Saskia Spark-Lee Trading Trouble by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg

I picked this book up by mistake. The second book from this series is a CBCA Younger Readers Notable title but anyway I did enjoy this first installment (published 2023). In fact this easy chapter book was a total surprise. I expected it would be a fairly light weight story, but this story explores deeper themes of honesty, jealousy, problem solving and remorse.

Saskia is a collector especially of things that sparkle (think about her name). She lives with her two dads. One is a great cook. Saskia has a wonderful friend at school and each day the pair of them have fun guessing what might be in their lunch boxes and then swapping the different treats and sandwiches. At lunch time one day Saskia sees a girl from her class with a wonderful large piece of sparkling quartz. It would be a fabulous addition to her collection. Without thinking about the consequences Saskia tells Athena about the real diamond she has at home. Saskia offers to swap her tiny diamond for the lovely piece of quartz. Does Saskia really have a diamond? No. But how can she undo this terrible lie.

I love the role adults play in this story. Dad (Da) has a great idea about how to tell the truth but also smooth over this relationship. At the same time, unknown to Saskia, Athena's mum also has a solution which means as readers we can all enjoy the resolution to this problem and it feels realistic, kind and very satisfying. 

Here are the Scholastic Standing Order teachers notes. 

I have been reading my way through the 2025 CBCA Younger Readers Notable titles. Saskia Spark-Lee Trading trouble is the first book in this series featuring Saskia Spark-Lee. The second book Fundraiser Fail is a CBCA Notable and tomorrow the short-listed books will be announced. There are 14 books in this category I have not read (although I did browse through a few of the pop titles - reading just their first few pages until the word 'fart' was mentioned then I thought I should really spend my time on books that I think meet the CBCA criteria because this is a literary award not a pop one). I will need to hunt out this book because it is an important part of the CBCA judging that books from a series must stand alone. Here is the webpage for Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg. 

Here is the notable title from the CBCA 2025 Younger Readers list:

Publisher blurb: Saskia Spark-Lee loves animals – she’s almost adopted a whole zoo-worth! But when Da and Dee say they can’t add another to the collection, she must come up with a new plan to continue supporting her furry friends. With some help from Nanna, and the amazing fundraising skills of her friends, Saskia may find where there's a will there's a way!

The Younger Readers 2025 CBCA judges said: This book is ideal for the younger end of the category. Although only 64 pages, it’s packed with substance – excellent plotting with tension maintained throughout, and good authentic characterisation with a strong voice. The topics are appealing to the age level, and the book is accessible with illustrations in halftone and line. The themes of prioritising competing values, animal conservation, advocacy and charity are explored in a way that is accessible to the intended audience and this series does not talk down to readers. Similarly, it includes some vocabulary that will challenge readers such as ‘solemn’ and ‘dilemma’. There is also a diverse representation of characters including Saskia’s two dads and her multicultural classmates. This book will entice but not intimidate younger readers.

Norman didn't do it! (yes he did) by Ryan T Higgins

"Norman was a porcupine. Norman's best friend was Mildred. Mildred was a tree."

Norman has always done everything with Mildred - games, reading bedtime stories and talking. BUT one day another tree pops up out of the ground. 

"Suddenly, it was no longer just Norman and Mildred. Now it was Norman and Mildred and the other tree. This did not sit well with Norman."

Over time we watch as the other tree grows taller and seemingly closer until one day their leaves touch. For Norman this is the last straw! (Even though in this case there were no straws. Just branches.)

Norman is desperate so he makes a plan. He needs to get rid of this other tree - can you guess what he does? He digs it up and transplants it very very very far away on a tiny island in the middle of the river. BUT now Norman feels dreadful. He feels guilty. And should he think about how Mildred might be feeling. And what about the other tree all alone so far away. Oh and what if someone saw him move the little tree. They might tell Mildred!

"What if digging up your friend's friend in the middle of the night and taking that friend very very far away was NOT the right thing to do? What if it was the WRONG thing to do?"

The library I am lucky enough to visit each week adds a little sticker to the front cover of books they especially love - the sticker says "Our Picks" and Norman Didn't do it (yes he did) has very appropriately earned one of these stickers. This book should be added to your school library and preschool bookshelf and you should also borrow it from your local library or badger them to purchase it. I do have to add, though, that very sadly this book costs over AUS$35 here in Australia so you might need to wait for the paperback edition. My copy was published in September, 2021 so hopefully the paperback is not too far away. This book could also be one to read aloud in your library or as a discussion starter about friendship, jealousy, and fixing our mistakes. And of course you will talk about the issue of 'twos company - threes a crowd' and how best to navigate changes in friendship groups. 

Ryan T. Higgins' signature wit, whimsy, and humor brilliantly explore the depths and complexities of friendship. Publisher comment

Here are some other books by Ryan T Higgins: