Sue deGennaro, Missing Marvin, Scholastic, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781742769509 Marvin works at Baggage Handler’s United. He loves his job. Barry, Shelly and Ivan also work there but spend their days playing practical jokes. Unfortunately for Marvin, these jokes are usually on him. On the outside Marvin laughs, but eventually he begins to wonder ‘if a joke is only a joke when everyone is laughing.’ Finally he has had enough of being the butt of the joke and stops going to work. After staying home for a few days, Marvin realises the problem won’t go away on its…
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Darren Saligari (text), Austeja Slavickaite-Wojtczak (illus.), What is Doggy Heaven?, Rose-Grace Press, 9 Feb 2018, 26pp., $19.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9780992502416 The terms Doggy Heaven and Pet Heaven are commonly used to help children deal with the loss of a loved family pet. This book seeks to give children a clear idea of what Doggy Heaven is, and the knowledge that their pet is in a safe place. What is Doggy Heaven? is written from the perspective of a young child whose dog has died. She asks her mother many questions including where Doggy Heaven is, how dogs get there and who…
Jackie French (text), Bruce Whatley, Drought, Scholastic Australia, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781743817599 From the talented creators of Diary of a Wombat comes Drought — a powerful story which portrays both the environmental disaster of drought and its emotional impact. As the author notes at the end of the book, it was inspired by the lived experience of some students she taught in a workshop as well as her own experience of drought as a farmer. The book is really an illustrated poem. When I read this to my five year old, she was captivated by the rich,…
Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes (text), Scott Magoon (illus.), Rescue & Jessica: a life-changing friendship, Candlewick Press/Walker Books Australia, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $27.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780763696047 A beautiful and moving adaptation of a true tale from authors who both lost limbs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. With sparse text and a wonderful undercurrent of visual sub-plot this picture book recreates Jessica as a young girl and parallels her journey with the Labrador pup in training to help her. Both have huge mountains to climb and disappointments to face – prompting classroom discussions on problems, expectation and family support. Alongside these are…
Aleesah Darlison (text), Emma Middleton (illus.), The Dream Bird, Wombat Books, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $19.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781925563337 The Dream Bird is an enchanting, gentle, bedtime story perfect for any child having trouble falling asleep. At the beginning of the story, we learn that; ‘George was a day child’. The little boy loved playing in the light and the sunshine, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to fall asleep at night. While George’s family lovingly offer suggestions for falling asleep, like counting sheep and drinking warm milk, nothing seemed to help. One night, while experiencing that particular…
Juana Martinez-Neal, Alma and How She Got Her Name, Walker Books Australia, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9780763693558 There are some wonderfully inspiring picture books around at the moment which celebrate the strength and potential of young girls. Alma and How She Got Her Name – a fantastic addition to this this growing trend – features a head-strong young female character whose future is rich with possibilities. Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela doesn’t like her name – it’s too long, and never seems to fit when she writes in on a page. So the little girl asks her father…
Shirley Hughes, Ruby in the Ruins, Walker Books Australia, 1 April 2018, 32pp., $27.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781406375893 Shirley Hughes’s books have a timeless, comforting quality and always come with the assurance that her subjects and themes will be handled with grace and sensitivity. Hughes’s books are also hugely appealing and engaging. This beautifully illustrated instant-classic explores the life of a child in London, during and shortly after the Blitz. Ruby’s dad has gone to war. While many other families in the area have been evacuated, Ruby’s mother is determined to stay in the family home in case Ruby’s father comes home…
Aleesah Darlison (text), Belinda Elliott (illus.), Free, Empowering Resources, 1 Dec 2017, 32pp., $17.00 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925592085 Free is a deceptively simple story with a complex and inspiring message. Written by Aleesah Darlison, who has authored over 35 books, and gently illustrated by Belinda Elliott, Free tells the story of Flynn, a little boy confined to a wheelchair after an accident. At the insistence of his mother, Flynn spends time at the cliff-top park, where he watches the other children play. He feels sad and heavy, until one day at the park he spies the bird – weightless and free. As the…
Julie Murphy (text), Garry Fleming (illus.), My Australia, National Library of Australia Publishing, 1 March 2018, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9780642279163 There have been many picture books published that try to capture the unique beauty and spirit of Australia, but My Australia stands out with its combination of poetry and information, illustrations and photography. Capturing the gamut of Australian landscapes and regions, from the red desert to the azure coast, and including cottage gardens, cityscapes and pasturelands, this poetic journey across our land reflects on our long history. Acknowledging our indigenous heritage, the harsh life of the settlers and modern Australia,…
Benjamin Zephaniah, Teacher’s Dead, Bloomsbury Australia, 1 April 2018, 218pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781408895016 Teacher’s Dead was originally published in 2007, but this new paperback edition shows that young adult fiction which examines the themes of bullying, truth and the media is perhaps more relevant now than ever. Opening with the shocking murder of popular teacher Mr Joseph, stabbed in front of the whole school, the book captures readers’ interest from the first sentence. While the identity of the killers is never a secret, for one student, Jackson Jones, the brutal event triggers a deep need to understand not who killed…