What an amazing book! Set within the period of the rise of Nazism and the advance of German armies into Austria, we are led by the mute-girl, Adelheid, into her world. There is nothing easy about her life or about being mute, but it is probably her unconventional view of the world that defines her. She is differently-abled, seeing the world in a way that craves order and yet does not always perceive nuance or the power struggles that are swirling around her. Her collection of match-book covers is in a constant state of ‘re-ordering’. In her internal voice (as if we are reading pages from her notebook or her internal cogitations) we are led into the confusion of her existence, but also the history of autism diagnoses and the work of Dr Asperger (and others). The confusion of the Nazi response to the Jews and those with disabilities adds extreme life-altering consequences to those in the hospital and education facility where Dr Asperger works and where Adelheid shelters. This is a powerful fictional book that uses the facts of the past but is spoken by a naive ‘voice’ that resonates (but sometimes also confuses). Be prepared to be charmed and challenged by Adelheid’s view of the world, and also afraid for her. Can her voice ever be heard?
Written with the expression of an autistic-voice and grammar, and occasional disorder, there are times when a mature view and understanding of history needs to be added in order to create some sense of Adelheid and her thinking …. But it is worth persevering through the fog and into her world. (Note: Capital letters may be scattered within sentences without a reason for being.) The author has created an authentic experience for her readers in understanding the different ways that the world might be seen. Adelheid has some autistic traits, an intelligence that maintains its naivety but also a limited perception and vision of what is happening around her, but with a patchy understanding of the complexities of her life. Her growth and understanding does mature, but she still shares her logic in ways that can be difficult to fathom. This is a book that will require a mature reader, or at least a reader that has encountered autism-spectrum traits before. The history is told of the psycho-social world of autism and its diagnosis and the way it might have been perceived in the past - mostly through Adelheid’s eyes. This, intertwined with war history, becomes a powerful statement about disordered thinking that challenges notions of what is normal, right and just. Crossing borders, chronologies and even ‘after-death’ reflections, there is a complexity in this book that will require a persistent reader (aged 16 - Adult), but it has resonated with me, and the power of the book will linger long past the last page. So many injustices for so many within our world and in war-time particularly.
Themes WW 2 - Austria, Disability, Nazism, Asperger’s, History of autism diagnosis, Grief, Resistance, Injustice, Resilience, Mutism, Historical fiction.
Carolyn Hull
The ickabog by J.K. Rowling. Illus. by Ben Mantle
Little Brown, 2025. ISBN: 9781510202795.
J.K. Rowling’s 2020 fairy story first released as a free online serial and then published with illustrations from child readers late that year started out as a favourite story told to her children. This edition is illustrated by Ben Mantle and, other than the great colour cover, they are mainly page decorations that add little to the text. I did love the picture on page 84 of the cunning lords Spittleworth and Flapoon, flatterers of King Fred, the weak, vain and selfish ruler of Cornucopia. Fred and his courtiers live in luxury enjoying the best the country can supply. He is particularly fond of clothes, a nod to “the Emperor’s New Clothes”, and his dressmaker dies when he insists she finish a garment despite being ill. When Fred hears himself described as selfish, vain and cruel by Daisy, the dressmaker’s daughter, he finds himself in need of a redeeming act. Like in many fairy stories children are told to fear monsters to keep them from straying into danger but what if Cornucopia’s Ickabog was real? When the King, who loves to hunt, hears about sightings in the remote Marshlands he sets out to kill the monster, and things go downhill from there. As the cowardly king allows himself to be manipulated by Spittleworth and Flapoon the lies mount up. As the evil advisors gain in power and influence the country suffers. It becomes treason to question their edicts, there are summary killings, lavish violence and the secret death squad, “the dark footers” reward informers and punish by threatening families. The ending supports the idea that fear and hatred can be carried from generation to generation unless stopped by bravery, kindness and forgiveness. At nearly 350 pages and with considerable violence, cruelty and death younger readers might enjoy this read with an adult. I didn’t quite bond with Daisy Dovetail or Bert Beamish as the central characters, but Rowlings' rich descriptions and inventive storytelling carried through to the end and readers missing the Harry Potter stories will recognize her voice.
Little Steps, 2025. ISBN: 9781923306332. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A lovely fold-out book will intrigue, delight and educate all readers about the life of a turtle and its dependence on the animals and plants of a reef. Lots of information is given at the end of the book, augmenting that facts gleaned from the storyline of the text. Tilly’s friend, Trev tells her that they are going to find the seagrass because he is hungry. They ask a passing whale shark where they could find the seagrass and he directs them towards the Great Barrier Reef. They swim past the manta rays and an increasing number of brightly coloured fish. Tilly tells her friend that they have found the reef but he wants to keep going to find the seagrass. But they come across dead coral and the bodies of some fish and sea animals, and certainly no seagrass. A starfish tells them that this is happening because the water has become too warm. They swim on to find less contaminated reef and finally the seagrass. Many little turtles swim by and a large cod and a dugong. But something has happened, Tilly has become entangled in a discarded fishing net. She is washed up on the shore where a group of children find her. She is carefully disentangled and put back into the sea.
Children will love reading about the dangers in the ocean for the fish that live there and see a positive outcome for the turtle. The background to each page showing aspects of the reef and ocean and the animals that live there invites all readers to look more closely at the detail before their eyes. The flaps reveal some inviting images: the whale shark's tail, the dugong, the manta rays, the potato cod, a group of clown fish. Each will delight readers.
Each double page shows the turtle and the fish swimming through the ocean, then over the degraded reef, then some more intact reef and finally the seagrass. Each time the page is turned, readers will delight in reaching the new page for the details presented in the ocean. A fold out section on the right hand side of the page reveals some of the other animals, and the reef, both in its degraded or healthy form.
A lovely book which informs and delights, a story includes themes for all: conservation, sea life, Great Barrier Reef, and so on.
Themes Conservation, Great Barrier Reef, Degradation, Pollution, Fish, Turtles.
In rhyming lines, the funny story is of a little wizard trying out a new spell, causing quite a commotion. Nell has chanted her spell over the mixture in the pot, and has help from the dragon who breathes fire on the mixture. This results in a large bubble evolving, one that grows larger taking in all about it.
All of this fun is told in the form which adds a new line to the growing list of things happening, starting with, ‘Nell charted a spell’. Readers will love adding the lines as each page is turned, knowing that it all starts with Nell.
Rather like, ‘There was an old woman who swallowed a fly’, the format of the poem will captivate readers. They will predict what the lines will be, and call out the lines as it is read, and learn some of the lines to add to the reading fun.
The illustrations perfectly parallel the story, with lots of stars and bubbles on each page as the bubble created gets bigger and bigger and vacuums up all that is in its way including Nell and the dragon. The images of the bubble stuffed full with people and animals, even a giant, last until Nell uses her wand, and they all fall out. The pages are covered with the mess of things tumbling together as the bubble bursts, asking readers to identify each participant.
Nell is endearing, the dragon cute and the huge bubble somewhat scary, but all comes right in the end, topped off with a recipe for bubble making, if you dare.
Themes Humour, Wizards, Spells, Dragons.
Fran Knight
Now you are a chicken by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
Little Hare, 2025. ISBN: 9781761214035. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
A very funny, read aloud and joining-in book has a wizard showing a chicken how she turns people into chickens. The wizard invites readers to watch how easy it is, and she brings on an example chicken to show us. But the example chicken is not happy, especially when the wizard uses her as a model to show the readers what to expect when she turns them into a chicken. They can expect to have funny red bits, a hard, beaky nose and soft feathery wings. But the chicken is still not happy, and just when the wizard is about to say the magic words to the reader, the chicken stops her, insisting that she send a warning for those who do not want to be turned into a chicken. Example chicken tells the wizard how she used to be a banana and the wizard changed her without a warning. But says the wizard, just look at all the traits the chicken now has. She can fly, run fast, and lay eggs.
Example chicken brings up another query, what if no one believes she can do it? Wizard then changes a snail, carrot and balloon into chickens.
But says the chicken, the one word bringing an exasperated response from the wizard, as she gets ready to change the audience into chickens.
A wonderful read aloud, kids will be flapping, clucking, scratching and walking on imagined spindly legs, searching for a worm to eat. They will squawk, and try to fly, roost on the library pillows, and cluck their way around the room. They will love the twist in the tale after they have all been made into chickens, and laugh out loud at the green chicken with a wizard’s hat.
The wonderfull illustrations show a frustrated wizard trying to show us how we need to be made into a chicken. Her sparkling green hair and mouth full of teeth will thrill readers as they follower her exploits. Her speech is presented in differing frames, showing how she is feeling as she tries to talk the chicken into being an example. The bold illustrations will be eagerly followed by the readers, concentrating on the two characters, without any background to take their eyes from the story. I love the way the chicken and wizard sometimes talk to the audience, bringing them into an aspect of the story. And the whole is a hoot of a story for acting out as it is read.
The Table Cape Crusader is the second mystery in The Secret Detectives Club series. The story is told through the eyes of Rocko as he and his fellow detectives, Cosmo and Mingus, try and discover the identity of a mysterious troublemaker, who calls themself The Table Cape Crusader. The Crusader is responsible for a series of bizarre pranks ranging from the librarian being delivered a pile of horse poo to someone being drenched in melted chocolate. These incidents ramp up quickly and they need to stop the villain before a much-anticipated community event occurs. Why are some people being targeted? What is the Crusader’s motive for causing such mayhem?
Kate Gordon has created a fast paced and entertaining story with likeable quirky characters. The banter between the detectives is funny but they show they support and respect each other. All the pranks have a comical element, although they are in no way condoned. Rocko is prone to anxiety attacks and ponders friendships and bullying. He gains self-confidence as he realises he has misjudged how others perceive him. He also acknowledges his ‘wonky brain’ which thinks a little differently but smartly and perceptively. This is a nice, subtle shout out to valuing neurodiversity. Certainly, some serious themes emerge, but there is no deep helpless angst for the characters, which suits the overall humorous positive tone. This book will appeal to independent readers in lower to mid primary school and is a welcome addition to well-written novels for younger readers.
Themes Friendship, Bullying, Anxiety, Social Awareness.
Jo Marshall
Up, Up, and Away: The History of Aviation by Tomas SMOT Svoboda
This large non-fiction book is an engaging and light-hearted look at the history of aviation. With a personal introduction from Grandpa Edward and with his two curious grandchildren, Molly and Simon in tow, readers are taken on a fascinating journey about flight from the appealing cover to the stunning endpapers and the accessible information on every page.
Separated into nine chapters beginning with Icarus and ending with a historical timeline of the most important ‘bits’ of the aviation journey, this well presented book will entertain new readers and the most avid enthusiasts. Each chapter is clearly set out with blocks of text in different colours with large detailed illustrations labelled when needed. Pages 17-19 provide excellent coverage of the history of the hot air balloon as well as how it works. The chapter titled Celestial Giants shares interesting information about airships including their history, construction, the zeppelin and more modern airships.
Throughout this book, the colourful illustrations enhance the text and provide a visual hook for readers. In the final pages there is a quick recap which is a valuable infographic of information with dates, important events and figures of history who were instrumental in the development of flight.
Up, Up, and Away: The History of Aviation would be an excellent gift for a flight enthusiast.
Perfect for those just embarking on their Harry Potter journey or for those who simply can't get enough, comes this new series of informative picture books all about the main Hogwarts crew. The first three (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) have already been released, with a further two,Luna Lovegood and Dumbledore, available on 24 February 2026with more on their way later in 2026. Each book is beautifully illustrated by a different illustrator and includes labelled pictures, quotes and character, setting and storyline information. Each double-page spread has a different focus and guides us through the character's background, notable events, skills and personality traits. The pages are informative and cover the span of the Harry Potter series, without ever spoiling the plotlines for those who haven't made it through all the books yet. Each page is heavily illustrated and heaving with details, however the text is large and approachable and there is still enough white space on the page to make it easy to weave your way through. There are often young Harry Potter fans whose only real experience is with the first movies or through secondhand retellings. These are great for those who want an introduction to the world but aren't quite ready to listen to or read the whole story. They are also great for collectors who want to relive the stories or best bits without rereading.
Hermione's book guides the reader through her arrival at Hogwarts and her love of all wizarding knowledge as well as highlighting her favourite spells, moments with Crookshanks and her love for the library.
Twenty years after writing the bestseller The bookseller of Kabul (2004) Asne Seierstad returns to Afghanistan as the Taliban has returned to power. Subtitled ‘Three lives through war, love and revolt’, this latest novel investigates what life is like under the new Taliban regime. Although fictionalised, the book is based on in-depth interviews with three key persons, Jamila, Bashir and Ariana, three people from different decades, Jamila in the 1970s, Bashir in the 1980s and Ariana in the 2000s. Seierstad’s approach was to combine verbatim interviews recording what people told her about their lives, with historical context drawn from documented research. She draws on her experience as a war correspondent to provide a full picture of life in Afghanistan. A ReadPlus student reviewer of another of her works Two sisters (2018) describes how this kind of approach creates ‘an intense, enticing and furthermore investigative book, one that has sparked questions and conversations within myself but [also] internationally’. The Afghans is another profoundly interesting insight into a world that most people have only a vague idea about.
Jamila is an Afghani woman who in the years following the initial defeat of the Taliban was spared the usual fate of arranged marriage because of a crippled leg as a result of polio that deemed her not likely marriage material. It meant that she was allowed to continue her pursuit of education and she made the most of that opportunity to intensively study the teachings of the Qur’an and develop arguments based in sacred scripture that argued against the oppression of women. She used her expertise to counter the traditional restrictive practices that had no basis in the religion.
In counter to this, Seierstad interviewed Bashir, a Taliban fundamentalist fighter, as well as the women that became his wives. The reader comes to live in his world, have insight into his perspective as arbiter of all decisions, and understand how the women also are a part of this, knowing no other expectation.
Finally there is Ariana, who in the intervening years between periods of Taliban rule, experienced the freedom of pursuing the joy of higher education only to have her dreams of graduation dashed one semester short of completion, with the return of the oppressive Taliban regime. In these times, her parents retreat to a fear that marriage is the only way to ensure her safety.
Seierstad’s book raises many questions about how to move forward with the issue of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Her observations reveal how actual support for women’s education within the Taliban has been overruled by an extremist view, and suggests that the best approach is not international sanctions but engagement in respectful dialogue with the varied perspectives of the Taliban group. After all, Afghanistan is the only Muslim country that has as its policy to not educate girls. Perhaps it is wiser not to confront, not to engage in war or internal uprisings, but to facilitate communication between nations.
The Afghans is a well researched and authoritative work that readily engages the reader in real lives, and puts across different viewpoints in an understandable way. It is a highly recommended book for readers interested in women’s rights and political history.
Themes Afghanistan, Taliban, Women's rights, Islam.
Helen Eddy
Snowglobe 2 by Soyoung Park
Penguin Random House Children's, 2025. ISBN: 9780241681084. (Age:12-17)
This is the sequel to Snowglobe, the story of privileged actors who live in comfort under the climate-controlled Snowdome while outsiders struggle to survive in the freezing outer world. But now the temperature inside the dome is far from comfortable as the heat soars and a power outage is imminent. A cast of characters at the front of the book helps orient the reader but we have to wait until page 25 to learn that the narrator is Jeon Chobahm, one of the Haeri clones who star in reality shows which entertain those who live on the outside. In this engineered environment, both physical and social, everyone is being manipulated and constantly surveilled by cameras gathering footage for the consumption of viewers. Even the Snowdome climate is part of the need for fresh pathos and drama for viewers as natural disasters are engineered. One of the Haeri, Serin, doesn’t fit in and is jealous of Jeon vowing to take what she has. When Jeon stumbles across the recently stabbed Goh Maeryung she suspects Serin is trying to frame her for the murder. I really struggled, not having read the first Snowglobe and gave up after page 70 when I still couldn’t piece together the story and many characters, made more difficult by the sometimes clunky translation and unfamiliar names. It is one of those books that is probably a great read but you do need to read the first book before the sequel.
Themes Identity, Social engineering, Reality TV.
Sue Speck
Gooramindi the crocodile by Quinlan Jaffrey. Illus. by Jade Goodwin
The tradition of storytelling, of passing on truths from one generation to another through stories, is brought to the fore in this exciting tale of crocodiles and their struggle for dominance.
Gooramindi the old, wise and strong crocodile lives near Margaret River at Fitzroy crossing in northern Western Australia. Quinlan based the crocodile’s strength on his grandfather a man who taught his grandson about Country, passing on stories. The crocodile protects his area from his hollow in the river bank. Here he laughs and jokes with the children from the area, the Gooriyanndi kids.
But one day he hears the kids crying out for help. He sees that the cheeky young crocodile, Walwarranga has taken Corey, one of the children. Gooramindi tears along the riverbank following the footsteps. He finds Corey tucked into a hollow and urges him to hide. He then calls Walwarranga out to release Corey. But the younger crocodile is hungry and wants to eat Corey. The two animals fight for a very long time. Eventually Walwarranga gives in: he might be younger but he is not as strong as Coorramindi, who sees him off telling him not to come back. Corey is taken back to his community on Goorramindi’s back. A feast is prepared in his honour, and he is content to laugh along with the children as he continues to patrol Margaret River.
This delightful story sings with community and responsibility, as the children laugh and play with the old crocodile, who patrols their area keeping them safe, a symbol for the older people in the community.
I love the inclusion of the map showing readers exactly where the story is set. And the large print words will have kids easily recognising them and acting them out. How can they sit still when the words, help, thwack and chomp loom before their eyes. Other descriptive words are also presented in larger print, encouraging children to recognise the words on the second and third reading.
Stealing away Corey will have younger readers full of concern for the lad, and they will be relieved when Goorramindi saves the day, the fitting end to a good story.
Goorramindi looks perfect with his cowboy hat and neck scarf, ready to protect those who live in his area, feeling responsible for the children who play along the river. Colours dazzle the eyes as each page is turned, the green of the crocodiles, the blue of the river and red dirt of the land.
And the endpapers will have children trying to find them in the illustrations in the story.
A short clip can be found here showing how Jade creates her illustrations. Another clip shows her making the things shown on the endpapers for a display: an activity which could be done in a classroom or at home. A colouring sheet is available from the publisher.
Juniper loves the beach and her greatest joy is being outdoors exploring her beachside environment. On rainy, grey days Juniper struggles with being indoors and finding something to while away the time.
The beautiful rainbow coloured cover of Juniper’s Painting is a precursor to the delightful illustrations shared throughout the book. The clever endpapers with sparse grey images at the front with a tiny paint palette in the corner, give way to the final endpapers showcasing a bright and sunny beach scene painted by Juniper in all its glory.
This is a picture book where the illustrations and text work perfectly together. The opening sentence… ‘It was a grubby-grey, hazy-sky day’ sets the tone for the feelings felt by Juniper. Added to the words are swirling grey clouds and dark seas. With the red roof of Juniper’s house a standout on the following page, the descriptive language used such as blurry smudge, lurched, rolled, pitched and tumbled describes the wild weather outdoor scene vividly.
Juniper is forced by the weather to find indoor activities to occupy herself while her Mamma works. She moves from activity to activity all shown in shades of grey with the occasional pop of colour. Finally Juniper settles down to a paint a beach scene and is so engrossed that she does not realise the sun is out and she and her Mamma head outdoors.
This is a delightful read. It tells a familiar story that younger readers may recognise when stormy weather might halt or change their plans. The striking illustrations complement the perfectly positioned text and provide so much visual interest.
Themes Beach, Stormy Weather, Painting, Family, Home, Indoor Activities.
Kathryn Beilby
I am not Santa Claus by T. L. McBeth
Walker Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781761601217.
Ask any little person how they would recognise Santa if they saw him, and you would get very similar answers - an older man, a big red coat with a matching hat, big, round belly,...
So when the little boy sees a man matching that description in the street, he is convinced he is Santa and is so determined to give him is Christmas list, that he even follows the man home where he discovers more similarities! But the old man is equally determined not to engage because he is NOT Santa...
Written as a conversation between the narrator who insists all the clues point to the man being Santa Claus, and an old man who insists he is not, and there are logical explanations for his actions, this is a story for young readers who will be carried along in the playful back-and-forth that will make them focus on their vision and version of the real Santa Claus.
With its striking Bruna-esque illustrations, this might seem to be one for our youngest readers as, like the little boy, they apply what they already know to what they are seeing, and may have fun casting a vote about whether this is or isn't Santa before the final pages. But, like quality picture books, it can have applications across the years as it could also be used to introduce the concept and layout of dialogue for slightly older readers, as the narrator's voice is in regular text while the bunny's is presents as speech bubbles. How might this have been written in a novel using quotation marks and other punctuation? Some might even like to turn it into a Readers Theatre to perform for younger students.
Older readers could enjoy it as an introduction to the concept of stereotyping, perhaps beginning by drawing their image of Santa before the book is shared, and discussing how their interpretations compare to those of their friends as well as those identified in the book. Even the too-cool-for-school brigade harbour a secret belief in this particular childhood favourite so this is a great opportunity to engage them in the fun while still respecting their growing maturity. They might even consider the validity of the boy's evidence that this is indeed Santa comparing it with Santa's logical and plausible explanations to the contrary.
But, whether it is shared with little ones or used as a teaching tool to keep older readers engaged as the end of years looms, the old man's final message proves that there is more to this time of the year than someone in a fancy suit distributing largesse and it might, in itself, spark further discussion about how they might make someone's Christmas that little bit better.
Australian author/illustrator Anna Walker has created a striking new picture book that will appeal to her loyal readers but also find a new legion of fans. Between is simply beautiful. Illustrated in softened tones of blues and apricots, this exquisite narrative uses few words - but the depth and detail of the double page illustrations provide all the meaning needed for understanding.
The idea behind the story came about when Anna discovered the bodies of a cabbage moth and cricket lying on her window sill. From this she developed a story that is so creative and imaginative that it will resonate with readers both young and old. The carefully orchestrated dance-like interaction between the cricket and the moth plays out across the pages with the insects first moving as separate entities and finally connecting. The clever use of antonyms to engage the imagination and make sense of how the narrative is developing is executed perfectly. This is an important incidental learning moment for children to explore language features in writing.
The illustrations showcasing texture, shadow and movement are exquisite. They were created by hand using stencils, spray paint and pencil. Each page is outstanding in its own right and the limited colour palette is both calming and mysterious with the endpapers beautifully representing the passing of time.
Between is a book to be treasured. To be read slowly and savoured over and over again. A beautiful gift to be shared and a must have for all school libraries, both primary and secondary.
Themes Insects, Difference, Empathy, Friendship, Antonyms, Connection, Passages of Time – twilight & dawn.
Kathryn Beilby
The awesome Physics in your city by The Amazing Theatre of Physics
This large hard cover non-fiction book is the perfect introduction to understanding physics for young children. Exploring the city, the authors create an engaging, humorous and personal experience where the readers are taken on a journey to visit familiar places with a simple explanation of how different aspects of physics might be taking place.
On the contents page is a map of the city area with the ten known places each numbered to their corresponding chapter. Each chapter is full of information, clearly set out and highlighted by different coloured spaces. For example, in Chapter 1- In the street - rounded mirrors are often found on small laneways or in carparks to help with seeing around corners. The physics of light is involved. The light bounces off the mirror from around the corner and reflects towards us. In Chapter 5 - At the playground – while climbing up a slide if very tall may be tiring, the higher the slide, the faster the ride down. This is known as an energy transformation.
The colourful graphic style images accompanying the text add visual interest and at times reinforce the understanding of the concepts of physics under discussion. The glossary at the end gives detailed explanations of the words chosen to be included. There are some experiments placed throughout and followed up by more links to others on the last page.
The Awesome Physics in Your City would be a valuable resource for classroom teachers or home school parents when looking at the topic of physics as part of the curriculum, or as an incidental learning experience.
Themes Physics, Understanding simplified, City life, Humour.
