Worms are our Friends by Toni D'Allia illustrated by Mimi Purnell

 

Worms are our friends contains a 'jolly' (mostly successful) rhyming text and delightful, flower-filled illustrations. The final lines of the book echo the opening words and round the text off in a satisfying way.

Down in the garden

just under the ground

a small wriggly worm

is crawling around.

The small wriggly worm

eats old garden waste.

It chomps on dead leaves

it just loves the taste!

Worms are our Friends is a CBCA 2025 Notable in the Early Childhood category which is for readers aged 0-6. This is most certainly a preschool book and so it fits right into that category but it could also have been listed in the Eve Pownall Non-Fiction section too. The library where I borrowed this book have shelved it in non-fiction. I agree with this decision because the final page is a summary worm facts. So, if you go into a library take a look at [592.3] this is where you will find other books about worms.  I often talk about mini themes and worms would be such a fun topic for your preschool group.

The Worm

Carl and the Meaning of Life

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has several blog posts about worms: 15th October Worm Day; 21st October World Earthworm Day and here is her Pinterest collection with books about worms.

With a group of older students I would also look at this utterly exquisite book:

My Baba's Garden

Worms are our Friends is the companion volume to:

Bees are our Friends

Marilyn Baillie Canadian Picture Book Award

Spork 2011 finalist; The Man with the Violin 2014 finalist; Footpath Flowers 2016 finalist;

In a Cloud of Dust 2016 finalist; My Beautiful birds 2018 finalist.

I am sure you recognise some or perhaps all of these.

The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, established in 2006, honours excellence in the illustrated picture book format. The prize is awarded annually and in 2008, the cash prize was increased from $10,000 to $20,000. To be eligible, the book must be an original work in English, aimed at children ages three to eight, written and illustrated by Canadians. Eligible genres include fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Scroll down through this page to see past winners. I recently talked about Our Pool. 

Mina

Lizzy and the Cloud

Moonboy by Anna Ciddor

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

I was almost the same age as the boy in this story, Keith Arthur Watson, who is living in Australia in 1969. What happened in 1969? The moon landing. I well remember there were all sorts of newspaper booklets to collect and I also vividly remember sitting in a crowded classroom and peering at a small television screen to watch those steps on the moon.

Moonboy is a timeslip story. Charlotte is staying with her grandmother. Her dad tells her to look inside a box in her room. When she opens the box she finds newspaper clippings from 1969 all about the Apollo moon landing and also some other things that belonged to Keith, her grandfather, when he was a boy. A big of marbles, some footy swap cards and an old footy sweater. This sweater is very significant because it is the conduit that takes Charlotte from 2025 back to 1969 and straight into ten-year-old Keith's bedroom and life. 

Sadly, in 2025, Keith (Charlotte's grandfather) is suffering from dementia. He seems to be unable to speak or recognise his wife or granddaughter. But then Charlotte takes some of the newspaper clippings to his aged care home and for a moment or two he seems to 'come back to life'. 

This book covers time from about 9th July to 25th July 1969 and 2025. Keith and Charlotte will both have a birthday on 23rd July. Gran wants it to be special but she also wants to hold it in the Aged Care Home. At first Charlotte finds the state of many of the elderly people quite confronting and upsetting but over the two weeks of her daily visits she comes to see each person as an individual and so her eventual 'moon landing themed' birthday party in the lounge room of Diamond House is, to her surprise, a very happy event. 

Here is a video of the television broadcast watched by Keith in 1969 and again by Charlotte in the aged care home with her grandfather in 2025. 

My only tiny quibble with this story comes from the way Charlotte knows nothing about the moon landing - that's okay - but I kept wondering why she didn't try to research these events either in her school library or on Google. She is filled with worries about every tiny aspect of this momentous event - will they reach the moon; will the astronauts actually walk there; will they get home safely; and worst of all what if Keith's sister Gwen wrecks everything because she has gone to help her aunt at uncle at Honeysuckle Creek. This true aspect of the Australian connection to the moon landing is explained at the back of the book. It's quite a fascinating side story. I was also a little concerned with the way Charlotte was able to change history. She stops Keith setting off some dangerous fireworks and so his fingers are not damaged and yet the grandfather she has always known did have missing fingers and now his hands are fine.

I did enjoy Keith's colloquial sayings: crikey; how the blazes; are you a few crumbs short of a sandwich; strike a light; ridgy didge; holy moly; fair dinkum; and stone the crows.

When Charlotte travels back to Keith's Grade six classroom she writes a terrific poem about the moon landing. Sadly the teacher rejects it because it doesn't rhyme - even in 1969 I hope this would not be the reaction of a teacher. I really like her poem:

I can't believe it!

We've landed on the moon!

Through the window

I can see grey dust

And craters

I can't belive it!

My fee

Will be the first

To ever touch the moon!

Open the door,

I'm ready

Here I come!

This book could be a jumping off point for kids to research more about the moon landing and especially the involvement of Australia. Behind the News could be a good starting point. If you are using this book with a class you could investigate a KidsNews free subscription. The BBC also have some good resources. 

Sensitive readers may find Charlotte's reactions to the elderly people in the aged care home a little confronting. I related to this because my precious little Nan was in an aged care home when I was about the same age as Charlotte. More recently I watched young children visiting elderly relatives in a care home where my mother sadly spent her final years. I suggest you could look for Newpaper Hats which is a picture book by Phil Cummings as a way to talk about the effects of dementia and memory loss. 

Here is a video review from Kid Lit Joy. Anna Ciddor has some background photos that link with this story on her webpage. You could make use of these in a book talk with your library group. Read the blurb and review page from Lamont Books.

Anna Ciddor’s story explores history and family in delicate and emotional ways in this book, getting to the heart of Letty’s relationship with her grandfather, what he means to her and what knowing her in the past meant to him as well. The Book Muse

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me a review copy. Moonboy was released yesterday. 

Companion book:

Footprints on the Moon

Here are some other books by Anna Ciddor. I especially loved one of her very early book - Runestone.

52 Mondays

Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2025 Notables part two

Image used with thanks from Telarah Public School Library

I have already talked about the picture book notables (PB and EC). Now I will turn my attention to the Younger Readers Notables.

8.2 Judging criteria for CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers 

Entries in this category are books published for children in the age range from 7 to 12 years (lower to 

upper primary school level). Books in the category may be fiction, drama, graphic novels, illustrated text or poetry. 

As with my previous post here are the books that did not 'make the cut'. I am so disappointed about all of these - in fact several I am sharing here I had predicted (click this link to find my posts about all of these) would be short listed. 

I was hoping to see all of these as Notable and even on the short list for Younger Readers. I especially hoped to see the two junior novels - Bravepaw (the sequel has just been released) and Leo and Ralph. In my view A small collection of Happiness had a good chance of being an honour book. I am still shaking my head that these seven truly special books were all overlooked. And of course I am sure everyone was very surprised that All the Beautiful things was not included. 

Take a look at the main judging criteria:

The Judges assess entries primarily for: 

1. Literary merit – i.e. aesthetic qualities of language, language appropriate to the style of the work, plausible character development (where appropriate), etc. 

2. Content and cohesiveness – plot, language, theme, style, etc. 

3. Appeal to the implied readership 

4. Quality – illustrations, format, production, editing 

5. Craft and originality in the treatment of literary elements

Think about this CBCA definition from their awards document glossary:

LITERARY MERIT A term that describes the literary value in relation to the quality of writing 

and its suitability for the age of the intended readership. 

Here are the expanded criteria.  When I was a judge (2021-23 PB) I put these into a table so I could 'grade' each book.

Literary elements 

• Language: The aesthetic qualities of the language are appropriate and evocative of place, character and mood. The language exhibits breadth and variety of vocabulary and precision. Sentence construction is used in a natural and creative manner to reveal purpose and attitude. Where rhythm and rhyme are used it is accomplished and effective. 

• Illustration: Where relevant, design, graphics or illustrations should be integrated and support and extend the narrative or topic. The medium should be appropriate to the subject and style of the work. There is a consistent quality of graphic elements that can provide a stimulating and satisfying visual experience. 

• Characterisation: There are strong main and minor characters, who interact with each other convincingly. The author creates authentic and engaging characters who advance the narrative through appropriate dialogue and/or action.   

• Setting: The setting effectively contributes to the storyline. The sense of place and time is very strong and maintained throughout the story. Where appropriate there is a synergy between text and visual elements in the creation of setting. 

• Plot: The plot is well constructed. The main events are presented effectively and are consistent with the story. The resolution is credible. 

• Theme: Ideas and messages within the narrative are skilfully presented and crafted. The reader can recognise the themes or develop a fresh perspective 

• Mood: The writer and/or illustrator have created an atmosphere/mood that enhances the narrative.   

• Source Material: Where applicable, if source material used, these are accurate to the 

current state of knowledge and are appropriate in their use of cultural material. 

Design elements: The elements of design are cohesive and add to the overall sense of quality and age appropriateness in regard to: 

• Font/text 

• Colour palette 

• Paper stock 

• Format  

• Consistency of internal design  

• Cover design is appealing and relevant to the story   

Age appropriateness: The story is written in a way that would engage 7–12-year-olds. (or a sub-age 

group within) Light introduction of mature topics might be explored and may give the readers the 

opportunity to be challenged. The writing is engaging, stimulating and extends the reader’s 

experience and/or imagination. It also may help the reader understand more about themselves and 

the world. 

Production Values: 

• Editing: The editing is professional, with conventions of spelling and grammar upheld. Typography is integral and not intrusive. If included, tables, diagrams and graphs are clear.

Twenty-five books are on the Younger Readers Notable list, but this number is just the maximum according to the CBCA rules - the judges could easily have listed fewer.

The 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards Younger Readers Notables are…

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram, illustrated by Anne Yi (Scholastic Australia)

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr (Penguin Random House Australia)

Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze (UWA Publishing)

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton, illustrated by Matt Stanton (ABC Books)

Hello Twigs, Look Who’s Grumpy by Andrew McDonald, illustrated by Ben Wood (Hardie Grant)

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald (UQP)

Jy Goes for Gold by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler Samantha Campbell (HarperCollins AU)

The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela (Penguin Random House Australia)

Landovel by Emily Rodda (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults)

Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks (Pan Australia)

The Midwatch by Judith Rossell (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing)

Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age by Jackie French (HarperCollins AU)

Oscar vs the Grand Old Dude Named York by Ross Curnow (Walker Books Australia)

The Other Shadow by Tania Ingram (Scholastic Australia)

Real Pigeons Power Up by Andrew McDonald, illustrated by Ben Wood (Hardie Grant)

Saskia Spark-Lee:by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Walker Books Aus)

Shower Land 1: Break the Curse by Nat Amoore, illustrated by James Hart (Penguin Random House)

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks (Lothian Children’s Books)

Small Acts by Kate Gordon & Kate Foster (Walker Books Australia)

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French (HarperCollins AU)

To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults) My comments

Tweet by Morris Gleitzman (Penguin Random House Australia)

Twinning BFF’s (NOT) by Alexa Moses, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Scholastic Australia)

We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix (A&U)

Worst Week Ever Saturday by Eva Amores, illustrated by Matt Cosgrove (Scholastic Australia)

I still plan to read over the coming weeks, when I can find them in a library, Small Acts by Kate Gordon and Kate Foster and Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr. I also hope to find Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger - Jackie French is very skilled with Historical fiction and I do enjoy Bushranger stories. 

Taking a close look at the Younger Readers Notables I think they can be divided into several groups and I am going to argue here that one of these groups has titles that do not fit the CBCA criteria when you view this as a National Award for literary excellence. Here the titles that I call 'pop' titles and to my eye I cannot see how they are exemplars of literary merit. All of these are sure to be popular in school libraries and I would be very happy to see them being read and enjoyed but I struggle to see how they fit into our CBCA National Award. I am very happy to be proved wrong. 

This page lists all the reviews in the CBCA Journal Reading Time. Here are some other reviews of titles from Younger Readers - I am going to run out of time to read these so I might have to settle with reading a review, for now anyway:

Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age by Jackie French - Storylinks

Landovel by Emily Rodda Just So Stories Also here is the review from Readings Melbourne. (944 pages - three book set)

Saskia Spark-Lee:by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg Lamont

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram Kids' Book Review

Oscar vs the Grand Old Dude Named York by Ross Curnow Lamont

Paws, Claws, Tails and Roars illustrated by Brian Wildsmith

Brian Wildsmith's breathtaking animal paintings are accompanied by new lyrical text, inviting readers to pause a while and linger over the glorious wild animals, birds, and fishes within. Whether already a fan of Brian Wildsmith, or discovering his work for the first time, readers will cherish this book for a lifetime.

I previously talked about the wonderful Brian Wildsmith exhibition in Barnsley, UK. The featured book at the exhibition was Paws, Claws, Tails and Roars but over 90 pages and in hardcover this book was way too heavy for my luggage. Now my copy has arrived.

The art in this book comes from works by Brian Wildsmith Wild Animals (1967); Birds (1967); and Fishes (1968).

If you are looking for a very special gift for a child perhaps when they are born or for a christening gift Paws, Claws, Tails and Roars [9780192784216] would be perfect. It is a large format book to treasure and revisit.

In his introduction Michael Rosen talks about his first experience of art by Brian Wildsmith in the Oxford Book of Children's Poetry: "Again and again, either the subject or the background flooded out from the book: the pictures didn't obey the margins. They weren't contained by convention. It was as if the luxuriousness of the colours was too rich to be confined by something as mundane as a page."

"The pictures tell us that the Earth and its creatures are precious. ... I'm as delighted as his jolly hedgehog ... I hope you enjoy (this book) and that you and the children in your life snuffle through these pages with the many feelings this vibrant art conjures up."

The other wonderful thing that your child will experience reading this book is the encounter with familiar and unfamiliar animals. I well remember my childhood alphabet book contained a Yak - a creature that fascinated me. In this book there are less well known animals (especially to children here in Australia) - raccoon; badger; hedgehog; pheasant; jay; heron; snipe; woodcock; minnow; stickleback and porcupine fish. My favourite illustrations are the tiger; the hedgehog; the robin and the kingfisher.

Children will also discover the intriguing names we use as collective nouns: a cete of badgers; a round of robins; a walk of snipe; a party of rainbow fish; and a corps of giraffes. 

You can see all books by Brian Wildsmith here. And if you are unfamiliar with his work take a look at this blog post. 

There is quiet knowledge in the design of each spread. The colours are vivid or subtle in accord with the animals’ own colours and the worlds they inhabit and the brush strokes splash, smear and wash the settings for each animal, evoking swirling waters bursting with flying fish, iridescent bubbles reflecting the many colours of the angelfish, the mottled camouflage of the woodcock. Paws, Claws, Tails and Roars: Brian Wildsmith’s Animal Kingdom is a book to be shared over and over again, joyfully, with readers of any age. Just Imagine

What I love about his work is that behind all the wondrous colour, pattern and texture there always lies the fundamental essence of whatever he’s depicting. Words and Pics

"This is a book I'd like to see in every classroom from the foundation stage upwards as well as on family bookshelves. And, what a wonderful present it would make." - Jill Bennett, Red Reading Hub

2025 Klaus Flugge Prize Long List

 

This is the tenth year of the Klaus Flugge Prize, which was set up in 2016, in honour of esteemed publisher Klaus Flugge, a hugely influential figure in picture books and founder of publishing house Andersen Press. The prize is awarded annually to the most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s book illustration; the winning illustrator receives a cheque for £5,000. The Klaus Flugge Prize is the only prize specifically to recognise a published picture book by a debut illustrator and over the last ten years, has won recognition as one of the most significant children’s book awards.

Adnan illustrated by Diala Brisley

Written by Mark Arrigo and Steven Chatterton, editor by Claire Grace & Hattie Grylls, design by Myrto Dimitrakoulia & Belinda Webster (Quarto)

Serena and the Little Blue Dog illustrated and written by Rosemary Clunie

Editor Fiona Kennedy, design by Jessie Price (Zephyr)

The Great Highland Games Chase illustrated by Laura Darling

Written by Kate Abernethy, editor Jennie Skinner, design by Richard Wainman (Floris Books)

My Hair is as Long as a River illustrated by Emma Farrarons

Written by Charlie Castle, editor Grace Gleave, design Lorna Scobie (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Slug Life illustrated and written by Moesha Kellaway

Editor Libby Hamilton, design Camille Pichon (Rocket Bird Books)

The Cat who Couldn't Be Bothered illustrated and written by Jack Kurland

Editor Lotte Dobson, design by Karissa Santos (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

Have You Seen Mikki Olsen? Illustrated and written by Alex Macdonald

Editor Peter Marley, design Karissa Santos (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books)

Grandpa Kuma illustrated and written by Michelle Maiden

Editor Louise Jordan, design by David Rose (Wacky Bee Books)

Paul the Peacock illustrated and written by Tilly Matthews

Editor Carly Madden, designer Sarah Chapman-Suire (Happy Yak)

The Café at the Edge of the Woods illustrated and written by Mikey Please

Editor Alice Blacker, design Val Brathwaite (HarperCollin’s Children’s Books)

The Dolls' House illustrated by Claudia Ravalli

Written by Tanya Rosie, editor Emma Drage, designer Kate Penrose (Oxford Children’s Books)

Grandma's Locs illustrated by Camilla Ru

Written by Karen Arthur, editor Cherise Lopes-Baker, design by Roanne Marner (Tate)

The Christmas Tree Mouse illustrated by Farah Shah

Written by Joseph Coelho, editor Andrea MacDonald, design by Lucy Wiseman (Puffin)

Grandad's Star illustrated by Rhian Stone

Written by Frances Tosdevin, editor Libby Hamilton, design by Ness Wood (Rocket Bird Books)

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham An Introduction illustrated by Annabel Wright

Written by Kate Temple, editor Rob Airey, design by Leda Bartolucci (Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust)

Julia Eccleshare says, “It’s always exciting to reveal the longlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize, and particularly so in its tenth year. Once again, the books demonstrate the abundance of new talent in picture book illustration. Our longlisted illustrators use a huge variety of technique, and their subjects range from grandads to slugs, topics including family love, managing emotions, and the refugee experience, so that this list demonstrates the extraordinary vitality and plurality of contemporary picture books. We look forward to celebrating the work of these illustrators and more throughout 2025 and, as ever, we say a huge thank you to Klaus Flugge whose generosity makes the prize possible and whose contribution to picture book publishing is unparalleled.” 

The shortlist will be announced on 15 May 2025 and the winner will be announced at an award ceremony on 10 September 2025.

Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

 

Read the biographical details of these books here

Every year, IBBY Canada presents the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award to a Canadian illustrator in recognition of outstanding artistic talent in a Canadian picture book.

They have selected from 131 books submitted by 36 publishers, the illustrators of the 10 finalist books depict stories that add to our understanding of the world around us. Whether through nature, culture or imagination. The illustrations range from whimsical and delicate to rich brushwork to bold graphic elements and are sure to engage and inspire their readers.

The Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award is administered by a committee of three members of the Canadian section of the International Board on Books for Young People so I expect the 2026 finalists and perhaps previous winners will be on display at the 2026 IBBY Congress in Ottawa.

The award is named after Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver. She bequeathed a $10,000 legacy as a basis for an award to be given to an outstanding illustrator of a picture book. The recipient receives $1000 and a certificate. Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver, Born 7 February 1939 in Montréal; died 27 July 1985 in Montréal, was a prominent writer and illustrator of children’s books. She is probably best known for the Enchanted Caribou and for illustrating The Loon’s Necklace.

Published in 1977: According to Canadian Indian legend, when an old man's sight was restored 

by Loon he gave the bird his precious shell necklace as a reward. 

That is why the loon has a white collar and speckles on its back.

Past Winners of the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

2023 – Todd Stewart, Skating Wild On An Inland Sea 

2022 – Dena Seiferling, Night Lunch 

2021 – Gérard DuBois, À qui appartiennent les nuages?

2020 – Marie-Louise Gay, The Three Brothers

2019 – Rachel Wada, The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden

2018 – Julie Morstad, Bloom 

2017 – Julie Kraulis, A Pattern for Pepper

2016 – Isabelle Arsenault, Louis parmi les spectres

2015 – Sydney Smith, Sidewalk Flowers 

2014 – Pierre Pratt, Stop, Thief! 

2013 – Julie Morstad, How To

2012 – Isabelle Arsenault, Virginia Wolf

2011 – Cybèle Young, A Few Blocks

2010 – Julie Flett Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet

2009 – Oleg Lipchenko, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

2008 – Christine Delezenne, La Clé

2007 – Stéphane Jorisch, The Owl and the Pussycat

2006 – Kady MacDonald Denton, Snow

2005 – Geneviève Côté, The Lady of Shalott

2004 – Stéphane Poulin, Un chant de Noël

2003 – Pierre Pratt, Where’s Pup?

2002 – Janie Jaehyun Park, The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon

2001 – Marie-Louise Gay, Stella, Queen of the Snow

2000 – Michèle Lemieux, Stormy Night

1999 – Kady MacDonald Denton, A Child’s Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

1998 – Pascal Mileli, Rainbow Bay

1997 – Harvey Chan, Ghost Train

1996 – Janet Wilson, Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt

1995 – Murray Kimber, Josepha: A Prairie Boy’s Story

1994 – Leo Yerxa, Last Leaf First Snowflake to Fall

1993 – Barbara Reid, Two by Two

1992 – Ron Lightburn, Waiting for the Whales

1991 – Paul Morin, The Orphan Boy

1990 – Ian Wallace, The Name of the Tree

1989 – Eric Beddows, Night Cars

1988 – Stéphane Poulin, Can You Catch Josephine?

1987 – Barbara Reid, Have You Seen Birds?

1986 – Ann Blades, By the Sea: An Alphabet Book

Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master illustrated by Astred Hicks

"They had sent me to a kids' camp so that I would find kid friends but I came out the other side, proudly announcing that I was now besties with an 80-year-old potential villain who was about to kick the bucket." 

Zee, short for Ziba, has a worried mother. Mum thinks Zee has no friends (this could be true) so she decides Zee needs to go to a holiday camp. This is a camp called Youth Fusion and their brochure promises the kids who attend will make new friends.

On the first night of the camp the kids are told they will play a game of 'Murder in the Dark'. They are told to form themselves into teams of four. Zee has been sitting beside a girl called Tifanee (with two ees). She is a bold confident and funny character and Zee is sure it would be good to link up with her over the five days of this camp. (By the way Zee absolutely does not want to be here). On the other side of the camp fire the girls see a couple of boys - perhaps they will join their team of four.

Then the camp authorities announce one of the kids has gone missing and so the focus shifts and Zee, Tifanee, along with twins Moses and Jonah, decide they need to find this kid. That involves searching an old run-down mansion that is rumored to house a woman who murders children and perhaps even eats them! (Yes I agree this plot line sounds okay for Primary school readers but I will explain my thoughts in a moment). 

Here are some teachers notes from the publisher. Listen to a sample of the audio.

You might like to read a few reviews:

• Kids' Book Review
• Paperbark Words (Joy Lawn) - interview
• Reading Time
• What book next

I will begin with the things I liked about this book. The cover is terrific. Use of Fluro orange is very eye catching and the title written on a pile of books links well with some aspects of this story especially the ending. The title is also perfect and enticing. And it is true Zee does laugh at the funeral (but to find out why you have to read the whole book). If you flip inside this book you can see the book design is quirky, interesting and appealing, with changes of font and you will see the way conversations are presented as play scripts. Zee makes lots of lists which appear in frames and at times these are very funny.

Now for the aspects of this story that I liked but which I think make it a better fit for a reader aged 12+.

Zee is crazy about Oscar Wilde (I am fairly sure no Primary school aged reader will have read or have any interest in him). In fact the title of this book is adaptation of a quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray "Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship and it is the best ending for one."

Zee talks about liking old language such as the writing of Jane Austen. And she recognises the camp chaos is closely like the plot from Lord of the Flies (not a book I would share in a Primary school library - I am still traumatised). 

Zee goes to high school and much of commentary about peer group relationships relates to her experiences there: "School is a cesspool of people checking each other out. Judging each other. Rating each other. And it's 99 percent based on looks .... I hate a lot of things about it, but the grotesque catwalk of who's hot and who's not bothers me most."

I really liked Zee but her tone is totally teenage: "whenever I'm dreading something, like really, truly, genuinely dreading something, whether it be the first day at a new school for zombies or root canal with a demon dentist, I get super sleepy."

Here's an example from Tifanee "I'm Tifanee by the way. Spelt with two ee's cause my parents are idiots. Any idea how we can break free from this touchy-feely hellhole?" Tifanee is an Instagram influencer.

Zee mentions her favourite poets - Kahil Gilbran; Rumi; and Maya Angelou. 

Zee and Dame Viv (she's the 80-year-old I mentioned in my opening quote) visit a state library to view a rare folio of Shakespeare's work and then they watch the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds. 

Companion books:

The Unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel

The Parker Inheritance

Walking with Miss Millie

Laughter is the Best Ending has been listed as a 2025 CBCA Notable title BUT in my view it is in the wrong category - it is listed as a Younger Readers title but all of the content I have explained above surely shows this is a Young Adult title and it should perhaps have been entered and judged as an Older Readers book. I really did enjoy Laughter is the Best Ending but it think it better suits a High School library and High School readers. Here are the criteria for you to compare.

From the CBCA awards:

8.1 Judging criteria for CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers 

Entries in this category are books for young people aged between 13 and 18 years (secondary school 

level). Readers require a degree of maturity to appreciate the themes and scope of emotional 

involvement. Books in this category may be fiction, drama, illustrated text, poetry or graphic novels. 

Age appropriateness: The story is written in a way that would engage 13–18-year-olds (or a sub-age group within). Mature topics are explored and give the readers the opportunity to be challenged with alternative points of view or perspectives. The writing extends the reader’s experience and may help the reader understand more about themselves and the world. 

8.2 Judging criteria for CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers 

Entries in this category are books published for children in the age range from 7 to 12 years (lower to 

upper primary school level). Books in the category may be fiction, drama, graphic novels, illustrated 

text or poetry. 

Age appropriateness: The story is written in a way that would engage 7–12-year-olds. (or a sub-age group within) Light introduction of mature topics might be explored and may give the readers the opportunity to be challenged. The writing is engaging, stimulating and extends the reader’s 

experience and/or imagination. It also may help the reader understand more about themselves and the world. 

I previously read and enjoyed these books by Maryam Master:

Exit Through the Gift Shop

(I also list this as a YA title)

No words

One more thing to think about. I recently talked about endorsements on books (these are not blurbs). On the back cover of Laughter is the Best Ending it has this praise by Anna Fienberg - no problem she is a fantastic writer - but why say she is the author of the Tashi series - those books are for very young readers and have no relationship with this book by Maryam Master. I'm puzzled. 

'I found it so energising! Zee plays with words like a gymnast. We click with her from the very start - she's funny, frank, fair and feisty! This story will be a hit with young readers.' Anna Fienberg, author of the Tashi series

Violet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins

A marvelous heroic journey in miniature. Kirkus Star review

Violet and Jobie are enjoying a good life as house mice. They are not pets. They live in a human home and enjoy delicious food treats and television viewing from their bookshelf seat. They especially love to watch nature programs. One day they see some delicious cheese and peanut butter, a double treat, has been left in a box. There is something holding the cheese and the peanut butter. Violet and Jobie use this to play a game - the snapping game. Using a pole (you can see in the illustration that this is a pencil) they jump on their pole and snap! Now they can feast on the treats, but little do they know the humans are about to find them. Yes, this is a mouse trap. The humans are surprised to find the mice are alive in the box. Luckily for Violet and Jobie the mother and son decide to take this pair back to the wild. Violet and Jobie know nothing about living in the wild. It is fairly easy to find food but what about all the danger - predators seem to be everywhere. Oh, and they will need somewhere safe to live.

This is a perfect story for readers aged 8+. It contains small black and white illustrations and has 33 short chapters with a large print size. My paperback copy cost AUS$20. One very interesting part of this story comes right at the end. Yes, it is a happy ending, but it is a very different one as Violet and Jobie will now move on and live separate lives.  Here are some brief discussion ideas if you read this book to a class.

The fast-paced plot keeps this gentle survival story moving. Horn Book

Populated with enough mice to give most grownups nightmares, Violet and Jobie in the Wild is a sweet and engaging coming-of-age tale for middle graders. I love how Jobie observes and appreciates the character of Iris, a kind and patient girl mouse he happens to meet, making him want to connect with her. Through Violet, the reader experiences the way that a trusted mentor can open up new joys and share wisdom. A Book and a Hug

When I saw the name Lynne Rae Perkins, I immediately thought of this book which I previously read and loved:

Companion book:

Word of Mouse

Stickboy by Rebecca Young illustrated by Matt Ottley

"Stickboy lived in wind and dust, where ancient rock loomed like waves waiting to break. Dust storms raged, pummeling the earth and stone while warm bodies huddled under cover willing the roar to fade."

This is one of those books where I would be tempted to share the spare text with no reference to the illustrations on a first reading with a group in a library. Then I would just let the children sit quietly giving them time to let their imaginations fly. Finally, I would share the book with the illustrations by Matt Ottley. This is one of those picture books (we do them very well here in Australia) that will work best with older students aged 10+. And do take time to linger over the end papers - different front and back. 

Stickboy has been selected as a 2025 CBCA Picture Book Notable title. I imagine it has a good chance to make the final short list of six titles announced at the end of March. 

Here are two Teacher-Librarians discussing how this book might fit into the curriculum (12 minutes). Here are the Scholastic Teachers Notes (shared by Pegi Williams). 

... the potential for exploring parts of storytelling like visual features, figurative language, perspective and allegory is immense. On each page amidst the dry rock formations, for example, there is a nod to water elements – clouds like seafoam, a rock face like the bow of a ship. There is a discussion to be had about listening to the Earth and who might be positioned as a truth teller when it comes to environmental awareness. Story Links

The last spreads are wordless and say so much more than any words ever could. They are hauntingly beautiful. The colour palette reflects the bare and barren place perfectly. The reader’s eye is immediately drawn to certain images on each spread that enhance the storytelling. For example, Sometimes the earth creaked and shifted... and swallowed memories, whole. On the double spread Ottley has a huge metal ship that sits on a dry parched land and Stickboy and a wolf are small. The text gives Ottley room to shine his masterful visual storytelling. The images are allowed to speak and are not crowded by text. This picture book allows both the words and images to speak on so many levels to the reader as they seamlessly work together. Ottley’s use of light and shade dramatizes the story and the moments that are poignant. Buzz Words

Matt Ottley is a multi-modal artist working across visual arts, music and literature. He is an award-winning picture book writer and illustrator with over 25 picture books published.  Ottley has written music for this book that will be recorded in Prague and this work will become the eleventh in his Sound of Picture series. It will be performed in Australia in 2025.Matt Ottley was our IBBY Australia Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominee illustrator for 2024. You should also share this book alongside other books illustrated by Matt Ottley:

Teacup

How to make a bird

You can see other books by Rebecca Young here. 

Companion book: