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.

Are We There Yet? 20th Anniversary Edition

This 2005 CBCA Picture Book of the year, encapsulates all that we love about Alison Lester’s stratospheric journey as a children’s book creator. 

It was pure delight to unwrap this brand new, sparkling, coppery-golden foiled 20th anniversary version of the book for review. Told through the voice of eight-year-old Grace, this new incarnation of the book has not aged a jot.

Lester is a national treasure and it is easy to see why. Two decades on, this book is still delightfully fresh, funny and relevant. Timeless family dynamics and developmental stages are chaotically and tenderly rendered in both words and pictures.

Review: The Impatient Glacier

Glaciers are notoriously slow moving, hence the term glacial pace, and in The Impatient Glacier, the speed just isn’t enough. 

The glacier star of this story is a frozen, tall character depicted in an anthropomorphic cartoon form.

When the glacier packs his bags and leaves determined to explore new places and enjoy the world. 

One place he wants to visit is the beach, and to get there he will go through different kinds of environments. 

As he travels, he becomes impatient with how glacially slow the pace is. The glacier tries various methods to go faster, including a pair of skis, express post, and train.

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: Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica

If you want to experience Antarctica without actually going there, Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica will take you on the journey of a lifetime.

It's a beautiful non-fiction book by award-winning author-illustrators Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch.

Both Alison and Coral have visited Antarctica more than once, including as Arts Fellows and tourists. Their stunning artwork is an important centrepiece for Into the Ice.

From paintings, sketches and working drawings, to pen and ink and watercolour drawings, children's picture book illustrations and photos, this is a cornucopia of the great, ice-covered continent south of Australia.

Guest Post: Stephanie Ward on Allen The Alien - You Are Welcome!

As a child, I was amazed by aeroplanes (and still am). Where are they going? Are the travellers heading off on an adventure or coming home? Can I come along? 

I was born and raised in a lovely, smallish-sized town, but the minute I was accepted into a university in 'the big city' I jumped at the chance. I haven’t stopped moving since – visiting all seven continents, traveling to dozens of countries and living in four countries. I’m always the new kid on the block.

Review: Penny Draws A Class Trip

This fourth and final book in the Penny Draws series is breezy, compelling and delightful.

New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard delivers us yet another page-turning, quip-wielding, laugh-inducing series of events and mishaps that propel 11-year-old Penny and her friends into their school trip and beyond. 

As with the previous books, Penny’s writing style is a doodle-diary of letters and pictures to her beloved dog Cosmo. The line drawings that accompany her words ensure that every page is visually dynamic and easy to move through, for both skilled and reluctant readers.

In this adventure, Penny and her classmates are whizzing off on a bus for a weekend school trip to New York. 

There, they will meet and workshop with famous author Billy J Plumberry, who also just-so-happens to be the namesake of their school.

Review: Forbidden Journal Of Rufus Rumble #1: Worst Space Crew Ever

This funny, clever and exasperating journal of 11-year old Rufus Rumble’s outer-space travels, will entice both reluctant and voracious readers.

Stamped on the front with shiny gold bits that emphatically state ‘Must Not Be Talked About,’ this book - with its hand-written feel and engaging line drawings - will definitely be talked about.

Rufus Rumble lives more than a hundred years in the future, and this alone is enough to pique reader interest and intrigue.  Also, Rufus has a ticket to SPACE. And if that’s not enough, he’s also on a quest to find his mother who simply vanished one morning, leaving Rufus to live with his grumpy old Grandad.

Review: Hunter on Holiday: A Big Trip Around Europe

Hunter on Holiday: A Big Trip Around Europe is a rhyming picture book written by Jessica and Stephen Parry-Valentine, who created Flying the Nest, a travel website and YouTube channel.

A fun introduction to plane travel and exploring the world, Hunter on Holiday begins with young Hunter excited about her first big trip and boarding a plane.

Each double-page spread features a different European country and highlights several activities or items related to the country.

Review: Bluey: Trains

Excitement abounds with the arrival of the new Bluey illustrated chapter book series for young readers.

Within the wonderful, imaginative world of games that Bluey and her family play together, this is the first on a train.

Mum, Dad, Bluey, Bingo and Poppy create a cast of intriguing characters and share roles between themselves. This play sees them journey back and forth during a day on a train.  

It begins with Dr Glenda taking Poppy to Mother Duck Day Care on her daily way to work as a vet.

A series of unexpected happenings involve animals and agitated passengers. 

A cat unsupervised, feet up on a seat, and a great cranky bear are at the centre of it all.

Review: Countdown to Yesterday

James’ parents are divorcing. This news is dumped on the eleven -year-old while at the dinner table. First it seems they are moving house again. But things soon become clear.

Mum disconnects herself from her family by taking her maiden name back and renting a tiny apartment to live in. James can’t understand why this decision has been made and doesn’t ask.

He struggles to live a life between two parents. He is permanently friendless and finds it hard to connect with other people.

James is drawn to Yan, another lonely soul with a brilliant mind. A friendship grows.

His dad has sixteen computers in his man cave and his main one has an internet Time Machine programmed into it.

Review: Mr Chicken Goes To Mars

Guaranteed to bring a chuckle to every reader, this book by our very own past Children’s Laureate and celebrated, multiple award-winner Leigh Hobbs, is an absolute delight. 

Having been to Paris, London, Rome, Australia and almost everywhere else in the whole entire world, Mr Chicken decides it’s time for something new. He will go on an interplanetary adventure to Mars.

And what an adventure he has! From a rocket that’s purpose-built by Boris (complete with spotted doona and little lunch table), to stopping en route at a space station for lunch and meeting a Martian mid-flight, Mr Chicken is very busy.

Winners: Plume: Christmas Elf

Our lucky winners are ...

• Christina De Blam, NSW
• Louise Brooks, QLD
• Emily Williams, NSW

Congratulations!

You have each won a copy of the very merry, Plume: Christmas Elf by our very own, Tania McCartney.

Thank you to ALL who entered. Your answers filled our Christmas cups with cheer and incredible warmth. Merry Christmas! 

Giveaway: Plume: Christmas Elf

It’s Christmas in Antarctica and our favourite travelling penguin is popping with festive excitement.
There are gifts to wrap, cards to write, fairy lights to untangle and gingerbread to bake. 

The penguins are buying up big, decking their halls with the biggest and best gifts of all. But things go awry; Santa’s
workshop is in trouble and toy production has stopped! With a little help from his penguin friends,

Plume is off to the North Pole. Can he help Santa and make children's wishes come true? (We hope so! KBR Ed.)

Join the adorable Plume as he decks the ice halls with joy this Christmas. The fourth title in Tania McCartney’s fantastical travel series that is the perfect Christmas gift for children aged 4 to 7 years. Plume: Christmas Elf is a sparkly picture book that celebrates the joy and magic of Christmas around the world – all wrapped up with a visit to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole. To celebrate our favourite time of the year, the hard-working elves at Hardie Grant Explore have teamed up with us and have THREE copies of Plume's latest adventure to giveaway, in time for Christmas!

For the chance to win this beautiful Christmas picture book simply tell us in 25 words or less what you love most about Christmas?

Guest Post: Michelle McKenzie on Travelling Stone

Michelle McKenzie loves a good pastry, travelling and books. Find out how she combined all three along with her two children. 

I love creating a new world through writing, and if I can illustrate it, even better! 

 

Since I was a child, I have loved writing and drawing. I would arrive home from school and continue writing my latest story, accompanied by illustrations. 

I was never short on ideas, and I’d often start a story, then move on to my next big idea. I still have many of these stories today. But what was extra magical was when my love for writing and my passion for travelling with children collided. That had so much power and momentum that I was swept away! The result was the first in the series, The Travelling Stone – France. 

Review: The Quest for the Galleon of Time

Tobias is eleven years old in 1738, when his father signs him up as cabin boy on a trading galleon, the Merry Maiden. Having no choice, as his wages have already been paid to his father, Tobias accepts his fate.

He learns map reading and navigation while journeying across the Atlantic.

Not far into the journey, the Maiden is attacked by pirates and forced to dock for repairs.

Tobias doesn’t realise that this journey will be a life-changing adventure. 

He proves to be an excellent navigator and while at the helm with his instructor, learns the story of the ghostly galleon, the Majestic Maria, and the family of its captain, Lisbon, who, without Tobias knowing, will play a pivotal role in his future.

Review: Plume: Christmas Elf

Plume: Christmas Elf is a bright and busy festive celebration. It's the fourth book in the series about the curious penguin who loves to travel.

Of course, it all starts in Antarctica in the enormous library where Plume lives with his friends. 

They're busy cooking and decorating when Ava the albatross arrives with dreadful news. Santa is sick, and so are the reindeer! 

Will Plume and Ava be able to save Christmas? It's all aboard the Albatross Express if you want to find out.

Review: Until the Road Ends

After years of eking out an existence on the streets, Beau is saved from death by Peggy Alford. The rescue is life-changing for both animal and human.

Mabel the cat, already a permanent resident in the Alford household, is owned by Peggy’s brother Wilf. When Beau joins the family, great discord surfaces between him and the vain, selfish, and territorial Mable.  

Enter Bomber the courier pigeon. Then there were three. It is the animals’ narrative that controls the story.

In Europe, Hitler’s war has broken out. Dogs and cats are being euthanised, food becomes scarce, and children, including Peggy and Wilf, are sent to the countryside for safety.

Mr Alford is not conscripted due to his asthma but is allocated the duty of air raid warden.

Review: The Map of William

It is Western Australia, 1909.

William is one of six children. At fifteen, he is indentured to a well-known architect. 

The placement is months away and it comes as a surprise when his father, a prominent surveyor examining land and mapping water sources, announces that William will accompany him on his next expedition.

This expedition will become a rite of passage for the inexperienced boy, who for months will be amongst older men, riding through the roughest country fraught with threats and dangers.

William doesn’t know what to expect, but is excited by the prospect. 

With the trust of a loving father and his mother’s words repeating in his mind, he sets out on a journey filled with life experiences and challenges,

Review: Timefire

This is a thrilling mystery; a fantastic read with twists filled with adventure and time travel. 

It is based on historical events surrounding the most destructive bushfires our land has experienced. 

It is 2033, Gilbert is branded a firebug. Life is unbearable as everyone shuns him. 

It is thirteen years since the country’s worst fires, for which Gil’s mother was accused of starting. His dad refuses to talk to him about his mother.

But why does Gil always know when there is going to be a fire? His premonitions come on via a pain from a burn mark on his shoulder.

To get Gil away from the constant harassment and accusations from peers and townspeople, his dad decides to send him to boarding school, far away.