Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! by Susan Boynton

06 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 4th April 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Illustrator: Susan Boynton
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Whether you are learning to skate, baking a cake, or even making a mistake, this hilarious and heartfelt rhyming book reminds us that trying our best is reason to celebrate. From children trying to master new skills to adults who had a hard week at work, we all get overwhelmed sometimes and need reassurance. And who better to offer it than a chicken exclaiming: “WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!”

I found this book at a very opportune time when, as silly as it sounds, I really needed it. There is a wonderful message about supporting each other and lifting people up. But having a chicken scream at you that you’re doing your best is really uplifting.

It’s about encouraging those trying to learn, who are passionate about a hobby or developing a new skill, or even just trying their best with unapologetic enthusiasm and support. The rhyme is wonderful and the melodic nature flows as you turn the pages with ease to become lost in this story.

The best thing is even our powerhouse chook of encouragement makes mistakes and having a little voice (literally as it’s a mouse) come along and tell us that making mistakes is ok you still did your best is fantastic.

Of course no amazing picture book is complete without making me cry, but the final two pages where this tiny mouse stares at the reader and tells them basically point blank that celebrating others is great, and telling them they are doing great is wonderful, but the best woo hoo to give it the one you give to yourself. Again, I think I came across this book at the best and worst time but my goodness it’s amazing to have a book straight up tell you that you’re trying your best.

Fantastic.

The illustrations are cute and simple. A lot of emphasis is on the words and making sure they are big and exciting, but at the same time interactive with the pictures of these various animals. There is something great about animals in picture books that can convey a message that maybe could work with humans but it makes it lighter and easier to sell than if you put a face to it. Easier to digest and absorb I think.

I loved the cover and picked it up because who wouldn’t be curious about the story inside and it only got better from there.

You can purchase Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Anxiety Attack by Nick Seluk

23 May 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars Tags: , , , ,

Published: 2019
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 60
Format: Paperback
Genre: Non-Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

Created as part of The Awkward Yeti Anxiety Attack Kickstarter, this short comic collection features comics from Lars The Awkward Yeti himself, as well as Heart and Brain and Anomaly Town.

I have been a fan of Nick Seluk’s comics for so many years, I have bought games, supported Kickstarters, and gotten a range of trinkets and goodies featuring some fantastic little characters. I received this comic collection as a Kickstarter perk and while it is a simple, relatively fast read, it’s another amazing collection that speaks to a lot of real topics in a light and humour, but also sincere manner.

Reading Nick’s author messages through the book made me sad though. Seeing him lament about the neglect of Lars the Awkward Yeti was sad, especially when Lars was his original creation, a vessel in which Nick started putting his comics out and exploring his own thoughts and feelings. As much as I love heart and brain, and I can see why the pair of them were so successful and overtook Lars, I always assumed Lars was going strong in his own comics. It wasn’t until recently did I realise how Lars had been pushed to the background, even referenced in one of Nick’s later comics. It was as if Mickey Mouse was suddenly unrecognisable as Donald and Goofy took over the show (The Awkward Yeti is less renowned, but you know what I mean).

I hope to see a resurgence of Lars, he has had a few comic collections of his own, maybe people will think he’s new if they haven’t seen him before and he can gain a better ground. I love Lars because so often I can relate to his experiences. I have the same thoughts and I see myself in so many of Lars’ interactions. I understand why Heart and Brain have such an appeal, their childlike wonder and relatable neurosis are universal. But Lars was a great character too and deserves recognition. Whose heart and brain do they think these belong too?

The entire organ collection from Seluk originated through Lars, Bladder, Gut, and all the others interacted with Lars so well. They brought the comics to life, explained the human/yeti condition, and while there is of course universality in only showcasing organs, sometimes there needs to be a guy in amongst it.

I promise this isn’t me entirely lamenting about a blue Yeti. The actual collection is called Anxiety Attack and feature comics from three of Seluk’s collections: Heart and Brain, Lars, and Anomaly Town, a collection I was less familiar with. Each section has an introduction from Seluk about it, and each keeps to the theme of anxiety and how it can be expressed. Heart and Brain have conversations with themselves, with Lars, and other organs. In Anomaly Town Seluk personifies emotions rather than organs so Depression, Anxiety, and Confidence come to life. I loved seeing a different side. We see Brain be anxious, but seeing Anxiety try to battle with Depression, to push past Introvert to join a party with Self Confidence, it’s a fascinating way to approach the human condition. These comics aren’t seep, or long, or even more than a few panels sometimes, but it was a relief I think to see so many thoughts and feelings I have had myself experienced by others. It isn’t even about being relatable, being relevant is a huge thing with things about humanity. Even if it is the weird, awkward stuff like feelings, emotions, or even the complex going one’s of your internal organs.

I don’t think this particular book is findable since it was a perk, but I definitely suggesting looking up Seluk’s work, if not Lars, then Heart and Brain and all the other organ adventures. They are so funny, so based on truth and life, and can be incredible endearing when you least expect it.

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

Sleepy Sheepy Lucy Ruth Cummins

19 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 31st January 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Illustrator: Pete Oswald
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy
But it was time for bed
(At least, that’s what the clock said.)
But Sleepy Sheepy would not sleepy.
He was wired. And absolutely not tired!
In fact, he was WIDE-AWAKE.

Despite his name, Sleepy Sheepy is NOT sleepy. He’d much rather build with blocks or knit socks than go to sleep. Will Ma and Pa Sheepy ever get their sheepy to go to sleepy?

Picture books are amazing. It’s enough to say I don’t judge a book by its cover, but give me an adorable creature on the front and I will pick it up so fast.

Sleepy Sheepy is fluffy, cute, and not at all sleepy.

The best part is through the entire book of telling me Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy, Sleepy Sheepy couldn’t look more sleepy if they tried. It’s fantastic. A perfect example of an over tired child who won’t go to bed despite looking like they could fall asleep at any moment.

It’s a great book to read to get your own sheepy to sleepy. Cummins’ writing is fun and full of emphasis. I shouldn’t be surprised since Cummins also wrote one of my favourite books of all time – A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. The layout of the book works well to help tell the story of Sheepy’s night time antics and couple with the illustrations it’s a fun read.

Oswald’s illustrations are of course perfect. I should have realised the illustrations would be divine when I saw it was him. I love his stuff. I loved the use of little fluffy sheep running amok. His creativity with Sheepy’s activities are great and do reflect what a chaotic little sheep would get up to to avoid going to bed.

The best part is Sheepy isn’t an only child, there are two other sheep strapped to their parents trying to go to bed as well. Peak adorableness.

You can purchase Sleepy Sheepy via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Husband Material by Alexis Hall

20 Feb 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Audiobook, Fiction, LGBTQIA Tags: , , , ,

Published: 2 August 2022 (print)/2 August 2022 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca/Dreamscape Media
Pages: 416/13 hrs and 35 mins
Narrator: Joe Jameson
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Fiction
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Wanted:
One (very real) husband
Nowhere near perfect but desperately trying his best.

 

In Boyfriend Material, Luc and Oliver met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends…and somehow figured out a way to make it work. Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc’s feeling the social pressure to propose. But it’ll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a bowl full of special curry to get these two from I don’t know what I’m doing to I do. Good thing Oliver is such perfect Husband Material.

 
I honestly don’t know why I wait so long to read Hall’s novels because they are all so wonderful that I feel like I could have been revelling in their complexities and intricacies for longer if I had dove in sooner. I instantly fell back in love with these characters and Hall has made their next stage together better than ever. The previous events have been woven is so it never feels like a recap. You get caught up with the relationship between Lucian and Oliver and the comments of the past book never feel clunky or jarring. The natural reminder works in world and is a great way to remind readers what has happened before and why these characters are the way they are.

What makes this series so special is the demonstration that emotional issues are complex and ongoing, nothing is fixed overnight. Through the light humour and the adorableness between these two, Hall manages to cover serious topics without ever changing the tone or becoming preachy. The issues that are important to Oliver and Lucian reflect their character and it’s a wonderful way to highlight the concerns of real life through characters, see how there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, and more importantly, how one issue can be viewed differently by people in the same community.

Hall explores topics like the social queer community as well as society and governmental class with tact and incredible sly comments, all without making it A Thing or feeling like an agenda is being pushed. It’s real through the characters therefore it feels like it belongs in the story. What I adored through this approach is how many issues are addressed and how there are valid criticisms on both sides. Oliver’s points are valid, so are Luc’s so there is balance. Luc is never the only bad guy and Oliver’s own issues pair well with Luc’s so there is never one right side. It is a wonderful point of conflict that also helps readers understand that there are a lot of issues far more complex than they first appear. What also makes it wonderful is Luc has tact and reasonable observations and we can see his growth from being a proper disaster in the previous book which is incredibly heart-warming.

The only real critique of this story is the complete overreaction by a character to seeing a man put his arm around a woman and having a conversation. Given the fact you know what this man’s job is and have no other basis for any other misdeeds, it’s a lot of pages wasted. Truly, if I was with someone who overreacted that much over something so small it would be worrying. But that’s beside the point. Minor critique (that bugged me a lot). And yes, we could say it is in character if we must, but it still annoyed me which I recognise is a me issue. Other than that, phenomenal book.

To be fair, all the characters are a mess in their own way. It is greatly reassuring to see this in people who aren’t teenagers. People in their late twenties and thirties are allowed to be a disaster too and while they can have serious jobs and marriages you are allowed to be imperfect. For all my own overreactions to minor plot points I did love these characters, faults and all. Hall’s writing makes you envious of their friendship and makes you wish you had these kinds of relationships and friendship groups. The ride or die of your teens can still happen as an adult and found family is very much a thing even with real family nearby. Jameson does a fantastic job once again bringing them to life through the audiobook and they are are vivid and alive as if there was a movie playing in front of me. A testament to Jameson’s skill and Hall’s writing.

I didn’t read the blurb before I started reading so when I realised the strong Four Weddings and a Funeral vibes I was impressed with myself until I realised it was openly referenced in the description. Nevertheless, it is a perfect comparison because the four weddings and a funeral aside, the chaos of this friend group is similar and I loved that.

I knew this was going to be a five star book three quarters of the way through. Hall has created another amazing book and chapter in Lucian and Oliver’s story. I am so glad to add this book to my shelf. I might seriously need a reread of book one as well because almost immediately I fell back in love with these two adorable fools and I am too impatient for book three to get my next fix.

You can purchase Husband Material via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson | Blackwells

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

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