The good (and bad) thing about working in a library is that you find little gems on the shelves nearly every shift...I have had to learn to not bring every book home that I love. I couldn't go past this book because it is perfect for my story time session I am taking this week. When it comes to The Very Hungry Caterpillar I normally prefer the original book, but this lift-the-flap version is so sweet and perfect for my toddler group this week.
The colours draw you into the story on those first few pages of the book, the shades of green give you the feeling of being out among the trees and plants in the garden, the tortoise face a beautiful rosy complexion whose eyes show an old but warm and happy soul. The colours and illustrations continue to amaze as I turn the pages, each majestic and beautiful creature brought to life by the artist ability to bring us the African Jungle through her artistic ability.
Things never go right for poor Ivy Pocket, and for this third novel in the series that was released not that long ago things keep going from bad to worse...or should that be from mad to madhouse, or perhaps even from on the run (still) from Miss Always to Disguise at Butterfield Park? Whatever it should be, Ivy Pocket does not disappoint in this her final book...yes you heard me right I am dreadfully sorry to say that there will be no more books about the incorrigible and infuriating Ivy Pocket.
I was very excited to attend the book launch - or as the wonderful host said to the children - the book birthday of I Just Ate My Friend. I love being able to support Australian authors, whether it by purchasing their books or in this case attending my first book launch. The first thing I did was purchase myself the book and the staff asked if I would like it signed...Yes Please! I was delighted to have a quick chat with the author Heidi McKinnon, who is incredibly humble, lovely to speak to and will delight us with another book in the future...although she is not sure what it will be about yet.
Munro is a teenage boy struggling to come to terms with the death of his sister Evie, who had always dreamed of going to Australia. Munro is plagued by the coyote (a tormenting voice in his head), pain, flashbacks, and anger and feels that if he can fulfill Evie's wish and go to Australia as an exchange student that everything will be ok.
There is such strong YA fiction being written in Australia at the moment, and Sparrow is right up there as being one of the best. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book that was set along the coastal region of the Kimberley - a rugged remote Australian location, with deep gorges and mostly isolated coastline. It didn't take me long to be impacted by this book which went deeper than I expected. Those very first chapters saw the characters become so ingrained within me that I didn't want to close the book at the end. I wanted to continue to follow Sparrow on his journey.
Enid Blyton has never strayed far from children's bookshelves, and her books are still so very popular today. One thing I see as a Librarian is that parents trust the content in Enid Blyton books because they read them as a child, they know the content and understand them to be a safe read for their child.
What I find incredible and something that is easily overlooked because my own childhood was filled with books and reading, is that for some children who are part of this program may have never owned their own book before.
The first time I opened this book I instantly loved it. The story begins with Mr Moot living his happy quiet life with his beloved Fluffywuffy. He wasn't troubled by anything, that is until cousin Clarence decides to move in for ..."a week...or a month, or quite possibly a year!" Mr Moot was optimistic that it wouldn't be so bad, fluffywuffy remained knowingly silent.
Regardless of whether you agree with the content in this book, all bears, children and adults should NEVER feel ashamed about who they are. I am a Christian and I am not ashamed of that so why should someone who is a different race, wears glasses, lives with Asperger's, ADHD, physical differences, being scared, not being able to read or write, or just like bear...no longer being happy as Thomas but finding joy and peace in being Tilly.
Little Big Reads 