Roald Dahl: On the First Day of Christmas by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake
Puffin, 2021. ISBN: 9780241492888.
On the twelfth day of Christmas a grown-up gave to me... 12 books a-balancing...
And so begins a less-than-traditional countdown to Christmas featuring many of Dahl's most well-known and well-loved characters and Quentin Blake's iconic illustrations. But as well as being a counting book, it is also the best introduction for little ones to the works of this much-loved author whose books, while largely written for more independent readers, will nevertheless entertain our youngest ones if they're shared as a read-aloud. No child should go through their young life without knowing what a whizz-popper is or dreaming of winning that golden ticket!
And when they've heard those classics, there are the other stories featured in this book to work through and then a whole host of others crafted by one of the most popular authors in a primary school library. Can you think of a better, more enduring gift to give a little one?
Barbara Braxton
The Christmas pig by J.K. Rowling. Illus. by Jim Field
Jack's life has changed so much - his parents, his school, his home. The one thing that never changes is DP (Dur Pig), his faithful toy pig. Jack has always been able to tell DP everything, and find comfort when things are bad. But then, Christmas Eve, the worst happens - DP is lost. To Jack's surprise, Christmas Eve is when miracles can happen, things come to life - like toys... even Christmas Pig (DP's inferior replacement). When Christmas Pig suggests they travel to the Land of the Lost to find DP, Jack doesn't hesitate. Finding their way through the Land of the Lost while avoiding getting caught by Loss Adjustors or the toy-eater Loser is going to be a difficult task, but Jack is willing to try.
This energetic, action paced urban fantasy is well suited for primary aged readers and adults alike. To be taken into a world where things have feelings and emotions, readers may begin to treat their belongings with more care - and try to find lost items quickly! Rowling has again created a world where readers are quickly immersed into the main character's life, with plenty of relatable characters, as well as some who help drive the story (love to hate perhaps?). Divided into sections with short chapters and occasional detailed, stunning, illustrations, this engaging Christmas story has something for everyone - adventure, discovery, devotion and persistence, and is sure to be a family favourite for years to come. While essentially a Christmas story, this book can be read year round as its message of hope and devotion will encourage at any time of year.
Peppa's family are decorating the tree and revisiting lots of lovely memories as they add decorations from times and adventures past. But there is an empty branch left...
On Christmas Eve, and Peppa and her family are off to a Christmas fair. There's yummy food, fun games . . . and a carousel with a magical Christmas unicorn!
But what other Christmas magic is in store for Peppa? Will there be something to fill the empty branch?
This is another special story for young readers that brings together favourite times that they can relate to and familiar characters, factors that spread the magic of both Christmas and reading as well as any unicorn.
Barbara Braxton
My First Elmer Christmas by David McKee
Anderson Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781839130540.
It's two days before Christmas Eve, the night Papa Red visits, and the young elephants are very excited. This year Elmer has a special treat in store for the young elephants, if they can keep quiet and out of sight...
Elmer the patchwork elephant is an enduring favourite with our youngest readers and this specially abridged version of the original is shaped like a Christmas tree and designed for little fingers that will add to the anticipation of THE night! Who knew that elephants and their friends celebrated this special time just like we do?
A classic for the Christmas Countdown collection that will open up a whole world of Elmer stories, activities and fun for a new generation.
Barbara Braxton
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Illus. by Raquel Martin
Magic Cat, 2021. ISBN: 9781913520298.
"Twas the night before Christmas When all through the house Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse."
Are there any more recognisable words than these at this time of the year? This poem, by Clement Clarke Moore (although he called it A Visit from St Nicholas) was first published almost 200 years ago on December 23, 1823, has become the perennial favourite for Christmas Eve as it stirs the imagination of generation after generation. From it we get the names of the reindeer and all sorts of other images that endure today.
While it has been published in many formats over that time and illustrated in many media and styles, the text remains the same and so it is with this new version. However, this one includes a wind-up music box mechanism that allows the reader to listen to the music of Deck the Halls, another Christmas tradition, this one Welsh and dating back to the 16th century although the English lyrics weren't written till the mid-19th century.
An opportunity to round off your Christmas Countdown combining two classics in one.
Barbara Braxton
The Nutcracker by Lily McArdle and Bodil Jane
Magic Cat, 2021. ISBN: 9781913520212.
In 1891, Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky began working on his third ballet, the first two being the magical Swan Lake, my personal favourite, and the second, The Sleeping Beauty. This one was The Nutcracker, an adaptation into music and dance of the original 1816 story by E.T.A. Hoffman, in which young Marie Stahlbaum's favourite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls.
Part of the score for the ballet is the famous Waltz of the Flowers and it is this which sets this version of the story aside from others because the book includes a wind-up music box mechanism that allows the reader to listen to the music as well as the words. So while the story is a somewhat abridged version of the original (although it covers all the main aspects) it will inspire many to not only seek out the story but also the music and the ballet.
It used to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in her tutu that garnered all the attention but now nutcrackers are becoming a common part of Australian Christmas decorations so sharing this story will add extra meaning to the Christmas dinner festivities, particularly if it is also the choice of the background music! A stunning gift for any budding ballerina.
Fans of the The day the crayons quit and The day the crayons came home will be delighted to have another book about these cute little crayons. This time they are arguing about what colour is the colour for Christmas. Green Crayon declares that it is green because holly and fir trees are green but Red Crayon thinks that red is for Christmas because of candy canes and Santa Claus. Of course, white, silver and brown know that they are for Christmas as well. In fact, all the colours are Christmas colours and the crayons come together in the final pages of the book, saying ‘You can’t have Christmas without any of us’.
The illustrations are very appealing, as always in the books featuring the crayons. A little Christmas elf appears on many of the double page spreads and adds to the fun of reading. The crayons appear against a white background and catch the eye immediately, with their tiny dot eyes and mouths. The text is sparse and tiny asides are very humorous and will delight the adult reader. Very young children will have fun identifying the colours and then finding coloured things in their own surroundings that are important for Christmas.
Another Christmas book to read aloud during the festive seasons, Green is for Christmas would also make a lovely gift for children who enjoyed the antics of the crayons in the other books.
Themes Christmas, Colours, Crayons.
Pat Pledger
Unicorn's Christmas by Lucy Golden
Penguin, 2021. ISBN: 9780593374856.
It's almost Christmas! Unicorn is so excited, but there's still a lot to do: make a list for Santa, decorate the tree, make cookies, and more!
But this is a book with a twist... literally! For within the text there are blanks, almost like a cloze activity, and the reader has to turn the wheel to find the best word to fit the context. Helped by an illustration of each word so it is easily read, they can either make a story that is fun but doesn't really make sense, or they can use the cues and clues to predict what is just right for the gap.
So apart from being a story featuring a familiar character doing all those things that herald that special day, it really encourages the young reader to focus their attention and use their existing knowledge to create the story so it makes sense, an essential concept about print and pre-requisite to reading. Physically turning a wheel adds another dimension to the fun, making this one of the most unique Christmas books for our youngest readers.
Ted and Nancy’s adventures mirror the city life verses country life bias of humans – but particularly given that the foxes, like many animals adjusting to climate change, are relying on humans in an urban space for their survival. Life is pretty easy considering that the chow is laid-on in the industrial bins out back of Speedy Chicken – that’s if Ted forgets about having no friends or his fear of Princess Buttons. The feline overlord is very possessive of Speedy Chicken leftovers, refusing to share them in any capacity with Ted and Nancy.
When Ted accidently bites off Princess Button’s tail, vengeance becomes the blinding motivation of the cat leader. The siblings flee to the country and despite the unfamiliarity, begin to see that quality of life matters as much as quantity of life. Their world expands to include interesting new friends like Titus the stag, Binky Snuffhausen the rat, Ingrid the duck, Wiggy the badger, Pamela the eagle and Willow the rabbit. Willow becomes Ted’s friend and introduces him to his calling – a career on the stage. For a time, the new creatures and surroundings distract Nancy & Ted but how long can they stay away from their food source at Speedy Chicken? Will Princess Buttons find Ted and Nancy in the country? Just how does the squirrels’ frenetic pastime of tree bonking save the foxes?
Whilst difficult to penetrate if a reader is not a fan of inane conversations between wild critters, the story improves greatly as the characters are fleshed out. Mean, abrupt Nancy – like most folks when you get to know them – is not at all motivated by self-interest but by her loyalty to her family. The disappearance of the foxes’ parents goes unresolved but both brother and sister sense Grimwood might hold the key to the mystery.
Perhaps a series about Ted and Nancy is on the cards, filled with hand drawn gems like mud maps of Grimwood, signs, song lyrics or interjections by Eric Dynamite - the bus driving woodlouse? You get the picture. Middle school readers will have as much fun decoding the zany world of Grimwood as Nadia Shireen had encoding it.
Themes Family, Animal Fantasy, Adventure.
Deborah Robins
Real magic : Tips, tricks, TikTok and totally good vibes by Ash Magic
Penguin, 2021. ISBN: 9781761043925. (Age:Middle school, High School, 10+) Very highly recommended.
There’s a contradiction in this book purporting to be about “real” magic. How can this be, when TikTok sensation Ash Magic unpacks his success at sleight of hand, illusions and cardistry? By default, tricks cannot be the “real” magic to which he is alluding.
Ash shares a number of tricks behind illusions copied from some of his favourite magicians, and from busking with his friend and fellow magician, Lucas. Tricks include: Pick a card - any card, Phone Money, Disappearing Box, Buzzy Surprize, The Magical Orb and Levitation. Put these into practice and you’ll become the local magician.
So where is the ‘real’ magic? Part autobiography, part self-help, part social media primer, Real Magic is full of firsthand tips, advice and social media skills. Ash Magic shares the strategies that helped him overcome his anxiety, ADHD and other personal challenges to become a popular stage performer. It gets better because Ash writes about his strategies of self-promotion at all levels, including expanding his reach to millions of followers on TikTok.
Ash’s blend of magic, philosophy, positivity and magic can help any young person struggling with anxiety, to become an outgoing and successful member of society. Further, he demonstrates through his own recollections, the successful habits that launched his career as a busker, a performer and later an internet sensation.
Some of his good-vibes mindset philosophy is really about reinventing yourself with positive thinking and THAT is the real magic to which Ash refers. To beat anxiety he starts with: breathing tips, faking his body image and confidence, moving and energizing to get his blood pumping, supporting and accepting everyone, not dwelling on failure, being himself and reaching out to friends and professionals if all else fails.
Real Magic contains never-before-seen photos, anecdotes and insights from Ash's childhood and adolescence. Students and young adults of all ages wanting to improve their mindset, conquer crippling anxiety or build confidence will be delighted by his many practical strategies and habits of mind. Learning a magician’s secrets to astound your friends is a bonus.
When Peppa and her family land in Australia for Christmas, Mr and Mrs Kangaroo are surprised to see them - clearly there has been a communication breakdown - but nevertheless they all pile into the Kangaroos' Kombi and head for the beach. This is a surprise for Peppa because she is used to a cold Christmas and so are all the activities which are so different to what she is used to. Santa surfing in on a surfboard is something to behold!
Even though the day is far removed from what Peppa is used to, young readers will recognise and relate to it as we experience summer - although perhaps like Kylie Kangaroo they yearn for snow!
Alice Choy and her family have moved to South Korea for her mother's job, and the best way to relax is to go to a karaoke bar and sing to her heart's content with her sister. It's at one of these sessions that Alice gets discovered and asked to audition for Star Academy, part of Top10 Entertainment (one of the biggest K-pop companies). Pushing herself to attend the audition, she makes it into the academy. Moving into the academy means committing to an intensive schedule, with voice lessons, dance training, daily workouts, school and Korean lessons. Not to mention being the last member of a new group, 'A-List', whose other members have been together waiting for their debut for years. Will Alice survive the rigorous training, as well as being the odd one out while missing her family, all before A-List debuts?
This debut contemporary novel, set in the popular world of K-Pop, is well written, with relatable characters. Fans of K-dramas and K-pop will love this YA set in Seoul, with frequent references to Korean culture. With a nice steady pace through the whole novel, this book is easy to read. Told from Alice's perspective, with infrequent 'Idol Gossip' littered throughout - in the form of an anonymous K-pop blog run by 'V'. Though set in South Korea, there is little interaction with the setting, due to the nature of K-Pop training - which is where the description comes in. Readers will find this an enjoyable read, trusting they are interested in Korean culture. As a fan of K-Pop and K-Dramas myself, I found the book quick and easy to read.
Themes Contemporary, South Korea, K-Pop, Relationships, Music, Commitment, Passion.
Melanie Pages
Lola out loud: The recipe for disaster by Shannan & Tayla Stedman
Well, young vlogger and sweet tooth lover Lola is back again, with even more chaos, drama and OTT situations than before. Joining in the drama is her best friend Vee, her younger brother Ryan, good friend Mitch and who can forget, her number one fan Piper. Also featuring throughout the novel is Lola’s famous cat, Stampy, the country western music lover, and now famous chef! This is the second book in the series Lola, by Shannon and Tayla Stedman, and if you enjoyed the first one, then you are sure to enjoy this one too!
As school holidays approach, Lola is extremely excited that Aunt Helen, the coolest aunt ever, is coming to look after them for two weeks. But when Aunt Helen arrives something major is wrong. She isn’t the Aunt Helen that they all know and love. She won’t get off the couch, keeps eating bucket loads of ice cream and watching The Titanic on repeat. How are they possibly going to have a fun filled holiday, and more importantly how is Ryan going to win his laser skirmish tournament, when winning is the only option? What can they do to help Aunt Helen get back to her fun adventurous ways and keep their plans on track? This is where Lola has the ‘best plan ever’. Lola has it all worked out, and with her friends she devises a full proof idea to help Aunt Helen rediscover her fun and humour. However, when you look online to solve situations, are the ideas presented always what they seem? While Lola thinks she has outsmarted everyone, will she really have fixed her problem or created one that could potentially be even worse?
The recipe for disaster is a fun and entertaining story that many young readers will enjoy. It is an easy read, with many laughable moments and engaging illustrations. Again, exploring the potential risks and dilemmas when using the internet, this story explores friendships, teamwork and ingenuity.
Themes Humour, Cyber safety, Problem Solving, Teamwork.
Michelle O'Connell
A marvellous light by Freya Marske
Pan Macmillan, 2021. ISBN: 9781529080896. (Age:Adult, 16+) Recommended.
A Marvellous Light is a marvellous debut by Australian author Freya Marske. A queer historical and romantic fantasy, A Marvellous Light is set in an Edwardian England just a little bit different from the one that we know.
Robin Blyth (or Sir Robert, much to his annoyance) has just inherited a baronetcy, a debt-ridden estate and responsibility for his younger sister. His fascinating but irresponsible parents have left him in a position where he must work to keep his family afloat. Somehow, he finds himself appointed the new Assistant in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints in the British civil service; a position recently vacated after the mysterious disappearance of the previous occupant.
Robin, however, should never have been given this position. He should never have discovered the magical society that lives alongside his own. He should never have been embroiled in a dangerous hunt to discover what has befallen his predecessor. He should never have met Edwin Courcey.
A Marvellous Light is an original and beautifully written book. While it is slow to start and there is a slow build-up of romance and tension, the story more than delivers in the end. A Marvellous Light is the first in a planned trilogy, so we are assured of being able to follow the adventures and misadventures of Robin into the future. While A Marvellous Light is engaging enough to appeal to a wide audience, it must be noted that there are some graphic scenes which position this book as appropriate for adult and older young adult readers.
This riveting and brilliant novel opens to a woman removing her watch, a tool used by the Government to monitor people’s whereabouts, leaving it behind when she goes out. Actually she places it on the paw of her dog, so that ‘they’, the English Government) do not know that she is doing the incorrect thing and going out without being able to be ‘traced’ via their watch, a mandatory item worn by all adults. The watches now carry not only the ID of the owner, but as well, they carry their health data, credit payments and their whereabouts. Lainey, the major character, is fearful, but is most determined to do what she considers that she must do. Before she leaves her house, she feeds the starlings in her garden, whose mother has disappeared, and we understand Lainey as a person who cares about the birds, about nature, and about the world in which she lives. Like most others in England, Lainey is leading an oppressed life, and her mother, Emma, hears her checking her health with a mouth swab, so she can go to work in the hospital, a fear-filled place during this time when ‘virus issues’ dominate, and everyone in the UK feels unsettled.
After the years spent living with the ‘virus’, many people are coping, but many find it extremely challenging and difficult. The people of the UK are tired and unsettled by the unexpected disappearance of so many young women. Work is hard, and everyone fears the virus and life has become ‘like a minefield’, Foster writes. Like her friend, Cathy, she is also disturbed by her workplace, as a worker there, she is privy to the hospital’s responses and rules, with so many births going wrong in the UK, particularly with babies that are born ‘alive’, but who die almost immediately after birth - the count approximately 1 in 10 babies dying soon or immediately after birth. As we read, we discover that this initial death rate has increased dramatically to 1 in 5 deaths. Having taken a pharmacy pregnancy test, which was positive, a friend of Lainey has disappeared, and this common occurrence has been noted publicly in a new popular song - calling on everyone to start thinking about the issues that are occurring without the public’s knowledge. Protests across the UK have been about all of the issues of concern, about global warming, in a world fearful of the conditions that are occurring, with climate change affecting so many people, and, of great concern, authoritarian governments removing people’s normal ‘rights’.
Lainey’s grandmother, Geraldine, has recently published a book about the terrible events that are making people’s lives so uncomfortable and challenging, claiming that all the people of the world need to accept the problems with the world and work together to save this special and beautiful planet. Lainey is shocked at first that her grandmother could consider and construct such a protest, and then becomes mesmerised by her grandmother’s intelligent understanding of the world and of her despair about the politicians who care, she claims, only about 'lining their pockets.' Sara Foster offers hope towards the end of the novel, hope that other people like her characters are caring about the way in which the world is becoming an unsafe place, and that so many people actually do want to support and care for others.
This book is about climate change, about how the world is addressing issues of concern, and would be suitable for students in Years 11 and 12, as the issues raised, the fear and unsettled feelings all evoke some of the experiences of the Covid world that has unsettled, and indeed changed, the world, and the lives of so many people.
