A Little Bookshelf

Simon & Schuster, New York, 1999

Hardback, 42 pages

0-689-81072-5

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is just the antidote for all those stories about helpless damsels in distress waiting for a prince to rescue them.  Please, give our girls more bold and brave heroines like Margaret.  I love sneaking books like these into my daughter's book bag and watch her reading them when we get home!

Brave Margaret is from Ireland and she can cast a spear as well as a herring net.  She longs to travel beyond the wide sea.  She talks a travelling sailor into taking her with him on his voyage in exchange for her cattle.  On the journey many strange and terrible things happen.  This story has the feeling of myth with sea serpents, giants and a hag.  Where it differs from most myths I know is that the hero of the tale is a woman.  Well worth checking out.

Walker Books, London, 2011

Hardcover, 56 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8442-8-7758

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Every year, in the northern hemisphere spring, thousands of animals from all over the world journey to the Arctic. Grey whales from Mexico, teens from Antarctica and caribou from Canada all head north to eat, feed and breed.

Join wildlife author Nick Dowson and award-winning illustrator Patrick Benson on this epic journey.

DK Publishing, London, 2000

Hardback, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-0-7513-7217-5

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is the true story of Ishaq, a young boy who lived in Baghdad in the ninth century. At that time the west was struggling in the dark ages while in the east, scholars discovered and translated the works of the great Greek philosophers.  Ishaq becomes a scholar like his father and travels far to collect manuscripts for the house of wisdom. The House of Wisdom was the centre of new ideas and learning, drawing scholars from all over the works. 

I loved the glimpse into another culture and time that this book offered.  As a lover of books, I wish that I could have visited or worked in the House of Widsom.

Random House Australia, Milsons Point, 2013

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-8579-8017-5

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ***

This book is one in a great new series featuring famous Australians who helped create Australia.  I'm really excited that there are such fabulous books available for young Australians to learn about their history.  As a kid I can remember being frustrated by the emphasis in books on the northern hemisphere experience.

In Meet Captain Cook, we learn about the famous explorer's life as well as his epic voyage to discover and map the east coast of New Holland.  Did you know that 58 animals went on the trip along with the rest of the crew and their supplies?

Walker Books, London, 2014

Hardcover, 40 pages

ISBN: 13 digits

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Shirley Hughes is another of my favourite author / illustrators.  Daisy Saves the Day is a good picture book for older readers curious about what things used to be like for children.  As well as a glimpse into the past, it is also a great story.  Daisy Dobbs is sent far from home by her mother to be a scullery maid.  Although Daisy works very hard, she isn't very good at housework and longs to be able to go to school again.  This could be a good book to read to kids who are having a hard time at school.  Perhaps things aren't so bad for them after all!

Candlewick Press, Massaachuesetts, 2007

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 9780763624002

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This lovely book tells the story of how the secret of silk was smuggled out of China by a young princess.  Her parents arranged a marriage for her with the Prince of a nearby desert kingdom.  She was young and did not want to leave home.  Her maid buried within her elaborate hairdo the seeds of the mulberry tree and the eggs of the silk worm so she would have something from home to comfort her.  

Walker Books, London, 2013

Hardcover, 240 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4063-4136-2

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

 This gorgeous book was originally published in 2005 in Maria Parr's native Norwegian.  I am so glad it was translated into English.  If you are wondering what the book is like, think modern day Pippi Longstocking, only to my mind, much funnier.  I read this one myself before giving it to my daughter and laughed aloud, a lot!

Lena Lid and Trille Yttergard are next door neighbours with wild imaginations.  As Lena leads Trille from one mad-cap adventure to another, Trille wonders if he is Lena's best friend.  Through the adventures of Lena and Trille, Maria Parr has captured the way in which children think and the way that the adults in their lives respond to them.  The characters in this story are depicted with humour, insight and sensitivity.  This story is a beautiful depiction of what growing up is like - full of laughs, heartache and wonder.  You may want to read this book with younger readers as it deals with the death of a loved one and mentions war.