Book Review: Is It OK to Be Quiet? by Michael Brisciana

Is It OK to Be Quiet? is a gentle book that can be read by a child themself but would be of extra benefit if read together with a parent or carer.

 

 Illustrated by James Cook James

 

Publisher: Trust Publishing

Publication date: 2nd June 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

Price: AU$10.88 (Kindle)

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Danny is a quiet child preferring to sit quietly, sometimes talking to a friend and sometimes just sitting. When he is questioned by another student why he is always so quiet he starts to feel like this is a negative thing.

He talks this over with his mother and together they discuss his day and come to the conclusion that while being quiet he often notices other things around him and can offer help to his classmates.  Danny decides that quiet is okay. While it's also okay to be talkative you can still have fun while being quiet. 

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? is the first in a planned series for introverted children - quiet children.

Brisciana conveys to his readers that a quiet nature can help you be more aware and supportive of other people around you. 

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? provides a good opportunity to talk about different personalities and that being your true self is always okay.

 

James Cook James sweet, heartwarming cartoon style illustrations are presented in soft pastel colours that perfectly reflect the theme of the story.

 

Is It OK to Be Quiet? would be a valuable teacher resource for Kindy to Year 2.

 

My rating 5 / 5   😊😊😊😊😊

Recommended for ages 5 - 8 years 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Goodnight Sheep by Sally Barton

 The cover of Goodnight Sheep says it all! That sheep doesn't look like it is planning to go to sleep.

 

 

 Illustrated by Cherie Dignan

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publlication date: 1st April 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Lily can't sleep and her mum suggests counting sheep to calm her to sleep but Lily's sheep just won't behave. They jump, galavant and make a mess in Lily's room as she counts them one to ten. Will Lily  be able to get the sheep under control and go to sleep?

 

Narrated through rhyming verse with an easy cadence which starts off calm moves to lively and back to calm. Delightfully fun double-page colour spreads by Cherie Dignan. I love Lily's room, it is pink, pink and more pink!! The room changes to blue soothing tones when the lights go out. 

 

Goodnight Sheep is a fun bedtime story that will be enjoyed over and over. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

Recommended for ages 0 - 5 years

 

 

Book Review: Dungzilla by James Foley

Dungzilla is the second book in James Foley's S. Tinker Inc series. Re-released in all new fabulous full colour.

 

This action packed story follows eleven-year-old Sally Tinker, a young inventor.

 

When Sally's best friend Charli Stevenson's pet dung beetle accidentally gets in the way of Sally's latest invention, the Resizenator, and is enlarged 300 times, what ensues is an action-packed, STEM powered romp featuring science and humour.

 

How can Sally, Charli, Gran Tinker and baby Joe stop the giant dung beetle from destroying the town.

 

This graphic novel is a perfect mix of adventure and science. It introduces scientific facts in an hilarious magical realism concept. The storyline is rich in laugh-out-loud moments and lots of toilet humour.

 

This newest edition also includes a bonus story that features a stolen cloned pachyderm and a trip to Mars in Sally's latest invention.

 

Recommended age: 8 - 12 years

 My rating 5 / 5 🪲🪲🪲🪲🪲 

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press.

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/dungzilla-now-in-colour/

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st April 2025

Series: S. Tinker Inc #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Graphic Novel 

Pages: 120

RRP: AU$17.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher