Starfish Bay, 2017. ISBN 9781760360344
(Age: 5-7) When Mu meets Min, by Shen Shixi is a tale
narrated by a Chinese farmer, and tells us a story about unlikely
friends, a cat and a dog. Min the overly friendly puppy, joins the
family first and when a plague of rats comes to the farm and he
cannot get rid of them, Min the cat joins the family too.
As the story goes on the two young animals get along and become
friends (much to the neighbour's surprise), they play games and
sleep next to each other, however as they grow older it is not meant
to be.
They drift apart and all of a sudden they are fighting every day
instead of playing.
Children reading this story will be able to find links to their life
or other stories they know, lending this book to be one that teaches
a lesson as well as being a story.
The biggest lesson occurs when Mu falls into a water tank and cannot
get out. Although they do not get along, Min goes and finds help to
rescue Mu and save the cat from drowning.
Shen Shixi writes this story with the underlying messages (which are
not specifically spelt out) that even though they may not be best
friends anymore, the two can still help each other out and that they
can be civil and friendly. I also think it shows a different kind of
friendship that most children would not usually identify with.
The pictures are attractive, show movement around the page and also
some comical aspects.
I read this to Mr 6 and Miss 3, both enjoyed the story, however Mr.
6 did not pick up on the 'lesson' without prompting and needed
discussion to understand where Shixi was taking the story.
A positive story for 5-7 year olds.
Lauren Fountain
Squishy Taylor and the silver suitcase by Ailsa Wild
Squishy Taylor. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2017. ISBN 9781760128784
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Squishy Taylor and the Silver Suitcase
is a fun adventure for girls. The main characters are three sisters
and it is based in Melbourne. Squishy and her step sisters Jess and
Vee (she calls them bonus sisters as they were a bonus when her dad
remarried!) spend their summer holidays at the University waiting
for their mum to finish summer lectures. As the girls explore rooms
within the university, they stumble across 2 adults acting
suspiciously. Their word is 'dodgy' and through the story the
sisters refer to them as the Dodgy Duo. Squishy overhears the Duo
discussing a trip to the museum and her mystery-solving senses kick
in. A trip to the zoo, an encounter with a black cockatoo and
learning about bird smuggling leads the sisters to trying to capture
the Dodgy Duo. The girls are sure they are trying to smuggle birds.
However, the police don't believe them and the zoo expert is acting
suspiciously too. Will the sisters solve the mystery or will they
end up in a little bit of trouble? Squishy Taylor and the Silver Suitcase is a mystery adventure
for girls and is highly recommended for readers aged 8+. Squishy
Taylor is a series but this is a stand-alone story, easy to
read and follow. Readers will be trying to guess who the criminals
are. Squishy, Jess and Vee are great role models for girls. This
story would be an excellent class novel when investigating
endangered species.
Kylie Kempster
Ball Stars: Reppin' It by David Lawrence
Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143781677
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Basketball; Sportsmanship;
Leadership; Sport. In partnership with Basketball Australia, this is
the story of young players who are trying to make their mark in the
world of basketball. It is both a celebration of all the things that
are good about team sport involvement and just an honest and
intriguing story that will appeal to kids.
The boys and girls from Robdale Primary need to try out for the
District representative team and put their talents on show. Danny
and Crystal, and several of their team mates go through the trials
and get selected, but Danny and Crystal demonstrate the qualities
that make their peers honour them with selection as Captains.
Crystal's selection is easy, but the captaincy for Danny comes with
the difficulty of dealing with a team mate whose temper is seriously
out of alignment. The games are played with wonderful running
commentary from Cody, with great skills on display and the hope of a
win - if they can work together! In the background to this great
sporting contest is a school environment with Dahl-esque qualities,
led by Miss Take (Yes, that is her name!). Family members and adults
have caricature-like personalities with larger than life quirks that
create a comedic contrast to the 'serious' basketball contests. This
is a wonderful tale that demonstrates the qualities of good
leadership and the fun of exploring a sport and playing it for all
it's worth!
Highly recommended for ages 8 - 12. Both genders will enjoy this,
and all lovers of sport will be thrilled to see characters who
understand their passion for sporting achievement.
Carolyn Hull
Georgina: Holocaust memoirs by Gabriella Kovac
ISBN: 9780992338930.
Recommended for those who enjoy 20th Century history. Themes: Jewish
History; Migrants; Hungary - 20th Century; War history. Family
memoirs are not always interesting for people outside the family
circle, but this is an intriguing and fascinating account of the
family and social history of a Hungarian family who demonstrated the
most amazing resilience and survival through torrid periods of
European history. Gabriella Kovac relates the circumstances for her
Jewish forbears through periods of great torment, but also reveals
that their survival was partly related to luck, but also their
incredible bravery and forthright approach to all difficulties. An
incredible amount of fortunate coincidences enabled them to use
their natural talents for business to be successful when many around
them faced death. Georgina, the mother of the author, personified
confidence in the face of the horrors of war and Jewish opposition,
and her ability to turn even the most dreadful of situations to her
advantage almost seem unbelievable, yet this is the story of a
survivor whose incredible personality seemed to create opportunities
where others would have floundered. For students of war
history with an interest in the Holocaust experiences of Jewish
individuals or an interest in Hungarian society during the first
half of the Twentieth Century, this book is a snapshot through the
lens of one family. The circumstances of those who migrated to
Australia are thought-provoking for anyone who is interested in this
part of our own history.
Carolyn Hull
Winnie the Pooh: The Great Heffalump Hunt by Giles Andreae
Egmont, 2017. ISBN 9781405278300 Piglet trotted happily beside his best friend Pooh.
Talking about nothing much as best friends often do.
When suddenly Pooh stopped and said, "I've got a Grand Idea".
"I'm going to catch a Heffalump. I've heard they live around
here."
Giles Andreae of Giraffes Can't
Dance fame has taken this wonderful and well-known adventure
of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and reinterpreted into a
delightful rhyme and pictorial experience. More than 90 years on
from the first publication of the adventures of Christopher Robin,
Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and Tigger inspired by a real-life
bear Milne's stories are as enchanting and popular as ever so
to have this one in a picture book version for our youngest readers
is a treat indeed.
As well as providing a taste of the delights of what is in the
original collection, it celebrates friendship, bravery and the
imagination, even providing the basis for an inquiry project for
beginners. Just what is a Heffalump, what does it look like, and
what would be the best way to catch it? Each child could create
their own version, design a suitable trap and bait and maybe even
start to consider whether catching wild creatures is ever a good
idea. Those a little older might even start to investigate the role
of zoos and how they've changed, particularly given Winnie's
origins.
Even though this is an adaptation of a classic, in its new form
there are so many layers to explore that it is perfect as a
standalone, and another generation will learn to love this lovable
bear and his endearing friends.
Barbara Braxton
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Richard Jones
Ill. by Libby Walden. Caterpillar, 2017. ISBN 9781848575462
Living in a bustling town is exhausting for a little mouse and she
dreams of a quiet place in the country. So she writes to her country
cousin to see if she can visit for a while, swapping homes so they
each have a holiday.. Country Mouse is very excited because he has
always wanted to be "a mouse about town." But things are not quite
as wonderful as they expect and neither is sorry when their holiday
is over and it's time to go HOME.
This traditional fable from Aesop has been retold in rhyme, bringing
its powerful message of what it means to be home and to belong to a
new generation. Cleverly illustrated with a gentle palette and
strategic cutouts it's a story that has endured over time because of
its timeless message of "the grass always seems greener" . Little
ones can have fun imagining what it might be like to live the life
of their hero or in another place, but then also reflect on the
things they would miss if they were really able to make the swap.
A classic.
Barbara Braxton
Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760292096
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. The book opens with Kane's voice
telling the events of yet another night when his father has come
home, late for dinner, drunk and ready to pick a fight. The night
spins into violence, his mother ends up in hospital, and the
Department of Human Services is checking on them again. The next
voice is Sam, Kane's little brother, traumatised by the violence at
home and the bullying at school. And so the chapters go on, each
told from the point of view of another person living on their
street. There is kind-hearted Mrs Aslan who helps them out whilst
yearning for reconciliation with her own daughter and granddaughter,
the lonely African refugee family struggling in a house with no
possessions, and racist Mr Bailey the Vietnam veteran who distrusts
them all.
Kane is a bundle of anger building to explode against his father. He
has lost track at school and is caught stealing. But he gradually
makes new friends, at the alternative Teaching Space he has to
attend, and with the migrant teenagers in his street. The challenge
for Kane is whether he can find his way or become just another
version of his father working things out with his fists.
All of the people in this story are living in tough circumstances,
but instead of their differences dividing them, gradually the values
of love, friendship, generosity and compassion come to unite them,
and the message of the book is one of hope and optimism.
As Demet Divaroren says on her website her stories are
about 'love, friendship, courage, loneliness, identity and
belonging'. She gives voice to 'the human experience, raw, honest
and real'. Living on Hope Street is powerful in its voicing
of many people's lives and experiences and offers the opportunity to
identify with others and discover common humanity.
Helen Eddy
Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780008244521
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Finding Gobi is a gorgeous true story
of loyalty, friendship and the lengths people go for their pets.
Dion Leonard, an Englishman, is competing in the gruelling Gobi
Desert marathon when he meets a homeless dog. There is an instant
connection and Dion names her Gobi. Gobi becomes his running partner
during the race but after the race is over, Dion must head back to
England. Gobi, however, is unforgettable and Dion and his wife
commit to bringing Gobi to England. This is no easy feat but thanks
to crowd funding, local Chinese people and the media, Dion and his
wife proceed to bring Gobi home. Gobi is an easy to read story told from the perspective of
Dion and Gobi. The story explains the steps Dion has to take in a
very child-friendly manner and we see how much Gobi loves Dion from
her comments. Readers will fall in love with Gobi and will be
cheering for her every step of the way. The story takes place in
China, making it a good class novel for Year 6. Students can map the
journey, create reports on the Gobi Desert while investigating
different perspectives. This book is highly recommended for readers
aged 10+ and adults will enjoy it as well.
Kylie Kempster
Little lunch: Triple the trouble by Danny Katz and Mitch Vane
Black Dog Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925381825
(Age: 8+) As seen on ABC TV, Little lunch follows the stories of
Battie, Atticus, Debra-Jo, Tamara, Rory and Melanie in the fifteen
minutes of Little lunch. The novel is split into three hilariously
entertaining stories and includes profiles of the characters and
photos of the actors who play them in the TV show. The best part is,
the books are stand alone in that readers do not need to have seen
the show to be able to follow.
In Triple the trouble, nerdy Debra-Jo is acting weirdly
after seeing a van that says 'Body Bus'; naughty Rory is put in
charge of the class when it was rained out; competitive Tamara
starts her version of the Olympics only including events that she is
sure to win. The bubbly characters are all very different but are
well developed throughout the novel, particularly the distracting,
naughty but extremely likeable Rory. The comic style companion
illustrations add another level of humour to the already fun book.
The by-line 'a lot can happen in fifteen minutes' is definitely true
in this case.
The series is available in either single form, or in an omnibus of
three books each. Students who enjoy the comedy genre, like the
real-life but huge misunderstanding type of scenarios or who simply
like a quick but funny read will really enjoy this book, and would
also be a good one for a Middle Primary class novel, though it isn't
very long.
Clare Thompson
Look out, Pink Piglet by Phil Cummings
Ill. by Sarah Davis.Lothian Children's Books, 2017. ISBN
9780734417305
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Pigs. Farm animals. Fear. Overcoming fear.
Bravery. Pink Piglet loves to explore his farmyard, climbing the
hills, nudging some of the smaller animals, discovering new things,
but one day he hears the loudest of screeches. All the animals are
frightened and make a range of startled noises. Readers will love
joining the animals with their own frightened noises. They all look
to Pink Piglet offering suggestions about the noise and where it
comes from. Big, hairy and scary they pronounce, telling Pink Piglet
that because he is brave he should go to the farmhouse to find out
what is making such a noise. Piglet sets off, but when he reaches
the farmhouse door the noise scares him so much that he drops to the
ground like a frightened rabbit. Fingers like worms come out towards
him, and he is relieved to see that it is something just like him:
small, pink and soft.
The soft-edged illustrations by Davis are a wonderful accompaniment
to Phil's deceptively simple words. Both author and illustrator have
given us a book that will make an excellent read aloud, with words
full of rhythm and repetition, begging to be read again, and the
illustrations providing humour and a touch of whimsy. A wonderful
tale to read about bravery and how fear can be overcome. It invites
younger readers to talk about their fears and developing strategies
to meet their fears, in a safe environment.
This book is a companion to Be
brave, Pink Piglet (2015) by Phil Cummings and Sarah
Davis, which tells of pink Piglet's bravery in leaving the security
of mum for the first time.
Fran Knight
To the moon and back by Dianne Bates
Big Sky, 2017. ISBN 9781925520293
(Age: 11+) What does a young eight year old girl do when her world
is falling apart? This is exactly what happened to Claire when her
mum announced that she is leaving her dad. As if that is not bad
enough Claire discovers that her mum is planning to move to the
country with her new boyfriend Mac. Thrown into a small one-teacher
school and forced to make friends with children she has nothing in
common with, isolation, resentment and loneliness begin to take
over. I mean who would want to move to a house that has no
electricity, no proper toilet and no Wifi? Not only does Claire have
all of this to adjust to but she is also faced with meeting her
dad's new girlfriend. What else could possibly go wrong? Plenty as
you will see as the story unfolds.
This is a heart-warming story that addresses an issue that is facing
many of our children today. Parents separating, new partners being
introduced and children being forced to move to new places. It would
be an excellent text for them to read to see they are not the only
ones who experience what they are feeling.
The book touches on separation, guilt, loneliness, rejection and
acceptance. It does touch briefly on domestic violence so I would
recommend it for children 11 and up. It is just under 300 pages but
the writing is quite large.
Kathryn Schumacher
Eve and the griffin's gold by Jess Black
Keeper of the crystals series. New Frontier Publishing, 2017.
ISBN 9781925059830
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Keeper of the crystals: Eve and
the griffin's gold is the story of mythical creatures, other
worlds and the people who protect it all. To be a Crystal Keeper,
you need to be brave and courageous. Eve is a Crystal Keeper who,
along with her friend Oscar and kindred animal (the dragon Ingvar),
is dedicated to protecting others. As Eve's grandmother and Oscar
arrive for a visit, Eve, Ingvar and Oscar are transported to another
world. In this land, one-eyed men are greedy for gold and Bluewing,
the griffin, is forced to stay and protect the gold they find.
Bluewing's mate is being held prisoner and it is up to Eve, Oscar
and Ingvar to help the griffins and get them home. Eve and the griffin's gold is a lovely story of bravery,
friendship and a little bit of magic. The story is easy to read,
moves quickly and is descriptive. It is aimed at girls aged 7+ and
is highly recommended. Keeper of the crystals is a fantasy
series but each book can be read as a stand-alone story. The series
is an great first novel for emerging readers and the strong female
lead is excellent for our young girls. There are no maidens in
distress in this story! Be prepared for Eve to do all of the
rescuing.
Kylie Kempster
Killswitch by Michael Adams
The Seven Signs series book 4. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN
9781743628041
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Cyberterrorism; Adventure; Thriller;
Cyber warfare. The drama continues in the fourth book of the Seven
Signs series and it seems that the world is falling apart.
Cyberterrorism is undermining the technological basis of society and
the young teenage DARE winners are implicated in saving another
continent from disaster. But will they be too late. And it seems
that in the vacuum created by the loss of social cohesion assisted
by technology, other evil and violent forces come out to wreak
havoc. Is the mastermind losing control or is this part of the plan?
This book ramps up the tension and the robot world is fixed in the
crosshairs of disaster. But where will society be at the end of the
series? And I am looking forward to Book 5 . . . because we are left
hanging on the edge at the conclusion of this book.
The futuristic technological world is well and truly under attack,
and Adams has escalated the questions for the reader in this series.
The main characters are revealed as being incredibly adaptive and
willing to go to all lengths to save the world from the advances of
the all-controlling Signmaker despite everything falling apart
around them. The cliff-hanger ending will increase the chances that
readers will keep seeking the next episode of this exciting series.
Carolyn Hull
Wipeout by Michael Adams
The Seven Signs series book 3. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN
9781743628034
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Competition; Survival; Conspiracy;
Adventure; Thriller; Heroism. The seven DARE winners from the seven
continents are pitted against the mastermind 'Signmaker' who is
sending them on the run with seven signs (or clues) and headlong
into conflict. Their role is to prevent major catastrophe, but at
each turn they seem to be thwarted and constantly run into brick
walls and red herrings. Who is manipulating this contest and leading
them into danger and why? Trust is compromised, people's lives are
at risk and their ability to stay one step ahead is severely
challenged. The very heart of democracy is a threat. What can these
seven young people do to protect something so fundamental?
Adams has written another exciting and action-filled episode in this
series. This is definitely not a series where you can stop at one
book! Young readers will be compelled to keep reading, and there is
action and danger on every page, combined with futuristic
explorations of technological advancements that create a degree of
high-tech skulduggery and intrigue
Carolyn Hull
Tiger Tiger by Jonny Lambert
Little Tiger Press, 2017. ISBN 9781848694446
Mother Tiger has somewhere she needs to be so she leaves her cub in
the care of Old Tiger. But while Little Cub wants to play and
explore, Old Tiger thinks he is too old to babysit and just wants to
sleep. But he consents to a "very slow stroll" through country he
has seen so many times that he believes "There's nothing to see
around here any more." But he doesn't factor in the joy and
enthusiasm and fresh eyes of the very young and gradually his grey,
tired world takes on new colours and new life.
With plenty of action words that young readers will love and relate
to as well as text that sometimes rhymes, this is a story that moves
from shadow to light as Old Tiger rediscovers the sights of his
youth and even begins to take the lead in the play. Sometimes, as we
age and life seems to weigh heavily at times, we forget to take
delight in the everyday things that surround us so this story is a
reminder that we need to make time for the simple and that there is
fun to be had without always having to be entertained by external
things.
Lambert is first and foremost an illustrator and that's evident not
just in the detail in the pictures but in the way he has used colour
to reflect Tiger's perception of the world. At first the jungle is
dull and grey but as the adventure continues the colours brighten
and the details are more intense and lush. The reader sees more and
more just as Old Tiger does.
A great book for little ones and older ones alike.
Barbara Braxton
