Bella Grows a Bicycle

Bella Grows a Bicycle by Lellie Lopter, illustrated by Chiara Franceschetti (Five Mile Press) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781923457720

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

In this warm and imaginative picture book, Bella Grows a Bicycle introduces young readers to early financial literacy concepts in a lively and fun way. Bella asks her father for a bicycle, but it’s too expensive. Instead, Dad plants a small ‘bicycle’ seed, saying, when it results in a radish, that he says is a ‘swap-berry.’

The story shows Bella’s resilience, perseverance and resourcefulness as the young entrepreneur swaps belongings and upgrades with each swap. She swaps the radish for a lemon, then swaps lemonade for a T-shirt, then makes a tote bag from the T-shirt… and so on.  Eventually, she swaps a scooter for a bicycle, which she and her dad clean and oil. The twist at the end of the tale is that Bella must now work out how to acquire a ‘helmet seed.’

In Bella Grows a Bicycle, Lellie Lopter explores the themes of creativity, sustainability and problem-solving. She demonstrates that versatility and hope, combined with proactivity and faith, can result in a desired outcome. It shows, too, that one can recognise potential in used and old items. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. 

In her dedication, the author writes, ‘For the dreamers who say, “I want”; and the doers who make it happen.’ This wonderful book shows precisely that

Chiara Franceschetti’s bright, lively illustrations add an extra layer of delight to the story.

With its positive themes and practical lessons, this book is a valuable addition to personal, school, library, and home collections.

The Prime Minister Problem

The Prime Minister Problem by Brenton Cullen (Riveted Press) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781764256728

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

With crisp, clear writing and a gentle story, Brenton Cullen tells of ten-year-old Wren, a thoughtful, quiet boy who feels so alone in his school community that it’s almost as if he is invisible. Mum is juggling two jobs, his brother has his own life, and at school, Wren hides in the library reading books his grandmother taught him to love. Grandma is the only person who truly sees him — until she has two strokes and is moved to a nursing home. The home is in the city, two hours away, because there isn’t one locally. Wren asks himself, ‘Who will be my friend now Gran is gone?’

Lonelier than ever, Wren writes to the Prime Minister for help, convinced she will be helpful. When no reply comes, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He and a new girl – Tamara – who has befriended him, take up the idea of children ‘adopting’ local grandparents. Wren also launches a (very successful) crowdfunding campaign to renovate an abandoned house into a community centre and nursing home. Overnight, he becomes a media and social media star.

As his town rallies around him, Wren discovers he isn’t the only one who feels forgotten — and that real change doesn’t come from politicians, but from the people who call the town home. He also befriends a grumpy, lonely old man, ironically called Mr Bright, whose house is renovated for the centre.

Throughout the book, the author astutely explores Wren’s thoughts and emotions as he navigates problems in the boy's life. Cullen’s sentences are always polished: he masters simple language, and his characters are so three-dimensional that the reader relates to each of them.

At its heart, The Prime Minister Problem is a story about loneliness, intergenerational connection, and the quiet power of shy kids. It explores how one small voice can spark change and how communities can come together to make a difference. It’s touching and emotional, but also funny, hopeful, and uplifting.

Written for readers aged 8–12 years, it’s a book for kids and adults alike who love stories that linger in the heart and leave you with happy tears. A debut middle-grade novel, it is highly recommended.

 

What’s Your Dream?

What’s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb (Puffin Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780241798140

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a workbook where young readers are challenged to ‘Discover your potential. Unlock you confidence’ and is written by the number one Sunday Times bestselling author. In this book, Squibb starts by posing the question, ‘What is your dream?’ If the reader has or doesn’t have a dream, the book asks them to write things in the book like what they look like, things they like to do, eat or read. It continues in a step-by-step fashion, giving reasons, for example, the reason why one ought to have a dream (‘it encourages us to take action – thinking about what we can do in our lives and how we can help other people.’)

Interspersed between the break-out sections, Squibb writes of other young people who have had dreams and how their dreams do things like focus on goals ‘that means we know exactly what we want to achieve’ and ‘gives us purpose – a powerful reason for pursuing our dream that keeps us on track to achieve it.’ It is clever how each section builds on the section before and after it.

Kids, aged 8 to 11 years are encouraged to write their answers into the book and to keep on reading. Chapter headings include ‘I’m Ready! How Do I get Started?’ ‘I’ve Started, Now What?’ and ‘I’m Stuck! What should I do?’ right through to ‘I’m Doing it. Am I there yet?’ and ‘I’ve finished! What did I learn?’

The book – printed on poor quality paper – finishes with Chapter 9, ‘The Dream Diary.’ In this section, the child reader is encouraged to open the book every six months and to note down how they’re getting on with their dream. This is followed by double page spreads in which the reader is invited to write down ‘one thing I’ve done,’ ‘One thing I’ve learned,’ ‘One thing I want to do next,’ and ‘One goal I’m setting myself.’

This is a useful, interactive and well-presented and well-designed book. Recommended. 

Are You the Easter Bunny?

Are You the Easter Bunny? by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford (Angus & Robertson) HB ISBN 9781460765494

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Bilbies, which not many know, are one of Australia’s most important and endangered animals. 

In this joyful picture book, an Australian author and illustrator show the animal in its natural habitat, the desert.

Numerous children's books have been written about the Easter bilby, but this picture book, ideal for readers aged 4 to 7, turns that idea on its head. This bilby replies to a small red bird that asks if it’s the Easter bunny. It explains its world: how it digs holes that shelter it from the heat, how it listens, sniffs, and feels for its food, how it uses its’ whiskery sniffer-snout’  to find seeds and grubs, and how it uses its ‘tall pink straight ups’ (its ears) to listen.

Ideal for carers and teachers to read aloud, this text in strong, rhyming verse, uses rich language such as ‘four scritcher-scratchers’ and 'a long, slim bottom wriggler’ which will surely elicit giggles from young children.

The illustrations make good use of white space and reds and greys, showing the bilby in its environment.

By the book’s end, the reader will be assured that a bilby is not an Easter ‘bunny’, but an animal that is Australian. It concludes with the words, ‘I’m a bilby, hip hooray! But I think it’s grand to help the lands. And I hope I’m here to stay.

Ghost Detectives: Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost

Exciting News! author Jeanette Stampone, illustrator Jasmine Berry and publisher Dianne Bates are thrilled to share that Ghost Detectives: Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost is being re-released this March. This means more opportunities to buy this spook-tastic junior fiction book. Hooray!

Nine-year-old Terry Fide dreams of being the next great ghost detective like his dad. But there's one problem. Terry Fide is terrified of anything remotely scary (except his ghost-dog, Bones).

 When Terry's dad is called to work in Sydney, Terry is left to deal with a spook causing havoc at the bakery. He is joined by Bones and two friends. Max, an avid clue-collect and Avery, an inventor. Will they solve the mystery? Will Terry ever become a real ghost detective? 

A fun, spooky junior fiction book for emerging readers. The first of three in the Ghost Detective series.  

Illustrated by @jasmineberry and published by @aboutkidsbooks.

Available online at Dymocks, Sanity, Booktopia or Amazon. Or ask at your local bookshop.

#rerelease #ghostdetectives #juniorfiction #australianbooks #kidlit

Manuscript Assessments Offered

Manuscript Assessments Offered

Three kinds of assessments are offered by author Dianne (Di) Bates, as follows (below). Your story will be read and thoroughly edited online, and you will also receive a written report outlining the strengths of your manuscript and suggestions for ways in which you can improve it.

If Di believes your story is publishable, she will suggest Australian publishers to whom you can submit the manuscript. She will also give you a list of Australian children’s book publishers.

When you have made payment (and informed Di), you can submit your story as a Word document and editing will be undertaken online.

It usually takes fewer than five days for Di to read, edit and assess your manuscript from the date of submission. You are also welcome to ask any questions before, during and after the assessment. If you rework your manuscript, Di will revisit the next draft for no extra fee.

Di’s email address is dibates@outlook.com; she responds to all emails promptly.

Picture Book Assessment

For books under 500 words, the assessment will cost you $100. Over 500 words will cost an extra $20 per 100 words (or part thereof). 

Note: Di does not assess illustrations; instead, she directs you to Australian illustrators at http://thestylefile.com. You do not have to send illustrations to a publisher; he/she is initially only interested in the written text.

Junior Novel

Your novel, for children aged 8 to 12 years, should be about 25,000 words and no longer than 45,000. The cost is $10 per 1,000 words.

About your assessor

Dianne (Di) Bates has published 150 books for young readers in her 35-year writing career. Some of these books have been published overseas and won national and state book awards, including two children’s choice book awards. Di has also worked as a newspaper and children’s magazine editor. She also worked on the editorial team of the NSW Department of Education School Magazine. In 2006, she founded Buzz Words, an online magazine for people in the Australian children’s book industry. www.buzzwordsmagazine.com.

ONLINE WRITING FOR CHILDREN COURSE

Now on offer is a course for writers interested in breaking into children's book publishing. Four modules are offered: An Introduction to Writing for Children; Getting Ideas and Getting Started: Writing a Picture Book Course; Books for Younger Readers; and Genre Fiction.

 Each module includes a series of exercises to help develop the student's understanding of aspects of writing for children, as well as an assessable assignment for which the student will receive a written report (with their manuscript edited).

The cost of each module is $120.

The course has been designed by a well-known teacher and prize-winning author of 150 books, mainly for children, Dianne (Di) Bates. Di also founded and compiles online magazine Buzz Words, which has a book review blog www.buzzwordsmagazine.com.

Details of the modules are as follows:

AN INTRODUCTION TO WRITING FOR CHILDREN: How you too can become a writing success; Writing for children; The publishing business; Becoming a children’s writer; How to get both feet past publishers’ locked doors; Resources (including a list of Australian children’s book publishers, websites, recommended reading, etc.) Your assignment

GETTING IDEAS & GETTING STARTED: How to come up with brilliant ideas; Other ways of finding hundreds of ideas; Starting an ideas’ book; How to read as a writer; Keeping notebooks; Getting started; Marathon writing; The writers’ circle; Advice from writers in workshop groups; Your assignment                                                                                                           

WRITING A PICTURE BOOK TEXT: What is a picture book?  Do’s and don’ts of writing picture book texts; To rhyme or not to rhyme? Choice of subject matter; Style and viewpoint; First sentences of popular children’s picture books; Picture book structure; Popular picture books; Analysing a text; Submitting a picture book text; Australian trade picture book publishers; Your assignment

BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS & GENRE FICTION: Stages of childhood and reading interests; General features of books for younger readers; Easy readers; Book series; Genre fiction; Chapter books; Junior novels; Starting a book for young readers; Your assignment

A FEW TESTIMONIALS

I am already getting stuck into the exercises and am enjoying them. They make me look at texts more closely, and in a way I probably didn't before. Also, your analysis of a complete text is fantastic. It is what I'd like to see more of when learning. It is difficult for newcomers to see what an experienced author and editor like yourself sees until it is pointed out. Anke Seib (published as Emma Cameron)

Di Bates launched my career. As a fledgling writer, she encouraged, guided, and helped me realise my dream. Thanks, Di, for your vision and support. J. A. Mawter (Author) www.jenimawter.com

Di Bates - what a legend! This prolific and wonderful writer of children's fiction and advice books for writers is also a warm, positive, and professional mentor to numerous writers at all levels of experience. She has given me invaluable advice; I only wish I'd met her earlier in my career, as I would have progressed much further and faster! I could not give Di's services too high a recommendation.
DC Green, Surf journalist and author of 'Erasmus James & the Galactic Zapp Machine'
http://dcgreenyarns.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in undertaking any module/s, contact dibates@outlook.com 

Anna’s War

Anna’s War by DJ Taylor (Riveted Press) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781763526075

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

It’s southern Holland in the last eighteen months of World War 11 when 14-year-old Anna’s life changes. The Nazis in her German-occupied town are recruiting local men to work as slaves for their factories; thus, her father decides to hide. He has prepared a false door inside a cupboard in the family’s cellar. Anna is aware of this, but her three younger siblings have no idea, and Anna swears not to tell anyone, including her best friend, Josephine. Her father remains hidden for over a year, only coming out when Anna takes her siblings outdoors to play.

Then Anna meets Karl, a young German translator whose good looks and unexpected kindness leave her conflicted. Against her better judgement, she is drawn to him and begins to believe he can be trusted - especially when he keeps her father’s hiding place a secret from Horst, the ruthless Nazi officer he translates for. But as her feelings deepen, so do the risks. One misstep could unravel everything Anna and her family have fought to protect.

Anna’s War is a gripping, tension-filled and realistic depiction of wartime life. It cleverly shows the resilience, forbidden connection, family loyalties and the bravery of a young girl thrust into the deep shadows of war.

The upper middle-grade novel is based on the childhood experiences of the author’s mother-in-law who helped save her father when he hid in a secret cellar to avoid arrest.

 

Aussie Kid Heroes

Aussie Kid Heroes by Dianne Bates, illustrated by Marjorie Gardner (Interactive Publications) PB RRP $18.00 Available at sales@ipox.biz 

This book, in Guinness Book of Records style, tells the remarkable true stories of some of Australia’s youngest heroes. At different times and in different ways, these brave, clever, adventurous, creative, athletic, caring or enterprising young Australians have done something amazing. The stories are accompanied by quirky cartoon illustrations that will amuse children.

The book includes a range of incredible stories from the 18th century to the present day under chapter headings such as Brave Adventurers, Inventors and Designers, Performers, Sports Stars, Enterprising Kids, Caring Kids, Writers, Clever Kids and Ambassadors. Here are some examples of those stories:

Three-year-old Monique Christie saved her 18-month-old sister from their burning house by dragging her to safety.

16-year-old Grace Bussell and young Aboriginal stockman Sam Isaacs saved 40 out of 48 people in 1876 after the Georgette was shipwrecked off the Western Australia coast…

At the age of 14, Melinda Tubolec won a trip to the United States to spend five days in an astronaut-training program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During the program Melinda won awards for her innovative space station designs and simulated space shuttle missions…

On his first try to scale Mount Everest (the world’s highest mountain), Christopher Harris,8, became the youngest person to climb above 7,000 metres. Christopher started mountaineering with his dad Richard. Since then, Christopher won the Australian Geographic’s Young Adventurer of the Year award…

Justin Kroh has been blind since he was five years old. However, he entered and won the UNICEF Art Award when he was 11. Justin’s collage, titled How the Crocodile Got to Like Fish, was judged the best overall entry from a total of 4,890 entries from 254 schools.

Cassie Martin, 11, raised over $18,000 in two years for the Junior Diabetes Relief Fund.

Dianne Bates has published three books about the incredible lives of children all around the world. These children serve as role models to those who learn of their stories. This is an ideal gift for the special child in your life!

Kids on the Run

Kids on the Run by Dianne Bates (Morris Publishing) PB

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Kids on the Run is a poignant, thoughtful and heart rendering new middle grade novel from acclaimed, award-winning Australian author Dianne Bates.

The setting is contemporary Australia, and it follows 14yr old Josh, a boy who has had to live rough on the streets with his drug addicted mother. Josh has been placed in the foster care system, and has transferred to new foster carers, The Massey’s. There he meets 11yr old Brodie and 3yr old Jaylee. His first night is fraught with panic when the house goes up in flames in the middle of the night. He escapes the blaze with Brodie and Jaylee in tow. 

A fearful Josh believes that somehow, he will get the blame and decides he wants to bail from the area and fast. He reluctantly gives Brodie and Jaylee a choice, to either stay with the Massey’s or go with him. They choose Josh. The children stay together and hang tight. Evading police and enquiring strangers, portraying as siblings together. However, a string of unexpected and dangerous events that no-one could have predicted, unfold at a rapid rate endangering their best formed plans.

Kids on the Run is a gripping and raw insight into parental loss, homelessness, foster care, poverty, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, mental health, and domestic violence. But equally, other themes like loyalty, friendship, courage, tenacity, generosity shine bright.
​
Dianne Bates has masterfully written an emotive and ‘essential’ story for our times. It is important that stories like Kids on the Run are voiced and heard to encourage empathetic conversations, evoke critical thinking and tolerance within our young people today.

Recommended for a middle grade audience, however I highly recommend Kids on the Run for children and adults alike. 

The Making of Martha Mayfield

The Making of Martha Mayfield by Jo Dabrowski (Affirm Press) PB RRP ISBN 9781923022928

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is one of the most original and well-written middle-grade novels I’ve read in quite a while. It’s the debut of an Australian author whose books I’ll be eagerly seeking in future.

The book’s protagonist, the memorable Martha Mayfield, is a fifth grader who is the painfully shy daughter of an equally shy mother. Instead of speaking directly to other people, including her peers, Martha has created a paper world of people who she uses as puppets that ‘speak’ to one another in the privacy of her own room. It comes as a huge surprise then that Martha decides to stand for the position of school captain in her next year. This requires her to give a speech to the whole school and to promote herself in team situations. It's not at all easy for a shy person to do this, but the author manages to skillfully show Martha’s slow and painful transformation.

Meanwhile, Martha has two other gregarious family members – her sister Iris, and grandmother Stella. Neither of them seems to understand how difficult life is for Martha and her mum to negotiate. Mum, like Martha, is monosyllabic, but also creative (she is a dressmaker). 

An incident in a Japanese coffee shop has Iris creating a very embarrassing situation for Martha who, in a very atypical way, loses her temper and destroys something precious of Iris’s. How the situation is resolved, is very clever and unpredictable.

Dabrowski has a gift of beautifully developing characterisation so each of her characters reflect people that the reader can readily relate to.  While she is very quiet, Martha is also an empathetic listener, socially observant, and when put to the test she proves a strong though quiet leader. This proves, as shy people know, you don’t have to be loud to have great ideas and to lead.

This novel is highly recommended for readers aged 9 to 12 years.

Looking for Imani

 

Looking for Imani 

An interview with author Dianne Bates

Your latest book is a middle-grade novel Looking for Imani published by Woodslane
Press in June 2025. Can you share briefly what it is about?
Nabila Samra is the eldest daughter of a single Arabic mother, Bahar, and sister to Abdullah,
Layla, and Imani. Because her mother doesn’t speak English fluently, Nabila is often forced
to act as translator. And, too, Mum is depressed as she is isolated in the community which is
sometimes hostile towards the family. At a time when she is home with a cold, Nabila’s
brother is in trouble with the police, and her youngest sister Imani goes missing.

Looking for Imani revolves around the days following Imani’s disappearance and tells of the
Samra family’s involvement with the police and media, and Nabila’s efforts to find her sister
and to help keep stability in her family. For the first time, the family is approached by
sympathetic neighbours and tentative friendships are formed.
​
The story is told in two strands, both in present tense: one features Nabila, while the other
tells of what is happening to Imani. The latter believes she is with her Teeta (grandmother)
and is not homesick except occasionally. It is only when Teeta’s daughter comes to visit that
Imani is returned to her rightful home.

What prompted you to write Looking for Imani?
I was working as a volunteer for the Smith Family charity, helping people with things like
paying bills, when a single Middle Eastern mother came for help. She was accompanied by
her vivacious twelve-year-old daughter who acted as her interpreter as she couldn’t speak
English. I developed a relationship with the family and after I finished working for the charity
I often visited them. At a time when there was friction in the Middle East, the family was
being abused by neighbours who even graffitied their rented home with hateful slogans.
Among other things, I was able to help and find them alternative accommodation.

Looking for Imani is based on a migrant family with similar issues. Of course it’s a fiction: I
didn’t use the family’s name, and one of their children didn’t go missing. I tried to show how
the disappearance of the youngest child Imani helped bring out the best in neighbours, some
of whom had previously targeted the family racially.
 
What was the process of writing Looking for Imani like? And how did it come to be
published with Woodslane Press?
Many of my books for children are based on experiences in my life. At a time when there
were wars in the Middle East, I thought about how I could write about a family from there
and show how they experienced life in Australia. That’s when I remembered that I’d once
befriended a family which was experiencing racial hatred. I wanted the book to have a
positive ending, and that’s how Looking for Imani was started and evolved.

I sent the manuscript to several publishers, and it was finally accepted from the slush pile by
Virginia Greig, the commissioning editor for a small Australian publisher, Woodslane Press.
 
What is in the pipeline? Can you share anything you are working on next?
Virginia (Woodslane) has accepted my latest completed manuscript, The Very Best Teacher to
be released in December 2025. When I was in fifth grade my teacher died after an operation:
I was bereft as I adored her. (Over sixty years later, I still remember songs and poems she
taught us!)

Originally the book featured the death of a teacher, but publishers didn’t like the
idea: I changed it so that by the book’s end, the teacher simply moves to another school. The
Very Best Teacher is a gentle, heart-warming book about family, a teacher’s influence, self-
growth, and relationships.

Recently I finished another middle-grade novel, Girl Power, set in a holiday home for school
children. Once again, it’s based on my childhood experience being sent to such a home. I’ve
also sent this manuscript to Virginia.

Currently I’m trying to think of another book, but I seem to have mined the whole of my
childhood experiences!

This Bird

This Bird written and illustrated by Astred Hicks (CSIRO) HB RRP $3.99 ISBN 9781486318452

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This comprehensive picture book for older readers, aged 9 to 12, was written in collaboration with bird scientist Dr Holly Parsons. Basically, it’s focussed on noticing urban birds no matter where you live in Australia. Each double page introduces different types of birds listed under criteria such as ‘This Bird Has a Sweet Tooth,’ ‘This Bird is a Master of Disguise,’ ‘This Bird Looks Different from Its Partner,’ and so on. In all there are twenty-nine categories of types of birds.

One category, for instance, ‘These Birds are Architects’ shows birds which build structures for shelter and nesting, while some build them to impress potential mates or fool predators. There are illustrations and blurbs of six such birds: willie wagtails, brown gerygones, wedge-tailed eagles, zebra finches, yellow-rumped thornbills, and mistletoes, with additional reference made to powerful owls and yellow-tailed black cockatoos which use tree hollows for nests. I wondered why bower birds weren’t included in this section: I live in the suburbs of NSW and have a bower in my backyard with frequent visits by male and female bower birds.

There are some interesting facts scattered throughout the book, such as the fact that Australia has more than 67 species of honeyeaters, kingfishers sometimes make their homes in abandoned termite nests, and owls have poo that looks like big globs of white yogurt to pellets which are regurgitated material that can’t be digested, such as small bones and bits of fur and feathers. We also learn that for the past 20 years, peregrine falcons have been nesting in an aeroplane hanger at Sydney Airport. And that fairy penguins, also known as little penguins, grow to just 45 centimetres tall – roughly the height of an adult’s knee – and weigh 1 kilogram. There’s so much more, and each double page also includes a map of Australia that shows where you’d find the featured birds.

This very informative book, with a final fly page of different types of bird species (and a blurb about the authors), also includes a glossary, habitats where birds are found and an index of species. Recommended.

 

 

Looking for Imani

Looking for Imani by Dianne Bates (Woodslane Press) RRP: $16.99 ISBN 9781922800985

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Dianne Bates is an award-winning author of children's books such as To The Moon and Back and The Butti Butti Bunyip. This story, a short one about an immigrant family in Australia with a Middle Eastern background, is narrated by one of the daughters, Nabila.

Nabila's younger sister, Imani, goes missing in the shops one day. The family is not sure whether she's wandered off or she's been taken but their anxiety about her disappearance rises as Imani doesn't show up. There are difficulties communicating with authorities due to language barriers.

The story shows how the family reaches into their Australian community and there is unexpected kindness. It really shows the meaning of "community spirit" in hard times.

The story is not a detective story: we are told what happens to Imani and while it is somewhat interesting, it is not a surprise. It is instead a story about people, understanding and relationships, especially people in marginalised groups. Looking for Imani is a quiet, simple and hopeful story. It encourages us to care about people who really need consideration in our communities.

Looking for Imani

Looking for Imani by Dianne Bates (Woodslane Press), RRP $16.99 Middle Grade ISBN 9-781922-800985

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

Nabila is only 12 years old and already bears the weight of family responsibility. Her family immigrated from Syria to Australia, but her father has since passed away. Her mother still lives in fear of his former rule, scared to learn English and socialise. Her mother is depressed, constantly sleeping during the day, thereby leaving the care of her three younger children to Nabila. Furthermore, pockets of neighbourhood anti-immigrant vitriol have led to their letterbox being damaged and a brick thrown through their window.

When they can no longer pay their bills for essentials, Nabila takes the day off school to accompany her mother to social services. Nabila entrusts the walking home from school of her 5-year-old sister, Imani, to her two middle siblings, Abdullah and Layla. Unbeknownst to Nabila, Abdullah cuts school and isn’t there to help Layla with Imani. Layla arrives home distraught and in tears. She’s lost Imani, who ran away when Layla wouldn’t take her to the shopping mall.

What ensues is a heart-wrenching race against time spanning three days in which Nabila has to step up for her mother yet again: engaging the police, begging strangers for help and supporting the anguish of her siblings and mother during their desperate search for Imani. But the worst of times can also bring out the best in people, and Nabila is surprised by the unexpected kindnesses and help she receives from neighbours and the community.

The subject of a missing child naturally has the potential to take the reader’s mind down a path too gruesome for a middle grade novel. However, the author steers us away from this by including some chapters that tell us how the story is unfolding from Imani’s point of view. Even so, the suspense in the narrative still remains and the reader is kept guessing how events will unfold until the end of the book.

What I equally liked about this story is the perspective it brings for the barriers which non-English speaking immigrants are faced with day in, day out, and how those obstacles can intensify in times of adversity.

Looking for Imani

 

Croc Candy

Croc Candy by Claire Thompson, illustrated by Deborah Brown (Woodslane Press) HB RRP $27.99 ISBN97819228000817

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here is a picture book inspired by seven-year-old Angus, who started his business, Croc Candy, and is now an ambassador for a worldwide charity called Made by Dyslexic. Like Sir Richard Branson, Angus suffers from dyslexia, and this book is based on his story. (There is also a double page spread at the back of the book where you can see photos of Angus and the people in his life.)

This book's back and front fly pages feature a joy-filled crocodile dancing, an attractive introduction to what is to come. Next is a double page spread showing Australia's top end, with Angus pointing to the Northern Territory, where the text says, ‘It’s humid and hot with lots of rocks and crocs.’

Angus loves crocodiles, but at school, he finds that the numbers and letters he tries to read are jumbled so much he feels dizzy. ‘I’m no good at this!’ he cries.

After watching a program about homelessness, he feels inspired to help, especially when his mum encourages him. However, ‘He needs a whizz-bang, croc snapper of an idea. Something to get people excited.’ Then, inspired by his favourite crocodile, he experiments and finally makes Croc Candy lollipops, which he sells from a homemade outside stall.

Angus then asks his Aboriginal friend Tony for help. Tony suggests a new green candy that is great for coughs and colds. Despite being unable to read the recipe, Angus eventually finds a mixture that is ‘just right!’ His successes resulted in him meeting the Prime Minister and getting a letter from the Queen.

The book’s message is summed up in Angus’s final words, ‘I believe in myself, and just do things my own way!’

This is an inspiring book for readers aged 7+ years. Its cover is eye-catching, and the illustrations are attractive, just right, and full of energy and vibrancy. Highly recommended.

 

 

 

Mammalia: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Mammals

Mammalia: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Mammals by Lindy Mattice (Bushel and Peck Books) HB RRP $50 ISBN9781638191285

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a superb, large book, beautifully illustrated and designed, that features more than 125 mammals from around the world. No illustrators are named, but the back cover blurb reads, ‘Enchanting vintage artwork from some of the world’s most accomplished zoological artists make this visual tome as stunning as it is informative and a must-have treasure for animal lovers.’ Agreed!

There’s a double-page spread of contents with twenty-seven animal species, and each species listing mammals with their common and Latin names. For example, under ‘Monkeys and Apes’ are the Eastern Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bornean Orangutan, Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, Rhesus Macaque, and Yellow Baboon. If you then turn to the eight Monkeys and Apes pages, you are introduced to ‘the primate order’, made up of roughly 521 species. There are some interesting facts such as ‘primates have larger brains than most animals, and ‘members of the Primate order have prehensible five-digit hands, feet with flat nails’, and so on.

There’s a page of primates which includes gibbons, marmosets, lemurs, tamarins, and more creatures, again, with their Latin names. Each of the monkeys and apes have a dedicated full-page that includes their conservation status (for example, the chimpanzee is endangered), their classification (into kingdom, class, order, and so on). There are also facts on such things as community group size, the first time a female gives birth, and when infants learn to walk. Regarding chimpanzees, there is an outbreak box which details how intelligent these mammals are and how they use tools from a young age.

The publisher states in the book that it has a special mission - - through its ‘Book-for-Book-Promise’ it donates one book to kids in need for every book it sells. So if you buy this book that promises visual delights and hours and hours of interesting reading, you are also benefiting others less fortunate than yourself.

 

 

 

Grace the Amazing

Grace the Amazing by Aleesah Darlison (Wombat Books) PB RRP US $12.99 ISBN 9781761111174

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

It’s not unusual for a child to be in awe of – or even love -- a special teacher. In my case, it was my adored fifth grade teacher, Miss Arthur. However, it’s not usual for a child to have that teacher as their ‘best friend.’ This is how eleven-year-old Grace considers her art teacher whom she calls Pamela. Grace has no other friends – although -- in this middle-grade novel, she eventually forms tentative friendships with other children. For most of the story, however, she has anger issues and insecurities, so much so that her loving mother, with the best of intentions, has Grace attending sessions with a child psychologist.

Pamela has encouraged Grace as an imaginative artist from an early age. And so, it puzzles Grace when she doesn’t turn up at Grace’s school to continue her art lessons. Sadly, Grace overhears two teachers discussing the fact that Pamela has cancer, and not for the first time. This sends the poor child into over-drive. She simply must visit Pamela and see for herself how ill she is. This she does, only to be confronted with the idea that she might have to say goodbye to her adored teacher forever. Meanwhile, she is convinced that she can use magic to make her teacher well, even buying a book and conjuring up tricks.

This is a book filled with emotions. Grace handles her anger with her younger brother, her classmates and occasionally her mother, and too her sadness and sorrow with Pamela’s illness. Happily, her life is not all doom and gloom. There’s happiness when Dad, a fly-in fly-out work returns home. And there are special cuddles from time to time with Mum. And, too, there’s happiness to be found in the animals which are part of Mum’s work as a zookeeper and private animal party organiser.

I found myself quickly reading this engaging novel anxious to know if Grace’s teacher eventually dies (as did my teacher). Pamela’s death seems inevitable, but all I can reveal is that there are moments of great sadness -- as well as relief when the boy next door, and a girl from school become special in Grace’s life.

This is an action and emotion-packed book which is sure to be a favourite for any young reader, especially if they have a special relationship with a teacher.

Kids on the Run

Kids on the Run by Dianne Bates (Morris Publishing) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 978064575981

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Fourteen-year-old Josh has been placed in Foster Care, as his addict mother cannot look after him.  On the first night, the house catches fire, and Josh, together with Brodie and three-year-old Jaylee, escape the flames. The children are on the run, believing that if they are caught, they would be blamed for starting the blaze.

Josh has grown with no opportunities in life or schooling but is streetwise after being dragged from place to place by his mum. He is used to being alone and is resentful at having two other children in tow.

Regardless of his illiteracy, Josh is very resourceful. Lies slip easily from his tongue and his brain is always switched to survival mode.
Brodie’s father has just passed away and his grief is a palpable thing.  Jaylee has lost her mum and her only living relatives are her Aunt Ruth and her cousins who live in an unknown place.

Josh decides that they should find out where Ruth lives and take Jaylee to her.
But the best laid plans… often go awry. There are lots of obstacles to overcome, and many challenges to face. Who can they trust when there is no one to turn to? The three watch out for each other, forming an unexpected, strong bond with one another.

The talented Dianne Bates, author of over 130 books, and recipient of the Lady Cutler Award for distinguished services to children’s literature, has boldly created a gripping story. Full of tension and fast-paced action it gives a convincing view of homeless children on the run. Their fears, desperate decisions, and struggles to survive, gleaned through the dialogue and strong backstories and settings.
These are juxtaposed with the feelings of protection, loyalty, and trust that they form with each other. 

Highly recommended.