Anh Do (text), and Jeremy Ley (illustrator) , Amazing Ninja! (Ninja Kid #4), Scholastic Australia, August 2019, 192 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760662837 On his tenth birthday Nelson Kane found out he had special secret Ninja skills. Inherited from his father, now mysteriously missing, the only other people who know are his mother, Grandmother and cousin, Kenny. Kenny also has secret skills and turns into H-Dude when Nelson turns into a Ninja. Nelson’s father’s twin brother, Dr Andrew Kane, did not inherit these special skills and his jealous anger is used to cause trouble. Nelson’s Grandmother also has some…
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Mac Barnett (text) and Isabelle Arsenault (illustrator), Just Because, Candlewick Press, September 2019, 40 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780763696801 To be able to wonder about the world is precious and for young minds something to be nurtured and encouraged. This charming picture book does just that as a father and his small daughter sit together at bedtime and wonder about such things as why the ocean is blue or what makes rain and why leaves change their colours. The father provides his inquisitive daughter with wonderfully creative explanations such as fish singing sad songs being the reason why the…
Rove McManus, Disgusting McGrossface, Scholastic Australia, September 2019, 24 pp., RRP $17.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781760665357 Disgusting McGrossface, is a new picture book written and illustrated by Australian actor, Rove McManus. “Who brings in mud then licks his feet dry? Disgusting McGrossface, he’s your guy.” In an utterly gross yet creative bid to deflect the blame for some muddy footprints, our young protagonist describes a scapegoat like no other to his poor, disgruntled parents. Disgusting McGrossface is the smelly, worm eating, ear wax sculpting creature behind the muddy foot prints and so many repulsive, untidy things that happen around the house.…
Collette Dinnigan (text) and Grant Cowen (illustrator), Louie and Snippy Save the Sea, Berbay Publishing, October 2019, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780648529101 Louie and his dog dream they are swimming deep in the ocean among the fish, crabs, seahorses, whales and octopus. However they are distressed to see that all these creatures are being poisoned by the masses of plastic rubbish in the sea. When they awake from their dream, they decide to organise a campaign to save the sea and its creatures by inspiring the local children and their dogs to collect all the discarded plastics they…
Susannah Chambers (text) and Tamsin Ainslie (illustrator), Is it Halloween Yet?, Allen & Unwin, September 2019, 24 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781760297404 A heartwarming story about the vivid imagination of Emily, a little girl who is desperate to celebrate Halloween. The author and artist have created a thoroughly believable family with warmth and humour, beautifully illustrated with the sort of tiny domestic detail that children love. The artist has created the distinct personality of each of the characters with just one or two deft strokes. The final page when Emily leads her appropriately costumed parents, grandmother and baby brother off…
Sonia Bestulic (text) and Nancy Bevington (illustrator), Kisses in Your Heart, Big Sky Publishing, April 2019, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781925675931 There are many lovely books to share with children at bedtime, but sometimes finding the appropriate one to calm a worried child is not easy. Kisses in Your Heart is a welcome addition to the books available to families needing to reinforce safety, security and foster emotional resilience. This sturdy hardcover picture book by Sonia Bestulic (author of the prize-winning Reece, Give Me Some Peace!) is written in rhyming couplets. The simple language and predictable pattern of the…
Colin Thompson, The Corner of My Eye, Walker Books Australia, October 2019, 32 pp., RRP $26.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781925381931 The Corner of My Eye by Colin Thompson tells the story of Sally and her Grandad. Sally’s Grandad has lost something important. His family believe he has ‘lost his marbles’, though Grandad can tell you that his marbles are in a blue biscuit tin from the coronation of George the Sixth. Sally searches Grandad’s house, finding and showing him items in the hope that he will remember what he has lost. Throughout the book the seasons unfold in the dizzying illustrations…
Matt Chun, Australian Sea Life, Hardie Grant Egmont, October 2019, 36 pp., RRP $29.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781760504694 Sharks, Fish, Eels, Seals, Coral, Crabs, Octopuses and Turtles appear in this companion to Australian Birds,with Chun’s delicate illustrations accompanying a page of information about the animal. Did you know that coral was not a plant? And Green Moray Eels are usually brown? We find out what male fanfin anglerfish do to their female counterparts, which is rather awful, but interesting. All this and more in a useful introduction to sixteen creatures who live in the sea around us. Reviewed by Stella Lees
Tim Cope, Tim & Tigon, Pan Macmillan Australia, September 2019, 352 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk) ISBN 9781760554293 Tim & Tigon is the true story of Tim Cope’s incredible 10,000-kilometre journey on horseback from Mongolia to the Danube River in Hungary. He follows the historic route of the legendary leader Genghis Khan. With no experience of horse riding, Cope flings himself into the saddle. The route across the Eurasian steppe traverse’s remote wild grassland and mountains. His epic journey spans more than three years. Cope’s quest was intended to be an authentic experience of traditional nomadic culture in remote landscapes. As…
Alison Lester, Running with the Horses, Puffin Books, October 2019, 96 pp., RRP $16.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781760892760 This story begins prior to WWII, when a young girl Nina dreams of riding the wonderful dancing horses where her father Viktor works. Danger comes to their street before the last four horses could be evacuated so Viktor takes Nina and the horses with the help of workmate Karl across the mountain pass to safety. It is an adventure story. Nina and the neglected cab horse, Zelda, who she could not leave behind, become vital to the success of the escape. This book…