Young people today are fortunate to be growing up in a time where they have the ability to read, share and discuss issues around life skills and consequently their own mental health. One new non-fiction read, Life Skills by Keilly Swift, is a thoughtful and engaging guide book that will enable middle grade to teenage readers to source life skills' information and advice when they may require it. This book covers many topics under the headings of Finding Solutions, Ways of Thinking, Communicating, Understanding Feelings and Coping Skills and begins with a well written introduction to the actual meaning of life skills. Throughout the book the reader has the opportunity to try activities such as mind-mapping, looking at different facial expressions in a mirror, standing in someone else's shoes and learning about body language. On each page the information is broken up into very readable segments and contains attractive and detailed coloured illustrations. Every page is designed differently and this will add extra appeal for the intended audience. There is a glossary and a detailed index as well as help, advice and information pages although these provide UK-based details. Learning life skills from a young age, both at home and school, is so important and needs to be discussed openly. This would be an excellent resource book to have in every home, class, school and public library.
Themes Mental Health, Life Skills, Problem Solving, Choices, Decisions, Emotions, Well-being.
The 50th anniversary edition of Mr. Tickle, the first in the very popular Mr Men series, is a lush production, with an attractive eye-catching gold cover. It has an introduction telling the reader how the idea for the book was conceived - 8-year-old Adam Hargreaves asked his father 'What does a tickle look like?' Roger drew the memorable Mr. Tickle figure, with huge, long arms and a smug grin, and then went on to make a book, which became a favourite with many children. Mr. Tickle is a terror; he can reach downstairs with his long arms and sneak a biscuit out of the biscuit tin, and he can go on a path of destruction tickling figures in authority on the way. When he comes to a school, he quietly opens a classroom window and tickles the teacher, causing pandemonium. Next, he causes a traffic jam by tickling the policeman on traffic duty, and when he tickles a greengrocer, apples spill everywhere. Off course children will love to see the chaos that Mr. Tickle causes and will laugh out loud as his antics.
What makes the book really stand out are the fabulous bold illustrations in bright primary colours and outlined in black. Mr. Tickle is a hilarious figure, and the sight of his long, long arms appearing in the illustrations will lead to giggles. His face always has a great grin on it, while the very large faces of his victims take up a full page and are very stern and solemn.
This is a book that is made to be shared with an adult who could explain that while the actions of Mr Tickle are hilarious, in real life they may lead to accidents. And of course, the final pages will lead to much tickling and laughter as the child is warned that Mr. Tickle may be prowling about the house just waiting to tickle someone.
Ana is a 16-year-old recent arrival to the USA from Argentina. English is her second language and the nuance of life in her new adopted home has silenced her . . . there are few words for all the emotions and dilemmas that she faces as she tries to fit in. Who is she when she does not have the words to explain? But the cute American boy who needs help with Maths, and the shy Greek migrant stumbling with his English in her ESL class become part of her experience of life in the USA. Romance stumbles into the sphere of life, but how does she find the words to communicate what she feels? Can she be the Spanish-speaking and confident person she used to be or must she reinvent herself? Will her poetry give her opportunity to find words for all that wells up inside? And will her family understand her as she matures and changes in her new cultural home?
This is a creative exploration of life, love and the experience of being wordless. The author cleverly creates this wordlessness with blanked words to communicate the struggle of understanding life when you have no vocabulary or miss too many words. As she learns the language, these moments of confusion lessen. The struggle of romancing two classmates and the distress of misunderstanding frequently is highlighted in this romance tale. Interspersed into the narrative is Ana’s poetry, written in English in her ESL class as she struggles with words and ideas. The characters in this book are likeable and the secondary school setting will make this familiar to young Australian readers. Female readers aged 14+ will enjoy this romance tale, but will also empathise with Ana in her struggles with identity in a new culture.
Themes Romance, ESL, Language, Identity.
Carolyn Hull
Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760980535. (Age:15+) Highly recommended.
After reading Six Stories for Fans of Beautiful Australian Gothic by Kathleen Jennings in Tor.com, I became intrigued by the idea of the Australian Gothic novel, one that I had not considered before and picked up her slender volume Flyaway (192pp.) Beautifully written and illustrated with black and white drawings, Flyaway tells the story of Bettina, a young woman whose mother dominates her, ensuring that she acts like a lady always, beautifully dressed, obedient and very polite. Her father and two brothers are missing, whereabouts unknown, and she has lost contact with the friends that she had in her youth. When the word 'Monsters' is written on her house and she receives a note naming her as Tink, the nickname her brothers had given her, she sets out on a quest to find them.
Set in a small Australian country town, Jennings' lyrical narrative brings to life the sights and smells of the eucalypts, the dust on the unpaved roads and the mustiness of old abandoned houses. The tension is built up as with the help of Gary and Trish, friends from her past, she goes on a trip to find out what happened to her brothers. She hears stories from Gary and Trish about weird dogs prowling, a Pied Piper like man, a school covered in thorns, and a bottle to grant three wishes, and finally arrives at a familiar farmhouse, where memories from her past rise to haunt both her and the reader.
Although short, Flyaway has much to offer the reader. The combination of small-town life, beautiful bush, a protagonist wrestling with memories and eerie beings, all overlaid with a feeling of dread that leads to an unexpected conclusion left me wanting to re-read it to follow the clues and understand the magic. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay, The dressmaker by Rosalie Ham and Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan are other Australian gothic tales suggested in the article.
Themes Australian Gothic fiction, Horror, Memories.
Pat Pledger
The tale of the whale by Karen Swan and Padmacandra
University of Queensland Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781912650491. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
A young lad is taken by a whale into the depths of the ocean, initially to enjoy the forests on the ocean floor, a shipwreck, the other sea creatures. Each four line verse ends with two lines such as :
I smiled at the whale and the whale smiled at me.
Kids will love predicting these last two lines and repeating them with the reader as they tell the story. The wonderful illustrations reveal a beautiful ocean: full of wonder and awe, colour and interest. After frolicking on the ocean waves beneath the warm rays of the sun, they dive deep onto a shipwreck, full of mystery and magic, then swim through mountains and valleys of sand, the colours of the ocean astounding the boy. All seems quite benign until the whale opens its gigantic mouth to take in a sea of water and food. With dismay the boy and the reader note that this mouthful is full of junk - junk left by us. Readers will spot ring pulls and plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic netting, all wrapped around the creatures in the ocean. The tone of the story changes
I cried with the whale And the whale cried with me
as the tale of the whale becomes a plea for his environment, one now so polluted and begging to be reinstated to what it once was. The plastic soup sea is there for all of us to help clean up.
This is a determined look at the ocean and what we have done to it, imploring readers to take action. The verses are easily learnt and repeated and the last few lines should be emblazoned in every classroom as the imperative for change is spoken.
Along with beautiful dreamy blue watery illustrations, the story cannot help but be read and read again in lots of classrooms, enlisting the enthusiasm of the young to better use their environment and repair the damage that has been done. Teacher's notes are available.
In the town the boy walks slowly to school, the old woman walks with hobbling steps to the shop for her goods, the cat searches for someone to love, but a song drifts out from a high window, wrapping everyone in its sounds: the boy suddenly has a spring in his step as he walks to school, the older woman no longer has to wrap herself with the shawl against the cold and walks more easily on her way, the cat rounds a corner and finds a family waiting just for him. The whole town is happy, people are speaking to each other, they care about each other, sharing a new found kindness and peace.
But one day the music stops. People looks up at the window waiting for it to resume, but it does not. People loose what skills they have developed, they become less communicative, even the flowers droop in the window boxes, people stay in bed, and everyone becomes grumpy. They hold a meeting and the boy climbs up on their shoulders to look in the window to see what is wrong. There he finds an exhausted wren.
He climbs inside and together he and the wren sing music for everyone.
This delightful story will resonate with younger children as they see the healing power of music. Music in the form of flowers litter each page, taking the eye across each page of wonderful illustrations, seeing what the music does to the town's people. Each grows with the music swirling around them, and when the music stops, they too become smaller, inward looking, unresponsive. That they work together to solve their problem is a lesson not lost on younger readers, as they cheer when the young lad reaches the window sill and peers inside. The community has solved its problem, by working as one.
I love Morris' illustrations, her people Lowry like in their simplicity. Her images of the music flowing over each page is continued on the end papers attracting young eyes to see what flowers they can pick out. I am sure an astute teacher or parent will be able to find some appropriate music to play while reading this book to an eager audience, initiating discussions about what makes them feel happy.
Themes Mental health, Community, Friendship, Working together, Music.
Fran Knight
Amira's suitcase by Vikki Conley. Illus. by Nicky Johnston
New Frontier, 2021. ISBN: 9781922326133. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
A poignant story of finding friendship in the least friendly of places, new arrival Amira is looking for a place to hide, but finds instead a small seedling, growing in the corner of one of the discarded suitcases. Lovingly she cares for he seedling, nurturing it with water from her cupped hands, talking to it, moving the suitcase to garner some sunlight. She dreams of the pear tree back home, a tree from which she could pick beautiful fruit. She attracts the attention of another child in the mean surroundings, Nala, and she brings another seed for the suitcase, so the first seed is not lonely. That night Amira dreams of her mother's mint tea. The next day Tien gives her more seeds to plant and the three watch the seedlings grow, together.
By now the seedlings have grown just like their friendship, each nurturing the other in this inhospitable place. And they watch the fluttering leaves pointing up and imaginatively they climb the tree ready to reach the sun and all that it promises.
Nicky Johnston's pencil and watercolour images warm each page with their delicate touch, the young girl Amira, wistful and yet hopeful, as her parents unpack their meagre belongings. When she finds something to hang on to, life becomes more bearable within the very bleak environment. Finding other children gives her hope, and the images of the children change, smiles added to their faces. They are now in a friendship group, doing things together, and as the seedling grows in the last few pages so too does their hope and the readers' hope for their futures grows. And I love the end papers, reprising the inside of an old suitcase, stained and worn, but one that harbours the seedling, offering new life.
A story the will encourage thought and empathy, as readers take in the child's surroundings, linking it with places they have heard about, wondering at her situation, so unlike their own.
The pared back text offers a look at children's lives outside their own, the illustrations portraying the stark realities of life for many children around the world.
The end offers hope, the text paralleling the illustrations in which the sun offers guidance to a better life.
Fuelled with determination and a passion for science, a bright young girl named Fei Fei builds a rocket ship to the moon to prove the existence of a legendary Moon Goddess. There she ends up on the adventure of a lifetime and discovers a whimsical land of fantastical creatures.
Based on the Netflix original animated film, this illustrated novel retells the story of Over the Moon and includes original concept art!
Directed by animation legend Glen Keane, and produced by Gennie Rim and Peilin Chou, Over the Moon is an exhilarating musical adventure about moving forward, embracing the unexpected, and the power of imagination.
Although I am unfamiliar with the screen version of this story, this novelisation offers an engaging tale of a modern young miss who likes both sides of the story - the one her mother used to tell her of the fantasy and the scientific explanation of the same phenomenon given by her father. Does the moon change its shape because the Space Dog bites chunks from it until the Moon Goddess Chang-e makes him spit it out, or is there another explanation? There is a delicate balance that keeps the reader entertained as Fei Fei fulfils her quest, at the same time as offering the reader another, deeper layer to accompany the screen version.
Just as very young readers like to connect with the print versions of their favourite screen characters, so too those who are older and independent. The subtle nuances of the written word add substance to what might be lost in the whizbangery of the animation.
This will be a great addition to those who have a focus on screen-print matches this year while offering a quality read to take our girls to new worlds. It also opens up the world of traditional tales that have carried the stories of generations over generations.
Barbara Braxton
Zoom : Space adventure by Susan Hayes. Illus. by Susanna Rumiz
What on Earth Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781999967987. (Age:1-4) Recommended.
Ava is all set to go off on an adventure into space. The young reader or listener will be intrigued with the cut-out of the rocket ship that launches with both her and her little white cat aboard. The climb of the many stairs that show the preparations that take place before lift-off will grab attention. What will happen next?
Ava is an engaging character and children will love the little cat that also peers out the window of the rocket ship. The colourful illustrations give much information about space travel, the objects found in space and the activities that take place there. Not only is information given about a rocket launch, but Ava docks at the International Space Station to drop off supplies, repairs a solar panel during a spacewalk and collects samples on the Moon. Then off to the Solar System to see the Sun and eight planets that travel around it, as well as the Curiosity Rover on Mars and an asteroid belt. Finally, in a wonderful last pop-up, there is a supernova exploding.
This a very informative board book, the fairly sparse text giving a very good overview of space exploration and the solar system for young readers. It also is very sturdy and will withstand much handling. The cut-outs will provide fun for small fingers and children are sure to love finding that cute little cat on every double page spread.
Themes Space flight, Rockets, Space stations, Moon, Solar system, Mars, Imagination.
A wonderful joining in story will appeal to young readers as the story is read aloud to them. They will not be able to contain themselves, calling out Vernon's name at the appropriate places, and whooshing with the words denoting the movement of the penguin as he strives to achieves his greatest ambition: to fly. From the cover where Vernon sits with a kite, a crash helmet firmly placed on his head, the smiling will start, then turning the cover and seeing the endpapers filled with images of Vernon in various poses, kids will laugh out loud as Vernon aspires to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Since he was born he has always wanted to fly. At night he dreams of twirling and swirling and one day he makes a decision. He makes some wings but they do not work, he attaches himself to a bunch of balloons, has himself shot from a cannon, uses a seesaw, a slingshot, a hot air balloon, but all to no avail. Mother tells him to go and see the wise old penguin on the ridge. He tells her his problem and she offers a solution, one that shows him that although he cannot fly, he can do other things.
A very funny tale about accepting who you are will bring tears of laughter to the readers' faces, as they strive with Vernon to achieve his impossible dream, only to find that there are lots of things he can do that involve the same sorts of skills. He can swirl and twirl, swish and curl just as well sliding along the ridge flying into the air and landing in the water. And he can do it very well, receiving lots of applause and accolades from the onlookers.
A delightful tale of being yourself, of striving for something out of your reach but accepting your limitations. I love the images of the little penguin, looking upwards, seeking to fulfil his dream. A few changes with a pencil and he is sad, another, optimistic, but always engaging and funny.
Themes Dreams, Goals, Achievement, Penguins.
Fran Knight
Jungledrop by Abi Elphinstone
Unmapped Chronicles. Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781460753903. (Age:9-13)
Eleven year old twins Fox and Fibber are very unlikeable children. In fact they have been trained to be that way by their very unlikeable parents, who have always pitted one twin against the other. Their scheming, crooked parents (with the very apt name of Petty-Squabble) have set the direction for their future . . . until they embark on a journey to Jungledrop, the fantastical other world of the Unmapped Kingdom, a place where the earth's weather is controlled.
Unfortunately the evil Morg has taken control of large parts of Jungledrop and is spreading havoc while searching for the Forever-Fern. It is Fox and Fibber's quest to retrieve the Forever Fern, rescue Jungledrop and return the rains to their own world. A difficult feat when they have been trained not to trust each other.
There is some wonderful imagery and characters in this story. I particularly enjoyed the majestic golden panthers and Heckle the parrot, who verbally relays your thoughts out loud for all to hear.
The twins, in particular Fox, grow and develop in the story and learn about themselves, their sibling and the destructive negative influence of their parents. Relationships is a strong theme in the novel and the need for environmental protection is strongly implied. Greed should not win over the needs of the planet.
This book continues the Unmapped Chronicles series, preceded by Everdark and Rumblestar. I had not read the previous novels so I came to this book without any background information which might explain why it took me some time to get into the plot.
There is to be another book is the Unmapped Chronicles series coming out this year.
This novel will be enjoyed by fantasy genre lovers and would be suitable for ages 9-13 years.
Jane Moore
100 Things to Know about Saving the Planet
Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474981835.
There has been a plethora of books about how individuals can save this planet recently and so adding another to the mix seems almost superfluous.
However, this one is for slightly older readers who have a broader perspective than just the regular reducing, reusing, recycling of household goods and changing personal practices. Its cover is intriguing with statements such as "recycled jeans can keep horses warm' and "eating beef saves water" so the reader is enticed to look inside to discover more.
And inside are even more intriguing tidbits set out in a colourful appealing way that make a provocative statement followed by an easily accessible explanation. How could plastic-eating bacteria help reduce waste? Can a river be given human rights? Could we generate all the power we need from the sun and the wind? How do woolly sweaters help penguins in peril? Would building a giant sunshade in space stop the world from overheating?
The environment and its sustainability permeate our lives in a way that makes even the youngest reader aware of the consequences of their actions so books like these that open up new ideas such as joining a jeans library so fewer pairs have to be made or knowing that making one hamburger actually uses more water than a person drinks in three years are an integral part of our understanding and actions. While each article offers its explanation, there is scope for an interested student to engage in a deeper investigation to explore, expand and explain the particular phenomenon.
As well as all the usual supports for locating, selecting and using the information, there are also the popular Quicklinks that take the reader beyond the text to new knowledge.
Barbara Braxton
Penguin Bloom : The odd little bird who saved a family by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive
An uplifting and poignant book, Penguin Bloom: The odd little bird who saved a family, speaks powerfully from the lived experience of a horrifying accident and the long road to acceptance of the consequences of that accident. It is written by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive. The beautiful photography throughout is by Cameron Bloom. Harper Collins have published this book in hardback format. The cover and internal design and photography are beautiful.
Penguin Bloom is written in the first person voice of Cameron Bloom. He narrates the story of his life with his wife Sam and his three boys Rueben, Noah and Oliver. The story begins with when he first fell in love with Sam and it traces their family before and after the accident which changed all of their lives irrevocably and profoundly. It is a deeply personal story, full of love and pain. Through this harrowing experience, the family learnt to rebuild their lives in a new way. Central to this rebuilding was the arrival of a wounded magpie that became a family member and saved the family from the self destructive spiral of guilt, depression and hopelessness that they had drifted into since the accident.
This true story is told with warmth. It flows well although it is emotionally not an easy read. There is a personal message from Sam herself at the end which is a no holds barred piece of advice for anyone who has suffered or had someone close to them suffer serious spinal cord injury and been paralysed. As she states,her words are ". . . brutally honest" but coming from someone who lives the experience, they are supportive and give hope and advice. A generous percentage of the book's royalties go to support the work of Spinalcare Australia.
This is a book that people all over the world will identify with. Sam's accident could happen to anyone of us. Set in Australia, as it is, the family life, the landscape and Penguin Bloom herself are very recognisable to Australian readers. This beautiful family are a tribute to the power of love, of family relationships and the importance of our relationships with animals. It is now a major motion picture starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln.
Highly recommended.
Themes Accident victims, Life changing events, Family relationships, Human-animal relationships.
Wendy Jeffrey
Fossils from lost worlds by Helen Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt
Did you know the oldest evidence of animals, fossilized animal tracks dating back 560 million years, was found in the Ediacara Hills in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia? Those adults and younger readers who are fascinated with palaeontology will be drawn to this new release, Fossils from Lost Worlds, as it discusses so much of what piques and maintains their interest. The book was originally published in France and the preface from the Head of Palaeontology at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris begins the journey into the book. There is a double Contents page clearly set out with images, topics covered and a list of the dinosaurs discussed. A detailed map of the geographical periods follows with illustrations, labels and highlighted text boxes showing important events that occurred over time. Each page uses a variety of visual techniques including graphics to focus on a different aspect or creature which allows the text to be segmented into readable and engaging chunks complete with detailed illustrations. The fascinating information conveyed is not onerous or complicated and will appeal to younger children and reluctant older readers. At the end of the book is an extensive but clearly presented Brief History of Palaeontology.
This book is an excellent new resource for home, school and public libraries.
To be evacuated during wartime would have been very difficult for children. Jimmy and his younger brother, Ronnie, are sent to a Welsh mining village in September 1939 and must adjust to many changes. For Jimmy, the responsibility for his brother, the unwanted change and the insecurity he feels makes for an unpleasant beginning in his new 'home'. His resentment is palpable. And his hosts Alun and Gwen seem to have a secret that has made their lives very difficult in the small Welsh town. Ronnie soon settles into his new home, but it isn't until Jimmy discovers a skeleton, finds a new friend and fends off a local bully that he too feels that being in Wales is a good place to be.
This is a beautifully written historical story essentially about the love of brothers and how love and friendship can be found even when you are not looking for it. Because of its war-time evacuation setting, this will be unfamiliar to most young Australian readers, but the story will resonate as it evokes an era of pain and suffering that even children had to endure. With an underlying pathos and an element of fear and uncertainty because of their hosts' secret struggles, the mystery of this story is intriguing. I will be actively recommending this debut novel to readers aged 10-14.
Themes World War II, Evacuation, Wales, Brothers, Secrets.
