Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761069277. (Age:7-12)
This colourful, wordless graphic novel was first published in 2009 and since then there have been multiple manifestations of Scarygirl’s story, most recently a much-anticipated Australian animation film. For those not familiar with the story there is an introductory page followed by bios for eight characters reminiscent of collector cards, including Scarygirl, "on a mission to find the man behind her haunting dreams” and Blister “a super-intelligent giant octopus, Scarygirl’s guardian”. From then on readers need to pay close attention to the pictorial narrative as there are almost no words. Colour is used effectively to indicate mood and the graphic thought bubbles, mostly in the form of simple equations indicate thoughts and intentions. As Scarygirl and her friends (who are not always reliable) set out to find the mystery man in her dreams they encounter psychedelic worlds and degraded maze-like landscapes where it is not clear who is to be trusted. The highly detailed, vivid graphics keep the reader wondering where the next threat will come from as the adventure unfolds. At the end of the book are pages from Nathan Jurevicius’ notebook of line drawings that inspired some of the film concepts. The lack of words makes this accessible to a wide age group but some of the action really is scary, involving cash for betrayal, drugs and operations, requiring some caution when recommending to younger readers.
Using well known characters in books by Beatrix Potter this series of lift-the-flap books will quickly find a place at home or in a library or classroom, with information on the cover telling the reader that there are lots of flaps to look under. And there are.
Peter Rabbit has been called inside by his mother and he and his siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail, get ready for bed. They have been out all day playing with their friend Benjamin and their toys, and must say farewell to their friend and gather up their toys to put them away. A problem occurs when they cannot find the snuggly toy bunnies, their companions when going to sleep, so Peter must search for them before they goes to bed. Lifting the flap to find the toy bunnies will have readers guessing where they might be. Their eyes will roam over the detailed pages of illustrations: of the woods where they play, the wonderfully warm kitchen, the bathroom, the lounge with the bookcase, and lastly the bedroom. Each room redolent of the smaller hand sized stories by Beatrix Potter with which many children will be familiar.
All the evening routines are included, supper is a cake and hot drink, then a bath, brushing the teeth clean, sitting by the fire with Mum, and settling down for bedtime. But Peter is dismayed, he cannot sleep without his toy bunny. While cleaning his teeth he remembers a game he and his sisters played during the day and rushes to the bookcase which was then a mountain to find the bunnies. The girls find theirs but Peter’s is still missing.
Eventually the toy is found and all is well for the children to go to bed and sleep. This is a lovely lift the flap story to read before bedtime, a winding down book that outlines the steps to going to bed for the night.
And children will have lots of fun with lifting the flaps that show up on every second double page, watching out for their favourite characters and following the story of Peter Rabbit.
Ten minutes to bed: Little Dinosaur's big race by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Penguin, 2023. ISBN: 9780241545638.
Designed to help children wind down after the day’s activities, readying them for bed, each of the tales in The land of Nod, opens with a map of the area covered. Here is the Giant’s town, Outer Space, Golden Swamp, we see the Creepy Castle and the Emerald Green laid out before us. Eager readers will scan the places shown, knowing they are in for a journey through the land that leads to sleep.
In this story, Rumble and his dinosaur friends are readying to compete in the competition on Midsummer’s Eve. All the other dinosaurs are surprised that Rumble is there, after all he is very small, and they all agree that he will come last.
Told in rhyming lines, children will quickly pick up the rhyming sequence and predict the rhyming words, eager to show their expertise to the reader as it is read out loud. Joining in along the way, many children will learn some of the lines and eagerly listen as Rumble competes with the other dinosaurs.
During the countdown, Rumble competes with flying dinosaurs, fairies, leaping and jumping dinosaurs, until at last with one minute to go they see the flag at the end of the race. But by this time they are all asleep.
Cute illustrations show the sparkly dinosaurs as they rush through the jungle, fly through the air and compete with each other to get to the flag while soft pastel colours warm each page, as the big eyed animals beguile the readers.
A texting story with which to end the day and help children fall to sleep.
A new book in the series, Ten minutes to bed, the others are shown on the last page of this book.
Zana Fraillon (The Bone Sparrow) has created a contemplative book about the marching on of time and the unresponsiveness of many people to others and the world around them. The stone gargoyle in the story has been displaced from his rooftop due to new development and we see his city - dark, gritty and grafittied - as he travels by train. When he is kicked off the train for not having a ticket ("She doesn't look at the gargoyle. Just holds out her hand and booms for 'TICKETS!'") the child narrator opens the suitcase he has left behind. It is filled with the gargoyle's memories; "Blazing moments of great happinesses and fiery saddnesses, flickers of endless days and infinite nights, of moons waxing and waning, of stars dying and being born..." In addition, he sees the gargoyle's hopes for the future: a vision of him planting a seed that grows into a tree. Mirroring the way older generations are often viewed, the gargoyle is mostly seen as an imposition or an annoyance by the other passengers on the train. He isn't treated with respect or dignity. The story ends hopefully, with the child planting the seed and restoring some life and colour to the city, in memory of the gargoyle.
Ross Morgan's illustrations are haunting, in some parts quite realistic and in others very dreamlike. You can really feel the hardness and impersonal nature of the city, the lack of care or interest that the train passengers have for each other, but especially for the gargoyle ("no one helps him or offers him their seat"). Environmental print (New Development Coming Soon, Demolition Work in Progress) and grafitti provides the sense of place, where old things are being torn down or falling into disrepair and nothing is respected. This is a heartfelt tale with lots of interesting ideas to unpack and at its core a simple plea for kindness and compassion.
Themes Ageing, Time, Legacy.
Nicole Nelson
The comforting weight of water by Roanna McClelland
Rain, rain and more rain. McClelland submerges us in a world of water, rain, mud, floods and storms. The sun only comes out for an hour each day, until one day it doesn’t. The story is told by the one person who delights in the water. For one adolescent child, the water baby, it is a joy, and a comfort, but for old Gammy living in a hut on the edge of a village, it is a curse, and also a threat, as she and the child are isolated from the other villagers who distrust and resent them.
This is a dystopian world, not one of heatwaves and fire, but a world of overwhelming water. The adolescent has adapted, often shunning clothes, and running and swimming with scaly feet, and long-held breaths underwater. The villagers, though, struggle to survive, and are dependent on offerings of food left by the child each day. The waters continually rise, and the future is bleak. Gammy knows from past experience that in such an environment, it is easy to turn the blame on someone who is different. She knows that the threat is very real.
McClelland’s writing is completely immersive, every detail of the water-logged world is described, the sights, the sounds, the smells, even the tastes. It does become relentless, just as the environment she is describing is relentless, and it is only in the second half of the novel that the action picks up. If you can persist with the reading, the twist of the last section adds another thought-provoking layer to the story.
A worthy sequel to My epic Dad! Takes us camping and My extraordinary Mum, kids will laugh out loud at this caper as all the old fishing jokes are on show as the predictable and unpredictable happens when Dad thinks he is an expert in the field. Putting his children into the jeep with lines and tackle, dinghy and waders see them all set out to the river. In rhyming lines the story unfolds as Dad tries to catch a fish and show his kids how it is done. The first thing he does is fall in, causing a mild panic when a fin cna be seen in the water. The kids work their hardest to drag him back on board, crabs snapping at his cheeks. Back on board he feels a shock run through him as an eel wraps itself around his leg, but worse follows when a selection of crocodiles appear. One takes the bottom out of his pants, one eyes the bait on the end of his line and one takes his shoe and sock.The children cast a line and a hook impairs itself in Dad’s lip. Giving up the dinghy the family puts on waders to try their luck in the shallower parts of the river. Even here, Dad attracts things that are not wanted. A snake coils around Dad’s rod, and he falls into a poison ivy bush while being covered by the worms he bought along as bait. Running through a spider’s web he falls into a wombat hole. What a day!
Kids will roar with laughter as Dad gets into all sorts of scrapes and be pleasantly surprised when the children finally catch a fish at the end of the day, just in time to cook for tea.
A positively funny tale of a family doing something outdoors together, overcoming obstacles, keeping on trying, until a fish is caught.
Younger readers will appreciate the family centred activity and be able to predict the rhyming words at the end of each line. The funny illustrations will keep readers equally amused as they see the humour in the background, the snippets of Dad jokes used and recognise the looks on their faces. I love the looks on everybody’s face as they go from laughing to surprise to patience and impatience, resignation to frustration and finally love and support.
Butterflies be gone! Yoga theraphy for fear and anxiety by Loraine Rushton & Adele Vinvent. Illus. by Andrew McIntosh
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833655. (Age:5+) Recommended.
Parents, carers and teachers who know or work with children who suffer from anxiety or heightened behaviour, will find this beautifully illustrated new release, Butterflies Be Gone: Yoga Therapy for Fear and Anxiety, a welcome addition to their toolbox of strategies used for support. Beginning with an important introduction to Yoga Therapy, this book then covers simple exercises to explain breathing, relaxation, movement and meditation through an engaging story.
Young Jesse finds school noisy and busy and struggles to get up as he has butterflies in his tummy. He breathes through a series of simple exercises to overcome the worries creeping into his thoughts. Through a gentle story he travels to an imaginary place to help ease his anxiety. Finally, he feels able to face the day.
The authors have cleverly interwoven each movement into the story and the illustrator has skilfully shown the reader how they can be done by reflecting Jesse’s body in a different pose from the main image. The colours used throughout reflect the calmness of the story, with Jesse’s character being the main focus, and other images soft and muted.
In the final pages, all of the yoga movements shared in the book are listed and step-by-step instructions with diagrams are given. A very worthwhile resource for a home, school, or public library.
Jessica's smile by Sian Turner. Illus. by Rebecca Cool
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833914. (Age:3+)
Jessica is the essence of style. Each second page the repeated pair of lines talks about her style accompanied with a great big smile. She has a smile for everybody; the children dancing in the park, the juggling clown, the girls with balloons. Each time she interacts with people in her neighbourhood, they are impressed with her smile. She is happy.
In rhyming pairs of lines we see Jessica and her stylish clothing impressing the people she meets, and sharing her lovely smile.
But one day it is her birthday and she is turning eight. Her smile has disappeared because she has no one to share her birthday with. Readers will recognise that sometimes we are sad for different reasons and some days find it hard to have a smile on our daces.
They will be concerned for Jessica and be relieved when turning the page find that everyone in the neighbourhood has turned up to share her birthday, and so her smile returns.
Repeated lines on every second double page will attract readers who will try and predict the rhyme, as well as the different clothing noted in the verse. Kids will easily learn the repeated lines saying them with the reader as it is read out loud.
The bold colourful illustrations are entrancing, drawing the eyes to the children on each page and the clothing the stylish Jessica wears.
Kids will love talking bout how they feel when they smile, and when the smile disappears. They will be able to talk about the difference having people close helps with how they feel.
Former yellow Wiggles, Emma Watkins has now produced three books about Emma Memma, highlighting all forms of communication, particularly dance, Auslan, movement, mime, gesture, crafts and listening. In this book, the words hello, and how are you are repeated over and over, showing the forms of sign language used to say them. A short clip to accompany the book can be viewedhere and will have kids singing and signing to the catchy tune. As they read through the book, they will also learn the signs for great, good and goodbye as they meet and greet a range of animals while they walk.
Emma is instantly recognisable with her big hair, flowers and sparkling dress, while her partner repeats the signed words to her. Kids will love the colour, movement and signs, trying it all out for themselves.
Completing a master’s in Media Arts and Communication at the University of Technology Sydney, Emma’s deep interest in Auslan and signing, led her to further study resulting in a PHD from Macquarie University in the artistic interpretations of signing.
Her expertise has led her to promote Auslan and signing, and raise awareness of the Deaf community.
Three books are available now, while two others will be available later in the year.
Hello, Emma Memma(February, 2023), Enna Memma’s sticker activity book (June, 2023) and Emma Memma: how are you (June, 2023) and watch out for Emma Memma’s alphabet day (October, 2023) Emma Emma’s craft book (October, 2023).
Twelve-year-old Mia is just trying to navigate a world that doesn't understand her true autistic self. Mia would be happy to just be herself, stims and all, but the other students have trouble understanding her and even bully her, while her mother is full of strategies to help her attempt to mask her autism. Although she wishes she could stand up to her bullies, she's always been able to express her feelings through singing and songwriting, even more so with her best friend, Charlie, who is nonbinary, putting together the best beats for her.
Together, they've taken the internet by storm; little do Mia's classmates know that she's the viral singer Elle-Q! Ironically, one of her biggest fans is also one of her biggest real-life bullies, Laura. But while the chance to perform live for a local talent show has Charlie excited, Mia isn't so sure.
She'll have to decide whether she'll let her worries about what other people think get in the way of not only her friendship with Charlie, but also showing everyone, including the bullies, who she is and what she has to say. Though she may struggle with some of her emotions, Mia does not suffer because of her autism. Rather than a cure as though there is something about her that needs to be fixed, she just wants acceptance, understanding and tolerance, just like the other characters who have other issues that drive their behaviour.
For older, independent readers this is a graphic novel by an autistic author/illustrator offering a sympathetic depiction of one young person's experience of autism, and because it is by one on the spectrum it is an authentic voice giving an insight into what it is like to be different at a time when peer acceptance is so important to who we are.
Soman Chainani is back with another welcome glimpse into the magical world of his popular The School for Good and Evil series. Fall of the School for Good and Evil is the second and final book in a duology that precedes the original series. We are thrust straight back into the tumultuous events of the magical school and its immortal caretakers. Twin brothers Rafal and Rhian are still at odds, neither sure of the loyalty or motivations of the other. Their most talented students have fled the school with the dashing Captain Hook (of Peter Pan fame) and they are desperate to recruit replacements. So desperate in fact that, for the first time, they decide to allow non-magical students into the school. Enter Midas, a talented young man who soon makes his mark at The School for Good and Evil, and who both brothers want on their team. Interspersed with the events befalling the runaway students, who find themselves stranded in Neverland, the book plots the growing chaos and confusion in the magical realm. Overshadowing all of this is Rafal’s growing belief that he and his brother made a fundamental error when they originally chose sides. He is becoming more and more convinced that it is Rhian who should be the evil headmaster…and that his brother may be trying to kill him…
As with all of Chainani’s novels, Fall of the School for Good and Evil is a fun and fast paced fantasy adventure. It is a satisfactory conclusion to the story of Rafal and Rhian and an interesting background to both new and old fans of the The School for Good and Evil.
Themes Fantasy, Action, Fairy Tales, Good vs Evil, Schools, Brothers, Identity.
Rose Tabeni
The Wheelbarrow Express by Sue Whiting and Cate James
It is time for Tom to leave his grandfather’s farm and return home with Mum and Ruby. He is gloomy to leave his grandfather and the farm where he has enjoyed himself. Pa suggests a last ride on the Wheelbarrow Express, and putting the train driver’s hat on Tom, they set off. The story takes them on a journey around the farm, Tom stopping off at each memorable place to say goodbye.
Aboard the wheelbarrow, they make their way across the paddock with a ‘toot, toot, choo-choo-choo-choo.’
They go first to the Pig’s Playhouse where Tom said goodbye to the piglets who are all excited to see him. Here he finds his triceratops buried in the mud. Next stop is the henhouse, where an excited bunch of chooks feed on the seed thrown out by Pa. Tom collects some eggs to take back home. Next they visit Goat Mountain, where one goat, Missy takes Tom’s train driver’s hat. And Pa tells him that he is a champion kid, the best ever. He chases Missy and when she drops the cap, Tom finds a cockatoo feather beneath it. He adds it to the eggs and the triceratops. They pass through the olive trees, then come to the yabby dam where they practise stone skimming for a while before returning to the farmhouse where Mum and Ruby are waiting.
Tom and his Pa say their goodbyes, each grinning a champion grin to the other, knowing that Tom will return.
Change is about to disrupt Tommy’s life and the Wheelbarrow Express is a way of disarming the gloomies that Tom feels on leaving his beloved Pa. The two journey for the last time, going over the things they have done together while Tom has stayed on the farm, reprising the things they have shared.
In the end Pa feels the gloomies and it is up to Tom to dispel the anxiety Pa feels. Heartfelt in its depiction of the love between Pa and Tommy, the tale is brimming with their shared support and affection. The fun of the train ride around the farm is reflected in the humorous illustrations. Bold, colourful and full of detail about Australian farms, children will pore over them as the book is read to them, taking note of the different lifestyle presented here.
The repetition of several phrases will stay with the children as they read of Tom’s departure, knowing that Pa loves him just as much as he loves Pa.
For any reader who identifies with, supports, teaches, or lives with a child diagnosed with autism, this beautiful story will provide incredible insight and understanding into their ever-changing feelings and struggles.
Eleven-year-old Oli is being driven to a school holidays activity known as ‘The Heroes Club’, where he will hopefully begin to learn skills of how to engage and form friendships with other children. As one can imagine, Oli is struggling with the whole concept and would rather be home designing buildings on his device. On nearing the carpark, he witnesses a small scraggy dog trying desperately to cross a busy road. Cars stop suddenly, no one helps the dog and Oli is frozen with indecision about whether to jump out and save the dog or do the right thing and stay in the car. Finally the traffic moves forward and the dog appears to have made it to safety. This incident sets off deep and all-consuming thoughts for Oli, and finding the dog becomes a major focus for him over the week.
Oli is one of five children attending the club, all who have differing family backgrounds and quirky habits. There is the loud and extrovert Max who is a talented Lego creator with an amazing ability to sing his answers, gentle and quiet Tiffany whose mum runs an animal shelter, angry and unsmiling Layla who does not trust adults, and Brian a humble and gifted artist. Each of the children take time to learn to cope with each other’s differences but all pull together to try to save the dog who lives in a soon-to-be demolished building site which they can see from their meeting room windows.
This thoughtfully written story, with strong individual young characters, would make a wonderful novel for middle grade teachers to read aloud to their classes. It has important messages about being your own person, doing what you think is right, accepting that we are all different, but can work together to achieve a positive outcome. Another brilliant read from author, Kate Foster.
Themes Autism, Children, Social Skills, Lost Dogs, Feelings, Kindness, Bravery, Friendship, Parents/Carers.
Dads of all persuasion are given a nod in this funny look at the sort of dogs that accompany dads. Dads are muddy, singing, dancing, they are also busy, shopping, and footy dads. They ride bikes, and have coffee, draw and play with their kids in the playground. But what ever they do, a dog is by their side. Footy dad has a fluffy dog. Reading dad has a rescue dog and painting dad has a guard dog. A child also accompanies each dad, helping, doing things, being shown or helped, the child is part of the dad’s orbit. Each of the twenty four dads occupies one page, the trio, dad, child and dog shown in blocks of colour almost like an image seen through a telescope. Dad are cooking dads, dashing, digging and surfing fans, including their child and dogs in whatever they do. Mick Elliott points out that there is no training to be a dad or a mum and this book presents many easy moments when everyone is just muddling through. Whatever the muddle, dads are there to support and encourage.
An introduction by Mick Elliott to his book can be viewed here.
Author Anna Branford has written a thoughtful and gentle follow up to How to be ... the New Person, and once again two of the main characters, best friends Hazel and Laura, are central to the story. Both the girls make up pretend instructional online tutorials during the day to often help them cope with worrying things but also for fun.
In this story Laura’s Mum is pregnant and unwell, her dad is in Greece, and Laura is becoming very worried. She has started forgetting things, coming to school looking unkempt and Hazel is concerned. Once Laura shares this secret worry with Hazel that has been weighing heavily on her mind, Hazel is determined to help. Even standing up to the mean comments directed towards Laura from Camila and Mika. Eventually the important adults in the girls’ lives become aware of the situation and step in to help Laura and her mum. Hazel is thrilled to learn that Laura will stay with her for a few days while her Mum is in hospital and her family do their best to make her feel comfortable.
Also included in the story is the exciting school play, video conversations with older friend Veronica in the nursing home, meeting the new neighbours and finding their missing cat, dealing with unkind words from Camila and Mika, and a surprising resolution to a friendship issue.
This delightful story is one that may be an important read for young readers struggling with friendship worries and other challenges in life.
