What’s the book about?
Millie Mak is now ten, and often feels shy and awkward. But by using her special gift to make handy and beautiful things, Millie befriends residents at the aged care home where her mum works. When the whole school becomes involved in making hats for the residents, a tricky situation arises between Millie’s friends. Millie is a maker – but can she also mend friendships?
Millie also discovers her sewing superpower can attract the attention of important adults. And when she and her friends are invited to be on TV – on Young Hero Hour! – they must work out how to stay true to themselves.
From the creators of Millie Mak the Maker comes further exciting adventures, plus detailed but easy-to-follow instructions to make the beautiful things that feature in the book.
Recommended for:
Ages 8+.
Three reasons to read it:
- Sher Rill Ng’s illustrations bring the world of Millie Mak to life with their vibrant and engaging style. The use of color in Ng’s artworks is particularly striking. The vibrant and carefully chosen color palette enhances the mood of each scene, whether it’s the warmth of a cozy setting or the excitement of an adventure.
- The book is infused with positive messages about kindness, empathy, and the value of helping others. Through Millie’s adventures, readers learn important lessons about the impact of their actions on those around them. These messages are woven seamlessly into the narrative, making them both memorable and meaningful for young readers.
- Millie Mak the Mender continues the adventures of Millie Mak, a young girl who has a special gift to make things beautiful. This sequel delves into themes of personal growth, friendship, and empathy as Millie takes on the challenge of helping others. The narrative beautifully explores how Millie’s efforts to mend not just physical items but also fractured relationships illustrate the power of kindness.
Buy a copy of Millie Mak #2: Millie Mak the Mender here.
About the author:
Alice Pung is the current Artist in Residence at Janet Clarke Hall, the University of Melbourne, and Adjunct Professor at RMIT University’s School of Media and Communication. She is the bestselling author of the memoirs Unpolished Gem and Her Father’s Daughter, and the essay collection Close to Home, as well as the editor of the anthologies Growing Up Asian in Australia and My First Lesson. Her debut novel Laurinda won the Ethel Turner Prize at the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. Her second novel, One Hundred Days, was shortlisted for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award, and has been optioned for a film. She is the author of children’s books including Millie Mak the Maker and Be Careful, Xiao Xin! (ill. Sher Rill Ng), When Granny Came to Stay (ill. Sally Soweol Han) and the Meet Marly books (ill. Lucia Masciullo). Alice was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to literature in 2022.
Sher Rill Ng is a Woi Wurrung/Melbourne-based illustrator. She designed and illustrated for SaaS companies before releasing her first author-illustrated picture book Our Little Inventor in 2019. In 2022, Our Little Inventor was adapted into a children’s opera, composed by Emma Jayakumar and presented by the West Australian Opera. Her work includes middle grade book covers for The Twelve by Cindy Lin, The Rogues by Lian Tanner and Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao. Most recently Sher Rill has illustrated Be Careful, Xiao Xin! written by Alice Pung.
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