The astonishing chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere by Jaclyn Moriarty. Illus. by Kelly Canby
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526368. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere is the fourth book in the Kingdoms and Empires series. Although the novels are linked together with related or repeated characters, they can be read as stand-alone stories.
The opening chapter introduces Oscar, a boy not from the Magical Kingdoms, who is in the principal’s office explaining why he has been absent from school for the past week. This novel is his and Imogen’s account (alternate chapters) of everything that happened in the past 5 days.
Skateboarding Oscar found himself transported into a magical world where he joined a quest with Imogen and five other children to save the elf kingdom of Dun-sorey-lo-vay-lo-hey and all its inhabitants from being crushed under a silver covering. To fulfill this quest, the children must find nine pieces of a key by the deadline of Friday 12:00 pm to protect all the elves and allow Oscar to return to his own world.
This is a charming novel with plenty of action and detailed storylines. Some of the characters have appeared before such as the Radish Gnomes, Silver Foxes and witches but Jaclyn has introduced many new characters as well.
Oscar and the ‘Kingdom’ children are from different worlds but they’re able to work together and help each other in their mission and they develop into a strong friendship group. Oscar as the outsider, has to deal with an unusual old-fashioned magical world. He grows as a character and it is often his insights and perspectives that help solve many of the problems.
The ending has a few surprises and solves many of the puzzles attentive readers would have discovered throughout the story. I totally missed the Gruffudd the elf twist so that was a fun reveal for me.
Kelly Canby has illustrated all the ‘Kingdom’ books and her wonderful images are scattered throughout the novel.
The ’Kingdom and Empires’ books are not a short read and The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere is over 400 pages long. Fantasy fans will love these longer texts full of adventure and magical action.
I highly recommend this novel to children 10 years and over.
Jane Moore
You matter: Be your own best friend by Sue Lawson and Sue Hindle
Wild Dog Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781742036144. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Children’s author Sue Lawson and wellness practitioner Sue Hindle have collaborated to present a practical book to help children of all ages navigate the feelings and emotions that can have an impact on their daily life. This hardcover book is a very handy size 18cm x 21cm and is perfect to carry anywhere. The appealing illustrations by Prue Pittock are bright and colourful and showcase a diverse range of characters. The information is clearly displayed with lots of white space and visuals.
The book begins with the statement “There is no one else in the world like you. It’s true you are unique.” Followed by “Sometimes you might feel great. Other days you could feel worried, worn out, or just not quite right.” This is the start of a journey through the book where younger children with adult support or teenagers on their own can learn how to manage these feelings. The authors encourage the reader to create a toolbox with tools to help with support when things are not feeling right. The book asks the important question of the reader, "How are you feeling?"
It then provides helpful suggestions on deep breathing, tuning in and creating a peaceful place. Talking with friends, creating a circle of trust, connecting with nature, using affirmations, eating well, exercising, meditating, practising mindfulness are all discussed in this book. At the very end is a ‘Reach Out’ page with phone numbers and website addresses for organisations that can provide support. A simple glossary follows with the final page stating, “You Are Loved”. Parents, carers and teachers will find this book an invaluable resource as it enables children to learn skills to manage their feelings and the readability of the book will allow them to return to it time and time again.
A note to adults appears on the publication page, hunting at the topsy turvey things which may be inside. A suggestion that dreaming about being hungry does not always mean dreaming about food will set minds racing with possibilities. In rhyming pairs of lines, the squirrel tells us what he eats when hungry. A bread roll, pop corn in a bowl, slices of cheese and a hundred peas. Just when the reader is becoming accustomed to predicting a rhyming phrase that is about food, the story changes and some fried fish is rhymed with a birthday wish. Children will be intrigued as a birthday wish is always associated with cake, and the illustrations support this. And after the birthday cake, he gets a tummy ache. From then on the dreams are about an array of things which will delight the audience, amusing them with subtle humour. Vanilla ice cream and a very sad dream, a nasty fright and a dark and stormy night will encourage readers to talk about their dreams, and ponder about why we have dreams.
The funny ending will draw laughter from the audience, as will the wonderful page filled illustrations of one hungry squirrel.
Themes Hunger, Squirrel, Needs and wants.
Fran Knight
Tiny wonders by Sally Soweol Han
University of Queensland Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780702263477. (Age:4+) Recommended.
In the picture book Tiny Wonders, young child April worries that her town is too grey, and people are too busy to notice things around them. She remembers her grandmother taking time to wonder about the world and talking with her about the secret language of flowers. Grandma’s favourite flowers were dandelions and April goes in search of dandelion seeds. Adults she approaches are not helpful except the shopkeeper who tells April she used to wish on dandelions as a child. April wishes and wishes for dandelion seeds and her wish is answered. She secretly plants the seeds and waits through the seasons for the seeds to grow. The growth of the seed into a flower is beautifully illustrated across a double page spread. In the end of the story April’s community begin to make their own wishes and the colour of the town changes.
The detailed and colourful illustrations in this book are hand drawn and painted. At the end of the book is a charming collection of flowers and their meanings which makes a lovely addition to the story. The dandelion endpapers are quite striking.
Author/illustrator Sally Soweol Han is a Korean-Australian artist who has created a gentle and thoughtful picture book that will appeal to younger children and the adults in their lives.
No doubt fans of the Practical magic series by Alice Hoffman will be thrilled to read this final book about the family of witches, each person in the family cursed to have the ones they love perish immediately they admit their love. There are four books in the series, with the novel Practical magic written first, then two prequels, and now the dramatic conclusion.
Not having read the other books, I found The book of magic laborious to begin with. I seemed to be reading many pages without anything really happening, and I started to wonder about the point of it all. The plot does pick up about half way through as the younger generation, Kylie and Antonia, begin their struggle with the curse, a loved one in a critical coma following an accident, and Kylie unwittingly led down the path of evil. Sally, their mother, is desperate to ensure the safety of her daughters. There are secrets to unravel, and magic to be embraced.
There are strong themes of sisterhood and mother-daughter relationships, trust and distrust, and of personal sacrifice; the female characters are convincingly drawn; and the writing is rich in description. Perhaps it all works much better in previous books. A ReadPlus reviewer recommended The rules of magic, one of its predecessors.
Readers who have fallen in love with the characters in the previous volumes, are certain to welcome this last chapter to discover how the curse is finally overcome. For readers new to the series, I would recommend starting with one of the other books.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Sisters, Mother-daughter relationship, Love, Good and evil.
Helen Eddy
The tale of the tiny man by Barbro Lindgren and Eva Eriksson
The Tale of the Tiny Man is a classic story written by well-known Swedish author Barbro Lindgren. It was originally called The Story of the Little Old Man and was first published in 1992. The story focuses on a tiny man who longs for a friend. He is treated very badly by the local townspeople who “thought he was too small and possibly a bit slow. They also thought his hat was ugly.” The tiny man cried alone in his house and wondered why no one liked him as he was always kind to those he met. He decides to place a sign on a tree saying FRIEND WANTED. He waits and waits for ten days but no one responds. He is so despondent, but fortunately a stray dog makes a surprise visit and over the next few days the tiny man provides it with treats when it appears each day at his house. Eventually the dog moves into his home and shares the tiny man’s life. The dog is protective of the tiny man and stands up to the town bullies. When a happy child strikes up a friendship with the dog, the tiny man withdraws into himself and goes away leaving them both. He wanders sadly through the forest for days and eventually returns to find the dog and the girl waiting.
This beautiful story is one in which many emotions are brought to the surface. Friendships need to be navigated and sharing this book with children as a read aloud will provide the perfect opportunity to discuss a range of friendship issues that can arise.
Author Jamar J Perry started writing “for Black boys who needed to understand that they were magic, that they could also have joy, that they could be vulnerable and emotional, that they could be the hero in their own stories” (quote from Perry’s website).
This book, based on Igbo and West African mythology, is Perry’s first and has so many great aspects to explore. It features three 12-year-olds as the protagonists: two boys and a girl. All three children are dark-skinned, mentioned in a matter-of-fact way rather than overemphasized. Their ties to traditional stories, responsibilities and relationships are very important to them.
This is especially true of title character Cameron. He was orphaned two years ago and is desperate to feel connection to his parents. They left a special book for him in the attic, but his grandmother has forbidden access to it. Of course, where tweens are concerned, rules are meant to be broken so during a sleepover the book is soon back in Cameron’s hands.
This sets off a magical chain of events where Cameron and his friends Zion and Aliyah are transported to another world. Cameron is given a great responsibility and the three children must work together to survive various challenges and save the day. They are supportive of each other’s weaknesses and use each other’s strengths to full advantage.
There is a lot of necessary world-building and character introduction throughout this book - I did end up skimming over some to get to the action (and still felt that I had enough context to keep up). There are strong themes of friendship, responsibility, family bonds, cultural values and good vs evil.
The relationship between Cameron and Zion is worth a separate mention. The boys are very close - they are comfortable with their love for each other, sharing a bed and finding solace in physical touch. There are no labels put on this relationship and no explicit acts. It raises an interesting talking point about young men being able to openly express their feelings as well as being able to give and receive comfort and support without embarrassment.
Themes Igbo/West African mythology, Friendship, Adventure, Magic, Cultural values, Diversity, Good vs evil.
Kylie Grant
Amazing animals: 100+ creatures that will boggle your mind by Sabrina Weiss & Paul Daviz
What on Earth Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781912920358. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
The popularity of animal non-fiction books for children will be further enhanced by this new release, Amazing Animals: 100+ Creatures That Will Boggle Your Mind. This is the fourth book in this factual series following on from Amazing Islands, Amazing Rivers and Amazing Treasures. The attractive cover with its polar animals’ illustration and silver foil title will draw readers to it immediately. The contents page is clearly presented, set in a beautiful underwater scene with an acknowledgement from the author. Each topic is set out on a colourful double page spread with stunning illustrations and segments of information. The title for each page and a further explanation is placed in a lightly coloured text box to enable the reader to immediately focus on the topic. The information shared is both interesting and entertaining. For example, the 2.5cm Boxer Crab found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean carries a pair of sea anemones, one in each claw, to ward off predators. And another fact, the African Cichlid carries their eggs in their mouths until they hatch and once hatched, they are released into the sea but can swim back in if there is danger. This book discusses creatures from all over the world - there is even a two-page spread devoted to Down Under and includes both Australian and New Zealand creatures. Maps are included throughout and in the centre of the book is a fold out double page world map showing the continents and each of the 100 creatures mentioned in the book. At the end of the book there is a glossary, index and sources page.
This book would make a wonderful gift as well as being a great addition for home, school and public libraries.
Marina Tozzi has a passion for art and is becoming an expert in the area, working with her father in his art gallery. When she returns home one day to find her beloved father has been brutally murdered by a German officer, Marina doesn’t know how she will go on or what she will do. With the help of a neighbor, she flees to Florence to track down a man who owes his life to her father.
Marina is taken in by the man, Bernard, who offers her somewhere to stay and a job cataloguing his extensive art collection. She is still determined to find a way to avenge her father’s death. A young artist Carlos offers her a way to work against the Nazis. She is excited to be involved in this and feels like she is helping in the war effort, while ensuring the country's art collection is being preserved and kept from the Nazis for future generations to enjoy.
Marina forms a friendship with Desi, the girl next door, and this friendship grows as Marina supports Desi with the troubles in her life. The friendship and the art keeps Marina going during the war. She doesn’t expect to find love during such a challenging time but she falls for Carlos. But when Carlos disappears Marina believes the worst and has to try and build her life up again after another loss. She learns that not everyone is what they seem especially during a war.
Once the war is over Marina has to make a decision, what is she going to do with the rest of her life? Marina always wanted to own her own gallery, maybe after the war this will be possible. She is determined to do something important, and when a job reuniting art pieces with their rightful owners is presented to her she knows this is what she is meant to do. After travelling across the world she is confronted with her past and needs to deal with it to be able to move on with her future.
Pow Pow Pig and his Z Team are back in this second humorous Anh Do novel written for readers of all ages. Set in 2050 the team consisting of Pow Pow, Danielle Duck, Chelsea Chicken and Barry the Goat are the only team left to help save the world which is on fire. When they set the time machine to take them back to 2030 they inadvertently end up in Ancient Greece journeying to the Stone Stadium in Olympia. The team have stumbled upon the Ancient Olympics. They are enthralled by the entertainment from other animals but it is during an address by Alexander the Ggoat (Greatest goat of all time) that a mysterious ghost appears and curses the winner of any event in the games. During the Olympic events it become obvious that perhaps the curse is real as every winner begins to have a mishap. The story evolves with adventure, excitement and with the team eventually taking part in the Olympics and ultimately solving the ghost mystery.
Readers of previous Anh Do books will enjoy this new series as it is fast paced, packed with humour and is easy to read. Clever illustrations on each page by Peter Cheong combined with generously spaced changing text in size and boldness, will make this book appealing to a range of readers from newly independent to those who find reading challenging.
Themes Adventure, Humour, Animals, Dystopian, Time Travel, Ancient Olympics.
Kathryn Beilby
Our country : Ancient wonders by Mark Greenwood & Frane Lessac
Our Country: Ancient Wonders describes a journey around Australia visiting natural wonders dating back millions, even billions of years. Written for children but will be enjoyed by adults this book will entice readers to explore their own country and find out about some quite stunning places that have existed since ancient times. The book includes colourful front endpapers which show a map of Australia listing the places explored throughout the journey and ends with an important timeline and glossary as well as the final endpapers showing a map with more places to be explored. The information is written in changing fonts in different sizes to allow the reader to follow the story, learn new facts and highlight key statements. A bus takes the diverse range of tourists around Australia where they visit places such as Lark Quarry, Undara Lava Tubes, Lightning Ridge, Great Ocean Road, Cradle Mountain, Franklin River, Naracoorte Caves, Lake Mungo, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Devils Marbles-Karlu Karlu, Kakadu, Wolfe Creek, Bungle Bungles and Zebedee Springs. Each place visited has a double page spread and is beautifully illustrated. The author shares history, geography and geology with readers and importantly shares a connection to Country throughout.
A wonderful book for home, school or public library.
Themes Australia, Natural Wonders, Travel.
Kathryn Beilby
The great treasure hunt by Rebecca Timmis
Albert Street Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526573. (Age:6-9 years) Recommended.
The book Mertales: The great treasure Hunt is part of a series by Rebecca Timmis. The books follow a wonderful group of friends Pearl, Shell, Coral, and Sandy who help and learn from each other all while showing what it takes to be a good friend.
This title is about the day of the Great Treasure hunt, and all the wonderful creatures joining in. The group obviously want to find the treasure first but get entangled in the mystery of Count Frumplesquid and what he is doing in Cockleshell Cove.
I gave this book to my daughter who is 8. She has never read any of the others in the series but really enjoyed it! She didn’t feel like she had missed any of the story by not reading them in order.
Throughout the book we came across many ocean/sea related word play and puns (ladies and gentle-finns!), which my daughter found very amusing. This added to the underwater theme and really improved to the story. She also really loved the illustrations and said that they were the best part of the book. The images are cartoons and show a lot of expressions and individualization of each character, with the details in the background and sides of the pictures adding so much life! My daughter especially loved all the small creatures and enjoyed naming everything she knew.
Overall, this junior fiction story is designed for children between 6-9 years and would suit girls, or children who love the underwater theme. Throughout the story we had lots of conversations around the illustrations, and what it would be like to be a real mermaid! It was fun, easy and enjoyable for both my daughter to read and for me to listen to. I will be looking out for the other books in the series for her, she enjoyed it so much!
Xavier in the Meantime is a companion book to the wonderful 2021 winner of CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers, Aster’s Good, Right Things. This is Xavier’s story, who is Aster’s best friend. Like Aster, Xavier struggles with his mental health, which is manifested in the spectre of the black dog of depression. Fortunately, he is unfailingly supported by his loving parents and Aster and increasingly his psychological support group. Nevertheless, he continuously blames himself for his parents unexplained recent separation. His father has moved back to the family sheep farm. Xavier looks for a way of keeping the black dog at bay and comes up with a plan to not only help himself but the others in the support group. This involves turning the farm into a therapy retreat. Yet the realities of his illness make this a huge challenge.
Kate Gordon astutely creates really endearing rounded characters who face credible situations. Xavier’s self-talk is sometimes confronting but spot on. For example, the list of ways people ignorantly judge people with depression. I love how his illness waxes and wanes but he maintains his flamboyant dress sense. The description of Xavier’s outfits create vivid joyful pictures of him. Aster and some other young characters provide some humour and positivity. The use of affirmations as chapter beginnings becomes powerful as the story develops. Xavier’s growing interest in poetry gives us a different way of understanding his thinking.
Xavier in the Meantime is about knowing that you are not alone and there are good people who will help. It’s also about self-acceptance and learning how to deal with your own form of mental illness. Although the story has some very serious incidents these are cushioned in love from those around him and it is therefore appropriate for young readers with mature tastes. It also has a realistic but uplifting and satisfying conclusion. I believe it is best read following Aster’s Good Right Things and adults will also benefit from Kate Gordon’s insights.
Themes Depression and anxiety, Friendship, Family, Animal rights.
Jo Marshall
I'll keep you close by Jeska Verstegen
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526917. (Age:11-14) Recommended.
World War II is long over in Europe, but for Jesje (Jeska) the memory lingers in her family and their responses to life. Jesje is 11 years old and a dreamer. Her mother survived the war, but her life is still impacted by the fears and trauma that being of Jewish heritage caused. Jesje’s grandmother (Bomma) is in a nursing home and her memories have become scattered, but she calls Jesje a name that she has not heard before. At the same time, Jesje’s teacher has begun reading a book about World War II, and then Jesje also reads The Diary of Anne Frank. Slowly Jesje starts to put pieces together of her family experience to help her to understand her mother and grandmother. But through it all, Jesje is just a girl who likes to play, who needs to know where she fits in the world and who has a family story that is interesting and sad. The scars of the past need an explanation.
This is lightly written, a gentle naive journey into the horrors of the Jewish experience for many families, even for the survivors. There is a child-like skip and hop through the discovery of Jesje’s family history, with friendship and school issues woven into the tale. It is a lightly poignant telling of a real story of family pain. The author Jeska Verstegen is telling the story of her own family: her grandfather was a Jewish-Dutch publisher who lost his life under the Nazi regime. Her grandmother survived by hiding. Her mother, a small child at the time, was significantly impacted by the need to be circumspect. This book will be a discovery journey for young readers aged 11+. Its naivete will perhaps make it an entry level opportunity to discover something about the Jewish experience during and after World War II.
[NB: The name of the central character Jesje is sometimes interchanged with Jeska within the story.]
Themes World War II, Jewish war history, Family, Trauma.
Carolyn Hull
Ouch! Tales of gravity by Kate Simpson and Andy Hardiman
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526610. (Age:5+) Recommended.
For children who enjoy Science facts or those who yearn to understand challenging concepts, this newly released factual picture book, Ouch! Tales of Gravity, will provide younger readers with an entertaining look at gravity. The simple introduction of the falling apple begins the story of how Sir Isaac Newton first discovered gravity. The author, Kate Simpson who is a chemical engineer as well as a creative, then goes on to explain gravity in more depth and detail. The bright and colourful full-page illustrations by Andy Hardiman are the perfect accompaniment to the text and provide the reader with more understanding. A particular standout is the cross-section drawing of the International Space Station which is explaining how the lack of gravity changes how we do things. At the end of the book is a ‘Facts about gravity’ section plus an experiment with gravity that children can try at home or school.
