Four Wonderful New Picture Books for Children

1. 'The Flower Garden' by Claire Saxby & Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

It shouldn't surprise us that Claire Saxby has created yet another masterpiece. She is well supported by the delightful illustrations of Lucia Masciullo the book will be enjoyed by 7 to 12 year olds.  

We are taken to the Changi Prisoner of War camp where women and children are being held Second World War. The captured male soldiers were kept in their walled prison wasting away as WW2 continued. Women and children were kept separately and did back breaking work tending a garden bed outside in a separate wired enclosure where they were forced to tend gardens to feed the soldiers and for the imprisoned soldiers who were fed meagre amounts after the soldiers had been fed. 

 2. 'My Ball is Broken' by Rob Graves-Morris

This delightful picture book for younger readers (aged 4-9) will captivate children. His slightly exaggerated images of the animals who feature in the story are wonderful.

 A little puppy is fascinated by the birds, small insects, fish, musical instruments and something nightmarish that falls from the sky.

He begins to understand play from different angles and that not all things are always quite what they seem.

Young children will love reading this themselves and be delighted by the reading their teachers might present to them. Enjoy!

3. 'Here with Me' by David Walker

If you could choose a different kind of You, what might you wish it to be? A rabbit in a burrow? A monkey in a tree? Would you be fluffy? Or a slow-moving sloth?

Many children often stamp their feet and say "It's not fair!" "Why can my sister do this and not me!" "I'm almost 7, can't I walk home alone?" 

Of course, for parents, it seems these challenges of our children growing up, start early, and continue well into the teenage years. Good luck! 

4. 'Fuzzball' by Nathan Luff & Illustrated by James Foley

With a title like 'Fuzz Ball' there is bound to be a pet at the centre of the story!

Luca's Mum and Dad give him a special present for his birthday. He is hoping that it will be a dog! But instead, he gets a little 'fuzzball'! A guinea pig 😂. Oh no! "Fuzzball can't play 'fetch'!" No use going for walks with him! Luca is miserable. But over time, just as he is ready to be rid of Fuzzball he finds there is something that he CAN do! His parents challenge him to take care of Fuzzball and one day he might just prove he could care for a dog.

 

This little illustrated 6 chapter book is about 60 short pages of 'largish' print and is a great first book for readers 6-8 years old. This is very much an Aussie creation. The author Nathan Luff grew up on a farm in rural New South Wales as one of five boys. He is also the author of 'Nerd Herd' and the 'Family Holiday Disasters' series, as well as and the middle grade novels 'Bad Grammar' and 'Jungle Escape'. James Foley is from Western Australia and is the author of many picture books and graphic novels. Enjoy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. 'Here With Me' by 

Four Children's Books That Children Aged 5-12 Will Love!

 1. 'Imagine' by Alison Lester

This is a special 35th Anniversary Edition of this timeless picture book for readers aged. Alison Lester is one of the great writer illustrators of our time. The readers are invited to join in an imaginary journey into wondrous world of land and sea, ice and snow, quite bush, African plains, and even prehistoric swamps. 

Children aged two to nine years of age will never tire of exploring and reading this wonderful new edition.

2. 'One Day' written by Shirley Marr & illustrated by Michael Speechley

 This delightful picture book encourages the reader to look at the world differently. Shirley Marr is a well known multi award winning writer. Michael Speechley's wonderful illustrations help to bring the book and story to life. Children aged 3 to 7 years will enjoy read this book over and over.

3. 'The Terrakeet' by Jo Van Der Borgh & illustrated by Jo Beasley

"In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of the Pincer Sea. live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be. They 'lomf' and fish and fish and eat and gope that they will never meet THE FRIMBULITIC TERRAKEET!"

Children will want to hear this story again and again. After all, it combines legend, adventure bravery and unexpected friendship. 

4. ''The Secret Lives Of Dragons' by Prof Zoya Agnis & illustrated by Alexander Utkin 

Now this is a picture book for older readers. While it IS a picture book, it is at a language level that will stretch primary aged readers. It is suitable for children aged 11-12 it takes us into the realm and secret lives of dragons! These dragons live "deep in the cold mountains of a distant land". Here was a kingdom seemingly lost in time. This fictional guide to dragons will engage the reader instantly. 

The illustrations of Alexander Utkin are stunningly colourful and evocative. Children will ponder and talk about the images to one another, and I suspect read the book together. This book will be one of the most borrowed book in any classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Great New Books for Children Aged 5 to 13 Years

Australia's 2015 Book Week has just finished with the celebration of the many fine books submitted. But they keep on coming. Here are another 8 wonderful books. I've arranged my reviews of the books by age, from books for the very young readers to those aged 12-13 years. I hope you enjoy them.

1.  "Oh Dear, Look What I Got!" by Michael Rosen & illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

A classic new picture book by the creators of the bestselling We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. And once again, children will LOVE this funny and poetical storybook. These are the words for the first four pages:

I went to the shop to get me a carrot. Oh dear, they gave me …. a parrot! Do I want that? No I do NOT

I went to the shop to get me a hat. Oh dear, they gave me... a cat! Do I want that? No I do NOT!"

He goes for a coat! And what does he get? A goat! 

He heads of to the shop for a cake and ends up with a SNAKE!

This wonderful picture book written by the legendary Michael Rosen and illustrated by the talented Helen Oxenbury will delight a new generation of children.  

2. "A Hatful of Dreams" written and illustrated by Bob Graham 

I can't recall Bob Graham writing a book that hasn't been full of wonder and delight for young readers. The mischief and fun of the book will delight a new generation of children aged two to five years. 

As always Bob Graham keeps young readers wanting to turn the pages for the next surprise. And they are never disappointed!

And don’t forget Grandad – with music in his fingers and magic under his hat. No, really! The children aren’t sure if they believe their Grandad’s fantastical tales – “Oh, Grandad! You’re joking!” they cry. But they really won’t believe what happens when Grandad slowly takes off his hat… 

Grandad's house is tiny home warm at the end of a street, filled with large decaying buildings that were once grand but now are falling down. But at Grandad's home "dreams take flight and light the way to a brighter tomorrow". This is a picture book that speaks of hope and the love between and grandparents and children.

3. "Creepy Sheepy" by Lucy Ruth Cummins & illustrated by Pete Oswald

We should not be surprised to see yet another wonderful book written by Lucy Ruth Cummins and illustrated by Peter Oswald. This is a story about learning when to blend in and when to stand out! 

It’s Halloween, and this 'Sleepy Sheepy' wants the perfect costume for trick-or-treating! And it MUST be the scariest, hairiest, werewolf of all!

 

There are other books in the Creepy Sheep series that are also worth sharing with young readers aged three to five.

 

If you don't believe me you might want to read reviews from others: 

“Not too sweet and not too scary, this one is just right. A cute addition to any Halloween shelf.” —Kirkus reviews

“Oswald creates colorful, sweet illustrations that emphasize characters and keep backgrounds simple to guide the reader’s focus. With charming rhythm, rhymes, and clever wordplay, Cummins celebrates the importance of individuality.” —Booklist

4. "Unicorn Post" written and illustrated by Emma Yarlett

This picture book is a delightful story about a child, a unicorn, and finding home. When a lost and homeless unicorn knocks at her door, the small girl who lived there sets out to find it a home. Could it live at the pet shop where she had bought her goldfish she named Geraldine?

 

But it seemed there was no cage that would be suitable for a Unicorn, it was far too big! What about 'Oak Farm' nearby. There was so much space there! But the food was disgusting! What about the local Funfair? This seemed perfect! But it proved far too loud for Unicorn.

 

But finally, there search found the perfect place! The 'Fairytale Castle'! The perfect place and the Unicorn was very excited. But he was soon lonely without his best friend. So he sent her a letter with a simple message: "Please can I live with you?" And that's just what he did.

 

This wonderful picture book has the added attraction for young readers of lift-the-flap messages. As well as a 'Pet Mark', the 'Oak Farm', and a 'Fun Fair' that comes to town. 

 

5. "I Believe in You" written and illustrated by Dani Colvin

 

Blair is a young girl who can at times feel sad. Or as we sometimes say, feeling blue. And this isn't a nice happy place to be, but a sad place. "Not blue like the sky or a swimming pool... those are nice sparkly blues". This type of feeling blue is more like having a "blue holy sock on a winter's day" or a "messy ink splodge on a clean page". Or perhaps a "tiny boat lost on a vast ocean". And for Blair, it's like having all of these at once, "squishing the air out of Blair".

 

Luckily, Blair's Grandpa helps her to see things a different way. He says to her "I have news for you, oh yes, I think you are spectacular! I think you are great!" He tells her this while she feels she isn't and can't do these things. He responds with this message to her to believe:

 

"I believe you can"

"I believe you will"

"Yes, I believe in you"

 

Blair is to discover that mistakes are part of life and that everyone has them. And so she begins to "trust in her own strength and power", "dream big dreams", and much more.  

 

This beautifully illustrated and written book will be loved by children aged 4-6 years old. 

6. "The Aussie Christmas Mix Up" by Jackie Hosking and illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom

Following the success of this teams previous books "An Aussie Christmas Gum Tree" and "When Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney) which I reviewed previously, we have a new book from the team.

This time poor old Santa somehow mixes up the gift tags on the children's presents. "He'd checked the list not once but twice and put all of the gifts in his bag". All had been wrapped "with care and love" but he'd "forgotten to tighten each tag".  

If only he was as careful when he was attaching all the tags! It's to be a great Aussie Christmas mix-up … with presents and confusion galore. Luckily the always helpful crew of Aussie animals are about to save the day … And of course, this caused quite a commotion. 

The wedge-tailed eagle was confused by his gift of a glider? And why was magpie given a gift of singing lessons?! And poor Kookaburra had no idea what to do with a boat! But the wise owl solved the problem for all. Let's put "all the presents together then we can choose what we like". There were some surprises as Emu took to the sky in his new kite, and the wedge-tailed eagle sailed on the dam in his new boat! 

Children will love this book both to read when they can, or else just to listen and laugh as their teacher or a parent reads it to them. 

7. "Promises and Other Lies" by Sue Whiting

A gripping middle-grade mystery from Australian author Sue Whiting, in which a small coastal town is torn apart by more than just a Bushfire.

It is one year on from a devastating bushfire, the small coastal town of Wangaroo Bay is still reeling. Fletch’s family lost their home, and his best friend Immie lost her beloved dad, a volunteer firefighter. Throughout it all, Fletch and Immie have had each other …

This is a story that was inspired by the Australian Black Summer Bushfires in 2019/2020. This was an event that is seared in the memories of all Australians even if their towns, farms or hinterland weren't affected as much as others. In all over 3,000 houses were destroyed, there were 33 deaths and 17 millions hectares of land and forests burnt. I lost a dear colleague in these fires who had a vacation home in the country and went out to fight the fires, but was caught in the firestorm. 

Immie’s grandparents push for the Bayfire investigation to be reopened, but Fletch’s mum, dad and elder brother Cooper want to put the past behind them. When a local person, one of their own, is charged with arson, emotions flare, sides are taken, and promises – and secrets – are at stake. Great courage was shown by thousands across the nation both specialists like fire fighters, but also police, medical staff and emergency services.

The fire has already destroyed Wangaroo Bay, now its aftermath threatens to destroy Fletch and Immie and their families too.

The story is centred on the family that has lost their home, and Immie who lost her Dad. As well, underlying this is how people react to a person charged with starting some of the fires. 

8. "Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia - What We Know & Don't Know" Edited by Christopher Lloyd 

This magnificent new edition of this wonderful encyclopedia has drawn upon100 experts in fields such as space, animals, wars, mummies, Brain Science and many, many more! 

The 415 page hard bound book will no doubt find its way to every school and public library, but what a gift it would be for any child aged from 6 to 12 years.  

This browseable children's encyclopedia is as always with Britannic accurate and trustworthy with information for today's whole new audience. It explores many topics, using text, illustrations, inforgraphics, and photography.

 

In keeping with Britannica’s reputation for expert involvement, each spread includes a credit to the expert involved with its creation, and special features as well as highlighting some of the most intriguing unsolved puzzles in science, archaeology, history, and engineering.

Chapter topics include: the Universe; Earth; the Material World; Living World; Being Human; Ancient Civilizations;  Medieval to Modern; and Today's World and Beyond. The 'Modern Times' chapter looks at the arts feature varied topics (e.g. Taylor Swift, 'The Cold War', 'The Industrial Revolution', 'Nine Eleven", WW II and much more).

 

 

Above: The New York Towers are bombed.

Any person who was alive at the time of the New Your bombing attacks will never forget the site of the Towers finally falling. 

Once again, every elementary school (and home if possible) should have a copy of the Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia

My Review of Four Junior Novels & Two Picture Books

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.

"This is a story about how I came up with a MASSIVELY brainy plan to CLEAN UP all the disgusting pollution on the beach to help save the whole WORLD!!!!!!"

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 Deborah Frenkel (Author) and illustrated by Danny Snell

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.”’