Monthly Archives: April 2020

Apr26

Evie and Pog: Party Perfect! [#3] – Tania McCartney

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Harper Collins Australia

April 2020

  • ISBN: 9781460757956
  • ISBN 10: 1460757955
  • Imprint: HarperCollins – AU
  • List Price: 12.99 AUD

The absolutely cute-as-buttons Evie and Pog are back in their third set of adventures ready to delight all those newly independent readers who are already in love with them.

Once again your little readers will love the familiar pattern which starts off each new adventure and in this book there are another three fun stories: Book Parade, Art Show Muddle and Party Time!

As we already know from their previous escapades Evie, Pog, Granny along with Noah, Mr Pooch and Miss Footlights often have extravagant plans which usually go somewhat awry but are always salvaged by the quick resourcefulness of the team, knitting and creative thinking.

First of all there’s the annual Book Parade, always such an exciting event, but Pog is not at all happy. He ALWAYS wins the Best Dressed Dog for his costumes but how can he possibly compete with all the new competitors from the Puppy School? Luckily Evie, Noah & co come up with the perfect costume and though, to Granny’s distress, it involves lots of messy making including GLITTER the competition is a triumph for Pog.

Next up is the Art Show and Evie is creating a huge artwork that represents their daisy-spot grass while Pog busies himself making a plan of the art show. It’s all going to be a huge success – well, that is until seven tiny kittens turn up unexpectedly and mayhem results with a tangle of wool, colour, fluffiness and little beady eyes. When Mr Arty Farty (don’t you just love it?!) arrives to judge the entries, Evie is so upset because her grand design looks completely and utterly ruined after a kitten-attack. You can imagine her surprise then when the snooty judge decides on a winner – and yes! Daisy-Spot Grass is the best of the show!

Finally the Puppy School is one year old and has been such a huge success for all that a party is definitely in order. But it’s not just a celebration for the puppies, it’s also Granny’s birthday so there is much excited preparation to be done. Pink lamingtons, gift baskets, a special trophy for the star doggy pupil and the return visit of Mr Arty Farty accompanied by the seven little kittens all make for a hilarious and rather chaotic village party.

Your little readers will laugh so much at the antics of this quirky crew of characters but there is also much to be gained in other ways such as thinking about solving problems, getting along with others, self-confidence and diverse friendships.

We just love Evie and Pog in our junior library and can’t wait to have the children back at school to see the great display that’s in the making. Tania McCartney’s talents as both writer and illustrator are always such a joy in any of her works and this new series is no exception.

Highly recommended for little humans from around six years upwards.

 

Click to access Evie-and-Pog-Teachers-Notes.pdf

Apr25

Red Day – Sandy Fussell

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1569817219332

Walker Books Australia

March 2020

ISBN: 9781760651886
Imprint: Walker Books Australia
Australian RRP: $17.99
New Zealand RRP: $19.99

It seems very apt to be reviewing Sandy Fussell’s latest book today as we commemorate ANZAC Day albeit in a very different way to the usual events.

This is a very powerful story which blends contemporary life in small town Australia with the past and at the same time explores the sometimes fragile and complicated relationships with family and other people.

Charlie (Charlotte) has synaethesia so for her everything has colour and sometimes emotions: days of the week, people, numbers and even inanimate objects. When Kenichi, a Japanese exchange student, arrives to stay with Charlie and her mother for a week, Charlie is not at all pleased at the prospect. But his arrival also sparks a strange sequences of experiences in which her synaethesia is magnified to an almost frightening extent. She begins to feel nausea and pain, has flashes of the past and hears unfamiliar voices – some of which Kenichi can also detect. As the two begin a tentative partnership to investigate the cause of this distress, a slice of history begins to reveal itself and connects with their present. The Cowra Prisoner-of-War break-out remains a significant event in Australia’s history and while essentially tragic forged a lasting and important testament to forgiveness, peace and hope for the future.

For both the solution of the mystery provides a healing for their families and their dreadful loss of loved ones so important to their lives. Readers will completely connect with the characters who are so very well executed and the peripheral characters of friends and families will provide much fodder for self-reflection on loyalty, courage and ethics.

Definitely a book that will appeal strongly to both boys and girls, from around 12 years upwards, this is another one to promote enthusiastically to readers. I can certainly see many of my keen readers being fascinated by this – not to mention learning a great deal of hitherto unknown information.

Highly recommended for Upper Primary upwards.

Apr25

Here in the Real World – Sara Pennypacker

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Harper Collins Australia

February 2020

  • ISBN: 9780008371692
  • ISBN 10: 0008371695
  • Imprint: HarperCollins – GB
  • List Price: 14.99 AUD

At present we (as a collective global community) are having a great deal of reflection and discussion of what it means to be a hero and for many young readers their perception and definition of this might be relatively narrow. This beautiful new narrative from the author of the highly-acclaimed Pax encourages children to re-think their ideas around this.

Ware is an only child, somewhat over-protected and ‘different’. He’s not the kid who wants to join in, he is content in his own world and his passion is medieval history and all that goes with it: castles, chivalry, fanfare and brave deeds. He’s looking forward to spending summer with his grandmother, happily in his own world,  while his parents work double-shifts desperately pulling together the money to buy their rented house but when Big Deal, his gran, becomes unwell the plans for summer fall apart.  He is, instead, enrolled in the dreaded vacation program at the ‘Rec’ where he supposed to have ‘meaningful social interaction’ and be forced to participate in mind-numbingly boring activities.  After only one day Ware explores the abandoned and demolished church next door to the Rec where he encounters a very fierce and very prickly girl, Jolene, who appears to be quite obsessed with growing plants in tin cans.

Initially the two are at odds, both wanting the space within the old church grounds but as Ware continues to skip Rec and investigate the lot and its potential they begin to find a common ground. While Ware begins to create his own castle from the ruins and Jolene fusses over her papaya plants, they both come to accept each other and the fact that the lot is, for both of them, a refuge from their troubles.   It’s an unlikely friendship but one that, like the little plants, slowly but surely grows and bears fruit that will nourish them both.

The two misfits’ summer proves to be one of teamwork, mutual acceptance and understandings, problem solving, loyalty and purpose. When their sanctuary comes under real threat they must devise a plan to save not only their space but Jolene’s plantation which, for her, is her ticket to a better life.

Woven throughout are the nuances, difficulties and at times hostilities that can permeate family relationships and friendships and the slow but careful resolution of some of these is a truly moving aspect.

I loved this book and read it quickly over two nights. While essentially gentle in its narrative the interaction between all the characters and particularly the two protagonists is very engaging. Not to do it any disservice by comparison but it really put me in mind of Bridge to Terabithia with its similarity in the scope of imagination and the unlikely pairing of the two children. It’s a tremendous read and one that will be very well received by thoughtful readers from around 11 years upwards. It’s certainly one I will be recommending highly to my Choclit group (Year 7-12) as I think many of them will appreciate both the quality of the writing and the premise of the plot.

Click to access Here-In-The-Real-World-Teachers-Notes.pdf

 

Apr19

Old Enough to Save the Planet – Loll Kirby/Adelina Lirius

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Walker Books Australia

April 2020

ISBN: 9781916180529
Imprint: Magic Cat Publishing
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

Another fantastic book to inspire your kiddos who are always keen to be eco-warriors especially in their own ‘backyard’ so to speak. This book collates the stories of 12 real-life child environmental entrepreneurs who have identified problems within either their own sphere/locale or globally and engineered their individual responses to solve these.

Children as  young as 9 year old Fink from Germany have responded both thoughtfully and successfully to address issues of climate change, habitats and animal protection.

From France to South Africa, India to Australia or Kenya to Ukraine these kids are the champions of the future preservation of the planet and your kiddos could be likewise.

Any unit of work concerning this topic is always a rich source of real-life applications for children and their enthusiasm for embracing and organising change is amazing. Over the years I have seen many students take up the gauntlet of being change-agents whether in their schools, their homes or their communities and certainly these real-life stories will be a source of real inspiration to your own budding activists.

Each double spread features a particular child, their story and facts that not only relate to the environmental focus but include cultural or community details in easy-to-digest snippets.

This is just a marvellous book and I for one will be promoting it to my junior classes and their teachers.

HIghly recommended for readers from around 7 years upwards.

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Apr19

Super Sporty Girls

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9781760896058

Penguin Australia

April 2020

  • ISBN: 9781760896058
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • RRP: $24.99

At long last it seems our female sporting stars are getting some recognition. Women’s team sports are being televised and of course, our brilliant Ash Barty has done and is doing so much to raise the profile of successful sporting women.

So this book is particularly timely to encourage the Mighty Girls in your readership to focus on their preferred sport – whether as an enthusiastic amateur, potential professional or simply for general health and fitness.

Eighteen individuals and teams feature in spreads which face text offering a provocation to the reader as to what sport they might like to try out encompassing a wide variety of possibilities such as soccer, running, BMX, horse riding, sailing, tennis, surfing, golf (yayy!) and more. In short, something to suit every young girl who may be wondering what sport would suit them most.

Whether you already have some girls keen on their physical activity or you are planning to encourage them to have a go, or perhaps you are  undertaking an inquiry into inspirational Australians, this is going to be a definite for  your collection.

Highly recommended for readers from around 8 years upwards.

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Apr19

Meet the Planets – Caryl Hart. Illustrated by Bethan Woollvin

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9781408892985

Bloomsbury Australia

March 2020

ISBN: 9781408892985
Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

RRP: $14.99

Another terrific book to add to your ‘space/astronomy’ theme and this one is particularly well-suited to younger readers so if you are differentiating your study it would be perfect as a kick-start.

Engaging rhyming text which each heavenly body accompanied by a salient fact and outrageously vibrant and cute illustrations will totally engage not only keen budding astronomers but also those who may not yet be fascinated by the skies above. The colour scheme is wonderful and the touch of neon orange just pops from each page with the planets happy faces smiling their welcome to young readers.

Use this either as a complement to your unit of work or simply as a fun read-aloud – whichever will be a popular addition to your shelves.

Recommended highly for readers from around 4 years upwards.

 

Apr19

Goodnight Glow Worms – Aura Parker

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9780143792918Penguin Australia

March 2020

  • ISBN: 9780143792918
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • RRP: $24.99

Goodnight, Glow Worms shining bright,
Time to dim your Glow Worm light.
Glow Worms gleaming, beaming round,
Can’t switch off and can’t wind down.

This is so absolutely adorable it almost makes me wish I still had a little one to read it to for bedtime (almost!).

The little glow worms are having a bit of trouble getting themselves sorted for ‘lights off’ and bed time and their small human counterparts will love not only their various procrastinations but their lovely colours. Which would be the favourite one for your own glow worm?

With very sweet rhyming text and utterly gorgeous illustrations the countdown to all the glow worms finally going to sleep will be a huge hit in your own bedtime routines.  Of course, for me, the stunning endpapers are once again a real highlight (yes yes I know I have a ‘thing’ about endpapers!).

The whole resounds with joy and and imagination and I could easily see that crafting some colourful glow worms would be a fabulous follow-on.

Highly recommended for little glow worms from around 2 years upwards.

There is also a wonderful activity pack available!

GGW Act Pack header

 

Apr19

Magabala Magic

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As you know any books from Magabala make my heart sing because a) they are always so beautiful b) they enable me to promote the First Australian culture which is so important to my family. Here are three of the newest titles:

Brother_Moon-Cover-_Low-Res_x250

Brother Moon – Maree McCarthy Yoelu & Samantha Fry

March 2020

ISBN 9781925936827

RRP: $24.99

This is a beautiful and powerful story that has been inspired by the author’s great-grandfather sharing it with her in her childhood.

Beneath a dark night sky in the Northern Territory, beautifully captured in the atmospheric illustrations, a great-grandfather shares with his great-grandson his deep connection with his brother the moon which guides him his connection to country. He details how the phases of the moon let him know the proper time for hunting and fishing providing sustenance and underlines the importance of our relationship with the natural world.

Great-grandpa Liman is a masterful storyteller and as an elder has the privilege of teaching his young descendant about this important aspect of culture and living in harmony with country.

This provides not only a significant topic for use with Indigenous children but is a valuable resource for cross-cultural studies in the classroom when investigating the moon and night sky topic. [ACARA: researching knowledges held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples regarding the phases of the moon and the connection between the lunar cycle and ocean tides (OI.3, OI.5)]

Liman (Harry Morgan), the author’s grandfather, was a respected Wadjigany man — a leader amongst his people and the community. Liman was born at Manjimamany in the Northern Territory in 1916. He was a canoe maker, hunter, community mediator, and a family man who lived off the land and travelled the seas. Liman spoke Batjamalh, his first language, and other languages from the Daly River area.

Find teaching notes here

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Mum’s Elephant – Maureen Jipiyiliya Nampijinpa O’Keefe/Christina Booth

April 2020

ISBN 9781925936728

RRP: $17.99

This was a joy to read and has already been shared to great success. O’Keefe has created a very special narrative from a childhood memory of her mother’s prized ‘elephant’. Growing up in a remote community the family did not have many possessions but the ‘elephant’ was a particular focus in the sense of community and connection. Her mother would lovingly tend to the ‘elephant’ and often slept with it beside her bed.

Throughout Booth’s illustrations carefully deepen the wondering about the ‘elephant’ and how it could possibly be so important – or indeed even exist. Readers will love to conjecture as to it’s true purpose as gradually more clues indicate it’s actual identity.

The ultimate revelation will lead to some wonderful discussions on similarly important items in children’s own homes and the significance of special objects in creating strong bonds in our personal circles.

Respect

Respect – Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy

May 2020

ISBN 9781925936315

$24.99

This the first in a new four-part series which will be of primary importance in any teaching program or for sharing with young readers.  This creative team, who need no introduction, have once again produced a book which will become a staple in any cross-cultural discussions or units of work.

Through lyrical text and absolutely stunning illustrations readers are shown the importance of family, particularly with regard to the need to listen, learn and share. While this is of paramount regard within First Australian culture, there can be no argument that it is also a vital lesson for any of our young people.

This gentle literary walk through a way of life and society that is the oldest in existence in the world, the significance of country and nature and the sharing of stories will delight and engage any young readers whilst also informing adults.

Find teaching notes here.

As always my highest recommendations go with these fabulous new titles from our leading Indigenous publishing company.

My copies are already in use in my daughter’s classroom as she guides the Indigenous children at her school in their culture and have been very well-received.

Apr18

The Night of the Hiding Moon – Emma Allen & Sher Rill Ng

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9780642279583

National Library of Australia

March 2020

ISBN:   9780642279583

RRP: $24.99

‘Late one night, Felix heard a thousand giants march across the sky and the round, silver moon went into hiding.’

Many children are fearful of storms – especially when they are ferocious. The Kid was one of these and would quite literally turn white and visibly tremble. It took a couple of years to build her up to a point where now she almost enjoys a storm – except for when they are really wild and then she will always sit quite close!

When Felix can’t cope with the tremendous crashing and the horrid dark he decides to put his torch to good use and create a ‘light’ friend. What follows is a cavalcade of strong and brave shadow creatures and all are impatient to play. A little uncertain at first, Felix is soon frolicking with them all, confronting his fears of the night and becoming empowered in his own resilience.

Readers will be truly enthralled with the wonderful traditional shadow shapes and will be uber-excited when they reach the end of the book to find some fabulous information on shadow puppets in general and their cultural importance in Asia. To top that off they will able to create their own shadow puppets with the templates and instructions which conclude the book. Puppetry is a dramatic art which never fails to engage children of all ages (our own Year 9 students have been creating puppet play scripts and using some fabulous ‘muppets’ to perform them). Shadow puppets are possibly one of the simplest to achieve with ready-to-hand materials at home which is a big plus and very handy in these times!

Perhaps readers could create their own scripts which echo the bravery and imagination in Felix’ story and then perform them for family.  Alternatively, they might like to recreate favourite stories using shadow puppets. This would certainly be a very rich learning experience all round.

I would highly recommend this for children from around 6 years upwards and the follow-up for families who are looking for a different activity to reduce a little screen time.

You could even make a theatre for your puppet play…

 

Apr18

Ten Little Figs – Rhian Williams/Nathaniel Eckstrom

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1570582187580

Walker Books Australia

April 2020

ISBN: 9781921977312
Imprint: Walker Books Australia
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

Here’s another beautiful book which would make a super complement to that reviewed in my previous post, to add vigour and depth to your backyard holidays.

Kiddos will just love this rollicking rhythmic countdown as the ten juicy figs disappear one by one thanks to some Australian native fauna. We may not all spot an echidna in the backyard or even a Hercules moth but it’s very likely we may find leaf-curling spiders or lorikeets –  again, it could well be a springboard to discovering what suburban wildlife your own backyard harbours.

This is the author’s first book and I for one look forward to seeing more from her particularly as she is passionate about nature and IMO sharing such books is a must for our little people. Eckstrom’s illustrations are wonderfully well-suited to the subject matter as they evoke a lush garden space on a sunny day and children will love investigating smaller details.

A perfect read-aloud to share whether you’re in ‘stay at home’ mode or not – this one will be a sure-fire hit with small humans from around 2 upwards.

Why not start your own backyard safari while we have so much time to enjoy our beautiful out-of-doors?