Ella and Olivia: Country School by Yvette Poshoglian Ill. by Danielle McDonald
Scholastic, 2024. ISBN: 9781761292651. (Age:6+)
Designed for those young girls newly arrived at reading chapter books by themselves, these stories about two best friends, Ella and Olivia, will not stretch the imaginations of its readers. Simple stories, simply told, without too much complication will make these an easy read for newly independent readers, wanting to achieve quick success.
?In this the latest in a series of 36 books, Ella and Olivia go on an excursion to a country school. This school is lucky enough to have a number of farm animals, and the girls have the opportunity to feed the chickens, marvel at the horses in their paddock, collect the eggs and pat the lambs.
They have a lovely time, but are concerned when, the lamb goes missing. The gate to his enclosure is open, so the girls follow the trail, finding him in a basket of wool ready for knitting.
Attractively packaged, with clear, simple line drawings, these books (and yes, there are more to come) will have an instant audience in junior primary classes. At the end of the book is a list of all 36 titles, with the prod to collect them all!
A sturdy board book for the very young to bite and chew as a parent reads them the story, encouraging interaction, which promotes the development of language skills and many smiles. In rhyming pairs of lines, the reader is introduced to other babies and the things they love to do. First, we say hello to Jake who loves to make his rattle shake, then we move on to Nic who loves to give his ball a kick.
The book goes on in this vein, encouraging interaction, increasing the child’s comprehension and communication skills, and encouraging a physical response. All these skills are those that are part of a child’s development and reading this book will encourage all of these to be practised.
Bright colourful pages attract young children’s eyes, and the activity shown on each page can be copied by the child.
Baby Kate loves to flick food from her plate, or we say hello to Rory who loves to hear a story. Each pair of pages asks the child to say hello to the child drawn, and these continue to the end of the book when the instruction is turned around, so that the child reading the book can talk about the things they love to do.
The whole encourages participation and interaction. The words ‘say hello’ are used on each page so will become recognised, as do the simple words for the array of things each child loves: hat, food, train for example. Teacher's notes and an activity are available from the publisher.
Themes Interaction, Babies, Communication.
Fran Knight
The majorly awkward BFF dramas of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby
Lottie Brooks is a slightly odd teenager, but she knows it. In this latest episode of the vagaries and dramas of her life she is enjoying spending time with her boyfriend, but must juggle his attentions and time with him, with maintenance of her group of BFFs (Best Friends Forever). She is also trying to develop a unique style, convince her parents to get a dog and recording the details of her life in her illustrated diary. Everything Lottie touches seems to go slightly awry, and her friendship with Jess seems to have hit a pothole. But Lottie has a heart of gold, and nothing can stay awkward forever… or can it?
This is a charming teen friendship tale, told from the perspective of the central character and illustrated with quirky stick figure characters (added by Lottie herself). Told as diary entry reflections, it reveals a lot about early teen life dramas. Lottie reflects with naive honesty about first kisses, being teased, juggling family experiences and friendship expectations, attending a live concert and hearing big ‘news’ from Jess (who identifies as gay) and Amber (whose parents have separated). The forgiving, humorous and open nature of Lottie and her friends makes this light-hearted journey into UK teen life a pleasure to read. Young readers aged 11-14 will find this an enjoyable reading journey.
Themes Friendship, Family, Relationships, LGBTIQ.
Carolyn Hull
The wild life: A little bit lost by Laura and Philip Bunting
The third in the series, The Wild Life by the Buntings, shows the Australian animals met in the first two books presented again with a new adventure. The three books are a series aimed at those who have some experience at reading chapter books, and still like the pictures presented in a picture book. Roo and Wombat are tested when they find three lost chicks. Roo wakes one morning with three babies in her pouch. She looks closely at them, wondering where they are from. They are unlike babies that she has known, so Roo, Quokka and Wombat take the three chicks and go off to find their parents.
Readers will learn what the offspring of various Australian animals look like, as Roo, Quokka and Wombat take the chicks to every animal they can find. They find a frog, an owl, a centipede, a crocodile, amongst others comparing the traits of each to see whether the chicks have found their parents. All to no avail.
Readers will love calling out that the animal to compare with the chicks is not right and give ideas about what parent to look for.
The trio check out the chicks’ traits, fast runner, easily camouflaged, and an amazing kick, but no animal comes to mind that these traits fit. At one stage they lose the chicks and find them wrapped in the coils of a python, defiantly not the parent.
Kids will be laughing out loud at the trials the animals go to find the chicks’ parents, and at the eventual animal that is obviously related to the chicks.
Philip Bunting’s illustrations reflect the text beautifully, giving the readers wonderful animals to watch and recognise. The looks on their faces will tell the readers lots about their concerns about the chicks and enjoy the way the whole story is wrapped up.
Find out more about the Buntings and the reasons for putting this series together here. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Australia animals, Babies, Humour.
Fran Knight
Sleep like death by Kalynn Bayron
Bloomsbury, 2024. ISBN: 9781526641090. (Age:15+)
In a fantasy kingdom that resonates with many fairy tales known through the ages, lives Eve, a princess whose life has been overshadowed by a past deal, done by her mothers, with an evil and powerful oppressor. The deal has enabled them to nurture a daughter, but now they must face the awful consequence of their deal. Can Eve overcome what seems to be inevitable, or must she suffer like so many in her mothers' kingdom with the ruthless actions of the ‘Knight’. With threads of Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin and other fairy tales woven into the fabric of the magical drama, there is also a modern day rendering of a robot-like castle that can relocate itself on its metallic legs. All these things create a very different retelling of the fantasy tales from the perspective of the feisty, almost angry, and magical Eve, who feels compelled to destroy the Knight and restore her kingdom and her family from his evil influence.
This is a fairy tale rendering for a new generation. It contains an ominous tone, a romance and some violence in opposition to the evil Knight. There are many fairy tale tropes seen in different lights and this creative reimagining is quite compelling. The unlikely romance is almost the most unbelievable aspect of the story, but suspension of belief is obligatory for fairy tale readers. There is sadness, grief and familial love, as well as magical powers and the obligatory witch-like locals who defy logic. The author, Kaylyn Bayron, has written other fantasy retellings and is keen to introduce black characters and LGBTIQ considerations to the back stories of her characters and plots. For readers aged 15+.
A low-key family Christmas is in the offering until all the 'rellies' invite themselves to Lottie Brooks’ house. Lottie loves presents and the festive season but will she be disappointed this year? What about the strain it will be on her poor mum – the family workhorse. Will Lottie Brooks’ new diary, Volume 6 in this hilarious epistolary series, prove her mettle?
Like most of Lottie’s close friendship group, the popular tween queen is obliged to hold her entire family in contempt for their corny Christmas traditions like “Elf on the Shelf” and her siblings embarrassing smells and gaffs. When her aunts and uncles arrive with 3yr old cousin, Frankie, exhibiting dark behaviours, she has bigger worries, like what gift to buy her classmate for 'secret santa' or her failure to inform her family that she has inadvertently invited an entire French family to Christmas dinner. Despite the allure of handsome Antoine (her new love interest), she is unable to rescind the Christmas holiday offer due to their language barrier. Does she prefer good old Daniel afterall? What a mess!
Katie Kirby’s final book narrated by Lottie Brooks reads like a multimodal diary including dates, times, text messages, thought balloons, lists - even stick figure embellishments. The negative spaces for easy reading, and the quirky hilarious characters make this a quickly digested chapter book to add to the reading log.
Baby Bella shouting 'BUM' in public and Toby convincing Lottie that she had drunk his wee – thankfully a sibling prank, may take the shine off two weeks of no school! But Christmastime for Lottie is guaranteed her most chaotic and amusing diary to complete the series: The extremely embarrassing life, The catastrophic friendship fails, The mega complicated crushes, The totally disastrous school trip and The majorly awkward BFF dramas. Readers particularly 9-13yrs, anybody with a family really, will find this chaotic Christmases instantly relatable.
Sal wants to be a real cowgirl. At home, she feels safe and strong out riding with her pony through the paddocks, up the biggest hills, doing circus tricks and helping out around the farm. But at school she feels anxious, shy and isolated, even though she would dearly love to be brave, strong, wild, smart, kind, fierce, a good friend - like a real cowgirl.. And then one day, she finds the courage to tell the class about her life beyond the school walls, and things start to change...
Told from the perspective of her pony, this is a story to inspire those whose home life is different to their school life to open up to their peers because you never know who might be behind the school-face, particularly during this time when despite the connectivity of the online world, kids can be really disconnected, not popping in and out of neighbourhood homes of friends like previous generations did. There are likely to be all sorts of interests, abilities and talents hidden from view in the schoolyard where it is easy to be alone in a crowd.
Decades ago, when I first began my teaching career I was mentored by an outstanding colleague and I always remember the first lesson I watched her do - she made up a song about being special (I still recall the words and tune) and offered each child the opportunity to tell the class something about themselves that the others didn't know. The impact that it had as the kids shared the stuff that made them unique individuals was amazing, not just on the cohesion of the class but also on my own teaching. I was reminded that I was teaching students not subjects and my job, first and foremost, was to enrich and enhance the person already there by opening up new pathways for them to explore and learn. Perhaps there is a lesson for all of us in this story. Let us make it our job for the Sals to shine.
Themes Anxiety, Bravery.
Barbara Braxton
The wild life: A line in the sand by Laura and Philip Bunting
The second in this charming series of books called, A line in the sand, will be welcomed by newly confident readers. With shorter chapters and a limited number of words, more can be found out about the Buntings’ aims here.
Stunning illustrations by Philip Bunting support this easily digested story showing how different opinions can cause rifts in relationships.
Wombat has woken, needing to have a pee, and he races out of his burrow, only to find that it is midday, the hottest part of the day and the hot soil burns the soles of his feet. Roo comes over to investigate and finds his paws are very hot too. Roo inadvertently hits Wombat with his tail and sends him flying over the scrub to a place where a coconut falls on his head. Roo comes blustering through the undergrowth to find his friend, and Wombat has a feeling of deja vu. He has been here before, and together the two friends find they are at a beach.
They are thrilled, here is water to swim in to get cool, but there is a problem. A quokka appears, adamant that this is his beach, and they do not belong here.
As with the first book, A berry long walk, this story takes readers into the tricky area of solving disputes. Roo and Wombat dearly want to go for a swim, but Quokka is convinced that this is his beach and wants them gone. They try to discuss this with Quokka, and eventually he draws a line in the sand demarcating where each animal is allowed to go. All the animals, except Quokka, have a lovely time together, having a barbecue, dressing up with seaweed and shells, surfing. It is when Quokka goes out surfing by himself that he gets into trouble and must call for help. As a result, the line is erased, and the animals all play together.
Wonderful illustrations by Philip Bunting show the dispute escalating as the three animals eye each other off. Their funny facial expressions will amuse readers as they read the story. The Australian environment is show in detail, and readers will enjoy seeing a range of animals they come across. Teacher's notes are available.
A book of firsts to make any adult reading it go weak at the knees as they recognise the firsts that their babies achieved. And children will love reading of the milestones in their lives, the same firsts for them and their friends as they learnt to navigate the world they live in.
Each page, with its softly pastel images of a small children soaking up all the things they need to know, practicing and watching, laughing and smiling, seeing what is in the world around them will recall for all readers the steps they have made as they approach one and for older readers they can recall the steps they made in their young lives.
We see a baby being welcomed into the household, that first kiss and first hold. Then the first cry, and the first eye contact, first bath and the first laugh. Celebrations such as the first time grandparents are involved, or the first Christmas, are followed by the first swim and the first flight. Meeting animals is always a first, and meeting friends comes along as the baby learns to interact. Pages of firsts are followed by pages of lasts: the last time you need help to hold the bottle, or the last the baby was swaddled, and the last time they fitted into their onsie.
And at the end of the book, images show what the child will achieve in the future. Today you walk, but tomorrow you will run.
This time goes very quickly, as the last page says, ‘our precious newborn, suddenly one’. The baby has achieved so much in that first year, and birthdays when they come around are precious, but seem to come upon the family suddenly, no matter what age is achieved.
This is a warm hearted look at what a baby achieves during its first year of life. We easily forget the huge range of things they learnt to do, the steps they master, the growth they go through. The gentle words are easily read out loud and older children will love looking at the milestones of their lives as well.
Themes Babies, Development, Humour, Verse.
Fran Knight
Gentlest of wild things by Sarah Underwood
Electric Monkey, 2024. ISBN: 9780008518110. (Age:14+)
One for fantasy lovers, this latest book by Sarah Underwood mixes in Greek mythology, mystery and LGBTQI+ romance. Roughly drawing on the myth of Eros and Psyche, and adding in the monstrosity of a lurking empousa, a shape-shifting creature that feeds on the blood of humans, this story will have readers held until the last page. But the real evil in the story is Leandros, a descendent of the gods, who cruelly abuses the gifts of his trusting daughter Lamia to create a potion that causes imbibers to desire the person before them. In this way he manipulates all around him and maintains his power.
Early on we learn that Alexandra, wife of Leandros, has died a horrifying death, all blood drained from her body. Now, Leandros’ attention turns to the beautiful young Phoebe to become his next wife. However Eirene, Phoebe’s strong-willed twin sister, is determined to prevent that happening and undertakes four seemingly impossible challenges, in order to secure her sister’s freedom. In the process she seeks to find out the secret to Leandros’s magic, and put an end to his malevolent influence. It soon becomes apparent that his sweet disabled daughter Lamia may hold the key.
Underwood includes some content warnings at the beginning: emotional and physical abuse, consumption of blood, ableism, mild gore etc. but surprisingly does not mention self-harm. Lamia repeatedly cuts herself in order to induce tears and emotional angst. It is only through her tears that she is able to wield her magical powers. I found this aspect of her character to be troubling, particularly in light of growing evidence of self-harm among teenagers, and there is not a satisfactory resolution of this issue in the novel. However it is reassuring to see Lamia’s development from a scared and naive girl to become a more independent person confident in her powers, as she learns from her relationship with the headstrong Eirene.
Underwood's combination of mystery and romance is sure to attract readers of mythological fantasy, but for those who prefer a more faithful adaptation of Greek myths I would recommend the feminist retellings by Jennifer Saint and Laura Shepperson.
This is a beautifully presented picture book detailing one family’s lifestyle when their father is no longer there. The cover will entice younger readers to open the pages and involve themselves in Tarah’s world. The little girl knows her father is not around. She wonders if he has gone shearing or riding in the rodeo or fishing for barramundi. She asks her mother who tells her that he has gone to prison and had no time to say goodbye. He has gone to jail as a punishment. But Tarah thinks, this is punishing me too. Mum tells her that they will soon be able to visit him.
When that day comes, they must drive for a long while to get there. Tarah is excited but also nervous and Mum reminds her what to expect when they arrive. At the prison, they must go through security. Mum must show identification, and they are both searched by a metal detector in case they are bringing in things that are not allowed. Sniffer dogs wander through the visitors and a large metal door shuts behind them.
When she sees her Dad, he is also excited and nervous and both parents are quiet. Tarah helps lighten the mood by telling her Dad about the three goals she kicked last weekend.
Dad tells them of his routine and how he is learning new skills and keeping fit to fill in the time. Tarah wanders away when her parents wish to talk alone, and finds a sad, young boy, Johnny. She talks to him, and they draw together, talking of things they have in common. They have both driven a long way to see their fathers.
At the end of the visit, Dad and Tarah give each other a huge hug. Johnny’s Mum and Tarah’s Mum exchange details and promise to keep in touch.
Back home, Tarah sits by the creek with a line in to catch fish, with her dog by her side.
The understated illustrations will tug at the heart strings as we see the impact of Dad’s jail time on each member of the family. At the start we see a little of Tarah’s life with Dad doing a variety of things which would normally take him away. A minimum of colour is used for these images, and their trip to the prison is depicted in black and white, reflecting their moods, nervousness, and anticipation. Colour returns as Dad is seen and hugged and the girl goes home to a colourful world, knowing she will be able to visit her father again. Seden’s illustrations show a strong family ready to shoulder the responsibilities that this event has thrown up.
Not one word is out of place as the two authors combine their skills to create an authentic story of the impact incarceration has on the family.
Andrew Krakouer’s father was in prison when Andrew was young and he also went to prison in 2008, leaving behind his family. He now visits prisons and gives talks, presents both radio and TV shows and takes a lead in encouraging Indigenous participation in the construction industry. Jacqueline Diman was a foster carer and has had experience in supporting Indigenous children when their parents are imprisoned.
Ably supported by the illustrator, Paul Seden, the picture book creates a platform for children to express their fears and hopes, as well as acquainting the wider community of the extra struggles children and families have when a member of that family is jailed.
At the end of the book are confronting statistics of the scale of Indigenous incarceration in Australia.
Mia's world by Amelia Donnelly. Illus. by Jennifer Bouron
Little Steps, 2024. ISBN: 9781922678300. (Age:6-9)
Mia and her classmates are asked to find out more about their cultural background. Mia is confused as to whether she is Spanish or Australian. Her mother responds to her question with 'You are divine.' This adds to Mia’s confusion and she and her mother visit a rabbi, a guru, a monk, an imam, a nun. Each person gives their version of what being divine is. And the answers of action, duty, stillness, mystery and charity leave Mia feeling she is still missing understanding what being divine is. A First Nations elder carefully and gently explains to Mia what she has learnt from the other religious people. Mia finally grasps the meaning of divine and is able to respond to her teacher’s question. On the final page the author has provided a section for adults in how to use this book. The colourful illustrations complement the text and add visual interest to the narrative.
Themes Divinity, Religions, Cultural Diversity, Ancient Teachings, Journey.
Kathryn Beilby
Sabina and the cats of Rome by Sophie Masson. Illus. by Laura Wood
Sabina becomes instrumental in rescuing the King of the Cats when she is visited by a talking cat that Sabina names Cleo. In an adventurous outing to the Circus Maximus to locate a wizard, Sabina must chase rats, avoid a deadly snake and somehow help to remove the spell on the ailing King of Cats. Cleo is also in danger, and they save each other in this risky adventure.
In a simple chapter book, Sophie Masson has created a captivating story set in Ancient Rome. It is exciting and action-packed and will be enjoyed by early independent readers aged 5-7. There are minimal clues about life in Ancient Rome, enough to pique interest but not enough to confuse a young reader. Mostly this is about a girl and a talking cat and their quest to rescue a royal cat, with the help of the family dogs. The illustrations are cartoon-like in simplicity and scattered through the chapters.
Themes Ancient Rome, Cats, Rats, Curses, Adventure.
In the introduction to her book, Spence describes the three women who impacted her life: Ruth, her gentle long-suffering mother; her aunt Nan, a glamorous journalist; and Eva, her paternal grandmother, a model of old world decorum despite the adventurous turn her life took in Australia. Each of them offers a different image of female identity, different life choices vividly demonstrated to the young Margaret Ann. For her the most traumatic memory of her childhood is the displacement of her young cousin Kristy, lost between the cruel choices that adults are forced to make when there is no child care or any kind of support for women’s aspirations.
In researching the lives of these singular women and their families, Spence provides fascinating insight into many aspects of Australia’s history, not only the Cold War years of mid-century Melbourne. The men were involved in mining, and fertilizer production, both industries she acknowledges to have had a profound impact on the Indigenous population, but this is not the focus of her book. Her anecdotes enliven the intimate details of a past era, and bring to life the world of migrants and refugees carving their way in a new land.
Spence’s exploration of her family’s story highlights issues of ‘class, exploitation, gender roles and ambition’, all relevant to the modern reader. For older readers her memoir is sure to also invoke shared nostalgic reminiscence about past times.
Themes Memoir, Women, Childhood, Australian history, Migrants.
Helen Eddy
Never, not ever by Jodie Benveniste
Brave New World, 2024. ISBN: 9780975822531. (Age:14+) Highly Recommended.
Tilly is turning 16, and has lived 16 years with just her workaholic mum, and until a few months ago, with her loving Grandmother. She has dreamt for all her life that her unknown dad would someday step into her life and reveal himself (because her mother - never, not ever - talks about him). Now that she is turning 16, she thinks it is time! Still grieving from the loss of her beloved Grams she is also angry and struggling with who to love and trust and what to do with those emotions. And Josh … the heartthrob from school … What does she do with those big feelings? Her confidante, Zack, the boy from next door, is nearly the only one she trusts with her fragile ‘self’, he knows her so well, but even that friendship is at risk if she cannot sort herself out. Will an absentee father solve her internal turmoil? Can her counsellor unravel all the mysteries of a 16-year-old in pain? Will her mother ever listen?
This is an absolutely beautiful and poignant teen romance story that also addresses deep hurts from past decisions that have had generational impacts. There is a rich psychotherapeutic element to Tilly’s maturing based on the author’s own psychology background, but mostly this is a family drama combined with a teen romance. Even as an older reader I recognised the ‘inner teen’ experience of dealing with big emotions and turmoil, and the struggle to get things right. In combination with generational patterns of holding secrets, there is an impressive opportunity for emotional healing in this remarkable story set within a recognisable Adelaide setting. I loved the warmth and delight of gentle teen romance, in the age of texting and social media. Zack is perhaps the ‘almost impossible and unbelievable’ male friend, but it is nice to think that Adelaide may have nurtured him. Well done, Jodie Benveniste, to write a teen romance that is not instantly about teen sexual behaviour, even with a family history of single parenting. This can be comfortably recommended to readers aged 14+, even for those who themselves are from a single parent family or who have attended psychological counselling.
Themes Family, grief, romance, first kiss, psychotherapy, secrets, single parents, trust.
