Australian author Diana Reid has taken the pervasive trauma narrative, where a character’s actions are explained by an uncovered past trauma, and has given it a decided twist. In Signs of damage, Cass suffers from the onset of sudden seizures, possibly epilepsy, or possibly a functional neurological disorder, ‘all in the mind’. As a 13 year-old on holiday with friend Anika and her family in their villa in France, an incident occurs in the dark room of the icehouse, an ancient structure in the garden. This sets in motion a train of events that involves all the family and their guests.
Reid has created complex characters, each with their own back story; in fact each has experienced some kind of traumatic event that lingers in their memory. Trauma is not offered as a simplistic explanation for actions but does colour their relationships and responses. Each has a different perception of their holiday together.
The novel is bookended by a prologue and an epilogue written from Cass’s point of view, but the main section is told by the omniscient author providing different character perspectives, and alternates between the present and the French holiday 16 years prior, both periods of a week. Each chapter adds another element, like pieces of a jigsaw the reader tries to assemble.
While Cass is the main character, and the mystery centres on trying to understand what actually happened and why she has the seizures, I found the character of Anika the troubled young friend equally absorbing. Reid has created a complex story of misunderstandings and confusions. It is very clever. Each person is at the centre of their own story, and their actions have impact on the people around them, in a way that reflects the tangled threads of real life.
This is Reid’s third novel and is utterly absorbing, keeping the reader turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and returned to a number of chapters to read them again. It made me want to seek out her earlier novels, as well as anything she writes next.
Yildaan: Our dreaming track by Uncle Bud Marshall with Yandaarra
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181382. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Yildaan: Our dreaming track is a breathtaking and deeply meaningful picture book created by Uncle Bud Marshall, a respected Gumbaynggirr Elder, in collaboration with Yandaarra. With stunning artwork and photographs by Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady, the book beautifully captures the spirit and stories of Gumbaynggirr Country, particularly around Nambucca Heads.
More than just a book, Yildaan: Our dreaming track is a cultural offering - a path for readers to walk alongside the Gumbaynggirr people and their Dreaming. Uncle Bud gently invites readers to listen carefully to Country, to feel the presence of ancestors and to understand that the land is not just something to use, but something to honour and live in harmony with.
One of the heart-warming stories shared is about Uncle Benjie and Aunty Bryne and their connection to buluunggal - a way of being that focuses on listening, observing and working with nature in a respectful, sustainable way. Their story, like much of the book, shows how traditional knowledge offers valuable insights into how we can live well and care for the Earth.
The book weaves together story, culture and place, encouraging readers of all ages to value Indigenous knowledge and the importance of community, cooperation and care for the environment. The combination of language, storytelling, art and photography makes Yildaan Our Dreaming Track not only informative but also inspiring.
Perfect for classrooms, libraries and families, Yildaan: Our dreaming track is an invitation to slow down, listen and learn from the wisdom of the land and its people. It’s a powerful celebration of Gumbaynggirr culture and a gentle call to walk together with respect and understanding.
All the ways to pray by Kathleen Kelly and Anne Ryan
Wild Dog Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781742036878. (Age:2-5) Recommended.
In a very simple way this charming book outlines all the uncomplicated ways that a child might pray. (Note: there are no references to a particular deity or religion in the book, it is very general in its focus.) With an adult leading the way, this book could be used in families, preschools and schools that are faith-based to introduce the youngest children to the ways and the places where they might pray and the topics that might inform their prayers. Text never exceeds a couple of sentences on a page so there is not a lot of listening required, and the images are important. The illustrations by Anne Ryan are simple and show scenarios that children will recognise from their own pre-school lives, and various cultures or backgrounds are implied in the depictions of children. Empathy, gratitude and hope are part of the prayer focus for an audience aged 2-5 years.
Themes Prayers, Young children, Empathy, Gratitude.
Carolyn Hull
The remarkable truths of Alfie Bains by Sarah Clutton
Allen and Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761471476. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
A young boy rings the bell at an elderly woman’s house and in a serious tone tells her that he is her grandson, is in need of a family, and that once she gets over the shock she will probably like him, because he is a very interesting person. This is the beginning of Alfie’s quest to find out about a family he never knew existed. Overcoming his disappointment on realising that his mother has lied to him and his father is not an anonymous sperm donor with a PhD in astrophysics, but could actually be alive somewhere, his detective skills swing into action as ‘Operation Tadpole’, and he determines to solve the mystery.
Alfie Bains is a unique character; he is clearly neurodivergent, highly intelligent, and fascinated by science. He constantly astounds adults with his logical thinking and adult vocabulary. This makes for many amusing scenes, one of the most memorable being the child-friendly doctor doing a Donald Duck imitation only to be met with perplexed puzzlement by his more mature young patient.
Clutton writes some chapters from Alfie’s point of view, whilst others present the perspectives of various adults involved in the web of deception, and weaves a mix of episodes from the past and the present. Despite the young protagonist, this is not a YA novel; Clutton explores issues of control, deception, domestic violence, depression and regret, though not in a way that is overwhelming or disheartening. It is basically a mystery story; the pieces gradually coming together in a satisfying way, and with a lot of laughs along the way. Highly recommended.
In 1863, in Melbourne, there are not many options for a woman to make a living: servant, washerwoman, butcher’s assistant . . . as long as there is no NINA notice, 'No Irish Need Apply'. Women in the slums of the Little Lon district live in poverty often resorting to theft to survive. So when young Irish woman Johanna is offered work at Madame Laurent’s brothel Papillon, it is the chance to leave the grimy world of drudgery and enter a place of silks and satins, and laughter.
Madeleine Cleary has thoroughly researched the lives of people in the brothel district between Lonsdale Street and Little Lonsdale Street, after discovering a ‘notorious’ Cleary in her ancestry. Her novel revolves around three women, of different station: Catherine Laurent, the brothel owner, Johanna, a ‘dressed lady’, and Harriett, an aspiring journalist and sister to the magistrate William Gardiner. Their lives intersect as a killer roams the district.
Cleary’s novel is a murder mystery; the Butcher of Melbourne is reminiscent of Jack the Ripper of London, a serial killer who preyed on the prostitutes of the Whitechapel area. The Butcher, so named because of his skill with the knife, is accompanied by a clicking sound, and leaves his victims clean and well gowned, apart from the slash across their necks.
Our suspicions are aroused as to the killer’s identity early in the piece, but uncertainty keeps the reader absorbed as the chapters alternate between the stories of the three women. There is another marvellous woman, Mary, a woman who dons her husband’s constable uniform and patrols the dark backstreets. If you think this too far-fetched, amazingly truth is stranger than fiction, for Cleary discovered in the archives there actually was a woman dressed in her husband’s uniform, policing his beat. It is Mary who watches over the community and comes closest to discovering the murderer.
Having recently read Outrageous Fortunes (2025) a non-fiction account of a writer and female journalist of this period, the story of Harriett Gardiner also has the ring of authenticity, as a woman trying to carve a career in journalism, daring to write about the underworld of Melbourne society.
Madeleine Cleary is to be commended for bringing her research of the period and crafting a gripping tale that is situated in a historical reality that may be unfamiliar to many. It’s a thriller, and an informative insight into life in early Melbourne.
Themes Serial killer, Murder, Prostitution, Women, Melbourne.
It is Winston’s special day and so he dresses himself in his most special clothes, his yellow outfit which befit the thrill of the day. He walks down the street seeing many of his friends, and he asks them what is special about this day. They respond according to their own thoughts; for one it is special because he broke his favourite mug, for another it is Thursday, for another it is close to Christmas so he hurries off to wrap presents. Winston almost bumps into Miles who is acting most mysteriously. Together they hide behind a corner, then jump into a street bin to avoid being seen.
The pair hide themselves behind a lamp posts and hide in a cafe to watch what the other animals are up to. All the while Winston is trying to tell Miles why this day is special. Readers will be calling out what the day could be, attempting to stop Miles in his quest and listen to his friend. They avoid the other animals, then Miles decides they are too obvious in their clothes and so gets some new ones to make them fit into the street of people.
But Miles tell him that they are surrounded so they both climb a tree to make them look less obvious. At the top of the tree Miles tells Winston that the mission has succeeded and they shimmy down the tree to greet all their friends waiting for Winston to celebrate his special day together. Mission accomplished.
An unusual story about a celebration and one animal's anticipation of his special day.
Themes Celebration, Adventure, Friends.
Fran Knight
My cousins, my world by Sharara Attai & Michelle Pereira
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761180972. (Age:3+) Recommended.
A celebration of just how close the world’s people are is shown in this joy-full, colourful book exploring the links between all of us. Cousins can be quiet or loud, dark or fair, young or old, they can live nearby or far away. No matter where they live or how far away, when they get together, they have a wonderful time. Sometimes they go to the beach, sometimes they go camping, and sometimes seen singing or dancing. On birthdays some cousins can be there in person, at other times they can be there via the internet.
When visiting Abdul, the cousins eat kibbeh, while at Kimmy’s house they eat sushi, when more of the family come together for a celebration, they all eat a variety of things, sing and dance, watching the grown-ups drinking tea and exchanging stories.
Some cousins speak different languages, some cousins cannot visit for a long time, or are separated by a different time zone.But when they all meet again, it is as if nothing has changed, and the friendship is picked up again. Cousins are the first friends, the best friends, the friends that last a lifetime.
What a wonderfully joyous book to read with a class where family and relationships are being discussed. Children will love seeing the world wide spread of cousins, reflecting on their own cousins and relationships with their wider families. Boisterous, generous illustrations cover each page, reinforcing the idea of a world of cousins, with their differences shown; food, housing and costumes, which children will love to spot. Wherever they live, they are still cousins, a link which will last a lifetime.
After reading Winter’s Orbit I immediately picked up Ocean’s echo, a stand-alone space opera set in the same universe. Tennalhin Halkana is a rich tearaway, who is a Reader. Readers can read minds as well as having the ability to navigate chaotic space. When his aunt will no longer put up with his exploits, he is conscripted into the military to be placed under the control of Lieutenant Surit Yeni, a loyal soldier and the son of a notorious traitor general. Surit is an Architect who can influence minds and he is told to fully control Tennal by syncing with him. However Surit is principled and is unwilling to follow his orders when Tennal will not consent to them and together they fake a sync bond and plan Tennal’s escape. They are sent on a mission to salvage Remnants in chaotic space, where they uncover a conspiracy dating back to the neuromodifcation lab that Surit’s mother had tried to destroy. There are secrets and plots that will jeopardize their lives and test their loyalties.
Maxwell cleverly combines riveting action and the growing understanding between Tennal and Surit. Tennal is selfish and destructive, while Surit has a strict code of conduct and belief in justice. Gradually the pair begin to trust each other and together they face the possibility of a civil war where the use of Remnants enhance the ability to control minds and actions.
The themes of loyalty, justice, neuromodification, power mongering and space warfare result in an exciting feel-good reading experience for sci fi fans, while the slow burning romance will appeal to romance lovers.
Themes Psychic ability, Space flight, Space warfare, LGBTQI people.
Pat Pledger
Chihuly in the Botanic Garden by Chihuly Studio
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, 2024. ISBN: 9781922027672. (Age:All) Highly recommended.
The full colour catalogue of Chihuly in the Botanic Garden is a beautiful memento of an absolutely stunning exhibition of glass sculptures by Seattle-based artist Dale Chihuly, held in the Adelaide Botanic Garden over a period of seven months. Photography by Nathaniel Wilson comprises full page coloured photographs of each installation in its garden setting frequently followed by close-up images showing all their amazing detail.
Drawing inspiration from nature, the glass sculptures in their Botanic setting both meld and contrast with the plants around them. Thus the red and orange of the ‘Cattails and Copper Birch Reeds’ is interspersed with the red of the kangaroo paw growing among the glass stalks; the golden 'Vivid Lime Icicle Tower' is in the centre of similarly hued spiked grasses and succulents; and the blue 'Walla Wallas' onion shapes float in and reflect the pond waters.
Featured on the cover, the most spectacular of all, is the purpose designed two-tier 'Glacier Ice and Lapis Chandelier' reflecting the blue glass facets of the heritage Palm House; the glasshouse to become its permanent home thanks to a generous philanthropic donation.
The catalogue presents the large-scale works in the landscape of the gardens, and smaller pieces within the rainforest setting of the Bicentennial Conservatory, photographed in natural daylight and also in their sparkling glory at night. Director of the Botanic Gardens, Michael Harvey describes the collaboration between the Chihuly Studio and the Adelaide Botanic Garden to find the unique context for each piece, ‘twin threads of art and nature’.
An essay by Tim Richardson describes the genesis of Dale Chihuly’s work from within glasshouses to outdoor exhibitions that evolve and extend the sculptural power of glass as a medium, complementing and collaborating with the landscape. The Adelaide exhibition is only the third outside the U.S., the first in the southern hemisphere. JamFactory Director Brian Parkes highlights the relevance of Adelaide as a major centre for glass art globally. If the Chihuly catalogue inspires and attracts more to explore this field of art, there is the JamFactory Glass Studio offering a training program and access to the glassblowing facility. Visitors can also view glassblowers at work, from a viewing platform.
This is not just an exhibition catalogue, it is a treasure of beauty and inspiration to explore again and again, and would be a worthy addition to a library’s art section, for readers to discover the imaginative possibilities of glass art.
Themes Glassblowing, Art, Nature, Sculpture, Plants in art, Gardens.
An ALA Alex Award (2022) winner, Winter’s orbit is an engrossing space opera that is a feel-good read. When Prince Taam dies in a space shuttle accident, the Iskat Emperor considers that it is imperative that his widower Jainan from the planet Thea, is married immediately to keep relations stable. Prince Kiem, a disreputable cousin is chosen but when it appears that Prince Taam’s death may have been murder, the pair must join forces to uncover secrets that could lead to an interplanetary war.
First published on Archive of Our Own (AO3), a place for fanfiction and other fanworks, Winter’s Orbit was taken up by traditional publishing. It ticks all the boxes for readers of science fiction and those who like a slow burning romance mixed with inter-planetary relations. The world building is fascinating and the politics involving the planets is riveting. When Prince Kiem finds out that Jainan is being investigated for the murder of Taam, he must begin to leave his careless lifestyle and use his contacts and confidence to find out what is happening. There are some very exciting moments as the pair trace clues to Taam’s actions with the Kingfisher mining project and the reader will be compelled to quickly finish the book to find out what has happened.
In the interview at the end of the book, Maxwell cites Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan saga) and Ann Leckie (Ancillary Justice) as influences, and readers may enjoy books by both those authors.
Readers who want a satisfying, easy to read book about space politics, action and romance will not be disappointed. I immediately went on to read Ocean’s echo, also set in the same world.
Themes Same sex marriage, Murder, Loyalty, Space warfare.
Pat Pledger
Me and you by Ellie Royce & Penelope Pratley
Ford Street Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781922696502. (Age:3+)
A wonderfully playful story of a child and her Gran, getting up, getting ready for the day and being together.
When the child gets out of bed she is ready to go, and this contrasts with her Gran who takes a little longer. The young one is full of bounce, while Gran creaks her way to the bathroom.
With backpacks on, the pair is ready to roll.They go to the beach, chase the seagulls, wade in the shallows, then find the ice cream van. Each shared event brings the pair closer as they see that they love the same things. They dance to the music played by the buskers, and shortly head for home, both needing a nap.
After the nap, they work in the garden, the child helping Gran with digging and planting. A quiet time follows with Gran reading some stories, followed by bedtime, the child asking Gran to hold her hand as she goes to sleep. Gran responds, ‘if you will hold mine’.
This charming circular story has a child and her Gran both at different stages of life, coming together through things they do together. Gran takes the child to the beach sharing lots of activities, and growing closer as a result. The share things they like and are worried by, they share silly moments when they both drop ice cream on their shirts, and share holding hands as the child goes to sleep.
The watercolour and pencil illustrations form a warm, inviting background to the story. Young readers will love looking at the activities the pair does, comparing the child’s time with her Gran with their own. The playful illustrations reflect the emphasis on family that flows from the text, inviting a warm response from readers as they see a multi generation interaction. Gran is shown as an older woman working with her grandchild, in doing things the pair can do together. They both share quiet times and at bedtime share the best of all things, holding hands as the child sleeps.
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760897024. Recommended.
The ANZACs is one of 6 in the new series, Puffin Little, celebrating 80 years of Puffin. These books return to the publisher's roots of non-fiction books educating children about world events. Each book is essentially narrated by Little Puffin (the cute penguin from the logo) and follows an easy to read format that will enable younger readers to engage and learn through the text and illustrations.
This particular title is for 'Little Historians' (others include Little Cook, Little Environmentalist and Little Scientist) and is an excellent way for children to learn about the War and the ANZACs' contribution. The non-fiction text is set up with an introduction, 6 chapters, a glossary, fast facts section and a quiz to finish off. Each section is visually pleasing, with the black text well-spaced and always on a white background. Important words are highlighted in purple (The feature colour of this title, each in the series has its own predominant colour) and can be find in the glossary.
I think the writers of this title have been considerate in their approach and have explained details of what occurred during this time thoughtfully and age appropriately. I gave this book to my 10 year old son, who was able to easily read it, but more importantly he said that it was very interesting and explained the information to him in a way that was easy to understand. He liked the two-colour nature of it, and thought that the illustrations were nice, but there could have been more.
Although aimed at the younger readers, I learnt a few things myself and appreciated that the text was not filled with a strenuous amount of detail. This book would be great for a project and also as a potential starting point for older students who may be doing a project about the ANZACs.
This title, and the others in this series would be all of great benefit to any home or school library.
Lauren Fountain
The last Light Horse by Dianne Wolfer. Illus. by Brian Simmonds
The Last Light Horse is the fourth and final book in the Light series, which began with Lighthouse Girl followed by Light Horse Boy and In the Lamplight. Each story provides older children with an historical account of different aspects of World War One. Each book is a stand-alone story and this final book with its striking purple cover and gold writing, contains detailed charcoal sketches as well as archival facts and photographs and will truly complete this wonderful series.
This remarkable story is about Sandy, the only returning Australian warhorse from 136,000 sent to the battlefields of the World War One. His journey was one of hardship and danger and is told from his perspective in four compelling sections under the title of his handler at time. We first meet Sandy as a foal in the High Country of Victoria and then with Francis who trained him to carry bricks in the town of Tallangatta. Francis patriotically donates Sandy to the war effort, and he becomes the property of Major General Bridges. In October 1914, Sandy is loaded onto the Orvieto, flagship of the Australian Fleet, and is one of three horses, or Walers as they were known, belonging to Major Bridges. Conditions on the ship were hard for the horses and they were at sea for five weeks. They disembarked in Alexandria where they regained fitness before heading off to the Gallipoli Peninsula arriving on April 25.
Sadly, Major Bridges was seriously injured and passed away. Sandy then came under the care of veterinarian, Captain Leslie Whitfield, and in 1916 they were sent to France where they were a part of the Battle of the Somme. Captain Whitfield handed over the care of Sandy to Private Archibald Jordan who was suffering from the horrors of the war. Archie and Sandy formed a strong bond and Sandy who had damaged his eyes relied on Archie more and more.
Eventually Sandy and Archie were sent back to Australia in November 1918. Sandy’s journey did not end there. As the only returning war horse he was very much in the public eye. He was saddled and ridden in ANZAC Day marches for as long as his health allowed and was honoured with a replica statue placed at Albany’s Mount Clarence.
For older primary and lower secondary students this book along with the others in the series would make excellent resources for ANZAC Day and World War One topics.
Further information for teachers is available here.
Themes First World War, Horses, Australia, Infantry, Suffering, Death, Loss, Light Horse, ANZAC Day.
Kathryn Beilby
Krithia: The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli by Matt McLachlan
This book describes in great detail the murderous disaster of the Helles and Anzac battles at Gallipoli, on Turkey’s Dardanelles peninsula in1915. The story examines the outcome of the often overlooked battle for the key village of Krithia from the perspectives of individual soldiers from New Zealand, Australia, England and France as well as the views and actions of the Turkish enemy.
The key elements highlighted in this thoroughly researched story are incompetent leadership, lack of well thought out plans, inadequate equipment, poor communication, and underestimation of the capacity of the Turkish response to the invasion of their homeland. The author highlights individual acts of extreme bravery at the landings and in the following days as the Australians and New Zealanders attempted to capture the strategic village of Krithia by frontal assault against deadly machine gun and rifle fire.
Recommended for senior secondary students: the events depicted are not for the faint hearted reader. Hand to hand combat is described from vivid first hand accounts and horrendous conditions on the battle field are heart-rending.
Themes Gallipoli, Anzacs, World War 1.
Paul Pledger
The hidden hat by Phil Cummings. Illus. by Jennifer Goldsmith
How do you write a picture book about war that exposes young children to the unknown stories of their grandparents’ lives, gives information that can be easily absorbed and at the same time provide a rush of pride in the ceremony of Anzac Day. Phil Cummings has shown that he is a master of this genre, with Anzac biscuits (2013) and Ride, Ricardo, ride (2015) showcasing children touched by war in widely different circumstances.
And this book strengthens his reputation, using an old man’s hat to unlock memories that have lain dormant. Just as in Newspaper hats (2015) where a hat helps recall memories in a nursing home, this one enables the grandfather to recall things that he was part of sixty years ago.
Hiding in Grandpa’s wardrobe, Mitch finds an old hat. Tumbling out of the wardrobe parallels the grandfather, now pictured as a young man, hiding in the jungles in Vietnam, and from this page on the words and actions of the children on one side of the page complement the actions of the soldiers on the facing page.
This way of showing the war and Grandpa’s involvement, gives it a more personal feel for young readers, while the illustrations by Jennifer Goldsmith are amazingly detailed in their imagery of the man’s farm and his time in war.
Showing their find to Grandpa, unlocks memories of his time in Vietnam: going on patrol, walking carefully through the jungle, helping his mates, waiting for a chopper, losing his hat, looking down from the chopper at the jungle below.
The watercolour illustrations bring the children and their grandfather to life. Smiles radiate from the faces, arms hold the children to the old man's chest as he remembers his youth glancing back over his shoulder at the choppers in the sky.
The movement achieved with the watercolour medium is spectacular. The wind whips up the leaves on the farm, swirling around the children’s feet, while in Vietnam, the choppers cause mayhem as the men's clothes and foliage are picked up as the blades rotate. The soft images of the old man and the children are admirable, and bear closer inspection, particularly on the second last double page of the story which shows the march along the main street, Grandfather with his old mates, his family (watch out for the dog) looking on.
Over the page can be seen a meal with the family and an outline of facts about the Australian soldiers’ hats.
This is a most satisfying picture book about war. It begins and ends with the family, the children now more aware of their Grandfather’s time in Vietnam, he supported by his old friends and the stories they share together.
Themes War, Vietnam War, Families, Grandchildren and grandparents, Memory, Anzac Day.
