Bitza by Andrew Daddo illustrated by Stephen Michael King

"I've never seen a dog like you before. What are you? You look a bit Staffy and a bit Kelpie. I think I can see a bit of Labrador 

and some doodle too."

"You got some Blue Heeler in you too? ... 

Or maybe that's Cattle Dog. Boy you're a beauty, Bitza."

There are two books (so far) in this series (two more are planned) and they are great fun! Do not hesitate to add these to your school library. Stephen Michael King has, I am so thrilled to say, returned to his 'roots' and added the most perfect little drawings (not digital) to these easy chapter books.  Your students who love dogs will adore these but so will all the other kids. In 2027 there will be a new CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) awards category for junior books like these. I do hope we see Bitza on the 2027 Notables - yes it is that good!

From Chapter Two Bitza - Rules? What rules?

You have seen Stephen Michael King illustrate dogs like this before in Mutt Dog, Barney by Catherine Jinks, Pocket Dogs by Margaret Wild and Three. (Click this link to see all of his books).

Andrew Daddo also knows so much about dogs! Yes, Bitza is written from the point of view of one very irresistible little dog but there are so many other dog traits that he highlights and that made me laugh.

"I do know that I can smell food very well. And when I smell food I tend to drool. It just happens. It's like someone turns on a tap in my mouth and eventually it fills up and spills out the corners."

"Want more? she asked. 'Well, duh! That's like asking if cats are a little creepy. I'm part Labrador, of course I want more."

"I didn't mind that they watched me eat, as long as they didn't want me to share it."

"Dad reached down and rubbed my head, getting the knuckles in that groove right in the middle of my ears and making my back leg shake."

Chapter 9 is great fun - Jas and Dad ask Bitza does he prefer a ball or a stick. Such a hard decision for a dog who loves BOTH! Then just when you think everything is good or even great for Bitza, the daughter of his old owner shows up. But you (or your young reading companion) will never guess how this could possibly be resolved.

I think the second book is even better than the first especially towards the end when Bitza is left home alone. He digs a hole in the garden (even though that is breaking one of dad's rules) but then things get really crazy when the dog next door encourages Bitza to dig up all the newly planted flowers. I kept thinking about Freddy's motivation. I thought he might want Bitza to get into terrible trouble so that he might be sent away and Freddy could regain Jasper all for himself but no - wait until you see Freddy's own backyard. Does Bitza get into dreadful strife? The ending of this second story is sure to give you a huge smile - I cheered!

You can see inside Bitza here. And this snipped page will give you an idea of the text size and wonderful illustrations:

"I couldn't have been clearer if I wanted to be. That dog behind you is slobbering on my ball."

This series is sure to become an Aussie classic, perfect for newly confident readers or for a family read aloud, we just love it. Rachel Robson Gleebooks Kids

This promises to be a favourite with all the children that long for a pet to love ... Perfect illustrations by Stephen Michael King complement the  humorous text. Kids' Book Review

Your library might also have this dog series illustrated by Stephen Michael King:

Here are a few other books by Andrew Daddo. It is interesting to see that he has be so lucky to 'score' some of our fantastic Australia illustrators such as Emma Quay; Craig Smith; Jonathan Bentley; Judith Rossell and of course Stephen Michael King.

There are four books in the Skoz the Dog series

Post update: Tonight my friend an I attended an event organised by The Constant Reader at Stanton Library. Andrew Daddo talked about his own dog and how he came to the idea of writing his Bitza series from the point of view of a dog - his own dog often seems to be 'talking' through the way she rolls her eyes or turns her head. I mentioned to Andrew I have a couple of other favourite books written from the point of view of the dog him or herself. These are for a slightly older reader than the Bitza series:

Read the Book Bag review

Spunky Tells all

Dreadful David by Sally Farrell Odgers illustrated by Craig Smith

Look closely at the cover.

David is emptying his Mum's purse all over the street.

This style of bush fence is often a feature of art by Craig Smith

I first read Dreadful David in 1984 in my first school library and decades later the words still resonate with me.

Dreadful David went to stay

With Granny for a while

His mum was glad to leave him there

For David was a trial

...

David

Made a box into a boat and 

Sailed it on the trough

The box was Granny's biscuit box

The biscuits went all soft!

He watered Granny's kitten because it seemed so small

He used up Grandad's shaving cream and overflowed the shower

He found a big new toilet roll and flushed it down the loo

Oh there was nothing horrible that David didn't do

Maybe now the text is not politically correct because Granny does eventually give David a smack on his bottom (but it didn't really hurt) but that part doesn't bother me, after all by this stage he has watered the letters in the letter box; watered the kitten; put flour and shaving cream all over the bathroom floor; and finally he's used the hose on Granny herself. I am sure most kids will just laugh over this final scene and grandparents will nod in recognition. 

Sally Odgers was born in Tasmania in 195. She began writing as a child, and her first book was published in 1977. Since then, she has published more than 400 titles, making her one of Australia's most prolific authors. Sally lives in North-West Tasmania with her husband, dogs, and a cockatoo, and she enjoys activities like walking, reading, and gardening. Sally Odgers was awarded an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in the 2026 Australia Day honours. ABC Hobart talked to Sally Odgers [listen from 2.07.35] - [2.17.50]

If you have worked in school libraries for a while you might recognise some of Sally Odger's older titles. I own an original illustration from Drummond. Notice some of the very famous names on these book covers - Kym Gamble; and Kilmeny Niland. I also remember reading Wicked Rose to groups of Grade 5 students when we were exploring Bushrangers.

Sally Odgers also writes the Jack Russell: Dog Detective and Pet Vet series.  Trove list 395 book titles here.

Sally's favourites among her own books include the Bandinangi Books (which continue to generate enthusiastic mail from primary school readers), Amy Amaryllis, Shadowdancers, Aurora and Trinity Street. Other books she particularly enjoyed writing include Timedetectors, Theft in Time, CD and the Giant Cat and Tasmania: A Guide (all co-written with Darrel), a picture book called Bunyips Don't and two romances for adults, both published under the pseudonym Tegan James. Shadowdancers and Aurora were both shortlisted for the 3M Talking Book Awards, Looking Out for Sam was commended in the Christian Children's Book of the Year Awards and both Amy Amaryllis and The Follow Dog have been Children's Book Council Notable Books.

The illustrations in this book showcase the work of Craig Smith and they are fabulous. If you cannot find Dreadful David look at the pages in The Wobbly Bike which have a similar setting and feel.

The Wobbly Bike

My Dog's a Scaredy-cat

Andrew McLean Aussie Bites and Aussie Nibbles

It is Christmas and the tradition is to give the garbage men (garbos) a gift such as some beer. The me of the title is Mickey. He agrees to help some older kids collect beer left out for the garbos. Sebby is his duck - the one on the cover. Sebby or Sebastian made so much noise when the kids left their house at 4.30am Mickey thought the only solution was to bring him along. 

The older boys are so greedy and they pinch way more than they can carry and of course there is a disaster and all the bottles are smashed. But Mickey still has some under his shirt. It is impossible to carry beer and a duck so his brother puts Sebby into a nearby garbage bin. Oh no Sebby is picked up by the garbos and he is heading for the tip or perhaps the garbos think he is a gift for their Christmas dinner! And there is another name in the title - Stee - that is Stephanie. She is the one who eventually is able to help Mickey retrieve his precious duck. I wonder if this book (1988) would be published today. It does contain a lot of beer and beer drinking and the dad even drives the kids home after he shares a beer with the guys at the tip. 

Andrew McLean posted a picture of the cover of Sebby, Stee, the Garbos and Me by Jane Godwin - Andrew did the cover and internal illustrations.

Here is what he said in his post:

Sebby,Stee,the Garbos and Me(was) a Puffin Aussie Bites paperback book. Written by Jane Godwin and illustrated by me. Published in 1988. ...  Jane Godwin wrote a wonderful adventure story that begins when Sebby starts quacking loud enough to wake everyone up, Mike can’t just leave him behind so off they set together and that’s when the adventure begins. ...  The cover is one of few that I have done with soft pastels on dark pastel paper. ...  The book sold very well and earned more than some picture books that I might have worked on for months.

Image source Instagram

Here is an interview with Andrew McLean. 

The library I visit each week still has nearly all the Aussie and Nibbles titles. I have talked about these two wonderful series previously. Next year a new series will be published here in Australia called 'Your Kids Next Read' aimed at younger readers. I have every finger and toe crossed that they will be just as fantastic and contain the truly wonderful stories as we previously had in the Aussie Bites and Aussie Nibbles. And of course I am hoping for fantastic illustrations and covers!

I went hunting for more titles from these two series illustrated by Andrew McLean:

Crusher Kevin

Bio from Walker Books: Andrew McLean grew up in the Victorian country town of Bairnsdale. He trained as a painter and teacher, and taught in secondary schools before becoming a lecturer in painting and drawing at Caulfield Institute of Technology. He has been a full-time artist now for more than thirty years. Andrew and his wife Janet have created many picture books together, and Andrew also illustrates books written by other authors. Many of his books have been award winners: he has won the CBCA Book of the Year Award three times.

Here is an image I found with lots of the books from these two series. I am sure you will see some you recognise:

Huda was Here by H Hayek

Huda is part of a large family but the main focus in this book is on Huda herself and her older brother Akeal. Their father has lost his job as a neighborhood security office and now he has been forced to move across the country to Western Australia to take up a new job, leaving the family behind. Huda is a problem solver and a young girl of action with a capital 'A'!  She is determined, yes determined to get her dad back and better yet to get his job back. Since his job was about security it seems obvious to Huda that she needs to instigate more crime in her area. If the crime rate rises, then her father will get his old job back. She does pledge not to hurt anyone. Her plans are for low level, but annoying crimes, that will surely make the authorities change their mind. Garbage bins are knocked over, graffiti is sprayed, shoes are moved while people are praying in the mosque and then, maybe she does go too far, there is a kidnapping!

"We make crime. we do things, here and there, to make everyone think there are criminals on the loose. ... We just do a couple of small, teeny tiny, harmless things to get people to believe real 'crims' are lurking around. Everyone gets scared. Then voila, they bring Pops back."

There is another intriguing layer to this story that hints at corruption. Why did dad really lose his job? Why does Uncle Ahmed give Huda $100. Is something going on at the corner shop? And does that lady across the road have some thing to hide?

There is also a delicious layer of humour in this story. Huda is mortified when her mother is employed by the school as a teacher's aide working with 'remedial kids' like Huda who actually cannot read very well and who certainly cannot spell as evidenced by her graffiti and the word crimanimals! Huda is also suspicious of their new friend Fadey and she is utterly infuriated when he keeps calling her Pip-Squeak. 

I loved the way H Hayek made me work hard reading this story. The plot is not linear but rather jumps back and forth between events and readers need to stay focused to join up all the puzzle pieces. The opening scene is gripping with Huda and her brother in jail - both refusing to talk to the police. You could easily read the first chapter as a book taster or book talk with your library group. This story certainly is a romp and a page turner, and I loved the voice of Huda.

Huda was Here is a title from the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) 2024 Younger Readers Notable list.

Here are the CBCA judges comments: A layered and engaging novel that captivates the reader from its intriguing prologue through to its positive, heartwarming conclusion. Centred on Lebanese Australians, Akeal and his younger sister Huda, it is a fast-paced, stand-alone sequel, told from the perspective of Akeal, through clearly labelled dual narratives. Huda’s strong-willed determination respectively combines with Akeal’s sensitive loyalty to deliver wondrous episodes of suspense, humour and misbehaviour, revealing their love for each other and for their family. This novel creatively and simultaneously explores multicultural Australia, family life, corruption, community, hardship and determination in the context of living as part of a minority group. Humour pervades this delightful story, lifting it to deliver a relatable, skilfully crafted, age-appropriate and engaging mystery adventure.

The story is filled with heart and love of family, and will draw young readers in right away. Reading Time

Every reader will be instantly invested and pulled in by the strong connection; with Huda’s tenacity and sympathies with Akeal and what he must tolerate. As each chapter cleverly meanders back and forth in time, we discover how and why Huda and Akeal found themselves in this predicament…. And even more importantly how this will all end! Each twist and turn, keeps the reader completely invested and captivated. Read Plus

We are given an insight into the trials and delights of a family that is living in multi-cultural, contemporary Australia. Themes of courage, family, problem solving, conflict and current financial stress, all come together in an enjoyable and easy to read story of modern times and age-old family unity.

Here is a video review of the two books from this series. 

Huda and me is the sequel to Huda was here but it does completely stand alone. Here is the web page for H Hayek.

Huda and me

The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren

I recently listed to a podcast by Fuse8n'Kate where Betsy Bird and her sister Kate talked about this American classic, a Little Golden Book, called The Poky Little Puppy. They made lots of interesting comments. Of course I had seen copies of this book in bookshops and in department stores but I had never actually read it. I was amazed to discover this is one of the best selling children's books of all time having sold over 15 million copies. Are you curious to know the other best sellers?

1. Poky Little Puppy
2. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
3. Tootle by Gertrude Crampton (I don't know this one so I've included the cover)
4. Green Eggs and Ham
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Poky Little puppy was one of the first twelve Little Golden Books. It was published in 1942. Little Golden Books were popular because they only cost twenty-five cents. It's fun to link this with the copy I bought at a recent charity book sale which cost fifty cents for a mint condition copy. I guess with 15 million of these books floating around the world it is easy to see why more than one copy was for sale at my local book fair.

Here are the first twelve Little Golden Books:

There are many people who have written about The Poky Little Puppy. I am going to focus on why I think it appeals to very young children and linked with this why grandparents remember it fondly.

1. Puppies are adorable. In this book there are five. The illustration where the four good puppies are tucked up under their blankets is just so cheeky.  Their eyes are wide open as they wait to see what will happen to their naughty brother.

2. Everyone loves a rebel. The fifth puppy is so naughty but not in a dangerous way - he is just a mischief maker and what about the rewards!

3. Which leads to my third reason - the food. The puppy smells rice pudding, the puppy hears chocolate custard and finally the puppy sees a strawberry which can only mean one thing - strawberry shortcake.  Can you see what is happening here?  This is a common story device where the character, in this case the Poky Puppy, uses each of his senses in his quest for dessert.

4. Notice all the repetition. This gives the story a structure and predictability.  There are the repeated actions of through the meadow, down the road, over the bridge, across the grass and up the hill.  On each outing our puppy is missing. Three times we read these words as his siblings try to find him:

"And down they went to see, roly-poly, pell-mell, tumble-bumble, they came to the green grass, and there they stopped short.  'What in the world are you doing?' they asked."

5. Look at these words - onomatopoeia - pell-mell, tumble-bumble, roly-poly.  These are so lively and playful.

6. Numbers. Each time we need to count those puppies. One, two, three, four - where is the fifth puppy?  The action happens over three days. There are three desserts. The mother writes three warning signs and the puppies venture out exploring three times.

If I was going to make any criticism of this book, the aspect that has always puzzled me is the word poky.  When I read a dictionary it defines this word as small and cramped. I guess for this book the word relates to the puppy poking his nose into adventure. I think the pup should instead be called curious or naughty or even clever.

Over the years quite a lot of merchandise has been made celebrating this book along with a television series and other spin off books using a different author/illustrator.

I discovered there are two sequels by Janette Sebring Lowrey  - Where is the Poky Little Puppy? and The Poky Little Puppy's first Christmas.  If this post has made you nostalgic click here to listen to the original vinyl record of the Poky Little Puppy.

I didn't read this book as a child but I have a memory of another puppy book which may have been a Little Golden Book. It was about a set of pups who all find homes but one is left over and on Christmas morning he appears in the Christmas stocking of a little boy who had asked Santa for a pup. I wish I knew the title. It is a book I'd love to see again.

I have enjoyed digging into the background of The Poky Little Puppy. Gustaf Tenggren was a Swedish illustrator who migrated to the US in 1920. He worked for Disney and then he illustrated several Little Golden Books.

Rainbow Bear by Stephen Michael King

This book is a delight from front to back.  Yes once again I am going to talk about end papers!  In rainbow bear they look like pages from a colouring book and this is perfect for the theme of this story. Also I am so thrilled to see the front end papers are different from the back end papers.

On the first end paper we see a polar bear with a satchel walking down a small hill heading towards the city. Where has he been? Where is he going?  On the half title page Bear stands and watches some young artists standing at their easels. The title page shows a busy city scene.  I searched and searched for bear not thinking to look up! There he was - a passenger in a small yellow plane.

Arriving home Bear presents his wife with a dozen red roses (go back and look at the city scene and you will find the flower seller) and a set of crayons for his two cubs. After a joyous day together Bear settles down to sleep. In the morning he is transformed. A refreshing swim restores him but the next night and the next the same thing happens.  Finally one morning Bear sees some tracks in the snow and he traces the mischief makers.

I haven't met Stephen Michael King and yet he feels like a friend. His books and illustrations always make me smile. I love to read and re-read Where does Thursday go (Janeen Brian), The man who loved boxes, Henry and Amy and Mutt Dog.  Like many other books by Stephen Michael King I really hope this wonderful book is included in the 2019 CBCA Notables and from there makes the short list. Here are some teachers notes from the publisher.

One tiny thing to notice. I absolutely do not have a problem with this, but an astute reader will point out, polar bears and penguins do not live in the same polar regions. Rainbow Bear is an imaginative story that celebrates mischief and love in a family. I'm sure the science facts can be put aside for now. I highly recommend Rainbow Bear for school libraries and as a book to treasure in your own collection.

I would pair this book with Elmer and compare the wonderful design work on the grey elephants and while polar bears.

Image source: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28202506

My haunted house as told to Angie Sage

"I have a Secret Passage Kit, just like my Ghost kit.  I have always wanted to find a secret passage, and now I was sure that at last I had the key to one.

First I opened my Secret Passage Kit box and took out a torch a ball of string and some emergency supplies of cheese and onion crisps.  You need a torch because secret passages are always dark, and you need a ball of string so that you can find you way out again … You need emergency food supplies as you never know how long you are going to be in the secret passage, do you?"

This little extract should show you the tone of this first book from the series Araminta Spook. I have had this book on my reading pile for far too long.  A fellow Teacher-Librarian recommended it months ago as a popular series in her library.

Minty (Araminta) lives in a wonderful spooky house but she has not been able to find a ghost despite years of searching.  Her uncle Drac works at night and sleeps with bats and her aunt Tabby (Tabitha) is obsessed with cleaning and the boiler which constantly gives her trouble.  Aunt Tabby announces she is selling the house and moving somewhere small and clean. (Listen to the extract here.) Minty immediately sets up a plan to foil this scheme.  She easily drives away the real estate agent, she modifies the for sale sign, she drops spiders on a prospective purchaser and finally she enlists the help of a small ghost called Edmund and a suit of armour called Sir Horace.

I love the idea of a different bedroom for every day of the week. As this story opens Minty has been doing her ghost practice in her Thursday bedroom.

You might also enjoy One night at Lottie's house and the Piccolo and Annabelle series by Stephen Axelsen.  

Araminta has her own web site with games and more.  There are six books in this series which are perfect for fans of ghosts, haunted houses, mischief and fun!  It would be best to start with this first book in the series where you meet the main characters and learn some of their eccentricities.  

Many readers enjoy a series and these little books deliver all the right ingredients.  Easy to read, fast paced, delightful illustrations and a feisty, lovable main character.