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Plantabulous!
New South Books From Albatros Books/Media are two absolutely delightful new titles. Both about plants, both non-fiction, both exquisitely designed but providing lower-middle primary kiddos with information about plants from two different angles. How Plants Talk – Helena Haraštová. Illustrated by Linh Dao 9788000068114 / 1 August 2023 AUD$24.99, NZD$29.99 Your Smalls will be fascinated to see…
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Escape from Cuttlefish Cove- Rachel Jackson
Riveted Press Dist: Simon & Schuster September 2024 ISBN13: 9780645869392 LIST PRICE: AU$ 17.99 / NZ$ 19.99 I don’t recall ‘choose your own adventure’ books when I was reading as a child but I certainly remember those my girls enjoyed in the 80s. My Kim’s especial favourites were the Enid Blyton adventure game series. She…
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The Frog Squad #2: Bungle in the Jungle – Kate and Jol Temple. Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon.
Harper Collins Australia December 2024 The Temple two have such a fabulous skill in creating hugely humorous reads for kids, without degenerating into crassness. It is one of the reasons I love reviewing their books. And the Frog Squad is certainly proving to be a hilarious delight with this second instalment. The punster in me…
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I Am Rebel – Ross Montgomery
Walker Books Australia June 2024 ISBN13:9781529502909 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Dog stories are ever popular. We have seen this time and again over the years and this newest one from Ross Montgomery will both move and inspire readers as it narrates the unbreakable bond between young master and loyal doggo. In an imagined dystopian…
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Maisy Big, Maisy Small: a book of rhyming opposites – Lucy Cousins
Walker Books Australia January 2025 ISBN: 9781529514209 ISBN-10: 1529514207 RRP: $24.99 Of one thing we can be certain, and that is, Maisy never loses her appeal for little (and even bigger) Smalls! This is an updated version of one of Lucy Cousins’ most popular concept books featuring one of our favourite mouse characters. With big, bold colours…
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We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-year-old Overlord – Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781761180491 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children You know as soon as you hold a new Garth Nix book that you are in for a treat. Usually a creepy, oft-bizarre and freakish treat, but a treat none-the-less. Your readers who are into such vibes as Stranger Things, The X-Files, Wednesday,…
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The Bee Squad
Boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood – Judy Friedlander New South Books Ferbruary 2025 ISBN: 9781742238227 RRP: $27.99 Last year there were quite a few books come my way with bugs and biodiversity featured. This one is almost a complete wrap-up of them all in a non-fiction package. We know kiddos are enthusiastic about environmental activities.…
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The Little Engine that Could – Watty Piper
Scholastic Australia December 2024 ISBN: 9781761642449 ISBN-10: 1761642448 RRP: $19.99 As I read this [I’ve lost count of how many times I have done so over the years] ready to write this review, it is Xmas Eve. And, as happens, all my loved ones who are missing are strongly in my mind. My dear Mum, who would…
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Summer of Shipwrecks – Shivaun Plozza
UQP September 2024 ISBN 9780702268373 RRP: $16.99 2024 was, as I’ve said many times, a year for splendid Australian middle-grade novels and this, the latest from Shivaun Plozza is a prime example. That transition between end of primary/start of secondary is a difficult time for many tweens. It’s often a time when long-held friendships unravel…
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