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: 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: 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/