Puffin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241449455.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Subtitled How to make a
book come to life this irreverent, funny and instructive book
will be adored by its readers, seeing such a range of different
words, uses and applications attributed to a book. A book this
author says, only comes to life when it is being used. It is not
meant to live its life sitting on a shelf, but to be taken down and
used.
And the uses to which this author puts the book are fanciful and
exceedingly funny. The old rules assigned to a book involves not
throwing them, not being rough, not folding the pages etc. have put
the book under wraps as if it it were something very precious,
needing to be kept under glass. But not so. A book needs to be woken
up, shaken, stirred, dressed up, played with, touched and tasted.
The whole encourages children to do all of these things: to interact
with the book, to feel it, smell it, taste it and fold it. Each
double page shows a different use to be made of the book,
encouraging imaginative play with the book, showing in the images
just what can be done. You can wear the book, or read it upside
down, throw a party for the book, hide a secret message within its
pages, be the storm described in the book, and hug the book.
Designed to take kids out of their comfort zones regarding books,
the text and images plays with the use they usually consign to
books, encouraging them to see what else can be done, how they can
interact with a book, and widen their use of them.Wonderful
illustrations, alive with colour and imagination, different fonts
and symbols, instructions and mandates, reading like a manual and
guide book cover each page, ensuring the readers will be equally
enthralled following the tutorial of how to wreck a book.
Themes: Books, Reading, Humour.
Fran Knight
Timeline Science and Technology: A Visual History of Our World by Peter Goes
Gecko Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781776573004.
(Age: 8+) The author of two previous non-fiction books, Timeline:
A Visual History of our World and Rivers: A Visual History
from River to Sea, Peter Goes, has continued his theme with
his latest book Timeline Science and Technology. This new
addition looks at the history of inventions, discoveries and
technology that has shaped our world from the Stone Age to the
present day. This book is presented as a large format read and has
different coloured double pages marking the various periods of time
discussed. There is a paragraph synopsis explaining the time under
discussion and then a visual timeline that gives consideration to
important discoveries, inventions and events. The written
information curves around the clever and comical graphic images and
while the text is rather small and confusing to follow at times, it
presents many interesting and obscure facts. For example in the high
middle ages a curfew bell rang in the evening as a signal to put out
all hearths and fires, in order to avoid blazes in wooden buildings
and in 1974 Art Fry created the first Post-It Note using the
low-stick adhesive formulated six years earlier by his colleague.
This is a book to be shared between one or two readers or perused by
an individual. There is so much information and knowledge to be
discovered and those who love non-fiction facts throughout history
will value this very different read. Themes: Timelines, Science,
Technology, Entertainment, Medicine, Inventions, Discoveries.
Kathryn Beilby
Australia's wild weird wonderful weather by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Illus. by Tania McCartney. National Library of Australia, 2020.
ISBN: 9780642279637.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. This is a beautifully presented and
informative non-fiction book which highlights Australia's vastly
different weather patterns across our huge country. The contents
page focuses on seven main areas:
1. Seasonal weather
2. Precipitation
3. Sound, Light, Movement
4. Disastrous Weather
5. Weather Forecasting
6. Climate Change
7. Researching Weather
Within each of these chapters are three main topics presented on a
double page spread. The text is of a very readable size and relates
to the visual images; charts, maps, illustrations and diagrams
located close by. After the introduction of What is Weather?, the
book moves on to Bush Forecasting which concentrates on how well
Indigenous Peoples have managed and adapted to living on the land
for thousands of years. Cloud formations, lightning, rain, heat,
wind, weather disasters and extreme weather are some of the topics
covered. The chapter on weather forecasting begins with animal
antics. The behaviour of some animals is said to predict the weather
e.g. sheep huddle together for protection when a storm is coming,
making a big woolly blanket. Some farmers say, 'When sheep gather
together in a huddle, tomorrow we'll have a puddle.' There are
chapters on reading and measuring the weather plus a section
dedicated to climate change. Exploring the Weather is the final
section of the book and it gives an historical perspective with
interesting facts as well as photographs from the National Library
of Australia''s own collection which incidentally provided the
information throughout the book. At the end of the book is a
detailed glossary of weather words, a list of weather resources plus
a comprehensive index. This book will be a valuable addition to any
school, public library or home.
There is further information about the book on the NLA
blog, as well as an entertaining book
trailer and Scholastic's Teaching
notes. Themes: Australia, Weather, Indigenous knowledge,
Climate change.
Kathryn Beilby
Masquerade in Lodi by Lois McMaster Bujold
Penric and Desdemona (Publication order 9), Spectrum
Literary Agency, 2020. ASIN: B08L88PCTP.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Another novella in the Penric
and
Desdemona series is always welcome and this time Bujold
takes us back to an earlier time in Penric's life. Falling between Penric's
Fox and Penric's Mission, the story takes place in
Lodi on Bastard's Eve, a time of celebration for the people living
in this canal city. Penric is hoping for time off but finds himself
called to minister to a madman who appears to have been taken over
by a wild demon. What follows is a wild chase to try and capture the
runaway man, and when this doesn't happen easily Penric asks for the
help of the saint in finding him and taking the demon out of him.
Bujold has added another city to the wonderful world that Penric and
Desdemona inhabit, and it was fun to follow Penric's adventures as
he travels across to islands, uses canals and searches the
warehouses of this water bound place. The saint too, is unexpected,
a young inexperienced girl, who is intelligent and has hidden
talents. Other characters are fully fleshed out, and some plot
twists will keep the reader wondering what will happen next.
Fans of the series will enjoy the warmth of this novella; Bujold
always manages to write a feel-good story that leaves the reader
satisfied. Those new to the series would probably enjoy them more by
starting with the first one, and reading them in chronological
order, rather than the publishing order.
Pat Pledger
The Bad Guys: Episode 12: The One?! by Aaron Blabey
Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760668679.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Mr Wolf and his friends are back in
another amazing adventure that will thrill fans of the series.
Carrying on from Episode
11: Dawn of the Underlord, where we found Snake turned
into a Dark Lord, after opening a door into another dimension, this
time Snake is trying to use his terrifying powers to deal with The
One. Agent Fox appears to have mysterious powers and the group forms
into Team A and Team B to stop Snake and the scary dark lords. And
who is The One?
As with all the predecessors, this is a hilarious chapter book that
will delight fans and even newcomers to the series as it has enough
background for readers to work out what is going on. The references
to dark lords, The One, and the Master will bring grins to the faces
of readers, while they will chuckle aloud at the doorway that is
found in Granny Gumbo's poop burgers restaurant. All the
uproariously funny narrative is accompanied by equally funny
illustrations that complement the text. I love the Snake portrayed
as a Dark Lord and Mr Piranha as The Oracle is a delight, their
facial expressions sublime.
Beginning readers will love this chapter graphic novel with its bold
black text and big print, while older readers will just love the
humour and references to stuff going on in society today. And the
cliff-hanger will have them begging for the next episode.
This series is a must purchase for every library as it caters not
only to people who love humour, but reluctant and beginning readers
as well. A note on the front cover reads "Soon to be major motion
picture from Dreamworks" so the popularity of the series can only
increase.
Pat Pledger
The incredible runaway snot by Josh Pyke
Illus. by Heath McKenzie. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760971083.
(Age: 3+) Children will be sucked in right from the first incredible
illustration of a huge nose with a tiny, big eyed green snot peeking
out. "Eric the snot liked his life quite a lot stuck up a nose in a
cosy old spot" and managed to stay safe from nose-pickers, enjoying
his quiet life. But lots of other snots came to Eric for tips for
staying out of the way of fingers, so he decided to start a Snot
School. However, he is inundated with requests for help and has no
time for any fun. What can he do?
Children are always fascinated with bodily functions, no matter how
gross they may seem, so this book about snot will be a winner. The
rhyming text by award-winning singer/songwriter, Josh Pyke makes it
a fun book to read aloud, and beginning readers will appreciate the
humour and short sentences, while laughing aloud at the end when
Eric takes the plunge to leave his home and go on an adventure to
find peace.
Heath McKenzie's illustrations are always hilariously funny, and
readers will enjoy following the adventures of Eric. The book starts
with end papers with pale white tissue boxes drawn against a sickly
yellow-green background and sets the colour tones. Eric is also
green with big white eyes and mouth and eyebrows outlined in black.
His facial expressions range from peaceful as he dozes in the nose,
thoughtful as he decides to start a Snot School, authoritative as he
teaches and gleeful as he waves to his friends.
This is a fun book for children who certainly will enjoy the humour
and illustrations.
Pat Pledger
Dog by Shaun Tan
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760526139.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Dog (2020) is a reissue of a
story published in 2018 in Tales from the inner city, which
explored many vistas of city life and the relationship between the
city and its inhabitants. In this excerpt, Dog, Tan explores
the relationship between humans and dogs, showing the continuous
cycle of life and death, of rebirth and renewal, seen through the
panoply of time and place.
'Every time I see people walking their dogs at my local park, I
never cease to be heartened by the endurance and affection of this
bond, its strangeness, its apparent naturalness' (Tan, included as an
afterword in this book)
He goes on to tell stories of dogs mourning their owners' deaths,
one waiting patiently at a railway station for nine years,
underlining the bond that exists between people and their dogs.
Over millennia, dogs have been brave, loyal, trusted companions, and
Tan shows this in his glorious images produced with thickly applied
oil paint, covering each double page.
In the beginning a person and a dog see each other across the way
and walk together side by side. Tan shows the pair walking across
the yellow sun lit pages, a stunning contrast to the pages which
follow: black, greys and dark blues showing a death, separation and
a decline in the relationship between human and dog. Following,
Tan's half dozen or so pages uncover the progress of history. In
great luminous spreads of colour, Tan reveals a range of historical
eras, fires, ice ages, the advent of agriculture, the industrial
revolution, the rise of the railway and roads, the last unveiling a
look passing between a dog and a woman on the other side of the
road. They come together, appropriately on a zebra crossing, and
walk on as if they have never been apart. In this way the pair seem
destined to walk together for millennia to come, a natural place for
both to be, a stunningly positive note on which to end.
Tan's images are stunning, with hints of Jeffrey Smart adding to
their realistic portrayal of our surrounds. The swathes of colour
across each page recall journeys, roads, destinations, pilgrimages,
bridges, rail lines, as the person hunts, fishes, toils in the
field, fights in a war.
Children will pore over the images, reading the sparse prose for
greater elucidation, developing their understandings of how an
exceptional artist works.
Themes: Understanding, Dogs, History.
Fran Knight
The 130-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
Illus. by Terry Denton. Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760786168.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. The 130-Storey Treehouse by
Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton is another fast-paced
and action-packed read in this on-going Treehouse series.
Young readers have been waiting impatiently for the release of this
new addition. The new levels added provide the friends with so much
more to do. Some of these levels are:
Soap bubble blaster
Non-stop dot level
13-storey igloo
GRABINATOR
Extraterrestrial observation centre
Time-wasting level
Toilet paper factory (very necessary in COVID-19 times)
TFB-treehouse fire brigade
Best bookshop-in-a-treehouse-in-a-tree-in-a-forest-in-a-book in
the whole world
The story begins with Andy annoyed by a pesky fly. He tries
everything to get rid of it. Terry uses his laser eyes to try to
destroy it but sets the treehouse on fire. Jill has enough sense to
call the fire brigade to save the day. The fly is caught in a bug
catcher but the friends realise that they also caught in some sort
of dome and they are abducted by a UFE - unidentified flying
eyeball. They are taken to Planet Eyeballia where they are
surrounded by millions of eyeballs. They are then ordered to take
part in an Intergalactic Death Battle against other abducted aliens.
They hide in the treehouse while the battle rages around them. The
story becomes more complicated as a blob from Blobdromeda stows-away
on the treehouse, becomes an umbrella from the sun; they travel to
another galaxy to save the blobs from a mud-sucking blob toad and
finally the fly returns!
These stories are exhausting for the reader but highly entertaining
and page turning. You just have to find out what happens next. The
143-storey treehouse book is coming soon.
Themes: Humour, Friends, Tree House Living, Fantasy, Creativity,
Intergalactic adventure.
Kathryn Beilby
The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan
The Trials of Apollo. Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN:
9780141364087.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. In a return to Percy Jackson's world, Apollo
- in his human form as teen, Lester Papadopoulos - must go into the
final battle against the opposition of Nero and his extreme power,
to enable Apollo to return to Mount Olympus. The fight is also
against every awful and mythological enemy that has come under the
power of the last emperor Nero. Meg is at his side and she is trying
to overcome her history as Nero's adopted daughter while being
Lester's 'Master' in the fight. The engagement of oracles,
underground troglodytes and other demi-gods all work together to
assist Lester (Apollo) to finally face the worst of the conflicts,
but there is wounding, fear and the possibility that Apollo may lose
his challenge and be trapped in human form without the opportunity
to return to his godly form . . . and does he even want to give up
his humanity?
In the world of Greek Mythology and the Percy Jackson
series, this is a concluding story in the Trials of Apollo.
Although it would best be read after the preceding four episodes of
the trials, it is not impossible to read without prior knowledge.
Fortunately, there is a glossary to explain all the mythology
terminology and creatures. Rick Riordan has been able to introduce
young readers to ancient mythology through his exciting quest and
battle scenarios and they love the 'fantasy' elements and the
adrenaline-charged action. With Haiku to foreshadow each chapter and
fast-paced writing, there are no dull moments. Needing some maturity
to deal with the aggressive combat within the myths of ancient
worlds, this is best suited to readers aged 11+. But they will love
the action! Themes: Mythology; Action/Adventure.
Carolyn Hull
The illustrated encyclopaedia of dangerous animals by Sami Bayly
Lothian Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780734420015.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of
Dangerous Animals is a stunning new companion to The
Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals written and
illustrated by Sami Bayly. Dangerous animals provide a fascination
for both adults and children everywhere. The author has presented
more than sixty of what may be the most deadly and dangerous animals
from places all over the world in a beautifully illustrated and easy
to read non-fiction book. The Contents pages show a miniature image
of the animal with its name underneath. Each animal is presented on
a double page spread with information on one half and an
illustration with amazing detail on the other. The scientific name
of the animal is given plus a pronunciation guide. From the headings
of description, danger factor, conservation status, diet,
location/habitat and fun facts the reader will learn more about the
dangerous animal under discussion and how it has adapted to life
today. There are some Australian surprises in the book - the magpie
features as it can attack humans in breeding season, the Red
Kangaroo is known for its boxing technique against both humans and
other kangaroos and the Bulldog Ant exhibits aggressive behaviour
and its venom can paralyse smaller creatures. Other more unique
animals included are the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Geography Cone
Snail, Human Botfly, Kissing Bug, and the Oriental Rat Flea.
This book would be a welcome addition to any library and a perfect
resource for student research when teachers introducing or
revisiting the information report genre.
There are detailed teacher resources available.
Themes: Dangerous Animals.
Kathryn Beilby
Pierre's not there by Ursula Dubosarsky
Illus. by Christopher Nielsen. Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN:
9781760525934.
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended. Going with her mother to clean an
empty house, Lara sees a boy watching from the attic window. And
going upstairs takes her into the most magical of adventures, as she
becomes part of his puppet show, in an attempt to find his
grandmother home. The unusual boy, Pierre, dressed like a
puppet himself escaped after seeing his family eaten by wolves, and
must find his grandmother but he has no idea where she lives. Pierre
has an antique puppet theatre in the attic. Wanting to help Lara is
transformed into a dog, another of the puppets, and Pierre
uses his puppets to tell the story of his parents being eaten. He
initially thinks Lara is a wolf, and is very wary of her, and as the
story progresses, Lara wavers between thinking of herself as a wolf
or a dog or even a girl. Along their strange journey they meet an
old horse who joins them as does a princess who takes them back to
her castle to wake her father. Each of the events on their journey
has vague links to fairytales and will initiate recognition and
laughter as the story is moulded.
Told in a play format with stage directions, acts and speech
attributed to one or the other of the players, this story is
wonderfully engrossing, and serves as a model for children to create
their own plays or read this novel as a play script.
Australian Children's Laureate, Dubosarsky, is an inspired writer of
fanciful stories many of which are awarded at annual competitions in
Australia and overseas. Nielsen is a Sydney based illustrator who
has added another layer of interest and fun with his drawings of
Pierre and Lara searching for his grandmother via the puppet
theatre. Teacher's
notes are available.
Themes: Humour, Family, Fairy tales, Puppets, Theatre.
Fran Knight
The Missing Prince by John Flanagan
Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger, bk. 4. Random House
Australia, 2020. 295pp. ISBN: 9781760890452.
(Ages 10+) Highly recommended. In The Missing Prince John
Flanagan has written another very satisfying and thrilling adventure
which ends on a knife edge. This is the fourth in The Royal
Ranger series in which Rangers, Will and Maddie, are sent on a
recovery mission by King Duncan of Araluen. The two have to travel
into the Gallic kingdom and find King Philippe's son Giles, who is
being held against his will by power hungry Baron Lassigny in
Chateau des Falaises. Rangers are trained to have superior skills
and 'use their brains first to avoid fighting' and these two are no
exception. Will is the older mentor and teenage Maddie is second in
line to the Araluen throne. They disguise themselves as father and
daughter entertainers. Will is a jongleur, or minstrel, and Maddie
becomes deft at knife throwing and juggling. On their journey they
successfully keep their real identity secret and humorously thwart
ham-fisted attempts to follow them and rob them by a bunch of
thieves called the Black Vultures. Things turn very serious and
nail-biting once they arrive at the Baron's Chateau and come under
his scrutiny. Maddie must do the tricky work of locating Giles in
the Chateau and then they must try and rescue him.
Flanagan writes for young people but never talks down to his
audience. Hence this book can even be enjoyed by adults who want an
adventure set in imaginary medieval-like times. He uses interesting
descriptions and we learn about castles, weaponry and fighting
tactics. Flanagan conjures up very likeable characters. Maddie is a
welcome brave and determined female character who can't sing for
peanuts. Will is a little more complex with a simmering dislike of
bullies and arrogance that he only just keeps under control. Some of
their foe suffer quite brutal wounds but they all deserve it! It is
possible to read this book without having read the three prior to
it, however they are definitely worth reading to see the growth of
Maddie in her role as Royal Ranger. The Missing Prince
continues in volume 5.
Jo Marshall
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780063056718.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. The first chapter opens with
Enchanted slowly regaining consciousness in the chaos of a
blood-splattered room, Korey hanging face-down across a bed, and
police pounding outside the door. Then we are stepped back to the
events that led to this day. Enchanted Jones is a 17 year old, in
her last year of school, a champion of the swimming team, but her
real interest is singing and she is determined to overcome her
parents' reservations and win an auditioning competition.
A chance meeting sees Korey Fields walk into her life. He is 28
years old, famous, a singing idol, and he is interested in her and
her songs. It is a gradual process, text messages, snatched moments,
he is genuinely impressed by her voice, cares for her and wants to
help her succeed. It is easy to be drawn to him, but before she can
really work out how it happened Enchanted finds herself trapped by a
violent manipulator.
Jackson's description of the gradual process of grooming by Korey is
very realistic. He is charming, he shares her taste in songs, and he
reveals episodes from his own path into the music industry as a 14
year old, so that Enchanted sees his vulnerable side. But with time
she discovers there is also a 'Mr Hyde' side to him that is angry,
cruel and violent. And she has become so isolated from the people
that care about her that there is no way of escape from him.
The book comes with a content warning about mentions of sexual
abuse, rape, assault, child abuse, kidnapping and addiction to
opioids. But the scenes are not graphic, the focus is more on the
gradual sense of degradation, fear and powerlessness that trap
Enchanted, and provide insight into the situation of many victims of
domestic violence and sexual assault.
The story is fast-paced, with short chapters that carry the reader
along, and there is a twist in the narrative that adds another
element of mystery, keeping readers guessing. Readers of gritty
books like On
the come up by Angie Thomas will also enjoy this book
about an aspiring young black singer who finds herself alone facing
a situation that is beyond anything she could have predicted.
Themes: Entrapment, Sexual abuse, Violence.
Helen Eddy
The fire wombat by Jackie French
Illus. by Danny Snell. Angus & Robertson, 2020. ISBN:
9781460759332.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Based on sightings of animals taking
shelter in wombat burrows during the recent bush fires, Jackie
French has written a book displaying imagination, courage and
companionship. Snell's wonderful digital illustrations warn readers
of the impending fire as they open the book. A page shows a small
scene with smoke in the distance, over the page the smoke is more
prominent and when the story opens it is obvious a bushfire is
looming as the wombat pokes her head out fo her burrow, sensing
fire. French's seemingly simple rhyming lines urge the reader
to stop and reread each line, taking all the substance from the
words, predicting their own words to finish each phrase.
As the fire takes hold, birds fly away, goannas and echidnas bury
themselves under the earth, but for some there is no place to hide.
So they follow the wombat into her burrow and shelter until the fire
passes.
Emerging from her burrow the animals are met by a scene of utter
devastation. Their paws burn, there is no food or water, and their
usual shelter is gone. But noise overhead sees a helicopter dropping
food and water, and the animals are saved from hunger and thirst.
Many volunteers, aware of the plight of the animals affected by the
bushfire, brought in food, particularly carrots to keep the animals
alive, and in the following days, birds returned, mice carried
seeds, new shoots appeared and finally rain fell.
Wombat walked but not alone, the last lines of French's poem, a
tribute to all the volunteers who helped with the aftermath of the
fires, keeping animals alive in their time of great need, ensuring
the bush comes alive once again.
This wonderful tale will lift the spirits of those children who have
read and seen so much of the fire's devastation, seeing something
positive come from something so overwhelmingly fearful. French's
words give hope, she is able to distil a positive note to end on,
one that all children will take to heart as they read of the
wombat and the part she played in saving some of her compatriots. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Fire, Wombats, Fire safety,
Volunteers.
Fran Knight
Rain before rainbows by Smriti Halls
Illus. by David Litchfield. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406382358.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Rain Before Rainbows is
a very poignant and thoughtful story of the journey a young girl and
fox take while filled with worries and sadness. They have
difficulties to overcome and do so through their own courage and
resilience. Along the way they find companions to support and guide
them as they journey to reach a happier and more hopeful place.
The visually stunning and colourful illustrations support the simple
yet meaningful rhyming text, i.e. "Thunder will rumble, and
lightning will flash. The wind will start blowing and tall waves
will crash." The reader is drawn into exploring each illustration
with great delight and awe.
This is a story to be shared and discussed with younger readers as
the message and meaning may not be necessarily obvious at first
glance. It is a story that will fill both adults and children with
hope that things can get better. Teacher's
notes are available.
Themes: Worries, Journey, Courage, Friends, Hope.
Kathryn Beilby
