Book Review: Jo and the No by Kyle Mewburn

 Jo has come across a NO. No matter how hard Jo tries to get under, over, through or around it, the NO won't let them pass.

 

 

illustrated by Judy Watson

 

Publisher: Westwords Limited

Imprint: Dirt Lane Press

Publication date: March 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$28.95 (hardback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Jo and the No is a gentle story that encourages children to overcome resistance to the unknown.

Jo is being held back by the No. They let it rule their life leading to exclusion from the things that make them happy. When Jo faces the No and overcomes the hurdle of resistance their life is filled with colour and friendship.

 

While children are taught not to be afraid to say no in certain situation to keep them safe, there are also times when no is holding them back from being their true selves and enjoying a fulfilling life. Many children are too shy to say yes to new friendships or try new adventures, Jo and the No encourages children to have the courage to push the no aside, even though at times it seems the no has taken over.

 

My rating 5 / 5 😊😊😊😊😊

recommended age: 4+ 

 

 

Book Review: Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell

Follow along for a day at the beach as a young child collects a multitude of treasures they find on the sand. What will they do with all these treasures? There is a glorious, surprising finale.

 

 illustrated by Emma Long

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 26

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Searching for Treasure has large, glorious double page spreads filled with vibrant illustrations of on shore treasures.

 

"Searching for treasure on the high tide line

one step two steps, what can you find?"

 

I loved that Searching for Treasure has two ways it can be read; large simple text is a prompt to look at the picture and point things out, plus there is small text between the treasures, educational facts winding between the illustrations. These were like hidden treasures in themselves.

 

Large cut out flaps lift to find more shoreline treasures.

 

Searching for Treasure is a beautiful, bright and bold story book perfect to be read before, or after, a trip to the beach. This book would also make a great bedtime story to remember a treasured family holiday.

 

With educational facts scattered throughout, Searching for Treasure is a book that will grow with your child.

 

recommended age: 3 - 6 years

My rating 5 / 5 🐚🐚🐚🐚🐚 

 

Book Review: Chickenpox by Remy Lai

Set in the 1990's Chickenpox is a fabulously funny graphic novel narrated by the eldest of five siblings, twelve-year-old Abby Lai. 

Abby tries to get away from her siblings any chance she gets. She'd rather spend time with her friends far away from her annoying brothers and sisters. But when they all come down with chickenpox Abby is trapped inside, for two whole weeks.

 

I found Chickenpox to be outrageously funny. You don't need to have had chickenpox to imagine what it would be like trapped inside with your younger siblings.

Plenty of hijinks and antics abound as Abby not only tries to entertain her siblings but also has to navigate friendships by phone whilst always wondering what is going on at school in her absence.  

Luckily we now have a vaccine available for chickenpox so readers of Remy Lai's novel may not know the constant itch and isolation but I am sure their parents can remember and have some stories to tell.  

Reading Chickenpox took me back to when my five children had the virus and we were stuck at home for 5 weeks as they seemed to get it one after the other. There was much hijinks and mayhem back then too.

 

Content: I would just like to highlight this sentence from the book, if buying for younger readers.

"When I was little and still believed in Santa and unicorns" 

You should always believe in Santa and unicorns! 🎅🦄

 

My rating 5 / 5  🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th February 2025

Genre: Graphic Novel / Middle Grade

Pages: 240

RRP: AU$19.99 (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is the ultimate children's science book by DeadlyScience founder Corey Tutt, best selling author of The First Scientists. 

 

illustrated by Ben Williams

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th February 2025

Genre: Non Fiction / Picture Book

Pages: 140

RRP: AU$32.99 (Hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is an amazing book filled with cool facts and vibrant, real to life illustrations that will entrance and enthrall all reptile enthusiasts big and small.

 

With over 60 reptiles and information on what they look like, what makes it deadly, favourite feeds, predators and prey and how they breed.

For each reptile you will also discover its First Nations name and where it can be found in Australia.

 

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is a fantastic hardcover book that will become a treasured reference guide to children interested in reptiles, conservation and the environment.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐍🦎🐢🐊🐍

Recommended age: 8 - 14 years

 

 

 

Spotlight: Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend by Janet Hayward

 I've reviewed Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend over on The Burgeoning Bookshelf however I wanted to highlight it here as well as it is a fabulous little book for tweens.

 

 As more and more young girls are spending their pocket money on overpriced serums at Sephora and Mecca it is refreshing to see a book being written offering girls inexpensive and natural alternatives.

 

See my full review on The Burgeoning Bookshelf Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend Review. 

 

Published by Simon & Schuster on 30th October 2024

 

My rating 5 / 5  🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

Book Review: Karma is Three Cats by Bella Montgomery

 LIFE ACCORDING TO TAYLOR SWIFT'S KITTY BEST FRIENDS

Join Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button, Taylor Swift's feline best friends, as they explore, play and spend time with Taylor.

illustrated by Carolina Marando

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 14th January 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Karma is Three Cats is the perfect story for young readers, Swifties and cat lovers alike.

 

Written from the point of view of Taylor's cats, this delightful story book is filled with fun moments, feline antics and loads of love. Celebrating the joy pets bring into our lives.

 

Charmingly illustrated by Carolina Marando with bright, colourful double page spread illustrations showing Taylor at home with her kitties and out and about going about their daily lives.

 

The author and illustrator have cleverly added little Easter eggs for Swiftie fans to find throughout the story. How many can you find?

 

Karma is Three Cats is a lovely story about cats for the 3 - 8 age group and a fun keepsake for Taylor Swift fans of all ages.

 

My rating 5 / 5  🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 

Publisher recommended age: 4 - 10 years

 

 

Book Review: Shadows and Secrets (Wolf Girl #12) by Anh Do

 Shadows and Secrets is book 12 in Anh Do's smash hit Wolf Girl series and he has delivered another riveting story filled with danger and suspense.

 

Following straight on from book 11, Gwen has left behind her new friends at Simpson Mall and continues her search for her parents.

The Braxons are right on her heels which makes for some nerve wracking moments as Gwen and the dogs battle through some life or death situations as they navigate dark caves, booby traps and raging rivers. Gwen's canine friends add plenty of humour to the narrative which lightens up the story.

 

Each new book doesn't progress far but there is lots of action that will keep the reader invested. Kids will love it!

 

Extensively illustrated throughout, by Jeremy Ley, with half and full page black and white sketches, which add an extra element of comprehension to the story. 

 

The book ends on a super cliff-hanger that will have kids eager for the next installment.  Anh Do knows how to keep his readers hooked!

 

Wolf Girl is a series that needs to be read in order as it is an ongoing story and there is very little backstory included.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Publication date: 3rd December 2024

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 232

RRP: AU$16.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher