Review: The Wonder Horse by Mark Greenwood

I recently reviewed a book on The Burgeoning Bookshelf titled Life, and Death, and Giants and I instantly thought how appropriate that title would be for The Wonder Horse, as it's the story of the life and death of a giant in the racing world, Phar Lap. 

The Wonder Horse is the true story (Jay is loving true stories lately) of Phar Lap, written at a middle grade level for children aged 8 - 12 years, and is part of Mark Greenwood's History Hunters series.

The story of The Wonder Horse will not only appeal to readers who love horses but also those who love a mystery as Mark Greenwood delves into the life of the most famous racehorse ever.

Right from the compelling introduction The Wonder Horse is a riveting read as it follows Phar Lap's meteoric rise. However it is not only a story of a racehorse it's the story of the love between man and animal. Phar Lap's trainer Tommy Woodcock formed a deep connection with the animal. He did everything for him, even sleeping in his stable at night. Phar Lap sometimes refused to eat and made a big fuss if Tommy wasn't nearby.

Greenwood has included real photos of Phar Lap, Tommy and his jockey. The Wonder Horse is a heartfelt story filled with intrigue, the threat of gangsters and the thrill of a win all wrapped around a compelling mystery. A must read for young history hunters.

My rating 5 / 5 🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇

Recommended age: 8 - 12 years

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st June 2025

Series: History Hunters

Genre: Non Fiction / History

Pages: 112

RRP: AU$14.99 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Mailbox Monday - 14th October 2025

 MAILBOX MONDAY

On Mondays I will be posting the new books I have received for review, won and purchased over the previous week / month.

Books received for review:

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens

About the book:

There is no finer place to live than on North Mountain. Folks come from everywhere wanting to live there - including Indy. But the mountain was ruled by Percival, and he had rules. He didn't let anyone in.

This is a story of trying to fit in, and discovering the true worth of being yourself.

I'm Very Busy by Oliver Jeffers

About the book:

It’s Bridget’s birthday, and she thinks it would be fun to spend the day with friends. But Royal has places to go, Rodney has to see a man about a dog, Regis has to wash his hair, and Pearl has a list of items she needs to cross off as quickly as she can. Bridget’s friends are all too busy to hang out!

Will Bridget have to spend her birthday all alone?

The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson

About the book:

Monkey knows there's a MONSTER hiding in the bathroom because it leaves a HUGE MESS behind. Will Monkey discover who the bath monster really is?

In this second book in the Monkey's Great Adventures series, Monkey dives deep into a colourful underwater world in search of the Messy Bath Monster, meeting many sea creatures along the way ... but is it all just in his imagination?

Imaginative, nostalgic and quirky, the Monkey's Great Adventures series, with bespoke hand-knitted toys, is beautifully photographed in locations around the world. Monkey, an endearing soft toy, finds himself in all sorts of scrapes where he learns about himself and the world around him. The book includes original music composed by acclaimed artist, Matt Ottley. 

Cleo the Cloud by Bec Benini

About the book:

Cleo is a small, round cloud who wishes she looked like her impressively -shaped cloud friends. Join her on a journey across the sky where she discovers the magic of self-acceptance, and that being different is a beautiful thing.

#beingindy #imverybusy #themessybathmonster #cleothecloud #newrelease #childrensbooks #bookmail #picturebooks #australianauthor #bookreviews

Review: Crunch! Kaboom! by Conor Mills and Clodagh Starr

Crunch! Kaboom! is the perfect children’s picture book for a read aloud experience. It’s big and loud and perfect for kids who love trucks and excavators.

Illustrated by Alison Mutton

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 5th August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher 

Dazzlingly illustrated by Alison Mills with bright colours, enormous machines and lots of fun sounds to crunch, shake, dig and explode.
Crunch! Kaboom! Starts at an iron ore mine and follows the whole process from breaking up the earth to sorting the material, trucking it to the railroad and shipping it to be made into steel.

Crunch! Kaboom! is the perfect book for my little one who loves trucks but isn’t quite old enough to sit and listen to the whole story, but was mesmerised by the sounds and pictures. This is a fantastic educational tool that will grow with him as he understands more and more about the processes involved. But right now he just wants to see pictures of trucks.

This delightful children's book would make a fabulous educational tool for grades 2 - 4 to show the full process of making the steel that is in thousands of products we use everyday.

Big, bold illustrations by Alison Mutton reflect the colours of outback Australia.

My rating 5 / 5 🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

#crunchkaboom #conormills #clodaghstarr #alisonmutton #fremantlepress #trucks #diggers #ausbookbloggers #bookswithtrucks #childrenspicturebook #kidsbookswithtrucks #kidsbooksonmining #educationalchildrensbooks

Review: Rainbow Street by R.W.R. McDonald

Rainbow Street is not only a visual delight of colour and chaos, it's an invitation to share in a community that is colourful, diverse and welcoming.

 Illustrated by Kelly Canby

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (Hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour

Join all the residents of Rainbow Street as they gather for a street party to celebrate Granny’s 90th birthday.
Granny is the lifeblood of Rainbow Street. She’s no frail old lady and I love that Granny is full of life and full of adventure, and a little bit of mischief. No rocking chair and knitting needles for this granny.

Granny's young granddaughter introduces everyone on Rainbow Street as she sets their place at the table. As she introduces the neighbours she shares information on different cultural traditions, holidays and food. She also introduces her own large rainbow family.

Rainbow Street is a joyous celebration of community and family, overflowing with love and connectedness.

Kelly Canby’s watercolour illustrations are splashed across the page in a riot of colour and play.

This multi-cultural and multi-generational story is a delight to read as it celebrates the joy of belonging and having fun together as a close-knit community.

Rainbow Street shares different family makeups and different cultural foods, traditions and holidays all in one diverse community.

Rainbow Street is an excellent resource to open conversations about different cultural celebrations and food and different family dynamics. It builds understanding of what makes a family.

My rating 5 /5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

#rainbowstreet #rwrmcdonald #childrenspicturebook #larrikinhouse #blogtour #kidsbookswelove #booksontour

Review: You're Too Little by Katie Stewart

 

Pygmy Possum wants to climb to the top of the tree to taste the sweet blossoms. But along the way she is told again and again that it is very high and she’s too little.

Written and illustrated by Katie Stewart

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Pygmy Possum comes across different animals on her quest to reach the blossoms. Each animal has its own unique talent; Gecko has feet that stick and Weebill has wings to fly.

This delightful children’s picture book teaches children that everyone has their own unique talents and through perseverance and courage Pygmy Possum learns that she has special talents too. Like big eyes to see in the dark, strong paws and a special tail. She may be small but she is also determined.

After a rousing pep talk from Brushtail Possum, Pygmy Possum is ready to give it a try.

Will she make it or will she fall?

Children will love to barrack for little Possum and complete the catch cry at the end of the page. "You're too little, you might fall." and Pygmy Possum's mantra "I have what it takes."

You're Too Little is beautifully illustrated in deep blues, greens and browns. Katie Stewart has captured the true essence of the bush and the animals that live there.

Whilst I do enjoy rhyming verse in children's books it's nice to come across a book that simply reads like a story with a repeated catch-cry which enables the children to become involved in the story.

You’re Too Little is an adorable story about believing in yourself and having the courage and determination to reach your goals.

My rating 5 / 5 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼
Recommended for ages 2+ years

#youretoolittle #childrenspicturebook #australianauthor #kidsbooksoncourage #kidsbookswelove #australianwildlife #ausbookbloggers #fremantlepress

Review: Clutterbugs by Maura Pierlot

Clutterbugs by Maura Pierlot is a story many parents, with messy children's bedrooms, will relate to.

 

 illustrated by Maya Bora

 

Publisher: Big Ideas Press

Publication date: 1st April 2025

Genre: Children's Picture book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU $27.99 (hardcover) AU$16.99 (soft cover)

Source: Courtesy of the author 

 

Steff's room is messy, but she doesn't mind. That is until she can't find the present she bought for her friend's birthday.

 

 

 

In come the tiny clutterbugs to help Steff organise her room and sort through what to keep and what can go.

I liked that the clutterbugs used the tried-and-true method of three boxes labelled; keep, toss and recycle. When Steff still can't find the toy rocket she bought she uses some recycling materials to make a homemade rocket for her friend. Steff's homemade rocket was Jay's favourite gift.

 

Clutterbugs is a valuable tool to open discussions on deciding what things to keep and what to give away to charities so other children can use outgrown toys and clothes. A fun and engaging way to work together with your child to sort their treasures and talk about repurposing and recycling. 

 

Delightfully illustrated in great detail that invites the audience to look longer and spy all the everyday and fun items in Steph's room. Maya Bora's big double page illustrations wrap around the verse and pop from the page.

 

The couplet rhyming verse flows well making Clutterbugs an easy and engaging read-aloud experience. The well placed pauses add an extra dramatic effect.

 

Children of all ages will connect with Steff and her new little decluttering friends. 

Some pages have a toy rocket hidden amongst the clutter. Can you find it?

 

My rating 5 / 5 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 

Recommended age: 4 - 10 years

 

#clutterbugs #maurapierlot #childrenspicturebook #bookreview #kidsbookreviews 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Charlotte & Penelope and the Neighborhood Stage by Teresa Argenbright

Charlotte & Penelope and the Neighborhood Stage is the second book in the Charlotte & Penelope series by Teresa Argenbright.

 

 illustrated by Dan McGeehan

 

Publisher: Brown Books Kids

Publication date: 8th April 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of Smith Publicity Services

 

Charlotte and Penelope wake up with sniffles and sneezes and are stuck at home. Their menagerie of friends decide to put on a show to cheer them up.

 

This is a whimsical and fun story told in rhyming couplets that invites the reader to spend a jazz-filled afternoon with a marvelous group of talented animal friends as they put on a musical show to cheer the girls up.

 

Charlotte and Penelope and the Neighborhood Stage is a charming story with vibrant and amusing illustrations, by Dan McGeehan, that encourages imagination as the animals sing, dance and play different musical instruments.

 

This delightful book opens up conversations about the different animals featured, the different musical instruments played and the role of the conductor. Further talk on what other animals could join the band and the instruments they could play would expand on the educational value of the story.

 

My only small complaint with this book was, as a read aloud story the cadence of the verse felt slightly off to me.

 

My rating 4 / 5 🥁🥁🥁🥁

recommended age: 4 - 8 years 

 

#charlotteandpenelopeandtheneighborhoodstage #teresaargenbright #childrenspicturebook #introductiontomusic