Reviews

Sage Cookson's literary launch by Sally Murphy

At the beach I see by Kamsani Bin Salleh

Young Art series. Magabala Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925360462
(Age: 0-5) Board book. Sea creatures. Pattern illustrations. This is the second title in the Young Art board book series by young Indigenous Australian artists. The previous release was At the zoo I see.
Here, Salleh's patterned illustrations reflect the natural world. Each page contains a simple white background featuring black line drawings of ocean creatures and birds that can be found around the Australian coastline. The patterned drawings have then been washed with vibrant colours. The text names the creatures and describes their movement: scuttling crabs, dancing jellyfish, waving coral, scattered shells, flying fish, drifting seaweed, crawling sea stars, gliding seabirds. The illustrations give a sense of this movement described within the text, both within the drawing of the individual creatures and the way they flow from page to page. This is an ideal book to share with the very young as it introduces new vocabulary (names of creatures, adjectives) but could also be used with older children as a foray into patterning art.
Nicole Nelson

Secrets in death by J.D. Robb

In death series, book 45. Little, Brown, 2017. ISBN 9780349415789
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Mystery. It is amazing how J.D. Robb manages to come up with new plots and twists even after 44 previous books. Secrets in death is just as compulsive as the previous books and leaves the reader wanting more of the fabulous couple, Eve Dallas and Roarke.
This time, the plot centres on the murder of Larinda Mars, who bled out in front of Dallas while she was in a fashionable bar. As the investigation gets underway, it becomes apparent that Mars not only traded in gossip for her show, but traded in blackmail on the side. With so many suspects to choose from, Dallas and her team have a busy time trying to uncover the secrets that Mars carried with her, not just about the people on her list but about the reasons that her face had been virtually reconstructed. And for readers, there is a secret close to home that is finally revealed.
The success of this series is a tribute to J.D.Robb's ability to write a tight, interesting murder story, this time concentrating on how the team do the investigation. I was left wishing that the story hadn't finished. Fans will not be disappointed.
Pat Pledger

Tiny Timmy : The big break by Tim Cahill

Ill. by Heath McKenzie. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781742764948
(Age: 6+) The big break is the 6th Book in the Tiny Timmy series by Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, and it does not disappoint. This book deals with a major injury (broken bone) and the impacts of this on a mad keen sports player! On top of this set back, Tiny Timmy also has to study and participate in big tests at school! This book is a wonderful read that is engaging for both girls and boys and has many relatable experiences and provides talking points for parents and their children.
This story (and whole series) really shows the benefit in pushing yourself, trying your hardest and not giving up. The injury aspect of the story also shows kids that set-backs are small in the scheme of things and working hard helps to get results.
I enjoyed the line drawings by Heath McKenzie, they are fun and add a great visual aspect to this short novel. Throughout the story there are many different soccer terms and also hints which would be a great incentive for a young child (approximately 8 years old) who loves soccer, but is struggling to enjoy reading.
I loved that the length of the chapters were short enough for children starting with chapter books, and that the lines of text had a good amount of space between them to enable easy reading. The book featured a variety of fonts in a variety of sizes and also word-art style words. While this made the pages visually appealing it could also be distracting for children with reading or visual issues.
The style of this book could also be likened to The Diary of a Wimpy Kid or WeirDo series, with the line drawings and entertaining, relatable content.
On the whole, a great story that could be read by younger, fluent readers or by the parents of any soccer mad kid!
Lauren Fountain

Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619637245
(Age: 4-8) Beginning readers.This new series is similar to the Elephant and Piggie books. It is comprised of crisp, simple, full-page illustrations with bold outlining and page borders. It contains no narration, mostly speech bubbles and some sounds and environmental text. The small amount of large, bold text on each page makes it perfect for beginning readers. There are some visual clues to help young readers and it uses mostly high frequency and phonetic words. Duck, Duck, Porcupine! includes three short stories, each featuring Big Duck, Little Duck and Porcupine. Big Duck is organised, bossy and knows just about everything. Porcupine is a great friend who will go along with just about anything. Little Duck cannot talk yet but he thinks outside the box and is very clever. The three characters are all incredibly lovable. In the first story the friends go out for a picnic but it starts raining. Big Duck and Porcupine are disappointed that their picnic is ruined but Little Duck shows them how to have fun in spite of the wet weather. In the second story Big Duck knows she has forgotten something and Little Duck is trying ever so hard to tell her what it is. In the last story the friends decide to go camping. While Big Duck and Porcupine are still busy gathering the 100 necessary camping items Little Duck is already having fun camping! This is an engaging text for young children with pictures that help tell the story and beautifully illustrate the nuances of the three friends. Simple illustrations, a restrained colour palette and minimal background detail will help to keep young readers focused on the text and the expressions and actions of the characters. The characters are endearing and both children and adults will enjoy their humourous adventures.
Nicole Nelson

Animals rock and other wild songs (with CD) written and sung by Beau Young and Shelley Craft

Ill. by Susy Boyer. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743810538
(Age: 2-5) Sing-a-long book. This is a sing-a-long book and CD set comprising five songs by the Animals Rock band (they also have an album available called On the Farm). Like many similar book plus CD publications, it relies heavily on the CD. Reading the lyrics aloud or attempting to put them to a tune will be disappointing for most. When played, however, the five original tracks are fun and catchy and should be appreciated by both children and adults. There are a couple of louder and rockier songs but the rest have a laid-back, folky, sometimes even country sound. The first track introduces the members of the Animals Rock band: Lila Horse, Gordo Gorilla, Ginger Giraffe and Leonius Lion. The other four songs each feature a different animal, putting forward a few fun facts about each within the lyrics. While there is not enough detail to make these educational songs, children may discover new things about the animals. Each song is short with a repeated chorus that children will be able to sing. The full lyrics are also inside the back cover. The fun illustrations will give children something to look at while they listen to the music. When used in conjunction with the CD this will be of use to music teachers or can just be used as a fun sing-a-long book for preschool/classroom or home use.
Nicole Nelson

What's up top? by Marc Martin

Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143783886
(Ages: 4-7) Questions, Rhyme, Imagination. Questions, questions, questions. There is one on every page. And none of them are answered. Even the endpapers are covered in question marks. What's Up Top? the front cover asks, the writing leading our eye up the ladder, its end invisible. A small green frog sits, apparently also pondering the question. The reader is given many possible answers, each more elaborate and creative than the last, but no definitive one. From 'Is it a hat?' to 'The string of a kite on a meteorite that's attached to a whale . . . while a sloth eating soup parachutes through a hoop for a group of iguanas in purple pyjamas?', the reader is taken on a journey of infinite possibility. We see the narrator at the end. He's a penguin. He can't tell us the answer: 'I don't climb up ladders . . . I'm no good with heights!' he says.
This will be great as a creative writing prompt. It could also be used when introducing and discussing the use of question marks. It is, however, just a fun read aloud rhyme that holds us in suspense then lets us enter the imaginative realm ourselves. What IS up top is kind of unimportant and probably boring. As the book says 'It's probably a bird . . . or maybe just sky?'. The truth is never going to be as interesting as what we can imagine.
Nicole Nelson

Opposite Land by Charlotte Rose Hamlyn

Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780143780816
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Themes: Friendship; Graphic Novels; Opposites; Fantasy; Humour. Written by Charlotte Rose Hamlyn (a former Adelaide girl, who has worked as a screenwriter for many children's cartoons, as well as presenting a TV Art program for children), this is a graphic novel with incredibly quirky characters and plot direction. The central character - a girl called Steve - has had a disastrous day at her new school when she makes a mistake in choosing who to befriend. When she debriefs to her mother at the end of the school day an unpleasant day spirals into an argument. (Dare I suggest it - they have opposite views!) An opposite book written by her grandfather is shared, and it draws Steve to the eponymous Opposite Land where 'socks wear feet, broccoli is meat, behind is ahead, and people poop from their head!' Steve proceeds to save the un-saveable from the Emperor Never, and learn some important truths along the way.
Hamlyn's illustrations are exceptionally quirky, and the humour is quite clever as the 'opposites' interact with Steve and the reader in confusing ways. Younger readers will like the odd drawings, and slightly older readers will appreciate the 'clever' interpretation of an 'opposite world'.
Although graphic novels are not my personal favourites, I can see the place for this book for a cartoon-loving reader.
Recommended for ages 8-12 years.
Carolyn Hull

The scared book by Debra Tidball

Ill. by Kim Siew. Hachette Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780734417503
(Age: 3-6) Interactive book, Fear. "Hello! Thank you for reading me. I hope I'm not a scary story" says the first page. But then, uh oh, there are monsters. "I can't tell you the rest of this story because . . . I'm scared!" says the book. Then follows descriptors of how it feels to be scared: a tingle in the spine, goose bumps, giant butterflies and monsters, not to mention the smell that they leave. The book asks the reader to help by scratching away the tingles, rubbing away the goose bumps, blowing away the butterflies and then helping it to relax by following a spiral with their finger. This is a clever publication because it provides a visual representation of fear and gives simple and practical ways for children to deal with it. It also normalises the bodily feelings associated with the emotion. Touching or manipulating parts of the body and breathing are all ways of helping to alleviate stress and children can practice using these within the context of helping the book overcome its fear. The monsters are not threatening looking (they are almost cute) so children will not become scared themselves.
This is a fun book that provides effective methods and a useful vocabulary for children to talk about and overcome their fear. It also reassures children that fear is normal, that everyone has different things they are scared of and that it is okay to ask for help.
Nicole Nelson

Jigsaw of fire and stars by Yaba Badoe

Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786697981
When a boatload of African refugees is rammed and sunk by people smugglers, Sante's family set her adrift on the sea in a chest containing all their wealth, in the hope that she will survive.
Discovered by Mama Rose and raised as her own alongside two other foundlings Cat and Cobra, Sante grows up in a small Gypsy community, travelling throughout Europe and performing circus tricks for a living.
The youths possess unusual talents. Sante sees the terrible demise of her family in dreams, can sometimes read the thoughts of people and communicates with Triss, an eagle which protects her and does her bidding. Cobra has an affinity with snakes and can charm them to behave as he pleases whilst Cat is an unerring knife thrower.
Sante's family and friends are used to constantly moving to escape the attention of authorities who often chase and harass them. When they realise that the appearance of suspicious men is somehow connected to Sante's dead relatives, their instinct is to remove themselves and disappear, rather than engaging the help of police whom they naturally distrust.
The arrival of the mysterious Scarlett, a young girl of similar age who is clearly traumatised, prompts Sante, Cat and Cobra to remain and assist her against the wishes of their elders. The trio discovers a sinister people smuggling network where adolescents are sold into sexual slavery and they become embroiled in a dangerous and nasty situation.
In order to survive and to attempt to bring the criminals to justice, Sante, Cat and Cobra summon all of their powers, both physical and magical as they navigate a confusing maelstrom of events.
The theme of sex trafficking seems out of place in a story which appears to be written for early teens, however nothing explicit is depicted. The writing style, language and plot developments may not appeal to older readers and the topic seems worthy of a more sophisticated presentation in my view.
Rob Welsh

Free as a cloud by Bai Bing

Ill. by Yu Rong. Starfish Bay Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781760360351
(Age: 4-6) Free as a cloud is a distinctive picture book, with bold black two dimensional cut-outs dominating the pages, interspersed with soft pencil sketches showing Sweetie the myna bird's experiences in the city. The story told from Sweetie's point of view, describes her thoughts on captivity and freedom. On her flight over a Chinese city, she observes a happy friendly family and she decides to join them. Sweetie loves their kind ways, she has a comfortable cage, great food and a caring home. She is taken on bike rides through the town, eats sweet juicy fruit, but something makes her unhappy. Sweetie suffers from melancholy and loses her desire to sing. 'I don't want to be a sad bird trapped in a cage.'
When the family realises their much-loved pet is sad, they try to help her, and all their friends come over with their pets for a wonderful party. Sweetie's family finally realises she needs to return to her jungle home, filled with colourful flowers. As the jungle animals watch, she flies happily into the sky greeting the clouds, joyfully singing to the other birds.
Free as a Cloud has a simple straightforward text, which sometimes sounds a little formal. The illustrations lift the story, so much action and activity, represented by the characters' silhouettes in the foreground with colourful vignettes of everyday life adding depth to the bold illustrations. With the themes of captivity and freedom, this picture book is suited to readers from 4-6.
Rhyllis Bignell

Guinness World Records 2018 by Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records, 2017. ISBN 9781910561713
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. The Guinness World Records series needs no introduction and Guinness World Records 2018 continues with the production of a fascinating, exceptionally well produced and interesting book. The amazing records that it contains will keep a reader interested for hours and it is fun to dip in and out of the book to see what incredible feats have been achieved. There are '45,000 claims researched, 3,000 new and updated records published, 1,000 photographs sourced, 60 exclusive photoshoots attended', so there are an enormous number of records to dazzle the reader.
For those who want to know specific information, there is a Contents page which has twelve sections, including Earth, Animals, Superhumans, Adventures, Sci-Tech and Engineering and Sports. An index highlights main entries in bold and is quite comprehensive. Eye-catching full-colour photos accompany the entries, which are written in short crisp language.
A special feature chapter in the 2018 edition is the section on superheroes, which chronicles the rise of the superhero in popular culture. There is also a new feature that celebrates absolutes such as the longest, tallest, fastest and heaviest and it is possible to download free posters with these records on them from the World Guinness records site.
This volume will have readers squabbling over who can read it and is one that can be shared as well. Adults will also find themselves entertained by the amazing feats recorded and some people will have a look at what is necessary to make a record.
Pat Pledger

Guinness World Records 2018 Gamer's edition: The ultimate guide to gaming records by Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records, 2017. ISBN 9781910561737
(Age: 7+) Recommended. With an introduction by DanTDM who has the most viewed Minecraft channel on YouTube (nearly 10 billion views), The 11th edition of The ultimate guide to gaming records is a must for any gaming fan and is certain to thrill those children who are engrossed with games in their screen time. This edition contains records about favourite games including Mario, Pokemon Go and Minecraft as well as information about gaming heroes and videogames.
The colourful Contents page which is divided into sections that include Fantasy, Viral glitches, Sci-fi, Legends, Superheroes, Real world, Sports and Fighting, makes an easy entry into the book for those who can skim read to find their favourite game. Then there are instructions to the reader on how to become a record-breaker, as well as an index at the back which once again is helpful for readers wanting to find out specific information. There is a special section on Superheroes, with a brief history of superhero games, then sections on Spider-Man, a Marvel and DC round-up, records about Batman and Lego superheroes.
The records themselves make for amazing reading (the oldest videogames YouTuber is Shirley Curry aged 81 years) and the well-produced book, enticing information and the colourful photographs will make it a hit in the library and at home.
Pat Pledger

Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais

Pushkin Press, 2017. ISBN 9781782691204
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. This superb YA novel deals with some pretty gritty issues like bullying (cyber and real life), self image, identity and family relationships and is one of the most wickedly funny books you'll read all year.
Mireille, Astrid and Hakima are three girls at the same school and recently voted as the first three place-winners in a Facebook 'Pig Pageant' for the ugliest girls by their schoolmates. This event was initiated by Mireille's erstwhile childhood friend Malo, who is one of the most odious youths ever. Since they both started high school Malo has made it his mission in life to humiliate Mireille at every turn.
While the girls are all pretty crushed by this horrible bullying, they are not going to let it get the better of them and form a friendship that will fly them forever. Each has a particular reason for their proposed plan to cycle to Paris for the huge Bastille Day celebrations; Mireille, wants to confront her biological father, now married to the President, Astrid wants to meet her idols Indochine and Hakima wants to berate the commanding officer about to be awarded the Legion of Honour for the debacle that resulted in her brother Kader losing both his legs in battle.
Overcoming the opposition of parents, the girls set off on what must be the craziest road trip ever with Kader in his super wheel chair as their chaperone. Along the way they garner the respect and adulation of thousands via newspapers and social media and in real life.
Told through Mireille's witty and philosophical voice, the reader is alongside the girls for the entire trip which is joyful, uplifting and totally hilarious.
Proving themselves as true Mighty Girls the trio triumph over the online bullies and even horrid Malo shows some indications of redemption, especially when the reason for his nastiness is revealed. Each girl learns valuable lessons about herself particularly when they finally attain their goals and find that something has changed about their motivations.
Definitely worthy of its achievement of winning France's biggest award for YA/teen fiction I highly recommend this to you for your girls from around 14 years upwards.
Sue Warren

The fairy dancers: Dancing days by Natalie Jane Prior

Ill. by Cheryl Orsini. ABC Books, 2017. ISBN 9780733335648
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. Ballet dancers. Friendship. Ballet. Natalie Jane Prior's delightful picture book The fairy dancers: Dancing days contains three enjoyable stories about friendship, sleepovers, dance concerts and Christmas celebrations. These are easy to read and fun to share, just right for young dancers beginning to read chapter books.
In 'The fairy sleepover', after a rainy summer holidays, Emma's garden has become a lake. Her friends Mia and Grace spend time outdoors, discovering 'spider webs starred with raindrops, a shiny chrysalis and a wing from a fairy's chariot'. The girls have missed their dance lessons and their dance teacher who has been on holidays too. After they dance around a fairy ring of bright toadstools, Miss Ashleigh surprises them and invites them for a fun sleepover. 'Robots and fairies' introduces the boys' dance troupe, dressed as robots they wait to perform. Unfortunately, the fairy dancers and the robots get into an altercation backstage and costumes end up ripped and torn. Miss Ashleigh steps in to restore the situation and help sort everything out.
Miss Ashleigh takes Emma, Mia and Grace into town to see the lights in 'The Fairy Christmas'. When Grace leaves her doll Emily in the taxi, their caring teacher tries to cheer her up. Dancing around the Christmas tree and looking at the Nativity scene helps Grace feel better. After a visit with Santa, then a dance with the jolly old fellow, followed by a surprise for Grace, makes this a great evening out in the end.
Cheryl Orsini's detailed pastel watercolour and gouache illustrations add excitement and sparkle to the story. Her fluid lines, hidden details and soft pastel colours show the delightful characters dancing across the pages complimenting Prior's gentle descriptive text. This author and illustrator have built a strong collaborative partnership working together on more than twelve books. This is apparent in the second enjoyable picture book The fairy dancers: Dancing days that is a celebration of dancing, fun and friendship.
Rhyllis Bignell