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.

Mia’s Glamma

Mia’s Glamma by Josie Montano and Carla Hoffenberg (IP Kidz, Interactive Press) HB RRP $26.00 ISBN: 9781922830203

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

What if you took every stereotype of ‘grandma’ and turned them upside down, inside out and back to front? You’d have Mia’s glamorous grandma, ‘Glamma’.

Glamma shops online, runs a restaurant, wears glittery high heels and dyes her hair hot pink (and other colours as the mood takes her). But, deep down, underneath the glitz and glamour, is Mia’s Glamma just like everyone else’s grandma?

In this day and age, I’m not convinced children will understand or resonate with the grandma stereotype of a grey-haired, slipper-wearing elderly lady who spends her days knitting in her rocking chair. However, Mia’s Glamma encourages young readers to explore differences and similarities between grandmas (and people in general) – eventually coming to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter what grandmas do or what they look like, their love and the relationship they have with their grandchildren trumps all else.

Illustrator Carla Hoffenberg has captured the love between Mia and Glamma beautifully, with the bright colours and bold pictures singing of joy and happiness as the pair delight in each other’s company. Make sure you check out Glamma’s fun earring collection too.

I feel it takes a special grandmas to show this relationship with such clarity, and author Josie Montano clearly meets the brief.

Mia’s Glamma is a wonderful read for children aged from 4 to 8, and is sure to become a favourite shared book.

Iris and the Rainbow Day

Iris and the Rainbow Day by Josie Montano illustrated by Andrea Peixoto Emmerick (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing) PB $18 + $2 postage HB $25 + $5 postage RRP $13.99 ISBN9781643724539

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Iris is an odd little girl who loves colour so much that she has a daily ritual: every day of the week is dedicated to a colour by which she lives her life. On Monday, for example, she feels energetic so dresses entirely in red, with a red beret, red top, red shorts, and red sandals. She eats red foods (strawberries, tomatoes, cherries, and watermelon) and plays on red swings and reads a red book. Tuesday is an orange day, so all her clothes are orange, she eats orange foods and plays on an orange seesaw and solves an orange puzzle. Wednesday is a yellow day, and so on.

After Sunday (a purple day), comes Monday again, but oh no, there’s a disaster! All her red clothes are no longer available, nor her red fruits, and the red swings are out of bounds, and the red book is missing. Over the previous week as she followed her ritual, Iris felt energetic, excited, happy, calm, healthy, sophisticated, and creative, but now she feels lifeless and sad. Happily, Mum comes to the rescue, explaining that Iris can have any colour any day she wishes. Thereafter, Iris dresses in all the colours of the rainbow, every day she  eats a colourful range of food, and so on.

This thin book is cleverly written and illustrated insofar as it shows small child readers a wide range of colours as well as the days of the week. Not only that, but it is also Dyslexic inclusive, printed in a font that everyone can read, including people with dyslexia. In keeping with the colour subject matter, the illustrator has made sure that the book bursts with brilliant colours. The final illustration, for instance, shows Iris dressed in red beret, purple top, green earrings, and black gloves, looking up at a rainbow with the words ‘Iris loves rainbow days’ underneath.

This book is likely to appear to readers aged 6 years and up, especially developing readers.

Please contact Josie Montano josie@booksbyjosie.com.au if you wish to purchase a book/s (cost is above).

 

 

Sunlight

Sunlight by Josie Montano (Summer Solstice Publishing)
Ebook RRP $1.99
ISBN: 9781301922321
Reviewed by Nina Lim

It’s hard enough being 16 at the best of times let alone when your boyfriend’s not speaking to you, your Dad is depressed, your Mum is gone, and you’ve been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. All this and more is experienced by Paulini during a summer she will never forget.

Josie Montano deftly weaves together a cast of memorable characters. There is the dramatic Greek grandmother, the stern nurses, Paulini’s friends and enemies. We explore how Paulini deals with her diagnoses and treatment, her dreams and fantasies, and the impact that being seriously ill has on her and those close to her. There are several themes running through the story including friendship, love, relationships and life itself.

This book is suitable for teens and young adults. It has serious themes that are explored in a sensitive and thought-provoking way.  Paulini is an engaging character and she will stay with the reader long after they have put the book down.

Nina Lim is an author and creator of fun and fabulous storybook apps, available for the iPhone and iPad. www.ninalim.com