Nine-year-old Millie Mak has discovered she has a superpower!
Using everyday objects, Millie turns them into something new, beautiful and useful. Who would ever think that a sunhat could be made from an old bedsheet, a skirt from a tea-towel, or some hair scrunchies from a scarf?
Through her creativity and clever thinking, Millie also deals with different friendships, tricky family challenges, and contributes to the school fete.
You can make the special objects Millie creates from the detailed and yet easy-to-follow instructions included in the book. And best of all, nothing needs to be bought!
From award-winning author-illustrator team Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng, Millie Mak the Maker is the first book in an inspiring new series for young and old makers. BR Kids readers first fell in love with this powerhouse duo through their bilingual, award-winning picture book, Be Careful, Xiao Xin!, published last year. This new series is brimming with the same warmth, diversity and insightfulness, this time for older, independent readers to enjoy.
Book #1 in this gently thought-provoking new series is actually two shorter stories in one, making the accessible book even more approachable for newly independent readers. Each narrative follows protagonist Millie on an everyday adventure of discovery and creativity. While she’s certainly flawed and relatable, Millie’s determination, and her ability to reflect on and learn from her mistakes, make her a wonderful role model for young readers. Plus, her passion for making is infectious!
Millie is supported by a host of memorable, nuanced characters from diverse cultural backgrounds, ages and walks of life. Readers young and old will have no trouble finding a close affinity to one or more of them! This diverse community allows Pung to explore a range of important issues that affect Australian kids, things like communicating values across generations and cultural differences within families, and experiences of racism at school. It’s so wonderful to see such authentic representations of and for kids, which for so long have been missing from Australian publishing.
Ng’s black-and-white illustrations are absolutely breathtaking. Her expressive sketches punctuate every page of Pung’s text, and immersive full-bleed scenes are scattered generously throughout. While reading, I often found myself compelled to pause on these pages, taking in the intricate details before returning to Pung’s flow of words.
The absolute icing on the cake is the way this series encourages young readers to get involved! Each story ends with step-by-step instructions for a range of accessible, low-waste maker’s projects that directly relate to the preceding narrative. Kids will love mirroring their storybook heroine by making a range of handy objects, from sleeve savers to headbands!
If you’re looking for a heartwarming and intelligent book for inquisitive kids aged 8+, look no further. I can’t wait to see what Millie Mak makes next.
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