Saturday 30 November 2019
Friday 29 November 2019
Review: Top Koala
In Top Koala, Koala is determined be the best in everything.
He wants to be at the top of the trees ... and everything else!
Koala will climb just about anything to reach the top and be tall.
He even climbs statues, people, and the flag pole at Parliament House.
He may not have the skills of other creatures (being scary like a crocodile, or digging like a wombat), but Koala can do plenty by climbing.
And besides, he'd much rather be the top koala, than cute and cuddly like quokkas.
As you read Top Koala, you'll see Koala encountering or comparing himself with other animals found in Australia. In addition to wombats, crocodiles and quokkas, look out for cockatoos, whales, dolphins, kangaroos, cane toads, and others.
As you follow Koala showing off, the story is told by Jackie French with rhyming text. And the pictures by Matt Shanks are cute (no matter what Koala thinks!) and filled with humour.
The attitude and expressions on the animals will make you laugh, and perhaps remind you of humans you know.
Top Koala feels distinctly Australian and will put a smile on your face.
Title: Top Koala
Author: Jackie French
Illustrator: Matt Shanks
Publisher: HarperCollins, $24.99
Publication Date: November 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781460754818
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
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Review: Pages & Co: Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales
Tilly is bookwanderer. She lives in her grandparents bookshop and her Grandad used to be the Head Librarian at the Underlibrary, which monitors the comings and goings of bookwanderers.
Tilly and her friend Oskar wander inside a book of fairy tales and something is not right. There are holes appearing and characters vanishing and puddles of book magic leaking out. What is going on, and how will Tilly and Oskar escape when they accidently end up in another book?
Tilly’s grandparents had warned her fairy tales were unstable. As fairy tales have their roots in oral story telling rather than written-down story telling, bookwanderers can end up wandering into different versions of the story and getting stuck. But even so, Tilly can tell that what she is seeing is beyond just unstable; someone is tampering with the fairy tales!
The strange new Librarian at the Underlibrary is also causing unrest. He starts changing the rules for bookwanderers and Tilly and her family have a feeling all is not as it seems.
Tilly is a relatable and likeable character. She is intelligent and strong willed and, whilst she loves and respects her grandparents, she also isn't afraid to question their decisions and think for herself. I love all the fairy tale characters she encounters, from friendly and helpful Jack and the Beanstalk to the refreshingly feminist Rapunzel, annoyed by all the princes trying to 'rescue' her.
This is a brilliant middle grade novel perfect for book lovers. It follows on from Tilly’s first adventure in Pages & Co: Tilly and Bookwanderers, where Tilly first discovers her ability to bookwander (when Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland keep turning up in the bookshop to chat to her).
The book is interspersed with black and white illustrations, which add to the magic and mood. There is also some clever text positioning and little spot illustrations to add interest throughout.
I just love the premise of this story. What book loving child doesn’t dream of being able to jump inside their favourite stories and become a part of them. The end of this one does leave things hanging though, so I expect a third book will be on the way soon! When it does, I’ll be lining up to get a copy!
Title: Pages & Co: Tilly and the Lost Fairy Tales
Author: Anna James
Illustrator: Paola Escobar
Publisher: HarperCollins, $19.99
Publication Date: 24 September 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780008229900
For ages: 8+
Type: Middle Grade
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Thursday 28 November 2019
Meet The Illustrator: Andrea Stegmaier
Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Painterly illustrations with a reduced colour palette which blur the border between digital and traditional.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My sketchbooks and all the prints I collected from dear illustration friends. My wall calendar to keep track of all the dates, appointments and deadlines.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?My (expensive) pencils, my (cheap) notebook and my tablet (I don’t know if it’s ok to tell the brands: My (expensive) pencils from Blackwing, my (cheap) notebooks from Herlitz and my Ipad with Apple Pencil).
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Among many others: Wolf Erlbruch, Carson Ellis and Beatrice Alemagna
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit the Post-Impressionism time, because I would like to invite Van Gogh for
dinner and talk with him about his work. Even when I was a kid his work felt so special for
me.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
All the wonderful children’s books I had the pleasure to read to my two little girls in the last
years inspired me to dive into this world.
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 work from home, I have a little studio with a nice view into our small garden. On the shelves
I have my sketchbooks and inspiring picture books. I like to have all different art supplies at
hand and I like to collect inspiring and colorful little things, which sit on my shelves. Very
important is the small wall calendar, I mark my projects with different colors to see exactly
how much time is left.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I love the sketching in the beginning of a new project. Everything is open and I can let my
creativity flow without feeling much pressure.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Learn something new every day and draw, draw, draw.
Andrea Stegmaier is an Illustrator and Architect with a passion for children’s books. She
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit the Post-Impressionism time, because I would like to invite Van Gogh for
dinner and talk with him about his work. Even when I was a kid his work felt so special for
me.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
All the wonderful children’s books I had the pleasure to read to my two little girls in the last
years inspired me to dive into this world.
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 work from home, I have a little studio with a nice view into our small garden. On the shelves
I have my sketchbooks and inspiring picture books. I like to have all different art supplies at
hand and I like to collect inspiring and colorful little things, which sit on my shelves. Very
important is the small wall calendar, I mark my projects with different colors to see exactly
how much time is left.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I love the sketching in the beginning of a new project. Everything is open and I can let my
creativity flow without feeling much pressure.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Learn something new every day and draw, draw, draw.
Andrea Stegmaier is an Illustrator and Architect with a passion for children’s books. She
lives and works in Stuttgart, a busy city in the south of Germany.
She draws digital and traditional, straight lines and wonky lines, serious and funny things,
animals and people, houses and plants, simply everything.
Since 2018 she has worked for different clients among them are: Bravery magazine, Quarto
words&pictures and Gecko children’s book magazine.
For more information please visit Andrea's website or follow her on instagram.
She draws digital and traditional, straight lines and wonky lines, serious and funny things,
animals and people, houses and plants, simply everything.
Since 2018 she has worked for different clients among them are: Bravery magazine, Quarto
words&pictures and Gecko children’s book magazine.
For more information please visit Andrea's website or follow her on instagram.
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Wednesday 27 November 2019
Review: Nop
Nop is another heartwarming story with Caroline's trademark melding of warmth and melancholy, friendship and longing.
Nop is a scruffy old bear, living among the 'heaping heaps of goods' at Oddmint's Dumporeum.
Each night, the place comes to life with all kinds of creatures busily working to mend and 'bedazzle' each other, ready to leave the shop the next day, for 'someplace wonderful'.
But Nop is beyond repair and so he stays in the dusty old shop, until he has an idea that will take him on his own wonderful journey and change his life forever. This is a tale of true value; how you see yourself and not letting others determine your sense of worth.
The exquisite illustrations have an eccentricity that is both magical and poignant. Loose lines of ink and washes of watercolour capture the fantastical world of Nop, which glows with hope amid the dust and litter, and shines with joy in the final scenes.
Caroline's text is as deft as her brushwork, colouring each page with rich imagery and sumptuous language that lingers on the tongue.
You'll want to hold this treasure in your hands for a long time after you finish reading. Highly recommended.
Title: Nop
Author/Illustrator: Caroline Magerl
Publisher: Walker Books, $26.99
Publication Date: November 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781760651251
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
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Tuesday 26 November 2019
Review: One Blue Shoe
One blue shoe is missing, can you find it by the end of the story?
Godwin introduces the numbers 1 to 10 using rhyme. She skilfully encourages readers to count the bright whimsical objects, illustrated by Jane Reiseger, reinforcing the concept of number.
Older children will enjoy testing their counting skills, as they play with the concepts of addition and subtraction that can be found within this book.
'Three balls bouncing around
Two in the air and one on the ground.'
The setting, objects and animals within the book are ones that many children would be familiar with: balls, ladybugs, cars, teddy bears, blocks and even socks. While these items can be found in the real world, Godwin and Reiseger have created a dreamy feeling of childhood innocence and joy. Making the learning of early mathematical concepts fun.
One Blue Shoe will captivate readers as they count their way through the story and then count everything on the gorgeous and enchanting double page spread towards the end of the book.
Another story collaboration by Godwin and Reiseger is Red House, Blue House, Green House, Treehouse!
Title: One Blue Shoe
Author: Jane Godwin
Illustrator: Jane Reiseger
Publisher: Affirm Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 24 September 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781925870558
For ages: 2 – 6
Type: Picture Book
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Monday 25 November 2019
12 Curly Questions with authors Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.Hakea: I’d like to be an illustrator too one day.
Carl: One of my favourite foods is ‘milk guts’.
2. What is your nickname?
Carl: Merro
Hakea: Hakes or H — with a name like mine that is tricky to pronounce and harder to remember, it's handy to have a nickname!
3. What is your greatest fear?
Hakea: Heights... maybe coming a close second to answering telephone calls! I have overcome my fear of heights often by going on school camps as a teacher and doing giant swings, the jump of faith and high-wire courses, but it is still one of my biggest fears. Another phobia is phone calls. It gives me huge anxiety not being able to see someone’s face and body language.
Carl: Dying.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Carl: My writing style: authentic, honest, true to experience, raw, rough.
Hakea: My writing style is descriptive, intricately woven with lots of inferences.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer
Hakea: I am a passionate, inspired, unique, inquisitive and descriptive writer.
Carl: I am an authentic Australian writer that is true to my culture and life
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Carl: Indiana Jones, because he is adventurous and goes on lots of exciting trips looking for treasure and fighting bad guys. I love the outdoors, old artefacts, hunting for gold with my gold detector, visiting different places around Australia.
Hakea: This is hard! There are so many inspiring characters that I would love to be. Probably Elspeth from the Obernewtyn Chronicles — talks to animals, empath, surviving through adversity — I can relate.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Hakea: I’d travel back in time and tell myself to stop procrastinating on all my book ideas! I’d be too scared to change the past. I’ve read to many time travel books!
Carl: There are too many times that you could go back to to influence history. I would probably go back to the day before my brother left to go to hospital just before he passed away to tell him all the things I didn’t say. I would go back to tell my mate not to get in the car. I would go back to spend more time with my dad before he passed. I’ve lost a lot of people, so lots of dates to say the things unsaid.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Hakea: I think 10-year-old Hakea would be relieved to see that some of the really tough years don’t break us! She would probably be too busy reading or walking around on the beach to talk to some strange old lady though!
Carl: You made it.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Carl: Dad
Hakea: My editor, Shel Sweeney, from A Worded Life, played a huge role in my evolution as a writer for which I can credit our publishing success.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Hakea: When I was pregnant with my daughter I had lots of time on my hands in the last few weeks waiting for her to arrive. The inspiration had been brewing from experiences on Jaru/Kija Country and from discussions between Carl and I.
Carl: Hakea
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Carl: Juju because my two kids made it up. It means belly button.
Hakea: I thought Carl was going to pick ‘respect’. As an English teacher and writer I love words (as you can see by the length of my answers!) so picking just one is tricky. Can I be cliche and say ‘kindness’?
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hakea: This is torture just choosing one book! Ask me which author I would read for the rest of my life and that’s maybe a tiny bit easier. Isobelle Carmody, Ian Irvine, John Marsden, Jackie French, Aaron Blabley ... to name the first that jump to my mind.
Carl: I loved the Doctor Who series as a kid. Can I read a whole series?!
Hakea Hustler was a high school English teacher at Halls Creek District High School. Hakea, a co-author and non-Indigenous collaborator on Black Cockatoo, is committed to Indigenous education with a particular focus on school engagement, English language and story as learning, understanding and empowerment.
Carl Merrison is a Jaru man from Halls Creek. Carl works with young Indigenous boys through the Clontarf Academy focusing in improving engagement with education and providing a positive role model. Carl was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2016.
For more information, see www.hakeahustler.com.au.
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Review: Awesome Aussie Dogs
Awesome Aussie Dogs contains 50 amazing stories arranged with photos, illustrated portraits, feature stories in categories such as Faithful Friends, Real Rescuers, Eager Explorers, Working Dogs, and more.
It was great to read so many captivating and uplifting stories in just 32 pages; I recognised a few of them like the Dog on the Tuckerbox from history, past news and social media. It’s impossible to pick a favourite but I found Oddball the penguin protector to be one of the most fascinating while Fizo the eight-year-old silky terrier who protected three children from an eastern brown snake in Taree, NSW really touched my heart.
The gorgeous illustrations are soft and digital with a simplified true-to-life style; I love the way the dogs all seem to have a smile on their faces. The stories featuring photos stand out and set the scene and their place in time instantly, especially those from times of war.
Awesome Aussie Dogs is a great educational resource with succinct stories, most being just three or four sentences, which leave you eager to read the next. It would be an appealing book for dog lovers of all ages.
Title: Awesome Aussie Dogs
Author: Australian Geographic
Illustrator: Ana Mikulic
Publisher: Australian Geographic, $16.95
Publication Date: 1 October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925847581
For ages: 6+
Type: Picture Book
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Winners:The Book of Stone
Sarah Ellwood, TAS
Louise Brooks, QLD
Kearin Guziak, VIC
Kirsty Polujan, NSW
Mel Sajeva, VIC
Congratulations!
You have each won a stunning prize pack of The Book of Stone by Mark Greenwood and Coral Tulloch along with an amazing rock box collection of cool stones!
We hope you enjoy this prize.
Thank you to ALL who entered. We were completely captivated by your crazy, beautiful collections!
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Sunday 24 November 2019
Review: Fantastic You
This book is full of love and kindness, the same love and kindness we often show to others, but sometimes forget to show ourselves.
Fantastic You is by the team who created You Are Your Strong, author, Danielle Dufayet, illustrator, Jennifer Zivoin, and publisher, Magination Press (Books for Kids From the American Psychological Association).
Dufayet's text is confident and assured, relating common childhood experiences and emotions in a way that is accepting of all, and encouraging. The illustrations by Zivoin beautifully convey the light and shadows, ups and downs, and round and rounds of childhood and life, with family, friends, and always with ourselves.
This beautiful book also contains notes for parents and caregivers, by psychologist, Dr Julia Martin Burch, PhD, to assist with continuing the positive approach reflected in this story.
Title: Fantastic You
Author: Danielle Dufayet
Illustrator: Jennifer Zivoin
Publisher: Magination Press, $27.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781433830280
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book
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Saturday 23 November 2019
Review: The Gruffalo's Child
With the Gruffalo's Child escaping her cave when she's meant to be sleeping, it's clear from early on that something is going to happen.
Although the Gruffalo's Child is determined to find the Big Bad Mouse, she finds other creatures instead, and they are all friendly and helpful, sending her on her way with directions to where they believe the Big Bad Mouse to be.
Will the Gruffalo's Child ever find the Big Bad Mouse?
Julia Donaldson's rhyming text is clever and children listening will soon be reading along with you, repeating the refrain.
The illustrations by Axel Scheffler are done in just the right way, so as to appeal and encourage curiosity, rather than be scary.
This special 15th anniversary edition of The Gruffalo's Child comes complete with a dust jacket that can be removed and used as a 'snowy play scene'. It also has press out pieces of the characters who feature in the story. They can be pressed out, and folded to stand up along side the snowy scene.
The back of the book includes instructions for setting up, playing and telling your own stories with the characters, plus the words for The Gruffalo's Child Song, and information from the author and illustrator about writing and illustrating the story.
The Gruffalo's Child has earned its popularity with children worldwide, and this special edition deserves a place on bookshelves where it can be easily found for repeat readings.
Title: The Gruffalo's Child
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books, $14.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781509894475
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
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Friday 22 November 2019
Review: The Invincibles
His mate Scotty is all in, and it looks like Tana has a few more interested players, but the first training session of the season doesn’t go exactly to plan.
Along with Muzza, Zinnia and Zinnia’s friend Andrea, Tana and Scotty kick of practice to test the team’s skills.
But when a thunderstorm rolls in and lightning strikes the field, something strange happens.
But when a thunderstorm rolls in and lightning strikes the field, something strange happens.
After an epic explosion, the team discovers they have crazy new powers: super speed, super strength, the ability to fly and more.
The only catch…
Their powers run out after 80 minutes.
With super human powers, the team is sure to win each and every game they play (even with the time limit on their powers), but when a no-good trickster starts stirring up trouble in town, the Invincibles will have to choose between their football careers and stopping Tricky Ricky.
The Invincibles is a brilliant junior fiction novel for fans of action, adventure and sports. Packed with fun illustrations on almost every page, it’s great for young readers moving into chapter book territory.
It’s also packed with action, making it super engaging and fun for kids. With epic super powers, outrageous bad guys and a humorous and entertaining plot, it reads like a comic book — filled with delight, laughter and plenty of kabooms, thwacks and kersploshes.
I love that both boys and girls feature as central characters, making this a book that will appeal to all kids. It’s great to see a series that includes boys and girls together, kicking butt, loving sports and saving the world.
At the back of the book, kids will also find collectable cards of all the key characters, so they can read up on their super powers, choose a favourite and collect more as they read the series.
The Invincibles is winner. It’s a fun and easy read that combines so many of the things kids love and the characters are real and relatable.
To the kids who love to move and save the world with their friends, this one is most definitely for you!
Title: The Invincibles
Author: Peter Millett
Illustrator: Myles Lawford
Publisher: Scholastic NZ, $12.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781775435990
For ages: 7 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction
To the kids who love to move and save the world with their friends, this one is most definitely for you!
Title: The Invincibles
Author: Peter Millett
Illustrator: Myles Lawford
Publisher: Scholastic NZ, $12.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781775435990
For ages: 7 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction
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Thursday 21 November 2019
Review: You Can't Invite a Fish to a Dance Party
They don’t have legs to dance, they can’t sing and it would be way too dangerous.
That’s what Cat, Dog, Parrot and Rabbit think anyway.
The friends are getting ready for a pet dance party, but they don’t want to invite Fish because they just don’t think Fish can come — for his own safety.
Fish disagrees. Strongly. He’s determined to prove he can sing and dance just like the other pets.
But as he tries to prove himself, the other pets get more and more cautious. They move him away, they take extra precautions to keep his bowl safe, and Fish starts to wonder if maybe they are right. Maybe he shouldn’t come to the dance party.
Can Fish find the courage to be himself and sing and dance like he wants to? Can the other pets see beyond Fish’s fishbowl to the talents he can bring to the party?
You Can’t Invite a Fish to a Dance Party is a story about courage, friendship and learning not to make assumptions about your friend’s abilities. It’s easy to stereotype people, and it’s normal to want to protect a friend, but everyone should have the opportunity to try, and everyone should be included if they want to be.
Jessica Williams explores all these topics in this fun picture book, but I love that she does so subtly, the messages hidden within an entertaining story about a karaoke loving cat and a dog who loves to boogie.
The illustrations by Jimena de la Vega are simply beautiful. Bright and colourful, they bring joy to every page. They bring the characters to life and convey so much emotion.
This is a fantastic picture book for young kids. It will introduce them to the concepts of inclusion and empathy, and it will show them that they have a very special power to make others feel welcome and included, if they choose to use it.
Title: You Can't Invite a Fish to a Dance Party
Author: Jessica Williams
Illustrator: Jimena de la Vega
Publisher: All Write Here Publishing, $19.59
Publication Date: 19 November 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781999539726
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book
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Wednesday 20 November 2019
Review: The Girl and the Dinosaur
Told in delightful, jaunty rhyme, the story introduces us to Marianne, who's digging for a dinosaur on the beach. The fisherfolk of the town worry about Marianne and want to see her find some friends, but Marianne (not unlike 19th century paleontologist Mary Anning) slowly pieces together a dinosaur, which she names Bony.
When Marianne goes to bed that night, she sends out a wish that Bony will come to life. And, sure enough, 'the wishing stars burn bright that night, the air is thick with dreams, and a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up, it seems'.
What follows, is a truly magical adventure as Marianne and Bony travel through the dream world, across the sea, through a forest with fairies, unicorns and giants, and up into the clouds to a moonlit island. Here, the pair encounter a lively party where children and the creatures from their dreams enjoy a wild time together, making secret memories just for them.
This picture book is pure delight, with imagery and phrases that drip from the tongue, and evocative illustrations that take us by the hand into Marianne's imagination. From the touches of silver foil on the cover to the captivating dreamscape, this is sure to become a bedtime favourite and much-loved keepsake.
Title: The Girl and the Dinosaur
Author: Hollie Hughes
Illustrator: Sarah Massini
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $22.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781408880524
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
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Tuesday 19 November 2019
Review: Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures
Australia is home to many unique animals, and Tania McCartney has put the spotlight on some of them in Fauna.
It must have been difficult to choose which animals to include, but you'll find an eclectic and absorbing collection to explore.
Some animals take to the page on their own (hello koala, kangaroo, and platypus), while others are part of an ensemble (marsupials, invertebrates, birds, and so on).
All of them are special.
The animals are given labels identifying their conservation status, from least concern and near threatened, through vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered, to extinct in the wild, and extinct. This is part of spreading an important message about animal conservation.
The illustrations in Fauna are playful. Just look at the cover and see how many animals you can spy hiding amongst the flora. They are stylised in a way that makes the animals recognisable, and emphasises their features. Shapes and colours are well-used, and there are elements like height charts to show how different species compare.
The design of the page layouts is varied, helping to make reading Fauna an interactive experience. Flip the book from landscape to portrait to dive under the sea and read about sea-dwelling animals like the blowfish, blobfish, and wobbegong (yes, it is a real thing). Look for text call-outs for the lyrebird's mimicing ability, or the koala's bellow, and give them a try yourself.
If you want to find out whether a particular animal is included, go straight to the A to Z index, or the animal grouping index. There's also a useful Animal Family Tree, and a glossary.
In reviewing Fauna, I really have to share a few of its cool facts and figures. For instance, did you know that koalas have similar fingerprints to humans? That there can be up to one million Little Red flying foxes in a single colony? Or that kangaroos can't sweat?
Perfect for animal lovers, as an Australia-themed souvenir or gift, or for school projects. If you want to learn about some of Australia's most unique and curious creatures, you can't go past Fauna.
Title: Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures
Author/Illustrator: Tania McCartney
Publisher: National Library of Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: November 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780642279545
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior non-fiction
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Review: Jane Foster's Pets
Inside the covers your children will discover familiar pets like a black and white dog, a ginger cat with yellow patches, a gold fish and birds.
This book also introduces less common and exotic pets–reptiles, rodents and a few farm animals.
The retro style illustrations within this book are reminiscent of books from the 1950s and 1960s or Dick Bruna's Miffy.
The illustrations of each pet are bold and bright with a background of one block colour. On the opposite page is a single, large and bold black font that labels each pet. Behind this text is a background of one colour, with a two tone pattern eg. stripes of dark and light yellow.
There are many other books that are part of Jane Foster's series, with themes that cover dinosaurs, colours, Christmas, summertime, ABCs, numbers and so many more.
If you would like to share other pet stories see our book reviews about Axel Scheffler's Flip Flap Pets, Some Pets and Purr.
Title: Jane Foster's Pets
Author/Illustrator: Jane Foster
Publisher: Templar Publishing, $14.99
Publication Date: 1 May 2019
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9781787413627
For ages: 0 – 3
Type: Board Book
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Monday 18 November 2019
10 Quirky Questions with author/illustrator Caroline Magerl
I can fly! At the age of seven, I realised my hidden talent. After taping on a set of cardboard wings, I leapt from a swing just as it reached the highest point of its arc ... I was no fool. There was a moment, just before the wings came off, where I was flying. Sticky tape is such treacherous stuff.
2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Count Olaf. The reason I enjoyed this particular slippery villain was the effect his chameleon quality had on the Baudelaire children. They constantly had to adapt, and look down the road to what might happen next. We don’t usually have just one nemesis in life do we? There is always another Count Olaf out there!
3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
How many times have you heard variations of, 'I adored everything he/she wrote, but when I finally met them, they hardly said two words!' Note the past tense of adored and wrote. I am not falling into that trap. My invitations would be sent with full knowledge that the following would be cranky at having to show up. Mervyn Peake, Ursula Le Guin, Isak Dinesan, Russell Hoban and Edward Gorey.
4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
When thinking of literary inventions, I immediately think of magical transport. I get excited about the cupboard which is the portal to Narnia, or the door that appears to The Room of Requirement. But to answer, I am really quite impressed with Phillip Pullman’s subtle knife. An object, wielded with skill, that opens a way into other worlds ... something you can keep in your pocket. The description of how the knife functioned, and the way it is used, appealed to me a lot.
5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Exploratory, visual, idiosyncratic, patient and impatient.
6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
This is a wish list, really: prolific, aviatrix, centenarian, perennial and fromagère.
7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Much as I am picturing a thundering sea cave with a sofa in it, I think that would not work for me as a place to write. I need comfort and quietness also. So my writing space would be much as I have it now, a room with familiar things: lamp, rug, books, plants. The fifth item would be a dog or cat — position currently available, apply within.
8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
The book is The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. On page 22, the second word in the first sentence is 'there'.
There were ‘Doings at Griboedov’s’ is a line that made me smile, before ever I knew what the Doings were.
9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Took me a while to get this answer, but I am now good with it. I would go back in time to when William Blake was a boy. My question would be, 'may I walk with you to Peckham Rye'.
10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
No.
Caroline Magerl was born near Frankfurt in Germany and came to Australia when she was two. She lived on the yacht her family built until she was 14. In 2001, Caroline won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Crichton Award for new talent in children’s book illustration for her picture book Grandma’s Shoes (written by Libby Hathorn). Since then she has been awarded a May Gibbs Fellowship and received an ASA children’s picture book grant to work on her book Hasel and Rose. Nowadays, she is a full-time artist, illustrator and printmaker. Maya and Cat was Caroline’s first book with Walker.
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Review: Mum's Jumper
Mum’s Jumper opens with a scene showing a young girl visiting her mother in a hospital room, I knew from that moment that I might not get through the story without a few tears, and I was right. After the passing of her mother, the girl goes through physical and emotional processes that follow the death of a loved one; a funeral, sympathies, tears, numbness, anger and more.
The descriptions used for the girl's feelings are sensitive and sublime, they quickly took me to times I’d felt grief and it is obvious they could help those feeling grief understand its process; particularly children who are experiencing it for the first time.
Over time and with support from her father the girl learns that grief never really leaves, instead it grows with her as her world becomes bigger. Acceptance and light at the end of a dark time prevail beautifully.
Jayde Perkin’s illustrations have a bold expressive style which work in perfect unity with her writing. Jayde wrote and illustrated Mum’s Jumper in response to the loss of her own mother to cancer and with the hope to help others cope with similar grief.
Title: Mum's Jumper
Author/Illustrator: Jayde Perkin
Publisher: Book Island, $24.99
Publication Date: 10 September 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781911496137
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
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Sunday 17 November 2019
Saturday 16 November 2019
Review: Cunning Crow
In Cunning Crow, renowned author/illustrator, Gregg Dreise, shares the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders in this story about appreciating and accepting each other, in all our differences.
It begins way back, before Once-upon-a-time time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white, then explains how the birds gained their magnificent colours, but one of the birds was Waan, a crow who wanted more and more, so devised a cunning plan, which did not turn out as Waan had hoped.
Cunning Crow is a story of acceptance, diversity, the power of greed and ultimately the value of all our differences. Other titles in this series by Gregg Driese include Mad Magpie, Kookoo Kookaburra and Silly Birds.
Title: Cunning Crow
Author/Illustrator: Gregg Dreise
Publisher: Magabala Books, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 October 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781925768862
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture book
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Friday 15 November 2019
Review: How to Grow a Friend
Using this metaphor the story can be shared at multiple levels, depending on your children's ages.
Sara Gillingham's bright, charming, stylised illustrations bring the story to life.
The insightful images show pre-readers, actions they can take to grow a friendship and a seed.
Through this book and their own exploration, little ones will learn how to care for their friendships with good communication.
Sometimes friendships are not easy. How to Grow a Friend reminds littlies that sometimes a friend might bug us but together they can '...chase the bugs away...'
How to Grow a Friend also helps children become aware of their friend's feelings and it includes a practical suggestion of how to look after your friend when they are feeling sad.
Gillingham's story also explores the importance of growing '...a garden of friends,...' and that there is always '...room for one more.'
How to Grow a Friend is a captivating story that will have your children wanting to plant some seeds, all while learning some important life skills about friendships.
Discover more books by Sara Gillingham, I Am So Brave! and Alpha Bravo Charlie: The Complete Book of Nautical Codes.
Title: How to Grow a Friend
Author/Illustrator: Sara Gillingham
Publisher: Random House, $14.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2019
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9781984848222
For ages: +1
Type: Board Book
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Thursday 14 November 2019
Wednesday 13 November 2019
Meet The Illustrator: Leanne Watson
Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
My illustration style is traditional and contemporary Darug Aboriginal art.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
It is essential that I have art paper, canvas, paints, brushes and ink. My space is comfortable and has good lighting.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
My favourite medium is acrylic and ink printing.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
My mum Aunty Edna Watson, My brother Bundeluk Watson and Leanne Tobin.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I love the artistic period now with all of the digital additions that we can use to enhance our works.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My mum inspired me to become an illustrator and share our culture. I spent my life growing with my culture and have always had a love of art, I have always wanted to illustrate books from as long as I can remember to share our culture.
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 usually work at my large kitchen table that my Dad made, I have a studio but my table is my favourite place to work. My kitchen is full of all my favourite art and is a light and comfortable space.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
My favourite part of the illustration process is seeing the final illustrations come together in the book.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I would advise anyone that wants do illustrations to keep doing your art, work with some other artists and try some new mediums and methods and have fun with your work.
Leanne is a Darug woman commonly known in the Aboriginal community as Mulgo meaning Black Swan. Leanne is the daughter of Aunty Edna Watson and Uncle Allan Watson, elders of the Darug community. Leanne was born and raised in Sydney, she is now a mother and grandmother and has spent her life living, promoting and protecting Darug culture, people and places. Leanne has been director of DCAC (Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation) for the past 15 plus years. She started painting at a young age, taught by her mother Aunty Edna Watson and her brother Bundeluk Watson, and is now an accomplished artist her paintings and artwork are renowned by many. Leanne’s artwork is inspired by her family, Darug country, the environment and life experiences.
For more information please check out Leanne's website.
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Tuesday 12 November 2019
Review: Liarbird
From impersonations to big fat whoppers, he soon becomes 'the best in the bush at fibbing, faking, fabricating and fake-news creating'.
Adults and children alike will get plenty of giggles out of this modern-day Australian fable, which is more a commentary on social etiquette than simply just telling the truth.
Of course, the lyrebird eventually takes his lying too far and learns that terrible things can happen when you stray from the truth.
Vowing to always tell 'the whole truth and nothing but the truth', the lyrebird soon discovers there can be a fine line between fact and fiction, with hilarious results.
Laura and Philip Bunting are renowned for their witty and clever stories and this is a splendid example. Bursting with Laura's wry humour and fun play on words, the story is given added layers of playfulness and quirk through Philip's vibrant, stylised illustrations. The thick matte pages are saturated with backdrops of pink and salmon to highlight the characters, which are given extra warmth and charm through their subtle changing expressions.
I'm not lying, or even stretching the truth, when I say this is another delightful book from the Buntings that's sure to become a classic.
Title: Liarbird
Author: Laura Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $17.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781743831571
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
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Monday 11 November 2019
12 Curly Questions with author Edwina Wyatt
I can play almost any song on the piano (very poorly) from memory, if I have heard it once before. It’s one of my favourite things to do. I follow my poor husband around the house (and into the bathroom…) with a keyboard under one arm, begging him to give me requests like some sort of deranged busker: “Give me another!”, “Wait for it…!”; “Just one more”. We’re talking pop songs, movie sound tracks, national anthems. Christmas carols are the best. No jazz. Too hard. Working out how a song goes is my equivalent of doing the Sunday crossword. I drive my kids nuts: “What about Humpty Dumpty? Flight of the Bumblebee? Any takers? No?” It’s a truly pointless skill; an exercise in mediocrity.
2. What is your nickname?
I am a woman of many names: Eddie, Weeny, Mini. Also, Winks, to a precious few.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Well now, how long have you got? Woody Allen would have a field day with me…
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I like writing about big characters and their small moments.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Disciplined. Honest. Prolific. Passionate. Dedicated.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Elizabeth Bennet. For Mr Darcy… let’s be honest.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1986. The year I was born. So that I could get to live my strange and wonderful life over again. See all my old pets, friends and family. Visit my favourite rooms and windows and trees.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You like the taste of mineral water? Uck.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
In literature, AA Milne.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Curiosity. Nostalgia. Boredom.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Palomino. I am not sure why. But I like the word ‘flamingo’ for the same reason. They both sound luxurious. Would make a nice cocktail.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My Career Goes Bung by Miles Franklin — for the consolation. Assuming this is what has happened if I am stripped of even having books, let alone writing them.
Edwina Wyatt is a children’s author from a small dairy town on the south coast of NSW. She worked as a lawyer and a high school teacher before becoming a writer of books for young readers. Edwina has been twice longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards and is published internationally. For more information, see www.edwinawyatt.com.au.
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Winner: Sound Stories Set
And our lucky winner is...
Shelly Linderman, QLD
Congratulations!
You have won a stunning prize box of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set of Sound Stories that helps children learn to speak, read and spell to the value of $95!
We hope you enjoy this prize.
Thank you to ALL who entered.
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Sunday 10 November 2019
Review: Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!
This fabulous resource book, begins with a background of the author; the very interesting Tim Flannery, and explains concepts such as climate change, evolution, extinction and conservation. It then explores details of over 50 creatures broken into environment based chapters of water, sky, forest and desert and grasslands.
Each creature exploration is filled with information from basic anatomy, whereabouts and how they might be affected by climate change to captivating facts; for example, scientists collect whale snot to study using drones, and sea otters pick a special rock to carry around in a pocket of their underarm skin. I recommend reading the book to find out why, and to be fascinated many times over.
The layout and design of this book makes it easy to read and navigate, its 256 pages are broken up with headings, feature information, pictures and colours. Fun bold illustrations both amuse and inform, I love how the expressions on the creatures bring the book to life.
Tim Flannery is an Australian mammalogist, palaeontologist, environmentalist, conservationist, explorer and public scientist, he has written many books for adults including The Weather Makers and The Future Eaters.
Title: Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!
Author: Tim Flannery
Illustrator: Sam Caldwell
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $34.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760501587
For ages: 6 – 99
Type: Junior Fiction
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Saturday 9 November 2019
Review: The Human Body
Author and teacher, Karen Seinor, writes in an engaging style, with Fun Facts interspersed throughout. Information covers organ functions and how systems interact with each other, as well as clarifying some common myths.
This book provides an overview of the main systems in the body, including the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal and other systems. The organs covered include brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Some aspects are not covered, e.g. the endocrine system and the male and female reproductive organs.
Readers can also engage with activities provided in the final pages, including creating, investigating and researching, whilst an index allows location of specific information. Readers wishing to find further information can follow the links provided at the back of the book.
The imagery is particularly effective, with organ locations indicated within faintly outlined blue bodies, contrasted against deep black pages. The effect is to allow readers to gain an understanding of the anatomy via a 3-dimensional, futuristic effect. Some pages demonstrate realistic anatomical images, e.g. sketches of the body with muscles exposed, or a section through a skull to show the brain. These images are entirely appropriate within the context of a book about the human body, but guidance may be required for younger readers. The Human Body is recommended for readers aged 12 and over.
Title: The Human Body
Author: Karen Seinor
Publisher: New Holland Publishers, $19.99
Publication Date: 13 August 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781921580512
For ages: 12+
Type: Non-fiction
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Friday 8 November 2019
Review: One of a Kind
Firstly, you will notice that the illustrations are black and white and that the text is set on a background of fluorescent pink and yellow torn paper.
The second striking thing about the book, is the theme. How is the young boy, featured on the cover of the book, one of a kind?
The book reflects on how he is different, 'I'm a kid who's always been a little different.' We discover that he dresses different than the other children because he likes to wear a leather jacket and spike his hair. We discover that he may be different because of the music he listens to and the way he dances like a punk rocker.
While he rejoices in being one of a kind he also feels that '...something is missing.' How does this make him feel? Can being one of a kind be a good thing?
Gorman has written an exquisite story that will speak to your heart. It has the potential to make children stop and think, that it is okay to be different from others and that in time you will find friends that share the same interests as yours.
One of a Kind is visually gorgeous and the message is timeless.
Title: One of a Kind
Author/Illustrator: Chris Gorman
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, $29.99
Publication Date: 30 July 2018
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781524740627
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
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Thursday 7 November 2019
Review: Clancy the Quokka
The quokka is a marsupial found only in Australia, and has a happy and appealing face.
Clancy the Quokka is the story of one such creature, who has his heart set on a feast. Clancy is mischievous and, scouting out the arrivals at a picnic site, he spots his prey.
At the centre of a food-laden table, is an enormous birthday cake, and Clancy is determined to have it.
What's a quokka to do, but make his way through an obstacle course of human legs, amidst loud music and pass the parcel laughter.
Clancy disguises himself and creates a mess as he keeps his eyes focused on the cake. Will he succeed? Will the birthday girl's celebration be upset? Or will Clancy realise he can be a friend to the party-goers and share in the feast?
The text in Clancy the Quokka rhymes, which keeps the story moving apace, and the illustrations are bright, cute and larger than life, just like real-life quokkas.
In Clancy the Quokka, Lili Wilkinson and Alison Mutton have created a fun and funny story about a loveable Australian character.
Grab a copy of Clancy the Quokka to read and brighten your day.
Title: Clancy the Quokka
Author: Lili Wilkinson
Illustrator: Alison Mutton
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760634711
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
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Wednesday 6 November 2019
Review: The Christmas Garden
There’s a beautiful garden that looks just like Christmas, with breathtaking pine trees, a seat resembling a sleigh, statues of angels and cheeky looking gnomes.
Do you think the person who lives there could be Santa Claus? He certainly fits the bill, with his snowy white beard, jolly demeanour and the Christmas display he puts on each year.
When darkness has fallen on Christmas eve, a secret magic awakens. The gnomes become elves, the angel statues fly skyward and transform the old seat into a magnificent sleigh filled with gifts, which flies gently to the sky, led by proud reindeers.
The lyrical verse takes you on a meloldic Christmas journey filled with magic and imagination. Kids will be entranced and enchanted and, after reading this story, will always look twice at garden gnomes and angel statues, wondering what if…?
Sandra Severgnini’s soft and whimsical illustrations carry a hint of magic. They bring out the nature in the garden and give personality to the characters, whilst grounding the story in reality so kids can really feel like they could be part of it.
This is a lovely Christmas story for reading aloud to children to get them into the magical spirit of Christmas.
Title: The Christmas Garden
Author: Caroline Tuohey
Illustrator: Sandra Severgnini
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Book, $24.95
Publication Date: 1 October 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 978 0 6482563 4 2
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book
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