Ruby Red Shoes goes to London

Ruby Red Shoes goes to London by Kate Knapp (Angus & Robertson) HB RRP $19.95   ISBN 978-0-732297-62-6

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London is the third book in Australia’s popular and most well travelled series that 4-8 year old children are sure to love.

Ruby the hare loves to travel and this time, wearing her ruby red shoes of course, she’s off to London with its red phone boxes, red letterboxes and red buses.  Maybe she’ll meet the Queen? Maybe she’ll have a delightful afternoon tea?  But there is more to this clever book than travel tales. It warms your heart from the inside out with family love and an understanding of death.  This book shows that we are all connected to the vast universe.  Ruby is full of wonder as she embraces the magic of living in and exploring London.  Most of all, there is gratitude for the place she calls home.

Kate Knapp’s illustrations shine with a whimsical touch that has superbly illustrated the story.  The soft colours have a very English feel and show life in London so well from the trains that run along burrows and swoosh alongside platforms to the hop on, hop off, red buses and all the London sights along the way. There are little snippets of information through the illustrations which help add to the story.  The sheer wonder of Buckingham Palace is so beautifully illustrated with detail.   London looks truly delightful.

The text paints London accurately with descriptive words and verbs -- for example ‘Ruby receives their affections with open arms, so much so that she is soon off-balance and sitting in a joyful pool of corgi cuddles and kisses.’

The book touches upon the topics of adventure and travel, family and friends, the universe, our global connection to the world and so much more.   Ruby Red Shoes is a book to be loved and treasured forever.  It is well worth a read for both children and adults.

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.

Lily the Elf: The Wishing Seed

Lily the Elf: The Wishing Seed by Anna Branford, illustrated by Lisa Coutts (Walker Books)

PB RRP $ 7.95

ISBN 9781925081060

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The Wishing Seed is the fourth book in the Lily the Elf series of books for 5 year olds or beginners. Lily is reading her favourite book. It is about an elf princess. She loves the princess’ crown and longs to have one of her own. Her crown is from her dress-up collection and one of the points is broken. She catches a lucky floating Dandelion seed. As she does so, her dress-up crown falls off and another point breaks away.

She makes a wish on the seed for a real elf princess crown and believes it will come true.  Lily tells Granny but as usual, Granny reminds her that fixing things is better than wishing for things.

Lily draws herself wearing her new crown. She waits for the mail bee, looks at sparrows and dragonflies hoping they are carrying her crown in their beaks. But at night she’s disappointed. Her seed wish hasn’t come true. Dad and Granny tell her they sometimes don’t.

In the morning, the only thing Lily finds is the broken point of her dress-up crown. But Dad has a box of useful things and Granny is a genius when it comes to making old things new again.

As Lily waits for the mail bee, she listens to the noises coming from Granny’s flat. What could be going on in there?

This story is a wonderful example to children about the joy and satisfaction that can be found in restoring an old item instead of discarding it and replacing it with something new, which isn’t always possible.

EJ Spy School - Speedy Spy

EJ Spy School - Speedy Spy by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Dyani Stagg (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-92193-198-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ten year old Emma Jacks is rushing to get to school when her spy School watch alarm rings. Rushing now to get to the secret entrance of the SHINE headquarters, Emma wonders what task A1 will have for her this time.

Emma completes the maze code in record time then is admitted to the SHINE lab, where, as EJ10, spy in training, her mission is revealed. She needs to rescue an animal agent from the animal training unit. For this task, EJ10 will need both speed and clear thinking. 'Speedy but sure,' A1 tells EJ, is one of SHINE's mottos.

And EJ does need speed as there seems to be a Shadow agent following her. Will she complete the task and earn her Spy School Speed Badge?

The spy gadgets in the story allow for plenty of play on words, such as turning phrases like 'get your skates on' and 'you'd better fly' into reality at the press of a button.

Speedy Spy is the seventh book in the EJ Spy School series written for young readers who like adventure, action, animals and spies. Short chapters, large font, simple concepts and illustrations on most pages make this series readable for these beginners, while great gadgets and plenty of action will keep them hooked.

Christmas Wonderland: Ella and Olivia

Christmas Wonderland: Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-055-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

‘Ella and Olivia love Christmas. They love the smell of the tree. They love waking up early on          Christmas morning. They love giving and receiving presents.’

Christmas is just around the corner so Dad and Uncle Stu have a surprise for Ella and Olivia that is going to be big, bold and very, very bright. 

Christmas Wonderland is a Christmas title which captures the funny tale about a friendly neighbour Christmas decoration battle. The excitement of getting ready for Christmas shines through this story.  Ella, 7, and Olivia, 5, help Dad and Uncle Stu decorate the front yard, sing Christmas songs with Mum and wait excitedly for the Christmas street fair.  Of course baby brother Max and their puppy dog Bob share in this excitement with the rest of the family.

Written for beginner readers, the text is simple. Short sentences and chapters encourage reading and the sweet illustrations help make the book appealing and manageable. The writing is evocative too.

    ‘‘Into the tree we’ll wind flashers and blinkers and winkers,’ cries Dad.’

The Ella and Olivia series is a lovely family focused series with stories well suited to the five plus readership age.

Tom Gates a Tiny Bit Lucky

Tom Gates a Tiny Bit Lucky by L. Pichon (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-1-74362-534-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop
Tom Gates, master doodler and expert in getting on the wrong side of his teacher, is back in his 7^th hilarious adventure. Tom is still obsessed with caramel wafers and band practice (so that Dogzombies can enter the Battle of the Bands).

This time, Tom’s dad is big on getting fresh air and decides they will make a kite together. Which is a good thing really as Tom discovers there is so much fun to be had with a piece of string. In fact, string provides a perfect enhancement to doodling – until Mr Fullerman confiscates it.

Throw in Delia’s bad moods, an invitation to meet the new neighbours and school Enrichment Week and Tom has too much to think about. All he wants to do is find a copy of The Very Special Recipe in the library so he can finish the story Mr Fullerman started.

The pictures and doodles sprinkled among the pages are as much a part of the story as the text and provide many laugh-out-loud moments. The humour is quirky but easily relatable, especially within the family dynamics.

Short chapters and big font with pictorial cues make Tom Gates great for the beginner reader market, 8 years plus. But once you read one, you’ll probably want to read more. They’re light, quick to read and very funny.

As a bonus, at the end of A Tiny Bit Lucky, is Dad’s instruction on how to make a kite. Try it out, then go fly it with a friend.

 

Flower Power: Ella and Olivia

Flower Power: Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74362-053-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Ella is seven and Olivia is five. In Flower Power Ella has decided she would like to start a garden at home just like the one they have at school. She is happy for Olivia to help, but Ella wants to be in charge. Mum and Dad help the girls build and prepare the garden bed, then leave the panting to them. The only problem is Ella wants to grow just herbs and vegetables while Olivia wants flowers as well. Is Ella being too bossy? Can they find a compromise?

This is a great story about a family working together. Even baby Max is involved, mostly making mud pies but creating this garden is a family effort. There are discussions about making the garden bed, staking tomatoes, seedlings, different herbs and other gardening issues.

Ella and Olivia have a realistic sibling relationship which many young girls will relate too and the way the family interacts is also grounded and positive. This title explores cooperation, bossiness and responsibility.

The sweet illustrations add to the story, showing the family working together as well as the growing frustrations of Ella. Every page is decorated making the book appealing to young readers.

Ella and Olivia is a lovely series for young girls, five plus, who are starting to read.

EJ Spy School: Deep Water

EJ Spy School: Deep Water by Susannah McFarlane, illustration by Dyani Stagg (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-92193-164-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Swimming day at school is coming up and 8 year old Emma Jacks does not want to go. She is scared of deep water. Luckily for her she gets a call from SHINE, the top secret agency where she is training to be a spy. As EJ10, she takes the mission tube and zips off to another spy class - at the beach. If she wants to earn her underwater spy badge she is going to have to face her fears of the deep water after all.

EJ10 is trained in underwater spy work with the help of Bubbles the dolphin. Then they set off to clean rubbish which is polluting the sea. But when Bubbles is trapped, is EJ10 ready to dive deep to save her new friend?

The EJ Spy School series is written for beginner readers. The text has large font, basic words and short chapters. The content is exciting, mission based and mostly focusses on overcoming fears, environmental concerns and rescuing animals. There are plenty of fun spy gadgets too.

The pictures are sweet and often used in the place of text – to illustrate what is worn underwater or to show EJ’s spy profile. Young girls will love this series.

 

EJ Spy School - Secret Spy

EJ Spy School - Secret Spy by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Dyani Stagg (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-92193-162-8
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

 EJ10, also known as Emma Jacks, an eight year old school girl, is super excited when her spy watch beeps. It means she is being called back to Shine Headquarters for another spy school lesson. This time she is introduced to the lab and all Shine's fantastic spy tools. Assigned some cool gadgets, EJ sets off to follow the clues she has been set. But then her lesson becomes a real mission. Is she ready? A kitten is relying on her now.

EJ Spy School is a new series written for beginner readers based on EJ12's earlier recruitment to the Shine Agency - a spy agency dedicated to righting any wrongs caused by their rival agency, Chaos.

Animal rescue is the main focus in all the adventures Emma and her friends have. This and the top-secret nature of the missions they face has huge appeal for EJ12's readership. This younger version is perfect for younger girls wanting to join this world of adventure, mystery and animals. 

EJ Spy School - Puppy Alert

EJ Spy School - Puppy Alert by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Dyani Stagg (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-92193-163-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

 Emma Jacks, a ten year old schoolgirl has an exciting secret. She has a secret identity, EJ10, and is a spy in training with the Shine Agency.  At spy school she learns about breaking codes, following clues and other skills a good spy needs. In Puppy Alert her training is especially fun. EJ10 is learning about animal rescue. And it is a thrilling lesson, following clues around the giant indoor training centre at Shine Headquarters. Her mission is to rescue five hidden puppies.

Puppy Alert is part of the EJ Spy School series, written for beginner readers based on a McFarlane's well established and popular EJ12 Girl Hero series. This younger version goes back two years earlier, to when Emma was recruited and trained for work in the Shine Agency.

The EJ Spy School series incorporates large, easy font, short chapters, subjects which appeal to young girls and simple story lines which take place over a short time period, all features which make this series a good starting point for beginner readers who would like to join in EJ12's exciting world of missions, adventure, fun and animal rescues.

The illustrations are sweet and do more than just decorate and break up the text for easier reading. They also work with the text conveying meaning not stated in words. This helps to build a bridge between picture books young readers are used to, and the chapter books they are striving for.