It's very definitely a sweet and engaging read and, a word I
use very deliberately for books of this ilk - wholesome. It's that feel-good,
warm-fuzzy uplifting narrative to which young readers always respond with
alacrity. Actually, it puts me in mind of some of our great middle-grade
authors such as the wonderful Robin Klein and Morris Gleitzman.
We've likely all known a kid like Wren, or maybe even been that kid ourselves. He's the outsider. The one who's friendless and never seems to fit in anywhere. He's quiet and his anxiety often causes him to be tongue-tied. His mum is caring and loving but, as a single mother lacking any support from the ex-husband, she's always super busy and very tired, working two part-time jobs. His older brother works too.
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Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Anna Pignataro. This week we are celebrating her beautiful new picture book My Love is Bigger Than the Sky.
In the brambly forest Oli asked, ‘Mummy, how much do you love me?’ ‘More than the whole world and everything in it,’ said Mummy.
From best-selling author and illustrator, Anna Pignataro, comes a tender-hearted story about infinite love.
Nonna is an adorable Italian grandparent. She loves getting up early and talking to the chickens. She loves baking biscotti and going to the markets. She loves knitting and sewing and even the occasional bit of gossip.
But more than anything she loves her family.
Her stepfather Alex has set up the cot in her room. Now it is hers no longer. Mum is always tired and going to appointments. All the things they use to do, they can’t do anymore.
Quinn doesn’t want a baby brother. Experiencing the behaviour of her friend Mem’s baby brother, has her believing babies are destructive and bothersome.
Quinn’s only interest now is her determination to win the Grade Five story competition consisting of three rounds.
When Mum goes to hospital to give birth prematurely, Quinn mulls over the changes that have occurred in her life, and the ones that will come with Otto’s entrance into the family.
Maisy Hayes feels like the background character of her life. Never the prettiest, the smartest, or the coolest in the room. Never with the newest phone, most expensive shoes, or designer bag. Her special treat only ever came in the form of a dollar slushie from the mall.
Maisy faces a situation no teen, let alone adult, wants to encounter. The Hayes family is deep in financial trouble, struggling to make ends meet.
With Maisy’s absent father lurking in the back of her mind, she is determined to make a future for herself. She’s not sure what yet — though she is positive she wants anything but a life like her mum's.
She dreams of having enough money not to live paycheck to paycheck. To buy things without thinking of the cost.
The collaboration of two brilliant creators brings us the visually expressive, The Friendship Book. It explores the human need of friendship - regardless of age, and its many components.
Zannie Louise's rhythmic, rhyming text is minimal and precise, allowing the illustrations to share the focus and create a perfect pairing.
Movement, activity and joy are present in every scene of Nicky Johnston's delightful translation.
Delicate, fine-lined images, showcase children enjoying the natural surroundings, welcoming the emergence of friendliness that play initiates.
Ariana’s Aunt Grace is getting married.
She wants everything to be perfect - and blue.
Additional responsibilities come with the role of flower girl.
Ariana must keep an eye on the wedding cake with its blue icing that matches the colour of the wedding dress.
The thrift shop is pulsing with excitement. There is so much to consider, including how they will transport the cake to the park where the wedding will be held.
Decision-making frequently includes family members, sometimes their diverse group of friends as well.
She lost two parents on that day, as her grief-strcken father took off shortly after his wife’s death.
Pippi, broken and filled with anger, is left with Uncle Isaac, her last family member.
Isaac, worn by life, has become befuddled. But Pippi is always ready to fill his empty mind's thoughts and his mouth's forgotten words for him.
But for how long will she be able to do so?
When she falls off the bow of their fishing boat, she is saved by the giant octopus, Octavia.
Uncle Isaac decides that it is time to tell Pippi that with her mother’s death, she has inherited the burden of Keeper of the Octopus.
Cadell has a gift.
He can find things - lost items, answers to questions, or anything else queried by his mind.
He is extremely bright and kind.
Garlan is not only a brother, but Cadell's friend and protector.
The brothers have a wonderful method of communicating with one another, and the warmth between them is reflected in their every word and action.
While they had their parents, their life was filled with the joy of music and song. But they now have come from a place where the King’s Law restricts pleasures permitted long ago.
A nice hot drink and warm words are prepared to explain it all away.
Grandpa uses positive words to alleviate the negative ones that are stifling Blair’s brain; to bring a smile and remove the frown.
A stunning double-spread expresses the darkness that envelops someone who is blue. There is no light. They feel alone.
Dani Colvin has captured these emotions in her illustrations, by using colour to describe the characters' feelings.
‘A heartwarming and relatable story exploring change, following your instincts and finding your voice in a loud world.’
Fifth grader Martha Mayfield has a cooler than cool Grandma who, like other very cool women, goes by just one name. Stella. She also has a shy but crazily talented-at-dressmaking mum, and a gothic, European-soccer-loving sister.
And Martha herself? Well, Martha has good ideas. Great
ideas. Tremendous ideas. But, she’s also known as the apple that didn’t fall
far from the tree in that she inherited her mums shyness.