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.
In Book One - Mary’s Game - we meet a young Mary Fowler who loves being called by her nickname Maz, and her classmates, who all love playing sport and having fun. Maz has a special surprise to help them continue to play their game of football but a problem arises. They will need to work as a team to find a solution.
In Book Two - Beach Party - Maz and her friends are off to the beach to celebrate a birthday. They are enjoying swimming, digging holes, and building castles until a dog appears and upsets the party. Can the friends find a way to turn a disaster into something new and fun?
Throughout these two stories Mary’s voice shines through as a character that can see both sides in a situation and strives always to be inclusive and supportive of her friends. They face obstacles but by working together they realise they can overcome their problems and find satisfactory solutions.
The use of very simple language reflects how a young child would tell their story and therefore helps the young reader relate to these everyday events. The vocabulary is aimed at emergent readers and the amount of text, with interspersed illustrations, will encourage success as an independent reader.
Drawing upon her rising status as one of our most inspirational sports stars, Mary Fowler, in collaboration with Jasmin, have created stories that celebrate diversity, friendship and teamwork.
Books 3 and 4 (Zoo Trip and Race Day) are due to be released in July.
The use of very simple language reflects how a young child would tell their story and therefore helps the young reader relate to these everyday events. The vocabulary is aimed at emergent readers and the amount of text, with interspersed illustrations, will encourage success as an independent reader.
Drawing upon her rising status as one of our most inspirational sports stars, Mary Fowler, in collaboration with Jasmin, have created stories that celebrate diversity, friendship and teamwork.
Books 3 and 4 (Zoo Trip and Race Day) are due to be released in July.
Title: Mary Fowler: Mary’s Game / Mary Fowler: Beach Party
Author: Mary Fowler; Jasmin McGaughey
Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Penguin, $12.99
Publication Date: 3 March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761356216 / 9781761356230
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Fiction
