Reviews

Big box little box by Caryl Hart and Edward Underwood

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408872772
'Big box, little box...
My box, YOUR box!'
Cat loves boxes - all sorts of boxes - big, small, fat, thin, huge tiny... and in this romp in rhyme so many boxes are explored. But it is not just a collection of rhyming words or opposites, there is a story told in the clever choice of words and their accompanying pictures that early readers will be able to tell for themselves, delighting in their ability to read.
This is a great story to share with little ones because there is so much to share and talk about. If a fat cat sits on a little box, what will be the outcome? And if a box has a corner nibbled out of it, what might be inside?
And given the obvious answer, is this story about to end badly? Two word phrases, rhyme, bold pictures, humour, predictability that engages the reader - a perfect combination to take our youngest readers further into their love with reading.
Barbara Braxton

Alfie in the woods by Debi Gliori

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408872048
Alfie, the little rabbit with the big imagination, is back in a new adventure, this time walking through the woods. As he gathers woodland treasures and plays hide-and-seek he notices many of the little creatures and his mind morphs him into becoming each of them. Such a busy day - luckily Daddy is there to carry him and his treasures home.
Deb Gliori's distinctive illustrations bring the woods to life but with soft lines, textures and palettes, it does not become a place that is too scary for the littlest reader. It will encourage lots of imaginative and active play and then be perfect for drawing the curtains on the day as a bedtime story.
Barbara Braxton

The Fighting Stingrays by Simon Mitchell

Penguin Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780143784104
(Age: Year 9+) Charlie, Masa and Alf are best mates living on idyllic Thursday Island. While they spend their childhood playing soldiers at war, they are also surrounded by the Aussie troops defending the Torres Strait. The lads are all counting the days until they can sign up for the Airforce like Biggles, their cult hero. One morning, news breaks that Japan has mounted a full scale attack on Australia's allies in both Pearl Harbor and The Philippines. Suddenly all of the Japanese Islanders (even those who have never lived off the island) are herded into a prison camp by Captain Maddox, who is both domineering and taking full advantage of his position. With the help of his mates, Masa escapes and spends a large part of the second half of the story living in makeshift shelter on the island and hiding from his enemies. However, Captain 'Maggots' isn't finished with him yet and starts hunting.
The main character's contrasting personalities are well established during the early part of the book. Charlie lives in the big house, his Father is the owner of Pearl Shell Company but the family unit has a sad history and is struggling. Alf has a tough life; his Dad is the local alcoholic who regularly beats him and his brother is in Darwin fighting the war. Masa is a Japanese Australia, whose Dad is the lead diver on one of Mr Napier's luggers. Captain Maddox, the young army captain, shows his prejudices towards the 'Japs' and becomes more and more fanatic as the story goes on.
The novel themes include how friendships are tested during war time and also how even strong relationships are influenced by the media of the day. With real historical events to draw on, including the stories of his Islander grandmother, the author uses the perspective of the teenagers to describe life amidst the Defense Force on alert for an impending attack. The author uses colloquialisms of the day as well, which would make for an interesting comparative task. The story itself was highly enjoyable and would be a great unit for Middle Years students.
Clare Thompson

Keeper of the Crystals: Eve and the Hidden Giant by Jess Black

Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925594003
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Travelling in a giant's armpit and escaping a tsunami in a faraway land is just another day for Eve, Keeper of the Crystals. While bushwalking, Eve, her best friend Oscar and Eve's dragon companion Ingvar are blown about by a strong wind. They end up in the land of the giants where they meet Trotag. Trotag is a rogue giant and rogue giants are destroying the land. However, Trotag wants to be a creator giant but has never had the courage to approach the creator giants. Of course, Eve is a brave girl and as a crystal keeper and a keen adventurer she persuades Trotag to approach the other giants. Will the new friends be able to help stop the rogue giants? Will Trotag get a chance to join the creator giants?
Keeper of the Crystals: Eve and the Hidden Giant is a lovely tale with a strong female lead and a mythical theme. The story is descriptive and engaging. Readers will enjoy the adventures of Eve and Oscar. They will admire Eve's bravery and Oscar's happy-go-lucky attitude.
Readers will laugh at the idea of a giant riding a tree as a surfboard. The story also carries simple themes of friendship, listening to others and peaceful ways to solve conflict. It would be good for the Child Protection curriculum as teachers could use excerpts to discuss mixed feelings. This book is recommended for readers aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster

Lullaby and Goodnight by P. Crumble

Scholastic Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781760276331
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Lullaby and Goodnight is an Australian themed lullaby in picture format. It uses soft rhythmical language to gently soothe a baby or small child to sleep. The narrator speaks of their love holding tight, giving their heart and never wanting to be apart. On each page, readers will find an Australian animal and their baby. From a wombat to a koala, the illustrations are life-like and beautifully detailed.
This book will make a great gift for new parents or a child's first birthday. Parents and children will enjoy sharing the words of love while learning about Australian animals.
This story is highly recommended for readers aged 4+. There is also an accompanying CD with a recording of the lullaby sung by Australian actor and performer Miranda Tapsell.
Kylie Kempster

The Cull by Tony Park

Macmillan Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781743548455
(Age: Senior Fiction - not appropriate for students under 16.) Former mercenary Sonja Kurtz is hired by a billionaire business tycoon, Julia Clyde-Smith to head an elite squad whose goal is to take down Africa's poaching kingpins. While Sonja tries to stay under the radar, she is targeted by the underworld syndicate known as The Scorpions and begins to suspect that Julia's crusade has gone too far. The soldier realizes they're fighting a war on numerous fronts, against enemies both known and unknown.
Author Tony Park uses his experiences as a former army officer living in Africa, in his 14th novel. The subject of modern day wildlife wars makes for gripping reading. The Cull draws attention to the often violent battle residents of South Africa and surrounding countries are experiencing daily.
I have not read any of the previous novels and so found that a new reader has to piece together a puzzle of 'who's who'. The back stories of several of the main characters and their prior relationships are glossed over and as a result complex scenes between key characters can be a little confusing. The character development of Mario, for example, uses quite explicit violent sex scenes to demonstrate how he has a track record of losing control during battle. While the novel is a good read in itself, I would not be expecting to see this one in many senior fiction collections. However, I would recommend for a very mature student studying poaching warfare.
Clare Thompson

Little Paws series by Jess Black

Ill. by Gabrielle Evans. Penguin Random House Australia, 2017.
Welcome Home, Harley. ISBN 9780143781776
Ringo's Road Trip. ISBN 9780143781813
Meg's Big Mystery. ISBN 9780143781790
Goldie Makes the Grade. ISBN 9780143781837
Guide Dogs Australia provide essential services to those with vision impairment as well as those who suffer other conditions through their Pets as Therapy program, relieve the isolation and loneliness of the elderly through Companion Dogs and are piloting Autism Assistance dogs for children so this new series which highlights the training of these dogs as well as helping to raise funds for that training is as much a community service as it is a really good read for those newly independent readers.
Each book focuses on the children in different families helping to train the dogs for their special jobs, taking on the responsibility of all aspects of what is involved, providing an engaging story as well as guidance for how the reader might train their own four-legged, tail- wagging friend. They also shed some insight into how life can be for those whose vision is impaired and the impact having some of the stress removed can have, maybe even encouraging them to become puppy-raisers themselves. So many refuse to do it because of the heartbreak of having to part with the dog, but there's a lesson to be learned in suffering a little to give someone else so much.
2017 celebrates 60 years since Guide Dogs Australia placed the first dog and the purchase of each book supports their work so that even more puppies can bring help and joy to others. But apart from that, each story is a good read and Miss Dog-Loving 6 who is on the cusp of being ready to read chapter books independently is going to love them. They will give her that little push she needs to make the leap!
Barbara Braxton

Goth Girl and the sinister symphony by Chris Riddell

Goth Girl book 4. Macmillan Children's Books, 2017. ISBN 9781447277941
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Goth Girl is back in another fabulous adventure as her father, Lord Goth, holds a music festival, Gothstock, in the grounds of Ghastly-Gorm Hall. Ada is home for the school holidays with her friends Emily and William Cabbage and the three, together with Kingsley the chimney caretaker, Ruby the outer-pantry maid and Arthur Halford, the hobby horse groom, form the Attic Club, its purpose to report on unusual happenings in the house. Of course, they are all worried that there will be problems with Gothstock as Maltravers, the indoor gamekeeper and outdoor butler, is organising it and Ada is worried about her father, besieged by three young and very fashionable women, brought to the Hall by his mother. Then there is Shaun the faun who likes to sleep in wardrobes.
This continues on in the very witty and highly amusing narrative that will have adults in stitches and children hanging on to see what happens next. Not only are there literary and classical music allusions in this volume, Riddell has spattered references to contemporary celebrities, so the reader will giggle at the idea of Tailor Extremely Swift who looks after everyone's wardrobes and the band the Ladies of G.A.G.G.A, as well as recognising Donald and Moravia Ear-Trumpet!
The illustrations are gorgeous, Lord Goth is the dark brooding Regency hero, Ada is stunningly beautiful in her lovely clothes and there are many funny drawings that will have the reader laughing out loud. There is also a tiny wordless book at the back, Fable of a Faun by Shaun Tumnus, which is also beautifully illustrated in soft pastels.
This will appeal to children and adults alike, the children loving the characters, illustrations and adventures, while adults will adore the sly wit and humour.
Pat Pledger

Trouble and the exploding house by Cate Whittle

Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781742990798
(Age: 6 - 8) Recommended. Dragons. Trouble and the exploding house concludes the amusing series about young Georgia, her family and their pet dragon, Trouble, who certainly lives up to his name. Each story introduces a big problem that Georgia faces head on and with courage, creativity and determination she sets out to solve it. Georgia and her family now live in their house on top of a mountain, thanks to Trouble's helpful ways. Unfortunately, the Man from the Government arrives after a difficult climb and informs the family about an issue. They now live in a wildlife park and have only two weeks to move before their home is blown up. It is up to Georgia to find a way to convince the officials that their house belongs up on the mountaintop and Trouble deserves to life in his roomy carpeted cave nearby. When the man from the Government returns with the Demolition Expert, everyone panics, Dad tries to appeal the decision but unfortunately, he is too late.
Bold Georgia decides to take action; she remembers last term's Science lessons about animals and their unique habitats and formulates a plan. With her family living in a tent in their old backyard, she begins a Save the Dragon Campaign. Her friends, family, school community and local townspeople rally behind her, signing petitions, making banners and a quilt. The media reports on the family's problems and Trouble the Dragon is filmed flying around his natural habitat, the mountain.
With wonderful and funny illustrations by Stephen Michael King and easy-to-read text, Trouble and the exploding house is just right for junior readers. Author Cate Whittle provides a recap at the beginning of each book so they can be read individually, or in order. Georgia is a brave and likeable protagonist and Trouble is an endearing but bothersome sidekick. She delights the reader with engaging dragon antics, plenty of picnics with potato chips and fizzy sarsaparilla and surrounds Georgia with her supportive friends and family.
Rhyllis Bignell

Sage Cookson's literary launch by Sally Murphy

At the beach I see by Kamsani Bin Salleh

Young Art series. Magabala Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925360462
(Age: 0-5) Board book. Sea creatures. Pattern illustrations. This is the second title in the Young Art board book series by young Indigenous Australian artists. The previous release was At the zoo I see.
Here, Salleh's patterned illustrations reflect the natural world. Each page contains a simple white background featuring black line drawings of ocean creatures and birds that can be found around the Australian coastline. The patterned drawings have then been washed with vibrant colours. The text names the creatures and describes their movement: scuttling crabs, dancing jellyfish, waving coral, scattered shells, flying fish, drifting seaweed, crawling sea stars, gliding seabirds. The illustrations give a sense of this movement described within the text, both within the drawing of the individual creatures and the way they flow from page to page. This is an ideal book to share with the very young as it introduces new vocabulary (names of creatures, adjectives) but could also be used with older children as a foray into patterning art.
Nicole Nelson

Secrets in death by J.D. Robb

In death series, book 45. Little, Brown, 2017. ISBN 9780349415789
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Mystery. It is amazing how J.D. Robb manages to come up with new plots and twists even after 44 previous books. Secrets in death is just as compulsive as the previous books and leaves the reader wanting more of the fabulous couple, Eve Dallas and Roarke.
This time, the plot centres on the murder of Larinda Mars, who bled out in front of Dallas while she was in a fashionable bar. As the investigation gets underway, it becomes apparent that Mars not only traded in gossip for her show, but traded in blackmail on the side. With so many suspects to choose from, Dallas and her team have a busy time trying to uncover the secrets that Mars carried with her, not just about the people on her list but about the reasons that her face had been virtually reconstructed. And for readers, there is a secret close to home that is finally revealed.
The success of this series is a tribute to J.D.Robb's ability to write a tight, interesting murder story, this time concentrating on how the team do the investigation. I was left wishing that the story hadn't finished. Fans will not be disappointed.
Pat Pledger

Tiny Timmy : The big break by Tim Cahill

Ill. by Heath McKenzie. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781742764948
(Age: 6+) The big break is the 6th Book in the Tiny Timmy series by Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, and it does not disappoint. This book deals with a major injury (broken bone) and the impacts of this on a mad keen sports player! On top of this set back, Tiny Timmy also has to study and participate in big tests at school! This book is a wonderful read that is engaging for both girls and boys and has many relatable experiences and provides talking points for parents and their children.
This story (and whole series) really shows the benefit in pushing yourself, trying your hardest and not giving up. The injury aspect of the story also shows kids that set-backs are small in the scheme of things and working hard helps to get results.
I enjoyed the line drawings by Heath McKenzie, they are fun and add a great visual aspect to this short novel. Throughout the story there are many different soccer terms and also hints which would be a great incentive for a young child (approximately 8 years old) who loves soccer, but is struggling to enjoy reading.
I loved that the length of the chapters were short enough for children starting with chapter books, and that the lines of text had a good amount of space between them to enable easy reading. The book featured a variety of fonts in a variety of sizes and also word-art style words. While this made the pages visually appealing it could also be distracting for children with reading or visual issues.
The style of this book could also be likened to The Diary of a Wimpy Kid or WeirDo series, with the line drawings and entertaining, relatable content.
On the whole, a great story that could be read by younger, fluent readers or by the parents of any soccer mad kid!
Lauren Fountain

Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619637245
(Age: 4-8) Beginning readers.This new series is similar to the Elephant and Piggie books. It is comprised of crisp, simple, full-page illustrations with bold outlining and page borders. It contains no narration, mostly speech bubbles and some sounds and environmental text. The small amount of large, bold text on each page makes it perfect for beginning readers. There are some visual clues to help young readers and it uses mostly high frequency and phonetic words. Duck, Duck, Porcupine! includes three short stories, each featuring Big Duck, Little Duck and Porcupine. Big Duck is organised, bossy and knows just about everything. Porcupine is a great friend who will go along with just about anything. Little Duck cannot talk yet but he thinks outside the box and is very clever. The three characters are all incredibly lovable. In the first story the friends go out for a picnic but it starts raining. Big Duck and Porcupine are disappointed that their picnic is ruined but Little Duck shows them how to have fun in spite of the wet weather. In the second story Big Duck knows she has forgotten something and Little Duck is trying ever so hard to tell her what it is. In the last story the friends decide to go camping. While Big Duck and Porcupine are still busy gathering the 100 necessary camping items Little Duck is already having fun camping! This is an engaging text for young children with pictures that help tell the story and beautifully illustrate the nuances of the three friends. Simple illustrations, a restrained colour palette and minimal background detail will help to keep young readers focused on the text and the expressions and actions of the characters. The characters are endearing and both children and adults will enjoy their humourous adventures.
Nicole Nelson

Animals rock and other wild songs (with CD) written and sung by Beau Young and Shelley Craft

Ill. by Susy Boyer. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743810538
(Age: 2-5) Sing-a-long book. This is a sing-a-long book and CD set comprising five songs by the Animals Rock band (they also have an album available called On the Farm). Like many similar book plus CD publications, it relies heavily on the CD. Reading the lyrics aloud or attempting to put them to a tune will be disappointing for most. When played, however, the five original tracks are fun and catchy and should be appreciated by both children and adults. There are a couple of louder and rockier songs but the rest have a laid-back, folky, sometimes even country sound. The first track introduces the members of the Animals Rock band: Lila Horse, Gordo Gorilla, Ginger Giraffe and Leonius Lion. The other four songs each feature a different animal, putting forward a few fun facts about each within the lyrics. While there is not enough detail to make these educational songs, children may discover new things about the animals. Each song is short with a repeated chorus that children will be able to sing. The full lyrics are also inside the back cover. The fun illustrations will give children something to look at while they listen to the music. When used in conjunction with the CD this will be of use to music teachers or can just be used as a fun sing-a-long book for preschool/classroom or home use.
Nicole Nelson