Looking for Imani

 

Apprentice of the Stones Book 2: The Door in the Woods

Apprentice of the Stones Book 2: The Door in the Woods by Wendy Haynes (Inprint Publishing) MG RRP $19.79 ISBN 97809876435 6 8

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

In this sequel to Saving Hollow Woods, orphans Gertrude and Tristan once again embark on an adventure in The Four Lands, inhabited by colonies of elves, goblins, trolls, and dwarfs.

After ‘scrying’ a goblin girl in Hollow Woods, Gertrude is compelled to find out more about her, so she convinces Tristan to return with her to the secret world they previously discovered on Aunty Betty’s farm. Once there, they meet up with their old friends and soon set off on a journey to save Hollow Woods from the evil force of Folmar, who threatens the safety and tranquillity of its inhabitants.

With magic spells, dragons, wizards, and a very wise owl, the story has a definite Harry Potter flavour. The underground setting, mythical creatures, and the series of challenges that Gertrude and Tristan encounter also evoke echoes of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series.

If you have not read the first book in this series, Saving Hollow Woods, it may take a while to settle into the detailed and complex fictional world that Haynes has created, and to get to know its large cast of characters. However, pertinent details of the preceding story are revealed throughout the narrative, which means that this can comfortably be read as a stand-alone. The ending is satisfying, with questions raised at the novel's beginning being answered, but Haynes cleverly leaves the door open for another book in the series.

This is a book for fantasy and adventure lovers. Its language and themes make it suitable for ten to twelve-year-old readers, especially those who enjoy reading series.

Miffy and the Artists

Miffy and the Artists by Mercis Publishing, illustrated by Dick Bruna (Thames & Hudson Ltd) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780500653784

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Miffy and the Artists celebrates 70 years of Miffy, its Dutch creator Dick Bruna, and 24 famous artists that influenced Bruna’s craft. Miffy, one of the most recognisable children’s book characters in the world, was first published in 1955 and now boasts over 120 books.

This 64-page picture book has been created for children aged 2-6 years, and older children who have grown up enjoying the Miffy series. This nonfiction book introduces its young audience to a range of famous artists including Henri Matisse, Johannes Vermeer, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol, among many others. It describes the connections between Bruna’s artwork and that of other famous artists who influenced Bruna as he grew as an artist himself.

The end of the book includes a ‘Meet Dick Bruna’ section and a ‘Meet the Artists’ section that provides more in-depth details about the artists and the work portrayed in the book. Miffy and the Artists is a great book for budding young artists who may be inspired to start creating their own characters and artworks. 

Me and You

Me and You by Ellie Royce. Illustrated by Penelope Pratley. Ford Street Publishing 2025. Hardcover picture book RRP $27.95. ISBN 9781922696502

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is a gorgeous book that celebrates the relationship between a child and their grandparent by sharing in the everyday things of life.

The POV switches from the child to the grandmother seamlessly and beautifully. The child bursts out of bed ‘like a firecracker.’ Gran takes more time to ease herself into the day. Their shared time is enjoyed by both, creating empathy and caring from both sides, as one explains how they feel whilst walking, playing at the seaside, and eating ice cream. They tell each other about the things they love, their mistakes and fears. At the end of the day, they are both tired and grumpy, but after a rest, they are ready to spend more time doing things together. With a pared-back text, it’s a wonderful tale of the strong familial bond between child and grandparent. The illustrations convey the story without the need for too many words.

This book is beautifully and gently illustrated and celebrates the connection between generations. Both young and mature readers (parents and grandparents) will love it. Suitable for ages 3+ years.

Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune

Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune by Chris Judge (Scholastic) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781761644580

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Many moons ago, Evil Duck got his hands on the elusive ‘feather of fortune’, the most dangerous object in the solar system. The power-obsessed villain had grand plans to conquer the world; however, he was stopped in his tracks by his nemesis, Fearless Frank Duck.

Today, fifty years after Evil Duck’s capture, ducklings Flo and Eddie stay with Grandad Frank. One evening, when the ducklings go snooping in Grandad’s attic, not only do they discover Evil Duck frozen in a large glass pod, but they come to realise that ‘boring’ Grandad was actually ‘Fearless Frank Duck’ back in his younger years.

Despite being warned to stay away from the pod, Eddie’s intrigue and lack of self-control make him push the ‘red button’, releasing Evil Duck! Frank’s problems of decades ago haunt him as Evil Duck escapes and threatens to find the feather of fortune again. However, now that Frank is much older, he cannot catch Evil Duck on his own, so he recruits the help of Flo and Eddie as his trusty sidekicks.

Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune is a full-colour graphic novel for middle-grade readers. It would appeal to readers 8 years and older who enjoy humour, weird and wacky adventures, and good vs evil storylines.

Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm

Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm by Samantha-Ellen Bound (Affirm Press) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781923135383

“When their beloved home comes under siege, the Wherewithal crew flee through the portal to the Realm of Fae. Behind the walls of the Faerie Market, they search for ways to stop the increasingly powerful Red Cap from achieving Realm-wide domination.

But Red Caps’ army is growing stronger. Old and new enemies are rising, the Realms are in disarray, and Celeste’s powers are gone – maybe for good. With a battle on the horizon and the lives of all those she loves at risk, Celeste will require every bit of cleverness and cunning she has picked up from the Realms for this last fight.”  Affirm Press

Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm is the fourth and final novel in Samantha-Ellen Bound’s middle grade portal fantasy series. 

Run

Run by Sarah Armstrong (Hardie Grant) PB RRP: $18.99 ISBN 9781761214561

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Sarah Armstrong, author of CBCA's Notable book Big Magic, presents a fast-paced adventure for middle-grade readers and teens.

Cas is on the run. On the way to visit his Dad, he finds out that the adults in his life have decided for him that he should try living with his father -- a father he doesn't remember ever being there for him. Now he feels he doesn't belong anywhere - not with Dad, nor with the people who want to be rid of him. So, he runs.

Out in the Australian bush, he starts to think that his impulsive decision wasn't such a great one. The bush is filled with scary creatures and he's not sure what might be poisonous or not.

This is a fast-paced read, and Cas's strong emotions about his family, his loneliness, and his need to belong carry the story. We feel Cas's desperation and pain.

I might actually die out here, he thinks, every centimetre of his skin prickling with the truth of this. Tears fill his eyes. I don't want to die. I'm only twelve. I can't die yet. But maybe this disbelief is exactly what people feel before their death. Maybe no one ever expects to die.

Then, he meets a family who help him navigate the ways of the wild. Two girls and their father. They refer to their way of life as 'rewilding' - living off the land. But as Cas spends more time with them, he realises there is much more to their story than that. The girls run for cover when a helicopter is in the area and he overhears mysterious snippets of conversation: they're hiding a secret. All the while, Cas is aching to get back to his aunt and to the way things used to be -- before this whole idea of visiting his Dad entered the picture.  

The adventure involves a tight cast with relatable and memorable voices. The descriptions of the Australian bush evoke beautifully strong images.

The story first opens up a discussion of family and belonging. As it moves along, though, it becomes a more interesting ethical discussion. There are repeated themes of "sometimes it's right to do wrong", whether someone is worthy of your trust and belief, and the importance of family. The story's characters have some concept of flexible morality. This is a story that allows children to ponder their own thoughts about what right and wrong really mean in different contexts.

An original read with strong images and emotions that will stay with the reader well afterwards.