Paddy O'Melon the Irish kangaroo by Julia Cooper and Daryl Dickson
Exisle, 2017. ISBN 9781925335637
On the very day that he took his first steps out of his mother's
pouch, the little kangaroo is separated from her as two large black
marauding dogs race through the clearing, scattering them to
shelter. The joey cannot keep up with his mum so he hides, found
hours later by the O'Melon family who live in a valley in the
rainforest and who care for injured and orphaned native creatures.
They call him Paddy O'Melon, their Irish kangaroo. Wrapped in a
pillowcase pouch and bottle-fed a special milk mixture, Paddy not
only survives but thrives. He spends more and more time in the
garden as he grows, meeting and making friends with the other
creatures that the O'Melons have rescued. Eventually, all his time
is spent outdoors and the family tell him that when he is old enough
he can return to the wild and live with his own kind. But just what
is his "own kind"? When he introduces himself as Paddy O'Melon the
Irish kangaroo, he is met with sniggers and giggles and no one is
able to help him. The best advice he can get is to find the
cassowary who knows everything and everyone.
This is a charming story with echoes of Are you my mother?
but with much more depth and interest. Written by a highly regarded
naturalist, who has since passed away, it not only introduces the
reader to the unfamiliar and unique creatures of Far North
Queensland but carries a lot of information about them in both the
text and the stunning illustrations, but never intruding into the
story of Paddy's quest.
While many are familiar with kangaroos and wallabies, few know about
their cousins the pademelons who inhabit the northern rainforests In
an effort to spread the word about the species of her home region,
Cooper has deliberately included the more unusual.
There are also Teachers'
Notes available and royalties are being donated to further the
conservation of the area.
Apart from just being a good story, this book also introduces us to
more of Australia's wonderful wildlife, perhaps setting up an
investigation that compares and contrasts those of the FNQ region to
those in the students' region.
Barbara Braxton
Untidy towns by Kate O'Donnell
UQP, 2017. ISBN 9780702259821
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Rural life, Private schools,
Future, Relationships, Conformity, Friendship. Abruptly leaving her
city private school in March during her year twelve is scholarship
girl, Adelaide's best move. She has endured this place since year
seven, putting up with the slights from other girls, the meaningless
relationships and the push to strive and do well to represent the
school, to conform, toe the line, and behave. But suddenly she no
longer wants to be the girl they want her to be, so catches the
train and goes back home to Emyvale near Geelong. Mum meets her at
the station, and there follows a blossoming of her place in the
world, a realisation that she can do what she wants. She becomes the
intern at her grandfather's history museum in their small town, a
step towards fending for herself, of finding her path.
She meets the people she went to primary school with, rekindling
relationships from long ago with relative ease.
Her family does not pressure her to do anything she doesn't want to
do, allowing her space to find out what it is she really wants,
while she finishes her studies long distance and applies for a uni
course for the following year, to keep her options open.
When Mia comes to stay during the school holidays, things change.
She becomes involved with Addie's old friend, Jen and the two work
out how they can see each other at uni the following year. Adelaide
becomes embroiled in her relationship with Jarrod, to such an extent
that people are expecting them to become more of a couple and stay
in the town. Adelaide has a melt down and they argue but in making
up, she realises that this is the jolt she needs to do something.
Exam results, New Year, and uni offers for some the following year
are the background to the last chapters of this engaging novel about
making choices, making your own path in life, making decisions about
your own future.
Lashed with humour and stories of the town the whole is a diverting
look at people with hard decisions to make about their futures. Told
in chapters following the months from March to January, the
chronology of the book invites the reader to compare it with their
own path and decision making in what many see as a crucial year.
Seeing past what others want for her is part of the mix.
The cover compels the reader to pick up the book, eager to see what
the young girl will do in her untidy town. The design, font and
illustration stand out on shelves full of books with unremarkable
covers, and once inside the readers will be unable to put the book
down. A choice made through good design.
And I love the list of books read and those still to read at the end
of the book.
Fran Knight
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Lothian, 2017. ISBN 9780734418074
(Age: 8-13+) Highly recommended. Nevermoor will be compared
to Harry Potter. There is an unloved child with unknown
powers, a journey to a parallel world with new friends and bullies
as well as an eccentric but kind mentor. The front cover even states
that "Readers will feel as though Harry Potter is meeting Alice in
Wonderland" (Kirkus).
Indeed, there are many similarities but Nevermoor and its
main character, Morrigan Crow are able to stand apart and be enjoyed
in their own right.
Morrigan Crow is a deemed cursed child, someone who only brings bad
luck to all around her and will die on her 11th birthday at midnight
on Eventide. Her family are cold and uncaring but she stays stoic
and greets each negative incident with an almost detached humour.
On the depressing night of her ordained death, Morrigan is rescued
from the evil "Hunt of Smoke and Shadow", by her unflappable and
charming mentor Jupiter North of the Wundrous Society.
She journeys to Nevermoor and lives in the fantastical Deucalion
Hotel owned by North and it is here Morrigan meets a variety of
interesting characters such as Fenestra the giant Magnificat and
Frank, a vampire dwarf - or is it a dwarf vampire.
Morrigan begins a friendship with Hawthorne, who is her greatest
support during the series of trials she must pass in order to remain
in Nevermoor. She is competing against hundreds of other children
who will all display their particular talents. The problem is
Morrigan has no idea of her own gift.
This is Jessica Townsend's first book (and obviously a first in a
series) but at the Frankfurt Book Fair she received requests for
publication from at least eight major publishing houses.
There is so much to recommend this book, the combination of magic
and humour, the wonderful activities of Nevermoor such as the
delightful Christmas celebrations and the unique, amazing rooms at
the Deucalion. The characters and scenes are vivid and very
theatrical. Morrigan herself is a wonderful heroine, steadfast and
brave while making witty comments about the goings on around her.
To the fans of Harry who mourn the end of the "Hogwarts" world", I
invite you to join Morrigan in Nevermoor. I believe you will not be
disappointed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone 8 to 13 + years old.
A small trailer
for the book is available.
Jane Moore
The untold story of Father Christmas by Alison and Mike Battle
Ill. by Lauren A. Mills. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408892343
"In olden times, when magic still filled the air, there lived a
master toymaker and his wife . . ."
So begins this delightful retelling of the story of Father
Christmas, beautifully illustrated and set in a land of deep
forests, elves and magic.
The kindly toymaker and his wife discover that if you keep your
heart full of love and wonder, dreams really do come true . . . .
Who doesn't love a traditional story at Christmas time? A
beautifully illustrated and timeless story about how a toymaker and
his wife became Mother and Father Christmas for children all over
the world. The toy maker is a kind character, always seeing the best
in situations, except for one thing - they did not have their own
child. With similarities to The Elves and The Shoemaker, the
old couple set about making toys for the children in their village.
This is a truly beautifully written story that displays the true
meaning of Christmas and the act of giving. It would be fantastic to
talk to students about being selfless and what one can gain from
displaying this quality. I can see the children shouting out 'it's
Father Christmas' as I am reading the story as he is described as a
toy maker throughout the book and not referred to as this until the
very last page in the book. I am a sucker for a traditional story
using traditional colours in the illustrations and this did not
disappoint me. A welcome addition to the collection of Christmas
books.
Kathryn Schumacher
Ori's Christmas by Anne Helen Donnelly
Anne Helen Donnelly, 2017. ISBN 9780646969329
"Ori the Octopus is so happy to be celebrating Christmas with all
his friends. But what happens when Ori's friends all want to do
different things on this special day? " (Author)
A festive book where children can join in with the story, using
simple and fun actions. Ori's Christmas is the second book in the series, Ori the
Octopus. It will resonate with children, especially at
Christmas time with the ideals of sharing and compromise. On each
page, there is a piece of text written in purple indicating the
actions the children can perform to join in while the story is being
read. With bright, eye catching illustrations, this book is very
different to the traditional Christmas stories using a variety of
creatures found in the sea. In the middle of the book, there are a
number of Christmas decorations that can be coloured in. These can
easily be removed without harming the book. The bonus addition of
notes for parents and teachers is always popular. I could see this
book being used as a short Christmas play within a classroom.
Although not everyone's cup of tea, I think this will be a big
seller at Christmas and would make a welcome addition to the school
library collection or a great stocking filler.
Kathryn Schumacher
Big Bash League: Academy smash by Michael Panckridge
Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN: 9780143782278
(Age: 7+) "Billy loves to bowl - fast! He's also a massive Melbourne
Stars fan and when his friend Wen-Lee lets him know about a cricket
academy camp, run by none other than the Stars, Billy is desperate
to go! So is Wen-Lee, even if she does barrack for the Brisbane
Heat.
Trouble is, the applications are about to close and Billy needs to
find a way to raise money for the entry fee. Perhaps a speed-bowling
competition is in order!" (Publisher)
This is the fifth book in the series and to be honest I can not see
it being any less popular with both the boys and girls. These books
are rarely on the shelf in our library, with students aged from 7
upwards borrowing them. It is fantastic to see that there are both
male and female strong lead characters in the book. It is a story of
determination, friendship and quick thinking. The storyline follows
a traditional narrative and will be sure to maintain the interest of
the reader. For the sport enthusiast, this series fills a gap for
students who are ready for the next challenge of a chapter book,
moving on from 'quick read' chapter books. Even though there are 137
pages, the text is relatively large, meaning it will not actually
take long to read. I am sure many children will have this on their
Christmas wish list. Another 'must have' for the library collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
Roald Dahl's George's Marvellous Experiments by Barry Hutchinson
Ill. by Quentin Blake. Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN
9780141375946
Once upon a time George Kranky decided it was time to get his
gruesome, grouchy grandma who had a mouth pinched in like a do's
bottom into a better mood by making her some special medicine. But
being neither doctor nor scientist, George just combines and cooks
things he has on hand - and the results are not as he expects.
Building on from this favourite Dahl tale of George's
Marvellous Medicine is this collection of science experiments
that might not have the results that George's concoctions had but
which will be equally spectacular, just as much fun and importantly,
they are all tested and safe (although some adult supervision might
be needed.) With chapter titles such as Marvellously Messy,
Excellent Eruptions and Vivacious Vehicles and full-colour
illustrations by Quentin Blake, this is a science book like no other
that is going to appeal to all those who like to explore
what-happens-if and spark an interest in things scientific in those
who are yet to discover the magic and fun. Experience has shown me
that kids are entranced by the 'magic" of chemistry and having seen
a result are keen to find out the how and the why so it's a superb
one to add to the teacher toolbox too.
And if you're not sure yourself and are not confident following the
easy-to-read instructions (which in themselves could serve as a
model), start with these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgRksqzQtLY
Too cool for school. And put George's Marvellous Medicine at
the top of you class read-aloud list for 2018!
Barbara Braxton
Where's Wally? The totally terrific tin by Martin Handford
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406374926
A wonderful collection for children from 6 years and up. This Where's
Wally? set contains the first 3 books and is beautifully
presented in a colourful tin, making it a fantastic present for any
young Where's Wally? fan. The three books are Where's
Wally?, Where's Wally now? and Where's Wally? The
fantastic journey.
Each book invites the reader to not only search the pages for Wally,
but also for many of his friends including Wanda, Odlaw and the
Wizard Whitebeard. This feature keeps Wally hunters amused for
longer and as it's recurrent in the 3 books enables them to build
character knowledge and maybe even create their own stories about
what they are doing. The back of the book also provides 'The Great
Where's Wally?' checklist giving extra objects and people to find.
I really like that each book has a theme, which carries throughout
the pages. Each theme can also lead to extra investigation, such as
letter writing from book 1 (Where's Wally?), going back in
time in book 2 (Where's Wally now?) and fictional/mythical
times from book 3 (Where's Wally? The fantastic journey).
Each of these keeps Wally hunters interested and searching for more.
The illustrations are wonderful and it is amazing what you can find
when delving deep into Martin Handford's drawings! I love the scenes
he creates within the pictures - be it two people arguing or small
children playing a game. Because you are scouring every inch of the
page you come across them often, and they do bring a smile to my
face.
Lauren Fountain
Affluence without abundance: The disappearing world of the Bushmen by James Suzman
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781632865724
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Non-fiction. Anthropologist James
Suzman has spent many years living and working with the Bushman
groups of Namibia and Botswana, southern Africa, providing us with a
unique insight into the culture of these hunting and gathering
people. He describes them as a group of people who had already
discovered the Keynesian economic ideal of a life of satisfied needs
without long working hours. He estimates that they may have spent
about 15 hours a week securing their nutritional needs. The idea of
working to cultivate extra food, or of storing for later, was
completely unknown and unnecessary to the Ju/'hoansi. The land
always provided for them in some way. The thought that the so-called
'primitive man' could actually have affluence without the endless
toil for further wealth is unimaginable to Western society caught in
the perpetual cycle of work and accumulation of things.
Suzman's book is fascinating. So many unusual concepts are revealed
to us: the idea of equality moderated by jealousy; of empathy with
animals but not humanised affection or compassion; a respectful and
sharing relationship with predator lions; the environment as a set
of relationships that includes everything even litter; satisfied
instincts without greed or obesity. Whilst reading, it seemed to me
that there may be some overlaps with the values of Australian
Aboriginal peoples. There are also some shared problems brought on
by loss of land to colonising powers.
There are many interesting characters, some of them revealed in a
wonderful collection of colour photographs. The book also includes
several maps of the region, an index, and a list of suggested
further reading.
Helen Eddy
Safari Pug by Laura James
The adventures of Pug. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408866405
(Age: 7-10) Safari Pug is the third short novel in the series by
Laura James, and follows the adventures of Pug who is the (somewhat)
adventurous pet of Lady Miranda.
Pug doesn't want to meet a LION. But LADY MIRANDA insists. They've
packed a picnic and now they're off on a SAFARI ADVENTURE - but what
if wild animals like PUGS for lunch?
This book features a trip to the wildlife park and some encounters
with wild animals and a TV celebrity named Arleen Von Bling! While
on this adventure we learnt about Sedan chairs (who wouldn't want to
arrive at the open range zoo in one of those!), running footman and
the ferocity of lion parents when met with a threat to their cub.
Pug tries to be a hero (whilst not ending up as Lion's lunch or sold
by Arleen Von Bling) and attempts to help out his new cub friend -
luckily a happy ending ensues.
I thought this was a great short story as did my 7 year old son. It
was long enough to read over a few nights (2-3 chapters per night),
and short enough to hold his attention. The main character Pug is
very well written in this book, and I felt like he was possibly put
in adventurous situations by Lady Miranda when he would probably
rather just hang around his mansion snoozing! The illustrations by
Eglantine Ceulemans added great insight into Pug's life and we
enjoyed the expressions of the characters. They really add to the
narrative and bring it all to life.
This book would be great for a beginner independent reader
(approximately 7 years old); as the chapters are relatively short
and the character names are repeated throughout the story often. We
are keen to seek out the previous two books Captain Pug and
Cowboy Pug to find out more about the luxurious life of Pug and Lady
Miranda.
Lauren Fountain
Nothing by Annie Barrows
Greenwillow Books, 2017. ISBN 9780062796516
(Age: Senior secondary) Strong language. Drug and alcohol
references. "Really, this book is about me, Charlotte, and my
friend, Frankie, and some stuff that happened to us last Christmas.
It wasn't anything amazing. Trust me on this one. But I, personally,
am tired of reading about
abused/drug-addicted/depressed/alien-infested teens. And-also
personally-I think Frankie and I are pretty funny. Actually, I think
we're hilarious, but that could be a me-thing. So if you want to
read about some not-incredible-but-not-entirely-basic
fifteen-year-old girls, then this book is for you!" Publisher.
Written by the bestselling co-author of The Guernsey Literary
and Potato Peel Pie Society and the author of the
award-winning and bestselling Ivy + Bean books the reader
would expect some hilarious moments and interesting writing and they
won't be disappointed. In an article on Goodreads,
the author states that the theme of all her books is the message
that: 'You don't need to get better. You're already fine the way you
are' and the reader will find that is true as they read about the
life of 15 year old Charlotte and Frankie in Nothing.
The theme of friendship is a very strong one and the reader will
become engrossed in how Frankie and Charlotte support each other,
and how their families support them as well. There is a refreshing
realism to the story that teens are sure to appreciate and much to
smile about.
Pat Pledger
The wolf, the duck and the mouse by Mac Barnett
Ill. by Jon Klassen. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406377798
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Animals, Survival,
Interdependence. When the wolf eats the mouse he finds in the
forest, he is at a loss as to understand what is going on in his
stomach. The mouse finds a duck in its bed inside the stomach and on
enquiring finds that the duck lives there quite peacefully, safe
from any nasty things which may want to eat him outside. After all,
he may have been swallowed but he has no intention of being eaten.
Together the two have breakfast and mouse asks if he can stay. Life
looks quite good. When their rousing keeps the wolf awake, they ask
for more things, some wine and candles to celebrate their
companionship. Wolf obliges but when he falls down through the pain
in his stomach he is seen by a hunter who fires at him.
The mouse and the duck realise that they must do something to keep
the wolf safe, after all their lives depend upon his safety.
With all the hallmarks of a fable, the wolf learns that the three
are dependent upon each other for their survival. The duck and the
mouse cleverly work out how to live without fear and the wolf must
put up with the occasional rumble in his stomach to have them help
him in return.
The illustrations are glorious, a mix of media presents the sepia
colours of the forest and the animals. An occasional bright spot of
colour appears in the dark of the stomach with a tablecloth
contrasting with the gloom, and the check of the hunter's shirt
standing out against the muted shades of the forest. I loved looking
at the small details contained within the stomach, laughing out loud
at the situation of a wolf swallowing a variety of things to keep
his guests happy.
Their interdependence will intrigue younger readers and they will
laugh at the situation where the wolf must go to great lengths to
survive.
Fran Knight
Ballad for a mad girl by Vikki Wakefield
Text Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925355291
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Themes: Death, Mystery, Thriller,
Country towns, Friendship, Reality, Perception, Ghosts. Grace Foley
has a reputation for being a little bit mad. She is a risk taker and
plays pranks on her friends. When she accepts the challenge to walk
the pipe which stretches across a deep ravine, she experiences a
moment of dread when she hears a voice, and she freezes, needing to
be rescued by one of the local boys. She is dragged into the mystery
of Hannah Holt who disappeared twenty years before and of the boy
who was accused of murdering her. Struggling with working out what
is real and what could be in her imagination, Grace becomes immersed
in following clues while trying to hold onto her sanity.
This is a stunning and totally engrossing thriller that has all the
elements that any reader could want. There is action: the first
chapter of the book pulls the reader in as Grace's journey across
the dangerous pipe is described; the possibility of a ghost appears
as Grace hears voices; the mystery of Hannah's disappearance must be
explained and there is the empathy that the reader feels for Grace
and for the young man who was accused of Hannah's murder. The
stunning conclusion will also remain with the reader making
Vicki Wakefield is a master of the YA genre and she has outdone
herself in Ballad for a mad girl. It would make an excellent
class novel or literature circle book. Teacher's
notes are available at the publisher's website.
I can see this book winning awards, not just for its fabulous story
line but for its vivid, memorable and clever writing.
Pat Pledger
Wombat and Fox : the whole story by Terry Denton
Wombat and Fox series. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN
9781760294359
(Age 6-9) Recommended. Theme: Humour. This large book contains the
three tales of Wombat and Fox published separately over the
past several years, Tales of the city, Summer in the
city and Thrillseekers. The stories are about two
friends, Wombat and Fox who get into all sorts of mischief,
especially when teamed with their friends, Croc, Bandicoot, the
Hippo sisters and the Five Monkeys, the latter always good for a
special mix of adventure.
After the contents page, the group of friends is introduced, and
then the mayhem starts with Monkey and Fox having adventures. I
enjoyed A hot night in the city, one of the three stories in
the book, Tales of the city. In this the pair decides to go
to the seaside during a particularly hot spell in the city. They
must takes a bus and being novices, let many buses go by before they
realise that any one of them would take them to the beach. But when
they get on the bus they find that another of their friends,
Crocodile is headed in the same direction, but one thing is there to
ruin their holiday, the Five Monkeys,their frenemies.
The running battle between the friends and the monkeys ends
harmoniously when all at sea, the penguins come to their aid. All of
the stories in this tome are similarly funny and based in things
that lower primary people know, all punctuated with Denton's
recognisable drawings, giving a background of the familiar and
homely. Kids will enjoy the stories which includes the banter
between the group, their shifting relationships and friendships,
taking risks and their exploration of their surroundings. There is a
lot to like and the accompanying illustrations add another level of
humour to an already very funny set of stories.
Fran Knight
Gary by Leila Rudge
Walker Books Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781921977008
(Age: 3-10) Highly recommended. Gary (both written and
illustrated) by Leila Rudge is a charming story about a pigeon that
is different to all of his friends. He cannot fly like everyone
else, and instead collects souvenirs that they bring back for him.
Gary doesn't seem too worried about this as he enjoys his
scrap-booking and listening to their adventures. The book continues
on to follow Gary on his own adventure, where he must overcome his
uncertainty of the city and get back home.
This book is such a great story to use for teaching children about
difference and thinking outside the standards of the 'social norm'.
I really like the ending which talks of Gary being like all the
other racing pigeons most of the time, but then that sometimes the
racing pigeons are just like him. It shows that there is not just
one way of doing things and challenges the reader/listener to think
about physical expectations placed on us every day. The
illustrations are pencil drawings mixed with paper cut outs/mixed
media and are interesting and engaging, bringing life and adding
value to the story.
This story is a well-deserved Honour Book for the 2017 Children's
Book of the Year Awards (Early Childhood). I feel is appropriate for
children up to the age of 10 as it is a wonderful starting point for
discussions of physical difference, social interactions and even
storytelling through scrapbooking!
Thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
Lauren Fountain
