Averil – The Master of Callus, a book review

Title: Averil – The Master of Callus
by: John Barwick
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

Fourteen-year-old Averil has never been far from the small desert town of Aum. But all that is about to change. Chosen as a novice Trader-Diplomat on her first expedition, she finds a world full of surprises. But Evil is stirring, and Averil is drawn into a battle between malevolent powers that threatens to change the world forever. In a world of war and sorcery, Averil finds strengths and qualities she didn’t know she possessed.

Averil, Book 1 – The Master of Callus is a fantasy middle-school chapter book that takes the reader away from today’s fast-paced life of technology. The main character, a 14-year-old girl named Averil, has been chosen as a Trader-Diplomat, and must accompany warriors, a Wise One and a trading party to distant lands. During the journey, they encounter a number of challenges.

The story, written by retired Primary School Principal, John Barwick, has all the elements of a fantasy book with magic, world building, conflict and a power structure. It will appeal to readers who like to escape into novels with ships, castles and a sorcerer.

Purchase a copy: Averil – The Master of Callus – purchase

Title: Averil – The Master of Callus
by: John Barwick
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing
ISBN: 9781925675177
Category: children’s
Subject: Fantasy , Adventure, Children
Pages: 300

This book was given to Julieann by Big Sky Publishing for review

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
https://www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:

 

Magic Fish Dreaming, a book review

 

Title: Magic Fish Dreaming
by: June Perkins
illustrated by: Helene Magisson
Publisher: Gumbootspearlz Books

A full colour poetry book, inspired by the diverse people of Far North Queensland and their tropical environment. It’s full of some of the strangest birds and animals, as well as resilient rainforest, cane farms and tropical beaches.

Beyond the title page is the dedication page, and words stopped me in my tracks …

Dedicated to:

All my ancestors
who sing and
dance the stories

And the ones
who listen

When you read a dedication that gives you goose-bumps, you know you are in for a treat, and the fact that Magic Fish Dreaming won several Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, only reinforces the feeling that this stunning book of poetry is one that will capture your heart.

Magic Fish Dreaming is written by talented and compassionate author, Dr June Perkins. Her PhD was on the subject of writing empowerment.

When you open the book, you’ll discover that Magic Fish Dreaming is in two parts.

Part 1 – Hunting for Giggle Poems

Hunting for Giggle Poems is touching, spiritual, and enjoyable. The poetic words will reach out and wrap their words around you, creating a special bond to the earth, making you feel like you must be a protector of all that we have been given. You’ll also find yourself smiling and trailing after the children with their net as they go to capture poems full of giggles.

Part 2 – Magic Fish Dreaming

It’s flowing, soothing, and caressing, with people and spirituality. There’s chats between a father and son, a mother and children, a cassowary and children. There’s magic and wishes and the wonder of creation. There’s fun with the storm dancers, a bottle lost at sea, and a geckos dance, plus many more.

June Perkins has teamed up with talented artist, Helene Magisson, who imbues June’s poetic words with the gift of visual art. Besides enjoying the words of the poems, the reader will spend an age meandering in each of the illustrations, lost in the magical colours, the action, and the flowing peace that leaps off the pages. Helene’s art style is enchanting, making your heart sing.

If you are fishing for a beautifully written and inspiring book of poetry, Magic Fish Dreaming must be on your ‘to purchase list’. If you could ever fall in love with a poetry book, it would be this one.

I highly recommend Magic Fish Dreaming. It will make you feel like the world is a beautiful, wonderous place as the author weaves her gift of words on the page. When you finally close the book, you will be left with a feeling of peacefulness.

June Perkins is right. Writing is empowering: for the author, and the reader.

Purchase a copy: Magic Fish Dreaming

Title: Magic Fish Dreaming
by: June Perkins
illustrated by: Helene Magisson
ISBN: 9780980731187
Category: Poetry
Publisher: Gumbootspearlz Press
17 poems, 48 pages

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords
www.julieannwallaceauthor.com

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Nevermoor – the Trials of Morrigan Crow, a book review

Title: Nevermoor – The Trials of Morrigan Crow
by: Jessica Townsend
Publisher: A Lothian Children’s Book by Hatchette Australia

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Born on an unlucky day, she is blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks – and worst of all, the curse mean that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on Eventide. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away to a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to pass four difficult and dangerous trials – or she’ll have to leave the city and confront her deadly fate.

Nevermoor has me celebrating for children, everywhere!
Firstly because of two words:

Step Boldly . . .

These two words speak loudly, and are a call to courage. They are two words that will stay with you for all the right reasons.

And secondly, because author, Jessica Townsend, has a “knack” with words and characters and world building.

Jessica took me on a visual and literary journey of delight with magic, wonder, fantasy and suspense. She had me turning the pages of Nevermoor, the Trials of Morrigan Crow with impatience, as she led me deeper into the town of Jackalfax, and then the magical city of Nevermoor.

Nevermoor begins with the prologue titled ‘Spring of One’, and we learn of the death of Morrigan Crow. When we turn to Chapter One – ‘Winter of Eleven’, we are taken back in time – three days earlier in fact. There, we meet the most feared child in Jackalfax, Morrigan Crow, destined to die on the night of Eventide. And this is where we make our strong emotional connection to her.

There is a lot at stake for Morrigan Crow. In fact, everything is at stake – her life.

As the brilliant story continues, we meet a unique character named Jupiter North. He takes Morrigan away from Jackalfax and into the safety of Nevermoor. But she can’t stay there, unless, she enters the Wundrous Society, but this can only be achieved by passing the four trials:

The Book Trial
The Chase Trial
The Fright Trial 
The Show Trial.

Meanwhile, a dark presence is watching, and waiting, for an opportunity. And  Morrigan Crow is in his sights…

Nevermoor – the Trials of Morrigan Crow, is filled with many A-HA! moments while you read, as pieces of the puzzle connect, leaving you feeling a sense of awe and wunder. It’s a magnificently clever, incredibly magical and beautifully heartwarming story that you will want “more” of.

Thankfully to Jessica Townsend, Morrigan’s next Wundrous Adventure is coming in 2018.

Purchase a copy: https://www.hachette.com.au/jessica-townsend/nevermoor-the-trials-of-morrigan-crow

Title: Nevermoor – The Trials of Morrigan Crow
by: Jessica Townsend
Publisher: A Lothian Children’s Book by Hatchette Australia
ISBN: 9780734418074 (paperback)
Category: primary school age
Pages: 448

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Published Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

  

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The Magic in Dress-Ups, book review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: The Magic in Dress-Ups
written & illustrated by: Chrissy Byers
Publisher: Books by Chrissy Byers

Written to inspire imaginative play, this rhyming recount depicts the adventures of two small girls who create costumes from household junk and craft supplies.

Ending in a challenge, it is the perfect resource for Early Childhood Educators.

Scissors, card and some glue. What can we do?
From the very beginning of Chrissy Byers picture book, The Magic in Dress-Ups, children will be inspired to create. As you read the rhythmic, rhyming text, you will be carried away with imagination, feeling the excitement with each construction from bits and pieces from around the house.

Chrissy’s illustrations are colourful and multi-levelled, inviting a closer inspection about what materials are being used and predicting what they will become with the dress-up. On further analysis, pages in juxtaposition will reveal what the characters are doing in real life of the left, and what they are imagining in their make-believe world on the right. Clever!

I can see this book for young children being read over and over again. It would make a wonderful introduction to an art lesson to inspire children to create their own dress-ups and designs from craft supplies and recyclable materials.

The Magic in Dress-Ups will make children feel upbeat, and it will have you following the flow of colourful magic stars as they weave their way over the pages leaving you with a lovely touch of happiness.

The story ends with ‘Scissors, card and some glue. What can you do?’  There’s a challenge for kids, right there!

Purchase a copy: The Magic in Dress-Ups hardcover

Connect with Chrissy at: https://www.facebook.com/booksbychrissybyers

Title: The Magic in Dress-Ups
written & illustrated by: Chrissy Byers
Publisher: Books by Chrissy Byers
ISBN: 978-0-9943648-2-1
Category: pre-school age
Pages: 32 pages

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:
Queensland Writers Centre
Write Links
Share Your Story Australia