Farm-dwelling Lucy has been best friends with her pony Smudge since she was little. But both Smudge and Lucy are getting older and Lucy is too big to ride her anymore: her toes almost touch the ground and Smudge's feet clomp heavily under the weight. Pa has brought home a new horse for Lucy but she isn't interested. How could any horse take the place of her beloved Smudge? Copper is not the right colour, he is too skinny and bony... Her determined stance not to have anything to do with Copper turns to sadness when she is in bed that night. 'I miss riding Smudge', she says to her dad. Tears flow as she deals with her grief. 'But Lucy, maybe Copper needs you', says Dad. The next morning as day dawns, Lucy has a new, fresh outlook as she saddles up Copper and rides out with Smudge trotting happily next to them.
At no point does the text overtly tell the reader how Lucy feels; Mandy Foot beautifully portrays these emotions through her soft illustrations, Lucy's caring love for Smudge and short smatterings of dialogue. This touching story will resonate with many children who have to say goodbye to things or people that they have grown with over their childhood, particularly pets. It also subtly addresses themes of change, personal growth and emotional resilience. Having the father as main caregiver, who is gentle and nurturing and helps Lucy deal with her emotions is also a lovely touch. Mandy Foot is a stalwart illustrator whose depictions of animals are always stunning. Lucy and Copper is no exception.
Themes Horses, Change, Growing up.
Nicole Nelson
If the World Were 100 People by Jackie McCann. Illus. by Aaron Cushley
Red Shed, 2021. ISBN: 9780755503537. (Age:5+) Recommended.
Over time there have been a number of books that reduce the world's population to 100 people so that little ones can understand how things compare.
Imagining a number like 8 billion is tricky but reducing it to a village where 100 people live - each person representing around 80 million people in the real world and then exploring the similarities and differences through specific questions makes it easier to understand. Are they all grown-ups? Are there more males or females? How many have black hair or blue eyes? What languages do they speak? Who can read and write? How many have access to the internet or have enough food to eat? Does everyone have access to electricity or clean water?
Using double-page spreads, clever illustrations and graphic design elements, the global village is reduced to manageable proportions making it easier to see the things we have in common, and the things that make us different. There is also a challenge to consider the world in 2050 when they will be the decision-makers and how they can contribute to making the world more equitable.
But as well as the social and humanitarian aspects of the book, it is also an excellent way to talk about data collection, interpretation and presentation, offering the perfect pathway into learning about the various types of graphs, their purposes and formats. Students could also survey their class to see how it compares to the village by calculating the class number as a percentage of the 100 villagers, asking the questions and comparing the numbers. A purposeful and meaningful way to bring real life into their maths lessons.
A valuable addition to any teacher's toolbox and a fascinating examination for any child interested in their world and its statistics.
Themes Population, Social problems, Statistics, Mathematics.
Fan Takeover is the first book in the new series Mia’s life, written by Mia Fizz. Based on the life of the author Mia Fizz, this novel takes you behind the scenes of a real-life YouTuber and social media sensation who has millions of followers. Early on in the story, you discover that even though she obviously has this really high profile, she is actually just an ordinary girl with ordinary problems. Her cheerful and bubbly personality emanates throughout the story; creating easy connections and relatability for the readers.
The novel begins with Mia vlogging her fans about makeup tips. She gets a text reminder that it is her younger sister, Sienna’s 9th birthday in a few days, and she hasn’t bought a present. Knowing that it will be a virtual experience with the whole family videoing for followers to see, she needs to think of a great gift that her sister will love, and her fans will rate too! While contemplating this, Sienna interrupts her thinking and throws a curve ball that she should change her channel up a bit to keep her fans enthused. Now she has two problems to deal with! Will Mia be able to work out a way to keep her viewers entertained and at the same time get her little sister a great birthday present? Or will things get a little crazy along the way?
This book is written in a way that is an easy read and relatable to preadolescents who are interested in using social media. The story deals with many important issues that can arise while growing up, with great opportunities for learning points and reflections. An enjoyable and entertaining read with relevant and relatable information about staying internet safe, being true to yourself and keeping strong family and friendship connections. Mia is sure to win over even more fans and increase her follower numbers with this novel!
Themes Internet safety, You-Tubing, Family, Friendship, Taking risks.
Michelle O'Connell
Everything under the sun: A curious question for every day of the year by Molly Oldfield
Molly Oldfield, the host of the weekly podcast, ‘Everything Under the Sun’ has complied a compendium of 366 questions which her young listeners have sent in from around the world. The book has been beautifully illustrated in vibrant colour by twelve different illustrators providing unique images to complement each of the questions answered.
Everything Under the Sun begins with a note for the reader where it is explained that some of replies to the questions are factual while others may be the contributors’ opinions. This is followed by the contents page with each chapter being a month of the year. Molly gives a warm and welcoming introduction and then it is straight into the month of January with 31 questions to be answered. Some of these questions include: Does eating cheese give you bad dreams?, Why do Saguaros have arms? or How long would it take for my hair to grow like Rapunzel’s? Month after month the young reader has the chance to find out responses to many amazing questions which children have asked the author. December’s questions include: Has an astronaut ever seen Father Christmas? and Who invented Christmas crackers? Perhaps one of the more humorous and reassuring answers to the question Can Mrs Christmas help Father Christmas to see who is naughty or not? is from author Neil Gaiman.
The end of the book includes a page about Where will your curiosity take you next? and mentions libraries as being wonderful places to find books and seek help from librarians to answer your questions. There is a brief biography about the author, a thank you to the people who responded to the questions, a double page spread introducing each of the illustrators plus a thank you list of all the children who sent in questions.
This is a very worthwhile addition to any library for all age groups of children from pre-schoolers to upper primary students. A wonderful resource for a classroom teacher to begin each day with a new question.
Themes Questions & Answers, World Wide Topics.
Kathryn Beilby
Listified! by Andrew Pettie. Illus. by Andres Lozano
Britannica Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781912920747. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
Where to begin! From the very busy endpapers to the extensive list of useful words a.k.a. glossary, to the detailed index as well as the thorough list of sources, this book is one massive read. Those children (and indeed adults!) who love lists of facts will be in book paradise with Listified! Fortunately, the book begins with a traditional list of contents with the following chapter headings: Space, Nature, Dinosaur Times, Animals, The Body, Being Human, Inventions and Game Changers. The author, Andrew Pettie, then follows with a personal and humorous message, ‘Five great things about reading this book’. Each chapter has a list of things you will encounter in the chapter and each list is presented on a single or double page spread in well-spaced segments with different coloured pages and graphic style images. The use of asterisks, clearly sectioned off at the bottom of the page, provide further explanation of important points. In The Body chapter there is a scale of the ten heaviest human organs with a comparison e.g. did you know the average weight of the eye is 7.5gms which is compared to a pencil or that the brain weighs approximately the same as a steam iron? In the Being Human chapter, we find out that Australia is the sixth largest country by surface area at 7.7 million sq kms and that Vatican City is the smallest at 0.4 sq kms.
This compendium would make an excellent gift for the fact enthusiast or a great place to find questions for a quiz night, classroom question of the day or online family quizzes which have taken off in COVID-19 times. An enjoyable book to browse and go back to time and time again.
Themes World information, Lists, Facts.
Kathryn Beilby
My first green cook book by David Atherton and Alice Bowsher
David Atherton, winner of The Great British Bake Off 2019, has written his second cook book for children, My First Green Cook Book. It follows his first book, My First Cook Book: Bake, Make and Learn to Cook which has inspired a generation of young cooks. This newest book focuses purely on simple, easy to cook vegetarian recipes and will be an asset to those families who follow this style of eating. The Contents pages contain many recipes set out under the headings of ‘Yummy Meals’, ‘Savoury Snacks’, ‘Sweet Treats’ and ‘Showstoppers’. Each recipe is set out on a single or double page spread and features a list of ingredients, an introduction to the dish with the method clearly set out on a step-by-step table with large colourful graphic style illustrations. Recipes include the Curry Korma Bowl, Spooky Carrot Soup, Cauli Hot Wings, Cheesy Nutty Gnudi and Apple Rock Cakes. The final pages of Showstoppers include four recipes for each of the seasons: Spring Butterfly Cupcakes, Summer Sandcastle Cake, Autumn Woodland Cake and Winter Reindeer Puds. This book is not just purely for children or vegetarians, it would suit cooks of all ages who love to follow new recipes in a very easy format.
Another fabulous resource for home, school or public library or a perfect book to gift an aspiring young cook.
A beautiful story about passing on knowledge and memories to the next generation, Leaves shows an older tree and a sapling, walking hand in hand as one helps the other learn the lessons she needs to know to survive.
Relationships between generations takes centre stage in this mesmerising picture book, luminous with outstanding images of trees and leaves, rippling with the memories that each holds, reinforcing the relationships between older and younger in all communities and the memories we hold dear.
The sapling is sheltered and nurtured by the older tree in their journeys through life, one getting near the end the other just beginning.
The older tree teaches the younger one how to bend with the wind, to deflect the sun on its boroughs, to weather the storms, each a lesson in life skills that are pertinent to us all.
He teachers her about love and companionship, memories and life’s journey, and when his leaves begin to fade, it is up to the younger sapling to take over the role of her mentor, to face the world by herself but with a great store of knowledge, to teach others in her turn.
Younger children will love the images of the two trees walking through life, hand in hand, learning as they go, each helping the other with major lessons in life. The sweep of illustrations cover each page with outstanding colour and movement. Readers will love spotting the seasons, the different aspects fo he weather, the leaves leaving a trail for home.
Norwegian artist and writer, Stephen Hogtun lives near a fjord and brings with his work a sense of isolation and wonder at the environment he recreates on the pages. I loved looking back over each page, noting the small details. And the last few pages where the smaller tree must survive on her own will resonate with all readers, looking at loss and surviving without that cherished person by their side.
Themes Loss, Death, Intergenerational relationships, Old age, Mentorship, Love, Companionship.
Anyone who loves a twisty intriguing mystery will immediately want to grab The Hawthorne Legacy, the sequel to The Inheritance Games. It follows immediately from the events in the first book, and heiress Avery Grambs is on the hunt to find out why the billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left his fortune to her and not to his children and grandchildren. Assisted by the charismatic brothers, Grayson, Jamieson, Xander and Nash, she must sort through clues left in wills, on walls and on rings, at the same time avoiding the paparazzi and threats to her life. Then there is the allure of Grayson and Jamieson; who is the one she would see standing with her alone on a cliff?
Avery’s name, Avery Kylie Grambs, is an anagram for “a very risky gamble” and Avery is certainly up for some gambles, least of all on who she can trust. As the group goes on the hunt to decipher the enigmatic clues left by Tobias Hawthorne, Avery is determined to find Toby the long-lost son believed to have died in a fire. There are some unexpected and heart-wrenching scenes as secrets start to unravel, and some moments that will leave the reader breathless as Avery faces death threats.
Not only will the intrigue keep the reader in suspense, the background of living as a billionaire is also fascinating. Who wouldn’t want to live in a mansion with secret doors and tunnels, a vault with priceless jewels, private jets and many, many gorgeous estates scattered over the world? But who would want to have to face the press and have their face plastered over newspapers?
I couldn’t put The Hawthorn Legacy down and look forward to reading other books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (there is a small hint at the end for the group to solve more mysteries). Fans of Karen McManus (One of us is lying) and E. Lockhart (We were liars) would enjoy this series.
Ideal for both very young children and those just beginning to read Dear Zoo is a gorgeous picture book that is sure to become a keeper and passed on to the next generation. This version of Dear Zoo, which was first published in 2012, is an interactive touch and feel board book, with the child invited to name the creature that the Zoo has sent home as a pet, while touching and feeling some aspect of it.
The repetition of the words: ‘I wrote to the Zoo to send me a pet. They sent me a … ‘ will have children chanting along and then guessing why the animal was sent back. Children just beginning to learn to read will love the repetition, enabling then to memorise the words on the page and feel very confident that they are decoding them correctly. Of course, the illustrations are delightful and the touch and feel aspects are very inviting. What child (or adult) could resist touching the soft hairy neck of the giraffe or sticking their finger in the lion’s mouth to see if he bites?
Dear Zoo gives children the opportunity to learn about some of the animals that live in a zoo, while learning in a very enjoyable way what animals are suitable for pets. It is an ideal gift for a young child (there is a warning that it is not suitable for children under 10 months), and a book that can be kept for those learning to read.
Themes Zoo animals, Pets.
Pat Pledger
Treasure in the lake by Jason Pamment
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526238. (Age:8-12) Recommended.
Independent, adventurous Iris is on the trail of treasure, just like the explorers in her favourite books. Loyal and supportive best friend Sam is always there to share the adventures, even when they are just in their local creek. Iris hasn’t told Sam that she has applied to go away to school, but just as she gets her acceptance letter her mum says they can’t afford it. Angry and confused she plans to run away and when Sam finds her she still doesn’t confide in him. Just then they discover the creek has dried up and they follow a trail of previously submerged artefacts until they come upon a ghost town. Intent on discovering the answer to the mystery town Iris pushes ahead in spite of an impending storm and she finds more than she had bargained for. Meanwhile Sam, with the help of an old local, Benjamin who lived in the town before it was flooded, bravely sets out to rescue Iris before it is too late. The friends not only learn a lot about their town and its history, they learn about themselves and the value of friendship.
This beautifully drawn and richly coloured comic style graphic novel has an extra page at the end about real submerged towns in Australia, Argentina and Italy. It also has an interesting section on the process the artist/author goes through to develop an idea using thumbnail sketches and character sketches. This section could be a useful teaching aid to encourage students to tell their own stories.
Themes Adventure, Friendship, Treasure, Mystery.
Sue Speck
In Australia: A down under baby animal counting book by Marianne Berkes. Illus. by Jill Dubin
Very young children will delight in the gorgeous collage illustrations of Australian animals and birds and have fun counting their babies, while older children will learn not only counting 1 to 10 but the extensive notes at the back of the book will give detailed information about each animal. A lovely addition is a hidden creature for the inquisitive to find on each double page spread, with facts about those animals and birds given on the Hidden Animals page.
The illustrations are delightful and what make this a stand-out counting book. Made from collage, they are bright and colourful with each animal living in its habitat. For example, the sugar glider and her seven joeys cling to branches, set against a gorgeous blue/purple sky highlighted with gold sprigs. The long-eared bilby and her nine joeys are slurping in a red sandy place, while the crocodile snips and snaps in a swamp.
The rhythmic narrative makes the book one that is easy to read aloud, and which will be enjoyed by both the reader and the listener. Another feature which will make parents and teachers happy is a Tips from the Author page, where a series of handy activities for home and the curriculum are given. The illustrator gives ideas on how to make collages which will inspire children to try and make their own collage pictures.
I loved the illustrations in the book and schools and parents will find it a very useful addition to their collections.
Themes Counting, Australian animals, Australian birds.
Always is the seventh and final book in Morris Gleitzman’s stories about Felix Salinger who survived WW2 under the Nazis in Poland. At the age of 87 he is living a quiet life as a respected, retired surgeon in Australia. However, his life is overturned when 10-year-old Wassim turns up on his doorstep all the way from Eastern Europe. Wassim is being raised by his Uncle Otto after the disappearance of his parents. Their lives are being threatened by the Iron Weasels, a fascist bunch of thugs. Wassim is intent on getting help from Felix based on a letter from his Grandpa who told him to seek Felix out if he was ever in trouble. Felix is reenergised by Wassim. They are awfully alike at the same age, brave and hopeful. After they receive what seems to be a peace offering from an old Nazi enemy of Felix’s, they leave Australia to resolve past wrongs. What follows is a race against the Weasels, and the dark forces which back them, to solve a mystery stemming back to the Holocaust.
There are some quite sinister events in Always, such as Felix’s dog being deliberately killed as a menacing threat. Racism is a major theme. I believe Gleitzman saw parallels in the disgraceful real-life treatment of indigenous AFL players in recent years and the scenes he created when Wassim and the football star, Daoude Ndione, are harassed by Weasel sympathisers with monkey noises and taunting “monkey boy”. Other important ethical issues involve using violence for survival and revenge. The improbability of the story’s chains of events can be a bit much. I hope I have Felix’s courage and physical abilities when I am 87! However, I also acknowledge the excitement of the action and the effortless readability of the story. I appreciate Gleitzman’s intent and passion for anti-fascist themes and dedication to his readers. He is able to juxtapose the awfulness of the events with hope, oh so necessary for today’s young.
The author has written several fiction books with a Paris location. In The Riviera House, two parallel stories, one set during the World War II German occupation of Paris, and the other set in current times and centred about a Riviera house, are linked by a looted art work.
The story focuses on French resistance workers who attempted, at great personal risk, to secretly document looted art works for future restoration to the owners. It is a story of courage, loss, betrayal, romance and Nazi plunder, greed and atrocities. As the author details in a Notes section, the events are based on historical fact. Rose Valland, one of the characters, existed and was highly decorated after the war.
The modern story element details loss and grief of a different kind – loss of family as a result of a car accident. The romantic element is somewhat predictable. The events that tie the two stories together are told in a suspenseful, engaging manner.
A very interesting and readable book suitable for senior students.
Themes Art thefts, Women spies, Nazis, Paris (France).
Ann Griffin
Ada and the galaxies by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv. Illus. by Susanna Chapman
Mit Kids Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781536215618. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The striking cover design and the beautiful endpapers will entice the reader, both young and old, to explore this gentle story. Ada loves stars but where she lives in New York is so illuminated by city lights that she cannot see the stars. She and her Mum travel to her grandparent’s home on an island in Maine where the night sky is very dark. Ada waits impatiently for nightfall and it is up to her grandparents, Poobah and Ama, to keep her entertained until it is dark. During the day they visit the beach where they tell Ava all about the sea creatures and local wildlife. When it is finally dark, fog rolls in and Ava still cannot see the stars. Poobah suggests they look at pictures of stars and galaxies to which Ava reluctantly agrees but she listens to Poobah’s explanation of galaxies and has lots of questions. Finally, the fog clears and Ava and her family venture outside to observe the night sky.
The authors have provided interesting facts about galaxies at the end which add to the information shared already throughout the story. The stunning illustrations complement the text perfectly and add to the appeal of this very captivating read. A perfect book for home, school and public libraries.
Themes Family, Diversity, Sea shores, Galaxies, Night Sky.
Kathryn Beilby
The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters
Allen & Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760876210. (Age:Senior secondary/Adult) Recommended.
The sequel to the well received, The Last Hours, set in a small moated manor house in England in 1379, bracing itself against the scourge of the Black Death, is just as engrossing. Published in 2019, I have only just read it and was struck by the parallels to the pandemic raging across the world today. It is all there, misinformation, sometimes by those in authority striving to keep their power intact, people using fear to become wealthy, people not believing the sensible advice, and the manor house locking itself down against those wanting to come across the moat to its safety.
Milady, Lady Ann Develish, now a widow, after refusing to allow her sick husband across the moat, has to fight to retain her authority. She and her promoted serf, Thaddeus, run the place tightly. He has toured the surrounding countryside, gathering information, assessing the damage, developing his ideas about how the plague spread. He and Milady decide that those wanting to find safety must quarantine themselves beside the moat until they have had two weeks symptom free. But she must fight the detractors, those who do not want to see the old order of landowners and serfs upset, those who do not believe that women and low born have a right to education or a voice, those who uphold the strictest interpretations of the church.
Her steward, a nasty self seeking man has designs on her and her husband’s wealth but rebuffed, makes plans to thwart her. He calls her out as a heretic, citing her freedom with her serfs, her relationship with Thaddeus, and the way she deals with the plague going against the church’s teachings. When Thaddeus braves the criticism, taking on the mantle of her cousin, a lord, the tension is tightly held, readers wanting to turn each page to see how they get away with this deception.
And in the background to this fine story we see the ravages of the plague and can compare it with what is going on in our world at the moment. The similarities are in evidence, reminding us of how easy it is to spread lies and deceive populations. The arguments Milady and Thaddeus present to both the lord and the priest repudiate the position held by authorities for centuries, disallowing women and anyone but the wealthy to have a voice.
