The Last Word

The Last Word Written by A.L. Tait (Scholastic Australia) Tween Romance RRP AU$17.99 ISBN 9 781761 646874

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Matilda Bell starts Year 8 without her best friend Gemma, her only real friend since kindy. Matilda knows that her classmates think she is an almighty nerd, but without Gemma by her side to laugh or complain with, the year is not looking good. Without Gemma, there may also be no debating team, her other love. And then there is the ‘Cat Pack’ to deal with, a group of girls who have taunted and bullied Matilda and Gemma ever since they hadn’t turned up to Matilda’s eighth birthday party. Surely, it couldn’t get worse.

Enter Will O’Connor, the new boy at the school. Cool, good-looking, disruptive, and annoyingly clever without effort. He gets under Matilda’s skin in a way that no one else ever has. Then, he’s put on the debating team! It just got worse.

Can they find a way to work together so they win as a team, or will they end up hating each other?

From the very first chapter, the story moves along at a cracking pace, and the reader quickly develops a strong sense of the key character, Matilda Bell, a perfectionist who loves learning, which draws unwanted attention. But Matilda has learnt through the years to deal with it – focus, then focus some more. She is also thoughtful, caring and resilient, and she reads others with a high level of maturity, but can she read herself?

Alison Tait taps into a sophisticated understanding of how young people experience the often-difficult years of becoming teenagers, school life, friendships, bullies, love, and romance, and creates a compelling, multilayered story.

The language is clear and simple, but effective. The story is tight, with every word moving the story along. The title is clever and apt.

Alison Tait is a gifted writer in this genre, and she has delivered a wonderful book that captures the sometimes awkward time of first love, when strong feelings can be difficult to understand.

This is book #3 by Alison Tait in the Two Hearts series of standalone romance novels for tween readers 10+ years, and it’s also a great read for those who are young at heart.

 

The Puppy Parade (Ella and Olivia's Puppy Club #1)

The Puppy Parade (Ella and Olivia's Puppy Club #1) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd 2025) PB RRP $9 ISBN 9781761642333

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes

Meet Bob the puppy, and his humans, Ella and Olivia!

Bob is competing in the Grand Puppy Parade! 

But so are all the other puppies in the neighbourhood!

Can Bob learn his new tricks on time?

Will he and Ella be on TV?

Or will the competition be PAWsitively tough?

For those who are already familiar with (and fans of) the Ella and Olivia books, The Puppy Parade (first book in the new Ella and Olivia Puppy Club series), will be a most welcome addition. And adding cute, adorable puppies to the mix will make it super appealing to an even broader readership and generate some new fans as well. 

Yvette Poshoglian has written another engaging, easy to understand and age-appropriate story, making it ideal for children who are breaking away from picture book length texts. The book is short; only 64 pages long, broken up into small chapters, with large-print text and plenty of illustrations.

Danielle McDonald's charming cartoon-style illustrations bring the story (and its loveable characters) to life -- and having the pictures so closely matched with the text will help developing and newly independent readers confirm the story they are reading and encourage them forward. 

The Puppy Parade celebrates the loving relationship between a puppy - Bob - and his human - Ella.

The story is told from Bob's perspective - Bob is a sweet-natured Golden Retriever puppy who adores Ella and follows her wherever she goes (except to school). First, he introduces you to his world - his human family, his home-life and his puppy friends. Then you find out firsthand (first paw), what he thinks, how he feels and what he sees as he and his puppy friends prepare for the parade. 

The descriptions of Bob's behaviour and mannerisms -- relative to how he's feeling -- are spot on and will perhaps help kids recognise and understand a dog's body language. (Like how the wag of Bob's tail slows when he feels unsure about something. Or when he's nervous, how his tail points down.)

There will be prizes given for the best costumes and skills and the winners will get to star on a TV show called Celebrity Pups! So, Ella wants to find Bob's special skill -- she tries to teach Bob some new tricks, but he prefers his old ones.  

Soon Ella realises that the thing he does best is being her shadow. 

You will love the two Miniature Dachshunds called Bangers and Mash who arrive at the Puppy Parade dressed in hotdog costumes!

Familiar and relatable to young children, with its themes around love, friendship, support and trust, The Puppy Parade is a delightfully warm and gentle read with oodles of schnoodles and a cheerful ending.

This book is perfect for all those puppy-loving kids out there -- and a must-read for those who are developing their confidence in reading longer texts. Suitable for ages 5 to 7 years.

 

Crumbs

Crumbs by Phil Cummings and Shane Devries (Scholastic Australia) ISBN 9781761721168   RRP $16.99 (PB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

One cold, wintry day, Ella sits at a table waiting for her father to buy her lunch. She sees a one-legged bird begging for crumbs. People shoo it away. Then Ella sees a man “with his life in a bag on his back” asking people for help. People turn their backs on him, and although he has nothing but crumbs, the man shares them with the bird. His kindness to the bird is repaid when Ella’s dad invites him to share lunch with them.

Crumbs is a gently told story with powerful messages. On one level it is about kindness and sharing. On a deeper level it explores homelessness and social justice. It provokes thoughts about what makes people behave differently towards others. Why did Ella’s dad choose to help the man in need while others ignored or shunned him?

The parallels that Cummings draws between the bird looking for crumbs and the man asking for help is a clever use of allegory. It opens the door for adults to make the connections for children and to have conversations about the themes in the story.

The illustrations, by Shane Devries, are both as subtle and as powerful as the text. I could see and feel the coldness at the beginning of the story, and the warmth emanating at the end. Every character is illustrated in a way that fully reveals their attitudes and feelings.

This book is primarily aimed at 4–8-year-olds, however, I see it as a rich text that makes available opportunities for more in-depth, guided analysis with older children. It certainly deserves its place on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Books list. It is a book that will touch readers of all ages.

Katie the Catsitter

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761720253

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Katie wants to go to summer camp with her bestie, Bethany, but her mum can’t afford it. So she decides to raise enough money for a week at the camp by doing odd jobs for the other people in her apartment complex. She’s not great at carrying heavy bags or remembering to water plants, but she’s a natural when it comes to looking after Ms Lang’s 217 cats. But where does Ms Lang go every night? And why are the cats doing very non-feline things, such as ordering pizza and using a 3D printer?

Ideal for eight- to twelve-year-olds who are hesitant to read full-text chapter books, Colleen AF Venable’s graphic novel is a captivating take on the superhero genre. While the superficial subject of animal protection is admirable, perhaps more important for kids on the threshold of becoming teenagers are the two underlying themes of believing in yourself and not judging a book by its cover.

Stephanie Yue’s colourful cartoons bring Colleen’s words to life, with action and emotion aplenty. While succinct speech bubbles help to move the story along, Stephanie’s judicious use of image-only panels – often in sequences of three or more – certainly draw young readers deeper into the narrative.

Animal lovers will adore the purr-fect blend of clever kitties and caped crusaders in Katie the Catsitter. Brimming with mystery and mayhem, the book is a middle-grade page-turner that is bound to be a howling success.

Felix and his Fantastic Friends

Felix and his Fantastic Friends by Ellie Cole and Caroline Keys (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761644177

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Everyone has a different way of playing and that’s okay. But Felix is curious so embarks upon ‘Mission Friendship’ to investigate the different ways his school friends play, particularly when they are on their own.

Throughout the course of the day, Felix discovers that some of his friends love to be active, some have secret worlds and some prefer to sit and read. They are all different but all have one thing in common – they are willing to invite others into their play-world.

Author of Felix and his Fantastic Friends, Ellie Cole, is a retired Paralympian who has competed in swimming and wheelchair basketball. Her goal when writing this uplifting story was to raise awareness of difference and celebrate it by focusing on what children ‘can’ do, rather than the limitations they have.

While we may look at the range of abilities in Felix’s playground – from physical to neurological – and think it unrealistic, it is, in fact, the reality in many of our schools.

By focusing on a child’s natural curiosity and the positives they can find in others, Ellie Cole is making ‘difference’ the norm rather than the exception. A world with children who, like Felix, are curious but also respectful and inclusive, surely has to be a better world.

Caroline Keys illustrations are bright, yet whimsical, and capture the essence of each of the children Felix befriends. Combined with the text, the illustrations help make the book a joy to read – and read again.

Ideal for sharing with young children of preschool and early primary age, it’s quite refreshing to see that the publisher has identified a much broader target audience range of 3 to 10 years of age. In doing so, the importance of inclusive education and practices in the middle to upper years of primary school has been acknowledged.

This is a lovely book that should be shared between parent and child, and used in schools in tandem with other inclusive stories showing multiple perspectives.

Night Animals

Night Animals written and illustrated by Gianna Marino (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781761643491

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Did you hear something?

There are all sorts of noises we hear in the night when almost everything is asleep and the world is quiet. It can be a little scary. But have you ever wondered if the things making those night noises are just as scared?

This question is the premise for Night Animals, which follows a growing group of nocturnal animals who are fearful of the ‘night animals’ – not realising that they too are ‘night animals’.

It’s possum who starts it all, and with him being so small, you can sort of understand his fear – but does that provide bear with an excuse? Author Gianna Marino uses this storyline to gently explore fear and how it can affect everybody differently; however, as a ‘small creature’ myself, it is somewhat satisfying that bat seems to be the most sensible of the night animal’s crew.

Told entirely through simple dialogue between the animals, with bold character illustrations against a pitch-black background, the story really draws the reader into the night scenes as you feel like you are right there – wide-eyed and staring – with the animals. That being said, I am most thankful that the story is not completely immersive, given that a skunk is part of the crew. Poor possum.

Perfect for young readers from 3 to 7 years of age, Night Animals is a humorous look at things that go bump in the night. A very enjoyable read that I can see becoming a firm bedtime story favourite in some households. 

Ninja Girl

Ninja Girl by Anh Do. Illustrated by James Hart. Scholastic Australia 2025. Junior Fiction paperback graphic novel RRP $17.99. ISBN 9781760264949.

Reviewed by Debra Williams.

Anh Do is a prolific writer of children’s books. This is the first book in a new series aimed at 7—to 10-year-old readers.

Niki (around 10) is having a wild week. She discovers that she is adopted. Then, whilst playing ‘tips’ with her school friends, she accidentally crashes into a bush where the school gardener is planting shrubs. A mysterious purple gem suddenly appears in the dirt, a gem with strange crystal flecks. The principal calls the museum, and a specialist team removes the gem.

Some of the kids think it’s from outer space and could have special powers. The class teacher, Ms Bing, arranges an excursion to the museum to see the gem. At the same time, Niki is attempting to deal with a rat plague in her parent’s garden. She enlists the help of her cat, Connor, who really isn’t interested to learn about catching rats.

Niki begins to experience some kind of superpowers, abilities she hasn’t had before. On the day of the excursion, Connor sneaks into her school bag and causes havoc at the museum. He accidentally smashes the display case holding the gem and appears to become ill. Then he goes missing.

The evil Dr. Kane appears, attracting hundreds of rats to Niki’s school. He has discovered that there are space gems on the grounds and wants the school to himself.

Niki’s abilities intensify and she eventually realises that she is a Ninja, after a series of events, where she tries to work out how to use her superpowers to save the town from the evil Dr. Kane. Connor reappears, and is suddenly a talking Ninja cat sidekick, who rescues Niki from the grasp of the evil doctor.  

After Niki and her cat agree to become a Ninja team, the story is left open for the next book, Ninja Girl 2.

Lucky Scramble

Lucky Scramble by Peter Raymundo (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN: 9781761527739

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Twelve-year-old Tyler dreams of becoming the speed cubing national champion – he just has to get past a bunch of cubers with the fastest fingers in the country. From the nine-year-old prodigy and the two-time national champion to quarrelling twins and an old guy trying to reclaim the fame from his youth, the competition is fierce. Tyler eventually learns that skills and strategies are great to have, but it’s more important to stay positive when stress threatens to send him spinning from the tournament.

Aimed at kids aged eight to twelve years, Peter Raymundo’s lively story is told through an interesting mix of narrative text and graphic novel. Even readers who have never played with speed cubes (aka Rubik’s cubes) will have no trouble following this energetic tale, as helpful explanations of rules and terms are scattered through the pages. They’ll soon be cheering for Tyler as the underdog, and may be inspired to try speed cubing for themselves.

Peter’s bright and dynamic illustrations help to break up the text for reluctant readers. The vignettes highlight important people and actions, while the colourful comic strips move the story along at a brisk trot. The overall blend of text and images will be enticing to children, and ensures that the book is fun and accessible.

With edge-of-your-seat action and a diverse cast of characters, Lucky Scramble is a game-changer in middle-grade fiction. The enthralling twists and turns will keep readers flipping the pages until the very end.

Happy Barry Capybara.

Happy Barry Capybara. Written and illustrated by James Foley. Scholastic Australia 2024. Hardback rhyming PB. ISBN 9781761526558. RRP $19.99.

Reviewed by Debra Williams.

Nothing fazes Barry Capybara. He is a chilled-out, unruffled, go-with-the-flow type of guy (well, actually, the world’s largest rodent). Nothing bothers him when he hangs out with his animal buddies. That is until one particular short-tempered Squirrel monkey tries to bother Barry. Harry believes that nobody can be so relaxed and chilled out as Barry.

Harry tries several extremely annoying antics to ruffle Barry’s calm nature. From stealing Barry’s last piece of pizza to diving into his fettuccine carbonara, nothing bothers Barry. Harry’s antics worsen, yet super-calm Barry keeps on ignoring the taunts until one day, sitting beside Harry in the river, Barry lets his pent-up bodily gas rip.  After a second bout, Harry realises that Barry isn’t paying him back but letting go of bad things, including stinky gas. The two become friends and catch up every week.

This story is for young readers, 7+ years, and illustrates the importance of  forgiving and understanding of others by not keeping things bottled up.

Teachersaurus

Teachersaurus by Rory H. Mather. Illustrated by Karl West. Scholastic Australia 2024. Hardback rhyming PB RRP $19.99. ISBN 9781761528378.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

A little girl is about to start school. But she’s a bit afraid. Not of being in a class and having to make friends or getting bad marks. She’s worried about what’s inside the classroom because she has heard her teacher is a …dinosaur!

Aren’t dinosaurs extinct? Or is that something that’s just made up? But it must be real because, on the bus, her Dad said to her Mum something about her ‘Teachersaurus.’ What will she be like? Does she have spikes? Maybe a great big tail? Could she be really tiny or larger than a whale? Oh dear…if the homework is forgotten, will the student be eaten for dinner?

Rory H. Mather has written a clever rhyming tale about something many of us suffer from…. Mondegreens. Oh yes, those misheard words and perceptions that can cause such a mishap! Of course, the teacher isn’t actually a dinosaur, and there is a cute little twist at the end of the book.

This is a fun story of a child’s imagination due to misheard words and starting an unknown adventure. But it also looks at an issue from the child’s side, that of starting  ‘big school.” It’s quite natural for young children to be nervous about their first day and meeting the teacher!

Rory’s heartwarming story is an encouragement for young children everywhere. It will be loved by ages 5+ years. 

The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2)

The Winds of Waa (Nerra: Deep Time Traveller #2) by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Samantha Campbell (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781761521027

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Nerra now knows that she can travel back in time to the Dreaming. So when her great-grandmother’s box of artifacts opens again, she realises that a grand adventure awaits her. In the box, a feathered headband catches her eye. When she puts it on, she is instantly transported to the realm of the Creation Beings. Nerra soon discovers that the evil Devour’ena has returned, and they have captured Waa the Raven. Can Nerra find a way to free Waa and stop the Devour’ena from destroying Country?

Inspired by her Boonwurrung heritage, Tasma Walton’s time-slip tale takes readers aged eight to twelve deep into the heart of the Dreaming. Enthralling Aboriginal language and lore abound, which will appeal to Indigenous and non-Indigenous children alike. Nerra is a clever and courageous Aboriginal heroine, while the Creation Beings – including Bunjil the Eagle and Koonwarra the Swan – are strong and comforting presences in the suspenseful story.

Indigenous illustrator Samantha Campbell brings the characters to life in her detailed pen-and-ink images. Perhaps the most striking is her drawing of Tooradin the Bunyip, a blend of ancient reptiles and emu. Dynamic vignettes and full-page illustrations depict moments of high drama, helping kids visualise the relentless action's elements.

The Winds of Waa is a breath of fresh air in the middle-grade scene. Combining the age-old legends of Aboriginal Australians with the modern idea of time travel, it is an enthralling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Good Gnus

Good Gnus written by Phil Cummings, Illustrated by Daron Parton (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781761203206

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Good Gnus by duo Phil Cummings and Daron Parton is a playful and spirited picture book with a fun play on words that follow two gnus through their daily antics.

Parton’s vibrant illustrations complement Cummings' rhythmic text, bringing to life the gnus’ lively energy off the page. Each page is a visual burst of fun that makes it an ideal out-loud-read for adults and educators alike.

Good Gnus isn’t just entertaining, it has educational value. It introduces young children to the rhythms of daily routines and to the joy of playful language which fosters a love of reading and creativity.

The book’s ability to engage young readers while teaching important concepts makes it a valuable addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Recommended for children aged 3 years and up.

Trashy Tales: Duck for Cover

Trashy Tales: Duck for Cover by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781761298844 

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Benny the bin chicken (aka ibis) and his friends, Scrap the rat and Tweeter (‘the laziest sparrow in the world’), are after some breakfast. But the ‘greedy gobbling bin truck’ has swallowed everything in the ‘best bin in town’. How will they find something to eat? It takes a plucky duckling – who dreams of being a bin chicken – to come to the friends’ rescue, using her innate cuteness to make it rain hot and tasty chips.

The irrepressible ibis at the heart of Kate and Jol Temple’s enormously popular Bin Chicken picture books has flapped his way into a fun-filled junior fiction story aimed at kids aged five to nine. Simple sentences, short paragraphs and a stack of slapstick make this book a perfect bridge between picture books and chapter books for hesitant young readers.

Ronojoy Ghosh, who illustrated the Bin Chicken picture books, steps it up a notch with the energetic and entertaining cartoons in this chapter book. The images break up the text beautifully, giving children time to breathe and take in the action. Well-placed speech bubbles add clever quips to the already amusing story.

Anyone who adores the original Bin Chicken books will quack up at this first volume in the new Trashy Tales series. And along the way, youngsters will be transformed into wise owls when they discover the importance of believing in yourself and that good things come in small packages.

Something Somewhere

Something Somewhere by Richard Yaxley (Scholastic Australia) PB $18.99 ISBN 9781760266370

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Richard Yaxley is an award-winning author based in Queensland. He has been the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Literary Award and the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award. Richard has received the medal in the Order of Australia for his services to education, literature and performing arts.

Malt and his mum move from place to place never staying too long. Malt’s world is turned upside down when they unexpectedly return to his mum’s hometown of Pembrooke. Malt learns they will be living with a grandmother he has never met. In Pembrooke Malt discovers there are many unspoken secrets, and he desperately seeks to find answers and to find a place to belong.

Yaxley masterfully creates many subplots alongside the main story that enhance the story and hook the reader. He lets the reader think and really care about Malt and his mum and grandmother. There is family dysfunction, but Yaxley ensures that family love shines through. He is not afraid to show how things really are in families, and he tackles difficult topics like teenage pregnancy, lack of a home, child/parent conflict and enabling behaviours. This is important for authenticity and shines a light upon issues to develop empathy and understanding.   

Yaxley’s voice is compelling, you feel like you are experiencing what Malt does. She repeated it anyway, the mantra. ‘Keep yourself to yourself. Don’t bother people.’ Yaxley has a way with words that creates a world that is both believable and immersive. He knows and understands the dynamics of relationships between people and how their own life experiences and circumstances determine how they interact with others. His language choices and dialogue are strong and placed expertly in the right place at the right time.

Malt has learnt to act small and knows how to react to his mother and her actions. As the story unfolds, and more characters are woven into the story little pieces of the puzzle slowly unfold. The reader is left asking the same questions as Malt. Malt is never truly alone because he has Banjo, his little dog, by his side. Yaxley has created memorable characters in a powerful story.

Something Somewhere is a middle grade novel that makes a great read for readers 11-14 years. It is a book that will have great appeal to children, teachers and librarians. It is a gripping read that will not disappoint its young readers.

these long-loved things

these long-loved things by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761293849

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Author Josh Pyke’s dedication in the front of these long-loved things should have warned me: ‘For my mother, Catherine, and for anyone who has experienced the living loss of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.’ But no, I was a third of the way into this beautifully written and illustrated book when I realised that Josh Pyke was talking to me – about my grandfather.

Well, not really, but that’s what it felt like.

The beast that is Alzheimer’s is hard enough to face as an adult, let alone a child. ‘Why doesn’t Pop/Nanna know who I am anymore?’ is one of the most impossible questions to answer, but with these long-loved things I feel it may be a little easier.

Josh Pyke’s narrative follows a child, coming to the realisation that they are now the memory-keepers, and it is their job to remind their grandparent about the songs they once sang, the stories they told and who those people are in the photographs you’re looking at.

Ronojoy Ghosh’s bold and simple illustrations perfectly capture those precious moments, the shared joys and the recaptured memories. Together with Pyke’s words, the book is like a comforting hug – a reassurance that everything is going to be okay, that we are all loved and that memories are there forever.

Targeted at children aged between three and seven years of age, these long-loved things is the perfect shared read between a parent and a child, or even a teacher to their class – particularly if the class is involved in visits to aged-care facilities (which is the most glorious thing and should happen more often).

I wish I’d had this book when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; it would have helped my children, and it would have helped me in more ways than I can explain. For me, the line I will take, and hold is this:

Once a memory is made, it remains. Even when it is forgotten.

Thank you, Josh Pyke, Ronojoy Ghosh and Scholastic Australia for bringing this book out into the world. Highly recommended for everyone, no matter your age, because this disease hits all of us in some way, at some time.

How Do I Know If I’m Upside Down

How Do I Know If I’m Upside Down (And other things my body knows) by Idan Ben-Barak and Zahra Zainal (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761121371

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Our bodies are amazing things when we think about it. How do they do what they do? How do we know where are arms are? Why do we feel pain if we touch something hot? Why do we get dizzy if we spin around and around and around?

As we grow, we take a lot of these things for granted – they just happen. It’s something to do with our brains sending and receiving messages, but how does it really work?

There are so many questions!

Up until now, the answers have seemed too technical, too medical and certainly too confusing to be able to explain to a child (or an adult without medical background) but this delightful and insightful book by Idan Ben-Barak and Zahra Zainal is going to solve this issue.

Written for children aged between four and eight, How Do I Know If I’m Upside Down (And other things my body knows) answers all those tricky questions young children like to ask about their bodies in a way that is accessible and satisfying.

It all starts with the nerves that are found everywhere in our bodies.

As children read through the book, they’ll discover that when air waves enter our ears, they move the tiny hairs there – which is how we hear. Then they’ll find out that the nerves in our skin can tell whether something is soft or hard, and the nerves in our muscles can tell if we’re relaxed or holding something heavy.

If that’s not enough – readers can also find out about things other bodies (like those belonging to different animals) know.

With easy-to-understand text, and colourful, detailed illustrations, How Do I Know If I’m Upside Down (And other things my body knows) will answer all our questions – and probably inspire more. (Gee … I hope there’s a sequel to this book!) 

Stickboy

Stickboy by Rebecca Young and Matt Ottley (Scholastic Australia) HB PB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781742994468

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Rebecca Young and Matt Ottley’s picture book Teacup won the picture Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2016 and was published internationally.

Rebecca Young loves working with words and pictures as both a publisher and an author. Her picture book The Speedy Sloth was ALIA’s National Simultaneous Storytime picture book for 2023.

Matt Ottley is a multi-modal artist working across visual arts, music and literature. He is an award-winning picture book writer and illustrator with over 25 picture books published.  Ottley has written music for this book that will be recorded in Prague and this work will become the eleventh in his Sound of Picture series. It will be performed in Australia in 2025.

Stickboy lives in a dry and barren land where hunters seek water. Stickboy is always left behind. He finds solace in the moon and his grandmother’s stories of when oceans covered the land. Stickboy and his grandmother believe the water will return. The wind tells Stickboy he will be the one to find water. This is a story about incredible courage and spirit.

Rebecca Young’s poetic writing style pulls heart strings and matches beautifully with Matt Ottley’s intricate illustration style. The words used to describe place and change are powerful. Stickboy lived in wind and dust, where ancient rock loomed. From the very first sentence, Young calls upon a reader’s imagination. The language is beautiful and powerful. She spoke of magnificent creatures that moved through the water like a flock of birds curving across the sky.

The pacing unfolds the story beautifully. But he raced the wind to find their footprints, again and again. The emotional arc is strong, and it feels like you are inside the story. Everyone glared at Stickboy. They yelled and screamed and pushed and shoved. Young says so much with so few words. On the days in between, everyone searched for water. Masterfully, Young knows exactly when in the story to tell and when to show. No one knew that his heart was a well that could find an army. 

Matt Ottley’s illustrations are sparse and powerful. The last spreads are wordless and say so much more than any words ever could. They are hauntingly beautiful. The colour palette reflects the bare and barren place perfectly. The reader’s eye is immediately drawn to certain images on each spread that enhance the storytelling. For example, Sometimes the earth creaked and shifted... and swallowed memories, whole.

On the double spread Ottley has a huge metal ship that sits on a dry parched land and Stickboy and a wolf are small. The text gives Ottley room to shine his masterful visual storytelling. The images are allowed to speak and are not crowded by text. This picture book allows both the words and images to speak on so many levels to the reader as they seamlessly work together. Ottley’s use of light and shade dramatizes the story and the moments that are poignant.

Stickboy is a picture book that will resonate strongly with readers five years and older. It touches upon the themes of home and belonging and hints at environmental conservation. I think this book will become another award-winning book. The combination of Young and Ottley is pure picture book gold.

Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen

Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen by Georgia Godwin (with Laura Sieveking) and Amanda Erb (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781760266486

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Georgia Godwin, an Olympic gymnast, has put pen to paper to create a junior fiction diary series based on her experiences as a young, up-and-coming gymnast.

The first book in the Gymnastics Diaries series, Beam Queen, introduces readers to 10-year-old Georgia who has just found out that she has been accepted into the Elite Squad at All the Way Up Gymnastics Centre. Knowing this is a step towards her goal of becoming an international gymnast, Georgia is incredibly excited, but she is also disappointed because Bri her best friend – at school and on the gym floor –does not make it into the squad.

Not only is Georgia worried about her friendship with Bri, now that they won’t be training together anymore, but she is also nervous that her gymnastic skills won’t be good enough compared to the other, mostly older, members of the Elite Squad.

Using the diary style of writing, Georgia Godwin, along with co-author Laura Sieveking, has managed to tap right in to the complex and competing emotions of a 10-year-old. ‘Am I good enough?’ ‘What if nobody likes me?’ ‘It looks hard, can I do this?’

Amanda Erb’s black and white illustrations add depth to the story, particularly the rising and falling emotions of Georgia and the other gymnasts, as she navigates new territory and challenges at every turn.

Surrounded by supportive family and friends – both old and new – Georgia pushes through her fears and concerns, focusing on her ultimate goal. But the looming team comp, which is Georgia’s first ever big team event, presents a new set of hurdles (or should we say ‘beam challenges’?)

Perfect for independent readers aged 6–9 years who themselves love the sport of gymnastics, Gymnastics Diaries – Beam Queen is not only sure to be a delightful read, but will also encourage readers to go for their dreams, no matter how challenging or scary they may seem. And, who knows, we might even see a whole new generation of gymnasts heading for Olympic gold.

Princess of Thieves

Princess of Thieves by Mari Mancusi (Scholastic Australia) ISBN: 9781761520921 RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

If you think you know the story of Robin Hood and his merry men, think again. This twisted tale turns everything you think you know on its head! It is a brilliantly retold tale of murder, greed, outlaws, danger and love.

The war is over, and Maid Marion returns to her uncle, King Richard’s homeland. When she arrives, she discovers that the king has tragically died and his younger brother, Prince John, has taken over the reign of the country. His tactics are as questionable as Sir Hiss, the slippery snake that seems to have an unknown power over the prince.

Mancusi sets up the strength of character of Maid Marion early in the story, and makes no secret that she is willing to get her fox fur dirty if it means making a stand against the wrath and power of Prince John. Mancusi uses well known elements of the story of Robin Hood to re-write this twisted tale to put Maid Marion front and centre of the action. She even includes the trusty lady maid, Lady Kluck. One fiercely protective chook!

Unwittingly, Maid Marion begins helping those whose living conditions have been impacted by high taxes and outlawed family members. She begins stealing riches to share with the poor. Unfortunately for her, Robin Hood, her childhood friend and long-time crush who is already outlawed by Prince John, gets the credit for Maid Marion’s exploits.

This is a cleverly written story, and the action is this novel is continuous. There are twists and turns aplenty to keep the reader entertained. Even though Maid Marion must keep her wits, this is an entertaining story of girl power that reminds every reader that we are responsible for our destiny, and we all have the power to make a change, even in the fairytale world of Nottingham.

Whether you know the story of Robin Hood or not, this story stands up on its own merit and the outlaw, Maid Marion, will be the new princess everyone wants to be. Princess of Thieves is suitable for a 10+ readership.

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.