12 Curly Questions with author Jamila Rizvi

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I broke my nose a few years ago and had it replaced with a part of my rib. That means I now have a really fabulous party trick, where I can ask children to wiggle my nose and it doesn’t move at all.

2. What is your nickname?
Most of my friends call me Jam but my family call me Mela.

3. What is your greatest fear?
My family and I live on the edge of lots of bushland, which is beautiful but also means there are often snakes about. I am not a fan.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Lots to say. Often rushed. A little bit silly. TA-DA!

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Enthusiastic. Opinionated. Fun. Empathetic. Vulnerable.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Like every other millennial on the planet, I am an enormous fan of the Harry Potter series. Possibly because I am part Hermione because I always follow the rules, part Ron because I am clumsy and not afraid to be silly, and part Harry because my hair always falls in my eyes.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would travel back to 1590 and ask Shakespeare if he really wrote all those plays or if it was really his wife’s genius.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
What do you mean lime green doesn’t look good on anyone?

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My dad. For better or for worse he is the voice in my head, pushing me to work harder.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I loved writing as a child, but the passion got lost in amongst high-school drama classes, teenage angst, and boys. I never really wrote creatively again until I landed a job at a women’s website in my twenties and rediscovered how much I love it.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Serendipity. I like the way it sounds as well as what it describes.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I could read Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay 1000 times over and still find new passages that surprise, delight, enrage and invigorate me.

 

 

Jamila Rizvi is an author and columnist, Chief Creative Officer of the Nine Network’s Future Women and co-host of The Briefing and Anonymous Was a Woman podcasts. Jamila lives in Melbourne with her husband, Jeremy, son, Rafi, and many loads of clean but regrettably unfolded washing. For more information, see www.jamilarizvi.com.au.

 

 

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Review: Storybook House

Many visible and invisible ghosts and spirits circulate within the Storybook House. A murderer lurks in the guise of friendship and loyalty. This mystery-filled, multi-layered debut novel with slow reveals, will keep you glued to your seat until the last page.

After living in one place all her life, sixteen-year old Sophie and her parents are moving to another city and into an historical but dilapidated mansion bequeathed to them by Poppy, a distant relative. It is where Sophie had spent many of her holidays roaming the rooms and secret passageways that hold more than the imagination can; as far back as the slave era.

Everyone calls it the haunted house. And that’s exactly what it is.

But her experiences at Storybook House and the people she shared them with, have been lost somewhere in her memory.

Something has caused a block and she is unable to reach them. She can’t remember her friend Charlie next door, her other mate Gus, the gardener’s son, or their countless escapades.

On a stormy night when Sophie is alone in the house, she follows a shadow down to the dock. The rotted boards give way and she falls into the water. Charlie saves her. Her memory of him and Gus returns.

It is when Gus’ ghost then Poppy’s, become visible to her, that Sophie learns there is unfinished business for her to take care of so that their spirits can cross over. Sophie now has the opportunity to discover what happened that day on the boat when Gus drowned. Was she in any way to blame? Is that why those memories are still elusive?

Secrets and mysteries are revealed that the Storybook House has hidden for years. Can ghostly bodies touch living ones? Can she find out who murdered Poppy? Sophie must uncover the murderer before the Halloween party, for that is when the sealed rooms containing bad spirits will open and chaos will reign.

Title: Storybook House
Author: Katie Jones
Publisher: New Holland, $ 22.99
Publication Date: 2 January 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760791452
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

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Review: Oswald Messweather

Some kids crave adventure and novelty, but for others, just maintaining equilibrium in the face of the ups and downs we face daily is an overwhelming challenge. 

These individuals need to dig deep into their reserves of energy just to cope with the buzz and chaos of an ordinary school day, or even an average home.

Life’s not always easy for Oswald. A tangled, messy environment triggers tangled, messy thoughts. And messes are everywhere! 

Messes confront him from the moment he gets up until he can finally close out the world at the end of the day.

Oswald’s life raft comes in the form of his crayons – counting them, arranging them provides predictability and stability. His rituals soothe his revved up mind, and provide a sense of order and control in the maelstrom – and he uses them constantly, both in preparation for the challenges of the day, and when faced with a big untidy mess.

But the cost of this is mental exhaustion.

Powell takes the reader on a journey of discovery with Oswald. One day, when faced with the exuberance and confusion of a group activity, Oswald learns that his orderly and methodical disposition has some benefits. In fact, being valued for his unique contribution leads to some lovely outcomes for him.

Every child who is different must find a way to interface with the world whilst remaining true to themselves, and this story depicts the way that suited Oswald best.

Oswald’s world is beautifully depicted by Siobhan McVey’s vibrant illustrations, which capture the thoughts and distress that Oswald faces when intersecting with the external world.

Oswald Messweather is a picture book that will help children who are different feel less isolated, and comforted knowing that there are others with similar challenges.

For those fortunate enough to reside in SE QLD, Dimity will be introducing Oswald to the world on Saturday 10 April 2021 at The Mad Hatters Bookshop in Manly, Brisbane. Visit the Facebook Events page for details and to reserve your spot.

Title: Oswald Messweather
Author: Dimity Powell
Illustrator: Siobhan McVey
Publisher: Wombat Books, $24.99
Publication Date: 28 March 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761110184
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book

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Giveaway: AlphaKid: An A - Z of Antics

Annoying, bored, creative and daring, AlphaKid is every kid-at their best (kind, loving), worst (impatient, unreasonable) and in between (smelly, odd). Packed with heart and humour, kids of all ages will smirk and titter at this A to Z of antics, from dawn to dusk, chaos to calm.

A graphic-design style ABC book for little ones, AlphaKid is a humorous riff on the parent/child relationship. An overarching narrative takes the alphabetical entries from waking through to bedtime and the various careening childlike states the kids (and parents!) find themselves in during waking hours.

Written and illustrated by KBR Founder, Tania McCartney, and published by Windy Hollow Books, AlphaKid is a book that crosses genre - perfect for kids and adults alike, and a fabulous new baby gift.

For a chance to win the perfect gift book for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and adults (!), tell us, in 25 words of less, what your child does to make you laugh out loud.

Email your answer, along with your name and postal address to booksATtaniamccartney.com. The response Tania likes best will win a copy of the book.  

Competition is open to anyone, worldwide, so long as they have an Australian postal address for 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 on  May 2021. 

Competition runs from 5pm Sunday 21 March 2021 to 5pm Sunday 28 March 2021. 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. 

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Review: The Way of the Weedy Seadragon

The Way of the Weedy Seadragon is a wonderful journey with this most unusual creature, learning about its lifecycle and home beneath the sea.

It's been created by the duo of Anne Morgan and Lois Bury, who each live on Bruny Island.

Seadragons are rather appealing, with a long thin snout, decorative body, and curling tail.

They may not have scales like fish, or be fast swimmers. However, they have an unique eating style, snorting seawater, and with it, their food. 

Seadragons are great at camouflage, dance with their mate, and use their tails to steer.

Reading The Way of the Weedy Seadragon really is a journey. The text is presented in a narrative way, speaking directly to the reader; and the illustrations are full of soft colours and detail. It makes you feel like you are swimming along with the story.

More information about seadragons is summarised at the end of the book. A map shows where in Australia they can be found, and a labelled diagram explains the seadragon's physical features. There's also a short glossary.

The Way of the Weedy Seadragon explores the natural world through a winning combination of carefully chosen, informative text and beautiful illustrations.

Visit the CSIRO Publishing website to download teachers' notes with lots of questions and activities linked to the curriculum (science, English and media arts).

Title: The Way of the Weedy Seadragon
Author: Anne Morgan
Illustrator: Lois Bury
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing, $ 24.99
Publication Date: February 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781486313952
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

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Review: Be Exactly Who You Are!

Do you like trucks and pirates and superheroes? Do you like ballet and tea parties and pom poms?

Do you like race cars and kittens and football? Do you like rockets and fairies and mermaids?

Whatever you like to play with, whatever you like to do, Be exactly Who You Are! encourages you to be the YOU you want to be!

It starts with the stereotypical. Girls liking pink things and boys liking trucks.

But turn the page and things change, with one of the characters taking another's cherished something and enjoying it just as much as they do. By the end of the book, everyone is doing what they want to do, being exactly who they want to be. Everyone is enjoying everything. Together!

Author Laura Gehl delivers this one in fun and flawless rhyme, letting kids know it’s okay to be who they are through joy and humour. It’s a great jumping off point to start discussing stereotyping and prejudice, but in a fun and easy to understand way for kids. I love that!

With bright and colourful illustrations, the book is super engaging. My kids delighted in pointing out the things they loved on each page, and we had fun talking about the fact we all liked different things. Illustrator Joshua Heinsz has infused so many varied loves and passions onto these pages, which means no matter who you are, you'll find yourself as you read and explore the book. Every kid will see something they like and relate to the characters.

A fun and charming picture book for all, Be Exactly Who You Are! is a beautiful reminder to every child to love who they are and accept the differences of others.

Title: Be Exactly Who You Are!
Author: Laura Gehl
Illustrator: Joshua Heinsz
Publisher: Affirm Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 23 February 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781922419101
For ages: 3 - 6 
Type: Picture Book

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Giveaway: The Treehouse Joke Book 2

Review: The Amazing Case of Dr Ward

Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward was a doctor and nature lover, who in the mid-1800s, invented the Wardian Case, which was later used for transporting plants from around the world. 

This little known piece of history comes alive under Tull Suwannakit’s hand in exquisite artwork from cover-to-cover. It portrays Ward’s life and the impact his imaginative invention had on world gardens.

Nathaniel had a passion for plants. They were so versatile. Some could be eaten, others used for building things, and for making medicines.

 

Others exuded a perfume, created shade, or were simply beautiful to look at. He learnt all their scientific names and after his medical studies were completed, he started to experiment with plant growth.

Nathaniel read countless stories about the discovery of unique and exotic plants carried across continents that didn’t survive the journey. He also studied the individuality of each type and what special feature they possessed.

It was in 1833 that a friend of Dr Ward’s shipped a load of his glass cases, (what today we call terrariums), to Australia to collect plants. Most of them survived the trip back to London and transformed lounge rooms through startling displays of ferns and spikemosses in ornate Wardian Cases.

This amazing book is a revelation. Within the preservation climate that we live in today, children thirst for knowledge about plants and living things and how to protect them.

This gorgeous book will inspire in young people, the belief that they too can become someone unique with something to offer the world. With the focus on STEM education growing rapidly, this book is a valuable and timely publication.

A perfect addition to any picture book collector’s library.

Title: The Amazing Case of Dr Ward
Author: Jackie Kerin
Illustrator: Tull Suwannakit
Publisher: FORD ST, $ 24.95
Publication Date: 1 March 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9871925804690
For ages: 8+
Type: Non Fiction Picture Book

 

 

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Guest Post: Lucy Thatcher on The Power of a Tale

Review: There Is No Magic In This Book

Review: Reggie Red

Reggie’s school is having photo day, and some of the girls plan to get all fancy for their photo.

With big red hair and freckles, Reggie feels so different from the other girls. She’s worried that her looks won’t measure up.

She tries to tame her hair and cover her face, but nothing works. How will Reggie face her class and step in front of the camera? What do you do when you don’t look like everyone else?

Reggie Red is a heart-warming picture book wrapped in fun. Written in rhyme, the story is upbeat and filled with Reggie’s humorous attempts to get her hair and face to behave. But the message of the story is heartfelt and emotion-filled, reassuring readers that true beauty lies within.

Reggie is a very real and relatable character for kids. Author Josie Layton reveals Reggie’s fears and frustrations through her actions, pulling readers into the emotion of the story. I also like how the book is relevant to kids today. Mobile phones and the internet feature in the story, creating a great opportunity for readers and audiences to explore the media, internet, and how these things impact body image and self-criticism.

Bright and funky, the illustrations by Rebecca Timmis are so much fun. They bring pizzazz to the pages and compliment the tone of the story so well.

Reggie Red is a laugh and a hug mixed together. Fun and funny, with a heartfelt message to love who you are, it’s the book everyone needs to remind them that being different isn’t a bad thing.

Title: Reggie Red
Author: Josie Layton
Illustrator: Rebecca Timmis
Publisher: Larrikin House, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780648872207
For ages:  3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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Review: AlphaKid: An A - Z of Antics

Review: Hugo's Runaway Legs

Hugo Holt woke up one day, to find his legs had run away.

In Hugo's Runaway Legs, it’s the legs that are the stars. What a beginning! What a funny and fabulous idea to draw attention to an important issue. Our children’s current, sedentary habits due to electronic stimulation, need our attention. This book will get it!

Hugo’s legs run away in protest of his sitting-all-day habit. They jump on a bus to escape and try to teach Hugo a lesson. For legs were made to jump and play, run and swim and move all day.

What was Hugo to do? He had to get them back!

To do so, he borrows the nearest thing – a frog’s legs. But they only jump and cannot run to catch the bus. At the Zoo he tries a fawn’s legs but they are too frisky and springy.

He moves on to a hippo’s; far too fat; then to a cheetah’s, they refused to go. The giraffes, well, you can imagine. This is pure disaster! Hugo cried. He’ll never catch the bus and get his legs back.

Who will be fast enough to catch the bus and stop it for Hugo to reclaim his legs?

What must he change to keep those legs with him?

Stunning illustrations in vibrant colours are enhanced by the use of a white background throughout. Leigh Brown’s impressive translation of Amy Jackson’s clever and humorous rhyming text, tells an extended story.

This is a brilliant idea that shows children with specific examples, how important movement is. Sitting too much has created a health problem for the young in many countries . Perhaps, with Hugo’s help, we can show them what can happen if we stay seated too long. This applies to adults too. If you don’t use them, you lose them!

Title: Hugo's Runaway Legs
Author: Alys Jackson
Illustrator: Leigh Brown
Publisher: Larrikin House , $ 24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648804987
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture B

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Review: The Dragon and Her Boy

Introducing: New Junior Reviewer Nia Shetty!

In case you weren't aware, we LOVE share great kids' reads here at Kids' Book Review. 

When kids share their favourite books, it becomes even more real and exciting, which is what we are...excited to introduce our newest KBR team member, Nia Shetty. 

Nia is a 11 year old from Texas , USA. She is an avid reader, a budding author of poems, short stories and loves relaxing with TV shows and books. Nia can also be constantly found swimming competitively. 

In 2020 during the start of the pandemic, she started reviewing books @niaspage2page to encourage others and does book drives to help her community. Discover more about Nia in her fabulous first 12 Curly Questions Interview.

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
Not many people know that I love to actively participate in sports.

2. What is your nickname?
My nicknames are kind of embarrassing, so maybe we'll discuss this at another time :)

3. What is your greatest fear?
I worry that with climate change becoming more of a problem, our lifespans will be substantially shorter.

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
I’m still learning and have a long way to go, but as of now my writing is emotional and comes from my heart.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Spontaneous, sensitive, inclusive, truthful and fun.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I would be Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series. To me she’s the perfect example of a strong woman. To be in her shoes, you get the opportunity to save lives and be a symbol of hope for the people of an oppressed republic.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would love to travel to the era of World War 2. Not only to be a freedom fighter, but maybe be a secret agent. Possibly sneak up behind Hitler and put an end to the war.

8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
My 10 year old self lived in 2020, in the middle of a raging pandemic here in the US. My 10 year old self would tell me as an 11 year old to take all the chances that come in my way and to not hold myself back from anything.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My mom is my greatest influence, because she motivates me and gives me all the love I need to be the best person I can.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I started writing as assignments in kindergarten, so I must thank my kindergarten teacher, Ms Fox for starting a great love of words. As I grew older, I just picked up a pencil and let my thoughts run free.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
My favorite word is imagination. This word gives you endless limits and I feel when there are no limitations you can create your best work.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That life would be extremely sad to imagine and it’s a really hard question to answer, but I would choose Wonder by RJ Palacio. It’s impossible to forget this book.

You can follow Nia via her KBR reviews plus her Facebook - Page2Page account and on Instagram.

 

 

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Review: Music: A Fold-out Graphic History

This extraordinary book from the Royal Albert Hall is like an encyclopedia of music in compact form. Beautifully designed with a wealth of information, it’s for anyone even slightly interested in any form of musical sound and its origins, and the people connected to it.

From 5000 BC turtle shells were used to rattle out music. Conch shells were used in religious rituals.

Maps are used to weave through the history of music and its use. This 2.5 metre fold-out with numbered timeline, is an historical journey back into ancient times and forward into modern ones.

The oldest piece of music was engraved in symbols on a tombstone in Turkey in 100 CE (Common Era). Whether it’s the reed flute, the seven-string guitar-like qin (Confucius’ favourite instrument), or the drone of the didgeridoo, from one side of the world to the other, some significant historical fact of musical origin can be found in Music: A Fold-out Graphic History.

More than adequate sections are allocated to music maestros, the recording of music, and recording technology up to digital times and others. Singers, countless music styles and their history are showcased in images and information.

The generous Glossary allows the reader to browse and find any era they are interested in. Due to the volume of research, and the selections made, there is a list of Principal Sources available for interested readers.

Notes from the Authors is a stimulating and informative section that relates to the techniques used to source material for this book.

Access to a Playlist of songs, musicians and styles used in the book has been created on the Spotify platform with instructions listed on how to log on.

The book can be opened from both ends as its sturdy cardboard fold-out pages are printed on both sides.

This intensively researched and carefully designed publication starts with musical information from 60,000 years ago till today and is definitely not one to be missed.

Title: Music: A Fold-out Graphic History
Author: Nicholas O'Neil & Susan Hayes
Illustrator: Ruby Taylor
Publisher: Walker Books, $ 34.99
Publication Date: 3 November 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781999967949
For ages: 10+
Type: Non Fiction

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Guest Post: AlphaKid - My Illustration Process

Love behind-the-scenes peeks at the picture book illustration process? KBR Founder, Tania McCartney, joins us to talk through her process for the creation of her recent book AlphaKid: An A to Z of Antics.

An alphabet book has long been on my bucket list, and - like many of my book ideas - the concept dropped in unannounced - a clatter of hooves and trumpet toots. 

Noisy koalas? Of course. Teeth-brushing orangtans? Natch. And yes, giraffes do eat pancakes, they really do. Towers of pancakes with rivers of syrup.

The pandas were the first to arrive. They actually arrived many years ago - I was experimenting with digital art at the time, and, along with the lizards and the flamingos (A is for Annoying and C is for Creative, respectively), mum and her two 'B is for Bored' babies sat, finished, on my Mac for quite some time before I finally found time to revisit this entire ABC book concept. 

I wanted AlphaKid to be as much for adults as for kids. Each page has a thread that will appeal to both sides of the generation gap. Kids will find their own slice of humour/relatability, and adults the same - I mean, who hasn't made a mad dash for the lid-less blender about to be whizzed - and who hasn't tried to dodge the parental hand wielding a loaded toothbrush? 

The remaining 22 pages descended quite quickly once the AlphaKid concept fell into place. I then passed the four illustrations featured here past my publisher at Windy Hollow Books - on a whim - and within a year, my alphabet book dream was finally in hand.

The illustrations for this book were actually created in Adobe Illustrator. I've since moved my entire digital production process onto my iPad, using the genius of Procreate. Working on the computer was putting enormous strain on my body, and after creating three major books in a row - Fauna, This is Home and Australia's Wild Weird Wonderful Weather - my body nearly packed it in after AlphaKid. 

I still potter in AI, but Procreate is the way forward for me now, as it's so much easier on the body.

My process for creating these AlphaKid images in Illustrator was to create shapes using the pen/vector tool and sometimes the shapes tools, manipulating the vector points. I then used clipping masks on a series of hand-painted and -printed textures, adding overlays and filters to create the looks you see here. At the bottom of this post, you can see a video on how I actually put the pandas together.

For the colour palette, I used colours plucked from photographs of retro advertisements and TV shows from the 1950s and '60s. I often do this and it ever results in a delicious combination. When using greens and browns, I'll also eyedropper hues from photos I take of plants and trees, as they make for such authentic colour.

Below are two of my favourite images from the book, and scroll down to see my YouTube video. You can also view it right here.

See www.taniamccartney.com for more on Tania's work, and click here to read more about Alphakid.

Title: AlphaKid: An A to Z of Antics
Author: Tania McCartney
Illustrator: Tania McCartney
Publisher: Windy Hollow Books, $25.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781922081865
For ages: 0+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Missing

Michael Rosen was the UK Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009. He's responsible for books like We're Going on a Bear Hunt, What is Poetry?, A Great Big Cuddle, and many others.

The Missing is 'the true story of [his] family in World War II'. It's a very personal and moving book.

Michael grew up hearing only that his paternal great-uncles had been 'there' before World War II, but not afterwards. 

No one could tell him what happened to them.

As an adult, Michael began seriously searching for information. He asked questions, travelled, and met American cousins he'd not known before. 

Over the course of many years he uncovered the truth, and in The Missing, he shares the story of his journey to discover what happened to the relatives who had disappeared.

This is a family history with a difference. It's a memoir that pays tribute to his family, who are Jewish, and remembers those who died in concentration camps during the Holocaust of the Second World War. 

The book is a combination of poems that Michael Rosen wrote over the years, and a narrative that begins in his childhood, follows him through adulthood, and finishes with insights into the fate of his great-uncles, including those discovered as he was in the final throes of writing. 

The text of The Missing is succinct, and language and explanations simple so that readers of all ages can be in no doubt about what happened. It's spare, like the information he uncovers and pieces together.

Michael Rosen sees parallels in the world today, and wants us all to reflect on the plight of refugees.

With a serious and heartbreaking subject, The Missing is a prompt for much thought and discussion, including the author's desire for readers to be hopeful about the future.

You can watch the video below as Michael Rosen himself introduces The Missing.

Title: The Missing
Author: Michael Rosen
Publisher: Walker Books, $ 22.99
Publication Date: March 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781406386752
For ages: 10+
Type:  Junior Non-Fiction

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Penguin Bloom, Young Readers' Edition

“All pets are therapy pets – some are just undercover” said a meme I saw recently.

This could have been written about Penguin, the orphaned magpie who came into the Bloom family’s lives just when they needed her the most.

Based on a true story, this novel portrays the Blooms as a family reeling after a devastating accident that left the young mother of three, Sam, a paraplegic.

The previously active, happy woman struggles to cope with the pain and grief of her acquired disability. 

Sam tries to remain positive, but every day becomes a battle, and she increasingly shuts herself away, becoming more despondent and hopeless.

In turn, the whole family spirals into depression.

Told from the point of view of the eldest child, Noah - who blames himself for the accident - this story tells how he happened upon the orphaned magpie chick, and brought her back to the house.

Initially seen to be yet another burden for the already overloaded family, the small bird gradually wins all of them over. They call her Penguin due to her black and white plumage. The family nurse the injured magpie to health. Her resilience, her odd quirks and general goofiness managed to lift their spirits when they were all down.

The family teaches Penguin to fly, and she teaches them to live again.

Based on the 2017 bestselling novel by Cameron Bloom, as Penguin Bloom, The Odd Bird who Saved a Family for an adult audience, it became a feature movie and, this, the young readers’ edition, tells the story from the son’s viewpoint.

It is an uplifting and inspiring tale about growth and forgiveness, and even though (like many books adapted from movies) the writing is sometimes clunky, it nevertheless brought a tear to this reviewer’s eye.

And now I want to read the adult book, too!

Title: Penguin Bloom, Young Readers’ Edition
Author: Chris Kunz
Publisher: ABC Books, $14.99
Publication Date: 21 January 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780733341670
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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Review: Rise of the Mythix: Flight of the Griffin (Book #3)

A unicorn, a Minotaur and a griffin: heroes, a prophecy, the Mythix.

The evil Collector wants to trap them within paintings, but the Mythix have other plans… except Kelly and Minh are currently trapped within the Collector’s compound and the their only hope of escape is one of the Collector’s guards.

A daring escape, a hike up a magical mountain, enemies closing in, evil plans by super villains, this book has it all.

Flight of the Griffin is book three in the Rise of the Mythix series by Anh Do. Filled with action, adventure and surprises throughout, it’s a wild ride of a novel with more than one smash, slam and pow!

While not a comic, the book is written in a comic book style. It moves fast, has loads of action and it jumps between the heroes and the villains as you read. 

With funky and detailed illustrations by Chris Wahl on every spread, it’s a great book for kids who love a good visual to support their reading, and even the illustrations are action packed. Very engaging and fun to explore.

Kids who love a fast paced read, will love this series. With lots of cool characters, who have lots of cool powers, it’s a story to inspire imaginations and kick start a passion for the mystical.

I haven’t read book 1 and 2 in the series, and I got up to speed with the action quickly, but I do think this series is best read from the beginning. It’s a compelling and engaging read, but each book concludes with an exciting cliff-hanger, so I believe the next book in the series will have more impact if you’ve read what’s come before.

Loads of fun and fast-paced action, this one is for the kids who love a mystical adventure where the heroes really kick butt!

For more action adventure from Anh Do, make sure to check out Rise of the Mythix: Golden Unicorn and the E-Boy series.

Title: Rise of the Mythix: Flight of the Griffin (Book #3)
Author:  Anh Do
Illustrator: Chris Wahl
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $15.99
Publication Date: February 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760876418
For ages: 10 -14 
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: The Healthy Skin Kitchen

An increasing number of children suffer severely every year from Eczema and other skin conditions, without relief in sight. Australian nutritionist, Karen Fischer with her award-winning book The Eczema Diet, helped countless adults and children end their agony of itching and scratching.

Sufferers of acne, allergies, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and many other skin complaints are able to find relief based on continued study of nutrition and nutritional biochemistry, documented in her new book, The Healthy Skin Kitchen.

With its chemical free recipes, it offers change from within with explanations on the how and where that change occurs, and creams and lotions that fight skin issues.

Testimonials from people who have recovered, and specifically, whose children have recovered after a regimen of therapy, are witness to the results of Fischer’s treatments.

The author of six health books, Fischer has dedicated her life to skin wellness, as both she and her daughter have travelled the Eczema road.

In this latest book, (which may be her last) she presents a new way of eating that repairs, firms and tones the skin through recipes that are customizable, and includes instructions on how to adapt them for food intolerance. Symbols and their meanings accompany each recipe.

All recipes are dairy-free and many gluten free, for those who need or choose to be.

The book is presented in four parts: The Healthy Skin Kitchen, Skin Care; Signs, Symptoms and Solutions, which include a comprehensive list of skin disorders with specific treatments, and Menus and Recipes. Mouth-watering desserts like Pink Pear Sorbet and Banana Beet Nice Cream will set taste-buds tingling.

The importance of fasting and how to do so properly is touched upon. Lots of nutritional information, special notes in boxes, and how to maintain skin wellness are detailed.

The journey through this beautifully presented book with gorgeous photographs, will educate and inform readers in depth, on how to keep their skin in optimum condition through natural food and supplements.

It also offers as a background narrative, Karen’s progress through an inspiring and productive life that stemmed from uncontrollable skin issues, and ended in a successful company, Skin Friend, and a writing career.

Royalties from this book will go to Save the Children, to support and feed children in Indigenous and disadvantaged communities.

Helpful Resources can be found at the end, followed by an interesting Gratitude page, generous Endnotes on each chapter for more research on specific skin issues, and a recipe index.

Title: The Healthy Skin Kitchen
Author: Karen Fischer
Publisher: Exisle, $ 37.99
Publication Date: 3 March 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925820652
For ages: All
Type: Cookbook

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Guest Post: Allison Paterson on The Process of Researching and Creating

Review: My Spaghetti ABC

Do you love spaghetti? 

I mean, who doesn’t? 

Our protagonist in My Spaghetti ABC sure does, and she’s ready to sing from the rooftops about it.

A funny, charming rhyming romp through dinner, My Spaghetti ABC is a fun and funny exploration of all the things spaghetti can be.

Some funny shapes I love to make; a butterfly or wriggly snake. A giggly face with wiggly feet, all spread out on Daddy’s seat.

Author/illustrator Deborah Niland’s flawless rhyme rolls off the tongue and pulls you right into the story. Kids will love the humour and the inspiration to get creative with food. And I swear, parents, you won’t mind because this story makes you feel like a kid again, and it will make you want to play with spaghetti too.

With a lovely fold out climax at the end, the book has big impact. And, again, the rhyme is spot on, so you’ll just feel… happy… as you read.

Niland’s illustrations are just as fun as her text. Bright colours and funky characters feature throughout. And there are special details to explore and cheeky character expressions to delight in.

I love picture books about big issues, and I love picture books that challenge your mind , but I also love picture books that are just fun and funny and filled with the simple joys of being a kid. My Spaghetti ABC is this book.

Sure to be requested for repeat reads, I highly recommend adding some cheer to bedtime reading with My Spaghetti ABC by Deborah Niland.

Title: My Spaghetti ABC
Author/Illustrator: Deborah Niland 
Publisher: Puffin, $24.99
Publication Date: 2 February 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760897253
For ages: 3 - 6 
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Future Girl

Future Girl is a work of art from beginning to end. The exquisite cover makes promises and sees them through in an imaginative and riveting read.

Asphixia, a writer, Deaf artist, Public Speaker and one of the #Own Voices, weaves a wonderful story with scintillating prose and gorgeous decorative art on every page. She beckons readers into the intimate life of a Deaf person and allows them a view of their challenges as they navigate their way through communication in a speaking world.

This is not a sad story! And not a biography. It’s an astonishingly well-written novel, told through art journal entries by the character, Piper McBride. Set in some future time, food is now recon, with medication added to destroy life threatening diseases.

Piper’s mother Irene is a leading scientist for Organicore, a company of meal designers that supply packaged food specially created to suit each person’s body weight and medical conditions.

Trees have been cut down for fuel. Petrol has reached exorbitant prices. Gas and electricity are extremely expensive. Water restrictions have been implemented due to the drought. A picture of despair is portrayed.

Irene loses her job, as competition is fierce for the improvement of new food and, companies’ profits come first. Piper and Irene begin to experience a lack unknown to them before.

Piper discovers that there are people who are practicing sustainability in secret and when hunger is at its peak, she sets out to discover how this is managed to copy it herself. Hope is born. Love is found.

This is a novel about love and renewal; of persistence and self-belief, rebirth of the land, sustainability, and of looking past all the hoopla. Multi-layered, it draws attention to many feasible and thought-provoking suppositions. Visible is the familiar brain-washing that influences people into believing that they must use things that are not necessarily in their best interests and are circulated to accommodate big businesses.

I loved this beautifully designed  book and read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down.

Title: Future Girl
Author/Illustrator: Asphixia
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $ 24.99
Publication Date: 1 October 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760294373
For ages: 13 – 16
Type: Young Adult Novel

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Meet The Illustrator: Cathrin Peterslund

Name: Cathrin Peterslund

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Poetic, detailed, and atmospheric.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
I need relatively quiet and peaceful surroundings, and I always have a set of headphones so I can listen to music. At my workspace you will usually find paper, pencil, fine liners, light table, and my computer and Ipad. And last but not least, a big mug of coffee.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
My work-method varies, depending on what type of project I’m working on. I just finished a project that was 100% digital, and I really enjoy testing new tools and becoming better at drawing with my Ipad. But the combination of analogue drawing and digital colouring is super interesting and fun to me. So at the moment fine-liners and Procreate are my favourite media!

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Edward Gorey, Tove Jansson, and Eyvind Earle

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to see how the surrealists were working, and how their idea-processes looked like. The year before I went to study, I got obsessed with Salvador Dali because I had visited an exhibition with a ton of his drawings and sketches, and I remember thinking that I could draw crazy things too, if I wanted. It was really fun, and something I will never forget. I have since then explored other surrealists, and been really inspired by art of Leonora Carrington - it would be so interesting to see how she worked.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I actually don’t remember. Drawing was just always the thing I enjoyed doing the most, and I remember that I as a kid wanted to become some sort of an artist, but I didn’t know what kind. I didn’t know that illustration was a thing you could actually have as a job before many years later, but when I found out, I knew that I wanted to go for that. Also, I am lucky to have a family who always backed me up in my wish to become an artist, so in that way it was easy for me to go in that direction.

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

This picture of my desk was taken in December. My workspace is in a shared studio in in the centre of Copenhagen. We are 8 people sharing it but it’s rare that everyone is there at the same time, and especially during these Corona days. The studio is in a basement so as you can see on the picture it gets quite dark down there at winter, but I love it. I think it’s super cozy to have few people around me when I work. But at the moment I mostly work from home because of the Corona-situation.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
The moment when I get settled on an idea, and I start moving further with it into the more detailed part. I find it really exciting when I can see the final image is starting to take form.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Allow yourself to take breaks. Something I have experienced is that it can be hard to relax when you constantly want to improve. You will grow your whole life so you don’t have to do everything at once.

Cathrin is an illustrator living and working in Copenhagen, Denmark. She studied comics and illustration at the Animation Workshop where from she has a BA in Graphic Storytelling.

She loves to draw detailed and epic universes, most often inspired by the nature where she enjoys spending her time. Luckily Cathrin lives right next to a huge lake where she likes to run and walk while listening to audiobooks. Cathrin is represented by the Bright Agency

For more information, please visit Cathrin's website or follow her on instagram .

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Guest Review: 5 Brilliant Picture Books to Teach Children About Grief, Happiness and Love by Laura Reid

Review: My Bird, Bertie

Riding in the car with my bird Bertie, riding in the car, just Bertie and me.

Bear loves driving in the car with Bertie, chums on the road, happy together in the car. What Bear doesn’t like is Gertie getting in the car… and Tilly…and Jack.

Soon the car is waaayyyyy too full (and it’s definitely not a relaxing car ride anymore).

When a bus arrives, Bear spies a solution to his problem, but it’s not the solution you might think.

My Bird, Bertie is a fun, funny and charming picture book about boundary pushing and stretching ourselves in uncomfortable situations.

Author Amelia McInerney, writes in a brilliant rap-style rhythm which will have you reading the story with beat in seconds. The words roll off your tongue, and your readers will adore it (this is now my five-year-old’s favourite book!).

I adore the subtlety in this picture book. The upbeat rhythm draws you into the story of a fun car ride with lots of friends. But when you watch Bear’s face, you start to notice that he’s not as excited as everyone else.

Bear obviously likes his space, and his boundaries are being pushed beyond his comfortable limits. Keep an eye on Bertie, too. Bear’s best friend obviously knows him well and can see he is struggling.

This is a book to explore, reflecting on and asking questions about the illustrations as you go. The messages are masterfully camouflaged, and I feel there are more hidden messages I am yet to see, waiting to reveal themselves on repeat reads. A book that continues to give!

And, of course, I can’t mention the illustrations without going into the details. Shane McG’s illustrations truly are joy in paper form. The colours pop, the details are to die for, and I just couldn’t imagine a better illustration style for this book.

I love the funky, rounded-style world McGowan has created, with chunky vehicles and characters with oversized heads. The illustrations and text hold hands tightly throughout this book, creating perfect unity and a deep story to explore.

Sure to be a picture book classic, My Bird, Bertie is a must-have for homes and classrooms. It’s a perfect read aloud, great for groups and perfect for one-on-one reading with your kidlets to go deep into the hidden story layers.

And once you’ve devoured Bertie, make sure you check out McInerney’s other stellar picture books, like The Book Chook + more of McG's fab books, like The Thing that Goes Ping. 

Title: My Bird, Bertie

Author: Amelia McInerney

Illustrator: Shane McG

Publisher: Scholastic, $17.99

Publication Date: 1 February 2021

Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9781743835111

For ages: 3 - 6

Type: Picture Book

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12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Jess McGeachin

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I’m actually quite a nervous flyer, which is ironic given my debut book was called Fly. My protagonist Lucy is much braver than I am!

2. What is your nickname?
Instead of shortening my name most people make it longer! I’m just a ‘Jess’ but I get Jesse a lot.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Right now it’s the impact humans are having on the planet. I’m always optimistic about nature’s ability to adapt but we’ve got a lot of work to do in a very short time.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I like finding hidden worlds just outside our own.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Playful, passionate, lyrical, character-driven, curious.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I’m a big fan of Paddington — duffle coats and marmalade sound like a pretty good life to me.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’ve been drawing a lot of dinosaurs lately and it would be really handy to have a living reference, so somewhere in the Jurassic period.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
I think my 10-year old self would be pretty chuffed that I make a living drawing pictures. He’d also be happy to know that I still dabble in the occasional Lego set.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My family and especially my mum. She’s a scientific illustrator and has always encouraged me to draw and find inspiration in the natural world.

10. What/who made you start writing?
Drawing has always come more naturally to me than writing, but lately I’ve realised the skills are not that different. Writing is a lot like drawing except instead of shapes and lines you’re using words.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
I quite like the word ‘coffee’.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m going to cheat and say my sketchbook, because I can keep adding to it.

Jess is an author/illustrator based in Melbourne. Constantly inspired by the natural world, Jess draws quite literally from a day-job at the Melbourne Museum. His debut picture book, Fly, was published by Puffin in 2019 and was shortlisted for the CBCA and Queensland Literary Awards. For more information, see www.drawthemoon.com.

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Review: The Lost Library

Oliver finds a lost book with a message to the finder to return it to the Lost Library. But where can that be? Finding someone to tell him is difficult. But his friend Rosie knows. She has all the answers.

Together they go to the librarian. But as the book slot is right in front of Oliver, he drops the book in the slot.

Immediately, something magical happens!

The floor opens, the book slides down into an unknown place followed by Oliver and Rosie. Endless shelves of books surround them. Oliver is scared. Rosie is thrilled. A world full of books!

What more can they ask for? 

They have found the Lost Library.

Now we are the ones lost Oliver moans.

It seems their surroundings can convert to whatever is in the book they choose. Boats take them for a sail; one on Storms has them rowing for their lives. Another teaches them how to exit the storm and sail safely to shore.

Oliver and Rosie continue their journey into books that have all the knowledge and answers they want. But they need to find their way out.

This imaginative and thought-provoking book celebrates books and reading and the influence they can have on children.

Books are companions and distraction for the lonely and bored. They sweep them away to unknown places and worlds. They are friends, teachers, travelling companions, and partners on adventures. They take children to the Moon and show them the stars. Books reveal to children through their stories, that they can do and become anything they want if they try. They inspire creativity.

I loved The Lost Library with its  endless possibilities that can be found and lived through reading. Beautifully expressed through the illustrations and soft wondrous colours by the author, Jess McGeachin.

Title: The Lost Library
Author/Illustrator: Jess McGeachin
Publisher: Penguin, $ 24.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760892715
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Winner: Fish Kid Prize Pack

Our lucky winner is...

Eva Perrie, WA

Congratulations! 

You have won the awesome Fish Kid Prize Pack by Kylie Howarth including: Turtle Torpedo, Mega Manta Ray and Lizard Ninja.

Enjoy!

Thank you to ALL who entered. It was super hard to pick just one winner from all the outstanding suggestions, from marlins to lampreys, spinner dolphins to sea dragons - we loved them all! 


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Review: The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour

Do you know where polar bears can be found?

They usually live in the Arctic, a place that's super cold and full of ice.

However, The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour has a different story to tell.

It's the story of Hannah, who lives in Sydney, and one day sees something completely unexpected. A polar bear floating on a small iceberg in the middle of the harbour.

Sydney Harbour is definitely not somewhere you would expect to see a polar bear, but Hannah takes it in her stride.

She asks the polar bear questions and gives him a name. The polar bear, now named Rodney, follows her home.

Hannah tries to make Rodney more comfortable in the hot Sydney weather, learns about polar bears, and soon realises that they don't belong in the city. 

What's just as strange is that Hannah seems to be the only person who notices Rodney. That's until Hannah and Rodney work out how to draw attention to Rodney and his plight and help him return home.

The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour raises the issue of climate change in a way that cannot be missed. It encourages everyone to take notice and do whatever they can to help. 

Inspired by young climate change protestors and children who feel strongly about the issue, Beck Feiner and  Robin Feiner have created a story that has many layers and an important message.  Each reader may see and hear something different, all of which will prompt discussion and encourage action.

Read The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour yourself and think about what you will do to help prevent climate change, then do it.

A teaching guide is available to download from the publisher's website.

Title: The Polar Bear in Sydney Harbour
Author/Illustrator: Beck Feiner and Robin Feiner
Publisher: ABC Books, $ 24.99
Publication Date: 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733339400
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo

Despite a lingering apprehension for things of a sharkish nature, I still find the underwater marine world a place of mystic and magic and that's exactly what young readers can expect to find in Kylie Howarth's fintastic Fish Kid adventure series.

The third book in this high octane action series is The Turtle Torpedo. Bodhi aka Fish Kid to his parents and closest chum, Emely, are on a small island in the Maldives. 

To fans of the series, it's no shock to discover that Bodhi's ability to swim faster than a torpedoing tuna and dive deeper than a whale shark is now second nature but for newcomers, this super power means Bodhi is able to zip around coral islands and commune with sea creatures to his heart's content.

When he and Emely rescue a small ailing turtle, things intensify. They take the turtle to a nearby rehabilitation station. 

Here the best friends learn about various species of sea turtles and are invited to help care for them. They are horrified to discover how human indifference contributes to the destruction of turtle habitats, endangering their survival and necessitating tricky rescues.

Bodhi is determined to do everything he can during his stay on the island to make his little rescued turtle's life better which includes daily swims together to get him re-accustomed to surviving in the open ocean again. Only one thing is hindering his enjoyment as a wildlife rescuer and that's his decaying friendship with Emely.

Emely is the only kid who knows about Bodhi's secret fish powers but she has a secret of her own and refuses to share it with Bodhi fueling friction and frustration between them. Bodhi's parents are much too busy researching marine biology and recording photographs to help leaving Fish Kid to fathom what is going on with Emely by himself.

Things go from bad to worse when one of the rescued turtles' lives is in jeopardy. Will Fish Kid find her in time without giving away his super powers? Will his super sea skills be enough to save the day? 

Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo is a gripping read on its own but to truly immerse yourself into the exciting world of Fish Kid, I recommend experiencing all three books in the series. And with an ocean-full of other fascinating finned creatures to explore, I hope this is not the last we see of Fish Kid. 

Infused with fun facts about the marine creatures featured in the narrative and enhanced with Howarth's detailed black and white illustrations, this series is not only furiously fun, it is refreshingly original and informative too.

Update your oceanic knowledge with Fish Kid's thrilling first book, The Ninja Lizard, and the second instalment, Fish Kid and the Mega Manta Ray. If that's not enough, there are still a few more hours left to enter our fantastic Fish Kid Prize Pack giveaway. 

Title: Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo
Author/Illustrator: Kylie Howarth
Publisher: Walker Books Australia, $11.99
Publication Date: 3 March 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760654009
For ages: 7 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Dog

Another challenge to translate the magnificence of Shaun Tan’s book Dog. Throughout history and perhaps beyond, the deep and lasting friendship between Man and dogs has been documented for its authentic and unchanging relationship.

Books have been written about the loyalty and faith of dogs. This is what Tan succeeds in transferring to the page.

His illustrations display the natural longing to be together and share love and loyalty, that exists between human and animal. 

Only death parts them, but even then one seems to wait for the other.

In the first dark images, unshaped beginnings have no light. The waiting, then the tentative movements toward one another are reflected in the text. The coming together with trust causes a change in both man and beast.

They have become friends. This demands vivid colour and light, signs of a leaping heart filled with joy as loneliness and fear are dispelled. Togetherness is celebrated.

Other dogs and other people in other places and circumstances wait for one another. Colours of fires, dry land, parched by drought, snow filled and lush green pastures. A soldier returning or not, from a bombing site. A dog always waiting for a reunion on the river bank.

The fact is evident that life has changed so drastically. People may have lost their direction and focus. But amidst it all, the thing that remains, is the love and loyalty shared between a dog and a human. This will never change.

This divine picture book is ideal for older readers and adults.

Title: Dog
Author/Illustrator: Shaun Tan
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: 3 November 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760526139
For ages: 10+
Type: Picture book

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