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

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract, written by Grace Nolan, illustrated by Nancy Bevington (Little Big Sky) HB ISBN 0781922896599

Ten Lively Lorikeets is a picture book series for learning to count, add, and take away with Aussie animals. Fun and learning go hand in hand in this engaging series. Perfect for children from birth to seven, these books introduce counting, addition and subtraction through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations. Over the series, young readers will discover 30 native Australian animals while developing early numeracy skills in a joyful, interactive way. Each book includes simple reinforcement activities to extend learning and keep the fun going.

In this book, subtitled ‘One to Ten and Back Again with Friends Series,’ readers are invited to learn the first steps in subtraction with the happy, larking lorikeets who are busy doing flying tricks. They do this with the help of ten different native Australian birds. These include galahs, magpies, wattlebirds, and a variety that most children can observe in their own environments, except maybe a lyrebird or emu chick.

“It’s so easy,” the lorikeets say, “Minus just means take away!”  (Some pages even feature simple sums for the reader).

The book starts with ‘ten lively lorikeets chatting in a line’; however, when one chases a kookaburra, there are only nine. Eventually, of course, after ten birds are chased or found, etc., there are none left (though they met again at the end of the book, and then there are ten).

The book is brightly coloured with lots of empty space and details of Australian fauna (such as gum blossoms, berries, and wattle). 

Something idiosyncratic the illustrator has done is to put red-and-white-striped jesters’ hats on the lorikeets, which might annoy parents reading the book to their small child/ren.

Parrot Palace

Parrot Palace by Susanne Gervay with Pooja Mathur & Sarah Tabassum (Little Big Sky) Paperback RRP $12.95 ISBN 9781923300088

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Susanne Gervay is an Australian author renowned for her children's books that explore themes of empathy, diversity, and social issues. She is a passionate advocate for children's rights and literacy. Her work has earned numerous awards for its positive impact on young readers. In collaboration with Sarah Tabassum and Pooja Mathur, she has created Parrot Palace. This remarkable book celebrates diverse children and their families, reflecting her deep commitment to inclusion in storytelling.

Pooja Mathur is a teacher librarian who has been honoured with the Early Career Teacher Librarian Award. A passionate advocate for reading for pleasure, she is a proud promoter of Australian multicultural literature and emphasizes the vital role of school libraries in fostering a love for reading.

Sarah Tabassum is passionate about exploring the vibrant intersection of digital and traditional media in her work. Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she now calls Sydney, Australia, her home, where she draws inspiration from the diverse cultures that surround her.

Hari, Lily-Rosa, and Mikey are three adventurous and fearless kids from diverse backgrounds. They live in a three-story apartment building called Parrot Palace, where they form a close-knit team. Together, they share their dreams, concerns, and face the challenges brought by their cantankerous neighbour, Mr. Crabtree. As they tackle the problems he creates, they discover the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.

Gervay has crafted not only an engaging story but an important one. The narrative features a strong voice, created through short, simple sentences. The word choices are impactful and concise. Hari, the name of a lion in India, defends his territory and protects his family. That’s my name too. The writing cleverly conveys character traits and culture. The eleven chapters are aptly titled, and the story arc quietly builds until the confrontation with Mr. Crabtree, followed by some pushback from both sides. When something unexpected happens and a bridge is built. The dialogue and writing are perfectly suited for a younger fiction audience. He can’t be mean when he’s asleep. A blend of Indian, Chinese Hungarian, and Australian cultures reflects not only the world created in the story but also our own society, which is rich and diverse. The distinct writing style of Gervay shines through.

Tabassum's illustrations are simple, expressive, and full of character. Lifelike and soft, they convey each family's home life and culture. I love how she creates warmth and captures a childlike world so beautifully.

Parrot Palace is an immersive and engaging 121-page chapter book, perfect for children aged 7-11. It beautifully showcases play, culture, and inclusion. Adding a glossary is incredibly helpful, and the back matter about the creatives is a nice touch. This book will appeal to children, teachers, and librarians alike. It is a true celebration of love and belonging.