Belong

Belong by Sharon Seymour, illustrated by Freya Goldsmith (WestWords Children’s) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN: 9781923044678

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

A large, vibrant bird longs to ‘be like everyone else’, to become invisible, to blend in. But it soon learns that ‘belonging’ isn’t about pretending to be something you’re not – it’s about befriending others by being kind and caring. Only then can a true connection be made.

Told with a sparing use of text, Sharon Seymour’s story shines a spotlight on our fundamental need to find our tribe and fit in. Children aged three and older will feel the story rather than read it, as the well-chosen words pluck at their heartstrings and gently guide them towards the simple yet significant conclusion.

Freya Goldsmith uses colour to isolate the protagonist from its more muted peers, but this also links the lonely bird to concepts associated with rainbows, such as love, hope and happiness. When the bird rescues a little penguin, brightly hued butterflies herald the new joy that this budding friendship brings.

A beautiful book about building relationships, Belong is perfect for any child who has struggled with exclusion and the emotions that this can evoke. It leaves the reader with a quiet optimism that even in the wildest places, kindness can create kinship.

Oh No!

Oh No! by James Foley (Penguin Random House) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761355073

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘What’s that noise?’ The sound of clapping fills the air as an elephant holds a special cake. Then splat, crash, bash, smash! A dizzy pig bumps into the elephant, and he falls down some stairs. The noises get louder and louder as more and more things go very badly wrong. In the end, the cake is saved … until a dizzy pig turns up. Oh no!

James Foley draws on oodles of onomatopoeia in this chaotically cacophonous tale that’s sure to elicit giggles from three- to five-year-olds. Every page turn takes youngsters somewhere unexpected, from a pool full of piranhas to a smoochy monkey wedding. And just when the reader thinks they’ve reached the end, the cracking circular story suddenly starts again. Clap, clap, clap …

James’s cartoon images sizzle with sensational colour, and each new character pops from the paper with personality. Illustrating onomatopoeic words rather than just typing them ensures they are linked to the action on the spreads; it also encourages kids to shout them at the top of their voices. This makes the book both hilarious and interactive.

As readers ride the wild wave of Oh No!, they’ll splash through literacy goals with a smile on their face. Then they’ll race back to the beginning again just because the riotous journey is so much fun.

Three Dresses

Three Dresses by Wanda Gibson (University of Queensland Press) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9780702266355

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

A present of three second-hand dresses from the Lutheran Church makes a young Aboriginal girl very happy. When it comes time for her family to have a holiday from the Mission for two weeks, the girl’s mother tells her to pack ‘one to wash, one to wear and one spare’. Their break at the beach is brimming with activities, from swimming and fishing to storytelling around the camp fire. Dresses come in handy for carrying eggs and berries! The girl always keeps her precious dresses clean.

Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson recounts the simple joys of her childhood in this gentle picture book aimed at four-to-eight-year-olds. While the dresses are cherished and cared for as prized possessions, it soon becomes apparent that the real gift is quality time spent with kin, connecting to Country and to each other. Even non-Aboriginal children will appreciate the powerful nature of strong familial bonds.

The naive, childlike quality of Wanda’s paintings will appeal to young eyes. As the bright colours of Far North Queensland – tropical greens, distinct blues and sandy yellows – ripple across the spreads like an ocean wave, the reader can almost smell the salty sea air. This draws them more deeply into Wanda’s world.

Although it’s a blissful window on the past, the message enfolded within the fabric of Three Dresses is just as relevant to all Australian children today. Shared experiences flush with love, learning and laughter ensure that kids can survive anything life throws at them.

I am NOT an OWL!

I am NOT an OWL! by Rhonda Ooi, illustrated by Mel Corrigan (Woodslane Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922800916

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Alexander knows a lot about nocturnal animals, and the most important thing is that they sleep during the day when he is awake. So when his mum wants him to go to bed while the sun is still shining, Alexander tells her it’s a ‘silly idea’ because he is ‘NOT an owl’. He busies himself similarly to his favourite nocturnal animals: swooping like an owl to locate his mum’s lost necklace, hanging upside down like a flying fox, and crashing through obstacles like a wombat. Soon, the tired boy snuggles up next to his mum and falls asleep.

Rhonda Ooi’s engaging book blends narrative fiction and factual notes to take readers aged four to eight on a fascinating journey into the night-time world. Along the way, youngsters will discover the movement, bed and food of Australia’s most famous nocturnal creatures, from the owl and the possum to the Tasmanian devil. At the end of the book, there is a page brimming with information for kids keen to learn more.

Mel Corrigan’s bright illustrations are delightfully dynamic. Colourful curves and flowing lines mimic the natural motion of the birds and animals discussed in the text, drawing eager young eyes across the spreads. Realistic portrayals of the fauna will satisfy readers’ curiosity about the creatures' appearance.

Learning about nocturnal animals has never been more fun! I am NOT an OWL! is a clever and captivating introduction to the subject for nature-loving children, and it’s sure to become a firm favourite in no time.

The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2)

The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2) by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Samantha Campbell (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781761521027

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Nerra now knows that she can travel back in time to the Dreaming. So when her great-grandmother’s box of artifacts opens again, she realises that a grand adventure awaits her. In the box, a feathered headband catches her eye. When she puts it on, she is instantly transported to the realm of the Creation Beings. Nerra soon discovers that the evil Devour’ena has returned, and they have captured Waa the Raven. Can Nerra find a way to free Waa and stop the Devour’ena from destroying Country?

Inspired by her Boonwurrung heritage, Tasma Walton’s time-slip tale takes readers aged eight to twelve deep into the heart of the Dreaming. Enthralling Aboriginal language and lore abound, which will appeal to Indigenous and non-Indigenous children alike. Nerra is a clever and courageous Aboriginal heroine, while the Creation Beings – including Bunjil the Eagle and Koonwarra the Swan – are strong and comforting presences in the suspenseful story.

Indigenous illustrator Samantha Campbell brings the characters to life in her detailed pen-and-ink images. Perhaps the most striking is her drawing of Tooradin the Bunyip, a blend of ancient reptiles and emu. Dynamic vignettes and full-page illustrations depict moments of high drama, helping kids visualise the relentless action's elements.

The Winds of Waa is a breath of fresh air in the middle-grade scene. Combining the age-old legends of Aboriginal Australians with the modern idea of time travel, it is an enthralling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.