Briony Stewart, We Love You, Magoo, Puffin Books, September 2020, 32 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760896904 Who’s Magoo? An incredibly cute canine character that kids will fall head over heels in love with! He’s playful, a little bit cheeky and into absolutely everything. In fact, Magoo is rather like a toddler, wanting to do everything that the never-entirely-seen adult owner does. He tests the boundaries at mealtime, in the car, in the garden…everywhere! Like Magoo, this picture book gets straight to it. There’s no title page or endpapers. You simply open the cover (featuring a gorgeous close-up of Magoo’s wide-eyed, smiling face) and the story…
Author: Admin
Various, The Puffin Book of Big Dreams, Penguin Random House UK, September 2020, 256 pp., RRP $32.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780241438206 To celebrate 80 years of publishing by Puffin, the treasured children’s publishing house has artfully gathered a dreamy collection of short stories and poetry into The Puffin Book of Big Dreams: stories to spark your imagination. Whimsically illustrated in black and white, the stories and poems are collected into dream themes. Within each theme is a mix of classics, extracts from longer novels, poetry, short pieces, and new wise and funny words from over one hundred authors and illustrators. To give a sense of the scope of the stories in each section: Dream…
Carl Wilkinson (text) andJames Weston Lewis (illustrator), Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, Laurence King Publishing, 16 September 2020, 64 pp., RRP $39.50 (hbk), ISBN 9781786277510 At 370 by 275mm this is a large format book with a large topic – ‘Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity’ no less! To convey this complicated concept within a book, in such a way that children will understand and even enjoy, is no small challenge. I think though, the contributors of Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity go a long way towards achieving just that. Whilst it is obviously a non-fiction text it is presented in a story-like…
Matt Cosgrove, Dharma the Llama, Scholastic Australia, July 2020, 24pp., RRP $15.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781760669201 Dharma the Llama is a bit different from the rest of the herd. For one thing, she loves reading! When the herd runs into trouble, Dharma uses her knowledge gleaned from books to save the day. The next installment in the popular Macca the Alpaca series, this light-hearted picture book for readers 3+ features Matt Cosgrove’s distinctive simple rhyming text and bright, cheery illustrations. Promoting themes of being true to yourself, friendship and reading, this book is fun to read aloud and will be a…
Jacqueline Harvey, Clementine Rose and the Wedding Wobbles (Clementine Rose #13), Puffin Books, January 2020, 160 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760892104 Jacqueline Harvey delivers fun and intrigue as we share in Clementine’s exciting journey in the lead up to her mother’s wedding. It is only a matter of days until the big event, and Clementine is super excited to be playing the all-important role of flower girl. It can be hard to focus on the upcoming wedding though; Penberthy House is the busiest it has ever been in its entire history! Although their eccentric wedding planner is there to add some flair to the occasion, his tastes are not so appreciated by Aunt Violet; who…
Nicole Prust (text) and Amanda Enright (illustrator), The Sloth and the Dinglewot, New Frontier Publishing, June 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781925594966 Samuel the sloth yearns for adventure, but he’s scared to leave his home. Then he meets the enigmatic Dinglewot, who promises him adventure. Samuel overcomes his fears and follows the Dinglewot through the forest and soon his fears are forgotten as he parties with the forest animals and joins a carnival. With vibrant, colourful illustrations by Amanda Enright, this rhyming picture book is a feast for the eyes and a gentle reminder that overcoming our fears can lead to better adventure and happiness. Reviewed by Pamela Ueckerman https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/BZAE0
Lili Wilkinson (text) and Dustin Spence (illustrator), Hodgepodge (How to Make a Pet Monster #1), Allen & Unwin, July 2020, 200 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760877385 Hodgepodge is the first book in the How to Make a Pet Monster series, written by Lili Wilkinson, who is a highly acclaimed author of mostly YA fiction, and illustrated by Dustin Spence who has a background in animation and games. The story begins with the main character, Artie, explaining his difficulties adapting to life with his new blended family which includes a cantankerous girl name Willow. Artie’s life takes a turn for the better when he and Willow conjure a cute monster, named Hodgepodge. Not only is Hodgepodge adorable and lovable, he also has…
Zeno Sworder, This Small Blue Dot, Thames & Hudson Australia, August 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760761110 This Small Blue Dot is a young child’s welcome to a baby, with a joyful account of the pleasures and wonders of our planet Earth and the future potential for the baby’s new life. The text and the illustrations convey a celebration of the best that life has to offer – from fascinating creatures and delicious food, to the joy of imagination, song and dance, to the comfort of loving carers and the pleasure of friendship. The text is lyrical and rich in imagery, whilst still being brief and accessible for children. But it is the illustrations that I feel best convey the sense…
Neal Shusterman, Challenger Deep, Walker Books Ltd., August 2020, 336 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781406396119 Caden Bosch is on a ship that’s headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench. Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behaviour. Caden Bosch is designated the ship’s artist in residence to document the journey with images. Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head. Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny. Caden Bosch…
Krys Saclier (text) and Cathy Wilcox (illustrator), Vote 4 Me, Wild Dog Books, August 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781742035956 Vote 4 Me is a humorous and comprehensive look at Australia’s election system, using the fictional Ms Spark’s Year 6 class as a case study. The students of Mount Mayhem are fed up with their hideous uniforms, healthy tuckshop food and bare sports cupboard. Everyone wants change so it’s decided each class will elect a representative. Jack, who thinks he’s the best, Kira, who wins every race, as well as funny Farrel, and smart and kind Alexandria, are the candidates. Ms Sparks explains that the class will vote using the Australian system which is preferential. Wilcox’s cartoon-style illustrations are witty, depicting things like Farrel rapping in a unicorn…