Azzi In Between by Sarah Garland - book review

This book moved me to tears and if you are looking for a way to start talking to your kids about refugees and how lucky they are to be growing up in a safe, peaceful country this is it.

Azzi in Between is about a young girl called Azzi. Her life is happy but she lives in a country that is at war and every day that war is getting closer and closer to her home.

One night Azzi and her parents receive news that they are in terrible danger and must flee their home immediately. Azzi’s Grandma has to stay behind.

Azzi and her parents eventually find their way on to a boat and come to a new country. They are safe but everything is confusing. They are lonely, poor and so worried about Grandma.

Gradually they learn to live in the new country and make their lives there.

Although it is the shape of a picture book Azzi In Between in actually more a coloured graphic novel in style and is definitely not for preschoolers. It is more for seven to 12 years olds.

It’s a great story, Azzi is so brave and hopeful, and Sarah Garland's pictures do a brilliant job of conveying the terror of Azzi’s situation, the family’s despair as they try to understand their new life and the gradual dawning of hope in their new country.

Perhaps there is no single right way of dealing with refugees coming to Australia but reading Azzi In Between does a lot to persuade you that, whatever they are running from, they certainly need our compassion.

The book is endorsed by Amnesty International.

Who’ll love it: Kids aged seven to 12 who want to learn about the world or who just love a really good adventure story. The older they are the more they’ll understand the bigger picture behind the story.

Cost: $29.95

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (No.10) by Megan McDonald - book review

Judy Moody has been around for a while, after all she is up to her 10th book and has a movie out.

I hadn't ever read any of the previous books in the series but they are obviously a bit of a phenomenon so I was interested to see what all the fuss is about.

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is a cute little story about managing your expectations and having fun whatever the situation.

Judy is devastated when her friends are away for the summer holidays. How will she have fun without them?

I can see why this series is so popular with girls and their parents. This is a happy, harmless story about friendship and making your own fun, and it is totally appropriate for young girls.

There are great illustrations and nice big font so the books don't feel overwhelming to kids who are just starting to read longer books on their own.

The books all stand alone but I am imagine that little girls would love to collect the series.

Who'll love this: Little girls (these are definitely girls books) who are just starting to read chapter books for themselves. I'd say 8-10 year olds in particular.
Price: $15.95
Publisher: Walker Books Australia

In the Lion by James Foley - book review

In the city there's a zoo.
In the zoo there's a lion
And in the lion there's ...

In The Lion is story about a lion who eats his dentist, hairdresser, chef and many more, until a brave little boy called Richard decides to put a stop to this very naughty behaviour!

With bright, fun pictures and a highly entertaining story this is a really lovely picture book that a wide range of kids will enjoy.

The text has wonderful repetition which gives it a really nice rhythm for reading out loud.

Little kids often like being able to repeat some of the words in a story with you and In The Lion really encourages that. If children are paying close attention to the pictures, or if you have read the book a few times, you might even find they are yelling out who is going to be eaten next.

The illustrations are fantastic, especially the expressions on the people (and lion's) faces, and there are lots of detail to discuss, especially if the children have been to a zoo themselves.

Adults reading the book will really enjoy the illustrations of Richard's parents and their naughty twins, although some of their experiences might feel painfully familiar.

In The Lion is an awesome book. It's bright, engaging and fast paced and I kept liking it, even when I had read it six times in a row (surely the sign of a well written book!).


Who'll love this: Little boys in particular, although all children will enjoy it.
Cost: $27.95
Published by Walker Books Australia