Do You Dare: Fighting Bones (1836) by S. Laguna – Book Review

By guest reviewer Liz Bray

In this historical adventure for boys, Declan and his younger brother Dan have been sentenced to transportation to Australia for stealing a pudding and a bowl of custard. They’re sent to Point Puer Boys’ Prison near Tasmania’s Port Arthur, where they join with 2 other Irish boys to create a little ‘gang’ called ‘Fighting Bones’.

When Dan sees something which could incriminate the prison bully, Striker, he is threatened with serious harm – or even death – and the boys decide the only solution is to escape the prison. What follows is a pacy, tense adventure with plenty of hair-raising moments that will test the boys’ courage and ingenuity. When they’re captured, and one boy is killed in the process, it seems all might be lost. But *spoiler alert* they do ultimately find safety and leave the prison – just not in the way we first expect.

There’s plenty of action in this story, and it champions values of mateship, honour, heroic sacrifice and looking after your family and friends. The boys learn trades such as bootmaking and gardening and we are shown that self-worth comes from working hard and creating things.

There is quite a bit of violence in the book, including institutional cruelty (lashing, solitary confinement) and fighting, physical bullying and even murder among the boy convicts. The boys also knock out a guard during their escape. The descriptions aren’t graphic, and it’s all seen through the lens of the past, but be aware of how sensitive the young reader in your life might, or might not, be about this.

There is also grief and loss and S. (Sofie) Laguna does a very good job of acknowledging and conveying these emotions in a realistic, kid-appropriate way.

Some of the plot elements did stretch my credulity a bit but I doubt young readers will care – they’ll simply be swept up in the action!

Fighting Bones is part of a series of Australian historical stories targeted specifically at boys (other books in the series cover topics including the Eureka Stockade, bushrangers and WWI). There’s some information in the back about the real Point Puer Prison and a list of other major events which happened in 1836.

The new Australian Curriculum requires that students read Historical Fiction and narratives, but I think there are plenty of reasons to offer kids historical novels outside of school, too.

I’ve recently been lucky enough to read some wonderful historical tales for adults by the likes of Elizabeth Gilbert, Christine Piper and Hilary Mantel, and travelling to the ‘exotic’ world of the past—a world like ours, but changed—and imagining myself navigating events and societal expectations back then is a real treat. The everyday details of how people lived can be fascinating. And the ‘distance’ of history somehow makes it feel ‘safer’ to read about difficult or disturbing events.

I’ve read comments from a number of educators and parents who say that historical fiction, if it's well written and not ‘dry’, has all those same benefits for kids. And because they show us so many different perspectives, historical stories can also help kids build empathy and teach them not to accept stereotypes.

I wasn’t sure about the boy-appeal of the Fighting Bones cover and the general series look, so I gave it the ‘nephew test’. Initially my nephew screwed up his nose and told me it looked ‘funky’ (not a compliment), but then he added that there are boys in his class who ‘like that sort of book’ and they would think the cover looks ‘good’.

Who’ll love this: Boys of about ten who love classic-style action and adventure. (The only girl character appears at the very end and is a spoilt pain!)

Teachers looking for texts to support the historical fiction requirements in the new Australian Curriculum will also love it.

Price: $14.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Wilderness Fairies: Daisy’s Secret by Jodie Wells-Slowgrove and Kerry Millard – Book Review

By guest reviewer Liz Bray

I’ve worked with books for children of all ages and both genders for pretty much my whole professional life, but in my personal life the kids closest to me are boys, so I’ve been spared bedtime read-alouds with fairy-obsessed girls.

If you have a fairy-mad little girl in your life and are a little bit ‘over’ the slightly, erm, predictable plots and one-dimensional characters in some series, then ‘The Wilderness Fairies’ might be for you. The series has been widely welcomed as more parent-friendly than others because there is more depth to the characters, more charm in the illustrations and they have a generally sweet-natured approach. As one reviewer on goodreads put it, ‘Seriously if you have a kid who is into fairies get them into these books they won't make you want to stab yourself in the face.’

Daisy’s Secret is the fourth of four books in ‘The Wilderness Fairies’ series and while it can definitely be enjoyed on its own, I can see how the character and her world and friendships would have developed over the previous books. This would be very rewarding for kids who follow the whole series.

This book is well-structured in short chapters, each of which ends with a little hint of what’s coming next—great for reading in small  ‘bites’ while keeping kids interested.

While the plot elements might not be all that original (fairy Daisy is not the first magical creature in a book to fail to follow instructions, encounter human beings, or find her ‘calling’), there is real heart to the story. Daisy is resourceful, curious and courageous with a desire to do well and help others.

The major point of difference for this series is that it’s set in a tiny magic world within the Australian bush, so in this book the young fairies ride on skinks rather than mice and a human girl explores mangroves rather than a forest. The descriptions of the plants and animals have a real charm to them without feeling ‘gimmicky’.

 There’s a map of the fairy world at the front of the book, detailed illustrations throughout, and some information about some of the Australian plants and animals at the back. There’s also an explanation of how to write and decode ‘secret’ messages like those that appear in the book. This would work better for older readers who are confident with words and spelling.

Who’ll love this: Fairy-mad girls of about 6 to 7 for read-aloud or independent reading. And their long-suffering parents!

Price: $9.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

The Last King of Angkor Wat by Graeme Base – Book Review

By guest reviewer Liz Bray

This is a fable in the classic Aesop style.

Four animals sit among the ruins of Angkor Wat, talking about which of them would have made the best King in ancient times. A mysterious stranger sets them a challenge: they must test themselves by racing to a temple on a distant hilltop. Along the way each proves they have real qualities, but also reveals some failings.

While the story is quite simply told, the animals’ journey is genuinely exciting. They travel through intricate, complicated jungle and swamp settings and there is a real sense of challenge and peril, especially when they each encounter a fearsome snake!

It’s all rather satisfying and I can see younger kids being happy to read the story over and over again.

And all kids could spend ages poring over Graeme Base’s incredibly lush illustrations. He gives each of the animals—Tiger, Gibbon, Water Buffalo and Gecko—distinct personalities and body language. His scenes overflow from intricate frames styled as stone friezes of events in an elephant king’s life. There are intriguing, almost-hidden details of foliage and insects—including a ravishing butterfly which appears in each spread, making the journey with the other animals.

Just finding Base’s signature in each piece of art is a wonderful treasure hunt!

I like that the virtues expounded in this story are contemporary yardsticks. They’re the qualities we want to teach kids now: strength, compassion/kindness, resilience, courage and wisdom. I like that the book offers a chance to talk to kids about what these concepts mean, andI can imagine classroom teachers using it as a tool to do that, too. And it’s important that each character has both strengths and weaknesses.

The Angkor Wat setting gives the book an added dimension. Of course, the temples of Angkor are beautiful – and Base has made wonderful use of their stonework in his illustrations. But it’s also quite an iconic place for many Australians and part of ‘our’ neighbourhood. There’s a brief explanation of Angkor Wat’s location and history on the last page of the book.

Who’ll love this: Kids of around 4 to 7 who enjoy sitting down to share a longer story, especially kids with a sense of adventure.

Teachers will love it too and could use it with older kids.

And because it looks luscious with its detailed illustrations, dust-jacketed cover and classic themes, the hardcover would be a great choice for grandparents and others wanting to buy a special gift.

Price: $26.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

How Big is Too Small? By Jane Godwin and Andrew Joyner – Book Review

By guest reviewer Liz Bray

Pretty much every kid with an older sibling has felt the pain of being excluded from the the big kids’ games because they’re ‘too small’.  

This totally charming exploration of the idea of ‘too small’ made me smile, and not just  because the nostalgic palette and thick lines of Andrew Joyner’s illustrations reminded me of Harry the Dirty Dog - a HUGE favourite of mine as a kid.

Sam is constantly left out of his big brother’s games. He thinks there is no one his size, no friend for him, anywhere in the neighbourhood (sharp-eyed readers might spot the removalists’ van in one of the illustrations early in the book—things are about to change!).

We follow Sam as he thinks his way through the concept of ‘too small’, ‘small’ and ‘big’ via ants, mice, fleas, the leaves on trees and the cells in those leaves, and even rain clouds which ‘stop’ when they get too big.

All this thinking is interrupted when big brother’s ball gets caught in the roof gutter and he and his friends ‘need someone small’ to climb up a vine and retrieve it. In the act of rescuing the ball, Sam discovers something wonderful (*spoiler alert*): a new friend who shares many of his passions.

If you’re buying a special picture book in hardcover, you want to know it will stand up to repeated readings, and this one definitely does.

It has a bouncy, almost-musical rhyming text, reminiscent of classic stories of wonder like ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. It’s a lot of fun to share and read aloud, and I wanted to go back and read it again as soon as I’d finished!

There are also dozens of extra details in the illustrations, so on each new reading you’ll notice more of Sam’s toys and treasures and learn about his street and backyard.

To me this book isn’t so much about size as about how we all need a friend, someone we ‘click with’. And it’s a great celebration of daydreamers and thinkers – kids like Sam – making their way in a world of boisterous shouting and play.

While it’s a picture book, it has quite a bit of text, and to really appreciate it you’d need to be familiar with some early science concepts. So it’s for kids 6+.

Who’ll love this: 6- and 7-year-old quirky kids, scientific kids and daydreamers. Especially if they have an older sibling.

Price : $24.99

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Sticker books and the kids who love them...

When Wildman was small I never understood the attraction of sticker books, after all what kind of preschooler wants to sit and stick stickers for hours?

Despite my scepticism, other parents raved about them:

 "Oh little Tommy just loves them"
or
"They're so fantastic for fine motor skills"
or
"He sat there sticking for 45 minutes!" (clearly very appealing to a Mum).

I did try to get Wildman to play with them but he would just stick the stickers on the wall for about 2.3 seconds (yay - not) and then lose interest leaving me to spend the next half an hour trying to pick them off without damaging the paint.

Fast forward a few years and I now find myself the Mum of a 3 year old girl who LOVES sticker books. She spends ages carefully sticking them in exactly the right places then telling me stories about the scene she has created.

Its all been a bit of a shock really.

Most recently we have been trying out the Peppa's Halloween Sticker Activity Book (which Penguin very kindly sent in a box of books for review). We aren't a family that embraces Halloween but this book is spooky, cute and very age appropriate.

Princess particularly loved the page where you need to stick jigsaw puzzle shaped pieces on to complete the scene.

I think Peppa's Halloween could do with a few more pages that were just scenes that kids could stick Peppa and her friends on to, rather than all the stickers being needed for the activities, and Princess definitely wished it had a few more stickers in the middle for her to play with, but the overall activities were fun and achievable for a 3-year-old.

And I got to drink a whole cup of tea in peace while Princess was busy with Peppa!

Who'll love this: Peppa fans.
Cost: $7.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

 

Hello from Nowhere by Raewyn Caisley and Karen Blair - book review

It is incredible that a picture book can give you such a sense of the isolation, stunning beauty and mateship of the Australian outback, but that is exactly what Hello from Nowhere does.

It starts with the lines; "Eve thought that living in the middle of nowhere was better than living anywhere else in the whole world." and by the end of the book I was convinced that she might just be right!

In fact Eve lives at a truck stop called Nowhere with a population of 5, somewhere on one of the great empty stretches of road in the middle of Australia.

Eve is never bored - she plays with animals, chats to tourists, runs and feels the magic of the outback. The only thing Eve feels like she is missing is her Grandma who thinks that Nowhere is "the back of beyond".

When Eve finally persuades Grandma to come and visit she gets to show her just how wonderful Nowhere is.

I really liked this book - it feels like a tribute to the Australian outback and the people who live there. The pictures are stunning and the story is told so simply but has such a wealth of feeling, you can really tell how much Raewyn Caisley and Karen Blair love Australia.

This is a great book for learning about kids who live different lives from ours, for remembering that kids can make their own fun, and for appreciating the beauty of Australia.

Who'll love this: Its a great present for children who overseas and for grandparents to give their grandchildren, plus its just a wonderful story with lots to talk about.
Cost: $24.99hc
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia 

The Very Hungry Catepillar (cloth book) by Eric Carle - book review

Everyone loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar, right?

There is something about the story and, in particular, the illustrations that just grabs you and draws you in. 

Kids love the repetition of the food and the idea of just eating and eating, grow-ups love the lesson about life evolving and nature, and everyone loves the stunning butterfly picture at the end.

Well now there is a The Very Hungry Caterpillar book for babies and it is divine. Seriously, if you are looking for a gift for a new baby this is it!

The story isn't the same because the book it is just a few pages long, but the cloth version is absolutely true to the feel and emotion of the original. Soft, colourful and incredibly tasteful, this is the most lovely present for the newest little someone in your life.

Plus it comes in a gorgeous gift box with dots. So much love!

Who'll love this: People (especially grandmas) looking for a classy present for a new baby.
Price: $19.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia 

Dummie the Mummy and the Golden Scarab by Tosca Menten - book review

I really liked Dummie the Mummy, which is why I was so annoyed that it has swearing in it.

Believe me I'm not holier than thou about swearing, and despite my best intentions I do occasionally swear in front of my kids but I believe that there is a big difference between saying a 'naughty' word when a car pulls out unexpectedly in front of me and writing swear words in publications for kids.

It's just so unnecessary - after all there are lots of other words you can use.

I struggled with this recently when K-Zone used the words 'cr*p' in a comic (in fact I channelled my inner old lady and wrote angry letters to the editor) and I wasn't any happier that Dummie the Mummy has words like 'sh*t', as well as 'damn' and 'hell's teeth' in a book for 9 year olds.

And it is even more ironic because the Dad in Dummie the Mummy doesn't like swearing and invents weird and hilarious phrases like 'Whumpy Dumpman' to use instead!

Anyway, excepting the swearing issue, I really liked Dummie the Mummy. Its a funny, light-hearted, totally unbelievable story about a boy mummy who is hit by lightning, comes back to life and ends up living with with Angus and his father, Nick.

Instead of calling the authorities Angus and Nick decide to pretend that Dummie the Mummy is a distant relative who has lots of bandages because he was burnt in a fire, and keep him. When he starts going to school with Angus pandemonium ensues!

My favourite thing about this story is the way Angus and Nick approach the fact that Dummie is decomposing, ugly and smells... they sit and stare at him until they get used to what he looks like and don't even see it any more, all they see is their friend.

Its a nice thought to leave with kids.

For the most part this the kind of comic novel that 8-11 years olds love, especially boys, Its silly and funny and very light-hearted... if only it didn't have those swear words!
  
Who'll love it: 8-11 year old boys (with parents who are more relaxed about swearing then me!)
Price: $14.99
Publisher: Penguin Australia

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybird by Mem Fox, illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist- book review

I love Mem Fox, I really, really do.

I love her books, her passion for children and reading, and the fact that she agonised for years about the placement of a comma in Possum Magic. So, I was reasonably excited to get her latest book, Yoo-Hoo, Ladybird.

As it turns out, the thing that I ended up liking best about the book wasn't that it was by Mem Fox, it was that someone had finally created and clever and age appropriate 'finding' book for very young readers.

My kids love 'finding' books.

You know the ones where they sit on your lap and together you scour the pages looking for the illusive little bus/doll/Wally or whatever. In that moment of togetherness, concentration and then triumph, parenthood is like what I pictured it would be before I had children. Bliss!

The illustrations in Yoo-Hoo, Ladybird are bright, colourful and clear, plus they are full of things that are familiar to young children. There isn't too much text (so you don't get distracted from finding the ladybird) but what there is rhymes, has lots of lovely repetition and engages little minds from the very first phrase; "Ladybird loves to hide."

The level of difficulty is perfect for small children, say 2-year-olds, to start looking with Mummy or Daddy helping and then progress to finding the ladybird by themselves. Its also really nice that the answer is revealed in such an encouraging way on the next page so you can find it next time.

To be honest, I didn't think that you could do a good finding book for such young children but here it is and it is awesome!

Who'll love this: 2 and 3 year olds
Cost: $19.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia



  

Bertie by Pamela Allen - book review

Not many Australian parents will get through the early years of reading to their kids without coming across at least one book by the incredible Pamela Allen. In fact, it seems that most of us can recite large chunks of our children's favourite Pamela Allen book with no trouble at all!

In Bertie, Pamela reintroduces Bertie, the little boy from Bertie and the Bear. If you read the book from one end Bertie is happy (and so is everyone else) but if you start from the other end Bertie is sad (and so is everyone else).

It's a great way to introduce a young child to feelings and emotions, and perhaps you can decide together whether you are feeling happy or sad, and read the appropriate part of the book.

As always Pamela Allen's artwork is incredible - clean and clear but absolutely full of life.

The repetitive text will really appeal to young children (and get stuck in their parent's heads!) and I'm sure that if you start at the 'sad' end by the time you are finished reading you'll be happy again.

Who'll love it: All two and three year olds
Cost: $19.99 (hardcover)
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia 
 

AFL range - book review

I am not at all that in to AFL. In fact, I'm so not in to it that when I started getting books from Penguin's new AFL series I had to ask my husband; "Is AFL the one with short sleeves...?"

Apparently it's the one with no sleeves!

But, if I was in to AFL (or had a child who was), I would love this new series...

Embracing the idea of 'get'm young' the series includes everything from AFL - My First Numbers Book (one stripey sock, two rugby boots, three whistles etc), to AFL - Game Day (a touch and feel book about going to a match) and then moves on to the AFL Sticker and Activity Book, Mascot Manor Colouring In Book and Doodlepedia (full of doodling fun and footy facts).

The finishes are classy and the books have obviously been created by someone who knows and loves AFL. So, although they aren't my idea of a good time, if you are in to AFL you are going to seriously love these books.

Who'll love them: Current and future AFL fans.
Cost: Range from $4.99 to $14.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Penguin Australia Children's Classics - book review

 I am an absolute sucker for a hard cover book so it stands to reason that these gorgeous little editions of classic Australian children's stories really float my boat!

If you add in their timeless and absolutely classy covers, how great they look lined up on a bookcase (books that look pretty together also make me really happy) AND the fact that they are new editions of some of Australia's best loved children's fiction you are definitely on to a winner.

I really love the Penguin Classics adult range but these are even better!

My only criticism is that, in amongst a bookshop full of bright book covers with with flashy photos these might get a little lost and only appeal to 'booky' type kids and adults. It's hard for me to say because I was a 'booky' kid and am now an adult.

The stories range from Hating Alison Ashley to A Fortunate Life and everything in between, and they are a great way to introduce your kids to some of your favourite books from your childhood!

In a nutshell, the stories are classics that have stood the test of time and the covers are gorgeous!

Who'll love it: Booky type kids, girls who love beautiful things and grown-ups.
Cost: $19.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia   

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  

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

Eerie by S.Carey - book review

I don't like horror books.

And generally my policy is to only review kids books that I liked - there's only time for so many reviews and why waste them.

But rules were made to be broken, right?

So here is my review of Eerie, a new series published by Penguin Books Australia and written by S.Carey (so, given that when you read out the authors name it sounds like scary I'm guessing it is a pseudonym).

Eerie is a series of very short, reasonably scary novellas. I read Game Over and Hunter and Collector. They're not my kind of thing but they are a clever series and there are definitely kids out there who would love them.

The Eerie books (which have the tag line 'because Goosebumps are for chickens') are only 60ish pages long and are a super quick and easy read. They're definitely on the scary end of creepy, and kids who love things that are a bit dark will lap them up!

Thirteen books will be published this year (yep, somewhere out there a publisher has an amusing sense of humour) and more are on their way.

Who'll love them: kids aged 9-13 who like to be scared
Cost: $9.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
   

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon - book review

Frankly, I'm a little bit in love with anyone who is called Gus Gordon. Surely this is the coolest name ever for an author (or the alter ego of some kind of funky super hero!).

I am also in love with the end papers of this book which are maps of New York and are just incredibly awesome.

But I'm assuming you don't buy kids books based on the author's name or the end papers (you should) so here is a little bit about the rest of Herman and Rosie.

Herman is a crocodile who plays the clarinet and likes watching films about the ocean.

Rosie is a goat (I think) who loves to sing and watch films about the ocean.

They live quite near each other is a big city that sometimes makes them feel like anything is possible, but often makes them feel lonely.

If I was writing a press release for this book I would say it is a story of New York, of music, of loneliness and of friendship.

For everyone else I would say that Herman and Rosie is a lovely book about being lonely and making a friend.

This would definitely be a useful tool in starting to talk to your kids about their emotions. The idea that you can feel lonely even while you are among lots of people and discussing the things that make Herman and Rosie happy would provide a great start to the conversation.

Th illustrations are lovely and convey the sense of isolation that a big city can bring perfectly.

There was a bidding war for the rights to Herman and Rosie and I can understand why. It is exactly the kind of book that would appeal to children's book publishers - whimsical and wistful with amazing emotion behind it especially, I would imagine, if you have ever been to New York.

It's interesting in that way - I sometimes wonder if kids get as much from these books as grown-ups who are still in touch with their sentimental inner child do. Maybe this is, in fact, a grown-ups book that kids will also enjoy.

It's hard to say. My kids certainly liked it and so did I.


Who'll love this: Older kids, perhaps 4-6 year olds, kids who struggle with feeling lonely, and anyone who loves New York!  
Cost: $24.95
Published by: Penguin Books Australia