Review: Plume: Christmas Elf

Plume: Christmas Elf is a bright and busy festive celebration. It's the fourth book in the series about the curious penguin who loves to travel.

Of course, it all starts in Antarctica in the enormous library where Plume lives with his friends. 

They're busy cooking and decorating when Ava the albatross arrives with dreadful news. Santa is sick, and so are the reindeer! 

Will Plume and Ava be able to save Christmas? It's all aboard the Albatross Express if you want to find out.

Tania McCartney is an author and illustrator who really knows how to take something from her imagination and lay it all out on the pages of a book. Plume's Christmas is a visual feast for the eyes. From Santa's workshop with toy-filled conveyor belts, to a magical sleigh ride through the starry night, and sharing gifts in Antarctica, colours and patterns and joyful characters, bring it all to life.

The glittery cover features Plume in his Christmas elf outfit. End papers offer a world map to follow Plume's trip. As he travels the world in one night, Plume takes part in the celebrations and makes new friends. The story is packed with details including cultural foods, decorations, activities, and greetings in language. Lighting candles, ringing bells, exchanging gifts, singing carols, and playing cricket on the beach. See how many you can spot. 

Plume the penguin is a cultural ambassador and travel guide. I love how his adventures showcase the unique characteristics of different countries and cultures, and encourage harmony and friendship. Plume: Christmas Elf is a treat for all the family. 

Title: Plume: Christmas Elf
Author/Illustrator: Tania McCartney
Publisher: Hardie Grant Explore, $ 24.99
Publication Date: October 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781741177923
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/bpCnF0R

Review: Sunshine: How one camp taught me about life, death and hope

Sunshine: How one camp taught me about life, death and hope is a memoir in the form of a graphic novel.

Created by Jarrett J Krosoczka, Sunshine is the story of a memorable summer in his teenage years. It's an experience that changes his life.

When he was sixteen, Jarrett spent one week as a student leader at Camp Sunshine, a holiday camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families.

At Camp Sunshine Jarrett meets people like thirteen-year-old Diego who has a brain tumour and uses a wheelchair. Jarrett's interest in art and his drawing abilities provide an opening for developing a friendship with Diego, and the other kids.

He learns some of the challenges, frustrations and impacts of cancer and its treatment. And he discovers that when you're faced with a life-threatening illness, personally or by close association, the way you look at life changes.

Sunshine raises some big questions and covers a raft of subjects including illness, life and death, grief and loss, ability and disability, growing up, family and friendship. The visual storytelling of the graphic novel format enhances the experience of this window into the life of the author/illustrator.

For personal reasons, I approached this book with some trepidation, but found that despite the sometimes confronting subject matter, it also offered hopeful moments. Filled with the emotional ups and downs of real-life, Sunshine is a powerful memoir.

Note: Anyone keen to try their hand at drawing in general, or creating their own graphic novel, should visit Jarrett's website for some helpful free resources, including guides and video tutorials. You can also watch and listen to Jarrett's TED Talk 'How a boy became an artist'.

Title: Sunshine: How one camp taught me about life, death and hope
Author/Illustrator: Jarrett J Krosoczka
Publisher: Scholastic, $ 22.99
Publication Date: May 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781338356311
For ages: 13+
Type: Graphic Novel

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/k3jfiNl

Review: Australian Backyard Birds

Nature-lovers will love Myke Mollard's Australian Backyard Birds.

This book is packed with information and illustrations about more than 150 birds. It starts with the end papers which offer an identification guide to birds of prey, and is followed by a regional exploration of birds that we know well, and some that are not as famous.

Bird highlights are given for each state and territory, accompanied by beautiful illustrations. There are full page pictures packed with bird portraits and collages set amidst beautiful landscapes.

Some birds are given a bit of extra page time, with special features. From birds that roam the highest reaches of the sky, to those that prefer the cover of night.

Birds from different climates (like rainforests and wetlands), non-native species, and rare and endangered birds (like the White-throated Honeyeater) are amongst the many perspectives

You'll also find guides to making your backyard bird-friendly, and how to birdwatch. Can you identify birds just by their silhouettes? What about bird feet, tails, and other parts? There are plenty of tips to help you.

Myke Molland describes this book as a "distillation of four decades of birdwatching and studying bird books". Myke's passion for birds, and nature generally, shows in the detail of Australian Backyard Birds.

Colourful and chock-a-block with important and curious facts, Australian Backyard Birds is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about our wildlife.

Title: Australian Backyard Birds
Author/Illustrator: Myke Mollard
Publisher: Woodslane Press, $ 24.99
Publication Date: August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922800237
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/kmX4wsC

Meet The Illustrator: Binny Talib

Name: Binny Talib

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Contemporary, Whimsical, quirky, nostalgic, pointy, stylized, graphic

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
I have a large 40cm Astro boy statue that has been on every single studio desk since university, even moving with me to Hong Kong for a few years.
My large Wacom Cintiq
My Mac book pro
My pantone colour book
Drawings and sketches on the wall
My collection of beautiful children’s books and general inspiration bits and pieces
A window if possible
A notebook to scribble in
A3 printer

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I loved dip pen and ink for a very long time but I am now a digital artist, I predominantly use Procreate and photoshop. I do use many different types of brushes and scanned textures to help maintain a sense of authenticity.

 
I am enjoying exploring all the amazing textural brushes out there made by artists.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Mary Blair.
Isabelle Arsenault.
Maurice Sendak.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
60s, 70s.
The use of colour and bold line work.
Graphic styles.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My mother was a very talented artist in every medium, paint, embroidery and ceramics, not to mention her doodles all over the house on anything that sat still.

 
I think growing up in such an extremely creative environment influenced me. My parents’ house was covered in art, like literally every inch, the walls have paintings from top to bottom (every wall) every table in covered in ceramics, and every cushion is covered in her incredible embroidery. The garden has her sculptures peeping out everywhere. Creativity was life in our home.

 
We had an art room, in the holidays we worked on all types of projects, lino cuts, drawing, painting, potato prints, typing on my dad’s old typewriter. I think I completely took it all for granted, its only as an adult I now know not all households are like this. My siblings are also creative types. I studied Visual Communication at University, and LOVED illustration as one of my favourite subjects, but my major work was actually a film. I thought I was definitely going into the moving image; I hope someday to get some of my illustrations moving in animation.

Can you share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I am currently incredibly privileged to be in residence in a studio in the CITY OF SYDNEY CREATIVE PRECINCT, run by the incredible Brand X. It’s in the middle of Sydney’s CBD and we have 5 floors of film, sound, digital media and art studios. I am completely humbled by some of the incredible artist I have met.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Coming up with the initial style and colour palette for the book/piece. The hardest part for me is then doing the rest of the pencil roughs, that’s the real slog for me. Taking them to colour is extremely fun and I can relax into it once I know I have the concept all signed off.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Once said to me by my wise super talented illustration lecturer Edwina White, “Just keep going” and I have held onto that mantra. I have days of self-doubt and questioning, but I just try and move past it. I work full time in illustration, I treat it like a full-time job. I am still learning every day. Being open to feedback.

Binny is an award winning Australian illustrator who loves to create children's book characters and bring them to life. With a touch of the whimsy and a feel for the surreal, she aims to transports readers into new worlds through her drawings. Binny lives with her family in inner city Sydney and her trusty studio assistant, Paddington the Border Collie.

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

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/FHKAsN7

10 Quirky Questions with author/illustrator Jess Racklyeft

1. What's your hidden talent?
Growing wild (ok, messy) gardens!

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
It would have to be a Dahl villain like Agatha Trunchbull or Veruca Salt. So much character they dripped off the page and into your dreams.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Well, now I feel like Roald Dahl should come, and some friends like Anna Walker, Davina Bell, Anden Wilder and Claire Saxby.

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Lets go with plot twist, but only from bad to good.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Messy, revised, confused, hopeful and finally: that-will-do.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
I’d probably prefer to be remembered more as an illustrator so hope you don’t mind me changing to that! Dreamy, colour-filled, adaptable, creative and joyful.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Paints, cold tea, a view to breath into, a pet, headphones.

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!)
Magic was made from scraps of paper, some dusty dreams and old coffee stains.
The book was The March Wind by Inez Rice.

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
All these questions are very tricky, and especially this one. But perhaps I’d like to go back in time and ask someone like the Buddha (as he was kind of an author, in a teacher way) not a question, but just be there and watch them in action and see what I could fathom for an afternoon and then be filled with ALL the questions, or perhaps deep peace?!

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Never read another book. As I’m imagining there are some loopholes here, like perhaps I could listen to it as an audio book, or just look at the pictures? 

Jess Racklyeft is an author and illustrator based in Fitzroy, Melbourne. From her home studio, Jess creates original paintings and prints for greeting card companies and various clients. But her favourite work of all is producing children's books! Jess has authored and illustrated several picture books and board books and has won several awards, including a CBCA Award. For more information, see www.jessesmess.com.

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/Q4wOhfn

Review: Granbad

Sometimes you have to do the wrong thing for the right reason.

In this funny picture book adventure, sibling protagonists introduce us to their grandad, who they affectionately call Granbad?

Why? Because Granbad likes to break the rules. He eats the wrong things. He doesn’t listen to his doctors, and he’ll do whatever it takes to save the forests and the greater gliders who live there.

And I mean anything!

The kids tag along on a protest march to help. They do their best to tell the politicians why it’s so important to protect the gliders’ habitat. But when the protest doesn’t work, Granbad takes matters into his own hands to stop the bulldozers from destroying the forest once and for all.

Granbad is a fun picture book about caring for our animals and the environment. It’s also about breaking the rules, which kids are going to love.

The story is a great conversation starter about environment conservation, and the back of the book provides kids with details about the troubles facing gliders so they can learn more about the problem. It’s an important message wrapped in humour and heart.

I love how Penny Tangey shines a loving light on grandads and the special role they play in a kids’ world. Grandads are for breaking rules, sharing too many lolly snakes and letting kids stay up too late. I think most of us could probably look at our own grandads and see a little ‘granbad’ in them too, and that’s the way it should be.

With glorious illustrations from talented illustrator Peter Baldwin, Granbad is also a visual adventure as well as a written one. Earthy greens and browns are a key feature on the pages, with pops of colour throughout. Baldwin has a sketchbook like style, but he’s also infused multimedia into the book with photographic details added here and there. I’m drawn to Baldwin’s illustrations. They're super funky, and the detail he adds makes the book so fun to explore.

Celebrate grandads and spread the word about habitat destruction with Granbad.

Title: Granbad
Author: Penny Tangey
Illustrator: Peter Baldwin
Publisher: UQP, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780702266232
For ages:  4 - 7
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/7I3vObQ

Review: Ratbags: Take Flight

Take Flight is the fourth Ratbags adventure by Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordon, and it's holiday time! 

The rats are off to Scum Island via a long boat trip. When they get there they find a hotel and check-in experience that only rats could appreciate.

Beach games, the pool, and a nap are on the agenda, followed by a delicious dinner. The next day the rats start touring the island. 

There's lots to see, but only Jigsaw seems to have taken any notice of the falcon warnings.

Falcons are a danger because they're always after a tasty meal. But when Fifi the falcon finally makes an appearance, it's not just the rats who need to look out. Crackers the cat has followed them to Scum Island, and Fifi likes the look of him, too.

Should the rats help Crackers? Jigsaw explains the hierarchical chain of nature to the Ratbags (and the reader), but there's disagreement about the right thing to do. When we catch up with Fifi, things are not all as they seem, and escaping the falcon will not be as easy as the rats think. Who will come out on top? Rats, cat, or falcon? 

The story is full of jokes which play on words, and still fit the context of a story about rats. Picture the 'Grand Can-yon' as a giant wall of old cans piled high. And the 'Great Wall of China' as a long line of stacked china tea cups. There's also great use of perspective to build tension and show things as the rats might experience them.

Ratbags: Take Flight is yet another action-packed, funny adventure for young readers. And it comes with a step-by-step guide at the back of the book about how to draw a picture of Jigsaw.

Title: Ratbags: Take Flight
Author: Tim Harris
Illustrator: Shiloh Gordon
Publisher: Puffin, $ 14.99
Publication Date: September 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761340505
For ages: 6+
Type: Graphic Novel

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/Ds8ByHr

Review: Until the Road Ends

After years of eking out an existence on the streets, Beau is saved from death by Peggy Alford. The rescue is life-changing for both animal and human.

Mabel the cat, already a permanent resident in the Alford household, is owned by Peggy’s brother Wilf. When Beau joins the family, great discord surfaces between him and the vain, selfish, and territorial Mable.  

Enter Bomber the courier pigeon. Then there were three. It is the animals’ narrative that controls the story.

In Europe, Hitler’s war has broken out. Dogs and cats are being euthanised, food becomes scarce, and children, including Peggy and Wilf, are sent to the countryside for safety.

Mr Alford is not conscripted due to his asthma but is allocated the duty of air raid warden.

 

Refusing to put Beau down, the dog becomes his companion on search and rescue missions in their town.

Tragedy strikes.

Through the voices mainly of the three friends, we are shown that animals also exhibited great strength, courage, and dedication during war time. This story highlights these assets in the characters of Beau, Mabel and Bomber through their dialogue and actions.

Phil Earle has approached his theme in an entirely original way with his writing style, leaving all essential information to flow into the narrative, drop by drop. 

Fascinating sub-stories emerge as a dangerous and long journey to reunite with their beloved children, is undertaken by the animals.

An extraordinary read, it is inspired by real happenings. The third book covering events of WW2, Phil Earle’s brilliant Until the Road Ends follows his award-winning When the Sky Falls and When the Storm Rages. This trilogy brings to life that all that is lost during war time, is not only human lives, but the broader scope includes items of value, history and collected memories; all destroyed during the bombings.

Title: Until the Road Ends
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Walker Books, $18.99
Publication Date: 
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781839133169
For ages: 9 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/aw3Vcpo

Review: Uh-oh! Rabbit / Yippee! Rabbit

Jo Ham has taken a deceptively simple concept, a rabbit in silhouette, and turned it into the Rabbit series of books for some of the youngest of readers.  

The first two titles are Uh-oh! Rabbit and Yippee! Rabbit. They're really appealing.

Uh-oh! Rabbit sees Rabbit exploring the concept of going up and down. Rabbit plays on a see-saw, dives into a pool, and climbs up to slide down a slippery dip. Hopefully Rabbit will be careful not to get hurt.

In Yippee! Rabbit, the Rabbit enjoys flying a kite, playing on a swing, and riding a scooter. Yippee! Doing all those things, Rabbit can pretend to be a superhero. At least until the kite gets tangled, or it rains.

Text in the Rabbit books is minimal. Few words are used, and those that are, are repeated. 

There's careful and deliberate design, from the square shape and smaller size of the books, to fun end papers and use of white space. In fact, the books are mostly black and white, something which is beneficial for the developing vision of babies and toddlers. 

Each book also has small touches of a single primary colour throughout. In book one, yellow is used to highlight Rabbit's backpack, snow goggles, and elements of the play equipment. In book two, there's a blue sky, rain, and other elements.

Rabbit has taken off around the world, and is now more than a book star. Rabbit silhouettes in a variety of guises can also be found on cards, prints, dinnerware, and other items. It's an extremely effective concept.

The Rabbit series is perfect for toddlers and would make a great gift for new babies. Highly recommended.

Title: Yippee! Rabbit / Uh-oh! Rabbit
Author/Illustrator: Jo Ham
Publisher: Walker Books, $19.99
Publication Date: August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781529509106 / 9781529504439
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/X4PVD8g

Review: Ratbags: Take Flight

Take Flight is the fourth Ratbags adventure by Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordon, and it's holiday time! 

The rats are off to Scum Island via a long boat trip. When they get there they find a hotel and check-in experience that only rats could appreciate.

Beach games, the pool, and a nap are on the agenda, followed by a delicious dinner. The next day the rats start touring the island. 

There's lots to see, but only Jigsaw seems to have taken any notice of the falcon warnings.

Falcons are a danger because they're always after a tasty meal. But when Fifi the falcon finally makes an appearance, it's not just the rats who need to look out. Crackers the cat has followed them to Scum Island, and Fifi likes the look of him, too.

Should the rats help Crackers? Jigsaw explains the hierarchical chain of nature to the Ratbags (and the reader), but there's disagreement about the right thing to do. When we catch up with Fifi, things are not all as they seem, and escaping the falcon will not be as easy as the rats think. Who will come out on top? Rats, cat, or falcon? 

The story is full of jokes which play on words, and still fit the context of a story about rats. Picture the 'Grand Can-yon' as a giant wall of old cans piled high. And the 'Great Wall of China' as a long line of stacked china tea cups. There's also great use of perspective to build tension and show things as the rats might experience them.

Ratbags: Take Flight is yet another action-packed, funny adventure for young readers. And it comes with a step-by-step guide at the back of the book about how to draw a picture of Jigsaw.

Title: Ratbags: Take Flight
Author: Tim Harris
Illustrator: Shiloh Gordon
Publisher: Puffin, $ 14.99
Publication Date: September 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761340505
For ages: 6+
Type: Graphic Novel

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/zvydHBA

Announcement: KBR's High Ranking News

Did you know ... as of September 2023 KBR is ranked #2 in the top 25 Best Australian Children's Book Blogs and Websites by Feedspot (second only to the global powerhouse of Kids' Lit, SCBWI. It's a honor we humbly attribute to our dedicated team of reviewers and contributors and of course YOU, the reader. It's a genuine privilege to be able to share our unashamedly ridiculous love of children's books with you all.

Kids' Book Review is a 100% voluntary children’s literature and book review site that supports and features authors, illustrators and publishers Australia-wide and internationally.

Founded by Australian author/illustrator, Tania McCartney in 2009, it is run by a small team of women who have decades of experience in the children's book industry, with roles such as author, publisher, editor, illustrator, bookseller, blogger, book designer, typesetter, speech pathologist, teacher, librarian, children's literature academic, psychologist, early childhood educator, IT techie, digital content creator, magazine editor and columnist, education specialist, mother and book lover.

We cover news, reviews, interviews, articles, guest posts, events, specialist literacy articles and much more, attracting readers from all over the world including teachers, librarians, industry professionals, and of course - parents and kids.

KBR consistently falls into the top 700,000 - 900,000 websites worldwide (Alexa), and has over 600 referring domains, with a PR Quality listed as 'strong'. With over 4 K Instagram followers and a social media presence that earns its place among some of Australia's best Kid Lit sites, KBR frequently ranks #1 in a Google search for 'reviews, books, kids, children's books' and was ranked no. 23 in the Top 100 Review sites worldwide in October 2016. In December 2017, KBR was honoured as the world's #1 kidlit site by Feedspot. We achieve an average of around 80,000 hits per month, with a peak of 249,395 for the month of November, 2017, and we are proud to be one of the most respected literary sites on the web. 

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/9zjaUr1

Review: Letters for Lunch: How to Eat the Alphabet

The award-winning Maree Coote, with her acclaimed brilliance in the use of words and the alphabet, has come up with another stunning publication.

 Using vegetables, fruit, and nutritious food in the guise of letters, she has created work of amazing beauty.

From the exquisite and clever typography to the creative and individual personifying of each letter, the text takes the prize! 

In rhyming verse, Coote serves the letter well.

Letters for Lunch: How to Eat the Alphabet. 

The title is an achievement in itself. 

We go into the end pages. Stunning colour is alluring. 

Compilations of complex images of vegetable-shaped letters, invite eaters to indulge in their beauty, value, and ways of eating them through simple ways to serve.

Each entry/letter has a dream of becoming something special, and a recipe is included for its use that promises maximum benefits.

Imaginative and full of surprise, there is no age group pinned to this superb presentation.

Letter art is a rare and welcome medium and Coote is Queen of this medium.

Readers will admire her work as I do. It makes me laugh, and I’m always in awe of the expansive, lateral ways she approaches her subject.

This book will be a prize winner as it deserves to be. Don’t miss out on the experience that comes with it, as you look-and-find to spell-a -picture!

Title: Letters for Lunch: How to Eat the Alphabet
Author/Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: MelbourneStyle, $29.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648568476
For ages: 5 – 105
Type: Non Fiction Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/wyhVBNM

Review: Too Many Rabbits

Rabbits reproduce quickly, as most adults know. That's the premise of this picture book.

Too Many Rabbits, written by prolific Italian author, Davide Cali and illustrated by Emanuele Benetti, is translated by Angus Yuen-Killick. 

The story begins with a simple request.

Two children want a pet rabbit. When Dad takes them to the pet store, there's a two-for-one special on, and he can't ignore a great deal. 

They leave with two rabbits. You can probably guess what happens next. 

Before long there are lots of little rabbits. The situation escalates dramatically, and soon there are simply too many rabbits!

They cause chaos, eating the furniture, and leaving 'chocolate eggs' everywhere.

Giving away the rabbits seems the best solution, so they are gradually distributed. Kids will be able to count along as they are given away ... one to a juggler, two to the neighbours, three to a musician. And on it goes, all the way up to twenty. At that point, there is not a single rabbit left for the family to keep as a pet.

The illustrations are two-tone. Black and white, with a splash of orange. It's the animals who are coloured, making it easy to spot them. Rabbits become bowling pins and golfers, and even invade the museum. Orange is soon everywhere.

Too Many Rabbits is packed with plenty to keep readers busy with animal antics, counting, and more. The visual humour is great, with one of my favourites being the costumed rabbit at the top of a Christmas tree.

Too Many Rabbits is a ready reminder that one plus one can sometimes lead to much more than two. Be prepared for laughter, and perhaps a few curly questions.

Title: Too Many Rabbits
Author: Davide Cali
Illustrator: Emanuele Benetti
Publisher: Red Comet Press, $ 27.99
Publication Date: August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781636550541
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/1ZFQJYy

Junior Review: Ghost Book

Ghosts, magic and mystery come to life in this graphic novel by Remy Lai.

July is an odd girl, and she isn’t really noticed by the kids at her school (and sometimes her dad, too). But there’s something special about July. She can see ghosts!

One day, July meets two ghosts called William and Floof. William tries to convince July he’s not really dead, so they go to the library and search for information about him on the computer. 

They discover that when William was a boy his heart stopped for three minutes, and now he’s in a coma. This is why he has a string connecting his ghost body to his real body in Red Hill Hospital.

They figure out there is a way to bring William back, but they’ll have to travel to the Underworld and steal the life register from the King of the Underworld’s servants, Oxhead and Horseface. It won’t be easy — someone’s chasing them, and July’s Dad is keeping secrets. These secrets matter, and once July and William find out the truth, it will change everything forever.

July is a kind and smart girl. She’s adventurous and takes risks, and I really like that about her. William has a big heart and looks out for July, but he’s scared of hungry ghosts who like to eat other ghosts (I would be, too). Floof is an adorable flying blob who sticks by William through the story. Floof also has a secret, and it will warm your heart when you find out what it is.

Ghost Book is a graphic novel, so it’s filled with illustrations. I love the emotions on the characters faces. They made me feel what the characters are feeling. I also liked how there’s lots of different types of ghosts.

This book is filled with magic, possessing and problems. I think it was great, and kids who like ghosts, mysterious stories and little cute flying things will love it.

Title: Ghost Book
Author/Illustrator: Remy Lai
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761065477
For ages: 8 -12
Type: Junior Fiction, Graphic Novel

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/zlMbmWK

Review: Your Head's Not the Place to Store Problems

Today is R U OK? Day. 

In a world where worry and anxiety seem to be increasingly prevalent amongst people of all ages, it's important to know how to discuss them.

Your Head's Not the Place to Store Problems is a timely reminder for children and adults, whether it's something they struggle with themselves, or they know someone who does.

Busy and overwhelmed brains. Big thoughts. Problems that keep turning over and over in your mind. Not enough space to think. 

These are things everyone deals with at some time in their life, and some people deal with more than they should have too. They can make you feel "full up and crowdy and [your] mood swings from sunny to suddenly cloudy".

Finding someone to speak to and share your worries with is important, to help focus on positive thoughts rather than fears. That's one of the key messages of Your Head's Not the Place to Store Problems. 

Stephen Michael King's gorgeous whimsical illustrations, featuring dogs and dragons, are spot on in the way they bring Josh Pyke's words to life in a way that makes sense, yet is not confronting.

Josh Pyke and Stephen Michael King have created an accessible story about a serious subject. Share Your Head's Not the Place to Store Problems with someone today and start a conversation about whether they, and you, are ok.

Title: Your Head's Not the Place to Store Problems
Author: Josh Pyke
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 26.99
Publication Date: September 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761293023
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/q2K741d

Review: Who Lives Here

Dan invites his classmate to his house around the corner but doesn’t tell him which house is his. 

The boy, the narrator, sets out the next day at the allocated time, to try and discover where Dan lives.

A stunning folded page extends to show the whole street with its row of houses.

There is confusion. 

Each house is entirely different; one boat-shaped, another with a horse tied out front. Which one could be Dan’s?

 He looks at the first house?

 This had cooking aromas floating from it. The boy peeps in through the window (where there is a flap to lift) and sees why.

In the garden with the horse, there is a stained-glass window with its flap to lift, and another surprise to discover. But no sign of Dan.

This continues down the street, with flaps to lift and discoveries to be made. Until...

What will the boy find when he finally gets to Dan’s house?

That’s the best surprise of all!

Julia Donaldson has created another original and entertaining read in rhyming verse and regular rhythm for reading aloud. It has the element of surprise that children love as they lift the flaps or try to guess what could be hiding there.

Full page illustrations with several extended fold-out pages, give the images that extra advantage. Beautiful and detailed by illustrator Rebecca Cobb, they present the perfect translation of the theme - the promise of fun, and the warmth and friendship blossoming between two children.

Title: Who lives Here
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
Publisher: Macmillan, $ 26.99
Publication Date: 26 July 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781509893966
For ages: 3+
Type: Activity Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/lV5Z1is

Meet The Illustrator: Simon O'Carrigan

Name: Simon O'Carrigan

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Energetic and versatile – but always partly a study of light!

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My plants! No, first and foremost my favourite headphones. It doesn’t matter whether I’m working digitally, with watercolour, with ink, or anything else — I can’t work without music.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
For artwork, watercolour or ink – it’s a tight contest. Either way, pigment floating in water that evaporates! (Even though a lot of my published work is digital). For publishing, I love to work on my iPad so I can make quick changes. (The ‘MaxPack’ brushes by Max Ulichney are amazing for anyone looking for good watercolour brushes.)

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Bill Watterson, Ella Okstad, and Sydney Smith.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Tomorrow! Because either I can keep working on something that is going well; or I can try again if it wasn’t working today!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I’ve always loved art, drawing, and painting. I also have always loved reading and writing stories, so I like to use my artwork in a narrative format one way or another.

 
While I like to make artwork for exhibitions so people can own an original artwork by me, I also like to make my art accessible to people with less money, through art prints and published books and things like that. When I was young, I spent so much time in my local library looking at all the art books, magazines and comics. I still spend a lot of time in my local library! I feel that illustration is a very accessible artform, and that means a lot to me.

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 have a studio in a shared building full of about thirty artists, in Melbourne’s inner north. It’s my home away from home and I spend a lot of time here! A lot of my creative working time is not drawing, but thinking, so it’s important my space is comfortable for sitting and napping and feeling relaxed. I have a working table, a reading table, and a nice green rug to nap on if my mind needs a break.

My studio has a big north facing window, which helps me feel like I’m not stuck inside (I find it very hard to stay at my desk on sunny days when I could be running through parklands, kayaking on the river, or swimming at the pool!). It helps me to keep lots of plants in my studio which is very grounding, because sometimes being a freelancer and submitting artwork to clients can be very anxiety inducing!

One of my favourite things about my studio is my pinboards covered in swatches of watercolour, these are scraps from testing colour mixes as I work. It makes me happy to have this much colour floating behind my screen! I also like to collect all of my pencil shavings and have jars and jars of them stacked up! It reminds me that good work comes out of just making lots of work, and then choosing the good bits.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

I love scratching out early roughs with pencil, black ink, or on the iPad. I can spend weeks trying to “get to know” a character for a book and when they finally “click” and feel like a real person to me it is very exciting.

On the other hand, I love mixing colours on my enamel watercolour palette, and watching them run together and transform. I am fascinated by making a colour warmer, cooler, more or less saturated, until it is just right.

 
But honestly the best bit about it about my work is getting to listen to music all day! I listen to music about eight hours a day and I am always finding new music to inspire me.

 
When I am starting a project, and thinking deeply, I listen to my local community classical radio station, 3MBS. Once I know where the project is going and need the energy to make the work, then I switch over to my favourite music — noisy punk music from the 70s and 80s! There are some great radio shows on PBS FM that I stream while working.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Be nice to yourself and don’t spend too much trying to find a style! It’s really easy to be overwhelmed by all the great work you see others do. It’s also easy to think you need to have “one style” and try to force it. But your style will slowly and organically evolve the more work you do. So it’s best not to be too precious, let yourself make mistakes, know that each project will be better than your last and just keeping to try and make it fun for yourself. Once you have work you are very proud of, it will be much less intimidating to show it to potential clients.

Simon loves being an illustrator because it allows him to learn about, engage with, and reflect on the world around him. He works with ink, watercolour, and sometimes Photoshop. His illustrations are sketchy and loose – just like real life.

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

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/246ntqA

10 Quirky Questions with author Lana Spasevski

1. What's your hidden talent?
I’ve recently started making bread, short-crust pastry, pasta and anything that has a dough that needs to be made from scratch. After working in food marketing for over a decade and now on a kids’ book series all about food, I’ve been inspired to take more risks in the kitchen and upskill!

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
The White Witch from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is such a fascinating villain. I love wintertime and who wouldn’t want to have access to a magical potion that creates enchanting foods like hot chocolate and Turkish delights. Except I would use this magical potion for good causes like creating bottomless pits of writing snacks.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
I’d invite the masters of middle-grade fiction that have inspired generations of kids through the years – Lucy Maud Montgomery, Katherine Paterson and Nova Weetman. I’d also invite my two middle-grade reading children who are budding authors themselves and are in the process of writing their own first novels. We would laugh, listen and learn from one another over a scrumptious four-course meal (with a double serve of dessert of course!)

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak – perfect for escaping and finding moments of calm to squeeze in more uninterrupted writing time.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Daydream, plot, plan, speed-type, and REPEAT!

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Inspiring, authentic, heartfelt, engaging and inventive.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
My favourite writing space has plenty of natural light streaming in, my cosy lap cat to help me edit, lots of research papers and reference books scattered everywhere, a gigantic mug of coffee and a pen and paper to scribble down any random thoughts worth keeping.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
The closest book on my desk at the moment is my sparkly advance copy of A Slice of Sadie, the fourth book in the Sadie Series. The second word in the first sentence of page 22 is they. My line is inspired by a wonderful bunch of book-loving children that I met today at an author visit: They spent the afternoon pawing through the mountain of new library books. The books had sparked a connection and a furious debate on the agenda of the next book club meeting.

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
I’d ask Jane Austen: ‘If you were alive in today’s world, what would you write about?’

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
I would never be able to go a day without reading a book so in that regard I would give up writing to be forever surrounded by the power of other people’s words and perspectives.

Lana LOVES writing kids’ books just as much as Sadie LOVES sprinkles! Her writing is endlessly inspired by her young daughters who she lovingly calls her little book butterflies. Lana spends many hours treasure hunting in bookshops and attempting messy home bakes. She hopes to inspire a love of storytelling through her books and sensationally sweet characters. The latest book in the Sadie series is A Slice of Sadie, out now with Affirm Press. For more information, see www.lanaswrites.com.

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/kdOmRoa

Review: An A to Z of Dreaming Differently

Absolutely brilliant, this alphabet of inspiring words and messages pulses with positive energy. Uplifting and engaging, it reinforces how wonderful it is to be yourself.

Its outstanding design and layout, and Lucia Masciullo’s insightful illustrations, complement Tracy Dembo’s excellent text, which weaves itself over the page in capitals and lower case, to portray in a bright and carefree manner, what each letter represents.  

The covers feel like cloth. Smooth to the touch, they entice a look inside.

This is a reading experience which can be a revelation for children who see themselves as separate from others; different.

But different is unique.

An A to Z of Dreaming Differently will appeal to picture book readers of all ages. It speaks of kindness, optimism, and the advantage of exchanging negative feelings for positive ones, or accepting that at times, negative ones will come and go. 

It encourages children to dream and think big; to be full of hope. Ask questions, and be happy with who they are.

I loved this book, filled with joyful words of a future with dreams that generate confidence.

It is ideal for initiating conversations between teachers and students, and parents and children, about why looking at things differently, is a good thing.

Title: An A to Z of Dreaming Differently
Author: Tracy Denbo
Illustrator: Lucia Masciullo
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $ 24.99
Publication Date: 8 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780143778905
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/1tKTEvJ

Junior Review: The World's Worst Monsters

Vampires all the way through to the loch ness monster.

The World’s Worst Monsters has ten mini stories about mythical creatures — like the abominable snowman and werewolves.

If you’re into flying and mysteries, you’ll like the story about the vampire. 

Amber is a bright and positive girl who really wants a sibling. But when she gets a baby brother (little Alucard) she starts to notice strange things about him, like the fangs growing from his mouth.

If you’re into fishy monsters and evil grannies, you’ll like the story about the creature from the black pond. 

Sally has wicked grannies who always do horrid things to her, like make her pick their noses for them. At night, Sally likes to wander into her garden to look at the black pond. Until one night, a webbed hand reaches out and Sally meets an unexpected friend.

If you like stories about ghosts, gorgons, evil teddy bears, an abominable snowman that’s super nice and a friendly zombie, there’s something in this book for you.

I loved how these stories were weird and unique. They were not what I expected, and I learnt about new monsters I had never heard of. The stories were funny and easy to read, and I liked the fact there were ten different stories in the one book. I also liked the evil characters and the ways the good guys saved the day.

There are lots of illustrations in this book. They are life-like, cute and really detailed. Bright colours and cool characters.

Kids who like monsters and magic will like this book. I’m excited for book two, and I loved the way David Walliams told me that it’s coming. But you’ll have to read the book to find out.

Title: The World's Worst Monsters
Author: David Walliams
Illustrator: Adam Stower
Publisher: HarperCollins, $24.99
Publication Date: 26 July 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780008581633
For ages: 7 - 11
Type: Junior Fiction

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/xq8zutc

Guest Post: Alyssa Ainsworth on Why Theme Is So Important In Children's Books

When I first started writing, I knew I wanted my first book to be a fairytale, but wanted a theme that reached beyond the pages of the book. 

What I find so vital about the theme of my first published book, Tea Time With Tolly, was that the parents do not shy away from allowing her (Olivia) to have such an open mind and a vast imagination. When she goes to bed that night, she dreams of the people who could show up at her door, but her dream has some restrictions on who might show up.

In Olivia’s mind, she keeps the guests relatively realistic, as most children would. She thinks maybe it is her parents, or that the knights of the kingdom are going to join her, and lastly, she dreams that her friends from other kingdoms arrive to join her. 

Although her suggestions are realistic, her father goes above and beyond to nurture her imagination and grant her wishes of wanting real company.

The overarching theme is to show the significance of nurturing your children’s imagination and letting them explore the world with a vast and open mind. This is an amazing way to allow children to grow and explore their own life, and I hope my book will encourage parents to let their children have a never-ending imagination, and an open door to exploration of the world through their own unique eyes. 

I know that because my parents allowed me to explore the world with an open mind and vast imagination is the reason, I am able to write a book with such an important theme. A few of my readers reached out not realizing that they could enjoy this book with both their daughters and sons due to the guest who shows up, and it is so important to try not to put limits on what stories your child reads because that too can leave them with less of an open mind toward certain books. Even though the book is recommended for ages three to eight, it is never too early to start reading for your children. Following Princess Olivia’s unexpected guest she spends the night dreaming of her next big tea party adventure, and who might join her next time.

Growing up, I found myself to be very open-minded and creative. I never loved the idea of getting older and having to do adult responsibilities and jobs. I craved the imaginative and open atmosphere of theater camps, art classes, reading, writing stories, and anything that allowed me to use my own ideas and creativity in life. That’s why after I graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology, I originally went into education and child care. Working summer camps, I was able to be the big kid running games, activities, and crafts that made my kids use their imagination, it was an amazing time.I like to consider myself someone who can hold onto their inner child, and use it to my advantage, and that gave me the idea to write a children’s book. I wanted to write this story about a princess because I love going to Renaissance fairs, and love playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Using my hobbies and things I enjoy now, as an adult, made it even easier to write a children’s book with such an important theme. This shows that memories made in your childhood still have an importance in your adult life and influence your choices. Writing this book allows me to let parents have these memories with their children that they can hold onto forever, just like I did with my family growing up. I hope that my inner child, my vast imagination, and my open-minded book bring joy into you and your children’s lives, and help you teach your children about the importance of their own imagination. I cannot wait to continue writing children’s books, a journey of never-ending fairy tales, that provide important themes as well as a sense of child-like imagination and wonder.

Alyssa Ainsworth is a first time children’s book author from just outside of Washington D.C.. With her Bachelor’s in Psychology, Alyssa plans to pursue writing using her unique skill set to create books that will help children grow emotionally, mentally and socially.

Find her on Instagram @ThePaper.Hive  

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/krGVFo9

Review: Honey and the Valley of Horses

Sickness has enveloped the world. To find a safe place, Honey’s family escapes the city in their converted ice-cream van, with enough supplies to last them for some time. 

It is Honey’s fourth birthday. Her brother Rumi is still a baby.

They drive into a rainforest which seems the perfect place to camp. As they fear there is no entrance visible, one is opened by a herd of enchanted horses. 

A bridge magically appears, which they cross into a secret valley, which then closes behind them.

In this valley of horses, the family begins a new, self-sufficient life. 

They learn to forage for food, fish, live day by day in nature, and make do by repurposing everything that is at hand to use as clothing and tools. Lessons and daily chores fill the children's days.

They believe that there is no one left alive outside the valley. Their phones have no reception, and they know nothing of what is happening in the world beyond the valley.

Two of the horses which Honey names Lightning and Moongold, become the family’s protectors and the children’s best friends.

When Papa becomes seriously ill, Honey sets out on Moongold to try to find anyone out there to help.

It is exactly seven years to the day and Honey’s eleventh birthday.

Will she find an opening to the outside world in time to save her father? More importantly, will the valley let them go, or will they remain trapped in this magical place forever?

This is a great adventure story filled with magical mystery.  A delightful read which centres on personal growth, family unity, strength, courage and hope.

Wendy Orr’s words paint pictures that are easily imagined, and that add richness and scope to the background stories.

Title: Honey and the Valley of Horses
Author: Wendy Orr
Publisher:Allen & Unwin, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761068492
For ages: 9 – 13
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/tKsL465