In this modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the tone is light and fun. Lily’s family live at sunny Pippi Beach in a holiday house owned by an aunt. The girls and especially their attention-loving mother, Lydia, frolic in bikinis, enjoy Friday night drinks on the green, and are supported by the occasional house-cleaning job. Into this world stray two handsome Hollywood stars, the charming Casey Brandon and the aloof Dorian Khan, and their companions. Of course Lily and her sweet cousin Juliet get to meet them, and you know where the story goes from there.
Mother and daughter team, Kate and Angourie Rice, wrote this story over a summer at their family beach house. The depiction of the sun and surf lifestyle at the Aussie beach rings true, and adds authenticity to the setting. Both are also well experienced with the Hollywood lifestyle having successful roles as scriptwriter and actor in Los Angeles.
In fact the book reads like a script; we are told everything the characters think, say and do. Nothing is hidden, nothing is subtle. It is a lighthearted romantic romp, and could easily be visualised as a film. It would make an easy summer read, and perhaps for the younger teen a simple entree to the the more complex world of Austen.
Bunny buys best friend, Bird, a present, a dragon’s egg. They read the instructions together, and learn that if the dragon is blue they will have a lovely pet but if it is yellow, they will be in trouble. It is yellow. They think about how big the dragon might grow, and are worried that it might be as a big as a bus. The friends read on, learning that it eats only wood, and they must be aware of what the dragon does with the leftover leaves.
As each page progresses, Bland’s illustrations show an ever growing yellow dragon and readers will become as concerned as the friends, but will love looking at the differences between the friends and the dragon, watching for any of the traits alluded to in the instructions.
Bland’s images are hilarious, showing the facial features of the two friends as they realise just what they have to deal with. Relief floods in as they read that the yellow dragon will fly away after leaving an egg. So the whole fearful story may start all over again. They and the readers will watch the egg closely. A charming story of friendship and working together, the support shown between the two is laudable, especially when they have a yellow dragon to contend with. This engaging book is the first in a series about this duo, named Bunny and Bird.
Themes Friendship.
Fran Knight
Eddie Woo's wonderful world of STEM by Eddie Woo
Pan Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781761266843. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Author Eddie Woo is a very well-known mathematician, educator, television presenter and social media personality with his own ‘Wootube’ channel who has engaged primary school aged children all over Australia and the world with his love of all things mathematics related. His dynamic yet humble personality and easy ability of imparting information has opened the door for many children (and the adults in their lives) to a fun way of learning and gaining an understanding of mathematical concepts.
His latest release Eddie Woo’s Wonderful World of Science Technology Engineering Maths is a surprising book. With a bold cover featuring Eddie and numerous mathematical symbols, this thick activity book contains multiple pages where students can complete an exciting array of exercises at their own pace. The contents page begins with the first chapter explaining STEM and then moves on to On The Move, Out Of This World, Patterns Around Us, Sky and Sea, Robotics and STEAM.
Throughout the book, activities to attempt include word searches, drawing, filling out information, answering questions, colouring, paper folding, mapping and designing. Each page is perfectly set out with lots of white space, simple explanations of each activity, key words in large bold print with ample room for children to complete the task. The STEAM section has plenty of interesting art-based activities. Fortunately at the back of the book are all the answers. (Phew!)
Eddie’s humour and support are evident on every page and there is really something for every type of learner. Eddie Woo’s Wonderful World of Science Technology Engineering Maths would be a wonderful resource for home or school and teachers may find it especially useful for STEM/STEAM based learning activities.
Simon & Schuster, 2023. ISBN: 9781761423413. (Age:Adult, young adult) Recommended.
Hallowell, Maine in 1790, situated on the Kennebec River, is a thriving settlement shipping timber, furs and other produce down the broad fast flowing river. In November 1789 the river is starting to freeze for the winter and midwife, Maria Ballard is called to a birth, another baby girl for the blacksmith Charles Clark who was hoping for a son to help in the forge. But there is little rest for Maria as a messenger comes to say she is urgently needed at the tavern to act as coroner. A logging raft has been trapped in the ice at Bumberhook point and a body is found in the water. The dead man is identified as Joshua Burgess and Martha, on examining the body, finds that he had been beaten and hanged before being dumped in the river. Recently Rebecca Foster, the pastor’s wife, was raped by two men who broke into her home while her husband was away. She accused Joshua Burgess and Joseph North. But Joseph North is in a position of power, a magistrate and representative of the Kennebec Proprietors, owners of the leasehold of many in the town including the Ballards and in a position to prevent investigations. So starts a long winter where the everyday lives of the people of Hallowell are documented in Maria’s diary which proves important testimony as we are given a glimpse of the court system at the time. The story is from the point of view of Maria Ballard, a 55 year-old mother of nine, six surviving. Her miller husband, Ephraim taught her to read and write, unusual for women of that time. Not only is she a midwife and healer but she manages the domestic side of the family, growing food and processing it as well as raising a large family. There are many characters developed giving an insight into the social lives and dynamics of a small developing community, reliant on one another, gaining strength through interdependence. The novel is based on historical figure Maria Ballard and a book based on her diaries, A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich won a Pulitzer prize. This historical fiction version brings to life the period and characters (there are many of them and it is sometimes hard to remember who’s who) and spices it up with a murder mystery, that sometimes requires a suspension of disbelief. But it is easy to go with the flow as it is such a great read and an author's note at the end explains the historical context.
Renowned author Katrina Nannestad has written an historical fiction novel set in Australia based on family memories. Set in the early 1950’s, this novel reflects the social and emotional attitudes of the times, the after-effects of World War Two, the excitement of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth and the daily challenges faced by Nettie, her family, friends and the community.
Young Nettie is a full of life and has a vivid imagination. She lives with her dad, her three sisters and her domineering and rigid Aunt Edith on a dairy farm. But all Nettie wants is a mum. She imagines how life might be with hugs, cuddles and smiles from a mother-figure. She and her sisters are close but as the youngest, Nettie is often left to her own actions and thoughts, often shared aloud, which can lead her into conflict with Aunt Edith.
When her dad meets and marries Alice, Nettie’s life changes in every possible way. There is joy, love and laughter in the home and plenty of hugs for Nettie. The birth of baby Billy adds another much loved and adored member to the Sweeney family and life is just perfect. However tragedy strikes, with sadness and despair descending on the household once more.
Running parallel to Nettie’s home life is her school days. She travels by school bus, and then on a pony and each day brings something new. At school there are the usual day-to-day antics plus wonderful interactions across all year levels with the added excitement of the Queen’s Coronation and visit to Australia. Nettie’s friendship with her neighbour Robyn is often rocky and the cause of great angst and misunderstanding throughout the story.
The beautiful green hard cover of Silver Linings with its cleverly embossed elements relevant to the story, will draw readers in. Katrina Nannestad has shared so many historical facts about the 1950’s and important themes relevant in all times, that it would make a wonderful class novel. A highly engaging read. Teacher Notes are available.
Themes Family, Relationships, Belonging, 1950’s Australia, Coronation, Country Life, School, New Life, Flood, Grief, Loss, Hope.
Kathryn Beilby
The world's worst monsters by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Following on from The World's Worst Children, Parents, Teachers and Pets comes this gem of a story tome, the self-proclaimed "87th most scary book ever written". David Walliams has hit upon a winning formula with this series and this one doesn't disappoint. It's a great addition to the series and will win over little Halloween and spooky lovers everywhere. Fun colour illustrations on every page and eccentric humour that oozes from every sentence are combined with superb storytelling and brilliant plotlines to make these stories thoroughly engaging.
There is a different monster featuring in each of the ten stories, with most child favourites being covered: vampire, ghost, gorgon, zombie, creature from the deep, werewolf, Frankenstein's monster, mummy, abominable snowman and loch ness monster. These are not general monster meets human type stories though. Similar to his previous books in this series, each story has a completely different setting and context. The stories are fantastical, unpredictable and ludicrously funny. Some standouts include the son who has to keep it a secret that his mother is a zombie in a post-apocalyptic world and the young girl who uses her Frankenteddy to get revenge on her evil brother. The monsters aren't always monstrous, there is no real terrifying factor as they are more humorous than scary and there is generally a happy ending, although this is probably best kept away from very young or highly sensitive children.
The ending alludes to a World's Worst Monsters 2 which is sure to be just as fun and rollicking to read.
Oliver Jeffers is well-known for his striking picture books published for children. While his latest release Begin Again: The Story of How We Got Here and Where We Might Go would perhaps be suitable for older primary school aged children as a shared discussed text, the real benefit will be for secondary students and adults.
The book begins with an image of two hands holding fire. It leads to the question ‘Where did we begin?’ which is answered ‘with fire I suppose.’ The text then explores other beginnings and where they have led to. The flow of the story feels like the author is pondering over many things and as he thinks and questions more deeply, the reader is taken on an engaging, disturbing, yet hopeful journey. He shares the thoughts of the Apollo 8 astronauts who, from outer space, came to the realisation that all humanity belongs to one planet, Earth. We are a community where there should not be division from borders or beliefs or power or greed.
Jeffers talks about storytelling; that this is one thing we all have in common. Stories unite us. We can learn from each other’s stories. Stories may well be our hope for the future. Using only the colours of fluorescent pink and purple often against a white background, his graphic-style images complement his clever use of a few words across a double page spread. Words which are both thoughtful, and thought-provoking. At the end of the book there is a lengthy must-read author’s note which gives an illuminating understanding of the reasons behind the book.
Themes Thoughts, Actions, Social Commentary, Philosophy, Humanity, Stories, History, Progress.
Those readers familiar with Favel Parrett’s first younger reader novel, Wandi, will love her next book about another Australian dingo and her family. Kimmi is the true story of a young female dingo who became Queen of the dingoes in the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre in Victoria, Australia.
Kimmi and her three brothers are tropical dingoes who were born in the warmer areas of the country. From birth they were always in danger from one angry human landowner and after one dingo cub is killed, they are taken to safety by a young male human. He and his mother have a bond with the dingoes in the area, particularly with Kimmi’s mother. The two remaining male cubs are safely removed from the area as are Kimmi’s mother and her aunt. The story then revolves around Kimmi’s mother and the dangerous trek she makes to return home to Kimmi and teach her all she can about her heritage. She finally arrives back on her land and spends twenty four hours with Kimmi telling everything she knows. It is a short-lived reunion though as Kimmi is transferred to a sanctuary where she eventually learns to become a leader to other dingoes.
Throughout the story the author shares wonderful facts about the life of a dingo, and through the voices and thoughts of the dingoes, readers gain valuable information and understanding. There is an excellent question and answer section at the end of the book which once again provides another opportunity for learning.
Favel Parrett is a volunteer at the Sanctuary and through her clever storytelling she is able to share extensive knowledge of these much-maligned animals. Kimmi would be a perfect class novel to read aloud and there is so much scope for further investigation. A heart-warming story.
Fans of others in the Solve your own mystery series (The Monster maker and The missing magic) will be thrilled to have the fun and excitement of another mystery to solve. This time You and your yeti boss Klaus are travelling on the Transylvanian Express going to Castle Ursprung the home of the vampire Count Fledermaus. But – the Night Mayor Franklefink vanishes from the train. Who could have caused his disappearance – Bramwell Stoker, or Sandra Rigmarole or his monster wife?
Once again, the reader, always referred to as You, makes the decisions about which clues to pursue and who might be the most likely suspect. This gives lots of opportunity for different scenarios and allows the reader to try out their detective skills and even read the book again to try to solve the mystery in a different way.
The layout of the book is very attractive with engaging black and white illustrations by Louise Forshaw which add humour to the story. Older readers will be happy to notice the references to horror stories and mysteries that the very clever author, Gareth P. Jones makes when naming his characters and places.
Ideal for Halloween, this is a series that is sure to have appeal for young readers who enjoy humour and problem solving.
Themes Detectives, Humour, Adventure, Crime, Problem Solving.
Pat Pledger
Walk with us by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing. Illus. by David Hardy
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761065071. (Age:All) Highly recommended.
The fourth in the series: Welcome to our country, has a mother and her son learning about the country they live in. This seemingly simple activity, walking with a First Nations guide enables readers to assimilate clues to look for in their own area. Here they are encouraged to look with different eyes, creating a memorable day for Mum and Harvey. The opening pages shows him reciting the acknowledgement that we are now familiar with, and Mum arranges a visit to the park. Here they are met by Uncle Boris, a ranger, who will show them around. A black cockatoo calls overhead, and Mum says ‘I’ve been past this track so many times, but I’ve never walked down it before’. A most telling comment, encouraging us all to take a look around us with new eyes. They see the gum trees, and Uncle Boris talks to the ancestors; they are warmed by the sun’s rays, while they chew on a myrtle leaf Uncle Boris has picked for them, good for cuts and scratches, he tells them. Later they see a waterfall, and a pelican, frogs and water dragon as Uncle Boris points out good plants to eat, and those to avoid. A canoe tree takes their interest and Uncle Boris shows them how the ancestors would have made it and used it.
This headland was once used by the ancestors but this stopped after the First Fleet sailed through the heads of the bay.
Uncle Boris explains how the ancestors used fire, encouraging new growth and they see wallabies near the track.
Back home, Mum and Harvey reminisce on what they have learnt, and these comments give the perfect opportunity for kids and adults to think about the history of their own area, and what it tells them.
Told with a warm heart, this wonderful series of books encourages moving together down the path of reconciliation. Each book gives ways of communication, of doing things together, looking forward to an Australia where everyone matters.
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781760292812. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
Ultra Wild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth is a BIG BOOK! Big in size, big on ideas, big on facts, and big on problem-solving. Written and illustrated by Steve Mushin, an industrial designer and inventor, this book will challenge the reader to question, imagine and rethink the realms of future possibilities for inventions and most importantly rewilding and saving our planet.
The colourful and striking front cover with shiny bold lettering provides a snapshot of the fantastical creations with the endpapers cleverly showcasing some of the 100+ inventions. These complex illustrations provide a clue to what is to be discussed within the book. The author gives a personal introduction in a graphic-style format which continues throughout and provides both written and visual clues to allow the reader to grasp an understanding of the thoughts and the scope of the inventions.
The contents pages show the chapters presented horizontally across a double page beginning with the Prologue - “Ludicrous ideas are bootcamp for brain” and ending with the Epilogue – “Over to you for the greatest design project in History”. In between are 14 chapters with headings such as Chapter One: The Mechanical Megafauna Project where the question asked is ‘Could we replicate the soil-creating work of large animals with composting-firing cannons?’ which is followed by a discussion about long-extinct creatures and how they spread massive amounts of manure. Chapter Six: The Sewersub Project asks the question, ‘Could we convert abandoned sewers into underground rivers and ride through them in submarines?’ This is followed by detailed information explaining how this might happen. Chapter Eleven: The One…Small…Problem… provides thought provoking words and images of extinct creatures in black and white and is worthy of further discussion and research. In the final pages are the Acknowledgements, Bibliography, Glossary, Index and an Afterword from the author - well worth reading.
As noted at the beginning of the review, this book and its information is huge. There is so much to learn, ponder over and wonder if it will ever be possible. It is a fabulous trip into the imagination of Steve Mushin, plus renowned scientists and designers who supported his work. The overall graphic-style presentation complemented by the stunning illustrations and diagrams will appeal to those readers who are fascinated by science, inventions, innovations and design, and perhaps those who have not read a book quite like this before.
The Ultrawide website has additional information and the technology and science references for each project plus spreadsheets for keen readers to further their understanding.
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761068942. (Age:9+) Recommended.
Reunited brother and sister, Amber and Reggie, are still in danger. They are relentlessly pursued by Agent Ferris and this time he may well achieve his goal of capture. But before this happens, they rescue a family trapped in a wildfire, break into a secret holding place to steal Reggie’s file to find out if their parents may still be alive and once again outwit their enemies through the use of their amazing powers and with a bit of support from firefighters from Tananda.
While back resting with Aunt Irene, Amber wanders away and is trapped by the National Services and taken to an impenetrable holding cell. After a dramatic car accident Reggie is able to rescue Amber but he exhausts his powers and is now unable to use them anymore. For Reggie this is just what he wanted and decides to leave Amber as she will always be in danger if he is around. Amber is devasted but with Aunt Irene travels to a new area. Will Amber and Reggie be reunited ever again? Book Eight is out soon.
Themes Family, Siblings, Firestorms, Insects, Danger, Good vs Evil.
Kathryn Beilby
Good night, good beach by Joy Cowley and Hilary Jean Tapper
All the happy memories of being at the beach for a holiday will be recalled as this lovely book is read. The enticing view from the bedroom window draws the five children to the beach to splash in the shallow waves and get sand between their toes. The moon is low in the sky, the sea just outside the shack as the waves slowly make their way to the shore. The children potter in the shallows, watch the birds, collect shells and pieces of smooth glass washed by countless waves. When the sun goes down they make their way back to the shack, donning their pyjamas, ready for the evening with their families and then to bed. They wrestle with a jigsaw puzzle, and as the darkness of night descends, leave the adults to go to bed.
In a choice few words, Joy Crowley brings together the joys of a beachside holiday where the days are filled with the sea, and countless hours are spent doing little, but always engaged.
The evocative illustrations are like memories - recalling past holidays at the beach with extended family and friends, doing little but talking and eating together, dawdling along the beach, watching the sky, playing games. Tapper brings those lazy days to the fore with great sweeps of colour, vistas of a never ending beach, views from windows, panoramas of the hills beyond, and then equally diverting and detailed views inside the shack. She sets the children against these happy times, reminiscent of family and togetherness. The detail which Tapper includes enriches the pages. I love the end papers with the Onkaparinga blanket image, again recalling beach holidays where the shack is full of decades old bedding and furniture no longer good enough to be used at home, but still serviceable.
Readers will love searching out the details in the illustrations, while absorbing the rhyming text, predicting what word may be used next to keep the rhyming pattern going.
Themes Beach, Holidays, Family, Togetherness, Shacks.
Fran Knight
My yellow blanky by Sofie Laguna. Illus. by Tom Jellett
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761180521. (Age:1+) Highly recommended.
This delightful look at a comforting blanket kept by a young boy is very attractive. The bright yellow cover with the boy and his dog and blanket joyfully skipping across the page will entice readers to open this strongly made board book. They will recognise the comfort of a blanky or soft toy and feel at one with the child as they read. The yellow blanket exudes the smells of baby’s mashed banana, Pickett the dog, Mummy and his thumb. The blanky goes everywhere with the boy, but one day when he wakes, it is nowhere to be found. He searches under Ted, and under Grandma, he looks in Dad’s Kombi. Where can it be? He races outside and finds it on the clothesline, looking even more yellow that before, and immediately sniffs it to see if the familiar smells are still there. He realises that the wonderfully familiar smells have all gone. Pickett grabs the blanket in his mouth and races through the garden, and the pond, the woodpile and the sandpit. Finally the two lie down on the blanket, content now to smell the whole world.
This is a wonderfully comforting story, a circular story which reveals how attached the child is to his blanket, then shows his sorrow at losing the blanket, and a warm conclusion when it is found again.
Tom Jellett’s illustrations are full of the fun and joy of family, of the love shown between its members, of the comfort of having a blanket to hold. The little boy features on every page along with his dog and the blanky. We follow the antics of the young boy and his dog, long suffering Mum as she wrinkles her nose when the blanky is held near her and the quizzical look on Dad’s face as he spies the boy and his dog about to get into his newly cleaned van.
Young children will readily recognise familiar ground, as the boy holds the blanket close. A warm family centred story to share with younger readers.
Adrienne Tooley presents an intriguing fantasy world where religion centres around a belief in the ‘New Maiden’ and the coming of ‘the third daughter of the third daughter’, a successor who will appear when she is needed by her people. When Elodie’s sister Brianne, supposedly the third daughter, is pronounced queen and all the power is assumed by Brianne’s father, the Chaplain, Elodie fears for her country. Desperate to ensure the power stays in her own hands, as eldest daughter, until her young sister is more ready to take on the responsibility, Elodie resorts to a magic potion that backfires on them both.
Another voice furthers the story in alternate chapters, that of Sabine, a young girl strangely inhabited by a sadness that overwhelms her and causes self-doubt. Her misery regularly leaves her withdrawn under her quilt until she can release her emotion in tears, tears that become a sort of magic, eagerly sought by others. Sabine’s darkness can be seen as a kind of depression where her confidence is constantly undermined. It is not until she can truly embrace her feelings that she is able to find the strength she needs.
It is an interesting juxtaposition: Elodie is the clear-headed strategist, and Sabine is the well of emotion. One is used to the privileges of royalty, while the other has only ever known poverty and hardship. The two girls are gradually drawn together; their love is tentative, but the path is rocky, trust is betrayed, and even siblings and friends seem two-faced. A danger arises that threatens them both.
It is an interesting story of conflict between state and religion, power and loyalty, love and doubt, embedded in a world that readers of fantasy will enjoy, though the twists towards the end may seem a little rushed. Clearly the travails of Elodie and Sabine have not concluded and there will have to be a sequel.
