Fans of I’m a dirty dinosaur and I’m a hungry dinosaur will be immediately attracted to another story about the little dirty dinosaur, this time aimed at the very young in a lift-the-flap, sturdy board book format. The dirty dinosaur is looking for his friends, Bird, Bee, Frog and Fish, and little fingers must lift the flaps to see if they are hiding behind them. Each double page spread has two flaps, one with the dirty dinosaur’s friend hiding behind it and another with the words 'Not here!' The repetition of 'Not here!' will be enjoyed by children who will love to call it out and useful for beginning readers.
The rhyming story makes the book lovely to read aloud. Children’s vocabulary will be enhanced while gaining vivid images of the dirty dinosaur’s friends from phrases like this:
Where is Fish? Quick and slippery. Silver tail flippery.
Ann James’ illustrations are very appealing. The little dinosaur, with his cute face, cheeky grin and wide eyes prances through trees and flowers, stops by a pond strewn with water lilies and finally can be found making a huge splash on the final page. The soft pastel drawings are outlined with black crayon and minute details like little dragonflies and snails crawling up reeds will intrigue readers.
This is a lovely activity book that will intrigue and interest little children.
Themes Humour, Dinosaurs, Hide and seek, Read aloud.
Pat Pledger
Team Trouble! Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? by Eddie Woo & Dave Hartley
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781760983000. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
In Whodunit, Eddie Woo? Team Trouble Eddie Woo has collaborated with author Dave Hartley, to write an adventure book full of problem solving and super-sleuthing. This story begins with the three best friends, Eddie, Rusty and DT practising their skateboarding skills. This is one area that super-sleuth Eddie does not shine in and as the friends are entering the school’s annual Triple Threat Quest, a competition where teams compete across three subjects: performing arts, academics and sports, Eddie has to prove he will be an asset to the team.
However, there is a more pressing problem at hand. The nursing home where family friend Mr Appleby lives is suddenly being closed down within the week. The nursing home has been bought by Blade Industries and the regular staff have been replaced by dubious carers. Mr Appleby secretly leaves clues for Eddie, Rusty and DT, and along with unexpected support from Eddie’s parents, they have a task in hand to find out the sinister side to Blade Industries. When it is realised that the number of Swift Parrots have begun declining dramatically from the area where the care home is, it is up to the Super Sleuths to investigate and prove that Blade Industries is involved in illegal bird smuggling.
Both this book and Whodunit, Eddie Woo? Time Out! are wonderful reads for middle grade students who enjoy humour and action, and those older readers who are challenged by more lengthy novels. The illustrations are perfectly placed and the use of a variety of different text presentations keeps the reader engaged.
Themes Friends, Humour, Problem solving, Mathematical Clues, Adventure.
Kathryn Beilby
Dancing with memories by Sally Yule. Illus. by Cheryl Orsini
With its heart firmly in a teaching mode, this educative story will be used in many classrooms and homes where dementia is the topic for discussion. And used alongside such timeless books as Mem Fox’s Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge (1997) and Phil Cummings’ Newspaper hats (2016) children will get some idea of what has happened with their older family member.
Sally Yule working with Professor Martins has created a story of an older woman and her dance with memories. Memories that come and go, memories that are sometimes foggy and sometimes clear. She has her favourite walks, knows her neighbours and parks, and routinely walks to the park to meet her friend and his dog. She remembers that her family loves her. She remembers her grand daughter’s wedding is today and so sets off. She has forgotten that her daughter is calling for her. She boards the bus then finds she is in a an unfamiliar place. But walking further finds she is not far from home.
Here she meets her daughter and they set off for the celebration, where she remembers to dance at the wedding.
This charming story with a very happy ending will have wide appeal to younger readers who will be able to relate stories of someone they know who has a failing memory. Notes at the end by Professor Margins help give information about this disease, Dementia, and will help younger readers understand the disease that they see in their family.
Illustrations by Cheryl Orsini are most inviting, showing an older woman and her routines. I love the double page which shows what she can remember: she walks and writes, gardens and sings, sometimes cries and laughs. An appendix by Maggie Beer emphasises the colourful, diverse diet needed by the very young as they develop, and this is followed by a number of recipes which promote this, giving variety to school lunch boxes.
Themes Diet, Dementia, Ageing, Recipes.
Fran Knight
Haven: A small cats big adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd
Homeless kitten Haven is enticed by the smell of baking bread and stumbles into Ma Millie’s house to find a safe and loving home. Haven enjoys her protected life in Ma Millie’s isolated cottage which is situated at the edge of the forest, until Ma Millie becomes very ill and can no longer care for Haven or herself. Haven manages to leave their home in search of help and attempts to find assistance from their nearest neighbour Jacob.
Haven’s adventures take her back through the dangerous forest, the home of the fox and the bobcat. The fox helps Haven and decides to be her ally, assisting her quest to visit the town and track down help. Their adventure proves to be full of dangers and unknowns with the domesticated Haven unaware of the wider world but even a fox is not safe when a wily bobcat is on the hunt.
Haven and True (the fox) develop a close friendship but Haven will still eventually have to face the hardest test of all-by herself.
Megan Wagner Lloyd is the author of the graphic novel, Allergic and has written several picture books including Finding Wild.
This small novel deals with issues such as friendship, trust and self-confidence. There is a death in the story but this is handled with sympathy and understanding.
The appealing cover features both Haven the cat and the fox and the text is broken up into 38 small easy to read chapters.
I recommend this book to readers aged 7 to 10 years.
Themes Friendship, Trust, Self-confidence.
Jane Moore
Animal Migrations: Flying Walking Swimming by Diane Jackson Hill
Retired Australian Primary School teacher, Diane Jackson Hill, has written an entertaining book about animal migration that will appeal to primary school aged children in both Australia and beyond. This informative and attractively presented book provides snapshots of migrating animals from across the globe. The journeys are long, dangerous, and often arduous yet will surprise the reader with how complex and determined each species is to reach their destination.
The book begins with gorgeous endpapers in soft pastel colours and tiny white images spread across the pages. This is followed by an acknowledgement of First Nations Peoples, the Gunditjmara of the Victorian south-west region, and the Canadian Plains Cree tribe Elder Dr Winston Wuttunee. The contents page has ten chapters listed, beginning with ‘What is animal migration’ and ending with ‘Helping Hands’, a chapter that looks at how humans can help. In the final pages is a world map, further reading and resources, glossary and index.
The author has shared the incredible journeys of mammals such as the Straw-coloured fruit bats that fly in a colony of approximately 10 million from the Congo to Zambia to feed on a particular ripening fruit, birds like bat-tailed godwits that fly 11000kms in nine days non-stop and insects such as the well-known Monarch Butterfly that flies 3000 kms south to miss the freezing winters in North America. Each and every journey is fascinating. The presentation of the information works perfectly for younger readers with stunning well-captioned glossy photographs, text and fact boxes clearly differentiated, plus tables, diagrams and clever graphic-style images.
This book would be a valuable resource for a home, school or public library. Teacher resources are available.
Themes Global Animals, Migrations, Tracks, Threats, Survival.
Judy Moody in a Monday Mood is the sixteenth book in the much-loved series Judy Moody, written by Megan McDonald. This story is filled with fun and amusement, but be prepared, ‘cos Judy Moody is in a mood!
Judy Moody has woken on a Monday and she is being mopey. Who likes Mondays? Mondays aren’t Saturday pancake days, and Mondays aren’t anything exciting days. But when she goes to school and it turns out that this Monday is unlike any normal Monday, she is inspired. This Monday turns out to be a day when her year 3 teacher, Mr T has decided to mix things up a bit and today turns into a pop, pop, popping great day. This gets Judy thinking up some great ideas. Why not mix things up every day, and create special days all the time?
Judy, with her brother Stink, get together and think of different special days to celebrate throughout the week and have some fun. But what happens when you get to a fun day like Saturday? Can you possibly think of a day that will make your Saturday even ‘funner’?
Megan McDonald has created another light-hearted and entertaining story that is engaging and moves quickly for one venture to the next. Complemented with excellent illustrations by Peter Reynolds to provide further enjoyment, young readers will not be disappointed. This would make a suitable read for children who are past the emerging novel stage and looking for a slightly longer text. Featuring many illustrations, this text is not too overwhelming, and combined with larger, well-spaced out print, it makes for an easier intermediate read. For young children who enjoy a character with a bit of spunk and ingenuity, Judy Moody should not be missed.
Themes Creativity, School, Friends, Family.
Michelle O'Connell
Wild bush days by Penny Harrison and Virginia Gray
Midnight Sun Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9780987380906. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
The eye-catching cover of this soon-to-be released picture book, Wild Bush Days, will entice the reader to explore this new and unfamiliar story. Written as historical fiction, the story is based upon the life of Jessie Hickman, an Australian Lady Bushranger. The story is cleverly told through the eyes of two young adventurers searching for the cave where Jessie would hide from the police. Set in what is now the Wollemi National Park, the story begins with the two children following the path Jessie Hickman may have taken and excitedly search for the cave she used as a hiding place.
Born in 1890 Jessie’s early years were spent performing in a circus, walking the tightrope, and riding horses around the ring. In her later years, Jessie became a notorious cattle duffer and gang leader with her circus skills enabling her to evade police often and live in a cave in Nullo Mountain. Jessie’s life was one of adventure, wildness, and freedom. The two children searching her mountain home reflect the joy of spending time in the bush climbing rocks, balancing on logs, running, falling, slipping and sliding, and loving the freedom to explore.
The stunning double page illustrations by South Australian born artist, Virginia Gray, are filled with energy and perfectly complement the short but beautifully crafted prose by author, Penny Harrison. A wonderful addition for a school or public library.
Themes Lady Bushranger, Australian Bush, Adventure.
Translated from the Dutch by James Brown, this English language text was published in 2022 by Gecko Press, who promise ‘curiously good books’, and this is no exception. A wonderful story of problem solving and innovation, the lengths the elephant goes to to try and build his island will intrigue and delight all readers. They will have suggestions, and urge Arnold on in his endeavours, while astute adults and teachers will challenge their audience to try something similar themselves. With hints of Heath Robinson and his zany constructors, the illustrations will cause lots of laughter as the readers follow what is happening.
Arnold is a seafaring elephant but one day his boat founders and he is washed up on a very tiny island. He spies a small boat in the distance and as it comes closer, sees it is a houseboat, jut big enough for the little mouse sitting in it. But Arnold uses the wood and sails from the boat to build a small structure on the island. An old sea dog sails by and Arnold uses this bigger boat and sails to further enlarge the island’s structure. A passing steam boat has a serious malfunction and after all of its crew is safely helped onto the island, Arnold makes use of every piece of the boat to enlarge the island even more. With his new friends, Arnold and the others danced and sang songs all night. News of their escapade reaches a wide audience and many more people come to look and stay, building even more structures. But the sea is not always calm and the unexpected happens with the structure dispersed across the ocean and all the inhabitants foundering in the waves. Is Arnold stumped? Not he.
I can imagine the audience calling out all sorts of ways Arnold could solve this problem, and the solution will satisfy all readers.
The wonderful illustrations will keep readers glued to each page, noting the different ways each of the boats is used to create space on the island. The details is marvellous, enticing and fascinating, making sure every eye is pinned to each page in case something is missed.
A most informative Youtube clip can be found here.
Themes Innovation, Humour, Construction, STEM. Problem solving.
Fran Knight
Britannica's word of the day by Patrick Kelly et al.
What on Earth, 2022. ISBN: 9781913750350. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Britannica's Word of the Day is a small, yet compact hardcover book that will be a wonderful addition to a librarian or teacher’s daily routine, or be placed in a school, public or classroom library.
Every day a new and challenging word is introduced in an engaging manner. The bold and colourful illustrations are humourous and graphic in style. Each month is clearly defined and easy to find. To start the new year off the word for January 1 is Razzamatazz. All of the introduced words are followed by a phonetic pronunciation, a brief meaning, parts of speech acknowledgement, plus a short factual paragraph using the word. To end the year on December 31 is the word Ebullient. Throughout the book are thematic word double pages including topics such as insects, robotics, baby animals, love language (around Valentine’s Day) and spooky. At the end of each month the introduced words for that month are cleverly presented in an interesting narrative.
As well as a great resource for teachers and librarians as each word provides the opportunity for plenty of discussion, this very entertaining book would make the perfect gift for a middle-grade reader or writer who loves words.
Themes General Knowledge & Trivia, Children, Dictionary Meanings, English Language.
Readers looking for an engrossing romance will not be disappointed in this young adult novel by the author of the adult novel The Atlas Six writing under the pseudonym of Olivie Blake.
After doing a very last-minute project Bel’s science teacher believes that she is capable of being part of the robotics club at the school. Bel joins reluctantly. Before her parent’s breakup she had been coasting along at her old school, but her mother is working very hard to keep her in a private school, where she is expected to do more. Mateo Luna (Teo for short) is the leader of the robotics club, and Bel finds herself becoming intrigued with the problem solving involved in building a robot and the high achieving Teo.
Follmuth’s narrative flows along so smoothly with such relatable characters that it is hard to put down the book as the growing romance between Bel and Teo progresses. Equally fascinating is the background of robotics and engineering which will appeal even to readers with no STEM background. The theme of the problems that young women have in working in an engineering background and the subtle putdowns and low expectation is handled deftly. The author in her acknowledgements writes that the book is ‘for the girls that we are, and the ones that we were’ and the women we will be.’ Young women who are interested in STEM will feel validated while reading this but have so much fun along the way following Bel and Teo’s growth and understanding of themselves and others.
Well written, enjoyable, and thought provoking, this is one for all readers who enjoy YA literature with heart.
Themes Romance, STEM, Coming of age, Robotics, Engineering, Teamwork.
Sara Acton’s beautiful soft illustrations rendered with pencil, ink and watercolour, beckon from the cover, captivating readers who would like to snuggle into the jumper along with Jack. The warmth of the cover continues as the story unfolds. Jack’s jumper is so big it can be used as a tent, or a hat, a hug and if you fall over it is a soft blanket to fall on. The jumper once belonged to Jack’s tall brother Paul. They were very close and did lots together, but since Paul has gone away, Jack uses the extra long sleeve as a periscope to chart his return, the regular postcards are read and reread. While having a bath, the cat begins to pull away part of the jumper, unravelling it as it is dragged from the bathroom. Jack is left with a pile of knitting wool. A noise at the door reveals the returning Paul, and Jack is ecstatic.
Jack hopes that Paul will spend time with him as before, but instead Paul takes himself off to his room and busies himself with something that does not include Jack.
The surprise ending will delight and win hearts as Paul does something extraordinary for his young brother.
The relationship between the two boys is wonderfully presented: practising magic tricks, cooking together, playing with hula hoops and training the dog. When Paul goes away, Jack is bereft, waiting at the window in case he comes back, enveloped in the large blue jumper, a memory of their life together.
Each lovely illustration shows Jack and the blue jumper, its warmth and comfort obvious to all readers. They will understand Jack’s feeling for the garment, probably recalling something they held as dear. Acton has the ability in a few deft strokes of her pen to create a moment in time, one which is important to the protagonists and one which we all recognise. And I love the endpapers, detailing postcard moments in their life together. And my heart went out to Jack who excited at Paul’s return, sits outside his brother’s door with his magician outfit waiting for him to play with him. The images of the little boy patiently waiting for is brother are so evocative, they took my breath away.
This is the first novel by Australian comedic scriptwriter Trent Roberts, following picture book A dinosaur ate dad's hair in 2019.
Gretel Grey is 12 years old. In the five years since 'The Accident' she has lived the safest life possible and has been homeschooled (her mum calls it the School of Safe and Sensible Ideas, or SOSASI). She wears full protective gear when outside the house and is not allowed to have any friends.
This sounds very depressing but in a hilarious misunderstanding, Gretel finds herself dropped off at Stunt Camp for three weeks.
My absolute favourite characters in this book are stunt camp leaders, Rocket and Flame. They are full of warmth, kindness and confidence, and both take the time to encourage and support Gretel as she joins them. Gretel is anxious and is really not sure she belongs but Flame notices the anxiety and teaches a calm breathing exercise. Rocket assures Gretel that they "don't get excited by natural ability" but by "kids who are prepared to try and fail". Together their infectious energy, enthusiasm and positivity rubs off on Gretel and she decides to stay.
If this book was just set at Stunt Camp it still would've been great with its messages about embracing differences, being yourself, and taking some risks, but the focus soon changes to thwarting a bad guy.
In this new storyline the stunt kids have to work together in the real(ish) world, knowing and using each other's strengths and weaknesses while thinking and acting quickly. The story moves along fast with intense action scenes, crazy stunts, and heaps of twists and turns. The friendship and bond between the kids strengthens as they come to anticipate what comes next, and to rely on each other.
I won't spoil the ending but will wrap up by saying this book is a ridiculous amount of fun. It has short chapters and is easy to read - there's lots of engaging dialogue and no long explanations or scene setting. It's warm hearted, funny and optimistic and will appeal equally to middle grade boys and girls.
Hachette, 2022. ISBN: 9780733647710. (Age:Adult, young adult)
Seeking to escape the build up to the 1998 Olympics in Sydney, single mother, Alex accepts a country teaching placement, hoping the cheaper housing and slower pace will allow her more time with 11 year old daughter Kim. They move to the small town of Bellbird River near Tamworth. Victoria has lived here all her life, but the large family house now seems very empty since her children left home and she discovered husband Arthur was having an affair with the Mayor’s wife and she threw him out. The return of globetrotting opera singer, cousin Gabrielle is a comfort, the two having bonded in earlier years when the house was a refuge for Gabrielle escaping the domestic violence of home. Now Gabrielle is coming to terms with the possibility she may never regain the full use of her voice after surgery. Recently released from jail for stealing money from her employer, Debbie is making a new life for herself as a housekeeper on a property not far out of town. Her goal is to reunite with her children, now in the custody of her remarried ex-husband. Then there is Janine, working in her parents’ bakery, making art, worrying about her schizophrenic brother and making poor relationship decisions. In alternating chapters each of the many characters’ challenges unfold, (I recommend keeping notes for reference to avoid having to go back to check which character is which) and the uniting thread is their membership of the local choir where they find support and friendship.
This is a predictably heart-warming book for lovers of women’s fiction that is not too challenging. However in spite of the assertions of the interconnectedness of this small town I never got a sense of place or time. I found the characters a bit one dimensional and the main character, Victoria, confused; at one moment stand offish and proud and the next a caring volunteer involved in the community. Readers of Sophie Green's other novels will enjoy the predictability of this comfortable read.
Themes Friendship, Family, Community, Singing.
Sue Speck
All the words I need to know by Jane Godwin. Illus. by Andrew Joyner
Anyone who has a young child or grandchild or is working in a childcare centre is sure to love this first dictionary. Children will be captivated right from the first page with the cute little owl introducing the book with the following rhyme:
All the words you need to know Will help you as you learn and grow. From ant and ball and yak and zoo, Here's a word book JUST FOR YOU!
From then on, the owl guides the reader through each of the letters of the alphabet: the illustrations being humorous and easy for a toddler to enjoy. Some letters have a double page spread like C for Cat, coat, car and cup with additional captions like 'My coat has stripes', and 'Careful! Don’t crash' for the car. This adds an extra dimension of telling a story about the car. Other pages have activities like the word fish where the reader can count how many fish are in the pond. Some pages give a clue to what letter comes next, like the J page 'jump jump jump. I know who else can jump' leading to K for kangaroo. The cute illustrations of all the animals and people featuring big eyes and grinning faces also will bring smiles to the faces of readers and listeners.
This is an exceptional alphabet book that will challenge young children’s imaginations and give them a very enjoyable understanding of all the letters of the alphabet.
The Guo family leave Singapore for Western Australia so Ba Ba, the father, can have a better work/life balance and the family can enjoy a better life. We follow their experiences through the eyes of 11-year-old Peijing. She is extremely close to her 5-year-old sister Biju. They spend time together creating a Little World of hand-drawn miniature creatures. For Peijing Australia is a scary new world with vast blue skies but Biju is far happier and embraces the new experience. They both start at a new school and on several occasions encounter racism. So does their mother, Ma Ma. Peijing makes friends with Joanna, a neglected girl experiencing troubles at home. They are both on the outer of classroom friendships. Ma Ma rarely leaves the house and Ah Ma (grandmother), who has been Peijing’s confidante, becomes forgetful and goes missing. This event means Ba Ba must take leave and support his family as they reassess and relax their traditional ways.
Shirley Marr draws on her own experience of migration and gives us an authentic insight into cultural differences. She successfully creates the era of 1980’s Australia and crafts believable relationships and characters. The tender relationship between Peijing and Biju is central to the story. Peijing takes on the role of big sister patiently. Biju’s infectious, impulsive behaviour is a great foil for Peijing’s seriousness. Peijing feels the heavy responsibility of caring for her mother and grandmother as well. Through Peijing’s reflections the reader learns a lot about traditional ways and the importance of honour. You feel Peijing’s embarrassment at having to wear an over-the-top dress to a birthday party and her mother turning up at school to hand feed her lunch. Peijing quietly rebels and enters an art competition knowing her mother doesn’t value non-academic learning. Biju’s retelling and reimagining of Chinese tales such as the Chinese Zodiac, add a humorous new take on the stories. The book deals sensitively with issues of dementia, domestic violence, and racism. A truly heartwarming and poignant story for middle years students.
Themes Migration, Racism, Friendship, Cultural difference, Domestic violence, Dementia, Family.
