Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408872048
Alfie, the little rabbit with the big imagination, is back in a new
adventure, this time walking through the woods. As he gathers
woodland treasures and plays hide-and-seek he notices many of the
little creatures and his mind morphs him into becoming each of them.
Such a busy day - luckily Daddy is there to carry him and his
treasures home.
Deb Gliori's distinctive illustrations bring the woods to life but
with soft lines, textures and palettes, it does not become a place
that is too scary for the littlest reader. It will encourage lots of
imaginative and active play and then be perfect for drawing the
curtains on the day as a bedtime story.
Barbara Braxton
Secrets in death by J.D. Robb
In death series, book 45. Little, Brown, 2017. ISBN
9780349415789
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Mystery. It is amazing how J.D. Robb
manages to come up with new plots and twists even after 44 previous
books. Secrets in death is just as compulsive as the
previous books and leaves the reader wanting more of the fabulous
couple, Eve Dallas and Roarke.
This time, the plot centres on the murder of Larinda Mars, who bled
out in front of Dallas while she was in a fashionable bar. As the
investigation gets underway, it becomes apparent that Mars not only
traded in gossip for her show, but traded in blackmail on the side.
With so many suspects to choose from, Dallas and her team have a
busy time trying to uncover the secrets that Mars carried with her,
not just about the people on her list but about the reasons that her
face had been virtually reconstructed. And for readers, there is a
secret close to home that is finally revealed.
The success of this series is a tribute to J.D.Robb's ability to
write a tight, interesting murder story, this time concentrating on
how the team do the investigation. I was left wishing that the story
hadn't finished. Fans will not be disappointed.
Pat Pledger
Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619637245
(Age: 4-8) Beginning readers.This new series is similar to the
Elephant and Piggie books. It is comprised of crisp, simple,
full-page illustrations with bold outlining and page borders. It
contains no narration, mostly speech bubbles and some sounds and
environmental text. The small amount of large, bold text on each
page makes it perfect for beginning readers. There are some visual
clues to help young readers and it uses mostly high frequency and
phonetic words. Duck, Duck, Porcupine! includes three short
stories, each featuring Big Duck, Little Duck and Porcupine. Big
Duck is organised, bossy and knows just about everything. Porcupine
is a great friend who will go along with just about anything. Little
Duck cannot talk yet but he thinks outside the box and is very
clever. The three characters are all incredibly lovable. In the
first story the friends go out for a picnic but it starts raining.
Big Duck and Porcupine are disappointed that their picnic is ruined
but Little Duck shows them how to have fun in spite of the wet
weather. In the second story Big Duck knows she has forgotten
something and Little Duck is trying ever so hard to tell her what it
is. In the last story the friends decide to go camping. While Big
Duck and Porcupine are still busy gathering the 100 necessary
camping items Little Duck is already having fun camping! This is an
engaging text for young children with pictures that help tell the
story and beautifully illustrate the nuances of the three friends.
Simple illustrations, a restrained colour palette and minimal
background detail will help to keep young readers focused on the
text and the expressions and actions of the characters. The
characters are endearing and both children and adults will enjoy
their humourous adventures.
Nicole Nelson
Jigsaw of fire and stars by Yaba Badoe
Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786697981
When a boatload of African refugees is rammed and sunk by people
smugglers, Sante's family set her adrift on the sea in a chest
containing all their wealth, in the hope that she will survive.
Discovered by Mama Rose and raised as her own alongside two other
foundlings Cat and Cobra, Sante grows up in a small Gypsy community,
travelling throughout Europe and performing circus tricks for a
living.
The youths possess unusual talents. Sante sees the terrible demise
of her family in dreams, can sometimes read the thoughts of people
and communicates with Triss, an eagle which protects her and does
her bidding. Cobra has an affinity with snakes and can charm them to
behave as he pleases whilst Cat is an unerring knife thrower.
Sante's family and friends are used to constantly moving to escape
the attention of authorities who often chase and harass them. When
they realise that the appearance of suspicious men is somehow
connected to Sante's dead relatives, their instinct is to remove
themselves and disappear, rather than engaging the help of police
whom they naturally distrust.
The arrival of the mysterious Scarlett, a young girl of similar age
who is clearly traumatised, prompts Sante, Cat and Cobra to remain
and assist her against the wishes of their elders. The trio
discovers a sinister people smuggling network where adolescents are
sold into sexual slavery and they become embroiled in a dangerous
and nasty situation.
In order to survive and to attempt to bring the criminals to
justice, Sante, Cat and Cobra summon all of their powers, both
physical and magical as they navigate a confusing maelstrom of
events.
The theme of sex trafficking seems out of place in a story which
appears to be written for early teens, however nothing explicit is
depicted. The writing style, language and plot developments may not
appeal to older readers and the topic seems worthy of a more
sophisticated presentation in my view.
Rob Welsh
Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais
Pushkin Press, 2017. ISBN 9781782691204
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. This superb YA novel deals with some
pretty gritty issues like bullying (cyber and real life), self
image, identity and family relationships and is one of the most
wickedly funny books you'll read all year.
Mireille, Astrid and Hakima are three girls at the same school and
recently voted as the first three place-winners in a Facebook 'Pig
Pageant' for the ugliest girls by their schoolmates. This event was
initiated by Mireille's erstwhile childhood friend Malo, who is one
of the most odious youths ever. Since they both started high school
Malo has made it his mission in life to humiliate Mireille at every
turn.
While the girls are all pretty crushed by this horrible bullying,
they are not going to let it get the better of them and form a
friendship that will fly them forever. Each has a particular reason
for their proposed plan to cycle to Paris for the huge Bastille Day
celebrations; Mireille, wants to confront her biological father, now
married to the President, Astrid wants to meet her idols Indochine
and Hakima wants to berate the commanding officer about to be awarded
the Legion of Honour for the debacle that resulted in her brother
Kader losing both his legs in battle.
Overcoming the opposition of parents, the girls set off on what must
be the craziest road trip ever with Kader in his super wheel chair
as their chaperone. Along the way they garner the respect and
adulation of thousands via newspapers and social media and in real
life.
Told through Mireille's witty and philosophical voice, the reader is
alongside the girls for the entire trip which is joyful, uplifting
and totally hilarious.
Proving themselves as true Mighty Girls the trio triumph over the
online bullies and even horrid Malo shows some indications of
redemption, especially when the reason for his nastiness is
revealed. Each girl learns valuable lessons about herself
particularly when they finally attain their goals and find that
something has changed about their motivations.
Definitely worthy of its achievement of winning France's biggest
award for YA/teen fiction I highly recommend this to you for your
girls from around 14 years upwards.
Sue Warren
The book of me! by Adam Frost
Ill. by Sarah Ray. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408876817
(Age: 7-10) Recommended as a 'gift book'. Themes: Identity; Facts;
Humour; Interactive Book. The Book of Me is an example of an
interactive book - where the reader gets to fill in details about
themselves, draw their own cartoons, find out some interesting and
quirky facts, laugh at Dad jokes and answer questions and
consequently make their own book. It is illustrated in a style that
lovers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid would be familiar with - a
humourous naive cartoon style. This is not really a book for a
library collection, but it would make a wonderful gift for a 7-10
year old about to embark on a holiday where they might need an
activity pack or to give to child recuperating after an operation.
Written for a UK audience, there are the occasional pages that might
miss the mark for an Australian child. However the Australian facts
on the upside-down page for the 'Land Down under' will cause a
smile.
Give this book with a pencil or coloured pens and it would make a
quirky humourous gift.
Carolyn Hull
Busy cafe by Louise Forshaw
Busy series. Pan Macmillan, 2017. ISBN 9781509828739
(Age: 0-4) Recommended. Busy cafe is one of nine board books
in the Busy series by Campbell Books, and in my opinion is
fantastic! This little book captured the imagination of my 3 year
old and was the starting point of lots of interesting conversations
about our daily life and how the cafe world works. The book has push
and pull tabs and a spin mechanism that shows the changes in the
cafe; whole food to cut up or eaten foods, full to empty cups; and
were a hit!
The illustrations by Louise Forshaw are bright and enticing, and the
speech bubbles have great questions that also allowed us to do some
counting, searching of the page and discussing favourite foods. The
words follow a simple rhyme which was mastered by the 3rd reading
and also assist to teach children the process of ordering, paying
for and collecting food in this scenario.
The other books in the series include Busy bookshop, Busy
farm and Busy vet and I feel that they would be good
resources to help teach children learn about places and people in
our community while enjoying a fun interactive story. Target
audience: Up to 4 years.
Lauren Fountain
Herobrine goes to school by Zack Zombie
The adventures of Herobrine book 1. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN
9781742765907
(Age: 8-9) The Adventures of Herobrine book 1: Herobrine goes to
school is another series by Zack Zombie, aimed at children who
both love the game Minecraft and possibly his previous series The
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie. This book is written from the
perspective of Herobrine who has entered the human world as part of
a collaborative experiment, but is the only Minecraft character in
the town. The overarching topic of the book is of how Herobrine does
not fit in and all that comes with that scenario in a middle school
setting.
It does have a lot of relatable experiences for children, including
a school bully, liking a girl and having to learn new things (like
dancing to fit in at the school dance). I can see how this story and
Herobrine's attitude of getting on with it, and not taking too much
to heart could be of benefit to lots of children, but I felt like I
was consistently comparing it to Zack Zombie's last series and in my
opinion it is nowhere near as good. It is easy to read but lacks the
humour of Diary of a Minecraft Zombie, and my 7 year old
reader did not find it as engaging. Fluent readers from around 8-9
years old would probably like this story, and enjoy reading about
the softer side of Herobrine, who in the game is not really a
character but more of a superstition who many say they have seen
appear in the game and claim to be quite creepy! Although we may not
have enjoyed this book I am sure that die-hard Minecraft fans around
8 years and up would like it as an easy read with some relatable
settings.
Lauren Fountain
Sir Scaly Pants and the dragon thief by John Kelly
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408856062
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. This is the second story about Sir
Scaly Pants the Dragon Knight and is just as
entertaining as the first. This time the king is kidnapped by an
evil dragon and Sir Scaly and his clever horse Guinevere, go to the
rescue. After traipsing past a cyclops, a warty witch and a
long-haired lady, Sir Scaly discovers the king tied up to a flagpole
on the top of a very tall dragon tower.
Then he and Guinevere have to use all their wits to work out a way
to rescue him.
The reader is introduced to 'The story so far' in an explanatory one
page rhyme which describes how a knight raised him, how he went to
Knight School, beat a smelly giant and became the King's champion.
Then the story continues in humorous rhymes which are a joy to read
aloud. The allusions to myths and fairy tales, like Rapunzel, will
also appeal to astute readers, who will also appreciate the twisty
ending.
John Kelly has been shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal and his
illustrations, bold and very colourful, will certainly appeal to his
young audience. The evil dragon is a joy to behold, gripping the
king in its forelegs and the looks on all the faces of both people
and animals will have young readers giggling aloud.
This is an uplifting and very humorous story that will have instant
appeal to young readers and listeners.
Pat Pledger
His Royal Tinyness : A terrible true story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Ill. by David Roberts. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406324662
(Age: 4-8) Highly recommended. Humour. Siblings. Babies. Told from the
point of view of "the most beautifulest, cleverest, ever-so-kindest
Princess with long, flowing wondrous hair," this is the tale of a
family that was happy until a new ruler was born, "His Royal
Highness, King Baby". The story goes on to describe the terrible
trials that Princess Marianna has to put up with, as His Royal
Tinyness burps his way to his first birthday, when all the family's
friends and relatives meet to celebrate this wondrous occasion.
Told in a very amusing narrative, the first year of the baby is
described, while the little girl, resplendent in yellow tights on
her head to denote her beautiful hair, learns to put up with no
longer being the centre of attention in her kingdom. The addition of
funny little sayings in parentheses like Marianna describing herself
as (lovely in all her ways) greatly enhances the humour and will
have readers laughing out loud. The ending is tender and loving and
leaves the reader feeling uplifted as the little girl shows her love
for her brother.
David Roberts' illustration are fabulous. I loved the retro images
of the parents in their 70's outfits, bell bottom trousers on the
father and hippy dresses and clogs on the mother but what really
stood out for me was the addition of child-like drawings that
Marianna drew showing the life that enfolds around her and just what
she thought of the progress of her baby brother.
This would be a welcome addition to any house where a new baby is
expected and would provide a humorous discussion point and read
aloud in the classroom where families are being discussed.
Pat Pledger
Little Shaq takes a chance by Shaquille O'Neal
Ill. by Theodore Taylor. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781619638785
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Themes: Talent; Friendship. Little Shaq loves
basketball and he is good at it but is a little worried that he
might not be good at art. He doesn't really want to try something
new (including trying new foods). These struggles are happily
overcome with the support of friends and family.
This early chapter book is a simple and encouraging look at family,
growing up and talents. Written by a very famous basketballer, it is
an unpretentious view of the journey through life for the talented
Little Shaq. The bright illustrations are appealing and helpful for
an early chapter book reader as they transition from picture books
to novels.
Carolyn Hull
The bad bunnies' magic show by Mini Grey
Simon and Schuster, 2017. ISBN 9781471157608
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Magic. Magicians. Deception. A slight change
in plans means that The Great Hypno has been unavoidably detained
and is replaced by the two bunnies, Mr Abra and Cadabra. The two
bunnies take over the magic show usually put on by The Great Hypno,
changing a fish into an octopus, using one of the bunnies as a
target for knife throwing, changing a bird into a beast, and sawing
a woman in half. All is done with the magic wand and the words, Hey
Presto, reminding readers of days gone by when this sort of
entertainment was far more usual than it is today. People reading
the story with the children will have fun recalling the fairs, fetes
and circuses which once were common in towns and cities alike.
Television shows about magicians too seem now a thing of the past,
and so this will rekindle interest and teach the words and images
that went with this form of entertainment.
Mr Abra and Cadabra go on their merry way, eventually using
hypnotism to get the audience asleep to steal from them, but the
woman sawn in half comes to the rescue of The Great Hypno and all is
well.
A wonderful read aloud story, I can imagine children and adults
alike putting on various voices of the people involved, searching
for The Great Hypno, detained by the bunnies and looking closely at
the images that make up a magic show. Great fun and gloriously
illustrated, with lift the flap pages adding to the intrigue.
Fran Knight
100 things to know about food
Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781409598619
This is a fascinating journey through the world of food that will
not only appeal to budding young chefs but to anyone who likes to
eat. Presented with lots of colourful illustrations with
hundreds of simply expressed facts that are readily accessible to
newly independent readers, it begins with an explanation of why we
need to eat, the sorts of basic elements we need to have, like fats,
carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins and then takes us on
a journey of the most diverse and interesting topics. Who knew
that hating Brussels sprouts could be in your DNA; that you should
never bake meringues on a rainy day; or that the national fruit of
Jamaica contains a deadly poison? Readers can find out about
why farmers rent bees, the last meal served on the Titanic, even
about the Frenchman who ate an entire plane between 1978 and 1980.
This is the sort of book that attracts young boys in particular, as
they sit around a library table each sharing the same book and
sharing the most outrageous pieces of information they can
find. Despite the knowledge that they gain about the topic,
the sheer enjoyment of the activity, and the affirmation that
reading is not only useful but fun are enough to ensure that this
book deserves a place in the collection.
As is usual with Usborne non fiction, information literacy skills
are supported by a glossary, and an index, as well as pre-selected Quicklinks
which take the learning even further. Another one for the
information-hungry, daughter-of-a-chef Miss 6. She is going to be
surprising her father with her new knowledge!
Barbara Braxton
Under the same sky by Britta Teckenrtup
Caterpillar Books, 2017. ISBN 9781848575868
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Peace, Sharing. Under the same sky
reflects the theme that we are all born under the same sky, with the
same needs and wants, we share the same feelings even though we are
spread across lands far away.
In brief spare phrases the author delivers this message in terms
that can be understood by all readers, and supported with
wonderfully evocative illustrations of animals looking up to our
shared sky.
Britta uses the technique of collage and printmaking to create her
illustrations and made more interesting with cutouts along the way,
allowing children to turn a page and peek into what went before,
phrases reprised in the next illustration. It adds another level of
intent for the reader, already absorbed by the depiction of skyward
looking animals. Groups of each species are shown on each page and
then to underline the theme, all of them are shown together on the
last double page. Readers will not miss the theme of the story that
no matter who or what we are we share the same emotions, loves and
fears, and so should work together.
Fran Knight
Why do we need bees? Katie Daynes
Ill. by Christine Pym. Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781474917933
Type the title of this book into a search engine and you instantly
get millions of results including this video, such is the
importance of this tiny creature to the welfare of the world. For
without bees to pollinate the plants there are no plants and
therefore no food to sustain people or animals.
So it makes sense to make our very youngest scientists and botanists
aware of the critical need to protect these creatures as they carry
out their important work and this new release in the Usborne
Lift-the-Flap series does just this.
Using the question-and-answer format that little children themselves
use and which lays the foundations for inquiry-based learning, the
role of bees is explored in six double page spreads. Each
starts with a key question such as what are bees?; why do we need
bees?; and where do bees live? and this is then supported by a more
focused question, the answer to which is hidden under a flap.
Delicately illustrated but sturdily constructed as a board book,
each page offers much to explore and learn, with both the questions
and answers in simple sentences and vocabulary that young readers
understand. And for those who want to know more Usborne Quicklinks
supplies vetted weblinks
to satisfy.
Children are curious about the world around them and we know that as
parents and teachers we can't always answer all their
questions. Helping them understand that there is information
to be found in books and their questions can be answered is a first
step in the development of their information literacy, and learning
that you can dip and delve into books as your interest is piqued and
that you can readily return to what you discover is invaluable.
Even though this is a lift-the-flap book, a format normally
associated with the very young, it contains a way into non fiction
that is perfect for early childhood and could serve as a model for
presentation for older students required to investigate the world
around them as they learn to pose questions as well as answer them
succinctly. An interesting way to introduce keywords,
note-taking, summarising, paraphrasing and using your own words!
A book that has riches beyond those given to us by its subject!
Barbara Braxton
