Review: Play

The devil is in the details, and in this deceptively detailed book, the words may be few but the illustration provides plenty to look ponder.

This is Alborough's second book starring Bobo the chimp. The story follows Bobo as he seeks to find a pal and some adventure past his bedtime.

Review: Supertato Run, Veggies, Run

OK, I'll admit it: I was sceptical when I saw this title come across my computer screen.

"Yeah, right!" I thought to myself.  "No way kids will want to read about vegetables."

Woo boy, was I wrong. Seriously wrong. But first, the nitty gritty.

Review: Harvey the Hero

Harvey the Hero is a sweet book without the oft-annoying didactic overtones that come with this sort of story.

I admit, when I first started reading the book I expected the conclusion to be the cliched "He was a hero after all..." sort we've all come across.

Happily, I was proven wrong. Harvey could best be described as a hapless hero perhaps.

Review: Goldilocks and the Three Potties

Hi Leigh Hodgkinson, it's me, your biggest fan-girl.

To everyone not named Leigh Hodgkinson, if you enjoy quirky, fresh picture books, then stop wasting time!

Don't even finish this sentence. Go to your local bookstores and snatch up one of her books! Now!

Review: The Red Book

Okay, I admit it, I was skeptical at first. The Red Book is a book filled with red animals and objects -- or so the narrator tries to convince you.

In reality, the majority of animals and objects aren't red at all. Not even the purple, white and yellow cover with 'The Red Book' written in bold. But therein lies the fun of this story.

It's the latest in Beck and Matt Stanton's Books That Drive Kids CRAZY series. After trialing this on my three-year-old, I can confirm, they certainly do drive kids crazy -- in a fun and educational way.

Review: I Don't Want Curly Hair

This book is vibrantly brilliant. The title attracted me in the first place, but my goodness the illustrations are boast-worthy.

Anderson's red-headed, curly haired protagonist leaps off the page with her impossible-to-tame curls and zesty personality.

The girl's ongoing battle with her own curly hair is, unfortunately, one that I am all too familiar with.

Review: Darkmouth

Darkmouth is the first in the Darkmouth series, and it's all sorts of fun. The story is about a most unfortunate town, Darkmouth, and the boy whose job is to protect it.

I say the town is unfortunate because, every so often, a monster slips through a portal and tries to wreak havoc on the town and all its inhabitants.

Thankfully, Darkmouth have had the benefit of generations and generations of  Legend Hunters -- those whose life is dedicated to defending Darkmouth from creatures who would see it destroyed.

Review: The Man Who Loved Boxes

Kids come in all shapes, sizes and sorts, and that's something we read about a lot in children's literature. However, so too do parents.

I'm not referring to gender, age or culture. In this context, I'm referring to the ways parents express their love for their kids.

Unfortunately, it's not easy for all parents to do so for one reason or another. Which brings us to The Man Who Loved Boxes.

Review: This is a Serious Book

This metafictional tale features a battle between the narrator and a veritable plethora of animals.

The animals refuse to follow an edict: everyone and everything in this book must be very serious.

As such, the narrator has banned loud noises, colour, funny faces, back flips and more. Unfortunately for the narrator, the animals aren't exactly on board with the idea.

This book is giggle worthy, and young kids are likely to enjoy the silly acts of rebellion by the featured animals. However, I wanted full on belly laughs and I can't say that's what I got.

Review: First Words (English)

Lonely Planet Kids have done it again. This is the second children's book I've reviewed from the popular travel guide publisher, and hot-diggity-dogs, I'm floored again!

I'm reviewing First Words: English, but there are also French and Spanish editions available.

I love so much about this book that I'm not quite sure where to start; the concept, the quality, the illustrations or the word choices.

OK, let's start with the concept. The concept is just so darn cool!

The book is structured similarly to travel guides and phrasebooks, but is simple enough that youngins will be able to learn and benefit from this book -- and fall in love with other languages in the process!

Review: Let's Explore...City

Wow, this book is gorgeous. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened it, but I was absolutely delighted with what I found.

The Let's Explore series from Lonely Planet Kids takes children on beautifully illustrated adventures around the globe, guided by characters Marco and Amelia.

I'm a city gal at heart, and my husband is more of a country dude. It is important to us that our children are exposed to all different sorts of experiences, places and cultures.

Review: Peekaboo Kisses

Peekaboo Kisses is a lift-the-flap board book by award-winning author/illustrator Barney Saltzberg. The premise is simple, as are the illustrations.

Each page begins with 'Peekaboo! I see...', followed by an illustration of an animal hiding.

Once you lift the flap of the animal who is hiding, you not only reveal what sort of animal it is, but there is a part of the animal to touch, such as fur on the puppy or wool on the sheep.

Review: Say Goodnight

This bedtime book is sweet, simple and straightforward. I'm happy to report that both of my kids have loved it at one time or another.

In fact, I would go so far as to say this is the current favourite of my 15-month-old. He even lets me read it to him two or three times in a row!

As always, author/illustrator Helen Oxenbury's illustrations are luscious and lively. The text is simple, rhythmic and effective.

Review: Whoever You Are

This book is important. Well, more specifically, the message inside is important, and Mem Fox (unsurprisingly) delivers it skillfully and thoroughly.

Through repetition and engagingly complementary illustrations, Whoever You Are drives home the point that we are all different, and yet entirely the same where it counts.

A book like this, written by an eminent Australian author such as Fox, couldn't come at a more crucial time.

Review: Dingo in the Dark

Dingo in the Dark is a soothing, atmospheric tale about a Dingo who longs to play with his friends.

Unfortunately, he is too tired during the day to enjoy their company!

In fact, poor Dingo is awake all night, too afraid to close his eyes amidst the darkness of nighttime. Sound familiar?

I have a three-year-old who is currently in the throes of the nightlight needing, monster-fearing, dark-abhorring stage.

If I'm honest, I suppose to an extent I never entirely grew out of it either. That's where a book like Dingo in the Dark comes in.

The beauty of this story is that it's a subtle and gentle nudge in the direction towards the moon. That is to say, the story urges young readers to find some comfort in the nighttime.

Review: School's First Day of School

OK, we need to talk about this book. This book is important in more ways than one, and I'll get to that in just a moment.

The story is told from the perspective of a brand new school which has been personified through its expression of feelings, curiosity and confusion.

The school has no idea what school is for, but once children arrive, it becomes clear. However, the children are sad and nervous at first too, and hesitant to embrace the school.

As the day progresses, the children begin to see what school is for, and so does the school itself. The tale is unique and kind, if 'kind' is a word I could use to describe a story.

What really pumps me up about this book is that, on top of the story, which is glorious in and of itself, the beautifully written tale manages to illicit empathy in its young readers, and that is what, in my humble opinion, makes this book so powerful.

Review: Exclamation Mark

I am of the not-so-quiet opinion that Amy Krouse Rosenthal (here with Tom Lichtenheld) can do no wrong.

Exclamation Mark is an adorable, clever, and satisfyingly minimalist story of an exclamation mark who stands out no matter what. Which makes sense, given that he is an exclamation mark among a group of full-stops.

Review: Every Day

This novel blew me away. It is so creative and so ...well, novel (pun entirely intended) that it is hard to sum it up for the sake of a review. But here goes:

‘A’ wakes up in a different body every morning. This is how A has awoken for A's entire life. A doesn't know why, and A doesn't know how. What A does know is that there are certain coping mechanisms that make his way of life a little simpler.

Review: Maddy West and the Tongue Taker

This story is lovely, light and lots of fun. Maddy West is a normal nine-year-old girl. Normal, that is, apart from the fact that she can speak every single language in the world.

When Maddy is asked to translate ancient scrolls that no one else is able to read, she can hardly wait!

Throw in a cheeky monkey, a wise old man, and some tricky magic, and this tale will leave you smiling and satisfied.

Review: The Big Orange Splot

I am beyond excited to review this book for KBR. The Big Orange Splot, written and illustrated by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, left an indelible mark on me as a child. The illustrations are so fun and the plot has an important takeaway.

Mr. Plumbean lives on a street where all the houses look the same. Everybody liked it that way. "This is a neat street," they would say.  Until one day, a seagull dropped a big orange splot of paint on the roof of Mr. Plumbean's house.