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Fabulous Frogs

Oct8
Fabulous Frogs

Fabulous Frogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabulous Frogs

Katrina Germein

Suzanne Houghton

CSIRO Publishing, 2024

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

9781486317875

It’s that time of the year when, if you’re lucky, you can step outside at dusk and hear a chorus of frogs calling to each other as they not only seek a mate but also signal, that by their presence, the local environment is happy and in harmony.

But just which frog is it that is making the noise? Because, depending on where you live, it could be any one of 240 types of frogs that call Australia home.

Australian frogs live in many terrains, from tall frost mountains (Alpine tree frog)

To dry dusty plains. (Crucifix frog)

Some live in trees and some live in sand (Green tree frog)

Some live in swamps or under the land (Striped marsh frog)…

As well as all the information about frogs that we expect to find in a book for young readers, this is unique because its focus is those that are native to this continent and while we learn about eggs and tadpoles, it is the unusual features that are highlighted such as the tadpoles where I live take 13 months to emerge as frogs, and that some complete the transformation in the pouches of their father rather than in water; while other are on the ground in the care of their dad until the rains come…

Written in rhyme that has been perfectly crafted to convey so much information in language that its intended audience can understand, and illustrations that are so lifelike they hop off the page,   this  is another outstanding collaboration between author and artist that shines a spotlight on these creatures that are so critical to the environment but face many threats such as the critically endangered corroboree frog.  Thus the more in-depth notes about frogs generally in the back matter, the glossary, the instructions for creating  a frog-friendly garden and the endpapers which have portraits of 18 species are all an essential part of the whole to help develop understanding and awareness, protection and preservation.

When it comes to teaching younger students about life cycles, frogs would be the go-to topic and there are many books that have the species as their focus, but for its spotlight on Australia’s varieties and its outstanding illustrations, this is a must-have addition to the collection. 

Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons

Sep11
Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons

Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons

Ebony Froome

Leanne Zilm

Fremantle Press, 2024

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

9781760994211

In some parts of Australia, the yellow of wattles and daffodils, fierce winds and can’t-make-up-their-mind temperatures are heralding Spring, one of four distinct seasons that our littlies learn about.  In other parts, the heat and humidity are starting to build as the monotonous dry season ends and the Wet comes in with its tumultuous times: and in others First Nations peoples are seeing other signs as they move through their traditional cycles.  For the Noongar in south-west region of Western Australia, this is the time of Djilba, the season of conception when the “koolbardi is swooping to protect his nest, when the dark emu is high in the kedalak sky, when the balgga stems emerge tall and strong, when the yonga and the koomool carry their babies.”

For generations, so many children have been taught that during this planet’s annual journey around the sun, we experience just four seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter – but now perspectives are widening and beautiful books like this show that different peoples in different places have entirely different timeframes and different names for the patterns of Nature and its phenomena.  For those on Noongar boodja there are six seasons, each with its own distinct signs and times…

  • Birak—season of the young. First summer: December-January. …
  • Bunuru—season of adolescence. Second summer: February-March. …
  • Djeran—season of adulthood. Autumn: April-May. …
  • Makuru—season of fertility. Winter: June-July. …
  • Djilba—season of conception. First spring: August-September. …
  • Kambarang—season of birth.

Written in a mix of English and Noongar but with indigenous words easily distinguishable by looking at the beautiful illustrations (with a glossary for clarification), the reader is taken on a journey through the calendar that, unlike the “English” version which has changes in weather at its heart. focuses on the subtle but significant changes that happen in the life of the local flora and fauna and form the patterns and cycles of life.

But even children on the East Coast, or those for whom Noongar is not their first language can appreciate the beauty and value of this book because it encourages them to look beyond those most obvious signs of change (many of which involve introduced species anyway) and examine the changes in the original, natural environment, and, indeed, their connections and interdependence.  “On Noongar boodja, we know the season is Kambarang when… the kaaril [blue swimmer crab]  is spawning and it’s best not take them.”  It could also inspire an investigation into the indigenous weather knowledge of their own country  as they not only learn to appreciate the knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have developed over thousands and thousands of years, but also better understand that connection to Country that is at the heart of their culture.

Purinina

Sep10
Purinina

Purinina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purinina

Christina Booth

CSIRO Publishing, 2024

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

9781486317264

“At the bottom of the world, on the edge of an island, through a deep valley lined with pine trees that point to the sky, deep in the darkest corner of a warm , dry cave…” So begins the story and the life of one of Australia’s most iconic creatures – Purinina, the Tasmanian Devil.

Nurtured by her mother as she grows from being a jelly-bean sized baby attached to a nipple in her mother’ pouch, to being a mother herself, young readers can follow this new, revamped version of the 2007 classic that captivated so many.  Life is not easy for Purinina ( the official indigenous name for the species) particularly as her mother dies before she and her brothers are independent, and there are strange things to learn as she grows up such as the nature of the “tree that walks, with a light for an eye” who lifts her dead mother and carries her away.

As iconic and integral to the story of Tasmania as the Tasmanian Tiger, the misnamed Devil sits in an elite group of creatures unique to this continent, sadly on the IUCN Redlist  of endangered species because as well as the usual threats of loss of habitat and other human impacts, it is plagued by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) and so this beautifully told story with its informative back matter is an important addition to the small but growing collection that raises awareness of this species and its vulnerability. Teamed with titles like Tasmanian Devil by Claire Saxby from the Nature Storybooks series, and Devils in Danger, a novel by Samantha Wheeler, it could form the basis of any investigation into some of our not-so-prominent fauna as well as demonstrating how humans are now actively seeking to undo the harm that has been inflicted on our wildlife over time, which, in itself, can offer students hope that the planet is not doomed as they are consistently told.  Teachers’ notes are available to assist a deeper study.

When this was first released in 2007, it became a CBCA Notable and given the increase in awareness and activity in environmental preservation,  it has the potential to do so again.

The Secret Garden Rewilded

Aug25
The Secret Garden Rewilded

The Secret Garden Rewilded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Garden Rewilded

Anthea Simmons

Andersen Press, 2024

176pp., pbk.,  RRP $A16.99

9781839134203

In 1911, young readers were taken into the world of the imperious, emotionally-deprived Mary, animal-whisperer Dickon, and the apparently-doomed Colin as their lives gradually changed as they discovered the delights of nature, the beauty of the outdoors and the power of friendship in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  Orphaned in India and sent to live with an unknown, disinterested uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the seemingly endless and desolate Yorkshire Moors, Mary is angry, rude and dislikes everything about her new life, where she lives and those around her and is not afraid to show those emotions.  But things gradually begin to change when a robin seems to show her the secret to a garden that has been locked and abandoned for ten years after the death of her uncle’s wife…

Fast forward nearly 125 years, and Anthea Simmons has “rewilded” the story to the modern era.  Again the main character,  Mia, has been orphaned when her physically and emotionally distant, thrilled-seeking parents are killed in a helicopter crash and she is whisked away from her boarding school (where no one is sad to see her go despite the circumstances)  to Mis Tor Manor on the edge of Dartmoor to live with her uncle and cousin Christopher. Like Mary, Mia is appalled to find herself in the remote countryside, in a freezing, crumbling manor. Grieving and missing her old life, she takes an instant dislike to Christopher, who never leaves his bedroom due to serious heart problems. And then,  little by little, Mia starts to discover the beauty of this wintry world, and befriends local boy Daniel, who loves animals and teaches her how to ride a Dartmoor pony. One day she discovers a hidden door, covered in brambles and ivy, which leads to a walled garden … A special, secret place which needs someone’s care to bring it to life once again so nature can flourish. Does her life take a turn for the better, just as Mary’s did?

Just as in the original where the three children bring the neglected garden to life, so too do Mia, Daniel and eventually Christopher, but in this modern version there is a greater emphasis on the biodiversity and interdependence of the plants and creatures it supports, not only paralleling the real-life relationships the children are experiencing, but actively making it a safe haven for all that live there, rather than just restoring it, so the theme is very relevant to today’s readers. Rewilding is an emerging concept involving  “a progressive approach to conservation. It’s about letting nature take care of itself, enabling natural processes to shape land and sea, repair damaged ecosystems and restore degraded landscapes. Through rewilding, wildlife’s natural rhythms create wilder, more biodiverse habitats” rather than the restoration of what is, perhaps, a human-driven landscape.  In Australia, the World Wildlife Fund has a number of projects whose focus is “to support strategies that test and scale-up methods that help reverse the decline of culturally important wildlife and move beyond just preventing further extinction toward our goal of Regenerating Nature by 2030.”, any of which could become an interest for the reader if there are none closer to home.  

For me, this inspired a re-reading of the original, a beautifully illustrated unabridged edition because it had been so long, and that might also be the case for today’s readers, but this is also a stand-alone read that independent readers will appreciate for its own sake, perhaps inspiring them to become further involved in the protection of the planet . 

 

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”. 

 

 

Dung Beetle on a Roll

Aug5
Dung Beetle on a Roll

Dung Beetle on a Roll

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dung Beetle on a Roll

Sandra Severgnini

CSIRO Publishing, 2024

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

9781486318872

As he works hard to build the biggest dung ball ever and roll it to the perfect spot to attract a mate, Dung Beetle discovers that actually, bigger isn’t always better and there has to be a serious rethink of his plans. And even though he falls down and lands flat on his back, nevertheless he picks himself up and begins again… for some things are too important to abandon.

But while Dung Beetle might be doing his thing with only procreation on his mind, offering his potential mate a safe haven and food source for her offspring, he is actually a critical part of the environmental protection of this country.  Why would an artist as talented as Sandra Severgnini  , she who gave us masterpieces like Tree Beings and Meet Mim, devote so much time to a story about a creature that, at its largest, is no bigger than your thumb and spends its time eating, sleeping and living in cow poo?  

Just as we are invited to follow the ants to the dung ball on the front endpages, and as we follow Dung Beetle’s endeavour to roll the biggest dung beetle ever, so we can also follow the story of the dung beetle’s introduction to Australia  and it’s huge impact on the land management of this country.  Like Dung Beetle learning that often it is small and strong that is important , and Tortoise that slow and steady can win you the race, so too can the reader as they discover  the contribution that this species has made -maybe even taking some of that into their personal lives. 

Told with accessible text, stunning illustrations, humour,  and even lots of additional information at the end, as well as  teaching notes. this is an exciting publication that is so much more than a little beetle doing what comes naturally.                  

Bush Bugs

Jul30
Bush Bugs

Bush Bugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bush Bugs

Helen Milroy

Fremantle Press, 2024

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

9781760993054

Underground, overground, in the air, on flowers, leaves, and tree trunks, our world is alive with minibeasts – often so well disguised we don’t see them or so despised we squish them.  

Written and sized for the hands of our youngest readers, this is the most colourful introduction to a handful of the little creepy-crawlies that we share our planet with. encouraging them to look for what they might see in their own world as Spring slowly creeps south and that world starts to come alive again.  While not all the bugs will be found in the reader’s realm, it’s an inspiration to investigate what does live there and teachers’ notes can lead the inquiry whether from school or home. 

Used with other books such as Pollination, as well as making little ones aware of these creatures (and treating them with respect because sometimes “pretty” or “little” can be dangerous) they can begin to appreciate the critical role they play in the both our food chain and the health of the planet and how we can preserve and protect their habitat.

On the surface this is a rhyming book for little people with the most stunning illustrations but it has the potential to be so much more.  

The Garden at the End of the World

Jul16
The Garden at the End of the World

The Garden at the End of the World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Garden at the End of the World

Cassy Polimeni

Briony Stewart

UQP, 2023

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

9780702265693

In the forest at the end of their garden, Isla and her mother hunt for herbs, forage for fungi and listen to the trees.  It is their peaceful and happy place. and they appreciate all that it gives them.  One day, when Isla finds a beautiful and strange seed which she wants to keep, her mother tells her about the garden at the end of the world… “At the end of the world is an island covered in ice. On the island is a mountain. Inside the mountain is a vault. And inside the vault are millions of seeds…” 

These are not magic seeds like those that grew Jack’s beanstalk, they are ordinary seeds collected from plants around the world but because of the cold of the environment, they are able to survive for hundreds of years ensuring that children of the future will be able to grown and eat the foods that already exist. There are seeds from all over the globe, from White Eagle corn from the Cherokee nation, to kangaroo grass from Australia, all being carefully stored and nurtured, safe from the impact and influence of the outside world.  The concept sparks Isla’s imagination and so she carefully wraps her seeds in foil and she and her mother begin a life-changing journey to the Global Seed Vault in Norway.

Today’s children have an awareness of the state of the planet. climate change and its environmental future like no previous generation, and so this story provides not only information about this remarkable facility but also a beacon of hope.  Despite the stories of doom and gloom that they hear every other day, and the discussions and investigations they have and do about climate change and conservation, here is proof that something significant is being done by those who can, and that is has potential for good for everyone.  While much of their focus might be on preserving the world’s wildlife, without food there is nothing and so this shines a spotlight on protecting the vegetation – perhaps even inspiring some future botanists. Embedding both the information and the message in a story about a mother and daughter, rather than a facts-and-figures non fiction book, opens this initiative to a wider, younger audience who can build on what they now know generating both practical and philosophical change. Maybe it will be their children who benefit from the special seeds Isla delivers.   Worthy of its status as a CBCA Notable Book of the Year, 2024.

 

 

 

 

Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra

Jul14
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra

Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra

Cassy Polimeni

Hykie Breeze

UWAP, 2024

92pp., pbk., RRP $A15.99

9781760802899

Life is a tad tough for Ella right now = her family has just moved house and, as she unpacks,  she’s finding it hard to let go of her old room and its familiarity, particularly her BFF Viv living next door.  No matter how hard her dad tries to make things fun, the constant rain and mess are really getting her down.  So when the rain does stop, she takes the opportunity to go outside into the fresh air and open space.  

Outside the garden seems full of promise for the future, but when she hears a strange crick-crick sound it’s seems the future is here.  What could be making that noise?  Bending down, by her gumboot she sees a tiny frog, no bigger than her thumb and it seems to be wanting her to follow it.  And so she does – and finds herself in the midst of something so special she is entranced.  For in front of her is an abandoned, overgrown pond full of an amazing variety of frogs, all calling to each other and creating her private frog orchestra.  

And when she starts at her new school, Ella learns that protecting the local frogs is a major focus of her classmates and she discovers so much more about the species as her new friend Mai shows her the school’s frog bog.  With her new knowledge and respect, Ella is devastated to discover her neighbour’s yard being dug up and her frogs have disappeared… 

This is a new series for newly independent readers that not only has characters that they will resonate with – so many will recognise the anxiety and other emotions that come with moving house and starting a new school – but which also has an original storyline that offers new insight into a common curriculum focus.  Who knew that frogs have a homing instinct that means they can find their way home because they know just where they belong?

As well as being one of the most common species investigated when it comes to learning about life cycles, frogs are also an indicator species, demonstrating that the local environment is healthy, although sadly, in Australia alone, there are more than 40 species listed as endangered or vulnerable.  Thus, building awareness of their importance through an engaging story, including instructions for building their own frog pond in their backyard, young students can begin to appreciate that while Ella’s frog orchestra  may be the turning point in her new life, they have a critical role in the bigger picture.  

An excellent story to springboard to greater investigations. 

Now for the Good News

Jul9
Now for the Good News

Now for the Good News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the Good News

Planet Ark

Penguin, 2024

144pp., pbk., RRP $A19.99

 9780143779582

So often lately our students are confronted by stories of doom and gloom about the state of the planet, its habitats and inhabitants. They are exhorted to do this, that, and the other if they want to have a future in a healthy environment, constantly being assured that every little bit they do will make a difference.  

But is there any progress really being made?

In this book, written especially for young Australians by environmental champions Planet Ark, positive environmental advances, initiatives and inventions happening in this country are showcased bringing the message of hope that some of our kids so desperately need.  Whether it is being done by corporate bodies or grass-roots individuals there are things being done that are making a difference and by using a user-friendly layout , upbeat language and a can-do attitude, readers are encouraged to not only see a future but get themselves involved in making it better.

Launched in time for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day on July 26,  it is just the spur needed to re-ignite the care-for-the-environment message as spring looms and new growth and possibilities beckon.  Whether it is reinvigorating an existing project, contributing towards one already happening in the community or being inspired by an idea in the book and making it happen locally, to see the evidence that such things do make a difference is just what we need.