Reviews

Mrs Turtle becomes a Grandma by Julia Hopp. Illus. by Michael Lee

Mrs Turtle is so excited that she is to become a grandma. She knows she will love the new hatchling more than anything. However, Mrs Turtle worries that she may not be quite good enough as she is not just an ordinary turtle. Mrs Turtle is not a good swimmer or diver, does not like basking in the sun without sunscreen, has excellent teeth, loves being surrounded by friends, enjoys being fit, travels the world, has excellent vision and loves listening to rock music. All of these special traits make her very unusual in turtle world. Will she be the right type of grandma? When baby turtle finally arrives, she knows all will be well.

This is a very engaging story about being true to ourselves. The illustrations are bright, colourful and very appealing. The reader might just see turtles in a new light! This book could be a great gift for anyone becoming a grandmother for the first time.

Themes Turtles, Grandmothers, Family.

Kathryn Beilby

Violin and Cello by Catherine Greer, Joanna Bartel and Alexander Lau

While a high brick wall might separate the balconies of the two apartments and prevent the players from seeing each other, it doesn't stop the music. One played a violin and the other a cello, and while each practised alone and at their own pace, both lonely, the music mingled. And then the violinist had an idea and sent  a secret message to the cello player.

Cello from a backpack.
Violin from a case
Each musician still played at their own pace.
It was tricky.
It took some time.
Then music flew from the violin and from the cello, too.

And then the cellist made a paper plane and sent her own secret message to her new friend. And together they played music from their balconies and connected many more than themselves.

Learning and playing music can be a solitary activity, bringing pleasure to the music-maker but even greater isolation than has been enforced over recent times. With between 45% of children (Australia) and 70% of children (UK) currently playing a musical instrument and even more (as many as 9 out of 10) wanting to learn - most beginning their classical music education with piano, violin or cello lessons - this is a story that will resonate with many young readers and show them that music is indeed a universal language and can indeed "act like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens" as Maria Von Trapp declared in The Sound of Music.

The score for the allegro and adagio movements of "The Mystery Friends", the music which brings the children together, is an original duet for violin and cello composed for the book by Australian composer, Alexander Lau, are printed in the book as well as being available via the links in this review. Thorough teachers' notes are also available so that even the most non-musical person like me can bring this book to life well beyond the words and pictures on the page.

Themes Music.

Barbara Braxton

Tulips for breakfast by Catherine Bauer

Tulips for breakfast could be read as a companion novel to The Diary of Anne Frank. It is a very similar story covering similar content though the outcome is different. Told in the first-person voice of Adelena, whose character is loosely based on the real-life story of Hannell Goslar-Pick (a friend of Anne Frank) Tulips for breakfast draws on research and first-hand accounts of "Hidden children" for historical and emotional authenticity. The author, Adelaide based Catherine Bauer, was inspired by her father’s stories as he recounted his life growing up in a Catholic, non-Nazi supporting family in SW Germany during WW11.

The confinement of children, the risks that their protectors took and the work of the resistance during the Nazi occupation are fascinating topics that simultaneously horrify and inspire young people with the question always being, “What would I have done in this situation? Would I have been brave or would I have been a coward?”

Adelena is a fully rounded character. Through her eyes the reader shares the range of emotions as she faces varying experiences and grows from a child into a young woman. This window of time is WW11 in Amsterdam. Adelena hides in the home of her music teacher because her Jewish parents believed that she stood the greatest chance of survival if she did so.

Catherine Bauer describes the fears and privations of the time - hence the title Tulips for breakfast. Amongst the dreadfulness there are moments of intense demonstrations of the power of the human spirit which gives one faith in the overall goodness of human beings even within the realm of an evil regime. The occasional, accidental meetings of Adelena and Officer Hass provide a thread of hope for humanity. The ending is powerful and enigmatic… especially for young people who love romance…

Tulips for breakfast is a book about the importance of hope, friendship, loyalty, being smart, staying alive, being strong, reliable and courageous even under the toughest possible conditions where your mistake or your cowardice could cost the lives of others. Teacher's notes are available.

Recommended.

Themes WW11 Amsterdam Nazi occupation, "Hidden Children", Jewish Holocaust.

Wendy Jeffrey

This is a school by John Schu. Illus. by Veronica Miller Jamison

An invitation to the very best of schools: inclusive, diverse, entertaining, fun and a place of learning, greets readers as they open the pages of this book. John Schu, a well known and promotional teacher librarian from Illinois pours all the positive aspects of going to school within these pages. And even a few negatives are thrown in to show that sometimes life does take a small turn: like dropping the fish bowl. But all is good - a solution is found and the fish survive. The first few pages are an introduction to kids going to the school, welcoming them as they step inside the building. Parents drop them off, and they sit on the floor listening to a teacher or librarian, or helper as they learn the routines of being in a classroom. Each line gives a positive aspect of learning: sharing, asking questions, helping, sharing, speak, learn, grow and heal, reminding the reader that the school is a community. Each few pages this line is repeated along with other words which delineates some aspect of school: celebrating, welcoming, growing, transforming, while the push is for children and staff to work together. Readers will love looking at the different things they can expect at school; a library, science experiments, music lessons, celebrations, art lessons, gardening and dressing up. All facets of school life are included, making the place more than just a building, but a humming communal space where all are welcome. Readers will enjoy looking at the different things being experienced in this school, and compare it with their own experience in Australian schools.

Themes School, Inclusivity, Diversity.

Fran Knight

My best friend is a giraffe by Roger Priddy. Illus. by Sian Roberts

Another in the Priddy Books series, My best friend is a giraffe is just as warm and funny as My best friend is a dinosaur. Both books use a variety of materials for younger readers to touch and feel as the rhyming lines are read to them. They will enjoy the sensory attraction. and join in with the reading, predicting the rhyming word and eventually joining in with the text. The giraffe’s face on the front cover is covered in a furry material, making it instantly attractive to younger readers. Their hands will roam over the whole front cover as they take in the extent of the material. A small bird flies over his head and as the best friend describes the giraffe as the book is read. This singular giraffe likes to wear a red bow tie, and likes to try anything, especially skating. She loves cake, she plays the saxophone at night, but other residents do not seem as keen as she. The two friends do a lot of things together, and even though they are quite different get along very well. The soft touching on each double page will draw readers in as they listen to the book being read to them and the humour on each page is sure to draw plenty of laughs.

Themes Giraffes, Best friends, Friendship, Humour.

Fran Knight

Which egg? by Roxanne Gajadhar and Rob Foote

Three jungle animals, Stork, Crocodile and Parrot are waiting for their eggs to hatch. While they are waiting they mention a characteristic that each might have; sharp, pointy teeth for Crocodile, magnificent beak for Parrot and long long legs for Stork. A strong wind shakes the nests of Parrot and Stork and their eggs roll into Crocodile’s nest. Oh dear! Whose egg belongs to whom? They wait patiently together for the eggs to hatch and finally out pop the babies each having the characteristic they discussed. The three adults take their offspring to the waterhole for a drink as one big family.

This is a short but delightful story with full page colourful illustrations which young children will enjoy.

Themes Animals, Eggs, Family.

Kathryn Beilby

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Excited readers are invited in to watch a family live and work in the farmhouse and its environs, marvelling at the intricate detail on each page, stopping to look at the scenes before their eyes with astonishment. Caldecott winner Blackall has created a homage to the family, winning over the readers as they turn each page to reveal a new vista. Like peering into a doll’s house, the scenes resemble something in miniature, and are engrossing, familiar and intimate.

Blackall came across the deserted farmhouse and bought it, searching through the generations of detritus left by the owners. Amongst this she found memories of a large family, a grandfather clock, an organ, kitchen dresser and equipment, clothing and furniture. All of these excited her imagination in such a way that she needed to recreate what she had found, in some way to honour their memory. An afterward tells of her journey and photos on the end paper shows what she found. Young and old readers will delight in the revelation of this farmhouse seeking out the familiar and equally intrigued by things no longer seen.

Several pages show the farmhouse in its fields, roads leading to the house in the distance surrounded by sheds and silos. We are introduced to the family, the twelve children posing for a photo in the hall. At night they sleep in the attic, beds in a row against the wall. During the day work is to be done, cows milked, eggs collected, hay to toss in the dray, fish to be caught and apples picked. All of the children help their parents with the chores. The images of the kitchen will ensure readers take notice of the family, as mum cooks the fish caught in the stream, and the children sweep the floor and set the table, afterwards washing the dishes. Readers will love looking at the detail on every page and the kitchen will take their interest as it shows the style of a kitchen rarely seen today.  The wonderful kitchen range is put to good use as a huge pot of soup boils, fish are cooked, vegetables steamed and bread baked. All to be placed on the serviceable kitchen table for all to eat together, some children needing to sit at a smaller table nearby. But the family is very much together, eating together, helping each other, taking some responsibility for the work that needs to be done in the house. The rhyming text parallels each of the wonderful images, revealing a life from the past, a lifestyle no longer pursued, nostalgia oozing from every page. Children will love following the lives of this family, watching the cats in the house, seeing what each child does, and coming near the end see what happened to them all, as the last child leaves her home and the house is abandoned. Blackall includes herself in the text as she discovers the place, describing what she found in words and images, inspiring her to recreate what she found.

This is an enchanting book that many readers will want to revisit and talk about. The rhythm of life meanders through every page, enabling readers to think about their own family and the journey it will take.

Themes History, Nostalgia, Family, Life events, Farming.

Fran Knight

My best friend is a dinosaur by Roger Priddy. Illus. by Sian Roberts

This durable board book with have instant appeal as toddlers instantly reach for the soft skin of the dinosaur on the front cover. Opening up children will find a range of things to touch and feel from shiny paper to fur, glitter and woven straw. Each page will delight and amuse as the dinosaur and his best friend do all sorts of things dinosaurs are certainly not usually seen doing. From cleaning the house, with many accidents, to dancing and cooking, the dinosaur and his best friend, the little mouse, make their way through the book in rhyme, encouraging young readers to predict the rhyming words and join in with the reading of the text. From cooking, cleaning, dusting, to just lolling around, the dinosaur is attractive, and with the added incentive of feeling something different on each page, the book is sure to win readers. Priddy Books promote ‘big ideas for little people’ and as dinosaurs are all the rage in junior primary classes, this is a must have for pre-school kids as well.

Bold, bright and colourful, the book will be eagerly picked up by toddlers as they peruse their book collection.

More can be found about the illustrator, Sian Roberts here.

Themes Dinosaurs, Humour, Touch and feel book.

Fran Knight

Out of the pouch by Laura Hamilton. Illus. By Nandina Vines

Poppy is an inquisitive joey who likes nothing better than to explore the bush outside her pouch. She heads off, zig zagging all over the place until she realises she has wandered too far away from her mummy. Poppy becomes anxious and worried and begins a search to find her. She asks some other bush creatures for help along the way and the kookaburra, koala and echidna are all friendly but too busy eating so are no help to Poppy at all. Thankfully the yellow-crested cockatoo has seen Poppy’s mummy searching for her and leads Poppy on a journey to safety.

This book is a thoughtful and gentle read with gorgeous illustrations. Children may be able to identify with that big feeling of worry when they may have lost the adult who is looking after them.

Themes Australian Animals, Australian Bush, Being Lost & Found.

Kathryn Beilby

Nice Garry: Bowled over by Nathan Lyon and Michael Wagner

The Keenan boys are tricksters who like a joke. But they also like cricket. 10 year old Garry Keenan tags along to his older brother Jamie’s cricket practice. Jamie is trying to make the team for the Under 16s team, even though he normally plays for the Under 14s.  Practice in the nets is challenging and Garry is making life difficult for his older brother with his ‘motor-mouth’ commentary and so is directed to help out by bowling a few balls at the batters who are practising in the next net. Within a short space of time, and with only a little bit of direction, the coaches discover that he is a very talented spinner. When Garry is unexpectedly selected for the Under 16 team it makes life difficult for Jamie who has missed out. The first game for Garry is both an amazing experience and a disaster as well. Success is never guaranteed in sport, all that is required is trying hard.

This is a simple, sport-based story with inspiration from Garry Lyons’ life and early journey in cricket. It has funny moments, family moments and also frenzied times when we feel the nerves of the young Garry as he must challenge himself above the expectations of his years. For readers learning to play cricket this is a great story that will also give them tips and hints. Garry’s team includes players of different genders and cultural backgrounds, so many readers will be able to connect to the story. I am not a passionate cricket viewer, but I was interested in a story that detailed early years cricket contests. This is a book to recommend for cricket fans, aged 8-11 years.

Themes Cricket – Spin bowling, Sibling rivalry, Family.

Carolyn Hull

Peg-Leg pedicure by Eliza Ault-Connell and Aimee Chan. Illus. by Angela Perrini

Eva and her Mum have a close relationship so much so that Eva does not even realise her Mum has a disability. Her Mum can do everything that any other Mum can do especially running. However, in the way that children can do, Rishab’s unkind comments on Eva’s Mum’s legs that are made out metal, cause Eva to feel sad and uncomfortable. She has always grown up with her Mum talking openly about her legs and pretending that she is a pirate with peg legs. Eva and her Mum decide to talk to the class about her different legs. In class Eva’s Mum uses her best pirate voice to share information and talk about her legs. She speaks about differences and the class all begin to point out how each of them is different and interesting in one way or another and it makes them all unique. After the discussion the whole class has fun doing a peg leg pedicure where they decorate Mum’s old peg legs. At the end of morning, they all have a race and Eva’s Mum wins. Even Rishab is surprised at how good peg legs are.

One of the co-authors, Eliza Ault-Connell, is a wheelchair track athlete who has competed at the highest levels for Australia.  The other co-author is Amiee Chan who wrote My Grandma is 100.

This beautifully illustrated picture book that shares information about diversity and difference in such a sensitively written manner would be a valuable resource for all school and public libraries.

Themes Diversity, Difference, Disability, Children, Family, Resilience, Education.

Kathryn Beilby

Brave & strong & true by Zoe Weston. Illus. by Ali Beck

This very gentle story with delightful illustrations is a wonderful introduction to the work of the RSPCA. Ellie lives in a house with lots of other dogs and shares her story with the reader of the only life she knows. The dogs are not cared for as well as they could be and are all eventually removed by workers from the RSPCA. Ellie is separated from her puppies and placed in a cage where she struggles to adjust to the changes. She is well fed and looked after but refuses to look at the people coming in search of a new companion for their home. Ellie is eventually reunited with her puppies in the home of one of her carers and begins to feel safe. Two very kind and patient women decide to take Ellie home with them and after a shaky start Ellie learns to trust and become part of a caring family.

Themes Dogs, RSPCA, Animal Care, Safety, Kindness.

Kathryn Beilby

Solve your own mystery: The monster maker by Gareth P. Jones. Illus. by Louise Forshaw

Funny, magical and quirky! Yeti Private Eye, Klaas Solstaag, works with his human partner to solve mysteries. In this mystery they have been employed by Dr Franklefink to find a missing ‘Monster Maker’ that disappeared at the time of Monty Franklefink’s 9th birthday party. Attendees and employed entertainers and caterers are all suspects, and all are somewhere on the fantasy spectrum – witches, vampires, werewolves, goblins, ghosts, zombies. At the same time there is a local community election about to take place and it might be possible that this is why the Monster Maker has gone missing, as long-term and bitter rivals vie for election.  And with magic a possibility and silly behaviours a given, this is just a frolic through a strange and bizarre world.

The writing style in this unusual book has a few peculiar features. Written as a Choose-your-own-path story with opportunities to follow different lines of inquiry in the investigation, this also gives personal interactivity in attempting to solve the mystery. The other unusual feature is that it is written as a second person narrative. The human partner to the yeti main investigator is referred to at all times as ‘you’, but this gives the opportunity for the young humans who read this book to connect to the story as if they too were partners in solving the crime. This technique is unusual in its approach for young readers, but worth highlighting for educators who might be looking for examples of second person narratives. Sometimes I am reticent to promote books with ghouls and monsters when they might frighten young readers, but this is so cheeky in its approach that there is no ‘fear-factor’ in this story, it is just mischievous and filled with humour. As an example, the Private Investigator’s dog has been magically ‘transformed’ into a car and now transports the detective while still displaying some dog-like behaviours – watch out lamp posts! This unique book will be enjoyed by readers aged 8-12, but slightly older readers will also find some entertaining irony and enjoyment in the pages.

Themes Monsters, Fantasy, detective mystery, choose-your-own ending.

Carolyn Hull

Tatty Mouse Rock Star by Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley

A solid hard paged book for toddlers, Tatty Mouse is one of a series about this ‘mend it make it’ mouse. An energetic recycler, Tatty Mouse always takes her tool kit along wherever she goes, alert for recycling things she finds discarded.

The cute mouse illustrations will appeal while lifting the flap on many pages will further engage the readers.

Inside the front cover the reader is introduced to Tatty with an array of equipment shown around her, including a set square, ruler, pencil, saw and glue. Tatty Mouse wants to play in her brother’s band and is making some maracas with rice and paint and sand. She looks in the cupboard and finds some tins and tubs, and after washing out all the crumbs sets about decorating the containers. Once decorated the containers are filled with the sand and rice to make a sound and on the last page the lifted flap shows Tatty using her new musical equipment as part of the band.

Young readers will love following Tatty’s journey from wanting to be in the band to collecting things to make an instrument to making it and then using it in the band. The model of how to make a simple musical instrument is shown for young and old to emulate. The bright energetic illustrations will engage the reader as they follow Tatty’s scheme from collecting rice to playing the maracas. Children will love recognising the musical instruments shown and follow the ‘did you find’ on the bottom of each page.

Look out for more in the series of books about Tatty Mouse by Hilary Robinson, a London based author of nearly seventy books for children, and is best known for Mixed Up Fairy Tales. 

And the illustrator, Mandy Stanley is an award-winning illustrator, who works her studio at home in Beccles.

Themes Mice, Humour, Board books, Lift the flap, Musical instruments, Recycling.

Fran Knight

The blame game by Sandie Jones

Naomi, a psychologist specialising in domestic abuse-related trauma repeatedly goes the extra mile for her clients but this results in her crossing professional boundaries, reliving her own childhood trauma and jeopardising her marriage.

When Naomi’s client Jacob decides that he has to escape his abusive wife, Naomi offers him the use of their holiday apartment without consulting her husband. A series of interactions seem to lead Jacob to believe that Naomi has romantic feelings for him, and when he goes missing Naomi begins telling a string of lies to both the police and her husband in an attempt to stay in the clear.

Naomi also offers refuge in her house to client Anna and her children and at the same time a series of unexplained events occur; locked doors are found unlocked, a patient’s file goes missing. A panicked Naomi begins to fear that her murderer father and/or bitterly estranged younger sister have tracked her down from New York to her new life in England, but maybe the threat is much closer to hand.

It transpires that at least one character is not really who they say they are, and Naomi begins to question the identity and relationships of the other characters, as her deceits and misgivings take their toll.

Jones has written a fast-paced thriller, with regular unexpected twists and turns. These keep the reader engaged, if only to find the outcome of the highly implausible behaviour and unethical professional behaviour of the cast of unlikeable characters.  

Themes Domestic abuse, Thriller.

Margaret Crohn