Recommended kids books & news for April
We’ve got animals in disguise and fascinating paleontology this month, along with sweet tales of family, unexpected friendships, and thrilling adventures in our own world and other worlds.
Find our April picks for YA books here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
Masters of Disguise by Marc Martin
Now you see them, now you don’t! Cloaked in a riot of colour, pattern and texture are a dozen animals - from chameleons and polar bears to Gaboon vipers and mimic octopuses - that have mastered the art of fading into the background. Renowned Australian artist Marc Martin jets budding conservationists around the world and shows them the secrets of animal camouflage in this wonderfully illustrated and designed book.
Our reviewer Angela highly recommends Masters of Disguise, describing it as ‘a fascinating animal book for youngsters that will enthral them with fun facts, engage them with search and finds, and delight them with Martin’s always glorious watercolour images.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 7+
SIX KIDS BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH
Don’t Forget by Jane Godwin & Anna Walker
Don’t forget to make your bed, and wear socks that fit your feet… Don’t forget to care, to play, To run, to laugh…Sometimes, we need to remember all the things we can do to be part of the world. Small things, like offering a smile. And bigger things, like hoping, dreaming, imagining…
This thoughtful picture book from frequent collaborators Jane Godwin and Anna Walker encourages kids and their parents to turn their attention to feeding the soul and senses. Our reviewer Alexa loved Don’t Forget, saying: ‘This is a beautiful, quiet book that gently nudges caregivers and children beyond a routine of well-meaning habits toward thinking about a holistic life of wonder.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 3+.
King of the Birds (Arlo & Pips, Book 1) by Elise Gravel
Like most crows, Arlo has a big brain. But Arlo has something else: a sarcastic little pal called Pips who’s not afraid to tell him when he’s being insufferably arrogant! King of the Birds is the first book in a new junior graphic novel series. It contains three digestible episodes in Arlo and Pips’ friendship, including a visit to the big city and the beach on their hunt for shiny things and French fries, and cool crow facts.
Our reviewer Dani praised this fun early reader series: ‘There is so much for kids to love in this book: the nifty facts, the bright clear logical illustrated panels, the expressive and cute animals, and Pips’ slightly grump face as Arlo’s boasting gets a little too much.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 4+.
Huda and Me by H. Hayek
When their parents have to travel to Beirut unexpectedly, twelve-year-old Akeal and his six siblings are horrified to be left with the dreaded Aunt Amel as their babysitter. Things do not go well, and Akeal’s naughty little sister, Huda, hatches a bold plan to escape. After stealing Aunt Amel’s credit card to buy plane tickets to Lebanon, Huda persuades her reluctant favourite brother to come with her. So begins Huda and Akeal’s hair-raising and action-packed journey to reunite with their parents, in a city they’ve grown up dreaming about but have never seen.
Our reviewer Claire adored vivacious, precocious Huda and her patient, big-hearted older brother Akeal, syaing: ‘Hayek’s novel is a cheeky, fun and heartfelt adventure that will have you laughing out loud.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 8+.
Paws by Kate Foster
Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex and, as an autistic person, change can be terrifying. With the first day of high school only a couple of months away, Alex is sure that having a friend by his side will help. So, he’s devised a plan - impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin the cockapoo. But when a new family moves into his neighbourhood, a fresh opportunity for friendship presents itself, even if it’s not so obvious to Alex at first.
You can read our review of Paws here.
For ages 9+.
The Girl and the Galdurian by Tim Probert
Bea and her grandfather, the wise Pig Wizard, live a quiet and peaceful life on the planet Irpa, crafting potions for the people of their once-prosperous world. All that changes one day when her grandfather goes missing and Bea meets Cad, a member of the Galdurians, an ancient race thought to be long-extinct. Bea and Cad set out across Irpa to find the Pig Wizard, while danger fights its way out of the shadows and into the light.
Our reviewer Kim loved this gorgeously illustrated fantasy graphic novel, admiring the teamwork and growing friendship between Bea and Cad: ‘With humour and warmth, they see each other through some hairy situations.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 8+.
Fossils from Lost Worlds by Hélène Rajcak & Damien Laverdunt
Walk in the footsteps of the first fossil researchers to discover the earliest animal life on Earth. Explore the story of a spiny sea worm without tail or head, a walking fish, a peaceful sea dragon, and many other incredible creatures. Told through comics, illustrations and data, Fossils from Lost Worlds is also a fascinating insight into paleontology itself. Through a timeline of animal reconstructions and major discoveries, we can track the beliefs and theories that have brought our knowledge to where it is today.
Our reviewer Athina highly recommends this ‘treasure trove of information the whole family can savour and enjoy for many years.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 8+.
KIDS CLASSIC OF THE MONTH
Olivia by Ian Falconer
Olivia is an absolute delight! A gorgeous little pig who likes to dress-up, sing songs, dance, think, snooze (sometimes) and is even quite good at building sandcastles. Her days are filled with the wonderful minutiae that make up a small child’s life and, at the end of them, when she snuggles up in bed and her mother reads her a story (or three). Olivia the little pig, feels very full of love.
Our reviewer Bianca urges you to ‘lose a little bit of your heart to one precocious piglet in this modern classic.’
You can read her full review here.
For ages 1 and up.
NEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
There have been two notable awards announcements this month! The Children’s Book Council of Australia announced its Book of the Year Awards shortlists for 2021, across all age groups, and in the UK, the prestigious CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals shortlists came out.
Recent events in Australia have put the topic of consent at the forefront of everyone’s minds. In response we have put together a collection of recommended books about body safety and consent for kids. (And there is a teen collection too.)
Who doesn’t love a birthday? And isn’t it great (for kids) when you are all of a sudden one whole year older? Here are six of our favourite picture books about birthdays.
For the first time in history, the kids are taking over the State Library of Victoria! On 15 April 2021, SLV is holding the awesome Kids’ Takeover event - with activities, experiences and fun for kids and their grownups. There’s music, art and storytelling, and a great event with Real Pigeons creators Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood. You can find all the details here.
