My Mum is a Magician

My Mum is a Magician by Damon Young, illustrated by Peter Carnavas (UQP)

HB RRP $24.95  ISBN 9780702259944

Reviewed by Brook Tayla

This book is filled with fun and frivolity from beginning to end and is sure to delight pre-school children. It is full of amazing Mums in diverse and unusual roles who get up to all sorts of antics both in the workplace and at home. The main Mum is a magician and will keep children wondering how mothers just seem to know what’s going on – even when you think they’re not looking!

The rhyming text is well written, making the flow an easy out-loud read. The illustrations are funny and will have children laughing.  There are a lot of animal characters to discover on each page and they are placed in very comedic situations.

This is a light-hearted, fun book that is the latest release in the family series: My Sister is a Superhero, My Pop is a Pirate, My Brother is a Beast and My Nanna is a Ninja. I predict that Dad will be next and wonder what he will get up to !

This would be a great book to share with young children. I can imagine teachers using this for Mothers Day prompts or discussions about mothers.

Brook Tayla writes a picture book review blog at telltalestome@wordpress.com and would love you to drop by, read some reviews, leave a comment and subscribe.  Brook also offers editing services for beginning and emerging writers.

Curly Tales: Short Stories with a Twist

Curly Tales: Short Stories with a Twist by Bill Condon, illustrated by Dave Atze (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP 12.99 ISBN 9781925520590

Reviewed by Kate Simpson

Curly Tales: Short Stories with a Twist is a collection of 14 short stories for the early reader crowd by prolific children’s author Bill Condon. Tender-hearted animal lovers beware: things do not always end well for our furry, scaly and squirmy friends in this zany collection. However, kids who like a giggle and dads who aren’t afraid of an outrageous pun are likely to find this right up their alley.

Each story is Condon’s humorous take on a different proverb: ‘curiosity killed the cat’, ‘you can’t please everyone’ and ‘old habits die hard’, among others. In the stories themselves, Condon takes substantial liberties with the proverbs (enter the outrageous puns), but he takes the opportunity to explain the traditional meaning of each at the back of the book – perfect for teachers and parents who love a bit of education mixed in with the kids’ entertainment.

The book is liberally peppered with comic illustrations by Dave Atze, which nicely break up the text to make it less daunting for emerging readers. With the longest story covering 11 large-type pages, and the shortest just four, these curly tales are a great choice for readers aged 6-8 years to cut their teeth on. 

Here Comes Mr Postmouse

Here Comes Mr Postmouse by Marianne Dubuc (Book Island) Translated by Greet Pauwelijn HB RRP $26.95 ISBN 978 09941282 1 8

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

A label on this book’s cover says that the originating publisher (from Canada) won the title of ‘Children’s Publisher of the Year’ in the Bologna Oceania Awards. By the creator of the picture book, The Lion and the Bird, this is a picture book which won the 2015 Best Picture Book of 2015. Thus one comes to the book with high expectations.

The artwork, in muted watercolours, has a child-like quality about it, but it extends the written text in ways that any child would find fascinating and would spend many hours pouring over. This is because there are many elements to each page, both pictures and cut-aways of places such as a house, underground, even in branches of trees.

On Monday Mr Postmouse loads his parcels onto his cart and sets off to deliver them. His first delivery is to Mr Bear’s house where we see Bear eating breakfast with a small girl (maybe Goldilocks?) Here is the first cut-away: we see into a room of Bear’s house with its hive on the roof with a pipe running into a tap that drips honey, as well as Bear’s library and his furnishings. At the next stop, the Rabbit family, there’s an illustration of the house with its underground warren of rooms (with two seven layer bunk beds for all the rabbit children.)

Mr Postmouse delivers to numerous birds, to a squirrel, and a dragon (with whom he lunches), and on to a mole, and then a nest of ants (with queen ant on her throne). When he delivers to Mrs Turtle, we can even see into her house which she carries, of course, on her back. There are many more deliveries to many more types of animals until finally the over-worked mouse arrives home at the end of the day to be greeted at his own home by his wife who has organised a birthday party for him.

There is no doubt that small children will love this book and will spend many hours ‘reading’ the illustrations. My only quibble with this book is that the text typeface is far too small for small eyes (even for adult ones!) Suitable for ages 3+ year.s

What Noise Comes From a Giraffe?

 What Noise Comes From a Giraffe? by Craig MacLean (Angus & Robertson, an imprint of Harper Collins) HB RRP $19.99                 ISBN 9781460752234

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

Ever wondered what noise a giraffe makes? Craig MacLean makes his author/illustrator debut with this new picture book.

While books relating animal noises have certainly been around for years, MacLean gives this a new twist by focussing on an animal I’m sure we have rarely heard make a noise.

His simple rhyming text and bold, colourful illustrations will see younger children making the familiar noises but also thinking about the giraffe – and no doubt offering suggestions.

The answer at the end of the book fits and will see children making their own giraffe noises. MacLean often pondered the question himself and his young daughter came up with the answer.

Well suited to pre-schoolers, I still am wondering what other noises does a giraffe make – this might also lead onto some further investigation about giraffes with young children.

Perfect to read aloud – particularly with the larger, clear text .

Go Home, Cheeky Animals!

Go Home, Cheeky Animals! (Allen & Unwin 2016)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN: 9781760291655

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Too Many Cheeky Dogs collaborators, Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley, are back with Go Home, Cheeky Animals!

At Canteen Creek in Australia’s top end there are cheeky dogs everywhere.

Grandpa says the cheeky dogs will keep the other cheeky animals away, but when the big rains come and a gang of goats move in, the cheeky dogs do nothing. The sweaty season brings a drove of donkeys, the cool winds bring a herd of horses, the dry grass brings a bunch of buffaloes and the dry soaks bring a caravan of camels.

The whole family tries to make the cheeky animals go home – Dad flaps his arms, Aunty waves a big stick and sister chucks her thongs – but nothing seems to work. It’s not until the big storms come and the cheeky animals go crazy that the cheeky dogs finally get fed up and growl “Go Home, Cheeky Animals!” in their loudest, angriest voices. And they do.

Beasley’s depictions of the cheeky dogs and animals breathes a sense of fun into a story that embraces family, place, nature and the flow of the seasons in a remote Indigenous community.

Bell’s language is descriptive yet sparing. It partners nicely with Beasley’s expressive, humour-filled illustrations. Even the end papers are a treat.

And when the seasons come full circle and those big rains come again, there’s a sense those cheeky animals will be back, and those cheeky dogs will be waiting…

This picture book set in a remote Indigenous community is a rarity and this gem aimed at three to six year olds has all the makings to inform and delight.

I Need a Hug

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

HB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-76362-909-3

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Little porcupine does not understand why no-one will cuddle her. Surely there is someone out there who will. I Need a Hug is another playful and fun story from author Aaron Blabey which taps into young children’s desires for hugs and kisses.

This picture book has no clutter, just wonderfully expressive animals and full colour glossy pages. All the text is in speech bubbles with great rhyme which removes any awkwardness that can sometimes come with reading speech bubbles aloud. It’s smooth and rhythmic.

Little Porcupine is adorable and the other animals who populate this book are portrayed with humour and liveliness. The pages pop with clear bright colour and the layout is very appealing.

The ending has a fabulous ‘Blabey’ twist, humorous and portrayed by both words and pictures working hand in hand, which gives a very satisfying finish.

This is a perfect story to read to pre-schoolers, cuddled up together on the couch or at bedtime. An entertaining book, it will be loved by a wide readership, young and old.

Aaron Blabey is an award winning Australian author whose picture book Pig the Pug was recently shortlisted for many awards including the CBC Awards and the Australian Book Design Awards. As well as many picture books, he has also written the hilarious series, The Bad Guys, junior chapter books for middle grade readers.

The Tree

The Tree by Neal Layton (Walker Books)

PB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781406358216

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

It begins with a piece of land for sale. All that’s on the land is a tree. A couple arrive to build their home. They have a design of their house on hand and dreams of the outcome.

But unknown to the couple who must remove the tree to build the house, it is home to families: squirrels and owls and a burrow of rabbits. When the couple begin cutting, the families pour out of the tree in fear of their lives.

Distraught at what they’ve discovered, the couple cease their work. Is there a solution to be found? Can the needs of the animals that have made their home in the tree, and those of the humans be made compatible?

This is a fantastic picture book that reflects on how animals live in harmony; sharing their homes and natural surroundings. It’s a powerful message about humans being conscious of preserving and sharing nature with other living things in a way that accommodates them all.

This delightful picture book for the 3+ year age group has stunning illustrations in vibrant colours, and a strong environmental theme. It will surely initiate conversations at home and in early learning centres around its many important issues.

Now you See Me, Now You Don’t

Now you See Me, Now You Don’t by Silvia Borando (Walker Books)

HC RRP $17.99

ISBN 9781406364217

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This superb wordless picture book for age 2+ is a seek-and-find book that will absorb and entertain beginners. Its eye-catching cover in teal is followed by vibrant full- colour pages. There are animals on every page but with each turn of the page, one or more are missing. The reader embarks on an adventure to discover which are missing from the page they are viewing. The only clue is a pair of eyes. The game is to whom do they belong?

There is a choice of elephant, crocodile, mouse, chicks and a mother hen, rhino, trees, a rabbit, a bird and a cat.

Counting can be encouraged in this educational journey through the animal parade. I can see very young children carrying this attractive book under their arm to bed for story time.

Near, Far

Near, Far by Silvia Borando (Walker Books)

HC RRP $17.99

ISBN 9781406363180

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Released simultaneously with its companion book, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t, this very attractive wordless book for the very young offers joy and fun from its bright orange front and back cover to everything in between.

A crocodile, bird, rabbit, mouse, hedgehog, and rhino are the characters that fill and empty the vibrant coloured pages. It is a different game this time. Parts of the animal are shown on the page and the reader must guess or work out, which animal the part belongs to. These characters can be related back or forward to the ones in the companion book.

Silvia Borando has designed and created these books with developing minds as the target audience.  Interactive and entertaining like its partner, eye-catching colours are again at play and both books promise to bring a smile to the faces of early learners in a simple and challenging educational experience.

Little Rhymes for Little People

Little Rhymes for Little People by John Westlake, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Published by John Westlake)
PB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-0-646-92462-5
Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

In this new release, John Westlake has created a collection of rhymes that aim to educate children about animals of both land and sea and their environments. Suited to children aged three to seven, Little Rhymes for Little People features 21 rhymes written about animals from all over the world including Australian natives.

Each rhyme brings the reader closer to the animal by depicting a relationship between them and people, with the narrator an active participant in each scene.  This gives a gentle portrait of animal behaviour and their characteristics.

The bright illustrations by Sophie Scahill enhance the rhymes through a collage of texture and layering, giving them a somewhat 3D quality and bringing the animals’ habitats to life, at times in a humorous context. Zebras in disguise, a tea drinking leopard and a parachuting kiwi bird will entertain young readers as each page is unveiled. The illustrator has employed various colour palates that reflect a specific animal or environment. These are presented as full colour pages opposite their corresponding rhyme.

Each rhyme is short, in simple to read text, allowing the reader to move quickly. The illustrations support further discussion or reflection. There are opportunities for young children to identify pets or animals they may have encountered on visits to animal parks or sanctuaries. Little Rhymes for Little People is a light-hearted interpretation of animal life that can integrate with other pre-school environmental awareness. 

Little Rhymes for Little People is available now and available through Woodslane distribution.

Jaquelyn Muller is an author and publisher of the Elizabeth Rose picture book series. Jaquelyn is an author champion for the Let’s Read early childhood literacy program. She conducts literacy and publishing workshops for children from kinder to upper primary. jmullerbooks.com

 

The Rabbit and the Shadow

The Rabbit and the Shadow by Melanie Rutten, translated by Sarah Ardizzone (Book Island)

HB RRP $32.95
ISBN 9780994109804
Reviewed by Dianne Bates

From the outset, this picture book tells you it is a story of a rabbit, a stag, a soldier, a cat, a book and a shadow. When the story proceeds, the book is broken into sections with headings, such as the Rabbit and the Stag, the Soldier, the Cat, and so on, each section being like a short story within a larger story.

I found this a difficult book to get my head around so it is definitely not for small children except as a work of (illustrative) art. The story is written in simple sentences that are sometimes quite poignant, such as ‘One day, the Rabbit appeared. There was a slight wind. And a shadow perhaps. Little ones sometimes appear like that. Like the wind. Or sometimes like a storm.’

A Rabbit is befriended by a Stag. A Soldier also befriends Rabbit; these two then meet up with Cat. Next, Book is attacked by Soldier, after which meets Stag. At this point there is a flashback with Rabbit and Stag discussing the nature of their love and the fact that nothing is forever. There is much more, but to be frank, although I loved the simplicity of the writing, I really didn’t fully understand what the story is about. Perhaps, I decided, because Rabbit appears to be the central character, it is about it learning life’s lessons. And perhaps the moral of the story is contained in a sentence on the final page: ‘This is the story of a Stag who doesn’t feel anxious anymore and a Rabbit who has grown up.’

The illustrations – and there are many of them, usually contained within a vignette, although there are full-page illustrations -- appear to be watercolour. They display a distinctive artistic style with ample use of golden yellow and bush green. The cover, showing Stag embracing Rabbit, is quite lovely.

 Trying to make sense of the story, I came to the conclusion that author Rutten uses all of the characters symbolically – the Rabbit as child, the Stag as parent, the Soldier and Shadow as life threats, the Book as one’s search for meaning, the egg as life to come, the Cat... not sure what it represents. It would be interesting to discuss this book and what it’s about with someone else who has read it, too. All I can do is to recommend it to you if you like a book which is out of the box, very different from a mainstream picture book.

I Spy Pets ...

I Spy Pets ... by Edward Gibbs (Koala Books)

PB RRP $13.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-070-4

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

I Spy with my little eye is classic game played by many children. In this picture book version young readers are asked to guess what animals are pictured on the following page with the help of a clue - I like to munch lettuce - an eye, and a peek through a hole of the animal skin (fur, feathers etc.) This hole very cleverly becomes the creature’s eye when the page is turned.

This is a lovely, simple book for the very young. Babies can start their 'reading' life with animal recognition and toddlers will love the guessing and revealing ritual. Uncomplicated and bright illustrations show endearing animals which are commonly kept as pets and the peek-a-boo holes add a fun twist.

This is an entertaining book for story time with pre-schoolers.

Miaka

Miaka by Anne-Louise Channon, illustrated by Beatriz Martin Vidal (Windy Hollow Books)

HC RRP $25.99

ISBN 9781922081315

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Here is a work of art that will entice collectors of exceptional picture books. It comes highly recommended.

Anya lives happily with her seamstress mother, farmer father, and pet bird, Miaka somewhere in the frozen countryside of Russia. The long freeze destroys their crops. Summer stays away that year and the next. Then father dies. Money runs out and so does the food after Anya’s toys are sold for firewood. Weakened by hunger, mother is forced to send Anya to live with the baker and his wife in the village.

But charity is not available. Anya must work hard in return for food for Miaka and herself. The bird grows strong and fat.  When the girl overhears a conversation that rocks her world, she is forced to make a drastic decision.

This is a haunting story about the bond between human and animal, and sacrifice that comes at the ultimate price. Anya’s emotions are portrayed incredibly well through the stunning, full page illustrations. The colours are dark like the theme. The only brightness exhibited is the girl’s hair and the bird’s feathers which carry messages of their own for the reader to interpret. 

Tales from the Waterhole

Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham (Candlewick)
PB RRP $11.95
ISBN 9780763668761
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Tales from the Waterhole comes from fantastic Candlewick Sparks series for those just beginning to read. There are 27 books in the series written and illustrated by popular authors, using loved and known characters.

This four chapter book offers short stories with Morris and his animal friends that live around the waterhole of the African savannah.

Bob Graham’s easily identifiable watercolours bring to life the animals’ antics, their fun-loving characters, and the theme of friendship within a perfect blend of illustration and simple prose.

This series is produced in a new edition which is smaller than the normal sized picture book, and will fit neatly on any child’s book case.

Night Watch

Night Watch by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Janine Dawson (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921504365

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Giraffe, Elephant, Hippo and Baboon live by the lake. All have very busy lives and apart from a polite nod of the head, wave of the trunk, swish of the tail or gruff grunt; they rarely spoke to each other. Until one day Giraffe sees the shadow of Lion creeping closer and closer. Can the animals band together to scare Lion away?

This book is a delight to read out loud. The text is full of movement and colour, with language children will love to repeat. Always love a good Boom Boom Boompety Boom and Splish Splash Burp!

Dawson’s vibrant watercolour illustrations bring the landscape and the animals to life. I especially love the hippos swimming in the lake. There is so much joy in their expressions. Priceless.

This book is suitable for pre-school and lower primary age children. It would offer the chance to discuss sound and movement, shadows and music, as well as being a great book to read at bedtime. 

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Do Your Ears Hang Low? sung by The Topp Twins, illustrations by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic NZ)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-77543– 104-6
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Do Your Ears Hang Low? is a well known and very catchy song. I’m sure most people know the tune. This book version is fantastically illustrated by Jenny Cooper and features the cutest animals with amazing ears, including a sheepish looking basset hound with his ears tied in a bow, a buck toothed llama with ears standing high and a charismatic mouse who directs the action throughout.

My nine-year-old daughter read this and was immediately singing the song for days, adding her own words and flavour as she went. Kids have so much fun with the words:

   Do your ears flip-flop?
   Can you use then as a mop?

and the total silliness of the suggestions:

    Can you semaphore your neighbour
    With a minimum of labour?

The pictures are truly humorous and endearing. I especially love the cover illustration of the mouse, pulling the hound along by his ears. Cooper is brilliant at capturing animals and the expressions on their faces.

There are plenty of easy actions kids that can add to the tune as they sing-along and the interaction continues to the last page where the reader can check out their own ears on the mirror provided.
At the end are some astonishing, silly and funny facts about ears.

The accompanying CD has two tracks, one with The Topp Twins singing Do Your Ears Hang Low? and one with the instrumental version for anyone to sing along to. This book is entertaining and perfect to share with kids from pre-school age up.

For All Creatures

 For All Creatures by Glenda Millard, illustrated by Rebecca Cool (Walker Books)

HB RRP $29.95

ISBN 9781921529818

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

For All Creatures is an outstanding book of gratitude for the gifts of nature. The vibrant cover, filled with Rebecca Cool’s distinctive illustrations in her bold, naïve style, compelled me to select it first from the pile to be reviewed. Open the book and endpapers burst with colour and images of animals, people, and flowers. It bursts with joy. I was in love with For All Creatures before I even reached the title page.

Glenda Millard’s mastery of the English language is unsurpassed. Her text is lyrical, yet her word choices are also challenging with such inclusions as metamorphosis, nonchalance and quagmire. This is definitely a story to be read with children, perfect to be shared, and one that will become a classic.

I loved how Millard began For All Creatures with one of the non-favourites of the animal kingdom – spiders. She shows us the beauty in all animals.

For weavers and wisps.

For silk spinners and spiderlings,

lace and loveliness

and for webs, we are thankful.

Each double spread finishes with the phrase ‘we are thankful’. Animals from throughout the world and Australia are included; there are amphibians and snails (with their ‘scribbled silver secrets’), birds and insects, mammals small and large. Millard always surprises with her use of language. We are thankful for the ‘upsidedownness’ of bats and the ‘fleas and fingers’ of monkeys.

There are also people, young and old. Textually, this double spread is my favourite. On the left is the young family who ‘wish and wonder and wait’ for their new child, while on the right, we read of the love and tenderness that comes with age.

Cool’s illustrations lift the text to an even higher plane. Each spread is a work of art. My personal favourite is the butterflies, with the contrasting greens and oranges.

Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool previously collaborated on the award-winning Isabella’s Garden. This new offering must surely reap a swag of awards, too.

For All Creatures reminds us that our world is a wonderful tapestry. Share this book of joy and wonderment with the children in your life. 

Adventures with Ollie the Orangutan

Adventures with Ollie the Orangutan by Jan Latta (True To Life Books)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-0-9808727-0-5

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

                              

There is something extremely exciting about discovering things that are real and interesting. Jan Latta is author, photographer and publisher in this incredible true-to-life series of twelve books which has been created to ‘educate children about endangered species’. She went into the Borneo rainforest to photograph and document the lives of the orang-utans in the wild for this publication.

Ollie the orang-utan is the narrator. He is depicted in his natural habitat and through the amazing photography that shares the page with the text we are invited into his family life. He informs us about his heritage, where he lives, what his name means in the Malay language, and why they are frequently known as the ‘red ape’. He is pictured still and in motion; with his mother as she teaches him to climb and where to find food, and in tender and moving poses that show how similar the apes are to humans. The text is light and entertaining with significant words highlighted in various colours.

Ollie tells us about the orang-utan’s eating habits, height and weight of the male and female, the special names for various parts of their body, how they swing from tree to tree, and where and how they sleep.

The book ends with a double page listing of Orang-utan Facts which include lifespan, numbers remaining, diet, and a list of incredible Did You Know? statistics. Interesting websites are listed along with recommended reading and information on organizations that help the orang-utans. Well priced, these 24 page books are easily accessed and worthwhile. The series is suitable for ages 5+ in the company of an adult to answer questions, for older children as research projects, or simply for pleasure and awareness.

Adventures with Mia the Meerkat

Adventures with Mia the Meerkat by Jan Latta (True To Life Books)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-0-9756770-7-0

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Jan Latta went to Namibia in 2009 to photograph meerkats in the wild. Unfortunately time was against her and she was forced to produce this book through visits to the Mogo and Taronga zoos. It is the ONLY book in the series which was created from a zoo environment.

Mia the meerkat is the narrator. She introduces us to her family group which is called a gang, and guides us through their daily life and habits. She shows and tells us how and where they live and forage for food, and how and what they eat. (Mia’s favourite food is scorpion, with sting removed of course!)

We learn about their homes; tunnels called burrows that they dig with their front curved claws, and why there are 70 entrances. Then there are the personal details of their grooming habits, the twenty sounds used to communicate with family, and the benefits of their extremely acute senses.

This is an amazing fact book which incorporates a great deal of information. A list of Meerkat Facts at the end includes their scientific names, habitat details, body length, height and weight, birthing, diet and lifestyle, with interesting websites for additional research.

The pages are set out with wonderful life-like photos, lovingly taken, that bring to life the accompanying text. These are a terrific series to teach children 

Let’s Go Wild: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Let’s Go Wild: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Sorrel Wilby, illustrated by Michelle Pike (ABC Books)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN 9780733328244

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

Sorrel Wilby is well known as a reporter on the show Getaway and the magazine Australian Geographic, yet this is her first venture as a children’s author.

Writing about what you know is always great advice for a writer and Wilby does just that. Her passion for animals and nature is well known and recorded, but she now shares that passion with children aged between 7 and 10.

Written from a child’s perspective (Wilby’s son) she uses humour to engage her audience while simultaneously informing them. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is the first of three books in the series. Written over six chapters, Wilby imparts a variety of facts about what and how animals eat. A glossary at the end of the last chapter defines many of the scientific terms Wilby uses throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading many of the factual titbits, interspersed with quotes from experts in the animal field. The lively illustrations by Michelle Pike are great. However, there are many pages which are full of unbroken text – a known turn off for readers of this age group. I would have preferred more visuals to accompany smaller paragraphs of text. Having said that I never knew that rats enjoy eating the oily toenails of elephants or that the capybara (a large rodent) eats its own poo! Facts which will no doubt fascinate children.

Worth a try in a school library or for that trivia seeking child!