When Billy is feeling sad, all he wants to do is talk to someone. But his best friend, Hippo thinks he knows what Billy wants, beginning a journey of doing things that perhaps make him smile but in the end do not get to the core of the problem. He initially suggests that they dress up, Hippo donning a rooster costume and Billy a dragon one. Billy feels a little less sad, but Hippo says he still looks sad, so tries something else. This time they go dancing in the falling blossoms, and yes Billy feels less sad, but trying again to tell Hippo what he really wants, he is cut off. Hippo takes Billy on a pirate ship for an adventure. That does not cheer him up, so Hippo takes him on a flying carpet. When this does not work he tries to throw a party, but Billy is nowhere to be seen.
Hippo finds him and when Billy says that he does not want a party or a dinosaur or a magic carpet or to dance in the blossom, he just wants someone to talk to. So Hippo goes off and collects his fluffy quilt, makes two hot chocolates with extra marshmallow and sits on the couch with Billy.
Billy talks and talks and Hippo listens. He tells him about how he feels, like autumn leaves about to fall or careering over a waterfall, his stomach feeling like midnight. When he finishes talking he feels a little better, his sadness like a distant echo. And the hug that Hippo gives him is the best antidote after all the talking.
Hippo promises to always listen and be there for his friend.
An easily absorbed tale about feeling sad will touch many kids’ hearts as they recall times they have felt sad and simply needed a friendly hug and someone to listen. A gentle, comforting read about sadness will appeal to readers as they identify with Billy and his feelings, and also feel sympathy for Hippo as he tries to comfort Billy, but missing the mark until Billy tells him to listen.
The beautifully understated watercolour and pencil drawings capture Billy’s time on the couch, just wanting someone to listen. I loved the title page with the range of toys, and the hippo in the middle, waiting to be of use, with the other toys being part of the solutions offered by Hippo.
Author/illustrator Gabriel Evans from Western Australia, has been published internationally. Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, was his first picture book with Penguin Random House, and was shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year in 2022. His second, A Friend for George, was published in 2023, and Listen, Hippo! released in 2024.
More about Gabriel and his work can be found here.
Joaquin Camp's colourful marker illustrations are youthful, simple and all kinds of wonderful. Three robbers, beautifully depicted without mouths and thereby allowing amazing expression through eyes and body posture, are off to rob a bank. Thief 1, Thief 2 and Thief 3 begin to dig and the reader is treated to lots of below-ground glimpses into their tunnel work. The illustration of their planned tunnel and the cross-section of the bank building showing the sleeping guard and the piles of money in the safe is particularly pleasing.
There is some lovely humour within the individual character traits of the three thieves, as well as in where their digging takes them. For something so simple as digging they manage to get it all very wrong. They end up in the middle of a wrestling match, on stage with an orchestra and in China. They even dig all the way through the sea and come up on a boat, which children will love for its absurdity. The reader is also privy to what they don't see in the dirt close to their tunnels: dinosaur bones and a mole family burrow. In the end they have all had quite enough of digging and Thief 3 says 'What if the treasure doesn't exist? What if it's a metaphor and it's actually in our hearts instead?'. The reader is again privy to what the thieves can't see - they are super close to the bank. But the thieves are done and they're off home to enjoy time with all their friends they found along the way. There is oodles of visual information here to support the text and to add extra layers of meaning. It is also a shining example of how simple illustrative techniques can convery great emotion and movement. The text is also short and snappy, giving it a crisp wittiness.
Themes Humorous stories, Friendship.
Nicole Nelson
Mia Megastar by Ada Nicodemou with Meredith Costain. Illus. by Serena Geddes
Mia Megastar written by Ada Nicodemou, a well-known Australian actor, is based loosely on her own childhood memories and her dreams of becoming a star. In this first book of a new series for primary-school aged readers, it is perfectly obvious right from the beginning that eleven year old Mia loves performing. She has a natural talent and is forever sharing her acting performances with her large extended Greek family.
Living above a shop filled with yummy Greek pastries as well as the more mundane everyday items, Mia exudes joy and passion for life. She is always on the go with best friends Ted and Brina, and after seeing a live theatre production Mia decides that they will create a drama club. With a little support from Mr J, the school drama teacher, Mia along with Ted and Brina audition students and form the Summerdale Stage Stars. While trying to work out what play to write, they settle eventually on improv theatre where a scenario is given and the actors improvise on the spot.
Throughout this story there are numerous illustrations and doodles as well as highlighted key words for emphasis. The strong characters are relatable and each bring their own special quality to the story. The introduction and discussion of Greek language, food and traditions is a wonderful way to expose readers to another culture. At the end of the book is a Q & A with Ada Nicodemou which is both enlightening and worth sharing with children.
Book 2 is out in June 2024 and Book 3 in October 2024.
Electric Monkey, 2024. ISBN: 9780008507268. (Age:15+) Recommended.
I am a fan of crime and mystery stories and I was very happy when I saw a new thriller by Holly Jackson especially as I had really enjoyed A good girl's guide to murder.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price is about 18-year-old Bel, whose mother had disappeared sixteen years before. Bel had been left alone in the back seat of her mother’s car, the only witness to the unsolved disappearance. When the Price family agree to a documentary about the disappearance, the past is dragged up and then Rachel Price reappears with a story that Bel finds hard to believe. What had happened to her? Where had she been and who abducted her?
The novel is unusual because it focuses on what it would be like for Rachel to re-emerge from captivity and how difficult it would be to make connections again with a daughter and husband not seen for sixteen years. Bel also finds it very difficult to relate to a mother who calls her Anna and who is a stranger to her. When small details don’t ring true, she begins to investigate as the film maker’s cameras continue to roll. Who is telling the truth? Should she trust her mother even though there are inconsistencies in her story? And what is the relationship between her mother and father?
A very suspenseful read, once I began this, I found it very difficult to put down. The background of a film documentary was very powerful and the family dynamics were fascinating. Jackson has plenty of red herrings strewn throughout the book but draws all the clues together in a surprising conclusion, some parts of which left me feeling slightly uneasy.
Triggers: The novel contains swear words and some violence, which may make it more suitable for older teens.
Themes Mystery, Thriller, Missing persons, Documentary film-making, Family relations.
Pat Pledger
Extinctopedia by Serenna Quarello. Illus. by Alessio Alcini
Red Comet Press, 2024. ISBN: 9781636550725. (Age:9-12) Highly recommended.
This striking large hard cover collaboration with Smithsonian is a treat for those readers who enjoy finding out about often unknown facts related to the animal kingdom. In this book, there is information from the past - those animals that are extinct like Martha the last passenger pigeon and George the last yellow-tipped tree snail whose personal stories are particularly sad as their demise was due to human incompetence, and the present where many creatures are endangered.
Without a contents page, the reader is encouraged to browse each double page section to discover their own facts and interests. There is information about the Dodo, extinct since mid-1600 mainly caused by invasive species brought to Mauritius; and the last Australian Thylacine (Tasmanian Devil) that died in 1936 in the Hobart Zoo.
Some of the topics covered include information about those creatures declared extinct but rediscovered such as the mountain pygmy possum and the Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue lizard; preserving animals; legendary creatures such as the Quetzal, the bird-snake of the Maya; reasons for extinction: keeping track of endangered species; strange animals like the Axolotl; unusual and unique animals such as the purple frog from India; bugs; marine animals; Oceania which mentions in detail the koala, wombat, bilby and numbat; and importantly information about what we can do now to protect the animal kingdom. In the final pages is a detailed index which is followed by a handy glossary.
Extinctopedia is a fascinating read with stunning illustrations in both black and white and soft colour tones, which will captivate both young and old.
Themes Extinction, Animal Kingdom, World Habitats, Survival, Endangered Species, Diversity.
Kathryn Beilby
Big Gorilla: A book of opposites by Anthony Browne
Anthony Browne is one of my grandchildren’s favourite authors, and when another wonderful book of his appeared across my desk I seized it immediately. And what a joy it is! It is a fascinating way to learn about opposites and primates while delighting in Browne’s exquisitely detailed illustrations.
Children who are familiar with Browne’s drawings of primates (Gorilla) will be thrilled to revisit his fascinating drawings and those new to Browne’s work will want to seek out more of his books.
Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites is deceptively simple. It shows the opposite of old, sad, heavy, alone, big, and the opposite of opposite. For example, the question is posed ‘What’s the opposite of old?’ on one side of a double page spread and on the other side is a picture of a very old gorilla. Turning the page is another double page spread, the left page with the single word ‘Young’ and the most exquisite drawing of a baby brown gorilla with a thumb in his mouth. The expressions on all the faces are very moving, especially the illustration of the primate who is sad. His downward mouth, his frowning eyebrows and miserable eyes will have readers feeling so sorry for him while the opposite word ‘happy’ showing a gorilla smiling at a bright yellow flower is such a contrast. The hundreds of primates illustrating ‘Together,’ all with different expressions on their faces will provide hours of fun for young children looking each detailed drawing and picking the ones they love the best.
The last book in the series, following Defy the night and Defend the dawn will make readers happy to see a satisfying finale to an engrossing fantasy series with great characters, moving romance and political intrigue. Destroy the day continues straight on from Defend the dawn and readers should read the series beginning with the first book to fully understand the characters and plot. Prince Corrick and the rebel leader Lochlan have been captured by Oren Crane and must keep their wits about them if they want to survive. Meanwhile Tess believes that Corrick is dead and is mourning him. Although not wanting to trust Rian, she is drawn into a plot to oust Oren Crane in return for a journey back to Kandala. And Harristan is on the run, supported by Quint and desperate to save his kingdom.
The story is told in alternate chapters from the point of view of Tessa, Corrick and Harristan. Readers who have been heavily invested in the romance between Tessa and Corrick may find it difficult to read about their separation but will be engrossed in the way they manage their grief and use their skills to find a way out of their predicaments. Harriston’s story features much more heavily in Destroy the day, and readers will learn about his feelings and longing for freedom. Minor characters come into focus and it was fascinating to see how Lochlan and Corrick overcame their prejudice about each other to work for their country, while Eric is a major help for Tessa, and Quint’s helpful character comes alive.
Tess has been determined to find a cure for the sickness that plagues the kingdom and her skills with herbs helps her work out how the seeds of the Moonflower can be used. And both kingdoms realise that it is important to help each other for the good of the people.
There is plenty of action to keep the reader engrossed, and while the book is over 500 pages, it is so well written that readers will find it difficult to put down and will be sure to look for any other books written by Kemmerer.
Themes Fantasy, Romance, Rebels, Political intrigue, LGBQTI+ people.
Pat Pledger
Frog Squad: Dessert disaster by Kate and Jol Temple. Illus. by Shiloh Gordon
Frog Squad: Dessert Disaster by Kate and Jol Temple is the first in what will undoubtedly be another favourite series. Featuring delightful black and white illustrations by Siloh Gordon, readers will quickly be immersed into a ribbit-ing adventure that combines humour, action and amphibious charm.
In this fast paced tale, readers join a squad of courageous frogs as they embark on a mission to salvage an ice cream tanker in peril. The story kicks off with an amusing twist as the amphibian heroes find themselves in the spotlight of a news team's interview to capture their adventures. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they arrive to discover the tanker has been hijacked by the dastardly Toad Team. Can they overcome those cunning toads and save the ocean life, or will Toad and his henchmen prove too tough?
Blended with wit and excitement, ingenuity and suspense, readers will be hooked from the beginning. The twisting plot, clever frog-themed puns and some wildlife facts scattered throughout, this new series is sure to entice giggles from children and adults alike.
The Frog Squad are a team like no other! They leap off the page with their distinct personalities and endearing quirks. Each member brings something unique to the table, from their unwavering bravery to their quick thinking in the face of danger. Readers will find themselves rooting for these plucky amphibians as they navigate each challenge thrown their way.
Gordon’s illustrations add an extra layer of engagement, capturing the excitement and energy of the Frog Squad's escapades. The black and white cartoon style pictures and speech bubble texts engage readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of these brave little frogs. Mixed between a graphic and standard novel style, this book targets a wide audience and will appeal to many.
Frog Squad: Dessert Disaster is a delightful read that will leave readers hopping with joy. Temple and Siloh have crafted a charming tale that is sure to become a favourite among children and adults alike, making it a must-have addition to any bookshelf.
Themes Problem solving, Teamwork, Humour, Amphibians, Ocean life, Responsibilities, Conservation, Consequence of actions.
The Endfixer is a surprise read with a very original and quirky premise. In this cleverly written book, the narrator just wants to fix or change the endings of stories to suit how they think it should end. As the narrator says, in some stories the endings are too complicated, too censored, too hard to believe, too baffling, too catastrophic or too mushy, and so the list goes on. The reader is given a glimpse into many of the incredible things that could happen in a story yet sometimes the ending does not quite fit and the narrator believes they have a right to have the perfect ending.
Along with the easily accessible text are striking colour and black and white illustrations that tell their own story. For example, a full page picture of two kissing dinosaurs which should have been the end but on the page that follows, it shows an asteroid heading towards them! That was not the ending the narrator was looking for.
Throughout the story are images of mice working hard to sort things out. They begin and end on the endpapers and finally put up the END sign on the almost last page. However, as we all know, the end is not necessarily the end!
Themes Stories, Endings, Making Changes, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
The last bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
Rock the Boat, 2024. ISBN: 9780861547968. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Nhika is a lonely and embittered heartsooth, and the local population of Theumas do not esteem her amazing healing skills. To them she is a Bloodcarver from the Yarongese clan, a despised people group that contain amazing healers and despite these skills they have virtually been wiped out. Captured, she is then bought by a local wealthy family involved in the animatronic industry - the Congmi siblings. She has been asked to restore a comatose family friend, witness to the murder of the Congmi patriarch. Nhika has been escaping attention for a long time, but now she is thrust into a powerful world where she might at any moment be exposed and potentially eliminated. Her healing powers enable her to ‘enter’ bodies to diagnose and heal from within and the medical world is both fascinated and challenged by her skill. Will she be able to heal this time, or are the man’s injuries beyond her powers? Can she escape the attention of the local doctor and his aide, or will she inadvertently place herself in harm’s way, a victim of her own capabilities?
I loved this book! It is an amazingly unique story, both sci-fi and fantasy woven together, with a generous sprinkling of romance and intrigue. It sometimes feels like it is set in the far past, and yet it occasionally travels into a future with robotic assistants and technological advances. This strange juxtaposition never feels wrong or out of balance - a credit to the author. It is tense and yet powerful in its emotional quality, exploring grief and warped relationships and abuse of power. And there is friendship and restoration that grows despite misunderstandings. I was very impressed, and Vanessa Le’s medical knowledge shone through in Nhika’s healing journeys into the human body and this will appeal to those who enjoy science as well as those who love a unique fantasy. This will be much enjoyed by readers aged 14+.
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761180781. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble transports readers into a captivating world set in the year 2072; where life is markedly different from our present reality. In this intricately crafted narrative, MacDibble paints a poignant picture of a society grappling with the aftermath of widespread disease, and survival is no longer a guarantee for communities who cling to simpler ways of life in scattered Australian villages.
At the heart of the story young orphan Bastienne Scull, is taken under the wing of elder Lodyma Darsey. Basti finds herself apprenticed to the art of witnessing miracles; something she takes very seriously. Together they use these skills to get food and money to survive. During each night market, Eld Darsey shares stories of miracles, while Basti sells peanuts to locals, eager to hear a good tale.
Their village is absent of many males, due to susceptibility to all the disease. While they live out in the wilderness, the villages are made up predominantly of women and children. Before Lodyma took in Basti, she had lost her husband and eldest son to illness, then sent her younger son, Osmin, into the hills, hoping he would survive. But, left utterly devastated that he has never returned, she is heartbroken and empty.
However, the plot takes an intriguing twist when two young boys come to the village and ask Lodyma to witness a miracle. Setting out on this voyage, Lodyma and Basti have no idea this journey will turn their world upside down forever.
The Apprentice Witnesser is another unique tale which encompasses MacDibble's masterful skill as she weaves themes of grief, hope and the power of human connection. Through Basti’s eyes, readers are invited to contemplate the enduring power of little wonders, making this novel a captivating and thought-provoking read. Another great middle grade novel to be enjoyed and pondered over.
We're following a rainbow to find the Rainbowsaurus. We're following a rainbow. Would you like to join us?
Two dads and their three children set off on an adventure to find the Rainbowsaurus. On their way, they meet animals that are all the colours of the rainbow who all want to find the Rainbowsaurus, too.
This is a fun read for little ones as they join the quest with its crazy collection of creatures, all different colours and lots of opportunities to join in with the noises and actions as they seek the Rainbowsaurus. And if that isn't enough there is always the song to sing as it has been set to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ...
Music, movement, colour and a dinosaur - what's not to love? Especially if the young reader is invited to be a creature and colour of their choosing and really join in!
Themes Rainbows, Dinosaurs, Homosexuality.
Barbara Braxton
A small collection of happinesses by Zana Fraillon & Stephen Michael King
Hachette, 2024. ISBN: 9780734422989. (Age:7-10)
This altogether quirky tale brings together the young, lonely child, Hettie, and her new neighbour, Ada - the irascible (and possibly grieving) older woman who has lost her partner in life, Bessie. Initially, Hettie and Ada are sandpaper acquaintances, roughly rubbing each other up the wrong way until edges are smoothed off. Eventually they become charming fellow adventurers. Following the story of a black panther in their neighbourhood (is it Bessie’s ghost?) and collecting facts and fantasies for their small collection of happiness, together they make memories and connections with the natural world, with their neighbours and with each other.
This tale is winsome and meandering and occasionally odd. The central characters can be frustrating and endearing at the same time, and their friendship seems both unlikely and yet inevitable. Some young readers may not grasp or appreciate the floaty, ethereal quality of the story. It hides some veiled environmental themes and issues related to grief and loss. It posits the notion that one can reappear as a ghostly being after death. And the crumbling apartment destined for redevelopment or destruction actually hides a secret that needs to be ‘miraculously’ uncovered. Hettie’s own circumstances seem vaguely sad and isolated, but this does not impede her feisty view of life. Eventually everything seems to find resolution and possibility, but I am not entirely sure that this will warm the hearts of young readers in the target audience of 7-10. This book may intrigue some, and will probably impress some adult judges for its esoteric, uniquely whimsical qualities. (I accept that I may be the exception.) Small illustrations by Stephen Michael King, in his recognisable style, head the start of each chapter, and stylistically there are some very different ‘modern abstract’ full page illustrations to divide one chapter from the next.
What is a hole? A hollow place. An empty space. A part of something where there’s nothing at all.
It is a delight to read an engaging non-fiction text that will appeal to a range of readers from young children through to adults. Possibly holes are not high on most people’s agendas but it is surprising how much they are a part of our daily lives. From the front cover featuring a large round hole with a number of diverse faces looking surprised, to the glorious endpapers in tones of blue that showcase a variety of holes, this beautifully presented book will be a joy to share with children of all ages.
From the initial question of What is a hole?, the book moves onto giving examples of a hole: on a shelf where a book has been removed, holes in nostrils, holes in clothes, holes made by animals, builders, cooks or engineers. Some are indentations where they have a bottom or open like the eye of a sewing needle or they can be found on land or underwater like blue holes deep in the ocean. Holes can be made slowly or quickly like a sinkhole or they can be deep, shallow, tiny or enormous.
There can be many holes or just one like a hoola hoop, they can be empty or full, are to get in or out of like burrows, can speed something up or slow it down. A hole can be used to breathe like a whale blowhole or beat the heat like sweating pores, can be a lifesaver or a danger, can either solve a problem or be one like the hole in the atmosphere, can be used for art or music like the sound hole in a guitar, or can be mysterious or familiar like a hole in a sock. The English language is full of holes, for example a loophole, pigeonholed, poke holes, full of holes, a square peg in a round hole.
This clever and informative book with large colour illustrations shares a simple phrase about holes on each page to engage the youngest readers, and then provides further information for older readers. It is a fascinating book that will encourage deeper thinking and wonder about our world.
Themes Holes, Facts, Phenomena.
Kathryn Beilby
Little Ash: Sleepover surprise! by Ash Barty and Jasmin McGaughery. Illus. by Jade Goodwin
Sleepover surprise is the last book in the Little Ash series, presented by Ash Barty. It is about a sleepover party that Little Ash is holding for her friends. This is certainly familiar territory for younger readers who will all be able to remember times when they had sleepovers and some of the extraordinary things that may have happened when they did. In this story one of Ash’s friends Ruthie becomes homesick during the party and Ash thinks of a way to calm her down and have some fun so that she can be comfortable enough to fall asleep and stay the night.
These books contain plenty of well-placed, black and white illustrations to assist young readers to understand the text. The chapters are short and there are some highlighted words to draw attention to the action or prompt readers to explore the meanings of unfamiliar words. The series Little Ash is a wonderful collaboration between three Indigenous women who are all passionate about bringing quality literature to younger readers. The series, which has 10 titles in total, covers a wide variety of subjects including school, sport, family, friendships, sportsmanship, and decision-making. A well-crafted, interesting series that will be popular in school libraries for emerging independent readers, even if they are not sports lovers.
