Old Fellow

An elderly gentleman and his equally elderly dog companion go for their usual walk in the neighbourhood park. Throughout both the gentleman and his dog show their great affection for one another. The author, Christopher Cheng, dedicates this book to the ‘Old Fellows of Camperdown Memorial Park’. The illustrator, Liz Anelli, captures their devotion towards each other in her illustrations. The opening endpapers feature ‘Old Fellow’ lazing in his bed reading the newspaper, while his dog affectionally drags the cover away, eager to take their usual leisurely stroll in the park. The interior room looks decidedly busy and cosy, warm and inviting with its glass-decorated door and comfy furnishings.

The story demonstrates the importance of diverse communities and communal spaces to bring people together. The artwork reveals detailed scenes of this busy park where people in the neighbourhood know and talk with one another. The park offers a welcoming environment with its comfy benches where children play, dogs of various breeds and personalities chase one another, people lay about, sit comfortably on blankets and benches, children go skate boarding, lost dogs are found, escaped chickens wander, ball games abound with people exercising, playing chess and sharing life experiences. Above all friendships and relationships between culturally diverse families and their pets feature and add to this story’s sense of contentment. Nothing much happens yet relationships blossom and thrive. As our elderly gentleman concludes, ‘Isn’t our park the most wonderful place.’

For the viewer, Liz Anelli has reflected these warm relationships and daily goings-on in the neighbourhood park and especially she captures the relationships between humans and their animals. Her illustrations are warm and inviting with a varied colour paint, collage, coloured pencils and computer-generated images. Here is a portrait of life in the neighbourhood part, one full of warmth and joy and a celebration of community connections.

Where?

Put simply this book, ‘Where?’ (Where are you from?) is an answer to that much-asked question. The subtext is the question of why do you look, sound different to me? Jordan Collins’ answer is much more than the simple answer expected.

Two mynas sit on the cover of this book, above the poet narrator who is bundled into a jacket and scarf, with a woolly hat pulled down over ears – the reader sees them in profile only. Author Jordan Collins’ first performance of ‘Where?’ at a slam poetry gig as a 14-year-old is re-imagined over a double page spread as the title page. The audience, who reflect Australia’s diversity, listen delightedly in a garden setting with another myna perching cheekily on the microphone. The poet has their back to the reader.

Maintaining our sidelong view, the reader next sees the poet with dark-skinned hands turned upwards in jokey supplication to their questioner, frizzy hair and strong features in a half smile. When a glib answer supplied to the title question doesn’t land, their Anglo questioner follows them and their black cat from the playground up a bleak highway. The poet turns the handle to go through a door into another world.

Illustrator Phil Lesnie has poet and cat soar through the stars, fall to earth in a meteor shower and end up rowing to shore – then through a cave and primordial landscape. A double page spread has the pair picking their way ashore from the bow of a weathered boat - a divisive symbol of illegal arrival in Australia.

Throughout the book, images of animal ‘invaders’ and elements of evolutionary history amplify the words on the page pictorially until finally, defiantly, the poet rips open their protective coat to reveal … the universe. The poet’s eyes never meet the reader’s and that is the ultimately most powerful illustrative device to convey their message. Notes from each of the creators affirm that this book echoes their lived experiences.

Ali the Bold Heart

Jane Jolly reveals that her inspiration for ‘Ali the Bold Heart’ came from the story she heard from a lawyer working with refugees. It was about an Iranian refugee, Ali, in the Woomera Detention Centre in the South Australian Simpson Desert. Ali tried for five years to gain a visa to allow him to stay in Australia, but he was unsuccessful. He was deported and not heard from again. Jane Jolly was inspired that Ali never gave up trying to gain a visa and so wrote this story.

Ali is a magician who flees from his homeland because life has become dangerous. He makes a long, difficult journey by boat to a new land and is locked up. Downhearted, Ali performs magic tricks for the children and the adults there. One night there is a sandstorm. In the morning, Ali is gone.

Jane Jolly uses figurative language which provides a memorable reading experience. For example, surrounding the refugee camp was ‘wire as sharp as tiger’s teeth’ and the gates ‘creaked and shuddered’. Elise Hurst, the illustrator, researched the people, landscape and detention camps to give the story authenticity but there is little detail provided. Rather, the artwork provokes emotional responses to the story. Intense watercolours generalise, rather than detail, the setting that renders the story universal and more open to interpretation for different readers. Facial expressions of both adults and children are realistic and draw the reader into this story. The landscapes are nondescriptive, perhaps reflecting the monotony of the setting. Astute viewers will notice there are illustrations of stars throughout, there to symbolise hope, according to the illustrator. The story is simply told with a minimum of detail ensuring that different ages can access this story according to their level of understanding. Ethical and moral issues are raised and depending on the maturity of the reader and viewer, there is much to talk about.

This Is My Home

Agum Maluach is a storyteller. She met with the young people and their parents who are the creators of this book. They wanted to share their views about ‘home’. This they did in online workshops with their older siblings during the COVID-19 lockdown. Agum interviewed the children together with their parents which enabled these stories to include how the parents used to play and what home meant to them.

Each of the eight double page spreads showcases several different interpretations of the topic. For example, ‘Here is my home’ for one child: ‘I like my home because we have law that protects us all. I feel safe’. On each double page, Agum includes her brief text contrasting her home in Sudan. The young writers used coloured pens and papers, scissors, glue sticks and other arts and crafts to create their different aspects of home, such as, ‘Home is my backyard, where I play games’. There are scenes of families together and comments such as ‘home makes me feel alive and almost at peace.’ There is a savoury page too. ‘In the evening, we eat Mum’s great dishes’, illustrates favourite foods with mouth-watering descriptions. Home is also where the children use laptops, watch Netflix and play computer games. On the final page are their future wishes, where children reveal what they want to be when they grow up plus wishes for their family and home. Photographs of the 11 children who participated in the creation of this book are included at the back of the book. This book’s special strength is the insights in others’ lives and their hopes and dreams for the future.

Little Nic’s Big World

Little Nic stars again in this second story featuring a fete with different food, sports, music and sharing of diverse cultural backgrounds. Each family brings their different foods for a sumptuous shared fete. The four line stanzas are full of childlike energy and feature alternating rhyming lines with the occasional Fijian word.

A small adventure features when Nic loses his backpack with his cassava cake for sharing. Luckily Mum spots the backpack before the celebrations begin with an Acknowledgment of land, its inhabitants and the Elders. The celebration fills a large double page spread highlighting sport, music, crafts and food from around the world. In an activity for young readers, a small dialogue bubble challenges viewers to find 16 items across the double page illustration including three hair ribbons, a unicorn horn and three dragonflies. ‘Little Nic’s Big World’ is an engaging appreciation of different cultures.

Nic Naitanui is an AFL West Coast Eagles superstar.
Series: Little Nic book 2

Always

‘Always’ is the final novel in Morris Gleitzman’s seven-book series, ‘Felix and Zelda’. The series covers a massive landscape geographically from Poland to Australia and from the 1940s through contemporary times. The series is the story of persecution of cultural groups and the impact that this continues to have on society.

Now, in this final story, young Wassim, 10 years of age, battles racism and gang violence in contemporary Poland. Using analytical thinking, Wassim uncovers a story about Felix Salinger, our hero from the first book in the series. Felix was then 10 years old like Wassim is now. Felix is now 87. Both have battled racism and persecution, and together they will defeat it again, but not without moments of terror and great anguish.

‘Always’, like the entire series, is riveting and unforgettable. This is a story for all times with characters of great resilience. Teacher’s Resources for this book are available from the publisher’s website.

Series: Felix and Zelda book 7

Red Day

‘Red Day’ gives so much to its readers. Firstly, there are two fascinating and distinct genres working here—historical fiction and magical realism. Then there are fascinating and multi-faceted characters whose perspectives allow readers to experience intense emotions. Young Charlie has synaesthesia. She’s prickly, intelligent and hard-headed but not without empathy. Charlie’s experiences are very real to the reader, sometimes frighteningly so. There is also young Kenichi, who comes as a Japanese exchange student to Cowra in New South Wales. Located here are the remnants of the 1940s Cowra Prisoner of War Camp. Kenichi’s father tasks his son with finding where his grandfather, a war pilot, was buried. Kenichi must arrange to ‘bring him home’. The story thus blends the historical fiction element of the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp breakout with contemporary times. Charlie and Kenichi are inextricably linked as both have lost people with whom they need to reconnect.

The prose is crisp and often transports the reader inside Charlie’s synaesthesia experiences. Kenichi’s search for the whereabouts of his grandfather’s remains becomes the reader’s search too. There are several fascinating and complex adult characters. Such is this author’s skills that moments of high tension, danger and disagreements are deeply felt by the reader. The historical recreation of the 1944 Cowra Prisoner of War Camp breakout is seamlessly woven into this contemporary story of two young teenagers whose intertwined lives bring about a satisfying resolution.

The Secret Home

This is a true story, presented as a fable, about a family, Zygmunt, Franciszka and Henryk, who were taken in by a brave family who hid them from danger. Both families were at great risk and if caught could well have been killed or interned. Hiding for most of each day in a tiny cave, they had little to eat and risked being discovered by the soldiers each time they came out to get exercise and fresh air. The family lived like this for several years before the war ended and they were able to live a free life. Eventually they migrated to another country but always kept in contact with the family that kept them safe. A picture book for upper primary and early secondary, for students who want to learn about the experiences of refugees and those who assist them.

The Katha Chest

Asiya loves visiting Nanu’s house which is filled with treasures, the best treasure being the katha chest. Katha quilts are made of old saris and are very colourful and soft. Each quilt tells a story and Asiya’s imagination runs riot as she spreads out the special quilts. The richly coloured illustrations show Asiya spreading out the quilts whilst other pages show displayed quilts telling the stories of her family’s life. All the quilts are brought out of the chest when the family comes together to drink tea, tell stories and remember Nanu. Included are the author’s and Illustrator’s notes with more information about the katha quilts from Bangladesh and the important part they played in the life of the author and illustrator.

The Happiness Box : A Wartime Book of Hope

There really was a book called, ‘The Happiness Box.’ In 1942 Australian prisoners of war created Christmas presents for children interned in Changi Prison, Singapore. One of those gifts was a book, ‘The Happiness Box’. It was a story of three friends: a lizard, a monkey and a frog who discover a box that contains the secrets to happiness. Sadly, the gifts were never received by those children. Instead, ‘The Happiness Box ‘was buried until the end of the war when it was unearthed. ‘The Happiness Box’ was published in 1947 and again in 1991. The original book is kept in the State Library of New South Wales. Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean have put together the story of this remarkable book’s creation. This picture book shows an important part of our history and the challenges that so many went through during World War II. Notes at the end of the book give more details about the events and include a list of sources, useful for teachers or older students who want to find out more.

The Anzac Billy

A young boy fills a billy (tin can used for boiling water) with Christmas gifts for his dad who is on the other side of the world fighting in a war. He, his mum and grandmother fill the billy with useful gifts, luxuries and letters as they remember this father, husband and son. Once filled the billy will be packed along with thousands of others in boxes, loaded onto ships and sent to the soldiers. There is a chance that the billy will be given to another soldier but no matter. Every billy is filled with treats, love and hope so that whomever the recipient that person will know that they are loved and remembered. The muted tones of this picture book capture the sombre times for so many Australian families with loved ones away at war. Despite the seriousness of wartimes, it is also a story of hope and love.

Rachel’s War : The Story of an Australian WWI Nurse

Based on the life of Rachel Pratt, an Australian army nurse who served in France during World War 1, ‘Rachel’s War ‘is a beautiful picture book about a young nurse working in terrible conditions to nurse the sick and wounded. At the end of the book is a note about Rachel and other Australian nurses and the lack of recognition they received as veterans. The book gives detailed descriptions about the horrific conditions on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Over 156,000 Australian soldiers were wounded or gassed during WW1 and they were cared for by fewer than 3,000 nurses. The nurses assisted Turkish soldiers as well as Australian soldiers, anyone who needed care.

Haywire

‘Haywire’ is a vividly told historical fiction novel set in the year 1939. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of two 14-year-old boys who become friends. Through them, readers gain insights into the different perspectives of people living through these times. Max Gruber is German and his parents are viewed as anti-Hitler therefore Max is in danger too. He is sent to stay with his Uncle Ferdy in London to be safe. Both, however, are classified by the British Government as ‘enemy aliens’ and sent to an internment camp in Hay, a country town in Australia. Max’s journey on board the ‘Dunera’ reveals the dismal treatment of those deported from their homeland and on this particular ship. At the same time in Hay, 14-year-old Tom Hanlan sees his two older brothers off to serve in the war, leaving him to help his father in the bakery. His hopes of attending a school in Sydney, then University are dashed.

These two boys meet during bread deliveries to Hay’s internment camp and become friends, exchanging perspectives in an open, nonjudgmental way. Chapters alternate between Tom and Max, each revealing their dreams for the future. In a chance moment, Max escapes the internment camp, determined to go home to Germany. He experiences, as a novice, the hostile environment of the Australian bush and suffers dire consequences.

‘Haywire’ cleverly portrays different attitudes towards the war. Tom’s mother is angry and constantly on edge, adamant that the internees are dangerous. Tom’s father represents the voice of reason and empathy. Minor characters also play an important role. ‘Haywire’ is a fast-paced, exciting read with vivid imagery and characters with deep emotions, giving young readers an opportunity to experience what life might have been like during these times. Readers may also be inspired to pursue more information.

When We Say Black Lives Matter

Children are ever curious and observant. They are tuned into world news and events. They question what they do not understand. What must they make of the powerful words and harrowing images of the Black Lives Matter movement played out in life and portrayed here in a picture book format? Here Maxine Beneba Clarke features parents talking with their young. She says, ‘I was inspired to write and create it when thinking about how to explain the concept of Black Lives Matter to the young African diaspora kids in my extended family, living in over eight different countries across the world - including America, Australia, Germany, Barbados and England.’ The message of this book is strong, but not too strident although it is necessarily political. The appealing rhyming text opens with this verse which captures the book’s intent:

‘Little one, when we say Black Lives Matter,
we’re saying black people are wonderful-strong.
That we deserve to be treated with basic respect,
and that history’s done us wrong.’

A sense of pride underlies the text. There is no shrinking from events portrayed, but not overplayed, in the background. These include marches, police, blockades, and confrontations. Here Clarke presents the Black Lives Matter movement so that it is applicable the world over and can be explored in a simple or more complex way. The illustrations add a layer of complexity which can be discussed or not, depending on a child’s level of maturity. The standout message is pride in being Black and standing up for your beliefs, both individually and collectively.

The endpapers offer a montage of artwork reflecting protests. Throughout the story, the solid, dark colours, created with watercolour pencils on heavily textured paper, are the perfect complement for this subject. The double page spreads bleed to the edges of this over-sized book which features deep purples and browns combined with greens and reds. Clarke explains that her colour scheme is a deliberate reference to the colours of the 1960s and ‘a nod to the fact that the black civil rights movement didn’t actually start with the BLM movement’.

Maxine Beneba Clarke is a widely published Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent. ‘The Patchwork Bike’, her first picture book with Van T. Rudd, was a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book for 2017.

What do you call your Grandma?

A colourful and inclusive book that should be in every early childhood setting, ‘What Do You Call Your Grandma?’ (along with ‘What Do You Call Your Grandpa?’) will be popular with children who will enjoy telling stories about their own grandma. Each colourful double page spread shows a child enjoying an activity with her/his Grandma or whatever the name is in that particular language. Four lines of rhyming couplets end with the chosen name which includes MeeMaw (Southern US), Nonna (Italy), Makhulu (Xhosa) and Jaja (Warlpiri). The last page includes a glossary of all the different names and their country of origin.

What do you call your Grandpa?

A colourful and inclusive book that should be in every early childhood setting, ‘What Do You Call Your Grandpa?’ (along with ‘What Do You Call Your Grandma?’) will be popular with children who will enjoy telling stories about their own grandpa. Each colourful double page spread shows a child enjoying an activity with her/his Grandpa or whatever the name is in that particular language. Four lines of rhyming couplets end with the chosen name which includes Babu (Swahili), Koro (Maori), Belo (South American Spanish) and Kaku (Gurindji). The last page includes a glossary of all the different names and their country of origin.

Worse Things

Sally Murphy is one of Australia’s best verse novelists for young people. This, her fourth, free verse novel features three main characters, each alienated in different ways. The major themes are making connections, experiencing new friendships, overcoming loneliness, grieving and isolation. Sound heavy? Not at all! Each theme is treated with sensitivity and lightness, leading readers to understand others’ perspectives while gaining insights into themselves. The line and grey wash graphics by illustrator, Sarah Davis, effectively reflect emotions and content.

Blake, Jolene and Amed alternate in revealing their personal lives and thoughts. Blake is an Aussie Rules football player, but now with a broken arm, feels isolated from the game and his friends. Jolene reluctantly plays hockey due to her mother’s insistence. The recent death of her father causes her great grief. Amed is a recent arrival to Australia from a refugee camp. An Australian aunt, whom he has just met, sponsors his coming to Australia and is keen to offer him a new life. But for Amed, who knows little English and misses his homeland’s familiar football game, his new life is confusing and lonely.

Murphy cleverly interweaves these three lives, enabling each to see the others’ challenges and gently offer support. Their strong emotions are very cleverly revealed through the story’s ‘resting points’—dictionary-style word definitions tinged with emotions such as watch, belong, lonely, worry and togetherness. These propel the story along, provide thoughtful points to consider and reveal how Blake, Jolene and Amed are feeling and changing. This is a verse novel that snares and satisfies the reader.

We Are Wolves

‘We Are Wolves’ is an historical fiction novel set in East Prussia during the final days of World War II. The story involves a German family with three young children, Liesel who is 12, Otto who is seven and Mia, who is just starting to walk and talk. In an early scene, these children, their mother, father and grandparents hastily leave their German homeland. Hitler’s regime has been defeated, and the Russians are coming, destroying much in their path. Where can the family go? How will they survive? How can they stay together? The story is so heart-rending that at times what happens to the children especially becomes extremely painful. Author, Katrina Nannestad, however, understands just how far to pursue events and what to suggest rather than detail. For example, when starvation is imminent, gunshots fly too close, and when adults turn the children away or threaten them harm, the author limits details. These may be moments for discussion between the young reader and an adult.

Liesel tells this story from her point of view, which informs the reader while holding back some of the darker moments. The three children stay together and in spite of harrowing hardships, they make their way on foot to Lithuania when food and safety are more readily available.

This novel is based on the true stories about the Wolfskinder – German children who survived these times by living as wolves, scouring the forests for food, scavenging for essentials and stealing what they needed to survive. They learn that people can be both cruel and kind. They face moral dilemmas such as stealing what is needed to survive and occupying homes which are not their own. The tone is serious throughout but there are warming scenes of humour and moments of deep satisfaction for both characters and readers. The story is ultimately one of kindness and heroism which will reach young readers. The occasional atmospheric grey-tone illustrations of the family and the forest offer resting and thinking time for young readers.

Tiger Daughters

The author, Rebecca Lim, writes from personal experience as an Asian migrant. She reveals in the Teachers’ Notes for this book that images of Asians, migrants or refugees were never positively portrayed in the children’s books she read when young. She wants to ensure that there are positive books available. Her background renders this story truthful and moving for readers.

‘Tiger Daughter’ features two young adult Chinese friends, Wen Zhou and Henry Xiao. Both are navigating their home lives with parents who follow cultural traditions. Their worlds at school are very different. Both are studying to pass an entrance exam for a selective school believing that this will provide future opportunities. Meanwhile, both are bound by their family’s cultural traditions at home. Two weeks before the entrance exam, tragedy strikes Henry’s family. His world stops, but Wen supports Henry which means she must defy her parents. The tense nature of several scenes makes for harrowing, but ultimately satisfying, reading.

It is rare to have a novel that profiles the challenges of both adults and young people. This is a strength of ‘Tiger Daughter’. Wen’s mother gradually and realistically changes. The happy ending is perhaps unrealistic, but even so, it provides opportunities for discussion amongst young readers.

Against the Tide

Three families feature, which offer strong cultural contrasts. The Kyriagos are Greek Cypriot Australians. Their daughter, Effi, is 16 years of age. They live in Sydney’s western suburbs. The Smith family features Katie and Matt, cousins, both champion ocean swimmers from South Sydney. The Anastapoulis family features Christie, a 16-year-old Greek Australian, who lives and breathes rap and rhyme. Effi and Christie both live in Western Sydney, and they are immigrants from Greece. Parental and cultural expectations differ and occasionally create tension. Each year Effi and her family return to the beach where her younger brother drowned. Occasionally the parents’ perspectives feature when personal events in their lives are important to their teenage children. There are friendships and budding romance. An underlying theme is racism with a brief insight into the historic Cronulla Riots. Strong relationships abound throughout, and the budding romance is handled with intensity and believability. Young adult readers will experience many of these emotional highs and lows in this verse novel with a large cast of interesting characters.

My Sunny Funny Walk to School

A colourful book about a child’s walk to and from school. A variety of materials have been used by children to create a collage of the journey and what the child sees. One double page spread is labelled using lots of different languages. There is also a list of objects to search for within the book. This book would make a jumping off point for teachers and students to create a similar book about their own journey to school or similar trips. Kids’ Own Publishing is a social purpose arts organisation that empowers children, families and communities to share their stories through artist-led community publishing.

Little Lion : A Long Way Home

This is the true story of Saroo Brierley who was lost on a train in India when he was just five years old. After surviving on the streets for weeks, he was taken to an orphanage and eventually adopted by an Australian family. Saroo always wondered about his family and where he was from. Incredibly after 25 years of searching using paper maps and Google Earth, Saroo found a place he was familiar with, his home town. He eventually travelled there and was reunited with his mother. In 2017 Saroo’s story was made into an award-winning film called ‘Lion’ and starring Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and David Wenham. This beautifully illustrated picture book captures the details of the Saroo’s two cultures. The final page gives more information about Kolkata and the many street children that live in India.

Black Swan

This is the story of a beautiful black swan that had once been caged, abandoned, freed and then welcomed by villagers where she was valued and listened to. The villagers are threatened by a volcano and are rescued by the swan that takes them to a new site where life continues and flourishes. The striking black and white drawings also feature designs that draw on the author’s African upbringing. Part fairy tale, part traditional story the book is about kindness and community.

Eric

A foreign exchange student came to live with a family, and as his name was difficult to pronounce he told the family to call him Eric. The family was very welcoming in their preparations for Eric but Eric chose to sleep and study in the kitchen pantry. Mum explains that, ‘It must be a cultural thing.’ The young narrator of the story had many expectations of Eric but although Eric was curious and polite he was interested in quite different objects and places. Eric leaves the family quite suddenly but a discovery in the pantry some hours later shows that Eric’s time with the family had been a positive one. This book can be viewed on many different levels and is quite inexplicable in the way it is viewed. This is a book to invite discussion about difference, empathy and place. Who is Eric, where is he from and where does he go? The text, as well as the pencil and collage illustrations, produces more questions than answers.

Cultural Diversity: Observations from Children and Young People

Young people who are students at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne set out to discover the cultures around them as well as the commonalities between them. Led by teachers at the RCH, the children wrote and illustrated about their experiences of different cultures, where those cultures are from as well as what it is to be Australian. This colourful book would be a good launching pad for students to create a similar book about their class, school or suburb.

My Muslim Mate

Charlie and his best mate, Khaled, were born on the same day, at the same hospital and live in the same street. Charlie describes Khaled and his family, religion and customs in a way that is easy to understand, yet respectful and friendly. It is a useful resource for non-Muslim children and adults who wish to learn more. It is also a book about friendship and the sharing of activities. At the end of the book is a glossary as well as a double page of activities to do with our wonderful world. Simple and colourful illustrations show families sharing time together.

Under the Southern Cross

From Phillip Island to Darwin, from Mon Repos to Boulia and around Broome, this colourful picture book takes you on a journey through the night-time activities across Australia. Each double page spread begins with the place name or area and a sentence about the place, each ending with - under the Southern Cross. The constellation, the Southern Cross, is clearly shown at the top of each scene. Short paragraphs with more detail about each place are scattered throughout the pages. Night-time activities such as fishing, football, fireworks, Min Min lights, turtles and penguins are drawn in detail with diverse groups of people enjoying the activities, under the Southern Cross. The final two pages give an explanation about the Southern Cross and how to find it in the night sky. (A bonus is that each page has a picture of Frane’s dog, also under the Southern Cross.)

The Night of the Hiding Moon

Felix is scared by the thunder and lightning that comes with a big storm but fortunately has his torch to give him light. The shadows cast on his bedroom walls become his comforting friends and his imagination turns them into shadow puppets which take him on an adventure. He explores the wandering moon, the valleys and the mountains until it is time to return safely home. The book ends with information about the Shadow Puppets of many Asian countries as well as instructions to make your own Shadow Puppets including templates. The book ends with a ‘Word from the Author and Illustrator’ telling readers about their inspiration for this beautiful book.

The Biscuit Maker

Who is the Biscuit Maker? Benedict Stanley and his cat, Audrey Mae, live at 23 Mavin Road. It’s a busy and diverse neighbourhood but people are not returning Benedict’s morning greetings. One day a young neighbour, Rory, stops to admire Audrey Mae and this gives Benedict the idea to begin baking biscuits for his street. This tasty but anonymous gift is well received until the day Benedict falls ill and the biscuit supply stops. People are concerned but don’t know why until Audrey Mae visits Rory. The neighbours all rally around to help Benedict until he recovers. A beautiful story of kindness and community with a Basic Biscuit Dough recipe at the back of the book.

Little Lon

Little Lon is based on the childhood recollections of Marie Hayes who lived near Little Lon, an area around Little Lonsdale Street in Melbourne. She describes her weatherboard house and all the people who lived nearby; people from all over the world. She describes her school, the street games she played, the weekly baths, the food and the markets. Most of all Marie remembers the people who made up her community and what they did. A beautifully illustrated history of inner Melbourne during the 1920-30’s with a final page describing the changes to the area since that time. Detailed Notes from the Author as well as a map of the area give a fascinating history of this area.

If You Come To Earth

This picture book opens with a child writing a letter, ‘Dear Visitor from Outer Space, if you come to Earth, here’s what you need to know.’ The author offers a series of microscopic perspectives on the world’s people, animals, places, transport and more. Meanwhile she details our common humanity while celebrating our differences. The large double page spreads are a visual feast celebrating different cultures, modes of travel, types of sea creatures, animals, birds and more.

Here is an opening line: ‘The Sea looks empty,’ then with a turn of the page, there is a huge array of sea creatures. ‘Grown-ups do lots of things to make the world work’, and displayed are 40 small portraits of people across the world engaged in various activities, dressed in different clothes and displaying their work and leisure activities.

There is an inbuilt social conscience in both words and images, such as the double page with 23 culturally different people sitting around a large table with various foods. The words say, ‘Whatever we are doing, we need to eat when we are hungry. Some of us have more food than others. We all need food and water to survive.’ Another example of this book’s gentle powers of observation show soldiers fighting while the text says, ‘Sometimes we hurt each other’ then ‘It’s better when we help each other’. As you might anticipate in a children’s book, the ending feature a young child writing a message to the potential visitor from outer space, ‘If you come to Earth, you can stay in my room.’

Sophie Blackwell explains the genesis of this book. When visiting a school on top of the Himalayan mountain in Bhutan and other places around the world, she found that stories brought people together in spite of social differences. She found inspiration in thoughts and ideas from children, many of which feature in this book.

Hello from Nowhere

Eve thinks that living in the middle of nowhere is better than living anywhere else. She lives at a petrol station with her parents and various animals. She’s not lonely because a bus stops by twice a day bringing a diverse group of people from all over the world as well as Australian truck drivers and caravaners who drive through. Even when there is no one else around Eve enjoys exploring the wide open spaces. One thing does make Eve sad, her Nan won’t visit because ‘She thinks it’s the back of beyond.’ Eve writes to her Nan and finally her Nan appears on the bus. Eve loves sharing her life with her Nan, showing her the people she meets on their travels or who live locally. Eve is sad when Nan returns home but knows her Nan will return. A beautiful picture book that shows that even in the middle of nowhere there is still a lot to see and enjoy including people from around the world as well as Australia’s First People.

The Year of the Rat

It is the Year of the Rat, 2020, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. Rat stars in this story of a play featuring various animals where everything goes wrong during its production. Though timid and nervous, Rat refuses to give up. Through her strength, determination, hard work, persuasive will power and clever ways to solve problems, the play goes on. The crowd cheers and claps at the play’s successful performance. The illustrator’s watercolours are soft, cheerful and playful with plenty of white space to attract attention and bring out each animal character’s personality. A double page spread at the back of the book features each animal’s years of appearance on the calendar and the characteristics of each Zodiac animal. Rat, for example, is described as clever, sensitive and organised, among other traits.

The Voyage

Only 14 words tell this complex yet simple picture book story about a refugee’s journey from their homeland to their new home. A brief phrase features on each double page spread. Beginning with the word ‘chaos’, the viewer witnesses explosions, buildings collapsing, people running and a family fleeing to ‘escape’ to a boat. The viewer-participant in this picture book becomes part of the story as the family travels by sea before beginning a new life. This is a simplified version of the very complicated reality of a refugee. Informative watercolour images convey the story and keep young viewers interested. Children too young to understand the hardships of a refugee can gain a limited understanding about a family leaving their happy home and creating a new one. The topic of refugees fleeing is a difficult one for young readers, yet it is the reality for some children. The simplicity of the presentation makes this a suitable story for the younger reader.

Wisp: A Story of Hope

‘Idris lived in a small, small world where fences grew from the dirt and where shadows ruled.’ So begins this story with a poetic text. Idris, a young boy, encounters a gentle light which escapes from his hands and lands in the hands of individuals who are living in his world. As each person holds the gentle light, or the ‘Wisp’, they remember their lives in happier times. Each individual experiences happiness as ‘rememberings’ that are experienced. Idris though has no memories of other places in his life, so the Wisp shows him future possibilities and whispers to him, ‘Someday’. This open-ended picture book prompts discussion and individual interpretations enhanced by dreamy and captivating illustrations.

Wide Big World

Kindergarten children notice that they look different and have different cultures. They begin noticing many differences such as one is ‘hairy and tall’ and another is ‘cute, chubby and bald’. ‘Difference is everywhere’ in the world, including nature, they observe. Visible differences in cultures is the underlying theme, with both words and images conveying this idea clearly. The acceptance and appreciation of differences in this picture book offer opportunities for group discussion and interaction.

When the War is Over

Jackie French creates a series of moving short poems for this picture book which recalls relationships between those engaged in wartime conflicts. Those at home are waiting for their family members to return. The book is ‘about the joy of reunion and the enduring power of love’. Some of the conflicts included are World War I and II, Korean and Vietnam Wars, Indonesian conflict, Gulf Wars, Timor-Leste and others. Anne Spudvillas’ artwork is highly evocative and captures the emotions of those away in conflicts and those waiting at home for their family members to return.

We Are All Equal

The animals are different. They spend their time differently, have different skills, attributes, homes, families and bodies, but every single one matters. No one way of being is better than any other. Everyone is equal. This picture book will spark discussion about the different abilities and talents of those in a community with a reminder that despite differences everyone deserves respect, empathy and understanding.

The Book That Made Me

This anthology features 31 well known, mostly Australian and New Zealand, authors who write short stories, fiction, poetry and other types of works. Here they talk about the books they read when young that influenced, inspired, changed their lives and turned them into writers. Those featured include culturally diverse creators. Writers include Markus Zusack, Jaclyn Moriarty, Shaun Tan, Mal Peet, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Simon French, Fiona Wood, Simmone Howell, Bernard Beckett, Ursula Dubosarsky, Rachael Craw, Sue Lawson, Felicity Castagna, Benjamin Law, Cath Crowley, Kate Constable, James Roy, Alison Croggon, Will Kostakis and Randa Abdel-Fattah. Black and white cartoons by Shaun Tan feature. These authors’ favourite books may encourage young readers to read more widely.

Songs of a War Boy

Den Thiak Adut is six-years-old when war comes to his village in South Sudan. He is taken from his family, conscripted into the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army, taught how to use an AK-47 and sent to battle. He is shot, plagued by illness and experiences the horrors of war. There appears to be little hope for the future. His half-brother, John, rescues him after five years and both become the third Sudanese family resettled in Australia. He works in a local service station and learns English watching ‘The Wiggles’ and reading the Bible. He teaches himself to read and studies at TAFE then later completes a law degree at Western Sydney University and a Master of Laws in Criminal Prosecution at Wollongong University. Den Thiak Adut is the first person in his family to graduate from university. His story is confronting and best suited to a mature reader. In the prologue to this biography, he states, ‘Yes, I have had a difficult life. I’m proud of some things I have done, and ashamed of others, but I own all of it, and I’ve reconciled with all of it. That’s why I am whole.’ Deng Thiak Adut received Australian citizenship in 2001. He became a refugee advocate and for his achievements, chosen as the 2017 New South Wales Australian of the Year.

Songbird

Jamila is an 11-year-old who has left her friends, her school and her home in Iraq. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She, her mother and younger brother are refugees newly arrived from Iraq. She desperately misses her father and her best friend, both still in Iraq. It is hard for Jamila to settle into a new life made more difficult as she is often called away from school to help her mother. She desperately wants to learn English and do well in school, but these absences make this difficult. When she joins the choir, Jamila begins to feel happy. Singing helps take her worries away and find a place in her new life. The book includes a significant amount of Arabic and a glossary that provides the meaning for each of the words that Jamila and her mother use. When Jamila hears about the school choir, she at last has an opportunity to excel as she both sings and writes her own songs. She finds a new friend, Eve, who also loves to sing and agrees that Jamila is a gifted singer. The author uses her experience of teaching young people from different cultural backgrounds and her own love of music in this novel to create a story that touches the reader in so many familiar ways – pursuing your talents, making friends, and honouring family and traditions while embracing diversity.

Sarah’s Two Nativities

Grandmother Azar tells stories from the Holy Koran (sic) but Grandmother Maria tells stories from the Holy Bible. Sarah loves these tales but wonders how they can both be true. ‘Sarah’s Two Nativities’ is light-hearted picture book about family, acceptance and intercultural understanding. This book provokes discussion for families of more than one faith.

Same, but little bit diff’rent

Two youngsters compare their lives, one living in a country area of an Aboriginal community and the other living in a city. The repeated refrain says these are the ‘same but a little bit diff’rent’. The story content reveals an Aboriginal lifestyle in the northern part of Australia contrasted with another part of urban Australia. This picture book uses Dunstan’s signature collage technique with stylised illustrations that have a touch of humour and childlike appearance. Whereas pets in the city might be dogs, up north in Australia, the ‘friend’ might be an alligator. The repetitive phrasing encourages children to join in chanting the text and assists readers in anticipating both words and story. There is a sense of respect for both cultures. Kylie Dunstan spent a year in a remote community near Kakadu, Northern Territory.

Meet Me at the Intersection

This #ownvoices anthology, edited by Rebecca Lim and Ambelin Kwaymullina, represents 18 creators, both established and emerging writers who offer their ‘own voice’ through their memories, poetry and short fiction. The collection features writers who are First Nations, People of Colour, LGBTIQA+, those living with disability, migrant experiences and cultural backgrounds including Chinese-Australian, Muslim, Burmese, Canadian and others. Each author explores life from their own unique perspective using a range of writing styles such as short fiction, memoir and poetry. Some stories cover difficult and controversial topics but important for mature readers. Topics include racism, homophobia, bullying, death, mental health and others. Ambelin Kwaymullina is an Aboriginal writer and illustrator who comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Kindness Makes Us Strong

Each of the 12 double page spreads in this board book has a story to tell, such as sharing an object, taking turns, sharing space, cheering others up when needed. The bold, vibrant and busy illustrations feature cultural diversity in a natural way with children and adults all offering support of one kind or another to each other. Some unusual helping acts are included such as watering plants thus adding opportunities to talk about what the images are ‘saying’.

Leaf Stone Beetle

‘Leaf Stone Beetle’ is a beautifully produced story which is both simple and complex inviting multiple interpretations. Chapman’s three double page black ink drawings set the mood of serious contemplation and reflection. On one level this is a simple fable chapter book. It has three sections representing its three characters’ journeys. At the same time the story reflects the cyclical patterns of life in the natural world. The story opens with a violent storm where our first character, Leaf, is the sole survivor left on the tree. Then Leaf falls from the tree and shifts to the edge of a stream. Our second character, Stone, has been dislocated by the storm while Beetle, our third character, finds safety and a home beneath the Stone. The three characters form a community. There are many layers to unpack in this story with much discussion possible. Philosophical in nature, there are opportunities to discuss, home, family, dislocation, migration, resilience, relationships as well as topics such as the environment and survival.

Goat on a Boat

Sheep lives on a harsh rocky island, where food is scarce and competition is fierce. When Goat arrives, there are concerns there will not be enough food for everyone. The immediate response is to ‘Stop the goats!’ Goat is not worried and instead shows the Sheep that visitors can make a valuable contribution to a community. There is a clever use of vocabulary, humour and rhyme in this picture book, which expresses opinions about Australia’s detention centres.

Amazing Australian Women: Twelve Women Who Shaped History

A dozen Australian women feature in this inspiring informational book. Here are women who have made a lasting impact as warriors, artists, business owners, scientists, singers, politicians, pilots, actors, athletes, adventurers, activists and innovators. Some are known Australia-wide while others are lesser known people. They come from every State and Territory in Australia and include Aboriginal people, a Chinese-Australian and others from wide-ranging backgrounds. The highly appealing, easy to read text is inspirational, retelling fascinating stories and providing anecdotes about each woman. Further resources include websites, images, articles and audio resources.

A Different Dog

The boy cannot speak, though the reader is not told why initially. He does speak to himself and animals when no one is around. His mother is out of work and the two live in poverty. He hopes to win a $1,000 prize awarded to the winner of a race up the mountain. It is a day of bleak weather conditions and the boy comes upon a car accident. The driver has been killed, but his dog has survived. There is suspense from start to finish, surprising twists and turns, and nail-biting situations. Jennings cleverly intertwines ethical and moral dilemmas to open up discussion around ‘what if’? The reader is invited to consider the limitations and influences on a person whose life may not be characterised as ‘easy’.

Series: Different

A Different Land

The story follows the fortunes of Anton, Christopher and their mother Pat who journeyed to a new land in the earlier novel, A Different Boy. The story is told from Christopher’s point of view as the family adjusts to a new life. When their mother Pat gets a job in a country town, Anton is happy but Christopher finds it hard to settle and wants to go home. Once again, Paul Jennings deftly explores themes of guilt and redemption while telling a compelling story, with humour and emotion. This story is best understood by reading the first title in the series, ‘A Different Boy’.

Series: Different

A Home for Luna

Luna the cat is washed ashore on an island after danger forces her to leave home. Hungry and lonely, Luna meets a penguin on the beach who befriends her. The penguin colony takes Luna into their community. One day a strange boat arrives and a man tries to take Luna away, but the penguins peck at the man, and Luna hisses, scratches and wriggles free. Luna has found a new home where she feels happy and safe. This simple picture book story is aimed at young children to help them understand the trauma of leaving home and country and the challenges of finding a safe, new home and making friends.

Between Us

Anahita is a teenage Iranian asylum seeker who lives in an Australian detention camp. She is allowed to attend the local secondary school. Her younger brother is insecure and perplexed by all that goes on around him. Their mother is pregnant and distraught because her husband is unable to join her. This young adult novel moves rapidly, revealing various characters’ experiences and personal viewpoints. Readers gain different perspectives on asylum seekers, detention centres and ‘outsiders’ seeking to understand experiences other than their own. Viewpoints shift to a family outside the detention camp. Kenny is a Vietnamese single father who migrated to Australia. His new job is as a guard in the Wickham Point Detention Centre. He meets Anahita and in sympathy with her insecurity, mentions his son, Jono, who attends the local secondary school. When 16-year-old Jono meets 15-year-old Anahita at school, there is a connection but it is one fraught with emotional difficulty.

It is unusual to have adults featured so strongly in a novel for young adults. Here it works well to reveal troubling relationships between parents and children and the misconceptions that can occur. Portraying different generations also allows different eras of immigration stories to be told. To add authenticity to this story, the author, of Vietnamese background, undertook extensive research, conducted through interviews, work as a volunteer in Villawood Detention Centre and running activities for asylum seekers in Wickham Point. She also sought advice from an Iranian cultural adviser.

There could be no easy ending for this book. Instead, this is a story designed to delve into the difficulties of detainees in detention camps and misconceptions held by those in the Australian community.

Eureka! A Story of the Goldfields

Historical fiction, when told from a first person perspective, can successfully engage young readers, as the case here. The authentic illustrations, appearing in oil or gouache, capture the Ballarat, Victoria goldfield settlement, the goldminers and their equipment, soldiers and the Australian environment in rich detail. The character of young Catherine is based on an English immigrant who came to Australia when she and her Papa left London for the goldfields. Nine months at sea. Mama dies of typhoid fever. Father and daughter finally arrive, but every gold-mining spot appears taken, until they meet young Chen who offers help. He is a 16-year-old Chinese boy, here alone, hoping one day to bring his mother and sister over from China. He too is based on an historical person, Pan Ah Shin, a teenage boy who emigrated from Canton, China in 1851. There is much prejudice against the Chinese on the goldfields and they are poorly treated. The next day a policeman arrives demanding the family’s license to mine for gold and threatens imprisonment if payment is not made.

This picture book features the Ballarat gold miners’ rebellion against the high license fees and the Victorian government’s refusal to grant them land where they work. Tensions continue to build. Peter Lalor, an historical figure and one of the miners, speaks to a gathered crowd and persuades the miners to claim their rights. They build a stockade and refuse to pay the licence fees. The soldiers attack with a devastating loss of life. The back endpapers provide a valuable timeline detailing the build up of tensions between miners and solders, the Eureka Rebellion and the aftermath. Peter Lalor, who was a leader in the rebellion, is later elected to the Victorian Parliament. This book can be compared to Alan Tucker’s, picture book, ‘Rebellion at Eureka’, which offers different characters’ viewpoints while also detailing the Eureka rebellion.

Grandma’s Treasured Shoes

‘Grandma has oodles and oodles of shoes.’ So begins the author’s lyrical text that sets the tone and captures attention. The story is sensitively told for children at both preschool and older years, and helps them to understand the plight of refugees and to appreciate their contribution to the shaping of Australia. The illustrator is a first generation Australian-born artist of a Vietnamese refugee family. Factual details about international and Australian policies on refugees at the end of the book are a valuable addition to this picture book.

Culture

What is culture? The author has taken on the massive task of surveying culture and demonstrating through words and photographs how culture differs yet is similar the world over. Using multiple photographs across single and double page spreads, the author concisely touches on such topics as clothing, holy places, architecture and language plus unexpected topics like gestures and difficult to define words like values, norms and sanctions. Topics include cultural faux pas and high versus low culture. The author attempts to be value-free and, for the most part, succeeds. Where there is room for different perspectives, readers and viewers are encouraged to discuss and question. The glossary of terms is an area where discussion is useful to tease out different cultural attitudes and ideas. ‘Culture ‘is profusely and attractively illustrated with mostly stock photographs from around the world.

Growing up Muslim in Australia: Coming of Age

Twelve stories told by Australian Muslims explores the challenges of growing up in culturally diverse Australia. The Wide-ranging Muslim experience is revealed in stories of a beauty queen, kickboxer, Rugby League star, lesbian, atheist and more, all with common experiences of life in Australia. The contributors’ profiles are also included.