Review: This is Love

Love can be picked and put in a jar.

Love can be made or sung to a star.

Love is a coat that’s keeping you warm.

Love keeps you dry and safe in the storm.

Love is so many things, and Zanni Louise and Sasha Haddad explore all of them in this heart-filled picture book.

With delicious rhyme on every page, readers will explore what love means in lots of different ways. It’s a simple story that sinks deep. It’s a joyful warming reading experience to share with your little ones.

I adore Haddad’s illustrations in this book. the funky colours are soft and inviting. Smooth lines and stunning detail make every page turn a joy. You’ll want to take your time with this one – really explore each page and the translation from words to pictures. There is so much to see and so many characters in each scene to connect with.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, This is Love is a perfect book to gift to your loved ones. It will bring smiles to faces and is sure to earn you a giant hug every time you read it.

Title: This is Love
Author: Zanni Louise
Illustrator: Sasha Haddad
Publisher: Affirm Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 31 January 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922848567
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Lorikeet Tree

I grew up reading Paul Jennings and watching addictive episodes of Round the Twist. Jennings is Australian kid lit royalty and many 80s and 90s kids will be familiar with his work.

But The Lorikeet Tree is new. The Lorikeet Tree is different. It’s a sideways step from the quirky Jennings stories you might remember, but it’s no less stunning or addictive. 

A true gift to the middle grade genre, this is a story about family, hardship and heart. It doesn’t stray away from truth or hard issues, but Jennings approaches the subject matter sensitively as well as honestly. His talent is immense, and I see this book featuring in many Australian classrooms (as it should).

So let me tell you about it…

In The Lorikeet Tree, Emily and her twin brother Alex receive some devastating news. Their father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Thus begins the hardest year of their lives, as they try their best to look after their father, look after the rural forest property they live on and stop fighting with each other. Emily isn’t the same as her brother. She loves him, but they are wildly different people, so none of this is easy. She must find the courage to do the right thing, to look out for her brother — even when his behaviour sometimes challenges her morals.

This is a beautiful story told in a very unique way. I want to tell you its secrets, but I won’t, because discovering them is part of this literary journey and I don’t want to spoil it for you. But I will say this isn’t a typical start to end book. It won’t be exactly what you expect.

With rich characters who reveal ALL their flaws, it’s the kind of book kids will read and remember forever. Through Emily’s internal struggles, you're forced to look inside yourself and consider so many different topics. It asks readers to think about family struggles, having to be an adult when you’re still a kid, environmental issues and right verses wrong.

Big stuff, and yet the way Jennings delivers this book… it’s like he’s holding your hand through it all.

This will be a more challenging read than some on the middle grade shelf, but it shouldn’t be missed. I am forever changed after reading it, and you will be too.

And isn’t that what we hope for when we open a book?

Title: The Lorikeet Tree
Author: Paul Jennings
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: 31 January 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761180095
For ages: 11 - 14
Type: Middle Grade

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Review: Wishes Come in Threes

Phyll is dealing with a lot. Her mother has been sad for a while and she’s not getting better. They’ve moved to the seaside, away from everyone and everything Phyll knows. 

And to top it all off, Phyll accidently makes a terrible enemy at the summer camp her dad is making her go to.

But when Phyll meets old Mr Djinn at the retirement home, things start to change. Mr Djinn insists he is a genie, and while he says his magic has faded, strange things start to happen to Phyll. 

It can’t possibly be true. Phyll knows genies don’t really exist. But sometimes she thinks, just maybe, the things she wishes for are starting to come true.

Wishes Come in Threes by Andy Jones is a fantastic junior fiction/middle grade book for kids. Filled with mystery and intrigue, it will make you question the existence of magic and all things fantastical. And with a dog thief thrown into the mix, there is no shortage of action and adventure.

Phyll is a brilliant character, dealing with a lot (as many kids are). She is relatable and interesting — someone who can be afraid and brave at the same time, which is something I know many of us feel. It’s hard when you have to deal with family troubles, friendship troubles and just life troubles in general. Sometimes we feel strong and stand up for the things we believe in, but other times it becomes too hard and we just need to sit back for a while. This is Phyll, too, and we get to cheer her from this side of the page as she works through what’s happening in her world.

Wishes Come in Threes is a splendid mix of contemporary and fantasy. It hits both genres masterfully, providing kids with a special adventure that is both real and not (or is it?).

Title: Wishes Come in Threes
Author: Andy Jones
Publisher: Walker Books, $14.99
Publication Date: 22 November 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781529500882
For ages: 9 - 11
Type: Junior Fiction

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Giveaway: Fabulous February Picture Book Prize Pack!

Meet The Illustrator: Sina Sin

Name: Sina Sin

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Colourful, vibrant and comic

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My iPad! and some dessert 😊

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I love to draw digitally because it flows well and it’s easy to make quick changes.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
There are so many! Tom Froese (@mrtomfroese) hugely inspired me. I also found drawing inspiration from Charley Clement (@charlyclements) and Ilya Kuvshinov (@kuvshinov_ilya).

 
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would choose Art nouveau because it is similar as what I want to draw. There are women and decorative curves derived from flower patterns.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I was lost what to do after studying graphic design and I realised that I love drawing. I found Tom Froese’s classes on Skillshare and his work inspired me and made me want to become an illustrator. I joined an online class that helped me discover my illustration style (Make Art That Sells) and I found my passion in creating illustrations for children’s books.

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 mostly work on my desk at home and sometimes on sofa (wherever comfy 😊). So, this is a picture of my desk, a large table and computer which I listen to some music.

 
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
My favourite part is when I give the illustration texture and details. The illustration becomes alive after those processes.

 
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Just keep drawing! Sometimes you feel you are lost but when you keep drawing what you love, you will find your drawing style and direction.

Sina is a graphic designer and illustrator. Her focus is creating narrative illustrations through digital tools. She hopes to provide a connection with people that gives them love and comfort.


For more information please visit Sina's website or follow her on instagram.

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Review: Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular

How much do you know about the wonder of earthworms? Once you've read Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular you’ll know plenty.

Written by Polly Owen and illustrated by Gwen Millward, this is a fantastic example of a STEM book for young readers, and how to present factual information in an unusual way. It’s the kind of book that helps readers to engage with the subject matter and remember it.

Until I read Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular I didn't know that Charles Darwin had such an interest in earthworms, let alone that he considered them superheroes. And I was surprised to learn that when the book he wrote about the wonders of worms actually outsold what is arguably his most famous book, The Origin of the Species. This was even though Darwin was originally dismissed and laughed at for his curiosity about worms, a subject he spent at least 40 years exploring.

You'll discover that Darwin discovered worms don't have teeth or ears, and their 'tummies are strong and made from pure muscle'. After long observation, he found the worms were a clue to the health of plants and their poo helped plants to grow. He called these creatures 'nature's plough' and worked hard to showcase their importance based on their pooing abilities.

Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular offers lots of worm facts, trivia, and humour. It's told in a narrative style and explains things like what worms like to eat and what they don’t like. The quirky, colourful illustrations include use of speech bubbles to highlight the perspectives of both Charles Darwin and the worms.

Why are worms amazing? Get down and dirty with them in Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular and you'll understand.

Title: Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular
Author: Polly Owen
Illustrator: Gwen Millard
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions, $24.99
Publication Date: 24 January 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780711275959
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

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Review: Charley Harper's Animal Kingdom

Charley Harper is a mid-century artist who long ago captured my heart. His work is beyond iconic, exquisite and way ahead of its time, with graphic design-style illustrations that are both pure simplicity and intricate detail. Using elements like line and pattern to bring richness to shapes filled with predominantly flat colour, Harper's illustrations are both modern and retro, stylised and classic.

There is simply no one like him (though many have been inspired, including yours truly). I'm so enamoured, I have most of his books, and Animal Kingdom is without doubt one of my faves. 

This particular creation was worked on by noted designer Todd Oldham, and is a true homage to Harper's life and legacy, beginning with a six-year-old Oldham utterly mesmerised by one of Harper's early books, The Golden Book of Biology. In 2002, Oldham visited Harper in his Cincinnati studio and was blown away by his astonishing body of work, mainly serigraphs (screen printing) with bold, luminous colour and eye-catching contrast. 

A warm relationship of like-minded design lovers quickly developed.

Oldham was so impressed with Harper's work, he felt compelled to compile a monograph to celebrate the artist's life, and spent five years working with Harper on Charley Harper, An Illustrated Life which was published in 2007. This was followed by Animal Kingdom in 2015.

This tome is a true smorgasbord of Harper's faunal studies. A whopping 288 pages are punched with a range of stunning artworks, with a foreword by Oldham sprinkled through the fore pages, discussing the artist's history and processes.

Spreads are superbly designed, using plenty of white space and artful placement of images according to their content. The layout rests the eye and provides perfect pause before the next page-turn and subsequent visual surprise - each one is like that first spoonful of the most decadent ice cream sundae.

Although this is considered an 'adult' book, the content would enchant children of all ages, even babies, who would be agog at the masterful shapes, colours and contrast. The bulk of the book is text-free, and imagery is ripe for not only self-story creation, but for honing a true appreciation of form, layout and design. I can imagine even the smallest children finding familiar animals presented in a way that will stretch and delight little minds.

I adore this book - it's one of my great treasures. The imagery will never date and I'll never tire of seeing Harper's astonishing creativity come to life. 

When it came to constructing his imagery, Harper said:

'When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see feathers, fur, scapulars or tail coverts—none of that. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behaviour and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting: In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.'

Oh to have the mind and talent of Charley Harper.

A note that this edition seems to be out of print, though you may find it second-hand. Another option is to order directly from the artist's website and have it shipped from the States (worth it!).

Learn more about Harper on the dedicated website.

Title: Charley Harper's Animal Kingdom
Author/Illustrator:
Publisher: Ammo Books, US$99
Publication Date: 1 September 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781623260699
For ages: 0+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Hey, Diddle, Diddle

You might know the traditional Hey, Diddle, Diddle nursery rhyme, but you won't know this version.

This is a new picture book from Matt Shanks. It starts off the way you'd expect, then it veers off into new territory.

In Matt Shanks' version of Hey, Diddle, Diddle there are a bunch of Australian animals starring in a talent show, showing off their various tricks.


'Hey, diddle daddle,
The platypi paddle,
the roo leaped past the wombat...'

That's just one example of the animals and what they get up to. There are also bilbies, emus, goannas and wallabies, to name just a few. These animals are talented in many ways. They leap, flip and clap, howl, twirl and sing, and a lot more.

Matt Shanks' cartoon-style creatures are appealing as always, and dressed specially for the talent show (bow ties, hats, and jewellery are out in full force). The animals and the antics they get up to are depicted with humour and some underlying visual jokes (if you can recognise them).

Hey, Diddle, Diddle is a happy book that will get kids smiling, just like the animals that feature in it. Reading it is an enjoyable activity to share and to explore some of Australia's unique animals.

Title: Hey, Diddle, Diddle
Illustrator: Matt Shanks
Publisher: Scholastic, $18.99
Publication Date: 1 January 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781743836392
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Charley Harper's Animal Kingdom

Charley Harper is a mid-century artist who long ago captured my heart. His work is beyond iconic, exquisite and way ahead of its time, with graphic design-style illustrations that are both pure simplicity and intricate detail. Using elements like line and pattern to bring richness to shapes filled with predominantly flat colour, Harper's illustrations are both modern and retro, stylised and classic.

There is simply no one like him (though many have been inspired, including yours truly). I'm so enamoured, I have most of his books, and Animal Kingdom is without doubt one of my faves. 

This particular creation was worked on by noted designer Todd Oldham, and is a true homage to Harper's life and legacy, beginning with a six-year-old Oldham utterly mesmerised by one of Harper's early books, The Golden Book of Biology. In 2002, Oldham visited Harper in his Cincinnati studio and was blown away by his astonishing body of work, mainly serigraphs (screen printing) with bold, luminous colour and eye-catching contrast. 

A warm relationship of like-minded design lovers quickly developed.

Oldham was so impressed with Harper's work, he felt compelled to compile a monograph to celebrate the artist's life, and spent five years working with Harper on Charley Harper, An Illustrated Life which was published in 2007. This was followed by Animal Kingdom in 2015.

This tome is a true smorgasbord of Harper's faunal studies. A whopping 288 pages are punched with a range of stunning artworks, with a foreword by Oldham sprinkled through the fore pages, discussing the artist's history and processes.

Spreads are superbly designed, using plenty of white space and artful placement of images according to their content. The layout rests the eye and provides perfect pause before the next page-turn and subsequent visual surprise - each one is like that first spoonful of the most decadent ice cream sundae.

Although this is considered an 'adult' book, the content would enchant children of all ages, even babies, who would be agog at the masterful shapes, colours and contrast. The bulk of the book is text-free, and imagery is ripe for not only self-story creation, but for honing a true appreciation of form, layout and design. I can imagine even the smallest children finding familiar animals presented in a way that will stretch and delight little minds.

I adore this book - it's one of my great treasures. The imagery will never date and I'll never tire of seeing Harper's astonishing creativity come to life. 

When it came to constructing his imagery, Harper said:

'When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see feathers, fur, scapulars or tail coverts—none of that. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behaviour and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting: In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.'

Oh to have the mind and talent of Charley Harper.

A note that this edition seems to be out of print, though you may find it second-hand. Another option is to order directly from the artist's website and have it shipped from the States (worth it!).

Learn more about Harper on the dedicated website.

Title: Charley Harper's Animal Kingdom
Author/Illustrator:
Publisher: Ammo Books, US$99
Publication Date: 1 September 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781623260699
For ages: 0+
Type: Picture Book

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Giveaway: Britannica's Ready for School Words

Review: Snap!

Review: Not Me

Parents don’t exactly love it when they find dirty socks all over the floor. 

I guess I get it, but when it isn’t your fault — when YOU didn’t leave them on the floor — it’s not very nice to be accused of committing the crime.

But this is exactly what happens to our brother/sister protagonist duo in the humorous Not Me by Elise Gravel.

But it’s cool. The kids know who did it. And they’re happy to tell dad who the real culprit is… because it was Not Me.

Dad (of course) is not impressed, and thinks the kids are trying to get out of cleaning up. Can they prove to dad they didn’t do it? Or will Not Me get away with making a mess once again?

Not Me is a silly, funny story that pokes fun at the excuses and statements we so often make when there’s a mess to be cleaned and we don’t want to clean it (even if we made the mess!).

It’s a simple story delivered through dialogue, but it’s oh-so-giggle-inducing and just a lot of fun — for both kids and adults.

Gravel’s illustrations are funky and bold, and lots of white space let’s the dialogue shine and the humour of the story be the star of the show.

Good fun and a quick read, the littlies will love this one.

Title: Not Me
Author/Illustrator: Elise Gravel
Publisher: Scholastic, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 January 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761209185
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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10 Quirky Questions with author Naomi Woodward

1. What is your hidden talent?
My hidden talent is telling extremely long jokes with terrible punchlines! Don't talk to me at a party because you'll never get those 15 minutes of your life back.

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
It is an extremely close call between Jadis from The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis, and King Haggard from The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
CS Lewis, Neil Gaiman, Madeline Miller, Susanna Clarke, Fances Hodgson Burnett. I want to be sitting at that dinner party now!

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Musky wardrobes to fantastical places.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Slow, painful, short bursts of fun!

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Imaginative, joyful, whimsical, scientific, lyrical.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
A pen, something to play music on as I always have a soundtrack for what I'm writing (be it on a record player, cd, a digital playlist or some old cassette tapes!), a notepad, an item themed to what I'm writing about for visual inspiration, a book I'm currently reading when I should be writing.

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!)
Constellation whales breach and blow. I'm answering this in my writing studio and my closest book is a copy of Moon Sailors, which I wrote. Is that cheating?!

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
I would ask CS Lewis if he had ever imagined more about the world of Charn and its backstory from The Magician's Nephew. I've always wanted to know a whole book's worth about it ever since I was a little girl.

10. Which would you rather do: Never write another story or never read another book?
I would never write another story if I could still read. Reading is an adventure, a way of learning, an escape, a bringer of joy, and so many more things important to a full life!

Naomi Woodward has worked extensively in the Australian Arts, Education and Bookselling industry, spending time professionally employed as a Script Writer and Performer in Theatre Education around Australia. When she isn’t writing or reading, she is busy gardening, trekking through the wild photographing mushrooms, or spending quality time with her animals. She currently spends most days as a Youth and Children’s Library Officer reading very exciting stories to children. For more information, see www.fordstreetpublishing.com.

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Book List: Motorcycles

Rev your engine - here is a fast and furious book list for the little motorcycle and adventure lovers in your life. Compiled by our consultant librarian, Sarah Steed, it includes picture books, junior fiction and middle grade books.

Grandma Z by Daniel Gray-Barnett, Scribble, $24.99, 9781925322156

Motomice by Paul Owen Lewis, Beyond Words, $ vintage, 9781582706603

How To Build A Motorcycle: A Racing Adventure of Mechanics, Teamwork and Friendship by Martin Sodomka, Saskia Lacey, Walter Foster Jr, $19.95, 9781633220577

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary, Louis Darling, #1 in the Ralph Mouse series, HarperCollins, $19.29, 9780380709243

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clark, Van T Rudd, Hachette, $26.99, 9780734416681

Girl on a Motorcycle by Amy Novesky, Julie Norstad, PRH, US$17.99, 9780593116296

Rabbit and the Motorbike by Sarah Jacoby, Kate Hoefler, Chronicle, US$17.99, 9781452170909

Lucky Chuck by Beverly Cleary, J Winslow Higginbottom, William Morrow, $ vintage, 9780688027360

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, Zeke Pena, PRH, US$17.99, 9780525553410

Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Charles R Smith Jr, Charlot Kristensen, $38.75, 9781338752472

Marvellous Motorcycles by Tony Mitton, Ant Parker, Kingfisher, US$6.99, 9780753474198

Miss Lupin's Motorbike by Sue Graves, Roger Fereday, Hachette, $ vintage, 9780749679453

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Giveaway: Britannica's Ready for School Words

Review: Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild

Meet The Illustrator: Monty Lee

Name: Monty Lee

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
A collage of many ideas in muted colours.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Most definitely children’s books from all over the world. And of course, my inks, crayons and pencils. Without those I can’t get inspired, just the smell of them puts me in a happy place. I’m also surrounded by prints and artwork by many other artists. Nothing more inspiring than beautiful artwork.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I like to work with different media, try-out new techniques but mostly I work with colouring pencil and crayons and any assortment of paper I can get my hands on.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
That’s a hard one as there are so many artists out there that do exactly that. But if you put me on the spot I’d choose: Maurice Sendak, Tomi Ungerer and Fiep Westendorp.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I think every era has its particular beauty in art. Just think of the exquisite jewellery of the ancient Egyptians, the sculptures of the Mayans, etc. Go into any great museum and you’ll find great art. All these different periods lead us to the present, we’ve learned new skills and created our own artforms. I really like where we are now, no rules in which media to use or which format to put it in. Just go with what you feel is right.

 
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
It was a combination of things, first of all my parents are both artists who provided the most incredible children’s books and all art materials my heart desired which was an inspiration in itself. But the exact moment I knew that I wanted to illustrate children’s books in particular was because of my childhood friend whose mother (Annemie Heymans) was an illustrator of children’s books. I remember sitting in a small room above their stairs looking down at her, working at her table, completely focused. It seemed such a magical world to get lost in. And I knew there and then that that was what I wanted to be.

 

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
Up till March, when the heavy rains ruined so much, my studio was my special place. (At the moment the living room will have to do). My studio looks out on the bush. It’s a very quiet place. I have a soft spot for chairs (one can never have enough of them) and hands (a collection resides on my table and a giant hand stands outside my studio). I get easily distracted and create lots of in-between-projects for myself, like making little useless chairs and decorate the old building blocks which clutter up my shelves.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

My favourite part is definitely when everything is drawn and cut out. The moment before gluing it down, I can move things around on the backgrounds. It’s my own little world, I decide where everything goes, it must be a control-thing.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I’m not very good at advice as I stumble through life and the illustration process myself. I do know you have to be very passionate as it’s a job that’s not very widely recognised. (How many times have I heard: Children’s book illustrator? That’s just a bit of scribbling). Not a lot of illustrators can actually make a living out of their children’s books, so my advice is that it’s probably handy to branch out.

 

Monty Lee is an Australian artist who has displayed work at exhibitions and collaborated with several artists on varying projects.
Amongst her work are the illustrations for Songs to Edward Lear, Grumpy Bear, Grouchy Bear, Theo’s princess and A Special Treat. She has also been featured in international illustration magazines.



For more information please follow Monty on instagram.

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Review: Lionel And Me

12 Curly Questions with author Rebecca Marshallsay

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I competed in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Wales a few years ago. It involved snorkelling through a muddy ditch on a farm – very cold, very muddy, rumours of bog scorpions, and lots of fun!

2. What is your nickname?
Bec or Becca

3. What is your greatest fear?
Underachieving – I am disappointed that I’m not World President yet.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
My writing is fun, upbeat and a little bit quirky.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Enthusiastic, ambitious, flexible, broad, funny-ish.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery). She’s imperfect and a little awkward, but she is determined, talented, builds beautiful connections with people, and embraces life to the fullest.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would travel forward as far as possible. I have a morbid curiosity about how the world will end, and I would like to know if life on other planets ever becomes a reality.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
She would be very impressed that I have travelled a lot, that I can surf and that I am a published author, but she would probably ask why I haven’t published lots more books already.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My dad. I’ve always admired his intelligence and I have inherited a lot of his eccentricities and interests. Some of my favourite childhood memories are watching him wargaming with historical armies and Morris dancing (neither of which I have taken up as hobbies).

10. What/who made you start writing?
A perfect storm of interests and personality traits, I think (I’m a big reader with a lot to say). The only thing that comes close to my compulsion to write is my capacity to indulge in the classic writers’ bane, perfection paralysis.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Diminution. My husband refuses to believe it is a word so I am always quite tickled when I find it out in the wild.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander (specifically The Book of Three if I had to pick one). The adventures of Taran, Assistant-Pig Keeper and Princess Eilonwy were my absolute favourites as a kid, and they still hold up as an adult.

Rebecca Marshallsay is a Gold Coast freelance writer and academic with a passion for socio-political narratives. Her debut picture book, Facing the Wave (illustrated by Vaughan Duck), shares her love of surfing and the ocean. She hopes it will help kids seeking a little courage to follow their dreams. For more information, see www.becmarshallsay.com.

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Review: You Don’t Know What War Is

Twelve-year-old Yeva tells one story in an ocean of narratives from the heartbreaking invasion of Ukraine. We are very fortunate that hers is an engaging and compelling voice - and that she is willing to share her experience. 

In a perfect world, we’d say: ‘You’re right, Yeva! We don’t know what war is and neither do you, so go enjoy your bowling birthday party with friends and then a happy, safe time with your family.’  

In our imperfect world, we have a twelve-year-old girl and her Grandmother fleeing their ravaged, war-torn home-town of Kharkiv to live as refugees for months, before ultimately finding shelter in Dublin. 

Until you’ve been there, you don’t know what war is. 

Yeva is right. We don’t know. 

Hearing a story is nothing like living through the fierce and confronting detail of sleeping in cold and crowded underground bunkers, your house being blown up, people you love and care for going missing, starvation, fear, uncertainty and displacement. 

Nothing compares to enduring such hardships and visceral realities in daily life. Words on a page can only go so far in transporting us to understanding. 

Yet, reading through Yeva’s diary, I had the profound sense that I was bearing witness to something remarkable. With this extraordinary young girl as guide and narrator, it is possible to catch just a glimpse of what life becomes for those who are displaced by war. 

Of course we haven’t lived it. But we can come to understand it a tiny bit better through Yeva’s sharing.

We follow Yeva and her Grandmother intensively for 18 days, and then over the course of two months while they flee from one ‘safe’ place to another seeking refuge, telling their stories, checking in with loved ones; every aspect of their lives ripped out from under them and uncertainty around each corner. 

With photos from her mobile phone, text messages and daily news headlines peppered through the book, this is indeed a narrative for our times. It’s intense and confronting as well as conversational, as you might expect from a twelve-year old in such a complex and traumatic situation. 

At times searingly raw and intimate, Yeva’s fears and anxieties are laid bare. And then, there are text message threads between her school friends. Funny, simple, heartbreaking and tender, these compel the reader over and over again, to remember that this is a twelve-year-old girl whose story and words we are reading. 

Published in association with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and with a foreword by Michael Morpurgo, Yeva’s story is ultimately one of hope. 

Essential reading for all ages. 

Title: You Don’t Know What War Is – The Diary Of A Young Girl From Ukraine
Author: Yeva Skaliestska
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $19.99
Publication Date: November 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781526659934
For ages: 11+
Type: Non-Fiction

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Review: Full of Life

The title of this astonishing book says it all - it's not only full of life, it's bursting at the spine seams. 

Subtitled 'Exploring Earth's Biodiversity', Full of Life sets out to tackle a universe of content. Abridging and arranging life on Earth is an almost incalculable feat. I know - I've tried this with some of my own books - but what I've produced doesn't come within a protozoa's whisker of what Isabel Thomas has achieved in this book.

And it's an impressive achievement...  compressing an intricate 'peek' into life on Earth into the minuscule space of just 224 pages. 

This page count makes for a whopping informational picture book but the rich, detailed, intricate content is perfect for dipping into, nibbling in bites packed with punch and wonder. I wouldn't want it any smaller. I want it to last a long long time, and so I am nibbling and savouring.

Content includes an introduction and how to navigate the book. We then dive into the three domains. The first two are microscopic - Eubacteria (true bacteria) and Archaea (other types of bacteria that carry similarities to the cells of plants and animals, and may actually be our ancestors). The third domain focuses on Eukaryota which is basically all other life on Earth, from fleas and leaves to whales and Aunt Betty. This group also includes fungi and microscopic Eukaryotes like protozoa.

Double page spreads in each section are well laid-out, with topics divided into clades - for example, Purple Bacteria and Relatives, Nitrogen-Fixing Archaea, Flowering Plants and Perching Birds. Spreads include All About, Shared Features, Key Facts, a specimen from that particular clade, and a zoom-in on several other inclusions, like turtles, scaled lizards, birds, crocs and dinosaurs on the Lizard-Faced Animals spread.

Children will gasp in wonder (if they don't already know, and many do!) that crocodiles are more closely related to birds than lizards. Little wonder when we learn that birds are direct descendants of the dinosaurs, and that crocs are, of course, kind of almost living dinosaurs.

Graphic design-style illustrations by Sara Gillingham bring clarity to the sophisticated text, using pops of neon colour and quirky imagery that not only brightens the pages, but engages the reader while they navigate thoughtfully laid-out text pockets.

STEM lovers, teachers, librarians will go bonkers over this book. But most importantly, so will kids, and the content is enriching and sophisticated enough to stretch the minds of many childhood ages. The oftentimes extraordinarily complicated information has been well-written and consummately edited, but a heads-up that it is a relatively complicated work that takes focus and high level reading skills. Younger children could still enjoy much of the content, as the layout and text pockets allows kids to pick and choose what they can cope with.

I simply adore this book. My only complaint is that the trim size is surprisingly small. Of course, it doesn't in the least bit affect the content and design, but as this book is a full-course-meal, it feels a little spatially 'small' (especially for middle-aged eyes).

A tiny thing in a universe of stunning content. This is my dip-in summer read and I am loving every single microcosm of it.

Title: Full of Life
Author: Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Sara Gillingham
Publisher: Phaidon, $34.95
Publication Date: 5 October 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781838665357
For ages: 9+
Type: Non-Fiction

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Review: How to Make a Picture Book

Review: Letters to Live By

Gotta love an alphabet book. They are ever such fun, and it's even lovelier to find one that sits outside the square and is clever in so many ways, it entices both adults and children in equal measure.

'An alphabet book with intention', Letters to Live By features a range of vibrant children from around the world, engaging with each other, caring for animals, sharing emotions, discussing differences, giving, learning, offering, embracing good things, resisting not so good things, and honing that desperately underrated gift - being kind.

Each page features just two or three [mostly alliterative] words, making it perfect for early childhood, and kids learning to read. 

I love the balance in the text - meandering from art to bravery, through forgiveness and justice - and providing the opportunity for readers of all walks of life to find themselves (or their children) in word or image.

Åsa Gilland's superb illustrations are drenched with colour, pattern, movement and character. Each page is so thoughtfully constructed, and her children are vibrant and thoughtful, sassy and sweet - each one earning their place in this inspiring text. I simply adore her focus on diversity - cultural, ethnicity, size, physical ability - and I will happily admit, there are no better-dressed characters than Åsa's kids!

Letters to Live By is meaningful without being twee or didactic, and is a fine way to inspire children to seize life and be their very best selves. This is a warm, active and uplifting picture book... and it will now sit alongside my most favourite ABC books for kids.

Title: Letters to Live By
Author: Lisa Frenkel Riddiough
Illustrator: 
Publisher: Running Press Kids, $24.99
Publication Date: 31 May 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780762473083
For ages: 0+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: If You Could See The Sun

Alice Sun has always felt invisible at the Airington International Boarding school, where she stands out from the crowd of China’s richest teenagers. 

But after her anxiety is triggered by her parents’ financial situation and inability to pay the schools tuition, she starts uncontrollably turning invisible. 

After weeks of trying to harness her invisibility power, Alice decides to use her power to her benefit, turning to her rival Henry Li for help with her new project, The Beijing Ghost. But soon after she starts her work, she uncovers hidden secrets about her classmates, and that their lives were not as perfect as she once thought. 

Soon her tasks started escalating from scandals to crimes. In order for Alice to succeed, she must decide if her education is worth losing her conscience or her life.   

I really enjoyed If You Could See The Sun. It is amazingly written and explores parts of being a teenager that not many books confront. I enjoyed seeing the growth of Alice Sun and how her relationship with Henry and her classmates grew throughout the book. 

I highly recommend this book for anyone 12 and over.  

Title: If You Could See The Sun
Author: Ann Liang
Publisher: Ink Yard, $19.99
Publication Date: 3 November 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781335915849 
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult

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Review: I'll Take Care Of You

12 Curly Questions with author Maryam Master

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I have a serious phobia of cats! I get heart palpitations whenever I see one. I cross the road to avoid them. And I’m especially scared of those hairless ones with the saggy, wrinkly skin. Terrifying!

2. What is your nickname?
Maz.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Besides cats? Losing my kids in a big crowd. They’re older now so I don’t worry as much but when they were little, I’d cling to them like glue when we were out and about.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
A mix between the serious and the ridiculous, tragic and comic, complex and simple. (Sorry, that was 14 words. More if you count these!)

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Dreamer, disciplined, dynamic, deadline driven. (Clearly having a D-Day)

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Roald Dahl’s Matilda. She’s whip smart, kind and creative but, best of all, she teaches herself telekinesis and uses these new-found powers to mess with the wicked people in her life who deserve it.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
2222 – to see if we still have a planet to live on. Also, because I like 2s.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You did it! You learnt the English language. With all its weird sounds and nonsensical grammar. You even made a career out of words. How wild!

9. Who is your greatest influence?
Not sure if I’ve actually been influenced by these people but they certainly inspire and bring me joy – Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Roald Dahl, Anne Frank, Rosa Parks, Margaret Atwood.

10. What/who made you start writing?
My Year 10 English teacher – Mr O’Conner. He was so encouraging and kind. Made me believe in the impossible.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Cake. It’s the same word in Farsi (my first language) as well. Where there is cake, there is joy. A delicious word that always puts a smile on my face.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is a tough question! I’m gonna go with RJ Palacio’s Wonder. It’s a beautiful read that makes you laugh, cry and contemplate all the big, important questions about what it means to be a good human. I never tire of it.

Maryam Master was born in Iran and moved to Australia when she was 9. She is a screenwriter and playwright who loves creating shows for young audiences. Maryam has adapted three of David Walliams' books for the stage - Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy and The Midnight Gang - as well as Oliver Jeffers' The Incredible Book Eating Boy, all of which premiered at the Sydney Opera House and toured across Australia. She also collaborated with Australian Children's Laureate Leigh Hobbs on Horrible Harriet: Live on Stage. She began her career in TV, writing for shows like Home and Away, Blinky Bill and the Jim Henson Company's Bambaloo. In 2011 she was selected by Sesame Workshop as the writer for Elmo's tour of Australia. Maryam is the author of Exit Through the Gift Shop. No Words is her second novel. 

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