James Patterson (text), Martin Chatterton (illus), Middle School: Going Bush, Random House Australia, 1 March 2016, 288pp., $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780143781219 Rafe Katchadorian is a young artist, a Man of Experience and, sadly for him, a teenager, which he realises very early in the book, is the reason he feels so inexplicably unhappy. With pesky hormones zipping around his body, messing with his emotions, he desperately wishes something interesting would happen. Luckily for him, he receives a letter inviting him on an all-expenses paid Cultural Campout in Australia. Not only that, he will be there with Ellie… the smartest, coolest,…
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Tony Flowers (illus), Hello!, National Library of Australia Publishing, 1 April 2016, 68pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780642278876 Hello! introduces the reader to Australian kids who can speak different languages. From the Torres Strait to Greece and South Korea, we hear these kids tell us about their favourite foods, the animals from their countries and traditions their families follow. We also learn how to count in Badu, Thai and Murrinhpatha, an indigenous language from Wadeye in the Northern Territory. At the back, we find even more information from the NLA collection, including photos, maps and fascinating facts and a pronunciation guide…
Rosie Smith (text), Bruce Whatley (illus), My Mum’s the Best, Scholastic Australia, 1 April 2016, 24pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781743621738 For all the best mums out there! This classic, all-time beloved Mother’s Day book by much-loved author-illustrator combo is back in a new paperback edition. Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley continuously capture the most important, life-changing and heartrending moments in all their stories, and this one certainly does that every visit. Humour, warmth and affection guide this tender tale with its menagerie of feathered, furry and slimy skinned animals sharing special moments with their loved ones. Whether it’s mum squeezing…
Meredith Costain (text), Polona Lovsin (illus), Mummies are Lovely, Koala Books, 1 April 2016, 32pp., $16.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781742761794 Meredith Costain is the well-known author of The Cuddliest Hug, Doodledum Dancing, the Ella Diaries series, amongst others. Her collaboration with illustrator Polona Lovsin blended brilliantly in Daddies are Great!, and now together they present the adorable Mummies are Lovely. An absolutely heartwarming story of the special relationship between children and their mothers, this one is just magical for young preschoolers. Uncomplicated and pleasant on the eye, readers will easily follow the clear, large font topping the white pages and beautifully…
Christobel Mattingley (text), David Kennett (illus), Forward March, Scholastic Australia, 1 March 2016, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781742990804 Anzac Day. How do we capture the essence of what is such a moving and important occasion? So many people in our country have personal connections to this commemoration. We see this as crowd numbers to Anzac Day events have swelled in recent years. Through the use of beautiful descriptive language, Christobel Mattingley has provided us with an immersive sensory experience. We hear the sounds, see the generations, remember the participants in so many places, imagine the scorching desert sands and squelching…
Aaron Blabey, Pig the Winner, Scholastic Australia, 1 March 2016, 24pp., $16.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760154288 Pig the pug is back again! This time his obnoxious behaviour is all about sportsmanship – bad sportsmanship. He just has to win, at any cost. He cheats, he sooks, he throws tantrums – anything to be the winner. Poor Trevor is on the losing end in more ways than one. Of course, he once again gets his comeuppance but we know from experience that, even though on the surface Pig might seem reformed, he never really learns his lesson. For those who haven’t heard…
Ally Carter, See How They Run (Embassy Row #2), Scholastic Australia, 14 Jan 2016, 318pp., $20.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760153571 See How They Run is a thriller about teenagers who live in a row of houses designated for embassy staff, in a mythical country called Adria. The main character is 16 year old Grace Blakely, who is traumatised by her mother’s death and then further traumatised by the murders she encounters and the conspiracies she helps uncover. The themes explored in this novel include trust, friendship and family, and the book is suitable for teenagers aged 13-17. I didn’t like See…
Kay Crabbe (text), The Pearl-shell Diver: a story of adventure from the Torres Strait, Allen & Unwin, April 2016, 208pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781760290474 The Pearl-shell Diver is an historical novel for children aged 10-13, set in the Torres Strait Islands in 1898 and featuring main character Sario, a 13 year old boy. Sario lives with his clan and spends his days diving for seafood and shells to trade or be used by his clan, listening to stories and eating delicious food. It seems an idyllic life but there are dangers. Two of his cousins, who left with a pearling…
Reading Time is pleased to be part of the Frontlines Aus & NZ Blog Tour, hosted by Hardie Grant Egmont. Yesterday Michael Grant was over at Divabooknerds, and today he is here, answering our questions. Best selling author Michael Grant is in Australia and New Zealand to promote Front Lines, the first book in his blockbuster new series, Soldier Girl. Welcome to Australia, Michael and welcome to Reading Time. The Gone series is so popular with readers, was it hard to bring that story to a close? How do you know when it’s the right time to finish? With GONE I…
Tim Cahill (text), Julian Gray (text), Heath McKenzie (illus), Tiny Timmy Makes the Grade! (Tiny Timmy #2), Scholastic Australia, 1 March 2016, 128pp., $12.99 ISBN 9781760273644 This is the second book in the Tiny Timmy series written by Socceroos star Tim Cahill and Julian Gray. With two of my own children playing soccer, I’m well aware of the growing popularity of soccer as a sport for Australian kids. The series is a worthy addition to the sports-themed chapter books that appear to be trending at the moment. Timmy has proved himself (in book one) with the local Lions team and at…