Review: Backyard Birds

Fly free with our native feathered friends in Backyard Birds by Dr Helen Milroy and celebrate their majesty and splendour. 

Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She was not only Australia’s first Indigenous doctor and psychiatrist but also AFL’s first Indigenous Commissioner. 

Here we celebrate her work, Backyard Birds, which was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. Also by Milroy is Backyard Bugs.

In a riot of colour and sound, Backyard Birds brings birds to life and will have you dancing, prancing and singing along with them. Some of the birds like the kookaburra were already familiar to me, while others like the ‘twenty-eight’ were excitingly new. The twenty-eight is the colloquial Western Australian name for an Australian Ringneck parrot, so named because its cry sounds like ‘twenty-eight’. 

Writing sparse, rhyming text, Milroy uses the rhythm of words to draw readers into the book. A few near rhymes, such as ‘laugh/bath,’ are slightly jarring but not so much as to take attention away from the flow of the story. In the text, the actions of the birds are accented to enhance meaning and provide emphasis. 

The illustrations seem to vibrate and captivate me with their aliveness. Each boldly coloured and patterned artwork is richly influenced by the artist’s cultural heritage. The repetition of colour helps tie the spreads together. Stretching from dawn to dusk, the end papers denote the change in light.

This lively and joyful text is well suited for littlies but is also a great conversation starter for older kids, and includes teaching notes for classroom use. Backyard Birds reminds me of Busy Beaks by Sarah Allen but for younger kids. It is a lovely size for little hands and would make a great gift for budding bird lovers and overseas loved ones.

As a bird nut myself, Backyard Birds has in fact encouraged me to sign up for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count which runs annually in October.  

Birds are such a source of wonder and solace with the power to connect us to the natural world. Right at this moment, wattlebirds have nested in our hedge, and I can hear the chirps of some babies. I am utterly enthralled by them. When we feel connected, we are more likely to want to preserve our wonderfully diverse environment. I think this book is just what we need.

Title: Backyard Birds
Author: Dr Helen Milroy
Publisher: Fremantle Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 31 March 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925816563
For ages: 2+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Zoo Crew #1

If you like weird and wacky with a healthy dose of gross, Zoo Crew is for you! 

Hang with Gus the hamster as he fills you in on all you need to know about Bazooglyville Primary School, or Zoo Primary for short. 

He’ll introduce you to the Zoo Crew — Eddie, Mabel and Princeton — and prepare you for the school athletics carnival.

It won’t be easy, though... 

Cheater extraordinaire and school bully Echo is up to her old cheating tricks again, Principal Phaart is being as gross as usual, and competing in athletics is hard! But if Eddie, Mabel and Princeton want to win the gelato prize, they’re going to have to suck it up and get moving.

Zoo Crew is a fun and funny junior fiction novel for fans of laughing, joking and being grossed out. With farts, pus and bum wiggles galore, this is a book for the kids who love a side of silly with their reading.

The illustrations are gloriously entertaining in this book. And there are loads of them. Every page is peppered with multiple pictures, making this a very visual read. They are engaging, detailed and filled with fart puffs. The text, too, is more than just text, delivered in a variety of fun ways across the pages.

This is a book kids will really ‘get’ and really WANT to read, not just because an adult had told them to. The jokes are for them, the grossness is for them, and the relatable characters are for them.

This is Guy Edmonds’ and Matt Zeremes’ first novel, but if you’ve ever heard of the hit television show HARDBALL!, then you’ll be familiar with their work. And as the first book in a cool new series, Zoo Crew is just the start.

Title: Zoo Crew #1
Author: Guy Edmonds and Matt Zeremes
Illustrator: Peter William Popple
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $15.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760976569
For ages: 6 - 9
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Treasure in the Lake

With the surge of graphic novels for all ages, comes the opportunity for creators and designers to offer a different style of book to children who find reading words difficult, but are drawn to visual narratives.

A five-publisher auction led Allen and Unwin to secure the brilliant, Treasure in the Lake, a debut graphic novel for Jason Pamment.

Iris and Sam, both thirteen, are best friends that share adventures in their spare time. That’s all they share. 

Intelligent and mature, Iris has dreams of seeing something more than the limits of Bugden where she lives. The only thing that will draw anyone there is the giant fish soon to be unveiled in the square.

Sam is an easy-going boy without any specific vision for his future. The is happy tagging along with Iris who spends her time reading at the river and collecting things she finds.

Her application has been accepted at a city boarding school for an education in archaeology. But there is no money to support her. To recover peace of mind, she camps at her reading spot at the river. In the morning, she finds all the water drained away.

It is an opportunity for discovery; treasures to be found. Perhaps something valuable.

Sam comes looking for her and they set out together. He finds fish and a turtle. Iris artefacts. But the two do not stay together. Iris follows the river to discover a lost city in the lake. Sam gets lost and is found by the old Benjamin, who fills him with stories that give him food for thought.

Both undertake a fantastic adventure that will impact their friendship and reveal to each child, how strong and resourceful they are.

Iris uncovers more than artefacts just before the unpredictable flood waters threaten again. 

Can she make her way back through the flowing gushes? How will all she has seen and experienced, influence what she thinks and does  from now on?

A riveting adventure inspired by existing hidden cities underwater all over the world.

This beautifully illustrated book with strong themes, will send interested readers to their computers to discover where other such cities are to be found and the history that surrounds their flooding.

Title: Treasure in the Lake
Author/Illustrator: Jason Pamment
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $16.99
Publication Date:14 September 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978176052 6238
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Graphic Novel

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Announcement: The Environment Award for Children's Literature 2021 by Wilderness Society: WINNERS!

WINNERS OF 2021 ENVIRONMENT AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE ANNOUNCED

The winners for this year’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature have been announced by the Wilderness Society during Nature Book Week, which runs between 6 – 12 September.

Now in its 27th year, the Wilderness Society shortlists the best children’s nature books before a panel of judges crowns a winner for three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Picture Fiction. The award showcases and celebrates some of the best writers and illustrators working in children’s literature.

The winner of the Fiction category of the Environment Award for Children’s Literature is The Power of Positive Pranking by Nat Amoore. The book explores the agenda of the Green Peas, who are determined to make a difference in the world. When the adults won’t listen, the kids will find a way to be heard – as long as they can stay out of detention.

The winner of the Nonfiction category is Tree Beings by Raymond Huber, illustrated by Sandra Severgnini. This storybook depicts how much we depend on trees for our survival, yet few understand just how fascinating these beings really are. With a foreword by the world-renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall, Tree Beings is an adventure through the secret world of trees.

The Giant and the Sea by acclaimed author Trent Jamieson and CBCA Award-winner Rovina Cai took out the Picture Fiction category. The book explores themes about the environment, climate change and standing up for what you believe in.

The Ambassador for this year’s award is ecologist and science communications expert, Dr Jen Martin. Joining her as judges of this year’s shortlist are acclaimed playwright and children’s author, Hilary Bell; the New York Times bestselling cartoonist and creator of last year's Fiction Winner, Gavin Aung Than; as well as sustainability advocates, Sadie Chrestman and Matthew Evans, who were both featured on SBS’ TV series, Gourmet Farmer.

Judge Hilary Bell said, 'Congratulations to the winners of this prestigious award, one that is so important in its recognition of the need to inspire our next generation of nature-lovers and -warriors. The prizewinning books were each remarkable in unique ways, but all shared a special quality: that of instilling in kids a sense of empowerment.'

Past winners of the award included acclaimed Australian children’s authors Tim Winton, Paul Jennings, Jackie French, the late Narelle Oliver, Coral Tulloch, Graeme Base, and Wendy Orr.




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Guest Post: Sofie Laguna on The Song of Lewis Carmichael

Sophie Laguna‘s first children’s book in ten years, The Song of Lewis Carmichael, illustrated by her husband Marc McBride, is a magnificent journey deep into The Arctic, but also into the depths of the human psyche.

Sofie tells us about the genesis of the book and what writing  it means to her.

I remember sharing the idea for The Song of Lewis Carmichael with my husband when we were on a holiday together about five years ago. I told Marc all about a boy who travels by hot air balloon to the ice, to find a lost baby.

I described the pictures I saw in my mind: a flock of snow geese carrying a balloon, polar bears thundering across the ice, a cave of dangerous Arctic wolves, the antlers of reindeer resembling the branches of trees. We discussed the possibility of Marc doing the illustrations for this story set in the snow. I was really excited and I began to write it when we returned from our holiday.

I can’t remember exactly how much I wrote, before another book for adults took over! But the story never quite left me alone, and as soon as there was space, I began the story again, in earnest. I was determined to complete it, before more demands were made on me with other books.

It was a real pleasure to escape to The Arctic each time I wrote. I needed ice! I needed polar bears, walruses and Snowy Owls. The more I researched The Arctic the more excited I became. The North Pole is always moving!

As far as why I wrote a book for children again after so many years – well, the story was there, asking to be told.

I just followed the feeling in me. I didn’t ask if the story was for younger readers or older readers, I just knew I wanted to spend time with a crow who could speak, and a boy who needed a friend.

It was exhilarating. It was also a very emotional journey. I felt Matthew’s pain quiet acutely. And I loved the friendship that he developed with Lewis. It meant the world to me, and still does.



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Review: One Million Insects

One Million Insects explores the world of insects.

And there are lots of insects to discover because there are more than one million species!

Insects have many unique characteristics and life cycles when compared to other animals.

Did you know that only about ten percent of insects can properly be called bugs (true bugs)?

In One Million Insects you'll be able to learn all about different insect types.

There are stick insects and beetles, wasps and dragonflies, grasshoppers, butterflies, and many more.

Facts and figures about these 'creeping, crawling, fluttering, scuttling and hiding' insects are also prominent.

From the longest living insects, and which ones are stinky, or biters, to which ones change colour, and which make unusual sounds, some that we can hear, and some that we can't.

You'll find all this and more in One Million Insects, which is written by Isabel Thomas.

Around sixty pages of insight into insects' lives concludes with a glossary and index to help with finding your way around the book.

The illustrations by Lou Baker Smith are numerous and make this book like an enormous one of those bug boxes, or terrariums. It starts on the cover and include flourescent endpages with insect silhouettes, too.

Some children may prefer to browse the pictures to see which insects they can recognise. While others might want to read the text first.

However you approach it, One Million Insects offers an impressive horde of insects to read about.

Title: One Million Insects
Author: Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Lou Baker-Smith
Publisher: Welbeck Editions, $ 24.99
Publication Date: August 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781913519025
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

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Review: The Magnificent Hercules Quick

Hercules Quick lives with his Aunt Alligator and his pet tadpole, Sylvie. They live on the middle floor of a big red house, with the Elk family above them and Professor Calamari below. Queen Claude lives in the cellar and the turtle brothers, Mike and Herbert, live on the roof.

It’s a wild and wonderful place to live, and Hercules loves it. But… he really wishes he had enough money to buy a marvellous box of magic tricks from the shops.

So, Hercules comes up with a plan. He’ll do odd jobs for whoever is in need to save up to buy the magic tricks. But the plan is easier said than done, because Hercules’ neighbours have some strange requests when it comes to jobs they need done for them.

He answers phone calls for Professor Calamari, cleans the cellar for Queen Maude, recites love letters up at the Elk family’s home and does some very strange paintings for the turtle brothers. But after all the jobs, will Hercules have enough money to buy the box of magic tricks?

The Magnificent Hercules Quick is a vibrant junior fiction novel from dynamic duo Ursula Dubosarsky and Andrew Joyner. How Dubosarsky can inject so much character, history and story into such a short word count I will never know, and Joyner’s delightful illustrations are so much fun to explore as you turn each page.

This is a perfect book for younger readers, with a simple storyline and easy to read language. But while being simple and easy to read, it’s also jampacked with rich characters, loads of humour and lots of fun. Hercules Quick is a very relatable protagonist, filled with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, but with doubts and fears just like us all.

If you’re looking for a new series for younger readers or kids ready to tackle a book independently, I highly recommend The Magnificent Hercules Quick. From our own Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-21 and Australian illustrator royalty, how can you go wrong!

For more fabulous books by Ursula Dubosarsky check out The Blue Cat and Brindabella. And for more from Andrew Joyner, make sure you check out The Pink Hat and Boo!.

Title: The Magnificent Hercules Quick
Author: Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrator: Andrew Joyner
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $4.99
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761065712
For ages:  5 - 9
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Pax Journey Home

An extraordinary and emotional tale of survival of both animals and humans,
I regret having missed the first book, Pax, as I loved Pax: Journey Home, so much!

Its beautiful and moving poetic prose carries countless underlying themes and messages that will move the reader deeply.

Several parallel stories are in play throughout the book.Peter's story, the journey to repair the environment, several sub-stories, and that of Pax. 

Pax and his family have a voice. This allows us access to the strong feelings and thoughts of the animals, and fully understand the bond between humans and animals.

The main character is thirteen year old Peter. Bitter and turned inside himself after the loss of both parents, first his mother, then his father in the war, his grief magnified after having being forced to give up his pet fox Pax, whom he saved as a kit.

Pax now has a family of three, one a girl kit. Pax often thinks of his boy with whom he shared his life, and who then sent him away.

Vola with whom Peter now lives, wants to save Peter from becoming embittered by life and therefore miss out on all the treasure and security love can offer. His grandfather, Peter’s last living relative, bitter and distrustful of everyone and everything, is unable to show any kindness or understanding toward the boy.

To shut people and love out, Peter builds a small hut on his father’s property to live in alone and be self-sufficient. He decides to join the Water Warriors, that analyse and repair waterways that were poisoned during the war, in the hope of restoring safety to the remaining creatures of the forests that have been significantly diminished.

Jade and Samuel are Peter's adult companions on the hike to rivers and streams, and the testing and documenting of the results. The boy is slowly drawn into the work which he does well.

Knowing a great deal about trees, nature and survival skills, the adults are impressed by his abilities. He begins to warm to them, ever cautious to keep a distance between them. Fearful he will get close again to something or somebody, he withdraws from any warmth or emotion that threatens.

But love has a way of creeping in.

When Pax sets out on a journey with his girl kit to teach her how to survive and recognise danger, she becomes sick after drinking the water.

There is only one thing to be done.

Can Peter repeat the thing that broke him? Or will love win him over regardless of the barriers he has carefully built around himself.

Jon Klassen’s black and white illustration reflect the ever-present threat to the animals in the forest, and the aloneness of the boy, in haunting, breathtaking shadows.

A beautifully constructed and executed storyline that explores human emotions; how all living things need and depend on one another to survive. Regardless of the way life wounds them, they can always be healed through love.

Title: Pax: Journey Home
Author: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Publisher: Harper Collins, $14.99
Publication Date: 7 September 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780008470289
For ages: 9+
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Super Geeks #2 Planet Pancake

Zeek and Arnie are back to implement Plan B to take over the world. And this time it starts (and ends!) with pancakes.

Dynamic duo and best geek friends Zeek and Arnie want to take over the world. Well, really, it’s Zeek’s obsession, but Arnie is happy to tag along and help his friend achieve his goals.

Plan B is about finding treasures at the edge of the world, because money equals power and power equals world domination!

So Zeek and Arnie build a ship and head out across the ocean in search of gold.

With Eleanor the fish and a sad Arnie in tow (Arnie has misplaced his pancake maker), Zeek navigates the seas in search of the edge of the world. But when a mysterious explorer turns up, and leads them to a strange ice wall, Zeek begins to become suspicious.

What will they find at the edge of the world? Treasures, or something else? And will Arnie ever find his pancake maker?

This is book two in the Super Geeks series, but I found it really easy to pick up and read without having read the first book in the series, Fish and Chips. It’s a brilliantly designed book, in graphic novel style, with fully illustrated pages, loads of speech bubbles and only minimal narrative story.

Truly, it’s a visual feast.

Kids who love more illustrations and less words will love it. It’s filled with action, adventure and splashes of mystery. And it’s fun.

James Hart is the illustrator of so many loved children’s books — D-Bot Squad, Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables and Little Legends, just to name a few — but Super Geeks is his first series as both author and illustrator. And he nails it.

If your kids like to be entertained, like whacky adventures and books with loads of illustrations, I highly recommend checking out this cool new series.

Title: Super Geeks #2 Planet Pancake
Author/Illustrator: James Hart
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $14.99
Publication Date: 2 July 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760895143
For ages: 6 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction

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Meet The Illustrator: Matt Cosgrove

Review: Babies at the Billabong

What a wonderful anytime story Babies at the Billabong is! 

A walk through the Australian bush is reason for celebration. There is so much to see and learn about; tall trees, flowered bushes and baby animals playing in their natural habitats.

The little girl sets out for a late afternoon walk in nature. The sun is still high as she heads for the billabong.

Down by the coolabah tree, energetic joeys slide and splash gleefully. But they are too loud, so she keeps walking.

As the sun begins to sink, she wanders to where the wattle blooms. 

Echidna puggles are having a drum-a-thon. Although it is a beautiful sight, added to the joeys’ noisy exuberance, it is too loud, so she continues on through the tree-lined forest.

Along the banks of the billabong, as light flickers through the river red gum branches, cute cockatoo chicks gobble a high tea which they share with the girl. Sweet as they are, their chatter is added to the echidna and joey sounds. Far too loud for her, she walks on to sit at a picnic table to eat her cake.

At the lilly pilly bush where surrounding she-oaks cast long shadows on the ground, goanna hatchlings are building. It is a delight to watch them work. But too noisy when added to the previous sounds of the cockatoos’ tea party, the echidna drumming, and the joeys splashing. Off she goes.

Almost dusk, she comes to the crimson waratahs. Through an opening, she sees a large group of green tree froglets dancing on rocks and fallen tree trunks. They are impressive in their freedom dance. But added to all the previous sounds that now filled her head, she leaves them behind.

Looking high in the branches of a giant paperbark, the girl realizes it is almost dark. Flying fox pups are waking. She calls all the baby animals to her.

Time to wind down around the campfire and share a story together before bed.

From the creators of By the Billabong, stunning matte illustrations portray the beauty of Australia’s flora and fauna in earthy tones. Humorous undertones of the text entertain as children learn about Australia’s magnificent trees and baby animals, with images and by name.

Title: Babies at the Billabong
Author: Maura Finn
Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Affirm Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922419408
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Inda Ahmad Zahri

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I went through a super awkward childhood phase where I looked like Harry Potter – dodgy haircut, glasses, braces, skinny with baggy clothes – and was often mistaken for a boy.

2. What is your nickname?
Inda binda. Someone started it in school, and it stuck.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Being tortured to give up my secrets. This is why I did not become a spy.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Searching hidden gems, teetering on poetics, occasionally sliding into rhyme.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Hopeful, lyrical, hard-working, curious, constant.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I’ve always wanted to be Matilda! I love Roald Dahl’s stories and Matilda is such a cool heroine – she is clever, has a strong sense of justice, a wicked streak and can control things with her mind!

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
If I could bring my daughter along with me, we would travel back to the time of the dinosaurs. She is mad about them and loves pondering paleontological facts, so it would be the most amazing treat.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
‘Let’s go over our old stories, now that you have new ways to tell them...'

9. Who is your greatest influence?
I have many influences, but in terms of storytelling, art, courage and magic, one of my heroes is the great Japanese animator and founder of Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki Hayao. Manga and anime were a huge part of our childhood growing up in Malaysia, but I was only introduced to Miyazaki-san’s oeuvre when I was working as a junior doctor – a medical student said I reminded him of a Studio Ghibli character and gave me a ton of movies to watch. I just fell into this blissful lake of magical storytelling!

10. What/who made you start writing?
My mum was the first to instil a love of books in me. I now know what a privilege it was to have shelves stocked with books in my own home. From a young age, she encouraged me to start a diary, and it became something that I did on and off in various mediums, pretty much to this present day.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Unfurling. It makes me think of something with lots of pent-up potential, finally showing itself off in the sunlight. Paddy fields, flower petals, pages and pages of writing.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. In the book, the main character carried a copy of Herodotus’ The Histories as he explored the desert, placing mementos between its pages and scrawling notes in its margins. In real life, The English Patient became my Histories – I took my copy with me on my travels and always opened it up to find some masterful writing, and a different way to think about the world.

Inda Ahmad Zahri writes and illustrates stories inspired by natural and cultural gems curated from her travels and lovingly added to her Malaysian heritage. She is also a surgical doctor, swapping her writer’s hat and paintbrush for scrubs and scalpel when duty calls. For more information, see www.indabinda.com.

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Review: Monster Hunting for Beginners

Do you feel the itch for adventure? Are you pretty sure there is something out there waiting for you? Do you wish your dad would stop being so protective and scared all the time so you can go out there and find your calling?

Jack does.

Jack lives with his dad. His dad is a safe man who likes everything to be safe and likes to stay safe all the time. He doesn’t like adventure or risk. 

Jack craves adventure. He senses there is something more for him, but he loves his dad, so he follows  all the ‘safe’ rules.

But then Jack's dad disappears, and a strange woman turns up claiming to be Jack's aunt. She isn’t very nice, and Jack is suspicious. And then an ogre appears, and Jack knows for sure something very odd is going on.

Jack soon learns that monsters are real, have always been real and are all around you if you only pay attention. He also discovers there is a mysterious and glorious occupation called a ‘monster hunter’.

Following clues and literal hot cross breadcrumbs, Jack and some helpful helpers track down the ogres as they try to find Jack’s dad and figure out how everything is connected. But hunting monsters is not for the faint hearted. There is much to fear and much danger along the way. Plus, there are monster hunting rules that must be followed, and some of them make it really difficult to get the job done.

But there is help at hand. Jack has a copy of 'Monster Hunting for Beginners', a magical guide to the monster hunting profession, with entries on all sorts of monsters and how to hunt them (or avoid them).

Monster Hunting for Beginners is a brilliant new junior fiction series for all fans of the fantastical, mystery and adventure. It’s non-stop action in this book, pulling readers into the mysterious and throwing twists, turns and surprises as each chapter progresses.

The monster guide features throughout the book, with entries peppered throughout the pages, so you get to learn about the variety of monsters out there, even if Jack is yet to encounter them. Fun and funky illustrations also feature throughout the book, supporting the super fun story.

With rich characters, a fabulously fresh storyline and loads of twists, I thoroughly enjoyed Monster Hunting for Beginners. If you’re looking for something new for your monster loving readers, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book.

Title: Monster Hunting for Beginners
Author: Ian Mark
Illustrator: Louis Ghibault
Publisher: Farshore Fiction, $14.99
Publication Date: 28 July 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780755504367
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: Dinosaur Dads

Dinosaur Dads is a fun rhyming story about a bunch of dinosaurs.

The junior dinosaurs are bored and grumpy until the the dad dinosaurs return in all their stomping and roaring glory.

Then the kids begin a race with their dads in which they run and  tramp and stomp through a swamp.

That's followed by a giant mud fight, a swim, a ride on the dads' backs, and finally a nap.

Lesley Gibbes has created a fast-paced story, filled with words that not only rhyme, but also showcase adjectives and adverbs. 

There is also lots of onomatopoeia. Think: splash, splat, and whoosh!

Before reading the story aloud, you might find it helpful to do a practice read through first.

'The water is tingly and tickly and swirly, it's splishy and splashy and gushy and whirly!'

Dinosaur Dads will help children expand their vocabulary while enjoying Marjorie Crosby-Fairall's big and bright illustrations.

You might even be able to get them to try creating their own story using sounds and adjectives.

Dinosaur Dads is highly recommended. It's the perfect book for children who love dinosaurs, or for children who are learning to read, or both!

You can also download dinosaur colouring and craft sheets from the illustrator's website.  

Title:  Dinosaur Dads
Author: Lesley Gibbes
Illustrator: Majorie Crosby-Fairall
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 17.99
Publication Date: August 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760663506
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Books

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Review: Skin Deep

Scarlett lives in her privileged world, not realizing how fragile the bubble that we all live in is.

The story starts some time after Scarlett has survived a horrific accident. She is a survivor, but does not see it that way.

Her survival came at a cost, Scarlett not only has to manage her ongoing pain and post traumatic stress disorder, but the change in her status as a person who now has a very obvious and severe disfigurement.

Scarlett has always been the pretty one, and took the benefits of her prettiness for granted.

Now, she is struggling to reinvent herself and to understand her new identity in a world of social media "likes".

But after she overhears her friends discussing her, Scarlett reaches her breaking point and begs her dad for a getaway - a cottage in the mountains too remote for internet access. 

A break from pitying (or disgusted) eyes is what she needs.

The break triggers a series of events in which Scarlett has to dig deep into her reserves of resilience and strength in order to overcome some challenges that she truly did not foresee, and eventually see her own merits beyond those which are just skin deep. 

This is CBCA shortlisted author Hayley Lawrence's third book. Her previous book was reviewed on Kids' Book review  here.

Title: Skin Deep
Author: Hayley Lawrence
Publisher: Scholastic, $
Publication Date: 1 July 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760976446
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult

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Review: Mel and Shell

It is 1979. Shell is ten years old and in Grade 5. To commemorate 150 years since the first settlers came from England, she has been allocated an imaginary pen-pal, Mary, from 1829, as a history project. She has a sheet with an overview of Mary’s life as a starter.

The intention is for Shell to research the history of that era and learn about how life was lived in those early years, in comparison to current life.

Shell’s letters are diary entries, full of information about her own daily activities and experiences, emotions, dreams, friendships and family life. Through these letters, we are informed about Shell’s best friend, Mel, their mutual love of ABBA music, and their two nemeses, Scary Sharon and Stinky Simon. And the break-up of their friendship.

Many stories surface about the difficulties of those early settlement years, the lack of food, clothing and sanitation. Funny anecdotes connected to the dunnies which were emptied at night, and the occasional accidents that occurred will bring on a smile.

It is the friendships and loyalties that are tested that keep this story strong. Family situations and breakdowns, change the course of the children’s lives while secrets that can’t always be shared, are seen through the narrative of Shell’s diary.

Julia Lawrinson handles personal issues such as the reasons why people act the way they do, and say the things they say, like glass – fragile, inexplicable and irreparable, damage to be hidden from others, especially those closest to the person experiencing them.

Beautifully crafted, Mel and Shell, is full of stories, reasons why, and dreams dreamed not always being what one imagines when they become reality.

Witty and funny, with terrific characters, Lawrinson reveals the cracks in friendships, why they occur, and how they are mended.

Title: Mel and Shell
Author: Julia Lawrinson
Publisher: Freemantle Press, $ 16.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760990725
For ages: 10 – 14
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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Junior Review: Secret Soldiers

Look What I'm Reading! Julia Lawrinson

Julia Lawrinson is an award-winning writer of books for children and young adults. She hails from Perth and, despite leaving school at 15, has a PhD in writing and a Bachelor of Laws with distinction.

 Julia has worked in a range of organisations, from the arts to Parliament to health. She has presented at schools, workshops and conferences across Australia, and in Singapore, Indonesia and the USA.

Julia loves meeting her audience and encouraging reading, learning and curiosity. Her books are about friendship, family and the occasional Jack Russell. She loves the ocean, reading, dog parks and the word serendipity.

Her last novel, Maddie in the Middle was published in 2019. Her current one, Mel and Shell, will be out in September 2021.

Which children’s book are you currently reading?
I am re-reading/re-absorbing Meg McKinlay and Matt Ottley’s How to Make a Bird.

Can you tell us in two sentences what the book is about?
On one level it is a whimsical, beautifully-illustrated story of a girl collecting the elements of a bird and breathing life into it so it can fly. It is also a story about the gathering, organising and courageousness that are the prerequisites of creativity.

How much did you enjoy / are enjoying this title?
There are not enough words to express my love of this book. (Disclaimer: I read this before it was shortlisted for the CBCA awards: I was an early adopter!)

What made you choose this title? Was it a review, advertising, the cover, the blurb, the author/illustrator, or the subject/genre?
Anything Meg writes is a deep delight to read, and to have her and Matt Ottley together for this book is a gift. I attended the launch of this book, where Frané Lessac constructed an actual bird from found objects under an overhead projector, which was exquisite in its own right.

What other titles are on your bedside table / To-Read Pile?
I have a TBR bookshelf at the moment as I can’t stop buying books! In the bedside table pile I have: The History of Mischief by Rebecca Higgie, My Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton, The Edge of Thirteen by Nova Weetman and Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson.

How did you come by these titles: personal choice/request, publisher’s review copy, or other?
I have seen Rebecca and Rick talk about their books, the others caught my eye in bookshops. I have a group of friends who pass books to each other, so that is the other way I get books into the pile.

Do you read from printed books or some other medium? Please expand a little on the why of your choice.
Printed. I read to relax and learn interesting new things, so to have to deal with a screen would be too much like working. Plus, I like the smell, texture and physicality of an actual book.

Website – www.julialawrinson.com.au








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Review: The Song of Lewis Carmichael

The Song of Lewis Carmichael, Sophie Laguna’s first children’s book in a decade, captures the reader’s attention immediately, and with its magical atmosphere, flings them into the story, making them a part of it from beginning to end.

Matthew had dreamed and read and thought about the Arctic and North Pole for as long as he could remember.

His world is comprised of unlimited books about the permanently frozen Arctic tundra, its animals, landscape and weather, the Northern Lights and everything connected to that place of escape.

Friendless, solitary, and without confidence, finding words for things was difficult for Matthew. He longed for a sibling. Not for himself, but for his parents. Someone who was more what they wanted.

One night, a black crow with a broken wing taps at his bedroom window. He introduces himself as Lewis Carmichael, a bird that Matthew had once shared his cake with in the park.

Beyond the window on the roof, a coloured air balloon waits, impatiently slipping towards the edge. Matthew believes he is dreaming, but Lewis puts that thought to rest.

From the moment he steps into the balloon with Lewis, Matthew’s transformation begins.

Eager to experience the place of his longing, the boy and bird embark on the greatest adventure. After six thousand nine hundred and twenty-two miles, they land on the shore of the Arctic Ocean.

Lewis is brave enough to trust the boy unconditionally. This allows Matthew the opportunity to shift into being who he longs to be. Now empowered, he proves resourceful, able to make decisions for them both by utilising all the knowledge he has stored in his brain from his books.

The repetitious reinforcement of love and encouragement by Lewis’ through his song to Matthew, cements their friendship and completes the boy’s metamorphosis.

Blue has been used for the text and the exquisite fine line illustrations that are delicate and fragile like transparent glass. Both verbal and visual narrative represents the purity of the Arctic, the pivotal point in the story.

Marc McBride’s illustrations shine within Laguna’s emotive and elegant poetic prose, which like music, skips, rises and falls. Two immensely gifted creators, collaborating to produce a novel of the utmost beauty.

Title: The Song of Lewis Carmichael
Author: Sofie Laguna
Illustrator: Marc McBride
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760878573
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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12 Curly Questions with author Alison McLennan

1.Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I once entered a beauty contest.

2. What is your nickname?
Ally

3. What is your greatest fear?
Spiders. Eek!

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Lyrical, funny, heart-centred, whimsical, evocative, musical, meaningful, warm and fuzzy.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Persistent, patient, hopeful, supportive, enthusiastic.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, so I could be best friends with the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would travel back to the early '80s and buy lots of shares in a dodgy new computer company called Apple. Then, with my new fortune, I would buy books. Lots and lots of books.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
“You can make up stories? But we’re terrible at creative writing. What happened to us?!”

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My children. They fill my work with funny stories, and they also hold the last word on what they consider to be funny.

10. What/who made you start writing?
When my children were little, we were reading endless picture books and I fell in love with the artform. I decided to try writing them and, 15 years later, I finally figured out what I was doing.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Serendipity – because who doesn’t love unexpected magic.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Passage, by Justin Cronin. I have a thing for vampires and dystopian futures.

Alison McLennan is an Australian children’s author. She has published two picture books, Hotel For Bees and Growing Pains, Her third book, Great and Small, will be published in 2022. Alison is a proud member of SCBWI and Writelinks, a mother of two beautiful teenagers and one fur baby. She is also a professional voiceover artist and singer. For more information, see www.alisonmclennan.org.

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Review: Home

In a snowy mountain village, my family had lived peacefully for hundreds of years…

Until the day soldiers came to our door.

A young girl, her family and her entire village are forced from their houses after the war. 

There is no safety, no freedom and nowhere to call home. The young girl hides her locket from the soldiers, and as her family and the other villagers try to survive, the locket whispers to the girl...

Be strong. 

Sing our songs. 

Home is within.

With love in their hearts, the villagers stick together, and finally the girl and her family are taken by boat to a new land — Australia.

It is different to where they came from, and things can never go back to the way they were, but the girl finds a new home and a place that is safe and free for her to grow.

Home is a beautiful and important picture book about forgotten histories and the strength of family. Based on the true story of the removal of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia (and other places) following World War II, it tells the untold story of people who were forced to leave their homes because of unwarranted fear and prejudice.

Everyone from our village was marched down the main street as our empty houses stood guard making dark shadows.

So many emotions fill these pages. Heartache, pain and fear, but also love, hope and togetherness. As the refugees band together, they share their songs and dances to keep their traditions alive. They have little, but they share what they have. They never give up — never stop trying to find a new home.

Author Karen Hendricks delivers a story of strength and hope in this powerful picture book. It shows kids that resilience is in all of us, and that it’s the people around us that make up a home.

Through the use beautifully evocative language, Hendricks pulls readers deep into the story, sparking questions and discussion. But this is all balanced so well, with the story delivered with kids in mind, so that they can understand the themes and messages without needing explanation from adults.

I love this kind of gentle storytelling with powerful issues. Kids are smart, and they can pull meaning from story without our help. 

Home provides lots to interpret and think critically about, making it a book that can mean different things to different audiences. For me, the book has themes of resilience, hope, family, refugees, war and the meaning of home. But this is what I pull from the pages. When you read the book, you may find something different. I adore this.

Teamed with stunning illustrations from Alisa Knato, an illustrator from Russia, every turn of the page is layered with additional visual meaning. Through use of shadows and darkness, deep colours and gorgeous details, you are invited to step into the world of the girl and her village and experience every sadness and celebration with them.

At the back of the book, you’ll also find helpful facts about what happened after World War II to many ethnic Germans living in different countries. The information is easy to understand and very kid friendly, and it will help deepen understanding and allow kids to learn more.

On the very last page, Hendricks dedicates the story to her mother and grandmother, who were expelled from the village of Wunshendorf after the war before making their way to Australia. 

This story is for them.

Title: Home
Author: Karen Hendricks
Illustrator: Alisa Knatko
Publisher:  Daisy Lane Publishing, $28.95
Publication Date: 20 June 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648771890
For ages: 4 - 10
Type: Picture Book

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Winner: My Dad Thinks He's Super Funny

Review: All My Love On Father's Day

All My Love On Father's Day is kind of an enormous Father's Day card.

It's filled with thoughtful quotes, written as though from a child to a parent.

Each quote is accompanied by an illustration featuring Disney and Pixar characters.

The characters are aligned to the sentiment of the text, and will be recognised by readers of various ages.

Look out for classics like Pinocchio and Geppetto, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, Nemo and Marlin, and Simba and Mufasa from The Lion King. 

There are also more contemporary characters including: The Incredibles, and Karl and Russell from the movie, Up.

Each double page spread has a different brightly coloured background and the featured characters. The text highlights key words such as love, guiding, believing, kindness, laugh, and home, amongst others.

All My Love On Father's Day would make a great gift, and also inspiration for children making their own cards.

Find a copy in time for a special day like Father's Day, or any other day of the year.

Title: All My Love On Father's Day
Author/Illustrator: Disney
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 16.99
Publication Date: August 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761128998
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Books

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Guest Post: Dennis Wesley on Children’s Literature: The Challenges of Encouraging Children to Read

Editor's own image

Reading is no longer the only form in which children explore stories. The video and multimedia formats have been growing increasingly popular in this context. 

Nonetheless, reading remains one of the best ways to help children develop their cognitive, intellectual, and emotional skills. 

As is almost universally recognized, this is because reading for children is more than just a way to explore stories. 

Besides, children’s literature is also extremely diverse: it ranges from simple books with extensive illustrations, images, or pictorial narratives to fairly complex works that might require additional effort on children’s part. Yet both types of works sometimes tend to have great literary merit. As a result, the diversity of children’s literature is also perhaps its greatest strength; more on this shortly.

Children’s literature also debunks the notion that books that rely on images and pictorial narratives are not complex. On the contrary, illustrated works are sometimes substantially complex, and more often than not, the illustrations also help children appreciate the complexities of the work. Therefore, in addition to developing their literacy skills, reading also enables children to explore the vagaries and complexities of the human condition.

Videocy Versus Literacy

The rapid emergence of the video format as a learning tool in early education and as an entertainment option often worries parents and teachers. Some of these concerns are indeed deeply troubling: for instance, some critics use the term 'videocy' to refer to the ubiquity of video technology in our lives. Videocy is also associated with the growing tendency to reduce nuanced information and data to snippets and bite-sized summaries that typically ignore or miss key aspects of complex matters. The larger argument here is that videocy has endangered our ability to think critically and deal with ambiguities and nuances. This is particularly worrying because critical thinking requires practice, and videocy has made it difficult for both adults and children to practice critical thinking.

Editor's own image

Though reading is becoming more and more endangered today, encouraging children to read is immensely doable. At the same time, it must be said that the video format does not necessarily compromise our critical thinking ability. With moderation and control, adults and children can enjoy the richness of the format, which also has its fair share of benefits. The key then is to help and encourage children to find time for reading in a culture that now seems to mainly incentivize watching videos. Since the video format is here to stay, it is also futile to frame the issue in terms of 'reading versus videos': it is important that children become discerning consumers of videos, and indeed of all media (including the written word), but this shouldn’t come at the cost of forcing children to read.

The Pitfalls of Forcing Children to Read

This influential work on the effects of reading highlights that forcing children to read constitutes a highly unrewarding and stressful experience for them, which can also be detrimental in the long run. The work claims that this typically leads to 'less involvement in reading-related activities.' In effect, forcing children to read tends to create an aversion for the activity. Forcing can also take the form of pressurizing children to read difficult materials. If, for instance, a child seems to be below the prescribed standard of reading competency for a given age group or grade level, forcing or expecting them to read at that standard would be counterproductive. Worse, it is likely to be a deeply unpleasant experience for children. This is an instance where parents and teachers should capitalize on the diversity of children’s literature as well as the diversity of reading experiences. In fact, as we will see in what follows, the diversity of children’s literature and the inherent diversity of reading experiences are especially helpful in encouraging children to not just read but to do so in a fairly stress-free manner.

First, what does it mean to say that reading is a diverse experience? Simply put, it means that different children relate to different things in a book. Besides, some children benefit from reading a book all by themselves, whereas other children might prefer to discuss their reading experiences--be it with other children, or parents and teachers.

Even if they are reading for entertainment, some children might be unable to appreciate a book without guidance or some additional support. This is not to be frowned upon. Indeed, this is not just an opportunity for parents to bond with their children but also a way to show that they take their children’s concerns seriously. That they are willing to converse and discuss with their children. More importantly, doing so also enables parents and children to deal with any stigma that might be attached to the idea of seeking assistance. Additionally, when children say that they don’t understand something, this is usually an example of higher-order thinking. The ability to realize that one hasn’t grasped a concept well enough is a mark of critical thinking and intellectual honesty; this is not to be shunned. In other words, reading competency is not always a measure of children’s intelligence; it is perfectly normal for children to be intelligent and find reading challenging at the same time.

Dealing With Negative Tags Surrounding Children’s Literature

Although schools are now trying to rescue terms such as 'reading competency' and 'letter knowledge' from the oppressive spirit of cutthroat competition, these terms still do have the tendency to make children and parents feel inadequate and inferior. However, the internet has made it easier for parents and teachers to find a wide range of reading materials to suit children’s reading competencies. Consider, for instance, some canonical works of children’s literature, such as Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, and The Little Prince. Though they all address complex matters, their stylistic approaches could not be more different. The prose in The Little Prince is sparse but deeply engaging and thought-provoking, and it also features some wonderful watercolor illustrations by the author. On the other hand, Animal Farm and Lord of the Flies are widely recognized as prime examples of dystopian literature.

It is no surprise that more children tend to find these two works more challenging than The Little Prince. This is of course not to say that the latter isn’t as valuable a literary work as the other two. In fact, the condescension toward The Little Prince for its simple style lays bare another troubling tendency: 'children's literature' is sometimes used as a pejorative, driven by the assumption that it is not critical and presents an inaccurate, fairy-tale-like view of the world. In other words, it is seen as a source of empty enjoyment, not as a particularly good way for children to develop language skills, critical thinking skills, or emotional intelligence. Negative tags surrounding children's literature, such as 'juvenile' or 'uncritical,' might prevent parents, teachers, and caregivers from introducing or encouraging children to read. Worse still, in some cases, these negative tags might even urge anxious adults to force children to read material beyond their reading competency.

A good way to fight this tendency is to remind ourselves that children’s literature is also deeply useful for adult ESL learners; since the writing is usually simple and easy to follow, ESL learners are better able to develop an understanding and appreciation of the nuances of the language. That children’s literature is mostly written to enable ease of understanding doesn’t necessarily mean that it is 'simplistic' or 'reductive.' Claiming that something is patronizing merely because it employs a simple style is inaccurate and unfair. Conversely, something that is written in a simple style does not automatically make it children’s literature. In other words, not every simple work is suitable for children, and children do not necessarily have to read works classified as easy or simple. Besides, what is simple for one child might be complex for another.

To help children navigate difficult texts, parents and teachers can now choose from a wide range of introductory and supplementary study materials online without worrying about diluting or oversimplifying these works. Most of these are free and accessible via a simple online search. Encouraging children to read in this era of videocy is essential to enhance and diversify their learning experience. And helping children read better might be the best way to do so, especially since this approach focuses on making reading an enjoyable experience.

Dennis Wesley is an independent researcher. His interests include STEM and Humanities education, especially interdisciplinary practices and methods. You can follow his personal blog here.

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Review: Koalas Like To...

Koalas like to sleep in trees.

Koalas like to eat gum leaves.

Koalas like to sing and dance.

Koalas wear striped underpants.

Wait, what? Koalas don’t sing and dance, and they don’t wear striped underpants. 

Do they?

In this fun, rhyming picture book, Dad tells the kids all about koalas. But...

...some of his facts seem odd. The kids challenge dad about his not-quite-right koala facts, and he promises to get it right. But somehow, each time he tries to tell them about koalas, the facts get more and more outrageous.

Driving cars, visiting planets, riding around in kangaroo pouches — the hilariousness grows and grows. Can Dad get the facts right about this beautiful Australian animal? At least the kids know the truth!

This is a brilliant picture book that combines non-fiction and fiction to great effect. Perfect for reading to a crowd, its repeating rhythm and structure allows kids to participate in the storytelling. Kids will laugh throughout the story, but they’ll also learn about koalas too. At the back of the book there are even more awesome koala facts for kids— some really cool ones I had never heard of.

The illustrations are paired perfectly with this story. They are fun and funky, with lots of white space to let the text shine. There are loads of koalas throughout the book, and they are brought to life through cheeky personalities and lots of detailed expressions. On each page you can explore the mischief the koalas get up to and choose a favourite.

For fun, funnies and lots of cool koala facts, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Koalas Like To… Together, Shae Millward and Brent Wilson have created a rollicking good read that will have the kids in stitches while it teaches.

Kolas Like To… is published by the State Library of Queensland as part of their First 5 Forever early literacy program. There are 12 books in the series, all of them promoting strong early literacy foundations for kids aged 0 to 5, while linking story to the things that make Queensland special.

You can check out all the great picture books in the First 5 Forever series at the State Library of Queensland website. They even provide PDF downloads and audio files so every child can access copies of these great books.

Title: Koalas Like To...
Author: Shae Millward
Illustrator: Brent Wilson
Publisher: State Library of Queensland, $24.95
Publication Date: December 2020
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781922467126
For ages:  4 - 6
Type: Picture Books

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Review: Everything I Thought I Knew

How many times do plans that are made fall apart, and things put off for tomorrow never eventuate?

Chloe had mapped out her life in grids. Each represented a step toward her ultimate goal. In the last months of her senior year, her heart broke, but not due to love.

That someone had to die for her to live was difficult to come to terms with for her. After the transplant, nothing was ever the same.

Her memories now seem foreign to her. Flashes of visions that she knows are not connected to her life come and go.

Then there is the food she eats and the clothes she now chooses to wear. It’s like a rebellion is taking place in this new life she now has but is uncomfortable with. She has learnt about cellular memory, but surely?

She meets Kai. A gorgeous surfer who gives surfing lessons during the summer break. Falling in love was never in her plans. Something about the sea draws her to it. She buys a surfboard and finds she’s a natural.

Becoming even more daring, she drives a motor bike for the first time as if she was riding for years.

Chloe becomes obsessed with finding out who her donor was. Perhaps this knowledge would answer her countless confusing questions.

Who was the man sitting crying in a chair beside her hospital bed? Why does she continue to see images of a motorbike crashing in a tunnel? Whose memories are these if not hers, and what are they trying to tell her?

Chloe begins to feel that perhaps she is losing her grip on reality.

Learning about her donor doesn’t bring the comfort and closure that she imagined it would. It shatters everything that she believed in and hoped for, and forces her to question every aspect of life and death and love.

Everything I Thought I Knew is a fascinating debut novel that compels the reader to keep turning the pages to discover how the story will end. A one-sitting read, it is imaginative, with a startling end that will draw a gasp.

Title: Everything I Thought I Knew
Author: Shannon Takaoka
Publisher: ,Walker Books $ 18.99
Publication Date: 4 August 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781406395365
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

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