October kids books, events & news
This month we’re happy to see a really broad range of kids books including a magical adventure set within the pages of beloved kids classics, a surreal masterpiece by the amazing Shaun Tan, and a moving graphic novel about the Syrian refugee crisis.
Find our October picks for YA books here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
Everything I’ve Never Said by Samantha Wheeler
Eleven-year-old Ava has Rett syndrome – a rare neurological disorder that means she is unable to walk, move without help, or speak. Ava is funny, smart and observant, but she can’t physically articulate her thoughts, feelings and opinions, which leads to extreme frustration. When an awful tragedy strikes her family, Ava is motivated more than ever to find her individual voice, with the help of a new friend and new occupational therapist.
Our reviewer Angela describes this book, inspired by the author’s real-life experiences with her daughter, as ‘a beautiful, empathetic story that may have you in tears’. For ages 9+ (and including adults).
You can read Angela’s full review here.
RECOMMENDED KIDS BOOKS THIS MONTH
All The Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell & Alison Colpoys
The third picture book release from the very clever and accomplished Australian duo, Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys (The Underwater Fancy-Dress Parade and Under the Love Umbrella), All The Ways to be Smart is a rhyming ode to the myriad ways kids can demonstrate being smart, from practical smarts to creative brilliance and emotional intelligence.
Our reviewer Bronte says: ‘This book is funny and tender, exuberant and whimsical, and an absolute joy to pore over.’ For ages 2 and up.
You can read Bronte’s full review here.
Rosie Revere and the Racous Riveters: The Questioneers by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
Beaty and Roberts – creators of the enormously popular picture books Rosie Revere, Engineer, Iggy Peck, Architect and Ada Twist, Scientist – have extended their franchise to the first book in a junior fiction series, Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters. In book one, young engineer Rosie has a difficult task: to design and construct a painting machine in just two days, in order to help her Aunt Rose and her friends win the town’s mural competition. Despite suffering numerous setbacks, Rosie brainstorms and bounces back again and again with the loyal support of her friends Iggy and Ada, to create an engineering triumph.
Our reviewer Athina thinks Rosie Revere and the Racous Riveters: The Questioneers is a winning idea that celebrates ‘camaraderie, the scientific method and the importance of persistence’. For ages 7 and up.
You can read Athina’s full review here.
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
A companion to Shaun Tan’s earlier Tales from Outer Suburbia, Tales from the Inner City is a unique collection of illustrated mythical poems and stories about our relationship with animals, both real and imagined. Each tale is accompanied by a stunning and gently surreal painting depicting human and animal connecting with one another. Tan’s inimitable imagination brings us monster sharks, spirit horses, moonfish and office crocodiles.
Our reviewer Angela adored Tan’s most recent work of art, finding it to be ‘a deeply moving, elegant and sophisticated collection of stories and paintings that will ask people to reflect on their relationship with animals as well as their own place in the world’. For ages 10 and up.
You can read our full review here.
Pages and Co.: Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James
Tilly lives in the dreamy Pages & Co bookshop with her grandparents, who have been her guardians since the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Beatrice. When the holidays roll around Tilly thinks she’s going to be bored, but that turns out to be far from the truth when she discovers a special box of books and her ability to wander in and out of literary lands.
Peppered with well-loved characters like Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland, Tilly and her new friend Oskar embark on a magical and exciting adventure that blurs the borders and fantasy and reality. Our reviewer, Ford, dubbed it: ‘A love letter to getting lost in a good book.’
You can read Ford’s full review here.
Zenobia by Morten Dürr & Lars Horneman
Amina, a young Syrian girl, endures unthinkable and desperate circumstances when her parents go missing and armed conflict thunders around her village. Instructed by her uncle to flee on an overcrowded boat, Amina falls overboard into the ocean when the boat capsizes. As she fights for her life she recalls happier moments with her family in their village, and draws strength from remembered stories about the ancient Syrian queen, Zenobia.
This moving, award-winning Danish graphic novel uses language sparsely, allowing the artwork to deliver tragic circumstances. Our reviewer Kim says this is ‘a powerful, vividly illustrated book and will be useful in a classroom or at home as a starting point for discussion about the Syrian refugee crisis.’ For ages 9 and up.
You can read Kim’s full review here.
RECENT KIDS BOOKS NEWS
We have truly got you covered for picture book recommendations this month. I recommend six of my favourite new picture books, we explore books that focus on the joys of family life, and one of my colleagues has rounded up a quarter year’s worth of titles in 12 terrific picture books from July to September.
It was also International Peace Day recently, so if you’d love to explore ideas around rights, freedom, activism and small ways to be peaceful with your favourite youngsters, then take a look at books to read on International Peace Day and make reading about peace a year-round affair.
KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS IN OCTOBER
We’re completely thrilled to give you the opportunity to hear much-loved artist Shaun Tan talk about his new book, Tales from the Inner City. This special event will be held at Church of All Nations at 6.30pm tomorrow, Thursday 4 October. Two ticket prices are available: $35 with a copy of the book, or $5 without a book. Bookings are essential – find out more here.
At 11am on Friday 5 October Readings Kids will host authors Kelly Gardiner and Amie Kaufman on a story-telling adventure to celebrate the release of Gardiner’s new novel, Brimstone, the first of The Firewatcher Chronicles. Kaufman and Gardiner will talk about writing cracking adventure stories, and then we’ll all write one – together! Tickets are $5 per person, redeemable off one of the books on the day, and places are very limited. This event is suitable for ages 7 and up. Please book here.
Also at Readings Kids, at 10.30am on Saturday 6 October, you can join the acclaimed and much-loved Zana Frallion for a special story time as she reads her new book, Wisp, a refugee story of extraordinary power and beauty. This free event is suitable for ages 5-10, and please book here.
Budding comic artists and creators need also take note this month… We’re holding a kids graphic novel writing workshop with Gastronauts author James Foley at 10.30am on Sunday 14 October over at our St Kilda shop. Tickets are $15 per person and include a signed copy of Gastronauts. This workshop is suitable for ages 7-12. Places are very limited so make sure you book here.
We encourage readers of all ages to join us at 6.30pm on Thursday 25 October at Readings Carlton to celebrate the exciting launch of three bilingual editions of the gorgeous picture book, My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Readings is a proud supporter of this project through our Readings Foundation. This event is free and no booking is required.
Finally – at 10.30am on Saturday 27 October, Readings Kids is hosting another special story time, this one with Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys in celebration of their new picture book, All The Ways to be Smart. You can book for this free event here.
