Maisie is learning how to swim safely. With her Dad by her side she practices jumping waves and knowing when it's better to dive under them.
When Maisie hesitates to dive under a bigger wave, she discovers the strength of the water as it tumbles her about and dumps her. Maisie's fortunate that Dad's there to pull her to safety.
Her dad Hank, a renovating fanatic, buys a run-down theatre in Tasmania, so they leave their home in Ipswich. Her mum, a therapist with her own radio program, is initially not thrilled with the idea.
Cora sees an opportunity to renovate herself in a place with new people. No more tripping over words when she speaks. Cora 2.0 will be born.
The theatre they find, has been neglected for years
and is unlivable. But Hank is excited with this new venture and its unlimited
possibilities.
Dressing Room One becomes Cora’s, and her sister Bekah’s bedroom.
Uncle Ted has moved into the basement to draw the history of the world and father believes that there is a racoon in the attic.
Pinky, Ferris’ six-year-old sister is determined to become an outlaw.
Ferris knows that she wants to hold Billy Jackson’s
hand forever.
Kate DiCamillo sets out with no rules. The beauty of her singular style is that she can mention something, then drop it to write about something else, and return to the previous issue without losing a beat.
In The Real Cowgirl, Duff's second
collaboration with Susannah Crispe, she addresses emotional unrest, anxiety, and lack
of self-confidence.
The horse is the narrator.
Her horse knows Sal better than anyone. He sees a side of her that others can’t; a clever, kind, daring, wild, fearless, and child like the cowgirl she wants to become.
In a scrap yard filled with abandoned vehicles and all manner of broken items, a young girl tinkers with bits and pieces.
Although the word death is not used, it's fairly clear what's happened.
The narrator describes the journey the girl and her dog take as they walk through the scrap yard, over mountains of junk, across water, searching for memories and leading to a place hiding something special.
A Leaf Called Greaf takes these concepts and weaves a narrative full of symbolism. It's one that can help prompt discussion of topics that can be complex.
Kelly Canby has written and illustrated the story, featuring a bear as the protagonist.
When one day a leaf lands on Bear, he names it Greaf.
Grief and loss can be a difficult subject for anyone. Duck, Death and the Tulip, written and illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch, is a unique exploration of these often challenging subjects.
In a strangely heartwarming story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. 'Who are you? Why are you creeping along behind me?' 'Good. You've finally noticed me,' said Death. 'I am Death.' Duck was startled. You couldn't blame her for that. Death, Duck and the Tulip is the much anticipated translation of Wolf Erlbruch's latest masterpiece. Death, Duck and the Tulip will intrigue, haunt and enchant teenagers and adults. Simple, unusual, warm and witty - a picture book version of The Book Thief. This book deals with a difficult subject in away that is elegant, straightforward, and thought-provoking.
Take a peek inside Duck, Death and the Tulip in this video.
We hope they inspire you to pick up a book you’ve not read before, or find a book to help explore and better understand a particular subject with readers of all ages.
A new baby is a big event for everyone.
Whether you're welcoming a baby into your own family, or you're looking for a book to give as a gift for a newborn baby, we've got you covered.
The first link below is to a list of books about preparing for a baby. These are the kinds of books that can help explain the entrance of a new member of the family, and can be especially helpful with young children.
The second and third links are lists of books that make great gifts. They include some titles about babies, and some that explore relationships, early learning concepts, and the world around us. All are favourite with the KBR team.
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2017/03/terrific-10-preparing-for-new-baby.html
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2020/07/book-list-gifts-for-newborns.html
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2017/06/terrific-10-beautiful-gift-books-to.html
We hope they inspire you to pick up a book you’ve not read before, or find a book to help explore and better understand a particular subject with readers of all ages.
Ahead of International Women's Day which is celebrated each year on 8 March, we wanted to look back at two fabulous book lists with some favourite stories about girls.
Our feisty, fictional girls list is a reminder of some classic and contemporary stories starring girls who live life to the fullest. Think Anne of Green Gables, Pippi Longstocking and Judy Moody! There are thirteen wonderful books to read.
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2017/03/book-list-feisty-fictional-girls.html
And the anti-princesses list shares ten terrific books which explore all kinds of characters who tend to break the stereotype for princesses. From riding motorbikes or ponies, to learning about life, and just being yourself, this book list has a great selection of titles to choose from.
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2017/04/terrific-10-anti-princesses.html
If you haven't read A Friend for George, written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans, you should find a copy and share it with your family. It's a particularly good story for children just starting school and making new friends.
George likes living by the sea, but he often feels lonely. He’d like to have a friend – someone to talk to, someone to share stories with and someone to laugh with. As that’s what friends do! When he meets Claude the fish, George finally discovers the joys of having a special friend, as well as learning what it means to be a good friend to someone ... for if you are, the rewards are bountiful!
In this video, Gabriel Evans explains how he was inspired to create this beautiful story about friendship, and gives some advice to aspiring authors and illustrators.
Title: A Friend for George
Author/Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Publisher: Puffin, $ 24.99
Publication Date: May 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761046506
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
The story follows Chico as he escapes through a gate that's left open and goes on an adventure.
Chico meets and greets a bunch of other dogs including Banjo the Border Collie and Ginger the Golden Retriever.
As he plays games with each of his new canine friends, Chico is wowed by their special skills.
Gary the Greyhound is fast! Much faster than Chico, but Chico can leap in the air and catch a frisbee.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming…and Jungle Drums, written and illustrated by Graeme Base.
Little Ngiri is the smallest Warthog in Africa. Tired of being teased by his bigger brothers and sisters, he wishes things could be different.
When Old Nyumbu the Wilderbeest gives Ngiri a set of magic drums, he is sure his wish is about to come true.
But all the animals of
the jungle are in for a BIG surprise as Ngiri's wish is granted in a
most unexpected way.
Title: Jungle Drums
Author/Illustrator: Graeme Base
Publisher: Puffin, $19.95
Publication Date: 2006
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143500964
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book
It follows a child through life, and all its ups and downs and roundabouts.
Learning to walk and talk. Going to school. Playing with friends.
Life changes as time moves on. And as time moves on, life seems to move more quickly, too.
As the child grows to adulthood and their own family grows, they experience many adventures, challenges, and emotions -- happiness, excitement, sadness, and even death.
A Life Song is all these things. It explores the world in words and pictures that are a symphony of people and places, events and experiences.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree…and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas.
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a small boy who has a big name - and that's why he likes Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she has too. So when he finds Miss Nancy has lost her memory, Wilfrid determines to discover what memories are so he can find it for her. This is a perennial classic, perfect for reading aloud.
Title: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Author: Mem Fox
Illustrator: Julie Vivas
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $
17.99
Publication Date: 1984
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781862918177
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Books
Created by Jarrett J Krosoczka, Sunshine is the story of a memorable summer in his teenage years. It's an experience that changes his life.
When he was sixteen, Jarrett spent one week as a student leader at Camp Sunshine, a holiday camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families.
At Camp Sunshine Jarrett meets people like thirteen-year-old Diego who has a brain tumour and uses a wheelchair. Jarrett's interest in art and his drawing abilities provide an opening for developing a friendship with Diego, and the other kids.
He learns some of the challenges, frustrations and impacts of cancer and its treatment. And he discovers that when you're faced with a life-threatening illness, personally or by close association, the way you look at life changes.
At first the reader may feel slightly off kilter by the use of so much ‘adult’ discourse and the sophisticated lexicon of Blair Moon wondering if the author has chosen the right voice for this unique 11-year-old. I assure you she has!
It is the voice of reason and logic, entrenched in a solid appreciation for common sense, varnished with a sheen of unwillingness to accept the ridiculous points of views of others. It’s the voice of someone with vast lived experiences, befitting someone living in an old people’s home, which is exactly where Blair was raised and lives.
That's the question addressed in The Art of Making Friends.
It's a sweet and appealing book, the kind that should attract the attention of young girls in particular.
Friends can come in all shapes and sizes, and can be found in all kinds of places.
The Art of Making Friends is full of friends created by a child's imagination. Friends crafted from cardboard and socks. Painted friends, snow friends, and plant friends.
But no matter how much you try, friends are not truly imagined. They can't be conjured as if by magic. Real friendship is something that grows and takes effort.
This superb picture book pays homage to every grandad regardless of size, shape, or ethnicity. What they offer is the experience of love and joy from their own life, which they draw on and pass on to their grandchildren.
Love and togetherness are the main themes on every
page and in each of the stunning, colour-filled illustrations by Nia Tudor. Expressions
of joyous time sharing is conveyed through exciting activities, food, stories, idiosyncrasies,
and weird adventures.
In Stillwater and Koo Save the World, we observe Koo and Stillwater. They're family (Stillwater is Koo's uncle) and take care of each other.
When Stillwater asks Koo what he'd like to do for the day, Koo has a big idea -- to fix everything that's wrong with the world. It's such a big idea that he isn't sure where to start.
Stillwater has his own ideas about how to help Koo with his mission. Sometimes a big idea needs to start with something smaller.