Review: 7 Steps to Get Your Child Reading

If you’re anything like me, you are constantly worrying that you’re not doing enough as a parent.

You worry you have dropped the ball on something you find out all the other parents are doing. You worry your kids are falling behind in something and you could have done more to prevent it.

Reading and writing are big worries — reading in particular. Reading to kids is essential and exposing them to books at a young age is key.

But when and how and why? It isn't always clear.

Luckily, Louise Park has come to the rescue with 7 Steps to Get Your Child Reading.

Louise is a teacher, children’s author and an educational consultant. She knows what’s what when it comes to books, kids and literacy. 

But this isn’t just any non-fiction book. This is a book that has been written with time-poor parents in mind.

From the information to the layout to the design and fun illustrations, this is a book you will pick up and say ‘yes! This is exactly what I was looking for.’

Let’s start with the information. Divided into seven key chapters (one for each of the steps), Park covers everything from birth and up. There’s information about what comes before books and reading to support literacy, how writing is linked to reading (so really this is a book about supporting kids to write as well!), how to deal with the constant distraction of electronics and TV, and the two main philosophies on how to teach your kids to read. 

Plus more. There’s so much more. 

Park has translated all the research into parent-friendly language, and there’s a fantastic mix of real life stories, fact sections, quotes, detailed explanations (with lots of subheadings) and diagrams. There are also chapter takeaways at the end of every chapter.

The brilliant mix of information leads into layout and design. Different sections are clearly marked, the headings are large and funky, and a good balance of white space helps the eye. Nelle May Pierce’s illustrations also add to the fun and readability. Scattered throughout, they bring pizzazz to the pages. They are joyful and really do add to the reading experience.

But there’s more. One of the things I love most about this book is the step-by-step instructions Park provides for helping kids to read. She doesn’t just advise you to do this or do that, she actually shows you how to do it. 

Using her own brilliant books as examples, Park steps you through how to sit down with your kid and guide their learning-to-read experience page by page. Park outlines words kids might struggle with and what to do if they do indeed struggle to read them. She provides questions to ask them to prompt thinking and help them move forward.

The whole book is filled with useful tips and tricks — lots of them simple things that you can implement immediately without cost or effort.

I also love that this is a book for anyone with kids (or even pre-kid) no matter their age. A child’s reading journey really does start from birth, so if you have young babies, this book is for you. But if your kids are older — about to start school, just started taking home readers or have been reading for a while — this book is still for you. 

There’s so much useful information between the covers for encouraging life long readers. And no matter where your kids are on their reading journey, Louise Park has you covered. Insightful, helpful and made for time-poor parents, this is an easy and fun read packed with all the information you need to support kids through their reading adventures.

Highly, highly, highly recommended.

Title: 7 Steps to Get Your Child Reading

Author: Louise Park

Illustrator: Nelle May Pierce

Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99

Publication Date: February 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760524678

Type: Non-Fiction

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Review: Are These Hen's Eggs?

A delightful and surprising story, featuring Hen, who is diligently protecting her eggs when a storm sweeps through and scatters eggs everywhere.

Hen was counting the days until her eggs hatched, but now she is searching for eggs, counting each one as she finds them, with the help of her friends, including cat, dog, owl, goose and duck. Soon there are many eggs! Hen knows they cannot all be hers - some are big, others small, some are blue, some pink, and some are even spotted - yet Hen cares for all of them.

Christina Booth is an award winning Australian author/illustrator, with a gift for conveying emotion and joy in her many stories. Booth's illustrations are endearing, showing love between the hatchlings and their parents.

Are These Hen's Eggs? is a counting book, an egg hunt and a story of friendship and caring, with surprises to be found on many pages.

Title: Are These Hen's Eggs?
Author/Illustrator: Christina Booth
Publisher: Allen&Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 4 February 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760523497
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Alice Miranda at School (10th Anniversary Edition)

Can you believe it has been ten years since Alice-Miranda started her first day at boarding school — ten years since the fun and adventure began?

Now with 18 books in the series (and another due out in June 2020), activity books, journals and a movie, Alice-Miranda is a worldwide phenomenon!

But let me take you back to where it all began: Alice Miranda at School.

We are first introduced to Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones outside her new boarding school — the Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies.

Alice-Miranda is actually too young to start school (she’s only seven and one quarter), and her parents are extremely teary about the giant milestone.

But Alice-Miranda is confident and bold, and she wants to go to boarding school. She’s ready for bigger things, so she moves to the academy, excited for her new beginning. 

Unfortunately for Alice-Miranda, things at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies are not quite what Alice-Miranda expected. The headmistress is continuously absent and not very well liked, a mean and spoilt girl is terrorising the school, mysterious and unexplained occurrences keep happening, and the school has some very strange rules.

Alice-Miranda wants boarding school to be splendid and amazing — and she also wants to figure out what's going on at the school — so she pulls up her socks and gets to work, because, well, she’s Alice-Miranda.

Positive and chirpy, Alice-Miranda always sees the good in people. She believes everyone is good, and everyone and everything has value. Sometimes this can-do attitude lands her in trouble, but time and time again Alice-Miranda proves that her way of thinking wins out over negativity. She brings warmth and joy to everything she touches. 

As for the 10-year anniversary edition, how can you go past the stunning hard cover with shiny gold embellishments? You’ll also be treated to a letter from Jacqueline at the start of the book.

This is a brilliant series for junior readers. And like I said, there are 18 books in the series (and another due out in June), so it’s definitely a series to become obsessed with (in the very best bookish way!).

As far as recommended reading age goes, that’s a tricky one. I've heard Jacqueline Harvey mention in several interviews that the Alice-Miranda readership spans from very junior readers all the way up to teens. I recommend that if you know a kid who loves a story filled with adventure, friendship, humour and mystery, they will likely be Alice-Miranda fans.

Bonus: Back in 2010, Jacqueline Harvey did a brilliant guest post on how she developed Alice-Miranda as a character. It’s brilliant, and if you’re an Alice-Miranda fan already, it’s a must read. Check it out here. You might also like our 12 Curly Questions with Jacqueline Harvey and our 2010 author interview with Jacqueline Harvey.

For reviews on other books in the Alice-Miranda series, check out: Alice-Miranda on Holiday and Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead.

Title: Alice-Miranda at School 10th Anniversary Edition

Author: Jacqueline Harvey

Publisher: Penguin Random House, $19.99

Publication Date: 4 February 2020

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781760896034

For ages: 7+

Type: Junior Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction

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10 Quirky Questions with Australian Children's Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky

1. What's your hidden talent?
Well I like mowing the lawn. I don't know if I'm exactly talented at it - but I do like it.

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Count Olaf from Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. He makes me laugh because he's not very good at hiding his badness even though he thinks he is!

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Dr Seuss, Wanda Gag, Edith Nesbit, EB White, May Gibbs. All ghosts. I don't think I'd sit down with them. I would be the servant, sneaking in and out with the dishes.

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Thing One and Thing Two, who clean up all the mess in The Cat In The Hat.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Impulsive, anxious, wandering, wondering, discovering.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Funny. Moving. Puzzling. Sparking. Sincere.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
A nice old desk, a comfy chair, a chandelier, a crystal bottle, a very big bookshelf.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
'Sofas are good for lying on, hiding behind, sliding things underneath, jumping on, squishing up on and sinking down into.'
The book is So Long, See You Tomorrow, by William Maxwell

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Rumer Godden — What really happened in that house in Kashmir in 1944???

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Well, my instinct says I would rather never write another story, because I love reading so much. But I suppose if I was locked up in prison with no books, I could entertain myself by inventing stories. So I'm not sure!

Ursula was born and grew up in Sydney in a family of writers and wanted to be a writer from the age of six. She is the author of more than 50 books for children and young adults and her work is published all over the world. She has won several national literary awards, including the Victorian, Queensland and South Australian state awards for literature, and has also won the NSW Premier's Literary Award a record five times. Internationally, she has been nominated for both the Hans Christian Andersen and Astrid Lindgren awards. She has a PhD in English literature and currently lives in Sydney. She has just been named Australia's new Children's Laureate. For more information, see https://ift.tt/2vEZMrB. You can read more Kids' Book Review interviews with Ursula and some reviews of her books here.

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Review: Izzy & Frank

Izzy and Frank is one of those enchanting picture books, bursting with nostalgia and the freedom of childhood.

Izzy and her best buddy, Frank the seagull, do everything together on their island home, from drawing pictures in the sand to fighting off pirates.

But, one day, everything changes and Izzy leaves her dreamy haven for a life in the city.

Katrina Lehman's delightful, fluid prose highlights the stark contrast between the carefree joy of Izzy's old home and the rigid structure of her new life. But a visit from her old friend, Frank, helps Izzy see the city through fresh eyes and helps her understand there is adventure and fun to had when you have a rich imagination, a sense of curiosity and good friends, old and new.

Katrina Lehman and Sophie Beer created a heartfelt, memorable book in their first collaboration, Wren, and Izzy and Frank is equally divine.

Sophie's careful choice of colour palette gives the illustrations an irresistible retro feel and each page is vibrant with detail and warmth. They are the perfect complement to Katrina's beautiful use of imagery, alliteration and rhythm.

A story about memories, change and finding wonder in new adventures, Izzy and Frank is a book to be cherished.


Title: Izzy and Frank
Author: Katrina Lehman
Illustrator: Sophie Beer
Publisher: Scribble Books, $24.99
Publication Date: February 2020
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781925849509
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Jelly-Boy

Jelly-Boy is the story of a smitten jellyfish who follows a mysterious and suspicious plastic bag into dangerous waters.

When a sweet, endearing looking jellyfish spots a plastic bag drifting in the ocean she mistakes it for a jelly-boy; and for love as first sight. The story then follows the duo on an adventure into the ocean with the jellyfish becoming both more curious and educated about the perplexing jelly-boy. Worrying events and a strong message about the danger and destruction of plastic in our oceans prevail.

I love the flow in this book; how the words, typography and illustrations work together to tell an engaging and meaningful story. The vibrant colours with bold shapes and textures create a beautiful and fitting design with a touch of vintage style.

The last page features facts and statistics about the harmful effects of plastic to our environment which would be great to drive conversation about marine life and ocean conservation in a classroom or group setting.

Nicole Godwin is an Australian author with a passion for animal protection and environmental conservation, her previous books include Billie and Ella. Some of Christopher Nielsen’s other illustrated books include Ponk, Ali Berber and the Forty Grains of Salt and Eerie: Hunter and Collector.

Title: Jelly-Boy
Author: Nicole Godwin
Illustrator: Christopher Nielsen
Publisher: Walker Books Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760651237
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book




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Giveaway: The Good Hawk

Australian Children's Laureate: Ursula Dubosarsky

Ursula Dubosarsky (Photo: Sarah Steed)

Congratulations to Ursula Dubosarsky, who was named the Australian Children's Laureate for 2020-21 at a ceremony at the National Library of Australia this week.

As the author of more than sixty books, and winner of multiple awards, Ursula is perfectly placed to advocate for children reading.

Ursula speaking at the announcement of the Laureate (Photo: Tania McCartney)

Ursula has written for a range of ages and genres, with her work including The Terrible Plop, The Word Spy, and The Red Shoe. She's also been nominated for the prestigous international Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and Hans Christian Andersen Award.

As Australian Children's Laureate, Ursula was presented with a special award in the form of the Laureate's mascot, a magpie.

Australian Children's Laureate award and a laurel wreath being used by Ursula to help explain what a laureate is. (Photo: Sarah Steed)

The theme Ursula has chosen for her two years as Laureate is 'Read for your life'. It's grounded in the benefits of reading, and its importance for everyone, whatever their age or background.

Speaking about this, Ursula explained that reading is not something that you learn and then stop. 'Every book you read makes you a better reader. Reading is for your whole life long.'

The theme is also closely connected to another important message. Ursula wants everyone, especially children, to join their local library, borrow books, and read for their whole life.

Ursula reading her book The Terrible Plop to children at a Canberra library (Photo: Sarah Steed)

Ursula Dubosarsky is the sixth Australian Children's Laureate. The previous laureates are: Alison Lester, Boori Monti Pryor, Jackie French, Leigh Hobbs, and Morris Gleitzman.

Click here for Kids' Book Review posts featuring Ursula Dubosarsky, and remember to visit your local library to register for membership, find and borrow books by Ursula, and many other wonderful authors.

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Announcement: International Book Giving Day

14th February is not just a day to revel in flower and rose-giving. It is also International Book Giving Day and is all about getting books into the hands of as many children as possible on 14th February.

International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books.

Since its inception in 2012, International Book Giving Day has continued to grow & grow and is celebrated by people in over 44 countries, including – Ukraine, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Australia, Canada, South Africa, France, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, Macedonia, Malawi, Hungary, Malaysia, Israel, Denmark, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, China, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria.

International Book Giving Day is run by Emma Perry (My Book Corner, UK) and brilliantly supported by Catherine Friess – Story Snug (Germany) on Twitter. 

You can get involved in a number of exciting ways, big or small, it doesn't matter. As long as the gift of giving books to children somewhere somehow extends throughout the world, you can be sure you are making a difference.

Visit the official site to download this year's poster and beautiful bookplates to include in your book giveaway.

 #bookgivingday

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Review: The Pigeon HAS To Go To School

Review: Bronte: Me and My Boots

Bronte’s boots shout ‘this is who I am today!’ Adaptable to the many roles Bronte chooses to play, they become brave-girl boots, I-believe-I-can boots, bubbly, and full-of-beans boots. 

With her blue boots on, there are no boundaries for Bronte; no allocated gender roles. She loves to try everything.

Written in clever and descriptive rhyming verse,
Bronte: Me and My Boots is full of positive reinforcement.

It encourages the use of imagination and a can-do mind-set.

Bronte is assertive, strong, imaginative, energetic, brave, and the best friend she can be. She presents as the ideal role model to children who love to express their inner selves.

The first title in the Bronte series by the word perfect Penny Harrison, celebrates life. It reflects the confidence owned by children when wearing their favourite clothing items which allow them to do the things they love, and with which they identify themselves.

By the end of the book we have a clear picture of Bronte’s character and attitude to life, including the support of her exploring mind by her warm family circle and best friend. Being an outdoorsy girl, there is a lot of nature, animals, tools and creativity involved.

Evie Barrow’s delightful and expressive illustrations prepare the groundwork for forthcoming adventures. Her choice and use of colour enhances the sense of freedom and joy which Bronte exhibits.

An abundance of small images flow through the book and invite closer inspection. The decorative white items scattered over blue end pages are a design of Bronte’s life and activities.

Bronte is a carefree, lovable and out-going child that many kids will want to copy, learn more about, and definitely follow to see what she gets up to next!

Title: Bronte: Me and My Boots

Author:Penny Harrison

Illustrator: Evie Barrow

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99

Publication Date: February 2020

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781760502331

For ages: 5+

Type: Picture Book

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Meet The Illustrator: Sophie Beer

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Bold, electric, bright, haphazard, retro, messy, chaotic, funny (I hope!)

What items are an essential part of your creative space?

Lots of posters to inspire me!

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Digital. I have such short attention span that I get frustrated working on paper! I need the freedom to do something quickly, delete it and go over it again!

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Jon Klassen, Mary Blair, Roger Duvoisin

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?

The 1950’s and 60’s! The golden age of children’s book art.


Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I was in the final year of my law degree and really wasn’t enjoying it. The only thing that made me happy was painting, so I took that and ran with it!

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
You can see all the posters on my wall, as well as embroidery from my friends, art from others, and inspiring quotes. I keep flowers around my studio all of the time, plus houseplants. You can see my Wacom tablet and my Mac as well!

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
When you find a colour combination that works and it all clicks together.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Practise, practise, practise, and in the words of JK Rowling: “ I believe in hard work and luck, and that the first often leads to the second.”

Sophie Beer is a children's illustrator and author from Brisbane. She completed a dual degree in Law and Creative Industries with distinction at Queensland University of Technology, but found her true calling in children's and editorial illustration after being caught doodling in law textbooks too often. Reveling in color, shape, and texture, she lives by one simple rule: Art should never be boring. She has worked with lots of clients over her freelancing career including Disney, Google, Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Hardie Grant Egmont and more. When she's not illustrating and writing, she thinks a lot about equality, nature, books, and Aldi choc-chip biscuits.

Visit Sophie's website or follow her on instagram

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Review: Edie's Experiments 1: How To Make Friends

Edie is ten-and-a-quarter years old and she absolutely loves science. In fact, Edie loves to experiment in every aspect of her life, even her family's breakfast choices. Her family are completely used to her scientific ways, and some of Edie's best memories from her old school are of the amazing experiments she conducted there. So, when Edie starts in Year 5 at a new school, she figures there is no better way to make friends than to bring along her science kit and start experimenting. Unfortunately, things don't turn out quite the way Edie planned.

Author, Charlotte Barkla, has created a lovable character, who enthusiastically gets herself into awkward situations, leading to laugh-out-loud humour. Edie is energetic and inquisitive, approaching everything with scientific gusto, including her often disastrous attempts to make new friends.

When Edie manages to cover her class in slime, make them ill from apology cookies, and accidentally insult the school Principal, she can't imagine how things could get worse. But they do! Fortunately, Edie's persistent scientific efforts and her kindheartedness do eventually shine through.

Illustrator Sandy Flett, conveys fun and movement, bringing to life Edie's enthusiasm for experimenting and her vivid imagination, with such fine examples as the Before Lunch and After Lunch images of the Science Fair Trophy, and the Detention Room Expectation versus Detention Room Reality sketches. Flett is also known for her illustrations in the Juno Jones series.

Edie's Experiments 1: How To Make Friends will appeal to middle grade readers who have ever tried an experiment that didn't quite work out, like trying to make a new friend. This is the first book in the Edie's Experiments series, with a second book scheduled for release mid-2020. Charlotte Barkla is also the author of the positive picture book, All Bodies Are Good Bodies.

Title: Edie's Experiments 1: How To Make Friends
Author: Charlotte Barkla
Illustrator: Sandy Flett
Publisher: Puffin, $14.99
Publication Date: 4 Feb 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760891770
For ages: 8 - 11
Type: Middle Grade Fiction




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Review: A is for Ant

A is for Ant is a fascinating, beautifully designed board book about ants and the letter a.

Each page or spread begins with ‘A is for’ and continues with a something associated with ants including type of ants, their body parts, food, homes, environments, and my favourite, a beautifully collaged spread about an anteater.

I adore Kate Slater’s collage illustrations, the colours and textures create a unique beauty and depth while suiting the text and board book format wonderfully.

A is for Ant is the first in a series of alphabet based board books, the next is B is for Bee, which I can’t wait to read.

Kate Slater is a UK based illustrator who illustrates primarily with mixed media collage, some of her other books included ABC London and Magpie’s Treasure.

Title: A is for Ant
Author: Sam Priddy
Illustrator: Kate Slater
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, $12.99
Publication Date: 4 February 2019
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9780241435922
For ages: 0 – 3
Type: Board Book




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Guest Post: Wendy Haynes on Where Stories Take You

I didn’t think Hayden’s Bedtime was going to be my first published book.

The story for Hayden’s Bedtime had been brewing for a while. I wrote it for my grandson, who has trouble falling asleep at night.

My son Clint has all sorts of trouble getting Hayden off to sleep every night. I wrote the book to make bedtime a fun and happy experience with dad checking behind the door, under the bed, inside the cupboard, and in the drawer.

I had been writing a middle-grade fantasy fiction for a few years (which is finished now and due out this year), but when an opportunity came via a council-run mentoring program to help creatives turn their passion into a business, I jumped at the chance. The idea was to have a product or service to sell by the end of the program.

At the beginning of August 2018, I received a call telling me I was accepted into the program. I was on my way to a self-imposed writing retreat in Lorne – only thirty minutes down the road with the intention to work on my middle-grade novel, The Door in the Woods. The Airbnb I was staying at had bad phone reception – I had to stand on the back veranda to make and receive calls. The internet connection was only available on the front deck, perfect. I took enough supplies to ensure there was no reason to leave, though I did reward myself with a cappuccino at a café in Kendall.

As most writers know, it is impossible to work on one story for the whole day, well, four days to be exact. I read, I edited what I wrote, and expanded the outline, and I started to write down ideas for Hayden’s Bedtime. I’m not sure why, but when I write poems or in picture book form, I nearly always write in rhyme. I also use a notebook rather than using the computer; the rhythm flows better for me that way.

Once I had most of the story down, I transferred it onto the computer to edit. It was at this point that I decided this book would be the project for the mentoring program.

The first thing I did from that point was to have my manuscript assessed not once, but twice. This is such an important step and was vital in ensuring my book would be the best it could be.

I then went on the prowl for an illustrator. I found my illustrator Brett Curzon through Illustrators Australia, and after negotiations, he commenced the illustrations. To self-publish a book is to become a publisher and all of what that entails – so, Inprint Publishing was born.

With every book sold, $2 goes to a local community organisation Liberty Service who helps families live free of domestic violence. Since the publication of Hayden’s Bedtime, getting it out into the greater Australian community has been a constant effort. It has been added to the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge and distributed through Woodslane or available through my website.

My advice if you are going down the self-publishing road is it is best to publish a text-based book first, and it’s the more affordable option. Also, having a checklist and doing some research is vital to ensuring sales and reaching your audience. But the most important thing is to keep practicing your craft.

Wendy Haynes is the author of Hayden’s Bedtime, a picture book written for children aged 3-6 years old. The book was developed with her grandson Hayden in mind and his fear of going to bed. The book was originally released late March 2019 and is illustrated by the talented Brett Curzon. She has completed a Diploma in Creative Writing at Southern Cross University, and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has conducted motivational and writing workshops on and offline through her business Writing for Keeps. Wendy is the founder of Inprint Publishing, where you can find more information at the website: www.inprintpublishing.com.au/

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10 Quirky Questions with author/illustrator Frané Lessac

1. What's your hidden talent?
Synaesthesia. Letters and numbers trigger a visual colour experience and I sometimes use it to remember people’s names, phone numbers and addresses.

2. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
In high school, I took art as an elective. My grades were so bad that after school I would crawl through the classroom window and change my grades in the teacher’s book.

3. Who is your favorite literary villain and why? 
The Wicked Witch of the West, from Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Growing up, she was the one literary figure that could scare the pants off me. She’s manipulative, cruel and intimidating. She gets what she wants through her evil behaviour. I want to know how she became so misguided. More importantly, I want to free the Winkie guards and the flying monkeys!

4. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead) 
Keith Richards, Jack Kerouac, Samuel Clemens, Patti Smith, and Tom Robbins.

5. Which literary invention do you wish was real? 
The 'thinker-upper machine' by Dr. Seuss. How handy to have a bit of help with infinite possibilities.

6. What are five words that describe your writing process? 
Conceptional. Loony. Procrastinated. Self-taught. Miraculous.

7 Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer? 
Resourceful. Tenacious. Imaginative. Colourful. Fun.

8. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Window with a view, Banjo my dog. Heart-shaped stones. Family photos. Books.

9. What book character would you be, and why?
Peter Rabbit: He’s brave, mischievous and overcomes obstacles. A rabbit after my own heart.

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Never having to make this choice.

Frané Lessac is an author and illustrator of international renown, having nearly 50 children’s books published throughout the world. She was born in the USA and lived on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, as well as in London, before moving to Australia. Frané loves to travel and create books based on her journeys. She has contributed her distinctive paintings to many critically acclaimed children’s picture books, including The Legend of Moondyne Joe, which won the West Australian Premier’s Children’s Book Award, and Simpson and His Donkey, a CBCA Honour Book that was also selected as a USBBY Outstanding International Book. In 2019, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, written by Traci Sorell, was awarded the Robert F Sibert Honor Book Honor medal, the Orbis Pictus Honor Book medal and the Boston Globe Horn Book Honor medal. For more information, see www.franelessac.com.

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Review: The Night Country

Review: Marlow Brown: Scientist in the Making

Review: H is for Happiness

Barry Jonsberg’sH is for Happiness is a reissue of My Life as an Alphabet, published early 2013. This stunning piece of work deserves all the kudos it receives. It won the 2013 Gold Inky, the Children’s Peace Literature Award, the 2014 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, and was short-listed for the CBCA Awards in 2014, and a string of other awards. Now the movie is being released early 2020.

The prose sizzles through the voice of protagonist, Candice Phee – a girl different to other children. She marches to her own tune; is clever and loving. Friendless apart from Douglas Benson From Another Dimension, Candice is unfazed by the ridicule she receives at school, she sees the good in everyone and never speaks negatively to, or about, anyone. She adores her Rich Uncle Brian who is estranged from his brother, Candice’s dad.

Douglas is also a rare individual. They fit together perfectly, as they accept each other’s idiosyncrasies as normal. Douglas is trying to find a way to return to what he believes, is his real family in an alternate universe.

A class assignment is set. Each pupil must write about themselves. Each paragraph must begin with a letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. But one paragraph per letter is barely enough for the expansive and eloquent Candice.

This opens the closed doors of Candice’s life and thoughts. It is through these alphabetically listed paragraphs, that Jonsberg reveals a detailed and intimate view of just how extraordinary is his main character. For this book is all about Candice.    

The serious problem of loneliness grows worse in the Phee family. Since the death of her baby Frances, Mum lies on her bed all the time and never smiles. Her father’s escape is the garage and his computer. Since his falling out with his brother and the ending of their business partnership, he is withdrawn and broody. Home is a dark place.

Candice misses her family. She is determined to bring happiness back into their lives as she can no longer endure the depressive sadness that has destroyed her parents.

This is an outstanding novel; perfectly executed and delivered. His previous book, A Song Only I can Hear, published in 2018 has now been optioned for a film with the screenplay underway.

Title: H for Happiness

Author:Barry Jonsberg

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99

Publication Date: January 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760527402

For ages: 10 - 13

Type: Teenage Fiction

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Winner: The Day Henry Met...

Our winner is...

Simon Spark, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a beautiful four book prize pack of the series, The Day Henry Met...including, Colours, Numbers, Actions and ABC.

Your collection is on its way.

Thank you to ALL who entered. 

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Guest Post: Q & A with Joseph Elliott on The Good Hawk

What’s The Good Hawk about?
The Good Hawk is the first book in the Shadow Skye trilogy and is about a clan that live on the Isle of Skye in a mythic version of Scotland. After an invasion by warriors from overseas, the only people to evade capture are a girl with Down’s syndrome called Agatha, an anxious boy called Jamie and a young child-bride called Lileas. Together they must cross the haunted mainland, filled with terrifying beasts and dark secrets, in an attempt to rescue their family.

This is your debut novel. Had you written much prior to this?
As my other job, I work as an actor, and a large part of that has involved script-writing and editing over the years. When I first graduated, I set up a comedy sketch group with three friends called Four Screws Loose. We toured and performed together for over six years, including a run at The Adelaide Fringe, which I absolutely loved. During those years, I was constantly writing sketches for us to perform and editing the other guys’ work. 

Then I landed a job in children’s TV, which led to a fair amount of script writing work for different television shows. I’d always loved the idea of writing a full-length novel so, over the course of several years, I was silently working on a manuscript at the same time. I finished my first novel in 2015, but couldn’t find a home for it. To take my mind off all the rejections I was receiving, I started writing The Good Hawk, and that’s the book that landed me a literary agent, and then a publishing deal!

What made you decide to include a character with Down’s syndrome?
When I first started working as an actor in London, I needed a second job for when I was 'resting' (unemployed), so I started working at a secondary school for children with additional needs. I adored the job, and gradually progressed from being a teaching assistant to leading my own drama lessons and directing school productions. I taught a wide range of children, including many with Down’s syndrome, who surprised and entertained me every day. I wanted to create a heroine that the children I knew could relate to and be inspired by, which is how Agatha came into being.

One of the main themes in The Good Hawk is that of difference, or being perceived as different. What prompted you want to write about that?
I think difference is a theme everyone can relate to; we have all felt different – and insecure as a consequence of it – at some point in our lives. These feelings are even more prevalent during our teenage years, at a time of great change and personal growth. The perception of others as ‘different’ – and consequently ‘other’ as a result of it – is the cause of so much negativity in our world. I like to think The Good Hawk may help break down certain preconceptions (or reinforce positive beliefs), and prove that we should embrace one another’s differences and individuality.

What were your favourite books growing up? Were there any books in particular that inspired The Good Hawk?
I’ve always been a big fan of fantasy. When I was young, my favourite series was The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann (my mum still believes it was these books that turned me vegetarian, despite me pointing out that no one eats foxes or badgers…). As a teenager, I devoured everything by Australian author Ian Irvine. I’m still a big fan of his work, and eagerly anticipate his new releases. I think everything I’ve ever read has inspired The Good Hawk in some small way or another – even books I didn’t enjoy, as they spurred me on to write something that I would.

If you had one piece of advice to give to aspiring authors, what would it be?
I’d say to read as much as you possibly can (including my book – available to buy now from all good retailers!) Reading other people’s work helps you learn what works and what doesn’t; it’s really invaluable.

Visit again on the 16 February for your chance to win your own copy of The Good Hawk in our fresh-off-the-press Giveaway.

Joseph Elliott is a writer and actor, well-known for his work in children’s television including CBeebies series 'Swashbuckle'. His commitment to serving children with special education needs was instilled at a young age: his mother is a teacher trained in special needs education, and his parents provided respite foster care for children with additional needs. He has worked at a recreational centre for children with learning disabilities and as a teaching assistant at Westminster Special Schools. The heroine of his first book, The Good Hawk, was inspired by the many incredible children he has worked with, especially those with Down’s syndrome. Joseph lives in London. Say hello to Joseph on Twitter: @joseph_elliott.

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Look What I'm Reading! Leigh Hobbs

Review: Beast Feast

Review: The Man in the Water

Sixteen-year-old Shaun finds a dead body in the lake. He tells the police, but when they return to the lake, the body is gone.

The police don’t believe there ever was a body. Shaun’s mum thinks he’s not coping with his father’s own death and is making things up. 

Only Shaun’s best friend Will believes him, so they decide to investigate the missing body themselves — to uncover the truth and prove Shaun was right.

But what starts as some simple snooping and asking questions, quickly turns into a dangerous investigation that will reveal something sinister about Shaun and Will’s outback town.

This is a brilliant YA/middle grade mystery adventure for readers who love to solve a puzzle. 

With real and relatable characters who are experiencing the challenges of everyday life, it’s the kind of story readers will really connect with. 

You get to know these characters — their lives, hopes and fears. And then you go on an adventure with them — something a little bit out there but not completely out of the realm of possibility. I think young readers will really love this aspect of the book. It's a series of events that could happen, even it's not likely to happen to you or someone you know. It creates a brilliant 'what would I do in this situation?' feel to the story.

This is an engaging and addictive read. David Burton is a master storyteller, and he has created a cast of authentic and interesting characters here. If you like a good mystery, definitely check out The Man in the Water.

And for another great read by David Burton, make sure you check out How to be Happy. You can also find out more about David in our 12 Curly Questions interview.

Title: The Man in the Water

Author: David Burton

Publisher: UQP, $19.95

Publication Date: 1 November 2019

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 978 0 7022 6252 4

For ages: 13+

Type: Young Adult Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction

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Review: Batmouse

Batmouse is an endearing story of a curious and determined little mouse who wants to be a bat.

When Pip the mouse sees a bat flying in the sky he becomes fixated on wanting to fly too. With a clever, creative flair, he makes cardboard wings and announces himself as Batmouse; he flaps around the house and even tries jumping from the top of a hill to fly. Despite his determination he doesn’t have much luck with flying; and then, just when you’d think he might give up, he meets an actual bat… will this be Pip’s chance to learn to fly?

When discovering some eye opening facts about bats, in particular, their choice of food, Pip reconsiders, maybe he’s satisfied with being a mouse… or is he? An amusing end prevails.

I love how the story explores Pip’s drive and ambition but also gives a message about staying true to who or what you are. I also adore the charming illustrations which feature a bold palette of primary colours and show flowing movement and emotion in the characters.

A page at the back of the book features teacher notes with ideas for questions and discussions to have after or during reading.

Steve Smallman is a UK author and illustrator with over 35 years experience and an almost endless list of books including The Lamb Who Came For Dinner and Astromouse; another story featuring Pip the mouse.

Title: Batmouse
Author/Illustrator: Steve Smallman
Publisher: QED PUBLISHING, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 April 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781781715734 
For ages: 0 – 5
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Peter in Peril: Courage and Hope in World War Two

12 Curly Questions with author/publisher Susannah McFarlane

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I can’t watch scary movies — even movies other people think are lame! I guess that’s why I love fairytales that end ‘happily ever after’!

2. What is your nickname?
I’ve never really had one, more just shortenings (Susie, Sooze) although for a brief time I was ‘Plasticine Face’ but for reasons I can’t remember, which may be for the best…

3. What is your greatest fear?
Losing those I love

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Oh gosh (do those two count?) — grounded in truth and reality but not taking themselves too seriously (with apologies for the extra word…)

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Honest, seeking, amused, interested, hopeful

6. What book character would you be, and why?
One of the kids in The Enchanted Wood so I could visit all those lands that so entranced me as a child. I sometimes try to think of a more literary answer but, really, that would be my best.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Around 30AD to hear Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount, the ultimate lesson in how to love.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You really don’t need to worry so much – and don’t wear that brown cap and blazer!

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My two mothers (now there’s a story, which you can read in Heartlines: The Year I Met My Other Mother).

10. What/who made you start writing?
I have always written – at first as a little girl writing notes to Mum to try to get myself out of trouble and then to my daughter to try to get her out of trouble. I wrote EJ12 Girl Hero to try to inspire her and other young girls to reach high and do their best to make the world a better place. So, I suppose, I have always written to persuade.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Discombobulated (to be confused and disconcerted) – it’s almost onomatopoeic and I am always striving to be combobulated

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Bible. Whatever your faith position, it is the most wonderfully crafted collection of books of wisdom, poetry and truth chronicling the human condition, with a story arc as long as history but also played out over hundreds of individual stories within. It bears infinite re-reading and reflection

Susannah McFarlane is the author, creator and publisher of some of Australia's most successful children's book series. She is best known as the author of the bestselling EJ12 Girl Hero and EJ Spy School series, which have sold over one million copies. Susannah also created and co-wrote (with Louise Park, as Mac Park) the hugely popular D-Bot Squad and Boy vs Beast series; wrote the Little Mates series of alphabet books for under-fives; was series editor for Stuff Happens!, about the everyday challenges boys face; and wrote Fairytales for Feisty Girls. In a heartwarming companion title to her bestselling book, Bold Tales for Brave-hearted Boys was released in October 2019.

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Review: A Flair for Hair

Ever had a bad hair day? Can't decide what to do with your hair?

A Flair for Hair will make you feel better, if only by making you laugh.

Just imagine your dog, or cat, or any number of other animals, with wild and wacky hairstyles. Human hair styles.

The illustrations really make this book.

Each page features a distinctive creature with hair that's perfectly suited, outrageous, or hilarious.

The pages are their Instagram, their opportunity to primp and preen and show themselves to best effect.

Each animal is accompanied by a short, simple rhyming sentence that describes its preference.

There's a poodle with a bun, which is not so unexpected. A horse that feels incredibly hip with its hair pulled back in a clip. And a rabbit who likes to be trendy and tries out a spikey blue do. There are many others, too.

Not everyone is into hair, as demonstrated by the koala who is so uninspired he's just sleeping in his tree. But all the animals seem happy with their sense of individuality.

Whatever your own feelings about hair, A Flair for Hair will make you think about them, and animals, in a whole new way.

Title: A Flair for Hair
Author: Bilyana Di Costanzo
Illustrator: Mauro Di Costanzo
Publisher: New Holland Publishers, $19.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760791223
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture book




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Review: Full Disclosure

Review: What's The Point of Maths?

Have you ever wondered how to predict a comet, how to read a treasure map, or how to write your birthday in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics? These and many more amazing uses for maths are covered in this fun and fascinating book.

What's the Point of Maths? provides over thirty distinct ways people have used, and continue to use, maths in everyday life, from counting in ancient and modern civilizations, to finding ways to tell the time, to making aerospace calculations.

This book will show you how to count to sixty using your hands, how to work out who got the biggest piece of pizza in the family, how maths is the key to understanding morse code and how to spot the best discount in a sale.

This book will convince everyone, from lovers of maths to those who are not so sure, of the value to be found in the wonderful world of maths.

Title: What's The Point of Maths?
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, $24.99
Publication Date: 7 January 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780241343524
For ages: 9+
Type: Non-fiction




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Giveaway: The Day Henry Met...Series