Alexa Dretzke
Alexa Dretzke is a children’s & YA book specialist at Readings Hawthorn
Review — 25 Sep 2016
The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito and Julia Kuo
In a busy city like Tokyo the idea of silence is almost ridiculous. The Japanese have the word ‘Ma’ to explain the silence between sounds and it is this notion…
Review — 22 Aug 2016
Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma by Leigh Hobbs
Stupendo, Mr Chicken (or should that be ‘Señor Pollo’?) you big, bold and magnificent chook, we have been waiting for you to take us on another trip. Rome, here…
Review — 22 Aug 2016
A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston mellifluously and joyously invite us to celebrate The Book. The outcome of their collaboration is a gorgeous and sensitive exploration of how magical books are…
Review — 25 Jul 2016
Sweet Petite by Poh Ling Yeow & Sarah Rich
Past MasterChef contestant turned cooking-show presenter Poh Ling Yeow needs no introduction.Now, with her good friend and illustrator, Sarah Rich, she has turned her talents to the world of children’s…
Review — 25 Jul 2016
My Brother by Dee Huxley, Oliver Huxley & Tiffany Huxley
I was very moved by this poignant and beautiful book. The pages are haunted by a longing so intense that you feel privileged to be included as you read.
A…
Review — 26 Jun 2016
Petunia Paris’s Parrot by Katie Haworth & Jo Williamson
Petunia Paris lives a life of luxury and wants for very little, so her parents are challenged for gifts when her fifth birthday approaches; what to give their darling, indulged…
Review — 26 May 2016
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel & Jon Klassen
Oh my goodness, this tight, terrifying psychological thriller will have kids squirming in their seats as they read. Back in the day when creepy little fairytales horrified and tantalised young…
Review — 26 May 2016
Circle by Jeannie Baker
Jeannie Baker has long been concerned with the human impact on our natural world and Circle is another intricate and radiant book that reflects this. I am a huge fan…
Review — 29 Mar 2016
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois by Isabelle Arsenault & Amy Novesky
Every now and then a picture book comes along that is perfect in every way, such as Cloth Lullaby. The words illuminate a story with beautiful prose around which…
Review — 29 Mar 2016
Can I Build Another Me? by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Listen up, kids! Sick of chores and boring homework? Well, they are a thing of the past when you get a robot to be YOU! However, the robot has to…
