This month we are all about heroes, aliens, magicians, witches, crime-fighting dogs and cabbages that talk!

Find our best recommendations for teen books this month here.

OUR CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE MONTH

‘If A Series of Unfortunate Events and Withering-by-Sea produced a love child – this would be it!’ – how could you resist a description like that from Malvern children’s book buyer, Athina

The beautifully illustrated adventure mystery Whimsy & Woe by Rebecca McRitchie and Sonia Kretschmar is our Children’s Book of the Month. The eponymous child heroes are a brother and sister searching for their kidnapped parents, and facing up to villainous villains galore, with courage and flair. For ages 9 and up.

You can read Athina’s full review here.

NEW PICTURE BOOKS

Readings favourite Beatrice Alemagna has created the lovely On a Magical Do-Nothing Day, a story about what happens when a child drops their electronic toy in the pond. Hawthorn bookseller Mike recommends this picture book that details ‘a day lined with adventure and gentle surrealism, as they explore the natural world and embrace an older form of play’. For ages 3 and up.

You can read Mike’s full review here.

Laugh out loud at the antics of some really silly aliens in They Came from Planet Zabalooloo! by Sean Taylor and Kate Hindley. Three aliens are sent to Earth to bring an important artefact back to their home planet – simple task, right? Not if you are Zoron, Bazoo and Zob. For ages 3 and up.

You can read our review here.

In Once Upon a Small Rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay and Leila Rudge, a rhinoceros sets sail to see the world, despite the fact that the other rhinoceroses don’t see the point. When he returns to tell of all he’s seen, he finds one kindred spirit among his community. Hawthorn children’s book buyer Alexa loved this gentle book. She said: ‘The soft, sweet pictures are unfussy and loving and are perfect for ages 2+.’

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

NEW JUNIOR FICTION (AGES 5-9)

Well-known magician Consentino has written his first children’s book. The Mysterious World of Cosentino: The Missing Ace is a fantastical, magical adventure featuring Cos, a whole cast of friendly cards in peril, and an evil king. This illustrated junior book is perfect for budding magicians, reluctant readers who benefit from lots of pictures and young readers with a keen sense of imagination. For ages 6 and up.

You can read our review here.

Ailsa Wild’s Sita ‘Squishy’ Taylor never ceases to delight, and this month she’s back in Squishy Taylor in the Mud. Squishy is a whirling dervish as usual as she solves the many mysteries that come her way. For ages 6 and up.

In The Cursed First Term of Zelda Stitch by Nicki Greenberg, a novice teacher must handle the dramas of her new class of students while also keeping the fact that she’s a witch (albeit quite an incompetent one) firmly hidden. This is magic and funny mayhem for readers ages 7 and up.

NEW MIDDLE FICTION (AGES 8-12)

Four children struggle for survival in the Amazon jungle, and end up discovering an amazing secret in Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer. St Kilda children’s book buyer Kim highly recommends this adventure story that contains maps, sloths and a man of mystery, describing it as ‘extremely thoughtful, yet completely addictive and exhilarating.’ Young readers of ages 9 and up who love mysteries, survival and wildlife should check this one out.

You can read Kim’s full review here.

A toddler goes missing from a suburban street in The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Budding sleuth, 12-year-old Matthew, was the last person to see Teddy before he disappeared. He has to contend with his obsessive compulsive disorder and fear of leaving his house to solve the case, as well as have the bravery to form new friendships. This is a sensitive whodunnit for ages 8 and up.

You can read my review here.

Young fantasy and action readers, take note… The Book of Secrets by The Mapmaker Chronicles author A.L. Tait is the first in the new Ateban Cipher series. Orphan Gabe must leave the monastery where he lives and embark a perilous quest when he is handed a coded manuscript by a dying Brother. For ages 9 and up.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

For a thoroughly charming homegrown read, pick up Charlotte Rose Hamlyn’s surreal adventure Opposite Land. Stevie has had a horrible first day at her new school, and retreats to her bedroom with a book written by her grandfather in hand. Once the book is cracked open Stevie is whisked away to the confounding Opposite Land, where she meets a range of odd characters, including a pirate who strongly resembles her mum. There’s much talk of a destined heroic princess, and talking cabbages and of course, the baddie Emperor Never. This is a cute, absurd and hilarious graphic novel with a brave heroine at its centre. For ages 8 and up.

Much-loved canine crime-fighter Dog Man returns for his third adventure in Dav Pilkey’s The Adventures of Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties. Hilarity ensues when Dog Man goes up against his nemesis Petey the criminal cat and his new fluffy kitten clone. For ages 8 and up.

CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Hawthorn bookseller Mark revisited the still-popular Holes by Louis Sachar, and found it ‘funny, clever, moving and thrilling.’ Stanley Yelnats has terrible luck and finds himself unjustly incarcerated and digging ‘character building’ holes at Camp Greenlake in this classic that was first published 20 years ago.

You can read Mike’s full review here.

NON-FICTION SPOTLIGHT

Following on from the stellar Women in Science, writer-illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky excels again with Women in Sports. This book features 50 women who ‘played to win’ despite setbacks and inequity. From mountaineers to distance swimmers to jockeys to gymnasts, Women in Sports is the perfect inspiration for any young sportsperson. For ages 9 and up.

RECENT NEWS

The 2017 winners of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards have been revealed and included some of our favourite voices in children’s literature, established and new. Congratulations to all the winning and honoured authors and illustrators.

The Davitt Awards celebrate crime fiction written by Australian women, and this year’s winners were announced last weekend. Congratulations is due to Judith Rossell for winning the Children’s Novel category with the delightful Wormwood Mire.

Finally, picture book lovers, collectors and story time enthusiasts might be tempted by this list of 24 new picture books that have caught our attention this year. This varied list includes suggestions for ages 0 to 100…

EVENTS FOR KIDS

Join us at 11am on Sunday 3 September at Readings Hawthorn for the launch of The Cursed First Term of Zelda Stitch. This is the latest book from author Nicki Greenberg and it’s ideal for readers ages 7 and up. This event is free, no need to book.

We’re hosting a double book launch at 6.30pm on Thursday 7 September at Readings Kids. Hidden by Sif Dal and Lizzy’s Dragon by Melissa Gijsber are both published by Melbourne fantasy imprint, Stone Table Books. This event is free, no need to book.

And at 2pm on Monday 25 September, Super Moopers creators Fiona Harris and Scott Edgar are running an awesome workshop at Readings Kids. Featuring stories and the opportunity to create your very own superhero, this event is suitable for ages for ages 5 to 10. Entry is $15 per person and includes a Super Moopers book of your choice. Please book here – spaces are limited.

Leanne Hall