12 Curly Questions with author Ashling Kwok

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I’m a terrible skier. I actually got stuck on a mountain once and had to beg the rescue team to help me get down because I kept falling off the T-bar. I can still hear the group of five-year-old professional skiers chanting, 'Don’t give up. Don’t give up.' Let’s just say I never, ever want to go anywhere near a ski field again.

2. What is your nickname?
I usually just get called Ash or Ashes. Actually my sister calls me Cat – but that’s a whole other story.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Amusement park rides! I can’t think of anything worse than going on a rollercoaster or anything similar. The logical part of my brain just doesn’t understand why anyone would want to do that.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Sometimes emotional, sometimes funny but always straight from the heart.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Curious, playful, experimental, instinctual, heartfelt.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Paddington Bear. He has a big heart but he isn’t perfect. He also gets to wear a cool outfit, go on exciting adventures, and he always has a snack on hand when he needs it.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Definitely the 1980s! Great music, cool clothes, and a much simpler life in so many ways.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Why did you waste so much time? To which I would reply – so I could really appreciate what I have now.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My family. My husband, for supporting me quietly from the sidelines, and my children, for being an endless source of inspiration. Without their encouragement and belief, I would never have made it to the other side.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I’ve always loved listening to people’s stories and analysing why human beings act the way they do. Writing allows me to explore this on a deeper level. It’s such an interesting way to explore the human condition.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Perception – because it determines what we see and how we act in the world.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gosh, that’s hard. I’m going to say The Heart in the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers. Reading that book changed my life. It’s a brilliant example of how difficult subjects can be tackled in a beautiful and sensitive way.

Ashling is a children’s author and freelance journalist from Sydney. She spends her days dreaming up new ideas, working on her latest manuscripts, and browsing local bookstores, marvelling at all the wonderful books created by talented children’s authors. Her debut picture book, Lola and Grandpa was published in May 2020. The Battle was released in June 2020. For more information, see www.ashlingkwok.com.au.

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Video Review: When the Whales Walked

Join Yvonne Mes for a short and snappy video review of When the Whales Walked, and other incredible evolutionary journeys, written by Douglas Dixon and illustrated by Hannah Bailey. This video includes other recommended titles for children on evolution.

Title: When the Whaled Walked
Author: Douglas Dixon
Illustrator: Hannah Bailey
Publisher: Australian Geographic
Publication Date: 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925695236
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Nonfiction




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Review: Henry Turnip

An adorable story about Henry Turnip; a shy and peaceful panda, whose world is soon enlightened by his friendship with an adventurous rabbit named Reuben.

Henry is an endearing character, he happily eats the same breakfast and wears the same outfit each day, he likes jam sandwiches, reading and he doesn’t like crowds, loud noises or mess. Mostly, Henry seems contently introverted, but he doesn’t really know otherwise.

When Reuben Moon, a confident playground explorer, befriends Henry, things change, just a little, for the better. Both friends learn from each other and Henry discovers fun that he never knew existed before, like the joy of stomping in muddy puddles and the exhilaration of his first ride on a fabulous playground slippery-slide.

Henry’s experiences are expanded through the power of his new friendship, fears he had seem to dwindle and he learns things about himself that he may not have discovered on his own. Best of all, he has a friend by his side to share his experiences with.

I adore this book, Henry reminds me a little of myself and would be relatable to many readers. The traditional watercolour illustrations make my heart sing, they show Henry and other loveable characters amongst bright but soft, beautifully detailed scenes. The text and illustrations perfectly suit each other.

Henry Turnip feels like a classic with a beautiful message about friendship, life and the wonder of the unknown. It would be great to share with shy individuals or in a group and could lead onto discussions about friendship, personalities, unknown experiences, comfort zones and more.

Chloe Jasmine Harris is an Australian author illustrator, Henry Turnip is her second book after her debut Maple the Brave.

Title: Henry Turnip
Author/Illustrator: Chloe Jasmine Harris
Publisher: Walker Books, $25.00
Publication Date: 1 June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760651114
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Willow The Armadillo

Guest Junior Reviewer: The Land of Stories: Beyond The Kingdoms Book 4

Review: The Great Big Brain Book

The Great Big Book series brings us the eighth title that celebrates our marvellous brain. Mary Hoffman’s clever, light-hearted and humorous text is surrounded and supported by Ros Asquith’s superb cartoon-style, watercolour illustrations.

Frame by Frame, the children’s artwork reaches its target audience in the best way possible.

Kids will see and learn how the brain develops, its role, and how it is the command centre that sends messages to the body using neurons. It features the weight of the brain, the amount of cells, brain food, and the senses. (There is more!)

Listed are the many areas the brain controls, including memory, muscles, movement and dreams.

How does the brain help us make decisions, multi-task and use language? These areas are all covered on outstanding, fully illustrated pages.

I must comment further on the illustrations that are truly fabulous! Both end pages exhibit all the areas controlled by the brain. It is a parade of colour and depicts the emotion-filled children that appear in the book.

The title page shows the two hemisphere’s of the brain and the cat that appears all over the place. Speech bubbles allow us to see what the cat is thinking – at times funny and others not. Kids will look forward to seeing it wherever it appears.

Many of the pages are decorated with miniature illustrations, forming borders around the three edges.

Many of the illustrations are presented in child-like drawings on boards. This immediately engages the reader by making personal contact with them. Pages full of small details allow kids to spend time searching, finding and questioning.

Visually stimulating, a lot of thought has gone into presenting a subject that otherwise would be seen as complex to this age group.

With simple text, easy to follow explanations and the vibrant images, it becomes an entertaining and valuable learning tool. Larger than the usual picture book size, the text is presented in bold type and a larger font.

It’s a book filled with energy and humour, and addresses the ageing of the brain as well as its growth from childhood. I loved it!

Title: The Great Big Brain Book

Author: Mary Hoffman

Illustrator: Ros Asquith

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $24.99

Publication Date: 3 March 2020

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9780711241534

For ages: 5 - 8

Type: Non Fiction

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Review: Miss-Connection

Being a girl is hard. Being a teenager is hard.

But being a teenage girl? Almost impossible.

And if you’re the parent or carer of a teenage girl, how do you help? How do you support your teenager through the chaos?

Miss-Connection is the magic paper potion you need to help you help your daughter through the teenage years. 

But it’s kind of more than that.

This isn’t a book that just gives you some tips and tricks on how to help your teenage girls through challenges. It’s a window into their minds. 

This is your chance to hear from young girls, in their own words, about what they need from you.

Dr Justin Coulson is an honorary fellow at the Centre for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. He also has six daughters. He also surveyed hundreds of teenage girls across Australia as he researched for this book.

The result is an insightful, honest and raw look at the views and opinions of teenage girls. What they think, what they struggle with and what they need.

Some of it is very confronting, but all of it is the truth (as evidenced by quotes from young girls throughout the book). So if you want to better connect with your girls and help them when they need you the most, you're going to want to get hold of this book.

The book covers a lot: screen time, boys, sex, drugs, pornography, anxiety, friendship troubles and school. It provide support and advice through it all, telling you how to support your teenage girls through each of the challenges they might face as they grow.

My daughters are only six and four, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book now. A lot of the advice is based on creating a strong connection with your girls as soon as possible. The stronger the connection, the easier it is to weather the storms.

It makes perfect sense. If your girls trust you, they will talk to you, and if they talk to you, you can help them. Coulson provides brilliant ideas on how to build this trust. He gives you advice on language to use, questions to ask and ways to approach different challenges, all supported by the suggestions of young girls — their insights into what they need from their parents.

If you’re keen to better connect with your teenage daughter. If your daughter is on the verge of becoming a teenager (or even younger), I highly, highly recommend Miss-Connection.

Title: Miss-Connection

Author: Dr Justin Coulson, PhD

Publisher: ABC Books, $32.99

Publication Date: 20 January 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780733338892

For ages: Adults

Type: Adult Non-Fiction

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Review: Derek Dool Supercool: Bust a Move (Book #1)

Derek Dool thinks he’s supercool.

His friends are not so sure, but they are sticking by him.

In book one in this fun new series by Adrian Beck, Derek is on a mission to prove he is the best dancer at Rutsmell Primary School.

The school disco is coming up, and Derek is determined to bust a move and prove to his classmates he is the coolest kid in school. 

And definitely cooler than Carmichael Cruz, Derek’s archenemy.

Derek starts working on his moves, but things just keep getting in the way. Things like a principal who’s out to get him, totally unjustified detention and, well, not really knowing how to dance.

With the help of his two best friends Booger and Big Denise, Derek is positive he’s going to win the disco dance-off against Cruz. But can he do it?

Derek Dool Supercool: Bust a Move is a wickedly funny junior novel, perfect for kids who love a fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

With jokes galore, stacks of silliness and funky illustrations by Scott Edgar throughout, it’s a great read for junior readers. And the start of a great new series.

Title: Derek Dool Supercool: Bust a Move

Author: Adrian Beck

Illustrator: Scott Edgar

Publisher: Penguin, $14.99

Publication Date: 3 March 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760892951

For ages: 7 - 10

Type: Junior Fiction, Illustrated Fiction

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Review: Azaria, A True History

This year, 2020, is the 40th anniversary of the death of Azaria Chamberlain at Uluru.

When this little baby disappeared during a family camping trip, the entire nation was instantly caught up in a frenzy of gossip, prejudice and judgement.

It's a story so many of us grew up with. I can still remember it: Every grown-up had an opinion on whether Azaria was taken by a dingo or murdered by her mother. And every child in the school yard echoed their parents' opinions.

This horrifying chapter in Australia's history is sensitively captured in this evocative and heartfelt retelling of a true story. From the death of the baby taken by a dingo one night, to the mistakes and media frenzy that followed. From the infamous court case that every family watched on the television each night and the incarceration of a mother for murder, to the truth that eventually emerged decades later.

Maree's exquisite prose tears open old heartaches and shines a light on the cruel reality of the natural world, while exposing the callous court of public opinion. Her illustrations shimmer with the beauty of the desert; the rich colours of the natural world juxtaposed with the sombre darkness of society and supposition.

This is a beautiful and tragic modern-day Grimm's fairytale with powerful messages that will spark so many discussions about truth and justice, media opinion and public hysteria. It allows us to examine society's treatment of women (mothers, in particular) — Why won't she cry for the cameras? She seems 'unusual' — and of Indigenous people — Of course, there were those who knew the truth, but they were not heard.

This is a story for all ages and one that should not be forgotten. Highly recommended.

Title: Azaria, A True History
Author/Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: MelbourneStyle Australia , $29.95
Publication Date: March 2020
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780648568407
For ages: 8+
Type: Non-fiction Picture Book

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Review: Lion Needs a Haircut

Review: Elizabella and The Haunting of Lizard Lake

Review: The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries #1: The Ghost of Howlers Beach

It is 1932. School holidays are dead boring. Butter is lonely and longs for something exciting to happen. And it does. When a three-legged dog digs up a skull on the beach, Butter takes it home to his dad.

Twelve year old Butter O’Bryan lives in a Very Small Castle close to the sea, built by his grandfather, one of the Jam Kings. HHe shares his life with his dad, the local GP and his three Aunts - Elephant, Cake and Peculiar. They are singular beings, as unusual as their names, modified from the originals during their brother’s early childhood speech to remain so over time.

Butter’s mother has died from Polio in the epidemic that rages through post-war Australia. Dad, being unable to save her, blames himself. Withdrawn and quiet, he none-the-less nurtures a warm, loving and generous family atmosphere.

A susso camp has slowly increased in size on the O’Bryan land. Poverty stricken families of the Great Depression have built shacks from driftwood and anything found or brought in by the tide. It is another battle; one for survival. Dr O’Bryan, compassionate and grateful for his privileged life, allows them to remain there unchallenged.

Butter (he won’t reveal his real name) encounters three children on the beach playing cricket.  Gil, Olive and Tish, are the owners of the three-legged dog. They are secretive and hostile towards him and disappear without a trace.

When the children’s Uncle dies on the O’Bryan doorstep where he goes for medical attention, Butter is determined to find out the backstory of his life and track the children down. Imaginative, curious and questioning, he also wants to know about the skull; how and why it came to be buried where he found it.

An elusive mystery unfolds around these happenings. Jackie French builds another riveting read using the hardships and poverty of the Depression years as background for this marvellous part mystery, part adventure.

The reader is drawn into the scenes; becomes part of the action. Information about the era’s society and the social structures pour into the excellent storyline and prose.

French’s mastery of historical fiction rules. She picks a time and place in Australian history, adds an incident and builds a story with a cast of outstanding characters around it that informs, educates and entertains.  I can’t wait for the next book; I long to learn what happens next with these characters.

Title: The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries #1: The Ghost of Howlers Beach

Author:Jackie French

Publisher: HarperCollins, $16.99

Publication Date: 24 February 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781460757727

For ages: 10+

Type: Historical Fiction

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Guest Post: Jennie Englund On Surfing: Thoughts from Someone Who’s Never Really Done It

Meet The Illustrator: Chloe Jasmine Harris

Name: Chloe Jasmine Harris

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.

Retro inspired, bright, playful, naively sweet and a bit quirky.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?

Definitely my cintiq, which is a digital drawing tablet that I use for the sketching/editing part of creating an illustration. I’m a bit of a technophobe, so I was reluctant to make the switch to sketching digitally, but now I couldn’t imagine life without it, it’s completely changed my art making practice for the better!

My printer is also an essential for me as I use it to print my digital sketches out onto watercolour paper. Knowing that I can simply reprint the sketch and start again if I don’t like the way the painting is turning out, really does take the pressure off.

And finally, my sit/stand desk and drafting table. I would find drawing/painting so difficult without them, and I know my back and neck very much appreciate the set up! Especially when you’re working long days on a project, an ergonomic workplace is incredibly important.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?

I tend to work primarily in watercolour, which is the medium I used when creating Henry Turnip. Recently I’ve been exploring gouache and digital illustration, and would love to eventually incorporate these more in my art making.

 
Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Sang Miao – I love Sang’s loose, gestural and wonderfully expressive painting style 

Adelina Lirrus – The details in Adelina’s work are mesmerising, as well as her ability to create such immersive worlds for her characters.

Katie Harnett – I love Katie’s intuitive, energetic and childlike style. (Childlike in the best way possible!)

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?

I’d love to visit the impressionism period. I’m so drawn to impressionists painterly approach, and their ability to capture light, energy and movement so beautifully.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

Probably my mum! She is a fantastic drawer and always encouraged expressing your creativity through art when I was growing up.

I was also inspired by the books we read together as a kid. Jill Barklems, Brambly Hedge series, and Shirley Barbers books were absolute favourites of mine. I was always in awe of the way both of them created such richly intricate worlds for their characters, Illustrations to get completely lost in. I’m sure reading these books helped inspired me to start creating my own narrative illustrations from a young age.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.

These are my handmade book shelves that my partner very kindly crafted for me and are my favourite part of my studio. They are home to my ever-growing... borderline out of control collection of children's books! I find it super inspiring to work in space surrounded by artwork, particularly children’s book art in every corner.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

The painting is my favourite part. I find it the most relaxing and fun part of the process. The sketching period often requires a lot of problem solving, brainstorming and creative thinking, so getting to see the work you’ve been drawing for months come to life through paint is always exciting!

For Henry Turnip, I was painting up to 10 spreads at one time, painting all the crocodiles in, then all the badgers etc. I did this so that the colours would stay consistent throughout the whole book, and I loved getting to see all the spreads slowly come together at the same time.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Be patient! It takes quite a long time to develop a style, but it will slowly evolve through lots of practice. Don’t be hard on yourself if you feel like you haven’t found it yet, or if your work doesn’t look cohesive. That’s all totally ok and it’s just part of the process.

Put yourself out there! I know it can be super daunting to share your work on a public platform for the first time, especially if you’re an introvert like me! Though I’ve found that the more you share your work with the world, the more opportunities will start coming your way.

And finally, create work that your passionate about and that fills you with joy. Try not to create work just because you feel it will be trendy or get a lot of likes on instagram!

Chloe is a Sydney based freelance and children’s book Illustrator who studied Fine Arts at the National Art school. She is a represented artist of the Illustration Room. Her debut book Maple the Brave was published in 2019 and Henry Turnip will be published 1st of June 2020.

For more information, please visit Chloe's website or follow Chloe on instagram.

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Video Review: Elephant Me

Join Yvonne Mes for a short and snappy video review of the latest feel-good picture book written by author and illustrator duo Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees, Elephant Me.

Title: Elephant Me
Author: Giles Andreae
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication Date: 26 May 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781408356524
For ages: 3 - 5
Type: Picture Book




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Review: House of Heroes: Henrie's Hero Hunt

The scintillating adventures of Hapless Hero Henrie and the goings on at theHouse of Melchoir, left us with a stronger, smarter, fearless and funnier Hero Henrie. Her life takes a positive turn after her grandfather Octavia leaves his estate to Henrie, Alex and his dad Timothy, of the Super Sleuth Agency. Timothy had been engaged by Octavia to find Henrie’s parents. He wasn’t successful in his lengthy search.

In Book 2 - Henrie’s Hero Hunt, Henrie is with aunt Ellie when she receives a call on the HoMe Hero Hotline, from an unknown girl. Someone is following Marley (who is in a wheelchair with a broken tibia) and watching her house.

Henrie’s energetic mind gathers in what information she can from her first client. A mystery unfolds with the unwrapping of Marley’s Great Aunt Agatha’s teapot.

An underlined advertisement in the newspaper wrapping sparks their interest. A quick search on the computer brings up all the background information that is needed about Aunt Agatha’s life.

A famous archaeologist and explorer, Aunt Agatha had been part of a dig in the Valley of the Kings. Her work was interrupted by the War, but Agatha returned again to the area when it was over. She left the site on the day a significant discovery was made and lived a reclusive life till her death. Agatha had been accused of stealing the rare artefact and had died under a cloud of suspicion. The group are determined to clear Agatha’s name.

Henrie and Alex follow a trail of clues that begin with a cryptic inscription on Aunt Agatha’s gravestone. This leads to a key hidden in her sewing basket. But they two sleuths uncover startling secrets about Aunt Agatha and the role she had during the War years.

How is Violetta Villarne from Villains Inc; the girl that follows them everywhere, tied to Aunt Agatha’s mystery? Who can they trust when Henrie has been taught to never trust too easily. People are seldom what they seem.

Henrie is betrayed, lied to and kidnapped, in her search to find answers and proof for Marley of Aunt Agatha’s innocence. She depends on the inexhaustible supply of tips from The Hero Handbook to guide her; a book full of pearls of wisdom (for the reader as well as Henrie). Life lessons come wrapped in creative and alternate ways of thinking, seeing and saying things that boost Henrie’s knowledge and well-being.

But the issue of Henrie’s missing parents remains a seeping wound. Will this particular mystery ever be solved? The story ends with a wholly unexpected climax!

A fantastic read for adults and children built with exceptional use of language, excellent poster and other illustrations that accompany a story that grips and entertains.

Title: House of Heroes: Henrie’s Hero Hunt

Author: Petra James

Illustrator: A. Yi

Publisher: Walker Books, $16.99

Publication Date: May 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760650858

For ages: 8+

Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Worse Things

Blake, Jolene and Amed are emotionally bruised individuals. They have one thing in common – sport.

Blake’s world has distorted. Life as he knew it is over due to a football injury which keeps him on the sidelines. He gets shut out by his friends now he’s not an active player. Alone and feeling discarded, all he can do is watch.

Another watcher is Amed, a refugee who lost his family as a child. It took years for his aunt in Australia to find him. He loves soccer, but is voiceless and isolated. He can’t speak English and understands very little of what he hears. 

What he observes in Blake and Jolene, when alone and watching, are feelings similar to his own. 

Jolene’s parents are doctors.

Her father is overseas saving refugees and others in catastrophic situations. She longs for him to be near to save her from a controlling mother, who only cares that Jolene excels at hockey. Jolene hates hockey. It’s her mother’s dream she’s living. Books and reading are what she loves.

The negative way Jolene is perceived by her team mates adds to her unbelonging. She is friendless. Now, her mother wants to send her to college to be finished; polished and refined, even though she loves her hometown.

But there are worse things, these three characters discover.

Jolene is put next to Blake to assist him due to his broken arm. She learns a great deal during the short time she spends with him.

Then she is allocated one day a week to converse with Amed in order to improve his English. She learns about his worse things.

Then, the worst thing happens.

Worse Things is a book I press to my heart. I was moved to tears of celebration at Sally Murphy’s ability to gift that to a reader. I experienced the same thing after reading her Pearl Verses the World.

It isn’t only Murphy’s perfect choice of words that is moving. To accentuate specific words, she introduces them with definitions. These definitions reflect the who, what and why of the characters.

Murphy’s words are reinforced by the glorious illustrations of Sarah Davis; interesting, thought-provoking images which perfectly depict the characters’ emotions, thoughts and actions with powerful expression.

Beginning from the covers, this verse novel is stunning in every way.  It is an experience not to be missed.

Title: Worse Things

Author: Sally Murphy

Illustrator: Sarah Davis

Publisher: Walker Books, $14.99

Publication Date: 1 May 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760651657

For ages: 10+

Type: Verse Novel

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Review: In My Dreams

Close your eyes and come on a dreamy journey on marshmallow clouds, through strawberry rain and down to the ocean floor. Fly on a dragon to faraway lands, hunt for treasures and make mischief with monkeys.

In My Dreams by author Stef Gemmill is a beautiful picture book about the endless possibilities of your imagination. As a child sleeps in the quiet night, they explore the magic of dreaming and all the things that bring joy and happiness.

It’s a simple and delightful story for bedtime snuggles. It will bring warmth to hearts and smiles to faces. It will spark imagination in little minds.

And then there are the stunning illustrations by Tanja Stephani. The most gorgeous combination of greens and purples and blues star throughout the book. There are pages of vibrant pinks and oranges and others I can only describe as rainbow magnificence.

But they are very kid. They are cute and funky and filled with humour. Animals show the grandest expressions and dance and sing throughout. Fruits come alive and the moon becomes a chair to watch the universe.

If you’re looking for a picture book that's all about love, smiles and possibilities, this one is for you. It’s a hug in paper form, and the perfect book to cuddle up with and share with your little ones.

Title: In My Dreams

Author: Stef Gemmill

Illustrator: Tanja Stephani

Publisher: New Frontier, $24.99  

Publication Date: 1 April 2020

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781925594928

For ages: 3 - 6

Type: Picture Book

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Winner: Sally Murphy's Worse Things

Our lucky winner is...

Cate Whittle, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of Sally Murphy's riveting new verse junior fiction novel, Worse Things. We hope you enjoy it.

Thank you to ALL who entered. Choosing between the entries for this one was one of our hardest on record! Seems sporting memories are tinged with tragedy, tenacity and terrific triumphs.

For those who missed out, stay tuned for more exciting giveaway opportunities and watch out for our KBR review of , Worse Things this Tuesday!

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Video: Reading@Home

Reading@Home is a special video series from the Queensland Department of Education aimed at children from kindergarten to year three. In this post we're featuring the video of episode two which stars Michelle Worthington, reading her book Glitch, and KBR's own Dimity Powell, reading her book Pippa. Settle in for a fun storytelling session!



Title: Glitch / Pippa
Author: Michelle Worthington / Dimity Powell
Illustrator: Andrew Plant / Andrew Plant
Publisher: Ford Street Publishing, $16.95 / Ford Street Publishing, $16.95
Publication Date: 2017 / 2019
Format: Paperback / Paperback
ISBN: 9781925272703 / 9781925804270
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book




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Review: The January Stars

Clancy lives in her own world. A middle child, she is an introverted dreamer that has inherited her Nan’s passion for the Universe. She has fears that she can’t overcome. These threaten to inhibit her further when she begins High School in the coming weeks.

She is currently preoccupied with the word entropy – everything falling apart… order collapsing into chaos, just like her with her fears.

Tash, her elder sister, gets things done. She is daring, confident and a problem-solver. Clancy’s idiosyncrasies irritate her. A space exists between them.

Uncle Mark is in trouble. Clancy’s parents leave with Bruno their youngest, for New Zealand to see if lawyer Mum, can save him from jail.

Dad arranges for Clancy and Tash to stay with his rarely seen sister, Polly.

Their whole family is scattered and rarely seen.

Polly has no experience of children. She leaves the girls alone in the townhouse to keep her planned weekend away. They decide to go and visit Pa in the aged-care facility nearby.

Since his stroke Pa is wheelchair-bound, can only say a few words and squeeze with his left hand. But he understands everything. They recall memories of Nan through his photo album.

Pa is threatened in jest with expulsion from the facility. Tash believes he is unhappy there. On impulse, she decides to take him from the facility to Rosella in an Uber taxi, to see his house (which is currently rented out).

But the house is empty and has a For Sale sign. Is Polly and perhaps her father, who is having financial problems, trying to sell the house without Pa’s consent? The trio decide to stay the night. Why Not?

Confronted by the Estate Agent next morning with threats to be reported to the police, what began as a wild idea to find Pa a new place to live, finds Clancy and Tash pushing the wheelchair on and off trains and along city streets and alley ways, to escape those looking for them. 

A time-slip leads them to a city bookshop owned by the unconventional and flamboyant Antonia, a person from Pa and Nan’s past.

But it’s along country roads (with hilarious outcomes, especially when Pa needs the toilet) that their greatest challenge lies, as they try to track down one of Pa’s children that will house and care for him.

The girls are unprepared for what follows. One thing after another goes wrong. They find Aunt Bee in an ashram. Pip, her twin is heavily pregnant and alone. Toby, not family, whom they meet along the way, turns out to be the most valuable of their encounters.

Clancy finds herself in situations where she must push through her fears. The gap that lay between the two girls, and between the remaining family members, slowly closes as they are brought together under unpredictable circumstances.

All the while, Clancy is guided by Nan’s presence, her stars, and her sweet smell of lily-of-the -valley.

Full of adventure and humour, Kate Constable has gifted us another well-crafted, novel with a strong storyline and unique characters.

Title: The January Stars

Author: Kate Constable

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99

Publication Date: March 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760525026

For ages: 12+

Type: Teenage Fiction

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Review: Bad Cat

An amusing story about a fluffy orange cat named Fluffykins who pushes boundaries with his bold moves; but is he really a bad cat?

From the view of his owner, readers follow Fluffikins through a series of cat-caused events from a broken flower vase to a mysterious puddle. Fluffikins’ ignorant attitude is clearly that of a stereotypical cat who may just have his owner wrapped around his silky tail.

I love how Fluffikins’ character, thoughts and response to his owner are all shown by illustrations of his actions, expressions and body language. Fluffikins knows how to give just enough love when needed to get his way, he is confident and mischievous but also reliant and knows it.

The illustrations in this book are beautifully balanced with lots of white space and limited colours.

A fun use of text with open conversation provides the perfect lead into group discussions about Fluffikins and what he’s doing or cats generally and readers experiences with them. A suggestible but open end will leave readers shocked and wondering.

Nicola O’Byrne is an author and illustrator, some of her other books include What’s Next Door, The Rabbit, The Dark and the Biscuit Tin and Open Very Carefully.

Title: Bad Cat
Author/Illustrator: Nicola O'Byrne
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 781788005388
For ages: 2 – 5
Type: Picture Book




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Video Review: Big Wolf & Little Wolf

Join Yvonne Mes for a short and snappy video review of Big Wolf & Little Wolf, a picture book written by Nadine Brun-Cosme and illustrated by Olivier Tallec.

Title: Big Wolf & Little Wolf
Author: Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Publication Date: 2009
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781592700844
For ages: 3 - 7 
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Ali Cross

Ali Cross, son of the famous detective Alex Cross, is his father’s son in more ways than one. Except that he is hot-headed and bubbles when he is stirred. 

He is tenacious and has acquired enough skills from his dad to feel confident of his investigative abilities. He can’t compete with his athletic siblings, but he has a sharp and questioning mind that won’t shut down or give up.

When his best friend Gabe goes missing, he sets up a plan to find him. This includes examining the online game Outpost they are always playing together with siblings Mateo and Ruby. He draws these two into the investigation as safety backup.

A robbery at the Cross home on Christmas Eve points to something Ali doesn’t want to believe. When the stolen laptop and his father’s guns are returned days later, Ali’s hunch is confirmed.

As Ali delves into Gabe’s life, He realises he doesn’t know his friend as well as he thought. How little he knows, comes to light when questioned by an investigating officer. Gabe has kept his and his family life to himself.

Just how many secrets is Gabe hiding?

This is the first question Ali asks himself after viewing camera footage of the day Gabe disappeared. He is even more determined to solve the mystery after he learns that Gabe’s dad has just come out of jail.

Ali hasn’t got only his missing friend to worry about. His DC dad is facing trial, charged with brute-force. Then there is his school nemesis Kahlil, another policeman’s son, who bullies and aggravates Ali at every opportunity.

Will Ali work out the password to enter the Outlook realm? Certain that clues to Gabe’s whereabouts are to be found there, can he fit together the pieces of the puzzle and find his friend?

This is a mystery-suspense that equals any of James Patterson’s adult crime novels. It is simply scaled down for a younger audience in violence and perhaps language. All the other ingredients are added. This is first of a new series that won’t disappoint any reader.

Title: Ali Cross

Author:James Patterson

Publisher:Penguin Random House, $19.99

Publication Date: Jan 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781529119725

For ages: 13+

Type: Young Adult fiction

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Guest Post: Larry Harper on Before Jackie

Meet The Illustrator: Matthew Rivera

Name: Matthew Rivera

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.

Fun, vibrant mixed-media collage using digital scissors and pencils.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?

A bright room with a view, stacks of drawing paper, a jar of 4B pencils, dozens of kneaded erasers, Adobe Illustrator, a scanner, CMYK swatch book (I’m colourblind so I need it for reference), coffee, 90s sitcoms for background noise (Frasier is a fave), eye drops, flip flops, and my pet bunny Mavis for snuggle breaks.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?

I’ve been using Adobe Illustrator since 1990, so it’s like my right arm. I also love watercolour, and mixing digital and traditional media.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Wow. It’s tough to narrow down to three. I’d have to choose Miroslav Sasek, Ed Emberly and Alexander Calder. I think their art embodies so much joy, and I respond to the bold and graphic nature of their styles.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?

Hands down, the Renaissance! I’d love to meet da Vinci, Michelangelo and possibly Shakespeare. It would be so cool to immerse myself in their work during their lifetimes. Oh, and definitely to see Florence again!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I thought about pursuing illustration in college, but felt commercial art was a better direction for me at the time. In 2013, I found the creative aspect of my career as an art director dwindling, and decided I needed a new outlet. After fumbling around for a couple of years, I finally just picked up a drawing pad and started sketching. Soon after, I rediscovered the art of picture books by visiting local bookstores, and amassed a huge collection. I was especially drawn to the artwork of Miroslav Sasek, Catherine Rayner, and Patrick McDonnell. That’s when I realised, “Hey, I can do this!”

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.

I need a lot of sunshine and natural light. We recently moved from L.A. to Portland, so finding an apartment with the perfect amount of light was challenging. For now, my little slice of window works. I need a desk big enough for my computer screens, plus drawing and painting. I’m fortunate to have both a monitor and a Cintiq, which is where I do my digital drawing. I keep my creative space pretty simple and try to confine my pencils, paintbrushes, scissors and other tools to my cart. It’s a daily battle, trust me. I like to surround myself with a few visuals, but I don’t go overboard.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

I love the process of painting my shapes to fit my blocking in Adobe Illustrator. I look at the blocking on screen while I paint, and guess how the paint will fit. I don’t get too precise, and allow for a lot of spontaneity with the watercolour. Having it fit the shapes in ways that I wasn’t expecting, like exposing areas with a lot of texture, is what really excites me.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Never stop learning and never stop exploring. Obviously talent is important if you want to build a career, but I think it also takes tenacity, endurance, and that old cliché: hard work. I live by my favourite quote: Never wish for it more than you work for it. Also, if you’re looking to go into children’s publishing, I suggest joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and attending conferences and meet-ups, if possible. I honestly can’t stress this enough. It’s a great way to meet other people who share your interests and goals. I met all of my fellow artist friends through SCBWI, and they’re my biggest support system. I’ve learned so much about children’s publishing through SCBWI: how picture books are made, how the industry works, and how to promote yourself as an artist. Plus, conferences and events provide many opportunities to rub shoulders with some of the most well-known editors, art directors and agents in the business.

Matthew fell in love with illustration as a kid after finding Ed Emberely’s books in his local

library. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a fine arts degree and

worked as an art director in California. Now, he lives in Portland, OR , and makes art

for kids!

For more information visit Matthew's website or follow him on instagram.

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