Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet

Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet by Julie Murphy (Union Square Kids – New South Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781454956471

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

“No hissing. No scratching. No biting.” Those are the three key rules Catty Corner must abide by when she is out in public – but it’s sort of hard when you’re a half-cat.

Little Catty is in Year 3, but she’s been homeschooled by her mum – who’s also half-cat – her whole life. She’s quite happy with that arrangement, staying at home away from the judging eyes of other children, particularly the boy across the road. Catty has everything she needs.

Then, Catty’s world is turned upside down when her mother announces she has a new job that means she won’t be at home during the day. What’s more, it also means that Catty is going to have to start going to her local school – from Monday!

Catty worries that the other children won’t accept her. That with her cat ears and furry tail, she’ll be teased for being different. And, that she won’t be able to control her kitty-cat ways and will embarrass herself.

Unfortunately, she has no choice and, somewhat reluctantly, with her ears hidden under a hat and her tail tucked beneath her shirt, Catty boards the school bus. To her surprise, she quickly makes a friend who doesn’t care that she’s half-cat. Her teacher also turns out to be very understanding.

But not everyone is.

And not everything goes the way it should.

Filled with ‘kitty-cat’ puns and a few CAT-astrophes, Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet is a fun read with a quiet message of positivity and self-belief.

Author, Julie Murphy, has created an endearing protagonist in Catty, along with a cast of relatable characters in this character-driven novel for readers aged 6 to 8 years.

If you are a cat person – or even if you’re not – you won’t be able to help yourself from relating to Catty and cheering her on as she navigates her new school and accepting herself for who she is rather than who she thinks she should be.

Catty Corner Pounces into Action

Catty Corner Pounces into Action by Julie Murphy, illustrated by Eve Farb (New South Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781454956495

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Something terrible is happening at Friends Hollow Elementary School. Food is going missing, and whoever is taking it is leaving quite a mess! First, it is the macaroni sculptures from the preschool room that have been eaten, then it is the students’ food from the snack pantry that has vanished. Third graders Catty (half cat/half girl) and her two besties, Bebe and Jo, are determined to get to the bottom of it. The trio set about finding the culprit before the school’s Meatball Mania fundraising night, and in the process learn some important lessons about friendship.

Catty Corner Pounces into Action is a chapter book suitable for readers aged 6 years and older. The large text is broken up by full-colour illustrations scattered throughout the book. This fun mystery narrative includes themes of friendship, identity, and acceptance.

If readers like this book, they may also enjoy Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet.

Be the Change

 

Be the Change by Rob Greenfield and Antonia Banyard (New South Books) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781771645911

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

We all know it – our world is in trouble. But how many people are really aware of what we can do about it? How many of us – especially children – don’t feel empowered enough to do our bit because it’s so overwhelming?

Enter Rob Greenfield, environmental (zero-waste) activist and YouTube sensation who is all about raising awareness and showing us all exactly how we can help by living more sustainable lives.

Be the Change – Rob Greenfield’s Call to Kids, Making a Difference in a Messed-Up World may be an excessively long title for a book but it’s all about heart, passion and practicality.

Rob has been known to do some crazy things in the past, but his message is simple and articulated clearly throughout this book, which includes chapters on reducing clutter, dealing with rubbish (trash), food waste, conserving water and the social issue of disconnection.

Each chapter is packed full of narrative that details Rob’s various adventures and antics, along with statistics, hints and tips, and short features on others (sometimes children) who are making a huge difference one step at a time.

Even though the contents are America-based, this issue is global and just as relevant here in Australia.

The book is targeted at readers aged 8–12 years but, seriously, there is inspiration for everyone, no matter your age. That’s the point Rob is trying to make – nobody is too young or insignificant to make a difference. And no change or action is too small to bother starting.

Here’s an author who genuinely walks his talk.    

Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets

Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets by Magda Gargulakova and Marie Urbankova (New South Books) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9788000072470

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Teeth! Our teeth rank fairly high if any body part is taken for granted. But should they? After all, unlike crocodiles and sharks – we only get two sets.

Written as a ‘family friendly’ book aimed at young readers of the ‘wobbly tooth’ age (around 5 to 9 years), Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets is full of toothy facts and tips to help us understand why teeth are so important and how to take care of them.

With large, bold illustrations, clear headings and pockets of information in child-friendly text, readers can whet their appetites selectively with information that intrigues them, or munch away at the text from start to finish. Whatever way you choose to engage, you’ll be able to digest information about the structure of a tooth, how teeth develop and grow, and the things we need for tooth care.

Everything within the pages is information our dentists, teachers and parents tell us – but presented in a much more palatable form that really helps the message take root and sink in.

Plus, there’s a fun page at the end where you can imagine what it would be like to have hippopotamus teeth, the teeth of a shark, or even the teeth (tooth?) of a narwhal.

Approved by the dental profession, Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets is a must-read for parents and their young children who are coming up to the wobbly tooth stage. (There’s even a section on how to get rid of those wobbly teeth!)

Alphabetical Sydney

Alphabetical Sydney by Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell (New South) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781742237565

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

This is the 10^th anniversary edition of this picture book which author Delia Falconer said was an ‘instant classic (that) should be on the bookshelf of every Sydney child.’ Its reach, however, ought to be wider, to include any Australian child from 8+ years. It’s written as an alphabet book with a focus on Sydney, beginning with ‘amusement’ (Luna Park in Lavender Bay) with masterful rhyming quatrains. The book includes animals and insects such as bats, ibis, kookaburras, and cicadas, as well as fauna – Moreton Bay figs, nature strips, jasmine, and jacaranda. Other subjects are Parramatta, Circular Quay, garage sales, xpress bus, even yum cha!

Every double page spread contains a verse on one side and illustration on the other. The illustrations are quirky and vibrant, being a combination of hand-drawn, painted pictures, and photographs. On the page devoted to the letter ‘x’, there’s a photograph of actor Walter Matthau driving a city to Circular Quay bus. On the Easter Show page, there’s a ride with photographs of people on swings, as well as a grand champion chook, and a reserve champion.

Being published in time for Christmas 2022, this unique picture book will delight and inform both adults and children. 

My Dinosaur is More Awesome

My Dinosaur is More Awesome written and illustrated by Simon Coster (NewSouth Books)

HB RRP $21.99

ISBN 978-1-63220-416-5

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Joel and Olivia sit down to dinner, with two of their favourite dinosaurs, Olivia can’t help but point out that her dinosaur is better.  After all, her dinosaur can play the trumpet while riding a bike and its house is in the shape of a rabbit.  It can make jam and even eats electric eels.  But, Joel’s dinosaur can swim like a shark and has teeth that glow in the dark.  It can jump and slide on its knees, has x-ray vision and isn’t afraid of bees.  It’s hard to say which one is the best.  Things get trickier when another dinosaur joins them at the dinner table – one that once ate a volcano and wears slippers the colour of rainbows.  How can Joel and Olivia’s dinosaurs compete with that?

My Dinosaur is More Awesome is the first book from English artist Simon Coster.  This is an enjoyable and fun book about the competitive nature of siblings Joel and Olivia; each one building up the magnificence of their dinosaur.  When things reach unbelievable heights, Mum steps in and not only settles the argument but trumps them both with the awesomeness of her own dinosaur.

The story is told in rhyme and is easy to read, making it a great read-aloud book for pre-schoolers or very early primary children.  The one upmanship that occurs between the two children is silly, imaginative and will really appeal to the target readers (and also ring true to those parents who have witnessed similar ‘stoushes’ between their own children).  The illustrations, mostly on white backgrounds, are bold and colourful.  They have a cartoon-like quality to them and really showcase all the fanciful activities for the dinosaurs are claimed to get up to.

 

Simon Coster is a mostly self-taught artist who loves to experiment with different style and genres.  Although he paints mainly for recreation, he has been exhibited and sold.  My Dinosaur is More Awesome is his first children’s book and was chosen as a main selection for July 2015 by the Children’s Book of the Month Club. He lives in Lincolnshire UK with his wife and children.