the younger sun

Story Time on the Grass

2012-02-02T15:07:00.003+11:00

The YoungerSun Presents

Saturday Morning

Story Time

onthe grass from 9am

The excellent Younger Sun Ladies willbe reading story books in the lovely new pop up park!

Every Saturday Morning

Unless it is raining, which unfortunately means a Story Time Wash out!

All Welcome, All ages

Please don’t leave your childrenunattended

Chicken Big

2012-02-01T14:35:00.001+11:00

Chicken Big, Keith Graves, Scholastic

The farm is tiny. The coop is itsy-bitsy. The chickens are very small. But the egg is humongous, and so is the huge yellow fellow who pops out! This feathered giant is so big, the flock is sure he's no chicken.

'It's an elephant!' peeped the smallest chicken. (She was not the sharpest beak in the flock.)

'Indoor elephants are dangerous!'

Will the chickens ever accept the enormous chick for what he is?

Very entertaining.

The Grimstones come to the Younger Sun

2012-01-31T15:36:00.003+11:00

How lucky are we at the Younger Sun Book Shop?

Not only do we have a new amazing pop up park popping up on our doorstep but the Amazing and Talented Asphyxia paid us a visit this morning and has installed a window display of her characters from The Grimstones.

Asphyxia is a puppeteer who has just released her first book, The Grimstones, Hatched....

A chapter book about The Grimstone family. Have you met them?

There is Martha Grimstone who wants to grow up to become Lady Martha the Magnificent and she lives with her Mother, a seamstress, and her Grandpa Grimstone, an alchemist, in a grand old house.

This Gothic fairy tale is positively spooky and fantastically beautiful. Stay tuned for photos of the window! You find out more about The Grimstones here: www.thegrimstones.com

PLUS we have some extra special signed copies of The Grimstones in the shop right now! Scuttle in and take a peep at the window too! It is totally amazing!

Switched Vs Twilight

2012-01-30T16:31:00.001+11:00

Hello Young Adult fans of the world

It is time to cast YOUR vote!

Is Switched by Amanda Hocking better than Stephanie Meyers Twilight?

Vote now by emailing your choice to info@sunbookshop.com

Tell Us Why You Think What You Think in 100 Words or Less and you could WIN a copy of TORN, the second book in Amanda Hockings Trylle series

-VS-

Why We Broke Up

2012-01-30T14:01:00.000+11:00

Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman (Hardy Grant)

From the genius of Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket...wow!!) teamed with exquisite illustrations by Maira Kalman comes this new Young Adult tale of first-love-heartbreak as Min writes letters to Ed about their relationship and the whole story of why they broke up.

I am in love with the format of this novel, Maira Kalmans paintings are an added bonus to Daniel Handlers' fabulous and slyly funny story telling.

The back cover reads 'Min and Ed's Story of Heart Break May remind you of your own'... and it does, in that first love, first heartbreak, impossible teenage romance sort of way. Perfect for teens who are experiencing their first heart ache or anyone really who has every had their heart broken or anyone else who is just a romantic at heart.

You can also find out more at this special website made just for the book,

The Why We Broke Up Project

and tell your tale of heartbreak too

http://whywebrokeupproject.tumblr.com/

Meet Alice and Nellie...

2012-01-28T12:47:00.001+11:00

There are two new installments in the wonderful Our Australian Girl series!

Introducing Alice, a talented young dancer from Perth. With the Great War raging on the other side of the world, will her dream of becoming a ballerina ever come true?

Meet Nellie O'Neill, an orphan girl arriving in South Australia from Ireland who just wants to learn to read, find a family to love and leave the troubles of the famine behind.

People

2012-01-21T14:24:00.003+11:00

Blexbolex is a French graphic-designing, screen-printing, book-illustrating, ultra-cool guy who has made a fabulous book of people... all sorts of people, in fact.

Meet An Astrologer, A Biologist, A Nudist, A Demon, A Tourist, A Balloonist and many many other off beat illustrations of colourful folk.

It is an art book as much as it is a fascinating and gorgeously printed anthology of characters for children to imagine, become and dream of.

Playing With Colours

2012-01-07T18:10:00.000+11:00

MOMA and creative author/illustrator Pascale Estellon have created the unique and beautifully printed

'The Color-Play Colouring Book'.

Extra large with bold and bright illustrations this book will introduce young artistic folks to colour theory while encouraging an experimental approach!
Designed to be used with paint as well as crayon/pencil/texta this book will inspire quirky and unexpected responses from budding artists. Ages 4 to 10

Happy New Year!

2012-01-06T14:41:00.001+11:00

Here is a happy little story to go with your happy new year...

Once upon a Yesterday, I sold a copy of Gangsta Granny to a bright young customer.

Today the very same customer appeared in my shop to tell me that he loved it so much that he read ALL of it ALL at once and it was so very funny that he had to come in to let me know.

It warmed the cockles of my heart.

The End.

What do animals really like?

2011-12-29T15:37:00.000+11:00

What Animals Really Like, Fiona Robinson, Abrams

Introducing...

For one night only....

Mr. Herbert Timberteeth's new musical bonanza

What Animals Like Most

Anarchy is in the air.

The shrimp like to ski not swim, the kangaroos prefer Ping-Pong to hopping about and the lions enjoy flower arranging (while the horses are partial to deep-sea diving).

Mr. Herbert Timberteeth is at the end of his tether. Can the show go on?

Lots and lots of fun.

High Street

2011-12-16T12:14:00.002+11:00

High Street, Alice Melvin (Tate)

Last-minute arrival in the store before Christmas!Wonderful!

In High Street, little Sally (and her fabulous 70s haircut) has a long list of things to buy down the high street, including a yellow rose and a garden hose, a cockatoo and a tin kazoo, a cherry tart and a candy heart.

Lift the flaps on each page to see inside the shops and help Sally find what she is after.

With stunning retro illustrations and beautifully cased in hardback this is definitely a winner. Love it.

-Kate-

Do you have any hardback Enid Blytons?

2011-12-13T14:52:00.003+11:00

Why, yes!

They reappear when you least expect it! Back in stock and looking beautiful all ready for Christmas are these gorgeous, big hardback editions of Enid Blyton's beloved classics The Enchanted Wood and The Magic Faraway Tree.

Bom!

2011-12-12T13:21:00.001+11:00

BOM! Went the Bear, Nicki Greenberg, Allen & Unwin

BOM! went the bear on the big bass drum...

Ting ting-a

ting ting-a

Strum strum strum.

There are singing turtles, a lizard on a zither and some squirrels that are having a ball with the cymbals.

And then the brass band appears! Parrup parrup parrah!

GREAT fun, and perfect for the 2-4 crowd this Christmas.

Violet Mackerel's Natural Habitat

2011-12-06T11:40:00.001+11:00

Violet Mackerel’s Natural Habitat, Anna Branford & Sarah Davis (Walker)

Violet keeps a pet ladybird which she names “Small Gloria” (CUTE) but unfortunately the Small Gloria dies. The life cycle of the ladybird eventually inspires Violet's big sister’s school science project.

The story is funny in an off-beat sort of way, Violets musings on everyday life are quirky and sweet - in fact the whole Mackerel family are quite charming and the drawings really make the story extra lovely. There is a ladybird funeral in it too, which strange but not too gloomy.

Highly Recommended for those not so girly girls who are creative and thoughtful!

~Molly~

Christmas!

2011-12-02T12:05:00.001+11:00

It's December now so we can finally let loose our Christmas Cheer!

Drink, Slay, Love

2011-11-27T13:34:00.001+11:00

Our funny bones are actually pretty tickled about this one. Great title, great cover.

'One hour til dawn,' Pearl said. She leaped off the roof and landed catlike on the pavement. 'Oodles of time, if we steal a car.'

We laughed out loud three times on the first page. It's going to be a winner.

NOT FOR PARENTS...

2011-11-23T12:34:00.001+11:00

Lonely Planet has released a great new series for junior travellers, which is well-worth a look.

There's the big travel book that gives lively and fascinating information on each country.

There's also individual city guides with the kind of information that kids will find particularly interesting.

For example, did you know that in 1938 a boa constrictor took a ride on the Paris Metro - "unaccompanied and without a ticket." Also, that underneath Paris are the Catacombs - which contain the bones of about six million people! Most of the bones have been very artfully displayed.

In Rome, back in ye olden days all roads actually DID lead to roam.

Then, more recently in 2010, some environmental campaigners built a hotel out of rubbish they collected from European beaches.

This is just a taster of the fab facts available in these books.

There are also guides to New York and London.

The Loud Book!

2011-11-22T10:31:00.001+11:00

The Loud Book! Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska (Koala Books)

Here's a fabulously illustrated picture book for the 3 and up crowd about all the kinds of loud in our lives.

Walking-to-school song loud.

Belly flop loud.

Deafening silence loud.

Garage avalanche loud.

Aunt Tillie's banjo band loud.

From the team that brought us The Quiet Book - which we absolutely loved to bits.

Ffor Ffun, read Fforde

2011-11-16T13:09:00.001+11:00

The Song of the Quarkbeast, Jasper Fforde (Hodder&Stoughton)

The magical, adventure-filled and hilarious sequel to The Last Dragonslayer. Kazam is being challenged by iMagic, their magic company competition and whoever wins will be favoured by the King and have the monopoly on magic. They might even be able to get the mobile phone network back up.

Our non-magic, foundling heroine Jennifer Strange just knows there is something more devious going on with the Amazing Blix, the king of the unUnited Kingdom...and just where and when will Kazam's missing manager the Great Zambini appear next to give them all some much-needed advice? Plus, should she go on a date with Youthful Perkins?

Surges of magic that can send oak trees flying. Trolls out to rid their homes of human vermin ("here person person person"). A sneaky Quarkbeast looking for its other half. Big Magic, small magic, flying carpets, old grudges, new possibilities.

It's explosive. Literally. Just read it - your sides will split with laughter and magic.

--Kate--

Hunger Games news

2011-11-15T10:16:00.001+11:00

While it is common knowledge that the book is always better, the new Hunger Games movie trailer has been released and it looks fabulous!

Gangsta Granny

2011-11-12T16:27:00.001+11:00

Gangsta Granny, David Walliams, Harper Collins

Ben's granny stinks of cabbage, adores scrabble and talks to Ben like he is a toddler. Ben has to spend every Friday night with Granny while his ballroom dance obsessed watch 'Strictly Stars Dancing', a show Ben hates so much he would rather eat his own bogeys than watch that rubbish.
But when Ben discovers that Granny is in fact an international jewel thief, things get very interesting, very quickly.

Gangsta Granny contains cabbage-flavoured chocolates (they are not as nice as they sound, and they don't sound that nice), alibis provided by the Clingfilm Appreciation Society and a chat with the Queen.
It is exciting, funny and even made me a bit teary.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Darius Bell is back!

2011-11-10T10:30:00.000+11:00

Darius Bell and the Crystal Bees, Odo Hirsch (Allen & Unwin)

The bees on the Bell estate are dying. No honey! Then Darius realises that having no bees also means no pollination of the plants, and that no plants means no food. Not only that, but then the gardener will have to leave and take his family - great friends of Darius' - with him. This cannot be!

Darius has to find a way to fix this situation and this means outwitting his strict teacher and getting around the pernickety, nasty Mayor. But if anyone can do it then Darius can...though he might need a little bit of help.

Top book for 10+

early harvest

2011-11-09T12:30:00.000+11:00

Yesterday we received our first copies of the new magazine early harvest, brought to you by the brains behind Pigeons and their trusty brains trust of local primary school aged kids - editors of this fantastic new rag. They all worked in collaboration with the folk at harvest magazine.

The result? A gorgeously designed magazine full of stories and illustrations by young and old that we just know you will adore.

Come and help us celebrate the launch at the Sun Theatre on Saturday 12 November at 11am. Authors and committee will be in attendance, as well as the magnifique Sally Rippin, who will be launching.

Inky Awards 2011

2011-11-08T13:00:00.000+11:00

The Inky Awards were announced last week at the Centre for Youth Literature in Melbourne. These are youth voted awards, people, so what better recommendation could there be?

Silvermay by James Moloney won the Gold Inky for an Australian book.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare won the Silver Inky for an international book.

Click here for more about the actual award event.

A Bedtime for Bear

2011-11-07T16:58:00.000+11:00

A Bedtime for Bear, BonnyBecker and Kady MacDonald Denton (Walker Books)

Bear has some requirementsfor bedtime: his glass of water must be ready and waiting in a particular spoton the bedside table and his favourite pillow needs to be sufficiently fluffedup. But most importantly, it has to be VERY quiet.

When Mouse comes to stay Bear’squiet is interrupted by the sound of teeth brushing

(bristle, bristle, bristle)

humming

(humm, hum-pa-pummmmm)

and the creak of Mouse settling down in his bed

(creak, squeak, rattle)

But it is when Mouse falls asleep and quiet finally descends that Bear realises it might just be a bit too quiet...

This is just lovely. A little bit funny and delightfully illustrated.

The Treasure Thief

2011-11-01T15:35:00.000+11:00

The Treasure Thief, Béatrice Rodriguez, Gecko Press

Remember The Chicken Thief?

Here's another one!

Fresh from trying to "save" their chicken friend from a fox (only to realise the pair were actually in love!) the bear, rabbit and rooster come across a mysterious glowing orb in a cave. The rooster, in a greedy selfish kind of fit, decides to make off with it by himself. Pursued by a bear and a rabbit through creepy caves with glowing creatures and through mushroom fields and over the ocean...the adventure goes on for pages.

A beautiful wordless picture book full of brilliant illustrations and a great tale.

Again!

2011-10-29T10:42:00.001+11:00

We want to read this book AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!

Because it is awesome. And hilarious.

Just look!

Told you so!

A Brief History of Montmaray

2011-10-26T10:30:00.000+11:00

The Younger Sun is ashamed to say that even though we had it on good authority that Michelle Cooper's A Brief History of Montmaray was an excellent novel...we only just read it.

And it is even better than we had thought.

Sophie lives on the island of Montmaray, a tiny sovereign nation not too far from the coast of Spain with her eccentric family - frighteningly intelligent cousin Veronica, uncle King John who has become increasingly loopy, cheeky tomboy sister Henry and a smattering of villagers. Her brother Tom is in England, being educated, and their Aunt Charlotte has summoned Sophie and Veronica to be debuted. But it is 1936 and the world is a-rumbling with changes: Spain is having a civil war and in Germany a man called Hitler is threatening to invade Poland and Czechoslovakia and both of these things will impact on Montmaray.

This book is told through Sophie's journal entries, in her engaging, amusing, intelligent voice and with wonderful observation, humour and humanity. It's full of literary, historical and political references, and just a little bit of talk about frocks and froufrou. You must, must read it.

~~Kate~~

The Jewel Fish of Karnak

2011-10-25T10:51:00.001+11:00

The new Graeme Base is simply amazing. You have probably heard about it.

THE JEWEL FISH OF KARNAK

Two thieves are charged by by the Cat Pharoah with the task of recovering the stolen Jewel Fish from the wiley Crocodile. But these thieves are not very smart, and also a little bit greedy. This book has spectacular illustrations and it's wonderful story is one you'll hate to miss out on.

And, of course, there is a very Baseian puzzle at the end.

Published by Penguin Books.

MONSTERSAURUS

2011-10-24T17:10:00.000+11:00

Monty LOVES inventing

But things don't always work -

His walking toaster ran away

And the robot went BERSERK!

But then one day Monty found a book with instructions on how to create inventions very rare... read it if you dare!

From the creators of the excellent Dinosaurs Love Underpants and Aliens Love Underpants comes Monstersaurus.

What fun!

Waiting, waiting...

2011-10-22T12:51:00.004+11:00

Wednesday 9 November

Inheritance 004: Inheritance

Not so very long ago, Eragon - Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider - was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.
The Rider and his dragon have come farther than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

Monday 31 October

The Sending: The Obernewtyn Chronicles Book 6

It came to me then, like a chilly draught from an unseen gap, that I had always known in my deepest heart that it would be like this, a slipping away from a life full of people I had come to love, in a place I had helped to shape, in a land I had helped to free.
The time has come at last for Elspeth Gordie to leave the Land on her quest to find and stop the computermachine Sentinel from unleashing the deadly Balance of Terror arsenal. But before she can embark on her journey, she must find a lost key. And although she has long prepared for this day, nothing is as she anticipated.
Elspeth's search will take her where she never thought to go, and bestow upon her stranger companions than any she ever imagined. It will lead her far from her destination to those she believed lost forever.
And it will test her, as she has never been tested before . . .

review: Taken Away

2011-10-18T12:23:00.001+11:00

Taken Away, Celine Kiernan (Allen & Unwin)

If you want a spooky and really beautiful story then this one is for you.

After their Nan (who has started to slip into senility) burns down their family home, brothers Dom and Pat have to move to a seaside house - and it isn't long before the nightmares start, the ghostly apparition of a soldier appears to them and they save an old man from committing suicide.

But when a strange, frightening goblin-boy appears one night it appears trouble from the past has come to get them. Dom, in particular, is in grave danger.

Set in Ireland in 1974, Taken Away is a fast-paced, frightening, fascinating story for readers 10+

review: The Truth About Verity Sparks

2011-10-16T10:37:00.000+11:00

The Truth About Verity Sparks, Susan Priestley (Walker Books)

I finished it! It was so good.

Reasons why: the book really was accurate about life in London at a difficult stage. The book is set in London in the 1800s. It described almost exactly what sort of dangers lurked for young women at that time. Verity goes though a number of difficult obstacles like losing what looked like a very stable job.

If (though I should say when because, wow, awesome book) you read this and feel as if evil people are going to jump out and abduct Verity or other evil deeds, you are not alone because I felt the exact same thing. The story line just gave that sort of vibe.

And because, like a few people, I love to read about that sort of stuff, I seriously found it almost impossible to stop reading! But I had to and I fairly blame that on my mum. I don't see the reason why I can't stay up until 10 or something :)! Maybe some of you are lucky enough and can stay up and read for much longer than me!

~ Hannah, teen book club member

Meet Aoki...

2011-10-14T15:34:00.000+11:00

From the author of the wonderful Yumi and Kimonos comes Aoki, another intriguing story about the Kokeshi dolls from Annelore Parot (Hardie Grant Egmont).

Learn some Japanese words and explore Tokyo with Aoki and Pouny. Can you work out which bento bag is Aoki's?

And just where is Pouny hiding?

This has the same sort of detailed, interactive elements that made Yumi and Kimonos such a hit.

There's no place like home...

2011-10-12T15:00:00.000+11:00

The Wizard of Oz - SCANIMATION

It really moves!

Here's a cute little retelling of The Wizard of Oz with a sparkly "ruby-slipper" cover and mind-boggling scanimation moving illustrations.

The only thing is, now we can't stop singing...

"We're off to see the wizard - the wonderful Wizard of Oz!"

Life: An Exploded Diagram

2011-10-11T10:24:00.001+11:00

Life: An Exploded Diagram, Mal Peet (Walker Books)

A historical love story - John van de Ruit's Spud meets the most concise and enjoyable history book you've ever read - this is a book not to be missed.

Clem is a council flat boy. Frankie is the wild(ish) daughter of a wealthy local landowner. They shouldn't be together but can't keep apart. But meanwhile the shadow of nuclear warfare and the Cold War looms and threatens. Indeed, we spend chapters with JFK as he botches the Bay of Pigs and tries to decide what the heck to do about Russian nukes in Cuba.

It might take you time to get into it, you may at times think come on come on, get back to Clem and Frankie, but by the explosive end you'll be left reeling and want to start again immediately. The aftershocks will continue for days.

I Want My Hat Back!

2011-10-10T15:31:00.001+11:00

I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen, Walker Books

Bear has lost his hat. He misses it a lot, and worries that he will never see it again. He asks various animals but none of them have seen his hat. Bear despairs.

But has the rabbit been telling fibs?

The pictures are understated and wonderful.

The text is quietly humorous.

And the ending is very unexpected and will make you laugh.

A lot.

Ruby who?

2011-10-07T16:15:00.000+11:00

Ruby Redfort!

Clarice Bean never used to be much of a reader, but then her granny gave her a book about a girl named Ruby Redfort and Clarice's mum says that is when she turned into a bookworm.

According to Clarice Bean in Utterly Me, Clarice Bean (Lauren Child, Orchard Books) Ruby Redfort is an amazing girl a bit like a detective who sometimes drives to school in a helicopter.

So here is a brand new book entirely about Ruby Redfort!

It is called Look Into My Eyes (Lauren Child, Harper Collins) and it is ace.

First Ruby's beloved house keeper Mrs Digby goes uncharacteristically AWOL. Then the house is robbed so completely that nothing is left save the telephones and the hardwood floors (even the dust is gone). And Ruby has been receiving irritating phone calls that may in fact be clues...

With her best friend Clancy Crew and the slightly annoying but seriously suave new butler Hitch by her side, newly recruited Ruby has to prove to Spectrum, super secret agency, that they have in fact hired the right girl for the job.

Ruby is a banana milk drinking, code and wise cracking school girl turned secret agent that fans of Clarice Bean, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden or pretty much any kind of mystery story with cool gadgetry and plenty of adventure will love.

Complete with creepy villains, a toaster that imprints messages from HQ onto toast to be read before devouring and some seriously big sunglasses, this is not to be missed.

Please sir, I want some more...

2011-10-05T13:30:00.001+11:00

It is the time for sequels, it would seem. This month we've got the newest installments of your favourite series:

Froi of the Exiles, Melina Marchetta (Penguin)

Sequel to last year's wonderful Finnikin of the Rock, Froi of the Exiles is the second book in the Lumatere Chronicles.

Set three years after the first, it is the story of Froi who - now trained and more mature than he was the last time we saw him - is on a mission to the kingdom of Charyn.

Ranger's Apprentice, John Flanagan (Random House)

Still not completely satisfied that you know it all? Never fear! In the Lost Stories the author John Flanagan ties up a whole bunch of loose ends, stories that come before and after this popular series.

Has Halt told Will the truth about how Will became an orphan? Did Gilan track down Morgarath's lieutenant after the battle of Three Step Pass? Is there to be a royal wedding - or will tragedy strike first?

For the many, many, many fans of the Ranger's Apprentice. This one is pretty special.

Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune, Rick Riordan (Puffin)

Percy Jackson is awake!

There's a new quest, much adventure and the threat of the whole world being destroyed. Here's hoping that even though Percy has no idea who he is that he can save the day.

The Mask of Destiny, Richard Newsome (Text Publishing)

The third book in the awesome Billionaire Trilogy is finally here and it is as exciting and action packed as the first two. Within the first couple of chapters Gerald is accused of murder and has to flee England before he is killed or goes to jail.

With his trusty sidekicks Sam and Ruby, and his faithful (but sometimes begrudging) manservant Mr Fry, Gerald is off on another adventure to finally get some answers about the golden rods, the maps, the jewels and his family history.

Blooming brilliant!

Plumbers bums and Community

2011-10-04T10:50:00.001+11:00

A Bus Called Heaven, Bob Graham (Walker Books)

A Bob Graham book a day will take all your blues away. A Bus Called Heaven is a funny and sweet story about a broken down old bus, a little girl with a vision and how just a little bit of work can bring a community together. Like his lovely book Spirit of Hope, this book is 100% heartwarming.

The bus brought change to Stella's street.
Traffic slowed where no traffic had slowed before.
people stopped and talked together - just a little, but they talked.

Complete with Bob Graham's iconic illustrations - cool parents, friendly grandparents, rollicking kids, frolicking dogs and droopy jeans with a hint of plumbers bum. This one is our new favourite. Cannot be more highly recommended.

--Kate--

How to get a job...by me, the boss

2011-10-03T12:00:00.000+11:00

by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sue Heap

You could be a Cowboy
or an Explorer
or someone who drives a Big Red Car.
Or even a Super-Ballerina-Soccer-Mermaid-Fairy Princess.
(Like me.)

Or actually ANYTHING you want!

Except you shouldn't be a Robber.
It's not allowed.

From the awesome team that brought you How to be a Baby, by me the Big Sister and How to get Married, by me the Bride is this hilarious, playful picture book for small job-hunters three and up. The colourful pictures and crazy schemes will delight and amuse you all and have you chuckling all the way to your "Job Interview".

We love it.

Wombat!

2011-10-02T10:00:00.000+11:00

This just arrived in store and it is so VERY adorable.

Remember Diary of a Wombat and Baby Wombat's Week by the inimitable Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley?

Well now there is Christmas Wombat! And it comes equipped with a tiny wee Christmas wombat complete with little christmassy antlers (until we run out of them).

Join Mothball as she discovers reindeer, chimneys and, of course, lots of carrots.

I will be bored until...

2011-10-01T12:59:00.000+10:00

...March 2012!

I just literally finished mybook SkulduggeryPleasant: Death Bringer. It's the sixth book in the SkulduggeryPleasant series.The next one, SkulduggeryPleasant: The End of the World, comes out March next year. It will bean awfully long wait for the book, but a great late birthday present inthe end. I will spend the rest of my wait, dying. And going on the website.

Skulduggery was sogreat because there was non-stop action and she (Valkyrie) was getting olderand going through struggles in her relationship with Fletcher. Also, what happens with the creepystalker vampire Caelan.

That’s why it's good.

Hannah - Teen Bookclub member

Visit the Skulduggery website!

Lola and the Boy Next Door

2011-09-30T10:30:00.000+10:00

Lola and the Boy Next Door, Stephanie Perkins (Penguin)

Following on from the worldwide hit Anna and the French Kiss comes Lola Nolan. Hailing from San Francisco and queen of radical costumes - the plan is to make an enormous Marie Antoinette gown (complete with elaborate wig) for her high school dance - Lola is eccentric, hilarious and creative. She lives with her overprotective dads, who aren't too pleased about her older boyfriend Max. But Lola's smitten with bad boy musician Max. Then her childhood friend, super tall, kooky inventor, mad-haired former crush Cricket Bell moves back in next door and Lola's world is shaken up.

Funny, sweet, romantic and daring. Highly recommended.

--Kate--

We are Wonderstruck

2011-09-23T11:16:00.001+10:00

Wonderstruck, Brian Selznick (Scholastic)

If you loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret, like we did, it is your LUCKY DAY!

Here's another amazing book by the same author. Beautiful hardback, half in the same style of mind-boggling illustrations.

But shhh. We're still reading...

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing heading in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing. Set fifty years apart, these independent stories - Ben's told in words, Rose's in picture - weave back and forth with mesmerising symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.

Arrrrr! Avast! Walk the plank me hearties!

2011-09-19T11:35:00.000+10:00

It be international TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!Come along me hearties and read some rum-guzzling, swashbuckling pirate books! Here be some of our favourites:

back to the roaring twenties!

2011-09-18T12:19:00.002+10:00

Beautiful Days, Anna Godbersen (Razorbill)

We've been waiting for this sequel to Bright Young Things for a while now.

It's summer in Long Island and Cordelia, Letty and Astrid have been spending their days lazing about the pool and attending lovely parties.

Cordelia is still feeling guilty and sad about the death of her new-found father and starting to get used to living the life of a high-profile bootlegger's daughter and sister. When her brother Charlie asks her to open a family speakeasy she jumps at the chance. But what about the mysterious pilot Max...who doesn't approve of her lifestyle? And why does what he think matter so much to her?

Astrid might be engaged to Charlie but without a ring can she really trust that her arrangements will go ahead as planned? Especially when her fiance is always away... Is she just chasing a pipe dream?

Letty is still trying to make her name on the stage. Cordelia is helping, but Letty still feels like she could make it on her own. There's a bit of a romance blossoming with scruffy writer Grady, but there's a chance Letty might mess it all up. Can this songbird create a glittering future for herself?

Dances, dresses, fancy drinks and dashing gentlemen - this is a really enjoyable and fun book that gives you a great taste for the flavour of 1920s New York.

Did you know...

2011-09-17T12:42:00.005+10:00

That the longest flight in a hot-air balloon went for 22 days?

That a particular specimen of the gaboon viper has fangs as long as your thumb?

That the longest beard ever recorded spanned 5.33 metres in length?

Neither did I until this arrived!

One Dog and His Boy

2011-09-13T16:59:00.006+10:00

One Dog and His Boy, Eva Ibbotson, Scholastic

Hal lives in a nice big house with his very rich parents. He has all the latest toys and his mother proudly tells her equally rich friends that he has ‘everything a boy could want’. But she is wrong, because all Hal really wants is a dog. Luckily for Albina, Hal’s mess detesting mother, Easy Pets offers the loan of pedigree dogs for an hour, a day or a weekend for a large fee.

Convinced that Hal will get sick of a dog after a day or two, his parents allow him to choose a dog from Easy Pets, neglecting to tell him of course that the dog is in fact on loan...

I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ever read by Ibbotson (special mention to Which Witch). Her books are a pleasure to read, and this one is no exception.

Hades

2011-09-13T11:00:00.000+10:00

Hades, Alexandra Adornetto (Harper Collins)

Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. What could happen to an angel in hell?

There in Hades, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xavier is so good after all?

Alexandra Adornetto has written yet another suspense-filled, enchanting book which will have you turning the pages with anticipation.

Review by Jessy Allison

Douglas Bear Competition Winners!

2011-09-10T10:47:00.002+10:00

Indigenous Literacy Day

2011-09-06T09:21:00.001+10:00

Tomorrow, Wednesday 7 September is Indigenous Literacy Day and we will be donating 5% of our daily sales to the ILF.

Come down and support this worthy cause!

Happy September!

2011-09-05T13:28:00.004+10:00

We got so many great new books this month it is rather overwhelming. So here are just four of our absolute favourites:

Follow the Line to School, Laura Ljungkvist (Viking)

Shift, Em Bailey (Hardie Grant Egmont)

Colours, Orla Kiely (Import Pic)

The Apothecary, Maile Meloy (Text Publishing)

New! Hunger Games Teaser Trailer!

2011-08-31T09:00:00.000+10:00

Crow Country

2011-08-28T15:10:00.000+10:00

Kate Constable's latest book Crow Country just arrived in stock on Wednesday and by Thursday evening I had finished it. It is beautiful.

It's the story of Sadie, who has moved to a country town (which was NOT her idea of a good move) with her mum. Her weekend are apparently going to involve watching the local footy team get beaten and her mum forcing her to make friends.

Then when Sadie is exploring the cracked, dried bed of what used to be a lake she happens upon a curious circle of boulders. Drawn to them, she can sense their importance. A crow speaks to her and sets into motion an exciting, frightening time-slip mystery. If she can correct some old wrongs she might just be able to make amends in her present.

The characters are all brilliant, it's beautifully written and has Dreaming stories woven through the narrative. With mystery, love, feuds, family and friendship and a bit of magic Crow Country is a must read for 11+.

Hooray, Mr Badger returns!

2011-08-25T18:25:00.001+10:00

Mr Badger and the Magic Mirror, Leigh Hobbs, Allen & Unwin

I'm sure you all remember Mr Badger from his previous adventures?

Well then, you will be glad to know that he is back in fine form for the latest addition to this wonderful series for younger readers.

This one has a secret whirligig and banana cake and a moat and a hideous creature (no, not Sylvia Smothers-Carruthers) and a surprise appearance by Algernon, the no longer missing ape!

Excellent.

Andy Griffiths Today!

2011-08-23T09:54:00.001+10:00

We are currently at MAXIMUM CAPACITY but there's the possibility of a waiting list. If you RSVPd and can no longer come, please let us know so others may enjoy the hilarity!

for more information click here.

The Naked Boy AND 13-Storey Tree House

2011-08-22T10:01:00.005+10:00

It's not August, it's Andygust. Ummmm. Andy-fest?

Andy Griffiths has two fantastic new books out this month and both are IN STOCK at the Younger Sun.

there's The Naked Boy and the Crocodile, which is a brilliant collection of short stories written by young Indigenous kids from some remote communities. Even Andy said he couldn't have come up with such hilarious and original tales.

And ahead of our launch party TOMORROW NIGHT, we have hundreds of copies of 13-Story Treehouse written and illustrated by everyone's favourite pair Andy and Terry Denton. Imagine if you lived in a tree house with thirteen floors, with a bowling alley, a huge pool, Tarzan vines to swing on, evil kissing mermaids...

Andy will be at the Sun Theatre (by way of the bookshops) tomorrow night -

TUESDAY 23 AUGUST

at 4.30pm

- so come on down and celebrate his latest book! It's a hoot, trust us. RSVP here or call us on 9689 0661.

Our Favourite Books

2011-08-20T13:44:00.002+10:00

The kids of Yarraville have spoken!

Cath Crowley Pops In...

2011-08-20T13:10:00.003+10:00

to sign some of her incredible award-winning YA novel Graffiti Moon.

We've got loads of other fab new books signed by their equally fab authors. All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield. Clara in Washington by Penny Tangey. Little Sister by Aimee Said.

Chalk it up to reading

2011-08-20T11:57:00.002+10:00

We are having a blast at National Bookshop Day. Come and write your favourite book on our footpath.

CBC Book of the Year - Winners

2011-08-19T14:46:00.006+10:00

Older Readers Book of the Year 2011

	Author	Title	Publisher
WINNER	Hartnett, Sonya	The Midnight Zoo	Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
HONOUR	Crowley, Cath	Graffiti Moon	Pan Macmillan Australia
HONOUR	MacLeod, Doug	The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher	Penguin Books, Penguin Group (Australia)

Younger Readers Book of the Year 2011

	Author	Title	Publisher
WINNER	Carmody, Isobelle	The Red Wind	Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
HONOUR	Bauer, Michael Gerard	Just a Dog	Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
HONOUR	Branford, Anna Illus: Davis, Sarah	Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot	Walker Books

Early Childhood Book of the Year 2011

	Author	Title	Publisher
WINNER	Ormerod, Jan Illus: Blackwood, Freya	Maudie and Bear	Little Hare Books
HONOUR	Champion, Tom Niland & Niland, Kilmeny Illus: Niland, Deborah	The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies	Allen & Unwin
HONOUR	Norrington, Leonie Illus: Huxley, Dee	Look See, Look at Me	Allen & Unwin

Picture Book of the Year 2011

	Author	Title	Publisher
JOINT WINNER	Baker, Jeannie	Mirror	Walker Books
JOINT WINNER	Greenberg, Nicki	Hamlet	Allen & Unwin
HONOUR	Bancroft, Bronwyn	Why I Love Australia	Little Hare Books
HONOUR	Riddle, Tohby	My Uncle's Donkey	Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia)

Eve Pownall Book of the Year 2011 (non-fiction)

	Author	Title	Publisher
WINNER	Ursula Dubosarsky Illus: Riddle, Tohby	The Return of the Word Spy	Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia)
HONOUR	Brooks, Ron	Drawn From the Heart: A Memoir	Allen & Unwin
HONOUR	One Arm Point Remote Community School	Our World: Bardi Jaawi: Life at Ardiyooloon	Magabala Books

Congratulations to all winners, honour books, shortlisted and notables. It was a great year for books and we would have found it hard to choose.

Story Time with William McInnes

2011-08-19T14:25:00.006+10:00

As part of National Bookshop Day we will be hosting a Story Time session tomorrow

10 am - Saturday 20 August!

Come to hear stories for your children read by favourite local William McInnes.

Plus prizes and activities and lots of fun. See you all tomorrow.

Support your local bookshops!

One bookclub, two bookclub, red bookclub, blue bookclub

2011-08-16T11:04:00.001+10:00

There are changes afoot in the Younger Sun.

From September there will now be TWO bookclubs.

The Teen Bookclub will continue as is, with the group reading fantastic, fast-paced stories aimed at girls and boys aged 9 to 13 and featuring books like The Golden Day, the Percy Jackson series and When You Reach Me.

For the Saturday 3rd September bookclub (meeting at 2pm) we will be reading Northwood by Brian Falkner. It's in stock now, with a 20% discount, as usual. Come on in!

In October we are thinking about reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The Young Adult Bookclub is a new offshoot, aimed at slightly older readers who still want to read well-written stories but those that explore themes for older readers aged 14 to 18. Think Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Sarah Dessen, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part time Indian and Generation Dead.

For the inaugural Young Adult Bookclub on Saturday 3rd September (meeting at 3pm) we'll be reading Lili Wilkinson's rom-crime novel A Pocketful of Eyes. In stock now, 20% off.

If you have any questions at all, please send us an email at youngersunbookclub@gmail.com or call Kate on 9689 0661.

Claude is back!

2011-08-14T11:00:00.000+10:00

Remember Claude?

Well, look what we got!

Claude on Holiday, Alex T. Smith, Hodder

In this fabulous new adventure Claude and Sir Bobblysock are off to holiday at the beach. Claude makes sure to pack his tambourine and some underpants, a lampshade and some sticky tape.

At the beach the sun is bright and while Claude quite fancies a tan, he makes sure to wear sunscreen as sunburn would make him clash terribly with the wallpaper.

--clare&kate--

The Accidental Princess

2011-08-13T12:30:00.000+10:00

The Accidental Princess, Jen Storer & Lucia Masciullo (Viking)

In this gorgeous hardback book Matilda is angry with her big sister so she hides Iris's special coin in the lilac hedge. Soon though, Matilda is sucked into the hedge and identified as royalty! The hedge people, little mouse Binny Trinket, King Arden and the pillywiggins (fairies!) need Princess Matilda's help to defeat the terrible imps who threaten the magic of the hedge.

There are no Rainbow Magic style fairies here. Matilda might have a pretty princess dress and hat but she can also defeat a troll by using her smarts and make her way through dark, dank, muddy tunnels to rescue kidnapped pillywiggins and fight off scary dribbling creatures.

With short chapters perfect for bedtime reading, this is a book not to be missed!

--Kate--

Solomon Crocodile

2011-08-11T13:56:00.006+10:00

Solomon Crocodile, Catherine Rayner, Macmillan

Solomon wants to play. But everyone else wants to relax in the morning sun.

When Solomon starts leaping and splashing about the frogs

and the dragonflies and the storks and the hippos

get cranky...

Catherine Rayner (creator of the wonderful Ernest, a moose too big for his book)

brings us another great story with illustrations from beyond the valley of the marvellous.

This one even comes with a subtly sparkly cover.

New Jackie French! Nanberry: Black Brother White

2011-08-10T11:00:00.000+10:00

Nanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie French (Harper Collins)

For really, really good Australian young adult (and middle-grade) historical fiction, Jackie French has always been a winner - just look at titles such as Somewhere Around the Corner, The Night they Stormed Eureka, and her recent A Waltz for Matilda. With Nanberry: Black Brother White she delivers an excellent fictionalised account of the First Fleet’s settlement at Sydney Cove, spanning the years 1788 to 1823, and using real historical figures to do so. Nanberry is the young indigenous boy who grew up half-English, half-Aboriginal, adopted by the Chief Surgeon John White when Nanberry’s entire people were killed by an outbreak of smallpox. French gives us such a rich view of the colony and its everyday workings, weaving them into the story effortlessly and without the dreaded information “dump”. She also doesn't gloss over the nasty parts of first fleet colonial life, such as the treatment and plight of Aboriginals, the terrible treatment of women in the colony, the drunkenness and violence of both soldiers and convicts (they are the real ‘savages’ in this story), malnutrition and the ‘tyranny of distance’. All of the characters are well drawn, with distinct voices, and French offers two strong female characters in Rachel and Maria. Nanberry: Black Brother White is a powerful novel; it would fit excellently into the Australian schools curriculum but it will also satisfy any reader from 11 up, including grown-ups.

--Kate--

This review originally appeared in Bookseller+Publisher magazine.

Nobody Owns the Moon

2011-08-09T09:13:00.005+10:00

Nobody Owns the Moon, Tohby Riddle (Puffin)

Clive the fox lives in the big city and has managed to make a nice little life for himself in a place where animals generally find it hard to fit in.

Humphrey the donkey is finding it harder, just living day to day, but he has a friend in Clive and one night they happen upon tickets to a play, to the glittering premiere.

For children and adults to peel back the layers, discovering all its meanings, Nobody Owns the Moon is a beautiful, bittersweet story with remarkable and detailed illustrations.

This wonderful book is NOW IN PAPERBACK!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

2011-08-03T14:02:00.005+10:00

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip and Erin Stead, Allen and Unwin

Amos McGee has a routine. He wakes up to his clangy alarm, puts on his uniform, has his tea and oatmeal and hops on the 6 o'clock bus to the City Zoo.

There are plenty of things for Amos to do at the zoo, but he never neglects his friends. There are games of chess to be had with Elephant, races to be run with Tortoise and a quiet sit to be had with shy Penguin.

Until a terrible cold brings about some unexpected happenings.

This is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and my favourite new picture book.

--clare--

Spot it... Again!

2011-07-30T10:13:00.000+10:00

Spot It Again! Find More Hidden Creatures, Delphine Chedru (Abrams)

Not "same old same old" but the same concept brought back with new and fantastic pages and pages of wonderful illustrations. Your kids will love looking for the tiny set of eyes, or small creature hiding among the colours and shapes of Chedru's book.

A keeper.

Forever, Maggie Stiefvater

2011-07-28T09:00:00.000+10:00

The Wolves of Mercy Falls: Forever, Maggie Steifvater (Scholastic)

Not only incredibly exciting, fast-paced and very romantic, The Wolves of Mercy Falls series have the most beautiful covers. You should own them in hardback because you will treasure them forever.

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.

In Linger, they fought to be together.

Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death closes in.

Now in stock at the Younger Sun.

Great New Picture Books!

2011-07-27T12:14:00.006+10:00

Bugs in the Garden, Beatrice Alemagna (Phaidon)

We loved Bugs in a Blanket and know you all did too. Unbelievably cute fluffy, crafted wee bugs in blankets, all wonderfully presented in a sturdy hardback book, perfect for small hands that are beginning to be a bit gentler with their books (!) Now, in Bugs in the Garden the bugs have left the house and are playing in the garden. It's just as cute, and a little bit more energetic.

Some Dads, Nick Bland (Scholastic)

He's prolific. He's GREAT.

Some Dads is another fab book from Australia's own Nick Bland (author of The Very Cranky Bear and The Wrong Book). A whole bunch of little sons and daughters - all animals - interact with their dads in the most beautiful and hilarious ways.

And it rhymes.

Hattie and the Fox, Mem Fox and Patricia Mullins (Scholastic)

25th Anniversary Edition (in Board Book!)

We're big fans of the classics here at the Younger Sun and we're so happy to be able to stock Hattie and the Fox for you all, in a perfect-for-toddlers hardy board book, but still big enough to really enjoy the pictures. A lovely story about Hattie the chook who protects all her farm friends from the fox.

Book Launch Tonight

2011-07-26T15:21:00.000+10:00

Come on down to the Sun Bookshop tonight to help us celebrate the launch of Clara in Washington - the new hilarious YA novel by Penny Tangey.

6pm for a 6.30 start

Have a drink and some nibbles and grab a copy of the book.

See you tonight!

SCAT

2011-07-18T16:27:00.007+10:00

Scat, Carl Hiassen, Orion

When Nick and Marta's terrifying science teacher Mrs Starch goes missing on a school excursion to the swamp, rumours about the disappearance are flying about school. Was she disposed of by angry student Duane Scrog, who has been known to eat entire pencils and once gnawed off a bit of his PE teacher's finger?

or perhaps she was eaten by a bear?

What follows is a twisty, fast paced plot complete with multilingual macaws, wonderfully eccentric characters and a setting evoked so vividly that once I finished this I spent the remaining afternoon researching Florida panthers and swamps in general.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, highly recommended.

--clare--

All I Ever Wanted

2011-07-17T11:40:00.000+10:00

All I Ever Wanted, Vikki Wakefield : Text Publishing

Mim's got plans to get out of her dead-end suburb. She's following the rules she creates - no booze, no drugs, no tattoos, no sex, no swearing, even - all so that she doesn't end up like her mum. She has a box of Lonely Planets that'll help her on her way. But life's starting to get a little out of control. Her best friend Tahnee has a new, serious boyfriend, her brothers are both doing time and a strange young woman has moved in next door, who keeps the strangest hours.

But Mim has been sent (reluctantly) to pick up a package from Feeney Tucker and on her way home is intercepted by the love of her life (not that he'd know it) Jordan Mullen...and things take a turn for the worst.

This wonderful debut novel is gritty and hopeful and an absolute must-read.

Most highly recommended.

--Kate--

Nog arrives at the Younger Sun!

2011-07-01T12:43:00.003+10:00

Nog and the Land of Noses, Bruce Whatley, Scholastic

Nog lives in the Land of Noses, where spectacular noses are the norm. There are noses that go up, some that go down, some that are curly and some that can be used to catch fish.

Sadly, Nog's nose does not do anything special.

Or does it...

Black Painted Fingernails

2011-06-30T11:41:00.000+10:00

Black Painted Fingernails, Steven Herrick (Allen & Unwin)

James is off in his graduation-present BMW on his first teaching rounds in the country and reluctantly gives hitchhiking Sophie a lift.

'How about we toss a coin? Heads, it's west and a lift. Tails, it's still west, but no lift.'

Sophie’s on her way home, but she also has a secret, which comes out bit by bit as the two learn more about one another. She makes him nervous and shy, but their friendship develops throughout the book. James’ secret isn’t hard to guess – he isn’t 100% sure about this teaching idea.

Told in alternating chapters, Black Painted Fingernails is a lovely, poetic prose novel about taking time to figure out what the hell to do with your life, and finding someone nice to spend that time with.

--Kate--

Emily Gravett PLUS Julia Donaldson!!

2011-06-28T11:49:00.004+10:00

Now in stock in paperback is this wonderful story for chidlets aged two or three or ninety.

Here is Cave Baby, with words by Julia Donaldson (the Gruffalo lady!) and pictures by the incredible Emily Gravett (she drew Monkey and Me!).

A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even, just maybe, by a big brown bear... But where are they going? And what has it to do with the baby's scribblings on the cave wall?

We love this book for its energy, fabulous illustrations and for the woolly mammoth.

Clara in Washington

2011-06-28T11:35:00.002+10:00

The new book by Younger Sun-favourite author Penny Tangey (she wrote Loving Richard Feynman) is here!

Clara in Washington is a fabulous new Young Adult novel:

Washington D.C. is meant to be all glamour, politics and great conversations but what do you do when you don't have the words to join in? Or the knowledge to ride the subway? Or you're scared someone will mug you?

Joining her mother on a trip to Washington is Clara's end-of-school adventure and a chance to be someone else other than the studious geek she's always been. Although, starting an adventure is hard to do when you won't leave the house.

But Clara didn't count on meeting Campbell and his anarchist group and she didn't count on her new discoveries threatening to unravel all her plans.

Will she still be the same after Washington?

Review coming very soon!

Andy Griffiths...here?!

2011-06-22T12:40:00.006+10:00

It's all very exciting.

The Younger Sun Bookshop is so excited to launch Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton's hilarious new book

The 13-Storey Treehouse

When? Tuesday 23rd August 2011 at 4.30pm

Yes! Andy Griffiths will be here.

Who wouldn't want to live in a treehouse? Especially a 13-storey treehouse that has a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a library full of comics, a secret underground laboratory, a games room, self-making beds, vines you can swing on, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots your favourite flavoured marshmallows into your mouth whenever it discerns you're hungry.

Two new characters – Andy and Terry – live here, make books together, and have a series of completely nutty adventures. Because: ANYTHING can happen in a 13-storey treehouse.

Free event, all very welcome.
RSVP: info@sunbookshop.com or 9689 0661

What books do they read in WA?

2011-06-21T14:52:00.002+10:00

Oh la la what excitement. The shortlists for the 2010 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards have been announced!

Children's

Henry Hoey Hobson (Christine Bongers, Woolshed Press)
Mirror (Jeannie Baker, Walker Books)
Sarindi's Dragon Kite (Janine M Fraser & Elise Hurst, HarperCollins)
The Red Wind (Isobelle Carmody, Viking)
The Three Loves of Persimmon (Cassandra Golds, Penguin)
Toppling (Sally Murphy & Rhian Nest James, Walker Books)

Young Adult

Anonymity Jones (James Roy, Woolshed Press)
Happy as Larry (Scot Gardner, A&U)
The FitzOsbornes in Exile: The Montmaray Journals 2 (Michelle Cooper, Random House)
The Midnight Zoo (Sonya Hartnett, Viking)
This is Shyness (Leanne Hall, Text)
Wavelength (A J Betts, Fremantle Press)

The Quiet Book

2011-06-21T09:26:00.002+10:00

The Quiet Book, Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska (Houghton Mifflin)

This darling new picture book is about all the different kinds of quiet. You might be familiar with some of them:

Colouring in the lines quiet.

Hide-and-seek quiet.

Some might make you giggle:

First look at your new hairstyle quiet.

And others will reach that little place inside you:

Last one to get picked up from school quiet.

Best friends don't need to talk quiet.

All accompanied by the cutest, most expressive illustrations of wee mooses and rabbits, foxes and bears. It's a gentle, sweet, funny book - perfect for reading before bed.

Beauty Queens

2011-06-18T10:38:00.001+10:00

What's that?

A book about a plane full of teenage beauty queens crashing on a deserted* island?

Is that you I hear in the background shrieking hurraaaaaah?

Oh wait, that's me.

Hurraaaaaah!

Now, I'm sure you all remember Libba Bray from the thoroughly excellent Going Bovine? Or perhaps from the Gemma Doyle series?

Even if you don't, I'm sure you are all very eager to absorb her latest offering, Beauty Queens. Not only is the cover entirely appealing,

(does anyone else also now want a sash like that?) the story is rawther fab also. And it is worth reading just for The Peacock and General Good Times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was an easy, fun read, but also had an interesting social commentary lurking in the background. Recommended!

*Perhaps not entirely deserted. But I shall say no more here. Apart from that there are some REALLY BIG snakes. And they are a bit sparkly. AWESOME.

-clare-

What would you wish for?

2011-06-17T15:15:00.004+10:00

3 Wishes for Pugman, Sebastian Meschenmoser (Wilkins Farago)

When Pugman wakes up late one morning, things go from bad to worse. There is no cereal in the cupboards, no milk in the fridge for coffee and the newspaper is soggy. Pugman begins to wonder why he bothered to get out of bed at all.

Then an irritatingly cheerful and vaguely mad looking fairy arrives, promising 3 wishes. What will Pugman choose?

Raspberry sweets or fresh cream cake? A kitten? A castle?

Nah.

What he will choose may surprise you. But it will almost certainly make you chuckle.

Sequels

2011-06-15T12:21:00.003+10:00

Two sequels have arrived in the shop this week. They both have really beautiful covers!

First off, Red Glove by Holly Black. The sequel to White Cat.

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

Then Passion, by Lauren Kate, the third book in the Fallen series.

Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way...

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime...going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel...and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames...forever.

Ever wake up in someone else's body?

2011-06-11T09:24:00.001+10:00

Flip, Martyn Bedford (Walker Books)

Fourteen year old Alex wakes up one morning. Alex wakes up six months after he went to bed. In Manchester, when he went to bed in London. Alex wakes up in Philip’s body – in Philip’s house, with Philip’s family.

This is a very intriguing body-swap story, detailed and psychological. While he does explore the more silly and light hearted side of waking up in someone else’s body – there’s the issue of Philip (aka Flip)’s multiple girlfriends, his reputation with his teachers, his relationship with his big sister and the idea of going to the toilet in someone else’s body – Bedford really focuses on the more serious side to create a truly gripping story. Alex researches his condition on the internet to find that it’s not unheard of. He joins a community of psychic evacuees and starts to piece together the puzzle of just what has happened to him. If he is in Flip’s body, then what has happened to his old body?

Flip is an intense and moving story with excellent characters and an intriguing premise. Highly recommended.

--Kate--

What a combination!

2011-06-10T08:51:00.004+10:00

Here at the Younger Sun we don't usually get excited about movie spin-off paraphernalia, but for Harry Potter we can't help but make an exception. Plus, we really like Lego.

Introducing - this guide to all the Harry Potter themed Lego around. There's Number Four Privet Drive, a really impressive Hogwarts Castle, some delightfully spooky Professor Snapes (some with glow-in-the-dark heads!) and so much more...broomsticks, golden Galleons, Goblins, scary Dementors and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

For Potter fans and Lego fans alike!

Where's Walrus?

2011-06-08T10:46:00.002+10:00

Where's Walrus? by Stephen Savage (Scholastic)

Walrus has escaped from the boring old zoo. The zookeeper goes right after him, but Walrus is wiley and spends the day in all kids of different hats to disguise himself. He joins a line of can-can dancers with feathers on top, a line of men building a wall wearing yellow hard hats and enters a diving competition in a little red cap.

Vibrant retro illustrations and a particular (wonderful) sense of humour make this a wonderful, wordless picture book for little and big children.

A couple of weeks ago we listed this fabulous book as our Book of the Week and it was so exciting to get a message from the author himself!

Thanks for featuring my book, Sun Bookshop! Wish I could be there to read and sign it for all of you! -- Stephen Savage, Brooklyn, NY

Thank YOU, Stephen. We love your book.

Die For Me

2011-06-04T10:42:00.001+10:00

Die For Me, Amy Plum (Atom)

16-year-old Kate is from New York. After her parents die in a car accident, she and her big sister Charlotte move to Paris to live with their grandparents (luckily they are both fluent in French!). Kate spends her days reading in cafes, going to the cinema or browsing through museums and galleries, wallowing alone in her misery, until one day she meets a dashingly beautiful stranger. He falls for her, she falls for him – but he’s no ordinary boy ... Is she strong enough to be a part of his dark world? It might have a cheesy title, but Die For Me is a reliable and enjoyable addition to the teen supernatural romance genre, with the added benefit that it’s set in Paris, complete with trendy bars and hipsters. Though Plum is a self-confessed Twilight-addict, she’s deliberately created a protagonist with a bit more integrity than dearest Bella. Much of the novel involves handsome-boy explaining all the supernatural stuff to Kate as well as introducing the characters, so it feels like there should be a sequel, but there’s no talk about that yet. Here’s hoping!

--Hannah--

DEPARTMENT 19

2011-06-01T08:33:00.003+10:00

WILL HILL’S

DEPARTMENT 19

is an amazing futuristic fantasy novel about a kid called Jamie Carpenter whose dad gets killed (in the prologue). After a while Jamie’s mum gets taken by a vampire named Alexandru Rusmanov who wants Jamie dead because his father (Julian Carpenter) killed his wife (Ilyana) who was the only thing he loved. The plot is Jamie trying to rescue his mum from Alexandru. Jamie joins DEPARTMENT 19 so that he can save his mum.

DEPARTMENT 19 was made to kill Dracula the oldest vampire ever but he turned others, lots of others, into vampires and they turned even more, so there are heaps more vampires in the world.

I really like this book because, well, it’s a really good book - I just can’t explain it. I can’t wait for the next one to come out because DEPARTMENT 19 was the best book I have ever read.

--Ned Pearson, nearly 10

CON-NERD

2011-05-31T09:21:00.004+10:00

At the Younger Sun, we love Oliver Phommavanh. His first book:

...was hilarious and fabulous. Lengy's parents own the local Thai restaurant but Lengy just wants to eat normal food. But when he starts year seven all his new mates think it's really cool that Lengy's Thai.

And now! Introducing:

IT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR NERDS, ONE GIANT LEAP TO BEING COOL.

Mama tells me I'm gifted and talented. But I know the truth. I'm just a nerd.

Kids call me Con-nerd - half Connor and all nerd.

I'm supposed to become a doctor but i have this deep, dark secret: I want to be a cartoonist.

And all of a sudden my mega-cool comics are getting noticed at school - I might even get into a special art class . That would sure impress this girl I'm keen on . . . and it might just be my chance to show the world my true destiny.

But I'm not sure Mama will see it quite that way . . .

Randa Abdel-Fattah Event!

2011-05-22T10:17:00.002+10:00

Randa Abdel-Fattah at Hobsons Bay Library Altona

Tuesday 24 May from 9.30am to 11.00am

Randa Abdel-Fattah is the award-winning author of young adult novels, 'Does My Head Look Big in This', 'Ten Things I Hate About Me' and 'Where the Streets Had a Name.' She is also a human rights activist and practicing lawyer and has appeared on television programs such as the ABC’s Q & A, First Tuesday Book Club, SBS’s Insight and Channel Seven’s Sunrise. With her writing she '[hopes] to empower and inspire people of all faiths and backgrounds to embrace their identities and feel strong enough to assert themselves in the face of other people’s expectations and pressures.'

Celebrate Library Week with this multi-talented author, lawyer and human rights activist who will inspire and engage teens and adults alike.
For bookings or enquiries please see contact details below.

LOCATION: Altona Theatre, 115 Civic Parade
CONTACT NAME: Children's and Youth Team
PHONE: 9932 2303
EMAIL: libraryevents@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Teen Review : Where She Went

2011-05-21T16:25:00.003+10:00

Where She Went, Gayle Forman (Doubleday)

Gayle Forman's first book If I Stay really was mind blowing. It made the reader really think about loneliness and what comes after death.

The sequel, Where She Went is set three years after Mia's accident.
’It’s been three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life. And three years he’s spent wondering why.’

The story is written in Adam's perspective as he struggles with his fame and his memories. When Adam and Mia's paths cross in New York, they have a second chance. But can one magical night be enough to answer all their questions?

I love the way Gayle Forman makes you feel like you are part of the book, not reading words off a page or looking on to a scene. It's like you are there, Mia's and Adam's closest friend, their confidant.

While reading the book (and after!) I felt sad, frustrated and anxious – sometimes all at the same time! But eventually I was jumping up and down in excitement and joy!

After reading If I Stay I never would've thought a sequel was possible but I think the way Gayle Forman did it is brilliant!
'Where She Went' is a truly memorable book: when you're not reading it, you're thinking about it, and when you're sleeping, you're dreaming about it...

All up 'Where She Went' breaks your heart, fixes it, breaks it, and fixes it again.

So uplifting! I rate it 5/5

Fantine

~~Fantine is a member of the Younger Sun Teen Bookclub~~

2011 NSW Premier's Literary Awards

2011-05-18T12:20:00.006+10:00

Winner of the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature:

My Australian Story: The Hunt for Ned Kelly, Sophie Masson (Scholastic)

Winner of the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature:

Graffiti Moon, Cath Crowley (Pan Macmillan)

Congratulations to both winners! Especially Cath, because she is a special local author and beloved by the Younger Sun. We even launched Graffiti Moon last year. We love it so.

Pics from launch:

That's Cath on the right.

And here's a Graffiti Moon cake:

And we cannot forget to offer our best Younger Sun congratulations to Libby Gleeson, who received the special award for all her amazing contributions to children's literature since 1985's excellent novel Eleanor, Elizabeth, which was one of my favourite and best books growing up.

Libby's latest book I am Thomas (illustrated by Armin Greder) is in stock now:

You can see all the other winners and find more information here.

BOOK LAUNCH TODAY!

2011-05-14T09:43:00.000+10:00

Be there, or be square.

Surface Tension

2011-05-10T13:30:00.003+10:00

Surface Tension, Meg McKinlay (Walker)

The day that I was born, they drowned my town.

The town of Old Lower Grange was flooded to become a catchment on the day that Cassie was born. The town's Mayor pulled a lever, let the water in, and now all their houses are at the bottom of a lake and they all live in New Lower Grange in new houses that look just like the old ones.

Cassie is twelve now and she has to swim laps of the pool every day to help her lungs, which didn't develop properly on account of being born too early. One day, sick of swimming in the town pool (after a particularly disgusting "seven-bandaid swim") she goes down to the lake, to a spot that no one goes to - so she can swim in peace.

Liam, about the same age as Cassie and with a past that also distances him a little from people in their town, joins her at the lake and the two of them form a fast friendship and act as sounding boards for one another's theories when strange truths start to appear from the murky depths.

For the water level is dropping - revealing dead trees, forgotten objects and one humdinger of a mystery. Cassie is smart, she questions things, she has insight and listens to what isn't said - more so than any adult within these pages.

This is an eerie tale, a real page-turner and a wonderful read for anyone about ten and up.

Little Sister Blog Tour --- Aimee Said

2011-05-06T08:57:00.003+10:00

Local author Aimee Said is getting ready to launch her second novel Little Sister for young adults this week in Sydney (and in Yarraville at the Sun Bookshop next week for a second party) and she's been on a virtual tour of some great young adult blogs this week, arriving today at the Younger Sun blog, to put to rest that funny little question authors get asked all. the. time.

Al is not me (but we do have a few things in common)

When you write a book, the first question a lot of people ask is, ‘How much your main character is based on you?’ Although I try very hard not to let too much of myself creep into my books, Al - the main character in Little Sister - and I do have a few things in common, namely:

We’re both little sisters (but where Al and Larrie only have two years between them and could be mistaken for twins, my sister and I were born four years apart and look nothing alike).

We’re both messy. (As Al puts it, ‘people who keep their rooms immaculate do it because a) they’re avoiding something they don’t want to do and cleaning is an acceptable form of procrastination, or b) they’ve got nothing else to occupy their time because they have no life’.)

We both love cheese. (I’m particularly fond of a stinky washed-rind and make a mean fondue.)

We’re both baffled by scientific theory. (Researching genetics and sibling inheritance was as tough for me in real life as it is for Al in the book – it reminded me why I was so relieved to give up Science at the end of Year 10!)

We both have a love/hate relationship with Facebook (but for very different reasons).

We both like to use a lot of brackets.

Thank you Aimee!

Visit the other blog tour posts for more about Little Sister and its author:

Monday:inkcrush

Tuesday: My Girl Friday
Wednesday: Literary Life
Thursday: In The Good Books

Little Sister is in stock now at the Younger Sun! Come and pick up your copy today. See you all at the launch: Saturday 14 May at 3pm.

Little Sister Blog Tour

2011-05-03T16:08:00.002+10:00

To celebrate the launch of her second novel for young adults - Little Sister - Aimee Said has departed on a Book Tour of some great blogs where she'll be chatting about her book over the course of this week. Check it out:

Monday: inkcrush
Tuesday: My Girl Friday
Wednesday: Literary Life
Thursday: In The Good Books
Friday: right here at The Younger Sun blog!

Little Sister:

There are just thirty-eight days until Al's smark, pretty, popular and perfect-in-every-way sister Larrie finishes Year Twelve.

Thiry-eight days until everyone at Whitlam High will stop seeing Al as Larrie's little sister and start appreciating the real Al Miller.

But when rumours about Larrie start spreading, Al discovers that having a sister everyone is talking about can be even worse than having one everybody loves.

We've read it now, and we love it. Al is funny and ever-so hard done by, desperate to shine like she's never shone before! Maybe even go out with the gorgeous Josh Turner... But when the rumour mill starts churning, people are gossiping about Larrie, Al has to work out what to believe and how to deal with it. You'll love it.

Then, on Saturday 14 May, Aimee will be at the Younger Sun (well, actually, over in the Sun Theatre) to have a bit of a party to celebrate. We'd love everyone to come along and join us!

RSVP on 9680 0661 or info@sunbookshop.com

May Madness!!

2011-04-30T12:16:00.001+10:00