Friends, Ned, Fred and Ted and the writer look after Fred’s fish, Zed, but on strict instructions that no one feeds the fish bread. We see what happened last time when Zed was fed bread: it had to be taken to the vet who admonished the group, saying that bread was dangerous to animals and to stick to fish food in its little cardboard packet.
Meanwhile, Fred’s dog, Jed has fleas and is confined to the shed after being sprinkled with flea powder, also in a little cardboard packet. So the four friends must watch the fish, although it becomes obvious that Zed is not happy. Just like before, the fish is lying upside down, and everyone is looking at each other asking the question, who fed Zed bread?
A neat solution is offered when it appears that the two packets have been interchanged, and all is put right.
Kids will laugh out loud at the hilarious situation, the rhyming words, 'Bread', 'Zed', 'Jed' and so on, encouraging joining in with the reading, predicting the rhyming words, watching the four friends as they learn about diet and the effects of eating something that is not right for you.
Adam Nickel’s digital illustrations are hilarious: I love the placid looks on the faces of the four friends, the simply drawn faces carrying a range of emotions just from the wriggle of eye brows or the slant of the mouth. Each page had me watching the four closely to gauge what they were thinking, each time making me laugh at their idiosyncracies.
A very funny look at a group of friends working out what is wrong with the fish, this story gives readers and classes an opportunity to discuss wider issues: food allergies, diet and food intake, the care of pets, a trip to the vet and so on. The book’s zany humour reflects the author’s interest in food allergies and the need for packaging to be kid friendly.
Themes Humour, Animals, Fish, Friendship, Fleas, Food Allergies, Problem solving.
Fran Knight
The ABC of cuddles by Sophy Williams. Illus. by Gavin Scott
Albert Street Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526115. (Age:3-6) Recommended.
What a lovely alphabet book that parents and carers will delight in reading to young children. Written in rhyming couplets, the book is a joy to read aloud and share:
A is for airport cuddle, when it's time to go away. B is for bear hug, when teddy goes astray. C is for crying cuddle, a scary ghost went boo! D is for daddy cuddle, when only Dad will do.
The author has described 24 different cuddles, each with a different pair of animals. I loved the daddy cuddle, with daddy dog sympathising with baby dog who has fallen off his billy cart, while the lazy cuddle, 'when you’re lying on the couch', shows polar bears reading a book about penguins. Little children will enjoy identifying each of the animals and will recognise the many different hugs that they have received themselves. The letters of the alphabet can be pointed out too and as the book ends with a yawning cuddle and a Z for zzzzzz, it is an ideal bedtime story.
The illustrations by Gavin Scott are awash in colour and the expressions on each of the animals’ faces are gorgeous. The little rabbits waving goodbye at the airport are forlorn, while the funny cuddle is hilarious.
Toddlers may not have the attention span to last right to the end of this delightful book, but will identify with the cuddles portrayed. I can see it becoming a firm family favourite.
Themes Love, Cuddles, Alphabet book, Animals.
Pat Pledger
Wolf Girl 5: Across the sea by Anh Do
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760879044. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Wolf Girl 5: Across the Sea is the fifth exciting adventure in the Anh Do series about Gwen, Rupert and their animal friends. They are on a long and perilous journey to find family members who have been taken prisoner by soldiers of the evil ruler. This latest story is set in the icy cold tundra and the pack is following a lead as to the whereabouts of Gwen and Rupert’s parents who may be being held captive on a ship. On their journey to the village of Gulfoss where the ship carrying prisoners is expected to dock, the children and the animals face perilous conditions. When they arrive in Gulfoss they find it abandoned but the ship docks not long after. The pack make plans to secretly board and find out if their parents are among the prisoners. They encounter a new four-footed companion whom they rescue from the soldiers and he provides valuable support when they all sneak on board. For one of the children the story has a happy outcome but it is bittersweet when the break out of prisoners goes awry. The pack is once again on the run but an important member has been replaced for the time being. Book six will be released soon and more will be revealed.
This excellent middle grade series continues to provide the reader with adventure, excitement, danger and humour. The illustrations complement the text perfectly. There is an added bonus sealed section which introduces Wolf Girl Gwen to Amber, the main character in Anh Do’s series Skydragon.
Wild Dog Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781742036076. (Age:2+) Highly recommended.
I was amazed to learn that the sulphur-crested cockatoo is as intelligent as a two-year old child. Flocks of them feed and nest in a local park near my home and I will now view them with a completely different approach thanks to this beautifully produced book.
The author Angela Robertson-Buchanan has trained as a wildlife rescuer for WIRES and specialises in the care and rehabilitation of birds and this expertise shows in her amazing photographs that vividly show the life cycle of the cockatoo. Readers will be guided through a general introduction to cockatoos (they can live up to 90 years in captivity) and then will meet Squeak and Squawk, two little cockatoos who were rescued from their tree hollow when their tree was cut down. They were only two weeks old. I was especially intrigued by the photographs of Squeak and Squawk when they were babies. More photographs follow showing them grow feathers and crests until they were three months old and were moved to an outside aviary.
The text is presented in large black print and flows easily and in a very interesting way, sure to hold the attention of very young children. Older children would be tempted to read this book for themselves, captivated by the story about these fascinating birds. A section of Cockatoo Facts summarises information about cockatoos for the avid bird watcher.
The combination of outstanding photographs and interesting text makes Nestling Cockatoos a keeper for me and an excellent resource for the classroom, school, and public library.
Themes Cockatoos, Birds, Life cycles, Photography.
Pat Pledger
The colour of music by Lisa Tiffen. Illus. by Matt Ottley
Molly can see the music. Colours flash brilliantly as she listens. The music takes her on a journey into places filled with colour, revealing connections between music, emotions, and the world we live in. As she lies on the floor with her eyes shut and her ears open, and the vibrations of sound running through the floorboards to make her fingers tingle, she is transported to a world of colours and pictures, impressions and feelings that not only give her a whole inner body experience but also a whole outer body experience.
Tiffen's lyrical text, accompanied by Ottley's magical illustrations offer the reader just a taste of the river of sights and sounds and sensations that Molly undergoes when she is connected to her music, an experience known as synaesthesia - an involuntary merging of the senses such as hearing colours or seeing sounds. But even though we might not be synaesthetic, nevertheless music can still evoke amazing images with the same piece of music interpreted differently by each individual.
Play a piece for your class while they shut their eyes and let their imaginations drift and then have then share or draw what their mind's eye saw. It is a soothing way to relax and spend an hour or two. Good for the soul and so much simpler than any contrived mindfulness exercises.
Not being the slightest bit musical, and having no love of classical music, I was amazed at how I could listen to ABC Classics on the nights I couldn't sleep during my recent illness and the places my mind went so I eventually drifted off into a technicolour dream world that mirrored the sounds I was hearing. So synaesthetic or not, the colour of music can be seen by all of us if we are willing to look.
Themes Music, Colours.
Barbara Braxton
Bee Detectives by Vanessa Ryan-Rendall. Illus. by Brenna Quinlan
CSIRO Publishing, 2021. ISBN: 9781486313396.
When Olivia and Hamish are woken by the scream of a chainsaw coming from their local park and see what looks like a cloud of smoke rising, they are very concerned that there is a fire. But they soon discover that what they thought was smoke is a cloud of insects disturbed when their tree home fell.
With the help of the specialist Bee Team, they learn that the insects are Native Social Stingless Bees and because the hive contains the bees' babies it needs to be rescued. That evening, when the last of the bees is safely in the temporary hive, Hamish and Olivia are invited to take it into their backyard so they can learn about these bees and how they are essential to the well-being of the environment. The children take on the challenge and they, and the reader, learn not only about the bees' importance but also about the many other native bees that live in the garden, usually unnoticed.
While the plight of bees globally is gradually being recognised as becoming critical, most young readers associate them with the fluffy black and yellow bumblebees of their storybooks, not realising that Australia alone has over 1700 species of native bees, each of which needs protection. With a special section giving the reader more information about these species, particularly those mentioned in the story, and tips on how to attract them to the suburban garden, this is an important publication to help young students develop their awareness of the role bees have and understand how they can promote their well-being. Using a story format accompanied by charming illustrations that also put the bees under a magnifying glass so they can be more than squiggles on a page means that this has the potential to be used as a springboard to an intriguing investigation as students start to identify the various species and search for them in their own surroundings.
As well as extensive teaching notes to assist this, students might also consider establishing a bee hotel to encourage the bees to stay.
Themes Bees.
Barbara Braxton
The Wind in the Willows Graphic Novel by Russell Punter and Kenneth Grahame. Illus. by Xavier Bonet
Usborne, 2021. ISBN: 9781474968867. (Age:8+)
In 1908 British author brought children the story of Mole, Rat and Badger and their efforts to reform the friendly but conceited and mischievous Mr Toad of Toad Hall who is fascinated by the latest fads, particularly motorcars. But Toad is not the best of drivers and after many mishaps, finds himself in prison for 20 years for stealing a car. Even though he eventually escapes, during his absence his magnificent Toad Hall has been overtaken by weasels and stoats, and it becomes a battle to get it back.
Now, over 100 years on, it has been interpreted in graphic novel format to appeal to a new generation of readers, offering them an introduction to this classic story which has delighted so many before. This is the latest in this series which includes The Wizard of Oz and The Three Musketeers which opens up a new world of literature from past generations, inspiring independent readers to seek out the original versions. It is fast-paced and funny and has all the ingredients that have enabled it to endure for so long.
This book tells the adventure had by one boy with his Paw and what happened after a terrible accident with the Cob and Co coach that he was driving. All of the passengers on the coach on the fateful trip have their own secrets and reasons why they wanted to get to Goulburn on the night coach. Jem had some hard decisions to make to ensure that all of the passengers on the Cob and Co coach arrived at their destination along with the ever important mail bags. He found an inner strength that helped on his journey. As the passenger’s secrets are slowly revealed the layers in the story continue to unfold and make for a story that you can’t put down.
The historical information at the end of the book added to the story and the fact that the idea for the story came from the Henry Lawson poems that are in the back of the book added another interesting level to this story. It could be used as a teaching text encouraging students to choose a poem and using this to write their own story based on the characters and places in the poem.
I highly recommend this book.
Themes Cobb & Co., Australia - History - 1851-1901, Transport.
Written in a friendly conversational style, with lots of highlighted phrases and graphics, this book is targeted primarily at budding young sportspeople, but could appeal to all young achievers, providing inspiration and advice to keep heading towards their goals. Rashford writes that it is the book that he wishes he could have read when he was young.
Coming from an underprivileged background, Rashford went on to become a stunning football player for Manchester United, staunch campaigner for school lunch programs, and ambassador for the importance of books and reading.
The advice and encouragement he provides could be applied not only to sports, but to other academic endeavours and to teenage social action groups. He instills a strong sense of individual self-esteem and the drive to persevere. The writing is bold, to-the-point, and includes chapter summaries and practical tasks to keep on target. With his image on the front cover, it could be just the right book to be picked up by a reluctant reader or an adolescent in need of a confidence boost.
Themes Sport, Self-esteem, Perseverance, Social action.
This non-fiction newcomer to the area of children’s feelings and mental health is designed and presented in an appealing and popular format to engage young readers. The comic-strip illustrations are easy to read and successful in portraying each different scenario. The feelings covered include anxiety, sadness, jealousy, shyness, fear, hate, loneliness and anger. Each double page spread follows the same layout with an explanation of the feeling being discussed, a comic-strip story with text underneath and a series of top tips from the character mentioned in the story.
The colourful and engaging illustrations show a diverse range of characters from different family and cultural backgrounds. There are two pages with children telling the reader what makes them happy which is followed by a double page of a First Aid Box for Feelings. The Dear Reader letter on the beginning endpapers from the author, Marcia Williams, gives a wise and thoughtful insight into feelings and keeping healthy. On the back endpapers is the index and a More Help information box with a UK child line link which could be easily covered over with a sticker highlighting the details of the Australian Kids Help Line.
A worthwhile addition to home, school and public library.
Pan Macmillan, 2021. ISBN: 9781529040418. (Age:Young adult and adult)
Marina is adopted, she has always known this but she also knows she was abandoned at birth, left in the foyer of a house on Streatham High Road nearly thirty years ago. When visiting a nearby client, whose book she is editing, she is drawn to the house and finds there is a flat to let in the run down mansion. On impulse she arranges to see the flat and decides to move there to find out more about the people who lived there in 1964 when she was abandoned. The narrative shifts to 17 year old Connie in April 1964, finding herself pregnant to boyfriend Johnny who has left to pursue his dreams of becoming an artist in Paris. It is a year since Connie’s mother died of cancer leaving her father bereft, retreating into the world of second hand books in his small shop so she has no one to confide in. The narrative shifts from Marina, who keeps her identity secret as she learns more about the people who lived in the flats, tracking down leads and considering possibilities, to Connie as she struggles with the fact of her pregnancy and what options are open to her, concealing her swelling body by binding the bump and wearing loose clothing. We slowly piece together their stories and those of the people in the house until their secrets are revealed.
Connie’s story is a sad reflection on the times and her vulnerability and Marina’s is one of someone who has enjoyed love and security from her adoptive parents who are there to support her as she tries to fit the missing piece into her life. I didn’t feel the house itself carried any great significance and the narrative was too slow paced for me. The denouement was anticipated yet sudden and incomplete. I felt that finding excuses for the perpetrator was a mistake. This may have appeal to young adult and adult readers of Quintana’s other books and lovers of women’s fiction.
Themes Identity, Adoption, Secrets, Teen pregnancy.
Sue Speck
Bots and bods : How robots and humans work, from the inside out by John Andrews
This is a fascinating book which explores the similarities and differences between humans and robots, particularly how the basic features of the human body, such as movement, the senses and thinking, are copied in bots.
As more and more of our lives are assisted by what were once the stuff of futuristic cartoon series like The Jetsons, performing everything from mundane chores to intricate surgery, this is an intriguing insight into just how one is translated into the other.
With its appealing layout and straightforward text, this is one that will appeal to anyone with a deeper interest in this technology (and thus is going straight to Miss Year 9) while there are extensive teachers' notes focusing on science and digital technologies for those in tears 4-8.
Publications from CSIRO are always original, fascinating and worthwhile and this is no exception.
Themes Robots, Human body, Technology, Science.
Barbara Braxton
Never grow up by Roald Dahl. Illus. by Quentin Blake
Never Grow up is a picture book inspired by the works of Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. The actual writing is a collaboration between Al Blyth, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, and Stella Gurney, who has worked as both a copywriter and an editor and now writes full time. They are an experienced and talented team who have captured the style of Dahl’s work incredibly well.
The story talks directly to the reader in the hope of guiding us to live the kind of life Dahl appreciated most, with magic, mischief and adventure galore and people who appreciate those who are not “run of the mill”. It celebrates adults who can hold on to all the childhood wonder of the world and push their skills to the limits by being bold and striving for the wackiest life possible.
The rhyme and rhythm of the book capture the Roald Dahl classics and combined with the familiar illustrations of Blake we could almost believe Dahl still lives. This book will be enjoyed by all fans of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake.
Themes Growing up, Imagination, Children.
Gabrielle Anderson
Mina and the whole wide world by Sherryl Clark
University of Queensland Press, 2021. ISBN: 9780702263231. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Mina is looking forward to her move into her own room. She has collected a box together: a unicorn, books, a lamp and a globe she buys at a garage sale. Her father has painted the room just for her and she has some yellow curtains to put up. But most of all she longs to be alone, in a room of her own, away from her annoying brother Georgie. But one night her parents hit her with the news. A boy is coming to stay, someone who needs shelter for a little while. She is speechless with rage. When she must take him to school and have him sit with her in the classroom, she is less than generous, forgetting all the things her parents told her, trying to ignore him. But some of her class mates are teasing and rude towards him, and she finds that she in her turn is also teased. At first she is angry but after a while, she begins to see the boy with new eyes. She learns his name and the teacher gives the class a few facts about him. Mina realises that he probably cannot understand a lot of what goes on in the classroom and after he draws an illustration of his life, she begins to feel more empathy. She collects her pocket money to buy him a set of pencils and a sketchbook and earns his name: Azzama.
With seeing him afresh she take umbrage at the rudeness of one of the boys in the class, Oliver and hits him on the nose. This brings all the tension to a point where adults must intervene and Mina is admonished for her action. In the classroom Azzami displays the pictures he has made of his life’s story and all is resolved.
A touching story of empathy that develops when Mina begins to walk in Azzami’s shoes, the story will touch many readers with the feeling that they might have been like Mina, initially unkind to someone new. The wonderful story will encourage readers to reassess their own shortcomings when welcoming new students to the class, and make them aware that many are from vastly different places in this wide world. The allusion to Mina’s globe gives this story wings, as it takes the story out of the classroom to places beyond the children’s experience.
A verse novel, the tale is completed very quickly, students stopping to read again those lines which plumb depths of meaning, enhanced by the delightful illustrations, reflecting the emotional turmoil that is going on in Mina’s head.
Opening with a TS Elliot quote, ‘Footfalls echo in the memory down the passage which we did not take towards the door we never opened’ prepares the reader for a protagonist who channels the memories of a 15yr old convict boy who worked as a shepherd on his Grandparents’ sheep property. The convict Will, writes his memoir in the first person but Will’s story is told in the 3rd person.
Cameron Nunn, like Jackie French before him in The White Ship, gradually weaves two stories separated by 200 years in time. Events don’t begin in the outback. Will Richard’s mother takes her own life and his father shunts him and his sister to the countryside to live with his parents. Whereas, convict William Richards, is deported to Sydney for stealing a sheet of roofing lead before being indentured to McNeil’s sheep property. Modern-day Will’s grandfather is also named William Richards and Pa has also lived with the confusion and stigma of unlived memories that connect him to the long dead convict boy.
Historically accurate, given the author’s academic interests, the reader will feel the neglect, powerlessness, social injustices and the moral struggle of a thinking person coming of age in a harsh 18th century colony inhabited by brigands. William’s scholarly ambitions are balanced with his love interest in Sarah, the pastoralist’s daughter. His empathy for the treatment of indigenous people are truly before his time, or perhaps time is not linear? Similarly, today’s Will doesn’t dismiss his grandfather as mentally ill, like the rest of the family. Will keeps an open mind and methodically resolves what he cannot instantly understand.
Echo in the memory makes a good stimulus for discussing the lesser known history of our First Nations people who became refugees in their own land when the English colonized Australia. The superb characterization will make classroom discussion of Nunn’s specialty, Convict Children, both engaging and heartfelt. The novel is supported by Book Club notes and teacher's notes.
Themes Bildungsroman, Australian History, Convicts, Paranormal, Family.
