This month we’re excited by swimming unicorns, the first book of a new series by Sally Rippin, a middle fiction novel with a Tibetan setting and tween crime thrills.

(Find our best recommendations for teen books this month here.)

PICTURE BOOKS

We’re a little bit obsessed with unicorns here at Readings, and Not Quite Narwhal has been a sweet addition to our shelves. Kelp is a sea-dwelling unicorn with an identity crisis – he’s not a narwhal, but he’s not a land-dwelling unicorn either. Reading Kids book buyer Angela Crocombe is sure this is going to be one of her favourite picture books of 2017, saying that it ‘celebrates individuality and the importance of bringing different groups together’. For ages 3 and up.

You can read Angela’s full review here.

Anyone who can remember playing with a button tin as a child will love Nanna’s Button Tin by Dianne Wolfer and Heather Potter. A little girl takes a trip down memory lane with Nanna as they sift through the tin looking for the perfect button to make up for Teddy’s missing eye. This is a gentle and relatable family story with heartwarming illustrations. For ages 3 and up.

Chaos ensues in No, Nancy, No when a very naughty little girl goes on a London rampage, trailed by her concerned dachshund Roger. Kids will laugh at the irrepressible Nancy as she dashes between famous London landmarks and sights causing mayhem. This is a fun interactive read with bright retro illustrations, lots of lift-the-flaps and a showstopping pop-up Nelson’s Column at the end. For ages 3 and up.

Legendary picture book author/illustrator Jane Tanner has a gorgeous new book out with author Sarah Brennan. Storm Whale sees three brave young girls battling to save a beached whale with strength and persistence. Our reviewer, Hawthorn children’s book buyer Alexa Dretzke, described it as ‘visually stunning and poetically stirring’. For ages 3 and up.

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

JUNIOR FICTION

Bestselling and adored author Sally Rippin has started a brand-new series, Polly and Buster, which she both writes and illustrates. Polly, a witch, and Buster, a monster, are best friends in a world where witches rule supreme and do not mix with lowly monsters. The first book, The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster, has earned a rave review from Readings Kids bookseller Dani Solomon, who writes: ‘I felt my own heart shrink and swell with Buster’s as I read this wonderful tale of friendship, peer pressure, hope and doing what’s right (even if it feels scary or too big for you).’ For ages 7 and up.

Animal lovers and pet-coveters will enjoy Shallow in the Deep End, a delightful junior story devised and illustrated by the students of Tiwi College Al Alalinguwi Jarrakarlinga in conjunction with respected Indigenous YA author Jared Thomas. Erica asks for a pet dog but instead her dad brings back a baby water buffalo! For ages 6 and up.

Tony Wilson continues his excellent The Selwood Boys series this month with Maintain the Mischief. If you have an AFL-obsessed young reader in the house, or a reader that likes funny family stories, hand them one of these stories. Real-life football player brothers Troy, Adam, Joel and Scott star in these entertaining, fact + fiction tales. For ages 6 and up.

Esteemed dancer Michaela de Prince’s biography for younger readers, Hope in a Ballet Shoe was a runaway hit, so we are mightily pleased that she’s adapted it for a junior readership in Ballerina Dreams. DePrince’s amazing journey from war-torn Uganda to her adopted United States and starring ballet roles is told in a simple, inspirational way for readers aged 7 and up, together with cute illustrations. For ages 7 and up.

MIDDLE FICTION

Two young Tibetan children, Tash and Sam, attempt to escape over the Himalayas in the thrilling and eye-opening Running on the Roof of the World by debut author Jess Butterworth. Our reviewer Angela was impressed by this ‘strong, beautifully packaged debut helps readers learn about Tibetan culture and landscape from an author who has experienced living in the region’. For ages 9 and up.

You can read Angela’s full review here.

Tristan Banck’s award-winning thriller Two Wolves found a wide readership by bringing action, crime-solving and suspense to a tween audience. His latest, The Fall, promises to do the same, with a falling body, a pursuing murderer and a young crime reporter in the making. Our reviewer Dani describes it as a ‘tense and exciting thriller with a healthy dose of reality’. For ages 10 and up.

You can read Dani’s full review here.

Oliver Phommavanh brings back a favourite character, Connor, for a second outing in Super Con-Nerd. Connor has to adjust to the rigours of a new selective high school, striving to keep up with nerds at a whole new level. Phommavanh’s books always have a unique combination of geeky, comic fun with real-life feelings, problems and friendships. For ages 10 and up.

Very high up on my own TBR pile this month is Scarlett Thomas’s first book for children, Dragon’s Green. Here’s why: A) A school called Tusitala School for the Gifted, Troubled and Strange and a heroine called Effie Truelove; B) Magic books and evil secret organisations; and C) Glow-in-the-dark cover. For ages 9 and up.

And finally, Tom Gates fans rejoice. Family Friends and Furry Creatures, book number 12, has landed at our shops. Your young readers will know the drill: diary format, zany cartoons, funny dialogue and wild capers. For ages 9 and up.

CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

Our June Children’s Classic of the Month is a perennial favourite. The Call of the Wild by Jack London is a canine survival story set in nineteenth century West Coast US, Alaska and Canada. Hawthorn bookseller George Munn last read The Call of the Wild) at 12, and enjoyed revisiting it, saying that it is ‘exciting, short enough for limited attention spans, and beautifully written for readers who want a bit of a challenge’.

You can read George’s full review here.

NON-FICTION SPOTLIGHT

I am super excited about the new puberty book by world-record-holding Australian hula hooper Marawa Ibrahim, The Girl Guide. Written together with Dr Radha Modgil and illustrated by Sinem Erkas, this a bright, colourful and very frank account of the weirdness, disasters and joys of the unpredictable teenage years that covers physical changes, self esteem, sexuality, mental health and more. Accurate information is balanced perfectly with Ibrahim’s charming, often embarrassing, personal accounts and fun photos. I suggest you buy it for every tween and teen girl in your life.

EVENTS FOR KIDS

Hear more about kids and play at the launch of How to Grow a Playspace on Wednesday 7 June at Readings Carlton. Free, no booking required.

We’re also launching the excellent near-future Australian middle fiction novel, How to Bee, on Sunday 18 June at Readings Hawthorn. Free, no booking required.

And a reminder about our forthcoming HUGE launch of The 91-Storey Treehouse on Tuesday 8 August at Melbourne Town Hall. Entry is $25 per person, and each ticket includes one hour of complete madness as well as a signed first edition of the new book. Find more information here.

Leanne Hall