The Billie B Brown book series of chapter books for emerging readers (particularly girls) by Australian Children's Laureate Sally Rippin needs no introduction. Well loved by teachers, librarians, parents and children alike, the first book was published in 2009. The series continues to grow and there are now approximately 25 books which can be bought as boxed sets or separately. Billie B Brown: The book swap flop (2025) is the latest book in the series.
Billie B Brown is a thoroughly likeable little girl. The situations in which she finds herself are typical of what happens in the everyday lives of little children and thus the books are very relatable. The way that Billie solves her problems can be a teaching point for children. Each book concerns itself with one small adventure or happening. Adults are supportive and sensible but agency is left with Billie and her friends. When they find solutions they are congratulated.
Billie B Brown: The book swap flop sees Billie bringing her favourite book that was a special gift from her grandmother to school along with a gold coin so that she can participate in a Book Swap fundraiser. Like many children, she probably missed the point that the book would go to someone else in the class and not a sick child in hospital. When Lola picks up Billie's book, Billie is horrified but there is nothing she can do... or is there? With a little help from her friend Jack, Billie learns to think more positively about comics and "How to" books and perhaps a solution can be found.
Lessons learnt are: accept the rules, be open to new ideas and be kind.
Like all the books in the series, Billie B Brown: The book swap flop is warm-hearted and a great entry point for children who are ready for independent reading of chapter books. The font is large; words that need to be stressed are in different, larger and bolder font. The vocabulary is accessible and the sentences are short, well constructed and demonstrate examples of the variety that students of that age are beginning to encounter and write themselves. Aki Fukuoka's delightful illustrations perfectly accompany the text throughout the stories and make the books visually enchanting as they exude the charm of the characters that Rippin has created.
Other equally popular series by Rippin are Hey Jack! (especially created for boys) and School of Monsters.
Themes Books, Doing the right thing, Resilience, Friendship, Learning new things, Feelings.
Wendy Jeffrey
Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon
University of Queensland Press, 2025. ISBN: 9780702266317. (Age:8 -12 years) Highly Recommended.
“…all we want is to feel the Sea taste the Sea smell the Sea twist ourselves to Sea…”
As a book reviewer I am fortunate to read many outstanding stories. Song of a Thousand Seas written by Zana Fraillon is one such story. Written in verse, this short but captivating tale will stay with the reader long after it is finished and may provide a growing understanding of the enthralling life of the octopus species.
This narrative is about Houdini, a day octopus living in captivity who has memories about what it is like to live free in the wild ocean. Her compelling story and her relationship with the human characters in her life will engage readers of all ages and provide many fascinating and little known facts about this incredible sea creature. With eight arms, nine brains, three hearts and 3,154 suckers, Houdini has been in captivity since she was young. She is considered by adults to be well looked after but longs for the time when she can be free. Houdini’s nine brains each work independently of each other but all yearn for what they are missing.
To while away the time the very clever and cheeky Houdini causes obvious and not so obvious mayhem to keep her carer on his toes. When Juno comes to visit the aquarium there is an immediate connection between her and Houdini. Juno’s brain works differently to others and yet she feels and senses immediately what her father cannot about Houdini’s captivity. As the story progresses, the bond between Juno and Houdini deepens and ultimately choices are made.
The short verse style with each having its own heading is creatively presented. There are delightful illustrations spread throughout and the glorious cover will hook readers in. As an added bonus are octopus facts in the final pages as well as the thoughtful Author’s Note.
On the school netball team Eliot is a valued member, even when not playing exceptionally well, but out of uniform, wearing a hoodie and track pants, bitchy classmate Kate makes the comment “could she look any more of a lesbian?” Eliot has a quick comeback and best friend Jess, who gets bullied because of her body shape, is quick to stand up to Kate and her cronies, but when Jess says "girls together forever, right?” Eliot is not so sure. Brooding about the incident Eliot stumbles into a skateboarding group, instantly having rapport with board rider Ryan who assumes Eliot is a boy and is keen to get another rider for their team. Eliot somehow doesn’t correct him and finds skateboarding with this friendly group an exhilarating experience. Eliot’s mum is supportive and intuits something is causing anxiety but Eliot is not ready to discuss the complex feelings of not fitting into either identifying as a girl or boy.
Eliot’s rollercoaster emotional journey is depicted graphically through characters who come sharply into focus where important interactions are happening but at other times form an energetic sketchy and edgy backdrop, animating each page. Comic artist Logan Hanning and author L.D. Lapinski seamlessly deliver the message to love who you are and that you don’t need to choose to fit into gender stereotypes. As one of the characters says "there’s enough crap in the world without worrying about someone’s gender”. I was a little disappointed at the end where various characters declare their gender identifiers; non-binary, bisexual, and pan-sexual'; I think it was better when labels were left out.
The series of book by Tom Percival called Big Bright Feelings are shown on the inside back cover, and includes books such as Finn’s little fibs and Ravi’s roar, each produced as a springboard for discussions about feelings.
Sammy feels shy is the most recent book and is obviously about shyness, especially when Sammy is asked to talk in front of others.
Sammy loves to have fun. Especially with his father, but at school when his teacher asks him a question, he becomes aware that everyone is looking at him, waiting for his answer. And his face turns pink. At a birthday party he sings the wrong word in happy birthday and again everyone looks at him, saying he is so shy. He turns pink all over. He tells his dad about his problem, and dad takes him to the fair, but here he is embarrassed and begins to turn pink and runs away. A girl from school, Lily, asks him if he scared too. He says no, he is scared of the number of people. The two decide to overcome their problem together. Sammy does not feel shy with her. First they get some fairy floss, then have a ride on the spinning teacups and finally the helter skelter. But a group from school appears and Sammy’s face turns pink. Lily reassures him with a hand on his shoulder reminding him that they are there to have fun. He calls for the group to follow him onto the helter skelter and they follow.
His pink days are over. He has shown the group that he may feel a bit funny sometimes but can still enjoy himself. The object is to do what he loves, not worry about those around him, increasing his self confidence and resilience.
I am me by Mitch Tambo. Illus. by Carla Hoffenberg
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761182204. (Age:3+) Recommended.
This vivacious picture book about being true to yourself, is full of colour and lively movements as Mitch encourages children to follow his lead.
A subtitle motivates children to sing and dance to their own beat, and opening the book, children will be part of a presentation by Mitch. They will be readily involved in the unveiling of his ideas, watching his movements cross the pages, joining in themselves, marvelling at the different qualities he shares with us, learning some language as he retells his view of life in modern Australia. He questions the reader, one of the first encouraging the children to be aware that First Nations lived where they now live, many generations ago. He wears feathers from an emu, and he tells us that the emu can only walk forwards, encouraging us to be resilient, as we walk forward, never giving up. He ask them about the Milky Way and seeing the Dark Emu in the sky. He shows the readers his headdress and asks how it might be glued together, telling them about the honey bee. He points to the paint on his face and talks about how this is made, telling the reader about ochre and where it is used. Mitch takes us into his wardrobe, explaining why he wears particular outfits. He wraps up his presentation, with further information available on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
This wonderful journey with Mitch will enthral younger readers, who may have asked the questions but not received an answer. Here he predicts the questions and make his responses part of the story of his life, giving the information in a way that is illuminating, told within illustrations that are involving.
A Gamilaraay man, Mitch leads a multi faceted life: a qualified social worker who encourages diversity, he writes and performs songs, gives corporate and school presentations encouraging resilience and involvement, and has seen his language presentation of Farnham’s 'The Voice', gain him and his message, instant recognition.
South Australia was supposed to be the ‘good colony’, a utopian dream populated with pious Christian settlers rather than the convicted felons and paupers of other settlements. How did it become a ‘deathscape’ of violence, murder, and sexual predation during the holocaust years of the late 1800s? This is the question at the heart of Julie Marcus’s carefully researched book.
It was intended that the colony’s Indigenous people were to have the full rights of British subjects under the law, however the taking of their land was legitimised by regarding the land as waste, untended, and the people morally inferior, even cannibals, to be saved by missionaries, or the whole problem just removed in some way. Recorded actions such as ‘collision’ or ‘dispersal’ or ‘a brush with the natives’, ‘an affray’ or ‘teaching them a lesson’, were euphemistic terms to cover up the murders and massacres.
The book is set out in short chapters, the titles clearly identifying each subject; thus you can read about explorer Edward John Eyre and his ‘relationship’ with Aboriginal children, the Rufus River massacre, the Eyre Peninsula war, ‘much difficulty with the Aborigines’ in the Flinders, warfare in the dry lands of the far north, Gason’s massacres along the Overland Telegraph Line, Mounted Constable Willshire and his rampages . . . and so it goes on.
As Marcus points out it is the Aboriginal women who suffered the worst savagery, the sexual violence, rape and murder. Aboriginal women’s suffering and their heroism is a theme that is also explored in another Wakefield Press publication, Apron-Sorrow / Sovereign-Tea by Natalie Harkin. Both books expose a hidden history and both are edifying reading. I urge you to add these essential readings to your library’s Australian history collection.
Themes Australian history, Colonialism, Frontier, Violence, Morals, Dispossession, War, Aboriginal peoples.
An exciting read aloud from the wonderful Pamela Allen will find a deserved space on every library shelf, and rarely stay there as it will be borrowed and borrowed until it falls apart. The tale of the noise in the night will intrigue as the story unfolds, and the loud calling out of the repeated refrain, ‘Cock-a doodle-do It was the middle of the night!’ will be heard from classrooms, to libraries and home at bed time.
Mr Grumble Bumble is woken in the middle of the night by this raucous noise. He gets out of bed and peers through his window. He sees something black and big, a scary monster he calls as he goes back to bed. Meanwhile Mrs Brittle Little wakes because of the same noise. She too peers out of the window and sees a big, black, scary monster as she runs back to bed. Then Mr Arden Garden hears the same noise and papers out of the window. He sees a big, black, smelly monster as he rushed back to bed. The trio shut all the windows and close all the doors. They talk to each other about what to do. Mrs Brittle Little makes a cup of tea, Mr Grumble Bumble makes pancakes, while Mr Arden Garden says he likes his pancakes with lots of honey and a little lemon juice. They sit together to eat their breakfast. Mr Grumble Bumble goes to the window to see wha he can see, and the question is asked about what the three see as they peer through the window.
Children will love the drama of not knowing what is outside the window, second guessing as the book is read. They will love saying the repeated lines, while taking in the wonderful illustrations recognising Pamela Allen’s distinctive style from her many other books. The repeated images of the bed, the funny names given to the characters, along with the images of the three people in their bedclothes will cause lots of laughs from the audience. The repeated sounds outside too, underscores a sense of fun which permeates the book. I love the three looking out of the window to find the reason for the noise, and the breakfast table where they share their concern over a cup of tea and pancakes with honey and lemon. And Allen’s first words impel children’s involvement: ‘this is a little story, it is a drama which needs your voice to bring it to life’. And this will happen.
Themes Humour, Night tine, Friendship, Mystery, Sleep.
Sydney based children's writer Lucie Stevens has authored and co-authored many books for the education market. R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins is Steven's first novel for children. Stevens has hit the mark, producing a wonderful, spooky story that draws from a wealth of traditional well known and lesser known European fairy tales and other traditional stories and classics to produce a delightful ghostly story. The reader will find echoes of The Brothers Grimm's Jorinde and Joringel and Cinderella. The secret garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett is brought to mind with the Victorian house in which Albertine is confined. The setting is mainly within the house (the nursery, drawing rooms and kitchen) but Albertine does venture to the church and graveyard, on carriage rides and finally to see The Great Exhibition. Nightly visitations by her deceased Nanny Tobbins through her window is reminiscent of Peter Pan (1911) by J.M. Barrie. R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins is infused with a rich literature heritage and will make its own contribution to the tradition of quality novels for children. One of the things Albertine loves most is when her father reads to her before she goes to bed. One of the worst losses brought about by the arrival of "The Stepmother" is the risk of losing this precious time together. The purple flower is a motif throughout the story- a flower linked to a German fairy tale and worn by Albertine's father as a symbol of his love for her mother.
Nine-year-old Albertine's belief in fairy tales and ghosts is scorned by Nanny Tobbin who later (after breaking her neck falling off a horse)returns as a very annoying ghost causing Albertine a lot of trouble. Albertine has experienced a lot of loss. Her mother has died and then Nanny Tobbin dies. Albertine retreats into a world of ghosts- a world which was very much an interest of the Victorian era. Warm and grounded cook doesn't believe in the paranormal, nor does her father but the new maid Susan does. Susan believes in the Tarot cards which she reads for Albertine. Father thinks that Albertine's talk of visitations by Nanny Tobbins is the product of an overactive imagination and the strain of grief.
Quiver is Albertine's closest companion. He is a little Italian greyhound who seems to be able to understand and communicate on an almost human level. He is always on Albertine's side even when she comes to the most muddle-headed conclusions about situations. Cook is a comforting presence, Albertine's father is loving but distracted and "The Stepmother" ... " Black cloak, black gloves, black hat, she looked neither bright nor sweet. Quiver whimpered...the Stepmother's shadow advanced up the path and into the house...like a thunderstorm had come inside..." The characters are well developed. Through the third person narrator the reader knows all of Albertine's thoughts. She is a resilient, energetic little girl but often as the reader will see, she gets things wrong and though well- meaning, makes rash and silly decisions.
At twelve o'clock every night the ghostly Nanny Tobbins returns causing increasingly dreadful nightly havoc for which Albertine receives the blame. Albertine has to come up with a plan before she is shipped off to live elsewhere with a relative.
Infused through the text is a smattering of German words as Albertine's father is German and he has employed a German cook and nanny. German fairytales likewise influence Albertine's thinking and imagination and the cuckoo- clock figures large.
Funny, quirky and full of adventure, R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins is a delightful story about a little girl coping with loss and change in Victorian England. New possibilities and hope and tenderness emerge.
A thoroughly funny and delightful read.
Themes Ghosts, nannies, The Great Exhibition, loss, grief, stepmothers, Victorian England, coping with change, adapting.
Wendy Jeffrey
Ebb & Flo: Short cut by Laura Bunting and Philip Bunting
This is the first book in this series that I have read – a very enjoyable experience and a book that I will be keeping for my grandson. Ebb goes off to have his hair cut, but his wriggling and jiggling means that Tut cuts and slips and Ebb gets a bad haircut. His friend Flo tries to reassure him but Ebb lets his hair grow and grow until it is out of control. What will he do?
This is a fun read aloud for pre-schoolers who will love the funny pictures of Ebb as he sits in the hairdresser’s chair and then grows his hair, refusing to get it cut. I loved the zany illustrations of Ebb’s hair when it grows past his knees and the many looks that he tries: the bun, the bowl, the bob and the tornado amongst others. There are so many laugh aloud moments in Short cut, appealing to both adults who might read it aloud and children who will love to giggle at the text and pictures.
The Ebb & Flo series is ideal for beginning readers, with its rhyming words, repetition and use of phonics. Short cut would be ideal as a book for parents to share, and for teachers to have as a supplementary reader in the classroom.
Themes of friendship and dealing with emotions are engaging, and as having a bad haircut is likely to be familiar, it is easy to relate to the story. And for children who love stickers, there is a page of them at the back, as well as instructions of how to draw Tut’s parrot.
Themes Haircuts, Reading, Humour.
Pat Pledger
Are wolves afraid of the dark? by Huw Lewis Jones. Illus. by Sam Caldwell
Thames & Hudson, 2024. ISBN: 9780500653227.
Generations of children, stretching right back to the late 17th century when the wolf ate Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother in Charles Perrault's Le Petit Chaperon Rouge and the Brothers Grimm wrote Little Red Cap and similar stories to encourage young children to behave or else, the species has endured a bad reputation in literature - even in Wolfgang and the Magic of Music, the creatures are unwilling to join his band because they are afraid of him - and the phrase 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' is in common usage. So the creators, field guide Huw Lewis Jones and nature illustrator Sam Caldwell put on their real-life hats and invite young readers on an expedition to investigate the truth, starting with the title which would seemingly be at odds with what they already know and believe about the subject, and which is an activity they, themselves, have probably mastered.
Preparing the explorers for their adventures by identifying what they need as well as warning them that what they know now might be challenged, even changed, Huw and Sam introduce subspecies of grey wolf living in forests throughout Europe, North America and China, as well as red wolves in North Carolina and other members of the canid family, including coyotes. Along the way, the aspiring naturalists discover the habitats and habits of the species, learn the difference between a 'timber' and a 'tundra' wolf, what traits wild wolves share with domestic dogs, why wolf poo is so important to scientists and the challenges they face so that, in fact, wolves have far more to fear from us than we have from them!
Even though wolves are not native to Australia and are only found in zoos here, nevertheless there is still a fascination with this apex predator as witnessed by the recent interest in reports about the Sire Wolf being brought back from extinction (although the claim is disputed) and so this is a worthwhile addition to the collection that not only provides new insight but does so in an engaging way with easy-to-read text in manageable chunks and plenty of illustrations.
Themes Wolves.
Barbara Braxton
Edie Tells a Lie by Ingrid Laguna
Text Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781922790729. (Age:8 -12 years) Highly Recommended.
Ten-year-olds, Edie and Bowie, are inseparable - best friends and neighbours. When Bowie and her family move to the country, Edie is bereft. She has lost her companion. The person that knows her best. The person that she can be herself with. Struggling to make new friends becomes a gnawing challenge for Edie and when she and Aleki buddy up, it seems that Edie might have just succeeded. Aleki is from a large, noisy Samoan family and Edie wishes she had more family as it is just her and her mum as Edie’s Polish father has passed away.
In Edie’s desire to be popular and be seen, she tells Aleki a lie. What is seemingly small to start with, grows to be bigger than Edie imagined and has devastating results for her. She loses Aleki’s growing friendship and trust and school becomes a challenge. Unsure of how to make amends, Edie seeks support from her mum. A morning at the market and time spent translating a Polish letter Edie found opens up new possibilities to right the wrongs and learn more about her Polish family. Edie also discovers that Bowie is struggling in her new environment and they are able to reconnect and support each other.
This heartwarming and powerful story for middle grade readers shares the angst of making new friends, the difficulties faced when mistakes are made and the resulting consequences, as well as the sense of relief when things begin to work themselves out. Edie’s vulnerability, her deepest thoughts as well as the journey she is on are sensitively shared with the reader. A highly engaging read.
Themes Friendship, Polish History & Culture, Samoan Culture, Loneliness, School, Family, Mistakes, Consequences, New Beginnings.
Many readers and their parents will be able to relate to this entertaining story written in a letter writing format to and from a young child and a piece of broccoli. For those who do not quite find broccoli to their taste, this skilfully written and humorous story may just convince them to have another try.
The bright green front cover with the very unhappy face on the child holding a piece of broccoli on a fork will engage readers from the beginning with the end papers reflecting further aspects of the story. The letters from the child are brutally honest about their dislike of broccoli with bolded and underlined key words and passionate explanations of their feelings. The replies from broccoli are measured and thoughtful and provide the child with more to think about. As the letter writing progresses, it begins to feel like the child who disliked broccoli may be on the verge of conceding defeat but… there is clever twist!
The colourful full page illustrations vary in their format with each letter the hero of the page. The detailed visual images added by the illustrator complement the text perfectly and contribute to the overall appeal of the story with the facial expressions being a standout.
Themes Dinnertime, Broccoli, Letter Writing, Facts, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
The tractor has a wobbly wheel by Tim Saunders. Illus. by Carla Martell
Allen & Unwin NZ, 2025. ISBN: 9781991006929. Recommended.
Oh no! The tractor has a wobble wheel and a wobbly wheel is not ideal, So we must fix this wobbly wheel!
And so the farm animals set to, each with their own idea, but each making things worse until all they have is a leaky, squeaky, lumpy, clunky, shaky, bumpy, thumpy, knobbly wobbly wheel. What can they try next? And will it solve the problem?
Using all the prompts that very young children adore in their stories such as known characters, familiar scenarios, humour, rhyme, rhythm and repetition, this is a story to share with little ones just for the sheer joy of having the words roll off your tongue, watching them realise the pattern and then join in. You don't even have to be in a rural area like me for them to have fun with it. Imagine them moving and sounding like the wheel; predicting who will be the next "mechanic" and whether the attempt will be successful; and then their reaction to the ending. It's the epitome of why we share stories with them!
Hats off to these Kiwi creators for this burst of fun.
Themes Tractors, Wheels.
Barbara Braxton
Dr Golly's guide to family illness by Dr. Daniel Golshevsky (Dr Golly)
A quick glance at the Contents pages of Dr Golly's Guide to Family Illness will convince any reader that this book would be an excellent reference to have on hand for any family. It clearly describes what to do when a child is sick and how to tell if it’s an emergency. It gives a toolbox for managing illness and then goes through common symptoms of things like fever, vomit, poo, coughing, rashes and skin infections. There is a section on feeling better and staying well that includes pain and medication, immunisation and hygiene. The Childhood Bingo! section contains information about many of the things that children may bring home from daycare and school. Readers will find information on the common cold and other upper respiratory illnesses, viruses with rashes, skin infections, ear infection, head lice and common medical issues for older kids like headaches, bedwetting, snoring and acne. The sections give a comprehensive description of the symptoms of each of the medical conditions, ways to prevent and treat and when to seek medical advice. For example, under gross things, head lice, a common childhood complaint, is explored in detail, giving ways to recognising it, when to check for medical help, how to check for nits, treatment and management at home and myths and facts about headlice. Instead of an index there is a Quick reference at the back of the book listing common complaints in alphabetical order, childcare and school exclusion cases and page number references. This is followed by a handy quick reference with pictures of different rashes including hand, foot and mouth disease, nappy rash and school sores and page references for information. Finally there is a positive message to parents about using the medical system when necessary and always trusting their instincts.
Dr Golly's Guide to Family Illness is a positive, user-friendly handbook that would reassure parents and caregivers about different childhood ills and give accessible advice in treating them at home and when to seek medical advice.
Themes Refernce, Childhood illnesses.
Pat Pledger
Neeka and the Storm by Tina Strachan. Illus. by Max Hamilton
Neeka and the Storm is the second book in the refreshing and entertaining Wilder Zoo series. This engaging story begins with eleven year old Year 5 student Neeka riding her bike around the zoo feeding some of the animals including the Galapagos tortoise, penguins, Tasmanian devils and the African elephants. She is though increasingly aware of the impending storm and the need to start her last book for the school’s Reading Challenge with a looming deadline.
The relentless rain and Neeka’s need to finish ‘The Secret Garden’ for the challenge is causing great conflict with her desire to be out in the Zoo helping the staff look after the animals. As the heavy rain intensifies problems begin to arise for the zoo such as flash flooding affecting the relocation of the endangered Javan green magpies, a power blackout in the animal food preparation area and maintenance shed, a huge 100 year old fallen tree, missing zookeepers, flooding, unsettled animals and an animal nursery in Neela’s bedroom. All these events make for an exciting action packed story where Neeka, her friends, and a skeleton zoo staff work together to help maintain the zoo and the animals.
Added to the mix, is the need for Neeka to finish reading her book. Her school is scheduled for a day at the waterpark and will receive new sports equipment but it is entirely dependent on every student completing their sheet with five books read and signed off. Will Neeka be able to finish the challenge after her busy and exhausting weekend, and unexpectedly losing her book in the creek?
For those children who love animal stories set in zoos, this will be an enjoyable read. It is full of challenges and an array of likable characters including some very special non-human ones!
Themes Zoos, Animals, Storms, Reading Challenge, Family, Problem solving, Working together, Friends, Schools.
