The November kids review
Discover the new kids books our booksellers are excited about this month! From picture books to nonfiction, early chapter books to middle grade novels.
Kids Nonfiction
Australia’s Baby Animals by Jess Racklyeft
Reviewed by Kim Gruschow, co-manager of Readings St Kilda
Melbourne illustrator Jess Racklyeft has created a beautiful book that showcases an array of Australia’s animals which is not only magnificent but also extraordinarily cute. The spreads in this book display the various habitats of Australia in gorgeous watercolour and present illustrations of babies of the species that live within them. Each species is accompanied by an interesting fact.
From underground burrows to treetop nests, and from sandy beaches to riverbeds, Australia’s unique landscapes provide homes for baby animals to live and thrive in. Here is a celebration of the animals that are born in this incredible country, from Snubfin Dolphin calves to Pygmy Possum joeys, Rainbow Lorikeet fledglings, Huntsman spiderlings, Thorny Devil hatchlings, and many more.
How delightful it is to learn about species with such spectacular names as the Eastern Gobbleguts, the Pobblebonk, and the Gumleaf Skeletoniser. This book will inspire young readers to love and care for our fascinating creatures. To assist with this, there are notes at the back of the book which provide information and links for further habitat and wildlife care and conservation organisations. This book is perfect to share with anyone aged 3+ and will surely be an excellent resource for primary schools, libraries and all nature-loving homes.
Picture Books
Dog Beach by Julie Murphy & Annie White (illus.)
Reviewed by Lili Reus-Smit from Readings Kids
As a dog lover, this picture book quite simply brought a smile to my face. Featuring dogs of all shapes and sizes, from little Chihuahuas to big Great Danes, there isn’t a dog you won’t find in Julie Murphy and Annie White’s Dog Beach. From little dogs splashing in the shallows to big, mopey dogs basking in the sun, I can say that these wonderfully playful illustrations perfectly capture the many dogs you will find at the beach. With bright, colourful pictures that reflect each dog’s energy and dynamic movement, every page makes it easy to imagine that you too are at the beach. Paired with simple but rhythmic text, this picture book is perfect for any young dog lover aged 1+.
Junior Grade
Hazel's Treehouse by Zanni Louise & Judy Watson (illus.)
Reviewed by Claire Atherfold manager of Readings State Library Victoria
Reminiscent of enchanting childhood tales like Winnie-the-Pooh, Blinky Bill or Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Hazel’s Treehouse by bestselling author Zanni Louise is a future classic for your bookshelf.
Hazel lives in a treehouse in the Australian bush with her friends: Walter the wombat, who is always cleaning; Tiny the honey possum, who is so small she travels in Hazel’s pocket; Odette the pademelon, who is constantly bouncing; and my favourite, Poky, an echidna who alters colours and shades depending on Hazel’s emotions.
Every chapter is full of adventures, be it wishing for pancakes on Snuggle Up Sunday, learning what to do on Nothing Day, or how to handle what caused Small Pants Friday. We learn alongside Hazel and her friends with Louise’s charming language and Judy Watson’s adorable imagery.
It’s a beautiful addition to any collection and suitable for ages 5+.
Middle Grade
Thunderhead by Sophie Beer
Reviewed by Angela Crocombe, senior buyer
Written in diary format, this debut novel is a funny, powerful story about a teen music fan. Thunderhead is utterly music-obsessed but also going deaf. She has two tumours in her eardrums that need to be operated on and she will lose most of her hearing afterwards. She is also starting high school without her best (and only) friend, Moonflower, who is going to a different school. Thunderhead starts writing an online blog on a defunct music forum to vent her frustrations.
When Thunderhead meets Moonflower’s new friends, she is thrilled they love music, but pretends she likes their favourite bands and foolishly promises she can get them free tickets to a gig by her favourite musician. Meanwhile, there are hospital and doctors’ appointments as she prepares for her operation.
With musical playlists at the start of every chapter and line drawings throughout, this is a delightful own-voices story for readers aged 10+.
All the Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad
Reviewed by Angela Crocombe, senior buyer
Katrina Nannestad’s fourth Second World War story focuses on Hitler’s purges of those who were disabled, Jewish or in any way considered different. Seven-year-old Eva has a wondrous view of the world and finds everything ‘beautiful’. This story is told from the point of view of her older sister, Anna, who knows Eva must be hidden in a tiny room to keep her safe from the Nazis. Soon, other girls are hiding with Eva. Anna, her best friend Udo, and a seamstress – who makes dresses for the Nazi women – must take great risks to keep the girls safe.
Anna and Udo befriend beautiful Eva Braun when ice skating. Hitler has a chalet nearby and one day Anna goes there to meet Eva Braun, believing that she is just pretending to like Hitler, as they do, to stay safe. It’s only after the war Anna realises otherwise. This heartwarming and historically accurate story will be enjoyed by readers aged 11+.
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix
Reviewed by Stephanie King from Readings Emporium
I first read a Garth Nix book when I was in primary school. It was one from The Keys to the Kingdom series and I was assigned it as English homework. One evening, with an hour before dinner and nothing to do, I was bored enough to actually give my homework book a go. I’m so glad I did, I was utterly immersed, and when dinner was finally ready, I didn’t want to leave the wonderful world that Nix had created.
Nix’s new book, We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord, took me right back to that evening. Nix can create worlds that feel alive, and that can still suck me into them years later. Set in Canberra in the ’70s, the story is about Kim’s little sister Eila, who finds a mysterious, glowing, golden orb in a lake one evening; an orb that Kim suspects is bad news for his little sister. What does the orb want with Eila? What will Eila do with the powers the orb gives her?
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord is a delightfully fun read. It is both funny and heartfelt. If you have an hour to spare before dinner, I recommend giving this book a go – you won’t want to put it down. For ages 10+.
