Review: House of Heroes: Henrie's Hero Hunt

The scintillating adventures of Hapless Hero Henrie and the goings on at theHouse of Melchoir, left us with a stronger, smarter, fearless and funnier Hero Henrie. Her life takes a positive turn after her grandfather Octavia leaves his estate to Henrie, Alex and his dad Timothy, of the Super Sleuth Agency. Timothy had been engaged by Octavia to find Henrie’s parents. He wasn’t successful in his lengthy search.

In Book 2 - Henrie’s Hero Hunt, Henrie is with aunt Ellie when she receives a call on the HoMe Hero Hotline, from an unknown girl. Someone is following Marley (who is in a wheelchair with a broken tibia) and watching her house.

Henrie’s energetic mind gathers in what information she can from her first client. A mystery unfolds with the unwrapping of Marley’s Great Aunt Agatha’s teapot.

An underlined advertisement in the newspaper wrapping sparks their interest. A quick search on the computer brings up all the background information that is needed about Aunt Agatha’s life.

A famous archaeologist and explorer, Aunt Agatha had been part of a dig in the Valley of the Kings. Her work was interrupted by the War, but Agatha returned again to the area when it was over. She left the site on the day a significant discovery was made and lived a reclusive life till her death. Agatha had been accused of stealing the rare artefact and had died under a cloud of suspicion. The group are determined to clear Agatha’s name.

Henrie and Alex follow a trail of clues that begin with a cryptic inscription on Aunt Agatha’s gravestone. This leads to a key hidden in her sewing basket. But they two sleuths uncover startling secrets about Aunt Agatha and the role she had during the War years.

How is Violetta Villarne from Villains Inc; the girl that follows them everywhere, tied to Aunt Agatha’s mystery? Who can they trust when Henrie has been taught to never trust too easily. People are seldom what they seem.

Henrie is betrayed, lied to and kidnapped, in her search to find answers and proof for Marley of Aunt Agatha’s innocence. She depends on the inexhaustible supply of tips from The Hero Handbook to guide her; a book full of pearls of wisdom (for the reader as well as Henrie). Life lessons come wrapped in creative and alternate ways of thinking, seeing and saying things that boost Henrie’s knowledge and well-being.

But the issue of Henrie’s missing parents remains a seeping wound. Will this particular mystery ever be solved? The story ends with a wholly unexpected climax!

A fantastic read for adults and children built with exceptional use of language, excellent poster and other illustrations that accompany a story that grips and entertains.

Title: House of Heroes: Henrie’s Hero Hunt

Author: Petra James

Illustrator: A. Yi

Publisher: Walker Books, $16.99

Publication Date: May 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760650858

For ages: 8+

Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Worse Things

Blake, Jolene and Amed are emotionally bruised individuals. They have one thing in common – sport.

Blake’s world has distorted. Life as he knew it is over due to a football injury which keeps him on the sidelines. He gets shut out by his friends now he’s not an active player. Alone and feeling discarded, all he can do is watch.

Another watcher is Amed, a refugee who lost his family as a child. It took years for his aunt in Australia to find him. He loves soccer, but is voiceless and isolated. He can’t speak English and understands very little of what he hears. 

What he observes in Blake and Jolene, when alone and watching, are feelings similar to his own. 

Jolene’s parents are doctors.

Her father is overseas saving refugees and others in catastrophic situations. She longs for him to be near to save her from a controlling mother, who only cares that Jolene excels at hockey. Jolene hates hockey. It’s her mother’s dream she’s living. Books and reading are what she loves.

The negative way Jolene is perceived by her team mates adds to her unbelonging. She is friendless. Now, her mother wants to send her to college to be finished; polished and refined, even though she loves her hometown.

But there are worse things, these three characters discover.

Jolene is put next to Blake to assist him due to his broken arm. She learns a great deal during the short time she spends with him.

Then she is allocated one day a week to converse with Amed in order to improve his English. She learns about his worse things.

Then, the worst thing happens.

Worse Things is a book I press to my heart. I was moved to tears of celebration at Sally Murphy’s ability to gift that to a reader. I experienced the same thing after reading her Pearl Verses the World.

It isn’t only Murphy’s perfect choice of words that is moving. To accentuate specific words, she introduces them with definitions. These definitions reflect the who, what and why of the characters.

Murphy’s words are reinforced by the glorious illustrations of Sarah Davis; interesting, thought-provoking images which perfectly depict the characters’ emotions, thoughts and actions with powerful expression.

Beginning from the covers, this verse novel is stunning in every way.  It is an experience not to be missed.

Title: Worse Things

Author: Sally Murphy

Illustrator: Sarah Davis

Publisher: Walker Books, $14.99

Publication Date: 1 May 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760651657

For ages: 10+

Type: Verse Novel

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Review: In My Dreams

Close your eyes and come on a dreamy journey on marshmallow clouds, through strawberry rain and down to the ocean floor. Fly on a dragon to faraway lands, hunt for treasures and make mischief with monkeys.

In My Dreams by author Stef Gemmill is a beautiful picture book about the endless possibilities of your imagination. As a child sleeps in the quiet night, they explore the magic of dreaming and all the things that bring joy and happiness.

It’s a simple and delightful story for bedtime snuggles. It will bring warmth to hearts and smiles to faces. It will spark imagination in little minds.

And then there are the stunning illustrations by Tanja Stephani. The most gorgeous combination of greens and purples and blues star throughout the book. There are pages of vibrant pinks and oranges and others I can only describe as rainbow magnificence.

But they are very kid. They are cute and funky and filled with humour. Animals show the grandest expressions and dance and sing throughout. Fruits come alive and the moon becomes a chair to watch the universe.

If you’re looking for a picture book that's all about love, smiles and possibilities, this one is for you. It’s a hug in paper form, and the perfect book to cuddle up with and share with your little ones.

Title: In My Dreams

Author: Stef Gemmill

Illustrator: Tanja Stephani

Publisher: New Frontier, $24.99  

Publication Date: 1 April 2020

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781925594928

For ages: 3 - 6

Type: Picture Book

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Winner: Sally Murphy's Worse Things

Our lucky winner is...

Cate Whittle, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of Sally Murphy's riveting new verse junior fiction novel, Worse Things. We hope you enjoy it.

Thank you to ALL who entered. Choosing between the entries for this one was one of our hardest on record! Seems sporting memories are tinged with tragedy, tenacity and terrific triumphs.

For those who missed out, stay tuned for more exciting giveaway opportunities and watch out for our KBR review of , Worse Things this Tuesday!

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Video: Reading@Home

Reading@Home is a special video series from the Queensland Department of Education aimed at children from kindergarten to year three. In this post we're featuring the video of episode two which stars Michelle Worthington, reading her book Glitch, and KBR's own Dimity Powell, reading her book Pippa. Settle in for a fun storytelling session!



Title: Glitch / Pippa
Author: Michelle Worthington / Dimity Powell
Illustrator: Andrew Plant / Andrew Plant
Publisher: Ford Street Publishing, $16.95 / Ford Street Publishing, $16.95
Publication Date: 2017 / 2019
Format: Paperback / Paperback
ISBN: 9781925272703 / 9781925804270
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book




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Review: The January Stars

Clancy lives in her own world. A middle child, she is an introverted dreamer that has inherited her Nan’s passion for the Universe. She has fears that she can’t overcome. These threaten to inhibit her further when she begins High School in the coming weeks.

She is currently preoccupied with the word entropy – everything falling apart… order collapsing into chaos, just like her with her fears.

Tash, her elder sister, gets things done. She is daring, confident and a problem-solver. Clancy’s idiosyncrasies irritate her. A space exists between them.

Uncle Mark is in trouble. Clancy’s parents leave with Bruno their youngest, for New Zealand to see if lawyer Mum, can save him from jail.

Dad arranges for Clancy and Tash to stay with his rarely seen sister, Polly.

Their whole family is scattered and rarely seen.

Polly has no experience of children. She leaves the girls alone in the townhouse to keep her planned weekend away. They decide to go and visit Pa in the aged-care facility nearby.

Since his stroke Pa is wheelchair-bound, can only say a few words and squeeze with his left hand. But he understands everything. They recall memories of Nan through his photo album.

Pa is threatened in jest with expulsion from the facility. Tash believes he is unhappy there. On impulse, she decides to take him from the facility to Rosella in an Uber taxi, to see his house (which is currently rented out).

But the house is empty and has a For Sale sign. Is Polly and perhaps her father, who is having financial problems, trying to sell the house without Pa’s consent? The trio decide to stay the night. Why Not?

Confronted by the Estate Agent next morning with threats to be reported to the police, what began as a wild idea to find Pa a new place to live, finds Clancy and Tash pushing the wheelchair on and off trains and along city streets and alley ways, to escape those looking for them. 

A time-slip leads them to a city bookshop owned by the unconventional and flamboyant Antonia, a person from Pa and Nan’s past.

But it’s along country roads (with hilarious outcomes, especially when Pa needs the toilet) that their greatest challenge lies, as they try to track down one of Pa’s children that will house and care for him.

The girls are unprepared for what follows. One thing after another goes wrong. They find Aunt Bee in an ashram. Pip, her twin is heavily pregnant and alone. Toby, not family, whom they meet along the way, turns out to be the most valuable of their encounters.

Clancy finds herself in situations where she must push through her fears. The gap that lay between the two girls, and between the remaining family members, slowly closes as they are brought together under unpredictable circumstances.

All the while, Clancy is guided by Nan’s presence, her stars, and her sweet smell of lily-of-the -valley.

Full of adventure and humour, Kate Constable has gifted us another well-crafted, novel with a strong storyline and unique characters.

Title: The January Stars

Author: Kate Constable

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99

Publication Date: March 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760525026

For ages: 12+

Type: Teenage Fiction

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Review: Bad Cat

An amusing story about a fluffy orange cat named Fluffykins who pushes boundaries with his bold moves; but is he really a bad cat?

From the view of his owner, readers follow Fluffikins through a series of cat-caused events from a broken flower vase to a mysterious puddle. Fluffikins’ ignorant attitude is clearly that of a stereotypical cat who may just have his owner wrapped around his silky tail.

I love how Fluffikins’ character, thoughts and response to his owner are all shown by illustrations of his actions, expressions and body language. Fluffikins knows how to give just enough love when needed to get his way, he is confident and mischievous but also reliant and knows it.

The illustrations in this book are beautifully balanced with lots of white space and limited colours.

A fun use of text with open conversation provides the perfect lead into group discussions about Fluffikins and what he’s doing or cats generally and readers experiences with them. A suggestible but open end will leave readers shocked and wondering.

Nicola O’Byrne is an author and illustrator, some of her other books include What’s Next Door, The Rabbit, The Dark and the Biscuit Tin and Open Very Carefully.

Title: Bad Cat
Author/Illustrator: Nicola O'Byrne
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 781788005388
For ages: 2 – 5
Type: Picture Book




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Video Review: Big Wolf & Little Wolf

Join Yvonne Mes for a short and snappy video review of Big Wolf & Little Wolf, a picture book written by Nadine Brun-Cosme and illustrated by Olivier Tallec.

Title: Big Wolf & Little Wolf
Author: Nadine Brun-Cosme
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Publication Date: 2009
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781592700844
For ages: 3 - 7 
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Ali Cross

Ali Cross, son of the famous detective Alex Cross, is his father’s son in more ways than one. Except that he is hot-headed and bubbles when he is stirred. 

He is tenacious and has acquired enough skills from his dad to feel confident of his investigative abilities. He can’t compete with his athletic siblings, but he has a sharp and questioning mind that won’t shut down or give up.

When his best friend Gabe goes missing, he sets up a plan to find him. This includes examining the online game Outpost they are always playing together with siblings Mateo and Ruby. He draws these two into the investigation as safety backup.

A robbery at the Cross home on Christmas Eve points to something Ali doesn’t want to believe. When the stolen laptop and his father’s guns are returned days later, Ali’s hunch is confirmed.

As Ali delves into Gabe’s life, He realises he doesn’t know his friend as well as he thought. How little he knows, comes to light when questioned by an investigating officer. Gabe has kept his and his family life to himself.

Just how many secrets is Gabe hiding?

This is the first question Ali asks himself after viewing camera footage of the day Gabe disappeared. He is even more determined to solve the mystery after he learns that Gabe’s dad has just come out of jail.

Ali hasn’t got only his missing friend to worry about. His DC dad is facing trial, charged with brute-force. Then there is his school nemesis Kahlil, another policeman’s son, who bullies and aggravates Ali at every opportunity.

Will Ali work out the password to enter the Outlook realm? Certain that clues to Gabe’s whereabouts are to be found there, can he fit together the pieces of the puzzle and find his friend?

This is a mystery-suspense that equals any of James Patterson’s adult crime novels. It is simply scaled down for a younger audience in violence and perhaps language. All the other ingredients are added. This is first of a new series that won’t disappoint any reader.

Title: Ali Cross

Author:James Patterson

Publisher:Penguin Random House, $19.99

Publication Date: Jan 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781529119725

For ages: 13+

Type: Young Adult fiction

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Guest Post: Larry Harper on Before Jackie

Meet The Illustrator: Matthew Rivera

Name: Matthew Rivera

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.

Fun, vibrant mixed-media collage using digital scissors and pencils.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?

A bright room with a view, stacks of drawing paper, a jar of 4B pencils, dozens of kneaded erasers, Adobe Illustrator, a scanner, CMYK swatch book (I’m colourblind so I need it for reference), coffee, 90s sitcoms for background noise (Frasier is a fave), eye drops, flip flops, and my pet bunny Mavis for snuggle breaks.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?

I’ve been using Adobe Illustrator since 1990, so it’s like my right arm. I also love watercolour, and mixing digital and traditional media.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

Wow. It’s tough to narrow down to three. I’d have to choose Miroslav Sasek, Ed Emberly and Alexander Calder. I think their art embodies so much joy, and I respond to the bold and graphic nature of their styles.

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

Hands down, the Renaissance! I’d love to meet da Vinci, Michelangelo and possibly Shakespeare. It would be so cool to immerse myself in their work during their lifetimes. Oh, and definitely to see Florence again!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I thought about pursuing illustration in college, but felt commercial art was a better direction for me at the time. In 2013, I found the creative aspect of my career as an art director dwindling, and decided I needed a new outlet. After fumbling around for a couple of years, I finally just picked up a drawing pad and started sketching. Soon after, I rediscovered the art of picture books by visiting local bookstores, and amassed a huge collection. I was especially drawn to the artwork of Miroslav Sasek, Catherine Rayner, and Patrick McDonnell. That’s when I realised, “Hey, I can do this!”

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 need a lot of sunshine and natural light. We recently moved from L.A. to Portland, so finding an apartment with the perfect amount of light was challenging. For now, my little slice of window works. I need a desk big enough for my computer screens, plus drawing and painting. I’m fortunate to have both a monitor and a Cintiq, which is where I do my digital drawing. I keep my creative space pretty simple and try to confine my pencils, paintbrushes, scissors and other tools to my cart. It’s a daily battle, trust me. I like to surround myself with a few visuals, but I don’t go overboard.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?

I love the process of painting my shapes to fit my blocking in Adobe Illustrator. I look at the blocking on screen while I paint, and guess how the paint will fit. I don’t get too precise, and allow for a lot of spontaneity with the watercolour. Having it fit the shapes in ways that I wasn’t expecting, like exposing areas with a lot of texture, is what really excites me.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Never stop learning and never stop exploring. Obviously talent is important if you want to build a career, but I think it also takes tenacity, endurance, and that old cliché: hard work. I live by my favourite quote: Never wish for it more than you work for it. Also, if you’re looking to go into children’s publishing, I suggest joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and attending conferences and meet-ups, if possible. I honestly can’t stress this enough. It’s a great way to meet other people who share your interests and goals. I met all of my fellow artist friends through SCBWI, and they’re my biggest support system. I’ve learned so much about children’s publishing through SCBWI: how picture books are made, how the industry works, and how to promote yourself as an artist. Plus, conferences and events provide many opportunities to rub shoulders with some of the most well-known editors, art directors and agents in the business.

Matthew fell in love with illustration as a kid after finding Ed Emberely’s books in his local

library. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a fine arts degree and

worked as an art director in California. Now, he lives in Portland, OR , and makes art

for kids!

For more information visit Matthew's website or follow him on instagram.

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Review: Coco: Big City Kitty

Coco, the star of Coco: Big City Kitty, is a kitten who loves activity and hustle and bustle.

Coco also loves the colour pink, clouds, rainbows, fireworks, making things, and drinking kittycinios. She doesn't like bugs or butterflies, or any kind of creepy crawly.

She's also a listmaker. Coco makes lists of things to do, things that make her smile, cities she wants to visit, and lots more. 

Perhaps more than anything, Coco loves the city, which is full of colour and movement, with people everywhere.

When Coco's parents announce that they will be moving from their apartment on Meowington Avenue in the city, Coco is devastated. Why would she want to move to the country?

Coco doesn't look forward to leaving the big city at all, until she discovers the country has something that she loves.

In Coco, Laura Bunting has created a larger than life character whose characteristics some readers may recognise in people they know. Nicky Johnston's gorgeous illustrations are full of details and imbued with Coco's favourite colour, pink and full of positivity.

Coco is a kitten bound to be loved by young readers who love the things she does, and Coco: Big City Kitty would make a perfect gift.

Download some printable Coco activities here.

Title: Coco: Big City Kitty
Author: Laura Bunting
Illustrator: Nicky Johnston
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $17.99
Publication Date: June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781743834602
For ages:  4+
Type: Picture book




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Review: Rocky and Louie

Indigenous brothers Rocky and Louie love to play Footy together. The dream locked in Rocky’s heart is to play professionally.

He teaches Louie everything he knows. Not only about footy, but all about their country. He explains respect for the land, how to treat it and its creatures, to protect things that grow, and the importance of fire to restoration and renewal.

 Rocky makes sure that his brother can identify all the markings in the earth and what they signal.

Louie is taught how to cook by his mum and extended family and learns traditional songs and dancing.

He loves to jump like a kangaroo and run as fast as an emu. When Louie is tired out, he lays on the ground until his heartbeat steadies and matches the thrum of the earth beneath his head.

All this is happiness for Louie.

But change comes. It is time for Rocky to chase his dream. Louie will miss him terribly but, like the boomerang that he sculpts for his brother with all the love in him, he knows that Rocky will come back to his home.

A powerful story of connection – between siblings, with family, country and place, and about honouring your roots.

Stunning illustrations by Dub Leffler create moving scenes. The emotions experienced by the characters, the importance of ties to family, traditions and the Indigenous culture, are beautifully represented as is the stunning front cover that depicts Rocky and Louie together.

Title: Rocky and Louie

Author: Raewyn Caisley and Phil Walleystack

Illustrator: Dub Leffler

Publisher: Penguin Random House, $24.99

Publication Date: 28 April 2020

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9780143786528

For ages: 5+

Type: Picture Books





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Look What I'm Reading! Sally Murphy

Sally Murphy is a children’s author, poet, academic and reviewer. She lives and breathes kids’ books, and kids, too (she had six of her own and now has four grandkids). In her downtime she is also an avid beach walker.

Which children’s book are you currently reading?

The Julia Tapes, by Emily Rodda (Puffin Books, 1999)

Can you tell us in two sentences what the book is about?

It is told by a girl who is lying in hospital recovering from the events of her holiday.

She is recording her memories by recording on a tape recorder.

How much did you enjoy/are enjoying this title?

I am loving it! It is part mystery, part drama, with touches of humour.  I am really keen to find out what happened to Julia. I am also really interested in the first person narrative used – because Julia is recording her memories from a hospital bed, absolutely everything is from her viewpoint with limited dialogue, for example. So, it’s kind of like a diary format book, but not.

What made you choose this title? Was it a review, advertising, the cover, the blurb, the author/illustrator, or the subject/genre?

The book was mentioned somewhere in some academic reading I was doing a year or so ago. I love Emily Rodda’s writing, but had never heard of this title, so tracked it down and ordered a copy. But it then sat on my to-be-read mountain until this week.  Funnily, I can no longer remember what the article was about or what it said about this book.

What other titles are on your bedside table /To Read Pile?

All of them! (lol) I am a reviewer and compulsive book buyer, so I have a TBR cupboard and a TBR bookshelf.  I recently bought two Steph Bowe titles (after her untimely death) and so will read her Night Swimming next. I am also dipping in and out of a wonderful poetry collection Fish Song, by WA poet Caitlin Maling after I heard her read at a poetry night earlier this year.

How did you come by these titles: personal choice/request, publisher’s review copy, or other?

These are titles I have bought. I have been reviewing less over the last few years, because of time (I have a full-time day job) and although I miss the constant stream of new releases, I am enjoying discovering books I missed in the years I read almost exclusively review copies.

Do you have a favourite genre? If so, what is it, and why do you prefer it?

The verse novel! I have not yet read a verse novel that I didn’t enjoy. I love the way a verse novel tells a narrative but using the poetic form, meaning the author paints alot with few words.  Beyond verse novels though, I love children’s books – picture books, historical, fantasy, realism…

Do you read from printed books or some other medium? Please expand a little on the why of your choice.

Chiefly hard copy books. I love the tactile experience and the feel of a book I can hold. My second choice is audio books. I spend a lot of time in my car (less at the moment because of Covi-19) and use audiobooks to keep me company. I tend to listen to longer books that I might not otherwise read. Which reminds me, I am currently midway through an adult novel called The Rules of Backyard Cricket on audio, which I am enjoying.

My website is www.sallymurphy.com.au

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10 Quirky Questions with author Zanni Louise

1. What's your hidden talent?
Throwing rubbish into bins from a distance. I get it in every time! (Now I’ve said that I have probably jinxed myself!)

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Mr and Mrs Twit. So impossibly disgusting.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead) 
Oliver Jeffers (so cute and quirky), JK Rowling (because!), Kate DiCamillo (such an uber fan), Karen Foxlee (such a lovely person), John Green (biggest literary crush).

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Fast, curious, adventurous, free, fun.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer? 
Imaginative, creative, fun, Errol!, unexpected.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Hanging chair, computer, butterfly, flowers, notepad.

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!)
Sausage was the silliest hippo that ever lived. (Feasts, by Sabrina Ghayour)

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Dear John Green. How DO you create such believable, vibrant characters?

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'? 
Never read another book.

Zanni Louise is passionate about writing quality books for children and inspiring people to write their own stories. Zanni has collaborated with award-winning illustrators to create picture books, including the popular Errol series. She also writes for young readers, including the Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush series and Stardust School of Dance. Her recent picture book series Human Kind helps kids and their parents discuss values that are important to them. Zanni’s books have been described as quirky, warm and funny, and are sold in 19 foreign territories. She’s been twice listed in the CBCA Notables, and her picture book Archie and the Bear was selected for the highly prestigious international children’s catalogue: The White Ravens. Zanni teaches ‘Writing Picture Books’ and ‘Writing Chapter Books’ through the Australian Writers Centre. She also runs her own course through various writing centres and festivals throughout Australia. Zanni has mentored new and established writers for a number of years, helping writers develop their stories for publication, and achieve their writing dreams. For more information, see www.zannilouise.com.

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Review: What Zola Did on Monday

A beautiful big family, cousins living in the house behind you, a hole in the fence for you to climb through and play. A beautiful street, a community of people you love… a neglected garden that everyone has forgotten.

These are the things that make up Melina Marchetta’s new junior fiction novel What Zola Did on Monday.

Zola lives with her Mum and her Nonna. Her cousin Alessandro lives in the house behind her. She likes to play and go to school and have fun. She’s happy and lively but sometimes she gets into trouble. Sometimes accidents happen… like when she spills her grandfather Nonno Nino’s seeds — the ones he gave to Nonna before he passed away.

Zola needs to find a way to fix things. She needs to save the seeds and make her Nonna happy again.

This is a beautiful junior novel about family and community. And it’s very kid!

Zola is so relatable. She thinks and does just like a young girl. She sees the world like a kid does. Children will read this novel and feel completely connected to Zola. They will get her. And that is something truly magical.

And that gives the book so much power. It truly does warm your heart as you read it — I think because we all have families we love, and this story is a reflection of all the little moments and quirks that make a family who it is. And we all can all relate that!

Like all good junior fiction, there are illustrations to be found on the pages. Deb Hudson’s gorgeous illustrations are sprinkled throughout. They help bring Zola to life and will help kids as they start to read independently. The cover gives you a snap shot of what to expect: cute, fun and funky!

What Zola Did on Monday is book one in a series to come, so it’s a brilliant novel for beginning readers to start, knowing there are more of Zola’s adventures coming.

You may also recognise Marchetta’s name. She wrote the classic Australian novel Looking for Alibrandi — another story filled with family and community. Marchetta infuses her stories with these things, sometimes based on people in her world. Her stories are genuine and addictive, and What Zola Did on Monday is no different.

This is a junior fiction series to pay attention to. It’s absolutely stunning!

Title: What Zola Did on Monday
Author: Melina Marchetta
Illustrator: Deb Hudson
Publisher: Penguin, $12.99
Publication Date: 2 June 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760895150
For ages: 7 - 9
Type: Junior Fiction, Illustrated Fiction

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Video Review: Two Bicycles in Beijing

Join Yvonne as she reviews the picture book Two Bicycles in Beijing and learn more about this sweet story of friendships old and new, lost and found set in the beautiful city of Beijing.



Title: Two Bicycles in Beijing
Author: Teresa Robeson
Illustrator: Junyi Wu
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
Publication Date: 1 April 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780807507644
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book




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Review: Once, I was Loved

Once much-loved, the toy rabbit Tock, is now relegated to the donations box with other unwanted toys. Life for him started as a gift for the very young Sam and continued through WW1. Together, they baked biscuits for soldiers at the Front.

Tock was then gifted to Flynn who lay in an iron lung in hospital. His presence assisted in Flynn’s recovery as they shared imaginary adventures together to pass the time.

It was V-Day when Tock fell from Flynn’s hand as they watched the celebrations at the window. Life moved on when Max found him. Tock continued to be loved by person after person, filling their needs; to then be re-homed and loved anew.

Until, Elyse grew up.  She moved away and took everything with her. Except me.

This picture book is more than just that. It is a timeline of world events which are juxtaposed with the changes and movement of Tock’s life. Wars and other significant happenings reaffirm the passing of time and Tock’s increased age and condition.

Belinda Landsberry’s almost fragile illustrations are stunning. The continuous use of blue  which begins and ends from covers and end pages, reflect the tenderness and heart-warming emotions shared between the toy and each owner.

Themes of ageless love, random acts of kindness, and letting go in various forms, sustain the story from beginning to end.

The analogy between human life and Tock’s life has a very strong presence here. Reflections on how people begin young and grow old, with their value and usefulness, like the toy, often determined by their age, lie like shadows within the text. Their experiences are landmarks in their lives, which at times are set aside and forgotten with the passing of time.

Children will associate emotions tied to their favourite toys with Tock’s story. They may even question what these world events are about and seek to learn more about the history that built their world. There are endless possibilities hidden in this well-constructed and beautifully illustrated book.

Title: Once, I was Loved

Author/ Illustrator: Belinda Landsberry

Publisher: EK Books, $24.99

Publication Date: October 2019

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781925820027

For ages: 5+

Type: Picture Book

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Video: Human Kind series

What does honesty mean? What about persistence? Author Zanni Louise has written two books that explore these questions. They are the first in a series about values, called Human Kind. In this video, she talks about launching the books and how they can help start conversations with children about these topics.


Title:  Honesty / Persistence (Human Kind series)
Author: Zanni Louise
Illustrator: Missy Turner
Publisher: Five Mile, $19.99
Publication Date: April 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925970791 / 9781925970807
For ages: 3+
Type: Junior non-fiction




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Guest Post: Hannah Davison on Reading for Resilience

Review: Girls Don't Lay Bricks

Girls Don’t Lay Bricks is an inspiring personal story that displays a variety of winning mindsets. In particular, how nurturing a strong belief in one’s self, combined with the ability to think outside the square, can open up endless possibilities in life.

Casey Mackinlay was thirteen when the need for pocket money initiated her first business venture, a hair-cutting service at school. Later, she converted a school project into a money-making Year Ten Formal – within school guidelines, of course!

Casey has lived with a strong belief that when she set her mind to something, she could find a way to see it through. Recognising she was not academically minded like her siblings, her parents agreed to a TAFE course. There she took on a trade – bricklaying, and finished her High School year.

The building site she joined was all male. No favours were shown to her. Casey won the admiration of her workmates because of her grit and determination. With this skill, she travelled to Uganda to build classrooms for the children. This experience also opened up her world.

Still a teenager, she became pregnant and was forced to change her career in order to keep her baby. This created an income stream with a work ethic to be envied by every successful entrepreneur.

This is an uplifting autobiography, proving that regardless of age, opportunity can be found by those who dare to carve a path for themselves in life. It’s a book full of strength and hope, imagination and putting dreams into practice.

The tone of the book is very reflective and the layout designed to accommodate boxes of good advice on having direction and purpose in life. It is geared toward young people who fail to see all that’s available to them in a Universe that caters for everyone.

The narrative encourages, motivates and advises how to avoid pitfalls by making careful and substantiated decisions. At the end of each chapter, there is a frame of Reflectionspertaining to Life, Personal and Relationship issues. These are put forward from lessons learnt from Casey’s experiences, failures and successes, in a light, conversational way.

Title: Girls Don’t Lay Bricks

Author:Casey Mackinlay

Publisher: Quikmark Media, $19.395

Publication Date: January 2020

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780648541585

For ages: 13+

Type: Autobiography





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