Story Rug

Story Rug by Sophie Blackall, illustrated by Phoebe Wahl (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9780734424464

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Class 203 has fallen in love with braiding, but there is nothing for Noah to weave – so Ms Morena rips up a whiteboard rag. When Noah runs out of rag, his dad cuts up an old shirt for him to use. Eventually, everyone in the class contributes material – an old baby blanket, an unwanted skirt, a stained tablecloth and more – and they help to stitch the ends while Ms Morena reads books to them. When the braid becomes too long, Noah has an idea – they will coil it up to construct a classroom rug that holds the stories of their textiles and the stories that they heard. Ms Morena is surprised!

Sophie Blackall’s thoughtful narrative entwines the power of storytelling with the joy of communal creation. There is also a subtle nod to the significance of environmental sustainability – forlorn and faded fabrics are repurposed in a useful manner rather than thrown away to exacerbate the landfill crisis. Children aged four to eight will be inspired to make their own ‘story rug’, and Sophie has generously supplied simple step-by-step instructions at the back of the book.

A patchwork of patterns and hues abounds in Phoebe Wall’s fabulous illustrations. There is an almost naive style to the thick, crayon-like strokes and incomplete colouring that is sure to appeal to little kids. Although the images echo an American experience of school, every reader is sure to find themselves reflected among the diverse class members.

In lacing together literature and craft, Story Rug is literally a rags-to-riches tale that reveals the treasure to be found in creativity, community and cooperation. Charm exudes from every page, ensuring that youngsters will reach for this book again and again.

Eighty-Nine Questions for After

Eighty-Nine Questions for After by Ashleigh Barton (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780733654596

This is a wise and beautifully written middle-grade novel about finding answers to life's big questions, by popular children's author Ashleigh Barton.

Ester Star is a germophobe and hypochondriac, and she's convinced she's going to die. To prepare for her imminent and inevitable demise, Ester keeps a list of all the questions she hopes to have answered in the afterlife - things she knows she'll never have the answers to during her lifetime. What really happened to the dinosaurs? Just how big is the universe? Are ghosts real? She's up to eighty-nine questions and counting.

When Ester's usual after-school sitters announce they are moving away, her mum comes up with an alternative arrangement that turns her world upside down. Every day after school, Ester spends her afternoons with Mum at work. At a hospice. Terrified of all the things she might catch at a hospice, Ester is anxious every second she's there.

But soon she meets Joan, an elderly lady who used to be in the circus. Joan tells Ester she doesn't believe in the afterlife, but she does have one question she'll regret never having answered while she's alive. Why did her sister disappear all those years ago, after they had been so close growing up in the circus together?

With the help of Peter, another kid who spends his afternoons at the hospice, and her new next-door neighbour, a tech whizz named Mackenzie, Ester sets out to have Joan's question answered.

Will Ester realise there's more to life than worrying about dying?

George the Wizard

George the Wizard by Tony Armstrong, illustrated by Emma Sjaan Beukers (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9780734422163

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera 

George loved living on his magic mountain. He had everything he needed – except friends. He thought about meeting people but was worried that they would laugh at his magic. In a nearby village, a girl called Harriet heard George wishing for friends and decided to do something about it. She travelled up the mountain and convinced George to return to the village with her. When they returned, they saw the village being attacked by a dragon. George realised that he would have to use his magic to save the village. Rather than laugh at him, the villagers were excited about George’s special skills.

Aimed at kids aged four to eight, Tony Armstrong’s debut picture book positively reinforces the idea of living an authentic life by having the courage to reveal your true self to other people. The magical world in which the book is set will draw even the most reluctant readers to the story, while simple text broken into bite-sized pieces helps kids new to reading.

Emma Sjaan Beukers’ cartoon-like illustrations will instantly capture young eyes, as each page turn presents a fresh explosion of colour. Speech bubbles and bolded keywords pop from the spreads in a familiar comic-book style, adding a dynamic element to the story.

Vivid and vivacious, George the Wizard is sure to cast a spell on children so they feel comfortable with allowing their soul to shine in the world. This light will banish anxiety and help friendships to grow.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals. Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly. Hachette Australia 2024. Hardcover Non-Fiction RRP $32.99. ISBN 9780734421395.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Sami Bayly is an award-winning author and illustrator from Newcastle. She is fascinated by animal and insect life and loves to represent all types of creatures great and small. This beautifully illustrated large book has features and facts relating to 60 animals that have either become extinct (including some in recent years) or are critically endangered worldwide, including Australia.

Species include the Western black rhino, thylacine, dodo, South Island giant moa, and Tapanuli orangutan, as well as megafauna such as the giant wombat-like diprotodon and the crocodile-like Quinkana, plus, creatures with mysterious origins like Delcourt's giant gecko.

Many of these species were hunted to extinction which is a sad reality. Interestingly, we have a Diprotodon skeleton in our local museum, discovered right here in Smithton in remote far North-West Tasmania.

This book will be enjoyed by both adults and children aged 8+ years.

Pancakes for Plum

Pancakes for Plum by Rae Tan (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9780734422491

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Plum worries that she’ll never be adept at anything. Her big brother is ‘good at climbing’, but she falls with a thud. Her other brother is ‘good at painting’, but she makes a big mess. One day, Plum hears a delicious sound. She chases it to a cave, where Old Panda is playing a piano. She begs Old Panda to teach her how to create the music that ‘feels cosy and comforting’ like a stack of ‘fluffy pancakes’. With plenty of practise, Plum is soon ready to give her first concert.

Rae Tan’s simple story of self-discovery will delight kids aged three to eight who are preparing to probe their potential. But it’s more than just figuring out their skills – they need to embrace what their heart flips over, ‘like pancakes on a hot pan’. Rae emphasises the importance of working hard and overcoming obstacles, inspiring young readers to keep trying until they achieve their dreams.

Watercolours and pastels skate across Rae’s illustrations, etching emotion into every spread. The anthropomorphised pandas are adorable, with engaging expressions that children will find easy to read. Perhaps the most eye-catching element in the book is the representation of musical notes as discs that resemble pancakes. When Plum starts to play the piano, the circular notes are small and dull beige. But as she gets better and better, they become larger and begin to glimmer gold.

Oozing maple-syrup sweetness, Pancakes for Plum is reminiscent of an old Asian folktale but filled with contemporary insights. Children will return to the story again and again whenever they need encouragement to follow their hearts. 

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Go for Gold

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Go for Gold by Ashleigh Barton. Illustrated by Peter Cheong. Hachette Australia 2024. Junior Fiction Paperback RRP $16.99. ISBN 9780734422910

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Young Freddie just loves collecting facts. He writes all sorts of facts on sticky notes and attaches them everywhere around his house for his mum and sister Henrietta to find, and other places as well. He amuses friends and family with his constant knowledge.

Currently, he is collecting sports-related facts, which is his new obsession. Not very sporty himself, he decides to investigate when the medals for the school sports carnival disappear, and he thinks the carnival will be cancelled. Will Freddie save the day? And who would take the medals? Turns out to not be the suspect Freddie has in mind.

This is a humorous book for younger readers with fun illustrations throughout, including the many sticky note facts. Whilst the book is fictional, it is jam-packed with information about all kinds of sports and Freddie is an endearing character. It will be enjoyed by readers aged around 7-11 years.

Look Me in the Eye

Look Me in the Eye by Jane Godwin (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN9780734420794

Once trust is gone, what is there to hold onto? From award-winning author Jane Godwin, here’s a novel about young teens navigating friendship and trust in a post-pandemic world of surveillance and control.

 

running late
drop it off without me

I type drop what off? I don't know what Mish is talking about.
While I'm typing, another message appears. don't tell bella
But I am Bella.

 

Best friends Bella and Connie live on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish, Connie's cousin, who must be included even though she is unfriendly and unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted, and the three teens are eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up, there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them. But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?

 

Do we have a right to know everything about those we love? Look Me in the Eye is a tale of young teens navigating freedom and trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.

The Dragon on the Train

The Dragon on the Train by Ben Brooks (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $16.99  ISBN 9781786541901

Reviewed by Kerry Gittins

Gone. It was a word that made sense and made no sense at all. How was he supposed to concentrate at school and make sense of anything when his grandma had just . . . well, gone. Not only had grandma been Elliot's connection to his love of music, but she was his best friend, too. Now the last thing he wanted to do was play his violin. Music just didn't feel the same without her there. One afternoon his mum knocked on the bedroom door and handed him an old cassette tape in an envelope that grandma had left just for him. As it played, the loop of four simple notes seemed to be asking him questions and demanding answers that he wasn't ready to give. Finally, he let his grief explode and when he was done, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. But just before midnight, he was awoken by a snuffling sound and when he opened his eyes, it wasn't what he thought it might be. Sitting beside his bed, eating the dinner his mum had left for him was - a dragon!

'I'm your guide for the journey . . .' said Kimorin the dragon.
'. . . I'm not going anywhere,' protested Elliot.
'Are you sure? So, you ain't got a ticket?'  

Elliot remembered the ticket he had found under his pillow sixteen days after grandma had died. The only thing on it that he had recognised was his name - and now the dragon's. Elliot's journey on The Night Train was about to begin.

From the very first chapter we feel the enormity of Elliot's loss and sense the love and connection he shared with his grandmother through music. But whilst acknowledging that grief and sadness, Ben Brooks also encourages the reader to embrace the magic of the journey, the importance of friendship and family, and the power of music to heal and inspire hope. A warmhearted and uplifting story for ages 7 +. Highly recommended.

Teaching themes could include grief, loss, dragons, trains, family, friendship, magic, magical creatures, boys, emotions, music, composing, musical compositions.

Global

Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, illustrated by Giovanni Rigano (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $32.99 ISBN: 9781444951912

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Climate change is an issue on the forefront of the minds of many Australians, particularly our younger generation. While there is much doom and gloom in the media and through other outlets, what we need are stories of hope and ones that encourage and empower readers to effect change, no matter how small. Global by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano does just that.

The beautifully illustrated graphic novel centres around two young people, living very different lives in different parts of the world but still facing the same issues.

Twelve-year-old Sami is a fisherman living in a village on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Along with his grandfather, Sami spends much of his day at sea, gathering a meagre catch of fish – often just enough to feed their family and the other villagers. All around he sees the effects of climate change; higher tides that destroy the sea wall of his village, less fish, landslides that impact part of his village … and more frequent storms. One night, Sami decides to return to his long submerged family home, desperate to find out about his past and make a change. He doesn’t know about the approaching cyclone though.

Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Yuki is living north of the Arctic Circle in a dwindling Inuit township in Nova Scotia. She becomes concerned about the interbreeding of polar and brown bears – known as grolar bears – due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. As Yuki observes, ‘the trouble is, nature played a trick on grolars. They don’t have the skills to hunt on ice or catch salmon on rivers’. With no innate hunting skills, the hungry grolar bears are moving into her town. Yuki decides to head out to study the bears and try and work out how they can be protected from being shot. However, she soon finds herself being stalked by a hungry grolar bear, alone in the wilderness with her dog and reliant on her wits and a single harpoon.

Eoin Colfer is best known for his graphic novel series, Artemis Fowl. Together with Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano (the team behind Illegal – the powerful tale of one boy’s journey to reunite with his sister), Colfer is broaching new and important ground with Global, which is sure to appeal well beyond its target midgrade audience, with its relatable characters and gripping storyline.  

 

The Great Aussie Easter Egg-and-Spoon Race

The Great Aussie Easter Egg-and-Spoon Race by Sophie Sayle, illustrated by Daron Parton (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9780734421821 

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

The Easter Bilby has left some eggs for the bush babies to decorate. Wombat, Bandicoot and Kangaroo find some things in the bush to paint the eggs, but Echidna is still asleep – so her friends share their colours. When the egg-and-spoon race begins, Echidna trips and ‘her egg rolls away’. Luckily, Kangaroo bounds back and says that she will carry Echidna in her pouch. Kangaroo jumps to the front, but it is Echidna who ‘is the winner by a nose’.

Ideal for kids aged three to six, Sophie Sayle’s simple story offers a delightfully Australian twist to the traditional egg-and-spoon race that is often held as part of Easter festivities. The importance of sharing with and caring for others shines as bright as the sticky yellow clay that Wombat uses to decorate his egg, and it is clear that friendship is the real winner on the day.

Daron Parton has used a light hand with the pastel illustrations, and this perfectly mirrors the tone of the text. The bush babies are suitably cute, with enormous eyes that draw young readers into the book.

The Great Aussie Easter Egg-and-Spoon Race makes a superb Easter gift, but the focus on the race ensures that this story will be read throughout the year. Littlies will love to cheer on all of the small bush babies – but especially sleepy little Echidna.

Never Ever Getting Back Together

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781444964646

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Eighteen-year-old Maya is invited to participate in a debut TV reality show called ‘Second Chance Romance’. Her ex-boyfriend Jordy is now in the public eye because his sister married into royalty. Jordy claims that girls now just use him for his fame and he is not sure who is genuine anymore. As a result, he agrees to be the first bachelor on the dating show aimed at rekindling one of his previous romances. Six ex-girlfriends, who dated him before his fame, agree to be contestants. Some of the girls are vying for his heart again and others, like Maya, are there with a vastly different agenda. After Jordy cheated on Maya, with a girl named Skye, he denied it to everyone. Maya’s plan is to now seek revenge…publicly!

Never Ever Getting Back Together is a young adult romantic comedy about relationships, integrity, love, and queer romance. It is written with alternating narration from both Maya and Skye’s perspectives. Never Ever Getting Back Together is recommended for an audience aged 15 years and older.

Votes for Women: The Story of Nellie, Rose and Mary

Votes for Women: The Story of Nellie, Rose and Mary written and illustrated by Mark Wilson (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9780734420138

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

From award-winning author and illustrator Mark Wilson, here is a stirring story told in picture book style of the women who first won the right to vote in Australia, inspired by real people and historical events.

In 1890, Rose Birks and her stepdaughter, Nellie, two strong-willed and determined women, began writing letters and attending meetings to help improve the lives of women and children in their home city of Adelaide. They soon found themselves part of a movement that would change the lives of all Australian women. Through their friendship with the famous suffragist Mary Lee, they petitioned politicians and lawmakers – and in 1896 they became the first women in the country to vote in an election. Votes for Women! Tell t heir story.

Told in the third person voice of Nellie Birks, the story shows her relationship with her stepmother, and how she becomes aware of the issues that women faced. ‘She gladly went with Rose to meetings and helped compose letters to the newspapers about these issues.’

This is a visually captivating book with many illustrations coloured in pastels, some full-page and others in boxes with extracts from newspapers, petitions, and documents. Some of the illustrations – such as the opening fly pages – are sketched in dark and eye-catching sepia, such as pictures of women in factories working machines, and a woman addressing a crowd. Interior illustrations are in subdued colours. The artwork is realistic and worth pouring over as there are so many interesting details.

This is a fine book for showing young readers – from 9+ years – about an important part of their country’s history.

Under the Moonlight

Under the Moonlight by Susannah Crispe (author-illustrator), Hachette Australia (due 27 April 2022).

Meet Moose, an enormous, brave and solitary moose, with nothing to fear. Unfortunately for Moose, his tranquil sleep is about to be shattered by a fright in the night. Follow Moose as he shows great bravery in facing his fears and investigating the source of the night-time fright.

Under the Moonlight started from a simple rhyme I made up while chatting to my husband after a trip to Scandinavia. It started with 'under the moonlight, a moose got a fright' and after rewriting it several times over several years and whispering different versions of it to my sleeping baby, I finally had a story.

During my writing process, I started painting a few character sketches and shared them on Instagram. I noticed a publisher from Hachette had 'liked' them, so once my manuscript was polished, I sent her a message and she invited me to submit it directly to her. 

The Book of Answers

The Book of Answers by A.L. Tait (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $14.99     ISBN: 9780734417695

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Book of Answers is the second book in the gripping Ateban Cipher by A.L. Tait. It follows on from the first book in the series, The Book of Secrets.

Gabe and his companions must journey across the country to a remote mountain citadel to learn the secrets of the mysterious book he has been tasked to protect. They also need to find a way to rescue Merry and Gwyn's father from the executioner and to help their new friend, Eddie - Crown Prince Edward - to help prove he is the true prince. However, the king is gravely ill and the traitors who have put a look-a-like in Eddie’s place are hot on their heels and hunting them every step of the way.  

The remote fortress of Hayden's Mont does bring answers to Gabe and his companions, but not to the questions they were seeking. The stakes for the main characters have risen dramatically from the events in the first book and the group must re-evaluate their priorities in their life or death race to foil the traitors.

The Book of Answers is an excellent second addition to the Ateban Cipher series and is sure to be a hit with both girls and boys who love a great adventure story. The mix of female and male lead characters makes the story more interesting. Gwyn's stubborn confidence and young Midge's mysterious connection with animals, compliment Gabe and Eddie's determination. The companions will all have to build their trust and work together if they are to succeed in their quest.  This book is full of adventure and intrigue and would ideally suit readers 8-12 years old.   

The 12th Dog

The 12^th Dog by Charlotte Calder, illustrated by Tom Jellett (Hachette Australia) HB RRP $24.99  ISBN 9780734416919

Reviewed by Brook Tayla

The delightful memories that this book brought up make me smile.

The 12th Dog is the classic Aussie kids’ street or backyard cricket match story – simple but fun.  Charlotte’s words take us on a sweet journey of the annoying ball thief who is finally recognised for his great cricket playing skills. Tom Jellett’s illustrations are adorable – especially the expressive, realistic faces the dog pulls throughout the book.

When I was growing up there were many games of cricket played in the street and dogs made really good fielders – but occasionally one would take off with the ball and there would be a stream of kids chasing the dog down the road to get the ball back.  From memory the dogs always outsmarted and outran all of us, which ended the game unless another ball could be found!  

At one stage we had a ball crazy dog named Snoopy that the neighbours used to borrow for their backyard cricket games.  They put him to the test one day in a match that lasted five hours – he didn’t let them down!

This is a really great book that both children and adults will enjoy and hopefully it will get lots of you playing cricket with your dog – they make the best players…..and the best memories!

Brook Tayla writes a blog called telltalestome@wordpress.com and would love you to drop by, read some reviews, leave a comment and follow by email so you get to receive all the latest reviews.