I Can Be a Matilda

I Can Be a Matilda text by Penguin Random House, illustrated by Kyla May, Board Book RRP $12.99 ISBN: 9781761048890

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Every child has lofty dreams of being a superstar – whether being a famous actor, singer or sportsperson. And who’s to say they shouldn’t go for their dreams and achieve what they want to achieve?

That’s what I Can Be a Matilda is all about – believing in yourself and going for your dreams.

The Matildas are the Australian women’s national soccer team and they’re gunning for glory in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Pulling their name from the unofficial Australian anthem, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ in recent years, the team was initially established in 1978 and qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 2007.

 I Can Be a Matilda is the perfect introduction to the fun of soccer for our youngest readers, from the age they first learn to kick a ball. Read the book, then head outside to dribble, defend and shoot for goal with friends and family. Bright illustrations and minimal text focus on the energy and excitement of the game, with a ‘can do’ focus and a motivational ending – ‘I can be a Matilda too!’

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with the opening ceremony taking place in Sydney on 20 July 2023 and the competition contested by 32 nations. I Can Be a Matilda is a small, yet important part of the pre-Cup promotional publishing program and is official Football Australia merchandise.

If your little one loves kicking a soccer ball around, this is the ideal book for them.

Paris Takes Over the World: Paris

Paris Takes Over the World: Paris by Kyla May with Zanni Louise (Scholastic) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9781743837412

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath 

When your name is Paris, it’s inevitable that your favourite city will be the capital of France. And that the first time you visit, you will be bursting with excitement to see what adventures the city can offer. But 10-year-old Paris couldn’t have imagined that she would spend her first day in the city of Paris helping her new friend to find a lost puppy. As the search for the French Bulldog, Éclair, takes them across the city, Paris also gets to experience the best that it has to offer.

Famous sights, fashion, art, pastries, and fun - this travelogue with a difference gives young readers a genuine feel for the wonders of the city of Paris. With the mystery of the lost dog driving the narrative, there are no opportunities to get bogged down in descriptions. Paris and her local friend Amelie are engaging characters, helping to keep the sights, sounds and tastes relatable for a young audience.

May’s comic-style illustrations are colourful, with many vignettes peppered throughout the text to help keep reluctant readers motivated. There’s also a healthy dose of humour provided by Paris’ hapless chauffeur Henri, the only adult in the story. 

In this book you will find a nostalgic romp through Paris for those of us lucky to have visited before, and a wonderful introduction for those yet to have had the privilege. Fuel for everyone’s dreams of an open world.

A particular joy for young girls, dog lovers and Francophiles, this is great fun for 7- to-11-year-olds. Keep an eye out for further instalments in the series.

The Underdogs: #1 Ruff and ready

The Underdogs: #1 Ruff and ready by Tracy West, illustrated by Kyla May  (Scholastic Australia) ISBN 9781761126253 RRP $14.99

Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Nova and her friends have never passed their K9 exam or achieved a Best in Show award. The group of friends motivated by Nova attempt to train in various ways to achieve their goal. Motivated, but always finding obstacles to overcome, including the mean comments from fellow students at the Barksdale Academy, the pups finally come together on the big day. The main action takes place at school and in the park where the pups train. Nova relates the elation then sadness as her plans unravel and the pups struggle to change. The team’s name and title of the book Underdogs relates the fact all the pups started as runts. Dog related terms are prevalent throughout the book so children will need to understand this if reading the title themselves.

As an early chapter book the title has some nice messages such as being yourself and understanding diversity. Nova’s grandmother provides sage advice to the young pup aiming high for success. Each pup has different fears or issues. The frequent black and white illustrations provide good picture text recognition for early readers or for those who are hooked on the graphic novel style.  Overall, this is a good read for animal lovers aged 6 years plus.

Twin Magic: School Bully, Beware!

Twin Magic: School Bully, Beware! by Kate Ledger, illustrated by Kyla May (Scholastic Inc)

PB RRP $6.99

ISBN 978-0-545-48026-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Lottie and Mia are twins but they are not the same in every way. Mia is an early riser while Lottie likes to sleep in; Mia is tidy while Lottie's room is always in a mess. But one thing they have in common is their best friend Toby who they walk to school with.

One day at school there is a new boy who is mean. He scowls, pushes in and doesn't play fair in the school yard. All it takes is a little misdirection by Toby and some 'twin magic' and Lottie and Mia can discover what Max's true problem is.  Once again the twins link pinkie fingers and chant the magic spell:

            ‘When Twins get together

We’re stronger than ever!

Twin magic azam,

Let’s do what we can!’

The bright colourful illustrations are very attractive for younger girls, those just beginning to read, and the appeal of magic, unicorns and twins are fairly universal in this young female age range. The themes of friends, teamwork and seeing beyond surface appearances are good issues to explore too.

School Bully, Beware! is the second in the new Twin Magic series for girls between six and eight (after Lost Tooth Rescue) and is a good start for stand-alone reading.

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Twin Magic: Lost Tooth Rescue!

Twin Magic: Lost Tooth Rescue! by Kate Ledger, illustrated by Kyla May (Scholastic Inc)
PB RRP $6.99
ISBN 978-0-545-48025-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Lottie and Mia have just started at a new school. They are twins but are not the same in every way. Lottie is messy while Mia is tidy, Lottie is shy while Mia is forward, and they like to dress differently. But they are identical when it comes to magical powers. When the twins link their pinkie finger and say the magic spell:
         
             ‘When Twins get together
              We’re stronger than ever! 
              Twin magic azam,
              Let’s do what we can!’

they become magical Super Twins. In Lost Tooth Rescue! Super Twins power is needed, and together with unicorn Rosie and new friend Toby, they find Anna’s lost tooth.

The illustrations are colourful and fill the whole page with the focus split evenly between pictures and text. This clearly places the book between a picture book and an early reader chapter book. The drawings are not detailed, but rather emphasise the important aspects of the story and the expressions of the children. They reflect the thoughts and actions of the twins, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Interestingly, Lottie and Mia are much clearer individuals as girls than when their Super Twin persona is activated. Lost Tooth Rescue! is the first in a new series for girls between six and eight. It is good for stretching readers a little, while sticking to a simple storyline which includes relatable concepts such as starting school, losing a tooth or helping a new friend. This, combined with the appeal of twins, magic and unicorns, will ensure the Twin Magic series will be a hit with young girls.