Taking the Long Way Home

Taking the Long Way Home by Jake Hope (Scallywag Press), RRP $29.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781915-252845

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

Taking the Long Way Home is a picture book about a little girl, Zarah, who doesn’t like walking. Even when her daddy takes shortcuts, she still feels that the walk home from school is far too long. Then, one day, when her Uncle Jerome comes to pick her and her brother up from school, Zarah isn’t happy because Uncle Jerome is taking the long way home on purpose. 

Zarah groans and complains, but Uncle Jerome encourages them to use their five senses to imagine the exotic creatures they could encounter along the way. From pterodactyls to yetis to vampire bats, by the time they reach home, Zarah has had such a terrific adventure that she actually enjoyed the walk. 

The action, expressions and surprises portrayed in the illustrations by Brian Fitzgerald bring the sensory experiences of the walk to life and carry the book. Throughout, the language switches between third person and first person, making the reading a tad confusing. The story itself is rather predictable and best suited to 3 to 5-year-olds. 

Hatch

Hatch by Heidi Cooper Smith. CSIRO Publishing 2025. Hardcover Non-Fiction Picture Book, 32 pp, RRP $26.99. ISBN 9781486318278.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

What kind of animals lay eggs? Where do they lay them, and how do they look after them?

This book introduces young readers to some of Australia’s egg-laying mammals and monotremes. It takes the reader on a journey inland, to the treetops high above, then back down to the underground and a waterhole, finishing back at the sea once more. It includes reptiles, birds, and insects, along with their habitats.

Hatch (from the illustrator of the Amanda Commander chapter book series) has beautiful illustrations containing plenty of detail for kids to explore. It includes animals found in the Australian bush and sometimes city backyards to encourage children to observe them and their behaviour for themselves.

With a glossary in the back, it is aimed at a reading level of ages 5-9.

 

There are Teacher Notes aligned to the Australian Curriculum available to download from the CSIRO Publishing website: publish.csiro.au/book/8159#forteachers.

Skippy Blackfeet

Skippy Blackfeet by Rebecca Fraser (Wombat Books), RRP $19.99 Junior Fiction ISBN 9-781761-111662

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

Skippy Blackfeet is a delightful junior fiction novel about a starving, stray cat who is adopted by 8-year-old May. My daughter pounced on this book as soon as she saw the front cover and devoured it in two days - a record for her. So naturally, that got me wondering why she loved it so much. 

Told from Skippy’s point of view, Skippy is living in a quiet cemetery, beneath a pleasant agapanthus bush. There he’s safe from the noise and chaos outside the fence, but he is so hungry that he can’t remember the last time he ate. When he hears May crying because she’s lost, he comforts her and the two are instantly attracted to each other. When May’s mother finds her, May begs to bring Skippy home with them and her mother acquiesces. Skippy’s subsequent experiences living with May and her parents transform him from being alone and scared of the world to feeling loved, safe and important as he realises that he helps May as much as she helps him. 

The book consists of three stories, each with short and easy-to-read chapters. The illustrations by Jennifer Horn are cute and whimsical. Rebecca Fraser’s portrayal of Skippy Blackfeet’s thoughts and feelings at each new encounter captures how I’d imagine my own cats view the world and makes the perfect reading material for 6 to 9-year-old girls who love pets – especially cats! When my daughter was telling me how she was worried about what was going to happen to Skippy during one of his experiences, I knew this book was a winner for its intended audience. 

Koala Koala

Koala Koala by John Williamson, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley (PenguinRandom House) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN9781761344244

Based on the popular family song by an iconic Australian entertainer, this picture book celebrates our beloved but endangered koala. It is also a call by Williamson to protect eucalyptus trees, which koalas rely on for food, water, and shelter. The singer/songwriter says, ‘We need to keep their homes safe from bushfires, cars and motorbikes, dogs, and land clearing for new houses, roads and farming. We can all contribute by planting more eucalyptus trees wherever possible in areas where koalas reside, and by joining the effort to protect the remaining unique forests.

Williamson’s text in the book follows these sentiments. For example, on a beautifully illustrated double page, there is a picture on the left-hand side of a koala perched up a roadside sign, looking at four children who are planting trees. The text reads, ‘We’ve gotta learn how to help you survive. I’ll grow a gum tree today.’ Another page reads, ‘Put a water bowl on the ground’, with a picture of a koala drinking from the bowl.

The last few pages read, ‘Koalas, you used to be everywhere; what a wonderful place it could be…A walk in the bush could be heaven. Please bring back the forest for me.’

This book is the latest instalment in the bestselling series of picture books inspired by Williamson’s songs.

Ariana Treasure: The Secret Ingredient

Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern, illustrated by Karen Erasmus (Wombat Books) PB RRP $10.99 ISBN 9781761111808

Ariana Treasure: The Secret Ingredient by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern, illustrated by Karen Erasmus (Wombat Books) PB RRP $10.99
ISBN 9781761111822

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ariana Treasure is a new six-book junior fiction series written for newly independent readers. Ariana Treasure is a young girl who helps at her family’s thrift shop called The Treasure Chest. The heartwarming stories set around this thrift shop radiate a great sense of community and kindness while offering a sustainability message that highlights the reuse of pre-loved items.

In book one, The Missing Book, Ariana meets a new family that has just moved to her town. Additionally, Ariana is left saddened when her most prized possession, a precious book that once belonged to her beloved grandpa, goes missing.

In book two, The Secret Ingredient, Ariana’s friends enter a food truck competition and go to The Treasure Chest thrift shop in search of inspiration for a special dish that could help them win.

The Ariana Treasure stories are highly recommended for an audience aged 5 years and older. The books would appeal to young readers who are beginning their chapter book journey as they include a large font size, short chapters, plenty of white space, and monochrome pictures throughout.

The remaining books in the Ariana Treasure series include: The Lucky Shoes, The Lost Frog, The Perfect Day, and The Fundraiser.

Splash!

Splash! (Daisy Lane Publishing) Kym Langfield  PB RRP $28.99 9781763670020

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Kym Langfield is a published author and illustrator, with books including Solo Dan (Daisy Lane Publishing) and Ah-Fur: The Case of the Missing Moggies (Morris Publishing). With a diploma in children's book illustration, Kym loves using vibrant watercolours. She is also a teacher and a qualified counsellor, working in Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Dark clouds follow Lucy everywhere she goes. That is, until a bright splash of paint lands at her feet, and Abby invites her to Art Club. There, Lucy discovers the joy of art and learns to explore the world through colours.

Kym Langfield has created a compelling opening that beautifully introduces the main character and her problem: "Rainclouds followed Lucy everywhere she went. Mum and dad tried everything to cheer her up. Skipper tried too. But nothing worked." Her words seamlessly complement her illustrations, working together poetically and visually. The page turns are inviting, and the writing is tight. The theme of friendship is woven throughout the story. I love how Abby is a friend who not only recognizes Lucy’s anxiety but also helps her navigate it in a thoughtful, kind way. I appreciate that Lucy’s internal dialogue is explored just as much as her external dialogue.

It’s the things we tell ourselves that can hold us back, and this is captured beautifully in the text. The comparison of dark thoughts to clouds is both powerful and visually striking. The dialogue is spot-on—simple and child-friendly. The story arc is clear and strong, and the text naturally introduces helpful ways to deal with anxiety, like when Lucy "takes a deep breath and races over to Abby." The idea of seeing the world with colour instead of darkness is a powerful message.

Langfield has created a striking cover for Splash! with the use of blue and a shy Lucy exploring colour on her hand, wordlessly conveying the essence of the book. The use of dark shades effectively shows that Lucy is in a dark place. The large black cloud over her head is powerful—it instantly communicates that no matter what she does, the cloud follows her. The bright splash of yellow captures a pivotal moment in the story. I love the double-page spread of the students in the art room, where the only colours used are greys with splashes of yellow. Visually, this tells the reader so much. Yellow, being a colour associated with happiness, is a perfect choice here.

Langfield’s use of perspective, zooming in and out on the pages, strongly enhances the visual storytelling. The contrasts between the heaviness and lightness of feelings are beautifully represented through the colours. The illustrations perfectly mirror Lucy’s emotions. Once colour is introduced, the book comes to life with vibrancy and joy. The silent double-page spread of a colourful rainbow speaks volumes without words. It’s a moment where the illustrations say so much more than words ever could.

Splash! is a multi-layered picture book, perfect for every child’s bookshelf, classroom, counsellor, parent, artist, and librarian. It teaches that there’s always light after darkness, offering hope, strategies, and the healing power of art and friendship. Ideal for children aged 4 to 8, its vibrant illustrations and relatable themes of anxiety and friendship make it a perfect choice for young readers and a valuable resource for discussing emotional well-being.

Song of Blackbird

Song of Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781761181795

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Song of a Blackbird is a graphic novel inspired by true events that depicts two parallel fictional narratives. Set in Amsterdam in 2011 and 1945, this narrative intertwines two powerful stories of heartbreak and hope.

2011 - Annick’s Oma is very sick with leukemia. Her only hope for survival is to find a matching bone marrow donor. When Oma’s siblings are not a match, the doctor breaks the news that they are, in fact, not her biological siblings. This devastating news is the catalyst for Annick to find out who her Oma’s parents were. However, the only things her Oma has from her early childhood are her vague memories and five prints depicting various buildings of significance. Annick uses the artwork's inscriptions and artist names to find her Oma’s family.

1945 – In a building across the street from Emma’s school, the Nazis are detaining Jewish people and then deporting the adults to camps. Their children are taken to a nearby childcare centre. Concerned about the fate of the Jewish people, Emma joins her teacher as part of the Resistance to covertly rebel against the Nazis through a printing business that forges papers and ration coupons. Emma eventually becomes involved in the biggest bank heist in European history.

The narrator throughout the novel is a blackbird who is often ‘called upon when hardship is having its way with someone.’ Its monologue is represented in black speech bubbles, providing insights into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.

Song of a Blackbird is a unique and engaging graphic novel that would appeal to an upper primary and lower secondary school audience. It is highly recommended for those who are interested in World War II history. The mixed media artwork is created using minimal colour. It layers black and white photographs, letters, cartoon illustrations, and speech bubbles to portray Annick and Emma stories. Song of a Blackbird includes themes of compassion, courage, family, and art.