Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925520965
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. It's OK to feel the way you do
is all about expressing emotions and feelings. It is a beautifully
illustrated picture book, covering feelings such as anger, sadness
and happiness. Each section explains how the feelings can make us
feel and advice is offered for the negative feelings. The coping
strategies include remembering happy moments and breathing in and
out. This book is a way for children to learn about feelings, to
learn how to express and cope. It is a book for children to read
with an adult rather than independently so the topics can be
discussed. Children could then read it again later. It's OK to feel the way you do is an excellent bedtime book or
it could be read once a child has calmed after feeling angry or
anxious. Families (or classes) could create their own version,
recording how they were feeling after different events and what they
did to help themselves or their friends feel better. Many children
struggle to describe or explain how they feel and this is a lovely
way to get a discussion happening when the child is calm and
focused. The style of illustrations is aimed at all primary school
aged children and the text is aimed at readers aged 7+. Highly
recommended for children aged 4+
Kylie Kempster
The audition by Maddie Ziegler
HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9781460753774
(Age: 9+) From 'Dance Moms' star and 'So you think you can dance:
The next generation' judge Maddie Ziegler comes the first novel in a
brand new middle grade trilogy about friendship, dance, and going
after your dreams.
"Twelve-year-old Harper has been dancing practically since she
learned to walk. She loves her dance studio and team, and just won
her first ever top junior solo in a regional competition. But right
before the school year starts, Harper's parents drop a bombshell -
the family has to relocate from their cosy town in Connecticut to
sunny Florida for their jobs. That means saying goodbye to her
friends, dance team, trips to see shows in NYC - and did she
mentioned dance team?" (Publisher)
I must say I was a little sceptical when I was given this book and
thought it would be along the lines of 'Sweet Valley High' from my
own childhood. However I was pleasantly surprised. Knowing very
little about the world of dance (except from the few episodes of
Dance Moms my daughter has made me watch!) I can imagine that this
book will resonate with those who are involved in the world of
competitive dance. There are five strong female characters all with
very different personalities. The development of the friendships
will allow the reader to draw correlations to their own. The book
provides excellent examples of curve balls that life can throw at us
all and how successful we are can be measured by how we respond to
these situations. It also provides an insight into how change can be
hard but if managed effectively all will work out in the end.
This book will certainly be a winner with girls aged 9 and up as
it deals with the complexities adolescent girls face, angst,
friendship issues, competitive natures and mean girl syndrome.
This is the first in the trilogy and it will be interesting to see
if the high standard can be maintained.
Kathryn Schumacher
Little baby books: Everyday illustrated by Mel Four
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408873762
(Ages 0-2) Recommended. Board picture book. Mel Four has very
cleverly and simply brought to life 5 commonplace monosyllabic
nouns: car, sock, cup, duck and bear for the youngest readers
although a child up to the age of 2 would no doubt find it of
interest.
The main object of interest is depicted on the left hand side of the
page with its word clearly shown in lower case. Very shiny luminous
coloured paper is inserted into a black board background
highlighting the important parts and giving a different texture and
look to the rest of the page. This is quite a contrast to the usual
pastel colours of baby books. The right hand side of the page simply
outlines other objects a child might associate with the noun in
question. For instance we have 'cup' shown clearly on one side of
the page with an accompanying meal on the other. 'Sock' seems to
have fallen out of its really untidy chest of drawers with other
common articles of clothing spilling out all over. I really love the
'duck' page with little gold foil ducks happily standing out against
the black as they sail along in their bathtub.
Simple, but very attractive and effective.
Elizabeth Avery
Atlantic Black by A. S. Patric
Transit Lounge Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9780995409828
(Age: Adult - older adolescents) Highly recommended. This is a tale
of resounding blackness, as a young woman, Katerina Klova travels
with her mother on a passenger liner taking them from South America
to Europe. This trip, moving north on the Atlantic Ocean, has been
taken because the father, a former Ambassador in a South American
country, has fled his post, it seems, and is living in Paris.
Embarassed, deeply shamed, and furious, the mother succumbs to an
action of terrible violence on herself, while her daughter, ignored
by her mother, embarrassed, confused and deeply fearful for their
future, can find no-one to whom she can bare her soul. The boat is,
as we know, heading into the coming war, carrying passengers
temporarily sharing a life that will change drastically when they
arrive at their destination, and is like a small world of its own
that represents the last gasp of a world that will be broken in a
manner not previously contemplated. The passengers are fearful but
unaware of the coming years of violence and untold deaths.
Patric has created a vivid narrative through which he explores
violence, families in despair, and the shattering knowledge that we
have of the reality of the actual war. Through his characters,
storyline and the depiction of a world on the cusp of enormous
change, his 'black' world is so finely drawn that we feel the
events, the fear and the understanding of travelling to a world that
is collapsing. In the temporary safety of their ship, in the black
night of this enormous ocean, in the nefarious deeds that occur, in
the withdrawing of love and protection from her daughter, by a
shamed and furious mother, and in the brother's absence, we enter
this small world for a brief time and are drawn deeply into the
unreality facing those onboard, who are desperately trying to ignore
work out how to face the disturbing events that have begun.
In his brilliant depiction of humanity facing an incomprehensible
future, with the boat floating in a world that they are beginning to
understand as no longer predictable, and fearful of violence,
Patric's ship represents fear, anger, and terrible changes that will
occur in the years to follow. We bring out knowledge of the hatred
and despair that we recognize will occur in the dark night of those
years where millions of lives are destroyed, people are slaughtered,
abandoned, lost and displaced. It is a gripping and deeply
unsettling novel, and highly recommended for adults and older
adolescents who have learned of the many events, those 'black' times
and that slaughter of human beings. It is for those who are prepared
to acknowledge, and to consider, what humans are capable of doing
through hatred and fear.
Elizabeth Bondar
Circus time by Anh Do
Hot Dog bk 3. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781760279028
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Cats and Dogs, Circuses, Friendship, Humour. Hot
Dog is back in a positively purple production, with Kevin the cat
and Lizzie his lizard friend, ready for a new adventure. These three
are best friends who love to spend time together; whatever the
weather there is always time for snowball fights or creating sand
costumes. Something is about to change however, Lizzie has decided
to join the circus where her sister Emma performs wonderful
high-flying tips and tricks on the trapeze. Emma works with her
partner Ribbit and audiences love their exciting aerial
performances.
Lizzie has her own ideas about becoming a circus performer; she
wants to be Loopy Lizzie the juggling clown. With her friends' help,
she assembles her costume and leaves in the mouse family's tiny car.
Kev and Hot Dog want to cheer their friend's first show and work at
a bunch of funny jobs to raise the $50 ticket fee. Dog washing turns
into circus animal washing, as two grubby monkeys, then Ginger the
ferocious lion all need a bath in the paddling pool. There's a
change of plans just before the show begins when Emma injures her
arm and poor Lizzie who is scared of heights has to perform her
sister's high-flying act.
Comedian, artist and storyteller Anh Do appreciates his young
audience's love of jokes, humourous larks and silly situations. All
the drama and highs and lows of Hot Dog and his friend's antics are
wrapped up in this easy to read graphic novel. Bright, bold splashes
of purple, speech bubbles, fun text styles, sizes and purple
highlights, added to a collection of crazy cartoon circus animals
make this another laugh out loud story in the Hot Dog
series.
Rhyllis Bignell
The amulet of Athlone by R. E. Devine
Chronicles of Jack McCool. Bauer, 2017. ISBN 9781742459202
(Age: 8-12) Jack McCool is having a bad day at school with his art
teacher (the aptly named Miss Medusa, who seems to have a few anger
management issues of her own) and a bully named Oscar. Things don't
seem to get any better when he returns home, so Jack decides to
escape to the attic where he discovers an amulet and is transported
back in time to the camp site of the legendary warrior, Finn McCool.
Finn embraces Jack's appearance as proof of an ancient legend, which
will help free his mother from a cruel spell and defeat an evil
king.
The amulet is missing its six precious, enchanted stones and Jack
must retrieve them all to break the curse.
R. E. Devine has intertwined the story of Finn McCool into her
novel. Finn is a mythical hunter warrior and tales of his deeds are
part of Irish folklore.
She has already written the first four books in this six-part series
and I assume each book will be dedicated to the retrieval of one of
the magical stones to be returned to the amulet.
These books will appeal to lovers of fantasy and the cover
illustration of a determined Jack in full ancient garb is eye
catching.
R. E. Devine has stated that she wanted to create a "rollicking
adventure" that had humour and appealed to reluctant readers or
those with ADHD and there is certainly a lot of quick paced action
in the story and much less description of the setting or the
characters.
This book is suited to students in the 8 to 12 age bracket.
Jane Moore
This is a book! No wifi needed! by Felicity McLean
Ill. by Georgie Wilson. Piccolo Nero, 2017. ISBN 9781760640132
(Age: 3-5) Themes: Books and reading, Technology. Cleverly designed
to feel and look like a tablet computer, Felicity McLean's picture
book This is a Book! No wifi needed! explores the
differences between engaging with a paperback or hardcover story and
accessing of digital data. With bold statements and large easy to
read directions, this is an amusing story to share with a youngster,
a reminder of the wonder of books not just eBooks or apps. This
sassy little girl is quick to dismiss the real object; she has very
definite opinions: books are boring, they are for babies and
grandparents, not for her. They have been around forever, she only
wants to play with her iPad. After observing others enjoying them,
and a little help from her grandpa and a torch, her attitude begins
to change. Reading in her tent at night becomes a fun activity. She
begins to understand books can provide endless opportunities and
there are thousands of them waiting for her to explore.
Georgie Wilson's enjoyable mixed media illustrations show the
freckle-faced girl with her expressive attitude, surrounded by
images of real toys and antique books set against layered
backgrounds and white spaces. This is a book is just right
for sharing with toddlers and preschoolers who will enjoy repeating
the bold words and statements.
Rhyllis Bignell
Max the mighty by Josey Hurley
Ill. by Katherine Appleby. Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN
9781925545319
(Age: 4-6) Themes: Confidence, Fear, Dogs. When Max's parents go for
a drive to their favourite place, Max is terrified. He does not want
to leave the safety of his kennel, and tries vainly to hurl himself
out of the back window of the car. But to no avail, they all still
make it to the beach. Here his fear of his surroundings becomes
obvious to the reader. A crab on the sand needs to be watched, the
sea becomes a hurling savage monster ready to engulf him, and a
segull flying overhead covers him with its shadow, instilling even
more fear in the dog.
But he hears his dad calling to him, asking him to come closer, and
gradually the dog puts its feet into the water, allowing the sand to
move beneath his feet until the waves floats him up and he is
swimming. Mum takes a picture of the two of them, swimming together
in the shallows and it is this picture which finishes the book, and
readers will empathise with the look on Max's face, he has achieved
something he was scared about, but is still a little unsure. Plenty
of things to talk about here.
A neat story about gaining confidence and learning to overcome
fears, this book will find a place with readers who love reading
about animals.
Fran Knight
The most important thing: Stories about sons, fathers, and grandfathers by Avi
Walker Books Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781925381634
(Age: Upper primary - Lower secondary) Highly recommended.
Given the current state of gender politics in children's literature
this collection of short stories is a brave publishing adventure.
There are seven stories and in all, boys are the central characters.
As the title suggests, most of the other characters are male and
related to the boy, along with a few mothers within the ambit. The
author is male as well. What may surprise readers - especially the
gender-auditors - is that these stories are less about action and
more about emotions, the clumsy emotions that often mark male
relationships. The scope of emotions is wide and some may not
realise that boys, too, can feel these ways; that's why girls should
read this book too. The author takes care to validate these emotions
for young male readers, with authentic resonance in each story -
honestly, he was once a boy himself.
The stories present a wide range of scenarios and angles; not all
resolve neatly. Some are sombre, others are humorous, many are
poignant, a few are frustrating. They are not for lazy readers but
will reward those who appreciate positive and negative spaces in
their reading; answers that give rise to more questions. There will
be no spoilers here. Readers need to see for themselves how they are
adroitly knitted together for the thoughtful reader to discover an
answer to the not-so-elusive question in the sub-title.
Highly recommended for upper primary and lower secondary readers.
Kerry Neary
After the fall by Dan Santat
Lothian Children's Books, ISBN 9780734418319
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humpty Dumpty. Nursery rhyme.
Confidence. Children will simply love this sequel to a beloved
nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty. The fate of that famous egg is not
known but Santat plays with the story, giving a very funny sequel
after the fall. The subtitle, How Humpty Dumpty got back up
again, will alert readers to the tale they are about to read,
and without thinking they will readily recall the nursery rhyme and
be ready for anything. Humpty tells the reader what happens after
the fall. He declines to call it the Great Fall, preferring to use
the words a 'just an accident', but the results of his accident are
far reaching. He can no longer climb the wall to sit there watching
the birds, a once favourite past time, he cannot sleep on his bed as
it is the top bunk, he cannot climb the ladder to the higher shelves
in the supermarket even though his favourite cereal is at the top.
But he still loves watching the birds, although now from the ground.
When a paper plane flies past he decides to try making a paper plane
to soar with the birds. After many unsuccessful attempts he finally
makes a magnificent paper plane and is able to fly it with the birds
he so likes. But it flies over the wall. A decision must be made.
This is a wonderful look at what frightens us and how we can
overcome fear, developing confidence to do something we are unsure
of, taking a risk, stretching a boundary. Humpty is very frightened
of the wall after his accident, his fear reflected in the number of
things he can no longer do. With lashings of humour, Santat develops
his sequel to this well known rhyme, encouraging readers to think
about things which they may be worried about and what steps they
need to take to overcome their fear.
Santat's illustrations are wonderful, from the title page with its
playful font, to the little additions of aptly named breakfast
cereal, children's at the top and more mundane adult fodder at the
bottom, to the images of the city in the background, each adding an
intriguing level of interest for the astute reader. Each page is
very different, some taking a bird's eye perspective, some Humpty's,
while all entreat the reader to look again, to work out what they
are seeing, to think about Humpty and what he is doing to overcome
his fear, and then how it relates to them, soaring with him on the
last magnificent page.
Fran Knight
Max Booth future sleuth: Selfie search by Cameron Macintosh
Ill. by Dave Atze. Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925520880
(Age: Yr 3 - Yr 6) It's 2424 and Max, an orphan, lives illegally in a
museum storeroom with his robot dog, Oscar. His friend Jessie is the
museum's storeroom supervisor and together they try to solve ancient
historical mysteries such as the discovery of what turns out to be a
mobile phone.
Fortunately, they discover a group of selfie photos that help to
solve an old mystery about a missing statue. There is a 7 million
dollar reward for its discovery but will they get there first?
It is fun to think that today's modern technology will be tomorrow's
ancient artefact. There is also factual information about the mobile
phone at the back of the book. This is the second book in this
series with the first novel focussing on a cassette tape. I think
these novels would be great to use with a class when discussing
historical artefacts.
This is an easy to read book that has lots of adventure and action.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Max's modern world and the fun the
author had with the statue's character, the major, Nicole Squidman -
a famous actor who won lots of awards.
Author Cameron MacIntosh's background is in educational texts and he
has written over 80 books.
The larger text and cartoon style illustrations will appeal to
young, independent readers in years 3 to 6.
Jane Moore
Hauntings and hexes by Aleesah Darlison
Little Witch series, book 2. Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN
9781925520576
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Hauntings and hexes is book 2
in the Little witch series and starts where the first book
left off. The holidays are over and our 'little witch' is about to
start at her new school. She has been practising her magic, with
some success and many failures, over the holidays but Courtney
Little is not ready for school to start. Courtney's first days at
school don't go as well as expected. She might have tried to stay
out of everyone's way but her spell to avoid holding a rat caused
utter chaos. When a benevolent spirit is released, it is up to
Courtney to remember the spell to make the town safe again. It is a
huge challenge for the young witch but thanks to the spirit of her
grandmother and her new friends, Courtney will give it a try. She is
the only chance the town has. Hauntings and hexes is a magical themed story with themes of
friendship and doing the right thing. With Courtney starting high
school, it would be expected that the story is aimed at older
children but the vocabulary is aimed at independent readers aged 10+
and the themes are consistent with this age group despite an evil
witch determined to punish the town. The vocabulary is easy to read
as well as descriptive. The story moves quickly and readers will
connect with Courtney as she is just like any girl with any issues -
she has to be independent, she has to step up and she has to solve
her problems. This book is highly recommended for girls aged 10+.
Kylie Kempster
I just couldn't wait to meet you by Kate Ritchie
Ill. by Hannah Sommerville. Random House Australia, 2016. ISBN
9780143785071
(Ages: 0-4) Recommended. Picture Book. This board picture book,
suggesting suitability for the youngest of readers, is delightfully
heart-warming in its exploration of the anticipation and excitement
associated with pregnancy. The small child is addressed directly in
the story with the mother conveying to him/her the emotions
associated with the new life growing within, in this instance, his
or her own gestation. What would he/she look and feel like? What
would be the favourite toy? The lovely, pastel illustrations by
Hannah Sommerville bring these emotions to life. Each 'bubble' could
be discussed at some length with the young reader.
Whilst quite whimsical for those of us looking back on the good old
days of child rearing, I doubt that it is a book a small child would
wish to have read over and over, as indeed the best of children's
book demand. However as a text to be read to a small child expecting
the imminent arrival of a sibling, it serves to introduce the idea
of where babies come from and how exciting and joyful the whole
business is or will be for the whole family and especially the
mother in the initial stages.
I enjoyed I just couldn't wait to meet you, though I won't
have the opportunity to read it to anyone, being well past the
moment as it were. It therefore has limited appeal - simply to be
read once or twice to a child by his/her mother.
Elizabeth Avery
Swimming on the lawn by Yasmin Hamid
Fremantle Press, 2017. ISBN 9781925164855
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Sudan, Family, Food, Civil
war. An ordinary life in the Sudan in the 1960's is full of family
and love. In relating life in Khartoum, Farida talks of her Mum and
Dad, siblings, Sami, Selma and Amir as they live in their neat home,
collecting eggs from the chickens at the back, buying milk from the
man on the donkey who calls, celebrating Eid with the neighbours and
going to the hairdresser's. All is familiar to the reader, but hints
of coming conflict appear in the background. Some unknown men come
by and kill their goat, a kiosk sells children's toys and Sami wants
a tank or a gun, which his mother is adamant he shall not have,
while men have been seen with guns slung on their backs.
Farida goes for a holiday with her uncle to his house, quite
different from their own, where water must be drawn from a well, and
food is cooked on an open fire within the mid brick walls. And here,
Farida sees the Nubian pyramids, a legacy from the past.
The languid atmosphere of the Sudan permeates the story, with Hamid
recalling her homeland, effortlessly reporting the small details of
family life, religion and culture. Food and its preparation,
clothes, school, births and deaths, sleeping on the verandah when it
is too hot inside form a heart warming background to this story of
family life.
But one day, when the girls return from the library with their
books, they find that tanks have surrounded their house and they see
their father taken away. Their lives are shattered. The peaceful way
of life is no more, and they must pack their belongings into one
suitcase and leave. Their peaceful existence has gone. Readers can
only imagine what the next steps will be, the shock of the event
belying all that has gone before. The suddenness of their father
being taken away will stop all readers in their tracks and help them
realise that this happens to such a family, a family not dissimilar
to themselves.
A little information about Yasmin
is available on the Fremantle Press website.
Fran Knight
Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Ill. by Giovanni Rigano. Hodder Children's Books, 2017. ISBN
9781444934007
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Themes: Refugees; Conflict; Freedom;
Survival. The flight to freedom is not easy for many in our world.
This Graphic novel illustrated in colour, clearly shows the journey
of survival of Ebo, a school-aged child with a beautiful voice, who
leaves his home village where he lives with his drunken uncle, to
find his siblings - one of whom has made the long journey to Europe.
With time shifts indicating the passage of time, forward and back,
we see the incredible difficulty he faces. First, he struggles to
find his brother, and then he becomes an illegal boat traveller as
he travels through very uncertain waters to reach Europe. The entire
journey is fraught with difficulty and risk, and the young boy faces
death on many occasions. Throughout this book, the reader is able to
connect to the concept, highlighted in the quote at the beginning of
the book, that no human can be 'illegal'. Ebo is a survivor, but the
book highlights that the journey to freedom for many people who flee
poverty, war or other conflict is not always successful - and yet
they too are humans with the same desire to live well, and to live
in safety.
The style of presentation as a graphic novel will provide
opportunity for many younger readers to grapple with the serious
issues that the world faces in meeting the needs of people who have
no official documents to travel. This is an epic story of hope and
survival, but it is also a sad story. An additional short, black and
white graphic tale of a young woman's journey to England is included
at the end of Ebo's story. Illegal does not shy away from hard issues or circumstances -
people smugglers, violence, bandits, murderers, but the format of
the graphic novel does make it possible for a younger reader to
understand without too much detail given.
Carolyn Hull
