New Dawn Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781764266383. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
The second in the Heartwood duology following The amber owl, The hidden way brings the travels of Stasya, Aleksis and Markus, the true heir to the throne, to a satisfying conclusion. After finding Markus in The Amber owl, the travellers must bring him back to the court, where he must convince the Grand Council of his identity. He must be kept a secret from the Ruler and her guards until the Grand Council convenes. The travellers divide into two groups, Stasya joining a travelling fair with her companions, while Aleksis moves through the kingdom, gathering support for the return of Markus. They are in dire danger as they are hunted by the guards, face shipwrecks and monsters, but their belief in their quest keeps them going, especially as they see the damage that the Ruler has wrought on the land and its people in her search for amber.
Marillier gives the reader a brief “Story so far” introduction, always very helpful to remind the reader what has happened previously. She then goes on to tell the story in the voices of Stasya, Aleksis, Markus and Leja, delving deeply into the feelings of the characters and their companions. Stasya’s strange little dog Flip plays a key role and her denouement at the end is a wonderful surprise. Stasya succeeds in reaching the monastery where Leja, Matiss’ wife and loyal supporter of Markus, is working as a lay sister. I loved the vivid descriptions of the work of the nuns and lay sisters and the way that Stasya’s storytelling could bring comfort to people in pain. Aleksis’ path is full of danger and the reader is kept wondering whether he would be successful in evading capture and gathering support for Markus.
The conclusion left me pondering about the nature of love and commitment to duty. Fans of Marillier would probably enjoy reading an interview by subscribing to the publisher’s website. I enjoyed her response to this question: Who would The Heartwood Duology be perfect for?: Adult readers who love historical fantasy, especially when its themes are relevant to our own times. Readers who care about the environment; readers who like a focus on the personal journeys of individual characters. Readers who like strong, complex female characters. The duology might appeal to fans of T Kingfisher or Sarah Beth Durst.
I can't wait for the next fantasy from Marillier, one of my favourite authors.
This second novel in the Vince Reid PI thriller series, following The wrong woman (2022), sees veteran private detective Reid taking on what is supposed to be an easy case proposed by his former police mentor, only to find it way more complicated and dangerous than he bargained for. But he is hooked, he is driven to solve the mystery and tie off the loose ends of a present day shooting and also a cold case that is possibly linked to it. The case sees him venturing into a charged political campaign, artificial intelligence scams, conspiracy theories, and, bizarrely, the non-electronic world of the Amish community.
The nice thing about this detective story is the central character, the down-to-earth and vulnerable detective Reid. He is fallible, he doesn’t have a good grasp of the digital world, he relies on friends to help him out in that respect; and he is human, he gets scared and he even cries, as also does his boyfriend Peyton. But Reid persists, even after his employers have accepted his findings and signed him off the case, he knows there is still something unresolved. He keeps going until he has all the answers.
The chapters are mostly in Reid’s voice in present time, but there are also some in the voice of Katie, the victim of an apparent random shooting by a berserk woman, and then a few set in the past, in the voice of Joe researching the Amish community. The swapping of voices and timelines is not hard to follow, and the pace moves quickly as the pieces start to come together in true thriller style. The plot is intriguing and will keep you guessing until the last pages.
Young adult readers may be drawn to this thriller with its modern themes of artificial intelligence, internet scams and gambling. Other readers may identify with the more old-world style of the ageing detective. Pomare has created a thriller that will appeal to a variety of audiences.
Themes Thriller, Detectives, Extortion, Internet scam, Artificial Intelligence, Gambling, Murder.
Fortune and Fate is the fifth book in the Twelve Houses series and immediately grabs the reader’s attention with a breathtaking first chapter where Karryn a young noblewoman, heir to the great county of Fortune, has been kidnapped. She has no friends and is afraid that she won’t be able to escape the clutches of Tover who wants to marry her for her inheritance. Luckily for her, Wen, once one of the elite Riders who protect the ruler of Gillengaria, sees her predicament and comes to her rescue. Wen has been roaming aimlessly, trying to alleviate her guilt for not saving her king by helping strangers in need and wants nothing to do with Karryn or her estate. But fate intervenes and she finds herself unable to leave Karryn unprotected and recruits and trains a troop of guards to watch over her.
The plot of Fortune and fate concentrates on the journey that Wen makes to overcome her trauma after the death of the king. She cannot settle in any one place and has lost contact with her friends in the Riders. Her gradual acceptance of her self-worth and the growing attraction between the quiet studious Jasper, Karryn’s uncle, is central to the story. A subplot of Karryn’s growth into the responsibility of her inheritance and a blossoming romance adds interest. Readers of the previous books will be interested to find out more about the aftermath of the war and how people cope with change and there is plenty of action to keep readers absorbed.
The Twelve Houses series is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy quality romantasy and Fortune and Fate is one of my favourite books in this series. Wen appears briefly in the earlier books and this means that her story can be read as a standalone, but readers will want to read the whole series as the story contains sections about the six main characters from the earlier books. It is a favourite reread for me, and in print since 2008.
The Counting Sheep is a cleverly crafted picture book created by Natashia Curtin. Colourful, witty and unique, this story is equal parts funny, captivating and charming; making it perfect for both winding down at night and sharing during the day.
The story follows four music-loving sheep who dream of making it big in the world of music. Full of enthusiasm, they bravely venture from their home, eager to perform for audiences in the city. But, when they reach the big stage, they begin feeling nervous and apprehensive about the whole idea. Deciding to use a tried and tested method to overcome their anxiety, their musical journey hits a hilarious snag: every time they count themselves in and start playing, the audience falls fast asleep! No matter what they try, the same sleepy result occurs. Their talents simply don’t seem to suit the crowd.
After trying many different musical genres and still struggling to find success, the sheep are resigned to give up. However, they unexpectedly discover their perfect audience: nocturnal animals who desperately want to sleep at night so they can function during the day. Suddenly, their music is so popular and exactly what these creatures are looking for.
Each page of the book is bursting with personality, vibrancy and detail. Curtin’s illustrations are cute, colourful and creative, giving the audience deeper connection to the text. Packed with playful visual jokes to enjoy and build story conversations, this book is a winner. Readers will enjoy spotting each little detail, making rereads just as delightful as the first.
With its enjoyable humour, lovable characters and creative storyline, The Counting Sheep works beautifully at any time of day. This delightful picture book is sure to charm families, teachers and young readers alike, and become a popular and well-loved addition to many bookshelves.
Themes Music, Animals, Courage, Problem solving, Resilience, Sleep, Humour.
Michelle O'Connell
How we relate by Ahona Guha
Scribe, 2026. ISBN: 9781761381775. (Age:Adult, young adult)
Described as "a psychologist’s guide to building and maintaining good relationships” Dr Guha draws on her background, growing up in a South Asian household with culturally fixed expectations, then moving to the experience of an adult female in the multicultural Australian environment. She validates her position by laying out her own family circumstances which have forged her view of the world and informed the relationships she has made in her life. She makes the case that our childhood experiences of parenting can be hardwired and changing destructive patterns formed in childhood can be incredibly difficult. She also points out that it is not your role to understand or heal your parent, but understanding their parenting style can give you the tools to build your own better relationship with yourself and with others. The first case study seems to also mirror her own relationship with her mother; conditional love offered only with good behaviors and achievements of the child. There are some text boxes through the book with questions or suggestions for the reader in line with the topic being covered. In keeping with Dr Ahona’s premise that understanding the family background is essential the first half of the book covers family issues and at times it seemed repetitive, often going back to the author’s lived experience. I did feel that Dr Guha didn’t articulate enough that parenting and being parented is a two-way relationship. The second part covers friendships, dating, work and pets. There is an excellent part at the end where Dr Guha offers a few rules for the reader to adopt what works for them, “You can’t change your past, and the only person who can change your future is you. You can’t change the future without changing the present” p306, and ultimately "be kind”. I would have liked to see a glossary of terms and abbreviations and a guide to reliable sources of more information or help if issues raised are causing concern. I didn’t feel I came away with any of the promised tools but this book might strike a chord with women with similar backgrounds and issues.
Themes Relationships, Psychology.
Sue Speck
The guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all by Sumiko Arai. Trans. by Ajani Oloye. Lettered by Brandon Bovia
This is volume 3 in the Japanese Manga series about shy, talented Mitsuki and bubbly, Aya. In this volume they are in their final year at high school. Aya describes her relationship with Mitsuki as a “fangirl crush”, admiring her musical taste and songwriting but when Aya holds herself responsible for an accident where Mitsuki hurts her ankle and must use crutches, she overdoes it trying to help her. The extra attention from their school friends is challenging for Mitsuki and makes Aya jealous but they get through it, and their emotional ties get stronger. Aya says she leaves her mind empty during the day but at night she gets the urge to make music and it is music that draws everything together. They go to a music festival with Mitsuki’s uncle from the CD shop and Kanna, his business partner, events cascade from there.
This edition is read from back to front in the Japanese manner, with the graphic frames reading from right to left generally, with break out images, close ups and dynamic backgrounds creating an exciting, emotionally charged atmosphere in green, black and white. The story, written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai was first posted online in parts in 2021 and has become very popular. This edition was translated by Ajani Oloye with lettering by Brandon Bovia, there are some helpful translation notes and some character profiles at the front. I haven’t read any of the other volumes but was entranced by the powerfully drawn artwork, using all the characteristics of manga style layered to great effect, the dynamic hair, close-ups, expressive eyes and mouths to communicate emotional states. I am sure I missed a lot, but true fans will lap this up and it could very well ensnare some new ones.
Themes Manga graphic novel, Friendship, Music.
Sue Speck
Batthew Aromascent and the phantom ingredient by Ella Mulvey and John Roebuck
The city of Candlenut is thrown into an aroma-laden tournament that is redolent with all the smells of winning and loving, and that for Batthew impels him to rescue everything that smells of home and love. But his opponent in this competition does not care about anyone in Candlenut and in his usual bullying style just wants to win at any cost. For Batthew this cost will be high. He needs to rely on Lavender, his closest friend, and others who knew his missing parents, to climb high and dig deep to make the most remarkable olfactory delight that will impress the judges and wipe the smile off his opponent’s face. Can he find the ‘Phantom Ingredient’ that will save the memory of his parents and make his perfume creation a waft of wonder?
This is a unique mystery and adventure set within a world where the sense of smell has a place that is above all other senses. From the worst wafts to the greatest odours of delight, the authors have created a feast of the senses mixed with a lot of humour. Young readers may find names a little ‘strange’, but the delights of petrichor and patchouli weave through the adventure with young protagonists trying to achieve something that smells amazing, and rises above fear and malodorous bullies. This is a book for 9 to 12-year-olds who are happy to have a different world of fantasy where lovers of friendship, aromatics and perfumes rule.
Too Messy to Be a Princess is the fourth instalment in the A Little Bit Lola series written by Kiah Thomas and illustrated by Bec Kitson. Welcoming readers back into Lola’s colourful, chaotic and charmingly imaginative world for another fun adventure, readers will be thoroughly entertained. Whether you have previously met Lola, or this is the first time, you won’t be disappointed.
Lola is a character bursting with personality, imagination and big dreams. In this story, she decides she is tired of always following everyone else’s rules in her busy family and wants to start making the rules herself. Naturally, the perfect solution is to become a princess. So, with a party coming up, Lola has already worked out the perfect princess outfit; while dreaming of the moment when everyone will follow her royal rules.
Her plans quickly hit a hurdle when her older sister refuses to lend her the perfect princess dress; stating she is too messy! Lola must prove this is not the case and, with this mission in mind, what follows is a hilarious chain of events.
Young readers will be giggling as Lola experiments with outrageous ideas, including a standout attempt that sees her try to get her cat to lick her clean by pouring milk over herself. Throughout the chaos, Lola’s trusty pet unicorn remains by her side, adding an extra layer of charm and cuteness to the story.
Thomas has written another fast paced and highly entertaining short novel, with Kitson’s illustrations bursting with colour, movement and expression. Each element perfectly complimenting one another and capturing Lola’s peppy personality and cleaning chaos.
Too Messy to Be a Princess is a fantastic choice for children beginning their independent reading journey. It works beautifully as a standalone read; rewarding returning fans or first fans alike.
Funny, engaging and full of heart, this book will have readers eagerly wondering what Lola could possibly get up to next.
Themes Problem solving, Princesses, Parties, Family, Humour, Rules.
Michelle O'Connell
The book of dust vol. 3: The rose field by Philip Pullman
David Fickling Books, 2025. ISBN: 9780241458709. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
The rose field is Volume Three of Philip Pullman's epic trilogy The book of dust. It is possible to read The rose field as a stand alone but due to the multi-layered complexity of the plot and the multiplicity of characters it is recommended that The book of dust trilogy is read in order: La Belle Sauvage, The secret commonwealth... and then The rose field. Pullman though, being a skilled writer, leaves enough markers to assist the reader if they choose to read just The rose field (but once hooked on the story that might be unsatisfactory!) Thus, preceding The book of dust is a short precis which informs the reader that Lyra (the central character of the trilogy) has reached the deserted city of al-Khan al-Azraq in search of her daemon, Pan. She goes into the ruins and meets a girl of North African appearance who is also without a daemon (a guiding spiritual being, manifestation of a person's soul in the shape of an animal) who has been waiting for her... Pullman's work is aimed at competent readers and is usually first discovered by able students in upper primary levels and marketed at a teenage + readership in good bookshops. It is both "sophisticated fantasy" and "philosophical fiction" so it pleases a wide readership. Pullman's books quickly become an "addiction". Readers (this one included) soon want to read the entire collection. Adult readers can appreciate the clever mirroring of Pullman's characters, politics, philosophy and theology with what goes on in the real world.
Pullman is known for the dazzling, exotic settings of his books. It is recommended that readers keep an atlas beside them as Pullman mixes real with fictitious settings. Lovers of geography will find themselves in far-flung locations of great interest. In The book of dust, Lyra is heading towards Aleppo in search of her daemon. The setting stretches from dystopian, Brytain - (Britain thinly veiled) across the Middle East to Central Asia and includes such places as the Karamakan Desert which is the Pullman parallel universe counterpart to the real-world Taklamakan desert in NW China and was the desert where Lyra had to find the botanical research station. The Karamakan is tied to the dangerous shifting lakes of the real world Lop Nor which was known as "the Wandering Lake" with this area now highly restricted, a potash mining hub and site of China's former nuclear testing facility. The "potash" company logo is a sinister component of the story and another example of the blending of real world and fictitious counterpart. This journey is so dangerous that in Pullman's story, humans must separate from their daemons and that is a terrible, terrible wrench. Crucial to the story, it points to the separation of man from his soul or his imagination or his consciousness.
Malcolm Polstead, loyal and from Lyra's past, races simultaneously across the world trying to get to the red building in the desert to discover the meaning of Dust and the roses. Powerful enemies called the Magisterium threaten. Alliances are formed with gryphons and witches.
Pullman's descriptive powers are on full display; scenes and characters are perceptively wrought. The description of King Edward the Twelfth's character and the wily manipulation of him be the Magisterium and the War Office is an example... "in his late eighties...it was felt better to spare him the burden of what was being planned in his name...his penmanship was shaky, his memory was tenuous, but his courtesy was unfailing."(p. 60) That passage alone, being indicative of the rest of Pullman's writing, gives the uninitiated Pullman reader an idea of the power of his writing.
The book of dust is a breathtaking and emotional read!
Themes Politics, Theology, Fantasy, Philosophy, Imagination vs dogma, Freedom vs control, Love and reunion.
Fans of the wildly popular Funny Kid will be delighted to dive into this laugh out loud spin off where the spotlight has shifted to the animals. In Duck: Look Who’s Talking, Duck and Mouse are done staying quiet. Humans have had their say for long enough - now it’s the animals’ turn to reveal what they really think… and their opinions are brutally honest and hilariously delivered.
From the very first few pages, readers get a sense of what they are in for; animals observing human behaviour with confusion, outrage and plenty of sarcasm. Duck is particularly unimpressed by the destruction of the old theatre, perplexed that Pony would choose to stay trapped in a front yard and most of all disgusted by the arrival of the mysterious “Big Black Dome” café - run by the ambitious and suspicious Eon.
Determined to make their voice heard, Duck and Mouse, with a little help from dog, hatch a chaotic plan to disrupt the café’s grand opening. Dog, desperate for human approval and slightly brainwashed by treats and pats, joins the mission in his own lovable and confused way. The trio’s antics spiral into a ridiculous adventure full of misunderstandings, wild schemes and plenty of mayhem as they attempt to “save” humans from themselves.
Matt Stanton’s signature humour shines throughout the book. The witty narration is packed with clever observations, playful exaggeration and an abundance of groan-worthy Dad jokes that children will love sharing with friends and family. The comedic timing is spot on, making it a perfect read aloud choice; giving giggles from start to finish.
A standout feature is the blend of traditional prose intertwined with black and white comic strip panels. The graphic novel elements bring extra energy and visual humour, making the story feel fast paced and accessible for reluctant readers while still entertaining confident readers and adults alike.
Ultimately, Duck: Look Who’s Talking is a hilariously, hectic celebration of friendship, teamwork and the amusement of seeing the world from a completely different perspective. Duck has spoken - and readers will certainly be listening!
Allen & Unwin, 2026. ISBN: 9781761182464. (Age:9-12) Highly recommended.
Three friends, self-identified as ‘nerds’, may in fact be the ones who might save the world. Aitch (actually Harrison Harrison) is telling the story and his style is unique and occasionally eccentric. His friends, Ally and Mo, have more ‘smarts’, but Mo seems to also have a weird connection to aliens. Together the three friends must confront the strange path of connection with extra-terrestrials and then work out why they have been chosen by them. With charm and humour, Aitch delivers a remarkable account of this journey and this book is a wild ride.
This is a humorous story that is a delight from beginning to end. Aitch tells the story, with numerous asides to the reader, and his tone is light-hearted and intriguing. He shares details about narrative writing that are very kid-friendly, but mostly this is a story about aliens and saving the world from human influence and climate change. The aliens are far from home, far from the stereotypical alien in description and have also shared the joy of watching ‘Home and Away’! Kids aged 9-12 will love this brightly positive story and the characters within (including the snoring and indolent dog, named Oddjob).
Themes Friendship, Aliens, Saving the planet, Humour, Narrative writing.
Carolyn Hull
The lost defenders by Sam Summers
Penguin, 2026. ISBN: 9781761355059. Recommended.
The Lost Defenders is a roller-coaster fantasy adventure told through the eyes of Jace, a near 12-year-old. Jace has a rare gift called The Sight which gives him the ability to see monsters when others can’t. This leads to all sorts of problems for him, particularly at school. After an earthquake rocks the town of Clover Meadow he meets two other young people with the gift, Alice and Felix. Their meeting is arranged by Mr Madz, a curator at the museum, and he tells them that they have a mission. Due to their lineage, they are known as The Defenders and will be responsible for stopping the world being overrun by monsters. A prophecy says that this will occur on the night of an imminent eclipse. Although Mr Madz can’t see monsters he believes they exist and helps The Defenders, but Jace isn’t sure whether to trust Mr Madz. Before the final showdown the Defenders must face many dangerous situations. There is an interesting epilogue which sets the story up for a sequel.
Sam Summers has certainly created an exciting story with a deluge of monsters and scary situations from the outset. Most of the action takes place at night, thereby adding to the nerve-racking atmosphere. Gradually the Defenders develop good trusting friendships between each other, and they are brave and strong. The three of them have all suffered some misfortune in the past but have prevailed. This helps us empathise and admire the main characters. Jace’s voice and the dialogue are believable and sometimes humorous, which provides relief from the intensity. At times The Lost Defenders feels frantic, from portals to ancient journals and super power gadgets, but if readers can stay focussed, they will be rewarded with a satisfying, very sensory climax. I really liked Summers message to young readers that The Defenders superpowers are just an extension of their existing abilities and that “… the world doesn’t need superheroes. It needs real ones.” This story may appeal to readers who enjoyed the Percy Jackson series.
Oh, the wish that it were not a true story! This is heartbreaking and compelling in the same breath - an epic retelling of the loss of the RMS Titanic, told with a focus on Evelyn Marsden, a South Australian stewardess and the only Australian survivor. Everyone knows the harrowing tale of the unsinkable ship that proved that human skill and boasts can never ‘conquer the natural world, but in the end, when egos, arrogance and an unerring belief in invincibility align, disaster often follows’ (p525). But few know Evelyn Marsden, the steadfast survivor. Nothing about this story is easy to read because it is based on truth and accounts from those who were there (it is also 526 pages long), but its focus on Evelyn Marsden gives us a real person to follow and to feel her trauma through the harrowing hours of the Titanic’s great loss. Evelyn had demonstrated a desire to see more of the world than her hometown in Hoyleton, SA, and had a gentle, adventurous nature combined with a service heart that led her to work as a nurse/stewardess. Her work on board the Titanic was likely to be one of her last voyages before marrying her fiancé (who had miraculously escaped his own service upon the vessel), but as we read of the events that led to the iceberg’s impact you can only cry at the incredible loss of human life and marvel at the grace that any were saved.
Lisa Wilkinson has written in a style very like her husband Peter FitzSimons, with significant use of primary sources, to tell an unfolding narrative-style account, with perhaps a more female-focused flavour. The inherent melancholy of the event is also woven with individual tales of the survivors (mostly the first-class passengers’ tales were documented, so the third-class survivors’ stories are less prominent). With the wealth and privilege of power or the claims of the shipbuilders and the White Star Line echoing vainly amidst the finery of the female passengers in First Class, this is also a story of the changing times of cross-Atlantic travel and of seafaring in general. But the overwhelming shock and long-term trauma associated with the loss of the Titanic resounds like a distress call across the still waters. Wilkinson reports on the life (and death) of some of the survivors in a brief precis of their lives at the end of the narrative related to the sinking. For lovers of history or those who have been captivated by the story of the Titanic, or even those who have watched James Cameron’s movie and wondered how much of it was true, this is for you. Make sure you set aside a good chunk of time to read it (perhaps not while on an ocean cruise) and you will be surprised at how well Lisa Wilkinson allows you to inhabit this piece of human history with all its ‘griefs to bear’.
Text Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781923058811. (Age:Senior secondary, Adult) Highly recommended.
Flipping through the pages of Martel’s latest book reveals its unusual layout. The top half of the page is devoted to the fragments of an epic poem The Psoad, whilst the lower half comprises footnotes, comments by the narrator and snippets of his life. Harlowe Donne is a classicist, researcher of ancient Greek, and the narrative is presented like one of his papers, as he gradually decodes a heretofore undiscovered account of the Trojan War, told by Psoas, not a prince or glorious hero, not one of the elite recorded in The Iliad, but the ‘son of nobody’. His story presents the perspective of the peasant called to war, clad not in shining armour but in wood attached to linen, dirty and flea laden. While the Argive kings ‘laugh, dance, feast, and live forever’, the foot soldiers die miserable anonymous deaths.
Martel’s story of the Psoad exposes the crude reality of war. He suggests that The Iliad is the preferred account of the victors, a propaganda that hides the true motives of greed. The story of the kidnap of Helen has been presented as the justification for an armada of ships intent on destroying another empire; just as unscrupulous modern day politicians might falsely justify their wars on other nations. The chameleon is a recurrent motif, the way its eyes can gyrate separately, taking in two different perspectives. There are likely two sides to this story of war. And it is the soldiers who pay the price, starved and aching, sent into battle to kill other sons, husbands and fathers, good men who have not wronged.
Within the footnotes, there is also the story of Harlowe, the researcher, the events in his life a micro war running in parallel to the historical account he is piecing together. His marriage is falling apart, and in his passion for his work, which ironically is dedicated to his daughter, he is losing touch with the child he loves, just like those Greek soldiers who left their families behind for ten years.
I recommend Martel’s novel for students of classical Greece and Greek mythology, for the perspective it offers and the interesting questions it raises. However general readers need not have read Homer, for Martel provides details of the relevant heroes and their exploits whilst introducing his ‘son of nobody’ perspective. And despite the academic style of layout, the book is not difficult to read; it flows smoothly and readily engages the reader in all the threads of narrative. I could not put it down, and read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.
Themes Trojan War, Greek mythology, War, Propaganda, Philosophy.
Helen Eddy
Ready, Steady, Goal! by Adam Jackson & Adrian Lloyd. Illus. by John Barrett
Little Book Press, 2026. ISBN: 9781923141650. (Age:3-6) Highly recommended.
For the youngest readers just beginning to learn rules and skills in soccer, Ready, Steady, Goal! will be a very popular read. With sharp, short phrases on each page, the simple rhyming text flows consistently and is perfectly complemented by the bold, colourful images.
The sun is up. The grass is green. It's time to play – are your boots clean? We’ve got the ball. Who goes in net? Ready, steady…but not just yet!
It is time to play – one, two, three! The whistle blows. Quick pass to me!
Control the ball, with a TRAP Turn. Dribble, dribble. Tap, Tap, Tap!
Each carefully considered illustration is thoughtfully placed, whether as a full-page spread, a half-page moment, or a series of vignettes. The visual appeal is immediate, and the dynamic movement of the ball and characters as they travel across the pages creates an energetic rhythm that readers of all ages will enjoy.
This book would make a fabulous gift for a young child starting out on their soccer journey.
