Edward is sick of being an emu. He wants to try other things. And so he does, but eventually realises that things are often better on his own side of the fence, particularly when he can share his enclosure with another emu.
His encounters with other animals in the zoo will create lots of laughter from the audience as they have the verses read to them. Predicting the rhyming words will add another layer of interest for the readers, and the other animals Edward tries to emulate will cause lots of comparisons and discussions amongst the younger readers.
Edward swims with the seals, balances a ball on his nose, basks in the sun and stretches for a fish. But he overhears a visitor saying that the lions are the best. So the next day he growls with the lions, snarling at the ladies watching on.
But again a visitor says the lions are good but not as good as the snakes, so next day, Edward joins the snakes. So he changes cages again. He hisses with the snakes, slipping over the rocks and curling himself round a tree, and still a visitor says that these are not as good to see as the emu. Edward pulls up short, ‘that’s me’, he says and decides to return to his own cage on the morrow. There he finds a surprise in store, one that makes his life more content.
Thirty five years since Edward the emu was first published, this new edition will be well received from both those familiar with the story and for a new generation seeing it for the first time. It will resonate with whatever audience picks it up. There are so many levels of interest: a story of envy, of trying to be what you are not, of bravery, of friendship.
And the illustrations are spectacular; Edward is the most human of emus, the expressions on his face and his body language tell of characteristics children will recognise. Children will love looking at the other zoo animals, checking out the detail with which they have been drawn. Each page is a delight, pointing out the differences between Edward and the animals he moves in with. I love the long suffering look on the lion’s face and the surprise on the snake's face, and the parallel images of the animals as Edward copies their behaviour are wonderful, while the two emus facing each other off a the end of the picture book is delightful.
The land of Beyond is a place of extraordinary magic, with shops selling everything from powerful potions to books full of adventure. The Asking Stone at the Tower at the End of Time informed Nine and her friends that Professor Dish was to be found in 'Beyond', so they have travelled there - and are about to embark on their search for her. Before they will be able to leave Beyond however, they must purchase something from every store... so the challenge is on! Buy from every store all while looking for Professor Dish, and quickly, before an unpredictable witch has anything to say about it, for it looks like Flabberghast's aunt is looking for Professor Dish too!
The third in this utterly delightful 'The House at the Edge of Magic' series, The Bookshop at the Back of Beyond does not disappoint! All the favourite characters are back with their unique personalities readers have come to love, and a few new ones too. Quick paced and action packed, readers will not be able to put the book down as the book moves swiftly. So much quick wit and humour, along with heart, the perfect combination of funny and sweet. Perfect for fans of the Pages & Co series and the Harry Potter series. In order to read this particular book, I read the first two in the series, and now it is one of my favourite series - brilliant. Well written, relatable, humorous characters, magical, twisting story. While it is aimed at primary students, any age can read this - will be recommending to many people!
Feelings are wild by Sophy Williams and Gavin Scott
Albert Street Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781761180262. (Age:3+) Recommended.
A counting book with a difference as every number from one to ten is linked to an emotion that sees the animal illustrated, frustrated or angry or upset. But when ten is reached the last half of the book counts back down to one, offering a positive solution to every negative feeling.
When some little possums are unable to get to the branch to eat the blossom, they are sad, but in the second part of the book they have worked out how they can retrieve the blossom, getting it down for everyone to have their fill. Similarly, four crocs are frustrated because they have run out of chalk to continue their hopscotch, but in the second part of the story, the four crocs are cheerfully playing with a ball instead.
The fractious, anxious and sad looks on the animals’ faces in the first half of the book contrast with the reassured, brave, cheerful and contented looks on their faces in the last half. Younger readers will recognise the times when they are feeling less than happy, when they are ashamed or worried, sad and grumpy and will see that the wonderful emotions of being happy and proud are attainable, often with a little time, a hug or a kind word, some support from friends or adults. Whatever is given, the animals have found that their wild feelings are acceptable and containable. Feelings are shown in all their variety in this counting book, a platform for further discussion and acceptance as well as being entertaining and enhancing learning.
This is a book with amazing magical quality and intrigue! It is the sequel book to The Great Fox Illusion and reintroduces the young magicians Flick Lions and her sidekick Charlie, working as apprentice magicians alongside the Great Fox, in a competition that will decide who gets to be the Chancellor of the Global Order of Magic for the next ten years. Coming up against the ‘foes’ they met in The Great Fox Illusion they must identify and de-mystify the magic that is performed by the others and also bamboozle and mystify their opponents using their own magical and illusory skills – robbing the secure vault in the local Swiss Bank. The final magic and illusion must be cryptic and spectacular and prevent the final remaining team from guessing. The magical mystery must also try to solve the disappearance of Flick’s father and prevent the release of the mind-bending magic known as The Bell System (or Die Glocke) falling into untrustworthy hands. The only trouble with magic and magicians is that you can never truly trust what you have been told. For Flick, this requires many twists and thoughtful cogitation.
With fascinating chapter introductions that sometimes hint at magic ahead or distract from reality, the story unfolds with some impracticalities and conundrums that are unique and compelling. The delight of this book is that we as readers get to see behind the magical impossibilities shown to an audience and learn the art of illusion behind the banter. The twists and turns of magic and the struggle to trust the people around you make this book tensely mysterious. Fortunately, Flick is a strong main character, and we always want her to win. The fact that she has a prosthetic leg which sometimes impairs her mobility adds an additional point of difference in her backstory. I think readers aged 9-14 will warmly connect with this book as they discover hidden passages, tricky plot twists and some nefarious and underhand characters. The last pages of the book reveal a very complex card trick that readers might be able to perfect and add to their own magic repertoire.
Anyone who lives in Australia knows of the noise made when a mob of white cockatoos passes overhead. The squark and speech of these animals is enough for anyone to cover their ears and hope they move on quickly. Pity then poor koala and his friends a bat and a possum. They cannot sleep with all the noise and when kangaroo comes along with a parcel for koala, no one can hear the name of the person who the parcel is for.
As koala begins to unwrap the parcel his friends suggest what may have been sent from turtle. Could it be a harp as a harp could play lullabies to get them to sleep, or a hammock in which to sleep, or perhaps ear muffs. The suggestions from koala’s friends are rejected and koala unwraps the parcel to reveal a skipping rope.
Parcel for koala presents a mysterious guessing game for young readers, as questions are asked for them to ponder and question.
Zany illustrations parallel the text with colour and movement. I love the end papers showing just how the cockatoos interrupt koala and his friends’ sleep.
The first book in the series, Parcel for penguin was released earlier this year.
Themes Australian animals, Sleep, Cockatoos, Humour.
This is the book for all the girls who have dreamed of being a ballerina dazzling in a tutu on stage, who have attended dance classes and experienced the pain of sore feet and aching muscles, and who have always wanted to read a book that reflects their love of dance! It is on pointe!
Amelia lives for Ballet; she dreams that she will one day be a professional dancer like her parents were in their past, and she is prepared to work hard for her dream. Along the way though she must work out how to impress without adding more pressure and how to win lead roles without upsetting everyone else. The lead role in the upcoming concert should be hers, but the arrival of the new girl Valentina, a recent Italian immigrant, is adding a potential misstep to her plans. Valentina has finesse and a triple pirouette, but her English is still a struggle and the ballet school, and its students, have not made her arrival the easiest transition. The casting of the lead role in the ballet Cinderella causes stresses for both girls; lies and family and cultural issues almost disrupt the production. Can they overcome differences and their own insecurities to shine on stage?
This is definitely a book for lovers of ballet, as the language of ballet and the environment of a Ballet school are almost foreign territory for those without a dance background. But the story of the girls struggling with their own desires to succeed, and their competing family expectations, is universal, and even those without an understanding of the rigours of ballet will appreciate this well-written teen story. The interpersonal struggles within the teen troupe are realistic and believable, and the story is told through the voice and perspective of Amelia and Valentina in different chapters. A gentle insight into the migrant experience is also delightful. I appreciated the warm understanding of the author (presumably from her own dancing experience) of this artistic realm, but the insights into the snide and subtle bullying and exclusion and the unhealthy competitive striving that can undermine any group of teens who have different abilities was also quite powerful. I can absolutely recommend this book for readers aged 11-15 … but especially those who love ballet. Teacher's notes are available.
Craig Shanahan: Cooking up a Storm is the second book in the important Big Visions series that portrays Australians living with blindness or low vision.
This latest release shares the amazing story of chef Craig Shanahan who from an early age has lived with vision concerns. Diagnosed with cancer at the age of two and spending lots of time in hospital for treatment, it was finally decided that Craig’s left eye would need to be removed when he was five years old. At school Craig coped very well with one eye and could do all the things other children could do. In high school he loved the subject Food Technology and decided to become a chef.
After six months at College studying to be a chef, Craig was offered an apprenticeship. He worked very hard with long hours at three different kitchens and learned to cook many different dishes. He began to feel very tired and took a break to stay with his brother in Queensland. While he was there it was discovered he had a growth behind his good eye, and it had to come out. It was a long road to recovery for Craig as he had to learn how to walk with a cane and with support from a guide dog named Rocko, but he did develop incredible superpowers with his sense of smell, hearing and touch. Craig eventually opened his own café with the help of friends and schoolmates. The Blind Chef Café and Dessert Bar is for all people and caters especially for those with disabilities that often make it hard for them to eat out.
Craig Shanahan: Cooking up a Storm is a wonderful read to share and discuss with children. As an added discussion point, the cover and each page in this colourfully illustrated story has the written text and the corresponding Braille text. Craig has achieved so much through his belief in himself and his determination. His story is truly inspirational.
Phil Earle, author of While the Storm Rages and When the Sky Falls, has written a third novel based on events that took place during World War Two. While it is a fiction story, it is based on true events that happened during the most difficult of times. Beau, a stray dog surviving on the streets of London, is rescued from near-death by Peggy Alford who takes him home and begs her family to let her keep him. This is the beginning of a long and loving relationship for Peggy and Beau, but not all the family is happy about Beau’s arrival. Peggy’s brother Wilf and in particular his pampered rescue cat Mabel go out of their way to make Beau feel unwelcome. Fortunately Peggy’s love and her parents' realisation that Beau is no trouble allow Beau to find his own place in the family.
During this time the British Government instructed families in to put down their pets or send them to the country. The Alford family refused to comply and after Peggy and Wilf were evacuated, Beau joined Mr Alford in his rounds as an ARP warden. He soon becomes renowned for his ability to smell those trapped in rubble from bombings and becomes a celebrity. Sadly Beau’s life changes dramatically one evening and he and Mabel are left without the adult Alfords. With knowledge and support from ‘Bomber’ a homing pigeon, grudging and cantankerous companionship from Mabel, Beau sets out to find Peggy and Wilf. The three animal friends embark on a long and dangerous journey by train and on foot where they fight off rats, engage with a ferocious crocodile, are attacked by fox hounds and witness an horrific battle in the skies with devastating consequences.
This is a fabulous read where the author has cleverly interwoven historical facts with an engaging story and endearing animal and human characters. There are elements of terrible sadness and loss but also humour and great resilience. This would be a wonderful class novel for middle to upper primary school students.
Kathryn Beilby
Anchored by Debra Tidball. Illus. by Arielle Li
EK Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781922539496.
Down on the harbour it is Tug's job to work around the big ships as they are manoeuvred this way and that so they can load and unload their cargo for and from faraway destinations. Some ships she sees often and there is one that she has a special bond with, missing it mightily when it sails out over the horizon. And while she still goes about her daily tasks as best she can, she wonders whether Ship misses her as much as she misses Ship.
But her questions are answered and her worries allayed when Ship returns and the bond is renewed as they share their connection with each other.
Written for our youngest readers to reassure them that even though they might be separated from a parent for a time, out of sight does not mean out of mind and that they are always anchored in the heart of the absent one regardless. At a time when there are many reasons that separation might happen, stories like this help alleviate anxiety and confirm that the parent will return. This would be a good one to share whenever there is the prospect of parent and child being apart enabling the child to become the tough little tug with a job to do that is as important as that of the Ship who is away.
Barbara Braxton
Birdie lights up the world by Alison McLennan and Lauren Mullinder
EK Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781922539489. (Age:3+)
Birdie the penguin sings every night, calling up the light of the moon and stars. All the animals in the zoo wait for her beautiful singing and the light that it brings. It is her role in life and she is proud to be useful. The animals depend upon her to bring light at sunset.
But one day she has a sore throat. Her feathers are clammy and her teeth chattery and her throat feels like it is full of seaweed. Her voice disappears. The other animals reassure her that the voice will come back, but it does not. As sunset approaches, all the animals try their hardest to sing for the light.
Sunset comes and the animals, especially Birdie, find that the light still appears. Birdie is agog, she has always believed that she bought the light, lighting up the world for the animals. She feels she must find another job to make her feel useful. She tries to help the elephant move the tree trunks, but without tusks she cannot do it. She tries to collect acacia leaves with the giraffe, but she is not tall enough, so she spends a day with the monkeys to see what they do, but finds they do very little.
With sunset about to occur, the animals beg her to try singing again and she does, the most beautiful singing that still lights up the world.
A lovely story of finding your spot in the world, of practising what you are good at, of not giving up will have broad appeal, especially teamed with the images of all the animals in the zoo, which will entreat young readers. Teacher's notes are available.
Atlanta is the latest in Jennifer Saint’s reimagining of Greek myths; the earlier tales being Ariadne and Elektra. If you have read either of those, you will know that Saint’s story will be an account of a strong determined woman struggling against the misogyny of a male-dominated world. Who, even today, knows that there was a woman aboard the fabled journey of Jason and the Argonauts? Saint has researched the ancient sources. Atalanta was the only woman, a heroine backed by the goddess Artemis, to venture as an equal with the heroes of the ancient world, sailing on the quest to seize the Golden Fleece. But, as a woman, she has been forgotten, or purposely ignored, and history only remembers the male heroes.
Atalanta started life as a female baby abandoned on a mountain to be raised by wild bears. She becomes one of Artemis’s followers, a woman amongst the nymphs that Artemis protects as long as they swear to a life of celibacy, scorning the attentions of men. Atalanta becomes a skilled huntress, running faster than any man, and an unrivalled archer. Because of her unparalleled abilities, Artemis sends Atalanta as her champion, to join the finest heroes of the land, to join Jason’s expedition.
And so we discover that many of the successes of that journey were due to Atalanta’s clear headed thinking, determination and skill, abilities that her fellow adventurers are reluctant to acknowledge, because it goes against all their preconceptions of the role of a woman.
Atalanta is determined to prove herself, to defeat every man, but the final crisis for her becomes choosing between asserting her superiority and glory, or allowing a man to win her love and become part of her life.
The story of Atalanta is one that may still resonate for readers today: the female experience of being overlooked or unappreciated in the workplace, the status always going to men. Saint calls it out, and reminds us that women still face issues of inequality and discrimination. But while the lessons are there, her books are a wonderful immersion in a mythical world that are such a joy to read. I am sure that her readers will enjoy this one also.
Text Publishing, 2023. ISBN: 9781922790101. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The Hotel Witch written by Jessica Miller is a beautiful story about adventure, mystery and determination. Filled with spells, magic and strong family connections, this story is one to capture your attention and fill you with joy.
Protagonist, Sybil, is an apprentice witch who lives in The Grand Mirror Hotel with her grandma, the official Hotel Witch. Her mother lives in the nearby Black Mountains, and Sybil is always waiting in anticipation of a visit from her.
As an apprentice witch, Sybil spends her days busily completing spell patterns within the hotel; to keep the patrons’ content. Sybil and her Grandma endeavour to make the stay of the hotel’s guests highly enjoyable by shining guests’ shoes, finding lost things and cleaning thoroughly. But Sybil is desperate to do more complicated spells like her Grandma. She sees her skills as merely simple and she wants to prove herself and show that she is capable of so much more. Yet her Grandma continually reminds her of her need to concentrate, as Sybil’s mind can often wander, and she can lose focus for the task at hand.
Everything is going smoothly, and it is very busy and everyday blends into the next. But when Sybil notices a shadow is missing from the large grandfather clock she is perplexed.
Things become even more complicated when Grandma gets stuck in last Tuesday, after entering the thirteenth floor. So, Sybil is left to step up and take over the role as Hotel Witch. As more strange things occur throughout the hotel, will Sybil find the strength in her abilities of seemingly simple spells, or will she become too overwhelmed with the whole situation?
Jessica Miller has written a wonderful story that will keep the audience captivated and enchanted. This novel will appeal to those lovers of fantasy and adventure. The Hotel Witch is filled with excitement and mystery, friendship, love and self-belief. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Problem solving.
Michelle O'Connell
Colour makes the world go round by Christopher Nielsen
Colour Makes the World Go Round is a bold and vibrant picture book which thoughtfully and ingeniously asks the question: 'What would the world be like without colour?' It has a spectacular cover with embossed letters that draw readers into a fascinating journey of a world with and without colour.
Beginning and ending with striking green and white endpapers showing zebras with reverse stripes, the illustrations cleverly extend across a double page with one half in colour and the other in black and white. The young child asks questions about where the colour has gone from a number of images including themselves, a scarf, a rainbow, and autumn leaves. They decide that a world without colour is not much fun, as colour makes us both different and the same. So, a little magic is required to bring back colour to the world. The reader is encouraged to say some magic words, tap the book, and turn the page and lo and behold! the colour is back, as beautiful and luminous as ever.
This highly engaging book will be a wonderful classroom resource to encourage children to use their imaginations to explore what their world might look like without colour.
This is a third verse novel in the series, following on from the award-winning The One and Only Ivan (based on a true story) and its sequel The One and Only Bob. The One and Only Ruby picks up shortly after the Bob installment, taking place in a wildlife sanctuary where she now lives with a herd of aunty elephants as well as being close to both Ivan and Bob. Ruby is growing up and her tusks are coming in, which means it is nearly time for her Tusk Day. But Ruby has a secret; she doesn't like her tusks and she doesn't want to celebrate them. When a carer from her old orphanage shows up it reminds Ruby of all sorts of things from her past- both good and bad. She lightens her load by sharing her story, which helps the others to understand her and her feelings and make her Tusk Day a happy experience.
The first-person narration helps the reader to empathise with Ruby as we directly hear her feelings, experiences and fears. Her voice is a relatable child's voice and equatable to human life: relationships with family, self-doubt, worries, grief and curiosity. Applegate manages to anthropomorphise Ruby, while at the same time telling a true-to-life tale of an elephant. There are some distressing themes, including drought, death, grief, poaching and painful memories but these are tempered with the supportive network of humans and animals in the wildlife park and touches of humour in Ruby's conversations and wonderings.
The verse format of the novel means that despite it being 200 pages it is really approachable, with plenty of white space, text broken up with headings and a smattering of black and white illustrations. The book includes an elephant body language visual dictionary, a glossary of terms used in the story, a sneak-peak of Ivan for those who haven't read it and a brief author's note about the true plight of elephants in the wild and in cruel captivity. There is also a film adaptation of The One and Only Ivan. There is no need to have read the other books first, this stands perfectly well alone, but it will be adored by fans of the other books, wildlife and conservation advocates and those who enjoy verse novels and true stories.
Themes Wild Animals, Friendship, Empathy, Kindness, Memories, Novels in Verse.
In a 2008 prologue we see young mothers, Felicity and Jenna relaxing on the lawn with their two year old daughters, Clementine and Senara, on a rare sunny day in Cornwall. All seems fine until little Senara starts digging in the garden and Felicity explodes, angrily shouting at the toddler to stop digging there. Jenna gathers her daughter up and goes home, vowing never to go there again. Fast forward to the present and three local Pentrellis sixteen year olds, Josie, Gareth and Senara, are outside the mysterious, vacant Cliff House grounds planning to fly a drone over as part of Gareth’s media project. When the drone crashes they climb over the fence to retrieve it, scaring themselves with stories of ghosts and zombies. When Senara finds a bone in the camellia bushes she has a feeling of déjà vu but the others just want to film themselves with the bone to add drama to the video. Senara leaves and finds the drone but she also finds old Mrs Roberts, the scary lady in the caretaker's cottage but instead of calling the police she has Senara make her a cup of tea and they become friends. The narrative slips back to 1940 when Violet Roberts picks ten year old evacuee Martha Driscoll as one of four London children to live in Cliff House during the war, a huge house which seemed to the children like a castle. The story switches back and forth between time periods, the next being 1988 when the mothers from the Prologue are sixteen. Felicity and her brother Alex live in Cliff House and when their parents go to Paris for the summer holidays, Felicity’s best friend Jenna comes to stay and they plan a party. The story shifts between the generations, Martha from 1940, Felicity from 1988, and Senara’s first person account from the present, always with the Cliff House as the focus and an undercurrent of menace from things left unsaid. There are a lot of characters in this book and it is hard to keep track of them, especially as the same characters appear in different timelines and take on different roles at different times. Constantly shifting the timeline requires a degree of repetition which interferes with the pace of the book and I sometimes lost the thread as to which 16 year olds were planning a party especially as there was not much happening in between. There were a few nice character studies and I liked Senara’s synaesthesia, but the love stories near the end seemed tacked on and the great mystery of who or what is buried in the garden was not enough to make me keep reading.
