WIN! Tuesdays at the Castle

Tuesday is Princess Celie’s favourite day. On Tuesdays, Castle Glower magically grows a new room, a turret or sometimes an entire wing. No one quite knows how, or why, but luckily, Princess Celie has mapped out the Castle’s many twists and turns.

When the King and Queen disappear and Councillors from neighbouring kingdoms arrive to advise Celie and her brother and sister, a new tower and a secret passageway appear just as Celie needs them. The Castle is definitely trying to tell her something. But it’s down to Celie to find her parents, hold on to the kingdom and protect her home before it’s too late.

Tuesdays at the Castle is the first book in a fantastic new adventure series for 9 – 12 year-olds written by Jessica Day George, the author of many popular books for young readers including Dragonskin Slippers, Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear.

A wonderful combination of adventure, humour, intrigue and adventure, Tuesdays at the Castle will keep young readers turning pages, eager to discover just how Castle Glower will protect Celie and her family and help them to thwart the attempt to take over their kingdom.

Thanks to the lovely people at Bloomsbury, we have five copies of Tuesdays at the Castle to giveaway. Each book is valued at $15.99.

To win, just tell us, in 25 words or less, what room you would like to appear if you had an enchanted castle, and why.

Type ‘Tuesdays at the Castle’ into the subject line and email your answer to susanATkids-bookreviewDOTcom. The most creative answers, as judged by KBR, will win. Be sure to include your full name and address - entries without will be ineligible.

Competition runs from 5am Monday 20 May 2013 to Sunday 26 May 2013, 9pm AEST, and the comp is open to residents of Australia, over the age of 18 (mum and dad can enter on behalf of kids). This is a game of skill, not chance. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Review: Zog

By the award-winning creators of The Gruffalo, this is another wonderfully funny story that is sure to become a bedtime favourite.

Zog is the keenest dragon in school, but he's also the most accident-prone. He is desperate to win a golden star in at least one of the tests Madam Dragon sets for him and his classmates, but each year sees him just fall short. In Year One, he learns to fly … but crashes into a tree. In Year Two, he learns to roar … but gives himself a sore throat. In Year Three, he learns to blow flames … but sets his wing on fire.

Shout-Out: The Little Fairy Sister

The Little Fairy Sister is a real fairy story of Bridget's adventures among the wee people. She meets the most delightful little creatures: the Dragon-fly, the Kookaburra, the Lizard, the Teddy Bears, the Pelican, as well as the Mannikins, the Merman, and of course the Fairies.

This facsimile of The Little Fairy Sister, popular with children of the 1920s, has been reproduced by the National Library of Australia from an early edition of the book.

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite's enchanting illustrations will appeal to children as much today as they did yesterday.

Title: The Little Fairy Sister
Author: Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
Illustrator: Grenbry Outhwaite
Publisher: National Library of Australia, $29.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 May 2013
Format: Hard cover with dust jacket
ISBN: 9780642277725
For ages: 10+
Type: Junior Fiction/Picture Book

Review: Prodigy (Legend #2)

After escaping from the Republic’s stronghold of Los Angeles, June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. The pair join the Patriot forces to further undermine the Republic and gain access to the Colonies and freedom. The Patriots ask one thing in return for their assistance – June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

Following on from Legend, the gripping introduction to this trilogy, Marie Lu maintains the pace and suspense of this fantastic young adult dystopian thriller. Numerous plot twists and turns keep readers guessing, as June and Day are forced to question all that they believe to be true about the Republic, the Patriots and their own choices in their fight for freedom and revenge.

Book List: Mothers

Who ever needs an excuse to honour their mother through the pages of a book? Here are some fabulous, KBR-endorsed reads about mum.


(Random House, $12.95, 9780394800189) KBR Review

Review: Noah's Ark

Noah and his ark - that Biblical tale - is given the hip, cool, thoroughly modern treatment in this truly gorgeous picture book by classic talent Dick Bruna.

Using his trademark illustrations of delectable block colour and adorable characters, even the typical Dick Bruna text font makes this book pure visual delight.

Review: Maxx Rumble Footy - Stacks of Maxx

Eight Maxx Rumble stories in one? Heavenly heavens for boys!

You know an author has done well when a review copy arrives in the mail and your son leaps around like an AFL best-on-ground footballer and takes a dive straight onto his bed, book tucked under his arm like a red Sherrin.

Yes. This actually happened.

Review: I Scream, Ice Cream

‘What do I scream and ice cream have in common? Nothing - besides that fact that they sound the same!’

Well, unless of course you are a 2-year-old and are screaming because you are desperate for ice cream!

I Scream, Ice Cream is a very witty book. It showcases many ‘wordles’. Wordles are groups of words that sound the same, but are totally different in meaning.

Review: Smugglers Bay (Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs)

Captain Flinn is a five year old school boy who leads a group to rescue their friend from the evil Pirate Dinosaurs. Why? Because Pirate Dinosaurs love sausages made from children.

This book is bound to enthrall with its subject matter and busy pictures. The clever author has mixed the perennial favourites of the picture book world to create a formidable foe. Why have Pirates when you can have Pirate Dinosaurs?

Review: 10 Hooting Owls

Ten wide-eyed owls are helping children with their counting skills in this fun story to sing along to the tune of Ten Green Bottles.

Children follow the 10 hooting owls lounging in the sun through a variety of activities including going to the movies, hip hop dancing, playing I Spy and knitting winter socks until only one owl remains, returning to the nest.

Review: Don't Let a Spoonbill in the Kitchen!

With their spoon-shaped bills, it would make sense that a Spoonbill bird would be right at home in the kitchen… or would it?

In this fun ‘What if?’ story, well known author/illustrator Narelle Oliver introduces six different Australian water birds and wonders what would happen if they were placed in human settings instead of their natural habitat.

Review: Dot to Dot

It will soon be Dot's birthday. Dot shares a birthday with her grandma, who's also called Dot! But Dot and Dot can't celebrate together, alas, as they live far, far away.

Dot lives in London and Grandma Dot lives in New York City.

Dot decides she'd like to send a special card to Grandma Dot to celebrate their birthdays, but she misses the post. Now Grandma Dot won't receive her card on time. The solution?