Ill. by Sara Ogilvie. MacMillan Children's books, 2018 (2016). ISBN
9781509801596
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Dogs, Board book, Detection. School.
Books. Libraries. Read aloud. I love books about books, stories that
tell of people sharing books, of reading books, of borrowing books.
Well, this one is someone stealing books! But it all ends happily,
so don't fret. Nell's story is told in rhyming stanzas, a tale of a
dog who is born to be a detective, her nose sniffing out the places
where all sorts of things lie hidden: socks, honey, a lost book, a
spider in the bath, a lost ball. And she loves going to school to
hear the children read, but one day when they come to school, the
library has been ransacked and all the books are gone. Catastrophe!
But Detective Nell to the rescue. She picks up the scent and follows
it, leading the class trailing out behind her. They traverse roads
and gardens, past the zoo and the take-away shop and into a wood.
Here they run through a very overgrown garden and push open the
messy gate. Behind the gate sits the culprit, a man with a stack of
books, his nose buried in one of them. He is most apologetic,
promising that he intended to return them after they had been read,
and he helps the children take them all back to school. A happy
relationship is established as the children show the man how to open
a library account and borrow as many books as he wants. The
infectious illustrations swirl with colour and life moving quickly
across the pages, inviting the readers to follow the action. The
dog, Nell, is a wonderful creation, one every child would love to
have, and the way Nell is depicted with her nose in everything about
will have resonance with most dog owners.
This is a charming homage to pets and libraries, to frazzled
teachers, to those sharing books, to those who are helped in their
quest to find books, and of course to skillful dogs and
accommodating children. A real treat. And now republished as a board
book spreads the fun to a wider audience.
Fran Knight
Toto the Ninja cat and the great snake escape by Dermot O'Leary
Ill. by Nick East. Hodder, 2017. ISBN 9781444939453
(Age: 7+) "Oh hi! You're here. Purrfect Timing! I wrote this story
about my cat. This is TOTO and she's awesome. But she is no ordinary
furry feline, my friends. She is almost totally blind, she has ninja
skills and at night she has amazing adventures with her cheeky
brother, Silver. Want to join them on their first great adventure? A
deadly King Cobra has escaped, and TOTO's going to have to use all
her powers to capture him . . . . "
For young readers who love books about animals this is bound to be a
popular series. It would make a fantastic read aloud or be equally
enjoyed by a child reading it by themselves. It is a purrfect fit
for those wishing to read chapter books as the text is large and
interspersed with gorgeous black and white illustrations. Underlying
themes of friendship, inclusivity and facing adversity and winning
it would make a great back to school read. I love the Q and A at the
end of the book with O'Leary as it gives the reader an added insight
into the book. Children will also appreciate the findaword. Toto
will fast become a favourite with many. Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher
Lucky Button by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Michael Foreman. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406371680
(Age: 8-11) Highly recommended. Themes: Orphans and Orphanages,
Classical Music, Wolfgang Mozart, Friendship, 18th Century Britain,
Bullying. Michael Morpurgo's Lucky Button is a thoughtful
time slip story set in the present day and in The Foundling
Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children. This charity
was started by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739 with the
assistance of British painter William Hogarth and composer George
Frideric Handel.
Young Joshua Trelawney's life is divided clearly into two halves. At
home he cares for his wheelchair bound mother while at school he's a
loner longing for a friend while suffering the taunts of the bullies
who make fun of his name with Moby Dick taunts. Music is Jonah's
solace; he loves to sing and desperately wants to join the school
choir. Jonah escapes from the bullying seeking refuge in the chapel
originally part of the Foundling Hospital. Finding a small gold
button and meeting a ghostly organist helps Jonah to understand his
current circumstances and to find happiness.
Nathaniel Hogarth shares his life story, abandoned as a baby at the
Foundling Hospital, then sent to live with kind foster parents in
the country. Music provides solace for young Nathaniel when he's
returned to the hospital, and he meets Handel and is chosen to sing
in The Messiah. Foundling 762 grows up to be apprenticed at the
artist Hogarth's stable and takes his surname. Fortuitously young
Nat moves on to Sir John Sullivan's estate where he becomes a
companion to young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Woferl. Lucky Button celebrates the power of music, with Morpurgo's
touching narrative beautifully told through Michael Foreman's
detailed watercolour paintings showing strongly drawn historic and
contemporary characters. This is a story that resonates with hope,
friendship and resilience rising above adversity, a story perfect
for sharing with students in Years 3-5.
Rhyllis Bignell
Race to the bottom of the sea by Lindsay Eagar
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9780763698775
(Age: Year 4+) Highly recommended. Can a clever young inventor
uncover a ruthless pirate's heart of gold? When her parents, the
great marine scientists Dr. and Dr. Quail, are killed in a tragic
accident, eleven-year-old Fidelia Quail is racked by grief - and
guilt. It was a submarine of Fidelia's invention that her parents
were in when they died, and it was she who pressed them to stay out
longer when the raging Undertow was looming. But Fidelia is forced
out of her mourning when she's kidnapped by Merrick the Monstrous, a
pirate whose list of treasons stretches longer than a ribbon eel.
Her task? Use her marine know-how to retrieve his treasure, lost on
the ocean floor. But as Fidelia and the pirates close in on the
prize, with the navy hot on their heels, she realizes that Merrick
doesn't expect to live long enough to enjoy his loot. Could
something other than black-hearted greed be driving him? Will
Fidelia be able to master the perils of the ocean without her
parents - and piece together the mystery of Merrick the Monstrous
before it's too late?
What a fantastic book for our Year 4 and up students, in particular
girls, to read. Fidelia encompasses many things that girls wish to
experience. This is a powerful book with a strong protagonist who
encounters pirates, treasure, adventure, mystery and suspense.
Fidelia is smart, nerdy and brave but also extremely compassionate.
She is very strong willed and does not let those around her deter
her intentions, though at times this can result in encountering
sticky situations. Fidelia's knowledge of marine biology, partly due
to her parents' occupations, will hopefully inspire many to look
after the ocean. A must have for your library.
Kathryn Schumacher
Love and gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406372328
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Secrecy. Romance. Italy.
Self-perception. Diaries. Feel good book. Teens Top Ten 2017.
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction 2016. Lina
has come to Tuscany to live with Howard, the father that she has
never met. Devastated by the death of her mother, Lina begins to
read the journal she has left behind of her early time in Italy and
with Ren, her cute neighbour follows in her footsteps. What she
uncovers is the truth about her father as well as learning about
herself.
This is an ideal book for anyone who enjoys stories about other
countries. The author captivates the reader's imagination with her
vivid descriptions of Tuscany, Florence and Rome and the life that
Howard leads in the American Cemetery where he works. Not only are
the wonders of the Italian architecture and sculpture described by
Lina but the reader is taken on a culinary tour, almost being able
to taste the gelato that she loves.
Told in the first person by Lina, and interspersed with extracts
from her mother's journal, the reader is led into the feelings and
loves of both mother and daughter. The style is breezy and easy to
read and the characters are very likeable. The mystery of what
happened to her mother so many years ago also keeps the reader glued
to the page as Lina follows the clues left in the journal about X,
the man her mother fell in love with.
I finished this book in one sitting - it had everything to make it
an outstanding contemporary romance - charming characters, wonderful
setting and feel good vibes.
Pat Pledger
The Kindness Club: Chloe on the bright side by Courtney Sheinmel
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781681195315
(Age: 8+) Fifth grader Chloe Silver is good at looking on the bright
side. But staying positive has been difficult since her parents
divorced and she had to start at a new school. When Chloe is given
the chance to try out for the exclusive It Girls club, things are
finally looking up again. Then Chloe is assigned a science project
with offbeat Lucy Tanaka and brainy Theo Barnes. Together they
create an experiment that tests how people react to different acts
of kindness. Officially forming the Kindness Club, Lucy and Theo are
fun to be around, and their new club means a lot to Chloe. But the
It Girls don't want to share Chloe with anyone else. Can she find a
way to be kind to all of her friends, and still stay true to
herself?
This is a feel good book that will develop into a successful series.
I think the underlying themes of friendship, family and kindness
will resonate with many. Many children will be able to make strong
connections with Chloe, who may be experiencing divorce and having
to start at a new school. I like how the story looks at the meaning
of a true friend and the qualities they possess and that it is
possible to be friends with different groups of people. Acceptance
is a huge part of a child's life and Chloe seems to tackle it head
on in a kind way. This book has a great lesson for all readers -
that it is not always easy to do the right thing. The author
cleverly does this in a unique way ensuring that the novel maintains
interest and one develops feelings for the main characters.
The snippet of the second book at the end of the book is a very
clever marketing tool. Children 8 and up will enjoy this book.
Kathryn Schumacher
100 scientists who made history by Andrea Mills and Stella Caldwell
DK, 2018. ISBN 9780241304327
Throughout history there have been so many perceptive pioneers,
brilliant biologists, medical masterminds, clever chemists,
phenomenal physicists, incredible innovators and other scientific
superstars who have challenged the known to change our lives that to
choose just 100 of them must have been a taxing task.
Nevertheless, in this brand new release from DK, the achievements of
people as diverse as Aristotle, Alexander Fleming, Louis Pasteur,
Ernest Rutherford, Alan Turing and Edwin Hubble are all described in
typical DK format with it characteristic layout, top-quality
photography, bite-sized information and accessible language. But
there is so much (and so many more). Although not being of a
scientific bent, while many of the names of those in the clear
contents pages were familiar, there were as many that were not, and
sadly many of those not were women.
But the authors have included many women in the lists - who knew
that Hildegard of Bingen, aka the singing nun, born in 1098 could
have had such an impact on medical treatments through her study of
and writing about the medicinal uses of plants? Or that of five of
those credited with having such an influence on the development of
computing, three were women? Or that Mary Somerville correctly
predicted the existence of the planet Neptune in the early 19th
century and that there were many 19th century astronomers who were
female?
This is a wonderful book for everyone - not only because it will
introduce a new generation to those who discovered so much of what
we take for granted today - they didn't make history because they
became famous, they made the history we look back on so we can move
forward - but also to inspire - 'If them, why not me?' Challenge
your students to find another scientist who could have been included
and have them develop a page for them using the DK format as a
model.
I know a budding scientist who needs this book!
Barbara Braxton
36 questions that changed my mind about you by Vicki Grant
Hot Key Books, 2017. ISBN 9781471407086
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Deciding to take part in
a psychological survey about discovering whether two participants
can get to know one another through asking and answering a series of
questions, Hildy, a high school student, 18 years old, intelligent,
and anxious because of her parents' worsening relationship, is
partnered with a young man, of a similar age and seemingly quite
different to her, with whom she will exchange answers to a series of
36 questions created to reveal their sociability, intelligence and
attractiveness to the other participant. Paul is doing it for the
money.
Their answers reveal many differences in their childhoods, family
and social circumstances. The questions are challenging and
personal, their answers revealing much about themselves. The
discussion generated gradually brings them together despite his
suspicion that she is 'out of his league'. The gentle flowering of
the relationship is captivating, and heart-warming, as we notice how
each offers the other an honest response to the questions, and
sometimes more emotional responses than they would have expected.
This is a well-constructed depiction of relationships in the modern
world, depicting the lives of two young people living in quite
different circumstances in the west coast of the USA. We are drawn
into their personal lives both through their question and answer
times and in Grant's narrative sections where she reveals more
detail about the two young people. The questions are intriguing and
challenging and their determination to reply honestly gradually
enables them to understand both themselves and their Q/A partner
better.
This is a delightful and intriguing new 'novel' about young people
and their relationships. I would highly recommend it for senior
school students, parents and teachers as both an unusual and
delightful introduction to how adolescents work out their place,
ambition, and how they wish to live in the modern world.
Elizabeth Bondar
How to get rid of a vampire by J. M. Erre
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781846884221
(Age: 9+) "Zazie has just received a beautiful new notebook, and
decides to keep a diary. Brimming with imagination, she writes down
her impressions of her cat Roudoudou, her awful cousin Lucas and her
new teacher, Mr Labat - who, with his pale skin and blood-red lips,
must surely be a vampire! In order to save her life and those of her
classmates, Zazie must find a way to get rid of Mr Labat - and what
better way than by following the advice found in Bram Stoker's Dracula
. . ." (Publisher)
This is an entertaining read that will resonate with those with a
wacky sense of humour. The brave and likeable heroine, Zazie will
have readers falling in love with her as her imagination takes its
course. There is a slight Roald Dahl influence in the story with
Zazie making up some words of her own - something that certainly
appeals to many children. Many of the audience will be able to
connect with the lead character as she is always in trouble at
school and at home - simply because adults do not get her!
This is a funny book that would be a perfect fit for both boys and
girls aged nine plus. We know that many children love the magical
world of vampires and I am sure it will become popular with many.
Kathryn Schumacher
The Caldera by John Flanagan
The Brotherband series book 7. Random House Australia, 2017.
ISBN 9780857980137
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Survival, Rescue, Kidnapping,
Piracy, Team work, Sailing. Charged with the task of rescuing a
kidnapped Emperor from a far-flung volcanic island fortress, the
Brotherband (led by the extremely capable leader - Hal) are again
able to demonstrate their highly honed fighting and sailing skills.
This crew of mostly young Skandians is able to sail the small craft,
the Heron, with fearless expertise and superb teamwork. Despite
violent opposition from pirates and the elements, yet again the crew
take on a mission that will push them to the brink . . . but a life
depends on them acting quickly and putting the rescue mission before
their own safety.
John Flanagan writes with great flair to produce an action-packed
adventure that all readers will enjoy for its adrenaline rush and
wonderful introduction to the world of skilful sailing.
Note: the book also includes a bonus Ranger's Apprentice
short story. This is a surprise gift at the end.
Highly recommended for readers aged 11+ (even if you have not read
any of this series before book 7)
Carolyn Hull
Fox in the night by Martin Jenkins and Richard Smythe
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406355154
(Age: 5-8) Subtitled: A Science Storybook About Light and Dark.
Fox is hungry so she emerges from her dark den to look for food only
to find it is still daylight outside. (It's dark in Fox's den
because the daylight doesn't reach inside.) When she does finally
emerge, it is night and she is even hungrier and so she ventures
into the nearby town in search of dinner. There she is helped by all
sorts of light sources to find what she needs - and to escape!
Science surrounds us - it is not limited to people in white coats in
sterile laboratories that television news crews choose to use to
report breakthroughs and in this story very young readers will not
only enjoy Fox's adventure but also learn about light, why it is
important and where it comes from as there are simple explanations
that match the storyline on each page.
It also includes an index, bibliography and extra questions and
experiments to get young readers thinking about the science behind
the story and for them to explore further - a perfect parent-child
activity to do together. It suggests that the child compares the
length of their shadow over a couple of hours and this is a great
activity to do with a class if you get them to trace each other's
shadow in chalk in the morning, noon and afternoon.
It teaches them so much about the sun's path as well as measurement.
This is the first in a new series from Walker and I look forward to
many more.
Barbara Braxton
How to hang a witch by Adriana Mather
How to hang a witch Book 1. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN
9781406378795
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Themes: Witches. Ghosts. Salem (Mass.).
Trials. When Samantha Mather arrives to live in Salem,
Massachusetts, she finds herself at the centre of attention as the
descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men who had been responsible
for the trials of the witches in the infamous Witch trials. A group
of teens directly descended from the original witches and called the
Descendants, are not happy that Samantha has come to town,
especially as terrible things start to happen around her. Sam too
has encountered Elijah, the ghost of a young man from the time of
the hangings and Jaxon the boy next door who is the only person who
has made an attempt to be friends.
The real strength of How to hang a witch is its fast pace,
and this makes it very difficult to put down. Sam lurches from one
catastrophe to another as things seem go wrong around her - she is
the only witness to the death of one of the Descendants and the only
person not to get a terrible rash at a party. She is blamed for all
the bad luck happening in the town and accused of being a witch. But
Sam is a strong, resilient, if sometimes unlikeable character and
with the ghost Elijah ably helping her, she perseveres with her
investigation of what is happening, knowing that she must turn all
the trouble around to save her father from his coma.
The note at the back of the book lets the reader know that the
author is a descendant of the original Cotton Mather and this adds
much interest to the story. She has made Salem with its many
cemeteries, old houses, woods and ghostly appearances feel very
spooky and readers who are interested in witches and the paranormal
will enjoy the spine-chilling exploits of the Descendants and want
to find out more about what really happened in Salem during the
original witch hunts.
Pat Pledger
Is it warm enough for ice cream? by Violet Peto
Ill. by Victoria Palastanga. Dorling Kindersley, 2018. ISBN
9780241313053
(Age: 2-5) Board Book. Theme: Seasons. This bright, colourful board
book looks at each season and asks "Is it warm enough for ice
cream?". It is an English publication so some vocabulary and content
is not as meaningful for an Australian audience. For example, the
winter page shows snow and frozen ponds, which is only a reality for
a very small proportion of Australian children. The only season it
says is warm enough to eat ice cream is summer, when in reality it
is often warm enough to eat ice cream all year round in some parts
of Australia. There is some English vocabulary (ice lollies,
sledging) and although some are also found here the animals are
native to England (rabbits, squirrels, deer). Despite these slight
drawbacks for Australian readers, this is a handy introductory book about the different
seasons of the year and what they look, feel, sound, smell and taste
like. It is predominantly nature/science based (animals, plants,
weather, outdoor activities) which will help to build the vocabulary
of young children and make them more aware of what is happening
around them.
Simple pictures encourage pointing, labelling and discussion. The
pictures use a combination of drawings and photographs (especially
of animals, plants and flowers) to create realistic yet interesting
and varied visual spreads.
Nicole Nelson
Lucky button by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Michael Foreman. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406371680
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Orphans, Foundling Hospital
(London), Illness, Bullying, Friendship, Schools. When Jonah is
bullied he takes refuge in the chapel in his school, once a
Foundling Hospital in the country, used after the London premises
became overcrowded. Here he meets the spirit of a foundling, named
Nat Hogarth, who loves to play the organ, a noise sometimes heard by
the students, giving rise to the story of ghosts of the children who
once lived there. Nat relates his life story to Jonah, telling the
reader about this astonishing place.
He tells of his time with foster parents then returned to the
hospital for his education before being apprenticed at sixteen
revealing the lives of these children, many of whom died while in
care, education subservient to trying to deal with disease and
malnutrition. Nat is sent to a country house where he is treated
poorly, but at his second place he meets the Mozart children with
whom he develops a long standing relationship. Readers will be
thrilled reading about the place music comes to take within Nat's
life, and how it parallels Jonah's life, augmenting the link between
the two. This is a charming tale of lives lived two hundred years
apart, being pulled together through a love of music. Its beautiful
cover and pages of illustrations will ensure the book is read from
cover to cover.
The Foundling Museum in London's Brunswick Square is a most
arresting place to visit, with art treasures from famous people,
Handel and Hogarth for example, who supported the work of the
Foundling Hospital, and memorabilia from the unfortunate mothers who
left their babies there. Set up in 1739 by sea captain, Thomas
Coram, it was the first charitable trust developed to support
homeless children, because its founder could not ignore the vast
numbers of children left on the streets. To this end he set up the
hospital with the help of wealthy supporters who donated art works
creating an art gallery unlike any other. The work of the children's
trust continued until 1954, and today supports children in a variety
of ways. More can be found about this startling place at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundling_Hospital and
the museum at https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/
(Check 'About' to find information about the foundlings and what is
on display) The display of the tokens and mementoes left by the
relinquishing mothers will tear at your heart strings.
This museum, not well known on London's tourist trail is well worth
a visit and is near the Dickens' Museum. Dickens' portrayal of young
lives has parallels within the walls of the Foundling Hospital.
Fran Knight
The ashes of London by Andrew Taylor
HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9780008207755
(Age: secondary to adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Great Fire of
London, Sir Christopher Wren, London, Murder, Restoration,
Commonwealth, Puritans. The year 1666 was already inauspicious
containing three sixes, the mark of Satan to some, making the Great
Fire of London a sign that things had not gone well after the
restoration of Charles 11.
Intrigues still survive with some regicides, those who killed
Charles 1 still at large, and undercurrents of the dissenting ideas
of Cromwell are still at play.
So when a body is found in the ruins of St Paul's, James Marwood,
working for Master Williamson, a real character, editor and
publisher of the London Gazette, is given the job of finding out who
the man is. A second body is found in the Fleet Ditch some days
later and Marwood links the two as they both had their thumbs tied
together behind their backs.
But Marwood's father was a Dissenter, and needs constant attention,
causing Marwood to take time out for his welfare. And when he tells
his son in one of his rambles that he has seen Tom Lovett, Marwood
tries to elicit more information from the old man.
Alongside this story runs another, that of Cat Lovett, Tom's
daughter, taken in by a self serving family after her father
disappeared. People are after him, his politics now out of fashion,
while she is betrothed to a man she does not care for, more
interested in her family property than her. When the son of the
house rapes her she escapes, throwing herself on the mercy of
another family, that of her manservant, Jem, and in their inn she
serves an architect working for Dr Christopher Wren on the plans to
rebuild London. Cat was brought up with a modern thinking aunt who
loved architecture and she developed in her niece some rare
interests and gifts, unusual for those days, so Cat takes a real
interest in the man's work, often helping him as palsy sets in. Told
to leave the inn where she has been working, Cat hides in various
places wanting to keep away from her father and his beliefs.
The political intrigue behind the story is fascinating, revealing
that the Restoration did not smooth over the fraught times of
killing a king or of having Cromwell's Commonwealth ruling Britain.
Monarchists are questioning the extravagance of Charles 11 and his
indebtedness to some of the wealthier men in Britain. Dissenters
cause alarm and those still at large after the execution of Charles
1 are still being hunted down.
The fathers of both Cat and Marwood were involved in the plot
against the king and Marwood is doing his best to help his father,
impeded by his growing dementia and ill health, while Cat's father
is being sought by the authorities for greater reasons that his
beliefs.
Against the converging of these two protagonists is the marvelous
rebuilding of London. Taylor's descriptions of the aftermath of the
fire are riveting, and following the characters as they make their
way through the streets of London makes for exciting reading. Ash
still covers the streets, homeless are everywhere, people wander
about still in shock, food is scarce, surveyors are trying to
establish a sense of boundary markers, and still the London Gazette
publishes its weekly list of the dead, now including the two unknown
men whose identities Marwood is seeking.
This is a most engrossing crime story set within a richly detailed
historical setting.
Fran Knight
