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
Silly Lily and the flower girl adventure by Jedda Robaard
Five Mile Press, 2017. ISBN 9781760405618
(Ages: 2 - 5) Recommended. Board Picture Book. Silly Lily is about 4
years old, and we are told on the first page that she is creative,
resourceful and can get into a lot of trouble. A gorgeous little
girl in fact, she has been invited to be flower girl at a wedding.
She sets off in a van with her family and their equally resourceful
and troublesome dog, Westley.
Lily is into everything as her initial excitement turns to curiosity
and boredom with the grown-ups making their wedding preparations.
Quite unfazed and self-possessed though, her explorations come to a
close as she takes a nap and nearly misses the wedding altogether.
This is a lovely little tale, especially for a young one about to
embark on such an exciting project herself. It is delightfully
illustrated; Westley being his mischievous doggy self in the
periphery of every page.
In true Enid Blyton style, Lily's parents don't play much of a role
in orchestrating her activities for the day. It appears she dresses
herself entirely, wakes herself from her nap in the nick of time and
rushes off to undertake official duties at the ceremony complete
with gorgeous pink outfit, bouquet and nuisance dog. Westley takes a
dip in the sea (beach wedding) and shakes himself all over the
guests' wedding finery.
Cake, music, dancing and sweets cap off a great day for Lily.
Just loved it!
Elizabeth Avery
Dungzilla by James Foley
Fremantle Press, 2017. ISBN 9781925164831
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Dung, Adventure, Monsters.
Charli Stevenson, the world's foremost biologist even though he is
shy of eleven years of age, comes along to see Sally Tinker, a
similarly foremost inventor, being under twelve, along with her baby
brother Joe. Charli brings along Douglas, an Egyptian dung beetle.
Douglas' habit of eating dung leaves Sally rather cold,
but Douglas becomes a real monster when he is zapped by Sally's
invention, the atomic inflation/deflation engine, the Resizenator.
Being enormous Douglas must fliy off in search of lots of dung to
satisfy his now enormous appetite. Joe and Charli follow hoping to
reduce his size but find he has had time to gather a huge ball of
dung. But Joe is there to save the day.
This is an engaging graphic novel with lively drawings honing in on
the faces of the characters, and includes jokes about the act of
reading and writing, which will have appeal to the readers as will
the highly detailed diagrams. This is an entertaining family
adventure with monsters, and lots of nasty things associated with
dung, like dirty nappies and poo.
Fran Knight
The vampire knife by Jack Henseleit
The witching hour series. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2017. ISBN
9781760129255
(Age: 12+) Vampires, horror, Storytelling, Romania, Family. The
professor and his family are holidaying in Romania, the traditional
home turf of Dracula, and Anna the seasoned storyteller cannot help
but make up stories about vampires, using her younger brother, Max
as one of the characters. Transylvania is the perfect setting for
this the first in a series, called The Witching Hour, soon
to be followed by number two, The troll heart.
A classic horror opening sees the family driving through heavy rain,
being forced to take shelter in a remote inn, hemmed in on all sides
by forest. Of course, the inn keeper's name is Mrs Dalca, and she
looks like a witch giving them garlicky stew from a cauldron. The
professor leaves the two children while he goes off to work in the
library, and while left alone they meet the innkeeper's
granddaughter, Isabella.
Playing hide and seek with Isabella sees Max taken by a creature
with glowing eyes and Anna must go to the rescue.
The here and now is augmented with familiar vampire images: garlic,
fairies, blood drinking, ruined castles, mutterings and bears and
wolves, all adding to the fun of this book, with readers recognising
stock inclusions in vampire stories. There are witty touches
paralleling familiar fairy tales and some totally gruesome scenes to
add to the fun.
First in a series about a brave pair of siblings and their dreamy
father.
Fran Knight
How to hypnotise a droid by Joshie Lefers
Hectic Electric series. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2017. ISBN
9781760128005
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Androids, Humour.
Joshie Hectic, also known as 'Hectic Electric' cannot resist opening
the box marked 'Top Secret' which arrives at his house one morning
at breakfast time. He doesn't quite bring all the troubles of
history on his head, but he certainly makes some people very angry.
And this means trouble.
Head of the Robotics Institute Joshie's mum is convinced that the
droid inside the box is the answer to all her babysitting problems.
Joshie's father is unable to babysit as he has been hit by
lightning, the same lightning strike singeing Joshie's hair. But
Joshie doesn't want a babysitter. His dog, Frenchy and best friend
Pops, will be able to babysit for his mum. But when mum finds out
that he has opened the box, he is worried about her reaction and
wants Pops to hypnotise the droid to avoid any confrontation.
Fast paced, energetic writing combined with a comic illustration
style is emphasised with 'explosive' fonts amongst its easily read
large print size. A highly appealing book, this is the first in a
series, about a boy who cannot help staying out of trouble. Three
more books will be published shortly, adding to the easily read,
high octane and funny stories of this singular boy.
Fran Knight
Tom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of) by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates book 13. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781742768779
(Age: 7-11) Recommended. Themes: Families. Grandparents. School life.
Liz Pichon's extremely popular Tom Gates returns with another
humorous diary, exploring the difficulties of his school and family
life. Granny Pet and Granddad Joe - Mum's parents have just returned
from their world travels after seven years. The Wrinklies as Tom
calls them, have mastered yoga in India, can converse in four
languages and have surprise gifts for their grandchildren. Granny
Pet gives Tom a fabulous digital watch with animal noises for the
alarms. This is just perfect for scaring his sister Delia and making
inappropriate noises at school.
School for Tom continues to be a series of problems, awkward
situations and embarrassing moments. Why hasn't he received an
invitation to Julia Morton's birthday party, everyone else has?
There is his failed spelling test, even after study club and the
embarrassment of long hair, even his teacher comments on his need
for a haircut. Of course, he ends up going to Hairtastic where
Granny Mavis has her hair done. The stylist snips away until poor
Tom ends with a super short cut and has a photo of his new hairdo
displayed in the window.
Julia's party at the boating lake is a series of comic events.
Marcus and Tom haphazardly paddle around the lake on a beakless bird
boat (more like a giant worm), and become stranded on a small island
attacked by hungry birds. After lunch Tom is last to hold the
petting zoo animals, no fluffy rabbits for him, just a smelly
armadillo! Of course, nothing is ever straightforward and his life
often seems unfair. The family outing to Crambly Castle proves to be
a day filled with expensive disasters and Tom returns too late to
attend the school disco.
Liz Pichon's Tom Gates series is perfect for reluctant readers who
enjoy stories told through visual presentations, cartoons, doodles
and sketches. The minimal text is presented in a variety of formats,
styles and sizes, handwriting, bubble writing, emphasized words,
block writing and words made out of patterns. Tom Gates: Epic Adventure (kind of) is another fun addition
to the popular Tom Gates books, recommended for a readers from 8-11.
Rhyllis Bignell
Icky-foodia: The ultimate guide to disgusting food by Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly
Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143784388
(Age: 9+) Icky-foodia: The ultimate guide to disgusting food
is the second alphabetical guide book by Australian comedy duo The
Listies. I started with the blurb and didn't know whether to laugh
or grab a bucket in preparation! "It's a CROOKBOOK full of
INGROSSIENTS to make every kid into a DISASTERCHEF. It contains
smelly and just plain horrible words, scribbles, COOKING
DESTRUCTIONS and a guide to the world's worst RESTAURWRONGS." It
really was true to this interesting introduction. Every page has
small snippets of information about either an actual food or a made
up food that is purposefully disgusting, vomit inducing or just
plain wrong. The pictures add to the atheistic and ensure that the
reader really gets a good mental picture of what they are reading
about.
This book, while not so great for those with a weak stomach, would
be awesome for a reluctant reader who enjoys laughing about bodily
functions and anything gross. The small pieces of information would
mean that they don't get bored or fatigued and enables them to
remember the grossest segments to relay to unsuspecting family
members or friends. My son and I found quite a number of things
funny; Feeta Cheese anyone? Or how about a nice Devonshire Wee! The
puns and jokes keep it at a light read, while still providing a
small amount of literary merit.
Although it is an alphabetical guide, it is the perfect book to just
pick up, flick to a random page and read something funny. This
aspect would appeal to readers who are struggling to find books they
want to read front to back, and also those who find it hard to
engage and relate to entire story. Icky-foodia: The ultimate guide to disgusting food would be
suited to children (specifically boys) of ages 9 and upwards, and
would make a great birthday or Christmas gift!
Lauren Fountain
Facing the flame by Jackie French
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9781460753200
(Age: 15+) Set in the 1970s, this story continues the 'Matilda saga'
about a family and community set in the town of Gibber's Creek in
the New South Wales high country.
When bushfire threatens, all members of the community pitch in to
fight desperately to protect life and property. The nightmarish
terror of a firestorm driven by high winds and massive fuel loads,
tearing through forests and communities on multiplying fronts is
described well.
The acts of valour and sacrifice demonstrated by desperate people,
some of whom have lost everything but who continue to labour for
days in hellish conditions are authentic depictions of what is a
frightening reality for many rural Australians.
Unfortunately this novel does not stand alone well and my impression
is that it is expected that readers are familiar with all the other
previous works in the series. Relationships between family members
and community identities are poorly explained and in my view, too
many characters are involved in an unnecessarily busy and overly
long prelude to the main action. The inclusion of strong, female
characters is refreshing and I liked the fact that these differed
from the usual lazy presentations of beautiful young women as
central characters. In this story, the wisdom and experience of age
is valued, intelligence and compassion is celebrated and the
capacity of people with disabilities to contribute to the community
is presented.
What made me uncomfortable was that at times, characters were almost
caricatures in the sense that they appeared to be an overly romantic
and maudlin vision of what country people are like. I felt that the
link to Banjo Paterson's works was too obvious and a little garish,
with an ancestor named Matilda, a matron named Clancy and a woman
known as 'Nancy of the Overflow'. Choosing to assign the surname
'Kelly' to one side of the family also appeared to lack imagination
and naming an important character 'Scarlett O'Hara' seemed too much
until a handsome young man called 'Alex' who was descended from the
Romanov family appeared.
The bravery and stoicism of those facing the infernos and the
kindness and generosity of the community's response to the tragedy
were aspects worthy of presentation in this novel. To that extent,
the author succeeded. Unfortunately I felt that some depictions of
characters and subplots were a bit silly and this detracted from the
overall story which doesn't seem to meet the high standard normally
associated with Jackie French.
Rob Welsh
