May 2021 Books

MAY 2021 BOOKS
Picture Books
Bear and Rat
PICTURE BOOK OF THE MONTH
Bear and Rat by Christopher Cheng & Illustrated by Stephen Michael King
A powerful and uplifting story about loving friendship, even through the hardest of times.Bear and Rat are the best of friends who do everything together, but Rat wonders if Bear will always be there to hold her hand, no matter what happens…
Common Wealth by Gregg Dreise
“Common Wealth” takes the words from our anthem and turns them into a vision for the future. Through the use of slam poetry, award-winning First Nations creator Gregg Dreise’s book is a call for unity and togetherness at a time when division is prevalent.

Arno And His Horse by Jane Godwin & Illustrated by Felicita Sala

Arno had a horse, it was brown and it was black. He took it with him everywhere, but did he bring it back? When Arno loses his precious toy horse, all the kids in town help him to look for it. They look everywhere, but will Arno ever see his horse again?A touching story about memory, dreams, and the mysterious ways we feel connected to those we love.

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A Human for Kingsley by Gabriel EvansA Human for Kingsley by Gabriel Evans

Kingsley had decided to own a human. This was not a decision to be taken lightly. After all, owning a human is a responsibility. But finding the right kind of human is much harder than Kingsley expected. Some are too bossy. Some are too busy. And some just don’t seem to appreciate a dog the way they should. Will Kingsley ever find a human that is exactly right? A sweet, tender and deeply funny story about the power of friendship, and one dog’s mission to find his perfect person.

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Pear of Hope by Wenda Shurety & Illustrated by Deb Hudson

Anna loves the old pear tree that lives at the bottom of the garden. When she becomes seriously ill, her relationship with the tree provides comfort and peace on her journey, particularly when she plants a seed from one of the tree’s pears.Pear of Hope is the story of a little girl with cancer and her tale of recovery. This is intertwined with the growth of a pear tree, which symbolises the enigmatic concept of hope. Told through sensitive words and gentle, beautiful illustrations, the story will comfort and inspire any children who are struggling to feel positive, whatever journey they may be on. Discover more

Daisy and Bear and the Very Ordinary Day by Haylee Hackenberg & Illustrated by Bianca Pozzi

Daisy and Bear live in a small house. They do the same ordinary things every day. Or do they? Follow the adventures of this delightful brother and sister duo as they find the sparkle and fun in the daily routine of family life.With charming pencil illustrations by Bianca Pozzi, this is a delightful book that values innocence, imaginative play and love. Discover more

 

 

I’m Fabulous Crab by Nicki Greenberg

Henry the hermit crab is done with his dull life on the dim ocean floor. He wants glamour and drama! He wants dazzle and splash! He wants to be known as Fabulous Crab! But when Fab bedazzles himself in a bit too much bling, he might have landed himself in deep water…I’m Fabulous Crab is a sparkling spectacle of a story about embracing who you are and wearing your true colours (and a touch of glitter) with pride. Discover more

 

 

 

Fiction Books 

PRIMARY FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH

Emily Vanda’s Button Box by Emily Rodda (Fantasy/Ages 7+)

From the author of the award-winning His Name was Walter comes another magical mystery story that will delight Emily Rodda fans. Buttons three, attend to me! Take me where I want to be! No one saw Eliza Vanda arrive in Tidgy Bay that rainy winter afternoon. The sign advertising ‘Cabins for Rent’ was almost hidden by a pile of builder’s rubble, but Eliza Vanda didn’t seem at all put out by the mess. ‘This is a nice little pocket,’ she said. ‘It should suit us very well.’ Life hasn’t been much fun for Milly Dynes lately. There seem to be problems everywhere she looks. She’s always loved her home in Tidgy Bay, but at the moment she wishes she was somewhere -anywhere – else. Then Eliza Vanda turns up-and magic comes with her… A sparkling new fantasy adventure from multi-award-winning author Emily Rodda. Discover more 

Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows by Denis Knight and Cristy Burne (Fantasy/ Ages 8+)

In a world of magic, can science save the day? Wednesday Weeks never wanted to be a sorcerer’s apprentice. She’d rather study science than magic. But when her cloak-wearing, staff-wielding grandpa is captured by a power-hungry goblin king, Wednesday must find a way to embrace her magical heritage and rescue him from the dreaded Tower of ShadowsLuckily, she’s not alone. Her best friend Alfie is a prime-number fan and robotics expert who’s all-in on Wednesday’s epic plan involving parallel universes, swords of power, and a wise-cracking talking skull. But it’s going to take more than science, magic, and the world’s cutest robot to take down this bad guy. Because the goblin king is playing for the ultimate prize – and Wednesday and Alfie just walked into his trap…Discover more

 

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr (Realism/ Ages 9+)

Meixing Lim and her family have arrived at the New House in the New Land, inherited from First Uncle who died tragically and unexpectedly while picking oranges in the backyard. Everything is vast and unknown to Meixing and not in a good way, including the house she has dubbed Big Scary. She is embarrassed by the second-hand shoes given to her by the kind neighbours, has trouble understanding the language at school, and with fitting in and making new friends. Her solace is a glasshouse in the garden that inexplicably holds the sun and the moon and all the secrets of her memory and imagination. Her fragile universe is rocked when tragedy strikes and Ma Ma refuses to face the world outside. Meixing finds herself trapped within the shrinking walls of Big Scary. Her parents said this would be a better life for them all, but it feels like the worst and most heart-breaking experience of Meixing’s entire existence. Surviving will take all the resilience and inner belief of this brave girl to turn their world around. Discover more 

 

Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman (Historical/Fantasy Ages 10+)

An exciting collaboration from two of Australia’s favourite middle-grade authors. Cat and Fanny have never met. They both live in the same Sydney suburb, but in different worlds, or at least different times – Cat in current-day Sydney, and Fanny in 1908. But one day, time slips and they swap places.As each girl lives the other’s life, with all the challenges and confusion it presents, she comes to appreciate and understand herself and the role of swimming in her own life. Narrated in alternating chapters by Cat and Fanny, Elsewhere Girls is a moving and funny story of two girls with a deep connection, one based on the Australian Olympic champion, Fanny Durack. It’s a fresh and engaging exploration of the challenges and pressures for young women growing up in the past and today. Discover more 

 

Night Ride into Danger by Jackie French(Historical/ Ages 10+) 

Six mysterious passengers and seven dark secrets. Who can be trusted? It’s a dark and dangerous journey for the Cobb and Co night mail coach, but when his coach-driver father is injured, young Jem Donovan must take the reins. Surely a boy like Jem can’t handle a team of four horses and guide the coach on a rough bush track through fog and untold dangers? But there are six passengers on the coach tonight, each with a secret. And if Jem can’t get them all to their destination by morning, the seventh secret could be deadly. Discover more

 

Have you had the chance to read any of these new books? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading, Yvette.

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