Review: How to Grow a Friend

How to Grow a Friend uses growing a plant to help explain to littlies what it takes to make friends and over time how to look after their friendship.

Using this metaphor the story can be shared at multiple levels, depending on your children's ages.

Sara Gillingham's bright, charming, stylised illustrations bring the story to life.

The insightful images show pre-readers, actions they can take to grow a friendship and a seed.

Through this book and their own exploration, little ones will learn how to care for their friendships with good communication.

Sometimes friendships are not easy. How to Grow a Friend reminds littlies that sometimes a friend might bug us but together they can '...chase the bugs away...'

How to Grow a Friend also helps children become aware of their friend's feelings and it includes a practical suggestion of how to look after your friend when they are feeling sad.

Gillingham's story also explores the importance of  growing '...a garden of friends,...' and that there is always '...room for one more.'

How to Grow a Friend is a captivating story that will have your children wanting to plant some seeds, all while learning some important life skills about friendships.

Discover more books by Sara Gillingham, I Am So Brave! and Alpha Bravo Charlie: The Complete Book of Nautical Codes.

Title: How to Grow a Friend
Author/Illustrator: Sara Gillingham
Publisher: Random House, $14.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2019
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9781984848222
For ages: +1
Type: Board Book




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Review: Miss Eliza Flowerdew Can Nearly Touch the Ceiling

Guest Post: Helene Magisson on The Secrets Behind Illustration

Review: Animals At Night

Meet The Illustrator: Leanne Watson

Name: Leanne Watson

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
My illustration style is traditional and contemporary Darug Aboriginal art.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
It is essential that I have art paper, canvas, paints, brushes and ink. My space is comfortable and has good lighting.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
My favourite medium is acrylic and ink printing.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
My mum Aunty Edna Watson, My brother Bundeluk Watson and Leanne Tobin.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I love the artistic period now with all of the digital additions that we can use to enhance our works.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

My mum inspired me to become an illustrator and share our culture. I spent my life growing with my culture and have always had a love of art, I have always wanted to illustrate books from as long as I can remember to share our culture. 

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.

I usually work at my large kitchen table that my Dad made, I have a studio but my table is my favourite place to work. My kitchen is full of all my favourite art and is a light and comfortable space. 

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

My favourite part of the illustration process is seeing the final illustrations come together in the book.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

I would advise anyone that wants do illustrations to keep doing your art, work with some other artists and try some new mediums and methods and have fun with your work.

 
Leanne is a Darug woman commonly known in the Aboriginal community as Mulgo meaning Black Swan. Leanne is the daughter of Aunty Edna Watson and Uncle Allan Watson, elders of the Darug community. Leanne was born and raised in Sydney, she is now a mother and grandmother and has spent her life living, promoting and protecting Darug culture, people and places. Leanne has been director of DCAC (Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation) for the past 15 plus years. She started painting at a young age, taught by her mother Aunty Edna Watson and her brother Bundeluk Watson, and is now an accomplished artist her paintings and artwork are renowned by many. Leanne’s artwork is inspired by her family, Darug country, the environment and life experiences. 

For more information please check out Leanne's website.

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Look What I'm Reading! Karys McEwen

Review: Liarbird

Have you ever told a lie? A little white lie, or a big porky-pie? Well, the lyrebird learns how to lie from the day it hatches. And this lyrebird loves it.

From impersonations to big fat whoppers, he soon becomes 'the best in the bush at fibbing, faking, fabricating and fake-news creating'.

Adults and children alike will get plenty of giggles out of this modern-day Australian fable, which is more a commentary on social etiquette than simply just telling the truth.

Of course, the lyrebird eventually takes his lying too far and learns that terrible things can happen when you stray from the truth.

Vowing to always tell 'the whole truth and nothing but the truth', the lyrebird soon discovers there can be a fine line between fact and fiction, with hilarious results.

Laura and Philip Bunting are renowned for their witty and clever stories and this is a splendid example. Bursting with Laura's wry humour and fun play on words, the story is given added layers of playfulness and quirk through Philip's vibrant, stylised illustrations. The thick matte pages are saturated with backdrops of pink and salmon to highlight the characters, which are given extra warmth and charm through their subtle changing expressions.

I'm not lying, or even stretching the truth, when I say this is another delightful book from the Buntings that's sure to become a classic.

Title: Liarbird
Author: Laura Bunting
Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $17.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781743831571
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Hello, New Zealand

12 Curly Questions with author Edwina Wyatt

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I can play almost any song on the piano (very poorly) from memory, if I have heard it once before. It’s one of my favourite things to do. I follow my poor husband around the house (and into the bathroom…) with a keyboard under one arm, begging him to give me requests like some sort of deranged busker: “Give me another!”, “Wait for it…!”; “Just one more”. We’re talking pop songs, movie sound tracks, national anthems. Christmas carols are the best. No jazz. Too hard. Working out how a song goes is my equivalent of doing the Sunday crossword. I drive my kids nuts: “What about Humpty Dumpty? Flight of the Bumblebee? Any takers? No?” It’s a truly pointless skill; an exercise in mediocrity.

2. What is your nickname? 
I am a woman of many names: Eddie, Weeny, Mini. Also, Winks, to a precious few.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Well now, how long have you got? Woody Allen would have a field day with me…

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I like writing about big characters and their small moments.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Disciplined. Honest. Prolific. Passionate. Dedicated.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Elizabeth Bennet. For Mr Darcy… let’s be honest.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1986. The year I was born. So that I could get to live my strange and wonderful life over again. See all my old pets, friends and family. Visit my favourite rooms and windows and trees.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You like the taste of mineral water? Uck.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
In literature, AA Milne.

10. What/who made you start writing?
Curiosity. Nostalgia. Boredom.

11. What is your favourite word and why? 
Palomino. I am not sure why. But I like the word ‘flamingo’ for the same reason. They both sound luxurious. Would make a nice cocktail.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
My Career Goes Bung by Miles Franklin — for the consolation. Assuming this is what has happened if I am stripped of even having books, let alone writing them.

Edwina Wyatt is a children’s author from a small dairy town on the south coast of NSW. She worked as a lawyer and a high school teacher before becoming a writer of books for young readers. Edwina has been twice longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards and is published internationally. For more information, see www.edwinawyatt.com.au.

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Winner: Sound Stories Set

And our lucky winner is...

Shelly Linderman, QLD

Congratulations!

You have won a stunning prize box of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set of Sound Stories that helps children learn to speak, read and spell to the value of $95!

We hope you enjoy this prize.

Thank you to ALL who entered.

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Review: Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!

Weird, Wild, Amazing! is exactly that. A modern, educational exploration of fascinating creatures with astounding facts.

This fabulous resource book, begins with a background of the author; the very interesting Tim Flannery, and explains concepts such as climate change, evolution, extinction and conservation. It then explores details of over 50 creatures broken into environment based chapters of water, sky, forest and desert and grasslands.

Each creature exploration is filled with information from basic anatomy, whereabouts and how they might be affected by climate change to captivating facts; for example, scientists collect whale snot to study using drones, and sea otters pick a special rock to carry around in a pocket of their underarm skin. I recommend reading the book to find out why, and to be fascinated many times over.

The layout and design of this book makes it easy to read and navigate, its 256 pages are broken up with headings, feature information, pictures and colours. Fun bold illustrations both amuse and inform, I love how the expressions on the creatures bring the book to life.

Tim Flannery is an Australian mammalogist, palaeontologist, environmentalist, conservationist, explorer and public scientist, he has written many books for adults including The Weather Makers and The Future Eaters.

Title: Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!
Author: Tim Flannery
Illustrator: Sam Caldwell
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $34.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760501587
For ages: 6 – 99
Type: Junior Fiction



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Review: The Human Body

The Human Body by Karen Seinor provides an overview of many aspects of the human body, in a way that is clear, concise and interesting. The level of detail is just right - enough to provide a working level of understanding, but not so much as to be overwhelmed by the body's complexities.

Author and teacher, Karen Seinor, writes in an engaging style, with Fun Facts interspersed throughout. Information covers organ functions and how systems interact with each other, as well as clarifying some common myths.

This book provides an overview of the main systems in the body, including the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal and other systems. The organs covered include brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Some aspects are not covered, e.g. the endocrine system and the male and female reproductive organs.

 Readers can also engage with activities provided in the final pages, including creating, investigating and researching, whilst an index allows location of specific information. Readers wishing to find further information can follow the links provided at the back of the book.

The imagery is particularly effective, with organ locations indicated within faintly outlined blue bodies, contrasted against deep black pages. The effect is to allow readers to gain an understanding of the anatomy via a 3-dimensional, futuristic effect. Some pages demonstrate realistic anatomical images, e.g. sketches of the body with muscles exposed, or a section through a skull to show the brain. These images are entirely appropriate within the context of a book about the human body, but guidance may be required for younger readers. The Human Body is recommended for readers aged 12 and over.

Title: The Human Body
Author: Karen Seinor
Publisher: New Holland Publishers, $19.99
Publication Date: 13 August 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781921580512
For ages: 12+
Type: Non-fiction




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Review: One of a Kind

One of a Kind by Chris Gorman is a striking book that grabs your attention from the other books on the shelf.

Firstly, you will notice that the illustrations are black and white and that the text is set on a background of fluorescent pink and yellow torn paper.

The second striking thing about the book, is the theme. How is the young boy, featured on the cover of the book, one of a kind?

The book reflects on how he is different, 'I'm a kid who's always been a little different.' We discover that he dresses different than the other children because he likes to wear a leather jacket and spike his hair.  We discover that he may be different because of the music he listens to and the way he dances like a punk rocker.

While he rejoices in being one of a kind he also feels that '...something is missing.' How does this make him feel? Can being one of a kind be a good thing?

Gorman has written an exquisite story that will speak to your heart. It has the potential to make children stop and think, that it is okay to be different from others and that in time you will find friends that share the same interests as yours.

One of a Kind is visually gorgeous and the message is timeless.

Title: One of a Kind
Author/Illustrator: Chris Gorman
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, $29.99
Publication Date: 30 July 2018
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781524740627
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Tim & Tigon

Review: Clancy the Quokka

Who doesn't love quokkas?!

The quokka is a marsupial found only in Australia, and has a happy and appealing face.

Clancy the Quokka is the story of one such creature, who has his heart set on a feast. Clancy is mischievous and, scouting out the arrivals at a picnic site, he spots his prey.

At the centre of a food-laden table, is an enormous birthday cake, and Clancy is determined to have it.

What's a quokka to do, but make his way through an obstacle course of human legs, amidst loud music and pass the parcel laughter.

Clancy disguises himself and creates a mess as he keeps his eyes focused on the cake. Will he succeed? Will the birthday girl's celebration be upset? Or will Clancy realise he can be a friend to the party-goers and share in the feast?

The text in Clancy the Quokka rhymes, which keeps the story moving apace, and the illustrations are bright, cute and larger than life, just like real-life quokkas.

In Clancy the Quokka, Lili Wilkinson and Alison Mutton have created a fun and funny story about a loveable Australian character.

Grab a copy of Clancy the Quokka to read and brighten your day.

Title: Clancy the Quokka
Author: Lili Wilkinson
Illustrator: Alison Mutton
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760634711
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book




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Review: The Devouring Gray

Review: The Christmas Garden

It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit! Here is a magical rhyming story to take kids on a special Christmas adventure.

There’s a beautiful garden that looks just like Christmas, with breathtaking pine trees, a seat resembling a sleigh, statues of angels and cheeky looking gnomes. 

Do you think the person who lives there could be Santa Claus? He certainly fits the bill, with his snowy white beard, jolly demeanour and the Christmas display he puts on each year.

When darkness has fallen on Christmas eve, a secret magic awakens. The gnomes become elves, the angel statues fly skyward and transform the old seat into a magnificent sleigh filled with gifts, which flies gently to the sky, led by proud reindeers.

The lyrical verse takes you on a meloldic Christmas journey filled with magic and imagination. Kids will be entranced and enchanted and, after reading this story, will always look twice at garden gnomes and angel statues, wondering what if…?

Sandra Severgnini’s soft and whimsical illustrations carry a hint of magic. They bring out the nature in the garden and give personality to the characters, whilst grounding the story in reality so kids can really feel like they could be part of it.

This is a lovely Christmas story for reading aloud to children to get them into the magical spirit of Christmas.



Title: The Christmas Garden
Author: Caroline Tuohey
Illustrator: Sandra Severgnini
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Book, $24.95
Publication Date: 1 October 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 978 0 6482563 4 2
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Foothand Elbownose

Foothand Elbownose is a hilarious and quirky picture book that pushes imagination totally outside the square!

When Max’s foot gets sick of being a foot, Max lets him be a hand.

Things work okay for a while, but then Max's elbow wants to be a nose, his head wants to be a bottom and more and more body parts decide they’d like a different job.

Max tries to be diplomatic and let his body parts try something new, but soon he gets all muddled up.

What do you do when your mouth is your ear but it can’t really hear? Or your fingernail decides it wants to be an eyelash?

Foothand Elbownose is a creative window into the human body, exploring all the things our bodies do for us. It’s also about identity and acceptance of self. It’s about learning that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but it’s fun to give it a try. 

I imagine this was a challenging story to illustrate, but Connah Brecon has nailed it, infusing humour and whimsy into every page. With bright colours and hilarious details, it’s a lot of fun to explore.

This is a picture book to trigger laughs and giggles. It’s a great one for reading to a crowd, and in the words of my six-year-old when I closed the cover, “I really like this book. I want to read it again!”

For more great reads from Kiah Thomas and Connah Brecon, check out Allergic Alpaca.

Title: Foothand Elbownose

Author: Kiah Thomas

Illustrator: Connah Brecon

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99

Publication Date: 1 November 2019

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781760502027

For ages: 3 -6 

Type: Picture Book

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Junior Review: The Wizards of Once

Guest Post: Heidi Bryant on How To Learn Languages

Review: Antarctica

Antarctica beautifully introduces the coldest, windiest, driest continent in the world and continues to inform with flowing text, sequential counting and gorgeous artwork.

This informative, fact filled story counts through ten of the creatures who call Antarctica home. With lyrical prose, from one speckled leopard seal to ten vermilion sea stars, it’s wonderfully satisfying to read aloud. Four pages of more detailed information about Antarctica follow the story covering topics such as temperature, snow, the various south poles and the creatures in the story.

Working in perfect harmony with the text, Antarctica is illustrated with handmade artwork of layered collage, woodblock and screen-prints, it feels original, textural and inspired by nature.

You can tell this book is made with passion, great research and admiration for Antarctica, it would be a fun educational resource for young children, and could inspire further activities, artwork and discussions.

Moira Court is an Australian based artist, Antarctica is her first author illustrated title, her other illustrated books include My Superhero and Colour Me.

Title: Antarctica
Author/Illustrator: Moira Court
Publisher: Freemantle Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781925815757
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book




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Review: The Science of Breakable Things

Review: Pea and Nut!

Meet Pea and Nut.

Pea is a panda. She's pretty chilled and likes to take her time.

Nut is a flamingo. He's active (hyperactive, really), asks lots of questions, and does things his own way.

They are the creations of author and illustrator, Matt Stanton, and they really jump off the page.

When Nut boasts he can make the best cakes, Pea tricks and teases him into baking and decorating a super dooper spectacular-looking cake.

Although Nut's cake looks amazing, he is in so much of a rush he doesn't realise all is not quite right. The result is a spectacular mess, but Pea has a treat for her friend.

Pea and Nut! is written in rhyme and will induce laughter. The story moves along at a quick pace. The characters have real personality and are each endearing in their own way.

The illustrations are big and bright. The black and white of panda and pink of flamingo are bold, and the main colours throughout, joined by occasional splashes of other colours (like blue icing on the cake).

If Pea and Nut don't remind you of someone you know, I'd be surprised. I felt like I knew them quite well indeed, and hope to see more of their adventures in the future.

Pea and Nut! will remind you that everyone is different and has their own approach to things, but also that being patient and taking your time can have its rewards.

Title: Pea and Nut!
Author/Illustrator: Matt Stanton
Publisher: ABC Books, $17.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733340673
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book




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Review: Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum

Dr. Seuss was renowned for turning ideas upon their heads. Perhaps it is not so surprising then to discover that Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum, is not so much about horses but very much about art. This is an enticing and welcoming story about art in all its variety, individuality and non-conformity. The subject of choice happens to be horses - speedy horses, powerful horses, sculptural horses and wildly-imagined horses.

As the children in the book canter through a museum filled with horse-related artworks, the reader learns about artistic styles and history. Publisher's notes explain that a manuscript and sketches by Theodore Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) were discovered many years after his death, leading to the development of this book. Illustrator Andrew Joyner's lively style conveys the whirlwind of discovery the children embark upon, whilst also doing justice to the original sketches by Dr. Seuss.

The essential premise of this book is that art lies within the individual and the way in which each person sees, imagines, understands and portrays the world around them. Different artistic styles are explored, with each page detailing examples of various artists' depictions of horses. This book encourages thinking, talking and sharing different perspectives whilst also enjoying every aspect of art.

Title: Dr. Suess's Horse Museum
Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Andrew Joyner
Publisher: Puffin, $27.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780241425725
For ages: 7+
Type: Picture book




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Giveaway: Sound Stories Complete Set

Review: Maisy's Preschool

 

And our lucky winner is ... 

Vanessa Pallant, Queensland 

 

Congratulations! 

You have won a copy of Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures 

 by KBR Founder, Tania McCartney! 

We hope you enjoy this prize. 

Thank you to ALL who entered. 

 

 

 

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Review Final Storm

A shadow has fallen over New City. It comes shrouded in stealth and insidious manipulation. Future World Solutions claim to be building a better world for the young people with renewable, solar systems and robotics. All the rescue eagles are been replaced by robot look-alikes. Human-identical robots are being programmed to act as subservient people.

Sneddon, believed dead, returns incognito. His now refined and respectable image backed by wealth and power, masks the emotional cauldron that boils within him. Ambitious and uncompromising, he now totally controls the weather patterns.

Jeremiah, the climatologist and children’s guardian, has lost his job at the Bureau. After being accused of not foreseeing the mysterious out-of-control weather snaps that brings with them cold and sickness, he now lives in squalor. Isabella, Griffin, and Xavier are forced to move from his home into the mansion where Aleksander, the mysterious new boy at their elite school resides supported by an unknown patron.

A woman appears claiming to be Isabella’s lost mother. Isabella accepts her unconditionally. But is she really who she says she is?

All these shifts from the normality of the children’s lives stem from one agenda. There is an obvious flux in the story as well, in sync with the change of weather and its destructive force - pressure exerted by Sneddon on the climate.

Isabella is drugged and kidnapped and again finds herself trapped in flooded Grimsdon facing another tsunami. Is this the end for Isabella this time?

The lead character Isabella is outstanding. She is indomitable, strong, smart and courageous. The secondary characters’ individual gifts complement Isabella’s strength of character and reveal all that they are when together. They are emotionally, tightly bound to one another due to their shared experiences. This is the issue that propels the story. The end brings a surprising and unexpected twist.

The third book in the trilogy, Final Storm is a novel full of action and adventure. I regret not having read the former two titles, Grimsdon and New City, as I would have enjoyed the connecting continuity to this story.

Deborah Abela has created a powerful series that expresses hers and most people’s underlying concerns regarding the lack of immediate action toward climate change. It also demands strong attention to the increasing introduction of robotics which carries with it, the slow but definite dissolution of human capacity.

Title: Final Storm
Author: Deborah Abela
Publisher: Penguin, $16.99
Publication Date: August 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143794462
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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Review: Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World

Ed Emberley's more than 80 books for kids include picture books like Go Away, Big Green Monster!

He's also produced a series of drawing books, including this one, Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World. It sets out to show you easy it can be to create a world on paper with a few simple shapes.

The 32 pages are mostly comprised of a list of items accompanied by the step by step drawing process. And at the end are some examples of how you can use your new found skills (a comic strip, poster, games, etc).

Learn how to draw lots of different vehicles, animals, people in various poses, elements of buildings and their furniture; plus outside stuff like trees, bridges, and other parts of the landscape.

Each thing comes with a five to ten step diagram. These are separate shapes which progressively build the picture.

The horse, for example, starts with a rectangle, to which you add a triangle, then an upside-down V for the back legs, an II for the front legs, a swishy tail, pointy ears, mane and eyes.

Ed's approach to drawing is so simple and rewarding to try. I loved it! Kids of all ages will love creating recognisable drawings and building their world in this way.

Once you've worked your way through Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World, visit Ed's website for other drawing and activity downloads.

Title: Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World
Author/Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company, $15.99
Publication Date: 2007
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780316789721
For ages:  7+
Type: Activity book




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Review: The Trespasser's Unexpected Adventure

The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold is a wild ride packed with action, adventure and mystery.

It’s a story about family and friendship, finding your place in the world and learning not to judge people before you get to know them.

Logan doesn’t have the kind of family most kids have. He lives with his best friend Nate and his parents, plus two more foster kids adopted by Nate’s mum and dad. Logan loves living with Nate’s family, but he’s never really felt like he belongs.

When he decides to go rock climbing on private property, looking for some fun and maybe time to reflect on why his own father didn’t contact him on his birthday, Logan kicks off an adventure he never, ever expected.

The private property Logan goes to explore is a holiday home, and while Logan expected it to be vacant, it absolutely isn’t. He meets a family there — a family unlike any he has met before. But despite the fact he trespassed, Logan fits right in, and he has a great time at the beachside holiday home… until he starts to notice unusual things. 

Like the boat that watches them from sea, an old coin in the basement and people acting strangely. Something is going on, and Logan is determined to figure it out.

This is a middle grade novel for kids who love lots of action and a mystery to solve. But it’s more than that. I love that the story dives deep into family life and the ups and downs of being a kid, particularly because it’s from a boy’s perspective, which isn’t something that is often explored in children’s literature.

This is a story about family and the variance in families. It’s easy to assume every family is the same. It’s easy to assume every family lives in the same kind of house and has the same kind of life. But the truth is every family is different, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Filled with action, adventure, mystery and heart, The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold has something for every young reader. 

And as the first in a series, it’s filled with characters kids can fall in love with and follow from book to book.

Title: The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold
Author: Karen Cossey
Publisher: Stolen Moments, $21.99
Publication Date: November 2015
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780473359676
For ages: 9 -14
Type: Middle Fiction 

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Review: The Night Flower

A rare miracle of nature is captured in this exquisite non-fiction picture book from acclaimed artist Lara Hawthorne.

It's a unique and true tale of a spectacular annual event in the Sonoran desert, in Arizona, where wildlife gather to witness the saguaro cactus as it blooms for just one night each year.

Written in lyrical and informative rhyming text, the story sets the scene of the vibrant desert, which becomes a haven for wildlife in the spring.

Hawthorne builds the anticipation beautifully, introducing the reader to the diverse range of animals and insects that gather to wait for the night flower show.

Her delicate watercolour illustrations fill each page with life and colour, revealing the beauty of the desert through rich, earthy tones and elegant brush strokes.

From the thick, matte pages, to the magical cover, adorned with flecks of gold, this is a true celebration of nature and the synergy between animals and plants. It's sure to delight everyone from young artists to budding naturalists.

Title: The Night Flower
Author/Illustrator: Lara Hawthorne
Publisher: Big Picture Press, $24.99
Publication Date: January 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781536206166
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Bug Collector

Review: The Voyage

The Voyage is one of those books you open and take a very big breath.

It’s powerful, inspiring, hopeful and impactful.

And one of the most special and magical things about it is it contains only fourteen words.

They are fourteen powerful words, chosen with great care, to tell the story of a family fleeing from war and seeking refuge across the seas.

Each word is accompanied by a double page spread filled with detailed and heart-string tugging illustrations. Honestly, they will bring tears to your eyes for both happy and sad reasons.

I adore that some of the words are challenging — words like chaos, threat and companion. I had to explain these to my children, but it opened up such a wonderful discussion about the words, their relationship to what was happening in the illustrations and other words that mean the same thing.

Simple words all children understand wouldn’t have had the same affect, and I secretly wonder how long it took author Robert Vescio to land on the ones in the book. A long time is my guess, because they simply are the most perfect words for the story.

I am a huge fan of Andrea Edmonds’ illustrations and they honestly couldn’t be more stunning in this book. Soft colours that are somehow bold at the same time, beautiful brush strokes and character detail that brings you right into the story — right there with the family in their boat.

This is one of the most powerful picture books I have ever read. There is space for reflection, thought and discussion. There is space to explore the detailed pictures and experience emotion as you read.

It’s an important picture book for our time and an important story for young kids to understand. And I love that Vescio has delivered a story that is really accessible to young kids.

The experience of reading this book to my children was like no other. They really got it. They looked at the illustrations, we discussed the words and they told me how they felt about what the family was going through and how they would feel if it happened to them. 

Fourteen words, stunning illustrations, impact like I’ve never experienced before. I highly recommend reading The Voyage. It will change you in ways you won’t expect. 

For more amazing picture books by Robert Vescio, check out Window of Hope and The Box Cars. And for another stunning Andrea Edmonds picture book, be sure to check out Visiting You.

Title: The Voyage

Author: Robert Vescio

Illustrator: Andrea Edmonds

Publisher: EK Books, $24.99

Publication Date: October 2019

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781925820034

For ages: 3+

Type: Picture Book

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12 Curly Questions with author Phillip Gwynne

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I love watching America Idol auditions on YouTube. Real talent is such a rare thing, I like to see the judges' reactions on the rare occasions they encounter it.

2. What is your nickname?
I’ve had various nicknames during my life but now my kids like to call me ‘Big Phil’. The irony there is that I’m actually not as big now as I once was!

2. What is your greatest fear?
Getting stuck in an elevator – I usually take the stairs, even if there’s a lot of them.

3. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I write concisely, with humour. And I don’t like adverbs.

4. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. 
Humorous. Engaged. Courageous. Concerned.
Non-conformist.

5. What book character would you be, and why? 
 Perhaps Odysseus of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey. The original action hero. What extraordinary adventures he had. I love the fact that there is no interior life in these books; it’s all about action, action, and more action!

6. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I know this is quite a common answer, but here we go again: 1969. Because, yes, I’m another one of those music tragics who wished they’d gone to Woodstock!

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Wow, dude, how did you became so confident! Ten-year-old me was incredibly shy. Now, I would no doubt be diagnosed as suffering from severe social anxiety. And, in story terms, my own character arc has been about overcoming this shyness. Writing has definitely helped me with this, because fiction is about imagining different realities, about a different way of being.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
I get this question a lot when I talk at schools, and what I tell the kids is that I didn’t have a lot of role models growing up, not male ones anyway. So I found mine in fiction: Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, Doc from Cannery Row, Yossarian from Catch 22, to name a few.

10. What/who made you start writing?
At the age of 38, having tried just about everything, I finally got around to doing what my primary school teacher had told me I’d be good at – writing. My first novel Deadly Unna? was based on my childhood, growing up in a large family in a small town, playing AFL football with Indigenous kids, and fortunately for me became a very popular book. In fact, it’s sold close to 250,000 copies

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Football, because I love AFL and am so excited now because both my daughters are playing!

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m a huge fanboy of The Stoics. It seems to me those ancient Greeks provided some very practical solutions to the problems of contemporary living. So given that, can I please have three books: Meditations (Marcus Aurelius), Discourse and Selected Writings (Epictetus), Letters from a Stoic (Seneca).

Phillip Gwynne's first novel Deadly Unna? was a literary hit and was made into the feature film Australian Rules for which Phillip won an AFI award. The sequel, Nukkin Ya, was also published to great acclaim. He writes for a wide range of age groups from picture books such as Brothers From a Different Mother and junior fiction such as Jetty Rats and Michael in the Stuff Happens series, to the young adult novel Swerve, shortlisted for many awards amongst them the 2010 Prime Minister's Award and the Golden Inky. 

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Junior Review: Wings of Fire: Talons of Power

Review: Sarah's Two Nativities

Sarah's Two Nativities tells the story of a young child who is fortunate to spend time with both sets of her grandparents.

Her father's parents are Ali and Azar, and her mother's parents are Maria and Paul. Sarah enjoys visiting them.

With Grandmother Azar, Sarah helps make kofte and listens to stories from the Koran. With Grandmother Maria, she helps make cupcakes and listens to stories from the Bible.

From her grandparents, Sarah hears the story of the nativity, the birth of the baby Jesus, from two different perspectives. Their similarities are comforting, but the differences can be confusing.

When Sarah asks questions and considers the answers she receives, she is reminded that both are about 'the mystery of God' and realises that her family, living together and peacefully, is of great importance.

A book created by Janine Fraser and Helene Magisson, Sarah's Two Nativities shares an important message in a simple way, one that young children will understand.

A perfect story for families everywhere to read at anytime, but especially at Christmas.

Title: Sarah's Two Nativities
Author: Janine M Fraser
Illustrator: Helene Magisson
Publisher: Black Dog Books, $26.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925381795
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture book




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Review: Other Words For Smoke

Review: Fanatical About Frogs

Frogs are a quintessential aspect of life growing up in Australia. What I did not know, until reading this fascinating book, is that frogs are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica!

Peppered with relevant and intriguing facts, this non-fiction book provides information on some of the thousands of species of frogs. There are pages dedicated to the similarities shared across the various species as well as pages revealing differences, including the variety of colours, calls, idiosyncrasies and dramatic variation in sizes. There is even an awards page, dedicated to frogs with unique qualities, such as the loudest call, most transparent skin and the longest leap.

Printed on matte FSC Certified paper, this book has an organic, natural feel and appearance. Renowned author-illustrator Owen Davey's illustrations convey the colouring and habitats of many frogs, comprised of earthy greens, browns, yellows and reds.

A brief explanation of some mythological tales featuring frogs also reveal the significance of frogs across several cultures. Finally, the book concludes with a succinct but practical discussion of ways we can help to maintain the wonderful diversity of frog species in our world.

Title: Fanatical About Frogs
Author/Illustrator: Owen Davey
Publisher: Flying Eye Books, $27.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781912497058
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Non-fiction




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Review: All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors

Review: Super Side Kicks: No Adults Allowed

Review: Koala Lou

Review: As Happy As Here

Review: The Secrets of Magnolia Moon

As soon as I heard the title of this debut junior fiction novel, from award-winning picture book author Edwina Wyatt, I was hooked. Then came the exquisite cover, from New Zealand illustrator Katherine Quinn. And, from the very first page, I was enchanted.

Magnolia Moon is a quirky nine-year-old girl, with a love of Greek mythology, her best friend, Imogen Mae, and the moon.

She is the kind of girl who would be a grape, if she were a fruit — because you would never be lonely, sitting there in a bunch — and has a wonderful way of measuring time — There's a whole year to go, which is a lifetime if you are a giant jellyfish.

But, best of all, she is excellent at keeping secrets. In fact, each chapter reveals a new secret that Magnolia is keeping and, together, they form a beautiful vignette; a snapshot of a year in the life of Magnolia Moon.

From her best friend moving away, to Daddy Moon not wanting to celebrate his birthday, and the birth of her baby brother, Finnegan, Magnolia deals with each secret in her sweet, funny and inventive way.

Edwina Wyatt's prose is lyrical and heartfelt, with a glorious use of imagery. And Katherine Quinn has captured the fanciful nature of Magnolia Moon with warmth and joy.

This is not a fast-paced read, brimming with dramatic tension. Calling to mind the writing of Astrid Lindgren and Kate DiCamillo, The Secrets of Magnolia Moon is a whimsical and gentle portrayal of friendship and problem solving, with each page to be savoured. And I think young readers could do with more of that.


Title: The Secrets of Magnolia Moon 
Author: Edwina Wyatt 
Illustrator: Katherine Quinn 
Publisher: Walker Books, $19.99 
Publication Date: October 2019  
Format: Hard Cover 
ISBN: 9781760651541 
For ages: 6+ 
Type: Junior Fiction

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Meet The Illustrator: Jane Carlisle

Name: Jane Carlisle

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Whimsical, fun, humorous, emotional, loose, messy, intuitive, colourful, endearing.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
I need my sketchbooks all around me for inspiration, my favourite watercolours to capture ideas, my best carbon ink pen and also black ink brush pen, my gelli plate and high flow acrylics and a few types of watercolour papers.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Ooooh that’s a hard question. I am predominantly a mixed media artist. I use whatever I can get my hands on, often the first thing I lay eyes on to get started and then I move into whatever seems right for the artwork emerging. It usually tells me how it wants to be. I do love watercolours but I am not an accomplished watercolourist. I use them to get my message across because they are so emotionally meaningful with the colours and the way the water interacts with the paper, especially cold pressed paper.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Jane Davenport
Carla Sonheim
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
The pre-Raphaelite period. Those painters were into fairy tales and myths and legends!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
Originally I think fairy tales inspired me to have a go at drawing, I always loved my Arthur Rackham fairy tale book and from there I remember being super impressed by Alan Lee who is well known for bringing Tolkien stories to life. I always felt frustrated with my efforts until I joined up with Jane Davenport and learnt to let go of the outcome and just enjoy the process. Her teaching gave me the confidence boost I needed to let go of inner expectations (still a constant struggle) and have fun with art again like I did as a child.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.I recently hired a space in Ripple Art Studio at Port Adelaide which is not far from my home. Before that I have had a room in my house but with kids getting older that went by the wayside this year. I would prefer having an art space at home but in the meantime, I have a small space in a big old heritage building with other artists around some of the time. 

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?Having the ideas and then getting the ideas down onto paper and seeing how they want to be in the world. Playing with paint and water and paper is my favourite part of the whole thing. I love the unexpected and the happy accident. I rarely plan things out in advance. I like to hear what the artwork is saying to me rather than orchestrate it all by myself.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

As much as possible, draw every day or close to it, there are events such as Inktober, 100 day challenge and Mab's Drawolleen to keep you going or make up your own prompt list. Join up with other artists where you can online such as Sketchbook Skool, Skillshare or an artist who teaches and has online classes that you like. Try and meet up with other artists in person. Keep some of your illustrations just for you but also post on Instagram. Participate in joint exhibitions (less pressure). It is OK to copy or be inspired by others but remember to acknowledge them in your sketchbooks or if you post the work publicly. Make your own sketchbooks with your favourite paper.
Try new things as you go along and are drawn to them.

Jane loves to dream of and paint up whimsical images and stories especially those based on fairy tales old and new and is delighted that other people also enjoy her enthusiasm for the genre. The art room is a sacred space where Jane can explore the world of emotions through colour and imagery.
For more information please follow Jane on her instagram.

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GIVEAWAY! Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures

Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creators, the latest book by KBR Founder Tania McCartney, is a celebration of Australian wildlife as you've never seen it before.

Did you know that platypus have retractable webbing on their hind feet to enable an easy transition from swimming to digging?

In Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures, readers are introduced to facts that delight, amaze and induce sheer wonder at the clever design and adaptability of our much-loved native fauna.

The information on each individual species is presented in small 'bites' to hold the interest of younger readers, while the information taken in total gives a comprehensive summary of each species, including breeding and feeding habits, physical characteristics, habitat and other unique and quirky features.

Fauna also has a strong conservation message with an 'extinction roll call' and a rating for the vulnerability of endangered species.

The stylised illustrations in Fauna are lively, colourful and informative, highlighting facts that lend themselves more to pictures than words e.g. the actual size of crocodile teeth, or the mechanics of the echidna's beak. There is also humour in the illustrations - is that kangaroo with dark glasses actually from a different kind of mob?

Thanks to the good people at the National Library of Australia, we have a copy of Fauna to give away to one lucky KBR reader. Please read through competition guidelines, below, before entering.

To enter, simply tell us, in 25 words or less, your favourite Australian animal, and why.

Email your answer along with your name and postal address to Dimity with FAUNA COMP in the email subject. 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 book delivery. 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 shortly after the comp ends.

Competition runs until 5pm, Friday 1 November 2019 (Sydney time). 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.

Learn more about the book here.

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