Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire

Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire by L.M. Wilkinson & Lavanya Naidu (Allen & Unwin) Paperback RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781761180569

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

L.M. Wilkinson is an award-winning author of over twenty books, including A Hunger for Thorns, which won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and was a CBCA Honour Book. Lavanya Naidu loves building worlds and creating characters with heart. She has illustrated several children’s books and worked on games and animation production.

This is the second book in the "Bravepaw" series following Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria. This series is celebrated for its engaging storytelling, richly imagined fantasy world, and vibrant illustrations by Lavanya Naidu.

Titch and Huckleberry set out on a dangerous quest to find the Gems of Harmony and to save Titch’s homeland. During their quest they encounter swamp monsters, a controlling greedy turtle and brainwashed squirrels. 

L.M. Wilkinson has crafted a page-turning adventure filled with magic, prophecy, quests, and heroism, all centred around loyal friendship. The succinct sentences convey information, create vivid imagery, and captivate the reader. The opening line powerfully establishes the danger at hand: “The swamp stretched out in all directions, grey, miserable, and endless.”

The text is well written and clever. Dialogue drives the plot forward while effortlessly revealing character traits, like when one character says, “Heroes work alone. I travel far and wide, rescuing the weak and the needy.” Wilkinson’s world-building is both believable and engaging, with strong word choices that are effective yet accessible for young readers. For instance: “They’re shadowy, snaky things that suck all the joy and colour and will out of a person.” Her characters Twitch, Huckleberry, Dollop and Briar Nettlebrush are all unique, well developed and endearing.

Lavanya Naidu’s illustration style in Bravepaw is detailed and full of energy, bringing the story world to life. She uses bold lines to create an immersive story world, and she captures emotions with her expressive characters, creating warmth and charm. Her use of shading and texture give depth to each scene, creating a whimsical feel. Her fluid imaginative style appeals to younger readers and supports the text beautifully.

Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire is a lively and engaging 168-page adventure chapter book, perfect for children aged 6-9 who are ready to read independently. This fun, adventurous tale will surely be loved by children, parents, teachers, and librarians alike.

 

Our House

Our House by Trudie Trewin, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781761293030

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

In the life of a house, there is a sad ending when one family packs up and moves out. The girl has one last swing outside, before she holds hands with her parents and walks through the door for the final time. But then there is a happy beginning … Another family holds hands and walks through the door of the house. As boxes are unpacked, the boy has his first swing outside. Soon he is curled up ‘snug and warm’ in his bed.

Trudie Trewin’s clever story is reversible, so it can be read from front to back and vice versa. Children aged four to eight will enjoy changing the dynamic of the plot by controlling which family arrives and which family leaves. Regardless of the order in which the tale is told, it is brimming with meaningful moments and tender emotions that will resonate with any child who has had to reluctantly depart from a cherished home that is full of memories.

Warm hues imbue Lavanya Naidu’s illustrations with a strong sense of nostalgia. Each spread is awash with delicate details for young eyes to discover, from the ever-watchful dragon gargoyle on the house roof to the child’s ‘Our House’ artwork that links the two families forever. Busyness is contrasted with stillness to great effect, allowing readers to catch their breath and take in the importance of togetherness.

Our House heartens kids who are resistant to change, reminding them that love, connection and security come from the people we are with, not the buildings in which we reside. And when one door closes, another one opens – with exciting possibilities around every corner.