Spread magic, not germs: August highlights at Better Reading Kids

Although our world seems smaller and the pace of some parts of our lives seems slower the year is racing by. As August draws to a close we can feel the days lengthen. The extra daylight lifts our spirits.  Family members vie with dogs and cats for the sunny spaces behind the glass where it is possible to curl up and quietly read while warming numb toes.

During August we connected with our friends in Melbourne who are experiencing tougher restrictions than elsewhere in Australia. Author and illustrator Jess Racklyeft gave us some insight into life in lockdown as a young mum and creative.  Leesa at The Little Bookroom has been very busy helping everyone #spreadmagicnotgerms while ensuring the books keep flowing. Author Adrian Beck invited us into his living room and found the bright side with author and musician Josh Pyke and illustrator and comedian Scott Edgar.

We prepared for Father’s Day, found magic in superheroes and islands, and got sucked into a story within a story within a story within a story. Two coming-of-age novels grabbed our attention, both with themes that explored diversity and the nature of truth, fear and love. Enjoy this summary of our August new release highlights.

The Daddy Animal Book by Jennifer Cossins

 The Daddy Animal Book explores the world of fathers and their offspring through cute animal illustrations and encyclopaedic facts. This book is sure to spark conversations about difference and similarities between humans and animals. Educational and entertaining.

Perfect for Daddy or Grandad to read aloud with little ones. Discover an amazing range of father/child relationships in this tiny book, superbly sized for little hands to hold. Just in time to send to someone special for Father’s Day!

Check out other Father’s Day ideas here.

 Beady Bold and the Yum-Yams: Monty’s Island 2 by Emily Rodda, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford                                                                     

Monty and his friends inhabit an island and rely on Trader Joe to bring regular supplies and trading opportunities. But there is trouble in paradise when sneaky, greedy Beady Bold comes to the island and threatens the survival of the islanders in more ways than one! The islanders band together to defeat their foes, relying upon each other in ways that seem very similar to challenges we are all facing today.

Emily Rodda creates loveable characters and dastardly rogues in a story that is perfect for reading aloud and discussing together. Lucinda Gifford’s illustrations add humour and context for beginning readers 6+.

Pizazz by Sophy Henn                                

Pizazz is a small girl in a family of superheroes. She has a superpower that she doesn’t like to talk about because, well, it’s embarrassing. It’s not easy being super: even though it’s awesome, it can also be very annoying. Sometimes Pizazz just wants to be normal.

We love girl superheroes especially when they rally the community to save a local park, plus still have time to dash off and save the world. Sophy Henn’s entertaining illustrations bring an extra dimension of fun to this chapter book suitable for readers 7+

 Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

Rowley is writing a fantasy book but his business manager can’t help meddling with the plot and characters. Do good guys make for interesting storylines? Does romance have a place in adventure stories? Will the hero’s quest be fulfilled?

Jeff Kinney knows what makes us laugh and he never misses an opportunity to hit our funny bone with his words and his simple illustrations. There are layers of humour at play here that will appeal to children and adults. Multiple allusions to iconic stories in this story-within-a-story make for great fun. Magic and mayhem from the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. A kind-hearted romp through the fantasy formula for readers 8 +

 Rebel Gods by Will Kostakis

Connor, Sally and Locky are newly appointed gods, still learning about their power and their purpose. To stop the rebel gods from destroying the world, and each other, they must learn more about fear and love, whilst grappling with big decisions that test their courage, loyalty and personal values.

Will Kostakis writes brilliant fantasy for today’s teens, mixing contemporary concerns and issues with a quest to save the world from jealous gods. This is the second book in the Monuments duology and brings this epic tale to an unexpected conclusion.  Page-turning drama for readers 12+

Will is a champion for increased diversity in children’s literature, to ensure that today’s teens see themselves reflected in what they read. We recorded a podcast with him recently which was enlightening and thought provoking. Listen to our podcast with Will here.

 The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff                              

Another perfectly languid summer holiday lies ahead, with a fabulous wedding planned for its conclusion. The cosy dynamic is changed by the arrival of two brothers. Will everyone fall under Kit’s entrancing spell? What will transpire as Hugo’s true self is slowly revealed? This summer will change many lives and no-one will ever be the same.

Award-winning author Meg Rosoff returns to young adult fiction with a stunningly languid and sensual novel that beguiles the reader, creating an atmosphere of hazy summer torpor and slyly manipulative deceit. This is an irresistible coming-of-age story for todays’ teens.