Dim's Write Stuff

Few of us are strangers to the quirky works of author illustrator, Nick Bland (think The Very Cranky Bear series ) which is why it’s always a delight feasting upon his latest creations. Bunny and Bird are best mates and as incongruous as that pairing may sound are the stars of Bland’s new picture book series. How To Catch A Dragon introduces us to the cute couple as they meet in park dressed in warm autumnal colours. Bunny has something special for Bird, a present. His gift-giving motivation is simply because of his regard for Bird as his best friend . Ahhh. Ten points straight up for such beautiful sentiment. Bird is curious and Bunny can’t help himself; he unwraps his present and reveals it’s a dragon egg. If you’re curiosity wasn’t already tickled, it surely is by now. Bird is briefly sceptical but Bunny assures him it’s a bona fide dragon egg because it comes from the dragon-egg shop. No faulting logic there. It also comes with an instruction booklet which describes the kism...

As part of the recent National Education Summit (Diverse Learners Symposium ) held in Brisbane, Queensland's own award-winning children's author, Aleesah Darlison was invited to discuss diversity in Kids' Lit via the 'Portrayal of ADHD, Mental Health, Anxiety, & The Spectrums in Children’s & Young Adult Literature'. The role of a children's author is vast and varied but for me involves sharing and caring. To create stories that elicit emotional connections with young readers while still fascinating and entertaining them is a challenging mix to perfect. Luckily, these are just the sort of tales I love to tackle; ones often embracing difficult subject matter, that speak to different people from multiple levels and in so doing, echo and normalize real life situations.  Many of my titles reflect this premise, including Oswald Messweather ,   a picture book that focuses on the emotional aspects associated with the debilitating condition of obsessive compuls...

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a Towles fan. Such eloquence of expression is truly spell-binding. This is undisputedly an adults' novel but I'd recommend it for YA readers, as well. Here's why ... Towles writes with such wit, intelligence, compassion and sophistication, to experience one of his novels is less of a reading event rather an exquisite pilgrimage into a world so beautifully crafted and portrayed, so cleverly multi-layered, it's an effort to farewell it. Admittedly, the following does not reveal a great deal about the plot. I'll leave that for the back cover blurb. It's the purpose of the thing that truly resounds.  The Lincoln Highway exhibited elements of The Outsiders and The Rain Man for me but all encapsulated in its own big, bold, unique personality. And just like these two former tales, larger than life characters dripping with charm, tragedy and heart-hugging humour steal the show; characters so finely honed, their hurts and happy moment...

When a masterful storyteller distils the essence of the past and reinstates it into a meaningful, moving context for those for whom that past never existed, the result is forcibly compelling. Inkflower by Suzy Zail is this and more. Here is my review of this incredible tale which first appeared on  Kids' Book Review, 11 July 2023. Zail weaves truths and imaginings into a novel for young people that both spellbinds and beleaguers belief. She states her father taught her we have to talk about the things that scare us before we can change them, so too must the reader experience some uncomfortable realisations just as teen protagonist, Lisa Keller, is forced to after learning about the terminal condition of her beloved father. Emil Keller (formerly Rosenfeld) has a successful career, comfortable home and doting family. And only a handful of months left to enjoy them. Diagnosed with the debilitating Motor Neuron Disease MND, Emil embarks on one last quest before his time ends; to sh...

Not every one of us wants to be the centre of attention however nearly all of us craves the necessity of inclusiveness no matter how slight. To feel special and needed; purposeful is a common want even in the very young. It can therefore come as a shock when we discover our perception of self is not quite what the universe deigns to be true. This is the simple but striking premise of Alison McLennan’s latest picture book, Birdie Lights Up The World . Birdie is a cuter than cute penguin who resides in the local zoo, which the very astute reader will deduce from clues on the half title page. The rest of us will be too busy soaking in the gorgeous ochre and pink highlights of Birdie’s introduction as the chosen one . You see, it’s Birdie’s job to light up the world, which she does with enthusiastic dulcet tones each evening as the sun goes down. Her sunset serenades, literally seem to light up the evening skies. Fellow zoo mates gather to listen and watch in awe as one by one the sta...