book reviews

Review: Two Fun Board Books for Bubs

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Looking for a fun board book for your own bub, or to buy as a gift? Here are two animal stories you might want to check out. Charlie Chick Wants to Play, Nick Denchfield & Ant Parker, Pan Macmillan, 2017 Synopsis: Charlie Chick Wants to Play but he can't find his ball. Can you help him find it? Lift the flaps to see if it's in the pig sty, the kennel, the reeds or the hen house in this delightful book about friendship, farm animals, and fun! This “chirpy” board book, made from stron...
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Review: A fun-filled junior fiction sports series suitable for kids of all abilities

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Ball Stars: The Bench Warmers, David Lawrence (author), James Hart (illus.), Random House, 2017 Synopsis:  Meet the Bench Warmers – Danny, Crystal, Angie, Omyr, Leanne and Cody. They're the new basketball players at Robdale Primary and according to hot shot Greg 'The Goat' McGriffin, they don't have a chance of winning a lunchtime game. But when the gang are picked as part of the school squad things start to look up. SWISH! Can the newbies shake off their name in the upcoming interschool comp...
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Review: A New Series Perfect for Fans of Horrible Histories

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
How to Beat Genghis Khan in an Arm Wrestle, Nick Falk (author), Tony Flowers (illus.), Random House, 2016 Brief Synopsis: Join three friends as they use their imagination, settle playground scores and alter the entire course of history in the process! Author Nick Falk and illustrator Tony Flowers have created a number of books together in the past, including the popular Samurai vs. Ninja series. Like those books, How to Beat Genghis Khan in an Arm Wrestle is loads of fun and a guaranteed p...
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Review: A Humorous Anthology of Short Stories by Australian Children’s Authors

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Laugh Your Head Off Again, Various authors, Andrea Innocent (illus.), Pan Macmillan, 2016 Synopsis: 9 authors, 9 stories to make you laugh your head off again. A busting moment + a pet show + a ten metre high concrete tomato + a dog with a knack for trouble + the perfect footy pie + a mischievous monkey + a king on a break from his kingdom + a legendary lunchtime bandit + a llama farm camp = one hilarious book. Laugh Your Head Off Again is the companion title to the 2015 Pan Macmillan book...
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Review: A Fun Look at the Adventures of a Raccoon Who Thought She Was a Dog

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Pumpkin: The Raccoon Who Thought She Was a Dog, Laura Young (author), Pan Macmillan 2016  Synopsis: When Laura Young found an injured baby raccoon in her back garden she didn't know what a big part of the family she was about to become. Laura and her husband, William, named her Pumpkin and her bond with their rescue dogs, Toffee and Oreo, was soon obvious. The three of them take naps, watch TV and cuddle each other and Pumpkin is always with her two new mums. Be prepared to fall in love with ...
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Review: A Picture Book Exploring the Life of Dame Nellie Melba

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Meet... Nellie Melba, Janeen Brian (author), Claire Murphy (illus.), Random House, 2016 Synopsis: Dame Nellie Melba was Australia's first classical music star. The beauty of her singing was celebrated around the globe. She was appointed Dame Commander, OBE for her enormous fundraising efforts during World War One and today she is commemorated on Australia's hundred dollar banknote. This is the story of how she rose to fame, and how she brought opera to Australians in the city and in the bus...
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Review: A Moving Picture Book Dealing with Love, Loss, Family and Legacy

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
One Photo picture book, Penguin Books, Ross Watkins, Liz Anelli
One Photo, Ross Watkins (author), Liz Anelli (illus.), Penguin Books, 2016 Dad came home one day with one of those old cameras, the kind that use film. But Dad didn’t take photos of the regular things people photograph... Created by Ross Watkins (who you may know as the illustrator of The Boy Who Grew Into a Tree, written by Gary Crew), the story in One Photo is at once moving, poignant, timely and inspirational. Many adults will be sure to identify with the story, which revolves around th...
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Review: A New Picture Book Perfect for Dog Lovers

Posted on by Kellie Byrnes
Oh, Albert! Davina Bell (author), Sara Acton (illus.), Penguin Books, 2016 Synopsis: Albert can’t help getting into mischief when no one is around. But one day he goes too far... Oh, Albert! A perfect story about a family and their not-so-perfect (but loveable!) dog. Oh, Albert! is an adorable picture book perfect for animal-loving families who will no doubt enjoy reading about a mischievous dog, Albert, who is lovable but also often a handful. The story’s honest look at dog behaviours...
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