Book Review: How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson

 How to Move a Zoo

by

Kate Simpson

illustrated by Owen Swan

 

The incredible true story

 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 38

RRP: $24.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: How to Move a Zoo

How to Move a Zoo is a beautiful picture book that illustrates the true story of how, in 1916, Jessie the elephant walked from Moore Park Zoo to her new home in the Taronga Zoological Park at Mosman.

The pencil full colour illustrations are charming and nostalgic, presented with a hazy softness that encompasses the nighttime setting.

How to Move a Zoo is a wonderful story from a bygone era. The story follows Jessie the elephant as she quietly walks through the streets of Sydney, whilst everyone sleeps.  From Moore Park down Burke street through the Botanical Gardens to Bennelong Point where she boards a barge to take her across the harbour.

Owen Swan's engaging illustrations perfectly portray a long-ago era with milk-carts and street-sweepers. With a little prompting children can spot the many birds that inhabit the area; kookaburras, magpies, seagulls, cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, even a brush turkey can be spotted in the pictures.

The picture of Jessie's new home, the elephant house, will be recognised by many children today.

How to Move a Zoo is a heartwarming picture book that will give hours of enjoyment to children and carers alike.

My rating 5 / 5 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

 

Book Review: Into the Blue by Cristy Burne

 Into the Blue

by

Cristy Burne

illustrated by Amanda Burnett

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st may 2024

Genre: Junior Fiction

Pages: 112

RRP: $14.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Into the Blue

Blair and his cousin Drew go on a school snorkelling trip on the wreck of the Omero. Blair sees this as the perfect opportunity to "borrow" his brother's GoPro. When he accidentally drops the GoPro and it is lost on the ocean floor Blair's excitement turns to panic. But no-one knows he took it so Blair can keep it a secret. If he can live with the guilt!

Into the Blue is a delightful story. We feel Blair's excitement and anticipation of going snorkelling, the chill of the water as he first enters the ocean then the panic and devastation as he realises he has lost his brother's precious camera.

The reader feels Blair's anguish as he goes through days of knowing what he has done but can't face up to the consequences. The guilt gnaws away at him as his brother is punished for losing the GoPro.

 

I loved that Into the Blue is educational as well as fun. I learnt that the Omero wreck is a real shipwreck off Perth's coastline near Coogee Beach and it is a big snorkelling attraction.

Cristy Burne combines a moral message with themes of adventure and this is a fun way to open discussions on honesty and respecting others belongings.

Blair's great-grandmother is introduced as a safe adult for Blair to open up to and I found this a heartwarming inclusion to show that the older generation is full of experience and sound advice.

 

Into the Blue is a story about owning up to your mistakes and facing the consequences. 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Age recommendation: 6 - 11 years

Book Review: Mawson in Antarctica by Joanna Grochowicz

 Mawson in Antarctica:

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

by

Joanna Grochowicz

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Children's Non Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Mawson in Antarctica

I've always been fascinated by the great explorers. Men and women who brave deadly conditions to advance our understanding of the world we live in.

 

Joanna Grochowicz has written a gripping rendition of Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition which ran from 1911 - 1914. Their main goal was to chart a section of the coast.

I liked the addition, in the front of the book, of a list of the men who were part of the expedition and the job each man was assigned to although, once there, it was soon clear that everyone had to pitch in wherever. 

The unforgiving landscape and the men's battle with exhaustion, hunger and frostbite is all vividly described and as I read I was never in doubt of how bitterly cold it was and how dangerous a sudden change in the weather could be.

In Mawson in Antarctica Grochowicz uses the notes and diaries kept by the explorers, plus extensive research, to recreate the ambience and conversations between the men to write a highly engaging story about ordinary men who rose to extraordinary heights of courage and endurance.

Perfectly written for the intended age group of 10 - 14 years. I love that children are not only getting a totally immersive and gripping read but they are also learning an important part of Australian history and I hope, like me, it encourages readers to search for more information on Mawson and his team of adventurers.

 

Includes insert pages of photographs taken during the expedition.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher recommended age: 10 -14 years

My age recommendation 12+ years

CONTENT: The men are reduced to eating the dogs to stay alive.

 

Book Review: Cargo and His Little Brother Elvis! by Paul Dekmetzian

 The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck

Cargo and His Little Brother Elvis!

by

Paul Dekmetzian

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 12th January 2024 

Series: The Adventures of Cargo #6

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Review: Cargo and His Little Brother Elvis!

Cargo and His Little Brother Elvis! is book 6 in The Adventures of Cargo series. In this book Cargo introduces his little brother and the different things they like. Cargo likes the cold, freezing weather and the mushy snow whilst Elvis prefers it nice and hot. Even though they liked different things they loved to catch up when they have their annual mechanical check-up. Sometimes they are apart for long periods but their friendship never changes.

 

Cargo and His Little Brother Elvis is another wonderful picture book filled with adventure as Elvis visits a crocodile and hippo park and a takes a family to the beach.

 

Large, bright full page illustrations and a fun storyline are sure to delight little car and truck enthusiasts.

 

 

All books in the Cargo series can be purchased on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. There are even matching colouring in books to purchase.

 

My rating 5 /5 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚

Publisher recommended age: 4 -9 years

My recommendation 2 - 9 years