Review: Peculiar Parents

Did you know some kangaroo mothers adopt orphaned joeys? Or that a baby humpback whale weighs as much as a large car when it’s born? Find these morsels and more in Peculiar Parents written by Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder and illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak.

Using playful text, detailed research and little-known facts, distinguished children’s author Owen Reeder brings animals’ lives to life. Topics such as choosing a mate, home selection and building, family life and parental habits are explored.

Review: This Bird: Noticing Our Urban Birds

‘Oooooo … doo-doo-doo-whipp!’

‘Pew pew.’

That's the call of an eastern whipbird, one of the many wonderful birds I hear living in the Blue Mountains in NSW. 

Also full of vibrant native birds is a new book called, This Bird: Noticing Our Urban Birds, created to help identify and celebrate birds in our backyards, local parks and streets. 

This Bird is written and illustrated by Astred Hicks in collaboration with Dr Holly Parsons, an ecologist and community educator. The book is a stunning way to connect with nature and be in the present moment.

Guest Post: Jodie McLeod on The Power Of WOW

Birds are an inspiration for books: Jodie McLeod (left) with illustrator Eloise Short

The first time I saw a lyrebird I was completely gobsmacked. I’d just moved to the Blue Mountains, and I’d heard of these strange creatures and their ability to imitate everything from other birds to chainsaws and crying babies, but I hadn’t really considered the outrageousness of that idea.

Then, one misty Mountains morning, a cacophony of birds sounded in my backyard. Well, not birds, but – bird. A lyrebird. Putting on a spectacular show, just for me.

WOW.

Review: The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

A whimsical tale of love and family, The Enchantment of  Golden Eagle is one of those books that flies into your heart and builds a nest there.

It will spark questions and deep thinking in young and old — the kind of picture book I truly adore!

In this Margaret Wild and Stephen Michael King gem, Ella and her brother Leif find a baby eagle. They care for the eagle as he grows older and stronger. 

Review: How to Make a Bedtime

When the sun’s light is fading and night’s on the rise,

It’s time to start yawning your sleepy goodbyes.

Time for snuggling and snoozing and slumbering now.

Time for making your bedtime and I’ll show you how.

In this sweet, rhyming bedtime tale by talented creators Meg McKinlay and Karen Blair, a boy and his bear are heading to bed.

Review: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Extinct Animals

Yes, yes, yes!  Award-winning author/illustrator Sami Bayly has created another superb book. 

It is the next book in her Illustrated Encyclopaedia series: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals. 

Some of Bayly’s other books include: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dangerous Animals and How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures. 

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals is a beautifully produced book with debossed (indented) lettering on the cover, cloth quarter binding and in-built satin ribbon bookmark, all features that help to make it both durable and a book worthy of gifting. In addition, the cover and internal design as well as typesetting is by award-winning book designer, Astred Hicks.

Upon opening The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals, I scan the contents page which features a silhouette of each animal in the book and note a few entries for megafauna. I don’t know about you, but any book with megafauna draws me in straight away. Of course, I’m referring to animals such as the giant marsupial diprotodon, which was related to wombats and koalas. Did you know that the diprotodon is the largest marsupial to have ever walked the Earth and became extinct about 25,000 years ago? Amazingly, these animals lived at the same time as the First Nations people in Australia for more than 20,000 years. Hang on there’s also a giant monotreme! Hackett’s giant echidna was about 1 metre long and weighed around 30 kg (about the weight of a ten-year-old child). Mind-blowing!

For each animal in the book, there is a double page spread and information under the subheadings: Description, Extinction Status, Location/Habitat, Diet and Fun Facts as well as illustrations. These illustrations are exquisitely good. Each animal is depicted in watercolour with precision and detail. One of my favourites is the Kangaroo Island assassin spider with its pelican-looking head. Bayly has created rich patterning on the spider’s abdomen and its long, spear-like legs are stunning.

There are not only extinct species in this volume but also near-extinct species, reminding us of human’s impact on other animals. The Kangaroo Island assassin spider is critically endangered so hopefully the curiosity and joy generated by this book helps encourage readers to make good choices regarding the beautiful wildlife that we have around us.

In terms of use in the classroom, on top of inspiring animal lovers, this book provides a great opportunity to model headings, subheadings and tier 2 and 3 vocabulary. There are also teachers’ notes with other ideas. Thank you Sami Bayly for another beautiful book filled with wonderment. My eleven-year-old son adores his collection of your work.

Title: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Extinct Animals
Author/Illustrator: Sami Bayly
Publisher: Lothian Children's Books, $32.99
Publication Date: 25 September 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734421395
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction

Review: Australia's Baby Animals

If I had to choose just one word out of all the words in the world to describe this Non-Fiction Picture-Book, I think I’d have to go with ‘phenomenal.’ 

Oh sure, the scope and quality of information and artwork is wonderful, clever, wholesome, uplifting and any manner of others, but still my one-word description stands.

Published in a large format which best showcases its many beautiful artworks, this is a collectible companion book to Australia: Country of Colour!

Award-winning author/illustrator Jess Racklyeft takes us on an incredible journey across earth, sky tree, river and sea, to explore and celebrate the baby animals found within Australia.

Review: Be the Bus

Review: 31 And A Half Things To Know As You Grow

This delightful book by two award-winning creators in author Meg McKinlay and illustrator Nicky Johnston, will make a beautiful gift for new babies and young readers alike.

A gorgeous, sometimes whimsical offering that provides the seeds of good advice and encourages small people to stand in their power, it shares ideas and thoughts on useful and fun stuff to know as you’re growing up!

Review: Taronga Big Book Of Animals

This sumptuous book contains over 200 fabulous and fascinating wildlife facts, along with more than 140 glorious illustrations of animals. It is indeed a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Did you know that pandas can do hand-stands?

That some penguins make their very own poo bombs?

Or that tigers have spikes on their tongues?

Well now you do. You’re welcome.

The world-class wildlife experts at Taronga zoo have captured some of the most exciting and crazy information for us to laugh at, marvel over and wonder about. AND they remind us that although this is the current leading-edge science, it may not always be – so it’s important to remain open and curious about the world around you.

Four artists and a designer (who we meet at the back end of the book) have brought the animals to life visually in the most beautiful ways. The layout, colour, line, space, movement, flow and vibrance of the information and illustrations are very special – alive and engaging.
There is so much to love about this book, not least that it’s divided into segments with easy to read maps - which help us to navigate our way through chapters organised by habitats that feature land animals, mountain dwellers, sea creatures, and the like.

Coloured side tabs indicate where in the book you are, and each page is chock full to the brim with text boxes, fun facts, vibrant colour or engaging double spreads with dreamy colour and gorgeous design.

This lush, friendly book contains much to pore over and marvel at. It’s perfect for dipping into at leisure, and a wonderful bonus – it also shares the Taronga Conservation Society’s important work with endangered and critical species.

It will no doubt adorn coffee tables, perhaps become the centrepiece for family games, and be a frequent visitor on bedside book piles.

Perfect for Christmas! Or as a gift for any special occasion. 

Title: Taronga Big Book Of Animals
Author: Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Illustrators: Various
Publisher: Penguin, $39.99
Publication Date: 29 October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761347467
For Ages: 4+
Type: Non Fiction

Review: Mr Santa

Mr Santa, want to hear me play?

Do the reindeer talk?

And can I ride your sleigh?

Even before you open the cover, this book makes you love it just a little bit.

It has raised lettering, slightly glittering stars, a crescent moon and a cloud upon which sits Santa (with the kindest, warmest face you’ll ever see). 

Review: Guinness World records 2025 – The Next Chapter Of Record Breaking 70th Anniversary Edition

One Christmas morning a long, long time ago my big sister unwrapped a shiny green copy of The Guiness Book Of Records and I was SO, SO, SO JELLY!

I got over it though, and then we spent whole days of the summer poring over that miraculous book – marvelling at the unbelievable photos and records, and vowing to one day break a record of our own (which we never did).

In 2025, Guiness World Records is celebrating its 70^th year of publication. 

It contains a chapter celebrating the book’s evolution in terms of design and inclusions over seven decades, and all the special extras that you’d expect and love from such a publication – including items that didn’t make it to print over the years. It’s such a mind-boggling treat to wander through!

Review: Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Sleigh

From Mo Willems’ best-selling Don’t Let The Pigeon… series, comes this cracker.

Father Christmas has to step away from his sleigh for a short while, and before he goes, he asks the reader to make sure that nobody steals it. Especially not the pigeon.

And, well, if you want to see a pigeon having a tantrum mid-strut, then look no further. This is the book for you.

Mo Willems’ much beloved pigeon series has delivered again, with ho ho hos and surprises aplenty.

Guinness World Records 2025 Gamer's Edition

The Gamer’s Edition of Guinness World Records 2025, is really a record-breaking video game compendium, full of interesting facts and figures that will enhance your gaming experience and quite possibly leave you in a state of awe.

This colourful, dynamic book is laid out in a magazine style similar to it’s older sibling, The Guinness Book of World Records. 

Being a paperback rather than a hardcover, it’s perhaps a little more accessible and definitely easier to hold for long periods! Plus it has popping sub-heads and interesting pictures. 

Described as a ‘must have for gaming afficionados’ this book celebrates the greatest achievements in video gaming. 

Junior Review: Secret Factopia!

Factopia! is back again, and this one is all about secrets! This book is filled with lots of interesting secret facts. The ones you wouldn’t get in most non-fiction books.

Facts like…

During the Air Guitar world championships in Finland, contestants rock out on instruments that don’t actually exist.

And...

Some companies make underwear with secret pockets that can be used to hide things.

And...

Since the 1950s’ government map makers in Switzerland have hidden tiny drawings in official maps.

Review: Dot! Scribble! Go!

Immerse yourself in creativity with this unique picture book about letting loose with your pen.

Part exploration of lines and shapes, part instructional drawing book, Dot! Scribble! Go! is all about forgetting the rules and just having a go. 

It’s about creating without pressure or rules or worry. It’s about enjoyment.

Review: Lights Out, Little Dragon!

Little dragon is so tired, but he won’t go to sleep. What can I do?

Our little protagonist has a problem, and she needs your help to solve it. Trace a path to help dragon escape from rogue leaping sheep. 

Junior Review: Science FACTopia!

Science Factopia! is packed full of amazing, funny and mind blowing facts about science. Facts like:

Lobsters pee out of their heads to communicate.

And...

The seeds from a sandbox tree can explode, launching them through the forest at 258 kilometres per hour.

And...

When a palaeontologist is unsure if an object is a rock or a fossil, they sometimes test it with a lick.

This book is hilarious and interesting at the same time. I learnt a lot of cool facts about so many different science things, and the book was really easy to move through.

Review: Little Angler

I live in the water, deep down in the sea.

Check out my light, it’s as bright as can be.

Take a deep, deep underwater adventure with Little Angler in this gorgeous lift-the-flap board book by Zoe Gaetjens and Heidi McKinnon.

Something looks tickly, what could it be?

I’ll turn on my light, then we can see.

Review: My Heart

Kids do all sorts of things to our hearts, and this is the concept My Heart by Katrina McKelvey and Deb Hudson explores.

When I found out you were coming … my heart glowed.

When we shared our first snuggle … my heart melted.