Review: I'm Very Busy by Oliver Jeffers

 Have all Bridget's friends forgotten her birthday?

Written & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's

Publication date: 14th October 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU (hardcover)

Today is Bridget's birthday. The perfect day to spend with friends.

One by one Bridget asks her friends if they have plans for later in the day. Each of them announce they have lots to do and are very busy. 

When Pearl overhears Bridget mention her birthday the friends quickly band together, each denying that they did actually forget. They all pitch in and plan the perfect day to spend together.

I'm Very Busy is a welcome reminder to children, and their carers, that in today's busy world it's easy to forget the most important thing; finding time for friends.

In I'm Very Busy Jeffers adds lots of humour which lightens what could otherwise be a sad moment. The story includes a very strong theme of; even if we do sometimes get it wrong there is always a way to redeem ourselves and be there for our friends.

Sometimes you come across a children's book that seems to be subtly aimed at the caregivers and I think I'm Very Busy is one of them. In this busy, busy world we all need to find time to be there for our friends and family.

Jeffers' illustrations are whimsical and filled with fun, and I love how the use of pastel colour is added throughout the story. The illustrations are soft and spare and don't overpower the story but add a dimension of whimsy.

my rating 5 / 5 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

Recommended age: 3+  years

#imverybusy #childrenspicturebook #oliverjeffers #ausbookbloggers #booksaboutbirthdays #booksaboutfriendship #childrensbookswithhumour

Review: The Haunted Jungle by Nathan Stafford & Kelly Hughes

The Adventures of Nathan's Lawns and Gardens 

Social media sensation Nathan Stafford, along with his partner Kelly Hughes, have produced an engaging and fun picture book that delivers an important message of kindness to others.

Nathan likes to help deserving members of the community. He mows lawns and tidies gardens where they have grown out of control and become overwhelming for the residents.

Illustrated by Vaughan Duck

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 18th September 2025

Series: The Adventures of Nathan's Lawns and Gardens #1

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 30

RRP: $22.00AU (hardcover)

Source: Own purchase

There were scary noises coming from Nanny Nancy's yard and the local children called it The Haunted Jungle and stayed well away.

Follow along on this fun adventure as Nathan and his trusty lawnmower Turbo uncover the mystery of The Haunted Jungle and help out a neighbour along the way.

The book features delightful double page colour spreads illustrated in cartoon style by Vaughan Duck with lots of behind the scene placements, little things that bring the story to life. Such as, the pair of sneakers hanging on the telegraph lines and the little water bottle sitting beside the basketball court.

I loved the cute little gnomes placed throughout the story. They create an engaging look and find element to the book.

The Haunted Jungle is a story that teaches young readers about performing acts of kindness without expecting rewards.

At the back of the book is a labelled illustration of Nathan's safety gear and Turbo's mower parts.

Bravo Nathan and Kelly, The Haunted Jungle is a fun picture book that I'm certain will be loved by children everywhere.

Follow Nathan's Lawns and Gardens on Facebook where he has 5.7 million followers and on Instagram where he has 3 million followers. I never thought I would be so engrossed in someone mowing lawns. 🤣

🏥A portion of the proceeds from each book will go to Westmead Children's Hospital.

My rating 5 / 5 🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

#nathanslawnsandgardens #thehauntedjungle #theadventuresofnathanslawnsandgardens #childrenspicturebook #australianauthor #debut #newseriesforchildren #ausbookbloggers

Review: Cleo the Cloud by Bec Benini

Cleo the Cloud is a heartwarming story about a little cloud who found her place in the sky. 

Written & illustrated by Bec Benini

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 25

RRP: $22.00AU (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the  author

Cleo the Cloud is an endearing story about feeling different and not quite enough.

☁️Cleo is a small fluffy cloud who feels she is not as interesting or as beautiful as the other clouds around her.

☁️Cleo ventures off across the sky to find another cloud just like her but what she learns on her journey is that even though she is small she is capable of making a difference and bringing about change.

☁️Bec Benini’s delightful and heartlifting illustrations reflect the changing colours of the landscape and night sky as little Cleo travels across the sky.

☁️Cleo the Cloud is a wonderful story that will help children embrace their differences and feel more confident in themselves.

Cleo the Cloud is available now to purchase through Amazon and Dymocks stores.

My rating 5 / 5 ⛅⛅⛅⛅⛅

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

#cleothecloud #selfacceptance #childrenspicturebook #justkidslit #ausbookbloggers #australianauthor #kidsbookswelove #debutpicturebook #becbenini #littlesquirrelsbookshelf

Review: Juniper's Painting by Catherine Bauer

 Join Juniper in this enchanting children's picture book as she turns a dull day into a bright and sunny day through patience and creativity.

Illustrated by Jennifer Horn

Publisher: Wombat Books

Publication date: 7th October 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $26.99AU

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour PR

Juniper loves spending time on the beach but today is a murky day with the sun covered by rain clouds forcing everyone indoors.

After exhausting all her inside activities Juniper's mind wanders back to the beach and the sand.

Her mother asks her to paint a picture while she finishes off some work. Juniper imagines the beach on a bright sunny day and she was soon immersed in painting a glorious summer scene.

Juniper's Painting is such a delightful picture book. First we see the murky grey day with the wind blowing, then Juniper trying her best to amuse herself while her mother is busy working. 

Juniper's Painting teaches young children that while it may be cold and dark outside you can still conjure a bright sunny day by creating the sunny memories inside you.

I really liked the message that sometimes mum is busy and Juniper had to find ways to amuse herself but once mum was free she took Juniper down to the beach.

It portrays an important message of patience and rewards.

Jennifer Horn's watercolour illustrations perfectly reflect the atmosphere Catherine Bauer is portraying in the story. I think Jennifer was the perfect choice for illustrator.

The illustrations start off in blacks and greys with a tiny touch of colour that catches the eye. As Juniper starts to paint the colours emerge, blues, greens, reds and yellows, subtle but empowering.

Juniper's Painting is not only the perfect story book for an inside day but also a great introduction to teaching children to paint their feelings.

My rating 5 / 5 🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#juniperspainting #catherinebauer #childrenspicturebook #australainauthor #blogtour #booksontour #justkidslit #kidsbookswelove

Review: The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson

We loved Afloat in Venice here at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf! This was a fun and adventurous story about a toy monkey holidaying in Venice.

With the Covid shutdown (something we all want to forget) little Monkey was stranded at home so mum, Tina Wilson, decided an imaginative adventure in his own home would keep Monkey and his reader friends entertained.

Photography by Tina Wilson

Music by Matt Ottley

Knitting by Joan Wilson

Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing

Publication day: 1st October 2025

Series: Monkey's Great Adventures #2

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: $25.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

Monkey is sure there is a monster in the bathroom because it always makes a HUGE mess. One day he decides he must find this MESSY bath monster and dives deep into his bath water. What ensues is a delightful adventure as Monkey comes across some giant, and not so giant, sea creatures in his search for The Messy Bath Monster. Will he find out who is making all the mess?

The Messy Bath Monster not only features the amazing knitting talent of Tina's mother Joan Wilson but also has accompanying music by Matt Ottley, which can be downloaded by scanning the QR code in the book. Matt Ottley's music adds a unique element to this gorgeous children's picture book.

The wonderful array of hand knitted sea creatures combine with imaginative photographed scenes to offer an engaging and fun read-aloud story experience.

Big bright pages and limited text will keep even younger children engaged as when combined with the music the book is very much a sensory experience.

Reading The Messy Bath Monster along with its accompanying music invites children and their carers to slow down, engage and reflect on life's simple pleasures.

If you are a knitter, like me, you will love that pattern links to some of the knitted sea creatures are in the back of the book.

My rating 5 / 5 🐒🐒🐒🐒🐒

Recommended age: 2+

#themessybathmonster #tinawilsonartist #childrenspicturebook #afloatinvenice #ausbookbloggers #monkeysgreatadventures #bookswithknitting

Review: The Finch Who Lost Her Wing by Annie Kwan

I've been reading some beautiful and heartfelt children's books lately and The Finch Who Lost Her Wing is another glorious addition to that list. 

Illustrated by Laura Bee

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: $35.00AUD (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

The Finch Who Lost Her Wing is a magical story of kindness and self discovery. Finch is asked by Owl to perform three acts of kindness.

She helps an ibis stuck in a fishing net, a wombat stuck in a log and a cricket caught in a spider’s web but she still feels sad and dejected. She soon learns that you also need to be kind to yourself and see all the good you have inside you.

Love yourself flaws and all - be kind to others. You are perfectly perfect just the way you are.
Strikingly illustrated by Laura Bee with beautiful double page spreads that reflect the colours of the natural landscape. Laura has hidden a tiny lady beetle on each page which added an element of fun when reading the book.
The only problem I had whilst reading the book aloud was that some pages rhymed and others didn't, and the scheme of the rhyming wasn't consistent. which altered the flow of the words. However, Jay said he loved the story and in the end that's the important thing.
My rating 4 / 5 🐦🐦🐦🐦
Recommended age: 3 - 10 years
The book is available for purchase on Annie’s website:
https://www.anniekwan.com
#thefinchwholostherwing #anniekwan #laurabee #childrensbooks #childrenspicturebook #australianauthor #ausbookbloggers #bookstagramforkids #booksreadin2025 #littlesquirrelsbookshelf

Review: Tiny Dancer by Patrick Guest

Some creatures live for decades or even centuries, but mayflies live for just one day.

 illustrated by Mateja Jager

Publisher: WestWords Ltd

Imprint: Dirt Lane Press

Publication date: August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $27.95AUD (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Mateja Jager’s beautiful artwork, through pencil drawings and watercolours, perfectly portrays the delicate nature of the mayfly.

Eye catching double page spreads and gentle, calming text make Tiny Dancer the ideal book for quiet time. This visually stunning and tender tale will have children eager for more information on the different life spans of animals. Patrick Guest depicts the short but spectacular life-cycle of the mayfly in all its awe and wonder.

Konomi, the mayfly, is pictured as a beautiful dancer with satin shoes and the sheerest wings of printed silk.

Follow Konomi as she wonders at the beauty of the world around her. She leaps and dances and plays. Tiny Dancer is a simple reminder to slow down and reflect on the simple pleasures of life.

I love a book that has me searching the internet for more information. It is the perfect way to expand on the story and teach young children how to search out more information on a topic of interest.

Tiny Dancer is the perfect book for little nature lovers with inquisitive minds.

My rating 5 / 5 🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years