Natashea George (text) and Isabel Lozano (illustrator), Fearless Wings, Little Steps Publishing, February 2020, 32 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781925839548 When twins Levi and Ava turn five their mother says they can have separate bedrooms but they are dismayed at the prospect as they are scared of the dark – as well as clowns, balloons and swimming, not uncommon fears for young children. Slowly and gently their parents help them to overcome these fears with activities such as painting their own clown faces and playing in the babies swimming pool. However am not sure if their solution to the children’s fear of the dark would be effective … A small format paperback with bright cartoon-style illustrations but typeface not…
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Jacqueline Harvey, Freefall (Kensy and Max #5), Puffin Books, March 2020, 400 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780143796985 Kensy and Max: Freefall is the fifth instalment in this exciting series of adventure books by Jacqueline Harvey. Once again, the twins Kensy and Max find themselves with a mystery to solve, a villain to capture, and as well, a criminal is on the loose. Freefall takes place in the skyscraperhigh city of New York USA. Granny Cordelia, the children’s delightfully unconventional and highly accomplished grandmother, has invited Kensy and Max to holiday with her in the city ‘that never sleeps’. The twins also have the added excitement of their friend, Curtis Pepper joining them. Kensy and Max soon learn that Curtis, with his spy backpack and quick thinking, turns out to be the best companion they could have as they confront dangerous situations together. But Granny Cordelia has her own reason for inviting Curtis on their holiday; she is considering…
Nat Amoore (text) and James Lacett (illustrator), The Power of Positive Pranking, Puffin Books, June 2020, 368 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780143796381 I enjoyed this book from the very first page — the cleverminded characters, directness of voice, respect for the ideas of others, commitment to friends and those less fortunate, and the reality of family with all its ups and downs. The Power of Positive Pranking is about the activities of Green Peas, an organisation under the leadership of Casey Wu, and in conjunction with her friends Cookie and Zeke. The sole purpose of Green Peas is to deliver pranks — positive pranks that don’t harm but certainly cause enough chaos around the school to drive the teachers crazy and bring delight to their classmates. But while Green Peas has delivered multitudes of expertly…
David Metzenthen (text) and Mairead Murphy (illustrator), One Runaway Rabbit, Allen & Unwin, July 2019, 24 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760523558 This book is a worthy entry on the Shortlist for the Early Childhood category in this year’s CBCA Book of the Year Awards. It has all the attributes of a great picture book for littlies – a strong narrative told through minimal text and attractive illustrations with an engaging main character, a villain, drama and tension. Lulu is a pet rabbit whose curiosity gets the better of her when she finds a hole in the fence. But there are dangers lurking outside the safety of the yard, especially one with russet…
Patrick Ness, Burn, Walker Books Ltd., May 2020, 384 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781406375503 How does the world end? It ends in fire. Crafted with sophistication, Burn is a story that subtly sneaks across genres. Written by the twice Carnegie Medal Winner, Patrick Ness, Burn is a story that is both unique and enthralling. It is 1956 and with the Russians set to launch Sputnik, Cold War tensions are high. Teenage farm girl, Sarah Dewhurst, is surprised by her father’s decision to hire a Russian Blue dragon to work on their farm. After the tragic loss of her mother, farm life in the small…
John Canty, Shapes and Colours, Berbay Publishing, July 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780648529187 This early learning concept book is by award winning author/illustrator John Canty. Its multi-tiered format introduces young readers to the colours of the rainbow, and challenges children to identify various objects from their silhouettes, including animals, plants, food, vehicles, household objects and more. From the glossy cover, readers know they are in for a visual treat. Appealing realistic illustrations are set against a stark white background in a striking design feature reminiscent of the early learning photographic concept books by DK. Double page spreads show…
Alicia Jasinka, The Dark Tide, Penguin Random House Australia, June 2020, 336 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760894726 The Scottish story of Tam Lin who was claimed back from the Fairy Queen by the woman who loved him has always been a favourite of mine, and I’ve read many versions and retellings of the story over the years. Alicia Jasinska’s book, The Dark Tide, brings something entirely new and dark and magical to the story, twining it with an old Polish legend. She spins it into a spellbinding tale about the island of Caldella sinking into the sea and the witches who choose one of the village lads every…
Carole Wilkinson (text) and Prue Pittock (illustrator), Matthew Flinders: Adventures on Leaky Ships, Wild Dog Books, July 2020, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781742034935 The maps of the coast of Australia which Flinders made from 1795 are so accurate that they are still used. That is a significant tribute to a brilliant navigator. As is this book. His little cat, Trim, and his friendship with the ship’s surgeon, George Bass, has been recounted by others, and Wilkinson has brought Flinders alive for us again. He joined the navy when he was sixteen, travelled under Bligh, battled the French, suffered from scurvy, conquered…
C.G. Drews, The Boy Who Steals Houses, Hachette Australia, April 2019, 300 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781408349922 Fifteen-year-old Sammy Lou steals houses. He carefully selects houses where the owners are away and moves in for a while. “He stalks vacant windows and tricks locks and sleeps in stolen beds because he just wants to be home.” (p. 16) He is otherwise homeless, and also protector of his brother Avery, two years older and autistic. Avery and Sam are saving up for their own home, something they desperately want but have never had. Abandoned by their mother when they were very young, their abusive father left them with their neglectful Aunt who…
Malla Nunn, When the Ground is Hard, Allen & Unwin, June 2019, 272 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760524814 Adele Joubert is about to return to Keziah Christian Academy, a boarding school in Swaziland where she is one of the top girls. People in Swaziland are divided into three groups, white, mixed-race and native Swazis. Adele and her fellow students are mixed-race, but within this there are more tiers, those with married mothers and unmarried, those whose fathers pay full fees and those on scholarships, and those whose families donate equipment and money. This all influences the status of the students, and when…