The Adventures of Pongo and Stink

The Adventures of Pongo and Stink by Lisa Nicol. Illustrated by Karen Blair. Penguin Books 2025. Hardcover Junior Fiction 195 pages. RRP $14.99. ISBN 9781761355691.

Reviewed by Debra Williams.

Meet Pongo and Stink, two young pigs who are fed up with living in the pigsty. Pongo feels that the farm dog, (their tormentor Rollo), owned by Farmer Nic, is treated much better than they are, especially when it comes to food, ear scratches, belly rubs and attention. Pongo suggests an outrageous idea to Stink: they should escape and dress up as dogs, to live the lifestyle they could easily become accustomed to.

Escaping from the sty and travelling into town, Pongo sees a costume shop, and she organises two dog disguises: a Border Collie suit for herself and a Corgi suit for her mate Stink (he isn’t so sure about the plan). As they walk back through town, however, everyone makes a great fuss of them, and Pongo is certain they are onto a good thing. After all, who can resist a pig in a dog suit?

Even Farmer Nic doesn’t recognise them as pigs when they show up at the farmhouse, and lavishes love and food on the two piggies, thinking that they are stray puppies, that is, until everything backfires! Along the way, there is a wily fox who tries to scupper their plans. Pongo and Stink eventually discover that to be yourself is the greatest, mud-splattered adventure of all.

Reminiscent of an Aesop’s fable with the clever pigs outsmarting the fox, this is a fun and delightful story of friendship, following your dreams and coming to self-acceptance. (Not to mention the dangers of eating far too much cheese!)

This story will be enjoyed by confident readers aged 7 years and over.

The Adventures of Pongo and Stink

The Adventures of Pongo and Stink by Lisa Nicol, illustrated by Karen Blair (Penguin Books) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781761355691

This is a roll-in-the-mud adventure story about two piggies who love food but bite off more than they can chew. Pongo and Stink are FED UP with living in a pigsty. They want to live a life of luxury, all cosy in the farmhouse, getting loving pats from Farmer Nic while eating scones and jam on toast - just like their tormentor, Rollo the dog. When Pongo has the audacious idea of dressing up as pups, the two piggies set out to chase their dreams. But will the wily fox scupper their plans? Or will Pongo and Stink realise that they are perfect, just as they are . . .?

Written for children 6+ years, this is a highly illustrated story for children who love to read about mischievous pigs. It has themes of friendship, being yourself, and teamwork.

 

The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish

The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish by Allison Rushby, illustrated by Karen Blair (UQP) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN: 9780702265945

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Flick’s baby sister, Birdie, can make wishes come true – but they are usually twisted around in some way. Dad takes Birdie to the school sports day, and Flick is concerned about what will happen. And she is right to be worried! Birdie turns herself green to support the green team, then causes Dad’s legs to spin as fast as a bicycle’s wheels. Can Flick stop Birdie from tampering with the parent–teacher race and ensuring that Dad wins unfairly?

Allison Rushby’s enchanting chapter book is ideal for kids aged five to eight who are just beginning to stretch their reading legs. Humour and magic dash across the pages, drawing youngsters through the lively story, while familiar themes of family and friendship wave merrily like bunting in the breeze.

Karen Blair’s greyscale illustrations help the text across the finish line by adding another layer of fun to the tale. Using light and shade to great effect, Karen’s comical images bring the characters to life. They also give reluctant readers some breathing room by breaking up the paragraphs.

Bewitching from the first page until the last, The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish is sure to become a favourite with kids. They will be sprinting to the library to find the other books in the series in no time.

The Pet Wish (The Wish Sister series)

The Pet Wish (The Wish Sister series) by Allison Rushby & Karen Blair (UQP) Paperback, Junior Fiction, RRP $12.99 ISBN 9780702265952

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Allison Rushby is an award-winning children’s author with more than 20 books to her name. She is spectacular at writing middle grade books. Allison Rushby along with Megan Daley and Allison Tait run the popular parent Facebook group Your Next Kids Read.

The Pet Wish is the fourth book in this popular series. Flick and her little sister, Birdie, are helping a local senior’s group – The Busybodies, raise money for animals in need. Some special animals are hoping to find their fur-ever homes. Things go haywire when Birdie wishes and makes the animals even more special so that they can be adopted. How can Flick and Oli keep a rainbow cat, a dancing dog, and a puppy a secret when there’s an annoying photographer taking photos?

Allison Rushby has created a charming read. Her short well written sentences keep a young reader engaged and support those beginning to read independently.  The active verbs and vocabulary are perfect for younger readers. Rushby writes about child-relatable topics very well. Since Birdie had discovered she could wish, a lot of funny things had been happening. A unicorn party had appeared in their back garden, along with a real-life unicorn.

The dialogue is warm and friendly and suits each character and their unique personalities. Birdie is a baby and although she can make wishes, her dialogue matches her age. ‘Gah!’ Birdie nodded on Flick’s hip, ‘Gah, gah, gah!’ The text is easy to understand but it’s not predictable. Rushby allows the younger reader to anticipate, and page turn to find out more. I love that the imp remains hidden in the pages until it’s ready to unexpectedly appear. A snorty laugh came from somewhere behind them in the tent. ‘What was that?’ Mr Adams whipped around. ‘What was that snorty laugh?’

Karen Blair’s purple cover has a sparkly wish blurb and features Flick, Birdie, and a rainbow cat. Inside the book, Flick and Birdie are warm and friendly, and the imp is cheeky and full of mischief. Because the book is for children developing independent reading skills, the illustrations appear when needed. The full-page illustrations paint the scenes well and the little sprinkles of illustrations on some pages add just the right touches.

The Pet Wish (The Wish Sisters) is a great addition to any bookshelf. A child who is beginning to read independently is well supported by the text and the illustrations. The topics magic and wishes are ones children love. The Pet Wish is recommended for children aged six and older. I can see this book appealing to parents and teachers, too.

The Wish Sisters: The Big Wish

The Wish Sisters: The Big Wish written by Allison Rushby, Illustrated by Karen Blair (UQP) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN 9780702265938

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

The Big Wish written by Allison Rushby and Illustrated by Karen Blair is book two from The Wish Sisters Series.

Flicks family has recently found out that Birdie, Flicks baby sister can make wishes that come true. A magical bottle was handed down from Flick and Birdies Granny Aggie. Residing in this bottle is an Imp and the Imp was meant to grant Flick and Birdie unlimited wishes. However, the Imp is notoriously tricky, and Granny Aggies original wish was twisted so that only Birdie has the wishes.

In book two, Flick briefly reflects on the loss of her wishes but after seeing how wishes can go terribly awry, she reconciles that she must help Birdie with her wishing instead.

In The Big Wish, we see Flick getting ready to leave home so she can give a book-talk at her local library group. However, this has thrown Birdies routine off kilter, and Birdie is tired and grumpy. Nervous thoughts run through the back of everyone’s minds.

Right on queue, the moment Birdie becomes upset and agitated or does not get what she wants, the wishing chaos erupts in style with froggy socks and apple snacks for all, not to mention a litter of puppies.

The Imp is at work causing mischief yet again, how will Flick and her family manage this episode?

The Big Wish speaks of courage, self-confidence, and sibling relationships with a fresh and positive outlook. Full of action and fun, readers will continue to enjoy the raucous entertainment that this series provides.

Recommended for newly independent readers.

 

 

 

 

  

The Wish Sisters: The Party Wish

The Wish Sisters: The Party Wish written by Allison Rushby, Illustrated by Karen Blair (UQP) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN 9780702265921

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

The Wish Sisters: The Party Wish by Allison Rushby and Illustrated by Karen Blair is the first of a brand-new magical series, for children ready to leave early readers and leap into chapter books.

Visualise waking up one morning to discover that your little baby sister has been gifted the ability of making all ‘her’ wishes come true? Wild antics are surely to ensue and ensue they do.

Flick is big sister to thirteen-month-old Birdie and Flick wants to be the best big sister ever. Her Granny Aggie, recently passed, gifted Flick a T-Shirt that boldly emblazes these words (Best Big Sister Ever) and she takes them very seriously.

It just so happens it’s not the only gift Granny Aggie left for the sisters. A glass bottle collection one of which contains a very magical creature, called Imp. Granny Aggie bestowed a wish so that her grandbabies would have unlimited wishes. But Imps are tricky and mischievous, and the Imp has tweaked Granny Aggies wish. The Imp does not recognise Flick as a baby so therefore all the wishes fall to Birdie, as she is a baby and babies wishes are way more fun, right?

As the title of the book suggests, the first wish is for a party but no ordinary party. Birdies favourite story book is Petunia the Unicorns Super Fabulous First Birthday. As an amazing big sister, Flick has read this book to Birdie a lot and now it has become the living embodiment of the first wish. With the real Petunia the unicorn who poops cupcakes, a rainbow slide made of sour straps and a floating cloud cake.

How do they explain a flamboyant second birthday party to the neighbours? What could go wrong?

With infinite storyline possibilities The Wish Sisters Series is certainly going to provide endless enjoyment to readers.

When I’m Big

When I’m Big by Karen Blair (Penguin Random House Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761045813

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Now that her mum is expecting a baby, everyone tells the protagonist that she’ll ‘be a BIG girl soon’. At first, the idea excites her – she’ll be able to reach high things, jump long distances and even help her Granny. But then she worries about how BIG she’ll get. Will she need a larger bath and bed? Will she still fit in her house? She tells her mum that she doesn’t want to be a big girl. However, when the tiny baby arrives, she realises that ‘being a big girl … is magic’.

Ideal for two- to five-year-olds, When I’m Big gently explores the concept of growing up – especially with the imminent arrival of a sibling. Karen Blair’s young protagonist takes the adults’ words literally, and she questions how she’ll cope with being a giant girl in a normal-sized world. When the girl asks, ‘Will I fit anywhere?’, Karen has hit the nail on the head – once the baby arrives, will the girl still fit into the family? Littlies will soon discover that being a big sister is both sweet and satisfying.

The pastel colour scheme throughout the book is kind to young eyes. At the height of the protagonist’s concerns, the pages are awash with cool blue. But light and love soon enter the girl’s life again, with lemons and pinks warming up the spreads. As the girl literally grows bigger and bigger, the visual humour will make kids smile – especially when she must have a bath in a public swimming pool, while her dad scrubs her back with a broom.

Brimming with whimsy and wonder, When I’m Big is an imaginative take on the uncertainty that kids often have about growth and change. The uplifting conclusion – where sibling connections are celebrated – will melt hearts big and small.

Train Party

Train Party by Karen Blair (Puffin Books) HB RRP ISBN 9781760899578

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The first thing which captures the reader’s attention in this book is a double-page spread of a Castleview Railway, zig-zagged with railway lines for the miniature steam trains which traverse the country. Labelled with places such as the ticket office, Castleview Station, Rory’s Roundhouse (which houses the trains), Leo’s Loop, Puddelton Pond, and others, the colourful pictures appear on the fly pages. Inside the book is a dark-skinned family of mum, dad, and three children who’ve come to the railway setting for a picnic party – and to ride on a steam train.

The story is told in simple, rhyming three line stanzas such as ‘We’re at the park./Time to unpack./What can you hear?/ Clickety clack.’ Every verse ends with the refrain, ‘Clickety clack’ which is the sound of trains moving through the park.

Other families are at the park, too, all enjoying a sunny day and the happy ambience. The family in focus unpacks ‘popcorn and gifts’ and strings up bunting, as drivers nearby shovel coal and check the track. Meanwhile, the children are playing with a toy train on rails on their picnic blanket. 

When the red, blue, green, yellow, and black trains set off, the family, tickets in hand, waits at the railway station for their ride. Soon they’ve embarked and are enjoying the train ride around the park… ‘under the trees, around the old shack, passing the pond, clickety clack.’ Mum loses her hat, and everyone waves to passing trains.

This is a simple story which most children will relate to. The illustrations are bright and colourful, the children look authentic, and the drivers are typical elderly train hobbyists. This book is sure to be enjoyed by readers aged 4+ years old.

Me and You

Me and You by Deborah Kelly, illustrated by Karen Blair (Viking) HB RRP $24.99   ISBN 9780670079247

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

So much love packed into one book! Deborah Kelly and Karen Blair have teamed up for the first time to create this beautiful tale of love, togetherness and the simple things in life. The gorgeous endpapers set the mood for this heart-warming reflection on early childhood. The story is told through the eyes of a fun-loving young girl who has overwhelming gratitude for spending time with those closest to her. It divinely reinforces the old adage that ‘children love your presence more than your presents.’

Throughout the book, we see images of the little girl’s fun-filled days with her parents, grandparents, cousins, neighbours and dog as she describes the many everyday experiences that clearly fill her heart with joy.

‘I love our arty-crafty days, our cut-and-paste and colour days, making things all kinds of ways with scissors, paint and glue.’

Me and You is written in verse and is beautifully illustrated using pencil and soft watercolours. This picture book makes a great bedtime story, best read snuggled up with your little one. This story may even encourage them to reflect on their own relationships and start a conversation about what they love about their days! This book is suitable for children aged 3-6 and is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Something Wonderful

Something Wonderful by Raewyn Caisley and Karen Blair HB RRP $24.99 (Viking) ISBN 9780670078455

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

At the front of this picture book for young readers, author Raewyn Caisley writes about Sam, a creative thinker, on whom she has based this book. She says, ‘(Sam) grew up in a small country town in Western Australia. He works at a famous university in Europe, where he is trying to figure out what is in-between the smallest things.’ The book is ‘dedicated to Sam, and to all creative thinkers.’

In Something Wonderful we meet young Sam leaping a log in the country, followed by his kelpie. The boy is attuned to and observant of his environment. He pulls things apart and then puts them back again, forgetting sometimes to attend to his chores. This annoys his dad, but Mum sees what their son is doing is important. On a day that it rains, Sam checks out the shed where ‘his mind lit up with possibilities.’ Using tools and other equipment he finds, the enterprising child creates something useful, ‘something wonderful.’

The illustrator must have really enjoyed the challenge of Caisley’s text, coming up with the ultimate invention, the ‘something wonderful’ that Sam creates in the farm shed. Her illustrations show an attentive lad working with tubes, tyres, drains, wheels and a host of other bits and pieces, which, when put together, results in a machine which is ultimately used with egg-laying hens. Blair’s ultimate full-page watercolour shows Sam creating another invention on a large sheet of paper.

This simple story is very appealing with a pared-back text that rewards reading aloud. The full-page illustrations perfectly capture the Australian country landscape.

Our Baby

Our Baby by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Karen Blair (Working Title Press) HB RRP $24

ISBN 9781921504

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Both the author and illustrator of this new picture book for very young children are award-winning. The reasons for this are once again demonstrated in their exceptional craft in Our Baby. The text starts with ‘Some babies have a mum and a dad’ and proceeds to relate the different kinds of families babies are born into. Then there are the types of babies there are (some with … ‘snotty noses, tiny shrimp toes, tufty hair, dandelion hair, gummy smile, or one tooth.’) We read about the lives of babies, what they do, where they go, what they like, how they behave. The narrator is a baby’s young sister whose parents are bi-racial – mum white-skinned, dad dark-skinned. At the end of the story they curl up – mum, dad, baby and sister – in bed. ‘We are lucky, lucky, lucky to have our baby!’ declares sister on the last page.

Thus the book is an ode to having a baby in the family, whatever kind of family one has. Wild has a gift for language, with the words of this book tripping along lightly, making obvious the joys of being a baby and having a baby. Her simple sentences and joyfulness is complimented by Blair’s delicate and engaging watercolour illustrations set in lots of white background. We see a baby wrapped in a dad’s arm while Dad drinks coffee in a café and baby drops crumbs to pigeons at his feet. In another illustration, the little narrator’s dad reads a book to baby while sister sits at a school desk, also reading. Then there are babies rolling, dancing, crawling and bouncing; babies playing, ‘dropping things in the toilet, or building a tower of bricks.’

Yes, the best word to describe this book is ‘joy.’ The story can – and should – be read over and over again, the lively and amusing pictures looked at frequently, too. This lovely book is sure to be a hit with parents who have small children and babies. And with pre-schoolers whose teachers share the book with them.

Our Baby

Our Baby by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Karen Blair (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24

ISBN 9781921504

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Both the author and illustrator of this new picture book for very young children are award-winning. The reasons for this are once again demonstrated in their exceptional craft in Our Baby. 

The text starts with ‘Some babies have a mum and a dad’ and proceeds to relate the different kinds of families babies are born into. Then there are the types of babies (some with … ‘snotty noses, tiny shrimp toes, tufty hair, dandelion hair, gummy smile, or one tooth.’) We read about the lives of babies, what they do, where they go, what they enjoy, how they behave. 

The narrator is a baby’s young sister whose parents are bi-racial – mum white-skinned, dad dark-skinned. At the end of the story they curl up – mum, dad, baby and sister – in bed. ‘We are lucky, lucky, lucky to have our baby!’ declares sister on the last page. Thus the book is an ode to having a baby in the family, whatever kind of family one has. 

Wild has a gift for language, with the words of this book tripping along lightly, making obvious the joys of being a baby and having a baby in one's family. Her simple sentences and joyfulness is complimented by Blair’s delicate and engaging watercolour illustrations set in lots of white background. We see a baby wrapped in a dad’s arm in a café while Dad drinks coffee and baby drops crumbs to pigeons at his feet. In another illustration, Dad reads a book to baby while his sister sits at a school desk, also reading. Then there are babies rolling, dancing, crawling and bouncing; babies playing, ‘dropping things in the toilet, or building a tower of bricks.’

Yes, the best word to describe this book is ‘joyful.’ The story can – and should – be read over and over again, and the lively and amusing pictures looked at frequently, too. This lovely book is sure to be a hit with parents who have small children and babies. And with pre-schoolers whose teachers share the book with them.

Granny Grommet and Me

Granny Grommet and Me by Dianne Wolfer, illustrated by Karen Blair (Walker Books)
HB RRP $ 27.95
ISBN 9789121720161
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This fantastic book is about the value of older people and the things they can share with the younger generation. It is presented through a most delightful and entertaining story. The superlative illustrations by Karen Blair are in complete harmony with the text. They are created by using mixed media comprising of watercolour paintings on paper with chinagraph pencil and acrylic paint.

Four grannies go to the beach, one of them with her grandchild and dog. They are all grommets. They wear wetsuits and caps, and use sunscreen.  Before entering the water with their surf boards, they check for rips. They enjoy themselves in the sun and the surf.

Granny calls to the child to come in. But it is afraid of ‘strange things under the waves’. The child has a small board with which it plays at the water’s edge until something touches its leg. Then out it runs.

When the grommets are finished surfing, they all go to a rock pool. Granny explains that the sea is like a giant rock pool. They don their snorkels and masks and granny confesses to the child that she too was afraid till the other grannies showed her the beauty beneath the waves. The child agrees to lie on granny’s surf board and look through the mask at the glory to be found beneath the water. The child sees the amazing sea life and is enchanted.

There is a list of Granny Grommet’s Beach Tips at the end of the story.

Dianne Wolfer has fifteen books in print with more on the way. She is the author of wonderful books like Lighthorse Boy, the companion book to Lighthouse Girl which won the West Australian Young Reader’s Award, was the CBCA Notable book, and which was Shortlisted for two Premier’s Awards.

Baby Animal Farm

Baby Animal Farm by Karen Blair (Walker Books)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921720376

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Baby Animal Farm is the perfect book for younger children. Five toddler friends spend a day venturing through a farm meeting baby animals along the way. The text is comfortably predictable and simple with one animal and then the sound the animal makes. ‘Cuddle the kittens. Mew, mew, mew.’

Of course, there is a break for lunch (‘Munch, munch, munch.’). Karen Blair has taken this book above the average baby animal farm book by injecting toddler angst when the one of the toddlers asks, ‘Where’s my teddy? Where? Where? Where?’ A puppy which has featured in the background of the illustrations saves the day to the delight of the five. The day ends with them asleep in their strollers.

The book is delightfully presented with the endpapers being utilised to their full extent. Both are fully illustrated with the back ones showing the farm and the baby animals asleep at night. Illustrations in pastel shades perfectly complement the text. Baby Animal Farm is a perfect book for carer and child to share.