Review: The Giant Mystery: How to Grow Magic #1

This new series for your those independent readers will surely be a big hit with it’s combination of magic, humour, friendship, and school – with a difference! Enchantment Street is full of shops and businesses with all manner of magical merchandise and services.

Whether you need treats for your pet dragon or want riding lessons with your unicorn, there will be a place to go in Enchantment Street. And Enchantment Street Primary is certainly the school of magical delights. With human pupils as well as merkids this school has water slipways and ponds alongside desks and chairs and playgrounds.

And  let’s just say that the lessons taught are very different to our own curriculum. Sarah’s favourite lessons are those with Mr Pottifer, of Pottifer’s Parlour of Plants, a very engaging Venus flytrap who teaches Magical Gardening.

Review: Odd Cat Out!

This first in a new trilogy by London author Rose Robbins, who writes from her own personal experience, will make for a great addition to your inclusive collection. Framed as anthropomorphic young cats, the narrative revolves around two friends, Tangle and Eno, starting at their new 'big' school where they encounter neurodivergent kitty, Pelly.

This little pusscat has never been to school before as her only previous attempt was just too traumatic but her parents and her much-loved Granmog encourage her to give it a go. They worry about her lack of friends and, also of course, learning to manage her neurodiversity in other settings.

So to start with, it's true that the rest of the class think Pelly is rather odd and Tangle and Eno can't understand how it is she's never been to school. But these two are essentially very kind although possibly not the most deep thinkers. Tangle particularly tends to act first and think after. But they really do want to make friends with Pelly as they can sense she is feeling isolated.

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: The Stolen Bairn

The gorgeous cover and enticing title bespeaks the thoroughly engaging nature of this fantasy faerie tale from newcomer Katrina Macdonald Roe. Drawing on Scottish legends and folktales, Katrina has woven a completely absorbing narrative that begs to be read from the very first page and that astounding opening.

To claim that I was single-handedly responsible for the extinction of the faeries, as some have said, is wildly unfair.

Firstly, everybody knew that faery sightings had become increasingly rare long before I met one and nobody did a thing about it.

Secondly, nobody seems to remember how troublesome the creatures really were.

Given my total passion for the Emily Wilde series and all things fae, this book had already won me before I started reading.

Review: Is This a Plum?

The first word that springs to mind with this debut book is charming, followed quickly by hilarious! Father and son team but not in the usual sense [thinking of examples like Anthony and Joe Browne] because this father mostly works in theatrical creativity (Aardman Animations) and this son is only 8 years old! It's Dan and Finn Ojari. But, much like Anthony Browne, this pair found humour and stories in shapes while they were drawing one day.

As it happens when drawing a plum, they realised that the shape of that fruit rather resembles a hippo's bum - and away they went. Combining cut-outs and call-and-response format each page asks a question e.g. Is this a spider? which it certainly looks like in the cut-out, but upon turning the page we find out that NO! it's a tiger! I know right, hard to see the connection but you will. 

Review: The Dust Bowl, 1935: I Survived series

My introduction to the work of John Steinbeck was watching the movie adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath aged around 11/12 and thereafter, reading my father’s copy of the book plus all his other Steinbecks, including my all-time favourite book Of Mice and Men, also set in this period (what a writer that man was!). Both these books underlined the gravity of both the Depression and the Dust Bowl as well as the desperation of the poor, especially the farming people.

Now, Lauren Tarshis, chooses the same scenario for her 25th I Survived historical novel, bringing this terrible and desperate period of American history to a young audience. While it is true the Great Depression affected many around the world and created unimaginable hardships, those in America and Canada affected by the Dust Bowl had double the misfortune. 

Review: Judy Blume: a Life

It's a brilliant biography of one of the most notable, enduring, revered and ground-breaking writers, particularly of kid and teen fiction over the past 60 years, and, as you might expect, quite a behemoth to cover the almost 90 years of Judy Blume's life. It took me almost a week of night reading and while I actually finished it a couple of weeks ago, I needed to let it sit a while.

Although, I think it's fair to say, Judy is not held in Australia with the same almost mythic status she's enjoyed in the US, there is no doubt that her place in the canon of children's literature here is firmly cemented. Over my 25 years actively in libraries I have lost count of how many Year 4 classes have shared Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, or Year 3 classes with Blubber. Likewise, the legion of readers of Are You There, God? It's me, Margaret? - I think, for me, this is the one that really fixed Judy firmly in my sights - and the recent Netflix adaptation finally did it true justice.

Review: Robot Responders

Another great title from CSIRO Publishing that many young readers will find it absorbing and exciting. While there is so much shrieking about AI – and yes, it is quite justified in many instances e.g. stealing the work of creators – yet, there is so much more to AI and robotics that is of huge benefit to us all.

This book showcases the many ways robots of all kinds, as employed by the CSIRO team, are helping us all in a multitude of ways. In addition, it takes readers through a journey of robot development which many will find amazing.

It could be iRat [intelligent rat animat technology) which with its complex capabilities is helping scientists understand the mysterious workings of the human brain as well determining such things as navigation – how animals including human learn to find their way.

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: 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.

Review: Milly Meelyu

For years now we have seen children and schools becoming more actively interested in conservation and caring for the environment and wildlife. It's now well over 30 years since my first teaching gig with Year 5 when I created a literature-based unit of inquiry based on Fern Gully, we wrote a (published) letter to the editor of the Courier-Mail regarding the threatened destruction on Mt Warning and started an enthusiastic Environment Club.

But it is far more recently that we have begun to share and teach the cross-cultural perspectives of how our First Australians have always been custodians and caretakers of the land, water, plants and creatures.

Now we aim for this more inclusive approach to our conservation efforts and thus welcome any support for these endeavours including books such as this one. I'm not terribly familiar with wildlife of Western Australia beyond the most well-known and these meelyu - spiny-tailed skinks - were new to me entirely.

Review: Hagtale: A Macbeth Origin Story

Macbeth would come pretty close to being my favourite of the Bard’s works certainly its very creepiness is totally beguiling. And, of course, it is arguably one of the best-known, right up there with Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet. It also has those associated superstitions e.g. not uttering its name backstage. But this takes the whole deliciously eerie and supernatural vibe to an entirely new level.

It is seriously compelling reading. A small feral child raised by wolves is ‘rescued’ by a trio of witches, who raise her as a human – a species that is very foreign to both child and hags. Their combined knowledge and skills provide Wulva with what she will need to fulfil their own ends. They plan a future role that remains completely unknown to the girl until the realisation comes too late.

Review: Blue: Dragon of the Sea

Aleesah Darlison has a deft hand when writing books about wildlife and, as she is herself passionate about critters of all kinds, shapes and sizes, that comes as no surprise.

Little Blue is a nudibranch and if you’ve never heard of them, seen them or even read about them before, why not check them out because this book is bound to spark much interest with your little people. After all, you will want to be the font of all knowledge for them when they start wanting to know more! 

These super-colourful shell-less sea slugs are often referred to as ‘sparkly sea cupcakes’ which is a pretty cute description and with over 3000 varieties with an emphasis on varieties - such a range of colours, shapes and features, it’s pretty appropriate.

Review: My Mum's the Best - 15th Anniversary edition

How utterly delightful to see this sweet little favourite in a lovely new anniversary edition! And what a surprise it is really to realise it’s now 15 years old. 

With wonderful timing as we anticipate Mother’s Day, this new release will make a gorgeous gift especially for any new mum and bub. 

Rosie Smith’s text is simple but eloquent. It completely encapsulates all those wonderful things that mothers (and mother figures) do to make their offspring’s life happy and comfortable, whether it’s making their breakfast or giving great hugs, tucking them in at bedtime after a busy day of playing ball or taking them to school. All those little things that mums do, often without us even realising. 

Review: UnBEARable

Who doesn’t love a fractured fairytale? They are always so entertaining and make such an impact in any literacy program, whether in classroom, library or home schooling.  And that’s as much a part of secondary literacy as it is primary-based. Traditional tales – in all their guises: fairytale, folk tale, myths, legends, Dreaming stories – are part of the rich fabric of human existences stretching back for millennia.

Because of most readers’ easy familiarity with these, they make for such rich fodder in the creative writing space. Just as the original tellers of these tales would have told and re-told them with their own variations, setting readers the challenge to improvise or parody a fairy story can lead to so much vibrant, imaginative creativity. 

Review: The Sunbird: Young Readers’ Edition

Sara Haddad has adapted her well-received and highly topical adult novella to this edition for younger readers. While most would try to shield children from the horrors of war, even young kids can – and should – learn of the controversial history of Palestine, through the eyes of those who live there.

Written from a child’s perspective (as a now old woman – Nabila – recalls her early life to a ten-year-old boy called Zane), this slender volume recounts the experience of one child, one family, one homeland during the Nakba.

Until 1948, Nabila lived happily in her village, playing with friends, running amongst the olive trees, excited to soon be starting school – a simple life but one of joys and pleasures. 

Until the bombs start falling.

Review: Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees

Kate Foster has become such a leading light in middle grade novels featuring neuro-diverse characters. In this, she brings her own personal experience, so always there is such authenticity and wonderful voice. With this new series, she hooks into the ever-popular mystery genre and, more especially, kid investigators which will have great appeal for such a wide readership.

Along with that, this new narrative also has a strong family theme and, in particular, the connection between quirky grandchild and equally quirky grandmother. Freddie Jones is autistic and quite matter-of-fact about that. He is very self-aware and is generally able to self-regulate. His great asset in this is Hobnob, his assistance dog. 

Review: Feathers of Farwood and the Gripps Curse

Eva Feather has moved with her mother and two sisters to the little town of Farwood – a town like many other little country places in Australia but with many secrets. Eva’s secret is that her father has been infected by the Gripps, a mysterious condition affecting many, which causes a person to transform into an animal – in the instance of her dad, an owl.

Eva is already sprouting some feathers. She is desperate to rescue her father from being permanently trapped in owl form as well as to stop her own transformation. To add to the drama, there are the Hunters who roam looking for those who are Gripps-affected and effectively isolating them and banishing them.

Eva loves their new little weird and quirky house and she also likes Farwood very much but she is pretty much an outsider and friendless until she meets new boy, Harvey. Harvey also has secrets but he quickly becomes her staunchest ally and her partner in her mission to find the mysterious and long-hidden book that will reveal answers to help not only the girl and her family but all those who are in the grip of the Gripps.

Review: Claris and the Easter Delight

Adorable Claris is back as the flowers bloom in Paris and the joy of Easter is at hand. When Megan Hess expanded her repertoire of fashion, art and design to include little Claris, it was a genius stroke.

Nearly a dozen titles later and this tiny fashionista has charmed her way into the hearts of little girls in legion. There is no doubt that the prettiness of these books, combined with the always good fun rhyming stories, have been a sure-fire winner with the little ones aged around 4 upwards.

Review: Easter Cuddle

Two talented creators team up again for this Easter book which will delight tiny readers, and would make a superb gift for a newly arrived little human. The Easter Bunny at our house always delivered a new book as well as chocolate, so if that’s also a tradition for you, this is a perfect choice.

In the same style as their previous two titles in this ‘series’ Mummy Cuddle and Daddy Cuddle, the story line is simple, the text is sweet and the short sentences are exactly right for those tiny ears you want to nibble gently.