To stir with love by Kate Mildenhall and Jess Racklyeft
Simon & Schuster, 2024. ISBN: 9781761426391. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
A loving, heartwarming story of a day at Grandma’s, a day spent cooking together and so preserving generations of women’s work, is combined with the idea of change, as Grandma shows signs of memory loss, and her granddaughter sees herself as having family memories passed on to her. Stirring with love is a homage to older generations keeping memories alive and passing them on to younger generations.
The granddaughter goes to Grandma’s house, something she regularly does. Grandma might not be skilled at the computer or sending emails, but the girl can help her with those. Grandma has a host of recipes passed on to her by her grandmother and grandmothers before, keeping aspects of their culture alive. She loves getting all her old implements out to make the cake, one she makes for her neighbours and her family. They get the ingredients together, but Grandma stops and has a little lapse of memory. But the girl is there to support her. They combine the ingredients in the bowl and stir three times before putting it into the oven. They drink a whole pot of tea in the garden waiting for the cake to cook. When it does, it is left to cool and then iced. All the while, Grandma is passing on not only the recipes, but hints about how to put the cake together, hints that are passed on from one person to another, usually spread by word of mouth, rather than written within the recipe.
The refrain, My little and Grandma’s old hand, wrinkled and sure, is used several times in the story, again underlining the link between generations.
The wonderful watercolour illustrations sweep across every page, showing a Grandma’s garden with fruit trees, vegetable garden, and lots of different colours. Jess paints her garden with style, allowing readers to check out the many details included. I had a lovely time looking at the various older pieces of equipment used in Grandma’s kitchen: a whisk, flour sifter, hand beater, aprons, oven mitts, milk jug, tea pot etc., and was struck by the pictures on the wall, and the wonderful endpapers, which will entice young eyes to see how much they can see that reminds them of their Grandma’s house. Each of these will show readers how things have changed, and reinforce the idea of ageing and change, of generations, of support between generations.
Walk the Plank, the third novel in the Shower Land series, written by Australian author Nat Amoore and cleverly illustrated by James Hart will once again entertain and enthral young readers. Filled with humour, mayhem and adventure this book is another winner to compliment the series.
After two stints of crazy teleporting or 'shower-porting' already, Felix is feeling more confident to approach the daily task of cleaning himself. He has just experienced an awesome weekend with his family; surfing, enjoying the amazing weather and even picking up a furry friend from the local pound. Felix is actually feeling excited about his next shower journey, and this time he intends to talk to the mystery girl he always sees when he is there.
After having a yoghurt and grabbing a supply of muesli bars, Felix layers himself in clothing for any type of weather and adventure he could possibly envisage. Packing a backpack so large he can barely carry it; Felix is fully prepared. So, what could possibly go wrong this time?!?!
Amoore weaves a plot that is engaging and full of twists; keeping young readers on the edge of their seats. The easy-to-read font and well-organized layout make the book very 'reader friendly' and engaging. The fast-paced narrative maintains excitement and suspense throughout, and leaves you wondering how this could possibly end.
Walk the Plank is both humorous and entertaining. With wit and frivolity, the audience continues to be entertained and Hart's cool black and white illustrations compliment the storyline perfectly. Ammore has created another fantastic addition to the Shower Land series, but I would suggest reading them in order of succession. So, if you haven’t read Break the Curse and Feel the Freeze, do yourself a favour and check them out first. Readers will not be disappointed, if they love fun, adventure and a little bit of silliness!
Themes Humour, Time travel, Pirates, Friendship, Portals, Problem solving, Communication, Family.
Michelle O'Connell
Liar's test by Ambelin Kwaymullina
Text Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781922790873. (Age:13+) Highly recommended.
Liar’s test looks to be the first in a new series by Palyku woman Ambelin Kwaymullina, author of the dystopian The Tribe series: The interrogation of Ashala Wolf (2012) and The Disappearance of Ember Crow (2013). The new series, The Silverleaf Chronicles, is more mythology/fantasy than dystopian and may draw in a new cohort of readers.
Bell is descendent of the Treesingers, a people connected to the trees and the natural world, a people overruled by the arrival of the Risen, ‘enlightened’ followers of foreign gods, suppressing the original inhabitants and setting up a structured class system of knights at the top, traders, crafters then workers, with Treesingers without any status at all. This is where readers may draw parallels with colonial history and the oppression of Aboriginal people, but the world that Kwaymullina creates is not one for easy comparisons, and veers into a completely fantastical world of magic and ordeals, a new voice in the speculative fiction genre.
Bell becomes one of seven girls to undertake the Queen’s Test, a quest that includes a Treesinger for the first time, each girl vying in challenges to determine the next ruler of the Risen Kingdom. Bell has to hide her inner thoughts and emotions, maintaining a deception, in order to succeed. In the process she learns more about herself and her ancestors, and has to step up as a leader.
The world-building is rapid and complex, and sometimes it feels like one just has to trust that it will come together eventually. There are many amazing adventures, changing identities and multiple realms of experience. It is a complex and changing world, that fantasy readers will probably revel in. Note that this is Book 1, so for readers who enjoy this book, there will be more to look forward to.
All the animals have had fun at Mini the elephant's birthday and now it is time to open the presents. She deliberately saved opening her best friend Mila's present until last because Milo always gave the best presents and this one, wrapped in her favourite shade of pink was very big and bulky.
But she was SO disappointed when she opened it because it was a trampoline and while all the others could have fun, Milo should have known the elephants can't jump! So what use was the present to her? And she was so angry with Milo she stopped talking to him. And she got angrier and angrier as Milo suggested other games like hopscotch and hide-and-seek that were no fun for elephants, and so she decided to have nothing to do with Milo, even running away from him. The final straw came when she went to Milo's place on Friday afternoon (because Milo always had the most scrumptious food) and all her other friends were having fun on a jumping castle. Will the two ever resolve their differences and be friends again?
The tag on this book is 'Big Skills for Mini People' and it is a series written for our youngest readers to not only help them manage their emotions but help them navigate their way through relationships as they venture into the world of friendships beyond family and have to learn about competitiveness, managing inner voices, learning to listen, and communicating effectively. Learning to negotiate, compromise and consider others as they emerge from that egocentric world of toddlerhood can be tricky and so books like these, read with sensitive adults who can ask questions like 'What could Mini have done instead of getting angry?' can help develop skills and strategies that will provide well for the future.
One for the mindfulness collection that will help young people learning about the issues associated with assuming things.
The ward witch is an easy-to-read cosy fantasy/mystery, the first in the Unholy Island series. Esme Gray, a young woman hiding from a violent past, runs a guest house on an isolated island in the North Sea. She also protects the wards that guard the island, the wards that ensure that visitors only remain for a couple of days and forget the island when they return to the mainland. When Luke Taylor arrives on the island looking for his missing twin, the island allows him to stay but the residents are very suspicious especially when a body is found on the shore. Esme is drawn to Luke but her past experiences have left her lacking confidence in her judgment. What connection has Luke to the murder? What secrets are the islanders hiding?
The mysterious setting of the island, with its ruins, cliffs and rocky shorelines is vividly described. I enjoyed the idea of tourists and the police arriving but only staying for a brief time and then forgetting what they done. It is easy to imagine the guest house that Esme runs, the magical bookstore and the storms that rage in. The main characters are well developed. The reader can guess some things about Esme’s past and relate to her fears and lack of self-esteem. Luke’s search for his brother and his need to find him is also relatable.
The combination of cosy fantasy with a mystery plus a slow burning romance is likely to appeal to fans who enjoy an escape from reality. The book keeper is the next in the series.
Themes Murder, Islands, Supernatural, Fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Jerry's Window by Y. K. Willemse
Wombat Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781761111402. (Age:8+)
Ten-year-old Jerry Ronden is convinced his parents don't love him and so to get their attention, he sets off firecrackers in his parents' bed, deploys stink bombs in his own house, and soaps the aisle of the school bus. Jerry knows his behaviour is unacceptable and his parents don't know what to do about it, but he seems unable to help himself especially as his imaginary friend Willy tells him he is okay just as he is. But Jerry's mischief making days are numbered when he discovers a window beneath his mum's washing line. Eyes glitter behind the window, and a voice calls to Jerry. He doesn't have to wonder long who could be speaking to him.
After a day full of his antics at school, the monsters climb out of the window and try to kidnap Jerry and drag him underground. Terrified, Jerry screams he will be good forever. The monsters run away, unable to stand being around a good child. Jerry now knows the monsters only come after children who behave like monsters themselves. They only kidnap misbehaving kids and pull them underground, locking them in cages and feeding them until they decide the little troublemakers are ready to be eaten. This doesn't sound like a bright future to Jerry, so he tries very hard to improve his behaviour. Eventually, he just can't do it anymore. In a relapse, he steals a lollipop.
As the monsters drag him to the window in the ground, Jerry believes it is all over - he doesn't deserve to be saved, and as his parents don't love him, there is little hope. But Jerry is in for a surprise...
So many familiar themes weave their way through this story as Jerry tries to navigate his relationships with his adoptive parents, accept himself for who he is without having to resort to anti-social behaviour and find his place as he emerges from childhood into the wider world that expects better of young boys. Although the monsters add an element of fantasy, this is contemporary realistic fiction which will mirror the lives of many as they begin to understand that there is no perfect, storybook family - just those muddling along as best they can, all making choices and decisions that might not be the best in the long run but are the best at the time. It's also a reminder to look beyond the behaviour to the cause because, for all his misbehaviour, Jerry just wants to fit in and be loved.
Themes Family.
Barbara Braxton
High wire by Candice Fox
Penguin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761049040. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Highly recommended for fans of thrillers.
Get set for the ride of your life with Candice Fox’s latest thriller! Set in the desolate Australian outback, on an isolated drug-runners’ road, the High Wire, the book is full of exciting chases, murder, kidnapping, bomb threats and drug runners. Harvey Buck is trying to get to Sydney to be with his dying girlfriend, when he stops to help Clare Holland, whose car has been burnt out. From then on, the action does not stop. The pair are grabbed by three men, strapped into bomb vests and ordered to do unspeakable things. Meanwhile Senior Sergeant Edna is going about her business, dealing with a runaway teenager, Talon, who has appeared believing that he is meeting a girlfriend. The pair go on the trail of Harvey and Clare and encounter threats to their lives and the possibility that Edna will lose her job.
Fox cleverly mixes up the narrative, going from Harvey and Clare’s desperate situation, back to 2011 Afghanistan when Harvey was a soldier, as well as giving the reader an insight into the minds of Edna and Talon. I became invested in the well-being of the main characters as well as the people that Harvey is forced to threaten. Most short chapters end on a cliff-hanger which ensures that the reader must keep reading to see what is going to happen next – I finished the book in two sittings!
High Wire is a book for fans of thrillers that move at breathless speed. The writing is so vivid that each desperate and violent adventure is easy to picture and I can see it being made into a movie or TV series. I certainly look forward to the next book that Fox writes.
In this latest book readers meet fascinating animals from all over the world that are either extinct or are critically endangered. The contents pages list sixty of these animals in alphabetical order; beginning with the African Forest Elephant that are critically endangered due to poachers, deforestation and mining, and ending with the Yunnan Lake Newt, an amphibian that inhabited the waters of Kunming Lake in Yunnan, China and was last seen in 1979. It is believed that urbanisation, poor water quality from pollution and pesticides, as well as the introduction of invasive predators contributed to the extinction of this newt. One Australian animal discussed is the Southern Pig-footed Bandicoot, the smallest grazing animal in the world at just 23-26cms long, which is now extinct due to land being used for cattle grazing and the introduction of cats and foxes to Australia. The last one was sighted in 1901, with rare sightings by First Nations people for another 50 years. It was officially declared extinct in 2000.
Each of these amazing animals is presented on a double page spread with information on one half and a detailed illustration on the other. The scientific name of the animal is given plus a pronunciation guide. From the headings of description including a clever size comparison image, extinction status, diet, location/habitat and fun facts, every reader will have the opportunity to learn more. There are excellent teacher resources available.
Another valuable and engaging addition to a home, school or public library.
How families are made by Dr Amir Khan. Illus. by Donough O'Malley
Farshore, 2024. ISBN: 9780008520885. (Age:6+)
No matter what the size or shape of your family - mum, dad and siblings; two mums; two dads; foster parents; single parent; several generations - each person in the family started out the same way - "a group of special cells, and these were created when an egg was fertilised by a sperm."
Not so long ago when a parent was asked the inevitable "Where did I come from?", the answer was to do with a stork or the cabbage patch; more recently seminal texts like Where Did I Come From?and What's Happening to Me? caused outrage when they appeared on library shelves in primary schools, and just weeks ago a Sydney council tried to ban a book about same-sex parents from its shelves. So while the question remains as old as humanity, responses to it are gradually veering more and more towards the truth and reality, and in this new addition to the Little Experts series, the facts about reproduction, gestation and birth are given in both accessible text and clear illustrations while acknowledging that diversity in family structure and that "family" is much more than a coupling of male and female. It includes a glossary that explains terms like "foster parents", "gender identity" and "transitioning" in the same way it does "embryo" and "zygote", thus normalising their meaning and use for all children.
Despite the world, in general, having come a long way in acknowledging and accepting different family structures and the right for children to know the truth of their origins, including their biological beginnings, there are still those who find such topics too sensitive to discuss and so books like these must be in any school library collection. Yes, there will be those who giggle or blush but that, in itself, is part of their maturing and IMO, the more information young people have the more likely they are to develop respectful relationships with those around them.
Written by a qualified GP, well-known on television in the UK, and presented in such an objective manner amongst a collection of books that covers everything from vehicles powered by humans to superhero animals, it presents this topic as as natural and ordinary and everyday as it should be. However, there will be those for whom the matter-of-factness may clash with their school's beliefs or ethics about the provision of such information, so, for them, a preview may be wise.
Case histories starts in an unusual way, with a vivid description of three separate cases in Cambridge. In the first a little girl disappears from a tent during the night. The second case describes the awful attack of a young girl working in her father’s office, and in the third there is a grisly scene of a young mother overwhelmed by the demands of a new baby and her husband. It is not until later in the book that Jackson Brodie, a private investigator, appears and is thrown into these old cold cases. He is asked by Julia and Amelia Land to find out what happened to their sister, the little girl who disappeared, another client wants him to find the murderer of his daughter and Shirley want to find her long lost niece. Connections gradually appear and Jackson must tie the threads together.
Atkinson has woven together a complex series of plots that are gripping and kept me engrossed to the end. Her description of all the characters is wonderful and it is easy to imagine each of them. Brodie is going through a challenging time after his divorce and is dealing with all the emotions that come with grappling with an ex-wife and his daughter. He becomes embroiled in the lives of his clients as he tries to make sense of three cold cases.
I missed reading this when it was first published in 2004 and it has stood up to the test of time. It is an outstanding literary crime novel and deserves the Orange Prize Nominee for Fiction Longlist (2005), and Saltire Society Literary Award for Scottish Book of the Year (2005). I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
Hannah Gold, award-winning author of The Last Bear, The Lost Whale and Finding Bear, has written another impressive and engaging story about an endearing endangered animal species. In this story turtles are fighting for their survival and 11 year old Silver Trevelon and her parents will join the battle to try to save them.
Silver’s father has been commissioned to paint the turtles in order to promote the dire threat to their species. The connected and loving family are seemingly struggling with a deep sense of loss and this change of scenery may be the perfect opportunity to learn to live with their sadness. After initially expressing their doubts, Silver and her mum agree to go and the family travels to a remote area of Costa Rica where they will spend four months at a Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
The remoteness and beauty of the rainforest for Silver is a blessing. She loves trees and feels at one with them. Silver embraces the jungle, the house they will live in for the next four months and feels alive. She instantly connects with the older turtles being cared for and spends many of her days helping look after Luna, a 60 year old green sea turtle who has only two flippers. Silver’s mother though does not respond to the surroundings, the animals or the sanctuary, and seems lost and broken. Added to this Silver’s father is struggling with his commission. For Silver, her worries about her parents are causing confusion and anxiety. Will they both be able to accept what this new life may bring as Silver has done?
Meeting Rafi, the son of one of the trusted staff, opens up a whole new world of learning and adventure for Silver. Together they help to keep the turtle eggs safe and put themselves in grave danger when poachers strike. Both Silver and Rafi are instrumental in trying to thwart the poachers but will they be able to save the eggs of the leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles?
There are many themes shared throughout this story. Perhaps the theme of motherhood loss is one of the strongest and author Hannah Gold sensitively shares this with readers. There is also the pressing need for more support for turtle protection and education. Coping with a new environment, a new language, a new way of thinking plus a new friendship is life-changing for Silver and her growth throughout this narrative is heartwarming to read.
In the final pages of the book there is an Author’s Note, a Resources List and Acknowledgements, all important to read to gain a clearer insight into some aspects of this wonderful story. Illustrations by Levi Pinfold are spread throughout the text and provide a striking dark and moody visual backdrop.
It's raining outside and Dragonboy and his stuffed-animal friends are stuck at home, feeling as gloomy as the weather. For them, the only fun is to be exploring outside and they aren't particularly interested when Dragonboy suggests exploring inside. And even though Darwin the sloth was noticing something unusual, they paid him no attention. When they venture into the attic and discover a lot of old toys and games, their day brightens and as they play together, but Darwin's feelings are hurt.
This is another in this series for very young readers who are learning about friendship and kindness and building relationships through everyday acts of kindness that have nothing to do with material things. Each time one of the characters shows kindness, a tiny red heart appears and they are invited to count how many they find (there are 100) and think about what it was that triggered it.
Something a little different that encourages young readers to understand that there are many ways to be a good friend.
Themes Kindness, Friendship.
Barbara Braxton
Guinness World Records Gamer's edition 2025
Guinness World Records, 2024. ISBN: 9781913484521. (Age:8+) Recommended.
The 14th edition of the Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition is packed full facts, news and statistics. The Contents page counts down the Top 100 gaming records picked by video experts with 100 being the first dog to hold a speedrun record, 50 being the Most Platinumed PlayStation game: Marvel’s Spider-man: Be Greater and Number One, the best-selling video game, Minecraft. For many young readers hearing the Minecraft is number one will be no surprise and the fact that Mario features at Number Two as the most ubiquitous videogame character will also not be a surprise. Following the countdown is a Round up page where late last-minute gaming additions were added to the Records Database. These include the largest shiny Pokémon hunt, smallest handheld console and the largest collection of video game kiosks - just to name a few.
For children and indeed adults who game, this is a treasure trove of vital facts, figures, colourful images and trivia that will no doubt entertain and engage them for hours.
Themes Gaming, Compendium, Facts.
Kathryn Beilby
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
Pan Macmillan, 2024. ISBN: 9781035045464. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended for fans of romantasy.
Rewitched is a cosy romantasy that will appeal to readers of the genre. Belladonna Blackthorn is busy trying to keep Lunar Books afloat, fending off the machinations of her toxic boss who is driving it into the ground. Belle is about to turn thirty and has paid little attention to her magical ability until she receives a summons to appear at her coven for a test to see if she has reached her potential and is worthy of keeping her magic. She has used it casually to help readers find the right book, keep plants alive and her bookshop tidy, and is dismayed to realise that she could lose it. After a disastrous interview she is give a second chance, a month to learn her magic under the tutelage of discredited wizard Artorius and the caring eye of handsome Watchman, Rune. The month will also give her the opportunity to gain a feeling of self-worth.
Rewitched has many moments of suspense as Belle desperately tries to learn her magic while evil forces loom over her spell casting. The coven is vividly described and Belle’s many attempts to learn magic spells are fascinating. But it is the uplifting theme of learning to trust herself and become confident in the person that she is that makes this a feel-good and comforting story. Found family and the importance of trusting your friends are other important themes, while the growing relationship between Rune and Belle will appeal to lovers of slow-burning romances.
This is a warm, often funny, cosy that will leave readers knowing that family and friendship are important and that it is always possible to build self-esteem and skills.
Themes Witches, Bookshops, Romance, Self-esteem.
Pat Pledger
Zoom by Dannika Patterson and Ross Morgan
Ford Street Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781922696427. (Age:5-9) Highly recommended.
Some days for children at school are not always the best. For Tom his day seemed to be the worst. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. He arrives home angry and upset, feeling very negative about himself and takes himself off to his room. His mother waits quietly with a snack to give Tom the opportunity to settle down. While he is settling, he picks up his grandfather’s camera and zooms in on things happening in the storm outside.
Once Tom has calmed his whirling thoughts, he and his mum talk about his day. With help from his mum, his perception of what happened changes when he begins to put the single isolated events into perspective. The spilt paint was turned into a spectacular painting, the dropped lunch happened because he was intercepting a ball as it was about to hit a window and his second to last place in a running race came about because he stopped to help a classmate who had fallen over. Using the camera and the analogy of zooming in and out with the lens, helps Tom gather a different take on his worst day ever. He realises that what happened was not as bad as he first thought and the bigger picture tells another story.
This very emotive story will be an excellent resource for homes and schools. So many students struggle to control their emotions when things start to unravel. This book gently explores how to try to change the narrative and the glorious illustrations provide a deeply engaging visual connection to the story. Teacher's notes are available.
