Sonya Hartnett text) and Gabriel Evans (illustrator), Blue Flower, Penguin Random House Australia, March 2021, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760894450 From the prize-winning novelist Sonya Hartnett and fast-rising star of illustrated books, Gabriel Evans, this classic children’s tale takes us gently and charmingly into its world. There are welcoming full-page illustrations in watercolour, gouache, and pencil on a palette of light orange, yellow, blue and green, with simply drawn figures whose hair is often wild. The text on each page is clear and brief — and to the point. For instance, on the very first page we…
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M.T. Khan, Nura and the Immortal Palace, Walker Books Australia, November 2022, 272 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529503494 Nura and the Immortal Palace is not a typical middle-grade novel. What starts off as a seemingly simple story about a young, uneducated Pakistani girl working in the mica mines to support her family quickly morphs into a magical adventure story. Khan explores Islamic traditions and themes of struggle, courage, and friendship in creative and insightful ways. Nura is only twelve yet she, along with many other children, are forced to work the mines from dusk till dawn to put food…
Matt Stanton, Milo Finds $105, ABC Books, March 2022, 224 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780733342035 From the author of Funny Kid and The Odds comes a sweet, funny new series about a very likeable character called Milo, who lives with his mum and her partner Liz in Turtle Place, where nothing ever happens. Until the day Milo is so bored, he follows an ant, which leads him to find $105 and his new neighbour, Frog, who is practicing an unusual form of martial arts in his front yard. Milo wonders what to do with the money, when he decides…
Leo Timmers, Elephant Island, Gecko Press, March 2021, 48 pp., RRP $27.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781776574346 Elephant Island is the English edition of a picture book originally written in Dutch by highly renowned Belgian picture book author illustrator, Leo Timmers. It is about an indomitably optimistic and resourceful seafaring elephant who makes the most of difficult circumstances when his boat sinks at sea. Whilst marooned on a rock, he uses whatever materials come his way (usually in the form of boats that crash into the rock) to expand it and welcome an assortment of new inhabitants. I love the irony in…
Axie Oh, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Hodder & Stoughton, February 2022, 336 pp., RRP $22.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529391701 The Sea God – strongest of all the Gods in the Spirit Realm used to be a provider, but in recent generations, this has all changed. In hope to appease the Sea God and save the people’s homeland from his ravaging storms, a strong notable bride is sacrificed to him each year. When Mina’s older brother’s beloved (Shim Cheong) is the next bride to be, Mina knows Joon won’t sit tight. In order to save her brother from interfering…
Jules and Pierre-Jacques Ober, creators of Jacqueline: A Soldier’s Daughter speak to Reading Time reviewer, Kevin Brophy about their book, published by Ford Street Publishing. Firstly, congratulations on your new book of illustrated children’s history being listed as a CBCA Notable book. Can you give us some background to the inspiration behind your story, Jacqueline? Pierre-Jacques: Thank you Kevin ! Yes, it is always very satisfying and reassuring to be acknowledged by an institution such as the CBCA. Jacqueline was a natural choice to follow The Good Son and the story of Pierre. …
Sabrina Weiss (text) and Paul Daviz (illustrator), Amazing Animals, WOEB, February 2022, 64 pp., RRP $34.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781912920358 This is an attractive book with clever design features, exquisite illustrations and easily accessible information that pays homage to the weird and wonderful traits and behaviours of animals. The appealing cover design shows an arctic scene in cool colours. We are submerged under the ice and face to face with a polar bear, while a seal and an arctic fox watch on from above. The table of contents covers a diverse range of animals, habitats and habits, and each topic receives…
Brigid Kemmerer, Defy the Night (Defy the Night, #1), Bloomsbury, September 2021, 496 pp, RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781526632807 Defy the Night is a lengthy yet powerful novel covering many bases from rebellion, betrayal and cruelty to justice and romance. The few plot twists are well foreshadowed and although there are a few clichés and tropes, like ‘the morally conflicted prince who does not want to be cruel’, Defy the Night is still an engaging read. Kemmerer writes well and has a knack for storytelling. From the very start, readers are hooked. Despite there being over 400 pages, this book does not…
Kelis Rowe, Finding Jupiter, Walker Books Australia, May 2022, 352 pp., RRP $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529500639 Ray has returned to her hometown in Memphis for summer break with strictly no time for boys. All she wants to do this holiday is continue her poetic project. When Orion comes along with his heart on his sleeve, the countdown to the end of summer break begins. Told through a dual point of view, both Ray and Orion will find themselves entwined within the complexities of life – in a novel about coming of age, love, guilt, redemption and trust. –Ray’s birthday is…
Robert Favretto (text) and Janice Bowles (illustrator), Boris Goes Beserk, Ford Street Publishing, September 2021, 32 pp., RRP $16.95 (pbk), ISBN 9781925804867 Boris Goes Berserk is a comical and rhythmic picture book about a huntsman spider’s entry and ultimate survival in a family’s household. As you would expect, Boris is big and brown and hairy and his unexpected arrival sends startled squeals throughout the house. Young readers will particularly adore the petrified reactions of the adults in the story and will no doubt linger on these hilarious pages. Dad finds himself in his undies trying to get rid of Boris…