Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book

Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern and Karen Erasmus (Wombat Books) PB RRP $10.99 ISBN: 9781761111808

Ariana Treasure: The Secret Ingredient by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern and Karen Erasmus (Wombat Books) PB RRP $10.99 ISBN: 9781761111822

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Ariana Treasure helps her mum in their shop, the Treasure Chest – a thrift shop started by Ariana’s grandfather and specialising in reusable and recyclable goods. Ariana loves their little shop and delights in finding items to help her friends and the community.

In Book 1 of the series, The Missing Book, Ariana’s mother mistakenly sells Ariana’s favourite book. It belonged to her grandfather and was not for sale. Unfortunately, the boy who bought it is in no mood to return it – having just moved house and feeling very upset about having to leave behind his own ‘treasures’.

Book 2, The Secret Ingredient, sees Ariana and her friends, Hunter and Jake, excited for the upcoming food truck competition. The boys’ parents own the Taco Garcia food truck and think they have a good chance of winning – until they come down with a mystery bug.

In writing the Ariana Treasure series – six books in total – author Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern has focused on creating short chapters with a simple plot and one problem to solve, which is perfect for beginning readers. Themes including kindness, sustainability, friendship and teamwork will resonate with this younger audience, and send positive messages in a gentle way.

Karen Erasmus’ black and white illustrations bring the characters to life and focus on transmitting the emotions felt as the story unfolds.

Readers aged 5 to 7 will enjoy solving the relatable problems faced by Ariana and her friends, and the stories are sure to inspire personal connections and deeper conversations about sustainable practices and kindness.  

This Stays Between Us

This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern (Penguin Books) RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761346286

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Four teenage girls are on a school camp in the middle of the woods with limited adult supervision and a ghostly tale of a guy called Smiling Jack, who is known to haunt the campsite. Creepy or what?!

I avoid horror movies at the best of times, and I don’t mind admitting that this story freaked me out! I was tense for most of the read, and as much as I tried to work out the outcome, I could not. Instead, I only read the book during daytime hours and tried not to let it keep me awake at night with every creak of my house.

McGovern has created four female teenage characters who are completely intriguing, all for different reasons. Mack, Priya and Raffi are all friends and have been for years, along with the new girl Shelley, Each has her own secrets, and each has her own reasons for keeping those secrets. As the three friends try to befriend the new girl, someone -- or something -- begins to haunt and torment the girls. Is it the ghost of Smiling Jack returned to terrorise them? Or worse. Is it somebody they know? Readers will be kept wondering and remain completely tense until the dramatic conclusion.

While this book is ultimately one designed to scare and entertain, it also addresses the uncomfortable and concerning subject of sexual consent. It does so in a way that, sadly, is very possible for any young person to find themselves in such a situation. It also addresses the subject of sexuality and the prejudices that can affect anyone trying to understand their own sexuality. Both important topics provide opportunities for further discussion from the storylines within this book.

This Stays Between Us is creepy, entertaining, and scary for a lone reader on a dark and spooky night. It is suitable for a 14+ year-old readership.

The Train at the End of my Street

 

The Train at the End of my Street, written & illustrated by Tom Jellett (Affirm Press) HB RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781923022362

The publishers say, ‘This is the book for all tiny train enthusiasts!’ In this picture book, a child tells of the train station at the end of his street. Every day, their mother catches a train to work and home. Sometimes their family catches a train from Minty Bay into the city and return.

Every aspect of catching a train – and what trains and their stations look like – is captured in words and illustrations (which are stunning). It celebrates trains and train travel in an accessible and relatable way.

This book sits alongside best-selling books like That’s Not My Train and Thomas the Tank Engine.

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.