Review: The Dream Keeper

This masterful, dreamy and tender book is both penned and illustrated by celebrated creator, Anna Walker.

What if there lives a Dream Keeper…
… and when you’re scared of shadows,
the Dream Keeper sees.

A small child who’s afraid of the dark. A darling turtle with a teeny-weeny lantern on a wooden stick, rowing a boat, carrying a jar full of light-dreams…

After the sublime endpapers, two single pages filled with intricate detail of each life – the child’s and the Dream Keeper’s - make up the first double spread.

Review: Blue: Dragon of the Sea

Aleesah Darlison has a deft hand when writing books about wildlife and, as she is herself passionate about critters of all kinds, shapes and sizes, that comes as no surprise.

Little Blue is a nudibranch and if you’ve never heard of them, seen them or even read about them before, why not check them out because this book is bound to spark much interest with your little people. After all, you will want to be the font of all knowledge for them when they start wanting to know more! 

These super-colourful shell-less sea slugs are often referred to as ‘sparkly sea cupcakes’ which is a pretty cute description and with over 3000 varieties with an emphasis on varieties - such a range of colours, shapes and features, it’s pretty appropriate.

Review : Come Home, Bigibila

Bigibila, the echidna, entered the world when Gawarrgay, the Dark Emu, was high in the sky. Surrounded by love, smells and sounds, she instantly knew this was her Country and this was her Place.

Bigibila grew into an inquisitive little animal and one day decided she would like to explore more of her Country. 

But such an adventure brings dangers she did not predict and suddenly finding her way home is not easy at all.

Review: How To Be A Fantastic Sensational Good Enough Kid

Cheerful, warm, vibrant, satisfying to hold and chock full of brilliant information for celebrating uniqueness (or for when you don’t feel quite enough), this book is a game-changer. A life raft. A first aid kit. I could go on, but I won’t.

With a team of earnest, hilarious little animals representing the various parts of your brain, and a friendly narrator taking you by the hand from the get-go, how could it be anything but magic!

Whether you’re feeling average, isolated, scared, unable to make a friend – or perhaps you’re aware that you’re winning at everything when others are not! – this book contains strategies and ideas for all the variables that life throws up.

Sunday Shelfie - Time to Go to the Park

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Emma Bowd and Leila Rudge. This week we are celebrating their delightful new picture book Time to Go to the Park.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, breakfast is done.
Time to go out. Let’s have some fun!

And what could be more fun than a day at the park? Playing with friends, exploring the outdoors and having adventures. Created by the award-winning duo, Emma Bowd and Leila Rudge, this is a book that’s sure to inspire many happy trips to the park.

A fun, feel-good book for preschoolers that captures the everyday joys of childhood and family life.

Written by Emma Bowd

Illustrated by Leila Rudge

Published by HarperCollins Australia 

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Meet the Illustrator: Triandhika Anjani

Name, title, location: Triandhika Anjani, illustrator, Canberra

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Nostalgic, whimsical, full of contrast.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
The good old sketchbook, pencil and eraser. Oh, plus some drawing pens. And then there's my trusted iPad, with all my usual drawing apps installed. Last but not least, my laptop to finish everything off.

Review: Don’t Forget

Simple, joyful and celebrating all the best things in life, Don’t Forget’s interplay between words and pictures will have readers big and small poring over detail and rejoicing in what they find. A wholesome, delightful work, it is soft yet strong, earnest yet funny, and altogether delightful.

This board book version of the original picture book is like both a warm hug and a long, joy-filled haiku. With pockets of rhyme and bundles of magnificence in both words and illustrations, this divine board book is a must-have.

12 Curly Questions with children's author Renae Hayward

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

I love musical theatre! My favourite musical is Matilda – I’ve seen it three times.

2. What is your nickname?
Naiz or Nae. My niece and nephews call me Aunty Nae.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Sharks and crocodiles – eep!

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I love writing in rhyme and using humour and fun.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Persistent, dedicated, patient (sort of).

Review : Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach

Judgy Bunny is a cute little character with a very big (negative) attitude. She has arrived at the beach and nothing is going to impress this bunny. It’s too hot, too sandy, too many seagulls and even a bright beautiful beach ball will not lighten her mood. She will find any reason to complain and meeting new friends is not on her agenda.

With crossed arms, a pouting face and highly opinionated responses, one can instantly recognise the judgy bunnies we meet (or at times have been) in our lives.

Review: Goodnight Grandchild

Michelle’s latest book in the beloved Goodnight series is an absolute delight. From the very first page, her beautiful rhyming story is a joy to read aloud. The words flow so gently and playfully that children will listen with wide eyes, and adults will love sharing them just as much. There is a calm and comforting rhythm that makes this story perfect for bedtime, quiet moments, or even a special book corner in the classroom.

Nick’s illustrations are as wonderful as ever. Each page is full of colour, detail, and warmth. The pictures provide perfect prompts for children to talk about what they see, share their ideas, and connect with the story in their own way.

Review: Dear Broccoli

Do you like broccoli? Frank most definitely does not. In fact, he despises it. 

Broccoli haunts his every waking moment appearing on his plate, bed spread, pen and even sneaks into this lunch box! 

Infuriated, Frank decides to write a letter, requesting the disappearance of Broccoli from his life for good. This sparks a chain of letters back and forth between the two. 

Frank’s dislike growing each time he receives yet another refusal to grant his request. 

Sunday Shelfie - Tiny Good Things

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Gabrielle Tozer and Sophie Beer. This week we are celebrating their beautiful new picture book Tiny Good Things.

This life is full of magic
as you learn to stretch your wings.
A big bright world awaits you,
filled with tiny good things.

Each day a glorious adventure awaits us all – if we know where to look!

From talented, award-winning duo, Gabrielle Tozer and Sophie Beer, comes an inspiring picture book that celebrates life's small wonders and the joy of finding happiness in everyday moments.

Written by Gabrielle Tozer

Illustrated by Sophie Beer 

Published by HarperCollins Australia 

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Review: The Boy & The Shark

Cate James has long been loved and admired for her picture book illustrations. This debut of her work as both author and illustrator in one, is a welcome extension of her mighty talents.

The Boy & The Shark is a wonderfully appealing picture book.

William does not like parties.

William likes sharks.

William’s little sister is having a birthday party with noise and dress-ups and pesky kids every which way.

Review: My Mum's the Best - 15th Anniversary edition

How utterly delightful to see this sweet little favourite in a lovely new anniversary edition! And what a surprise it is really to realise it’s now 15 years old. 

With wonderful timing as we anticipate Mother’s Day, this new release will make a gorgeous gift especially for any new mum and bub. 

Rosie Smith’s text is simple but eloquent. It completely encapsulates all those wonderful things that mothers (and mother figures) do to make their offspring’s life happy and comfortable, whether it’s making their breakfast or giving great hugs, tucking them in at bedtime after a busy day of playing ball or taking them to school. All those little things that mums do, often without us even realising. 

Review: Phoenix

Harper is devastated. She has discovered that her father has cheated on her mum with her best friend's mother! Now her parents are going to divorce and her life is totally upturned. 

There is no other way to describe this turn of events than as a ‘bomb’. Her friendship has broken to pieces, she and her mum, and their beloved dog Harvey, are moving away and Harper wonders can her life ever be rebuilt. 

The new house in a new town is small and is tucked into a corner of a horse farm. Harper is hesitant around horses having had so little contact with them. 

Her first encounter with a horse proves to be positive and she spends many afternoons watching the young riders at the horse farm developing their skills and building rapport with their horses.

Review: Behind the Screens

Behind the Screens not only offers friendly and timely information about navigating the online world, it also empowers and reassures young people that their choices and actions can help them thrive online.

Getting a phone? Get this book!

There’s no doubt the internet is a voracious, sometimes dangerous beast, which can also be a force for good, wonder and enlightenment. There’s also no doubt that we must handle this beast with wisdom and care.

 
Behind the Screens gives us a blueprint for the latter.