The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr

Like many other children during World War II, Jimmy and his brother Ronnie are sent away from London - in this case to a remote village in Wales. Jimmy is desperate to return home. He wants to protect his brother and he has great difficulty accepting the kindness offered by Gwen and Alun Thomas. Luckily they stay very patient with him even though he is rude and surly. Wandering on his own he climbs a tree on the outskirts of the village and he finds a human skull. Jimmy has a wild imagination and he is sure there must be a murderer on the loose in Llanbryn. 

One of the other evacuated children is a girl named Florence. Back in London Florence was shunned for her poor family and ragged clothes but her foster family in this little village also show her wonderful kindness and like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon Florence emerges as a very different girl to the one Jimmy previously knew and shunned. Thank goodness Jimmy is able to accept Florence as a new friend because she is a very smart girl and she helps Jimmy solve the mystery of the skull and she also shows him that it is important to be kind - to his brother and to Mr and Mrs Thomas.

Teacher-Librarians will cheer when Florence takes Jimmy and Ronnie to the library so they can research human bones and the time it takes for a body to decay - all of this information is crucial as they edge closer to a solution to this mystery. 

Author blurb: When Jimmy is evacuated to a small village in Wales, it couldn't be more different from London. Green, quiet and full of strangers, he instantly feels out of place. But then he finds a skull hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley is more frightening than the war. Who can Jimmy trust? His brother is too little; his best friend has changed. Finding an ally in someone he never expects, they set out together to uncover the secrets that lie with the skull. What they discover will change Jimmy - and the village - forever.

Read more plot details in each of these reviews:

This is a well-constructed mystery, with a most enjoyable and interesting storyline that contains lots of diverting paths that join up beautifully. Kids' Book Review

Many topics are addressed as Jimmy’s story is revealed, such as: bullying, bigotry, anxiety, loss, the burden of secrets kept, and changing friendships. All are sensitively explored as the adventure unfolds. The totally credible characters capture reader empathy as the issues are explored honestly, but ultimately the book leaves the reader with understanding as prejudices are overcome, lies are uncovered and the mystery of a death that has shadowed a life for years is explained and resolved. Historical Novel Society

Overall, this is a thrilling and touching story about change, family, and friendship, and also about giving people the chance – to support you, and surprise you. Setting the “mystery” storyline aside briefly, I feel that the story is a good look at the evacuee experience, showing both positives and negatives from both sides.  Libraries 4 Schools

I have a Pinterest collection of Middle Grade Novels set during World War II - here is the section about evacuees. 

I spied this book at a recent charity book sale. I recognised the name Lesley Parr and I now discover that this is her first book. I previously read:

Last year I visited Wales and I made a collage of all the books I have read that are set in Wales:

Ready, Set, Skip by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Ann James

I can't skip.

I wish I could.

Other kids are really good.

I can leap.

I can creep.

I can twirl? Just watch this girl. ...

But I can't skip. 

It's not my fault.

Exuberant is the word I would use to describe the illustrations in this book which was published in 2007. This is a perfect book to share with a group of preschool children as a way to talk about the idea of 'not yet'. For myself I found lots of things like skipping and riding a bicycle very hard when I was a young child BUT these are both things you can learn and develop with practice. My former school had an extensive dance program and one of the ways the dance teacher assessed the children who auditioned was by asking them to skip. I think this was the first time I realised even older children can find skipping is a complex skill.

I know this book is out of print. I was so lucky Ann James herself gifted me a copy in mint condition with a dust jacket! You might be lucky and find a copy in a school or local library.

Kirkus gave this book a STAR review:

The narrator of this effervescent exercise in rhyme cannot skip. She can leap, creep, twirl, skate and “BURRRRRRRRRRP!”—but itches to add skipping to her repertoire. Her wise mom asks, “Can you hop?” and, after a perfectly child-calibrated burst of same (“I can hop and / never stop! / Watch!”), bestows the key to the elusive gait. “‘Hop on one foot. / then the other. / That is skipping,’ says my mother.” O’Connor’s deft turns of phrase masterfully capture the initial glumness and ensuing buoyancy, delivering a text perfectly pitched for both story time kids and emergent readers. Australian illustrator James’s charcoal-shaded watercolors beautifully limn that buoyancy, capturing the narrator’s whirling activity and multifold facial expressions in spot illustrations against a crisp white layout. In a brown bob cut, shorts and bare feet, this little one (with her constant companion, a doting dog ... ), embodies a hallmark symbiosis of childhood—joy expressed as movement, and movement, a joy in itself.

I learned a new word from this review: limn - to represent in drawing or painting.

I wonder how Ann James came to illustrate this book. US Author Jane O'Connor is famous for her Fancy Nancy books and lots of others - over 100 titles.

IBBY Australia Mini Masterpiece Art Auction - meet Martina Heiduczek

Check out the auction site - bidding begins on 14th November 

You could own this gorgeous original illustration by Martina Heiduczek. It is titled Porcine Passengers. It would be fun to share this illustration with your library group and then perhaps read Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen. 

Here are other books illustrated by Martina Heiduczek:

Duck, Apple, Egg

Under the red Shawl

What do you call your grandpa?

Katrina Nannestad "All the Beautiful Things" plus these three

The Riding Gallery

And I am keen to see these:

And this one is only in Dutch so far - look at the wonderful end papers - the English title is Shell Girl.

A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle by Gwenda Smyth illustrated by Ann James

In 2018 I wrote about A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle by Gwenda Smyth illustrated by Ann James from 1981 (Shortlisted CBCA 1982)

"Mrs Emmeline Arbuckle needed a pet. ... 'Well of course,' said the gingernut cat. 'You must advertise."  

WANTED - A PET FOR A SWEET OLD LADY. VERY GOOD HOME.

Mrs Arbuckle receives seven letters and sets off around the world to interview the applicants. The gingernut cat goes along too, in case she needs a second opinion.  It is these 'opinions' that add delicious touches of humour to the story. Here are some examples.  

• The armadillo - do you want a ball or a pet? 
• The llama (and her family) - a pet is a pet, and a herd is a herd. 
• Aardvark - Are you going to spend your days finding ants to feed an aardvark? 
• A bear - Take it from me - bear hugs can be very nasty in hot weather.

So what are the qualities of the perfect pet? 

"A pet should go on and on, day after day. A pet should have regular meals and sleep in the same old corner night after night. A pet should be something you can stroke."  

Of course, this perfect pet has been with Mrs Arbuckle all along. It is all very satisfying for the book characters and the reader.  Perhaps one day someone will republish this wonderful story which contains vibrant illustrations by Ann James depicting a range of world settings and emotions. If you have a copy at home or in your library hold it close.  I always include this book in my library program and it is a winner every time.  There are so many little details to discover and discuss. We usually begin by talking about Mrs Arbuckle's husband who she fondly calls Mr A. 

Last month I was so privileged to visit the home of Ann James. It is filled to the brim with fabulous art from so many famous children's book illustrators (Andrew McLean; Bob Graham; Emma Quay and lots more). While I was there, I mentioned that I love A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle but that I did not have a copy. It was a fantastic surprise when Ann James offered to gift me a copy, and she signed it AND she showed me a photo of the real gingernut cat himself! I also learned that this is the first book illustrated by Ann and it came about because a Melbourne bookseller back in about 1980 invited local authors and illustrators to display dummy books and pages from books that they were hoping would be published - and this led to the discovery and publishing of A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle and from there so many more wonderful books. 

Post edits Ann James says: Gwenda (Smyth) and I were friends (at the Publications Branch of the Vic Education Dept.) and we jointly decided to take up the challenge of creating a picture book for the Margareta Webber’s Bookshop invitation in 1979, to unpublished creators! We both had ginger cats and Gwenda (a wonderful storyteller with a delicious sense of humour) wove this story which I couldn’t resist illustrating.  

Margareta Webber really kicked off the Golden Age in picture books with over 300 entries in this call for unpublished picture books! What a marvelously clever and special idea. It was a competition in a way too I remember. The winner, I think, was called Amy’s Treehouse. But so many of us were discovered then and there! Margareta Webber was a book seller from Melbourne Australia who ran a bookstore in McEwan house for nearly 40 years, called The Bookshop of Margareta Webber and opened in 1931.

Wikipedia says: She focused on building an atmosphere of comfort in her bookshop with furnishings, pottery, prints, colourful rugs, and flowers, and she dispensed coffee and sherry. ... She also had an interest in education, particularly in early childhood education, providing literature for the kindergarten movement. The bookshop primarily dealt with new books, however, Webber would on request assist with finding and importing rare and valuable books.

Other books by Gwenda Smyth - A hobby for Mrs Arbuckle (also illustrated by Ann James); The Six Wonders of Wobbly Bridge (illustrated by Roland Harvey); The Famous Wispy Bell (illustrated by Craig Smith); Orlando (illustrated by Mervyn Pywell); and Don't forget the Cheese Pa! (illustrated by Mitch Vane). 

Wispy Bell is sick of being a fairy, dabbling in the dew and wearing a gossamer gown. She wants to ride a skateboard and eat peanut butter sandwiches, like the humans do! Her parents are dismayed at her lack of fairieness, but this is one determined fairy.

You could follow or compare A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle book A Pet for Miss Wright and Wanted: The Perfect pet.

I am celebrating Momotimetoread post 4000! 

And I have selected A pet for Mrs Arbuckle. This book was published in 1981 and that is about the time my journey into the world of children's literature began. I now own two art works by Ann James from It's a Miroocool and Bird and Bear and the Special Day (I talk about this here). I realise now I should have told Ann James how much I adored reading Little Humpty and Lucy Goosey to hundreds of children in my school library. This also seems like a good way to thank the wonderful Ann James (Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee 2019) for her wonderful books and more importantly for her generous contribution to IBBY Australia including these pieces you will find in our Mini Masterpiece art auction which begins on 14th November. 

These are three of the postcard sized art works - there are two more for you to explore. 

Ann contributed pieces to our first Mini Masterpiece auction and our IBBY promotional flyer also features her work. 

Read more about IBBY Australia here

I am happy that my milestone post features a picture book and a book by an Australian author/illustrator. Here is a statement about picture books that resonates with me:

Picture books help to build young readers one glossy page at a time, and a good picture book is a work of art combining just the right illustrations with just the right words and placing them all together for an enjoyable reading experience. 

There is nothing simple about the benefits of reading picture books with young (and not so young) children. Picture books cultivate an appreciation for art while strengthening a child's visual skills. Before a child can read the words they learn to read the pictures to understand the story. Picture books help children learn about the structure of a story while building their vocabulary and comprehension. Picture books can tell simple and familiar stories or very complex and serious stories, and children are exposed to the big world around them. 

The most important aspect of picture books is how they are shared. They are meant to be a shared experience between a child, or a group of children, and a trusted adult. Reading books together builds a bond that is very special and unique. Contra Costa County Library, CA, USA

What's in your pocket? by Heather L Montgomery illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

Inspiration for nature-loving children. Kirkus Star review

George stuffed his pockets full of seeds.

Charles collected rocks, shells, and beetles.

Valerie Jane kept worms under her pillow!

You know THAT kid -- packing their pockets and growing science skills!

Every school library needs a copy of this book - it is a wonderful jumping off point to share with your youngest reads and it invites them to explore the lives of eight famous scientists - some well-known such as Dr Jane Godall but others that may be less familiar:

• George Washington Carver (1860s - 1943)
• Charles William Beebe (1877 - 1962)
• Valerie Jane Godall (1934 - 2025)
• Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)
• Margaret Lowman (1953 - present) Australian
• Diego Cisneros-Heredia (1980 - present)
• Mary Anning (1799 - 1847)
• Maria Sibylla Merian (1647 - 1717)

Read more about Maria Sibylla Merian here

Each of these famous people are organised under three headings - 

When you explore the great outdoors and you find something strange and wonderful do you put it in your pocket? Do you add them to your collection? Do you make amazing discoveries?

• Scientists collect specimens so they can observe the details of natural artifacts.
• As scientists sort, compare and categorise specimens they learn to see patterns within their collections.
• Young scientists make significant discoveries too. Trained to see details and see patterns collectors of any age can surprise us with their finds.

The author web page has an 85 page guide to using this book! After reading What's in your pocket? book I would seek out the matching (where there is one) title from the Little People Big Dreams series and then you might dig into the biography section of your school or local library. Here is a terrific Pinterest collection with over 200 titles to get you started. 

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle by Margaret Wild illustrated by Stephen Michael King

Margaret Wild: ‘I hope readers will understand that people can say something in anger (in this case, the curse put on the bird). And that those words can be regretted and forgiven. It would be good if this story can open up discussions about consequences, atonement and, especially forgiveness, because if we can forgive, there is the possibility that things can change for the better.’  Interview with Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright (see the Teachers Notes)

After reading The Enchantment of Eagle here are some questions that occurred to me:

• Can you ever really 'own' a wild creature? 
• Did the eagle owe an extra loyalty to the family because they saved him when he was just a fledgling?
• Do you understand why the eagle needed to fly away?
• What is a curse?
• Should you always keep your promises? 
• What is guilt? 
• How do you repair a relationship when words are spoken in anger? 
• Why is it important to say sorry and how to you express this from your heart?
• Why are wolves always representative of danger?
• Think about feeling safe and unsafe and how this is explored in this book

Think about the title - enchantment - that is such a powerful word. It implies magic and has overtones of the fairy tale genre. And Margaret Wild writes of Golden Eagle not 'the' golden eagle. Is this a unique creature with magical qualities? Then we have the word golden. This implies precious and wise and important.

Symbolism of the golden eagle: The golden eagle is a powerful symbol that encompasses a wide range of meanings, including strength, freedom, ... and resilience. Its significance varies across cultures, but it consistently represents the ideals of power, guidance, and the ability to rise above challenges. Whether viewed as a divine messenger or a symbol of personal growth, the golden eagle holds a revered place in the spiritual and cultural narratives of many societies. Source

You will find some beautiful vocabulary when you share this book with your library group or young reading companion - fledgling; venture; gazed; summoned; exhilarating; "he batted about'; enfold; curse; pitiless; hollowed-out; tattered; rejoicing; and larking about.

Publisher blurb: One day, Ella and her little brother Leif found a fledgling with a broken wing. They took him home, wrapped and fed him, and watched over him for seven days and seven nights. In time Golden Eagle was well enough to fly away, but he loved the children, so he promised to stay with them at the edge of the dark forest. Until one day, the wind whispered and the breeze caressed his feathers, and Golden Eagle forgot his promise ...

The publisher links the themes in The Enchantment of Golden Eagle with another award-winning book by Margaret Wild - Fox - illustrated by Ron Brooks. With a group of older students, it would be good to compare these two books - read them side by side - and then talk about themes such as guilt; fear; promises; betrayal; and forgiveness. The Enchantment of Golden Eagle is one of those multilayered stories that you could share with your younger students and then also discuss with an older group. I would then pick up Robber Girl by Margaret Wild as another example of a text which showcases Margaret Wild's skill with writing.

The publisher page has a link to some detailed teachers notes. 

A new book by Margaret Wild is certainly something to celebrate. She has written well over 70 books and even at age 76 does not seem set to stop. I expect to see The Enchantment of Golden Eagle listed by the CBCA as a 2026 notable title. 

Read some reviews:

The publisher marks this as suitable for readers 7 to 12, older than the typical picture book market, and online Teaching Notes offer suggestions up to Year 6. This is valuable recognition of the potential of picture books to inspire rich learning well beyond the formative literacy stage. Story Links

Interview with Paperbark Word (Joy Lawn) I love the word “enchantment”. As you say, it is so evocative.  With its associations of spells, magic and mystery, I hope it will spark a reader’s curiosity to open the book and read on.

Highly recommended for all! Kids' Book Review

This is a compelling story that will have the reader turning the pages to the end so they can discover whether the eagle, seen by many cultures as a symbol of strength and freedom, survives the curse, whether it returns and what happens next. The Bottom Shelf

This is a gentle book that reminds us about forgiveness and letting go and loving what you have in life. The Book Muse

From Stephen Michael King: Golden Eagle is my seventh book with Margaret Wild. You might remember the piglet series: Piglet and Mama, Piglet and Papa – then there’s the pocket dogs (everyone’s favourite books). Margaret Wild was instrumental in turning me into a published author/illustrator (with my first book, “The Man Who Loved Boxes”), so it’s always a giant privilege to work with her. 35 plus years ago – when I was working as a General Library assistant, I created a display of her and Julie Vivas’s book “The Very Best of Friends”. I’ve loved Margaret Wild’s work from that very first visual.

Other books by Margaret Wild with art by Stephen Michael King:

And two sequels

IBBY Australia Mini Masterpiece Art Auction two chickens and a duck

Take a look at our wonderful selection of original art.

This is a fantastic opportunity and 

you will be supporting IBBY Australia

Do you love chickens?  My own favourite animals are puffins, pelicans, hedgehogs, and cows but I do have fond memories of chickens in the backyard of a country home where my family lived for a few months when I was a small child. Collecting the warm eggs fascinated me. If you want to see heaps of picture books about chickens, take a look at my Pinterest. I also love ducks - there are so many that live along the shore of the lagoon near my home.

Ann James

Jess McGeachin

My favourite book by Jess McGeachin is Fly 

but he has so many others - click the label on this post

Lucia Masciullo

Check out my post about Eat my Dust which has links to 

lots of other books illustrated by Lucia

Craig Silvey event October 2025

Last night Craig Silvey spoke at an event organised by his publisher Allen and Unwin and a small independent bookstore in North Sydney or more specifically McMahons Point - Blues Point Bookshop.  The owner Helen Baxter has a long association with Craig Silvey. His first book was Rhubarb (2004) written when he was just 19.  The focus of the event last night was his new book Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping - second in the series about the little country dog Runt. On this tour Craig is also visiting Castle Hill; Katoomba; and four locations in Western Australia.

I was excited to attend this event because I adored the first book and was so lucky to read an advance copy back in 2022. But my connection is even stronger because IBBY Australia had a post card sized piece of art by Sara Acton on our last Mini Masterpiece art auction and I was the highest bidder.

AND this year for our second Mini Masterpiece art action we have another little picture of Runt. 

I was hoping to share this with both Craig Silvey and Helen (the owner of the bookstore) but unfortunately, they were both too busy with their event guests. Sadly, too, Helen had not heard of IBBY which is such an important international organisation and I guessing she has no idea about my blog. Here is the web page for IBBY Australia.

I talked about Runt in this blog post and then on Instagram Craig responded with these words:

"Thank you so much @momotimetoread! So delighted you found Runt such a compelling and joyous read! Means the world."

Here are a few things Craig Silvey shared in his talk:

• He hopes Runt and the sequel will be shared in families - he coined the term "camp-fire read".
• The title of the second book matches the tin - you know in advance what you will get - a dognapping!
• The sequel needs to connect with the first installment but also expand on characters and add in new ones. A theme in this second book is truth - it can be distorted or skewed but it is always inside us.
• The town of Upsdowns is an amalgam of the county towns in Western Australia where Craig lived as a child - towns like Colley and the delightfully named Dwellingup.
• Craig Silvey has three young daughters but no dog.
• Craig filled his conversation and answers with such rich language - whimsical; idiosyncratic; unmitigated joy; duress; beguiling; and nominative determinism. It was a delight to listen.
• He watched hundreds of hours of real dog dancing competitions when researching this for the sequel to Runt. 

The children in the audience last night impressed me with their intelligent questions. Here are some that I didn't get to ask Craig Silvey:

• Can you talk about the impact of winning the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Book of the Year award - Younger Readers in 2023
• Which of your books has reached the highest sales?
• Can you please talk about the different cover used on the US edition (see below)
• Did your publisher ask Sara Acton to illustrate your covers?
• How do you respond when people say (with a slight scoff) 'Oh you've written a kids book'.
• Did you expect more of your adult audience (last night) to have read Runt?
• Do you have a favourite children's book featuring a dog? (mine is Because of Winn Dixie)
• You moved around a lot as a child - did you have access to books and libraries? Were you a reader as a child? Do you have a childhood book that has stayed in your memory?
• When you speak you use a very sophisticated vocabulary - can you explain this and does it link with your own reading life?
• What was your involvement in the movie? And what is your involvement in the play at the Sydney based Belvoir Street Theatre which will presented in 2026?
• Were you thinking of adult readers and parents when you created all the funny names for your characters?
• Has your book Runt been translated into other languages? Do you see any issues with this process given the colloquial language and Australian setting?

Read more about the US edition here

Here is a Facebook entry about The Blues Point Bookshop - if you are in the area you might like to drop in and take a look:

Helen Baxter’s Blues Point Bookshop and its blue neon sign have been at the heart of the McMahons Point community. In three decades of devotion to the printed word, Helen has read around 20 books every month. She still hand writes the reviews that adorn her green shelves and the price tags on the back of the books. ...  This charming old-world bookstore is located at McMahons Point but will instantly transport you to the streets of London or Paris. A treasure trove for book lovers, Blues Point Bookshop houses a wide selection of classics, non-fiction, fiction and children's books, with friendly notes and recommendations from the shop's owner Helen Baxter. The comfy armchairs are the perfect spot to while away an afternoon.

Helen Baxter has run over 300 author events -that's so impressive. Craig Silvey has 2 titles in the top 25 of the ABC Radio National top 100 list - that's also very impressive. 

Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Rhubarb, was published in 2004. His bestselling novel, Jasper Jones, was released in 2009 and is considered a modern Australian classic. Published in over a dozen territories, Jasper Jones has won plaudits in three continents, including an International Dublin Literary Award shortlisting, a Michael J. Printz Award Honor, and a Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlisting. Jasper Jones was the Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year for 2010. Craig's third novel Honeybee was published in 2019 and won Best Fiction for the Indie Book Awards 2021 and Dymocks Book of the Year 2020. His much-loved family favourite Runt was published in 2022 and has won multiple awards including Dymocks Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2022, Best Children's Book and Book of the Year at the Indie Book Awards 2023, Book of the Year: Younger Readers at the CBCA Awards 2023, Children's Book of the Year at the BookPeople Book of the Year Awards 2023, and Book of the Year for Younger Children at the Australian Book Industry Awards 2023. Runt was adapted into a critically and commercially successful film in 2024.