When Moose tells a story to his family each night, they are transfixed. But one night he runs out of stories. He visits his neighbours, Bear, Badger and Fox but not one of them has a book he could use. And neither does Hare, Mole, the Wild Pigs and even the Beavers. No one has a book to lend him, so he goes into town and visits the library. The librarian offers him a stack of books: Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, and Puss in Boots. He takes them eagerly and that night reads a story to his family. Bear’s family has come in to listen as well, and the next day Mrs Bear tells Badger and so each night more of their neighbours knock at the door to listen to a story. Mrs Moose is rushed off her feet keeping up with mugs of cocoa and the sitting room is beginning to resemble a sardine can.
Moose buys an old bus from the caryard and fits it out like a library which the librarian fills with books. Everyone is happy but when Moose suggests that the others read stories to their families in their own homes he is dismayed to find that none of them can read. So Moose teaches them. Another problem solved.
After that the animals can borrow their own books from the library and take them home to read with their families, but some still go along to the Moose household to listen to Moose, as sharing reading is wonderful.
This celebration of reading reinforces the value of reading to a younger audience. They will be thrilled to hear the titles, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella amongst those mentioned, and sure to ask for them to be read to them after this book is finished. The value of learning to read is encouraged through the book, and all is wrapped up tightly with family and friends, sharing and hospitality.
The understated illustrations are full of life, and eager eyes will dart around the pages recognising the variety of English animals which can be spotted. I love the depiction of the animals in human poses: Moose’s crossed legs made me laugh out loud, while the image of a cluster of offspring and a parent on the couch is priceless. Readers will love counting all those offspring, working out the names for each, working out which story is being read and enjoy the importance given to reading and books, libraries and librarians.
Themes Animals, Books, Libraries, Problem solving, Librarians, Humour, Family.
Contrary to popular belief, best friends Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are not co-dependent. Carpooling to and from theatre rehearsals? Environmentally sound and efficient. Consulting each other on every single life decision? Basic good judgment. Pining for the same guys from afar? Shared crushes are more fun anyway.
But when Kate and Andy’s latest long-distance crush shows up at their school, everything goes off script. Matt Olsson is talented and sweet, and Kate likes him. She really likes him. The only problem? So does Anderson.
Turns out, communal crushes aren’t so fun when real feelings are involved. This one might even bring the curtains down on Kate and Anderson’s friendship.
Kate in waiting is a charming, funny and wholesome story, exactly what one would expect from Becky Albertalli. The emphasis on friendship and platonic relationships was very refreshing and showed that it is very much just as important, if not more, than romance.
The characters were realistic and represented teenagers in a way that was respectful and accurate. There was no unnecessary drama and each of the characters worked their way through their emotions in a way that was a true representation to teenagers in today’s society.
The representation in this book is fantastic and executed perfectly. The inclusivity wasn't used as a main plot or storyline, it was just a character trait they had. They existed within the story without being used as the token gay/black/disabled etc. character, just for the sake of it.
Overall, a sweet read and one for Becky Albertalli fans to sink their teeth into.
Harry Potter fans will relish the opportunity to collect and read another movie scrapbook based on the Harry Potter films. Titled Harry Potter MAGICAL CREATURES this latest scrapbook is a treasure trove of information on the beings, beasts and creatures from the movie. This beautifully presented publication provides a closer look at the well-known and in some cases lesser-known creatures of Hogwarts as well as the Fantastic Beasts. It includes bonus art prints, stickers and collectible inserts. Prefect for all readers of Harry Potter.
The Contents page is separated into headings of Companions, In the Classroom and Forest, Dragons, Under the Lake and Castle, Unexpected and Unwanted Visitors under the main heading of Creatures of Hogwarts. The first companion mentioned is Hedwig, the well-known snowy white owl gifted to Harry Potter by Hagrid, and who becomes his trusted ally throughout the series. Another companion is Scabbers, Ron Weasley’s rat, that joins the two friends in the first movie. Under the Fantastic Beasts main heading are five names which may be unfamiliar to some readers. These include the Bowtruckles, which are small woody creatures that resemble stick insects and saplings which nest in wand-quality wood and the Nifflers who are born with an instinctive desire for shiny things.
Each page of information is presented in different coloured sections surrounded by distinct, glossy photos. There are brief and interesting facts presented throughout informing the reader of special effects and how the creatures were created, interacted and cared for in the making of the movies. Did you know that Trevor, Neville Longbottom’s pet toad, was played by a quartet of toads housed in a large, heated moss-based aquarium?
This is a wonderful book to gift to those adults and children who are already fans of the book and movie series or who are just beginning their journey.
Themes Harry Potter, Magic, Beasts, Creatures, Film Effects, Collectibles.
The last day of the week sees Zola participate in St Odo’s community fete in her street, Boomerang Street where she lives with her mother and Nonna, Rosa. This beautifully crafted set of stories about Zola, offering a different tale for each day of the week has won many fans.
Zola is a confident young girl who is yet to understand why she gets into trouble. She tries so hard but things just seem to happen. One day her dog escapes and digs up Nonna Rosa’s special tomato plants, a reminder of times past when her husband tended the garden. In another story she introduces a police dog, trained by a neighbour, to school with hilarious results. And in another, she and her friends upset their cranky neighbour, Mr Walton, and must set things right. All the stories have a strong multicultural flavour, reflecting the inner city location where Italians settled after World War Two and now welcoming people from the Middle East.
For St Odo’s fete on Sunday, Zola makes some cakes to enter the competition and gets her dogs ready for judging at the dog show. What could go wrong?
When Zola takes Omar’s cat, Tim Tam to hold and pat, her two dogs, Monty and Gigi run to her, causing the cat to run off, initiating a dog chase around the grounds of the fete. And of course, they head for the cake stall with expected consequences. But everyone pitches in to help, Mum and Zola cleaning up the mess left by the upturned cake stall and gratefully accepting the pizza and scones brought along by the baker and pizza shop owner in the area.
This delightful story rounds off a warm hearted series about Zola’s life and activities. Full of warmth and centred on family life, Zola is a charming character who kids love. It's a pity there are not more days in the week.
This delightfully funny story, translated from German, has the feel of an old European fairy tale, complete with a dangerous magic forest, a castle with monsters in the moat and a very mean witch.
Dulcinea has always lived happily with her father, helping with chores and playing with the animals, and also promising him that she will never go into the enchanted forest. But today Dulcinea is having her birthday and her father makes her favourite blueberry pancakes for breakfast. He has forgotten to buy the blueberries but when he goes into the forest to collect some, he is transformed into a tree by the nasty witch who lives in a nearby castle. When he doesn’t return, Dulcinea goes into the forest and finds him. She is directed by her tree father to follow the witch into her castle where she decides to steal the book of spells to change her father back.
The amusing, simple, but effective illustrations are done with a limited palette of various browns and black which enhances the fairy tale feel of the book. The author/illustrator Ole Konnecke also translates the Detective Gordon books by Ulf Nilsson. The book is divided into six short chapters, perfect for readers starting on novels and is easily read in one sitting. Dulcinea is a delightful, strong character who uses her brain to outwit the witch and save her father, a great message for young children to read about.
Themes Family life, Magic, Witches, Bravery.
Gabrielle Anderson
Slow down ... and sleep tight by Rachel Williams. Illus. by Freya Hartas
Slow Down… and Sleep Tight is a calming picture book full of gentle rhyme which would be a perfect addition to a young reader’s bedtime stories ritual. The author, Rachel Williams, has previously published Slow Down which looks at the amazing mysteries of nature that can be missed in the busyness of the day. This new book also celebrates the joy and mystery of nature and explores the end of the day, into the night and the dawning of a new day.
Each double page spread has a short verse with a brief tale about a feature of nature followed by an illustration of the focus on the same page. The corresponding page has segmented softly coloured pictures, beautifully drawn by illustrator, Freya Hartas, showing a snapshot of aspects related to the verse. The animals showcased in the story are a bee, bat, bunny, blackbird, squirrel, fox and a wolf. Not traditionally Australian animals but the clever rhyme and use of traditionally familiar creatures allows this book to be a universal read.
At the end of the book is a relaxing and mindful slow down breathing exercise that can be shared between the adult and child. This delightful book has an appealing cover with gold foil lettering and highlights. A perfect gift for a young child or parents-to-be.
Mr Ming and the mooncake dragon by Kathy Creamer & Amy Calautti
Little Pink Dog Books, 2021. ISBN: 9780648652878. (Age:4+) Recommended.
Mr Ming and the Mooncake Dragon is a lively and entertaining read for children. Mr Ming runs a little shop which sells everything, in the bustling city of Singapore. He is famous for his mooncakes which are baked in his tiny kitchen and are sold at mooncake festival time along with painted lanterns. There is a secret though which Mr Ming will not share with anyone who asks for his mooncake recipe. He has a dragon in his kitchen who makes the mooncakes using all sorts of interesting ingredients as well as two very special ones. A greedy shop owner, Madam Moneybag, hears about these amazing mooncakes and tries to buy the recipe. When this does not happen, she creeps in during the night to steal what she can. However, the dragon saves the recipe from being stolen and teaches Madam Moneybag a lesson.
This is a story that children will enjoy as the dragon has very special powers, Mr Ming is very kind, and the evil Madam Moneybag is not happy with where her story ends. The story is quite a bit longer than the traditional picture book length and younger readers would benefit from it being read aloud. Older primary school aged children will enjoy the bright cartoon/graphic style images which complement the text perfectly. This book will be an excellent resource to share with children when the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival is celebrated.
Themes Singapore, Mooncake Festival, Dragon, Good vs Evil, Recipes, Diversity, Greed.
Kathryn Beilby
Our sunburnt country by Anika Molesworth
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2021. ISBN: 9781760982744. (Age:Young adult, adult) Recommended.
Anika Molesworth’s family left the city when she was 12 to buy a property in NW NSW. Her younger brother had suffered years of hospitalisations with a chronic fatigue related illness which improved in the rural setting as her parents set up their sheep farm and achieved organic credentials. After a period of adjustment the city girl fell in love with the land and dreamed of continuing their work on the farm. Then came the decade-long drought which brought with it a sense of hopelessness and depression as it remorselessly stole people’s livelihoods. In 2006, at the height of the drought Anika has a life changing moment when she watches Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” and learns about climate change. She enrols in a science degree course to find out more. “I consider the science as I move sheep between drying paddocks. I critically mull over the literature as I clean water troughs caked with salt.” P50. The science is explained in the following chapters always with examples and short case studies from other parts of the world. We are encouraged to change the way we think about food and food producers, valuing health and nutrition rather than yield per acre and calculating the true cost of production when it depletes the land. Quotes from some of the world’s leading scientists and thinkers are used effectively and chapters have titles like Life, Heartbreak, Loss, Detachment, Comfort, Collaboration, and Courage, while at each chapter end is a panel with a short “Concepts to Cultivate” summing up. The last chapter, Action, outlines what we can do to combat climate change under the headings Today, Tomorrow, This Week, This Month and This Year. Such global thinking puts into perspective how change is possible but I would have also liked to read more about how the author is acting locally on her own farm putting into practice some of the regenerative ideas she has gleaned from her activism. Senior students could find this an approachable source of climate change and food sustainability information from an Australian perspective.
There is one word for this book, and it is stunning! Mem Fox, author of such beloved tales as Where is the green sheep and Possum magic, has written a story that will have readers puzzling over it, while Mark Teague’s illustrations are fabulous. This is a story that will have readers calling out with glee as they follow the antics of a cat and dog on a couch, interrupted by a little brown mouse. 'So there was a scary dog, right?' begins the story and the picture shows a very scary dog with ugly teeth and a spiky collar, and the reader needs to call out 'Yes' or 'No' and turn the page to see the real story – of course a mild looking dog, scratching himself. Then there is the question 'But there was a cat, right?' And the reader once again calls out the answer. The book continues in this way, introducing a mouse into the scenario, culminating in the trio being seen together with the reader having to decide whether the mouse came out to say hi or whether something else may have happened.
The illustrations are outstanding. The three characters stand out against the lilac and blue background and khaki of the couch. The contrast between the very active figures of Cat and Dog and their lounging on the sofa is fantastic, and the little mouse is very cute and will really appeal to a young audience. The expressions on the faces of the animals are priceless – the smirk on the cat’s face and the wagging tail of the dog on the front cover are sure to entice readers to open the book to see what is going on.
Cat Dog will challenge young children, and adults are certain to fall in love with this outstanding picture book as well.
Themes Cats, Dogs, Read aloud.
Pat Pledger
We go way back by Idan Ben-Barak and Philip Bunting
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526085. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
Beginning just with a small bubble, a single cell, life on earth has evolved to the infinite variety we are part of today. From that cell all animals evolved, each a little bit different. But before all this happened, Ben-Barak and Bunting take the reader back into the mists of time when our world was just water and rocks. Nobody knows what really happened but molecules appeared and these became cells which led to us and all the world around us. A breathtaking distillation is presented here for younger readers.
Barak and Bunting’s book is a wonderful read, with bright informative illustrations augmented by a brief nutty text. It answers huge questions giving a brief overview of how we got here, but leaving room for a myriad of questions and seeking out of information by the readers.
The cell which occupies many pages leads the reader through the task at hand: pondering how we got here.
There are many astonishing illustrations which will dazzle and delight readers of all ages: the double page family tree will evoke questions, the images of the planet are sure to excite readers, and the spectacular page which opens out to reveal our interconnectedness, will intrigue and inform everyone who looks closely at its variety.
This multi layered book about life on earth, will gain many thrilled admirers, keen on developing some understanding of how we got here and where we are from. And the final endpaper reminds me of the Monty Python song about how infinitesimal we are (the Galaxy Song), as the Earth is depicted as a small dot in a myriad of stars in the sky.
Themes Space, life on Earth, Evolution, Cells, Humour.
Fran Knight
Little polar bear and the reindeer by Hans de Beer
North South, 2021. ISBN: 9780735844513. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
First published in 2005, Little Polar Bear and the Reindeer, is one of the Little Polar Bear picture book series written by Dutch author Hans de Beer. This very popular series, first written in 1945, has been made into several animated adaptations as well as feature films and is now being republished for a new generation of readers. In this beautifully illustrated book, Lars the little polar bear, is noticing the change of seasons and the beginnings of the migration of birds and animals. He quickly finds he must move out of the way of the large herd reindeer on their way to warmer places but after frolicking in the first snowstorm of the season he discovers one young reindeer called Oliver who has been left behind. Lars comforts Oliver and promises to go with him to find his mother.
Lars and Oliver have several challenges along the journey and find safety with a herd of giant musk oxen. The musk oxen decide to accompany the young ones to keep them safe. Eventually they find the reindeer herd who have had their journey thwarted by a huge cyclone fence and large concrete pipes. Lars thoughtfully considers the reindeers’ predicament and comes up with a clever solution.
This is a very appealing book which younger readers will enjoy. It brings in aspects of environmental issues that can affect animal survival which are important to share with children. A welcome addition to a home, school or public library.
Monty and Lea run the Vale Creek Estate winery in the Clare Valley. Part of their business includes bed and breakfast accommodation and a gallery space. When their employee finds one of their guests dead near the dam on their property the police are called in to investigate. It seems the deceased, Milton Manning, was spending the weekend with Diana, a friend, and it is not clear whether his death, due to a blow on the head, was caused by a fall or murder. Investigating detectives, Louis and Sally start asking questions and find several of the many characters had a motive. Through a series of flashbacks we learn about old grudges and more than enough about things for affluent seniors to do in the Clare Valley including wineries, SALA, the Riesling Trail, Clare Gourmet weekend, Seafood Day, Marrabel Rodeo to name a few, all of which read like extracts from tourist brochures. Over the course of the investigation more characters are introduced and the timeline gets quite complicated requiring checking chapter headings to place the narrative. The detectives seem to learn more about each other than the murder, apparently seduced by the Clare Valley lifestyle, and the denouement, when it comes, seems like an afterthought. It is disappointing that a short, attractive murder mystery set in South Australia’s Clare Valley failed to sparkle but maybe readers less familiar with the region will enjoy it for the tourism content.
Themes Murder mystery, Clare Valley South Australia.
Full of illustrations, primarily colour though some in black and white, Harry Potter : A Magical Year covers every day of the year in the Wizarding World with a different quote - relating to special events, birthdays, seasonal aspects or whatever suits the date. Those who have read the series numerous times may learn something new, all while enjoying the illustrations of Jim Kay (illustrator of the illustrated Harry Potter books).
Presented in a fabulously coloured, hardcover edition, A Magical Year is perfect for Harry Potter fans. Divided into 'chapters', namely the months of the year, each new chapter has a dedicated quote to highlight the time of year or a particular season. As this is a book filled with quotes from the entire Harry Potter series, readers may find themselves confused occasionally, however context for the quotes is not required to enjoy reading this book. It is advisable that all 7 Harry Potter books have been read though, to avoid spoilers. Readers will quickly fly through the book as they will be spurred on to know what other quotes have been included, as well as to see the fabulous illustrations. The majority of the illustrations have previously been published in the illustrated editions of the Harry Potter series, however there are a few new inclusions, as well as sketches.
Themes Fantasy, Harry Potter, Wizarding World, Magic, Significant Dates in the Harry Potter series.
Melanie Pages
The daring reef rescue by Rebecca Timmis
MerTales : Book 2. Albert Street Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526566. (Age:6+) Highly recommended.
The Daring Reef Rescue is the second book in the enjoyable MerTales series written and illustrated by Rebecca Timmis. The four diverse mer-friends: Pearl, Sandy, Coral and Shell have very different personalities and always look out for each other. They have all recently discovered that they have amazing new magical powers after a meteorite zooms into the ocean and in this story they will use these unique powers to help save their reef habitat from an unexpected visitor. Disappointingly for timid Shell, her magic power takes longer to present itself but when it does it is incredible.
The primary focus of this new story is the Fancy-Fins Dress up Party. Younger readers will love the preparation of masks for the event at Mer-school and the costumes they all wear. During the party, the friends have an adventure with a large, turquoise sea turtle that has lost its way. They combine their magical powers to solve the problem and create a club for themselves called FINS - Fish In Need Society - where they will use their powers to help all sea creatures.
For those emerging readers progressing to short novels this is a perfect fit. The appealing monochrome illustrations with the addition of blue tones and the use of highlighted mermaid and descriptive words is both clever and entertaining for the reader. At the end of the book the author has thoughtfully added some fun Fin Facts about aspects of the ocean and its creatures. A very engaging series with book three, The Great Treasure Hunt, coming soon.
Vivid writing takes the reader along with the team droving a mob of cattle from Western Australia to Queensland in the 1950’s. The boss, Drover, leads the mob while the rest of the team keeps the cattle in check - all watching out for Shifty, a skittish animal destined to spook the herd. The first pages tell readers of the life of the drovers, riding along with the herd, making sure the cattle stay away from thorny trees, the cook and his team sent on ahead to make camp, relaxing by the campfire after a long day’s ride, listening for anything which may cause the herd to move unexpectedly.
And one night it does.
Drover wakes hearing the mob on the move, and the team rides furiously along with them, trying to turn Shifty before he takes the mob into the woodland from where they will be impossible to retrieve. But all is well, Drover and Midnight manage to turn Shifty, and once turned the mob moves in on itself, eventually slowing down. A disaster is averted.
They move on the following day making sure the mob is well watered before the next part of the journey, the team catching up on information from the bulletins left on the watertanks by other drovers. At the next town, they are cheered by the populace, welcoming them after their six month stint across the north of Australia. They are all looking forward to a hot bath and a soft bed, none more so than their boss, Drover.
The oil illustrations are masterful, drawing the eye in to the drama and detail of the Australian landscape, the look of the mob, the team astride their horses. Each page reveals something new to admire and take in - the scope of the mob, giving an impression of thousands of animals straggling away as far as the eye can see, the stunted desert trees, the night skies, the welcoming tiny country town, and the magnificent images of the mob racing across the pages, spooked by a bandicoot, running unleashed. The looks in their eyes will resonate with the reader long after the last page is turned, wondering what it must have been like to be out in the desert for half the year, only a few in your team, responsible for thousands of animals.
This is a wonderful look at a time in the not too distant past, when cattle were not trucked, but herded across country, an almost unimaginable lifestyle recreated before our eyes.
Information at the end of the books will impel people to reread the book, taking perhaps more note of the illustrations, and lead them to ask more questions, and do further research. A handy glossary finishes the book which has stunning endpapers to set the scene. Classroom ideas are available.
