Kids’ Picks
Picture Books
Dump Truck Duck. Megan E. Bryant & Jo De Ruiter
This is a great book to read aloud, with a rollicking, rhyming text that children can happily join in with. The construction ducks and their marvellous trucks work hard to create a playground for the little ducks to play in. Truck loving children will love the colourful illustrations that are so busy with lots of trucks and machines all driven by amazing ducks.
Strictly No Elephants. Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo
This is a delightful picture book about a boy who has a tiny elephant for a pet. When these inseparable friends go to the local Pet Club Day the sign on the door says, “Strictly No Elephants.” After befriending other children with unusual pets, they form their own Pet Club, with a sign that says “All Are Welcome.” The linoleum block print illustrations depict this story of friendship and acceptance of others beautifully.
Fiction 7-9
The Great Escape. Kate Egan with Magician Mike Lane. Illustrated by Eric Wight
Mike loves his new hobby. Learning magic is actually helping him with his schoolwork. When his class have to research family histories Mike decides he might be related to Harry Houdini. This gets him into a spot of bother with a class bully who dares him to prove it. The third book in the Magic Shop series is a great story for young readers especially if they are interested in magic. There are also instructions for magic tricks inside the book.
Meet Marly. Alice Pung
The first of four stories about Marly, a Vietnamese refugee who arrived in Australia by boat when she was just two years old. Now in 1983 Marly is 10, and doing her best to fit in at school with her friends. When Marly’s cousins, aunt and uncle from Hong Kong come to live with her family, Marly struggles to keep her Australian friends while still remaining loyal to her cousins. The themes of immigration and family life are extremely well presented in this very readable book for youngsters.
Fiction 10+
The Hill of the Red Fox. Allan Campbell McLean
Set in the 1950’s during the Cold War this story was first published in 1951 and was republished in 2015. 13-year-old Alistaire is sent to the Isle of Skye for a summer holiday. On the train from London he is accidentally involved in a nasty and mysterious incident, becoming caught in a web of intrigue involving Russian spies, submarines and danger! The descriptions of Skye and a way of life that has long since vanished are captivating and make a wonderful setting for this fast-paced and gripping spy story.
Tales from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Landry Walker
Here are six mystery stories from the galaxy of the Star Wars movies. On a distant planet Constable Zuvio is chasing a trusted android who has just robbed a bank. But was he to blame? In Maz Kanata’s castle Robbs Ely has been murdered and his recipe book is missing. The chef stages a cook-off competition to find the murderer of his friend.