This month we read about an impulsive monster on the lookout for a new friend, play basketball with Patty Mills, and celebrate a new book by much-loved author Emily Rodda.

Find our best recommendations for teen books this month here.

OUR CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE MONTH

Jo Witek and Christine Roussey can do no wrong in our eyes. In My Room is a quirky and colourful addition to their popular Growing Hearts series, in which a little girl uses art supplies and dress-ups to explore a number of roles and identities – vet, explorer, rock musician.

Readings Hawthorn children’s book buyer Alexa Dretzke praises this book as ‘a salute to the power of the imagination… happy, playful and an absolute delight.’ For ages 3 and up.

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

NEW PICTURE BOOKS

It’s an early call, I know, but I’m fairly sure I Just Ate my Friend by Heidi McKinnon will be among my favourite picture books of 2017. An adorable monster grapples with self-control in this simple and funny story of a search for belonging. The monster’s yearning for another friend is eventually sated, but look out for another great twist. This tale is perfect to read multiple times and laugh over with a little person. For ages 2 and up.

Ruben is thought-provoking and evocative illustrated fiction for ages 6 and up. Ruben, a street child, lives among ruined buildings on the outskirts of a futuristic city. He keeps himself safe, scavenges, dreams of escape, and one day makes an important connection with another homeless child, Koji. Bruce Whatley fans will marvel afresh at his versatility, and our reviewer, Alexa, describes his illustrations as ‘masterful and haunting, highlighting the loneliness of Ruben and his vulnerability amongst the steely might of the metropolis’.

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

I love the reimagined picture book fairy tales by David and Lynn Roberts (brother and sister, in case you’re wondering). They’ve done an eighteenth century Red Riding Hood, a groovy Seventies Rapunzel, an Art Deco Cinderella, and now they’ve released their mid-century take on Sleeping Beauty. Read an absolutely fascinating interview with the siblings about making this latest book here.

While I know the historical settings might seem to be a gimmick more for adults than kids, these books are spunky and smart retellings, with illustrations that are full of verve and entertaining detail. If you want your kids to enjoy fairy tales as much as you do (especially ones where some of the more traditional values have been tweaked) then these picture books will fit the bill nicely.

NEW JUNIOR FICTION (AGES 5-9)

Together with with established author Jared Thomas, much-loved San Antonio Spurs and Olympic basketball player Patty Mills has penned his first children’s book. Patty Hits the Court is the first book of the new Game Day series. In this story, little Patty plays basketball for the first time. He’s no natural player, and getting better requires persistence, teamwork and friendship. This is a great read for sports lovers, with relatable real life school and family challenges, and interesting information about Torres Strait Islander culture. For ages 7 and up.

It’s no secret that we adore the Grover McBane, Rescue Dog stories. Based on real life rescue dog Grover and his adoptive family, Johannes Leak’s lovely black and white drawings bring Grover and his canine friends to life. The latest books, Grover McBane: Grover and Squeak’s Farm Adventure and Grover, Stretch and the Broken Leg are definitely worth woofing about. The stories are sweet, touching and easy to read, together (for ages 5 and up) or independently (for ages 7 and up).

Isla Fisher is back with another Marge book. She charmed us with Marge in Charge, Marge and the Pirate Baby and now dream babysitter Marge and her charges, Jemima and Jakey, star in another funny caper, Marge and the Great Train Rescue. For ages 6 and up.

NEW MIDDLE FICTION (AGES 8-12)

A new Emily Rodda book is always cause for excitement. The Shop at Hoopers Bend follows Jonquil, a young girl on her way to summer camp. When Jonquil is swept up in a trail of coincidences involving a mug, a dog called Pirate and an elderly shopkeeper, you have to wonder is it serendipity, or possibly even magic?

You can read our review here. For ages 8 and up.

Hyacinth is dragged into a very mysterious and very British underground adventure in The City of Secret Rivers by J. Sager Weinstein. Readings St Kilda children’s book buyer Kim Gruschow loved this story about the sewers and magical rivers of London. She likened it to the prize-winning A Most Magical Girl and enjoyed the ‘really great mix of action, humour, and repulsive stinks’.

You can read Kim’s full review here. For ages 8 and up.

The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker captivated Readings Malvern children’s book buyer Athina Clarke, who found it possessed ‘an enchanting fable-like quality, offering richly detailed scenes and truly unforgettable characters’. After a terrible plague sweeps town, former furniture maker, and now coffin maker, Alberto must find the courage to save a new friend. This is a great story for those who like reading about adversity, remarkable friendships and hope.

You can read Athina’s full review here. For ages 9 and up.

I was absolutely gripped by the wartime adventure of The Fighting Stingrays by Simon Mitchell. This is a wonderfully engrossing story about three Australian boys living on Thursday Island during World War II. The unfolding events of the war, and the fate of Japanese-Australian Masa and his family test their friendship to its limits, and require their every survival skill. This has got history, action, politics and island living, and I loved it!

You can read my full review here. For ages 9 and up.

In Yasmin Hamid’s Swimming on the Lawn, you can read about family life in 1960s Sudan before the major changes brought about by a military coup. Young Farida lives in Khartoum with her family, and details everyday events such as train trips, festivals and school life. Our reviewer, Athina, enjoyed reading about ‘the oppressive heat, the unusual flora and fauna, the scrumptious breakfasts and the experience of birth and death… all brought to life against a wonderful backdrop of Sudanese culture and customs’.

You can read Athina’s full review here.

A SPOTLIGHT ON NON-FICTION TITLES

If you know a youngster who is mad about the idea of cooking but doesn’t have the skills to do it safely in real life yet, look no further. Pizza is a fun and practical interactive recipe book. Little fingers interact with tabs, wheels and flaps to ‘cook’ their imaginary pizza, and the experience can mimic or serve as a guide for future real life cooking. For ages 3 and up.

The inimitable Britta Teckentrup has produced an unusual book that explores the largest and smallest eggs of nature, with an artist’s eye for beauty and detail. The Egg shows the marvellous and imaginative possibilities of nature, birds, nests and eggs, and is a lovely book to read together with ages 4 and up.

3-FOR-2 SPECIAL OFFER ON AUSTRALIAN PICTURE BOOKS

Throughout August, we have a special offer on a range of paperback picture books from Penguin Random House. Buy two books, and choose a third book in the range (of equal or lesser value) – free.

This offer is exclusively available at Readings Kids, Readings Hawthorn, Readings Doncaster, Readings Malvern and Readings St Kilda until 31 August on stickered, in-stock items only, while stocks last. The lowest-priced book is free of charge. This offer is not available online.

MIFF FOR KIDS

This year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) kicks off this Friday, 3 August. The 2017 program presents two streams for a youth audience. MIFF Kids is a program of films for all ages at family-friendly times on the weekends. MIFF Schools brings together an array of high quality, diverse and age appropriate films in languages most commonly taught in Victorian schools.

We put together a list of all the films that are on offer for kids and teens (with recommended age levels) here.

LOVE YOUR BOOKSHOP DAY EVENTS FOR KIDS

Love Your Bookshop Day is on Saturday 12 August, and we have two great events planned for kids.

Come by Readings Hawthorn at 10am and meet the Super Moopers – characters in a brand-new series of books created by Fiona Harris and Scott Edgar. Let them entertain your children with stories, songs and drawing. This free event is suitable for ages 4 to 8.

Alternatively, drop by Readings Carlton at 11am for a special story time with Readings favourite, Sally Rippin. This free event is suitable for ages 5 to 10.

Leanne Hall