Review: Dancing with Dragons

Have you ever wandered through the trees and heard something strange? It’s probably just a rabbit or a bird, right? Maybe the wind?

But what if it wasn’t. What if it was dragons?

Well, this is exactly what happens to Rose!

While playing in the woods, she stumbles across two fearsome dragons with black eyes and terrible talons. But… 

It turns out these dragons aren’t scary. They just need to Rose to judge their dancing competition.

So the dancing begins…

First was the dragon with horns of bright red,
flaring his nostrils and bopping his head.

Grooving and shaking and tapping his toes,
then spinning around on the tip of his nose.

They are both very good. How could Rose possibly choose which is best? But then one more contender comes into the mix and changes everything.

Dancing with Dragons is a super joyful rhyming picture book for kids who love a splash of fantasy with their stories. I am OBSESSED with dragons, so this one really speaks to me, and I love how the story encourages movement and dance.

Delivered in funky rhyme, by author Amy Dunjey, the story flows from the tongue to the tips of your toes. Paired with stunning illustrations from Jesus Lopez, each turn of the page is colourful, bright and engaging. There are some gorgeous colours in this book, from golden pink morning hues to the purple-green forest palate and bright red dragon scales. It’s just really, really beautiful.

If you love a fun rhyming tales and you love dragons, you’re really going to love Dancing with Dragons by Amy Dunjey and Jesus Lopez.

Title: Dancing with Dragons
Author: Amy Dunjey
Illustrator: Jesus Lopez
Publisher: Larrikin House, $19.99
Publication Date: February 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922503299
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Voyage Of Whale And Calf

Meet The Illustrator: Tori-Jay Mordey

Name: Tori-Jay Mordey

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
People, connection, movement, emotions, and bursting with colour.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Music is the most important part for me, it's what helps me to visualise what I want to draw in my head, to keep the creative juices flowing while also keeping me awake and motivated while working.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I love acrylic painting, but I also love drawing digitally. I always try to balance it out by working on digital illustrations for clients while also putting time aside to do acrylic painting for fun.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
James Jean, Shaun Tan, and most comic book artists

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Probably Postmodernism, just because it was such a wild change for how we produced and looked at art, I would have loved to attend an art exhibition back then.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
For the majority of my childhood I really struggled with reading, so a lot of the books I'd borrow from the library were all picture books, I couldn't read the book but I could follow the story through the illustrations, and ever since then I've always wanted to become an illustrator.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
This is a photo of me in my studio in Brisbane, I work right in the city not far from the Botanical Gardens, I share this studio space with street artists, fine art artists, and other creatives, every wall of our studio is painted with vibrant murals. I started painting the walls of my studio space but haven't quite finished it yet. Behind me you'll also see some of my acrylic paintings, some finished, some not. This studio is like a second home to me, it's my favourite place to come to create.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
The sketching and the finalised line art.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Don't be afraid to meet people from your creative community, get out there and attend social art events, get to know other creatives, put yourself out there, the more like-minded people you surround yourself with, the more you'll learn and grow from them. The people and friends I have met within the creative arts industry have helped shape me into the artist/illustrator that I am today, they inspire me every single day.

Tori-Jay Mordey is an Indigenous Australian illustrator whose work traverses multiple mediums, such as digital illustration, drawing, painting, printmaking, film and murals. Her Torres Strait Islander and English heritage is often reflected in her contemporary Indigenous art practice— producing work based around her family and siblings as a way of understanding herself, her appearance and racial identity. She is based in Brisbane, Australia.

For more information, please visit Tori-Jay's website or follow her on instagram.

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Guest Post: Jacinta Farragher - Jacinta's Joy!

Review: Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast

Pearly Woe is a bit of a worrier.

She worries about worse case scenarios. She worries that she isn’t smart enough or strong enough. She worries that she’ll never be accepted into The Adventurologists’ Guild, the secret adventure group her parents are part of.

But when her parents go missing, and she receives a secret message indicating they are in danger, Pearly has no choice but to spring into action, despite how much she is worrying about EVERYTHING.

Along with her best friend Pig, Pearly must outwit some seriously shady characters and solve several mysteries to find her parents.

Luckily, Pearly and Pig have a secret weapon. Pearly is fluent in several languages, including animal languages, so they can speak, plan and plot throughout their adventure.

But sometimes secret weapons can land you in hot water, and when Pearly’s secret is uncovered, she’s pulled further and further away from rescuing her parents and proving she has what it takes to be a true Adventurologist.

It’s quite the adventure for an Adventurologist-in-training!

This is a fantastic novel for junior readers who love adventure, mystery and secret-society-style stories. It’s packed full of twists and turns, and it’s action-packed from start to finish.

The characters are deep and layered, and I love the emotional journey readers get to take with Pearly. She has a lot of self-doubt along the way and sometimes wants to give up (don’t we all!), but she finds the courage within to take another step, even if she doesn’t know where that step will take her.

There’s a lot packed into this novel, including themes of animal welfare and the environment. But at its core, it’s a story about believing in yourself and finding the strength to keep trying when things aren’t going your way.

The first book in a brand-new series by award-winning author Sue Whiting, Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast is a must read for all readers who love going on adventures and solving a mystery.


Title: Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast
Author: Sue Whiting
Illustrator: Rebecca Crane
Publisher: Walker Books, $15.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760653590
For ages: 7 - 13
Type: Junior Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction

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Guest Post: Janeen Brian on A Surprise Cover

Many of you are familiar with the illustrative works of Tracie Grimwood. Her colourful geometric, whimsical character portraits feature in picture books such as, Reena's Rainbow and Bo Loves Books. 

Tracie also illustrated the cover for one of our favourite authors, Janeen Brian ; the Notable Award winning mid-grade novel, Eloise and the Bucket of Stars, (Walker Books Australia) but that came about as a ‘surprise cover.’ 

When Janeen revealed the intriguing backstory of the cover image Tracie used on her latest novel, we were all ears ... and eyes! See for yourself.

"A book cover is a visual teaser. A good cover not only captivates and pulls the would-be-reader in, but also hints as to the tone and storyline without giving away the plot. So it must work hard. And, you’d think that the illustrator would need to know the bones of the story, before attempting the cover, right?

Well, maybe not.

When I first saw the cover of my latest novel with Walker Books Australia, Eloise and the Bucket of Stars, I was excited. It was perfect. It was beautiful. And it both captivated and hinted at what lay in the story. Imagine my surprise when I found out the cover had been created 5 years before it graced my story. So I asked the talented illustrator, Tracie Grimwood, how it came to be. It’s an intriguing story. 

So read on!"

To continue reading this post, please head to CBCA where this 'revelation'  first appeared. 

Excerpt used with author's permission.

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Review: Take A Breath

Bob the bird is still young and can't fly like all the other birds.

It seems like he's reminded at every turn that he's not like the others. 

Frustrated and anxious that he can't keep up with the other birds Bob tries to distract himself.

He also practices flying and tries various tactics to help (catapults, balloons, and a hat with a propeller), but it doesn't help.

He's worried he will never be able to fly and the more he worries, the more difficult it is.

Eventually, Bob blurts out his worries to Crow, who has experienced problems of his own, and has some advice. Crow's explains how mindful breathing can make all the difference.

It takes Bob time to learn how to really breath, but with Crow's help he turns things around and remembers to believe in himself.

Take A Breath is relatable for children and adults, and the illustrations of the bright red little bird by author and illustrator Suejean Rim demonstrate the power of simplicity.

Take A Breath is a sweet story that shows how being aware and patient can help us manage emotions and take steps forward, even when they can seem difficult. A wonderful book for young and old.

Title: Take A Breath
Author/Illustrator: Suejean Rim
Publisher: Allen & Unwin , $ 24.99
Publication Date: May 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761066597
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Giveaway: The Astronaughties: Moon Mayhem

You may be asking yourself how three naughty kids, one pet octopug and their handsome robot minder accidentally got strapped inside a 400 megaton thermonuclear rocket on a one-way collision course to the moon?

It's 101 years in the future and the Moon has been transformed into the ultimate super-cool intergalactic amusement park. The Astronaughties, the children of some of the park’s designers, get a chance to visit the Lunar Park before it officially opens. 

But when they arrive, they discover their parents are missing. Now their mission is to find them, defeat the baddies and free a trapped alien. Hold on tight, this is going to be one wild rocket ride!

For the chance to win a copy of this out-of-this-world middle grade novel courtesy of Walker Books Australia, tell us in 25 words or less where would you go if you could travel to space, and what you would like to find there?

Email your answer along with your name and postal address to dimity. The response we like best will win a copy of the book. Competition is open to anyone, worldwide, so long as they have an Australian postal address for delivery of the books. Please note, we cannot deliver to PO Boxes. Entries without a name and street address will be ineligible. Winners will be announced right here on our website on 16 May2022.

Competition runs from 5.00 am 7 May 2022 to 5 pm 14 May 2022. Adults can enter for those aged 17 and under. This is a game of skill, not chance. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

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Review: It's a Wonderful World

Our world is incredible: inspiring, intricate and filled with wonder.

It’s a complex system that runs on autopilot, always moving and changing and healing. Our animals, plants and weather all have important roles and live by ever-changing cycles that support our planet and give us all life. It’s one big team, working together.

We humans haven’t always been (and still aren’t always) good team players when it comes to caring for our world.

But we can be.

We can do better, and reading this book will help kids, families, classrooms (and adults) to understand how the world works and what we can do to protect it.

It’s a comprehensive and detailed journey, covering everything from where we are in the universe to nature’s daily miracles. There are 32 chapters, which go through all the different kinds of plant life that support our world (plants, grasses, fungi, soil etc.), everything you need to know about life cycles (pollination, migration, evolution and extinction etc.) and a giant selection of our worlds fascinating creatures, divided by habitat (think rainforests, mountains, wetlands).

There is just so much information in this book!

The layout is awesomely engaging and spot on for kids, which makes this a book they will WANT to pick up. Large text, breakout boxes, and info delivered in short sections means kids can read bite-sized pieces of text, one at a time. And loads of colour, photographs and illustrations on every single page means there is always something to look at while you read, helping to cement concepts.

Non-fiction books delivered with such strong and well-planned layouts are perfect for kids (and adults, too, I might add!). With so much information to absorb, it really helps to be able to take it slow and read small sections at a time.

But this isn’t just a book of facts, either. It includes myth-busting information throughout (which I love), and tips and tricks to better support the environment, which makes it a very actionable book, instead of just providing information.

Back of the book favourites include a glossary and an index to help you find your way, but my kids and I loved opening the book at random and reading a page or two. The set up and layout of the book allows for this type of exploratory reading, and I think it works really well to engage kids and make this a book audiences will dip into time and time again.

Title: It's a Wonderful World
Author: Jess French
Illustrator: Aleesha Nandhra
Publisher: DK, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780241533543
For ages: 6+
Type: Non-Fiction

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Review: Poo, Spew And Other Gross Things Animas Do!

This book takes a deep dive into the world of not just poo, but also spew, snot and all the other gross things animals do to survive and thrive. Did you know that there are literally dozens of names for poo? That dogs snack on it and frogs live inside huge mounds of it? That some creatures sleep inside their own snot bubbles? That honey isn’t quite vomit even though it comes out of bee’s mouths? Or that sometimes, the silky white sand at the beach which you spread your towel out upon is actually the poo of the parrot fish?

Well, now you do. You’re welcome.

You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You might even throw up!

Do not, repeat not, read this book at mealtimes or if you’re even just a little peckish. You have been warned.

But seriously, this book is a very engaging and rather witty master class in poo. From being a poo detective, to the general world of poo including who-what-when-where-how and why, to meeting poo scientists and experts from all walks of life, this text covers all manner of content that is indeed gross, stinky and very, very interesting.

The book looks quite beautiful for something so disgusting. It’s very well credentialed and is laid out perfectly – almost magazine style – in bite-sized chunks with plenty of colour and a welcome variety of information. Interesting photographs and delightful artworks accompany the terrifying text to heighten the interest and embellish some of the more descriptive passages. Pun intended.

A valuable and very funny resource book complete with a Grossary of terms, it will definitely be a hit wherever it appears on a bookshelf. And don’t forget to test your poo IQ with the Most Disgusting Quiz online at CSIRO’s website.

Title: Poo, Spew And Other Gross Things Animals Do!
Author: Nic Gill, Romane Cristescu
Illustrator: Rachel Tribout
Publisher: CSIRO $29.99
Publication Date: April 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781486314867
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

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Cover Reveal: Milly and The Mulberry Tree

We are tickled mulberry-pink and purple to be the first to reveal this beautiful new picture book cover!

Congratulations to the creative duo of CBCA short-listed, Vikki Conley and prolific illustrator, Deb Hudson 

Milly and The Mulberry Tree, published by @EKbooksforkids is a delightful story about the magic of both home and other worlds. Full of vibrant, whimsical illustrations of silk-moths, caterpillars and spooky-mulberry stained dress ups, it explores our ties with nature and places in a way that will resonate with young readers.

Inspired by the 100-year-old mulberry tree that grows in the author's own childhood garden, this is a book full of heart and joy that will be a delight for educators and families to share, particularly for those with nostalgic memories of mulberry trees!

Available now for pre-order online through EK Books.

Due for release in June 2022

Discover more about Vikki with her 12 Curlies author interview or visit her website or Instagram. Connect with Deb via Instagram.

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Review: Spotlight Please, It's Stevie Louise

Stevie Louise is back in the second instalment in the Stevie Louise series. And this time her theatre troupe, Lunchbox Productions, is in danger.

Lunchbox Productions is the most fun the kids on Brooke Street have ever had, and they want to perform together forever. But costumes and sets cost money, and without some funding, there isn’t going to be anymore amazing plays from Lunchbox.

Until…. Stevie and her friends hear about a talent show happening at the local shopping centre. And first prize is one thousand dollars. 

With that kind of funding, they could continue performing for years!

But there are few problems. Firstly, the competition is fierce. Like seriously fierce. There are twerking grannies, singing goats and the most amazing dance group Stevie has ever seen. Secondly, they haven’t won the competition yet, so they don’t have any money for amazing costumes and sets. And lastly, Alex — superstar actor extraordinaire — has glued a unicorn horn to his forehead, and if he steps one toe out of line, his dad is going to ground him FOREVER!

Stevie and her friends are up against a mountain of opposition, but somehow they need to work as a team, rehearse their performance and win the talent quest. Can they do it?

This is a seriously fun junior fiction series for fans of fast-paced, funny reads. The humour and silliness is jam-packed into this book, making it a joyful (and addictive) read from start to finish.

The whole gang is hilarious, but Stevie an Alex in particular are larger than life characters with a lot to share and a lot to say. I love their independent thinking and courage to step up when its needed. And I love their ability to always be themselves. 

I just adore them (and the whole Lunchbox Productions Crew)!

Author Tanya Hennessy delivers a real winner with this series. These are books kids will really relate to, filled with characters they will want to befriend/be. With big text (with loads of emotion infused into the text layout) and funky pictures by Leigh Hedstrom peppered throughout, it’s an easy and engaging read for kids.

I do recommend grabbing a copy of book one in the series (Drumroll Please, It’s Stevie Louise), because it is that kind of series that builds with each book. But this is just a great excuse to buy more books!

Fun, funny and fast paced, Spotlight Please, It’s Stevie Louise is a junior fiction winner!

Title: Spotlight Please, It’s Stevie Louise
Author: Tanya Hennessy
Illustrator: Leigh Hedstrom
Publisher: Albert Street Books, $14.99
Publication Date: May 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760526429
For ages: 7 - 11 
Type: Junior Fiction

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10 Quirky Questions with author Jacqueline Harvey

1. What's your hidden talent?
I play the piano (reasonably well – though not often in public), I can mimic just about any accent and I love to play golf.

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Dash Chalmers from Kensy and Max. He is pure evil but also a bit of an enigma.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Enid Blyton, Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl, Harper Lee and Colin Thiele (I have questions for all of them).

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
The RUOK 5.0 from the Kensy and Max series – a high-tech portable diagnostic medical scanner which can be used to identify almost any health issue on the spot.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Thoughtful, creative, dedicated, organised and speedy.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Entertaining, creative, heartfelt, well researched and fun.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Keyboard, mouse and two screens (I’m considering that a package deal), Roald Dahl pencil case with requisite pens and pencils, notebooks, books, hand cream.

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!)
Was that you I saw Ronald, climbing out of Mrs Best’s kitchen window last night?
The book I used was Alice-Miranda in Egypt (#20 in the series)

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
To Enid Blyton: ‘What compelled you to write over 700 books?’

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Neither, but if I was made to choose it would be never read another book. It would force me to use my imagination and come up with books I’d want to read!

Jacqueline Harvey worked in schools for many years but has had a passion for storytelling since she was a child. She is the author of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kensy and Max series, which have sold over one million copies in Australia alone. She is currently working on a new series, Willa and Woof, which will be released in July 2022. That Cat is the 49th book and the second picture book she’s written. For more information, see www.jacquelineharvey.com.au. You can also read more about Jacqueline and our reviews of just some of her books here.

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Winner: The Ghost Locker

Our lucky winner is...

Angie Johnson, QLD

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of this supernatural middle grade fiction, The Ghost Locker by Allison Rushby.

Thank you to ALL who entered. Again, we had a veritable treasure chest of excellent entries!

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Review: The Great Southern Reef

Have you heard of the Great Southern Reef? It stretches from the north of New South Wales to Western Australia and is home to sea creatures and more than 400 different types of seaweed.

The Great Southern Reef is also a picture book showcasing some of the plants and animals that live in the Reef. 

It's a story about Professor Seaweed and her two young friends, Frankie and Sam. They enjoy beach combing and the day after a storm they go on a walk to explore what has washed up on the beach.

On their walk, Frankie and Sam find some of the different animals and plants that make their home in the ocean.

Professor Seaweed tells the children about what they find, and explains the importance of their discoveries. Amongst the beachcombing treasures are cuttlefish and a turbo snail shell. In a rockpool there's a sea anenome, and further along the beach is lots of sea lettuce, kelp, and a seaweed called Neptune's Necklace.

The children also unfortunately find the beach strewn with rubbish. However they help clean it up, and in the process show their understanding of water pollution and the need to avoid it.

Professor Seaweed also tells Frankie and Sam about the Great Southern Reef and some of the interesting uses for seaweed. 

Frankie, Sam and Professor Seaweed's story is a great way to put the spotlight on a important part of our environment, and to make us aware of Australian marine life.

The Great Southern Reef is sure to inspire a beach combing walk, and encourage children to learn more about what they find next time they visit the beach.

Download Teachers' Notes from the publisher's website for curriculum linked information and activities.

Title: The Great Southern Reef
Author: Paul Venzo and Prue Francis
Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing, $ 24.99
Publication Date: May 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN:  9781486315314
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book

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