A wild adventure by Yvette Poshoglian and Danielle McDonald
Ella and Olivia series, Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742761947
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. Themes: Holidays. Australian animals. Ella
and Olivia's twenty first book sees the family set out on a holiday
trip to Wild Animals Adventure Park. They have packed their bikes in
the trailer and the sisters and little brother Max are ready for the
long drive. There's plenty of conversation about the animals they
will see and activities to help pass the time in their travel bags.
At the park they settle in to Lizard Lodge, where Ella is surprised
by a bearded dragon on the cabin's verandah.
When the family ride through the park, there are lot of animals to
observe, even a lyrebird that mimics a mobile phone ring. Ella and
Olivia are keen to cuddle a koala at the Koala Kuddle Korner,
however the queue is very long, perhaps they can try again on
another day. The sisters are excited for their first bike ride
without Mum, Dad and Max. Trusting the girls to stay safely on the
path and stick together is important. When something happens, Ranger
Alice comes to the rescue and rewards the girls with a special treat
for observing a mother and baby koala nestling in a nearby tree.
Yvette Poshoglian's charming stories are written specifically for
early readers who enjoy simple plots and relatable characters. She
celebrates the special relationship sisters Ella and Olivia share
and the simple joys of family life. The extremely large font and
Danielle McDonald's cute drawings support the transition from
picture book to beginning novel. Each book is written with a
specific theme and each includes a range of familiar text and some
specific trickier words relating to the theme.
Rhyllis Bignell
Roald Dahl's 123 illustrated by Quentin Blake
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780241330364
(Age: 1-5) Quentin Blake brings his unique illustrations to
this early counting book. He even borrows from his previous work,
with his distinctive enormous crocodile featuring on each page. The
word 'chiddler' (meaning child) as coined by Roald Dahl in The BFG
is also used. The board book counts chiddlers from one to five ('1
little chiddler going for a walk. 2 little chiddlers waiting for
their friend'). Each page also asks the reader to spot the enormous
crocodile that is badly hidden within the illustration ('Can you
spot 1 enormous crocodile hiding in the grass?'). The illustrations
are funny in parts: when the crocodile pretends to be a carousel
animal or a coconut tree for example. The numerals are large and
bold to help with number recognition and the pages are not too busy.
This will enable readers to easily count the children (or chiddlers)
on each page. The ending is clever as it is implied that the
crocodile eats the children but the last page lifts out for a double
spread to show the children all fleeing from the enormous crocodile
who just missed them with his snapping jaws. This is a simple but
fun counting book and a nice introduction to the illustrative genius
of Quentin Blake.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Roald Dahl's opposites ill. by Quentin Blake
Penguin Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780241330555
(Ages: 1-5) Board book. Opposites. Lift-the-flaps. Each double page
spread of this concept board book features one set of opposites
(big, little; empty, full; tall, short; right way up, upside down;
day time, night time; etc.) The words are accompanied by illustrated
and often humourous examples (e.g., the enormous crocodile with his
jaws wide open and then with them closed upon the feathers of a
shocked bird). There are interactive flaps on some pages but not
all.
The distinctive Quentin Blake illustrations (with his signature
enormous crocodile featured on several of the pages) are delightful
as always, with many familiar characters from his popular works
(elephant, pelican, giraffe).
This is a light-hearted introduction to opposites for young
children, not unique in its field but pleasant due to its simplicity
and wit.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
The astonishing colour of after by Emily X. R. Pan
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9781510102965
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Depression, grief, friendship,
magic, art, culture. Leigh's mother commits suicide and leaves very
little clue as to why. As far as Leigh knew, everything seemed
normal. Or was it? Looking back there may have been signs but
nothing that stood out. Leigh and her father are devastated and try
desperately to find out why Dory (mum) could not stay.
The night before the funeral Leigh's mum comes to her in the form of
a red bird and speaks to her in her mother's voice, a voice she
would know anywhere. And so starts a voyage of discovery for Leigh
which leads her and her father back to Taiwan, her mother's place of
birth in search for answers.
This book addresses depression, immense grief and a myriad of other
emotions, which are described by the use of colours and art right
throughout the book. Leigh and her friend Axel even describe their
moods to each other by referencing colour.
This is a gentle, beautiful story overshadowed at the beginning with
sadness, but as the journey continues, there is hope and
understanding. Leigh's heartbreak is softened by being reunited with
her mother's parents in Taiwan with whom she had never met. Dory had
left the family home under a cloud and the divide had never been
healed before she died. Leigh's connection with Waipo and Waigong
(her grandparents) teaches her about who her mother was and the
culture she grew up in before moving to America. Questions are
answered for Leigh through discovery and persistence.
The connection with her best friend Axel is another beautiful
dimension to the story. Leigh was with Axel at the time her mother
committed suicide and Leigh often dwells on the fact that she may
have been able to stop her mum had she been at home instead. Theirs
is a true friendship that endures the grief and pain right to the
end.
I would recommend this book to those 12+
Gerri Mills
Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton
Ill. by Miguel Ordonez. Hodder Children's Books, 2018. ISBN
9781444933444
(Age: 3-6) Themes: Rhyming stories, Volcanoes - fiction. Follow
Dwayne and Jane and a cast of colourful and quirky characters on
their journey across the globe to see a volcano. Andy Stanton's
super rhyming story gathers a cast of silly characters, aliens,
rabbits, cheerleaders, dinosaurs and a marching band, together with
two intrepid explorers determined to see an active volcano.
Down the lane-o, riding the Great Dane-o, sitting on the train-o,
jumping on a plane-o, the rhymes and ways of travelling become
bigger and funnier as we see their adventure unfold. Even the rain-o
doesn't dampen their enthusiasm. There is a pause in the rhythm of
the story as they gather on the volcano's rim, a perfect opportunity
for the reading audience to predict what happens next. Yes the
ending involves a lesson in safety and a sensible warning!
Miguel Ordonez adds colour and fun with his delightful digital
illustrations, simple characters with silly expressions, aliens,
robots and dinosaurs. Take time to look at the line-up at the end of
the story and see if you can find them on the previous pages.
Andy Stanton's Going to the Volcano is just right for
sharing, the rhyming endings are easy to guess and this fun story is
one that can be re-read and enjoyed.
Rhyllis Bignell
Peg + Cat : The Eid al-Adha Adventure by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson
Candlewick Books, 2018. ISBN 9780763699321
(Age: 3-7) Recommended. "Peg + Cat : The Eid-Adha Aventure" is a
simple, yet interesting story that could be used in so many
different ways. The basis of these stories surround Peg and her
sidekick Cat, who always come across really big problems, and they
generally need to fix them using basic mathematics. As it is also a
TV show on a children's channel many children will be familiar with
the characters and the format of the story. This particular story
has the added features of 2 new friends Yasmin and Amit, and their
favourite cultural holiday Eid-Ahda. This particular holiday
surrounds the notions of giving to those with less, making a smooth
transition to the mathematical themes of less and more (and their
signs < and >).
The friends also have to divide meat into thirds, and use scales to
ensure that their servings are the same. On top of the math concepts
that can be discussed and taught through this book,
teachers/carers/parents could also use this story to look at
different cultural traditions and holidays, how to decipher needs vs
wants and also learning about helping those that need assistance
through illness or hardship.
I really like books that can be both simple, fun stories and a
teaching tool. This enables the listener to purely listen, and
through the enjoyment of the story pick out extra learnings and
understanding. My children (3 and 7) loved this book as they knew
the characters and the format, as well as some of the predictable
phrases. We give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Lauren Fountain
Jake Atlas and the hunt for the Feathered God by Rob Lloyd Jones
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406377712
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Themes: Action, Adventure, Twins, Mystery,
Aztec - history. Hunted by international police and hiding from the
evil People of the Snake, treasure hunters and tomb raiders Jake
Atlas and his family are in danger. During this enforced stay in an
English stately home twins Jake and Pan hone their martial art
skills, train in using new developed technology, learn ancient
languages and bicker, argue and question their parents' motives. Why
aren't they searching for the second emerald tablet? When their
friend and tech whiz Sami is poisoned, they are forced by the People
of the Snake to undertake a dangerous mission to discover the tablet
in exchange for a cure.
Their destination is a legendary Aztec tomb dedicated to the god
Quetzalcoatl, hidden in the Honduran rainforest. The Atlas family
must face traitors, bandits, big cats, tarantulas and crocodiles and
learn to rely on other's abilities to help them. Their arguments and
squabbles lead them into deeper trouble as they face monsoon rains
and arduous conditions on their lengthy trek in the jungle. They
barely survive ancient Aztec snares, climb a cliff built from
skulls, leap over a huge waterfall, escape from a trap made out of
swinging blades as the momentum builds to a crescendo.
Rob Lloyd Jones channels Indiana Jones, Lara Croft Tomb Raider and
Alex Rider in this fast-paced action adventure. Each of the main
characters are relatable, Jake's gung-ho attitude means he's quick
to jump into dangerous situations while his sister Pan is a thinker,
skilled in linguistics and a student of history. A family of tomb
raiders and treasure hunters is unique in this fiction genre and
adds a different and realistic perspective. The author's
historically accurate facts are fascinating and eye-opening - the
Aztec's religious practices of human sacrifices and worship of
Quetzalcoatl. Filled with exciting new technology - nano-drones,
smart-goggles and satellite trackers and Biosteel reinforced jungle
suits, "Jake Atlas and the Hunt for the Feathered God" will
appeal to a wide range of readers.
Rhyllis Bignell
The making of Martin Sparrow by Peter Cochrane
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780670074068
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Set on the Hawkesbury river, a community
struggles to survive in the early years of the New South Wales
Colony.
Emancipated convict Martin Sparrow has led a disastrous life but has
been granted the standard thirty acres of land to farm. Having no
knowledge or experience, Sparrow's agricultural endeavours are
hopeless and he appears to have been set up to fail in the sense
that he cannot possibly meet the Government's produce requirements
or repayments to his creditors.
In 1806, a monstrous flood completely destroys all of his miserable
possessions and produce, prompting him to fantasise about bolting to
the fabled paradise West of the Blue Mountains. Aptly named, Sparrow
is revealed to be physically weak, unremarkable and unable to assert
himself. Lacking a strong sense of identity or purpose, he is
susceptible to suggestion and manipulation by violent men with no
scruples. Naively accepting tales of easy living in nature's bounty,
surrounded by exotic, affectionate women, Sparrow agrees to
accompany desperate men on a shambolic expedition to cross the
mountains to the mythical land of plenty.
Cruelty and suffering appear on many levels in this story. Convicts
struggled in freezing cold and blazing heat to build roads and
infrastructure in a colony clawing for survival. Military overseers
mistreated convicts, free settlers and each other whilst government
administrators profited from the labour and hardship of the convicts
and settlers.
The treatment of the local Dharag people by vicious soldiers and
bloodthirsty settlers is extreme. Foraging for food on their
traditional land is considered theft by settlers who respond with
unspeakable brutality, torturing, raping and murdering without any
consideration of moral or legal restraint.
Some of the female settlers also lead brutal lives, subjected to
sexual violence and exploitation, illegal imprisonment and even
being traded and sold by men who consider them property.
In a landscape filled with harsh individuals trying to eke out an
existence, Sparrow embarks upon his ill-conceived journey and for
the first time in his life comes into contact with solid, decent
people. These include a Romany girl who has been grossly mistreated,
the local constable charged with trying to sort out complex and
dreadful crimes, an eccentric explorer and a kindly landowner.
Fighting to survive in the bush, Sparrow stumbles from one disaster
to another, yet the extreme nature of his adventures and reaching
the point of no return cause him to commence thinking for himself
for the first time in his life. Part of Sparrow's awakening involves
consideration of the welfare of others and he develops a capacity
for moral consideration and altruism which he had not previously
possessed.
Grim in places, this novel is still instantly appealing to those who
enjoy historical fiction. I knew I would enjoy this book from the
outset and was captured and taken on a long, dark journey.
Recommended for age 16+
Rob Welsh
Running on empty by S. E. Durrant
Nosy Crow, 2018. ISBN 9780857637406
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Disability. Athletics.
Family. Grief and loss. Persistence and perseverence. AJ is a pretty
normal kid, trying to work out life after the death of his loving
and gracious grandfather - a man who was a mentor and an inspiration
in his life. This grandfather had created a passion for running in
AJ's life and he was desperate to honour his grandfather's memory by
continuing to run. And... his parents have learning difficulties.
Because of this AJ is very much missing his grandfather's support,
because now he has to take on even more responsibility and try and
avoid any bills that 'have red' on them. AJ also has an Aunty, Uncle
and young cousin, Aisha, in his life. None of them have a problem
with AJ's parents - they are all just people trying to do their very
best; and Aisha just brings joy wherever she goes with her innocent
enthusiasm and honesty. This is the story of the pre-teen AJ as he
adjusts and strives and copes with supporting and caring for his
parents, while trying to make them proud and protecting them from
the worst of reactions from those outside the family, including his
school teachers. AJ also has the added fear that if anyone finds out
that Grandfather can no longer help them, that he might have to be
taken into care. His growth and budding maturity is hinted at in his
insights into how others may react, and in his own misdirected
responses to those around him, but he lacks the discernment that
would save him from some pain.
This is a beautiful story of unconditional love, of people doing
their absolute best in the most trying of circumstances and of one
young boy's fierce loyalty in the face of loss and great difficulty.
This is a book that will inspire, as AJ only knows the richness of
the love he shares in his family. AJ and his parents' honourable
simplicity and naivete will be evident to an older reader, and this
makes this a book that can be enjoyed by older readers. Just as the
two books, The boy in the striped pyjamas and
Wonder communicate complex ideas through a naive
narrator, this book speaks with incredible power through the
youthful voice. A pair of running shoes becomes a powerful symbol of
love, hope and care. This is a 'must read' book, and will be enjoyed
by all who pick it up to read. And please allow young teenagers to
read it too, because they will recognise the themes, but also be
buoyed by the persistence of AJ and his parents despite their lack
of privilege.
Highly recommended for ages 10+
Carolyn Hull
Tropical Terry by Jarvis
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406378627
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Difference. Friendship. Coral reef.
Fish. Terry is an unexciting blue fish swimming amongst the coral of
a coral reef. His large eye watches as the beautiful, differently
coloured coral fish swim by and longs to be with them. They seem to
have all the fun as they swim by in a large group, showing off their
plumage and colours. But Terry's friends, Cilla the crab and Steve
the sea snail, tell him not to worry but to keep playing with them.
They play hide a fish (which Terry is very good at as he blends into
the background so well) and dodge a dolphin, while the coral fish
above swirl around and around. Terry is dismayed, so he takes a fish
net and gathers up a lot of seaweed, asking his friends to help make
him look more interesting.
When they finish making him up, he looks stunning, equaling the coral
fish in appearance and they accept him as one of their own.
The brilliantly coloured illustrations reveal the secrets of a coral
reef with its large numbers of brightly coloured fish, the corals
and seaweed alongside the other sea animals. The colours are
engaging and younger readers will enjoy picking out all the
different things they can see.
But with Terry gamboling amongst the coral fish, going around and
around, a hungry eel passes by targeting the brightest fish he can
see, Terry. Terry must avoid being eaten and his friends Cilla and
Steve call out to him helping him escape the eel.
All ends happily as the coral fish come to realise that appearance
is not all it's cracked up to be, and readers will be able to
discuss concepts such as difference, envy, friendship and keeping up
with the crowd.
Fran Knight
Pig in a wig by Chrissie Krebs
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742762654
(Age: 3-7) Pig in a wig by Chrissie Krebs is a story about a pig who
happens upon a wig and gets chased by all the usual suspects you
would find on a farm. It follows a pretty simple rhyming pattern,
with a few fun words thrown in like gnarly, glorious and shrieking.
In essence the story is funny and likeable - pig wears a wig, gets
chased by shocked and scared barnyard friends, in the end a long
procession is in chase, then just as they gain on him the wig falls
off and they run straight past!
The issue that we had when we read it (miss 3 and master 7) was the
illustrations. They are frankly a bit scary! The faces of all the
animals are either angry or looking frightening with eyes looking in
different directions and tongues hanging out flapping in the wind.
My youngest said that this was the only part of the book she didn't
really like (the farmer had 'crazy eyes') but that the pig was
funny. Master 7 liked that he could read the text, and enjoyed
learning the fun words that are thrown in.
Overall, I have to say that unfortunately I wouldn't choose this for
my library or personal collection. The illustrations put me off and
I feel that they are too over the top for the intended audience. 2
out of 5 stars.
Lauren Fountain
Hello, Horse by Vivian French
Ill. by Catherine Rayner. Nature Story Book. Walker Books,
2018. ISBN 9781406349948
(Age: 5-10) Highly recommended. Themes: Horses, Fear. Another in the
highly successful and exceptionally well produced series, "Nature
Story Book", comes a heart-warming story from popular author Vivian
French and illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine
Rayner. With two such talents, the book can only be beautiful!
The little boy featured in the story meets Shannon, a big brown
horse. Initially he is intimidated by the size of Shannon but
Catherine reassures him that the horse is very friendly and gentle.
As the story develops the boy learns much about horses and gradually
overcomes his fear. By the end of the story the reader sees the
little boy riding along a leafy lane.
On most double page spreads, not only is there the fiction story,
but in different print, there is information about horses'
behaviour, their size, what they eat and how to groom them. At the
back is an index that tells the reader to look at both sets of type
when finding a word, and there is a 'More Information' section.
As a lover of horses, it was immediately evident to me that the
author and illustrator knew and loved horses and this was confirmed
by the 'Author's Note' at the end of the book, which states that
Shannon the lovely bay mare featured in the book is real and has
belonged to Catherine for more than twenty years. Catherine's water
colour illustrations of Shannon the horse are delightful and the
horse's gentle inquisitive nature comes to life as the little boy
gradually gets to know her.
This such a beautiful story that begs to be read aloud at home and
in the classroom. Readers will not only learn about horses but the
story would help children who are fearful of such a large animal and
those familiar with horses will revel in the details found in the
book.
Pat Pledger
My encounters with minibeasts by Densey Clyne
New Holland Publishers, 2018. ISBN 9781925546170
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Insects, Spiders, Frogs, Non
fiction. A wonderful beautifully illustrated book about the creepy
crawlies that abound in our houses and gardens and further afield is
presented by well known insect aficionado, Densey Clyne. Known for
her work, writing books, writing scripts for documentaries as well
as broadcasting, Densey has produced over thirty publications
dealing with the insect world and beyond. This book offers thirty
five stories of her life with these animals. Wonderful to dip into,
to read from cover to cover or use the four pages of index to
research your favourite insect, the book is a treasure trove of
information and story, each complementing the other for the reader.
From "Secrets of the High Country" to "A Short Walk in Papua New
Guinea", the stories are personal, often simply told form her
experiences in her own garden. Her close study of the mistletoe tree
for example gives us an entertaining look at the insects which use
this tree as their home. ("Mistletoe and friends")
And the chapter on the phasmid or goliath stick insect (A phasmid of
colour and character) will interest students in keeping these
insects as pets, while the symbiotic nature of insects is nowhere
more telling than in her the tale of the ant and the imperial Blue
Butterfly. The butterfly pays its eggs near the ants' nest, the ants
then protecting the larvae when they are hatched from the eggs.
("You scratch my back" . . .)
Each chapter is detailed and entertaining, reflecting Clyne's
interest and knowledge of the insect world, and readers will
appreciate the chatty, personal style that she uses to inform the
readers. This is a wonderful reference book, but is also easy to
read, the photographs wonderful to look at more closely and the
chapters short and to the point.
Fran Knight
I got a chicken for my birthday by Laura Gehl
Ill. by Sarah Horne. CarolRhoda Books, 2018. ISBN 9781512431308
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Poultry, Birthdays, Presents. Ana
really wants tickets to the amusement park for her birthday and she
has told her abuela (grandmother) three times. But the day of her
birthday arrives with a large gift wrapped crate and inside is a
chicken. She is disappointed, but realises that she needs to feed
it, and going to do just that, the chicken displays a sign saying
she has no time for food. Ana thinks that perhaps she likes
scrambled eggs, but going to the chicken she has another sign
telling her that she has no time for laying eggs, and gives Ana a
huge list of things to collect and buy.
When all the things are amassed for the chicken, she spends her time
with pencil and ruler, working out dimensions, and then roping in
Ana's dog to help. Next she has the cat working as well. The hamster
becomes the tractor driver, and lots of other animals call in to
help. Readers will be agog to see what the chicken is building, as
lengths of wood are hoisted into the air, and a framework built.
By now readers will be making guesses at what they will eventually
find, and laugh out loud at the illustrations showing the animals
donning builder's belts, hard hats and wielding building tools for
the task.
Readers will have guessed that Ana's abuela has given her what she
wanted for her birthday but in a more roundabout way than she
expected.
The vibrant illustrations are full of humour, reflecting the
disappointment Ana holds in not getting what she wanted, but
intrigued with what the chicken and the other animals are doing.
Young readers will love picking out the various farmyard animals
portrayed, and recognise aspects of building and the equipment
needed for such a task.
I particularly love the look on the chicken's face as she goes about
her task, especially when capped with a safety helmet.
Fran Knight
Along came a different by Tom McLaughlin
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408888926
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Difference, Rules, Shapes. The Red
shapes loved being red. They loved wearing red hats, eating red
apples and sang red songs. But along cam some Yellow shapes. They
loved being yellow, eating yellow bananas, yellow books and yellow
cars. But the two groups found fault with each other, forcing each
other to make areas for themselves separate from each other. But
then along came another different, this time, a Blue shape. The Blue
shapes loved their blue guitars and blow ties, but ran foul of the
other two shapes, the red and the yellow.
The three groups then separated themselves from each other, making
rules about what they could and could not do.
By now readers and listeners will have realised that the story is
telling us about how we separate ourselves from others, making rules
and regulations to further restrict interaction. Younger readers
will be able to see that rules often divide, but be heartened when a
new group comes along in the book, overturning all the rules made by
the first three groups.
The new group is quite different, reflecting all the colours that
have gone before, and talking to the three shapes, encouraging
interaction, communication and friendship. Children will easily see
that discussion and communication is better than making rules which
only serve to divide. Being different does not mean that we have to
make rules to divide us from our friends.
Fran Knight
