July reads for kids
There’s a balanced diet of kids books this month. We’ve got the new Shaun Tan picture book, naughty nanas, crime-fighting pigeons and some heartfelt and thought-provoking middle grade fiction.
You can find some of our best teen reads of the month here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
Cicada by Shaun Tan
Office worker Cicada trudges through a grim existence in a drab grey building, unappreciated and mocked by his colleagues and superiors. For 17 years he toils, before retiring and undergoing a marvellous and unexpected transformation. Using spare, expressive language laced and rich oil paintings, Tan explores the absurdity of corporate life, disconnection, and the life cycles of cicadas with pathos, humour and hope.
Our reviewer Angela says: ‘This magnificent picture book is the work of a master storyteller at the top of his game, pared back to only the minimum required to tell his story, leaving us to question and imagine further.’ For ages 4 and up.
You can read our review here.
KIDS BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH
If I Was Prime Minister by Beck & Robin Feiner
What would YOU do if you were Australia’s Prime Minister?
This colourful and graphically bold book explains the role of Prime Minister briefly (a position always held by an adult, sadly), before showing all sorts of Aussie kids expressing their ideas for our country, from serious through to wild, fantastical, selfless and silly. Espousing all-girl leadership, giant mandatory rainbows, karate-chopping koalas, clean seas and much more, this is a great book to read together with the little big dreamers in your life, throwing around your own ideas for your reign as PM.
This is another wonderful local picture book for ages 4 and up, from the creator of Aussie Legends Alphabet in partnership with her husband.
Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
The Real Pigeons are a crime-fighting squad of city birds, each with a unique Pigeon Power. Grandpouter is the patriarch in charge of super-strong Frillback, extra-bendy Tumbler, navigational expert Homey and the newest recruit, Rock, a master of disguise. Together they solve mysteries and fight park crime, in short illustrated stories that are funny, full of puns and highly visual.
I said in my review that I couldn’t wait to ‘witness more of the Real Pigeons’ ingenuity, bravery, teamwork, and general silliness’, and luckily this is the first a series. For ages 6 and up.
You can read my review here.
Bad Nana: Older Not Wiser by Sophy Henn
Bad Nana is a lot more rebellious than Jeanie’s other grandparents – she carries a whoopee cushion in her handbag, causes a ruckus at line-dancing, stands up to bullies, bends the rules at the park, and generally approaches life with verve and a sense of fun. Highly illustrated in punkish hot pink and black, this is a funny and readable take on how older women can contribute to our families and communities with admirable style.
Perfect for newly independent readers, our reviewer Kim also says that this book is ‘great fun to read together, perhaps with a favourite, cheeky grandparent’.
You can read our review here.
A Song Only I Can Hear by Barry Jonsberg
Thirteen-year-old aspiring writer Rob believes he’s in love with Destry Camberwick, but panic attacks prevent him from making the first move. Luckily Rob starts receiving mysterious text messages urging him to complete tasks that boost his confidence and lead him on a journey of self discovery. The results are awkward, hilarious, unpredictable and surprisingly poignant.
Our reviewer Carrie was impressed: ‘Jonsberg excels once again, delivering the perfect balance of whimsy and insight, performed by a wonderful cast of wise-cracking characters.’ For ages 10 and up.
You can read our review here.
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
A group of students are determined to befriend the new boy in class, and when they learn he’s a ‘Refugee Kid’, they also decide that they’re going to help him, setting in motion a madcap and heartfelt adventure. Author Onjali Q. Raúf is the founder and CEO of Making Herstory, an organisation which works to end the abuse and trafficking of women and girls, and she brings this passion to this story that advocates the importance of small actions in bringing about larger change.
Our reviewer Bronte likens The Boy at the Back of the Class to the work of Morris Gleitzman, saying: ‘while the story does contain sad and painful events, its emphasis on kindness and happy ending makes it a safe choice for sensitive readers’. For ages 9 and up.
Read our review here.
RECENT NEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals winners for 2018 were announced in June. Geraldine McCaughrean was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Where the World Ends, and the Kate Greenaway Medal was awarded to Sydney Smith for his illustrations in Joanne Schwartz’s Town is by the Sea.
We also recently rounded up Australian books to get excited about in the second half of 2018, which includes some exciting children’s. Anticipated titles include: A Day at the Show by Gwyn Perkins (August); How Did I Get Here? by Philip Bunting (August); Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds (Jane Doe Book 1) by Jeremy Lachlan (August); Lemonade Jones (Lemonade Jones Book 1) by Davina Bell & Karen Blair (September); and Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor Book 2) by Jessica Townsend (November).
The Wilderness Society always picks really interesting books for their annual Environment Award for Children’s Literature. This award is presented to fiction and nonfiction books that ‘foster a love of wild places and wildlife in young Australians’ and ‘encourage a sense of responsibility for our natural world’. The Environment Award for Children’s Literature shortlist 2018 perfectly reflects this mission!
JULY EVENTS FOR THE KIDS
Next week, on Tuesday 10 July, we will host the utterly madcap launch of The 104-Storey Treehouse with Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton at which they have promised to deliver one hour of complete and total madness. Find out more here, including ticket price and booking information.
Celebrate honey bees with picture book creator Felicity Marshall at 10.30am on Friday 13 July at Readings Kids. Join Felicity and her bee-utiful friends for a celebration of bees – there’ll be beehives, a bee-keeping suit and, of course, honey! This event is suitable for children aged from 4-10 years old, and tickets are $5 per person with a honey tasting included. Please book here.
Then, at 2pm on Saturday 14 July, drop by Readings Kids for the launch of Real Pigeons Fight Crime, which I raved about earlier in this blog post. This event is free and no booking is required.
Readings Kids is also hosting a special story time with author-illustrator Laura Stitzel at 10.30am on Saturday 21 July. Stitzel will read from Mr Mo Starts to Grow, an adorable story about imagination, friendship and growing up. This event is also free but please book here.
And finally, join us in launching Wren – a beautiful new picture book by Katrina Lehman and illustrated by Sophie Beer. With bright, modern illustrations and a powerfully simple story, any child (and any parent!) who’s ever had to deal with change to the family will love this one. This event is also free, and no booking is required – simply come by Readings Hawthorn at 2pm on Sunday 29 July to celebrate.
