Jedda Robaard, The Little Koala Who Lost His Tree, Five Mile Press, Oct 2015, unpaged, $12.95 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760069223 Jedda Robaard, The Little Joey Who Lost Her Bounce, Five Mile Press, Oct 2015, unpaged, $12.95 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760063467 These are two board books in the Little Creatures series by Jedda Robaard, suitable for 2-5 year olds. In one of the books Koala is uncomfortable and miserable because he has lost his tree. In the other, Joey feels restless because she can’t find her bounce. The storylines follow each animal’s quest to locate the missing item. The text has a repetitive pattern as…
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Sergei Prokofiev, Ayesha L Rubio (illus and adapted by) Peter and the Wolf, The Five Mile Press, 1 Oct 2015, 32pp., $19.95 (hbk), ISBN9781760067816 This entrancingly illustrated version of Peter and the Wolf conveys the significance of the wolf that casts a dark shadow of fear in many European traditional tales. The characters, Peter, his pet cat, the bright little bird, the duck, and the wolf are captivatingly depicted in a contemporary style but in keeping with the qualities they were attributed by the melodies Prokofiev created in 1936. The scenes of deep snowbound countryside and great tree trunks are relieved…
Aunty Ruth Hegarty (text) Sandi Harrold (illus) Pip and Pim Scholastic Australia, 1 Oct 2015, 24pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760151973 Written by Aboriginal elder Aunty Ruth Hegarty, this is a gentle tale about Pip and Pim – a pair of ringtail possums – and their first night exploring the forest floor. There is a nice symmetry to this story beginning and closing with the call of the Kookaburra. Other Australian wildlife feature as Pip and Pim ignore their parent’s pleas and push the boundaries of exploration. The pair come across echidnas, bandicoots and finally, herons – where Father Heron tells…
Garry Fleming, Bollygum (20th Anniversary Edition), Scholastic Australia, Sept 2015, 42pp., $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760157661 Standing the test of time, this 20th anniversary classic that is Bollygum still enchants and delights its readers to this day. Now in its12th reprint, the ecological issues addressed in the book around conservation are just as prevalent and relevant today. And with its strong, personable characters, the humour, and concepts of friendship and loyalty, its appeal is, and always will be, enduring. Author illustrator, Garry Fleming’s book has touched and inspired many people and communities; was given as a gift to Prince George, was…
Julia Donaldson (text), Lydia Monks (illus.), What the Ladybird Heard Next, Macmillan Children’s Books, 25 August 2015, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781447275954 In the sequel to What the Ladybird Heard, bestselling creators Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks have brought their ladybird to life with all its glittery, buzzing and colourful goodness. The biggest appeal is the vibrant and textured illustrations. They cleverly and magnificently showcase animated characters, scanned materials like wool and cloth, and those kin-aesthetically luring embossed sparkles that demand immediate interactivity with the book. And of course, Julia Donaldson’s wonderfully whimsical, lyrical prose that exudes fun, adventure and wit.…
This is a great initiative that should help to promote the work that school libraries do. All the details are here, but basically this is an opportunity for people to nominate a school library that inspires learners, and that encourages a passion for critical thinking, collaborative team-work, and a whole range of reading! The organisations partnering on this project are committed advocates, and will be able to offer publicity through a whole range of social and mainstream media. Use the hashtag #greatschoollibraries and get into the spirit of showing just what school libraries can do. The website has many ideas…
Deborah Ellis, The Cat at the Wall, Allen & Unwin, Sept 2015, 160pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760112448 Acclaimed international author of the Parvana series, Deborah Ellis explores the raw and contentious themes of war, conflict and adolescence. The story is spoken from a unique, first person perspective, testing the ideologies of two completely different states of being, in two completely different circumstances. A once 13-year-old North American teen, Clare, faces all new issues and societal rules when reincarnated as a stray cat in Israel’s West Bank after her sudden death. In a fight for survival, she joins two Israeli soldiers…
Everyone needs books for the holidays! A ‘Great Holiday Book Swap’ will be held at The State Library of Queensland, South Brisbane Thursday December 17 at 10.30am. Swap or buy books for just a gold coin and help raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. There will be a story reading by the Hon Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Housing and Public Works, Science and Innovation, and poetry reading by Sam Wagan Watson. Bring as many books as you wish to swap (you might even like to inscribe the book with a message for the next reader). We will also have…
Knife & Packer, Rainforest Rumble (Wheelnuts! #5), Scholastic Australia, 1 Sept 2015, 96pp., $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781743627266 Tearing down the final freeway in this mad race are the six crazy cars that have endured a multitude of life-threatening, car reeling, and exhilarating challenges over five thrilling courses set by eccentric multibillionaire, Warren ‘Wheelie’ Wheelnuts. In the fifth book, Rainforest Rumble, the teams experience wild adventures and obstacles that both independent and reluctant readers will lap up with eyes ablazing! Keeping with the consistency of the previous titles, the somewhat predictable plotline makes for a comprehensible, satisfying read, but the occasional…
Anna Branford (text), Lisa Coutts (illus.), The Elf Flute (Lily the Elf), Walker Books, 1 August 2015, 48pp., $7.95 (pbk), ISBN 9781925081077 Anna Branford (text), Lisa Coutts (illus.), The Wishing Seed (Lily the Elf), Walker Books, 1 August 2015, 48pp., $7.95 (pbk), ISBN 9781925081060 ‘Lily lives with her dad in a tiny elf house, hidden under a bridge in a busy city.’ So begins this tale of a friendly, helpful and plucky elf. In The Elf Flute, Lily is very excited to receive a shiny, silver flute in the mail from Aunt Daisy. With the Grand Elf Concert coming up, she…