Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract

Ten Lively Lorikeets: Let’s Subtract, written by Grace Nolan, illustrated by Nancy Bevington (Little Big Sky) HB ISBN 0781922896599

Ten Lively Lorikeets is a picture book series for learning to count, add, and take away with Aussie animals. Fun and learning go hand in hand in this engaging series. Perfect for children from birth to seven, these books introduce counting, addition and subtraction through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations. Over the series, young readers will discover 30 native Australian animals while developing early numeracy skills in a joyful, interactive way. Each book includes simple reinforcement activities to extend learning and keep the fun going.

In this book, subtitled ‘One to Ten and Back Again with Friends Series,’ readers are invited to learn the first steps in subtraction with the happy, larking lorikeets who are busy doing flying tricks. They do this with the help of ten different native Australian birds. These include galahs, magpies, wattlebirds, and a variety that most children can observe in their own environments, except maybe a lyrebird or emu chick.

“It’s so easy,” the lorikeets say, “Minus just means take away!”  (Some pages even feature simple sums for the reader).

The book starts with ‘ten lively lorikeets chatting in a line’; however, when one chases a kookaburra, there are only nine. Eventually, of course, after ten birds are chased or found, etc., there are none left (though they met again at the end of the book, and then there are ten).

The book is brightly coloured with lots of empty space and details of Australian fauna (such as gum blossoms, berries, and wattle). 

Something idiosyncratic the illustrator has done is to put red-and-white-striped jesters’ hats on the lorikeets, which might annoy parents reading the book to their small child/ren.

A Dog Called Hero

 

A Dog Called Hero by Katy Birchall (Scholastic) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761729577

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

If you’re as old as I am, you’ll probably remember the likes of Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, the Famous Five and the Hardy Boys, all adventures and mysteries with crimes to be solved. All featuring children doing the work that adults couldn’t seem to get their heads around. Some featuring canine sidekicks.

Fast-forward to 2026, and enter Haley and ex-police dog, Hero, and we have a more up-to-date version of the child sleuth ‘helping out’ when a crime unfolds.

Haley’s father was a successful detective until he was killed in the line of duty, leaving behind Haley and her mum, a caterer who employs young ex-criminals trying to reform.

Hero was forced into early retirement after his handler left the force, and Hero wouldn’t work with anyone else.

By chance, Haley meets Hero, and the pair form an instant bond – both loners who are selective about who they spend time with. In fact, Haley would much rather lose herself in her beloved mystery and crime novels than head out to parties and school fetes. When her mum agrees to adopt Hero, Haley decides to continue his training as a detective dog, and Hero shows he still has what it takes to sniff things out.

When Haley’s mum lands an important catering job – feeding an exclusive guest list at the private showing of the Whittaker Diamond – and the babysitter cancels at the last minute, Haley and Hero find themselves tagging along, somewhat reluctantly.

But then, when Amelie Whittaker goes to retrieve the diamond from the safe to show her guests one more time, she discovers the box is still in the safe – but the diamond is not.

Enter Haley and Hero.

In writing A Dog Called Hero, author Katy Birchall has tapped into the cosy crime trend – albeit for a middle-grade audience. Her characters are relatable, and the situations they find themselves in are somewhat believable (in the cosy crime world), and the story travels along at a nice pace as we find out about Haley, her mum and dad and, of course, Hero.

The promised excitement in the blurb, however, does not occur until a third of the way into the book – but the tension does ramp up from that point on with an intriguing cast of guests allowing the reader to make their own assumptions and accusations as they, along with Haley and Hero, try to discover ‘who stole the Whittaker diamond’.

Naturally, as expected in this genre, the head detective is rather incompetent, so it’s left for Haley and Hero to unravel the crime and guide the police to the truth.

Despite being set in London (where the author resides with her own retired service dog), Australian children will relate to the setting, and certainly to Haley’s connection with Hero.

A Dog Called Hero is a perfect introduction to cosy crime for readers aged 9–12 years – particularly those who want a break from fantastical worlds and magic with something a little closer to their own life experiences and grounded in contemporary reality.

Ana and the Prophecy of the Bones

Ana and the Prophecy of the Bones by Pauline Hosking (Lilly Pilly Publishing) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9780958038119

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Any book title that contains the words ‘prophecy’ and ‘bones’ sets off the wonder and intrigue synapses in my reading brain.

Then there’s the actual prophecy, which comes to light on page 2:

‘… four young shortlifes will stand against us. One who is wise, one who is foolish, one who is kind and one with royal blood.’

I am not a wide reader of fantasy, usually preferring other genres, so this instantly gave me Harry Potter vibes. (Sorry, that’s a bit cliché but you’ll know where I’m coming from.) These are good vibes though because I was, through a combination of the above factors, instantly intrigued.

The first chapter of Ana and the Prophecy of the Bones is spent worldbuilding and filling the reader in on a few essential details. For me, however, the story begins when we meet protagonist and magical prodigy, Ana, in chapter 2 and are invited into her world – that of a spellbinder in the Academia, an education institution for ‘bloom children’ who possess one of the three powers of magical protection, healing and technological invention.

In creating Ana, Pauline Hosking has given us a slightly unlikeable protagonist – one who is a little full of herself, thanks to being hailed as a prodigy from the start. I found this refreshing. Not all protagonists have to be likeable, and it paved the way for greater contrast between Ana and her two offsiders, nerdy and awkward Penn (a tek) and kind Gilly (a pothecary), and later, Tamin, a Pantheran who Ana saves from the clutches of the tyrant, Lord Karapaz.

Pauline Hosking does not leave us waiting for the action to begin. Led by hagwitch, Drabani-of-the-bones, the Var are ready to assist Karapaz and his band of seawolves across the swamplands with a view to vanquishing Academia, reclaiming their homeland and allowing the tyrant Lord to continue his quest for domination and power.

The staff at Academia swing into action, corralling the fourth years and sending home the younger students. Unfortunately, this includes Ana, who – as a prodigy with powers that rival the more experienced apprentices – is affronted at being asked to leave. To add insult to her injury, when she approaches her mentor, demanding to be allowed to stay and fight, she is granted the right to stay – but only as a helper to the pothecaries. No fighting allowed.

There is no love lost between the three groups of students, but despite her intentions, Ana finds that she needs Penn and Gilly.

Ana and the Prophesy of the Bones is an action-packed middle grade fantasy that also explores self-perception and acceptance. I can see readers aligning with one of the three bloom guilds, or possibly even the Pantherans, as they go head-to-head with multiple villains in the fight to save their island.

An enjoyable read that lends itself to a series … so over to you, Pauline Hosking!  

My Brother Otto

My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna (Text Publishing) RRP: $14.99 ISBN 9781923058729

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Warning: This book should be read with a box of tissues handy.

My Brother Otto is the story of Quinn preparing for the arrival of a baby brother. We are introduced to the familiar emotions many families and prospective sisters would go through. Everyone's excited about the new baby to arrive, Otto. Mum and Alex are so interested in Baby Otto and Quinn feels sidelined. Why can't things stay the way they are? She doesn't want to share her room. She liked it better when they had time to care about her life.

 But this isn't a simple "jealous big sister" story. Otto is born prematurely and the family is thrown into turmoil when he struggles to survive. Otto will not come home immediately and must stay in the neonatal intensive care unit until he grows more. Quinn sees Mum and Alex's happy excitement turn to concern, tiredness and fear.

It's a journey that's emotionally tiring in what seems a simple story. Small moments like Baby Otto grasping Quinn's finger are amazingly powerful. Laguna has used her own experience with premature births to communicate a story about family, love, worry and loss that's authentic.

I liked how Quinn goes through many realistic stages of coming to terms with her brother's situation. She develops to become a great sister yet she's understandably upset by the attention Otto may take up and how taking care of him might change the life she's used to.

The story is told in language very accessible to children aged around 8 years and older. However accurate terminology was used that didn't seem patronising and added to the book's authenticity. The explanations for complications in premature birth were simple and well-targeted. The ideas and emotions introduced are deep and sensitively-handled. It's an ideal book for helping children to come to terms with difficult subject matter in families.  

The Wells of Callystra

The Wells of Callystra, Book 8 by Elizabeth Klein

Through sheer desperation, a perilous journey to the mountains of Karakor is undertaken by elf prince, Aeron Bregolas. Once there, he manages to unite his elven tribe with the largest dwarf kingdom in Bethloria. But at what cost? To save both himself and his men, he is forced to activate an ancient talisman with devastating consequences to himself. His one possible salvation is to accept a half-caste’s prophetic vision to travel to Mount Callystra to seek the waters of a mythical well. It alone can reverse the deadly effects. But when forces out of his control are sent to stop him, he realises locating it won’t be as simple as he thinks. 

Truths will be revealed. Allies will be forged and traitors exposed. Above all, the spark of love will ignite two hearts.

Myke Mollard’s Birds of Prey

Myke Mollard’s Birds of Prey written and illustrated by Myke Mollard (Woodslane Press) HB Non-Fiction, RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781922800589

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Myke Mollard’s Birds of Prey is a stunning graphic wildlife publication exploring the world of raptors and predatory birds of the world.

Published by Woodslane Press and featuring both words and illustrations by Mollard, this hardcover edition offers readers a fresh perspective on these magnificent creatures.

The visually detailed artwork combined with accessible explanations makes it an ideal choice for both young readers and adults interested in avian wildlife.

Mollard's passion for the subject is evident on every page, inviting readers to appreciate the beauty and diversity of birds of prey.

With its engaging style and comprehensive coverage, this book is a wonderful addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf.

Custom Caricatures

Do you need a book character or custom caricature created?  Maybe some finger or hand puppets for storytelling, school or author visits? Then look no further! I make to order, using your illustrations as a reference, and have brought many author's characters to life. 

You can view examples at this link: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/3096907484.html

Debra Williams, author, aka Clewer Puppets.