Five Wonderful New Children's Books for Readers Aged 4-12

1. 'Ant Party' by Ross Montgomery & Illustrated by Sarah Warburton

As we all know Ants are very hard workers; no lazy life for them! In an unspectacular piece of ground, a new day was dawning for a nest of ants. The farmer ants were collecting food, and the worker ants were building tunnels. And of course, the soldier ants were guarding the Queen. "But for one ant, it was a very special birthday!" While he wanted to celebrate properly, his house was very small, so he decided just to invite the neighbours for the 'little' gathering. That's simple; but then again, perhaps not.

But the few neighbours they invited spread the news about the party at Andy's that night. The neighbours thought they were such great workers that they invited a few extra friends. But after the flying ants sent a message across the jungle... Well, the message spread everywhere - including ants from 'The Nutshell', 'Sunflower City', 'Ant Hills' and the 'Great Puddle'. The first guests soon arrived, but when Andy opened the door, he could see a massive sea of ants.

But then there their ant hill rumbled and they heard a knock at the door. It was an Anteater! He was hungry. But Andy wasn't afraid. He shouted to the other ants "CONGAAAA!". And the ants formed a great conga line. They caught him and threw him into the river. What a great move. And they celebrated well into the evening. It was the best party ever!

2. 'Tomato Sandwich' Written & Illustrated by Caroline Magerl

You may have seen me post on this wonderful book recently, but I wanted to say a little more about this fabulous picture book. Now, right off the bat, let me say that soggy tomato sandwiches bring up some VERY bad memories for me of such school lunch 'delights'! So when the fly leaf tells me this is for those "who turn soggy sandwiches into delicious days" they have my attention!! For my American friends, I should tell you that sit down dining room lunches, is not what Australian schools generally have. We used to bring lunch from home and eat these un-refridgerated delights in hot schoolyards. This is still much the same today, but High Schools (and some Elementary or Primary Schools), have canteens where better food can be purchased, if you can afford such things.

Award winning author-illustrator Caroline Magerl has given us an incredible wordless book! There is a uniqueness in this work rarely seen. Our central character wakes to a less than normal day. Just who has decided to start the vacuum cleaner so early?! This must be stopped! So, with 'magic' wand in hand she stops the culprit. Perhaps a nice breakfast will calm her down. She has the cleaning culprit at her mercy. What will she choose for her treat?

Cereal? Boiled eggs? No, I have them at my mercy. A very special cupcake. Sadly' it ends up as just a sandwich. She sets off with her trusty dog and her sling shot for a day out. Perhaps she can get a cup cake at the local cake shop? Meanwhile, her Dad, has been cooking a cup cake, unsuccessfully. She arrives at home with the smell of smoke. The day continues in many unexpected ways. 

Caroline Magerl was born in Frankfurt Germany, but came to Australia aged 2 (so we're claiming her as our author)! She lived on her families' yacht until she was 14. In 2001 she won the Children' Book Council of Australia Crighton Award for new talent in children's book illustration for 'Maya and Cat'. Her book 'Nop' was awarded a CBCA Honour book, and her latest book 'Piano Fingers' was awarded as a 'Notable Book'.

3. 'Something Terrible - Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces' by Sally Barton & illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

This wonderfully illustrated book for children aged 7-9 is very funny and yet it has a wonderful underlying message about pollution. Author Sally Barton and illustrator Christopher Nielsen also produced a book about the environment and the varied waste that finds its way into our drains and sewers.

This current book is 84 pages long, but is typically at least half illustrations on each page. Every page has illustrations which are very comical. The black and white drawings while cartoon like are not like most comics you will find.

Tim Mulligan is the boy at the centre of the story. This boy, aged about nine, never (I repeat NEVER!) ties his shoelaces. In fact most people think his name is "Tim-tie-your-shoelaces". This is because both his mother and father EVERY day would tell him to TIE his shoelaces. They would call out to him as he ran for the bus, "Tie Your Shoelaces". He didn't listen and NEVER tied his shoelaces.

This had never been a problem to him until one day he was to meet Mr Willbanks, who had the less than desirable job of cleaning the sewerage drains underground. When he entered each day he always posted a sign "DO NOT ENTER"! Now Tim as it happened was walking along the path to school as usual with his shoelaces flapping when he trod on one lace. He tripped and slid into an open drain hole and into SEWER NUMBER 9. Now Mr Willbanks was there, NOT just to clean and dodge rats, bats, lizards and snakes, and cope with smells and sewerage. He was there to hunt for a very large crocodile named Matilda! You will need to get this special book to find out how it ends.

4. 'Something Terrible - Becky Brush-Your-Hair!' by Sally Barton & illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Here is another gem from Sally Barton, in what I hope will be a longer series of very funny books for 7-9 year olds. Becky Culpepper has wonderful hair, but her parents who have to chase her out every day and call out "Becky Brush Your Hair". So much so, that most people think that this is her name. Her Dad will implore her by saying "you'll be mistaken for a bird's nest". She never listened so her hair remained "knit-knotting, twist-twirling" as she walks. But one day, something terrible did happen! It was Tim Mulligan who spotted the problem one morning while riding his bike. He exclaimed "Becky, you have two little birds in your hair".

Becky tried everything to rid her hair of the birds, but nothing worked. Her teacher was not happy. Her teacher would exclaim "stop that cheap-chirping". Eventually, she was sent to the Principal's office. 

Becky didn't mind the birds or the cheep-chirping, nor did her friend Tim Mulligan, and strangely no-one else seemed to notice.

But eventually, because it disturbed others, she felt she needed to be rid of them. But nothing seemed to get rid of them!! Worse still, more birds came! Middle-sized birds and then quite large birds.

What on earth could possibly make things worse? You'll need to get the book to find out. Young readers aged up to 12 will enjoy this book. While the book is 80 pages, every page has wonderful drawings that take up at least 50% of the book. The images mean that even younger readers could be 'stretched' by reading the books. The language used is no more than a Grade 5-6 level.  

5. 'Down The Plot Hole' by Annaleise Byrd

Terry began to read the book before him, "The Complete Fairy tales of the Brother's Grim", but he suddenly stopped and exclaimed as he pointed to the book, "there's a word missing"!! It was missing the small golden swan symbol beneath the title. He knew this cleverly showed to those who were wise, that this book had a portal into the Fairytale world! To go there you need only to touch the golden symbol.   

This is a more substantial 174 page book with no illustrations. As such it is more suitable for better readers aged 12 yrs. The spacing and print size means that it would be a reasonably quick read for average readers in less than two weeks, at 2-3 chapters per day. 

In the story, we meet two boys, who were reluctant readers were reading the Bothers Grimm again. This was in spite of the fact that the last time they read this book, they were plunged into the fairy tale world. They have no hesitation in doing this again.

This action packed 174 page book will be loved by children who enjoy reading about funny action packed adventure stories. As well, it is filled with mystery, magic and fantastic adventures. It also has a novel short quiz at the end that children will enjoy completing.

 

 

 

 

Six New Books for Children 5-10 years

1. 'Tomato Sandwich' by Caroline Magerl

Now here is a book for children with great imaginations. I know one or two children with imaginations that can take them to places, situations and adventures that only adults could dream off. 

This beautifully illustrated wordless picture book is intriguing. At first glance I thought "what?!' Then I spent time slowly flipping the pages to discover the story is about an imaginative young girl named Ottily. And how her puppy managed to take an old man, who was trying to get his vacuuming done, on a day he would never forget! 

Caroline Magerl was born in Frankfurt Germany, but came to Australia aged 2 (so we're claiming her as our's)! She lived on her families' yacht until she was 14. In 2001 she won the Children' Book Council of Australia Crighton Award for new talent in children's book illustration for 'Maya and Cat'. Her book 'Nop' was awarded a CBCA Honour book, and her latest book 'Piano Fingers' was awarded as a 'Notable Book'. 

2. 'One Day', by Shirley Marr and illustrated by Michael Speechley.

The first thing you will notice when you open this book, is that each 'page', covers two pages! Rather than opening it from right to left, you turn it on it's 'side' and flip the second page downwards and the 'page' becomes the size of some newspapers. 

The book tells the story of how a dragonfly, inspired by the words and threat of a frog, that a firefly will live at most for one day. 

The cover blurb for this stunning book suggests that the creators have come up with a book that "inspires us to look at things differently, to live life to the fullest and seize the day, every day. "For the world out there will eat you up," says a menacing frog waiting to catch it's breakfast. 

And as she flys away from him, a young girl spies Dragonfly and wonders how to celebrate her one and only birthday.

This is a beautiful and book with a simple message that we might all note. Life is for living, so get on with it.

 3. "Grandmas in Grand Cars" written & Illustrated by Mick Elliott 

What grandchild wouldn't want a Grandma in a grand car? And what car might she have? How about your Grandma in a 'Beetle'? Or perhaps a 'Buggy' open to the sky? Or maybe a 'Rally' car and mud to splash through? Or a 'Rocket car'? Now we're talking. But for novelty, a 'Sausage Car' would be hard to beat! Or a 'Puppy' car? But the grandest car of all would be one we've made ourselves.

This is a book that your toddlers will want read again, and again, and again!

The author and illustrator is Mick Elliott is a children's television producer, scriptwriter and animator. Since 2001 he has worked for Nickelodeon Australia overseeing award-winning series for children. 

4. 'The Terrakeet', Written by Jo Van Der Borgh & illustrated by Jo Beasley

"In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of Pincer Sea,

live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be." 

They spend their days just lomfing, or fishing fronds to cook."

 

Now here is a memorable lead for a picture book. Such an image of peace and solitude, now what could go wrong. There are 'fish fronds to cook'. Hang on, "fish fronds"?! So much to do and peace and tranquility in abundance. What could disturb this peace? Well, just maybe a "Frimbulitic Terrakeet!"

 

They've never seen this beast, "but it's said to be here". One day the youngest Finlock thought he might just "take a walk in all directions" to find other things to eat. What happens next? I'll leave you to buy this wonderful picture book and find out.

 

5. 'Hair Brain: Saves the Ocean' by Danny Katz & Mitch Vane

 

This very funny short 90 page book is suitable for the age group 8-12 or older in the case of poor readers. It is illustrated on every page with hillarious images. Danny's text is slightly tongue in cheek and is complemented beautifully by Mich Vane's equally funny illustrations. 

 

'Hairbrain' (not her real name) modestly sets out to clean up all pollution to "save the world". A modest goal to be sure! She has lots of ideas, in fact 10,782 (approximately). For example, to get kids to drink healthy water, why not "stick a lemon on the end of bubblers so when kids drink water, it tastes like lemon flavour". She gives herself 10 out of 10 for this idea. Or perhaps, get rid of pollution by getting a "massive pump that goes over the chimneys of the big factories so all the smoke gets sucked through a massively MASSIVE tube to another country far away like Finland".

 

Hairbrain has everything covered, for example, water pollution could be solved by her riding her bike through the water to clean up the rubbish. For the doubters she has a plan for an "ECO-Hydro-Turbo-propello Techno-Floato Ant-pollutionary cleaning craft.

 

How about that? She has 'everything' covered!

6. 'The Hippo Who Hated to Fight' by Milt Lowe and Illustrated by Stephen Bibb

 

"Hippos are famous for fighting and biting. But Kuno the hippo is unique. He refuses to fight even though he always gets teased.

'The Hippo Who Hated To Fight' is the sweet, fun, inspiring story of a hippo brave enough to be himself. Kuno leaves his family and friends to search for the love, kindness, and acceptance he is missing.

Colourful and creatively illustrated and written for kids aged 4-9, it teaches them fun facts about hippos and elephants, and that it's cool to be a different-you, everyone just need to find your herd."

  

This is the story of 'The Hippo Who Hated To Fight'. Kuno felt he needed to be above 'animal' behaviour. His four brothers were of course keen to toss their weight around if they had to. And they teased him for being different. Kuno was upset and felt unloved. 

Kuno had no desire to bite and fight, and yet, this was very common hippo behavior. Kuno was teased mercilessly by his four older brothers. He was sad, alone and felt like no-one liked him.

So he left his family to “figure things out.” By chance, he was to meet Zema a 12,000 pound elephant! And they help one another to understand how amazing both these new friends are. 

This would be a great book to share with children aged 5-8 who might have had the same experience as Kuno. It might just help them to be kinder to each other, and appreciate their fellow students for the things they are, not the differences they see.