Review: Dr Seuss Graphic Novel - Cat Out of Water & The Grinch Takes a Vacation

Introducing the first Dr Seuss graphic novel! 

Each title in this series has an individual author and illustrator.

The Cat in the Hat just wants to have fun. 

Fish initially convinces Sally and her unnamed brother not to open the door for Cat. 

His previous shenanigans caused chaos and an  inevitable reprisal for their combined actions.

So, the siblings pretend they are not home, but the shrewd Cat talks through the door until his persuasive suggestions change the course of their good intentions.

And they let him in.

Let’s get this party started is a powerful expression.  

Review: 31 And A Half Things To Know As You Grow

This delightful book by two award-winning creators in author Meg McKinlay and illustrator Nicky Johnston, will make a beautiful gift for new babies and young readers alike.

A gorgeous, sometimes whimsical offering that provides the seeds of good advice and encourages small people to stand in their power, it shares ideas and thoughts on useful and fun stuff to know as you’re growing up!

Review: Taronga Big Book Of Animals

This sumptuous book contains over 200 fabulous and fascinating wildlife facts, along with more than 140 glorious illustrations of animals. It is indeed a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Did you know that pandas can do hand-stands?

That some penguins make their very own poo bombs?

Or that tigers have spikes on their tongues?

Well now you do. You’re welcome.

The world-class wildlife experts at Taronga zoo have captured some of the most exciting and crazy information for us to laugh at, marvel over and wonder about. AND they remind us that although this is the current leading-edge science, it may not always be – so it’s important to remain open and curious about the world around you.

Four artists and a designer (who we meet at the back end of the book) have brought the animals to life visually in the most beautiful ways. The layout, colour, line, space, movement, flow and vibrance of the information and illustrations are very special – alive and engaging.
There is so much to love about this book, not least that it’s divided into segments with easy to read maps - which help us to navigate our way through chapters organised by habitats that feature land animals, mountain dwellers, sea creatures, and the like.

Coloured side tabs indicate where in the book you are, and each page is chock full to the brim with text boxes, fun facts, vibrant colour or engaging double spreads with dreamy colour and gorgeous design.

This lush, friendly book contains much to pore over and marvel at. It’s perfect for dipping into at leisure, and a wonderful bonus – it also shares the Taronga Conservation Society’s important work with endangered and critical species.

It will no doubt adorn coffee tables, perhaps become the centrepiece for family games, and be a frequent visitor on bedside book piles.

Perfect for Christmas! Or as a gift for any special occasion. 

Title: Taronga Big Book Of Animals
Author: Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Illustrators: Various
Publisher: Penguin, $39.99
Publication Date: 29 October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761347467
For Ages: 4+
Type: Non Fiction

Review: Off To The Nursery: A Celebration Of Gardening, Plants And Seasons

This super-duper-hardcover picture book (perfect for surviving the gardens it will undoubtedly end up being read in!) is a feast for the senses.

It’s got two curved edges and a brightly coloured cover which includes a little bit of neon orange, along with a very enticing array of plants in a basket.

Spring is here and it’s time to plant the garden.

Review: Meerkat Mayhem

Meerkat’s worms are his favourite fare. He eats as many as possible and as often as he can.

One day Meerkat decides to set out for a walk after one of his scrumptious meals but finds he can’t move.  

Helplessly stuck in his burrow with half of him sticking out, a kindly elephant offers to give him a pull.

Could she get Meerkat out?

No, she could not!

Then a giraffe comes along and takes hold of elephant and pulls.

Can the growing group of animal friends, working together as a team,

Review: Mr Santa

Mr Santa, want to hear me play?

Do the reindeer talk?

And can I ride your sleigh?

Even before you open the cover, this book makes you love it just a little bit.

It has raised lettering, slightly glittering stars, a crescent moon and a cloud upon which sits Santa (with the kindest, warmest face you’ll ever see). 

Review: Socks

Singer JD McPherson’s popular, funny, joyful Christmas song, has now been made into a picture book.

A child laments the absence of his longed-for and requested toys at Christmas.

Sneaking downstairs when the family is sleeping, he checks his gifts under the tree. 

He is an experienced present-shaker. But at the first shake he knows what he wants is not there.

He falls to the floor in frustration while the dog enjoys the socks.

Review: Hazel's Treehouse

Hazel’s Treehouse is a beautiful hardback book, the perfect size for holding in small hands and with just enough texture and colour on the cover to make it feel very special indeed.

In this collection of delightful short stories with exquisite, timeless and funny line drawings, we meet Hazel and her friends.

‘Hazel is nine years old, as long as her bunk bed and as kind as a marshmallow.’

Hazel shares a treehouse in the bush with Pokey the ‘feelings’ echidna, Odette the pademelon, Walter the wombat and little Tiny, the honey possum. Together the friends get up to all sorts of mischief and adventure – in the very best of ways.

I personally don’t know of any 6-year-olds who wouldn’t want to live inside this beautifully rendered treehouse with a menagerie of Australian animals as their best friends.

Announcement: A Very KBR Christmas Wishlist 2024

As the world seems to grow more confining and life more confounding, we here at KBR take a moment to ponder, as always, the pure simplicity of childhood. It's wonderment, its curiosity. Its magic. Despite all the madness, it is hard to imagine a world without these precious notions. 

And so, this year's Team's Christmas Question was simply:

If you could ask Santa for one thing and one thing only for Christmas, what would it be? 

Grab a fruit mince pie or two or three, sit back and enjoy our team's responses. 

From all of us to all of you who have read, shared and enjoyed our reviews and features throughout 2024, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May your New Year be filled with light and joy and a magic that sustains and endures forevermore. 

Review: The Completely Chaotic Christmas Of Lottie Brooks

The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks is one of a bestselling series, penned and illustrated with amusing stick figures by Katie Kirby.

It’s easy to see why these books are delighting readers young and old – the writing is fresh, funny and fabulous.

Lottie Brooks is one of those tween characters who is sometimes all-bluff, sometimes all-heart, and you sort of fall in love with her either way.

She is a frustratingly endearing creature who creates crazy and embarrassing moments in every aspect of her life – the word ‘chaotic’ in the title is an understatement.

Lottie’s voice is clear and engaging, even when her actions are heart-stoppingly ridiculous. She constantly gets herself into awkward situations, giving readers the joy of watching her squirm out of them.

Review: The Welcome Cookies

This warm hug of a book made me want to scoop up armfuls of welcome cookies, throw them into the blue sky and have them rain down on me with abandon.

It’s one of those very special stories where every page-turn is a cornucopia of discovery, filled with things to make your mouth water – and your tummy rumble.

Mabel loves visiting the Sugar Plum Café, and specifically she loves visiting Miss Plum because of her radiant smile (among other things, of course. She is a café owner after all!). 

Review: When Santa Got Stuck In A Gum Tree

Well, this book is an absolute delight.

In essence, it’s as the title suggests - the tale of Santa becoming snagged on the branch of a gum tree, while the local natives try (and mostly fail) to help him down. 

Eventually, of course, the day is saved but not before some very funny situations which, let’s just say, include Santa losing his boots and pants.

Told in joyful, masterful rhyme, this book is a gem that begs to be read aloud. Author Jackie Hosking does not shy away from using sometimes long and wonderful-sounding words that make the reading experience a true pleasure.

Review: Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Sleigh

From Mo Willems’ best-selling Don’t Let The Pigeon… series, comes this cracker.

Father Christmas has to step away from his sleigh for a short while, and before he goes, he asks the reader to make sure that nobody steals it. Especially not the pigeon.

And, well, if you want to see a pigeon having a tantrum mid-strut, then look no further. This is the book for you.

Mo Willems’ much beloved pigeon series has delivered again, with ho ho hos and surprises aplenty.

Review: One Wise Sheep

One Wise Sheep is a Christmas story – the Christmas story – with a difference.

A short, illustrated chapter book, this is the nativity story from the perspective of the sheep on the sidelines, a flock made up of a unique characters.

They include a sheep who wears a bobble hat, one who has a special side part, one with an eye patch, and others. There's also one who has has been separated from the rest of the flock because it has a cold.

Now just imagine if when their shepherds disappear, one of the sheep reports seeing a bright light, which they believe to be a UFO.

Eventually another sheep discovers a different story from a nearby goat. It wasn’t a UFO. There were winged messengers spreading the word that a special baby has been born. 

Review: The Impatient Glacier

Glaciers are notoriously slow moving, hence the term glacial pace, and in The Impatient Glacier, the speed just isn’t enough. 

The glacier star of this story is a frozen, tall character depicted in an anthropomorphic cartoon form.

When the glacier packs his bags and leaves determined to explore new places and enjoy the world. 

One place he wants to visit is the beach, and to get there he will go through different kinds of environments. 

As he travels, he becomes impatient with how glacially slow the pace is. The glacier tries various methods to go faster, including a pair of skis, express post, and train.

Review: Greg the Galah, Superstar!

According to Greg the Galah, Superstar! bird species each have unique personalities, and many love attention. 

In this story the birds might look like those you've seen before, or perhaps not. They might act somewhat differently, too.

Galahs have a reputation for being silly and funny. Like a silly galah. But Greg is a galah who isn’t like that at all. 

Greg is incredibly polite and introverted. He never makes jokes, and he’s shy. 

Bruce the budgie is Greg’s best friend and quite the opposite. Bruce makes silly noises, loves dancing and trying new things.

Review: Twinning: BFFs (NOT); Twinning: Skipping Stars

These are The Top Secret Diaries of Twin Sisters. 

A fantastic read, they are part of a series with wonderful characters, light-hearted narratives, and a focus on multicultural - people and customs.

Ten-year-old Grace and Izzy are identical twins. But that’s where the likeness stops.

They love each other very much, but there is friendly sibling rivalry between them. 

 Sharing a bedroom is challenging.

Totally different in character, Izzy is untidy, loud, feisty, and loves hamburgers.

Grace is quiet and thoughtful. She loves to read, art, wear fashionable clothes, and eat vegetarian food.

Review: Ethel the Penguin

Penguins are cute and cuddly, at least if cartoons are to be believed. 

In Ethel the Penguin, with its rhyming text and bright pictures, you’ll
met a penguin who lives in a semi-detached iceberg next door to her best friend. 

Ethel goes to school and often does what’s least expected. 

When Ethel decides she wants to ride a ferris wheel, and takes off without eating dinner, her parents can’t believe it. When they find her atop the ferris wheel Ethel doesn’t want to come down. She loves it.

Review: Party Rhyme

This fold out board-book from the author of Rhyme Cordial and Rhyme Hungry is delightfully surprising and surprisingly funny.

It’s PARTY RHYME!
Put on your PARTY BAT,

enjoy the LIZZIE DRINKS,

but don’t eat too much HAIRY BREAD!

As the name suggests, this book contains delightful jokes and puns, witty rhymes and playful language.

Review: How We Share Cake

This rather gorgeous story from acclaimed author/illustrator Kim Hyo-eun, is told in the voice of a little Korean girl who is one of five children. 

Everything about How We Share Cake feels fresh, shiny and new. It’s a total delight.

Our narrator tells us that ‘we can split anything.’ She then explains how to divide an orange or a pie five ways, and the optimal place to sit at the dinner table… (There’s no contest - one is closer to the delicious egg rolls and another is next to the youngest child, with his sticky little grabbing toddler hands).