The Travelling Bookshop: Mim and the Baffling Bully by Katrina Nannestad illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

Putting the perfect book into the hands of a reader can be such a powerful transaction. Mim's father, Zedekiah, has a knack for this. The small family of Mim Cohen, her dad Zedekiah and brother Nat, travel the countryside in a caravan pulled by a large Clydesdale horse. In this first adventure the caravan has arrived in a small town in The Netherlands.

People from the town are keen to visit the 'shop' and everyone who enters is amazed by the size inside and the way the shelves are bulging with treasures. Zebekiah asks his customers one or two questions and then he reaches onto his shelves and presents each person with a curious book. At first the book seems 'wrong' but in fact each book will prove to be perfect. A lonely person needs to make a friend; a young girl needs help with her difficult family; and most of all Mim and her family need to help a young girl called Willemina in a truly special way. 

I should also mention this book is filled with delicious cakes. You will want to eat cupcakes for breakfast and stroopwafels by the dozen. 

Image Source: Dutch Gezelling

The Travelling Bookshop will be published at the end of July. I suggest you add it to your book order today. This book should be in every school library and it would be a delightful family read aloud too. I highly recommend this book for readers aged 8+. My advance copy did not have all of the art by Cheryl Orsini but I am certain this will be terrific. The beautiful book cover gives you a hint of what is to come. This book is also sure to feature on our CBCA notable and short lists in 2022. Enormous thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance reader copy of this splendid book. 

Katrina Nannestad, in my advance reader copy of this book says: the caravan is "a place where the right book will be put into the right hands, to change a life forever. But of course, every book changes a life in some way, big or small. ... Because books are magic."

The bookshop, created by Katrina Nannestad, reminded me of a shop in London which is housed on a barge called Word on the Water.

Word on the Water, a bookstore on a barge, is truly a book-lovers paradise.  Every nook and cranny of this 100-year-old Dutch barge is stacked with neat rows of new and used classics, cult, contemporary fiction and a large range of children’s books. Customers are welcome to browse the books displayed outside or jump aboard and cosy up with a book by the stove! While books are clearly the star of the show, every inch of this book barge is cleverly used to its fullest potential.

Images:  Word on the Water 

I also remember reading about a bookshop, possibly also in London or New York, where you describe a book you have read or talk about yourself as a reader via a book interview and the shop gathers a small collection of books especially for you. I love this idea. Wish I could remember the name of that shop.

I have loved so many other books by Katrina Nannestad:

The girl who bought Mischief

We are Wolves

Olive of Groves

Are you there Buddha? by Pip Harry

Bee has a lot to navigate. Her mum left the family some years ago to live in an Ashram in India. Kath, the new partner of Bee's dad, is kind and well meaning but Bee resents her role as 'substitute mum'. Bee does not want to wear the same clothes as other girls and she does not want her period to start or her body to change. Bee is a strong swimmer and she is working hard to join the National team. In spite of her prayers to Buddha her period does begin and she feels quite unwell for several days each month. Not to mention the other hassles associated with this for girls and women.

Bee has a best friend. His name is Leon. Bee wants to be his friend not his 'girl friend' but rejecting Leon's advances seem to be putting their sweet friendship in jeopardy.

For the first time Bee is now also noticing how adults behave towards their children. Her rival on the swim team is Laura Dark. Bee calls her the Piranha. Laura seems ruthless in her plan to win but then Bee sees some awful physical abuse by Laura's mum when Laura loses her swimming race. Bee is not sure what to do but it does give her a new perspective on Laura.

So as you can see there is a lot of angst in this book. I did enjoy the verse novel style and the strong, realistic voice of Bee. I also enjoyed the small fragments of Buddhist wisdom. But, I found the references to global warming and climate change slightly unnecessary and 'preachy' and I found Bee's experiences with her period quite confronting.

The main character, Bridget Ballentine who is known as Bee, is 12 years old and in Year Seven in High School. As a rule of thumb I often judge that the readership of a book should match the age of the protagonist.I would suggest this book is for mature readers aged 11 or 12+. Readers in this age group will relate to Bee and they are sure to sympathise with her worries and also cheer over her triumphs.  Over the summer of this story, Bee makes discoveries about herself and she tries out new relationships. I do know younger girls in Primary grades begin their periods too but I think the detailed information about this experience that you will find in Are you there Buddha? is more appropriate for a High School student and I think the cover reflects this too. The scene where her 'period' things fall out of her bag on the bus and into the hands of some older boys is just horrible and I could hardly read the scene where she has an accident and blood shows on her clothes as she walks along the school corridor. These scenes could potentially frighten younger girls who have not reached puberty. 

Pip Harry says "Bee has her foot on the border between being a kid and a teenager - an in between age I've wanted to capture in print for many years. The title references the wonderful Judy Blume classic, Are you there God? It's me Margaret. As much as I adore this seminal novel, I wanted to write a book about puberty that didn't assume all girls were desperate to grow up, fit a bra ad get their period. That certainly wasn't my experience and I imagine it isn't for many other kids out there."

You can read an interview with Pip Harry by Joy Lawn on her blog Paperbark Words. Are you there Buddha? was published today - 30th June, 2021. Thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance reader copy.  I now have a plan to revisit Are you there God? It's me Margaret which was a very controversial book when it was published. Read more about this here.

I loved Pip Harry's previous book The Little Wave.

Astrid Lindgren by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara illustrated by Linzie Hunter

 

"At an early age Astrid fell in love with stories. Growing up in nature, she lived, just as a wild, young girl should, exploring the forest, playing games with her siblings and making mischief. Pippi Longstocking emerged from these experiences and, today, reminds us of the joy of childhood."

Some interesting things about Astrid:

• Her name, before marriage to Sture Lindgren, was Astrid Anna Emilia Ericsson.
• Her first story was published when she was just thirteen.
• Astrid had two children her son Lars a daughter named Karin (my Aunt - Anne Lindgren - named her daughter Karin too)
• Pippi Longstocking was published in 1945.
• Astrid won two Hans Christian Andersen (IBBY) medals.
• There is a planet named 3204 Lindgren!

Have you discovered the Little People Big Dreams series?  There are so many titles. 

"At the beginning the series was first published in Spain as Pequeña & GRANDE by Alba Editorial, and now Little People, BIG DREAMS is translated into more than twenty languages. Maria Isabel likes to think the success of the series relies on the fact that children love to read real stories about other children achieving great things. It gives them the strength and the courage to believe in themselves and dream BIG. As The Independent once said: “What a cool way to drift off to sleep.” Now with more than 3.9 million copies sold worldwide, the series continues to grow and expand, introducing children around the world to artists, trailblazers, and dreamers who each made a big impact in the world around them."

Here are a set of questions to use with Astrid Lindgren and here is a video where you can see the new titles to be released later this year. Read an interview with Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara.

Little People Big Dreams are an excellent and important series of books which are easy to read, colourful, inspirational and accessible for very young readers. Every school library should try to add as many books from this series as their budget will allow. Some new titles to look for include: Iris Apfel; Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Michelle Obama; and Marilyn Monroe. There are so many titles in this series so I picked out a few that interest me:

I am keen to explore the different illustrators who have contributed to this series. Australian illustrator Sophie Beer worked in the book about Elton John. Here are web sites for some of the illustrators:

Zafouko Yamamoto (Greece)

Natascha Rosenberg (Germany)

Beatrice Cerocchi (Italy)

Maxine Lee-Mackie (UK)

Sveta Dorosheva (Ukraine living in Israel)

Featherlight by Peter Bunzl

"There always has to be someone watching the sea and the lantern in case of emergencies. For the rest of the hours of this strange night that person has to be me. For the first time ever, I am by myself in the lighthouse, taking Dad's place on the night watch."

A new baby is due to arrive coming into a family who live in a lighthouse on Featherstone Island. Late one night Deryn's father needs to row her mother over to the town and so Derryn is left alone because someone has to make sure the light keeps burning. The first two nights go well and then her grandmother arrives to help but this is when everything goes wrong. Their oil supplies run out and there is a wild storm and Derryn and her grandmother can see a small fishing boat floundering in the waves.

This story is partly realism and partly magical. During her second night alone Derryn rescues a a small bird that has crashed into the glass of the lantern room. Derryn names the small bird Tan. Derryn tries to feed the tiny creature but it refuses every type of food. Derryn's head is filled with the fairy tales from a book her dad has been reading to her each evening. One story is about the firebird.

"Firebirds would drink the oil from sailor's lamps and then fly above their ships, lighting the way for them."

The Firebird is described as a large bird with majestic plumage that glows brightly emitting red, orange, and yellow light, like a bonfire that is just past the turbulent flame. The feathers do not cease glowing if removed, and one feather can light a large room if not concealed. Wikipedia

Could Tan be a firebird? How can Derryn and her grandmother restore the light and rescue the people in the small boat? Perhaps there is a way Tan can help?

This book is perfect for readers aged 9+. It is a short book with just 90 pages and it has a really good pace. Barrington Stoke do an excellent job of creating very satisfying stories written by skilled UK authors such as Peter Bunzl (Cogheart; Moonlocket; Skycircus; and Shadowsea).

It would be great to share a version of The Firebird story after reading Featherlight but I have not had much luck locating one apart from a few that have been written for reading schemes. I am guessing you might find this fairy tale in an anthology. I did find this four minute video story. Jane Yolen does have a picture book based on the ballet published in 2002.

Twitch by MG Leonard

 

"He'd woken up feeling like he had a jigsaw puzzle in his head that wouldn't let him do anything else until he had fitted all the pieces together. Who was Billy? ... Why had Billy told him he was a birdwatcher, when he didn't know the difference between a swift and a sparrow? Why was everyone lying to him? It seemed to be a puzzle hinging on birds. He wondered, was it anything to do with the jailbird who was hiding in Briddvale?"

Who are the baddies? Who can you trust? Is there anyone who is telling the truth?

A notorious bank robber has come to Aves Wood. The robber is purported to be looking for five million pounds which have been hidden in this huge natural area. Twitch (real name Corvus Featherstone) loves to roam around in Aves Wood. The dreadful bullying he experiences at school and his loneliness since the death of his grandfather mean he feels most at home in the little hide he has made in the wood. From his hide he can watch the birds he loves. At home, his love of birds continues with four pigeons; three chickens and a family of swifts. The holidays have begun and Twitch has plans to train his two younger pigeons to fly home but now the woods are swarming with police and Twitch also has to be extra careful to avoid the bullies from school and keep his own special hideout a secret. 

Jack and his gang attack Twitch on the last day of school forcing a worm into his mouth. Luckily a stranger intervenes. Briddvale is a small place. Twitch has never seen this man before but Billy explains he has come to area to look at the birds. Twitch is delighted to find a fellow bird enthusiast but should he share so much information with a stranger. Then there is Jack who somehow tries to convince Twitch that he is not a bully, that he is also interested in birds and that he just wants to be a friend. Again should Twitch trust his former enemy and has he told Jack too much? And who are the two young girls he keeps seeing roaming around Aves Wood? 

This is just one of those really, really good books that is very readable, with a great story and characters you're interested in and care about. It's written perfectly, with a good pace to the plot, and a lovely warmth to it throughout.  The Book Bag

I read this book in almost one sitting. YES it is that good. I adored previous books by MG Leonard - Beetle Boy and Beetle Queen. 

In Twitch the action just races along and I loved the way MG Leonard gives tiny hints, some of which are very misleading, about who to trust and exactly what is going on. The character of Twitch reminded me of Carl Hiaasen books such as Hoot; Scat; and Flush. 

If you are looking for another book with a central character who loves birds you should also look for The Someday Birds.

Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds - exploring short listed book creators part 2

 

This is my fourth post for the 2021 Book Week celebration. In this post I will focus on the body of work of the Authors and Illustrators who are featured on the Picture Book of the Year short list. Make sure you take advantage of the amazing work of the CBCA which you find on this site. Click on the "Read More' tab for each book to see the CBCA Judges comments; reviews; author/illustrator links and more.

Freya Blackwood The Unwilling Twin

Freya has worked with some of the biggest names in Australian children's literature - Mem Fox; Libby Gleeson, Margaret Wild and the late Jan Ormerod. I especially love her two books which feature the poems of Banjo Patterson. Did you know the US version of Amy and Louis had a different title - Half a World away. Freya has also done three books as author and illustrator. My most favourite book illustrated by Freya is My Two Blankets. This book was featured by two Canadian academics at an IBBY (USBBY) conference in Seattle and I was pleased to include this book when I spoke at the Texas Book Festival. I also love the power of her illustrations in My Two Summers.

Meg McKinlay and Matt Ottley How to make a bird

Meg McKinlay has some terrific picture books many of which are sure to be in most Australian Primary school libraries.  I had a colleague who loved to read 'The truth about Penguins' (not pictured).

In this video Matt talks about How to make a Bird.

Here are my two favourite Matt Ottley titles and below this is a collage of other gems worth finding in a well stocked school library:

Philip Bunting Not Cute

Philip Bunting has over 25 books covering diverse subjects. His work is underpinned with extensive research but presented with a light touch and tons of humour. Here are some of his animal titles which you could compare or read alongside Not Cute.

Here is Philip's newest book due at the end of July.

And here a few more of his books:

Bob Graham Ellie's Dragon

Take a look at my post about Ellie's Dragon. Bob Graham cross references so many of his previous books - Let's get pup; Home in the Rain; Max; A bus called Heaven; Dimity Dumpty; Queenie the Bantam; How to Heal a Broken Wing; Jethro Bird Fairy Child; and The Poesy Ring. Here are some of my own favourite books by Bob Graham. His books have been short listed by the CBCA multiple times and he has won awards with the CBCA eight times. Jethro Bird, Fairy Child won the prestigious Kate Greenaway medal in 2002.

Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala Your birthday was the best

I love I saw Pete and Pete saw me by Maggie Hutchings. I expected it to be short listed this year. It did make the Notable list. Maggie is the author of Fairy, Unicorn, Mermaid, and Dragon illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.

Felicita Sala, who lives in Rome, has a very impressive body of work and a number of international awards. Here are a few of her books:

I am keen to see this book series by Ellen Potter illustrated by Felicia. Each book has around 140 pages which is a terrific length for a easy chapter book.

Gabriel Evans Norton and the bear

Western Australian author/illustrator Gabriel Evans has six book including his sequel to Norton and the Bear - Norton and the Borrowing Bear which is due out in September and his new book Little One (by Jane Godwin) will be published at the end of July. By the way several book seller sites list Little One as 320 pages but it is in fact a 32 page picture book!