Review: Love You, Daddy by Karen Blair

I think Love You, Daddy is the cutest lift the flap book I've seen!

Originally released for Fathers Day however this gorgeous book filled with love and admiration for all kinds of dads would be the perfect gift and bed time read all year round.

Illustrated by Karen Blair

Publisher: Affirm Kids

Publication date: 28th July 2026

Genre: Board Book

Pages: 24

RRP: AU$16.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

This is the perfect book for dad to spend some quality time with their child and the interactive flaps make it a fun experience for both adult and child.
Love You, Daddy is the ideal bedtime read. A gentle story about all the wonderful things daddies do for us.

Dads teach us about kindness and helping others. Fold the flap to see capybara dad being helpful.

From having fun and being a good listener to encouraging us to be brave and helping others, daddies really are the best.

Dads encourage us and help us to be brave. Fold the flap to see the little duckling be brave and jump in the pond. He is ever so cute with his little floaties on. 

This sturdy board book has strong flaps that won’t immediately tear off with a bit of enthusiastic use. Love You, Daddy is sure to become a bedtime favourite.

My rating 5 / 5 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

Recommended age: 0 - 3 years

#loveyoudaddy #childrensboardbook #lifttheflapbook #booksforbabies #childrenspicturebook #boardbook #karenblair #australianauthor #littlesquirrelsbookshelf #ausbookbloggers

Review: Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot

Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot is a delightful picture book that combines fun and imagination. What child doesn't love going to the zoo! Imagine a whole zoo of animals in your own home! 

illustrated by A. Yi

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication date: 1st June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour PR

Our Family Zoo is narrated by a young boy whose home is filled with animals, however he feels there is always room for one more. The story goes through all the animals they already have which include indoor animals plus the rescue animals kept outside. A delightful array of animals that will have children spotting the pets they have and also the ones they would like to add to their family.

Trying to convince his mother for just ONE MORE pet he goes through an ever wilder assortment of animals; a zebra, a baboon, a koala, a sloth.

Finally his mum tells him there will be an addition to their family. More animal guesses are made then mum tells him he will be a big brother soon. This is the best news of all. There is nothing that he wanted more.

Our Family Zoo is the cutest story and I loved the boy's enthusiasm about becoming a big brother. Gorgeous big illustrations by A. Yi showcasing all the different animals his mum cares for all over the house and the Australian wildlife rescue animals in the yard, with the addition of all the animals he imagined he would like, making this the perfect story for all little animal lovers. The story is a veritable visual delight.

Easy rhyming verse with bold text highlights to add drama. The verse is fun. The illustrations are fun. Our Family Zoo is a pure joy to read as our little narrator's  enthusiasm leaps from the page.

Our Family Zoo would make the perfect bedtime story for animal loving children and any child who has a new sibling on the way.

My rating 5 / 5 🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

#ourfamilyzoo #maurapierlot #childrenspicturebook #newsibling #childrensbooksaboutanimals #newpets 

Review: Vivi & Oki: What's That Sound? by Dominika Tomanek

 Vivi & Oki is a new series of board books by Dominika Tomanek created for the very youngest readers. The first book in the series is What's That Sound?

Illustrated by Anna Kalicinska

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 2025

Series: Vivi & Oki

Pages: 22

Format: Board book

Source: Courtesy of the author

Babies recognise sounds long before they develop the capacity to vocalise words.

All around us are the sounds of everyday life. As an adult it is easy to block out these background sounds however young minds are attuned to every noise.

My grandson will point to the sky when he hears a plane or say woof woof when a dog barks in the distance. Many times I don't notice these sounds until he brings them to my attention.

Dominika's board book champions these sounds and brings them to life in this gorgeous interactive book.

Follow Vivi and Oki as they go through a day of fun and sounds. From the beep of the alarm that wakes them in the morning, the splash of the waves at the beach, the swoosh of the swing at the park, the vroom of the vacuum cleaner to the flip of the pages of their bedtime book.

What's That Sound? is a wonderful read-aloud book with over 50 sounds for babies to listen to and repeat.

We absolutely love this book with its gorgeous illustrations of everyday family activities and all the sounds that surround us. Being available as a board book is such a bonus as little ones can flip through the pages and connect with the pictures.

Vivi & Oki: What's That Sound? is a book that will grow with your child and help create special moments together as your little one explores and learns new sounds.

My rating 5 / 5  👶👶👶👶👶

Recommended age: 6months - 3years

#viviandoki #boardbook #kidsbookswelove #picturebook #booksfortoddlers #earlylearning #littlesquirrelsbookshelf #ausbookbloggers

Review: Crunch! Kaboom! by Conor Mills and Clodagh Starr

Crunch! Kaboom! is the perfect children’s picture book for a read aloud experience. It’s big and loud and perfect for kids who love trucks and excavators.

Illustrated by Alison Mutton

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 5th August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher 

Dazzlingly illustrated by Alison Mills with bright colours, enormous machines and lots of fun sounds to crunch, shake, dig and explode.
Crunch! Kaboom! Starts at an iron ore mine and follows the whole process from breaking up the earth to sorting the material, trucking it to the railroad and shipping it to be made into steel.

Crunch! Kaboom! is the perfect book for my little one who loves trucks but isn’t quite old enough to sit and listen to the whole story, but was mesmerised by the sounds and pictures. This is a fantastic educational tool that will grow with him as he understands more and more about the processes involved. But right now he just wants to see pictures of trucks.

This delightful children's book would make a fabulous educational tool for grades 2 - 4 to show the full process of making the steel that is in thousands of products we use everyday.

Big, bold illustrations by Alison Mutton reflect the colours of outback Australia.

My rating 5 / 5 🚧🚧🚧🚧🚧

Recommended age: 3 - 8 years

#crunchkaboom #conormills #clodaghstarr #alisonmutton #fremantlepress #trucks #diggers #ausbookbloggers #bookswithtrucks #childrenspicturebook #kidsbookswithtrucks #kidsbooksonmining #educationalchildrensbooks

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

Book Review: Bush Bubs by Helen Milroy

Bush Bubs is the latest book in the Backyard and Bush series by bestselling First Nations author Helen Milroy.

 

This is a gorgeous picture book for our littlest book lovers and a delightful introduction to the babies of the Australian bush; numbat, bilby, wombat, platypus, koala, echidna, sugar glider, kangaroo, dingo and tassie devil.

 

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher 

Bush Bubs features iconic Australian baby animals and is ideal for reading together and learning about the unique animals of Australia.

 

Each double spread feature has one page with a simple two line text with a solid colour background and the facing page has a beautiful bush baby illustration by author and artist Helen Milroy. Helen's bold earthy tones come straight from the land.

 

The catchy rhyming verse adds an element of fun to the reading. 

This gorgeous book with its message to look after our precious bush bubs is sure to become a favourite bedtime read.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

Recommended age: 2 - 5 years

 

Teaching notes and activities can be found at Fremantle Press

 https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/bush-bubs/

 

 

 

Book Review: Say Hello by Renae Hayward

 Say Hello is an adorable board book designed to captivate and celebrate baby's every move.

 

 

illustrated by Rebecca Mills

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Children's board book

Pages: 13

RRP: AU$14.99 (board book)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Say Hello is bright colourful and lots of fun! 

Babies and toddlers will recognise themselves in the little ones depicted in the book as they see the characters enjoying the activities that they love too.

Rebecca Mills full page vibrant and colourful illustrations immediately draw the eye and her cartoon style characters are simply adorable. Each picture has a short rhyming verse on the facing page.

Say Hello is the perfect book for read-aloud fun anytime of the day

Renae Hayward has depicted some of baby's fun, learning everyday activities in this sturdy board book that will appeal to ages 0 - 4 years.

 

My rating 5 / 5 👶👶👶👶👶

Recommended age 0 - 4 years

Teaching notes and activities can be found on the Fremantle Press website

https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/say-hello/

 

 

Book Review: Who Lives Here? by Julia Donaldson

 Who Lives Here?

by

Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books 

Publication date: 25th July 2023

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: $26.99AU (Hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

Review Who Lives Here?

A little boy is excited when he is invited to a friend's house to play. However he doesn't know which house on South Street is Dan's.

The story invites the reader to look at each house and guess who might live there then lift the flap to see if you are right. A cook, a knight, a ghost, which house is Dan's?

We love everything Julia Donaldson here at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf! Her rhyming prose slide off the tongue and the children were eager to see who lived in each house.

This story is all about fun and when the boy finds Dan's house they have a great playdate playing with Dan's toys.

Rebecca Cobb's double paged illustrations are full of detail; a visual delight and wonderful prompts that enhance the prose.

Who Lives Here? with its hands-on lift the flap pages is sure to delight any child.

My rating 5 / 5 🏠🏠🏠🏠🏠

About the author

Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand.

About the illustrator

Rebecca Cobb has created a number of well-received picture books, including the heart-breakingly beautiful Missing Mummy and the critically acclaimed Aunt Amelia. She has also collaborated with some of the best-known names in children's publishing. Rebecca lives in Falmouth with her husband and young daughters.

 

Book Review: Pink Santa by Tanya Hennesssy

 Pink Santa

by

Tanya Hennessy

Illustrated by Ben Whitehouse

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 29th August 2023

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 30

RRP: $19.99AU (Hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Dot's review of Pink Santa

This book really did "sleigh". The book was absolutely amazing!!

 

My favourite part was when the boy looked out the window and saw Pink Santa and said, "Santa you SLAYYYYYYY" and honestly I would do the same if I saw any coloured Santa, even Santa himself. 

My fav characters were the little boy who called out to Santa and the burly old elf who said, "for the first time in ages I'm feeling myself. I'm loving this vibe."

This is definitely a 5 star book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from Dot aged 9

My thoughts

Pink Santa is a delightful rhyming story about embracing change, overcoming mishaps and turning mistakes into a positive.
 

It's the night before Christmas and Santa is ready to go but first he needs to wash his suit. Rudolph throws it in the washing machine and it comes out PINK! Rudolph doesn't know what to do, Santa's red suit is iconic. Then Santa declares this year Christmas will be pink.
 

We loved the cute elves with their cheeky suggestions for Santa. There are lots of fun visuals and changes to spot, as Christmas turns from the iconic red & green to PINK.
 

Brightly coloured double page illustrated spreads catch the eye and there are lots of things happening in the background to keep little ones engaged.
 

Sometimes the best things come from a simple mistake and just maybe a new tradition will be born.
 

My rating 5 / 5 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

About the author

Tanya Hennessy -comedian, radio announcer and social media sensation. Originally from Newcastle, Tanya started in radio in 2012. Since then she has become an international social media sensation; written her first book, bestseller Am I Doing This Right?; become an ambassador for Priceline Pharmacy; sold out 27 venues for her first comedy show Low Expectations; and appeared on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2017.

About the illustrator

Ben Whitehouse is a character designer and children's book illustrator born and raised in Birmingham UK. At the moment, he lives in Germany with his wonderful partner, Yvonne and their son, Timmy and their border collie, Sparrow.

Book Review: Lego City Building Site

 Lego City Building Site

 

A Push, Pull and Slide Book

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 10th August 2021

Genre: Children's Educational

Pages: 8

RRP: $9.99AU

Format: Boardbook

Source: Own purchase 

Our review of Lego City Building Site

 

Everybody get to work - let's knock down that wall.

 

Join the construction crew as they demolish the old building, clear the rubble and start on a new buiding.

 

What can it be? 

 

Work the cement mixer, clear the rubble and lift the heavy doors.

 

Turn the page to reveal what the workers are building!

 

Lego City Building Site is another hands on book for toddlers, rich in imaginative play and themes of working together. We loved matching the Lego pieces and making our own building site.

 

⬇️⬆️➡️⬅️ With tabs to push, pull and slide on every page it’s a fun way to enhance motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination and grow the imagination.  

 

Made in hardy board format with thick pages and tabs that won't easily be torn or ripped out ensuring hours and hours of play.

The Lego City is a fabulous collection of books and we are eager  to collect the whole series.

 

Recommended age - 18months to 5 years

Our rating 5 / 5 👷👷👷👷👷

 

 

Book Review: Make Tracks - Cars by Johnny Dyrander

 Make Tracks: Cars

by

Johnny Dyrander

 

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Publication date: 2nd August 2022

Series: Make Tracks #4 

Pages: 10

RRP: $19.99

Format read: Boardbook 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

My review of Make Tracks: Cars

Jay loves this fun board book that helps build hand eye coordination

This sturdy board book features five different styles of cars and each car has their own track and tiny car counter that you can manoeuvre around the track. Stop at the crossings, drive around the winding road, race around the track, drive a four wheel drive around the muddy lake and catch a taxi into the airport.

Each car has a large glossy picture with all their features labeled. 

 

This will be a much loved book by any little car enthusiast. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Recommended age: 2+ 

About the author

Johnny Dyrander is an illustrator based in Stockholm, Sweden. He was born and raised above the Arctic circle in northern Sweden and grew up surrounded by reindeer and northern light. He moved to Stockholm in his early twenties and began studying at various art schools. He's been working as an illustrator since he finished his studies at the University College of Arts, Crafts & Design in Stockholm.

When he's not spending time in his office illustrating, Johnny likes to travel, spend time with his family or drive down to his house in southern Sweden, pick up a hammer and saw and pretend to be a carpenter. He builds things in wood with quite mixed results.

 

 

Book Review: Dinosaur Bash & Dinosaur Chew by Peter Curtis

 Dinosaur Bash!

The Ankylosaurus

by

Peter Curtis

Dinosaur Chew!

The Iguanodon

by

Peter Curtis

 

 

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 9th August 2022

 

Genre: Children's

 

Pages: 22

 

RRP: $14.99AUD

 

Format read: Board book

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Dinosaur Bash and Dinosaur Chew are part of a collection of board books inspired by the classic picture book, Dinosaur Roar.

 

Each book features one dinosaur highlighting their unique features and personality.

 

Dinosaur Bash's large club on his tail, armoured plates and short legs made it hard for him to play with his friends as they were all scared of getting injured. Dinosaur Roar explains to him that his tail is special and rare but he needs to take care when playing.

Dinosaur Chew just wants to eat grass and laze in the sun all day. While watching his friends he was learning new ways of doing things and after a busy day all he wanted to do was laze in the sun.

Other dinosaurs in the series pop in and out of each story, sometimes helping and sometimes causing havoc.

This would have to be on of Jay's favourite series and his eagle eye spotted a new dinosaur and now he is eager for Dinosaur Thud's story.

I like how each dinosaur has a name that relates to their personality. They are like a little community. Jay can name them all and points them out as they appear in each other’s books.

We have always been big fans of Dinosaur Roar and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs and this new collection adds to the delight by naming the dinosaurs and giving them personalities.

The front of each book has the correct pronunciation of the dinosaurs scientific name. Which is very helpful as some are quite a mouthful. The rear of the book points out specific features of that dinosaur.

With bright illustrations and rhyming text these board books are sure to appeal to little dinosaur enthusiasts and their parents.

 

Our rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

Book Review: Lego City Safari Rescue

 Lego City Safari Rescue

 

A Push, Pull and Slide Book

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 12th July 2022

 

Pages: 10

 

RRP: $9.99 AUD

 

Format read: Boardbook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

My thoughts

 

Come on a rescue safari!

 

The park rangers need YOU.

 

🦁We were excited to receive the latest book in the push, pull and sliding fun of Lego City board books.

🐒Climb aboard the safari jeep and feed the swinging monkeys.
🐘Watch the elephants at their waterhole and check on the lion cubs 🦁

⬇️⬆️➡️⬅️ With tabs to push, pull and slide on every page it’s a fun way to enhance motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination and grow the imagination.

Name the animals, count the animals and talk about different safari animals, endangered species and protecting our wildlife.

The Lego City Safari Rescue is another playful board book, brimming with imaginative play, that we are happy to add to our shelf. 

 

 

 

 

 

We are big Lego and Duplo fans and this book will be cherished for years to come.

Recommended age 18months - 5 years

My rating 5 / 5 🦁🐘🐒🦒🐍 

 

 

Book Review: Dinosaur Honk & Dinosaur Squeak by Peter Curtis & Jeanne Willis

 Dinosaur Honk!

The Parasaurolophus

by

Jeanne Willis & Peter Curtis

Dinosaur Squeak

The Compsognathus

by

Jeanne Willis & Peter Curtis

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 22nd February 2022

 

Genre: Children's

 

Pages: 22

 

RRP: $14.99AUD

 

Format read: Board book

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

 Dinosaur Honk and Dinosaur Squeak are part of a collection of board books inspired by the classic picture book, Dinosaur Roar.

Each book features one dinosaur highlighting their unique features and personality.

Dinosaur Honk’s honk annoys all the other dinosaurs. She’s too loud and causes chaos wherever she goes. Until one day she discovers that her honk might just come in handy.

Dinosaur Squeak is so tiny none of the other dinosaurs notice her or even hear her when she speaks! Though her best friend, dinosaur Roar, is always looking out for her, Squeak is determined to prove that she can survive all on her own.

Other dinosaurs in the series pop in and out of each story, sometimes helping and sometimes causing havoc.

Jay loves these books and we have read them over and over. When the next two in the series arrived he let out a squeal of delight. We have since purchased a couple more in the series and have our eye on the next ones we want to buy. Yes, WE! I enjoy these stories too. So much fun!

I like how each dinosaur has a name that relates to their personality. They are like a little community. Jay can name them all and points them out as they appear in each other’s books.

We have always been big fans of Dinosaur Roar and Ten Terrible Dinosaurs and this new collection adds to the delight by naming the dinosaurs and giving them personalities.

The front of each book has the correct pronunciation of the dinosaurs scientific name. Which is very helpful as some are quite a mouthful. The rear of the book points out specific features of that dinosaur.

With bright illustrations and rhyming text these board books are sure to appeal to little dinosaur enthusiasts and their parents.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Book Review: Lego City Police Patrol

Lego City Police Patrol

 

A Push, Pull and Slide Book 

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

 

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books

 

Publication date: 10th May 2022

 

Pages: 10

 

RRP: $9.99AUD

 

Format read: Boardbook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

My review

The alert has gone out! the city bank has been robbed and Lego City Police Patrol 🚔🚓 are in pursuit. 

This is a fun board book with just enough text to keep a toddler interested. It’s all about the imaginative and creative play. Pull a tab to bring out the police car, push a tab to reveal the police helicopter and find where the robbers are hiding. Tabs to push, pull or slide on each scene. 

 

The intricate Lego scenes held Jay’s attention and he enjoyed making up his own story as he pushed and pulled the tabs. A fun book that he keeps coming back to, time and time again.
A great way to enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and imaginative play.
A book that will be cherished by any young Lego or Duplo fan.
Suitable for ages 18months - 5 years.