Reviewed by Rod McLary There is nothing like a good adventure story to engage the hearts and minds of all those young readers who enjoy being transported to another world where the kids are the heroes. Tanya Hunter in her debut novel delivers on this well and truly. The story – combining adventure and magic
Reviewed by Rod McLary This charming book for young children addresses and affirms diversity and the intrinsic value of each of us regardless of any differences we may have from those around us. Lupe attends school and notices that she looks different from the other children – and they too notice the differences. She is
Reviewed by Gerard Healy A charming and engaging variation on the well-known “Five Little Ducks” story suitable for younger pre-schoolers and the adults in their lives. The text by Katrina Germein is most appropriate for younger readers and it is beautifully complimented by Danny Snell’s wonderful illustrations. If you have younger children in your lives
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Usborne’s publishing for children is in highest regard internationally as their sales continue to exceed the millions. Fiona Watt’s series of That’s Not My…. alone has totalled over 6,000,000 so it is not surprising that this latest addition to the collection of touchy-feely books for little readers is a winner. As
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend Well, I do not care that Harper Collins classifies this large beautiful book as ‘Juvenile: Age 3+’. It will be gracing my coffee table for some time to come. That said, note to parents, this is a must for the Christmas Stocking. A lovely present for children, aunties and uncles, alike,
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend Search Your Feelings Darth Vader Children get all the best books and now recently published: Tim Harford’s The Truth Detective: How to Make Sense of a World That Doesn’t Add Up. This is a fun, fact filled, brilliantly explained book, enhanced by Ollie Mann’s illustrations in splashes of colour. The introduction
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Helena Fox has written a book called the quiet and the loud. This tells the story of a little girl called George who is autistic. The story begins with a strange happening, where George’s father, on a camping trip, takes her into the middle of a lake, slips overboard and swims
Reviewed by Gail McDonald This is a great story for young children of two to five, of a mother and child who visit a beach on a windy day. The story focuses on the child and her dog exploring the deserted beach finding strands of seaweed and a tiny pink heart shaped shell. On each
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke The 21st Century has seen a marked change in attitudes. Many traditional beliefs have been questioned and people are more prepared to speak out to support their ideas. The children’s book, Jamie, by L. D. Lapinski highlights some of these changes. The main character and narrator is 11 year old Jamie
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The title itself indicates an exciting tale is about to be revealed and it instantly captures a reader’s attention with its positive message – having life is tremendous. The bygone revolutions, agrarian and industrial, have made way for the new age of science and technology. As a result, educators are beseeched
Reviewed by Gail McDonald What a great counting book this is. There are many aspects of the book which are really fresh and educational for young children starting with the Acknowledgement of Country at the front of the book written in Dharug language with the English meaning below. This introduces young people to the fact
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Some very young children, in their exuberant joy of living, are driven by ego and unrestrained pursuit of all they enjoy or interests them. In this story of a gecko, who has a similar failure to consider his fellow geckos, eventually finds he is not popular. Under the illusion that he
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Anh Do is a Vietnamese-born Australian author, actor, comedian, and artist. He has appeared on many Australian TV shows. He is probably best known for his book The Happiest Refugee, and his TV show Anh’s Brush with Fame. But this talented man has written over thirty children’s books in several series.
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The best architects not only have imaginative skills related to their profession, but also are sensitive to the client’s needs and personality. Henrietta, Ms Mouse, is a splendid example of this. This much loved classic, first published in the 1980s, has delighted adults and children alike, for decades. George Mendoza is
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The Raven’s Song is evidence of the range, quality and stimulating puzzles that may be found in current children’s fiction. Everything is far from straightforward. In a world that is 100 years from now, characters Shelby and Davy live on 700 hectares, carefully tended by its strictly numbered population of 350.