Children’s and Young Adult book reviews.
Tintinnabula, Margo Lanagan and Rovina Cai, Hardie Grant Egmont, October 2017 From the publisher: In wild times and in wartime, in times of fear and illness, I go to Tintinnabula, where soft rains fall. Tintinnabula is a story about moving from discomfort to peace, from violence and uncertainty to a still, sure place. It […]
Claire Malone Changes the World, Nadia L King (author), Alisa Knatko (illus.), Dixi Books, November 2019. Blurb: A new generation of children… They are not afraid of taking responsibilities any more, but they are rather keen on addressing problems. Claire is one of them. The moment she sees the broken swing and the cracked slide […]
If you’re looking for ideas for new books to keep your kids entertained and engaged during the remainder of the school holidays, here are some titles to consider: Tricky’s Bad Day Alison Lester is one of Australia’s most treasured author/illustrators and she is back doing what she does best in her picture book Tricky’s Bad […]
The Finder, Kate Hendrick, Text Publishing, 2018 From the publisher: When Lindsay meets Elias the signs aren’t promising. She’s a grungy introvert who doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He’s a teen fashionista who can’t shut the hell up. But since Lindsay tracked down a runaway kid, word’s got around that she knows how […]
In the Shadow of an Elephant, Georgie Donaghey (author), Sandra Severgnini (illus.), Little Pink Dog Books, May 2019. Blurb: One terrible night the ground rumbled, and dark shapes appeared in the distance. A cracking sound tore through the air. Lualani’s life was changed forever. ‘Don’t be afraid. I will look after you.’ Jabari reached out […]
Birthday, Meredith Russo, Flatiron Books, 2019. From the publisher: Two best friends. A shared birthday. Six years… ERIC: There was the day we were born. There was the minute Morgan and I decided we were best friends for life. The years where we stuck by each other’s side—as Morgan’s mom died, as he moved across […]
#kissesinyourheart #blogtour #booksontourpr #day2 Kisses in Your Heart, Sonia Bestulic (author), Nancy Bevington (illus.), Big Sky Publishing, June 2019. Blurb: A bright, beautiful and empowering story to inspire little people to use the strength of love within. I close my eyes, and always know, Mum’s kisses follow where I go. A tender and simple bedtime […]
Barefoot Bea, Heather Neilly and Ruth de Vos, Yellow Brick Books, 2019 From the publisher: Barefoot Bea hates wearing shoes. She sniffs her nose at a sandal, looks aghast at a gumboot and won’t suffer a sneaker. But when Bea’s parents decide to take radical action, their dynamic daughter comes up with an ingenious […]
#whenthemoonisasmile #blogtour #booksontourpr #day2 When the Moon is a Smile, Teena Raffa-Mulligan (author), Amy Calautti (illus.), Daisy Lane Publishing, June 2019. Blurb: “Don’t go, Daddy!” It’s the plea that tugs at the heart of every loving father whose child no longer shares his everyday life due to a relationship break-down. For a young child, accepting […]
Old Hat, Emily Gravett, Pan Macmillan, 2018 Synopsis: Harbet had a hat. His Nana had knitted it for him when he was little. Harbet likes his comfy knitted hat, but the others keep jeering at him – OLD HAT! OLD HAT! No matter what headwear he buys – be it a towering fruit platter hat, an old-boot-on-the-head hat or […]
