Ill. by Andrea Innocent. Pan Macmillan, 2018. ISBN 9781760559854
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Andy Griffiths headlines this
collection with Runaway Pram. Andy is the lone passenger in
a pram, following an extreme downhill path. We're on the edge of our
seats at each nerve racking change in the pram's trajectory. Does
Andy arrive at his destination in one piece? A good choice of opener
to keep children turning pages, what follows is many landscapes for
humour rather than the familiar Family or Contemporary genres. There
are even Sci Fi and Fantasy stories, which somehow manage to make
use of several comedy keys including: mistaken identity, unlikely
anti-heroes and exaggerated or reversed stereotypes - none more
titillating than the fat, hairy, Feral Fairies of Foggarty's
Field. 4ever is the fourth collection of short stories in the Laugh
Your Head Off series and targets middle to upper primary
students with 10 stories, each penned by an established Australian
author : Andy Griffiths, Felice Arena, James Roy, Matt Stanton, Lisa
Shannahan, Penny Tangey, Marcus Emerson, Yvette Poshoglian and
Katrina Nannestad.
None of these isolated stories, nor the four volumes in the series,
need be read in any particular sequence but young readers will
certainly sample at least one or two laugh-out-loud moments. Each
volume in the series uses only one colour. This time, yellow
monochromatic illustrations lend the book a vintage or retro vibe
that signals good, clean fun. Even so, don't be fooled - none of the
cheeky contributions typify the perfunctory old levelled school
readers of their grandparents' childhoods .
Deborah Robins
What if it's us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471176395
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. This novel explores the awkwardness
of teenage love, friendship and fate, in a modern story written from
two perspectives. Arthur is in New York on an internship for the
summer, hoping to gain experience for his application to Yale. Ben
lives in New York with his lower-middle class family, stuck in
summer school thanks to his now ex-boyfriend. Arthur is completely
captivated by the magic of the Big Apple. For Ben, it's his every
day. Two entirely different worlds, and yet the universe makes them
collide. Right from the first time they meet, you're rooting for the
two boys as you feel their clumsy chemistry emanating from the page.
After the first meeting is interrupted, it takes a while for them to
reconnect in a city of 8 million people, and it's certainly not
smooth sailing from there. It takes them three attempts to get a
first date right, as they struggle with Arthur's tendency to care
too much and Ben's inability to show how much he really cares. This,
along with movements in both their friendship groups cause
increasing tension to build up, dampened only by the romance they
share which keeps them hanging on. Through the highs and lows of
their relationship, they learn that love is not about doing things
perfectly and getting it right the first time, it's about working
through things together to work out what's right for them.
The story is written in a unique way by two authors: Becky
Albertalli and Adam Silvera, both writing from one of the
perspectives of the two main characters. Although the voice of each
character is not specified, those who have read the authors'
previous works may be able to distinguish their particular styles.
Aside from this, there are multiple references to musicals that
Broadway fans will appreciate, along with other references that
teenagers can relate to.
This novel perfectly displays the awkwardness and challenges that
come with being an openly gay teenager, or anyone in a young
relationship in today's society.
Sam Rugless (Student)
When I was a child by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield
Hodder, 2018, ISBN 9781444928853
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Grandparents. There is magic in everything.
The world is a spinning star,
No matter how old you are.
Andy Stanton's When I was a child is an evocative and
uplifting story of a grandmother and grandchild sharing beautiful
memories of past and present times. David Litchfield's enchanted
multi-media illustrations compliment the lyrical story and take us
to beautiful places.
Grandma opens her book of memories sharing her world from long ago
where people and elephants flew across the sky and the world joined
in with a grand parade. Wonderful celebrations with music and
dancing happened when the world married the sun. Grandma holds her
granddaughter's hand as they watch the Martian girls high kicking up
in the stars. The mood changes when her grandmother talks of 'the
world growing old and grey' and the 'magic shrinking away.'
Emily grasps her grandma's hands and together they fly off into a
bright world with faces in raindrops, there are "minutes that last
for hours" and "flowers celebrate birthdays." The young girl's world
is just as enchanted and splendid.
Andy Stanton's allegorical story delivers a message of hope and
love; both Grandma and Emily see the beauty and reality of their
worlds' past and present. David Litchfield's surreal scenes, filled
with light and shade, energetic magical characters and other worldly
settings add to the enjoyment of this story. A beautiful book just
right for sharing with grandparents and families. Take time to
remember and record special moments together.
Rhyllis Bignell
It's a Story, Rory! by Frances Watts
Ill. by David Legge. HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780733335938
(Age: 5-8) Storytelling. From the creators of the standout picture
book Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books comes this similar
look at stories and storytelling conventions. Regardless, this
doesn't quite live up to the highs of Parsley Rabbit and his
tutorial about the book making process. This clearly aims to give
children some tools and inspiration to create their own stories but
the three layers of text (the author talking directly to the reader,
the story narration and the characters dialogue) make it hard to
follow and needlessly complex. At one point, the reader is asked 'Do
you remember how the story began?' and it is poignant as by then
most children probably won't. There are so many twists and turns in
focus and probably a bit too much text altogether. What it does do
well is explain how visual elements contribute to storytelling
(e.g., how a character's reactions can help a reader to understand
their personality) and how language can be used effectively (e.g.,
how reactions can be conveyed through words). It also touches on
genre, uses visual techniques like close-ups and appropriate
technical language like plot, characters, setting and narrator. As a
tool for teaching story writing this will be handy but children will
require teachers to help them unpack it substantially and it will
probably need to be read a few times before it is grasped fully.
While it aims to educate it has a frenzied pace which helps to
emphasise the creative joy of story telling. It also uses humour
effectively, particularly through the character speech bubbles.
Nicole Nelson
Follow me around the world: maze book by Roger Priddy
Priddy Books, 2018. ISBN 9781783416653
(Age: Pre-schol) Highy recommended. Follow me around the world:
maze book is a colourful book that encourages interaction from
the young reader through cut out/tactile mazes on every page. Each
page in this book follows the journey of the main character Fox, who
is travelling the world, discovering major icons and meeting new
friends along the way.
I gave this book to my 3 year old for bedtime reading, and although
I initially thought that it may be too young for her, she engaged in
both the trailing through the mazes and also the text. She loved
adding to the animal friend list and finding them on each page, and
also playing 'Spot Fox' within the beautiful illustrations.
This book is from the Follow Me series by Roger Priddy,
whose books are amazing tools for young children. I can see this
book (and others from the series) being used in so many ways with
children of a multitude of ages. The three areas of focus in this
book (as stated on the back cover - another tick for publisher
Priddy Books!) are encourages imagination, problem solving and
hand-eye coordination. All of these areas are extremely important to
young readers and to be able to seamlessly weave them into a reading
experience gets a big thumbs up from me. I also really enjoyed the
interaction between parent and child that it facilitated. The
illustrations are colourful and fun, leading to discussions about
animals and landmarks, but also about the characters and what they
were doing.
Lastly, this is very robust book which is great for young hands and
would make an excellent book for travelling. The wipe able pages are
a well-received added bonus! 5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
Inheritance by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650360
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Aboriginal History; Time
Travel; Historical Fiction. Carole Wilkinson has proved herself as
an engaging author in the Dragonkeeper series, but this book
is a departure from the fantasy style of that series, but proves
that she can tell a story with great power and flair regardless of
the genre. Time travel could fall into the realm of fantasy fiction,
but this book is inherently a Historical Fiction narrative. In Inheritance
Wilkinson has managed to handle the time travel genre with great
skill and some uniqueness, to tell the story of the dreadful
massacre of Aboriginal people in Australia's past. In the present
day, Nic (short for Veronica) is left to stay with her rather grumpy
Grandfather in the family homestead in rural Victoria and
unwittingly discovers the secret of time travel. But is it an
unexpected blessing or a terrible curse? This amazing experience
leads her to discover truths about her forebears that are upsetting,
but yet give her a reason to continue her travel. With a school
project as a stimulus, and a friendship with the local boy (who
reveals his Aboriginal heritage) there is some hope of creating
something that will make a difference, despite the horrors of the
past. As Bruce Pascoe's quote reveals at the start of the book,
"There is a wound in the soul of the world and we're all paying for
it."
This is an awesome book and the revelations of the terrible past add
a layer of significance for a modern-day reader. With hints at
things from history that are inherently interesting, but also with
the personal story of a young teenager coming to terms with her sad
past, and her loneliness, this is a book to be recommended on many
levels. And the zig-zag rift in time is a great way to reveal
history.
Highly recommended for readers aged 11+
Carolyn Hull
The lost man by Jane Harper
Macmillan, 2018. ISBN 9781743549100
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. Themes:
Psychological thriller. Domestic violence. Divorce. Suicide. Rape.
In this engrossing standalone novel, Harper takes the reader to the
harsh outback, where three brothers tend the land and face all the
difficulties of being pastoralists as well as the unrelenting hot
sun and isolation of big properties. The book opens with an
unforgettable scene with Nathan and Bub meeting at an old stockman's
grave, where Bub has discovered the body of the middle brother
Cameron. Cameron has been slightly strange over the past weeks. Did
he walk to his death or has something happened to him?
Harper builds up the tension in an unrelenting way as the reader
tries to unravel the many threads in the book. Why has Nathan been
ostracised by the people in the district and will he be able to keep
his sanity? What has been troubling Cameron and who was the strange
woman who contacted him before his death? Did Cameron commit suicide
or did something more sinister happen?
As the story unfolds and the family dynamics and history are
gradually unpeeled layer by layer the reader is taken on a journey
that encompasses domestic violence, the horrors of divorce and
custody battles and the spectre of rape, all under the burning
Queensland sun. Nathan is the central character and the author has
sympathetically drawn his character as he suffers for his mistakes.
Family dynamics play a big part in the book and the reader is forced
to look at each person on the property as Nathan uncovers more
puzzling details about Cameron's death.
Readers who may have wanted to see more of Aaron Falk (The dry
and Force
of nature) won't be disappointed. This is a stunning standalone
novel that was very difficult to put down.
Definitely the best mystery that I have read this year!
Pat Pledger
The TinyWing fairies by Suzanne Barton
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408864876 The TinyWing Fairies is a delightful bedtime story, written
and illustrated by Suzanne Barton, which follows the journey of some
gorgeous fairy friends from Dappletree Woods in their hunt for a
noise in the night. As they go along their way they meet their
woodland friends the mice, owls, and the rabbits who all join in to
help find the cause of the unknown noise. The mystery concludes and
the friends all attend the Winter Fair which is a fabulous end to
their big adventure.
I really enjoyed the language used in this story and felt that it
added to the "enchanting" feeling throughout the whole book. Words
such as snuggled, twinkled, fluttering and dreaming were discussed
and enjoyed by Miss 4, who sat with her eyes fixated on the pictures
and her ears listening intently to the words.
The illustrations are amazingly whimsical, colourful, with patterns
following through each page and cute snowflakes moving across the
scenery.
We loved the colours used and especially the figures of the TinyWing
fairies who had great facial expressions.
According to Miss 4 her favourite parts were when the fairies went
to visit all the animals and how they helped each other out. She
also loved the pictures of the animal families, especially the owls
and the mice. And although he may not admit it - Master 8 listened
in and stated that he thought the pictures were good and that he
liked the rabbits and the owls!!!
This book is perfectly suited to bedtime reading and could be used
for a child who may have some issues with hearing noises in the
night, as it is reassuring and definitely calming.
We really enjoyed this book and will certainly be reading it again!
Lauren Fountain
Incognito by Shelley Johannes
Beatrice Zinker upside down thinker series. Lothian, 2018,
ISBN 9780734417312
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. Themes: Individuality. Friendship. School
life. Problem solving. Shelley Johannes has created a unique and fun
character, a creative thinker whose best ideas come when she's
upside down. While the rest of the girls in her class love to play
vet clinic at break time, Beatrice Zinker and her best friend Lenny
can be found hanging upside down in the maple tree. Their Operation
Upside plan involves leaving special certificates hidden around
school rewarding those kids who need a boost, a reward for their
special talents.
Beatrice is ready to shake things up in third grade at William
Charles Elementary School.
While Beatrice's enthusiasm is heartfelt, her impulsivity causes
problems. The duo has a list of who they're going to give the
certificates to, unfortunately Beatrice's decision to give their
authoritarian teacher Mrs. Tamarack a certificate for being the Most
Strict Teacher causes unexpected issues. The teacher has her
suspicions about the student who put the award in her bag, but
nobody owns up. Beatrice decides to go incognito to school: no more
ninja gear, it's pink dresses to blend in with the other girls.
In the week that follows, Beatrice learns Morse Code, becomes
friends with mysterious Sam Darzi, uses her ninja skills for secret
rooftop meetings and manages to sort out her problems.
Shelley Johannes lively illustrations add fun and drama to
Beatrice's exploits and daily school life. She encourages young
readers to think positively and celebrate their different styles and
personalities. Her creative language uses alliteration, humour and
sensory experiences to build a picture of Beatrice's journey. Incognito
is a delightful junior novel just right for sharing with younger
students in Years 2-4. The author explore themes of emotional
wellbeing, friendship, self-perception and anti-bullying.
Rhyllis Bignell
Dragon apocalypse by DC Green
City of Monsters book 3. Ford Street Publishing, 2018. ISBN
9781925272680
(Ages 11+) Fantasy. Dragon apocalypse is the third book in
the City of monsters series by DC Green. The Dead Gang, a
group of monsters including a giant spider, a vampire, an ogre, a
goblin, a banshee, a mummy, and PT (the 'hume' with a bionic hand),
returns and are on a mission that they hope will save the world.
They need to save the last Dragon, hiding on the Isle of Giants, and
potentially linked to the health of the world, but there appears to
be a traitor in their midst.
The Dead Gang is split into two, off on two separate missions before
coming together, and the story follows the monsters as they try to
save a dragon egg, battle two enemy armies of other monsters and
cyborgs, and reach the last Dragon before the world floods and comes
to an end. Through the battles, several twists take place, and the
dragon egg that was saved cracks open and reveals a baby dragon, who
becomes a new member of the Dead Gang. Does the Dead Gang achieve
success? Who is the traitor? All is revealed as you explore the
mystical world created by DC Green.
DC Green uses an interesting writing style that will appeal to
younger readers, but can be difficult to decipher at times. Some
mini themes may be more suitable for older readers. Without having
read the first two books in the series, it was a bit confusing to
begin with, but the story did begin to make sense; however, I would
highly recommend that readers read the first two books in the
exciting series before embarking on this one.
Christina Abbracciavento
The Knockout Cup by Adrian Beck and Adele K. Thomas
The Champion Charlies book 3. Penguin, 2018. ISBN
9780143791287
(Age: 7-9) Themes: Soccer. Sportsmanship. The Champion Charlies
series has been developed in partnership with Football Federation
Australia promoting teamwork and the enjoyment of the game. The
characters are based on the Socceroos and the Matildas players.
It's time for the Jindaberg Jets to play in the Knockout Cup in
Wombat Creek, a five-hour bus ride away. With eight teams playing
over the three days, the Jets players are up against some familiar
but tough competitors. Captain Dirty Damo from the Wombat Creek FC
is out to win again, by any means necessary. Charlotte's focussed on
the Perfect Prep while the rest of the team spend their training
session working out where to put the trophy.
The Jets board the bus excited and ready for their three days away,
camping and playing football. Their minibus is decorated in green
and gold and the Dancing Dads cheer them on as they pass by Benji's
dad's newsagency.
Camping in icy, muddy conditions, three course meals loaded with
pumpkin and difficult football games make this an interesting
competition. When Coach Highpants falls ill, mysterious bus driver
and school gardener Baldock steps in to help the Jets. Pranks,
tricks and Dirty Damo's targeting of Charlotte on the field make
this a trying time. There's plenty of football action, fancy
footwork and some goals scored.
Adrian Beck's easy-to-read style, great characters and Adele Thomas'
humorous cartoons reinforce positive messages of working together
and valuing each other's skills and abilities. The Knockout Cup
is a fun junior novel for soccer fans.
Rhyllis Bignell
I am out with lanterns by Emily Gale
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780143782766
(Age: Adolescent) Recommended. Setting her writing soundly in the
modern world of a big city, Emily Gale plunges us into the blogs,
posts, and the multiple places of internet connection that we use to
connect with others, while slowing us down to read the more
traditional story-telling mode of the novel. The painted name that
begins each section of this novel is reflective of the artistic
world of the young people whose stories connect, clash and describe
their world.
The short pieces told by young people whose lives intersect through
school, family or district, told in the first person, speak of the
dreams, hopes and sorrows that they have endured. Gale's work draws
together the interconnected world that links the writers, ultimately
focusing on the world of the adolescent, on how different families
are defined, by one or two parents, by parents who have separated,
and by parents of the same gender. The ultimate quest of each writer
is to discover what the world means, how do we cope as human beings,
in our desire to find life's meaning, all grounded deeply in Emily
Dickinson's poetic writing, I am out with lanterns, looking for
myself. Her references to the works of Oscar Wilde, Artemisia
Gentilcore, and the quirky Latin saying, 'Boys will be boys', ground
her work in the philosophy of considering what it is that we must do
to make our lives good, meaningful and fulfilled.
This novel demands thought, and its gentle consideration of our
differences, our concerns and our quest to find life's meaning,
lifts us into a self-reflective mode that enables us to be present
more fully in the world. It is beautifully written, with a deep and
loving understanding of our human dreams, foibles, passions and
love.
Wonderful for adolescents, and a source of understanding of the
mystery of life, particularly that of the intersecting years of
childhood and adulthood.
Elizabeth Bondar
The Happiness Quest by Richard Yaxley
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742991993
(Age: Adolescent - Adult) Recommended. This story is about emotions,
about how we live our lives in the modern world. Richard Yaxley has
composed a story about the angst of human life - that feeling of
confusion which sometimes descends, without warning, on certain
people whose lives, thereafter, are radically changed. We are told
this tale so gently, with the character, Tillie Bassett, revealing
the core of her sadness, her feeling of not fitting in, of not being
who she was before, of being so different that she can no longer
cope with school, family, friends, or indeed with life. While this
story is disturbing, because we all witness such sadness, the
depression that descends on people, young, middle-aged or old, has
at its core, the capacity to thrust the sufferer into a world of
their own, a world into which others cannot either see or enter,
that has walls unseen but strong enough to keep the sufferer
captive.
Beautifully told, with compassion, respect and understanding of the
perplexing state of despair, this story captivates, intrigues and
essentially endows us with the calm spirit of understanding that
life is complex, and that if we can both offer and receive love we
may thereby be content. Yaxley writes with compassion, enabling us
to be elevated into a world where it is just not ourselves that
exist but the individual worlds, often misunderstood, of others. He
endows this narrative with a true sense of the worthwhile nature of
human life when one is surrounded by those, be it family or friends,
workmates or schoolmates, who will work with us to bring back a
sense of equanimity once more, or at least stand by us throughout
the terrors, the blackness, the coldness, or the enigmatic nature of
being so puzzled by what is occurring, and feeling so alone in one's
suffering.
While this narrative is told from the perspective of a confused and
anxious adolescent girl, Yaxley draws us deeply into the sense of
being human, the fears, joys and enigmatic nature of relationships,
leaving us with a great sense of possibility - that we can be
social, we can give and receive love and joy, and that we can seek
and often find that sense that all is well and that there is hope.
In its title, the novel suggests a much deeper quest in the harsh
times of the modern world. As Tillie realizes the healing power of
love and family, so we are drawn into her joy and wonderment at the
world with the birth of a new baby in the family. As we witness the
lifting of the darkness in the sudden resurgence of love felt by
all, so we are captivated by the deeply lyrical conclusion to this
novel. As the jacarandas fall and the ground is covered with the
purple flowers, we understand how the family is drawn together and
life seems to blossom with meaning.
This story would appeal to an audience of all ages because of its
consideration of the confusion, despair and isolation experienced by
those suffering from depression. The plot is certainly plausible and
the narrative captivates the audience through its authenticity and
respect for the young woman suffering from a great and inexplicable
sadness.
Elizabeth Bondar
Beware the deep dark forest by Sue Whiting
Ill. by Annie White. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781742032344
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fear, Lost, Forests,
Bravery. A wonderful tale of bravery and resilience is told in this
attractive book, redolent of folk tales of the past. With nods to
Red Riding Hood, amongst others, Rosie dives into the deep dark
forest, despite all the stories she has heard, to find her little
dog, Tinky. He has run where no one dares to run, where everyone is
told not to go, into the forest full of carnivorous plants and
venomous snakes. Rosie's dad and gran hesitate at the beginning of
the woods, but it is Rosie who plunges forward, grappling with the
close standing trees and the vines which wrap around the trunks and
loop between the trees. She strides through the mud, getting a
little wobbly at the sounds she hears. She doesn't see any
carnivorous plants or venomous snakes, but she does come across
several obstacles in her search for her little dog. She navigates a
way around each obstacle with panache, until at last she finds
Tinky. When the last of the obstacles, a menacing, monstrous, muddy
troll is dispatched, she is able to retrieve Tinky and return to her
dad and gran.
An entertaining story about bravery, readers will love the courage
shown by Rosie in the face of unknown hurdles, willing her to reach
Tinky, and not a little fearful along with Rosie about the path she
has chosen. The repetition, 'But she could't see any carnivorous
plants, and she couldn't see any venomous snakes' will be repeated
by all listeners as the story is read to them, reinforcing Rosie's
bravery in the face of rumours about the forest.
The luminous watercolour illustrations will be pored over by the
readers, intent on absorbing the details of the forest, marvelling
at the intricacy of the vines, sometimes snakes, mostly covered with
nasty thorns, sometimes turning into carnivorous plants, but always
filling the page, narrowing Rosie's path. Readers will follow the
paths of the vines on the endpapers, again, alluding to Sleeping
Beauty, or Beauty and the Beast, encouraging them to
recall other folk tales they have heard. A wonderful read aloud, Beware
of the deep dark forest will be read over and over by everyone
who sees it.
Fran Knight
High five to the boys: A celebration of ace Australian men by various authors
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780143791782
Highly recommended. High five to the boys is one of the best
children's books I have read in a very long time! This book comes
after the equally wonderful Shout
out to the girls and does not disappoint. With 50
amazing stories, this book is filled to the brim with awesomeness.
The pretext is that this is a celebration of ace Australian men, all
of whom have done something great. Some have bucked the system,
others achieved sporting glory and then there are those whose names
I had never heard of before and will now never forget (like Taj
Pabari and Paul De Gelder).
I read this book quite quickly myself however spread the stories
over a few weeks for my 8 year old. For him it was too much
information to read more than 2 or 3 stories as each interesting
person meant lots of conversations, question and more often than not
some google searching. The stories are quite short, and give an
overview of the man's life, their awesome achievement and then
leaves you with an intention, like this one for Victor Chang
'Victor, you were a pioneer in your field and your skill and
dedication will never be forgotten! We remember your legacy'.
On top of the fantastic stories, every person is also blessed with
art work (portraits) by a huge variety of Australian male artists.
They are colourful, different in style and engage the reader very
easily. As you may have realised, we really like this book! The
stories are engaging, show a huge variety of careers and lifestyles
and will be well read by both my children and the students who
borrow from my library.
It has a multitude of uses as both a book to read and also as a
reference for essays or assignments. It will help all boys feel
uplifted, confident and able to be themselves no matter what.
Do yourself a favour and buy this book (and Shout
out to the girls), your kids and family will love it. 5
out of 5!!!
Lauren Fountain
