more on the poo conversations, getting a handle on how bodies work and how society works

/
more on the poo conversations, getting a handle on how bodies work and how society works

After the scatalogical (poo) books post was published, several people asked fun (and serious) questions through our 'ask us' page. So I thought I'd expand on what was written earlier. Why poo books?  Because poo is funny! Especially if you’re developing a sense of humour and trying to understand how bodies work and how society works. It’s taboo but harmless, gross but universal and embarrassing but safe....

Read More

My Two Blankets: the transforming power of friendship

/
My Two Blankets: the transforming power of friendship

My Two Blankets is a charming story about a young girl who ‘came to this country to be safe’ and the way she was able to reclaim a safe, happy and loved childhood. Positive, enlightening, it engages on many, many fronts.

ages early childhood to teen

Read More

a poignant look at growth that follows the storms and trials of a life well lived

/
a poignant look at growth that follows the storms and trials of a life well lived

ages 8 years to grownup

"Carefully, she unties the string and folds back the brown paper. Inside the parcel is a pine cone."

Based on a true story, Lone Pine tells of a young soldier who is at Lone Pine with his brother while yet another brother is also at war elsewhere. The young soldier survives, but his brother doesn’t. 

This is tough stuff. It’s poignantly told and is full of sadness.  But out of the sadness there is also hope and love. The soldier sends a pine cone from Lone Pine to his mother. She treasures it of course and puts it away where it lies "not quite remembered, not quite forgotten." [The story is set in Australia and Turkey]

Read More

the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

/
the beauties and agonies of separation and connection, hope and fear, home and war

ages 5 years to grownup
Set in Australia. There’s something special about Anzac Day—the cool early morning spent standing with a crowd at the Dawn Service, family breakfasts, and of course Anzac Biscuits to nibble on all day.

And the sense of privilege and peace that comes with living in a free and protected country.

As is true of all war stories, Anzac Biscuits is pretty horrific, but a story that must be told: to remember history, to notice everyday blessings and to understand sacrifice. It does a particularly lovely job of the noticing everyday blessings and understanding sacrifice parts. 

Read More

the joys of coming home from far away places, geographically or symbolically

/
the joys of coming home from far away places, geographically or symbolically

ages 8 years to teen
For non-Australian readers: Along the Road to Gundagai is much-loved folk song written in 1922 and Gundagai is a small town a couple of hours inland from Canberra (Australia’s capital city). It’s a lovely memorable tune and in this book it’s given a whole new (and solemn) slant.

Here, it’s a young soldier musing on the words to the song and the completely beautiful illustrations show scenes from home and scenes of war.

Read More

how ordinary people doing good things led to powerful, enduring wartime bonds

/
how ordinary people doing good things led to powerful, enduring wartime bonds

ages 4 years to grownup

"They didn't even know us," said Adele. "But they died trying to help us."
Henri thought of his new soldier friends.

Do Not Forget Australia tells a true story through the eyes of a young, fictional French boy, Henri. His village, Villers-Breetonneux, was all but destroyed by the first ever tank battle between the British and the Germans. The Germans won, but Australian brigades followed the British and won the town (on 25 April, 1918 – Anzac Day). 

Read More