Four Junior Novels (8-12) & Two Picture Books
1. 'Hair Brain Saves the Ocean' by Danny Katz & illustrated by Mitch Vane
A brand new junior fiction book from the much loved and best-selling creators of Little Lunch. Suitable for readers aged 8-10 years.
In her own words the star of the book says "that's not my real name, what kind of cruel , evil parents would call their kid Hairbrain for real? Mmm, after reading the book it seems to me they might just have! We never find out any other name.
Hairbrain takes a big view of the world and devotes lots of time thinking of how to save the world.
Hairbrain has an 'active' life. For example, she ran from her father when her report from school came home with a 'D' in the English test. But Hairbrain isn't silly and has lots of ideas and inventions that 'might' change the world. For example:
Put a lemon on the end of every school bubblers with a sprinkle of sugar on the side to make the water taste sweeter.
Or, to deal with pollution, why not stick a great big pump to go over factories, and then pump it to other far away countries like Finland. And then there's her idea to capture water pollution with floating garbage at our beaches like old shoes, cups with stale noodles left there, old sausages. In her words, pollution is "Dizzgusting"!
Of course, there's much more wisdom and great ideas in this classic book that children aged 8-12 will find fun.
2. 'Something Terrible - Becky Brush Your HAIR!' by Sally Barton & illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
This is another very funny book in the 'Something Terrible' series from Walker Books.
Paul Jennings meets the Treehouse in this hilarious new series, 'Something Terrible'.
Becky
Culpepper lives at 34 Rufus Street. You might be surprised by her name, but most people think her name is Becky
Brush-your-hair. You see, she never brushes her hair. But no matter how many people tell her to,
Becky never brushes it.
One morning, just as Becky is leaving for school, her mum calls out, ‘Becky! Brush your hair. Something terrible could happen!’
This is the story of the something terrible that did happen, for it seems there were some who saw her hair as VERY attractive and perhaps useful. This funny book is suitable for readers and listeners aged 8-10. As one commentator suggests:
Sally
Barton weaves a brush-with-disaster pony-tale of do's and do-knots in
his tangled mess of a second installment of the terrible things that
happen in Rufus Street.
Sally Barton the author was aged six when she took her first book from the library. As they say, the rest is history. Stories became an important part of her life. Today she spends her days creating fictional worlds for both adults and children. As well, she passes this love and knowledge on to her students as a tutor for children with learning differences. After legal studies she worked for the police, but says her happiest work was in her job in a public library. Sally was honoured to win the Writers Unleashed Picture Book Competition in 2022 with 'Goodnight Sheep'.
Christopher Nielsen’s illustrations reflect a love of vintage design. Tin toys, Mexican wrestlers, Matchboxes, Medical Charts and Indian Goddesses all jostle for attention amongst the flotsam and jetsam of his flip-top head. His artwork has been widely acknowledged in varied places, including, 'The British Book Design & Publication Awards', the 'AGDA Awards', and the 'Society of Illustrators' awards New York.
He has received Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the 'Australia Illustrators Awards'. He was shortlisted in 2018 for the CBCA Crichton Award for best new illustrator in children's book illustration.
3. 'Something Terrible - Tim Tie Your Shoelaces' by Sally Barton & illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
Age 6-10 years
'Goosebumps' meets 'The Treehouse' in this wonderful first instalment of an hilarious new series of 'Something Terrible'.
Tim
Mulligan lives at 25 Rufus Street. You might be surprised to know this
is his name, because most people think his name is 'Tim
Tie-your-shoelaces'. For, no matter how many people tell him, or how
often, Tim never ties his shoelaces.
One morning, just as Tim was leaving for school, his mum called, "Tim! Tie your shoelaces. Something terrible could happen!". This is the story of the something terrible that did happen!
Sally
Barton weaves a tale of mayhem, mess and beasties, in this
flip-flappin’ street-slappin’ first installment of the terrible things
that happen in Rufus Street.
4. 'Down The Plot Hole' by Annaleise Byrd
This is a fun-filled fractured fairytale adventure in a very surprising, 'Grimm' world.The book is perfect for readers who want their ribs to ache with laughter.
'There’s
a word missing.’ Terry pointed to the book. ‘The maid plucked the …
ready for the spit.’ He flipped back a page. ‘It said she was sitting
beside a black hen, right?’ It was true. The words ‘black hen’ were
gone. All that remained was a larger-than-usual space. A gap. An
emptiness. A hole … in the plot.
Neighbours and reluctant reading partners Basil and Terry are once again reading 'The Complete Fairytales of the Brothers Grimm'. Last time, they found themselves plunged into the fairytale world, where everyone was losing the plot. This time, words – well, chickens – are disappearing! Realising their fairytale friends are in danger of being sucked into oblivion by plot holes, the boys don’t hesitate before diving back into the Grimm world to warn them. It’s up to Basil and Terry to find out what’s going on and how to stop the plot holes from
destroying everything … including their way home.
As one reviewer suggests, the book is "Perfect for kids who prefer their comedy action-packed, their epic adventures brimming with magic, and their fantastical stories jam-packed with laughs" 'Readings'.
Annaleise Byrd grew up on a farm in Queensland,
ignoring most farm-related pursuits in favour of reading books. She then
spent nine years in England and Canada, neglecting a variety of jobs in
favour of reading books. Eventually, she realised the best way to get
away with this was to become an author. Annaleise now lives in Brisbane
with her husband, two young sons and rescue greyhound, and she is
particularly fond of lamingtons. You can find her online at
www.annaleisebyrd.com.
Suitable for Children Aged 8-12 years
Two Picture Books Worth a Look
Hopefully, I'll have more new picture books to review soon, but here are two that are worth looking at. One new, and another published in 2024. I haven't reviewed either book previously that are worth a look.
1. 'The Hyena Who Laughed so hard his pants fell off!' by James Croft
Three trouble makers are always up to no good, and this time is no exception. In the heart of the African savanna, where the sun blazes high, a cheeky hyena and his friends try to keep themselves entertained, with fun, frolics and spotty pants. But watch out for the grumpy, old elephant, who may have a surprise in store!
Children aged 5-8 will love this rip-roaring tale of friendship and mischief. The book is filled with bags of fun, for developing little minds. It is a fun-filled fractured fairy tale adventure, that children will enjoy in a very surprising, 'Grimm' world.
'There’s
a word missing.’ Terry said as he pointed to the book. ‘The maid plucked the ---
ready for the spit.’ He flipped back a page. ‘It said she was sitting
beside a black hen, right?’ It was true. The words ‘black hen’ that were there had disappeared?! All that remained was a larger-than-usual space. A gap. An
emptiness. A hole … in the plot.
Neighbours and reluctant reading partners Basil and Terry are once again reading 'The Complete Fairytales of the Brothers Grimm'.
Last time, they found themselves plunged into the fairytale world,
where everyone was losing the plot.
But this time, words – well, the words 'chickens' – were disappearing! Are their fairytale friends in danger of
being sucked into 'oblivion' by plot holes?! The boys don’t hesitate and
dive into the 'World of Grimm' to warn them. Will Basil and
Terry find out what’s going on and stop the plot holes from
destroying everything … and find their way home?
This is a great book for children who like an action-packed comedy.
2. 'The Truck Cat' written by
The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and also homes that can be lost and yet found again.
Author Deborah Frenkel is an award-winning writer of books for children. She grew up in the 80s and 90s and thought she might just be a 'business lady'. But that wasn't to be, and after working in advertising in her day job writing ads for varied clothing brands, she changed course. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation.
Her delightful book is well supported by the illustrations of multi-award-winning artist Danny Snell.
Her delightful book is well supported by the illustrations of multi-award-winning artist Danny Snell. 'The Truck Cat' is the perfect book to inspire kindness and compassion in young children everywhere. Now this lead should get you in:
"Some cats are house cats. Some are apartment cats.
But Tinka is a truck cat. Tinka lives everywhere."
Tinka travels with his human owner Yacoub. But no matter how much they travel, home always feels very far
away for both of them. Yacoub drives his truck to make a
living, learning the landscape of a new country along the way, and
longing for connection.
But on one trip, Tinka and Yacoub are unexpectedly
separated. But they are both determined to find one another. In doing so, they find even more than they expected …
"In The Truck Cat,
Deborah Frenkel’s beautiful writing takes the reader on a gentle and
often amusing ride. Yacoub’s story is one of resilience, yearning and
sighs of sadness. Tinka the cat makes sure there is sunshine and smiles
along the way. Danny Snell’s gorgeous colour palette splashes movement
and life on every page. From vignettes to double page spreads, the
combination of art and text presents a heartfelt, hopeful story of
finding home …"
Sandhya Parappukkaran, the award-winning author of 'The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name', suggests 'The Truck Cat' is a must-read picture book’. ‘At a time when the world is in turmoil, much of it due to ignorance, intolerance and bigotry, there could not be a more timely choice for a book that will bring children right across the country together, in a glorious celebration and a move towards greater acceptance and empathy.’
This is a lovely picture book that combines great storytelling that touch on the heartwarming emotions of loss, companionship and love. It's pitched perfectly to entertain and move young readers, as well as to
gently open their hearts and minds.’
'Readings, Best Picture Books of 2024' asks:
‘Who knew so much love could be encapsulated in only 30 pages?! A
picture book for all ages, and for everyone, human or feline’
‘This impactful story is shared through the blend of Danny Snell’s
beautiful illustration and Deborah Frenkel’s heartfelt words and is a
touching reminder that “home is everywhere.”’
