Martha Maloney is on an excursion with her class to the Museum of Famous People - it's a visit she has looked forward to all term because she has a unique way of exploring the life and times of those who have gone before. Although her long-suffering teacher Mrs Souza warns her that 'eating and drinking is absolutely, totally forbidden here', Martha doesn't hear a word because she is off having meals with the various folks she finds - King Henry VIII, Princess Marie Antoinette, Queen Nefertiti , Emperor Claudius, and Emperor Puyi travelling not only through time but also countries.
Accompanying the spectacular illustrations is a commentary by Martha about the person and the banquet she finds herself at as well as the menu and fascinating endnotes that give a few facts about her host and the food of the time, all held together by the increasingly overwhelmed Mrs Souza who, as any teacher knows finds keeping lids together on an excursion is like the proverbial herding cats.
So far this review year, there has been a thread of discovering history:
Our Country: Ancient Wonders, BANG! The Story of How Life on Earth Began, Earth is Big, Australian Backyard Explorer and The History of Everywhere, each giving a different perspective and offering ways to help our students explore times past through their various lenses and interests. The Amazing Meals of Martha Maloney continues this trend offering a new way to investigate a people and their times, either expanding on those offered by the creators or by selecting someone at a different time who interests them. They could even compare the tables of the rich and famous of the time with those of the ordinary people, investigating the choices and the differences; compare the banquet of Henry VIII to that of Emperor Puyi and examine the menu's variety and what were considered delicacies where while comparing them to a similar occasion here... For those wanting a more modern and immediate focus they could compare what were considered festive foods in the time of their great-grandparents to what they eat (in the 50s, roast chicken was the Christmas table treat) and perhaps even develop an extra entry for the book based on a 21st century treat. They could investigate the food of their classmates and how it varies from what their own dinner table looks like, perhaps even culminating in an international food fest and recipe book!
If we consider food to be the essential common denominator across time and place, there is endless inspiration in this unique book that I believe will feature in many awards lists this year.
Rusty the Rainbow Bird is the third book in the popular Endangered Animals Tales series. The author, Aleesah Darlison, continues to share her passion for educating younger readers about Australian animals that are in danger. In this story Rusty the Rainbow Bird is a Gouldian Finch, native to the top of Australia from the Kimberley in WA to Far North Queensland. The reader is introduced to Rusty flittering and fluttering about near a waterhole which is shrinking due to the dry season. Water is an important habitat for these finches, and they never roam far from it. Rusty meets Olivia and after a courtship dance, they make a cosy nest and six eggs are laid. Both finches share the care of keeping the eggs warm. The babies hatch naked and blind with colourful patterns on their mouths so the parents can find them in the dark. Rusty’s family is under threat from bushfire and he quickly moves them to safety.
The short sentences of the story along with the Fact! information shared on each double page provides younger readers with the opportunity to successfully read this book independently. The vibrant full-page illustrations are both detailed and appealing and successfully complement the text. The final page of information about the Gouldian Finch with a location map, labelled diagram and dot points of important facts is an excellent introduction to using non-fiction to find out more about the world we live in.
Young children are inquisitively drawn to books about sharks and this beautifully illustrated new factual narrative release will provide them with a glimpse of many of these amazing creatures from all over the world. The reader follows the story of Shark, a black-tipped reef shark, as he explores his natural ocean environment while he searches for the place he calls home. His journey begins in the waters off the west coast of Australia, and he travels the oceans of the world encountering different varieties of the shark species. Along his journey he warily meets a tiger shark, whitetip shark, tunnel-mouthed basking shark, angel shark, blue shark, lemon shark, hammerhead shark, Great White shark as well as other captivating sea creatures. Shark eventually reaches the Great Barrier Reef where he finds others of his very own species.
The gentle language used by the author is both rhythmic and descriptive. Combined with the vibrant and stunning full-page illustrations, this book will fascinate and delight its younger readers. In the final pages are a map of the world showing Shark’s journey as well as a double page spread of shark facts and information about the other sea creatures Shark met along the way. A wonderful story to share with young children. Teacher notes available.
Stunningly plotted, trawling between the disappearances of a woman and a child twenty years ago and the present, this crime story had me glued to the last page. Charlie Deravin, a police officer suspended for giving information to a juror during a rape trial, has always gathered evidence about his mother’s disappearance. His brother, amongst others think their father, a retired police officer, killed her but her body has never been found. At the same time, a young boy went missing, believed drowned. But when two bodies turn up in the same grave in the beach side suburb, accusations are pointed yet again at Charlie’s father and the enmity between the two brothers resurfaces.
By this time, Charlie has begun a relationship with the juror, Anna, and the two are targeted by the friends of the person on trial, a talented young footballer, accused of rape.
When Anna and Charlie are involved in a hit and run, Anna ending up in hospital, Charlie becomes aware of the involvement of his former boss, and some of his cronies. When that man’s son is hospitalised after a hit and run, he blames Charlie.
In the meantime, Charlie’s mother’s car is found and forensic evidence taken, the inquiry moving closer to Charlies’ father, Rhys. But he and his wife Fay, are on a cruise, and when Rhys contracts the China virus, he ends up in a Tokyo hospital, his wife in quarantine on the ship.
Meanwhile Charlie is warned off collecting evidence and talking to witnesses, but in talking to his counsellor, finds he can view past events with greater clarity.
His former boss ambushes him at home, leaving him dazed and bruised, after finding that his son has gone into a coma and is unlikely to be revived. He takes it out on Charlie, who he suspects ran the boy down, and then targets his family.
An amazing number of threads make up this involving story, and the background of the small communities around Port Phillip Bay and the nearby Victorian coast breathes life into the setting. People all know each other, and watch, holding what they know close to their chests.
Trailed by a pair of journalists making a podcast about the murders, Charlie is torn between loyalty to his father and a niggling worry about the past.
A classic lift the flap book about Spot will be welcomed by all young readers. The board book fitting snugly into small hands entices with a picture of Spot kicking a ball on the cover. With its preponderance of primary colours and deceptively simple outlines, the book will be readily absorbed by children.
A stress on friends and family has Mum asking Spot to go the park as it is such a nice day. But Spot has to get something out of the toy box before he leaves with Mum and Helen the hippo. Lifting the flap reveals what it is he is looking for. He rushes off through the garden gate with Mum calling that he wait for them. He chases the pigeons, and kicks the ball, losing it amongst the many things in the park. Children will love looking at the array of things to be found in the park, and talk about what they see there to do.
Children will thrill seeing other animals hidden in the undergrowth and playing with Spot and Helen.
A delightful afternoon at the park not only shows children what they will do at the park, but also models good behaviour of getting along, of playing together and of thanking the duck who retrieves the ball for Spot, an afternoon of fun with friends and family, and learning some lessons that will stand them in good stead when being with them.
First published in 1991, this book encourages using fine motor skills as well as the fun of exploration and adventure as Spot and his friends play and learn together.
Themes Play, Spot, Lift the flap, Family, Friends.
Fran Knight
Pearly and Pig and the great hairy beast by Sue Whiting
The excitement of this adventure starts immediately in this novel. Pearly is a 10-year-old who is very concerned that her parents have not returned home. The special Adventure Phone continues to ring but should she answer it? This is a test of whether she too can be a member of the Adventurologist Guild, like her parents. She makes the right decision and her mother answers and tells her she must immediately take Pig to the jetty at Port Clementine. Pig is a pig with an extraordinary sense of smell and Pearly can communicate with him. But there’s something very fishy going on and when she arrives at the jetty her parents aren’t there. Just the beautiful Emmaline Woods and some burly men and a ship called the Mighty Muncher. Pearly doesn’t trust this woman who intimidates her. When Pig is Pignapped Pearly tricks her way onto the ship which is headed for Antarctica in search of the Great Hairy Beast. Of course, she is discovered on board and she also realizes Emmaline's true villainy. But where are her parents and how will Pearly and Pig survive the harsh Antarctic environment?
This is an entertaining mystery with a light touch and an array of colourful characters. Pearly is an earnest girl trying to stick to the rules of RAG (Rules and Guidelines for Young Adventurologists) and not give into her fears. Fortunately, she is a gifted linguist and communicates with animals which helps the animals and gets her out of tricky situations. Pig is endearing with his OINKY! OINKY! NO!-NO! and AROOing warnings. There’s a subtle thread of climate change, anti-hunting and you get a sense of the Antarctic environment. Whiting’s RAG as an appendix is a nice touch and worthy of discussion with children. Pearly will work well as a read-aloud for 7- to 9-year-olds.
The novel Interned is based on true historical events that took place in World War One. This devastating practice of internment is an often-forgotten aspect of the war which touched and impacted lives on our Australian shores. Author Pamela Rushby has sensitively dealt with this disturbing topic in a well-researched and careful manner. Two stories of two families with two young girls on the cusp of adolescence, both of German heritage but poles apart in circumstances, are brought together in this heart-wrenching tale of a shameful period in Australia’s history. The story reveals the prejudice and ill-treatment of innocent families as they try to adjust and cope with the propaganda and hysteria created by the Australian Government of the time. Gretta has lived a privileged life in Singapore but with her family is sent to Australia as an ‘enemy alien.’ Tilly is Australian born and bred but as the daughter of a German-born baker she and her family are subject to the laws surrounding the internment of those with a German background. Both girls eventually form a bond in a rural township in country NSW and forge an unlikely friendship. Their respective journeys are not easy, and both are shared in alternative chapters that are interwoven and connected.
This book has lighter moments amidst the heartache, but it is compelling reading and an excellent commentary of social times during the First World War years. A fabulous class novel or text to support History students studying World War One.
Themes WW1, Internment, Families, German Culture, Australian Culture, Displacement, Racism, Suspicion, Enemy Aliens, Propaganda.
A solid board book, vibrant and durable will be a treat for all mums and dads with young children to entertain and encourage. Morgan’s seemingly simple text is rich in meaning, spurring a child to think beyond what she sees. The opening line, ‘I can fly high like a shooting star’, reveals possible worlds outside her own, encouraging the child to look up, to see beyond. Accompanied by Morgan’s distinctive highly coloured illustration of a shooting star crossing the night sky, the text will be read and read again.
Each double page presents a positive statement about what the girl can do, ‘I can follow my heart’, ‘I can stand strong’ followed by a simile which compares the statement to something in the environment - a mighty tree, a shining river, and a wise bird.
But then the text changes and becomes statements in the reverse. ‘Like the shimmering sun, I’m proud to belong’ accompanied by an illustration of a family. Over the page, ‘Like the magical moon, I dream big dreams’, and lastly ‘This is me!’
Each page sings with possibilities, encouraging the child to be proud, to stand up for herself, to follow her dreams. The book celebrates the child and all that she promises to be.
The board book will withstand the multiple readings it will have, passed from hand to hand as children read of the positives in their lives and what they can achieve.
Morgan uses her illustrative techniques to place the child at the centre of each page: we turn the page looking for the girl, and then view her surroundings, satisfied that she is at the heart of all she surveys. And each page reveals a bird shadowing her statements about her self worth.
Simon & Schuster, 2022. ISBN: 9781398502239. (Age:Secondary - Adult)
This is a story about our desire, as human beings, to handle food in a way that we can enjoy eating, and it is firmly about our love of food. This novel, constructed as an historical tale, takes us back in history to Avery Conifer, a woman who was well educated and loved expressing her creativity in writing poetry. When the publishers, who had been focussing on her writing poetry, and had released her poetry book in 1826, asked her to write a book of recipes, she decided to construct and to write her recipes in detail, and the resulting collection is believed to have been one of the earliest cookbooks. She stated that cookery had not been her forte and she wanted to refuse, but realised that she would not have an income if this were to happen. So she taught herself to cook and became one of earliest persons, it is believed, to publish a cook book in the English language. Her determination to recover from her feelings of discomfort enabled her to find the mental strength and imagination that would lead to her becoming a famous chef, initially in England and later having an effect on cooking across the English speaking world.
Beginning her new career in the creation of recipes, Conifer is determined to support herself and focuses on the notion of how to cook and what to cook. As her food becomes notable, she realises that she is enjoying both the creation of recipes, the cooking and the creativity that unexpectedly becomes part of her life. Her assistant becomes fascinated with the poetry, stunned by someone able to write such beautiful works, but she is also stunned by Conifer’s capacity to produce recipes and cook beautiful food. In reality, Conifer’s first cookery book was published in 1845, entitled Modern cookery for private families. Published a number of times over the first year, this book began the notion of the ingredients being listed, the exact amounts stated, and the method of cooking clearly explained.
Mrs Beeton, a famous chef, is alleged to have ‘filched’ some of her recipes, but she certainly introduced the practice of listing the ingredients first, at the top of the recipe, rather than the older practice of listing them last. Rather interestingly, Eliza Acton appears to have been the first person to have suggested nutrition as an important aspect of health, focussing on using fresh ingredients, and following the idea of considering what people cooked in different cultures at the time. Rich in detail and full of the love of food and cookery, this book takes us into a past world where the imagination was at the fore, prior to the exchange and sharing of global cookery that we know today. It would certainly be enjoyed and appropriate for secondary students interested in the art of cooking, and the historical invention of constructing recipes for others to use. An interesting and revelatory novel about the history of how humans changed in the consideration of preparing and cooking food.
Lucy Cousins, the author of the very popular Maisy books, (including Maisy goes to the bookshop and Maisy goes to preschool) brings to life a good place for insects to live. Four friends, Bee, Ladybird, Dragonfly and Beetle all want to find somewhere to live, but it is not so easy to do that. Bee wants flowers, Ladybird wants leaves, Beetle wants dead wood and Dragonfly wants a pond. Bee finds some flowers, but they are growing on a busy pavement that is too dangerous. A tiny pond turns out to be a dirty puddle on a noisy road while a piece of dead wood is in a smelly pile of rubbish. Beautiful green leaves look promising until someone comes and sprays them causing the insects to cough and splutter. Despondent, the four friends are about to give up when Butterfly comes to the rescue showing them a gorgeous garden where they could be safe.
Cousins’ illustrations are wonderful. The bright and colourful images stand out against a coloured background while the insects are outlined with black, and each has a distinct and cheerful face. Right from turning open the cover, the reader is introduced to a habitat that is not suitable for insects to flourish – the grey and black pavement littered with a can and brown brick wall is obviously not a good place. As the insects explore more territory the young reader will be tempted to sing out the refrains, ‘Maybe this is a good place’ and then the disappointing ‘Oh no! this is not a good place.’ Children will eagerly talk about what is a good place for insects and could discuss whether they have a good place in their gardens or in a nearby park. They might also like to see if they can find insects in good places for them to live. Big bold print will also help the emerging reader while younger children will enjoy having the story read to them.
Another winner from this award-winning author is sure to be one that is treasured by young readers.
Eleanor (aka Leni) and Chanel (aka Nelly) are in their senior year of school. They are long-time friends and together perform at a high level in the school Cheer-leading team with hopes of winning State championships. With the pressures of preparing for their post-school futures, life has taken a twist for Eleanor because of a serious concussion that has kept her on the sidelines for a season, and her hopes and dreams are under a cloud. It is when she becomes more than a passing acquaintance with the superstar football hunk that the friendship between the two girls wobbles. However, when the Cheer team decides to support a famous past student and football star from the school and to ‘drop the knee’ during the anthem at the school’s Friday night game, things go in directions they did not expect. For one of the girls, the consequences and school suspension that follows threaten to derail her life. Their friendship stumbles further under the pressure and the growing romance between Eleanor and Three (aka Sam) also is on uncertain ground. What will the future look like for them all, and can they stand up for what is right … for the right reasons?
Australian readers will know about the Cheerleading culture from USA movies (and this story is destined for the screen too) but there are many aspects that are foreign. The main characters are from diverse backgrounds – Jewish and Afro-American heritage. They have friends from different backgrounds, including LGBTIQ friends, the football jock arena, and even the Jewish Rabbi. The activism issue, related to the ‘drop the knee’ practice for social justice, underscores the story of coming-of-age and the entry into College life in the USA. Were it not for the confusion of each character having multiple name references in the story, this would be a great easy-to-read teen-friendly story. With an eye-opening entry into the dramas related to a recent social justice movement and the life of the pom-pom wielding Cheerleaders, there is a definite teen appeal to this story. This story deals lightly, but thoughtfully, with serious issues.
Themes USA school life, Cheerleading, Activism, Social justice, Race issues, Leadership, (LBGTIQ minor characters and drug taking).
Kids and adults alike will love searching through the undergrowth in this beautifully presented book of the Australian bush. Layers of woodblock and screen prints gives a collage of detail for readers to peruse, picking out Australian fauna and flora as they search for the improbable lion in its midst.
Building on the perennial myth of escaped circus animals living in the hills, Court has developed a charming rhyming tale asking children to identify Australian animals as they see and read of the attributes of the animal in question.
Readers will learn a great deal of information from this sparse text, and develop skills in predicting the rhyming word as well as building on their skills of observation in seeking out the range of plants and animals shown on each page.
The opening page shows a circus driving away in the distance, two lions behind a Kangaroo Paw in the foreground. Could these be the forebears of the story of the lions in the hills? Children will laugh with glee as they open the next pages, offered an Australian animal to compare with a lion. A Kangaroo, Bobtail, Echidna, Goanna, Quenda, Dugite and Redcap are show, making sure the readers know the difference between these animals and the lion they are searching for. Kids and adults will laugh out loud as they read of the animals and note their traits as well as the environment in which each lives, depicted in the stunning illustrations. I loved the wallpaper like pages of West Australian wildflowers, the rocks the goanna stands upon, the echidna’s bristles and claws, the snake oiling its way through the yellow tufts of flowers and its patterned skin. I found something to look at more closely on every page and learnt of some different animals and flowers in the West. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Western Australia, Flora and fauna, Australian animals, Humour, Lions.
For some the war is still close, even though the conflict is over. Charlie has obvious wounds, Johnny has forgotten everything including his name, and Huw is grieving the loss of his good mate. For Natty, the central character in this book, there is loss of a different kind. Her mother has campaigned too hard for workers’ rights and lost her factory job, they have lost their home and now have to move to the Welsh countryside to live with cousins. Cousin Nerys is the same age as Natty, and Natty is not sure if she will survive the shift and Nerys’ enthusiasm. And she is angry at her mother and wishes she could go home. But where is home? The whirlpool of emotions Natty is feeling eventually leads by accident to a kid-run school-directed program of activism designed to care for students who are struggling to learn because of hunger, as well as some well-placed care and concern for Johnny and Cousin Huw, and renewed relationships and attitudes.
Lesley Parr has written a serious, but child-centric post-war story that is very like Michael Morpurgo’s approach to children’s story writing – serious topics, written with a light touch, but not patronising to young readers. When the war came home addresses a serious aspect of war, the post-traumatic consequences for young soldiers, but in a way that neither minimises the tragedy nor avoids the significance or the sadness just because the story is for young readers. The setting in the Welsh countryside adds the opportunity for Parr to scatter some very Welsh cultural expressions (including some scattered Welsh words with lots of consonants) and Welsh locality names. Hopefully young Australian readers won’t think these are typos, as they are far from easy to pronounce. Some aspects of the story may be foreign to Aussie kids eg school lunches, cruel teachers, Scholarship exams… but this provides opportunity to learn about different experiences at different times and places. The overall result is a very readable story with an element of pathos that can be recommended to male and female readers aged 11+.
Themes War, War-related injuries, post-traumatic amnesia, resilience, activism, Wales, school.
Carolyn Hull
The Dunggiirr Brothers and the caring song of the whale by Aunty Shaa Smith with Yandaarra
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526313. (Age:7-Adult) Highly recommended.
The Dunggiirr Brothers and the Caring Song of the Whale is a stunningly presented picture book that encompasses different creative mediums to enhance the important story being shared. Included in the visual representations are full page scenic photographs of Country, snapshots of significant people and sculpture, hand drawn images as well as a map of the local area of Ngambaa Country on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. This is where the story takes place. The author and illustrator Aunty Shaa Smith is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and story holder for her Country. Aunty Shaa Smith leads the Yandaarra Caring for Country community group who worked together to create this beautiful book for all people especially children, to learn the stories of the mid-north NSW coast.
The story focuses on the Dunggiirr (koala) Brothers, who saved people in the east who were trapped when the sea water rose. The Brothers built a bridge using “their insides, their gut strings”. However, there was a mischievous Baalijin, (eastern quoll) who scared the people and threatened to chop down the bridge as they were crossing. Baalijin also called the Yanggaay (shark) and Gurruuja (whale) to frighten the people, but Gurruuja came in peace with the rising water to check out the new Country. Gurruuja sang a song to the people about respect and love for all living things.
Where this story takes place is a place of ceremony and Aunty Shaa Smith and the Yandaarra take the reader on this journey to learn and live this story. There are many strong messages in this story with the most important one being the connection to, and respect of, Country and its peoples. The use of traditional language is an important component throughout the story.
An excellent story to be shared in a home, school or public library.
Themes Aboriginal Peoples, Traditional Stories, Dreaming, Family, Connection to Country.
The second adventure of Bunnygirl by author and illustrator Holly Jayne continues with main character Bea aka Bunnygirl, continuing with her kind and caring manner. She and best friend Woof notice an amazing treehouse in the park and see a young boy standing on the balcony. They ask to come up but he tells them to come back later. Bunnygirl and Woof find out from their other friends that the boy does not let anyone visit his treehouse. Bunnygirl then decides that he may be shy and plans to share mini pancakes with him. This plan works and Bunnygirl and Woof are allowed to visit. They do find out that the young boy called James is indeed shy and they think about different ways of helping him make friends as for some children it is not easy. Bunnygirl and Woof chat with their other animal friends and they devise a clever strategy to help James become their friend. The outdoor cinema in the park proves a big success and the friends find out that James contributed to this.
This book is a worthwhile introduction for younger readers to the graphic presentation format with clearly illustrated panels providing simple text and images to engage the reader. As there is not text in every panel this book initially would be best shared between an older reader and younger child with directions for reading the panels very important in understanding the story.
