Landing with wings written and illustrated by Trace Balla
Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN 9781760296957.
(Age: 7-12 years). Highly recommended. Landing with wings is
a beautifully written book which draws the reader in with a
delightful story, gentle caring characters and wonderfully detailed
graphic illustrations. It is set in Dja Dja Wurrung Country and
throughout the story, reference to places, plants, animals and birds
is often made in the language of the traditional owners. Landing
with wings is the story of Miri and her mother who have moved
once more - this time from the warmth of the north to the goldfields
of Victoria. Miri is tiring of moving and leaving things behind
especially the tea-tree that she writes to in her journal and shares
her new life experiences with detailed observations. Miri makes
friends with her neighbours, Wingo and Swee Ling, who give Miri and
her mother the start they need to become a part of the local
community. Wingo and Miri spend time together building a larger pond
for the resident frog which they learn is a Bibron's toadlet and
through this collective task they learn more about each other. Swee
Ling gives Miri an old, rusty bike and with Wingo she is able to
explore the local landscape. Wingo is descended from the traditional
owners of the land and shares his deep knowledge with Miri.
Throughout this story the reader has the opportunity to learn new
and fascinating facts as well as being able to look intently at each
page to fully appreciate the finely detailed images. The author
shares her absorbing journey with this book in notes at the end.
Endpapers at the beginning of the book also give the names of birds,
plant and animals in the local language. The imagery and words by
Trace Balla communicate a poignant and thoughtful story which will
resonate with audiences both young and old. Teacher's
tips and activities are available. Themes: Friendship,
Australian wildlife, Aboriginal culture, Moving, New communities,
New experiences.
Kathryn Beilby
Jacinda Ardern, a new kind of leader by Madeleine Chapman
Nero, 2020. ISBN: 9781760641818.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. A book about
Jacinda Ardern - Yes! I want to read it! For readers who feel like
me, this book sets out her life in orderly chapters, from her early
childhood in small town Murupara as the daughter of the local
policeman, her time as student representative in the slightly larger
Morrinsville, and her career moving through the hierarchy of the
Labour Party; but while it is all faithfully recorded with an often
slightly amusing twist of words, for someone who wants the inside on
this world renown leader, I have to say, it does disappoint a
little. But maybe that is not the fault of the biographer, for
whilst the book is the result of extensive research, listed in the
sources at the end, there is no intimate revelation from the subject
or anybody close to her. Jacinda Ardern remains a private person; we
have to work it out for ourselves.
However it is interesting that Ardern was raised as a Mormon. Her
friendships with LGBTQIA+ people in her later student years led her
to break from the theology, whilst still retaining family and
community ties. Perhaps it was that mix of moral values and
discovery of social justice issues that marked the beginnings of the
person she is today, and the values of kindness and fairness that
she espouses.
In her chapter on 'Helen and Jacinda', Chapman leads us into a
thoughtful exploration of the world of politics for female leaders,
comparing the stern and brusquely efficient style of Helen Clark
'beating men at their own game', and Jacinda Ardern, initially
described as a 'pretty little thing' or 'babe', combining a natural
warmth and empathy with a determination and dedication to achieve
Labour Party goals. Chapman suggests that Ardern's style benefitted
from her ability to communicate via social media as well as her
steady focus on the important issues.
And of course, Ardern's response to the Christchurch terrorist
attack in 2019 stands as an example of compassionate and caring
leadership, attracting worldwide praise. Churchman examines the
highs and lows of Ardern's time as Prime Minister, and whether she
has delivered the transformation that she promised. Ultimately it
will be up to the next election as to whether New Zealanders want to
continue with this 'new kind of leader'.
Senior secondary students of politics will find interesting chapters
in this book suitable for thoughtful discussion, particularly the
challenges for women in politics, the idea of wellbeing at the
centre of government policy, and the model of leadership that
expresses empathy and compassion in a world where many leaders
embody the opposite. And there is the bonus of two key Ardern
speeches included in full - NZ National Statement to the United
Nations General Assembly, 2018, and the Statement on Christchurch
Mosque Terror Attack, 2019.
Themes: Biography, New Zealand, Women in leadership, Politics,
Terrorism, Kindness.
Helen Eddy
I don't want to be quiet by Laura Ellen Anderson
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526602442. 32pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. The heroine of this uproariously funny
tale loves to be noisy. She chats, laughs and claps in school
despite being asked by the teacher to listen. She stomps down
stairs, drums with the spoons and hums when Mum has asked for quiet.
She cannot help herself: clanging, stomping, slurping, crunching,
splashing and even burping. She and the class go into the library
where everyone else sits down to read a book, but she interrupts,
complaining it is too quiet. When everyone tells her that she must
be quiet, and the page has a row of 'shh' across the top, she takes
down a book like the others and finds herself spellbound.
In rhyming lines, the story of the girl's change of heart unfolds.
Reading out loud would be thrilling for the audience, involved in
the tale of this too loud girl and the words which describe the
noises she makes. Kids will love the rhymes, predicting the rhyming
word at the end of each pair of lines, deciding what noise will go
with each word, standing up to make the stomping or clapping or
slurping or clanging words along with the reader.
And the illustrations too will entreat younger readers to look at
the young girl, surrounded by illustrative techniques which show
noise.
No child can be quiet when her mouth is wide open, or sit surrounded
by exclamation marks, or jumping down stairs, or sploshing through
puddles: each page reflects the noise of the child, just as the last
few pages reflect the quiet time as she reads a book. A playful list
of rhyming words, enhanced with wonderfully apt illustrations will
make this a favourite read aloud and join in book. Themes:
Quietness, Noise, Reading, Read aloud, Family, Verse.
Fran Knight
Isla's family tree by Katrina McKelvey and Prue Pittock
EK Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925820379. 32pp., hbk.
Isla's family is about to grow and she is not happy. "This family is
full", she declares.
So her mother sits her down and explains how families are like trees
- they have a trunk that is formed by the grandparents, branches
formed by their children and then the leaves are the children of
those children like Isla and her cousins. Isla begins to understand
but when she learns that her mum is to have two babies, then there
is no room for any more leaves on her branch and the family is
definitely full.
The prospect of a new baby entering an already tight-knit family is
very common and can be very confronting to a child who is used to
being the only one, so this approach to explaining the upcoming event
is one that will appeal to many parents. Promoting it with your
parent community would be a great way to promote the school
library's relationship with that community.
However it would also have a valuable place in the early childhood
classroom as children investigate their families and their
structure. Not all of Isla's family have the traditional formation
of mother, father and children so there is scope for each child to
make their own tree and show and share that families can have all
sorts of shapes, just as trees and their leaves do, perhaps bringing
comfort to those who might see themselves as being different.
Investigating their own origins is always a surefire winner with
young children because it deeply connects to their own lives and
there are as many branches to explore as there are in the family
tree. The concepts of birthdays, naming, physical appearance and
genetics, development and maturation, vocabulary building . . . the
list is almost endless with lots of other stories that can be shared
as well. There are teachers'
notes available.
It also helps children understand that their trepidation when faced
with the same sort of news and change is normal, that sometimes we
have to change a little ourselves so we can adapt to that change but
that's what people do and it can help us grow too.
Another example of how what appears to be a simple picture book for
young readers can open up a world of possibilities.
Barbara Braxton
Old enough to save the planet by Loll Kirby
Illustrated by Adelina Lirius. Magic Cat Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9781916180529.
(Age: 8-13) Highly recommended. Old enough to save the planet
by Loll Kirby is a thoughtfully presented non-fiction book which
clearly gives an easy and understandable insight into many aspects
that are contributing to climate change. Each of the twelve child
activists have chosen a different facet of climate change to focus
on and through their efforts encourage other children and adults to
be aware of pressing issues which can be addressed in very simple
and worthwhile ways. Three of the activists include Himangi from
India who is a campaigner for reducing the effects of traffic
pollution outside her school, Eunita from Kenya who is the founder
of a community garden that promotes the natural process of
pollination, as well as Shalise from Australia who protects the ocean
by cleaning up human pollution from the shore.
Each activist has a double page spread which gives a brief
introduction to the issue and how they are working to help solve the
problem. The detailed and beautifully drawn illustrations by
Adelina Lirius are interspersed with relevant and interesting facts.
In the final pages of the book is information about how you can help
to save the planet as well as ten things you can do to make your
voice heard.
This is an important book that may inspire more children to follow
in the footsteps of these young climate change activists. A great
resource for teachers with the opportunity to do further research on
this very significant and serious topic. Themes: Child activists,
Climate change, Environmental issues, Conservation, Sustainability,
Working together.
Kathryn Beilby
Between two evils by Eva Dolan
Zigic & Ferreira. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781408886441.
(Age: Senior secondary, Adult) Highly recommended. Between two evils
is the parallel stories of abuse. One takes place within the locked
precincts of a female immigration detention centre, the other
evolves from the overturning of a case of rape due to DNA evidence
being brought into question. DS Ferreire and DI Zigic are tested
ethically and morally as this team from Peterborough sort through a
maze of secretive bureaucracy and downright manipulation to get at
the truth and a conviction.
The murder of Dr. Joshua Ainsworth in his home just outside the
detention centre where he works in the medical clinic is brutal, and
it seems connected with his job. Ainsworth is an enigma. Some speak
highly of him, as a caring, ethical doctor working in a difficult
situation. Others, like the demonstrators outside the centre, see him
as part of an evil and repressive government regime. The privately
run Long Fleet detention centre was not exactly forthcoming with
information, putting a wall of data protection and privacy
legislation as excuses.
The other blow to the investigative team came when news broke that
Lee Walton a serial rapist and murderer had been released due to
problems with the examination of DNA evidence. It had been a long
and difficult case which now seemed all for nothing. But Walton then
begins to threaten Ferreire to reestablish his contacts with his
wife and son who had been moved away for their own protection.
It seems the only way to put Walton away is to reopen an old case. A
case which on the surface was watertight being finalised with a
confession. A confession that was given after a series of
interrogations by their current superior. A clandestine
investigation carried out without knowledge of most of the team and
always with the threat of it blowing up in their faces.
With the background of racism, bigotry and politics this is a story
of the present not just applicable to the United Kingdom and
Australia, but universally where conservatism and misplaced
nationalism are on the rise.
This is the first of Dolan's Ferreira and Zigic novels I have read.
There four others in the series; Long way home, Tell no
tales, After you die and Watch her disappear.
It may be helpful to have read others in giving a background to the
protagonists, which coming in cold did assume prior knowledge.
However Dolan's writing hauls you into the narrative and the 468
pages seem to fly by. Themes: Crime fiction, Detention centres,
Rape, DNA.
Mark Knight
Lola Dutch I love you so much by Kenneth Wright and Sarah Jane Wright
Bloomsbury, ISBN: 9781547601172.
(Age: 4-6) Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright's third picture book Lola
Dutch
I love you so much is another delightful, creative story based
on the five love languages.
Lola's friends aren't having a very good day. Gator is feeling cold
and cranky, while Crane's favourite picture book is lost, and Pig is
just positively peevish. Lola always brims with positivity and
creativity; she knows the perfect solution for their problems. Using
resources from around their house she sews a bold yellow stripe
outfit for Gator, tidies up books scattered everywhere and creates a
special book nook for Crane. Pig feels a little left out until Lola
packs up a picnic and they all set off for the park. What about
friend Bear? Of course, there is something special for her friend.
Lola too, is not forgotten and all her friends show their love with
a special party.
What a charming story to share with youngsters; Lola Dutch is a
caring friend, thinking of others and always wanting to make her
friends happy. This is based on the Wright's own family as they
share the message of thinking about others, being creative and using
home resources to cheer others up. Sarah Jane Wright's soft
watercolour scenes add to the charm and joie de vivre expressed in
the easy to read text. The jacket cover includes a cute party scene,
two puppets and special note to share, with additional resources
available online. Themes: Love, Friendship, Creativity.
Rhyllis Bignell
Wildlife rescue by Meredith Costain
Illus. by Danielle McDonald. Ella Diaries book 18.
Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743832301.
(Age: 6-9 years). Wildlife Rescue is the eighteenth book in
the very popular Ella Diaries series. The books are all
centred on Ella's diary writing where she shares her day-to-day
activities and personal thoughts. She writes with humour, and not so
correct spelling at times, but her diaries are entertaining and keep
the reader engaged. In this particular book Ella and her best
friends, Ammy and Zoe, discover an abandoned baby possum in the
local park. Ella immediately wants to help the possum and with
support from her Dad finds the Wildlife Rescue Centre which sends
out a wildlife carer, Michele, to collect the baby possum. Overnight
Ella imagines all the terrible things that could befall the possum
and persuades her father to take her to the Rescue Centre. There she
meets Michele's granddaughter Harper who shows Ella around the
Centre. Both girls have a great deal in common and become firm
friends. Meanwhile Ammy has an important soccer game to prepare for
and Zoe is busy with dance and Ella feels her friends are not being
as supportive as usual. There is a misunderstanding surrounding the
Open Day at the Wildlife Rescue Centre but eventually the girls
resolve their friendship issues.
The bright green colour is predominant throughout this book and the
simple comic style drawings by Danielle McDonald keep the reader
focused on the story and help support young readers who can easily
comprehend the text. Themes: Diaries, Friendship, Wildlife Rescue,
Australian Animals.
Kathryn Beilby
Taking down Evelyn Tait by Poppy Nwosa
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781743056974.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Always getting into trouble, temper
flaring and hyperactive, Lottie reacts and says things she shouldn't
and invariable ends up in the principal's office. Not that she
cares, she has developed a free and easy manner with Jerry, or Mr
Virk as the other students know him, and enjoys her time on the
couch in front of his desk. She doesn't understand how everyone in
the school seems to be sucked in by Miss Perfect, Evelyn Tait, the
girl intent on undermining her and turning her life upside down. Now
Lottie faces suspension - unless she can work out a plan, turn the
tables, and become more perfect than Miss Perfect. Her long-time
childhood buddy Jude, the boy across the balcony from her apartment
building, encourages her to become nicer and kinder than Evelyn, and
expose Evelyn's insincerities.
Lottie is a very loveable character, she charges through this story,
unaware of her impact on others, the long suffering Jude, her
steadfast best friend Grace, even her own family, in disarray
following her parent's divorce and father's remarriage. The
challenge from Jude, originally motivated by Lottie's vengeance
towards Evelyn, gradually becomes a new way of behaving, and perhaps
Lottie will finally discover the true meaning of 'sonder', the
realisation that others have a life as complex as one's own.
I read this book in one sitting; the main characters drew me in so
easily, and I wanted to know what happened. While some of the themes
are very familiar - vengeance against the mean girl, rebellion
against the step-parent, the childhood friend who turns into a
boyfriend - the way they are explored in this novel seems very true
to life, and it is so well written. This is not a thriller in the
style of The
twin by Natasha Preston, though the two books share many
themes, Taking down Evelyn Tait is very grounded in real
life, sharing more with the loveable You
must by Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
Nwosa's book is a sympathetic study of divided families, LGBQTI+
relationships, and developing teenage identity learning to negotiate
relationships with others. I thoroughly recommend this book for
adolescent readers.
Themes: Rivalry, Divorce, Kindness, Friendship, Love.
Helen Eddy
B is for baby by Atinuke
Illus. by Angela Brooksbank. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406390872.
40pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. With the letter B as its main spring,
this seductively charming tale of a baby in a West African community
sings with the sights and sounds of life in the village. The baby
climbs into a basket of bananas, hiding from her brother as he gets
onto his bicycle, en route to see his grandfather, Baba. The bumpy
ride takes him past a baobab tree as he sees a number of things
beginning with B: a butterfly, bird, bus and bridge amongst the
sights. On reaching Baba, he reaches into the basket to get a banana
and finds the baby!
All great fun as the baby and her brother are given biscuits by Baba
and over the next two pages the B words are reiterated.
This is a wonderful read aloud: children will marvel at the words
beginning with B in the village, and see the world in which the baby
and her brother live. The African background is there for all to
see: from the beads used to plait the baby's hair, the basket woven
by Mum, the bananas picked from the garden, the baobab tree,
baboons, bougainvillea, banana palms and Grandfather's bungalow.
Brooksbank is inspired by the playful spirit and energy of children
and these characteristics are replicated in her illustrations in
this book and her previous book, Baby goes to market (2017)
her first picture book with Atunike. The colourful, lively
illustrations portray life in the village as a vibrant, closely
knit, family centred life, full of humour. Themes: Africa, Baby,
Family, Alphabet, Humour.
Fran Knight
Wayside School: Beneath the cloud of doom by Louis Sachar
Illus. by Tim Heitz. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526623423.
(Age: 7-10 years). Recommended. Louis Sachar has written the fourth
book in his popular series, Wayside School after a
twenty-five year hiatus. Beneath the Cloud of Doom is
complete with familiar characters, both teachers and students, as
well as an impending Cloud of Doom hovering above Wayside School.
Wayside School is 30 storeys high with one class on each floor. All
sorts of unusual sounding bells ring every day with different
meanings to keep both teachers and students on their toes.
Throughout the short chapters the characters on the thirtieth floor
and their idiosyncrasies are reintroduced in a humorous and
entertaining way. Their teacher is Mrs Jewls who has a DISCIPLINE
board in her classroom where students must write their names if they
do something wrong. There is Kathy who has a bad case of oppositosis
and always appears to be rude. After she visits the on-site school
medico Dr Pickle, changes occur in her manner. Terence who counts up
the number of things he can kick during the day. Dana who can make
funny faces but one goes mysteriously wrong with unusual
consequences. Mrs Surlaw is the Librarian who organises both fiction
and nonfiction books into the number of pages collection. Jason has
chosen one with 999 pages as he tries to outdo another student. All
of the students must face the Ultimate Test which has some amazing
events such as upside down singing, blindfold smelling plus Jump
Rope Arithmetic and Stairway Quiz. Added to the general day-to-day
goings on in the busy school is a huge black cloud suspended over
the school which causes anxiety and major complications for
everyone. Louis Sachar himself features prominently in the book as
the PE teacher who helps support the Principal and the students.
Students in the middle primary years will enjoy the humour and fast
paced storyline. Clever illustrations by Tim Heitz are spaced
throughout the book and add to the overall appeal of this easy and
entertaining read. Themes: Humour, School, Teachers, Classmates,
Mysterious happenings.
Kathryn Beilby
10 little figs by Rhian Williams and Nathaniel Eckstrom
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781921977312. 32pp.
Recommended. 10 little figs is a sweet rhyming picture book
by Rhian Williams and Nathaniel Eckstrom. It centres around a little
boy who is desperate to pick and eat the 10 figs that are ripe and
ready on his tree. Much to his dismay, a range of Australian animals
come along and one by one steal a delicious fig. Luckily his Dad
comes along and picks the last one, just in time!
The book is great for a number of reasons. Firstly the
illustrations; they are colourful, lively and enjoyable to look at.
They have hidden clues for the following animal and also made us
jealous of the wonderful backyard this little boy has. Secondly, I
really loved that you can work on counting down numbers from 10 to 0
which is always a bonus for young children 5 and under. Lastly I
loved the range of Australian animals showcased. There were the
popular ones such as the echidna and wombat but also ones we were
not as familiar with such as the leaf-curling spider and Hercules
Moth. The final page gives a simple visual of 10 to 0 figs plus the
animals who stole one! We used this page for counting, recall and as
a reference for what numbers look like. Teacher
activities are available in Walker's Story Time kit.
Overall we give this book 4 out of 5
Lauren Fountain
Run, rebel by Manjeet Mann
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241411421.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Written in short verses on each page,
this novel thrums with the beat of spoken poetry that captures the
intense feelings of a young girl, Amber, who loves to run, but whose
dreams of being an athlete look like they will never be realised.
She is bound by the built in fears of family and community - fear of
a father who is most often drunk and violent, and fear of the
punishment meted to those who offend the family honour, like the
girl who died at the hands of her father just across the street.
It's an oppression carried through generations. Amber's parents are
illiterate, her mother was beaten and taught submission, Amber's
sister Ruby was married off young, and Amber knows that she also has
to obey.
Mann's choice of verse form gives her the ability to go straight to
the heart of the matter, to express intense feelings with minimal
words. We live Amber's thoughts and fears. We feel the fear build
up, the anxiety about being seen in the street with a boy after
school, the violence that erupts when her father comes home drunk
and angry. And we also see how her own anger turns her into a bully
at school.
Amber actually asks herself the question of whether she is the same
as her father - angry and violent. It is a question also explored in
Rafi Mittlefehldt's What
makes us (2019) - do genetic inheritance and
environment combine to make children inevitably repeat the patterns
of their parents? For Amber, as with Eran, in Mittlefehldt's novel,
it is a teacher who makes the difference, as well as the loyalty of
good friends. Amber has a teacher who encourages her athletic
aspirations, and a history teacher who with his enthusiasm opens her
eyes to ways to make change. The principles of revolution become the
phases that she goes through toward self-assertion and independence.
The way this book is written, with its headings, succinct verses and
highlighted words makes it very accessible to the generation who
enjoys slam/rap poetry and the short burst interaction of social
media. It is very powerful, raw and honest, and no doubt its
immediacy and the themes it illuminates will resonate with young
adult readers.
Themes: Domestic violence, Cultural expectations, Identity,
Bullying, Anger.
Helen Eddy
Meet Eve in the outback by Raewyn Caisley
Illus. by Karen Blair. Aussie Kids series. Puffin, 2020.
ISBN: 9781760894108. 64pp.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Another in this fine series offering
easy to read chapter books for the newly independent reader in
junior school. Each of the eight books, set in the different states
and territories of Australia, presents a family in a situation not
quite known to the reader. The familiarity of the family situation
give the books a solid foundation with an overlay of adventure.
Eve lives in a roadhouse on the Nullarbor Plain and cannot wait for
her cousin, Will to arrive from the city. A postcard to the reader
on the first two pages shows us where Eve lives and she tells us a
little of her unusual life.
When Will arrives they explore the area, meeting kangaroos, and
Wally an old digger who teaches them how to make billy tea and
damper and tells them about the camel train, once an important part
of the travel regime of outback people. Through easy to read short
chapters, Eve's life is revealed to an admiring audience, the story
full of interest and delight.
The others in this series are listed in the back of the book and
will prove a hit with early readers and teachers looking to keep
them engaged, while learning a little of Australia as well. Themes:
Outback, Western Australia, Desert.
Fran Knight
Meet Katie at the beach by Rebecca Johnson
Illus. by Lucia Masciullo. Aussie kids series. Puffin,
2020. ISBN: 9781760893675. 64pp.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Eight stories, each one set in a
different state or territory around Australia will please younger
readers looking for a series of books for their emerging competency
with reading. Each book is short, with copious illustrations,
divided into six or so chapters, with a level of reading suited to
the newly acquired skills but not in any way watered down. The
language is engaging and some longer words are included to stretch
the new readers. Each book contains a map to locate the story, some
interesting facts that come out of the story and a list of the
others in the series. Each story is placed within a family and
children will feel some familiarity with the setting. Meet Katie at the beach has a family living in a high rise
apartment near the beach in Queensland, packing their towels and
esky for some time at the beach. Katie has some pain in her mouth as
one of her teeth is very wobbly and she is unsure about going. But
once on the beach she and her siblings build a castle and play in
the water, body surfing with Dad until Katie notices there her tooth
is missing. A search follows.
All comes together nicely and readers will have absorbed a lot of
information about being safe on the beach and how one group of
Australians live. Themes: Australia, Queensland, Humour, Beach.
Fran Knight
