A Fox Called Herbert by Margaret Sturton

17 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 3rd April 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Anderson
Illustrator: Margaret Sturton
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Meet Herbert, the rabbit who knows he was born to be a fox. When his mommy isn’t looking, he puts on pointy fox ears, makes himself a bushy tail, and asks his sister to paint him orange, just like a fox. But Mommy doesn’t understand; why can’t he just be a good rabbit?

This delightful picture book is a true celebration of being ourselves and supporting our loved ones. Let this joyful tale inspire you to be who you are and follow your dreams.

The story is a simple one about identity, there is no bigger meaning or explanation. Herbert feels like a fox and wants to look like one.

I liked that it isn’t an explicit animal allegory for trans or gender diverse kids, it is an entry level to identity and being able to be the identity you feel inside with support and understanding. The fact you have to find meaning yourself is fantastic because it can mean so many different things to different people on a range of different levels. The simplicity of it means you can read whatever you want into it without the text telling us what it’s meant to mean.

The illustrations are cute. Sturton’s designs are playful and she captures the playfulness and childlike innocence of Herbert. The colours are great and the full page spreads juxtaposed against the white space and the text works well in telling the story.

There are certainly other stories out there more complicated, more literal, and more detailed about identity but I liked that this doesn’t put Herbert in any particular category. He isn’t labelled, he isn’t trying to change anything right now. He only wants his mum to understand he doesn’t feel like the rabbit she thinks he is. Feeling like you are in the wrong body can mean a lot of different things, and the fact Sturton doesn’t choose one path for Herbert means this book can be interpreted by a lot more people, and maybe help them understand that there is nothing wrong in finding a body you are more comfortable in.

You can purchase A Fox Called Herbert via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Aussie YA Challenge Update #1

14 May 2024 1 Comment

by Amy in Aussie YA Challenge Tags: , , , , ,

My reading challenge is off to a great start in that I have read four books so far in my twelve book plan for reading more Aussie YA books.

Now, it’s early in the year so there is still time for the progress to fall dramatically off a cliff. It’s a problem I have seen happen time and time again. The first four months I often hit the ground running and then life seems to pick up and suddenly a couple weeks go by and then it’s September.

This is something I am trying to avoid by aiming for the one a month approach. I have so many books to choose from the main thing I need to do is the reading part. Considering I still have the two books I wanted to read most sitting beside me unread while I have picked up other books instead. Mainly chosen instead for their audiobook ability which is a habit I am trying to break. Not that I want to stop listening to audiobooks, but I need to learn how to read books again. Retrain my brain and all that. Hopefully these YA books can do that when I have a goal to meet and no other choice of format.

The books I have read so far I have enjoyed. It’s a mixed bag, none of them were terrible, some were ok, while others were incredible and had a profound impact on me. Who says Aussie YA isn’t an incredible arena where the most amazing books come to play.

The list so far:

Can’t Say It Went to Plan by Gabrielle Tozer

This is the third Tozer book I have read. I wasn’t a huge fan of her other two but gave this one a go. It is much the same. It’s ok, it’s a bit boring, but I’m glad I gave her work another chance before realising her writing might not be for me. A multiple point of view story about schoolies week, being with friends and having adventures as you celebrate being free from school. There’s Toolies, romance, friendship drama. Everything that makes young life so chaotic all in once book as we follow different groups of friends celebrating their freedom.

As Happy as Here by Jane Godwin

This review went up recently which I recommend reading because I will gush about this book nonstop if given the chance. It is the lower end of YA, the characters are young and sweet and finding their feet in life. It is a stunning story, deceptively simple from the outside but manages to punch you right in the heart.

Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell

This one was a fun find, a few years old but manages to capture the small town big dreams idea and discovering what a teen wants to do with the unknown of her future. Combined with family expectations, her dreams, and her heart, it is a great exploration about being lost and trying to find who you are.

My Lovely Frankie by Judith Clarke

A beautiful and heartbreaking story about 1950s Australia and the institution for training new bishops. A story about love and friendship, about societal and family expectations as well as an exploration of the practice of indoctrinating children too young to know better into things they cannot possibly understand. It’s an incredible read and one that is full of love, hope, and heartbreak.

 

I am putting pressure on myself to read the two books I have so desperately wanted to read next on my list. One thankfully only from last year, but the other one I first found in 2016 and still haven’t managed to open the cover. I will make myself finish these two books one way or another. I know once I start it will be easier, but stopping part way also risks making it hard to start again. Fingers crossed all goes to plan.

I hope your own Aussie YA Challenge goals are going along swimmingly and you have discovered some amazing reads. Feel free to shout out in the comments some you have read so far, or even those you are looking forward to reading. If you’re interested in signing up it’s not to late, head over to my info page and declare your goal.

Long Lost Review: Scarlet (#2) by Marissa Meyer

09 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in Fantasy, Long Lost Reviews, Science Fiction, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , , ,

Long Lost Reviews is a monthly meme created by Ally over at Ally’s Appraisals which is posted on the second Thursday of every month. The aim is to start tackling your review backlog. Whether it’s an in-depth analysis of how it affected your life, one sentence stating that you only remember the ending, or that you have no recollection of reading the book at all. 

Published: 13 February 2013Goodreads badge
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 454
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy
★   ★  ★  ★ – 4 Stars

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. 

This poor series has been sitting unreviewed properly for years because I wanted to post reviews in order and this one never wanted to be written. I am now trying to drag up my memory of this book to do a quick one to get it done. It’s definitely an ongoing theme because it took me forever to get around to reading it in the first place after I read Cinder but it didn’t disappoint.

I enjoyed how we are still in the world of Cinder while also branching out and exploring other characters. It was an interesting approach to have a sequel that’s still so connected with the first book characters while also introducing new people and a whole new story. Being set in the same world I thought there’d be references, but the changing perspectives captures a great look at various corners of the world and Meyer brings them together remarkably well.

The Cinder side gives a great plotline as we see her become a fugitive; and after the events in book one it’s great to see her story continue. I enjoyed the slow reveal and the pacing as everything is revealed. Scarlet’s story is also full of amazing twists and the way Meyer lays hints and clues pulls you along. Scarlet is a great character, she is fiery and passionate and I enjoyed seeing her with Wolf and their dynamic together. I loved how Cinder’s story and Scarlet’s come together, it is skilful storytelling, and I loved how they are each the main character of their own story, they have their own stories right up until their lives intertwine.

I love how Meyer has connected these fairytales in new and brilliant ways. The science fiction and fantasy come together so well and it’s incredible to see her imagination work. It is a fascinating story and one that reveals more about each of the characters old and new, as well as shows readers more about the world’s history and the challenges they face.

The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt

03 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 4th April 2017Goodreads badge
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

From acclaimed, bestselling creators Drew Daywalt, author of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, and Adam Rex, author-illustrator of Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, comes a laugh-out-loud hilarious picture book about the epic tale of the classic game Rock, Paper, Scissors.

I wouldn’t have thought is possible but Daywalt has intensified the game of scissors, paper, rock. What I never realised is that the stationary supplies and random objects in the world are fighting an intense battle of strength and wit right under our noses. Like Daywalt opened our eyes to the lives of crayons, now we are being shown the underground fight club of objects.

We’re introduced to character Rock who is tired of beating everyone around him and goes out looking for competition. Unfortunately he continues to annihilate the various things he comes across. We discover more of Rock’s character though the intensity of the illustrations. It’s great because it lines up like a wrestling match. There’s big, bold words, close ups of fierce emotions, and full page depictions of Rock’s fighting prowess.

Contrasted immediately as we switch to Paper. Innocent looking Paper who is wide eye and deceptively naïve in appearance. They are also looking for a challenge, escaping their surroundings to seek a worthy battle.

Then there’s Scissors. A worthy fighter against most things with the sharp cut of their fighting style but also seeking a greater opponent outside of the room. Scissors’ design was a curious choice. I didn’t dislike it, but there is something about using the handles as eyes which unsettled me a bit, but I can see Rex’s logic in using them.

I liked that each one of them sought to be defeated. They saw that winning all the time was becoming boring and they wanted a challenge. They wanted to push themselves again.

The three finally meet, battle pants on and ready. The illustrations bring this to life as the battle commences and the only way to describe this is a bit absurd. But absurd in an exaggerated, we know this is ludicrous, yet weirdly entertaining kind of way.

Rex’s illustrations are fascinating. They are intense, full of emotion and fire. He really captures the emotions of the objects, the heat of battle, and the unique personalities of the characters. The illustrations of Rock are particularly glorious. The way Rex has conveyed expressions on a solid rock is so well done. His fierce anger, his strength, and determination come across well.

It is a surreal read. These objects battling for supremacy, wanting to be thwarted, openly battling for…something. Glory I suppose.

It’s weird, it’s strange, it’s baffling certainly but I can’t help but admit that it is a captivating read.

You can purchase The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

As Happy As Here by Jane Godwin

30 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Aussie YA Challenge, Young Adult Tags: , , , ,

Published: 23 July 2019Goodreads badge
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Pages: 273
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

A beautiful coming-of-age story about three teenage girls from very different backgrounds who find themselves sharing a hospital ward, for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Fiona Wood

Three teenage girls from very different backgrounds find themselves sharing a hospital ward. When they witness a crime in the park below their window, they bond over trying to solve the crime and each one undergoes a profound change.

A beautiful coming-of-age story about identity, expectation, class, justice, society, fairness, and, above all, kindness.

I did not expect to still be thinking about this book weeks after I had finished it but it will not leave my mind. It isn’t even so much the story, but the characters Godwin has created are so impactful it’s hard not to remember them.

Godwin captures the three different personalities really well. Evie, Lucy, and Jemma overlap in some ways but at the same time their unique selves come through. Lucy is mature, having a lifetime of experience already at a young age, Evie is a young girl on the cusp of growing up and the world moving too fast for her, wanting to stay young but also foolishly lamenting not being older. Jemma is a chaotic force who is acting grown up but at the same time is even younger and more vulnerable than the others. Her strength is to bewilder and bullheadedly push on not worrying about what comes before.

The Jemma she puts on to others is very different to the one you can see is the truth. It’s a loose comparison but she gave me Pippi Longstockings vibes: the neglected kid making up stories and being proud of how unbalanced her life was.

I understood Evie’s frustrations so well. I have been around people like Jemma before and it’s hard to fight against their confidence and their chaotic nature. Their lies and self-assuredness make it hard when you know things aren’t true or are unjust. Trying to find the voice or the energy to do the right thing, or to stop people believing the wrong things about you is hard.

You know Jemma is a lonely little girl, you know she is covering up hurt and trying to be flippant about it, but my god it makes it hard to feel sorry for her. You find yourself hating this poor twelve year old and the irritation and wanting to shake sense into her and tell her to stop acting like that is strong.

I enjoyed the adults in this story as well as the three girls. Their roles are so different, and yet they are also the same. With minimal words Godwin gives full depth to the adults in the girls’ lives. We know the kind of people Evie’s parents are, who Lucy’s dad is, and who the adults in Jemma’s life are. The comparison and the different approaches was a great contrast and even through Evie’s eyes it is a great example of how much kids see.

This is a powerful story about the lives different people have, especially young teens. Having Evie reflect on the differences without being judgemental is incredibly important. Her empathy is wonderful but Godwin never makes her perfect. She is young, learning, timid but wants to do what’s right. She is a wonderful character and a great narrator. That is where Godwin’s story is fantastic. You can have these feelings based on surface events but as the book progresses and we see more of the bond the three girls have, how their lives interact, how each conflict changes them, your own perspective changes with theirs.

For the most part it is a story about unlikely friends and a strange mystery outside the window like Rear Window for the modern age, but then in the final chapters it changes so suddenly it really shocks you. I was not expecting to be hit in the emotional face by the last part of this book but it works so well.

This book does break your heart a little. Even when you have theories and know snippets of information, confirmation and context is still a punch to the heart. Godwin does a great job sprinkling in the heartache.  I had to remind myself that this was not a true story, but even then it is so reminiscent of the real lives kids have out there it’s hard not to think how true these scenarios could be.

I honestly could talk about these characters forever. Godwin has cemented them in my heart and I will be grateful they are not real but at the same time mourn for them for always.

You can purchase As Happy As Here via the following

QBD | Booktopia

Dymocks |  Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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