The Kelly family on the front cover is opening a large parcel. Mum, Kitty and their dog are all intrigued, as is the reader. The parcel is covered with stamps and an anonymous note inside wishes them luck. Dad and the girls unpack the jigsaw revealing the pieces for an African sunrise and they set to it. Dad sets his watch for late Autumn and they complete the edges by Winter. The girls play outside in Spring and Summer, while Dad works on. With Autumn coming closer they sort out all the colours, but they realise that the hippo’s shorts are missing. The missing jigsaw piece becomes a quest as they rack their brains for what may have happened to it. Mum recalls a piece that may have fallen to the floor and may have been swept into the bin. So the family goes to the rubbish centre. Here they are faced with a mountain of paper rubbish: old letters, notes, photographs and shopping lists to train tickets and newspapers from long ago. Every now and again a breeze lifts them all from the ground and settles them back down again, making their task even harder. The task seems overwhelming. They sadly go back home their hopes faded, where the missing piece falls from Dad’s shoe. The jigsaw is finished. Has it been luck or determination that has found the missing piece? Whatever has happened, the sun now comes up ‘out of Africa';. Kitty decides to write a thank you letter to the unknown sender and another problem needs to be solved by the family.
This book radiates love and family, hope and determination which will warm the hearts of younger readers who will view their own families with the same care and attention.
Graham infuses his characters with a universal humanity. Mum, Dad, the children and the dog could be any of us. His families are always inspiring as they work together on a problem, promoting hope, radiating love and a togetherness we all aspire to emulate.
His distinctive pen and watercolour illustrations create a world we look into, looking from above or below, each piece of the picture has a meaning and resonance with the readers, eager for the details shown on each page. Sometimes the page has a simple drawing on it, with no words or detail, sometimes an image covers both pages, sometimes there are several panels, but whatever the page offers, it is worth a second look and often readers will ask questions. How many teachers or parents will need to discuss a jigsaw, or postage or stamps or writing a letter, a post box, or recycling? Issues rise out of his work with a quiet insistence, the background to his stories often promising discussions on a different level. Activities are available in Walker Books Storytime kit.
Emma Johnston’s story begins with her idyllic childhood and the wonderful experiences she and her family were able to take part in. From sailing, swimming and snorkelling to living in places such as Japan and France, Emma was fortunate to be given the opportunities to challenge and nurture her curious mind. Emma also loved Maths and Science at school but felt strongly that girls had to struggle to be recognised in these subjects. She fought hard to gain a standing in the Science field and her journey is one of overcoming multiple challenges and fighting for gender equality.
Once Emma has finished her secondary schooling she was still unsure of her pathway. Her results guaranteed that she could choose any university course she wanted but she always felt that she wanted to be a Science Journalist due to her belief that reporting deeply about all things Science related especially environmental issues was the way to arouse people’s interest. This did not quite go to plan and Emma instead focused on Marine Ecology. She is passionate about investigating the underwater world and finding solutions to the damage occurring in places such as Antarctica, Sydney Harbour and the Great Barrier Reef, due to climate change and pollution. Emma’s leadership and ongoing research has been valuable to both others in this field and the general public. She has also presented on television in Foxtel/BBC TV series ‘Coast Australia’.
Emma Johnston was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2018 for “distinguished service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology and ecotoxicology, as an academic, researcher and administrator, and to scientific institutes”. Her story is one of great resilience and perseverance and is a worthy of inclusion in the Aussie STEM Stars series.
The highly descriptive writing of author Dee White will allow the reader to be drawn into Emma’s story and become a part of her journey. A very enjoyable and informative read, and an important addition to a school or public library.
Another book in the My Dad thinks series (My dad thinks he's funny and My dad thinks he's super funny) will delight fans as this time Dad thinks he is a pirate. The family are off to the beach and Dad can’t resist his corny jokes. Wordplays and jokes like ‘Here’s our ship. I bought it on sail’’ and ‘The sea is so friendly. It always waves’ are strewn throughout the narrative with the refrain, ‘My dad thinks he’s a pirate’ popping up at the end of each double page spread.
It is fun to read aloud, and children who are independent readers will appreciate the play on words, sure to bring giggles as well as some groans. It is easy to relate to the story as many readers will know a relative or friend who delights in the sorts of jokes and wordplay that is found in the My dad thinks books.
The illustrations of dad with his ginger beard, shirt with skull and cross bones on it, and hairy legs are hilarious, and the pictures add another dimension of humour to the jokes.
My review copy came complete with a black eye patch, and I know my son and grandson are going to have great fun with this book. It is sure to leave the reader happy and will be a hit with its audience. A great gift for Dad for Father’s Day or for a laugh anytime.
Cyberpunk is a form of science fiction that features high tech and futuristic themes along with dystopia and a dark underworld. An example of an early film in the genre is Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’. In interviews T. J. Napper refers to that film as a strong influence on his writing. 36 streets is set in a future Chinese-occupied Vietnam. Lin Thi Vu has been honed by her gangster uncle Bao to become a formidable fighting force sent out on assassin missions. In a new assignment, she becomes involved in a conspiracy built around a video game, Fat Victory, an immersive simulation of the American/Vietnam war that meshes the virtual with personal memory.
The novel is gritty with dramatic action scenes that see Lin brutally crushed, yet rise again and again, determined to defeat the forces ranged against her and take her revenge. It is a world of danger, deception, illusion and violence, and the costs to Lin are formidable.
The scenes set in the old world ‘36 streets’ of Hanoi are vivid; the underside of the city is alive, and reflects the in-depth knowledge Napper gained whilst working as an aid worker in Southeast Asia. This grounding provides authenticity to the virtual world of the future that the author creates. It is a mix of old Hanoi and the cyber world of video games, a world of super strength combatants, illusion and deceptive manipulation. However, this book, because of its violence, is not for all readers.
University of Queensland Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780702263255. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A little girl feels alone in the dark, so her sister tells her stories that transport her to other places and show her that she is part of something very much bigger and never alone. Just as each feather is part of a wing and that wing makes birds fly, so she is part of something. She is a flower in the dairy chain, a drop of rain in a shower, a letter in the alphabet and so they can tell each other a whole host of stories.
Each comparison will entreat younger readers to see themselves as part of something much larger than themselves, opening up a wider horizon, a vista of where they fit in the universe. They will see a drop in a shower, a flower in a daisy chain, a stitch in a scarf, inviting them to make up a line for themselves. They could be a grain of sand on the beach, or a cloud in the sky, the possibilities are endless and children will love making up new lines for this story.
Each metaphor adds a line saying why that comparison is made. So the stone set in a bridge makes the bridge strong, and a stitch in the scarf keeps us warm.
The sleepless child is comforted knowing she is part of something bigger, happy to see how she fits in with the wider world, that she is not alone.
Children will love following the lines of the story seeing it add another layer of togetherness, showing us that we are all feathers and when we work together we fly. The illustrations suit the story, adding a magical quality as the muted colours replicate evening when the child cannot sleep. The sisters go on a magical journey, an adventure through the night, seeing the things spoken of in the text. A loving, caring relationship is shown as the older girl shows the younger sibling the glories of being part of something bigger than themselves.
At the end of the book can be found the music and the words set as a lullaby for children to sing. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Sleep, Togetherness, Night time, Companionship, Friendship, Support, Sisters.
Fran Knight
Gaia goddess of Earth by Imogen and Isabel Greenberg
Gaia Goddess of Earth is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Written in very much a feminist mode, this complex and detailed story of Gaia, the Greek Goddess of the Earth, is simplified and told with both humour and serious intent. Gaia created the Earth in all its beauty, free from danger and trouble. However, her husband Ouranos, her son Cronus, and grandson Zeus all had other ideas. Their incredible greed and all-encompassing need for power meant that the Earth was subjected to famine, flood, war and destruction. Familial wars were fought between parent and child, siblings versus siblings with the mere mortals being caught up in the turmoil. It was a devastating time for Gaia. There is hope though, and Gaia does eventually achieve the peace she so deserves for her precious Earth. There is also a story within a story in this tale: the Earth needs to be no longer misused but cared for by all people. After all Gaia created only one Earth.
The gorgeous cover and stunning illustrations will appeal to all readers. The graphic novel-style format is a clever way to introduce children to ancient myths and legends and will be a popular read in a school or public library.
Themes Greek Goddesses, Graphic Novel Format, Myths & Legends, Ancient Gods, Environmental Issues.
This young adult book tells the story of a young girl who escapes her abusive father to find her missing sister. In 1890’s Chicago it is hard for a young girl to be listened to by men.
Zuretta is determined to find her sister Ruby who has disappeared. Everyone keeps telling her that she has just run off and forgotten her, but Zuretta refuses to believe it and is determined to find out what happened to Ruby. She learns very quickly that not everyone is who they seem, and it is important to be careful who you trust. Zuretta does, however, find someone to help her with her search for her sister.
The mysterious Castle where she finds herself working appears to have lots of secrets, mysterious rooms and doors that go nowhere.
Eash chapter starts with a note from the killer, and this adds to the intrigue as you try and work out who it is. The suspense in this book it well written and keeps you guessing right to the end, with several twists that are unexpected.
This is a well written book that draws the reader in.
Through the twists of chance, a young boy in North Korea, 1991, comes into the possession of a strange book left behind by a rare visitor to the country, a book whose cover depicts a giant red troll abducting a near naked woman. It is the ‘Dungeon Masters Guide’, the core rule book for the game of Dungeons and Dragons. The images within the comic frames arouse Jun-su’s curiosity, and he determines to learn English in order to understand it better. Thus starts a journey that will lead him to the glory of recognition as a linguist and poet by the Supreme Leader, and then to the downfall of imprisonment and torture. The book changes Jun-su’s life in ways that he could never have predicted.
Theroux has actually been to North Korea as part of a strictly supervised tour by a delegation of journalists, with the climax of the visit, the Mass Games celebration of the country’s 70th birthday. In his video he comments on how he was never sure whether what he was seeing was real or just for show. In Theroux’ novel The sorcerer of Pyongyang, Jun-su has been brought up with the myths that glorify the Great Leader Kim Il-Sung, and Dear Leader Kim Jong-Il. People ascribe to the propaganda and live in fear of ever being caught out as irreverent or unfaithful. Behind the façade of the happy dedicated Korean life is fear of being arrested and sent to labour camps. The guide book to Dungeons and Dragons also introduces a fantasy world but it is one where the game players can choose their own adventure, undertake heroic deeds and slay monsters. It fascinates Jun-su; he and a core group of friends enjoy exploring the game. However, as one astute student points out, Jun-su appropriates the role of mastermind coordinator of the challenges.
In the Korean world controlled by the Supreme Leader there is no freedom, no adventure. Instead there is an ever-pervasive fear of false allegation, betrayal and disappearance. The fear is overwhelming; no one is immune to coercion, not even a mother or a lover. Betrayal leads to nine years imprisonment for Jun-su, with torture and labouring in a re-education camp.
Theroux has based his novel on stories collected from refugees who have managed somehow to escape from North Korea. That, combined with his own experience of visiting the country, provides a compelling insight into the totalitarian state, its mix of subservience and fear, and the power of propaganda. The sorcerer of Pyongyang combines aspects of fantasy, romance and thriller; at the same time providing insight into the reality of life for people in a very different, highly secretive society.
Themes North Korea, Totalitarian state, Fantasy, Propaganda, Surveillance, Fear.
Helen Eddy
Miss Penny Dreadful & the Midnight Kittens by Allison Rushby. Illus. by Bronte Rose Marando
Nabbed again for drawing images of her teachers in her notebook, Penny is summoned to the Head Mistress’s office where she is met by her Aunt Harriet an adventuress and author, and her companions, a squirrel monkey called Jones and a strange spider-limbed man called Mr Crowley. They face the dreaded Miss Pugh and Harriet simply asks Penny if she likes the school. The decisive answer causes Harriet to extract Penny from the terrible school, taking her on the road to adventure. The first of these involves a group of kittens who come to life at midnight in Mr Toddington’s Museum, a collection of the strange and macabre. Penny and Harriet wait at midnight to catch a glimpse of the supposed bewitched kittens after seeing them during the day, a group of neatly arranged stuffed animals. But at midnight they indeed do come alive, cavorting in their display case, playing with each other. But Penny recalls her teacher’s mantra, use your logic, do not believe everything you see. And in looking more closely she helps to uncover a fraud.
Finding a sobbing girl in the stables early that morning, she spies the live kittens, about to be taken by a taxidermist because they have grown too big to be in the display. While Aunt Harriet is busy writing her next instalment, Penny takes charge, wanting to expose the fraud and save the girl from further sadness. She takes Lucy to see Lord Linkford who she met yesterday explaining loudly about the beauty of the stuffed animal museum and they strike a deal. The deal satisfies them all, except perhaps Mr Crawley and his associates.
A marvellous adventure story, steeped in the curious, will appeal to a wide audience, wanting sharp characterisation and an involved, winning, well told plot. And the first in a series adds to the thrill.
Themes Orphans, Adventure, Fraud, Taxidermy.
Fran Knight
Sugar by Carly Nugent
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922330741. (Age:16+)
Persephone has a name that is a struggle! She is also living in the pain of grief since the death of her father. Devastation seems to follow her at school and at home. And her blood sugar stats are a constant companion, and this companion is not a friend. Diabetes makes her life difficult at every turn. But it is the guilt of thinking that she could have done something to prevent her father’s death and her strange view that her diabetes is her punishment because of it, that drives Persephone’s angst. She lashes out and punches a fellow student, gets in trouble regularly at school and has a painful relationship with her disengaged and grief addled mother. When she is the first person to find a young woman dead on the walking track in the bush, her strange views on why bad things happen and what people deserve in life become even more twisted. Despite her foul behaviour (and language) she still manages to make connections with the dementia-affected woman on the bush track, with the abuse victims who are sharing the house with them, with the friend of the deceased woman and with two school aged teens who seem to accept her roller-coaster life experience.
Torment fills this book. It is a powerful journey through very difficult circumstances and in the mind of dysfunctional thinking brought on by trauma and grief. Persephone’s family circumstance and her anger and lack of acceptance of her diabetes lifestyle are understandable but very problematic. The foul angst-laden language of the young teen is very tough to read. It is so thick with swear words, from adults and teens alike, that it is unappealing. Despite that, there is a measure of hope at the end of the story, but the choices of many of the characters in the story are just awful. This is a dark story that is more like an emotional firestorm with multiple ember attacks, than a hopeful story revealing that grief does not always destroy lives completely. I cannot recommend this book because of the pain of all involved. Persephone’s lack of a considered and healthy response to diabetic control is also very worrying, although this has natural consequences in the book. Only readers aged 16+ should attempt to read this book. It is very like the moody, sombre stories from Vikki Wakefield and the fierce emotional struggle that is portrayed raises many concerns; it is dark and fraught on many levels. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Diabetes, Grief, Guilt, Family trauma and abuse.
What a delightful book! Ultimately uplifting The comet traces the life of Nyla from the time when she sees stars and a comet in the sky above her country home, through a time of change when she must move to the city as her father has a new job, to when the apartment she lives in eventually becomes a home that the family loves.
Nyla is very unhappy in her new apartment in the city. Her father is very busy with his new job and does not have the time to spend with her that he had in the country. She can only see seven stars in the sky ‘and there are no sounds of waves to fall asleep to.’ One night she sees a comet falling to earth and a magical tree sprouts out of the light. Here the illustrations take over and the reader sees the most wonderful plants and flowers weaving through the sky. Then all is revealed – Nyla has painted the walls and floors and boxes in the room. At first Dad does not see that it is a comet but something magical starts to grow and the whole family turns the apartment into a home.
The illustrations beg to be examined again and again, as there are so many details to look at. I loved the double page spread turned sideways to show all the different families living in the building and the final endpapers show how happy Nyla has become in her new home. The love between Nyla and her father is heart-warming and is a standout in the book.
Joe Todd-Stanton tackles the difficulties of moving house and managing change for Nyla in a very relatable way, the narrative flowing smoothly when read aloud. The comet is picture book that could become a firm favourite at home and in a library.
Themes Moving house, Change, Comets.
Pat Pledger
Antarctica The Melting Continent by Karen Romano Young and Angela Hsieh
What On Earth Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781913750534. (Age:10+)
Antarctica is one of the most isolated and harshest environments on the planet, often referred to as "the final frontier".
From her harbourside home in the very south of the South Island of New Zealand, as a young girl in the 1930s my mum would watch the ships head southwards to the ice, literally the next stop after they left the safety of the port of Bluff. And she began to dream. In 1968, after years of dedication and hard work, she broke the "petticoat ban" and she too, joined those sailing south from Bluff - on a converted fishing trawler that was the precursor to the luxury liners of today, as Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered Antarctic tourism and she became the first female journalist to go south.
The Magga Dan tied up at McMurdo Sound, 1968.
Fifty+ years on and it is so different - or at least the getting there is, and the presence of women is no longer a novelty and the issue of where they might go to the toilet no longer a primary barrier!
Today, in the southern summer, tourist trips leave regularly for the ice, although most often it is via South America to the Antarctic Peninsula as the crossing of the Drake Passage is usually only about two days while scientists are there all year round and women work alongside the men. So, this new book provides an up-to-date view of this isolated continent in a narrative that draws on the author's own experiences as well as extensive research and interviews with scientists, combining a unique personal perspective with up-to-date information about the land and its inhabitants, the investigations being undertaken and the discoveries being made such as studying climate change to investigating ice cores almost a million years old to learn about the history - and future - of our planet. There is still so much to learn and do and the book's scope offers many opportunities for students' interest-driven investigations.
While most of its readers probably won't have the wherewithal to afford a trip on one of the many ships that have made it a bucket-list destination, perhaps this book will inspire them to take another route under the Australian Antarctic program and dare to dream - just as my mum did all those years ago! For that truly was "Dreaming with eyes open..."
When a young woman, Skylar Edwards, is found murdered in Buckstown, Alabama, a corrupt sheriff arrests the last person to see her alive, Andy Dubois. It doesn't seem to matter to anyone that Andy is innocent. What starts off as a case of trying to get an innocent young man off of death row, turns into a much bigger and more dangerous problem than any of them had imagined.
The style in which this book is written with each chapter being written from a different characters point of view, makes for great reading. The chapters are written to reflect the different characters personalities adding extra depth to the story. it also added extra levels that keeps the reader guessing as to what is going to happen next. There were a couple of times during this book where I was convinced I knew what was going to happen next and then the story took a twist and something unexpected occurred. This is a very well written story that draws the reader in and keeps you hanging on right to the end.
This story showed how someone in power can use their power to manipulate the system to get the end they desire, even if it is wrong.
The manipulative lengths the district attorney Randal Korn went to, too achieve his goal was impressive, he was determined to let nobody get in his way, he didn’t care who he had to take out to achieve his end goal as long as he achieved his goal. All he wanted was to send someone to the death penalty.
The main characters in this book have their own unique personalities that show through adding further depth to the story. They each have their own stories that show through as they deal with the situation that is presented to them.
A very talented writer.
I highly recommend this book.
Themes Murder.
Karen Colliver
Stacey Casey: The house that time remembers by Michael C. Madden
Big Sky, 2022. ISBN: 9781922615886. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Stacey Casey’s father is an inventor. One morning, that started like any other Stacey’s father called her to the basement in great excitement telling her that he needed her, and she would not be going to school that day. Stacey trying to explain to her father that she had to go to school as she had a math test, but her father was not listening, he was so preoccupied with his discovery. When the doorbell rings Stacey runs to answer it finding her best friend Oliver, who follows her to the basement to talk to Stacey’s father. Suddenly there is a strange noise, and the house feels like it is shaking. Stacey’s father becomes more excited telling them that he has done it. When Stacey and Oliver question him he explains that he has created a time machine. Stacey and Oliver are sceptical as most of his inventions don’t work. Stacey tells her father that they must go to school but when Stacey and Oliver walk out of the house they are no longer in the present. They quickly go back to Stacey’s father who tells them that they are now in 1964. Stacey askes if he can get them home again and he replies he should be able to just needs to make some adjustments. Once the children get over the initial shock, they are excited to go and explore their local town as it was in 1964.
Stacey and Oliver have several encounters with famous people while they are in 1964, they also find themselves in trouble for something they didn’t do.
They finally make it home again, but I think this is just the beginning of Stacey and Oliver’s adventures.
This is a fun story written in an easy-to-read manner.
Themes Inventions, Time travel.
Karen Colliver
My Baba is the best by Bachar Houli. Illus. by Debby Rahmalia
A wonderful story about the strong relationship between a father and his daughters is presented by former AFL player, Bachar Houli. The young girl tells us about what she does with her father: a strong, bearded man who loves to be always active and doing something. He gives the best hugs, and the three are often in their backyard, keeping fit, the young girl trailing him with her bicycle as he runs. He takes the girls fishing, one of his favourite leisure activities. She has her own rod and needs help in reeling in the fish. The family sometimes go to the movies, but even better is staying home to watch a film together with a large bucket of butter popcorn. At night Baba comes into their room to pray with them as they go to bed, asking for protection while they sleep. Excitement is in the air as they prepare to go camping, the young girl writing a list of what they need to take. On the way she feels carsick and so must sit in the front seat with Baba! Once there, they put up their tent and prepare wood for the evening fire, making sure they each have a good stick on which to toast the marshmallows.
Each activity is shown as a collaborative effort within the family, underlining its strength and durability, recognising the special bond between fathers and daughters.
At night they play card games with the help of their head torches, and go to bed watching a kangaroo that comes to inspect their campsite.
A loving look at the father-daughter bond just in time for Father’s Day in September, is a delight. Smiling happy faces beam out from every page as they do so many thing together. Kids will love recognising the things they do with their fathers, and tell stories of what makes their father the best.
Indonesian artist, Debby Rahmalia gives a wonderful authenticity to the portrayal of a Muslim family, with the visit to the mosque, their participation in Eid after Ramadan, their visits to relatives after Friday prayers and the family prayers at night. Readers will be eager to find out the meanings of some of the unfamiliar words which dot the story, but finding that the family presented is not that much different from their own.
