Review: Myra in the Middle

As the oldest child in my family, I could tell you many stories about how difficult it can be to have to ‘pave the way’ for my siblings. However, I have no idea of the trials and tribulations of being the youngest child – or the middle child for that matter.

Happily, there are books that address such matters, allowing us all a window into the experiences of others.

Up until the birth of her baby brother, seven-year-old Myra was the youngest of two, but now she is in the new position of ‘middle child’. 

It’s a bit of a nothing zone – a space where she's invisible, forgotten and not the ‘-est’ of anything. Myra’s not quite sure what her role is or where she fits anymore, only that she’s been relegated to the squashy middle seat in the car and she's been given the position of midfielder in her soccer team.

UnBEARable

Who doesn’t love a fractured fairytale? They are always so entertaining and make such an impact in any literacy program, whether in classroom, library or home schooling.  And that’s as much a part of secondary literacy as it is primary-based. Traditional tales – in all their guises: fairytale, folk tale, myths, legends, Dreaming stories – are part of the rich fabric of human existences stretching back for millennia.

Because of most readers’ easy familiarity with these, they make for such rich fodder in the creative writing space. Just as the original tellers of these tales would have told and re-told them with their own variations, setting readers the challenge to improvise or parody a fairy story can lead to so much vibrant, imaginative creativity. 

Sunday Shelfie - UnBEARable

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Kathryn Apel and Beau Wylie. 
This week we are celebrating their fun and delightful new picture book UnBEARable.

This is the story of three grumpy bears, who couldn’t see anyone’s viewpoint, but theirs. 

Until, with a bowl ... and a bed ... and a stool, a little girl taught them the Golden Grr-rule!

Written by Kathryn Apel

Illustrated by Beau Wylie

Published by Scholastic Australia 

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram.

Review: Mary Fowler: Mary's Game / Mary Fowler: Beach Party

Mary Fowler, one of our inspirational Matilda football stars, has co-written with Jasmin McGaughey a four-book series to bring young readers a fun and exciting new series about friendship, school, sporty tales and celebrating special events.

These short chapter books with simple texts and beautiful black and white illustrations by CBCA notable illustrator Cate James, are ideal for emerging readers transitioning from school readers to independent reading.

Both Mary and Jasmin have drawn upon their own childhood experiences in Northern Queensland to create stories that will not only will feel familiar to their young readers, but also engage and entertain them.

Review: The Sunbird: Young Readers’ Edition

Sara Haddad has adapted her well-received and highly topical adult novella to this edition for younger readers. While most would try to shield children from the horrors of war, even young kids can – and should – learn of the controversial history of Palestine, through the eyes of those who live there.

Written from a child’s perspective (as a now old woman – Nabila – recalls her early life to a ten-year-old boy called Zane), this slender volume recounts the experience of one child, one family, one homeland during the Nakba.

Until 1948, Nabila lived happily in her village, playing with friends, running amongst the olive trees, excited to soon be starting school – a simple life but one of joys and pleasures. 

Until the bombs start falling.

Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees

Kate Foster has become such a leading light in middle grade novels featuring neuro-diverse characters. In this, she brings her own personal experience, so always there is such authenticity and wonderful voice. With this new series, she hooks into the ever-popular mystery genre and, more especially, kid investigators which will have great appeal for such a wide readership.

Along with that, this new narrative also has a strong family theme and, in particular, the connection between quirky grandchild and equally quirky grandmother. Freddie Jones is autistic and quite matter-of-fact about that. He is very self-aware and is generally able to self-regulate. His great asset in this is Hobnob, his assistance dog. 

Sunday Shelfie - Banjo The Hot Cross Bun

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Rory H. Mather and Christopher Nielsen.
This week we are celebrating their fun new picture book Banjo The Hot Cross Bun.

Gather round, children, there’s a story to tell, about a delectable treat, with a wonderful smell. Prepare to laugh, prepare to have fun. For this is the tale of Banjo the Bun.

Banjo the Bun has found himself out on the shelves on Boxing Day and he is not happy. Will anyone be able to tame this hot cross bun?!

Written by Rory H. Mather
Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
Published by Scholastic Australia 

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram.

NEW TEAM MEMBER: Kellie Nissen

KBR welcomes new team member, Kellie Nissen! What better way to get to know Kellie than with our infamous 12 Curly Questions.

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I’m a bit of a ‘closed book’ so there’s plenty to choose from but in 1991, I climbed Mt Fuji. Saw the sunrise then ruined a brand new pair of pants and new hiking books sliding down the other side on the lava trail.

2. What is your nickname?
Here’s another ‘not-so-secret’ – I’m not a fan of nicknames or of shortening names. Call me Kellie – never Kel. My grandmother was the only person ever allowed to shorten my name in that way.

Interview: Caroline Magerl

KBR is thrilled to welcome the wonderful Caroline Magerl, acclaimed author/illustrator, to the blog to give us a teeny peek into her creative world. 

Name, title, location 

Caroline Magerl, author/illustrator, Buderim

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Loose, emotive and gently humourous.

What items are essential in your creative space?
A decent chair and a lot of bench space. 

Happy Easter! A Picture Book Celebration

Happy Easter!

KBR celebrates this Easter with a look back at some of the picture books we've enjoyed over the years - some relating directly to Easter or with the theme of eggs, spring and new life. 

Some may be new to you, some quite old. If these titles are no longer on the shelf, consider giving them a second life by scouring second-hand stores or resale sites online.

Click on each cover for its review, and also check out this Easter Books post from 2014 and KBR Recommends: Vintage Easter Books from 2011, which is utterly fabulous.

No matter how you celebrate this time of year, we wish you a peaceful and uplifting time with family and friends - and maybe even a hint of chocolate.

Interview: Alysia Kelly on Celebration Festival

Alysia Kelly’s debut picture book Celebration Festival brings colour, curiosity and a sense of global celebration to young readers. The story follows Evie and her loyal dog Biscuit as they travel through a lively festival filled with traditions, foods and festivities from around the world. 

Through playful storytelling and vibrant moments of discovery, the book invites children to explore how different cultures celebrate together, and how joy, community and connection can be found in every corner of the globe.

Here, Alysia shares with Kids' Book Review the inspiration behind her debut, her journey into picture book writing, and what she hopes young readers will take away from the story.

Review: When I Was Death

Debut YA novel When I Was Death by Alexis Henderson may sit within the horror genre, but it is deeply immersive and reflective — a slow burn that lingers long after the final page.

Roslyn Volk has never recovered from the mysterious death of her sister, Adeline. A year after her passing, Roslyn is still haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding her death. Consumed with grief, she barely hesitates when an enigmatic group of girls with ties to Adeline roll into town and invite her to travel with them. But the girls share a dark secret: they have all been spared from death in inexplicable ways. In exchange for their continued lives, they travel the country doing Death’s bidding.

As Roslyn becomes more entangled with the group, especially its enigmatic leader, she must confront what she is willing to sacrifice for the closure she seeks. And ultimately, she faces a chilling choice: to strike her own deal with Death and perhaps find out the truth about her sister or walk away forever.

NEW TEAM MEMBER: Andrea Hillbrick

KBR welcomes new team member, Andrew Hillbrick! What better way to get to know Andrea than with our infamous 12 Curly Questions.

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
My grandma left me a treasured collection of over 100 salt and pepper shakers. Each has a unique character.

2. What is your nickname?
My nickname when I was young was – Andy Bear. I am very fortunate that it is now shortened to Andy.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Quokkas…. after a comical incident on Rottnest Island. I adore them from afar.

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
I identify questions to investigate and share practical, thoughtful ideas.

Review: One Word and a Bird

Have you ever gone searching for a word?

A big word. An important word. A word like gargantuan, auspicious, or magnanimous?

While those words are impressive, sometimes the words you are looking for are simple. Love. Family. Home. 

Stephen Michael King’s glorious picture book One Word and a Bird follows a young boy as he searches the world for a word that will lift him up, make him feel important, and comfort him. 

Review: Inclusion: Handbooks for Little Humans

Inclusion is the second book, in the Handbooks for Little Humans series. It opens again with A Note to Big Humans.

What does inclusion mean? It is when children listen and learn from others who open windows and doors to their lives. Then, knowing more, invite outsiders into their circle and make them feel wanted - regardless of their differences - for there are those who may be afraid or shy and believe they don’t or won’t fit into an existing group of friends.

In Inclusion, there are many examples of what differences there are everywhere, in everything and everyone; how each person is individual – special, someone who has something to offer others.

NEW TEAM MEMBER: Nicola McGeown

KBR welcomes new team member, Nicola McGeown! What better way to get to know Nicola than with our infamous 12 Curly Questions.

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. I was born in Alice Springs!

2. What is your nickname? Nic or Nicoletta.

3. What is your greatest fear? I am not good with cold climates, so being bitterly freezing cold and not being able to get warm.