Reviews

Splat the fake fact by Adam Frost

Ill. by Gemma Correll. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889503
When it comes to free reading choices, young boys, particularly, tend to go for the non fiction titles about sharks, dinosaurs, motor vehicles and the "Guinness Book of Records". They are fascinated by the world of the weird and wonderful that they can pore over and learn so much from in discussions with their friends as they examine the pictures even if they can't read the text yet. They are laying their foundations of the basic concepts of information literacy but their interest is driven by the illustration rather than a need for specific information.
Splat the fake fact takes this interest up a notch, encouraging the reader to actually think about what they are being told, discover the correct answer through some research and then do something about it. On every page there are incredible, hilarious, unlikely facts that are completely true... and one fact that isn't! The reader is invited to find the imposter fact and reveal it before it goes out into the world - and then take some action like scribbling on them, lasering them, drawing silly hats or crossing them out. While that might not be the recommended action for a community library book, nevertheless the combination of humour and cartoon presentation will engage young readers into understanding that not everything they read is true; that there is real "fake news" and the need to verify what they see and hear through some basic research.
While this would make an ideal read for that young person moving on to independent reading and research, it could also have a place in information literacy levels with each page being a jump start for an aspect of the information literacy process. Starting with "What do we already know?" and "What more do we need to know?" and "Where could we find that information?" students can be led on that journey of lifelong learning, developing those core concepts in a way that connects to the interests of the age group.
While many teachers like to use websites like Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus to have students to learn to test what they are reading and evaluate the validity of it, Splat the fake fact is a few steps before this with its accessible language, funky illustrations, and graphic layout. Each fake fact is identified, often in another crazy puzzle that requires more learning to decipher, but more complete explanations are given at the end of the book.
Some students might even like to use the puzzles as models to create their own fake facts, setting up a weekly challenge for library users to investigate, learning to use the library's resources as they do.
What looks like a book that might be used as a child's Christmas stocking stuffer, might just be the best investment you make in your library collection this year!!!
Barbara Braxton

Night Flights by Philip Reeve

Ill. by Ian McQue. The Hungry City Chronicles book 5. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742997674
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Steampunk. Good versus evil. Slavery. In "Night Flights" Philip Reeve returns to the world of "Mortal Engines", to provide readers with three short stories about Anna Fang, aviatrix and spy, who is a secondary figure in the series. Anna Fang's story is fascinating. In "Frozen Heart", her beginnings are described, first as a happy child on board her parents' ship, then captured by the traction city "Arkangel", where she is held as a slave working to dismantle scrap metal from the ships that the city captures and eats up. Determined to be free again she catches the eye of the son of the owner and helps him build a plane and in a daring bid for freedom uses her wits and intelligence to escape. In "Traction City Blues" an adolescent Anna lands on London, another traction city and here faces a Stalker who she wants to recruit as a weapon against the slaver ship. Finally in "Teeth of the Sea" Anna goes to Pulau Pinang, where she uncovers a mystery about the disappearance of raft boats and in the final chapter meets the two children who will be the main characters in the Chronicles.
All three stories are compulsive reading and would serve as a fascinating introduction to the "Hungry City Chronicles", although she is a minor character in those books. Anna is determined and uses her fine mind to work out strategies for escape and on a practical level, uses her engineering skills to build an aircraft. She is faced with disappointment on a personal level and learns to be very careful of the people that she can trust.
The illustrations by Ian McQue are fabulous, and the reader gets a wonderful picture of the personality of Anna, as well as the destructive nature of the predator traction ship "Arkangel".
With "Mortal Engines" soon to be a major film directed by Peter Jackson of "Hobbit" fame, it won't be difficult to find new fans of this excellent, challenging and exciting series.
Pat Pledger

Old hat by Emily Gravett

Mirror Mirror by Cara Delevigne (with Rowan Coleman)

Trapeze, 2017. ISBN 9781409172758
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Red, Naomi, Leo and Rose are four misfits who become the closest of friends upon the formation of their band, Mirror Mirror. Band rehearsal is an escape for all four, giving them momentary freedom for the hardships they face in their regular lives. Red has an alcoholic mother and often absent father, Leo's criminal brother encourages him to follow in his footsteps, Rose uses alcohol and boys to numb her painful past and Naomi runs away from home to finally be free. Just as the band are coming to terms with their group-identity and feel as close as a family, Naomi goes missing and subsequently turns up half dead in the Thames. The police believe that she did this to herself but Red begins to find clues suggesting that things are not as they seem. The trio decide that they must take matters into their own hands to truly find out what happened to Naomi.
A tale of determination, mystery and friendship in the face of adversity, this novel reminds its reader that they are stronger than they know and can make a difference in this world. In her debut novel, Delevigne presents realistic characters, deep emotional twists and an all-around inspiring story. Through Red, the reader is brought on a journey of self-discovery while learning some powerful messages along the way. A beautiful yet sorrowful story that truly captures the turbulence that is our teenage years.
Daniella Chiarolli

Secret Seven: Mystery of the skull by Pamela Butchart

Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9781444941531
(Age: 7+) "When Peter discovers an old skull hidden in his bedroom, it's time for an urgent meeting of the Secret Seven. Setting off to investigate, the friends see a gigantic hole in the grounds of a local hotel. Could there be any connection between the two strange events? The Secret Seven are determined to solve the mystery. It's time to look behind the green door of the Secret Seven's shed again." (Publisher)
I was so excited to be given this book to review - a much loved author and series from my childhood! Pamela Butchart does not disappoint with her take on the series and I am sure a whole new generation will discover them. Surprisingly the series is set in the same world and time as the original but it has intertwined new mysteries. The addition of the illustrations by the very talented Tony Ross will be sure to please the reader. Of course things such as sandwiches, cake and midnight adventures feature heavily throughout the book and it took me right back to my childhood. The book does not feel the least bit dated in our modern world and I was impressed to see that the author stuck to the 50s and 60s - the time of the original series. Fans of Enid Blyton, mystery, adventure and stepping back in time will love this book. Ages 7 and up will rediscover or discover their own love of a truly classic series. The new cover will ensure it attracts the attention of a new generation.
Kathryn Schumacher

Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey by Dr Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman

Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN 9781911171140
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. "Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey" is big, colourful, engaging and full of facts. Each double page offers interesting facts and illustrations about the different parts and systems of the body. Readers can follow Professor Astro Cat as he explains in short, descriptive paragraphs and labelled diagrams what is going on inside the body. Look inside a cell or at the different bones of the body. Read about the medicines humans need as well as ways to be healthy. There are a collection of fun characters supporting Professor Astro Cat as well as their human helper (the author in cartoon form) Dr Dominic Wallman.
"Professor Astro Cat's human body odyssey" is a gorgeous way to learn about the body from a young age. Each double page could be investigated before bed and independent readers can start anywhere in the book. This book is full of technical language which is a great tool for getting children talking and increasing their vocabulary. The double pages could also be read in a classroom when there are a few minutes to spare (great in a Health lesson). The Glossary/Index is also helpful as there are many definitions to support understanding. This text is also good for teaching children about the elements of a non fiction text thanks to its larger format being easier for a whole class to see.
It is highly recommended for independent readers aged 8+ but younger readers will love investigating the illustrations and asking questions (just like Mr 6 in my classroom).
Kylie Kempster

Baby's first bank heist by Jim Whalley

Ill. by Stephen Collins. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408891193
(Ages: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Animals, Babies. Utterly crazy and equally hilarious, this is the tale of an errant infant, Frank, immediately distinctive in a black and white Babygro. An ardent animal lover, he has an overwhelming desire for a pet of his own, but his parents won't allow it, stating that pets are too expensive to upkeep. This leaves Frank with only one option and he desperately becomes a bank robber. The issue is this tiny lad is not content with just one animal, and with cash in abundance, within no time at all he has all the pets he ever desired, from a meerkat to a rhino, and the entire house resembles a menagerie.
Until . . . one afternoon his Mum makes a startling discovery!! Frank's deceitful escapade has been discovered and it is now time to make amends. With none of the stolen loot left, what can the family do to raise the funds to repay the bank? And what do they do with all the newly acquired animals? There is only one way to set matters right. I won't say what ensues but will merely add that baby Frank spends some time behind bars.
This pet related preposterous tale will get both children and adults spluttering with glee at the pint-sized criminal mastermind, as wily as the animated film star (Boss Baby). Debut author Jim Whalley narrates in suitably deadpan rhyme while Stephen Collin's witty expressive illustrations will delight young and old alike.
First in a series of picture books featuring Baby Frank and his criminal activities, children will love Frank's logic and naughtiness.
Donna Isgar

A first book of the sea by Nicola Davies

Ill. by Emily Sutton. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406368956
(Ages: 3-7) Highly Recommended. Themes: Poetry. Oceans. Emily Sutton is a whimsical, traditional illustrator, whose work is perfectly suited to this earthy, old-fashioned and hearty collection of poems. The author and illustrator have collaborated successfully in the past on Tiny and Lots, and have now put together a hardcover book with over fifty short poems, perfect as a first book of poems for young ones but will also interest junior primary children. The poems are about oceans and ocean life and celebrate the vastness, mystique and intrigue of the great blue world that surrounds us. The book is separated into four categories, as shown within a contents page: down by the shore (Catching a wave, Paddling, Shore crab), journeys (Limpets, Sailor's jig, Blue whale's map), under the sea (Longline fishing, Seaweed jungle, Shipwreck) and wonders (Rockpool, Albatross, Sea people). The poems are helpfully titled so you know what each is going to be about and can pick based on children's interests. They also seem carefully curated to include favourite aspects of young readers (shipwrecks, deadly sea animals, sharks, giant squid, etc.).
The illustrations, beautifully textured and intricately detailed, are perfect and because of the large format and the brevity of the poems, are full partners rather than just an afterthought. While the author and illustrator are English the book isn't identifiably so (except for the poem about big shopping and entertainment piers that are not a feature of Australian beaches). The poems evoke the feelings of being in and around the sea, such as the thrill of catching a wave or searching for shells, but they also provide fascinating information that reminds us of the power and long history of the world's oceans ("The sea has shaped them, rubbing and rolling, rolling and rubbing, for a thousand, thousand years"). They remind us of how to take care of our oceans ("Deadliest of all is the plastic we throw away that strangles, suffocates and poisons"). They inform us of the wisdom of those who live in harmony with the sea ("the old man draws the night sky out in pebbles to teach his grandson the pattern of the stars") and about how man has learned to deal with the wildness of the sea ("From one to twelve runs Beaufort's Scale, to tell ships when it's safe to sail"). There are a wide variety of poem styles, some rhyming but most not.
There are many conversation points within the book and some poems openly encourage children to engage with the book (in "Favourite dolphin" the only text asks "Choose just one? It's impossible to pick!" and shows a plethora of dolphins of different varieties). The big fold-out page for the large humpback whale tells the reader how to sing like a humpback. The last poem, "Happiness", is a reminder of the simple pleasures of the sea ("Sand in my shoes. Salt in my hair. A pebble in my pocket. The horizon in my eyes"). Simple, evocative, glorious.
Nicole Nelson

Animal Ark: Puppy in peril by Lucy Daniels

Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408354049
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Amelia and Sam are back with a new adventure. A poorly puppy is brought into Animal Ark, and nobody knows who it belongs to. Can Amelia and Sam find the owner and save the puppy? Amelia and Sam need all the help they can get but will it be enough?
Amelia and Sam are determined to help this puppy; they are so determined that they even get the help from a news reporter.
This book is well written with large text and it has interesting pictures that help make the story. I recommend this book to animal lovers like Amelia and Sam that want to help out. I also recommend the rest of the series, Kitten rescue, Bunny trouble and Fox cub danger.
I recommend these books to 6+
Grace Colliver, Year 7 student

Maudlin Towers: Curse of the werewolf boy by Chris Priestley

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408873083
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Horror, Werewolves, Teachers, Time travel. "Mildew and Sponge don't think much of Maudlin Towers, the blackened, gloom-laden, gargoyle-infested monstrosity that is their school. But when somebody steals the School Spoon and the teachers threaten to cancel the Christmas holidays until the culprit is found, our heroes must spring into action and solve the crime!
But what starts out as a classic bit of detectivating quickly becomes weirder than they could have imagined. Who is the ghost in the attic? What's their history teacher doing with a time machine? And why do a crazy bunch of Vikings seem to think Mildew is a werewolf?" (Publisher)
This is a well written story. When two young boys Mildew and Sponge find themselves in a school for the not so bright in a gloomy part of England with strange things happening around them they are forced to investigate. The main characters are interesting and funny. They manage to stumble onto a great number of events without meaning to and see things that they don't understand at first. As the story progresses you start to piece together all the happenings and how they fit together. Mildew and Sponge draw you into the story and keep you wondering what they will get up to next, and how they will get out of some of the situations they get themselves into.
The boys find out what happens when they learn that there is a time machine in the school and how time travel is not always what it's cracked up to be.
I highly recommend this book to boys 8+.
Karen Colliver

Animal Ark: Kitten Rescue by Lucy Daniels

Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408354148
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Amelia has just moved with her mum into Welford and she doesn't know anyone except her gran, who they are living with. Can she overcome her homesickness and help her new friend Sam to save the kittens with a little help from others in the village, who they meet throughout their search?
This is a great small book with big text. The pictures add a nice element to the story, they are well designed and makes the story a lot more interesting and visual.
I recommend this book for animal lovers just like Amelia and Sam, age 6+. If you enjoy this book you will enjoy the others in the series.
(Grace Colliver, Year 7 student)

Moth by Isabel Thomas

Ill. by Daniel Egneus. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889756
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Themes: Moths. Evolution. Adaptation. Camouflage. STEM. Industrial Revolution. Survival. Pollution. Hope. This amazing book shows within easily understood language supported by the most powerful of illustrations, the ability of an insect to adapt to the blight of man's impact upon the world. A small moth, called a peppered moth because of its black and white speckled appearance, lives near trees where it can hide amongst the patchy lichen from its predators. During the Industrial Revolution, factories spurted out coal dust, ash and soot, covering the trees with black smoke. The peppered moth was no longer able to survive because it had nowhere to hide, but the darker ones did survive, and a shift in their numbers occurred, with more dark ones being born, while lighter ones were rarely seen.
Children reading this book will easily absorb the ideas presented: evolution, predators, camouflage, adaptation, Industrial Revolution, pollution, while marveling at the ability of this small insect to adapt to a rapid change in its environment.
Egneus' illustrations are wonderful, evoking the peace of the environment in which the moths lived, showing them flitting amongst the trees, taking shelter on the lichen covered trees, a hungry fox or owl taking some for their meal. Contrast this with the blacks, greys and browns of the same area covered with the detritus of the Industrial Revolution. No reader can be in doubt about the effect this change had on the moth population.
And within the text, the reader is told about how this little insect adapted to that change, while the illustrations show the larger number of black moths filling the pages.
When people realised what damage had been done, efforts were made to clean up the environment, and so there are many more speckled winged moths appearing - another change, this time signifying hope.
Isabel's words sing with truth, reflecting her background in genetics and evolution at Oxford University, while Daniel's illustrations display a confidence with illustrative techniques which can be seen across a variety of fields.
Fran Knight

The other wife by Michael Robotham

Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780733637933
(Ages: Senior secondary-Adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Crime. Thriller. Family relationships. Those familiar with Robotham's novels will be eager to read his next Professor Joe O'Lloughlin episode. It certainly does not disappoint! His writing flows and leads the reader on but does not take the audience for granted.
Joe's life is turned upside down when his father is taken to hospital after a fall down stairs. He is in an induced coma and his outlook for recovery is bleak. On his visit to the ICU he discovers the first of a number of bombshells about his father. The first is that the person at his bedside is not his mother but his other wife of twenty years.
In trying to find the 'real' William O'Loughlin, retired eminent surgeon, distant and disapproving father, possible bigamist and leader of a double life, Joe delves into lives that he knows nothing about. His relationship with the police deteriorates as they try to persuade him to let them investigate without interference.
Ruiz as ever acts as a stabilising influence, gathering information and providing protection when needed. All his preconceptions about his family even his childhood memories seem as if they need to be recast or at least viewed from a different perspective. His own family is also vulnerable as he charges head on with finding 'truths'. His daughters, especially Emma, are fragile after the death of his wife six months before and much is left up to Charlie who has stepped in to take on some of the household duties.
Of course there is his Parkinsons which is beginning to play a larger role in the life of Joe O'Loughlin.
Joe finds the truth eventually, but not before family memories are reviewed and found wanting, old friendships are lost and his father's image is changed and tarnished, but for the better or worse he is not sure. He discovers that his father was at least human not a distant and perfect icon.
Mark Knight

The mapmakers' race by Eirlys Hunter

Gecko Press, 2018. ISBN 9781776572038
(Age: 8-11) Themes: Perseverance. Adventure. Map drawing. Eirlys Hunter's The mapmakers' race is set in a harsh mountainous environment where a new railway line needs to be built. The alternate world has mechanical horses and luggage-carrying clouds and nefarious characters who will use any means to win the 28 day race and the prize money of five hundred gold guineas.
The Santander family are desperately poor; their father, an explorer and trail finder, has disappeared and mapmaker Ma and their children desperately need to win the prize-money. Unfortunately on their train trip to Grand Prospect where the race starts, Ma leaves the rail carriage to search for Joe who's filling the water flasks and she misses the train. Sal, Joe, Francie and little Humphrey decide to enter the race anyway. All their possessions are on board, and they believe Ma will catch up along the way. With Carrot the parrot along for comic relief, this arduous undertaking that will test their skills of survival and their support of each other. Sal is a skilled mathematician great at calculating, Francie's special skill is her ability to project into the upcoming environment and map the upcoming route. Fortunately, they meet a knowledgeable local lad, Beckett, who helps the family; he's skilled with animals, a great cook and has wilderness experience.
In this fast-paced adventure the children overcome many natural forces, fighting tough conditions, encounters with bear, bees, a bat-filled cave, dangerous river crossings and cliff falls. Ingenuity, inventiveness, dogged determination, bravery and support of each other are qualities that assist the family to push through. Francie's maps with places named by the children are key elements that illustrate their twenty-eight day journey.
Eirlys Fowler's descriptive and exciting narrative is suitable for middle primary students. Her world-building adds depth and interest, what can a mechanical horse do, what advantages are there to clouds carrying luggage? Complemented by Kirsten Slade's pen and ink sketches and maps, this story is a great adventure, with strong non-stereotypical characters.
Rhyllis Bignell

Sleep by Kate Prendergast

Old Barn Books, 2018. ISBN 9781910646229
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Animals. Sleep. Kate Prendergast's non-fiction picture book uses vivid illustrations to show where animals rest and sleep. Her bright close-up paintings use a colour palette reminiscent of 1960's children's books with swirls, dark shading and patterns of oranges, reds, yellows and greens. Each animal is shown asleep, some at home, in the barn, in the field or nests. Whilst creating this engaging book, Kate discovered the plight of most of these animals facing destruction of their habitat by humans. As you share this story with a young audience, take time to discuss the different ways animals rest or sleep, how and where this occurs and why sleep is important to both animals and humans.
Harvest mice sleep curled up in their nests, whilst snails sleep in their shells atop a resting tortoise. Bats sleep during the day and fish sleep with their eyes open. Take time to wonder about the places, physical conditions as you share the easy to read facts, sometimes with added notes that accompany the close-up illustrations. Prendergast includes 'Some Amazing Animal Facts' just right for starting to engage with scientific facts and for researching. Discover facts about cathemeral harvest-mice, mobs of meerkats sleep in heaps, giraffes that sleep for only 20 minutes a day and hibernating bears.
Sleep by Kate Prendergast is a factual picture book, a great resource for pre-schoolers and junior primary classes developing an awareness of the needs of living things and beginning to investigate how the environment supports life.
Rhyllis Bignell