Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9780980723724
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Picture book. Alcheringa Snow
is told from the perspective of Francine, a French Pyrenees dog. She
is a huge mountain dog who dreams of climbing mountains. Francine is
a dreamer and so are her friends. There is Banjo the green and
golden bell frog who dreams of riding a snowboard. Readers can learn
about how this type of frog spends the winter. Then there is shy
Colin the copperhead snake who dreams of the coming spring. Find out
where Colin sleeps when it is cold and when it is hot. Anna and Amy
are echidnas and they dream of ants. The two wombats dream of eating
grass all year round. Keep reading to find out about the dreams of
magpies, cockatoos, wallabies and kangaroos. Alcheringa Snow is a gorgeous picture book for readers of any
age. The pictures are detailed real-life paintings that will invoke
lots of conversation even before the words are read. The descriptive
vocabulary is ideal for independent readers due to the great
adjectives and descriptions of the animal's antics. Younger readers
will enjoy this book as a read-a-loud before bed or even in the
classroom. The story would make a great addition to any English
program or descriptive writing unit. Alcheringa Snow would
also be good in a Science program based on Biological Sciences and
the study of Australian animals.
It is highly recommended for all readers.
Kylie Kempster
Landscape with invisible hand by M. T. Anderson
Candlewick, 2017. ISBN 9780763699505
(Age: Middle secondary - Adult) This small novel captures perhaps
some of the less-voiced anxieties about what exists in deep space
that might threaten us. Not the simple man-in-the-moon idea, but
something deeper and far more catastrophic for earth. Anderson
places us in a recognizable world except for the fact of our unseen
and obviously unrecognizable 'overlords' being from 'other' places,
not human and not just machines, but intelligent, demanding and
frightening "Vuvvs" that demand obedience, recognition and
submission.
In this novel the characters are placed in a world from which they
can instantaneously visit other planets or modules that hover in
space. Earth appears to be somewhat ragged, down-at-heel and much
lesser than we might think of ourselves. Poor, abandoned by their
father and husband, the families of Adam and his girlfriend, Chloe,
struggle to survive financially and fear what might happen if they
fail all together.
This is a book without a sense of great hope or change, yet it deals
with human beings struggling to survive mentally and physically in a
world that appears to be disadvantaged by its being an underling of
a greater spatial world empire, and by its down-at heel state. Human
beings are lesser and the characters try to reach the standards of
behaviour and work expected by the 'others', the overlords. Human
characteristics valuable and appropriate to us seem lesser, and the
characters in this short novel are good people and offer us some
hope, but not a lot, in this imagined world.
This is a strong and brave modern novel that addresses the idea of
our perhaps not being alone, nor being in fact superior, or
protected by any higher beings, living on the edge and in tension,
on this planet in the universe that we inhabit. It is coldly
challenging, blunt and suitable for middle secondary to higher
secondary, and adult, reading.
Elizabeth Bondar
Parvana a graphic novel by Deborah Ellis, adapted from the film by Norah Twomey
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631970
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Graphic novel. Themes: Afghanistan,
Refugees, Taliban, Extremism, Survival. From the highly acclaimed
and awarded novel, Parvana, comes this pared down version
presented in a graphic novel format, destined to entrance another
generation of readers who will seek out the original stories once
they have finished the graphic version.
Every page is replete with the horror of living under religious
extremism; the rules imposed upon the population of Kabul in which
Parvana and her family live are part of the fabric of the story and
its illustrations. In dark, threatening browns, reds and blacks, the
ever present threat of arbitrary rule is made real. Parvana's father
has lost his job as a teacher, now selling his skills in the market,
there to be questioned by an ex pupil, scathing of education and
learning. He is questioned too about Parvana, a girl, being allowed
outside or having part of her face exposed, but when he is taken to
prison, the family loses all contact with the outside world. As
women are not allowed in the street alone, Parvana dresses as a boy
to earn money to support her family.
The appalling regime and its impact are seen on every page as
Parvana tries to earn money to help her father get out of prison.
The usual rule of law has broken down, allowing men to use their
power to further impose their wills upon women. Small touches of
humanity shine through the gloom, as Parvana finds a school friend
doing the same as she, when she reads the letters of illiterate
people willing to pay money to find out about their families, and
where someone helps Parvana in her search for her father.
But in the end although Parvana finds her father and her family have
escaped the brutal man who would use them, the future is bleak.
Readers will ponder long after this is read about how they would
survive, and about how all those children still under the rule of
these fanatics are faring. A film made of the Parvana books,
called The Breadwinner received an Academy Award nomination
for Best Animated Feature in 2018, and it is on this film that this
graphic novel is based.
Fran Knight
Lintang and the Forbidden Island by Tamara Moss
Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780143783459
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure stories, Pirates,
Fantasy, Seafaring adventures. Lintang and the Forbidden Island
continues the gripping story of a feisty young adventurer on her
quest to find Captain Shafira and re-join her friends on board the Winda.
Tamara Moss creatively balances the elements of mystery, exploration
and detailed imaginary creatures in this fantasy world.
Lintang's life changes dramatically just on her thirteenth birthday;
all her plans are thwarted as their island is taken over by the
United Regions. Fortuitously Captain Moon arrives with an
apprenticeship offer for Lintang because of her previous experiences
aboard the Winda battling the mythies. Life on Captain
Moon's ship is regimented and dull, her one job is to watch and
stoke the fire.
After a daring escape through a marketplace, the sea captain
captures her and reveals his special plan. There is a bounty on
Captain Shafira's head and Lintang needs to be secretly returned to
the Winda. Each of Lintang's lessons aboard provide her with
the skills need to survive in the dangerous world ruled by the
Vierzan's and inhabited by the fierce mythical creatures. She is
given her own sword and taught how to fight, Eire tests her to the
limits of her endurance and Zazi teaches her the ways of their
ancestors. The Mythie guidebook entries introduce the dangerous
beings they need to fight as their journey progresses. The
fast-paced action sees Lintang, Captain Shafira and the crew
fighting their enemies on both sea and land.
Lintang's friends, Bayani, the pixie Pelita and the crew come alive
in Moss's detailed and descriptive narrative novel. Rich with
mythology, she continues to explore this magical world, explaining
the existence of the Mythies. Her protagonist's personal growth in
confidence is very relatable, from a lack of self-assurance, Lintang
learns resilience, shows determination and reliance on her friends.
What adventures await this feisty young hero? Read both of Lintang's
stories to students in the middle primary and they will be
captivated.
Rhyllis Bignell
Little Lifesavers by Yvette Poshoglian
Ella and Olivia series. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743811498
(Age: Emergent readers) Recommended. When Ella and Olivia go to stay
with their grandparents, along with their family, they decide that
they want to follow in mum's footsteps and join the Nippers surf
lifesaving club. With their new tops emblazoned with the words Two
Pines Beach, the girls head excitedly to their first lesson. Despite
them both trying their hardest, Angela, a mean girl, manages to make
them both doubt their abilities and almost their decision to join.
Mum and their Nanna are proud of the fact that the girls help each
other and do their best.
Over the coming week, the girls continue to practise and improve
their skills. By the time the next week comes around, they eagerly
head off again, hoping to show the coach how well they have done.
Will they be able to fulfil their dreams or will Angela manage to
beat them again?
Not having read an Ella and Olivia title before, but knowing
just how popular they are in school libraries, I put myself in the
headset of our younger readers and realised that the stories are
definitely aimed at young girls and encourage them to try new skills
and adventures. As I neared the end, I'd predicted the outcome and
found myself being totally engaged in the simple story. I hoped that
the girls would manage to achieve their goals and was quite
satisfied with the conclusion. I can see exactly why emergent
readers love these stories so much and will be even more proactive
in recommending them to this demographic in future.
Jo Schenkel
LuLu le baby Chef by Katrina Meynink
Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925545661
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. LuLu le baby Chef is the story
of a baby named LuLu and her amazing gift. She can whip up any meal,
cooking amazing dishes and tasty foods. She tastes many foods adults
have not had the chance to try. Unfortunately for LuLu, something is
missing from her dishes and she just doesn't know what it is. So,
LuLu travels around the world - to Italy, Beirut, France, Rome and
Amsterdam. She experiments with different ingredients and even cooks
with a famous chef. However, that one missing ingredient is never
found. Lu Lu heads home. Was the answer always there? LuLu le baby Chef is a beautifully illustrated picture book
and the pictures alone will keep younger children busy for hours.
The details are wonderful. The story demands to be read aloud thanks
to the rhyme and rhythm in the words. Children will be able to learn
about different foods and different countries as well as new
vocabulary such as delight, tenderised and scrumptious. The story
will be a good read-a-loud in both the classroom and at home.
Use the story to identify the elements of a narrative and complete
oral retells. In Geography, map LuLu's travels and identify the
different countries and continents.
This book is highly recommended for readers aged 4+.
Kylie Kempster
Missing by Sue Whiting
Walker Books Australia, 2018. ISBN 9781760650032
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Crime, Adventure, Panama,
Bats, Missing persons. When Mackenzie is told to pack and be ready
to leave, she obeys her insistent father without demur, but once on
the plane for Panama, she wants to talk to her Gran, the one stable
thing in her life since her mother's disappearance five months ago.
Told in alternate chapters, one in the present day as Kenzie and her
father search for the woman in Panama, the other back in Sydney
months before as concern builds after Mum's non appearance at the
airport after photographing bats in South America.
Kenzie is about to go into secondary school, and her mother has
insisted she go to a private girls' school, to be less distracted by
the boys at the local state school. She is unhappy but with her
mother gone, wants to do as she had planned for her. Her first day
is unsettling, until she meets Billie. The two hit it off, partly
because Billie does not ask about her mother.
In South America, Kenzie and her Dad go to Bouquete, the last place
the woman was seen alive, and question again those who remembered
seeing her. When Dad lands in hospital it is up to Kenzie to find
out more information, and talking to a researcher in the town, finds
that her mother spoke to him the day after the police thought she
had disappeared. She gets on the bus, with Carlos from the hotel in
her wake.
This is an engrossing read about one girl's search for her mother.
Developed partly after Whiting read of the large numbers of missing
people in Australia each year, she honed in on how the teenager
would react and respond to such a crisis. She has succeeded, drawing
us into Kenzie's world as she tries to make sense of all the things
that happen around her, being buffeted from one thing to another.
Whiting very successfully exposes the vacuum into which Kenzie
falls, unable to trust anyone, scared and suspicious.
Australian author, Sue Whiting lives near Sydney and has won awards
for several of her books, including Platypus and A swim in the sea.
This story would make a good class text, a great read aloud as well
as a book to study.
Fran Knight
Bird builds a nest by Martin Jenkins
Ill. by Richard Jones. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406355130
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Birds, Building, Forces, STEM.
The seemingly simple tale of a bird building its nest is given a
wider emphasis as the author and illustrator explain forces through
pushing and pulling, and how we use forces to move things.
The bird rises with the sun and goes to look for a worm to eat. The
first one she finds it very large and despite all her effort at
pulling it from its hole, she is unable to move it. In smaller type
the rule of physics is given, that the stronger something is, the
more force it can apply. The bird sets out to find another smaller
worm and is successful. Bird then sets out to find some twigs to
build her nest.
The one she chooses is too big and a law of physics is again given:
that the more something weighs, the more force is needed to lift it.
She finds some smaller twigs and fashions her nest, pushing the
twigs together. Another law of physics is given: when you push
something you are applying a force away from you. In dropping one of
her twigs, the author then is able to tell the reader about gravity,
and then when the nest is complete she is able to lay her eggs.
Children reading this book will come to understand the laws of
forces through the simple act of a bird building its nest,
illustrated in sepia tones rendered in blocks of colour reminiscent
of collage and block print techniques. The illustrations add a level
of humour as the readers eyes follow the antics of the bird in going
about her business. At the end of the book is a small index, with
questions to ponder about the forces explained in the book.
A wonderful introduction to discussions about the forces we use
everyday.
Fran Knight
I remember by Joanne Crawford
Ill. by Kerry Anne Jordinson. Magabala Books, 2018. ISBN
9781925360769
(Ages: 4-8) Themes: Memory, Childhood. This is the recollection of
an elderly woman about the Murchison River camping trips she went on
with her family when she was a child. While presumably based on the
memories of the author, the elderly storyteller pictured is
fictional. She begins, "When I was young, I remember . . . " and
what follows is her reminiscing about how she felt, what she thought
and the evocative nature of her memories ("I can almost feel the
slimy, squishy river mud between my toes"). At the end of the book
we are taken back to our storyteller who tells us about how memory
can be elusive ("The memories don't come all that often, just
flashes here and there") and are reminded of the fragility of memory
but also about how sharing our stories keeps them alive. The
illustrations help to bring her memories to life, not just how it
was but how she remembers it (the wildflowers as far as her eyes
could see, the dark water of the dam that terrified her, etc.). This
tale will resonate with parents and grandparents all over Australia,
who will have memories of similar cherished memories. In addition,
most children who have ever been on a family holiday will be able to
relate to the storyteller's excitement about packing things into the
car, the anticipation felt driving to the destination and then the
peaceful time spent with family. This could be a useful educational
resource when dealing with memory, family history and oral
traditions of storytelling.
Nicole Nelson
Tempests and slaughter by Tamora Pierce
The Numair Chronicles book 1. Lothian, 2018. ISBN
9780734418678
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Magic, Wizards,
Sorcery, Puberty. Arram Draper is the youngest student in his class
at the Imperial University of Carthak, and his gifts are so great
that he is constantly being put into higher classes with older
students. When he meets Varice, a clever girl with kitchen magic,
and Ozorne, the left-over prince, he finds two friends who help him
fit in and the three of them form a bond that will have far reaching
consequences.
In this long, slow moving and absorbing story of the boy who will
become the great mage Numar Salmalin, featured in Pierce's previous
Tortall stories (Song of the Lionness series and The
immortals series), the reader follows the schooling of the
three friends. It is fascinating to see the growth of Arram's skills
and beliefs and follow his encounters with gods, a sunbird and the
friends that he makes among the gladiators and creatures in the
river. His curiosity and well-meaning nature will endear him to the
reader, who will empathise with his feelings about slavery and
follow his ability as a healer and water wizard with great interest.
Meanwhile Ozorne is schooled in the magic of warfare and the reader
knows that danger will follow from that, while Varice is shown as a
caring attractive girl who has great social and culinary skills.
I had read the books about Alanna (Song of the Lionness series) many
years ago, and found the story of Arram so fascinating that I
immediately borrowed the four books in The immortals series to find
out about Arram (Numar) as a grown man. Tempests and slaughter can be read as a stand alone story,
and fans of the books originally set in Tortall will especially
welcome this new series about a favourite character. Books by Tamora
Pierce are must reads for any fantasy lover.
Pat Pledger
Dig, dump, roll by Sally Sutton
Ill. by Brian Lovelock. Walker Books, 2018 ISBN 9781760650056
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Machinery. School. Workers.
The building of a school is shown in new light as the different
machines are brought in to help in its construction. First is the
bulldozer, crashing, rumbling, crashing and grumbling as it clears
the ground. In two rhyming sentences the author distills the work
done by this great machine, ending with the word that describes the
machine and the refrain, 'coming through!'
From there other machines are described just as pithily, with the
repeated 'here's a clue' and 'coming through', inviting children to
yell these out as the book is read to them.
The bulldozer is followed by the digger, then the dump truck,
roller, concrete mixer and finally the builders, building a school.
Each page is brightly illustrated with lots for children to
recognise and ask about. The builders are all enveloped in fluoro
vests and hard hats, inviting discussions about safety, each machine
is wonderfully drawn, inviting children to look more closely at its
separate parts, the builders are shown working with the machines to
get the job done.
The first two lines of each stanza about a particular machine is
full of movement and action, inviting students to move along with
the words or sound them out.
I can imagine groups of kids having a great deal of fun with this
story, moving, yelling, predicting, learning lines, making the
noises of the machines and finally building the school. On the last
page is an outline of the machines presented in the book with
further information about their parts. Readers will love it.
Fran Knight
The perfect girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
Wildfire, 2018. ISBN 9781472244260
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. The story opens with a death, the
accidental drowning death of a four year old child when his 10 year
old sister's attention is distracted... or was it accidental? As
we are led inside the mind of Elizabeth / Lily / Juliette we come to
understand that this is a cold and dangerous person, and maybe it
even started when she was a child. She becomes a person completely
obsessed with the man she sees as her only love, the man who is
supposed to marry her and make everything perfect. Juliette has a
plan, and she is going to stick to it, and the ultimate goal is
Nate, and the perfect wedding, the perfect marriage, the perfect
family. She will stop at nothing, she sneaks into people's homes,
she takes photographs, she steals things, she leaves traces behind,
she follows and stalks... She is another Amy from 'Gone Girl' or Alex
from 'Fatal Attraction' - she is ruthless in her obsession, and she
will get what she wants. At the same time she is hurt, a neglected
child, a bullied victim, a rejected girlfriend. Hamilton tries to
round out her character and explain how she came to be what she is.
There is a kind of fascination in reading about a character that
knows no boundaries, who breaks rules, and goes further than anybody
else ever would - someone who is so delusional that she can't see
how that by her very actions, she is never going to attain the trust
of the friends she wants. At the same time we have insight into her
mind, and we understand her thoughts, her justifications, her desire
for revenge. That makes her a bit more human, and a bit less of a
stereotype.
That sense of the dangerous person, the brooding feeling that things
are going to get worse and horrible things are going to happen,
doesn't let up, and we know that there is eventually going to be
another victim. Although the pace falters at times, The perfect
girlfriend is a great thriller that holds you to the end.
Helen Eddy
Over is out by Lachlan Creagh
Ill. by Sarah Creagh. Lothian, 2018. ISBN 9780734417657
(Age: 4+) Themes: Humour, Cricket, Dinosaurs. Readers will get lots
of laughs from this book as they read of the two boys playing
cricket in their back yard. When the ball goes over the fence one is
designated to climb the fence and retrieve the ball, but without
waking the nighbours. Children will laugh out loud as the neighbours
turn out to be a range of rather large dinosaurs, mainly sleeping,
but the boy over the fence tries very carefully to avoid waking
them. Each time the page is turned another descriptive word is given
in a different colour and font size, making it a useful book when
teaching about words which define where you are: over, under, on
top, between and behind.
Great fun will be had as the readers will the boy not to wake the
sleeping giants. Dinosaur recognition will be a must with many
children as each page is turned.
And a twist at the end will further tickle the fancies of the
readers.
Fran Knight
Shout out to the girls: a celebration of awesome Australian women by various authors
Penguin Random House Australia, 2018. ISBN 9780143789420
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Women, Achievement,
Biographies. Fifty amazing Australian women from all walks of life
star in this shout-out ("Noun, colloquial a public expression of
thanks"). The women range from names that are well known in the
media (Rosie Batty, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Newton-John), to
historical figures ( Mary Reiby, Mary Mackillop and May Emmeline
Wirth), scientists and doctors (Dharmica Mistry, Elizabeth Blackburn
and Fiona Wood) to less well known figures who will appeal to young
and old alike.
The Contents page is organised with the woman's name and her field
of expertise listed beneath. Each entry has a full page description
of the woman and her achievements with a colourful portrait
accompanying it on the opposite page, each done by different
artists, who have their own portraits at the back of the book.
Different sections begin with a though provoking phrase that broadly
describes the achievements of the women following: the reader is led
straight into the book with "a pat on the back to all the excellent
entrepreneurs taking chances and thinking outside the box." Aheda
Zanetti then leads the field with her invention of the hijood for
sportwear and the burkini for swimwear giving Muslim women and girls
access to sports.
I was thrilled to see Melina Marchetta featured as a writer, and
found many younger women like Molly Taylor, rally car driver and
Marita Cheng, a technology entrepreneur to have quite amazing
achievements.
Beautiful illustrations of Australian flora feature on the cover and
title page, as symbols of the 'strength and heart of the women
featured in the book. Australian flowers aren't wilting violets . .
. "
There is also a shout-out to the Smith family, which will receive
all royalties from the sale of Shout out to the girls.
Reading about the fifty women in this book will provide inspiration
to any reader. It is written in an easy to read style and is a must
have for all libraries.
Pat Pledger
Goodly and Grave in a deadly case of murder by Justine Windsor
Goodly and Grave series. HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN
9780008183561
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Magic, Murder, Grave
robbers. The second in this series of adventure books, Goodly
and Grave, is about Lucy's attempts to prove herself. She and
Lord Grave, initially investigate a series of thefts of bodies from
the local cemetery, but it turns out that the thief is stealing
soil, and they hang out one night at the cemetery ready to catch the
thief. But things do not turn out well, and that night the household
is woken by a loud crash and screams. On investigation it appears
someone has tried to steal the strange book they found at the
cemetery and has hit Lord Grave over the head.
Part of an organisation called Magicians Against the Abuse of Magic
(MAAM) it falls upon our duo, Goodly and Grave to capture the thief,
but when it turns into a murder, their skills are put on high alert.
Goodly works in Lord Grave's employment as a boot boy, but is
secretly being trained by him to better use her incredible magical
powers.
The first in the series: Goodly and Grave, in a bad case of
kidnap, had Lucy using her card skills to advantage, while the
second sees her cement her place in Grave Hall as Lord Grave refines
her considerable skills.
At once funny and delightfully scary, packed with greatly detailed
illustrations by Becka Moor, this second in the series of books is a
wonder to read, with lots of odd characters: Bathsheba, Lord Grave's
companion is a jaguar from his extensive wild life park, the
housekeeper, Mrs Carthew is a man with a huge beard which he plaits
at night, Smell, the cat is able to sniff out potents easily, and so
on. All fascinating, intriguing and inviting.
I found this book delicious, filled with humour and nods to a range
of scary stories including grave robbing, vampires, Dracula, image
changes, time travel, and a golem.
Fran Knight
