Review: Molly and Maple

'...Losing her sight wasn't the worst thing for Nettie... [it] was that people started to think differently about her. Some people even seemed to think less of her...'

This powerful opening to Molly and Maple sets the tone for the challenges faced by anyone with a disability - and that's (astonishingly) over 21 per cent of Australians.

In the case of Annette (Nettie) Holden, a former journalist, government and business public affairs officer, the loss of her sight was devastating and challenging. But it was also a chance for her to transform her new life into something truly inspiring. 

The story of Molly and Maple celebrates Nettie's journey - from using an international white cane to two beloved guide dogs that walk beside her, literally and figuratively, as canine guardian angels.

Review: Superheroes for a Day

Say hello to Memory Kid, Jigsaw Girl, and Story Boy. 

When the key to the school sports shed goes missing, most of the students are upset because they will have to do extra maths instead of playing sport. 

Max, Daniel and Natalie don't mind. They prefer maths over sport, and are a bit different to the others at school, because they have autism. 

Max says they have superpowers. Not like super strength or super speed. They've got other strengths.

Max, for example, has an amazing memory. He can read and remember things better than anyone else.

And Natalie is great at solving puzzles, identifying and fitting patterns together.

Superheroes for a Day is a short, fast-paced story, about how Max, Natalie and Daniel save the day, and shows how their strengths are as valuable as everyone else's.

Review: Sunshine: How one camp taught me about life, death and hope

Sunshine: How one camp taught me about life, death and hope is a memoir in the form of a graphic novel.

Created by Jarrett J Krosoczka, Sunshine is the story of a memorable summer in his teenage years. It's an experience that changes his life.

When he was sixteen, Jarrett spent one week as a student leader at Camp Sunshine, a holiday camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families.

At Camp Sunshine Jarrett meets people like thirteen-year-old Diego who has a brain tumour and uses a wheelchair. Jarrett's interest in art and his drawing abilities provide an opening for developing a friendship with Diego, and the other kids.

He learns some of the challenges, frustrations and impacts of cancer and its treatment. And he discovers that when you're faced with a life-threatening illness, personally or by close association, the way you look at life changes.

Review: Mama's Chickens

Mama is mother to two adorable kidlets and a backyard of curiously cute chooks – Aussie slang for chicken.

At first, she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to take on such a strange new glossary of feathers and fuss, but once the hens arrived, she changed her mind.

And this is really the crux of this comforting tale; the fact that mama’s mind is slowly but surely changing. Mama is suffering from early onset dementia, a condition mistakenly attributed to the elderly, but debilitating to any aged person. 

Mama’s ability to reason and remember, rationalise and recognise is diminishing but as her family and brood of chooks is about to discover, her love remains steadfast and strong.

Review: Mama's Chickens

Mama is mother to two adorable kidlets and a backyard of curiously cute chooks – Aussie slang for chicken.

At first, she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to take on such a strange new glossary of feathers and fuss, but once the hens arrived, she changed her mind.

And this is really the crux of this comforting tale; the fact that mama’s mind is slowly but surely changing. Mama is suffering from early onset dementia, a condition mistakenly attributed to the elderly, but debilitating to any aged person. 

Mama’s ability to reason and remember, rationalise and recognise is diminishing but as her family and brood of chooks is about to discover, her love remains steadfast and strong.

Review: Subbie And His Mate

This is one of those stories that lifts you in a puff of air, carries you along on a wondrous breeze, places you down gently to catch your breath and then stays around long after you’ve closed the book.

The words and illustrations come together seamlessly, and sometimes unexpectedly, to create an immersive and absolutely beautiful picture-book.

Review: Great and Small

Eunice the differently-abled unicorn, has a very big heart. Unfortunately it’s not quite big enough to help win her the high jump, or the long jump, or the discus – all of which she longs to excel in.

Happily, Eunice also has a rather large brain and is able to think up different and unusual ways to include all of her differently-abled friends in their own sporting competition. It’s not quite the Special Olympics, but it’s close!

This book has a gorgeous message and is full of energy and spark. Eunice is an unusual looking unicorn – not your typical pink and purple with sparkly horn, but rather someone with differently-shaped eyes and a slightly uneven stance. There’s something a little disconcerting about Eunice - it’s not always possible to know in which direction she is gazing, or if she’s looking directly at you.

Review: What Happened to You?

In What Happened to You? Joe just wants to play pirates.

It's his favourite game, full of sharks and crocodiles. And just like some pirates, Joe's only got one leg.

Joe would love to have other children join him to play. However, children can be incredibly curious, and curiosity isn't always subtle.

Other kids always ask Joe what happened to him, why he only has one leg, and Joe hates being asked about it. 

He doesn't like the intrusive or silly questions people ask either.

Review: The Curiosities

How does it feel to be different?

Award-winning children’s author Zana Fraillon has created a story that answers that question. Her personal experienced with Tourette’s syndrome and its other neurodiversities and dis-abilities, reveals an opposing view to the way others see differences.

People whose brains are wired dissimilar to others' are sensitive. They see the world with a clarity and wonder not available to those classed as normal, for they are disabled not by their impairment or their difference, but by the way they are treated by society.

Review: Skin Deep

Scarlett lives in her privileged world, not realizing how fragile the bubble that we all live in is.

The story starts some time after Scarlett has survived a horrific accident. She is a survivor, but does not see it that way.

Her survival came at a cost, Scarlett not only has to manage her ongoing pain and post traumatic stress disorder, but the change in her status as a person who now has a very obvious and severe disfigurement.

Scarlett has always been the pretty one, and took the benefits of her prettiness for granted.

Now, she is struggling to reinvent herself and to understand her new identity in a world of social media "likes".

Review: A Weekend with Oscar

Review: Welcome To Your Period (Your easy, no-dumb-questions guide to handling it like a boss)

Welcome To Your Period  (Your easy, no-dumb-questions guide to handling it like a boss) is an indispensable modern guide to menstruation, filled with honesty, humour and reassurance that everything is going to be alright.  This book is  definitely not stuffy or embarrassing - it is funny, fresh and vibrant, with something for every reader!

This book is for pre-teens and teens, but there is information that many parents, teachers and others will appreciate, as times, attitudes, and equipment for managing a period, have changed!

It contains relevant, easy-to-read sections, with case studies, stories and questions from a diverse range of young people. This book is for anyone who will get a period, or has just started, and everyone who cares about them.

Review: Me and My Sister

Me and My Sister is an important picture book about family, siblings and differences.

At the beginning of the story, a young boy introduces his sister and explains they are both very different. They like different food and they like to do different things. Don’t we all!

But these siblings have other differences too. They go to different schools, they learn different things and sometimes the young boy gets in trouble for things when his sister does not. Sometimes other people stare at his sister because of things she says, and sometimes his sister is rude without meaning to be. 

Review: Little People, Big Dreams: Stephen Hawking

Little People, Big Dreams: Stephen Hawking gives young readers a glimpse into the life of one of the most incredible scientific thinkers of the 20th and 21st centuries, and insights into some of the challenges he faced.

The story begins with Stephen Hawking as a young boy with an incredible curiosity about our universe. Readers may be surprised to discover that Stephen, who later became one of the greatest physicists of our time, did not always excel at school as his curiosity sometimes got in the way of his studies, but he continuously followed his dreams.

When Stephen was studying at University, he developed some weakness and clumsiness. He was diagnosed with a rare condition and told he may only have a few years to live.

Review: Next Door's Dog Has A Job

Tom and his dog Pepper enjoy games together. When Tom sees his neighbour Kate, and notices that her dog Bailey is wearing a yellow jacket, he wants to buy one for Pepper. 

Dad explains that Kate’s dog wears a special jacket because he is a working dog. 

The jacket tells people that his owner has a disability and needs his assistance. Although a person might appear well, without the Service Dog, they are unable to go about their everyday life.

Event: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

A couple of weeks ago I went to see the stage production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. It was presented by The National Theatre of Great Britain and is currently touring Australia. I had read Mark Haddon's book and was familiar with the story, so was interested in how it had been interpreted for the stage.

Let me start by saying, WOW! It was absolutely amazing and exceeded my expectations in so many ways. You go to a stage production based on a book, expecting to see the book performed for you. Excited to see the characters brought to life and acting our their story. But this production was so much more than that.

Junior Review: Ghosts

In the book Ghosts, Catrina has just moved to a new town called Bahia de la Luna in California because her little sister, Maya, has breathing problems and the doctor said that the wind could help with that. 

One gloomy day they set out to explore the town and meet this crazy boy called Carlos. He tells them that there are ghosts in the area and that, if you give a bit of yourself, then you might be able to talk to them. He totally creeps Catrina out, but Maya just wants to go and find them.

This story really inspired me that you don’t have to see something to believe its real. The book really moved me, and I thought that it was one of the best books I’ve ever read! I would recommend Ghosts to girls aged 8 – 12.

Title: Ghosts

Author: Raina Telgemeier                         

Publisher: Scholastic US

Publication Date: 13 September 2015, $12.59

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0545540623

For Ages: 8 - 12

Type: Graphic Novel

Review: Free

Flynn is in a wheelchair. Since the accident his world has been his room. He reluctantly agrees to join mum on a visit to the park which was his favourite spot, but is now a foreign place. That’s where he sees the bird. Free in flight, light and drifting, he wishes he could be like that bird instead of anchored to his chair.

A strange dream comes to him that night that helps him shake off his sense of helplessness. Inspired by this dream, he finds he can visualize being free, and become like the bird; able to soar and sweep to freedom on wings.

This is an empowering and transforming book. Filled with hope and possibilities, it shows to children and others swallowed by dark thoughts and hopelessness, how to restore an optimistic view of life filled with light through visualization.

Review: Tarin of the Mammoths: The Exile

Tarin's twisted leg means he can never join his clan's hunting expeditions.

As he watches the men prepare a final trap before the winter snows, his unstable footing spooks their prey.

The whole community is in danger of starving as a result.

The clan is desperate to survive. Some want to exclude Tarin from their group as punishment. Others believe they must make offerings to the Earth Mother, who is angry with them.

Tarin offers to make the treacherous journey to appease Earth Mother. He might not survive but it is his clan's only hope. So begins an action-packed prehistoric epic for Middle Graders.