Pow Pow Pig: Forest Secrets

Pow Pow Pig: Forest Secrets by Anh Do, illustrated by Peter Cheong (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9781761069833 

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

In this sixth installment of the Pow Pow Pig series, the time machine drops the Z Team into the middle of a fruit battle in ancient Japan. The monkeys and the foxes both blame each other for theft of jewellery from their communal workshop. Pow Pow Pig and his friends – Kung Fu Duck, Cha Cha Chicken, and Barry the Goat – convince the animals that war is not the answer and set out to discover who the real thief is. A trip into a creepy forest uncovers the culprit, as well as a secret romance between the daughter of King Fox and the son of the Monkey Queen. 

The humour in Anh Do’s tale is sharper than a samurai sword, and it will appeal to little ninjas aged six to ten. Absurd action springs from page to page, with twists and turns that keep a tight hold of young readers’ attention. The power of togetherness is an obvious theme, but even the toughest warrior in the story learns something new: the value of being true to oneself.

Peter Cheong’s angular, black-and-white cartoons add a dynamic layer to the book, bringing the action to life and letting it fly across the spreads. The images also help to break up the text into bite-sized chunks. Hesitant readers will appreciate being able to clearly picture the characters and events described in the story.

With time-travelling heroes, as well as animals of all shapes and sizes learning to live in harmony – plus plenty of puns along the way – Pow Pow Pig: Forest Secrets is sure to be another smash hit for Anh Do.

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Go for Gold

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Go for Gold by Ashleigh Barton. Illustrated by Peter Cheong. Hachette Australia 2024. Junior Fiction Paperback RRP $16.99. ISBN 9780734422910

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Young Freddie just loves collecting facts. He writes all sorts of facts on sticky notes and attaches them everywhere around his house for his mum and sister Henrietta to find, and other places as well. He amuses friends and family with his constant knowledge.

Currently, he is collecting sports-related facts, which is his new obsession. Not very sporty himself, he decides to investigate when the medals for the school sports carnival disappear, and he thinks the carnival will be cancelled. Will Freddie save the day? And who would take the medals? Turns out to not be the suspect Freddie has in mind.

This is a humorous book for younger readers with fun illustrations throughout, including the many sticky note facts. Whilst the book is fictional, it is jam-packed with information about all kinds of sports and Freddie is an endearing character. It will be enjoyed by readers aged around 7-11 years.

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet by Ashleigh Barton and Peter Cheong (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9780734422903

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

We’ve all met someone who knows everything about their passion topic – maybe that person is even you! But, you may not have met a child quite like Freddie Spector, Fact Collector.

Freddie loves facts; he loves collecting them, he loves leaving them on sticky notes all around his house, and he loves sharing his knowledge with everyone around him. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about Freddie’s facts as he is – except Mr Lahoud who runs the newsagency and keeps Freddie supplied with sticky notepads – but nobody really seems to mind too much.

When Freddie finds out that his school, Becker Heights, is going to be treated to a virtual visit with Astronaut Lilly Jun from the International Space Station, he naturally becomes obsessed by everything space-related. His fact-finding ramps up a notch when Freddie becomes one of only five students chosen to ask Astronaut Lilly a question.

Then, the unbelievable happens.

Hearing a huge bang from his neighbours’ house, Freddie investigates and discovers a huge hole in their backyard. If that isn’t weird enough, strange things start happening in the following days and Freddie, along with his sister Henrietta, are convinced it can only be one thing – and I’m sure you can guess what that might be – and they secretly, and a little nervously, set about finding out as much as they can.

Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet is action-packed and space-fact-filled right from the first page. Author Ashleigh Barton has really captured the thirst for knowledge and the powerful imagination of children, and has crafted relatable and likeable characters – from Freddie and his sister, through to Aunty Lou and Mr Lahoud. Peter Cheong’s simple but expressive illustrations complete the story.

If I was still teaching, I would have loved to use Space Cadet to introduce and supplement a unit of work in the Earth Sciences. Space is a subject that fascinates a wide audience of children (and adults) and Ashleigh Barton has approached the topic in a fun way that is suitable both for space novices and the more ‘informed’ reader. With its imaginative appeal and upbeat pace, the story will also engage readers who may not otherwise be interested in the subject matter.

Perfect for independent readers aged 7–10 years and beyond, Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet will also make a fun read-aloud that can be enjoyed by parents and their younger children, or teachers with their class, and spark many discussions and new fact-finding missions.

 

Pow Pow Pig: Snow Action

Pow Pow Pig: Snow Action by Anh Do, illustrated by Peter Cheong (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781761068928

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera 

In this fifth instalment of the Pow Pow Pig series, the time machine drops the Z Team into a very chilly landscape: the North Pole. They discover that two of Santa’s reindeers have been kidnapped, and his sleigh has disappeared, too. Pow Pow Pig, Kung Fu Duck, Cha Cha Chicken and Barry the Goat get straight on the case, interviewing suspects and following clues. They soon discover who the culprit is – but can they catch him as he escapes on the flying sleigh?

Anh Do’s fast-paced story barrels along like a snowball gathering speed down a steep mountain. Cool quips are flung at readers from left and right, and most of them land smack bang on the funny bone. Kids aged six to ten will adore the antics of the animal characters, as well as every hair-raising minute of page-turning turmoil.

Peter Cheong’s angular, black-and-white illustrations add a sharply humorous edge to the tale. They glide into and around the text with ease, helping to both animate the action and split the paragraphs into easily digestible chunks.

Successfully skating the fine line between giggles and groans, Pow Pow Pig: Snow Action is stone cold stupendous. Middle-grade readers will plough their way through this pun-tastic book in no time.