Mysterious suitcases, world record attempts, and alien homework
Some recent children's literature that I've discovered, from picture books to middle grade, plus one bonus young adult book that's next on my TBR pile.
This time of the year is ripe with new releases, and I’ve been reading some beauties, so for this edition of the newsletter, I’m keeping it simple and sharing some of the best children’s books I’ve come across lately.
They are mostly Australian, reasonably new, and widely available in your local bookshops and libraries. There are perfect read-alouds, and a couple that would make great classroom texts for next year. And any one of them would be a stellar Christmas gift. (Are we thinking about that already???)
Here’s the full list before I go into more detail:
Bernie Thinks in Boxes by Jess Horn, illustrated by Zoe Bennett
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald
Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks
Unreal: Can you tell fact from fake? by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Leila Rudge
Please note: This newsletter ended up being too long to fit into a single email! So if you’re not reading this on the Substack app, you may need to click on “View entire message” at some point to open it in your browser…
Bernie Thinks in Boxes is a tender picture book that follows a young girl who is learning to navigating change. It’s about trying to make sense of things in whatever way works for you, and would make a terrific resource for gaining empathy around neurodiversity.
I immediately gave it to a friend who works with Year 1-2 students, and hope it offers them a lot to discuss in the classroom.
Like a lot of kids, I grew up reading the Guinness World Records. I would get the books for Christmas every year, and pour over them endlessly. So, when I came across this new middle grade book by Carla Fitzgerald, I was excited to read about a character who was as obssesed as I had been!
What initially seems like just a fun romp through world record attempts, also offers readers something much deeper to consider. How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five is a touching tale that gently guides kids towards thinking about their self-worth, their individuality, and the idea of humility. I reviewed this one for Books + Publishing, and I have to admit that it took me by surprise!
The final chapter is a tear-jerker with a heartfelt, touching, and well-executed message. Fitzgerald’s sophomore novel is for fans of Nat Amoore or As Fast As I Can by Penny Tangey and proves she has a talent for writing entertaining, well-paced and authentic fiction for children.
Teaching notes and an extract are both available here.
I just love the concept of this book, as it’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. As children, we often don’t see the adults in our lives as actual people, with full, and sometimes surprising histories. I remember the feeling of seeing a teacher at the shops on the weekend and wondering: they exist outside of school? The same goes for parents or grandparents. There is often so much we don’t know about them when we are young. And when we grow up, we sometimes forget to ask, too.
The Suitcase explores this idea to such wonderful effect, with a young boy who discovers treasures and memories in his grandparents’ attic, and wonders who they belong to. It doesn’t even cross his mind that the young, vibrant people in the photographs could be his grandparents, because these days they’re so boring! (Or are they?)
This would make a lovely gift for grandparents, and is a good reminder for young people that maybe there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the grown-ups in their life.
We Live in a Bus is exactly as the title describes: a tale about a family on an extended holiday, travelling and living in a bus. The design is exceptional, and the sentiment will fill families with wanderlust. This is one you’ll want to own your own copy of, and save for special storytimes.
Life is full of surprises when you live in a bus. Everywhere is your home and every day brings something new.
Not a new book, but a new format! I love a board book for resilience against grubby toddler hands, and attempts at page-ripping, and I’m very please to see this favourite from Anna Walker in a more roburst version. Snap! is filled with lively sounds, simple word repetition, and froggy fun. This is a perfect book for nature-loving little ones.
I provided a cover quote for this book, so I can say wholeheartedly that I liked it a lot. It fits so nicely into that genre of middle grade fiction for kids that are nervous about growing up. And Shivaun Plozza is brilliant at what she does.
A relatable and heartfelt story about growing up on your own terms, with plenty of adventure and laughs, too.
Sid, the protagonist, has an authentic voice and is a relatable character, with her awkward mishaps and confusing friendships, complicated family dynamics and anxiety about change. Summer of Shipwrecks would be ideal reading for young people on the cusp of high school or becoming a teenager. I really like that it has an enticing mystery/adventure element alongside the realistic contemporary issues. So many books for this age group are better at one or the other, but this has the best of both worlds.
Teaching notes and an extract are both available here.
Maryam Master has written some of the best Australian middle grade fiction of the last few year —both of her previous novels have been shortlisted and won numerous awards. This new one is sure to achieve the same accolades. Laughter is the Best Ending follows the precocious Zee on her first holiday camp, making new friends and finding herself in the middle of a hair-raising mystery.
The writing is smart and full of energy, and the book includes gorgeous illustrations by Astred Hicks. This is a great one to give to a 9-13 year old who has already read everything, and is looking for something unique and quirky to devour.
Teaching notes are available here.
Fiona Katauskas is an editorial cartoonist for The Guardian, and her work has also appeared in Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and The Age. I’m so thrilled she has turned her hand to middle grade fiction with her wacky debut, Hi From Outer Space.
Alex wants to win the National Young Cartoonist Competition. She's got the talent, but what should she draw? Along comes Hi, an alien from the Planet Wendy. Hi is also working on a project: he has three days to learn about Earth's leaders for his Earth Studies class. Maybe they could help each other?
Soon, Hi's Earthly visit sets in motion a chain of extraordinary events, including a viral TikTok, a shoe-shop haunting and an astronomically wild rock concert.
A cosmically funny story about leaders, followers and friendships that are out of this world.
This is a rollicking read for fans of illustrated books that are equal parts silly and engrossing. It’s imaginative and very, very readable.
Colouring-in sheet available here.
This is a brilliant non-fiction picture book for slightly olders readers, I’d say mid-upper primary. It explores the topical theme of misinformation, fake news, and media literacy—encouraging readers to put their best sleuthing and common sense skills to the test when it comes to deciding what is and isn’t fact.
Kids will have fun guessing which animals and plants are real and which are fake in this extraordinary exhibition of the strange and wonderful animals and plants that inhabit our world ... and our imaginations. And a brilliant guide to help us know what to look for when tracking down truths.
Providing plenty of interactive opportunities for storytime, this book will kick off a lot of further discussion about the world around us, too.
And finally, because there are no young adult books on this list… here is one I’m just about to read! I’ve heard really good things about this debut by Steph Tisdell, and can’t wait to dive in.
Steph Tisdell is a writer, actor and an award-winning comedian. She's a proud Yidinji woman, and her words sparkle with humour, depth and authenticity in this extraordinary debut novel that explores cultural and personal expectations, and responsibilities.
Have you read The Skin I’m In (or any of the other books on this list) and have some thoughts? Comment below!
Get in touch!
Is there a topic you’d like me to cover in a future newsletter? Get in touch at karysmcewen@gmail.com and I’ll see what I can do!
Become a paid subscriber!
Become a paid subscriber ($7 per month / $75 per year) to get access to other subscriber-only content aimed at teachers, librarians, educators and parents.
A paid subscription gets you:
Subscriber-only posts and access to the full archive
Answers to personalised questions, advice and book recommendations
The occasional book giveaway!
The ability to post comments and join the community
I loved the skin I'm in, I think you will enjoy it. I will give the world record book another try on your recommendation. All those picture books are great, but Bernie thinks in Boxes is amazing. Summer of Shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza, Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks and Hi From Outer Space by Fiona Katauskas are in my TBR pile.