Book Review: Loon Cove Summer by Donna Galanti

Loon Cove Summer is a heart-felt story of loss, grieving, first crushes and the will to make a difference.

 

Since her mother's death from cancer Sarah has been trapped in her grief. The only things that keep her going is helping out at the family's campground and trying to save the loons that live on their lake.

Loons: (North American English) or divers (British / Irish English) are a group of aquatic birds found in much of North America and northern Eurasia.  

 

Loon Cove Summer is a wonderful story for tween readers 10 -14 years. It raises awareness of environmental issues as thirteen -year-old Sarah volunteers at the wild bird rehabilitation centre and also tracks the loons movements and breeding. She has a mission to save the loons in the area. This was a project she started with her mother.

 

The introduction of Theo , who is on holiday at the lake, adds a lovely friendship theme. Sarah's crush on Theo is sweet and realistic and her awkwardness, clumsiness and blushing adds humour to the story. The banter and fun ribbing between Sarah and Theo is natural and amusing. Theo has been through his own tragedy and loss however exudes an air of confidence and resilience. Talking to Theo helps Sarah understand she is not alone in her grief. I think their friendship is what I loved most about the story.

 

Loon Cove Campground has a wonderful cast of eccentric inhabitants who add wit, humour, words of wisdom and a close community feel to the story.

 

Loon Cove Summer is a story about realising your dreams for the future and working towards making them happen.

 

" Every big idea starts small with one person ... So, go - be that one person who makes a change for the better." - Loon Cove Summer

 

I adored this heartrending and heartwarming story of working out who you are after a major loss, moving on with your life and dreams. I enjoyed the environment aspect with the raptor rehabilitation centre, encouraging children to become wildlife warriors and junior conservationists.

 

Loon Cove Summer is a memorable read filled with humour, suspense, hope and reconciliation.

Donna Galanti evokes a world where love, hope and connectedness ultimately triumph.

 

Perfect for fans of: Nature, survival stories, great outdoors, STEM adventure, and environmental causes. 

 

Content: dead mother

              first kiss - very sweet 

 

My rating 5 / 5  🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆 

Recommended age: 10 - 14 years

 

Publisher: Wild Trail Press

Publication date: 6th May 2025

Genre: Children's / Tween Fiction

Pages: 276 

Price: AU$9.14 (kindle) 

Source: Courtesy of Media Masters Publicity

 

 

  

Book Review: Max and the Mighty Hurricane by Chrissy Hobbs & Ben Jackson

 Max and the Mighty Hurricane is the first in a new children's series, by authors Chrissy Hobbs and Ben Jackson, that explain natural disasters in a gentle and informative way to relieve the anxiety surrounding these events.

 

 illustrated by Tanya Zeinlova

 

Publisher: Indie Publishing Group

Publication date: 1st May 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

Source: eBook courtesy of the authors

 

The first in a fabulous new series of stories to weather the storms of life, building resilience and courage in young children.

 

Max lived by the sea and reports of expected hurricanes made him anxious. His mother and father knew what to do and taught Max how to be prepared, showing him the printed checklist they have on hand so nothing is forgotten in an emergency. His parents also explain how different families may have different checklists and needs.

 

This wonderful story goes step by step through the stages of being prepared for a weather event to actually leaving the house being at a shelter and then returning to the devastation.

 

I loved how Max's parents were always upbeat and showed Max resilience by example.

Max's house is damaged and the yard is full of mud. His parents put on a bright face and get Max to help redecorate his room and all the neighbours pitch in and help each other.

 

Max and the Mighty Hurricane is beautifully illustrated by Tanya Zeinlova in bright, realistic double page spreads. These expressive illustrations pair perfectly with the meaningful text making the book visually appealing as well as informative.

 

Sharing Max and the Mighty Hurricane between children and caregivers provides ample opportunity for discussion of events that may cause children fear and anxiety.

 

This gentle and sensitive picture book encourages confidence and resilience in the face of adversity.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪 

 

 

Book Review: Is It OK to Be Quiet? by Michael Brisciana

Is It OK to Be Quiet? is a gentle book that can be read by a child themself but would be of extra benefit if read together with a parent or carer.

 

 Illustrated by James Cook James

 

Publisher: Trust Publishing

Publication date: 2nd June 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

Price: AU$10.88 (Kindle)

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Danny is a quiet child preferring to sit quietly, sometimes talking to a friend and sometimes just sitting. When he is questioned by another student why he is always so quiet he starts to feel like this is a negative thing.

He talks this over with his mother and together they discuss his day and come to the conclusion that while being quiet he often notices other things around him and can offer help to his classmates.  Danny decides that quiet is okay. While it's also okay to be talkative you can still have fun while being quiet. 

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? is the first in a planned series for introverted children - quiet children.

Brisciana conveys to his readers that a quiet nature can help you be more aware and supportive of other people around you. 

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? provides a good opportunity to talk about different personalities and that being your true self is always okay.

 

James Cook James sweet, heartwarming cartoon style illustrations are presented in soft pastel colours that perfectly reflect the theme of the story.

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? would be a valuable teacher resource for Kindy to Year 2.

 

My rating 5 / 5   😊😊😊😊😊

Recommended for ages 5 - 8 years 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Goodnight Sheep by Sally Barton

 The cover of Goodnight Sheep says it all! That sheep doesn't look like it is planning to go to sleep.

 

 

 Illustrated by Cherie Dignan

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publlication date: 1st April 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Lily can't sleep and her mum suggests counting sheep to calm her to sleep but Lily's sheep just won't behave. They jump, galavant and make a mess in Lily's room as she counts them one to ten. Will Lily  be able to get the sheep under control and go to sleep?

 

Narrated through rhyming verse with an easy cadence which starts off calm moves to lively and back to calm. Delightfully fun double-page colour spreads by Cherie Dignan. I love Lily's room, it is pink, pink and more pink!! The room changes to blue soothing tones when the lights go out. 

 

Goodnight Sheep is a fun bedtime story that will be enjoyed over and over. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

Recommended for ages 0 - 5 years

 

 

Book Review: Dungzilla by James Foley

Dungzilla is the second book in James Foley's S. Tinker Inc series. Re-released in all new fabulous full colour.

 

This action packed story follows eleven-year-old Sally Tinker, a young inventor.

 

When Sally's best friend Charli Stevenson's pet dung beetle accidentally gets in the way of Sally's latest invention, the Resizenator, and is enlarged 300 times, what ensues is an action-packed, STEM powered romp featuring science and humour.

 

How can Sally, Charli, Gran Tinker and baby Joe stop the giant dung beetle from destroying the town.

 

This graphic novel is a perfect mix of adventure and science. It introduces scientific facts in an hilarious magical realism concept. The storyline is rich in laugh-out-loud moments and lots of toilet humour.

 

This newest edition also includes a bonus story that features a stolen cloned pachyderm and a trip to Mars in Sally's latest invention.

 

Recommended age: 8 - 12 years

 My rating 5 / 5 🪲🪲🪲🪲🪲 

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press.

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/dungzilla-now-in-colour/

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st April 2025

Series: S. Tinker Inc #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Graphic Novel 

Pages: 120

RRP: AU$17.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Sunny & Shadow by Helen Milroy

Sunny & Shadow is an entertaining story that delivers a First Nations dreamtime story with a message of caring for our native dingoes. 

 

When danger comes to the dingoes home ChiChi, a young dingo pup, is separated from his family. Lost and alone he needs to draw on all his courage to stay strong.

ChiChi hides in a cave and when he exits he finds himself in another time.

A young girl named Sunny befriends him, and names him Shadow, together they work to save the dingoes.

 

Sunny & Shadow is an engaging story that combines cultural elements with magical realism.

Helen Milroy shows how lessons on the wonder of connection to Mother Nature are passed down through generations by dreamtime stories.

 

Sunny & Shadow is a story that highlights the importance of knowledge, courage, culture and family.

 

Sunny & Shadow will be enjoyed by children that like animal stories and stories about nature and the land.

 

My rating 5 / 5  🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Recommended age: 6 - 9 years

 

Teaching notes can be found at Fremantle Press

https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/sunny-and-shadow/ 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 4th February 2025

Genre: Children's / Junior Fiction 

Pages: 96

RRP: AU$14.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 

Book Review: Bush Bubs by Helen Milroy

Bush Bubs is the latest book in the Backyard and Bush series by bestselling First Nations author Helen Milroy.

 

This is a gorgeous picture book for our littlest book lovers and a delightful introduction to the babies of the Australian bush; numbat, bilby, wombat, platypus, koala, echidna, sugar glider, kangaroo, dingo and tassie devil.

 

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher 

Bush Bubs features iconic Australian baby animals and is ideal for reading together and learning about the unique animals of Australia.

 

Each double spread feature has one page with a simple two line text with a solid colour background and the facing page has a beautiful bush baby illustration by author and artist Helen Milroy. Helen's bold earthy tones come straight from the land.

 

The catchy rhyming verse adds an element of fun to the reading. 

This gorgeous book with its message to look after our precious bush bubs is sure to become a favourite bedtime read.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

Recommended age: 2 - 5 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/bush-bubs/