Take Risks

Take Risks by John Marsden (Pan Macmillan) PB RRP $34.99 ISBN9781760985295

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

Written by an Australian who has sold over five million books worldwide including the YA novels Tomorrow When the War Began and So Much to Tell You, this is a compelling non-fiction book for adults. Not only has Marsden won every major award in Australia for young people’s fiction, but he is well-known for his Tye writing workshops and for establishing two schools, Candlebark and Alice Miller. It’s not surprising after teaching for more than 40 years that Marsden has formulated ideas about what constitutes a ‘good’ and a ‘bad’ school. In this book he provides succinct proof of both.

‘Take risks’ is the unofficial motto for Marsden when it comes to schooling, and especially at his two private schools. In this memoir of his years in education, the reader is taken through the highlights – and lowlights – of Marsden’s years involved in observing how schools are run. In Candlebark – on a forested estate near Romsey, Victoria, and Alice Miller, at Macedon, children are treated kindly and respectfully, yet at the same time given amazing challenges such as hiking alone in bushland for 160 kilometres. They are taken on many excursions through a school year and listen to talks by a wide variety of people from all walks of life. They are given free time to explore and play, undertake all kinds of practical lessons, and get involved in the maintenance of their schools. The two schools teach their students that life is a thrilling adventure, that they need to be allowed to roam, to dare. And to fail.

Marsden frequently refers in Take Risks to teachers he has observed, and how they influence their students, and he tells, too, how parents can be obstructive or helpful in guiding their offspring. There is a lot in this engrossing book about school and community politics. Marsden’s style of writing is clear and concise with many interesting and relevant anecdotes. It is no wonder he received, in 2006, the Lloyd O’Neil Award for Lifelong Services to Australian Publishing.

With forthright discussion on teaching, parenting and society, this book is highly recommended

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph (Walker Books) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN 9781529500615

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

The Black Friend is a book for everyone, teens, and adults alike. African American Frederick Joseph discusses racism from a personal perspective, recalling some poignant events in his life that the reader can learn from. He also invites a range of guests, including musicians, journalists, authors and more, to share their own personal experiences of racism. The book explores sub-topics such as white privilege, cultural appropriation, stereotypes, oppression, American history, discrimination, microaggression, reverse racism and the false narratives surrounding affirmative action.

The Black Friend highlights the fact that white people need to do better. They need to be called out when they do and say things that are hurtful, ignorant, or offensive; they need to be educated. The Black Friend provides a myriad of teachable moments for its audience, with some humorous commentary thrown in to keep things light.

Important words and terms, typed in bold throughout the book, are defined and expanded upon in ‘An Encyclopedia of Racism’ at the back of the book. There are also suggestions of things to follow up on, including people to research, books to read, things to watch and a playlist of songs to listen to. The Black Friend is highly recommended for readers aged 12 years and older.

Toby the Rainforest Warrior

Toby the Rainforest Warrior by Ron Day (Morris Publishing) ISBN 9780 648878254 RRP $17.99 (PB)

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

This junior fiction early reader is about two tree kangaroos called Toby and Charlie and their efforts to save the rainforest they live in from being cut down by humans. The text includes lots of descriptions of the trees, the fruits the kangaroos eat, and the other animals and birds which live in the forest. The reader follows the adventures of Toby and Charlie as they leap from tree to tree and put a plan into action. Pictures of the animals they meet, including a cassowary, a possum, a goanna, and an eagle are included at the ends of chapters.

Telling the story in third person from the point of view of Toby, much of the text is dialogue as Toby and Charlie tell each kind of animal or bird, they come across about the dangers facing their forest. There are action scenes when the tree kangaroos fall out of the tree, and almost into a raging river. Plus, there’s a nasty python and a dingo they have to escape from. There is even a happy ending for the animals when the Minister for Environment decides to stop the logging.

The author Ron Day is a published author of a series of textbooks and has taught for more than thirty years. His passion is teaching children about the importance of saving the environment. Toby the Rainforest Warrior is for early primary school readers from 7-10-years of age. 

The Very Clever Bee

The Very Clever Bee by Felicity Marshall (Propolis Publishing) HB RRP $28.99 ISBN 9780648253327

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

Bees have been a hot topic in recent times, trending in fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Visually stunning and packed with detail, The Very Clever Bee is a valuable contribution to the topic.

Marshall combines art and science to cover every aspect of the honeybee and its interaction with humanity, from biology to history, products to environment. Intricate, labelled diagrams and colourful full-spread paintings interchangeably intrigue and delight, while facts are interspersed with literary quotes.

The text is straightforward and easy to digest, broken into manageable portions by illustrations, quotes, fact boxes, and lists. Readers take away practical tips for living with and protecting bees, as well as information reaching beyond the run-of-the-mill. Although sections are clearly designated with headings, an index might have been a bonus to facilitate children looking to use the book as a resource for projects.

A one-stop source of information and inspiration about honeybees, primary school-aged children will enjoy poring over this book time and again. A treasure.

Walking the Way of the Dinosaurs

CSIRO Publishing released a unique and timely information picture book on 1 October 2020 for primary aged children – but adults will love this story too. Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish, features an iconic and quirky little fish that’s been around since the time of the dinosaurs. But now it’s in serious trouble.

Move over Nemo and move over charismatic megafauna, this little guy represents the smaller threatened creatures in the ocean. The Spotted Handfish is famous for two reasons: walking on its ‘hands’ (pectoral fins), and for being the one of the first marine fish in the world to be recognised as endangered.

The Spotted Handfish is listed as Critically Endangered under both the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (the EPBC Act). There are less than 1000 left.

Now restricted to walking around a small marine area off Tasmania, this handfish and its close relative, the Red Handfish, have dealt with a barrage of compounding threats over the past few decades, including invasive seastars, pollution and climate change.

Written by marine biologist and former National President of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, Dr Gina Newton, the book is narrated by Handstand, a cute cartoon handfish. Handstand tells the tale of his life on the seafloor and how he and his relatives came close to the brink of extinction. His tale is also one of the circle-of-life, and this is how scientists were able to step in to help save his species.

The book is vibrantly and cleverly illustrated by Tasmanian artist, Rachel Tribout, whose artwork brings Handstand’s tale to life. Readers are transported into a moving, frothing undersea world of blue, green and brown hues, complemented by the technical tools of science, such as boats, SCUBA and laboratories.

The world, including Australia, is experiencing an extinction crisis of its amazing and unique biodiversity. Hold On! is an important and timely tale, and a story of hope.

This book takes children into the unseen undersea world and provides an inspiring narrative of how people can use science to help save a species from extinction. The book includes a glossary and conservation timeline, and has associated comprehensive Teacher Notes that are available online.

Handstand is an unforgettable little hero, that will soon be walking his way into your hearts, minds and bookshelves!

Further information: Contact Gina Newton 0413010752, ginanewton.com; Or, Melinda Chandler           melinda.chandler@csiro.au , https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7903/

Kookaburra

Kookaburra by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Tannya Harricks (Walker Books) RRP HB $26.99 ISBN 9781760651060

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Kookaburra is a narrative nonfiction book that forms part of the fabulous Nature Storybooks series, designed to entertain and inform young readers.

The narrative follows Kookaburra and her family of five throughout a nesting season – singing, searching for food, looking for a hollow, defending their territory and laying eggs. This engaging tale can be read independently or the story can be entwined with the interesting facts, typeset in italics. The additional information can help children consolidate their understanding of Kookaburras and their features, habits and nesting rituals.

To complement this fascinating tale, Tannya Harricks has created a work of art on each page. Her textured images, created using oil paints and thick brush strokes, are simply stunning. The endpapers are equally beautiful and not to be overlooked.

Kookaburra is a gorgeous children’s book that provides an insight into the nesting season of kookaburras. The final double page spread has more information about kookaburras, an index and details about the author and illustrator. Claire Saxby has written many books in the Nature Storybooks series, however; this is only the second collaboration between this author and illustrator. Their first book together, the award-winning Dingo, is also part of this series. Kookaburra is highly recommended for children aged 4+ years.

 

Tree Beings

Tree Beings by Raymond Huber and Sandra Severgnini (EK Books) HB RRP $34.99 ISBN 781925820539

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

‘I hope that many children all over the world will read Tree Beings and understand the importance of trees’ says Jane Goodall, the world-renowned anthropologist, in a foreword to this heavy-duty, outstanding book which will survive many readings by children aged 7 to 12 years. The purpose of Tree Beings is to inspire kids to fall in love with the natural world and act to protect trees which the author (and many other experts) says are our best allies in fighting climate change.

The book’s cover, with animals (including man) cleverly disguised in the limbs and leaves of a tree, the fly pages beautifully decorated with swirling tree limbs and leaves (and birds), and the title page with locusts on the bark of a tree, are a wonderful introduction to Tree Beings. In fact, the illustrations in this book are simply gorgeous! Sandra Severgnini has made the text come alive with her amazing artistic talents.

There are four big ideas in Tree Beings: that trees give life to the planet, that they help fight climate change, that they are like beings and that they need our help and protection. Many people have contributed to this wonderful book from professors to PhD scholars to a woman (Julia Butterfly Hill) who lived for two years in a tree! Reading this book children will learn that forests are one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, providing us with clean water and air, removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and breathing out oxygen (O2).

Visually, this book is stunning, from its portrayal of trees, insects, animals, fruits, people, and much more. Every chapter displays a double-page spread which can only be described as ‘lush’. They illustrate stories such as that by Professor Wangari Maathai, described as ‘Mother of the Trees’ who stood up to violent government forces in her work to plant millions of trees. Another person highlighted in the book is young Australian Tony Rinaudo whose work in Niger Africa has seen over 200 million trees regrown from stumps. But for a child reader the most inspirational story must be that of nine-year-old German boy Felix Finkeiner who has a plan to plant a trillion trees to fight climate change and is steadily accomplishing his task.

If a reader wants to know about the Green Belt Movement, he/she can check out www.greenbeltmovement.org There are numerous other websites in the book for young readers to research that tell of tree activists throughout the world. If they want to help preserve trees, there’s a list of ways in which they can help reforest the world, recycle paper and wood products, and more. There is also a glossary of science words, a page of references, puzzles and mazes and an index. Finally, the final fly pages depict a cross-section of a tree’s roots.

It’s unlikely there’s a better book on trees for young readers than Tree Beings, thus it is highly recommended.

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. A Chinese proverb.

Sir Isaac Newtown, Scientists Who Changed the World

Sir Isaac Newtown, Scientists Who Changed the World by Anita Croy (EK Books) Hardback, 88 pages RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781925820713

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Sir Isaac Newtown is part of a series designed to help children learn about scientists who changed the world. Isaac Newtown’s discoveries changed our understanding of the world through science.

This book is divided into chapters that build a picture not only of Sir Isaac Newtown’s discoveries and achievements over his lifetime, but it gives background information that shows the young reader who and what shaped his personality and scientific mind.

There are six chapters which include photos, quotes, facts and varied page layouts with colourful illustrations where a child can open the book and read what interests them. The book does not have to be read in order. The text is child-reader friendly and supports STEM and history in our schools. There is a glossary and information about books and websites for further information for the curious.

Sir Isaac Newtown’s achievements were many and his contributions to this world are hard to include in one book, yet Anita Croy has successfully captured the essence of Sir Isaac Newtown and all that he contributed with his incredible mind. A child can be inspired to pursue a scientific field they are interested in and know that it is not enough to have the ability: it also requires lots of hard work, persistence and patience.

Sir Isaac Newtown is a book that will fascinate any child 10-13 years with an interest in Science. This is a great resource for schools and teachers.

Crafty Science

Crafty Science by Jane Bull (Dorling Kindersley) PB RRP $19.95 ISBN 9780241353455

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

This bright hardcover publication continues the useful and factual format of the non-fiction DK range. Parents and librarians recognise this long-standing range that continues to provide clear and concise information in a durable format. Building on previous publications it contains past, and new science projects that focus on STEAM, the science and technology components of the UK and Australian curriculums.

Each project contains bright step by step instructions with a framed "What's the science?" paragraph in simple text explaining the concepts as well as an equipment list. As with all the high-quality DK information range this title by award winning author contains a contents page, rear index and glossary. 

Although this title repeats many well-known projects the updated format with additional STEAM links provides a great title to use at home. the variety of projects will engage a range of interests. A valuable addition to public and school libraries it also would aid Home-school or distance education families. Aimed at middle and upper primary ages, many of the projects require adult supervision and planning to purchase resources.  

The only small issue in this new title is the use of dark red and green text boxes for some of "What's the science?" paragraphs which might be difficult to read for children who have colour blindness.  

Australia Remembers

Australia Remembers by Allison Paterson (Big Sky Publishing) RRP: Paperback $14.95 Hardback $24.99   ISBN: Paperback 9781925675771 ISBN: Hardback 9781925675788

Reviewed by Anne Helen Donnelly

Australia Remembers begins with an introduction to our country, how we live and how people in other countries may live. It continues to explain, in plain language perfectly pitched for the target age group of 6 to 12, the topics such as conflict, commemoration, ANZAC and document events such as the World Wars and current events that take place in remembrance. Apparently, there are three different types of bugle calls. I didn’t know this even though I had a friend in the army who used to play at every dawn service!

After the initial explanation, the book flows chronologically beginning with World War I and ending with The War on Terror, as well as Peacekeeping efforts. It explains to children why we remember and how, detailing various Australian War Memorials within Australia and abroad. Symbolism is included, such as the wearing of poppies and other national rituals, such as the minute silence on Remembrance Day and the baking of Anzac biscuits.

The layout is spot on, with the right mixture of images and information. The text is not excessive and is presented in different ways such as in thought bubbles, posed as questions and in sections with different coloured backgrounds. The images used keep the reader interested.

Photos, both current and historical, are included, as are maps and little drawings such as lightbulbs and question marks to attract attention to various text. A glossary is included for younger readers and the activities in the last chapter including making cardboard poppies and a recipe for Anzac biscuits, will keep little hands busy and make this book a more interactive experience.

This is exactly the type of non-fiction book I would have loved at age 6 to 12. Informative and interesting with relatable content. I highly recommend it.

Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and War Memorials

Australia Remembers: Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and War Memorials by Allison Paterson (Big Sky Publishing) PB RRP $14.99 HB RRP $24.99 ISBN978 12925675771

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Primary schools all over Australia are sure to snap up this well-designed and comprehensive large format book. Filled with coloured pictures and photographs (some of them historical), the book takes the reader through the story of conflicts that Australia has been involved in. It shows how our country honours, thanks and remembers those who fought to protect others, or suffered in war and conflicts in the past.

It explains how, from a population of five million, over 416,000 Australians volunteered to serve their country in the AIF. And how more than 60,000 of the volunteers lost their lives. It examines the role of Anzac Day in our country’s history with numerous coloured break-out shapes that look at subjects such as the Western Front and the Middle East, mateship, the Diggers and the Anzac Spirit. It moves on to Anzac Day services, ceremonies and parades, with numerous quotes from serving soldiers and school children about subjects such as why the day is remembered. The reader is shown stories and photographs of the bugle call, dawn services, even the RSL.

A large section of the book is devoted to Remembrance Day (11 November) with details such as when the Armistice was signed, the silence of respect, even the ode of Remembrance and why poppies are important. More than one chapter is devoted to war memorials across Australia, with additional information about the Vietnam War (1962-73), Afghanistan 2001 (ongoing), and another war on terror, Iraq (1990-91) and (2003 – 2009).

At the back of the book there is more to inform the reader, including a map showing locations where Australians serve in conflicts and peace-keeping missions. There are numerous activities included, too, such as how to make a poppy, Anzac biscuits, a wreath and even how to create a war memorial. Like all good non-fiction books there is a glossary, index and bibliography with acknowledgements and a page about the hard-working author who has also written the 2016 ABIA and CBCA-longlisted title Anzac Sons: The Story of Five Brothers on the Western Front.

The book is highly recommended.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines by Prue and Kelly Mason, illustrations by Tom Jellett (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781922244635

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Can you imagine what the world was like before we had aeroplanes? Imagine how long it took to get anywhere and how isolated we were from the rest of the world.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines shares the stories of 10 brave Australians who took to the skies and changed aviation forever. These Australians had vision and courage, and it is thanks to them that we can travel through the air.

The authors were inspired to write this book after they bought a vintage plane in 2000. Both licensed pilots, they started researching the history of their purchase and were intrigued by what they uncovered.

This book is overflowing with interesting facts about aeroplanes and aviation, and is not only interesting to read but also highly informative.

Did you know that women weren’t allowed to fly until 1927, even though men were permitted to fly 15 years earlier? Well, after reading this book you will have lots of impressive facts to wow your friends and family with.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines is one of the most visually appealing books on the market. It is beautifully designed with fun illustrations from Tom Jellett and archival photography of each of the Australians featured.

It is a wonderful educational tool for children and is great for classroom discussions. It features "Did You Know" sidebars, three amazing facts about each of the people featured and friendly, informative text that is enjoyable and entertaining to read.

This book is perfect for readers aged 9 years and over, and is a brilliant gift for young readers interested in aviation and Australian history.

DK Find Out! Ancient Egypt

DK Find Out! Ancient Egypt by Dr Angela McDonald (Penguin Random House) PB RRP $14.99   ISBN 9780241282779

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

As a child I would have loved to receive this book – and as an adult I’m delighted to read and review it. All Dorling Kinsley books are beautifully designed, researched by experts and full of amazing and fascinating facts – and this book is no exception. 

Fully coloured, this is a small book filled with full colour page spreads (mostly photographs) on all aspects of Ancient Egypt such as boats and trade, gods, artwork, tombs, Pharaohs, soldiers and war, even how to make a tomb -- and much, much more. Take the pages on Food and Drink: the diet for poor people mainly consisted of bread and beer as well as spring onions and nabk (which tasted like apples) but cucumber was a ‘fancy’ food. Rich people on the other hand ate dates, lotus root, figs, honey, yogurt, pomegranates and melons as well as meats, principally beef. We read on these pages that a rich Egyptian called Mereruka had hyenas fattened for a feast!

In the section on Children in Egypt, there’s a board game which highlights the dangers these ancient children faced such as falling into the river Nile and being chased by a hungry crocodile, and being stung by a scorpion. If you land on spot 12, you get another go because ‘you’re a natural red-head’ and ‘red hair is rare in Egypt and a symbol of the god Seth.

There are so many unusual and fascinating facts in this entrancing book, all set out in easy to read style with lots of break-out boxes, diagrams, and photographic captions. Learn about mummified dung, secret messages, the importance of the number 10, facts about missing parts, explorers, servants, pyramid building and so much more. Any child reading this book is sure to drive the family mad because they will constantly making discoveries and relating them.

This book is highly recommended for schools and for children, especially those aged 8 to12 years.

Wilderness: An interactive atlas of animals

Wilderness: An interactive atlas of animals written by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Jenny Wren (Little Tiger Press) HB RRP $29.99

ISBN 9781848575066

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

A beautifully presented, hardcover non-fiction book, Wilderness provides a fact-filled overview of the world’s animals, perfect for readers aged five to eight.

The book is divided by habitat, from ‘On Safari’ and ‘Sea Search’ to ‘High Mountains’ and more. The book is illustration-heavy and interactive, with pop-ups and lots of flaps to lift, revealing fascinating facts about quirky animals and diverse eco-systems. A particularly fun spread is ‘Trek to the Poles’, with animals from the Arctic at the top, and those from the Antarctic upside down at the bottom, encouraging readers to flip the book around.

While the book is broad in its overview, a unique aspect is its focus on lesser-known creatures. From the pale-throated sloth to the red-lipped batfish, kids will delight in discovering the world’s animals beyond the usual suspects. The book would make a great gift, and would also be a handy resource for school projects.

Aliens and the Unexpected

Aliens and the Unexpected by Rose Inserra (Rockpool Publishing) HB RRP $24.99   ISBN 9781925017489

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The target readership of this book which explores mysterious and strange real life occurrences is readers aged 10 to 14 years. It addresses the question which has been debated for decades: are we really alone in the universe? For others interested in unidentified sightings and in the unexplained, author Inserra, an expert in metaphysics, explores a wide range of strange phenomena, asking such questions as whether or not our ancestors have connections to galactic visitors and why famous ancient sites are built on ley lines and how they might connect to extra-terrestrials.

Inserra has really done her homework and has convinced this reviewer of the existence in both the past and the presence of alien life. She has presented so much evidence that it seems difficult to refute it, though governments have done for many years. To start, the author says that archaeologists had discovered strange skulls with non-identifiable human DNA strands. She formulates the hypothesis that ancient aliens visited Earth in prehistoric times – as evidenced by petroglyphs and rock art showing ‘sky beings’ or ‘spirits from the clouds.’ Early fifteenth century Mayan texts from Mexico talk about ‘beings descended from the sky in flying vessels… white men in flying rings who can touch the sky.’ 

Quoting the story of the lost continents of Atlantis and Lemuria, and other ancient sources, Inserra suggests that aliens bred with sub-human beings to produce modern man. How to explain the advanced technologies evident in the building of Pyramids and the giant statues of Easter Island, for example?

The only aspect of the book which seemed to be unsupported by clear evidence is when Inserra writes about the many varieties of aliens which exist, ranging from the Pleiadeans (blond Nordic humanoids or brunettes) with super technology to the Draconians, muscular and dragon-like who are terrifyingly tall and corrupt and brutal. Other alien species mentioned include the Greys, the Nordics, Lyrans, MIBs, Arcturians and Sirians. If you want to know UFO hot spots around the world, the book names them, and also gives examples of dates and places of claimed alien abductions.

In this fascinating and easy-to-read book, there is a wealth of information which cover unexplained phenomenon such as crop circles, the Bermuda Triangle, time travel quantum physics and more. Perhaps our ancient ancestors did have connections to galactic visitors and modern man does have alien DNA (this, suggests Inserrra, would explain the ‘missing link’ of Darwin’s theory).

The book is well-designed with headings, sub-headings, break-out boxes, and really interesting photos some of which show art depicting UFOs. In The Crucifixion painted in 1350, a UFO is shown in the sky (a man sitting inside a sun-like capsule), and there are two other photos of artwork showing UFO-like features in works painted in the 1500s and 1600s.

Children who are intrigued by the idea of aliens and who enjoy a good read are likely to become totally absorbed by the wealth of stories in  this book. They are also likely to walk around trying to convert others to the fact of life beyond Earth. And, too, they might like to follow up their reading by referring to the bibliography of books, magazines and websites at the end of the book.

Aliens and the Unexplained with stories of bizarre, strange and mysterious phenomena of our galaxy is the second in The Supernatural Series, the first being Witches and Wizards by Lucy Cavendish.

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up by Bianca Schulze (Quarto Children’s Books) PB RRP $17.99

ISBN 9781633221697

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

There’s no shortage of online lists of the ‘best children’s books’ to read -- but it is just so nice to see the titles celebrated in this full-colour, kid-friendly guide!

Founder of the successful website ‘The Children’s Book Review’ (https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/), author Bianca Schulze has compiled a great collection of modern and classical children’s fiction from around the globe. There are stories like The Giving Tree, Where the Wild Things Are, Bridge to Terabithia, The Graveyard Book … about 101 stories, to be exact! (More if you count the books listed in the complementary ‘What to read next?’ list against each title.) I was also pleased to see some Australian fiction in there – Whoever You Are, Hating Alison Ashley, The Magic Pudding and The 13-Storey Treehouse.

The design of this book is sure to appeal to the age group (8–12 years). The layout is magazine-style, with full colour pages. There are breakout boxes with quotes from the books or with fun facts. The icons down the side of the page note basic info – target age, genre, publisher, publication date and page count. There is a brief description of each book, written in a friendly, non-condescending voice -- with just enough of the plot to pique one’s interest! Each book entry includes an empty journal space for readers to mark whether they’ve read the book, give it a rating, list their favourite character and write notes.

The colourful, cartoon-like illustrations by Shaw Nielsen are delightful and literary figures (such as Harry Potter, Pippi Longstocking and Peter Pan) are immediately recognisable. The book includes a double-sided, pull-out poster of most of the characters also. Kids will have fun matching up the Nielsen drawings in the poster against the book entries in the guide.

The books are presented by age (though there’s an author note explaining that they can be enjoyed by readers of any age). It is also possible to search for the books by genre, making this a great reference for kids and parents who aren’t sure what to read next.

Awesome Animals: Cats – Fun Facts and Amazing Stories

Awesome Animals: Cats – Fun Facts and Amazing Stories by Dianne Bates, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781925275407

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Identical in format to the companion book on Dogs, Awesome Animals: Cats is another journey through entertaining, at times unbelievable, always interesting information on our feline friends.

It opens with a history on cats beginning in ancient times and the important role they played in worship. Cat fossils over fifteen million years old have been found. There have been cats in art dating back 7,000 years. From Ancient Egypt to travel on the Mayflower and onward, cats in history prepares the reader for the wondrous trail of facts – humorous and incredible – that this collection for the 8-12 year old is compiled.

The recorded cat adventures will prove that truth is stranger than fiction with feline exploits, statistics, stories of survival, heroism and bravery, and bizarre stories of tyrannical cats. We learn about cats as Gatekeepers, Ambassadors, heirs to fortunes, and spoilt and over-indulged moggies. There are Award winners, actors, pets of famous people such as Popes, Presidents, Prime Ministers, writers and other prominent people. Look for the stories about toilet trained cats, and the first Cat Café that opened in Sydney in 2015.

Jokes, poems, trivia and rhymes add humour and create laughter. The gorgeous photos that appear throughout the book are of residents of the Little Legs Cat Rescue, Queensland.

As with the Dogs edition, this book emphasises the importance of responsible cat ownership and care, and stresses the need for research before choosing a pet as it is to last for the lifetime of the animal, therefore must be taken seriously and entered into with commitment for that lifetime. Useful links and information on Pet Shelters are also listed.

Awesome Animals: Dogs - Fun Facts and Amazing Stories

Awesome Animals: Dogs - Fun Facts and Amazing Stories by Dianne Bates, illustrated by Sophie Scahill (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781925275384

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Although aimed at the 8-12 year age groups, this delightful, well-researched book on dogs throughout history will entertain, inform and amaze adult readers, pet lovers, and trivia buffs as well with its astonishing and unusual stories and facts.

Under the 20 chapter headings, gems of tales emerge about moving and impressive feats of courage, loyalty, love and miraculous acts from dogs of all kinds and with varying needs. Stories recorded are of famous dogs such as Laika, Greyfriar’s Bobby, Old Shep, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, and Old Yeller. Other stories about heroic dogs of war will impress, as will those on dedicated working dogs. And the list goes on.

There are dog jokes, and doggy verse; amazing but true stories and facts about dogs. I found this excellent compilation educational and highly entertaining. It produced many laughs and readers will be eager to share it with others.

The outstanding photographs featured throughout the book are of the dogs from the Best Friends Rescue in Brisbane on the Gold Coast and surrounding areas of Queensland. It sent me straight to the site to learn more about these animals that are looking for a ‘forever’ home and love. The book draws attention to all the knowledge that is essential when choosing a dog for a pet, for owning any pet is a lifelong commitment and must be seen absolutely as that. It also brings to light the amount of dogs sadly put to sleep each year.

Awesome Animals: Dogs, is one of three books under the Awesome Animals banner. There are Cats and Horses also. Look out for them for these books are truly worthwhile. They come Highly Recommended.

Meet Banjo Paterson

Meet Banjo Paterson by Kristin Weidenbach, illustrated by James Gulliver Hancock (Random House)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-0-85798-008-3

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

While lurching at a copy of Meet Banjo Paterson, I was immediately reminded of my grade 4 public speaking performance of Clancy of the Overflow, (that and Jack Thompson’s blonde moustache). As our English teacher’s comb over floated celestially above his head during enthusiastic rehearsals, we were blithely unaware of the man behind the poem; the boy then the man who was to become Banjo Paterson.

Meet Banjo Paterson is the seventh book in the Meet… series from Random House, a collection of non-fiction picture books aimed at uncovering the people behind Australia’s most well-loved and infamous icons including Ned Kelly, Mary MacKillop, Captain Cook and Douglas Mawson. 

Kristin Weidenbach and illustrator James Gulliver Hancock, set the scene for a young Andrew Barton Paterson (Banjo), a boy who lived and loved the Australian bush, particularly horses and bush life. Weidenbach’s evocative tone creates a clear description of what life was like in the second half of the 19^th century. 

This is contrasted beautifully with the backdrop of the industrial revolution and the cities where Banjo worked as lawyer in later in life. His love of the Australian outback and fascination with Bushmen is translated as a lasting vehicle of Australia’s heritage.  

James Gulliver Hancock’s illustrations enrich the palate of colonial Australia with muted hues and the use of black chalk to portray a coal and campfire society. The colours including deep reds and purples are indicative of those naturally found in banksias and wild lavender. While the stylized art is a rich collage of Australian bush imagery, the typeface is clean and easy to read, so as not to detract from the overflowing pictures. The font reinforces the non-fiction nature of the book and is interwoven with excerpts from Paterson’s poems and stories such as Waltzing Matilda and Mulga Bill’s Bicycle.

I love that Weidenbach’s retelling of Banjo Paterson’s life creates a vibrant and engaging experience while the timeline of his life at the back of the book gifts insights about the man rarely known. The Man from Snowy River is part of Australia’s DNA, however I was unaware that when it was released it sold out within a week and broke Australian publishing records (without the aid of that internet thing). As an educational tool teachers will love the way it can inspire further research on the life and times of the man but as an example of writers impacting their community.

Kristin Weidenbach’s previously published non-fiction book Tom the Outback Mailman won the 2013 CBCA Eve Pownall Award. James Gulliver Hancock has an extensive background in advertising, animation and technical drawing. Artists, Writers, Thinkers, Dreamers is his compilation of profiles detailing interesting facts about famous historical figures presented as highly stylized infographics. 

Frank Gardiner

Frank Gardiner by Jane Smith (Big Sky Publishing)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781922132673

Reviewed by J Wishart

This non-fiction story is aimed at readers aged around 7 to 12 years and is part of the Australian Bushranger series produced by Big Sky Publishing. Written by historical researcher, Jane Smith, it offers an insight into the exploits of Frank Gardiner during the mid 1800s.

Born in Scotland, Gardiner (then Frank Christie) immigrated to Australia with his family at the age of five. The year was 1834. Fortunate to receive an early education, Gardiner nonetheless had to grow up fast and was working as a stockman by his teenage years. Lack of employment, and a life dependent on horses, eventually tempted him into stock theft. From there he progressed to highway robbery, and eventually became famous for holding up the coach that escorted gold from the mines to Bathurst. 

Despite his crimes, Gardiner had such a talent for influencing people that the term ‘Gardinerism’ was used to refer to his artful strategies. He managed to appeal his sentences with the help of friends and family and even won the support of local citizens, some of whom were victims of his crimes.

As well as touching on themes of human nature and the pursuit of wealth, the book contains a range of historically accurate information. In addition to the main narrative it includes photographs and copies of official documents and news stories to add interest and authenticity. The story covers Gardiner’s main period of activity during colonial history, his various arrests and escapes, and leads up to his eventual exile in 1874.

The text is presented in small, easy-to-read chunks. Breakout boxes offer straightforward facts and figures and help to show the reader what life was like at the time, including difficulties practically unknown today due to modern transport and communications technology. Character is added through the inclusion of brief biographies of the various characters who worked with Gardiner, as well as those who tried to bring him to justice.