Review: Australia's Baby Animals

If I had to choose just one word out of all the words in the world to describe this Non-Fiction Picture-Book, I think I’d have to go with ‘phenomenal.’ 

Oh sure, the scope and quality of information and artwork is wonderful, clever, wholesome, uplifting and any manner of others, but still my one-word description stands.

Published in a large format which best showcases its many beautiful artworks, this is a collectible companion book to Australia: Country of Colour!

Award-winning author/illustrator Jess Racklyeft takes us on an incredible journey across earth, sky tree, river and sea, to explore and celebrate the baby animals found within Australia.

Review: Be the Bus

Review: The Five Rules Of Friendship

Sometimes, the ‘simple’ things shine the brightest of all.

With its warm, friendly voice alongside bold and colourful illustrations, this picture book is deceptively simple, very practical and completely engaging.

From the creator of ‘Life Lessons For Little Ones,’ ‘The Five Rules Of Friendship’ is exactly that: five practical, useful and solid ideas around how to be a friend, and how to treat a friend.

In clear and chatty language with no hint of judgement, the book reminds us that friendship can be awesome when it’s good, and downright tricky when it’s not-so-good.

Guest Post: Lucy Hawkins on Her New Life In Spain!

I recently moved my young family from Australia to Spain. We had a wonderful life in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, one of my daughters had just started school and had made best friends and the other was happy at kindergarten. 

But my husband’s job selling software to wineries was remote and we could relocate if we wanted to, and while the kids were little we thought it was probably now or never. So, we sold the house, the car, all our furniture, started the visa application and booked our flights to Palma, Mallorca.

I had been thinking of Mallorca since I lived there 15 years ago. It’s the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, it has a mountain range, picturesque historic villages and is surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. It’s beautiful and feels safe along with being full of life.

Review: Taronga Big Book Of Animals

This sumptuous book contains over 200 fabulous and fascinating wildlife facts, along with more than 140 glorious illustrations of animals. It is indeed a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Did you know that pandas can do hand-stands?

That some penguins make their very own poo bombs?

Or that tigers have spikes on their tongues?

Well now you do. You’re welcome.

The world-class wildlife experts at Taronga zoo have captured some of the most exciting and crazy information for us to laugh at, marvel over and wonder about. AND they remind us that although this is the current leading-edge science, it may not always be – so it’s important to remain open and curious about the world around you.

Four artists and a designer (who we meet at the back end of the book) have brought the animals to life visually in the most beautiful ways. The layout, colour, line, space, movement, flow and vibrance of the information and illustrations are very special – alive and engaging.
There is so much to love about this book, not least that it’s divided into segments with easy to read maps - which help us to navigate our way through chapters organised by habitats that feature land animals, mountain dwellers, sea creatures, and the like.

Coloured side tabs indicate where in the book you are, and each page is chock full to the brim with text boxes, fun facts, vibrant colour or engaging double spreads with dreamy colour and gorgeous design.

This lush, friendly book contains much to pore over and marvel at. It’s perfect for dipping into at leisure, and a wonderful bonus – it also shares the Taronga Conservation Society’s important work with endangered and critical species.

It will no doubt adorn coffee tables, perhaps become the centrepiece for family games, and be a frequent visitor on bedside book piles.

Perfect for Christmas! Or as a gift for any special occasion. 

Title: Taronga Big Book Of Animals
Author: Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Illustrators: Various
Publisher: Penguin, $39.99
Publication Date: 29 October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761347467
For Ages: 4+
Type: Non Fiction

Review: Too Many Acorns

What an absolutely beautiful story this is - about loss, resilience, connection and growth.

Patrick doesn’t know why he collects acorns, he just knows that he feels better when he feels their hard, smooth roundness in his hand. 

The fact that acorns suggest new growth, in that they are a very small nut with the potential to grow into a very large tree, is quietly central to the story. 

Luckily for Patrick and this story, he lives in a town with a lot of oak trees. 

Review: Mr Santa

Mr Santa, want to hear me play?

Do the reindeer talk?

And can I ride your sleigh?

Even before you open the cover, this book makes you love it just a little bit.

It has raised lettering, slightly glittering stars, a crescent moon and a cloud upon which sits Santa (with the kindest, warmest face you’ll ever see). 

Review: Socks

Singer JD McPherson’s popular, funny, joyful Christmas song, has now been made into a picture book.

A child laments the absence of his longed-for and requested toys at Christmas.

Sneaking downstairs when the family is sleeping, he checks his gifts under the tree. 

He is an experienced present-shaker. But at the first shake he knows what he wants is not there.

He falls to the floor in frustration while the dog enjoys the socks.

Review: Hazel's Treehouse

Hazel’s Treehouse is a beautiful hardback book, the perfect size for holding in small hands and with just enough texture and colour on the cover to make it feel very special indeed.

In this collection of delightful short stories with exquisite, timeless and funny line drawings, we meet Hazel and her friends.

‘Hazel is nine years old, as long as her bunk bed and as kind as a marshmallow.’

Hazel shares a treehouse in the bush with Pokey the ‘feelings’ echidna, Odette the pademelon, Walter the wombat and little Tiny, the honey possum. Together the friends get up to all sorts of mischief and adventure – in the very best of ways.

I personally don’t know of any 6-year-olds who wouldn’t want to live inside this beautifully rendered treehouse with a menagerie of Australian animals as their best friends.

Review: The Completely Chaotic Christmas Of Lottie Brooks

The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks is one of a bestselling series, penned and illustrated with amusing stick figures by Katie Kirby.

It’s easy to see why these books are delighting readers young and old – the writing is fresh, funny and fabulous.

Lottie Brooks is one of those tween characters who is sometimes all-bluff, sometimes all-heart, and you sort of fall in love with her either way.

She is a frustratingly endearing creature who creates crazy and embarrassing moments in every aspect of her life – the word ‘chaotic’ in the title is an understatement.

Lottie’s voice is clear and engaging, even when her actions are heart-stoppingly ridiculous. She constantly gets herself into awkward situations, giving readers the joy of watching her squirm out of them.

Review: The Welcome Cookies

This warm hug of a book made me want to scoop up armfuls of welcome cookies, throw them into the blue sky and have them rain down on me with abandon.

It’s one of those very special stories where every page-turn is a cornucopia of discovery, filled with things to make your mouth water – and your tummy rumble.

Mabel loves visiting the Sugar Plum Café, and specifically she loves visiting Miss Plum because of her radiant smile (among other things, of course. She is a café owner after all!). 

Review: Fern's School for Wayward Fae: Bk 1 - The Graveyard Gift

Rosemary has been home schooled, so her world is smaller than it could’ve otherwise been.

Her mother sent her away. She was too different. Too much. Too difficult.

She is picked up by Fern and taken to the fairy realm.

Rosemary ends up at Fern’s School for Wayward Fae.

Half human and half fae, Rosemary has the power to see how people are going to die. It seems that all the students own a magical gift.

Partnered with Trym, a banshee who is deaf, can lip read and speak, and whose scream can kill, Rosemary begins a new life, a different one where she can be herself; be wanted and loved.

Review: Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Sleigh

From Mo Willems’ best-selling Don’t Let The Pigeon… series, comes this cracker.

Father Christmas has to step away from his sleigh for a short while, and before he goes, he asks the reader to make sure that nobody steals it. Especially not the pigeon.

And, well, if you want to see a pigeon having a tantrum mid-strut, then look no further. This is the book for you.

Mo Willems’ much beloved pigeon series has delivered again, with ho ho hos and surprises aplenty.

Review: Why I Love Christmas

Why I Love Christmas is a story told by a young boy and covers the whole month of December, in the lead-up to Christmas. Depicting a uniquely Aussie celebration, this book is delightful, captivating and heartwarming.

In it, you will find advent calendars, street parties, antler-wearing dogs, trombone playing children and Christmas lights galore. 

Indeed, it will make you want to bake gingerbread and sing carols with those cute little busking kidlets.

Review: Twinning: BFFs (NOT); Twinning: Skipping Stars

These are The Top Secret Diaries of Twin Sisters. 

A fantastic read, they are part of a series with wonderful characters, light-hearted narratives, and a focus on multicultural - people and customs.

Ten-year-old Grace and Izzy are identical twins. But that’s where the likeness stops.

They love each other very much, but there is friendly sibling rivalry between them. 

 Sharing a bedroom is challenging.

Totally different in character, Izzy is untidy, loud, feisty, and loves hamburgers.

Grace is quiet and thoughtful. She loves to read, art, wear fashionable clothes, and eat vegetarian food.

Review: Six Summers Of Tash And Leopold

This coming of age story by award-winning author of The Year The Maps Changed Danielle Binks, is an adventure, a treat and a heartwarming story all rolled into one.

But now it’s the last week of year six and Tash is standing in Leo’s front yard with a misdelivered letter – and a favour to ask. It’s a request that will set off a chain of events in Noble Park, their little suburb that is changing, and fast…

A big, hopeful coming-of-age middle-grade book that features complicated families and life-changing summers.

Tash and Leo have been friends forever, until they’re not (one day, Tash simply starts hanging out with different kids and Leo is left wondering what he did, what he said, and why he was dropped like a hot potato). 

Review: The Brightest Christmas Star

The Christmas Star is the narrator of this delightful rhyming picture book full of rhythm and metre. This is Laura Motherway's first book.

From up high, it sees everyone sharing the joy they feel on the eve of the best day of the year. 

It shines for everyone, no matter who or where.

Through the day, the children played in the sun, in water, and on the sand.

A wonderful child-filled double spread full of activity, reflects the freedom and joy youngsters find when on the beach.

Junior Review: Love Requires Chocolate

Ravynn K Stringfield cleverly weaves French touches throughout the novel, giving the reader a deeper insight into life as a student abroad in Paris.

Core character, Whitney Curry has thoroughly prepared herself for a semester abroad, arming herself with the perfect, yet extensive to-do list in order to experience the Paris magic at its best. 

Wanting to live the life of her idol, Josephine Baker, Whitney aims to set foot in all the places she did. Although she feels prepared for this trip, unexpected locations (and people) may leave her ideal trip up to chance.

Determined to keep her love and school life separate, the line between the two gets blurred and both her head and heart are overwhelmed.

Review: Summer of Shipwrecks

Sid is eager to begin her yearly camping holidays so she and best friend Lou can go searching for treasure at the Shipwreck Coast at Penlee Point. 

She knows the history of every shipwreck of the area, and always frequents the museum there to get an update from her friend Bobbi.

But this year, Lou has come with her new friend, Hailey, the most popular girl at their school, who is only interested in boys. So, Sid becomes the odd one out.

Eager to please Hailey, Lou seems to fit nicely under the girl’s thumb and agrees with everything she says and suggests. 

Even when it concerns her former best friend.

Sid hasn’t got over her parents’ separation yet. Mum has brought along her new boyfriend Tony and his daughter Eva. 

Sid feels resentment towards Tony, and the fact that Eva ignores Sid entirely, works well for her, as Eva shows no sign of thawing out towards her. 

She is not ready to be part of a blended family.

Hailey makes Sid feel unwanted and worthless at every opportunity. She has stolen the magic that Lou and Sid had together. 

Gone is the closeness and ability to be herself. She can't be forced to change, just to fit in.  

Sid just needs to find the old Lou again, like buried treasure. 

 But is that possible when everyone is changing and moving forward?

But friendship arrives when Sid needs it the most and least expects it, in an unusual form.

This is a beautifully told story with a lot of history and information entwined in the characters’ personal lives, and their struggles to remain true to themselves, while they overcome and adapt to life’s changes. 

Perfect prose and strong, interesting characters, and fast-paced action and excitement fills the pages.

I loved it!

Title: Summer of Shipwrecks
Author: Shivaun Plozza
Publisher: UQP, $16.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2024
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702268373
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

Review: Ink And Light: Poetry Anthology

There are moments in life, fuelled by the actions of people you may barely know but have always admired from afar that bring you to your knees, and in my case, induce a surge of tearful emotions. 

This book, Ink and Light, an anthology of poetry by our very own,  Nia Shetty is filled with such moments.

Raw. Powerful. Immediate. Shetty’s subject matter strikes an impressive chord. Each line resonates energy and angst, anguish and anticipation. Clarity and an unnervingly keen conception of ‘how it is’.

She doesn’t spare the truth either. Diaspora, the forced shedding of cultural identity, racial discrimination, and the eternal search for buried hope; all chime subtly throughout each poem but amazingly, never in an oppressive nor despairing way. 

There is a force of optimism and expectation behind each verse that somehow provides light to the various patches of shade.

The resulting pieces are articulate, elegant odes to the author’s cultural roots and sharp contemporary observations. And, as mentioned, stirring enough to incite genuine emotion.