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Children's and YA book reviews and interviews

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Feature

Paper, scissors, glue: Jennifer Higgie on ‘There’s Not One’

Sweet rhymes: Joel Moore on ‘Mulga’s Magical Musical Creatures’

Feature review

There's Not One
Jennifer Higgie, Scribble, September 2016, reviewed by Anica Boulanger-Mashberg

Picture books

Agatha and the Dark
Anna Pignataro, The Five Mile Press, October 2016, reviewed by Thuy On

Agatha is a cute half-pig, half-bear hybrid who likes wearing a red, hooded coat—just like Little Red Riding Hood, although Agatha is not happy with the bit in the story... Read more

The Gobbledygook and the Scribbledynoodle
Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting, illus by Tom Jellett, Viking, October 2016, reviewed by Isobel Moore

Small children clamour for repeat reads of their favourite books, and authors Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting will have some very relieved parents on their hands with the release of... Read more

Hello, Sydney!
Megan McKean, Thames & Hudson, October 2016, reviewed by Louise Pfanner

Fifteen of Sydney’s favourite locations, for tourists and residents alike, supply the backdrop for this spot-and-find adventure by designer Megan McKean. All the icons are featured—the Sydney Opera House, the... Read more

If I Was a Banana
Alexandra Tylee & Kieran Rynhart, Gecko Press, October 2016, reviewed by Sophie Teague

Oh, how I wish to be ‘yellow and fat and full of banana’! At least, that’s how I feel after diving into the world of an inquisitive young boy in... Read more

Molly & Mae
Danny Parker, illus by Freya Blackwood, Little Hare, October 2016, reviewed by Amy Nicholls-Diver

Molly & Mae is a sweet picture book that follows two girls, Molly and Mae, on a train journey. The journey symbolises the path of friendship, winding its way through... Read more

Mulga’s Magical Musical Creatures
Joel Moore (Mulga), Lothian, October 2016, reviewed by Suzanne Garcia

A creative mogul in the making, Sydney-based mural artist and poet Joel Moore has made his Mulga alias a brand name with a clothing label and illustration work for companies... Read more

Shiver Me Timbers!
Oakley Graham, illus by Nina Caniac, Big Sky Publishing, September 2016, reviewed by Louise Pfanner

This is a rollicking tale about a crew of pirates led by the peg-legged, hook-handed Captain Black. They sail the high seas looking for treasure, through typhoons and storms, past... Read more

Spark
Adam Wallace, illus by Andrew Plant, Ford Street, October 2016, reviewed by Phe Luxford

A small fire is born of a careless act. Spark is thrilled by his new found energy but, coaxed by his friend Wind, the fun gets out of hand and... Read more

That's Not a Hippopotamus
Juliette MacIver, illus by Sarah Davis, Gecko Press, September 2016, reviewed by Margaret Hamilton

This book begins with a class visit to a zoo. The children are told by the guide that they have every kind of animal, but the children quickly realise that... Read more

Younger readers

The Twins of Tintarfell
James O'Loghlin, Pan, September 2016, reviewed by Hannah Cartmel

The Twins of Tintarfell is James O’Loghlin’s third novel for kids following The Adventures of Sir Roderick, The Not-Very Brave (2014) and Daisy Malone and the Blue Glowing Stone (2015).... Read more

Young adult

The Book of Whispers
Kimberley Starr, Text, October 2016, reviewed by Lian Hingee

Luca is the young heir of the Conte De Falconi, destined to take over responsibility for his father’s lands and also the ancient Book of Whispers, a mysterious tome that... Read more

Elegy
Jane Abbott, Random House, September 2016, reviewed by Jordi Kerr

The locals call Kincasey ‘Short Town’—no matter what you expect from it, it always comes up short. In this stereotypical Australian country town, rife with gossip and misogyny, the local... Read more

Goldenhand
Garth Nix, A&U, October 2016, reviewed by Holly Harper

Fans of Garth Nix will be delighted to return once again to the world of the ‘Old Kingdom’ series, with Goldenhand plunging the reader straight back into where Abhorsen left... Read more

Our Chemical Hearts
Krystal Sutherland, Penguin, October 2016, reviewed by Bec Kavanagh

When Henry Page meets Grace Town it’s not exactly love at first sight, but he is immediately drawn to her. Grace is beautiful and damaged and mysterious—she walks with a... Read more

Guest Q&A

Meet the 2016 Inky Awards judge: Cassandra

Meet the 2016 Inky Awards judge: Brynnie

Meet the 2016 Inky Awards judge: Tom

Meet the 2016 Inky Awards judge: Meleika

Meet the 2016 Inky Awards judge: Ben