The Lost World Circus: The Last Elephant by Justin D’Ath – book review

The Last Elephantis the first book in a new series by long-time kid’s author Justin D’Ath.

In the series, The Lost Circus, earth has had a terrible pandemic of an illness called Rat Flu. Most of the animals we know today have either become sick and died or been killed to prevent the spread of the infection.

All except the animals in Captain Noah’s Lost World Circus.

It is a clever premise. It leaves masses of room for adventure, goodies and badies, and encounters with exciting animals but it also seems like it could potentially happen.

And if that doesn’t seem exciting enough the hero, Colt Lawless, seems to be developing super powers as a side effect of being infected with rat flu (but saved by his vet mother) when he was a child.

I really liked The Last Elephant. It has really appealing messages about protecting and respecting animals, as well as about government abusing people’s fear and becoming corrupt and powerful and the people’s ability to fight back.

But most of all it is just an exciting adventure story that has you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Who’ll love it: Kids aged 8 plus, and it will really appeal to boys who love an exciting adventure.

Cost: $14.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia  

Jandamarra by Mark Greenwood and Terry Denton – book review

I’m finding it really difficult to find a way to talking to my four year old about Aboriginal history because, no matter how you explain it, it is tragic and so unfair and that’s hard to explain to a little person who has only just learnt about sharing and being kind to other people.

The story of Jandamarra is another example of that tragedy.

A good person caught between two cultures Jandamarra becomes an outlaw and commits terrible crimes. 

The crimes committed again him and his people are equally horrible.

Interesting and really sad, this story highlights the impossible position of the Indigenous people once white settlers came but in a way that is accessible for children.

The book doesn’t make anyone into a hero or even take sides (although it is sympathetic to the Indigenous people), it just tells a story of Australia’s history.

The insights into Aboriginal culture and beliefs are amazing: “They rubbed him with a magic stone to make him fearless and invisible. They hid his spirit in the stone and placed it in the water.”

Terry Denton’s illustrations more than do the story justice, with what seems like just a few lines he manages to capture so much emotion, as well as the stunning landscape of the Kimberley.

This book is easy to read, but not easy to read (if you know what I mean) but I would recommend it very highly.

Who’ll love it: Teachers and primary school aged kids will find it fascinating.

Cost: $29.99

Publisher: Allen and Unwin   

Max & George by Cori Brooke and Sue deGennaro – book review

This book is beautiful – both to look at and its story.

It is sweet and tender and perfect for anyone who feels little anxious.

Max has a best friend George. George lives in windows, car windows, shop windows, the windows of Max’s house, anywhere there is a window.

George wears the same clothes as Max.

When Max feels happy so does George.

When Max feels anxious so does George.

Luckily they are VERY good at cheering each other up.

When Max starts school he is very worried but luckily George is in the school windows too. But what will happen when Max makes a friend?

The pictures of Max and George are perfect for Cori Brooke's story – you can see how much they love each other. 

They give a real sense of Max’s anxiety and you can see how reassuring he find’s George’s presence in every window.

Beautifully illustrated, this is a lovely story about friendship, being brave and growing up.

Who’ll love this: It will especially appeal to 3-5 years olds who get anxious, but everyone will love it.

Cost: $24.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Pip and Posy: The Little Puddle by Axel Scheffler – book review

Nosy Crow, the publisher of Pip and Posy, have done a brilliant thing. When you buy any of their picture books you can use a smart phone to scan the QR code in the front cover for a free audio reading of the book.

Remember those audio books we all had as kids - ‘when you hear this sound *ding ding ding* turn the page’ - well Nosy Crow have turned all their picture books in to one of them and it is free when you buy the book. Genius!

Pip and Posy is a new series written and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the illustrator of The Gruffalo.

They are very simple stories for very young children. They have lovely bright pictures and they are about every day things.

In The Little PuddlePip goes to play at his friend Posy’s house, he is having such a good time that he forgets to go to the toilet and has an accident.

In The Super ScooterPosy snatches Pips scooter so she can ride it but then has a nasty crash because she has never ridden a scooter before.

These books aren’t complicated or tricky but I really like them because they are about events that happen to all kids.

I also love the audio book thing – brilliant idea.

Who’ll love this: Children aged 1 ½ to 4.

Cost: $12.99 (plus a free audio version to download... bargain!)

Publisher: Nosy Crow, distributed by Allen and Unwin

Juliet, Nearly a Vet: The Great Pet Plan by Rebecca Johnson – book review

“My best friend Chelsea and I ♥ animals. I have a dog Curly and two guinea pigs, but we need more pets if I'm going to learn to be a vet. 

Today, we had the best idea ever . . .” 

There are a lot of animal mad little girls out there and this is the first book in a brilliant series for them.

Juliet’s Mum is a vet and Juliet is determined to follow in her footsteps, preferably as soon as possible.

When her parents say she can’t have any more pets, Juliet and her next door neighbour and BFF, Chelsea, come up with a cunning plan to practise their vet and animal grooming skills.

Chaos ensues.

Juliet is a great character, full of life, enthusiasm and good intentions. Chelsea is her willing partner in crime and Juliet’s parents are incredibly understanding about the chaos they create!

The cover illustrations are very inviting, and the font size and spacing on the page makes this a very approachable series for newly independent readers.

The next book in the series, At the Show, has a horse on the cover so I can only imagine how that will go down.

I can easily imagine little girls collecting them all.

Who’ll love it: Animal mad girls aged 7 to 9.

Price: $9.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia