The Naughtiest Unicorn on a Treasure Hunt, written by pseudonym Pip Bird sees the return of Mira and her UBFF (Unicorn Best Friend Forever) Dave back for another fun filled adventure! This novel is out just in time for Easter and is sure to be a favourite for many young readers who enjoy unicorns, adventure, and a hint of mischief! Filled with chocolate eggs, treasure hunting and more, this story is sure to bring a laugh or two to the day!
Mira and the other students from Unicorn School are super excited! It is Springtime and they are ready for a fun filled day to celebrate the longest day of the year. Everyone is up early and keen to watch the sunrise and take part in a jam-packed day of treasure hunting, games and fun. Everyone that is, except Dave - the naughtiest unicorn ever! He is still fast asleep and refusing to wake up. That is until he hears there are chocolate eggs to be won! Bring on the chocolate, and apparently anything can happen!!
With all the motivation he needs, he is raring to go. But, with a little too much enthusiasm and more bad manners, could he spoil everything? Mira definitely hopes not, as she is extremely determined to become the Treasure Hunt Queen. So, when Dave’s eagerness for chocolate accidently uncovers a clue for the hidden treasure, Mira puts her clue finding skills to the test. Can Mira use the clues that she has to locate the secret treasure, or will Dave’s behaviour spoil the day?
Pip Bird has written another entertaining novel. This fun and adventurous story is fast paced and amusing. Throw in your favourite naughty unicorn, some chocolate and an adventure, and you will be page turning all the way. Combined with awesome illustrations by David O’Connell, this book will engage readers with its witty humour and terrific clear imagery. A great book for young readers to enjoy, especially those who love unicorns!
Themes Humour, Adventure, Problem solving, Relationships.
Michelle O'Connell
The green planet by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe. Illus. by Kim Smith
The Green Planet is a beautifully presented non-fiction book showcasing stories from the brand-new BBC television series The Green Planet. From the vibrantly coloured rich foliage front endpapers to the sparse and confronting image of the lone plant on the back endpapers, this book is a visual treat for all readers both young and old.
The forward by Chris Packham introduces us to the notion that plants are both as interesting and as fascinating as animals. He stresses that we need to look after our plants as many are at risk of extinction and are vital to our health and ultimate survival. Each double page spread is clearly labelled with segments of information placed around very appealing and colourful diagrams and images. There are several pages providing information about life-giving plants and then the reader is lead into pages about the following five main areas: Tropical Worlds, Desert Worlds, Water Worlds, Seasonal Worlds and Human Worlds.
Within each of these worlds are pages devoted to an introduction, stories, inhabitants and a final summary where the effects of climate change on each world is discussed as well as encouraging possible solutions. The closing pages call for plant protectors and how to help your green planet grow. On the final endpaper is a short but telling message from Sir David Attenborough encouraging all to make a Greener Planet.
This is a wonderful book suitable for home, school and public library.
Piatkus, 2022. ISBN: 9780349430249. (Age:Adult) Recommended for mystery lovers.
With the 54th book in the In Death series, J.D. Robb has once again managed to write an engrossing mystery that will keep the reader guessing until the surprise (to me) reveal of the killer who leaves victims with a sign saying, ‘Bad Mommy’. When Eve Dallas is called to view the body of a victim who has been left on a bench in a playground close to her friends’ home, she is determined to find the perpetrator who appears to be reliving his feelings about his mother from decades years before. When more young women of a similar appearance disappear, Eve knows that she has a serial killer to find, and the hunt is on to uncover old crimes or women who may have had a similar tattoo to the one that the killer is putting on his victims.
As usual New York Times bestselling author Robb masterfully manages twists and turns and police procedures as she and her team try to work out just who could be the killer. She ensures that the reader is emotionally invested in the story by relating the background events around the disappearance of the ‘Bad Mommy’ and what happened to her, as well as the feelings of one of the victims who is imprisoned. Familiar characters, Peabody, Roake, and Mira all make appearances and add to knowledge about the killer and his background.
This was a riveting plot, one that readers will find easy to read and the shock reveal of the killer will add to the enjoyment.
Ren and her daughters are living in London following the funeral of her Polish mother - Layla and Izzy’s grandmother. Babcia was a scholar of folklore and much loved, so the girls never remove her gifts of amber amulets. Ren packs them up and heads back to live in a ramshackle cottage in Lowesdale, where Ren grew up. In the first half of the novel, Ren’s childhood experiences form the back story, published as italicised mini-chapters.
In Lowesdale, dreams and visions of a whistling, old white-haired woman intensify. Ren, Layla and Izzy are increasingly spooked by noises, intruders and incidents such as strategically placed dead birds. After a lot of sleuthing, Layla learns who or what has lured her mother back. So many adventures alone, together or with neighbourly James, entailing bike rides, bus rides, scooter rides, and boat rides to interview, or research or generally investigate criminal, historic and supernatural events will win over mystery fans.
As the pieces of the puzzle are gathered, Layla has no idea whether the sisters inherited their mother's Polish genes that gift them powers of a Vilsestra. But the mishaps and suspicious characters keep coming. After Ren is taken in dramatic fashion, Seb/(Dad), Henry the sleezy landlord, his son James, the suspicious Mor Hemlock and Mr Speckleback the museum curator, all help lead the girls to Mesula, a powerful Vilsestra. Will their combined, untested powers be enough to defeat her? To stimulate curious minds add an epilogue, map, a few graphics and a concise glossary of Polish folklore.
If you like mysteries and stormy, spectral battles between the forces of good and evil, don’t leave this one on the shelf.
My two year old grandson loves this book. It is the perfect read aloud for young children and would make an excellent resource for older children in the classroom, when a class is looking at how food is produced. The reader is guided through the whole process of growing corn, from the machine that is used to prepare the soil, right through to the harvest of the corn. Each piece of machinery is named and its function is described in an easy to understand way, while the bold, colourful illustrations complement the text perfectly. Meanwhile the tractor is at the centre of the action and a diagram at the back of the back shows all the parts that a tractor is made of.
Down on the farm, let’s cut the earth. Chop, chop! Don’t stop! Break that ground! Down on the farm, let’s cut the earth. What makes that cut-cut-cutting sound?
Sally Sutton’s narrative is very rhythmic and invites the young child to repeat the refrain 'Down on the farm', and then guess the name of the machine that is being described. This is a book that toddlers will ask to be read again and again and consequently their vocabulary about machines on the farm really grows with words like plough, harrow, seed drill and harvester.
Tractor joins other books by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Brian Loveday, including Roadworks, Dig, dump, roll and Wheels.
It is a great resource for home and school libraries.
It is refreshing to read and view a picture book retelling of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. The concept for children and indeed adults is both daunting and complex, but this beautifully illustrated and well-presented book is the perfect introduction to this well-known scientific theory. In 1859 after travelling the world and observing nature, Charles Darwin changed the thinking of his generation that everything in the world began at the same time. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is explained thoughtfully in the book, often with humour, and written in an easy to comprehend story-like format so young readers will grasp some if not all of the concepts. There is information about variations and differences and how these help with survival and can be passed down through generations and how some babies of species may not survive and those that do are better able to adapt and breed in their environment. Also, that useful traits can passed on to future generations. In the final pages is an Author’s Note, Appendix, Misconceptions, Glossary and Recommended Literature.
The author and illustrator, Sabina Radeva, has a science background with a degree in Molecular Biology. She has created an excellent resource for children that will have a place in any school or public library.
Themes Animals, Habitats, Behaviours, Adaptations, Charles Darwin, Scientists, Theory of Evolution.
Kathryn Beilby
Dragon skin by Karen Foxlee
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526108. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
From the start we are in awe of this young girl, Pip, alone and mystified by what is happening around her. She finds an almost lifeless baby dragon near the waterhole where she hides out and takes it home to revive it. She recalls Mika’s words as she struggles to find the right restorative, taking syringes and cereal from her mother’s pantry to make a mash to put in its throat. Mum is brusque as usual lately, and tells her to get to her room before her boyfriend returns, angry and bullying, not wanting the young girl to be in his space. This suits Pip, she can concentrate on helping her charge, a male dragon she calls Little Fella.
She wags school the next door to care for the dragon, mindful of the wrath she will face when she gets home. But always her thoughts turn to Mika and what he would do. Her peers at school think she is still mourning Mika’s sudden disappearance and she recalls his first days at school when his unusual conversations and thoughts reached out to her. This was quite a surprise as she is a lone child, not used to having friends. But with Mika gone, and mum's boyfriend at the house, she needs help.
Eventually she reaches out to two of her classmates, peers she has rarely spoken to before; she is hesitant but needs them.
This is a glorious book about finding your place in the world, of saving your family along the way, of remembering. Pip is able to elicit support from her new friends, and so find peace. I love the description of the Australian bush, making it a most unusual dragon story within this setting. The writing makes the whole credible and inviting, as readers follow Pip’s journey to confidence and awareness.
Random House, 2021. ISBN: 9781529100891. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Following A deadly education the first in The Scholomance series, Novik ups the suspense and action as El fights against the maleficaria that seems to be targeting her. She has a group of allies around her and is determined that she will ensure that the students in the Scholomance make it out alive.
The constant thrills kept me on the edge of my seat as El recounts everything that is happening to her and her friends. Graduation is the goal and it was fascinating to follow El’s efforts to get everyone to work together, no mean feat considering the power of the enclaves and the needs of individuals who will do anything to find allies.
The story is told in the voice of El, who is often sarcastic, and this provides a welcome touch of humour against the breath-taking action and suspense. El matures along the way, gradually accepting that she does have friends, and accepting their strengths in her plan to get everyone out of the Scholomance. Her relationship with Orion also develops slowly and leads to the final mind-blowing cliff-hanger. There just has to be a third book in the series!
Novik is a clever author; her world is unique; her characters are relatable and the action is wonderful. Readers who love action and character driven fantasy are sure to like this series.
Themes Magic, School.
Pat Pledger
Enola Holmes and the black barouche by Nancy Springer
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781761065255. (Age:Middle school)
A Netflix sensation, Enola Holmes has been the hero of six novels, and the seventh, Enola Holmes and the black barouche has now been published. In this exciting novel, Enola chases down a man she believes to be a murderer, the Earl of Dunhench, the husband of her friend's sister, Felicity, who has died in the most unusual of circumstances. Not only was the death certificate signed by Dr J Watson, who refutes this, the sister, Letitia, only received a short note from the Earl about Felicity’s death.
Letitia hires Enola to look into the situation, especially as his first wife had died in similarly strange circumstances. She goes to the village where he lives, cleverly asking questions of the locals but being a single woman she is not allowed to stay in the village inn, so she goes to his hall where she uses her guile to stay overnight, questioning the servants further as they dress her for dinner. Enola is a convincing fascinating character, who espouses twentieth century ideas while having to live by nineteenth century morals and customs. The comparison is enticing as she describes the way people live around her. The excitement of the hunt for the murderer is equally as interesting as the background information Springer includes in her tale. We see the disparity between rich and poor, the easy power of the upper classes, able to control people in their employ, the condition of the roads and transport, the difficulty of travel and the restriction that women’s clothes brings.
The first in the series, Enola Holmes and the missing marquess was followed by five more by Nancy Springer, now grouped together as the Enola Holmes mysteries. The seventh, Enola Holmes and the black barouche is now followed by an eighth incarnation. The first, Enola Holmes and the missing marquess, was made into a film by Netflix and so well received that a second is in production.
The books are full of adventure with an enticing main character, smarting against the restrictions society at the time impose on women. She is much more modern than the times, and with hints of the Suffragette Movement in the background along with the way women are treated, gives food for thought for the more mature readers.
Themes Sherlock Holmes, Nineteenth century England, Mystery, Humour.
Fran Knight
Ten minutes to bed Little Dinosaur by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton
Penguin, 2022. ISBN: 9780241532676. (Age:2-5)
This is the board book version of Ten minutes to bed Little Dinosaur which has been reviewed when it was first published and the review is duplicated here. It is part of a series of Ten Minutes to Bed books (including Little Monster and LittleMermaid). It's an overt bedtime story set in The Land of Nod (the endpapers show a map of the land and where each of the characters live) and is similar in concept to other books about bedtime reluctance such as Play and I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed. In addition, a counting element is included as it counts down the minutes until bedtime from ten to one. 'Ten minutes to bed!' Mum tells Rumble. But Rumble just loves to have fun. So off he thunders, sending birds and frogs hopping and fluttering, splashing about in the mud and running all the way to an erupting volcano. 'Five minutes' say all the dinosaurs racing past him in a rush to escape the lava. 'Four minutes to bed . . . but where am I, I wonder?', he says when he finds a safe place to rest. It's rainy and thundery and getting dark when a shadow appears. It's Mum, come to take him home. 'Two minutes,' she said. 'You are never alone.' Before the last minute is even done, Rumble is in bed and fast asleep, snoring.
Rumble's romping journey will delight young ones, who will see in the illustrations the progression from sunset light to moonlight. The mountain forest where the dinosaurs live is vivid and magical and the depiction of light will cleverly calm and soothe children (glowing lights within the forest, moon and shimmering stars). There is a nice message here for children about being responsible and in control of their own body and winding down for sleep. Little Dinosaur seems to pay no attention to the countdown but by the end of the ten minutes he is already asleep. It may even help some younger children to set in place their own countdown to bedtime and assist with an understanding of self-settling.
This short novel tells the story of the Stewart family who visit the zoo on a cold wintery day and on the way out tell a penguin he can come to visit anytime he wants....and then he arrives on their doorstep.
Einstein the penguin is a friendly animal who invites himself into their home and makes himself very comfortable. The children are extremely happy he has arrived and he adds an extra element to the family dynamic. The story goes from what seems like it will be one of family escapades with their penguin to a mystery and adventure story where the children are all in to try and find Einstein's friend.
The story is easy to read, and would suit an independent reader of about 8/9years old.
My 7 year daughter enjoyed listening to it, and thought the concept of having a penguin come to stay was hilarious. She loved how Einstein became part of the family and communicated with everyone. I also enjoyed how Iona Rangeley explained the environment and what was going on. It was very easy to form a picture in your mind whilst reading.
The book is dotted with funny little line drawings that depict the range of emotions felt by the family and the animal they take into their home. My only issue with David Tazzyman's illustrations is that all the human characters have rather wonky eyes (eyes going off in interesting directions or looking crosseyed)! They are certainly interesting to look at but it does make you think that the family is a bit quirky, which when I come to think of it - they probably are as they invite a penguin to come and stay! Very funny!
We give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Themes Penguins, Humour.
Lauren Fountain
Terciel and Elinor by Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760878818. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
I love The Old Kingdom series and reread all the books in the series in 2021 when the 25th anniversary edition of Sabriel came out. I was thrilled to see that Nix has written the story of Sabriel’s parents, Terciel and Elinor, and eagerly followed their story. Readers will have known about Terciel as Sabriel and Lireal’s father, and it was wonderful to learn about him as a young Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and about Elinor and her connections to Charter Magic.
Elinor has led a solitary life in Ancelstierre, with only an elderly governess and ex-circus performer to shield her from the tyranny of her mother. When the wind from the North brings danger from the Dead, Terciel appears to fight it with Tizanael, the Abhorsen. Elinor is left to struggle with what the Charter Magic means for her, and she goes to Wyverley College to learn about it. Eventually she meets up again with Terciel and together they must fight the Dead.
Elinor is a wonderful character, agile with throwing knives, loving theatre and putting on productions. The love between Terciel and her is beautifully described, while many background details will flesh out the characters in the Old Kingdom. Readers of the series will love to gain insights into Mogget’s character, the Clayr and their paperwings and the work of the Abhorsen. The book will also be a good introduction for readers new to the series.
I hope that Nix returns to the Old Kingdom, because this series has it all – wonderful characters, a unique world and plenty of action.
Aimed a young readers, the bright, colourful illustrations, reflecting Aboriginal motifs, will delight readers as they see the animals displayed on each page. The succinct text gives clues to small children about the animals shown, and adults reading the book with them will be able to draw out more information. The vista in the backyard takes in a hen, a dog, lizard, bats, cat, turtle, possum, quenda, gecko and frog. Children will love seeing those they know and finding out about animals they’ve not come across before. And all in their backyard! This will encourage them to look more closely at what is around them. Each line uses a word to describe the animal; turtle slips into the pond, bat hangs sleeping through the day, and then each line has a rhyming line over the pages encouraging younger readers to predict what that word might be.
llustrations are executed using techniques recognisably used by Aboriginal artists including patterns, dots and line design, reflecting the environment in which the animal lives. They are just wonderful, evoking the richly detailed designs which have become so familiar. At the end of the book is a composite page showing all the animals covered in the book, and children will enjoy reprising what they have read so far. A good memory enhancement.
The size of the book ensures it will be held in small hands and children will enjoy seeing the animals that live close by. Helen’s other books, Backyards bugs and Backyard birds were well received.
Helen Milroy, a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia was born and educated in Perth. Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, she has held many posts to do with children, medicine and mental health, and was recently appointed as the AFL’s first indigenous commissioner. Wombat, Mudlark and Other Stories is her first book for children and was shortlisted for several major awards.
A sturdy board book with humorous verses from Julia Donaldson, will certainly please the younger audience it is aimed at. Easy to hold and fold back to make a flat book, the story will be a treat for younger readers listening to the words, looking at the detailed illustrations, predicting a rhyming word or two, and enjoying the fun of the search for the lost spectacles. Mole cannot find his glasses anywhere and here is a wonderful opportunity for older readers to talk about the low vision of moles.
He searches everywhere, in all sorts of places in the house and garden. He looks around his reading room, then searches the dresser, tries to find them in the kitchen, then looks through his desk, even the bathroom and cellar are searched. In the garden he scours the lily pond, then walks to weasel’s shop, calling on his friends to help. The glasses still cannot be found. But when he gets the teapot out to make a cup of tea for his friends, they are found. And in the most unlikely of places.
Another surprise awaits the readers on every page because as Mole searches he is able to lift flaps to reveal something inside, but not his glasses. Younger readers will have a great deal of fun with this verse book, as will the older readers helping them lift those flaps.
The bright illustrations show Mole as he searches, getting more forlorn as he goes. The detail will intrigue younger readers as they recognise things that are used in a particular room, recognise the plants and animals he sees, and rejoice with him when the spectacles are found.
Themes Search, Animals, Mole, Spectacles.
Fran Knight
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A case of misfortune by Sophie Cleverly
A Case of Misfortune is the 2nd book in the series, The Violet Veil Mysteries. It is a mystery/thriller set in Victorian England. Violet is the daughter of an undertaker and is aggrieved that she isn’t being considered for future work in the family business, just because she is a girl. Violet had great success solving a case in the first story, A Case of Grave Danger. So, she decides to quietly set up her own detective business and soon has a very interesting case to solve. This leads her to the Grecian Theatre which is owned by a family of Greek heritage. She and her offsider, Oliver, and dog, Bones, become friendly with the teenage children of the owners. Central to their inquiry is a fortune teller, Lady Athena, who is keeping the theatre afloat with packed audiences. But there is something very fishy about how her predictions come true.
This is a light humorous story with colourful characters and many twists, turns and even a murder. Violet has a 6th sense where she can communicate with ghosts, which enhances her ability to solve the mystery and adds interest. So does Bones' extraordinary ability to find people and places. I liked the choice of a Greek family and the way the author slipped in Greek language and customs. One of the teenagers, Eleni, had to use a wheelchair and the cheeky retorts she made when people asked her what happened to her were laugh out loud funny. Violet gets into a lot of trouble for her determination to be independent. Apart from this strong theme of ‘girls can do anything’ are themes of who can you trust, recognizing when you are wrong and the need for teamwork. It would make a great read-aloud for year 4/5 children.
