Announcement: Meet Katrin Dreiling

One of KBR's most popular features is our Meet the Illustrator interviews.

For the past year or more, Heidi Cooper-Smith has brought us a kaleidoscope of illuminating illustrators' insights but is now handing her paintbrushes over to the equally radiant, Katrin Dreiling.

Katrin's illustrative style has been described as quirky, fun, mischievous, original and very European. We just think it's oodles of fun, like Katrin!

Katrin was awarded the Harper Collins Illustrators Showcase Award 2019 at the biannual SCBWI conference in Sydney. 

We first met Katrin a couple of years ago in her own Meet The Illustrator interview. Today, as she prepares to take over the reins of Coordinator from Heidi, we divulge a bit more of the delightful Katrin. Welcome!

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. 
I talk to magpies so they don’t swoop me in September.

2. What is your nickname? 
Frau Dreiling (sorry it’s a bit formal).

3. What is your greatest fear? 
Werewolves.

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Quirky,fun, European, humorous, quiet, dreamy, unconventional, bright, unusual, undisciplined (I’m working on that).

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. 
Eager to learn, punctual, fast, cooperative, determined.

6. What book character would you be, and why? 
Pippi Longstockings – she is both mentally and physically strong and full of humour.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Medieval ages – fascinating yet scary.

8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
 Go, go, go!

9. Who is your greatest influence? 
Illustrating: Beatrice Alemagna Writing: Astrid Lindgren, Janosch

10. What/who made you start writing? 
Grade 3 – my primary school class teacher always encouraged my writing. I have then studied English and German literature at uni.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
My new favourite English word is ‘plumtastic’ (I found it at the Botanical Gardens). My favourite German word is ‘gurken’ which describes ‘moving’ in an aimless, useless way.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
Thomas Mann Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain).

Katrin is a German-born language teacher but moved to Australia with her husband and three children and became an illustrator. Now she lives in a wooden house on stilts next to a creek filled with snakes and poisonous toads and hopes to spot a koala one day.

Her first picture book, The World’s Worst Pirate by Michelle Worthington was awarded as Notable Book 2018 by the Children’s Book Council of Australia and she also delivered illustrations for a highly successful video animation production on YouTube.

Katrin was awarded the Harper Collins Illustrators Showcase Award 2019 at the biannual SCBWI conference in Sydney. She is represented by Essie White at Storm Literary Agency.

Katrin also teaches art to children twice a week and conducts illustration workshops for both adults and children. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family, writing quirky stories and walking her Golden Retriever, ‘Loki’. 

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2GmUPW3

Review: Why I Love My Mummy

This is a lovely gift book for shared reading between mother and child. In creating this book, Howarth has used children’s own words to answer the statement, “I love my mummy because…”

Each page contains a heart-warming response in a child’s voice, such as “she helps me,” or “she kisses me better”, or “she smells nice.”

The illustrations are soft and warm, with each page depicting an animal mummy and child interacting together. 

The baby animals are beautifully and realistically illustrated, showing a cheekiness and personality in their loving play with their mums.

The range of animals included is also good for prompting discussions with little ones by pointing out the different animals, such as pandas, elephants and giraffes.

This book has sentimental value for me as I have read it with all three of my children and they have all loved the closeness of reading it together and reaching out for hugs and kisses as the animals do on each page. It is a great book to keep in mind for Mother’s Day, or a gift for anytime really as most Mums will love reading this beautiful book with their child.

Title: I Love My Mummy
Author/Illustrator: Daniel Howarth
Publisher: HarperCollins, $14.99
Publication Date: 26 March 2006
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780007228812
For ages: 2 - 5
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2GrYdAi

Meet the Illustrator: Manuela Adreani

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less. Delicate, honest and gentle.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium? I only need a pencil to draw my ideas and a sheet of A4 paper, very basic items. What is essential for me, is to see what I will draw clearly in my mind and, only then, can shape it on the paper.

What items are an essential part of your creative space? I love pencils and watercolour.  Unfortunately, I don’t use them much, because I use mainly digital painting to realise the books, due to very short deadlines.

Name three artists whose work inspires you. I love Lisbeth Zwerger and the Australian illustrator Shaun Tan, who illustrated one of my favorite books The Red Tree. I also really appreciate very different illustrators, from the realistic and complicated style of Rebecca Dautremer, to the very simple and essential style of Oliver Jeffers.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why? I would have loved to live in Paris during Impressionism, from the 1850s until the beginning of 1900. During that time, artists have changed the direction of painting and created new ways of representing reality. I love all of them -  Modigliani, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh, who spent just few years in Paris but still he is an important part of that changing atmosphere.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator? I’ve always loved drawing, but I actually did not know that illustrating could be a profession until I went to see the open day of the School of Illustration in Rome, where I studied for 3 years. And then, when I saw the books of Lisbeth Zwerger, I felt in love with her illustrations, and with children’s books in general, and I felt that illustrating for kids was what I wanted to do. Though it took me long time to have the courage to do it, I’m glad I finally did!

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 my little studio - here is where I work. As you can see, there’s a nice window from which I get a lot of sun in the afternoon. It’s a new room for me since I moved into this flat a few months ago, but I love this space, and the company of my cat... when he shows up!

What is your favourite part of the illustration process? When I draw or colour, to me it’s very important to talk to the characters. For example while I was working on Hugo, which is a very delicate story, I would speak to my drawings of Hugo. I related to him as if he was a real boy. He kept me company and I had the feeling I could more easily represent what he was going through, or at least so it seemed to me!

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator? The main thing I’d like to suggest to aspiring illustrators is to find their own style and way to tell stories. I also would like to tell them that working as an illustrator is very demanding on the body, so I would advise to take care of it. And that this beautiful job does not leave a lot of spare time. It requires a lot of sacrifice, but doing what you like doing is the best reward we can have.

Manuela is a children’s books illustrator and animator from Turin, Italy. She started working as an illustrator thanks to a competition for the 130th anniversary of the creation of Pinocchio. Her illustrated books have been published world wide and have been translated into many languages.  Last year Manuela was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
You can follow Manuela on instagram and facebook or find out more via her website.








from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2IEAZIQ

Review: Petra

A beautifully presented book about a smooth, grey, round, solid object named Petra.

Told from Petra’s view the story follows her journey in self-discovery with amusing events which cleverly show perspective, perception and context. Petra’s inspiring confidence is shown early in the story when she announces I am strong. I’m a fearsome, fearless mighty, magnificent mountain!

But is Petra really a mountain? With such confidence and certainty Petra shows us that your belief in yourself matters more than your actual size and that your surroundings can change it all in a heartbeat anyway.

I adore the modern design of this book; it features plenty of white space, minimal text, a soft colour palette and delightful illustrations. Despite appearing simple the illustrations deliver great depth, in particular the expressions on Petra’s face—created with only a few circles and lines are brilliant.

While it’s listed for ages 6-7, I think children of all ages and even adults would enjoy Petra. My 2-year-old stayed focused and enjoyed it, while I felt joyful anticipation when turning each page.

Petra is a lovely book to read aloud, with lots of space and opportunity to discuss the scenes and topics of perception, context, perspective and confidence. With 48 pages it is a little longer than usual picture books but it certainly doesn’t feel longer.

Marianna Coppo is an author/illustrator from Italy where Petra was originally published.

Title: Petra
Author/Illustrator: Marianna Coppo
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd, $28.95
Publication Date: 1 August 2018
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780735262676
For ages: 6 – 7
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2IHACgi

Review: Hotel Flamingo

Anna has a lot to deal with when she inherits Hotel Flamingo from her great-aunt.

Hotel Flamingo has seen better days. It's run-down and untidy, and its only staff are a doorman who is a bear (named T. Bear) and a ring-tailed lemur receptionist (called Lemmy).

However, Anna is determined to return Hotel Flamingo to its glory days, and welcome guests once more.

She wants it to be a genuine competitor to the flashy Glitz on the hill.

Hotel Flamingo soon secures a team of enthusiastic new staff to join T. Bear and Lemmy: a giraffe, koala, mouse and hippo. There's also Madame Le Pig, the rather precocious new chef.

What Anna needs next are guests -- to add to the elderly tortoise upstairs, just awakened from hibernation.

Anyone else might turn away the family of cockroaches who asked for a room, but Anna wants Hotel Flamingo to be open to anyone. She has a big idea, too, and it involves a lot of pink flamingos.

There will be bumps along the way, but Anna is determined that Hotel Flamingo will return to being the sunniest hotel on Animal Boulevard.

Hotel Flamingo is a positive and uplifting story with appealing characters, and a plot that bounces along at a swift pace. Accompanying cartoonish illustrations by author/illustrator Alex Milway are sweet and, like the chapter breaks, are generously spread throughout.

An endearing book for beginning and newly independent readers.

Title: Hotel Flamingo
Author/illustrator: Alex Milway
Publisher: Bonnier, $12.99
Publication Date: March 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781848127753
For ages: 5--7 years
Type: Junior fiction




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2VPZOFh

Review: A Quiet Girl

Mary is quiet. She steps quietly. She speaks quietly.

This means Mary hears things many people don’t tend to notice. It also means lots of people don’t tend to notice her. 

Including her family. 

When Mary’s family suddenly can’t find her, they yell and call across the neighbourhood, making a ruckus as they search for her. 

But Mary is a quiet girl, and finding her requires a quiet solution.

A Quiet Girl is a beautiful story from Australian picture book master Peter Carnavas. It’s a story about the now — about how crazy and loud our world has become and about the joys of finding the quiet and rediscovering the beauty of the world if only we stop and listen.

It’s also a story about family and individuality. We are not always the same as the other members of our family, and this is okay. It’s okay to be different.

This is a stunning story with heartfelt and inspiring themes brought to life by Carnavas’s whimsical text and his magical illustrations. The beautifully soft colour palate will warm your heart and Carnavas’s way with perspective and character emotion with the simplest of tweaks will wow you with every turn of the page.

A Carnavas picture book is like a great big hug that makes you stop and appreciate things. His books are always thought provoking, but in such gentle ways, which I find perfect for igniting important and interesting conversations with kids in a way they can understand and relate to.

Beautiful, whimsical, engaging and heartwarming — another Peter Carnavas winner!

Title: A Quiet Girl

Author/Illustrator: Peter Carnavas

Publisher: UQP, $24.99

Publication Date: 2 April 2019

Format: Hard Cover

ISBN: 9780702260025

For ages: 3+

Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2IoxJBK

12 Curly Questions with author Juliet Sampson

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I have a small scar on my forehead like Harry Potter.

2. What is your nickname?
My nickname is Sunflower Lady as I grow sunflowers every year. They have become my favourite flower. People often think of me when they see this flower.

3. What is your greatest fear?
I do not like heights.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Simple, straight to the point, with a twist of intrigue.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Creative, curious, enthusiastic, persevering and resolute.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Peekay, from The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. He is courageous despite all the challenges he faces and is determined to make a difference in the world.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would not travel in time. I am happy with the year I am in and what I am doing with my life presently. I believe in living in the now.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
I am glad you are still chasing your dreams. Keep going.

9. Who is your greatest influence? 
My mother

10. What/who made you start writing?
My mother read to me every night and I enjoyed our regular visits to the library and storytime. Also, my grandpa’s love of films and musicals allowed me to spend many hours watching different characters share their stories.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
My favourite word is inspiration, but my favourite saying is ‘spread sunshine and inspiration’. This is the motto I live by.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There are so many lessons to be learned in this story, through all the different characters, their backgrounds and lifestyles. I also love how most of the story is set in a confectionery factory. This truly is a world of pure imagination.

Juliet M Sampson is an award-winning author. Dance Demons won 2016 Book of the Year in the Reader’s Choice Awards in the AusRomToday competition. Her other three books are Behind the Mask, Bon Voyage! and Outback Wonder. Her first picture book is Grace’s Mystery Seed, released through Ford Street Publishing. For more information, see www.julietsampson.com.au.

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2IuCMA5

Winners: Catch a Falling Star

And our lucky winners are...

Harlan Guziak (7),VIC
Jo Seysener, QLD

Congratulations! You have each won a copy of the magical middle grade novel, Catch a Falling Star by Meg McKinlay

Enjoy!

Thank you to ALL who entered.



from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2v3bGrT

Review: Tintinnabula

Tintinnabula is an exquisitely poignant picture book that resonates deeply. From the first touch, first look, first read, this book transports readers from dark and menacing times, through imposing but compelling doorways, to a safer, gentler world beyond.

Margo Lanagan's text captures heart-aching difficulties, then carries readers from trouble, pain, suffering and fear towards comfort, certainty, safety and self.

Rovina Cai's atmospheric illustrations majestically sweep across every page and this book was a most deserving winner of the 2018 Children's Book Council of Australia's Crichton Award.

The reader gradually moves from harsh and jagged landscapes, toned in fierce reds, blacks and browns, towards the gentle, green, wind-swept hills of Tintinnabula, where doves fly and lingering sounds of bells reverberate with peace. This book is a powerful symbol of hope.

Title: Tintinnabula
Author: Margo Lanagan
Illustrator: Rovina Cai
Publisher: Little Hare , $29.99
Publication Date: 1 October 2017
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781742975252
For ages: 9+
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2VGhRhe

Review: The Year of the Pig

Charles Hope and Jess Racklyeft, the creative duo of The Year of the Dog, deliver another  Chinese Zodiac animal story, The Year of the Pig. A perfect gift for any piggy born in 2019.

This charming and captivating story reveals the character traits of all the Zodiac animals. The main character, Pig, is optimistic. Today he is hopeful about winning the school running race, even though he is usually last at everything.

During the race the other animals slowly start to fall behind Pig. They become lost, forgetful, distracted and naughty. Then just as Pig sees the finish line, he begins to worry about his friends. Where are they?

Pig shows that he is clam and responsible, as he  backtracks through the forest to find his friends. He uses his heightened senses of hearing and smell to locate them. Pig then shepherds them towards the finish line. But how will Pig win, now?

Hope weaves an dynamic, humorous and exciting story around the theme of friendship, while also exploring the characteristics of each Zodiac animal. In the character of Pig, we discover that there are many ways to feel like a winner, without coming first in any activity.

Racklyeft's soft vibrant colours and patterns, combined with her lively characters, entice the readers to explore her watercolour and digital illustrations. She has used a variety of viewpoints to help the readers understand the vastness of the forest where the race is taking place. I adore how Racklyeft uses perspective to demonstrate the size of each animal, Dragon makes Snake look as small as Slimey, the worm from Sesame Street.

At the end of the book discover your Chinese Zodiac and find out if your characteristics match your animal. I am hooked on this series and I look forward to the next story, The Year of the Rat, which will be followed by my Zodiac animal, the Ox.

Title: The Year of the Pig
Author: Charles Hope
Illustrator: Jess Racklyeft
Publisher: Wild Dog, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781742034898
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2UZ3hUI

Review: Lazy Daisy

Jasper Horatio Wiggleby Clarke longs for a dog he can walk in the park.

This adorable man is rather short-sighted and extremely stuck on his dream.

So the loud noises he hears in the night can mean only one thing—a hilarious case of mistaken identity.

A dog that doesn't want to walk is unheard of, so Jasper does everything he can to inspire Daisy to get up and get moving.

The result is a heartwarming romp that includes a touch of the ridiculous.


Lazy Daisy absolutely nails both rhythm and rhyme. As a result, it's one of those rare read-aloud treats the whole family can enjoy.

But you'll have to read to the end to find out if Jasper Horatio Wiggleby Clarke ever achieves his dream of having a pet he can walk around the park.

Title: Lazy Daisy
Author: Caz Goodwin
Illustrator: Ashley King
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $
Publication Date: 1 March 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781760500931
For ages: 3 years+
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2P9hvxc

Review: Juno Jones Word Ninja: Number 1

Juno loves repeating certain words, as much as she loves Muttonbird Bay School. 

There they let girls wear shorts. But men in suits have come to watch and report. Her school might be the one out of the three in the area that is forced to close.

Juno’s teacher tells them there may be a way of saving the school, and that’s by reading more; increasing their literacy level. 

A reading journal becomes compulsory for all the Class Fives. But Juno simply hates reading. She, is a secret Ninja, loves drawing cartoons, making jokes and climbing. She hasn’t read a book in years!

After a few attempts to read books that would bore a door, Juno decides to write her own story and things get interesting. With an imagination without boundaries, and a huge sense of humour, she manages to write a story and read a book that actually holds her attention. Will this contribute to saving Muttonbird Bay School?

Kate Gordon has created a cleverly-written beginning to the series with a story within a story, with an intimate look at the character of each cast member.

I knew I was going to love this series from the cheeky look in Juno’s eyes on the cover and reinforced by her energetic Ninja kick on the title page. The characters are on display at the start so we know what they look like before the story begins.

Juno’s jokes are interspersed through the text and they are actually clever/funny. The series will definitely draw reluctant readers of both genders due to the overall participation of terrific characters, such as Genius George, Juno’s brother, Smelly Bella, the leader of a pack of belles, Perfect Paloma, Shy Vi and their teacher Miss Tippett. Their flippant dialogue and crazy antics will keep readers laughing when not wondering what in the world is going on in Juno’s overactive mind.

Kate Gordon and Sandy Flett make a perfect match. They have built fun into every page and anticipation in the reader. I look forward to Number 2.

Title: Juno Jones Word Ninja: Number 1

Author: Kate Gordon

Illustrator: Sandy Flett

Publisher: Yellow Brick Books, $12.99

Publication Date:  30 April 2019

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780994557094

For ages: 6 - 8

Type: Junior Fiction 

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2VCGc7n

Review: Along Came Coco

Take a step back in time and fall in love with this enchanting story about Coco Chanel. 

Based on her life, it captures her childhood, her flair for fashion with a few extra embellishments that Coco herself would appreciate.
 

Set in France, Coco grew up in an orphanage where life was governed by rules – many of which were naturally meant as a guideline not a restriction. 

Coco loves new ideas, trying different ways of doing things and above all being fashionable.

Coco learns how to sew in the Convent, where she creates dolls for her friends out of materials scraps all the while her imagination is running wild. Coco dreams of a time when pretty things are available to everyone and are both practical and fun.

Leaving the convent life behind, Coco is inspired by hats that can be transformed into creations using ribbons, feathers and flowers. After starting a millinery store, Coco then sets about creating dresses with sleek lines without flounces or frills and not a corset in sight. Her flair for fashion then has her creating swimsuits and leads her to opening another successful store in Paris – Coco knew what women wanted to wear.

But the real fashion statement happened one night when Coco was dressing to attend the opera. A gas lamp explodes destroying her pink dress and burning her hair – it’s what Coco does now that creates history and a fashion icon.

Author and illustrator Eva Byrne will take readers on a magical journey through Coco’s life both through her story and with her very chic, french looking illustrations. Readers will be so caught up in the story, you could easily forget the story is based on a real person.

Title: Along Came Coco
Author & Illustrator: Eva Byrne

Publisher: Abrams Books For Young Readers, $24.99
Publication Date: 19 March 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781419734250
For ages: 2 - 7
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2GgCPxP

Review: Lottie and Walter

A new beautiful and heart touching story by Anna Walker about a little girl called Lottie, her fear of the swimming pool and a singing walrus named Walter.

Lottie has a secret, and it turns out that the secret is also her fear. Told from Lottie’s view, the story explores how Lottie is feeling each week when she goes to swimming class and of how she overcomes those feelings which include fear and anxiety with the support of her new friend Walter.

While other characters such as Lottie’s mother, brother, swimming teacher and friends exist in the story, they never come into focus, it’s all about Lottie, her feelings, thoughts and imagination.

The story conveys a lovely warming feeling while it follows the growing relationship of Lottie and Walter as they do activities like read, sing, bath and even eat fish fingers together. Walter is always there, often singing ‘Humbelly doo, Lumbelly la, Loopy loo!’ through Lottie’s every moment. By the end of the story readers are sure to be singing along with him.

Dreamy watercolour illustrations work harmoniously with the heart-touching text. The balance of colour, texture and use of white space is both comforting and enticing, just like Walter’s singing.

I love how Lottie and Walter took hold of my heart. As a mother of young children I could recognise the behaviours of Lottie from those of my own children and it reminded me about letting kids work things out in their own time, with their own processes. I could also see that my five-year-old resonated with and felt compassion for Lottie.

This book has had repeat read requests in my home already and I can see it will grow to be a long-term favourite.

Australian author/illustrator Anna Walker is the creator of many beautiful picture books, some of her titles include Florette, Go Go and the Silver Shoes, Peggy and one of my favourites, Mr Huff.

Title: Lottie and Walter
Author/Illustrator: Anna Walker
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd, $24.99
Publication Date: 5 March 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780143787181
For ages: 4 – 7
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2Z0vF8e

Guest Post: Karen Tyrrell on Great Barrier Reef Books

Today we welcome SE Queensalnd children's author, Karen Tyrrell as she demonstrates how books about natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef can inspire and educate young people promoting them to care more about the world around them.

‘The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger. – It’s time to step up.’– David Attenborough

With our Great Barrier Reef, oceans and waterways ravaged by climate change and pollution, kids need hope for the future. What can children do to save our Great Barrier Reef from further damage?

Kids need eco education to inspire and empower themselves to take action and become eco warriors. One pathway is by reading books with positive messages of hope.

Books with positive eco messages highlight environmental and ecological influences on our planet - and what we can do about it. Eco warrior books motivate children to take care of the reef, endangered marine animals, and precious resources of Planet Earth. They teach kids about sustainability and how to reduce the human imprint on the ocean and the waterways.

Eco warriors are our modern-day superheros. Eco superheroes help kids to connect with their inner super powers and take charge.

Super eco warriors fight environmental problems and villains, challenging themselves to find solutions. They model how children can take action to become little eco warrior themselves. Kids learn how to keep our waterways clean, green and beautiful.

#7 Ways to Inspire Kids to take care of the Great Barrier Reef

1. Pick up litter in waterways, parks and streets
2. Reduce your purchase of plastics or excessive packaging, especially plastic water bottles, plastic straws and takeaway containers
3. Reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably, a way of living that minimises impact on the planet
4. Where possible, use public transport or ride your bike
5. Recycle as much as you can, and use reusable shopping bags and water bottles
6. If you’re visiting the Great Barrier Reef, help scientists and researchers by getting involved in any of the Save the Reef programs.
7. Read books to kids about environmental superheroes and how to become an eco-warrior.

#4 Great Barrier Reef Books to Read 

• Great Barrier Reef Recue (Song Bird) by Karen Tyrrell - Junior Fiction
• Turtle Trackers by Samantha Wheeler - Junior Fiction
• Turtle Love by Renee Hills - picture book
• Great Barrier Thief by Dr Suzie Starfish - picture book 

Karen Tyrrell is the Brisbane author of Great Barrier Reef Rescue (Song Bird) out 5 May. How does eco warrior, Song Bird Superhero rescue the Great Barrier Reef? Karen writes superhero books to help kids live strong and connect with their inner superhero. She's a teacher, speaker and workshop presenter.

Find Song Bird eco series at:
songbirdsuperhero.com
Amazon
karentyrrell.com

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2D5fHjG