Little Puggle's Christmas by Vikki Conley & Helene Magisson
New Frontier, 2023. ISBN: 9781922326812. (Age:4+) Recommended.
It is nearly Christmas Eve and Little Puggle desperately wants to help the other animals as they prepare for Christmas. He asks the kangaroo if he can help take presents to the tree. Long Tail, the kangaroo has been wrapping presents and storing them in her pouch. She gives some to Little Puggle, warning the echidna to go slow. Little Puggle tells his feet not to waddle but they do, causing him to spill all the presents he was carrying. The kangaroo muses that perhaps this is not the job for him.
He goes to the possum offering to help put up the lights and baubles onto the oldest tree and is told to be careful of his claws. But wouldn’t you know it, the claws get tangled and so the decorations are messed up. 'Oh says possum perhaps this is not the job for you'. He goes to the koala and offers to help and is given a plate of food to take to the table. And again he fails. Each time the refrain ‘this is not the job for you’ is given, adding to Little Puggle's despair. He roams off into the hills, wanting to spy a falling star to wish by. But none appears. But there is a bright light over the hill and he comes across Santa and his sleigh stuck in a rut. Helping to get Santa on his way again makes him feel wanted and useful.
The next morning, all the animals open their presents and ask Puggle about last night. He tells them simply that he made a wish on a shooting star.
This wonderful tale of Little Puggle finding the right job to do at Christmas will warm the readers’ hearts as they see him trying his best but being defeated each time. Finally he does the most important job of all: getting Santa on his way, making every animal special on Christmas Day.
A lovely story of finding your way, of not giving up, of making your dream come true has resonance at this time of year in particular. Readers will love reading about the customs and accoutrements of Christmas and seeing them teamed with Australian animals adds another level of entertainment.
Themes Christmas, Australian animals, Echidna, Christmas tree, Christmas wish.
Fran Knight
Pollination by Christopher Cheng. Illus. by Danny Snell
Subtitled, How does my garden grow, this book is a gently humorous and family oriented information book about how things are able to grow.
Gran and Pa are a little surprised when their grandson waves at the bees to keep them away. They show him the yellow pollen on the flower heads, and how the bee picks it up and drops it on other flowers. They tell him about the other insects that can pollinate flowers as well as bees.
Colour is also important as some pollinators are attracted to particular colours in the garden.
At night they wait for the larger pollinators to make their appearance in the garden, and out come the blossom bats and sugar gliders, having pollen stick to their noses ready to be transported. Not only animals, said the grandparents, pollen is also moved on windy days.
Even the material that our clothes are made from rely on pollination. Cotton for example.
Going home he takes a potted plant from the grandparents place to put on his balcony, as even potted plants are useful for city pollinators.
Danny Snell’s charming illustrations show the child and the grandparents working in their garden, teaching the young child what each part of the garden is for. The endpapers reveal a host of pollinators seen in the garden and will entice readers to find them in the book. The contrast between the grandparents large back yard with all of the trees and vegetables they produce, and the child’s home in the city where a balcony is the only garden space they have, will intrigue young readers, as they work out what can be achieved in each space. Knowing that pollination is so important will propel them to add more growing plants to their homes, classrooms, or balconies. Teacher's notes are available.
I really enjoyed Goddess Crown and read it in one sitting. It is wonderful to have a shorter stand-alone book that will appeal to teen readers. Kalothia is an engaging young woman, who has been hidden away in the forest with just two adults and a bodyguard for company. She is determined to escape and find her parents who she believes have sent her into isolation to protect her from King Osura and enemies at the court of Galla. When her hiding place is attacked and her guardians murdered, she must use her survival skills to defend herself against the assassins who determined to kill her.
With a fast paced and exciting plot, the reader is immediately drawn into the life and character of Kalothia, becoming breathless when she faces danger from the assassins and the intrigue of the royal court. Kalothia is skilled at fighting and believes she can look after herself but will brutal fighters, the threat of poison and a patriarchal and dangerous court be too much for her to overcome?
Lapite, with her British-Nigerian background, has skilfully built up a believable world of lush forests and a society where a man must accompany women when they go out and where women have little power. At times of extreme danger Kalothia is guided by the Goddess who appears and speaks to her, telling her of her destiny to change her country for the better, and these supernatural moments are interwoven with everyday events.
With a combination of adventure, themes of feminism, a touch of romance and a strong, charismatic main character, Goddess crown is very difficult to put down. Readers who enjoyed Twin crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber, The Queen's rising by Rebecca Ross, and Three dark crowns by Kendare Blake are sure to enjoy the themes of monarchy, while The Beasts of prey series by Ayana Gray, will also appeal.
Themes Escapes, Fugitives, Kings and queens, Adventure, Court intrigue.
Pat Pledger
Where will the sleepy sheep sleep? by David Metzenthen and Jonathan Bentley
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761066160. (Age:0-5) Highly recommended.
Loads of young children will be laughing out loud as this wonderfully entertaining book is read at bedtime. Or anytime at all! A tongue testing text full of opportunities for the listener to join in, to predict and just have fun, the words are placed on the pages, often under the single word, Baah.
The sleepy sheep wants to find a place to sleep. The first place it looks at is on top of a wild, windy hill. But no, this place is totally inappropriate and so the sheep must look elsewhere. He tries out a steep and stony valley, but no, it is simply too steep and stony for the sleepy sheet to sleep. The sheep wonders about bedding down with the foxes and dingoes, but this is again rejected. What about the dark damp cave? Again rejected. From the start the audience will have been joining in with Noo, and Blah, as well as the phrase ‘where will the sleepy sheep sleep’, a tongue twister to engage them all. The sheep attempts to sleep at a few more places until the ideal position is found and he snuggles down to lie with his own mob.
The fun of the words is infectious, all readers and listeners will join in, laughing at why each place is so inappropriate for the sheep to sleep.
And of course, supported with the wonderful images by Jonathan Bentley, the readers will have another level of humour to absorb. The looks on the sheep’s face as it tries out various places to rest its head are engaging as kids will see the face going through a range of emotions: hopeful as it tests a new place, disappointed when it proves to be not quite right, and always tired as all it wants is a place to sleep. Readers will enjoy calling out why they think each spot is not right for the sheep to sleep.
The lovely cover showing a closeup of one very tired sheep will encourage children to think about how tired they feel, and what shows their tiredness and why they go to bed when they do.
The A to Z of who I could be by Chloe Dalton. Illus. by Kim Siew
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761180422. (Age:6+) Recommended.
Twenty six high achievers are listed in this book from (A) Ash Barty to (Z) Zali Steggall, presenting the best female athletes in Australia today. Each page gives a potted history of the person alongside an image by Kim Siew, displaying what sport that person is involved in. For W we are give Melissa Wu, a champion diver, who first competed at the Commonwealth Games when she was 13. P gives the reader a potted history of Elyse Perry and her achievements, one of which was being declared the best female player of the decade!
Bendere Oboya is the athlete used for O, her specialism is the 400m and she competed at the 2020 Tokyo Games. L is taken with Lydia Lassila, a gold medallist at the Olympic Games, well known for being the first woman to do the quad-twisting triple somersault. Paralympian Isis Holt takes up the I page. Her achievements include gold medals for sprinting in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. All before she became 21. Elle Cole is on the E page, and the picture of her tells a lot about this four time Paralympian swimmer.
All of the women included in this book of sporting prowess are wonderful role models for young girls starting out on their sporting dream. From netball to hockey from Commonwealth and Olympic games, from disabled athletes to able bodied athletes, the broad sweep of women included in this book will give every reader a wonderful taste of what it is like to dream of being the best you can be.
A foreword from Chloe greets the readers, while at the end of the book is a timeline of their achievements. This makes fascinating reading and this is followed by information about the Female Athlete Project, started because of the paucity of infection about women athletes.
Themes Sports, Women in sport, Female athletes, Achievement, Olympic Games, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games.
Fran Knight
Tales from the magic forest by Pat Clarke
Little Steps, 2022. ISBN: 9781922678676. (Age:6-10) Recommended.
A whimsical collection of short stories in a small hard-cover book about an imaginative young girl called Hannah who lived with her parents in a log cabin in the middle of the Goonoo Forest. It features stories that explore the feelings of a young child that has just experienced the birth of a sibling. This is often a tricky time when parents are busy with a new baby, so Hannah must find ways to play alone. Fairy rings and mythical creatures of the forest are a feature of these stories and children will enjoy a new set of fairies, elves, giant creatures and talking birds and animals that populate them in Hannah’s world. The beautiful black and white illustrations by Graeme Compton complement the stories and bring to life the unusual creatures in each story for the reader. Most of the books Pat Clarke has written feature the Goonoo Forest near Dubbo in NSW or animals and birds that inhabit the forest. The magic forest of Goonoo, In search of the Goonoobee, and Howie the Yowie, are some and others are listed in the back of this book.
SA author Beverley McWilliams has once again written an entertaining and engaging middle grade novel. Her first novel, The Reindeer and the Submarine (2022) was a wonderful read cleverly combining historical fact and fiction with a reindeer as the main character. Her second novel Spies in the Sky, is a fascinating story that highlights the role pigeons played during World War Two.
The story begins in 1940 at the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk where Royal Blue, a highly competitive racing pigeon, is determined to beat his best friend Khan. Blue comes from a long line of royal champions and he is not about to let that be forgotten. He is a rather appealing but at times superior character and as the story is told in the first person, the reader quickly learns about Royal Blue’s personality. Blue is chosen by King George to be sent on a special assignment as part of the war effort and the comfortable safe life he was accustomed to is no longer.
The National Pigeon Service (NPS) has been formed for the purpose of using pigeons to carry messages when there are no other means of communication. The pigeons need to be fast and strong and will be exposed to difficult situations. At first Royal Blue struggles with his new living conditions, his fellow pigeons and thinks about giving up, but a chance meeting with Lilibet (Princess Elizabeth) has him rethinking his role in the war effort.
Royal Blue, Mary, Billy and Commando, after initial difficulties, become a great team and are chosen to work for MI5 as part of Operation Columba (MI14). They are parachuted individually into France to support the French people and the Resistance.During their war service the four witness bombing raids, battles in the skies and being shot at yet all survive to be awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery and devotion to duty.
This action-packed and exciting story would make a wonderful class novel as it is a ‘gentle’ introduction to historical facts and figures plus the dangers and horrors of war without being overly confronting for the age level of the readers.As an added bonus there are extensive teacher notes and an activity book to support the learning.
Themes World War Two, Pigeons, National Pigeon Service, Danger, Bravery, Friendship, Cooperation, Hope, Historical Fiction.
This stunning new picture book in which six children from diverse backgrounds present their names as a way of getting to know each other, will encourage children to think about their names and the names of those around them. The first name is He Xiao-Guang, and she tells us her name is full of tones and rhythms, and goes on to say her name is a building block that has been added to for centuries, a name telling of dynasties, meaning the first light of the morning in Cantonese. As with the other five children, information about their name is given in an introduction to the child, surrounded by exquisite illustrations giving more information. At the end of the book are two pages of extra information showing where that child lives. So we learn that He Xiao-Guang lived in Hong Kong, and her father was originally from northern China. She speaks fluent Cantonese, and is looked after by her Ayah who has given her the name first light in the morning.
Xiao-Gaung tells her story with pride, in very few words she tells is of her ancestry, of her roots and her links to the generations before. The illustrations show us her links to Chinese culture through the stunning dragon and beautiful head dress.
The five other children are Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican and Ghanaian descent, and their names all have meaning reflecting where they have come from.
One is Bijan Houssani a boy whose name shows his link with Islam, as he carries the poetry of his ancestors, from the tenth century book of poetry, Shahaneh. His name means hero and the illustrations show the angels that guide him and the beauty of the rugs that his family make. At the end of the book we learn of his connection to the 15% of Persians linked together by this epic poem.
Similarly the other children have information about their names, and the illustrations depict their links to family and culture. A stunning book which impels readers to think about their own name and what it means, along with the diverse children around them. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Names, Culture, Background, Generation.
Fran Knight
Nikki Hind dressed for success by John Dickson. Illus. by Chantel de Susa
A lovely book in the series, BigVisions, produced by Vision Australia, telling of the success of people with limited or no vision. In this book, the person is Nikki Hind, who has carved out a career for herself in the fashion industry. Told alongside a braille version, the story of Nikki can be read and absorbed by all readers, impaired or not.
As a child, Nikki found school difficult. A visiting doctor found that she had limited vision in one eye and from then on she wore a patch over one eye and had to use large thick glasses. She found sports very trying but she loved swimming and diving, both individual sports.
Her friends really liked her clothes and found that she made them herself using needle and thread and sometimes a stapler. She went on designing clothes and was a model on a TV show. Just before she gave birth she had a stroke which took another part of her sight. When her sons went to school, so did she, this time to learn design. She entered competitions then decided to set up her own design company asking other disabled people to join her. Called Blind Grit a range of professions surround her; photographers, models, hairdressers, and make up artists are all disabled or have a disability through an accident.
A wonderful story of being strong and striving to achieve your goals, the story of Nikki Hind is one to read and share.
Within the range of BigVisions, the book is a larger size than usual, bound on the left hand side, and contains a braille and text version with numerous illustrations.
The city of Bedlam is becoming increasingly lawless thanks to a long list of supervillains, headed by the two nastiest, Mighty Minds and Hammerhands, who are terrorising the city with a crime spree. The Chief of Police is a very dynamic, but very short woman, who’s hopes of getting Bedlam under control hinge on the success of her special project – Police dogs. Her plan seems to be working except for a selection of truly poor dogs who seem to be more of a hinderance than help. The Chief is married to a very clever Professor who is an inventor and spends most of her time in her cellar laboratory. After a disastrous day at the police dog academy the Chief has an idea. She asks the Professor to invent a mechanical police dog that can do all the things the many other dog breeds do. Robodog seems to be the perfect solution to the crime problem, and all goes well except that one member of the Chief’s family is not so impressed – Velma the cat wants Robodog and all the other police dogs out of the way and she plots with her fellow cats to get this done once and for all. In the meantime, a large robbery is underway and all the villains in Bedlams jails have suddenly escaped!
Chaos fills the action-packed pages of this story in typical Walliams style, with plenty of illustrations to keep interest high and the use of a variety of large, highlighted text to emphasise the hilarious antics of the cats, dogs and super villains. Friendship and teamwork are also a prominent theme as Robodog tries to figure out what it takes to be a real dog.
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.
