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
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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

Review: Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Kate and Jol Temple

We all loved Kate and Jol's picture book, Bin Chicken and were looking forward to reading Mega Rich Guinea Pigs. Who doesn't love guinea pigs and capybaras (although there are NO capybaras in this story). 😉 

When the world's richest man, Magnus McAloon, accidently blows himself up in his rocket he leaves his mega fortune to his pet guinea pigs, Lunk, Hot Head, G-Chip and Big Pig.

These aren't any ordinary guinea pigs, they have led a life of luxury and can speak multiple languages, excelling in sport and music.

Each guinea pig has their own unique personality, but most of all they are smart and funny. They are so glad their pampered life will continue, but Magnus' nefarious family believe his money should be theirs and they will go to extreme lengths to get rid of those guinea pigs.

What ensues is a hilarious tale of danger and life-or-death situations.

Tension-fuelled and entertaining, Kate and Jol Temple have thought of everything from chauffeurs, chefs and house maids to implanted chips so the guinea pigs can buy whatever they like.

Mega Rich Guinea Pigs is an addictive and exciting tale, good fun, lively and adventurous. It is sure to have readers enthralled with its witty and highly charged plot. Perfectly written for the target audience of 8+ years, the plot is uncomplicated but never boring.

I quite enjoyed all the humorous mentions of capybaras as Big Pig, the capybara, believes he is a guinea pig.

Mega Rich Guinea Pigs is an endearing and immersive story. I hope there will be more guinea pig adventures to come.

My rating 5 / 5 🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

Recommended age: 8 - 12 years

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication date: 26th August 2025

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 191

RRP: AU$16.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Mooshy Crackerjack's Big Day by Suzanne Patterson

 

Have you ever woken up and thought that everyone had forgotten your birthday? Well, that's exactly what happened to Mooshy Crackerjack!

illustrated by Maia Batumashvili

Publisher: Starfish Bay Publishing

Publication date: September 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$26.99  (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author via Books on Tour

Follow Mooshy on this bright and happy day as he vows to be on his best behaviour because it's his birthday, and it will be the best day ever.

His day starts with his sister, Peaches, saying the cake she is baking is in fact for the homeless mice fundraiser. He searches out his dad who is tidying the shed. As he tries to find evidence that someone has remembered his birthday Mooshy leaves behind one disaster after another, finally deciding maybe it's not his birthday after all. Then the doorbell goes. It's all his friends arrived for a surprise party! His family have worked hard to make the day special.

Mooshy Crackerjack's Big Day is a fun story that will have young children barracking for Mooshy as he tries his best to be good but trouble seems to find him everywhere he turns.

Large double page spread by Maia Batumashvili is beautifully detailed to complement the minimal text. The two sentences per page keep the children entertained enough to be ready for the page to be turned.

I find with young children it is more about the illustrations than the actual text and once they have taken in the picture they are eager to turn the page. The two sentences are just enough to hold their attention.

Mooshy Crackerjack's Big Day opens up the opportunity for discussion with older children how sometimes even the best intentioned actions seem to turn into trouble.

Children will empathise with Mooshy and laugh along at his disasters.

Mooshy Crackerjack's Big Day is a story about family coming together to make a birthday a special day.

My rating 4 / 5  🎂🎂🎂🎂

Recommended age: 3+ years

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