The fourth book in the Ratbags series continues to entertain young readers with humour, excitement and an action-packed adventure. The Ratbags are on their way to Scum Island for a holiday and before they arrive there they must take a long boat trip. Along the way they encounter seagulls, whales, seasickness and fight off sharks as well as listening to the constant “Are we there yet?”
The checking-in scenario is full of exhausting action and rat-filled enjoyment but finally the Ratbags settle in for the evening. They begin exploring the next day and fortunately the astute and alert Jigsaw is onto the problem of the Falcons, especially Fifi who also fancies Cracker the cat who has followed the Ratbags to the island. A battle for survival ensues, and who will succeed: rats, cats, or falcons?
Throughout the story, humour abounds and with the clever graphic illustrations, the reader is drawn into the mood of the story as well as through some clever tourist icons: the Grand Can-yon (made of cans), the Great Wall of China (teacups), the Empire Plate Building (plates), Bonehenge (bones) and Mount Ever-messed (a mountain of rubbish). In the final pages there is an introduction to the author and illustrator plus a step-by-step guide to drawing the calm and sensible Jigsaw.
Beasts of the Ancient World by Marchella Ward and Asia Orland
DK, 2023. ISBN: 9780241569078. (Age:7+)
The myths, legends and folklore of civilisations, generations and destinations are peppered with stories of brutal beasts and mysterious monsters, and, on the surface, this is a collection of those stories from around the globe. There are stories about fantastic creatures such as the Japanese baku, which had the power to devour nightmares, the wise Egyptian Sphinx, and the fearsome Minotaur who went head-to-head with Theseus in Greek mythology, and a map that shows just how widespread the stories are. Stories are collected under the headings of Our Worst Fears, Battles with Monsters, Kind Beasts and Harnessing the Power of Beasts, and accompanied by colourful illustrations that are not too scary.
But there is also an analysis of why people believe in these creatures, why they evolved and what they actually represent that can persuade the reader to read them through a different lens, seeing the similarities between the stories and the differences in how the beasts were vanquished - if indeed they were. The concept of a monster has been used over time to represent the unknown, dangers and even feelings, particularly fears, often serving as a warning. There is also the suggestion that rather than defeating the beasts that we could perhaps learn to live with them as we begin to understand the origins and purpose of the stories, because "things are never really as simple as brave human defeats monster."
Thus, while younger readers can learn the stories surrounding the monsters so often associated with mythology, more mature readers can start to analyse the back story - what circumstances might have promoted the invention of such a creature, how it might be similar to other stories and why the imagery persists today. Are today's generations very different to those who have gone before?
Stars and Smoke is a thrilling escapist read for anyone who likes fast paced stories about secret agents and pop stars. Winter Young is a global star, with hits all over the world. When the Panacea Group, a covert operation, approach him to infiltrate the inner circle of Eli Morrison, suspected of criminal activities, he knows that this might just give him something worthy to aim for outside of his stardom. Winter has been asked to perform at the birthday party of Morrison's daughter, Penelope, who is a big fan, and Panacea know that this will be the best way to infiltrate the group and gather information to convict him. Sydney Cossette, a young spy, is assigned to Winter as his bodyguard, and they team up to thwart Eli Morrison and his entourage.
The combination of background about the performances and hard work of a touring pop star and the machinations of a spy group make this a riveting read. There is excitement galore as Winter and Sydney attempt to find evidence about Morrison while many twists and turns will keep the reader glued to the page. Winter is charismatic and Sydney feisty and the simmering attraction between the two adds to the allure of the novel.
Fans of Bodyguard and Mission Impossible are sure to love this easy to read thriller that I could visualise being made into a film. I was thrilled to see that there will be a sequel, Icon and Inferno.
Pat Pledger
Britannica's encyclopedia infographica by Andrew Pettie & Conrad Quilty-Harper. Infographics by Valentian D'Efilippo
Britannica Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781913750459. (Age:All from 5+) Highly recommended.
The striking dark green cover with gold lettering and colourful images, will draw the eye to this very appealing encyclopedia. This highly visual book contains thousands of facts and figures about many things with the cleverly presented contents pages using the headings of Space; Land, Sea, Sky; Living Planet; Animals; Human Body; Human World. Also included in the final pages are Sources; Glossary; Scavenger Hunt Answers, Find Out More!; Index; Meet the Team.
In the beginning of the book, the reader is welcomed with the important fact: ‘that around 70 percent of the way our brain perceives the world is visual.’ Within the encyclopedia are 200 infographics and these infographics are a vital way to reveal information to encourage children and adults to remember. The writers have included a vital double page spread explaining how the infographics are organised to clearly present information.
All information is easily accessible and well-spaced; surrounded by infographics in the form of tables, pictures, charts, diagrams, scales, graphs and photographs that are clearly labelled. For example, on page 110 is a table showing the many different shapes of leaves plus the interesting fact that the edge of the leaf is called a margin and there are many different types of margins. On the following page is a table showing the nine very different vein patterns with the arrangement of the veins inside a leaf called venation. Both pages clearly display the information being shared.
Throughout the book are some astounding facts that will capture the interest of young readers. Did you know there are about 1,300,000,000,000,000 earthworms on Earth with the longest measuring 6.7m? Or that tongues have a similar structure to an elephant’s trunk and the arms of an octopus? A surprising fact is that LEGO minifigures overtook the world’s population in 2016 and is steadily growing. In fact there are over a billion more LEGO figures than humans on the Earth!
This colourful and beautifully presented book will be a wonderful asset to a home, school or public library.
Themes Facts, Infographics, Experts, Data.
Kathryn Beilby
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
This special 25th anniversary edition of The Gruffalo with its shiny gold cover is an absolute winner with young children, who may already be familiar with the Gruffalo from the original story, and other books (The Gruffalo’s child and Gruffalo growl) as well as the television series. The text is an absolute joy to read aloud:
A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.
And the clever little mouse is a delight as he manages to outwit a fox, an owl, and a snake. But faced with a real Gruffalo what will he do? Can he be clever enough to outsmart such a huge scary animal?
The story with its rhythm and rhyme, as well as the repetition of 'Silly old …! Doesn’t he know? There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo' will have children singing out the refrain. Alex Scheffler’s illustrations bring the narrative to life. The Gruffalo with his claws and horns and tusks is a fabulous monster, while the other creatures are equally engaging.
This edition has extra information at the end, with Julia Donaldson writing about her inspiration for the story, when she read ‘an old Chinese tale about a clever girl who tricks a hungry tiger,’ while Alex Scheffler’s inspiration for the Gruffalo was the idea of a buffalo. There are also instructions for making cupcakes to celebrate the Gruffalo’s birthday, and a QR code will bring up The Gruffalo’s song to listen to, and children will have enormous fun yelling out the last line “He’s a Gruffalo.”
This is a must have children's classic, ideal for home and classroom.
In this second book of the Conjuror series, Ella returns for another year at the Arcanum Training Institute, the amazing magical school for Marvellers, and is reunited with her friends Jason and Brigit. In this instalment there is an even more diverse multicultural mix, with not only the two Conjurers Ella and Jason of African American heritage, but Anh from Vietnam, Luz from Brazil, students from the Navajo nation, and others including some LGBQTI+ not explicitly defined. Commenting on the obvious contrast with Hogwarts, the magical school in the Harry Potter series, Clayton says in a ‘Books for Keeps’ interview that her book ‘includes all the children J.K. Rowling marginalized, stereotyped, and frankly, forgot.’
The Conjurers series is a very magical sparkly world that readers of fantasy will delight in, but at the same time, Clayton introduces some contemporary themes with the school becoming highly policed as ’protection’, and then subject to a close-down due to a strange sickness that seems to gradually overcome the students. When they return there are heightened hygiene and spacing requirements, along with suspicion about the alien group who might be the source of the contamination. In the background there are news articles complaining about Conjurers being allowed into the exclusive Marvellers’ school, posters proclaiming ‘Make the Marvellian World Light Again’, and an election being contested between the current hijab-wearing president Al-Nahwi’s voice calling for uniting people, and the charming Johan Fenris Knudsen I and his message of ‘A Time for Marvellian Greatness is Here!’ Early on Ella had been warned by her mentor Masterji Thakur that ‘the truth is malleable. There are some who look at blue sky and want the world to say it’s green because there’s power in getting people to follow you without question . . . even if it’s a lie.’
The socio-political themes are nevertheless subtle, and the emphasis is most definitely on magic, mystery, and adventure, with the young students racing against time to expose the evil manipulators working against them. This is an exciting sequel for readers who enjoyed the first book The Marvellers, and they may rest assured there will be more instalments to come, and meanwhile there is the online Conjureverse to explore.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Identity, Diversity, Racism, School story.
A much beloved cat which figures in many of the Provensen's works, is now given his own picture book.
The Provensens lived and worked for many years at Maple Hill Farm in the state of New York , producing over forty picture books, half of which they also wrote. Many of these won accolades around the world and are considered classics in the pantheon of American children’s literature.
In this book we are introduced to Max, a big, bold cat who was ever hungry, so much so that he grew and grew and grew.
He was also a teasing cat standing on the tail of his long suffering mother, Gooseberry. And he teased the other cats and dogs on the farm, but drew the line at the goats and horse. He loved hunting, setting his eyes upon the chicks, but he was told in no uncertain terms that they were not to be touched.
The wonderful illustrations evoke the personality of this singular cat, big and bold, as he roams the farm, the king of all he surveys. A cheeky face peers out of the pages, only the swinging of his long fat tail betraying his mood.
When night descends we see his natural urge coming to fruition as he goes away from the farm changing his demeanour to be that of a tiger as he sets out on the evening hunt. We have already seen the results of his right time activities in the squirrel tails littering his bed in the stable.
The lovely sepia style illustrations, show a large yellow eyed cat, doing all the things cats do: helping make the bed, upsetting the other animals, strolling though the farmyard, and washing himself all over.
Four pages at the end of the book by the Prevensen’s daughter, Kare Provensen Mitchell talks about her dealings with the cat when she was a child, and talks about life at Maple Hill Farm, giving a warm family togetherness to the story.
Readers may like to check on their library shelves for other examples of the Provensen's work, Our animal friends at Maple Hill Farm, The year at Maple Hill Farm and so on are just two of the many titles.
Themes Alice and Michael Provensen, Cats, Farm life, Family.
Terry Pratchett is a well-known writer of humorous fantasy tales and his creative genius has launched the Discworld series and fantasy worlds with a humorous tinge. Although Pratchett is well known, this book reveals stories that have been well hidden (under pseudonyms or in places that are seldom re-read) and now they are being re-released to the world in this collection of fun. Some of the stories hint at worlds that are precursors to his later works, but they are independently delightful. With magic and quirky characters in tricky circumstances and multiple stories set in the ‘impossibly weird’ location of Blackbury, these are wonderful examples of the short story genre.
I can recommend this anthology of fantasy short stories and would not be surprised if it piqued an interest in Pratchett’s other works. In almost every story there is a smile, chuckle or giggle waiting to escape from the reader. His slightly naughty and eccentric view of humanity and the world will delight young readers aged 15+, but adults would also love this light-hearted reading journey.
Creeping Beauty presents a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. The main character Bitsy is 17 years old and a princess in a land where the expectation is that she will soon marry. Pricking her finger on a spindle, Bitsy enters another world.
This book introduces the reader to a host of unpleasant and fallible characters that lack depth and appear superficial. The context in which they live is not fully developed and the promise of a rich alternate reality is unfulfilled. While aspects of the content would sit better with a YA audience (including the description of extreme violence), the story lends itself to a much younger audience and this ultimately leaves the reader feeling dissatisfied.
The inclusion of the journal writing of the King (Bitsy’s father) provides the reader a window into the world Bitsy has left behind. The reader sees the King as leading the search for princes who will save the princess by waking Bitsy from her slumber.
It is difficult to connect with Bitsy as a main character. Her observations and impressions of the world she has entered are simplistic and do little to expand the understanding or experience of the reader. The use of language is uneven, with Bitsy using turns of phrase that jar and appear disconnected with the time and place.
A persistent theme in the book is the importance of the personal appearance (beauty, youth and clothing). The theme not only remains unchallenged but appears to be confirmed across the story. While Bitsy is not a passive princess, at times the reader feels discomfit with the degree to which Bitsy conforms to gender norms and needs to be saved from fates determined by male behaviour, both in her real life and the alternate reality she falls into.
What has been posited as a feminist take on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale falls short of the mark.
Themes Good and evil, Relationships, Beauty, Multiverse.
Linda Guthrie
The legend of ghastly Jack Crowheart by Loretta Schauer
The Legend of Ghastly Jack Crowheart by Loretta Schauer is a fun and exciting new junior fiction novel that will captivate young readers with its fast-paced storyline and amusing characters. The story revolves around Lil, a hardworking girl who endures many awful chores at her Ma’s inn, 'The Squawking Mackerel'.
Lil is kind and determined young protagonist who isn’t given the recognition she deserves by Ma and the others who live and work at the inn. Her caring nature saw her rescue a baby crow that she affectionately calls Scratchy. They now have a very special bond together, which develops even further as the story goes on. Each day she brings him food ‘treats’ from the inn. Her Ma’s cooking is not to a very high standard, so there are always plenty of leftovers from the customers.
Lil discovers that the inn is facing financial hardship, due to the recent menace of highway robbers holding up travellers heading through town. Ma has said she is going to sell up, but Lil has other ideas. Determined to save her workplace and stand up to those bandits, she embarks on a courageous adventure. Bravely facing the highway robbers, Lil enters into a situation that is both dangerous and unsafe. Can Lil defend the only home she knows, or will the bandits continue on their merry way?
Schauer weaves a compelling narrative that effortlessly combines elements of adventure, mystery, and friendship. Lil's levels of resilience and resourcefulness are inspiring. The teamwork between her, Scratchy, and Ned (another new friend) creates an exciting storyline that will keep readers eagerly turning each page.
This delightful junior fiction novel combines a fast-paced plot, engaging characters, and captivating illustrations; making it an excellent choice for those transitioning into longer, more complex stories. If you enjoy a little adventure, with some laughs along the way, then this is a perfect choice!
Themes Friendship, Adventure, Teamwork, Problem solving.
Michelle O'Connell
Friendly Bee and friends: Woe is for worm! by Sean E. Avery
In the second book in the Friendly Bee and Friends series, Friendly Bee and Angry Wasp encounter Pessimistic Earthworm who cannot feel his legs after a catastrophic fall from the sky! The earthworm is full of woe and worries and expresses those in complex statements that may need to be shared with an adult for interpretation. Friendly Bee finds it a challenge to cheer up Pessimistic Earthworm and meanwhile Angry Wasp is trapped in a fancy dress outfit courtesy of Friendly Bee and an invitation to Enormous Hairy Spider’s Fancy Dress Party. Friendly Bee and the others encounter Enormous Not-So-Hairy Spider and receive quite a surprise including the fact that the party might not be happening. But Friendly Bee is up for the challenge and for all of the characters the ending is ‘bee-licious.’
This entertaining book is full of banter between Friendly Bee, Angry Wasp, Pessimistic Earthworm and Enormous Hairy (or Not-So-Hairy) Spider. There are also some interesting facts shared - some true and others not so true - from Clever Cricket about dresses, earthworms and bees.
What do scientists do? by Tom Mumbray. Illus by Can Tugrul & Geraldine Sky
Usborne, 2023. ISBN: 9781474969024.
As they begin to learn more about the world around them and how it works, lots of our students say they want to be scientists when they grow up. But what do scientists do? In a nutshell...
"Scientists investigate how our world works. It's their job to ask questions and find answers - by observing how things work, gathering evidence and doing experiments."
And while they have already made so many discoveries already, there is so much more to explore and explain as new answers lead to new questions. One scientist can't do everything and so by posing some of the big questions such as how can we fight the climate crisis, what does the bottom of the ocean really look like and what are the safest ways to test new medicines, this book explores not only what scientists are currently doing but which specialists are doing it. Thus, the reader learns about the diversity of both science and being a scientist so that there is something that will fit their particular interests.
But basically, being a scientist is about being curious, observing the world around us and asking questions about how and why it works. There are pointers about how to think and act like a scientist, how to learn more by studying science at school, visiting science museums, watching documentaries and reading relevant books as well as the usual Quicklinks that open up even more opportunities. It fits perfectly with the Australian Curriculum Science strand, particularly Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Inquiry Skills providing the perfect context for meeting those outcomes, so an essential in any teacher's toolkit in my opinion.
Cesare Aldo is a former soldier, now working as an officer in the criminal court in Renaissance Florence in 1536. He has recently returned from guarding a Florentine Jewish money lender, Levy, escorting him from Bologna to Florence with a large amount of cash. An incident along the road shows Aldo putting his life on the line for this man and when he returns him back to his home in the Jewish quarter, unharmed, he is most relieved. Bu the very next night, Levy is stabbed to death, causing Aldo to recall what little he knows along with the few conversations he had with the man as they rode together. He is given four days to find the killer. The merchant guilds and the Jewish money lending communities are involved in keeping the state going, and their influence is everywhere, so he is extra cautious. But when the body of Corsini is found, dressed not as the young man that the was, but in an amazingly detailed and expensive woman’s dress, Aldo cannot help but investigate his murder, being one of his own community.
Aldo tracks his movements, following the material of the dress, so finding himself at odds not only with one fo the guilds, but with another officer in his unit, Cherchi, a corrupt investigator, a man devoted to calling Aldo out as homosexual. Aldo lives in a room in a bordello, belying his true nature and he is intrigued by a Jewish doctor he meets when Levy is killed.
As Aldo and his constable investigate, questions are asked which put them in danger. Aldo realises that the work being done by Levy and his former partner was to fund an attempted coup to replace the Duke of Florence, Alessandro de Medici with his cousin, Lorenzino de Medici.
A wonderful crime thriller set in Medici Florence is thoroughly engrossing as Aldo and his young constable, Strocchi, find themselves in life and death situations. But when Aldo is incarcerated in the notorious prison, Le Stinche, after the work done by his nemesis, Cherchi, comes to fruition he is aware that no officer of the court comes out of here alive.
The setting is wonderful and many of the characters are real people, revealing the depth of historical research done by Scottish writer, D.V. Bishop.
I listened to this book, and am now halfway through the second in the series, The darkest sun, and an happy to find that there are two more, Ritual of fire and Divine fury.
Apparently, the detective Holly has featured before in Stephen King’s books, but this is the first I’ve read about her, and in fact only the second King novel I’ve read at all. But Stephen King’s name is synonymous with horror, so I knew what I was in for.
Interestingly the novel opens with the abduction of an unsuspecting young gay man on his daily run, by an elderly couple, both professors, known to him from the Bell College of Arts and Sciences. So from the beginning the reader knows who the villains are, and it’s not long before it becomes apparent how ghoulish these two supposedly respectable academics are.
Holly is the private investigator from the detective agency Finders Keepers, hired by a distraught mother to find her missing daughter, Bonnie. Holly gradually becomes aware of a number of similar disappearances in the area, over the years. While we, as readers, already know what happened to each of the victims, the tension in the novel builds up, as the web of related characters and events tightens, and Holly draws closer and closer to the evil culprits. Holly is clever, but she is basically working alone, and her inherent self-doubt leads her into danger as she seeks the evidence to substantiate her intuitive suspicions. The chapters become shorter as the tension ratchets up, and the reader can’t help but read on.
King has set this novel in the Covid years leading up to and including 2021. He provides additional authenticity to the setting by including different people’s reactions to the threat of the virus, and the vaccinations and personal protection people may or may not undertake. He exposes the denial of the Trump supporters as well as the zealousness of the hypochondriac. Some characters are blasé about the disease but all are aware and hold strong opinions. It is a realistic portrayal of the mixed attitudes rampant in the country at the time, and adds another level of complexity and realism as Holly undertakes her investigations.
The story is gruesome, as you might expect from King, but it is cleverly narrated, and keeps the reader holding their breath as the tension builds. I’m sure fans of King and readers of horror fiction in general will enjoy the ride, but for me, whilst I was invested in the character of Holly and what happens to her, I think I will be looking for something a bit lighter for my next read.
At the end of year nine, four best friends face their first summer holidays away from each other. Coming from different ethnic backgrounds; Indian, Jamaican, Chinese and Scottish/Ghanaian, they have bonded over their feeling different at school, so promise to write postcards to keep in touch, as they embark on wildly different adventures.
Dawn is staying in London with her aunt and cousin so she can attend performing arts summer school, artistic Gifty goes to visit her grandparents in their small Scottish village, Sunita travels to France to stay in a chateau with her mother and posh boyfriend, while May stays at home in Kent, and helps out in the family take-away shop.
Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the girls as they recount their exploits, whether it be a first crush or navigating family dynamics and expectations. Between the chapters are the postcards that they send to each other, as they comment on how they are achieving their shared goal of ‘growing up’.
Through their various holiday experiences, they realise that they can make their own decisions, and choose their own paths rather than trying to fit in or please others, whether this is parents, boys, or other girls. As they realise their own particular strengths, they come to recognise that ‘trying to not be yourself is hard work.’
This is a pleasant, easy-to-read story where the characters develop confidence and sustain friendships in every-day situations. The girls are likeable and realistically show the tricky stages of developing self-awareness and overcoming self-doubt, that young teens navigate. They encompass a variety of ethnic backgrounds and family structures, and several characters identify as gay or non-binary, without this being a big deal.
The girls seemed a little less mature than many present-day 14 year-olds, and there was no obvious difference between the four girls’ voices, but their journey towards independence, while still recognising the importance of friends and family, will be an engaging read for young people, particularly girls, aged 11+.
Themes Friendship, Relationships, Family, Holidays, Coming of age.
