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. 

Guest Post: Romi Sharp on Getting Lost In The Pages

When it comes to kids and reading, it’s natural that we’d love for them to get lost in a good book on a regular basis. To get lost in the pages. To get lost in the words. To get lost in the moment and of course, in imagination. 

Children’s books allow us to get lost in different worlds, in alternate realities, or even just a thought about a notion that hadn’t been considered before. 

They are the pinnacle of where wonder, dreams, truths and make-believes can take us. 

And picture books? They add that extra cherry on top with their ability to invite viewers to get lost in the art. But why is this important?

Review: Stepping Sideways: Worlds Of Steampunk And Dystopia

Stepping Sideways is an exhilarating and wonderful read. This collection of short stories by established and emerging authors takes us into the worlds of Steampunk and Dystopia, to experience danger and wonder by turns - and in rapid succession!

Edited by Emily Larkin and Lynne Stringer who each have stories included, the anthology also contains a fantastic offering from KBR’s own Shaye Wardrop among other excellent narratives.

Reading this book is a little mind-blowing, and kind of like riding a roller-coaster (in the best ways of having the breath sucked out of your lungs for fun). 

Most of the stories combine fantasy with mechanics, allowing readers to explore the wonders and horrors of science, technology and magic.

Guest Post: Romi Sharp on A Look Into The Lens Of Our Australian HeArt

As a creative in the children’s book industry, it’s quite common for inspiration to come from memories or experiences or nostalgic moments that remind us of our own childhood. 

Then, we blend those sentiments with our here and now. It’s like tying the pieces together to form some kind of warm and fuzzy ball of string that comes back around in a full circle (or something like that!).

The Just Write For Kids anthology – Our Australian HeART – was inspired by this very ball-of-string collection of moments for me.

Review: Our Australian HeArt

Our Australian HeArt is a stunning book which gathers creative people from across Australia to answer the question, ‘What’s in Your Australian heart?’ 

Their responses are as different as their illustration and writing styles – distinctive, heartfelt and compelling. In classic picture book format, the sixteen contributing children’s book illustrators, teachers, artists, zoologists, poets and all-round creative souls are each allocated a double-page spread to answer the question. 

Review: A Twisted Tale Anthology

The Twisted Tales were first recommended to me by one of my ChocLit (book club) readers a couple of years ago. 

She suggested we get them for the library, and that was an exceptional success. They were very literally never on the shelves and in high demand in our reserves.

At the time, I admit, I was a little baffled. I mean to say, fairytales? For secondary kids? Now that I’ve had the delight of delving into this anthology, I can totally see the appeal.

This is the first anthology based on the successful series and is a collection of short stories written from a ‘What if...’ angle.

Using Disney fan-favourite movies as their foundation, writers (of other stand-alone Twisted Tales) have brought together some highly entertaining hypotheticals.

Review: An Anthology of Aquatic Life

An Anthology of Aquatic Life is a beautiful collection of knowledge about anything and everything to do with the ocean. It is huge, a whole 224 pages, and filled to the brim with interesting information and descriptions of sea life from the intriguing blue sea dragon to the rather terrifying goblin shark. 

This book has everything in it about the ocean. I loved the descriptions of the animals and the little facts here and there. One of my favourite animals featured is the rainbow-coloured scale worm, which Hume has suggested should be called something more suitable like ‘disco glittersnapper’ or ‘rainbow ravager’.

 

Review: And Everything Will be Glad To See You - Poems By Women And Girls

Sometimes an anthology of poems just hits a sweet spot. With its foreword, afterword, separate lists of poetry and poets, gorgeous tactile cloth bound cover, posh ribbon bookmark and adorably lush, sumptuous, immersive illustrations - not to mention poems by the bucketload - this book is truly a feast for the senses.

A delightful collection that will appeal to both long-time poetry afficionados and newbies, there’s something for everyone here. 

Old favourites such as Maya Angelou and Mary Oliver sit alongside fresh, exciting contemporary voices in Jackie Hosking and Amanda Gorman, among others. 

Review: Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble

I have loved poetry ever since I was a small person, and so any chance to check out a new poetry book is always so very welcome. 

This volume of magical poems is just a beautiful little jewel, and though clearly published with a view to the education market, would make a truly delightful gift for any child who revels in verse.

Cookson has gathered together a wonderful selection: short, not-so-short, humorous, more serious, purely magical or just with a hint of whimsy, contemporary writers and older ones, including Shakespeare and Lewis Carroll, but all of them absolutely enchanting and just begging to be read aloud.

Without a doubt my favourite has to be, Somewhere in the Library by Stewart Henderson – watch this poet reads his work to great effect here.

Review: The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain

The Book of Hopes: Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain is all about possibilities and hope for the future. 

That's what Katherine Rundell wanted to focus on right now, when the world is in upheaval.

Rundell is a bestselling author (Rooftoppers and others), and she contacted her writing and illustrating colleagues and invited them to participate in this compilation.

More than 100 people have contributed, and the book amounts to almost 400 pages of uplifting short stories, poems and illustrations. 

One of my favourites is The One-Hundred-Year-Old Gardener who plants strawberry seedlings, looking forward to turning them into jam by her next birthday.

There's also Lockdown Cat Haircut, where a young child amuses herself with the neighbour's cat, and The Hope-o-potamus, who learns that although the journey may be tough, you should keep going because persistance can pay off.

Review: Adventure Starts at Bedtime

Thirty real-life stories of daring and danger. Extraordinary physical challenges equally represented by men and women – explorers, photographers, mountaineers and adventurers, make up this exciting compilation of profiles, in Adventure Starts at Bedtime.

Like a cinemascope reel, we can visualise through the descriptive narrative, the power of the elements, spine-tingling, terrifying treks through jungles, hailstorms, sandstorms, and forests.

Entries include aeronauts Abruzzo, Newman and Anderson, who made history in their helium balloon, travelling 5,000 kilometres east over the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Review: The Puffin Book of Big Dreams

The Puffin Book of Big Dreams: Stories to Spark Your Imagination was created to celebrate Puffin’s 80^th birthday. 

New and much-loved stories and poems, and short stories by children sharing dreams about what they long to become, makes up this amazing collection.

Every page encourages children to use their imagination to soar high; to become what they dream of being. And that a little bit of mess can inspire the most unexpected ideas.

Diverse in every way – culture, language and themes, gather together in clusters under six banners of Dreams: Dream Wild, Dream Bold, Dream Far, Dream Brave, Dream Kind and Dream Forever.

Review: Total Quack Up Again!

Following the side-splitting Total Quack Up! Total Quack Up Again! is full of ducks and other animals, jokes, nose-picking, lots of fart stories, a potty stuck to a bottom, dog food in party pies, another prize-winning story by a child, and lots more!

I read The Duck Pond by nine year old Coby Sanchez first. I wanted to see what kind of story written by a child could stand beside the work of so many outstanding writers for children. I was not disappointed!

Children (and adults that love kids books), prepare to be entertained, shocked and surprised. This short story collection is full of funny, gross, hilarious, improbable and unbelievable stories that will have children aghast by the concentration in one volume, of stuff they love to read about.

Writers have been chosen to present their funniest work here. Included are Nat Amoore, Adam Cece, Felice Arena, Jules Faber, Tim Harris, Kim Kane, Belinda Murrell, A. L. Tait, Adrian Beck, Shelley Ware, Nova Weetman and special tips for writing by Jacqueline Harvey to wind it all up. There is also an About the Authors included which gives readers more information about the chosen contributors.

Illustrations (with lots of ducks) by Jules Faber add delight to an already delightful compilation. For those who enjoyed and passed around their copy for others to enjoy, here is another gift for you. For those who didn’t give the last edition to their children, here’s your chance to get their noses stuck in a book and off their iPads.

As with the earlier collection, all royalties go to Dymocks Children’s Charities.

Read Anastasia's original Total Quack review for the first collection for extra laughs.

Title: Total Quack Up Again!

Author: Edited by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck

Illustrator: Jules Faber

Publisher: Penguin Random House, $14.99

Publication Date: October 2019

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781760893583

For ages: 8 - 10

Type: Anthology

Review: Kids Who Did

This collection is made up of 40 real life stories about children throughout history who made their mark on the world. 

They feature kids from countries around the globe, from varying timelines and mixed age groups.  Each story inspires with a collective theme of courage, bravery and initiative. 

The detail is generous, and highlights the contribution each child made, and the impact their choices had on humanity.  

Previously published in 1999 under the title Tough Stuff, true stories about kids and courage, this 2019 edition has been updated re-titled Kids Who Did.