Book Review: The Backyard Games by Alister Nicholson

In The Backyard Games you can join in with the neighbourhood kids as they organise their own Olympic Games with lots of friendly competition, cheering and medals for all. 

 illustrated by Tom Jellett

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

The Backyard Games is a fun rhyming book written by Alister Nicholson and illustrated by Tom Jellett in fabulous full-colour double page spreads.

 

"What a glorious day for the Backyard Games! 

Who will be champions, household names?

We've planned and practiced; we've built our venue.

Now, a great sporting feast is on the menu."

The children pick the country they will represent and the games begin. There is competition, fun, cheering and a few mishaps but most of all there is laughter and working together as they celebrate the ceremony and fun of the games.

As the light begins to fade medals are given and everyone's a winner in The Backyard Games.

 

This is such a fun book and perfect for the upcoming school holidays. The Backyard Games is the perfect inspiration to gather the kids outside and make your own Olympic games day. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🚲🏏🛹🏹🎾

Recommended age: 4 - 7 years 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Boab Tree by Helen Milroy

The Boab Tree is a delightful story about friendship and belonging. 

 

 Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

When a tiny boab nut travels on the back of a bird far from the land of his ancestors he struggles to grow and survive in this unknown ground. Boab knew he had to return to his family. His new friends, the animals of the forest floor, work together to take the little boab tree back to his ancestral home and the land he knows.

 

The Boab Tree is a beautiful story about connection to country and ancestors with memories passed down through generations. This is a story about friends banding together and helping one another.

 

Helen Milroy captures the colours of country in her beautiful, bold double page spreads with text on one page and illustrations on the facing page.

The Boab Tree is an enchanting read-aloud story to share with your child. It would make the perfect bedtime story read over a few nights.

 

My rating 4 / 5 🌴🌴🌴🌴

Recommended age: 6 - 10 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press.

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/the-boab-tree/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: To Stir With Love by Kate Mildenhall

To Stir With Love is an ode to grandmothers and grandchildren everywhere and the bond that comes with the simple act of cooking together. 

 

 illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 2nd October 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Narrated through the eyes of a young girl as she tells the reader what she does on Mondays when she visits her grandmother. We learn all about Grandma's scrumpti-licious cake and how the recipe has been handed down from grandmothers to granddaughters through the generations. 

 

Follow our little narrator and her grandma as they go through the recipe for Grandma's special, scrumptious cake, as her small hands and Grandma's old, sure hands work together, side by side. 

 

To Stir With Love is a truly heart-warming story about the special connection between a grandmother and her grandchild and how baking together is a lovely bonding experience that will be remembered for the rest of a child's life.

 

To Stir With Love is filled with Jess Racklyeft's endearing water-colour washes in beautiful pinks, greens and yellows.

 

It took a second reading for me to notice the pictures hanging on Grandma's walls are actual real photos. A delightful and touching addition to the story! 

There is a recipe for Grandma's everything cake at the end of the book. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years.

Book Review: The Gruffalo's Child (20th Anniversary Edition) by Julia Donaldson

Celebrate 20 years of The Gruffalo's Child with this special anniversary edition of the story, featuring bonus extra material. 

I feel like it was only last year that the 15th Anniversary Edition was released. And here we are, another five years on and The Gruffalo's Child is still being loved by children across the globe.

 

illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication date: 8th October 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$14.99 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Children have always enjoyed tales of dark, scary creatures and the Gruffalo’s child is no exception. The Gruffalo tells his daughter she should never go out in the deep dark woods or the Big Bad Mouse will be after her.

The Gruffalo’s child decides to find this Big Bad Mouse. She isn’t scared. The story follows her through the snow swept woods as she comes across different animals; a snake, an owl, and follows tracks to see who they lead to. Will she find the Big Bad Mouse?

 

Scheffler’s illustrations give the Gruffalo’s child a human-like dimension as she carries her favourite toy, a doll made of sticks.

 

This special 20th Anniversary Edition, featuring a shiny foil cover, has an afterword from Julia explaining her thoughts on the setting and plot of the book and also a note from Axel describing his process of drawing the Gruffalo's Child and how he came by the final result.

 

There is also a page showing how you can make party headbands for Gruffalo's child, fox, snake and mouse.

 

The Gruffalo's Child song with notes, lyrics and a QR code to hear the song. Very handy if you're like me and can't hold a tune.

 

 

 

With this 20th Anniversary Edition you can be assured The Gruffalo's Child will delight yet another generation of children.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

Recommended age: 3+ years 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Postman's My Mate by Kelly Louise Jarris

 The Postman's My Mate is a fun and heart-warming story of a young boy, living on a farm in country Australia, who looks forward to the postman's visit just a few times a year.

 

 Illustrated by Natalie Herington

 

Publisher: KLJ Books

Publication date: 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$29.95 (hardcover) 

Source: Won

This gorgeous picture book oozes country charm, from the dry red earth and rustic farmhouse to young Charlie with his Akubra hat and animal friends.

One day the postman drops a large box at Charlie's gate but Charlie is hesitant to open it as he and the postman love to play jokes on each other. Last year Charlie left a box for the postman and when he opened it out popped a clown!
 

Charlie and friends, emu and magpie, take a while to ponder what could be in the box. When Charlie finally opens it all there is inside is a note that reads; "Imagine the things this could be if you tried."

Charlie pulls out his craft box and lets his imagination run wild; a boat, a rocket, the possibilities are endless.
 

The Postman's My Mate is a wonderous story about recycling and the joys of using your imagination.

We love empty boxes, big and small, there are so many things you can make with them; boats, cars, trains, puppet shows, dolls wardrobe, dolls house, castles. I've even made a bookcase out of empty boxes!

Natalie Herington's illustrations are the best! Filled with heart and humour. She has brought to life Charlie's friends, the emu and the magpie. They are simply adorable. Kids will love them.

The Postman's My Mate is not only a story about the wonders of using your imagination it is also a fabulous introduction to young children of how other children live in remote areas.

 

My rating 5 / 5 📬📬📬📬📬 

Recommended age: 3 -10 years

The book can be purchased from the author:

https://kljbooks.com/product/the-postmans-my-mate-hardcover/

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Djinang Bonar - Seeing Seasons by Ebony Froome

Djinang Bonar - Seeing Seasons

by

Ebony Froome

illustrated by Leanne Zilm

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st August 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Djinang Bonar - Seeing Seasons

Discover the six seasons of the Noongar calendar in English and Noongar with emerging First Nations talent Ebony Froome and Leanne Zilm.

 

This beautiful dual language picture book is a gentle reminder to be aware of the environment and look around you to see the changing seasons, and how wildlife and nature herald in each change.

 

Djinang Bonar takes the reader through each season exploring the indicators that announce each change.

Djinang Bonar is a gentle book that teaches children about nature and that the changing of seasons can be seen in everything around them.

 

The exquisite, full colour, double page illustrations inspired by the natural environment of Western Australia are like beautiful paintings and are sure to capture every child's imagination.

Djinang Bonar is the perfect addition to any school library or classroom.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

Recommended age: 3 - 6 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press.

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/djinang-bonar-seeing-seasons/

 

 

Book Review: Two Can Be Trouble by Penny Macoun

Two Can Be Trouble

by

Penny Macoun

 illustrated by  Paul Nash

Publisher: Macoun Publications

Publication date: 6th August 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author via  Books on Tour PR

 

Review: Two Can Be Trouble

Two Can Be Trouble is a fun little story that I'm sure would play out in many backyards across the country. 

 

Jordan is playing in the sandpit and decides to add water so he can make sandcastles. He gets water everywhere but now both Jordan and his older brother Toby can make sandcastles and they build them all over the back yard. 

They then decide to help mum by getting the washing off the line. The wind blows the washing everywhere and the clothes get sandy and wet.

Toby thinks it's unfair that they both get into trouble as it was all Jordan's idea. He gets angry but soon the boys are the best of friends again.

Two Can Be Trouble shows how even the best of intentions can sometimes turn into disaster and that even though they sometimes get upset with each other the brother's love each other and have lots of fun together.

The only problem I had with the book was it was hard to tell the boys ages from the illustrations. I am assuming they would be about 3 and 7 years old but the illustration style made them look older.

My rating 3 / 5 👦👦👦

Recommended age: 4+ years

 

 

Book Review: Quokka Finds a Friend by Katie Stewart

 Quokka Finds a Friend

by

Katie Stewart

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st August 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Quokka Finds a Friend

How can you not fall in love with Quokkas, with their lovely round tummies and cute smiley faces!

 

When Quokka meets Seal he thinks he's sad because he isn't smiling (Quokka loves to smile).

He tries his hardest to be Seal's friend and make him smile. He tries lots of funny faces but still no smiles. Copying the humans, Quokka pretends to take a selfie with Seal (this always makes the humans smile) then Quokka falls in the water.

 

Seal says he will teach Quokka to swim but when Quokka says he really doesn't want to swim Seal replies that he really doesn't want to smile.

They soon find something they both love doing; watching the sunset together.

 

Quokka Finds a Friend is  the sweetest story about friendship and that friends don't need to like everything the same. Differences don't mean you can't be friends, you just need to find some common ground.

 

Highly detailed,  colourful illustrations pair with minimal text to make this read-aloud story book warm and inviting. Could Quokka get any  more adorable!!

Quokka and Seal's personalities pop from the page through Katie Stewart's adorable illustrations.

 

Beside its wonderful moral about friendship the story can be read for sheer cute appeal.

 

Quokka Finds a Friend is perfect for parents, carers, grandparents and educators to read aloud with children, and use it as a tool to discuss the concept of understanding other people's emotions.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 

Recommended age: 3 - 6 years (older kids will love this too)

 

 

Book Review: Jack's Best Day Ever by Gabrielle Bassett

 Jack's Best Day Ever

by

Gabrielle Bassett

illustrated by Annabelle Hale

Publisher: Woodslane Press

Publication date: 1st May 2023

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardback)

Source: Own copy

 

Review: Jack's Best Day Ever

I bought this book thinking it would resonate with Jay as he is neurodiverse and also has a boy in his class who uses a wheelchair.

 

He loved the story, as his class had also visited the zoo, he enjoyed talking about all the animals he saw, just like Jack. He wasn't so keen on the part about trying new foods, as Jack very bravely tries the apple, carrot and strawberries that the animals are having for lunch.

 

Jack's Best Day Ever is narrated by his best friend, a young girl in a wheelchair . She champions Jack at every turn, stating how clever he is; like a walking encyclopedia. She understands and accepts his quirks and talks about the things he likes and dislikes. They simply enjoy being together!

 

Jack's Best Day Ever is a heartfelt story of friendship, acceptance and trying new things. A perfect fit for primary school aged children. It would be a valuable asset in the classroom to open up discussions on neurodiversity and cultivate understanding and acceptance of different ways of being.

 

The vibrant, fun and expressive illustrations by Annabelle Hale add to the overall appeal of this delightful picture book. 

My rating 5 / 5 👦👦👦👦👦

Recommended age: 6 - 10 years

 

Book Review: Ethel the Penguin by Ursula Dubosarsky

 Ethel the Penguin

by

Ursula Dubosarsky

illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 1st October 2024 

Genre: Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

Review: Ethel the Penguin

We've been loving books about penguins lately and Ethel the Penguin is another 'must read' that we've added to our shelf.

Ethel is that wild friend everyone needs! She is not afraid to make a fuss and have some fun. The teacher makes her sit by herself in class because she's full to the brim with mischief.

When she climbs to the top of the Ferris wheel and scares her poor parents, she really is sorry ...... for a little while. 

Ethel the Penguin is such a fun story! Ethel gave us all a bit of a giggle as she misbehaves in class causing a ruckus and jumps from the Ferris wheel forgetting penguins can't fly. She is totally impulsive and very much wild.

Ursula Dubosarsky uses anthropomorphism but I love that she didn't make Ethel totally human. Rather than living in a house she lives with her parents in an igloo. 

Christoper Nielsen's full page illustrated spreads are bright and colourful and the rhyming prose flow effortlessly making Ethel the Penguin an energetic and delightful read.

I can see this being one of our favourites for a long time to come.

 

We can hardly wait to see what Ethel will do next!

My rating 5 / 5 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

Recommended age: 3 - 6 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Dot! Scribble! Go! by Herve Tullet

 Dot! Scribble! Go!

by

Herve Tullet

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 56

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Dot! Scribble! Go!

Dot! Scribble! Go! is our first look at a Herve Tullet book here at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf. Herve encourages artistic talent through imagination. His readers are invited to touch the pages and follow instructions to reveal the magic of art.

 

Filled with positive affirmations and exclamations of wonder each step of the way Dot! Scribble! Go! is a hands-on way to learn about following directions and an introduction to toddlers about colour, shape and the endless possibilities of dots, lines and scribbles.

 

I found the children got more enjoyment from trying the art hands on.

 

Dot! Scribble! Go! would be a wonderful book to use in an art class for young children to teach them to follow directions and that art can be fun, abstract and free flowing. It's all about having fun!

 

My rating 3 / 5 🖌🖌🖌

Recommended age: 3 - 6 years 

 

 

Book Review: South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin

 South With the Seabirds

by

Jess McGeachin

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$29.99 (hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 Review: South With the Seabirds

At the moment Jay is really enjoying true stories and stories about penguins. Imagine his delight when we received South with the Seabirds; a true story with penguins!! Wide eyed he asked me if this is a true story. "Yes". "So it really happened." "Yes, a long time ago."

South With the Seabirds, written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin, is the true story of Mary Gillham, Hope MacPherson, Susan Ingham and Isobel Bennett. The first female scientists to join an Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition.

Through simple language and full spread colour illustrations Jess tells the amazing story of these four women who were trailblazers for all women interested in science and the environment. An inspiration to both boys and girls and a reminder to follow your dreams even if the odds are against you.

South With the Seabirds is a fabulous resource for environmental talks for primary aged children. It includes information on the trip from Melbourne to the subantarctic Macquarie Island. The birds, ocean life and land animals of the area are illustrated and labelled.

Through the work of environmentalists Macquarie Island is slowly recovering from the damage caused by introduced species.

There is also a timeline of Macquarie Island, photo and bio of the four female scientists and notes on what young naturalists can do to help heal our world.

My rating 5 / 5 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

Recommended age: 6 -12 years

Book Review: The Hole Story by Kelly Canby

The Hole Story

by

Kelly Canby

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Hole Story

The Hole Story is written and illustrated by the talented Kelly Canby and she continues to delight with each new book published.

 

The Hole Story is about a young boy named Charlie who is delighted when he finds a hole. When he picks it up and puts it in his pocket he soon realises that 'a hole in your pocket' is not a good thing.

Charlie proceeds to the village to find someone who might need a hole but no-one wants the hole. Deflated, he takes the hole back - it's no good to anyone.

We then learn the hole had an owner all along!

 

Jay loves this book! He liked the play on words. "It's the whole story, get it." he would say.

I love it when he gets excited about a book and has picked this up and read it himself a few times.

 

The shop names in the shopping strip also have a delightful mix of word play; more for the adult reader here. The bakery is named Bread Pitt, the florist is Florist Gump, the boat builder is Seas the day, and there are more. I loved this bit of added humour.

 

The illustrations have much to pore over. Can you spot who is following Charlie?

 

The Hole Story introduces children to imagination, humour and magical realism. With her lovable characters and playful illustrations Kelly Canby is on our must read list. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🕳🕳🕳🕳🕳

Recommended age 3 - 8 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/the-hole-story-2/

 

 

 

Book Review: A Leaf Called Greaf by Kelly Canby

 A Leaf Called Greaf

by

Kelly Canby

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: A Leaf Called Greaf

A Leaf Called Greaf is an invaluable resource for parents and educators which explains, in gentle terms, the changing nature of grief and sadness after loss.

 

We do love Kelly Canby's books with her lyrical prose and whimsical pictures and A Leaf Called Greaf is another heartwarming book to add to our favourites shelf here at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf.

 

Bear is grieving, his brothers and sisters have left him, and he is all alone. Bear becomes attached to a soft green leaf and takes it everywhere with him. He names it Greaf and finds comfort in its company.

As time goes by Greaf starts to wither and crumble and no longer gives Bear comfort so Bear starts to let it go. One morning Bear wakes and Greaf is whisked away on the breeze and Bear is ready to face a bright new day. Bear's journey will give children a helping hand to understand big emotions in a child friendly setting.

Kelly Canby's expressive illustrations pair with meaningful and lyrical text to deliver a heartwarming story of the phases of grief.

 

I think, with a little guided explanation, A Leaf Called Greaf can help children understand their feelings of sorrow when a beloved grandparent dies or moves away,  or the passing of a much loved pet.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬 

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/a-leaf-called-greaf/