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…
Author: Admin
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…
Abbie Mitchell (text) and Astred Hicks (illustrator), A Hollow is a Home, CSIRO Publishing, October 2019, 104 pp., RRP $29.99 (pbk) ISBN 9781486308057 Published by the CSIRO, this book aims to educate students about the environmental purpose of tree hollows. Included are details of the animals using our Australian trees and the implications to these animals if bushland trees are cleared. This is a very timely reminder to our students that trees are vital to a healthy ecosystem. There is information on which animals may be using a hollow as a home. Also, there is information on how to calculate…
Robert Vescio (text) and Andrea Edmonds (illustrator), The Voyage, EK Books, September 2019, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk) ISBN 9781925820034 This story describes the journey of a refugee, from their lost homeland to their new home. It unusually contains just 14 words, one descriptor for each double page spread. Beginning with “chaos”; the eye of the viewer takes in explosions, buildings collapsing, people running with bundles and our family fleeing into the bottom right hand of the page to “escape” in a boat (on the next page). We watch the family travel on and encounter danger at sea before they…
Sami Bayly, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, Lothian Children’s Books, September 2019, 128 pp., RRP $32.99 (hbk) ISBN 9780734419019 From Amazon River Dolphin to Wild Turkey, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Ugly Animals by Sami Bayly is a cornucopia of weird and wonderful animals. The encyclopedia provides excellent factual information about each animal including, their conservation status, diet, location/habitat and close relations. There are beautiful scientific illustration of each animal that leave the reader in no doubt as to why they were chosen for a book about ugly animals. Fun facts are provided about each animal. For example, did you…
RA Spratt, Stuck in the Mud (The Peski Kids #3), Puffin Books, August 2019, 288 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk) ISBN 9780143796350 This series is fantastic. The author has a knack for taking the ordinary and making it epic and outrageous. The characters spurt out exactly what they’re thinking without any filter. It’s refreshingly honest and so funny. The series centres around three siblings, Joe, Finn and April, who found out in book one that their homely mother was actually an international spy. She’s been caught, so the kids are sent to live with their introverted father, who is still coming…
Alex Miles, Game On (Girl Geeks #2), Penguin Random House Australia, July 2019, 192 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780143795063 I often nag my kids to “get off the computer”, but this book backs up what my husband keeps saying – there is loads to be learnt playing quality computer games. This book centres around Niki, who loves riding her skateboard and playing online games. When Niki finds out a national e-sports tournament is hosting a kid’s competition for the first time, she’s determined to play. The tournament will be held in a huge sports stadium, filled with teams battling…
Tamara J Whittaker (text) and Connie Mavromatis (illustrator), Born to Fly, Self published, February 2019, 32pp., RRP $24.95 (hbk), ISBN 9780648441502 People die but our relationships with them continue forever. Born to Fly explores this special connection for bereaved parents and families who have experienced pregnancy, baby and child loss. Told from the perspective of the child who has passed away, Born to Fly aims to provide hope and comfort to parents and families, while sparking conversations for all those affected by loss, including young siblings. With bright, bold illustrations by Connie Mavromatis, the book is a heartfelt celebration of…
Adam Wallace (text) and James Hart (Illustrator), Cowboy and Birdbrain: P.O.O.P. of Doom, Scholastic Australia, August 2019, 192pp., RRP $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760661595 Cowboy and Birdbrain, the offspring of creative team Adam Wallace and James Hart, are at it again. They’re best friends who deliver Parcels or Other Packages (P.O.O.P.) for an offbeat delivery company known for their F.A.R.T.S. (Fast and Reliable Tracking Services). Their mission: to deliver a precious package to a hermit whose elaborate security system is designed to keep people out. Deliver the package without breakage, the boss warns Cowboy and Birdbrain, or you’re ‘doomed, finished, kaput’…
Matt Cosgrove, Macca’s Makeover, Scholastic Australia, September 2019, 24 pp., RRP $17.99 (hbk), ISBN 978760 669195 In this the fifth instalment of Macca stories, the lovable alpaca wants what most people secretly want – to be cool! First, he tries new hairstyles with the help of his best friend, Al. A delightful spread shows Macca with a series of different dos fluffed and puffed, dyed and tied, shaved and waved, curled and twirled. But the pair end up in a tangle. Next Macca tries accessorising and then working out. Poor Macca winds up in tears: ‘I feel like a fool.…