Junior Review: The Ugg Boot War

In this book, The Ugg Boot War, the main character, Jake is forced to go shopping with his parents and this means his Dad. 

Now, you might be thinking, so???? But the problem with Jake’s Dad is he is constantly wearing his Ugg boots. Ugh! It is so embarrassing! This means war! 

First, Jake and his friend, Max try to take the Ugg boots while Max’s Dad is in the shower and hide them under the lounge. But Max’s Mum finds them! So, Max tries to slowly take them at night time when his parents are sleeping. But when Max comes home from school the next day, his Dad is wearing them! Banjo the dog had found them! 

Review: The Pencil 10th Anniversary Edition

The 10^th Anniversary edition of The Pencil promises to delight another generation of early readers with its original and delightful story about beginning something with good intentions, and what happens when things get out of hand.

The Pencil drew a boy named Banjo, who wanted a dog that wanted a cat. 

Each consecutive construction demands a name and asks for something else. That all happens in black and white until Kitty the paintbrush is drawn.

Video: Michael Rosen and the making of We're Going On A Bear Hunt

Novelist and poet Michael Rosen was the UK Children's Laureate from 2007 -- 2009. In this video he explains how he came to create the classic picture book We're Going On A Bear Hunt which has been a favourite for more than 25 years.



Title: We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Author: Michael Rosen
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books
For ages: 2 - 6
Type: Picture Book

Giveaway: Meg McKinlay Picture Book Pack

Thanks to the wonderful people at Walker Books Australia and to celebrate the release of award-winning author Meg McKinlay’s charming new picture book Duck!, a delightfully duckish story of farmyard disaster, we have an awesome picture book pack of three of Meg’s  much-loved picture books: The Penguins are Coming and Once Upon a Small Rhinoceros and of course, Duck! – all signed by Meg! 

Review: Room on our Rock

Room on our Rock by Kate and Jol Temple is about a mother seal and her calf, who have had to leave their home and search for a new place to live.

They meet three seals who live together on a rock. Will the mother and her calf be welcome to this new place?

This is a very interesting story that can be read from two points of view, demonstrating that there can be two sides to every story.

Announcing: New Team Member Amie Sabadin

Today I have magnificent pleasure of introducing a brand new team member, Amie Sabadin. She has a fondness for Schnauzers and kids, which is fortunate because she shares her life with these as well as baskets of paints, pencils and brushes.

Amie joins our illustrious KBR family with a desire to share as many of her favourite children's books with us as she can. When she's not creating her own picture books, she is reading whatever children's story she can get her hands on. We can't wait to see which ones she finds. Look out for her reviews right here, soon.

Welcome Amie!

Please take a moment to discover more about this Aussie illustrator from our nation's capital.

Junior Review: Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush: A School Day Smile

Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush is a life lesson for any child about to begin their first day of school. 

This story touches on all of the emotions of a first day. Its message is not to be shy and to just have fun. Even if you are a bit nervous, don’t let this stop you from making friends or doing your work. 

In this book Tiggy is a very nervous about her first day but she knows everything is going to be A-ok, because she has her magic paintbrush with her! She paints a little smile on her face to help her look happy. But will it work? 

Review: The Dream Bird

George is an energetic child, filled with fun and play during the day.

But at night, sleep won’t come to him. His sister has a suggestion. So does his brother. He even tries the warm milk that mum makes. But nothing works.

He escapes to Gran’s empty room. He loves the sounds she make and the warm cuddles she gives. Gran knows what to do and say.

Gran’s whispered words tell George the story of the magical Dream Bird whose grace and loveliness can see behind closed eyes. It comes at night to bring musical delight to children by singing them to sleep, to dream the most imaginative dreams.

Review: Steam Play and Learn

Steam Play and Learn is an wonderful package of ideas for preschool children that is both entertaining and educational.

It shares 20 simple projects that introduce concepts that are STEAM-based. That is, science, technology, engineering, art and maths.

An introduction explains to parents the importance of the STEAM projects in emphasising process, encouraging tinkering, allowing for mistakes, and making connections.

It also asks parents to wherever possible let children experience and work through the projects themselves, at their own speed, and to ask them questions to encourage their curiosity and understanding.

Review: What's Weird on Earth

What’s Weird on Earth is packed full of fun, interesting, unbelievable and truly bizarre facts, uniquely presented in visual maps of the world. It makes a fun accompaniment to DK’s What’s Where on Earth Atlas and shows a cross section of the world’s unusual animals, happenings, people and places that will appeal to kids’ natural curiosity.

Let’s start with nature, or should I say, the naturally weird. Where would you find a boiling river? What about a petrifying well that turns things into stone? Or are you more interested in where to find fairy circles or a red beach? These maps will show you where to find the world’s craziest trees, freakiest flowers and funkiest fungi, not to mention bizarre animals and their adaptations.

12 Curly Questions with author Kellie Byrnes

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

I somehow won a talent contest when I was around eight, for singing. (I have no recollection of the experience, but there’s a photo of me in the paper to prove it!) Today, though, I wouldn’t be caught dead singing in front of anyone, as I’m terrible. My parents still marvel at the fact that I beat a very talented pianist who wowed everyone with his talent. And I still think they must have paid off the judges, because I have no idea how else I could have won!

Review: Not So Scary Bear

Bears are meant to be scary, aren't they? Well, that's what everyone thinks and so Bear roams the forest, day and night, roaring and growling at the other animals.

But, the truth is, Bear would actually rather stay at home and knit or study the stars. And, he'd actually quite like a friend.