Every so often, a book is published that will deeply engage the reader from first glance and will continue to offer the opportunity to browse time and time again. The Grown-Up's Guide to Picture Books is one such book. It is a refreshingly detailed and supportive look at the mechanics of picture book writing for authors, illustrators, educators, book reviewers and critics, new writers, children and interested adults. Commencing with a page of testimonials from some well-known identities from the book industry including Andrea Rowe, Anne James, Jules Faber and Peter Carnavas, there is then a meaningful introduction, followed by the thoughtful, well-answered question, 'What is a picture book?'
Set out in alphabetical order, beginning with A is for Animals and ending with Z is Zeitgeist, a German word meaning ‘spirit of the time’ where it describes the common beliefs of an era, this wonderful book is full of fascinating ideas, structures, useful tips, and so much more. There is the opportunity to further explore the striking images accompanying the text with some probing talking points and questions, to extend and encourage participation from the reader. For example, in the chapter H is for Heroes, the question is asked ‘What does this illustrated page tell us about different kinds of heroes?’ The image shows a large drawing of an older person surrounded by a few tiny brightly coloured superheroes and a notorious Australian icon in the corner. The chapter, Y is for Yucky Stuff, is one that may divide some readers but perhaps this is an apt and fitting comment, '…gross-out humour provides a dash of small-scale rebellion. Children delight in the squirming faces of teachers, parents, and librarians…'
This is a quote from the chapter J is for Joy, and with the recent debate regarding literacy skills of children in Australia, it is vital that we strive to encourage a love of reading, '…reading purely for pleasure has significant benefits for comprehension …vocabulary extension…skills in critical analysis, general knowledge…confidence as a reader…interpreting a scenario from the illustrations alone (visual literacy) are important elements of reading. Allowing kids to explore a picture book for the fun of it…helps change their perception of reading from a chore to joy.' p28
As an adult reviewer of picture books, The Grown-Up's Guide to Picture Books is an invaluable resource that I will use time and time again. A must-have for those who love picture books, who write and illustrate picture books, who are looking to write their own picture books, or those who read and share picture books with others.
Themes Picture Book Mechanics, Storytelling, Illustrations, Themes, Activities, Resource text.
Bowerbird flies over Sydney, watching from on high, looking for all things blue. He collects buttons and plastic forks, blue pegs, straws, feathers, and toothbrushes. He has eaten, his wings are strong, but something is missing. He flies up into the blue which he loves, looking for something but he is not sure what it is. He flies out over the blue sea, still looking. And he dives down into the cold blue, until he gasps. He wakes up the next morning surrounded by his blue things. He makes patterns of the things in his collection. He puts them in rows of eight and four, and two then one. And then he weaves: small threads, sticks and leaves, woven together to make his nest. But still, something is missing. And surprisingly it isn’t blue. His partner is dull in colour, but the pair sweep up into the blue, flying together, sharing, cuddling, loving. The two make their home in the nest he has built, surrounded by the blue things he collected to attract his mate.
A stunning picture book to share with children or a class, encouraging them to find out more about this bird, listing the things they see in his nest. Children could see what they could collect that is blue, within the garden or schoolyard, and could list all the things they find, making a bowerbird nest themselves.
Parker’s text gives more information than it seems at first glance, building up an image of this bird for the readers. Then looking at the watercolour illustrations will teach them lots more as they see where the little bird goes in his search for blue.
The endpapers build an image of Sydney housing where the bowerbird often finds his blue bits, and parks where the bowerbird builds his nest. Each page is a tableau of blue, designed to give the readers a solid idea of this little bird and his quest. And an extra fun thing to do, is to find all the things listed on the first and last pages of the book. Kids will love this puzzle and compete with each other to find the blue things.
The book was the 2024 National Simultaneous Storytime book. This linkwill take you to a reading of the story by Ozzie. And this site shows children about the bowerbird. And a talk by the author can be found here.
Themes Bowerbird, Blue, Nests, Behaviour.
Fran Knight
The wonder of little things by Vince Copley with Lea McInerney
This new edition of Vince Copley's autobiography, edited for young readers, provides a personal account of what it was like as a young boy to grow up under the constant restrictions of the Aboriginal Protection Act. As a young kid on Point Pearce mission the fun was rousing around with siblings in a pedal car, lollies from the shop, catching rabbits, and hugs from aunties, but later as he grew older he became aware of categorisations of ‘full-blood’, ‘half-caste’, etc., things his mother told him to ignore, because ‘You’re as good as anybody else’.
Vince chose to go to St Francis school for Aboriginal boys, at a time before it became a place to send stolen children. It became a haven for him when his mother died, ‘another kind of family’. The bonds that united those boys held strong in later years when they encountered racist slurs. The call on the football field to ‘go back to your tree’ became a joke amongst the boys as they joked about ‘which is my tree’. Humour became a weapon of self-protection.
There were appalling moments in his life, like when his brother Colin died from infection after being turned away from the Maitland hospital which didn’t treat Aboriginal people. Vince himself was turned away from Ardrossan and Maitland hospitals before being treated at the Wallaroo government hospital for appendicitis. The harrowing significance of those events only sank in later.
Overall, Vince’s story is of the simple things that made up a good life despite adversity and racism. Thankfully there were so many good people that offered friendship, and a place to stay when he needed it. He seemed to have a natural understanding that resentment and anger would only give himself pain. Instead he responded with a happy open heart that connected with the right people.
Vince Copley became a champion footballer and a premiership-winning coach. The path was often difficult but his innate optimism and good cheer always held him up, so that looking back, he can revel in ‘the wonder of little things’. It is a very inspiring, uplifting life story of overcoming hardships and working with others to make things better.
This edition of Vince’s story is highly recommended for young readers. Older readers would be encouraged to read the more detailed The wonder of little things (2022). Lea McInerney has developed a blog that contains recordings of Vince talking, his history, Papa Joe and Grandfather Barney, historical archives, and much more.
Vince Copley speaks to all of us in his clear, unequivocal voice. His mother told him ‘always remember you’re as good as anybody else’ and this, amongst other truths, was the mainstay of his life.
Vince Copley died in January 2022. He was a man for whom life was full of the wonder of little things as he took what happened in his stride, making the most of opportunities presented to him. A strong mother with a robust work ethic helped cement early attitudes which he held dear.
Born Vincent Warrior in 1936 at Point Pearce on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, his father died of TB when Vince was one year old. Vince’s mother later remarried and the family moved to Leigh Creek then Alice Springs in search of work. Vince began using his mother’s partner’s name, Copley. In Alice Springs he met a group of boys when they came home for summer holidays from St Francis House, a home for Aboriginal boys in Semaphore where they lived in term time, attending local schools. Vince was accepted at St Francis House when he was eleven and lived with a group of other young men destined to become well known for their activism, among them Charlie Perkins, John Moriarty and Gordon Briscoe who became equally well known for their sporting prowess.
Set up by the Anglican Church, St Francis House was run by people who supported young men from Aboriginal communities, helping them through school, on the sporting field and on to work. On leaving the home in 1952, Vince worked in a variety of areas, first as an apprentice boiler maker, then for a time as a professional AFL footballer in Melbourne. Homesick, he came back to the Yorke Peninsula where he worked stacking grain, finding firm friends on a farm near Curramulka, working in the area, eventually successfully coaching the local football team to four premierships, and meeting Brenda Thomas, the woman who would become his wife and mother to their two children.
But his life also reflects the injustices under which Aboriginal people lived: at a town in New South Wales where he went to pick up a grain elevator for the farm, he and his Aboriginal companions were ignored by locals when asking directions; he had to apply to go to Point Pearce to see his family; women refused to dance with him, and he needed to apply for an exemption to move about his own country. That he was not counted in Australia’s census until the 1967 Referendum, nor allowed to vote, and had no rights as a citizen is a stain for all of us to share. Vince presents this as part of the background of his life, with equanimity, armed with his mother’s sage advice that he is as good as anyone else. But the racist nature of the communities in which he moved is there for all to see. And his life story brings other events to the fore, events instrumental in changing attitudes leading to the referendum in 1967. The catalogue of protests, events and marches form a chronology of the Aboriginal rights movement in the mid twentieth century to now and Vince was directly involved with many of them. He was both a participant and a witness to so many changes inherent in making a positive difference to Aboriginal people in Australia.
This memoir is an important catalogue of those changes from one man who was both involved and an astute observer. And his observations will sit with the readers for a long time after the book is finished.
Talking with Lea McInerney over countless cups of tea, Vince said that Reconciliation meant black and white walking together, and this mantra shines through.
The whole book is a fascinating insight into the life of one man but also the strength of the movement for Aboriginal rights. The Tent Embassy figures prominently, while Charlie Perkins and Doug Nicholls amongst others, influenced Vince’s life prodigiously, involving him in an array of government departments set up to address the injustice doled out to Aboriginal people. During the bicentennial celebrations, a source of great disgruntlement to many, Charlie organised a cricket team to tour England, replicating the one sent in 1836. Forty good players had to be whittled down to just thirteen so Vince took another team to New Zealand so as not to disappoint the cricketers.
This little story tells lots about this man, making sure people are included, finding a way to satisfy those who may be left out, solving a problem with aplomb.
In the last section of the book is a timeline of Australia’s history from the first years of Aboriginal occupation, the exploration by people from overseas, European settlement, conflict, the South Australia Act and the early contact with Aboriginal people in SA. The timeline shows the history of SA highlighting Aboriginal people and the effects that government policies have had on them since 1836.
I heartily recommend this highly readable book, it is a wonderful memoir of a man working for the advancement of Aboriginal people, a life well lived and documented with grace. Lea McInerney has developed a blog that contains recordings of Vince talking, his history, Papa Joe and Grandfather Barney, historical archives, and much more.
Easy to read fantasy with great setting and relatable characters, Into the Labyrinth, the first in the Mage Errant series, is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy books set in academia with the bonus of a great library. Hugh of Emblin is a shy student, with no self-confidence. Bullied by the son of a noble, he is friendless and believes that he is worthless, unable to perform even the simplest of spells. When he is chosen by a Librarian mage to be his apprentice, life changes for him and he gradually becomes friends with the other two apprentices, Sabae and Talia.
The world building was fascinating. The Great Library with its floating shelves and strange Index and the idea of Hugh having a warded room to himself will thrill readers who like libraries as a main feature in their fantasy. The world of the labyrinth below Skyhold is frightening and the demons and monsters, traps and tunnels are vividly described.
Bierce gradually expands his story with the four young people beginning to gain confidence in their magical ability and starting to believe in themselves. Their trial in the Labyrinth is action packed, each bringing their unique skills to fight off the monsters and get out of the traps hidden in the tunnels.
Into the Labyrinth is a quick and enjoyable read with likeable characters, a unique world and plenty of action. Readers will want to follow Hugh and his friends in their next adventure, Jewel of the Endless Erg, and those who like books set in academies may enjoy the more demanding Scholomance series by Naomi Novik.
Themes Magic, Libraries, Coming of age.
Pat Pledger
The glass horse of Venice by Arnold Zable. Illus. by Anita Lester
Text Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781923058002. (Age:6+) Highly recommended.
Each day when Claudia runs to school in Venice, she stops at the shop of the glassblower. She peers at the animals made of glass: the swans and giraffes, lions and elephant, but her eyes are always drawn to the horse, especially the winged horse. The glass animals fill the canals and building around her. One day the glassblower offers her a gift, and tells her that the horse has broken wings, but one day, if she cares for it, she will find its secret. She takes the wingless horse and places it on her windowsill where she ignores it, wanting a winged horse in its place.
One day the rain comes, and water overlaps the canals and finds its way under the doors of their apartment.
The horse calls her, but she ignores it.
The water keeps rising so the family packs its goods and moves to another apartment away from Venice. Claudia misses Venice and the glassblower. She finds her wingless horse and places it in the light. Its wings grow and she is able to climb upon its back. They fly over Venice as she calls to Pegasus to fly. She sees the city she loves and flies into the night before returning to her home with the wingless horse on her windowsill.
An enchanting book of an imaginative journey as Claudia learns to believe the impossible. The story of Pegasus parallels the story of this book and children will love finding out about that story and its similarities and differences. They will soar with Claudia as she sits on the horse’s back. In the morning the wingless horse sits happily on the windowsill waiting for another nighttime excursion.
Illustrations by Anita Lester are amazing, bringing Venice to life as children pore over the detail of the people, the steps, bridges, boats, buildings and red tiled roofs. Looking at them begs the reader to enter Venice on foot, prowling around its waterways.
But the aerial view is stunning, and readers will cheer along with Claudia as she see her beloved city on the back of the winged horse. Children will marvel at the images of the glass animals, especially the winged horse as it takes Claudia on her longed-for ride.
Miss Austen investigates is a cosy mystery set in the world of Jane Austen and starring her as a detective. She is happily anticipating a proposal from Tom Lefroy at a ball when a shocking discovery is made. A young woman has been found murdered; her body left in a linen cupboard. When her brother Georgie is found with the woman’s necklace, he is arrested and faces the hangman’s noose. Jane is determined to find the culprit, as she knows that her brother is too gentle to commit an act of violence.
The strength of the novel lies in the historical background. Jessica Bull deftly adds in accurate details about the countryside, the way people lived, the role of women, marriage, and the Austen family, and the reader becomes immersed in Jane Austen’s world. A quick perusal shows that the author is knowledgeable about Jane Austen and fans of Austen and mysteries are likely to enjoy seeing Jane as a sleuth. Jane is dogged in her pursuit of the truth, following one clue after another, and having no qualms about accusing different members of the gentry. There are many red herrings and the reader learns much about society of the late 18th century as Jane goes to inns, farms, manor houses and pawnbrokers in her search for the truth.
Jane is intrepid and impetuous, often racing headlong into thinking she has worked out the identity of the murderer, and then having to back down. Her romance with Tom Lefroy is beautifully handled, the author cleverly showing how difficult it was in those times to marry for love, when both parties are impoverished and rely on rich relatives for patronage.
Miss Austen will return in another story The foreign princess, and the first chapter of this can be found at the back of the book. This is certainly an enjoyable book for fans of historical mysteries, and those wanting to know more about Jane Austen’s world.
Themes Mystery, Jane Austen, Murder, Hampshire (England).
Pat Pledger
Digger digs down by Johanna Bell. Illus. by Huni Melissa Bolliger
University of Queensland Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780702268656. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
This delightful story is one of few words but rich in engagement through how the words are used, and the vibrant imagery displayed. What would happen if you kept digging? Where would you end up? And that is exactly what Digger did.
Digger is a playful dog who loves to dig. As he digs, he goes down, down, down to places deep below the surface. He passes by all sorts of things in his digging like skeletons, fossils and utensils, even an extremely precious rock. He eventually comes to a magical underwater world full of wondrous sea creatures. He hears his owner calling and retraces his steps back up to the surface. Only to begin digging again.
This is a story full of imagination with striking images, the vibrant colours layered and softly blurred but with so much depth to what is on the page. There is a strong and inquisitive need for the reader to look carefully to see what treasures Digger uncovers on his travels. The alliteration and rhyme are a joy to read with words moving and flowing as Digger digs. The clever use of positional language for the Early Years age group provides an ideal teaching moment for educators to use. Teacher's notes are available.
A wonderful book for those who love dogs and digging, and whose imagination takes them to places beyond their own backyard.
Kathryn Beilby
Before we met by Gabrielle Tozer. Illus. by Sophie Beer
Before we met, I made a wish Upon a starry night begins this verse story of how a child will be welcomed into its family.
Each stanza begins much the same encouraging readers to read along with the adult. A different second line offers a different set of things the family is waiting for and wanting to do for their new baby. Firstly the child will be brought home, its world to be filled with light. The baby’s face will be stroked and kissed and the parents will sing lullabies, later the parents will hold its hand, run its bath and hug the child tightly. The parents will teach it well, guide its way and fill the days with fun. The parents will watch it grow and see it shine, and love it whether near or far away. All of the things mentioned are virtues that the family shares, loving and caring for their offspring, no matter how it was brought to the home or where it lives. This book is a celebration of the diversity of families, of the array of people that love and care for children, parents known for their part in bringing up a child. At the start the bright illustrations show a variety of ways a child comes into a home. There might be a hospital birth, or IVF, or adoption. The child will be in a home of love and excitement, where a new baby is anticipated and welcomed. The illustrations again show an array of families, all having the one thing in common, the welcoming of an anticipated new baby in their lives.
Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet is the second book in Ashleigh Barton's delightful series. Aimed at young readers, eight-year-old Freddie Spector continues his mission to collect interesting facts - this time about space. With so many amazing space facts, and even an oobleck recipe, this book has everything to keep readers page turning with curiosity.
Freddie's excitement reaches new heights when he learns that he will have the opportunity to interact with a real astronaut. As one of only five children selected to ask a question, Freddie feels both thrilled and anxious. He is determined to come up with a fantastic question that will impress the astronaut, but his thoughts are interrupted by the strange happenings in his neighbour's backyard. After hearing a loud bang and noticing a large, mysterious hole, Freddie is convinced that aliens have landed. This suspicion leads him on a fun adventure as he tries to unravel the mystery, while also preparing for his big moment at school.
Barton skilfully balances humour and suspense in Space Cadet, blending Freddie's imaginative theories about extra-terrestrial visitors and his concerns about his question for the astronaut. Cheong’s black-and-white illustrations add a fun and engaging touch to the story. His drawings complement the text beautifully, bringing Freddie’s world to life and enhancing the storyline.
Space Cadet is a delightful read that will appeal to young readers with an interest in space, science and adventure. It captures the joys of learning and discovery. Readers may even find themselves jotting down their own notes and researching further facts, as their curiosity is stimulated
Freddie's boundless enthusiasm for learning is contagious, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist for children who love asking questions and discovering new things.
A perfect book for children who love exploring the unknown and enjoy stories that blend everyday experiences with a dash of the extraordinary.
Song of the six realms is a complex novel for adolescents and young adults. The plot plays out against the backdrop of spiritual worlds and philosophical themes. It is rather a beautifully written book in terms of linguistic content, vocabulary density and also in terms of its ethereal quality. The living focus and driver of the novel is the central character -Xue'er (Guxue) meaning Solitary snow. In simplistic terms the novel is a Cinderella story but it is multilayered and complex steeped in magic and the exotic actual and spiritual realms of China.
Author Judy Lim was born in Taiwan and grew up in Canada. She loves the escapism of imaginary worlds and these she has created for readers who similarly enjoy fantasy and escapism. Her previous Book of tea duology (A magic steeped in poison and A venom dark and sweet) along with Song of the six realms have made her a bestselling author with The New York Times.
Song of the six realms is a coming of age story. It has the intimacy of the first person voice of the main character Xue whose life's story is central to the plot. Xue is an engaging, likeable character. She is beset with major losses and frightening and perplexing incidents but she has a strength and smartness about her- a feistiness and great kindness aswell as a remarkable skill with the ancient Chinese musical instrument- the qin (also known as the "seven stringed Chineses zither"). Mastery of this instrument was seen as a "refined practice" associated with poetry, scholarship and philosophy. Poetry and philosophy and Xue's ability to interpret and apply her skill are crucially important to the events in this novel. There are many references to Chinese mythology, folk religion, astrology and numerology that Lim explains have no connection with real-world practices or belief today. They have been successfully adapted for the purposes of the story creating the mood and atmosphere of the world that Xue has to negotiate and learn to understand.
Readers are challenged with the Chinese characters, the terms for these characters, their pronunciation and their meaning. There is a helpful glossary at the back of the book. There are many characters in the book with the reader being challenged to understand their name including the pronunciation and the Chinese translation. Likewise locations have place names, Chinese names and pronunciations to decipher.
There are six realms: the Mortal, the Demon, the Celestial, the Spiritual, the Ghost and the Barren. All are inhabited by different beings and have different governance structures. Mortal lives for example are governed by the Celestials and the afterlife is governed by the Demons in the Ghost realm. Through the Rite of Ascension some mortals can ascend to the Celestial Realm. Co-existence and balance is supposed to be maintained between these realms but certain seismic shifts are happening and certain beings are able to traverse across realms either saving or destroying.
Song of the six realms is structured musically and poetically with verses and interludes aswell as chapters. There is a lot of interesting fodder for the lover of fantasy, the lover of the intersection between philosophies and spiritualities, for those interested in class and governance structures and representations of good and evil. Though complex in its settings and subject matter, it is also a beautiful story of love and survival as Xue is faced with every monster and deity of the six realms as the realms teeter on the brink of disaster.
Song of the six realms is a "melodic tale inspired by Chinese mythology". It is for capable readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Themes Chinese mythology, poetry, music, celestial/mortal realms.
Danielle Binks, author of The Year the Maps Changed, has written a deeply moving and powerful novel looking at the lives of neighbours and former best friends, Tash and Leo. Both Year 6 students, feisty and adventurous South African girl Alytash (Tash) and gentle, studious library monitor Polish boy Leopold (Leo), reconnect at a time in their lives where there are major changes taking place.
For Leo, his dad is away in WA and his mum’s brother and dad’s best friend, Aleks, is living in the family rental to help support the family. Leo’s Dad has left for his reasons which are hinted at often and become clear later in the story. Leo is bereft without him but has a strong relationship with his mum although her expectations can be a source of angst.
Tash has her own devastating reasons for ending her friendship with Leo in Year 4, which left him bewildered and deeply hurt. But when she comes back into his life in the final weeks of Year 6, Leo is confused and finds it difficult to trust her motives. When she announces she is not going to Graduation and asks him to let her friendship group know, Leo is curious and once again drawn back into her life.
The neighbour at No 7, Mrs Shepparson has always been a person of mystery to Tash and Leo, but through a series of unfolding events the children gradually learn her story and the historical tragedy behind it. Unexplained occurrences triggered by the bullying tactics of an American building firm place the children and Mrs Shepparson in grave danger which eventually leads to a time of healing for all.
This contemporary novel which shares events of the past in order to understand the present, will resonate with many library readers, both young and old. There are references to borrowing books by Tristan Bancks, rereading Morris Gleitzman’s Once, librarian Mx Chambers referred to as they, and the significant comment “…where some schools no longer have libraries..” For some children like Leo, the library is a haven of safety but also a place to find out more.
Six Summers of Tash and Leopold is a wonderful read with strong believable characters all having a role to play and connected in the present by very different stories from the past.
The striking cover of Raymangirrbuy dhäwu: When I was a little girl will entice readers to this delightful story of growing up in North-East Arnhem Land. Told in dual languages of English and Dhuwal, also known as Djambarrpuynu, by Yolnu author and illustrator Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr, this book revolves around her childhood years spent with family.
Each childhood memory is full of joy, freedom and family. Learning painting from her grandmother, while watching her paint on bark after mixing the colours made from red, yellow and black ochre as well as white clay. Hunting for bush honey (guku) with her cousins and eating what they found. Dancing the guku dance during ceremonies while the men sing. Fishing with her friends and grandma. Night fishing when the moon was full and even watching her uncle catch a big shark which was cooked and eaten by the community. All of these memories tell of a childhood filled with peace and happiness and share a wonderful insight into an aspect of First Nations culture.
The glorious illustrations in a natural palette of light blue, khaki, rust and sand are beautifully drawn in the recognisable Top End style known as Rarrk painting. Each painting reflects the text but also offers more to the reader. At the beginning of the book is a statement about the language and an invaluable pronunciation guide. In the final pages is a comment from Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr and further information about her early years.
Author and illustrator Philp Bunting has a way with words and ideas that leave the reader looking at complex scenarios that they may not have ever considered. I Wonder: A Book of Questions with No Answers is a book that will offer the opportunity to think deeply about all sorts of things that cannot be yet answered.
The book begins with the question: Have you ever wondered what we don’t know? This is followed by a short statement about the curiosity of humans and finding out things, but stresses there is still so much we need to understand. Some of the wonderings given consideration include: I wonder what love is? I wonder why we make art? I wonder what makes us want to be good? I wonder why we’re here? I wonder why we need so much sleep? I wonder what lies beneath? All are cleverly commented on by the author using fact and humour which encourages the reader to question further but of course, no answer is provided.
The graphic-style illustrations are bright and colourful, and in trademark Philip Bunting style. The end papers are busy and showcase a myriad of items that are mentioned in the text. The final wondering may leave us all pondering and overthinking: I wonder if this is all a dream? Where we are left wondering if someone or something is dreaming our life for us!
Themes Science & Technology, General Interest, Wonder, Thoughts, Questions, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
The mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T.L. Huchu
Pan Macmillan, 2024. ISBN: 9781529097740. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
The third in the Edinburgh Nights series following The Library of the dead and Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments finds Ropa Moyo back this time on the Isle of Skye, where a magical convention is being held in Dunvegan Castle. Still stuck in an unpaid internship with Sir Ian Callander and aiming to become an apprentice, she hopes to prove herself on the island. When a priceless scroll from Ethiopia is stolen and a librarian murdered Ropa is given the unenviable task of trying to find the murderer. Callander raises a magical dome over the castle, trapping everyone inside, while Ropa and her friends set out to investigate.
Ropa has been studying Machiavelli’s writings and she sees the extent of corruption and power plays between the members of the magical institutions, the MacLeod and McDonald clans and the students of the four magic schools. Politics dominates the story and I found it difficult to see Ropa's skill not being recognised by the ambitious members of the magical societies. Her snarky wit and astute observations about the people around her provide many moments of hilarity and lighten the tension of the chase and the anxiety that overtakes her at crucial times. She is ably supported by her friend Prya, while Jomo plays a lesser role than in the previous books. There are wild chases across the castle roof and in the gardens, a ghost or two to set free and many red herrings to pursue before the thrilling and unexpected denouement.
Huchu mixes in history with the background of the Isle of Skye and an old, haunted castle. He explores themes of Scottish and English magical rivalry between the two countries, the theft of valuable books by the Library of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the effects of colonialism on African countries and the Fae.
I look forward to the next in the series, hoping to see more of Gran and the red fox and the ending left me wondering what will happen to Ropa in the future.
