Review: Our Family Zoo

How many pets are too many pets?

One? Five? Ten? Or is there always room for just ONE MORE?

From the moment I picked up this book, I knew I was in for some fun. The front cover immediately sparks curiosity, with illustrator A Yi cleverly connecting the illustrations to the title. Before you even turn the first page, there is already so much to notice, predict and chat about.

And then we meet a character who wants another pet.

The only tiny problem? Take a close look at the illustrations, and you will quickly discover that this household is already home to quite the collection of animals!

Undeterred, our determined character sets about persuading Mum, offering option after option for her to consider. The possibilities keep coming and so does the fun.

Then Mum adds a delicious little twist. A special gift is arriving.

Cue the brainstorming!

What could it be?

This is where young readers can join in, make predictions and let their imaginations run wild. I am definitely not going to spoil the brilliant ending. This one deserves to be discovered together.

The rhyming text makes this book an absolute joy to read aloud. It has bounce, rhythm and plenty of opportunities for children to join in. I especially love the bolded words and phrases which naturally encourage readers to play with their voices, build excitement and bring the story to life.

And those animal sounds? So much fun! The labelled sounds invite children to interact with the story, and I can already imagine a classroom full of learners adding actions, voices and a little dramatic flair. It would be a fabulous springboard for role play or a reader’s theatre experience.

There is plenty for young writers to notice too. Author Maura Pierlot uses strong verbs, descriptive adjectives and question marks to create energy and build anticipation. Teachers could use these features as mentor text moments before inviting learners to create their own version. What pet would they try to persuade someone to welcome into their home?

There is even mathematics hiding amongst all those animals. Count the pets, sort them, compare groups or create your own pet-themed number problems. I love a book that naturally travels across the curriculum.

And please do not rush past the endpapers! They provide another opportunity to explore the animals featured in the story and could spark further research at home or in the classroom.

I also really appreciated the connection to pet rescue. Beneath all the humour and chaos is an opportunity to gently open conversations about caring for animals and the important role rescue organisations play.

This is a joyful, energetic read that invites children to look, listen, predict, count, perform, research and wonder.

My kind of book!

If you love books that get children talking, laughing and learning, add this one to your read-aloud pile and make sure you save time to explore every last illustration.

And when you reach that ending? No peeking! Make your prediction before you turn the page.


Title: Our Family Zoo
Author: Maura Pierlot
Illustrator: A. Yi
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Publication Date: 1 June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761643545
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Review:Max and the Haircut

Meet Max, who is just about to experience his very first visit to the hairdresser.

Before we even begin reading, Samareh Azadi invites us into Max's world through the adorable front cover. I loved the way hairdressing tools are cleverly woven into the title design and continue throughout the endpapers. These thoughtful details immediately set the scene and encourage readers to look closely.

This relatable story is told from Max's point of view, allowing readers to step into his shoes and experience the world through his eyes. One of my favourite moments appears on the very first page when Max proudly introduces himself: "I look like a lion! Roar!" It is a delightful opening that instantly captures Max's personality and draws readers into the story.

As Max arrives at the hair salon, he quickly discovers that it is much brighter, noisier and busier than he expected. For many children, this experience will feel very familiar. What makes this story particularly special is the way it gently shows how Wendy, the caring hairdresser, takes the time to understand Max and support him through the experience. Rather than expecting Max to simply cope, Wendy adapts and innovates, helping to reduce his anxiety and build his confidence. The result is a positive experience where Max leaves feeling proud of both himself and his new haircut.

The illustrations are engaging and full of meaning. Throughout the story, Samareh uses animals to represent Max's emotions. This visual technique helps readers understand what Max is experiencing internally and opens the door for rich conversations about emotions.

At home and at school, this sensitive and thoughtful story provides many opportunities for discussion. Readers can explore the powerful message that we are all different, and sometimes we simply need to discover what works best for us. It also encourages conversations about the wide range of feelings we experience, making connections to past experiences, preparing for new experiences, and celebrating the strategies we can use when we feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Max and the Haircut is a warm, reassuring story that offers comfort when we face something new, uncertain, or challenging. It reminds readers that understanding, patience and flexibility can make all the difference. A wonderful book for families, classrooms and anyone supporting children as they navigate new experiences.

Title: Max and the Haircut
Author/Illustrator: Samareh Azadi
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Publication Date: 7 May 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781915659798
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Australian Geographic - World's Most Extreme

Would you rather be a capybara and stay underwater for up to five minutes or a bee hummingbird and fly backwards with incredible precision?

From the moment I picked up Australian Geographic: World's Most Extreme, I was hooked. This is the kind of non-fiction title that invites readers to dive straight in and explore.

Several features immediately caught my attention. The title sparked my curiosity, the textured cover added another layer of appeal, and the animal-print endpapers had me smiling before I even turned the first page.

The format makes this book highly accessible for readers of all ages. Each continent is explored, allowing readers to travel the world and discover fascinating creatures. Clear headings help readers navigate the text, while intriguing subheadings encourage them to keep reading. Fast fact inserts provide bite-sized information, and the stunning photographs bring every page to life.

For educators, this book offers countless opportunities for classroom learning. It provides a wonderful springboard for geographical investigations as learners explore where animals live around the world and compare continents, environments and ecosystems. The fascinating facts and measurements throughout the book create authentic opportunities for mathematical thinking as learners compare, estimate and order sizes, speeds and weights.

Science lessons can be enriched through investigations into living things, adaptations, habitats and the remarkable features that help animals survive in their environments. The stunning photographs also make this a valuable resource for art, encouraging learners to examine colour, texture, scale, composition and the power of photography to tell a story.

One of the strengths of this title is its ability to spark wonder. Readers will find themselves sharing facts, asking questions and making connections long after they close the book.

This is one title in a series, and I can confidently say I need every single one on my shelf.

Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries and curious readers who love discovering the incredible world around them.

Title: Australian Geographic -World's Most Extreme
Creator: Australian Geographic
Publisher: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
Publication Date: 28 April, 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761218064
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Non-fiction

Review: Storm

Do you get mesmerised by a storm and love to look out the window? This book is for you!

Storm is such a beautifully presented book that it could easily sit proudly on a coffee table. I was captivated by its fold-out spread. Written by Claire and illustrated by Jess, this well-researched title is one book in a collection that invites readers to look closely at the wonders of our world. It is a joy to read aloud. Claire’s thoughtful use of verbs immediately draws the reader in and creates that wonderful urge to keep turning the page to discover more.

Review: Girls like

‘Girls Like’ is a vibrant and uplifting celebration filled with warmth, energy and heart. Katrina’s rhythmic language flows beautifully across each page while Deb’s bright and expressive illustrations capture creativity, individuality and joy. Together, they have created a book that feels inclusive, empowering and full of possibility.

With 160 girls represented throughout the illustrations, this stunning book celebrates girls in all their strength, personality, interests and uniqueness.

Review: Australian Backyard Buddies

There is something truly delightful about a book that encourages young readers to pause… to look closely… and to notice what has always been there. Australian Backyard Buddies does exactly that.

This engaging text celebrates a range of living creatures that share our everyday spaces. It invites curiosity with its unique contents page, drawing readers into a world that is familiar yet often overlooked.

Each double page offers bite-sized information about backyard creatures - their habits, habitats and behaviours. 

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: Clyde the Greyhound

Have you ever spotted a greyhound looking like a fashionista? If this intrigues you, this story is for you!

Meet Clyde, a tall and elegant greyhound who finds himself in a new chapter of life. Like many retired racing dogs, Clyde is learning what it means to be part of a loving home. Everything is new – soft beds, kind humans and the routines of everyday life.