Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760662837. 186p. pbk.
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Themes: Action/Adventure. In Ninja Kid4:
Amazing Ninja! we can look forward to Anh Do's winning
formula. From the first pages, we know that Dr Kane will be menacing
Duck Creek and Nelson will somehow need Grandma Pat's best ever
invention - an animal translator helmet. Anh Do's comedic skills
endow him with perfect timing. He knows too well that his verbal and
visual foreshadowing will provide readers with both the plenitude
and humour to keep them coming back for more.
In this episode, Neilson and Kenny, aided by Sarah and Tiffany, are
determined to perfect their circus acts, to win the chance to
perform in the circus, soon to be passing through Duck Creek.
Charles, the Mayors son, and a mysterious man with an amazing
breakdancing rhino, prove stiff competition. The children are not
disappointed, rather they are excited to witness the next rhino
performance. Of course things quickly get out of control.
But when does Dr Kane become involved and just how will Nelson and
Kenny use the Animal Translator to protect the citizens of Duck
Creek?
Anh Do writes and draws the events in the plot with his usual blend
of mirth and vigour - and most importantly, without giving away the
identity of the Ninja Kid! In Amazing Ninja!, fans of the
Ninja Kid can anticipate more word play, exaggerations, and hilarity
from the whole Kane family, minus one - Kenny's absent Dad. Don't
leave Kenny alone to ponder the paradoxes shrouding his Dad's
disappearance. Ninja Kid 4 sees Kenny developing his Ninja
Kid persona.
Deborah Robins
First encyclopedia by DK Publishing
DK, 2019. Australian edition. ISBN: 9780143795025.
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Highly illustrated with easy to read
text, this is an ideal reference book for younger children. DK
consistently publish well researched and beautifully formatted books
and this is no exception with its 168 pages of beautiful photographs
and interesting information.
The book is divided into the following sections: Contents page which
refers to World regions, People and society, History of people,
Living world, Science and technology, Planet Earth, and Space and
the universe. The last heading, Reference section, contains a quiz,
Glossary, index and key to measurements among other subheadings.
Each sub section is divided into a double page spread that gives
easy to understand information, and details like record breakers,
and a question on the bottom of the left hand page and the answer on
the right, but printed upside down. Some of the sections refer the
reader onto to associated parts of the book; for example the reader
is sent from Rainforests to 'turn and learn' to pages about Plant
life, Trees and forests, and Climate and seasons. Some of the
sections also give a historical background: for example, in Science
and Technology, the section Flying machines, informs the reader
about the first plane, as well as more modern aeroplanes.
Young readers will find a wealth of information between the covers
of First encyclopedia, and will have fun browsing through
the pictures and reading the interesting snippets of information.
They may then go on to pursue further in-depth knowledge of things
in which they are particularly interested.
Pat Pledger
JT, the making of a total legend by J. Thurston and J. Phelps
Harper Collins, 2019. ISBN: 9781460758618. 236p.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Autobiography. No
self-respecting North Queenslander could bypass this autobiography
for children, even though we've read the adult version, Jonathan
Thurston - the autobiography. Or have we? James Phelps has
shifted gear for younger readers in helping JT reveal less of the
professed sook and comedian and more of the
insecure-delinquent-turned-mindful-hero, intent on 'showing up'
anyone who labelled him too small or too unorthodox to become a
professional NRL player. Phelps and Thurston tease out the details
of JT's self-made sports stardom by deconstructing his methods and
alluding to his many character strengths for want of academic
strengths. Thurston has a degree of curiosity and humility, when as
a young player he doggedly sought to learn the finer points of a
particular skill firsthand from more proficient players. Equally, he
exhibited a choreographer's ability to practise chunks of his
performance in stages, piecing them together incrementally with an
indomitable brand of persistence.
Equally, and unlike Thaiday in Rise:
The Sam Thaiday Story - co-authors JT and Phelps, are honest
about the details of JT's brush with delinquency. Whilst apologetic
and to some extent mortified, JT clearly describes events involving
his car stealing screw driver and the reasons for his both his
foolishness, and his salvation. No allusions or vague admissions
like, 'I did a bad thing' with no context, as in the Thaiday story.
By comparison, we must admire the respect and transparency that JT
affords the legions of children who have admired and will continue
to admire, his considerable sporting achievements. JT, the making of a total legend is JT's acknowledgement that
family and community must be part of our life's journey. His
managers, parents, wife and wider family invariably counselled him
to make the best personal, career and legacy decisions and he had
the open heart and good sense to realize that integrity and
responsibility are equal privileges and opportunities for those with
both extraordinary self-belief and talent. Congratulations
gentlemen, the world is going to love this forthright and fun
narrator so much more than your first JT autobiography. Readers of
any age won't regret meeting JT in this book. The details are his
alone to tell, and what little is left out, is somehow absorbed as
unspoken wisdom. An awesome ride of an autobiography - perfect for
one of the greatest-of-all-time sporting legends.
Deborah Robins
The long call by Ann Cleeves
Two Rivers book 1. PanMacmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509889570.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. Themes: Mystery and
suspense, Detectives, Down syndrome. Fans of the Vera and Shetland
series are in for a real treat with Cleeves' new series starring
Detective Matthew Ven a quiet introspective man who is leading a
team in North Devon. When a man with an albatross tattooed on his
neck is found dead on the beach, Ven finds himself uncovering
secrets from his past and present. Then a young woman with Down
syndrome disappears and Ven has more than one mystery to solve.
Cleeves builds up a slow, comprehensive picture of Matthew Ven, his
background as a child in The Brethren, a strict evangelical
community, his subsequent denial of that community and his gradual
coming to terms with himself. The beaches and dunes, small villages
and The Woodyard, a place for disabled and mentally impaired people,
are all described meticulously and the reader gets to know the area
very well. The long call is a character driven novel. Not only does the
reader get to know Matthew, but Jonathon his partner. The two
detectives who are Matthew's off-siders, Jen and Ross, each have
strengths and weaknesses as detectives and as people and their
background stories are fleshed out as well. The women, Lucy,
Christine and Rosa, all who have Down syndrome, are portrayed
sympathetically and in depth and play an important role in the
story.
Cleeves wraps everything up neatly; the reader is able to reflect
back on the clues that she cleverly put into her narrative, but
which are easily overlooked. A very satisfying beginning to a
series, which will be sure to have many followers in the future.
Pat Pledger
Amazing dogs with amazing jobs by Laura Greaves
Penguin Australia, 2019. ISBN: 9780143796879. 288p.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Dogs, Working animals. I must
start this review by saying that I absolutely LOVE this book! It is
literally a book about awesome dogs that do amazing things - and
they are all true stories!
'Dogs have been living with and helping humans for around fifteen
thousand years. All those years ago dogs were either hunters or
guardians, but today, dogs can do all kinds of amazing jobs.'
This book just really ticks lots of boxes for me. It contains 30
stories about a variety of dogs, each one written with a young
audience in mind. It asks questions of the reader and links
experiences from their lives to that of the amazing dog. I really
liked this aspect as when I read chapters to my 9 year old he was
able to find topics he could relate to, he also liked working out
which countries the dogs came from and where they were located in
the world!
Each amazing dog has a 'Dog File' which gives a quick overview of
the breed, skills and positive parts of the job. This part also
helps give the reader an idea of what is to come, and if they would
be interested in continuing to read.
It is hard to pinpoint a favourite dog, as they really are all so
amazing! But the ones to mention are Bailey the 'Assistant Director
of Seagulls' who keeps seagulls from pooing on historic ships,
Caesar the Canine mascot for an AFL team and Montgomary who is a
doggy blood donor!
This book is not only a fun read, but it has also taught me a whole
heap of new things that dogs can do! They can donate blood, they can
be artists, actors, assistance dogs, and even owl detectors. It has
really given me a new appreciation for canine abilities.
I must commend Laura Greaves on a really well written book. It is
full of questions, interesting facts, and sentences that are just
written with humour. We give this book 5 out of 5, and is a great
book to be read to younger children (5 years +) or be read by
readers 8 years and up.
Lauren Fountain
Toffle Towers : Fully booked by Tim Harris
Illus. by James Foley. Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143795421.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Theme: Humour. Ten-year old Chegwin
Toffle, is a daydreamer of the most advanced kind, who, out of the
blue, inherits a hotel. He is determined to make this run-down hotel
into a success.
A super fun laugh-out-loud story Fully booked is action
packed with loveable characters. It depicts thinking outside the
square, using your imagination, the importance of friends and
family, with some mystery thrown in.
An engaging plot, funny conversations, pages filled with thought
bubbles, lots of word play, and lists and letters will captivate
younger readers. It is very well written and the setting is depicted
so that the reader can easily visualize what is happening.
Wonderfully illustrated by James Foley, it has cartoon-like
illustrations throughout the book, such as 'strange things people
might inherit'. Teacher's
notes are available.
Donna Isgar
Leaping Lola by Tracey Hawkins
Illus. by Anil Tortop. New Frontier Publishing, 2019. ISBN:
9781925594591.
(Ages: 2-5) Dance, Rhyming Story. Lola is a brown Jersey cow who
just loves to dance. But Lola is a milk cow, not a black and white
cow; Jersey cows just aren't built to dance, her mother says.
Regardless, Lola cannot help it, she clip-clops her hooves, flicks
her tail, pirouettes here and spirals there. With the help of her
friend, she disguises herself and slips into the Black and White
Ball. She's just getting warmed up when . . . splash! A downpour of
milk washes her mud disguise away, exposing her for the brown cow
she really is.
There are lots of movement words in the story, making it a fun and
rollicking read aloud, but the story itself lacks a sense of purpose
and the ending doesn't resolve everything as nicely as it could. Teacher's
notes are available.
Nicole Nelson
Is it Halloween yet? by Susannah Chambers
Illus. by Tamsin Ainslie. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN:
9781760297404. 24 pg.
(Age: 4 - 6) Recommended. Themes: Halloween, Family, Humour. What
fun to read about a warm and loving family and the tricks and
dressing-up for Halloween! Emily is a little girl who is very
impatient for Halloween to come. She wants to make a Jack-o-lantern;
she spots a vampire bat in a tree and paints her cat black to make
it into a witch's cat. As she creates havoc with her creations, her
patient mother looks after her baby brother while doing household
chores and working on her daytime job. Grandma is also around,
gardening and making a Halloween costume for Emily.
Tamsin Ainslie has perfectly created a warm, loving, busy and
creative family with her delightful water colour illustrations that
abound with humour and warmth. There are lots of fun details for a
reader to pursue, especially the myriad of bats and little ghosts
that are strung throughout the house. Readers will laugh out loud as
they see Mum wrapped around with toilet paper with Emily say 'Are
you SURE it's not Halloween yet . . . Mummy?'
The narrative is delightful, with Emily often asking a question or
making a statement on one page and her busy mother replying and not
noticing just what Emily is up to. This is a really enjoyable book
for both children and adults and is one that would become a family
favourite when read aloud. And a bonus page at the back contains
instructions for making an origami bat that will be welcomed by
families and teachers alike.
Pat Pledger
A different land by Paul Jennings
Illus. by Geoff Kelly. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760528720.
128 pg.
(Ages: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Migration, Resilience,
Courage, Loneliness, Difference, Persistence, Cultural acceptance.
The snake on the front cover of A different land, slithering
its way through thick bush, will immediately grab the attention of
readers who will want to know what happens to the three figures in
the background. And they won't be disappointed in this short tale of
Christopher, his mother and Anton who have travelled 12,000 miles to
Australia and then made a long train journey in hope of employment.
When the trio arrive though, they find that the pub is very run down
and they have to live in a caravan smelling of dead pig.
Jennings explores what it is like to be a migrant in a new and very
strange land. Christopher is lonely and missing his familiar
homeland, but knows that his mother Pat believes they will have a
better future after leaving their bombed home town and the deaths of
his twin brother and father. He is determined to find out about
Crayfish and his wife Peggy and what he is doing in the bush and at
the same time must learn to fit in.
Humour and pathos permeate this story, a companion to A
Different Boy and A
Different Dog. It would be an ideal read aloud or class novel,
examining the aftermath of war, the resilience of new migrants
coming to Australia and the courage and persistence of all who try
to make a living in the bush. The slight reference background to
Anton's story of running away from a boy's home could also be
researched by curious readers.
Illustrations in strong black ink strokes by Geoff Kelly add to the
atmosphere of the book and give readers an in-depth feel for the
bush setting, the wooden buildings, the waves and the boat.
Scroll down the page for teacher's
tips from the publisher.
Pat Pledger
The Iliad - a graphic novel adaptation by Gareth Hinds
Candlewick Press 2019. ISBN: 9780763696634.
Themes: Ancient Greece, myths/ legends. Homer's epic poem, about the
tenth year of the Trojan War, fought around the twelfth century BCE,
has endured as one of the greatest war stories of all time, but it
is more than a war story, it is one of human heroism and failings,
and the interference of gods. To help understand the work, all in
beautiful fine watercolours, Hinds presents us with an illustrated
cast of characters, important Achaeans, mainly in blue (Greeks) and
Trojans, mainly in red, explaining that each character's initial can
be found worked into his armour. The other important players are the
twelve Gods who are depicted in semi-transparent pastel shades.
A prologue sets the scene, explaining the modern day location of the
warring armies, how the war started and the involvement of the Gods.
The story picks up as the battle weary Achaeans, camped outside the
fortress of Troy make offerings to appease the Gods who have brought
sickness to the camp. It is seen that the Gods are angry about the
refusal to ransom the daughter of Apollo's priest, taken as a war
spoil by Agamemnon, the leader of the Achaeans. He agrees to give
her up but claims Achilles' woman Briseis in return. A well placed
footnote explains that the army had been raiding allies of Troy and
that men and women became slaves, valuable 'spoils of war'. Achilles
is furious and withdraws his support. The war continues with the
upper hand shifting backwards and forwards between the two armies
often influenced by the Gods who struggle to exert dominance over
each other. Brave men die on the battlefield, their names recited,
ensuring everlasting fame and honour for their families.
The famous finale between the Trojan hero Hector and Achilles is
gripping, it is a bitterly fought battle vividly brought to life in
the illustrations. The author's note at the end reflects on why we
still read the Iliad. 'Humanity is on display with all its nobility
and pettiness and violence and tenderness, it is, simply, a powerful
story.'
Introducing a new readership to some of the most important works of
Western literature has been the goal of Gareth Hinds' wonderful
adaptations of classics such as Beowulf, the plays of Shakespeare,
and this companion volume to The
Odyssey. The adaptation retains the essence of the original
with helpful maps and notes but some students may find it long and
challenging. However, the characters are the original superheroes
and the story compelling, while senior students will find it
rewarding it will also appeal to action graphic fans of all ages.
Sue Speck
Sea monsters by Sharon J. Yaxley
Forty South Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9780648168881.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Seashore, Tide pools, Seaweed.
A magnificent book of photos from the seashore is given extra life
by the inclusion of poetic lines giving the hint about what we
are seeing. Not seaweed but monsters with eyes and tusks and jagged
teeth, whispering tales from the deep.
The monsters were torn from beneath the ocean and tossed and torn
upon the waves, then left on the sand along the beach where their
shapes became monsters.
Children will thrill recognising the flotsam they see upon the
beach, viewed with different eyes, becoming tails and fins and eyes
and tusks, lying in wait for those who venture there, telling
stories of what has happened to them, waiting for the next high tide
to bring them back on the shore to tell even more stories.
Copious teacher notes are available at the author's website but
I would prefer to let the kids take charge and be wowed by the
images and how these images could be seen as monsters. I think a
class could make wonderful use of this book, sharing experiences by
the sea, imagining the monsters seen on the shore, perhaps visiting
the beach for themselves to see what they can find. The pictures are
simply stunning, taking the reader's breath away as they pour over
each page, remembering the feel of the sand, the rubbery texture of
the seaweed, the coldness of the water.
Fran Knight
Charlie turns into a T-Rex by Sam Copeland
Penguin Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780241346228. 280p. pbk.
The much anticipated sequel to Charlie
changes into a chicken is finally in bookshops. Charlie is
sorely tested in Charlie turns into a T-Rex, but gradually
team work pays off with Flora, and to some extent Moshin and Wogon
too, assisting Charlie McGuffin to master his special ability. As
they understand more about the phenomenon, they harness it as a
weapon to help Charlie's dad save his job. The last thing Charlie
wants to do is sell his house, move across town to live with Aunt
Brenda (a peg- legged crazy cat lady) and worst of all - change
schools and lose the special connection with his good friends.
Solving this problem isn't easy when Charlie's nemesis, Dylan, is
intent on unmasking Charlie despite Charlie's affinity with
different helpful species like Jean Claude, the pigeon.
The first thing that hits you about Charlie changes into a T-Rex
is Sam Copeland's conspiratorial writing style, which rapidly draws
you in. While agreeing that there's a touch of Roald Dahl about his
work, Copeland's writing is unique and cleverly-crafted. Firstly,
the humour targets both children and adults, so while there is
plenty of toilet humour, there is also a pop culture element that
will make adults smile. This universal appeal reinforces that kids
love to hear adults laugh just as much as we love to hear them
laugh. An early highlight comes when Charlie discovers that his Cat,
Chairman Meow, has a whole other life, in which he believes he has
supreme power over his universe.
While this sequel is another split-your-sides-laughing kind of
story, the humour has effectively been used as a mechanism for
addressing childhood anxiety with the lightest of touches: a tricky
issue to deal with at the best of times. Parents and educators all
know that children can talk non-stop about a whole range of bizarre
and wonderful things. However, they are not always so forthcoming
about issues that worry them, and while this book isn't an
authoritative source, it gently introduces the benefits of
mindfulness and happiness and, of course, the power of friendship.
Find out more
about this talented author.
Deborah Robins
Red by Jed Alexander
Cameron Kids, 2018. ISBN: 9781944903114.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fairy tale, Wordless. A
wordless take on the classic tale, Little Red Riding Hood,
in which the Big Bad Wolf and other woodland creatures are planning
something surprising sees Red scampering through the woodland,
meeting the wolf and other creatures along the way. Children will
tell her to be careful of the wolf, but a bigger surprise is about
to happen. I love the wolf's body seen through the trees, and the
red of the girl's cape contrasting with the black and white
background, the small creatures welcoming her to the forest, readers
needing to look closely at each page to spot them all. The image of
an elderly comatose Grandma is turned around as the girl reaches
Grandma's house and finds all the animals there waiting for her. The
black, white and red illustrations beg the audience to add their own
words. They will all know the original story but these illustrations
will make them use their imaginations to build a new tale, one in
which everything ends happily, wolf included, rather than his
stomach filled with stones and drowned.
Fran Knight
Computer coding projects for kids by Jon Woodcock and Carol Vorderman
Dorling Kindersley, 2019. ISBN: 9780241317761.
(Age: 8-16) This is a visual step-by-step approach to split
complicated code into manageable chunks, so that the most impressive
projects become possible. Suitable for complete beginners, this book
gives a solid understanding of programming, how to create their very
own projects from scratch, and move on to more complex programming
languages like Python. Difficult coding becomes easy and fun to
understand using Scratch 3.0, the latest software from the world's
most popular programming language for beginners.
'Make a Dino Dance Party or create your own electronic birthday
cards. Build games, simulations and mind-bending graphics as you
discover the awesome things computer programmers can do with Scratch
3.0.' (Publisher)
Donna Isgar
Miss Kraken by Nicki Greenberg
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760637743.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humour, Read aloud, School,
Marine creatures. Kids will laugh out loud at this very funny look
at a class's response when an unexpected teacher turns up for the new
year. The children's faces show amazement as the large sea creature
appears, their expressions at once wide-eyed, quizzical and a little
concerned. But there Miss Kraken sits, nestled onto her eight
tentacles at the front of the classroom, one leg having written her
name neatly on the backboard.
And she is a cranky teacher, writing up an endless list of rules on
the blackboard, confiscating all manner of things not allowed, her
multiplicity of tentacles coming in very handy (whoops).
When she announces that they are to go on an excursion, the children
are disconcerted; usually trips outside the classroom are fun, but
with all the rules Miss Kraken imposes, they are not looking forward
to their day out.
Greenberg uses pencil, ink and watercolour for her illustrations,
using photography with digital drawing and collage to complete these
eye popping illustrations.
Miss Kraken is a wonderful creature, her eyes peering out from the
font cover, her tentacles spreading across many pages fulfilling a
variety of tasks. The children's faces are a scream as they take in
their new teacher, showing resignation at the regime imposed,
concerned when they cannot find her at the aquarium, only to have
their fears return when their replacement teacher shows up.
This is fun from start to finish, readers will love Miss Kraken, the
tricks she can do, the fear she engenders and the search for a place
to call home in the aquarium.
Touches about school life, new teachers and excursions are
priceless, from the students' behaviour, the manager asking where
their teacher is, the children changing from poorly behaved to
concerned about losing the teacher, their eyes searching in the dark
of the muted aquarium. Readers will love recognising the things they
have done on excursions and search each watery page for the now
elusive Miss Kraken.
The Kraken of mythology will intrigue readers who wish to delve
further, and accessing this Kraken site will
satisfy their curiosities and augment the fun they will have in
reading this book. Scroll down for teacher's
tips.
Fran Knight
