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Pankration – Dyan Blacklock
Allen & Unwin ISBN:9781864482959 Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $17.99 I was never a big fan of the Olympics but became completely disenchanted following the selection of Beijing as a host, for so many reasons- and now, for just as many the fact that Brisbane will host them and cause endless misery to so many…
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Florence & Fox The Pet Mouse – Zanni Louise. Illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Walker Books Australia July 2024 ISBN13:9781760655525 Australia RRP:$25.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Well if this isn’t just too cute for words, I don’t know what is! It is both charming and sweet, and I’m already in love with these little characters, as will be your Smalls – guaranteed! When Fox asks Florence if she wants to…
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The Riding Gallery – Sally Murphy. Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek
Walker Books Australia July 2024 ISBN13:9781760657345 Australia RRP:$16.99 New Zealand RRP:$18.99 Yes, I said not so long ago that I’m not a huge fan of verse novels, and there are only a few exceptions. Sally Murphy’s are one of those rare anomalies. Each one is so utterly absorbing, with such beautiful narrative flow that I…
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Clarice Bean Smile – Lauren Child
Harper Collins Australia April 2024 Yesterday was a very grumpy day. Although there was lots of good stuff in it, I was extremely annoyed to find out that someone has literally passed my own words off as their own, and, not for the first time, used my work to put focus on their own, without…
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The House at the End of the World – Victoria M. Adams
Walkers Books Australia July 2024 Imprint: Andersen Press ISBN13:9781839134234 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Isn’t it exciting when you read an author’s debut novel and are just blown away? You know you can look forward to more and that’s always a thrill. Victoria M. Adams has woven a story of Fey and family, grief and…
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The Miraculous Sweetmakers #1: The Frost Fair- Natasha Hastings. Illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Harper Collins Australia April 2024 I had read about the Frost Fairs in London some time ago, after a mention of these in another book and they really must have been quite a spectacle. An authentic Frost Fair will never happen again – read here to find out why – but there is quite a…
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Pearl and Friends #3: The Flower Fairy – Sally Odgers. Adele K. Thomas
Scholastic Australia March 2024 ISBN 9781761203046 RRP: $9.99 There is absolutely no sign of the Smalls’ fascination with unicorns, magic, and fairies abating – thank goodness!! We have enough trouble in the world without our Littles losing their love of all things sparkly. Sally Odgers has long proven her skill in writing highly engaging and…
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Camp Chaos: Willa and Woof # 7 – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrations by A. Yi
Penguin Australia June 2024 Each new Willa and Woof adventure makes me think “Oh this is the best yet!” but, somehow, they just keep coming – and getting better! I really LOVE this one. It makes me, as an adult, think of all the camps I’ve taken kiddos on, both school and with Brownies (later…
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The Daredevil Princess and the Fire Dragon: #3 – Belinda Murrell. Illustrated by Rebecca Crane.
Penguin Australia Princess Tillie and Honeyblossom are back in another exciting mystery/adventure, this time with a very large, very pink and very grumpy dragon with which to deal. Yet again, there is trouble in the Queendom when suddenly all the water begins to dry up – wells, fountains, animal troughs, the castle moat, all have…
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