Me and You

Me and You by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Penelope Pratley (Ford Street Publishing) HB RRP $27.95

ISBN 9781922696502

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Me and You is a sweet picture book for an early childhood audience that celebrates the special bond between grandchildren and grandparents.

The narrative is told with alternating perspectives from the grandchild and grandparent. The young child’s voice is in blue text while the grandparent's voice appears in black text. In the beginning, the story highlights differences between the old and the young. Later, the book depicts many ‘me too’ moments, highlighting the similarities between them. Despite any similarities or differences, all their interactions show how much they love spending time together.

The illustrations have been created using pencil and watercolour and appear as a combination of single pages, double-page spreads as well as spot illustrations.

Me and You may be equally enjoyed in the home or the early years classroom.

Me and You

Me and You by Ellie Royce. Illustrated by Penelope Pratley. Ford Street Publishing 2025. Hardcover picture book RRP $27.95. ISBN 9781922696502

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is a gorgeous book that celebrates the relationship between a child and their grandparent by sharing in the everyday things of life.

The POV switches from the child to the grandmother seamlessly and beautifully. The child bursts out of bed ‘like a firecracker.’ Gran takes more time to ease herself into the day. Their shared time is enjoyed by both, creating empathy and caring from both sides, as one explains how they feel whilst walking, playing at the seaside, and eating ice cream. They tell each other about the things they love, their mistakes and fears. At the end of the day, they are both tired and grumpy, but after a rest, they are ready to spend more time doing things together. With a pared-back text, it’s a wonderful tale of the strong familial bond between child and grandparent. The illustrations convey the story without the need for too many words.

This book is beautifully and gently illustrated and celebrates the connection between generations. Both young and mature readers (parents and grandparents) will love it. Suitable for ages 3+ years.

Frizzle and Me

Frizzle and Me by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Ford St Publishing) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9781925804744

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘When I was born, my family was Mummy and me.’ From this intimate start, the child’s rainbow family evolves and grows in unexpected ways. With every addition to the unconventional household, the child learns more about the importance of shared experiences and the boundless nature of love.

Ellie Royce’s simple yet heartfelt text gently introduces the concept of the rainbow family, where one or both parents are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Within this, themes of inclusion and resilience are touched upon, as the child learns to adapt to their changing world. Cleverly, the child protagonist is gender neutral, which makes them relatable to any school-aged reader.

Warmth and joy exude from Andrew McLean’s vibrant illustrations, with the fluid watercolours and linework visually twinning the shifts within the family. In depicting characters of different ethnicities striving together to make their unique situation work, Andrew reiterates the theme of inclusion and fosters discussions about diversity.

Frizzle and Me is an endearing exploration of family dynamics. By purposefully choosing not to portray a traditional nuclear unit, the book draws attention to the role of affection, connection and acceptance in forming a strong family bond and in creating a place of safety for children during periods of change.

The Beast Within

The Beast Within by Serena Valentino (Parragon Publishing) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781474840828

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

They’re fairytales, but not as we know them! This book from the Disney Villains series tells the tale of Beauty and the Beast from an unknown perspective -- the Beast's. How did a handsome prince, once jovial and beloved by his people, become a bitter and reclusive monster? Find out in this story of vanity and arrogance, of love and hatred, of beastliness and, of course, beauty. It's a fascinating journey into the characters we didn’t meet and the story we didn’t hear in Beauty and The Beast.

Have you ever wondered just how the beast became cursed and alone? Then this is the tale for you. It’s an engaging read that builds on what we already know without repeating it, as well as introducing us to some wonderful new characters. Less like a fairy tale and more like a myth or legend where actions have consequences and villains are not cardboard cut outs but realistic characters facing choices and dilemmas, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Definitely worth a read it’s suitable for readers aged 12 years and up.

Poor Unfortunate Soul

Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino (Parragon Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9781474846103

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

 This Disney Villains Book follows on from The Beast Within and continues our relationship with the odd sisters and Princess Tulip Morningstar, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Poor Unfortunate Soul follows the formula of telling a recognisable tale from an unknown perspective. In this instance it’s the Little Mermaid told from the point of view of sea witch Ursula. Cast out by her family, the tragic Ursula descends into wickedness becoming the grotesque sea-witch.

This is another thoroughly engaging and endlessly fascinating story. With just enough familiarity to make it accessible, it weaves in new strands and characters, lifting it to a whole other level. Serena Valentino imbues her villains with emotion. We feel for them even while they perform their despicable acts (and there are plenty of despicable acts!) although in the end, justice is done. (They are still fairytales, after all…) It’s suitable for ages 12 years and older.

Mac the Dog Man

Mac the Dog Man by Elizabeth Vercoe, design by Mary Thom Hays PB RRP $15.95

ISBN: 9780994587008

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

This delightful and thoroughly engaging book takes us on a journey with Mac, a man who understands and loves dogs and his canine crowd of best friends. Mac walks the dogs in all kinds of weather and each dog has a personality and story.

Beautifully written, Mac the Dog Man is a joy to read out loud with repetition, rhythm and humour all combining to keep readers entertained. I read it out aloud to groups of both young children and aged care residents and they all loved it.

Add to this the detailed and charming illustrations and you have a book that will captivate young and old and become a favourite ‘read again ‘story.

Go to www.elizabethvercoe.com.au for purchase and stockist information

Phantom Wings Over the North

Phantom Wings Over the North by Desmond O Connor (A&A Book Publishing) PB RRP $19.99
ISBN: 9780994329462

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

At 60 pages this slim volume nevertheless contains a big story. Twin
teenagers Joan and Mark join their prospector uncle Paddy and his mate Bluey for a camping holiday in the outback. But the group discovers more than they expected when they come across a mobile laboratory supposedly scouting for mineral deposits and realise that there is something unusual about the mysterious midnight aircraft flying in and out of the Pilbara.

This story took me back to books like “Swallows and Amazons” where there is so much information to be absorbed while relishing an adventure. With maps and colour photographs adding to the text, I almost felt as if I had visited the Pilbara by the time I finished reading.

Desmond O Connor’s personal experience as a pilot and surveyor shines through, endowing the fiction with authenticity and making for an absorbing reading experience.

Recommended for readers 12 years and up.

Letters to My Father

Letters to My Father by Ann Budden (Pacific Books) PB RRP $14.95 pp $6.00 through contacting abudden@bigpond.com ISBN: 9780987066039

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

 

Letters to My Father is firstly the story of three sisters growing up in Ipswich Queensland while the Second World War rages in the near north. The girls and their mother run the farm while their father is away fighting the Japanese. Secondly, this book offers an interactive element in the form of a workbook, containing discussion ideas and questions, background information to the story and even wartime recipes. 

The story is told through the eponymous ‘letters’ from Ruth to her father, focusing on life at home in a small town and contrasting diary entries by their father which describe (sometimes quite graphically) his experiences as a Prisoner-of-War. A thoroughly researched, thought- provoking and visually pleasing publication, this book would be a useful and engaging classroom tool. As stated, however, some of the diary content is very graphic and should probably be assessed for suitability on a case by case basis by teachers and librarians.

The book is recommended for readers between 11-14 years.

Me & My Family Tree

Me & My Family Tree written and illustrated by Jackie Moss (Mono Unlimited) PB RRP $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-9875663-5-5

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

Me and My Family Tree is the story of how it feels and what it means to be part of a family group, with all its differences, similarities and unique qualities. This charming tale takes us on a journey through two extended family gatherings, Dad’s Great Aunt Dorothy’s Birthday and then Mum’s family visiting for Christmas, as well as some milestones in between.

A thoroughly engaging book, this picture book is fun, easy to connect with and illustrated beautifully. It is simple enough to be appreciated on first read and layered enough to be able to find more and more to enjoy with each re-read. It encourages visual literacy with different styles of font and different formats on some of the pages and presents a number of quite complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand. The last few pages have a nice interactive touch.  

This would be a wonderful book to use in classrooms or to read with family, offering opportunities for discussion, storytelling and for shared family history.

Recommended for readers between 5-12 years.

Tabby

Tabby by Stephen Kok, illustrated by P.R Dedelis (Sigmate Studio) RRP AUD $18.95 ISBN 9780994289902                                                                  

Reviewed by Ellie Royce

This graphic novel Tabby is a classic tale interpretation of Romeo and Juliet where two rival cat family groups are challenged to get along together despite their differences. Tabby’s idyllic world is changed when a new family of cats move into the neighbourhood and Tabby Junior falls in love with a cat from the other family!

The 70-page novel is fast- paced and full of images complex enough to inspire thought and stimulate the imagination. Language is clear and connects the images to form a coherent, flowing story-line which poses some interesting moral questions and deals with some important emotional issues in a fun, engaging and easily understandable way.

Graphic novels have earned their place in promoting literacy and as Tabby is an Australian- created graphic novel – not Japanese Manga  or American Superheroes -- it surely deserves a place in Australian libraries and classrooms, as well as on the bookshelves of reluctant readers and lovers of visual storytelling. The great little section at the back of the book which follows its evolution and shows the development of the characters and story is an extra bonus!

It is recommended for readers between 7-12 years.

Lucas and Jack

Lucas and Jack by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504662

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Every week Lucas’s mum visits Great Grandpop at the nursing home.

And every week Lucas waits for her outside.

Waiting is boring! Until Lucas meets Jack.

Jack cheats when playing Snap, he’s tricky but he’s also fun. It’s also Jack that introduces Lucas to a new way of thinking with his game ‘what do you see?’

With simple text this book shows children that old people were once like them. Having similar interests and pets, even similar favourite foods.

It is a great way to encourage children to be interested in the people around them. To ask the question ‘what did you do before you were old?’

Combined with McLean’s warm and inviting illustrations, this book gives children the chance to understand that every elderly person has a story to tell.

All they have to do is ask.

I watch Pop play cards. I see an old, old man. But I wonder.