Meet the Illustrator: Freya Blackwood

Name, title, location 

Freya Blackwood, author/illustrator, Orange, NSW

Describe your illustration style in ten words or fewer. 

Emotive and warm, loose linework, perceptive.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
I need a desk on a slant, with my reference material and inspiration around me in a bit nest-like arrangement. I like to have the things I’ve collected nearby, things that feel like ‘me’.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Probably watercolour with coloured pencil over the top, but I like using oil paints for illustrations too, especially with a thick brush so I can’t be too precise. I like my drawn pencil lines to stay visible.

Review: Rain Stones: 35th Anniversary Edition

When I opened this package a couple of days ago, there was a sharp intake of breath and a gasp of ’35 years! that can’t be right surely!’ but, of course it’s right. Over the course of 25ish years in school libraries, I have seen this book borrowed and enjoyed so many times that I could never have kept a tally.

I probably hadn’t re-read it since the 25th anniversary edition but have loved revisiting it again over the past two nights. As well as that, I’ve enjoyed some lengthy email conversation with the stupendously talented Jackie around this book and other more close-to-home matters for the past couple of days.

It’s not only a privilege to call this talented human my friend, but an honour to hear the personal backstories of the book-stories. Many will know of Jackie’s start in professional writing, when she first moved to her place in the Araluen valley – mostly idyllic, sometimes not so much – and truly it’s such a testament to tenacity and self-belief that it begs to be shared with young readers, particularly those who struggle with learning difficulties. 

Review: My Dreamtime Match

My Dreamtime Match is written by husband and wife duo Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton and follows their earlier titles, Our Mob and Our Dance. 

    Gulpa gaka! Welcome! Let’s play and run!

    My name is Jahleel. Come join the fun!

Follow Jahleel and his team as they play in the annual AFL Indigenous Round. Learn about how Indigenous culture and AFL come together in this important event named after Yorta Yorta player, Sir Doug Nicholls. 

Review : StEvEn & Parker - Dinos Are Forever!

Fans of the immensely popular YouTube series, StEvEn and Parker, will be excited to know their favourite characters are now starring in a graphic novel of their own. 

Parker James, social media content creator, in collaboration with Toonstar, has successfully transferred all the fun and hijinks of his shows into a bright and highly visual delight for his followers.

Whether you are familiar with the YouTube series or not, the reader will fall in love with StEvEn, an eight year old, highly imaginative, dino-obsessed young boy and his ever-patient older brother Parker, who is constantly frustrated by his young brother’s (often Dino-related) antics.

Review: Again! said Rabbit

Again! said Rabbit is book number three in Marjoke Henrichs’ series exploring first experiences and emotions for young children. 

Rabbit, with his Mum and Dad, have arrived at the beach for a day of fun and relaxation. There is sandcastle building, football, and kite flying. ‘Again!’ Rabbit demands after each activity until his exhausted parents suggest a swim. 

When the sun disappears behind a cloud and Rabbit is dumped by a big wave, it feels like the fun is over. 

Review: Oceanforged 2: The Silent Island

Book 2 in Amelia Mellor’s five-book fantasy adventure series begins in a sea of calm. But don’t be fooled because once we’re reacquainted with Cori, Jem and Tarn, the action moves into top gear.

The three teens, thrown together in Book 1 when Cori stole a magical gauntlet and was unwittingly thrown into the role of Champion, are now tasked with locating the other pieces of Oceanforged Armour and saving their nation from destruction.

Thinking that the Loyalists will help them, Cori is shocked to discover they’re on their own. 

What’s more, they have less than six months to find the hauberk tunic – the second piece of armour – and push back the Great Dark Tide that is on its way and will destroy the nation of Aquinta and everything they know.

With no other choice, Cori, Jem and Tarn set off in Jem’s houseboat, Lucky, to try and find Mutemont, the mysterious island thought to be the hiding place of the hauberk. 

Sunday Shelfie - Bendable

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Kelly Brodie-Brown and Tommy Doyle. This week we are celebrating their delightful picture book Bendable.

Mules are sturdy creatures, they’re resilient and strong. Mules are known for hauling heavy burdens all day long. Mules are trusty and robust, solid and dependable. 

Mules, however, aren’t exactly known for being bendable! Can Julie the mule soar into the spotlight? Find out in this adorably inspiring story about reaching your goals, one tumble at a time!

Written by Kelly Brodie Brown
Illustrated by Tommy Doyle 
Published by Scholastic Australia 

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Review: False versus Facts

In a world where misinformation is rife, False versus Facts is an excellent reminder that we should look for the evidence behind statements to understand what’s factual and what’s false. 

This book is packed with facts and myths. Do you know which is which?

From facts about the earth, humans and science, to animals, history and food, False versus Facts puts the spotlight on information and confirms what’s real and what’s not. 

False versus Facts is carefully designed with succinct information, bright ‘fact’ and ‘false’ embellishments, and simple, stylised illustrations.

Review: Bella Grows a Bicycle

Bella Grows a Bicycle, starts with a simple premise. Bella wants a bicycle but it’s nowhere near her birthday, so what is she to do? ‘Maybe we could grow one,’ says Dad.

Based on the cover alone you could be led to think that what comes next is a fanciful tale of a magical tree that grows presents of all kinds including bicycles but this is not the case.

A trusting Bella does as her Dad suggests and heads out to the garden but she is quickly disappointed when her tiny seed does not produce a bicycle, but a radish instead. 

Review: Whose House is This?

Come with Peter as he spends the day visiting his friends. 

Lucy’s house has ears, just like the cats who live there. Georgina’s house looks and smells like a cupcake, because her father is a baker. And Sam’s house looks like a peculiar contraption because… yes, you guessed it, his father is an inventor. There are treehouses, cloudhouses, and even houses on wheels! 

Each occupant joins Peter on the walk to the next house, and by the end of the day there is a joyful procession marching down the street. 

Review: The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks

Starting high school is nerve-wracking enough for most kids. Different teachers. New subjects. A maze of corridors and classrooms to navigate. More homework. That’s all bad enough but when your dad insists on sending you to a school where you don’t know anyone except your aloof big sister and one weirdo from your primary school … well, that’s next level.

Enter Gracie Sparks.

The transition from being the popular and cool student who wows everyone with her electric guitar skills to being a friendless nobody does not sit well with Gracie and she’s determined to do something about it. But what?

All the other Year 7s at Middleton Grammar are already in tight friendship groups so Gracie is initially stuck with boring-girl Margot. 

Review: Hafsa’s Way

Hafsa will not take no for an answer. She intends to be a doctor but her parents do not hold the same dream for her. Her parents don't support the idea of girls being doctors and believe she should follow a more traditional path and seek marriage.

As a companion novel to the Amal Unbound and Omar Rising, we are once more transported to a small Pakistani village, hours away from the big city of Lahore. 

Hafsa Imtiaz discovers a flyer advertising the Bukhara Summer Science Camp, in Lahore, that teaches kids about medicine. She applies without her parents’ permission and is excited to be accepted. Her parents believe the camp is expensive and will not let her go to Lahore unsupervised. Hafsa persuades her father to let her go after her sister, Shabnam and her husband, Sohail, who live near the camp, offer to pay for the camp and let her stay with them.

Review: The Prime Minister Problem

Brenton Cullen's debut novel is a terrific read for middle-grade. This young man has been a keen writer since childhood and is now making his dream of writing professionally come true. And what a great start this is!

It's very definitely a sweet and engaging read and, a word I use very deliberately for books of this ilk - wholesome. It's that feel-good, warm-fuzzy uplifting narrative to which young readers always respond with alacrity. Actually, it puts me in mind of some of our great middle-grade authors such as the wonderful Robin Klein and Morris Gleitzman.

We've likely all known a kid like Wren, or maybe even been that kid ourselves. He's the outsider. The one who's friendless and never seems to fit in anywhere. He's quiet and his anxiety often causes him to be tongue-tied. His mum is caring and loving but, as a single mother lacking any support from the ex-husband, she's always super busy and very tired, working two part-time jobs. His older brother works too.

Sunday Shelfie - Trickshot Harri

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Jake Minton.This week we are celebrating the fun and engaging picture book Jake has created with Adrian Lloyd and Adam Jackson, Trickshot Harri.

Roar for Trickshot Harri as he learns that scoring the most goals isn’t everything – it’s teamwork that makes the dream work!

Book two in the bestselling Animal World Cup series, Trickshot Harri the Cheetah World Beater, is packed with insider jokes and pitch-perfect details, and captures all the intense excitement of the game while exploring the importance of sharing and being part of something bigger.

Written by Adrian Lloyd and Adam Jackson

Illustrated by Jake Minton
Published by Little Book Press

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Interview: Charlie Archbold

Charlie Archbold's The Sugarcane Kids series has become a favourite with young readers for its blend of mystery, adventure and authentic Far North Queensland settings. 

In her latest instalment, The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, Andy and his friends find themselves investigating a new puzzle that threatens both their community and the natural environment they love. Combining page-turning suspense with themes of friendship, courage and environmental stewardship, the novel offers readers another engaging adventure with the resourceful Sugarcane Kids taking charge. 

Kids' Book Review spoke with Charlie about the inspiration behind the story, creating memorable mysteries for young readers, and what lies ahead for the series.

Review: Possum Tragic

The jury is out when it comes to Halloween and Australia’s fairly recent embrace of the ancient Celtic festival. 

Some families have welcomed the spooky fun with open arms, while others remain less enchanted by the parade of plastic pumpkins cobwebs and American-style excess.

For MelbourneStyle creator Maree Coote, however, the bigger concern is what all that excess leaves behind.

The award-winning illustrator, author and designer is renowned for her quirky and ingenious typographic picture books, including Spellbound: Making Pictures with the A-B-C, Animology and Alphabeasts.