Five New Books for Readers Aged 4-12 years

In this post I review five wonderful books. Four are from well-known publishers, and another is in a special category of its own. All can be used as read aloud books, or some as personal reading for children aged 6-8.

The reviews include two Graphic Novels (or are they comic books), and a wonderful illustrated history of the world filled with hilarious (and funny) facts. 

I also want to introduce my followers to the work of Nigel Osgood. Nigel is self publishing his books, but I'm keen for my readers (and perhaps some publishers) to know about this very talented British author/illustrator who SHOULD have a publisher to get his work to a wider audience. This is the first book in a series he has planned. Perhaps one of my friends in publishing, might just take a look at the work of this talented author. Let me know if you'd like to know more. Here's an example of his wonderful work.

1. 'Bedtime for Ella: A Giggly Furbottom Adventure'  

Author Nigel Osgood. Nigel uses the pseudonym of 'Goose in Gold' on his publications (Illustrations by Kriss Lillyman).

'Bedtime for Ella' is the story of 6-year-old who is not your average child! "For 6-year-old Ella, night-time was not for sleep, but to explore a kingdom where monsters creep."

"For in this world of wonder, Ella felt free. To dance and dream, wild and full of glee."

And "Suddenly, poof! A fuzzy surprise... A monster appeared with angry red eyes! The Monster bellowed, such a spooky noise. Ella yelled back, "No silly monster steals my toys!"

 

The wonderful illustrations of Kris Lillyman support so beautifully the engaging text. Nigel has another 5 books set to be released on Amazon as self-published works. I hope a one of the many publishers that follow my blog will make contact with Nigel and see if he's prepared to seek a wider audience in collaboration with a publisher.

2. 'Friendly Bee and Friends' by Sean E Avery

Sean E Avery is a teacher, writer-illustrator, sculptor and designer born in South Africa; living in Perth, Western Australia. He’s known as the writer-illustrator of well-loved children’s picture books, All Monkeys Love Bananas and Harold and Grace published by Freemantle Press.

He’s also known as a sculptor who uses CDs and DVDs to create breathtaking works of art that reside in galleries and private collections all around the world. But, he's creating wonderful children's books!

This is a funny graphic novel about friendship, helping others, accepting our differences and tolerance, and with facts supplied by Clever Cricket, it is sure to be enjoyed by all students in junior to middle primary.

A wasp and a bee are friends?! Or are they just acquaintances? Bee is always friendly and trying to help, but this isn't always reciprocated as things always seem to go wrong for wasp. Bee is dressed for a party, but Wasp doesn't see that as necessary. Bee makes one for him, but when he tries it on (under sufferance) things go very wrong. This is a quirky book that young readers will find intriguing and engaging. The illustrations alone will keep them returning to the book time and again.  

3. 'Friendly Bee and Friends: Woe is for Worm' by Sean & Avery

In this crazy second adventure of a Bee and his friend who is a Wasp things go a little wrong when they are invited to a party by a Worm. Bee decides it would be fun for Wasp to wear a dress like she did to the last party. Wasp doesn't think this is a good idea. No! But Bee launches a sneaky attack from behind to get it on him. Alas! Wasp's wings get stuck and he makes an ungainly crash landing. Ouch!

They meet a distraught worm nearby who is complaining because he can't feel his legs. Ever helpful Bee suggests they must help him. Bee tries some of his jokes. Mmm, these don't seem to work. What next? 

A hairy Spider with far too many legs, and finally a whole swarm of Bees. This funny little book will keep children fascinated. Some might even make up their own version of the story as they flip the pages. Another wonderful book for children aged 4-6.

 

4. 'Be the Bus: The Lost & Found Wisdom of the Pigeon' Mo Willems 

 

The great Mo Willems has another book out that will captivate children aged 4-8 years. Willems is a legendary author/illustrator. He is a number one New York Times bestselling author and illustrator and has been awarded three Caldecott Medals for his picture books. As well, two Theodor Seuss Geisel Medals and five Honours for his 'Elphie & Piggie' books for early readers. 

In this funny book The Pigeon decides to share wisdom. Wisdom once lost, but now found by Mo Willems. We must be grateful for this amazing gift to humanity. The Pigeon humbly suggests that all great things have already been said. For example:

"Never trust a quotation" Plato

"I am not susceptible to flattery" (Unless it's about me)

"Genius is seldom recognised" (That is why I wear a name tag)

"Drive like no one is watching." (HONK like no one is listening! Dream like no one is thwarting)

"Dropped food is gravity's way of sharing"

"Aren't complainers the WORST?"

5. 'History FACTopia! Follow Ye Olde Trail of 400 Facts' Written by Paige Towler & illustrated by Any Smith

As a young boy in my Primary School years, if I'd had this book it would have been my favourite. It would have been revisited every time I went to the library. What a wonderful way to present history to 8-12 years old.

What's even more wonderful is that the facts are funny and yet they will expand worlds and minds. As well, every fact is connected in some way. You can wind your way from facts about sport to horses, armour, pyramids or from underground to discoveries, tombs and burials, curses, decorative arts, the Incas and so much more. What child wouldn't want to know that Australia's world-renowned Opera House had its sail-like shape inspired by the Architect peeling an orange!

'Hiroshima' (70 years today): Remembered with Children's Books

On the 6th August 1945 the first of two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. The first was on Hiroshima and led to the death of an estimated 140,000 people. A second was dropped on Nagasaki on the 9th August that is estimated to have killed 80,000 people. However, it is difficult to estimate numbers as people are still dying from the effects of the two explosions. Debates rage still about the justification for the bombing and its use to end WWII. Irrespective of our views on this, today at the very least, we should consider the impact of such weapons and their potential to do even more catastrophic things given their even greater power today.

To mark this anniversary I would suggest the following four books are worth sharing with children aged 6-11. The first is a picture book that tells the story of Junko Morimoto who stayed home from school on the 6th August 1945 and lived, while many friends died. The second is a picture book by Toshi Maruki that recounts a story that a woman told her when she visited an exhibition of Maruki's atomic bomb paintings. The third is a short novel for younger readers that tells the story of a nine year-old girl who died just seven years after the explosion from Leukaemia as a consequence of the bombing. The fourth tells the story of how Aboriginal Australians living in remote parts of Australia died as a result of atomic testing in the 1950s. I share this because it shows that in spite of the catastrophic impact of the atomic bombs on Japan, efforts were still occurring to develop weapons of this kind by Britain with the support of Australia. All offer opportunities to reflect on these powerful stories and the challenge of achieving peace. 

1. 'My Hiroshima' by Junko Morimoto (1987)

This is the true story of how one little girl survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6th 1945. Junko Morimoto narrates the story of her family, her early life and memory of life in Japan during the second World War, and the day she was hit by a “thunderous flash and an explosion of sound” and the miracle of her survival. This moving simple retelling of that day in word, family photographic record and illustration, uses the place and her experience to recall an event that changed her life and that of the world.


2. 'Hiroshima No Pika' written and illustrated by Toshi Maruki

Toshi Maruki (1912-2000) was born in Hokkaido and studied Western art. In 1950 she began painting significant works about the impact of atomic weapons. With her husband and fellow artist Iri Maruki they produced the 'Hiroshima Panels'. Later paintings also focussed on wartime atrocities such as Auschwitz, the Nanking Massacre, and also environmental disasters. The Marukis received a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize as a result of their pacifist work. Toshi produced many children's books with vivid and colourful illustrations.

The story was motivated by a woman who entered an exhibition of her atomic bomb paintings in Hokkaido one day and seized the microphone to tell her emotional story of the day the bomb dropped on her home town of Hiroshima. The book is based largely on this woman's story. The story tells of the heartbreaking experience of seven-year-old Mii and her parents that began at 8:15 a.m. on the 6th August 1945, when the atomic bomb "Little Boy" was dropped on their city.

3. 'Sadako and the Thousand paper Cranes' by Eleanor Coerr and illustrated by Ronald Himler

This amazing and moving book is based on the true story of an 11-year-old Japanese girl diagnosed with leukaemia as a consequence of the bombing of Hiroshima. Sadako Sasaki was just 2 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. For a number of years she is a normal child and the star of the school running team. But one day there are dizzy spells and eventually, a telling diagnosis. This true story tells how a little girl faces her future bravely by drawing on the encouragement of a Japanese legend. The legend suggests that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again.
 
This is a story of extraordinary courage that made one young woman a heroine in Japan

4. 'Maralinga: The Anangu Story' written and illustrated by the Yalata and Oak communities with Christobel Mattingley


This is the story of the British atomic testing of the 1950s in Central Australia. It is told and illustrated by Indigenous Australians who are the traditional owners of Maralinga that was used for the testing.  In words and pictures the community members, describe what happened in the Maralinga Tjarutja lands of South Australia before the bombs and after. This is an important and tragic account of human folly and its consequence for a people who were there first, but whose needs counted for little.

The book was an outcome of the collaboration of well-known Australian author Christobel Mattingley's collaboration with these two remote Aboriginal communities in South Australia.