Review: Learning You By Heart

Some books beg to be read aloud while you’re snuggled up with the ones you love. Sarah Wallace’s newest book, illustrated by Michelle Conn, is one of those books.

A lullaby for a precious child, Learning You By Heart captures a mother’s absolute devotion to her child as she delights in every smile, every touch and every breath.

 
Learning something ‘by heart’ usually refers to the rote memorisation of times tables, spelling words or scientific formulae at school. It involves close observation, repeated actions and intense focus.

Review: Daddy Bear

There’s something extra special about a child’s relationship with their father. 

And there are some things, like this relationship, that simply can't be celebrated enough.

Rory H. Mather and Helene Magisson capture the essence of this relationship in their delightful picture book, Daddy Bear – a gentle and heartwarming peek into a child’s beautiful bond with their daddy.

Review: Fearless Finn

Finn is a young modern day knight in shining armour. He is on a hero quest to defeat a dragon that has caused chaos in his village. Donning his home made armour of a cardboard breastplate, saucepan helmet, saucepan lid for a shield and a broom for a sword, he sets off on his mission to find and conquer the fire-breathing dragon that has left a path of destruction.

But when he finally meets the foe, he discovers that this dragon is not as dangerous or fierce as he first thought. Can Finn be the hero perhaps in a completely different way?

Sunday Shelfie - Here, Bear and Everywhere

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Damian Balassone and Jess Racklyeft. This week we are celebrating their gorgeous new picture book Here, Bear and Everywhere.

Meet a pear bear, a share bear, even an éclair bear in this beary fun-filled romp through rhyme!

With Damian Balassone’s playful poetry and Jess Racklyeft’s irresistible illustrations, this book delights little ones – while its clever rhymes and gentle humour make it a joy for parents to read again and again.

Written by Damian Balassone
Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft 
Published by Little Book Press

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Review: You'll Always Be My Baby

This is a glorious rhyming picture book based on a much-loved poem by best-selling author Jessica Urlichs and illustrated by Jedda Robaard.

Indeed, there has been great appetite for these words to be brought to life in a picture book – and now here we are!

A heart-tugging picture book celebrating the deep forever love of family.

With a deceptively simple and limited colour palette, You’ll Always Be My Baby is intricately beautiful. 

Gentle, whimsical and tender ideas unfold through the recurring theme – you’ll always be my baby, just heavier to hold – and are truly universal.

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: WillieBoy Eats The World

WillieBoy Eats the World is an exuberant rhyming picture book about a dachshund named WillieBoy and his human companion Steve, who discover that the world is full of delicious food, if only you're willing to try it.

WillieBoy narrates the story with boundless enthusiasm. He and Steve are creatures of habit, perfectly happy with their beloved Italian food, shrimp in spicy sauce, lasagna, linguini with clams, pizza, and cannoli. But a visit to a new dog park changes everything.

Review: Bush Turkey Easter Hunt

Bush Turkey is back! 

The scene for Bush Turkey Easter Hunt it set with a reminder that bush turkeys like to create big, messy nests.

It’s while Bush Turkey is making a nest that he discovers a gold egg. This must be something special because it’s gold and shiny. 

As he explores further afield Bush Turkey finds more and more eggs, in a range of colours, but all shiny.

Unfortunately, the humans are not happy with Bush Turkey scratching around. Not only is he causing a mess, he’s unaware that he’s wrecking the Easter egg hunt.

Review: Banjo the Hot Cross Bun

Just when is the right time for hot cross buns to appear on the shelves? 

Is Boxing Day too early? 

Banjo the Hot Cross Bun certainly arrives in store on Boxing Day, and it causes something of a stir. 

Even Banjo is outraged. He feels it’s way too early to be on sale. Hot cross buns are for Easter! 

Banjo throws a tantrum and causes chaos in the bakery. 

Through the fruit and vegetables, chocolates and lollies, Banjo is intent on making a mess.

Review: Mrs Claus

This review might be brief (I’ve pressies to wrap) but it comes full to the brim of hearty recommendation, mirth and, let it be known, yes – relief! 

I heard myself describing my seasonal anxiety to an unsuspecting shop owner recently after her husband offhandedly assured me, ‘everything will be fine’. 

She and I then confessed to each other, that ‘fine’ wholly depended on ‘us’. Meaning, ‘I am Christmas’.

So, imagine the mollification I just about drowned in after reading, Mrs Claus. In short, my pick of the fictional festive-flavoured picture book offerings for the kiddies (and their Santa-moonlighting mamas or papas) this year.

Review: Look, See, Find Me

Look, See, Find Me is a fun, activity-based picture book. 

This is a nature hide-and-seek, with double page spreads hiding animals. They're camouflaged in their surroundings -- leaves, trees, ground cover. 

Illustrations are the centrepiece of Look, See, Find Me, and they're diverse and detailed, bright and beautiful. 

Readers are encouraged to spot a variety of creatures.

Can you find the great green bush cricket and European mantis who blend in with a branch full of bright green leaves?

Review: Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury are award-winning, best-selling creators of books for children. 

Maybe you recognise their names, or maybe you don't, but you probably know their internationally acclaimed picture book, We're Going On a Bear Hunt.

Michael and Helen are back with another collaboration, their first in more than 30 years.

It's called Oh Dear, Look What I Got!  

In it, a child's trip to the shop to buy a carrot turns into a succession of mistakes.

Review: The Style Secrets of Gareth McGreen

The Style Secrets of Gareth McGreen stars a stylish toad named Gareth. 

Gareth is a fashion designer who designs and makes wonderful creations for animals of all kinds.

He's so famous his clients travel from afar to be dressed in his unique outfits.

One such client is an upper class possum who wants a fabulous dress to give her daughter to wear at her birthday party. 

Gareth is inspired and delivers something amazing.

Review: Hello Cocky: A Stickybeak At The Cockatoo

A funny, original rhyming book that celebrates an Australian icon with vigor, humour and a wild, bold outlook.

From treetops to rooftops, follow Australia’s most mischievous bird in this exuberant celebration of the cockatoo. 

It’s truly wonderful as a reader, to be in such capable hands.

I loved everything about this book, from the unusual format (it’s rather tall, reminiscent of a cockatoo stretching itself longways to get a good look at you or steal your chips), to the delight and playfulness of the clever language.

The rhyme is sophisticated and funny. Dangerous and angular. It’s fun to read, and there are peaks and troughs to travel with absolutely no doubt that you’re in safe hands. 

Review: Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas

Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas is a celebration of our natural world.

It's also a reminder that the world around us is both beautiful and endangered.

Artist Luke John Matthew Arnold creates illustrations using simple shapes and packed with colour. 

They're complemented by simple text in big, bold white font.

Review: Hedgehog Or Echidna? Animals Who Are The Same … But Different!

Dozens of cuter than cute echidnas troop across the endpapers of Ashleigh Barton’s latest picture book with one adorbs noticeable exception. No spoilers here but the clue to this character is in the title. 

Without further preamble, the two spiky critters meet, head-to-head in the first spread of this curious clash of comparisons.

One is surrounded by flowering gums and kookaburras. Clearly an Aussie original. The other is nestled in a forest of fungi and European song birds. 

They look alarmingly similar yet obviously different. Does this stand in their way of friendship? Most definitely not!

Review: Once Upon An A To Z

Three friends in a large library with a ladder (OMG, A LIBRARY LADDER!) and a shiny magic book on the top shelf, bring Once Upon An A To Z to life in the most delightful of ways.

Abracadabra! Alakazoo!
Bubbily, bobbily, boffity, boo!

Clutch your cauldrons and crystal balls,

Dance with dragons down the halls… 

Review: Fly, Mama, Fly!

This divine board book celebrates award-winning author/illustrator Anna McGregors’ fresh and fun style.

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.  

Review: You Can't Pat A Fish

Almost every child in the history of the world has wished for a pet at some point. 

And those whose wish has included a visit to the pet shop, will undoubtedly have wanted theirs to be the cutest, cuddliest critter that they’ve ever slapped eyes on.

And so … what actually happens when the pet you get, is a fish?

If it’s wet, it isn’t a pet!

You can play with a puppy and snuggle a bunny,

but as much as you wish, you can’t pat a fish.

Review: Little Love List

This book is absolutely divine – it’s like a perfect, illustrated love letter to all the children of the world.

I love you when you’re brave.

I love you when you’re done.

I love you when you won’t wear pants.

I love you when you’re fun.

Little Love List brings us the very best of what is on offer in picture books today. 

From the sweet idea of writing a ‘love list’ for a child to the playful, fresh and joyful illustrations, it’s easy to feel good about everything about this book – even the bad stuff!