This month’s round-up of new children’s books is populated by dragons, an array of pets, beautiful music, multiple worlds and primary school shenanigans.

You can also find some of our best teen reads of the month here.

KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Relic of the Blue Dragon (Children of the Dragon Book 1) by Rebecca Lim

When Harley Spark picks up a dusty old vase on the street, he has no idea he is about to unleash unpredictable forces of magic and history. The vase releases Qing, a Chinese girl from a long-ago dynasty, who has special abilities and a desperate mission to find her lost sisters. Harley and Qing cross the globe, getting tangled up in organised crime and family secrets.

In my glowing review of this Australian middle grade fantasy, I predicted that ‘kids will love Lim’s skilful blend of ancient events, dragon shape-shifting, international organised crime and kung fu mastery’. For ages 9 and up.

You can read my full review here.

RECOMMENDED KIDS READS THIS MONTH

Maya & Cat by Caroline Magerl

Maya sees Cat alone, wet and shivering in the rain, and wins Cat’s trust with sardines so that she can find out where Cat lives. Maya troops with a bemused Cat to homes all over town to meet other cats, rabbits and dogs.

This gorgeous Australian picture book about new friends, kindness and finding home is beautifully and quirkily illustrated in ink and watercolour, and uses rich, poetic text to tell the story. Our reviewer Angela found it to be ‘a delightful picture book for all animal lovers that will be pored over by children aged three and up’.

You can read Angela’s full review here.

Sonam and the Silence by Eddie Ayres & Ronak Taher

Well-known musician, broadcaster and teacher Eddie Ayres has used his extensive travels and teaching experiences in Afghanistan to create a moving picture book about the power of music. Sonam, a young girl living in Kabul, follows strange and beautiful sounds one day and meets an old man playing the rubab. Sonam is captivated by the music, which is forbidden in Afghanistan, and the old man eventually gives her an instrument of her own. When fear causes her brother to confiscate her rubab, Sonam thinks she has lost the solace of music forever, but it returns to her in the most surprising of ways.

The unique illustrations by Iranian-Australian artist Ronak Taher combine collage, Persian miniatures, architecture and Afghan cloth patterns to great effect. This is a longer length picture book that is suitable for readers aged 7 and up.

You can read our review here.

The Happiness Box by Mark Greenwood & Andrew McLean

A fascinating and important part of history comes to life in Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean’s picture book about real events in Changi Prison, Singapore, during the World War II occupation. In 1942 Australian POW Sergeant David ‘Griff’ Griffin decided to create a special Christmas picture book about the secrets of happiness for the prison’s children – The Happiness Box. The prisoners went to great and creative lengths to make and keep this book hidden from their captors, and it in fact survived the war and is now held at the State Library of NSW.

Illustrated in soft pen and watercolour, and told with sensitivity, The Happiness Box shows the difficult conditions the prisoners lived under, but highlights the kindness, resilience and bravery that prevailed. For ages 7 and up.

Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds by Jeremy Lachlan

Jane Doe’s existence on the island of Bluehaven is not the easiest. Her father is catatonic, and the community blames her for the regular earthquakes and anything else they care to lay on her. When her father disappears into the labyrinthine Manor during a major quake, the very portal that spat them out 12 years ago, Jane is forced to enter perilous worlds within worlds.

With a funny, sarcastic and plucky heroine at its core, Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is fast-paced and exciting fantasy for ages 11 and up.

You can read our review here.

Natural Born Loser by Oliver Phommavanh

Raymond is happy flying under radar at Barryjong Primary, and regards himself as fairly average – not smart, and not good at sport – but when the new Principal, Mr Humble, makes him a prefect, he is forced to contend with the realities of leadership. Raymond makes new friends among the other prefects, and finds himself part of a team working to bridge differences and raise money to make their school a better place.

Our reviewer Bronte loved this ‘sweet tale about a reluctant hero who proves we aren’t restricted by other people’s expectations – not even our own’. It’s suitable for ages 8 to 11.

You can read Bronte’s full review here.

RECENT NEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS

If you’d like to impart a love of poetry to the young folk in your life, we put together a slew of engaging poetry for kids and teens. We’ve recommended everything from anthologies and treasuries, to single author collections and verse novels, and even how-to books.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like working in children’s books, please read our fascinating interview with Readings Kids manager Angela Crocombe and learn from her many experiences in bookselling and publishing.

Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is upon us tonight! There’s something for everyone in this year’s line-up including a special program for kids and teens. To make decisions easier, we’ve put together a list of MIFF picks for kids and teens including movies from France, China, Italy, USA, Germany, Spain and Japan.

AUGUST EVENTS FOR THE KIDS

We have three fantastic kid-friendly events coming up in our calendar. All three are free to attend, and there’s no need to book – just drop in at the time and date.

Brooke Davis will launch Jeremy Lachlan’s exhilarating and unforgettable blockbuster adventure Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds on Monday 6 August at 6pm at Readings Kids.

Come and enjoy a special story time with renowned author and illustrator Caroline Magerl on Saturday 18 August at 10:30am at Readings Kids. Caroline will read from Maya & Cat, her inspiring picture book about friendship and resilience. This event is suitable for ages 3–9 years.

And join Gabrielle Wang on Saturday 1 September at 2pm at Readings Hawthorn for the launch of Ting Ting the Ghosthunter, the sequel to her award-winning A Ghost in My Suitcase, and a powerful magic-realist story for young readers aged 9 and up, about ghost-hunting, finding yourself, and Chinese mythology and culture.

Leanne Hall is a children’s and YA specialist at Readings Kids. She also writes books for children and young adults.