Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve In the days before Covid 19, and if you were lucky enough to participate in a Writers’ Festival, as I was, you will be struck by the crowds of devoted children, accompanied by equally enthusiastic parents hanging on every word spoken by Andy Griffiths. Sessions involving him and Terry Dent unfailingly
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve What a pleasure to review Rudie Nudie Christmas, a charming book for toddlers which captures the excitement of the night before December the 25th. It beautifully depicts how the preparations for the visit by Santa can make a routine like bath time a long drawn out activity. Links are made to
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The multi-talented Anh Do has introduced a new series of books with the alluring title Sky Dragon. It follows the success of his Wolf Girl and Mythix. Sky Dragon tells of an eight-year-old girl, Amber Autumn, who suffers the loss of her family, her home destroyed and being scarred by the
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Hollowpox is the third in the six to nine books planned around the adventures of Morrigan Crow, written by Jessica Townsend. Each book addresses new adventures for Morrigan as she is accepted into the Wundrous Society, in Nevermoor. Only those with a special skill are taken. The first book, Nevermoor:
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The rollicking sequel to Jinxed! Cora Bell’s Untold Magic is a roller coaster of colourful adventures, humour and, of course, magical antics. It is bound to please the ever-increasing number of readers who are lovers of fantasy. The background to Cora’s acquiring her magic skills and becoming a ‘syphon’ is explained
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve One of the most exciting developments in publishing is the high quality and irresistible nature, mostly, of books for children. From babies to young adults, there is an ever-growing selection which would impoverish a family should book-loving parents succumb and shower their offspring with appealing items. Of course, libraries are an
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve It is widely accepted that there is an insatiable thirst for the detective genre in novels, as is evidenced by the number of books bought or borrowed. Most devotees are women especially book club members. Therefore, it was with an air of familiarity that I picked up A Clue for Clara.
Reviewed by Gerard Healy This delightful winner from writer Ashleigh Barton and illustrator Martina Heiduczek should entertain younger children (from 4 upwards) and their carers of all ages. The format gives us a snapshot of life in different cultures around the world as we learn the names for grandfather in each locale. A clever method
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The catastrophic bushfires at the beginning of this year dominated the news and usurped the television. Normal programmes vanished and were replaced by roaring flames, some forty metres high, a devastated charred landscape and homes reduced to rubble. Amongst this horror were heart-rending glimpses of injured animals. A kangaroo turning the
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Many parents and teachers who value literacy and wish to make the acquisition of reading skills an exciting and effective activity, would find Oi Puppies! to be a terrific aid. Experts in the field agree that the earlier books and stories are introduced to a child, the easier it is for
Reviewed by Rod McLary Squidge Dibley is quite a lad – not satisfied with previously destroying the school, the galaxy and history, in this latest Squidge Dibley book, he will destroy everything! He is perhaps a twenty-first century successor to lovable larrikin characters such as Ginger Meggs or Smiley. Squidge is the creation of Australian
Reviewed by Gerard Healy The very talented illustrator and author Graeme Base has given us another agreeable tale, this time featuring three long-eared, white-furred, unassuming heroes. The story, when read to younger preschool children, should appeal because of its gentle charm, familiar settings and quirky characters. The vocabulary used (e.g. racquets, usual, disappeared and
Reviewed by Gerard Healy This is a charming picture book for younger readers (from 3 years) from the well-credentialed writer Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley. The book’s concept is credited to Ben Smith Whatley, Bruce’s son. Jackie French’s long interest and concern for wombats, going back at least to ‘Diary of a Wombat’ (2002),
Reviewed by Antonella Townsend It is a shame that a book such as Respect: Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU needs to be written. But it is clear that it does! Teaching children that they can take charge of their bodies, and, if need be, over-rule adult behaviour, is a heavy subject. But