Spring 2025 Book Reviews with little Unity in Auckland

Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas

I’m a keen amateur swimmer and in awe of Lynne Cox, the first woman to swim Cook Strait in 1975, as well as being a fan of Brian Floca’s richly detailed Locomotive and Moonshot books. This picture book is based on a magical event that happened when Lynne was in Christchurch in 1983: a delightful account of an Elephant seal that frequented the banks of the Avon River and nearby streets of Christchurch city and made a huge impression on those who came upon her. The people of Christchurch named her Elizabeth, “strong, powerful and regal like the Queen of England”. And despite several attempts to move her she kept coming back. This is a charming tale, beautifully illustrated and a slice of history set in our own back yard. / Roger

Anya’s Quest

This book is just so beautiful. Jane Ray is an absolute favourite of mine and she is perfectly suited to illustrate such a magical story. Two little girls embark on a voyage with the goddess Ganga, they travel through snowy mountains and down a winding river in a carriage pulled by the river dragon, Makara. How enchanting is that? Anya is reminiscent of the Secret Garden’s Mary, a sad, haughty and spoilt girl who craves companionship and attention. As she realises her unkindness and connects with the cook’s daughter Mahi and with the natural world, she blossoms and you grow to adore her. The prose and illustrations together create such a rich picture of the Himalayas and the Hindu mythology the story is born from. An ode to friendship and an impassioned plea to care for our world, Bilan and Ray have created something very special. / Elka

Best of All Worlds

Imagine going to bed and waking up the next day to find that you, your family – now all strangely scarred on their backs – and house have been transported to a parallel universe. And don’t imagine landing in the world of Oz with a tin man and your loyal sidekick Toto. We are talking government conspiracy, alien abduction and opposing beliefs here, and there is no getting out any time soon. Oppel has crafted a rather thought-provoking mystery that draws you in from the start. This is what a good sci fi can do, leave you hanging with as many questions as you have answers come the end but satisfyingly the ideas and intent of the story continue to play out in your head long after you’ve put the book down. / Roger

K is in Trouble

A middle-grade graphic novel that plays homage to Kafka. Not your obvious first choice I hear you say but open these glorious, illustrated pages and you’ll be swept along in this hilariously absurd and over-the-top poke at the ludicrous and inept behaviour of the adults around K, the young picked-on protagonist. On every occasion that K attempts something without having developed the necessary skills, or no matter how good he tries to be, he continues to fail. Yet despite this, he manages to pick himself up and accomplish something from these mishaps. This is a little bit Edward Gorey combined with Lemony Snicket, showing us that in a world where we must navigate many roadblocks, it will be worth it in the end! / Roger

Ocean Anatomy

Anyone who’s curious about the ocean and passionate about protecting the 70% of our planet it covers should dive straight into this book. It’s cleverly designed for all ages, packed with doodles, annotations, and hands-on activities that invite readers to talk and explore. The drawings make intimidating scientific ideas like tides and current flow seem accessible; a diagram of the ‘tidal zone ecosystem’ is turned into a piece of art at Rothman’s hand. It’s full of brilliant, playful facts; octopuses in captivity can open latches and unscrew lids, cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are descended from four-legged land mammals and the manatee’s closest living relative is the elephant. It also investigates the ways humans have connected with the ocean, whether it’s strapping on scuba gear or keeping watch in a lighthouse. This book sparks wonder. It offers a powerful glimpse into how incredibly vast and vibrant our small planetary home truly is; unique, strange, precious, and increasingly at risk due to our actions. / Elka