Angela Crocombe
Angela Crocombe is the shop manager at Readings Kids. She is also the author of two books on sustainable living, A Lighter Footprint: A Practical Guide to Minimising your Impact on the Planet and Ethical Eating: How to Make Food Choices That Won’t Cost the Earth.
Reviews
Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan
We are very lucky to have a second Shaun Tan in one year – this time a companion piece to the beautiful short-story collection, Tales from Outer Suburbia. This is an extraordinary collection of mythi…
Everything I’ve Never Said by Samantha Wheeler
Queensland author Samantha Wheeler is already a Readings’ favourite, with two of her middle grade novels previously shortlisted for The Readings Children’s Book Prize. Her latest is an incredible pie…
Brezania by Anthony Breslin
Welcome to the magical world of Brezania, a colourful, chaotic universe populated by vibrant creatures that embark upon adventures, and invent and play in their extraordinary environment.
Melbourne …
Maya & Cat by Caroline Magerl
In exquisite poetic language, author and illustrator Caroline Magerl tells the story of a girl who finds a shivering wet stray cat on the roof, befriends it with sardines and then kindly tries to fin…
After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
Lili Wilkinson’s latest novel is a page-turning thriller set in a post-disaster world. Pru’s single father is a doomsday prepper – which means he has a hidden bunker with supplies to last for years a…
The Promise Horse by Jackie Merchant
In this middle-grade novel pitched at horse lovers there is plenty of other drama too. Harry and her sister, Sissy, have always longed for a horse. But it is only after Sissy dies and the family move…
Wren by Katrina Lehman & Sophie Beer
Poor Wren. All he wants is a bit of peace and quiet, but in a big, noisy family living in the city it’s practically impossible. Then his baby sister arrives and she never stops crying. Wren retreats …
Cicada by Shaun Tan
In Cicada, award-winning artist and author Shaun Tan has produced another stunning masterpiece of minimalist social commentary that will resonate with adults and children alike.
The eponymous Cicad…
Impossible Inventions by Małgorzata Mycielska, Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski
Ever wondered what a water clock would look like? How about a ride in a land yacht? These are just some of the wacky inventions in this unusual book. Produced by the team who brought us the bestselli…
The Orchard Underground by Mat Larkin
Mockingly called ‘The Face’ by mean kids at school, Pri Kohli has had the unenviable job of promoting his town, Dunn’s Orchard, since he was a baby. He’s been on every brochure, website, TV ad and at…
Master Detective: A Kalle Blomkvist Mystery by Astrid Lindgren
What an absolute treat – three newly translated books by the world-famous author of Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren. First published in Swedish in 1946, these are well-written, exciting detective…
Elementals: Ice Wolves (Book 1) by Amie Kaufman
Anders and his sister Rayna are twin orphans who live on the streets and pick pockets to survive. Their island, Vallen, is controlled by warring elemental creatures, Ice Wolves and Scorch Dragons, an…
Robinson by Peter Sís
Czech-American author Peter Sís is one of the most distinctive picture-book authors working today. His latest is a simply worded, stunningly illustrated story about a young boy who plays pirates with…
Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
This award-winning American novel is an absolute gem; a heart-warming story of family and friendship, as well as an interesting reflection on nature vs. nurture. Sixteen-year- old Grace was adopted i…
My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson
After visiting Cuba, Katherine Paterson, the legendary author of Bridge to Terabithia, was inspired to write this fascinating story. When Castro came to power in 1961 he resolved to stamp out illiter…
The List by Patricia Forde
This dystopian middle fiction title is set in a world in the aftermath of great tragedy caused by global warming and human greed. Food and water are heavily rationed, people are not allowed to speak …
Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity by Sarah Suzuki
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most exciting artists working today. Once you have seen one of her dot paintings, books or installations, she is impossible to forget. This picture-book biography follows h…
The Ice Sea Pirates by Frida Nilsson
This exciting Nordic adventure story has just been translated from the Swedish. When ten year-old Siri and her sister are out picking berries one day, Siri’s sister is stolen by pirates to work in th…
Egyptomania by Emma Giuliani & Carole Saturno
What a feast for the eyes! This is a stunning, large-format, coffee-table book that is absolutely thrilling in its elegant design and flamboyant colour, with its sturdy flaps and incredible reveals. …
Hello, Melbourne! by Megan McKean
This charming picture book from the creator of Hello, Sydney! treats us to a tour of Melbourne hosted by six friendly magpies. The simple, playful illustrations portray Melbourne’s most iconic sites,…
Genuine Fraud by E.Lockhart
It is very exciting to have a new fast-paced psychological thriller from the author of We Were Liars – and this story does not disappoint. Told in reverse chronology by Jule, who we quickly realise i…
The Owl Service by Alan Garner
It begins with Alison hearing a scratching sound in the roof above her bedroom. Gwyn thinks it’s mice but when he knocks on the roof, it knocks back. When Gwyn goes into the roof to investigate, he d…
The Build-Up Season by Megan Jacobson
Seventeen-yearold Iliad is, like her namesake, battle-scarred and battle-ready. After growing up with an abusive father, she jumps at loud noises and is quick to panic, but is also full of attitude a…
Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth
Twelve year-old Tash lives in Tibet, where her village has been overrun by Chinese soldiers and everyone lives in fear of being thrown in jail. After a man sets himself on fire to protest the repress…
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima
This is a delightful ugly duckling story about Kelp the unicorn, who is born in the ocean and believes himself a narwhal, but just can’t get the hang of swimming and doesn’t like the taste of octopus…
Release by Patrick Ness
The opening pages of a Patrick Ness novel are always a thrilling, somewhat disconcerting, place to be. You have no idea what is going on or where he will take you, but his writing is always powerful …
Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans
Fidge’s little sister Minnie carries her stuffed toy, Wed Wabbit, everywhere. She’s also obsessed with a book about strange, dustbin-shaped characters that speak in rhyme called Wimbley Woos, which s…
Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys
The last collaboration between this talented author–illustrator pair was the gorgeous, award-winning Underwater Fancy Dress Parade and this new picture book is just as wonderful. It’s an all-inclusiv…
The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
Flora suffers from anterograde amnesia and has done since she was 10. She can only remember things for a few hours before they disappear, although she still retains memories from the time before she …
The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd and Levi Pinfold
This beautifully produced hardback book, with stunning illustrations by Levi Pinfold, portrays the imaginative world of childhood with incredible perception.
It is 1941 and Emmaline is in Briar Hill…
News
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
This month the teens were fortunate to have a visit from debut YA author, Eleni Hale, who spoke about her novel Stone Girl, published in May earlier this year.
Stone Girl is the story of a young girl, Sophie, whose mother tragically dies when she is only thirteen. Sophie has no choice but to enter the foster system in Melbourne. We see her transform, due to her terrible experiences, from an inno…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
It was the second meeting for our new Teen Advisory Board and everyone was enthusiastic and keen to talk about books.
This month we enjoyed a visit from Mira Schlosberg, the editor of Voiceworks, who told us all about the magazine and the work they do. The publication’s objective is to support and nurture young writers, editors and illustrators. People under the age of 25 can submit a piece to o…
Announcing the Teen Advisory Board 2018-2019
The first meeting of the Readings Teen Advisory Board for 2018-19 was a joyous celebration of books and reading.
We initially played a few getting to know you games, including saying what you liked most or least about your name, and telling everyone your Hogwarts house (we had mainly Ravenclaws in the group – perhaps the biggest book nerds of Hogwarts).
Everyone was also asked to name their fav…
Meet the bookseller with Angela Crocombe
Books have always been my passion. Despite this, I never really believed it was possible to work with them every day. But after doing…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
It was an emotional final farewell to our inaugural Teen Advisory Board this month. We celebrated with a special Brunetti’s cake (extra chocolate please) and a visit from two luminaries of the OzYA scene – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.
The two authors regaled us with stories of how they began writing together, what its like to co-write with someone, and what it’s really like on the grueling…
A monthly update from our Teen Advisory Board
This month the teens gave feedback on the 2018 Readings Young Adult Book Prize shortlist and discussed each of the titles on the list, including elements such as the characterisation, plot, writing style and even covers of each book. Earlier in the year they had been lucky enough to meet one of the shortlisted authors, Clare Atkins, and receive a copy of her book.
We also had a visit this month …
