants and their connections to Maria and her husband Brad, but she deliberately masks their identities to enable to keep some anonymity (necessary, but sometimes frustrating for the reader). Maria does not hide her own failings and her 'foot-in-mouth' moments add to the light-hearted representation of the personal history and make the book worth reading.
Recommended for adults who like to peek inside the lives of others or to those who want to find out more about the life of those who share the Military Married Quarters. This is not great literature... but memoirs are very personal.
Carolyn Hull

The Nutcracker, a colouring book ill. by Jill Tytherleigh, Lydia Coventry and Sophia O'Connor

Macmillan Children's Books, 2017. ISBN 9781509853601
(Age: 7+) A delightful gift which combines a wonderfully traditional story with detailed outlines ready to be filled. At this time of year, the book could be used for mindfulness activities with middle years classes, but could also be enjoyed by adult and children alike. The colouring book is an adaptation of the short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A Hoffman. While the colouring book is interspersed with quotes from the original story, the artist repeats themes of rats and ballerinas with a magical holiday theme which does not depend on the reader to know the plot. The detailed drawings are not too complex, though some are more simplistic, which means no need to concentrate on filling in tiny shapes for hours. There is within the pages, enough detail for those who consider themselves expert with the colouring trend, although some of the simpler pages would be a great starting point for a novice. The quality of the pages mean that pencils, felt tips or connector pens can be used, though I would check for bleeding ink on darker colours. I look forward to seeing this one available in shops ready for the Christmas season, with a festive cover highlighted with red and gold it is sure to be a popular gift.
Clare Thompson

A very quacky Christmas by Frances Watts and Ann James

ABC Books, 2017. ISBN 9780733329623
(Age: 2-5) Highly recommended. Themes: Christmas, Sharing, Perseverance. Samantha Duck is singing her favourite song, We wish you a quacky Christmas as she gets ready for Christmas. She believes that animals love to share and she wants to give presents to animals all over the world. Sebastian the tortoise is not so optimistic. He believes that it cannot be done, and says "Christmas is not for animals," but Samantha is determined because for her "Christmas is about giving and sharing". When they approach their farmyard friends for help all the animals decide that Christmas is for them. The sheep donate their wool for Samantha and Sebastian to knit socks and scarves, the hens donate their eggs for the pair to make cupcakes, the cows the daisies in the field for daisy chains and then they wrap everything in brightly coloured paper. The donkey shares his cart so that the friends can deliver their presents all over the world. With determination and a final belief that Christmas is for animals from Sebastian, the pair soar into the air, delivering their presents all over the world.
This is a joyous picture book that is destined to become a Christmas favourite. I found myself humming along to Samantha's We wish you a quacky Christmas for hours after reading the story and kept the images of the Samantha and Sebastian dancing to the song in my head, making me feel happy at the thought of sharing and giving at Christmas. Children will delight in the gorgeous illustrations of the friends as they make their presents and soar across the sky and will easily follow the themes of perseverance and generosity that permeate the story.
A very quacky Christmas is a keeper and one for all libraries, homes and classrooms.
Pat Pledger

A Christmas menagerie edited and compiled by Beattie Alvarez

Christmas Press, 2017. ISBN 9780994528049
(Age: 7-12) Recommended. Themes: Christmas, Short stories. Twelve short stories will delight young readers and any adult who reads them aloud to children. The stories are by well known authors, Janeen Brian, Michael Pryor, Sophie Masson, Gabrielle Wang and Sherryl Clark as well as some new and emerging authors.
This is a compilation to dip into and enjoy. Clever wombat by Janeen Brian has a very busy Wombat ticking off the tasks for Christmas from his list but needing the help of his friends to find a special Christmas tree. Children will giggle about Michael Prior's story of Santa's special helper the pig who has to help Santa out by eating all the treats left out by families, the delightful illustrations by Kathy Creamer adding to the humour in the story. Adults and children alike will thrill to the story of The ancient wren by Michael Grey, with its moral "Happiness, like kindness, is only real when shared". I was really taken with Pony for Sale, written and illustrated by Gabrielle Wang. Although it isn't a traditional Christmas story, the themes of generosity, sharing and caring that come through this tale of a little girl who has to give her pony away when her family moves to a small flat are ones that bring the spirit of the festive season to life.
Each story is illustrated by different illustrators, Kathy Creamer, Fiona McDonald, Beattie Alvarez, Ingrid Kallick, and Yvonne Low and the bright colourful drawings all add to the joy in the book.
A selection that will continue to be enjoyed by children over the years, this is a worthy addition to every library and classroom.
Pat Pledger

The naughtiest reindeer takes a bow by Nicki Greenberg

Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760297653
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Rhyming story, Christmas, Reindeer, Presents. Christmas is approaching quickly and Ruby wants to help Santa this year so that he does not get stressed out delivering all the presents on time. Ruby, Rudolph's naughty sister was first introduced in The naughtiest reindeer (2013) and has had two more books about her playfulness, The naughtiest reindeer at the zoo (2015) and The naughtiest reindeer goes south (2016)
Ruby is enchanting and just as welcome in this verse story telling of her efforts to help.
She throws the sack of presents on her back the day before Christmas and heads off pulling the sleigh alone. Because she is unable to do this by herself, she falls onto the outside of the house of George and Amelia. They take her in, pushing all the presents into the garage, but their parents do not want the reindeer to stay at home, so the children take her to school where they are rehearsing their songs for Christmas Eve. The class are all dressed as reindeer, and Ruby tries to join in but makes things a little worse. Meanwhile Santa and the other reindeer are looking for the presents and so the two groups collide with predictably funny results, as Ruby works out how the two groups can manage to deliver all the presents on time.
Children will love reading of Ruby's adventures as she really tries to help, but finds that all her efforts cause some sort of mayhem.
Readers will enjoy predicting the rhyming words as they gobble up an array of new words, like astonish, admonish, disappear and initiative. I love Ruby and the reindeers, fashioned out of wood, with twig antlers, encouraging any reader to try one out for themselves, and the array of Christmas customs are reflected through the book for everyone to enjoy. The book's shimmering cover is sure to attract a host of readers.
Fran Knight

Merry Christmas, Mary Christmas! by Laurie Friedman

Ill. by Kathryn Durst. Carolrhoda Books, 2017. ISBN 9781467792615
(Age: All) Highly recommended. With a name like Mary Christmas how could you not like Christmas? The problem is Mary does not like Christmas. The whole Christmas family are especially happy at Christmas time, except poor Mary. The Christmas family do Christmas in a big way but Mary does not feel merry at all.
When the family go to visit Santa, Mary believes that Santa can make Christmas merry for her. After visiting him Mary thought a lot about what he had said. She finally had an idea of how she could make Christmas merry for everyone and with her family's help Mary Christmas finally had a Merry Christmas.
This is a great Christmas picture book for children of all ages, and I would highly recommend it.
Karen Colliver

Rory the dinosaur needs a Christmas tree by Liz Climo

Rory the dinosaur series. Little, Brown and Company, 2017. ISBN 9780316469678
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Christmas, Celebration, Fatherhood, Family. Following the success of the two previous books, Rory the dinosaur: me and my dad, and Rory the dinosaur wants a pet, this new story about Rory will be most welcome. Rory and his dad are excited about the coming festivity, as is everyone else on their island. They have put up decorations, made a wreath, made cookies, hung their stockings, wrapped their presents and hung up Christmas lights, but one thing is missing. So Rory and his dad go off hunting for a Christmas tree. They search all over the island, finding many trees, but none is the right one to have in their home. Disappointed they return and make some cocoa, and listen to the people singing carols outside their window. But when Rory goes to put his present for his dad under the tree, there is not one there. He falls asleep where the tree should be, but when he wakes he is in for quite a surprise.
Another delightful outing for Rory the dinosaur, this one like the others is replete with warmth and expressions of love shared by Rory and his dad. They do everything together, each supporting the other, and dad dressing up for his beloved son so he is not disappointed on Christmas Day. The simple yet direct and uncluttered illustrations suit the story perfectly, and younger children will love seeing Rory in all his glory as he presents all the customs that surround Christmas and its celebration in the west.
And the main theme is pulled together on the very last page. Hopefully Rory and his father will have many more adventures, warmly expressing a homage to fatherhood and the love shared by father and son.
Fran Knight

Create your own Christmas by Isabel Thomas

Ill. by Katie Abey. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408882207
Have you spent all year dreaming of turkey, tinsel and Christmas trees? Christmas is FAR too important to leave to the adults to get right - so take control and create your own Christmas. Make a sleigh launcher to start Christmas with a whizz? Paint a festive scene with leftovers from your Christmas dinner. Build your own Christmas cracker to celebrate with a BANG.
Well this book was right up my alley - anything to do with craft, making, construction - my ears prick up! This book would be a great Christmas stocking filler - children would love to have their own copy to pick and choose which activity to choose next. I love the introduction of the book and the little annotations throughout it allowing the children to follow the directions. It is bright and colourful, utilising the traditional Christmas colours and extremely well set out. It clearly lists the items required and have simple step by step instructions to follow. While the children are completing the activities, they will also be able to learn about many of the history surrounding Christmas traditions. Priced with a RRP of $14.99 it would also make a great boredom buster leading up to Christmas.
Kathryn Schumacher

Sage Cookson's Christmas ghost by Sally Murphy

Santa's gone surfing by P. Crumble

Ill. by Thomas Fitzpatrick. Koala Books, 2017. ISBN 9781743815663
(Age: 4-7) Themes: Rhyme, Christmas, Australian Stories. This is a reimagined story of Santa's journey with an Australian flavour (think An Aussie Day Before Christmas but not as respectable). P. Crumble is known for his silly picture books (particularly his many I know an old . . . stories as well as for his stories about Kevin, the grumpy cat in The Cat Wants Cuddles and The Cat Wants Custard) and this one is no less silly. It features a bogan-ish main character named Trev taking over from Santa, who just wants a holiday at the beach. The reindeers are replaced by emus with names such as Stinky and Sheila and as Rudolph's equivalent there is Squinty with his bloodshot red eye. The sleigh is a rusty old yellow ute and Trev sports chin stubble, rubber thongs and some stubby footy shorts that are falling down and showing off his spotty pink jocks and flabby stomach. He hasn't passed Santa school yet but he's all they've got on the emergency list.
There is one map showing Trev's journey up and down the east coast and another of his lap of Tasmania. It lists off cities and dots some of them on the map but it would have been better if this structure continued through the rest of the country to give readers a visual idea of his entire journey and to orient them to the geography of Australia. (It is probably a bit ridiculous to expect a story this silly to be educational but it would have added to its value).
This makes a bit of a farce of the Santa story and is quite unpleasant to an adult (Santa is stinky, sweaty and obese, Trev is quite repulsive and daft looking and Squinty's bloodshot eye is rather off-putting). Children, with their love of the distasteful, will probably think it is riotously fun.
Nicole Nelson

Bouncing bouncing little joeys: a bush Christmas by Lesley Gibbes

Ill. by Doris Chang. Lothian, 2017. ISBN 9780734417565
(Age: 3+) Themes: Christmas, Rhyming story, Australian animals. Three joeys, the young of a red kangaroo, a wallaby and a numbat, trim their Christmas tree in time for Christmas and the imminent arrival of Santa Claus. Each of the joeys brings along some decorations to add to the tree, eventually standing on each other to put the star on top. They cut up paper to make crafty things and Christmas cards, they bake cake and gingerbread for Santa to eat, they hang their stockings on a line between the eucalypts, make a wreath, sing Christmas carols and hang up the mistletoe. When all is done, they curl up together to have a well deserved sleep.
In rhyming lines the metre is simple and will be easily learnt by the listeners, able to join in as it is read aloud. The simple rhyming allows all children to have a guess at the last word of each refrain, encouraging their participation. The strength of the book lies in its reflection of the customs surrounding Christmas in Australia, encouraging children to talk about what happens in their houses at this time of the year and teaching those new to the country how Christmas is celebrated here.
Fran Knight

Father Christmas heard a fart by Olaf Falafel

HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9780008244316
(Age: 3-7) Christmas. This is comedian Olaf Felafal's first picture book. It is set to the tune of Old McDonald Had a Farm and is about a Christmas fart mystery. "Father Christmas heard a fart . . . E-I-E-I-O! He thought that fart came from a bird . . . E-I-E-I-O! With a Pffrrp Pffrrp here and Pffrrp Pffrrp there . . . ". It even tells the reader how to make each of the fart sounds, complete with instructions and facial diagrams showing Santa making the noise (e.g. "Fill one of your cheeks with air, and play it like a bagpipe!"). As all this farting is going on we see Santa preparing for his Christmas run. Finally, the culprit is discovered. "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house rang the sound of a fart . . . from an overfed mouse!".
This is completely silly but the shiny illustrations show the wonderful Christmas world of a child's imagination (lots of toys, snow, presents, Christmas trees, elves, reindeers) and it is easy to sing. The instructions for making the fart noises are fun and children will love joining in.
Nicole Nelson

Busy Nativity ill. by Emily Bolam

Busy Book series. Campbell Books, 2017. ISBN 9781509828951
(Age: 2-4) Themes: Nativity, Board Book, Interactive Book, Rhyme. This is one of the Busy Book series (comprising more than 20 titles) that includes Busy Park, Busy Baking and Busy Fire Station. Each book contains push and pull tabs and is composed of very sturdy board pages. The tabs and pull-outs are equally robust. Each page contains lots of detail, thereby providing opportunities for children to ask questions, make observations and discuss what they notice. There are also simple questions (e.g., "Who is on the donkey?") to stimulate discussion between reader and child.
The text is very short, with a simple rhyming narration of the first Christmas (e.g., "Sweet baby Jesus was born that night. As angels appeared and a star so bright"). It tells of the birth of baby Jesus but does not go into the meaning of Christmas or why his birth is so celebrated. In fact, God is not mentioned at all.
The illustrations are colourful and depict a happy, all-smiling world. There are lots of animals for young ones to point out and name.
This is a joyful first introduction to the Nativity story that will even engage busy toddlers with short attention spans.
Nicole Nelson