Review: The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson

We loved Afloat in Venice here at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf! This was a fun and adventurous story about a toy monkey holidaying in Venice.

With the Covid shutdown (something we all want to forget) little Monkey was stranded at home so mum, Tina Wilson, decided an imaginative adventure in his own home would keep Monkey and his reader friends entertained.

Photography by Tina Wilson

Music by Matt Ottley

Knitting by Joan Wilson

Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing

Publication day: 1st October 2025

Series: Monkey's Great Adventures #2

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: $25.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

Monkey is sure there is a monster in the bathroom because it always makes a HUGE mess. One day he decides he must find this MESSY bath monster and dives deep into his bath water. What ensues is a delightful adventure as Monkey comes across some giant, and not so giant, sea creatures in his search for The Messy Bath Monster. Will he find out who is making all the mess?

The Messy Bath Monster not only features the amazing knitting talent of Tina's mother Joan Wilson but also has accompanying music by Matt Ottley, which can be downloaded by scanning the QR code in the book. Matt Ottley's music adds a unique element to this gorgeous children's picture book.

The wonderful array of hand knitted sea creatures combine with imaginative photographed scenes to offer an engaging and fun read-aloud story experience.

Big bright pages and limited text will keep even younger children engaged as when combined with the music the book is very much a sensory experience.

Reading The Messy Bath Monster along with its accompanying music invites children and their carers to slow down, engage and reflect on life's simple pleasures.

If you are a knitter, like me, you will love that pattern links to some of the knitted sea creatures are in the back of the book.

My rating 5 / 5 🐒🐒🐒🐒🐒

Recommended age: 2+

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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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Review: Awash by Marg Gibbs

 

Can a young girl really make a difference?

Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini

Publisher: M J Gibbs

Publication date: August 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$28.00 (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the author via Books On Tour

Awash is a beautiful picture book with a strong story of environmental awareness.

Marg Gibbs combines a look-and-find element with a story about cleaning our beaches to deliver an interactive story with a message children can relate to and put into practice.

The story follows Cassie as she searches the shoreline for that special shell for a necklace but what she finds is the everyday detritus washed up onto the sand. Litter and rubbish left behind by people and thrown into gutters then making its way into our waterways and beaches.

With the help of a new friend and a young family Cassie picks up all the rubbish along the shore.

Awash is a fun picture book that will open up conversations on litter and the effect plastic waste in our water has on sealife. Awash is a story that will empower children to make a difference.

Sandra Severgnini has included a whole slew of objects to find hidden in the illustrations; from a legoman to a drink can and plastic straws. Sandra Severgnini's illustrations invite the reader, through engaging illustrations and facial expressions, to search the beach and share in Cassie's disappointment and then the joy of cleaning the beach and finding treasure.

Marg Gibbs has also included how you can help clean up the beach and ideas on how to make it a group activity plus websites to visit for further information.

Awash is a story that will be read over and over. It is sure to become a family favourite.

My rating 5 / 5 🐚🐚🐚🐚🐚

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

The book can be purchased through the author: https://mjgibbs.com.au/product/awashnew/

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Review: The Wonder Horse by Mark Greenwood

I recently reviewed a book on The Burgeoning Bookshelf titled Life, and Death, and Giants and I instantly thought how appropriate that title would be for The Wonder Horse, as it's the story of the life and death of a giant in the racing world, Phar Lap. 

The Wonder Horse is the true story (Jay is loving true stories lately) of Phar Lap, written at a middle grade level for children aged 8 - 12 years, and is part of Mark Greenwood's History Hunters series.

The story of The Wonder Horse will not only appeal to readers who love horses but also those who love a mystery as Mark Greenwood delves into the life of the most famous racehorse ever.

Right from the compelling introduction The Wonder Horse is a riveting read as it follows Phar Lap's meteoric rise. However it is not only a story of a racehorse it's the story of the love between man and animal. Phar Lap's trainer Tommy Woodcock formed a deep connection with the animal. He did everything for him, even sleeping in his stable at night. Phar Lap sometimes refused to eat and made a big fuss if Tommy wasn't nearby.

Greenwood has included real photos of Phar Lap, Tommy and his jockey. The Wonder Horse is a heartfelt story filled with intrigue, the threat of gangsters and the thrill of a win all wrapped around a compelling mystery. A must read for young history hunters.

My rating 5 / 5 🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇

Recommended age: 8 - 12 years

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st June 2025

Series: History Hunters

Genre: Non Fiction / History

Pages: 112

RRP: AU$14.99 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher