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 

'Seven Great New Books for readers aged 6-12 Years'

 

1.'The Mosaic' by Deborah Kelly & illustrated by Nicky Johnson

Have you ever been responsible for breaking something special? Was it yours' or someone else's? Yikes!

 

Frankie's intentions were good, she took the special vase to collect flower's for Nan. But... it was broken into many pieces. Nan takes her on a special drive to an art gallery that seemed to change everything...

I just love this special book.

2. 'Too Many Acorns' by written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe.

At one level this is a wonderful and warm story about a Dad his Son and a fascination with acorns that gets out of hand. But beneath the surface there is another untold story of heartbreak and personal loss, as a Dad and his Son try to cope with the loss of someone they loved.

Can you have too many acorns? Maybe not if you're a squirrel, but if you are a young collector of acorns, you never know. This delightful book from Susannah Crispe is a simple tale that draws you in as a reader as the keenness of a young boy to collect a few acorns, gets out of hand.

Beautifully illustrated with the vibrant colours you'd expect from a talented author illustrator like Susannah Crispe. Originally from New Zealand, she now lives in Canberra and we've claimed her as an Aussie!  Her other works include 'Where the Heart Is', 'Cookie', 'Under the Moonlight', 'Swoop', 'Cloudspotting' and 'The Real Cowgirl'.

3. 'The Welcome Cookies' by Kaye Baillie & illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan

I'm sure readers will relate to this lovely story about a girl and her Mum who visit their favourite cafe every Friday; the 'Sugar Plum Cafe'. And like all of us, if we have a special cafe and suddenly it is sold! Well, devastation. But Mabel is to find that even though Miss Plum has left, something new might just fill the gap left when Miss Plum retired.

"Will Mabel be able to give to give the new-look cafe a chance or has she lost her happy place forever?"

Beautifully illustrated Kirrili Lonergan. Her pencil sketches and water colour images are delightful and bring the key characters to life. Children will want to hear this time and time again, and also enjoy reading it themselves.  

A wonderful collaboration between author & illustrator.

4. 'Dragon Guest Handbook' by Jeanette Stamphone & illustrated by Novia Heroanto.

Wow! This little gem of a book is wonderful. And practical too, because we all need to know, just what to do if a dragon arrives unannounced. Thanks to the experience of one boy, we are given the 'good oil' on the requirements, and what NOT to do. Like any tourist who drops in, a Dragon might well have a few quirky ways.

First greet it well and be careful how you introduce the dragon to your parents when he sits down for breakfast. Perhaps get him to put on a disguise before venturing out. And of course take Dragon exploring in the disguise. But be careful, especially if you visit a museum and be doubly if you visit the skeletons.

Dragon will most likely love surfing, Hot Air Ballooning (watch where he points its flaming breath) and dining out! But make sure Dragon doesn't breath any fire while there. 

A quirky and fun book that readers 2-6 will enjoy.

5. 'When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree' by Jackie Hosking & illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom

It's Christmas in Australia and unlike the Northern Hemisphere it's hot and dry. This alone makes Christmas different. And things are different for Santa too! 

It's very hot for him and the hazards down under are different than in the northern winter. He won't get stuck in the snow, or the chimney but...could he end up in a tree?! Unfortunately, yes he just might.

The creators of this wonderful little book are also different. Jackie Hosking is a Nigerian born Australian who moved to Australia when she was 10. She began writing for children after completing a creative writing course at her local community house in a seaside town just off the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. She was awarded the 'May Gibbs Creative Time Fellowship'. She is also the author of 'The Croc and the Platypus' (2014).

Nathaniel Eckstrom is an illustrator based Sydney. He has worked on a number of children's books including 'Stubborn Stanley', 'The Hole Idea', 'Roadtrip' and 'Ten Little Figs'.

6. Two wonderful short novels for readers aged 8-12

There are three books in this series, one of which I have reviewed previously ('The Fingerprint Code'). But here are two I haven't shared.

a) 'The Counterfeit Bust' by R.A. Stephens & illustrated by Em Hammond

Riz is a kid who often notices things that others miss. With a name like Riz this kid was always going to be a little different. She seems to have uncanny ability to see things that others miss. As usual Rizz is thinking and wondering. But when she goes to hand a 10 dollar note to the check out person she exclaims "can notes be faulty"? Mum says, just hand it to her. But no! Riz hands it to the checkout person and says something is wrong with this. A security guard is called and Mum and Rizz end up heading to the police station to have things checked.

Like all of the Riz Chester books, you can't easily put it down. You'll have to buy the book to find out how this all ends!

b) 'The Evidence Track' by R.A. Stephens and illustrated by Em Hammond

Riz and her friends successfully led the Counterfeit Bust. Now Riz has discovered a passion for forensic science.She loves mysteries, and with her new interest in forensics she is looking for crimes to solve. But what?! Nothing has happened for months. 

So what do you do? Riz organises the perfect ‘match-the-tracks’ party for her friends. Moulds are prepared and muddy prints are evidence to help solve crimes. But given Riz's past, could such a innocent party get them into trouble?

 

13 Great Children's Books to Start 2022

I can't think of a better way to start the school year (or term) than with a Baker's Dozen of books to share with children aged 0-12 years. All are new titles received in recent months. I've arranged them in rough order from young readers to older readers.

1. 'Toy Mountain' by written by Stef Gemmill & illustrated by Katharine Hall

Sam is tired of his toys. Why would he want his Grandma’s old train set and teddy, when there’s a toy factory high up in the clouds that makes rumbly red toys, grumbly green toys and so much more? In this important story about reducing waste and taking responsibility for the environment, Sam is about to find out what matters most.

Sam's dream of new toys comes to fruition when his Grandma comes home one day and tells him that the 'Tiny Hands Toy Company' needs a toy tester. Within no time boxes of toys begin to arrive for him to test. First one box, then two, three, then trucks full! He is excited at first, but soon he realises that the new toys break quickly. He ends up with a mountain of broken toys, and is overwhelmed. He longs for his well-loved toys handed down to him from his Grandma.

This is a funny book with a serious but subtle message about ‘consumer culture’, and the value of looking after our belongings. This is a message we all need to hear in a world where we generate 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic each year. The story is also beautifully illustrated by Katharine Hall. 

2.  'What if ...?' by Lynn Jenkins & illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan

This is such a lovely book. Anyone who has been a parent will understand the 'What if'? question. It is a gentle story and the illustrations by Kirrili Lonergan contribute beautifully to the 'calmness' of the narrative.

What if there is a monster in my cupboard? she wonders before going to sleep. Or What if my floor turns into quicksand and swallows my bed? 

In this delightful book Issy is a master of the question, but her Mum knows just how to respond.

The book has been written by an experienced author/clinical psychologist and illustrator/art therapist. It is an exploration of how children think, and how we can help them "to turn those worries into wonders."

Children under six, parents, carers, teachers and therapists will all find it helpful and kids will enjoy it too.

3. 'Cookie' by Isabelle Duff & Susannah Crispe

Cookie the Border Collie loves lots of things, like smelling smelly smells, chewing chewy things, going for adventures and making friends. But most of all, Cookie loves Girl. Join this inseparable pair as they play together and learn how to make each other happy, even on the days when Cookie is the only one who can make Girl smile.

This is such a lovely book. Cookie is a heart-warming story about the love between a pet and the person who owns them. It is also a sensitive exploration of childhood depression and anxiety, and the importance of empathy. With beautiful words and playful illustrations, it provides a gentle starting point for big conversations when children are troubled.

19-year-old author Isabelle Duff was inspired to write Cookie by her personal experiences with acute depressive disorder and anxiety, and by her wonderful dog, Saffy, who has been an invaluable support to her. The result is a valuable resource for reducing the fear and mystery of mental illness, and is a tribute to the loved ones who are able to get you out of bed when nothing else can.

Anyone who picks up 'Cookie' will find themselves learning something from this mischievous pup and his 'Girl'. It is also suitable for children who have experienced depression and anxiety just like 'Girl'. It's also for kids who don’t understand why someone close to them is so sad. It will also be helpful for child psychologists who need to talk to young people about mental illness. And, of course, it is for dog-lovers everywhere. Susannah Crisp's delightful water colours offer their own special 'softness' to the gentleness of the text.

 4. 'Arabella's Alphabet Adventure' by Christopher Nielson

I just love this book about "an alphabet, a daring adventure and a book who learns she is perfect, just the way she is." It opens

“Not so long ago,

In a town not far away,

On a shelf marked

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN

sat a book

waiting to be read.

 What better way to start a book about books?!

'Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure' is the most beautiful and most borrowed book in the library - but only ever by children. Tired of having her pages torn by sticky fingers, Arabella slips into the Very Serious Book section of the library and takes an adventure within the pages of an African travel guide. But will Arabella realise that where she belongs is closer than she thinks?

 5. 'Sticky McStickstick' by Michael Rosen & illustrated by Tony Ross 

A powerful and personal story from one of Britain's best-loved authors about his recovery from coronavirus.

After being admitted to hospital in 2020 with COVID-19, Michael Rosen had to learn to walk again. This very personal story by a famous children's author will be encouraging for many. It is a true story of resilience and the will to recover from illness.

With the support of doctors and nurses and a walking stick he names "Sticky McStickstick", he manages to embark on the slow steps to recovery. 

This a very personal story from the former Children's Laureate, and is beautifully illustrated by Tony Ross. The book allows us into Rosen's story of perseverance and hope.

6. 'Cat Problems' by Jory John & illustrated by Lane Smith

This is an intriguing and engaging book from an author who clearly knows cats! And we find out at the end of the story that of course Jory John & Lane Smith do have a 'special' cat. Here's a little of the dialogue from this story about a cat that thinks it is the centre of the world. The cat is examining its food bowl.

Oh.

A few dry kernels of dry food.

Wonderful.

Thanks for remembering folks!

What does it take to get a little service around here?

This funny and real-to-life story about a home bound cat and their relationship to their owner is very funny. The text moves quickly and is engaging and the illustrations are just wonderful. Such an expressive cat! And for the author to get 'into the mind' of this seemingly self-focused cat, is clever.

Jory John and Lane Smith once again have a winner here that is a companion book to 'Penguin Problems' and 'Giraffe Problems'.

 

7. 'A Good Place' by Lucy Cousins

Follow four adorable insect friends as they look for a good place to live. A delightful new picture book from the award-wining author and illustrator Lucy Cousins.

Four insect friends have a problem. They can't find a good place to live. A place where there aren't hard pavements, polluted water, noise, rubbish, or where poisons and insecticides are being used. Until they meet a lovely butterfly who shows them a wonderful garden that they can share. A place where insects are welcomed and play a part in the diversity and balance of the world.  

As usual for Cousins, this is a beautifully crafted text and illustrations which will draw in young readers and listeners aged 1-5 years.

8. 'Piano Fingers' by Caroline Magerl

Isla and Bea are two sisters from a very musical family. Big sister Isla plays the violin and her little sister Bea is keen to begin music too. When will she be able to play something like her sister? She tries the triangle, but that doesn't work (sister Isla is less than encouraging). Perhaps if the triangle doesn't work she needs to tackle another instrument - the piano?!! 

And who could have guessed, the piano will be her instrument, for she has "piano fingers"! At last Isla and Bea are able to make wonderful music together.

This is a simple story that many children will relate to. The wonderful water colour illustrations support the simple but engaging text to create a wonderful picture book.

9. 'Our Country Ancient Wonders' by Mark Greenwood & illustrated by Frané Lessac

Mark Greenwood is well known to children's literature fanatics. He has teamed up with a number of fine illustrators to produce stunning picture books that offer rich stories about Australia and its people.  This first book in the 'Our Country' series takes readers on a journey across Australia to encounter our unique geology and geography.

He has also teamed up with Frané Lessac the wonderful illustrator, to produce a beautiful book that takes us on a journey to find out about the prehistoric beasts that roamed the land in Winton in remote northern Australia. This journey allows us to explore the lava-formed caves at Undara, experience the fiery glow of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and much more. 

Mark Greenwood and Frané Lessac are both highly awarded and have previously collaborated on books like 'Midnight', 'Simpson and his Donkey' and 'Ned Kelly and the Green Sash' and others. This is another stunning book from Mark & Frané.

Other bopks by Mark Greenwood include 'Simpson and His Donkey' with Frané Lessac, a CBCA Honour Book and a USBBY Outstanding International Book. As well 'Jandamarra' (illustrated by Terry Denton), was shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award, the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature and the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards. 'The Happiness Box', illustrated by Andrew McLean, was also a 2019 CBCA Honour book. 

10. 'We Were Wolves' written & illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

This stunning book has been Nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal.

'Boy' lives in a caravan on his own in the woods. His dad, John, is in prison and promises to get out soon. All the boy needs to do is survive alone for a little while longer.

But dark forces are circling – like the dangerous man in the Range Rover, who is looking for his stolen money. And then there are the ancient forces that have lain asleep in the woods for an age...

An intense, darkly spellbinding story of a boy awaiting his father's return from prison as an ancient woodland awakes.

Jason Cockcroft was born in New Zealand, and raised in Leeds, West Yorkshire. He graduated from Falmouth School of Art and is the illustrator and author of over forty books for children, including the illustrated covers for the last three books in the Harry Potter series. Jason won the inaugural Blue Peter Book Award and has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

11. 'Saving Celeste' by Timothée de Fombelle (translated by Sarah Ardizzone)

This is a moving and powerful story about climate change by one of France’s greatest writers for children, the world is now run by Industry and the only thing that matters is to buy, buy, buy. People live in crowded cities where cars are stacked vertically and shopping centres run miles into the sky. On the day Celeste starts school on the 110th floor of a tower block, she meets a lonely, young boy. The next day she doesn't return. Her blood has become as polluted as the seas and rivers. On a mission to save her, the boy battles the forces of Industry and takes her far, far away. Will the world realise the truth of Celeste’s disease? Will there be time for her, and the planet, to recover?

This is an interesting and thought provoking environmental fable that centres on two children who are 'fighting' for a better world. Celeste arrives at Bryce's school and he is immediately captivated by her. The story unfolds as the dialogue shifts from Bryce talking about Celeste to Celeste talking about Bryce. Eventually, the dialogue merges as their relationship grows and they fight for a cleaner and more. sustainable world. 

12. 'Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairybeast' by Sue Whiting

This is fast-paced junior fiction adventure with a plucky heroine who needs to face her fears in order to save her parents, her friend and the day!

Pearly Woe is a worrier. She worries about everything, especially that she’ll never be brave enough to become a member of the top-secret group of stealth adventurers – The Adventurologists’ Guild. Pearly also has a special talent – she can talk to animals. Her favourite animal to talk to is her pet pig, called Pig. But with her parents missing, Pig pig-napped and Pearly a stowaway on an icebreaker heading for Antarctica, Pearly’s worries just got REAL.

Author Sue Whiting is an award-winning children’s book writer, former teacher and publishing manager. 'Pearly and Pig' is the first book in a new series centred on the main characters Pearly Woe and Pig. In this book Pearly is a worrier and hence one of the themes of the book is children's mental well being. 

She has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, including the best-selling 'The Firefighters and Missing', the award-winning 'A Swim in the Sea' and the CBCA Notable Books, 'Get a Grip Cooper Jones', 'Platypus' and 'Beware the Deep Dark Forest'.

13. 'Return to Factopia' by Kate Hale & illustrated by Andy Smith

Kate Hale (& Andy Smith) are back in collaboration to produce a follow up to their previous book 'Factopia'. Their latest effort is 'Return to Factopia: Follow the trail of 400 more facts'. Readers can choose their own path through this fun and informative book 9-12 years olds.

Did you know that bacteria from between people’s toes has been used to make cheese? Or that the world’s most expensive cheese is made from donkey milk? Or that the milk from one species of cockroach is the most nutritious substance on Earth? Or that a cockroach can survive for weeks without its head? Welcome back to FACTopia!, a world of perfectly amazing facts, all of which are verified by Encyclopedia Britannica!

The genius of the book is that every fact is connected to the next using a clever trail of information. But this isn't a simple sequential trail, there can be many trails. Your path can branch and you can choose to jump to a totally different places in the book.

A great book for the curious who are prepared to allow their curiosity to lead them through this fun book and its wealth of wonderful facts!

Five Unique Children's Books that will Captivate & Engage Readers 3-12 years

I review lots of children's books for younger readers (aged 3-12) but rarely do I have a set of books land on my desk that are all so different, and yet all have their own unique qualities that sets them apart. I hope that you track them down and enjoy them with some children.

1. 'Go Away Worry Monster!' by Brooke Graham & illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord

At one level, 'Go Away Worry Monster loves!' is tale about a boy who has trouble sleeping at night because of the worries and fears of each day. The 'Worry Monster' seems to visit him each night. "Please go away," begs Archie. But the book also shows how the love of parents can help to build the essential resilience needed to deal with anxiety. The book also illustrates how the love and support of others is essential to help our children head out each day with confidence to encounter fears that with help they can conquer. The author and illustrator combine to create a book that offers every parent a window in order to support their children with their fears and worries. But it is also simply a delightful read for any parent and child.

Robin Tatlow-Lord as the illustrator seems to have chosen the perfect medium and colour palette for the topic. She is a writer and animator who has done many things. The author of this wonderful book is Brooke Graham, who is based near Ipswich in Queensland. 

 

2. 'Rain Before Rainbows' by Smrtiti Halls & illustrated by David Litchfield 

This is a wonderful picture book not much more than 100 words in length (well 145), that brings poetry, illustration and story together in a memorable book. Each word is chosen with such great care to create a book that will encourage and uplift readers while sharing some simple wisdom and truths:

"Rain before rainbows"

"Clouds before sun"

"Night before daybreak"

"The old day is done."

A little girl sets out with a fox for companion fleeing from a sinister looking castle. As they leave what are their hopes and fears? They depart a place where there seems to have been despair and hopefulness to seek a new place. The road ahead will be uncertain times, but will there be hope? The reader is reminded that before rainbows their will be rain, "clouds before sun", "night before daybreak". And while there will be hopeful dreams along the way, there will be "battles to win". But in time there may just be "treasure to find", before finally, a bright new morning might dawn.

This is a wonderful picture book with a careful weaving of a simple yet poignant text, with illustrations that complement and enhance the story and reader journey. I highly recommend this book for readers aged 4 to 8 years.

I commend Walker Books for releasing Rain Before Rainbows as an free eBook to raise awareness for the "Save with Stories campaign" that has been initiated to help children most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The rainbow of course has been an incredible symbol of hope and optimism as the world has battled to cope with Covid-19. 

Above: Author Smriti Halls

3. 'There's something weird about Lena' by Sigi Cohen & illustrated by James Foley

This book comes to us from the award-winning picture book team that gave us 'My Dead Bunny: A Zombie Rabbit Tale'. It is another hilarious rhyming tale. There is certainly something that seems weird about Lena.

On my first day back at school 

I met a girl called Lena.  

Every time she acted mean 

she laughed like a hyena. 

The sound she made was kind of gross: 

a cackling, giggling howl, 

starting as a high-pitched shriek 

and ending as a growl.

Is Lena hiding a secret, or is her behaviour just good fun when she indulges in schoolyard pranks? But how to explain the accompanying beastly and hideous laugh? Will her classmates uncover a hideous truth?

 Sigi Cohen's text will engage young readers, and James Foley's illustrations in black, grey and orange will be familiar to readers of 'My Dead Bunny'. The combination of Sigi Cohen's wonderful rhyming text and James Foley's hilarious illustrations will ensure this is a winner with kids aged 7 to 10. It will appeal to kids who love horror, unexplained weirdness and all things gross. Sigi Cohen's rhyming text is a joy to read aloud! The playful words he uses fill the story with vibrancy and a sense of fun.

Sigi grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, but now lives in Perth, Western Australia. His first book, 'My Dead Bunny', was shortlisted for the 2016 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. This is his third book. 

James Foley started his illustration career in primary school, drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. His book 'In the Lion' was selected for the International Youth Library’s prestigious White Raven List in 2013. He lives in Perth with his wife, son and labrador.

4. 'Timeline Science & Technology: A Visual History of Our World, Written and illustrated by Peter Goes 

 

'Timeline Science & Technology' is an extraordinary book. In size alone, it will stand out from most books. At 27.5cm x 38cm in size, this almost a folio sized book and won't be easily tucked under the arm. But I can see groups of 2-3 children gathered around reading it at the same time, engaging and interacting as they discover new things. This stunning visual history of the technology of our world is a feast of images and rich text. Each page has a different coloured background, and intricate and fascinating black line drawings, with just a splash of extra colour. The author and illustrator Peter Goes lives in Belgium where he does freelance work as an illustrator. He has also worked as a stage manager and studied animation at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) in Ghent, Belgium. 

The book is a history of science and technology with each giant double page spread dealing with a distinct period in time. It begins with the 'Old Stone Age or Paleolithic'. Each double page typically has approximately 100 words in conventional text, and a double page spread of related images from the period, with about 10 scenes each time. Each page also has smaller associated curved text next to each of the scenes. The single page image below is just one of the two pages for the Mesolithic era.

 

 

Above: One page from the Mesolithic Era

Peter Goes offers an overview of the most fascinating technologies, from first tools to the most specialized IT, from medical breakthroughs to the creation of YouTube. He includes remarkable scientists and innovators and highlights lesser-known stories. It is a compelling history of technology from the Stone Age to the present day, from America to the Southern hemisphere and beyond.

I love the quirkiness of the images and text which children aged 7-12 will enjoy a great deal. Any child interested in their world will spend many hours dipping into and working through this book. It is also a wonderful book for an adult to enjoy with their child.

4. 'Fly on the Wall' by Remy Lai

This is a very funny diary-style illustrated novel from the award-winning author of 'Pie in the Sky'. A twelve-year-old boy goes on a (forbidden) solo adventure halfway around the world to prove his independence to his overprotective family. It is brilliantly written and illustrated by Remy Lai. 

 

You see, Henry Khoo has a plan to prove his independence. His family always seems (to him) to be on his back, and he feels they treat him like a baby. His “helicopter” family seems to be at him all the time, choosing his clothes, collecting him from after-school activities, controlling his diet. He can't cope with the suffocating attention. So, will he do you do about this? Well, take a surprise solo journey to see you dad who is living in Singapore of course! Sound easy? Nothing could go wrong. Could it? Read this funny book to find out what does happen.

Henry's story (and adventure) is presented in the form of a top-secret notebook or diary. In it Henry records regular entries and illustrates them with comic-like images and diagrams. There's a bit of poetry, a recipe, snippets of different languages, and quirky images. While the book is over 300 pages, each page is filled with variation, including its handwritten text and numerous notes, illustrations and diagrams. The book will be lots of fun for readers aged 8-12.

Remy Lai studied fine arts, with a major in painting and drawing. She was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and lives in Brisbane, Australia where she writes and draws stories for kids, with her two dogs by her side.

5. 'Zombierella: Fairy Tales Gone Bad' by Joseph Coelho & illustrated by Freya Hartas

This very funny and wonderfully illustrated book is the first in a three-part series of twisted classic stories, as the the title divulges. Framed by a deliciously funny (and creative) premise that just like food, when old books are left unread, unthumbed and unloved, they start to:

"... bloom on the skin... flesh goes brown and soft... flies lay eggs, maggots squirm, horrid smells find their way into the fruit ... The same happens with books!"

Forget about the 'Boy Who Cried Wolf'! It is now 'The Boy Who Puked Up a Wolf'. And as well, 'Sleeping Beauty' transforms into 'Creeping Beauty' and 'Cinderella' becomes 'ZOMBIERELLA'!!

 

The wonderful text of Joseph Coelho is perfectly supported by the hillarious illustrations of Freya Hartas. The black line drawings generously spread through the text add life and humour to the wonderful text. It is both a visual and literary feast! As the Prince prepares for the ball things are ominous.

"It was in the cold, dark bite of night that the prince arrived at the mansion.

The mansion protruded from the crown of Grimmsville's only hill like a growth - next to the old abandoned cemetery.

Inside, the prince was preparing for the first of his three balls..."

When Cinderella makes an appearance as the fairy story suggests she must, she slips on the winding stairs and dies (but only briefly!).

"Cinderella, you have died,

Tis sad but true, 

You fell and hit your head,

After slipping on some poo!"

This is a very funny book, that is cleverly written and delightfully illustrated. I look forward to seeing the second and third books in the series from this wonderful English team.