Anita Croy, Stephen Hawking, Scientists Who Changed the World, HarperCollins Publishers, August 2021, 64 pp., RRp $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781925820720 This book is another of the six-book series about famous scientists, first reviewed last year. It opens with biographical details about cosmologist Stephen Hawking followed by background information about theories on the universe. Middle chapters explore the discoveries and resulting ground-breaking ideas he is famous for, especially his most well-known book, A brief history of time. The final sections look at his scientific legacy as well as his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a form of motor neurone disease, and…
Author: Admin
Jane Porter (text) and Carolina Rabei (illustrator), Let’s Get Ready for School, Walker Books, July 2021, 32 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529502343 Let’s Get Ready for School is a great introduction to this important step in our little ones’ lives—going to big school—and this book is a lovely way to get them mentally ready for the adventure ahead. Jane Porter has carefully included a range of emotional responses likely to be present in the children from the natural nervousness of some, the can’t-wait-to-get-there excitement of others, and those who are a little cautious. She has included a wide range…
Ross Montgomery (text) and Sarah Warburton (illustrator), Ten Delicious Teachers, Walker Books, August 2021, 32 pp., RRP $28.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781406389821 A cheeky and quirky counting book that is full of unexpected encounters and written in a deliciously appealing rhyme with comical and mischievous illustrations and bold vibrant colours. Ten tired teachers have inadvertently missed the last bus home. Mr Smith, one of the teachers, saves the day or so it seems when he discovers a shortcut through the forest! They’ll be back in time for tea! With spirits high the teachers skip off together, through the forest, completely unaware that…
Denis Knight and Cristy Burne, Wednesday Weeks and the Crown of Destiny (Wednesday Weeks, #2), Hachette Australia, September 2021, 272 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN Wednesday Weeks never wanted to be a sorcerer’s apprentice. She’s a scientist, not a magician! But after her last adventure when Wednesday and her best friend Alfie were thrown into a quest to save her master (also, incidentally, her grandfather!), she’s kind of getting the hang of this magic thing. What a relief, because Gorgomoth the Unclean just escaped his prison and is now on a mission to ruin everything! When Gorgomoth turns Grandpa into…
Katrina Germein (text) and Tom Jellett (illustrator), My Dad Thinks He’s Super Funny, Walker Books Australia, July 2021, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761042119 This is the third title written by Germein and illustrated by Jellett in the My Dad Thinks He’s Funny series. I haven’t read the previous two, but I believe they are very popular. Basically, it’s a series of dad jokes, with colourful cartoon-like illustrations, which suit the tone of the book. The father doesn’t miss an opportunity to crack a joke, or make a pun, and there is much groaning, cringing, and eye-rolling by his…
Kate Pankhurst, Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet, Bloomsbury, December 2020, 32 pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781408899298 Environmental activists! Animal liberation advocates! Earth warriors! Unite! Saving the planet is thankfully on the to-do list of many young people today, and this book is a must for those environmental leaders in the making who want to know the strong, courageous, and powerful women who came before them. After all, someday, it may be YOU in the pages of history for saving our precious Earth and its creatures. There are women whose names may be familiar to some, such as the…
Beck and Robin Feiner, My Favourite Teachers, HarperCollins Publisher, July 2021, 32 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780733341625 A good teacher can make a world of difference, reluctant students become engaged learners, dull subjects become entertaining, and every class member feels valued and respected. My Favourite Teacher seeks to celebrate teachers. In a climate where teachers are often unfairly blamed for the shortcomings of the education system, this book offers an antidote. The reader is encouraged to think about who their favourite teachers are, both formal and informal. Within the book each double-page spread features a child’s favourite school teacher…
Claire Saxby and Cindy Lane, Great White Shark, Walker Books, August 2021, 32 pp., RRP $26.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760651848 “What is she looking for? She’s looking for food. She is a silent and powerful submarine and follows her own maps.” Great white sharks have a sixth sense called electroreception. This allows them to detect prey and navigate. Award winning author Claire Saxby brings us her seventh title in the Walker’s Nature book series focusing on Australian native fauna. The text is well considered – engaging, descriptive and informative. Each book is written in a narrative style with sections of facts…
Richard Higgins & Matt Kelly, The Listies’ Tele-porta-loo, Penguin Random House, August 2021, 208 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761042119 The Listies are a comedy duo who met doing student theatre in uni. They created their own shows firstly for adults, until they switched to kids and have since made more shows, albums, podcasts and TV shows. In Tele-Porta-Loo, Matt and Rich live with their not-so-normal Nan and her ferret, Vanessa De Floof. Nan has had a portaloo in her backyard for as long as they can remember, which she never lets anyone use, but when Matt has a wee…
Tobias Madden, Anything But Fine, Penguin Random House, August 2021, 352 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761042027 One missed step… A novel about passion and honesty. Anything But Fine tells the story of a young ballet boy – Luca who is ready for his next big leap into the Australian Ballet school. But after a career ending injury, Luca turns his back on what he loves most and who he loves most. Now at his new school, Luca navigates his new reality, his first love, and an unexpected friendship. Supporting his endeavours is his loving father who is struggling to…