Book Review: Cargo is Ready to Go! by Paul Dekmetzian

 The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck

Cargo is Ready to Go!

by

Paul Dekmetzian

Publisher:SelfPublished

Publication date: 29th August 2022

Series: The Adventures of Cargo #3

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 26

Format: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the author

My review of Cargo is Ready to Go!

Cargo is Ready to Go is book 3 in the delightful and engaging Cargo series.

In book 3 Cargo teaches children about being prepared before any outing. Cargo always checks his oil, water, fuel and tyres before he goes out. What do you check before you go to school?

The stories are narrated by Cargo which gives him a personality of his own. The book offers a great opportunity to discuss being organised and prepared before you go out and ways you can be more prepared. 

What do you need for school, the beach, going fishing or camping? Filled with full spread illustrations to complement each setting. There is much to discuss in these gorgeous illustrations. 

Cargo also talks about what happened to him one day when he wasn't prepared.

I can see these stories 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. 

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

 

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: Timeless by Kelly Canby

 Timeless

by

Kelly Canby

Publisher: Fremantle Press 

Publication date: 1st Feb 2023

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU Hardcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

My review of Timeless

This is such a fun story about "time". We never have enough of it, time flies by, yet sometimes it seems to stand still.

 

Emit is a young boy fascinated by time. The story follows Emit as he tries to capture time as he unravels sayings, literally.

If time flies maybe he can catch it with a net or if time passes you by, maybe if he stood still he would see it go by.

 

We found it fun to think of all the sayings that involve time; too much of it or not enough of it.

 

The gorgeous watercolour illustrations are busy on the page and there is a lot to take in. In contrast the text is simple and spare which made it easy for the children to connect with the story.

 

Timeless by Kelly Canby is a story that will delight any child. We have read it over and over.

 

The beautiful illustrations inspired Dot and Jay to create their own watercolour washes.

 

 

 

Instructions:

On white paper draw the desired picture or design with a white crayon or a candle. Use a little pressure so you get plenty of wax on the paper. (you won't be able to see the design).

 

Mix poster paint with plenty of water so it's not to dark and paint over the  entire page. Your picture will appear like magic! 🖌

About the author

Kelly Canby is an internationally published illustrator and author. Kelly was born in London, but has lived in Australia since the age of three, which is probably around the same age she started playing with pencils and crayons, and it was probably only a few years after that that she decided playing with pencils and crayons was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Owl and Star by Helen Milroy

 Owl and Star

by

Helen Milroy

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 5th October 2022

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AUD Hardcover

Source: Courtesy of the Publisher

 

My review of Owl and Star 

Owl and Star is a story of how the sun, moon and stars are all connected in the universe working together.

Owl likes to watch the stars rise in the sky every night but when his favourite little star doesn't shine one night he knows he must use all his strength to help little star finds its place in the night sky.

Taken from the notion in Indigenous storytelling that everything in the universe is alive and in relationship, Helen Milroy has written a calm and tranquil tale with subtle messages about caring for the universe.

Owl and Star is filled with vibrant and enchanting full spread illustrations with bright and lively artwork featuring traditional colours pulled from the land and water.

Owl and Star is a wonderful bedtime read giving both children and adults a chance to slow down and reflect on the simple pleasures in life. Make time to stop and see the stars!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She was born and educated in Perth. Helen has always had a passionate interest in health and wellbeing, especially for children. Helen studied medicine at the University of Western Australia. She is currently a professor at UWA, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Board Member with Beyond Blue and the AFL's first indigenous Commissioner.

 

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.