A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet

A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet by Ali Rutstein (Allen and Unwin), RRP $19.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781761-180903

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

Have you ever considered which animal makes the ideal pet? Or perhaps you’re on the hunt for a new addition to your family? If so, then this book would seem to be purrfect for you! Written by an author with a background in zoology and animal behaviour, you’d expect some great advice from this book. 

But can you trust it?

Is a rhino with ‘a sweet earthy aroma to match their gentle temperament’ really such a fabulous beast? (Note the top tip from the illustrator, Tommy Doyle: consider using the rhino’s horn as a hook to hang your bag.) Or does an anaconda, ‘elegant and loyal’, really have ‘impeccable manners?’

Perhaps there is some truth to the book’s warning to beware of bunnies, puppies and kittens. Especially kittens ‘armed with needle-sharp teeth and claws’…

A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet will either leave you scratching your head or provoke ‘rambunctious’ debates, but will guarantee some belly laughs. With a smattering of challenging words to learn and have fun pronouncing, it’s ideal for kids aged 5 years and above.

Good Gnus

Good Gnus written by Phil Cummings, Illustrated by Daron Parton (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781761203206

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Good Gnus by duo Phil Cummings and Daron Parton is a playful and spirited picture book with a fun play on words that follow two gnus through their daily antics.

Parton’s vibrant illustrations complement Cummings' rhythmic text, bringing to life the gnus’ lively energy off the page. Each page is a visual burst of fun that makes it an ideal out-loud-read for adults and educators alike.

Good Gnus isn’t just entertaining, it has educational value. It introduces young children to the rhythms of daily routines and to the joy of playful language which fosters a love of reading and creativity.

The book’s ability to engage young readers while teaching important concepts makes it a valuable addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Recommended for children aged 3 years and up.

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch

Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch written by Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Brol (Scallywag Press Ltd London - NewSouth Books) PB, Chapter Book RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781915252180

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine.

Ivy Newt and The Storm Witch is the first book of the brand-new chapter book series, by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol. It is a delightful journey into a whimsical world that will enchant young readers imaginations.

Ivy Newt, a determined young witch, embarks on an extraordinary adventure on her birthday to save her parents, the King and Queen of the Sand Witches, from the sinister Storm Witch. Accompanied by her loyal shape shifting friend Tom, Ivy navigates the magical yet perilous land of Miracula, where danger and wonder lurk.

Keilty’s narrative is a rollercoaster of excitement, filled with clever twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue sparkles with wit, while the plot’s pace ensures that there’s never a dull moment. Brol's lively black and white illustrations add depth and charm to the narrative, making the world of Miracula come to life.

Ivy's journey is more than just a rescue mission; it's a voyage of self-discovery and growth, teaching young readers the importance of perseverance, friendship, courage, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself.

Recommended for readers aged between 5 years and upwards, reluctant readers and/or newly independent readers. Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch is a must-read for any child with a love for magic and adventure, and a lovely addition to any young reader’s bookshelf.

Boots

Boots written by Elizabeth Pulsford, Illustrated by Krista Brennan (Wombat Books) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN 978171111037

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Boots is a heartwarming picture book that beautifully tells the story of an ordinary pair of Australian working boots and his family. Through the eyes of these humble boots, readers are taken on a journey that celebrates the ordinary and extraordinary.

Pulsford’s prose is charming, simple, and insightful, capturing the essence of resilience, hard work, and the bond between a working family and their trusty footwear. The boots, depicted with personality and warmth, become a symbol of stability and dependability. They accompany their owner through various tasks and challenges, standing as silent witnesses to the daily rhythms of life in Australia.

Krista Brennan’s illustrations are realistic and detailed, bringing the boots' adventures to life. Each page portrays the diverse environments and activities that the boots experience, from the dusty outback to the bustling farmyard.

What makes Boots particularly special is its ability to infuse a sense of nostalgia, pride, and value in ordinary things. It reminds readers of the importance of hard work and the strength of family ties. The story subtly teaches young readers about perseverance and the quiet heroism found in everyday life.

Boots is a moving and enriching read that pays homage to the unsung heroes of our daily lives. Elizabeth Pulsford has crafted a timeless tale that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Nate’s Noisy Nose

Nate’s Noisy Nose by Frances Mackay

Here’s a heart-warming, funny picture book about an ordinary kid with a musical nose!

Nate’s noisy nose makes him the centre of attention wherever he goes – at home, at school, and out and about – but not always in a good way!

Amid the chaos, Nate’s longing for peace grows stronger. If only he could find silence and slip under the radar like a regular kid.

Nate’s loyal furry friend, Rascal, is by his side, ready to help him snuffle out solutions. Will Rascal's devotion be the key to Nate’s noisy problem, or will a team of brilliant doctors and scientists come to the rescue?

This noisy, interactive book is more than just a funny tale of a musical nose; it's a celebration of friendship, loyalty, creativity, and finding solutions when life gets a little too loud.       

 

Australian Outback Birds

Australian Outback Birds written and illustrated by Myke Mollard (Woodslane Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922800718

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

If, like me, you thought there was only one Australian ‘outback’ and your knowledge of birds extends only as far as parrots, kookaburras and magpies, then you may want to take a closer look at Myke Mollard’s Australian Outback Birds.

This is not just another ‘fact book about birds’. The first thing readers will discover is that Australia is made up of ten environmental regions, within which there are twelve ‘outbacks’ – each with its own distinctive features and birdlife.

Mollard takes readers up close to 150 different birds from these outback areas, although you may be surprised to realise he is only just scratching the surface of the 800+ bird species found in Australia. But it’s a pretty solid start!

Each spread features stunning illustrations of the featured birds within their environment with some pictures a montage of birds with a labelled pictorial key for easy identification.

Reading through each section is like being taken on a personal tour by Mollard who talks about the features of the area, alerts you about what to look out for and wraps you up in his enthusiastic passion for ‘twitching’.

Australian Outback Birds is divided into sections by outback region, then further divided into some of the birds you can find in those regions. While I personally would have appreciated a table of contents, or an index, the lack of these may encourage the reader to either peruse slowly from start to finish, or dive in randomly. Either way, it’s a fascinating adventure where we not only learn about the quirky bird characteristics and behaviours, but also realise just how diverse Australia’s landscape is.

In addition to bird and landscape facts, there are also pages on the art of birdwatching, including detailed information about how to prepare, how to get the best photos and what to look out for. And, for the detail-oriented readers, Mollard has put in diagrams showing the different parts of a bird, different types of bird feet and how to identify birds by their flight silhouettes.

Essentially, there is something for everyone in Australian Outback Birds, although because the book is very text dense, it is probably better suited to older readers, 10 and above, or for adults to share with younger children.

And, if you’re not so taken by birds – but like the concept of this book – there are others in Myke Mollard’s series, including Australian Dinosaurs and Mega Beasts, Wildlife of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and several books on ‘bush creatures’.

How to Free a Jinn

How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781761181092

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Sometimes it only takes the title and cover artwork to hook you – and How to Free a Jinn (by debut author Raidah Shah Idil) with its glorious multi-layered cover (illustrated by Kalp Sanghvi) did just that.

First question … what is a jinn? Second one … can I guess from the artwork?

To answer the second question first: No, I couldn’t. (Turns out there were many there, clear as day.)

And the first question? The answer would require more space than we have here, but to put it simply, jinn are supernatural beings that inhabit a world parallel to humans; they can be good or evil and are able to be seen by some people – including our protagonist Insyirah and her grandmother, Nenek.

The story starts in Sydney, where Insyirah and her mother have been living since Insyirah was a baby. However, the setting quickly moves to Malaysia, where mother and daughter have returned to live with and care for Nenek following the fiercely independent grandmother’s health scares.

As a teenager, Insyirah is reluctant to move away from the only home she’s known and back to a country that is all but foreign to her. To her surprise, she almost immediately feels at home and even makes friends on her first day at school. Plus, she is intrigued by the school’s reputation for being haunted and is immediately drawn back into the stories of jinn and other supernatural occurrences told by her grandmother.

Yet, the happenings soon reveal themselves as much more than mere bedtime stories aimed to make children behave – because Insyirah can not only see jinn but can communicate with them and fall into their unseen world.

Author Raidah Shah Idil has taken centuries-old mythology and Islamic beliefs and crafted them into a contemporary story that not only explores these beliefs – making them accessible to the rest of us – but is also fiercely character-driven as we see both Insyirah and her ancestral jinn, Bumi, become stronger and more self-assured.

In her storytelling, Raidah Shah Idil has managed to educate readers on Malay culture, inviting us in to see, hear and even taste a little of day-to-day life that is often driven by ancient beliefs. At the same time, she’s given us some compelling characters – strong women – and a rising and falling emotional ride of joy, sorrow, love, and abject fear.

Readers aged 10–13 years and beyond will be in for a suspense-filled yet heartwarming treat when they pick up How to Free a Jinn.