Matilda by Roald Dahl

Source: http://wordsonpaperya.blogspot.sg/

Matilda is an unusual girl. At the tender age of three, she starts reading the newspapers and by the time she is four, she is reading Great Expectations. Even geniuses do not develop such astounding reading abilities. Later, when she is in school, she also develops telekinetic powers. Sadly, her parents do not appreciate this and treat her with neglect and disdain. Fortunately for Matilda, she becomes very close to her teacher, Miss Honey, who herself is being mistreated by Miss Trunchbull. Using her telekinetic abilities, Matilda liberates Miss Honey and herself from Miss Trunchbull and her parents respectively and Matilda moves in to live with Miss Honey.

Many young readers will be delighted and thoroughly entertained by how reading gives Matilda superpowers. Roald Dahl used this story to depict reading as a highly desirable activity that is magical and empowering. Being a strong protagonist throughout the story, many children will look up to Matilda and thus be encouraged to read widely. Some titles of the books she reads are even mentioned.

This story has a very clear theme of good vs evil. Not only is the theme clear, the distinction between the good characters and the evil characters is very obvious. Some parents have expressed their concern that in Roald Dahl's books, children are always portrayed as good characters and adults always depicted to be bad. This is indeed a distinctive trait of many of Roald Dahl's books and Matilda is no different. The heroine of the story, Matilda, is a young girl and the antagonists, her parents and Miss Trunchbull, are adults. However, this book has a slight exception. Miss Honey is an adult but good and is also mistreated by the "evil" characters. Mrs Phelps, the librarian, also treats Matilda well.

This book also attempts to convey a subtle message to parents that children should be allowed to explore and discover their own hobbies. For instance, Matilda's parents should not keep insisting that she should watch television just because it is something they like to do. This can help offer a slight glimmer of hope to children who have parents who are not supportive of their hobbies or interests of choice. Maybe like Matilda, they will meet their Miss Honey one day.

Reading this book again as an adult, I found it very unrealistic and idealistic. However, children do need a bit of magic in their stories and this story has been enjoyed by many over the years. It even has movie and musical adaptations which have also been very well received.

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Source: www.goodreads.com

Looking for Alibrandi takes us through Josie's final year in high school. Being of Italian descent and from a middle-income home makes her a misfit in the elite private school she attends on scholarship. As if that is not challenging enough, her father whom she has never met suddenly appears in her life and they try to foster some kind of relationship. We also see her blossoming romance with Jacob Coote and how John Barton, whom she has had a crush on for a long time, confides in her during his dark and emotional moments. Throw in a rocky relationship and numerous conflicts with her grandmother and Josie certainly has her hands full.

This story has strong and well developed characters who are real and relatable. Told through a first person perspective through Josie, we get to see both Josie's interactions with the important people in her life as well as her musings and reflections. This gives the narration an authentic and candid voice. Melina Marchetta also manages to touch on a lot of social issues even within a short novel.

Most significantly, it explores the issues that migrant families face. Being of Italian descent, Josie faces racism in school where she is often called a "wog". Josie struggles with some confusion regarding her identity even though she was born in Australia, feeling that she is an "Italian in an Australian world" and we often see her frustrations as a result of this. As she observes, "thirty years on we're still trying to fit in as ethnics and we're still trying to fit the ethnics in as Australians." The difference in her culture and upbringing is also portrayed through her relationship with Jacob and the many issues they consequently face.

The difference in social status is also clearly depicted, especially how rich families will always remain privileged and part of the elite society. Although this issue has been touched on through several incidents in the story, Josie talks about it very succinctly in her characteristic cynical yet candid tone:

"If your father's a garbage collector, you're going to be a garbage collector, and if your father's filthy rich, you're going to be filthy rich because he'll introduce you to his rich friend's son. People breed with their own kind."

Josie also faces a lot of social stigma due to her illegitimacy. She got teased and bullied in school when she was younger and was even called names she did not yet understand. Even in high school, her schoolmates continue to make snide comments about her. To make matters worse, the Italian community is a conservative and unforgiving one who treat Josie and her mother with a sense of disapproval.

There are other coming-of-age themes that arise as the story progresses. Many of the teenage characters deal with family and parental expectations which is also part and parcel of being a teenager. Josie is pressured to conform to "Italian norms" or else, as her grandmother claims, "people will talk". Hence, she is worried about being seen on Jacob's motorbike and reluctant to tell her grandmother that she is dating Jacob. Being from an elite and high-profile family, John Barton also faces pressure to do well in school and become a lawyer and then a politician, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. This causes him to spiral into depression, leading him to suicide.

We also get to see how Josie matures over the year through the change in her relationship with her grandmother. In the beginning, they do not get along and argue a lot. However, after finding out more about her grandmother's past, Josie begins to understand her more and empathise with her, thus fostering a closer relationship. Being able to see the different challenges the women of different generations face and how they bravely cope with them also made reading this book a touching and heartwarming experience.

The Jolly Pocket Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg

Source: http://www.unclephilsbooks.co.uk

The Jolly Pocket Postman is an amazingly fun and interactive picture book that will definitely bring lots of fun and laughter to young children. This book follows the Jolly Postman as he makes his rounds delivering mail. He soon finds himself delivering mail to many familiar characters as well. Many of these characters are famous personalities in the world of children's fiction like the Mad Hatter and Dorothy.

This book is beautifully illustrated. It has a great combination of art and interactive pages which provides wonderful a reading experience. The most outstanding characteristic of this book is that there are envelopes every few pages that children can open and be surprised with whatever they contain. Each mail item is also unique and some have little tales of their own. With such delightful elements, they will certainly be reading this book with a sense of wonder.

Source: photo taken by me

Children will also be introduced to fairytale characters while accompanying the Jolly Postman on his journey. The Jolly Postman not only delivers mail to different fairytale characters, he also encounters them in the setting of their fairytale. Children reading this book will be able to recognise them from other stories they have read or been told and this provides yet another element of fun!

Although young children will probably not be able to understand them, this book has several witty puns and wordplay cleverly incorporated. For example, this is a circular.

Source: photo taken by me

I think this book is especially precious since today, the use of snail mail has reduced a lot. As people are mostly communicating electronically now, many children might grow up not knowing what it is like to receive a letter or card in the mail. Although this book cannot exactly replicate that experience, it can at least give children a small taste of it.

This book will definitely be enjoyed by children of all ages. Some words are quite challenging but younger children can still have a lot of fun with the interactive mail items while being read to.

Every child will also most certainly need a map of fairytale land.

Source: photo taken by me

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Source: http://www.penguin.com.au/

When baby Coyotito gets stung by a scorpion one day, his parents, Kino and Juana, rush him to the doctor. However, as they are poor and cannot afford to pay, they are turned away. It seems like their prayers have been answered when later in the day, Kino finds a large pearl. However, he hits many obstacles while trying to sell the pearl at a justified price. In his attempt to safeguard his pearl, Kino accidentally kills someone and consequently, he and his family gets hunted down by the authorities. Eventually, Coyotito gets killed and Kino and Juana return to their lives of rural poverty.

This book explores the issue of poverty. Before Coyotito gets stung by the scorpion, Kino and his family lead a simple but contented life. Their problems only start to manifest due to their inability to pay the doctor to treat Coyotito. Things seem hopeful when Kino finds the pearl. However, he soon discovers that he is still unable to break out of poverty after the pearl buyers conspire to offer a low value for Kino's pearl. His desire to provide a better life for his family eventually leads to tragedy and the loss of innocence.

Through this story, young adults can get some exposure to colonialisation as a new concept and the issues it causes. We see how under colonial domination and oppression, the native people are treated very unjustly. Even though Kino finds a large pearl of high value, by being a Mexican native, he is still unable to save his family from a tragic fate. The doctor is also shown treating Kino in a very condescending manner and his conviction of his own cultural superiority is clearly demonstrated. As the story progresses, we see that many tragic incidents are caused by the powerful trying to take advantage of the weak.

The Pearl has a sad and emotional ending but is a very powerful book. Young adults will get to witness the familial love of Kino and his family and how greed and power can destroy a peaceful, simple life.

Arthur and the King's Sword by Tony Bradman & Tony Ross

Source: http://childrensbookshop.circlesoft.net/

This is a book for early readers and tells the famous tale of how Arthur, a mere squire, becomes king. When his brother, Kay, loses his sword, Arthur scrambles to find him a new one. His search leads him to the legendary Excalibur. After discovering that he is the only one able to pull it from the stone and yield its power, Arthur is made King of Britain.

This is a famous legend told in a way that captures the attention of young children. It is narrated as a classic adventure tale and has a simple linear plot, making it easy for young readers to understand and read independently. As with many legends, this story follows the monomyth, or the hero's journey, and as expected, the hero triumphs at the end.

What makes this story even more endearing is that the hero, Arthur, is seen as the underdog throughout. Hence, children will tend to empathise with Arthur more and celebrate his eventual victory.

There are many illustrations that accompany the text in this book. Although they are in black and white, they complement the story well and help to hold the attention of young readers. Being a simple chapter book, the illustrations can help children make the transition from picture books to chapter books. They also help to make reading less intimidating for new or reluctant readers. The language used is also simple most of the time but contains some challenging words like "amazement" and "summoned". This will encourage readers to learn new words and expand their vocabulary.

This book would be recommended for children between the age of 6 and 9. Reading this simple and enchanting version of this well-loved legend is a fantastic way to introduce children to historical fiction. As this genre has material written for every age group, there is a high chance of fostering lifelong reading habits among children who enjoy this genre.

Just considering the legend of King Arthur alone, there are books written for a diverse audience.

For older children/young teens: King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

Source: https://www.goodreads.com

For young adults: King Arthur: Dragon's Child by M.K. Hume

Source: https://www.goodreads.com

For adults: The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell

Source: https://www.goodreads.com

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss

Source: www.barnesandnoble.com

The story of Green Eggs and Ham is a simple one. Sam-I-am pesters the narrator to try his dish of green eggs and ham. The narrator refuses and responds by saying "I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham." He continuously repeats this as Sam badgers him to get him to try the dish in various locations and with different animals. The narrator finally relents and eats the green eggs and ham. He discovers that he actually likes them and ends by declaring "I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!"

As with most of Dr Seuss' works, Green Eggs and Ham is a fun and delightful read filled with rhyme, rhythm and repetition. Almost the entire book is written in the form of a rhyming couplet.

Source: photo taken by me

The use of such a predictable rhyming scheme not only makes it fun for children to read aloud, it also provides the opportunity to learn the concept of rhyming words. There are even games and activities using the words in the book to help children identify the rhyming words. One such example is shown below.

Source: www.obseussed.com

This book only contains fifty different words and a large portion of them are repeated. This repetition helps create a long-lasting impression of rhyming words. It will also help reinforce new words as they are encountered again and again.

This story encourages children to have a sense of adventure and not to fear uncertainty. The green eggs and ham which Sam offers the narrator is seen as something new and unknown. The narrator is initially resistant to trying it but after he does, he realises that he likes it. This encourages children to always give something a try before deciding if they like or dislike it. Reading this as a young child, I remember thinking that the narrator has wasted so much of his time resisting something he could have enjoyed much earlier!

The whimsical illustrations that are highly characteristic of Dr Seuss also adds on to the sense of imagination and adventure this book provides.

Source: photo taken by me

Dr Seuss is undeniably one of the most classic and iconic writers of children's books. His books have the magical ability to transcend time and continue to touch and entertain children decades later. Although first published in 1960, Green Eggs and Ham is still enjoyed by children around the world today. Dr Seuss' works have also greatly influenced popular culture with books like "The Cat in the Hat" and "The Lorax" being adapted into movies. There is also a Dr Seuss themed section in Universal's Islands of Adventure called Seuss Landing.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Rose Blanche by Roberto Innocenti & Ian McEwan

Source: www.ianmcewan.com

This book tells of war and holocaust during World War II through Rose Blanche's perspective and readers get a peek into the real and honest observations of a young girl in Germany during the war.

In the beginning, we see how Rose Blanche views the war in a naive and innocent manner. This is especially so since the war did not change her life much. She still continued to go to school, play with her friends and walk around town safely. One day, she sees a little boy trying to escape from a lorry. Curious, she follows the lorry and finds herself outside a camp of prisoners. Seeing the sad and hungry prisoners, she goes back to the camp regularly to bring them food. However, the tides of war soon turn and the people in her town are forced to leave. Rose Blanche decides to make one more visit to the camp but is never seen after that.

This story uses simple language and is complemented by strong impactful illustrations. Although not explicitly stated, readers can tell from the yellow star on their uniforms that the prisoners whom Rose Blanche encountered were Jews who have been captured by the Nazis.

Source: thechildrenswar.blogspot.com

Rose Blanche's death is also not explicitly depicted either through text or illustrations. All readers are told is that "As Rose Blanche turned to walk away, there was a shot, a sharp and terrible sound which echoed against the bare trees." At this point, the narration of the story switches from her point of view to a third person one. We are also told that her mother never finds her after the day the town is evacuated. Through this, readers learn that she is accidentally shot and her love and kindness was only known by the few prisoners she managed to help.

Rose Blanche demonstrates the kind of compassion a young girl is capable of. Although she does not fully understand the significance of the hungry and miserable looking prisoners, she continues to return to the camp to bring them food. This book also shows the impact of war and how lives are inevitably changed. Initially, Rose Blanche's life goes on as usual. We see that the only difference the people in the town seem to experience is the shortage of food. However, later in the story, everyone has to evacuate and eventually another foreign army enters the town.

It is also interesting to note that the name Rose Blanche is a reference to a German resistance group called "The White Rose" which attempted to warn Germany of the dangers of Hitler's national campaigns. This story uses Rose Blanche, a girl who goes out of her way to help the Jewish prisoners in whatever small ways she can, as a symbol of resistance to the Nazi regime.

Rose Blanche is a powerful book that appeals to a very wide range of audience. Its simple language makes it easy for younger readers to read and understand. They will also enjoy the detailed and moving illustrations. As it is also brimming with inferred meanings and symbolism, it is sure to pique the interest of older readers too.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Source: www.barnesandnoble.com

The Graveyard Book is a retelling of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book but set in a graveyard instead. Having escaped the murder who killed his family, Nobody "Bod" Owens seeks shelter in a disused graveyard and is brought up and sheltered by the community of the dead. He is given the "Freedom of the Graveyard", allowing him to learn ghost tricks including the ability to appear invisible when someone is looking at him. This book follows Bod's experiences and adventures growing up in the graveyard and the delightful array of characters who help bring him up. We also see his attempt at making friends with a human girl, Scarlett. At the end of the story, Bod also discovers why his family was killed and why he is being hunted.

The Graveyard Book is a highly imaginative, exhilarating fantasy adventure and is told captivatingly. Neil Gaiman is a lively and dramatic storyteller who is sure to enchant readers of all ages. Readers who are interested in the supernatural will be especially delighted as vampires, ghouls and other spirits of the dead run rampant in this story.

The classic good vs evil theme has also been given a fun twist here. Mummies and vampires who are traditionally given evil roles are portrayed as good characters while the villains are human. Many characters are also not clearly good or evil but face choices which will lead them to be either.

An interesting question for children to ponder while reading this book is: how can the dead raise a human boy? Bod faces the question of identity since is not dead yet he has no experience interacting with the living. Even though Bod is a living human being, the community in the graveyard take good care of him and we see their undying (pun intended) love for Bod throughout the story. The coming-of-age theme makes an appearance in this book as well and can be seen when it is time for Bod to leave the graveyard, which he has come to associate with the safety and comfort of home. We see him leaving with a sense of uncertainty. Is he prepared for the real world? Can he assimilate into the society of the living?

This book is not only great for young adults but also a good book for parents and educators to read aloud to younger children. Children who have enjoyed this book should also be encouraged to read Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

The Wall by Peter Sis

Source: http://picturebooks4olderreaders.wordpress.com/

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain illustrates life under Communist rule from the perspective of the author as a child who loved to draw. The story starts off in his young days where he was convinced of everything he was told. This was also when he developed his love for drawing. However, during his adolescence, he starts to question the oppressive nature of the government and gradually starts dreaming of being free of communist rule. At the end of the book, we see his dream being realised with the end of the Cold War and the Berlin Wall torn down.

The poignant illustrations in this book offer some interesting points for discussions. One that was particularly impactful was a "map" with words describing life on either sides of the wall.

Source: photo taken by me

On the side under communist rule, the landscape is barren with adjectives like "injustice", "corruption" and terror". On the other side, the landscape is given a warm orange colour and words like "freedom", "benevolence" and "equality" are used to describe the life and people there. This can help to educate students on how freedom and justice should not be taken for granted.

This book consists of two simultaneous storylines. One tells of the historical events from the point of view of the author. This narrative also portrays oppressive nature of communism. The second storyline is more of a personal account of the author where he expresses his love for art and desire to be free from an oppressive government.

Although this is a picture book with simple language, it is more suited for older readers. Having two stories told concurrently makes it a more complex book which younger readers might not understand and appreciate. In addition, this book also offers an accessible and lighthearted way to introduce young students to political issues such as communism.

Magician: Apprentice (Graphic Novel) by Raymond E Feist

Source: http://www.crydee.com/

Magician: Apprentice is a graphic novel adaptation of a fantasy novel of the same title.

Source: http://www.crydee.com/

Set in the fictional kingdom of Midkemia, this story tells of the adventures of two young kitchen boys, Pug and Tomas. One fateful day, Pug discovers an alien ship wrecked along the shore. Anticipating an invasion from this alien race, Pug and Tomas find themselves part of a convoy, travelling to the capital of Midkemia to warn the king. However, their party is attacked along the way and this is just the beginning of a long, eventful and swashbuckling adventure.

Amid the plethora of superhero stories, Magician: Apprentice offers something different to graphic novel fans. Being a graphic novel adaptation of a fantasy novel, Magician: Apprentice contains all the traditional elements of a high fantasy tale. Fast paced and action packed, readers will be taken on an adventurous journey that is sure to keep them hooked.

Although part of an epic fantasy saga, Magician: Apprentice does not have an overly complicated plot. Hence, it makes for an excellent read for young adults and even for readers in their early teens. The characters are varied, strong and well-developed and readers can very easily relate to them. Having two young teenage boys, Pug and Tomas, as protagonists, this graphic novel does feature several coming of age themes that are close to the heart of many teenagers. Most significantly, we see how Pug and Tomas try to find their place in society as they take up their respective apprenticeships (Tomas as a soldier and Pug as a magician).

Reading this story as a graphic novel is a great way to introduce the fantasy genre to reluctant readers. It is also a fantastic and lighthearted way to expose young teens to new ideas and concepts. As it is set in a primary world that does not exist in reality, readers can be encouraged to explore worldbuilding, thus fostering creativity. In addition, although Midkemia is ruled by a monarchy, this story contains many political intricacies which can spark an interest in politics in young readers.

Dave the Potter - Written by Laban Carrick Hill & Illustrated by Bryan Collier

Source:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Dave the Potter is a beautiful picture book which tells the story of Dave, an African American slave. It is a heartwarming tale of how despite being enslaved, Dave still had the chance to flourish as an craftsman by being trained as a potter. This book is written in a very poetic style accompanied by detailed watercolour illustrations.

Laban Carrick Hill starts off the story by highlighting the difference between Dave and other people. This is done by contrasting how things (e.g., dirt) are perceived to us against what they mean to Dave. In addition, readers are given an insight into Dave's expertise as a potter and how it makes him special. Pottery is a specialised skill and even though Dave is a slave, he is highly skilled.

Bryan Collier's illustrations also help to demonstrate the amount of hard work and dedication Dave puts into his craft. By having each stanza accompanied by a painting, readers are able follow Dave every step of the way as he creates a piece of pottery.

Source: http://kathyellendavis.com/

What makes Dave special as a potter is that he leaves little bits of poetry on his jars and pots. Some of his original writings are also included at the end of the book. Reading these provides greater insights into Dave's life and enables the reader to go through the book with greater understanding and empathy.

This book does an excellent job in telling readers about slavery without any negativity that sometimes accompanies the topic. It is a story of an empowered slave as even though he is a slave, Dave has the means to cultivate his craft. Hence, reading this picture book is great way to ease into the topic of slavery, especially with young readers.

All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield

Source: http://vikkiwakefield.com

Mim, a teenage girl who is turning 17, has been brought up by a single mother and two brothers who are drug dealers. However, she has very firmly made up her mind that she will not turn out like her mother. Hence, she proceeds to set a list of rules for herself to live by. "I will finish school. I will not take drugs..." the list goes on and on. One day, her mother sends her on an errand to pick up a dubious package. Unfortunately, it gets stolen on her way home and consequently, her life starts to unravel and she starts breaking those rules one by one.

Although many teenagers would not have grown up in the same circumstances at Mim, the experiences and emotions she goes though are things that most teenagers would be able to relate to. Friendships, romance, peer pressure, dreams and aspirations are just a few issues Mim constantly contends with just like any other teenager anywhere else in the world.

Like many teenagers, Mim feels misunderstood and that she does not fit in. However, instead of succumbing to peer pressure, she strives to be "better" than her mother and her family by setting a list of rules for herself which she works hard to adhere to. This causes her to alienate herself from her family and friends and even to fall out with her best friend.

Teenagers also tend to feel that the world is against them. Mim is no different. She feels that her current situation that she has been forced into by being born into a dysfunctional family is holding her back from having a bright future. By the end of the book however, she realises that she has misjudged many of the people in her life, especially her mother. The package which her mothers asks her to pick up at the beginning of the story turns out to be documents for an exchange programme in France and not drugs like what Mim thinks it is. This shows that contrary to what Mim thinks, her mother actually understands her very well and knows how much she desires to get away from her hometown and to see the world.

With a heartwarming yet gritty and honest story and authentic characters, All I Ever Wanted is definitely a book which many teenagers will be able to relate to. It also encourages them not to be so quick to dismiss the care and concern from their family and friends just because they are under the impression that they do not understand them. This is undeniably a highly recommended coming of age book which will resonate with many teenagers.

Gone Case by Dave Chua

Source: www.goodreads.com

Gone Case is narrated by a 12-year-old boy named Yong. Being a typical Singaporean boy, he tells of his everyday experiences of growing up in a Housing Development Board (HDB) estate and the challenges he faces in school while preparing for his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). We also get a peek into his family life as he comes to terms with the death of his grandmother and how his parents' financial difficulties affect his family.

Growing up in Singapore in the 1990's, reading this book was like a trip down memory lane. Using vivid descriptions, Dave Chua provides an honest and real picture of what a typical HDB housing estate in Singapore was like. The heavy use of Singlish in the dialogues also adds to its authenticity. Many issues Yong deals with as a 12-year-old also resonates with many Singaporeans, especially those of the same generation. Preparing for his PSLE, being a prefect in school and the upgrading of the playground in his neighbourhood are just a few striking examples. What I related to the most was how many students viewed the education system then.

"I feel like a liar, a fraud, that all my knowledge is false and that I really do not know anything at all. But this is the way to study. If I do not understand something I read and read and do it until I could do the problem through a method, never really comprehending but able to look like I know, enough to get some marks on a question."

This very clearly echoes the thoughts of many students and educators then and was often a topic for discussion.

Besides issues that are distinctly Singaporean, Yong also experiences many things that are common to any adolescent regardless of country. He constantly struggles to strike a balance between peer pressure and his parents' expectations of him. He also nurses a crush on his best friend's sister. These are common concerns that are part and parcel of growing up and anyone would be able to relate to them.

While Gone Case is a very descriptive book with a very atmospheric and slightly melodramatic feel, it does not draw readers in with a strong and gripping plot. For the most part, we see the protagonist, Yong, merely recounting his experiences and observations. He seems largely disengaged and does not play a significant role in driving the plot. Hence, young readers who are after fast-paced and exciting plots may grow disinterested quickly.

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

Source: www.goodreads.com

It's the Christmas holidays and Ellie and a group of friends decide to go on a camping trip before school starts again. All goes well and they spend an enjoyable few days in a nearby mountainous area. When the return however, they find that their hometown has been invaded and all their friends and families have been captured. Together, they fight for survival as they try to discover the fates of their families

What makes this book stand out is the way it demonstrates how adversity can bring out certain remarkable strengths in the characters.

Courage
Having lead relatively safe and sheltered lives, Ellie and friends now have to deal with living in a country that has been invaded. Suddenly, death becomes a very real threat for all of them and they face it with remarkable courage.

After Lee gets shot, a normally timid Robyn faces the challenge of protecting her injured friend with surprising grit and determination. Although she is known to be squeamish around blood and needles, she administers painkiller injections for Lee without batting an eyelid. Homer also demonstrates tremendous tenacity, stepping up as their unofficial leader to provide the direction the group needs in challenging situations.

Resourcefulness
Having to rely on themselves, Ellie and her friends are forced to source for their own food and supplies. Knowing that they need to plan for their survival for an indefinite period of time, they start to ration their food supplies. In addition to scavenging from the houses in their neighbourhood, they also learn to have the foresight to plan for the long-term and start rearing chickens and growing their own vegetables.

We also see how innovative they can get, thinking of ways to get themselves out of difficult situations. One fantastic example is how Ellie, Robyn and Homer rescue an injured Lee using a truck with a shovel. Throughout the story, they also have to come up with numerous ingenious ways to evade soldiers and gather information about their families and the invaders.

Love
Instead of staying holed up in the wild countryside where they can remain undetected, their love for the families drives this group of teenagers to continue to venture into town to find out about the safety and living conditions of their families. They do this in spite of numerous run ins with soldiers of the invading army, risking their lives time and time again.

At the end of the book, we also see Kevin's love for Corrie when he drives her to the hospital after she gets shot. Unwilling to abandon her, he does this despite knowing that he will be leading himself straight to the enemy.

This book also provides a channel for teenagers to explore themes and issues related to war. While listening to news about the war on the radio, they find out that the motivation behind the invasion is "reducing imbalances within the region". Robyn then begins to empathise with the invaders, saying that there "doesn't have to be a right side and a wrong side."

Similarly, in order to escape from a group of soldiers, Ellie blows up a ride-on mower which kills two soldiers. After this incident, we see her facing feelings of guilt and she starts to question herself:

"Had I killed out of love of my family, as part of a noble crusade to rescue friends and family and keep our land free? Or had I killed because I valued my life above that of others? Would it be OK for me to kill a dozen others to keep myself alive?"

This can lead readers to ponder upon the following:

Can attacking another country ever be justified?
Can killing another person ever be justified?

With an exciting and fast paced plot that is full of suspense, this book is definitely an addictive read. The characters are well developed and engaging which draws readers in to be part of their adventure. This is a book that both adults and young adults will enjoy and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

The Paper Bag Princess - Written by Robert Munsch & Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Source: http://childrensbooksguide.com/classics/the-paper-bag-princess

The Paper Bag Princess introduces readers to a delightful twist to the classic princess fairy tale. The story starts off like many other fairy tales - the beautiful Princess Elizabeth is going to marry a prince whom she loves very much. However, this is where the similarities stop. Elizabeth's castle is attacked by a dragon and this time it is Prince Roland who gets kidnapped. As all her clothes have been destroyed, Elizabeth puts on paper bag and bravely goes off to save her prince. She hunts the dragon down and outsmarts him into exhaustion. When Prince Roland sees her, however, he tells her that she does not look like a princess and asks her to come back when she is dressed like one. In response, Elizabeth calls him a bum and decides not to marry him after all.

What makes this book special is the way it challenges social norms and gender stereotypes. Instead of the princess being the damsel in distress being rescued by her knight in shining armour, this story shows that the princess can be the one saving her prince too. By following the adventures of a heroine wearing just a paper bag, little girls will also see that they do not have to look pretty all the time.

Another interesting point in this story is how Princess Elizabeth defeats the dragon. Without physically harming the dragon in any way, Princess Elizabeth cleverly tricks the dragon into tiring itself out. This exposes young children to the idea that wit is stronger than brute force and that violence is not necessary to save the day.

The illustrations help to bring out the narration of the story. Each page is accompanied by an illustration portraying the emotions and actions of the character at each point in the story. Princess Elizabeth is illustrated with singed hair and a charred and dented crown. This further enhances the idea that she is a brave and intelligent heroine regardless of how she looks.

This book is an enjoyable read despite not being written in a rhythmic way. It also provides a fun and easy way to start children thinking and discussing about gender roles and the perception of beauty. Many children will also love the humourous way the story is told which will make for an engaging read.

The Gobbling Tree - Written by Mark Carthew & Illustrated by Susy Boyer

Many children who love to play outdoors have had their ball or some other toy stuck in a tree. In The Gobbling Tree, Mark Carthew tells us about a tree that won't give them back!

Source: http://www.newfrontier.com.au/

Zac is out playing cricket one day and his ball gets stuck in a tree. Soon, all his friends come to help Zac by using their own belongings to get his ball back. However, the tree gobbles all their stuff up and soon all of them have something of theirs stuck in the tree - even his friend Simon climbs up into the tree and gets stuck! Fortunately, everything eventually gets blown down by the wind. We see that Zac has not learnt his lesson, though. At the end of the book, Zac is out playing cricket again and once again, his red ball has found its way into the tree.

This book is full of rhyme and rhythm which helps make reading aloud to children fun. The use of sound effect words and exclamations also help to add to the excitement of the story. This story also fosters imagination and a sense of adventure. Mark Carthew personifies a tree and takes a regular, everyday occurrence and turns it into a fun-filled story.

Susy Boyer's use of bright vivid colours helps to further capture the attention of children. Her illustrations compliments the narrative well and helps in storytelling. By giving the tree a huge smiley face, young readers are further encouraged to imagine the tree to be a greedy and mischievous creature who gobbles up anything that comes its way. Zac and the other characters also have rather exaggerated expressions and this can help children to relate to the characters' emotions and empathise with them.

This book's catchy rhyming narrative coupled with its bright and cheery illustrations makes it an excellent book to read to a small group of young children. Parents or teachers can easily turn it into a fun and interactive storytelling experience.

Watch Jimmy Giggle reading the book here!

Belonging by Jeannie Baker

Source: http://www.jeanniebaker.com/

Belonging is a wordless picture book which follows the life of Tracy through the view from her window. Through the illustrations on each page, we see the growth of Tracy from a little girl to a woman. She is usually seen in the garden through the window and personal items on her windowsill help to portray which phase of life she is going through.

Through her window, we also get the see the neighbourhood she grows up in and its progress over the years. We see how the residents of the neighbourhood take charge of the street they live in, changing it from an industrialised landscape full of concrete buildings to a place full of lush vegetation.

When Tracy is just a newborn baby, the garden of their home looks dry and does not have any plants. The surrounding buildings are run down with graffiti on the walls and in the distance, all we see is a concrete jungle. Not many people are seen along the streets as well.

Source: http://gatheringbooks.org/2011/04/12/home-window-jeanniebaker/

Amid this heavily industrialised urban landscape, Tracy's neighbour can be seen planting a small plant in his garden. His garden flourishes over the years and when Tracy is 6 years old, he gives her a plant. This could have had a life-changing impact on Tracy as in the subsequent years, we see her cultivating her garden which continues to blossom.

Source: http://www.jeanniebaker.com/

Over the years, we also see Tracy's neighbour actively trying to change the landscape. When Tracy is 8 years old, he plants a tree in the public area opposite her house. 2 years later, he participates in a "Reclaim Your Street" campaign. By this time, many people have started spending time outdoors interacting with one another. We see other residents starting to play a more active role as well with more people planting plants and the street is transformed into a communal recreational area.

Source: http://www.adelle.com.au

When Tracy turns 16, plants have even been planted along the main street and a park has opened in the distance. By the time she gets married at 22, the whole neighbourhood is teeming with vegetation. Finally, we see Tracy having a baby of her own and by then, the plants in the neighbourhood has become such an integral part of the lives of its residents.

Source: http://gatheringbooks.org/2011/04/12/home-window-jeanniebaker/

This book subtly drives a powerful message that development and industralisation often harms the land we live in. As people living in this land, we must take the responsibility to restore it. Jeannie Barker portrays how a community can make a huge positive impact on their neighbourhood by being actively involved in bringing about change. We also see how an individual's efforts can influence a community by seeing how Tracy's neighbour, by giving Tracy a plant and planting a tree in a public space triggered a change in Tracy as well as the other residents in the neighbourhood.

In this book, each page is a collage which Jeannie Baker has done using real plants. This is particularly heartwarming as in this era filled with computer-aided graphic design, Jeannie Baker proves that there is still a place for the more traditional art forms. With the use of natural textures, she creates wonderful works of art which continues to touch the hearts of readers.