If you haven’t chosen a book for your chapter book readers stocking yet then I suggest grabbing a copy of Terry Denton’s Wombat & Fox: The Whole Story. There will be lots of laughter and mayhem, and your young reader will not want to put it down (I know I didn’t want to).
As you entered an unknown harrowing time where learning to survive was what consumed your everyday – I saw you both and I felt helpless that I could only listen to your story, but I was also hopeful. With every bit of anguish, aspirations that were stomped on, harsh words, abuse and longing for home, for the haven life used to be, my only hope was that you would be safe with no lasting mental or physical scars.
One thing I am learning about Rachel Bright and Jim Field is that they write and illustrate awesome books that are funny, with a captivating message on the side. The Squirrels Who Squabbled is a beautiful story of friendship and working together, but to get there laughter is ensured.
Some books are little treasures, and this is one of those where I felt transported back to when I was a child. I felt familiar with the story and felt comfortable that the content is safe for an 8 year old to read. There are a lot of books about magic, goblins and elves for young children, but in my role as a Librarian parents often ask me for books that don’t have those components. For those types of requests this book is a perfect fit.
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.
Little Big Reads 