Review: What If You Could?

What if the things that make someone feel different, uncertain or even inadequate could actually become their greatest strengths?

In What If You Could?, Jacinda Ardern adapts the ideas and experiences from her memoir A Different Kind of Power for a younger audience, offering an accessible and encouraging look at her journey from childhood to becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Through a series of short chapters, Ardern shares moments from her life that demonstrate that success rarely follows a straightforward path - and that the qualities we sometimes see as weaknesses can be incredibly powerful.

Insecurity, overthinking, worrying and empathy are all explored through Ardern's experiences, challenging the idea that being strong means being confident, fearless or certain. Instead, the book suggests that listening, caring about others, adapting to unexpected circumstances and remaining true to personal values can be equally important forms of strength.

Review: S.I.G.M.A. 1: Web of Spies

Kids as heroes, solving mysteries and crimes under the noses of adults, goes way back – well before the likes of that ‘Famous Five’, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. And it never gets old.

S.I.G.M.A. 1: Web of Spies is bestselling adult thriller author, Tim Ayliffe’s first foray into middle grade fiction territory and this book will hit with a bang – particularly for fans of Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series.

Meet Year 9 student, Oliver (Ollie) Speed – your everyday hero whose primary goal is to come back from his disastrous performance in the previous year’s cross-country event to beat his arch-rival, Tank. He trains every day, reluctantly accompanied by his friend George’s drone, and is feeling confident he can redeem himself this year. 

Review: The Mushroom and the Flower

In a quiet forest, a mushroom with the brightest pink cap is the centre of attention. Animals gather near her for protection from the rain, shade from the sun or just as an ideal resting place. There is no doubt this stunning plant is ‘a masterpiece of nature’ and enjoys immensely her radiant features.

When a small flower slowly begins to emerge one summer’s day, raising the interests of the creatures of the forest, the mushroom is not pleased that she is no longer the centre of their attention and admiration.

Review: The Frumpling

What can I say. From the gorgeous front cover I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know who or what was a Frumpling. Then I read the opening page and instantly fell in love with this sad lonely creature. A creature that is avoided by everyone that passes by. Everyone but one, that is.

What follows is a tale of atonement, friendship and togetherness.

Review: How to Get Rid of a Princess

Why on earth would you want to get rid of a princess? 

Aren’t they sweet? Beautiful? Charming and gracious?

Apparently not!

An initial glance through How to Get Rid of a Princess may have you wondering about gender stereotypes – sweet little girls (aka princesses) going ga-ga over shiny bling and tea parties. 

Review: The Rebound

For many young readers, sport is far more than an after-school activity. It's friendship, identity, belonging and a place to escape when life becomes difficult. Fiona Harris taps into this beautifully in The Rebound, a heartfelt middle-grade novel that blends the excitement of basketball with an honest exploration of grief, resilience and personal growth.

Harry Portelli has always measured his life in basketball seasons. But when tragedy strikes his family, everything changes. Missing the tryouts for his school's top team leaves him questioning not only his future in the sport but whether he wants to return to the court at all. Instead, Harry joins the Redbacks - a team where his individual talent is undeniable, but where success will depend on far more than being the strongest player.

Review: Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean

The opening pages of Pterosaurs of the Desert Ocean told me two things. My knowledge of prehistoric history was extremely lacking as was my knowledge of ancient Australia. There was no way I could even dare to consider having a conversation about the subject with an 8 year old. I would be roasted. There was only one thing to do…read on.

After a quick education about Australia’s inland ocean we are introduced to our main character, a Pterosaur named Ferrodraco. Her name, taken from the most complete pterosaur fossil found in Australia means ‘iron dragon’. A clever addition seamlessly weaved into the story.

Sunday Shelfie - The Festival of Ice and Snow

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Angie Cui and Anna Wilson. This week we are celebrating Angie and Anna’s delightful picture book The Festival of Ice and Snow.

Every year, Grandpa takes us to the Festival of Ice and Snow – and every year, I can’t wait!

Two children and their beloved grandpa experience the wonder of Harbin’s Ice and Snow World, an enchanting place filled with super slides, tasty treats and huge ice sculptures illuminated by multicoloured lights.

Told in English and simplified Chinese, this picture book captures the fun of the winter festival and spending time with loved ones.

Written by Angie Cui
Illustrated by Anna Wilson
Published by UQP 

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Meet the Illustrator: Simon Howe

Name, title, location:
My name is Simon Howe. I'm the author/illustrator of four picture books and illustrator of many others. I live in the Macedon Ranges inVictoria, Australia.

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
I’d say my illustration style is painterly, cosy and inviting.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
An oil heater. Warm lighting. Lots of framed pictures on the wall. Endless cups of tea.

Review: Listening to the Quiet

Those of us with perfect hearing probably take it for granted, but what if you couldn’t hear or if someone you loved was losing their hearing? How would your life change?

Jacki’s mother is slowly losing her hearing. 

Jacki uses sign language to talk at home and Mama relies on flashing lights and vibrations to know what is going on around her.

Review: Ascension (Phobos #1)

Ascension by Victor Dixen is the first book in the Phobos series, a French, YA space odyssey that has stayed with me for a very long time. Although it has been published for ten years now, it is a book I rarely see mentioned. I feel it is time I give it a review! 

Six girls, six boys, one spaceship and a one-way ticket to Mars. As part of the Genesis programme, twelve young people are chosen to become the first humans to colonise Mars, while their every move is broadcast to millions of viewers on Earth. What begins as the world’s most extreme dating show quickly becomes something far more dangerous.

Among the contestants is 18-year-old Léonor, a young French woman who sees the mission as her chance to escape her past and start a new life. But with the contestants under constant scrutiny and secrets beginning to surface, Léonor soon realises there is much more to the Genesis programme than meets the eye…

Review: Old Bertie

This is 100% completely bonkers but I mean that in the most positive way possible. This is dystopia as you've never read it before. If you imagine - and forgive me for showing my age - humour such as that of Young Einstein or The Castle - that real Aussie kind of laconic style - or similar larger-than-life real life commentaries liberally laced with absurdism, you'll be getting close.

I don't know the work of Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn in their other spheres of film/television/live performance but I'd certainly like to see some of it. I don't dwell on plot details if I can help it and realistically, this one is so convoluted and intricate, I'd have no hope of putting much of it in a review but I'm going to try to give you an oversight.

Imagine an isolated uninhabited island far from any other kind of land or humankind.

Next, imagine that island was literally stumbled upon by the survivors of a shipwreck.

Review: Shakespeare in the Orchard

A little bit of WWI history, a little bit of Shakespeare, teen friendships and falling outs and an Australian backdrop – there’s something for everyone in Shakespeare in the Orchard.

At fourteen, with his father killed in a horse accident and his older brother serving as a soldier in Egypt, Jack Thorning is the man of the house. Together with his mother, Ada, Jack is keeping the family apple orchard running in between school and army cadet training.

Like most of his peers, Jack is keen to ‘do his bit’ with the war effort, but despite his skill with a rifle, he is too young to enlist and, besides, his mother needs him. But still …

Review : The Case of the Viral Video : Violet and Velvets 3

Violet and the Velvets have worked hard to overcome challenges, outsmart rival groups, and make it to the televised national BandChamps final. 

They have shown, in the past two books in the series, they can work as a team, supporting each other and enjoy making music.

As finalists they get to record their song in a recording studio and make a music video just like a real band. 

But their confidence to remain as a unique group with their own sound begins to waiver as the stress begins to rise. Will starring in a music video help to preserve or destroy their essence?

Review: Six Take One

We’ve all gone along to parties that we didn’t really want to go to, right? But how often do we end up regretting our decision because someone was murdered during the party? (Hopefully never.)

Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens when seventeen-year-old Cassie’s on-again-off-again friend, Kiah, guilts her into attending a New Year’s Eve party at Johnny’s remote farm, where, among other things, there’s only limited internet coverage.

Before agreeing to go, Cassie elicits a promise from Kiah that they’ll leave by 11 pm. Kiah reluctantly agrees and says she’ll pick Cassie up at 7 pm.

From the outset, reluctance aside, things do not bode well.

Sunday Shelfie - Dear Humans, We Stole Your Crayon!

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Anna McGregor. This week we are celebrating Anna’s delightful new picture book Dear Humans We Stole Your Crayon!.

When aliens Zimothy and Meep accidentally discover a mysterious Earth artefact called a ‘crayon,’ they’re amazed by its magical powers — it can make thought appear on paper!

A funny story that celebrates the humble crayon and the universal joy of making art.  This cosmic tale reminds us that creativity knows no boundaries — whether you’re human or alien, the magic of drawing connects us all.

Written and illustrated by Anna McGregor 
Published by Scribble

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