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A Small Collection of Happinesses: : A tale of loneliness, grumpiness and one extraordinary friendship – Zana Fraillon. Illustrated by Stephen Michael King.
Hachette Australia May 2024 Imprint: Lothian ISBN: 9780734422989 RRP: $14.99 Hettie is a smallish girl with a biggish imagination. She also has a biggish personality, that much is evident from the first pages of this new very different, somewhat off-beat new Zana Fraillon middle grade novel. She lives in a very unprepossessing block of flats,…
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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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Finding My Bella Vita: A story of family, food, fame and working out who you are – Pia Miranda
Hachette SEP 27, 2023 | 9780733649837 | RRP $34.99 I only quite recently re-watched Looking for Alibrandi, thoroughly enjoying it all over again, so was keen to read and review this memoir, simply on the strength of Pia’s amazing presence as Josie Alibrandi. And I was not disappointed, because her memoir is every bit as fresh, quirky and memorable as…
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A Child’s Christmas in Wales – Dylan Thomas. Illustrated by Peter Bailey.
Orion Children’s Books 2014 Hachette I first fell in love with Dylan Thomas’ work when I heard Richard Burton recite Under Milkwood, in my English class at St George Girls’ High School circa early 1970s. (see the final video for some wonderful RB vocal deliciousness). So I was thrilled with this gift from my bestie…
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We Know a Place – Maxine Beneba Clarke
Hachette AUG 30, 2023 | 9780734421579 | RRP $24.99 Imprint; Lothian Books To be fair, I probably should have reviewed this when it was Love Your Bookshop Day, but, of course, I have been hoarding picture books for this month. This is just a glorious expression of love for bookshops in general, and, specifically, Maxine’s own favourite bookshop. And,…
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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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Picture book month bonus #1: Q&A with Favel Parrett
Welcome Favel, to Just So Stories! What a pleasure it is to have you share some insights into your life and work with my readers. In 2011, you made quite the splash (sorry, had to be done!) with your debut novel Past the Shallows, shortlisted in the Miles Franklin, Winner of the Dobbie Literary Award,…
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Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes – Favel Parrett.
Hachette NOV 1, 2023 | 9780734422057 | RRP $19.99 Many readers fell in love with story of alpine dingo, Wandi, and his followers on SM are astonishing in numbers. Now comes the story of Kimmi, the tropical dingo, destined to be the Queen of her mob. A farmer in their Kimberley homeland has already killed Kimmi’s father, now her…
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How We Came to Be: Creatures of Camouflage and Mimicry – Sami Bayly
Hachette SEP 27, 2023 | 9780734421371 | RRP $19.99 Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books Sami Bayly‘s books are always something special and this new one will completely fascinate your young readers with another cavalcade of weird and wonderful creatures. In this new natural history excursion, kiddos will discover a range of cleverly evolved creatures who can camouflage themselves by various…
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Which Way Round the Galaxy – Cressida Cowell
Hachette Australia SEP 26, 2023 | 9781444973501 | RRP $22.99 IMPRINT: Hodder Children’s Books I’ve absolutely adored Cressida Cowell’s previous series – along with millions of others – but this newest one is just so crackerjack that I really think it is my favourite so far. This is the second instalment in this firecracker fantasy/adventure which centres on the…
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