Scientists who changed the world series by Anita Croy
EK Books, 2020. 64pp., hbk. Charles Darwin
ISBN: 9781925820706. Rachel Carson
ISBN: 9781925820690. Sir Isaac
Newton ISBN: 9781925820713.
It could be said that never before in the lives of our young
students, has science been at the forefront as it is at the moment.
Every night on the news and in other programs they have access to,
science is featured along with the obligatory white-coated scientist
as there are reports of progress in the race to a vaccine and
treatment for Covid-19, the disease keeping them trapped inside. The
importance of research, testing, trials and all the other vocabulary
associated with the discipline is becoming a natural part of their
vocabulary and there would be more than one little one who now has
aspirations of finding that one thing that will save mankind.
So this new series about the scientists on whose shoulders today's
generation stands is timely, Apart from anything else, it
demonstrates there are almost as many fields of science as there are
people investigating and so if immunology and epidemiology don't
appeal, then there are endless other facets that might. The first
three in the series introduce us to a physicist, Sir Isaac
Newton, a marine biologist, Rachel Carson
and an anthropologist, Charles Darwin,
all of whom changed the world's thinking with their discoveries.
Teacher's notes are available from the publisher's website.
Using accessible text, colour illustrations and an appealing layout,
young readers are introduced to each including not just their
discoveries but also their early life that influenced the paths they
took. With at least three more in the series planned (Albert
Einstein, Galileo Galilei and Stephen Hawking) this is a series that
will be a most useful addition to the library's collection because
of its modern presentation and timely release as children return to
the classroom with big dreams of adding their names to the list of
world-changers.
Barbara Braxton
You are positively awesome: Good vibes and self-care prompts for all life's ups and downs by Stacie Swift
Pavilion, 2020. ISBN: 9781911641995. 144pp., hbk.
One of the greatest concerns of this pandemic that has engulfed the
globe is the mental health of those who have been in lockdown for
some time. Humans are sociable creatures, particularly our young
folk who haven't yet developed the wherewithal to be comfortable in
their own company for long periods and who need the contact with
their peers to validate and boost their sense of self-worth. Even
though governments may have offered millions of dollars to help with
the crisis, including for organisations like Kids Helpline, not all
will reach out to such bodies and so books like this that talk
directly to them and offer positive affirmations such as the
following can be very valuable in the hands of those who can help:
* we are all in this together
* we all need a bit of TLC
* we have all survived every bad day and overcome every
obstacle we've faced
Chapters include headings such as:
* Hey, you're awesome!
* Why is this stuff important?
* We all have times when life is a bit rainy
* It's okay
* Self-love matters
* You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say
'NO'
* Say yes to self-care
Each page has an affirmation, information and often an activity that
can offer a pathway forward. For example, in chapter 7 which focuses
on self-care, the advice goes much deeper than temporary fixes like
bath bombs and candles and offers some strategies for a 5-minute
self care as well as identifying those things that matter to the
individual so they can build their own circle of self-care and make
sure they complete it each day.
As well as being an essential tool in the teacher's well-being box
so that students consciously learn the strategies of mindfulness and
taking care of their own mental health, this could also be a gift to
a young one who might be adrift because of the loss of their
immediate peer support at this time. Even as students gradually
return to school, that return is different from coming back from
school holidays because families will have had to have faced a whole
range of unprecedented experiences unique to them, some might feel
shame or anxiety about the loss of income or whatever, and so
working through the things in this book should form part of each
child's learning over the next weeks. Help them to understand that
while each has had a unique set of circumstances to deal with and
these will continue to be endured for some time to come, we are in
this together and together we can survive and thrive. That said
though, help them build the mindset and strategies that will build
resilience and help them to help themselves when those difficulties
arise.
Barbara Braxton
Cinders and Sparks series by Lindsey Kelk
Illus. by Pippa Curnick. HarperCollins, 2019-2020 Magic at midnight. ISBN: 9780008292119. Fairies
in the forest. ISBN: 9780008292140. Goblins and gold. ISBN: 9780008292171.
Cinders lives a boring life with her selfish stepsisters and mean
stepmother, doing the chores and tending to their every need, just
like her traditional counterpart. While they prefer to stay indoors
all day listening to their mother read, Cinders would dearly love to
be outside playing and although they can't see the value of that, she
is allowed to do so once her chores are completed. But something
strange happens while she is outside - her dog Sparks starts talking
to her, her wishes start coming true and her fairy godmother, Brian,
materialises. (It's been hard to track Cinders down because she is
not on social media.)
And so begins a new series for young independent girls who are ready
for a solid adventure story but still believe in magic and the
characters of their childhood. Easy to read, engaging and funny in
parts, familiar characters and an ongoing quest make this a great
read but at the same time, it has an underlying message that
celebrates diversity and reaffirms that it is OK to be different.
Miss 9 asked for The worst witch series for her birthday six
weeks ago, and she is going to be thrilled when she discovers this
series in her letterbox as a follow-up because it will be perfect
for her. Thoroughly modern, thoroughly entertaining and just right
for a winter read.
Barbara Braxton
Lottie Perkins: The ultimate collection by Katrina Nannestad
Illus. by Makoto Koji. ABC Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780733340987. 240pp.,
pbk.
Charlotte (you can call me Lottie) Perkins is an exceptional child -
well, that's her belief anyway. She has a range of talents - each
different in each story - but most of all she has drive,
determination and a confidence in herself that is remarkable for a
seven year old. In each episode of the series, Lottie becomes a
different character, one that is determined by the events that get
her into strife and how she extricates herself from it.
Aided and abetted by her best friend Sam Bell, who believes in her
as much as she does herself, her goat Feta and her pet rabbits, she
slips into new roles while managing to circumvent the blocking
efforts of mean-girl Harper Dark and her cronies, using her unique
talents to emerge triumphant and even more confident than ever.
Included in this compendium are the first four books in the series -
Movie
star,Ballerina, Pop singer and Fashion
designer - offering young girls who are becoming independent
readers some great reading while supporting their new skills with
large font, short chapters and liberal illustrations. They will
relate to the feisty, resilient Lottie and readily imagine
themselves in her shoes.
Collections like these are always good value and during this
stay-at-home time, four stories for the price of one will be
welcome.
Barbara Braxton
Alphabetical Tashi by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Tashi. Illus. by Kim Gamble, Arielle Gamble and Greer Gamble.
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760525293. 80pp.
(Age 3+) Highly recommended. An excellent book to introduce Tashi to
newly independent readers and for younger children to learn the
alphabet, Alphabetical Tashi will delight a new generation
of readers. Tashi is a strange little boy who has wonderful
adventures and tells exciting tales and in this book he guides
children through his wonderful world: In a land far away, you'll find . . .
A boy called Tashi, brave and bold,
Baba Yaga the witch, cunning and cold,
Chintu the giant, bigger than most,
Dragon of fire, who'll turn you to toast!
This is a beautifully produced book showcasing through brilliant
illustrations the amazing characters and objects that will be found
in the Tashi series. These have been restored by Kim Gamble's
daughters and are so memorable. The rhyming text and repeating
refrain of In a land far away, you'll meet . . . makes this an
exceptional book to read aloud and I can see it being used in a
classroom to give children the flavour of the Tashi books -
and it is sure to grab their imaginations. Add to the fact that Tashi
is now a television show and it is sure to be a winner. With younger
children, an adult may need to reassure children that Tashi can
always overcome the ferocious characters and emphasise the humour in
many of the pictures, for example the K in Kidnapping Bandits on
a hairy horse, or the pathos in Ogre whose love fills his
eyes with tears, rather than the some of the scary pictures.
The final double page spread has a smiling Tashi flying on a spotted
dragon and the reader is reminded that there is nothing better than someone who's kind
whose heart is big along with his mind."
It is easy to see why the Tashi books, first published in
1995, are such a hit with children. Alphabetical Tashi is a
keeper and one that will handed on to the next generation of
children.
Pat Pledger
Tashi : The book of magnificent monsters by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Illus. by Kim Gamble. Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760525217.
248pp.
(Ages: 6 - 9) Recommended. This collection of Tashi stories links
together eight fantastic tales about monsters. Among them are Baba
Yaga, Demons and a Chimera (part lion, part goat and part serpent).
All the stories have the common element of a boy called Jack and his
parents, who live in the modern day world. Jack's friend Tashi is
otherworldly and has many exotic tales to tell and this he does to
entertain Jack and his parents. Tashi is always able to outwit the
monsters and associated nasty characters, such as the War Lord or
River Pirate. Tashi tames his own fears of spiders and snakes with
the power of his mind and he saves Princess Hoiti-Toiti from
marrying the evil Khan. The setting is a global blend of Asia,
Persia and Russia which is laid out in a map of Tashi's village at
the beginning of the book.
The many wonderful pencil illustrations by Kim Gamble are really
suited to the text and make the monsters a lot less frightening.
Jack's parents also help soften the scariness with their inane
childish comments, juxtaposed with Tashi's smartness and bravery.
Some of the characters have somewhat humorous names such as Ah Chu
or Soh Meen and if you can ignore this silly cultural stereotyping
there is some enjoyable reading for children about 6 to 9 years.
They are quite popular as a novel for newly independent readers or
as a read aloud. Some of the stories have been around since the
1990's but are really quite timeless and it is no wonder they are
still being published. Three similar Tashi collections have also
just been released.
Jo Marshall
My first Tashi colours by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg
Illus. by Kim Gamble, Arielle Gamble and Greer Gamble. Allen &
Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877323.
(Age: 0+) Highly recommended. The very popular Tashi is introduced
to the young child in this book which teaches about colours. With
the words In this world of magic and mystery, you can see . . .
the reader will find themselves not only immersed in beautiful
colours but in a wonderful world of the imagination. Starting with
the colour red, the word Tashi is printed in large red print
underneath with the image of Tashi on the opposite page. The power
of the mind is then challenged by the blue genie, with its fabulous
thick lips and grin, smoky blue body and black hair twisted in a
tail. Tashi is not fazed by the green dragon with its scaly body and
he has lots of fun driving everyone on the yellow bus. The white
tiger is rather scary and the pink pig gambols along. I loved the
brown horse with its black mask, ridden by a robber and Baba Yaga's
purple outfit and light purple hair is a hoot. All ends happily with
rainbow fireworks and a vast celebration.
There are only two words on every second page but the illustrations
open up a strange world of fantastic creatures and often rather
scary people. But on each double spread, Tashi stand bold and brave
and will appeal to everyone who reads the book.
Anna Fienberg has written an afterword at the back of the book,
telling of the origins of Tashi that magical boy. Children and the
adults who read this book to them are sure to want to get the first
Tashi book, Tashi 25th anniversary edition especially if
there are older children who could either listen to the story or
read it themselves.
I am so lucky to have a copy of this wonderful book which will wing
it way to my very small grandchild. It is a stand-out example of
showing colours to young children while stimulating imaginations.
Pat Pledger
My first Tashi 1, 2, 3 by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Feinberg
Illus. by Kim Gamble, Arielle & Greer Gamble. Allen & Unwin,
2020. ISBN: 9781760525286.
(Ages: 1-3) Counting book. Many older readers know and love the
vivid illustrations and characterisation of Tashi, but this is an
early introduction for the very youngest of readers. The beautiful
bright colours bring his world to life from the cover and the
fantastical illustrations will delight the younger generation. It's
a simple counting book but the large illustrated numbers and the
illustrations taken from previous Tashi publications make it
something quite special. 'In this world of caves and castles, you
can count . . . 1 clever Tashi. 2 sly demons. 3 white tigers'.
Fantasy is not something done often in books for young children so
it is quite unique to see phoenixes, ogres and mixed-up monsters in
a counting book. Hopefully this early introduction will inspire a
whole new generation of future Tashi fans and plant some imaginative
seeds. The last page has a fair scene and asks 'What else can you
count at the fair?', encouraging parent-child interaction and
discussion. Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of items that
stand out for easy counting for young ones. At the end of the book
is a short letter from Anna Fienberg about the creation and
continuation of Tashi that might be of interest to Tasha-loving
parents or older siblings.
Nicole Nelson
When rain turns to snow by Jane Godwin
Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780734420053.
(Ages: 12+) Highly Recommended. When Rain Turns to Snow by
Jane Godwin is a thought-provoking and contemporary upper middle
grade novel. On a cold, rainy night thirteen year old Lissa is home
alone when young teenager Reed appears at her door. He is holding
baby Mercy who is definitely not well. At first Lissa does not let
them in but eventually her understanding of the dire circumstances
of the strangers causes her to relent and offer them food and
shelter. When her older brother Harry comes home from footy
training, Reed races outside with Mercy and camps in the shed.
Runaway Reed begs Lissa to keep his presence a secret until they
find out why he has a strong connection to Lissa's mother.
Lissa herself is a very deep and appealing character who has a love
of language and words. She shows confusion and despair over her
relationships with her school peers, her mother's new relationship
and is a staunch supporter of her much maligned and deeply depressed
older brother Harry. Seventeen year old Harry has secretly suffered
terribly from insidious social media posts to the point where he is
at risk and his relationships with both Lissa and their mother is
one of constant angst. The stranger Reed is a gentle, empathetic and
environmentally aware boy who has recently discovered a
life-changing secret about his own place in his family. Baby Mercy
is his niece whom he has vowed to care for but sadly her health is
deteriorating.
Ultimately, through a skilfully written series of events, all of the
unknowns become known and the reader is left with a sense of hope
that maybe everything will work out for each of the characters.
Throughout the story many secrets are both kept and eventually
unravelled. Connections are made and lost and the confusion for
those on the cusp of becoming a young adult are very real and
pertinent to today's society norms.
Adolescents are dealing with a myriad of complex and disturbing
situations which they rightfully question and challenge at times.
Jane Godwin has an intuitive and sensitive understanding of these
young lives and their deepest thoughts and worries. She has been
able to carefully represent these in an emotionally powerful read.
When Rain Turns to Snow would be an outstanding class novel,
so many important issues to be uncovered, shared and discussed. The
cover design by Allison Colpoys is really quite striking and the
beautiful title has its own place and connection in the story.
Themes: Friendship, Family, School, Relationships, Adoption, Social
Media, Bullying, Climate change, Secrets, Connections.
Kathryn Beilby
Puffin Little Cook : Snacks
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760897000. 96pp.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. A flick through this compact book
brought me to a stop with a recipe for little pea frittatas which
sounded very easy to make, and very delicious. More skimming through
found a recipe for Anzac biscuits, and I was hooked. This book, I
decided, was a keeper for me personally and one that I will use
often when grandchildren visit.
With the help of a Big Cook to turn on the oven and help with the
actual cooking process, children will have a lot of fun making these
simple but very appealing snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And some yummy, nutritious, sweet snacks like fruit slushies and
frozen banana pops are sure to be ones children make.
This is an ideal recipe book for parents and grandparents to have on
hand when budding cooks want to make something in the kitchen. The
ingredients are all simple, and the instructions are clear and easy
to follow. There is a Contents page, Glossary, and Puffin quiz. Each
recipe gives the number of items that will be made, and
illustrations brighten up the book. A little puffins prances
throughout and will be loved by little children.
A well designed, clearly presented and easy to follow book, this
will be a hit with all who use it.
Pat Pledger
Abigail and the restless raindrop by Matthew Cunningham
Illus. by Sarah Wilkins. Puffin, 2020. ISBN: 9780143774495.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. One rainy day Abigail has a big
question. She asks her mother where the rain comes from. She is told
it comes from the clouds, and yes she says but how does it get
there. Mum explains with the story of just one drop of water, a
restless drop of water. Floating around in the lake it sees the sky
above and wants above all else to fly. One warm day it begins its
journey, first becoming warmer and warmer, until finally changing
into a puff of steam. That puff of steam flies into the air,
wandering over hills and mountains, looking at the lake far below.
She joins many other puffs of steam and when they all join they fall
to the earth as rain, back to where she started from.
This delightful story is a wonderful read aloud on a wintry day,
involving the listeners in the story of how the rain falls to earth,
showing the weather in the background of each page, showing the
cycle of water. Abigail's questioning about her environment will be
a smart introduction to lessons about what is about us, and asking
children to think of what question they want answered. In this way
this book could be a wonderful gateway into talking about the
environment with classes, and rain in particular.
New Zealand illustrator, Sarah Wilkins has a most eye catching style
using a mix of acrylic, gouache, ink and digital techniques to
create her distinctive work. Wonderful to see a girl character in
shorts rather than the dresses so many seem to wear in children's
picture books, and see her stomping through puddles, messing about
in trees, rowing on the lake and above all, wondering. And looking
out of the window at the night sky, another question seems imminent,
and readers will ponder what that might be.
A book full of wonder and questions. Themes: Rain, Raindrops, STEM,
Science, Environment, Humour.
Fran Knight
Date me Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241435267.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. What starts off as a seemingly
lightweight story about a silly school dare turns into a moving
description of a teenager's gradual development into a trusted and
accepting gay relationship - a first time boyfriend-boyfriend
experience. It all starts when Bryson Keller, the handsome school
soccer star who scorns high school romances, is challenged in a dare
to date the first person to ask him out each week, for 3 months, and
if his heart is won he gives up driving his expensive white Jeep to
school and has to ride the school bus. The narrator, Kai Sheridan,
is a boy who has learnt to hide his sexuality from even his closest
friends following an early hurtful experience, but in an angry
spontaneous moment he challenges Bryson to 'date me'. Bryson is
known for being decent and fair-minded, and he takes up the
invitation. At first it is just a friendship with a shared school
project and shared music interests, but gradually as they get to
know each other better their friendship deepens into something more
meaningful.
This is a lovely story that reminded me of Clementine
and Rudy by Siobhan Curham, a story of a friendship and
art collaboration between two teenage girls from very different
backgrounds. Clementine and Rudy is not a LGBTQI+ story but
there is the same positive message about being non-judgemental and
open to friendship with someone different. And like Curham, van Whye
describes young people who are kind and sincere. Both Bryson and Kai
struggle with changing family relationships, but each is supported
by a sister who understands them, as well as good friends, and the
overall message is as the author says 'that, despite those trials
and tribulations, there is hope, that we have worth and deserve to
be happy'.
I can highly recommend this novel to teenage readers, regardless of
their sexuality, for its positive messages about identity,
friendship and acceptance.
Themes: LGBTQI+, Identity, Friendship, Romance.
Helen Eddy
The secret cave by Anh Do
Wolf Girl book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760876371.
(Ages: 8+). Highly recommended. The secret cave is the
third exciting instalment in the Anh Do series about a young girl,
Gwen, her pack of dogs and new member Rupert who are fighting for
survival in a dystopian world. The two children are searching for
their parents and the dogs are searching for their owners. The story
begins with Gwen and Rupert having evidence of their parents'
whereabouts and heading into the forest being chased by the evil
Fran and seven soldiers. The pack outwits the enemy but one of the
dogs, Zip, is badly injured. On the hunt for a healing herb, the
pack is surrounded by many cats hissing and waiting to attack. Their
leader is Ma Taylor who has survived the bombs and lives in a
treehouse with the cats. She has her own sad story just like Gwen
and Rupert. She helps heal Zip and the pack spends the night there
before using a procured GPS to track down the truck which took
imprisoned adults out of the previous camp. The pack heads off and
finds a cave leading into a mountain where captured workers are
carving out rocks that are rumoured to contain minerals with hidden
powers. Gwen and the pack free the workers and while some reunions
happen with the dogs and their owners, Gwen and Rupert's parents are
not amongst the freed slaves. However there is a glimmer of hope and
more will be revealed in Book 4.
Ahn Do continues to write with an intuitive understanding of what
children want to read - danger, thwarting the enemy, excitement,
hope, belonging and trust. The illustrations by Lachlan Creagh are
perfectly placed throughout the book and add to the drama of each
event. Themes: Family, Children alone, Adventure, Survival, Trust,
Animals, Danger.
Kathryn Beilby
Sneaky shadows by SC Manchild
Illus. by Sam Caldwell. Berbay Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9780648529163.
(Age: 4+) The bright end papers will alert the reader to the play
which lies within, as two penguins stand on each other, with arms
extended up, making their shadow more like a rabbit, and underneath
they have their arms extended out, the shadow making the image of an
eagle in flight, and again the two make the shadow of a dog's face.
Berbay Publishing aims to publish imaginative books of a high
standard, enriching the reader with their playfulness. To this end
books are published from around the world, many having been
published to acclaim overseas. More about Bebay Publishing can be
found on their website.
Melbourne based author, Manchild has teamed with Glaswegian
illustrator Caldwell to produce a book which will delight and amuse
as children work out how each shadow is made. From the endpapers,
readers' imaginations will have been stirred, seeing the different
shadows made by the two penguins. The first two shadows are easy to
guess, and lure the readers into something more difficult over the
page. Each shadow from then on is an amalgam, a combination of one
animal with other things entwined somehow to make a shadow that is
nothing like the original animal. Kids will laugh at the combination
of things to make an unusual shadow, and try their own shadow play
as a result. Themes: Shadow, Shadow puppets, Humour.
Fran Knight
Camp by L.C. Rosen
Puffin. UK. 2020. ISBN: 9780241428252. 368p.
(Age: 15+ ) LGBTQ Romance. Camp Outland is a summer camp expressly
for gay teens. Subtitled, Top or bottom? It's time to bunk up,
Rosen's euphemisms are as lewd as they are plentiful. The central
problem arises when a Masc (masculine) type prefers his own type
exclusively. Unfortunately, the narrator, epitomizes the
stereotypical Femme homosexual, with his love of musical theatre and
nail polish. But not this summer. In preparation for summer camp,
Randy has: lost weight, worked out, cut his hair, changed his
wardrobe, changed his name and perfected new mannerisms to attract a
boy he has admired every summer since childhood - a masculine young
man who believes that gay men should behave straight.
To his friends' consternation, Randy drops his theatre electives for
sport in order to woo Hudson, who has a decidedly 'Masc' polemic.
Unbelievably, Hudson doesn't recognize Randy with a new persona and
a new moniker. As Del, Randy doesn't just plan to be Hudson's next
conquest. He desires the man of his dreams to be his forever
boyfriend. Much of the tension in the book comes from Hudson's
sexual frustration and Randy's guilt and betrayal of his cabin full
of old friends and theatre nerds.
The author of Jack of hearts is as determined as ever to
demystify gay sex for young queer readers. Camp is as
flirtatious as any straight romance, although verbally more
lascivious. With interesting themes of identity, friendship, family
and gay history, fans of L.C. Rosen will turn pages in anticipation
of gender equality; and the boy getting the boy by the end of
summer.
Deborah Robins
