Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off

Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off by Coral Vass (Wombat Books) RRP: $12.99 ISBN 9781761112195

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is part of the Amanda Commander book series, though it's perfectly possible to read it as a stand-alone story. This chapter book is about the school baking competition where everyone must include a special ingredient, an orange.

Amanda's paired with Eve for the bake-off, even though she doesn't like Eve and her competitive nature. Lucia and Mai, Amanda's best friends, aren't very happy with the arrangement either, and try to help Amanda to get back with them, the Dolphin Squad.

The chapter book is presented with fun visuals that may appeal to young children. There are plenty of pictures, and some of the text is laid out as handwritten notes, diary scribbles, text messages, posters, and so on, which break up the normal writing and make it appealing. It's a good way to introduce text to young readers and keep it from being too intimidating.

Amanda's chirpy voice telling the story to us is engaging for a young reader who may relate to the excitement of a child with her friends - her interest in having a "headquarters" with her friend, and her eagerness to keep the gang together. These little childhood emotions keep the book going. 

However, the main story of the book, while it may seem fun (who doesn't like food and competition?), is ultimately not very dramatic or tense. The friendship issues are resolved a tad too easily. There didn't seem to be much difficulty in working out what to do with the orange. It's not a story for those seeking suspense, intensity or challenges in their events. The story will satisfy those who want to hang out with Amanda and the girls and enjoy a happy, comfortable time.

The Day the Bridge Fell

The Day the Bridge Fell by Coral Vass (Rhiza Edge – Wombat Books) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781761112799

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Fifteen-year-old Ray Johnston is at that awkward age – old enough to have certain privileges that his younger brother doesn’t have (like staying up late) but also old enough to be expected to behave in certain ways and put up with ‘unfair’ things when they happen … like his brother stomping all over the model bridge which took Ray six months to build.

Ray is also too young to be allowed onto the construction site of Melbourne’s new West Gate Bridge … but also too young to have his fears acknowledged when he overhears two workers express their concerns about the viability of the bridge and its safety as they question whether shortcuts have been made in the name of saving money.

This snippet of information would be concerning enough but Ray’s father is one of construction workers on that very bridge and suddenly warning people about it becomes very important,  but nobody will listen.

Set in 1970, The Day the Bridge Fell centres around the actual collapse of the West Gate Bridge. Australia’s worst-ever industrial accident took the lives of 35 workers and injured a further 18 when the nearly completed bridge collapsed while many of the men were on their lunch break.

Author, Coral Vass, sets the tension up right from the start in the naming of her chapters ‘Five days before the bridge fell …’ and perfectly renders the quiet dread and sense of foreboding felt by Ray as he struggles to make the adults around him listen.

While The Day the Bridge Fell is a standalone book, it is part of a growing series of ‘minimal words, maximum impact’ teen fiction (or young adult) stories for readers aged from 10 years old who are not necessarily ‘reluctant readers’ but are time-poor but still want to read a great story. Known as ‘Rhiza Shorts’, this initiative from Rhiza Edge (Wombat Books) sees exceptional storytelling, with a single storyline of no more than 20,000 words.

Rhiza Shorts are stories with ‘oomph’ and heart, that speak to the interests and experiences of our youth (and beyond). Coral Vass has certainly met the brief with this historical fiction, coming-of-age story with a strong main character who readers will be able to resonate and connect with.

If you like historical fiction where the main character’s story is front and centre, The Day the Bridge Fell will not disappoint. Targeted at readers aged 13+ years, this story is a must-read not only for its inside knowledge of a key piece of Australian history but for its exploration of the in-between years – between child and adult.

Amanda Commander: The Green-Eyed Monster

Amanda Commander: The Green-Eyed Monster by Coral Vass. Illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith. Wombat Books 2024. Junior Fiction paperback RRP $12.99. ISBN 9781761111341

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is the fifth book in the Amanda Commander series. Amanda is almost ten. Along with her friends Mai and Lu, Amanda has formed a team called The Dolphin Squad. The three friends want to convince their schoolmate Rosie to audition for the lead role in the school play. Rosie is embarrassed and feels that she isn’t good enough to audition. It’s only when the others offer to audition as well that Rosie goes ahead and wins the lead part.

Another girl, Bella, feels that she should be the one to be the lead. Lu says she is acting like a green-eyed monster. As the production night draws closer, the actors practise consistently. Amanda is given the backup role for Bella’s minor part. On the night of the performance, Bella is missing in action, and Amanda has to step up to the plate. Now it is Rosie’s turn to do the encouraging after her constant encouragement from the others. The play is a success, and Amanda fills in with minor difficulties. Bella returns to school and admits that she is the one who wants to perform, not be in the backblocks. Instead of reacting, Amanda tells Bella that they really missed her. Bella responds that maybe they can all audition for the following year’s show.

This book has themes of kindness, loyalty and friendship. It promotes inclusion, empathy and compassion. However, it would have been beneficial to have the author explain the meaning of the term “green-eyed monster,” about jealousy, to the readers. It may not be a term the age group would be familiar with.

This book is an easy read, aimed at children aged 6 to 8 years.

Walking Together

Walking Together by Coral Vass (Scholastic), RRP $26.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781761-126260

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

“We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.” This final sentence from the Uluru Statement from the Heart is the blurb of Walking Together and the perfect starting point for this gem of a picture book which takes the readers by the hand for a journey throughout Australia. The journey is an expression that we, as Australians, can continue to move forwards in support of an improved way in which the rights and opportunities for First Nations people can be recognised.

 

Now, this is an advanced and obviously political topic that is difficult for a child to understand. However, I believe the intention of this book is for it to be read with an adult to introduce lower primary school aged children to the truths of the past and present for our First Nations peoples. Furthermore, it stimulates discussion about what we can all do to create a better future.

 

The illustrations by Dub Leffler work in harmony with the melodious text. Reference is made to the hardships suffered by First Nations people in the first two plus centuries of colonisation and hope is presented through a groundswell of children of various skin colours joining the movement to walk together. Through reference to iconic place names, we’re taken to the various corners of Australia and back again. My kids were excited to point out locations that they recognised on the map included in one of the spreads.

 

Overall, I applaud the creators of this book for their boldness in bringing this topic to a young audience and thank them for giving me a visual means to chat with my own kids about how we can contribute to achieve equality.

 

For interested readers, the Uluru Statement website at Home - Uluru Statement from the Heart gives the full statement. It also gives historical background and numerous audio links for translations of the statement into various First Nations languages as well as other world languages. 

Amanda Commander: The Blues Day Tuesday

Amanda Commander: The Blues Day Tuesday by Coral Vass and Heidi Cooper Smith (Wombat Books) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN: 9781761111174

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Amanda Caomhanach – aka Amanda Commander because no-one can say her last name – and her friends Mai and Lu are back at it again in the fourth Amanda Commander book, The Blues Day Tuesday. Once again, they’re noticing when things aren’t quite right at school, and then working to do something about it.

This time, Amanda notices one of her classmates, Rosie, seems very left out after she returns to school following a few days away, sick. Not only does Rosie have to do her volcano poster by herself because everyone else is already paired up, but her usual group of friends seem to have forgotten she exists.

After a little bit of planning, Amanda, Mai and Lu – the Dolphin Squad – swing into action, making sure Rosie feels included again. Then more students start getting sick and needing days off, which keeps the squad busy until, suddenly, Amanda finds herself at home with a cold.

Surely, when Amanda returns to school, she won’t be left out – or will she? And what will have when Eve Kelly – Miss Popular – has a few days off?

If Amanda Commander: The Blues Day Tuesday had been around when I was in primary school, I know it would have really resonated with me because I was always super uncomfortable going back to school after a few days off … but I’d always thought it was a ‘me thing’. Turns out, it wasn’t. And still isn’t. As I read, I found myself wishing there had been an Amanda Commander and a Dolphin Squad at my school!

Coral Vass has crafted an immediately relatable story that is supplemented by Heidi Cooper Smith’s often poignant illustrations to bring forward a very real problem faced by most children at some point – being left out or feeling like they’re on the outer.

The Blues Day Tuesday is the perfect book for beginning readers, who are ready to move on to ‘chapter books’ and read independently. With its themes of kindness, friendship and inclusivity, it’s also an ideal ‘shared read’ for children aged 4–7 years with their parent or teacher as it is sure to inspire deeper conversations, reflections, problem-solving and personal connections.

Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination

Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination by Coral Vass, illustrated by Nicky Johnston (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781922539144

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

As a young boy, Jorn loved to build and create new things. He was constantly inspired by his surroundings and was always collecting ideas. Not everyone liked his creative efforts, but encouraging words always came from his parents, and he persisted. As Jorn got older he pursued his architectural dreams and expanded upon his imaginative and daring building ideas. One day he entered a design competition for what would later become an iconic Australian landmark, and one of the most famous buildings in the world.

Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination is an informative picture book that tells the intriguing true story of the creative mind behind the visually stunning Sydney Opera House. The cartoon-like illustrations support the text beautifully and the final endpapers include a timeline of the professional highlights in Jorn Utzon’s architectural career. Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination is suitable for children aged 4–8 years old and is recommended for any primary school library.

Meet Don Bradman

Meet Don Bradman by Coral Vass, illustrated by Brad Howe (Random House)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-92532-489-1

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

I am a child of World Series Cricket. The colourful larrikins in their multi-coloured flares and sideburns seeded my lifelong and often misunderstood love of cricket. Between that and my love of superheros, I think my husband believes I was a 12 year-old-boy in a former life.

As an opening batswoman for my high school’s all-girl cricket team, my heroes included the likes of David Boon, Dean Jones and Geoff Marsh, but no one could ever deny that Australia’s pride and love of cricket would not be where it is without the ground-breaking career of Sir Don Bradman.

Meet Don Bradman is the latest release in Random House’s successful non-fiction Meet..picture book series. What I love about this series is that it not only showcases our prominent historical figures in a contemporary engaging way, but it also shows the depth of talent we have in our authors and illustrators, managing to pair just the right talents for each of the titles.

Coral Vass has written a factual text about Don Bradman’s rise to glory; however she has beautifully conveyed the life and times he lived in and why his success became so important to the average Australian during The Great Depression. Don Bradman’s humble beginnings resonate with so many and in retelling his story, Vass reminds us of his inspirational and at times wonky ascent to cricketing stardom. Who knew that Don Bradman at one point gave up cricket to be a junior champion tennis player or that he left school when he was 14 years old?

The evocative watercolours in Brad Howe’s illustrations are also highly entertaining and give you a feeling of a newspaper comic strip reminiscent of the age. His snapshots of Australian culture at the time will assist younger readers to understand how people consumed media and sport in the 1930s.

As always with the Meet….series, an historical timeline at the rear of the book details the specifics of Don Bradman’s illustrious career and make this book a great foundation for classroom learning. Don Bradman lives on through the iconic ‘Baggy Green’ he helped make famous.

Good Morning Possum

Good Morning Possum by Coral Vass, illustrations by Sona Babajanyan (Koala Books)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74276-050-6
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

From the front cover illustration’s, and incredibly cute possum with huge eyes hugging a plum, Good Morning Possum is a very sweet book about sharing with friends. Blossom the possum is hungry one morning and goes out to find herself a plum. But when she brings it home, other creatures in the tree ask for a bite.

   Out on the branch
   Came a rum, rumble tum.
   Tree Mouse was hoping
   To share Blossom’s plum.

So Blossom shares with all her friends - except Dingo as Blossom knows he would rather eat her than the plum – until there is nothing left for poor Blossom’s rumbling tum. Then Grandma Possum arrives with a basket of plums to share.

This is a great book to read out loud to the very young. The soft, gentle rhythm is consistent and the rhyme works. The verses are repetitive throughout the story which is perfect for young children and the text is filled with lots of sounds – ‘ratter, tap, tap,’ ‘nip, nibble, nip!’ and ‘rum, rumble rum’.

The story ‘builds up to’ the dingo but by then all the animals are safe in the tree nibbling on the plum. The illustrations glow with warm light. And the many Australian animals that are pictured so sweetly in Good Morning Possum commonly live in our trees.

This is a delightful happy story, perfect for sharing with preschool children.