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The Samosa Rebellion – Shanthi Sekaran
Harper Collins AustraliaNovember 2023 This author is completely new to me, but by all accounts very well-known and highly thought of in America where she is a novelist and TV writer. This is her first middle-grade book and completely captivated me from the first page. Set in the fictional island nation of Mariposa, protagonist Muki…
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Artichoke to Zucchini: an alphabet of delicious things from around the world – Alice Oehr
Scribe Publications November 2023 Imprint: Scribble ISBN: 9781761380617 RRP: $24.99 Two things of which you can be guaranteed: 1) kiddos love vibrant picture books 2) kiddos love food. This gorgeous book, therefore, is guaranteed to be a hit. Alphabet books are eternally popular, both for teaching purposes and just for the fun of reading, but this…
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The Peak: Spy Academy #1 – Jack Heath
Scholastic Australia February 2024 ISBN: 9781761290473 ISBN-10: 1761290479 Series: Spy Academy RRP: $17.99 Way back in 2005, I went to the ASLA Conference in Canberra. What a fun three days that was: made new friends, fancy-pants dinner at Parliament House, late-night escapade to the casino, my first visit to Jackie French, and listening to the hottest new author…
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Sensational Australian Animals – Stephanie Owen Reeder. Illustrated by Cher Hart.
CSIRO Publishing February 2024 | $ 29.99ISBN: 9781486316892 This new book from Stephanie Owen Reeder is every bit as sensational as the titular creatures! She has taken a very original approach to this factoid smorgasbord, by categorising animals aligned with each of the five (basic) senses. Check out the list of contents below to see…
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Chasing the Stars: Moonlight Dreamers #4 – Siobhan Curham
Walker Books Australia November 2023 Imprint:Walker Books ISBN13: 9781529504026 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Don’t think for one moment, that though this came out in November and I’m not reviewing it till now, that I put it off. In fact, I didn’t receive at the time of its release but only last week (as of…
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80 Years Without Dementia: diagnosis doesn’t define life – Lisa Twigg
Inspirational Writers You could say this is a review with a difference, because it is a local book, but also a book of universal reference. Lisa Twigg, is a member of our Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Lifesaving Club, along with The Kid, and that is how I came to know her. Her book, while slim, is loaded…
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Swimming on the Moon – Brian Conaghan
Bloomsbury May 2023 ISBN 9781526653925 Imprint Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP: $16.99 I had missed release info on this one, but as soon as I found out about it, I especially requested it (thank you Bloomsbury!) because I have been in love with Brian Conaghan’s writing since Cardboard Cowboys (do yourself a favour and read it!).…
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Super Sloth Episode #1 – The Shar-Wolf of New York City – Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Cheri Hughes.
Big Sky Publishing April 2023 ISBN: 9781922896537 RRP: $14.99 What’s that I hear you say? This book was published in April last year, and I’m only just reviewing it now? Riddikulus! But, in my defense, I would point out that I only received yesterday – it’s been somewhat of a mission one way or another. Also…
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Salt Water Therapy
Here are four picture books all of which centre on the ocean but with very different purpose, style and execution, each of them truly lovely. Beach Song – Ros Moriarty. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell Allen & Unwin January 2024 ISBN:9781761180248 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Ros Moriarty comments ‘my emotional wellbeing…
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Congratulations to Sally Rippin!
Our new Australian Laureate 2024-2025, Sally Rippin – click to find out more, especially my readers from around the world. You will learn more about Sally as well as the Australian Laureateship. Check out Sally’s extensive bibiliography here at Hardie Grant Publishing.
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