Winner: Old Fellow

Our lucky winner is...

Leo, Neeson, NT

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of the heartwarming picture book, Old Fellow by Christopher Cheng and Liz Anelli.

Thank you to ALL who entered. We had some truly uplifting entries from ALL around Australia! 

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Junior Review: Bravo Anjali

Anjali is an avid tabla player and is used to others assuming that she’s doesn’t play the 'manly instrument'. 

As her skills grow, and she quickly rises to the top of the class, Anjali is surprised to be hearing harsh words from her friend Deepak. 

Anjali feels pressured to do her absolute best and show Deepak that she can play the tabla as good or better than him. 

When the teacher mentions an upcoming concert, Anjali feels the weight on her shoulders to do extremely well. 

At school, Deepak continues to bully Anjali. When an older student tells Anjali, in her lowest moment she should never dim her light that’s when Anjali truly understands and shines bright,

Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth talks about the tabla, which is an instrument resembling to the drum that originates in India. It also values female empowerment as it shows Anjali being able to stand her ground and prove that girls can do anything boys can do! This book teaches girls at a young age to always reach for the stars and never let anyone stop you. 

I would recommend this book because it has everything you want in a children’s book. Diversity, Representation, Female Empowerment, and a great message of breaking gender stereotypes for boys and girls.  I hope you enjoy reading Bravo Anjali!

Title: Bravo Anjali
Author: Sheetal Sheth
Illustrator: Lucia Soto
Publisher: Mango and Marigold, US$19.95
Publication Date: 15 September 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781737055013
Age Group: 3 – 10 years
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Where?

Where? is an impassioned plea from Jordan Collins to be seen as a human being like everyone else, not as someone different.

Where? is the question Jordan is so often asked, the question that creates a feeling of being 'other' rather than the same.

Where? is a poem Jordan wrote as a teenager and performed at a poetry event, where it garnered heartfelt responses from the audience. It also led to this picture book, a published version of that very poem.

Illustrator Phil Lesnie has taken Jordan's words and brought them to life in a way that helps translate and expand on them.

Where? is an opportunity for families and classes to explore the idea of identity and belonging, and reminds us that we all want to be seen as the same.

Title: Where?
Author: Jordan Collins
Illustrator: Phil Lesnie
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 5 July 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760526382
For ages: 8+
Type: Picture Books

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Review: Treehouse Tales: Too Silly To Be Told Until Now

Guest Post: Q & A with Kelly Jarris

Today we welcome Kelly Jarris to KBR and discover her world of children's books.

Tell us how you ventured into the world of children’s books.
After my fourth son started his first day of school, I was excited to get back into writing again. I attended a course in Melbourne several years before. 

Here, I was shown how to write, format and create a children's book. I then turned my book into an App, which was a success. 

Having two young children at the time, I focused on them and as technology changed my book was left behind.

Wonderful Wishes was revised in 2022 and turned into a physical book that I’m proud of. I worked with my mother-in-law as illustrator and hired another editor that specialised in rhyme for its fourth and final edit. I re-designed the front cover and changed its name. Now, how was I going to get this out there?

 
I searched high and low for some much-needed guidance and found a publisher that offered services I needed and got the ball rolling to help me move forward.

Describe your favourite writing style.
I adore rhyme. It’s fun, but it took me by surprise when learning how to write rhyme well. It’s harder than it looks. Getting a rhyme to work without sacrificing the story is a challenge.

Who has influenced you the most in your writing career?
To be honest I read a book when I was younger called, I Think I Just Saw Santa by Howard Rees. The clever way it was presented inspired me to write. It’s such a great book, simple yet smart in the way the pictures and the rhyme flow. I also love Mem Fox - Where is the Green Sheep, is fun. I used to read it to my boys a lot. Another book I never get bored with is Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Μahy.

What books did you enjoy reading as a child?
I was a ‘Choose your Adventure’ kind of reader. I loved deciding my endings with those books. I loved flap books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I was the kind of kid that needed to have interactive ways to keep me reading. I also enjoy incorporating additional elements and characters in my books to entertain readers.

If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell her?
Someday, someone will finally see you for who you are and love you for just being yourself.

Always do what makes you happy.

It’s ok to be me (I have a book on this topic coming out 2023).

There will be heartache at the start of your family planning journey, but know that one day you are going to be totally blessed by a house full of sons.

You have recently released two picture books, both with strong themes of imagination but each with a different feel. Please tell us a bit about Wonderful Wishes and Imagine Our Special Place.
Wonderful Wishes was inspired by my sons' obsessions throughout their childhood. From trains to dinosaurs, I wanted to add characters and elements in my work that children tend to gravitate towards. It is an imaginative rhyming story full of wonderful wishes and stunning hand painted illustrations by Rosy Sale, that will get young minds thinking about what they could dream of before bedtime.

Imagine Our Special Place needed to be told as a story, not in rhyme form. It’s a delicate journey two siblings take while visiting the hospital. It is a book I wrote as a part of my healing process after losing my dad and sister to cancer.

 

Why were these stories important for you to tell?
Both stories have a unique place on the shelves. They are different but the same in a sense. I use imagination in my stories and hope it sparks that in young minds. It’s such a powerful tool to have even as adults. When things are difficult, we tend to imagine going on an amazing holiday or doing something that helps us cope. I wanted to share that level of comfort for my audience.

With your latest release, Imagine Our Special Place, what do love most about the illustrations by Sandunika Dissanayake?
I love that they are telling the story by just looking at them. I asked that we put the bunny (representing ‘hope’) on each page and she did that so well.

What are your favourite spreads?
My favourite illustration from Sandunika is the two siblings sitting on the clouds above the hospital. I loved how she used soft, yet bright colours throughout the book. The star ball challenge is another. That page took me to my own happy place when writing it.

What would you like your audience to know about you, as an author?
I’m a mum of four sons who has had a passion for writing for as long as I could remember. I just never did anything with it until now. It’s never too late to start to work on yourself.

List four fun facts about yourself:

1. I would be more than happy to sit in a room full of puppies.
2. I have rescued wildlife; from penguins and kangaroos, to magpies and wombats way back before my motherhood days.
3. My favourite all-time experience was watching whales from a boat. Something I’ll never forget. Also, swimming with seals and dolphins.
4. I’ve been honoured to be a part of six amazing weddings with family and friends, sharing their special day as part of their bridal parties.

As a mother of four boys, Kelly Jarris has been lucky enough to see the diversity in each child, which is how the characters came about for her first book, Wonderful Wishes. Kelly also writes and appreciates stories from life experiences, with her recently released picture book, Imagine Our Special Place. Her sister's journey with terminal cancer inspired Kelly to write a book that touches on sibling bonds, imagination and feelings of the unknown. Kelly has a background in veterinary nursing and was once an Australian wildlife rescuer.

Learn more about Kelly via her website or link up with her on Instagram or Facebook.

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10 Quirky Questions with author Jackie French

1. What's your hidden talent?
I can milk an echidna. (Do not try this).

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Confession time: I don't believe in villains, and can't quite believe in any of them. The people who cause the greatest misery may be misguided, ignorant, confused, have their good sides, or be psychopaths or sociopaths. The only psychopath I have known well never truly loved anyone, even herself. She was a victim as much as any of the many others she hurt. I mostly read books without villains, except maybe Violet Sepotho in The Ladies Detective Agency Series: beautiful, manipulative and sashaying from fraud to fraud, but as she never succeeds, I'm not sure she's a real villain. Real villains succeed, at least 'til the end of the book.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Dead authors wouldn't eat much and I like feeding people, plus there's never enough time to talk to other authors as I live so far from a city. How about Tania McCartney to add serene elegance; Susanne Gervay for her laughter and the best gossip ever; Bruce Whatley because whenever we meet conversation becomes more and more outrageous, plus he really loves eating cake and I love making it; Danny Snell because I love his work and haven't met him, and I suspect he is one of the wombat people in disguise; and Sue Degennaro because it is AGES since we have talked. 

Just as importantly, what can I cook? Chocolate almond macaroons with a white peach and champagne jelly; eggplant parmigiana (Sue is vegetarian plus I love eggplant parmigiana and it takes too long to make for one) and free range chicken with ricotta under the skin to keep it moist, with  a grape, lemon and tarragon sauce; purple potato salad; purple asparagus from the garden; and, to nibble before, perhaps tiny zucchini fritters with a beetroot or avocado vinaigrette topping. Plus homemade white chocolate fudge with coffee. Cherries, if in season, or caramelised seville oranges in winter. Ooops, nearly forgot: an apple crumble made from Bramley Seedling apples for Bruce, with vanilla bean ice-cream. Anyone want to come to lunch the next day to share the leftovers?

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
The tardis. I KNOW it isn't literary and it doesn't count but I WANT A TARDIS.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Apples, watermelon, sticky keyboard, crumbs.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Books can change the world.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Neverbreaktrees; granite boulders tableclothed with rock orchids; a creek swaying through pink, red, grey and white bedrock; a vast overhanging Port Jackson fig tree; and me.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
Gallipoli Diaries, edited by Jonathon King
Great the groaning and the moaning, that it is my fate, to write a sentence with that word, instead of 'abdicate'.

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Shakespeare: Did you fake your death?

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Dear Reeder,
Jackie wass last sene running shreeking up thee creek and hass notte been sene sinse. Hoppfully she will bee backk in time too feed us our carroots. If notte, thee dooormatt haz had itte. Culd sommthing in thee last sentance you rote hav upset her?
Yurs sinzerely,
Wilde Wizkers, 3rd Womboot Holle from the Rite
P.S. If it iz yur folt pls bringe caroots. Itt is yusually hoomans folt so bringe caroots enywayye. 

 

 

Jackie French AM is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator, the 2014–2015 Australian Children's Laureate and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. In 2016, Jackie became a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to children's literature and her advocacy for youth literacy. The Girls Who Changed the World: Ming and Flo Fight for the Future is out now. For more information, see www.jackiefrench.com.

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Review: Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise

From the prehistoric world to the modern world, Rex is a dinosaur who traverses time when he gets frozen during the ice age.

When the iceberg he's inside finally melts, Rex finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The 21st century is not made for dinosaurs!

Rex is given a helping hand to disguise himself so he doesn't scare the humans. He also learns about speaking and food (what is and isn't food in this new world), and gets a job.

Rex becomes an undercover creature living in the city and trying to avoid the dangerous humans. With the helping hands of other creatures in disguise he tries several different jobs, but employment for a dinosaur in disguise proves more difficult than he expects. He's also rather homesick.

Then when nine year old Sandra notices something unusual she begins to investigate. Will Sandra and her friend Anish solve the mystery? Will Rex lose his anonymity and that of the other creatures?

Elys Dolan's Rex is entertaining and humorous, but also has valuable underlying messages about anti-discrimination and inclusion.

Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise is a heavily illustrated novel that's great for newly independent or reluctant readers, or those who would like to escape for a while.

Title: Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise 
Author/Illustrator: Elys Dolan
Publisher: Walker, $19.95
Publication Date: June 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781406397703
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction

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Giveaway: Old Fellow

Renowned Australian creators, Christopher Cheng and Liz Anelli, have combined forces to produce a touching and tender picture book about the joy that can be found in companionship and community.

An old man and an old dog look after each other on their daily trip to the local park. Along the way they meet friends new and old who brighten their day in different ways. 

For your chance to win a copy of this beautiful, heartwarming picture book courtesy of Walker Books Australia, tell us in 25 words or less what’s your favourite thing to do with your friends? And Why?

Email your answer along with your name and postal address to dimity. The response we like best will win a copy of the book. Competition is open to anyone, worldwide, so long as they have an Australian postal address for delivery of the books. 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 11 July 2022.

Competition runs from 5.00 am 2 July 2022 to 5 pm 9 July 2022. 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: Tangki Tjuta Donkeys

Tangki Tjuta Donkeys is a wonderful bilingual story.

It's told first in Pitjantjatjara, then English, with each page featuring both languages.

The words are illustrated using special sculptures created by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers. They're made from grasses and are full of expression and personality.

All aspects of the artwork are sculpted fibre art, including the animals, people and landscape. Be sure to read the note at the back of the book about the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, how they got started and how they celebrate and share culture through fibre art.

The story itself is a simple one, showing how the donkeys arrived in the community of Pukatja (Ernabella) in South Australia, where they once didn't know they (donkeys) existed, and the value of the help the donkeys then brought to the community.

The donkeys are still there now, loved and with the freedom to roam.

Both the story and artwork have also been turned into a stop motion animation for the 2022 Sydney Film Festival.

Fantastically fun and friendly, Tangki Tjuta Donkeys is a great story for a range of ages and inspiration for different ways of storytelling.

Scan the QR code in the inside cover for a reading in both Pitjantjatjara and English made available by the publisher, and check out Tjanpi.com.au to find out more about the Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Title: Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Author/Illustrator: Tjanpi Desert Weavers.
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: July 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761180149
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Boogie Woogie Bird

Review: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say

Emotions can sometimes be overwhelming, or you might not know how to deal with what you're feeling.

What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say is all about this.

It's a collection of situations and experiences which are depicted visually along with a response that might be appropriate. The approach demonstrates kindness at all times.

Each situation depicted stands alone and while acknowledging any difficulty and emotions, they all encourage understanding and empathy, and emphasise a positive response. 

Most are shown using everyday scenarios that young children have or will experienced, and many can be transferred to other similar situations and experiences.

The emotions covered include grief, loss, sadness and loneliness; friendship and relationships, fairness, justice and forgiveness; embarrassment; fear and courage; sharing and change; image and identity.

Davina Bell and Hilary Jean Tapper have created a beautiful book that should belong on all bookshelves. Find a copy to share with your children.

Title: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say
Author: Davina Bell
Illustrator: Hilary Jean Tapper
Publisher: Hachette, $24.99
Publication Date: 29 June 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734421142
For ages: +3
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Listies Big Number 2

The Listies (AKA Matt and Rich) are back with Big Number 2, and this time things are going to get messy (pun intended times 2)!

Nan’s evil nemesis (the Nanasis) is up to her old tricks again, and she may have even taken it a bit too far. 

She’s captured Nan’s beloved pet ferret Vanessa AND she’s taken the town’s water supply.

While Nan tries to track down Vanessa, Matt and Rich must head back into the tele-porta-loo to retrieve a special blue pencil for the Nanasis, or she’ll never give the water back.

They head to the “maul”, a very special kind of shopping centre with some very special rules. Seems like a dream until they ignore Nan’s warning about late night shopping and get themselves in a very serious bind.

Can Matt and Rich escape late night shopping and return home with the blue pencil they need? Can Nan rescue her darling Vanessa?

I literally laughed out loud while reading the first book in this series (Tele-porta-loo), but I laughed out loud times 2 for this instalment. The Listies are stupendously hilarious, and this series is going to have kids in stitches.

Delivered in a graphic-y novel/sometimes comic book type style, the book is heavy on the illustrations, which are funky, expressive and super fun. The text is large and there’s not too much, so this really is a perfect book for junior readers looking for something easy to jump into.

I think you definitely can read book two without reading book one, but I recommend you start with book one simply because I don’t want you to miss any of the laughs.

The Listies are taking Australia by storm with their hilarious novels and stage shows. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

Title: The Listies Big Number 2
Author/Illustrator: The Listies (Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly)
Publisher: Puffin, $14.99
Publication Date: 5 January 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761042126
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction

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Winner: Double Prize Pack - The Wearing of Green and Interned

Our lucky winner is...

Joseph Spagnolo, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of this stunning double prize pack featuring Claire Saxby's, The Wearing of the Green and Pamela Rushby's, Interned. 

Thank you to ALL who entered.

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Review: Bluey a Jigsaw Puzzle Book

The Heeler family star in Bluey a Jigsaw Puzzle Book.

There are four puzzle pages, each 9 piece puzzle accompanied by a single narrative page that introduces the jigsaw image.

The bonus is that the puzzle is double sided, so there are actually 8 puzzles altogether and a related image underneath.

There's Bandit and Chilli getting engaged then married, Bluey and Bingo playing a trick on mum and dad, Bingo dreaming of space, and a fairy garden dance.

Fun for young Bluey fans. Try it at home or bring it along as entertainment when travelling.

Title: Bluey a Jigsaw Puzzle Book   
Publisher: Puffin, $16.99
Publication Date: 15 June 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780143777878
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book, Activity Book

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Meet The Illustrator: Shelly Laslo

Name: Shelly Laslo

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Quirky and heart-warming, and hopefully sweet but not saccharine.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My iPad, a tiny pad of Post-Its to manage all the ideas that pop into my head, and a sketchbook.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I’m obsessed with layering coloured pencils over gouache, on hot press watercolour paper. There’s nothing quite like it.
My other love is working in Procreate app on my iPad.
And I love combining the two methods- starting an illustration in gouache and adding details digitally.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
I’m inspired by Miroslav Sasek’s whimsical characters and his stylization of them.
I’ve always loved Maira Kalman and her unique visual language. There’s a certain carefree abandon in her textures and lines, that I always hope to instil in my own work.
And lastly, I’m so inspired by contemporary mega-talent Beatrice Alemagna. Her work always takes my breath away. It somehow combines a childlike wonder with an incredible sophistication, and her colour palettes are just….wow. Her work simply transcends all rules and trends.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I’ll say the Post-Impressionist era, because it feels to me like an exciting time to break rules and experiment with bold colours and fresh stylization.

 
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My kids. Since they were tiny, I’ve loved flipping through beautiful picture books with them, and soon realized I could be the person making them.
It took me years of trying a bunch of “wrong” career paths to find my way to picture-book illustration. I use quotations because I do believe that it’s often the wrong routes that lead us to the right ones.
These paths all involved illustration in one way or another (including a 5-year bachelor’s degree in fashion design, graphic design, and working as a baby apparel designer).
One trip to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair was all it took to make me dive head-first into children’s book illustration. It’s a world that inspires me, challenges me, and sometimes frustrates me, but in a good way. In the way that I’m always scratching me head and wondering “how can I become better, more innovative, and express my truest self?”

 
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
For the last few years, I’ve realized it’s important for me two have two distinct work areas. One for the analogue, one for the digital.
First, for practical reasons, as I don’t want to risk paint-water spilling over my keyboard.
But second, I’m more free to create, sketch, and paint when I’m not distracted by emails popping onto my screen and a zillion other internet distractions.
We moved to a new house two years ago, and my new analogue workspace has the most amazing skylight above it, allowing my pages to be washed in natural daylight, but zero direct sunlight.
The downside? It’s smack in the middle of a shared family space, and I’m always finding my table covered in the odd pile of unfolded laundry, or Knick knacks my kids leave there when passing by. I might fence it off, we’ll see. :)

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Either the character design at the beginning, or the colouring phase.
It’s the stage I can do with a podcast or playlist playing and it’s quite relaxing.


What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Accept that you never really land upon a “style”, you are constantly changing and evolving it. Like, forever.
Protect yourself as much as possible from self-comparison. Minimize your time scrolling Pinterest and Instagram, and dedicate your time to your own process. I, too, am working on shutting out the noise.
Get yourself some illustrator friends, even if only virtual ones. Make online connections, and reach out to artists who inspire you. Bonus points if you do things IRL, like visiting book fairs or attending sketch meets.
And lastly, fill your creative well. Visit museums, go out into nature, and travel if you’re lucky enough to be able. I don’t do this last one enough, because #momlife. But I’m working on it, I promise.

 

Shelly is a self-taught children’s book illustrator working from her home-office in sunny Israel. She has illustrated for select publications including Usborne Publishing, Puffin Books, and Bravery Magazine. Her work features sweet and quirky characters that aim to put a smile on your face.

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

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Review: Blogfish

10 Quirky Questions with author Mary Anastasiou

 

1. What's your hidden talent?
Most people wouldn’t know that I sing, or at least I used to. I recorded back-up vocals for a kids' album when I was eight and my first demo tape when I was 12.

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
The Big Bad Wolf of course. Who else gets to eat both Grandma and the Three Little Pigs in two children’s classics?

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (Alive or dead)
Edgar Allan Poe, Hafez (Persian Poet), Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl, JK Rowling

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak! Oh, the mischief and mayhem I would get up to.

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Concept. Brain-dump. Procrastinate. Edit. Re-write.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Inspirational. Engaging. Funny/Fun. Mindful. Empowering.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
The ocean or a pool, my laptop, my headphones (because music), a journal, essential oils, and my favourite crystals.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
Book: One of us is Lying by Karen McManus
Word: drinks
Sentence: Drinks were served in elegant cocktail glasses; the kind my parents used only on special occasions.

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Author: (Theodore) Dr Seuss
Question: What’s more important? Rhyme or meter and why?

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
That’s tricky. Probably never read another book. Writing for me is an opportunity for self-expression. A moment of silence to clear my thoughts, put ideas to paper, create characters and make new friends that explore new worlds and adventures. 

Mary Anastasiou is an Advertising Creative who tells stories through her award-winning marketing campaigns. She’s also a passionate children’s author imagining stories that engage, inspire and empower. Her role as Creative Director for Larrikin House sees her responsible for the creation of all new titles. She works with authors and illustrators to create books that (she hopes) will one day become classics. For more information, see www.lilrebel.com.au.

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Video: Author Interview with Lynette Noni

Our avid well-read junior reviewer, Lily Weigl took time out from her busy school schedule to video interview the delightful, Lynette Noni, author of the enthralling Medoran Chronicles. 

Today they discuss characterisation, writing for your audience and the inspiration behind Lynette's thrilling, The Prison Healer series.

Sit back, get cosy and enjoy!

Reader Lily's KBR review of, The Blood Traitor along with Karen's review of, The Prison Healer.

You can connect with Lynette via her website or follow her on Instagram.

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Review: Bluey and Bingo's Fancy Restaurant Cookbook

Bluey fans will be excited to see the release of Bluey and Bingo's Fancy Restaurant Cookbook. 

It starts with a page of tips (safety, hygiene, allergies, etc) which is a good reminder to cooks young and old of things to be careful of. And for young cooks, the safety reminder includes making sure they have a grown up helper.

Then there are a selection of recipes with a connection to Bluey and Bingo. There are little narrative pieces spread throughout, which feature Bluey, Bingo and their family and friends.

Each recipe comes with a 'trifficulty' rating, a list of the ingredients needed, extra things that might help (generally optional and sometimes humourous), plus step by step instructions about what to do to make the recipe.

Recipes include those which are relatively simple, like an omelette and orange juice iceblocks, to intermediate recipes like prawn kebabs, and more complicated recipes like curry and spring rolls. You'll also find recipes for things like pizza, fish and chips, and Shadowlands cupcakes, amongst others.

One thing that perplexed me was the choice to include recipes with pre-made items (like a pre-made pavlova base) instead of how to make your own, when full recipes were used for other meals (like the curry). Perhaps it was to provide an overall mix of 'trifficulty' levels.

Design descisions for Bluey and Bingo's Fancy Restaurant Cookbook appear to have been carefully made to enable pages to be easily turned (spiral binding) and kept clean (the pages are laminated so they can be wiped down).

The middle of the cookbook includes a double-page spread with a template for budding cooks to create their own menu (choosing a starter, main, dessert and specials), and to write their own recipe (listing the ingredients and method). They can be used repeatedly by using a whiteboard marker which can be wiped off when finished.

Get your chef's hat and cooking utensils ready, gather the whole family with a copy of Bluey and Bingo's Fancy Restaurant Cookbook, and get cooking!

Title: Bluey and Bingo's Fancy Restaurant Cookbook
Author/Illustrator: Bluey
Publisher: Puffin, $ 19.99
Publication Date: June 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761045769
For ages: 5+
Type: Activity Book

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Giveaway: Double Prize Pack - The Wearing of Green and Interned

Junior Review: Wings of Fire: The Flames of Hope

The world is changing fast, and not for the better. Luna has always wanted to change the world, to repair it and make it better then it has ever has been - even when the task seemed impossible to do alone.

But now that Luna’s friends, family, and all of Pantala are in danger, she must fly home on a rescue mission with an team of close friends. Luna is sure she can remain calm and useful for her friends’ sakes. 

However, with the prophecy’s instructions sounding easier said than done, Luna is beginning to lose hope. As she, burns, claws and jabs her way toward a future where humans and dragons can all live peacefully with one another, Luna realises she must unite friends, family and enemies and ignite her powers further if she wishes to save the world. If not, she might have to wave goodbye to it forever.

Wings of Fire: The Flames of Hope, is a great end to the third arc of the Wings of Fire series. Despite me being older than the books’ target demographic now, I still find myself enjoying one of my favourite series. 

Although the protagonist my favourite of the characters, I still enjoyed reading from Luna’s point of view toward the events that unfolded. I highly recommend this series for anyone from 8 - 12 years of age.

Title: Wings of Fire: The Flames of Hope
Author: Tui T Sutherland
Illustrator: Joy Ang
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761203442
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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Guest Post: Irina Bock on Writing a Children's Book - As Easy as A-B-C

Review: Ghostie

Ava is bored. And when she's bored - so is her elusive friend, Ghostie. And what do ghosts do when they're bored?

They howl and screech! They float and flicker! And their absolute specialty? Slime!

Pets terrorised, bathrooms flooded, an indoor mud-pie mess - naughty Ghostie!

... or is it really Ghostie?

This eerie romp for little ones is a howl of a hoot - skittering along with humour and charm. 

A spattering of  onomatopoeia punctuates the pages, bringing ample opportunity for some screeching and howling - the perfect soundtrack to this kooky, bouncy tale. 

With just the right dose of spook for this age group, there's plenty of cuteness, too. Mel Armstrong's adorable illustrations are bright and textured, with plenty of characterised emotion, from frustration to joy to bottom-lip sadness.

Stephanie Owen Reeder's text is pure fun. Punchy and full of movement, it gallops along with the onomatopoeia - winding, figuratively and literally, its way around Ava and her cheeky friend. Her short sentences and word choices show a deep understanding of the way children think and speak, and there's plenty of narrative twists to keep kids engaged and anticipating the next round of action.

Based on the real-life shenanigans of Stephanie's granddaughter, Ava, and her imaginary friend, this delightful book is something many children will relate to ... and giggle over. Fabulous for kids who have an imaginary friend.

Title: Ghostie
Author: Stephanie Owen Reeder
Illustrator: Mel Armstrong
Publisher: Windy Hollow, $25.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780645323511
For ages: 2 - 5
Type: Picture Book

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10 Quirky Questions with author Vikki Conley

1. What's your hidden talent?
Ability to mimic the birdcall of the Grey Shrike-thrush bird.

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
The Queen of Hearts from Alice In Wonderland because who wouldn’t want to scream, “off with their heads” once in a while!

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Roald Dahl, Emily Bronte, Enid Blyton, David Walliams and Dr Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel).

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Frobscottle – the green bubbly drink from Roald Dahl’s BFG, because it looks like whizzpopping fun!

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Organic, brave, edit, edit, edit.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Lyrical, original, inspiring, wonderous, bestselling!

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Pretty teacup. Writing journal. French doors open onto wilderness. My cat all curled up. A lush overgrown plant.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
Albert’s nose was as big as a turnip. (The Yield by Tara June Winch)

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Roald Dahl, could you please read over my next manuscript?

10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Never write another story. But that’s an excruciating question to answer!

Vikki Conley is a CBCA short-listed author with eight internationally published picture books. She writes children’s stories that celebrate the spirit of wonder, adventure and freedom that she wishes every child could enjoy. Her 100-year-old mulberry tree still grows at her childhood home. For more information, see www.vikkiconley.com.

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Review: Super Duper

Review: Seal Child

Meet The Illustrator: Janneke Ipenburg

Name: Janneke Ipenburg

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Colourful, humorous, sometimes poetic, with a love for painting animals.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
When I don’t have to concentrate too much, lately I prefer listening podcasts while painting. Additional, I have my paint (acrylics, gouache, watercolours), my coloured pencils and a scanner for editing.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I am into acrylics these days, often combined with coloured pencils. But in the end, it depends on the story what medium fits best to depict the narrative.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Simone Rea: I love his animals, his textures and his somehow surrealistic worlds. I love his compositions, his characters.
Carll Cneut: he is a real (messy) painter, with a lot of paint layers and very detailed. His colour choices are peculiar, and the images are sometimes strange and gloomy, in a very good way.
Shaun Tan: his worlds are surreal and yet so recognizable and realistic in a way. I love his books, the atmosphere, I am always touched by the story and his characters.
Rebecca Dautremer: (bonus, I couldn’t skip one) Her work is extraordinary, she is so insanely detailed, and again, I love the worlds she creates. Her colours are beautiful, and her angles are magnificent.

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

Hm, difficult one… Sometimes I would like to have a more loose style, so I could use some lessons from an expressionist. But to be honest, in my opinion picture book art is the most intriguing art there is.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?

Probably the books around me. My mom always took care of a variety of children’s books and picture books. Before I became an illustrator I graduated as a theatre designer, and although I loved the field, I didn’t love the workflow much (lot of practical stuff). Working on picture books is less complicated but still about creating and depicting a narrative. It’s both storytelling and as I said before, I LOVE picture book art.

Can you share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I have a small workspace at our home (with a view at our neighbour’s cattle). It is always kind of messy and I would love to have a bit more space, but it works good enough for now.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Mostly I work with a plan, I am not good at freestyle illustrating where you just see where the paint gets you. So, I need to know what I want to depict, and then I start painting. This is my favourite part, the colouring, where the illustration really comes to life!

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I think these days it is more difficult to stand out with all the digital platforms and the amount of (amazing) illustrators around the world. It is a curse as well as an opportunity. It is easy to be an invisible fish in the ocean, but when you manage to stand out, digital platforms are a great way to find your audience. Be inspired by other artists, learn from their work, try to understand what works and why, and try to find you own style and techniques. Keep learning and keep being curious! And be a storyteller! Picture book illustrations is not about pretty pictures, but about narratives and intriguing scenes, even a single illustration.

 
Janneke lives in a former farm in a small village in the Netherlands. In 2002 she graduated Art School (HKU) as a theatre designer. Now she works as a freelance illustrator of picture books. One of her life goals is to become an author/illustrator and have some of her books translated (that must be so cool!).


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

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Review: Kind

I am a huge fan of picture books about our world and nature, and lucky for me there are loads of brilliant books available that dive into these topics. 

Kind is another one to add to my collection, but it is… more and different from the others I have so far explored.

And it’s a stunner.

Written in rhyme, Kind takes us on a tour of the animal world with a message on each page not to forget the world’s special creatures.

Be kind to those with shells
It’s where they like to hide
The hardest on the surface
Are softest deep inside.

The critters are grouped on each page (fluttery friends, wicked weavers, slithery snakes and more), and author/illustrator extraordinaire Jess McGeachin has included the most special, spectacular and interesting beasts on each of the pages.

All the animals are labelled so you can learn what they are, and the fun to be had in exploring each colourful specimen and choosing a favourite is beyond huge. My children adored exploring this book together and learning about species we had never heard of before. It’s filled with the most amazing creatures from across the globe, and it brought so much joy to our story time.

And after the tour of stunning creatures, the book moves in a different direction. It goes BIG and takes a look at our planets, with a message to be kind to our world. And then it goes small again, and reminds readers to save some kind for themselves.

McGeachin’s illustrations are something super special. They are both accurately detailed and superbly funky — a joy to explore with every page turn. And the specialness extends to the cover. It’s got a beautiful fabric-texture feel, with gorgeous glossy animals on top.

It’s a stunning book for nature lovers everywhere + a book that really everyone should read!

Title: Kind
Author/Illustrator: Jess McGeachin
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: May 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761066047
For ages: 4 - 7
Type: Picture Book

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Review: I Feel the World

Review: Alfie The Brave

Review: Interned

As the world teeters on the brink of war in 1914, two young girls of German heritage will have their entire worlds turned upside down. Based on true events this historical story centres on a forgotten moment in history.

Greta is the daughter of a successful German businessman and enjoys a privileged life in Singapore. While Tilly is the daughter of a German born baker living a modest life in Brisbane.

With the outbreak of war in Europe, friends and neighbours treat them like the enemy. Harassed in the streets, possessions defaced, and unwelcome gifts left at their doorsteps. Both girls are taken away from lives, their homes as they know it are confiscated and they are interned in a camp in rural New South Wales.

Well researched, this evocative novel highlights the cruelties of war and how integral our sense of community is in when faced with adversity.

Greta’s prized possession is her violin, this is stolen when they are transported back to Australia. Whereas Tilly watches her father being taken away to be imprisoned and her mother retreat from the world – this sense of loss shapes their lives.

Written from the point of view of the two girls, Greta and Tilly’s challenges, heartache and friendship will resonate with readers.

As the end of the war approaches, the Spanish Flu will make its appearance. Nothing and no one will be left untouched, every aspect of their lives will be impacted. Will Greta and Tilly survive, along with their families? Will they ever be together again?

Author Pamela Rushby has woven a multi-faceted story through the pages of history to capture the prejudice and adversity war has on our lives and the remarkable sense of triumph that can be achieved as a community.

Title: Interned
Author: Pamela Rushby
Publisher: walker Books, $17.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760653019
For Ages: 10-14
Type: Middle Grade Fiction


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Review: Miimi Marraal Mother Earth

Miimi Marraal Mother Earth is a truly stunning picture book about land, culture and motherhood.

Miimi Marraal,
she created us, you and me.

She birthed the nyami;
she’s the giver of life and created all that we see.

Brought to readers through beautiful flowing poetry, the story is a message from a mother to her child, imparting wisdom about life, love, family, land and responsibility.

My precious baby,
know you are protected by your ancestors,
your totems and me.
And you belong to this land —
she will take care of you, you see.

Reading this book is like being invited to share an intimate moment between mother and child. The book welcomes readers into a special conversation and leaves you feeling warm, protected and inspired to live your best life. It’s simply beautiful.

It also shares important First Nations culture and stories, gifting knowledge to all Australians so that we can all learn more about our country and First Nations people.

Each page is accompanied by beautiful artwork is stunning peach-pink hues. It is art that speaks to the soul and helps carry the words through the book, filling you with warmth as you read.

At the start of the book, author/illustrator Melissa Greenwood invites you to learn about her heritage and the meaning of Miimi Maraal, both to her and her people. Make sure you start here when you read, because the story has even deeper meaning when you understand where it comes from. And then read it again at the end and cement learning and understanding of this stunning book.

This is a special picture book, a book I hope you will seek out and experience because I believe it can be so many things to lots of different people: a beautiful gift for new mothers everywhere, a conversation starter about First nations culture, a stunning collection of art you will be tempted to remove and put on your walls, and a song that speaks to hearts and inspires greatness.

Melissa Greenwood is the founder and director of Miimi and Jiinda, and has just launched Ochre by Miimi and Jiinda, a fashion and homewares label. She was born on her Gumbaynggir jagun (homelands) in Coffs Harbour and raised between both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Nations.

Thank you for creating this powerful picture book, Melissa. I will treasure it forever.

Title: Miimi Marraal Mother Earth
Author/Illustrator: Melissa Greenwood
Publisher: HarperCollins, $
Publication Date: 4 May 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733341632
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Guest Post: Maria Monte on Remembering Our Childhood Bikes on World Bicycle Day

Review: Gallant

Review: Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters: The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm

Mary-Kate Martin can sometimes be anxious. She has a long list of things she does not like, and an equally long list of lucky items that calm her when she encounters something she does not like.

All her lucky things get quite the work out when she heads to the English countryside with her archaeologist mother, who has been asked to investigate some bones at the bottom of an old well in a town called Woolington Well (where some very strange things seem to be happening).

Lord Woolington (of the original town Woolingtons) wants to build a shopping centre in the middle of the town, but a very vocal action group doesn’t want him too. 

They don’t like giant, noisy shopping centres, and they definitely don’t want one to be built on the town well because they believe it is the home of the Woolington Wyrm — a legendary giant worm that throughout history sometimes terrorises the town.

And while not everyone believes in the wrym’s existence (Lord Woolington included), some very strange things have been happening around town since construction started on the shopping centre: broken fences, earth tremors and a large amount of brown slime left throughout the town.

Mary-Kate finds all the commotion quite intimidating, but she also cannot resist getting to the bottom of the mystery. So armed with her strawberry-scented notebook and sparkly pens, she decides to get to the bottom of it.

But can she? This mystery is rather strange, and the facts don’t always add up. Is the Woolington Wyrm real or is it just a scary story?

The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm is book one in a brilliant new series written by Karen Foxlee and illustrated by Freda Chiu. Do you know that feeling when you pick up a book, start reading and just think ‘this book has it all’? Well, this is what I felt reading this awesome new junior fiction novel.

With a mystery-filled plot that keeps you guessing until the end, action and adventure, dangerous escapes and also humour, it’s a perfect balance of everything — charming, action-packed and humorous. And with stunningly spooky-style illustrations by Freda Chiu, it just ticks all the boxes.

I just adore Chiu’s illustrations in this book. They are funky, quirky and perfectly paired for a story about a spooktacular mythical creature like the Woolington Wyrm. Peppered throughout (with a stunning town map also at the front), they set up and reinforce Mary-Kate’s world in such a spectacular way.

Junior readers are going to love this book, particularly those that love mysteries with a side of the fantastical. It’s the type of book that makes you dream that monster mysteries were a real thing. It makes you crave to become a monster investigator like Mary-Kate and solve mysteries about mythical beasts.

Readers, too, will adore Mary-Kate. She’s a quiet girl with a strong moral compass. She has a plan for everything and an inner strength she doesn’t seem to see. And she is like so many kids (particularly today), who worry about things out of their control.

Through reading the book, and getting to know Mary-Kate, readers will get some very cool insight into ways you can still be a worrier-at-heart while also learning to step into the unknown. The things we are afraid of can’t always go away, but we can find ways to cope with our fears, and sometimes it’s the little things that really help make a difference. Like writing things down, finding friends and finding comfort in our favourite things.

If you are (or you know) a junior fiction reader who loves beasty mysteries and adventure, I highly, highly recommend checking out this new series.

Title: Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters: The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm
Author: Karen Foxlee
Illustrator: Freda Chiu
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $14.99
Publication Date: May 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760526627
For ages: 6 - 10
Type: Junior Fiction

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