Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406389012.
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Fear, Going to school. Another
wonderful book from Mo Willems will be just right to read to young
children who are off to school or pre-school and are having a few
fearful moments wondering what will happen. Pigeon is afraid that he
really, really won't like school. Perhaps the teacher won't like
pigeons and there is so much stuff to learn. His head might pop off
if he learns too much. He thinks there should be a place to practise
all the stuff - yes that's right, it is school! And to top it off he
has to take the bus - wow! (A nod to the first book, Don't let the
pigeon drive the bus.)
Illustrated with the fabulous drawings of Pigeon, with black
outlines, and one eye, and with colourful one tone backgrounds, the
reader will delight in the funny antics of Pigeon, and will readily
identify with his fears. The print is easy to read and beginning
readers will have fun with the narrative, while younger children
will have many of their fears about beginning school allayed by
Pigeon's humorous dialogue.
Mo Willems strikes just the right tone with his characters, and The
pigeon has to go to school is sure to become a favourite, just
as Naked
Mole rat gets dressed became a household favourite with
my grandchildren.
Pat Pledger
Extraordinary birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781526610874
(Ages: 9-12). Recommended. Themes: Foster care, Families, Birds,
Bullying. A truly heart-warming story that gives the reader insight
into the life of a child in foster care. December is eleven and has
been to many foster homes in her short life. She firmly believes she
is a bird and will soon develop wings to allow her to fly away, she
just needs the right tree from which to launch. She has fallen from
many trees in her quest to find the one that will encourage her
wings to sprout from the large scars on her back.
Her biological mother left her behind when she was 5 with the scars
and a book called The complete book of birds: volume one.
Therefore, December's knowledge of birds is encyclopaedic and the
facts that the author uses constantly throughout the book add
another layer to the story for her young readers. December uses
facts about birds to categorize the people she meets or what they
are doing, helping her make sense of her ever-changing world.
December's self-sufficiency and independence means she is often a
target for school bullies and this subject is also covered in the
story, bringing in a character that December befriends at school who
is a boy transitioning to a girl. Her relationship with Cheryllyn
helps her character develop to trust other children and form her
first close friendship. Not getting too close to people is something
she has been very good at through her life as it makes moving on so
much easier.
When December is placed with Eleanor, who also loves birds she is
not sure if she can let go of the story that has given her life
meaning for so long and finally find a place where she belongs.
Eleanor gives her the space and care she needs to come to the
realisation she can be part of a family and be happy.
Gabrielle Anderson
New Class at Malory Towers by Patrice Lawrence et al.
Hodder, 2019. ISBN: 9781444951004.
(Age: 8-11) Themes: Short stories, Boarding School, Girls. Enid
Blyton's Malory Towers popular boarding school stories were
written in the late 1940s and early 1950s, suited to the children of
post-war Britain. Now, a new generation of writers has taken these
stories and added new characters, twenty-first century thinking and
issues. Blyton's central character Darrell, named after her second
husband, still plays a central role.
Patrice Lawrence's introduces Marietta whose 'skin was still much
darker than her father's and her face was framed by rows of neat
plaits.' Marietta comes from a circus background; her mother's been
injured in the boxing ring and consequently something drastic has
happened to her daughter. 'A Bob and a Weave' explores themes of
acceptance, diversity and overcoming fears as Marietta grows and
changes.
Lucy Mangan's story 'Bookworms' challenges stereotypes and looks at
the problems schoolgirl pranks cause. Popular girl Darrell is on
thin ice, her mischievous actions have been noticed by the sports
mistress. One more misdeed and she's benched from the next lacrosse
game. Darrell discovers a new place to hide and meets a new friend,
Evelyn Hartley who loves keeping the library in order. She
recommends a new book for Darrell, The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe and opens up the world of literature to her.
'The Secret Princess' by Narinder Dhami brings new girl Sunita
Sharma into Malory Towers. There's an air of mystery about her and
the third form girls speculate about her family background. When
Alicia comes up with the idea that she's an Indian princess, Sunita
decides to play along with interesting results.
Rebecca Westcott's 'The Show must go on' sees the girls preparing
for the fourth form showcase. Everyone has different talents, some
are good at sports, others at tumbling and juggling. They must come
together, work through their differences and present a unique
performance for their parents and visitors. New Class at Malory Towers rewrites Blyton's elite boarding
school stories making them accessible to a new generation of
readers. These four authors have set their stories in post-war
Britain in a world without technology and social media. The issues
the school girls face are still familiar, developing their
self-esteem, struggle with acceptance, inclusivity, bullying and
building friendships.
Rhyllis Bignell
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
Tom Doherty Associates, 2019. ISBN: 9781250229793.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy,
Folklore, Secrecy, Magic, Recluses, Diversity. What an impact for a
slim volume of just 109 pages, which can be read in one sitting!
Tobias is a wild man who lives alone in the forest. When Henry
Silver, the new owner of Greenhollow Hall, comes to visit, old
secrets are stirred up as the woods seem to come alive.
Reminiscent of the Green Man myths, the author's details about the
lush green of the woods and the trees, the cottage where Tobias
lives and the strange dryads who are his friends provide an eerie
background to the story of how Tobias has become the Wild Man of the
woods and the impact that Henry Silver will make on his life.
Interesting supporting characters like Pearl the cat, Henry's mother
and a young woodsman, add depth to the magic of the story.
Silver in the wood is perfect for fantasy and folklore lovers who
want to escape briefly into a magical green world with fascinating
people. I can see it being nominated for a Hugo Award in 2020.
Pat Pledger
Incredible journeys: discovery, adventure, danger, endurance by Levison Wood
Illus: by Sam Brewster. Wren and Rook, 2019. ISBN: 9781526360434.
(Age: 8-14) Recommended. Themes: World exploration, World explorers
- Alexander the Great, Vikings, Christopher Columbus, Magellan and
Drake, Captain James Cook, The Silk Road, Amelia Earhart. This book
is a shining light on the adventurous spirit of those who have
explored the world and opened the way for trade, adventure and
travel to those who have followed their path or been inspired by
their fortitude. Levison Wood is himself an explorer and adventurer
of some repute, even though he is not yet 40 years old. With a
background in the British Parachute Regiment, he has also travelled
extensively in some of the world's most difficult terrains and
circumstances - traveling the length of the Nile and of the
Himalayas as an example. His curiosity, bravery and pursuit of
knowledge as he traverses the world makes him the perfect person to
inspire a new generation of explorers.
The book details the routes and experiences of many early explorers
whose exploits are well known. The list of these important people
includes Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus. He
also details other lesser known explorers whose pursuits are also
significant and includes the details of many women who were able to
defy the stereotypes of their generation and venture into obscure
territory. Their stories are not so well known, but they too were
breaking new ground and exploring new possibilities. Interspersed
with personal reflections of Wood's own journeys through the lands
and routes of the historically famous explorers are annotated maps
and also some general information about how to pursue 'exploring'
for younger readers.
Illustrations by Sam Brewster are naively detailed and the colour
palette is limited, but the overall impact is still appealing for
young readers.
Recommended for ages 8-14, and especially for those of an intrepid
nature or who are 'armchair' explorers.
Carolyn Hull
When we were warriors by Emma Carroll
Faber and Faber, 2019. ISBN: 9780571350407. pbk., 148 pgs.
(Ages: 7+) Emma Carroll has beautifully written a book which
explores themes of family and friendship with some mystery and
adventure during World War Two. The book consists of three short
stories set along Devon Coast in war torn England during the summer
of 1942.
In each short story we enter the life of a child and discover how
their own life and other children's lives were disrupted by
evacuation to the country and bombings in these country towns. Many
children were separated from their families.
What I really liked was how an ordinary everyday child rose up and
showed both courage and strength and with their friends they took
hold of each adventure. The characters all had their own
personalities which were very real and likable. Out of everyone I
have to say Eddie Johnston the American soldier and Velvet were my
favourite.
Each story was a standalone read but also were connected in an
interesting way.
Story 1 - 'The Night Visitors' was about Stan and his sisters and
how their lives changed by being moved from London to Frost Hollow
Hall after their house was bombed.
Story 2 - 'Oliver's Army' was based on Oliver and his adventures in
Budmouth Point and oh what adventures he had. Oliver and his
siblings were part of the Kinder transport during the war.
Story 3 - 'Operation Greyhound' was about Velvet and how she coped
with obstacles found in bomb shelters to save everyone's pets and
what to do when she found a man lying in the street during an air
raid.
After reading When We Were Warriors I am interested in more
of Carroll's books especially the ones based around Frost Hollow
Hall.
Maria Komninos
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733642517.
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Themes: Thriller, Kidnapping, Murder,
Mystery and suspense. What a roller-coaster of a ride is The chain,
which has a thrilling and unique plot line: Listen carefully . . .
Your child has been kidnapped.
You must abduct someone else's child to save your own.
Disobey. Break the rules. Go to the cops. Your child will die.
Your victim's parents must kidnap another child before yours is
released.
You are now part of the chain. (Publisher).
Rachel Klien is recovering from cancer and a divorce when she is
told that her 13 year old daughter Kylie, has been kidnapped and she
is now part of The Chain. Unless she finds the ransom and kidnaps
another child Kylie will be killed and dreadful things will happen
to anyone she loves. Can she survive the recurrence of her breast
cancer and rescue Kylie?
McKinty has written a riveting and unique plot that will keep any
reader on the edge of the seat through the tense machinations of the
evil people who operate The Chain. Many readers will be familiar
with the idea of a chain letter from their youth, and the belief
that bad luck will follow if the chain is broken, and this idea
translates well into an unusual plot. It is very difficult to
predict what is going to happen next with McKinty adding many
unexpected twists and turns into the story.
McKinty's characters are very relatable. Rachel's hard time with
cancer and a divorce are easy to identify with, and the strength
that she has is great when she does decide that she will have to
break The chain. Her daughter Kylie is strong and feisty as well and
Pete, a recovering drug addict, proves that he can help out when he
has to.
A very compulsive and enjoyable crime story that lovers of mystery
and suspense are sure to enjoy.
Pat Pledger
Where are the five frogs, Spot?: A numbers book by Eric Hill
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241383964.
(Age:1-4) Recommended. Boardbook. Themes: Counting, Numbers. With
the addition of felt flaps for little hands, this numbers book is a
bright addition to counting books for the very young. Spot has lost
his five friends the frogs, and is trying to find them. He looks
behind the gate, but there is 1 duck with 2 ducklings, behind the
log are 3 nibbling rabbits, 4 chirping birds behind the bush to
finally 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 frogs splashing in the pond.
The left page contains simple text in large, bold black print asking
who is hiding and the right side of the page has a felt flap that
lifts up or across to show what is behind it. The felt is easy to
manoeuvre for little fingers and is coloured in rich tones, giving
the reader an opportunity to learn colours as well as have fun
lifting the flap. The pages are painted in scenes of purples and
lilac, orange and brown, tones of greens and blues giving lots of
occasions for the young child to learn that there are different
shades of colours and perhaps learn new names for them (aqua blue
and emerald green).
Young readers will also be introduced to new vocabulary, 'nibbling
ribbbeting' rabbits, 'chirping birds' and 'splish, splashing' frogs.
This is a brilliant boardbook, robust and strong, which is ideal for
learning both counting and colours and will be appreciated by fans
of Spot and those new to the character. Sure to become a favourite
with the young child.
Pat Pledger
Dolores by Lauren Aimee Curtis
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781474611930.
(Age: 16+) Recommended.Themes: Identity, Sexuality,
Convent life, Suffering. Dolores is written by an
Australian author but the book has a distinctly European feel to
it. It tells the story of a young girl who turns up at a convent
in Spain with a lace tablecloth pinned to her head and a Bible in
her hands, then faints at the gates. This is the beginning of the
story, but as the nuns take her in, and she adjusts to the austere
life, we gradually learn about her past and how she has come to
this point.
It is a tale told with a strange detachment as though recounted
from the outside - almost cinematic, as Dolores describes the
scenes and where people stood and what they did. We guess at the
emotions that are suppressed, of the yearning of unrequited love,
and the loss of a sense of self.
Yet Dolores is a strong person - she changes from being the person
who seems to drift with whatever happens to her, and finds a way
to shape her own life.
It is an unusual story, the language spare but poetic, and the
reader is drawn in, intrigued to find where it leads. It is not
much more than a short story, a novella - Curtis has previously
written short stories - but it is intense and stays in the mind
long after reading. I am sure that readers of this work will be
searching out more from this author.
Helen Eddy
Everest by Sangma Francis
Illus. by Lisk Feng. Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781911171430.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Themes: Mount Everest, Mountains,
Environment, Climbing. Everything you ned to know about the
magnificent Mount Everest is told within the covers of this highly
readable book. Aimed at mid to upper primary, as an older adult, I
found it riveting, using the contents pages to go back and glean
further bits of information, following the references given to find
out more and reading the glossary enthusiastically. I missed having
an index. From its start 300 million years ago when the huge land
mass, Pangaea was formed, to 50 million years ago when the Eurasian
and Asian continents pushed against each other to form the Himalayan
Mountains, the history of Mount Everest makes fascinating reading.
Supported with lots of diagrams, illustrations and maps, the book is
informative and highly illustrated.
Chapters on the mountain's environment includes facts about the
flora and fauna, and this then goes on to what lures climbers to try
to climb the mountain. Readers will find lots of stories of the
attempts to climb Everest plus a short story about the first
climbers who made it, and a fascinating double page about inventions
that have been made for climbers on this mountain. The trail taken
by most of the climbers is detailed, followed by several pages
looking at the mess they leave behind, now a problem which other
people have to clean up.
For people like me who wanted to know about deaths on Everest see here
for the story of the 200 plus bodies left on the mountain. The
mountain's part within the two religions of Buddhism and Hinduism is
outlined as is the part played by the Sherpa, a Buddhist group of
people who live in the Khumbu Valley and have led many expeditions
to the mountain because of their extraordinary skills at surviving
all that happens there. A double page is devoted to the Story of
Shambhal, while the myth of the Yeti is also discussed.
All in all a fascinating and informative read, one the holds
interest with its stories and illustrations. I can imagine many mid
to upper primary people poring over it.
Fran Knight
The Queen's resistance by Rebecca Ross
The Queen's Rising book 2. HarperCollins Children's Books,
2019. ISBN: 9780008246013.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Coming of age,
Conspiracies, Betrayals, Dissent. I loved The
Queen's rising and its sequel is equally as riveting. Brienna
and Cartier, now known as Aodhan Morgane, must take up new roles and
responsibilities as Queen Isolde takes on the reins of ruling
Maevana, and metes out punishment to the Lannons, the family that
had ruled so unjustly. The Queen's resistance is different to many fantasy sequels
in that it concentrates on the difficulties of restoring justice to
the land and the problems that a new ruler faces after overthrowing
a tyrant. The great moral dilemma of whether all the Lannons should
be executed for treason (even the children) is one that is faced by
the Queen and her entourage and raises tricky questions of whether
everyone should be judged on their bloodlines and whether children
have been forced to act in evil ways by their parents. There are
scenes of dark dungeons and it is not difficult to imagine the
torture that has occurred in the cells deep underground.
Brienna faces the challenge of fitting into the MacQuinn household
when there are whispers about her background. She must prove herself
worthy of the MacQuinns and of her Queen's trust. Cartier too faces
difficult times especially as he has taken an orphan boy, Tomas,
under his wing and put his trust in him. Brienna and Aodhan's
feelings continue to bloom although having time to spend together is
almost impossible with Brienna's duties to the Queen and Cartier's
rebuilding of his estate.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of
Brienna and Cartier and the reader will find the action described
engrossing and the tasks that face them often seem herculean. The
notion of the traditional family is questioned as Brienna is taken
in by the MacQuinns and Cartier is prepared to look after a homeless
boy.
Even though the first book, The Queen's rising, could easily
be read as a stand-alone and will be enjoyed by fantasy lovers, The
Queen's resistance makes a fascinating and engrossing sequel.
Pat Pledger
I don't want to be small by Laura Ellen Anderson
Bloomsbury 2019. ISBN: 9781408894064.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Size, Difference, Body image. With the word
'small' in large letters on the front cover and a small boy
measuring himself with a frazzled look on his face, children picking
up this book will know it's about a boy who is displeased about his
size.
In rhyming lines, the boy tells us of his problem, being so small
that his friends forget him, or that he is not allowed to go on the
bigger rides at the fair. He is so cross that he throws his bear up
into the air and it becomes stuck on a higher branch of the tree.
Now he is really cross that he is short, because no matter what he
does, he cannot reach his bear. He tries a long stick and stands on
a box. He ties his socks together to make a rope, even eats all his
greens and then gets into a flower to to see if he can grow quickly
like a plant. But nothing works.
A taller girl comes by and offers to help get the teddy out of the
tree, but even she is not tall enough. They have an idea, and the
boy gets onto her shoulders with just enough reach to get the bear.
Together they have solved the problem and worked out how he can be
taller. A story promoting satisfaction with what you are, of loving
who and what you are, will be a great discussion starter in schools,
where body image is often talked of. A charming tale too of
supporting each other, of two people able to solve a problem
together, will also initiate discussion. The funny illustrations,
like those in her first book, I
don't want curly hair (2017) will cause readers to laugh
out loud while reading.
Fran Knight
Bear out there by Jacob Grant
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526607416.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Difference. Bear
just loves being at home, where he can spend the day cleaning his
house and then sit in an easy arm chair reading a book and having a
nice cup of tea. His friend, Spider, on the other hand, loves the
outdoors. He makes kites and needs to go out into the wind to fly
them. But one day his kite is lost. He asks Bear to help him find
the kite. Bear is not sure, he tells Spider that although he wants
to help him find his kite, he does not like the forest. He does not
like the dirty ground or the prickly plants and pesky bugs, but he
still goes with Spider on his quest. The forest with its noise does
not appeal to Bear and when it starts to rain he is even less happy.
He determines that he will go back home to his easy chair and cup of
tea, but seeing Spider's dejected look, decides that he will keep
looking. When the sun comes out he finds the kite in the tree and
all is well. Bear goes back home to his warm bath, easy chair and
cup of tea, while Spider flies his kite, outside with Bear looking
on. The two friends could not be more different: readers will see
that being a bear and a spider are two quite different animals, and
not only are they different in what they are, but also in their
habits and what they like to do. But friendship overcomes their
difference.
This charming tale, following on from the equally engrossing Bear's
scare (2018) when the fastidious Bear finds a cobweb in his
house, is accompanied by bold brightly coloured illustrations, pared
back to the basics, but with enough difference to ensure readers
will hunt out the detail as they turn to each new page with a
different layout from the one before.
Fran Knight
The Good Son by Pierre-Jacques Ober
Illus. by Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan. Candlewick Studio, 2019.
ISBN: 9781536204827.
(Age: Upper primary +) Highly recommended. Themes: War, Patriotism,
military history, toy soldiers. A story from the First World War
told in miniature as the sub-title suggests this beautiful
picture book re-creates realistic scenes from the First World War
using miniature soldiers. Also it tells the story of the little
soldiers in the Great War, caught up in a conflict where they joined
as patriots, to make their families proud but as the war progressed
it became clear they were pawns in a larger game. The monochrome
images of the war torn countryside and the narrative ribbon stating
the bleak facts about WW1 bring us to young Pierre, locked up in a
barn. What unfolds is his story from when the world had colour, with
emphasis on the red white and blue of the French flag. He joined up
to stop the Germans, and marched through the beautiful countryside
dreaming of glory but when they finally saw battle 'we won . . . it
was terrible.' Pierre has a friend, Gilbert, who stands by him
throughout. When the Colonel comes and tells Pierre he will be shot
for desertion it is Gilbert who brings him food and companionship.
His commanding officer is sympathetic but tells Pierre morale is low
so he is to be made an example of to deter others from walking away.
Pierre's crime? To slip away for three days to be with his mother
over Christmas. He writes a letter to his mother recounting an
incident where he was commended for bravery he felt he didn't earn,
whereas he is to be shot for desertion for wanting to spend two days
with his mother. He promises to wear the socks she gave him 'Maman
those were the best two days of the war.' Gilbert comes before dawn
bringing food and comfort and he talks of a younger brother killed
in the first week of the war. Gilbert promises to deliver the letter
to Pierre's mother.
In a note from the author we learn that the idea of using WW1
figurines to create a series of images was originally a gift for his
father's 80th birthday and the centenary of the start of WW1. The
project 'developed into an homage to all the men who fulfilled their
patriotic duty unprepared for the horror unleashed upon them'.
A highly recommended but harrowing story that would make an
excellent history teaching aid for upper primary or middle school
students, younger students might need to read this with a
grandparent or adult.
Sue Speck
The guardian of lies by Kate Furnivall
Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781471172328.
(Age: 16+) Historical fiction. Furnivall's novel is set in 1950s
France during the Cold War. American air bases are being established
around the country to protect Europe from the growing threat of the
Soviet Union. France is divided between those who view the American
presence as a necessary protection against the reach of Communism,
and those who resent American capitalism and the development of
nuclear weapons.
Wanting to follow in the path of her elder brother Andre, Eloise had
applied to become a secret agent with both the French Intelligence
Service and the American CIA but following rejection by both, she
embarks on detective work in an agency run by Clarisse Favre.
Eloise's detective skills are turned to her personal life after her
faulty decisions see her brother crippled in a car smash and she
learns that her father has sold part of their precious family
property to the American air base in the south. The burning
questions are: Who tried to kill her brother? And why would her
father part with the land that he loves?
Returning to her home in the Camargue, Eloise is drawn into a
tangled web where it becomes hard to work out who can be trusted and
who is an enemy. Someone is leaking top secret information about the
American secret weapons to Soviet Intelligence, the MGB. And someone
is determined to stop Eloise from finding out what is going on.
Caught in the lies and deception, there seems to be only one person
she can turn to - her childhood friend Leon Roussell, now the local
police officer, but how much can she tell him without endangering
members of her family?
Eloise is a strong determined woman, extremely resourceful and well
trained by her brother to consider the evidence . . . and then to
also consider the impossible. But as she gradually uncovers the
secrets, she knows that she herself is drawing closer and closer to
danger.
Readers will find themselves carried along with the fast moving
plot, wanting to know who is the spy and who the counter-spy, but
also ultimately which world view one should trust.
Helen Eddy
