Buffy: An Adventure Story by Bob Graham

Buffy is an assistant to Brillo the Magician but he is not famous. In fact, we see his home is a cardboard box outside the theatre and on the poster advertising the show Buffy's name appears in tiny writing right at the bottom. The trouble is Buffy is becoming more popular than Brillo and so one night he is kicked out into the rain. Yes, it is pure jealousy.

Bookseller blurb: This is an enchanting adventure story about a performing dog. Buffy is a performing dog with HUGE talents. He can play the harmonica, tap-dance and do magic tricks. But when he outshines his master the magician, Buffy is in the doghouse. Kicked out onto the street to fend for himself, Buffy has the blues...until sweet Mary Kelly bursts into his life like a fanfare from Heaven! At last, after all his wanderings, he finds someone who really appreciates his extraordinary talents.

I have been talking about a few Bob Graham books this month because I discovered there are titles I previously had not mentioned here but should have. Buffy was published in 1999, and I well remember reading it to groups of students in my former school library when Buffy was shortlist by the CBCA in 2000 for their Picture Book of the Year award. That copy was a larger format hard cover - mine now is a small format paperback. Sadly, Buffy is now out of print but I am sure you will find a copy in most school libraries here in Australia. In the US Buffy is called Benny.

If you are familiar with Bob Graham books you will recognise the logo on this truck - YES, it is from Max. In fact, there are references to Max in so many other Bob Graham books (like a story within a story) - such as in Ellie's Dragon when Ellie goes to the movies and on the big screen, we see Max. This idea builds on from an earlier one seen in Tales from the Waterhole, where Morris and Billy are seen watching Max on their television. This symbol is also on a tanker truck in Home in the Rain because that is the brand of the petrol station and that same tanker is also seen in A Bus called Heaven.

Companion books:

Three

Mutt Dog

Finding You

The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander

“Do you swear to venture forth bravely and find the answer to any question, 

no matter the challenge?”

If you mashed together Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth you might come close to the plot of this book - such a wild ride. You will turn the pages so quickly as you read this book desperate to see if Lenora can survive all the mayhem.  

The only extra things I would have liked were a library map and perhaps a Dewey decimal chart showing all the library departments where Lenora was sent by the Chief Librarian Malachi. Lenora goes to the calendar room, the map room and the unknown room which actually has information about tardigrades, all the while she is being chased by the enemy who brings darkness. Along the way her status rises and she is awarded new badges. Lenora has to be very mindful of the library motto:

Knowledge is Light

Bookseller blurb: With her parents off traveling the globe, Lenora is bored, bored, bored until she discovers a secret doorway into the ultimate library. Maze like and reality-bending, the library contains all the universe's wisdom. Every book ever written, and every fact ever known, can be found within its walls. And Lenora becomes its newly appointed Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian. She rockets to the stars, travels to a future filled with robots, and faces down a dark nothingness that wants to destroy all knowledge. To save the library, Lenora will have to test her limits and uncover secrets hidden among its shelves.

In the chaos of this story there is also commentary on censorship, the role of libraries as providers of free information, the importance of curiosity, and of course the value of libraries as organised repositories of books, maps, charts, ephemera and so much more. Materials from everywhere and every time period.

"The Forces of Darkness wish to control people, and it is every knowledge that prevents them from doing so. ... They can only rule where there is ignorance, they can only create fear where the truth has been hidden, they can only gain power when the light has been snuffed out. Librarians are their greatest enemy, and we have fought them throughout time, and always will fight them as long as that light burns anywhere, no matter how weakly."

I may not have kept reading this book actually because it all became a little too silly for me but then I took a detour last night and glanced at the Kirkus review. Such is the power of their work that the star they gave The Library of Ever spurred me on to stick with this story although I am not so sure I need to read the sequel. I did enjoy Lenora's common sense, determination, perseverance, and her amazing general knowledge. She certainly adapted well to the roles of Assistant Apprentice Librarian and later Assistant Librarian. 

There are moments in this story that made me smile:

"The tardigrade snarled. 'As far as we tardigrades are concerned, Pluto is and always will be a planet. end of discussion. ...Lenora saw no reason to argue. She had always thought that Pluto seemed like a perfectly fine planet, whatever the adults might tell her. She took out her notebook. Pluto is, always will be, a planet. This she underlined firmly."

"I would like to know,' she said, 'how to find Wales.' 'You've found them,' said the whale. 'We are in fact, beluga whales.' 'Oh,' said Lenora. 'I mean Wales, the place, not whales, the mammal. 'Hmph' replied the whale ... And I suppose you think that just because I am a whale, a mammal, that I automatically know the location of Wales, the place?"

Not the first tale to be set in a universal library but unusually clever in the details and commendably accurate in its own way. Kirkus Star review

At its heart, The Library of Ever is a love letter to librarians and an ode to the importance of access to knowledge and information for everyone. The Winged Pen

Here is a fun interview with the author and the web page for Zeno Alexander. I picked up my copy of The Library of Ever at a recent charity book sale for $2. This book was published in 2019 but it is still available as is the sequel:

Bookseller blurb: Lenora returns to the magical Library—which holds every book ever known on its shelves. But she discovers the Library is under new management, its incredible rooms and corridors turned sinister and oppressive. Lenora quickly connects with a secret resistance that’s trying to free knowledge from the darkness threatening it. Her new friends introduce her to an ancient lost city, hang-gliding, and mathematical beings larger than the universe itself.

Companion books:

The 113th Assistant Librarian

Lost in a Book

The Lost History

Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library

The Lost Library

The Phantom Tollbooth

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

Publisher blurb: Every Monday, Mabel wakes up early and peeks out her window to make sure she didn’t miss the one thing she’s been looking forward to the whole week. She drags her chair down the hallway, past her big sister and Mom and Dad, out the door, and waits. What is Mabel waiting for every Monday? According to Mabel, it’s the best thing in the world. But no one else in her family seems to understand…until they see what’s honking down the street!

Begin with this fabulous page by page exploration of Every Monday Mabel by Travis Jonker at 100 Scope Notes.

Here are a few quotes from this article that resonated with me:

TITLE PAGE - Through this simple image, we understand that Mabel is in her house, and she is waiting and watching for something (something hinted at on the cover of the book).

Turn over two pages - We see that Mabel has grabbed the chair and the light from the window is projecting a large shadow on the wall. This accentuates the “forward” (to the right) progress, and also emphasizes the mystery of Mabel’s task - where is she headed?

Mabel runs past her sister's room - She’s in such a hurry that the “camera” can’t quite catch her, and, importantly, makes it clear that Mabel DOESN’T CARE that her sister doesn’t understand her obsession. She’s on a mission.

Now go back - click my link and keep reading. 

Awards:

• New York Public Library Best Book of 2025
• Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2025
• Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2025
• BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
• NPR Best Book of 2025
• 2025 Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Awards Winner
• Common Sense Media Best Book of 2025
• Smithsonian Magazine Best Children's Book of 2025
• One of the Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids of 2025
• The Children's Book Review Best Picture Book of 2025
• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Most people don’t love Mondays, but Mabel does. Why? Because something very special and exciting happens every Monday morning, in this ode to garbage truck enthusiasts everywhere. Oh, I LOVE this. Seriously, I adore it. Man. I don’t think I’ve been giving Jashar Awan enough attention these last few years. This is a perfect encapsulation of what happens when someone finds that thing that they love and they then proceed to dedicate themselves to it heart, body, mind, and soul. The fact that Mabel’s family doesn’t understand her passion feels so very true, but does she care? She does not! She grabs that cereal, heads out the door, plants herself, and watches what she loves. And talk about a successful ending to the book! This is a book that gives kids, and the things that they love, respect. And on top of all of that, it reads aloud brilliantly. Betsy Bird 31 Days 31 lists

Every Monday Mabel appears on so many favourite 2025 book lists. Today I read it in a city bookstore. Sadly this book is a little too expensive here in Australia but if your budget does allow you to spend a little more money this is a terrific book to share with a preschool group - the final pages are especially fantastic. I have seen it listed between AUS$30 and AUS$47!

Captures the excitement of anticipation, the thrill of yearning realized, and truck love among the young. Kirkus

I was visiting a friend recently and her two-year-old grandson heard the distant sound of the garbage truck driving up their street. I could not hear it at all and nor could his grandmother until it was quite close but this little boy loves these trucks so much (as do heaps of children his age) that he could hear that truck and he knew it was their collection day!

Check out this post from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything where she shares heaps of other books about garbage trucks - you could explore this as a fun mini theme in your preschool.

Finally you MUST pair Every Monday Mabel with the Bluey episode called Bin Night - it is one of my favourites! This episode also talks about phases of the moon and mum offers gentle advice to Bingo about how to make friends with the new kid in her preschool. 

Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell

A spectacular return to a magical world. Kirkus Star review

"Her grandfather's death was not enough. Her father's conviction would not be enough. When she turned eighteen, she would take the throne. She was the heir. She was in his way. Unless she was dead, her uncle would not be king. He had chosen to clear the path. He needed all three of them dead: grandfather, father, child."

The blurb below talks about Christopher returning to the archipelago but the actual focus of this second book is on Princess Anya Phoebe Cornelia Argen. Years ago her mother died but she has spent a happy childhood living with her father in a remote part of the kingdom. Unfortunately she and her father are forced to move back into the castle where young Anya is given training on how to behave as a perfect princess. Her father, Argus, is the first-born son and so when the old King Halam dies, which everyone assumes is years away, he will be crowned kind and then in turn, again decades from now, if her father dies, Anya as the next in line will become the Queen.

I imagine you have guessed that no one has to wait for this. Right from the start I did not trust the second son, brother to Argus - Prince Claude or Uncle Claude. On the night of a huge an important banquet, Halam is found dead and Argus is accused of the murder. Anya knows this has all been set up by her uncle but how can she prove it. In the middle of the night guards arrive ostensibly to take Anya to boarding school but in a scene reminiscent of Snow White, Anya is taken into the forest to be killed.

Anya is not alone in all of this. Yes she will meet up with Christopher and together they will discover the truth about the killing of many dragons but also he will help her return to the castle so she can reveal the truth about Uncle Claude and, as the title tells you, also reveal how he made and used such a deadly poison. Time is of course ticking because Claude plans to execute Argus in just a few days. As well as Christopher, Anya has her loyal gaganas. The Royal Gaganas are large bird with silver claws and beaks of solid gold. They are capable of extraordinary and lasting love and it is clear they will protect Anya. She also meets a Chimaera, a Sphinx, and several unicorns along with many other fabulous 'impossible creatures'. Oh and thank goodness for the skill of the firebirds who have been trained to detect the fainest whiff of any poison. Yes, this does lead to the wrongful imprisonment of Argus but later they are also able to definitely show that Claude has used this poison again on (spoiler alert) Anya herself.

Here are a couple of text quotes:

"There was a smell that she had never encountered before, of something metallic and acrid. He (the king) was still clad in the clothes he had died in, and a fleck of dark purple-red liquid lay on his collar, and another on his beard: a fleck of poison. She took scissors from his desk and cut the piece of cloth from his collar, where the poison had fallen ... even the tiniest amount of the poison might help her identify it, and if she could identify it she'd be closer to knowing who had committed the murder."

"The dragon led them down a long passage, which widened to become the mouth of a cave, vast enough, Anya thought in awe, for a thousand humans. The ceiling was open in places to the sky outside; ... There, at the heart of the cave, were five dragons. They lay like black-and-red carvings of unspeakable beauty; like the final great inventions of a perfectionist god. They did not move. ... It was the site of a massacre."

There are a myriad of characters in The Poisoned King all with distinct personalities and voices. One of my favourites is Meridarpax a Batrachomyomachian mouse and the assistant librarian. He is known as Meri and lives to help people with book finding and information requests. 

"It would be a great relief to me if you would allow me to assist you, given I am the assistant librarian. ... I yearn to be out there, valiantly assisting, but there have been so few opportunities ... "

I also enjoyed the slowly emerging love story between Irian Guinne who is part neried and Nighthand a Berserker. (An illustrated glossary of the creatures can be found in the back of the book).

Here is a link to some discussion questions you could use with The Poisoned King. 

I can hardly express how much I loved this second book in the Impossible Creatures series. Yes, I have read a plot like this before where the second son, who aspires to be the next king, kills his father and is set to kill the next two family members who are in line for the throne but in the hands of Katherine Rundell this story takes on a whole new dimension. 

This is book two in the series but it can stand alone. I read the first book in 2023 and only remembered fragments. I didn't need to re-read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this second installment. I highly recommend you add both of these books to your library (Primary or High School). I visited a city bookstore today and they have a scrumptious hardcover of The Poisoned King with edge or for-edge painting. Even if this book feels outside the genre you usually read please add this book to your to-read  list. The Poisoned King is such a rich and rewarding reading experience. 

You can buy this special edition here for a great price [9781526685452]

Bookseller blurb: The dragons call out, and the ratatoskas tell of murder. Come with us now. There is justice to be done. Return to the magic of the Archipelago... The Poisoned King is the dazzling second book in Katherine Rundell's epic and bestselling Impossible Creatures series. When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months he's dreamed of returning to the Archipelago - the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon's lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a new-hatched chick in her pocket and a ravenous hunger for justice...

You can read a generous text sample here. Katherine Rundell talks about her book here. Listen to an audio sample (read by Samuel West his voice is perfect). 

An absolute, exquisitely written, expertly plotted, emotionally affecting and totally immersive triumph! Love Reading4Kids

The plot is captivating ... YA Books Central

There are moments of high drama, laugh-out-loud humour, wonder and amazement. I love that the librarian in charge of a mysterious long-hidden library is a very wise and knowledgeable harpy – she is clearly of my tribe *grin*. Nighthand’s complete resistance, in fact denial, to the very idea of being in love is highly amusing. Jacques may be a dragon but he always reminds me of Reepicheep – the smallest warrior with the biggest heart as well as his ego. Once again, it is an absolutely marvellous piece of high adventure and fantasy, with so many underlying themes to unpack: loyalty and treachery, greed and generosity, revenge, justice, courage and compassion. Kids' Book review

Here is the cover of the first book:

Impossible Creatures

 In my post about this first book I list all the other books by Katherine Rundell that I have read and loved. I also included further reading about Mythical Creatures.

You could follow the Poisoned King with these:

Small wonder

The Letter for the King

Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish by Judith Rossell

Spud and Snowball are two cats living a comfortable life at home. They enjoy watching television - cartoons or cooking shows and it is fun to hiss at programs that feature dogs. One day they see a television advertisement for a new cat food called Fancy Fish. As with all good adverts this one is very persuasive, and Spud and Snowball are now certain that this food will taste delicious - way better than the Kitty-Bix they currently eat. Spud is a cat of action. She will not wait for someone to supply Fancy Fish - she jumps onto the computer and orders a big box.

Well yes, a big box does arrive and yes inside is a fancy fish but not the expected food - an actual fancy fish in a fish tank and boy oh boy he is bossy and loud. In fact, he in an opera singer named Sir Mimsy Woffle-Poffle-Foffington. I imagine Judith Rossell had so much fun dreaming up that name.

Have you noticed there is a cheeky nod to conventions or rather breaking conventions in this book - Snowball is a boy, Spud is a girl and the opera singing fish is a male/man/tenor or bass singer. I can't think of any other book for kids with an opera singer who isn't a woman. Might be time to introduce Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli or Enrico Caruso to your library group or young reading companion.

So now we have a problem for Spud and Snowball. This bossy cat tells the pair they must work as his butlers and supply him with a tasty snack and then he tells them he needs scenery for his performance and ponies to pull his carriage. This is all too much. Surely it is time for the cats to eat this fish - but fishing for a fish in a fish tank is very difficult especially when neither cat wants to get wet. Luckily they still have that computer - perhaps they can return this unwanted parcel.

Publisher blurb: Meet two cheeky cats in this brand-new illustrated fiction for emerging readers from the bestselling, award-winning creator Judith Rossell. Every day, Spud and Snowball lie on the couch and watch TV. When they see an ad for Fancy Fish, the two cats work out a way to have this new food delivered to their doorstep. But what arrives is totally unexpected… Can Spud and Snowball outwit this loud, bossy and very fancy intruder?

I am sure this book will be a 2026 CBCA Younger Readers Notable title - how terrific to have a book you can share with the youngest children in your school library and with the promise of a sequel. As a bonus mum and dad will enjoy reading this book too. 

This is the start of a new series, and it is such a fun read, perfect for emerging readers, newly confident readers, or anyone who wants a little bit of kitty cat fun. Spud and Snowball is a book that captures the joy of fun and creativity through cool cat characters. It’s going to be fun and cool to see where this series goes. There’s something special and joyful about reading a new series when it first comes out and being part of its journey. The Book Muse

The illustrations are an integral part of the story, sometimes taking a graphic novel format, always full of energy and fun, dominating the pages. The  text in varied fonts and sizes is pitch perfect for beginning readers but middle grade readers will also enjoy the over the top humour. Storylinks

From Readings Melbourne:

Three reasons to read Spud and Snowball:

 

1. Rossell makes books that kids love to read and read again. She’s won big awards for her stories, which are always funny, clever and full of imagination. She also draws the pictures herself, bringing every silly moment and cheeky character to life! Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish continues her brilliant work, with hilarious artwork and cheeky characters that leap off the page.

2. This illustrated junior fiction is designed especially for emerging readers aged 6 and up. With short chapters, lively illustrations, and clear, engaging language, it’s the perfect bridge from picture books to longer stories.

3. Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish is the first book in a brand-new series featuring Spud and Snowball, setting the stage for more quirky, laugh-out-loud adventures. It’s a fantastic way to get kids excited about reading, and eager for the next instalment.

Companion books:

Floof

Scallywag

Flubby

The Three-Legged Cat

Pepper and Boo

Emmie

Jasper and Scruff

Growing Home

Other books by Judith Rossell for older readers:

Book One in the Stella Montgomery series

Withering by Sea

The Midwatch

Spirit of Hope by Bob Graham

When you read a book by Bob Graham it is so important to slow down and notice all the tiny details and also you should plan to re-read each book several times because I am certain you will make new discoveries.

On the half title page of Spirit of Hope there is a tiny toy Noah's ark sitting on a Noah's ark storybook. On the title page we see an industrial scene with one huge factory spewing black smoke and a road filled with various trucks. Zoom in closer and there is also a tiny house with a yellow roof. Turn the page and we move closer to the scene. People, including the Fairweather family, are crossing a bridge across the highway walking with dad to the factory gate. It is dirty work so:

"Six nights a week Dad returned from work. The welcome he received was second to none. Each night he made the journey to the bathroom on his hands and knees. ... Dad washed off the oil from the factory. He scrubbed his nails, ten little black crescent moons in a sea of foam."

Once Dad is clean the games can begin - sailing the high seas on their kitchen table boat with a different child captain each night - Lily or Cecily or Micky or Duggy or Sammy or Mary. Along with Jock the dog, Bumper and Thumper, and Trevor the tortoise."

The Fairweathers have a happy life and weekly delicious picnics down on the dock until ... there is a knock at the door and they are told they have to move. 

Bob Graham often includes rainbows in his stories.

It seems impossible to find a new house until ... Mum sees the toy Mary has been holding. Remember that toy Noah's ark - perhaps their little house can be like a boat and move to a new location. 

The ship at the dock is called Spirit of Hope and mum says "We must not despair.  We must keep up a Spirit of Hope."

If you are in the US there have been minor changes to the text of Spirit of Hope - ginger beer at the picnic is now root beer for example. 

Companion book:

I have been re-reading my collection of books by Bob Graham. I own around 40 of his titles - I have a short list of books still to collect such as Zoltan the Magnificent; The Trouble with Dogs; Ellie's Dragon; Vanilla Ice Cream and The Posey Ring. Spirit of Hope was published in 1993 but I have no memory of reading it to students in my school library. I loved exploring it for this post. 

With Bob Graham books you should look for light and shade and spotlighting; zooming in and zooming out; foreshadowing; cozy rooms filled with shelves of books and soft chairs; families reading books together; clocks and calendars (the one in this book has a lighthouse picture); pets like the rabbits we met in The Wild; scattered toys; and family love.

The Adventures of Pongo and Stink by Lisa Nicol illustrated by Karen Blair

 

"Farmer Nic plonked the scones into Pongo and Stink's gaping mouths. The world immediately stopped turning. Pongo and Stink shuddered beneath their dog suits, barely breathing as a pleasure bomb of flavour exploded inside their mouths; like a fireworks finale erupting in the night sky."
"

Pongo and Stink live a happy life on the farm, but they want more! They want the farmer to give them the same delicious food they see him sharing with his old faithful farm dog such as scones with jam and cream and delicious hot toast and they also want pats and cuddles and to live the high life inside the house. But they are pigs - how can they achieve their dream?

Wait a minute. Rollo is a dog. Surely there is a way Pongo and Stink can disguise themselves as dogs? 

"I'm going to get myself a dog suit! ... It can't be that hard. I can do anything when I set my mind to it.' Stink rolled his eyes. He loved Pongo dearly and although he knew it was important to have faith in yourself, in truth, Pongo was over-confident. Sometimes she was even over-over confident. But while Pongo lived on the fanciful side of the street, she was also bold and fearless and full of ideas. And Stink liked those things about her very much."

What I liked:

• The small hardcover format and the cover along with the larger size print and the full page illustrations
• The dialogue between Pongo and Stink who seem like an old married couple
• The parts of the story where you, as the reader, know more than Pongo and Stink such as when they meet that dog that looks like a Shih tzu (spoiler alert is the fox).
• They way the two pigs just had to give into their piggy natures and take a wallow in mud and dig up all the vegetables and raid the refrigerator 
• When the pigs with their short legs and no spring try to jump into Farmer Nic's truck - that scene is truly funny and could be one you use if you are book talking in your library (Chapter 17)
• The scene where poor old Rollo is trying to round up the sheep and Pongo and Stink wreck everything - made me think of the television show Muster Dogs
• When the zips rust tight shut on their costumes and then the costume store is closed. I laughed when I read the sign that said Mr Waleed had gone away on a seven-month holiday although I wonder how he could afford this since he didn't charge Pongo and Stink any money for those dog suits.
• The trickster ending with the fox in the back of the dog catcher's truck

Things that didn't appeal to me (but kids will like)

• All the references to farts (or toots). One or maybe two would be fine but references like this always make me cringe. I think adding farts to kids' book is just cheap 'toilet humour' - again kids will probably love these parts. 
• The way Rollo, the farmer's dog, knew this pair were not to be trusted but he didn't use his nose to sniff out their fakery.
• Is farmer Nic in need of glasses? Surely these two silly pigs do not look like dogs? Kids will accept this part of course.

You could read this book in your family to children aged 6+ - it has 195 pages, 26 chapters and a large easy to read font with scattered black and white illustrations. Read this review from The Bottom Shelf.

Young readers will enjoy living through the high drama of tantalising highs and devastating lows. And they will chuckle along with the fart jokes, of which I am usually not a fan, but which suit the characters, who politely always say, “Pardon me.”  This book will leave your audience as happy as pigs in mud! Story Links

Thanks to Lisa Nicol who sent me a copy of her book. This book is sure to remind you of Babe (originally The Sheep Pig) by Dick King Smith.

Publisher blurb for Pongo and Stink: Pongo and Stink are FED UP with living in a pigsty. They want to live a life of luxury, all cosy in the farmhouse, getting loving pats from Farmer Nic while eating scones and jam on toast - just like their tormentor, Rollo the dog. When Pongo has the daring idea of dressing up as pups, the two piggies set out to chase their dreams. But will the wily fox scupper their plans? Or will Pongo and Stink discover that to be yourself is the greatest, mud-splattered adventure of all?

An uproariously funny tale about the difficulties of trying to be something you’re not, the power of true friendship and the perils of eating far too much cheese. Read a story extract

In this interview Lisa Nicol talks with Joy Lawn at Paperbark words about the process of writing The Adventures of Pongo and Stink.

This is also a 'grass is greener story' - see if you can find these picture books that explore that theme:

Daisy 

Once upon a small rhinoceros

I have talked previously about books which feature unlikely or contrasting friends. Pongo and Stink are both pigs of course, but they do have very different personalities - optimist or pessimist, carefree or worrier, performer and dreamer.

Here are two other books by Lisa Nicol for readers aged 10+ which I really enjoyed and highly recommend:

Vincent and the Grandest Hotel on Earth

The What on Earth Institute of Wonder

A Place called Perfect by Helena Duggan

About halfway through this book I was sure I would give it five stars but then things became a little too tangled and complicated, so I have settled on four stars. This book is fast paced and so I read it all in one day. I would be very happy to recommend this book to readers aged 10+.

The premise that the whole town is controlled taking away the sight of every citizen and then providing them with special glasses that allow them to see, is intriguing. Yes, the glasses do work, the way people view the world through these lenses has been manipulated and so the people see perfection everywhere in the town of Perfect. And the glasses have another even more sinister function. They contain a device that robs everyone of their imagination. Imaginations are stored in glass jars after being collected late at the night. How did everyone become blind? It is all linked to some special tea which is provided to everyone, every day, several times each day. Even the children in school stop for regular 'tea' breaks. The tea is addictive and delicious because it tastes like your personal favourite flavour. 

There is an issue though with these glasses.  They only work when they are kept on your face. No one would be prepared to wear glasses in bed, so every night there is curfew which is designed to stop people hearing any sounds from the other side of the wall. This is where any people have been sent who haven't conformed to the regime imposed by Edward and George Archer. Why have they set up these schemes to manipulate the people in this town? Of course it is all about power and also we learn it is about jealousy. The people in No-Mans-Land are only allowed out at night and they are guarded by thugs called Watchers. They seem to have lost any urge to rebel. 

Violet becomes caught up in all of this because her father is a skilled ophthalmologist. She has moved with her father and mother to Perfect. Her mother very quickly changes into a 'perfect' person baking cakes and joining community events such as a the local book club but right from the start Violet is suspicious of the brothers, of the tea, and of this seemingly perfect town. 

Meanwhile (spoiler alert) the Archer brothers are working on making or growing eyes (you can see them on the cover). They have this very disturbing plan to operate and transplant these 'special' eyes into everyone. Luckily Violet meets Boy - he is an orphan who lives in No-Mans-Land and he is desperate to uncover the evil work by the Archers. It will take courage, teamwork, and determination to stop these evil men. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat because Helena Duggan makes her reader live through every terrifying situation. There were so many times when I was sure Violet and Boy would be captured and punished by the Archers. 

Publisher blurb (Usborne): Violet never wanted to move to Perfect. Who wants to live in a town where everyone has to wear glasses to stop them going blind? And who wants to be neat and tidy and perfectly behaved all the time? But Violet quickly discovers there's something weird going on in the town - she keeps hearing voices, her mam is acting strange and her dad has disappeared. When she meets Boy she realizes that her dad is not the only person to have vanished... and that the mysterious Watchers are guarding a perfectly creepy secret!

A place called Perfect was published in 2017. I picked up my copy for just AUS$3 at a charity book fair. 

This quirky, creepy mystery adventure story is an original debut that should intrigue 9+ readers who like their stories with an offbeat, uneasy atmosphere.  There are plenty of macabre details, particularly to do with eyes, and some fast-paced action but the plot does become rather over-complicated by the end and readers will need to concentrate.  This book provides plenty of dark humour amidst the action and some key messages about not following the crowd, being brave, looking beneath the surface and resisting controlling bullies.  Books for Keeps

I have now discovered there are three books in the series:

This book opens with a terrific map:

Helena Duggan is a children's author, graphic designer and illustrator from Kilkenny, a medieval town in Ireland, which was the inspiration for A Place Called Perfect. She writes in a treehouse built by her husband Robbie and his brother in the bottom of their garden.

Companion books:

Eventown

Masterminds

Simon Sort of Says