tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10584636522979497812024-03-19T03:00:34.233+11:00Buzz WordsWrite for children, illustrate for children, get published, children's writing tips, writing markets, writing competitions, children's book reviews, write for kids, books for kidsDianne Bateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08562742407056502325noreply@blogger.comBlogger3964125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-73621451849986597642024-03-19T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-19T03:00:00.251+11:00Revenge of the Chick-Oats <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><u><span style="color: #4472c4; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x9Qf4UqIqpfA9EUbEjBlWmoeOvqs71gJXO2_NX16kpBQP5adzIYKa1baYIlX9dnaP0k6BVKHpQGHOW1E1ZE5ELSf6skX_19aL8ivcnTxqkyeheZaf4p8rg95sALMaQqJyTHVbTksIZ_OqdHv-k_nD1SGivZ0cAm57rh4QpN9tjrd4Sus7S587gq0P04/s3088/Aleesah%20d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x9Qf4UqIqpfA9EUbEjBlWmoeOvqs71gJXO2_NX16kpBQP5adzIYKa1baYIlX9dnaP0k6BVKHpQGHOW1E1ZE5ELSf6skX_19aL8ivcnTxqkyeheZaf4p8rg95sALMaQqJyTHVbTksIZ_OqdHv-k_nD1SGivZ0cAm57rh4QpN9tjrd4Sus7S587gq0P04/s320/Aleesah%20d.JPG" width="240" /></a></u></b></div><b><u>Exciting
New Berk-Berk … er Book Release!</u></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Award-winning children’s author,
Aleesah Darlison, is thrilled to announce the release of the second book in her
junior fiction series, Super Sloth. <i>Revenge of the Chick-Oats</i> is
set in New York City and is an action-packed adventure featuring the brave (and
often hilarious) deeds of an unbelievably brave, quick, and adorable sloth, and
his vigilante offsiders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><u><span style="color: #4472c4; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">About the
Book:</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Get ready for a feathered
adventure with Romeo Fortez … the cutest sloth EVER … and the world’s most
daring superhero!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Romeo’s nemesis, the unhinged
Professor Ian Weird-Warp, is at it again. Bent on revenge, he concocts a quirky
catastrophe. Mixing chicken and goat genes, he spawns a gang of eccentric
chick-oats and they’re on the loose in the Big Apple, destroying everything in
their path all the while chanting, ‘Berk-berk-baa!’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As the team faces off against
Professor Weird-Warp’s sinister demands for Romeo’s surrender, they must hatch
a brilliant plan to thwart the mad professor’s wicked schemes once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Can this unlikely crew save the
city from the clutches of the chick-oats?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The series is illustrated by
Cheri Hughes and published by Big Sky Publishing. More info at: <a href="https://kor01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigskypublishing.com.au%2Fbooks%2Fsuper-sloth-2%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C7a4d882b803c441fcae608dc3398e367%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638441979161165340%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VB3o9ySfY1xw98VQWTQ1uGLooThfViasc7Aorhnfceg%3D&reserved=0"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/super-sloth-2/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span> </p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-91092371795731975382024-03-17T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-17T03:00:00.244+11:00Look Me in the Eye<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78Q6Vighr7G7WfjqpyvODHdfRSByePCLiNApRPDZV0EHYfRa3oL98DvCo7kbrbDW8nR3TE2HMYLeYzZ-uloeBBBr5radPiMVPitSR_2HZy0VlvPCEtmtAQeaSPjdrIuerGSdLdmtjdZNS174yaqUBhx8F90l1IhzjTG5s3VRFYeQKLaxsqlMwpZux_oc/s681/Look%20me%20in%20the%20eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78Q6Vighr7G7WfjqpyvODHdfRSByePCLiNApRPDZV0EHYfRa3oL98DvCo7kbrbDW8nR3TE2HMYLeYzZ-uloeBBBr5radPiMVPitSR_2HZy0VlvPCEtmtAQeaSPjdrIuerGSdLdmtjdZNS174yaqUBhx8F90l1IhzjTG5s3VRFYeQKLaxsqlMwpZux_oc/s320/Look%20me%20in%20the%20eye.jpg" width="207" /></a></i></div><i>Look Me in the Eye</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> by Jane Godwin
(Hachette Australia) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN9780734420794</span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;">Once trust
is gone, what is there to hold onto? From award-winning author Jane Godwin, here’s
a novel about young teens navigating friendship and trust in a post-pandemic
world of surveillance and control.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-size-adjust: 100%; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;">running late<br style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" />
drop it off without me<br style="mso-special-character: line-break; text-size-adjust: 100%;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;">I type <i>drop
what off?</i> I don't know what Mish is talking about.<br style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" />
While I'm typing, another message appears. <i>don't tell bella</i><br style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" />
But I am Bella.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-size-adjust: 100%; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;">Best friends Bella and Connie<b> </b>live
on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and
paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish,
Connie's cousin, who must be included even though she is unfriendly and
unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted, and the three teens are
eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up,
there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to
voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them.
But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-size-adjust: 100%; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;">Do we have a
right to know everything about those we love? <i style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">Look
Me in the Eye</i> is a tale of young teens navigating freedom and
trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-47133110310957974892024-03-15T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-15T03:00:00.147+11:00Artezans: The Forgotten Magic <p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GzDsAhgfgLP26KuYJiVsTt3We5OlMUdY4WYqxquTqjZ9-E6uKp_O9iboRRt9MkPCPOgJBqaBwdi2XRVLjQIsygYVadmyaKaztVwUHNO593-K9G5TMp4RNljB1FD-0C-YENQ6iLCQgz8muaxNUm-mZDAWxMJyA_f52FmQorqBvqrolUJb2E19QbXDHmI/s675/Artezans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GzDsAhgfgLP26KuYJiVsTt3We5OlMUdY4WYqxquTqjZ9-E6uKp_O9iboRRt9MkPCPOgJBqaBwdi2XRVLjQIsygYVadmyaKaztVwUHNO593-K9G5TMp4RNljB1FD-0C-YENQ6iLCQgz8muaxNUm-mZDAWxMJyA_f52FmQorqBvqrolUJb2E19QbXDHmI/s320/Artezans.jpg" width="209" /></a></i></div><i>Artezans: The Forgotten Magic</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> by L.D. Lapinski
(Orion) PB RRP ISBN9781510110090</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the
last 400 years, magic has been fading...</span><span style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Edward Crane has always feared he won't have any
magic at all. Sure, he's part of a powerful magic Artezan family, but he's
adopted. His twin sister, Elodie, isn't so worried, but then everything always
seems to work out perfectly for her.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">So when Ed discovers he does have an Artezan
power after all, he's relieved. And it's more than he ever could have imagined
- in fact, it's a dream come true.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">But the problem with dreams is that sometimes
they twist themselves into nightmares. And with Ed's new abilities growing by
the day, there's a chance that this nightmare will become all too real...</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-91907428162268614262024-03-13T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-13T03:00:00.135+11:00Ivy Newt and the Time Thief<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Z9i7iAjql6TNgZ465XGdFvwnQFnptvKH7AajftbxIjvJux7EU87jhU6TpEoEg5I21dFHTubJz6P2VZ620rKnMGm2AjqzezAUqfrhoRJvkugvoRJswC7IuCS6COrd04gacUCdYXclgOpz1JAqIKp4SlTtTFhEk4uXpSMM58KZaZPR3schklGvCRk4ek/s2102/Ivy%20Newtjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2102" data-original-width="1487" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8Z9i7iAjql6TNgZ465XGdFvwnQFnptvKH7AajftbxIjvJux7EU87jhU6TpEoEg5I21dFHTubJz6P2VZ620rKnMGm2AjqzezAUqfrhoRJvkugvoRJswC7IuCS6COrd04gacUCdYXclgOpz1JAqIKp4SlTtTFhEk4uXpSMM58KZaZPR3schklGvCRk4ek/s320/Ivy%20Newtjpg.jpg" width="226" /></a></i></div><i>Ivy Newt and the Time Thief</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol (Scallywag Press) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN
978915252333<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10pt;">This is a fast-paced adventure for
emerging readers, in which Ivy and Tom solve the mystery of a spooky house that
appears only at Halloween. Second in a highly illustrated chapter book series
for ages 5-7 featuring Ivy, an unstoppable and lovable young witch, and her
friend and familiar Tom. Every Halloween at sunrise, a spooky haunted house
appears near Newt Castle, only to disappear again at the stroke of midnight.
Ivy and Tom set out to solve the mystery, stumbling upon an imprisoned witch, a
powerful sorcerer, and a curse they must break before time runs out...</span> </p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-25423363332348874792024-03-11T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-11T03:00:00.152+11:00My Very Own Special Particular Private and Personal Cat <p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukXUTp3jJ8LqmN0rvWtY-BhcxZM5CPsh0hFTIYf9h5ey4Yo697RxIkbUIh0jbCJUCn4MgIT3KjlotCGfLO3M7fqG3w5Shlf-xx-jWveLaP2T0Lfqk-8oOrvcGz41f8S0QPchFtCvhCIdyVnaRCpNMo273lN9xUejApgGjIhixkeCwXR2pWxSQYj2604k/s1000/My%20very%20own%20cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukXUTp3jJ8LqmN0rvWtY-BhcxZM5CPsh0hFTIYf9h5ey4Yo697RxIkbUIh0jbCJUCn4MgIT3KjlotCGfLO3M7fqG3w5Shlf-xx-jWveLaP2T0Lfqk-8oOrvcGz41f8S0QPchFtCvhCIdyVnaRCpNMo273lN9xUejApgGjIhixkeCwXR2pWxSQYj2604k/s320/My%20very%20own%20cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>My Very Own
Special Particular Private and Personal Cat</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> by Sandol Soddard Warburb, designed and illustrated
by Remy Charlip.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A lively, loving child is taught
a thing or two about boundaries by his very own special, most particular cat in
this picture book illustrated by the three-time <i>NYT </i>Best Illustrated
recipient Remy Charlip. It was awarded a <i>Moonbow </i>Best Children’s Book of
2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This is a story about a boy and
his very own, special, particular, private, and personal cat — a cat he orders
around, puts on his lap, and even dresses up and tucks into bed! But the cat
has other plans, and its very <i>own</i> special, particular, private, and
personal inner life. After all, everyone knows that you can't ever really own a
cat... The story's climax, warm and friendly, yet firm, is all about how to
claim the space we each need for ourselves. Many children and adults have
undoubtedly felt just as this cat does!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Designed and illustrated by the
prolific and visionary Remy Charlip, this picture book is about boundaries and
independence, identity and belonging, friendship and respect—all told through a
playful and witty text from Sandol Stoddard Warburg.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-53474340339712487062024-03-09T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-09T03:00:00.135+11:00Pidge’s Poppies<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0KAjXXKky3rlUpfDvkCO1VXOUjqc8JySaIPugQM4Ehi-bAIDNiBOPuSpeZ1S_vJH2q4apfIJ8Kof3QP5cbdyD8e_-Bfxwbnk4oYVyQjWq1pFjVIAa182NVv1zmkhkr32WS2LSvc8bE7zLhTOmXBdRANL7WsGcsZIu76lqAvR0jqDyDoV_Q6y_xe3X54/s400/pidges%20poppiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="400" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0KAjXXKky3rlUpfDvkCO1VXOUjqc8JySaIPugQM4Ehi-bAIDNiBOPuSpeZ1S_vJH2q4apfIJ8Kof3QP5cbdyD8e_-Bfxwbnk4oYVyQjWq1pFjVIAa182NVv1zmkhkr32WS2LSvc8bE7zLhTOmXBdRANL7WsGcsZIu76lqAvR0jqDyDoV_Q6y_xe3X54/s320/pidges%20poppiles.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Pidge’s Poppies</i> by<i> </i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jan
Andrews & Timothy Ide</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (Ford
Street Publishing) </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PB HB RRP $27.95 9781922696380</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Reviewed by Karen
Hendriks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jan Andrews is former
Chair of Australian Poetry, the national body for that art form. She is deeply
interested in language, history, and children’s development.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Timothy Ide is an
Adelaide based illustrator. His published works include Medieval<i> Monsters
and other Creatures, Born to Fly </i>and<i> The Lanternist.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This story is based
on a true story about a pair of pigeons at the Australian War Memorial. It
remembers the vital role pigeons played in both world wars. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andrews has crafted a delightful story about
Pidge and Henry who are best friends. The title <i>Pidge’s Poppies </i>uses alliteration,
and including the word poppies is clever because poppies are a symbol for those
who never returned from war<i>. </i>The words are efficient and poignant at the
same time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Andrews encourages the
reader to think deeply about the role pigeons played in both world wars. <i>Do
they only remember people, or other animals too? </i>Her words allow the
illustrations to speak, and the story building is well done. The setting -- at
the Australian War Memorial -- is central to the story. History is expertly woven
into the text, and I like how the years are stated to define the different world
wars. <i>Then she remembered stories about her even-more-times
great-grandfather who had gone to the First World War in 1914. </i>The story is
strengthened by the facts that are included. <i>Pigeons can always find their
way home. </i>I love how Andrews simply and clearly explains things to the
reader yet still moves the story along. I can remember the pigeons at the
Australian War Memorial being in the news: Jan Andrews has crafted a heart-warming
well researched story.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ide’s illustrations
show a deep understanding of the text. The multi-layered illustrations create
the visual story with much skill. The illustrations really shine a light on the
story. The pigeons are lifelike in appearance and movement. The colours used
vary according to the time frames. I love the sepia effect when the story
travels through the world wars. The vivid red of the poppies sing and pop on
the spreads they appear. Visually many poppies together show the sad loss of
life without one word needed. I love too how the many poppies are the pigeons’
nest as they welcome new babies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">My favourite
illustration is the page that dramatically shows many pigeon feathers flying in
the air with splashes of red to symbolise the bombs and flying bullets for loss
of life. It dramatically shows the impact of war without it being too much to a
child reader. The front cover is striking, Pidge is front and centre with a
poppy in her beak and the going down of sun is powerful. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This story reminds us of all of the vital role
pigeons played in both world wars and their sacrifice. The endpapers have a
lovely pale sky blue with many pigeons in flight.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Pidges’s Poppies </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">is a picture
book that’s a perfect choice for schools to use on Anzac or for Remembrance
Day. The history captured is important and the War Memorial is beautifully
represented along with the war history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is suitable for 4 - 8 years and it will appeal to children, parents, teachers,
and librarians. This book is a good fit with the Australian school curriculum
and shows some important history of our wonderful nation. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-47342802875687738782024-03-07T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-07T03:00:00.137+11:00The Grimmelings<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrJIDUoBBLxJfhyphenhypheniDtbtsjU51pKUaM8xIdfzkaI2vHohPOPxSMV01zf5hQkSrHjDkvwGx3T_yhTFsXiYyyy9VyJ7OMekqGGICgYYXIKWa3tEJBrY9Ru78R0_hmyrBnGeoV3f4vFJhIEeXteV9505V49njYCg0-kNGA-VU21D_EDHlfNTqTTVCf-9dvl0/s2338/The%20Grimmelings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="1511" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrJIDUoBBLxJfhyphenhypheniDtbtsjU51pKUaM8xIdfzkaI2vHohPOPxSMV01zf5hQkSrHjDkvwGx3T_yhTFsXiYyyy9VyJ7OMekqGGICgYYXIKWa3tEJBrY9Ru78R0_hmyrBnGeoV3f4vFJhIEeXteV9505V49njYCg0-kNGA-VU21D_EDHlfNTqTTVCf-9dvl0/s320/The%20Grimmelings.jpg" width="207" /></a></i></div><i>The
Grimmelings</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">
by Rachael King. 2024 Allen & Unwin. Middle-Grade paperback RRP
$19.99. ISBN 97811991006646</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Reviewed
by Debra Williams</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Grimmelings:
the first and last glimmers of light in the day.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> So begins the
introduction in chapter one of this Middle-Grade fantasy fiction novel. A boy
disappears: at the same time an enormous black stallion appears and another boy,
(Gus) mysteriously appears, after 12-year-old Ella pronounces a curse and
utters a wish to make a friend on the same day. The locals brand Ella and her
family as witches and give them a wide berth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ella
and Fiona’s grandma, Griselda (Grizzly, as she is affectionately called), is of
Scottish background. In her younger days she fled some kind of tragedy (to
which she doesn’t refer), and emigrated to New Zealand, where she met her
husband-to-be. In later years, both her husband, and the husband of her
daughter Morag, mysteriously disappeared in the local lake. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">According
to Grizzly, there are dangerous creatures that live in the lake. Ella discovers
that it is more than just legend, and with her horse Magpie she is embroiled in
a perilous life-and-death struggle with the creature known as a Kelpie. What
she doesn’t know is that Kelpies can take both human and animal form, and this
one has appeared out of nowhere. Ella is alarmed when several sheep are found
beheaded, and magpies are murdered mysteriously.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
stuff of Scottish folklore is that the Kelpie appears as a huge horse, which
charms people, especially children, to sit on its back. They are unable to escape,
and the Kelpie then drowns them in the lake. Ella grows up believing it is just
an old tale, but the stakes become highly personal when her little sister Fiona
disappears as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">It
is Fiona who understands the truth from Grizzly: that the black stallion which
appears at various times, is not actually a horse. There is a terrifying twist
towards the end of the story, and Ella becomes enmeshed in trying to save
Fiona, her mother, and many others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">With
overtones of <i>The Pied Piper of Hamlin</i>, combined with the stuff of
Scottish legend, <i>The Grimmelings</i> is a heart-stopping and enthralling
fantasy adventure. It comes with a warning -- be careful what you wish for. This
is Rachael King’s second book for children: the first, <i>Red Rocks</i>, won
the Esther Glen Medal in 2013 and is in development for television.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Suitable
for upper-middle grade 10+ years.</span> </p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-67107592838994865382024-03-05T03:00:00.003+11:002024-03-05T03:00:00.137+11:00<p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CqjlzZlQB0FrNpCRJVKPbMGFEflP0vRrEUoPn94FwKrEwmDSqt_gYWxztBhCtiwsXtBJEPo6hnzjvL1PSwl-Cz1Ah6W5xqrgmmXbBC5_R1Nm_8k4rvinheIVYRdBgfSLsvc06w7U7MU512fIanI5XxKqSCf2tAWtNJLk5WZfwhV6PzXZKaeYK76Vdg/s1193/The%20most%20amazing%20thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CqjlzZlQB0FrNpCRJVKPbMGFEflP0vRrEUoPn94FwKrEwmDSqt_gYWxztBhCtiwsXtBJEPo6hnzjvL1PSwl-Cz1Ah6W5xqrgmmXbBC5_R1Nm_8k4rvinheIVYRdBgfSLsvc06w7U7MU512fIanI5XxKqSCf2tAWtNJLk5WZfwhV6PzXZKaeYK76Vdg/s320/The%20most%20amazing%20thing.jpg" width="268" /></a></i></div><i>The Most Amazing Thing </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">by
Ian Hayward Robinson (Allen and Unwin), RRP $19.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781761-180118</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reviewed by Susan Hancy</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Henry
is bored and everyone in his family is too busy for him. When he tries to get
Mum’s attention, she has a fabulous suggestion for him: draw a picture of <i>the
most amazing thing</i>. That’s before she promptly shuts the door to her study
with a “do not disturb” sign. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Henry
can’t imagine what <i>the most amazing thing</i> could be, but in trying to
find it – depicted in the superb illustrations by Matt Shanks that add extra
layers to the story – Henry’s imagination runs wild. Some of the pictures had
my kids laughing out loud and others included intriguing details that prompted
a myriad of suggestions from them for what the <i>most amazing thing</i> was
going to be. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
narrative nicely links possibilities of <i>what the most amazing thing</i> could
be to the various hobbies of Dad, big sister and big brother and gets the
reader thinking: is it life, the human mind or the universe? The answer is none
of these. It’s something even more marvellous!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="p2" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">My
only disappointment from this otherwise gem of a book is that Mum tells Henry
the answer instead of him realising it for himself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-60995097589767836232024-03-03T03:00:00.006+11:002024-03-03T03:00:00.138+11:00Beach Song<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiNPntqFdwpWhjx5qgH0vCvbLiw_JRhJki75TAuCxf1y6utmGsGopWiU20GgBXkt48VRMDEZy6Ah_o7ezB8UD1dvNm10Bw_K6z0vnMi2JSLyvyMSaoshdSV-WeTDrUUHvaYDNOV2Kjp0vkBpR2Yol2pTuJoWibK9m_ggFhd_nfcCNbzmKnBLezC2AVOo/s500/beach%20song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="500" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiNPntqFdwpWhjx5qgH0vCvbLiw_JRhJki75TAuCxf1y6utmGsGopWiU20GgBXkt48VRMDEZy6Ah_o7ezB8UD1dvNm10Bw_K6z0vnMi2JSLyvyMSaoshdSV-WeTDrUUHvaYDNOV2Kjp0vkBpR2Yol2pTuJoWibK9m_ggFhd_nfcCNbzmKnBLezC2AVOo/s320/beach%20song.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Beach Song </i>by<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Ros
Moriarty</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> & Samantha
Campbell (Allen & Unwin) PB HB RRP $24.99 9781922539572</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Reviewed by Karen
Hendriks</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ros Moriarty is the
author of <i>Kangaroos Hop</i> and the highly acclaimed <i>Bidhi Galing.</i> She
is the creative and managing director of leading Australian design studio,
Balarinji and the co-founder of the not-for-profit Moriarty Foundation. She
lives on Cammeraygal Country in Sydney.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Samantha Campbell is
a published children’s book illustrator and graphic designer. Her first
children’s book <i>Alfred’s War</i> was shortlisted for two literary awards.
She is the illustrator for Coolamon Creative. She draws inspiration from her
childhood growing up in remote Aboriginal communities across the Top End.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Beach Song</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> is a lyrical story that
celebrates the joy found exploring the coast. Moriarty has created a text that
is a joy to read with beautiful language, alliteration, and some rhyme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A repetitive pattern is used on each spread, that
captures the fun of exploring the beach and it makes reading the text aloud
joyful. <i>When I loll and roll and twist and turn, I see what the squid sees –
tumbling shells on the ocean floor that glisten and gleam in luminous light. I
swim like the squid swims.</i> The words allow for actions as the book is read.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Each animal has the
child doing a different movement. It lets a child know and understand that each
animal is unique and special and has its own unique place at the beach.
Moriarty cleverly explores the different weather elements that can be
experienced at the beach. <i>When I run on the beach in the pelting rain, I see
what the seagull sees – the sky’s own waterfall of sparkly spears from summer’s
skidding purple clouds. </i>Her word choices create wonderful visuals and
immerse a child in the feeling of the beach. We also see the text take the
story from morning until night.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Campbell’s
illustrations are immersive and playful. She captures a childlike view of the
world and the beach environment delightfully. Her colour choices are those of
an Australian sky and coast. She changes perspective according to the
environment and animal. The face of the child on each spread has so much
expression and a little bit of magic too. The child repeats the actions of the animal
alongside the animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that as
the child interacts with the environment for each animal, they are respected
and admired. The fun of the beach splashes onto each spread.<i> </i>The cover
is perfect with the title crafted from beach items found on a beach. We
immediately know the book is about a child exploring the beach. The sandy
endpapers with seaside animals and shells are great openers and ends for the
book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Beach Song </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">is a picture book that
would be a perfect gift for any Australian child. It is suitable for children 4
to 8 years and reads aloud wonderfully well. The book has appeal to children,
parents, teachers, and librarians. Children are encouraged to explore and enjoy
our beaches. It is a good fit to the Australian school curriculum and really is
a celebration of the coastline of our wonderful nation. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-24927357165827462902024-02-28T03:00:00.003+11:002024-02-28T03:00:00.245+11:00Alphabetter<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tLwvIapgOQuZo5BYArwhjEGgEEkKdC6rOLVU6k2K_TksU5IZ-VxxRug6MAf7SMQYSH-RHhO8Pt3Ej5GXcYLuZooFGONBLc63mbUpgck4KIMsOc1F6keRLbmXBMRyMRSdRKOsobksCwCnWZlLWJxqsdNDQVgTK7w2lltoQwGZe6NWBaNDthblzpQcqjk/s732/Alphabetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="732" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tLwvIapgOQuZo5BYArwhjEGgEEkKdC6rOLVU6k2K_TksU5IZ-VxxRug6MAf7SMQYSH-RHhO8Pt3Ej5GXcYLuZooFGONBLc63mbUpgck4KIMsOc1F6keRLbmXBMRyMRSdRKOsobksCwCnWZlLWJxqsdNDQVgTK7w2lltoQwGZe6NWBaNDthblzpQcqjk/s320/Alphabetter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Maura
Pierlot holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in philosophy, specialising in ethics,
and has worked as an ethicist in various capacities. She wrote<i>
Alphabetter</i> (Affirm Press) to encourage families to make ethics
part of everyday conversations. Maura believes character education helps
children develop into ethical, responsible, and civic-minded
individuals, equipping them with skills to navigate life’s complexities
with clarity and integrity.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Alphabetter</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> presents fun,
realistic scenarios and thought-provoking questions that encourage children to
grow in their mindset, while assisting parents, caregivers, and teachers
in navigating tricky conversations about morals and ethics.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maura
says, <i>‘</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
wanted to write a book that could be used as a resource for this important
journey. It’s vital that young readers can see themselves on the pages, so
I aimed to devise scenarios that children could relate to both as a concept and
in action. Character development starts at an early age and by starting
conversations around ethics and morals as soon as possible, we give
children the best chance to grow into good and kind people. Using real life
examples that embody positive traits, <i>Alphabetter</i> presents
easy-to-understand concepts in a holistic manner that helps children to
explore who they are, and who they would like to be, in a safe and
supportive manner.'</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Alphabetter</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> can be used
as an educational resource by parents to start conversations around morals
and ethics. One of the best ways for children to build positive character
traits – such as loyalty, tolerance, gratitude, and resilience – is to not
only understand what the traits mean, but to experience them in practice.
As parents/caregivers are the main role models that children will look up
to, what choices adults make in everyday life will model to the child
which ethics are important.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Alphabetter
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">focuses
on character-building as the foundation for ethics, based on Aristotle’s theory
of virtue: choosing the right course of action comes from habit – the more
we display good character traits, the more second nature they become. <i>Alphabetter
</i>can be used as a tool to present elements of agency and choice, and
active learning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-15871604903987234132024-02-24T03:00:00.003+11:002024-02-24T03:00:00.149+11:00Anzac Ted, 10th Anniversary Edition <p><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBfosY_RNHHIta2Peh0B0H6zZrrTwpL0VRqaDszgZ_2P9V7s3JEfoACUHfUEbh0EyMOme8Mw11GbRveoupR735KcAxH60mmQe9krpNTR67g3u0aOFAAXYZQ1Vq9w0gWSJVhIzA2CfdF6BRFqwlIFdTa9D4k7aXeh5FzMjrkiCUiCoFBKTnyT2fkRwzQ4/s1000/Anzac%20Ted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1000" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBfosY_RNHHIta2Peh0B0H6zZrrTwpL0VRqaDszgZ_2P9V7s3JEfoACUHfUEbh0EyMOme8Mw11GbRveoupR735KcAxH60mmQe9krpNTR67g3u0aOFAAXYZQ1Vq9w0gWSJVhIzA2CfdF6BRFqwlIFdTa9D4k7aXeh5FzMjrkiCUiCoFBKTnyT2fkRwzQ4/s320/Anzac%20Ted.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Anzac Ted, </i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">10<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary Edition by Belinda Landsberry</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (EK Books) </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">PB HB RRP $29.99 9781922539755</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Reviewed by Karen
Hendriks</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The first edition of <i>Anzac
Ted</i> was Belinda Landsberry’s debut picture book. Published internationally,
it was short listed for the 2016 Western Australian Young Reader’s Book Awards.
Landsberry’s second picture book <i>Once I Was Loved</i>, is also published by
EK Books.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">A tattered old bear called
Anzac Ted looks scary and gets no Show and Tell votes. But he holds an
important story that his young owner treasures. You see, Anzac Ted belonged to
his grandfather. When his grandfather was a young soldier going to war, Anzac Ted
went inside his suitcase for luck and to bring him home. While at war, Anzac
Ted visited many soldiers and gave them peace. He became their mascot and helped
bring them home.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This story is as
fresh and relevant today as it was ten years ago. Belinda Landsberry’s
heartfelt words take a young reader from modern day world to a bygone era with
a bear who went to war. She shows that although not shiny new Anzac Ted is
special and holds an important secret. Her words bring both sadness and
understanding about war. <i>When Grandpa Jack enlisted, he was only twenty-one.
He kissed his wife, he loved his life, and hugged his baby son. </i>The rhyme
is extremely well done and poignant. Landsberry shows that the freedom we enjoy
today was hard won by young men. I think the story really shows children how
special the Anzacs were. <i>I know he isn’t pretty and some people roll their
eyes but if they see, like you and me…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The
layered meaning in the text is powerful and shows that old things and people
have valuable life stories. If we only seek to find them out and understand
them. The inclusion of detailed backmatter strengthens the book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an impactful celebration of the Anzac
spirit.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The illustrations are
powerful and move from modern day world of full colour to muted brown tones much
like sepia paper that feels aged, like old photographs or a movie reel. I love
the double page spread of the silhouetted soldiers walking across a paddock and
peeking out of the top of a backpack is Anzac Ted. Another clever illustration
shows Anzac Ted battle-sore and scarred by war. This is a much gentler way of
showing what war can do rather than showing injured soldiers in a children’s
book. But the illustrations do show barbed war, explosions, and how young the
soldiers were. The body language of the characters speaks as strongly as the
words do. The last page is powerful and moving and hits the heart deeply with
the image of a soldier standing at the last post. It dances with the text
beautifully: <i>His name</i> <i>is…Anzac Ted</i>. The use of both single page
illustrations to double page ensures the words and text go together seamlessly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Anzac Ted </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">is an important picture
book for children 4 to 8 years. It is a book to treasure and is held in high
regard by teachers because it’s a great teaching resource that matches the
school curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The topic is told so
sensitively that it captures hearts and minds of all ages not just children.
It’s appealing to parents, teachers and librarians.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-10927523440867326762024-02-22T03:00:00.003+11:002024-02-22T03:00:00.243+11:00ANZAC TED-10th Anniversary Edition <p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRpV6mELXowNwg-1WKeS4VDhmuE9gXlglFjgXn-vwO2UeNQ8nG2hi0ANPI1RVDpXMN9nkJ5dPA1DxNOs-t-OslX0gkVOO5pVNGZiZhihRLDZHsbFicuifcf99dyNn_TQs5yui4kalYPz9UC5xO6r6tk7A7riXCAzgXV2C2svpqPfVxyWqA4ZL3c_C1r0/s1000/Anzac%20Ted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1000" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRpV6mELXowNwg-1WKeS4VDhmuE9gXlglFjgXn-vwO2UeNQ8nG2hi0ANPI1RVDpXMN9nkJ5dPA1DxNOs-t-OslX0gkVOO5pVNGZiZhihRLDZHsbFicuifcf99dyNn_TQs5yui4kalYPz9UC5xO6r6tk7A7riXCAzgXV2C2svpqPfVxyWqA4ZL3c_C1r0/s320/Anzac%20Ted.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>ANZAC TED-10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Edition</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> by Belinda Landsberry. 2024 EK Books. Hardback picture book RRP $29.99.
ISBN 978-1 922539-75-5.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Reviewed by Debra Williams</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">This is a beautifully produced and poignant picture
book, which tells an important tale of Australian and New Zealand history. It
has been re-released as a hardback for its 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The first edition of <i>Anzac Ted</i> was Belinda’s
debut children’s picture book. Published internationally, it was short-listed
for the 2016 Western Australian Young Reader’s Book Awards. It was also
featured in the Anzac Stories: Behind the Pages Exhibition in 2017-2018, which
was hosted by schools and libraries throughout Australia and New Zealand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Author/illustrator Belinda Landsberry skillfully blends
words and images, transitioning from colour illustrations to sepia,
representing the war years, and back to colour again. Written through the eyes
of a child who treasures Grandpa Jack’s old war-ravaged bear, it is a tale
designed to help children understand the sacrifices made during those years.
Anzac Ted is scary: with only one eye, one ear, a split tummy and ripped and
torn fur, he doesn’t get any votes from the 27 class students in Show and Tell
for the Favourite Toy. However, Ted’s tale is one of being a mascot for the
Anzac soldiers. He is a bear who gave them hope, comfort and courage, and this
story is celebration of the Anzac spirit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The author has included a back page explaining the
history of the Anzacs, and mentions the Turkish involvement, which is extremely
helpful for adults reading the book to younger readers.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Anzac Ted</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"> is recommended
for children aged 4-8 years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-63588933694509455872024-02-20T03:00:00.006+11:002024-02-20T03:00:00.145+11:00Peter and the Wolf <p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrfDefer2OSyTmWg7KLvfuu03tS5rRI4s-Yk8vxF5vgLwEbRkm_YWs1_8UzlIJh8NaL9MeIRVHeUXa7hyphenhyphenR2tMtLX9SPEFeRyUREK4WsCqZZEd8jY9yB5s6iOebLEh7WSNNxhefCiROE6FJ5K7WwGC4FLH98rowUrKYDgMiz2vNLeah2-SZjJwZvnwGlg/s1119/Peter%20and%20the%20Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrfDefer2OSyTmWg7KLvfuu03tS5rRI4s-Yk8vxF5vgLwEbRkm_YWs1_8UzlIJh8NaL9MeIRVHeUXa7hyphenhyphenR2tMtLX9SPEFeRyUREK4WsCqZZEd8jY9yB5s6iOebLEh7WSNNxhefCiROE6FJ5K7WwGC4FLH98rowUrKYDgMiz2vNLeah2-SZjJwZvnwGlg/s320/Peter%20and%20the%20Wolf.jpg" width="286" /></a></i></div><i>Peter
and the Wolf</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> by Gavin Friday, based on original illustrations
by Bono (Penguin Random House)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> HB RRP $32.99 </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">ISBN 9780241667736</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Reviewed by Kylie Buckley<br />
<br />
Gavin Friday has reimagined the symphonic fairytale </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peter and the Wolf</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">,
originally written by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. <br />
<br />
Peter lives with his grandfather in a small cottage surrounded by a garden and
a high stone wall. Beyond the wall is a meadow, and beyond the meadow is a dark
forest. Peter’s grandfather is very protective of Peter and warns him not to go
into the dangerous meadow. However, when Peter sees his animal friends are
being stalked by a wolf, he sets out to help. He tries to catch the wolf but
soon realises there is more than meets the eye.<br />
<br />
The punk rock inspired illustrations have evolved from original artwork by U2’s
lead singer, Bono. The illustrations have been created from a black and white
palette, with splashes of brilliant red throughout.<br />
<br />
This contemporary retelling of </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peter
and the Wolf</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> is suitable for an
audience aged 8 years and older. It explores themes of love, loss, friendship,
and courage and provides a great opportunity to enhance visual literacy skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-73214531557443652682024-02-18T03:00:00.004+11:002024-02-18T03:00:00.128+11:00Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to Rewild Every City on Earth<p><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cwlfC6BBfkxRhMYEN4Jtz6O-hadFMqEiGvst0b7OFQGja2_gGGhNTJeoGBJExytHQt02eji7zUSlx8Miifs6-lDrcNetA5N2O24MkqeyAwqzncCWCQTqyh9r5yy5XaGxAIbzB8wwxLV-brfpaXOOVH_Sht0jq6C3TDcC09bGzJxBYVqU7JK24dmB7Yk/s1500/Ultra_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cwlfC6BBfkxRhMYEN4Jtz6O-hadFMqEiGvst0b7OFQGja2_gGGhNTJeoGBJExytHQt02eji7zUSlx8Miifs6-lDrcNetA5N2O24MkqeyAwqzncCWCQTqyh9r5yy5XaGxAIbzB8wwxLV-brfpaXOOVH_Sht0jq6C3TDcC09bGzJxBYVqU7JK24dmB7Yk/s320/Ultra_.jpg" width="269" /></a></i></div><i>Ultrawild: An Audacious Plan to
Rewild Every City on Earth </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">by
Steve Mushin (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $34.99 ISBN 9781760292812</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reviewed by
Nikki M Heath</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How can we
save the planet? This is a question on the minds of many, as we stare down the
potentially catastrophic consequences of greenhouse gases and environmental
destruction. That said, not many would have come up with the kind of answers
offered by Steve Mushin in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ultrawild</i>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From poo
cannons to giant walking animatronic megafauna composters, this colourful large
format hardback is an ultra-wild glimpse into the powerful industrial design
imagination of the author. What it isn’t, is particularly realistic - as the
author acknowledges in the afterword.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
pragmatism isn’t the point. The book’s clear aim is to engage and excite a
younger generation in thinking about the out-of-the-box solutions we may very
well need to tackle climate change. And crazy contraptions, animals and poo are
pretty good tools to get kids’ attention.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Presented in
graphic strip format, most spreads are utterly packed with text bubbles
tracking in every direction, detailed diagrams, and coloured drawings - to the
point where it gets a bit overwhelming. It is possible to dip in and out of
pages and still follow the thrust of the text, but the occasional full-spread
illustrations in the pastel tones used throughout are a welcome relief.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A book to
keep curious 10- to 14-year-old minds busy for hours, this would make a great
gift or classroom tool. Just don’t try anything at home, kids. <o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-62128455461843916992024-02-16T03:00:00.012+11:002024-02-16T03:00:00.137+11:00Your Brain is a Lump of Goo<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69jf5mgSAZUt4XkrMlIGS-sSeI4B8y0uulMz5JQM08uQmdb4FKUW5PDmkH79XEtFn5_UXJec4x-vnSUxtj8mX2TsLWVk0Qn_bjrAHEaFd7mqdTno5Hpa3eVvOjHWonxgSll2_ISs-r5mdS_c8GMg9qtukkgaZMeJ-yaGNnKAb4dTreIwXgQDAeriWfb8/s345/brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69jf5mgSAZUt4XkrMlIGS-sSeI4B8y0uulMz5JQM08uQmdb4FKUW5PDmkH79XEtFn5_UXJec4x-vnSUxtj8mX2TsLWVk0Qn_bjrAHEaFd7mqdTno5Hpa3eVvOjHWonxgSll2_ISs-r5mdS_c8GMg9qtukkgaZMeJ-yaGNnKAb4dTreIwXgQDAeriWfb8/s320/brain.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Your Brain is a Lump of Goo</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">
by Idan Ben-Barak & Christopher Nielsen (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN
9781761180156</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reviewed by Dianne Bates<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How do you explain the appearance and workings of the
brain to a small child? Ben- Barak, in this picture book for children aged 5 to
8 years, likens the brain’s size to that of a pineapple, and its texture that
of goo that looks like a big walnut (but gooey). Accompanied by cartoon
illustrations of the brain’s owner, a small girl wearing a helmet and doing
things like riding a scooter and walking a pineapple, the text continues… It
explains <i>‘I’m made of hundreds of billions of cells. They’re all connected.
They send signals to each other.’ </i>Saying it’s ‘very complicated’,<i> </i>the
text states <i>‘I’m the part of you that is YOU.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the middle of the book is what looks like four
scoops of ice-cream made of orange, blue, and pink colours (representing the
brain). Surrounding it are dozens of words and phrases pertaining to the brain,
such as ‘Emotions’, ‘Sibling Annoyance Centre’, ‘Happiness’, ‘Growing,’ and ‘Thoughts.’ </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is more information on the workings of the brain, including how it can
sometimes get confused, distracted, or overwhelmed. The text continues: <i>‘Look, I’m
not a computer. Nobody planned me. Nobody built me. It took me many millions of
years to become what I am.’ </i>It proceeds with what the brain is capable of,
such as teaching the lungs to breathe, the legs to walk, and so on. None of
what the brain can do, it says <i>‘doesn’t happen with pineapples.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The book concludes with a double page spread of information about the
actual workings of the brain, the sort of text which needs to be read by an
adult, perhaps to a child to explain the parts -- and purposes of those parts, of the brain. This includes words familiar to an adult, such as ‘cerebellum’, ‘cerebrum,’
‘occipital lobe’, and ‘hypothalamus.</span><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It's difficult to imagine that this book would be a favourite of children but it's at least a valiant attempt by a writer and illustrator to capture the essence of the body's most mysterious organ to a youngster.</span></div>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-34511902298128561722024-02-14T03:00:00.004+11:002024-02-14T03:00:00.133+11:00Yellow Butterfly<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvFU8K8IdjJUz8m8ghYwpLDdNrX65VWYnP5XtKmdzHdOmz3I7zba-YxgWZJy9wIdolCoFsT1jXtYk3nWT2BxBxfqR2Am6GlwAlv9zwFg-nZR-lAFJxvtsxkwjiXkMBBH2fl65TrnoIu6krlWy_b9BBxoMQjnSk1bsxxPuK0NX1doLn9p1J9LBO6e4yq4/s1500/yELLOW%20bUTTERFLY_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1086" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvFU8K8IdjJUz8m8ghYwpLDdNrX65VWYnP5XtKmdzHdOmz3I7zba-YxgWZJy9wIdolCoFsT1jXtYk3nWT2BxBxfqR2Am6GlwAlv9zwFg-nZR-lAFJxvtsxkwjiXkMBBH2fl65TrnoIu6krlWy_b9BBxoMQjnSk1bsxxPuK0NX1doLn9p1J9LBO6e4yq4/s320/yELLOW%20bUTTERFLY_.jpg" width="232" /></a></i></div><i>Yellow Butterfly</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> by Oleksandr
Shatokhin (Red Comet Press), HB RRP $32.99 ISBN 9781636550640</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The author illustrator of this
picture book says on the back cover, ‘Every Ukrainian is working and doing their
best to bring victory over the Russian terrorists. As an illustrator, I am
committed to doing my part. My book is about faith, hope, and the belief that
after the war, after our victory, life will go on, everything will be restored,
and we will live in a new peaceful Ukraine. The memories of those who died in
this war will help us heal. And yellow butterflies will flutter freely in free
Ukraine.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A portion of the proceeds from
the sale of Yellow Butterfly will be donated to the Universal Reading
Foundation who send children’s books to Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are only two main colours
used in this book – black and yellow, but towards the end there is blue, too. So,
this is a book of symbolism and dramatic imagery, a deeply emotional response to
the war in Ukraine. The pages in black are depressing – a double page spread of
blackness, followed by pages and pages of barbed wire. Then there’s a white
outline of a girl behind the wire. More wire. And then the girl running,
tripping. And falling. When she comes to consciousness, there’s finally some
colour – she sees a yellow butterfly. She follows the insect, past black
barricades until she sees a man holding aloft lots of birds. But then he
disappears into a hole. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Children are playing, but further
on bombs are falling. In the darkness, the girl sees a swarm of yellow
butterflies. But wait – there is blue! But no, here again are black, wrecked
vehicles. More barbed wire. But the butterflies keep appearing…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is a difficult wordless
picture book for young children to comprehend in any way but emotionally. At
the end of the book are instructions for an adult on how to share a wordless
picture book, and how to guide conversation about it. There’s no doubt that
most children would easily dismiss this dark book unless they are guided by a
caring adult. It is difficult to imagine that this book would be picked up by any
child: it is so depressing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-87833258171720633102024-02-12T02:00:00.004+11:002024-02-12T02:00:00.353+11:00Wear a Purple Poppy: Remembering Animals in War<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn7ff_Gt4zEb6wmmRvr2J7VeFny2WdhkL9KqYgYyAnmZIPUzy_ldJeswZMYcKzLbl4EnSsFhc03x4ygDYpirFqGsrXec2H2-4SVxV3vLUTqRG-8lbZAswcbnYEipJ5klvSpVqtrokbFgyfmvQXbX29WYs_MCNq2lpWEag1ZOpu01Dx2UfRluB1subjUc/s475/Wear%20a%20Purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtn7ff_Gt4zEb6wmmRvr2J7VeFny2WdhkL9KqYgYyAnmZIPUzy_ldJeswZMYcKzLbl4EnSsFhc03x4ygDYpirFqGsrXec2H2-4SVxV3vLUTqRG-8lbZAswcbnYEipJ5klvSpVqtrokbFgyfmvQXbX29WYs_MCNq2lpWEag1ZOpu01Dx2UfRluB1subjUc/s320/Wear%20a%20Purple.jpg" width="296" /></a></i></div><i>Wear a Purple Poppy: Remembering Animals in War</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">
by Fiona White, illustrated by Kathleen O’Hagan (Lothian Children’s Books) HB
RRP ISBN 9780 734421630</span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;">Lest we
forget, our four-legged diggers served too . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a heart-warming, beautifully
illustrated tribute to the animals that served alongside our diggers in war and
peacetime. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wear a
Purple Poppy</span></i><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10.0pt;"> honours
their courage and dedication and captures the spirit and importance of wearing
a purple poppy on the National Day for War Animals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-size-adjust: 100%; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10.0pt;">On the
National Day for War Animals, we wear a purple poppy to remember those animals
who have served, and those who continue to serve, alongside our soldiers. This
heartwarming tribute explores the different roles of animals in wartime, and
honours their strength, courage, and dedication. From the horses and the mules
to the elephants, cats, and dogs, we wear a purple poppy for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-21008940308084979442024-02-10T03:00:00.001+11:002024-02-10T03:00:00.143+11:00Voice of the Sea <p></p><p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uL-YrTDPsXq6KLI1j2DTbHuRAC5pCvprIjnJhyphenhyphenRycKrJcjRCZmqE2YYrS0mLH8IXu439bvv84EEWhUQyl1V9j_zpY86j4AYsi0QHaHN7bQ_m_09F0asgyeOZCz6aegww6dIxMOKaJnxOChAMc40FcGbtP80yjHhO7EP8y6fD1tsbmjnUIrpdem3DVDk/s3402/voice%20of%20the%20sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="2962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uL-YrTDPsXq6KLI1j2DTbHuRAC5pCvprIjnJhyphenhyphenRycKrJcjRCZmqE2YYrS0mLH8IXu439bvv84EEWhUQyl1V9j_zpY86j4AYsi0QHaHN7bQ_m_09F0asgyeOZCz6aegww6dIxMOKaJnxOChAMc40FcGbtP80yjHhO7EP8y6fD1tsbmjnUIrpdem3DVDk/s320/voice%20of%20the%20sea.jpg" width="279" /></a></i></div><i>Voice of the Sea</i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> by John Williamson, Andrea Innocent,
Jonathon Chong (Puffin Books) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN9781761344237</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; vertical-align: top; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Voice of the Sea initiative </span><span style="color: #040c28; font-size: 10.0pt;">began when iconic Australian musician and conservationist, John
Williamson wrote and performed the song for AMCS to highlight the plight of our
oceans and marine life</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #021945; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Thousands of school children have sung </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Voice of the Sea</span></span></i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> in school halls all over Australia,
the beautiful animated lyric video has even won an </span>ARIA Award.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; vertical-align: top; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #021945; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; vertical-align: top; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #021945; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Voice of the Sea</span></span></i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #021945; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> is much more than a song; it is
inspiring the next generation of marine conservationists.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; vertical-align: top; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #021945; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><u1:p> </u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 24.75pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">In The
Voice of the Sea </span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">comes a new national anthem of the sea, now a picture book.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 24.75pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Where did
it go?</span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where has it gone, your love for me?</i><u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: 24.75pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">We love our
sandy beaches, our jewel seas and reefs brimming with life.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
But our precious oceans are in trouble, and we all need to become part of the
voice to save them.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-77944870812431525022024-02-08T03:00:00.005+11:002024-02-08T03:00:00.262+11:00Roobee Roo<p><span style="color: #080808; font-size: 10pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yRMpnnr7ZcPsxS-5EBc9ywwGH4o6CQUIKU_Ble0_KtrqVQ6os8AaUfPFlQ5QPX4lq7OB6-cQ9FZV-K_BrVdyKcZ8tlV3PFiKE8ltrEDQ6k7cgS2lypLcOpddkqTyfKJ46aArpqpXveHgeLN_nepLNhT_SQqF-LkFQQWYb0aVkX4XtLMuwjvhXyU85pU/s900/roobee%20roo1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yRMpnnr7ZcPsxS-5EBc9ywwGH4o6CQUIKU_Ble0_KtrqVQ6os8AaUfPFlQ5QPX4lq7OB6-cQ9FZV-K_BrVdyKcZ8tlV3PFiKE8ltrEDQ6k7cgS2lypLcOpddkqTyfKJ46aArpqpXveHgeLN_nepLNhT_SQqF-LkFQQWYb0aVkX4XtLMuwjvhXyU85pU/s320/roobee%20roo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Every
day is an adventure with Roobee Roo! Join Roobee and her friends in this
uniquely Australian lift-the-flap board book series for fans of Spot and Maisy.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;">Roobee Roo
is a curious little kangaroo with a magical pouch full of surprises. After
waking up to find something new in her pouch each day, Roobee loves playing
with her friends and family as she explores the exciting world around her. In <i style="text-size-adjust: 100%;">It's My Birthday!</i>, Roobee Roo and her
friends come together to celebrate Roobee's birthday. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;">In
Friends at the Library</span></i><span style="color: #363636; font-size: 10pt;">,
Roobee’s friend Kala the Koala is looking for a new book to read. At the
library they find various books, but none of them suit Kala. In the end, Roobee
makes a book about friends on an adventure at the library, and the two sit down
on the cushions and read their book again and again.</span><o:p></o:p></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-76074269660041476132024-02-06T03:00:00.003+11:002024-02-06T03:00:00.158+11:00<p><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEf6D9awPuu8JG2SXWP0oQ61DKHmGT3_EJ4C4iko0S4fLXh6mh7lKhc702KS6l5_VM7WY14G-zjY6K99321IoYM7R90WpeSlujBUBF3CtXMfU-GCAAvFFCB5cVaMrhV7Lm4CtSTczW0hkz247wpY2VKlMZoYQMu16ddizjxMzLqMTck_aQlxFeOjyikE/s1000/Two%20Rabbits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1000" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEf6D9awPuu8JG2SXWP0oQ61DKHmGT3_EJ4C4iko0S4fLXh6mh7lKhc702KS6l5_VM7WY14G-zjY6K99321IoYM7R90WpeSlujBUBF3CtXMfU-GCAAvFFCB5cVaMrhV7Lm4CtSTczW0hkz247wpY2VKlMZoYQMu16ddizjxMzLqMTck_aQlxFeOjyikE/s320/Two%20Rabbits.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Two Rabbits</i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> by Larissa Ferenchuk, illustrated by Prue
Pittock (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922539656</span><p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Reviewed by Dannielle Viera<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">One-night, Little Grey Rabbit and
Little Brown Rabbit have an argument. Their harsh words are ‘carried along by
the wind’. The two rabbits stomp away in opposite directions. In their fury and
sadness, it is hard for them to find joy even in their favourite places. As
loneliness sets in, the wind whispers words of harmony. The two rabbits run
towards each other. They each apologise and admit that they make mistakes.
Their gentle words are ‘carried along by the wind’.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Larissa Ferenchuk’s simple story
features an all-too-familiar situation for many kids aged four to eight: a
blow-up between best buddies. Rather than bounding blindly along the road to
anger, the two rabbits soon realise that forgiveness is the best path to
follow. While the wind reminds the protagonists to ‘be kind’, it is only when
the two rabbits choose compassion over contempt that their friendship is
mended.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Although Prue Pittock’s
illustrations are largely two-dimensional, she deftly applies linework to
develop density and movement across the pages. Just a few dots and dashes on
the rabbits’ faces is all it takes to reveal to readers the deepest of feelings.
Stormy grey skies echo the tempestuous emotions below; a warm pink dawn
embraces the rabbits’ reconciliation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Fixing a broken bond is never
easy, but Two Rabbits encourages youngsters to take responsibility for their
words and actions and make amends when another person has been hurt. This is
conflict resolution on a small scale, a skill that no doubt will come in handy
as kids hop into adulthood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-52614693633085031332024-02-04T03:00:00.002+11:002024-02-04T03:00:00.153+11:00<p><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr2o4sz-9rVkz0Bz0hMOGM9qGLNriDAlJf8YCmhk644pINj9vpKmK8chiJtPzXR9g4FmaLRTLxwUcpsPrgFlqvG7BXPbRbXo7k7-fKk35pFE6Va9v1V_FFiak6mHeXQcCXLnOQAZzxN72jGAMxbS_FlYicXxZwgeID2UlzcH2_Q-orCFKezX85WztD8Y/s2048/Nova's%20Missing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr2o4sz-9rVkz0Bz0hMOGM9qGLNriDAlJf8YCmhk644pINj9vpKmK8chiJtPzXR9g4FmaLRTLxwUcpsPrgFlqvG7BXPbRbXo7k7-fKk35pFE6Va9v1V_FFiak6mHeXQcCXLnOQAZzxN72jGAMxbS_FlYicXxZwgeID2UlzcH2_Q-orCFKezX85WztD8Y/s320/Nova's%20Missing.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Nova’s Missing Masterpiece</i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> by Brooke Graham, illustrated by Robin
Tatlow-Lord (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922539373</span><p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Reviewed by Dannielle Viera<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Nova has created a portrait for
her dad’s birthday, but now she can’t find it – and the party is about to
start! As she and her dog, Harley, search high and low for her missing
masterpiece, Nova experiences an array of overwhelming emotions, from anger to
frustration. Yet Harley stays serene. He takes a deep breath, drinks from his
bowl and howls like he’s singing. Nova decides to follow Harley’s lead. She
does some belly breathing, grabs a glass of water, and listens to soothing
music. As she begins to feel better, she stretches out on the couch and
discovers the artwork under a cushion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Brooke Graham’s dynamic language
draws children aged four to nine into Nova’s frantic forage, where an emotional
roller-coaster awaits. But they are not left to tackle the twists and turns of
the big dipper on their own. Along with Nova, readers discover a plethora of
psychological tools that they can rely on when the ride of life becomes too
bumpy: self-regulation, resilience, and persistence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Rich colours radiate from Robin
Tatlow-Lord’s busy images, especially a fiery red that reflects Nova’s rage.
This is carefully balanced with cool green when Nova is calm. Robin cleverly
reveals Nova’s increasing agitation by making the vignettes of the protagonist
larger and larger. Young eyes will eagerly scour the detailed room
illustrations, hoping to help Nova by locating her artwork.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">A must for every child’s
bookshelf, <i>Nova’s Missing Masterpiece</i> is a marvellous guide to managing
enormous feelings. The uncomplicated techniques are effectively mini mental
reset buttons that kids can tuck away in their mind until needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-21552464564600096322024-02-02T03:00:00.003+11:002024-02-02T03:00:00.147+11:00Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library<p><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76duQq2B26ztrxQHNvxy_HvIvN5I2DdQhfY0Ad4Oq3Le1UBWUrWo0G_kku6YBK7LAUGObGnskEbZbgGS9r7J8fQIUWnptKZnhjB18cm6fu79p4RnwPARdUI3CKa6XoOd_ktEos-95zqO8xiwKt4bSm_9oYdj0nob4ZLb8z9yB0bRj282XzFUSmg8eR_A/s522/Escape_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76duQq2B26ztrxQHNvxy_HvIvN5I2DdQhfY0Ad4Oq3Le1UBWUrWo0G_kku6YBK7LAUGObGnskEbZbgGS9r7J8fQIUWnptKZnhjB18cm6fu79p4RnwPARdUI3CKa6XoOd_ktEos-95zqO8xiwKt4bSm_9oYdj0nob4ZLb8z9yB0bRj282XzFUSmg8eR_A/s320/Escape_.jpg" width="218" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s
Library</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> by Chris
Grabenstein, illustrated by Douglas Holgate (Penguin Random House) PB RRP
$24.99 ISBN: 9781761345685</span><p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Reviewed by Dannielle Viera<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">The world’s most famous game
maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the new library, and Kyle is desperate to
be one of the twelve kids invited to the opening-night lock-in. Little does he
know that the whole library is a game! To win, the kids must find clues and
solve riddles to locate the special exit by the 12pm deadline. They soon figure
out that they need to work together to triumph over Lemoncello’s literary
escape room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">This action-packed graphic novel
brings to life the bestselling middle-grade book of the same name. Chris
Grabenstein’s story is clever and captivating, as it encourages readers to have
a go at cracking the challenging brainteasers in company with the characters.
Along the way, they’ll learn a bounty of brilliant bookish facts and discover
the unique power that comes from thoughtful teamwork.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Douglas Holgate’s colourful
illustrations are energetic and engaging, ensuring that readers’ attention is
carried from one vibrant panel to the next. The overall palette is warm, with
the predominance of pale yellow adding a cheery tone to the pages. Distinctive
depictions help young eyes distinguish each child in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s
Library is a perfect introduction to the wonders within literature for hesitant
readers. By the end, they’ll be eager to roll the dice and jump three squares
straight into their nearest library.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-54390287603368208452024-01-31T03:00:00.004+11:002024-01-31T03:00:00.132+11:00<p><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQohG99KJbta-pRAhgi2AleMyawqWPMu7ELiCpifV6l4eVKo5CPl1Bq2GCLRKfiYj6z0r3QYU19nAwOJpViOS6tK0v_3-S1jbfQRLLM6tA-tvVzUSrBtDFBBBee-aWe3o4WVb3LS51o2Ak1WYiDGQya-871B1Krdr5jcvb-ckovGnUBt3oefX24HKc7sY/s522/Wonka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQohG99KJbta-pRAhgi2AleMyawqWPMu7ELiCpifV6l4eVKo5CPl1Bq2GCLRKfiYj6z0r3QYU19nAwOJpViOS6tK0v_3-S1jbfQRLLM6tA-tvVzUSrBtDFBBBee-aWe3o4WVb3LS51o2Ak1WYiDGQya-871B1Krdr5jcvb-ckovGnUBt3oefX24HKc7sY/s320/Wonka.jpg" width="208" /></a></i></div><i>Wonka: The Story before the
Chocolate Factory</i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> by
Sibeal Pounder (Penguin Random House, Australia) PB RRP $19.99 9780241618134</span><p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Reviewed by Karen Hendriks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wonka is inspired by Roald
Dahl’s <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i>. This book is based on the
screenplay Wonka by Simon Farnably & Paul King (story by Paul King).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sibeal Pounder is the author of
the bestselling <i>Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids</i> series. <i>The Secret of
Platform 13</i> is his first standalone novel. His latest book tells the
wondrous story of how Willy Wonka came to be the world’s greatest inventor,
magician, and chocolate-maker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Charlie lost his mother at a
young age: she is the one who gave him the desire to create the best chocolate
in the world. Charlie sets sail on the seas for seven years gaining knowledge
before arriving at the world-famous Galeries Gourmet determined to open the
best chocolate shop in the world. However, a trio of jealous chocolatiers are
determined to destroy Charlie and his dream. He is tricked into a lifetime of
drudgery inside a washhouse where he makes friends with others who have been
banished, too. With their help, Charlie is determined to fulfil his chocolate
destiny.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Pounder has written a story
that has the same magic and feel as the book <i>Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory</i>. The voice and characterisation of Charlie is great, and Pounder
uses word play and language that sings. Willy and Noodle stand by the
gargantuan steel door to the vault. There is wonder, humour and the use of
wondrous imagination to create a fantasy world that is both believable and
magical. Chocolate is the main theme throughout from the beginning to the end. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Willy walks back to the wash
house, his mind whirring as always. There is a new chocolate idea or two
bouncing about in there, along with a pressing problem to solve. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">The names of the three villainous
chocolatiers have child appeal - Slugsworth, Fickelgruber and Prodnose. The
book's pace ensures the reader wants to keep turning the pages to learn more. The
ideas are unique and take the reader on a chocolate journey that’s enthralling
and entertaining.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Wonka: The Story before the
Chocolate Factory </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">is a wondrous
336 page read for children aged 8 to 13 years told with great humour and
attention to detail. Readers of the original story will also love this book. I
can see children, parents, teachers, and librarians gravitating towards it, especially
as there is a movie about the book, too. For those that want to escape the
world for a while, this book will do the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-21659941151280645352024-01-29T03:00:00.003+11:002024-01-29T03:00:00.242+11:00The Invocations<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnfMRo8hG0GWHfyNsjOVhU75eSBsoEprgG4JnyqFAxN4HlGWXwB3lQSueunyUst4wcM1oQzWhQBFHTG0bpwKW8pPxRZOQUBCovijPwLZux54Ztf4KlrGk-_zm7Qk7cLmHKdVI_pqRS6k3RNL7fRFX6SHvfNInsQRiJGTov75olPGXI2LpyKZohrczJtI/s2048/The%20Invocations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1355" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnfMRo8hG0GWHfyNsjOVhU75eSBsoEprgG4JnyqFAxN4HlGWXwB3lQSueunyUst4wcM1oQzWhQBFHTG0bpwKW8pPxRZOQUBCovijPwLZux54Ztf4KlrGk-_zm7Qk7cLmHKdVI_pqRS6k3RNL7fRFX6SHvfNInsQRiJGTov75olPGXI2LpyKZohrczJtI/s320/The%20Invocations.jpg" width="212" /></a></i></div><i>The Invocations</i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> by Krystal
Sutherland (Penguin Books) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 780143777410</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here is a twisted modern horror fairy tale pulsing
with feminist rage. There are three girls and one supernatural killer on the
loose. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In a world where only women can use magic and the men
who know about it seek to eradicate them, three lonely teenager girls – one cursed,
one hunted, one out for revenge – team up to track down and take out a brutal killer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Set in contemporary London, this is an original work
by Sutherland in which curse-writers and magic exist alongside the everyday,
and three very different but equally compelling characters must team up to
encounter the supernatural and prevail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sutherland’s books have been published in more than
twenty countries and nominated for the Carnegie Medal and YA Book Prize, among
others. Originally from Australia, Sutherland now calls London home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058463652297949781.post-45279792653846158682024-01-27T03:00:00.004+11:002024-01-27T03:00:00.131+11:00Chico the Schnauzer<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPSVZhCcQlmVKG4-7zxYRCqDHqTDO1TitNCt0cO-r_qD8ai03AYEvY8ZAzbwmawe0aaC4WYLVU3Mh3Me5NClqswqD-xScPcXUd0ujtzLrupj0Kp6o9NWDXLRNNxfbNXTfj6OFl_psWjVvJ5GBVpmF4fB2dVNXInILmH9ADB1KIXxkgc3C7Qw6tci4_m0/s2896/Chico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="2896" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPSVZhCcQlmVKG4-7zxYRCqDHqTDO1TitNCt0cO-r_qD8ai03AYEvY8ZAzbwmawe0aaC4WYLVU3Mh3Me5NClqswqD-xScPcXUd0ujtzLrupj0Kp6o9NWDXLRNNxfbNXTfj6OFl_psWjVvJ5GBVpmF4fB2dVNXInILmH9ADB1KIXxkgc3C7Qw6tci4_m0/s320/Chico.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i>Chico the Schnauzer</i> by Taryn
Brumfitt & Levi George (Penguin Random House, Australia) PB HB RRP $19.99 ISBN
9781761343988<p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Reviewed by Karen Hendriks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Taryn Brumfitt is an
award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author. A 2023 Australian of the Year,
she advocates fiercely and strongly for social change. She is the founder of
the Body Image Movement, and the co-Executive Director of the inspiring documentaries
Embrace and Embrace Kids, and the author of five books. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chico the Schnauzer</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> is a picture book that celebrates
individual body uniqueness. Chico escapes the yard and goes on the biggest play
date of his life with his dog friends – Suzie the Sausage Dog, Penelope the
Poodle, and Digby the Dalmatian are a few. Along the way Chico discovers all
the incredible things dog bodies can do and it doesn’t matter if he can’t do
what his friends can because all dog bodies are different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Taryn Brumfitt has written a
playful story with a fun character with an important message -- embrace your
own unique body and what it can do. The opening four-word sentence with
alliteration introduces Chico’s personality and appearance succinctly. Cheeky
Chico is a schnauzer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">One day the back gate is left
open and Chico escapes. The rumpus and fun starts as Chico adventures with his
friends. This reminds me a little of <i>Hairy McClary from Donaldson’s Dairy</i>:
it has the same cheekiness and sass, and alliteration is used for each dog’s
name. Taryn lets each dog friend introduce a game for Chico to try. This
creates a story pattern that uses dialogue, questioning and onomatopoeia so the
reader can discover what each unique dog’s body can do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chico can’t resist a chasing
game, ‘Wahoo!’ Zip! Squeeze! ‘Wow, Susie, your body is so fast and flexible.
But mine is great at digging!’ This beautifully shows the reader rather than
tells. As the story arc falls, we find Chico reflecting. As Chico walks home
from the biggest playdate of his life, he thinks about all the things his
friends can do with their amazing bodies, and … all the things his body is good
at. The closing page leaves the reader with one last clever thought which I
won’t share.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">The illustrations by Levi
George are wonderfully bright and bold. Chico sits proudly on the front cover
along with the title in bright white with a dash of yellow. Purple endpapers
appear followed by a bright white title page that allows the words and images
to pop. The cartoon-like images of the dogs at play are fun and engaging. George
creates lots of story movement on each page. The eye is drawn across to each
page turn taking the reader into the story. Extra humour is brought in visually
with Chico tangling his bright yellow lead around Charlie. George has added
onomatopoeia that pops out in the spreads and a little white bunny even bounces
into a couple of spreads, too. There are lots of little extra illustrations to
add layered meaning to the story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chico the Schnauzer</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt;"> is delightful picture book for children 3
to 8 years about friendship, and embracing what your body can do because all
bodies are unique and different. The fun characters and their adventures are
sure to appeal to children, parents, teachers, and librarians. This is a book
that has an important message delivered in a fun, engaging way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>buzzwordshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855778988138381683noreply@blogger.com0