Five Wonderful Picture Books for Readers Aged 4-8 & Two Novels for 10-12 Year Olds

In this post I feature a number of quite varied authors, including one first time author, and some wonderful illustrators. The post includes some wonderful picture books, and two novels from Walker Books. One of the novels features Australia's infamous Bush Ranger Ben Hall.

1. "Paco The Octopus: A tale of perseverance"

Written by Holly Rampone & Illustrated by Vivien Sarkany 

What an unexpected pleasure to read this wonderful picture book from a more recent author. Holly Rampone is an acupuncturist by profession, but also a writer in her spare time. This delightful picture book is about a clever octopus in the great big oceans of the world, who is learning much about survival. Vivien Sarky adds wonderfully to the story with her delightful illustrations. So who and what is Paco?

"Paco was a curious little octopus who lived on a coral reef deep in the sea. One day he thought to himself, I wonder how big this coral reef is? Determined to find out, he began to explore."

Paco is a brave little octopus who seeks a bigger world. As one review suggests:

"Dive into this captivating underwater world, where Paco, a brave and adventurous young octopus, embarks on a journey of discovery to explore the wonders of the ocean. With the words his Mama used to say to him in mind, Paco musters up the courage to leave his home reef and face his fears - no matter how daunting."

Paco is a very inquisitive octopus who yearns to explore the deep ocean. Along the way he learns a lot about himself. Question is, will his talents whatever they may be, help him to persevere and achieve his big and varied goals.

This lovely picture book will have lots of appeal for parents who want to connect their children to books that encourage good character traits. These include being able to celebrate perseverance, the world around us, nature in all of its glory, reasoning in varied situations, adventure and determination.

Kids will love it!

2. "The Very Hungry Bear" 

Written & Illustrated by Nick Bland

Nick Bland has been writing his wonderful 'Bear' picture books for about 20 years and it seems the stories and his wonderful illustrations are timeless. Some are now being re-released and I'm glad to see it. Why should the current generation of 5-8 year olds be denied these amazing stories and of course the delightful images.

This very grumpy bear hadn't had much to eat. And he hadn't caught a single fish!

"He'd been hungry since the break of day and every fish had got away..."

 But suddenly, he had a big one on his line (that's right, he uses a rod, not his paws). And it was very heavy! But Oh no! He'd hooked a polar bear and the ice drift it was floating on. Polar bear has been catching all the fish! No wonder brown bear was getting no bites.

Then a crisis!! The iceberg is shrinking and so Polar Bear is sinking and he's far, far from his home. But brown bear had the solution and took him to his warm cave. A trip to the forest follows but Polar Bear is allergic to trees. What next?! They head away from the trees towards Polar Bear's preferred place, and they build a cozy ice igloo. But all good things end, and Brown bear needs to head back to his home.

This is a delightful story that children will love. The author Nick Bland has created a warm and satisfying story, with characters that any young reader will love. This is a great 'read aloud' book for young children.

3. 'The Very Brave Bear' by Nick Bland

Brown Bear is back, but this time he encounters a Buffalo! Nick Brand's second wonderful book about bears is all about a brave bear who meets a Water Buffalo. Wow! The big horns on the Buffalo would frighten anyone! 

Brown Bear is in the jungle on the edge of a 'Slimy Bog'  picking berries on top of a wobbly log. Now what could go wrong?! 'AHOY!' Borris the Water Buffalo' rises up from the muddy swamp. Bear falls off his wobbly log and lands with a THUD! The Buffalo with a wide grin says "I only came to ask you if you wanted to come in."

Now if you get two lads together like this when bravery is in question, they will quickly try to show just how brave they are. 

Bear is quick to say, 'If you're so brave... then follow me'. So he climbs up a VERY tall tree. Boris the Buffalo follows and says "That was easy!" "Let's roll down that hill". "Let's 'catch a porcupine' and 'wear a beard of bees'!!" But they discover they aren't always brave and so decide that 'bears and buffaloes are equally brave.'

What a delightful picture book that children aged 3-6 will love.  

4. 'Neville's Great Escape' Written & illustrated by Sean E. Avery

The name Neville is an ordinary kind of name, but this Neville is a penguin. And he is no ordinary penguin! Neville wasn't a 'follow the crowd type', he wanted new experiences and adventure. And he was brave and bold! Life was good, "until one day a killer whale ate him in just one bite". For most of us, this would have been 'THE END'! But no, not for Neville.

Being eaten (or is that dissolved?) inside a whale takes a long time. Luckily, another penguin had been eaten before him. So Neville and his new friend made themselves comfortable, and created a lounge room inside the whale, and 'of course', settled down to play cards. But then hunger set in. What to do? Neville had an idea. Get out through the blowhole! But, no they were in the stomach and blow hole was in his lungs!! What next?

Children will love this very unusual tale, with quite a twist at the end and fabulous images of characters that you can't help but love.  

5. 'You Can't Pat a Fish' Written & illustrated by Ruth Paul

This is a very funny picture book about a little girl who, like many children, would like a pet. But when she asked for a pet she had a few options in mind and none of them was a fish! Each time she looks at her fish it simply reinforces that in her view it ISN'T really a pet. "You can't play with a fish". Or "cuddle a fish". 

Now you could "snuggle a rabbit", or a cat, puppy or even a rat. But NOT a fish! Neither can your preen it like a parrot, run with it like a dog, tickle it like a turtle, kiss it like a frog or a fish!

She concludes, if it isn't wet then it's a pet! Until, one day her imagination took her to another place. She could play "peekaboo, blow bubbles, and laugh when it farted"! Suddenly, she wished she could swim like a fish, hide under water lilies like a fish, and much, much more. She now realized she had a wonderful pet fish! 

Ruth Paul is the author and illustrator of this wonderful book. She is an award-winning writer and illustrator of children’s picture books, and a New Zealand Arts Laureate (2019). Her books have been published in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, the UK, China and Korea, with translations into five languages. She has twice won the Picture Book Award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. 

6. 'Bold Ben Hall: What Does it Mean to be a Hero? by Sophie Mason

A compelling historical fiction adventure, set during the Australian gold rush when daring, dangerous and bold bushrangers were both feared, and legendary. Award-winning author, Sophie Masson asks what makes a hero, or a villain?

Lily and her parents are travelling performers, and are delayed in Canowindra, just as famous bushranger Ben Hall and his gang arrive having pulled off the biggest gold robbery ever! The gang hold everyone in town hostage – but instead of threats, they hold a strange, giant three day party, and Lily is in enthralled. She writes a secret play 'Bold Ben Hall' and dreams of sending it to a famous theatre company in Sydney or Melbourne…

At the same time, in Forbes, stable boy Sam works for Sir Frederick Pottinger, Ben Hall’s nemesis, and dreams of helping Sir Fred to catch Ben Hall…When Lily and Sam meet, the two are soon at loggerheads about their heroes determined, to prove the other wrong...and to try by any means to do so!

This is a wonderful book that asks the key question "what is a hero, what is a villain? And how do we separate fact from fiction?"

Author Sophie Masson has written more than 50 novels for young people and specializes in historical fiction. Her work is published in many countries across the world. Sophie won the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards: Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature for My Australian Story: The Hunt for Ned Kelly (2011).

7. 'The Extraordinary Misadventures of Lake and Birdy and Their Remarkable Fortitude' by Damien Leith

This interesting novel for 10-12 year olds is a "darkly comical" debut novel. Young readers who liked the "Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events", and "Matilda and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children", should enjoy this book.

Sisters Lake and Birdy are new arrivals at the 'Charitable Home for Poor Unfortunates Touched by Tragic Circumstances'. Now with a name like this, what could go wrong!? Will these sisters survive? The awful Miss MacGregor might be the greatest challenge.

A darkly comical, fantastic and fantastical tale from Damien Leith. It presents a very funny book with the odd exaggeration along the way.

Returning to School after Summer Holidays

Today was the first day back to school for most government run schools in Australia. While all states might not align exactly, and some private schools might not begin till next week, many went back today. For readers in the northern hemisphere, this is the tail end of summer for us.

As teachers and parents, how do we handle the first day back after Summer break?

Obviously teachers, School Heads and parents will have different perspectives on the first day. It's different for parents of 5 year olds going to school with uniforms a little big for their children as usual, new shoes, and a back pack almost too large for them to carry on their backs. And different again for the 15 year olds, who while perhaps wishing holidays hadn't ended (N.B. In Australia we have just 6 weeks). But some older students will be keen to reconnect with their friends. Many will also be nervous about the teachers they will receive, and teachers will be hoping for good students. So on day one, there are many different moods and expectations.

Some teachers will have two days worth of work for students and expect it done on the first day. And there will be a first day Assembly where the principal might present an upbeat speech. You know, "How good it is to be back etc". Other teachers might just warn them that the work will be harder, so they need to get stuck into it and make their parents and the school proud.

Oh dear, I'm having flashbacks to my life as both a teacher and a student. But how might we settle everyone down a little?

 

How to make week on just a little easier for all?

Rather than increasing student and parent anxiety, let's try to reduce it. 

a) Start positively

Hopefully, you can share that you had a good break and that it's good to see them back. Try to avoid hiding your doubts behind comments like "I'm looking forward to a challenging year". Perhaps share the things you're looking forward to (NO not weekends), like "seeing them grow", "getting to know new students", encouraging them to "participate in many things outside the classroom lessons" and so on.

b) Don't over-burden them on day 1

Perhaps allow time to share some of the good things they did in the holidays. In primary (i.e. elementary schools in the US and some other nations) you might plan the whole first day around the holidays. This could include, sharing stories, great things they did, and any challenges (e.g. a broken leg). Some art, poetry and so on.

In secondary schools every subject teacher can't simply repeat the above. You will need to take a different tack. But I'd suggest allowing time for some sharing of holiday highlights. Don't ask everyone to answer the same questions, that would be boring. Maybe, vary the questions:

What was your highlight of the summer holidays?

• Did anyone go somewhere special?
• Read any good books? 
• Get to any movies or theatre?
• Sporting events?

And then maybe shift to broad questions about school:

• What are you looking forward to this year?
• Are there things you want to do better?
• What will be your greatest challenge
  

I hope the year starts well for our children, parents and teachers. Good luck for the first week, as teachers and parents prepare for the months ahead.

A Review of the Brilliant Work of Two New Writers

I have reviewed Nigel Osgood's work previously on my blog (See HERE). Last time I reviewed his wonderful book ''Bedtime for Ella: A Giggly Furbottom Adventure'. 

He has a number of books in the pipeline that will be published this year. In this post, I want to focus on two released recently. Nigel is not only a writer, he is also a very talented creator of videos that parallel his stories. You can view this wonderful video he produced for 'Bedtime for Ella' HERE. In this issue, I will review his recent books in the 'Giggly Furbottom' adventures, as well as books from another 'new' author.

1. 'Ella and the Magic of Seven' A Giggly Furbottom Adventure

In this second book of 'Giggly Furbottom' adventures, Ella is about to turn 7, and hasn't seen her very special friend Giggly Furbottom recently. She has been missing her friend and hopes he might just remember her on her 7th birthday. One night after she has gone to bed, she whispers and bids him to appear. Suddenly there is a noise in her wardrobe and... you guessed it, Giggly has come!

Now this will be no ordinary birthday, for they are about to "Soar through the sky, and explore enchanted gardens and underwater palaces". These adventures open up many fantastic creatures to meet. 

Children rich in imagination love to explore and create unknown worlds, where one might just find "fairies, pixies, and even a talking fox!" The book celebrates the power of friendship, kindness and the extraordinary.

This special story will take readers and listeners on amazing adventures that will stimulate their imaginations, lead them to question the unknown, and consider the perennial question 'what if...'? 

Giggly and Ella soar off through the sky on a very special adventure. Underlying the story is a celebration of the power of friendship, kindness, and believing in the extraordinary.

2. 'Ella's Forest of Letters: A Giggly Furbottom Adventure'

Ella has some school work to complete, but she is distracted and wished her lovable monster friend Giggly Furbottom was there to help her learn the pesky alphabet. So, get ready for a magical journey through the alphabet! Our adventurous pair explore a whimsical forest filled with fascinating creatures like butterflies, eagles, and hedgehogs. 

And of course yummy Apples are the first surprise (get away worm), a beautiful Butterfly, fluffy Clouds, Dragonflys and much more, until it all ends with a lot of Zzzzzs.

The book includes engaging rhymes and vivid imagery, that will capture the imagination of children aged 4 to 7 years. "Ella's Forest of Letters" is the perfect bedtime story to help young children learn their ABCs, and at the same time, embark on a magical learning adventure! 

Why share this book with children? The author suggests that as well as being an engaging story, it will offer tangible benefits as we develop our young children as readers. Here are his seven benefits:

a) It will help to teach the alphabet. It does this by introducing every letter of the alphabet in a fun and engaging way, connecting them to animals and concepts that will help to improve reading skills.

b) Inspiring creativity and imagination. The forest backdrop and the endearing monster character, encourage children to unleash their creativity and imagination.

c) Fostering friendships and companionship. The bond between Ella and Giggly Furbottom highlights the importance of friendship, and teaching children lessons through acts of kindness.

d) Providing comfort and security. The narrative sets a tone ideal for bedtime, helping children feel secure and at ease, as they prepare to rest for the night.

e) Cultivating an attitude towards learning. By turning alphabet-learning into an adventure, the story instills a positive outlook on education.

f) Improving language skills. Through rhymes and captivating storytelling, children are exposed to vocabulary and language structures that support their language development.

g) Enriching cultural awareness. By incorporating animals and concepts tied to each alphabet letter, children are introduced to references that expand their knowledge of the world, around them.

3. 'The Mumbai Street Siblings: Amit's Sweet Surprise' by Karina Vunnam

This is book one of a series of books about 'The Mumbai Street Siblings'. I wasn't aware of Karina's work until recently. I love to review new writers and so am grateful that Karina reached out to me.

Anyone who has been to Mumbai, or perhaps has simply visited Indian markets in other countries where Indian immigrants have settled, will know how wonderful Indian street food events are. As Karina suggests, you can simply "follow your nose" as you walk through such exciting markets. 

This is the story of three siblings who have made their home among the bustling markets of Mumbai, India's largest city. The curiosity of the children leads to a series of events. It begins when four year old Amit catches the sweet aroma of Jalebi for the first time. His curiosity leads to a chain of events.                                                                          

With twelve-year-old Anita's wisdom and six-year-old Sunita's enthusiasm, the siblings discover that determination, creativity, and teamwork can turn even the simplest dreams into reality.'

Children will have an introduction to life in Mumbai, including it's food, culture, the richness of family, human resilience and also the art, customs and life in India. The book offers:

• An authentic insight into daily life in Mumbai
• Rich descriptions of Indian culture and street food
• Positive messages about family bonds and resilience
• An introduction to Hindi words and Indian customs
• Engaging artwork that brings Mumbai's vibrant atmosphere to life

The book is suitable for readers aged 4-8 years.