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Pidge’s Poppies – Jan Andrews/Timothy Ide
Ford St Publishing April 2024 ISBN: 9781922696380 RRP:$26.99 It is often strange how the planets align themselves at times. It was only a few months that I took The Kid to Canberra and we spent quite a bit of time at the War Memorial discussing points of interest such as her great-grandfather, Lancaster Bombers, the…
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Losing the Plot – Annaleise Byrd
Walker Books Australia March 2024 ISBN13:9781760656409 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 It certainly gives me great pleasure to review this debut middle-grade novel from local (and indeed, almost neighbour) Annaleise Byrd. Your readers of such titles as Pages & Co and Inkspell, in which literature and real life mix and meld, will love this new…
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Anzac Ted -(10th Anniversary edition): Belinda Landsberry
EK Books March 2024 ISBN: 9781922539755 RRP: $29.99 Sometimes appearances are misleading, as adults we know that. So for some children who see a battered, raggedy and worn-out teddy bear with missing parts, it would be natural to be dismissive or even contemptuous. My own Tedward is, after 67 years, in a pretty sad and sorry…
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Q&A with Belinda Murrell
Welcome to Just So Stories, Belinda! And how exciting to have you here at last (I have no idea why it’s taken so long really!). But with the debut of another brand-new series, it certainly is good timing. Let’s start off at the very beginning. Tell us about Belinda the little girl: family (of course,…
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The Daredevil Princess and the Goblin King [#2] – Belinda Murrell. Illustrated by Rebecca Crane.
Penguin Random House February 2024 After a slight hiccup in delivery, here is #2 in Belinda’s fun new series for your younger readers. Those kiddos who are now so proud of being able to read ‘chapter books’, all of whom will relish the humour and adventure in these stories. Princess Tillie, now constantly accompanied by…
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Little Matilda and the Lost Bunny – Caz Goodwin. Illustrated by Shaney Hyde.
February 2024 It took Little Matilda a while to find friends so it is understandable that she isn’t always aware of how important it is to treat our friends (indeed, anyone) with kindness. And, as we know, for Smalls their emotions can run rampant, as they haven’t quite yet learned to self-regulate these. Little Matilda…
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Ferris – Kate DiCamillo
Walker Books Australia April 2024 ISBN13:9781760659240 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$24.99 I got the ARC of this a week or so ago (27/2 today) and, of course, binged it in one night because – well, it’s Kate and it’s just marvellous, as one would expect. I mean – have you ever read one of Kate’s…
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National Day for War Animals
A few weeks ago I reviewed the beautiful new picture book Wear a Purple Poppy. I was going to schedule it for today but knew that there would be many who would wish to order in time to share, now that everyone is well and truly back at school. So here are a few more…
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Two Rabbits: even best friends argue sometimes- Larissa Ferenchuk and Prue Pittock
EK Books January 2024 ISBN: 9781922539656 RRP: $26.99 How utterly adorable is that cover? and how could I possibly resist this one? After all – rabbits!! It is essentially a very simple narrative but one that has a really powerful message, subtly delivered. These two little rabbits are the best of friends but when they have…
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