From facial recognition, smart fridges, and Siri to ‘harnessing the power of AI’, surely the defining spirit of this moment in history is humans interacting with technology. But it’s not all good. For journalist and author Tracey Spicer, the ideologies and beliefs that populate this territory are worth thinking deeply on. Among the joyous oohs and ahhs of new technology are very real frustrations, risks, and existential threats.
Man-made introduces countless disturbing, sinister, and sometimes terrifying real-life examples. The thing is society, and its assorted technologies, is constructed. As part of this, these machines need data and information to work. What is unfortunate is that these technologies – online systems, robots, smart devices, and driverless cars, and the algorithms that power them – are mostly being fed with existing data that’s riddled with bias. It seems that the often racist, misogynistic, bigoted, and colonial structure of the first industrial revolution is being scaled up and incorporated into the design of countless forms of technology, mostly suited to meet the needs of straight, white, rich men.
An unexpected example, from many explored in the book, is the technology-enabled liquid soap dispenser that won’t recognise dark-skinned hands simply because the sensor was designed to work with light skin. More disturbingly, significant life and death decisions are being made every day by machines and technology rather than humans.
Each chapter in Man-made is introduced with a thought-provoking quote and then explores a compelling aspect of this ever evolving and increasingly complex and biased technological territory. The extensive, and at times confronting facts, figures, and insights are interspersed with witty conversational asides and opinions from the author.
Man-made provides compelling evidence in an entertaining and easy-to-read format. It features a handy glossary, useful for demystifying curious acronyms and unfamiliar technology-related terms, and end notes of cited sources. Tracy Spicer encourages us to get informed, engaged, and active; not passively sit back and wait.
Jess Racklyeft is an Australian illustrator and author of many children’s picture books. Outside of illustrating for books she creates wonderful paintings, prints and even stationery.
In this book, Jess introduces and helps us think about colour that is all around us. She uses Australia with all its diverse and colourful flora and fauna to show the colours of the rainbow and more.
Each colour is introduced by a landscape, from Kunama Namadgi (Mount Kosciusko) to Kati Chanda (Lake Eyre) to Purnululu National Park.
Beginning with red and pink we see the wonderfully vivid colour of Uluru and we learn how these colours can help plants attract pollinators but also be a warning, like the spindly Redback Spider.
As we travel through the colours from yellow, green, blue, violet and purple to black white and greys, we are then introduced to 24 animals or plants that are some variation of the main colour.
We meet the giant Gippsland Earthworm, the Little Red Kaluta and the Sturt’s Dessert Pea. Don’t miss the Mount Kaputar Pink Slug! We move on to brown and orange where we see the colours of the earth and learn about the Copper Jewel Butterfly and the shy Numbat. Green introduces us to the Green Ringtail Possum (that was a new one on me). There is the purple-necked Rock Wallaby and, under black, white and grey, there is the slippery Bandy-Bandy (also known as hoop snakes).
There is much to this clever book. Jess is not only showing colour, but introducing to also feeling it. From the calming blue, to the passion, love and anger of red, and the joyful feeling of yellow. She encourages us to look around our own world and see the colour, look into it deeply and understand how it makes us feel. Along the way we learn so much about Australia’s incredible plants and animals.
A really terrific introduction for kids for how to see the world around them and take inspiration from it.
Roobee Roo is a young kangaroo, drawn in a reminiscent way to characters that you may remember, such as Miffy or Spot, with simple and very colourful artwork. The stories are also simple, yet very endearing, as Roobee Roo shares what’s in her pouch.
‘I have two big ears for listening. Two big eyes for seeing. Two big feet for hopping. And one big pouch that fills up with new things every day.’ I wonder what her pouch will hold today? Sometimes it’s crayons or snacks for filling up her tummy. Sometimes it’s just Fliffy Fluffy Parrot inside. Other times it’s things she needs for her adventures, from picking berries to put in her basket before she hops off to make ice-blocks, or items she needs for a day at the beach! She’s always heading off for fun with her friends.
With flaps to lift and adventures to be had, these board books have a feeling of ‘Bluey’ about them. I think Roobee Roo may have a long career ahead of her.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens Age Guide 0+
COMING SOON
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Nico and Candy Robertson are a husband-and-wife creative duo originally from New Zealand and Hong Kong, but now living on a thickly forested hill in Mount Helen, Victoria. They met in high school art class in the year 2000, the distant future, in Collaroy, Sydney. They shared an ice-cream in Manly, shopped for Roxy swimsuits at the Corso, got a puppy in Neutral Bay, and the rest is history. At one point or other, at a cool old building in Melbourne, they both became Robertsons.
Their toy designs have been stocked everywhere from one-star-rated eBay sellers to fancy museums like MoMA, NYC. They’ve had work featured alongside some pretty famous brands, but they’re most proud of being on wedding and birthday cakes.
One Little Duck went out one day, over the hills and far away. Mother Duck said … Moo Moo Moo Moo, And Cow said, ‘Wait! Now I’m coming too.
Oh dear, Mother Duck has forgotten how to quack. Each time she calls her baby duck to come home, out comes a different call. From moo to hee haw she can’t seem to get it right. As baby duck heads home, there’s also another animal in tow.
Out heads little duck again with a cow in tow and then Mother Duck calls, Cluck Cluck Cluck Cluck! There’s chicken pedalling next to duck! As more and more animals head out to play each day, Mother Duck makes more mis-calls until the table is becoming very full for dinner, until finally, they all head out to play and Mother Duck belatedly remembers. Quack Quack! Here comes just little duck back.
The pages of Good Reading have reviewed Katrina Germein’s books many times in the past. She is a such a talented writer for children. Combined with the talents of Danny Snell’s classic illustrations, this is yet another book that is firmly on our favourite’s shelf.
Reviewed by Merle Morcom Age Guide 1+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katrina Germein writes picture books because they make her heart sing; her work has been described as ‘love-filled’, ‘goose-bumpling’, and ‘achingly beautiful’. Some stories take time to tame but Katrina doesn’t mind because she wants them to be perfect. Her stories are about family, friendships, and the natural environment. Katrina draws inspiration from those around her as well as the places she goes, the things she sees, and the characters she meets along the way. She says she began writing by accident when a story in her head wouldn’t go away so she wrote it down to set it free.
Danny Snell grew up in Adelaide and studied at the Adelaide Central School of Art, and the University of South Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Illustration). I’ve been working as an illustrator for a little over 20 years (which makes me feel old). For much of that time I have worked as a freelancer for ad agencies, design studios, newspapers and magazines. Increasingly though, my path has shifted to illustrating children’s books. I like to work in a variety of media, but I have a soft spot for acrylics.
When I’m not illustrating I enjoy riding (sans lycra) and swimming. I live in Adelaide with my partner and 2 daughters (who are great swimmers) and a cat (who cannot swim).
This is a story that will take many adults back to their childhood.
This is the story of a favourite book. Even though pages may fall out, food may get stuck between its pages, or it may even accidentally get wet in the bath, this child’s book is always the most favourite one. Every word is read over and over, every image firing the imagination. When lost and replaced with a new one, it’s simply not the same. When the book is found it’s hugged with love.
Jess Racklyeft’s wonderful illustrations are almost like a well-loved book, tattered pages and scribbly notes, almost like a collage, perfect for this tale.
We can all probably remember a book in our childhood that was a permanent favourite. I drew over all the pages of mine. It only seemed to only add to my love for it. The more tattered it became the more I treasured it. I still have it to this day.
This is a tale of most importance as this is what books do. We love them and we remember them for life. It’s also a great thing to pass on that love, and you can even start with a favourite book called your favourite book.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maggie Hutchings is a counsellor, family-dispute mediator, writer and artist who spends her weekends covered in paint and scribbling lists that are never completed. She is a famously mad aunt, nanna and mother who talks to herself out loud and falls over a lot in the garden.
Maggie writes stories with heart and soul for children and adults that encourage kindness, hope and resilience.
Read a Q&A with Tracy Spicer
Nico and Candy Robertson are a husband-and-wife
Katrina Germein writes picture books because they make her heart sing; her work has been described as ‘love-filled’, ‘goose-bumpling’, and ‘achingly beautiful’. Some stories take time to tame but Katrina doesn’t mind because she wants them to be perfect. Her stories are about family, friendships, and the natural environment. Katrina draws inspiration from those around her as well as the places she goes, the things she sees, and the characters she meets along the way. She says she began writing by accident when a story in her head wouldn’t go away so she wrote it down to set it free.
Danny Snell grew up in Adelaide and studied at the Adelaide Central School of Art, and the University of South Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Illustration). I’ve been working as an illustrator for a little over 20 years (which makes me feel old). For much of that time I have worked as a freelancer for ad agencies, design studios, newspapers and magazines. Increasingly though, my path has shifted to illustrating children’s books. I like to work in a variety of media, but I have a soft spot for acrylics.