There's a hippopotamus on our roof eating cake by Hazel Edwards
Illus. by Deborah Niland. Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. 40th
Anniversary Edition, ISBN: 9781760896270. 32 pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Some picture books prove to be
keepers, handed down from generation to generation and this is one
of those highly prized picture books that are treasured by families.
Highlighting the power of the imagination, a little girls knows why
there is a hole in the roof - there is a hippopotamus there eating
cake and that hippopotamus can do whatever he likes. He doesn't like
baths so is having a shower, he eats cake all the time and when the
little girl has a bandage on her knee he has one too. And no one
growls at him because he is too big.
The text is delivered in short descriptive sentences on one side of
the page and these bring the narrative to life. It is wonderful to
read aloud and so easy to imagine the little girl pointing out all
the things that the hippopotamus can do that she is not allowed to
do. The illustrations by Deborah Niland are wonderful too. The
little girl is featured under the text, and is quite small in
comparison to the very large, pink hippo on the opposite page. The
expressions on both are priceless and children with have lots of fun
looking at the bold colours and laughing at the antics of the hippo.
This 40th anniversary edition has a beautiful felt pink hippo on the
cover for little hands to touch and feel, making it even more
memorable.
It is not difficult to see why this has become a children's classic,
and I have no doubt that it will be kept for the next generation of
young children to laugh over and enjoy.
Pat Pledger
Melting moments by Anna Goldsworthy
Black Inc, 2020. ISBN: 9781863959988. 224pp.
(Age: Adult) Recommended. A young woman and a young man tentatively
try to consummate their marriage just ahead of him being shipped out
to New Guinea, during the second world war. When he returns, they
have to rediscover each other, relearn how to be together. It is
their shared future, they are in it together - it is the time of
staying out marriages, managing it somehow. Forget the other dreams.
Goldsworthy captures that sense of fate, of a path that is carved
out, with many women who marry the man who becomes the husband and
father, but who still remember the other man, the one who was
special, who if things had been different, could have been a
different partner, a different life. So it is for Ruby, she marries
Arthur, the man who proposed to her before being shipped out, a man
she respects and cares for, but she always remembers Bill, the one
who made her heart leap.
Goldsworthy beautifully creates her characters - we know them, they
are us: the husband and wife managing their lives, and the tension
between mother and daughter - the mother who followed the expected
path and the daughter who has wider more liberated aspirations. But
as they mature, the mother and daughter draw closer together, and
Arthur, the husband and father is the person for whom they both
manage the care.
It is a heart warming story. Ruby remains the good wife, but in old
age there is the rediscovery of romance and true love. It is a
reminder that life continues, the joys and the sorrows, and the
connections that become more meaningful and rewarding as time
passes.
Themes: Love, Marriage, Romance, Women's roles, Old age.
Helen Eddy
Hattie by Frida Nilsson
Illus. by Stina Wirsen. Gecko Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781776572717. 160
pp.
(Age: 6 - 9 years) Hattie is a six year old child eagerly awaiting
her first day at school. She lives in the Swedish countryside on a
small isolated farm with her parents and a number of animals. On her
first day at school she makes friends with Linda who is a quiet shy
child but happily follows Hattie's lead throughout the story. Hattie
acts before she thinks and often ends up having to apologise for her
actions and face the consequences of her thoughtlessness. Putting
soap in another student's drink bottle, locking another student in a
shed, trying to conjure up a White Witch are just a few scenarios
featuring Hattie at the forefront of things that happen during the
school day. No wonder her poor teacher looks like he needs a
holiday!
Even at home Hattie rules the roost. Her parents are forever caring
of Hattie but she continuously tests their patience. When Hattie's
mother is disappointed in her behaviour she runs away causing great
angst for the family. While on holiday in Greece, a day's family
outing is spoilt by Hattie's demands. Hattie is continually moving
from one thing to another leaving some sort of upset in her wake.
The story interestingly covers the seasons in the northern
hemisphere and events such as Advent, Easter, Summer and Winter
holidays, Hattie's birthday and end of year concert.
While Hattie is a mischievous child prone to dramatizing and over
thinking situations, she is an endearing character. She has a very
contrite and caring side when she realizes she has gone too far. It
is an easy to read story with short chapters and would be a great
read aloud story for Junior Primary students. The simple
illustrations by Stina Wirsen are spaced throughout the text and
make a welcome addition to the story. Themes: Starting school,
Friendship, Farm life, Seasons, Mischief.
Kathryn Beilby
Red Day by Sandy Fussell
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760651886. 240pp.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Cowra in New South Wales was the
setting for a Japanese POW camp during World War Two and gained
notoriety after the breakout of 1207 Japanese men on August 15,
1944. The impact of this escape and the subsequent deaths of many,
lies undisturbed until an exchange student arrives at Charlie's
farm. Charlie has synaesthesia and hence sees and hears differently:
people have auras; days of the week are coloured; numbers and
letters have attitudes. And when she shows Kenichi around her town,
particularly the cemetery, she has an intense pain, one that is
lessened when Kenichi touches her. There is a link between them
which becomes obvious the more they delve into the town's past. At
the cemetery they find the grave of the Japanese soldier who took
shelter on Charlie's farm after the breakout, but she knows he
survived, so the headstone is a mystery.
At first Charlie is adamant that she will not be the exchange
student's minder, she is resentful that he has been installed in her
dead brother's bedroom, cross with her single mother for taking this
step without consulting her, worried that this boy will become
friendly with her friends, shutting her out. Charlie is initially
abuzz with ill will which Fussell writes sympathetically, revealing
the girl's animosity with a deft hand.
Once the gravestone has been discovered the two work together as
they strive to uncover the truth and this means going to see
Charlie's grandmother who she has not seen since her brother's
death. At first the town librarian seems helpful, but when she
refuses to give back a photo deposited in the town archives, Charlie
and Kenichi take steps.
Charlie's condition sees her empathising with the Japanese soldiers
during the breakout, understanding what they were going through,
feeling their pain. And her condition and the resolution of the
problems set in motion by Kenichi's visit are resolved to
perfection.
This is a wonderful read, giving the history of Cowra and the
breakout against the background of a Japanese exchange student's
search for an ancestor, missing since the war ended. It is the story
of coming together, of resolution, of calm after unrest. I read it
in one sitting and was enthralled with the setting, the characters
and the history. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Cowra (NSW), Japanese internment
camp, World War Two, Synaesthesia, Exchange students.
Fran Knight
The proudest blue : a story of hijab and family by Ibtihaj Muhammud and S. K. Ali
Illus. by Hatem Aly. Anderson Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781783449712. 40pp.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. When Asiya wears her blue hijab to
school for the first time, her little sister, Faizah is proud and
excited: proud that her sister has reached this milestone in her
life, eager for her own turn when she reaches grade seven. Mum and
Asiya have been to the shop to buy a new headscarf, Mum wanting the
pink one but Asiya standing firm with her choice of blue, the colour
of the ocean, the colour of the sky.
Going to school Asiya and Faizah meet curious stares and field some
questions from their peers, answering that wearing the hijab is
important, it means being strong. But some laugh and point, and
again mother's words remind the girls that the wearing of the hijab
may perplex some at the start, but remaining firm and strong, they
will come to understand.
Several boys call her scarf a tablecloth and again mother said that
these are only words which can be discarded, not carried around.
These words belong only to those who utter them.
At the end of the day Faizah meets her sister again at the school
gate, standing proudly with her blue hijab, waiting patiently for
her little sister. Faizah cannot wait to get home to show her the
picture she has drawn of the two together, with matching blue
headscarves.
An absorbing look at one girl's day at school, an ordinary everyday
sort of day, except that Asiya is wearing her hijab for the first
time. Curiosity meets the girls as they arrive at school and their
questions are answered, but a few are more vocal and bullying. The
answers allow the girls to turn their backs on these comments and
disown the people who say them. They stand firm, gaining strength
from within their family, proudly turning their backs on ignorance.
A charming story of standing firm, of not allowing comments to spoil
the day, this story will be shared in classrooms, initiating
discussions about the obvious wearing of the hijab and what it means
but also the wider issue of difference and acceptance, of tolerance
and awareness. And a book such as this will engage and educate while
encouraging understanding. Themes: Islam, Family, Hijab, Clothing,
Difference, Courage, Faith.
Fran Knight
How to make a better world (For every kid who wants to make a difference) by Keilly Swift
Illus. by Rhys Jefferys. Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN:
9780241412206. 96pp.
(Ages 8-14). Highly recommended. How to make a better world is a
large colourful nonfiction book that helps to empower children who
want to make a difference in themselves and their community. As
adults we are constantly bombarded with bad news about what is
happening to the earth and many children today have become stressed
by feeling powerless to change what is happening around them. This
book gives many suggestions and ways they can begin to make a
difference.
The book is divided into four chapters; You, Community, Humanity and
Environment. By first focusing on "You" the author is making
children realize that any change needs to start with helping
themselves to become healthier, happier and more positive about
life. It then moves into the wider area around the children by
suggesting how they can become involved in the community around
them. It mentions friendship, volunteering and heritage among
others. Then the author moves out to things to do in the world from
finding a cause, to raising money and to going on a protest march,
to name just a few. Helpful tips and strategies such as how to make
a good poster feature in this chapter. The environment and
information about the problems that face our world today including
climate change, green living, vegetarianism and the plastic problem
make up just a few of the many things in the last chapter.
Prominent people, including activist children and young people are
mentioned throughout the book as examples both from the present day
and from the past. The pages are brightly coloured and attractive
including some side-ways pages to add interest. I think it is a
valuable book to have in any home or classroom and will help to
inspire children to act on the things about which they feel
passionate. Themes: Social action, Personal development, Community
improvement.
Gabrielle Anderson
Evie and Pog: Puppy playtime! by Tania McCartney
HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9781460757949. 144pp.
(Age: 6+) Here is a delightful, happy, fun-filled collection of 3
stories compiled into a paperback novel for beginner readers aged 6
and up.
Tania Mc Cartney has not only written but she has illustrated these
stories with zany, zappy pictures that scatter unpredictably all
over the pages, all around and in and out of the text in as
uninhibited a way as Granny's knitting wool. The internal layout,
design and typesetting is also done by the author.
Evie is a little girl. Pog is a dog. They are friends. Granny lives
close and Noah is a friend who seems to pop up in each story. All
these characters develop through their antics and they are loveable.
Granny is a very young and unconventional granny with her own funny
foibles. Pog is staid and Evie is full of life. They are the perfect
foil for each other.
The books are full of continuous action and the dialogue is quite
enchanting.
The little characters and some of the text reappear in each story to
provide continuity and repetition of vocabulary securing pleasure
and confidence for beginner readers. In the 3 stories in Evie
and Pog: Puppy playtime!, the characters undergo a playhouse
renovation, invent a classroom contraption and design a puppy park.
For the young STEM enthusiast there are plenty of maps, plans and
designs.
This is a smart book for kids which is sure to inspire them to read.
I will be introducing our children to Evie and Pog and adding the
other happy adventure books in the series to our collection.
Wendy Jeffrey
Sports Heroes by Clare Lloyd
When I grow up series. Dorling Kindersley, 2020, ISBN:
9780241412688. 18pp.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Dorling Kindersley presents pre-schoolers
with a fun and inspiring board book focused on how youngsters become
sports stars. Each double-page spread introduces the famous athlete
describing their early years, how they started in their field and
their achievements. Using bold backgrounds, easy to read sentences,
both graphic illustrations and photographs, with flags of their home
country, this is great for the future sports player.
Begin reading with Usain Bolt's story, the superstar sprinter wanted
to be a Jamaican cricketer when he grew up. Paralympic Games swimmer
Ellie Simmonds from Great Britain won two gold medals at the age of
thirteen. Eight superstars from across the globe are represented,
from Lebron James American basketball legend to Japanese figure
skater Yuzuru Hanyu and Lionel Messi captain of F.C. Barcelona.
Chinese volleyball player Zhu Ting thought she would grow up to work
on her family farm, however her life changed when she was chosen to
attend a special sports school. Sports Heroes introduces the concepts of inspiration and
aspiration, dreaming big and achieving your goals. Just right for
sharing with a pre-schooler, discuss their family life, turning
points and special achievements as adults. Subjects: Sports,
Athletes.
Rhyllis Bignell
The twin by Natasha Preston
Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780593124963. 336pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Ivy and Iris are twins, separated when their
parents divorced, Ivy staying with her father, and Iris going with
her mother. They still saw each other intermittently, but now they
are thrown back together again, when their mother dies in an
accident whilst jogging across a bridge. It's six years since they
were all living together - and it feels really strange. They were
never close as sisters - too dissimilar to feel a real connection
despite being twins. Ivy feels uneasy about the way Iris wants to
step into her life, wear her clothes, attend all the same classes at
school, and meet up with her friends. What happened to Iris's last
lot of friends? Iris ranges from cool aloofness to sudden tears that
she seems able to conveniently turn on like a tap. The tension
builds as Iris gains in popularity regularly sidelining Ivy, and
isolating her. Her manipulations lead to Ivy losing the trust of her
friends, and even her father. At least she still has her boyfriend
and her counsellor . . . for now.
This is a thrilling page-turner that will keep you reading,
wondering about what is going on with Iris - could she be a
psychopath? Why is she intent on infiltrating and destroying Ivy's
relationships? What happened the night their mother died? Readers of
mystery thrillers will enjoy the twists of this story until the very
last page. Themes: Mystery, Grief, Psychopath.
Helen Eddy
Taking the lead: how Jacinda Ardern wowed the world by David Hill
Illus. by Phoebe Morris. Penguin Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780143774518.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. On 15 March 2019, a gunman killed and
wounded Muslims while they were at prayer in the mosque at
Christchurch. Without hesitation, New Zealand's prime minister,
Jacinda Ardern flew to Christchurch, donned a head scarf and hugged
those affected by this act of terrorism. Her speech punctuated with
the phrase, 'we are one' was heard around the world, a response from
her heart.
And reading this absorbing book takes the reader to her background
and experiences which have made her what she is, a stalwart amongst
world's leaders, a shining example of humility and understanding.
From her early years growing up on an orchard at Waikato, concerned
that others in her class did not have access to the things she took
for granted, to helping her aunt's campaign in New Plymouth, to
going overseas and working in Tony Blair's office, then becoming the
president of the Union of Socialist Youth where she travelled
widely; each step gave her the confidence and the experiences needed
to help her become the youngest elected MP in New Zealand's
parliament in 2008. Dismissed by commentators in the same way that
Australia's Julia Gillard was, Jacinda promoted improving the lives
of women, teaching te reo Maori in schools, and tackling climate
change and was elected her party's leader in 2017.
Her story is one of dedication and sticking to her ideals. Her
saying, 'let's do this' is often heard when she has work to do, and
nothing seems to phase her. Her reaction to the massacre in 2019,
leading New Zealand to restricting access to guns, has made her
someone to be admired and emulated. And her stamina and work ethic
is stressed by the use of the bee on many pages.
This brief book is most informative, each sentence full of facts and
interest, the illustrations placing Jacinda within her background,
the beehive parliament house in Wellington, the orchard in Waikato,
to the world stage meeting the queen in a korowai, a Maori robe. All
is brought together with a most useful timeline at the end of the
book. A wonderful biography for younger readers of one of this
century's outstanding leaders. Themes: Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand,
Leadership, Terrorism, Biography.
Fran Knight
Fish Kid and the mega manta ray by Kylie Howarth
Fish Kid series. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760651138.
160pp.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended.The first in this excellent series (Fish
Kid and the lizard ninja) sees young Bodhi living on a
boat with his parents, a marine biologist and an ocean photographer,
both passionate about saving the marine environment. But he is
afraid of the sea and its creatures. Emily, the skipper's daughter
plays a trick on him to overcome his fear and in the backwash he
develops secret powers. It is these powers that save them both when
lost on a island with an iguana, and in the second in the series the
powers are tantamount to the story involving manta rays on the
Ningaloo Reef while the pair is holidaying with his grandparents.
Information about the reef and its creatures give a strong factual
background to the story which I loved reading, and younger readers
will be able to readily absorb these as the story develops.
Kylie Howarth includes clever illustrations and fish files giving a
factual background for the reader. The story is a fast moving and an
enjoyable read and links well with the first in the series, while on
the last page is a promo for the third, coming soon: Fish kid and
the turtle torpedo). Teacher's
activities are available. Themes: Fish, Sea, Adventure,
Conservation, Marine biology, Friendship.
Fran Knight
Girls can fly by Sally Morgan
Illus. by Amberlin Kwaymullin. Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781925936759. 48pp.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Sally Morgan and her daughter, Ambelin
Kwaymullina have collaborated to produce a small but pithy tome
studded with vibrant statements for young girls to read and so be
encouraged to fly. Each second page has a few sentences, asking
questions, ending with a statement that reads like a homily or poem,
encouraging the reader to take hold of what they dream, to be proud,
to be a role model and to always have good thoughts. Many encourage
positive thoughts and actions, eschewing dark thoughts, fear,
worries about being a lesser person or the ear worm that settles in
your head filling it with darkness. Many talk about positive mental
health and could well be used in a class where mental health is
being discussed, along with self worth and self image.
This important addition to the books which encourage a positive
outlook is aimed specifically at girls in the middle school, a time
when many children struggle to maintain their equilibrium. A book
such as this will encourage them to think more clearly about who
they are and where they want to be in this world, and this book
would augment programs designed to do just that.
Each page encourages the reader to stop and think, to take hold of
how the few sentences apply to them, and inspire them to be positive
about themselves. Each page is colourful and stimulating, vibrant
and attractively designed, with the facing page having just two or
three words which summarise what is said in the clutch of sentences.
Any could be used as a poster around the classroom: love your
awesome self, girls can do anything, grow a big heart, trust
yourself, being but a few, which will enliven, encourage and gladden
the hearts of the students in your classroom. And for a girl taking
the book from the shelf, finding a quiet spot and reading the pages,
the results could be uplifting. Themes: Participation,
Encouragement.
Fran Knight
Bubbay's desert adventure by Josie Wowalla Boyle
Illus. by Fern Martins. Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925936797.
pbk., 36pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Wonghi woman, Josie Boyle, born in the
remote reaches of Western Australia, brings an authenticity to the
story of Bubbay, a lone boy who tends his goats in the desert,
selling the milk to those who want it, but especially Mrs Timms, who
swaps the milk for eggs.
He beds down for the night on the ground, watching the night sky. He
dreams that the falling stars are his friends, coming to earth to be
with him, but he longs for family of his own. One night a star tells
him to collect five special things by morning for his wish to come
true. A stone, a feather, an egg, a seed and a shell need to be
found and Bubbay is a little nonplussed about how to go about it.
His grandma Gubarlee appears, and invites him to come with her. She
enlists the help of Wise Mother Kangaroo, Old Man Emu, Tricky Crow
and Bower Bird to collect the things together. But he has one to go,
a shell. How to find a shell in the desert?
Each page is layered with the brilliance of the night sky as Bubbay
finds the objects he is looking for by morning. The dark blues will
mesmerise readers as they are drawn into Bubbay's quest, willing him
to succeed and unable to predict what will happen.
The desert environment shines through in the images - the sparse
vegetation and the animals that help Bubbay. Each animal is depicted
in a background that will help younger readers understand more about
them, noting their place in the environment where Bubbay and Mrs
Timms live. That Bubbay finds a someone who loves him will thrill
younger readers, knowing the importance of family in their lives.
This is a warm-hearted story with vivacious illustrations, first
published in 2012 (Bubbay: a Christmas adventure), and now
reedited for a new generation of readers. Themes: Aboriginal themes,
Outback, Loneliness, Magic.
Fran Knight
Euphoria kids by Alison Evans
Publisher: Echo, 2020. ISBN: 9781760685850. 247pp., pbk.
(Age: Young Adult readers) A modern Young Adult fairy tale exploring belonging, identity, friendship and gender. Alison Evans has written a very imaginative story full of magic and tenderness.
I find Alison's books have a way to provide support and representation that is aimed at gender queer youth. She has managed to do this once again with a modern fairy tale full of magic, witches, realms, faeries and many other magic folks. I think Alison's books are a great addition to a school library to help queer kids try to find a place in our world and school.
Euphoria kids takes the reader on a journey exploring three characters, Iris, Babs and a boy who has not got a name yet. They meet each other at school and become good friends. They explore who they are and who they want to be while supporting one another finding their true self. All three come from loving and supportive families and we read how they negotiate life between school, family, home, classes, the woods, and magical realm.
The characters are very interesting and you could probably read more into them. Iris is identified as non-binary and who grew from a seed. Babs is a girl who is a girl who often feels invisible and sometimes is, she is made of fire. There is also a trans boy who is new to the school who has not yet found his real name.
I must say when I first picked up Euphoria kids I thought does this continue from Alison's last book Highway bodies a zombie apocalypse novel which I enjoyed. Nope, Euphoria Kids is nothing like it but still an enjoyable read.
Maria Komninos
Putting Australia on the map by Carole Wilkinson
Wild Dog Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781742035932. 32pp., hbk.
Highly recommended. Australians, we can be extremely proud of our
own Carole Wilkinson with her 2020 release of this special book Putting
Australia on the Map which is published by Wild Dog books,
Abbotsford Victoria.
Librarians, do not allow this book to be processed and then lost on
the shelves in your schools. Promote this book particularly to
teachers. Hardback, A4, landscape orientated, sepia toned; this is
an attractive book. Layout and design are by Eion Pty Ltd.
This is a book for teaching and learning about cartography from the
time of Ptolemy (150CE) to Matthew Flinders (early 1800s). It is a
book for every student of the history and geography of the world
from the perspective of the discovery and progressive piercing
together of the map of the coastline of Australia and its
geographical location in relation to the rest of the world. This
book has appeal and relevance to all students of every age but is
particularly pertinent to the Year 4 curriculum. Putting Australia on the Map is not a boring factual book.
Carole Wilkinson, as we know from Dragonkeeper, does her
research and is a storyteller who knows how to captivate the reader.
The historical narrative is lively, informative and accompanied by
images of detailed, beautiful, ancient maps courtesy of the National
Library of Australia, the State Libraries of Queensland and Victoria
and Wikimedia Commons, as attributed for the student right at the
very front of the book.
The text and the maps track the sequence of visitors to Australia's
shores and the development of knowledge of Australia's shoreline
within the context of world (particularly European) quest for
discovery, trade, scientific knowledge etc. Putting Australia on the Map is easily navigated. The reader
is assisted by the Contents page (with provocative title pages), an
excellent Glossary and Index.
This is one fabulous resource for Australian schools and for the
private collections of lucky children. Highly Recommended.
Wendy Jeffery
