How to Make the World Cup (and Survive Grade Five)

How to Make the World Cup (and Survive Grade Five) by Caral Fitzgerald (UQP)  ISBN 9780702271229  RRP $17.95 (PB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

Ronnie and her parents are sports experts – armchair experts, that is. Her Mum and Dad hardly take their eyes off their screens. Besides watching every televised sporting match possible, they also use their screens for work, shopping, and most of life’s activities, so they rarely leave the house.

Ronnie loves watching sports too, especially women’s soccer. She and her friend Kai watch it together and have in-depth discussions analysing the teams’ plays and tactics. So, imagine Ronnie’s excitement when she and Kai are invited by the CEO of Soccer Australia to be ‘special ball kids’ (aka secret coaches) for their favourite team. It’s a dream come true for Ronnie, but Kai has some hesitations.

There is, however, a whole lot more going on in this story than just sport fandom. Kai and his father are experiencing financial hardship. Ronnie feels sidelined by her parents, while her brother Novak isolates himself in his bedroom. And navigating the social expectations of grade five, with its shifting playground rules, is stressful.

Several themes emerge as we follow Ronnie and Kai on their quest to help the Australian women’s soccer team to qualify for the World Cup. The novel explores family relationship issues, tricky friendships and peer pressure, the impact of social media, and the uplifting power of positivity, self-belief, and striving for your goals. I particularly like how the author has turned the tables on the issue of screen addiction, making it the parents who are the ones tethered to their phones, while 14-year-old Novak never touches his. This is a clever twist.

This is the third book in Carla Fitzgerald’s ‘How To … Survive Grade 5’ series of stand-alone novels. Her previous book, How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five, won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book award. I’m sure readers of her previous work will be eager to get their eyes on this one. It’s funny, suspenseful and entertaining. Fitzgerald has created relatable, likeable characters and set them in a real world that tweens will easily recognise and be interested in. It will appeal to 9–12-year-olds, especially those interested in sport, but also to anyone in grade five.

Family Feast

Family Feast by Brooke Graham and Kristen Willis (EK Books) PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781922539007

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Tallula’s best friend Mia will be coming to their Family Feast and she’s worried. What will Mia think about her family? They fight like cats, they’re louder than a herd of elephants and their table manners are appalling. Her family is so embarrassing and not at all like Mia’s quiet family. So, Tallula devises a plan to help her relatives learn how to behave – but will it work? Celebrating cultural diversity, acceptance, multi-generational family dynamics, and the joy of sharing a chaotic meal with loved ones.

Brooke Graham is a children’s author and primary school teacher who writes stories that pull on heart strings and help children deal with the ups and downs of life. Her picture book Go Away, Worry Monsters was shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA book awards. Nova’s Missing Masterpiece was published in 2024.

Kristen Willis is an award-winning Australian children’s picture book illustrator, fine artist and graphic designer whose illustrations beautifully capture family memories and stories.

Brooke Graham has crafted a story with humour and heart. The main character Tallula is vivid. Her internal thoughts are clear and emotive. The well written opening sentence invites a reader into the story. My family is hide-under-your-hat, melt-into-the-walls, sink-into-the-ground embarrassing. The use of similes creates great visuals. They fight like cats. Graham shows Tallula’s anguish and worries rather than telling. Tallula tries tactics and suggests ways for her family to be less embarrassing.

Children can feel embarrassed by family members. I like that the adult family members stay true to themselves and don’t change. It is Tallula herself who changes when she sees her family in a different light. Children do worry about what their friend’s think. Will Mia still be her friend if her family do embarrassing things?

The feast at the table is climatic and the page turn is in just the right place …the table turns to chaos. The reader does not know how Mia will respond. The vocabulary and word choices give the illustrator lots of room to play. I love the message that family is everything. Family members will always stay true to who they are and that’s what really makes them unique and lovable.

Kristen Willis has created an imaginary world, that is a playful fun interpretation of the text that brings much depth, character and layers into the storytelling. There is movement and play and making the imaginary characters that are the family members blue is very clever. On one double spread we have the real family members and then with a page turn the rumpus begins with blue imaginary ones as family members. This shows Tallula’s embarrassment much more than words can express it.

When Tallula is pleading her case to her family members to behave it is her imaginary ones we see. Pop as a huge belching pig is hilarious. I love the very last double page spread as it turns the family members back to themselves. It’s so warm and lovely and a fitting and satisfying ending.

Family Feast is written for children 4-8 years and it is not only a fun read but one that celebrates family life with all its thorns and roses. And that’s what we all love about our families they are unique and they are ours. I can see this book appealing to children, parents, teachers and librarians.

50 Ways to Die in the Ocean

50 Ways to Die in the Ocean by Eileen O'Hely illustrated by Nico O'Sullivan (Hawkeye Publishing) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781923741041

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

50 Ways to Die in the Ocean is an educational graphic novel for youngsters about, not surprisingly, ways to die in the ocean.

It's a short read. Two characters are introduced to us who look like balloon animals - a round one with glasses and a taller one with a hat. We don't learn their names or much about them. It's irrelevant for they are merely devices for us to learn about dying in the ocean - their banter generates information.

The book moves through different ways the ocean could present dangers. The characters try to present this as a natural narrative, talking about not liking sand then sharks and then moving onto discussing activities and their dangers such as snorkelling and so forth.

This has the advantage of presenting a nice flow to the conversation but for those readers who wanted to know that there were 50 ways to die in the ocean, the methods can become blurred. It's not clear whether a quick mention of a danger without exploration is meant to count. Is a list of a few creatures that can each contribute to the same kind of death meant to be one way to die, or several? This may seem pedantic but people who like lists (and this book's title would appeal to that kind of reader) often find this important.

One character tells us over and over, "AND THEN YOU WILL DIE!", giving the book a black humour and rhythm without this being depressing. I can imagine the younger children chanting eagerly, awaiting the words and looking forward to yelling them out.

The book focuses on interesting scientific and historical facts about the ocean and will surely appeal to kids who love storing up interesting pieces of information, such as exactly how carbon monoxide poisoning or water pressure works. The gruesome and taboo topic of death is introduced, in an engaging and non-depressing way. One issue that some might have with this is the idea that it doesn't take the topic of death seriously enough - it's a difficult area to navigate in an age-appropriate way. I think the book manages to convey a lot of facts and keeps kids amused.

There may also be the concern that some of the information is a little difficult for some of the younger kids to digest - there's a lot of science and rather than explain it using analogies, information is given in a rapid-fire manner using simple language. Some of the concepts are broken down well but others may fly over others' heads. The good part is that kids can move on easily to the next death method and won't get bogged down if that's the case.

There are some discussions of appropriate ways to mitigate danger but that's not the focus of the book. The pictures are simple and funny rather than horrifying. This is a clever concept - kids will love the idea that they're rebelling by reading about death and danger. Don't tell them they're learning science and they'll read oceans of it!

It’s a Twin Thing: The Big Switch

It’s a Twin Thing: The Big Switch by Kristin Darell, illustrated by A.Yi (Penguin Books) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781761353611

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Identical twins Abi (Abigail) and Brook (Brooklyn) are back, and this time the girls’ focus is on the school’s public speaking competition, which is fast approaching. Abi is a confident speaker, but Brook will do anything to avoid it. The problem is that Brook has her heart set on becoming a school leader next year and knows that if there’s any chance of that happening, she must do well in this competition. Unfortunately, Brook is terrified and doesn’t want to risk failing, so she asks Abi (who thrives on debating and public speaking) to switch places and pretend to be her. Abi reluctantly agrees only because she hates seeing her sister upset.

 

The Big Switch is the second book in the It’s a Twin Thing series for middle grade readers. Its themes include anxiety, facing fears, mistakes, self-talk, and courage. The Big Switch would be suitable for readers aged 8 and older who enjoy realistic fiction about school, siblings and friendship. The main text is broken up with diary entries and monochrome vignettes throughout, which appeals to many younger readers.

There's a Chicken in the House

There's a Chicken in the House by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo (Penguin Random House Australia 2026) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781761344497

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes

There's a Chicken in the House is this award-winning, creative duo's fourth picture book together, and we as readers get to reap the benefits of that extra-special something woven into the words and pictures of a time-honoured partnership.

A young girl narrates, and she's concerned about a chicken that has entered the house after the wind blew the door open. The young girl commands the chicken to leave – several times – but this chicken has a mind of its own. She struts through the house from room to room. She inspects crumbs in the kitchen, poos in the bathroom, strolls along like a princess at a party (love this), then heads to big sister's bedroom and hops into the wardrobe! 

Inside the wardrobe, coat hangers jangled.

I heard my sister in the kitchen, pushing out her chair. 

'Come back, chicken!' I whispered as loudly as I dared.

I love the delicious tension being built here! We have the worried young girl who wants to get the chicken out before big sister sees it – and big sister (completely oblivious to what's going on in her room) who is about to leave the meal table and discover it. Could the young girl be worried because she knows full well how big sister will respond to the state of her wardrobe – and that she'll most likely be blamed for it?

Or could the young girl be worried because she loves big sister and doesn't want her to get upset?

We can only imagine. But how lovely that we can.

Once the chicken is out of big sister's room and has watched a bit of telly, she heads to the door. But before the chicken wanders outside, the young girl scoops her up and says, 'Don't you want to see my room?' 

I love how the young girl goes from being completely set on getting the chicken out to accepting her and even prolonging her stay. 

A story like this could so easily have been given the slapstick treatment – a wild and frightened chicken running amok inside a house, setting off a chain of disasters with laugh-out-loud results!

But no. These two creatives chose a subtler spin.

This chicken is dignified. She wanders about, taking her own sweet time, checking out each room like she's ambling through an art gallery. The chaos is calmer, the humour is quieter, and it asks the reader to slow down and, just like this chicken, to take some time and savour the experience.

We need more stories like this in our fast-paced, screen-focussed lives.

Lucia Masciullo's endearingly whimsical illustrations complement the narrative beautifully.  Her work has an inbuilt, easy-going quality that exudes comfort and warmth.

I love the serenity of the colours she uses and how she captures so well the look and feel of an early morning summer's day – where everything is bathed in an airy, spacious light.

(And I have to add that arriving at the illustration on the final page was such a surprise – and so oddly satisfying!)

Inspired by Sonya Hartnett's own (and I'm sure, keenly observed) pet chicken, There's a Chicken in the House is a perfect read-aloud, feel-good tale about curiosity, patience and unexpected visitors.

Animal lovers, particularly those with a fondness for chickens, will resonate with and be enchanted by this delightful picture book.

Highly recommended for young readers aged 2+.

 

The Green Child

 The Green Child  by Hollie Hughes, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Post Wave Children’s Books)

ISBN 978-1-83627-057-7 RRP $24.99 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

The Green Child (part human, part plant) has spent the Autumn and Winter sleeping in the forest. She awakens as Spring arrives. It soon becomes Summer, but this is no ordinary summer. It’s hotter, drier, and browner than any other. So, the Green Child whispers a message to one small child, asking for help to save the planet. The message is spread one whisper at a time until “EVERY human knows … that the world must slow and cool”.

This story is clearly written to raise awareness in young readers about global warming and its effects on the natural environment. It also has a message of hope and belief that when everyone pulls together, change is possible. Having a childlike character initiate this change gives young children a sense of agency in how they can positively impact the world, despite their age.

The book is beautifully and simply illustrated, with a changing colour palette that reflects the narrative's seasonal shifts, making it engaging and attractive. The story is written in rhyming verse, which fosters children’s literacy development and makes it lovely to read aloud. It will appeal to parents and educators who care about the impact of climate change and want to inspire children to help protect the natural environment. It is suitable for children aged around 4-7 years.

Frog’s Tale

Frog’s Tale by Susea Spray, illustrated by Patricia F. Braga (Spray Publications) ISBN 978-1-7642083-0-7  RRP $19.60 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

“A frog on a log in a bog in the fog.”

This whimsical story follows a frog flipped off a log by a clog, a hog, and a dog, all while a girl rides a dragon. The story begins simply with a two-word sentence: “The fog.” It is told in a cumulative style, with a series of other objects and animals landing on a log with the frog, eventually toppling off into the bog.

The author, Susea Spray, purposely tells the story using simple rhyming words, repeated in short sentences. The sentences lengthen as the tension increases, and the story ends with the same sentence that it started with, giving it both a symmetry and a poetic feel. Along with the rhyme and assonance, the text is rich with onomatopoeic words such as “Squeeeeal!” “Thwunnnk” and “Splat”, scattered throughout the illustrations.

With very few words, much of the narrative is told through the beautiful, clever watercolour illustrations, which become clearer as the fog lifts, then more obscure as it descends again. The illustrations are full of action, which will engage young readers and hold their attention as they figure out what is happening on each spread.

Frog’s Tale would be a fun read-aloud book, perfect for developing early literacy skills in toddlers and preschoolers.