Ill. by Jim Field. Orchard, 2019. ISBN 9781408349205
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Caregivers, Lost.
Assured wolf cub Wilf thinks he can do anything. He is full of
confidence, itching to be grown up and lead the pack. When the pack
needs to move because another animal has taken over their den, they
must roam many miles, searching for a new home, through the snow and
ice of the North Pole. Midwinter with the borealis lighting the
night sky, they trudge on through snowfalls and blizzards. Wilf
strays behind and when he recovers he has lost the pack. He has gone
astray and is unsure of what to do. Setting down for the night the
ice cracks beneath him and falling he is taken up by a watery
unicorn who gathers him onto her tusk and lifts him onto the shore.
Here she passes him over to her friend, Mr Walrus and he takes the
young cub to Musk-Ox.
Each time he is passed from one animal to another readers will be
excited to predict the rhyming word as they turn the page. The story
is in four line rhyming stanzas, encouraging children to predict the
last word of the next line, and marvel at the way the story is
expressed. It makes easy reading and many of the phrases will stop
the readers as they ponder the image presented. I loved the "howling
of wolves" and the "wafting of fish" amongst others, and found
myself reading it over again to check out the rhymes and word
images.
The illustrations reflect the story, taking the reader into the cold
and bleak northern Arctic, feeling lost with Wilf as he attempts to
navigate the white and grey expanse. Field's use of white and grey,
the dark and the shadows, is wonderful, making every reader feel
alone in the wilderness with the wolf cub.
Wilf passes through a number of hands before he is reunited with his
pack, and they huddle and cuddle their lost cub, welcoming him back
to the pack. He is a wiser little cub.
A wonderful read aloud, this cautionary tale will be loved by all
readers as they recognise the comfort of friendship and family,
welcoming him home despite his bravado which helped him get lost in
the first place.
Fran Knight
Morris the mole by Nikki Greenberg
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760630829
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Moles, Animals, Tunnelling,
Adventure. Morris the mole simply loves to tunnel. And readers
following his exploits will laugh with him as he finds the most
unexpected of things in the tunnels he digs. Told in rhyming
couplets, children will have a whole heap of fun predicting the word
that rhymes to complete the line, probably learning some of the ones
they like, and certainly learning to recognise alliteration as they
read.
Morris extols the virtues of being underground as he sashays with
his shovel, finds rich treasures, collects worms for desert and
eventually digging a hole to get out into the fresh air, but in
doing so, wrecks the mouse's birthday party by coming out exactly
where the cake has been set upon the ground. The next time he pops
up he wrecks the rabbits' garden, and then finally he finds
something he cannot dig through. But will our hero give up? Never,
and he digs through the bottom concrete layer of something quite
unexpected. And just like Mr Toad from The Wind in the Willows
finds another avenue for his adventurous spirit.
Readers will have gales of fun with Morris, watching his antics,
digging with him as he comes up in the most surprising of places,
causing all sorts of mayhem. And perhaps finding out more about
moles in the classroom.
A book with lots of fun, and lively illustrations to complement the
tale.
Fran Knight
Boats: Fast and Slow by Iris Volant and Jarom Vogel
Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN 9781911171928
(Age: 7-10) Subjects: Boats, Ships, Sea craft. Boats: Fast and
Slow introduces in a simplified format the history of boats
from the earliest rafts of woven reeds and Native American log
canoes and on to boat festivals and modern sailing boats. The facts
are presented in an easy to read format, beginning with a
uncomplicated definition that 'boats carry people across water' and
they are powered by sails, engines or human effort.
Not all boats are the same is such an obvious statement, why include
it? Very basic overviews are included, without a depth of
information that even young boat enthusiasts are keen to read. War
boats introduces the Corinthian trireme used for battle by the
Ancient Greeks. Three rows of oarsmen powered the sailing ship which
had a ramming device at the bow of the ship. The seafaring Vikings
built strong and sturdy longships capable of taken them across the
seas to raid the Northern European countries.
Jumping to the early 19th century, we read of the Chinese pirate
queen, Ching Shih, who commanded 300 ships and 30,000 pirates.
Famous naturalist Charles Darwin and his sailing ship the HMS Beagle
is included, with his scientific expedition to the Galapagos Islands
noted. Steam-powered vessels are presented, manufactured in iron and
steel, with coal furnaces to propel them across the oceans. From
ancient Dragon Boat Festivals to the America's Cup, boats have been
used for 'sport and leisure since the earliest times.'
Jarom Vogel's digital images sweep across the pages, the stylised
boats, ships and recreational craft add interest to this historical
look at seafaring history. Boats: fast and Slow is a useful
resource for a Middle Primary class as a springboard into exploring
the history of transport.
Rhyllis Bignell
Time's convert by Deborah Harkness
All soul's trilogy. Headline, 2018. ISBN 9780399564512.
(Ages: 16+) Recommended. Themes: Vampire/Historical fiction. Marcus
MacNeil is a centuries-old vampire who was made during the time of
the American revolution. This novelis split between Marcus's
memories of the past in 18th century America and his presence in the
21st century with his lover Phoebe as she begins to make the
transformation from human to vampire. He relives his own trials and
turmoils and ultimately discovers what family truly means to him and
to those he holds dear.
The characters of Time's convert were authentic to what time
frame they were set in and felt realistic and likeable as they
acted in ways that were true to what the novel painted them to be
e.g. the mentor or the villain. Since many of the characters in this
story were vampires the reader was able to see their attitudes and
beliefs from a much older time and how these ideas conflicted with
modern times. It was satisfying to see how the characters'
relationships with each other grow and their thinking shifts to fit
with the modern age as the experiences they endure shape them to be
wiser and more mature or the opposite. In turn, the reader's
relationship grows deeper as we see them struggle and overcome
challenges which give us a feeling of being connected to Marcus and
Phoebe.
The tone of the novel reads as a diary as Marcus tells us personally
the challenges and triumphs he faced as a newly made vampire and
Diana's a new mother and then Phoebes a newly made vampire in the
21st century. This creates a feeling of closeness with Marcus as we
watch him essentially grow up in front of our eyes. The reader ends
up caring deeply about what happens to Marcus and the people he
holds dear in the story. The switching point of views in the story
was an interesting a much-needed addition as we can see the
thoughts, feelings and trails of Diana, Phoebe and Marcus through
their own eyes. This was an effective way of driving the message of
the story about the meaning of family dynamics and maternal
relationships whilst also making it clear to the reader as each
character's experience is different and thus the reader can look at
the overarching theme from many angles.
The dialogue of Time's convert sounded extremely authentic
for the 18th century and modern day. This made it easy for the
reader to imagine what life was like in the different time frames
and feel more fully immersed in the story itself. Another
contributing factor to the story's allure was that each character
had a distinctive voice which showed rather than told the reader the
age, personality or even what religion the character was. This
helped in not only making the characters more memorable but also
aided in creating connections with the reader.
Amy Folker (Year 11 student)
The anger of angels by Sherryl Jordan
Walker Books Australia, 2018. ISBN 9781760650605
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy. Romance. In a world where
it is a crime to speak against injustice, a jester dares to perform
a play that enrages a powerful tyrant prince. The jester's daughter,
Giovanna, must journey into the heart of danger to turn back the
terrible consequences unleashed by her father's words - and becomes
entangled in a treacherous plot to overthrow the prince. She alone
holds a secret which, if made public, will end the prince's reign and
liberate his oppressed people. But when to openly denounce him
brings certain death, will Giovanna have the courage to speak out?
Jordan crafted an inspiring tale about the power of free speech,
self-expression and the need for courage to do what is right.
Self-sacrifice was a prominent theme as characters grew to recognise
the magnitude of issues in their world and the importance of others.
This not only emphasised the key ideas, but also prompted ethical
debate, causing the readers to question whether it is morally
correct to take a stand on an issue and encourage change even if it
causes others pain, or to compromise to minimise the damage caused.
Giovanna was a strongly written main character whose bonds with
other characters revealed the way like minds can connect. The
romance in the story was innocent yet intense, with both characters
fiercely devoted to each other after a short period of time. The
imagery was vibrant and dynamic, with the descriptions of magic and
the characters themselves bringing the story to life. The choice to
write Giovanna without any magical powers while her antagonists had
magic only served to emphasise the importance of knowledge and free
speech, an important message in this day and age. The pacing started
slowly as Jordan introduced the audience to Giovanna's world, but
then sped up and reached the climactic scene at breakneck speed.
This was an interesting read, bringing modern day issues to the
forefront of the mind and providing ideas and themes to reflect on.
Stephanie Lam
The house with a clock in its walls by John Bellairs
Piccadilly, 2018. ISBN 9781848127715
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy. Film tie-in. USA.
Orphans. When Lewis Barnavelt is orphaned and sent to live with
Uncle Johnathan, a man he has never met, his aunts are dismayed. But
Lewis is thrilled: his uncle is endlessly interesting, a man of many
talents, a magician to boot, and later, Lewis finds out that he is a
wizard. And there is a mystery in his amazing house - apart from the
unusual Mrs Zimmerman from next door, who cooks for them, the walls
seem to tick.
This wholly engrossing story was first published in 1973 by United
States' author, John Bellairs, and has been released as a film,
starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett.
The ticking walls draw Uncle Johnathan from his sleep and his
prowling the walls each night wakens Lewis. Eventually they both
meet during their nightly prowlings and Johnathan is forced to tell
Lewis some of the story. But Lewis is having trouble fitting in at
school. He hates sport and wears glasses. One boy seemed to take an
interest and when this wains, Lewis betrays some of Johnathan's
secrets to entice him back to being his friend. At the graveyard one
Halloween, Lewis practises some of the wizardry he has been shown
and releases the old owner of the house from his grave. The Izards
used to live in Johnathan's house and their clock is ticking along
nicely, ticking off the end of the world.
Lewis must do something to repair what he has done, and Mrs
Zimmerman is there to help. This lively and engrossing book is most
unusual, not your usual fantasy fare, but one that intrigues with
the idea of a clock ticking within the walls of the house, spelling
out impending doom.
Lewis is an amiable character with all the flaws of youth, trying
desperately to find a friend in a new school, willing to do anything
to keep him, despite the bullying and name calling. I will be
interested to see how far the film strays from the book.
Fran Knight
Incy wincey spider by Matt Shanks
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781760276959
(Age: 0-5) Highly recommended. I have to admit that I thought this
was going to be just another book with the "Incy wincey spider"
rhyme. Thankfully I was wrong! I have read lots of versions of Incy
wincey spider but this is one that I really love. Scholastic
have created an adaption of the original that children and adults
alike will enjoy reading. It starts out as we all know it but then
it takes an Australian twist. Incy meets animals such as a kangaroo,
galah, emu and a cute little girl. It ends with a tired spider
sleeping in its web.
The illustrations by Matt Shanks are fabulous, colourful and add
such a vibrancy to this story.
This book has quickly become a favourite with my 4 year old, who
especially loves the page with the galah. The facial expressions of
the birds in the bird bath are hilarious and you can almost hear
their frolicking sounds!
Another interest point within the book is the inclusion of a funny
little fly on each page. This little guy gets up to lots of mischief
and Miss 4 always wanted to find the fly on every turn of the page.
This book is fun, engaging and a really great Aussie addition to the
many versions of the famous rhyme Incy wincey spider. Sure
to be a firm favourite with all kids 5 and under, 5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
Pig the grub by Aaron Blabey
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742769691
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Dogs. Bath time. Smells. With
wonderful words that rhyme with "rotten" and "rank" and "muck" that
will bring lots of laughter from young readers, Blabey shows Pig the
pug's antics as he does everything he can to avoid being bathed. He
is the smelliest dog around, known for his loathsome habits shown in
some detail in the book and readily recognised by the audience. He
scrapes his bottom along the ground, rolls in the mud, drags things
from the bin, licks up flavours long past their use by date, loves
playing with poo, sniffs other dogs' bottoms and even drinks from
the loo.
All these gross habits will resonate with kids as they read,
screaming out words which reflect their disgust at Pig's habits.
So when mum decides it is time for the bath, Pig does all he can to
avoid the torture. He gallops through the house, avoiding capture at
every turn until, armed with a wrench, he turns the water off in the
bathroom.
Kids will applaud his inventiveness but the action causes the water
to explode from the wall, making his having a bath inevitable.
Sitting in the bath, Pig has his revenge, because even here he can
cause mayhem with a smell.
A wonderful new story about Pig the pug, Blabey invests his little
dog with such mischievous looks that everyone will be entranced by
him. The looks on his face are priceless, Blabey able to give a
knowing look on that pug face with absolute conviction.
Blabey's illustrations, acrylic with pen and pencil, are a delight
from the mud pawed endpapers, to Pig's pink shower cap, the
overturned bin and the knowing looks of the pig's companion - each
page bringing a fresh look to peruse and look at more closely. The
use of different sized font, italics and white space make reading
this out loud a treat, and younger readers will adore predicting the
next word in the line, after they have finished laughing.
Fran Knight
Leaving the Lyrebird Forest by Gary Crew
Ill. by Julian Laffan. Lothian, 2018. ISBN 9780734418432
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Lyrebirds,
Friendship, Coming of age. "Are you lonely here?" her mother asked. "Never," Alice said.
"Not while I am friends with the lyrebird". Leaving the Lyrebird Forest is a poignant and lyrical
story about friendship, family and growing up in the bush. Alice
Dorrit lives with her artist parents in a small house surrounded by
bushland. Set in the 1930s, the family live a self-sustaining and
simple life. Alice walks three miles to school and her family drive
their Model T Ford to the nearby town one hour away to sell their
artworks and pick up supplies. When Alice turns three, a young male
lyrebird begins to visit, knocking and tapping on her bedroom
window. She awakes every second morning to visits by Birdy; Dad
builds a platform for him and Alice feeds him grubs and worms. Alice
and Birdy build a special relationship; she teaches him to respond
to her calls and mimic sounds.
Alice befriends Mr Brown a lonely widower who lives on an adjoining
property, and she discovers that he loves the forest and wildlife as
much as she does. The mystery of the timing of Birdy's visit is
solved as well. As Alice grows up, she knows her future lies in a
different direction, and she must leave her family friends and
much-loved lyrebird for her future schooling.
Award winning author Gary Crew's beautifully descriptive novel
captures the lush forest settings, heart-warming relationships and
special bond of Alice and her wild bird. Julian Laffan's impressive
woodcuts add depth, dimension and character. Leaving the
Lyrebird Forest showcases a wonderful synergy between author
and artist.
A wonderful story to share with readers in the Middle Grades with
themes of friendship, acceptance, caring for the environment
concerns and coming of age.
Rhyllis Bignell
A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos
The Text Publishing Company, 2018. ISBN 9781925603828
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy. A mix of misfit and
misunderstood genius, Ophelia possesses two special gifts: the
ability to read the pasts of objects and to travel through mirrors.
Her peaceful existence on the ark of Anima is interrupted when she
is promised in marriage to Thorn, a member of a powerful clan from a
distant ark, the cold and icy Pole. Ophelia must follow her fiance
to the floating city of Citaceleste, where nobody can be trusted. In
the company of her inscrutable future husband, Ophelia realises she
is a pawn in a plot that will have consequences not only for her but
for her entire world.
Dabos weaves a story of politics and manipulation in which the
stakes are heightened by the fantastical setting and the characters'
magical abilities; however, the story's messages still ring true for
our society. The clever use of mirrors as a metaphor highlighted the
need to search for truth in a society filled with subterfuge,
manipulation, incredibly complex relationships, and social dynamics.
The rich imagery was delightfully whimsical and was detailed enough
to make the scene feel intimately real.
The main character Ophelia stands out in her mannerisms and
attitudes; an unlikely protagonist at times, but as a mirror walker
with a thirst for truth, she suits the story and grows along with
it. The growth and development of her and many other characters in
response to the trying times endured is thought provoking, providing
a glimpse into the inner workings of our own society and how we as
humans respond to pressures.
The pacing of the novel was overall steady, but sometimes slowed and
became sluggish due to the long building of a revelation, or raced
by as the characters whirled from place to place and emotion to
emotion.
It was a great read with a wonderfully twisty plot as Ophelia
unravels the secrets hidden from her. While the revelations were
never expected, they always reinforced the poisonous nature of
deceit and the need for candour.
This novel was a compelling analysis of society and gives rise to
many questions about human nature.
Stephanie Lam
And the ocean was our sky by Patrick Ness
Ill. by Rovina Cai. Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781406383560
(Age: 14+) If Patrick Ness was to write a fractured fairy tale then
this is it. It is the story of Moby Dick but turned completely
upside down and inside out. The protagonist is 'the devil himself'
the elusive Toby Wick who travels the ocean on a man ship.
In this story, the whales are the hunters and man is the prey. The
whales travel the beneath the ocean in upside down ships led by
captains who are supported by their crews of apprentices and
'sailors'. The crew on this ship is led by Captain Alexandra and one
of her apprentices asks the reader to call her 'Bathsheba' (not her
real name but is a biblical reference) and we see this tale unfold
through her eyes.
The hunt for Toby Wick is cruel, bloodthirsty, and appears to be
driven by a myth or legends of the past where the only reason for
being is to avenge the deaths of those before them. In Bathsheba's
case, it is her mother's death that drives her hunt.
Bathsheba is not as ruthless as her captain Alexandra even though
the memory of her mother's death haunts her and this is depicted
through the relationship she has with a human male prisoner,
Demetrius, held captive on their ship. Captain Alexandra believes
Demetrius holds information to where they can find Toby Wick and
instructs Bathsheba to do whatever necessary to extract the
information out of him. Demetrius knows he is doomed to die by the
hands of the whales whether he gives the information or not.
The ending comes to a crescendo where we see the results of the
whale's quest, of Bathsheba's relationship with Demetrius and the
final confrontation with Toby Wick.
In Patrick Ness style, it is a dark and graphic story and supported
perfectly by the illustrations that enhance the story.
Gerri Mills
Maddie's first day by Penny Matthews
Ill. by Liz Anelli. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925381351
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Schools, First day, Friends,
Family. Before Maddie's first day at school, the family has prepared
her for this big event, buying her uniform, buying a new backpack
and filling it with new pencils, an art smock and a water bottle.
Into this backpack is also her blanky, added once her parents were
not looking. On the day, Dad makes her lunch, and she says goodbye
to Mum. Once at the school gates with Dad, her tummy starts to
wobble as she sees the number of other children, and not one that
she knows. She puts her backpack into her locker, but takes out her
blanky as she does. Other children see her and are rude about her
actions, and when she sits with the group they tell her that the
blanky should be left at home. But one of the group, Charlie takes
her to the lockers where he shows her his backpack and inside is his
blanky. The two remain together for the rest of the day, playing,
learning, reading and drawing, and when Mum collects Maddie, she can
tell her that she had the best day ever. At home that night, blanky
is put into a drawer where it belongs.
A charming story of learning to fit in, of facing fears, of finding
friends will appeal to all children. The first day jitters is a
shared concern and this book allows younger readers to think about
and discuss their qualms about going to school for the first time.
Being involved in anything for the first time is always accompanied
by a certain amount of concern and the skills learnt through this
book will help children see that there are many first times and
friends and family will support and share those concerns.
The soft illustrations, created with mixed media, draw the
children's eyes to things they recognise, comparing Maddie's
experiences with their own. Readers will love the detail, Maddie's
house, her backpack, the walk to school, the view of the school
yard, the classroom. Each page shows a view both known and different
and readers will enjoy the visit that each page offers. I love the
classroom photo at the end showing the range of children within the
group. Maddie's first day offers a range of things to discuss in the
classroom, fears, friendship, bullying, first days, and being in a
new school.
Fran Knight
Splat the Fake Fact! by Adam Frost
Ill. by Gemma Correll. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889503
(Age: 8+) Splat the Fake Fact is a puzzle activity book
filled with information that has escaped from popular author Adam
Frost's Amazing Fact series. He encourages you to splat
them, doodle on them or even lasso them! After the disclaimer is
signed, he asks that you take any measure needed to completely
obliterate the wrong facts. Which Barmy Beasts has Frost created, is
it the bone-eating zombie-worm, the Javanese Tree Sheep or the
Raspberry Crazy Ant. Luckily the answers are easy to find. For those
who love fart facts and gross jokes there are plenty. There is a
vast array of weird, wacky and unusual information on topics like
Mad Monarchs, Camel Claptrap, Killer Creatures and Leonardo's Lab.
Guess which Surreal Sports is an imposter! Is it Worm Charming,
Toilet Racing maybe Wife Carrying? There are disgusting facts about
snot, vomit, ridiculous rules and exploding underpants. Frost's fake
facts are fun to share, sometimes the most obvious answer is
incorrect!
Gemma Correll's cartons, doodles, diagrams and crazy characters add
to the humour of Frost's fact collection.
This is a fun activity book with plenty of opportunities to
embellish, lasso, draw, solve the codes, decipher hieroglyphics and
identify the truth.
Rhyllis Bignell
Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631628
(Age: Older teens and young adults) Highly recommended. 9/10.
Themes: Crime, thriller, spiritual story. This is a book for those
who enjoy exciting fiction with twists and turns and those who have
an open mind. Nothing is quite as you start to think when working
through the novel through the minds, thoughts and experiences of
Beth Teller and Isobel Catching. Both young girls are Aboriginal and
they both have and share a spirituality which is beautifully
depicted. Their spirituality and those of the tribal women of the
past is very credible, strong and serene. It brings a sense of
another dimension which exists and can possibly be accepted by even
the most skeptical non-believer of anything that cannot be explained
by logic and science.
Beth struggles to stay in "the world of now" in order to support her
grieving father. She is a lost soul who is tied to the physical
dimension but realizes that she needs to move on to the world that
she belongs to. Her father is a detective who is in the midst of
solving a murder and the circumstances of a tragic fire in a
children's home. Only he can see and hear Beth (or is he??), but he
knows that this ghost and his need for the ghost is tormenting him
from accepting what cannot be changed and hence making the most of
his life and his instinct to reach out to his wonderful extended
family.
Isobel Catching has suffered more than most people can endure.
Throughout the novel she remains tough, elusive and a mystery, yet
it is Isobel who helps Beth's father find clues, seek answers about
the terrible and shocking circumstances that have been perpetuated
in the small rural country town. In the colonial past, recent past
and present time, the aboriginal community lack a voice to defend
themselves and seek justice, hence Isobel is the protagonist who
speaks out, who struggles to make the injustices experienced by
present and past aboriginal women heard, understood and fought for.
Isobel has paid a heavy price but she is strong - a strong young
woman who is descended from strong women who transfer their gentle
power and wisdom through spiritual connections and well-remembered
stories.
About the Author - Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina.
Brother and sister authors who are Aboriginal Palyku from the
Pilbara region, North Western Australia. This novel is their first
joint effort writing a young adult fiction. They have magically
woven fiction prose with story-telling in simple language and
artistically elegant poetry.
Maria Burford
Jacaranda Magic by Dannika Patterson
Ill. by Megan Forward. Ford St Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781925804003
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Jacaranda, Playing,
Imagination, Friendship. When five friends loll about on a hot,
sticky summer's day beneath the Jacaranda tree, wishing for
something to do, the flowers from the tree fall around them, offering
a lifeline to their imaginations. They clamber up the tree,
imagining it to be a boat, one of them the captain, looking out for
mermaids, then the branch becomes a rocket taking them off into
space, the flowers become fairies for them to chase, butterflies to
set free.
The worlds created by the children using the tree as the stepping
off point to imagined possibilities will delight young readers as
they too see what can be made of the tree and its branches, leaves
and flowers. I can imagine them seeing the trees in their backyards,
schools and neighbourhoods with fresh eyes, willing the flowers to
fall upon them, initiating their imaginations just like the children
in the story. And then climbing the trees, practising their physical
prowess, encouraging outdoor activities.
With simple rhyming pairs of lines, Patterson has created a charming
storyline, one which will entice readers to predict the rhyme as
they listen to the story.
The watercolour illustrations, extol the colour purple, so well
known in Australian gardens, common to many suburbs with long
streets of these beautiful trees, people sharing photos in facebook
when they are in bloom. Using the purple flowers as a trigger for the
children's imaginations is sure to focus younger readers on the
beauty that surrounds them, encouraging them to take a moment to
look at things more closely.
Fran Knight
