books for kids to young adults
compiled by children’s correspondent, Lynndy Bennett
for preschoolers
Big Dog, Little Dog: Lift-the-Flap Opposites by Elodie Jarret ($17, BD)
What could be nicer than a little book full of dogs? Long dogs, spotty dogs, bendy dogs, fat ones and thin ones—all of them very appealing. This is a flap book with a very immediate application—lift the flap and find the opposite underneath. Brightly coloured with lots of textures, and interestingly shaped flaps, this is a perfect book for babies to 3 year olds. Louise
Big and Small, Room for All by Jo Ellen Bogart (ill) Gillian Newland ($13, BD)
For slightly older children, this starts big with the sky, and ends very small with a flea, and even smaller, plus everything in between. Enchanting, realistic watercolour illustrations draw the reader in, creating a world majestic and huge, and taking us down to the familiar and tiny. This book withstands many readings, with lots to discover on every page. Excellent for 2–5 year olds. Louise
I Thought I Saw a Lion! & I Thought I Saw a Dinosaur! by Lydia Nichols ($13, BD)
Bold coloured illustrations and sliding tabs invite the reader to search for the relevant animal: find the dinosaur disguised behind a shower curtain and other places in the home; or the lion lurking in a beauty salon, a restaurant and assorted neighbourhood locations. Sturdy books that are heavy on interactive fun. Lynndy
picture books
“You’re Called WHAT?!” by Kes Gray (ill) Nikki Dyson ($15, PB)
If it’s a week with no David Attenborough programmes on TV, break out this picture book and be prepared to laugh, and marvel, at the actual creatures in this hilarious picture book, each of whom is applying to the Ministry of Silly Animal Names for a name change. After all, would you want to be a Monkeyface Prickleback, or an Ice Cream Cone Worm? Gray’s lively humour—beloved in his Oi Frog! Oi Dog! And Oi Cat! sequence—plus unusual animal facts make this a picture book for curious young readers, and we love it too. Lynndy
How the Borks Became by Jonathan Emmett (ill) Elys Dolan ($25, HB)
There are a few new picture books exploring the concept of evolution; this one particularly appealed to Tania and me as it is a very gentle introduction to the topic. The Borks, Seussian life forms, are shown adapting and developing throughout eons, making the theory of natural selection accessible to young children of 5 and upwards. Teamed with Emmett’s rhyming text are the benignly fanciful illustrations of award winning picture book creator Dolan. Lynndy (If you aren’t familiar with Dolan’s work, also check out her acclaimed debut Weasels.)
non fiction
A to Z of Art for Kids by Collective ($30, PB)
Filled with highly informative facts, written concisely and illustrated clearly, this delightful book is a pleasure to read. Covering a very broad spectrum of art history and theory, the authors have managed to create a book that is very accessible, without speaking down to the audience. From Abstraction to Op Art, Colour and Museums, it’s an extensive and relevant list. Great for people starting to learn about Art, but there’s plenty there for the well informed. I’m buying a copy for myself as well as for a grandchild studying art in junior high school, and it would be a good gift for a family. Louise
fiction
Hive by A J Betts ($17, PB)
In her small community everyone obeys the Elders’ rulings, although Hayley occasionally sneaks away into her private tunnel refuge to conceal her headaches and avoid drastic treatment as a flawed citizen. On one visit to this tunnel the sight of water dripping from the ceiling shocks her—it should be impossible this far underground, and her curiosity is further ignited when she discovers the son of the community leader knows of it too, yet there is no official remedial action. Their confusing relationship develops into a friendship through which community secrets are revealed, and Hayley starts to question the very nature of their utopian life. Likened to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, West Australian Betts’ latest novel is an intriguing depiction of an ‘ideal’ society, and control of information, with elements that resonate in today’s society. Highly recommended. Lynndy
10
Art Making with MoMA: 20 Activities for Kids Inspired by Artists by Cari Frisch & Elizabeth Margulies ($35, HB)
Drawing on their extensive research and multi-sensory family workshops, two educators at the Museum of Modern Art New York present 20 interactive activities that encourage kids (and adults) to discover how modern and contemporary artists experiment with materials and techniques. This activity book provides opportunities for creative exploration and art making at home, in a group or alone, while providing real examples of the tools, and ideas used by artists whose works are in MoMA’s collection. Each project is inspired by a particular artist, movement, or design concept, and features full-colour reproductions of artwork from the likes of Diego Rivera, Vassily Kandinsky, Berenice Abbott, and Charles and Ray Eames. Step-by-step instructions, handy tips and open-ended questions encourage kids to think like artists and develop their own techniques and ideas for art making. Another grand family acquisition. Lynndy
Stinkiest! 20 Smelly Animals by Steve Jenkins ($10, PB, $20, HB)
Following other books in his Extreme Animals series: Deadliest!, Trickiest! and Speediest! is Caldecott-winner Jenkins’ showcase of the world’s smelliest creatures. A bird that vomits putrid matter when attacked and a sea slug that releases foul toxic purple ink are just two of the animals in this book exploring chemical defences and adaptation for survival. Steve Jenkins’ many books about the natural world are distinguished by his vibrantly coloured, textured paper collages; scale related to humans; lesser-known facts, and pertinent habitats. This is yet another that is bound to have readers intrigued, and grossing each other out with ‘Ew!! Did you know…?’ Lynndy
. our guest picks . .
Zoe (age 7 ½) enjoyed reading these books completely on her own: The Billie B Brown series ($8–$25, PB) by Sally Rippin and the Ella and Olivia books ($8–$25, PB)—about the eponymous sisters and their exploits—by Yvette Poshoglian with illustrations by Danielle McDonald. Floored by various authors ($17, PB)
I’m looking forward to reading this collaborative novel by seven well-known authors of teen and YA fiction. One morning seven strangers with individual preoccupations and very different lives step into an elevator; by the time they exit many hours later they have a connection that will bring them together on the same day every year. ‘There’s Sasha, who is at the UK’s biggest TV centre desperately trying to deliver a parcel; Hugo, who knows he’s by far the richest—and best-looking—guy in the lift; Velvet, who regrets wearing the world’s least comfortable shoes to work experience; Dawson, who isn’t the good-looking teen star he was and desperate not to be recognized; Kaitlyn, who’s slowly losing her sight but won’t admit it, and Joe, who shouldn’t be there at all, but who wants to be there the most. And one more person…’ Lynndy
