Mim and her family live in a caravan bookshop, their horse guides them to where they are needed most and Mim and her family try to work out who needs their help and which book on their shelves is the right book for the right person at the right time.
In the second book of the series written by Katrina Nannestad, Mim has arrived on a Greek Island and everyone is talking about the wedding that is about to take place, everyone that is except the bride and groom! Mim really wants to follow in her father's footsteps and guide people through their book choices to make better choices and change their lives, however every time she tries to convince the bride to read a book another book is chosen. Mim is convinced the wedding shouldn't take place but she feels like she is the only one who can see it.
I loved this story as Mim is trying so hard to ensure that Angelica, the bride reads a book that will convince her to stop the wedding, except that Angelica is reading all the wrong books and so is the groom. The reader will love following along and discovering new facets of the bookshop and learning that sometimes the right book might not be the one you think you should read but the one that falls into your lap.
This is a great story for reading aloud or reading alone, it is an easy read that will engage readers of all ages. Definitely one to add to the list of must reads along with any subsequent books in the series.
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781838992279. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A young boy named Nick is the Priddy Explorer in the series Priddy Explorers as the author aims to teach young children about space. Nick guides the reader through some amazing facts and illustrations about space. Starting with a comprehensive but simple Contents page (What is space? What is the moon?), the reader is invited to explore the contents of the book, either from start to finish, or popping into a section that is of interest. Children will learn about the sun, moon and stars, the solar system and the planets and can check what they have learned with a quiz. A glossary and index are also included at the back of the book.
The book is a sturdy board book, full of colourful drawings. There are also photographs which illustrate topics like telescopes, artificial satellites, rovers, rocket ships and astronauts and the exploration of Mars. Each of the photographs has a caption with fascinating information which will intrigue readers, and Nick the Priddy Explorer is featured on each double page with a Did you know? question for the reader.
This is an ideal book for the young child who is curious about space and wants to learn more. It would be very useful in a classroomwhen learning about space.
Winner of the 2022 Locus Award for Best Collection, in Even greater mistakes, Charlie Jane Anders has written 19 short stories that span her writing career. The publisher’s blurb states: ‘Here are delightful upending’s of genre cliches, and heartfelt revitalisation of classic tropes. Here is social commentary with teeth, and here are scenes of pants-wettingly funny comedy. Here are characters and situations that by their very outrageousness achieve a heightened realism unlike any other. Here is one of the strongest voices in modern science fiction, the writer called by Andrew Sean Greer, 'this generation’s Le Guin.'
These stories are challenging to read and will be enjoyed by lovers of science fiction and fantasy. The first in the book As good as new, has a survivor isolated in a panic room and she turns the fairy story of the genie in a bottle upside down into a memorable tale. Rat catcher’s yellows is an intriguing take on being a carer of a life-time partner and brings all the heartbreak and diffuclties alive for the reader.
All the stories are original, unique, and often strange. Some are not easy to read but for hard core fans of science fiction and fantasy this will be a compelling collection. Some may like to try her novel Dreams bigger than heartbreak.
Themes Short stories, Science fiction, Fantasy, LGBT.
Pat Pledger
Guinness World Records 2023
Guinness World Records, 2022. ISBN: 9781913484231. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Guinness World Records books are borrowed constantly by students of all ages keen to catch up on a variety of quite extraordinary records achieved by individuals and groups. The latest 2023 edition will provide endless reading and browsing.
The striking cover and end papers of year’s book has a space/final frontier theme and indeed the introduction is called Missions. The Contents page this year lists ten chapters to browse through with the headings of Space, Life on earth, Human Body, Extraordinary Exploits, Around the World in 300 Records, Epic Engineering, Entertainment, Modern World and finally the ever-popular Sports. Each chapter lists the topics or people discussed with adjacent page numbers and recognises one Hall of Fame award under each main heading.
In the Around the World in 300 Records section, Australia’s list of six records includes the Lone Pine Sanctuary which is the world’s oldest koala sanctuary set up in 1927 by Claude Reid as well as the oldest rainforest, the Daintree, which dates back to around 180 million years.
Towards the end of the book is a Stop Press section where entries that came in after the closing date for submissions are added. This makes for very interesting reading. Did you know the longest time standing on one leg blindfolded goes to an Australian, 12-year-old Max Petoe who stood for 35 minutes? There is always so much to discover in the Guinness World Records book and this latest edition will fly off Library shelves.
I loved this book, and I really wasn't expecting to. As much as I like Adam Hills, I was expecting this to be another TV star writing a book and it isn't, this is a book with twists and turns that is well written and enjoyable.
The story starts with Charley and her best friend George being accused of stealing a priceless painting, the two friends are enjoying a European tour as Charley is the latest internet singing sensation and George is the one who made her videos. As they continue their tour of Europe and keep up with their schoolwork - they are only 12 after all, they now need to solve the building case against them as artefacts go missing from each place they visit.
Charley and George must face accusations from their schoolmates, principal, and international police forces all while trying to keep the tour on track and convince the adults in their lives that they can handle anything the world throws at them. The two friends work together to solve the crimes and clear their names, even when faced with jealousy and sabotage from others in their class.
This is a brilliant book and would be great as a read aloud or as a class text. It is really well written and will engage both young readers and adults alike.
Where’s Wally? Destination: Everywhere! is the 30th anniversary addition of the ever popular Where’s Wally series. As fans of Where’s Wally will know, his journeys can take him to the past, present and future. This well-presented hard cover edition contains 12 classic scenes from past books which have been given a more complex makeover! These scenes include The Great Portrait Exhibition, Jurassic Games, Cake Factory, Pirate Panorama, Dragon Flyers and finishing with The Land of Wallies. This latest book offers the reader the opportunity to find more things that Wally saw on his travels but with multiple surprises instore. Each double page has a paragraph of information explaining what might be found as well as clues to something that may be hidden, doubled, or changed. So many clever twists to each page. This book would make a wonderful gift for all fans of Where’s Wally.
Themes Where’s Wally, Travel, Activities, Clues.
Kathryn Beilby
Storm Goliath by James Sellick and Craig Shuttlewood
New Frontier, 2022. ISBN: 9781922326546. (Age:5+)
Storm Goliath is a brightly illustrated picture book from the Dealing with Feeling series. The book tells the tale of one very angry gorilla called Goliath who finds it hard to manage his anger. Even the smallest things can set him off such as birds singing or the warthog whining. He is not a settled gorilla and once his anger sets in, he is destructive and very unkind. The detailed and expressive illustrations manage to convey the range of emotions that Goliath is expressing and the use of capital letters to shout the words to the reader allows the emotions to be felt.
Goliath is feeling BIG feelings as do so many children nowadays. They find it hard to self-regulate these emotions but as Goliath shows us it can happen with practice. The descriptions of hanger – anger made worse by hunger and sanger – anger expressed with sadness mixed in - are important words to share with children.
This book would be a valuable tool to share with children who are struggling to contain feelings of anger. My only personal concern is the use of the words ‘shut up’ in the first couple of pages. If I was reading it out aloud I would change it to ‘be quiet’.
One Last Secret is the latest thriller from prolific writer of popular women’s fiction, Adele Parks. The novel centres on British escort Dora, who has finally decided to leave her profession, marry her best friend and start a new life. The only issue is, Dora has received an offer too good to refuse from a long-time client. Daniel asks her to take one last trip with him, to pretend to be his girlfriend at a house party being held at a chateau in Southern France. He promises a few days of luxury, sunshine and fun and Dora reluctantly agrees. What should be a simple and straightforward job however, rapidly turns sour when she realises that Daniel’s eccentric group of friends might turn out to be downright dangerous.
Adele Parks is known for producing slick and suspenseful contemporary thrillers with a strong focus on their female protagonists. One Last Secret is no different. Every character has a hidden backstory and secret purpose. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns and the backdrop of the luxurious chateau is an excellent contrast to the dark dealings happening within. The sense of oppression builds throughout, as both Dora and the reader try to discover who is the sinister presence moving events along. One Last Secret will keep you guessing until the end. This book is recommended for all those who enjoy a dark and sultry thriller. However, be advised of the extremely adult and at times disturbing content.
Themes Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Secrets, Relationships, France.
Rose Tabeni
Dirt by sea by Michael Wagner, Illus. by Tom Jellett
Front and centre of this colourful large format picture book is an orange combi van with a Queensland number plate, the van Daisy (Daze) and her Dad take on a road trip around Australia’s coast. Five year old Daze loves her home in outback Queensland with its vast areas of red dirt but objects to the national anthem saying “our land is dirt by sea”. When it is explained that Australia is “girt” by sea, Dad realises he has never taken her to the beach and resolves to do the road trip, in their old van, he and her Mum did before Daisy was born. Setting out on Boxing Day it is a twelve hour drive to their first stop, Airlie Beach and from there they continue to the Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Northern NSW. Next stop is Sydney and Bondi Beach where Dad teaches Daze how to always swim between the flags, signal if she gets into difficulties and float on her back until help comes. We also learn that “your mother was a lifeguard, that’s how we met” the first of many references to Mum, absent but lovingly remembered. The trip, encompassing over 20 coastal locations, has its challenges, like tasting Coffin Bay oysters, and playing eye spy crossing the Nullarbor, but they experience the wonders of Australia’s coastline and grow with the experience. Snorkelling, jetty jumping, making sand mermaids and friends on the beach are all part of Australians’ love of the beach and all are represented here.
This is a joyful trip with lots to see on every colourful, detailed page where the author and illustrator operate together seamlessly. Summed up in the endpapers where Daisy’s worksheet naming the states and territories becomes a riot of colour and trip notes by the end, this is a book that will bear repeated readings, new details noticed each time.
When I'm an Astronaut written by South Australian urological surgeon Dr Samantha Pillay is Book Three in the Inspirational Careers for Kids picture book series with the first two books titled, When I’m a Surgeon and When I’m an Entrepreneur.
In this latest book a young girl dreams big and shows the reader all that she will be able to do when she becomes an astronaut. The stunning illustrations support the simple text beautifully, show diverse characters, and enable this book to become a very special read. Both children and adults will be able to relate to the excitement and anticipation of becoming an astronaut, learning so much about what is needed to be able to undertake this role as well as the endless possibilities to find out more about our world and beyond.
The addition of an excellent activity book where more space-related terminology is introduced through activities such as word searches, spot the difference and unscrambling words, could be used by teachers, parents and students to complement the text.
Dinosaur Chew! The Iguanodon is another in the popular The World of Dinosaur Roar! series and this time explores the life of the iguanodon who loves to laze around chewing grass. After being challenged by Dinosaur Munch to try something new he decides to go on an adventure.
In rhyming text, the pre-schooler will be introduced to this grass eating dinosaur, learning about some of its habits and habitat on the way. He will meet other dinosaurs in the series and will have fun looking at the brightly coloured pictures of the land and its inhabitants.
The third in the series about Aaron Falk a federal investigator, following finds Aaron at a festival in the wine country in South Australia. A terrible discovery is made – a baby has been left by herself in a pram and her mother Kim Gillespie, has disappeared, never to be seen again. A year later Aaron is back, this time for a christening, and deep rifts and fractures appear in the tight-knit community as the community begins to remember the events of the night and the truth begins to surface.
Jane Harper is a clever author, drawing on the atmosphere of a wine growing area as she explores the relationships in the families that Aaron is close to. The festival is running again, and questions are being asked about what was really seen on that night. Aaron is also drawn to Gemma, the organiser of the festival and to her stepson Joel, who is grieving the loss of his father who had been killed by a motorist who left the scene. These two mysteries begin to fascinate Aaron as he reconstructs what has happened in the past.
I was left pondering the title Exiles and the sentence on the front cover ‘We see what we expect to see,’ as I tried to follow the clues and spot the red herrings in the plot. I was also fascinated by the relationships – Aaron’s growing feelings for Gemma and the life of the missing woman, Kim.
As always, there was depth and complexity to the story from Harper who is an outstanding author of rural noir and Exiles is a worthy successor to her other novels, The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man and The Survivors.
Themes Mystery, Thriller, Australia Crime, Suspense, Family relationships.
Rabbit is traumatised after watching his father die in the woods and he and his mum have moved to a caravan park near the coast which she manages. Helped by his counsellor Louise, Rabbit is no longer mute but Joe Fludd, who befriends him, says he is “quiet as a rabbit” and the nickname sticks. Joe’s family are outsiders, associated with local thefts, vandalism and fires, especially Joe’s older brother Billy, but Rabbit is irresistibly drawn to Joe, with his smile "like daytime lightning”. "Me and Joe, we’re closer than mates. Close as you can get without being brothers.” p17. Rabbit’s internal life is soaked in dreams of impending doom, often featuring a white horse, a great, beautiful creature, so when Joe asks Rabbit if he wants to see a dead horse the two set out on what proves to be a dangerous mission.
The sensitive, stilted first person narrative, with its short sentences and staccato feel cleverly communicates Rabbit’s vulnerability and the intimacy of the boys’ relationship. Rabbit’s courage and bravery in the face of trauma is somehow redemptive, helping him make sense of the world he has been thrust into. The text is beautifully supported by atmospheric ink and wash pictures and page borders, a thoughtful book with a special feel to it. This is the sequel to We were Wolves but it does stand alone successfully.
Quickly slowly day by Martin Baynton and Rob Foote
Little Steps, 2022. ISBN: 9781922678515. (Age:2+) Recommended.
Quickly slowly day is one of the Book Hungry Bears book collection from stories used in The Book Hungry Bears TV show. In this brightly coloured story the concept of the passage of time is explained to the very young. On each double page spread the little bear is involved in an activity that is slow and then fast. Scenes of events during a typical day for a toddler are show, for example catching a bus, going to the park, going shopping and playing at home. So the reader will see the bear slowly waking up in the morning, and then quickly jumping out of bed; the bears race quickly to the bus stop and go slowly into town; little bear slowly climbs the steps to the top of the slide and then quickly goes down the slide and so on. Finally it is bed time and the little bear has a story read slowly and then quickly falls asleep
The text is minimal, ‘Quickly make a big mess, Slowly clear it up’, and it reads aloud very well. The very engaging illustrations are rendered in soft water colours and I loved the happy expressions on the faces of the parent bear and little bear. The drawings complement the text and make the familiar scenes come alive, reenforcing the notion of time. Children will have fun doing some of the activities in the teacher's notes and the book would be a very useful addition to a childcare centre or home library.
Themes Time, Passage of time.
Pat Pledger
The unwinding and other dreamings by Jackie Morris
Unbound, 2021. ISBN: 9781783529353. (Age:Adult - Young adult) Highly recommended.
What a beautiful book! I was intrigued by the wonderful cover illustration of a sleeping woman nestling on a large, white polar bear and expected to find a fairy tale within. Instead, opening the book the author says in her introduction: “This book is not meant to be read from cover to cover. It is a book for dreamers. Slight of word, rich of image, its purpose is to ease the soul.” And ease the soul it does. It is intended to be a companion that can sit on the bedside table at night or be carried in a picket or bag during the day to be looked at in times of stress.
It is easy to dip into the book, with each of the fourteen lushly illustrated sections, calling to the imagination, and easing the anxieties of a busy world. Morris took me into a land where there were exotic midnight fish that flew into the sky, a fox who loved the Winter Queen, and a gorgeous white bear. The stunning illustrations are unforgettable, just so beautiful it is difficult to describe their effect on the imagination.
This is book that I will treasure and one that I intend to buy as a gift for family members. It is highly recommended for its beauty and impact.
Themes Imagination, Poetry, Fantasy, Art, Short Stories, Animals.
