The Ever-Changing Earth by Grahame Baker-Smith

This book covers the enormity of the formation of the earth and the beginnings of life. Because this is such a huge topic, Grahame Baker-Smith helps his younger readers by focusing on two children who live in very different places. These children are connected, however, because they both live on our planet and they both benefit from the wonders of nature. Kun loves dinosaurs so this is our starting point but we do need to go back further to understand the beginnings of our earth. Solveig lives in a different part of the world and for her the marvel she enjoys is the spectacle of the northern lights. 

When you share this book with your class or library group or young reading companion notice these beautiful expressive phrases:

• "Millions of years ago the sky boomed with the wild beat of Pterosaur wings ..."
• "Strange birds opened beaks stippled with tiny rows of teeth filling the branches with the first birdsong."
• "The young planet was under seige, pounded by comets and rocks. It was a world of flames and boiling seas of lava."
• "Each bubble was like a tiny kiss of life for the creatures that were yet to come."
• "Pristine, pale, silent. It might have stayed like that forever if not for the volcanoes."
• "And in darkness, deep beneath the secretive ice, life had clung on."

Baker-Smith prevents his narrative becoming an abstract of history by introducing his two young protagonists, Kun and Solveig. They live far apart, experiencing different aspects of the world, yet connected. It is a simple device to engage the young reader in this extraordinary – and challenging  – story.  There is nothing cosy as the reader opens the book to an image of a fiery ball whirling in space. We follow its violent evolution to close the back cover where the image of that blue planet floats serenely in its galaxy; as serenely as Solveig watching the Northern Lights in a lake warmed by the earth’s core or Kun feeding the birds who were once dinosaurs.  Books for Keeps

My photo (top image) doesn't do this cover any justice. The waterfall is made from tinsel like glitter - this is a book children will want to explore! and discuss. 

Dedication: "Words cannot do justice to the majesty and generosity of the world we share with all the extraordinary creations of its vibrant and mysterious nature. I am grateful for every day I have here, grateful to be a part, as we all are, of its incredible and ancient story."

A brief meditation on our planet’s long and generally violent history over geologic epochs with suitably big, dramatic illustrations. ... A grand spectacle. Kirkus Star review

This book is the companion book to these titles by Grahame Baker-Smith:

Wild is the Wind

Have you seen Dinosaur? by David Barrow

This is one of those terrific books where your young reading companion (aged 2+) will know way more than the main character.  Yes, there are plenty of dinosaurs but the little boy keeps missing them. You will even see one on the end papers.

I counted seven dinosaurs on the final page. Why not head to your library now and go to the non fiction shelf [567.9] and grab a few dinosaur books and then try to identify the dinosaurs in this book. There are other visual jokes too - such as the pigeon and the dog on each page. Watch out - the pigeon is riding a skateboard. I also love all the characters on the train especially the punk girl with her spiked hair and nose ring. This is a book you could also share with a slightly older group who might identify all the environmental print - street signs, newspapers, even number plates!

The joy of this book lies in the interplay between the dead-pan words on the page: ‘None here. Let’s keep looking.’, the images and the reader’s engagement with the search. ... This is a book to share time and again with readers from two or three upwards who won’t get tired of dinosaur hide and seek. Just Imagine

This is also a lovely story about friendship, and Barrow’s artwork is dreamy, painterly and stunning as well as being totally perfect for young readers. A fabulous read for any time of day, which will definitely get plenty of repeat reads. Book Trust

Here is an interview with David Barrow. He lists his own favourite illustrators as:  Brian Wildsmith, Alice and Martin Provensen, Evaline Ness, and David McKee. I’m also drawn to modern artists with a unique visual language, such as Isabelle Arsenault, Marta Altés and Birgitta Sif.

Have you seen Dinosaur is the sequel to this:

Am I Yours? by Alex Latimer

An egg rolls off the side of a volcano and in the format of 'Are you my Mother?' it travels across the landscape looking for an identity or a mother.  This egg is not a Stegosaurus; not a Brachiosaurus; not a Triceratops; not a Corythosaurus; and most certainly not a Tyrannosaurus:

"What do you look like inside that shell?
I can't see in so I can't tell.
Do you have a mouth of teeth?
Sharp up top and sharp beneath?"

Luckily the egg finally rolls over to the real parents and your young reading companion will be cheering!

Do you know a young dinosaur fan? Here is a book you must add to their shelf or grab next time you visit the library. AND after you enjoy this book head over to the non-fiction shelves [567.9] and grab piles of other dinosaur books. My own favourite is our Australian dinosaur the Muttaburrasaurus. 

Bookseller blurb: A rhythmic, rhyming story about dinosaurs. 'Excuse me, please, but am I yours? I'm sure I am a dinosaur's!' When an icy wind pushes an egg from its nest, five friendly dinosaurs must get it home before dark. But who does the lost egg belong to? And will they figure it out in time? The stunning artwork and gentle introduction to a host of dinosaur species make this a book to be truly treasured.

This book was published in 2018 but it is still available, and I am sure it will be found in many libraries to. 

Andromache Between Worlds by Gabriel Bergmoser

 

"I'll guess you're using some kind of portal device to jump between worlds. 

And based on the fact that you're here, I'm going to guess it's guided by DNA."

In the opening scene of this book Andromache Peters is expelled from her prestigious private boarding school after being falsely accused of a series of thefts. She has in fact been set up by the class bully but in reality Andromache is very happy to leave this place (with the dreadful sounding name of Alabaster's Academy for Ladies). She is not happy, however, about meeting up with her mother. Andromache and her mother have a very fraught relationship. Her parents were highly awarded intrepid news reporters. Her mother has written several books about their exploits and she has become a minor celebrity. 

"My mother no longer looked much like the famous photos, but that didn't make her any less of an impressive figure. She might had traded in her goggles and leather jackets and gyrocopter for rectangular glasses and suits and limos, but there was still a presence that she practically radiated, somewhere between a sun you didn't want to get too close to and a planet drawing you in. Maybe it was the knowledge of everything she had done. Maybe it was the fact that she was my mother."

Andromache does not appreciate having to live in the shadow of her famous parents and she is constantly aware that her mother is disappointed with her. There is also the mystery of her father who she has been told died when she was just two years old - twelve years ago. 

On her return home from the school, Andromache overhears a telephone conversation between her mother and a man called Cavanaugh Rogers. She knows this is about her father. He died when she was so young and her mother never talks about him but Andromache really wants to understand what happened. Late that night, with the help of another rebellious school friend Rylee, Andromache heads off to Precipice Laboratories - the place where her father, she's been told, died. 

Very quickly things escalate in the laboratory. Andromache meets Cavanaugh Rogers and he shows her his invention which can take a person to another parallel world. Why is this hugely significant? Because her father is not dead - he is in another world. There are thousands of other universes but with the addition of DNA the device can take Andromache to her father - of course this is not straightforward. The concept of other worlds is a complex one but it all about possibilities. 

Think about key moments in history: "If humankind never discovered fire. If Alexander the Great had lived longer and kept conquering. If William Shakespeare had never published a word. If, at a key point, history had chosen a different fork in the road. What would those worlds look like?"

The time travel device is called the Locksmith. It pierces Andromache's skin and then it latches onto her body. She and Rylee and Cavanaugh's apprentice Tobias step through the doorway that opens when the Locksmith is activated. Their mission is to find Andromache's father. They meet giant crabs, pirates, ferocious dinosaurs, London in a very different form (think steam punk) and a megalomaniac Pharoah. They find themselves in enormous danger, in prison cells and Andromache meets "other" versions of herself. The DNA idea is a curious one. Yes, Andromache shares her DNA with her father but there are others too. Surprises are in store. Luckily, it is easy to return to our world using the Locksmith until they reach the tech-powered new world in Egypt. 

There is a huge twist at the end of this story which I am sure most readers will not anticipate and the very final scene is perfect - no need for a sequel - the story is complete.

Here are a few text quotes to give you a flavour of this writing:

"She was familiar. Really familiar ... It had taken far longer than it should have to recognise her. But then. I had never once seen myself looking like that.  ... she was older. Not by a lot, maybe three or four years, but she stood a little taller than me and the way she carried herself was more ... adult, somehow. Looking at her, I felt like a gawky, clumsy kid. But as intimidating as she was to take in, there was also a weird kind of rushing exhilaration to it. Was she what I would grow into?"

"I had to know more. Not just about the other me, but about this world. It seemed incredible so far; beautiful and strange with wild technology and laws that looked as bizarre as they did brilliant."

"Everything I'd grown up believing had been destroyed, and I had nothing to take its place. Maybe, maybe, I could live with knowing my parents weren't good people. Maybe part of me would be relieved by it, because it would shatter the impossible stories I'd always had to live up to. But worse than that, was what I had discovered about myself."

Just a trivial point - The arch villain in this book is named Vincent Black - I kept thinking of the Harry Potter character Sirius Black. 

Perhaps you are wondering about the name Andromache - it is pronounced An-drom-mack-key. Listen here. 

• In Greek mythology, Andromache was the wife of Hector. Hector is one of the major characters in the Illiad.
• The name means 'man battler' or 'fighter of men' or 'man fighter' (there was also a famous Amazon warrior named Andromache).
• In Greek mythology, the people of Athens were at one point compelled by King Minos of Crete to choose 14 young noble citizens (seven young men and seven maidens) to be offered as sacrificial victims to the half-human, half-taurine monster Minotaur to be killed in retribution for the death of Minos' son Androgeos. Andromache, daughter of Eurymedon was one of the victims.
• It can also mean courage.
• And it is "a really annoying name that parents should think twice about naming their child."

Huge thanks to Three Sparrows Bookshop for this Advance Reader copy. I actually didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Why? I thought it was a Young Adult title but now I would say it is for 11+. And I am not usually a fan of timeslip stories but this one is very well constructed, intriguing at times especially with the way the time device works, and it's an engrossing story. The writing really put me right inside each of the alternate worlds especially the one with the vicious dinosaurs! Andromache Between Worlds is due for publication in February 2024 (Harper Collins). Gabriel Bergmoser talks about his book here. You can read the publisher blurb in my recent blog post. 

The first timeslip story I remember reading where the characters went back to various times in past history was this very old, long out of print, junior, funny book:

Can I keep him? by Steven Kellog

Arnold would like a pet or a friend or just someone to talk to. This is such a relevant theme right now as I watch parents and other adults on their phones - and not interacting with their young children. Little Arnold even says to his mother:

"I'm lonely. Will you play with me?"

I would like to shake his mum who says:

"I'd like to, Arnold, but I'm busy. Why don't you run outside and play on the swing or ride your bike or dig in the sandbox."

Is mum truly busy? - NO she is just washing dishes (and in earlier scenes she is on the phone, dusting her house, cleaning the toilet, stacking cans of yams, and vacuuming). Some of these images might seem a little dated especially when we see her in her frilly apron - but looking past this I think this page alone - the one where she is washing the dishes -  could generate some terrific discussion with a class about the concepts of busy and time and loneliness and a possible alternate reactions/conversations between mum and Arnold.

Prior to this final scene Arnold has bought home a succession of pets. Some are the usual suspects - dog and cat. Then things get a little more exotic and creative- fawn, baby bear, tiger cub, and python. At every turn though, mum has a reason to say NO. Then Arnold brings home the best pet of all:

"In Alaska I saw a scientist chipping a dinosaur out of the ice. When the dinosaur defrosted, he was still alive. The museum didn't want a live dinosaur, so I bought him home. He doesn't bark, he has no fur, he has soft big feet, he doesn't shed ... "

This finally gets mum's attention. This reminded me of Not Now Bernard by David McKee - "When were you ever in Alaska? And who ever heard of a dinosaur for a pet?"

Arnold does not find a pet (or does he? Check out the final page) but he does find a friend - which was, as I said, the whole point really. 

I picked up this book from a library this week - they have a tub of wonderful books that have sadly been rarely or even never borrowed.  Can I keep him? is just delightful and it would be terrific to read to a class. Steven Kellogg has a very appealing art style and the little boy in this book has a wonderful range of facial expressions. The colours on the cover are used through out the book and alternate with sepia line drawings. I have previously talked about The Rattlebang Picnic also illustrated by Steven Kellogg. 

Our NSW Primary teachers have to teach specific forms of writing one of which is persuasion. Can I keep him? is a book that is sure to be found in many of our school libraries because it is a persuasive text even though it was written in 1971. Sadly, though it is now out of print. 

I have a Pinterest collection of picture books and other resources teachers can use for their learning activities when they are working on this text type. 

Here are some companion reads:

The best pet of all

Wanted: The perfect pet

Let's get a pup

A Dog called Bear

Strictly no elephants

The Secret in the Compost Bin by Margaret Pearce illustrated by Sharon Thompson

Jeremy and his parents have moved to a new house which should be terrific but it has cost so much money his mother and father now say no to everything - no pets and no football boots. Living next door is Jeremy's cousin Kate. She has goats, dogs, cats and even a tortoise. She offers Jeremy a tortoise egg and he puts it in the warm compost bin. Clearly this egg is not going to hatch into a tortoise. It is so very different from the other eggs. Sure enough a huge and hungry creature emerges a few days later. Jeremy and Kate name him Ulp after the noise he makes. The friends do have to keep Ulp hidden but that is not their most pressing problem. Jeremy and Kate need money and they need it urgently so they decide to offer to complete odd jobs around their neighbourhood. Washing cars, clearing gutters, mowing lawns and washing dogs these children learn a lot about making money and they discover there are some traps. One of the best scenes is when they work long and hard to wash and dry two huge shaggy pedigree dogs only to see them both roll in the mud when they take them for a walk to the park. 

Some jobs do go well but it all seems to be taking a long time to raise enough money for bike repairs and football boots. Both kids have over-looked the man next door who has offered $30 to anyone who will clear out his yard. As a reader we know about this offer but it takes until page 61 of 82 pages for the children to finally remember. Here is a quote from page 20:

"He must have years of accumulated rubbish around his house and yard. Even my dad reckons his place is a disgrace! He says Professor Fogey has offered thirty dollars to anyone who can clean it up, but nobody's game to take it on." 

Ulp is an eating machine (rather like the Iron Man in the famous book by Ted Hughes) and so it is easy to clear up the mess in a day. Now they have their money and can pay for the things they need. But what about Ulp - it is now impossible to keep him in the compost bin. Luckily there is a tip or a dump in their town and that seems to be the perfect new home for Ulp. Is he a dinosaur? Is he a giant lizard? Readers are left to make their own guess.

I really like the line drawing illustrations in this book by Sharon Thompson. I looked her up on Trove and found she illustrated a few titles that I remember having in previous school libraries - The Farmyard cat; A glassful of Giggles; and The Judas Donkey by Errol Broome. The art in The Secret in the Compost Bin reminded me of the art in Thing by Robin Klein illustrated by Alison Lester. 

The Secret in the Compost Bin is another little old out of print book I borrowed this week from a school library. It was purchased for this library in 2007 (helpfully they record date of purchase and price on all their books).  In this library they continue to use date due slips which make it easy to see how often a book is borrowed. Sadly this sweet little story has only been borrowed three times - 2008, 2014 and 2018.  The paper, as often happens with Puffin/Penguin titles has turned yellow and the print size is very small so sadly it seems this book will now be weeded.

There is an interesting link between this book - The Secret in the Compost Bin - and The Big Brass Key by Ruth Park which is the book I talked about yesterday. In both books the children have moved to a new house and in both books the children really want a pet but the parents say no - too expensive. There is nothing dated about this book from 1990 so I think it could easily be reprinted only the money or cost of things and pocket money might need updating. Actually I have made an amazing discovery. This book has been reprinted [9798215044674] with a new cover. Looks like someone (perhaps Margaret Pearce) might have paid to have the book reprinted. In any case I am not familiar with the publisher Writers Exchange. 

The way Kate and Jeremy take on so many odd jobs to raise money reminded me of Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen. 

Frankie and the Fossil by Jess McGeachin

There is a sweet charm to this story. Frankie loves to visit the museum especially the dinosaurs but when she sees a sign that says "don't feed the fossil" and she is worried. This does not seem fair. She pulls her cheese sandwich out of her pocket and gives it to the huge diplodocus skeleton. On the way home she has a funny feeling. Late that night the diplodocus appears at her window. Frankie gives him some toast in the morning because surely he must be hungry after 152 million years. Then she spends a terrific day playing with her new friend. Everything is going well until a man arrives from the museum. 

Frankie and the Fossil is a whimsical story of friendship, discovery, belonging and never letting go of the ones you love. Reading Time

No doubt any small child who loves dinosaurs will love this book, which is filled with full-sized illustrations, many of which are set inside the museum. Buzz words

I did wonder about the cheese sandwich idea on the last pages. Children who love dinosaurs are often experts just like Frankie so I wonder if they might be a little affronted that the author includes something so silly as cheese, cheese and ham and ham sandwiches to label the dinosaurs. But then again it is good fun. I was rather thrilled to see my own favourite dinosaurs - the Muttaburrasaurus.

The wordless page adds a good layer of poignancy to the story and allows the reader to slow down. 

There are some interesting (if not subtle) inclusions in the illustrations – the blind man with a guide dog on the train, and a museum visitor in a wheelchair.  It is interesting that Jess used a boy’s name (Frankie) for his main character but of course she is a girl so it is good to see a book about a girl who loves dinosaurs. The dino-loving child is a girl from a single mother family who has found a way to share her knowledge and passion with others.

Jess McGeachin gives his fossil so much life and personality! The way he uses little dots for eyes and the 'puppy dog' mannerisms and expressions are perfect.  Look for the humorous background details in the images (like the dino mailbox!). 

I absolutely adored Jess McGeachin’s previous book Fly.

I listened to an interview with Jess McGeachin recently. I should not have been surprised to discover this:

"Jess draws quite literally from a day job at Melbourne Museum, where he’s lucky enough to help design exhibitions and occasionally get lost in the basement."

AND this "He has fond memories of visiting the old Melbourne Museum where his mum worked as a scientific illustrator, meticulously drawing strange sea-creatures in glass jars."

Frankie and the Fossil is a CBCA Picture Book Notable title for 2022. Take a look at a recent post about museums and then see if you can find any of these books in your school library. I do wish I had this wonderful dinosaur popup book with amazing paper art by Robert Sabuda. 

The Fossil Girl

Sherlock Bones

Tyson the Terrible by Diane and Christyan Fox

In my last post I talked about Little Tom and the trip to the Moon.  Here is another preschool book by the talented husband and wife team of Diane and Christyan Fox.

At it's heart this is a book about preconceived ideas. The little dinosaurs have not met Tyson but they have heard some terrible rumours and seen pictures of Tyson in the Dinosaur Weekly:

"I've heard he's got six hundred razor sharp teeth."

"They say he eats seventeen dinosaurs for breakfast EVERY DAY."

"He's taller than a mountain ... his claws are like knives ... He's always really angry."

Little Stegg, Serra and Plod can hear a boom boom boom coming their way. It gets louder and louder. Finally another dinosaur arrives. Has he been making all that noise?

"Nobody ever wants to play with me!' wailed a little voice."

Did you notice the important word 'little'? These are the words of a tiny tyrannosaurus. Stegg, Serra and Plod are happy to pay football with this little guy - he is not fierce or scary at all. BUT ... then their new friend asks:

"Can my little brother play too?"  This brother is NOT little - in fact he is so big the page has to fold out and expand so we can see all of him. YES it is Tyson!  Take a look at this video to see the whole book.

Hopefully you can find this book in a well stocked library because it was first published in 2006 and so is now out of print. All preschoolers will love meeting this little band of dinosaurs and their "new" big friend Tyson.

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea illustrated by Lane Smith

Drywater Gulch had a toad problem. 

Not the hop-down-your-britches kind of toad. 

Not the croaking-all-night kind of toad. 

The never-say-thank-you outlaw kind of toad.

I just love the word 'gulch'.  I have talked about this previously. A gulch is deep, narrow, steep sided ravine. In this book we are truly in cowboy country.

This book also has such a great cast of characters.
The Toad Brothers - who would "steal your gold, kiss your cattle, and insult your chili. Hootin', hollarin', and cussin' all the while."
The Mayor with the perfect name Mayor McMuffin
Ryan, the hero and new sheriff who rides into town (slowly) on his tortoise.

Can you handle a shooting iron?
Nope
Ride a horse?
Nope
Know any rope tricks?
Nope
Stay up past eight?
Nope

Ryan does, however, know a lot about dinosaurs.

When the bank is robbed Ryan knows the culprit is T-Rex. When the stagecoach is robbed, Ryan can see a Velocripator at work. The Toad Brother are outraged. They want credit for their crimes. Ryan, the Sheriff, explains he needs to put the criminal dinosaurs in jail.

"The Toads fought their way through the door of the jail, slamming it shut behind them. 'HA! You can blow them dinersores out your nose, Sheriff, this here jail of full up of real bonafide criminals.!"

Ryan has solved the problem, the gang are now in jail and everyone is happy. The question is did Ryan really know what he was doing? Did he understand reverse psychology at the tender age of seven and what adventures await his attention over the horizon?

Did you notice the word dinersores.  It is one of many delicious example of word play in this book.
diney-o-saur
try-lollipops
jerkosaurus

Every school library should have picture books for older students. Some I especially love are Mr Maxwell's Mouse, Grandad's Gifts by Paul Jennings and The Stranger. You can see my full list by clicking the subject link on my sidebar and here in my Pinterest collection. Here is a list with other ideas of picture books for older kids and adults too.

You can see nearly all of the illustrations from this book on the publisher web site.

This is a book from 2014 but it is a new discovery for me. I found it in my local public library and knowing other wonderful books by Lane Smith I was keen to read this one.  Take the time to read this interview with Bob Shea and Lane Smith - it is so funny just like this hilarious picture book. Take a look at this review on Nerdy Book Club.

Coming from Australia I am not sure I can do the right accent needed when you read this book aloud. Luckily I found a video. Take a look and a listen here to this piece by Storybook Theater. It is just perfect.  You could also use this book for a discussion about visual literacy concepts. There are some excellent ideas about this in Horn Book.


A crowd-pleasin’ knee-slapper that’ll have ’em rolling in the aisles, yessirree. Kirkus Star Review

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads is extraordinary in tone, humor, slang and physical beauty, and surely belongs on any Caldecott short list.  It is a picture book masterpiece. Sam Juliano Wonders in the Dark

A great read aloud, this picture book is silliness through and through with a western twang. Waking Brain Cells

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst illustrated by Lane Smith

This book is absolutely perfect in every possible way. I love the unconventional size, the bold cover design, the fabulous illustrations by the super talented Lane Smith, the cheeky narration by master story teller Judith Viorst and all the white space.

For all readers but especially those in Junior Primary classes this book is an absolute must read!! I find I am again puzzled that others did not shout about this little gem from the tops of the highest mountains. Thank goodness for the NSW School Magazine bookshelf list – this is how I discovered this wonderful book.

Lulu is a spoilt, bad tempered bully who wants a Brontosaurus for her Birthday. Yes I know they are now called Apatosaurus and I know dinosaurs and people did not coexist but suspension of disbelief is an essential part of all human imagination.

Lulu throws diabolical tantrums when she does not get her own way including shrieking until the light bulbs burst. After twelve spectacular days of these tantrums, Lulu finally declares she is leaving to find a Brontosaurus for herself. She packs a little suitcase and takes off. Her mum and dad, now totally worn out, sit down in their now quiet kitchen and drink a silent cup of tea.

While Lulu and later the Brontosaurus are the stars of this story, special mention must be made of the little suitcase. It seems to hold the most amazing things all ready for any predicament that befalls Lulu.

I am not going to spoil the plot by telling you how Lulu finds her Brontosaurus and what exactly happens when they meet but telling you there are three versions of chapter thirteen, the final chapter, you might realize Judith Viorst has created a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up.

I don’t usually rate the books I read but I must give Lulu and the Brontosaurus 11/10. Grab this book with both hands and don’t let go! My little paper back copy has the best cover much brighter than the hardcover edition. If you need a preview take a look at the last minute or so of this Scholastic promotion - Lulu is the last book they review but it is worth the wait.