Junior Review: Loverboy

The compelling young adult novel Loverboy by esteemed author Ben Tomlinson captures the essence of teenage years, transporting the reader into the life (or should I say love life) of Alfie.

This novel centres Alfie who believes he has found ‘the one’. Meet Maya, his best friend and girl of his dreams. Alfie and Maya share a long, intimate history together. 

They spend both the highs and lows of their life together, their loves and losses, their pains and gains. They share everything, right? Or that’s what they both thought until they discover an underlying romance to their relationship that blurs the line between friends and lovers.

Alfie’s desperate search for love finds him falling for Gwen, one of the close members in their friendship circle and becomes confused when she doesn’t share the same feelings for him. It turns out Gwen was hiding a bigger secret of her own…

Review: The Ballad Of Darcy & Russell

NY Times bestselling author of six books for teens, Morgan Matson, has struck some wonderful balladic notes of rhythm and narrative (along with the sweet harmony of teen love) to create a compelling read in The Ballad Of Darcy & Russell.

The story begins with Darcy travelling home to LA from a music festival, when the bus breaks down. Both she and Russell find themselves stranded at a fairly remote bus station, where she asks to borrow his phone charger. And so the adventure begins. 

For a narrative set over the course of just 24 hours, a lot goes on. Without giving the storyline away, suffice to say that there are global rock stars, Mexican feasts, swimming pool break-ins and security interrogations … all while our two main characters get to know each other in a funny, intense and very visceral way.

Junior Review: Love Requires Chocolate

Ravynn K Stringfield cleverly weaves French touches throughout the novel, giving the reader a deeper insight into life as a student abroad in Paris.

Core character, Whitney Curry has thoroughly prepared herself for a semester abroad, arming herself with the perfect, yet extensive to-do list in order to experience the Paris magic at its best. 

Wanting to live the life of her idol, Josephine Baker, Whitney aims to set foot in all the places she did. Although she feels prepared for this trip, unexpected locations (and people) may leave her ideal trip up to chance.

Determined to keep her love and school life separate, the line between the two gets blurred and both her head and heart are overwhelmed.

Review: Because I’m Māori: He Māori Ahau

A wee preface of explanation: I am not Māori, although I have been mistaken for one many a time. And to be frank, I’ve always enjoyed and admired the rich and vibrant culture of our cousins ‘across the ditch’. 

So, when this colour-filled, bilingual ode to Māori culture and identity kapa haka’ed (apologies for verbalising that) its way across my desk, how could I say no.

Conceived and created by the talented Kiwi born, Aussie-based, Nicolla Hemi-Morehouse, this absorbing picture book greets readers from sun’s first smile to its last repast. 

Review: Kevin Saves The Show

Kevin the Sheep hosts a song competition.

It’s karaoke – just one-dollar admission!

But who’s the new sheep that the spotlight’s revealed?

And how has such talent been so well concealed?

This rhyming, karaoke-rich riot of a book features our favourite Kevin the sheep, along with many other farm animals. Both Polly the pig in her delightful frock and make-up, and Gary the goat who may just be bringing leg-warmers back into fashion, make special appearances.

Review: Space Band

Imagine you’re in a band. You rock it hard with your pals, doing everything you can to be the best band in the world. But rocking is hard, and it takes sooooo much practice.

Still, you never give up. And when the chance comes to play in a comp that could win you tickets to the best rock concert of all time, you jump on it.

Except…. right before you’re about to play, you’re beamed into space to join the best band in the universe competition. A dream come true? Maybe. Except… there are some weird conditions for this rock competition, and they might mean never getting to go home again.

On the 12th day of Christmas: Jungle Drums

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming…and Jungle Drums, written and illustrated by Graeme Base. 

Little Ngiri is the smallest Warthog in Africa. Tired of being teased by his bigger brothers and sisters, he wishes things could be different. 

When Old Nyumbu the Wilderbeest gives Ngiri a set of magic drums, he is sure his wish is about to come true. 

But all the animals of the jungle are in for a BIG surprise as Ngiri's wish is granted in a most unexpected way.

Read our review.

Title: Jungle Drums
Author/Illustrator: Graeme Base
Publisher: Puffin, $19.95
Publication Date: 2006
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143500964
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book

On the 11th day of Christmas: The Pied Piper

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping…and The Pied Piper, adapted and illustrated by Ayesha L Rubio. 

Hamelin is overrun by rats, and the town’s cats can’t keep the numbers down.

Then, one day, a stranger with a magical flute arrives. The stranger offers to provide a solution to the rat plague, and the mayor agrees.

But promises made in desperation can easily be broken. Will Hamelin survive the wrath of the stranger and his flute?

Read our review.

Title: The Pied Piper
Author/Illustrator: Ayesha L Rubio
Publisher: The Five Mile Press, $19.95
Publication Date: September 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760400477
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

On the 9th day of Christmas: Bear Moves

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing…and Bear Moves, written by Ben Bailey Smith and illustrated by Sav Akyuz. 

With funny word play and bold imagery, actor Ben Bailey Smith and artist Sav Akyuz have created a Bear to remember. 

If there's one thing Bear knows, it's how to move. And when the music starts up, Bear just can't help grooving to the beat – spinning round, belly dancing and even doing the foxtrot. 

This infectiously rhythmic and hilariously funny sequel to I Am Bear will keep readers in stitches from start to finish. 

Read our review.

Title: Bear Moves
Author: Ben Bailey Smith
Illustrator: Sav Akyuz
Publisher: Walker Books, $24.99
Publication Date: February 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781406359268
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book

Review: One Song: Sometimes A Song Presses Pause On The World

This coming-of-age meets The Voice (the tv show, not the referendum!) story, taps into the zeitgeist that is music, fan-dom, celebrity, being seen and heard, personal integrity , teenage angst and connection.

And it’s truly awesome!

One Song tells the story of 17-year-old Eva, an introverted songwriter who is obsessed with Cooper, the son of a genuine rockstar. 

The two of them used to have something going on before the pandemic, but now it seems they’re just buddies. Although he HAS just invited Eva into his band, with the hope of winning Triple J’s Unearthed Songwriting competition.

For Eva, there’s a lot on the line. 

Review: Jawsome: Jawsome 1

Jawsome is a new series, written and illustrated by RJ Timmis, about a bunch of shark kids who are just regular sharks by day, and a famous rock band by night.

In Jawsome 1 you'll get two cool stories in the one book: Stage Bite and Finvestigated.

There are sharks and adventure, word play and music. 

The starring character in Jawsome, and the band's lead guitarist, is Finley the reef shark whose alter ego is Felix Frenzy. 

Finley's friends and bandmates are a tiger shark (Hunter), pointer shark aka great white (Gnash), and a lemon shark (Gilleon).

When lead singer, Ann Chovi leaves the band in the lurch, it looks like Finley will be called on to take her spot. The only problem is that he gets stage fright. Perhaps auditions for a new singer will find someone to help?

That's the driver for Stage Bite, the first story in the book.

Review: Rock Star Detectives: Murder At The Movies

Hold onto your hats – it’s those rock star detectives turned movie-stars. And now, they’re solving a murder!

The brilliant and laugh-out-loud funny second mystery novel from comedian Adam Hills featuring a young detective dream team.

Written by one of Australia’s favourite comedians (and straddling two countries, no less), there’s much to love about this book. Junior- and Middle-Grade-Fiction readers will have it for breakfast. I personally inhaled it along with a nice cup of tea.

School friends Charley and George have moved on from last year’s world domination of the rock and roll charts, and now they’re making a movie about that journey. But while they’re on-set in Sydney, it seems that somebody wants them to fail. 

Guest Post: Cassie Veselovsky on Making Reading More Musical

For over 20 years I have been serving as a youth librarian providing storytimes and programs for the children and families in my community. I am loud, goofy and I make mistakes, but I hold dear an unwavering commitment to support the kids and their grown-ups.

I strive to help grown-ups recognize how easy it can be to help their children learn by utilizing the five early literacy practices of reading, writing, talking, playing, and singing.

Review: Violin & Cello

There’s something quite magical about listening to and playing acoustic music, especially when stringed instruments are involved. It’s kind of pure and uplifting. Resonant. Moving, even!

Violin & Cello is a children’s book with a special and wonderful added bonus in the form of a musical score. From the outset I was hooked, poring over the intricate illustrations and wondering about the families who lived in the welcoming pair of apartments that span the first double-page spread. 

Review: Piano Fingers

Piano Fingers is a melodic book by brilliant author/illustrator extraordinaire Carolyn Magerl. It’s a story about two sisters and creating music.

Bea comes from a big musical family who do big musical things, but Bea is still waiting for her music to start. Her older sister Isla plays the violin, a ‘honey fog machine,’ and she is very serious about her practice. 

Bea has ‘her own box of noisy noises’, but nothing quite sings for her yet. That is until she finds the piano, and meets maestro Gus, the ghost cat who lives inside the piano, that helps her find her song.

Winner: Picture Book Prize Pack: Piano Fingers & Arabella's Alphabet Adventure

Our lucky winner is...

Justine C, QLD

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of both of these magical new picture book releases,  Piano Fingers by Caroline Magerl and Arabella's Alphabet Adventure by Suzy Zail and Christopher Nielsen.

Thank you to ALL who entered. 

Giveaway: Picture Book Prize Pack: Piano Fingers & Arabella's Alphabet Adventure

Isla and Bea are two sisters who share a love of music. Big sister Isla plays the violin and Bea is waiting for her music to start. With the help of Maestro Gus, the cat ghost of the piano, Bea will make her sparkling debut. 

Piano Fingers is the latest magical creation from an award-winning and internationally distinguished creator, Caroline Magerl that hits all the right notes and is a charming picture book about finding your talent, even if it takes some time and a little help.

'I’m an ABC book and that’s all I’ll ever be,' Arabella complained to her capital C. Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure is the most beautiful and most borrowed book in the library - but only ever by children. Tired of having her pages torn by sticky fingers, Arabella slips into the Very Serious Book section of the library and takes an adventure within the pages of an African travel guide. But will Arabella realise that where she belongs is closer than she thinks? A timeless story about an alphabet, a daring adventure and a book who learns she is perfect, just the way she is by best selling author, Suzy Zail and dynamic illustrator, Christopher Nielsen.

Along with Walker Books Australia, we are thrilled to have a copy of each of these beautiful new titles to giveaway.

For the chance to win these gorgeous picture books, tell us in 25 words or less if you could go inside any book which book would you visit and why?

Event: Geelong Arts Centre's 2022 Family Magic Program

Proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, Geelong Arts Centre’s Family Magic program returns in 2022 with a diverse range of fantastic family-friendly productions.

Consisting of six brilliantly dynamic, engaging and accessible performances, the program is designed to captivate, inspire and entertain children under 12, as well as their parents, siblings, grandparents and carers.

Junior Review: Wink

Life throws you constant curveballs, but how can you ever be prepared for any of them? 

This novel talks about a 7^th grader's early experience with the obstacles in life.

Ross Maloy has always wanted to be 'normal' whatever that really means. But any chance of that goes out the window when he gets diagnosed with eye cancer. 

He used to have two best friends, but ever since the diagnosis, he has been totally ghosted by one of them. On top of that he must put eye goo in his peepers, his hair is falling out and Ross must wear weird hats. 

Review: Three Dancing Frogs

Book your ticket now for a front row performance by the Three Dancing Frogs. This beautifully illustrated and choreographed story features three frogs who love ballet dancing and simply want to entertain their friends.

This rhyming story showcases a cast of Australian animals who are all eager to watch as they are being part of the fun. The illustrations have that classic, yet modern Australian feel, there is no mistaking the authenticity of this story.

The creatively crafted words provide the story’s rhythm that matches the beat of the dancing frogs and their supporting orchestra. The musical beat gives the story heart that will instantly resonate with children, capturing their attention.