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Picture Book Month Bonus: Frances Bloom – Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova.
Harper Collins October 2025 Earlier this year I was not only excited to find out that Katrina had a new series on the way but was invited to write notes to support this first Frances Bloom and what fun it was! Anyone, young or old, who has loved Pippi Longstocking will fall in love with…
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Lots of B books today beginning with B for Birthday: I’m Very Busy: a (nearly forgotten) birthday book – Oliver Jeffers
Harper Collins Australia October 2025 Who doesn’t love Oliver Jeffers’ books? They are always amusing but also have real depth to them, and it’s those layers that make them all the more special. It’s Bridget’s birthday and she wants to spend it with friends because that’s always more fun. I can vouch for this, my…
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The Drought Kangaroo – Jackie French
Harper Collins Australia October 2025 A new Jackie French is always a moment for celebration. When I’m invited to write supporting notes for one, I’m even more excited. This new one follows on from The Fire Wombat and The Turtle and the Flood in the sense that it continues to tell a story based on…
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The Cave Downwind of the Café – Mikey Please
Harper Collins Australia October 2025 I didn’t see the previous book, The Café at the Edge of the Woods, but as it won Waterstones’ Picture Book of the Year it would be obvious that it was a great success. Certainly, this quirky sequel confirms that. Actually, this is a prequel to that one as it…
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Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish – Judith Rossell
Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Continuing the impromptu ‘cat’ theme is this deliciously funny new title from Judith Rossell, which will be perfect for your newly independent readers. These are two cats that are the very epitome of their species. They are self-indulgent, wilful, cheeky, devious, greedy and utterly hilarious in their conniving antics. One…
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Krstel Kicks to Win: Kimberley Kickers #2 – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler. Illustrated by Samantha Campbell
Harper Collins Australia July 2025 Last year I had the pleasure of not just reviewing the first in this series – Jy Goes for Gold – but also writing teaching notes for it. Back then I predicted that this would prove a real winner with the kiddos and that’s true enough. Don’t think for one…
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Mega Rich Guinea Pigs – Kate and Jol Temple
Harper Collins Australia August 2025 ISBN : 9781460767207 RRP: $16.99 Why yes, when it comes to The Kid and I, of course our fondness for rodentia extends to guinea pigs . Although, we only had the one, and that one only for a short time. Only The Kid, then at the height of her home zoo phase,…
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My Dog – Olivia Wakeford
the story of an extraordinary friendship Harper Collins Australia ISBN: 9780008658588 ISBN 10: 0008658587 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $17.99 This one I will say was at times, a bit too close to the bone for me. That being said, it is truly a special book that will touch the hearts of sophisticated primary readers and, I would suggest,…
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