Antarctica

Antarctica by Moira Court (Fremantle Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781925815757

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

Antarctica is a mysterious place with a wealth of unusual animals, and Moira Court brings ten of them to the page in this striking book. From orcas and two different types of seal, to blackfin icefish and ‘shrimpish, pinkish’ krill, this nature information book offers a few surprises.

Each spread incorporates counting, colours and descriptions of the creatures and their behaviours, making for a multi-dimensional experience with much to explore. The language is vibrant and incorporates sophisticated vocabulary which will be a stretch for younger readers (and even some older ones). The main spreads are followed by four pages of quirky facts about Antarctica and the featured animals.

Court’s hand-made, layered illustrations are striking, using bold yet natural colours and geometric shapes. The creatures are rendered with surprising depth of character, joyous breaching whales contrasting with trudging penguins and beady-eyed squid.

With so much going on, this book will keep readers coming back repeatedly. While the publisher nominates an age range of 3 to 5 years, the book would also be a valuable classroom resource for junior primary students.

Bluey (Penguin Random House) HB RRP $14.99. Bluey: The Beach ISBN9781760894054 Bluey: Fruit Bat ISBN 9781760894047. Bluey: Time to Play Sticker Activity Book ISBN9781760894030

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Airing on ABC KIDS in October 2018, the Bluey books have taken the coveted position of being the most watched program ever on ABC iView, with over 100 million plays. It has also topped the Australian iTunes Kids Chart with the series peaking at #1 and consistently remaining in the Top 5. Thus, it’s no wonder that the powers to be have decided to capitalise on its success and thus published a book series.

Bluey: The Beach is about a family’s day out together in a lift-the-flap board book. While Mum is walking along the beach, Bluey (a blue cartoon dog) discovers a beautiful shell. She runs to show Mum and has a series of encounters – such as confronting an army of crabs and an old sandcastle -- that both excite and test her.

Bluey: Fruit Bat starts with Bluey not wanting to go to bed. She wishes she was a fruit bat so when she goes to bed that night, she dreams adventures as one. This time the Bluey book is a glow-in-the-dark board book.

Bluey: Time to Play! is a sticker activity book perfect for engaging little Bluey Fans. The first page shows the Heeler family in their Brisbane front yard. Another page shows all of Bluey’s friends such as Muffin and Socks, and Mackenzie. Surely young children and their parents will have hours of fun with all the activities in this paperback book.

Bluey has been praised for its realistic yet joyous portrayal of modern Australian parenting.

Total Quack Up! Again

Total Quack Up! Again edited by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck, illustrated by Jules Faber (Puffin Books) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9781760893583

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

In this anthology of short stories for children aged 8 years and older, are contributions by some of Australia’s best-known children’s authors. They include AL Tait, Michael Wagner and Tim Harris. Also included is 9-year-old Coby Sanchez’s story, ‘The Duck Pond’, which, except for its poor ending, is as good, if not better, than other stories by the adults in the book.

In the book’s Foreword, Rippin and Beck say they have ‘found the funniest 12 authors in the whole world and asked them to write the most ridiculously hilarious short story they could possibly manage.’ No doubt most children will enjoy – perhaps even laugh at – stories which focus on farting, bad breath and retelling of old jokes. But overall the stories are mundane and more amusing than humorous.

The typeface in the book is large to make for easier reading, and there are numerous black and white cartoon illustrations by Jules Faber who has also contributed a story.

All royalties from the sale of the book go to the Dymock’s Children’s Charities.

You Can Change the World

You Can Change the World by Lucy Bell, (Pantera Press), 2019, Hb, RRP  $29.99 ISBN: 9781925700527 (hardcover) ISBN 9781925700725 (ebook)

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

In a world where many kids are becoming overwhelmed by fear of the future, here’s a practical guide to help them feel they can make a difference. You Can Change the World is attractively produced and comprehensively researched. It is crammed with ways to aid the planet, offering alternatives to our throw-away society. Chapters cover: Plastic, Ethical and Environmentally Friendly Clothing, Waste, Food, Energy, Electricity and Water, Animal Activism. A section on Gardening and the Outdoors features practical advice on how to make compost and attract butterflies and bees.

Each chapter includes a real-life story about a Changemaker, someone who has seen a problem and taken steps to fix it. They are all children, many Australians, aged from seven years up, whose stories rightly deserve to be celebrated. Twelve year old Molly Steer has campaigned to stop her Queensland government using single-use plastic straws. Ten year old Fin Vicars from New South Wales is passionate about renewable energy and science. Greta Thunberg is not mentioned. Perhaps she came to prominence while this book was in production.

The last section, titled 'An Act of Kindness', is a call for young readers to take positive action to help someone and the planet. Lucy Bell writes ‘The ideas in this book are just the beginning of your journey to help the world and save our planet. It’s now up to you.’

What a pity more world leaders hadn’t read something like this when they were growing up.

The final pages include social media contacts for the Changemakers and helpful organisations, stores and charities.

Highly recommended for school, library and home bookshelves.

The Man in the Water

The Man in the Water by David Burton (UQP) PB RRP $19.95 ISBN 9780702262524 Reviewed by Dianne Bates When sixteen-year-old Shaun finds a body floating in the lake of a quiet mining town in outback Queensland, he immediately reports it to the police. But when he returns to the site with the constable, the body is gone. This is the beginning of this novel for readers aged ten years and older which is a gripping mystery from popular #LoveOzYA author David Burton. While the adults brush off the death, Shaun and his mate Will are forced to open their own investigation. Their adventures take them all around town in their race to find justice for the Man on the Lake. The protagonist, Shaun, is just an average kid who dreams big: he wants to solve the crime (as well as wanting others to believe he found the body that’s gone missing), make his mum proud and capture the attentions of Megan who’s stolen his heart. Most of all, Shaun dreams about being a hero despite self-doubt which is reminiscent of the uncertainty of youth. When he finally gets some answers, Shaun discovers that life is not always so black and white. The novel deals with the themes of friendship, isolation and the struggle of living in a small mining town. There are also themes of suicide, grief & depression, but these are handled delicately and, in an age-appropriate way. This novel, with numerous amusing scenes and spot-on dialogue, is likely to be appreciated by YA readers who like crime solving.

Summer Time

Summer Time by Hilary Bell, illustrated by Antonia Pesenti (NewSouth Publishing) RRP HB $24.99
ISBN 9781742236070

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

If you loved the highly acclaimed picture books, Alphabetical Sydney and Numerical Street, then you’re in luck! The talented duo who created these books have recently been collaborating on a third book. They have once again used rhyming verse and image, but this time to explore everything that the Australian summer brings.

Summer Time is the kind of book that young children and reminiscing adults can easily relate to. Every page will have the reader nodding, smiling or giggling... or all three, as they see their own summer time experiences depicted in the narrative and clever collage illustrations. 

The bright yellow patterned endpapers highlighting a pair of clocks are a great prelude to the ‘time’ theme that also runs throughout book. One ‘time’ related word on each page appears in large bold text, adding another dimension to the story.

Summer Time is a wonderful tribute to the uniquely Australian summer and is highly recommended for children aged 4+ years.

Buzz Words Prize 2019 Longlist

The following stories have been long-listed by Dianne Bates and Bill Condon and sent to judge Sue Whiting who has the task of creating a short-list of ten to be sent to finalist judge, Dyan Blacklock.  

            The Script, Fionna Cosgrove
            A Lethal Intrusion, Susan Hancy

            My Secret Friend, Joanne Eather

            Sticks and Stones, Rebecca Timmis

            Sparklefeast, Neil Glaser

            Oh! Nathan, Paul Dellit

            And the rest is history, Geraldine Borella

            Beyond the Garden Gate, Linda Carter

            Carly and Griselda, Geraldine Borella

            Down the Drain, Anne Donnelly

            Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Susan Hancy

            Goldie, Daniel Whitehead

            The Apprentice Confectioner of Wonderland, Melanie Zolenas-Kennedy

            The Pompous Princess & The Fortunate Frog, Jo Mularczyk

            To Catch a Tuna, Annemarie Scott

            Trevor, Jennie Tasker

            The Message, Lucinda Cotter

            Joe Detective, Angela Fraser

            The Secret Keeper, Rebecca Timmis

            What Remains, Eunice Tan

The shortlist will be announced in our 15 November issue and the winner, runner-up and 3rd to 5th places in our 15 December issue. 

You will also find the results on this website.

The Buzz Words Short Story Prize will open again in 2020.

Once, I was Loved

Once, I was Loved by Belinda Landsberry (EK Books) RRP HB $24.99
ISBN 9781925820027

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Once, I was Loved is the latest picture book from talented author/illustrator Belinda Landsberry, creator of the acclaimed children’s book, Anzac Ted.
Told from a second person point of view, Tock, the long-eared toy rabbit is the narrator of the story and speaks directly to his young audience.

“Hey, it’s me! Tock! Down here in the Charity Box.”

On the eve of heading to the charity shop, the much-loved rabbit reflects on the ups and downs of his long life. First, Tock introduces us to his original owner, five-year-old Sam, who adored him for many years. Sam then gives Tock to a young boy who is less fortunate than herself. The tale continues with Tock given up, passed down, or lost and finding a new owner each time. The rabbit is loved by seven different owners over the decades, each one with a unique story and a snippet of history revealed, from war times to the introduction of the internet.

While the narrative is sad in parts, this book also depicts Tock as a very lucky rabbit to have been loved for so many decades by so many gorgeous children. The tale reminds us that people will come in and out of our life for a myriad of reasons, and letting go can sometimes be hard. However, if we are always loved and are given opportunities to experience life’s joys, then we have lived a great life.

Once, I was Loved is a beautiful story suitable for children aged 4+.

En Pointe

En Pointe by Chloe Bayliss (Pantera Press) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781925700756

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

En Pointe is written by Chloe Bayliss, who many may know as an actor on Channel 9 drama series Doctor Doctor. It is a story of her life so far, from her childhood and teenage years as a serious ballet dancer, to her even more serious medical problems, then out the other side. Written for a young adult audience, this first-person account paints a picture of dreams dashed but also of the support of family and friends. Most importantly, the book is about a girl who never gives up.

The introduction outlines what the book will be about, so there are no surprises. It starts in the world of competitive, all-encompassing ballet, where Chloe trains for hours each day with one aim: to become a professional ballerina. She is aware that she is missing out on normal teenage things like kissing boys or going to parties. But it is all worth it when she is offered a place at the Washington Ballet school. It seems her dream has been realised.

The next part of the book, which is the majority, is about Chloe’s descent into illness and subsequent hospitalisation, with a disease that no one knows how to treat. Her kidneys are failing, and she is confined to a bed. She has fits, then seems to be getting better, only to get worse again. The description of the permanent tube inserted into her chest is particularly visceral. These grim details are balanced out with personal stories of what it is like to be a teenager in these circumstances such as the guy she likes who visits her in hospital and family dynamics.

The last part of the book describes Chloe’s recovery and her determination to get back to dancing and real life. A section of photos shows Chloe from her first ballet lesson aged three, through her various ballet roles, pictures of her in hospital, then finally at the Logie Awards with the Doctor Doctor cast. Chloe says in the book media release, that she was unsure whether to reveal her story, as it may affect the way people see her as an actor. However, she says she wanted to tell her story to help someone also going through a tough time. This is a book that could do just that.

It Sounded Better in my Head

It Sounded Better in my Head by Nina Kenwood (Text) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781925773910

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Winner of the 2018 Text Prize, this is the bookseller author’s debut novel which is about awkward, introverted eighteen-year-old Natalie who is in the summer between high school and university and has just discovered to her great consternation that her parents are separating.  Natalie can’t understand why no one is fighting, or at least mildly upset.  As well, after years of suffering from and treating acne, she is still unsure of her physicality and struggling with fitting in with peers. She has two best friends, Zach and Lucy, who have hooked up. Natalie is attracted to Zach’s older brother Alex with whom she finds herself unexpectedly sharing a bed for two nights – and struggling to cope. When Alex kisses her, she is shocked (although she fancies him) but she responds and then questions his motives.

This is a tender, amusing and feel-good coming-of-age novel about a girl who feels that she doesn’t fit in. The scene where she questions her own body, especially her private parts, is funny but accurately captures how a scarcely adult girl might think. 

Overall, It Sounded Better in my Head is a satisfying read which is recommended for YA and new adult readers.

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack written and illustrated by Jules Faber (Pan Macmillan) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN 9781760783907

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a visually appealing novel for readers aged 9+ years insofar as it is presented as an exercise book with lined pages. As well, the entire book is not the conventionally presented book with pages of printed chapters. Instead, the words look hand-printed and there are illustrations, with cartoon characters, on every page. Faber makes use of lists, speech balloons and much more so the book looks immensely interesting and appealing.

The story is told from the point of view of the protagonist Max Crack who lives with his family in Piddown. In introducing himself, he lists four embarrassing things he’s done, such as ‘farted on the cat’ and ‘drank Dad’s aftershave and thought I was a ghost’.

The quests to which Max refers are his goals which include making a ‘super’ best friend. This happens on 1 July (events are often dated) when Max almost drowns after being hit on the head by a supermarket trolley, but is saved by a boy, Frankie, who is one of ten children (all featured and named in illustrated break-out boxes).

There’s lots to read in this amusing and quirky book, including visual asides (such as how to dogpile and what a dinosaur glow man looks like). Max and Frankie undertake many adventures including selling comics at a school fete, searching for buried treasure and solving mysteries. Using a list at the start of the year, Max manages to solve all his quests and makes a best friend along the way. Highly recommended.

Toffle Towers: Fully Booked

Toffle Towers: Fully Booked by Tim Harris, illustrated by James Foley (Puffin) PB RRP$14.99 ISBN 9780143795421

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here is a new book series for young readers by the Australian author of the humorous and quirky, best-selling Mr Bambuckle books. In a different, more straight-forward style, the first of the Toffle Towers books is about Chegwin Toffle, a ten-year-old boy with a rampant imagination who inherits a hotel from a great-uncle he never knew.

Toffle Towers has not had a booking in over three years, but Chegwin figures out a solution, acquiring a shuttle bus with rocket engines which amuses holidaymakers and conveys them to the hotel. Bookings increase but Chegwin makes a huge mistake when he over-orders milk and depletes the hotel’s budget. Chegwin has discovered that running a hotel has its challenges and disasters which he is forced to overcome.

The book’s pages are broken up with amusing black and white illustrations including the use of speech balloons. One example follows a sub-heading, ‘Strange things people might inherit’ with captioned illustrations such as a bazooka, a set of real and very sharp teeth (with bonus piranha) and a priceless antique chamber pot. In other places there are break-out notes, correspondences and imaginative ideas (for example, what to do with sixty thousand litres of milk: answer, offer milk baths to guests!)

Fast paced and amusing, this novel would best suit readers aged eight years and over.

A Banana is a Banana

A Banana is a Banana by Justine Clarke and Josh Pyke, illustrated by Heath McKenzie (Puffin) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN9781 7608916664

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

More and more publishers are commissioning media personalities and household names to write books for young readers. Justine Clarke is an ABCKids personality and singer who has collaborated with singer and songwriter Pyke to write this picture book for children aged seven and up.

The text is simple and relies on wordplay. It starts: ‘If an eggplant really grew eggs, chickens would be out of a job’ (with an odd and inaccurate picture of an eggplant that looks like a bulbous tree). And, the text proceeds: ‘If a butterfly was really made of butter, its wings would melt in the sun.’ The rest of the text follows along these lines and concludes that a banana is a banana (‘that’s what it’s called, I don’t know why.’) 

The illustrations are by Heath McKenzie who specialises in stylised digital illustrations (aiming to make them look as non-digital as possible). He’s managed to do this here, using cartoon-style, active characters against brightly colour backgrounds.

Overall the text and illustrations are amusing and will probably tickle the funny bones of children who have vivid imaginations.

Achievement by Stefan Nicholson

Ruby’s Covert Mission, a stand-alone book is the third in the "Ruby series" by Stefan Nicholson. It continues the adventures of Ruby Peters, the schoolgirl spy recruited at 16 years old. She is now 20 and running for her life all alone, after three years of horrific events, including the psychotic murder of her boyfriend Eric.Ruby who has covertly secured the personal secret papers of deceased MI6 agent Roger Davis who died protecting her.

Davis also hid some more information in Australia, that was so sensitive he could tell no one. MI6, the CIA and a third party of terrorists run by Sergei Mudarov, know about the information but not its location. Ruby is in a dangerous position, as many believe that she is better off dead, rather than reveal the contents of the 'Davis Papers'. However, anyone finding and using the information would be capable of wielding its power to blackmail the world's superpowers by threatening to detonate nuclear 'dirty bombs' in major cities.

This story takes you on an adventurous cat and mouse game to find Ruby - as she tries to find hers way through her problems and re-assess her relationship with the British Secret Service, They send their top agent, Tian 'The Taipan' after her amid rogue agents in the CIA, and Mudarov's plans to rule the world using his cruel hit-woman, Matylda.

 Publisher sales: P.O. Box 370, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004. RRP PRICES: AUS$ 3.00 for Kindle and AUS$ 24.00 for Printed Book from Publisher (incl. postage). Primary audiences are Young Adult Fiction and Psychological Thriller (but really for any age above 15).

A Christmas Cornucopia

A Christmas Cornucopia edited and compiled by Beattie Alvarez and David Allan (Christmas Press) RRP PB $24.99 ISBN 9780648194552

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

A Christmas Cornucopia is the sixth Christmas anthology published by Christmas Press. The ‘cornucopia’, also called the horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, and a fitting description to this great supply of food themed stories. A Christmas Cornucopia is a delightful 80-page collection of 12 Christmas stories written by well-known and emerging authors.

This unique sized paperback is filled with short stories about family, love, kindness, delicious food and family traditions. There are only one or two pictures per story, so it would be suited to older children who can easily visualise a narrative and adults who enjoy festive tales and a little bit of magic.

The feast of fabulous stories featured in A Christmas Cornucopia are written by: Wendy Blaxland, Sally Odgers, Sophie Masson, Jenny Blackford, Anna Bell, Phoebe McArthur, Debbie Tidball, Amani Gunawardana, Sharon Boyce, Victoria Nugent, Dannielle Viera and Laura Hockley.

The illustrations accompanying the stories are a combination of monochrome sketches and full colour illustrations, created by David Allan, Beattie Alvarez and Fiona McDonald. More information about each of the authors and illustrators can be found at the back of the book.

A word of advice for readers…don’t read this when you’re hungry!

The Voyage

The Voyage by Robert Vescio, illustrated by Andrea Edmonds (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781925820034

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

The Voyage is a wonderful, thought-provoking picture book about a young family forced to escaped the perils of their homeland and take a risk to seek a better life in another country.

The story is told in only 14 words, but each word is perfect, poignant and powerful. The accompanying pictures, created with pencil and watercolour, beautifully depict the challenges, risks, fears and sadness that come with escaping your homeland and the hope of seeking safety and protection elsewhere.

The Voyage is a highly engaging story with short text that allows careful consideration to be given to every word and each illustration. The adult reader and the young listener are free to delve into the words, pictures and themes as much or as little as they see appropriate. This narrative does evoke a sense of sadness, but it also has a happy ending.

The book is visually appealing with a large gold foil title on the cover, contrasting with a dark blue background, as well as lovely illustrations and endpapers. The Voyage has themes of family, refugees, courage, empathy and hope and is highly recommended for all primary school students.

Arabella and the Magic Pencil

Arabella and the Magic Pencil by Stephanie Ward, illustrated by Shaney Hyde (EK Books) RRP HB $24.99 ISBN 9781925820010

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Arabella is a young cherished royal and an only child. Each year she is granted a wish for anything her heart desires and instant happiness ensues. One thing she does not wish for is a baby brother… but she gets one! It doesn’t take long before her brother, Avery, consistently ruins her usually happy and calm days.

For her next wish, Arabella requests a magic pencil that can make anything she draws come to life. With the pencil, she creates a myriad of imaginative and extraordinary things that make her life even more grand; singing flowers, a flying bicycle and a fuzzy rainbow-striped hippo. Her creativity doesn’t stop there: Arabella draws the most amazing garden tea party one could imagine. Everything is wonderful until… Avery ruins it. Arabella can draw whatever she wants with her magic pencil, but she can also erase anything she wants. Avery is soon gone, but it doesn’t bring the desired outcome for Arabella.  

Arabella and the Magic Pencil is an enjoyable picture book that allows young children to enter a fantasy world where anything is possible. The single and double-page spreads feature pencil and watercolour illustrations that add to the text and bring to life Arabella’s marvellous creations. The text often makes use of alliteration to add fun descriptive detail. The story includes themes of creativity, imagination, family changes and sibling rivalry. It is suited to children aged 4+. 

Achievement

Liz Ledden's picture book Tulip and Brutus, illustrated by Andrew Plant, is out via Ford Street Publishing on 1 October 2019.

Tulip and Brutus is about a ladybug and a stinkbug who live different lives in separate parts of a yard. They NEVER play together! But one day, a storm merges their habitats and a new threat looms. Will the bugs team up and save themselves? Tulip and Brutus is a fun (and stinky!) story for 3 to 6-year-olds about friendship, differences and teamwork.

The book can be found here: https://fordstreetpublishing.com/book/tulip-and-brutus/

More about Liz can be found here: http://www.lizledden.com You can also find her Facebook page @LizLeddenAuthor, and she's on Instagram and Twitter: @liz_ledden  

Geek Girls: Making Magic

Geek Girls: Making Magic by Alex Miles (Puffin) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 978 0143795087

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here is a new series about a gang where four girls about ten years old design, make, game, hack and code. The series was developed in partnership with Girl Geek Academy, an Australian global movement teaching one million women to learn technology by 2025 through programs for parents, teachers, corporate and community.

The publicity which came with the book points out that only 12 percent of engineers are women and that the current internet was built primarily by men so in this first book one would assume the content is directed at girls in the hope of encouraging them to work in technology. However, Making Magic is basically about Eve, Maggie, Hamsa and Niki working for their aptly named teacher Ms Atlas to put on a school play. Admittedly, they do work with a 3-D printer at one stage.

The second book in the series – Perfect Holidays – centres on the geek girls planning a birthday party. It is difficult to see how this relates to technology and how it might inspire girls to participate in the industry. Having said that, the relationships between the girls are important in the books, as is cooperation and leadership.

Written in third person past tense, the prose in the book is straightforward, and it must be said, pedestrian. Nonetheless, the books are likely to appeal to certain girls aged eight years who are into series.

Illustration by Lynne Higgins