Januaries: Stories of love, magic & betrayal by Olivie Blake
Tor Books, 2024. ISBN: 9781035039586. (Age:17+) Highly recommended.
This ‘mix tape’ of 14 short stories spans the gamut of human experiences; love, betrayal, revenge, motherhood, power and death, and invites reflection on life’s big questions.
The styles are as varied as the themes; adult fairy tales, wedding vows, absurdist verse, reimagined Greek myths, magical realism, romantic noir, speculative fiction and fantasy.
Blake’s world-building is impressive as she creates a magical/mythical/speculative universe for each, populated with characters that variously include fairies, demons, witches, vampires, gods and demigods and medieval lovers, as well as contemporary young adults visited by these creatures. All the stories are infused with both humour and tragedy…
The guardian of a magical bridge grants wishes each month.
A futuristic Life Audit program loans young people their life earnings, on the condition that later in life they work to pay it back.
A young orphan joins a Victorian witch family as their servant but over time becomes something much more.
Two vengeful Medieval lovers take turns to kill each other before returning with various magical powers.
Wedding vows envisage a changing future together.
A boxer, foretold of his death in a year, is challenged by a disgraced demigod to do better.
A shaman is resurrected to help concoct potions.
A mother confronts the conflicting emotions of her post-natal depression.
A poet writes to the village witch.
In a humorous satire a young man dies prematurely and is sent to Hell because of the way he would have lived his life.
A poor American Filipino student takes a job cooking for a series of hungry demons. Can she keep them at bay?
A young woman is lured by a handsome stranger into his night castle where she confronts truth, her future, wishes and fear.
An assassin crosses multiple universes to ensure that parallel histories are kept on track.
A banished pixie shares a house with a depressed young woman; as she asks questions to better understand human behaviour, they both learn more about themselves.
Three of these pieces were previously published in Fairytales of the Macabre, but in this collection, there is sure to be something for everyone who is open to the weird and wonderful.
Themes Relationships, Love, Magic.
Margaret Crohn
The first sunrise by Vanessa Stevens. Illus. by Paul Seden
The First Sunrise is a beautifully retold Aboriginal story by Vanessa Stevens, passed down from her father, Alec Stevens. Set on Mbabaram Country in Far North Queensland, this tale shares the origins of the boomerang and the first sunrise, and the vital role played by Kangaroo and Emu, who are entrusted with a significant task by Mulungh, the great creator.
Stevens’ storytelling is both lyrical and engaging, honouring the tradition of passing down knowledge through oral storytelling. The narrative carries deep cultural significance, offering insights into lore, respect for the environment and the importance of preserving history for future generations. Through Kangaroo and Emu’s journey, young readers learn the origin of the boomerang and how the sun became. Their actions bringing light, time and the four directions; shaping the world as we know it.
Paul Seden’s enchanting illustrations bring the story to life, depicting the natural world with rich, earthy tones that reflect the landscape and spirit of Country. The complementing illustrations attract the audience and bring this story truly to life.
Adding further enhancement are the fascinating scientific facts that will enrich young minds. The book includes technical illustrations and information that explores how the sun has long been used for timekeeping and navigation, showing how shadows change throughout the day and how the sun’s position helps determine direction. It also includes the aerodynamics of boomerangs, including their shape and essential throwing technique tips. These elements make the book not just a cultural treasure but also an educational resource, blending Indigenous knowledge with science in an accessible way.
The First Sunrise is a valuable resource for classrooms and families alike, fostering an appreciation for Aboriginal culture and the wisdom embedded in Dreaming Stories. It encourages reflection on the natural world and our place within it. This book is a timeless tale that will captivate young readers and inspire them to listen, learn and share stories that are meant to be remembered forever. Teacher's notes are available.
The Greedy Wolf by Timothy Knapman and Jean Jullian
Walker Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781406385175.
There was once a greedy wolf. He was so greedy that every day he would eat enough food for TEN birthday parties and still be hungry for more...
But his favourite food was young goats so when he comes across Mother Goat heading off to buy food, leaving her seven kids alone he believes all his dreams have come true. So, disguising himself as a postman he rings the doorbell....
But the little goats are not fooled and refuse to open the door, even though the wolf tries other disguises. But then, when he says he is "a talking rosebush with a flowerpot on his head", they relent and...
Highly reminiscent of the original tale by the Brothers Grimm, but with significant, modern twists, this is a story that also has elements of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs that young readers may recognise, setting it up for some interesting compare-and-contrast discussions as they look for the similarities and differences. Older students could even investigate the concept of plagiarism to understand how much an original piece has to be changed to be considered new and unique as this is - they can't just copy and paste and change a few words to call something their own.
Bold text and bold illustrations, along with the kids' innovative way of saving themselves not only make this an engaging read but may also open up doors to read the original and other variations while also being a golden opportunity to talk about stranger danger and keeping themselves safe.
Barbara Braxton
Peppermint and Popcorn Days: A book of verse for children by Anna Myra Notley. Illus. by Anna Falconer
Imagine you are a child and have been told to shut your eyes and listen to these words...
Key to a Kingdom Elven homes and fairy dens sandy stony sweeps and bends overhangs and underworlds rusty reddy streaks and curls a kingdom in one liquid rock here's the key now try the lock...
Where have your mind-pictures taken you? What magical world is unfolding for you to create in your own words or pictures? What adventure have you booked in your imagination?
This is just one of the poems in this outstanding collection for young readers that invite them to listen, imagine and dream and savour the language as so few words tell so much.
Accompanied by bright, detailed illustrations that enrich the experience for those whose imaginations might not be as mature yet, these poems are ideal for sharing the rhythms, rhymes and magic of our language as it rolls off the tongue and sparks imagery, memories and might-bes. Full of the whimsy and wonder and words that take little ones on the private journeys that the ready-made images of the screen prevent, each offers something special that inspires or intrigues or just makes you LOL- like when Jim finds himself in a jam because his elephant has sat on him!!
But as well as being a delight for young listeners exploring the marvels of language, each poem also offers older readers the opportunity to explore language devices such as alliteration, assonance, metaphors, similes and all those other technical terms that they are expected to know. There are teachers' notes available that detail the focus of each particular poem which will help students enrich their own writing, whether poetry or prose, but for little ones, just the flow of the language will enchant.
A black&write fellowship winner, Lisa Fuller’s novel presents a warm and loving family, sisters Bella and Cienna, their mother and Gran, and two younger siblings. The language is so natural, you can hear the voices, and recognise that this is a caring Aboriginal family very much in tune with the natural world. A visit to their favourite place, the Washpool, sees the two girls dive deep into the water, and then magically enter a strangely coloured other world full of mystery and adventure.
The book becomes a fantasy adventure, a quest to unite warring factions, save a stolen dragon’s egg, and then eventually find their way back home again. Within this world there are lessons to be learned, about courage, working together, and respect for different ways of doing things.
Bella and Cienna are two very different personalities. Cienna is strong and forthright, whilst Bella is quieter and thoughtful. Each of them learns from the other about how to handle bullying and conflict, whilst still maintaining their individuality.
Entering the magical world that Fuller creates becomes a subtle way for young readers to learn about relationships and collaboration with others. The lessons are never intrusive, it is just such a fun and enjoyable reading experience. I know that readers will be reluctant to leave the world of Muse; fortunately there is a hint that there may be a sequel to come.
Embark on a laugh out loud journey with bestselling author Nick Bland, the creative mind behind The Very Cranky Bear series.
Meet Bling Jollygood: a charming character that is part penguin, part canary, and a full-time undercover reporter. Bling Jollygood is captured by General Doodle-Doo and forced to undertake a special mission. Doodle-Doo has been stealing rare and expensive seeds and storing them in a silo storage facility. Through a giant telescope, Doodle-Doo shows Bling the giant egg-shaped comet hurtling towards earth, straight for their home and the precious stolen seeds.
Bling is forced to quickly assemble an eclectic crew to take a spaceship and blow up the comet and save the planet. In a hilariously named shuttle called Dodo, the crew of Bling Jollygood, a robot rabbit, a tortoise with rockets built into its shell and a bloodhound, set about on their mission. Whether they are creating zany gadgets or devising ways to stop the comet, their adventure is filled with excitement, laughter, and surprising turns. Every character they meet along the way proves to be incredibly helpful - but perhaps a bit too helpful…
Bland is a masterful illustrator, the artwork in Bling Jollygood(The Fairly Secret Files) adds an extra layer of hilarity to the story, capturing all the action and fun. This book is sure to have young readers laughing out loud, as Bland’s trademark humour shines through in every chapter, with a delightful mix of slapstick comedy and clever wordplay. The outrageous situations that Bling and her team face lead to a whirlwind of trouble, creating the perfect combination of silliness and cleverness that will keep readers captivated and entertained.
Themes Humour, Adventure, Animals, Space, Comets.
Ruth Tipping
Jo Weston's Netball Besties: The mystery of Missing Billie by Jess Black. Illus. by Sam Loman
Penguin Random House, 2025. ISBN: 9781761348525. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Jo Weston of Melbourne Vixens and Australian Diamonds fame has written a book with characters that are real and relatable. Young readers will engage with, recognise themselves in certain characters and want to know more about their adventures. The Mystery of Missing Billie is book one and opens with best friends Jo and Billie living on a nut farm in the Talma Valley. In the first couple of short chapters, we discover they live on a nut growing farm that they share with Moo-Dini, an escape-artist cow.
We first meet Jo and Billie as they discover that a gate has been left open and the cows are out on the road. With no time to spare Jo and her farm dog and best friend, Billie round up the cows before heading inside to grab her school bag and catch the bus. On the bus a new girl who has moved into the farm next door to Jo gets on and the girls chat all the way to school making them best friends. Both girls love netball which cements their friendship. The book follows the girls through ghost hunting, netball, school, a lost mountain biker, open gates and Billie going missing,
This book is a brilliant new series for those readers who want to move on from the Billie B. Brown style books as it still has short chapters but more writing and less images. I was completely engaged with the characters and can’t wait to share this with my Netball obsessed niece.
I really hope that this series has multiple books in it as I can see if being an absolute favourite. Jo, Billie and Ava need to have lots more adventures together. I would highly recommend this series for primary schools and readers who love Netball, adventures with friends and fun. They fit perfectly in the independent reader category and would suit the read aloud or read along style as well.
Imagine getting up in the morning and doing whatever you like, going wherever the road takes you unimpeded by having to go to school or work. Sounds like a dream for the future after your working life is over and you have retired, and, indeed, for thousands of grey nomads, it is living the dream.
But what if you’re a child and it is your reality? Because that’s the life of the family in this CBCA 2025 Shortlist nominee for Picture Book of the Year. Every day there is somewhere new to go and something new to do or see as they travel around in Gracie Joy Rufus Bean, a bus especially converted to be a mobile home, with her door that goes tic-shhh! and Blob, the bus spider who lives over the top bunk. There are new people to meet and stories to share, adventures to have and camping under the stars wherever you pull up puts you in tune with nature.
Creator Dave Petzold talks about the inspiration and process or creating the book on his website, stemming from his own family road trip, and with its straightforward, onomatopoeic text and distinctive illustrations (which he describes in this interview as “a smudgy jumble of collaged shapes and lines”), it encourages the reader to appreciate the journey as much as the destination - wherever that may be. Taking time out to play on a musical fence, listen to the sound of the budgies as they take off when the bus rolls through, learning the stories of Country, and feeling the cool of the clear water of the unspoiled waterhole.
This has the potential to spark lots of discussion about the pros and cons of such a lifestyle, encouraging young readers to look closely at their own and identify what is precious to them, as well as considering those new things they could explore if they were not tied to timetables, screens, and after-school activities. Are there ways they could have the best of both worlds? Are there places they want to visit and maps to make? Are there dreams to build and make come true?
Petzold himself was CBCA Shortlisted for the New Illustrator award in 2021 for his first book, Seven Seas of Fleas – two nominations from two works makes him one to look for in the future.
Themes Buses, travel.
Barbara Braxton
The kids who rescued Easter by Jackie Hosking. Illus. by Nathaniel Eckstrom
There were whispers in the garden for the word had got around that Easter Bunny's eggs had rolled away.
He was on his way to hide them, when he dropped them on the ground and now he has no eggs for Easter Day...
But all the tried and trusty neighbours from the houses near and far had gathered in the garden, keen to find the eggs and help Easter Bunny. All the children had bikes, skateboards, trikes and there was even a little redhead on his homemade scooter, and they were keen to join the search, although there was doubt whether the scooter would make it until Nancy vouched for its durability. So off up the hills they went in search of the eggs - but were they really doing Easter Bunny a favour?
This delightful story from she who gave us When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree, should come with a WARNING sticker, because if you are familiar with A. B. Paterson's The Man from Snowy River and, in particular the version by Wallis and Matilda then you are going to have an earworm for the rest of the day. This is a clever take on this iconic poem, both in theme and rhythm providing a uniquely Australian tale about this time of the year that every child will love to hear, regardless of their age.
Superb. Definitely one for your personal collection to share and share and share.
(And just in case you haven't discovered Wallis and Matilda's musical renditions of Paterson's poems because you're not old enough, here's my Easter gift to you...)
The narrator has two grandmothers, one born under a Cancer moon which means she is nurturing and caring, while the other was born in the Year of the Dragon and so is strong and dignified. One is from the East and has brown eyes and makes dumplings, while the other is from the west and has blue eyes and loves to bake cakes. The one from the East is brave and stands up to the army who invaded her village, while the other Grandmother is a healer, and welcomes people into her home where she helps them become well again.
The child feels protected from both the east and from the west. From her grandmother in the east, she learns how to be brave, generous and kind, from her grandmother in the west she learns that she is her biggest fan. Both grandmothers love her from where they live, and the narrator knows she is loved to bits. Their traits are reflected in their granddaughter who is from the east and the west, an identity all her own but with influences from both sides of the world. They share a love, even though they are a long way away, the child can see how she reflects them in her life.
Beautifully ethereal illustrations carry the text on each page. Children's eyes will pore across the pages to seek out the little things included to show the different lives the two grandmothers live, while showing the love that exists between the child and both women.
This lovely book adds to the world of picture books which enable the reader to broaden their horizons and celebrate the multicultural society in which they live, while showing the love and contribution of grandparents even though they may live far away.
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761180743. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Moonboy, by Anna Ciddor is a beautifully created story that blends history, magic and personal growth in an enchanting way. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Charlotte, the novel explores themes of family, memory and self-discovery, with a touch of magical realism.
At the heart of the story is Charlotte, who is struggling with change. She dreads visiting her Grandpa in the nursing home, unable to reconcile the lively, adventurous man she once knew with the confused and distant figure he has become due to dementia. While spending time at her Nan’s house, she discovers her Grandpa’s old treasure box, filled with memorabilia from his past - including details about the 1969 moon landing and his childhood footy jumper.
In an extraordinary twist, Charlotte finds herself transported back in time when she puts on the jumper. She meets ten-year-old Keith, her Grandpa as a boy, and forms an instant bond with him. This magical experience not only gives Charlotte a deeper understanding of her Grandpa’s past but also helps her navigate her feelings in the present. With newfound confidence, she learns how to reconnect with him, even as his dementia progresses.
Charlotte’s journey is one of growth and transformation. As she navigates her family’s challenges, she gains confidence, forms new friendships and discovers a stronger sense of self. The novel beautifully balances historical elements with a deeply personal story, making it both engaging and poignant.
One of the novel’s standout features is its historical accuracy. The story is enriched with real details about the moon landing and life in the past, making it both educational and entertaining. A special chapter at the end provides interesting factual information, adding depth to the narrative.
Moonboy is a heartfelt and thought-provoking read that reminds us of the power of love, memory and understanding. Anna Ciddor masterfully weaves together history and fiction, making this book perfect for young readers who enjoy emotionally rich and historically engaging stories. An activity sheet and reading notes are available from the publisher.
Themes History, Space travel, Time travel, Dementia, Family.
‘I’m standing in the parking lot of the Marybelle Motor Lodge in Wildwood, New Jersey, and I’m dead.’ This is the startling first line of Plozza’s latest novel which pitches Tegan, one moment riding her bicycle, and then ‘bike-car-splat’, the next moment she is dead, sent to heaven. The Marybelle Motor Lodge has been meticulously recreated for her, the place that is supposed to be her happiest place . . . except that it isn’t. The Marybelle is the worst hotel, green, grimy and damp, with soggy pizza, and a dirty pool with a floating tampon. And for Tegan, it is the failed holiday where her father took her and her little sister Quinn, before they found out that their mother had left them and wasn’t ever coming back.
The mystery is how the Marybelle ever came to be posited as Tegan’s heaven. Her guardian angel Zelda insists she hasn’t made a mistake. In the challenge to identify Tegan’s truest happy moment, the reader is taken back over Tegan’s life, only to learn of the many sad disappointments that she has experienced in her short life of 16 years; the sense of loss, lost friendships, lost mother, lost identity, misery.
Plozza has found a highly original approach to exploring themes common to many in the YA genre, and the reader’s curiosity is provoked to read on. Tegan has to revisit many sad memories, but somehow the overall tone is kept light with a twist of teenage humour that is sure to draw a smile. There is also a hint of romance as Tegan is gradually drawn closer to Zelda, the bright smiling angel that she accuses of getting everything wrong.
Shivaun Plozza is an award-winnning Australian author of highly commended teen novels Frankie (2017) and Tin Heart (2018) as well as a number for middle grade readers. The worst perfect moment is another highly recommended novel.
Nadia is an independent woman in a city becoming increasing overrun by militants who insist on strict behaviour from women. She meets Saeed at night school, and attracted to each other, their relationship blossoms, Saeed having to put on a black overdress to visit Nadia in her apartment. She wears her black cloak through choice which he does not understand, while he prays, an expectation she does not follow.
As the militants make their presence felt, the two become aware that their lives will be overturned and so choose to escape.
People talk of doors to safer places in the west, and through this short tale we see them opening many doors, finally ending up in a refugee camp in San Francisco.
Doors open initially to an island off Greece, then they find a door to Europe, then London. Each place where they stay is beset with problems, but they fit in, using their savings to buy a tent and food, finding work to raise money, befriending other refugees, watching what happens.
Through their eyes we are exposed to the struggles beset by refugees; initially having to leave behind beloved parents, having to trust someone who says they can open a door for you, finding work, avoiding confrontation. Each door provokes a different thought within the reader of just how the couple arrived at each place, calling on their own knowledge to fill in the gaps.
Their time in London is confronting, as it is the one place many readers will know of, so the thought of refugees putting up their tents in Hyde Park, helping build dormitories for the increasing number arriving in England, and when Nadia and Said are able to work for the refugee community, the situation is amazing.
I was engrossed by this little book. The plain unadorned writing style made the problems more accessible, the doors a metaphor for the different methods refugees use to gain access to a safer place. The main characters are wholly credible, their plans for their futures recognisable, their paths to achieving those goals, reflecting a courage we can only watch in awe, reminding us that this could happen to any of us.
Bruce Pascoe’s revelatory book Dark emu, black seeds has now been made into a simplified illustrated version for younger readers – allowing a younger audience to also learn of his research into the agricultural practices of Australian Aboriginal people. Pascoe draws on historical records and artefacts to piece together a picture of Aboriginal settlement before the arrival of Europeans, and contrary to the long held view of the ‘hunter-gatherer’ existence that suited the colonialists’ idea of an ‘empty’ land, he reveals the existence of Aboriginal farming and land care, permanent settlements with houses and storage buildings, and complex aquaculture management systems.
Teachers will welcome this book as an excellent example to show students learning how to research primary sources for their projects. Pascoe includes extracts from many original nineteenth century colonial diaries and reports, and he reevaluates the artwork of colonial artists who showed cultivated fields in their paintings, once dismissed as an English romanticising of the Australian landscape. He urges the putting aside of preconceptions and interpreting with a new eye the original materials. “It is a different way of looking”. Thus the so-called ‘humpy’ was actually a substantial construction that could accommodate many families, the ‘lazy’ fisherman had actually engineered an ingenious fishing machine, and fire was not a threat but a useful tool for tilling and cultivating pastures. Even the Milky Way in the night sky can be viewed anew, to see the darkness between the stars, and recognise the dark emu of Aboriginal Dreaming.
Pascoe has collected the evidence to present the case that the Aboriginal way of life actually met all the criteria of an established agricultural society that lived in harmony with their environment. This is not what the colonialists wanted to see, in their quest to occupy new land. And it is evidence that was destroyed as they took possession, and introduced their livestock.
This is an important book in the study of Australian history – it provides a new perspective to be read and discussed. It needs to be on every teacher’s reading list and in every school library. This latest edition with a beautiful new cover, has a contents page, bibliography and index for those who would like to explore further. So whilst it is presented in picture book format, it is recommended for a wide age range as an introduction to a history that has been too easily covered up.
Themes Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal agriculture, Aboriginal aquaculture, Australian history.
Another in the series co-produced by Puffin and Taronga Zoo, shows a family going to the zoo, beginning with the striking gates, and ending with the ferry trip back home.
The family walks past many animals in their enclosures, and the illustrations show the variety of animals and the variety of enclosures, built with that animal in mind. Kids will love working out how the boardwalk helps visitors watch some of the animals who live in trees, or why there is a moat between the visitors and the animals, or why the hippo lives in a pool, and work out how they can see the tiger so clearly. There is lots to discuss on each page, and kids will love spotting the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.
Bright illustrations will attract readers to look at all the animals in the zoo and the book will encourage children to look forward to visiting the zoo in the future.
