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

The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour (#5) by Clint McElroy

15 Feb 2024 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Graphic Novel Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Published: 21st February 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: First Second
Illustrator: Carey Pietsch
Pages: 352
Format: Graphic Novel
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

The Bureau of Balance has located yet another Grand Relic, and this time it’s…time? A small mining town called Refuge has been locked away behind an arcane bubble, and somewhere inside it the Temporal Chalice is causing unknown mayhem. Taako, Magnus, and Merle are launched into their investigation, but they’ve barely had a chance to get their feet under them before the situation literally falls apart. When the town clocktower strikes noon, Refuge and its citizens are destroyed in a sudden chaos of flame and ruin, and our heroes’ relic hunting — along with their lives — comes to an abrupt end.

But woah, what’s this? It’s 11AM, they’re alive again, and Refuge definitely hasn’t just been exploded? Looks like a classic time loop, friends. This town is trapped in its final hour, and so are the three of them. And in order to escape, they’ll not only have to solve the mystery of what happened to the Chalice, they’ll also also have to resist what it offers: the chance to rewrite the worst days of their own pasts.

Every time there is a new book published I have no doubt I’m about to go on an incredible adventure. The team does a fantastic job translating this story from podcast to visual medium and they’ve smashed it once again. This a continuation of The Adventure Zone series and takes our trio of heroes onto their next adventure. For all the goofs, jokes, and magical D&D content, this a powerful story about consequence and how decisions we make impact our lives.

There is a quick and cute catch up if you can’t recall what happened in the previous book, helpful considering the early scenes reflect the events of The Crystal Kingdom. I am always amazed at how the introduction to each book and the reminder of our key players can be so seamless, clever, and funny. It’s a skill of the format and the layout, between McElroy’s adaptation and Pietsch’s illustrations, that creates the winning combination.

The interlude has been woven into the story again and we learn how the characters have levelled up and gained new items, but other interlude moments have also been slotted into other parts of the story is key moments which keeps the original story and character development without taking away from the new arc. More importantly (to me), the greatest scene of the podcast is kept in there, something I wasn’t sure would happen on copyright grounds but it’s there and truly if I got nothing else from the arc I was glad that was there. (Here it is in animation form for your enjoyment).

But I do get a lot more from the arc. Spoiler free but the use of the layout in telling this story is remarkable. You get to keep all the moments that make the learning process and story unfold, each increment and bad choice, every cycle, all with the benefit of not taking up page after page and too much space. This happened with the podcast too, but the summarised version of the graphic novel makes it funnier and saves time without abridging the story.

Pietsch again has phenomenal illustrations. I love the hints and guides to let us know who is talking, with each character designated a symbol to help readers know who is speaking if they aren’t visible on the page. The colours are vibrant and the scale is beautiful. Large double page spreads that show vast caverns, the epic heights of temples, or the power of a detonation. Pietsch’s rough sketches and designs have also been included at the end of the book so you can pour over the process of creating the stunning visuals for the book and how layouts and town planning came about.

This arc has huge reveals in terms of overall story, but also, ironically, is a little patch of time by itself. There is a complicated story being told in between the humour and the stunning visuals which is what makes it such a beloved arc. We’re nearing the end and as more information is uncovered, more questions are asked and the cogs of conspiracy start turning in your brain. If you’re impatient the podcast is ready and waiting, or if you want to catch up previous arcs there’s four phenomenal graphic novels to catch up on.

You can purchase The Eleventh Hour via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson | Blackwell’s

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Royals by Tegan Bennett Daylight

02 Aug 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Audiobook, Australian Women Writers, Young Adult Tags: , , , , , ,

Published: 3 May 2023 (print)/2 May 2023 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Simon Schuster Australia/Simon and Schuster Australia Audio
Pages: 280/6 hrs and 18 mins
Narrator: Shabana Azeez
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Young Adult
★   ★   ★   ★   ★ – 5 Stars

What happens when a group of teenagers is stranded indefinitely in a shopping centre, alone? With all the stuff they could possibly want … and a baby? Is it paradise – or hell?

With no phones and no internet, Shannon and her fellow prisoners are completely disconnected from the outside world… and their online lives. It’s hard to say whether they’ll be driven to delinquency, or – even worse – forced to make friends irl. Will the limitless bubble tea, Maccas, high-end trainers and tech equipment be enough to keep the six teens safe and happy until they can find a way out, or is this all the start of something more sinister?

Acclaimed author Tegan Bennett Daylight’s first novel for young adults reconceives Lord of the Flies for Gen Z, and in a suspenseful, character-driven and enthralling story, reveals that surviving in isolation just might bring us closer together.

I do love books like this where something is happening and the regular world has shifted somehow. The teens trapped alone somewhere is not a new concept, but I absolutely adore the way Bennett Daylight has constructed this. The mystery of the outside, the mystery of what’s happening inside, it’s a fascinating premise and one that has been executed beautifully. Azeez does a wonderful job as narrator for the audiobook. Shannon’s voice comes to live and immerses you deep in the story from the beginning.

Being locked inside a shopping centre unsupervised is probably a lot of people’s dreams and while I think Bennett Daylight would have done a fantastic job with any variation, I love the creativity of this story. I don’t get where the Lord of the Flies reference from the blurb come from aside from kids being alone to fend for themselves. There are better comparisons inside the story itself where the characters discuss their situation and cycle through everything from The Breakfast Club to The Hunger Games to The Truman Show.

The length of time and the activities the group does is filtered through the whole story, and while there is obvious linear progression, there are also moments where time becomes an unknown entity. The way the characters work with and around the shops and the food court, the interactions between each character and the activities they do is engaging and interesting to read. I really loved the unexpected revelations and I loved the snippets of information mentioned early on that leaves the reader wondering while the story or character has moved on.

Information about Shannon is gradually revealed and it never felt forced or out of place. Bennett Daylight is great at using the environment and the events of the story to add information and does so for each character is clever ways. As a narrator Shannon is an engaging voice making this book an easy read. Bennett Daylight has done a brilliant job giving her a voice that feel young and inexperienced while also projecting the wisdom of youth, reminding the reader they aren’t as shallow and selfish many think them to be.

I genuinely loved these characters by the end. I loved their friendship, their lives, and their relationship. I loved the found family and the community they established. I don’t want a sequel because this book is perfect by itself, but I do want to know what happens next. I also now imagine it happening again. No spoilers (despite by absolute burning desire), but I do want to know if it’s happened before or if it will happen again.

This is a fun, easy read that does what it says on the tin; it navigates the experience of teenagers living in an all access, no worries shopping centre. Bennett Daylight beautifully covers some main problems that may arise, but at the same time she offers enough issues that the characters still have to have some responsibility.

As much as I am dying to discuss the ending, I shan’t. I will say however I was very impressed with Bennett Daylight’s approach. For all my theories through the story, the ones that changed and shifted with each new little bit of information, I really loved where it settled. It was a mixture of satisfaction as well as keeping some of the mystery.

You can purchase Royals via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Dymocks

Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon Aust | Audible

My Own Way by Joana Estrela Translated by Jay Hulme

03 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

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

Published: 1st March 2022Goodreads badge
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Illustrator: Joana Estrela
Translator: Jay Hulme
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Small children are often asked to choose between a gendered binary–”boy” or “girl”, “pink” or “blue”. This colorful picture book smashes these stereotypes and encourages the reader to follow their own way!

“Girl or Boy?”
What brings you joy?
“Pink or blue?”
It’s up to you.

With vibrant illustrations and concise, poetic text, this powerful book teaches young children that there are no limits in what you can do and who you can be.  You are unique!

Translated from the original Portuguese by award-winning transgender poet Jay Hulme, My Own Way is an important, timely, and beautiful celebration of identity, difference, and respect.

I picked this book up with reasonable expectations but I wasn’t expecting it to be as profound and lovely as I did. There are sometimes only three words on a page but they are impactful words. The story reminds the reader that it’s up to them to decide who they want to be. It starts off familiarly with the choice of blue or pink, girl or boy, emphasising what brings you joy is most important.

There’s wonderful messages that whether man or woman you should be as kind as you can, also that boy and girl doesn’t cover everyone and you might be both or none. I love that a book with such simple text can actually be more impactful than a story where a child is exploring their identity through a plot. Those are amazing as well, but I loved the simplicity of this.

There are fantastic lines like “your truth isn’t hidden underneath your clothes” and “your truth is something only you can know”. Kids should be told they can be and feel however they want and it’s ok, that there’s more to them than whether they are a boy or a girl and Estrela and Hulme do that beautifully. There is also a great message that it’s up to each person to say who they are and no one else.

The pictures are simple and minimal on character detail but they accompany the words well. Full page and brightly coloured they stand out with unusual colour combinations as well as great symbolic use that colours don’t always match the people society expects them to match.

With only a few words there is a lot of important lessons being learnt and I’m amazed that so much can be said with so few words and I applaud Estrela and Hulme for presenting it so well.

You can purchase My Own Way via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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