Cans for Change

Cans for Change by Lawrey Goodrick (Hawkeye) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780645084474

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Daniel Jefferies is currently on his L-plates, learning to drive in his dad’s beloved XW Ford Falcon. All he wants are ordinary driving lessons with his dad faithfully by his side. However, Daniel’s dad is a compulsive recycler which means Daniel’s driving stints are a time when his dad constantly calls for him to stop the car when he spots “thoughtlessly misplaced fortunes.” His dad likes nothing more than collecting bottles and cans left on the side of the road and is not shy about a bin diving opportunity. To Daniel’s dismay, the back seat of the XW has become a temporary dumping ground for his dad’s collection, accompanied by the dreaded flies and stench! Daniel is frustrated and embarrassed by his dad’s erratic and obsessive behaviour, but his feelings are compounded when he is recognised by the school bullies when parked by an industrial bin… with his dad inside the bin! Pandemonium ensues when Daniel publicly disowns his dad.

Set in Queensland, Cans for Change is a fun and humorous middle-grade novel written in the first person by the teenage protagonist. The narrative includes a complex father-son relationship and a pro-recycling theme, written with a plethora of car related similes and references. The pages include plenty of white space and monochrome cartoon illustrations to break up the text. Cans for Change is suitable for an audience aged 8 years and older.

Goodnight, Joeys

Goodnight, Joeys by Renee Treml (Penguin) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9781761349096

The young of wombats, bandicoots, pygmy possums, and quokkas are all called joeys. In this board book for younger children, Australia author/artist Treml has introduced each of these joeys and has used rhyming couplets which all begin with the words, “Whisper goodnight…”

There are joeys which “romp and roll around,” “snuffle, dig and push,” and “leap and glide and soar.”

Every page is washed with a single colour and shows the marsupials engaged in their typical behaviour, for example quokkas ‘twitter, growl and bark” at night with a purplish background. The story finishes with the words, “Whisper goodnight to the mum, where joeys dream beside her tum.”

ALBA – Hidden Secrets

ALBA – Hidden Secrets, a young adult novel by Verity Croker, published by GenZ Publishing, US

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca is consumed by grief after the sudden, tragic death of her boyfriend, Alastair. Her pain is exacerbated by the fact that their relationship was a secret, a love story hidden from the world. Now, as she mourns in silence, she feels trapped, torn between the anguish of losing him and the guilt of revealing their bond.

Calum, Alastair's brother, remains unaware of their relationship. As Rebecca grows closer to Calum, their friendship takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a mysterious suitcase in an abandoned icehouse in the remote northern Scottish village of Cromarty. They also find a 19th-century diary written in code by a girl named Martha, also sixteen, whose secrets echo Rebecca’s hidden grief.

As Rebecca and Calum work together to decode the diary and uncover the truth behind Martha’s life, their bond strengthens. But with each revelation, Rebecca is forced to confront her own secrets and the emotional burden she has been carrying since Alastair’s death. The discovery tests their growing relationship, as Rebecca struggles with the question: Is it better to keep our deepest secrets hidden, or should we reveal them and let others help carry the weight of our grief?

ALBA explores the delicate balance between love and loss, secrecy and truth, and the healing power of sharing one’s heart with those willing to listen.

 

Gustav Glows with Gold

Gustav Glows with Gold (Little Pink Dogs) Kathy Creamer & Patricia Ward PB RRP $24.99 9780645418477

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Kathy Creamer is a widely published award-winning children’s picture book writer and illustrator. Her work has been published by Oxford University Press, Reed International, and many other publishing houses.

Patricia Ward is an illustrator who loves exploring colour and playing with positive and negative spaces. Her work is vibrant and whimsical and has an underlying sense of a narrative.

Gustav Glows with Gold is a creative non-fiction picture book about Gustav Klimt, a famous Austrian artist, who adored using glittering gold leaf to enhance the colours, patterns, and form of his artwork. Inspired by the beauty of Byzantine art and by his father’s intricate work as a goldsmith, Gustav decided to use gold leaf in his paintings.

Kathy Creamer’s opening sentence transcends time and takes a young reader back to Vienna and into the magical studio of Gustav. Her words evoke emotion and imagery and place with alliteration, carefully chosen verbs, and lyrical language. Gleaming and twinkling, tiny flecks of golden fire floated through the air in Gustav Klimt’s art studio in Vienna. Just as Gustav’s focus was on gold, so is Creamer’s. Her words capture the essence of the artist but also his enraptured focus on the colour gold. The elusive gold leaf specks make the whole book feel magical as every spread takes a young reader into a Gustav’s special world of artistic wonder.

Just as Gustav’s works glowed with gold, so too did, Gustav and his studio. His beard, hair, face, hands and painter’s smock would shimmer with wisps of golden yellow flame. There is a simplicity and yet a beauty in the words Creamer uses. I love the spread where Creamer describes the different golds. Gold. Glittering gold. Yellow Gold, Rose gold. Warm gold. Burnished gold. Textured gold. The heart of Gustav shines with Kathy Creamer’s words. He hardly dared breathe in case a puff of air gave the golden wisp flight, and it would float away like an elusive butterfly.

Patricia Ward’s illustrative style shines out from the stunning golden front cover which immediately draws attention. The exquisite detail to Gustav, his cats and his use of gold leaf beams out for all to see. The first endpaper captures the flight and magic of the goldleaf and the last endpaper features Gustav’s studio and golden art. The standout feature of Ward’s illustrations is the careful attention paid to detail. The visual narrative adds layers and meaning to the story. Gustav’s cats were treasured and feature as additional silent characters.

The gold leaf dances everywhere. Without words mentioning the artworks, the visuals do the talking showing what they looked like and how some were created. The sunlight streaming in the studio and the whimsical quality of the illustrations really makes this book feel magical. Gustav is depicted as kind and quite shy and his face speaks volumes to a reader. The touches of arrays of paintbrushes and shelving really bring Gustav’s world to life.

Gustav Glows with Gold is a creative non-fiction picture book that is a wonderful read for children 4-8 years.  Those children interested in art and biographies will really enjoy this book. The topic is universal and ageless so the book is timeless and adds to its appeal.

Keeper of the Archives

Keeper of the Archives by Lynne Stringer (Wombat: Rhiza Edge) PB RRP $22.99 ISBN: 9781761111563

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

When the first paragraph of a new book likens thick smoke to choking tentacles, you know you are in the heart of the story and it’s set for immediate action.

By the end of the first page, we know that Eden Fittell is the strength in her family, protecting her mother and her siblings, Lenny and Jed, from their drunken and abusive father who only ‘visits’ when he needs more money for drink. And, by the end of the first chapter, we are firmly on Eden’s side – albeit concerned for her welfare and wondering how this young teen is going to manage.

In the grand scheme of things, Eden’s father is the least of the family’s worries when you consider their city is being targeted by crime boss Kore Luddan, who has the terrifying freak known as Izrod on his team kidnapping the people of Sendirian City.

The stakes are quickly raised when Eden obtains a position as a junior keeper in the Government Archives – replacing Kore’s most recent victim. Her mother is concerned, but what choice does Eden have; her family needs the money.

Supervisors in the Archives are on high alert, with stringent securities in place but, as with all good suspense situations, it is soon clear that these will be no match for Kore and Izrod. The question is, will Eden be stronger?

Author Lynne Stringer brings contemporary issues to play throughout the story, including domestic violence and alcoholism, along with considering themes of family dysfunction, the power of social status and the ‘masking’ of personal fear, and deals with these in a hard-hitting but compassionate way.

With well-developed characters who feel real, Keeper of the Archives is a fast-paced, high-tension story about a post-apocalyptic world, and will definitely appeal to young adult readers who enjoy science fiction and the surreal.

Say What? How We Communicate

Say What? How We Communicate by Charlotte Molas and Radka Piko (Albatross Books) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9788000070919

This picture book is for older readers, 7+ years old as it is thousands of words long and about how people communicate. Every page is made up of sections that contain headings, text, and illustrations. For instance, on the first page, under the heading What is Communication? it shows how we communicate (through speech, facial expressions, posture, gestures, and touch, as well as through symbols and writing). There are also things to consider when we’re in contact with others (staying safe when communicating, useful things to know, and communication tips) as well as communication with the aid of technology.

The following pages come under the headings such as How We Learn to Communicate, Speech, How We Understand One Another, Famous Speakers, Posture, Facial Expressions, and much more. 

This is a comprehensive book that makes much use of cartoonish illustrations, speech balloons and different typefaces. It certainly covers all aspects of communication.

Fyrebirds

Fyrebirds by Kate J. Armstrong (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781761066252

It started with a spark, but it’s going to end in fire.

The Nightbirds were once their city’s best-kept secret, but now the truth has been revealed. And they have been transformed into something far more powerful: Fyrebirds, like the women of the past who could move mountains, part seas, and lead armies. Together, the Fyrebirds can perform feats of magic no one has seen in centuries, but fate seems intent on keeping them apart.

As the destiny of all girls with magic hangs on a sword’s edge, the Fyrebirds must find their way back to one another. But will they overcome their differences and fight for each other? If they do, are they prepared to pay the ultimate price?

Aimed at readers aged thirteen to eighteen, Kate J. Armstrong’s spellbinding sequel to the international bestseller Nightbirds is a lush and magical novel about sisterhood, power and finding the strength to spread your wings.