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: Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by L.M. Wilkinson

 Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria

by

L. M. Wilkinson

illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Series: Bravepaw #1 

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Pages: 192

RRP: AU$16.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by L.M. Wilkinson is the first in a new fantasy series for young readers.

 

Titch, a young mouse, is enamoured with the legend of Bravepaw - the bravest mouse who ever lived. She loves to swing her sword and pretend to be a warrior.

 

Her mother tells her they don't need warriors as there are no monsters anymore. However, when the monsters return, trying to suck all colour and heart from their world, Titch, along with her friend Huckleberry, must draw on all her courage to defeat the curseworms and save the villagers.

 

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria is the most endearing tale. The book opens with a map and a prophecy which had me immediately engaged. This story has action, danger and suspense in bucketloads. Titch is the cutest protagonist I've seen in a long time and you can't help but love her.

 

This enchanting tale is about friendship, bravery, believing in yourself and doing the right thing by others. 

Filled with adorable characters, from the lovable Titch and her faithful friend Huckleberry to the oh so cute little Dollop. I'm excited to read the next book to see what adventures and dangers await this little trio as they venture on their quest to heal the heart of Alluria.

Large print and enchanting illustrations by Lavanya Naidu make this suitable for even the youngest readers.

Content: mild battle scenes

               not so scary monsters

My rating 5 / 5 🐭🐭🐭🐭🐭

Recommended age: 5 -12

Publisher recommended: 7-11

 

Book Review: Kelpie Chaos by Deb Fitzpatrick

 Kelpie Chaos

by

Deb Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st May 2024

Genre: Junior Fiction

Pages: 112

RRP: $14.99AU (paperback)

 

Review: Kelpie Chaos

When Eli's friend Max tells him that a kelpie pup is going to be sent to the pound if it isn't adopted, Eli's family decide they are ready for a new dog in their life. They go as a family to visit the farm and pick up their new dog and name him Zoom.

 

In Kelpie Chaos Deb Fitzpatrick portrays the challenges of having a new pup in the house as Zoom gets up to lots of mischief and the family needs to adjust to his puppy stage.

 

I liked that the whole family took on the job of exercising Zoom and taking him for walks. The parents didn't push the chores solely on the children.

 

Kelpie Chaos is an action packed read with lots of fun moments as Zoom likes to chase lawnmowers, at the local park, as though he is rounding them up. 

Lots of danger and suspense when Zoom goes missing during a picnic in the bush and as night falls they still haven't found him. Eli and his family refuse to give up hope.

Kelpies are fast becoming a popular family pet and Kelpie Chaos shows the fun in owning such an energetic dog and also the commitment required when sharing your life with this breed.

My rating 4.5 / 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕½

Age recommendation: 6 - 10 years

See Fremantle Press website for teaching notes or to read an extract.

https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/kelpie-chaos/

 

Book Review: Into the Blue by Cristy Burne

 Into the Blue

by

Cristy Burne

illustrated by Amanda Burnett

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st may 2024

Genre: Junior Fiction

Pages: 112

RRP: $14.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Into the Blue

Blair and his cousin Drew go on a school snorkelling trip on the wreck of the Omero. Blair sees this as the perfect opportunity to "borrow" his brother's GoPro. When he accidentally drops the GoPro and it is lost on the ocean floor Blair's excitement turns to panic. But no-one knows he took it so Blair can keep it a secret. If he can live with the guilt!

Into the Blue is a delightful story. We feel Blair's excitement and anticipation of going snorkelling, the chill of the water as he first enters the ocean then the panic and devastation as he realises he has lost his brother's precious camera.

The reader feels Blair's anguish as he goes through days of knowing what he has done but can't face up to the consequences. The guilt gnaws away at him as his brother is punished for losing the GoPro.

 

I loved that Into the Blue is educational as well as fun. I learnt that the Omero wreck is a real shipwreck off Perth's coastline near Coogee Beach and it is a big snorkelling attraction.

Cristy Burne combines a moral message with themes of adventure and this is a fun way to open discussions on honesty and respecting others belongings.

Blair's great-grandmother is introduced as a safe adult for Blair to open up to and I found this a heartwarming inclusion to show that the older generation is full of experience and sound advice.

 

Into the Blue is a story about owning up to your mistakes and facing the consequences. 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Age recommendation: 6 - 11 years

Book Review: Rosie by Lisa Van Der Wielen

 Rosie

by

Lisa Van Der Wielen

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 9th April 2024

Series: Rosie #1

Genre: Children's First Chapter Book 

Pages: 64

RRP:  The book can be purchased on Amazon in softcover and eBook.

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Review: Rosie (book 1)

Meet Rosie, she is a cute little toy poodle who loves to comfort humans and give them lots of love.
She also manages to get into all sorts of mischief. She is inquisitive and loyal, guarding her family from danger; like the postman and garbage trucks.

One day she is accidentally scooped up into the green-waste recycling truck.

Rosie is a fun first reader narrated by Rosie and noting all the mischief she gets into (although she doesn’t think it’s mischief) and a suspense filled ride in a green-waste recycling truck.
How will she get back to her family?

Perfect for read together from 3+years and read alone from 5+years. Large text and super cute illustrations give added appeal.

End notes on recycling green-waste and making your own compost make a perfect intro to talks on sustainability. 

My recommended age 3 - 10 years

Publishers recommended age 6 - 10 years

 

Rating 4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 

 

 

Book Review: Talent Quest: Smarty Pup 4 by Anh Do

 Talent Quest: Smarty Pup 4

by

Anh Do

illustrated by Anton Emdin

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 30th April 2024

Series: Smarty Pup (Pawsome Genius) #4

Genre: Illustrated chapter book

Pages: 200

RRP: $16.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Talent Quest: Smarty Pup #4

JJ the genius pup is back again with book 4, Talent Quest!

 

If, like me, you are new to Smarty Pup there is an intro explaining how JJ got to be so smart and be able to talk.

 

Dad's birthday is coming up and Lily and JJ don't have any money to buy him a present.

The perfect opportunity presents itself via the school talent quest which has a cash prize.

Lily and JJ sign up for the singing category. The only problem is JJ CAN NOT SING!

 

Lots of fun ensues while JJ learns to sing and costumes are selected. They almost miss the big day when JJ has an emergency dental appointment.

 

Filled with bright colourful illustrations and words that pop from the page,Talent Quest is sure to delight children and adults alike. JJ keeps delivering the dad jokes one after the other which had Jay laughing and saying "enough dad jokes."

 

This is such a fun story and I love that the Smarty Pup series has full stories with a conclusion, which is great for younger readers who may not understand the concept of a story continuing in the next book. At 200 pages it is a good size for older children to fully immerse themselves in.

Talent Quest is a story about trying your best and working with what you have.

 

This was lots of fun to read together and it kept Jay entertained and eager to know what was going to happen next. 

 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended age: 6 - 10 years

 

Book Review: Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2 by R. J. Timmis

Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2 

by

R. J. Timmis

THERE'S AWESOME AND THEN THERE'S.....JAWSOME

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Series: Jawsome #2 

Publication date: 20th February 2024

Genre: Junior Fiction / Humour

Pages: 272

RRP: $15.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Review: Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2

Rebecca Timmis from Mertales fame now has a new series for kids that like a little more danger and a little more action in their books.

 

Jawsome 2 - Licence to Rock is so much fun, pure escapism for kids.

Two books in one! In the first story Finley and his band need to foil an evil plot by mean anglerfish who intend to shrink the sun.

In the second story Finley must overcome his fear of playing the wrong notes and slam out a tune to save the entire town from turning into zombies and being taken over by killer whales.

 

Lots of fun and action. The play on words will be enjoyed by the children and the adults reading to them. With many of the words resonating more with parent readers. ie: Cosmopolifin magazine, Michael Jackfin, Stranger Fins and Beverly Shells 90210.

 

Finley and crew are very modern, civilised fish with phones, computers and internet.

 

Extensively illustrated throughout, Jawsome really is awesome! If you like a bit of silly fun wrapped around fast-paced action and danger, you will love the Jawsome series. 

Recommended age 6 - 10 years

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐