Slow Down… and Sleep Tight is a calming picture book full of gentle rhyme which would be a perfect addition to a young reader’s bedtime stories ritual. The author, Rachel Williams, has previously published Slow Down which looks at the amazing mysteries of nature that can be missed in the busyness of the day. This new book also celebrates the joy and mystery of nature and explores the end of the day, into the night and the dawning of a new day.
Each double page spread has a short verse with a brief tale about a feature of nature followed by an illustration of the focus on the same page. The corresponding page has segmented softly coloured pictures, beautifully drawn by illustrator, Freya Hartas, showing a snapshot of aspects related to the verse. The animals showcased in the story are a bee, bat, bunny, blackbird, squirrel, fox and a wolf. Not traditionally Australian animals but the clever rhyme and use of traditionally familiar creatures allows this book to be a universal read.
At the end of the book is a relaxing and mindful slow down breathing exercise that can be shared between the adult and child. This delightful book has an appealing cover with gold foil lettering and highlights. A perfect gift for a young child or parents-to-be.
Mr Ming and the mooncake dragon by Kathy Creamer & Amy Calautti
Little Pink Dog Books, 2021. ISBN: 9780648652878. (Age:4+) Recommended.
Mr Ming and the Mooncake Dragon is a lively and entertaining read for children. Mr Ming runs a little shop which sells everything, in the bustling city of Singapore. He is famous for his mooncakes which are baked in his tiny kitchen and are sold at mooncake festival time along with painted lanterns. There is a secret though which Mr Ming will not share with anyone who asks for his mooncake recipe. He has a dragon in his kitchen who makes the mooncakes using all sorts of interesting ingredients as well as two very special ones. A greedy shop owner, Madam Moneybag, hears about these amazing mooncakes and tries to buy the recipe. When this does not happen, she creeps in during the night to steal what she can. However, the dragon saves the recipe from being stolen and teaches Madam Moneybag a lesson.
This is a story that children will enjoy as the dragon has very special powers, Mr Ming is very kind, and the evil Madam Moneybag is not happy with where her story ends. The story is quite a bit longer than the traditional picture book length and younger readers would benefit from it being read aloud. Older primary school aged children will enjoy the bright cartoon/graphic style images which complement the text perfectly. This book will be an excellent resource to share with children when the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival is celebrated.
Themes Singapore, Mooncake Festival, Dragon, Good vs Evil, Recipes, Diversity, Greed.
There is one word for this book, and it is stunning! Mem Fox, author of such beloved tales as Where is the green sheep and Possum magic, has written a story that will have readers puzzling over it, while Mark Teague’s illustrations are fabulous. This is a story that will have readers calling out with glee as they follow the antics of a cat and dog on a couch, interrupted by a little brown mouse. 'So there was a scary dog, right?' begins the story and the picture shows a very scary dog with ugly teeth and a spiky collar, and the reader needs to call out 'Yes' or 'No' and turn the page to see the real story – of course a mild looking dog, scratching himself. Then there is the question 'But there was a cat, right?' And the reader once again calls out the answer. The book continues in this way, introducing a mouse into the scenario, culminating in the trio being seen together with the reader having to decide whether the mouse came out to say hi or whether something else may have happened.
The illustrations are outstanding. The three characters stand out against the lilac and blue background and khaki of the couch. The contrast between the very active figures of Cat and Dog and their lounging on the sofa is fantastic, and the little mouse is very cute and will really appeal to a young audience. The expressions on the faces of the animals are priceless – the smirk on the cat’s face and the wagging tail of the dog on the front cover are sure to entice readers to open the book to see what is going on.
Cat Dog will challenge young children, and adults are certain to fall in love with this outstanding picture book as well.
Themes Cats, Dogs, Read aloud.
Pat Pledger
Little polar bear and the reindeer by Hans de Beer
North South, 2021. ISBN: 9780735844513. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
First published in 2005, Little Polar Bear and the Reindeer, is one of the Little Polar Bear picture book series written by Dutch author Hans de Beer. This very popular series, first written in 1945, has been made into several animated adaptations as well as feature films and is now being republished for a new generation of readers. In this beautifully illustrated book, Lars the little polar bear, is noticing the change of seasons and the beginnings of the migration of birds and animals. He quickly finds he must move out of the way of the large herd reindeer on their way to warmer places but after frolicking in the first snowstorm of the season he discovers one young reindeer called Oliver who has been left behind. Lars comforts Oliver and promises to go with him to find his mother.
Lars and Oliver have several challenges along the journey and find safety with a herd of giant musk oxen. The musk oxen decide to accompany the young ones to keep them safe. Eventually they find the reindeer herd who have had their journey thwarted by a huge cyclone fence and large concrete pipes. Lars thoughtfully considers the reindeers’ predicament and comes up with a clever solution.
This is a very appealing book which younger readers will enjoy. It brings in aspects of environmental issues that can affect animal survival which are important to share with children. A welcome addition to a home, school or public library.
Full of illustrations, primarily colour though some in black and white, Harry Potter : A Magical Year covers every day of the year in the Wizarding World with a different quote - relating to special events, birthdays, seasonal aspects or whatever suits the date. Those who have read the series numerous times may learn something new, all while enjoying the illustrations of Jim Kay (illustrator of the illustrated Harry Potter books).
Presented in a fabulously coloured, hardcover edition, A Magical Year is perfect for Harry Potter fans. Divided into 'chapters', namely the months of the year, each new chapter has a dedicated quote to highlight the time of year or a particular season. As this is a book filled with quotes from the entire Harry Potter series, readers may find themselves confused occasionally, however context for the quotes is not required to enjoy reading this book. It is advisable that all 7 Harry Potter books have been read though, to avoid spoilers. Readers will quickly fly through the book as they will be spurred on to know what other quotes have been included, as well as to see the fabulous illustrations. The majority of the illustrations have previously been published in the illustrated editions of the Harry Potter series, however there are a few new inclusions, as well as sketches.
Themes Fantasy, Harry Potter, Wizarding World, Magic, Significant Dates in the Harry Potter series.
Melanie Pages
Grandude's green submarine by Paul McCartney. Illus. by Kathryn Durst
Following on from his first book Hey Grandude! Paul McCartney presents another magical adventure involving his Chillers (grandchildren). They are cooling down in Grandude’s Invention shed and see a picture of their adventurous grandmother (Nandude). Grandude suggests they use his favourite invention, the green submarine, to go in search of Nandude. The journey begins with the submarine skimming through the clouds to find their friend Ravi in a small Indian village, who may have clues as to Nandude’s location. A monsoon makes it necessary to escape with the submarine down a river and into the depths of the ocean, following the tune of Nandude’s favourite song to find her. Drama ensues when a giant octopus sends them into darkness until Nandude saves the day in her underwater sailing ship entrancing the octopus with her music and taking them home for tea. Although the book flows well there could have been some tighter editing to convey the story with less text but the illustrations do a marvelous job of supporting and enriching the story.
Some links to Beatles music are a little more evident in this book – a submarine, an octopus deep in the ocean, a friend in India; but children will just enjoy the rich visual feast in the gorgeous colourful illustrations in this book. The story could spark an interesting discussion about what children call their grandparents as a few children who read it commented that there were too many “dudes” – maybe Nandude could have been Nangal!
This magical book is about a boy (Jack) who is tricked into becoming a monster hunter. He has always wanted an adventure, and he has now been thrown into the deep end. To look at Jack you wouldn’t think he could make it as a monster hunter, what with being short, skinny and a kid who wears glasses and clumsy. He has believed in monsters all his life because his mum used to tell him stories about all the monsters that she encountered around the world.
With his father missing and his house destroyed, and an ogre lying dead in his yard, Jack doesn’t think he has anything to lose, or a choice – he was tricked after all! He finds himself heading off to Cornwall with Stoop, a 200-year-old monster hunter, where more ogres are causing chaos.
All he is equipped with is his catapult, and a magical book called Monster Hunting for Beginners, and Stoop of course. This is his chance to prove that he can do anything. But he wonders about this along the way. The problem gets bigger by the minute. He meets another monster hunter, Nancy, and together they face the adventures. The thought of finding his dad helps. He learns many things about ogres and monsters along the way, not always very pleasant! Jack always dreamed of seeing a dragon, but not believing it when he does.
Jack, Nancy and Stoop meet the ogre king, who has been woken up from his snooze of more than one hundred years’, and not very happy about it either! And the other ogres learn a few lessons themselves!
Does Jack find what he is looking for? Well, you will have to read the book for yourself! A great book I found hard to put down.
Themes Magic, Adventure.
Natalie Fisher
I lost my Granny in the supermarket by Jo Simmons. Illus. by Nathan Reed
I Lost My Granny in the Supermarket, written by Jo Simmons is a story that will keep you entertained until the very last page. This novel will appeal to readers who love humour and wild adventurous fun. Simmons creates a vivid text that enables the reader to easily visualise and sense every minute of crazy fun-filled drama and antics.
Harry is an easy going eleven-year-old boy who loves animals and dressing up in costumes. He desperately wants to own a puppy, but since his little indiscretions with past animals, his mum has made him have to earn his way to getting a puppy with ‘puppy points’. He can receive these by doing chores and clearly showing he is responsible. So, when extra puppy point come up for grabs, Harry is very keen to try to get them. All he needs to do is look after his Granny and take her to a few appointments before heading to a special awards night function. That surely can’t be too hard! Unfortunately, his Granny isn’t your average slow, quiet and easy-going old lady. Mini (Harry’s Granny) is full of adventure and outrageous fun, and she has little desire to attend the awards night. Harry sets off on what he believes will be an easy 50 puppy points day, but within minutes he realises that this day is not going to go at planned. Will Harry be able to get his Granny safely to the awards night and collect his 50 puppy points or will Mini create more havoc and mayhem than anyone could ever imagine? Whatever the outcome, Harry is in for a day that he will never forget!
Jo Simmons has written many entertaining novels, and this one won’t disappoint. Combined with great illustrations by Nathan Reed, this book will engage readers with its witty humour and terrific clear imagery. I lost my Granny in the Supermarket would also make a great read aloud for a class to enjoy. This book is a definite winner with twists, turns and tales!
Themes Relationships, Problem solving, Rights and Responsibilities.
Michelle O'Connell
Goldilocks: Wanted dead or alive by Chris Colfer
Hachette, 2021. ISBN: 9781510202504. (Age:7+)
Goldilocks in this graphic novel is a tough, outlaw living in the western part of the fairy tale world, the Dwarf Forests, where criminals and outcasts can live freely. The reader learns this in a page of dense text with a simple map at the start of the book. This is followed by ‘Prologue - The Brothers Charming” with a convoluted discussion between the 3 brothers about fulfilling their father’s ambition to rule all the kingdoms of their world by driving out the people of the Dwarf Forests and claiming the territory. They trick their wives into giving them the power to invade the territory. Chapter 1 finds four well-armed men hunting the legendary Goldilocks in the Dwarf Forests, they are defeated easily by Goldilocks and her horse with lots of violent action and supernatural power. Chapter 4, distinguished by a black background, takes us back twelve years to Goldilocks’ back story which involves porridge and bears, betrayal and finding help where she least expects it. Back to the present day, Goldilocks is asked to help save the Dwarf Forests and she, with a rag tag band of outcasts including wolves, witches and other fairy tale characters set out to defeat the armies of the Charming brothers. The story is fast paced and a quick read which will be popular with readers already familiar with The Land of Stories series by this author but the characters here seemed one dimensional. The queens appear weak and easily influenced and their change of heart at the end was unconvincing. Their images, and that of others, owe a lot to Disney animations and the limited range of expressions on faces and mostly fixed point of view failed to add much to the story. A more exciting graphic reimagining of a classic story in a similar style would be Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Themes fantasy, adventure.
Sue Speck
Peanut Jones and the illustrated city by Rob Biddulph
Peanut Jones and the Illustrated City by Rob Biddulph is the first novel in what will undoubtedly be a fabulous new series. This brand-new adventure is one like no other, with characters that are endearing and relatable. The storyline is full of adventure, suspense and creativity with an underlying thread of determination, teamwork and grit.
Peanut Jones is a twelve-year-old girl who loves art and creativity, just like her father. Life was good and she was happy at Melody High. But after her father mysteriously left the family a year ago with a postcard message, things began to change. Peanut strongly believes that something has happened to him, but no one will listen to her. Her whole family life has never been the same since he left, her brother doesn’t really talk much now, and her mother has sent her to a new school that she hates. She also has a new school study buddy named Rockwell who desperately wants to be her friend, but she is not interested. Life is miserable!
When Peanut discovers a magical pencil hidden in a special box made by her father, things in Peanut’s life dramatically change. This pencil is not your average pencil that draws and erases! After sharing her findings with Rockwell, soon they are on an adventure into another world, with her little sister Little-Bit. Peanut believes she can potentially find her father and bring him back to the family, so that everything will be right again. As Peanut, Rockwell and Little-Bit begin their adventure, they are entering into a world of the unknown, where life is different, rules have changed, and things are not as they seem. Can Peanut and her friends conquer the evil, and bring back creativity and imagination to a world that is hanging by a thread of colour?
Rob Biddulph has once again created a highly engaging and inspiring novel. This story will appeal to both boys and girls who enjoy adventure, suspense and fun. Biddulph’s illustrations fill pages with further engagement and coolness. A truly talented author and illustrator, he has created a novel that will be enjoyed by many!
Themes Adventure, Problem solving, Creativity, Art.
Originally published in 1987, this tale of a girl and her dog walking home will bring explosions of laughter from readers as they see the walk from each perspective. Lily has no qualms walking home though the streets, she feels perfectly safe, knowing many of the signposts along the street, recognising places and street furniture that she knows. But Nicky the dog, is not so sure: he sees monsters at every corner.
Lily and Nicky walk for hours, but when the sun begins to go down, she heads for home, confident because Nicky is with her. But from the start the reader is aware that the little dog is scared because he sees things that Lily does not see. On the hill as she strides confidently onward he sees a snake in the tree, on the footpahth, a bear seems to be lounging in the branches, at the market stall where Lily buys some goods for her mother, Nicky sees a monster come out of the post box. As it becomes darker, streets and everything Nicky sees turns into a monstrous shape. Even the light poles have eyes, a monster watches them from the canal, and more fall out of the rubbish bins. Nicky is so pleased to be home, and listens while Lily tells her parents all the things she has seen on her walk, while Nicky cannot tell of the awful things he saw. At night Lily goes to bed happy and content after her long walkout but Nicky is wide awake, still thinking of all the fearful things he saw.
A wonderful read aloud, this book will delight younger readers as they call out the monsters that Nicky sees on the walk, noting that Lily sees something else entirely. A wonderful discussion starter, the book encourages children to be more aware of their surroundings and not to be frightened by shadows.
Publishing distinctive, amusing and quirky books is the aim of Scallywag Press setup in London in 2018, and this fits their aim easily.
Vast expanses of different shades of blue urged me to open this book detailing the life of a humpback whale and her calf as they trawl the ocean. The calf hugs close to its mother, sheltering under her flipper, the mother alert to any possibility of danger. As the pair glides through the water looking for food, they swim and dive together, splash, breach the surface and sleep, their behaviour paralleling that of a mother and child on land.
The bond is warm and loving, reflecting that of the human child and her mother, holding hands as they run along the beach, play with the water, eat cake and hug each other close.
Each page shows a different example of the bond between mother and child. A human mother and child stand hand in hand on the hilltop overlooking a sheltered bay where the whale and her calf live while the calf is newborn. The calf hugs close to mum as she shelters the calf with her flippers, the animal as big as a school bus. The calf drinks milk from mum, growing bigger and stronger every day, just as the child is growing taller to reach the tree where her hat has become lodged. The whale and her calf play in the water splashing and beating, hitting the water with loud beats of their flippers. The child too plays in the water, splashing and the whale and her calf blow water from their blowholes, sending a plume of bubbling water into the sky, just as the child blows bubbles. The whale sings and the calf sleeps close under her flipper. And the mother and child snuggle together in bed.
Each new piece of information about the whale and her calf are duplicated by the mother and her child, showing the bond between mothers and their offspring that are replicated across the whole animal world.
The text gives snippets of information about the Humpback whale within the context of a story, adding new words to the vocabulary of the reader, reiterating the correct terms to use when talking about whales. Young children will assimilate these new words with ease.
Two pages of information support the story at the end of the book.
A beautiful offering, stunningly illustrated, presenting non fiction to children in an evocative way.
Themes Whales, Ocean, Mother and child, Parenthood.
What kid would not read this book with an opening line “I AM SO ANGRY I THINK MY BUM MIGHT FALL OFF”.
The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife is an awesome, hilarious read, exploding with humour and very, very BIG FEELINGS. Scarlett Fife will quickly become a friend of all readers. If you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s Matilda you will absolutely become a fan of Scarlett Fife.
Maz Evans the author of some of the funniest books I’ve read like Who Let The God’s Out? series has managed to bring us a modern day Matilda called Scarlett. Scarlett uses her own feelings of anger to affect things. She has no control over her feelings and mostly explodes things up instead of controlling them.
Scarlett gets into big trouble after her BIG FEELINGS episode at her auntie’s engagement when she makes a hamster run into the vicar’s trousers. You can just picture what happens. She is told by her mum that if she loses her temper one more time she will miss out her trip to Mega Awesome Sicky Fun World which is the best theme park on the planet.
From here, Scarlett tries very hard to control her temper and discovers that every time she bottles up her feelings inside of her things start to explode. Like, really explode. It’s hard for her to control her feelings especially when there is a bully around and family thing issues.
I found when reading we encounter real problems and frustrations that children experience. Both boys and girls will relate to Scarlett. The book is very diverse and readers will probably find situations they have experienced. Characters are great, my favourite was Scarlett and her friend Masie. Also, Chris Jevon's illustrations throughout the book were awesome to look at.
If you want a good laugh I highly recommend The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife. Just remember that you won’t want to put it down.
Themes Emotions, Anger.
Maria Komninos
The upper world by Femi Fadugba
Penguin, 2021. ISBN: 9780241505618. (Age:13+)
Esso lives in a world where he's running out of time - then one day he makes a choice and learns he can see the future. A future that haunts him... Fifteen years later, teenager Rhia is lost and alone, wanting answers. On the cusp of signing with the Dons football club, with her grades holding her back, her foster parents arrange for a tutor. But this tutor has an obsession with physics and there might be more to him than meets the eye. Things are changing - luckily Rhia has her best friend and foster sister Olivia by her side to help her decipher the changes. With gang wars raging throughout the years, Esso and Rhia's fates collide but it's a race against time...
This mind bending sci-fi jumps between Esso and Rhia's perspectives, 15 years apart - the now and the 15 years later. With plenty of science and maths, as well as intense drama, this YA sci-fi has mixed theoretical with real life seamlessly. The author, Femi Fadugba, has written such an interesting story with two realistic protagonists - living life in hard times, with hardships and pain impacting every aspect of their lives. With a variety of supporting characters: family, friends, enemies; this time twist of a story looks at the impact of choices - even how not making a choice can be a choice. Fadugba has given readers much to think about, not only in science fiction but also human relationships. Good for fans of time travel theory and science fiction.
Themes Science Fiction, Relationships, Time Travel, Choice, Consequences, Gangs.
Melanie Pages
Dark rise by C.S. Pacat
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760875749. (Age:Young Adult) Recommended.
Bestselling Australian author C.S. Pacat is back with a new young adult fantasy series. Dark Rise is the first in a proposed trilogy set in an alternate early nineteenth century London. It follows Will, a sixteen-year-old dock boy who is on the run after the murder of his mother. Will does not know why she was killed or why the murderers are still pursuing him, he only knows that they are getting closer and time is running out. He is guided towards a mysterious organisation named the Stewards and discovers that he may be key to a brewing war of good versus evil.
Pacat made her name with the highly acclaimed yet controversial – and extremely sexually explicit – Captive Prince series. Dark Rise is a toned-down iteration of Pacat’s writing stye, more suitable for an older young adult audience. However, the characteristics that won Pacat so many fans with her previous work – clever dialogue, fraught and forbidden relationships and excellent world building – are also present in this novel.
While Dark Rise is most definitely not for the faint-hearted, or for younger audiences, Pacat has turned her hand very successfully to young adult fiction. Dark Rise is sure to win her a legion of new fans, eager for the release of the next in the series.
Themes Fantasy, Historical, Romance, London, Magic, Good vs Evil, War, Violence, LGBTQIA+.
