Splash!

Splash! (Daisy Lane Publishing) Kym Langfield  PB RRP $28.99 9781763670020

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Kym Langfield is a published author and illustrator, with books including Solo Dan (Daisy Lane Publishing) and Ah-Fur: The Case of the Missing Moggies (Morris Publishing). With a diploma in children's book illustration, Kym loves using vibrant watercolours. She is also a teacher and a qualified counsellor, working in Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Dark clouds follow Lucy everywhere she goes. That is, until a bright splash of paint lands at her feet, and Abby invites her to Art Club. There, Lucy discovers the joy of art and learns to explore the world through colours.

Kym Langfield has created a compelling opening that beautifully introduces the main character and her problem: "Rainclouds followed Lucy everywhere she went. Mum and dad tried everything to cheer her up. Skipper tried too. But nothing worked." Her words seamlessly complement her illustrations, working together poetically and visually. The page turns are inviting, and the writing is tight. The theme of friendship is woven throughout the story. I love how Abby is a friend who not only recognizes Lucy’s anxiety but also helps her navigate it in a thoughtful, kind way. I appreciate that Lucy’s internal dialogue is explored just as much as her external dialogue.

It’s the things we tell ourselves that can hold us back, and this is captured beautifully in the text. The comparison of dark thoughts to clouds is both powerful and visually striking. The dialogue is spot-on—simple and child-friendly. The story arc is clear and strong, and the text naturally introduces helpful ways to deal with anxiety, like when Lucy "takes a deep breath and races over to Abby." The idea of seeing the world with colour instead of darkness is a powerful message.

Langfield has created a striking cover for Splash! with the use of blue and a shy Lucy exploring colour on her hand, wordlessly conveying the essence of the book. The use of dark shades effectively shows that Lucy is in a dark place. The large black cloud over her head is powerful—it instantly communicates that no matter what she does, the cloud follows her. The bright splash of yellow captures a pivotal moment in the story. I love the double-page spread of the students in the art room, where the only colours used are greys with splashes of yellow. Visually, this tells the reader so much. Yellow, being a colour associated with happiness, is a perfect choice here.

Langfield’s use of perspective, zooming in and out on the pages, strongly enhances the visual storytelling. The contrasts between the heaviness and lightness of feelings are beautifully represented through the colours. The illustrations perfectly mirror Lucy’s emotions. Once colour is introduced, the book comes to life with vibrancy and joy. The silent double-page spread of a colourful rainbow speaks volumes without words. It’s a moment where the illustrations say so much more than words ever could.

Splash! is a multi-layered picture book, perfect for every child’s bookshelf, classroom, counsellor, parent, artist, and librarian. It teaches that there’s always light after darkness, offering hope, strategies, and the healing power of art and friendship. Ideal for children aged 4 to 8, its vibrant illustrations and relatable themes of anxiety and friendship make it a perfect choice for young readers and a valuable resource for discussing emotional well-being.

Song of Blackbird

Song of Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781761181795

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Song of a Blackbird is a graphic novel inspired by true events that depicts two parallel fictional narratives. Set in Amsterdam in 2011 and 1945, this narrative intertwines two powerful stories of heartbreak and hope.

2011 - Annick’s Oma is very sick with leukemia. Her only hope for survival is to find a matching bone marrow donor. When Oma’s siblings are not a match, the doctor breaks the news that they are, in fact, not her biological siblings. This devastating news is the catalyst for Annick to find out who her Oma’s parents were. However, the only things her Oma has from her early childhood are her vague memories and five prints depicting various buildings of significance. Annick uses the artwork's inscriptions and artist names to find her Oma’s family.

1945 – In a building across the street from Emma’s school, the Nazis are detaining Jewish people and then deporting the adults to camps. Their children are taken to a nearby childcare centre. Concerned about the fate of the Jewish people, Emma joins her teacher as part of the Resistance to covertly rebel against the Nazis through a printing business that forges papers and ration coupons. Emma eventually becomes involved in the biggest bank heist in European history.

The narrator throughout the novel is a blackbird who is often ‘called upon when hardship is having its way with someone.’ Its monologue is represented in black speech bubbles, providing insights into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Song of a Blackbird is a unique and engaging graphic novel that would appeal to an upper primary and lower secondary school audience. It is highly recommended for those who are interested in World War II history. The mixed media artwork is created using minimal colour. It layers black and white photographs, letters, cartoon illustrations, and speech bubbles to portray Annick and Emma stories. Song of a Blackbird includes themes of compassion, courage, family, and art. 

The Princess Swap (Book 2)

The Princess Swap (Book 2): Snow White and the Dragon or Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs by Kim Bussing (Puffin Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780241745366

‘As a baby, Rose was cursed to meet a mysterious fate when she became a teenager – though no one thought to tell her about it. Now, a week before her thirteenth birthday, Rose is magically whisked from her Dreamwood cottage to a palace with an evil queen holding a suspicious-looking apple…

Princess Snow is preparing for a ceremony proving she’s fit to rule. The problem? Her ambitious stepmother. The other problem? Without warning, she finds herself suddenly – magically – in the middle of the Dreamwood where, on top of everything else, she must worry about a sleeping curse and a dragon…’ Puffin Books

‘Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this new series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!’ This series is meant for middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoyed the original fairy tales when they were younger. ‘The Princess Swap’ series currently includes Book 1: Cinderella and the Beast (or Beauty and the Glass Slipper), Book 2: Snow White and the Dragon (or Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs), and Book 3: Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or The Little Mermaid and the Tower).

Mavis: The Little Plane Spotter

Mavis: The Little Plane Spotter (Wombat Books) Angela Toniolo & Shannon Melville PB RRP $27.99 978176111938

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

This is Angela Toniolo’s debut picture book. She is passionate about creating funny, informative, and heartwarming picture books.

Shannon Melville is a book illustrator, school art teacher, disability arts worker, and graphic designer. She uses a mix of traditional and digital techniques in her illustrations. She enjoys every step of the book-illustrating process—from researching image references and sketching characters to creating roughs, final artwork, and graphic design layouts.

It’s World War Two, and Darwin is bombed. Ten-year-old Mavis wants to help with the war effort, but what can she do? Become a plane spotter! One Saturday, while on duty, Mavis spots an enemy plane through her binoculars. Does she have what it takes to help save the town?

This book is based on Mavis, the author’s grandmother, and Doreen, her great-aunt.

Angela Toniolo has beautifully recreated what life was like for girls and families during the war years. Through the simplicity of her words, she captures the slower, simpler way of life, bringing that time to life in a way that feels both authentic and heartfelt. When Mavis was ten years old, she had lots of jobs. She peeled potatoes for dinner. She churned butter for baking.  

It truly feels like uncovering a time capsule. Not many children today would know that the Japanese bombed Darwin, but the war really did reach Australia’s shores. Toniolo has woven in actual facts from her family, making the story impactful, heartfelt, and educational. Who would have thought that people dug trenches in their backyards or that there were air raids in Darwin?

Told through the eyes of Mavis, with Doreen's influence, the story has a powerful, authentic voice. School is such a big part of a child’s life, and highlighting that those children practised air raid drills and hid under their desks when the sirens sounded brings a strong connection for young readers. Without giving too much away about the plane spotting, the story shows how children truly could contribute during the war. It makes you wonder—would that still be the case today?

Shannon Melville’s soft pastel colour palette perfectly captures the essence of this time in Australia. Her thorough research and attention to detail are evident on every page, from the hairstyles and clothing to the toys, furniture, and home life. The visual elements provide young readers with rich context and beautifully complement the text. I especially love the double page spread that recreates the family’s newly built bunker. Melville’s use of white space and the charming depictions of the characters really draw in the eye, immersing the reader in the story. Her thoughtful use of perspective brings the characters to life, and allows them to truly shine

Mavis: The Little Plane Spotter is a picture book that makes learning about Australian history both fun and educational. Inspired by a true story, it appeals to readers of all ages. The book aligns with the Australian Curriculum, making it an excellent resource for schools to complement their history units. parents, teachers and librarian. Children four years and older will really enjoy this book.

Ninja Girl

Ninja Girl by Anh Do. Illustrated by James Hart. Scholastic Australia 2025. Junior Fiction paperback graphic novel RRP $17.99. ISBN 9781760264949.

Reviewed by Debra Williams.

Anh Do is a prolific writer of children’s books. This is the first book in a new series aimed at 7—to 10-year-old readers.

Niki (around 10) is having a wild week. She discovers that she is adopted. Then, whilst playing ‘tips’ with her school friends, she accidentally crashes into a bush where the school gardener is planting shrubs. A mysterious purple gem suddenly appears in the dirt, a gem with strange crystal flecks. The principal calls the museum, and a specialist team removes the gem.

Some of the kids think it’s from outer space and could have special powers. The class teacher, Ms Bing, arranges an excursion to the museum to see the gem. At the same time, Niki is attempting to deal with a rat plague in her parent’s garden. She enlists the help of her cat, Connor, who really isn’t interested to learn about catching rats.

Niki begins to experience some kind of superpowers, abilities she hasn’t had before. On the day of the excursion, Connor sneaks into her school bag and causes havoc at the museum. He accidentally smashes the display case holding the gem and appears to become ill. Then he goes missing.

The evil Dr. Kane appears, attracting hundreds of rats to Niki’s school. He has discovered that there are space gems on the grounds and wants the school to himself.

Niki’s abilities intensify and she eventually realises that she is a Ninja, after a series of events, where she tries to work out how to use her superpowers to save the town from the evil Dr. Kane. Connor reappears, and is suddenly a talking Ninja cat sidekick, who rescues Niki from the grasp of the evil doctor.  

After Niki and her cat agree to become a Ninja team, the story is left open for the next book, Ninja Girl 2.

Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets

Teeth: You Only Get Two Sets by Magda Gargulakova, illustrated by Marie Urbankova (Albatross Media) HB $26.99 ISBN 9788000072470

This picture-sized board book takes young readers through the world of dental health, from the origins of teeth to their internal structure. Children will discover the reasons behind toothaches, and the uniqueness of growing only two sets of teeth, and the importance of early dental care. It is written by a Czech, which might account for the section on a visit to the dentist where it says that if a tooth needs drilling, ‘the dentist will protect it with a special spray so that you will hardly feel anything.’ Of course, in Australia, the dentist gives an injection. 

Four pages are devoted to going to the dentist’s, including a labelled picture of the dentist’s chair in the consulting room. The last page shows ten faces with the teeth of different animals, such as a bat, beaver, elephant, and shark. There is really nothing more to be said of teeth than what is said in his book.

The illustrations are brightly coloured and presented with break-outs and labelled pictures.

Comes the Night

Comes the Night by Isobelle Carmody (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760294762

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Will lives in a futuristic world protected from the extreme weather conditions on the outside. Over the years he has embarked on many challenges designed by his uncle to solve clues and uncover their hidden meanings. Little does he realise how important these challenges will be after his uncle dies unexpectedly.

This book has a range of supporting characters that hold the attention of the reader just as much as the main character, Will. His best friend Ender and her twin sister Magda are both created with significant differences, but are just as important to the storyline. The relationship that plays out between Will and his separated parents adds another layer of complexity to the story. As does the new feelings for Ender that begin to creep to the surface for Will. Plus, there is also the additional layer of grief that is embedded in the storyline after the loss of Will’s uncle.

This story is packed with multiple storylines, characters, action, danger and high stakes as well as interesting characters that have their own traits that the reader soon gets to know. Carmody has created two thrilling worlds full of detail and description.

The first world is the real-world Will lives in with the threats of danger and extremist actions as well as the carefully constructed world that is closely monitored including food eaten and exercise had.

The second is the dreamscape Will finds himself in that soon becomes one of sinister characters and extreme danger. Both are carefully constructed and written in a way that shows a huge breadth of imagination, planning and consideration by Carmody.

The precarious position that Will finds himself him as the story unfolds, soon builds to an exciting and dramatic conclusion. Comes The Night is perfect for any fan of fantasy or science fiction. It is suitable for a 12+ year readership.