Casa~Mia

Casa~Mia by Josie Montano and Kristen Willis (IP Kidz) HB RRP $23.63 ISBN: 9781923435001

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

The bond between grandparent and grandchild can be nothing short of special.

When Carlo realises that his Nonno’s eyes have lost their twinkle because he’s desperately homesick, the little boy sets out to bring his grandfather’s casa mia to him.  

But what is Nonno’s casa mia? What does it look like? Feel like? Sound like?

So begins Carlo’s journey into his Nonno’s past and all the little things that make up his casa mia, from clothes to food and even his old piano accordion.

Author Josie Montano’s sparing narrative couples beautifully with Kirsten Willis’ delightfully warm illustrations. Children will enjoy exploring the pages, identifying all of Nonno’s prized possessions and discussing what they are, why they might be so special and how they can be used to create a feeling of ‘home’.

Reading Casa~Mia reminded me of my grandparents and the stories they told. about memories held in their belongings – whether a cherished bracelet, an old weather-beaten hat or fading photos. I would hope that this heartwarming story might evoke the same emotions in others as they read and remind them how important a sense of home and belonging is.

This picture book is perfect for children aged 4 – 7, but also for older children (and adults) as a reminder to cherish our older generation and value our origins.

No Matter Who We’re With

No Matter Who We’re With by Robert Vescio, illustrated by Cheri Scholten (IP Kidz)

HB RRP $26.95 (e-book $13.00)

ISBN 9781922120212                                            

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

This is a heartwarming story that reinforces the fact that if parents divorce, both parents still love their children. Told from the children’s perspective, the story has an authentic feel. The children relate favourite activities they do with each parent but also gently remind the reader that life isn’t the same as it used to be e.g. when they ask dad to read a particular book and he tells them it’s at their mum’s house or when mum takes them to the pool and they ask to go again tomorrow but are reminded they will be at their dad’s place.

 The children understand that while they love their mum and dad and sometimes miss one when they are with the other that one thing remains constant: both parents love them and they love both parents.

Cheri Scholten’s cover is bright and engaging showing happy children with their parents with each parent being on one side of a fence and the children between them. It literally and metaphorically sends a message of a happy family even though they are sometimes apart. The endpapers are bright little images set against a vivid yellow background. This leads into the bold images depicting a range of different activities and also different emotions.

No Matter Who We’re With is a book that would be valuable to read and discuss with young children to help them understand that even though parents might separate, their love for their children remains the same.

About Face

About Face by Robert Moore, illustrated by Monkeystack (IPKidz) 

PB RRP $26.00
ISBN 9781921869129       
Reviewed by Margaret Warner

The bold cover of About Face invites young readers into this humorous story in which each of the facial features becomes an independent character. Nose even has a bandaid across the bridge and mouth has a missing tooth, just like the children who will enjoy this book. Each eye and ear, the nose and mouth all work together using their different functions in a surreptitious adventure to make raspberry pies while having fun dancing to lively music.

The vibrant colours of the illustrations against the darker background will immediately capture a child’s interest and be a source of discussion. The text stands out boldly, printed in white against the dark blue background of each page, making it easy for a young reader to follow the words. In the final pages, the child who has dreamed of the fun adventure wakes up to the reality of an earache, a runny nose, watery eyes and cracked lips.

Young children will enjoy having this book read to them or reading it themselves and will have a giggle at the characters up to mischief. The book could be complemented with songs and rhymes about the face and body and be a useful resource in a unit of work on the senses.

Lyli Meets the Stone-Muncher

Lyli Meets the Stone-Muncher written and illustrated by Célinne Eimann (IP Kidz)

HB $26.00, eBook $13.00

ISBN 9781921479991

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

Children are naturally inquisitive and it is this inquisitiveness that motivates Lyli to search for a hidden, secret tunnel through the mountain to find out what lies on the other side.

When Lyli and her cat, Tyki go exploring and stumble on the entrance to the tunnel they are not sure what to expect. Legend says that the Green Stone-Muncher that will gobble up anything, created the secret tunnel.

However, when the child and the monster meet they are both in for a surprise. Monsters are usually portrayed in children’s books as scary creatures but in this one the monster is definitely friendly and helpful. Fear turns to friendship and as a result everyone in the town benefits, as does the monster.

As the narrative unfolds, the beautiful watercolour illustrations combined with collage connect the reader with the changing setting and Lyli’s emotions. The visual representation of the monster is particularly interesting as is the contrast of dark and pastel shades to accentuate the changing emotions and settings.

This gentle story is about inquisitiveness, adventure and friendship.

Christina’s Matilda

Christina’s Matilda by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Elizabeth Botté (IP Kidz)

HB $26.00, eBook $13,00

ISBN 9781921479878

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

Who was Christina Macpherson and what was her connection to the famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’?

The front endpaper reveals to the reader the historical nature of the story. The paper resembles an old, faded book and the maps orient the reader to places that are significant. As you turn the pages of this beautifully presented book, the story of Christina Macpherson’s life slowly unfolds. The illustrations are beautifully detailed combining paintings and drawings, maps, photos, posters and programs, letters and sheet music.

In 1895 while Banjo Paterson was visiting Christina’s brother, Christina played a marching tune that she had heard the previous year and Banjo Paterson composed words to go with the tune. Significantly, the song was neither copyrighted nor published at that time. However, when the song was published several years later to promote Billy Tea, a few words were changed and the musical arrangement was credited to Marie Cowan. She did not claim to have arranged the tune, but at that time Christina’s contribution was not known. It took many years before the historian and bush balladist, Richard Magoffin discovered Christina’s contribution to this famous Australian song.

Reading the story of Christina’s Matilda is like looking through an old scrapbook, faded with time with sepia coloured pages with beautiful borders; pages that are filled with personal memorabilia that tell a fascinating story and shed light on the origins of ‘Waltzing Matilda’.

i Love You Book

i Love You Book by Libby Hathorn, illustrated by Heath McKenzie (IP KIdz)

HB RRP $26.00

ISBN 9781921479892

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

This tribute to ‘the book’ was inspired by Libby Hathorn’s visit to Papua New Guinea where she visited a high school in Gorokan several years ago. Several of the students’ parents were learning to read and performed a ‘book drama’ for the assembly, called I Love You Book about the joys of reading.

The picture book i Love You Book celebrates every aspect of the absolute joy of ‘the book’: the look, the smell, the sound, the feel, the emotions, and the delights that capture the imagination on every page. Heath McKenzie’s vibrant illustrations take the reader into an array of imaginative scenes that will remind readers of every memorable book they have ever read.

This delightful book will deliver something special for readers and writers of all ages.

Long Live Us!

Long Live Us! by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Peter Allert  (IP Kidz)

HB RRP $26.00, ebook $13.00

ISBN 9781921479465

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

Take one greedy troll, add a group of Goodies: three bears, three pigs, one princess and frog prince. Add a group of Baddies: Goldilocks, a hungry wolf, a wicked witch and add Jack’s giant for good measure. Mix them up in a fractured fairytale and you end up with a riotous tale told with quirky humour about Goodies and Baddies and crime and punishment. Readers will realise by the end of the tale that a story without baddies would simply be ‘dreary, deadly-dull’.

This is a wonderful read-aloud story that can be dramatised and thoroughly enjoyed by reader and listener. Readers will love the he rhyme and rhythm of the language…’The witch is a crone –all string and bone. But the Princess and her Guy will be yummy as pie.’

Peter Allert’s illustrations are vibrant and full of humour. They entice the reader to check for small details that reveal more about the characters and scenes.

    

Primary students who are already familiar with all the characters in the book will thoroughly enjoy their new and unexpected adventures.

Tiger Tames the Min Min

Tiger Tames the Min Min by David Reiter, illustrations by Chris Green and Monkeystack (IP Kidz)

PB RRP $16.95, eBook $9.95

ISBN 9781921479748

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

This is the third entertaining book in the Project Earth-Mend series. Once again Tiger the Cat, Wanda the blue-tongue lizard and Syd the crow join with the extra terrestrial, Tark from Planet Griffon who can shape change but usually takes the form of a frog, in their quest to save the Earth from The Great Danger. Along the way, the band of eco warriors is joined by a camel named Number 12, who has decided that his racing days are over.

Number 12 leads the group to central Australia to spread the word about how to save planet Earth and to search for the mysterious Min Min lights. They also have to seek out the influential but elusive Kangaroo who has the power to enlist other native animals in the campaign. While on their important mission, the little group is confronted by Mick, another extra terrestrial from the distant Planet Abell 2218, who is on his own secret and highly questionable mission on Earth.

The underlying messages about sustainability and saving the planet are artfully integrated into an entertaining sci-fi storyline with a hint of suspense. The humour is quirky and contemporary and often quite sophisticated and will really appeal to readers who ‘get it’, for example when they make contact with sand monitors in the desert…the geeky monitor who was already so good at YouTube that he had uplpoaded a short film about water conservation and collecting bush tucker in the desert that quickly became a best seller and was aired in the Birdsville Cinemaplex instead of the popcorn and soft drink ads for a week, shortly after achieves celebrity status when the film was seen by a film producer.

There are a number of references to people and events that may go ‘over the head’ of some readers but that won’t detract from the overall storyline or intended humour. Readers who loved the first two books in the Project Earth-Mend series will love this one too, which is suitable for upper primary readers. 

Arlo and the Vortex

Arlo and the Vortex by Juliet Blair (IP Kidz)

PB RRP $16.95, eBook $9.95

ISBN 9781921479656

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

When Arlo’s friend, Kate asks him to meet her to do some rock climbing up a cliff on the beach at midnight, he is intrigued and nervous. What they see when they climb the cliff mesmerises then captures them as they are accidentally drawn into a vortex.

They emerge into a beachside settlement that they discover is the part of their home community that disappeared mysteriously without trace in the Cataclysm some years earlier, during a storm. Arlo and Kate are confronted by having to live in an isolated community that is surviving with limited resources. There are no mobile phones, no school as they know it, no shops, no junk food, no internet. Priorities are different and so are the rules of this community as they soon find out.

This fast-paced story explores many issues associated with authority, survival, relationships and independence and will keep the reader intrigued to the last page as dramatic events unfold. This book is suitable for readers aged 10 plus.

The Sky Dreamer

The Sky Dreamer by Anne Morgan, illustrated by Céline Eimann (IP Kidz)

HB RRP $26.00, eBook $13.00

ISBN 9781921479977

Reviewed by Margaret Warner

In a very sensitive and gentle way, this book invites the reader to experience the journey of a child coping with grief after the death of a sibling.

On the night before Liam’s birthday he experiences a dream connection with his sister, Cassie as she arrives in her boat the Sky Dreamer, floating just outside his window above a silver ghost gum. Cassie welcomes her brother aboard and off they sail into many adventures while Cassie sews her brother a birthday present. As they journey through the sky, Cassie encourages Liam to learn to sail the Sky Dreamer by himself through the many hazards of thunder, lightning, meteorites, past distant planets and comets. Gradually he gains confidence to steer on his own and all the while his sister sews his birthday present. As daylight appears, Liam leaves the Sky Dreamer with his special birthday present, which will brighten his life.

Liam’s journey with Cassie in the Sky Dreamer is a beautiful analogy of a child’s journey through the grey times of the grief to very gradually learning to live without a sibling and once again experience the sunny, happy times. The dreamlike quality and changing colours of the beautiful illustrations reflect the emotions that Liam experiences as he learns to steer the Sky Dreamer. His stark, grey world of grief is mirrored in the grey tones of the background as he stares at the cloud formations in the sky. This contrasts with the changing colours in illustrations throughout the narrative, ending with the sunny colours of the final illustration.

This beautiful book very gently explores the process of loss and healing and would be very comforting to share with a child going through this process.