Spot the Dot

Spot the Dot by  Kris Herbert (EK Books) PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781921966675

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

 Spot the Dot is a little dot trying to find his place in the world. He’s forgotten where he came from, so Spot goes on a journey of self-discovery. The story explores the themes of belonging, self-worth, identity and imagination.

Kris Herbert is an award-winning science journalist, storyteller, and children's book author. She lives and works in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Kris has spent over 20 years working across various print media formats and disciplines. She has a strong passion for New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.

Kris Herbert has created a 36-page interactive style book with hidden dots for a child reader to find within the text and images. The story has a sense of fun and discovery as the reader actively seeks where Spot the dot comes from. Spot tries many roles and eventually discovers that there are many places that he fits.

The rhythmic words work beautifully with the illustrations as they play together. The reader is called to action to help discover where Spot could come from. At times, questioning is used to move the story along and encourage the reader to think. The world-building of Spot is believable and simplistic. The final words of the sentences rhyme, making the reading very rhythmic. The problem is easy to recognise. A dot from what? Poor Spot forgot. There is letter identification and seeking; at times, the text changes the word size and font. The featured objects are varied and provide interest and amusement. I do think that the book could have been a little shorter, but it is a unique and engaging read.

The graphic style illustrations really do make this book unique. They are visually strong, with clean lines and shapes and a bold minimalist style. The images catch the eye and attract the reader's attention. Simple geometric shapes like circles, rings, and everyday shapes are used, which a young reader knows, and this also makes it easy to absorb information. A strength of this book is the interplay of the text and images. They really are woven together.

Spot the Dot is written for children ages 4-8 and appeals with its read-aloud ability and wonderful book design. Parents and teachers will find it an easy go to book that can be revisited often. Once a child understands how the book works, they will enjoy finding the dots and showing what they know. This book uniquely celebrates individuality and fun. 

 

Girls Like

Girls Like (Midnight Sun Publishing) Katrina Germein & Deb Hudson PB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781922858726

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Katrina Germein is a best-selling author, published and translated internationally. Her popular titles include Bev and Kev, Fabulous Frogs and One Little Duck. Her work has been Highly Commended in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and won a CBCA Honour. She is a past winner of the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award and the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award.

Deb Hudson has a passion for drawing bright, happy illustrations that evoke emotion and thought in the reader. Her whimsical work takes you to fantastic places and worlds. She has illustrated ten books, with more coming.

Girls Like is a book that encourages girls to pursue their passions, have confidence in themselves and others, and achieve their dreams.

Katrina Germein uses simple, rhythmic phrases to explore a wide variety of activities girls do. Her book is a celebration of being a girl rather than a narrative style text. The language reads aloud well because of its brevity and carefully chosen words. Girls like…Long hair, Short hair, Bow Hair, Sport Hair. There are no joining words used or long sentences.  

Germein truly celebrates the joy of being a girl and shows girls that they can like and do very different things. She often uses a second- and fourth-line rhyming pattern for readability. Beach swims, Pool swims, Dry Swims, Cool Swims. I did have to think twice about what a dry swim was. The message is strong: each girl is unique and perfect just the way she is. Germein has created an empowering book for girls that’s designed to help girls feel good about themselves.

Deb Hudson’s illustrations are not only bright, happy and colourful but also showcase diversity. The stunning cover not only catches the eye but frames the story content well. Different girls are doing different things immediately, so the story lets girls know what the book is about. The endpapers are in pastel colours, arranged in a triangular grid, featuring shapes and images of girls who are active and unique. The title page invites the reader to turn the page and dive in.

Once inside the book, Hudson’s illustrations are full of movement, activity and character. The characters dancing, riding, scooting, playing, and celebrating are lively, endearing and engaging. Their roundness and softness make them appealing. I love her use of whitespace and lots of vignettes to show many moments at once. This allows for variety and individuality, with many different girls doing different things. This works well for this type of book.

Girls Like is a celebration of all the ways to be a girl and is suited for children 3-7 years. It’s a great bedtime or classroom read. I can see parents of girls wanting to share this book with their daughters to celebrate their individuality. The book's simplicity and celebration of self-expression are both empowering and enjoyable for a girl. This book would also make a great gift for baby girls. I do hope a book like this is also made for boys.

Goodnight Grandchild

Goodnight Grandchild (Penguin Random House) Michelle Robinson & Nick East PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780241766569

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Michelle Robinson loves making up stories and being silly. Her picture book, There’s a Lion in My Cornflakes, won the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards. She lives with her family in Frome, an historic market town in Somerset, England.

Nick East has been shortlisted for the English Picture Book Awards. He is a museum designer and has always been a storyteller. Nick lives near York, in Northern England, with his family. When he isn’t drawing, he is out riding bikes and spending time with his family.

This is a new “Goodnight’ bedtime story by the creative team of Michelle Robinson and Nick East in the Goodnight books series – Goodnight Digger, Goodnight Spaceman, Goodnight Princess, and Goodnight Pirate, etc.

‘Our day together’s almost through. Goodnight, Grandchild, I love you.’

Michelle Robinson has written a gentle bedtime story for a grandparent to share with their grandchild when the grandparent is sleeping over. Take my hand and hold it tight. It’s time for us to say ‘Goodnight.’ The rhyming text is light and easy to read aloud to a small child. It quietly tugs on hearts with a simple story. Sharing this book with a grandchild creates a lovely bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

It is part of the series of ‘Goodnight’ books, so a child can choose from a book in the series for a goodnight read. It has a series familiarity. Making memories we’ll both keep… It’s a celebration of a grandchild sleeping over, and we all know grandparents love this. It’s a way for a grandchild to hear loving words from a grandparent with a book. Life’s great fun now you are in it.

Robinson’s lines are short and musical. This is a marketable, sweet book. Grandchild, I’ll love you forever. It is very clever not to mention whether the grandchild is a boy or a girl, giving it greater appeal.

Nick East has created friendly, rounded characters with expressions and movements that are calm and reassuring. There are no harsh lines. The book’s softness matches bedtime. The colours are gentle blues, purples and soft yellows. The bedroom and the rest of the house are cozy and appealing, with the colours dimmed in the evening light. It has a traditional picture book warmth with a contemporary feel. There is wonder, joy, and delight with an illustration focused on moments in the story.  East has captured the generational closeness of a grandparent and a grandchild.

Goodnight Grandchild is a picture book that has a wonderful appeal to both grandparents and grandchildren because it taps into the emotional bond that they share. A loving grandparent and a familiar bedtime routine are soothing and predictable. With each page turn, the book slows down. The words and pictures gently guide attention.  It’s comforting to the children listening to the story and meaningful for the adults sharing it. This book is a lovely read for 0-5 years. It’s also a good book for teachers and librarians to use on Grandparents’ Day.

  

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract

 

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract (Little Big Sky Publishing) Grace Nolan & Nancy Bevington

PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 0781922896599

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Ten Lively Lorikeets is Book 3 in a picture book series for learning to count, add, and take away with Aussie animals. In Book 3, ten lively lorikeets are chatting in a line until… one chases a kookaburra. Each lorikeet disappears with the help of a different native Australian bird until there are none left, and then something surprising happens.

Grace Nolan is an author, script writer, composer and performer. She was a reviewer for the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Her love of nature and Australian wildlife inspired the One to Ten and Back Again series, which draws on her educational background and love of children’s literature.

Nancy Bevington’s artistic career spans over three decades, encompassing painting, illustration, and concept creation and execution. Picture books are one of her real passions.  She uses traditional media, including gouache and watercolour, as well as photography.  Many of her books have been sold worldwide and nominated for awards.

Grace Nolan's educational background as a teacher is evident in this story. As a teacher, I taught the ‘Friends of Ten’, and this lovely book is a perfect teaching tool.  The verbs are concise and suit the actions of our lively Australian birds. The text does remind me a little of the Five Little Ducks kids’ song, with the repeated refrain, "then there were…". Nolan’s love of nature, and particularly birds, shines. The added introduction of ten different types of Australian birds is a great way to teach kids how to identify our native birds.  The language is delightful and lyrical, and the text is concise. The backmatter is a wonderful way to practise subtraction and visually see it too.

Nancy Bevington has not only created realistic Australian birds but also added a touch of fun by having the lorikeets wear jester hats.  They are cheeky birds, and I think that is a little play into this. The use of big, wide blue skies and white space allows the birds and their actions to shine more brightly than the noise of too much colour. The birds have personality and bring lots of life to each page. The illustrations draw the eye from left to right across the pages so that the reader can see which individual lorikeet is meeting a new bird. Delightful, fun, and uniquely Australian are great ways to describe Bevington’s illustrations.

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract is a lively subtraction picture book that is not only a fun read but educational too. Parents, teachers, and librarians alike will love using this book. This vibrant tale, told through birds, teaches not only counting but also subtraction. It’s a great interactive read-aloud for children from birth up to seven years old

The World from Here

The World from Here by Cassy Polimeni & Mel Armstrong (CSIRO) JF RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781486319855

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Cassy Polimeni is a children’s author and freelance editor whose stories celebrate nature and the environment. Her books, including The Garden at the End of the World, Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra, and Ella and the Sleepover Safari, have been awarded CBCA Notables and the Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Mel Armstrong is an artist and illustrator from Wellington, New Zealand. She blends digital and traditional techniques drawing inspiration from nature and her home life. She crafts distinctive children’s books and has illustrated over 15 children’s books.

Milo lies on the grass watching cumulus clouds transform into animals. Maya looks out a plane window and marvels at the sky outside and the shapes the countries make below. Milo and Maya remind us that there are countless ways to experience our world.

Cassy Polimeni has beautifully combined storytelling with scientific principles that explore our natural world. A dual story line explores Maya looking down from above the clouds in a plane and Milo lying on the grass, gazing up at the clouds. Readers are naturally and easily introduced to nephology (study of clouds), the basics of weather and meteorology, formation of Earths continents, star constellations and the little wonders of nature. Polimeni has masterfully woven together a picture book narrative with scientific information that feels very easy and natural for a child to read. It is not very often that you see a narrative and scientific information blend together so seamlessly and Polimeni makes it look easy. The storyline sequencing is well done, and the parallel scientific information appears in little speech bubbles.

A child can read the whole story first or travel through the book absorbing both sets of information. The book is layered with meaning so a younger or older child can both enjoy the same book. Polimeni plays to child curiosity and intelligence. The vocabulary used is descriptive and both simple and complex. Children are not only encouraged to look at our world differently but also intelligently by exploring the science of our world and natural wonders.  Wonder is all around. The endpapers and glossary are important to this book and are well done.

Mel Armstrong’s illustrations are joyful, bright and full of life. The endpapers lead in and end with soft clouds which is perfect for this book. What I love most about Armstrong’s illustrations is the playfulness and the way she has captured both the wonder and curiosity of Milo and Maya. Perspective changes as the narrative does and it works beautifully with all the cloud play and labelling. Her use of colour shows a distinct difference between looking down or up. I love how when the ground comes into play the plane still appears connecting the two views. The visual labelling is very easy to see and understand and white space is used well. The detail is lovely and draws the eye to places to seek both visual and written information.

The World from Here is quite a magical scientific picture book that is perfect for any curious child. To get more out of this book there are perfectly aligned teaching notes which are great for teachers and librarians using this book. I think what I love most about this book is its bright happy positivity about our world. Reading levels vary but this book is recommended for ages 5-9.

 

 

 

Mary Fowler: Mary’s Game

Mary Fowler: Mary’s Game (Penguin Random House) Mary Fowler, Jasmin McGaughey & Cate James JF RRP $12.99 ISBN 9781761356216

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

The Mary Fowler junior fiction series is about a young girl called Maz. This four-book series focuses on friendship, school, sport and teamwork. The books are inspired by Mary Fowler’s love of sport and helping kids stay active.

Mary Fowler is the inspiration for the main character (Maz). Fowler is an Australian Matilda’s soccer star playing in both the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. She is a strong role model for teamwork, trying your best and being a good friend. Fowler has Papua New Guinean and Irish heritage that shapes both her game and outlook on life.

Jasmin McGaughey is a Torres Strait islander and African American author and editor.

Cate James is an illustrator and printmaker from Sydney. She has worked on about 40 illustrated books and publications to date, in Australia, the UK and the US.

Mary Fowler can’t wait to get to school. She has an exciting surprise to share with her friends. But something unexpected happens, and Mary and her crew must work together to solve the problem so that they can get back to playing sports and having fun.

Mary Fowler and Jasmin McGaughey have created a delightful text. The warm voice of Mary sounds just like a young Mary Fowler. It feels like Mary is speaking directly to the child reader. Mary is known as Maz for short, and her love and passion for football shine through in her character’s actions on every page.  The chapters are well-paced and perfectly suited to beginner readers. The story problem is introduced early, and Mary comes up with a surprisingly fun solution. The simple sentences that include questions are childlike and direct. The teachers have told us we are no longer allowed to do headers with the football. They sound very much like child speak.

The story arc builds easily, and the ending is satisfying. This is the first of four books, and it really creates that sense of wanting to spend more time with Maz and her friends. The characters are lovable, likable and realistic in a school setting that’s perfect for this age group.

Cate James’ illustrations are joyful and simple, in black, white, and grey tones, with lots of character, expression, and movement. Maz is portrayed clearly as a young Mary Fowler, and it shows. The sense of childlike wonder is captured, and that innocence and simpler way of looking at the world is shown delightfully.

Mary Fowler: Mary’s Game is a joyous, simple book that is an engaging read for children aged 6-9 years. I love that this series has a female lead who is based on a real female superhero. The Matildas have ignited a tsunami of young girls wanting to play soccer; this book inspires kids to want to read about Mary. Girls will respond to a strong female role model much like the Timmy/Tiny Timmy series did for boys. This book is great because it celebrates an amazing Australian female trailblazer.

Mary Fowler: Beach Party

Mary Fowler: Beach Party (Penguin Random House) Mary Fowler, Jasmin McGaughey & Cate James JF RRP $12.99 ISBN 9781761356230

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

The Mary Fowler junior fiction series is about a young girl called Maz. This four-book series focuses on friendship, school, sport and teamwork. The books are inspired by Mary Fowler’s love of sport and helping kids stay active.

Mary Fowler is the inspiration for the main character (Maz). Fowler is an Australian Matilda soccer star playing in both the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. She is a strong role model for teamwork, trying your best and being a good friend. Fowler has Papua New Guinean and Irish heritage that shapes both her game and outlook on life.

Jasmin McGaughey is a Torres Strait islander and African American author and editor.

Cate James is an illustrator and printmaker from Sydney. She has worked on about 40 illustrated books and publications to date, in Australia, the UK and the US.

Mary Fowler and her friends are going to a birthday party at the beach. She can’t wait. But when a cute dog called Firework comes and causes mayhem. Maz and her friends need to be creative to save the party and have some cake.

Mary Fowler and Jasmin McGaughey have created a fun story about a birthday party. The child voice of Mary, aka Maz, shines. The character interactions are believable and relatable. The build of tension from the excitement of going to the party to the problem-solving to save Anthony’s party keeps the reader hooked. Resilience shines in different characters in different ways, and the interactions among friends serve as a role model for positive behaviour. The text engages multiple senses to make the reader feel like they are at a party, too. Mary Fowler embodies movement and being healthy. This story captures this, along with the Australian outdoor culture of loving the beach and summer. The language is kept simple and childlike yet interesting. The story captures the innocence, freedom, and problems of childhood delightfully.

Cate James’ illustrations show the magic of those special little moments in childhood, like the achievement of building a sandcastle and the moment of wonder when a birthday cake is ready for wishes. The simple characters, in black, white, and grey tones, have a childlike quality that complements the text and adds meaning and joy to the story.

Mary Fowler: Beach Party is an engaging junior fiction read for children aged 6-9 years. This is the second book in the series, and it will capture the reader's interest and make them want to read the next two books. Parents, teachers, librarians and anyone with a keen interest in football will want to share these books with children. I think the books will be popular with children, not just because of their readability, but also because they are creatively inspired by Mary Fowler’s childhood, and they feel fun and authentic.

WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World

WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World (Penguin Random House ) Davina Bell & Sarah Zweck PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781760765323

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Davina Bell is an award-winning children’s author widely known for her best-selling picture books. Her wit, humour and heart-pulling messages shine in her words.  Her stories combine playful language with themes of belonging, emotional growth, creativity and everyday adventures. She collaborates with talented illustrators to bring her rich, expressive stories to life.

Sarah Zweck is a Melbourne-based picture book artist/illustrator who originally trained in fashion design in the UK. After becoming a parent, she embarked on a career in picture books. Play is at the forefront of her work; she creates expressive characters that evoke humour and heart. She loves working with mixed media, using materials that allow her to experiment with mark-making, colour, and texture.

A bedtime knock brings a detective hot on the trail of a master criminal — a true agent of chaos known only as the Cutest Baby in the World. Mum and Dad swear he’s not there. While they chat with the detective and learn parenting insights, the baby silently wreaks havoc right under everyone’s nose.

Davina Bell’s masterful storytelling creates not only a unique story, but one that waltzes perfectly with the visuals, which speak for the baby. We all know babies can’t talk — but their actions certainly do. The concept of a granny-style detective hunting for the Cutest Baby in the World, told through an interview-style narrative full of engaging dialogue, delivers plenty of laughs—especially for adults reading the book aloud to their children. ‘Count yourself lucky,’ said the detective, ‘because if The Cutest baby in the World gets a hold of you, he will make you do dastardly deeds.’

The voice is strong and highly engaging, offering a fresh and original spin on parenthood. It’s different and thoroughly entertaining. The dialogue mirrors natural conversation, so when read aloud, it flows effortlessly. Throughout the story, there are moments that make you pause, smile, and sigh: “That’s so true.” The ending has a perfect sweetener. Just like a box of chocolates, you never really know what to expect, but this picture book is yummy and makes you feel good inside.

Sarah Zweck’s illustrations are joyful and bright — the kind that make your heart sing. The facial expressions and body language are lifelike and humorous. The characterisation is strong: the baby is irresistibly adorable, the parents perfectly captured with the look and feel of new parenthood, and, hilariously, the detective has a nana-like presence that oozes with parenting wisdom. This brings so much energy to the story.

Everyday home life is lovingly depicted, with a well-balanced layout that mixes single- and double-page spreads. The family cat and dog quietly feature alongside the baby, adding richness and an extra layer of fun. The baby’s antics are laugh-out-loud funny and true-to-life, and the varied colour palette is happy, vibrant, and engaging.

WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World is a picture book that has appeal to both adults and children. It’s great for 4-6-year-olds as it focuses on listening and engagement with the illustrations. It will be popular with children, parents, libraries and schools. It really would make a wonderful gift for anyone embarking upon the wondrous world of parenting.

 

Here Come The Cousins

 

Here Come The Cousins (Thames & Hudson) Maggie Hutchings & Sarah Zweck PB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781760764883

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Maggie Hutchings is an Australian author known for her heartfelt and humorous picture books that explore kindness, resilience, and connection. A former counsellor and family mediator, she brings a deep understanding of emotional wellbeing to her storytelling.

Sarah Zweck is a children’s book author and illustrator who brings her love of texture, colour, and storytelling to picture books. Her illustrative style is playful and expressive. Her debut book as author–illustrator, Ray, was published in 2024.

I count down the days all year until seven smiling cousins bounce through Pop’s door …

A nostalgic and warm homage to the laughter, mischief, and delight of summer holidays at Pop’s with family.

Maggie Hutchings has created a joyful text filled with heart and warmth. She focuses upon the making of memories with a cherished family gathering at Pop’s seaside house. A shared summer holiday with all generations gives this book a timeless feel of family love and connection. The plot focuses on small, connected experiences told by a child narrator. The opening is delightful I count down the days until… you can feel the anticipation and excitement in her words. Her succinct sentences dance across the page with each small moment. Then it’s rock paper, scissors for the highest bunk.

I love the links to time and how they build family connection and rituals. We stop by the door post to measure who grew the most since last summer. This also connects to what lots of families do in their own homes. The language used is simply delightful, so sensory and evocative. Cousins speckled with sea salt! Cousins striped with zebra zinc! Cousins duck-diving deeper than we should! Cleverly she also celebrates childhood bravery with an adventuresome splash of summer freedom.

As the text moves through the day the mood and pace change. Our afternoons are shady and snoozy. I love how in the evening the photo album comes out and we see the parents as kids and Pop being bold and free. There is so much to love in this book it just makes your heart sing.

Sarah Zweck’s illustrations give this story so much heart and vibrancy. Her work beautifully captures the joy and energy of family reunions. The comfort of shared family moments and the thrill of beach moments shine out from every page. Her visual storytelling brings humour and delight to the text creating multiple layers of storytelling. The cover is so dynamic and full of cousin movement it immediately makes you smile. The colours are vibrant and summery. The addition of the narrator’s little dog is lovely. The movement of the cousins and their facial expressions and interactions sing. She really enhances the narratives emotional depth. This is a wonderful pairing of illustrations and text. The endpapers with seashells let the reader immediately know a summer holiday is on the way.

Here Come The Cousins is a heart filled picture book that celebrates family, summer, rituals, beach holidays and love. It is a powerful celebration of an Aussie summer holiday. Children, families, teachers and librarians alike will love this book because it has such an emotional hook that creates connection to story.

 

The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt

The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt (CSIRO) Kasey Whitelaw & Sylvia Morris PB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781486318308

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Kasey Whitelaw is a marine biologist, educator and children’s writer who is passionate about connecting children to science and nature.

Sylvia Morris is an illustrator and science enthusiast who loves illustrating picture books because they combine two of her favourite activities: reading and problem solving. She is also the illustrator of the CSIRO books, Bear to the Rescue and The Opal Dinosaur.

It’s time to go on an egg hunt – a shark egg case hunt!  Join citizen scientists around the world and search for some weird and wonderful shark egg cases.

Kasey Whitelaw has created an interactive text that calls the reader to action. Our citizen scientists from around the world have an important mission. The reader is invited to be a citizen scientist too. Come along – you can be an egg case hunter too! Factual text is shared in a way that makes it easy to read and absorb. Shark egg cases are introduced and explained so that a reader knows exactly what it is they are looking for. Then the reader is taken to different places around the world. The weather and coastal features of each location are explored, with each place having its own unique type of shark egg case to discover. Noah, for example, finds a Thornback Skate egg case!

Activities vary depending on the setting—ranging from poking a stick along the shoreline to snorkelling or even paddleboarding over a kelp forest. Whitelaw’s sentences are concise, detailed, and easy to read. The language is straightforward, while some extended vocabulary—such as constellation—thoughtfully woven in. Children are encouraged to share their finds using data from the Shark Trust website, helping to connect the story with real-world citizen science. The engaging backmatter includes fascinating information about sharks and egg case discoveries, along with a helpful glossary. Teacher notes are also provided to support learning in the classroom.

Sylvia Morris has a clear and easy to follow type of illustrative style. This is important with a non-fiction book. She showcases real-life but simplifies it for children with clean line work and some texture to show the environmental and habitual context. Her colour palette is lifelike and slightly muted, and the layout is balanced and pleasing to the eye. It beautifully supports the text. The blue cover is eye-catching with shades of blue like waves, four children and, if you look closely enough, some hidden shark egg cases. The endpapers are a lovely lead into the story in soft pastels and feature a shark in the corner at the start and swimming away in the back endpapers. I particularly love the depiction of the reef in South Africa and all the bright sea urchins, sea stars, and soft coral.

The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt is a gorgeous non-fiction picture book that celebrates shark egg cases, their importance, and the sharing of scientific information. This book would make a great gift for any child who has an interest in nature and the environment. It is refreshing to see a non-fiction book that is highly engaging, topical and beautiful. Reading levels do vary from child to child but this book is recommended for ages 5 to 9 years.  This book has appeal to children, families, teachers and librarians. It is sure to capture little hearts, and big ones too. To get more out of this book, use the free teacher notes aligned to the Australian curriculum on the CSIRO webpage.

 

The Stuff that Stuff is Made of

The Stuff that Stuff is Made of (Magic Cat Publishing) Jonathon Drori & Raxenne Maniquiz & Jiatong Liu HB NF 64 pages RRP $34.99 ISBN 9781917044172

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Jonathon Drori is a British environmentalist and author, known for his bestselling books Around the World in 80 Trees and Around the World in 80 Plants, which explore the cultural, historical, and scientific significance of trees and plants. This is his first children’s book.

Raxenne Maniquiz is an illustrator and graphic designer in the Philippines. Her work is infused with native botanicals. Her paint strokes and contrasting colours create beautiful images.

Jiatong Liu is a Chinese born illustrator who lives in London. He became a freelance illustrator and teacher in 2021 and has won several prestigious awards for his illustration work. He has quite a distinctive illustrative style.

How 30 plants are used in everyday objects is explored in detail on double page spreads. The right side has a labelled, close‑up illustration of the plant and some of its products and the left side has stories and fascinating bits of information.

Jonathon Drori’s meticulous research and scientific knowledge shines. Every double page spread introduces a particular plant, its origins, history and cultural significance. Tea. The emerald-green leaves of the tea plant are used to make one of the world’s most popular drinks. Each piece of information has a bold face header. A reader can choose to read as little or as much about a particular plant as they wish. It is interesting learning how much trade opened the world up to different plants.

The language inside is targeted more to an older child reader and it introduces new vocabulary. It makes a refreshing and stimulating drink for us! Different countries and places are explored as well as plants. The information suits a child or adult reader interested in learning fascinating facts about plants. Drori encourages learning about things that are generally unknown in our modern world. The text grows scientific and general knowledge and sparks curiosity.

Raxenne Maniquiz’s illustration style combines science and storytelling; her finely detailed textures give depth to plants and foliage and natural materials. Her illustrations support both information and wonder and spark a curiosity about plants and their important role in our world. Maniquiz focuses on the natural side like leaves, bark, seeds, roots.

Jiatong Liu’s illustrations focus on the human-made things to do with plants. He brings his illustrations to life primarily through digital illustration.  He has a distinct style that works well with Drori’s text and Maniquiz’s botanical style.

The Stuff That Stuff is Made of is a well-researched and beautifully illustrated book filled with wonder to give knowledge of how the things we use everyday are from plants and the surprising stories behind their creation. It is suitable for 8 years and older and is a non-fiction book that is dateless. I can see this book being a popular addition to classrooms and libraries. It is a rich resource for children who crave non-fiction books and really is a beautiful botanical gift for a child to explore a unique blend of science, technology and history.

 

 

Another Year Around the Sun

Another Year Around the Sun (Affirm Press) Katrina Germein & Alice Lindstorm PB RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781923022911

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Katrina Germein is a multiple award-winning children’s author who is published internationally. Known for her delightful use of rhyme her stories inspire imagination, curiosity and laughter in children.

Alice Lindstrom is an illustrator and artist who creates paint paper collages by hand using cut and paste techniques. She has illustrated three picture books.

Another year around the sun,

Happy birthday, precious one. 

Follow a family through a year of magical moments spent outdoors and watch the world change with every season. This lyrical picture book beautifully celebrates another year around the sun.

Katrina Germein’s language is lyrical, succinct and beautifully written in rhyme. It dances across the pages like sunlight. Her use of so few words is elegant and perfect. She gives the reader space to imagine and for the illustrator to have creative freedom. Waves crashed. You splashed. Sun beamed. You dreamed. The verbs paint the actions of the child delightfully; they create little heart sings inside a reader. Her clever inclusion of the seasons gives the book a much broader appeal than just as a birthday celebration book. Her repeat patterning use of the pronoun ‘you’ engage a child reader and directly invite them into the story. You roared. The wonder and beauty enthrall the whole way through this book as the words and illustrations dance together on every page. The ending is perfect for this book and its theme. Happy birthday, precious one.

Alice Lindstrom’s captivating illustrations hold so much detail. The more your eyes look, the more they see and discover on every page. Her work is delicate, joyful and full of heart. The front cover is an explosion of the four seasons. A child is in each corner with a seasonal collage that’s framed around a central circle that holds the title. Her colour palette is vibrant and aesthetically pleasing.  A reader is visually shown the sheer joy and wonder of every season. Bright lime green endpapers with a sausage dog in one corner with a butterfly are delightful. Family life and the carefree nature of a little girl are framed inside the most glorious colours and details. You can easily imagine yourself walking on grass or digging in the garden. Everything is child-relatable and the movement on the pages brings the natural world to life. On the cockatoo spread, you can almost imagine touching them. Each collage is unique. The use of perspective heightens the way you experience this story.

Another Year Around the Sun is a gorgeous picture book that not only celebrates a birthday but the seasons, nature, and family life. Lyrical and captivating, it would make a great birthday gift that can be revisited every year.  Most birthday picture books are funny, so it is refreshing to see a book break away from this and stand out. It’s a delightful book for 4-8 years old that has appeal to not only children and families, but teachers and librarians. It is sure to capture little hearts and big ones too.

 

Vesper Jones and Marshmallow

Vesper Jones and Marshmallow by Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Francesca Corso (Starfish Bay Children’s Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760362454

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Vesper Jones is tired of Scary Things visiting her dreams. So she and her cat, Marshmallow, decide to use a Dream Changer to keep the baddies at bay. But the Scary Things sneak in via a dream door. Vesper Jones blinks back tears as she clicks the Dream Changer. Suddenly, a dream window opens, and Friendly Things float in. The Scary Things swoop across the scene, making everything murky. However, Vesper Jones is no longer frightened – she uses the Dream Changer to fill the space with twinkling lights. The Scary Things are reduced to a pitiful pile of nothingness.

Karen Hendriks has woven together whimsy and wisdom to empower children aged four and older to face their fears. Readers may not have a Dream Changer – or a supportive feline friend – but they do have the foresight and fortitude to choose what they focus on and what they forget about. Vesper Jones shows youngsters that with strength of mind, they can become their own Dream Controller.

Francesca Corso has lit a spark in her illustrations, shooting bright colours across the spreads like fireworks. With sharp teeth and angular eyes, the Scary Things threaten to overshadow Vesper Jones – until the fanciful Friendly Things fill her world with a rainbow of revelry. This battle between dark and light is a brilliant visual metaphor for the mental tussle many children have when they try to overcome anxiety.

Dazzling and dynamic, Vesper Jones and Marshmallow is the perfect picture book for kids to turn to when their daunting thoughts become overwhelming. It reveals that sometimes courage and imagination are all you need to flip the script on fear and to allow your glorious dreams to fly.

Clutterbugs

Clutterbugs (Big Ideas Press) Maura Pierlot & Maya Bora PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9780645099829

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Maura Pierlot is an award-winning author, playwright, and filmmaker based in Canberra, Australia. Her creative work spans multiple genres and art forms, focusing on themes such as identity, mental health, ethics, and environmental sustainability.

Maya Bora is a Turkish illustrator and visual artist renowned for her vibrant and imaginative work in children's books, comics, editorial illustrations, and game design. She is the founder of Megami, a creative studio, and developed Okku, a mobile app dedicated to the creation and publishing of digital books.

In her wildly cluttered bedroom, Steff loses Jay’s birthday gift—until buzzing clutterbugs appear and help her turn mess into a thoughtful present.

Maura Pierlot writes rhyme in a fun and thoughtful way crafting a highly imaginative story, that helps young children understand the problems that clutter can create and how to deal with it. Her rhyming text is well written, and this is not easy to do. The opening sentence introduces the clutter problem immediately. Steff's room was quite messy, but she didn't mind. Whatever she needed, she managed to find. Her believable story world is filled with real life tips about clutter, repurposing and gifting. Even Steff’s dog, Pierre disappears in the mess. A boss clutterbug appears declaring, 'We love mess, said the bug, 'though it may sound absurd. 'We?' Steff repeated. 'You mean there are more?" Steff is faced with the unsettling idea that her belongings might be taken away.

Pierlot thoughtfully highlights that people value the freedom to choose what to keep and what to give away. Woven through the story is a gentle message about recycling and repurposing, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with decluttering. The narrative offers multiple meaningful layers, making it adaptable for exploration with readers of varying ages. The text has clever twists and the ending is surprising.

Maya Bora’s illustrative style is characterised by bold colours, whimsical characters, and a playful approach, making her work appealing to young readers. Her illustrations carry the themes of sustainability, creativity, and the joys of childhood imagination. Her delightfully eye-catching cover shows a pile of clutter, Steff, her dog Pierre and a cheeky clutterbug on top of Steff’s head. The characters and theme are introduced right away, with a playful energy shining through in vibrant colours and expressive illustrations.

As a reader, I could feel the overwhelming impact of the clutter—it's practically bursting off the pages. Bora’s visual storytelling unfolds across dynamic double-page spreads that beautifully complement and enhance the text. There is lots of movement and action. I love her depiction of the clutterbugs, they are cute and cheeky.  

Clutterbugs is a picture book with an important message, about the impact of clutter in lives and how to deal with it. This book is ideal for children aged 4 years and up, and its charm will resonate with parents and teachers as well. I can already imagine children excitedly talking about clutterbugs showing up in their own bedrooms. It’s both an engaging story and a valuable tool for sparking conversations about clutter, creativity, and responsibility.

 

Vesper Jones & Marshmallow

Karen Hendriks is excited to share her new picture book Vesper Jones & Marshmallow. It will be released on 5 August 2025.

This gorgeous picture book is an exciting, positive story backed by research from Flinders university that will help young readers overcome bedtime anxieties. The story is imaginative and empowering and filled with unique dream worlds.

Vesper Jones has grown tired of Scary Things entering her dreams. With the help of Marshmallow and her trusty Dream Controller Vesper Jones decides to take control. The Scary Things enter her dreams again and again, until Vesper Jones finally takes her power back.

The first book launch for Vesper is at The Book Cow in Kingston ACT on Saturday the 9^th of August @ 2.00pm.

Then on the 17^th of August, Vesper will be launching into the world at Badu Café on Addison, Shellharbour Village @ 2.00.

On the 23^rd of August, Vesper will be appearing at Harry Hartog, Bondi Junction. Come along and be enthralled by Vesper Jones & Marshmallow.

In 2019, Vesper’s illustrator Francesca Corso was selected by The Bologna Book Fair as one of the top twenty illustrators in Italy. Her atmospheric and highly original illustrations have helped make this story truly incredible.

Karen Hendriks is an award-winning author who adores creating stories that are unique and quirky and empowering.

Remember Triple Zero Heroes

Remember Triple Zero Heroes J.E. Miller (Hawkeye Publishing) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780643309973

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

J.E. Miller loves writing inspiring stories from the heart. She joined the SES in 2009 and began volunteering to help others. She has won numerous medals in her role including a state Meritorious Service Medal, and a National Emergency Medal for significant service. She wrote Remember: Lest We Forget and now Remember: Triple Zero Heroes. And another Remember book is coming soon.

This story follows a young child stepping into the different shoes of triple zero heroes. Including stepping into an Anzac march, police officer, paramedic, fire fighter, mounted police officer and an SES flood boat operator. Some of the stories shared are based on real life experiences. The themes of ‘mateship’ and ‘courage’ are woven throughout the book.

J.E. Miller has written from experience, and it shows in every word. She draws the reader into the story with an ANZAC march, where a soldier speaks not of heroes from wars, but of young men and women wearing yellow, orange, green and blue. The strong opening introduces the idea that heroes come in many forms - and each page turn reveals a hero. Miller allows the visuals to speak as much as the text. Each emergency services role shared offers depth and insight, helping readers understand the bravery behind each uniform. Her use of language enhances the story message. Sizzling flames and crashing walls can’t keep me from my course. Readers can easily imagine themselves in each role, learning how these heroes help make our world a safer place. This book ensures all emergency responders feel valued, respected and acknowledged. The glossary at the back is a handy reference titled Unfamiliar Words & Sayings. The thoughtful last page is about the author and her connection to this story.

The illustrative style is creative and unique because each emergency responder’s page has its own illustrator. Although each illustrator has their own visual voice, the illustrations go together cohesively. The cover is eye-catching and immediately conveys that the story is about triple zero heroes. The realistic images and fire fighter boots and hat are quite powerful. The endpapers feature the triple zero heroes’ ribbon in a striking repeated pattern. Each illustrator’s name is included unobtrusively and thoughtfully on their illustration. The clever use of colour backgrounds of blues, yellow and green tones make the book feel connected as one. I really think it is clever that each service role has their own illustrator as each role is unique and so is each illustrator.

Remember: Triple Zero Heroes is a picture book with an important message, to recognise the people in these roles and their importance. This book is a great standalone read but also a doorway to other books in the Remember series. Anyone that has a connection to triple zero responders will really love this book. Children love superheroes and this book showcases real life heroes. The book is suitable for children 4 years plus and a great resource for teachers and librarians. It is also a uniquely Australian book.