Reviews

The all new must have Orange 430 by Michael Speechley

Errol! by Zanni Louise

Ill. by Philip Bunting. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742766300
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Themes: Humour. Penguins. Mothers. Read aloud. A little penguin with an independent mind does not budge when his mother instructs him to come. He stays where he is when she calls his name again, and remains quietly still when she gives him a warning, counting one, two, three. Exasperated she takes her shopping trolley and leaves.
This most recognisable of incidents will tickle the hearts of all readers as they identify the similarity between themselves and the penguin.
All children will have heard the mum calling out their name, getting louder each time it is ignored, and the counting to three pervades every household as a child is asked to do something they do not want to do.
In this book, the penguin disappears under the falling snow, only his beanie left on the surface. Mum, of course, returns only this time her calling Errol, sounds different as concern and worry creep in as she is unable to find her son. Her sorrow will melt the hearts of the readers as she lies on the ice and snow, clutching her son's beanie.
But we see what has happened to him, and when he comes back to the surface, he instructs his mother in the same way that she has instructed him, but she does not need telling as he did, and before he gets to the number three, she sweeps him into her arms.
This is a loving story of the relationship between a child and its mother. She is trying vainly to get him to follow her instructions, but he remains defiant, and in so doing sees the impact of his defiance on the mother who loves him.
This will be a great read aloud, as each time the word 'Errol' appears, a different stress can be put upon the word, reflecting the anguish of the mother. Bunting has made wonderful use of a plain background, with only a few main colours making up the images of mum and the baby penguin. They stand out, drawing the eye to look at the passage of time through the passing clouds.
Fran Knight

Game time by Anh Do and Dan McGuiness

Hot Dog series. Scholastic, 2018, ISBN 9781760279035
(Age: 5-8) Themes: Dogs. Friends. Sportsmanship. Anh Do's popular Hot Dog series returns with another exciting story Game time. Comedian, artist and storyteller Anh Do's story is a tale of being a good friend and is filled with jokes, humourous larks and silly situations.
Kevin's mother is a doctor who lives and works helping sick animals on faraway Rainbow Island. Kevin really misses her, so his friends try to lift his spirits. They cook his favourite foods and even dress up as a donut and hot dog, but nothing works. When they visit the park there's a poster announcing a Game Day competition with the winners receiving a trip to Rainbow Island. The trio work together; they need skill, speed and strength to compete in a series of games and win the first prize. They're up against some tough competition: a fierce team of bulldogs, Team Bulldog; Team Mud-Pie, three mud-loving pigs; and Team Ocean, three sporty penguins. Hot Dog's entered in the Long Jump and Archery, and he spends his time leapfrogging and shooting arrows at apples held by Kevin. Lizzie practises her judo moves on poor Kevin and improves her rowing skills by speedily escaping from a menacing shark. Kev creatively hones his skills in preparation for the Weightlifting, Javelin and Gymnastics.
Finally, it is Game Day, and the three friends are prepared and ready to do their best. Each game is uniquely challenging and provide plenty of spills and thrills. Lizzie twists her giraffe opponent into a knot in the judo and bravely battles a tiny crab to win her event. Kevin, Lizzie and Hot Dog each choose good sportsmanship over winning and these qualities help them in the end.
Just right for young readers, Game time is attractively presented with a flamboyant fluoro orange bright designs, bold accents and engaging text styles and sizes. Dan McGuiness' humorous cartoons showcase Hot Dog and his friends, Kevin the cat's sporty outfits and Lizzie the Lizard's silly antics, sports skills and friendly rivalry.
Rhyllis Bignell

We wear pants by Katie Abey

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408893609
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. Themes: Clothing. Humour. Katie Abey's We wear pants is an enjoyable and colourful picture book showing a broad range of animals wearing an interesting array of people clothes and shoes. Across a double-page spread we are first invited to view quirky animals wearing a range of pants: giraffe's neck is festooned with 'pant-tastic' undies, crocodile's looking snappy in his nappy, while blue monkey dances in his tartan pants! With speech bubbles filled with questions and comments, text placed up, down and around the quirky carton animals, this is humorous book to explore.
While Aussie kids will question the use of wellies, they'll soon see splashing elephants, a narwhal with a gum boot on its horn, even an octopus wearing eight wellies having a lot of fun. There is one character who chooses to remain an individual throughout, yellow monkey wears something different each time. Abey encourages the reader to find the biggest hat, the tiniest fish and check out the range of diverse hats for different seasons. Colourful coats are fun to wear on the bus, in the rain or sharing a bench with friends. The fun continues with animals wearing shoes, socks, scarves, t-shirts, glasses and pyjamas.
Abey's cartoon animal characters are engaging, follow the characters throughout and observe their antics, especially the cheeky monkey. Share with a young child, discussing the questions, the silly situations and crazy ways these animals wear human clothing. Finally check out their fashion styles when they all get dressed, there's a fire-fighter alligator, a giraffe in multi-coloured scarves and a prancing pony in jeans and a red shirt. We wear pants is entertaining, use Abey's style to create new pictures of animals dressed as humans.
Rhyllis Bignell

The littlest things give the loveliest hugs by Mark Sperring

Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408338049
(Age: 2+) Highly recommended. The littlest things give the loveliest hugs is a beautifully illustrated picture book about hugs. Each page is bright and detailed, depicting different animals hugging and snuggling their children. From elephants to foxes to koalas, this book is ready to be part of a child's nightly bedtime routine. Even before reading the rhyming sentences, children and their carers will be busy discussing all of the details in each illustration. Children can discover where the different animals are found, make observations about animal families and learn about their appearance - great Science links.
The rhyming sentences are all about cuddles and snuggles and it reads like a poem. The rhyming couplets can help children identify rhyming words, supporting older children to create their own couplets. The content is aimed at younger children and is highly recommended for children aged 2+ and younger readers aged 5+.
Kylie Kempster

George Parker goes global by David Metzenthen

Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760523466
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. Themes: Travel, Humour, Adventure. Madcap mayhem, hi-jinks and hilarious rescues, treacherous travel and crazy disguises makes "George Parker goes global" a fantastically fun novel for confident readers who like a fast-paced story. David Metzenthen throws everything into the mix and comes up with an international adventure and two unlikely characters whose lives have little in common.
The catalyst for super-nerd George Parker's international adventure begins with a disastrous half-mohawk haircut from Maddylyne the local hairdresser. Back at Tapley Grove Academy super-rich Chase Landon-Bond befriends George and insists they team up to rescue Chase's sister imprisoned in a New York clinic. Luckily, the teens can still travel in their private jets, access funds and enjoy a wealthy lifestyle, well for a while anyway! Things drastically change when Chase's parents go into hiding because they've lost hundreds of millions of dollars of their clients' funds.
George comes from a different background, his parents are scientists who are researching uses for moon rocks in a Swiss laboratory, and they've left George safely behind at school. George's phobias, rigid codes of conduct and eccentricities are tested at every turn. Accompanied by Amy the little dog George rescues, their first destination is New York, and fortunately, they have the use of the Landon-Bond's private jet. Chase relies on George's deductive powers and creativity to release Isobel from the hospital. With touches of philanthropy, some of Chase's family wealth is put to good use, sponsoring two hundred African children.
George's penchant for crazy disguises and his ability to think creatively help the trio travel from New York to London as a part of the cruise ship entertainment. Chased by some rather ineffective criminals, they are pursued to France where they lurch from one dangerous situation to the next. Impossible, impractical, unusual and clever, each scene seems funnier than the last, especially when influenced by George's ever-increasing coffee addiction. Do they find their way home and how will the problems relating to the lack of funds be solved?
David Metzenthen has created a crazy cast of characters in this globe-trotting adventure that is amazingly far-fetched, filled with laugh out loud humour and huge doses of silliness. "George Parker goes Global" also explores issues surrounding the use and misuse of wealth, the acceptance of people's difference and valuing friendships.
Rhyllis Bignell

The nothing to see here hotel by Steven Butler

Ill. by Steven Lenton. Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471163838
(Age: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Hotels: Magic. In a rollicking and amusing way, Steven Butler has created a fantasy holiday resort for magical creatures that can only be described as disgustingly spectacular. The resort is filled with magical and fantasy oddities, all hosted by Frankie Banister and his family (A family that has a befuddled, hybrid-ish troll heritage, with some human qualities too!) The normally smelly and idiosyncratic (and invisible to normal folk) hotel is turned upside-down (not literally) when a rather royal goblin decides to make a visit and creates instant chaos, leading to holes in walls, hand-to-hand fights, and piratical attacks. All in a day's work in the hotel industry for the fantasy world!
Written and illustrated in a very humourous style, the author even talks to his readers in digressions that poke fun at his own family and at the action that is taking place. It is no wonder that the book cover includes recommendations from "Tom Gates" author, Liz Pichon as it will appeal to readers of her books for its silliness. Certainly not "Harry Potter"-esque in the quality of the fantasy writing, but absolutely light-hearted and warm imaginary nonsense that will appeal to young readers.
Recommended for readers aged 8-11
Carolyn Hull

Hello horse by Vivian French

Ill. by Catherine Rayner. Walker Books, 2018 ISBN 9781406349948
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Horses, Overcoming fear, Confidence. Through an afternoon spent with Shannon the horse owned by the illustrator of this lovely story, a child learns to overcome her fear of horses, and learns to ride.
With little steps, Catherine introduces the child to her horse, Shannon, a horse she has owned for twenty years. The child is given a carrot to feed the horse, reminded to place it flat on her hand so the horse can tell what is carrot and what is fingers. She is then allowed to lead the horse around the paddock, brush and groom her, and finally to ride her. Each little step brings the child closer to becoming a friend of the horse, riding her and feeling confident with the large animal.
French's words tell us of the afternoon with the horse, telling the reader of why things are done, giving background to the way the horse is treated, and instructing the reader in the ways of a horse. So on the pages where the horse is groomed, for example the reader will not only see what is being done, and read in the story of the child and Catherine doing this to the horse, but there is information at the bottom of the page in a different font which tells the reader the facts of the undertaking and h why it is done. These facts are on most pages and an index at the end of the story allows the reader to quickly find the page again.
This beautifully presented picture book with illustrations that will make every reader want to go out and pat the nearest horse, has a double page at the end which contains the index, a short piece of factual information about the horse and its owner, and a reference to more information along with small illustrations about the brushes used for grooming.
Readers will love picking up this book, seeing the child take little steps to overcoming her fear of the horse, and in this way the reader may equate the role of little steps in overcoming others worries they may have.
Fran Knight

The little mermaid by Alex Field

Ill. by Owen Swan. Happily Ever After series. New Frontier Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781925059816
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Everyone knows the story of "The Little Mermaid" thanks to the Disney movie. This is just as beautiful but with characters more attuned to the original version of the story. "The Little Mermaid" is a traditional fairytale of a mermaid falling in love with a human and sacrificing something special for a chance to see her dreams come true. Ariel is the mermaid who has many sisters and a king for a father. Once Ariel turns 16, she is allowed to visit the ocean's surface where she first sees and falls in love with a young prince. After rescuing him from a shipwreck, Ariel chooses to give up her voice to walk like a human and hopefully have the prince fall in love with her too. Will the sacrifice work? How can her father help Ariel's dreams come true?
"The Little Mermaid" is easy to read and especially good for children who may have never seen the movie. The illustrations are simple and feel like they belong to the original version of this story. Like all fairy tales, "The Little Mermaid" is a great bedtime story and this version is not as dark with the good king quickly overcoming the evil sea witch. In classrooms, fairy tales are always used as part of the English curriculum. This version of "The Little mermaid" could be used to deconstruct the structure of a narrative, support children with identifying problems and solutions and support writing the story with different characters. Younger children will enjoy having the story read to them and independent readers will find this easy and quick to read. The book is highly recommended for readers aged 5+.
Kylie Kempster

The Dream Bird by Aleesah Darlison

Ill. by Emma Middleton. Wombat Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925563337
(Age: 2-4) Themes: Sleep, Lullabies, Dreams. Aleesah Darlison's "The Dream Bird" is the perfect bedtime story, just right for reading softly and calming a little one at bedtime. Day child George is super-active he loves climbing trees, kicking his brightly coloured ball, he's always on the go. Sunshine and light energise him, but as night falls he finds it hard to settle down and sleep. His sister suggests 'counting sheep' while his brother says to 'count backwards from a hundred.' Is that something George could do? Dad and Mum both try to help settle the toddler, even a glass of warm milk fails to help.
When he seeks comfort with Gran, she tucks him into her bird and shares a special, magical story. In a faraway land lives the unique Dream Bird who sings children to sleep, 'giving the happiest dreams imaginable.' Each child imagines a different fantasy world, mountain kingdoms with snow leopards, gorgeous treasures and lands filled with lollies. Gran's gentle voice and enchanting story send George off to sleep.
When Gran finds George in her room crying, she promises she has 'just the thing that will help.' Subsequently, with her small grandson tucked into her bed, Gran tells him the story of the dream bird 'as tall as a flamingo and as graceful as a butterfly' which sings children 'to sleep, giving them the happiest dreams possible.' Of course, the story works and George slips into 'the happiest dream he'd ever had.'
Emma Middleton's detailed paintings capture the beauty of the Dream Bird with its shimmering pink and gold feathers. She beautifully captures George's range of emotions from his restlessness and the quiet restfulness as Gran kisses her sleeping grandchild. Darlison's gentle, calming story will help send little ones off to sleep, as they remember the Dream Bird whispering 'sweet dreams, beautiful child.'
Rhyllis Bignell

Emergence by Marita Smith

Harbour Publishing House, 2018. ISBN 9781922134899
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Environment. Ariana, Fletcher, and Eli are walkers, people who carry a rare gene which allows them access to the spirit world as well as the ability to talk with animals. In the previous novel they discovered that the earth is under threat of a severe solar storm and they are the only ones who can prevent it.
Sequel to "Convergence", this novel picks up only weeks after the events of the previous novel conclude. Ariana has been taken captive by the MRI to a secure facility in Bulgaria which doubles as a school for convergers (children whose genes have been activated). However the school is just a cover for the MRI's experiments - think "The Hunger Games". Before long Ariana finds herself thrown into an arena in a vicious game of capture the flag where everyone is armed with tasers, and determined to hurt the new kid. Unable to access any of her powers she is absolutely defenceless against the others - all of which are incredibly fit and violent. Ariana only hopes that she can survive long enough for Robyn and the others to rescue her.
Meanwhile things on the farm are tense. Fletcher is furious with himself for unable to reach the spirit realm and desperate to get Ariana back. Eli and the other convergers are happy to sit tight while Kate and Kara try to get the word out of a solar storm brewing. While they're hard at work on their cause Robyn and Catherine are carefully avoiding each other, even working in their lab on a rotation.
Smith's message about environmental awareness still comes across strong in this novel. She blends the spiritual, scientific, and environmental elements together well among a cast of authentic characters. I would recommend for people twelve and up with an interest in science fiction and the environment.
Kayla Gaskell

Thimble by Rebecca Young

Ill. by Tull Suwannakit. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743811627
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Death and loss, Grief, Acceptance, Grandparents. Suwannakit's soft watercolour and pencil illustrations set the scene for an emotionally involving story of a child who has lost a loved grandmother. When Grandma died she had nearly finished a crochet tug, and the remains of the rug and the wool and crochet hook lie on her chair near her glasses and photo of her and her husband. Nearby the young girl finds Grandma's thimble and puts it in her pocket. Mum is busy helping Grandpa and asks Mabel to go into the garden. Here she remembers her grandmother and the things they did together. She finds things that she wants to show her, and eventually slips the little thimble onto her finger. Going inside she watches as Mum tries to help Grandpa learn to look after himself. She does his washing and helps him prepare tea, but as Mabel cannot help, she is told to find something to do. The thimble reminds her of something she can do for them all - finish Grandma's blanket.
This is a charming story of loss and grief, of getting on with life after a death, but remembering all the good things about that person. Grandpa must learn to look after himself, Mum is in a rush trying to help him adjust and the young girl, almost seen as in the way, does something wonderful that all will relate to, seeing the finished rug, reminding them of the woman who has died and the love that keeps on giving through the thimble and the blanket. The soft illustrations cover the pages, sometimes taking in a whole scene, while some are in small boxes, showing things that happened in the past. Children will love looking at the images depicting the relationships between the four people, Grandpa and Grandma, Mum and Mabel, thinking about how those relationships have changed now that one has died. For classes looking at the make up of a family and the ups and downs of a family life, this is an admirable addition to the list of books to peruse.
Fran Knight

Herstory: 50 women and girls who shook up the world by Katherine Halligan

Ill. by Sarah Walsh. Nosy Crow, 2018. ISBN 9781788001380
(Age: 8-13) Highly recommended. Themes: Women - Biography. 50 wonderful women feature in this fascinating and gripping book, women who been leaders, creators, healers, problem solvers and ones who have inspired and given hope to many. Each of the women is featured in an illustrated double page spread, which gives a brief outline of their early life, the challenges that they faced and what they achieved. The illustrations include photos, quotes and documents as well as colourful drawings by Sarah Walsh. The table of contents includes an Introduction, and then lists women under the following headings: Believe and lead, Imagine and Create, Help and Heal, Think and Solve, Hope and Overcome. There is a wide range of women included from ancient times (Hatshepsut, Boudicca) to modern times (Theresa Kachindamoto, Rogoberta Mechcu, Cathy Freeman and Malala Yousafzai), and from many countries and backgrounds.
I was especially interested in reading about women whose names were unfamiliar to me: Theresa Kachindamoto, Malawi chief and children's rights activist, Elizabeth Blackwell, first Anglo-American female doctor, Rosalind Franklin, chemist who discovered the structure of DNA and Katherine Johnson, pioneering NASA mathematician and physicist. Even reading about those who were familiar to me gave extra information, like Ada Lovelace's background and education.
Children will be inspired by these biographies, and reading about the women's challenges and resilience will give them faith that they too can overcome difficulties with hard work and self-belief.
This would make a welcome addition to the library or classroom.
Pat Pledger

To kill a kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Hot Key Books, 2018. ISBN 9781471407390
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Told in the first person present tense, "To Kill a Kingdom" follows Lira, a siren princess who is only a few hearts off ruling the entire ocean, as she rebels against her mother's reign of cruelty. Having been encouraged most of her life that human traits were a sign of cowardice, Lira's mistake of protecting her cousin almost costs Lira her life. Instead she is forever changed and forced to embrace her 'disgusting' humanity - her only opportunity for redemption being to return with the heart of Prince Elian, the notorious siren hunter and heir to the golden kingdom of Midas. But is embracing her humanity such a bad thing for Lira? Particularly when the prince is devastatingly handsome and enchanted with her human looks. And what is Prince Elian planning now that he's sailing with only half his crew? Is there another way for Lira to return to her siren self?
Christo weaves a story which runs in parallel to "The Little Mermaid", using many familiar plot points interspersed with the murderous nature of sirens. "To Kill a Kingdom" is, as the cover betrays, in the same vein as works by Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. It deals with coming of age issues, political games, and the importance of compassion, loyalty, and kindness. While Lira's mother is painted as an evil sea witch, the novel could also be taken as a lesson in dealing with bullying and the pressures of someone determined to inform the way you think. I would recommend to girls aged twelve and up who like fantasy and fairy-tale retellings.
Kayla Gaskell

Leah on the offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780241331057
(Age: 14 +) Recommended. Themes: School friendships. LGBT. Sequel to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The story is set around Leah and her friendship group in the last year of high school. Leah loves her drawing, music and drumming but the tensions of finding her way and conscious of being bisexual is constantly on her mind. She is not sure about the attraction she feels to a girlfriend in her group, especially when this girl has a boyfriend.
Leah's life as an only child to a single Mum is so different to the privileged lives of her friends. This has no effect on her tight friendship group throughout high school, even though she sometimes feels it. Simon, her best friend, is openly gay and is in a relationship within her group. A disagreement about racism with one friend leads to fights and disharmony. The realisation of senior year friendships coming to an end as they will be going their separate ways after Prom adds to her confusion. Leah stuggles with her feelings and emotions and the reader can sympathise and gain an understanding of the issues she is facing with her sexuality.
This is an American teenage novel but we can find similarities with the School Prom and our year 12 formal.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and it was engaging. It gave me a clear insight into the issues and emotions of teenage sexuality. It will certainly be picked up by the readers who enjoyed the first book which has been made into a movie "Love, Simon". Rating: 8/10
Debra Pepper