Odder: An Otter’s Story

Odder: An Otter’s Story (University of Queensland Press) Katherine Applegate & Charles Santoso PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780702269158

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Katherine Applegate is a No.1 New York Times bestselling author who has written many children’s books. The One and Only Ivan, won a Newberry Medal.

Charles Santoso loves drawing little things and dreams about funny, wondrous stories. He has illustrated many books including Happy Hippo. He has illustrated the New York Times bestseller Wishtree.

Odder is adapted from Katherine Applegate’s bestselling novel of the same name and inspired by the true story of a program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. This lyrical tale showcases resilience, healing and the importance of play. The novel version of this story spent over 80 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Odder loves playing underwater and learning life lessons from her mother. Then something unthinkable happens and she is rescued by humans. Odder heals and learns to mother other rescues. It becomes clear Odder has a talent for teaching young pups how to otter.

Katherine Applegate’s writing is heartfelt and written in verse. Odder is an endearing character whose personality and spunk shine through on every page. Young readers gain a clear sense of her playfulness and resilience. The language is evocative and lovely. Odder is restless, her front paws dream-busy, small and soft as a baby’s mittens. The fact that the story is based on real events and inspired by two actual otters not only strengthens the narrative but also deepens its emotional impact. The text is considerably longer than a typical Australian picture book, with a much higher word count, allowing space to fully share this powerful story. The voice speaks directly to the reader, while the illustrations beautifully enhance the story’s emotional resonance.

Applegate uses literary techniques such as repetition and rhetorical questions to help tell the story through the eyes of an otter. Throughout the book, the constant motion of the sea mirrors and deepens the emotional journey. I love how Applegate shows that teaching and loving are, in many ways, the same thing. Odder’s actions illustrate this beautifully. There is so much this little one needs to know. The backmatter adds meaningful value to the story, and the information about the author and illustrator is a thoughtful touch.

Charles Santoso’s illustrations beautifully capture the life of an otter and the rhythm of the ocean. The ocean-inspired colour palette is soothing, and the character design is both endearing and warm. The movement of the water and the otters is depicted with charm, especially through their expressive faces and body language. The illustrations are varied, and Santoso’s use of vignettes is especially effective in bringing the story to life. The endpapers begin and end with the swirling motion of the ocean, creating a sense of continuity. What stands out most about the illustrations is their warmth and the deep sense of love they convey for marine life and the ocean.

Odder: An Otter’s Story is an uplifting picture book that highlights the importance of play, caring for marine life, and choosing to overcome adversity. It’s a feel-good story that will appeal to children, parents, teachers, and librarians alike. Suitable for children aged three and up, this book offers both heart and hope.

Yanga Mother

Yanga Mother by Cheryl Leavy and Christopher Bassi (University of Queensland Press)  ISBN 978 0 7022 6831 1  RRP $25.00 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

As soon as you lay eyes on this gorgeous picture book you cannot help but be drawn in by artist Christopher Bassi’s beautiful and captivating illustrations. You will want to both linger on the cover and inside cover pages to admire the artwork, while at the same time feel the urge to turn the page and begin reading.

It is clear from the start that this story is told equally through the illustrations and the text. This in no way diminishes the power and importance of the text, which is sparse and simple (less that forty words in total) yet poetic and strongly evocative. Leavy has been meticulous in her word selection, ensuring that each precious word and phrase chosen earns its keep in conveying the message and tone of the story.

Yanga Mother is essentially a story about the unbreakable and enduring bond shared between mother and child, represented in this book by a dhugandu (grey kangaroo) and her joey. Told in Kooma language, which is written first then followed by the English translation, the story reinforces the message for children that their mother is always there for them ‘Everywhere Everywhen’.

However, reading it with a knowledge of the historical events of colonisation and the stolen generation in this country gives the work a deeper significance, and opens an opportunity for further discussion about this for older children. Indeed, Leavy directly addresses older readers at the end of the book, revealing to them the story of her own grandmother who was stolen from her family as a child.

Leavy also shares some her language with readers by including a glossary of Kooma words and their English translations.

I see this picture book as being suitable for a wide range of readers aged from three years and upwards, both as a wonderful story to read or listen to as well as a valuable resource for further discussion and education about the culture and history our First Nations people.

My Friend May

My Friend May by Julie Flett ISBN 978-1-77840-171-8   RRP $29.99 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

Margeaux and her cat May have grown up together and have forged a special friendship. When May doesn’t come home one day, Margeaux searches everywhere for her, but sadly she is unable to find her. Margeaux misses May and worries about what might have happened to her. She is also going to miss Nitôsis (her aunty) because Nitôsis is moving to the city. That night while thinking about May, Margeaux helps her aunty to pack. What Margeaux and her aunty don’t know is that May has been accidentally packed into one of Nitôsis‘s moving boxes. What a lovely surprise for both Margeaux and her aunty when they discover her!

Gently told, and touching on themes of separation and loss, this is a tender story which will keep young readers engaged all the way to its surprising and happy conclusion. Also engaging are the beautiful illustrations, adding warmth and fun to the narrative, and bringing the characters to life. Especially evocative are the joyful scenes of Margeaux and May playing together, and Margeaux holding May in her arms.

Julie Flett is a multi-award winning Cree-Métis author, artist and illustrator and it’s easy to see why. Her unique voice is evident from the first sentence, as she directly addresses the reader:

‘I’d like to tell you a rather true story about a big black cat who started out gray.’

At the end of the narrative, Flett addresses the reader again inviting them to share their own stories about cats they have known. She also includes a letter to the reader about her inspiration for this book, followed by a glossary of Cree words and a pronunciation guide.

This book could be accessed by a range of readers on different levels, for example as a simple story about a lost pet, or the deeper themes of friendship and loss. Given that the word count is higher than most picture books on the market, I would recommend it for children aged  4- 7 years. Ideal for prompting conversations and storytelling, I see this book as being a fantastic teaching resource in lower primary classrooms.

My Cousin, My World

My Cousin, My World by Sharara Attai and Michelle Pereira (Allen & Unwin)  ISBN 9781761180972 RRP $25.00 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

In this bright and joyful picture book we meet a young girl who introduces us to her many, many cousins and her wider family circle.

They are our first friends,                                                                                                                                                                our best friends,                                                                                                                                                                               our forever friends

We discover that her cousins come from near and far; that some eat sushi, while others eat kibbeh and knafeh. One cousin speaks German and another can understand Samoan. Special events are celebrated with large gatherings of not only cousins but also aunties, uncles and grandparents. We get snapshots of her forming childhood memories - going camping, playing games, at birthday parties – which she will no doubt look back on with her cousins when they are older.

The illustrations convey lots of movement and activity, adding to the lively, joyful tone of the story. Depicting many of the characters and events mentioned in the text, they add meaning and enrich the narrative and bring it to life.

Told in simple yet poetic language, in a voice oozing with warmth, young readers will feel the love, joy and security of being part of an extended family as this story is read to them.

Suitable for children aged 3 – 7 years.

Cat on the Run- Episode 3: Hidden Layers

Cat on the Run- Episode 3: Hidden Layers by Aaron Blabey. Scholastic 2025. Paperback JF graphic novel 189 pages. RRP $16.99. ISBN 9781761294549.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

‘From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes.’ (Amazon)

Brains washed! Internet wiped! Villains unmasked! Who knew being the World’s #1 Cat Video Star could be so dangerous? This is it! Princess Beautiful has had enough! It’s time to clean out the litter tray. It’s time for CAT ON THE RUN- EPISODE THREE!

This is the promotional paragraph on the Scholastic website. Those familiar with the first two books will no doubt pick up on this latest storyline, where the President of the World-Thaddeus Cash (a large cat who, strangely, has a hairstyle and clothing the same as a current world leader), is trying to brainwash the world at large into believing in him. Princess Beautiful is out to stop him. Thaddeus tries to force Princess into an engagement with his son, Catrick. But she has other ideas, especially after Thaddeus wipes video interviews from the internet. Princess foils his plans and ends up as Madam President.

This graphic novel has a lot of cartoon-style action illustrations with minimal dialogue. It is aimed at the 7-10-years of age readership.

The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners

The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners by Reece Carter. Allen & Unwin 2025. Paperback MG novel, 337 pages. RRP $18.99. ISBN 9781761066801.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

From the author of A Girl Called Corpse and The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston-Fright comes the third and final book involving ghosts, Girl and Corpse, their human friends Flip and Nan Little, a giant Huntsman spider called Simon, and an assortment of ghoulish and otherworldly and magical friends and foes.

When a ghost-eating wraith appears in the forgotten seaside town of Elston-Fright searching for the magical lost Notes of the Soul Spinners, it’s enough to make any kid ghost a bit nervous. Faye de Corail may have the townsfolk under her spell, but Girl, Corpse and their friends are determined to stay out of her way. After old foes resurface and a child is snatched, Girl and Corpse begin to piece together a sinister plan that not only threatens the lives of their friends, families and the people of Elston-Fright, it may send them all to Death Proper too. 

The two ghosts must track down the notes to prevent Faye from being granted an evil wish. With a tightly woven and involved plot, the reader is taken on a journey that has much mystery in the background, especially regarding Corpse and Girl’s real-life identities before becoming ghosts. There is a surprise twist as the notes are revealed as something quite different to paper notes, which was what everybody thought they were looking for.

This novel is aimed at confident readers aged 8-12 years.

Ocean Forged: The Wicked Ship

Ocean Forged: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor (Affirm Press) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781922992390

This is the first book in a new series for lower middle-grade readers. The epic saga is packed with action, adventure, and ancient legends that will take them on a heroic high–sea and high-stakes adventure!

The realm of Aquinta has fallen into a dark age. And no one knows better than 13-year-old Cori, fighting for her life in a pirate crew more beastly than Aquinta’s sea monsters. But Cori’s life changes when she finds the Oceanforged Gauntlet, a piece of armour belonging to the legendary Champions who once ruled the islands. Whoever wears the armour wields the Champion’s magic and has the power to return Aquinta to its lost glory. Cori must begin a treacherous journey to find the rest of the armour. But first, she’ll have to escape from her captain, who craves the gauntlet’s magic for himself.