Homeless kitten Haven is enticed by the smell of baking bread and stumbles into Ma Millie’s house to find a safe and loving home. Haven enjoys her protected life in Ma Millie’s isolated cottage which is situated at the edge of the forest, until Ma Millie becomes very ill and can no longer care for Haven or herself. Haven manages to leave their home in search of help and attempts to find assistance from their nearest neighbour Jacob.
Haven’s adventures take her back through the dangerous forest, the home of the fox and the bobcat. The fox helps Haven and decides to be her ally, assisting her quest to visit the town and track down help. Their adventure proves to be full of dangers and unknowns with the domesticated Haven unaware of the wider world but even a fox is not safe when a wily bobcat is on the hunt.
Haven and True (the fox) develop a close friendship but Haven will still eventually have to face the hardest test of all-by herself.
Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of the graphic novel, Allergic and has written several picture books including Finding Wild.
This small novel deals with issues such as friendship, trust and self-confidence. There is a death in the story but this is handled with sympathy and understanding.
The appealing cover features both Haven the cat and the fox and the text is broken up into 38 small easy to read chapters.
I recommend this book to readers aged 7 to 10 years.
Themes Friendship, Trust, Self-confidence.
Jane Moore
Animal Migrations: Flying Walking Swimming by Diane Jackson Hill
Retired Australian Primary School teacher, Diane Jackson Hill, has written an entertaining book about animal migration that will appeal to primary school aged children in both Australia and beyond. This informative and attractively presented book provides snapshots of migrating animals from across the globe. The journeys are long, dangerous, and often arduous yet will surprise the reader with how complex and determined each species is to reach their destination.
The book begins with gorgeous endpapers in soft pastel colours and tiny white images spread across the pages. This is followed by an acknowledgement of First Nations Peoples, the Gunditjmara of the Victorian south-west region, and the Canadian Plains Cree tribe Elder Dr Winston Wuttunee. The contents page has ten chapters listed, beginning with ‘What is animal migration’ and ending with ‘Helping Hands’, a chapter that looks at how humans can help. In the final pages is a world map, further reading and resources, glossary and index.
The author has shared the incredible journeys of mammals such as the Straw-coloured fruit bats that fly in a colony of approximately 10 million from the Congo to Zambia to feed on a particular ripening fruit, birds like bat-tailed godwits that fly 11000kms in nine days non-stop and insects such as the well-known Monarch Butterfly that flies 3000 kms south to miss the freezing winters in North America. Each and every journey is fascinating. The presentation of the information works perfectly for younger readers with stunning well-captioned glossy photographs, text and fact boxes clearly differentiated, plus tables, diagrams and clever graphic-style images.
This book would be a valuable resource for a home, school or public library. Teacher resources are available.
Themes Global Animals, Migrations, Tracks, Threats, Survival.
Judy Moody in a Monday Mood is the sixteenth book in the much-loved series Judy Moody, written by Megan McDonald. This story is filled with fun and amusement, but be prepared, ‘cos Judy Moody is in a mood!
Judy Moody has woken on a Monday and she is being mopey. Who likes Mondays? Mondays aren’t Saturday pancake days, and Mondays aren’t anything exciting days. But when she goes to school and it turns out that this Monday is unlike any normal Monday, she is inspired. This Monday turns out to be a day when her year 3 teacher, Mr T has decided to mix things up a bit and today turns into a pop, pop, popping great day. This gets Judy thinking up some great ideas. Why not mix things up every day, and create special days all the time?
Judy, with her brother Stink, get together and think of different special days to celebrate throughout the week and have some fun. But what happens when you get to a fun day like Saturday? Can you possibly think of a day that will make your Saturday even ‘funner’?
Megan McDonald has created another light-hearted and entertaining story that is engaging and moves quickly for one venture to the next. Complemented with excellent illustrations by Peter Reynolds to provide further enjoyment, young readers will not be disappointed. This would make a suitable read for children who are past the emerging novel stage and looking for a slightly longer text. Featuring many illustrations, this text is not too overwhelming, and combined with larger, well-spaced out print, it makes for an easier intermediate read. For young children who enjoy a character with a bit of spunk and ingenuity, Judy Moody should not be missed.
Translated from the Dutch by James Brown, this English language text was published in 2022 by Gecko Press, who promise ‘curiously good books’, and this is no exception. A wonderful story of problem solving and innovation, the lengths the elephant goes to to try and build his island will intrigue and delight all readers. They will have suggestions, and urge Arnold on in his endeavours, while astute adults and teachers will challenge their audience to try something similar themselves. With hints of Heath Robinson and his zany constructors, the illustrations will cause lots of laughter as the readers follow what is happening.
Arnold is a seafaring elephant but one day his boat founders and he is washed up on a very tiny island. He spies a small boat in the distance and as it comes closer, sees it is a houseboat, jut big enough for the little mouse sitting in it. But Arnold uses the wood and sails from the boat to build a small structure on the island. An old sea dog sails by and Arnold uses this bigger boat and sails to further enlarge the island’s structure. A passing steam boat has a serious malfunction and after all of its crew is safely helped onto the island, Arnold makes use of every piece of the boat to enlarge the island even more. With his new friends, Arnold and the others danced and sang songs all night. News of their escapade reaches a wide audience and many more people come to look and stay, building even more structures. But the sea is not always calm and the unexpected happens with the structure dispersed across the ocean and all the inhabitants foundering in the waves. Is Arnold stumped? Not he.
I can imagine the audience calling out all sorts of ways Arnold could solve this problem, and the solution will satisfy all readers.
The wonderful illustrations will keep readers glued to each page, noting the different ways each of the boats is used to create space on the island. The details is marvellous, enticing and fascinating, making sure every eye is pinned to each page in case something is missed.
A most informative Youtube clip can be found here.
Themes Innovation, Humour, Construction, STEM. Problem solving.
Fran Knight
Britannica's word of the day by Patrick Kelly et al.
What on Earth, 2022. ISBN: 9781913750350. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Britannica's Word of the Day is a small, yet compact hardcover book that will be a wonderful addition to a librarian or teacher’s daily routine, or be placed in a school, public or classroom library.
Every day a new and challenging word is introduced in an engaging manner. The bold and colourful illustrations are humourous and graphic in style. Each month is clearly defined and easy to find. To start the new year off the word for January 1 is Razzamatazz. All of the introduced words are followed by a phonetic pronunciation, a brief meaning, parts of speech acknowledgement, plus a short factual paragraph using the word. To end the year on December 31 is the word Ebullient. Throughout the book are thematic word double pages including topics such as insects, robotics, baby animals, love language (around Valentine’s Day) and spooky. At the end of each month the introduced words for that month are cleverly presented in an interesting narrative.
As well as a great resource for teachers and librarians as each word provides the opportunity for plenty of discussion, this very entertaining book would make the perfect gift for a middle-grade reader or writer who loves words.
Themes General Knowledge & Trivia, Children, Dictionary Meanings, English Language.
Readers looking for an engrossing romance will not be disappointed in this young adult novel by the author of the adult novel The Atlas Six writing under the pseudonym of Olivie Blake.
After doing a very last-minute project Bel’s science teacher believes that she is capable of being part of the robotics club at the school. Bel joins reluctantly. Before her parent’s breakup she had been coasting along at her old school, but her mother is working very hard to keep her in a private school, where she is expected to do more. Mateo Luna (Teo for short) is the leader of the robotics club, and Bel finds herself becoming intrigued with the problem solving involved in building a robot and the high achieving Teo.
Follmuth’s narrative flows along so smoothly with such relatable characters that it is hard to put down the book as the growing romance between Bel and Teo progresses. Equally fascinating is the background of robotics and engineering which will appeal even to readers with no STEM background. The theme of the problems that young women have in working in an engineering background and the subtle putdowns and low expectation is handled deftly. The author in her acknowledgements writes that the book is ‘for the girls that we are, and the ones that we were’ and the women we will be.’ Young women who are interested in STEM will feel validated while reading this but have so much fun along the way following Bel and Teo’s growth and understanding of themselves and others.
Well written, enjoyable, and thought provoking, this is one for all readers who enjoy YA literature with heart.
Themes Romance, STEM, Coming of age, Robotics, Engineering, Teamwork.
Sara Acton’s beautiful soft illustrations rendered with pencil, ink and watercolour, beckon from the cover, captivating readers who would like to snuggle into the jumper along with Jack. The warmth of the cover continues as the story unfolds. Jack’s jumper is so big it can be used as a tent, or a hat, a hug and if you fall over it is a soft blanket to fall on. The jumper once belonged to Jack’s tall brother Paul. They were very close and did lots together, but since Paul has gone away, Jack uses the extra long sleeve as a periscope to chart his return, the regular postcards are read and reread. While having a bath, the cat begins to pull away part of the jumper, unravelling it as it is dragged from the bathroom. Jack is left with a pile of knitting wool. A noise at the door reveals the returning Paul, and Jack is ecstatic.
Jack hopes that Paul will spend time with him as before, but instead Paul takes himself off to his room and busies himself with something that does not include Jack.
The surprise ending will delight and win hearts as Paul does something extraordinary for his young brother.
The relationship between the two boys is wonderfully presented: practising magic tricks, cooking together, playing with hula hoops and training the dog. When Paul goes away, Jack is bereft, waiting at the window in case he comes back, enveloped in the large blue jumper, a memory of their life together.
Each lovely illustration shows Jack and the blue jumper, its warmth and comfort obvious to all readers. They will understand Jack’s feeling for the garment, probably recalling something they held as dear. Acton has the ability in a few deft strokes of her pen to create a moment in time, one which is important to the protagonists and one which we all recognise. And I love the endpapers, detailing postcard moments in their life together. And my heart went out to Jack who excited at Paul’s return, sits outside his brother’s door with his magician outfit waiting for him to play with him. The images of the little boy patiently waiting for is brother are so evocative, they took my breath away.
Anyone who has a young child or grandchild or is working in a childcare centre is sure to love this first dictionary. Children will be captivated right from the first page with the cute little owl introducing the book with the following rhyme:
All the words you need to know Will help you as you learn and grow. From ant and ball and yak and zoo, Here's a word book JUST FOR YOU!
From then on, the owl guides the reader through each of the letters of the alphabet: the illustrations being humorous and easy for a toddler to enjoy. Some letters have a double page spread like C for Cat, coat, car and cup with additional captions like 'My coat has stripes', and 'Careful! Don’t crash' for the car. This adds an extra dimension of telling a story about the car. Other pages have activities like the word fish where the reader can count how many fish are in the pond. Some pages give a clue to what letter comes next, like the J page 'jump jump jump. I know who else can jump' leading to K for kangaroo. The cute illustrations of all the animals and people featuring big eyes and grinning faces also will bring smiles to the faces of readers and listeners.
This is an exceptional alphabet book that will challenge young children’s imaginations and give them a very enjoyable understanding of all the letters of the alphabet.
Themes Alphabet, Humour.
Pat Pledger
D &D Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed by Madeleine Roux
This is book one of an engaging new middle grade series by American author Madeleine Roux. To date Roux's published D&D titles include this book as well as a novel featuring the same characters (Dungeons & Dragons: a goblin problem) under the pen name Diane Walker. The next book is due for release late 2022.
This story embraces and handles diversity in such an inclusive way that I almost don't want to mention it. Yes the protagonist is a black girl, and yes she lives with her two mothers. Yes too to the presence of non-binary characters with they/them pronouns. All of this is just matter of fact.
11-year-old loner Zellidora 'Zelli' Stormclash lives in an academy for monsters and other creatures. She goes about her daily life disguised as a minotaur but has a secret known only to herself and her mothers - she is human. One day she hears of trouble outside the academy walls and sees a startling picture. The picture is of human adventurer Allidora Steelstrike who could be Zelli's twin and seems linked to the trouble. Zelli realises this is her chance to get some answers about her place in the world.
Along for the ride are a trio of other misfit creatures from the academy. There's Hugo (a vegan owlbear) and Snabla (a siblilant kobold) along with a subpar shapeshifter named Bauble.
Their adventure reveals unexpected strengths in all the characters, and some lovely themes of friendship, loyalty and bravery. In the end an expected 'boss fight' leads to Zelli getting the answers she is seeking. She has a hard choice to make and the right decision, of course, is to follow her heart.
This story moves at a very fast pace with minimal explanation or world building which leads to high interest for low effort. It will appeal to readers who are already familiar with Dungeons & Dragons, as well as those with no prior knowledge. It is highly illustrated with orange/sepia-toned cartoonish images throughout to support the text and keep readers engaged.
This is an intensely powerful story with great heart. It almost brought me to tears as we look inside the emotional struggles of the two main characters who are dealing with big issues. It is a dramatic story and yet a hopeful story. Tom is wrapped in quiet and debilitating fear that has bound him and has made his life miserable. He has every reason to be impacted by his family history, but it does not change the tension of his life. Tom is then thrust into the maelstrom of a new family context and dynamic when his mother starts dating Zofia’s father. Zofia is a tightly wound spring of exuberance, noise and activity – and she is incredibly intense. They are polar opposites, but are forced together in an uncomfortable new family arrangement, formed because of the love between their parents and the impending arrival of a new baby. Neither Tom or Zofia are ready to deal with all the changes; fear washes over them in different ways. Tom is battling his giant-sized fears and struggles with the dark, and Zofia is just angry all the time. And it seems that the baby will not have an easy entry into their beachside world.
Because this book deals with emotional trauma and anxiety and mental health issues it needs to be read by slightly older readers than the age of the characters themselves. It is told through the voices of the two main characters and readers have the opportunity to empathise with each of them as they struggle. The new baby’s tenuous hold on life draws the family together, but not without some intense moments of struggle. Because of the psychological insight into fear and its manifestations this is a book for readers with a mature outlook. There is hope though and fear does not overwhelm them ultimately.
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761065644. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Middle-grade readers of Anh Do’s Wolf Girl series will not be disappointed in the seventh book, Crash Course. In fact, they may be thrilled that the four main characters from The Mythix, also written by Ahn Do, make a welcome appearance in this action-packed story.
This adventure begins with Gwen and the pack driving the fast-moving train after releasing the trapped animals. They are heading to the town of Tunny where Gwen’s parents may be held. It is while they are on the train that another pulls alongside, and Gwen sees her long-lost sister Kate who has been captured. They manage to chat, but Kate’s train moves ahead, and Gwen decides she will rescue her sister. Unfortunately the check point is manned by soldiers and Gwen makes the bold decision to smash through the barrier. They manage to escape during the mayhem and find an abandoned warehouse where they rest for the night. The next morning Gwen notices the town appears to be a central meeting place for wealthy people to purchase exotic animals. Gwen decides she and the pack can move around freely but the wolf Sunrise draws the attention of the evil Evans from the Kingdom Guard. What follows is a chase, a dangerous battle, and a frantic search for Sunrise. It also leads to the pack entering the Northern Kingdom, being taken to the castle of The Collector, and once again being captured. Fortunately for Gwen The Mythix characters attack the guards and Gwen and the pack manage to free themselves - but at a cost. Tiny is badly injured and Gwen is forced to make a heart-breaking decision. Will she and Tiny be reunited with the rest of the pack? Will they be able to make it back to their country of Riverland?
This is an exciting and fast-moving read that will appeal to fans of the series. Illustrations by Lachlan Creagh continue to support and enhance the text. The bonus sealed section at the end continues the story of Gwen and Amber. Book Eight will be published soon.
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761065675. (Age:6-10) Recommended.
Pow Pow Pig and his Z Team consisting of Pow Pow, Danielle Duck, Chelsea Chicken and Barry the Goat are back in the third book in the humorous Pow Pow Pig series. This time they find themselves time travelling back to 1630 and bobbing around on the high seas dressed in pirate attire. They are rescued by a super friendly circus troupe of performing animals who travel the world presenting their very entertaining show. The Z Team sleep below deck that night and wake to find a ship bearing down on them. On board are The Purring Pirates who are the nastiest cats ever with lots of tricks up their sleeves including shooting hooks out of canons and hurling stinky flaming pots onto the deck. The cats jump on board and demand the treasure. The Z Team show their amazing fighting skills to get rid of the cats and the ship is able to sail away. But they are not safe yet, so the Z Team learn how to sail a ship and they escape their pursuers. However, they are now lost, the sail is torn, the ship is taking in water and one of the circus troupe is not what they appear to be. There is betrayal and the animals end up being held captive by The Purring Pirates. The captured crew are turned into slaves and must build a giant statue of a fish tail. How will they escape these evil cats? Will the Z Team come up with a daring plan?
The abundance of great illustrations on each page by Peter Cheong combined with generously spaced changing text in size and boldness, will continue to make this series appealing to a range of readers from newly independent to those who enjoy visual images.
Themes Adventure, Humour, Animals, Time Travel, Sea, Pirates, Treasure.
Kathryn Beilby
The world's worst pets by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Everyone, both young and old, has laughed along with David Walliam’s hilarious World’s Worst series about children, parents and teachers. Well here is another, The World’s Worst Pets, and it certainly won’t disappoint! This new novel is jam packed with 10 outrageously funny, action packed short stories with both mischief and mayhem about, you guessed it…PETS! But should we just say that these stories are not about any average old pet!
Each chapter will introduce you to different animals that will have you gasping for breath at their unashamedly outrageous behaviour. Pet owners will be doing a double take on their precious pets in the future, after reading a few of these twisted tales. Who would imagine these cute creatures could actually be so wicked and wilful? This latest book is, without a shadow of a doubt, another horrendously horrid sensation for readers to love. And if you are unfamiliar with David Walliams other books, then you are certainly missing out on some fun, laughter and should take the time to read them all! They are certainly a must read for anyone with a good sense of humour that loves a great laugh!
From a furping fish, that will eat you out of house and home, to a bad talking budgie, that will steal all your prize possessions…. nothing is off limits! Walliams again capture his audience with the most outrageous and extreme scenarios! The colourful and creative illustrations by Adam Stower are next level. Bringing further engagement to the story with labelled diagrams, bright colours and comical characters, every reader will be enthralled by these captivating caricatures.
Walliam’s has again woven his magic to produce another fast paced and highly entertaining book to complement his previous work. The layout of the book makes for a fun, exciting and highly appealing read for all ages. If you love animals and enjoy a good laugh, and have often wondered what pets really could get up to, well this story is not to be missed!
Miss Mary-Kate Martin's guide to monsters by Karen Foxlee
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526627. (Age:10+) Recommended.
The title Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters - The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym suggests the tone for this whimsical new book written by versatile Australian author Karen Foxlee. Devotees of the moving multi-award winning 2018 Lenny's book of everything, set in a small apartment in suburban Ohio and the powerful emotive and atmospheric Dragonskin of 2021, set in the vast, harsh Australian outback country will be amazed at Foxlee's Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters- The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym being set in a quintessential old English village called Woolington Well (map provided). As always Foxlee's setting performs powerfully and provides a very visual and almost visceral backdrop to the storyline.
There is a wrym(not a worm) and it is rumoured to be eating children in the village of Woolington Well. Our anxious and possibly obsessive and slightly compulsive protagonist Mary Kate accompanies her mother Professor Martin, an archaeologist who was asked by the Wrym Watch Society to investigate the village green area for evidence of artefacts pointing to the existence of a wrym. Lord Woolington of Woolington Hall is keen to build a large shopping centre on top of the village green; the heavy earthworks have begun. Since then frightening noises, earth tremors and sightings have occurred; a trail of brown slime has been left through the town and a wall has been broken by something very large. Old English mythology and legend clash with modern progress. The right for creatures to exist in their own habitats against the onslaught of human development is at the heart of the story.
Into this steps our heroine, Mary Kate. She follows a breadcrumb trail of clues, finds a new friend and in her quest to save the mythical beast, learns to believe in herself and face all sorts of fearful situations.
In the acknowledgements, Foxlee notes that..."there are many wonderful wrym legends in the British Isles"... and various towns that are associated with them. She adapted aspects of these tales to write this story.
Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters - The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym is a delightful, beautifully written story with a plucky, determined, very likeable and slightly quirky little female detective at its centre. The good news is that Mary Kate's legendary adventures will continue in The trouble with the two-headed Hydra. Once readers have discovered Miss Mary-Kate Martin, they will be asking for more. Teacher's tips are available.
Themes Friendship, Courage, English myths, Detective work.
Wendy Jeffrey
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
Albert Street Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781761180088. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Instantly recognisable, the behaviour of the cat, Floof in this book will endear readers as they laugh out loud at his antics. The pared down image on the cover entices the reader to open and read of Floof’s exhausting day.
Pondering over just why he is called Floof, and thinking about the variations of that word, little brains will tick over, as they ponder the images on each page alongside the sparse text. The beautifully succinct text, ‘Floof meows, Floof eats’ for example, tells the reader about Floof and his place in the family where every need is catered for without question.
His day is filled with activity: reading, gardening, playing the guitar, playing with friends, and each one of these activities is belied by the illustrations. Younger readers will love the contrast between word and image, laughing at the various poses he makes during the day. He climbs into a carry bag, lolls over the computer, meets his friends, sees off the dog next door, then meows for his tea which miraculously appears.
Once evening comes long we see a different cat. Now he is active and doing the sorts of thing cats are known for: stealing the dog’s tennis ball and causing havoc with the vase of flowers and the toilet roll, until all tired out, he retires to bed.
A wonderfully humorous look at a big fluffy cat Floof will be a favourite amongst younger readers recognising the cat they have at home, or a neighbour’s cat and the mischief it get involved in. But of course, his main occupation is sleeping, and that is well depicted in the funny illustrations. I love the image of Floof reading: that is, sleeping on a tall pile of books, or amongst his friends, a bevy of mice that other cats would decimate.
Beautiful illustrations by Heidi McKinnon cover each page, so real that kids will reach out their hands to stroke the fluffy fur. More about Heidi can be found here. And her opening page has a pile of characters from her other books (There’s no such thing, and I just ate my friend for example) blinking at the reader. Kids will love the site as soon as they open it.
