Book Review: A Girl Called Corpse by Reece Carter

 A Girl Called Corpse

by

Reece Carter

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 5th October 2022

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 339

RRP: $16.99AUD Paperback

Source: Beauty & Lace Book Club 

My review of A Girl Called Corpse

This review appeared first on the Beauty & Lace Book Club

 

A Girl Called Corpse is a magical tale of a young ghost who must draw on every ounce of courage to defeat the evil witches and escape the rock-that-doesn’t-exist to find out who she was and where she belonged.
 

Corpse is the most endearing character and I couldn’t help but cheer her on. She lives in the attic of the witches hut and with the bits of magic she has picked up from the witches she has made herself a body from wax, seaweed and shells from the beach. Her best friend is a huntsman spider and together they will face insurmountable danger, cruel witches, a sea monster and a scheming merchant. She is not always brave but she knows she has to be strong to succeed.
 

Reece Carter has created a fantastically imagined world with a delightful and spirited (pun intended) main character. Perfectly crafted for the Middle Grade audience A Girl Called Corpse is jam-packed with danger, adventure, breath holding suspense, magical battles and a touch of ghostly humour. I was totally engaged throughout the entire book!
 

I enjoyed Corpse’s growth throughout the novel. She learnt a lot about friendship and the magic of love. I eagerly await her next adventure! 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Reece Carter grew up on his family farm in Tammin, Western Australia. There was an unfortunate lack of witches and ghosts though, so Reece had to find them in books instead. Roald Dahl, Paul Jennings and Emily Rodda were some of his first favourite authors. When Reece moved away to boarding school at the age of eleven, he could regularly be found hiding in the library, tucked away in the corner with a good book. With the encouragement of his English teacher, Reece started writing his own stories. After a few years travelling overseas, Reece moved to Melbourne. But even while working as a nutritionist by day, Reece maintained a secret double life, continuing to write middle-grade novels by night. Now, he lives in Sydney and writes kids' fiction full-time. When not reading or writing, Reece can usually be found talking to his dog Hagrid - and hoping that one of these days Hagrid might decide to talk back. A Girl Called Corpse is his debut novel.

 

 

Book Review: The Raven's Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

 

Title: The Raven's Song

Authors: Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 5th October 2022

Genre: Children / Teen

Pages: 288 

RRP: $16.99 paperback

Source: Beauty & Lace Book Club 

 

 My Review of The Raven's Song

 

This review first appeared on the Beauty and Lace Book Club

 

The Raven’s Song is the product of a collaboration between Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble, two mutli-award winning authors coming together to write a story of friendship and courage.
 

Twelve-year-old Shelby and her best friend Davy live in a Government controlled closed community made up of three hundred and fifty people living on seven hundred hectares. This is the scientifically calculated number of people who can live sustainably on the land. They live a simple life with solar power and near zero pollution. They are brought up with kindness to each other and kindness to the land. 

Shelby’s life is busy with chores on their egg farm and attending school. 

They must live in these sustainable communities until the natural world, which borders on the fenced perimeter, heals 

When Shelby’s unfettered sense of adventure leads them through the perimeter fence and into the wild and natural world what she and Davy find is beyond their wildest imagination.
 

Zana and Bren have together created an outstanding Government controlled world in which Shelby and Davy live happily with only a scattering of information of the past. It, at first, seems like an ideal world.
 

Shelby’s story is told in alternating narration with Phoenix a 12 year old boy living with his siblings, grandmother and aunt. Phoenix has visions, dreams that he isn’t sure are real or not. A sixth sense his grandmother calls it. He is inexplicably drawn to the bog and an old local folk song about a girl who is trapped in the bog forever. 

Phoenix’s story has a science fiction element to it and is just a little bit creepy.
 

I loved the short chapters, each ending on a cliff hanger that had me eager to read on.

Both Shelby and Phoenix’s stories were totally absorbing and I was intrigued to see how the two stories would connect, never imagining what would actually come next!
 

Zana and Bren have combined multi-layered moral messages with a science fiction narrative that will have the reader transfixed.
 

I haven’t read much science fiction but I must say The Raven’s Song had me spellbound and quite often holding my breath whilst reading.
 

The Raven’s Song is a powerful and haunting read, best suited for ages 12+  (I may be being a bit cautious here, it is an eerie tale)

Publishers recommended age is: 9 - 13 years

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the authors

Bren MacDibble was raised on farms all over New Zealand, so is an expert about being a kid on the land. After 20 years in Melbourne, Bren sold everything and spent two years living and working in a bus travelling around Australia. She recently parked her bus in Kalbarri on the beautiful west coast, where she now manages a holiday villa. In 2018, How to Bee - her first novel for younger readers - won the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers, the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature, and the New Zealand Book Awards Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction. In 2019 The Dog Runner won the New Zealand Book Awards Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction. Bren also writes for young adults under the name Cally Black.



Zana Fraillon is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her work has been published in over 15 countries and is in development for both stage and screen. Zana was born in Melbourne but spent her early childhood in San Francisco. Her 2016 novel The Bone Sparrow won the ABIA Book of the Year for Older Children, the Readings Young Adult Book Prize and the Amnesty CILIP Honour. It was shortlisted for the PM's Literary Awards, the CBCA awards, the Qld Literary Awards, Vic Premier's Literary Awards, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Gold Inky and the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Zana spent a year in China teaching English and now lives in Melbourne with her three children, husband and two dogs.

 

Book Review: Always, Clementine by Carlie Sorosiak

 

Title: Always, Clementine

Author: Carlie Sorosiak

Publisher: Nosy Crow 

Publication date: 1st November 2022

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 320

RRP: $14.99 Paperback

Source: Publisher 

 

My review of Always, Clementine 

 

Always, Clementine is the sweetest book! An epistolary novel narrated through letters from Clementine to her friend Rosie a chimpanzee. 

 

Clementine has been freed from a research lab by a concerned worker and finds herself in the home of Gus and his grandfather, Pop. They soon learn that Clementine is no ordinary mouse, she is exceptionally smart. The lab scientists are determined to get Clementine back to continue their experiments but Gus and Pop have a plan to save Clementine and her friends.

 

The voice of Clementine is so funny, sweet and cute you can't help but fall in love with her.

Carlie Sorosiak has written a gentle book about the important topic of animal testing laboratories.

I loved that Clementine still had all the little idiosyncrasies of a mouse even though she had super intelligence and could understand humans.

 

Always, Clementine is a gorgeous tale of friendship, kindness and always trying the best that you can. It is an immersive story that is filled with enough suspense and danger to keep any child engaged.

 

This story will be an extra delight to chess players as Clementine is involved in a mega chess challenge.

 

My recommended age 8+ 

A book that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Carlie Sorosiak grew up in North Carolina. She has a master's in English from Oxford University and another in publishing from City, University of London. She is the author of two novels for young adults, If Birds Fly Back and Wild Blue Wonder. Her goals include traveling to all seven continents and fostering a wide variety of animals. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and her American dingo. 

Book Review: Buddha and the Rose by Mallika Chopra

 

Title: Buddha and the Rose

Author: Mallika Chopra

Illustrator: Neha Rawat

Publisher: Hachette Aus

Imprint: Running Press Kids

Publication date:13th December 2022

Genre: Children's Picture Book

 Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AUD (Hardcover)

Source: Pacific and Court

 

 

My review of Buddha and the Rose

 

Buddha and the Rose is a retelling of the myth of Buddha and a simple rose. Told by Sujata a milk maid who brought food to Buddha to break his fast.

 

This is a simple and calming story reminding us to stop and see the world in all its wonder.

In our busy everyday lives this is a poignant reminder for both adults and children to stop listen and really see the world.

Beautifully illustrated with calm yet vibrant water colour pictures that give an uncluttered feel whilst also showing tiny elements of the life around us. Butterflies flitting, bees , stars and birds; there is a quiet joy in the pictures and simple dialogue that evokes a mood of serenity.

Buddha and the Rose is the perfect book for parents and children to slow down and reflect on the simple pleasures in life.

 

Ages 4 - 8 years

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Mallika Chopra is a mum, media entrepreneur, author, and public speaker. She is the author of the Just Be series, which includes Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement and More, Just Feel: How To Be Stronger, Happier, Healthier and More, and Just Be You: Ask Questions, Set Intentions, Be Your Special Self, and More, and My Body is a Rainbow: The Color of My Feelings, her first picture book. In September, she’ll release Buddha and the Rose.

In Living With Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy, Mallika shares insights she gained while seeking meaning and balance as a mom and entrepreneur who felt she was overwhelmed by work, family, and too many responsibilities.

Mallika has taught meditation to thousands of people and is currently a mindfulness consultant for the animated series, Stillwater, on Apple TV+, which recently premiered its second season. She enjoys speaking to audiences around the world about intention, balance, and living a life of purpose.

About the illustrator

Neha Rawat is a children's book illustrator from India and the grand prize winner of the SCBWI Summer Spectacular Portfolio Showcase 2020. She worked as a software engineer for five years before freelancing as an artist creating personalized illustrations, comics, and merchandise. She eventually realized her love for children's books and storytelling through art. In her spare time, Neha can be found cuddling dogs, doing yoga, and being around nature. 

 

Book Review: The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck - Cargo Gets a New Job!

 The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck

Cargo Gets a New Job!

by

Paul Dekmetzian

 

Title: The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck: Cargo Gets a New Job!

Series: The Adventures of Cargo #1

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 8th March 2022 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 26

Format: Paperback 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

 

My review of Cargo Gets a New Job!

 

If your child loves everything cars and trucks they are going to love Cargo the Army Truck.

 

Paul Dekmetzian has delivered a truly delightful and engaging series for young truck enthusiasts. In book one we are introduced to Cargo and how he worked as an army truck until he was retired. 

 

 

He was then bought by Billy and they delivered supplies to people in remote areas in outback Australia. Cargo and Billy could always be counted on to get the supplies to the people who needed them. 

 

 

When Billy retires Cargo meets is next owner, Paul.

 

We all loved this book and can't wait to start book 2 to see what adventures Cargo and Paul will have.

The stories are narrated by Cargo which makes him appear larger than life with a real personality of his own, strong and proud of the job he does to help people in remote localities.

 

I could see this story as an on screen cartoon series the likes of Roary the Racing car, Finley the Fire Engine or Tayo the Little Bus. Cargo had the same fun life-like feel as these types of shows. 

Beautifully illustrated with full colour spreads and an engaging storyline based on a true story. Cargo Gets a New Job! is sure to appeal to all little car and truck enthusiasts.

 

You can buy the book on Amazon

There is also a matching colouring-in book!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Paul Dekmetzian lives in Melbourne, Australia. Between 1973 and 1981, he was engaged with the Australian Army, first as a School Cadet and then as a young Private at Monash University Regiment. This involvement sparked the interest of a lifetime.

 

 As the grandfather of eleven and an active member of the Victorian Military Vehicle Corps (VMVC), Paul has witnessed firsthand how excited people of all ages get when they see these historic vehicles, both on the road and on display.

He believes that the positive effect of engaging with this history should not be underestimated and hopes that The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck will ignite the curiosity of a new generation of Australians.

 

Book Review: The Lolly Shop #3 - Calm Before the Snow

 

Title: Calm Before the Snow

Author: L,B & E Hackney

Series: The Lolly Shop #3

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 25th July 2022

Genre: First Chapter Book

Pages: 170

Format: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

My review of Calm Before the Snow 

Calm Before the Snow is the third book in The Lolly Shop series and what a fun read it is!

The series is set in Queensland, Australia and Bax and Ethan are hoping it give the town snow for Christmas. Dex the bilby is trying to think of ways to stop Vulpes destroying the bilby habitat in the alternate world of Nochternelle. He uses a portal to visit the boys for help.

Calm before the Snow would have to be my favourite book in the series, although Dot loves them all.

Bax and Ethan are back to making more magical treats after the big break in from book 2.

There are are treats to give your pets so they can talk. Who wouldn't like to know what their pet is thinking! This made for some humorous moments that caused us all to chuckle.

Along with all the fun there are ecological themes such as sustainability, regeneration, protection and growth of native species, plus the danger of introduced species killing native animals and destroying the eco-system of the area.

Calm Before the Snow is a fun story with an engaging plot sure to be enjoyed by the 6 to 10 years age group.

my rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Book Review: Lego City Building Site

 Lego City Building Site

 

A Push, Pull and Slide Book

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 10th August 2021

Genre: Children's Educational

Pages: 8

RRP: $9.99AU

Format: Boardbook

Source: Own purchase 

Our review of Lego City Building Site

 

Everybody get to work - let's knock down that wall.

 

Join the construction crew as they demolish the old building, clear the rubble and start on a new buiding.

 

What can it be? 

 

Work the cement mixer, clear the rubble and lift the heavy doors.

 

Turn the page to reveal what the workers are building!

 

Lego City Building Site is another hands on book for toddlers, rich in imaginative play and themes of working together. We loved matching the Lego pieces and making our own building site.

 

⬇️⬆️➡️⬅️ With tabs to push, pull and slide on every page it’s a fun way to enhance motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination and grow the imagination.  

 

Made in hardy board format with thick pages and tabs that won't easily be torn or ripped out ensuring hours and hours of play.

The Lego City is a fabulous collection of books and we are eager  to collect the whole series.

 

Recommended age - 18months to 5 years

Our rating 5 / 5 👷👷👷👷👷

 

 

Book Review: Runt by Craig Silvey

Runt

by

Craig Silvey 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 5th October 2022

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Pages: 352

RRP: $19.99AU Hardback

Source: Won - uncorrected proof

My review of Runt

Annie Shearer is 11 years old. She likes to fix things just like her grandpa Wally Shearer. The people of Upson Downs think it's weird that Annie wears a leather tool belt wherever she goes but Annie finds it very useful. Annie connects with a stray dog everyone calls Runt and the two become inseparable.

Runt is small but fast, and an expert at rounding up sheep. When Annie sees a dog agility competition with prize money she pictures it as a way to fix all her family's problems. But first she will have to fix Runt as he refuses to perform in front of a crowd.

Runt is a heartwarming story filled with humour and love. Craig Silvey gives his readers messages of being yourself, living with kindness, staying optimistic, accepting people (and dogs) how they are and not having to fix everything around you.

Annie and her family are characters you will want to cheer for. They try their best at all they do and sometimes fail but never give up. Brother Max is a Youtubing dare devil, mum loves to cook, quite often with disastrous results and dad Bryan has a secret project in his shed.

I can see Runt on the big screen with its larger than life characters to cheer for and dastardly villains to boo. Silvey has produced two almost comical villains. Earl Robert Barren is buying up the town and he has his eye on the Shearer farm. Fergus Fink is out to win the dog agility competition and he's not adverse to cheating.

Runt is an outstanding story, perfect for fans of Babe and Matilda. With its simple prose and uncomplicated plot it is suitable for the younger middle grade reader aged 6 - 10.

Adult readers will enjoy the themes of family, community and kindness. Runt is a pleasurable escape for all readers.

 

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

 

Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia.

His critically acclaimed debut novel, Rhubarb, was published in 2004. His bestselling second novel, Jasper Jones,  was the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for 2010.

His third novel, Honeybee, published in 2020, is an award-winning bestseller. Honeybee was the 2020 Dymocks Book Of The Year, won the Indie Book Award for Best Fiction, and was shortlisted for both the Literary Fiction Book of the Year at the 2021 ABIA Awards and the Adult Fiction Book of the Year at the ABA Booksellers’ Choice Awards. In 2022, Honeybee was voted Number 1 in the Better Reading Top 100.

Runt is his first novel for Younger Readers. 

 

 
 

Book Review: Make Tracks - Cars by Johnny Dyrander

 Make Tracks: Cars

by

Johnny Dyrander

 

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Publication date: 2nd August 2022

Series: Make Tracks #4 

Pages: 10

RRP: $19.99

Format read: Boardbook 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

My review of Make Tracks: Cars

Jay loves this fun board book that helps build hand eye coordination

This sturdy board book features five different styles of cars and each car has their own track and tiny car counter that you can manoeuvre around the track. Stop at the crossings, drive around the winding road, race around the track, drive a four wheel drive around the muddy lake and catch a taxi into the airport.

Each car has a large glossy picture with all their features labeled. 

 

This will be a much loved book by any little car enthusiast. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Recommended age: 2+ 

About the author

Johnny Dyrander is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. He was born and raised above the Arctic circle in northern Sweden and grew up surrounded by reindeer and northern light. He moved to Stockholm in his early twenties and began studying at various art schools. He's been working as an illustrator since he finished his studies at the University College of Arts, Crafts & Design in Stockholm.

When he's not spending time in his office illustrating, Johnny likes to travel, spend time with his family or drive down to his house in southern Sweden, pick up a hammer and saw and pretend to be a carpenter. He builds things in wood with quite mixed results.

 

 

Book Review: Hockey Wars by Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson

 Hockey Wars

by

Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson

Publisher: Indie Publishing Group 

 

Publication date: 12th September 2018

 

Genre: Middle Grade

 

Series: Hockey Wars #1 

 

Pages: 128

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of Author Services Australia 

 

My review of Hockey Wars

 

Hockey Wars is an enjoyable Middle-Grade read focusing on friendship and sportsmanship that is sure to leave the reader smiling.

 

Millie and Cameron have been life-long friends, attending the same school and playing on the same hockey team, but when Millie decides to start an all-girls team a rift begins to form in the friendship starting a rivalry between the boys and the girls.

 

I liked this fun story about a feud between the girls team, the Hurricanes, and the boys team, the Lightning, over who gets to use the practice pond after school.

In this first book we are introduced to the main characters, eight boys and eight girls in 4th Grade at Dakota Elementary School. It was good getting to know each characters' quirks and how they felt about the feud.

 

The story was fast paced and I was eager to find out how, or if, Cameron and Millie would become friends again.

 

Ice hockey is not a huge sport in Australia with many of our rinks closing over the years however the themes of co-ed sports and girls versus boys are relatable to any sport.

Being in the stands at ice hockey games for many years I understood and had a laugh at the hockey puns on the girls t-shirts.

 

Hockey Wars has relatable themes of competitiveness, friendship, first crushes, teamwork and having the courage to say you're sorry.

 

Recommended age 8+

 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Purchase the book on Amazon

 

 

About the authors 

 

Ben Jackson was born in Tasmania, Australia, and is a successful indie author that has been writing for over four years. Ben is married to Sam Lawrence, and together they specialize in self-publishing children's books.

They have been married for several years and have traveled together between Australia and Canada. Ben is also a freelance writer that specializes in writing website content for businesses and a wide variety of different articles.

They have published a series of children's books called My Little Fart and Hockey Wars, as well as If I Was A Caterpillar and several other non-fiction books. 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Camp by Kayla Miller

 Camp

by

Kayla Miller 

 

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

 

Publication date: 5th January 2022 

 Series: Click #2

 

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel

 

Pages: 224

 

RRP: $17.99

 

Source: own purchase

 

Dot's review of Camp

 

Tell us a little about the book?

 

Olive tries to help Willow because Willow is not brave.

 

Who is your favourite character?

 

Olive is my favourite because she always tries to help.

 

What is your favourite part of the story?

 

My favourite is when they were at dance because there was lots of drama.

 

Do you think your friends will like this book?

 

They will love it!

 

Dot's rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

I haven't read this book but here's the blurb:

 

Olive is sure she’ll have the best time at summer camp with her friend Willow – but while Olive makes quick friends with the other campers, Willow struggles to form connections and latches on to the only person she knows – Olive. It’s s’more than Olive can handle! The stress of being Willow's living security blanket begins to wear on Olive and before long…the girls aren’t just fighting, they may not even be friends by the time camp is over. Will the two be able to patch things up before the final lights out?

 

Recommended age 8+ 

About the author

Kayla Miller is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator living and working in New York. They have a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. When not busy working on graphic novels, Kayla enjoys watching bad movies, trying to cook new recipes, playing games (both board and video) and reading other people’s graphic novels.

 

 

Book Review: Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

by

A. F. Steadman

 

A NEW HERO TAKES FLIGHT 

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 

Publication date: 3rd May 2022

 

Series: Skandar #1

 

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

 

Pages: 400

 

Format read: Hardcover

 

RRP: $19.99AU

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

My review of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

 

I absolutely love the cover of this book! After reading a few chapters of the story I realised that it wouldn't be for my unicorn loving mini reviewer. To her, unicorns are loving, fun and mostly soft and cuddly. The unicorns in this tale are carnivorous and there are a few rabbits devoured throughout.

 

Unicorns don’t belong in fairy tales; they belong in nightmares.

 

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief has themes of resilience, courage and friendship. Skandar seems to attract the school bully and he doesn't see himself as being very brave. I really liked that when the school bully was harassing a younger boy Skandar didn't hesitate to jump in and defend him.

 

Steadman follows the tried-and-true trope of the 'chosen one'. Her writing is uncomplicated and the plot straightforward. As this is the first in a series there is a big focus on world-building. However there wasn't enough action to keep me fully engaged and I found Skandar moody and a bit annoying. Although, with a few twists and scrapes for our heroes to navigate, I feel there is plenty that will appeal to the target audience of 9 - 12 year olds.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit Annabel Church

A.F. Steadman grew up in the Kent countryside, getting lost in fantasy worlds and scribbling stories in notebooks. Before focusing on writing, she worked in law, until she realized that there wasn’t nearly enough magic involved. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Skandar series.

 

 

Book Review: Noongar Boodja Waangkan (Noongar First Words) by Jayden Boundry

 Noongar Boodja Waangkan: Noongar First Words

by

Jayden Boundry

Illustrated by Tyrown Waigana

Publisher: Fremantle Press

 

Publication date: 1st September 2022

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

 

Pages:32

 

RRP: $24.99AUD

 

Format read: Hardcover

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of Noongar First Words 

It’s indigenous literacy day and I have a gorgeous first words book to share with you that explores the Noongar language.

 

Written in Noongar and English with each word accompanying a delightful water colour illustration making it fun and easy to follow along and learn each new word.

This fully illustrated collection of first Noongar words includes family, plants, animals, emotions, colours, numbers and more.

We had fun trying out the words ourselves and then scanned included audio link guide to see if we had the pronunciation right.

Noongar is the language of the Aboriginal people of the south-west of Western Australia. 

 

Noongar Boodja Waangkan is a fun, educational book that will be a valuable resource for any classroom library.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

About the author

 

Jayden Boundry is Wadjak Balardong Noongar and Badimaya Yamatji. He is a Noongar language teacher and cultural consultant, didgeridoo player, traditional dancer and storyteller with Ngalak Nidja.

 

About the illustrator

 

Tyrown Waigana is a Wardandi Noongar (southwest cape country) and Ait Koedhal (Torres Strait Islander) multi-disciplinary artist and designer. His practice includes painting, illustration, sculpture, animation and graphic design. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graphic designer many clients approach him for high quality, culturally appropriate and Indigenous centred design.