Helen Milroy in telling a story of the natural environment and its interdependence, parallels the history of the First Nations people and their understanding of the environment in which they live.
Helen a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, has written eight books published by Fremantle Press, and her books have been short listed for awards in Australia. Her stories tell a tale which kids will love reading, and woven through that tale are lessons to be learnt about country, the interdependence of the fauna and flora within the environment and directions about living with each other.
With The boab tree, Helen tells a wonderful story about this magnificent tree, and tells us where it belongs in the environment, how it reproduces, its dependance on the leaf litter and the work of small animals beneath the canopy. And entwined with the story readers will learn of belonging, kindness and bravery as the tree finds its way home.
A pod is about to fall from the Boab tree. As it does a large eagle flies beneath the tree and the pod lands on its back. Unbeknownst to the eagle, it flies off and eventually the pod rolls off into an unknown forest of large trees, unlike those the pod has ever known. He is alone and calls out for help. Mice answer his call and ask him where he has come from. The mice offer their help. But the pod must open and release his seeds to propagate the next generation of Boab trees. The mice scrape away a little hole for the seeds and wait and wait for the green shoots to appear. This takes longer than expected and the tree grows very slowly. The soil is the wrong sort of soil, and the climate and surroundings are very different from where the Boab tree comes from.
One day a storm is predicted, and the mice help the little tree cling onto the surrounding branches and pile up the soil near his trunk, so that he survives. He wonders how he can help the mice who have been so kind to him. They tell him that one day they may be able to use his help. And of course, a time for help does come around. Foxes have returned to the forest. Usually the dingoes help the mice but they are not here, so the tree tells the mice to come inside his hollows. They do and the foxes run straight past.
One day a white feather falls to the ground and Boab recognises it. It is from an osprey, a large bird from his county. He sees Osprey is injured and calls the mice for ideas about how to restore him to health. The mice call the old possum and help him bring Osprey down to a makeshift nest formed in Boab’s branches, where he can rest and recover.
In return Osprey will help Boab move to his home. He flies back and tells everyone that he has found the little Boab tree. Together the community works to tie Boab to the eagles, ospreys, cockatoos and crows who are there to help. They fly off, lifting Boab into the sky. They find his place and position him on a ridge where he can look out over his country. And he does, growing to a large old tree, remembering his friends from the forest, and now and again the mice think they can hear Boab’s singing from a long time ago.
Paintings face each page of text, reflecting the story being told in dots, masses of colour and images of the animals. Young readers will love poring over the paintings, finding the things mentioned in the story, sharing the tale and what it tells them of the Boab tree and its place in the environment. Teaching notes are available.
Themes Aboriginal stories, Boab tree Environment, Kindness, Bravery.
Fran Knight
The wild life: A berry long walk by Laura and Philip Bunting
The first in a series of environmentally friendly books with a group of Australian animals having adventures, will have instant appeal to those newly adept at reading chapter books and like the joy of lots of illustrations. And illustrations by Philip Bunting will be recognised by children as they follow the animals and their daily travels. In the first book, A berry long walk, the idea of feeling safe is explored as Wombat refuses to go on a walk with his friend because he fears the unknown. Roo comes to see Wombat with his idea but Wombat balks, jumping into his burrow. He tells Roo that he does lots of things to keep himself safe. He tells Roo about his poo, which is expelled in little squares. When a butterfly wings by, Wombat takes a step back in fear. He continues to outline his fears in the face of Roo’s promising him berries, and the two set off, Roo then a little fearful himself that the story of berries is only a rumour.
This long chapter of about 25 pages, is followed by seven more chapters of shorter length, allowing a newly confident reader to taste reading a book by themselves.
Chapter two sees the two friends, still having the same discussion. Wombat sees a massive mountain that it fears and Roo calms his fears urging him on. Chapter three sees them overcome the mountain, in chapter four the pair meets an echidna, and in chapter five Wombat almost falls off the mountain. On they go, the argument recurring all the time as Wombat wants to go home, and Roo adamant that they will find some berries.
The text displays a common argument between friends when each want to do something different. The text encourages all readers to assimilate the division that can occur over a point of view.
Supporting the text are Philip Bunting’s wonderful illustrations, showing the animals in all their argumentative best finding their way through the various obstacles in their way. Physical obstacles are shown on each page, and the emotional obstacles are shown in their faces as Roo encourages, cajoles, pushes, lifts his friend Wombat to their goal.
Bunting shows many Australian animals on the way to the berries and includes a fantastic map at the end of the book to reprise where the animals went. Readers will love the continuing argument between the two friends, each showing a respectful attitude toward the other’s point of view, and the environments they travel through to get to their goal. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Australian animals, Environment, Wombats, Arguments, Points of view.
When is a gnu not a gnu? It is also called a wildebeest, adding another level of snorting mirth to Good gnus! Phil Cummings’ latest book, which makes fun of the word, gnu, with its silent g. So what else can also be found in this work? What about saying the word gnu out loud, remembering the g is silent. Then it sounds like news and so underscores the ways in which the word is used on each page, homophones offering two different meanings for the word, gnu. Young readers will have a belly laugh at each pair of words. What about ‘late gnus’ (think news) or ‘overseas gnus’, ‘old gnus’, ‘live gnus’ and ‘hard hitting gnus’?
Each page adds another reason to guffaw as readers get the joke and add what they know about the news they hear on television. They will be able to tell stories they have remembered which can be placed into the categories Phil outlines. Who has heard some ‘good gnus’, or ‘gnus flash’, perhaps someone has heard of a ‘gnus desk’ or ’local gnus’ or ‘overseas gnus’. I can imagine kids bubbling over themselves with a story they have heard and want to share.
Some of the pairs make for a more contemplative response such as, ‘sad gnus’, but most are very funny, showing the range of news stories we are exposed to every day. Some will require more thought: ‘fake gnus’, ‘scary gnus’, ‘hard-hitting gnus’.
Words and their meanings are at the heart of this story, as children will learn of the way we get news, the way it is promoted and the importance we attach to it. And reading any of Phil Cummings books out loud rewards readers and listeners alike as the infectious rhythm takes over.
Phil’s humour is mirrored by Daron Parton’s wonderful digital illustrations. Each page is a delight to pore over, with a text that invites an imaginative response and an image which charms the eye. The two gnus cause havoc from the time they get up. We see the ‘morning gnus’ bounce on their bed, causing Dad’s ‘gnus cross’. The two play outside, ‘live gnus’, and play cricket, ‘hard-hitting gnu’s, when a window is smashed, ‘breaking gnus’, the parents call ‘no gnus.’ Every image reflects the pair of words wonderfully aligned to an illustration that will tickle the funny bones of all who read it. After a hectic day of ‘gnus flash’ the children go to bed, ‘gnus just in’. A full day of activity sees the parents eager to have their kids retire to bed.
What more could mystery aficionados and lovers of the paranormal want than a murder to solve, with a detective team of a girl who turns into a werewolf at the full moon, a handsome warlock and a poltergeist who is a great cook? All set in Manchester, with its Upside for people who are normal and Downside for those with supernatural powers. Sage lives with her poltergeist friend P and is trying to make sense of her life. Oren Rinallis is a warlock, notorious for the way he upholds the law for the Arcanum, the institution that keeps order in the supernatural world. He is sent to investigate the murder of a young woman in her apartment and there encounters Sage who has come to visit her. Together with P they set out to discover who is murdering young werewolves in the city.
This is a clever combination of crime, the supernatural and found family. The twists and turns of the plot around the murders will keep readers glued to their seats, wanting to find out who the murderer is. Who is leaving a bunch of the herb sage as a warning? Will Sage be the next victim? The Downside, the home of the supernatural creatures is vividly described, with a Yuletide Ball as a fascinating culmination, while the everyday activities of Sage’s teenage friends contrast with the grisly murders that she and Oren are investigating. The back stories of Oren who is feared by everyone in Downside and Sage who is unable to accept her werewolf side will tug at the heart strings and readers will want to see their personal growth as much as they want to solve the mystery.
All the hidden monsters is a riveting novel and I look forward to the next in the series All the lost souls. Readers who enjoy books by Cassandra Clare are certain to want to pick this up, while readers might like to try the Edinburgh nights series by Tendai Huchu or Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch.
Themes Werewolves, Warlocks, Murder, Found family.
Pat Pledger
Eyes that weave the world's wonders by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock. Illus. by Dung Ho
In the annual family photos where everyone gathers in matching clothes and shoes and laughter, everything is the same for everyone - except for one. Because no one has eyes like hers - eyes that kiss in the corners. Despite their shape, she sees the wonder of the world through her eyes and those around her, but who gave her those eyes? And where and why and what if and what happened? Questions that every child who is adopted asks eventually, and even though there may be no immediate answers, she understands that sometimes 'love must look like letting go'.
This is another wonderful story from the author of such masterpieces as Eyes that Kiss in the Corners and Eyes that Speak to the Stars, and once again Joanna Ho has used her gift of language to create something that brings a common situation into the spotlight. This time it is that of the adopted child and co-author Liz Kleinrock focuses on this in a note to the reader at the beginning of the book. Between them, authors and illustrator have created another story of awareness, understanding and acceptance not just by the protagonist but also the reader and I know that whenever I pick up a title with Joanna and Dung Ho's names on the cover I am going to be changed by the reading of it. And this is no exception. It's not the shape of our eyes that matters, it's what they see that counts.
Themes Adoption.
Barbara Braxton
Counting miracles by Nicholas Sparks
Sphere, 2024. ISBN: 9780751585551. (Age:16+)
Three lives are drawn together in the little town of Asheboro: Tanner, the highly trained ex-military agent searching for his biological father, Kaitlyn the attractive doctor and divorced parent of Casey and Mitch, and Jasper the reclusive burn-scarred old man living alone in his cabin. Gradually the threads draw together, romance brews, and a mystery is solved.
The writing is unadorned, and the plot predictable. There seems to be a lot of ‘filler’ episodes, memories and other bits and pieces, which really don’t add anything of value, as though to bulk out what would otherwise be a much shorter story; it is slow reading and the pace only picks up towards the end.
Jasper draws on Bible readings to guide his life. Basically if you know the story of Job in the Bible, the good and devout man stripped of everything he holds dear to test his faith, you have the story of Jasper. Thrown into the mix is a beautiful white deer, a symbol of spirituality, that haunts the forest, and that Jasper is determined to protect. It leads to much suffering for him, but the reward is there in the end.
This is definitely a ‘feel-good’ story which would appeal to readers who ascribe to the Christian faith, and who enjoy moral stories with a little bit of romance and mystery thrown in.
Themes Bible story, Christianity, Moral values, Family, Romance, Mystery.
Helen Eddy
The daughter of Auschwitz: The girl who lived to tell her story by Tova Friedman
The Daughter of Auschwitz: The girl who lived to tell her story by Tova Friedman is a moving and heartfelt memoir that recounts the author's extraordinary survival as one of the youngest Holocaust survivors. Adapted for young readers, by children's author Hilary Freeman, this book is a truly compelling and sensitive tale for a younger audience. Based on Tova’s vivid memories of the atrocities she endured as a child, growing up amidst the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, this story will captivate and give the reader a greater understanding of an important part of history.
Tova was only a baby when her family was forced into a Jewish ghetto, where they faced starvation, violence and daily fear. At the vulnerable age of five, Tova and her mother were sent to Auschwitz, the infamous death camp. With her father sent to another camp and separated from them, they were left alone to be strong to survive. With harrowing detail, she describes the unimaginable cruelty they witnessed and endured; and the daily fight to stay alive. Her mother’s strict rules of survival - such as remaining as inconspicuous as possible and following instructions - were essential in protecting Tova from the continual threat of death.
What sets this memoir apart is Tova's remarkable ability to reflect on her experiences with both the clarity of a survivor and the perspective of a child who had to endure far more than anyone should. Her brave and determined stance to share her story so others learn and do not repeat history is remarkable.
Friedman’s detailed recollection of life in Auschwitz gives readers a heart-wrenching glimpse into the brutality of the Holocaust, while also emphasizing the importance of resilience, hope, and humanity. She speaks not only for herself but for the millions who perished and those who survived, stressing the need for tolerance, peace, and the acceptance of others in today’s world. Her story is not only a testament to survival but a call to action to ensure people learn from the past and history is not repeated.
Themes History, Survival, Auschwitz, Holocaust, Second World War, Courage.
Things cannot get much worse for Kidan Adane. Besides the small issue of fighting the murder charge she has just been accused of, her sister June has been missing for more than a year and she has run out of leads in her search. Kidan is certain she knows who took June, but she has no way of finding either her sister or the perpetrator. But then Kidan is given an unexpected lifeline. Her estranged aunt has died and Kidan is now heir to a dangerous and powerful legacy: the ownership of one of the oldest and most powerful of the ruling houses that govern Uxlay University. Uxlay is a place that exists both within and separate to the rest of the world. It is a place of secrets, shadows and blood where vampires and humans learn to uneasily coexist. If Kidan wants any hope of finding June, she will need to enter Uxlay and claim her birthright, because that is where she will find the man – the vampire – that she is certain knows where June is. And Kidan will do anything – even murder – to find her sister.
Immortal Dark is a brilliant debut from Ethiopian-Australian author, Tigest Girma. The novel weaves East African history and mythology into a dark academia fantasy with a true enemies-to-lovers romance. Kidan is a complex heroine, at times both compelling and repelling but her deep love for her sister and her determination to seek truth and justice is clear on every page. Older readers who like their fantasy as dark as possible will enjoy this novel, the first in a planned trilogy.
Themes Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Dark Academia, Vampires, Family, Sisters.
A book for the very young about the love that exists between a mother and her baby. Each page offers a new activity between a mother and her child, stressing the need of one and the comfort of the other.
In the middle of the night when all the others are asleep, the baby stirs and reaches out for her mother and senses her nearby. The child is hugged and kissed and knows that she can feel her. Mother whispers into her ear that she is near, and the baby hears her. The baby’s tummy rumbles, and mother hears her hunger. The baby is given a bottle and shows that she needs her. The baby falls asleep, now she is content. Suddenly she holds out her arms and trusts her mother to come and pick her up. Mother is there when she falls back to sleep, safe. Mother is everything to the baby, her world and returns the love she is given.
This most unusual book about the love between a newborn and her mother is aimed at the very young, reminding small babies of the love, the selfless love given them in all sorts of situations and times. This book seems to look at a typical night, offering the sleeping habits of a young child, who is always safe in the knowledge that mother is there, despite waking and needing another feed or a simple hug to get back to sleep.
Young parents will recognise all of the stages of the evening as they sometimes struggle with the developing sleeping habits and routines of the newborn. This book may serve to remind them that their efforts will not go unrecognised.
The book I read is the ‘Bottle feeding edition’ which assumes there is another edition which shows breastfeeding.
Themes Babies, Sleeping, Safety, Nurturing.
Fran Knight
The many lies of Veronica Hawkins by Kristina Perez
Little Brown, 2024. ISBN: 9781408719022. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
Perez’s mystery thriller has an unusual structure. The first half is presented as the published memoir of journalist Martina Torres, the trailing dependent spouse of Spencer, an entitled young American newly transferred to Hong Kong in a bid to boost his career. Martina, aka Marty, becomes intoxicated with the city of Hong Kong and also her new friend Veronica, a queen of old world wealth and sophistication. Veronica encourages a new sense of self in Marty, sponsoring her entry into a world of luxury and corruption. But the blurb for Marty’s memoir reveals that Veronica suffers a mysterious and tragic death. Marty’s story describes the rapid growth of their friendship and seeks to understand what happened on the night when Veronica disappears over the side of a boat during a gala fundraising event held in Hong Kong harbour.
The mystery unravels and compounds in the second half of the book, as we gradually come to understand that Marty has been an unreliable narrator and her memoir may have glossed over relevant details. The intrigue for the reader is in understanding what the attraction was between the two women, and what they each hoped to gain from the relationship. Perez explores themes of bullying and manipulation, toxic friendships and class barriers. The hunger for acceptance can lead the victim of bullying and exclusion to only too easily be drawn into repeating those behaviours towards others.
Marty writes that her story is a love story, a love letter to her best friend and also the city where they met. Certainly we are given all the details of a fascinating glittering world, the history of its colonisers, and the stratified society of the wealthy and the corrupt. Hong Kong, the city, becomes a central character, and Marty revels in her account of the glamorous lifestyle, the fashion, and the undercurrents of power and influence.
This is a detective mystery story with a difference. With an unreliable narrator, it becomes a question of whose version of events is real, and which of the many suspects is implicated in Veronica’s death. It’s interesting enough on that level, but the real strength of Perez’s novel is her depiction of an intense and manipulative relationship between two women each determined to get what they want. A complex and absorbing twisty thriller.
Themes Hong Kong, Privilege, Friendship, Deception, Manipulation, Corruption.
Helen Eddy
Summer of shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza
University of Queensland Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780702268373. (Age:10-16) Recommended.
Summer of shipwrecks is a warm-hearted story that depicts, perceptively, the agony of being the third, younger wheel in a friendship group during the period of adolescent change. The front cover illustration by French illustrator Margaux Samson Abadie perfectly captures the setting and dynamics of the story. In the foreground Sid (the first person narrator) sits alone, well covered, with an enigmatic and unhappy countenance. In the mid ground with their backs to her and arms draped across shoulders are her old friend Lou and her new "bestie" Hailey. In the background is the rolling sea, crashing through Katherine's Cove. The picture captures the exclusion that happens when some girls mature physically ahead of others, the shifting nature of friendship and the backdrop of the violent ocean of the Victorian Shipwreck Coast.
Shivaun Plozza is an award winning author of books for children and young adults. Summer of shipwrecks is her latest middle-grade novel. She is also the author of Meet me at the Moon Tree, The boy, the wolf and the stars and A reluctant witch's guide to magicwhich have been CBCA Notable Books and have received commendations from the Victorian Premier's Literary Award amongst other starred reviews. Plozza grew up in Warrnambool, Victoria and as a teenager she fried fish and chips for the busloads of tourists on the Great Ocean Road. This familiarity with the place that she writes about in Summer of shipwrecks, (the fictitious but very recognisable town of Penlee Point close to Apollo Bay), shines through. In the Author's Note, Plozza informs the reader that the novel was inspired by the tragedy of the wreck of the Loch Ard and the tales of the more than 700 shipwrecks of the real life location of the Shipwreck coast, the lost treasure and resultant folklore.
The central character, Sid has been looking forward to catching up with her old holiday friend Lou on her annual trip to the Shipwreck Coast. Unfortunately when she arrives, she finds that Lou has brought a new friend with her, that she has matured into a teenager, put away "childish, uncool" interests like digging for treasure and has become far more interested in clothes and boys. The reader receives a first hand account through the eyes of Sid of the pain of rejection, the hopeless efforts at winning back friendship, the mistakes made whilst trying to win approval back and also of new possibilities of friendships that are truer to herself. Her slow and painful path to that discovery is made worse because of the divorce of her parents and her enforced holiday with her Mum's new boyfriend and his daughter. The adults' navigation of the difficult terrain of trying to build new blended families is dealt with with great warmth and sensitivity. This is helpful reading for many young people who may draw comfort from realising that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. In the end, Sid realises there has to be give and take and that in all the change, she must be willing to make some changes too. She is a character of great honesty and gutsiness who learns to move on, adapt and be hopeful.
Summer of shipwrecks would be enjoyed by the large fan base of Nova Weetman's books, particularly the ever popular Elsewhere girls, Sick Bay and The edge of thirteen, because of its similar wise and clear-eyed depiction of preteen and teen characters struggling to come to terms with who they are and how they fit into the world. It is especially recommended for young Australian readers who are familiar with or who are interested in the history of the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Shipwreck coast of Victoria, History, Friendship, Coming of age, Change, Divorce, Blended families.
Wendy Jeffrey
Storm by Jane Bunn. Illus. by Dasha Riley
Scholastic, 2023. ISBN: 9781761201721. (Age:3+)
When dark, menacing clouds scurry across the sky, lightning piercing the sky above, Jane rushes inside with her dog, Stamp. Both are shaking as they watch the progression of the wild wind across the landscape outside their home. Thunder roars and lightning flashes, hail peppers the roof, wind howls, Stamp crawls under the bed. The next day the impact of the storm can be seen. Mr LI’s washing line is in the lake, leaves and branches need to be cleaned up.
Stump is still scared, and there is news of another storm tonight. So, Jane goes to the library to find some information about storms and why they happen. She finds out what storms are and how they occur. She asks her mother about lightning and is told to ask her Aunt Kate, which she does. She helps Mrs Alam next door to sweep up the rose leaves and asks her where the wind comes from. Mrs Alam explains, offering an explanation that all ages can understand. When her family sits down for afternoon tea, Mr Li brings in the big hailstone he found, which prompts Jane to ask how they got there. By the time the evening comes around, Jane is happy that she has learnt so much about storms and why they happen, but she is still aware that her dog, Stamp, is not as content. She reads out everything she has learnt about storms to Stamp. He is still not happy, so she develops a Stamp safety plan.
The safety plan predicts all the things that a storm can bring. Protection is the best thing, so Stamp must stay indoors, away from windows and doors. If caught outside, then be the shortest object. Do not shelter under an umbrella and stay away from metal objects.
That night another storm crosses overhead. This time Jane and Stamp count the seconds between seeing the lighting and hearing the thunder and work out that it means the storm is 4 kilometres away. She sings lullabies to Stamp, and both are calm. The next day Jane and Stamp join their neighbours and the family in cleaning up the debris left by the storm.
Jane Bunn, a weather presenter, gives an easily absorbed story which will entertain readers, as well as giving them a basis of facts about many aspects of the weather as part of the story. And all supported by Dasha Riley’s illustrations, which give a clear indication of what a storm feels and looks like as it passes overhead. The mess left by a storm is clearly shown and the support of neighbours in clearing it up will speak to children who have seen on the TV news the aftermath of storms, and the role of communities in getting things back to normal. Her nonfiction pages are clear and fitting for young readers. And each of these: Storms, Lightning, Wind, Hail, Facts about Storms, and Stampy’s storm safety plan, all have a series of rings to show they belong in a folder and are different from the other pages which tell the story of Jane and Stamp.
This book is an entertaining and informative book about storms and what children should do when caught in one. Children will love watching how Janes tries to help Stamp overcome his fear of the storm, be intrigued with the pages giving facts about storms and what to do and be interested in Jane Bunn’s page about herself at the end of the book. This page outlines her early interest in the weather and encourages younger readers to be well informed.
Themes Weather, Storms, Lightning, Wind.
Fran Knight
Let's try again another day by Charlotte Barkla & Jade Goodwin
When a child is young, they learn lots of things: from crawling to letters and numbers, colours, how to kick a ball, speaking and dancing, rolling over. And as time goes on, they learn to say hello and goodbye, say sorry, make friends, and ask why. Some will learn to play an instrument, some to dance, sing and act, some love numbers, some play a range of sports. The thing about this range of skills, sports, numbers and so on is that it all started somewhere, perhaps unsteadily at first, but practice and perseverance enable kids to find their way.
This is the basis of this book, encouraging young people to try and try again. Not to be despondent about not being the best at the start, but to keep on trying. There will always be days when things don’t go their way, shoelaces will be untied, paint will splatter everywhere, numbers will simply not match up. Angry words will be spoken, toys thrown across the yard, others may seem more competent, and tears will fall.
But mistakes are part of learning, others may help, they may ask for help or try again. Just as bodies grow and develop so do brains and if we don’t get things straight away there is always another day.
A gentle reminder to children and adults that learning is a continuum, things are learnt over time, some things take a long time to master, some only a short time, but however people learn, there is always another day to try again.
Coupled with colourful usually smiling kids, the message will not be lost on young readers. They will all have had some moments of frustration, convinced that a skill they are trying to master will not be learnt. But trying again is at the heart of this picture book, the children in the pictures doing just that.
Lethal Lizards is the second book in Gregg Dreise’s Scales and Tails series following Super snake. In this Creation story, Dreise has authored a wonderful narrative about goannas, lizards and snakes. In the Dreamtime the goannas and lizards were white and were frightened by the snake brothers. Biamme decides to help them and crushes blue objects, making them a dillybag each of Biamme’s Blue Poison which will collapse the snakes if it is wiped on them. Meanwhile the snake brothers persuade the lizards to let them paint them with magic and each of the goannas and lizards are given the beautiful colours and patterns that they have today. They also become more courageous and resilient and can face the snakes head-on.
I love the illustrations in Lethal Lizards. The beautiful ochre colours of the land, the bright blue of the sky and the gorgeous patterns on the creatures are a feast for the eye. And each of the creatures has a distinct face, with wonderful eyes and often a smile. There is a section at the back of the book on Dreise’s art which gives details of how he uses traditional and modern art to make his Indigenous picture books.
At the conclusion of the book on the last page is a section titled About the story which give a summary of the theme of Lethal lizards: 'Lethal Lizards is a story about physical appearances. When we understand unique differences as beautiful, and bullies stop trying to create fear, then our children will grow up happier than ever before.'
The underlying theme of being brave and standing up for yourself will appeal to both an adult who is reading the story aloud or the newly independent reader who may try it. The lizards use their intelligence and cunning to overcome the bullies which is reassuring for young readers.
This is an uplifting story that is sure to appeal to young children and is likely to become a favourite in a home library as well as a classroom.
Gracie has always been a good thief, from a childhood spent in foster homes, alongside her best friend, and foster brother, Adam. They honed their skills together, but when Grace runs off with Adam’s very expensive watch, they are bound, one to disappear and run, the other to seek revenge. At the Brisbane Stamp expo, Grace has her eyes on her target as he wanders around the floor. She knows he has some very expensive stamps in his possession. And then she spots Adam. She must run again, and this time, she must cross borders. She finds herself in a small German town, Battendorf, in the Adelaide Hills. Wanting a place to lie low for a while, she looks in the window of a collectables shop with a help wanted sign. She knows this sales area well, one of her foster parents was involved so she has developed skills and expertise which have stood her in good stead in stealing and assessing stolen goods.
She goes into the shop introducing herself to the meek, mousy proprietor, Erin. She is hired almost too quickly and Erin invites her to come and live in her granny flat. Grace is elated as two of her problems are solved, although she is aware that her employer has agoraphobia and happy for Grace to be the main face in the shop. Grace cannot believe that Adam would be able to track her down, but she is still very cautious. The reader can see that Grace’s behaviour is not that much different to that of Erin, and wonder about her background.
One night while returning from an auction, Grace comes across a road accident. A man in one car is being rammed by another. She stops and helps, the perpetrators driving away. The man being attacked proves to be a retired police officer. She rings for an ambulance, and gets him into a safe place, then leaves. The police officer begins to investigate who his saviour is, as soon as he is out of hospital. Three different stories are now entwined.
And we know that Adam must be on his way south, he wants his watch. And there is another man seeking Erin.
Disher has woven a very clever series of stories into one making it wholly probable and exciting to the reader. We all sympathise with Grace who has never known a solid family life, and craves a place where she need not worry. Erin too wants a place of safety as the reader later finds out, an abusive ex partner is searching for her. Adam is looking for Grace to get his watch back, and the police officer is looking for her as he has worked out that her life is a fabrication. All stories converge into one exciting sequence of events at the Battendorf lockup.
Disher has created a group of wonderful characters and set them against a wholly plausible backdrop described meticulously. He has entwined strands of modern themes: domestic violence, retirement, modern policing and identity theft. I love the ending which ties things up so well, with Grace able to use her skills to make the lives of the good people she has encountered, more comfortable.
I listened to this book, through LIBBY at the South Australian Public Library Network, narrated by Cam Ralph.
