Ruby's Perfect Fire Safety Plan by Wendy Rudge. Illus. by Tom Jellett
Wild Dog Books, 2026. ISBN: 9781742037110. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Ruby's Perfect Fire Safety Plan is an important read for both children and adults. It is an uncomplicated story of how Ruby plans the perfect response to planning what her family needs to do if there is a fire at home.
Ruby loves to plan and after a visit from the fire brigade to her school she determinedly sets out to create a plan in case of a fire at home. She checks out a number of hazards including leaves in gutters, curtains near candles, unattended pots on the stove, phones charging under pillows in bedrooms, double adaptors being piggybacked and clothing left on a heater and informs her family of them. She then draws a plan of the house and the best ways to escape a fire along with an emergency poster with all of the important information. Her final job is to practise a fire drill with her family.
This brightly illustrated picture book with large images and well-spaced text, is a valuable book for a school, home or public library. The simplicity of the story is one that will share vital information in both words and pictures and may just save a home or a life.
Themes Plans, Fire, Safety Plan, Home, Family, Fire Hazards.
Kathryn Beilby
Celebration Festival by Alysia Kelly & Ruth-Mary Smith
Debut South Australian author Alysia Kelly has written an engaging introductory picture book for younger readers centred around a number of diverse festivals and special events celebrated throughout the year. Evie, along with her pet dog Biscuit, has been chosen to choose her favourite festival and there are so many to choose from, which one will it be?
Cleverly set up using calendar months beginning with January, where fireworks are mentioned to start off the year, each festival chosen to appear in the book is given its title and where relevant, the country where it takes place. In January there is Pongol in South India where they celebrate the Sun, Mother Nature and farm animals for a good harvest. More quirky January celebrations include Train Your Dog Month as well as Spaghetti Day. February of course mentions Valentine’s Day and the fact that it is Chocolate Month. St Patrick’s Day features in March alongside Wildlife Day and Earth Hour. There is also Biscuit’s favourite day World Sleep Day. In December is the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, and of course Christmas.
As Evie and Biscuit learn about each festival the reader is transported to the colour and joy of the celebrations through the vibrant and fun-filled illustrations. Set against a white background, each image provides a glimpse of the celebration often with humour added including Shark Awareness Day in July, Book Week in August and Nachos Day in November. At the end of the book a number of festivals are mentioned including Easter and Lunar New Year which change dates each year.
Celebration Festival is a timely new release and a wonderful addition to an Early Years learning environment. In the Australian Curriculum, celebrations and cultural events are important to supporting children's learning, understanding and development. This book will be a valuable resource for a school and public library.
Themes Celebrations, Festivals, Family, Friends, Culture, Diversity, Months of the Year.
Kathryn Beilby
Blue Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison. Illus. by Tamlyn Teow
Blue Dragon of the Sea is an engaging narrative non-fiction picture book that will fascinate young readers. With a touch of humour and a lot of blue, the nudibranch and friends will delight with their exploration of the ocean while providing an opportunity to learn facts about this little known sea creature.
Pronounced ‘nudi-brank’ which means naked gills, it is also known as a sea slug and comes in all shapes, colours and sizes. In fact, there are over 3000 types. The nudibranch discussed in this story is a blue glaucus which can easily camouflage in the ocean. It is also known as a Sea Swallow, Blue Angel and a Blue Dragon. They are barely three centimetres long, have boy and girl parts and do not have brains. They float belly up and glide on the current. So many new and interesting facts for children to learn and remember.
The gorgeous cheeky illustrations in coloured pencils, markers and watercolour perfectly complement the often humorous text and the movement of words through the rolling seas is beautifully crafted. As well as being full of information, the overall presentation makes this story not only a visual treat but also an enjoyable and accessible way to impart new knowledge.
Fart face is a book that perhaps could be said to appeal to a certain reader/readee relationship and not to the more dignified. For example it may be a dodgy call for a teacher to read it to a class or a grandparent or parent to read it to a child. That doesn't mean though that the book should not be readily available on the bookshelf and in the library. Fart face is more a book for children to have a good old laugh over with their friends or siblings and away from adults - though of course there are plenty of jokes and information to be shared contained within its pages. There is always a space for this type of book. It's a bit naughty. It's funny and it is mildly informative too.
Author Andrew Daddo is well known for a variety of books including picture books, chapter books, short stories and novels. Most primary years children are familiar with the Atticus Van Tasticus series and Daddo's irreverent humour. Preceding Fart face, Poo face was published in 2023 and was also illustrated by Jonathon Bentley. Fart face seems to be a natural companion book. One can only wonder what might come next! There is plenty of scope when it comes to subjects that are not discussed in polite company. Daddo has moved on from the study of poo to the study of farts and in a silly and informative way children can find out all about farts. Along with the information and the jokes is the serious matter of manners associated with farting and this is an important lesson for those children who might like to take the joke too far.
Multi- award winning writer and illustrator Jonathon Bentley has teamed with Daddo again in illustrating Fart face. His wonderful illustrations marry perfectly with Daddo's text in this large format hardback picture book. He uses a strong mix of colours and achieves a watercolour effect with regular use of hatching. He capably shows the emotions of the characters through their gestures, expressions and blushing cheeks. He creates a sense of activity and motion with quirky, funny and relatable characters in sticky and embarrassing situations. There is a little substory going on too. Look out for the dog as he appears on every page. He is a dog who copes with all the farting with a variety of hilarious reactions.
The authorial voice (belonging to an unnamed little boy) engages energetically and directly with the reader..."We all do them. Yes, I know you do! But there's a time and a place for a fart face." This narrator gives information, gives examples, describes, asks lots of questions (including What if? questions), imagines, exclaims, gives opinions and reminds the reader about manners.
Fart face is entertaining and informative. In the back inside cover amongst the jokes and the subject-appropriate onamatopoeia is a fact..."The world's oldest joke was a fart joke!" As Daddo says, " Farts have ALWAYS been funny."
The popularity of Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Inheritance Games series has ensured the reprint of some of her earlier works and Perfect cover is one of those. First published in 2008, Perfect cover is a fun, easy read that gives the reader some happy hours escaping into the world of Bayport High, where the jocks and the cheerleaders rule. Toby Klein is an outsider, a computer hacker with a black belt in karate, who is happy to take on any bully who terrorises her younger brother, Noah, and a student with no school or team spirit. She is not the usual type to be invited to join the elite varsity cheerleading squad. However the invitation makes her curious because it is written in code and she is stunned to find that the squad is a front for a highly trained group of underage government operatives. Her hacking skills and athleticism make her highly useful. Makeovers, training sessions, stakeouts and joining the school’s A-List follow.
Toby’s snarky attitude and snide comments give a humorous edge to the story. The description of changing from a girl who only wore black to being made over by two sparkly cheerleaders is hilarious as is the reaction of the school body to her appointment to the elite group, with absurd rumours abounding. Short, interesting chapters kept the momentum going as Toby learns the skills of being a cheerleader as well as the dangers of tracking a notorious group of lawyers.
Fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ books or The Gallagher girls series by Ally Carter are likely to enjoy this light, fast paced story.
Winner of the CBCA Picture Book of the Year, Are we there yet? has been republished for its 20th anniversary in a special foiled collector's edition. The National Year of Reading, 2012, chose this picture books as its focus for reading and book activities in Australia in 2012, and rightly so. It is an amazing book, considered a classic, detailing the exploits of a family and their trip around Australia in their family 4 wheel drive. With the refrain of 'are we there yet' common to everyone, everywhere, the family hits the grey nomad trail, one increasingly covered by younger families as well. A map at the start helps set the scene as the family packs up grandpa's old camper trailer with everything they think they will need for the three month trip.
A small Australian map every few pages acquaints the reader about how far they have gone and reinforces the position of the places they have stopped at. From The Cooroong to Uluru, Wave Rock to Sydney Harbour Bridge, the sights and sounds of Australia are presented in Alison Lester's beautiful illustrations and economical words. What better introduction to the Australian scenery could we hope for? I can imagine every classroom using this book as an introduction to any unit of work based around Australia, its land and its people. Reading Australia has published an unit of work for teachers.
The glowing pictures of various places around Australia are set against the family's trials and adventures, with the group pictured in their various costumes suited to the climate they are travelling through. The whole is presented with warmth and humour, underlining the vastness of the land through which the family moves, and also its friendliness and comraderie.
Editor's note. This review was first published in 2012 and has been updated.
Marwood's book of poetry, subtitled 'A year in poetry', lives up to that claim stupendously. Pared back lines dot the pages, making her poems readily accessible to readers who love to see big ideas distilled into few words. Australia Day is a 'waltzing good time', Valentine's Day, full of 'heart words', Anzac Day remembered with the heart wrenching 'Last post', while with Father's Day, the poet says 'I am out of words that pinpoint my Dad'. Each of Marwood's poems is short, to the point and succinct. Readers will love her work as they give a neat picture in such few words, encapsulating a moment that everyone will recognise and more often smile. Included in the poems concerning traditional celebrations are those celebrating the richness of our culture: St Patrick's Day, Ramadan, Bastille Day, Festival of Light, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Moon Festival.
In between the poems celebrating special days in the life of Australia, are general poems about birthdays, the arrival of a new baby, christening, wedding and the choice of a cake for a birthday party.
Each poem is fun to read aloud and would make a wonderful model with which to teach in the classroom, or encourage readers to read them out loud themselves, adding actions and costume to the readings. At the end of the book is a list of the special days with their dates, and a blurb about Marwood and her other books.
Themes Poetry, Celebration, Special days, Humour.
Fran Knight
The little refugee by Ahn Do and Suzanne Do. Illus. by Bruce Whatley.
Allen & Unwin, 2011. ISBN: 9781742378329. (Age:6+) Recommended.
Subtitled The inspiring true story of Australia's happiest refugee, Ahn Do's story of his early life in Australia comes hot on the heels of his memoir, The happiest refugee (Allen and Unwin, 2010). His memoir is an amazing story of his life from being born in Vietnam, to the family's escape on a fishing boat, coming to Australia, then his life as a school boy, uni student, finally becoming a standup comedian, marrying and becoming a father. This memoir, told in his own unflappable, dry style, is recreated here in a a picture book format, with stunning illustrations by Bruce Whatley. The story is shortened to the family's time in Vietnam and their boat trip across the seas to Australia, then finding their feet in this new country. It is a story of courage and hope, of tenacity and family, and will have wide appeal, particularly as the debate about refugees continues.
But it is more than story about refugees, Ahn's tenacity is very obviously a trait that was passed down from his parents. The group on their boat survived storms and heat spells, lack of food and water, pirates who wanted to kill one of the children, and stole anything of value on the boat. When in Australia, they survived the theft of their sewing machines, bought to sew clothing to make a living. Ahn and his brother wore hand me down clothing from a charity, his brother being given girls' clothing to wear. They survived school, Ahn being made year 5 captain, making his parents very proud.
It is a story about hope, about keeping faith with the future, of knowing that the future is in the hands of the children, and offering them a solid start. Whatley's illustrations are fascinating, beginning in brown sepia tones of the time in Vietnam and on the boat, then adding more colour as they settle into life in Australia. I was particularly struck by the illustrations of the group on the boat, the despair on their faces is awful to see, and the picture of the little boat being tossed about in the ocean, made me feel icily cold, although I could not see the logic in the wide eyed faces in much of the book. Students will have much to discuss when looking at life in Vietnam, or life on the boat, or the illustrations showing the Vietnam War, or the pirate coming aboard. Each offers a great deal of detail to discuss and think about.
Fran Knight
My story, Our Country by Ryhia Dank
Harper by Design, 2025. ISBN: 9781460765531. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
“Our most important book is our Country. Our stories live in the land, which is why our lands are sacred.”
Gudanji/Wakaja artist and author Ryhia Dank has created a vibrant and engaging picture book of First Nations history and culture by reflecting and sharing her own family story. The bright blue cover with the depiction of a river flowing through, references the big songline and importance of water for the Gudanji family. This river image continues throughout the book but there are also contemporary influences in the artwork alluding to the present day and in the words of Ryhia Dank… “It’s a way of showing that our stories are ongoing and still alive.”
The narrative of this gentle book flows smoothly beginning with the meaning of stories and how in the old days when there was no paper or books, First Nations people used ceremony, rock carvings, drew patterns in the sand, painted cave walls and sheets of bark to pass on their stories. For Ryhia and her family, living with Country and how it is taken care and what can be learnt from it, is of vital importance. While many stories are shared of past times, the book also talks about the present and how to look after Country for the future.
My Story, Our Country is a significant book to share with younger students about First Nations history and culture. A valuable resource for a school or public library.
Somebody's land by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing. Illus. by David Hardy
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526726. (Age:All) Highly recommended.
This evocative picture book encourages a different way of looking at our past. This glorious promotion of thousands of years of Aboriginal custodianship of the land we call Australia overturns the two words, Terra Nullius, so etched into old history books and now shown to be baseless, a pair of words uttered through ignorance.
In presenting this book, Goodes, Laing and Hardy aim to fill in the background to the words repeated at ceremonies and events all over Australia today. These words acknowledging the Indigenous history of our country are given more context, one that younger and older reads alike can mull over and digest. Repeated refrains capture our attention as the truth is revealed. The first, ‘For thousands and thousands of years, Aboriginal people lived in this land we call Australia’, is followed by four lines of text which in each instance, covers an aspect of the culture and lifestyle of the Aboriginal people. We see on each page, bold images of people going about their daily routines: making tools, dancing, building, playing, telling stories, eating together, all living on Country. This is followed by a four lined refrain:
When the white people came they called the land Terra Nullius. They said it was nobody’s land But it was somebody’s land.
These repeated four lines will make readers stop and think, to reevaluate, to weigh up what they have believed in the past. The four lines are like a mantra, forming a place in your thought process, impelling a change of thinking, a way of viewing that for some may be uncomfortable. And the book as a whole is a wonderful launch pad for discussions and conversations both at home or school, in play groups or libraries.
Hardy’s vibrant illustrations fill each page with colour and life. An Indigenous illustrator, he has worked for Walt Disney Animation Studios, and has written and illustrated books for Penguin and Magabala. His distinctive style using Photoshop and a digital tablet will thrill younger readers as they view the habitat, lifestyle and country of the people in the book.
I love the touches of white encroachment on the land: the ship, the reenactment of the raising of the British flag on this ‘Terra Nullius’, despite being offered food, the chopping down of trees. Hardy compares what was and what is now with the wide view of Sydney on the lat two pages, contrasting with the pristine bush at the start. I love the image of the dark emu, a reference to the books which have turned people’s thinking on its head in recent years.
I recommend this to people of all ages and hope along with the authors for a future where we will all walk together. Teacher's notes and a guide for parents and carers are available from the publisher.
Starting school can be an exciting but often challenging time for young children and their families. Not knowing what to expect, what to do, where to go and how to find a friend are real concerns for both children and adults who care for them. Usborne has produced an all-in-one guide that might help allay some of those nagging worries and provide reassurance.
The delightful front cover shows a diverse range of children partaking in all sorts of familiar activities with the front page sharing some important questions and comments. The contents page has chapters with simple questions including, What is School?, Why do you need to go to school? What will you do at school? and the all-important Making friends.
Each chapter is a double page spread, clearly set out with large font, simple colourful illustrations surrounded by plenty of white space. There are speech bubbles, maps, labelled images plus questions at the end. For example, on the Getting to school page are the questions: How will YOU get to school? Do you know how long your journey will take? Who will go with you?
While the book does not always reflect the general Australian school system and uses terms such as Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, School Cooks etc, it does provide generic answers to questions that may be universal for children across the world. The Making Friends chapter is particularly valuable and provides simple strategies to share with children to support them in finding a friend. The Different kinds of schools chapter mentions refugee school, forest school, boarding school and School of the Air in Australia.
At the end of the book there is a page of useful school words plus some notes for grown-ups. This book will be a useful resource for parents to read with their child to help them with the transition to school.
Larrikin House publishers are committed to publishing... "quirky, edgy, original, funny, kid-focused books...and "engaging readers at an early age"...and they believe in fun. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school fits the bill on all of these counts. It also fits the bill on being a warm and helpful story to read when it comes to helping children face their fears (in this case-the first day of school) and helping children to recognise that fear can make you do embarrassing things like... release ink by mistake! It's always comforting to know that other people (in this case Otto the octopus) have similar fears to you. If you feel shy and you hope other people don't know and you don't want to give yourself away by blushing or something else embarrassing - so does Otto. Otto has an even worse problem than you because when he is scared and shy he releases ink and there is no hiding it! Poor Otto!
Toowoomba-based author, Rory H. Mather, is a best-selling author of over 15 picture books. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school, in Mather's signature style, is brimming with humour and heart. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school, follows a strong poetic rhythm. Each stanza follows the pattern A, B,C,B. Wonderful alliteration accompanies the verse..." Underneath the wobbly waves, hiding in his grotto, is where you'll find a smart and friendly Octopus named Otto." Of course he is hiding. He doesn't want to come out for fear of embarrassment. But he has to...it's the first day of school! He looks so worried! Otto has had ink accidents before. He overthinks, he gets to school, things happen, he learns and sometimes little accidents continue to happen. Children will learn some wonderful new sea related vocabulary...just a few words like "grotto" and "mollusc". They wiill read many different emotions on the faces of the characters. They will experience suspense and opportunities to predict the next word when pages are turned based on rhyme and storyline.
This book is set in the depths of the deep ocean where octopuses go to school. Brisbane-based author Rebel Challenger has created a wonderful underwater world for Otto complete with the real sea creatures that you might see - angler fish, wword fish, star fish, sea horses, rays, sharks and clams - they all display individual characters. Their emotions shine through in Challenger's drawings. Otto is full of personality and goes through a range of feelings that are clearly expressed on his face and in his behaviour. He does a lot of hiding. Eight tentacles are very helpful when it comes to self-expression! The characters are very sweet in all their busyness: swimming around, responding to Otto, purposefully and cheerfully carrying their school bags, wearing glasses and doing paperwork at their undersea school desks. Challenger has created a lot of fun for the young reader through the presentation of the cast of fishy characters who share Otto's first day at school. She says that her artwork is..."colourful, a bit silly and most of the characters... seem to be a bit confused and wondering how they got there..." This applies to the delightful characters in Otto's Ink-redible first day of school.
Otto's Ink-redible first day of school is a delightful story, populated with joyous sea creatures and sharing the message about not overthinking and worrying about being shy. Every pre-school setting and library could do with a copy or two for reading as children prepare for their transition to school. It is a fun and comforting shared reading experience for children, teachers and parents alike. Delightful!
Themes Having courage, Resilience, Starting school, Friends, Shyness.
Wendy Jeffrey
The experiment by Rebecca Stead
Text Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781923058576. (Age:9-13) Highly recommended.
Nathan lives with family secrets. He also has an interest in the Calvin and Hobbes comics and a close school friend called Victor (who is a bit like Calvin - the mischievous one, to Nathan’s Hobbes - the more pensive soul). Nathan’s family are mostly like other families, except for their strict adherence to certain ‘pink’ toothbrushing regimes and critical analysis of everything that Nathan eats, plus strange connections via Zoom meetings with other isolated children across America. When Izzy, one of his Zoom friends (and first crush), raises queries about their life and possible origins, it sparks a mysterious search for explanations. The growth of a Hobbes-like tail on Nathan creates all sorts of crises in the family with the likelihood of alien origins a real possibility. Nathan feels compelled to investigate the alien backstory for his unusual family demeanour and finds an experimental explanation that both distresses and confounds him. Have his parents really arrived on earth via spacecraft or is there an evil explanation? An unfolding mystery and possible alien rescue (or is that a rescue from aliens?) ensues. Mystery, aliens and adventure wound together with friendship and even a centuries-old spaceship are a winning combination.
This is a book like few others. Forget aliens that are green with winking antennas (goodbye to Hollywood representation!), this is a creative alien rescue story that defies stereotypes. The gentle charm of Nathan (in Year 6) and his ‘alien’ family, wrapped with a hint of ET (the movie) and an impossible transformation via alien ‘invasion’ creates an altogether different sci-fi adventure. There is warmth in the relationships, an element of confusion in the trajectory of ‘The Experiment’ and a few twists and turns along the way. It has a naive quality (Calvin and Hobbes gentleness), and also a hint of early romance interest, but an almost growth-to-independence quality. Otherwise, the fear factor is low … just intriguing drama. Rebecca Stead has created an eminently readable tale for younger sci-fi fans aged 9-13. I enjoyed every part of this unusual story, and I am sure younger readers will also be captivated by the uniqueness of the plot.
Albert Street Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781760876661. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Shmoof is very shmoofy and wants to be friends with everyone.
And Floof is very floofy and is very nervous about Shmoof from the day they are put together. Shmoof is keen to be friends, but Floofy is sure that the opposite is true. Shmoof plays with a ball and does tricks with the bath, while Floof just runs and hides.
Floof likes to play tricks, but one of his tricks means Shmoof’s food bowl is full of potting mix. They are still not friends. Perhaps something will happen that will get them together.
Just then dad begins to vacuum; neither Shmoof nor Floof like the vacuum cleaner and both agree that the vacuum must go. Hilariously on the next page a paw can be seen pushing a ball in the way of the vacuum. And over the page, BOOM!
Now Shmoof and Floof are the best of friends. A common enemy has brought them together.
This hilarious look at the idea of friendship, as two enemies unite to defuse a common enemy, will be heartily received by readers. The text is gloriously complemented by the wonderful illustrations, full of humour, inviting the reader to laugh along with the two as they skirt around each other, then come together to rid themselves of the dreaded vacuum. Kids will love seeing the animosity between the two at the start recognising the common feelings aroused by their differences and then realising how easy it is to overcome them. I love the page where the vacuum blows up after a small paw pushes the ball in its way, and I was intrigued all through as to how the features of the two animals reveal their feelings. And the twist in the last page of the book will cause lots of fun as children work out ways of dealing with the new machine.
Themes Animals, Humour, Friendship.
Fran Knight
The little book of mining by Kate Harvey. Illus. by Mel Corrigan
Little Steps, 2025. ISBN: 9781923306264. (Age:3-6 years)
The little book of mining is written by Kate Harvey (a mum and FIFO worker) who recognises the importance of children (especially children of FIFO workers) knowing a bit about what their parents do when they are at work. Kate is a mining engineer herself, having grown up in Australia's Pilbara region and now working FIFO (Fly in Fly out) back in the iron ore mine sites. Melbourne based illustrator Mel Corrigan has created a sweeping red landscape that captures a 24 hour time picture of two shifts on a mining site. Artistic focus is on the yellow machines that are introduced in the book and these machines sit within the sandy backdrop under skies of different colours. The landscapes have the feel of watercolour with the machinery in sharper relief. Wildlife look on from vantage points and from the periphery on most pages. Perhaps there is a question there. What are you people doing to our land? A wedgetail eagle hovers during the day and bats take over during the night.
Harvey has chosen a familiar rhyming pattern using the well-known "The wheels on the bus.." tune. Words from the original song are substituted so we begin with, "The boss of the shift says, 'Please be safe, please be safe, please be safe...' " The book is therefore in song format. Each vehicle introduced receives the attention of a double page spread.
Females are visible in all work situations on the mines and always in leadership at the beginning and end of shifts. This reader would have preferred a balance of male and females in leadership positions so that both little boys and little girls can see themselves taking those roles.
As an introduction to mining machinery and the mining industry this interactive picture book works well. The reading process lends itself to a shared fun experience being a song. Questions at the back are closed but may be useful for a parent or teacher to ask a child to go back and count, look at colours and name machines etc. It would be nice if children have access to these machines in toy model form to play with in a sand pit to accompany this book and consolidate learning with hands on activity.
Themes Mining industry workers, Australian Pilbara desert animals, Mining machinery.
