Little, Brown & Company, 2024. ISBN: 9780316568142. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
As a fan of The bone houses and The Drowned woods I was thrilled to read another gripping fantasy by Emily Lloyd-Jones. Three young people join to take part in a Wild Hunt, organised by the Otherking, the immortal ruler of Annwvyn and the mortal king of Dyfed. Each have their reasons for pursuing the magical wish granted by the Otherking. Branwen, who can see and destroy magical monsters, needs a cure for her mother’s memory loss. Gwydion is a prince who wants his sister to inherit the kingdom rather than his violent brother. Pryderi the king of Dyfed’s son, who was kidnapped and raised by a monster, wants to know where he belongs. Gwydian employs Branwen, the huntress, to help him in the Wild Hunt, and uses his cunning to gain entrance to the event. There they meet up with Pryderi and all three, along with Branwen’s magical cat Palug, are faced with the challenge of outwitting the other contestants and staying alive. But only one contestant can win the prize. Who will it be?
Told in alternating voices, the reader understands the motivation and deep-set desires of the three main characters as their backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses are brought to light. Each is engaging and it is easy to relate to their reasons for wanting to win the prize of the Wild Hunt. Combined with the emotions surrounding the trio comes the thrill of the chase as each brings different skills to unpack the clues and win the magic boon. Lloyd-Jones increases the suspense when three witches give enigmatic prophesies about the trio, and the reader knows that there are dire times ahead for the partners.
This is a wonderful fantasy told with charm and occasional flashes of humour. Readers who haven’t read the Welsh-inspired The bone houses and The Drowned woods are likely to enjoy them and could also try The amber owlby Juliet Marillier and The Raven scholar by Antonia Hodgson.
The Secret Unicorn Club by Emma Roberts, Rae Ritchie and Tomislav Tomic
Magic Cat Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781913520618.
Do you believe in unicorns? Would you like to join a secret club of unicorn experts who search for and look after unicorns in the wild?
Well, this is the book for you and it is as intriguing as its introduction. To become a member, the reader has to collect 10 badges by reading the information about these magical creatures so they can learn about their wild habitats and habits, how they make the weather, their particular magical powers. and other fascinating facts and fantasies. Then for those who do collect their badges, after putting on their most colourful clothing, flashing their best smile and repeating the Unicorn Oath, there is a surprise hidden behind a sealed compartment.
With a topic that continues to fascinate young girls, particularly, this is a unique way to engage them in both reading and imagining. With soft, almost tangible illustrations, the reader is transported to this wondrous world that promises to be all that they imagined and more, and the added bonus of a secret book is such an allure to keep reading. (Because my copy is going to a little one with very special needs who has a deep belief in the magic of these creatures, I have kept the secret book sealed so she can have the joy of opening it.)
Sometimes reality comes too soon till our little people these days - even the story of Easter Bunny was disputed when I read to preschoolers - and so anything that continues the magic for them is five-star IMO. And it has a companion - The Secret Fairy Club, for those who believe in a different sort of magic.
And to prove that I do, there are photos of my granddaughters' bedroom. Even though they are young adults now they tell me I have to keep it that way - and the fairy garden in the backyard - because magic is not defined by age.
Dark Moon Defender, the third in the Twelve Houses series is a thrilling fantasy romance, a story of forbidden love and a dangerous cult. Justin is a King’s Rider, rescued from the streets by Tayse, and is sent on a lonely mission to watch and report on what is happening in the Lumanen Convent where Coralinda is leading the Daughters of the Pale Mother in her fanatical quest to rid Gillengaria of mystics. Ellynor is a young novice who can move unobserved through the dark and when Justin rescues her from the unwanted attentions of a drunken nobleman, he becomes her friend. Both Justin and Ellynor are hiding secrets but love blossoms between the two and when danger threatens both will risk everything to save each other.
Although first published in 2007, the Twelve Houses series has stood the test of time and would appeal to readers of the romantic fantasy genre. The combination of danger, adventure and a slow burning romance is sure to thrill readers. Justin grows in strength from a young man who always follows Tayse’s leadership to one who must make his own decisions and fight for the right of mystics to live a peaceful life as he leads his solitary life posing as a stable hand. Hoping that Ellynor would overcome the danger that she unknowingly faces as a mystic in the Convent kept me reading to the end.
Followers of Tayse and Senneth from Mystic and Rider will also be thrilled to learn more of their love story and will delight in scenes when the protagonists from that novel gather together.
In Dark Moon Defender Shinn shines a light on the dangers of cults and how a cult leader can brainwash followers into believing that people who are different are evil. She highlights the importance of using magical gifts for good and of tolerance for people with magical abilities. This is a feel-good read that I return to when I want to escape into another world, one which Shinn has described so well. And readers who enjoy books by Robin McKinley, Juliet Marillier and Lois Bujold McMaster are sure to like books by Sharon Shinn.
Thirty years ago I introduced my Year 1 class to a new book that was causing a lot of buzz. It was called Chickens Aren't the Only Ones, and not only do I still have my copy of it but I remember the fun and amazement we had as we discovered that chickens weren't the only ones that laid eggs. While those little ones knew that ducks and geese and other birds laid eggs, they were surprised that so many other creatures do too.
And I'm willing to bet that this generation of little ones will be just as astonished as they share this beautiful new book that introduces a collection of Australian creatures who also lay eggs, whether they live in the bush like the echidna and the cicada, on the beach like the turtle and the crocodile, or even in the water itself like the crab and the platypus. Through beautiful, detailed illustrations that make you want to touch, and accessible text that is expanded with more information in the latter pages, double page spreads open up a wondrous world of life beginning, in, on and under the landscape. Eagle eyes will also spot other egg-laying animals or their eggs hidden in the pictures and the endpapers, and these, too, are exposed in those final pages.
One of the activities we did way back then was to have a display board that was continually being added to as students discovered more and more egg-laying creatures but instead of just labelling them, they wrote clues that enabled their friends to discover the layer. The delight when the mystery was solved!!!! One of my favourites was this that I found washed up on the beach during my scuba diving days...
While it is not featured in Hatch, it is not uncommon to find them washed up on the beaches of NSW looking and feeling like a piece of washed up seaweed. Do you know?
We know children are fascinated to discover the hidden wonders of their world and this is yet another brilliant publication from CSIRO that unveils it for them. Perhaps you will make the sort of career-highlight memories as I did in that class of so long ago.
No internet back then but perhaps you could start with this heart-warming clip from the miracles of Cyclone Alfred.... perhaps even investigate how the sex of those turtles (and crocodiles and alligators) is determined by the temperature of the sand they are laid in and thus, the impact of climate change on both the species and the food chain. As usual, another on-the-surface-simple publication that has the potential to span K-12!!!. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Eggs, Animal reproduction.
Barbara Braxton
The strange and unlikely tale of Montgomery, the mysterious bird of mystery by Antony Elworthy
Walker Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781760658915. (Age:8+)
Every Wednesday he cycles over to the Twilight Retirement Village to visit Gramps and listen to the remarkable tales he has to tell of his past life. It is the high point of the week for both of them and Gramps certainly seems to have had a most interesting life, because today's tale is just as intriguing as those told before. Having decided to give up being a deep sea diver because he didn't want his innards sucked back up through the hose and sprayed across the boat's deck, Gramps decided to become a magician. Before long known as The Astonishing Alfredo, he is famous across the land, particularly for his trick of being able to have his white dove Montgomery fly from a seemingly empty hat, and who then serenades the audience with a song. Between them, they bring the house down but mysterious forces are afoot and in a strange twist, the two find themselves in each other's shoes.
Readers are warned to "Expect the unexpected and believe the unbelievable " and this is certainly the case for both the boy and the young independent reader as they are immersed in a story that seems hard to believe, but it really doesn't matter because it is the sharing of story and time between grandfather and grandson that is at the core of this debut novel. Even though he finds it difficult to believe his grandfather's stories, nevertheless it is the bond they have formed that drives the story and the weekly visits.
Enhanced by the author's own illustrations - he is an animator who has worked on Corpse Bride and Coraline, among others - the reader becomes just as immersed in the story, wondering if Gramps will ever be able to get his wand back and reverse what Montgomery has done. And, if he does, what will he have learned from his experience?
For me, it was a step back in time to the 50s and visits to my own grandparents who lived across the road from the ocean and always had many a tale to tell as the waves pounded on the nearby rocks, adding the perfect music and atmosphere to the adventures they shared. Perhaps it will inspire today's readers to connect with their elders in a similar way so the stories are not forgotten or lost altogether.
Winner of the 2025 Aurealis Award for Fantasy, Thoroughly Disenchanted is a cosy romantic fantasy that is likely to appeal to fans of Rebecca Ross and Travis Baldree. A hundred years ago, Genevieve and Oliver visited Riverswood Manor with friends. They wished they could stay forever – and unfortunately that is what happened. Confined by magic to the manor, and cursed with immortality, they are looked after and their needs are met, their love affair dwindling to friendship. Their ageless friend Fionn comes and goes, living many lives as he hides his youthfulness and keeping them up to date with what is happening in the world. They long for the day when they will be able to break the curse and live normal lives. Then one stormy night Ella, a young and exuberant woman, arrives bringing fresh hope as they begin to untangle the mystery that is Riverswood Manor.
Thoroughly Disenchanted hits all the criteria for a cosy fantasy mystery. The setting of a large magical house set in extensive grounds is very appealing, and the magic that surrounds it is fascinating. All the characters are engaging and the lovers to friends, and friends to lovers tropes are handled in a believable way. The novel is well paced, ensuring that the reader becomes engaged in the lives of Genevieve and Oliver, hoping that one day they will be able to leave the confinement of the manor.
This was a cosy read, with relationships more suited to an adult readership.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Relationships, Mansions.
Pat Pledger
Shmoof by Heidi McKinnon
Albert Street Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781760876661. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Fans of the adorable Floof will be happy to see him feature in another picture book, Shmoof. With her signature colourful, simple illustrations Heidi McKinnon brings to life Shmoof a super shmoofy dog, who is just gorgeous. Shmoof is introduced into the household of Floof, the floofiest cat and the reader will have lots of fun when Shmoof meets Floof. Shmoof is a super friendly dog who really wants to make friends, but Floof reacts with fur standing on end and tail erect – he is ready to never be friends. When Shmoof does doggy things like sniffing and finding balls, Floof runs and hides in a paper bag. The only thing that can make them cooperate is a dislike for the vacuum cleaner and the loud Vroom! Vroom! it makes. What can they do to make it disappear?
Shmoof is likely to become a favourite with young children. The sparse text reads aloud beautifully for young children and would be a lovely narrative for children just learning to read. And of course the illustrations are wonderful. Readers will relate to the drawings of Shmoof and Floof and feel that they know the characters, while the humorous last page will have everyone laughing aloud.
Shmoof is a keeper, a warm story for lovers of dogs and cats.
This is such a fun poetry collection children will just revel in. It’s full of word play, rhymes, and kid’s humour, like the nose picker who ‘stuffed the snot between his toes’, Josy who ‘got busted spitting cherry pips real high over the school fence’, the go-cart propelled by a fart, the kid who becomes the ‘viscious-huge-tyrannosaurus flesh-eating-sharp-clawed dinosaur Rex’, and so many more that will have you laughing.
There are others, though, that are more serious, as their titles may suggest: Try, Anxiety, Standing Ovation, Strange Fruit, Broken-hearted, The Smallest and Most Important of Gestures, The Black Dog. They capture feelings and anxieties, but most of all the importance of caring for others.
The brilliant thing is that at the back there is an index by poetic form, with just about every example a budding poet might want to refer to: acrostic poems, found poems, free verse, haiku, limericks, narrative verse, pantoums, sonnets and tongue twisters. What a boon for the English teacher! Easy access to examples to inspire writing in the classroom. With titles like Redback Spider Bite, Rats in the Roof, and There’s a Blowfly in the Dunny, you can’t miss. I love the challenge posed by There’s No Rhyme for Purple: “you can rhyme with purple, just give it a try!'
There are 99 poems in this book. Something for everyone.
The white crow is a thriller that I couldn’t put down. I first met Philomena McCarthy in When you are mine and couldn’t resist reading about her again – although The white crow can be read as a stand-alone. She is an irresistible character – the daughter of a London crime boss Edward McCarthy, she has decided that she wants to be on the right side of the law and has spent the last four years as a young officer with the Metropolitan Police Force. This has not always been easy as her colleagues don’t always trust her and it strains her relations with her family. One night she is with another officer when she spots a young girl cowering in a hedge, her nightdress covered in blood. Daisy, the little girl, tells her that she can’t wake her mother, and while her colleague rushes off to a burglary in a jewellery shop across town, Philomena investigates and finds the body of the girl’s mother. When the two investigations clash Philomena is faced with some difficult choices. Who can she trust? How involved is her father in the burglary? Will she be allowed to investigate the murder?
Robotham has combined all the elements of a police procedural with a gripping thriller, and fans of both genres will be taken along for an exciting ride. Details of Philomena’s father’s empire and the tactics he uses to make money are explored as he is faced with a takeover by a violent gang boss. His problems lead to Philomena facing extreme danger and the reader is left wondering who will come to the rescue – her new husband Henry, her family or the police force. The underlying mystery of the death of the little girl’s mother is a tantalising thread throughout and the officer in charge, DCI Brendan Keegan, is also faced with choices between expediency and truth.
This is a gripping story, told by a master storyteller, and I can easily imagine it being made into a film or TV series. I eagerly await more books from this wonderful author.
Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town by Li Chen
Penguin Random House, 2025. ISBN: 9781761353406. (Age:7+)
Energetic kitten, Beans, is determined to solve crimes through applying the basic principles of detecting. The crime scene is secured, evidence collected and written up in case notes, suspects interviewed, inevitably leading to the case being solved. Keen to share detecting skills Beans opens a detective school and publishes “the Daily Detective” news sheet. He also uses his maths book for drawing ideas and comics as the single-minded kitten is not keen on the subject. That is until best friend, Biscuits, points out that detectives get paid and he can charge clients by multiplying his hourly rate by the time spent.
The glossy, brightly coloured panels and cute kitten characters in short, often pointless, cases are for quick, fun consumption as Beans creates cases and solves them. There are lightweight visual gags, often spilling out onto the page margins, with little dialogue. The short stories include “Beans and the King Chip” where a pigeon steals his biggest chip, here the subtly coloured cartoon pigeons are delightful. Most of the characters are fun, consistent and attractive, though the strange ice cream man Mr Brickle is a bit scary even before he is disguised as a polar bear, and the scary Mum in “Beans and the Sleepover” might need some adult explanation. In “Beans and the Lost Bag” there are some slightly off messages if translated into real life and, given some children’s literal interpretations about lost property and strangers, could need adult explanation. It is disappointing to see best friend Biscuits depicted as the brainy female wearing glasses taking a passive role compared to the feisty Beans but overall the 33 comics make entertaining reading, especially for those with a short attention span like the protagonist. This is the second book in the extremely popular Detective Beans series and more comics can be found on Li Chen’s Instagram, Exocomics.
Sariyah has an unusual gift. Her brain constantly receives messages about other people’s needs. These are usually little things: Paper clip. Crayon. Shoelace. Chewing gum. She carries a ‘Santa bag’ to hand out items to needy persons, often even before they’ve become aware of their need. Thus the nail file she hands to the shop owner turns out to become a defence weapon when the woman is attacked at night. It’s a kind of ADHD; she is inattentive and distractible because her brain is overloaded with buzzing messages. Everything takes a horrible turn when her friend Deja goes missing and the last thing Sariyah handed her was a pepper spray.
There is a lot going on in Sariyah’s life: her parents live separately, her younger brother has sickle cell disease, and her mother is severely depressed. Sariyah, as eldest child, is the person that has to hold the family together. She and her best friend Malcolm are also grieving the loss of his sister Tessa, five years ago. Now that Deja has disappeared, another black girl gone missing, Sariyah and Malcolm want to make sure the police investigate thoroughly this time, and are determined to make her case go viral on social media.
Set in a black community in Atlanta, the story takes a little while to gather pace, but the mystery of Deja’s disappearance soon had me hooked. Desamours explores issues of racial profiling, the lack of public interest in a black disappearance compared to a similar case where a young white girl disappeared. The teenage protagonists are angry and frustrated at police disinterest and incompetence. Sariyah’s empathetic brain messages don’t help and only make her feel guilty and responsible for the train of events. There are hints of possible familial abuse, inappropriate relationships, abuse of drugs, the usual things that arise when someone goes missing, but the suspicions only swirl around the truth. Desamours’ novel makes good use of the mystery, speculative fiction genre, to explore many social issues in a way that is not confronting, and remains suitable for a YA audience.
Themes Mystery, Missing person, Grief, Racism, Depression, Social media, Responsibility.
The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal is a powerful and moving historical fiction novel, that will appeal to those interested in uncovering more about the perils experienced in Europe during the reign of the Nazi Regime. At its heart are two unforgettable young protagonists: Klara, a Jewish girl from Germany, and Lucien, a Jewish boy from France. Their parallel journeys reveal how ordinary children were swept up in extraordinary, terrifying times.
The story shares the daily lives of both characters in their home countries, describing the growing fear and persecution that was endured as the Nazi threat spreads. When both children are forced from their homes, they ultimately find themselves interned in the Gurs detention camp in the southwest of France.
Leal’s sensitive writing excels at conveying this period through a child’s eyes: the confusion, and fear, entwined with small moments of hope and laughter, all within the desperate longing for safety. Balancing danger and suspense with empathy and humanity, the reader is immersed in the lives of Klara and Lucien. The atmosphere of the camp is described vividly but appropriately for the age group, showing poor conditions, hunger and fear while also highlighting camaraderie among detainees and small acts of kindness that sustain hope.
Beyond its compelling narrative, The Year We Escaped is also an excellent resource. The back of the book contains detailed historical notes on the Gurs camp, the persecution of Jews under Hitler, and important statistics that give readers real-world context for Klara and Lucien’s fictional experiences.
Filled with adventure, danger and emotional truth, Suzanne Leal’s novel is a beautifully written and important work that gives young readers a real sense of history through two resilient, relatable characters. It is a valuable tool for fostering empathy and understanding while honouring the memory of those who suffered during this dark time.
This middle grade novel will certainly appeal to those readers who have enjoyed We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad and The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
Themes World War II, Friendship, Empathy, History.
Michelle O'Connell
Kenneth and Queenie: Super Sweet! by Raymond McGrath
Kenneth and Queenie: Super sweet, the first in a new graphic novel series created by Raymond McGrath, is a colourful, engaging and thoughtful read that will appeal to many. Filled with large, vivid illustrations, and bursting with personality, this book is a visual treat that will draw children right into the world of bees and blossoms.
The story follows Kenneth and Queenie - two very different types of bees, each with very different kinds of roles. Kenneth is sensitive and driven, and determined to save the world, while Queenie is spirited and enthusiastic, and almost queen of the hive.
While they explore the beginnings of a friendship, after a rather rocky start, they realise the importance of acceptance and respect. Finding out about each other through careful listening, consideration and kindness, they explore the wider world together; discovering things within it and learning how balance is essential.
Beyond the story of friendship and acceptance, Kenneth and Queenie: Super sweet, also includes light humour and interesting scientific facts about pollination, ecosystems and the crucial role insects play in keeping our world healthy. McGrath strikes an excellent balance, making sure the educational content is woven seamlessly into the adventure. Young readers will learn about the importance of bees in a fun, interesting way – perhaps sparking further curiosity and investigation.
Cleverly structured, this book is broken into three short chapters, each with a distinct division that offers something special: a moment where the reader sees the pollination process from a flower’s perspective. These interludes provide a humorous pause in the narrative while also reinforcing the science at the heart of the story.
Overall, Kenneth and Queenie: Super sweet is both entertaining and educational. The large, colourful illustrations invite kids to linger on each page, noticing details about the bees, flowers and the natural world. McGrath has created a unique and interesting graphic series where science, humour and kindness collide.
Grandpa's guide to happiness by Andrew Daddo and Christopher Nielsen
ABC Books, 2025. ISBN: 9780733343629. (Age:3+)
A companion to the funny Grandma’s guide to happiness, this new book which showcases the things grandpa says, makes everyday a happy day.
Grandpa says the busiest days are the happiest days, as he adds to the list of important things to do, in plain sight on the fridge. Even as he has morning tea with his grandson, he is adding to another list of really important jobs to do. Sometimes easy jobs can be much harder that expected, while other jobs that seem to be hard, can be much easier than expected. Grandpa says to just put one foot forward, and all jobs can be done. But sometimes he just likes to tinker in his shed.
At the beach he loves to swim; he loves to play games involving everyone in his antics in the kitchen. Like a traffic light he is always red for stop and green for go. He loves to watch tv but this is quieter and reading time when he becomes so quiet, he falls asleep. He loves taking photos and mount them all telling the children that photos hold memories and memories make you happy. He can open his mouth to show us his gold teeth and wriggle his ears, all giving happiness, but none so good as a huge hug.
But whatever he does, he is happy, and it is this happiness that is passed on to everyone around him.
A wonderfully cheery happy book showing that all sorts of activities both indoor and outdoor can be rewarding. And being happy is infectious, sharing that feeling with others, especially a grandfather, helps create a strong link within the family.
Themes Family, Grandfather, Humour, Activities.
Fran Knight
Baabinje's backyard by Ella Noah Bancroft and Bronwyn Bancroft
Little Hare, 2025. ISBN: 9781761214325. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
A beautifully crafted book about a beloved grandmother and her love of her garden encompassing her family and her country, a love passed on from one generation to the next.
The child loves to be in the garden with her baabinje. Here her grandmother shows how she is connected to the land, firmly planting her feet in the soil. Her overalls are colourful, full of pockets containing all she needs when she is in the garden. She shows the little girl the bundjalan which come to the garden because of the flowers she plants, and the things she grows there, while even some weeds can be useful. There is much that they need grown in the garden, so they have little need to visit the supermarket. Some of these are good to eat, but some contain medicines and can help with aches and pains.
Gran tells her how important the soil is, needing to be healthy and full of bugs, she sings the songs of the older generations, ones taught to her, passing on the importance of the soil.
‘Care for the earth and it will care for you’ is whispered in the girl’s ear, reminding her of the responsibility in caring for the garden and by inference the whole of the land on which we live.
Grandmother does not waste anything, all is recycled, and reused. She loves having friends visit. When they talk together, they help with the gardening, planting and weeding. Her garden reflects diversity, with a range of plants, lots of animals and insects visiting and people who drop by.
This wonderful overview of the ties we have to the land and our responsibility in keeping it healthy, will have resonance with all readers, following the way the young girl learns of her place in the land she lives on.
Beautiful illustrations fill each page, drawing the eyes to the richness of the environment, and representing some of the things which the woman cultivates. Children will love the movement and colour presented for their delight, and eagerly follow the journey taken by the girl as her Gran reinforces her love of the land.
