This month, we celebrate our Readings Children’s Book Prize winner, as well as dogs and mums, and new books from Aaron Blabey, Jen Storer and Ailsa Wild.

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

READINGS CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE

Congratulations to Karen Foxlee for winning the Readings Children’s Book Prize with her wonderful fantasy adventure book, A Most Magical Girl. Our judges were mightily impressed with this novel for readers of 9-12. Chair of judges and Malvern children’s book buyer Athina Clarke comments: ‘What an amazing book this is! The writing is rich and accomplished, overflowing with vigour and vitality. And this quest story is a magical blend of fairies, witches and wizards, all brought to life in a wonderfully fresh and beguiling way.’

You can read all about Foxlee’s win here.

PICTURE BOOKS

Here is my unapologetic summary of three excellent dog-themed picture books released this month.

The wonderfully retro-looking Raymond is the hilarious story of a dog who has human ambitions, exercises them to the extreme, and then returns to his natural canine ways. When Raymond is gripped by a desire to sit at the dinner table like his human family, he doesn’t know that it’s going to spark a long series of events that sees him being Dogue magazine’s best reporter and the overworked celebrity host of the TV show DogNews. Overworked and disenchanted, Raymond doesn’t know what to do about his life, until he sees as a ball… Funny, colourful and silly, this is a great read for ages 4 and up.

Chihuahua Louie finds himself increasingly bumped out of all the daily pleasures in his life by the horrible lolling, prodding, curious human babies of family friends. When his owners start tending to their own bump, and when they buy a DOUBLE PUSHER, Louie understandably becomes anxious. Will there be any room for him in the house? Will his owners forget about him completely? The delightful Poor Louie explores big sibling insecurity with good humour, and there is a very happy ending in store for Louie. For ages 3 and up.

I’ve granted myself a cat concession for my final pick. Inspector Brunswick: The Case of the Missing Eyebrow features the world’s greatest cat detective and his loyal (and equally important) canine assistant Nelson. The left eyebrow is missing from a painting of The Admiral, and it is up to these most genteel animal detectives to search the museum and find out who has taken it. This droll picture book has animal suspects galore, plentiful clues, visual humour and an ending that will rock you. For ages 4 and up.

JUNIOR FICTION

This month some beloved Australian junior fiction series have new installments out to please eager fans.

In the sixth Truly Tan book, Trapped! book, our intrepid sleuth comes across perplexing and unsettling events while plant-sitting for her neighbour Mrs Topple. Naturally she decides a stake-out is in order. For ages 7 and up.

Another curious and proactive literary character, Squishy Taylor, returns in Squishy Taylor and the Silver Suitcase. It’s summer and Squishy has a new mystery to puzzle over, as well as rare birds to save. Check out the full Squishy Taylor series here. For ages 7 and up.

Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Snake and Mr Shark are ALSO back this month – this time to save the world in a scary, scary combo of a bean dinner and an enclosed spaceship. It’s episode five time for the Bad Guys in Intergalactic Gas. For ages 6 and up.

Two of my favourite besties, the redoubtable Mango and nervy Malaysian tapir Bambang, are back for their fourth outing, Superstar Tapir. Annoying but cute tapir cousin Guntur returns, along with glamorous movie star Minty Verbena in these four short stories where Bambang is the real star. For ages 6 and up.

MIDDLE FICTION

You guys, Vyvyan from The Young Ones wrote a kids book! (Or at least the actor and comedian Adrian Edmonson did…) In Tilly and the Time Machine, Tilly’s dad disappears and she’s forced to embark on a time travelling rescue mission, encountering famous historical figures along the way. Hawthorn children’s book buyer Alexa Dretzke promises that ‘kids will relish this funny romp.’ For ages 8 and up.

You can read Alexa’s full review here.

There’s been oodles of children’s non-fiction books about bees lately, and now there’s a great novel by an Australian author too – How to Bee by Bren Macdibble. Bees are extinct in a future Australia, and it’s the role of the most nimble kids to be the ‘bees’ and pollinate the fruit trees. Kids bookseller Georgia Delaney enjoyed watching main character Peony, ‘bravely take on big challenges to prove the importance of family, kindness and community in a world twisted by greed and consumption’. For ages 8 and up.

You can read Georgia’s full review here.

Lauren Wolk has released the follow-up to her award-winning debut, Wolf Hollow. Doncaster children’s book buyer Natalia Platten lauds Beyond the Bright Sea as ‘a work of comparable sensitivity, with an uplifting sense of humanity.’ Crow is an foundling of murky origins, raised on an island by the elderly Osh and his neighbour Miss Maggie. Aided by only a note and a precious jewel, Crow sets out to find out answers to the mysteries of her birth and identity. For ages 9 and up.

You can read Natalie’s full review here.

Finally… Revisit the year 2000, the Sydney Olympics, historical reconciliation events and Cathy Freeman’s amazing performance in My Australian Story: Our Race for Reconciliation. Anita Heiss turns her hand to writing for readers aged 9 and up in a story about aspiring teen runner and Freeman fan, Mel Gordon.

GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

It’s time to present the lovely ladies in your life with breakfast in bed, and remember to thank them and be nice to them on all of the other 364 days of the year!

We’ve put together a list of recommended picture books for Mother’s Day, with books for everyone. Nanas, aunts and two dads get a look in, and you might also want to check out our picture books that celebrate the variety of family life.

EVENTS FOR KIDS

Award-winning Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky will discuss her latest book, The Blue Cat, with YA author Lili Wilkinson on Thursday 25 May, 6.30pm at Readings Kids.

This event is free, but please book here.

Looking ahead – we’re excited to be launching a new Treehouse adventure from into the world later this year. The 91-Storey Treehouse is the seventh book of Andy Griffith and Terry Denton’s brilliantly wacky treehouse adventures. Join Andy and Terry, along with special guest Jill Griffiths, at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday 8 August, 4:30pm.

Entry is $25 and includes ‘one hour of complete madness’ and a signed first edition of The 91-Storey Treehouse. Please book here.

Leanne Hall