The Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation is celebrating Australian literature for kids this season.
Jessica Broom, the Youth Services Librarian from Endeavour Hills and Doveton Libraries, has put together a list of some of her favourites from this year’s CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist.
To see the full shortlist visit https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2016.
To order these books at libraries or visit www.cclc.vic.gov.au.
For Young Children
Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas, Aaron Blabey: This is one of the funniest, cheekiest bedtime books of the year! Plus it’s suitable for all ages. Brian is a piranha. He is also a vegetarian. His friends aren’t happy with his fondness for fruit.
My Dog Bigsy, Alison Lester: Meet My Dog Bigsy. He’s only small, but everyone knows he’s the boss. Each morning he visits the animals on the farm. Squawk, neigh, quack, moo, baa, oink, cluck, purr, ruff ruff ruff! What a lot of noise! And all because of Bigsy! From Australia’s favourite picture-book creator, comes this energetic story about a little dog who causes a big commotion.
The Cow Tripped Over the Moon, Tony Wilson: Hey diddle diddle, you all know the riddle, a cow jumps over the moon… but the moon is very high in the sky. How many attempts will it take before Cow makes her famous high-flying leap? This is a great, fun story for primary school students about perseverance.
For Older Children
One Step at a Time, Sally Heinrich (with text by Jane Jolly): One Step at a Time is an exquisite picture book which tells a touching story about the relationship between a young boy Luk and his elephant, Mali. On the border of Thailand and Burma, Mali steps on a landmine. Luk supports her during her recovery. Mali is eventually fitted with a prosthesis and get a second chance at life. One Step at a Time is a ground-breaking story. Heinrich’s beautiful illustrations match Jolly’s light touch when it comes to writing about the sensitive subject of landmines. It is a story about love and friendship that will enthral children around the world.
Soon, Morris Gleitzman: Soon continues the incredibly moving story of Felix, a Jewish boy still struggling to survive in the wake of the liberation of Poland after the end of World War II. This story can be read by itself, but it is recommended that other books in Gleitzman’s wonderful series are also read.
We Are the Rebels: The Women and Men Who Made Eureka, Clare Wright
The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka is the most talked-about work of Australian history in recent years. Clare Wright’s groundbreaking, award-winning study is of the women who played central roles in the rebellion. This is an abridged edition for teenage readers and it is fascinating.
