JESS JUST READS

A BOOK REVIEW BLOG

The Wild Guide to Starting School by Laura and Philip Bunting

Hey, wild thing! Are you about to start school? Then it’s time to get set for your wildest adventure yet.

Follow this simple guide and you’ll learn everything you need to know.

The familiar and much loved animals from previous Bunting tales “Mopoke, Kookaburra, Liarbird, Koala, Quokka, and a few new friends” guide you from starting the day just right (mmm, GumFlakes) to first day jitters, meeting teachers, making friends, lunch time, home time and all the things in between!

Laura and Philip Bunting’s latest picture book The Wild Guide to Starting School is an adorable, beautifully illustrated and incredibly funny guide to the beginning of the school year. How should one get to school? Behave in the classroom? Eat during lunch? Through the lens of animals and barnyard examples, practical advice fills the pages — some helpful, some purely humorous.

Whilst some young readers might cringe at the thought of reading a book about school, Laura and Philip Bunting have put together a really inviting, beautiful book to captivate even the most reluctant of young readers. By incorporating wild animals into the story, they’re appealing to children through the use of the familiar — quirky, cuddly zoo animals.

There isn’t much text to this book, as it’s predominantly relying on illustrations to carry the story. Philip’s illustrations are soft but colourful, and suited for readers of all genders. Together, Laura and Philip have built a beautiful suite of children’s books that I imagine look beautiful when collected and stacked together on a bookshelf.

Recommended for parents and children. I don’t have any children but I found myself chuckling along to this one, so I can imagine young readers really enjoying this read. Readership skews 4+

Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Wild Guide to Starting School
Laura and Philip Bunting
January 2022
Scholastic Publishers Australia

The Christmas Pig by J.K Rowling

One boy and his toy are about to change everything…

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve, something terrible happens – DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life… even toys. And Jack’s newest toy – the Christmas Pig (DP’s annoying replacement) – has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known…

Illustrated by award-winning artist Jim Field, J.K Rowling’s latest children’s fantasy novel The Christmas Pig encapsulates the spirit of the holidays, telling the story of a lost beloved toy and the journey that his heartbroken owner goes on in order to retrieve him.

Whilst magic doesn’t feel as dominant in this one, something J.K Rowling captures well in her children’s novels is a cast of relatable characters who draw empathy from readers. They’re also fast-paced, fun and easily digestible for young eyes.

“All his adventures gave DP his interesting smell, which Jack liked very much. It was a mixture of the places DP had gone on his adventures, along with the warm dark cave under Jack’s blankets, and just a trace of Mum’s perfume…”

I particularly enjoyed J.K Rowling’s depiction of emotions like happiness, power and ambition — the way they can alter a person’s attitude to others and then be easily discarded depending on circumstances and setting.

The Christmas Pig will help children process emotions such as loss, when they lose something or perhaps when something or someone is no longer in their life. It’s nice to imagine a place where toys come alive, and this is certainly not a unique trope in children’s literature. Another aspect of the book that may help children is the family dynamic for our protagonist Jack — his parents are divorced and his mother remarries. He gains a teenage step-sister who is awful to him, and I think many young readers may find elements of their own home life within these pages.

“After that, Jack was shouting and crying too loudly to hear anything anyone said to him. He couldn’t stand feeling the car bearing him away from the place where DP was lying, lost and bewildered and wondering why Jack wasn’t coming back for him.”

Whilst there are some moments in the book that aren’t as digestible, such as the subtle messages around climate change and the somewhat cliche villains we meet towards the end, that’s only noticeable for adult readers — children will love this book. There’s a sense of urgency to the plot that drives the story forward and will keep children entertained. Each chapter is relatively short, encouraging young readers to keep turning.

“Sure enough, within a few seconds Jack was able to see the Christmas Pig again. Like Jack, he was floating downwards. Their surroundings became gradually lighter until Jack realised they were both sinking through their own column of golden light.”

With a gorgeous hardback cover, this is a great stocking filler for the festive season. Recommended for young children, readership skews 8+

Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Pig
J.K Rowling
October 2021
Hachette Book Publishers

Anorak Magazine: Vol 54 by Studio Anorak

Studio Anorak is an independent kids publishing house established in 2006. Studio Anorak publishes Anorak Magazine and DOT four times a year. Launched in 2006, it pioneered a new aesthetic and concept in children’s magazine publishing. 

Anorak Magazine, the ‘happy mag for kids’ is aimed at boys and girls aged between 6 and 12 years old. DOT is aimed at pre-schoolers.

Did you know that Oxter means armpit? Or that Troglodyte is a person who lives in caves?

Today I’m reviewing something a little different on the website — Anorak Magazine by Studio Anorak. This kids publishing house based in the United Kingdom produce colourful, entertaining and ethical magazines for children, all produced and printed on recycled paper with vegetable ink. Each issue of Anorak explores a different theme or topic.

The issue I received from Studio Anorak was volume 54 – The Imagination Issue.

Immediately striking, Anorak Magazine uses vibrant, bright colours to mesmerise your reading experience. Additionally, the book is filled with gorgeous illustrations to accompany each page spread. None of the content is dated, so it doesn’t matter what volume you order — children will love pouring over these pages.

“Do you know what we did this summer? We swam in a lake of ice cream…Don’t believe us? We did, we did! OK it was…in our heads. How did we do that? We used our IMAGINATION which is the most fun thing to do. In this issue, we take you on a journey around the weird and wonderful worlds that live within us. We explore why imagination is so brilliant, what we can do with it and what an imagined future might look like.”

Anorak appeals to self-sufficient, independent children who are looking for entertainment — perhaps a story, game, puzzle, quiz, interesting facts to discover, or just anything creative they can do to pass the time.

But Anorak is also ideal for a parent looking to keep their children occupied. Filled within this issue are a lengthy list of game and activity ideas, such as Catch & Read and Leaf Art and Home Olympics. There is even a recipe for Happy Patties, a tasty treat that parents can bake with their children — the recipe also includes vegetables as well, so it’s a healthy treat for those kids who avoid their greens.

Vocabulary in the magazine is encouraging and positive, motivating young minds to unleash their creativity and undergo a fun adventure within books.

“What is imagination? It is this unique gift we have to make things up, to create stories, characters, objects and adventures…it’s like having a screen in our heads playing tons of films all day (and night!) long.”

Recommended for young families, and perfect for the school holidays or that long Summer break when parents are looking for material to pique their child’s interest.

You can browse Studio Anorak’s collection here: https://anorakmagazine.com

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Anorak Magazine Vol. 54: The Imagination Issue
Published 2020
Studio Anorak

The Ickabog by J.K Rowling

The Ickabog is coming… A mythical monster, a kingdom in peril, an adventure that will test two children’s bravery to the limit. Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world’s best storytellers.

The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustaches you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them.

Everything was perfect – except for the misty Marshlands to the north which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth, to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own.

Could a myth unseat a beloved king? Could a myth bring a once happy country to its knees? Could a myth thrust two children into an adventure they didn’t ask for and never expected?

If you’re feeling brave, step into the pages of this book to find out…

An instant classic, J.K Rowling’s The Ickabog is a magical fairytale that will seduce young readers and keep them entertained this holiday period. The book is packaged beautifully — a gorgeous dust jacket hardcover and gold embossing, with vibrant, vivid illustrations and thick sleek paper inside. This is a cherished item for all readers’ bookshelves.

Admittedly, the story does delve into dark themes and plot points. It may start off light and easy — a foolish king, a mythical and fearsome creature that is rumoured to eat humans — but soon there’s betrayal, evil plots, countless murders and imprisonment. This shouldn’t deter young readers though. The story is fun and witty, enticing. The characters are all unique and readers young and old will be curious to follow the journey.

“Nobody would ever again say that he was selfish, vain, and cruel! For the sake of a smelly, simple old shepherd and his worthless old mongrel, he, King Fred the Fearless, was going to hunt the Ickabog!”

It wouldn’t be a children’s novel without some important messages woven into the story — lies can spiral out of control and are not worth the pain they inflict, lost loved ones are never truly gone and will always hold a place in your heart, and it’s important to trust your own instincts. It’s also a story about the importance of standing up against cruelty, greed and dictatorship, an conquering your fears.

Stylistically, J.K Rowling employs a couple of techniques to really invite the reader into the story. Firstly, she trickles in foresight about the future — she gives us an indication into whether the current events will have disastrous consequences, or perhaps fate is on a character’s side and things are about to improve.

Secondly, she breaks the fourth wall at times and talks directly to the reader, taking us on a tangent storyline but letting us know she’ll return to the original plot in a mere moment. These techniques make the reader feel like they’ve been let in on a secret — they’ve been welcomed into this world.

“We now return to Chouxville, where some important things are about to happen…What Bert didn’t realise was that the arrival of that mail coach was going to have some very important consequences, which would send him on a dangerous adventure. Let’s allow Bert to walk on without us for a moment or two, so I can tell you about the coach.”

A rather sweet and unique addition to the book, J.K Rowling has selected drawings from children all over the world and included them intermittently throughout the novel to add a bit more light to the story.

One slight flaw I had with the book – there are a lot of characters, especially within the first few chapters. I found myself getting quite confused with who they all were, and perhaps children might? Some re-reading may be necessary to initially grasp the story and the setting.

“When King Fred woke next morning and was informed that his Chief Advisor had retired at this critical moment in the country’s history, he was furious. It came as a great relief to know that Lord Spittleworth would be taking over, because Fred knew that Spittleworth understood the grave danger facing the kingdom.”

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Ickabog
J.K Rowling
November 2020
Hachette Book Publishers

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Strange things are happening in Nevermoor…

Morrigan Crow faces her most dangerous challenge yet in her latest Wundrous adventure. The highly anticipated third book in the award-winning Nevermoor series from one of Australia’s best selling and most loved authors.

Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market, and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge: to master the mysterious Wretched Arts of the Accomplished Wundersmith, and control the power that threatens to consume her.

But a strange illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning its peaceable Wunimals into mindless, vicious unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realises it is up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her – and the rest of Nevermoor – in more danger than ever before . . .

The third book in Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor series, Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow is a highly anticipated read for children and adults alike.

When Morrigan and her friends return to The Wundrous Society, a devastating illness starts spreading through Nevermoor. No one knows where it came from, how it’s spreading so fast, or how to cure it. And every passing week, it’s claiming more and more victims…the plot feels eerily similar to the state of the world right now, that’s for sure.

Small note: I’m still not entirely sure what “The Hunt for Morrigan Crow” is referring to. The hunt for the cure? The hunt for the illness? Unsure. Quite odd.

“Today, though, they’d mostly been Jupiter-watching — partly for entertainment, and partly out of a genuine concern for his safety. He’d gone a bit mad on tinsel, carols and eggnog, and Jack was worried that his uncle’s Christmas spirit had risen to such dizzying heights that he just might…burst a valve, or something.”

The strengths in the book are similar to what I loved in the previous books — the quirky and loveable Jupiter North, the hilarious banter between Morrigan’s friends (but hardly ever Morrigan – she’s not a very funny character), and the unique world that is Nevermoor.

Morrigan is just as determined and independent in book three as she was in the previous two reads. Like a lot of children’s novels, she’s surrounded by adults who don’t seem to be overly transparent. She has insight into the dreaded Hollowpox but no one will listen to her, and she just wants to help. Morrigan takes it upon herself to uncover the truth about the illness, and work to stop it before it claims too many unsuspecting victims.

“One by one the group members were called on and ran eagerly to the front, where they showed off an eclectic, extraordinary range of skills. One plucked a shadow from the wall and draped himself in it like a cape of darkness. Another made a collection of three-dimensional, glowing, brightly coloured shapes seemingly from nothing, and sent them dancing through the air in formation.”

Admittedly, Hollowpox has me conflicted. On the one hand, it’s quick and witty, fun and energetic, with the same cast of familiar characters we’ve loved since book one. On the other hand, the plot in this book seems fairly slow and, I’ll dare admit, a little boring.

It felt like quite some time before the dreaded Hollowpox thread started weaving its way into the story, and even when it dominated the novel, I never really felt like it was as enthralling as I anticipated. Most of the characters infected with Hollowpox were characters we weren’t that close to, so I didn’t feel much of an emotional investment in their sudden ailment.

The plot also felt a little over the place. We weave in and out of the illness so much that the stakes didn’t feel heightened enough. Plus, a significant element of the book is Morrigan developing her powers but at quite a slow rate, so the magical and mythical elements feel a little diluted by the end.

Truthfully, I felt like Hollowpox fell flat compared with its two predecessors.

“A Red Alert Tricksy Lane meant high-danger trickery and likelihood of damage to person on entry. Morrigan had to make a choice: risk unknown danger down a Tricksy Lane, or the absolute certain danger that when her body tired out, she would be mauled by a vicious nine-foot bearwun with claws the size of pocketknives.”

I’m still going to keep reading the series. I’ve already read these first three books and I believe in the world that Jessica Townsend has created. Just hoping the plot of the next book is a little more enrapturing.

Recommended for readers aged 10+

Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend
October 2020
Hachette Book Publishers