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Picture Book Month Bonus #5: Secret Sparrow – Jackie French
November 2023 Yet again, Jackie brings her extraordinary talent for both unearthing hidden history, and weaving it into gripping narrative to readers. It seems that shedding light on the long-lost life stories of women in action of all kinds, is a particular passion. I have been waiting for almost two months to post this review…
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Cricket by Bluey
Penguin Australia December 2023 We know when the season changes in Brisbane. The jacarandas are blooming and the local cricketers are back in the parks and ovals. Of course, there’s a few other matches on TV as well *wink* and, altogether, we know that spring is here, summer is on its way, cicadas will be…
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An A to Z of Dreaming Differently – Tracey Dembo. Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
Penguin Books Australia This is an alphabet book with a difference. It is actually an extended affirmation for your kiddos, and will give them much to think about, as well as opening up lots of conversations. Just flick through the slideshow to see some of the positive text and Lucia’s (as always) exquisite illustrations. With…
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Not-So-Little Red Riding Hood – Michael Rosen. Illustrated by David Melling.
Harper Collins Australia October 2023 Honestly, when have you ever read anything less than wonderful by Michael Rosen? Exactly! This is a really fun update on the traditional fairy tale, that will sit beautifully with a unit of work on fractured fairytales or innovations on traditional stories, as well as being just plain fun to…
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Wombats are Pretty Weird: a [not so] serious guide – Abi Cushman
Harper Collins Australia October 2023 Here in the land of Down Under, we are pretty relaxed about wombats. They are, for many of us, the most loveable buffoons of the marsupial clan. They have been immortalised in literally dozens of picture books, including, so notably, Jackie French’s wombat series, ensuring that our kiddos are pretty…
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Ancestory: [the mystery and majesty of ancient cave art] – Hannah Salyer
Harper Collins Australia October 2023 The publisher describes this as a ‘winning combo of art and science’ and really, I can’t say better myself. To be honest, though of course I’m well aware that many other countries have examples of fine prehistoric cave art, I had always been more or less only interested in our…
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The Billabong Bush Dance – Amy Dunjey. Illustrated by Tyrown Waigana.
Five Mile March 2023 9781922857422 $24.99 Some of us could dance quite beautifully when we were children, and could still do a fair boogie as an adult, and even belly dance for quite a few years- until older age started creeping up and scuppered any more dance moves forever. So I, for one, can totally…
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Picture Book Month Bonus #3: Starberries and Kee- Cate Whittle
Storytorch Press May 2023 ISBN: 9780645191554 RRP: $17.95 Audio Interview with Cate @ Living Arts Canberra More years ago than I care to remember, I was a subscriber to, and devotee of Grass Roots magazine. I pretty much daydreamed constantly about having the kind of life that Hannah finds herself in when she and her…
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Little Treasure – Chanelle Gosper. Illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith.
Hachette MAR 2023 | 9780734421494 | RRP $24.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Just because it has taken me so long to get to this, is no indication of its worth. It was one of the unfortunates that got caught up in the Great House Move, and when it recently came to light again, I thought I would keep it till…
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