World Kid Lit Month 2024: Traditions

From celebrations to traditions - over this month I've travelled the globe, and subjects - and I hope you enjoyed the journey with me. 

The big bath house by Kyo Maclear & Gracey Zhang. 

A celebration of traditions and growing up. And of bodies of all shapes and sizes. 

Come together: things every Aussie kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai. 

In this essential book, Isaiah, a Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man, establishes a foundation of First Nations knowledge with 20 key topics. Alongside bright and contemporary illustrations by Mununjali and Fijian artist Jaelyn Biumaiwai, Isaiah connects us to each topic through his own personal story and culture, from the importance of Elders to the Dreaming. From Koori Curriculum. 

This is a taonga (treasure). It is worth trying to find, to get some insights into one of the oldest continuous culture on our planet. 

Coming home to country by Bronwyn Bancroft. 

The colours, smells, and sounds of the author's Country are vividly brought to life. Australia is home to many a Country.

Country is the connection Australian First Nations have to a place. To the lands, seas, and waterways. To their family and community. 

The ocean calls by Tina Cho & Jess X. Snow. 

The pull of traditions, and aspirations. But, seriously, wouldn't you want to grow up and be a haenyeo - a free diving mermaid? 

How my Koro became a star by Brianne Te Paa & Story Hemi Moorhouse. 

The author, Brianne Te Paa, is a local for me. Literally works a ten minute walk away. We've done story readings at the same events - at a venue equidistant. 

Even without that geographical connection, this book would pull on my heart, and I would find a home for it in my house, and my life. 

World Kid Lit Month: Social Issues

There are so many topics I could have covered, but I thought this selection represented some of my recent reading, and showed a range of topics. 

A cat called Waverley by Debi Gliori. 

A story of homeless and love. And, saddest of all, it is inspired by the story of Darren Greenfield, a homeless war veteran, who lived in Edinburgh. 

A child like you by Na'ima B. Robert & Nadine Kaadan. 

Inspired by real life, young activists, this book shows how children can still make a difference. 

It's a no-money day by Kate Milner. 

Told from the point of view of the child, you can see that the mother is doing a really good job of protecting her child from the harshness of their situation. But, it also doesn't show that it's all sunshine and rainbows. 

The old man by Sarah V, Claude Dubois, & Daniel Hahn. 

A tale of connection and homelessness - and of actually seeing someone so many people ignore. 

I am a little voice by Linda Tuhiwai Smith & Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. 

Part of a series of realistic, somber, but - ultimately hopeful - books by Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith. This title looks at family violence, and being unable to express your feelings - looking yourself away, within your being.

World Kid Lit Month 2024: Self Esteem

We all need to believe in ourselves, and this books express this perfectly. 

The boy who tried to shrink his name by Sandhya Parappukkaran & Michelle Pereira. 

With the help of a new friend Zim - Zimdalamashkermishkada - learns to celebrate his name - and himself. 

Fauja Singh keeps going by Simrat Jeet Singh & Baljinder Kaur. 

Age does not limit your drive or ambition. And this picture book biography shows that, in spades. 

I love me by Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina. 

I Love This Book. It is simple and expressive and so joyous. This mother-daughter pair of creators works perfectly. Sally's mother was from the Bailgu  people of Western Australia, and was part of the Stolen Generations. 

Koko and the coconut by Turia Pitt, Célestine Hitiura Vaite, & Emilie Tavaearii. 

The authors' Tahitian heritage - and personal stories - help to add nuance and depth to a story of determination. 

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai by Michaela Keeble & Tokerau Brown. 

The power of standing strong in your identity, and being who you are, is so powerful. And is beautifully expressed in this book. The main character's identity is front-and-centre, with the Māori tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) flag around his arms. 

World Kid Lit Month 2024: Nature

Up in a tree a bird sings so sweetly

Nature's own voice, I hear

Rustling whistling trees turning breeze to speech

Talk to me now, ease my mind 

~ Nature, by The Fourmyula. 

The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson. 

If you are planning a trip into nature, wherever it may be in the world, you need this book! No, seriously. 

Our Dreaming by Kirli Saunders & Dub Leffler. 

Dreaming has a specific meaning for Australian First Nations. It can mean asleep-visions, but also something so much more. You could read it as a straight story, like so many lullaby-style stories of animals going to bed. But, if you know a little teeny bit, about the depth of what Dreaming and Country means - then this book means so much more. 

Seree's story = Te kōrero mō Seree by Irma Gold, Kanapu Rangitauira, & Wayne Harris. 

Another addition to the collection of bilingual te reo Māori and English Vox talking books. 

The story of Rosy Dock by Jeannie Baker. 

Australian icon Jeannie Baker does it again, with her 3D assemblages, and commentary on nature and 'process'. In this case, it is the story of an invasive species to Australia. 

Tuatara, a living treasure by Katie Furze & Ned Barraud. 

Aotearoa has some amazing fauna and flora - and the tuatara is right up there. 

Where are you, Puffling? By Erika McGann & Gerry Daly. 

Baby puffins are called pufflings - and I think that is one of the cutest names around! How could you resist this Irish tale, with some of the cutest birds you could find. 

World Kid Lit Month 2024: LGBTQIA+

For some people, these books push the boundaries and need banning. 

I think they need highlighting and celebrating.

And, this is only a tiny selection of the books I *could* have recommended. 

Rere atu taku poi! Let my poi fly! By Tangaroa Paul & Rebecca Gibbs. 

Another moment for me to share my pride in my work organisation. 

For those who don't know, poi are a female accessory. But, if you are a boy - or AMAB (assigned male at birth) - who loves the poi, what do you do? 

Based on the author's own experiences. You can see Tangaroa in action, in this video - filmed in one of the local libraries. 

The frog's kiss by James Mayhew & Toto. 

A queer retelling of the Frog Prince fairy tale. 

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A post shared by James Mayhew, illustrator (@mrjamesmayhew)

Grandad's Pride by Harry Woodgate. 

This book has faced negative review bombing online. It is a sequel to Grandad's Caravan, and both are beautiful, and deserve support. 

Jenny lives with Eric and Martin by Susanne Bösche, Andreas Hansen, & L. Mackay. 

Old school review! How many people have ever heard of this one? It is from 1981, and has faced controversy since its first publication. 

You need to chill by Juno Dawson & Laura Hughes. 

I want the confidence of this main character, if I ever need to defend my relatives - politely. 

Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, & Daniel Sousa. 

A retelling of a traditional Hawai'ian moolelo (a story which bridges legend and history) about a group of mahu (beings who carry both male and female mind, spirit, and heart).