Ill. by Megan Forward. New Frontier Publishing, 2019. ISBN
9781925594249.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Gardens. City life. Neighbours. Emily
Green lives in a perfectly neat and tidy home, where her parents
scrub and polish, dust and clean. Everyone joins in cleaning the
house from top to toe, not a speck out of place. But one day Emily
spies a green shoot in the pavement outside and this sparks an idea
within her. She collects books from the library, reading up on
plants. She carefully lifts the little seedling from the pavement
and puts it into a pot and takes it indoors to her perfectly neat
house. Her parents are delighted, and she sews more seeds and plants
in the back garden, as well as tending to the pot plants
inside.
But it becomes messy, there are plants all over the place and dirt
on the floor, the neighbours complain about the worms and insects
they find in their homes. Emily's parents decide that the plants
must go, but in looking out of the window, Emily has an idea.
A gentle story of life in the inner city, where people are so
obsessed with work and the cleanliness of their homes that they
forget about neighbourliness and plant life. Emily helps bring the
neighbours together in this charming tale of getting your hands
dirty.
The watercolour illustrations reveal a cheeky young girl going
along with her parents' conformity until she discovers a little of
the outside world in a small shoot finding its way through the
pavement. As the story progresses she loses her neat frock and tidy
hair, becoming a messy individual with overalls, and boots and wild
hair, holding gardening equipment and surrounded by plants. I love
the contrasting views of Emily's street at the beginning and end of
the book, inviting kids to comment and look at ways of greening
their communities wherever they are.
Fran Knight
Muhammad Ali by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Ill. by Brosmind. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2018. ISBN
9781786037336.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Themes: Muhammad Ali. Boxing. Ambition. One
of a series called Little people, big dreams this little
book about Muhammad Ali will intrigue younger readers to find out
more about this man. The series aims to show that great scientists,
thinkers, artists, designers and sports people all began as a child
with a dream. And Muhammad was no different. Born in Kentucky in
1942, he began fighting when his new bike was stolen and the police
officer invited him to join his boxing classes suggesting that he
needed to be able to box if he wished to deal with the thief.
Beginning his training at 12 years old, by 18 he won the gold medal
in the light heavyweight division at the Rome Olympics. From there
he won major events but when conscripted to go to Vietnam, he
refused and was banned from boxing for three years. Returning he
kept winning and was the first man to win the heavyweight belt three
times. He was involved in many charities, taking seriously the
Islamic duty of charity, and fought for the end of racial
discrimination.
Told in brief pared back sentences, the factual information
will impel readers to look further, wanting to find out more about
this man who had such an impact upon the twentieth century as a
boxer, black activist, philanthropist and sportsman. His sayings
have become part of our language and his images are recognised the
world over.
Accompanying the brief text are similarly simplified images showing
the young Cassius Clay and his family, his training and winning the
gold medal, on to his conversion to Islam, awards he won and
charitable work pursued in the latter years of his life. The
illustrations clearly show his strength as a boxer and latterly his
physical deterioration, raising awareness amongst the readers of
brain damage that result from concussion. The last two pages of the
book give a complete list of all the books in this series, while the
pages before give a written account of his life.
Fran Knight
You make me happy by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Ill. by Alison Brown. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN 9781408878958.
(Age: 3-5) Themes: Happiness. Wellbeing. Friendship. You make me
happy, you make me new. Together there's NOTHING that we cannot
do.
Fox and Porcupine celebrate their friendship and happiness in this
joyful rhyming picture book. They love dancing and singing in the
grassy forest meadow, splashing in the cool stream watching the blue
birds in flight. Fox surprises his friend with a birthday cake on a
sunshiny day. Finding fun in the simple things, Porcupine decorates
his quills with leaves and flowers while his buddy wears twig and
flower antlers. As the seasons pass, as night-time turns to day, we
see the friends exploring their environment and sharing in simple
pleasures.
Smriti Prasadam-Halls' simple rhymes capture the fun and joy, the
simple pleasures these two friends experience. 'You make me happy'
is the echoing refrain, she uses relatable settings, and upbeat
phrases to describe Fox and Porcupine's experiences.
Alison Brown's whimsical pictures are filled with colour and light.
She captures the characters' feelings, and their joy dancing,
climbing trees, holding hands, hugging and playing in autumn leaves.
The author promotes emotional wellbeing and encourages healthy minds
and bodies in this gentle picture book, just right for sharing with
a young family or kindergarten children.
Rhyllis Bignell
The house on the mountain by Ella Holcombe
Ill. by David Cox. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760636968.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Themes: Fire, Disaster. A family
living at the top of the mountain swelters under the heat of summer.
Mum closes the windows and pulls the curtains across but outside is
just the same as inside. The fan blows hot air around, but during
the night with the radio turned up, the phone rings and Mum says
they must all get out, a fire is coming.
The year is 2009 and the place is near Kinglake in Victoria, the
scene of one of the worst fires in Australia, killing 173 people,
along with thousands of hectares of farms as well as towns, pets and
livestock. The day is now known as Black Saturday and Ella
Holcombe's parents were killed in that fire.
Presenting a picture book about the fire and its devastation,
Holcombe sidesteps the tragedy of her family's loss instead making
her story about a family which survives, revealing the same
heartache and loss that she suffered but within the scope of a
picture book. In this way she makes her story universal, able to be
discussed by younger readers who will glean lessons from that
fires, and recognise strategies they can use. McLean's images swirl
around the family, intensifying the feeling of destruction that fire
brings. Overwhelming heat, relentless wind, and darkness envelop the
family as it flees the fire, learning several days later that their
house is gone.
They get to the community centre in their local town, there to be
safe, and eventually go to live with their gran who lives at the
base of the mountain, until it is safe to return to their house
block. There they set up two caravans determined to rebuild, and
watch in awe as the bush regrows and friends come to help.
A story of confidence in the future, of survival, of rebuilding and
regrowth, the story does not dwell on loss, but it is in the
background with some children not returning, of photos of those who
died in the school hallways, and homes and animals destroyed.
MacLean's atmospheric illustrations reflect the awe filled nightmare
of those days, the blacked out sun, needing the car lights on going
down the mountain, the black outlines of the trees, the smoke and
flames, all drawn with a still, hazy fuzziness. He perfectly
captures the fear of groups of people, the family, their longing to
get back, and those who offer support.
It is ten years since this appalling fire, and children will rad the
book with a heightened knowledge that fire is an ever present
danger, its prevalence increasing through climate change, and be
aware that plans must be in place for people to remain safe. An
opportunity is here for adults to rehearse their fire plan with
children, and bring their attention to strategies to keep them safe,
while reading a story which shows the devastation fire brings and
the long slow process of rebirth and recovery.
Fran Knight
Zelda Stitch: Term two: too much witch by Nicki Greenberg
Zelda Stitch. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN: 9781760523671.
(Age: Year 3 - Year 6) Recommended. Zelda Stitch started her career
as a primary school teacher in the first of this series: Cursed
first term of Zelda Stitch : bad teacher, worse witch
(2017). This is another fast paced and fun story told in the first
person, as we follow Zelda's ups and downs. We see the world through
her eyes and make the same assumptions as she does about what is
happening magically in the school but all is not as it seems. She
must keep her secret hidden of course, and only just manages this in
the first book, but in the second, she finds there is a young,
insecure witchling hiding within her class, and must protect her
from the vice principal on the prowl. A coming camp means more
pressure for our hero, and her cat Barnaby does not makes things
easier.
The pages are peppered with Nicki's quirky black and white
illustrations. The bright cover appeals with the harassed looking
Zelda and grumpy Barnaby staring out at the reader, suggesting
things are not going very well at all!
Recommended to primary school students, years 3 to 6, who will watch
out for new stories in this series eagerly.
Fran Knight
We eat bananas by Katie Abey
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408899212.
(Age: 2-5) Recommended. Themes: Eating, Fruit and Vegetables, Food.
Flamboyant graphic designer, author and illustrator Katie Abey
returns with her animal menagerie to champion an array of food from
bananas, to pancakes, pasta and peas, beans and greens. She asks her
young readers to explore each page, finding foods they like to eat
and having fun with the crazy animals' antics.
Over twelve colourful spreads, each animal is observed having heaps
of fun, the koala in the wheelchair enjoys banana muffins, green
smoothies and broccoli soup. Baby elephant squirts pumpkin soup on
snake, while on another page alligator bounces up on the trampoline
feeding the giraffe in scarves spoonfuls of tomato soup. Delicious
food is cooked and eaten in a variety of colourful places,
creatively worn as shoes or clothes, there's even a llama dressed as
a lemon! The mandrill's brightly coloured butt stands out, as he
twirls his spaghetti and jumps out of a bright coloured birthday
cake.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers will enjoy exploring each page, chatting
about their favourite foods and following different animals' food
choices and actions throughout. Watch out for the cheeky monkey who
stands out from the crowd. How many ice-creams, who has pooed, who's
skipping with spaghetti? There's so much to investigate! With speech
bubbles filled with questions and fun comments, text placed all
around the illustrations and a bold array of brightly coloured
animals We eat bananas is an amusing picture book to share.
Diet, nutrition and tools like the traffic light system of healthy
eating can be linked to the sharing Abey's story with kindergarten,
childcare and preschool children.
Rhyllis Bignell
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Cassidy Blake book 1. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN: 9781407192765.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Ghosts, Paranormal, Edinburgh
(Scotland). Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade and
Children's (2018), 2019 Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2019 Quick
Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. When Cassidy Blake's
parents go to Edinburgh for their TV show about ghosts, Cass and her
best friend Jacob, who really is a ghost, go along too. Arriving
there Cass finds that she is surrounded by ghosts and Lara, a girl
who can also see them, tells her that her mission is to send them
beyond the Veil, the land of ghosts who haven't moved on. This seems
like a good idea when the Red Raven starts haunting her, trying to
take away her life force. City of ghosts has all the ingredients for a thrilling, quick
read: there are ghosts aplenty, the setting is the magical
Edinburgh, and Cass, ably helped by Jacob, is a courageous and
daring girl. Readers will love the tour of Edinburgh, the old Castle
which is haunted by ghosts of soldiers and children, Greyfriars
graveyard where a little dog is buried, and old streets and shops
where ghosts hang out.
The plot is fast paced and the suspense will keep the reader
enthralled as Cass fights for her life in the Scottish graveyard.
Her relationship with Jacob will also intrigue and the reader is
left with questions about the Veil and their role there, and will
want to pick up further books in the series.
Pat Pledger
On the come up by Angie Thomas
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN 9781406372168
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. 'I might have to kill someone
tonight'. This is the startling first line of Thomas's novel, but
the 'killing' isn't what it sounds like. Bri is a high school
student who is finding it hard to sit through school when all she
wants to do is write and perform rap poetry, and she has her sights
set on wiping out her competitors in the rap contest held in the
local Boxing Ring. Her father was the famous rapper Lawless,
murdered outside their home when she was only a four years old. Bri
is all set to continue in his path.
The setting is a black ghetto in the U.S., where gangs roam and the
police target black kids. Bri's mother is a recovered drug addict
who wants her daughter to break free, go to college and make a
better future. But Bri has her heart set on being a rap star, and
maybe her drug-dealing Aunt Pooh or her father's ex-manager,
Supreme, will help her get there.
The novel is written in Bri's voice, and whilst the slang may at
first be unfamiliar and off-putting to a non-American reader, the
reader is gradually drawn into Bri's world and the language becomes
very real and natural. The author, Angie Thomas, is herself a former
teen rapper, and the world she describes sounds authentic, written
from her experience.
Bri's natural talent and determination seem to be leading her to
success, but hand in hand with that comes controversy and danger.
The perils of social media have also to be navigated. Bri finds
herself having to make decisions without anyone to really guide her.
Although the world of gangsters, drugs and rap contests might be
foreign, Bri's struggles to find the right path through it all, and
find her true values, makes a story most teenagers could readily
identify with.
I found it to be an engrossing story and I came away with a new
appreciation of the complexity of improvised rap poetry. This book,
set in the U.S., would make an interesting comparison with Limelight
by Solli Raphael (2018), which describes an Australian teenage slam
poet, and his messages of social equality and self-empowerment.
Helen Eddy
The case of the peculiar pink fan by Nancy Springer
An Enola Holmes mystery book 4. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN
9781760637408.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Detectives. Mysteries. 19th century
England. Brothers and sisters. Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes lives
in Victorian London, following in her famous brother Sherlock's
footsteps as a detective. Her mother has gone away to live with the
Romani people, leaving her daughter in the care of her oldest
brother Mycroft Holmes. Helped by funds secreted throughout the city
by her mother, she is able to finance her independent life, rent
several flats, purchase a variety of disguises and develop her
abilities and skills to deal with all classes of Victorian society.
There is a poignancy and sadness at times, as Enola (alone
backwards) desperately tries to stay in touch with her mother via
messages in one of the London papers.
In The case of the peculiar pink fan Enola is resting in the
new public building, the ladies' lavatory, hiding from her eldest
brother and guardian Mycroft Holmes who wants to send her to
boarding school. She encounters an old friend the Honourable Cecily
Alistair, whose companions are keeping her under unusually tight
reins. Enola's disguised in a scholarly outfit, but Cecily
recognises her and she communicates a message using the secret
language of fans. Cecily leaves behind this pink paper fan when
roughly escorted away by her captors.
Enola's nearly seen by Mycroft as she leaves the ladies' lavatory
and she finds herself on a difficult path, rushing about London,
meeting an eccentric cast of characters and searching for poor
Cecily who is being forced into an unwilling arrangement. Cecily's
mother provides many helpful clues, as Enola dressed as a reporter,
views her pink afternoon tea setting with its fans, special crockery
and festive decorations. Fleet of foot, able to climb fences and
trees, escape quickly and blend in at an orphanage are skills Enola
engages in, in this fourth novel in the series. She even assists her
brother Sherlock in escaping from the villains, as he too has been
asked to find the missing heiress.
Nancy Springer's detective novels are exciting; there are extremely
dangerous investigations, plenty of mysteries to solve and an array
of villainous characters. She shares insights into the lifestyles of
both rich and poor, into Victorian architecture, food and clothing.
The Enola Holmes mystery stories are captivating and exciting to
read and have been re-released as movie tie-ins.
Rhyllis Bignell
The case of the bizarre bouquets by Nancy Springer
An Enola Holmes mystery book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN
9781760637415.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Detectives. Mysteries. 19th century
England. Brothers and sisters. Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes
mysteries blend personalities from Arthur Conan Doyle's detective
novels, with wonderful new characters, intriguing settings and
thrilling plots. Enola Holmes is a feisty, independent teenager
whose sharp observations, ability to think quickly and act in a
manner suited to different social situations, makes her the perfect
person to take on these missing person cases.
In The case of the bizarre bouquets Enola reads the news
that Doctor John Watson, Sherlock's assistant, is missing. Enola's
brothers have observed her previous disguises, so she decides to
beautify herself with a blonde wig and frilly dress. Her beauty
regime and cumbersome clothing prove challenging when chasing
Watson's foes.
To gather insight into the disappearance, she calls upon Dr Watson's
wife, pretending to be a former patient. Here she observes a strange
bouquet made with poppies, asparagus, hawthorn and bindweed
(convolvulus). Enola is skilled in understanding the language of
flowers, their special meanings and also has a broad botanical
knowledge. With this knowledge she discovers a message connected to
the doctor's disappearance. Throughout this increasingly dangerous
investigation, Enola is forced to flee over London rooftops,
confront a fierce watchdog and help her brother Sherlock escape. She
even risks her life by entering the insane asylum as a patient to
find where Watson is being held.
Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes mystery series carry the
reader into Victorian life, exploring the changing roles of women in
society, how the upper classes live and the poor live a hand to
mouth existence in the roughest areas of the city. A thoroughly
enjoyable read for fans of Sherlock Holmes, historical fiction and
detective novels.
Rhyllis Bignell
Lola Dutch, when I grow up by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN 9781681195544.
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Themes: Girls. Imagination. Careers.
Animals. Lola Dutch is an energetic, imaginative, tutu wearing young
girl whose life is one big adventure. Her best friend Bear is always
there for her, supporting all her new ideas. Gator, Crane and Pig
willingly assist with Lola's creative schemes. In Lola Dutch,
when I grow up she is a tour de force, a whirlwind focussed on
her future careers, pondering her potential vocations. Marching into
this delightful story, she leads the parade in a cow-girl outfit,
followed by a postie-swan, doctor pig and a gator king.
What will Lola be when she grows up? Lola declares this conundrum to
be an emergency, so all her friends gather in Bear's book-lined den.
Here a special volume catches her eye 'Opera through the ages',
yes, she wants to be an opera singer destined for the stage.
Everyone helps, building the stage, writing the music and designing
an exquisite costume for Lola's first and only performance. Once
she's achieved her first goal, she quickly moves on to the next
career, as an inspirational inventor working through the stages
from research through trial and error to building a wondrous flying
machine. Not satisfied with this achievement, Lola's creativity
blossoms as she plants a beautiful garden with Bear, Gator, Pig and
Crane. Will that be enough for this inspired miss?
Sarah Jane Wright's whimsical gouache and watercolour paintings add
stylishness; they burst boldly and energetically across the pages.
Working collaboratively with her husband Kenneth, they have created
a beautifully descriptive, inspirational story that will raise
wonder and joy in the young reader. Paper dolls are included on the
jacket reminiscent of the times past. Lola Dutch, when I grow up is a wonderful read aloud providing
opportunities and stepping stones for Science, Technology and Art.
Rhyllis Bignell
Spiderman: into the Spider-verse: the official guide by Shari Last
Marvel, 2018. ISBN 9780241347843.
(Age: 7-10) Themes: Movies. Spiderman. Heroes. Shari Last's guide to
Marvel's movie Spiderman: into the Spider-verse is a
comprehensive coverage of the characters, actions, powers, settings,
even past Spidermen. Pitched at a younger audience, each spread
includes bright bold illustrations with easy-to-read explanations,
questions and things you need to know.
Teenager Miles Morales is a smart guy who enjoys making his friends
laugh, but he has difficulty focussing at school. His world changes
after he's bitten by an unusual looking spider. His new powers
include wall-crawling, invisibility, stickiness, agility and a
special Spider-sense. We are shown Miles' academic world, Brooklyn
Vision's Academy, his room-mate, awkward interactions in the
hallways and his top classes and great teachers.
Whilst Miles' mother is supportive and loving, his father, an
old-style Brooklyn cop, finds it hard to relate to his son. His
parents are good role models; however, his uncle Aaron Davis lives
on the edge, taking his nephew out spray-painting abandoned
buildings.
Learn about Spiderman's enemies and their evil plans, supervillain
Green Goblin, Kingpin leader of New York's underworld and Prowler
the dangerous city stalker. 'Did you know?' informative stars pop up
throughout, catching the reader's eye. Dark moody graphics, up close
faces, bold fonts, bullet point lists and a quiz to determine your
spider power add pizzazz. Shari Last's Spiderman: into the
Spider-verse: the official guide is an exciting movie tie-in
for fans.
Rhyllis Bignell
Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables on the lookout by Tim Harris
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143793144.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Silly it may be, but children are growing to
love the sublime Mr Bambuckle series as much as their great
grandparents loved Mary Poppins. The omniscient teacher is more
lackadaisical than was the famous magical nanny. Incredible events
are made less so by Mr Bambuckle's discovery learning style with the
freedoms allowed resulting in student self-discovery.
By comparison, Ms Frost and Principal Sternblast (as their names
suggest) are less progressive educators and insecure, thus their
need for control. When Ms Frost delights that Mr Bambuckle has lost
a student at camp and will be sacked, he points out that the
responsibility lies with the highest ranking officer. Reluctantly,
she agrees to grant the whole class three days to find Vex Vron, who
has run away, before she reports it to the Principal.
Mr Bambuckle sends his students off in pairs to explore clues and
report back several times a day. Steady progress is made in the
investigation alongside concurrent plots involving the arrival of
the new twins Gabby and Grace Wu and Myra Kumar's enterprising
schemes to raise funds to finance the search for Vex.
Illustrator, James Hart, uses many genres to create interest and
make the story less fantastic - character trading cards, letters,
notes, text messages compliment the usual strategically placed
illustrations. Author Tim Harris pays tribute to great teachers by
having Vex's actions motivated by a desire to be exactly like Mr
Bambuckle. While the Principal remains an anachronism, the
transformation in the Deputy Principal's worldview is admirable. A
thoroughly enjoyable school based adventure.
Deborah Robins
Saving you by Charlotte Nash
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733636479.
(Age: 16 - Adult) Recommended. Themes: Road trips, United States,
Child custody, Ageing, Romance. What a page turner - I couldn't put
this down and devoured in one very late night sitting, laughing and
crying as three pensioners, and one single mother helped out by a
bikie, make their make across the United States, each with their own
reason for making the road trip.
Mallory Cook and Harry, her five year old son, live in a tiny
cottage. Mallory works at the local aged care home and making ends
meets is a constant struggle since her husband Duncan left for New
York to set up his business. Mallory still hopes that they will be
together but when Duncan fails to send Harry home after a visit she
is determined to get him back and sets off to bring him home.
Meanwhile Zadie, Ernie and Jock have escaped from their care home
and are planning a trip down memory lane. Abandoned by their trip
advisor at the airport, they turn to Mallory to drive them, and left
with no money when her husband freezes their account, she agrees to
take them to Nashville. On the way they meet the mysterious biker
AJ, who lends a helping hand when needed. All will learn about
themselves and what motivates them to take the trip, while all help
to save themselves and each other. Saving you is a heart-warming, emotional story that will
resonate with readers who will be familiar with many of the themes
in the book. It is easy to empathise with Mallory as she gradually
comes to terms with the fact that although she has supported her
husband through all the years when he was developing his business,
he has now taken their child and abandoned her. Readers will applaud
her devotion to her son and the people she cares for in the aged
care facility and laugh and cry as her strength and determination
shine through her journey. And the character and motivations of the
pensioners, Zadie, Ernie and Jock are very touching.
A compelling and satisfying read.
Pat Pledger
Bat vs poss by Alexa Moses
Ill. by Anil Tortop. Lothian Children's Books, 2018. ISBN:
9780734418395.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Australian animals, Possums, Bats, Competition,
Humour, Problem solving. In rhyming verse, Moses tells young
children the story of a possum, Meek, her siblings and friends, all
living an idyllic life in a large sprawling paperbark tree. But a
hiccup comes along in the form of a bat. Not just any bat, but a
cantankerous, noisy and squabbly bat who hangs upside down from the
tree's top limb.
The bat spits, poos and tells the others crossly that they must
move. Meek and her sisters move to the lower branches where they
cannot sleep, because they are watchful away from the safety of the
higher branches. In the morning some of the birds ask Meek to do
something about the bat, and she comes up with a clever idea of how
to move him on.
Richly illustrated with Australian flora and fauna, readers will
delight picking out the details of the animals they spy in the
branches, picking up some facts about their habits. I love the use
of the wheelie bins, seen in such abundance in Australian cities and
towns, and the lights of the big city, and the terrace houses near
the beautiful paperbark tree.
The story of the bat reminds readers of the problem many of them are
now causing in big cities where colonies move in and take over large
areas of native trees. Recently in Adelaide a colony moved into the
Moreton Bay Fig trees in the Botanic Gardens and caused considerable
damage.
The urban sprawl imposing upon animals' habitats is a clear theme
which children can think about and discuss after reading this book.
Fran Knight
