The lovely scene on the front cover of a family group of elephants will make the story inside all the more devastating as younger reader learn of Seree, kidnapped at just two years old, and put into a circus. Her life becomes one of loneliness and betrayal as she is taken from her family and the mushy banana she loves pulling from the trees.
She was made to perform three times a day, throwing darts at a balloon, kicking a soccer ball and dancing on her hind legs. In between she was chained and alone, rocking from side to side in her stall. She lived like this for years, dreaming of her mother, her aunts and grandmother in the herd she left behind. But one night three people came in with treats she had not tasted for a long time, they whispered promises in her ear and put her aboard a truck. When she stepped from the truck she could smell the fresh air and the flowers and fruit from her past. She spied other elephants and finally she heard her mother. She was home at last.
This story parallels the lives of many elephants taken from their herds and put to work. Many are beaten into submission, chained for the rest of their lives, not allowed to lie down and sleep. Some work many hours a day in the illegal forests in Thailand, while others ferry people and are used as entertainers like Seree.
The vivid illustrations parallel the story, showing Seree content with her family, unaware of the life she will be forced to lead. The images show elephants in their habitat, part of a herd, doing things as a group, always reiterating the close contact a group of elephants has with each other. Little wonder elephants in captivity sway from side to side.
Information at the end of the book gives facts about the elephants and their endangered status in Asia. Once plentiful their herds have been reduced by two thirds, through habitat loss, killing, capture and illegal use. In Thailand only 2000 now live in the wild with an estimated 2000 in captivity. The author, Irma Gold is an ambassador for the Save Elephant Foundation and puts her heart on her sleeve in this heart warming story. Seree means freedom and is an appropriate name for a little elephant who dreams of her home while forced to live away from her family. Classroom ideas are available.
Lolli knows the house and what it contains. It makes her anxious just going inside, but she knows that if she gets to the hearth in the downstairs kitchen, she will be safe. But Freya’s grandmother knows that Lolli has depths that she does not yet understand and although she can sense the ghosts that live in the house, she refuses to admit this.
Lolli has promised herself that she will never again set foot in the house in Spitalfields but Freya has brought her from Singapore to help set up the next door house for Christmas. Freya is Loli’s mother’s best friend and she rescued her after Lolli’s mother died at her birth. Loathe to be ungrateful, Lolli agrees to go to London, convinced the she will never set foot in the house. But she cannot avoid it, even though she knows the older woman is unwell and needs to tell her things about the house before her illness overwhelms her. Lolli prevaricates, spending time with her new found cousins, avoiding any confrontation with Elsie, and while she is with them, picks up a book she knows well, but has never read, the story of the house. She leans of Madame LeNoir and Clara, the ideas of mesmerism, hypnotism and clairvoyance, used by the LeNoir family to dupe vulnerable people using Clara’s skills to rope them in. It is the ghosts of these two people that Lolli can sometimes see, one good, the other bad, but both wanting something of her.
So Lolli must talk to Elsie and she learns all that she knows. She goes into the house, contacting Clara and learns more about this girl she thought had been murdered, and when she ventures further, feels the older woman’e menace, and so retreats to the kitchen. Here she tells Jada of what has happened and so enlists help from another source. And just when we all think the end is nigh, a twist occurs which puts Lolli on the back foot.
A wonderful mystery story, Lolli’s journey will have middle school readers entwined with the story of memories and ghosts.
I loved Rushby’s trilogy beginning with The Turnkey set in the inner cemeteries in London and have read all that Rushby has published since, looking forward to each one. Tales about spirits take me to realms I usually do not visit, but they are told with such convincing settings and characters, that they are are hard to put down.
This editing collaboration by Sudanese author Rafeif Ismail and Mununjali Yugambeh/ Dutch author Ellen Van Neerven has produced a remarkable collection of futuristic short stories set in another time or space, often dystopian, but which draws strongly on a shared respect for Country, the land, water, and air of their ancestral spirits. The writers are of varying backgrounds, with some established names like Ambelin Kwaymullina and Claire Coleman, while others are emerging new writers published for the first time. Yet all identify in some way as First Nations people, Afro-Black or Aboriginal. And while the stories are all quite different, that underlying spiritual connection, tapping into family, country and culture, pervades them all in some way.
I was especially drawn to Jasper Wyld’s story 'Thylacine' particularly in light of recent renewed interest in resurrecting the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Wyld asserts that whitefella cloning can not alleviate the guilt of mass extinction. The artificially created thylacine has no soul. Its life is just as miserable as the last living thylacine in its concrete cage. Wyld writes that the 'Thylacine are gone, extinct, and they have more than earnt their rest'.
Other story titles will draw readers in: 'Fifteen Days on Mars', 'DIS/SIMILATION', 'The Prime Minister', etc. They are all intriguing, enlightening, well-written. The last pages have short biographical notes about each author, so you will know which writers to look out for in the future.
Themes Care for Country, Culture, Future, Connection, First Nations, Aboriginal.
Skydragon: Brave the Storm written by Anh Do is the fourth book in this series for middle grade or older reluctant readers with graphic images by James Hart that add to the appeal. The latest adventure begins with Amber and her beloved carer Irene travelling in a campervan to escape the city and Amber’s ever-growing number of evil nemeses. Amber has concussion and has lost her power to attract insects. Irene suggests that they travel to Sennam in Asia to be free of danger and to help Amber heal and reconnect with her power. Needless to say, danger is not far away and stumbling upon a closed trail while on a rainforest hike, leads Irene and Amber into trouble with Indigenous peoples of the area and dangerous mercenaries. Amber is captured by a local girl Lin whose grandfather Khan is the Chief. He and his people are constantly trying to outwit the squad of EverCorp mercenaries who are destroying the rainforest while searching for rumoured lilac diamonds. Lin, who will inherit Khan’s chieftain role, suspects Amber is working for EverCorp and the girls get off to a rather unfriendly start. Both girls join forces to protect the diamonds and rescue Khan who has been forced to take the mercenaries to where the diamonds are. After outwitting EverCorp through sheer determination and skill, Lin and Amber, with her power restored, saves the diamonds but sadly, Khan has passed away. Running parallel to this story is Firefighter’s own search for his true identity and Amber’s belief that he may be her brother. Agent Ferris also plays an evil role in this story and is suspicious of Amber’s whereabouts however he has more pressing things to deal with when he is informed that Firefighter is missing. More will be revealed in Book 5 which is coming soon!
Whisper on the wind by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526887. (Age:3+) Recommended.
Watercolour, pen and ink combined with collage and digital techniques were used to create the ethereal illustrations that whisper across the pages, full of watery imagination and an oceanic feeling of depth, enough to make any reader feel akin to the sea, and want to dive in and join the mermaid who swims beneath the little craft.
A story of love and longing, the sailor is far out at sea, but hears the whisper from home on the wind. Inside a bottle, the whisper is carried by the dancing waves, the shining moonbeams passing over it, while the flitting fish beneath the waves follow its course chased by dolphins until finally the whisper reaches the sailor.
Each line adds another sea creature in this lovely accumulative text. Younger readers will love predicting the new word describing the creature carrying the whisper, and be enthralled when the sequence changes, the different style encouraging them to predict a rhyming word. Every word resonates with meaning, celebrating the wondrous nature of the ocean and all of its creatures. And when she opens the bottle, all of the child’s dreams tumble out, depicting all the things they share at home.
The lone sailor hears the whisper from her child in the lighthouse and heads for home, sailing past the creatures which have supported the bottle of dreams on its journey. So she retraces the steps taken in the first half of the book, until finally she gets back home and they breakfast together, ready for the day. The love between the pair overcomes the distance while the sailor is out at sea and the whisper of home is able to get over the vast areas of the ocean to reach its target.
A deep love of the ocean and all of its contents is reflected in every word and image in this luminous book, offering more on further readings and stopping to take in the detail on every page.
The kingdoms of Arbor with its lush forests, and Pomosa rich with farmland, are separated by a high, thorny hedge and they have no love between them. But at night, the children have taken to sneaking across the borders to thieve - some to gather fallen branches for firewood, the others to cut the corn and milk the cows to feed families. But instead of sharing their riches, the Kings decide to fight, instead... with dragons. But what kind of future will that bring?
This is a tale with an olde-worlde feel about it that carries an age-old message about sharing and co-operating rather than hoarding and fighting. Having the children doing the stealing because they hear their parents lamenting not only demonstrates the power of children living what they see and hear but opens up a discussion about the morals and ethics involved. Do you do what you know to be morally right or do you do what needs to be done?
An interesting story that could be compared to the good versus evil fairytales that were the moral compass of yesteryear.
Themes Peace, Sharing, Ethics.
Barbara Braxton
The princess in black and the mermaid princess by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale. Illus. by LeUyen Pham
This is a wonderfully powerful series that turns the much-loved princess concept of young girls into one of agency, adventure and comraderie. This latest instalment sees the sassy Princess in Black and her friends the Princess in Blankets and the Goat Avenger delighted to meet a mermaid princess named Princess Posy. When Princess Posy finds out her new friends are heroes she asks for their help to protect the sea goats in her kingdom from being eaten by the hungry Kraken. It comes to light that Princess Posy is so busy following her princess rule of being nice to everyone that she isn't using her voice to speak up and make positive changes in her kingdom. With the support of the Princess in Black and her friends, Princess Posy learns that she already has the skills to manage her kingdom.
Full-colour illustrations and short chunks of text make these books ideal for newly independent readers. They are quirky, humorous and full of action. Most importantly, they contain incredibly positive female role-models but still cater to the many princess and mermaid lovers in this age group. It's a modern tale with a fairytale feel that will please and delight both adults and children.
Themes Mermaids, Heroes, Speaking Up, Princesses.
Nicole Nelson
Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate
Andersen Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781783449927.
There's nothing she loves more than to visit her Grandad, snuggle up on the sofa and listen as he tells all her about the amazing places he and Gramps would explore in their camper. But these days, Grandad's camper van is hidden away in the garage - now Gramps isn't around any more, the adventures they shared travelling in it just wouldn't be the same. As she listens to his wonderful stories, Grandad's granddaughter has an idea to cheer him up...
This is a delightful story of a little girl's relationship with her grandfather, a bond that those of us who have been fortunate to experience it never forget. But this story has a twist because there is no grandma - rather there is Gramps, her grandfather's much loved partner. And while it is a reminder that there are many definitions and designs of "family" - the rainbow flag on the camper on the cover is an indicator- it is the little girl's complete acceptance of the situation that is heart-warming because it shows we have come a long way, albeit there is still a way to go. So while gender diversity is not the obvious in-your-face focus of the story, it is the memories that are so inextricably bound together by Grandad's and Gramps' relationship that are at its heart.
Family diversity is so widespread and little ones need to see theirs in stories, so this is another opportunity to share and celebrate.
Barbara Braxton
The very last list of Vivian Walker by Megan Albany
Metastasised melanoma is a terminal diagnosis for Vivian Walker and she decides to cross off a number of things on her ‘to do' list in the few months she has left to live. She knows she should be making the most of her last days with her family, including playing handball with eight year old son Ethan and spending time with husband Clint but there is so much unfinished business that lists are Vivian’s way of coping. At the top of her list is 'Clean the fridge'. Clint too has made a list for Viv, 'Basically all the things I don’t have time for because I am too busy with my everyday list. His utopian version will have to wait.' p.xii. Ethan too has made a list and the chapters alternate between the items on each of their lists. Along the way we meet Marsha, Viv’s larger than life best friend who can always put a wickedly positive spin on everything and Sal, her favourite little ray of sunshine friend who has an enthusiasm for life. 'She only ever sells things she truly believes in and Sal, god love her, believes in everything'. p.88. As they negotiate their way towards the inevitable we learn more about Viv’s unruly family and Clint’s snooty mother Isabelle as well as the way these very different personalities negotiate their relationship. Viv has to try and be assertive and not aggressive while Clint has learnt to follow instructions, most of the time. The story doesn’t shy away from the implications of the diagnosis, the loss of ability to do things, the need for stronger drugs for the pain and help with everyday tasks but it does so with sensitivity and gentle humour. Viv is surrounded by people who care about her and ultimately we feel the tragedy of their situation.
Themes Dying, Family, Cancer.
Sue Speck
The secret lives of unicorns by Dr Temisa Seraphini and Sophie Robin
Flying Eye, 2021. ISBN: 9781911171959.
Every parent, or grandparent, of a young girl up to about 9 will be aware of the fascination that unicorns continue to hold, their mystique never waning. Thus this is the perfect book for those who want to find out more about who and what they really are, where they live and the various species of them. For not all unicorns are the same with short hair and rainbow manes.
This expose by the equally mysterious Dr Temisa Seraphina (who may or may not be the expert behind The Secret Lives of Dragons and The Secret Lives of Mermaids) reveals everything about this magical creature from its origins and evolution to the truth about the myths and tall tales. It shows how they are so rarely seen these days because the world is no longer what it used to be, and encourages today's believers to think about the present day environment and what they might be able to do to improve it so unicorns can once again roam as freely as they used to.
As with the others in the series, taking a fantasy subject and treating in a factual way, just as any non fiction text on any other species, is an intriguing way of not only feeding the child's thirst for knowledge about the particular creature but also to the concept of non fiction itself, bridging the gap between imagination and information in an absorbing way.
About 20 years ago, a collection of books known as the Ology series which focused on a range of fantasy and not-so creatures in a similar way, began appearing, offering the newly independent readers of the time an insight into the lives and times of creatures like dragons, wizards, ghosts and others and it was the lucky looker who found one on the shelves. I predict this new series (and hopefully there are more) will be just as popular when this new generation is introduced to it, and what better way to transition from fiction to non fiction, both as reader and teacher.
The 10th in the Funny Kid series, Prank Ninjas is another hilarious look inside the kid-centric world of Max Walburt. The writing is punchy and irreverent. Black and white cartoon-style illustrations are scattered throughout and while long, the story is fast-paced and easy reading.
It's the school holidays and Max is determined to get revenge on his friends, including number one enemy: Abby Purcell. 'She ruins everything and I'm fairly sure, when you say her name out loud, flowers curl up and die'. Unfortunately for Max, most of his pranks against Abby backfire and the pranks against him are becoming increasingly elaborate. Is this all Abby's doing or is there someone else involved?
The pranks are mostly harmless and inspired: grabbing a hand through the bottom of a popcorn box in the cinema and fake spiders but there is also a war of sorts in a shop that involves pulling cans, balls and other items off shelves and rolling them down the aisles. For the most part the adults are bit players in the story: authority figures who lack control over the wild, free-running children. The humour is suble and witty with lashings of slapstick and toilet humour thrown in for good measure. This is a wildly entertaining read with a surprise twist at the end. Readers will love how powerless the adults in the story are.
Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will adore this series, which is also a perfect next step with longer text for lovers of the Treehouse or other heavily-illustrated series.
Themes Humorous stories.
Nicole Nelson
Rabunzel : fairy tales for the fearless by Gareth P. Jones. Illus. by Loretta Schauer
Rabunzel has a teeny tufty tail, a twitchy nose and two wide brown eyes. She also has VERY long ears - so long that her mother worries they will make her easy bait for the hungry creatures of the forest.
The answer? Rabunzel must be kept safe in towering hutch, high in the sky. Here Rabunzel, bored to bits, waits grumpily for her mother's daily visit with carrots and fresh lettuce, letting down her ears so she can climb up the tower.
But one day, it isn't her mother who climbs up Rabunzel's very long ears.
Usually I'm wary of these fractured versions of fairytales because they can be a bit silly, but this new series is subtitled Fairy Tales for the Fearless and it has a feminist twist which sits with Neil Gaiman's message perfectly: 'You don't need princes to save you. I don't have a lot of patience for stories in which women are rescued by men.'
With its rhyming text and lovely pictures, it is an entertaining story in itself and Rabunzel's solution for dealing with the hungry animals and her rejection of her 'saviour' Flash Harry Hare offer lots of discussion points that can initiate some critical thinking of other stories that our girls, particularly, are dished up as essential reading - still! It can also pose some provocative questions to challenge the thinking of some of our boys.
This video clip is the perfect accompaniment and summary.
And if you're looking for more in this vein, this is from A Mighty Girl... The Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess . 'These princesses are smart, daring, and aren't waiting around to be rescued - more than likely, they'll be doing the rescuing themselves! For a diverse selection of more empowering fairy tales, visit our Fairy Tale & Folklore Collection."
Some dinosaurs are small with tiny teeth for munching leaves, and some dinosaurs are BIG with pointy teeth for munching OTHER dinosaurs! Some dinosaurs need to RUN! But some dinosaurs have a secret weapon...
In pure pantomime spirit, children will want to cry out, 'He's behind you!' and they will hold their breath until the outcome is revealed - and then they will LOL! This is a joyous story for little ones who like dinosaurs and who can no doubt, tell you the names of those featured in it. But as well as being entertaining with its delightful twist, it also explores opposites like big and small, fast and slow, carnivore and herbivore that will add to the child's knowledge. There is also the need to look closely at the pictures to understand its ending, reinforcing the integration between text and picture in a subtle way.
Sheer delight that reinforces the value of a simple story told well, and, being in print, one that can be revisited time and again, even reading it for yourself.
Themes Dinosaurs.
Barbara Braxton
Eyes that speak to the stars by Joanna Ho. Illus. by Dung Ho
Eyes that speak to the stars is the companion volume to the acclaimed Eyes that kiss in the corners written by the New York Times best selling team Joanna Ho and Dung Ho. Joanna Ho, the author, resides in San Francisco and has Chinese/Taiwanese heritage. She is firmly committed to working towards anti-bias, anti-racism and equity in her writing. Dung Ho, the illustrator, is Vietnamese and lives in Ho Chi Minh city. Eyes that kiss in the cornersfollows the story of a young Asian girl as she learns through her family's support that she is beautiful and loved. Eyes that speak to the stars, follows a similar formula. A young Asian boy notices that his eyes look different to his peers in a friend's drawing. He learns that his eyes are like his father's and grandfather's and are part of a long, long heritage and that they can see the stars and glimpse trails of light from those who came before.
Eyes that speak to the stars is a delightful book that teaches about acceptance of difference, love for oneself and the loveliness of a supportive family. In the hands of a savvy teacher or parent, the book could be a springboard for discussion about how it feels to be different to the mainstream culture of where you are no matter what culture you represent. In addition the importance of family and heritage across all cultures should be the message.
Dung Ho's illustrations spead across double pages. They are detailed showing for example in the first interior Chinese porcelain lamps, dragons and charms. The faces are depicted full on and smiling with wide eyes and smiles. Dragons and kites swirl across the colourful pages. Joy and love spring from the simple words and colourful illustrations. Generations are shown through grandfather, father, son and baby brother and the vision goes all the way to the stars. Children will love this book especially when they can talk about their own fathers and grandfathers and be encouraged to think about that universal sense of self in relation to heritage and beyond.
Eyes that speak to the stars encourages children to celebrate their own culture and history even if it is not highlighted by the society in which they live.
Recommended as a library and classroom read aloud.
Themes Love of self, Family support, Heritage.
Wendy Jeffrey
The think-ups by Claire Alexander
Walker Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781406395051.
It's a rainy day, and Anna and Kiki are stuck indoors, wondering what to play next. Suddenly, Kiki has an idea for a new game. "All you have to do," she explains, "is think up a Think-Up and it will appear!" And she thinks up BUNNIES! Then they conjure up the most marvellous, magnificent MOOSE! And octopi! And nine HUNGRY koalas! - who discover the kitchen! Oh dear. Is it possible to UN-think a Think-Up?
This is a story that will appeal to both little ones and their parents because it offers a game they can play on the next rainy day. While they might not have such dramatic results, nevertheless, it would be fun imagining what might happen of your home was invaded by wandering wombats or a little can't-catch-me lion.
Half-cut pages that make for funny surprises at every turn build up anticipation and allow for predicting what might happen when the think-up comes true, enabling the child's imagination to roam free.
Different, engaging and offers a unique opportunity for the child to create an extra page or two. A case of dreaming with your eyes open...
