Recommended children's books and news for April

We are excited about a new series of chapter books for early readers that celebrate diverse Australian voices. We’re so excited about it, in fact, we made the debut title, Maku, our Book of the Month. It’s a wonderful, heartwarming story that we highly recommend.

We’re also showcasing some beautiful picture books, a new book by funny guy, Matt Stanton, a historical fiction title about women footy players by Felica Arena, and a new fantasy story that will be popular with fans of Nevermoor.

Speaking of fantasy, we are also celebrating the first series of Deltora Quest by the Australian master of fantasy, Emily Rodda, by making it our Classic of the Month.


CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE MONTH


Maku by Meyne Wyatt

Maku loves watching movies. It’s his favourite thing to do. He especially loves movies with superheroes. Maku’s second favourite thing to do is go bush with his nan and pop. They show him the Emu in the sky and tell him about the Rainbow Serpent.

Maku is one of the first titles in the Our Stories early-chapter book series that celebrates Australia’s multicultural society, edited by Randa Abdel-Fattah. The other title is When Granny Came to Stay by Alice Pung.

Suitable for ages 5 and up.


BOOKS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH


Whisper on the Wind by Claire Saxby & illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

This is the wind that carries the whisper from Ren’s dream.
This is the sailor, long at sea, who catches it.

With its lyrical, cumulative text and whimsical, richly imagined artwork, Whisper on the Wind is a celebration of the wonders of the ocean and the power of love to find us - wherever we are.

Suitable for ages 2 and up.


We Are Australians by Jandamarra Cadd & Duncan Smith, illustrated by Nicole Godwin

For those born in Australian, it’s easy to take citizenship and its responsibilities for granted. But there is much more to being an Australian citizen than having a passport and the right to vote.

Our reviewer, Dani, says this is, ‘a wondrous book about what it means to not just be Australian, but to be a part of a community.’

Suitable for ages 3 and up.


Bored 1: Milo Finds $105 by Matt Stanton

Sometimes feeling bored is just the beginning …

When Milo finds $105 blowing down his street it leads him from boredom into a very exciting adventure getting to know the local kids as they try to find out who dropped it. Finding this much money should have been a good thing, but it’s turning into a disaster!

Our reviewer Dani says, ‘I adored Milo Finds $105; it perfectly captures the kids’ personalities and the drama and trials of everyday childhood.’

Suitable for ages 7 and up.


The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan by Felice Arena

This is a moving and inspiring story set against the backdrop of the Second World War in Australia, the women’s movement and the little-known history of women’s football.

When Maggie decides to stage an all-girl football game to raise money for the troops fighting the war, she’s breaking all the rules. Everyone knows that girls can’t play footy!

But the rules aren’t going to stop the unstoppable Flying Flanagan…

Suitable for ages 8 and up.


Hedgewitch by Skye McKenna

It has been seven years since Cassie Morgan last saw her mother. Left at a dreary boarding school, she spends her days hiding from the school bully and reading forbidden stories about the world of Faerie.

Certain that her mother is still alive, Cassie is determined to find her and runs away from school. Ending up in the village of Hedgely, she discovers that she comes from a family of witches who protect Britain from the denizens of Faerie, who are all too real and far more frightening than her story books suggest.

Suitable for ages 9 and up.


CLASSIC OF THE MONTH


Deltora Quest Series 1 Bind-up by Emily Rodda

This best-selling series of eight books is set in the fantasy world of Deltora, a sprawling kingdom of magic and monsters, bordered by the sea and a vast, curving mountain range, beyond which is an unknown territory called the Shadowlands. There are also brainteasers, puzzles, clues and mysteries that the adventurers must solve to fulfill the quest.

Our reviewer, Lucie, says: ‘Each book in the Deltora Quest series has a satisfying ending with just enough mystery to make young readers desperately reach for the next one. Rodda has created a vivid fantasy world; from the Forbidden Forest to the Valley of the Lost, Deltora is a dangerously magical place that I want to return to over and over.’

Suitable for ages 7 and up.


NEWS AND EVENTS FOR KIDS


  • If you’re looking for alternatives to chocolate for little ones to celebrate Easter, look no further than this collection. If Anzac books are more of interest, then we have a great collection of relevant titles here.
  • Storytime is happening again at Readings Kids! Every Sunday at 10.30am there are stories with expert storyteller, Tye Cattanach, and regular guests. On April 10, Kyles Hughes-Odgers is visiting from Perth and reading some of his beautiful picture books. Find out more here.
  • It’s Comedy Festival time and to celebrate we have collected some of our favourite books by local comedians. There are a surprisingly large number of them right here.
  • Beloved British author, Shirley Hughes, passed away recently. Read a beautiful tribute by past UK Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, here and find a collection of our favourite Shirley Hughes books here.
  • As the weather cools and we spend more time inside, many great minds focus more on eating! Kids are never too young to start helping out in the kitchen and creating delicious meals. Here we explore some of the best books to get kids of all ages cooking.
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Cover image for Maku

Maku

Meyne Wyatt,Meyne Wyatt

In stock at 2 shops, ships in 3-4 daysIn stock at 2 shops