There are so many exciting new releases on our shelves this May, that it’s hard to know where to begin. How about with our Book of the Month - a warmhearted story about footy, family and fashion? Or perhaps with a story about stressing out, changing family dynamics and climate change activism? In picture books we have a non-binary character in the exuberant Katerina Cruickshanks, and a luscious ode to a new baby by First Nations creator, Melissa Greenwood. We have a rare middle fiction sci-fi story, a fantasy about violent unicorns, and a shaggy dog story from Zana Fraillon. So. Many. Good. Books. Let’s go!

Read this month’s Young Adult round-up here.

KID’S BOOK OF THE MONTH

How to Tackle Your Dreams by Fiona Hardy

Everyone knows that Homer loves Australian Rules football. But ever since his dad moved away and his mum was drafted in the women’s league, something has changed.

He’s spending more time fixing clothes with his grandfather than scoring goals with his friends. When Homer’s upgraded school shirt becomes the talk of the playground, he sees a business opportunity that could make him enough money to visit his dad. But the more stitches Homer makes, the more that everything else in his life begins to unravel.

A fun and engaging read for ages 9 and up.

SIX BOOKS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH

Katerina Cruickshanks by Daniel Gray-Barnett

Katerina Cruickshanks is a wild child, a trickster, and a ringleader. But when they wreak some serious chaos, their friends decide their shenanigans have gone too far and say, ‘No more!’

Brimming with humour and warmth, Katerina shows us that there’s no such thing as being too much; it’s just a matter of finding the friends who will love you as you are. This book is a cheer of appreciation for loud, outrageous kids.

A vibrant picture book for ages 3 and up.

Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth by Melissa Greenwood

From Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood, of mother-daughter art and design label Miimi and Jiinda, comes a deeply felt and heart-stirring picture book about the connection between mothers, babies and Miimi Marraal, Mother Earth.

An evocative picture book for ages 2 and up.

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon

Scruffity is born into the harsh, grey world of a puppy farm. Taken from his mamma and locked in a concrete cage, what he yearns for most is Family. Just as his chances of adoption grow dangerously thin, Scruffity is set free by a boy as lonely as he is.

Outside, Scruffity learns all about The Way of Dog - to run, to dig, to howl and to love. But when tragedy strikes, Scruffity is suddenly all alone. How does a dog find his way home when he never had one to begin with?

A heartwarming shaggy dog tale in verse for ages 8 and up.

How to Spell Catastrophe by Fiona Wood

Nell McPherson is a catastrophe expert, but nothing has prepared her for the impending catastrophe of her mum’s plans to merge families with boyfriend, Ted and his annoying daughter, Amelia.

As if that’s not dire enough, grade six is turning into an emotional obstacle course. When Nell decides to tackle climate change and campaigns for grade six to attend the School Strike 4 Climate, old friends and new will come together, and along the way plans to foil the family merge give way to an understanding that it might not be such a disaster after all.

An inspiring read for ages 10 and up.

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman

Soar into a world where unicorns are real - and deadly. They can only be tamed by the rider who hatches them.

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider, and the time has come for him to take his Hatchery Exam, to learn if he is destined to hatch a unicorn egg. But when Skandar is stopped from taking the exam, and the mysterious and frightening Weaver steals the most powerful unicorn in the world, becoming a rider proves very dangerous. And what if Skandar was destined to be the villain rather than the hero?

A action-packed fantasy for readers age 8 and up.

Mars Awakens by H.M. Waugh

Raised in rival colonies on Mars, each long ago abandoned by Earth, Dee and Holt have been brought up to hate even the idea of each other.

But when a mysterious object crash-lands on a far-flung plain, they are both sent to investigate and their fates intertwine. Together they must battle epic storms and deadly bio-clouds while unpicking the web of lies they have been told about their planet. Will their bond be strong enough to withstand the arrival of a mysterious invader that threatens to end life on Mars forever?

A brilliant sci-fi for readers age 10 and up.

KID’S CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Dogger by Shirley Hughes

When Dave loses his favorite toy, Dogger, he is very sad. But when Dogger turns up for sale at the neighborhood fair, everything seems all right until someone else buys him before Dave can get the money!

This timeless classic uses simple words and detailed pictures to show the distress the loss of a toy can cause a child, and the joyous reunion when they are found again.

Suitable for ages 3 and up.

NEWS AND EVENTS THIS MONTH

• Storytime is on again at Readings Kids every Sunday at 10.30am. Sometimes there are special guests, but always there are fantastic stories with our resident storyteller Tye Cattenach. No need to book. Just turn up!
• Some recent books that would be great for discussion in Kids and YA book clubs can be found here.
• Big Magic, a debut middle grade fantasy by Sarah Armstrong, will be launched at Readings Hawthorn on Saturday, May 28, with live acrobats! Find more details here.
• Stunt Kids, a debut middle grade by Trent Roberts about a group of stunt heroes who must defeat an evil nemesis, will be launched on Thursday, June 2 at Readings St Kilda. Find more details here.