Review: There's Something Weird About Lena

Something weird about Lena?

Sure is! But don’t hold your breath for an apology from Lena about it.

This girl embraces her weirdness and lives it every minute of the day. If there’s a problem with weirdness, it’s not Lena’s.

Her classmates, on the other hand, aren’t really sure what to think or to do. Lena has burst into their world and filled it with energy, daring and, yes, danger too!

They’re all a little afraid of her too. And maybe more than a little. And with good reason, too.

They live rather ordinary lives and are out of their depth with somebody as unique, individual and wild as Lena.

They try to find out more about her in their tentative, apologetic way. And nearly get badly hurt in the process.

Not that Lena cares.

This is a fun, rhyming story about facing up to your fears by the author of the hilarious My Dead Bunny. The humour pervades every page and James Foley’s illustrations perfectly harmonise with the vibrant text. This book bursts with anarchic humour and pokes it tongue out at conventionality.

Conformity! What’s the point?

Title: There's Something Weird About Lena
Author: Sigi Cohen
Illustrator: James Foley
Publisher: Walker Books, $25.99  
Publication Date: 7 October 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978176051503
For ages: 7 +
Type: Picture Book for Older Readers

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Review: Claudette

This richly illustrated, original picture book is award-winning  illustrator  Helene Magisson's first venture as author-illustrator. And what a treat it is!   

Every page is sure to delight with its magnificent illustrations employing a rich palette of colours that seem to burst beyond the page.

Loutka is a puppet-maker who infuses his creations with magical energy. 

He takes everyday materials and somehow crafts them into glorious puppets, with unique personalities and dreams.

Except for Claudette.

Her strings became tangled and she does not move in the way she was supposed to.

So Loutka pops her on the shelf, not sure what to do with a misfit.

But that doesn’t stop Claudette from dreaming. 

She loves watching the bustle in the workshop, the artisan weaving his creations, the new puppets coming to life and taking on their various roles such as princesses and sea captains.

Claudette tells Loutka about her ambitions to explore the world, which puzzle him even more. But she is not one to let limitations stop her from having adventures.

With the help of a gust of wind, Claudette breaks past her boundaries and ventures into the world beyond the workshop.

And what she brings back upon her return makes the puppet family even richer.

This is a lovely story about the joy of creativity, of accepting and valuing differences, of honouring the unique contribution that all of us can make.

Magisson’s glorious illustrations are a sheer joy to behold, (see  Miss Eliza Honeydew for example). Each page is deeply textured and invites the reader to slow down and savour the delights. 

Title: Claudette
Author: Hélène Magisson
Illustrator: Hélène Magisson
Publisher:  Red Paper Kite, $26.99 
Publication Date: 1 October 2020 
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780648450238
For ages: 6 +
Type: Picture Book for Older Readers

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Giveaway: The Wolves of Greycoat Hall

The Wolves of Greycoat Hall by award winning author illustrator, Lucina Gifford is a deliciously funny tale, with equally amusing illustrations, about being judged for what, rather than who, you are.

When Boris and his parents learn that Scotland is re-introducing wolves, they leave their mansion in Morovia for their Scottish homeland. But these wolves aren’t planning to settle in the wild, oh no! Instead, they book into the exclusive Highland Hotel, from where they plan to enjoy Scotland’s best tourist spots and cuisine.

We may not be able to visit Scotland in person but thanks to the imaginative people of Walker Books Australia, we have a copy of this lively illustrated junior fiction to give away.

For the chance to win this fantastically funny book prize, in 25 words or less, tell us which animal you would most like to holiday with. 

Email your answer along with your name and postal address to dimity. The response we like best will win a copy of this amazing new release. Competition is open to anyone, worldwide, so long as they have an Australian postal address for delivery of the books. Please note, we cannot deliver to PO Boxes. Entries without a name and street address will be ineligible. Winners will be announced right here on our website on  9 November 2020.

Competition runs from 5.00 am 31 October 2020 to 5 pm 7 November 2020. Adults can enter for those aged 17 and under. This is a game of skill, not chance. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

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Review: Old Man Emu 50th Anniversary

Australian icon, singer/songwriter John Williamson, celebrates the 50th year of his career and the 50th anniversary of his song, Old Man Emu with this new adaption of his picture book through Puffin.

This is more than just the song. It’s a journey of discovery through the outback with lots of laughter and shenanigans along the way.

Gloriously illustrated with humour and gusto by the clever Simon McLean, who lightens up every page and complements every sentence with his expressive images.

Of course, it’s all about the emu, who can’t do a lot of things but he can run the pants off a kangaroo.

Anyone who knows the song will join in with the parade of Australian animals that have set up their instruments, microphones and bands, to sing the chorus as loudly as they can.

Notes are flying everywhere. Sounds are emitted by kangaroos, cockatoos, albatross, galahs squeaking and squawking, dingos, bilbies, echidnas, Tasmanian tiger, and any other Aussie animal that you would like to see.

Through the chaos and commotion everywhere as the emu runs with the kangaroo chasing it, everyone has their say and try to compete with the speedy emu.

Kids will love this book. They will sing along to the ditty, learning about our native animals and having fun at the same time.

Stunning end papers filled with musical notes and instruments, animals, names of outback towns are among other things hiding, waiting to be recognized.

Title: Old Man Emu
Author: John Williamson
Illustrator: Simon McLean
Publisher: Penguin, $ 19.99
Publication Date: 29 September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760898793
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Adventure Starts at Bedtime

Thirty real-life stories of daring and danger. Extraordinary physical challenges equally represented by men and women – explorers, photographers, mountaineers and adventurers, make up this exciting compilation of profiles, in Adventure Starts at Bedtime.

Like a cinemascope reel, we can visualise through the descriptive narrative, the power of the elements, spine-tingling, terrifying treks through jungles, hailstorms, sandstorms, and forests.

Entries include aeronauts Abruzzo, Newman and Anderson, who made history in their helium balloon, travelling 5,000 kilometres east over the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Isabelle  Eberhardt, a Swiss explorer, in 1899 crossed Africa dressed as a man to fulfil her dream.

She wasn’t the only woman to disguise herself this way. Jeanne Baret, botanist and explorer, 1766-1769, also disguised herself, to join an expedition around the world to discover new places and their plants.

Bessie Coleman was one of the best stunt pilots in the world. Aldo Kane, in 2017, climbed into a live volcano. Ernest Shackleton survived a shipwreck in the frozen Antarctic when his ship, Endurance, was trapped in ice.

Wilfred Thesiger wanted to be the first European to see the quicksands of Umm Al Samim, and Jon Krakauer survived the deadly storm on Everest.

Many of these expeditions and challenges undertaken were in desolate and extremely dangerous areas. Often the explorers were alone; other times only with their animals or guides. 

It is not only human resilience and courage that is profiled here, but also the endurance of the animals and the teams that accompanied these explorers, and who often saved their lives.  

Title: Adventure Starts at Bedtime
Author: Ness Knight
Illustrator: Qu Lan
Publisher: Walker Books, $34.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781916180550
For ages: 8+
Type: Anthology/Biography

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Review: The Thank-you Present

Have you ever tried to explain to a child what gratitude means? What it actually means to be grateful for something or someone? To give something because you truly want to make the receiver feel happy and joyful?

It’s something all parents want their kids to understand, but it isn’t always an easy lesson to teach.

Enter The Thank-you Present. This charming picture book helps kids see gratitude and the true meaning of gift giving in action. 

Evie and Lola are best friends. They’re best friends for many reasons, but one of those reasons is because they both have birthdays in July. It isn’t July, but they both wish it was because they want to eat birthday cake and get presents.

When they decide to celebrate ahead of their birthdays, with the help of Lola’s dad, Evie and Lola discover what it really means to give and receive a gift and what friendship is truly all about.

This is a lovely picture book. It has been written to convey a very clear message, and while the message is there for discussion and discovery, the story is not preachy. 

The book is a snapshot of a very real and relatable friendship and experience. Audiences learn as Evie and Lola learn, making the story flow and the messages appropriate and integrated.

Author and co-founder of Smiling Mind (an App helping young people learn integral life skills), Jane Martino has written a supportive and fun story that shows kids what being grateful really means.

With beautiful illustrations from Annie White, the book shines. Colourful images surrounded by lots of white space gives the words room to pop before the eye is drawn to the glorious details of Evie and Lola’s world. 

At the back of the book you’ll also find a mindful exercise on how to be grateful and a letter writing activity for kids, so they can put the gratitude lesson into action.

Part of a series of picture books from Smiling Mind, The Thank-you Present is a great book for parents, carers and teachers looking to help kids learn more about being grateful in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

Title: The Thank-you Present
Author: Jane Martino
Illustrator: Annie White
Publisher: Puffin, $19.99  
Publication Date: 29 September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761040054
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Kitty is Not a Cat: Lights Out ,Teddy's Bear and Bath Time!

Review: Combat Wombat

Combat Wombat is a natural leader; heavy, tough, and born to command. He is a wildlife warrior of the bush.

His nose sniffs out danger from far away. His super-sensitive ears catch the crackle of gum leaves and bark on tall trees.

Fire is their fiercest enemy. He is responsible for the bush animals’ safety.

His bright orange helmet keeps him visible.

A coil of rope sits across his shoulder.

Orders come fast and furious. Each animal has a role to play in escaping from a bush fire. Echidnas, lizards, possums, kangaroos, cockatoos, bilbies, koalas and others, all run toward the billabong, the safe haven.

As the ground pounds beneath the countless feet, can Combat Wombat overcome the many obstacles that he finds in his way, for the fire is not the only threat. Can he trust Bingo Dingo and his offer of help? Will they all manage to reach safety under Combat Wombat’s leadership?

A fantastic, fully Australian tale about bushfires and the destruction they cause to wildlife and forests. But not only.

This delightful story gives children the opportunity to learn about which animals live in the bush, what they look like, how they communicate and look out for each other, especially when their lives are threatened.

Leadership skills, preparation for emergencies, working as a team and quick thinking are themes represented by the animals.

Strong vibrant illustrations in clear close up images, allow young readers to recognise each animal.

Title: Combat Wombat
Author: Gina Newton
Illustrator: Tiffanee Daley
Publisher: FORD ST, $16.95
Publication Date: 1 October 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781925804577
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Grumpy Monkey

Jim Panzee is a chimpanzee in a bad mood.

It's too sunny, his bananas are too sweet, and nothing feels right.

Jim is grumpy! That's what Norman tells him, and Marabou. And Lemur and Snake and all the other animals.

Jim doesn't think he's grumpy, though. 

No matter what evidence his friends give him, Jim isn't having any of it. 

He's not grumpy!

As Jim wanders through the jungle, his friends ask him questions about his frown and encourage him to sing and swing with them. And give him lots of other advice, too.

The animals in Grumpy Monkey are full of life and character. One of my favourite pages is a double-page spread with ten different animals depicted suggesting things Jim should do to improve his mood. 

There's Hippo taking a bath, Frog jumping up and down, Snake hugging someone (possibly a rabbit!), and Hyena laughing. 

Jim eventually comes to terms with his feelings and decides it's okay to grumpy sometimes, as long as it's not all the time. He also discovers that sometimes things hurt, but they do get better. And that sharing his feelings with a friend can help him feel better, too.

A great story for kids, parents and teachers.

Whether you're having bad day or a good one, with its relevant and relatable plot, and illustrations full of humour, Grumpy Monkey will make you smile. 

Title: Grumpy Monkey
Author: Suzanne Lang
Illustrator: Max Lang
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 17.99
Publication Date: September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760975098
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture book

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Guest Post: Jessica Sanders on Supporting Boys To Feel Free To Be Themselves

I wrote, Be Your Own Man to support boys (and their parents) to move towards creating a new world where boys are free to be themselves and to support them in navigating a changing landscape for males. I intentionally reframed soft qualities, the ones that boys are told to fear such as asking for help or vulnerability to be both brave and strong. And in the book, I hold the readers hand as together we break down male stereotypes and rebuild a new male identity that is grounded in softness, respect for others, and authenticity.

In order to give young people the freedom to be themselves we as parents, educators, and role models need to unlearn our unconscious biases. We all have biases that restrict our thinking and that we unconsciously project them onto others. The best way to start is by being aware of your language and the expectations you have of your children and stay curious. I think asking ‘why’ is the key. For example, if you find the idea of your son doing ballet a bit jarring, ask yourself why that is? It always comes back to the stories we’ve learned our whole lives around what it means to be a girl, boy, woman, man. Once you start questioning and unlearning those stories you won’t look back and it will become a natural process. It’s also really beneficial to have those same curious conversations with your children. This will give them the critical thinking skills to see through gender stereotypes and form an identity that feels right for them.

Children need emotional intelligence skills in order to feel free to be themselves. The most common theme I’ve observed across all the workshops I’ve facilitated in schools is that boys ignore or suppress their feelings whereas girls talk about them. 

Talking about our feelings is an incredibly important part of well-being and builds emotional resilience. When we share our feelings we relieve the weight of them and if the person we shared with is a good listener we feel supported. 

Boys often don’t feel safe to talk about their feelings or even have the language to do so. As a result, they are emotionally disadvantaged. As an adult, you can be a powerful role model for a young person by talking about your feelings in an age-appropriate way. You are also providing boys with the language to talk about their feelings. This is incredibly important. We can't express our feelings and ask for help without the emotional language required to do so. You should be talking about feelings every day, multiple times a day. It’s also really great to have a specific space or time of day to talk about feelings. It could be at the dinner table or just before you read a bedtime story. 

If there’s one thing boys are scared of being called it’s a girl. Why? Because our society has ascribed softer qualities like vulnerability and sensitivity to girls and women and we don’t value those qualities, we see them as a weakness. This is a real problem because not only are softer qualities just a part of being human and applicable for all genders, they are actually what brings us together as a community. In order for boys to be able to respect the softness within themselves and others, we need to show them the strength that exists within it. For example when we lean into vulnerability, when we are our authentic selves, we give others permission to do so as well. By simply being yourself you can improve the life of another and I think that is really powerful. 

Jessica Sanders is a best-selling, award-winning author and social worker who creates resources to help young people reach their full potential. She is the author of three books, Love Your Body which was wildly successful internationally, Me Time: a self-care guide to being your own best friend, and her latest book, the Be Your Own Man.

Another wonderful recent picture book release by Australian author / illustrator, Scott Stuart promotes these very sentiments; embracing self-acceptance and empowerment in boys as much as girls. Read Dimity's review (from DIM'S re VIEWS) of My Shadow is Pink to complement this growing library of self-empowering children's books.

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12 Curly Questions with author Lucy Barnard

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.  

I really wanted to be a vet when I was younger as I love animals. My aunty was a veterinary nurse and arranged for me to visit the practice one day. It was all going well until I was asked to help inject a cat. Sfter feeling decidedly queasy and my legs turning to jelly, I needed a lot of fresh air and came to the conclusion that perhaps the life of a vet wasn’t going to be for me.

2. What is your nickname?  

I’ve never really had one, although my name does get shortened to ‘Luce’ quite a lot and my Dad used to call me ‘Lockett’ (he still does sometimes).

3. What is your greatest fear?   

Aside from the ever-present worrying about my children, I have to say I have a huge fear of sharks. Swimming in the sea, even if there is no chance of encountering a shark, always fills me with dread. I just can’t understand people who swim or surf in areas where Great Whites have been spotted. Eek! Having said that, I am absolutely fascinated by sharks and will always watch documentaries about them. Jaws is one of my favourite films. Make of that what you will!

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.  

Short and sweet, goes hand-in-hand with my illustrations.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.  

Enthusiastic, imaginative, focused, ambitious, curious.

6. What book character would you be, and why?  

Roald Dahl’s Matilda. I always have been (and still am) a voracious reader and I remember thinking that I had read most of the children’s books in the local library when I was a child. Also, I was convinced that I had some sort of special power and was always waiting for it to kick in. Moving things around like Matilda does would have been awesome.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?  

July 1969. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and I became absolutely fascinated by all of the documentaries, podcasts and footage. What an incredible achievement, it still blows my mind when I look up at the moon and think of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin taking those first steps.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?  

You did it! You’re writing and drawing and making up stuff for a living! I always knew it would be the best job in the world.

9. Who is your greatest influence?  

I was always inspired by my Granny Pat who went to the Slade School of Art and was incredibly creative. And my parents have been so supportive and a highly positive, consistent influence throughout my life.

10. What/who made you start writing?  

Reading made me start writing! As I said before, I read so much as a child and that in turn led to me making up my own stories. I had a teacher at primary school (Miss Langman) who was so encouraging of my creative writing and artwork. She wrote in one of my exercise books that I would be a writer one day and I still have that exercise book now. I showed it to her recently as we are still in touch and I also dedicated one of my books to her. Amazing teachers are worth their weight in gold.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Imagination. This is at the heart of everything that I create. It’s always been with me and I can’t envisage life without it.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?  

That is such a difficult question to answer. After much deliberation and consideration (and mind-changing) I would have to say Alice in Wonderland. I can remember the first time I read it I was quite young and it seemed so strange and wondrous, unlike anything else I had read. The characters are so diverse and unique and I get something new from it each time I re-read it. 

Lucy studied for her illustration degree in Exeter before moving to London to work in publishing. She subsequently became a freelance artist and, after illustrating many books for other authors, she wrote and illustrated Squirrel’s Busy Day in 2013. Since then she has written and illustrated many other picture books and has recently started writing for other illustrators. Lucy is from Cheltenham but now lives in Manchester with her husband and two children. She is represented by Advocate Art and the Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency. For more information see www.carolinewakeman.com/authors
or www.advocate-art.com/lucy-barnard

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Review: The Mysteries of the Universe

Deluxe is how I would describe this publication. The impressive deep purple covers are background for planets and shooting stars. Gold edged pages give a priceless look. 

And that’s before I open the book!

When I did, I realised why the presentation was so rich. Nothing less would do justice to the contents of this extraordinary, stunning book.

We travel through the Solar System, into the Milky Way, and onward to the constellations and the countless galaxies – Spiral, Interacting, Spindle, Elliptical, Lenticular. 

The Universe above us has a language all its own.

I wade into the shallows of knowledge that are familiar to me but find that these new expressions are deep water that sweep me away.

The words, the names; they make me want to learn more, revisit every page to allow what I read to become part of me. I am overwhelmed by the beauty that is before me on every page.

This to prepare other readers with a curious mind who are interested in finding out about what is above us. Be prepared for an experience that will leave you breathless.

 It was the magnificence of globular clusters and stunning coloured nebulas including the spectacular Pillars of Creation found in the Eagle nebular, that convinced me I knew next to nothing. 

This book is also biographical, as it has a listing and image of all the people that have followed their dreams to discover something in the skies above. Men and women are represented on this journey. As early as 567 BC, it is believed that Babylonian astronomers recorded the first sighting of the Northern Lights.

There is an extensive Glossary to refer to, plus a seven page visual guide that allows a quick reference.  Anyone interested in the night skies will not want to miss this glorious publication.

Go slowly through this book. The illustrations and informal but comprehensive text demand it.

Title: The Mysteries of the Universe
Author: Will Gater
Illustrator: Angela Rizza & Daniel Long
Publisher: DK, $ 39.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780241412473
For ages: 9+
Type: Science

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Winner: The Biscuit Maker and Rain Before Rainbows

Review: I'm A Hero Too

2020 has been challenging and emotional. 

And for our kids, it’s been frustrating and confusing. 

Life changed in ways it had never changed before. We had to stop doing a lot of the things we loved to do. There are so many new rules we have to follow.

In I’m a Hero Too, we step into Arty’s world and experiences as a virus changes things. His Mum gets really busy and Dad is working from home. Arty can’t see his grandmother anymore or play on the playground equipment. 

Arty’s mum is always tired, but it’s because she’s working so hard. She’s a scientist, and she’s working to create new medicine to stop the virus.

Arty decides he’ll be a hero, too. He’ll wash his hands well, put his tissues straight in the bin and get dressed quickly when his mum asks him too.

My name is Arty, and today I feel like a hero.

Do you want to be a hero too?

If you’re looking for a picture book to comfort kids during this hard year, I highly recommend I’m a Hero Too. 

It reflects the reality of this year in a meaningful and relatable way for kids, exploring ways in which their world has changed and the frustrations that have come with those changes. Stories with relatable storylines help children reflect on their own experiences. They help them process their feelings and see that other kids might be feeling exactly what they are. 

But this isn’t a story of sorrow. The story inspires kids to be heroes and help their communities. 

Kids are great at being heroes, so in a lot of ways the story is also a thank you to children for how they’ve coped with this year and the sacrifices they’ve made. 

Peter Cheong’s illustrations are stunning. He perfectly captures the strong emotions that feature throughout the story, and his style is fun with vibrant pops of colour — much needed for a book that deals with a difficult topic. 

I think that is what is so perfect about this book. Cheong and Rizvi together deliver a story about a challenging subject, but they do so with inspiration and hope so lovingly intertwined throughout. 

 I’m a Hero Too is an important story for a challenging year. 

Title: I'm a Hero Too
Author: Jamila Rizvi
Illustrator: Peter Cheong
Publisher: Puffin, $24.99  
Publication Date: 20 October 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761040115
For ages: 3 - 6 
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Tiny Star

Review: The Worrying Worries

Once, I found a Worry so I trapped it in a net.

I picked it out and put it in my pocket for a pet.

A little boy finds a worry. 

He takes the worry with him everywhere, but after a while the worry becomes bothersome. 

It grows bigger, it steals the boy’s favourite chair and it itches his skin.

The boy begins to feel ill, but the worry won’t leave him alone. It whispers mean things to him and puts sad thoughts in his head.

The boy knows he cannot keep his worry pet. But he doesn’t know what to do with it.

He takes the worry to a Worry Expert and she teaches him some special tricks to ignore the worry and make it disappear — tricks that all kids can use when they have a persistent worry that won’t leave them alone.

The Worrying Worries is a great picture book for kids. Written in rhyme, the story is fun and upbeat. It’s full of entertaining and relatable shenanigans that engage and trigger giggles. Zehra Hicks’ vibrant illustrations sparkle with colour and the funky characters are joyful (even the Worry, which really is very cute).

All this brilliantly disguises a story that deals with a challenging topic. Worry and stress is very real, for all ages, and if we don’t have strategies to deal with them, they can take over our lives and make things very hard for us. 

The Worrying Worries shows kids some simple tricks to help calm down and ignore worries when they start to shout too loudly in our heads. It also normalises worrying, which I love. 

Never will there be a human being who doesn’t experience worry and stress at some point in their life. Stress and worry is part of life, and we all need to find the right solutions for us (because everyone is different) to deal with them.

This is a great one for your picture book collection. And if you’re looking for more books to help children build their resilience and emotional strength, check out The Problem with Problems, another brilliant collaboration from Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks.

Title: The Worrying Worries
Author: Rachel Rooney
Illustrator: Zehra Hicks
Publisher: Affirm Press, $17.99  
Publication Date: 29 September 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781922400161
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Super Sloth

What's your superpower? What kind of superhero would you like to be?

Super Sloth is the story of a super-chilled animal who discovers his own special talents.

One day after finding a comic book about a superhero, Sloth decides he wants to be a one himself.

He has a ready-made mask, all he needs is a cape.

Sloth has super hearing, too. That means he can hear the cry for help when Anteater steals the mangoes.

Unfortunately Sloth is not fast enough to chase the thief, but he discovers he has another talent that can be put to good use instead.

Will Sloth be able to infiltrate Anteater's lair and stop him from living the high life with the best mango juice? Will Super Sloth save the day?

Robert Starling's superstar sloth and ensemble of South American animals show readers that not everyone's talents are the same; and in the spirit of Aesop's Fables, remind us that sometimes it's better to be a tortoise than a hare.

After enjoying the story of Super Sloth, sloth fans will be able to learn more about these unusual creatures with some fun sloth facts at the back of the book. Did you know that sloths don't sweat or smell? 

Super Sloth is ready for young readers and superheroes in waiting to read, and you can visit the author's website for Super Sloth resources as well.

Title:Super Sloth
Author/Illustrator: Robert Starling
Publisher: Andersen Press, $ 16.99
Publication Date: April 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781783448821
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Junior Review: HOPE: 50 Ways To Help Our Planet Every Day

Review: Auntie Uncle Drag Queen Hero

Review: The World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl hated beards.

He tested chocolate for Cadbury’s when a schoolboy and wrote in a shed.

 

He was nick-named Lofty in the Royal Air Force due to his height.

These are some of the intriguing truths about Roald Dahl this book holds, accompanied by many interesting facts about the illustrator, Kate Greenway Medal winner, Quentin Blake – a collaboration of two unique creators. 

Blake’s quirky and insightful illustrations decorate the pages with his usual flair.

The World of Roald Dahl invites and expects interaction with the nasty and the good of his writings.

There are questions to answer, and opportunities to draw, colour, cut and paste. How to write your own stories is a lesson offered through the introduction of his many characters, and details of villains and their characteristics that add spice and interest to any children’s story.

It is a journey through the chaos and humour of constructed language Roald Dahl style, but also a trail of his work on display, and the reason they have become the most popularly read kids books.

Hours of entertainment are locked between the covers of this highly visual construction. There are: spot the differences in the Grand High Witch double spread, spot-the-object quiz, Snakes not Ladders, lots of chocolate jokes, find the odd turtle out, and a huge maze to wander through.

It ends with a Really Quite Enormous Roald Dahl Quiz, and a Recipe for Bruce Bogtrotter’s Chocolate Cake.

In the usual outstanding design, choc-a-block with images, words, humour, activities and entertainment, any book with Roald Dahl’s name on it is an absolute treasure.

Title: The World of Roald Dahl  

Author: Kay Woodward  

Illustrator: Quentin Blake  

Publisher: Penguin Random House, $19.99  

Publication Date: September 2020  

Format: Paperback  

ISBN: 9780241447970  

For ages: 6+  

Type: Activity Book

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HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Meet The Illustrator: James Foley

Name: James Foley

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Cartoony, comedic, cinematic, occasionally creepy, detailed, funny

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Wacom Cintiq, ipad, laptop, lemon-ginger tea, snacks, natural light, noise-cancelling headphones, music/news/podcasts

What is your favourite Halloween costume?
One time when I was in scouts we had to make a mask for a craft project. I made a Dracula mask, because, you know, it’s Dracula! I misread the instructions though and thought we had to dress up too. So the other kids were all wearing these basic paper-plate masks of animals etc, still in their scouts uniform, and I rocked up a couple of minutes late in a full vampire costume wearing my vampire mask. Talk about making an entrance. I’ve done that a bunch of times in different situations – I’ve accidentally worn costumes that didn’t quite fit with the status quo. Very embarrassing. 

Tell us a bit about ...Weird Lena. Do you have a weird side as well?
Lena is the new kid in class. She loves pulling pranks, even on the teachers. She’s rough and unapologetic and a bit feral … I think we’ve all been to school with a Lena at some point. 

Do you celebrate a specific Halloween tradition at your place?
No, surprisingly, considering how much I like spooky stories. Maybe when my son is a bit older we might do some trick or treating. This year for Halloween I’ll be hosting a triple book launch with Paper Bird Books in Fremantle, WA! The three books are There’s Something Weird About Lena, my new graphic novel Chickensaurus, and a new picture book written by Sigi Cohen (the author of ...Lena and My Dead Bunny) and illustrated by Matty Mitchell called Zombie School Teachers. It’ll be a fun Halloween party for families. I can’t wait.

Have you ever been visiting a cemetery at night?
Never at night, no, my imagination would definitely get the better of me. But I visited a cemetery during the day last month, when I had a break in between school visits. I needed some inspiration for another project I’m working on. Plus Neil Gaiman says he gets good ideas when he goes for walks in cemeteries, so if it’s good enough for Gaiman, it’s good enough for me (but only during the day). 

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 share a workspace in the back of a children’s bookshop with my friend and fellow author/illustrator, Briony Stewart. It faces onto a children’s play area and is next to a café. It’s nice to have a space that is a mix of secluded and also in the middle of things; some days it’s quiet and other days it’s noisy and busy. We have plenty of light, and also lots of space to work and dream and muck around with ideas for stories. 

Have you ever taken part in the Inktober Challenge? Could you please show us your favourite piece?
I have not, unfortunately. I’m usually busy with school visits and/or deadlines in October, so I’ve never gotten around to it. I really do love working with old dip pens and ink though, and I used digital ‘ink’ for My Dead Bunny and There’s Something Weird About Lena.

What would you do if your dead bunny came to life?
That depends on if it were a slow, shuffling zombie or a fast, aggressive zombie! If it were the former, I’d trap it so scientists could study it. If it were the latter, I’d run as fast as I could. 

James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. James writes and draws; he gives talks and runs workshops. He tells dad jokes. Legends say James can grow a beard in an afternoon. He lives in Perth with his wife, son and labrador. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts.

For more information, please visit James' website or follow him on instagram and facebook.

Photos of James by Jessica Wyld, Halloween Art by Marie Dreiling

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Review: Four on the Run

This delightful reflection of desperate times needing desperate measures, features three cars and a motorcycle, with an objective to save someone they love from disaster.

The four wheeled friends have lived in Mrs Brown’s shed on the farm since she’d saved them from the scrap yard years ago.

 

On one particular night, Maxie, round and bouncy and faded green, Lady, graceful and long, Flash, ninja black with two wheels, and Fergie, grey and slow and wise, hear Mrs Brown talking to herself. 

She is in financial trouble and plans to sell them the next day.

They decide to run away. Can they do so without being heard?

Perhaps they can find a paid job in town like other cars do, and save Mrs Brown. But there are obstacles to overcome, like barking dogs that wake their owners, and faster cars that are always in a hurry.

 

Town isn’t like the farm, they discover. There are dangers for slow cars, too much noise, heavy transport coming and going, taking and bringing people to and from their destinations. They must succeed, for they fear returning to the scrap yard.

 

 At first, they attempt to be a musical team for parked cars. Too Noisy! Then they’re accused of running away from a motor show. Ultimately, they are rounded up by dogs and taken to a gathering of cars where they are confronted by the monster truck, Crusher.

 

They band together in exciting adventures, planning to stay in one piece during the monster truck show that can bring them into the limelight and save Mrs Brown.

 

 Cheryl Orsini’s delicate pen illustrations depict the cars in their prime and through their challenges. The dialogue between the cars is humorous and entertaining. This is a perfect chapter book for younger readers.

 

Title: Four on the Run  
Author: Sophie Masson
Illustrator: Cheryl Orsini
Publisher: Christmas Press, $ 13.99
Publication Date: September 2020 
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780648194576
For ages: 5 – 8
Type: Junior Younger  Fiction



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Guest Post: Brenda Gurr on Creating Character Mood Boards

Are you a frustrated creative writer who struggles to create compelling characters? 

I completely understand! Three-dimensional characters who leap off the page are so tough to conjure up but are vital to every story. 

You need to know them inside out and back-to-front before you can commit them to the page. The standard method to create book characters is to write a profile, in which you list all their unique attributes, from their hair colour to their favourite childhood memories. 

You can also add a photo clipped from a magazine or found on the internet that approximates what your character looks like in your mind. A variation on this is the character interview, where you ask your characters questions about their lives and answer in their voices. 

These methods are supremely useful and, I think, necessary to help you understand the beings that populate your manuscripts. 

But whenever I used to finish one of these, I would feel a bit flat. So would the characters I was trying to create. Something was missing… that vital spark, that way into really getting my characters to LIVE.

Then, one day, while cleaning out my garage, I stumbled across an old book I’d bought many years ago. It was about the making of the 1990s television series Pride and Prejudice (starring Colin Firth, whose presence may or may not have influenced my purchase of the book). There were a few pages of information contributed by the costume designer, who made mood boards (literally large pin-up boards) to help her decide on the wardrobe for each main character in the production. On the board, she had images of people from the time of Jane Austen, along with fabric swatches of different colours and textures that seemed to suit each character. The designer reported that this technique inspired her and created a strong visual reference for her designs.

This appealed to me greatly, and I wondered: Could this idea work for strengthening the characters that are floating around, half-formed, in my imagination?

I decided to try it out on a female character I was struggling with, using Pinterest as a digital pin-up board (but you could also use an actual pin-up board or a child’s scrap book). I used simple search terms to find clothing, fabrics, people, vehicles, settings and props that seemed to suggest her personality, style and energy. I wasn’t at all sure it was working—I began to suspect that I might just be accumulating a mess of unrelated pictures. But I kept going without pausing to look at what I was collecting. 

Eventually, I had a few dozen different images. At that point I stopped, took a deep breath and peeked at the whole collection. I was actually amazed at what I’d chosen with minimal left-brained thought. For example, the women I’d selected had similar hairstyles, postures and facial expressions, the fabric swatches were bold but classy, and the colours of all the images were generally rosy and golden shades. I stared at it all and really felt like I’d found what I’d been lacking. I started to write about my character with inspired freshness and excitement.

So, mood boards work for me… maybe you can try them too.

Brenda Gurr is the author of The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes series. Book Two, The Tumbling Tortoises is out now!

Brenda works as a freelance writer and editor from her home in beautiful country Victoria, where she lives with her family and two attention-seeking Burmese cats named Bingley and Bess.

When she’s not writing, she can be found playing the cello. Not as well as she would like…

Discover more about Brenda at her website: brendagurr.com

Publisher website: newfrontier.com.au

Instagram: @brenda.gurr.author

Twitter: @brenda_gurr

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Review: Derek Dool Supercool: Going Viral (Book #2)

Derek Dool is super cool. Well, at least he thinks he is. And he’s determined to prove it to the world. 

In Bust a Move, Derek was set on proving he was the best dancer at the school disco. 

In Going Viral, Derek is determined to prove he’s an internet star AND prove he is more of an internet star then his nemesis Carmichael Cruz.

Set against the backdrop of the upcoming garlic festival, Derek has only a couple of days to create a video that goes more viral than Cruz’s does. 

But making funny or cute or dramatic things happen on camera isn’t as easy as he thought it would be. And the garlic festival, and the whole town’s involvement in it, keep getting in the way of Derek and his masterpiece video. 

Can Derek go viral in time?

The Derek Dool series is fun, silly and funny — a perfect combination for kids who like their books to entertain and stir up a laugh. 

These books are seriously all about the fun. With bonus chapters, dad jokes throughout and funky black and white illustrations, they’re for kids looking for an easy and entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Reluctant readers (particularly boys) will love this series. It got action, adventure, humour and mystery — something for everyone.

The only question that remains is… what will Derek do next?

Title: Derek Dool Supercool: Going Viral

Author: Adrian Beck

Illustrator: Scott Edgar

Publisher: Penguin Random House, $14.99 

Publication Date: 4 August 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760892968

For ages: 7 - 11

Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Rudie Nudie Christmas

Rudie Nudie Christmas Carols, Rudie Nudie ‘Ho, ho, ho.’

Scooping up and blowing bubbles, till there’s Rudie Nudie snow.

Rudie Nudie Christmas is a magical, rhyming delight! 

From acclaimed author/illustrator Emma Quay this is the book every child needs this Christmas. 

With lots of glorious nudie-ness, the brother and sister from our hearts (and the original Rudie Nudie from six years ago) are back in this Christmas romp from bathroom to bed. 

Sloshing down the hallway, sneaking round the Christmas tree, putting on reindeer pyjamas and hanging stockings ready for Santa’s arrival, Rudie Nudie one and two revel in the night before Christmas with nudie shenanigans throughout the house.

Just as with the original Rudie Nudie, Rudie Nudie Christmas perfectly captures kid-life down to the smallest details. From the kids singing and making bubble beards in the shower, to using mum as a leaning post to get your tangled pyjama pants on. 

Every turn of the page reveals a delightfully real depiction of family life with little ones on the night before Christmas. With excitement in the air and anticipation growing for early morning presents, you can feel the fizz of joy all around.

In traditional Rudie Nudie style, Quay’s illustrations are simply gorgeous. Soft pastels, sprinkled with deeper pops of red and green. Stunning line drawings with beautiful details peppered throughout. 

Do yourself a favour and grab this picture book stunner for the lead up to Christmas. It’s the perfect book to share with the family and every little rudie nudie in your life.

Title: Rudie Nudie Christmas
Author/Illustrator: Emma Quay
Publisher: Harper Collins, $24.99  
Publication Date: 8 October 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733338342
For ages: 3 - 6 
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Hello Jimmy!

A beautiful new tile from Anna Walker about a boy, his dad, and a parrot named Jimmy. 

Hello, Jimmy! quickly sets the scene of a boy named Jack at home with his dad, a beautifully produced sense of unfamiliarity and still silences suggests that the father is recently separated and his relationship with Jack is undergoing circumstantial changes. 

When Dad introduces Jack to his new pet; a parrot named Jimmy, Jack isn’t thrilled. Despite Jimmy’s popularity, and ability to fill silences with his amusing, squawky confidence, Jack seems a little annoyed by the talented, green, long-tailed bird.

In a series of emotional actions and events, Jack and Dad come together in a way which they perhaps could not in recent times. A beautiful message about overcoming hard times and the everlasting love between a parent and child shines through.

Jimmy’s character brings pops of laughter and joy to a topic which may sometimes be sensitive or tricky to discuss with children. Readers are likely to squawk Jimmy’s dialogue and have it repeated back to them by any audience, especially on repeat reads.  

In true Anna Walker style, Hello, Jimmy! made my heart ache and sing with the turning of a few pages, and her gorgeous watercolour illustrations left me in a dreamy state. I loved that this story presented an opportunity for me to discuss different family formats with my own kids. It would be a perfect addition to any classroom or bookshelf featuring family diversity and beautiful stories.

Anna Walker is a Melbourne based author and illustrator, some of her other books include Lottie and Walter, Florette, Peggy and one of my favourites, Mr Huff.

Title: Hello Jimmy!
Author/Illustrator: Anna Walker
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $24.99  
Publication Date: 29 September
Format: Hardcover
ISBN:  9781760893422
For ages: 4 – 7
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Annie Lumsden, The Girl from the Sea

Annie is a strange girl, wired wrong and unable to learn anything as a child at school.

Her brain is an electric storm.

Letters that seemed stuck to the page refuse to lift and enter her mind. Numbers have the same effect.

All of us are mysteries her doctor said when he couldn’t diagnose her.

It is the sea only, that understands her and she understands.

Annie and her mother live close to the water and never want to be anywhere else. It flows in and through her; is her breath and soul.


When Annie has her falls, in the time in between absence and waking, she finds herself in the sea; her hair seaweed, her body sleek like a seal.

She is never afraid, nor is Mam. After each fall she feels reborn; new again.

Annie has been raised on stories; tales of every kind connected to the sea and Stupor Beach.
 Her life is built around them.

But who was her father? Was the story she’d been told true, or was there another that remained to be shared?

David Almond’s poetic text gives value to the illustrations. It’s frequently the other way around where the art work enhances the text.

Beatrice Alemagna’s delicate, fine lined illustrations are in perfect sync with Almond’s treasured phrases.

Almond has created a spectacular story about love and belonging. Woven into these tales, that could be truth or fantasy, is how the essence of a human being can’t always be captured or expressed in logical terms.

Another David Almond book for his fans and others, not to be missed.

Title: Annie Lumsden, The Girl from the Sea  
Author: David Almond
Illustrator: Beatrice Alemagna
Publisher: Walker Books, $18.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781406377590
For ages: 10+
Type: Teenage Fiction




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Review: Honeybee

The long awaited follow-up to Silvey’s international best selling Jasper Jones is here. At times confronting, at others, beautifully joyful, Silvey is always in control of the narrative, taking the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions.

The hero is Sam, a fourteen year old who is about to end his life. He meets an elderlyman, Vic, who is also about to jump off a bridge. Their meeting resultsin both saving the other’s lives. Vic takes Sam into his house and they both begin a healing journey.

The friendship is mutually nurturing. Vic provides Sam with a safe place to live and gives him the space to explore himself and to finally accepthis true identity. 

In turn, Sam is a talented cook and preparesVictor sumptuous meals. This is the start of a nurturing, nourishing relationship. 

But there is a limit to how much they can help one another. Vic is clearly ill and unable to fully appreciate Sam’s beautiful meals, and (although supportive) he is out of his depth with the world Sam is trying to navigate.

Althoughthe relationship between pairis platonic, this living arrangement inevitably attracts suspicion and attention, the sadly the two must part company.

Silvey contrasts this free existence to the straightjacket of the toxic masculinity which pervadesSam’s family home. His mother isterrorisedbyhis abusive step father, who lives in a world of entitlementand blame. Thisleaves no space for Sam’s growingidentity, and it soon becomes clear to the reader why Sam's world had been intolerable.

This section is ugly and hard to read. And Sam makes some dubious decisions. But his experience with Victor has strengthened him, and – without spoilers – Sam is able to transform and blossom.

This is a coming of age novel that has touches on many aspects of the pressures that face children today. Although marketed as General Fiction, rather than Young Adult, this book isnevertheless important for teen readers and I believe that younger people will enjoy and learn from this book. Some adult guidance is suggested, and probably best for older teens, as this contains themes of violence, suicide, substance use and crime. 

Title:  Honeybee
Author: Craig Silvey
Publisher: Allan and Unwin, $ 32.99
Publication Date:  30 September, 2020
Format:  Paperback
ISBN: 978170677224
For ages: 15+
Type:  Yong Adult Fiction

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