Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406374186
(Age: 1-3) This is a Little Fish Book, featuring the same fish from
Count with Little Fish and Hooray for Fish. It is tactile and
visually appealing, using the same illustrative style as Lucy
Cousins' other books, such as Maisy. Everything is patterned with
spots and stripes of varying vibrant design. Both the colours and
the tone of the book are bold and cheerful. Playful illustrations
encourage discussion about shape, colour, pattern, and things you
find in the sea (crab, pearl, coral etc.). Little Fish is playing
hide and seek with friends. Is Little Fish behind the yellow coral?
No, it's stripy fish! In the end we find Little Fish and Mummy Fish
too. Kiss, kiss, kiss! There are flaps on each page to keep toddlers
engaged and interacting with the board book and they will have fun
finding Little Fish at the end of the book. This is a happy
under-the-sea world to share with little ones, especially those who
love the other Little Fish books.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
What's that there? by Ros Moriarty
What's that there? by Ros Moriarty
Ill. by Balarinji. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760297817 Bush tracks by Ros Moriaty, ill. Balarinji. Allen &
Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760297824
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Aboriginal themes.
Environment. Outback Australia. Australian flora and fauna.
Interaction. Indi Kindi (reading program). Each double page of What's
that there? begins with that question, and is followed by text
showing what the children are looking at in the illustration on the
other side of the page.
On one page, for example, is an illustration in more muted tones,
with bees buzzing around the brown circles of colour. The text tells
us that we are looking at fired tussocks, now sprouting, and bees
are swarming in the hollow trunk. The eye is drawn to the picture
and the things mentioned in the text recognised, while things seen
in the environment are sighted.
Each of the double pages follows this same format giving information
about the environment, a lively text telling the readers about the
plants and animals that inhabit it, while showing something
happening. Each is supported by colourful illustrations which dazzle
the eye, entreating readers to look more closely at the detail
shown.
And at the end of each in this wonderful series, the story is
reprised in Yanyuwa language, adding another layer of interest,
discussion and learning for any reader.
The second book Bush tracks, follows a different format than
the first, but is still as informative, lively and eye-catching.
This is written as if following a bush track, being shown what is
useful in the environment through which we are walking, as well as
giving warnings about things that may bite or snag along the way.
The two like the others in this series are wonderful to read, with
flowing, informative and detailed text, supported by magical
illustrations which demand closer attention.
Ros Moriaty co-founded the Nangala Project which
includes Indi Kindi early literacy education, and has won many
awards for business and citizenship. The Indi Kindi books are
promoted as being for young bush kids, but they would be welcome
anywhere where children are learning to read, learning about their
environment and learning to be part of the country which surrounds
them. Each of the books promotes observation and interaction,
learning about the animals and plants that inhabit the environment
and what part they play in it.
Each of these books leads children to understand more of the place
they live and for city kids, opens their eyes to what they can see
once they escape the city.
I have loved reading each of these books that has come across my
desk, as each overflows with enthusiasm about the bush environment
and I think a set of these would enhance any reading program if you
can keep them in the boxed set on the shelf.
Fran Knight
The Freedom Finders series by Emily Conolan
Break your chains Allen & Unwin, ISBN 9781760294915 Touch the sun Allen & Unwin, ISBN 9781760294922
(Age: 9-13) Emily Conolan was a fan of 'Choose your own adventure'
books as a child. She loved how you could control the outcomes of
the story by selecting different pathways at crucial points in the
plot but instead of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Emily decided she
would choose real life situations. In the real world, people have to
make choices that can either help or hinder their future and there
are times when the reader can make disastrous choices, resulting in
death of the main character.
The series looks at how children have to discover ways to find
freedom and escape life threatening situations, they are 'Freedom
Finders', hence the name of the series.
The author has added a fact section at the back of each book to
provide information to understand the background to each child's
life.
In Break your chains, a young girl living in 1825 Ireland
discovers her father has been arrested and her mother dies from
disease. The reader tries to help her find refuge and safety and she
is transported to colonial Australia. A poor and vulnerable girl,
she is chosen to work in a homestead in Van Diemen's Land where she
discovers a secret about the local bushrangers. She befriends the
local Aboriginal people who disappear from the area due to the
impact of white settlers.
The seven gemstones the convict girl is given on a bracelet are
broken apart and find their way into each of the Freedom Finder
books.
In Touch the sun, a Somalian boy needs to escape war-torn
Mogadishu. Set in 2011, a terrorist organisation tries to kill both
him and his little sister. He has to survive a desert, refugee camp
and people smugglers.
Emily Conolan has a background of working with refugees in Tasmania,
winning the Tasmanian of the Year, Hobart Citizen of the Year, and
the Tasmanian Human Rights Award.
This is an exciting, interactive series, where the reader can make
decisions that have life or death consequences. I recommend these
books for primary school students aged 9 to 13 years.
Jane Moore
The afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
HarperTeen, 2017. ISBN 9781460754283
(Ages 12+) Recommended. At midnight on Christmas Eve, Holly Chase, a
rich, snobby 17 year old, is visited by three Christmas ghosts. She
is warned that if she doesn't stop being horrible to everyone, she
would face serious consequences. She doesn't listen to the ghosts
and in a fateful twist, she dies. Her death does not follow the
normal path though. She now works for a secret company, Project
Scrooge. Something different is happening this coming Christmas for
Holly, this year their new Scrooge will change Holly completely.
Once I started, I couldn't put this book down. The characters
resonated with me when I thought about the different way people
treat each other and the lessons they learn from their impact on
others. I really connected with some of the characters. Holly,
snobbish as she may seem, is so much more than that underneath, a
theme of human behaviour I'm sure many teenage girls will understand
and relate to. She becomes more and more likeable as the book
continues and I sympathised with her life story. Ethan Winters is an
athletic heart throb, who has lots of money and is keen to make sure
that everyone knows it. But as he meets and becomes closer with
Holly, he begins to understand the important things in life and
starts to see himself from a different perspective.
This book is about about second chances and shows the reader that
shifting your point of view can often lead to a path you had never
imagined. It is an entertaining and sometimes life affirming read
for young people embarking on the lessons of life and love. Holly
and Ethan's blooming relationship has you engaged and compelled to
find out where it will go and if it will end. The settings are easy
to imagine and very realistic. The plot thickens as the book goes
on, with surprises at the end of every chapter, leaving you wanting
to know more. This book is humorous yet emotional throughout. A
memorable read that will leave the reader thinking about the
importance of kindness in everything.
Mia Rice
The Duke of Hinklewinkle by John Phillips
Big Sky, 2018. ISBN 9781925675153
Bridget lives in the sleepy, seaside town of Hinklewinkle. She
spends a lot of time with her Grandpa because her mother often has
to work late and her father lives in another town. Grandpa breeds
show chickens and Bridget loves to help him out. One day when
Bridget is feeling a little lonely, Grandpa decides to let Bridget
pick a chicken of her own. Far from picking the most beautiful
chicken, she picks a strange looking rooster - a Big Beaked
Pencilled Hortner which she names the 'Duke of Hinklewinkle'. The
two become inseparable, with the Duke of Hinklewinkle following her
like a pet puppy.
Next door lives Mr Borewater who also breeds show chickens and he
and Grandpa are bitter rivals, but when Mr Borewater's chickens are
under threat, The Duke of Hinklewinkle surprises everyone.
This is a delightful story that is just fun to read. While the theme
of chooks in books is not new, this one is full of family love and
humour and accompanied by bright, cartoon-like pictures that will
attract the reluctant reader immediately. Something to share just
for the fun of it - is there a better reason?
Barbara Braxton
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Orion Children's Books, 2018. ISBN 9781510104396
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his
toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation
that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of
what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.
Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very
different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome
process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how
historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life.
Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who
grapples with her father's actions.
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is possibly the best book I have read this year.
Rhodes has done a fantastic job of evoking emotions of hate,
compassion, love and empathy all rolled into one. She has tackled
the issues of race discrimination in the USA towards
African-American youth, particularly boys in an unusual way -
changing the perspectives the book is written from. Throughout the
book it interchanges between Jerome telling his story while he was
alive and also his viewpoint when he is a ghost. With such strong
themes including racism and violence, I would recommend this book
for children aged 12 and up. This would make a fantastic read aloud
and create a mountain of discussion. A must have for the collection!
Kathryn Schumacher
Drought by Jackie French
Ill. by Bruce Whatley. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743817599
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Drought, Outback, Sheep, Water. Bruce
Whatley's recognisable colour wash and graphite pencil illustrations
will entice readers into the domain he recreates, that of a land
where no rain has fallen for several years. The parched outlook,
dying sheep, withered trees, grassless plains, speak volumes as to
the harshness of the lives of the people and animals who inhabit
this world, reminding us that this is happening more often.
An older woman peers out at the barren hills, telling her
granddaughter that droughts take their own time. Their garden is no
longer watered, their showers reduced to a a few minutes with rank
water, the sheep are sold so they can be fed, the crops have
withered in the field, everyone is hoping for rain.
Jackie French talked to a group of children in outback New South
Wales and it is their words she uses to create her couplets, pairs
of rhyming lines, bringing closer a world far removed from most
Australian children. The lines on each page show a different
perspective of drought for these families, reliant on the rain for
all their needs, unable as town and city kids, to turn on the mains
water.
Her spare lines are splendidly illustrated by Whatley, his sympathy
for the Australian landscape a standout in this picture book.
A homage to the collegiate spirit of Australians is given towards
the end where truck loads of food, clothes and books are taken to
the outback to be distributed to those in need. The image of the
convoy of trucks, their headlights shining the path from the city to
the bush, highlights the link between city and country.
The pictures could be a useful introduction to class work about the
Australian weather and its climate, the disasters and triumphs, the
iconic images that endear the Australian bush to us all, and how all
of us are tied together during a disaster.
Fran Knight
The learning curves of Vanessa Partridge by Clare Strahan
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760296797
(Age: Young adult) Vanessa Partridge is a young, exceptionally
bright girl from a wealthy family who attends a prestigious school,
does well academically, is a wonderful cello player and is always
the 'good girl'. Last exam for the year and she is daydreaming about
- boys, a boy in particular. Her attempts at the exam are less than
minimal. Is this the first sign that Vanessa (Van) is following her
own desires and thoughts rather than complying, being polite and
doing what is expected without making her own choices? Is Vanessa
'going off the rails' or is she just growing up and realizing there
is a world outside of her own 'bubble'? Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge has insights into the minds
of many typical teenage girls growing up into adulthood. Their
hormones are raging and hence their thoughts are unexpected yet
perfectly normal. They are becoming more independent and take the
risk of making decisions while taking responsibility for these
choices even though there may be consequences. BUT - if a situation
arises where others force their views or manipulate young people for
ulterior reasons, this is when young people need the support of good
friends, family and loving parents to help them be resilient,
realise their inner strength and speak up for themselves. Acceptance
and having strength to hold on to the belief that they can be true
to themselves, truly loved and that they have a voice which deserves
to be heard and understood.
This novel highlights the ongoing social situation of consent and
power while challenging the reader to be active in advocating and
supporting women caught in compromising situations in a world still
dominated by men. It also moves the reader to re-examine and enjoy
the beauty of nature and the peace that abounds in the natural world
which must be preserved.
Various short quotes and personal statements are worthy 'tattoo
statements' which carry much meaning to multiple generations of
readers. Very witty dialogue, self-reflection statements and
relatable yet interestingly complex characters make this a fun yet
moving and heartbreaking novel that is difficult to put down.
Maria Burford
A-Z of Australian animals by Jennifer Cossins
Lothian, 2018. ISBN 9780734418586
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Cossins is a Tasmanian author and artist with
a passion for all things animal. Her previous titles, all published
within the last few years, include 101 Collective Nouns and The Baby
Animal Book. This title uses her signature illustrative style and is
formatted and organised in the same way as her previous book A-Z of
Endangered Animals. It includes a contents page listed by alphabet
letter rather than page number (e.g., A-Azure Kingfisher) which is
great for helping young children understand alphabet sequence. It
contains many well-known native Aussie animals (koala, platypus,
wombat, etc.) as well as many that children may not have heard of
(imperial jezebel, variegated fairy-wren, etc.). There is a lovely
two-page introduction (probably more suited to adult readers than
children) that explains Australia's native fauna and her choices for
inclusion. Each animal is given two pages (one with text and one
illustration of the animal). The illustrations are shiny, realistic
representations of each animal without much background except to
give a basic indication of their habitat. The information on the
opposite page includes scientific name, height or length, three
paragraphs detailing the animal's unique features, behaviours and
habitat and one interesting fact. The book as a whole is probably
too long for children to take in during a single sitting but is
definitely one they will like dipping in and out of or could be used
as a reference book. It is not a comprehensive compendium of
Australian animals, nor does it comprehensively cover the 26 animals
it features. However, it is visually appealing (especially because
it is minimal) and beautifully written with plain but not simplified
English. It doesn't shy away from using big words or technical
language (monogamous, incubate, etc.), nor does it feel the need to
explain them all, and is all the richer for it. This also means it
will resonate with a very wide audience, from the very young to
adult. The illustrations (for those not familiar with Cossins' work)
lie very flat on the page but use line and colour to create texture
and intricate detail.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
I have lost my way by Gayle Forman
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471173721
(Ages: 14+) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, love, acceptance, loss.
Around the time that Freya loses her voice while recording her debut
album, Harun is making plans to run away from everyone he has ever
loved, and Nathaniel is arriving in New York City with a backpack, a
desperate plan, and nothing left to lose. When a fateful accident
draws these three strangers together, their secrets start to unravel
as they begin to understand that the way out of their own loss might
just lie in helping the others out of theirs. I have lost my way by Gayle Forman is a book about
friendship, love and finding yourself when you feel like all is
lost. The story is told over one life changing day and is told from
alternating perspectives. One of the main themes in this book is
loss. The three main characters, Freya, Harun and Nathaniel, have
all lost something important to them. Freya has lost her voice
during the recording of her debut album, which she has spent the
last few years of her life working towards. Harun has lost the love
of his life, the only person that truly understood him. Nathaniel
has lost everything and now, he has nothing left to lose.
At the start of the book, not much is known about each of the
characters, but as the story progresses, we learn more about their
lives and what lead them to become who they are today through
flashbacks. I absolutely loved how mysterious they all were and the
fact that they all had different backgrounds, religions and sexual
orientations just made them seem all the more real. The diversity in
this book was amazing and it was represented really well.
A definite downside of this book is that it took me quite a while to
get into. In my opinion, it was difficult to figure out which
character's perspective it was being told from and the fact that it
would jump from third person to first person during the flashbacks
made it slightly confusing and hard to follow at times. It was also
very fast paced and since it was told over a single day, I found it
less believable than if it had been told over the course of a week.
Overall, I have lost my way is a really nice story about
love, loss and acceptance that teenagers everywhere would enjoy,
especially if they feel like they have lost their way too.
Grace Austin (Student)
When the mountains roared by Jess Butterworth
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9781510102118
(Ages 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Grief. Fear. Wildlife
conservation. India - Family life.
Jess Butterworth drew inspiration for When the mountains roared
from her own family stories, her grandparents' travels to India in
the 1960s and her own childhood experiences living with them at the
foot of the Himalayas. She descriptively captures the sensory
experiences, the diverse sights and sounds, cityscapes and
countryside and wildlife encounters. Her understandings of the
Indian way of life resonate here. The imprint of the leopard, from
the roaring white silhouette and the rich yellow and brown markings
of the covers that continue as bold chapter headings, set the scene
for her message of wildlife conservation.
Coping with the death of her mother, Ruby is overcome by her fears,
afraid of the dark, of travelling by car, going to sleep and not
waking up in the morning. She lives with her father and grandmother
in Western Australia in a rural hotel which has fallen into
disrepair and her father has borrowed money from loan sharks to save
the property. Desperate to escape from their problems they abandon
their home, take only a few possessions, their collie dog Polly, and
drive through the night to Perth. Along the way they collect a baby
joey which Nan hides in her luggage.
Nan's afraid of flying so they board a cruise ship bound for India.
Their tiring journey finally brings them to the bottom of the
Himachal Pradesh and a haunted mountain. Life for the family is
confronting, their new hotel needs a large amount of work, with the
owners involved in wildlife poaching. Ruby captures photos of the
beautiful world around the hotel; she is an observer, listening to
secret conversations and trailing her father's employers. There are
moments of fun and laughter, the colourful Holi festival, caring for
Joey, watching Bollywood films, making friends with Praveen and
dancing to Bollywood music with Dad and Nan.
Ruby's bravery in tracking the poachers, searching for the elusive
leopard, attests to her strength of character, overcoming her fears
and grief. With her Grandma and loyal friend Praveen they embark on
a treacherous journey into the mountains, each show courage in the
face of danger. The resolution brings both closure and hope for the
future, the author concluding with a heartfelt message about the
need to conserve and protect native wildlife and the risk of
invasive species taking over the natural environment. When the mountains roared is a beautifully crafted story,
where each of the main characters comes to terms with the loss of a
loved one, and is an emotive journey amongst the beauty and
splendour of the Himalayan foothills. Share this with a middle
primary class, explore the detailed and descriptive narrative, the
insightful poignant journey Ruby undertakes, then research the
endangered wildlife and the impact of the poaching trade.
Rhyllis Bignell
The price guide to the occult by Leslye Walton
Candlewick Press 2018. ISBN 9780763691103
(Age: 14+) Recommended for people with an interest in mental health
and magic. TW: This novel contains self-harm. This is certainly a
novel that would be difficult to walk past, The price guide to
the occult is both loud and distracting with neon yellow on
black surrounded by red-edged pages.
The novel follows a cursed family of Blackburn women, all of whom
are destined to have a three-day romance in which a child is
conceived and denied by a man descended from the original eight of
Anathema Island. Together with the curse of heartbreak, each
daughter is 'gifted' with a burden of magical talent, some stronger
than others. Fern Blackburn, the eighth daughter, received the gift
of always getting what she wanted. However, the one loophole in her
gift was never being able to have Quinn Sweeny, the love of her life
and the father of her daughter, Nor. Fern's obsession with
possessing Quinn is all encompassing, and she will stop at nothing
to secure his love - even if that means sacrificing their daughter.
Nor is only a teenager. Her only worries should be grades and boys.
But she is also a Blackburn woman... with a secret. Fear of her
mother has made her tame and afraid of her own powers, for indeed
she is the first since the matriarch, Rona, to possess more than
one. When Fern returns, Nor's fear only grows until she is unable to
keep her power in check. A storm is brewing, and only one Blackburn
woman will prevail. The price guide to the occult was engrossing. Despite the
many references to self-harm and the gruesome murders Fern commits,
it was an enlightening exploration of the relationship between a
neglectful mother and her child. Similar in ways to Practical
magic and Little shop of horrors, it was certainly an
enjoyable read. Recommended for ages fourteen and up with an
interest in mental health and magic.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Missing Marvin by Sue deGennaro
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742769509
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Bullying. Practical jokes. Feelings.
When Marvin finds his friends' jokes are just too much, he goes
missing, so it is up to the friends to find him, reassure him, and
for Marvin to say how he feels when they tease.
Marvin and his friends work for Baggage Handlers United and get
along very well. They all do the baggage handling work that is
required, and while Marvin really likes his work, his friends feel
the need to play practical jokes on their workmates to fill the
time.
Barry, Shelley and Ivan sometimes place balloons on the luggage
causing it to rise out of reach, sometimes they put fish in the
water cooler, and sometimes have a bucket of water placed on a door
so that when Marvin opens the door, he gets covered in water. He
becomes less and less amused with their pranks, and begins to think
that they only seem to be targeting him. And one day when he is wet
all over, he goes home and stays at home for several days. Meanwhile
his friends begin to notice that he has not returned to work, and
play the jokes on each other. They come to see that they are not so
funny after all, and when Marvin returns the next day, they are able
to tell each other how they feel.
All is resolved and each of the friends is happy. Each has been able
to understand the other and Marvin has been able to tell them how he
feels when they plays jokes.
I do love Australian author and illustrator, Sue deGennaro's work (Milly
loves ants, Peas and quiet, Reindeer's Christmas
surprise and The vegetable ark come to mind) with her
soft illustrations, full of humour and not a little pathos when
needed. Kids will laugh out loud at the looks on the faces of the
animals she chooses to use as her protagonists and scan the
backgrounds of each page to glean more jokes.
I can easily imagine this book being read out loud and an astute
teacher using the interest in the story to discuss gently how people
feel when they are on the receiving end of a joke, or point out the
similarities between making a joke and bullying. And I do like the
double meaning of the title.
Fran Knight
Spot goes to the swimming pool by Eric Hill
Puffin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780241327074
(Age 1-4) Highly recommended. Board book. Themes: Swimming. Fear. A
delightful way to introduce the idea of swimming at a swimming pool
to very young children, this board book is sure to be a hit with its
intended audience. Spot is a bit nervous about the water, thinking
that it could be cold but Mum encourages him to try it out and with
her help and encouragement is soon letting go of the side of the
pool and splashing around in his safe rubber ring.
The bright colours bring to life the poolside, water and swimming
accessories. The wonderful expressions on the faces of Spot, his
mother and friend Steve are delightful and leave the reader
appreciating the joys of a mother who is patient and loving and
helpful friends. The pages are sturdy and should stand up for heavy
use by little hands, as this is sure to become a firm favourite.
Spot has been a favourite of children for many years and Spot
goes to the swimming pool will be a lovely way to introduce a
new generation to this lovely little dog and then perhaps follow up
with some of the many books that Eric Hill has written about him.
Pat Pledger
Best buds under frogs by Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763651046
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Friendship. School. Moving from the
city to Pine Lake where she must catch a bus to school, Lily is
apprehensive, and barfing on the first day does not endear her to
the group of friends who had assembled around her. But Darby takes
her on, and soon the two are best of friends, with sleepovers and
catching the bus together.
So begins this amusing story of fitting in, of starting a new school
in year four, of finding someone who will be your best friend. Darby
and Lily set up a club, the Rizzlerunk Club, named after the sea
captain who ran aground in the lake, his head mysteriously becoming
attached to a giant octopus and climbing into the old boat shed on
the shore near Darby's home. Fun and mayhem follows the girls, as
they contend with the remarks from the others in their class and are
somewhat baffled when they take on the club the two have created for
themselves.
Darby's stories are all about ghosts and ghouls and Lily is even
more apprehensive the first time she goes to her house and meets her
family, a large group of people who all look like Darby, even down
to the glasses they all wear. They are all pleased that Lily is
Darby's new friend, who they think is much better that Darby's
former fiend, Jill, who has moved away. But alarm bells ring when
she unexpectedly moves back to the lake, bringing with her her own
sense of the funny and dramatic which embroiled Darby in many
mishaps in the previous year.
Patricelli's first novel for mid-primary people is most successful,
pitched at their concerns, fitting in, finding friends and coping
with family issues. She has included funny little illustrations,
many of which can be found through the text.
Fran Knight
