New and recommended children's books for April
It’s an all-Australian round-up of new children’s books this month! We are excited about some stunning new picture books that are an utter delight, as well as a highly illustrated nonfiction picture book about democracy and the importance of people power. We also have a hilarious new graphic novel by First Nations creator, Brenton E McKenna, and a middle fiction fantasy debut by Doris Brett. Our Classic of the Month is by Australian poet Banjo Paterson, no less!
APRIL BOOK OF THE MONTH
Pasta by Felice Arena & Beatrice Cerocchi (illus)
This simple, rhyming picture book beautifully depicts the incredible variety of pasta with all their evocative, wonderful Italian names. A delight to read aloud with its charming rhyming text, this A to Z of pasta varieties will make young children fall in love with pasta (if the haven't already!).
Vibrantly illustrated by Italian artist, Beatrice Cerocchi, this is a stunning picture book for young children aged 2 and up.
FIVE BOOKS WE LOVE THIS MONTH
The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart (illus)
This stunningly illustrated story is about a very important topic that captures the imagination of young and old. Isla and her mother take a long journey to the Global Seed Vault that is located in Norway, which houses a vast collection of everyday plant seeds from all over the world. There, Isla places her precious seeds that she has brought from Australia to be stored in the vault.
This is a truly imaginative response to a highly important conservation project and is a fascinating story for ages 3 and up.
Big Cat by Jess Racklyeft
Set in Melbourne, a young girl who is a well-organised adventurer searches for a giant cat that she has heard rumours about. But first she must learn what it takes to be truly ‘wild’ in order to find her elusive Big Cat. Featuring the many works of public art that adorn the streets of Melbourne, this is an adorable adventure that will have children searching not only for Big Cats but also for the city landmarks that appear in the book in stunning watercolour. Suitable for ages 3 and up.
Democracy by Philip Bunting
Bunting is known for his highly informative yet entertaining books on nonfiction topics, and what could be a more important topic than the very foundation of our political system? In Democracy, Bunting explores the history of democracy in an amusing way, but also the importance of protest and petitions in giving citizens a voice. Written in consultation with The Museum of Australian Democracy, adults can be confident that its factually correct, but it's also a fun book for young people to engage with our political system and learn about people power. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Hairy Holes by Brenton E. McKenna
The creator of the Ubby’s Underdogs series has a new junior fiction graphic novel about some very unusual outback supernatural creatures. When a tourist stumbles across Begley and Redley Hole in their outback home, he takes them on a wild adventure to help them find their parents. This hilarious graphic novel is suitable for early readers aged 6 and up.
Philomella and the Impossible Forest by Doris Brett
With plenty of humour and mystery, this is a delightful fantasy story for middle grade readers about a plucky heroine, Philomella, and what happens when she gets thrust into a world of were-dragons, trolls, obnoxious princesses, and a boy whose ancestors were trees. She must battle a mysterious enemy to save the forest, aided by her quirky companions and her considerable wits. This exciting adventure will have plenty of fans aged 9 and up.
CLASSIC OF THE MONTH
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle by A.B. Paterson
This poem, written by Paterson in 1896 around the time that bicycles were becoming popular as a mode of transport, is celebrating fifty years as a children’s book this month. Highly illustrated and very entertaining, this is the story of old Mulga Bill, who believed that because he could ride a horse, surely a bicycle would be just as easy. Unfortunately for Mulga Bill, this is not the case. This is a hilarious read-aloud that has entertained generations of children. Suitable for ages 4 and up.
NEWS AND EVENTS
- Melbourne Writers Festival is on at the beginning of May and this year there are two events for children. The first is a session with the Little Lunch series creators Danny Katz and Mitch Vane. The second event is with illustrator and author Renee Treml about creating a simple character for ages 5 and up. Both events are on Sunday, May 7.
- Two launches are happening on Saturday April 29 at Readings shops. You can go to the launch of Anna Ciddor's second book in her historical fiction series, A Message through Time at Readings Kids or you might be interested in attending the launch of picture book The Garden at the End of the World at Readings St Kilda.
