With an emphasis on the word YOU, this picture book asks questions to encourage readers to think about how they contribute to the environment in which they live. The children are camping and when they get up in the morning, questions are asked about the practical aspects of the day. Do you make your own bed, or breakfast, onto the more imaginative: did you make believe, or make noise, or make friends. Each question will encourage young readers to think about how they contribute to their family’s day, and their environment as they live each day.
The emphasis changes as children are asked about making a discovery, a decision, a team and a plan. Each of these challenge the readers to think about things outside themselves, as they work with others. They can affect change working together. A challenge again appears, as children are asked to make a start, make progress, make time for others, and time for themselves.
The scope of the tale opens as the question is asked if they are making time for today and then tomorrow, pointing them in the direction of planning something for the future. This leads back to the opening question, ’In a world where anything’s possible, what will you do today? ‘
Designed to encourage readers to think about change and what part they may play, the questions on each page will stimulate plenty of thought and discussion as children ponder their part of their world.
Subtle, understated illustrations fill every page, showing children at their campsite, making decisions making friends, planning, deciding, even making mistakes.
Readers will readily identify with the activities shown on each page, and add their own list of when they make decisions, or made the bed, or friends.
On the last page is a diagram of the six understandings promoted in the text and illustrations, encouraging children to participate in the world in which they live. Teacher's notes are available.
As we have come to expect, 'Knights of' publishing company has published in debut novelist Samantha Baine's Harriet versus the universe, another novel that enhances the voice of people with disability. In this instance it is the first person narrative of Harriet, a ten-year-old girl with a hearing disability that we hear. The reader is immersed, through Harriet's chatty voice and access to her thinking, into her world. The text is accompanied by the cheerful cartoon-like artwork of Ella Masters (cover art) and Jessica Flores (interior artwork). The font is large with the combination of text and artwork making Harriet versus the universe a simple and engaging read for young readers.
The plot is reassuringly predictable. Harriet normalises and describes the use of hearing aids and the origin of her deafness. She describes school, bullying, friendships and living with her dad. When she stays with her grandma, her life changes as aliens, an alien organisation and new friends enter her life. As a result of the discovery of a special skill associated with her hearing aids, Harriet is able to save the world - with the help of her friends.
There is a warmth and wisdom exuded through the authorial voice. Quotable quotes include...'The house actually reminded me of Robin as it was all chilled out on the surface but you could see there was stuff going on underneath...' and ...'maybe the ground flowers were like the horrible kids at my old school and I was like a plant in a pot because I didn't fit in.' Any child who feels on the outer would find comfort in the sassiness and quirkiness of Harriet.
Harriet meets a person called Robin who can't decide whether 'they' is a girl or a boy. 'On Monday I felt like a girl and today I feel like a boy and so I'm both. Sometimes I don't want to be a boy or a girl.' Harriet accepts this thoughtfully by employing the analogy of comparing Robin's admission to her own wanting to be grown up sometimes and a child at other times. From then on Robin is referred to by the pronoun 'they' and the possessive 'their'. This is new for this reader and most children. Teachers and librarians should have a 'heads up' re this aspect of the book in order to avoid possible issues in the hands of the wrong reader. At the same time, this book treats the subject of gender identity issues with a gentle nonchalance and this would be comforting for children with the same issue who need to see themselves represented in literature.
Each chapter is bookended by a double-page spread of one of Harriet's imaginary planets. This interrupts the flow of the narrative but may be enjoyed by some readers who might be encouraged to make up imaginary lands of their own.
Harriet versus the universe is a humorous first novel for well-known English comedian and actor Samantha Baines. It could be particularly enjoyed by children with gender identity issues and /or hearing disabilities and could provide awareness about the current correct use of gender specific pronouns.
Themes Gender identity, Hearing disability, Bullying, Family, Aliens and space.
Imagine if you could enter another person’s mind, their mental ‘house,’ and explore the hidden rooms, and even shuffle some memories so that they are not so dominant; basically rearrange the furniture a bit. For Bernie Moon, as a child, it starts as fun, stepping inside, and switching around some experiences. It was a game called House that she played with her best friend Katie. But for the two young girls, pre-menstruation, it led to some disturbing incidents, a school boy expelled, and a teacher dead.
With menopause, later in life, Bernie finds a new surge of power, sparked by the murder of a woman jogging in a park at night. Her rage is fuelled by the social media posts that blame the victim, running alone. She starts to wonder if she can identify the perpetrator by stepping into their thoughts. Thus, she encounters Woody, actually a friend of her husband, planning his drink spiking conquest of a vulnerable young waitress.
Harris’s novel found its naissance in the #MeToo campaign and the Sarah Everard murder in the UK. It is without doubt an angry book; the anger of the menopausal woman’s rage against all the men that have kept her confined over the years, afraid of expressing an opinion, afraid of provoking HIS anger. With menopause, Bernie finds a return to the long suppressed mind-altering powers of her youth, and with the aid of the rescued waitress, sets out to rebalance the world a bit.
This is a really intriguing book, it is never clear whether Bernie’s super mind-altering capabilities are real or not, but the mystery keeps the reader drawn in, especially with the recurring question of what really dwells in the mind of Bernie’s husband. The novel gives expression to all the anger and vengeance of the #MeToo movement; women’s rage against the abuse and oppression they have endured.
I thought the story was leading up to a very predictable ending, but Harris surprises us with a fascinating twist that opens up new suggestions. This is a highly original, compelling novel, with its mix of magic, feminism, modern issues and mystery. It would certainly merit discussion in a book group.
For further insight into Joanne Harris’s motivation for writing Broken light, read her blog post on Tumblr.
If you love dinosaurs, dangerous quests and tales that have heroes that need to rise above their own fears and failings, then this book is for you! This is the second of the Deadlands books and a small group of exiled and outcast herbivorous dinosaurs with different skills sets and qualities are on a quest to confront the dreaded Carrion Kingdom, populated by carnivorous dinosaurs intent on manipulating the power structure within the ancient world. In a world where the environmental conditions are almost intent on destroying the outcast collective as they pursue their quest, this is a story where the exiles must use their wisdom to overcome many obstacles. Focusing mostly on the characters Eleri (an Oryctodromeus story-teller) and also the small feathered Zyre (an Anurognathid wind whisper – a spy and secret gatherer), the challenges that the dinosaurs face are extreme. The story is exciting and tense, and yet we know the world will not be able to maintain sustenance and security for them forever.
A tense and exciting story with dinosaurs – this is a narrative arc that will be loved by those who have a passion for the extinct creatures. In some ways it has a magical quality as the characters deal with lava, dangerous and lethal gases, and earthquakes as they traverse a strange environment and put themselves into danger and risk their own lives. In some ways this book will appeal to readers who have loved the dragon fantasy series Wings of Fire, as it has similar tensions and dangers (just without magic). The characters also are young and have personal struggles that have limited their past, but that also help them connect to their fellow travellers. They must also problem-solve to overcome extreme circumstances and rely on each other’s strengths as they find themselves in difficult scenarios. This will be enjoyed by fantasy lovers aged 10 – 13, but if Dinosaurs are not your ‘thing’, then perhaps imagining that the characters are fantasy or magical creatures will overcome this barrier.
Disney Publishing, 2023. ISBN: 9781368080996. (Age:3-5)
Cara Lee is a proud mouse. She is proud of her big sister Dee. She is proud of her specially decorated journal. And now she's proud to become what she's always wanted to be: a student. But her first day of school is different than she imagined. Everyone keeps comparing her to Dee. But who is Cara Lee?
Faced with an issue that many young children will encounter in the next few weeks as they start school and find themselves in the shadows of their brothers and sisters who have gone before, this is a touching tale of a little mouse who has to learn who she is, rather than just being Dee's sister. Using her mother's advice that often you see yourself more clearly if you stand alone, Cara Lee sets out to discover just who she is and what her unique talents are.
A sequel to Loud Mouse, in which Dee, herself finds her voice, this is one to share with little ones starting school to give them the confidence to shine in their own way, as well as showing those around them that being siblings doesn't mean you are the same.
Cesare Aldo is sent to the Convent to investigate a story that a man had been seen scaling the walls. Sceptical, Aldo meets the Abbess who denies such a thing has happened taking him on a tour of the buildings. While doing this he spots a day school girl and recognises her as his niece, Isabella, the daughter of his estranged sister.
His investigations uncover undertones of intrigue at the convent and when a body is found, things become even more complex. Aldo has to tread a careful line between his employers at the criminal court and the very powerful reaches of the Church. He stays after the body is discovered, to investigate the murder, and talks his niece into staying at the now enclosed convent to keep her eyes open to what may be happening. He is told to leave.
Meanwhile Stroochi has gone to his home town with his new wife to visit his mother. While there he catches sight of a familiar silver buckle, and realises it is the one worn by the missing corrupt officer, Cerchi. Exhuming the body left after being in the water for some months, limbs torn by the recent floods, Strocchi notices nicks on two ribs which point to his death as murder. The investigations of both Strocchi and Aldo are sure to intersect as Aldo gets himself onto the Visitation sent by the church to investigate the convent. Aldo deduces what may have happened to the deceased, and at odds with the head of the investigating committee he wheedles his way into staying at the convent using Isabella as an excuse, and deliberately makes himself a target to the poisoner.
Bishop packs a load of information about Medici Florence into his books. The sights, sounds and smells of the city sweep before the reader as each page is turned and chapter read.
The second in the successful series about Cesare Aldo, an officer of the criminal court in Florence in the mid sixteenth century, where the Medici family rules, the books are full of wonderful back stories, telling readers what life was like for rich and poor alike in tis well known period of Italy’ s history.
This book won the 2023 CWA Historical Dagger for the Scottish author, and was shortlisted for several other awards.
Themes Crime, Florence, Medici Italy, Women in the sixteenth century, Convent life, Roman Catholic Church, Power.
Fran Knight
The Paper Museum by Kate S. Simpson
Union Square Kids, 2023. ISBN: 9781454949855. (Age:9-14) Recommended.
Lydia’s family are responsible for the protection and curation of items from the ‘past’ associated with paper. The world has changed, and everyone utilises technology rather than relying on writing, books and printed materials. In combination with their curatorial responsibilities at the Paper Museum, they also have a magical connection to an unusual essence that empowers their community and restores it to equilibrium. Lydia has had her own equilibrium unsettled when her parents disappeared and it seems that the supportive curator, Uncle Lem, has also gone missing. Another Uncle has been tasked with her care, but he is far from caring. The Mayor seems intent on taking over the Museum, and without her parents and Uncle Lem to support her, Lydia must use all her ingenuity to solve the mystery of their absence and prevent the Museum from being closed or acquired. Firstly, she must restore a friendship, find out who she can trust, and find the magical book that seems to hold the answer to where her parents have gone.
This is a quite charming journey into a magical zone, and the esteem placed on the written and published word is part of the magic. With a quite compelling mystery to be solved, and intriguing characters living at a time when conventions and expectations have altered, there is a captivating reading adventure ahead for young readers. Written for children (recommended for 9-14 year-olds), there is much for them to enjoy, some moments of humour as well as unsettling scenarios in a world tinged with magical influences. The central character Lydia must be resourceful and an independent thinker, and her problem-solving strategies are part of the delight of this book.
Lenny is born aboard a boat, with waves lapping its sides. From the first welcoming day he has many adventures living on the boat. In the harbour, they are tossed this way and that, as he grows he learns of the environment he is in. He sees dolphins and lizards, fish and birds. Mom dives for fish to eat and Dad collects things from the beach. They give a lift to a girl wanting to save the planet, and all see the amount of rubbish from their boat. They call in at the Azores Islands, and he learns to ride a bike, and makes friends of kids on other boats. Together they get to go to day care, but he is always eager to get back on the boat where he is first mate and helps his parents as they sail across the oceans.
When baby Darwin arrives, Lenny knows just what to do, as he can remember when things were a little scary living at sea, but with his help he will be able to acclimatise just as Lenny did.
Illustrations reveal life at sea, as many of the images are on the boat. Readers will see many of the animals that Lenny sees, and be aware of what they do when they land and stay a while.
Readers will love looking at the things Lenny does, the adventure he has, and the things he learns.
Themes Friendship, Life at sea, Oceans, Pollution, Family, Adventure.
Fran Knight
Cosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind by Ashley Benham-Yazdani
Over 4.6 billion years ago, about the same time the rest of our solar system was created, a comet was born - one that now visits this planet on its long orbit around the planets and the sun and beyond, only once is a person's lifetime. Unlike many others that are comparatively short-lived because they lose ice and debris each time they pass a star, this one has survived and for those lucky enough to be alive in 2061 it will light up our skies once again.
Named after the Edward Halley, the astronomer and mathematician who calculated that the comets that had been seen in the skies in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were one and the same and accurately predicted that it would return in 1758, Halley's Comet has been orbiting since time immemorial, the last time being in 1986. During that time it has seen so many changes on this planet as humans developed and with their curiosity and creativity have transformed it.
Essentially then, this is a history of Earth seen from the comet's perspective as it makes its regular sweeps told in simple, almost lyrical, language and depicted in stunning artworks. Tracing the changes (which are summarised in the final pages) it tells the story of the planet's development from a time when nothing and no one saw it light up the night sky to that of a lone teacher fascinated by it perched like Humpty Dumpty on a wall in her garden in 1986. (I have no idea why scaling a 2 metre wall would give me a better view but there I was...)
As well as giving the reader a unique perspective on history, showing us just how small we are and how short our time here is, this is one not only to explore the other bodies in the universe but also to consider what the comet might see when it returns in 2061, provoking all sorts of textual and artistic responses. What would they like it to see? They might even consider what their contribution to those changes might be.
Innovative and visually outstanding, this is such a different way to view the world that it will capture not only those budding astronomers but also those who dream and wonder and imagine... Another reason to have a rich and vibrant non fiction collection.
Salt River Road opens with a chapter titled 'Ngank' which we later come to understand is the Noongar word for mother, or sun, and 'nganka' is thumb, mother of your hand. For the Tetley family the sun is gone, their mother has died at Christmas after a slow debilitating illness. The father, Eddie, and the five siblings Steve, Joe, Frank, Rose and Alby are falling apart, overcome with grief. Told alternately by 16 year old Rose and her one year older brother Frank, the prose sometimes becomes free form poetry, an emotional expression of their sorrow and anger.
With their father losing interest in everything, the family silently collapses and the farm threatens to go into ruin. Frank goes off the rails. Always the wilder funny one, he now shuts himself off and rapidly descends into drinking and delinquency. Rose struggles to hold things together but eventually the strain finds her blubbering by the side of a road. When the concerned driver of a car pulls up, she meets the kindly Noongar Elders, Patsy and Herb.
There is a secret in the Tetley family and it involves their past relationship with Patsy and Herb. Before embarking on a story that includes Aboriginal characters, Molly Schmidt consulted extensively with Goreng and Menang Noongar Elders of Western Australia. She wanted to avoid ‘misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, stereotyping and tokenism’. That meant talking and listening, and sharing stories over cups of tea. In her book, Schmidt includes episodes revealing Noongar people and culture, but it is never as the teller of their stories, rather it is about the learning and appreciation that Rose gains as she spends more time with ‘Aunty’ and ‘Uncle’.
This is an outstanding piece of Australian literature, both as an exploration of adolescent grief and depression, and as a highly respectful journey towards reconciliation where old grievances are worked out and people come together as a renewed community. Salt River Road was the well-deserving recipient of the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award. It is highly recommended, and would be suitable for a class text. Book Club notes are available.
Four very successful books about the crayons have come before this the latest showing the crayons in situations our readers will recognise. Here the crayons are about to return to school after the long summer break. Blue and Beige farewell the beach where they have spent their holidays. They remove their sunglasses, lose their ice cream and say goodbye to the sand hills. The night before school a most important decision must be made: what to wear. Going to school means seeing old friends, commenting on how they have changed. They also make new friends, and of course, the students are all very busy. They learn new things. Purple crayon loves maths, Black crayon loves to write, White crayon loves to read, Yellow and Orange love science, and they all love art, particularly when they make a mess.
A delightful look at the advantages of going back to school will have instant appeal as readers can see themselves in the action of the crayons. Readers will love seeing the different things that happen at school, and appreciate the humour of the crayons doing things that they do. Jeffers’ crayons are wonderful, each crayon reflecting human traits as they go through the day at school. I love Brown crayon holding his own crayon, the dropped ice cream on the beach, the beautiful roll of sellotape and the sharpener on Yellow crayon’s head. All readers will love seeking out the small details which conspire to draw many smiles. Text and illustrations conspire to making this a book of laughs, particularly for children about to return to school.
More about Drew and his books can be found here. And there are several readings of the book on Youtube.
Themes Crayons, School, Art, Humour.
Fran Knight
Happy gut healthy gut by Justine Moore
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833600. (Age:5+) Recommended.
Understanding the gut and how it processes food is not an easy topic to explain to children. Becoming tiny and travelling through the human body in a minute spaceship is a creative way to explain what is happening inside us. This newly released book, Happy Gut Healthy Gut, provides an entertaining look and introduction to a complex process.
In a world where highly processed foods are causing health issues for both adults and children, it is important to listen to our bodies and rethink our daily diet. For young children though, salty and sugary foods are a constant part of what they eat and this book clearly explains what happens when foods like these are processed in the body and how they can affect us.
Three children travel with their mum inside their dad’s gut find out about various parts of the digestive system as well as meeting bacteria, both good and bad, and finding out what role the bacteria play. The children learn how some foods can cause a lack of energy, mood changes, rashes, tummy aches and sore joints. They also learn about the different healthy foods that are good for their bodies. At the end of the book are eight easy to follow Gut Health Tips.
This book is a simple, yet important read to look at the Digestive System with a strong message for children and the adults in their lives to eat healthy foods.
Themes Gut, Food, Digestive System, Health Care, Journey, Imagination.
Kathryn Beilby
Stacey Casey and the cheeky outlaw #Book 2 by Michael C. Madden
Big Sky, 2022. ISBN: 9781922615848. (Age:8-12) Highly recommended.
Michael C. Madden's sequel to The Lost City (Book #1 in the Stacey Casey trilogy), begins with another jump through time to the Middle Cretacsious period.
Dad, Stacey and Oliver travel nearly 100 million years into the past, only to encounter dangerous prehistoric fauna within a few minutes. It is here they meet Australotitan Cooperensis. In their hurry to escape an angry Lightening Claw (a carnivore resembling a T-Rex), they don’t realize one of the giant herbivore babies, whom they later dub, ‘Cooper’ is in the garage. Pronounced Oss-trah-low-tie-tan coo-per-ennsiss (Australotitan Cooperensis), the real Cooper's fossilized bones were discovered outside of Eromanga, in south west Queensland only this century. It took over a decade, but this species is thought to be one of the biggest dinosaurs that ever lived. Read more: https://enhm.com.au/museum/dinosaurs/cooper/
Now in possession of a fast-growing baby dinosaur, Mr Casey needs to return to 1880 Australia in order to locate the technology to be able to return Cooper back to his own time. Before leaving, Cooper escapes from the garage. Dad, Stacey and Oliver have no choice but to bring Amelia into the Time Travelling fold, in return for her silence.
As the title suggests and Nancy Bevington’s illustrations confirm, Mr Casey’s Time Machine invention takes Stacey, Oliver and nerdy school chum Amelia to colonial Australia, where they encounter a likeable Ned Kelly, who comes to their aid on more than one occasion.
A mysterious impasse ends the story on a cliff-hanger because Stacey’s nemesis (another time traveller) trips them up when they attempt to return to the present. Will they ever see their good friend again? It’s hard to imagine how – but it won’t be long before Book #3,The House That Time Remembers.
If you’re looking for a middle school novel brimming with myriad History, English and Science curriculum areas, this is the one. Michael C. Madden weaves a huge number of themes together in a crisp new way too. There’s none of the confusion as in many mystery stories - some of the stronger themes are: time travel, Australian historical narratives, palaeontology, family and friendship. Listen to Michael’s own book teaser.
The Teachers notes outline the themes and all curriculum areas. For stimulating discussion questions for each chapter simply download the notes here. (184p)
Themes Time travel, Australian historical narratives, Palaeontology, Family and friendship.
This is a light-hearted read for the holidays, one of those familiar ‘enemies to lovers’ stories. It opens with a Christmas card that Izzy sends handsome Brazilian hunk Lucas, bravely declaring her feelings for him. Unfortunately there is not the response she hopes for, and instead she catches him kissing her flatmate under the mistletoe. It doesn’t take the reader long to realise that there has been some kind of misunderstanding – did he actually get the Christmas card? What follows is a year of fuming tension between the two of them forced to share the reception desk at the Forest Manor Hotel.
Although Izzy and Lucas behave like they can barely tolerate each other, it soon becomes clear that there is a lot of suppressed lust, even the possibility of love, if they could just find a way to communicate better. The reader knows that inevitably romance will win, and they will eventually fall into each other’s arms. In between there is a hotel to save from financial ruin, competition in the form of another suitor for Izzy, and some lost rings to reunite with their past owners. The ‘Ring Thing’ provides some diversion uncovering stories of love, deceit and revenge, but the pace is very slow, and it takes a lot of bickering and rivalry between Izzy and Lucas before they can overcome their differences.
I think you need to be a dedicated rom-com reader to enjoy this one.
Girls change the game: First game back by Gabrielle Gloury and Michael Hyde
Ford Street Publishing, 2023. ISBN: 9781922696304. (Age:8-12yrs) Recommended.
When two AFL loving authors, Michael Hyde and Gabrielle Gloury reunite post-pandemic, to write their second Choose your own Adventure in the Girls Change the Game series, it’s ALL about the Australian Rules Football. First Game Back focuses on the game play aided by illustrations of progressive scoreboards, team list and a field map of player positions.
The Westpark Scorpians U14 side have a new coach and one or two new players. Their first match back after Covid lockdown, is against The Riverside Devils. But Coach Rita has coached them online to keep them fit and motivated during the hiatus – especially the team leaders - Zoe, Beth and Heidi. Dispensing with the twists and turns of human nature, First Game Back is pure action. The question is, Can a champion team really beat a team of champions?
It helps to know AFL jargon: ‘Ball goes up and Heidi reaches for the clouds. A perfect tap but sharked by the Devils who have their own speedsters as well…” (p94) Perhaps some purists will look-up the more obscure AFL terms?
To situate readers amongst the action, the choices of tactics mean that the reader steers the team down different paths toward victory or defeat. When deciding or voting (if reading aloud), we understand how the game can be changed by any one of the characters and particularly by the decisions made by the omnipotent umpire. The reader is learning about the unpredictability of cascading events based on each narrative choice.
You can’t critique literature in familiar ways when what is written down is more like sports commentary. This is reinforced in the following video clip where Michael Hyde performs a passage from Book 1. https://youtu.be/yUVWjyI_mWo?si=1G_AKiq7ysJBuTWm
The teacher’s notes/activities provide interesting ways to avoid boring readers by composing action genre with insufficient details.
Sport is THE Australian pastime and the old attitudes dividing girls and boys sports are vanishing. We are starting to appreciate diverse gender skill sets through more inclusive media coverage. Stories like Girls Change the Game and the sequel, First Game Back, attest to how much girls’ sport is gaining in popularity amongst young spectators and now readers. (133p).
