Kids

Melody Trumpet by Gabrielle Tozer

Reviewed by Claire Atherfold

‘Melody Trumpet burst into the world with a screech that rattled the windowpanes of Trumpet Manor. It was a perfectly ordinary sound for a newborn baby…’

But Melody is a Trumpet. As the daughter of Viola Trumpet, the opera superstar…

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The Afterwards by A.F. Harrold & Emily Gravett

Reviewed by Alexa Dretzke

A.F. Harrold’s books always explore a parallel, often creepy world that looks at love, loyalty and loss. The Afterwards is no exception, portraying a tight friendship between Happiness (Ness) and December (Ember). They share a joyous closeness and then, one…

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Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey by Alison Lester

Reviewed by Kim Gruschow

Alison Lester is truly a legend; time and time again she delivers perfect picture books. Her illustrations are delightful, her text rhymes seamlessly and her word choices never feel forced. Noni the Pony’s third adventure is no exception. While out…

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The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky

Reviewed by Angela Crocombe

This is a highly illustrated, fascinating guidebook to ecosystems, featuring key animals and plants. Rachel Ignotofsky, bestselling author and illustrator of Women in Science, delightfully displays both her love of natural environments and beautiful illustrative techniques.

The contents traverse…

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Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Reviewed by Angela Crocombe

It is eighteen years since Philip Reeve’s debut science-fiction novel, Mortal Engines, the first in a quartet, was published. It is imminently due for global fame with a film adaptation by Peter Jackson on the way, so now is…

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Captain Rosalie by Timothee de Fombelle & Isabelle Arsenault

Reviewed by Natalie Platten

This is a story about a brave and determined young girl named Rosalie, aka Captain Rosalie, who’s on a secret mission. Set against the backdrop of World War I, we meet five-year-old Rosalie living a simple life of small pleasures…

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The Tales of Mr Walker by Jess Black & Sara Acton

Reviewed by Alexa Dretzke

I fell in love with Mr Walker when he came to a booksellers’ function. He had the insouciant manner of a well bred dog; he was a golden boy.

Trained as a guide dog for the visually impaired, he is…

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The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars by Jaclyn Moriarty

Reviewed by Athina Clarke

Not since Jaclyn Moriarty’s last book have I been so immersed in a wickedly adventurous story brimming with quirky characters, bravado and irreverent humour.

The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars is set in the busy harbour town of…

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Inside the Villains by Clotilde Perrin

Reviewed by Natalie Platten

Inside the Villains is a magnificent example of children’s book design at its most creative and innovative. The very size and format of this work looms large and the child reader may wonder if life-sized villains lie in wait, poised…

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Lenny's Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

Reviewed by Dani Solomon

Lenny’s Book of Everything is a book with a stellar cast. There is Cynthia Spink, the proud, hard-working, worn-down, single mother of two; Mrs Gaspar, the eccentric old Hungarian lady who lives in their apartment block and looks after Cynthia’s…

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