Set against the stark and perilous backdrop of World War II, Katrina Nannestad’s All the Beautiful Things is a touching story that will take readers on a journey of delight and despair. The story unfolds in the market village of Berchtesgaden, a few miles from Hitler’s mountainous retreat, and tells a deeply moving tale of love, resilience and the unrelenting acts of kindness amidst unspeakable horrors.
The story follows Anna, a courageous young girl, who must protect her frail sister, Eva, from the Nazi regime; who ruthlessly target the weak and vulnerable. The stakes are high and there are constant dangers everywhere. Anna discovers new friendships, as allies emerge within the village, in a quiet defiance to resist Nazi oppression, but they all risk everything to shield those targeted.
While hidden from the outside, and confined to a tiny world, Eva’s shining heart will not be dampened. Her joy and boundless love for life is a stark contrast to the grim reality surrounding her. Eva's unconditional love and excitement for every little piece of beauty, brings joy to their day.
Anna’s internal conflict is tenderly portrayed. She struggles with tension between moments of joy and the constant awareness of impending danger lurking around every corner. Cleverly intertwined throughout the novel is the resilience of the human spirit; to find beauty, even in the darkest of times.
Nannestad masterfully balances heartbreak with hope, as she captures the uncertainty of living under constant threat and makes the moments of connection and kindness even more impactful. Bringing the village of Berchtesgaden to life, contrasting its natural beauty with the chilling shadow of Nazi oppression, readers will feel both the weight of the darkness and the light that perseveres within it.
All the Beautiful Things is a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for love and resistance in the face of unimaginable cruelty. It’s a story of heartbreak and hope, and a testament to the enduring power of compassion and courage. A truly beautiful story about heartbreak and pain, and the little joys within that will leave readers moved and inspired. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Second World War, Friendship, Love, Loyalty, Hope, Family, Resistance, Conflict.
Michelle O'Connell
Clementine's Christmas by Annie White
New Frontier, 2024. ISBN: 9781923145061. (Age:3+) Recommended.
Three wonderful romps with Clementine walking, having a bath, and finding a treasure have been published for younger audiences to much hilarity (Clementine’s walk, Clementine’s bath and Clementine’s treasure). A very large, energetic dog, Clementine loves her family and wants to help with their Christmas preparations. We meet the family putting up the Christmas tree, decorating the room and sitting the presents, already wrapped and named, under the tree. Granny sits in the background knitting while Clementine looks on. As the family takes the children upstairs to bed, Granny finds that she has lost her purple wool. Clementine helps Granny find it, wrapping everything with purple wool. Granny finds her ball of wool, and in picking it up joyously pulls over the tree and all the presents. Together they put back the tree and the decorations, while Granny puts the names onto the presents. All good fun, readers will love laughing along with the mayhem on each of the pages, predicting the rhyming word at the end of each four line stanza.
Kids will love predicting what might happen on Christmas Day after Granny and Clementine have put things back together again, and laugh with the family as each receives the present with their name on it.
The verses are accompanied by lovingly drawn illustrators, showing a close family getting ready for Christmas, the day when many families spend time together.
Young reader will love spotting all the accoutrements of Christmas shown in the illustrations.
Clementine will win lots of hearts, and the inappropriate presents received by family members will cause much mirth.
Escape from Cuttlefish Cove is the first in a new series called Solve it your way. Written and illustrated by Rachel Jackson (Australian senior intelligence analyst, researcher and author of intelligence products) this is a debut novel. There are 150 illustrations that aid the interpretation and following of clues.
This book could be a solution to the problem of finding a segway for those young people who are enthusiastic gamers but reluctant readers. Escape from Cuttlefish Cove could be read by the lone reader but does lend itself to being read with a buddy. It would be a great text for disengaged and struggling readers and their tutors or friends as it is interactive and multi-pathed. The reader is the driver of the plot. All choices and decisions are made by the reader and this is where the fun begins. The adventures come in bite size chunks with the reader flipping back and forward through the book to arrive at a consequence of their own choices that may be really quite nice e.g. imagine living with the merpeople in their merkingdom forever... or not so nice at all. Escape from Cuttlefish Cove gives the reader agency in the reading process.
Many of us are familiar with the 1980s and 90s Choose your own adventures series of children's gamebooks where each story was written from a second-person point of view with the reader assuming the role of protagonist. This internationally popular series went into decline with the advent of computer games. Rachel Jackson's Solve it your way series could just bring children back to gaming through the medium of books rather than the screen. While the literary content may be slightly formulaic and simplistic, the tone is matter-of-fact and action oriented. You (the reader) are an active, capable, decision maker. You are confronted with all sorts of problems but you have choice and you do not run away from danger. You choose the right path. It is timely that children and young people are offered books that give them back that sense of capability, of curiosity and adventurousness. They need to be rescued from passivity and hopelessness and be redirected back into reading, solving problems and exploring options. Escape from Cuttlefish Cove engages the brain because problems must be solved in order to progress in certain directions. These problems may be riddles, tricky puzzles or codes. There are 64 different story paths with checklists in the back of the book for tracking progress and moving easily between stories. The reader can jump in and out at any point making it ideal for those who have not yet aquired reading stamina.
Escape from Cuttlefish Cove is recommended particularly as a book to offer reluctant readers and also for the enjoyment of all readers. It would be ideal if struggling readers are matched with a reading buddy so that the adventures can be decided upon, argued about and the consequences experienced together. Every chapter 'byte" ends with a text box with two or three choices- "If you choose...turn to page..." Escape from Cuttlefish Cove looks like an ordinary book but it is not. Teachers and librarians please share this series with your students.
For media enquiries contact Rowena Beresford, editor @rivetedpress.com.au.
Another addition to the plethora of books concentrating on the Harry Potter books and films, Harry Potter in 100 Objects will fascinate fans as well as those who have not read or seen all of them. The book is divided into a section for each of the eight films and features iconic props, artefacts and items from them. The Contents page outlines what has been chosen for each and there is an extensive index for the curious. Opposite to the title page is a full-page photograph of Hermione Granger sitting in front of a cauldron and pouring potions into it, and readers will at once know that they are in for a treat.
Most of the objects are featured on a double page spread, with information about how they were made and when they were used, all enhanced with many enticing photos of the objects and the actors who took part in the scenes. I was particularly impressed with the sorting hat, which was created entirely digitally. Another prop that jumped out at me was the Hogwarts Express, where helicopter shots were used of the train travelling through Scotland. Luna Lovegood’s dirigle plum earrings were interesting too – it was intriguing to learn that she made them herself as well as the beaded hare Patronus bracelet she wears in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It was interesting to read about the many famous actors, including Maggie Smith and Kenneth Branagh, and study photos featuring them from the films.
Harry Potter in 100 Objects is a tribute to the creativity of the makers of the items featured in the films and to the enduring skill of the actors involved in bringing J.K. Rowling's imagination alive on the big screen. It is a book that can be read from cover to cover, dipped into to read about favourites of the films, or perused to look at captivating photos and artefacts. This would make a wonderful gift for any Harry Potter fan.
Themes Harry Potter films, Stage props.
Pat Pledger
The house that horror built by Christina Henry
Titan Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781803364032. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended for readers who like the horror genre.
Single mother Harry Adams is desperate to provide for her teenage son Gabe. As COVID winds down and after a lengthy period with little work, she takes a cleaning job with Javier Castillo, a well-known horror movie director. His mansion, named Bright Horses, is filled with props, costumes and artefacts from horror movies and there is a sinister locked room from which Harry thinks she has heard a voice saying, ‘Help me’. And has one of the props, a Sten costume, been staring at her and moving? With eviction from her flat looming, and no savings, Harry knows she must keep this job and look after Gabe. Can she ignore the house’s secrets?
I found The house that horror built was a compulsive read that I finished in a couple of sittings. Although the suspense surrounding the house and its owner built up and kept me interested, what held my attention was the plight of Harry. She had been unable to live with her religious family and had run away as a teenager, experiencing being homeless and living under bridges and the occasional squat. With no educational qualifications the only jobs she could get were waiting tables or cleaning houses and she knew that she had to keep her head down and not annoy Mr Castillo. She worried constantly about finding somewhere to live and being the adult in the family and not burdening Gabe with her troubles.
Henry’s description of the house and its contents, its relationship to horror movies and the disturbing background of its owner were well described. What had happened to Mr Castillo’s wife and son? What terrifying secrets were hidden in the gothic mansion?
The exciting climax at the conclusion of the book brought all the plot twists together. I am likely to read another book by Christina Henry if I am in the mood for an easy-to-read horror story.
Themes Horror, Movies, Single mothers, Suspense.
Pat Pledger
Bunny and Bird: How to make a snowman by Nick Bland
The third in the series of Bunny and Bird books will be well received by young fans and eagerly borrowed by newbies. The stories all revolve around two friends, Bunny and Bird.
Bunny asks Bird to guess what he has found, holding up a black circle. Bird’s guess of a giant dot is scoffed at by Bunny, who announces that he has found a magic hole. They look at the hole, Bunny testing it with one foot, and Bird carefully peering in. Questioned about its magic properties, Bunny tells Bird that there is a tiger in the hole, so they both move a little further away, and watch as tiger paws push a snowball from the hole. Questioned further, Bunny tells bird about the bear which also fell in after the tiger. Then a bull charged and also fell in the hole.
Each time an animal is mentioned, it appears with something to add to the first large snowball. The basics of a snowman begin to appear and readers will begin to predict what else the snowman needs and where it might come from.
All the while, Bird and Bunny discuss the hole and the animals which came out of it. Bird asks Bunny what he was doing in the forest. It transpires he was waiting for Wombat to help him make a snowman. Wombat is asked what he needs to make one. Wombat replies they need snow for the body, rocks for the eyes, sticks for arms and a carrot for its nose.
Children will call out to the two friends to look behind them as the snowman develops. Suddenly it begins to snow, and Bird suggests they go home, but as they turn, they see the almost completed snowman. But it still needs a few more touches, and Bunny magics the carrot for its nose.
A charming story of friendship, of believing, of building something together, this latest story from whimsical author illustrator Nick Bland will have young readers talking about the building of the snowman and how it got to be there. Believing in magic at this time of the year will appeal to every reader, as for some, snow is part of this time of the year, but for most Australian readers it is redolent of Christmas and seen in lots of books, cards, Christmas trees and decorations. The idea of the black hole is wonderful, asking readers to think about what it is, and how it has so many things in it, and why it is there.
Lots to mull over, think about and laugh along with Bunny and Bird as they nut out their complication.
Themes Friendship, Humour, Bunny and Bird series, Snowman, Christmas.
Fran Knight
Christmas at Hogwarts by J.K. Rowling. Illus. by Ziyi Gao
Fans of the Harry Potter books will be thrilled to collect another book, this time a picture book celebrating Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts. The text is taken from Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, with plot spoilers omitted, and it is beautifully illustrated by Ziyi Gao. The enticing cover shows Christmas trees, decorations, candles, bonbons and the high windows of the Great Hall and immediately draws readers in, making them want to peruse the delight of Christmas at Hogwarts.
The book begins with the opening sentences of Chapter Twelve: “Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow.” Readers first catch a glimpse of Hogwarts through the eyes of a great white bird and then the warm glow of light in the Great Hall. After that they can follow Hagrid carrying a huge Christmas Tree and join Harry and Ron spearing food on a toasting fork and opening presents. Harry’s amazement at receiving an Invisibility Cloak that had belonged to his father is heartwarming. Gao’s colourful illustrations bring alive the expressions on the faces of all the friends and staff reminding readers of the joy of giving and receiving presents.
This book is perfect for a family to share at Christmas, an ideal present for lovers of the Harry Potter series and a gorgeous introduction to Hogwarts.
Themes Christmas, Harry Potter, Wizardry, Magic.
Pat Pledger
The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers
Pan Macmillan, 2024. ISBN: 9781761560149. (Age:Young Adult) Recommended.
The Order of Masks is the debut novel from Adelaide Hills author, Alina Bellchambers. A dark fantasy romance, Bellchambers has crafted a captivating world of political intrigue, magic and betrayal.
Mira has been on the run for her entire life, fleeing a past that her mother refuses to talk about. All Mira has ever known is constant upheaval and a feeling of never truly belonging anywhere. Exhausted by the endless turmoil and secrets, Mira is determined to find a way to secure her future once and for all, no matter the risk. To do this she must enter the deadly trials of the Ravalian Court, where she will either rise to become a powerful wielder of magic or die at the hands of the emperor, who has more than one reason to want her dead.
The Order of Masks also follows Scarlett, an ambitious princess struggling against her power-hungry brothers, forceful mother and aloof father. Despite their wildly different backgrounds, Mira and Scarlett are brought together by both ambition and desperation and have more in common than either could have imagined. If only they could trust one another long enough to discover this.
The hidden motives and morally grey natures of both Mira and Scarlett make for an engaging read, as Bellchambers skillfully builds a conflict that questions the thin line between ally and adversary. The Order of Masks balances action, romance, and suspense, making this novel a must-read for fans of fantasy with a dark edge.
Themes Fantasy, Thriller, Romance, Revenge, Family, Politics, Magic, War.
Rose Tabeni
When among crows by Veronica Roth
Titan Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781803363745. (Age:15+)
Dymitr comes from a long line of hunters whose souls are split in order to fight monsters. The distress of this role is hard and propels himself directly into struggle. Ala has inherited a curse that is slowly destroying her. Dymitr sets out on a quest to unburden himself, but needs the magical power of others to assist in the process. The conflict between magical forces and beings is fraught with multiple layers of pain, and Dymitr and Ala (as well as the intriguing Niko) must put themselves in danger before they can know some resolution to their pain.
This novella is not easy fantasy, it weaves Polish folklore and Slavic mythology (and some Polish language) in a complex dance of evil, pain and conflict, but with a tinge of compassion. The unusual nature of magical or mythical creatures and their dark powers adds some complexity to the story and this book does not have the clarity of Roth’s writing in the Divergent series. There are no true mortals or humans within this mythological world, and yet we recognise the struggle for those who feel uncomfortable in their place in their world and the way good can still rise from the mire of conflict.
This will require a reader with a heart for complex fantasy, aged 15+. There is some violence, but it is the unknowns of the mythology that create a cloudiness for understanding and thus only the persistent fantasy devotee that will appreciate this dark story.
Don't worry, Felix by Yohann Devezy and Katharine Alice. Illus. by Zoe Bennett
New Frontier, 2024. ISBN: 9781923145054. (Age:4+)
It is Felix’s first day at a new school. When he gets into the car with his family, he finds a red balloon, and as the family gets closer to the school, the balloon gets bigger. The balloon incorporates all the worries Felix has about starting his new school. Then when it is his turn to read, the balloon is so big it covers his mouth.
The balloon is a metaphor for Felix’s worries and concerns about change. And we see the little boy floundering as he wants to play with the others at break, but his balloon gets in the way. In bed that night the balloon is still there but when Dad comes in to say goodnight, he sees that something is upsetting the boy. He asks him about his worries, then tells him his trick for dealing with them. He gets Felix to try the trick of breathing in and out while pinching his fingers. Felix finds that it works, and he sleeps. Riding to school the next day the balloon reappears, so Dad and Felix practise the special trick, and the balloon becomes smaller and smaller as the day goes on.
At break Felix finds another child sitting by himself just as he had done. He goes up to the child, asking how he feels, and when he tells him, Felix shares his Dad’s special trick. Together the two practise Dad’s special trick, ensuring they feel calm and compatible.
This is a neat story about confidence, about overcoming anxiety and fears, with a proven breathing exercise that many people practise every day.
It is wonderfully coiled into the story, making it an easy way to acquaint children with the fact that many people feel the same way and practise this simple breathing exercise.
Illustrator Zoe Bennett draws beautifully presented children in a variety of poses, promoting their inventiveness, playfulness and courage. She uses water colour, gouache and digital methods to create her cheeky mob of children whose emotions are clearly obvious by the looks on their faces. Zoe is an animal lover and has included different animals in the background of her work. I loved the images set in the school, reminding children of their role in being part of the school cohort, not just there to learn, but also to advise, share and befriend others. Felix’s sharing of his new found skill with another child is a lovely end to this story and reinforces the fact that we all play a part in the school environment.Teacher's notes are available.
Lani Scrub is 11 years old, and in Year 6 at St Agatha’s. She is passionate about quantum physics and astronomy – and particularly obsessed with celebrity scientist, Kit Galway, and the upcoming Junior Interschool Science Championship Cup (which she has been looking forward to since Year 3). She is a quirky girl who deals with anxiety and only has one friend.
At home, Lani’s anaesthetist dad is so busy working long shifts that he’s become a virtual stranger, and her mum’s enthusiasm for nature (including getting backyard chickens and researching home permaculture gardening) couldn’t be more opposite to non-outdoorsy Lani.
But suddenly Lani and her mum swap their normal lives for a tree change – living with the ‘Folk’ of a nature-based community called Passing Waters. Lani very reluctantly agrees to participate for a two-week experiment, and initially does lots of judging and eye-rolling at the ceremonies, clothing, ‘skooling’ and food involved in the community. She is determined to just get through the fortnight and slot straight back into her previous life as if this was all a bad dream.
The Folk live in a simple, meaningful and environmentally responsible way. Every member of the community is expected to pull their weight, whether by caring for animals, preparing food, making candles and soaps to sell, or contributing to buildings and ceremonies. The lovely theme of environment is entwined with respect and acknowledgement for the traditional Indigenous custodians of the Passing Waters land.
What Lani doesn’t expect is that she will be challenged and changed by this short experiment. That she’ll make friends, learn more about science and space (thanks to a resident astronomer), and come to care for the land, animals and Folk around her. This all sounds quite heavy but a thread of humour runs through the book, adding a light-heartedness that young readers will appreciate.
This is Victoria Carless’ second middle grade novel, following the popular release of Gus and the Starlight in 2022. Both novels share themes of science and family, and finding a meaningful place to belong. The book ends with just over two pages titled ‘sources and further reading about the science concepts in this story’ which is a fabulous resource for keen young STEM fans.
Riley Noodle is in Year 6 and she is always in a muddle or finding herself in trouble. She also thinks she's no good at anything, unlike her twin brother, Charlie, who is the best at everything and very highly regarded by all the teachers. She's about to leave primary school and every person except her has broken one school record. Time is ticking and she really wants to achieve her ultimate goal. Black and white line drawings support and break up the text. Those who love this type of easy reading format such as in Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Tom Gates will be likely readers.
There is quirky chaos around every corner for Riley Noodle. In the first four chapters alone, Riley swallows half of her friend Henry's earthworm and also manages to accidentally eat their class pet. Other unique characteristics abound: Riley's Dad wants to save the Earth so has given up eating meat, Riley's friend Henry is a hot dog eating champion and Riley is obsessed with meat to the point where she hides cheeseburgers in her school locker. It's done in humour, but some of the dialogue borders on insensitive or inappropriate. Riley's teacher says to her 'I gave up on you years ago' and sanctions Riley's clothes being cut off her in the middle of the schoolyard, despite her protestations. The year six children also say some pretty horrible things to each other and at one point the schoolyard bully takes a phone recording of Riley in an embarassing situation. There is no follow-up on this incident and it is portrayed as being quite a normal occurrence. Riley's dad also rips his pants up on a stage and everybody laughs at him. It wraps up with Riley becoming a bit of an unexpected hero and developing some self-confidence around who she is and what makes her special, but it all seems a bit forced. There is a lot crammed in and then no time or space to tie up all the loose ends.
Themes Humour, Embarassment.
Nicole Nelson
Astro Chimp by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Unbelievably, this is bestselling author David Walliams's first graphic novel. Featuring full-colour, whole page illustrations, this takes the quirky humour of Walliams and makes it accessible to a wider audience than many of his text-heavy titles. Different format aside, his distinctive voice hits you from the get go: 'The rocket lifted off from the ground, and shot into the sky like a rocket. Oh, it's already a rocket. All right, then, it shot off into the sky faster than something else that was still really, really, really fast!'. You can tell while reading this that restraining his narration to a bare minimum was probably difficult for Walliams and I have to say it left me wanting this to be a longer, more fleshed out saga. However, what's there is still fantastic, humorous and infectiously fun to read.
Chump the chimpanzee is off on a rocket to orbit the Earth. All he has to do is sit in his seat and NOT push the red button...What could go wrong? Everything, it seems. The rest of the story takes place 50 years later, when, after being frozen solid in space like an icicle, Chump is accidentally awoken by Dmitri, the one and only dog space pirate. And then ensues a crazy journey through space as they meet many other animals shot off into space by humans, each with a crazy origin story: giant fruit flies, a space police force made up of nine cloned cats and the two tortoises of the space emergency rescue team. Witty dialogue between the animals is the highlight as is the inanity of Chump and the pure madness of the whole thing. A smattering of toilet humour keeps everything ticking alone nicely. There is also an intriguing and brief history of animals in space at the end of the book as all the characters are based on real animals that were indeed blasted into space by humans. This one will be thoroughly enjoyed by all David Walliams fans, graphic novel aficionados, lovers of space travel stories and anyone who just likes a quick laugh at a silly tale.
This visually stunning picture book is one to read by children and adults of all ages. The deeply thoughtful and compelling story about the loneliness felt firstly by the house and then the young child, shares unspoken moments that many readers may feel when all seems lost and hopeless.
The large, mystical house believes there is more to life than being isolated and alone. It magically releases itself from its foundations and travels through the dark and stormy sky to find what is missing. Happening upon a young girl whose own feelings of loneliness reach out to house; a strong shared connection is ready to be created. House anchors itself to the earth and the child finds comfort and safety in its beautiful quirky rooms.
The lyrical prose is full of descriptive imagery and the spacing and movement of words across the pages add to the imaginative quality of the story. The astonishing illustrations in dark tones for the journey and vibrant colour when the young girl is safely cocooned in and exploring this wondrous place, perfectly complement the text and add their own deep layers to this delightful narrative.
For parents, carers, teachers and librarians this is an exquisite story to share and discuss with children who may be struggling with deep feelings of loneliness. It is a story full of hope that friendship and connection can be found in unexpected ways. Teaching notes and a teaching activity are available from the publisher.
Well-known author/illustrator Jennifer Cossins has added to her impressive collection of books with another fascinating look at animals. This time though, the animals mentioned are some of the record holders in their category with some very unusual habits. There is the biggest category which include the blue whale, elephant, ostrich as well as the goliath beetle which is the world’s heaviest insect. The slowest moving category mentions the sloth, the Gila monster and the slowest of all, the sea anemone which rarely moves but if it does it is one cm per hour!
There are so many more interesting record holders included. Some of these are the most epic migrations, the most venomous, the strongest bite, the most babies, the fastest wingbeats and the very interesting, most unusual mating ritual with the bowerbird mentioned.
This is an engaging book to pour over with so many varied creatures and their quirky behaviours discussed. The muted colour palette changes for each page with the text well-spaced amongst the labelled beautifully drawn illustrations of the chosen creatures. There is a contents page at the beginning along with an introduction and a glossary at the end.
Another wonderful addition to a home, school or public library. Teacher's notes are available.
