Alexa Dretzke

Alexa Dretzke is a children’s & YA book specialist at Readings Hawthorn

Review — 26 Apr 2017

Tilly and the Time Machine by Adrian Edmondson

Adrian Edmondson may have been an anarchic misfit in the TV show The Young Ones, but he certainly makes the cut as a kids’ writer. When Tilly’s dad disappears…

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Review — 27 Mar 2017

The Anzac Tree by Christina Booth

Based on real people and events, not many readers will keep a dry eye reading The Anzac Tree. Generations of one family sending their children to wars is beautifully and…

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Review — 26 Feb 2017

Clare's Goodbye by Libby Gleeson and Anna Pignataro

Clare is a forlorn little figure as her sister and brother say goodbye to all the familiar and comforting parts of their old home. She won’t be part of their…

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Review — 26 Feb 2017

Henrietta and the Perfect Night by Martine Murray

The first three Henriettas were explosions of delicious words and rompish ‘explorifications’. She tantalised us with her capricious adventures and exhilarating observations; Henrietta’s world was teeming with hullaballoos!

This time…

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Review — 29 Jan 2017

Animal Journeys by Jessica Courtney-Tickle and Patricia Hegarty

We’ve had a plethora of gorgeous non-fiction books for children that have been LARGE and stunning, and now there are these nifty, field-guide sized books: perfect for small hands. Animal

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Review — 29 Jan 2017

The Night Gardener by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

The Night Gardener is a magical and mysterious picture book. Grimloch Lane is fairly uninspiring until one night a tree is transformed into a giant owl and people are filled…

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Review — 23 Oct 2016

Australia Illustrated by Tania McCartney

Australia Illustrated is a fantastic reminder of how much we have to enjoy in this diverse and marvellous country. It depicts a kaleidoscope of iconic Aussie places with tantalising colour…

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Review — 23 Oct 2016

Blue Sky Yellow Kite by Janet A. Holmes and Jonathan Bentley

At Readings we love all styles of picture books: we love books with clever, quirky narratives; those that have seductive, enigmatic illustrations and appeal to an older audience; and then…

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Review — 25 Sep 2016

Molly and Mae by Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood

The vicissitudes of friendship are perfectly portrayed in Molly & Mae: the fun, frivolity and sometimes the discord. As the two girls embark on a long train journey from…

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Review — 23 Oct 2016

Somewhere Else by Gus Gordon

Quite often home is the best place in the world and so it seems for George Lombard, a beret-wearing duck. When his friends are flying ‘Somewhere Else’ and having adventures…

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