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.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Trains, Trains, Trains! by Donna David

Trains, Trains, Trains!

by

Donna David

illustrated by Nina Pirhonen 

Find your favourite!

Publisher:  Pan Macmillan 

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication date: 22/02/2022

Pages: 24

RRP: $14.99AUD

Format read: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 My review: 

Trains, Trains, Trains! By @donnadavidauthor illustrated by @nina_pirhonen combines two of Jay’s favourite things; trains and counting.
 

🚂All aboard for a bright, bouncy, busy rhyming adventure.
🚞This is a colourful and fun rhyming book with simple text that rolls off the tongue.
🚆There are 50 trains to spot and count as they whizz along tracks and through tunnels.
🚉Trains in the day and trains in the dark.
The gorgeous cartoon style animal illustrations add an extra element of fun as you peer through windows to see who is inside. Jay has spent hours with this book. Making up his own words, looking at the pictures and counting the trains. There is a ‘did you spot’ section in the back and also tips for parents and carers. Trains, Trains, Trains! would be a much loved addition to any child’s bookshelf.  

About the author

Donna David grew up in the West Midlands in a house full of noisy siblings, fun parents, mad aunties and maggots (her dad is a fisherman). She’d often be found reading by torchlight way after bedtime and this love of reading has never left her. Donna has a degree in English from Loughborough University and currently works as an English coach at the local secondary school. She is married to an RAF pilot and she has worked closely with the charity Little Troopers on a series of picture books written for military children.

About the illustrator

Nina Pirhonen is a Finnish illustrator, designer and children's book author, with a bright, bold and distinctive contemporary style. She has created multiple picture books in Finland, including the popular Leo the Lion series, and her work includes fashion and textile design for Marimekko.