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

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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




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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

Review: General Knowledge Genius

Here’s a brilliant cross between an encyclopedia and a quiz book, to get kids reading, thinking and engaging with fun and obscure facts.

This book is centred around five key themes: science geek, nature know it all, geography genius, history buff and culture vulture. It intersperses intriguing facts with quizzes that challenge your knowledge of each subject area.

As with all of DK’s amazing encyclopedias, this book has a stunning visual layout with close-up photographs of nature, science, historical artefacts and human achievements. The high-quality images are balanced with digestible chunks of text and surrounded by white space so it does not appear dense.

This is a great concept for primary kids, who love reading random interesting facts but with the added incentive to learn all the answers to the quizzes so they can show off and challenge their friends!

It cleverly uses visual prompts to get kids guessing, inferring and learning by matching picture clues with answers. They are challenged to identify gemstones, birds and flowers, name bones and guess countries. There are also quizzes about famous artworks, sporting equipment and ancient weapons!

This would also be a great classroom resource. Quizzes are a fantastic way to engage kids in their learning and this book would be great discussion starter around each of the key themes.


Title: General Knowledge Genius
Publisher: DK, $24.99
Publication Date: 16 April 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780241336243 
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Non-Fiction




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Review: Creepy and True: Mummies Exposed!

When you hear the word Mummies, are you thinking dusty, boring museums littered with coffins, preferably gold ones with bodies covered in old bandages? Some of that is correct, but this book is so much more.
 

Children of all ages, including adults will find this book captivating. You will discover the mysteries that have created myths such as Tutankhamen’s curse which people still believe today, the best way to mummify a body and the tricks of the trade when it comes to archaeology and anthropology.

As the title suggests, these stories are creepy and true. For instance, there are the European mummies that were discovered in China thousands of miles from what should have been their home. 

It then took nearly 20 years of negotiating with the Chinese government for advanced DNA testing to be conducted and for us to learn that these mummies were nearly 10,000 years old and had Asian heritage. 

There are the forgotten mummies of Vac, Hungary which were buried over 300 years ago. The traditions at the time meant people from the community were baptized, married and buried in the same church. With one Roman Catholic Church, loved ones were buried underneath the Church tiled floor. Their final resting place was very ornate, with gold coffins, people dressed in their finery and personal touches to accompany them. This practice was in place from 1738 until 1831, with hundreds of people being laid to rest there.

Eventually doctors made the connection to the spreading of recent disease and the burial place of all these people below the Church floor – the space was promptly sealed off and forgotten. That is until there were Church renovations in 1994. Modern day doctors discovered the majority of these people died from Tuberculosis – could this have been spread from the very first people to have been buried there?

Throughout this book, there are factlets that give the reader an insight into different religions, interesting facts such as a recipe book that lists caterpillar fungus as a food, technology and other historical facts.

Comprising of several chapters this book can be read in any order or by whatever story grabs your interest. Combined with a glossary, an index and numerous photographs this well researched book is great for doing a project or just reading for fun.

 

Title: Creepy And True: Mummies Exposed!
Author: Kerrie Logan Hollihan

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, $24.99
Publication Date: 7 May 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781419731679
For ages: 10 - 14
Type: Non Fiction 

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2P0wZmO

12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Jess Racklyeft

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I went through a stage of leaving secret little notes for people to find, in tree trunks, by riverbanks, on trams. I liked the idea of someone pausing for a moment in the day and finding something unexpected (although I can’t really recall what these letters said, and was far more focused on the actual placing of them that what they contained. I like to think they were little world love notes).


2. What is your nickname?
I’ve had plenty over the years (as a glasses-wearing lass the worst was Spesstacles) but really it's mainly Jess or Jessie now! (Officially my name is Jessica but I feel very proper, and not very me, when I get called that).

3. What is your greatest fear?
Tragedy. This covers a lot – from an individual scale - like losing a loved one, to big, global disasters like the greedy destruction of our environment.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
A new art form to me – rhyming, somewhat corny - but heart-warming.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
I think I need my first authored books to be out in the world for at least a little while in order to feel a bit more comfortable doing that! (Insert the awkward grinning/grimacing emoji).

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I have always adored Matilda – her magic powers, speedy reading skills, brilliant pranks to well deserved recipients and calm kindness.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would like to be zipped (rather briefly to avoid being eaten) to the era of dinosaurs so I could properly confirm if they were feathered for my six- and two-year-olds. And just ogle them for awhile.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You are a lucky duck.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My family – (perhaps not one who, but a collection of who's): the chaos, love, endless stories, hugs and crafting.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I’ve been working as a picture book illustrator for many years and finally got a nudge from a few publishers to try the dark side.

11. What is your favourite word and why? 
Thunderstorm. I love the crackle of electricity and rumble in dark skies, reminding me (even in a busy city, on a hot day with deadlines and dinner to make) we are part of a bigger, more mysterious and magic thing.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m afraid that question is impossible, as I love consuming new books endlessly. However, if I had to chose one right this moment, it would be You Belong Here by MH Clark and Isabelle Arsenault as I could both stare at the illustrations for years, and hum along to the words:

You are a dream that the world once dreamt, 
And now you are part of its song. 
That's why you are here, in the place where you're meant, 
For this is right where you belong.
 

Jess Racklyeft is an artist and author of picture books, as well as creator of paintings, prints, pins and other papery projects. Recent awards include CBCA Notable Picture Book of the Year two years running. She lives in Melbourne with her young family, old dog and rather energetic kitten. For more information, see www.jessesmess.com.

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2uS1EJN

Review: I Love My Mum Because

I Love My Mum Because doubles as a fun activity book for kids and a personalised gift for mums, and it’s here just in time for mother’s day.

The text tells of many of the things a mum does in a general sense, for example, ‘She gives me the stars’, ‘She hides and I seek’, and ‘She tells the tooth fairy not to get lost’. While instructions in smaller text direct children to add their own personalised magic by completing drawing and writing tasks on the pages.

Each spread focuses on different tasks including drawing a picture of yourself and of your mum, writing a sentence about your mum and colour ing flowers to create a bright bunch for your mum. The result when the activities are complete is a beautiful personalised gift with memories to keep such as how the child liked to draw and write at the time.

Designed with a bright, bold colour palette and decorated with colourful child-like scribbles on the endpapers. It is a nice square gift size of approximately 20 by 20 cm. I love the personalisation of this book and can’t wait to hand it over to my little one so they can gift it back to me on Mother’s Day!

Released in perfect time for Mother’s day but could be given for a birthday, another celebration, or of course, just because.

Title: I Love My Mum Because
Author: Petra James
Illustrator: Alissa Dinallo
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia, $14.99
Publication Date: 26 March 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760784386
For ages: 3 – 7
Type: Picture Book




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Review: The Glass of Lead and Gold

This compact fantasy novel is brimming over with adventures. Strong characters - specifically the main one, Tabetha, a strong and conflicted heroine, dominate the powerful scenes full of tension and complexity.

It’s Christmas time in Crystal Lane where the glassblowers have their workshops. For Tabetha the mudlark, the time of year is irrelevant. Disguised as Ted, she is orphaned, broken and lost, and fighting to survive. 

Her livelihood stems from anything hidden and scavenged in the knee-deep mud of the Londra, a land of elves, mermaids and trolls. Certainly not a place for a girl of fifteen.

It is at the river that the stranger shows her an etching of a glass object and promises a rich reward for any piece of that glass.

‘Don’t trust anyone’ were her mother’s dying words. But for Ted, it is hard living that way. She doesn’t know what makes her trust the one-handed tavern girl, Ofelia, who shows her kindness. Ted shares her secret when she actually finds a piece of the magic glass which if sold to the ruthless Bartholomew Jakes, would secure her future. This trust leads her into danger and catastrophe. She is miraculously saved by the troll woman Borga at the last moment.

But is Ofelia a traitor or a genuine friend. Should Ted have adhered to her mother’s dying words of wisdom?

The one-armed girl continues to show kindness to Ted and remains steadfast in her protective vigilance. The reforming of the shard of glass in her possession could be the mudlark’s saving grace. But will she lose in its stead, something far more valuable than money?

A mysterious and beguiling story of trust and mistrust, friendship and taking chances even when things seem one way, and turn out to be another. The delicate black and white illustrations sit lightly on the page and complement the text.

Set in a parallel universe to the London of the late 1800s when poverty was rife, when children were used and abused by their clever elders, and when learning not to trust and perfecting the art of scavenging, was the only way to survive.

Title: The Glass of Lead and Gold

Author/ Illustrator: Cornelia Funke

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $18.99

Publication Date: September 2018 

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781782691983

For ages: 10+

Type: Middle Grade Fiction

from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2G5Xm88

Review: Magrit

Magrit is an extraordinary novel, where fantasy and reality drift in and out like mists between the headstones of a tiny graveyard. It is in this setting that we meet an almost-ten-year-old girl, named Magrit, who is wise but innocent, resourceful yet naive, and fiercely independent but needing love.

Author, Lee Battersby, paints remarkable pictures with his words, illuminating Magrit's deepest thoughts and perceptions, whilst shrouding many truths in mystery. Amy Daoud's illustrations, peppered throughout the pages, create a whimsical sense of Magrit's home and the tall, many-windowed buildings surrounding her.

In this intriguing world, Magrit's dearest and only friend is Master Puppet, a skeletal fellow who speaks to Magrit inside her head. One night, their familiar existence is forever changed when a stork drops a squalling bundle into the graveyard and Magrit soon comes to realise she must face her greatest fear.

Magrit is a tale of loss, love and acceptance. This award-winning story was first published in 2016, and this current edition has been released in 2019.

Title: Magrit
Author: Lee Battersby
Illustrator: Amy Daoud
Publisher: Walker Books Australia, $14.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760650896
For ages: 9+
Type: Junior Fiction




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Review: Fing

David Walliams is back with another hilarious adventure that will have kids giggling their way from beginning to end. This one is aimed at a slightly younger audience than most of his novels, with less text and more illustrations by the talented Tony Ross.

The story centres on the Meek family. Mr and Mrs Meek, who are quiet, sensible librarians, and their daughter Myrtle.

Mr and Mrs Meek like to keep a peaceful household, and do their best to avoid confrontation with their strong willed child. Myrtle, on the other hand, is very good at loudly demanding everything she wants. And more and more and more of it.

But what can a child ask for, when they already have everything they could possibly need, and more? Well, a Fing, of course.

What, might you ask, is a Fing? Mr and Mrs Meek ask that very same question. In fact, they go straight to the library to find out, determined to avoid another outburst from their spoiled offspring. Eventually, having exhausted all the books in the library, they dare to venture where they know they are not allowed to step foot… the ancient vaults of the library.

In this most secret and forbidden place they stumble across The Monsterpedia, a terrifying book of long extinct and mythical creatures that are revolting, disgusting and horrifying. In this most unlikely of places, they discover the dreadful truth of a Fing. But surely, they could never find a REAL one, could they?

And so begins an adventure so bizarre and hilarious that the kids will not be able to read this book quietly, or put it down until it is finished!

To engage younger, or more reluctant readers, Tony Ross’s brilliant illustrations appear on almost every page. These images, along with clever use of text positioning and fonts to emphasise words, will really draw kids into the hilarity of the story. The illustrations are an integral part of this book, creating their own humour with over the top characters, expressions and moments.

Williams certainly has a knack for knowing what kids find funny. This book is full of laugh out loud moments for independent readers as young as six, through to upper primary and lower secondary school fans of Walliams' humour.


Title: Fing
Author: David Walliams
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Publisher: HarperCollins, $19.95
Publication Date: 22 February 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780008349080
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Fiction




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Giveaway: Catch A Falling Star

Catch A Falling Star, the new coming-of-age story by multiple-award-winner Meg McKinlay is about loss and grief, dealing with change and fighting to hold on to what you can, while letting go of what you can’t.

It’s 1979 and the sky is falling. Skylab, that is. Somewhere high above Frankie Avery, one of the world’s first space stations is tumbling to Earth. And rushing back with it are old memories. Things twelve-year-old Frankie thought she’d forgotten. Things her mum won’t talk about, and which her little brother Newt never knew. Only ... did he?

Based on an international media event, this is a story that straddles the intersection between science and belief, between logic and magical thinking and to celebrate its recent release, the celestial people of Walker Books Australia are giving away two copies of this middle grade fiction masterpiece.

To enter, simply tell us in 25 words or less what is your favourite thing about space?

Email your answer along with your name and postal address to dimity. The two responses we like best will each 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 15 April 2019.

Competition runs from 5 am 6 April 2019 to 5 pm 13 April 2019. 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.

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

Winners: We're Going on A Bear Hunt 30th Anniversary

And our lucky winners are...

Damien Corkhill, NSW
Kirsty Polujan, NSW

Congratulations! You have each won a gorgeous Bear Hunt Prize Pack, including a special 30th Anniversary edition of the classic We're Going on a Bear Hunt, guaranteed to make any bear hunt acres of fun!

Enjoy!

Thank you to ALL who entered.
 



from Kids' Book Review http://bit.ly/2G00kuM

Review: My Tree and Me

Oh, how I adore this book.

It fills me with joy and warmth whenever I look at it, and turning the pages makes my fingers itch to touch the thick paper and to-die-for circular die-cuts.

A story of friendship and seasons, My Tree and Me is about a little girl and a tree in her backyard.

The girl loves her tree, and as the seasons change, she explains just how wonderful her tree is and all the amazing things they can do together.

In winter, My Tree’s branches are bare, and he trembles without his leaves. I lend him my scarf, and on his frozen feet, I jump fast, fast, fast to keep him warm.

My Tree and Me is an engaging journey through all four seasons, exploring the fun that can be found when we get outside and enjoy trees and the nature around us, even if it’s just in our backyard.

Picnics, tree swings, hide-and seek, confetti-falling leaves… each season brings joy and a new way for the little girl and her tree to have fun — new ways for everyone to have fun with their own tree.

Beautiful and lyrical language by author Jo Witek adorns every page, but at the same time, the language is so ‘kid’. The little girl's voice is strong and relatable. She speaks exactly as kids do, and kids will love and connect with her. It’s perfect characterisation.

The very talented Christine Roussey, author and illustrator of My Funny Bunny, adds her illustration magic to the story. Colours pop on every page, teamed with funky black and white pictures and the perfect balance of white space.

Everyone will adore turning each page to see how the tree has changed with the seasons. It’s a colourful rainbow of foliage!

A stunning book that teaches kids about the seasons, whilst also encouraging them to get outside, My Tree and Me is picture book perfection.

Title: My Tree and Me

Author: Jo Witek

Illustrator: Christine Roussey

Publisher: Abrams, $24.99

Publication Date: 2 April 2019

Format: Hard Cover

ISBN: 9781419735035

For ages: 3 - 8

Type: Picture Book

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Review: Letters from Australia

How much do we love a book that will keep kids busy (and quiet) for some time. The picture books of Maree Coote do just that and her latest is no exception, with every picture once again made entirely from letters of the alphabet.

Following on from her successful range of typographic children's books, including Letters from Melbourne, Letters from New York, and Spellbound, which was shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award in 2017, Maree now takes us on a bold and mesmerising journey through Australia.

The book portrays Australia's different states and territories, along with some of its iconic features, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Uluru, to a Melbourne tram and the Great Barrier Reef. There are also plenty of cute native animals, vibrant wildflowers and even some of famous faces.

Each illustration is constructed solely from the letters in its name, resulting in some stunning interpretations. My favourites include the waratah, the crocodile and the Barossa Valley.

Lovers of typography will swoon over the variety of fonts and colours, with some of the letters sideways, upside down, flattened and elongated.

Full of artistry and ingenuity, this is highly recommended for homes and classrooms

Title: Letters from Australia
Author/Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: MelbourneStyle, $29.95
Publication Date: April 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9780992491789
For ages: 4+
Type: Non-Fiction Picture Book

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Meet the Illustrator: Jenni Goodman

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less. Soft, sweet, semi-realistic, light and happy!

What items are an essential part of your creative space? A mechanical pencil, good quality sharpeners and erasers, and my possibly (actually, definitely) overboard collection of Prismacolor pencils! I enjoy having my computer there so I can zoom in on reference photos and listen to audio books and music. My dog at my feet gives me lovely company through the quiet days, and there is a large window on my right which gives fantastic light.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium? I love to create using coloured pencils. Usually I will use watercolour paints to fill in the background and then add the details with pencils over the top.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Graeme Base, Marcel Marlier and Shirley Barber. All three have absolutely wonderful amounts of detail and precision in their works. I have spent hours upon hours looking at books created by these artists. All three create artworks which capture beauty and bring joy, and when you combine that with their incredible talent you get what I’d call the perfect picture book.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why? The Renaissance. I love and admire lots of dedication, detail and precision. When visiting Europe I was blown away by the artworks in the Vatican and the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator? My great uncle was an arts and crafts teacher. In his older years (at around 80 years of age), my brother and sister and I would visit him once a week for one or two hours and he would give us art lessons. He didn’t have any family of his own, and my mum later told me that he pretty much spent his whole week preparing for those few hours with us. He created countless colouring in sheets for us, caught the bus in to town to have them copied, and hand-bound them with beautiful cloth binding using his own press.

I loved it as a child but, as an adult, I see the incredible amount of time, love and energy he poured into us – what a gift! My time with him helped me to develop my skill but, more than that, to develop a love for creating art.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it. My dad made me the glorious pencil holder you see there! It’s my favourite thing in my work space. I have two computer screens so I can have multiple things up at once, and a gator board on my working area. My husband and I share this long desk between us. My half ends at about the red pencils, so I am definitely using up more than my share of space – oops! You can also see my light box on the left which I find very helpful when transferring sketches onto the final art paper.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process? I love colouring in the final artwork! I find mapping out drafts and creating characters takes a lot of concentration. While I still enjoy that part of the process, there’s nothing I love more than putting on a good audio book or music and watching the colour bring life to the artwork - it’s magic!

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator? Firstly, I’d recommend reading lots and lots of children’s books. When my kids were small our library was in the same complex as their swimming lessons, so we went every week. We borrowed more than 500 books over the few years they were in swimming lessons! Looking at picture books helps you to see what publishers want, different styles, and what makes a great picture book.  I’d also recommend joining and becoming involved in groups such as the CBCA and SCBWI – I found the companionship and encouragement in these groups helped me to turn illustration from a wish into actuality. And, of course, nothing beats hard work and practice.

Jenni is a freelance illustrator who aims to capture simple beauty and timeless characters as she focuses her art on nature, people and animals. Most of Jenni's illustrating hours are spent creating picture books - a dream come true! She also creates pet portraits, medical illustrations and other commissioned artworks. ​
You can follow Jenni on instagram and facebook or find out more via her website.














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Review: Trouble On The Farm

Moving to the country, with its rolling green hills, fresh air and being close to nature is supposed to be relaxing and fun. 

Bella is so excited her family has recently moved there and has started to make friends, including Tom and Kizzy who live on a real-life farm. 

When an invitation to spend a day at their farm along with her brother Sid is forthcoming, Bella cannot wait and thinks it will be the best day ever.

That is until her other new friend, who lives next door – Magda, invites herself along. But nothing can spoil Bella’s excitement and really what could possibly go wrong?

What follows is nothing short of catastrophic, author Chris Higgins has captured the nuances of friendship and how innocent comments can come back to haunt you in the most hilarious way.

All the children are excited about spending the day together, exploring the farm, playing with Fetch the dog and talking to the cows. But Magda is a bit of a free spirit and doesn’t always listen or think the rules apply to her.

First there was the picking of all the flowers in the greenhouse and eating all the raspberries meant for the upcoming Farmers Markets. Then driving the tractor, which knocked down a wall and let all the cows out. The cows make their escape through the wall, down the country lanes, stopping traffic and leaving cowpats in their wake, managing to destroy a wedding. Bella knows that when Magda causes mayhem, she also gets into trouble.

The black and white illustrations add to the hilarity depicting the scenes of mayhem from the unintentional game of cowpat golf, to rolly-polly down the hill to rid themselves of cowpat residue to Magda creating havoc on the tractor will have you laughing out loud.

Can Bella save the day? Without Magda causing more mayhem? Or will she lose her new friends or worse never be allowed out to play again?

Title: Trouble On The Farm
Author: Chris Higgins
Illustrator: Emily MacKenzie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, $12.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2018
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781408868874
For ages: 5 - 8
Type: Junior Fiction Younger

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Review: Captain Rosalie

Rosalie is a red-haired, clever and intuitive child of five and a half years. She has no other memory than that of war and her father away fighting. 

Camouflaged at the back of the class, she has become a grey coat hooked amongst the others. She is watched over by the one-armed schoolmaster, who reads the class only the happy news from the daily print. There she sits every day while her mother works in the munitions factory.

Secretly she imagines herself a soldier on a mission; one that only she knows about. But it isn’t drawings that fill her notebook. It is the string of letters that appear on the blackboard that Rosalie hoards and whispers to herself time after time.

Rosalie’s favourite time of day is when her mother comes home tired and limp from work, and lies on her bed to read Papa’s letters to her.

Then comes the letter in the blue envelope and everything changes. The light disappears from her mother’s eyes. Her feet shuffle. Her head stays bent low.

The day Rosalie’s mission is complete, she makes her move. The letters she has followed on the blackboard for so long can now be strung into words that make sense. The box with her father’s letters speaks to her. One at a time she opens them and finds none of the words her mother had read to her. Instead the words speak of despair, pain, longing and death.

But the blue envelope is not there. Her search to uncover its whereabouts and its content is fruitless. Until she thinks of the only place it belongs.

A story of sadness and loss, courage and resilience, and the need to protect those we love is played out in Timothee De Fombelle’s strangely beautiful and deeply moving book on the results of war. Lyrical prose provides poetic, vivid images of the conflicting emotions experienced by the main characters.

Once again Isabelle Arsenault’s magnificent depictions stir the blood, and force us to again question the senselessness of war.

Title: Captain Rosalie

Author: Timothee De Fombelle

Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault

Publisher: Walker Books, $19.99

Publication Date: November 2018

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781406377101

For ages: 8+

Type: Junior Fiction

 



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Bookish Places: Hans Christian Andersen's Odense

One of several HC Andersen statues in Odense (Photo: Sarah Steed)

The Kids' Book Review Bookish Places posts are a chance to celebrate museums, galleries and other places with a connection to children's literature and reading. The posts are compiled by KBR's Consultant Librarian, Sarah Steed, our intrepid traveller and hunter-gatherer of amazing places!

Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales are known all over the world, and he is much celebrated in his home country, Denmark, where they usually refer to him as HC Andersen.

Visitors to Denmark can follow a fairy tale, almost literally, by tracing a route through Odense, the city of Hans Christian Andersen's birth. HC Andersen's Odense is a wonderful day out for families, and anyone interested in fairy tales, the writer, and his history.

Odense, Denmark's third largest city, is located on the island of Funen and easily reachable by train from the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The trip takes 70-90 minutes or so (depending on if you get a fast train or not). If you're driving, it's about 45 kilometres.

From the Odense train station, follow footprints inlaid on the footpath to visit 13 sites of significance in HC Andersen's life.

Follow the footprints in HC Andersen's Odense (Photo: Sarah Steed)

Head to the HC Andersen Museum first, where you can buy a ticket that will get you entry into five different museums/experiences, all of which are worth seeing.

1. HC Andersen Museum -- An extensive exhibition with artefacts and detailed information about HC Andersen, his life and career.

HC Andersen Museum (Photo: Sarah Steed)

HC Andersen Museum (Photo: Sarah Steed)

2. HC Andersen's Hus (The Birthplace) -- A tiny yellow house, in what was at the time a poor area of the city.

HC Andersen's birthplace (Photo: Sarah Steed)

Inside HC Andersen's birthplace (Photo: Sarah Steed)

3. HC Andersen's Barndomshjem (The Childhood Home) -- Another small house, this one being where he lived from 2--14 years of age.

HC Andersen's childhood home (Photo: Sarah Steed)

4. Montergarden -- A museum of cultural history with lots to learn about the city.

5. Fyrtojet -- The 'Elf Mound' at Montergarden, a play experience for children, inspired by HC Andersen's fairy tales.

A peek at the play spaces inside the 'Elf Mound' (Photo: Sarah Steed)

The 5-in-1 ticket comes with a neat little wristband and a booklet which includes a map and details of each of the sites. The trail will also take you past other buildings with a connection to HC Andersen, sculptures, and offers some simple activities for young children.

HC Andersen's Odense booklet (Photo: Sarah Steed)

HC Andersen's Odense wristband (Photo: Sarah Steed)

You can fit the whole trail into one day, although spending a night or two in Odense so you can take your time, is also an option. Odense, particularly its historic city centre, is pretty and worth the effort of exploring.

(Photo: Sarah Steed)

(Photo: Sarah Steed)

(Photo: Sarah Steed)

(Photo: Sarah Steed)

Interested in taking a Bookish Places trip around the world with Sarah? Enjoy this sensational map, also created by Sarah, and check out our other Bookish Places posts here.

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12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Anna McGregor

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I met my now husband in a backpacker hostel in Barcelona. Our first date was La Sagrada Família (Gaudí’s church).

2. What is your nickname?
Unfortunately for me Anna is a fabulous rhyming word. Anna-Banana is a classic; there’s also Anna-Spanner. My sister’s fav is Annie-Fanny (I probably shouldn’t be giving people ideas!)

3. What is your greatest fear?
Climate change.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Modern, conceptual, quirky, fun, layered, big-hearted and ‘no boring bits’.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. 
Inventive, persistent, evolving, empathetic, optimistic.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Pippi Longstocking. I have the hair.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I wouldn’t mind trying out the 70s (for the music and fashion), but I’d want a return ticket.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now? 
She wouldn’t get a word in. I’d be too busy telling her to pay attention in class, so she doesn’t have to learn it all later.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My Gran. She has such a positive attitude towards life and the best sense of humour. She’s 91 and going strong.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I was inspired to start writing picture books when I had my son and was reading three-plus picture books a day. However, I only started taking myself seriously as a writer when I won a highly commended Andrea Pinkley award at the 2016 SCBWI conference. This gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of getting published.

11. What is your favourite word and why? 
Can I choose a Spanish word? Leo, meaning ‘I read’. It’s also my son’s name.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I think I’d go for something complicated and daunting that I can only fully grasp on the umpteenth time. I’m yet to read Ulysses.

Melbourne based author/illustrator/designer Anna McGregor is devoted to giving her young readers modern, fun, quirky and conceptual stories. Winner of the storyboard category in the Scribbles Creative Writing Competition 2018 and a highly commended finalist in the Andrea Pinkney Award, her debut picture book is Colouroos (Hachette). Visit Anna at www.annamcgregor.com.au.

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Review: Forever

In the words of Emily Rodda, 'Change just happens.' (His Name Was Walter) And change occasionally catches up with us here at KBR, too. This month we farewell a KBR favourite, YA Editor, Connie Spanos and welcome seasoned kids' lit reviewer, Jo Antareau.

Jo is a psychologist by day and an emerging children’s author by night. But she’s the mother of three boys only on the days ending with a y.

She enjoys all sorts of children’s literature and has had short stories published on various sites. In her spare time she enjoys sleeping.

It is with great pleasure welcome Jo to our humble team and share with you, her first review.

So… when the cover features a picture of a cherry and the author is Judy Blume, the reader already has a good idea about what will ensue in the story.

First published in 1975, this is one of the most frequently banned books from libraries. Blume tells the story of a six-month romance between Katherine and Michael, a pair of middle class, American seventeen-year-olds. They meet and their attraction is mutual and immediate. Michael asks Kath out and their relationship blossoms. Kath is sexually inexperienced and the story follows her gradual awakening.

Blume’s trademark is her frankness about matters that were considered taboo, and this book is no exception. She follows the pair into the bedroom and describes their activities as Kath’s boundaries progressively change. I like that the couple discuss sex and that all is consensual. However, it is always Michael who takes the lead in their sexual activities.

Blume also follows Kath into the medical room when she seeks a prescription for contraception and details the medical examination. However, Kath stating that contraception was her responsibility made me cringe a little.

The title, Forever, is ironic. Like most teenagers in the heady throes of first love, Kath and Michael believe that their relationship is as invulnerable as they are. However, cracks appear that the pair cannot resolve.

I like that it was Kath’s choices that led to the finale, rather than she being a broken hearted victim.

In some ways, however, the book is quite dated: Blume introduces Artie, a boyfriend for Kath’s best friend Erica. When their relationship does not progress sexually, Artie reveals that he ‘might be gay’ – but this subplot is hastily shut down as it is later revealed that he’s not gay, ‘just impotent’. This is not explored any further (just left dangling, as it were).

Artie later has a self-harm incident that leaves him hospitalised and he does not appear in the story again. His admission lasts for weeks and his friends are advised to just write him cheerful, upbeat letters.

The mental health system has changed considerably since the book’s publication. Patients are usually discharged back into the community within days, if admitted at all. The current recommendation is for peers is to be supportive, non-judgemental and to rally around their distressed friend after such an incident.

If the book opens a discussion between parents and children about relationships, I think that a discussion about supporting vulnerable friends with mental health issues should rank equally to frank discussions about sex, consent and contraception.

Title: Forever
Author: Judy Blume
Publisher: PanMacmillan, $14.95
Publication Date: 1975
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 97814472 81047
For ages: 13+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

  

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