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Mini and Milo: The Last Plum

Oct3
Mini and Milo: The Last Plum

Mini and Milo: The Last Plum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini and Milo: The Last Plum

Venita Dimos

Natasha Curtin

Walker Books, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A25.99

9781760656171

Mini the elephant is gathering together the ingredients for her plum pie, her entry into the Annual Delicious and Delightful Cooking Competition but, much to her dismay, she has only nine plums and the recipe requires ten. Having been the winner for the last three years, the only thing Mini likes better than plums is winning – and that won’t happen with a pie with only nine plums.  

But she knows that Milo has plums on his plum tree so she asks him for one, but Milo only has one left and he’s been waiting ages for it to ripen so there is no way he is giving it to Mini, even if she is his best friend and offers to make him a pavlova, pudding and pancakes.  Things get desperate when Mini discovers that even the fruit shop has no plums and so she hatches a cunning plan… But sometimes plan go astray and this one has disastrous consequences…. or does it???

The tag on this book is “Big Skills for Mini People” and it is a series written for our youngest readers to not only help them manage their own emotions but help them navigate their way through relationships as they venture into the world of friendships beyond family and have to learn about competitiveness, managing inner voices, learning to listen, and communicating effectively. Learning to negotiate, compromise and consider others as they emerge from that egocentric world of toddlerhood can be tricky and so books like these, read with sensitive adults who can ask questions like “What could Mini have done instead of doing what she did? ” can help develop skills and strategies that will provide well for the future. 

While using animals as the main characters to portray human behaviour, particularly that of young children, is a common trope in these sorts of stories, doing so enables a lot of humour and unexpectedness to be injected into the story so it doesn’t become didactic and overbearing, and that is the case with this one.  Imagine – an elephant wearing a mask as a disguise climbing a ladder under the cover of darkness versus a young child doing the same.  Which will have the greater impact and memorability?  So as well as being a story for little ones to help them be a better friend, this could also be one for budding young writers to consider as they start to develop their own characters. 

Teachers’ notes and storytime kits to help teachers and parents make the most of the book and the series are available.

 

Kevin Saves the Show

Sep15
Kevin Saves the Show

Kevin Saves the Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Saves the Show

Jacqueline Harvey

Kate Isobel Scott

Puffin, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A17.99

9781761048968

Now that Kevin, the idiosyncratic sheep has been accepted for who and what he is by Shaun, Shauna, Sheryl and Shane and the rest of the flock, no one looks twice at his purple locks and quirky unsheeplike ways. He loves to learn and try new things so when he decides to host a song competition,  there are lots of entrants – many as eccentric as he is, but all safe in the knowledge of being accepted and welcome.  Thirty performers line up to pay their $1.00 admission including a donkey in leg-warmers, the beautifully dressed Polly Pig and even Shaun, Shauna, Sheryl and Shane appear as the baabaa-shop quartet! 

But while they may look and dress the part, sadly not many have the talent to match until…

But who’s the new sheep that the spotlight’s revealed?
And how has such talent been so well concealed?

However, there is panic and fear when the identity of the winner is revealed, until Kevin steps in. Because he knows what it is like to be different and on the outside…

Continuing Kevin’s saga from the original released earlier this year, young readers will not only laugh out loud at the competition performers, but they might also pause and think about the masked singer.  How often do we make judgements based on appearance, reputation and prejudice?  Perhaps the naughty, ostracised child has a different story to tell, one that is masked by their behaviour or circumstances and all they want is the acceptance, perhaps even friendship of those around them.   

Both author and illustrator have created delightful characters that will appeal to our younger readers, and they will eagerly wait to see if the newcomer can fit into the farmyard.  Or perhaps they will write their own sequel… 

Shadow Play

Sep9
Shadow Play

Shadow Play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow Play

Kate Forsyth

Rosalie Street

Wombat Books, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781925563740

Minnie May is afraid of everything, even her own shadow.  No matter where she goes outdoors it follows her as though it is tied to her heel.  It mimics her every movement  swirls in the water, crouches under her bed, reaches with black claws from the trees and looms large and terrifying in the tall buildings around, and, as the day goes on and it gets larger and linger, it grows more menacing Minnie’s fear and anxiety grow and she believes the only way of escape is to hide, crouching low under a large umbrella until the shadow shrinks away.

But then one day while Minnie is hiding, she spies another shadow-one that is larger than her own. But rather than being threatening, she discovers it belongs to Ziggy. And he is not afraid of it. In fact he celebrates it showing  Minnie many things that can be done with shadows, such as telling the time and casting shadow puppets on the wall., even making it be in front of them as they swing higher and higher. At last,  Minnie isn’t afraid of her shadow any more, in fact, she likes her shadow.

Lots of our littlies are afraid of things they don’t understand and can’t articulate, especially shadows, and that one that occurs every 24 hours – night time.  Even though Rosalie Street has painted Minnie’s shadow as a benevolent fairy-butterfly, the unknown and unexplained still frightens Minnie until she learns the truth from Ziggy.  So, while these fears are common and will resonate with our young ones, there is much we can do as their carers to help alleviate them by taking them outside and making shadows fun and fearless.  Games like trying to jump on each other’s shadow, marking your shadow in chalk on the pavement at different times of the day; making shadow shapes on the wall – the list is endless and as well as having fun and facing their fears, there is also some valuable science and maths occurring as well.  

An ideal introduction to so many areas – emotional connections and recognising our fears and investigating them so their reality is put in perspective through new-found knowledge, not to mention all the maths and science, language and art that permeates the curriculum. Imagine the learning if you put your students in Ziggy’s shoes to devise their own explanation about shadows for a younger child! 

 

Helping Little Star

Sep2
Helping Little Star

Helping Little Star

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helping Little Star

Blaze Kwaymullina & Sally Morgan

Sally Morgan

Walker Books, 2024

32pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781760658700

Moon warned Little Star not to go near the edge of the Night Sky but Little Star didn’t listen.  Down he fell, right into a creek!  Now how is he going to get back into the sky again?  Luckily, Python, Dingo and Kangaroo are there to help but neither can do it on their own.

This is a wonderful story for our youngest readers who are probably already aware of what can happen if you don’t listen to the wiser, more experienced grown-ups around them as they begin to push the boundaries to explore the wider world around them.  But it is also one of working together to solve a problem as Mother Kangaroo comes up with a solution that involves the help of Python and Dingo. 

Well-known Aboriginal writer and  illustrator Sally Morgan, a Palyku woman from the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia, has teamed up with her son to create this story, and indeed, it is the vibrant illustrations in her iconic style that bring it to life,  deserving its reprint after 11 years since its first publication.  Littlies will enjoy this, perhaps even going outside to see it they can spot Little Star in the night sky, while parents can use it as a reminder if their little one goes too close to the edge. 

 

 

My Dad is the Best

Aug31
My Dad is the Best

My Dad is the Best

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Dad is the Best

Nic McPickle

Tommy Doyle

Albert Street, 2024

32pp., pbk., RRP $A19.99

9781761180507

On a scale of 1-to-Dad, mine is off the charts!
He tells bad jokes, and sings old songs,
and blames the dog for all his farts.

Is it just my dad? Or is it other dads too?
Does your dad say this stuff to you?

Regardless of their shape, size or species, it seems dads everywhere do and say much of the same things and this is a fun book for young readers who will recognise their own dads actions and antics in both the text and illustrations.  Written in rhyme and brightly illustrated,  it rollicks along celebrating the things that are so familiar including endpages covered in dad-puns.  

Something to read just for the joy of it.  

A Penguin Like Me

Aug21
A Penguin Like Me

A Penguin Like Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Penguin Like Me

Marcus Pfister

North South Books, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A29.99

9780735845589

Every penguin is different.  But each one is a penguin…

At first glance, all the penguins in the colony look the same, but when you examine them more closely, each one is different.  

Lucas has come from another colony on the other side of the island and looks a little different; Ida is a little confused about just who she is yet but she would dearly love to soar like an albatross; Timmy hides his anxiety and depression by being the colony clown; Felix is loving and friendly despite his wings being shorter than those of the others; Lena loves Ida rather than one of the boy penguins and Sofia lives in a very special world of her senses … 

No matter their physical, emotional, cultural or mental differences, they are all penguins and they all get along together as a colony and a community.  In fact, the colony is richer for its diversification as each contributes something unique and accepts what is offered by the others.

By the creator of The Rainbow Fish, this is a delightful story for young readers that not only demonstrates that each of us is an individual with our own stories, talents, dreams, likes and concerns but celebrates those differences for what they add to the bigger picture.  While the theme of accepting and celebrating diversity is not new in stories for young children. it is a message that our little ones need to hear over and over in many guises as they venture beyond the confines of family and encounter children whose lives are very different to theirs.  Pfister’s artwork which captures each penguin’s personality is sublime, adding touches of humour while inviting the reader to examine it closely to see if they can detect each penguin’s personal profile before it is revealed in the text. 

Respectful relationships education is now a mandated part of the Australian curriculum and  right from Kindergarten/Foundation children are learning to develop their social, emotional and thinking skills, forming new friendships, encountering unaccustomed situations, identifying and describing emotions as they learn to express their feelings appropriately and building the capacity to deal with these unfamiliar and unknown circumstances respectfully, so this book with its emphasis on the acceptance of difference regardless of what that might be, is a valuable resource to share and explore. The children could discuss which penguin they are most like, or if they were joining the colony what unique thing they would bring to it.  

Masterful.

 

Billie’s Buzz

Aug15
Billie's Buzz

Billie’s Buzz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billie’s Buzz

Alison Brown

Farshore, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9780008715014

The Festival of Talents is coming up, and Billie Bee is intent on being part of the pet show because she believes she has what it takes to win – intelligence, cuteness and agility.  But the problem is – she isn’t anyone’s pet.  So she approaches a young boy who is looking for a pet and together they begin to prepare for the show, working hard at all sorts of things.  

Come the day of the festival and they are ready but the boy gives her one last piece of advice – “Tuck in your wings and – whatever you do- don’t buzz.”  Mystified, Billie asks why and she is told, “Some people are funny about bees.”

There are many contests at the Festival featuring pumpkins, flowers and watermelons, but finally it is time for the Pet Show.  As a “miniature, long-eared, yellow-striped fluff bean”. Billie sweeps the pool of prizes until it comes to the Agility section and she is confronted by a brick wall.  Her first attempt is unsuccessful, so will she use her wings to soar over the top or will she heed the boy’s warning? And what will happen if she does?  

This is a charming story introducing young readers to the importance of bees to our well-being and there are even some hints on how they can be the bee’s best friend rather than being afraid of them like the spectators at the Festival.  Used in conjunction with other books featuring bees, of which there are a growing number for younger readers, this can form the backbone of an inquiry unit investigating why such little creatures have such a big role to play on Mother Nature’s scheme of things.  They really do have “six legs, four wings and no limits”. 

 

 

Quokka Finds a Friend

Aug12
Quokka Finds a Friend

Quokka Finds a Friend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quokka Finds a Friend

Katie Stewart

Fremantle Press, 2024

32pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

 9781760994204

On a small island off the coast of southern Western Australia, Quokka spies a lone baby fur seal on a rock.  Being a friendly sort, Quokka asks Seal to be his friend, and starts off by trying to make Seal smile.  But no matter what Quokka does, he cannot make that happen.  He tries so hard that he accidentally falls into a rock pool and Seal has to rescue him.  When Seal offers to teach Quokka to swim, Quokka declines.  Can the two be friends even though they are so different?

It’s hard to imagine two more different creatures than the land-loving quokka and the sea-loving seal, so for the two of them to actually find something in common that inspires friendship seems an impossible task.  Yet, the final pages have them frolicking on the beach together.  So what is the secret?   This is a tender story about being able to be friends despite liking different things – something those just venturing beyond the family boundaries need to learn and accept – and finding joy in each other’s company anyway because despite Seal not wanting to smile and Quokka not wanting to swim. they find something in common.  

It is also an opportunity to introduce young readers to another Australian native animal , one that is the only one of its kind, is listed as vulnerable and one that is not the normal koala, kangaroo, echidna, wombat or platypus that they are likely to be familiar with.  The lifelike illustrations, particularly the expressions on both Quokka’s and Seal’s faces  set against a stunning backdrop are a stunning addition to a story with a serious message set in a humorous situation.  

Teaching notes which explore both the emotional and the scientific aspects of the book will help parents and teachers ensure that young readers get the most from the story, especially  the concept of making and building friendships with those who are different.  

Caterpillar Cake

Aug11
Caterpillar Cake

Caterpillar Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caterpillar Cake

Matt Goodfellow

Krina Patel-Sage

Otter-Barry, 2024

32pp., pbk., RRP $A19.99

9781915659392

Would you like to eat a caterpillar cake? Join a rocket race into space? See crazy crocodiles at the zany zoo or play with a furry, purry cat? 

In this collection of funny, original poems young children can let their imaginations roam as they respond to the rhyme, rhythm and repetition that is such a crucial part of early language learning. from the high octane Hide and Seek hiding in a crocodile’s jaw, to the more sedate little pencil that started with a mark and ended with a poem, to the sleepy river sliding through the night, there is something to suit every situation.   The illustrations are vibrant and reflect the diversity of the children who will enjoy listening to the language as it rolls off the tongue as they appreciate how much story can be told in just a few words. 

When it was first released in the UK in 2022, it was shortlisted for CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award)  the only award that celebrates outstanding poetry published for children in the UK, which is testament to not only the quality of the poems themselves but also the importance of poetry in the literacy development of young learners.  Matt Goodfellow is once again on the shortlist for 2024 with The Final Year which focuses on the trials of the final year of primary school, perhaps one that is appropriate for this time of year for our older students. 

 

A Bear Called Blue

Aug3
A Bear Called Blue

A Bear Called Blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bear Called Blue

Frances Stickley

Lucy Fleming

Andersen Press, 2023

32pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781839131530

He sat in the shop window by himself all summer – the last teddy left until Harriet falls in love with him. Harriet never goes anywhere without her beloved  Blue, so when they become separated because he gets left at the beach, he knows that Harriet must be searching for him. Blue might be lost, but he never loses hope. Days, months and years pass, until one day Blue finds himself on a stall at a summer fete. He catches sight of a little girl who looks just like Harriet… but it can’t be, wouldn’t she be grown up by now? And why does the little girl’s mum look so familiar to him? 

Told in rhyme from Blue’s perspective, this is a story that will touch the heart of any young child who has ever been separated from a favourite toy that will give them hope that one day they will be reunited.  That there can be happy endings.