Rusty Mulligan is a reserved Aussie boy who is regularly laughed at by his classmates. His best friend is a blue-tongued lizard named Bongo. He does have one supportive classmate in the person of accident-prone Charlotte, but she is not always able to protect him from the local bullies. Rusty would love to be able to communicate with Bongo and so enters a competition, advertised by a talking cat, to attend The School For Talking Pets – but will a blue-tongued lizard be able to learn to speak? The school enables Rusty and Bongo to meet many animals with amazing skills, but then it seems that the school is under threat. Will Rusty and Bongo be needed to save the school?
This is a gentle fantasy, with elements of humour, mystery and anguish as the young boy addresses his own feelings of inferiority in the face of the successes of others. This will be a story that resonates on many levels, but the delight of discovering the conversation and talents of many animals has a joyful quality that children aged 8-12 will love. I will be recommending this book to capable independent readers who enjoy a longer story, but who are still wanting a story that is fun and not too complex.
HarperCollins, 2021. ISBN: 9781867230847. (Age:Young adult and adult) Recommended.
Ella has led a supportive life, being wife of a successful builder and mother of three now adult children. She has nursed her husband through a terminal illness enabling him to die at home as was his last wish. Now, at 70 she finds herself exhausted and bereft and unable to clearly articulate her wishes. The children quickly persuade Ella to sell the leafy eastern suburbs family home in Adelaide and move in with son Anthony, wife Kirsten and grandchildren Sophie and Stefan while they build her a granny flat on their property. When the relationship breaks down Ella leaves and drives north, ending up in Cutlers Bay a small seaside town on the Yorke Peninsula near her best friend's property. There she befriends drifter Angie Daniels who has left a failed relationship in Cairns and is making her way towards Perth where her mother lives. She also meets, in the course of his duties, local police sergeant Zach Cooper when Ella’s family reports her missing suggesting she is not in her right mind. Zach too is recently single and is determined to protect his emotions even though he is attracted to Angie. As the relationship with Ella’s family deteriorates further she finds support and friendship in the small country town and begins to rebuild her life and her determination to fight for her rights. After supressing her own wants and desires for so long Ella needs time and space to regain her emotional balance but her family have invoked their Power of Attorney claiming she is mentally incapable of making decisions and thwarting her plans to buy a run-down property in Cutlers Bay.
Ella’s first person narrative is alternated with the third person parallel narratives of Angie and Zach as they each negotiate challenges and gradually build their own relationships with each other, their families and the community. Like domestic violence, elder abuse can occur in the most unlikely of places and this subtle exploration of the importance of self-determination and the right to choose whilst still acknowledging the importance of family and friends is worth reflection. Ella’s relationship with 14 year old grandson Stefan is delightfully written but his mother, Kristen, is a less believable character.
Appleyard has created a well written, entertaining story set in a charming country town about courageous individuals that will appeal especially to older adults.
Themes Relationships, Ageism, Family.
Sue Speck
Ten delicious teachers by Ross Montgomery and Sarah Warburton
For little ones who would delight in the idea of their teachers being eaten by monsters, comes this rhyming picture book about just that. 'Ten tired teachers are finished for the day, The kids have gone, the homework's marked, the chairs are tucked away' and they're off home. Too bad they've missed the last bus...would they brave the shortcut through the dark forest? And so begins the countdown from ten to one as each teacher is cornered, tricked or trapped into the jaws of a monster. Miss Hunter, the nursery teacher, is the last one standing. But being a feast for a monster is not something she will tolerate. 'Stop that at once!', she shouts at the hungry horde, before declaring their need for a proper education. 'Ten uneasy monsters at their brand-new monster school, Learning how to be polite and follow all the rules'.
The illustrations in this are perfection and the text is wonderfully paced and fun to read aloud. There is plenty of discussion to be had with children about what is going to happen next, particularly on the front cover that features ten monsters rather than ten teachers. They will also love the naivety of the teachers, who trust the sign that declares 'no monsters here!' and don't notice the monsters lurking in the trees. The hairy, colourful monsters are not scary and while the teacher feast is implied it is in no way evident within the pictures. This is a fun, nonsensical read aloud with wonderful illustrations (and particularly great endpaper artwork).
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is Washington Irving’s classic gothic tale of early settler America. It tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who moves to a small, insular town and finds himself mixed up in local tensions, romances and superstitions, in a place known for its haunted atmosphere and eerie spectres. Most pervasive of all is the Headless Horseman who is said to ride restlessly and relentlessly through the town at night.
Christina Henry has cleverly and successfully created a continuation of this story in Horseman. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been told, retold and reimagined countless times since its publication, in both print and film. However, Horseman is something special.
This story follows fourteen-year-old Ben Van Brunt, only grandchild of Abraham ‘Brom Bones’ Van Brunt and Katrina Van Tassel, key protagonists of the original tale. While born a girl, Ben is adamant that he is a boy, idolising his larger-than-life grandfather and fighting with his grandmother, who is determined to turn him into an accomplished young woman ready for marriage.
Ben spends his days playing in the woods that surround the town, avoiding sewing and singing lessons and the critical eye of Katrina. And it is in the woods one day that he finds something awful – a young boy who is missing his hands and his head. Nothing in Sleepy Hollow is ever going to be the same again.
Unsurprisingly, considering the premise, Horseman contains adult themes, death and gore that make it most suitable for an adult or older young adult audience. However, it is a truly excellent page turner that readers will find almost impossible to put down.
Themes Fantasy, Historical, The Gothic, Supernatural Beings, Family, Community, Identity.
This is a graphic novel with a 14-year-old central character, Maisie, who is not defined by her disability as a post-cancer amputee, but who lives with the adjustments that this brings to her life. She has also recently identified as queer. Her single mother has bought tickets to a Fancon event which includes a feisty character from her favourite show, and Maisie is excited to see another high-profile amputee. When she arrives, she meets 15-year-old Ollie and instantly connects. Ollie’s pronouns of preference are they/them and they both bond over a mutual love of Comic-Con favourites. Long conversations and a first kiss follow, but there is no immediate happily-ever-after for them, as they live in different states.
With clever commentary from the perspective of someone with a visible disability and who also identifies as queer as well as battling with pain and anxiety, this graphic novel is a quick insight and journey of empathy. The world of the Comic-con community is also entertaining. The author has cleverly woven some well-known Fan favourites with some tweaked references (eg ‘Bader’ reveals he’s ‘Duke’s’ father, and the Time Doctor). If the intention of the author (who is also a queer amputee) was to see representation in literature of young people with disabilities or who are queer, she has succeeded. This could be added to a library’s LGBTIQ collection. There are also some lovely moments with Maisie and her mother, revealing the dilemmas of teenage life and the humour of their relationship. Illustrations are complementary to the text and display slightly comedic aspects.
Recommended for readers, aged 13+. Teacher's notes are available.
Made by Morgan is an entertaining and attractively presented cookbook by young Australian chef Morgan Hipworth. His journey is quite a story and well worth reading. Only just now in his early twenties, to read of Morgan’s continuing achievements is extremely inspiring. He readily admits to being a fussy eater as a young child but through experimenting with food and sharing experiences with his family, he developed a passion for creating dishes to entice his clientele. His earliest signature dish and where he became known as 'that doughnut kid from Melbourne' led him on a remarkable journey. Morgan has a huge presence on both television and social media.
The recipes in this book range from easy to complex and are Morgan’s own versions of food he has tasted around the world. The book begins with a Contents page which includes four food chapters under the headings of Breakfast, Mains, Sweet Treats and Anytime, each colour-coded for easy recognition. Following the contents page is a reader-friendly account of Morgan’s journey so far and a page about his own cooking style.Each recipe, which may be spread over two-four pages, has a worthwhile guide at the top highlighting total prep time and cook time, serves and difficulty. There are beautiful photos of each dish as well as extra tips from Morgan on many of the pages. The book ends with a very detailed and handy glossary, an index and acknowledgments.
This first cookbook by Morgan has a personal feel to it as he prefaces each recipe with his honest thoughts and comments. For example, when reading the recipe of Massaman Curry with Roti Canal, he openly admits, 'it’s far from quick and easy, but I promise it’s worth it' or with his Steak Quesadillas, 'you’ll find these on my dinner table at least once a week.'
This is a cookbook that will challenge budding cooks at times but is so welcoming in its presentation and style that it will be a hit with those who have followed Morgan’s journey or may aspire to achieve their own great heights in the area of cooking.
Themes Cooking, Recipes, Life Journey.
Kathryn Beilby
Star by Artelle Lenthall and Margaret Dewar
Little Pink Dog Books, 2021. ISBN: 9780648964001. (Age:3-7) Recommended.
The Nativity story is well known, but this book tells the story of the star’s role at the time of the birth of Jesus. Star is initially just an unspectacular ‘twinkler’, but an Angel reveals that Star has a starring role that will come. Star’s compassion for Mary as she travels to Bethlehem causes Star to grow and burn more brightly and to have a guiding role in the Nativity story.
This re-telling of an exceptionally well-known story with a slightly different perspective has a gentle, understated feel. The usual emphasis of the story (the infant Jesus) is revealed, but the Star’s transformation and importance while shining with compassion, is the empowering quality and focus. Margaret Dewar’s illustrations for this story are delightful and their clarity shines on every page. This can comfortably be added to a library or family collection and read to young children prior to Christmas.
Themes Christmas nativity, Stars, Compassion.
Carolyn Hull
Nelson Eggplants and dinosaurs by Andrew Levins. Illus. by Katie Kear
Penguin, 2021. ISBN: 9781761042294. (Age:6-9)
This is the third instalment in the action-packed series about Nelson and his vegetable-enabled superpowers. Previous titles (Pumpkins and Aliens, Broccoli and Spies) have already seen Nelson discover that pumpkin makes him super strong and broccoli turns him invisible...the only problem is he HATES eating them! But being a superhero calls for desparate measures, so in his trusty bumbag Nelson carries around an assortment of the very things he despises the most. He also has on hand a feather so that he can vomit and get back to his normal self. Children in this target age group will love the vomiting (it's even featured on the front cover) and the high-action fight scenes, which are described in great detail.
In this story, somebody is stealing every book about dinosaurs from every library and bookshop in the country and the only one left is in Nelson's school library. Can he protect the book and find out who is behind this crime? In an almighty coincidence a taste of unwanted eggplant sees Nelson turn into a giant purple dinosaur and that might be just the superpower he needs to defeat the awful robot villain who is trying to erase all evidence of dinosaurs.
Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout the story, with pops of purple in homage to the featured aubergine. This is quite a long chapter book with extended blocks of text, so suited to more advanced readers in the target age group or as a readaloud. This will be of most interest to children who enjoy funny stories about ordinary kids with superheroes and epic battles with evil villains.
The big staring eyes on the front cover will impel readers to open this book and look inside. The cat’s behaviour is instantly recognisable as it sits in a box, the title of the book rather tattered after a clawing 'Who me?', the cat seems to be asking. And more awaits as the pages are turned. A sunbeam has moved, so the irascible cat moves to its bowl, complaining that there are only a few crumbs left. It tries to move onto its sometimes favourite spot on the couch and finds it is now occupied by another cat. Needless to say the interloping cat moves away, succumbing to the dominating demeanour of the cat. Every move it makes evokes a grumpy response, and when the vacuum cleaner is engaged, the cat complains about a monster coming for it. Looking outside the cat dreams of being there, having things to do. It has not been outside for eight years. A squirrel looking in reminds the cat in no uncertain terms of the cushy life it leads inside, having food brought, given toys to play with, being safe, brushed and given treats. But the cat is disinterested, working out a way of calling that will result in its food bowl being filled with extra delights.
The cat is wonderful, always full of self interest, the centre of its small world, and controlling all around it, except for the weekly vacuum cleaning. It calls for all the things it needs, having not a care in the world, except how to fill its day, moving from one room to another.
This book is a wonderful expose of the cat’s world, a microcosm of our own. Readers will understand the similarities between the cat’s life and their own, the difference between needs and wants, as the cat calls for food, deprived of sleep because of the sunbeam, but always sheltered and safe.
The marvellous illustrations reveal a cat with an ego, completely assured of its own importance, revelling in its position within the house. The background materials are stunning, from the couch and curtains to the wallpaper/paint to the gleaming bowls and tactile boxes. A Kate Greenway medallist, Lane Smith is known for his unusual illustrative technique (The Stinky Cheese Man, and Squids will be Squids, are two that come to mind) and he has been author and illustrator of a dozen award winning books, as well as illustrating for others, notably Jon Scieszka.
When Moose tells a story to his family each night, they are transfixed. But one night he runs out of stories. He visits his neighbours, Bear, Badger and Fox but not one of them has a book he could use. And neither does Hare, Mole, the Wild Pigs and even the Beavers. No one has a book to lend him, so he goes into town and visits the library. The librarian offers him a stack of books: Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, and Puss in Boots. He takes them eagerly and that night reads a story to his family. Bear’s family has come in to listen as well, and the next day Mrs Bear tells Badger and so each night more of their neighbours knock at the door to listen to a story. Mrs Moose is rushed off her feet keeping up with mugs of cocoa and the sitting room is beginning to resemble a sardine can.
Moose buys an old bus from the caryard and fits it out like a library which the librarian fills with books. Everyone is happy but when Moose suggests that the others read stories to their families in their own homes he is dismayed to find that none of them can read. So Moose teaches them. Another problem solved.
After that the animals can borrow their own books from the library and take them home to read with their families, but some still go along to the Moose household to listen to Moose, as sharing reading is wonderful.
This celebration of reading reinforces the value of reading to a younger audience. They will be thrilled to hear the titles, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella amongst those mentioned, and sure to ask for them to be read to them after this book is finished. The value of learning to read is encouraged through the book, and all is wrapped up tightly with family and friends, sharing and hospitality.
The understated illustrations are full of life, and eager eyes will dart around the pages recognising the variety of English animals which can be spotted. I love the depiction of the animals in human poses: Moose’s crossed legs made me laugh out loud, while the image of a cluster of offspring and a parent on the couch is priceless. Readers will love counting all those offspring, working out the names for each, working out which story is being read and enjoy the importance given to reading and books, libraries and librarians.
Themes Animals, Books, Libraries, Problem solving, Librarians, Humour, Family.
Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not co-dependent. Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.
But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off script. Matt Olsson is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson.
Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship.
Kate in waiting is a charming, funny and wholesome story, exactly what one would expect from Becky Albertalli. The emphasis on friendship and platonic relationships was very refreshing and showed that it is very much just as important, if not more, than romance.
The characters were realistic and represented teenagers in a way that was respectful and accurate. There was no unnecessary drama and each of the characters worked their way through their emotions in a way that was a true representation to teenagers in today’s society.
The representation in this book is fantastic and executed perfectly. The inclusivity wasn't used as a main plot or storyline, it was just a character trait they had. They existed within the story without being used as the token gay/black/disabled etc. character, just for the sake of it.
Overall, a sweet read and one for Becky Albertalli fans to sink their teeth into.
Harry Potter fans will relish the opportunity to collect and read another movie scrapbook based on the Harry Potter films. Titled Harry Potter MAGICAL CREATURES this latest scrapbook is a treasure trove of information on the beings, beasts and creatures from the movie. This beautifully presented publication provides a closer look at the well-known and in some cases lesser-known creatures of Hogwarts as well as the Fantastic Beasts. It includes bonus art prints, stickers and collectible inserts. Prefect for all readers of Harry Potter.
The Contents page is separated into headings of Companions, In the Classroom and Forest, Dragons, Under the Lake and Castle, Unexpected and Unwanted Visitors under the main heading of Creatures of Hogwarts. The first companion mentioned is Hedwig, the well-known snowy white owl gifted to Harry Potter by Hagrid, and who becomes his trusted ally throughout the series. Another companion is Scabbers, Ron Weasley’s rat, that joins the two friends in the first movie. Under the Fantastic Beasts main heading are five names which may be unfamiliar to some readers. These include the Bowtruckles, which are small woody creatures that resemble stick insects and saplings which nest in wand-quality wood and the Nifflers who are born with an instinctive desire for shiny things.
Each page of information is presented in different coloured sections surrounded by distinct, glossy photos. There are brief and interesting facts presented throughout informing the reader of special effects and how the creatures were created, interacted and cared for in the making of the movies. Did you know that Trevor, Neville Longbottom’s pet toad, was played by a quartet of toads housed in a large, heated moss-based aquarium?
This is a wonderful book to gift to those adults and children who are already fans of the book and movie series or who are just beginning their journey.
Themes Harry Potter, Magic, Beasts, Creatures, Film Effects, Collectibles.
The last day of the week sees Zola participate in St Odo’s community fete in her street, Boomerang Street where she lives with her mother and Nonna, Rosa. This beautifully crafted set of stories about Zola, offering a different tale for each day of the week has won many fans.
Zola is a confident young girl who is yet to understand why she gets into trouble. She tries so hard but things just seem to happen. One day her dog escapes and digs up Nonna Rosa’s special tomato plants, a reminder of times past when her husband tended the garden. In another story she introduces a police dog, trained by a neighbour, to school with hilarious results. And in another, she and her friends upset their cranky neighbour, Mr Walton, and must set things right. All the stories have a strong multicultural flavour, reflecting the inner city location where Italians settled after World War Two and now welcoming people from the Middle East.
For St Odo’s fete on Sunday, Zola makes some cakes to enter the competition and gets her dogs ready for judging at the dog show. What could go wrong?
When Zola takes Omar’s cat, Tim Tam to hold and pat, her two dogs, Monty and Gigi run to her, causing the cat to run off, initiating a dog chase around the grounds of the fete. And of course, they head for the cake stall with expected consequences. But everyone pitches in to help, Mum and Zola cleaning up the mess left by the upturned cake stall and gratefully accepting the pizza and scones brought along by the baker and pizza shop owner in the area.
This delightful story rounds off a warm hearted series about Zola’s life and activities. Full of warmth and centred on family life, Zola is a charming character who kids love. It's a pity there are not more days in the week.
This delightfully funny story, translated from German, has the feel of an old European fairy tale, complete with a dangerous magic forest, a castle with monsters in the moat and a very mean witch.
Dulcinea has always lived happily with her father, helping with chores and playing with the animals, and also promising him that she will never go into the enchanted forest. But today Dulcinea is having her birthday and her father makes her favourite blueberry pancakes for breakfast. He has forgotten to buy the blueberries but when he goes into the forest to collect some, he is transformed into a tree by the nasty witch who lives in a nearby castle. When he doesn’t return, Dulcinea goes into the forest and finds him. She is directed by her tree father to follow the witch into her castle where she decides to steal the book of spells to change her father back.
The amusing, simple, but effective illustrations are done with a limited palette of various browns and black which enhances the fairy tale feel of the book. The author/illustrator Ole Konnecke also translates the Detective Gordon books by Ulf Nilsson. The book is divided into six short chapters, perfect for readers starting on novels and is easily read in one sitting. Dulcinea is a delightful, strong character who uses her brain to outwit the witch and save her father, a great message for young children to read about.
Themes Family life, Magic, Witches, Bravery.
Gabrielle Anderson
Slow down ... and sleep tight by Rachel Williams. Illus. by Freya Hartas
Slow Down… and Sleep Tight is a calming picture book full of gentle rhyme which would be a perfect addition to a young reader’s bedtime stories ritual. The author, Rachel Williams, has previously published Slow Down which looks at the amazing mysteries of nature that can be missed in the busyness of the day. This new book also celebrates the joy and mystery of nature and explores the end of the day, into the night and the dawning of a new day.
Each double page spread has a short verse with a brief tale about a feature of nature followed by an illustration of the focus on the same page. The corresponding page has segmented softly coloured pictures, beautifully drawn by illustrator, Freya Hartas, showing a snapshot of aspects related to the verse. The animals showcased in the story are a bee, bat, bunny, blackbird, squirrel, fox and a wolf. Not traditionally Australian animals but the clever rhyme and use of traditionally familiar creatures allows this book to be a universal read.
At the end of the book is a relaxing and mindful slow down breathing exercise that can be shared between the adult and child. This delightful book has an appealing cover with gold foil lettering and highlights. A perfect gift for a young child or parents-to-be.
