Dad and I
find an injured koala on our property …
Dad says
keeping koalas safe will be a big job.
I need a
plan and help from some friends …’
There is so
much to digest and reflect upon in this book – for everyone, not just picture
book aged readers.
For it is
this father’s undying love that has borne magic, mystery and wonder in
abundance with the birth of picture book, Tiny Dancer.
‘Tiny Dancer
is about making each moment count and living life to the full.’
A tortoise may live for over one hundred years. An olive tree, up to five thousand. But a mayfly lives for just one day.
Told from Edie’s point of view (but not in the first person), Edie Tells A Lie feels very intimate because the reader is privy to her raw thought processes and dreams.
Like the story itself, the character of Edie is both vulnerable and strong. Ten-year old Edie and her bestie, Bowie, have grown up living next door to each other.
Each
knows the other so well, that even when life throws up challenges their bond
cannot be broken. That’s how it has always been.
Until now.
Because
Bowie has left town. She’s moved far, far away, and is not responding to any of
Edie’s messages. She is obviously having the best time without Edie.
Well, maybe we don’t need to be that dramatic but you know what I mean.
Lil
desperately wanted
to join in
the class.
But each
time she tried,
She’d land
PLONK on the grass.
Meet
Jemima, a loveable Labrador with a very important job!
Jemima is a
very good dog who loves all the usual doggy things such as going to the park,
playing games, a good old tummy scratch and of course, dinner.
But she’s
also got a very, very important job to do – being the eyes and ears for her
blind handler, who she loves more than anything in the world.
From busy street crossings to cosy moments at home, Jemima balances her fun-loving nature with the focus and dedication needed to be an extraordinary guide dog.
Abracadabra!
Alakazoo!
Bubbily, bobbily, boffity, boo!
Clutch your
cauldrons and crystal balls,
Dance with dragons down the halls…
There’s Mr
Delagatti who collects seeds, Annika who plays the violin, and even Esmerelda
the chicken, who likes worms for breakfast!
But then, things change for Rosie.
A large company with noisy, powerful machines takes over the precious little garden and builds a towering skyscraper in its place. Where will the friends go?
In Too
Many Dogs, Maura Finn and Lucinda Gifford have created a naughty - but
nicely naughty - classic.
The clever,
endearing rhyme with marvellously funny illustrations come together as a
perfect match to create this wonderful and hilarious story.
Little Percy is used to being Top Dog in a household full of cats.
I was instantly entranced by the end-papers with their hand-drawn memorabilia, the silhouettes of friendly and enemy planes and many other interesting tid bits.
Then, I turned the page and was gobsmacked to learn that both author Angela Toniolo and illustrator Shannon Melvillle, are the direct descendants of women who performed as enemy plane spotters during the second world war.
I got goosebumps
on my goosebumps, and the story hadn’t even begun!
This accessible,
thoughtful rumination on the nature of life’s biggest mystery explores both life
and death.
Long or
short, every life on earth comes to an end some day.
But what
happens when we die?
The last
few years have seen a number of picture books that broach the subject of death,
grief and loss in various ways. Gone adds to this list with its
wonderful, clear message and bold illustration style.
‘He can hum
like a cricket and tell you all about Tasmanian devils.’
Our curious
narrator Alexander is working very hard to NOT have a daytime sleep, and
nocturnal animals are his go-to rationale (what is mummy actually
talking about?, I’m not a nocturnal animal who needs to sleep in the daytime!).
And so
begins a cheerful and mischievous adventure.
What do we
do when things get in a tangle?
Do we tussle and struggle? Or do we try something different?
We all have
a little bit of Tilly inside us - an adventurer who is happy, headstrong and
independent.
We all need
to push our own boundaries now and then, for interest’s sake if nothing else.
And we’ve all experienced being in a tangle, a tight spot or a pickle, because
we wouldn’t be human if we hadn’t.
Family’s
here when you need them most.
Just picking
up this book with its shiny title and soothing green cover containing people under
a blossom-smattered tree, feels delightful. Couple that with the fun and love
of a bestselling author/illustrator duo of creators - and there is magic in the
air.
This glorious ode to families in all their various forms is definitely told with the warmth of ‘hot buttered toast.’
Step into a
world of micro-tales that pack a mighty punch of humour!
Italian
creative Siliva Borando has made a brilliantly funny book of strange animal
pairings that provide some hilarious and unexpected moments.
Deceptively
simple, with lush colour and strong line work, the book’s endearing characters
and unconventional ideas made me laugh out loud.
Spots and strips, fur and spikes! Big and small, short and tall. Every animal is different at the zoo.
Another in the series of Taronga board books for small hands and big hearts, this joy-filled romp through a variety of animals offers both delight and surprise to the reader.
Through the gates there’s a chatter and a squeak! What amazing animals will you meet?
This lovely
board book takes us on an exciting trip to the Taronga zoo, with a family who
are all very eager to visit the animals and see the sights.
This is a
story about how I came with a MASSIVELY brainy plan to CELAN up all the
disgusting pollution on the beach to help save the whole WORLD!!!!!!
(And also
save my own school holidays)
(Which is
not so important as saving the world, I know)
(But I
thought I’d mention it anyway)
(In case
you guys are interested)
This book
from beloved duo Danny Katz and Mitch Vane (think ‘Little Lunch!’) bears
all their hallmark signatures – chaotic, messy words and word-play, with wacky illustrations
that make you laugh out loud and spit drink out your nose.
It offers captivating characters, a tiny voice with big eyes that you want to just reach into the book and cuddle, and a very, very special and different presentation:
This book sits on a shelf like all other books, but when you open it up, the world tilts sideways.
Full of
fun, fancy, mischief and a surprise or two, this book celebrating Grandmothers
and their four-wheeled companions is sure to elicit many smiles.
Celebrating
all that is wonderful in the Grandmother/grandchild relationship (and some
things that will make your hair curl!), this picture book is a true delight.
A loose rhythm and an easy-going, predictable style mean that there is a great sense of anticipation that builds for the reader.
But if you think this is the also the end of the story, think again. Because brave, daring Neville actually goes on to do all sorts of clever things inside the whale, and as the title of the book suggests, he will also quite possibly escape!
An hilarious, absurd and laugh-out-loud picture book from beloved creater Sean
E Avery (Frank’s Red Hat among others), this work will have people of
all sizes and shapes giggling with glee.