Review: The Cutest Face

Here’s a story that features some super cute kids. Chances are, no matter where you’re from, you’ll find yourself (or someone a lot like you) on the pages of this book. That was precisely the author’s vision for her first publication.

Review: Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead

Our favourite pint-sized heroine is back in this third installment of the popular Alice-Miranda series.

Even more drama is ahead for the girls of Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, as they prepare to team up with the boys of the neighbouring school for a play.

This term there is another new girl at the school, too, and she isn't what any of them expected. Together with her mother, September Sykes, young Sloane has some terrible plans which will cause trouble for everyone.

Review: Six

"The facts are simple. A recipe for disaster. One car. Five seatbelts. Six people. A late night party. A generous splash of alcohol. A sprinkle of bad weather. Two P-plate signs."

And right there, in the prologue, you can sense what a powerful story this will be. It doesn't disappoint.

Review: My Naughty Little Sister

Everything old is certainly new again (especially the verbally upated butchered Enid Blyton books) and Hardie Grant Egmont's reprinting of the My Naughty Little Sister series is such a welcome sight in a market saturated with a mind-boggling array of sadly churned-out fiction shoved in a pretty marketing packages.

First printed in the UK in 1952, the My Naughty Little Sister series is real storytelling. Charming, fun and oh so naughty, Dorothy Edwards' stories are the epitome of cheeky fun. With a goodie-two-shoes big sister narrating each chapter, kids will be constantly entertained with what her naughty little sister and her cohorts are getting up to next.

Review: Homework for Grown-ups

Okay, adults, listen up.

School will soon be back and - admit it - you're not really prepared, are you?

Oh, you think you are? Well, try this quick quiz.

Review: Always Jack

The much loved character of Jack, from books I Am Jack and Super Jack, returns in this installment with an endorsement from the Cancer Council NSW and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre.

Even better, a percentage of Gervay's royalties from the sale of this book are being donated to both of the aforementioned causes.

Guest Post: Verse Novels and Poetry by Lorraine Marwood

We are thrilled to welcome poet and author Lorraine Marwood to KBR today. Lorraine's novel, Star Jumps, was honoured the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children’s Fiction. Today, Lorraine shares her passion for verse with us.

I've always written poetry - for a long time now. So the verse novel had immediate appeal. But it wasn't the conventional writing in small complete poems for each character, but a flow of narrative that placed the reader in a 3D atmosphere - well that's how I like to think it happens. Because poetry has sensory qualities and sharpness that often prose doesn't quite capture.

Review: Dog Gone

Don't judge a book by its first appearance. Death, disappearance, separation, ghosts, bullying - sounds a bit depressing, right? Not in the hands of Poustie. This is, in fact, one of the most positive books I've read.

Such is the power of placing a dog named Lucky in the middle of all the action.

Guest Post: The Heart of Inspiration

Author Karen Collum

I was in the middle of something mundane, something I've done a hundred times before - packing a picnic lunch to enjoy after church. I'd whipped up some exotic peanut butter and honey sandwiches and then turned my attention to the quarter of watermelon in the fridge.

I sliced a few segments, rind and all, and cut the juicy flesh into bite-sized chunks. There was one section left and for reasons unknown to me, I chose to cut it differently from the rest. I ran the knife along the line where red watermelon meets green rind in a single movement. As I pulled the hunk of melon away, I quite literally gasped. There, right before my eyes, embedded in the thin layer of soft, ruby flesh was a perfectly formed heart.

Review: Samuel's Kisses

Looking for a beautiful gift for a little person in your life? Or perhaps a gorgeous bedtime story for your own children? Well, here it is.

Samuel's Kisses, Australian author Karen Collum's first picture book, is full of fun, games and learning, all with a strong message of love thrown in.

Review: Stew a Cockatoo: My Aussie Cookbook

It's a tough gig out there in the cookbook market right now - with a literal gastronomic glut of kiddie cuisine books simmering on the shelves.

But Stew a Cockatoo is unlike any other wanna-be junior chef book on those shelves right now. While the other books are sautéeing in their delicious marketing juices, this book by Ruthie May is a big scoop of gelato.

Australia Day on Kids Book Review

Happy Australia Day!

We're always proud to support lots of Australian authors, illustrators and publishers here at Kids Book Review - and today is no exception.

We'll be bringing you a special review of a recently released Australian book.

In the meantime, you can check out some of our favourite books about this amazing country here: our 'Books on Australia' reading list.

Enjoy your day!

KBR Favourite Book of the Year Winners!

In November 2011, we will announce our KBR Favourite Books for 2011... but in the meantime you can check out last year's winners!

KBR Favourite Books for 2010!

Want to recap the full shortlist? Just click here!

It is with much pleasure, and great excitement, that we give you the WINNERS in each category for the KBR Favourite Books for 2010…

Review: Totally Twins: Musical Mayhem

Meet Persephone Pinchgut. Twin of the 'perfect' Portia, who is just sooo good at, like, everything. The girls are very much alike - except that they're not.

Well, they look the same. Persephone has a teardrop shaped birthmark on her face below her left eye and she tends to wear her hair in a ponytail, and perhaps dress a little less tizzy than Portia, but otherwise, they're identical twins.

In looks only.

Guest Post: What's in a Rhyme?

KBR contributor Jo Burnell shares with us the amazing development of understanding syllables and ryhmes. Jo is an experienced paediatric speech pathologist with a passion for books.

I’ll never forget the day I lost my two year old son. The heart constricted in panic as I searched the house. There he was, in the last place I imagined: surrounded by every book from the bottom shelf, quietly lifting a flap in Where’s Spot?

The more elaborate picture books remained untouched on the middle shelf. My toddler confirmed a rule of thumb taught a decade before at University. ‘The smaller the child, the bigger, brighter and more clearly outlined pictures need to be.’

So what happens to draw children on to the next stage of pre-reading? Apart from more mature visual skills that increase attention to details, what else sparks their interest?

Review: I Like Chocolate

KBR favourite, author Davide Cali, has certainly had the fortune of working with an astounding array of high-impact illustrators. And his written work honestly deserves the best. In I Like Chocolate, striking pictures by Evelyn Daviddi perfectly chocolate coat another divinely sweet story.

Writing the type of books all authors wished they’d thought of, this talented writer pens another winner in I Like Chocolate. I mean, who doesn’t like chocolate? Well, one person I met once – but considering the amount of people I’ve met in my lifetime, this is one teensy percentage.

Review: Little Beauty

“Once upon a time there was a gorilla....”

The gorilla in this story is uber clever, he can use sign language and lives in quite the decadent circumstances in a zoo.

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Picture Books Part II

In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped his nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all children.

Review: Bones of Faerie

Wolves. Been done. Faeries. It's been done. Or has it?

This book has got one of the best opening chapters I have read in a long time. We learn that Liza had a sister once, a beautiful baby with faerie pale hair.

"The memory of my sisters bones, cracked and bloody in the moonlight, haunts me still".

That was my notice to get comfortable; in just two pages I knew I was not moving until I finished this book.

Events: The Very Bad Book Show

Don't miss Andy Griffiths' The Very Bad Book Show, playing in Melbourne from 5 to 21 January at RMIT in the city.

Written and illustrated by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, and adapted and directed by Lynne Ellis, the performance features a bad mummy and daddy, very rude animals, blood-sucking Grannies and killer koalas from outer space!

Adapted from Griffiths' The Very Bad Book, this terribly BAD kid’s show contains nothing but very bad stories about very bad characters doing very bad things!

Review: Say Hello Koala

A koala makes a lot of friends as he sits up in the gum tree, and this story introduces us to the whole bunch.

There really is no better way to learn about Australian animals than with a book filled with stunning Steve Parish photographs. And this story is up there with the most beautiful, visually appealing pages I've seen in a picture book.

Writers Support Queensland

Lots of Australian authors have banded together to help support Queensland, following the devastating floods they have experienced.

We urge you to head over to the Authors for Queensland website and get ready to bid. This auction includes signed books - including picture books, junior novels, young adult and adult books, cook books and more - as well as manuscript assessments and mentorship sessions.

With all money raised going directly to the Queensland Flood Appeal, this really is a fantastic way to show your support, and KBR's own Tania McCartney has all three of her Riley books up for bids, too!

What are you waiting for? Get clicking!

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Non-Fiction

We love non-fiction books at KBR - and this amazing line-up will keep the kids busy for hours. Hours, I tell you! These books run the gamut from primary school to YA - and adults will love them, too.

Amazing stuff you never knew you needed from the same brains that brought you The Encyclopedia of Immaturity! None of them exists as an actual product, but in a funnier world, they would all be household essentials.

Review: Wild Rescue series

This brand new series for primary school kids mixes a number of intriguing elements to make it a success. High adventure, suspense, likeable characters, environmental issues, mystery and fast pace all work together to make this a page-turner for both boys and girls.

Complete with black and white illustrations, each book has twins Ben and Zoe on a new rescue mission. Are they up to the challenges?

These are must-reads for any child.

Book 1: When twins Ben and Zoe receive a mysterious message from the famous zoologist Dr Stephen Fisher, their lives are about to change forever.

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Junior Fiction Part III

Enjoy more fabulous KBR recommendations to keep the kids busy during the summer holidays...

Distraught after a shocking turn of events in Borneo, Romy Alexander arrives in China to witness a wonderful and most unusual gathering on the Great Wall.

In the second part of the Magic Magic series, the 11-year-old embarks on another nocturnal adventure and is drawn into a mystery that soon turns sinister.

Author Interview: Hazel Edwards

Hazel with illustrator John Petropoulos

We're thrilled to be joined by author Hazel Edwards today. Here, she tells us about her life writing for children. You can see more of Hazel's work at hazeledwards.com.

Tell us a little about you: what’s your background, your story? I was an aqua readaholic kid who read in the bath (adding more hot water if a good book).

Review: A Dad Who Measures Up

The wee heroine of this gorgeous Davide Cali book has a wonderful mum. A tall mum. A strong mum. A beautiful and intelligent mum. She's even athletic and can also do jigsaw puzzles.

What the little girl doesn't have is a dad. But that's ok because you see, if she did have a dad, she would need at least four to measure up to mum.

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Picture Books Part I

Martha may think her cat Lionel sleeps the day away while she is at school, but she is quite mistaken. Lionel is a worldly-wise cat with a jam-packed schedule. He busies himself during the day by catching up on his current affairs, weightlifting, cooking and enjoying some letter-writing.

Guest Post: The end of the picture book?

We’ve heard about the end of literature countless times. New mediums of entertainment come along, a warning bell is rung somewhere and everybody throws up their skirts and runs around yelling ‘the book is dead!’

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Young Adult Fiction Part II

Hankering for some fantastic young adult fiction you can share with your teens? This impressive line up of books will send you skyrocketing back to your young adult years... oh, and your kids may just love them, too.

High school is pretty predictable – there are the geeks, the hipsters, the princesses, the jocks... But when Cody Lightfoot – smart, handsome, cool and with a passion for the environment – joins the school, everything changes.

Review: Fly Catcher Boy

I must admit to a long-standing infatuation with Japan, and it was therefore a delight to read this book by Canadian author Rebecca Kool, and once again re-enter the remarkably beautiful culture that makes this country so special.

Based on Kool's own Japanese husband Takeshi, it follows the tale of a young boy called Kenji who one stormy night finds an abandoned kitten at his doorway.

Review: Poppy Wash

Poppy runs a Ride-Through Dragon Wash, and she's sure she has the very best job in the world. She loves everything about it, but most especially the dragons themselves.

And she wishes she had a dragon of her own.

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Junior Fiction Part II

Some wonderful books for younger readers were released during 2010 - here are some gorgeous books that will make for great reading over the summer holidays.

Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan Cahill have uncovered history's greatest mysteries and their familiy's deadliest secrets. But are they ready to face the truth about the Cahills and the key to their unmatched power? After a whirlwind race that's taken them across five continents, Amy and Dan face the most difficult challenge yet -a task no Cahill dared to imagine.

Review: Animal Soup

This mixed-up animal flap book is just too too cute. Bright and cute and totally clever, this blending of animal types is not only visually adorable – but linguistically special.

“What would I be if I had wings to fly…” the reader is asked, as a bewinged bird takes flight…

“...but walked very slowly instead?” as a trundling turtle ambles across the page.

Review: The Pig’s Knickers

We all want to stand out in a crowd. Looking special makes us feel special. It is then that we try doing things we might not normally consider.

Pig is like that. He feels dull and drab until the farmer’s knickers float his way.

He becomes an astonishing performer in his new knickers. Everyone notices and comments, but what will happen to his new found skills when the knickers go missing?

Review: Alf Red’s Broccoli Rocket

Young Alf Red is a boy who loves to create wonderful things out of ‘leftovers’ – scraps, bits of string, old food – that sort of thing. He is also a boy who dreams of going to the moon, so when Alf decides he’s going to make a rocket from food, he’s enormously pleased of his high-tech creation.

KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Young Adult Fiction Part I

Some wonderful young adult books were released during 2010 - here are just some that will make for great reading over the summer holidays.

When Nick's mother dies suddenly, the fourteen-year-old is sent straight into a boys' home, where he finds institutional intimidation and violence keep order. After countless fights and punishments, Nick thinks life can't get any worse - but the professionally respected deputy head, Mr Creal, who has been grooming him with sweets and solace, has something much more sinister in mind.

Guest Post - How to Write Books by R.A. Spratt

I am often asked, RA, how do you manage to write books? How do you find the time when you have a toddler to care for, a husband to look after, a house to manage, a vegetable garden to tend, a cat to take to the vet, a goldfish tank to keep ph neutral, as well as television producers badgering you to write scripts? Well the answer is simple – time management.

Review: Nanny Piggins

Oh, Ms Spratt, you had me at the first line of the blurb. "In space, no one can hear you oink!"

Love it.

This fourth installment in the Nanny Piggins series is full to the brim with witty humour, classic scenarios with a new twist and page-turning antics.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

and a...

prosperous

kind

healthy

happy

literary

2011

to all our KBR readers!