Author Ben Brooks has added another book to his Dare to be Different collection. This latest book, Dare to be Different: Inspirational words from people who changed the world, contains an eclectic mixture of 100 people who have made a difference in their own lifetime, both past and present. Many of them may be familiar to some readers eg Jane Austen, Dolly Parton, Anne Frank, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Desmond Tutu. However, many of them may be unfamiliar. For example Bambi, who is not the baby fawn, but a present day famous anonymous graffiti artist whose inspirational words are, “I want to save the world and that’s why social commentary is always present in my work. It's easy to live with your eyes shut but that’s not fulfilling or helpful to the world.” Another possibly unfamiliar person is Nezahualcoyotl (1402-1472) who appears on the Mexican hundred-peso note and was a prince and a poet. His inspirational words are, “Stand up, Beat your drum, Give of yourself, Know friendship.” One of the surprise inclusions is Yoda (896 BBY- 4ABY). This little green alien’s inspirational quote is quite long but begins with “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?...” Fans of Star Wars will no doubt be aware Yoda is the Grand Master of the Order of Jedi Knights.
Each and every story shared in this book is unique and interesting to read. Each entry has a coloured double page spread with text on one page and a full-page illustration on the other. The information is easy to follow and understand and will appeal to both children and adults who enjoy reading biographies.
Themes Biographies.
Kathryn Beilby
Perfectly weird, perfectly you by Camilla Pang. Illus. by Laurene Boglio
The Introduction in Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You gives a sensitive and honest account of author Camilla Pang’s understanding of her Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis at the age of eight years. She carefully explains aspects of ASD that can be both general and are unique to her. Throughout the short paragraphs of ASD explanations, are bold and highlighted words such as overwhelmed, difficult, routines, behaviour, which give the reader an insight into the disorder. The author also uses the term superpower and relates how her ASD traits have positively impacted on her love of science, her career in this field and her growing understanding of human relationships.
One of the key themes that is evident throughout this book is that a person diagnosed with ASD can often have difficulty missing social clues and understanding human interactions. The author has used her understanding of science to explain the complexities of social relationships. One early story she shares is commenting on a pair of trainers worn by another girl saying she might get some. The other girl is unkind in her response, and this leads the author into an explanation of stereotypes and being judgemental. The study of metals and their different reactions provided the author with more understanding that the world needs people who are diverse.
This book has ten chapters which all begin with the same word: perfectly. This is followed by different, calm, balanced, alive, at home, digital, persistent, wrong, you and new. Each chapter is written in language for readers of all ages to understand, with well-spaced paragraphs containing bold text for important words or ideas, as well as quirky images and borders. The final pages are titled ‘Ending the Experiment: What Did We Learn?’ and discusses the journey the reader has taken through the book. The important message is that we are all unique and special. As young people grow and interact, they encounter difficult situations that can be solved once the problem is understood. A very worthwhile resource for a school or public library.
Join the unlikely pair of Fi and Shane as they start out on a magical adventure - Fi is bookish, knowledgeable and a trained treasure hunter, while Shane is a warrior for hire, rough around the edges. Fi likes to consider all the possibilities while Shane likes doing things her own way. Pairing up for just one big score, the two find themselves with a greater challenge when Fi is pricked by the Bone Spindle - intertwining her fate with the sleeping prince, Briar Rose. After a miraculous meeting with Briar, who has been under a sleeping curse for a hundred years, waiting for the kiss that will wake him, Fi decides to break the curse, and Shane is along for the journey. Only catch is dark magic, Witch Hunters and potential romances along the way, Shane is a sucker for a pretty girl, and Fi fears falling in love - especially with a prince under a curse.
The first in a new fantasy series, The Bone Spindle, this gender-flipped reimagining of Sleeping Beauty is full of action, adventure, betrayal, romance and magic. The majority of the book is told from the perspectives of Shane and Fi, with a few chapters throughout the book being told from Briar Rose's point of view. While there is plenty of action throughout the novel, the story has several drawn out segments, interrupting the flow of the story. Well developed lead characters save the story from these interruptions, and the book is perfect for fans of fairy tales with a twist, as the sleeping beauty in this story is male, and the rescuers are female. Additionally, there is a female to female pairing, adding more dimension to the original fairy tale.
First published in 1902, this handsome 120th anniversary edition of the first of the beloved Peter Rabbit tales will be welcomed by collectors and fans alike. The image of Peter Rabbit in his familiar blue jacket stands out again a gold embossed cover and is a very appealing introduction to young children.
Many readers will be familiar with The tale of Peter Rabbit and the small books about this feisty little rabbit in his blue jacket probably has been hoarded by grandparents like me, and handed down to another generation. It is a treat to see the 120th birthday edition of the The tale of Peter Rabbit in a large format, with an engaging gold foil cover and the original illustrations and text. It should prove to be perfect for adults to hold up and read aloud to a class or to read to siblings in a family.
Peter Rabbit is naughty, creeping into Mr. McGregor’s garden, and his adventures will have readers glued to the page, and listeners holding their breath. Young children are sure to love the iconic illustrations that have made this story so popular – and will have fun comparing them to the popular TV presentation with which they may be familiar.
There are many more stories about Peter Rabbit including A Christmas wish and all are sure to be enjoyed by children today. This version is gorgeous and will prove to be a keeper for many families.
Themes Rabbits, Classics.
Pat Pledger
Wednesday Weeks and the crown of destiny by Cristy Burne and Denis Knight
Cristy Burne and Denis Knight have brought us a second book featuring Wednesday Weeks and her friend Alfie (apprentice protector of the realms) and Bruce (the Skull), Grandpa (Abraham Mordecai Weeks, Protector of the Realms, Sorceror) and a new friend- Adaline. This team battles to save yet another realm from Gorgomoth the Unclean. The same characters are transported from the same ordinary science classroom as in the first book in the series (Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Terror) into a fantasy world where good magic, science and cooperation between friends are pitted against evil.
When computer programmer/science fiction and fantasy author (Knight) and science communicator/author(Burne) team up, the resultant book is going to be interesting. Not surprisingly, Wednesday Weeks and the Crown of Destiny, is a highly visual sensation for readers with the action being easily translatable to screen. The narrative is action packed. The dialogue is sassy and witty. The heroes are trapped by one seemingly impossible situation after another. Escape from certain death has to be very fast and requires the ability to cipher codes, solve riddles, use logic and scientific knowledge - skills that a savvy primary school aged reader may just have if they have been focusing in Maths and Science lessons. The action races along but cycles back helpfully at times to help readers who might have become lost.
The settings are fantastic. After escaping the inside of a lifesize pinball game they travel through a worm hole to the evil lair of Gorgomoth where Grandpa has been transformed into a frog and Queen Shard is trapped. The Crown of Destiny, the ruby ring and the captives must be rescued from bizaare settings all before a very important dinner in the real world. Wednesday gradually refines her magical skills of levitation and transformation as she learns that true magic has to come from the heart.
The repartee between the friends and their responses to Gorgomoth and his "grey uniformed, gum-chewing goblins' " is wickedly naughty and snortingly funny. Traditional fairy stories, modern day performance reports, faery realms and the human realm are mixed together and out of it all friendship and being home in time for dinner matters most.
Embedded seamlessly amongst all the entertainment and adventure are STEM concepts including acids, bases and acid-base reactors, life cycles, codes and ciphers and sound and resonance. Activities based on these concepts are included at the end of the book. As in book 1, it is knowledge of science (with a touch of magic) which really saves the children every time.
Readers will be eagerly waiting to see how Wednesday Weeks and her friends will manage saving the nine realms in the upcoming book in the series - The dungeon of fire.
So far this year, in my little part of the planet, we have had both local government elections and a state by-election, and a federal election looms within the next three months, So local young readers have been bombarded with advertising and so forth with vocabulary like 'party', 'candidate', 'vote' and 'polling booth'. But do they understand what an 'election' is?
This book, part of the DK FindOut series, provides a simple but comprehensive explanation of where and how democracy began and how it has developed over the years and just what happens when people are required to exercise their vote every so often. Beginning with a close-to-home scenario of school elections for class president, it moves beyond to national elections and while the photographs are predominantly from the US, it does embrace the procedures in other parts of the world.
Because this is a levelled reader, ostensibly for 'beginning readers', the explanations are clear yet comprehensive giving the young person who at least has an awareness of the process being undertaken an insight into what actually happens. Therefore, IMO, the target audience would be those who might be involved in class elections who know that it is more than a popularity contest. Rather than an individual read, its importance lies as an introduction to that which will dominate our news bulletins in coming months shared and discussed by the class teacher, so students begin to understand what is meant by 'Let's have a vote' and the concepts of 'majority rules' and living with the consequences of the choices.
As we mature we begin to realise what a precious thing a vote is, and the need to exercise our rights in an informed manner. This book begins our students' understanding of that privilege.
Themes Elections.
Barbara Braxton
What big teeth by Rose Szabo
Titan Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781789097818. (Age:16+) Recommended for readers who like gothic horror.
Eleanor Zarrin has been sent home from boarding school after an undisclosed horrifying incident. Her grandmother had sent her away and she has had no contact with her family for years. When she arrives at her home, it is difficult for her to fit in with her strange family – a mother who has weird skin and sits in a bathtub of water, a grandfather and cousin who howl in the woods, a sister who has grown away from her and a father who is ineffectual. Then there is Arthur a being that some members of her family are in love with. When her grandmother dies reading the tarot cards, Eleanor is left in charge of the family and must learn about the darkness that she knows lives inside her.
This is a dark and complex tale that would appeal to fans of horror. The reader is constantly trying to work out what is going on in this monstrous family and just what skills and background each of the family members has. The arrival of Eleanor’s other grandmother and the way that she can manipulate people deepens the suspense and provides even more horror to the story.
A tale for older readers, its great cover and title could make an effective centre piece for a display of horror stories. Readers may also enjoy The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan, The woods are always watching by Stephanie Perkins and the collection of short stories in Hometown haunts.
Themes Horror, Gothic, Werewolves, Good and evil.
Pat Pledger
Dragon City by Katie & Kevin Tsang
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781471193125. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
Dragon City is the third book in the amazing Dragon Realm series, written by Katie and Kevin Tsang. Once again, the story will keep you enthralled until the very last page. This novel will appeal to readers who loves mythical stories and adventure, while beautifully entwined with the power of friendship, trust and determination.
After Billy’s dragon, Spark betrayed him and chose to join the Dragon of Death, Billy and his friends Charlotte, Ling-Fei and Dylan are thrown into the devastation of Dragon City, a place of true dragon dystopia. Both the Human and Dragon Realm have been destroyed and this is the only place where humans and dragon can live. But this is far from a safe place, as it is filled with danger and devastation around every corner. With nox-hands and nox-wings to be wary of, Billy and his friends must overcome their fears of betrayal and evil to work together and trust each other again. Together they must find their beloved dragons and try to overpower the Dragon of Death. How will Billie and his friends be able to survive in this dangerous city? Will they ever see Xing, Tank and Buttons to reunite and share their special bonds? Could Billie reunite with Spark to change her back to the dragon she used to be, and he still heartbreakingly loves, or will they be lost to each other forever?
Katie and Kevin Tsang have written another amazing sequel in the Dragon Realm series for those lovers of fantasy, adventure and suspense. Dragon City is filled with expectation, excitement and enjoyment with vivid text to make an easy read, creating clear imagery for the audience. As you turn each page you feel as if you are actually there on the adventure with Billy and his friends! A definite great read, and one that won’t disappoint… especially for all those mythical loving, adventurers!
This colourful new Bluey board book tells the story of the Heeler family visit to Hammerbarn, a huge hardware store. Next door neighbour Lucky points out his new pizza oven to Bluey and Bingo’s dad Bandit who decides that he just must have one. The whole family travels to the hardware store and the two highly competitive sisters squabble over who gets what as Mum puts items in the trolley. Inevitably an item is broken and Mum must intervene to keep the peace and point out ‘that you can’t have everything.’ At the checkout there is more commotion from Bluey and Bingo when the checkout operator takes items out of the trolley for scanning. The pups are then pacified by being allowed to use the beeper. Dad’s pizza making is not quite up to scratch but he and the family enjoy sharing the pizza.
A classic lift the flap book about Spot will be welcomed by all young readers. The board book fitting snugly into small hands entices with a picture of Spot kicking a ball on the cover. With its preponderance of primary colours and deceptively simple outlines, the book will be readily absorbed by children.
A stress on friends and family has Mum asking Spot to go the park as it is such a nice day. But Spot has to get something out of the toy box before he leaves with Mum and Helen the hippo. Lifting the flap reveals what it is he is looking for. He rushes off through the garden gate with Mum calling that he wait for them. He chases the pigeons, and kicks the ball, losing it amongst the many things in the park. Children will love looking at the array of things to be found in the park, and talk about what they see there to do.
Children will thrill seeing other animals hidden in the undergrowth and playing with Spot and Helen.
A delightful afternoon at the park not only shows children what they will do at the park, but also models good behaviour of getting along, of playing together and of thanking the duck who retrieves the ball for Spot, an afternoon of fun with friends and family, and learning some lessons that will stand them in good stead when being with them.
First published in 1991, this book encourages using fine motor skills as well as the fun of exploration and adventure as Spot and his friends play and learn together.
Themes Play, Spot, Lift the flap, Family, Friends.
Fran Knight
The language of food by Annabel Abbs
Simon & Schuster, 2022. ISBN: 9781398502239. (Age:Secondary - Adult)
This is a story about our desire, as human beings, to handle food in a way that we can enjoy eating, and it is firmly about our love of food. This novel, constructed as an historical tale, takes us back in history to Avery Conifer, a woman who was well educated and loved expressing her creativity in writing poetry. When the publishers, who had been focussing on her writing poetry, and had released her poetry book in 1826, asked her to write a book of recipes, she decided to construct and to write her recipes in detail, and the resulting collection is believed to have been one of the earliest cookbooks. She stated that cookery had not been her forte and she wanted to refuse, but realised that she would not have an income if this were to happen. So she taught herself to cook and became one of earliest persons, it is believed, to publish a cook book in the English language. Her determination to recover from her feelings of discomfort enabled her to find the mental strength and imagination that would lead to her becoming a famous chef, initially in England and later having an effect on cooking across the English speaking world.
Beginning her new career in the creation of recipes, Conifer is determined to support herself and focuses on the notion of how to cook and what to cook. As her food becomes notable, she realises that she is enjoying both the creation of recipes, the cooking and the creativity that unexpectedly becomes part of her life. Her assistant becomes fascinated with the poetry, stunned by someone able to write such beautiful works, but she is also stunned by Conifer’s capacity to produce recipes and cook beautiful food. In reality, Conifer’s first cookery book was published in 1845, entitled Modern cookery for private families. Published a number of times over the first year, this book began the notion of the ingredients being listed, the exact amounts stated, and the method of cooking clearly explained.
Mrs Beeton, a famous chef, is alleged to have ‘filched’ some of her recipes, but she certainly introduced the practice of listing the ingredients first, at the top of the recipe, rather than the older practice of listing them last. Rather interestingly, Eliza Acton appears to have been the first person to have suggested nutrition as an important aspect of health, focussing on using fresh ingredients, and following the idea of considering what people cooked in different cultures at the time. Rich in detail and full of the love of food and cookery, this book takes us into a past world where the imagination was at the fore, prior to the exchange and sharing of global cookery that we know today. It would certainly be enjoyed and appropriate for secondary students interested in the art of cooking, and the historical invention of constructing recipes for others to use. An interesting and revelatory novel about the history of how humans changed in the consideration of preparing and cooking food.
Lucy Cousins, the author of the very popular Maisy books, (including Maisy goes to the bookshop and Maisy goes to preschool) brings to life a good place for insects to live. Four friends, Bee, Ladybird, Dragonfly and Beetle all want to find somewhere to live, but it is not so easy to do that. Bee wants flowers, Ladybird wants leaves, Beetle wants dead wood and Dragonfly wants a pond. Bee finds some flowers, but they are growing on a busy pavement that is too dangerous. A tiny pond turns out to be a dirty puddle on a noisy road while a piece of dead wood is in a smelly pile of rubbish. Beautiful green leaves look promising until someone comes and sprays them causing the insects to cough and splutter. Despondent, the four friends are about to give up when Butterfly comes to the rescue showing them a gorgeous garden where they could be safe.
Cousins’ illustrations are wonderful. The bright and colourful images stand out against a coloured background while the insects are outlined with black, and each has a distinct and cheerful face. Right from turning open the cover, the reader is introduced to a habitat that is not suitable for insects to flourish – the grey and black pavement littered with a can and brown brick wall is obviously not a good place. As the insects explore more territory the young reader will be tempted to sing out the refrains, ‘Maybe this is a good place’ and then the disappointing ‘Oh no! this is not a good place.’ Children will eagerly talk about what is a good place for insects and could discuss whether they have a good place in their gardens or in a nearby park. They might also like to see if they can find insects in good places for them to live. Big bold print will also help the emerging reader while younger children will enjoy having the story read to them.
Another winner from this award-winning author is sure to be one that is treasured by young readers.
Eleanor (aka Leni) and Chanel (aka Nelly) are in their senior year of school. They are long-time friends and together perform at a high level in the school Cheer-leading team with hopes of winning State championships. With the pressures of preparing for their post-school futures, life has taken a twist for Eleanor because of a serious concussion that has kept her on the sidelines for a season, and her hopes and dreams are under a cloud. It is when she becomes more than a passing acquaintance with the superstar football hunk that the friendship between the two girls wobbles. However, when the Cheer team decides to support a famous past student and football star from the school and to ‘drop the knee’ during the anthem at the school’s Friday night game, things go in directions they did not expect. For one of the girls, the consequences and school suspension that follows threaten to derail her life. Their friendship stumbles further under the pressure and the growing romance between Eleanor and Three (aka Sam) also is on uncertain ground. What will the future look like for them all, and can they stand up for what is right … for the right reasons?
Australian readers will know about the Cheerleading culture from USA movies (and this story is destined for the screen too) but there are many aspects that are foreign. The main characters are from diverse backgrounds – Jewish and Afro-American heritage. They have friends from different backgrounds, including LGBTIQ friends, the football jock arena, and even the Jewish Rabbi. The activism issue, related to the ‘drop the knee’ practice for social justice, underscores the story of coming-of-age and the entry into College life in the USA. Were it not for the confusion of each character having multiple name references in the story, this would be a great easy-to-read teen-friendly story. With an eye-opening entry into the dramas related to a recent social justice movement and the life of the pom-pom wielding Cheerleaders, there is a definite teen appeal to this story. This story deals lightly, but thoughtfully, with serious issues.
Themes USA school life, Cheerleading, Activism, Social justice, Race issues, Leadership, (LBGTIQ minor characters and drug taking).
For some the war is still close, even though the conflict is over. Charlie has obvious wounds, Johnny has forgotten everything including his name, and Huw is grieving the loss of his good mate. For Natty, the central character in this book, there is loss of a different kind. Her mother has campaigned too hard for workers’ rights and lost her factory job, they have lost their home and now have to move to the Welsh countryside to live with cousins. Cousin Nerys is the same age as Natty, and Natty is not sure if she will survive the shift and Nerys’ enthusiasm. And she is angry at her mother and wishes she could go home. But where is home? The whirlpool of emotions Natty is feeling eventually leads by accident to a kid-run school-directed program of activism designed to care for students who are struggling to learn because of hunger, as well as some well-placed care and concern for Johnny and Cousin Huw, and renewed relationships and attitudes.
Lesley Parr has written a serious, but child-centric post-war story that is very like Michael Morpurgo’s approach to children’s story writing – serious topics, written with a light touch, but not patronising to young readers. When the war came home addresses a serious aspect of war, the post-traumatic consequences for young soldiers, but in a way that neither minimises the tragedy nor avoids the significance or the sadness just because the story is for young readers. The setting in the Welsh countryside adds the opportunity for Parr to scatter some very Welsh cultural expressions (including some scattered Welsh words with lots of consonants) and Welsh locality names. Hopefully young Australian readers won’t think these are typos, as they are far from easy to pronounce. Some aspects of the story may be foreign to Aussie kids eg school lunches, cruel teachers, Scholarship exams… but this provides opportunity to learn about different experiences at different times and places. The overall result is a very readable story with an element of pathos that can be recommended to male and female readers aged 11+.
Themes War, War-related injuries, post-traumatic amnesia, resilience, activism, Wales, school.
The second adventure of Bunnygirl by author and illustrator Holly Jayne continues with main character Bea aka Bunnygirl, continuing with her kind and caring manner. She and best friend Woof notice an amazing treehouse in the park and see a young boy standing on the balcony. They ask to come up but he tells them to come back later. Bunnygirl and Woof find out from their other friends that the boy does not let anyone visit his treehouse. Bunnygirl then decides that he may be shy and plans to share mini pancakes with him. This plan works and Bunnygirl and Woof are allowed to visit. They do find out that the young boy called James is indeed shy and they think about different ways of helping him make friends as for some children it is not easy. Bunnygirl and Woof chat with their other animal friends and they devise a clever strategy to help James become their friend. The outdoor cinema in the park proves a big success and the friends find out that James contributed to this.
This book is a worthwhile introduction for younger readers to the graphic presentation format with clearly illustrated panels providing simple text and images to engage the reader. As there is not text in every panel this book initially would be best shared between an older reader and younger child with directions for reading the panels very important in understanding the story.
