Just So Stories

Yesterday kids lit creators and purveyors around the country were either attending celebratory events, presenting at schools or waiting for the newsflash. At the time I was enjoying a massage after treating myself to a leisurely brunch. Am I missing the Book Week buzz? A little, but to be honest, I’m still so deeply entrenched in the kids lit community and working with fabulous publishers as well as creators, that it’s been an easy transition to make.

I am IMMENSELY happy that my friend Tristan Bancks’ sensational book Scar Town won the double whammy of Judges’ and Shadow awards – thoroughly well-deserved for such a cracking read. You can check out all my other reviews of Tristan’s work over the past decade while you’re here.

I was also thrilled to see that Country Town won the gong for the EP Award and a lovely Honour sticker for friend Caz Goodwin’s Grace and Mr Milligan. Despite my fairly intense reading/reviewing, there were still many books shortlisted that have not come my way, or indeed, a few that did but I passed over (one only has just so much time and energy).

But I do congratulate one and all because for many it is such an affirmation of their work. Now, because it IS the official start of Book Week, I’m interrupting the current theme of ‘animals’ PBs to bring you two titles with relevance to the week (or month for many of my creator friends) of celebrations.

For myself, I’m looking forward to a lovely evening next Tuesday with The Kid and Louise Park & Meredith Costain, both in Bris Vegas for the week – huzzah!!!! that sounds a pretty choice way to celebrate in my books (see what I did there?).

Hooray, Hooray, It’s Library Day! – Julie Anne Grasso & Heath McKenzie

Scholastic Australia

July 2024

ISBN: 9781760266042

ISBN-10: 1760266043

RRP: $17.99

Initially, I was a bit baffled by this one as I really thought it was going to be about how wonderful libraries are 😂. In fact, it’s more about how wonderful books are – which is just as good really.

And to make it even more interesting, it’s written from the PoV of the library book and for those of you in school libraries, this is a must-have for your start of year toolbox and intro for Preppies. Because not only does this one elucidate the book’s joy at being borrowed and shared but points out very clearly the dangers of younger siblings, water and drooling pets!!

In other words, all those scenarios we underline when we start to teach the very Smallest readers about how to take care of our books. I have always had a regular list of titles for those first few library lessons (as I know many of you will also – but if you don’t just ping me and I’ll be happy to share my ‘go to’ list).

Although I did not know this author’s work (this is her debut book), I certainly know Heath McKenzie’s and his illustrations are the icing on the cake for this one. This really is a super addition to those so if you haven’t yet got a copy, get it on your orders list ready for 2025 and those first few exciting weeks in a new year! Big 4 📖📖📖📖 for this one.

But Then… the Almost True Story of an Overdue Library Book – Swapna Haddow. Illustrated by Daron Parton

Scholastic New Zealand

August 2024

ISBN: 9781775438823

ISBN-10: 1775438821

RRP: $16.99

“This book is two hundred and ninety-three days overdue,” the librarian told Grandad and me.

I read that first line and was instantly transported back to my first few weeks as a t-l, circa early 1998. I had taken over after the previous incumbent of 25+ years retired, leaving in her wake a trail of permanently mentally scarred children AND parents, many of whom had once been pupils at the school themselves.

I myself was still shell-shocked by the memory of taking my very first class to the library, four years earlier, and the way she completely humiliatedpublically one of my year 5 kids. I knew I was NEVER going to be that kind of librarian.

So in about the second or third week playing happily in my library and transforming it (on nuclear proportions the principal said with great admiration and gratitude), I had a child come in clutching a book and saying diffidently, “This is my book we thought was lost.” When I looked it up, yep – it was two hundred and fifty-three days overdue. “Wowzers,” says I. “This is fabulous. How clever of you to find it! Where was it hiding?”….. “Oh,” he says, clearly much relieved his head wasn’t about to be chewed off. “We found it on our coffee table, it was there the whole time.” Cue stunned face on my part. I’ve never forgotten that and the wondering of what the hell the coffee table looked like to cleverly hide a library book all that time!

But this Grandad and small person have a much better reason for their book being so late. First, there was this penguin………oh, and then there was the seal…. and then another seal, followed by an albatross, an owl, a whale, the ocean and back to the penguin, who eventually gave it up.

It’s hilarious nonsense at its best and will be another one to add to that list of intro books at the start of the year. I’ve not encountered Swapna Haddow‘s work before but I have seen illustrator Daron Parton‘s work previously (and in fact have another new book coming up in the next week) but I can assure you I will certainly be looking out for this combo again.

This gets a big 5 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧 from me!