Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost

Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost by Jeanette Stampone, illustrated by Jasmine Berry (About Kids Books) PB RRP $14.99

Nine-year-old Terry Fide dreams of being the next great ghost detective like his dad. But there’s one problem: Terry is terrified of anything remotely scary (except his ghost dog, Bones).

When his dad is called to work in Sydney, Terry is left to deal with a spook causing havoc at the bakery. He is joined by Bones and two friends. Max, an avid clue collector, and Avery, an inventor. Will they solve the mystery? Will Terry overcome his fears and become a real ghost detective?

This is a fun, spooky junior fiction book for emerging readers. The first of three in the Ghost Detectives series. 

Highly recommended.

Here are links to where you can buy the book:

QBD https://www.qbd.com.au/ghost-detectives-terry-fide-and-the-bakery-ghost/jeanette-stampone/9780994642813/

Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/terry-fide-and-the-bakery-ghost-jeanette-stampone/book/9780994642813.html?srsltid=AfmBOoraniXmtQeuhGwZ4Yn-6SxHYsWLI3RSbdRr__S62V86m0WB3W1j

Sanity https://www.sanity.com.au/products/3378804/Ghost-Detectives-Terry-Fide-A?srsltid=AfmBOorDzqQvDPf5qMykfiv_j0yX2shpMT5UQIHjgRVE2w-mFRdxcqEc

Dymocks https://www.dymocks.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=9780994642813+

Of course, the book is also available at your local bookseller. Or you can buy the book for $20 which includes postage by contacting dibates@outlook.com

 

 

 

Rakali of the Riverbank.

Rakali of the Riverbank. Stephanie Owen Reeder. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg (CSIRO Publishing 2025). ISBN 9781486317547.  Hardback picture book 32 pages RRP $26.99

Reviewed by Debra Williams

As the sun sets, Rakali prepares to patrol the riverbank. He is on a mission to fill his belly, protect his pups and keep his home safe. But he must face feral foxes, disease-carrying black rats and toxic cane toads.

This engaging picture book reveals the day-to-day life, threats and battles of the nocturnal, aquatic, Australian native water rat, with facts about the species, including tips on how to identify and help protect them. Rakali is one of the only two amphibious mammals in Australia.

Beautifully illustrated, young readers will love this non-fiction book, which encourages conservation of our aquatic habitats and the native creatures that call them home. The book’s themes are habitats and ecosystems, animal parenting and invasive species.

There are Teacher Notes available, aligned to the Australian Curriculum, free to download from the CSIRO Publishing website: https://publish.csiro.au/book/8115/#forteachers  

The recommended reading level for this book is ages 5 to 9 years.

Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble #2

Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble #2 by Nick Long (Affirm Press) Junior Fiction ISBN13: 9781922863959  RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

Get ready for an hilarious space (mis)adventure with a zany cast of characters.

In this second book of the Rufus Rumble Junior Fiction series, 11-year-old Rufus and the “worst space crew ever” have landed on the very inhospitable planet of Noffle, where there are no waffles. What could be worse than no waffles? Well, a lot actually.

Desperately trying to repair their rocket before the Big Pumpkin Festival so they won’t be locked up by the Noffles, Rufus and the crew face a barrage of challenges, chaos and craziness. They fight off an angry dragon with mud balls flung by a pineapple picker; climb a mountain made of teeth that threatens to swallow them; and are repeatedly spat on by an “attack-alpaca”. The tension ramps up as their deadline approaches, but for Rufus the stakes are even higher – he needs to find his missing mother, whom he now believes may have been kidnapped by the Throwbacker Government.

 As soon as readers lay eyes on this book they will be drawn in by the striking gold lettering on the cover, the irresistible title, the friendly hand-written graffiti-style font and the comic, cartoon-like drawings scattered throughout the text. They will want to begin reading at once, and when they do, they will be hooked.

The playful and creative language, whacky but relatable characters and page-turning plot make this an ideal book for young readers who love action, adventure and craziness. I see this mashup of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Kinney) and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Dent) especially appealing to children aged around 7 – 9 years who are transitioning from graphic novels to more prose dense texts. This book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving fans desperate for the next instalment.  Let’s hope they won’t have to wait too long.

Remember Triple Zero Heroes

Remember Triple Zero Heroes J.E. Miller (Hawkeye Publishing) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780643309973

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

J.E. Miller loves writing inspiring stories from the heart. She joined the SES in 2009 and began volunteering to help others. She has won numerous medals in her role including a state Meritorious Service Medal, and a National Emergency Medal for significant service. She wrote Remember: Lest We Forget and now Remember: Triple Zero Heroes. And another Remember book is coming soon.

This story follows a young child stepping into the different shoes of triple zero heroes. Including stepping into an Anzac march, police officer, paramedic, fire fighter, mounted police officer and an SES flood boat operator. Some of the stories shared are based on real life experiences. The themes of ‘mateship’ and ‘courage’ are woven throughout the book.

J.E. Miller has written from experience, and it shows in every word. She draws the reader into the story with an ANZAC march, where a soldier speaks not of heroes from wars, but of young men and women wearing yellow, orange, green and blue. The strong opening introduces the idea that heroes come in many forms - and each page turn reveals a hero. Miller allows the visuals to speak as much as the text. Each emergency services role shared offers depth and insight, helping readers understand the bravery behind each uniform. Her use of language enhances the story message. Sizzling flames and crashing walls can’t keep me from my course. Readers can easily imagine themselves in each role, learning how these heroes help make our world a safer place. This book ensures all emergency responders feel valued, respected and acknowledged. The glossary at the back is a handy reference titled Unfamiliar Words & Sayings. The thoughtful last page is about the author and her connection to this story.

The illustrative style is creative and unique because each emergency responder’s page has its own illustrator. Although each illustrator has their own visual voice, the illustrations go together cohesively. The cover is eye-catching and immediately conveys that the story is about triple zero heroes. The realistic images and fire fighter boots and hat are quite powerful. The endpapers feature the triple zero heroes’ ribbon in a striking repeated pattern. Each illustrator’s name is included unobtrusively and thoughtfully on their illustration. The clever use of colour backgrounds of blues, yellow and green tones make the book feel connected as one. I really think it is clever that each service role has their own illustrator as each role is unique and so is each illustrator.

Remember: Triple Zero Heroes is a picture book with an important message, to recognise the people in these roles and their importance. This book is a great standalone read but also a doorway to other books in the Remember series. Anyone that has a connection to triple zero responders will really love this book. Children love superheroes and this book showcases real life heroes. The book is suitable for children 4 years plus and a great resource for teachers and librarians. It is also a uniquely Australian book.

Ghost Detectives Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost

Ghost Detectives Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost by Jeanette Stampone, illustrations by Jasmine Berry (About Kids Books, Australia) Paperback RRP $14.99 ISBN 978 0 9946428 1 3

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Terry Fide is nine years old and dreams of becoming a brilliant ghost detective just like his dad and his ancestors though the ages. But it’s not easy being a ghost detective if you are afraid of anything scary!

Terry’s dad must travel to Sydney for work for a few weeks but there is a ghost at the local bakery causing chaos. The new baker, Miss Quibble, can’t wait for Terry’s dad to return, she wants the ghost to be dealt with straight away, business is not doing well.

Terry, together with his friends Max and Avery, and his beloved ghost dog Bones, deal with the spooky problem.

Max is good at collecting clues and Avery is an inventor, but it is Terry who knows that the way to deal with ghosts is to find out why they are there, if only he wasn’t so afraid.

Together, they discover that the ghost is looking for a secret recipe book which might just help Miss Quibble’s bad baking and bring back customers.

This is an amusing mystery adventure which conjures up terrific images with its simple but descriptive language. It is a chapter book that moves along without missing a beat. Spooky scenes are just a little scary but not too much for young readers aged 6-9.

Each character has their own unique talents, but it’s when they work together and help each other, that the three friends find the answers, especially if you don’t give up when you are not quite sure what to do. 

An entertaining, enjoyable read about facing your fear with the help of friends. There is also a nod to the benefits of using science and innovation to solve problems.

Where will their adventures take them next? Perhaps this is just the beginning of Terry becoming the greatest ghost detective. It seems the veterinary surgery may need his help. Look out for more books in the Ghost Detectives series.

The World of Maxime

The World of Maxime by Lucile de Pesloüan & illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn (Aldana Libros Greystone Kids) PB RRP AU$29.99 ISBN 978 1 77840 054 4

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Maxime is 10 years old, and her favourite things are her books and her cat Tumeric. She feels life is regimented, always having to do what others want to fit in. She finds it hard to make friends as she feels different and the loud noises they make hurts her ears. Maxime reads while she is eating breakfast, when she finishes her class activities before other students, during recess and lunch, after school and under the covers with her torch when she is meant to be asleep. She tells Tumeric about her school day and what she is thinking. Tumeric doesn’t tell her what to do and doesn’t judge her. But there is a new girl at school who is reading one of Maxime’s favourite books Matilda. Maxime would like to make friends with her, but she doesn’t know what to do.

On the way home from school one day, she sees some mysterious bowls hiding in the bushes with kitty food. How did they get there! She dresses as a detective to solve the mystery and meets Catamou, an old lady who knows all about cats and how to help those that don’t have their own home. Together they discover that not all people judge you for being different. Catamou helps Maxime with ideas on how to approach the new girl in school. Can she face her fear and discover a new friend?

This is a lovely story set in Canada about being different, friendship - including intergenerational -- and of the rewards that facing your fears can bring when you find things in common with each other.

The complementary theme of the importance of pets in a child’s life is understated but is so important to Maxime’s life and adds richness and depth to the story.

This is a picture book for older children aged 7-10 years. The book is 103 pages but is filled with Indian ink, watercolour, pencil and coloured ink illustrations that are full of life and tell their own story of the neighbourhood in which Maxime lives.

There is an afterword which provides some helpful hints about what to do if you come across cats that you think could be lost or injured. Albeit they are in the Canadian context, they mostly apply to an Australian environment.

This story was originally published in French in 2022 and translated into English for publication in 2025.

The quality of the hard cover is beautiful and feels like satin in your hands. The book is a lovely read.

This Bird

This Bird written and illustrated by Astred Hicks (CSIRO) HB RRP $3.99 ISBN 9781486318452

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This comprehensive picture book for older readers, aged 9 to 12, was written in collaboration with bird scientist Dr Holly Parsons. Basically, it’s focussed on noticing urban birds no matter where you live in Australia. Each double page introduces different types of birds listed under criteria such as ‘This Bird Has a Sweet Tooth,’ ‘This Bird is a Master of Disguise,’ ‘This Bird Looks Different from Its Partner,’ and so on. In all there are twenty-nine categories of types of birds.

One category, for instance, ‘These Birds are Architects’ shows birds which build structures for shelter and nesting, while some build them to impress potential mates or fool predators. There are illustrations and blurbs of six such birds: willie wagtails, brown gerygones, wedge-tailed eagles, zebra finches, yellow-rumped thornbills, and mistletoes, with additional reference made to powerful owls and yellow-tailed black cockatoos which use tree hollows for nests. I wondered why bower birds weren’t included in this section: I live in the suburbs of NSW and have a bower in my backyard with frequent visits by male and female bower birds.

There are some interesting facts scattered throughout the book, such as the fact that Australia has more than 67 species of honeyeaters, kingfishers sometimes make their homes in abandoned termite nests, and owls have poo that looks like big globs of white yogurt to pellets which are regurgitated material that can’t be digested, such as small bones and bits of fur and feathers. We also learn that for the past 20 years, peregrine falcons have been nesting in an aeroplane hanger at Sydney Airport. And that fairy penguins, also known as little penguins, grow to just 45 centimetres tall – roughly the height of an adult’s knee – and weigh 1 kilogram. There’s so much more, and each double page also includes a map of Australia that shows where you’d find the featured birds.

This very informative book, with a final fly page of different types of bird species (and a blurb about the authors), also includes a glossary, habitats where birds are found and an index of species. Recommended.