On the shelf Our top book picks

on the shelf

Elvis Eager and the Golden Egg Monty’s Island 3 by Emily Rodda

Monty lives on a perfect island in the middle of a magical sea. Sometimes the sea throws up something interesting … and a golden egg might be his most amazing find yet! But when a pair of flying monsters and a mysterious explorer arrive, it seems the egg is about to hatch into a very big problem. Can Monty find a way to solve it? With a more sophisticated plot structure, a lengthier chapter book (think one chapter every evening), and simpler words, readers of Monty’s Island won’t feel daunted – they’ll feel encouraged. Ages 6-8. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $14.99

Hugo’s runaway legs by Alys Jackson and Leigh Brown

Hugo’s legs have run away, they simply didn’t want to stay at home where they just lay about. Hugo’s legs just wanted out! When Hugo Holt’s legs decide to take the bus and run away - he sets off to find a new pair of legs that are fast enough to catch them. Will he catch his runaway legs and will they agree to come back? Ages 3-9. Published by Larrikin House RRP: $24.99

Siblings by Dr Kimberley O’Brien and Rocio Bonilla

Having a sibling can be a challenge! The new title by Quirky Kid is a witty and imaginative picture book about the ups and downs of brothers and sisters. With the help of a playful design and inspiring illustrations by Rocio Bonilla, Siblings! presents two sides of the same story so sibling learns to appreciate each others qualities and quirks. Perhaps siblings aren’t so bad after all? Ages 4-10. Published by Quirky Kid. RRP $24.99

An Amazing Australian Road Trip by Jackie Hosking

Hop in for the rollicking, rhyming Australian road trip of a lifetime. We’re travelling from Melbourne on a birthday trip west, our aunty is sixty and we’re off on a quest visiting every state and territory of Australia, looking for the perfect picnic spot and experiencing all the landscapes, climates and wonders that Australia has to offer along the way. Each page has exuberant and dynamic artwork along with fun facts about the iconic locations and landmarks they visit, from Ningaloo Reef to Uluru, the Australian War Memorial to Coober Pedy and more. Ages 5+. Published by Walker Books Australia RRP $24.99

ROBOFIGHT: E-BOY 2 by Anh Do

Last week Ethan was just a teenage kid, lying in hospital with a brain tumour. Now, Ethan has the superhuman power to hack any computer system with his mind, and he’s on the hunt for Gemini, the deadly assassin. The Robofight Games might be the perfect cover. An electrifying second installment from Anh Do, who has sold 2.5 million copies across his Wolf Girl, WeirDo, Ninja Kid and Hot Dog! series. Ages 10-15. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $15.99

The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes

Nine is an orphan pickpocket determined to escape her life in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures. When she steals a house-shaped ornament from a mysterious woman’s purse, she knocks on its tiny door and watches it grow into a huge, higgledy-piggeldy house. Inside she finds a host of magical and brilliantly funny characters, including Flabberghast – a young wizard who’s particularly competitive at hopscotch – and a hideous troll housekeeper who’s emotionally attached to his feather duster. They have been placed under an extraordinary spell, which they are desperate for Nine to break. If she can, maybe they can offer her a new life in return… Ages 8+. Published by Walker Books. RRP $14.99.

Robin Hood 2: Piracy, Paintballs & Zebras by Robert Muchamore

Robin and Marion are back! Second in the brand-new, action packed series from international bestseller Robert Muchamore. When Clare Gisborne and Little John return to school after the Locksley Riot, there’s rebellion in the air and Robin Hood’s name graffitied on every wall. Power dynamics are shifting—now, instead of being a feared bully, the daughter of Locksley’s most hated criminal finds herself shunned by classmates and pelted with yoghurt and rotting fruit. Ages 10-14. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $14.99

BE MORE VEGAN - The young person’s guide to going (a bit more) plant-based! by Niki Webster

Are your kids interested in becoming vegan? Whether you’re ready to commit to a fully plant-based lifestyle or you’d just like to add a few meatfree dishes to your weekly meal plan, this is the ideal guide. It explains the reasons behind going vegan, including environmental, health and animal welfare benefits, in clear and simple language that helps young people make up their own minds. It answers all the nagging questions about nutrition and ethics, as well as the best vegan ingredients, substitutions and food hacks. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $24.99

At Home Within by Meredith Gaston

After a particularly tumultuous year, At Home Within assists us to explore pathways to peace, balance and contentment in our daily life. Feeling at home within ourselves involves caring for ourselves in loving, thoughtful and joyous ways; noticing, honouring and meeting our unique needs. In this beautiful book, Meredith will show you how to nurture your inner world with kindness and compassion. The affirmations and inspirations in these ten chapters will assist you to create positive change within. As you change within, your perceptions of the world around you will transform in a positive way too. Published by Hardie Grant. RRP $22.99

50 Risks to Take With Your Kids by Daisy Turnbull

A guide for parents and carers to nurture resilience and independence in kids as they learn to take their own risks. For anyone who wants to combat helicopter parenting and a bubble-wrapped generation, Daisy Turnbull offers an easy-to-use framework with simple, practical challenges for children aged up to 10 years old. Peppered with Daisy’s own experiences in teaching, wellbeing and parenting, this warm and funny book is about teaching kids to recognise and assess risks themselves, and readying them to take on life and all that it brings. Published by Hardie Grant. Out Feb 17th. RRP $24.99.

The Women and the Girls by Laura Bloom

It’s 1977, and warm, bohemian Libby - stay-at-home mother, genius entertainer and gifted cook - is lonely. When she meets Carol, who has recently emigrated from London with her controlling husband and is feeling adrift, and Anna, who loves her career but not her marriage, the women form an unexpected bond. Their husbands aren’t happy about it, and neither are their daughters. Set against a backdrop of inner-city grunge and 70s glamour, far-out parties and ABBA songs, The Women and The Girls is a funny, questioning and moving novel about love, friendship, work, family, and freedom. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $29.99

How to Raise a Man by Megan De Beyer

How can we raise boys to become good men? How can mothers, in particular, help their sons to walk through the world as considerate adults? In this era of #metoo, it’s evident that something is going wrong with the way men progress from childhood into adulthood, and few realise how critical the role of the purposeful and emotionally empowered mother is in a boy’s journey to maturity. Teenagers need centred adults to guide them. If you are confused or irritated by your pre-teen or teenage son, or feel bewildered and hurt by his behaviour, this book will guide you to a clear understanding of teenagers in general and teenage boys in particular. Published by Hachette Australia. RRP $32.99

ANYTHING GLUTEN-FREE

Most people have a bucket list of things to do before they die. But not me. I have a bucket list of 100 things that I wish were gluten-free.

Freshly baked bread, Chinese takeaway, fried jam doughnuts, homemade pastry, fresh pasta, classic cakes, bakery-style cookies, noncardboard-tasting pizza... Sorry, I’ve just realized that I’m just literally listing foods that I can’t eat. But, if you’re gluten-free yourself (or you know someone who is) I bet you’ll totally understand why I often get lost in my bucket list. That’s because, when you’re gluten-free, all your favourite food instantly gets put on the list of things you used to eat. But do you forget about them and get on with your life?

Of course not!

Instead, you gaze through the window of every bakery you pass, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with a lamp post. You might occasionally catch yourself day-dreaming about when you last ate a real jam doughnut*. You’re probably also filled with food envy whenever a fast-food ad comes on TV, uttering, ‘I wish I could eat that’ for the millionth time.

Being gluten-free made me realize that, when you’re told you can’t eat something, you only crave eating it ten times more. But there was one big problem with my gluten-free bucket list: I was probably never going to be able to eat any of the things on it ever again. After all, most things are utterly impossible to make glutenfree, right? And if they’re not impossible, a ‘gluten-free version’ always tastes and/or looks worse – agreed? Well, I’ve got a little news-flash for you that took me years to realize: it’s not true. And I totally understand if you’re filled with scepticism upon reading that. When I first became gluten-free twelve years ago I wouldn’t have believed me either. But honestly, through years of travelling to gluten-free bakeries across the world and creating/ sharing my own recipes online, I’ve discovered this: You can make anything

gluten-free

So, no – nothing needs to taste any different or look any worse either. Nor do you need tons of strange, unobtainable ingredients or a top secret blend of gluten-free flour. I actually use a simple commercial gluten-free flour blend (if needed) for nearly every recipe in this book.

So what’s the big secret then?

Well, in the early years of being gluten-free, I’d naively try to replace wheat flour with glutenfree flour when following a recipe. Or even worse, I’d just skip those gluten-containing ingredients entirely. Not surprisingly, I’d always end up wondering where it all went wrong and with a big mess to clear up. But of course that didn’t work! That’s like reading a book, but removing the main character. Yes, you can still kind of follow the story, but the ending is probably going to be a big, confused mess. To truly get that happy ending, a gluten-free recipe needs to be its own unique story from start to finish.

That’s the secret!

Most of my recipes can easily be made dairyfree or lactose-free with simple swaps and lots are easy to make vegan/veggie too. Plus, there are loads of recipes that are low FODMAP, which is handy if you suffer from IBS like I do. So remember my bucket list of all the things I thought I’d never be able to eat again? Yep, I did it – I finally made them all gluten-free with zero compromise.

Now I can make them whenever I want, and so can you. But if you still believe it’s impossible to make anything gluten-free without compromise, that’s OK. Because once you take a bite of something you haven’t eaten in years and it tastes even better than you remember… you’ll be so happy that you won’t even mind me saying: Told you so!

Beer battered fish and chips

Serves: 2 Time: 45min Ingredients:

1.5 litres vegetable oil 4 medium potatoes 6 tbsp gluten-free plain (all-purpose) flour 2 white fish fillets, skinless (I recommend cod or haddock) For the batter: ¾ cup gluten-free plain (all-purpose) flour 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder 1 tsp salt 150ml gluten-free beer or carbonated water

Method:

Heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until it reaches 170°C, making sure the pan is not more than half full, as the oil will bubble up when cooking. Combine the dry batter ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1cm thick chip shapes then pat dry with some kitchen paper. On a large plate spread the flour out. Place fish fillets on the plate and dust until lightly coated. Once your oil is hot, add your chips and cook for 8 minutes, then remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and place onto a wire rack set over a baking tray to drain. Make sure your oil is still at 170°C then add your glutenfree beer or carbonated water to the dry batter ingredients and whisk until consistent (it’s important not to add this any sooner or it will lose its fizz). Dredge your fish fillets in the batter mixture, then carefully lower each fillet, one at a time, into the oil. Cook for 7–8 minutes until the batter is golden and crispy, bearing in mind that using carbonated water makes it a little lighter in colour. Remove from the oil and place onto the wire rack set over a baking tray to drain. Lastly, add your chips back intot he hot oil and cook for around 3–4 minutes until golden. Allow to drain once more on the wire rack before serving with tartare sauce and mushy peas.