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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…