A strong board book with bright colours and lift the flaps will appeal to all toddlers and younger readers who can get their hands on it. Perhaps a little larger than most board books, it nevertheless fills a gap for younger readers to get to know some Australian animals. Through the auspices of the very hungry caterpillar, which is seen on every page, kids will love seeing what is under the flap on each page. On the beach gives way to Under the ocean, then On the outback plains, Around the creek and finally Up in the treetops. Each double page has an introductory two rhyming lines which tell the readers what time of day in the environment they are in. Small pieces of information, but necessary to ground the animals on the page.
Kids will love seeing all the animals, and keep their eyes open for the caterpillar.
This is another in the series, World of Eric Carle, sure to please younger readers and teach them about Australian animals and their habitats.
Themes Australian animals, Verse, Very hungry caterpillar (series).
Fran Knight
Toodle the cavoodle: Crunchy munchy by Richard Tulloch. Illus. by Heidi Cooper Smith
Big Sky, 2023. ISBN: 9781922896711. (Age:4+) Recommended.
Toodle is the cutest caboodle around and is always in trouble for doing silly things. He loves treats and knows just where to get them. The odd socks man always has a pocketful of Puppy Pals for him, the girl with sparkly hair sometimes lets him share her lunch and the baby in the pram has no choice but to let him lick his ice cream. Each time a treat is consumed the text gives a wonderful set of words designed to get the kids listening. They will join in with the noisy onomatopoeic words, that display eating with gusto: for example, crunchy munchy, slirpity licket slurp as well as those words that emulate a dog’s voice and what it means.
The clip clop lady always leaves out a bowl of treats for Toodle, but today the bowl is empty. She gets herself through the cat door and hears hissing from the cat, horrified that a dog is in the house. But fearless Toodle soldiers on and finds the clippy cloppy lady on the floor. She has fallen over and cannot get up. But what can Toodle do?
This charming story will delight young readers as they will all know a dog as hungry as Toodle, and as fearless and helpful. They will have fun predicting how Toodle will be able to save the clip clop lady and cheer when all is resolved. This warm hearted story will reinforce the idea of neighbourhood and community, where everyone knows the local dog and the children and help each other.
Lovely illustrations add to the warm hearted feeling of the text, with Toodle’s big brown eyes staring out at the reader. Lots of movement is shown as Toodle jumps around, making sure he grazes at his many food stops.
The feeling of community sings through the story with people aware of the neighbourhood dog and giving her treats, while the incident of the fall, reinforces the notion of responsibility amongst neighbours and friends. The curly poodle hair is very real, contrasting with the fur of the coat. There are many details young readers will love finding on each page adding to the fun of Toodle’s rescue plan.
This book could be a stepping stone to talking about their older relatives and falls and how to keep them safe, as well as first aid and ambulances.
Random House, 2003. ISBN: 9780345462190. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
Ofelia has lived on Colony 3245.12 for forty years, outliving her husband and bringing up her son. Now she lives with him and his wife, looking after her garden, and expecting to see out her life on this isolated colony. When the Company decides to shut it down and send all the inhabitants off to a strange place, she decides to stay unbeknownst to the authorities. Alone she uses her skills to maintain what she needs to live a peaceful life, without the interference and criticism of anyone. Then a reconnaissance ship arrives, its inhabitants are killed and she discovers that she is not the only person living in her paradise.
The following from the publisher blurb says it all: “Finalist for the Hugo Award. "Ofelia - tough, kind, wise and unwise, fond of food, tired of foolish people - is one of the most probable heroines science fiction has ever known."- Ursula K. Le Guin.”
This is a novel that celebrates the wisdom, usefulness and intelligence of older people. Ofelia has been denigrated by her son and daughter-in-law and cast into a minor role in the colony. Left to herself, she shows ingenuity in surviving, and calm in her isolation. When the first contact people arrive, she can communicate easily and eventually comes into her own, regardless of her age.
Older readers will revel in the story of Ofelia, an older protagonist, the descriptions of her life and skills and the strange aliens who live on the planet. Self-educated, her growing confidence in herself as a diplomat and the way she manages the first contact with an alien species is a joy to read. Although first published in 1996, it is relevant today. As an older person, I enjoyed the way Moon critiqued ageism and sexism, and will certainly pick up more books written by her.
This is the follow up to Ready...Steady...Itchand the third in the series is flagged as coming soon. Lovers of Smarty Pup and Fart Boy will enjoy this hillarious, quick romp alongside Scuttlebutt the greyhound and Pugnacious the pug. There is a brief recap in the start of the book about the origins of the pair. Scuttlebutt was once a super fast greyhound but stopped because everyone laughed when he had an itchy bum and had to bum shuffle to the end. Pugnacious was once the meanest pug but he saved Scuttlebutt from the pound and now they are firm friends, roaming the streets and looking for a place to call home. Of course the dog catcher, S. M. Ellybutt is out for revenge. Bold, black and white pencil illustrations accompany short, simple tracts of text. The banter between the two dogs is funny: 'I never said I wanted a home with people who love us and care for us. I want a family with little people I can headbutt.', 'Okay, fine, tush scraper, but this better work.'
Children will especially love the horrible names the duo call each other and the ubiquitous toilet humour and harmless physical violence. The visual humour is particularly strong and the text is fast-flowing and witty. A quick read that will be enjoyed by humour-loving graphic novel fans.
Themes Humorous Stories, Dogs.
Nicole Nelson
What can I do with a cardboard box? by James Maclaine. Illus. by Harriet Noble & Erin Wallace
Usborne, 2023. ISBN: 9781805310037. (Age:6+)
We have all had experiences where we have seen mega amounts of money spent on a gift for a young child yet their greatest enjoyment has come from the cardboard box it was packaged in.
This new release from Usborne takes that humble cardboard box to a new level, well beyond the imagination of the toddler and into the construction skills of the older child. Using all sorts of boxes, each type readily available, they are challenged and guided to building a mini village, turning tissue boxes into monsters and rolling up chunky beads from bold and bright packaging. Bridges and ramps are put to the stability and functionality test, and that knowledge is used to investigate how to make an empty box strong enough to sit on. They can see what happens when a marble is rolled in the lid of a shoebox with some paint. And simple step-by-step instructions can turn any big cereal box can become an amazing 3D model of the Solar System.
Forget being thrilled about creating a cardboard version of Hogwarts - these projects will satisfy all of the requirements of the Design and Technologies curriculum while encouraging creative and critical thinking as models are designed, made and appraised as well as giving hours of enjoyment and fun. And there are even more ideas at the Usborne Quicklinks page.
Perfect for the Christmas stocking for both child and teacher!
In the sequel to The Luminaries Winnie Wednesday’s life has changed. She is no longer ostracised by the Hemlock Falls community after passing the hunter trials and becomes an overnight celebrity – ‘The girl who jumped. The girl who got bitten.’ But Winnie is not comfortable; no one believes that it is the Whisperer who is attacking the hunters and are blaming the werewolf that she knows rescued her in the forest. And she is having problems following the strange clues that her father has left her about the Dianas and the fact that he was framed as a traitor. Jay Friday seems reluctant to help her, and she must work out where her loyalty lies – with the Luminaries or with what she believes.
The hunting moon starts out slowly with Winnie trying to come to grips with being a local celebrity. She is invited to parties and has a drink named after her but finds it difficult when she can remember the times when no one would talk to her. Jay seems distant and grief stricken but eventually helps Winnie in her pursuit of the clues that her father has left her.
Once the action takes over, The hunting moon becomes more difficult to put down, as Winnie and Jay uncover deadly secrets in the forest and face great danger from the many monsters (beautifully illustrated throughout the book) that they encounter. The romance between Winnie and Jay continues to simmer, with each getting to understand the other’s thoughts and feelings.
Short chapters encourage the reader to continue with the story and the enigmatic ending will be intriguing enough for fans to continue with the series.
Who's the gang on our street? by Suzanne Gervay. Illus. by Nancy Bevington
Big Sky, 2023. ISBN: 9781922896810. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A survey of all the different gangs and kids on suburban streets is the order of the day in this charmer from Suzanne Gervay.
Questioning whether or not kids are part of one particular gang is the thread holding the narrative together, as we are asked if we are part of a rock group with spiked hair or belong to a soccer gang, or billycart gang or a gang that plays music. Do we balance like acrobats, or a birthday gang munching on delicious treats, or a dancing gang that likes to zigzag their steps. Each question about what gang the person belongs to is offered a response: they may not be part of the gang that does this, but they certainly can do other things just as well. So we learn that this gang has punky munky hair, loves to play, is the fastest in the street, can hang upside down and loves squishy bananas. At the last like, the team in the neighbourhood wants to find out who this gang is, and wanders around the streets until the gang is found.
Reader will laugh out loud as they recognise the creatures, ticking off the various attributes Gervay lists in the text, understanding that of course this is the gang, one they see all the time in their streets, but do not take much notice of. Now they will. This book is a lovely exercise in taking notes of what is around you. The illustrations are exuberant in their movement and colour, drawing the eyes over the activities the gang is involved in, reminiscing on the ones they have mastered themselves, waiting for playtime to try them out. From both the illustrations and text readers would be able to list all the attributes of this gang and compare them with the things they can do. And each gives a moment or two of mirth as the children and cockatoos gamble in the street. I tried counting the cockatoos in the book, how will your students go?
Themes Friendship, Australian cockatoos, Gangs, Activities, Humour.
Fran Knight
Queen of myth and monsters by Scarlett St. Clair
Sourcebooks, 2022. ISBN: 9781728265711. (Age:20+)
Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded, it looks like there is someone working against them in the palace... and there are numerous inexplicable monster attacks plaguing the villages - Isolde herself joins the fight against them and finds herself injured, and something new is in store for her... and a deadly crimson mist threatens all of Cordova, in particular the men and first born sons.. Isolde must trust in the bond she's formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.
Definitely a book for older readers, this paranormal fantasy is full of action, sex, swearing and self indulgent emotions. The second of the series, Adrian x Isolde, the author dropped the intrique that was present through book one, and focused more on increasing graphic sex scenes, seemingly unnessarily, along with regular swearing. If in a school library, the book should be in senior fiction, or restricted to older readers. I would not recommend it for a school library though, much less recommend it at all. Small chance it might be in line for fans of Sarah J Maas' series Court of Thorns and Roses, though it should be noted, it is not as well written, nor with as much storyline.
Themes Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, War, Kings and Queens, Revenge, Feminism.
Melanie Pages
Little Ash: Puppy Playtime by Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin
Little Ash: Puppy Playtime is the 8th and final book in the Little Ash series where tennis star Ash Barty teams up with writer Jasmin McGaughey and illustrator Jade Goodwin to create a series of books all about sport, school, friendship and family. These books are suitable for young readers to listen to from 5 years and up, and very suitable for children who are moving to being independent readers.
This story tells os a new puppy, Speedy, who joins the family and becomes Ash's best friend. Unfortunately they get into a bit of trouble whilst learning about each other and how to have fun without making a big mess! I liked how at the end of the story it also talks about telling truth when something happens and how when you tell the truth people are thankful and helpful towards the situation. A great lesson for young kiddos.
The illustrations by Jade Goodwin are enticing and at regular intervals throughout the book, moving it on from an emerging independent reader to a book for an independent reader. Although monotone in colour (or lack of), they still show emotions and add to the interest of the story line.
A solid 4 out of 5 for this book and also for the series. I look forward to reading more!
Late is not for everyone - it requires a special degree of preparedness for the unusual. The ‘What if…’ of the fiction writer is given a Hollywood touch in this unusual narrative. This is an esoteric, stream of consciousness journey, peppered with references to the life and passing of the icon that was Marilyn Monroe – a journey punctuated with parentheses and dotted with footnotes as literary signposts to the thoughts of the narrator along the way. This is a strange insight into the pain of fame and the stranger life of the narrator who once was Marilyn Monroe, but now has a new alter-ego identity as Zelda Zonk. Zelda has left behind the madness of a past life, and now lives in her isolated, architecturally-designed and austere apartment overlooking the clifftop ‘suicide zone’ adjacent to the Sydney Heads. Zelda, reflects on her life, her new home, her death (she is after all ‘the late Marilyn Monroe’), her ageing and her journey to her present existence 27 years on, … but always with an inherent, chaotic, literate and artistic essence that is hard to define. Is she mad or is her sanity beyond the norm? She was the consummate performer and ingenue in her past life, but who is she now? Into her world drops the young, gentle man, Daniel. Locked out of his own place (literally and metaphorically), he lands into her spotlight briefly and Zelda entertains and saves him.
The rambling of this book creates an other-worldly feel. It is written, not for the masses, but rather for those who like the challenge of exploring ideas rather than plot. The language use is a performance, an artistic, metaphorical work or an evocative dream. (It also sent me on some dictionary exploration to uncover meaning! And I was frequently re-reading sentences and paragraphs to clarify the intentions of the author or the narrator. There was sometimes a madness in the way the author/narrator communicated ideas.) Interestingly, Sydney Harbour almost becomes a character itself in this unusual text, and it was possible to get lost in the resonance of a cliff-top life. In reviewing this text I am conscious of the school-based reader, consequently I am not sure that it will hit the mark for any but the rarest of readers. However, the maturity of language, exploration of philosophies, the random directions of flow (including the use of the random asides in footnotes), the interjections of ideas from multiple sources and the iconic nature of the central character would be worthy of study for the astute literature student or adult reader prepared to wrestle with this unreliable narrator and extremely profound text. Expect this to get good reviews from the literati set, but certainly not from the general populace.
Dianne Wolfer (Light Horse Boy) has written an engaging, heartwarming novel that touches on some big topics, including the death of a parent and dangerous bushfires (the terrible 2019/2020 summer bushfires are used as background context). While it is confronting in parts and doesn't shy away from honestly discussing these issues it carries a lightness courtesy of Scout and her father's loving relationship, a lovely smattering of dad jokes, Aussie slang and cultural references to summer cricket, Christmas traditions and road trip sights and sounds. There are some great normalising of online safety: asking dad if she can add a friend to her contact list and him setting screen time limits for her. It also touches on the difficulties faced by truck drivers as well as their amazing community spirit and how they look out for each other.
It's the end of the school year and Scout is getting out of Arcadia Boarding School for Young Ladies. We quickly learn that her mum died of cancer recently, that her dad is a truck driver and that she doesn't feel like she fits in at her fancy boarding school at all. Scout is thoughtful, clever and scientifically curious. She and her dad are setting off on a road trip, delivering pallets of dog food donated by a philanthropist to animal shelters in time for Christmas. In addition, her teacher has set a summer friendship task that turns into a regular penpal communication and an authentic friendship. Along their trip Scout encounters problems, both with bushfires and dog shelters and does her best to help out, both by herself and by reaching out to friends and communities to assist. Her leaps to action and implementation are realistic and inspirational. At one point, Scout meets a boy who she really likes and she describes how her skin tingles and how she feels embarassed because she says something silly. This is such an honest story with so many small details that work together to paint a completely authentic picture. All the elements of the story are given due diligence: bushfires, developing friendships, grief over the loss of her mother, their new dog, Scout's dog adoption website and her worries about boarding school and there's a beautiful hopeful ending rather than a picture perfect one.
Themes Dog Shelters, Bushfires, Australian Stories, Community, Philanthropy, Truck Driving.
Nicole Nelson
Ten little yoga frogs by Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley
Catch a Star, 2023. ISBN: 9781922326904. (Age:2-5) Recommended.
Yoga is gaining increasing traction with the under five crowd so little movers will love this story that counts up from one to ten as one little frog is joined by nine friends in some kid-friendly yoga. This is similar to Mike Brownlow's Ten Little... series, except that this counts up rather than down. Bright, vibrant illustrations will capture and hold the attention of young listeners, who may even like to try out the poses themselves. The names of the poses and a silhouette of each are helpfully included on the corner of each page. Some pose inclusions are tree, lotus, garland and cow face. The last page also shows and names each pose. The text itself is simple and rhythmic: "Three yoga frogs stretching out for more, Noor joined in and then there were . . ." As with all classic counting books like this, children will enjoy shouting out the next number and large, colourful numerals in the top corner will aid with visual recognition. No doubt, they will also love perusing the fun illustrations which show the frogs in various peaceful places in the great outdoors: on lilypads, on yoga mats on the beach and in the vegetable garden, as well as being able to replicate the moves themselves. This will be a perfect introduction to yoga for beginners or a fun interactive book for those who already have a few poses in their arsenal.
Editor's note: This review was first written for the 2021 paperback version of the book.
Ideal for fans who enjoy a light mystery combined with a little science fiction The spare man is an enjoyable story from the award winning author of The calculating Stars (Hugo Award 2019, Nebula Award 2019, Locus Award 2019). Tesla Crane is on her honeymoon on a space liner. An heiress and clever inventor, she is travelling anonymously with her new husband and tiny service dog. When her husband is accused of murder, she is determined to solve the case and return to enjoying the trip.
This is a very light-hearted murder mystery with enough red herrings and twists to keep the reader engrossed. Tesla is a very likeable main character, as is her husband, but Gimlet her little dog steals the limelight and is so loveable. The setting aboard the space cruiser lifts the story out of the ordinary and the cocktail recipes at the beginning of chapters further emphasise the fun of the novel.
A Hugo Award for Best Novel shortlist (2023), and Locus Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2023), the novel’s suspense and humour make it a very enjoyable read, especially for readers who enjoy cosy mysteries.
11 year old Skye Starling loves her hometown, Seagulls Nest, so much so that she wrote a book about it - a mystery novel with the star fictional detective she created, 'Red Fox' but just as she's finishing it, it gets stolen! And then the crimes she wrote in the novel start coming true all over town! With the crimes happening in real life, everyone in town acting suspiciously and knowing what comes next, it's up to Skye to uncover the culprit! Lucky for her, she has her cat, Admiral Mittens, whose a clever kitten; her new friend, who will believes in her sleuthing abilities; and egg sandwiches - available aplenty in the town known for chooks, eggs and egg sandwiches.
This middle grade detective novel is full of animals, humour, relationships, and all the aspects of a small country Australian town (strangely obsessed with chickens and egg sandwiches). All the characters are well developed, with the right amount of humour and mystery for a middle grade novel. Evenly paced, the story moves well, with excerpts from the main characters novel, showing what crime is about to be discovered. The novel has numerous relationships that are explored through the novel, along with delightful animal companions that add depth to the story. Fans of R.A. Spratt's Friday Barnes detective series would enjoy this book, as well as the Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens series. It is unknown if there will be another 'Copycat' book, making it into a series, or if it will remain a stand alone novel.
Themes Mystery, Crime, Detectives, Humour, Country Town, Animals, Writer.
Melanie Pages
Billy and the giant adventure by Jamie Oliver
Penguin, 2023. ISBN: 9780241637807. (Age:8-10)
Well-known celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, has produced with Billy and the giant adventure, a novel that he has long planned. It reads with the enthusiasm of a fond Dad who is narrating a story that includes every amazing and wonderful idea that he can cram within the pages of a children's novel. This book is also available with "immersive music and sound effects" as an audiobook. The whole marketing package is available.
Jamie Oliver struggled at school with dyslexia, so he writes about something he knows by having the main character Billy also struggling with dyslexia. Jamie's hope in writing the book is that it will help children with dyslexia realise that they can find other wonderful skills just like Billy does. The printing and binding was done by Australian Griffin Press with attention to dyslexia friendly font 11.76/18.52pt times New Roman and 10.86/18.52pt Atkinson Hyperlegible. This and the text design by Janene Spencer, accompanied by the illustrations of the Spanish illustrator Monica Armino, are sensitive modifications for the dyslexic reader. Throughout the story, when Billy is faced with having to read difficult text, ways around are found and in the process, Billy finds that he has other skills to offer. Currently, in the world of children's books, there is an interest in presenting neurodiverse characters so that children can read about how others cope with the same problems that they have and that they are not alone.
Billy and the giant adventure follows the well trod pattern of children finding portals into magical forests and saving someone who is suffering through feats of skill, bravery and teamwork. Very much like Enid Blyton's The enchanted wood, a magic tree figures prominently. Oliver adds magical sprites (named after different spices) and other bad creatures like the stinky Boonas to the mixture. Billy and the giant adventure is a very busy book with perhaps too many underdeveloped characters and so much constant, frenetic action that the buildup towards a climax and resolution does not really happen. Perhaps it is oversauced and may result in confusion for the young reader.
Throughout the book, there are references and descriptions of delicious food. This is a plus and to be expected from Jamie Oliver. At the back there are some recipes for young people to try.
Overall, Jamie has worked hard on this book. It contains many ingredients, worthwhile messages and a lovely, warm tone. On the plot level it falls short because of the busyness and haphazard action which interferes with the normal expected flow towards a resolution. Characterisation suffers at the expense of action which means that the reader may find it hard to engage on the emotional level.
The recipes are well worth a try!
Themes Friendship, Dyslexia, Magic, Finding personal strengths, Environmental issues.
