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  

Mailbox Monday - 1st September 2025

 MAILBOX MONDAY

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

 

Below are books I received and purchased during August. 

 

 

 Received for review:

 

The Finch Who Last Her Wing

by Annie Kwan

Publisher: Self Published

About the book:

 

Have you ever lost something precious?

 

This story is about a finch who went on an adventure to find her lost wing.

 

Do you think she will find it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awash by Marg Gibbs

Publisher: Self Published

About the book:

 

Can a young girl really make a difference?

With the help of her friend, a family and a bucket, she can.

And there is always the possibility of finding treasure along the way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Kate & Jol Temple

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

About the book:

 

The world's richest man, Magnus McAloon, has tragically died in a rocket experiment gone wrong.

The sole heirs to his estate are his four beloved pet guinea Hot Head, Lunk, G-Chip and Big Pig (who is actually a capybara, but don't tell him that).

Not everyone is happy – especially the members of the McAloon family, who are determined to get back the fortune that they feel belongs to them, and not the newly mega rich guinea pigs. 

 

My purchase:

 

 Silverborn (special edition) by Jessica Townsend

Publisher: Lothian Children's books

 

About the book:

 

Nevermoor #4

In the magical city of Nevermoor, long-buried secrets are coming to light, and Morrigan Crow’s life is about to turn upside down.

When Morrigan is invited into Nevermoor’s wealthy Silver District, she discovers a world of extravagance and a family mystery she’s eager to unravel. She could never imagine where it will lead: a white wedding, a golden dragon and a red pool of blood.

Embroiled in suspicion and danger, Morrigan leaps head first into a murder investigation, while also grappling with her ever-growing Wundersmith powers. And although her friends are there to help, she fears that could change if they learn she’s keeping a terrible secret of her own.

As shadowy forces awaken in Nevermoor, can Morrigan find a killer and solve the mystery in her own past … before the clock strikes midnight? 

#thefinchwholostherwing  #awash #megarichguineapigs #silverborn #newbooks #bookmail #newrelease #childrensbooks #picturebooks #middlegradebooks #australianauthor