At The End of Holyrood Lane

I’d like to acknowledge I reviewed this for StoryLinks. Below is separate book chat with 7-year-old girl. At The End of Holyrood Lane is more than a picture book about a young girl being frightened of storms. It’s a book about the frightening stormy reality of domestic violence. The inside page affirms this with the logos Act…

Just Like Maisie

by Lyn Lysaught and Daniela Frongia This early readers book can be likened to ‘Where’s Wally’. ‘Just Like Maisie’ is about a beagle whose disguises will have children laughing and pointing where to find Maisie. It’s a fun-loving story of a beagle who is not staying in a dog kennel while Mr and Mrs Harris…

Happily Ever After, The Little Mermaid

Happily, Ever After, The Little Mermaid is a retold story. It’s about Ariel, the little mermaid, who longed to see the world above. In this story Ariel is 14 going on 15. It could segue to open-up discussion about stereotypes and relationships, providing it’s compared with real-life expectations. Author Alex Field, has included the familiar…

The World’s Worst Pirate

(2018 CBCA Notable) By Michelle Worthington and  Katrin Dreiling   When ‘The World’s Worst Pirate’ bobbed above my horizon, I eyed it and thought what could possibly be different about this pirate book? It’s a gregarious fun-loving picture book. It’ll toss you about, like young Will, with the rise and fall of the seafaring ship.…

The Very Noisy Baby

(2018 CBCA Notable) Written and Illustrated by Alison Lester ‘The Very Noisy Baby’ is a sweet early childhood picture book about a baby who mimics animals sounds. One by one, a community of people are drawn together in their quest to find their missing owl, horse, cow etc., As each person knocks on the door,…

Turtle Love

Author Renee Hills and Illustrator Anna Jacobson ‘Turtle Love’ starts with a young boy skipping out the front door to greet the day, greet his friends and the beach that lay ahead. He and his friends savour the grit of the sand, the slapping waves, the flying seagulls and scurrying little soldier crabs. The glorious…

Turtle Needs Help

Author Luise Manning and Illustrator Elizabeth Burnett ‘Turtle Needs Help’ will have a major effect on saving loggerhead turtles — when used as a stepping stone towards their survival. This book will pique a child’s curiosity about how they can protect this ocean creature. As most children are fascinated with turtles, they’ll be keen to help. Manning…

Parmesan The Reluctant Racehorse

Written by Jacqui Halpin and Illustrated by John Phillips How delightfully disturbing having a horse behaving like a dog – a racehorse at that. Even the name Parmesan was intriguing as it has the same namesake as the dry Italian parmesan pasta cheese. At the author’s storytelling, I looked and listened to her reading the book.…

Meet… Sidney Nolan

Written by Yvonne Mes & Illustrated by Sandra Eterovic   Meet… Sidney Nolan is a well crafted story which follows painter Sidney Nolan’s life. It starts with an earnest little boy, who lifts his grandfather’s tales into his imagination. Next, a young Sidney tries to follow his dream of capturing his fascination for bushranger, Ned Kelly…

The Fix It Man

Author Dimity Powell & Illustrator Nicky Johnston   The Fix It Man is a heart-felt and joyful story. It tenderly looks at the early stages of grief. The portrayal of a young girl who believes her Dad can fix anything sets up this delightful picture book. No matter the problem or how many of those ‘It was an…