Weird, Wild, Amazing!

Weird, Wild, Amazing! by Tim Flannery, illustrated by Sam Caldwell (Hardie Grant Egmont) HB RRP ISBN 9781760501587

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

A mammologist, author Tim Flannery was curator of mammals at the Australian Museum in Sydney for 20 years. During this time, he visited most of the islands between eastern Indonesia and Fiji, discovering new species of marsupials, rats and bats. In an interesting introduction to this substantial and very interesting book, Flannery tells how his discovery, at the age of eight, of the fossilised remains of an extinct sea urchin, inspired his love of dinosaurs and the years that followed leading to his illustrious career.

This handsome non-fiction book begins with colourful spotlights on land, sea and air creatures and then a list of contents under headings, ‘Concepts’, ‘Water,’ ‘Sky’, ‘Forest’ and ‘Desert’ plus an index and a glossary. In the section titled ‘Water’, there’s a list of water animals including jellyfish, piranhas, frogs and toads, pufferfish and many more. Pages are devoted to animals: under ‘Whales’ for instance, there are fascinating sub-headings such as ‘Huge Heads V Big Brains’, ‘Singing Stars’ and ‘Seasoned Travellers’. In ‘Diving Champs’, the reader learns that sperm whales can dive more than a kilometre deep in the ocean to look for giant squid, holding their breath for up to an hour and a half at a time. It seems their heads are packed with ‘spermaceti’ which is thought to help these whales adjust their ability to float or sink in the water.

Throughout the book which has many break-out boxes on each page, there are amazing facts and figures. Consider some of the interesting sub-headings” ‘Poop and Pee’, ‘The Biggest Creature Ever’, ‘Terrible Table Manners’ and ‘Spitting’. Flannery certainly knows what will amuse and interest young readers and provides facts and figures from his many scientific studies. There’s a great few pages about naked mole rats which live in colonies of about 75, each with its own job to perform. Reading about them, you realise a similarity with bees insofar as there is a queen whose job is to eat all the best food and have lots of babies, their dads, security guards and workers which dig tunnels for everyone, gather food and look after the queen’s babies.

Information is broken down into small columns which invite the reader to either read from cover to cover or to dip in wherever and whenever. And there are plenty of colourful critters on each page with boxes of all colours to draw the eye in.

A terrific read for children aged 10 years and up. Highly recommended.

Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing!

Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing! by Tim Flannery, illus by Sam Caldwell (Hardie Grant Egmont)

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This first book for children from renowned author and environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery, explore the world’s weirdest and most fascinating animals in all their bizarre glory. It asks questions such as Are zombie jellyfish real? What’s it like to wrestle a python? Which animals eat poop? (And more importantly, WHY?!).

Bursting with extraordinary facts, packed with vibrant illustrations and guided by one of the world’s greatest living scientists, this deep dive into the natural world will enthral and enlighten readers.

The 250-page book is also a fantastic introduction to the concepts of conservation and evolution for children.

Tiggy and the Magic Paint Brush: A Birthday Party Trick

Tiggy and the Magic Paint Brush: A Birthday Party Trick by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Gillian Flint (Hardie Grant Egmont) RRP $12.99

ISBN 978176068683

Reviewed by Wendy Haynes

The third book in the Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush series, A Birthday Party Trick brings with it a birthday party Tiggy is so excited about. You see, the thing she is so excited about is that a REAL Magician is coming to her party. But when at the last minute the magician rings up sick, Tiggy has to spring into action and devise a way she and all her friends still get to enjoy a magical birthday.

With the help of her magic paintbrush Tiggy conjures up Paulo the Great but the problem with Paulo is that none of his tricks works -- that’s not until he disappears. Tiggy looks high and low for Paulo the Great, and eventually finds him, but now he is too small.

This fun instalment suitable for ages 4 -7-year olds is splashed with colour by the talented illustrator Gillian Flint. Join Tiggy on her birthday and discover as she does that a birthday can be just as magical without a magician.

The Secret Science of Magic

The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $19.99   ISBN 9781760127763

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The Secret Science of Magic is Melissa Keil’s third YA novel. A contemporary love story with an over-arching nerdy feel (in the best possible way), it is about Sophia, a maths genius with an eidetic memory, and Joshua, a magic-trick loving, self-confessed slacker. Told via both points of view (see the handy silhouettes at the top of each chapter), we are soon immersed in their inner-most thoughts and fears.

Sophia applies maths and science to all aspects of her life – there’s a theory for everything. However, when it comes to feelings, and magic, it becomes apparent that logic and order can’t figure everything out. Joshua feels a little aimless as the end of high school is rapidly approaching, but one thing is for sure – his feelings for Sophia. Both characters are complex, intelligent and endearing in their own ways, though I did find myself with a softer spot for Josh.

A strength of the story is the dialogue – snappy, sarcastic, funny and super smart, and peppered with pop culture references. The sibling relationships felt very real, as did Sophia’s friendship journey with BFF Elsie. Joshua’s little sister Gillian, sassy and wise beyond her years, was particularly hilarious.

This is a fabulous, engaging YA novel with unique characters, much heart and a love story you really hope happens, despite Joshua’s reiteration that in life, and in magic, timing is everything.

Ginger Green Play Date Queen: The Only Friend

Ginger Green Play Date Queen: The Only Friend written by Kim Kane, illustrated by John Davis (Hardie Grant Egmont) PB RRP $9.99 ISBN 9781760127855

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Ginger Green Play Date Queen is a fabulous new chapter book series starring a cute little fox. In each book, Ginger has a play date with a different friend, overcoming inevitable challenges and conflict along the way.

In The Only Friend, Ginger Green invites her friend Maya over to play. Problems arise when Ginger’s big sister Violet takes a liking to Maya and wants to play too. When the jealousy escalates and Ginger storms off, all seems lost – until Ginger comes up with an idea so everyone is included.

The story explores jealousy, anger, problem-solving and appreciating different types of families. While Ginger is sometimes annoyed by her bossy big sister and her little sister Penny (who, adorably, insists on being ‘nude’), Maya points out that as an only child, she doesn’t have instant playmates like Ginger does. Ultimately, the books celebrate compromise and friendship.

Super short and with only three chapters, the Ginger Green Play Date Queen series offers a wonderful introduction to the world of chapter books for newly independent readers, with lots of repetition throughout. That the illustrations depict the characters as little foxes (which isn’t mentioned in the text) adds a charming point of difference.

Billie B Brown’s Animal Hospital Adventure

Billie B Brown’s Animal Hospital Adventure by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Alisa Coburn (Hardie Grant Egmont) HB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9781760126902

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Billie B Brown is back in another dynamic adventure for the 4 to 6 year old set. This time, Billie arrives at preschool with a hurt knee. Teacher Simon quickly diverts her attention to a sick teddy, spurring Billie and sidekick Jack into action. They pile into their cardboard ambulance, which morphs into a real one in a puff of coloured clouds, transporting them to an animal hospital.

The action ramps up as a series of animals are brought into the hospital, where Billie is the doctor and Jack is the nurse. Billie rewards each one for their bravery during their treatments, and receives gratitude in return. When her own bandage falls off, Billie feels overwhelmed, until she has her signature ‘super dooper idea’ – she can make a bandage herself. 

Overcoming obstacles, taking charge of situations and being brave are the key themes contained within a fun story, where Billie’s imagination comes to life.

The Billie B Brown ‘Adventure’ series is so beautifully presented, with their hardcovers, unusual size (mid-way between a chapter book and picture book), and vibrant illustrations. This one is sure to have major child appeal, with its cast of animal characters and reassuring ending.

Penelope Perfect: Quiz Questions and Complicated Crushes

Penelope Perfect: Quiz Questions and Complicated Crushes by Chrissie Perry (Hardie Grant Egmont) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781760126933

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

In the fifth instalment of the Penelope Perfect series, Quiz Questions and Complicated Crushes, Penelope is perplexed when crush fever takes hold.

Penelope finds the concept of crushes a ‘Great Mystery’. She feels confused when her older brother Harry sits squished on the couch with the neighbour she dubs ‘Annoying Ava’. Her brother’s acting very strange all of a sudden - didn’t he think Ava was annoying, too? When Penelope arrives at school the next day, mean girl Rita Azul flaunts her latest boy band crush, and makes it quite clear that Penelope just doesn’t get it. At least Penelope has her platonic friendship with nature-lover Oscar, until she notices he’s acting a little strangely, too.

Penelope tries to make sense of the crush phenomena in her own, very methodical way. She develops a quiz to determine whether someone definitely has a crush or not (a fun addition at the back of the book). Along the way, she realises some quite strange feelings of her own.

Throughout the story, Penelope grapples not only with crushes, but her strong emotions. She tries to contain her outbursts, though in her quest for perfection, they sometimes boil over. Angst aside, there’s lots of humour throughout, from Oscar’s earnest search for a rare beetle as Penelope tries out her quiz, to discovering that crushes may even extend to old people’s homes. This is a fun read that explores the sometimes confusing feelings of the pre-teen years, with big doses of fun and heart.

Axel & Beast: The Grabbem Getaway

Axel & Beast: The Grabbem Getaway written by Adrian C. Bott, illustrated by Andy Isaac (Hardie Grant Egmont) PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781760127800

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The first title in an action-packed junior fiction series, Axel & Beast: The Grabbem Getaway centres on a lonely gamer and a robot on the run.

When shape-shifting robot Beast bursts into Axel’s room, he is desperate to hide. Beast has escaped from the destructive Grabbem Industries, and finds a likely ally in Axel, who’s endured his own encounters with nasty bullies. With the help of insider Agent Omega, Axel and Beast, band together to overcome Grabbem’s evil intentions.

Despite its emphasis on technology, gadgets and fast-paced action, the story has a feel-good factor, too. The message of fighting back against corporate greed and environmental destruction is an important one, and is ever-present in Axel & Beast’s fight against Grabbem Industries.

There are some fun secondary characters too, notably Rusty Rosie who rules a junkyard – a force to be reckoned with. There’s also Axel’s mum, Nedra, a very capable mechanic hailing from Sri Lanka whose lovely relationship with Axel is quite touching.

It would be a shame for this book to only be picked up by (or purchased for) boys, as there’s a universality to the story’s themes that everyone can enjoy.

As a footnote, the author’s moniker ‘Adrian C. Bott’ seems too good to be true – it’s perfectly suited to the subject matter!

Lola’s Toy Box: Party at Cuddleton Castle

Lola’s Toy Box: Party at Cuddleton Castle written by Danny Parker, illustrated by Guy Shield (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781760126858

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Lola and her favourite toy, a learn-to-dress clown called Buddy, attempt to play a game of hide-and-seek with Lola’s big brother Nick. But grumpy Nick is soon bored, and Lola notices he’s retreated to his room and turned up his music. Lola deals with this rejection by hopping into her magic toy box with Buddy, where adventure ensues.

As per each of the Lola’s Toy Box books, Lola faces conflict in the real world, and learns some coping mechanisms via her adventures in an alternative world where her toys come to life. In this story, she ventures to Cuddleton Castle, where a birthday party for The Great High Bear (the toy kingdom’s ruler) is about to take place. Some readers may pick up the fun reference to Hazel Edwards’ There’s a hippopotamus on our roof eating cake.

During the birthday celebrations, Lola uncovers a trick that antagonist The Plastic Prince has played on the bear. In the altercation that follows, Lola demonstrates bravery and kindness. Back in the real world, when she emerges out of the toy box, Lola is confronted by her brother Nick about their hide and seek game. However, she copes with a new kind of calm, no doubt acquired during the turmoil in the toy box.

This short, easy reading chapter book series is ideal for new readers in the early primary school years. It offers a fun escape from reality, while touching on problem solving without being overly didactic.

Squishy Taylor in Zero Gravity

Squishy Taylor in Zero Gravity written by Ailsa Wild, illustrated by Ben Wood (Hardie Grant Egmont) PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781760127725

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The fifth Squishy Taylor book opens with Squishy playing space-stations with her half-sisters Jessie and Vee (whom she refers to as her ‘Bonus Sisters’ throughout the series). This sets the scene for the book’s space-themed antics. While peering through their telescope to view a meteor shower, the girls notice something else intriguing. Someone resembling an astronaut is on a nearby rooftop, with what looks to be a rocket with visible sparks flying out.

The plot centres on Squishy’s determination to get to the bottom of the mystery, even if it means doing the wrong thing. Squishy, along with Jessie and Vee, hatch plans to sneak into the apartment building and make their way to the rooftop, deceiving their parents in the process and lying to the pyjama-clad man they find once they reach their destination.

Throughout, Squishy’s relationship with her stepmother Alice deteriorates. Squishy’s feelings towards Alice appear more hostile than in the previous Squishy Taylor books I’ve read (books one and four), and she yearns for her Geneva-dwelling birth mother for comfort more than ever.

The story’s conclusion sees a physically painful consequence for Squishy, yet her stepmother Alice’s reaction to the mayhem is inexplicably calm. While the Squishy Taylor books cleverly infuse action, mystery, fun and a touch of daredevil with real-life family issues, it felt as though this ending was a little too ‘nice’, considering Alice’s earlier impatience with Squishy. Regardless, the book’s page-turning hooks will keep young readers engaged, eager to discover who or what the strange astronaut and rocket may be.

Squishy Taylor and the Mess-Makers

Squishy Taylor and the Mess-Makers written by Ailsa Wild, illustrated by Ben Wood (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9781760126780

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Squishy Taylor is back, in the fourth instalment of this fun, new junior fiction series aimed at 6 to 9 year olds. The story begins with Squishy revealing her admiration for rock climbing, You Tube sensation Carmeline Clancy. Excitement brews when Carmeline comes to town to film a movie, featuring all-important stunts, and Squishy is determined to meet her.

When Squishy and her step-sisters (a.k.a. her ‘bonus sisters’) encounter a cute, stray dog, learn of Carmeline’s supposed hotel room trashing antics, and have a run-in with their idol’s evil looking nanny, intrigue is well and truly built. Squishy’s instincts tell her Carmeline is not the disrespectful brat the adults around her (and the news) are insisting, and she’s compelled to prove her innocence. Squishy is inspired by her mum’s own world-saving antics in her UN job in Geneva.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed story accentuated by Ben Wood’s expressive illustrations. Readers will delight in Squishy’s fearless attitude, non-stop ninja moves and propensity for giving funny names to those she encounters (like Boring Lady and the Fancy Men). Once again, Squishy exhibits all the emotional ups and downs of a typical 11 year old, with huge doses of bravery and loyalty. She defies rules and follows her heart, fighting for those she believes in, whether it’s a movie star or a dog on the street.

The Special Ones

The Special Ones written by Em Bailey (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9781742976280

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The Special Ones is a YA thriller that centres on the lives of four young people living in seclusion on a farm, taken there against their will by a nameless, faceless captor. They are forced to assume different identities adapted from people in an old photograph. There’s ‘the Esther’, ‘the Lucille’, ‘the Felicity’ and ‘the Harry’, who are forced into subsistence-style rural life while their every move is monitored for transgressions. In contrast with their spartan lifestyle, The Special Ones have to communicate online with followers from the outside world, answering their questions and dispensing advice via a chat-room, all the while keeping in their assigned characters to evade punishment.

As the narrative progresses, chilling terminology arises that hints at the mastermind’s madness, like ‘collection’ (which is essentially kidnapping) and ‘renewal’ (being discarded in order to be replaced). The Special Ones must comply with the rules and stick to their roles to avoid the renewal process, which narrator Esther believes most certainly means death.

Conflict arises among the Special Ones when a new Lucille arrives, Harry is summoned for renewal, and Felicity, the youngest, is badly injured. The well-paced narrative manages to unravel the story with the perfect amount of tension and suspense, and takes a gripping turn when the narrator unexpectedly shifts from Esther to The Special Ones’ captor around the halfway mark. Insights into his delusional nature are truly frightening and hint at further trauma to follow, with the action unfolding right until the final few scenes.

The Special Ones is a hard-to-put-down story that delves into the world of cults and psychopaths. It has major crossover appeal, with less coming of age type YA tropes and more themes and ideas that would resonate just as well with the adult market. Unsettling yet absorbing, this is a highly addictive read.

Billie’s Yummy Bakery Adventure

Billie’s Yummy Bakery Adventure by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Alisa Coburn (Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781760124458

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Billie B Brown arrives at kinder hungry and a little cranky. Luckily, there’s some baking going on, however Emily’s manning the bakery and won’t let Billie or Jack join in. Teacher Amy subtly helps the situation out by pointing out some hungry toys and encouraging teamwork, so the children start to bake some delicious treats.

This is when my favourite part of the Billie’s Adventure series takes place – the illustrations (which are vibrant and action-packed) reveal the bakery transforming from a cardboard stand to a fully imagined patisserie, complete with live frogs, robots, matryoshka dolls and more as customers. However, when jealousy and competitiveness brew between the kids, things start to go wrong. The baked goods turn from ‘fantabulous’ to disastrous, when Billie adds a whole packet of magic mix to her cake in order to out-bake Emily. It explodes everywhere, causing the customers to flee.

Billie comes up with a solution to create a new cake, encouraging collaboration with the other kids. This is another feel-good story from a fun series that bridges the gap between picture books and short, illustrated junior fiction. Emotional highs and lows and age appropriate conflict are found in a scenario blurring the lines between what’s real and imaginary – just like the life of a pre-schooler, really!

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters written by Ailsa Wild, illustrated by Ben Wood (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 9781760126759

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Squishy Taylor is a brand new junior fiction series starring a feisty, curious, brave 11 year old. Squishy (real name, Sita) has a blended family and mixed racial heritage. As Squishy says, ‘this is what normal looks like now’. She lives with her dad, step-mum, baby half-sister, and her twin ‘bonus sisters’ Vee and Jessie. She keeps in touch with her mum, who’s working for the UN in Geneva, via Skype, and likes to do ‘ninja flips’ off the triple bunk bed she shares with the twins. This is no stereotypical, saccharine sweet protagonist.

In Squishy Taylor and the bonus sisters, Squishy comes across a boy hiding in her underground car park, who is on the run after supposedly stealing a tram. Squishy relishes the challenge of sneaking out of home to deliver him food, and bonds with Vee and Jessie in the process when she lets them into her secret. Interactions with neighbourly nemesis Mr Hinkenbushel ensue as the story unravels, and the reader learns more about Squishy’s sometimes complex relationships with her different family members along the way.

Sassy, headstrong and not without faults, Squishy is a refreshing character with a strong voice. Her ups and downs with her step-sisters mimic real-life sibling dramas, and she definitely makes mistakes.

The first in the Squishy Taylor series is a fast-paced, fun option for mid-primary school aged readers. Further titles A Question of Trust, The Vase that Wasn’t and The Mess Makers are due out in quick succession in the first half of 2016 – definitely a series to watch!

Penelope Perfect: Very Private List for Camp Success

Penelope Perfect: Very Private List for Camp Success by Chrissie Perry (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781760120254

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

This is the second Penelope Perfect novel by the author of the Go Girl series, Chrissie Perry. The narrative is punctuated with pictures and playful font, adding some elements of interest to key scenes. The series’ star is Penelope Kingston, a classic over-thinker who is anxious about all the important things in a primary school child’s life, like navigating friendship groups and dealing with playground conflict.

Penelope demonstrates a high level of self-awareness, and realises that her nervous feelings and angry outbursts need to be kept under control. There’s a lot of self-analysis at the beginning of the book as Penelope grapples with her worries, including writing herself a list of behavioural instructions to ensure her upcoming trip to a school camp goes smoothly.

The initial focus on her neuroses detracts somewhat from the narrative; however, the second half the book takes a more enjoyable turn as the reader is transported to the world of school camp and a cast of schoolkid characters. Penelope faces the ups and downs of mean girls and friendship alliances before it’s time to face her ultimate school camp fear – tackling an intimidating, high swing challenge. The book comes to a satisfying close as loose ends are neatly tied up. Penelope demonstrates inner growth and a realisation that sometimes, expectations of perfection need to be loosened a little to achieve ‘success’.

This is a fun read for the 7 to 10 year old female market, featuring anxieties that many children of this age would relate to. Despite the book’s heavy focus on tackling insecurities, the characters, plot and tension draw the reader in, and ultimately reveal an increasingly relatable and likeable Penelope who you can’t help but cheer for.

Lola’s Toy Box: The Patchwork Picnic

Lola’s Toy Box: The Patchwork Picnic by Danny Parker, illustrated by Guy Shields (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 9781760124366

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The Patchwork Picnic is the first junior fiction title in the Lola’s Toy Box series, by the author of picture books Tree and Parachute, Danny Parker. The chapters are interspersed with charming illustrations by Guy Shields, who recently worked on the redesign of literary magazine Kill Your Darlings.

When Lola’s mum is clearing out the family’s junk-crammed garden shed, Lola and her brother Nick are asked if they would like to keep any of the unwanted objects. Nick ‘pushed past her’ and immediately began to make his demands known, setting the scene for a realistically turbulent sibling relationship.

Lola sees magic in the jumble of old furniture in the shed’s shadows, and sets her sights on a large wooden box. In order to escape domineering Nick, Lola and her toy Buddy hop inside it. They emerge out of the box to find themselves on a hillside where Buddy begins to talk, and a magical journey in a kingdom of toys begins.

When Lola learns of the battle between the Plastic Prince and the Great High Bear in a place called Nevercalm, readers may recognise parallels with Lola’s own struggles with Nick. Lola draws on an inner-strength to challenge a threatening bear, and agrees to partake in a button test to prove to the toys she is trustworthy. Her adventure demonstrates her problem-solving skills, something readers may take heart from and be inspired to apply in their own lives.

Themes of resilience, courage, loyalty and kindness emerge in this magical tale that deals with issues many children may relate to. Lola is a strong female character who shows it is possible to be kind and stand up for yourself at the same time. And with a magic toy box now in her possession, there are more adventures in store for Lola and Buddy – in fact, three more titles in the series are already available.

Billie’s Great Desert Adventure

Billie’s Great Desert Adventure by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Alisa Coburn (Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781760124434

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Billie’s Great Desert Adventure is part of Sally Rippin’s new picture book series, featuring a younger Billie than in her well-known and much loved Billie B Brown junior fiction series.

Here, Billie attends ‘kinder’ or preschool. She excitedly arrives at kinder on a rainy day wearing her duck boots, anticipating puddle jumping and outdoor fun, only to learn she must remain inside. Barricading herself in a pile of cushions, Billie realises the possibilities they hold for creative play when Jack (of Rippin’s ‘Hey Jack’ series) arrives on the scene, excitedly interpreting the cushion pile as a cave. The two then embark on a magical adventure that references Aladdin, complete with treasure, thieves and a magic carpet ride. Reflecting the boundless imaginations of preschool-aged children, the story immerses the reader in a fast-paced, fantastical journey, only ending when Billie and Jack emerge from their cushion cave in time for an all-important snack.

Alisa Coburn’s vibrant illustrations have a timeless, retro feel, and help bring the story to life. The expressive faces of the characters reveal a gamut of emotions from fear to elation as Billie and Jack devise a way to thwart the thieves, further bring the reader along for the ride.

Rippin’s foray into picture books allows a greater exploration of language than the conventions of her read-alone junior series’ both allow. It introduces the 3 to 5 year old set to the worlds of Billie and Jack, paving the way for a love of reading and an eventual confidence to tackle the Billie B Brown and Hey Jack novels. Interestingly, Billie’s earlier dismissal of reading books when she arrives at kinder is counteracted by Coburn’s strategic inclusion of imagery of opened books strewn on Billie’s and Jack’s cushion cave. Just like the kids’ adventure, the books look to be Aladdin-inspired, hinting at the inspiration to be found within their pages.

Billie’s Great Desert Adventure is a charming story that perfectly captures the heightened imaginations of young children.

The Flywheel

The Flywheel by Erin Gough (Hardie Grant Egmont)

ISBN 9781742978178

PB $19.95 RRP

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

The Flywheel is the second debut novel to be published by Hardie Grant Egmont through their annual Ampersand Project. (The first was Melissa Keil's award winning Life in Outer Space.) The Flywheel is a young adult novel about a girl called Delilah who runs her father's café while he is away overseas. In doing this, Del juggles school, work and relationships and the story is about how difficult and how funny this all becomes.

Delilah (Del for short) is seventeen and in her last year of school when she encourages her depressed father to take a trip, after Del's mother leaves them. Neither of them know the café manager will leave, that the café down the road will try to put them out of business or that Del will be bullied at school because of her sexual preferences. To further complicate things Del's crush on Rosa, the flamenco dancer across the road, seems to be unrequited and Del's best friend Charlie gets himself on the wrong side of the law and hides out at Del's place.

Written in first person, Del's story is told with a lot of self deprecating humour, particularly when it comes to dancing. Under the humour she faces many issues, such as what to do when her best friend asks her to lie for him in a court of law, whether to tell her absent father that his business is going down the drain and how to deal with girls who are not completely comfortable with the fact they like girls. Although she makes a few mistakes along the way, with the help of her friends, Del works it all out by the end. 

Erin Gough has written a fast paced novel with lots of realistic dialogue which should appeal to young adult readers. With a very independent and genuine main character, The Flywheel is an enjoyable addition to the Ampersand Project.      

The Flywheel

The Flywheel by Erin Gough (Hardie Grant Egmont)

ISBN 9781742978178

PB $19.95 RRP

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

The Flywheel is the second debut novel to be published by Hardie Grant Egmont through their annual Ampersand Project. (The first was Melissa Keil's award winning Life in Outer Space.) The Flywheel is a young adult novel about a girl called Delilah who runs her father's café while he is away overseas. In doing this, Del juggles school, work and relationships and the story is about how difficult and how funny this all becomes.

Delilah (Del for short) is seventeen and in her last year of school when she encourages her depressed father to take a trip, after Del's mother leaves them. Neither of them know the café manager will leave, that the café down the road will try to put them out of business or that Del will be bullied at school because of her sexual preferences. To further complicate things, Del's crush on Rosa, the flamenco dancer across the road, seems to be unrequited and Del's best friend Charlie gets himself on the wrong side of the law and hides out at Del's place.

Written in first person, Del's story is told with a lot of self deprecating humour, particularly when it comes to dancing. Under the humour, she faces many issues, such as what to do when her best friend asks her to lie for him in a court of law, whether to tell her absent father that his business is going down the drain and how to deal with girls who are not completely comfortable with the fact they like girls. Although she makes a few mistakes along the way, with the help of her friends Del works it all out by the end. 

Erin Gough has written a fast-paced novel with lots of realistic dialogue which should appeal to young adult readers. With a very independent and genuine main character, The Flywheel is an enjoyable addition to the Ampersand Project.       

Sylvia and Bird

Sylvia and Bird by Catherine Rayner (Little Tiger Press — Hardie Grant Egmont)
ISBN 978-1-84506-857-8
PB $14.95 RRP
Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

This delightful picture book, written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner, is about a friendship between a dragon and a bird. Sylvia, a shimmer-shiny dragon who lives on a high mountain-top, is terribly lonely until she meets an unlikely playmate, a small yellow bird known as 'Bird'. Despite their obvious differences, the two have fun together and keep each another company. But while Bird is able to go off and play with other birds, Sylvia has no one else, as she is the last of her kind on earth. This makes Sylvia quite sad.

For anyone who knows about dragons (and there are a few out there) Syliva is not a hot, fire-breathing variety, but a cool, mountain one with beautiful ice crystals decorating her large body. The diminutive Bird is a complete contrast to her oversized friend. But the crux of the story is that none of this matters. When Sylvia tries to go to the moon to find other dragons, and she realises Bird can't go with her, she decides to stay on earth. There's no way she wants to leave her friend Bird behind. 

As in her book about a tiger, Augustus and his Smile, Catherine Rayner has presented a large scary creature in an non-threatening, affectionate way for small children. Sylvia's face shows a vulnerable, friendly expression and her actions through the story show her gentleness, particularly when she saves Bird from falling, when she flies too high.

 The concept of the story, that difference is no obstacle to true friendship, is certainly admirable and worth conveying to children as early as possible. Sylvia and Bird, which won the 2014 Greenway Medal in the UK,  is a lovely book for adults to read aloud and everyone can enjoy the superbly drawn illustrations. This book is suitable for preschool children and up into early primary.