Book Review: Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is the ultimate children's science book by DeadlyScience founder Corey Tutt, best selling author of The First Scientists. 

 

illustrated by Ben Williams

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th February 2025

Genre: Non Fiction / Picture Book

Pages: 140

RRP: AU$32.99 (Hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is an amazing book filled with cool facts and vibrant, real to life illustrations that will entrance and enthrall all reptile enthusiasts big and small.

 

With over 60 reptiles and information on what they look like, what makes it deadly, favourite feeds, predators and prey and how they breed.

For each reptile you will also discover its First Nations name and where it can be found in Australia.

 

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles is a fantastic hardcover book that will become a treasured reference guide to children interested in reptiles, conservation and the environment.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐍🦎🐢🐊🐍

Recommended age: 8 - 14 years

 

 

 

Spotlight: Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend by Janet Hayward

 I've reviewed Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend over on The Burgeoning Bookshelf however I wanted to highlight it here as well as it is a fabulous little book for tweens.

 

 As more and more young girls are spending their pocket money on overpriced serums at Sephora and Mecca it is refreshing to see a book being written offering girls inexpensive and natural alternatives.

 

See my full review on The Burgeoning Bookshelf Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend Review. 

 

Published by Simon & Schuster on 30th October 2024

 

My rating 5 / 5  🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

Book Review: Karma is Three Cats by Bella Montgomery

 LIFE ACCORDING TO TAYLOR SWIFT'S KITTY BEST FRIENDS

Join Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button, Taylor Swift's feline best friends, as they explore, play and spend time with Taylor.

illustrated by Carolina Marando

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 14th January 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Karma is Three Cats is the perfect story for young readers, Swifties and cat lovers alike.

 

Written from the point of view of Taylor's cats, this delightful story book is filled with fun moments, feline antics and loads of love. Celebrating the joy pets bring into our lives.

 

Charmingly illustrated by Carolina Marando with bright, colourful double page spread illustrations showing Taylor at home with her kitties and out and about going about their daily lives.

 

The author and illustrator have cleverly added little Easter eggs for Swiftie fans to find throughout the story. How many can you find?

 

Karma is Three Cats is a lovely story about cats for the 3 - 8 age group and a fun keepsake for Taylor Swift fans of all ages.

 

My rating 5 / 5  🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 

Publisher recommended age: 4 - 10 years

 

 

Book Review: Shadows and Secrets (Wolf Girl #12) by Anh Do

 Shadows and Secrets is book 12 in Anh Do's smash hit Wolf Girl series and he has delivered another riveting story filled with danger and suspense.

 

Following straight on from book 11, Gwen has left behind her new friends at Simpson Mall and continues her search for her parents.

The Braxons are right on her heels which makes for some nerve wracking moments as Gwen and the dogs battle through some life or death situations as they navigate dark caves, booby traps and raging rivers. Gwen's canine friends add plenty of humour to the narrative which lightens up the story.

 

Each new book doesn't progress far but there is lots of action that will keep the reader invested. Kids will love it!

 

Extensively illustrated throughout, by Jeremy Ley, with half and full page black and white sketches, which add an extra element of comprehension to the story. 

 

The book ends on a super cliff-hanger that will have kids eager for the next installment.  Anh Do knows how to keep his readers hooked!

 

Wolf Girl is a series that needs to be read in order as it is an ongoing story and there is very little backstory included.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Publication date: 3rd December 2024

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 232

RRP: AU$16.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Book Review: The Backyard Games by Alister Nicholson

In The Backyard Games you can join in with the neighbourhood kids as they organise their own Olympic Games with lots of friendly competition, cheering and medals for all. 

 illustrated by Tom Jellett

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

The Backyard Games is a fun rhyming book written by Alister Nicholson and illustrated by Tom Jellett in fabulous full-colour double page spreads.

 

"What a glorious day for the Backyard Games! 

Who will be champions, household names?

We've planned and practiced; we've built our venue.

Now, a great sporting feast is on the menu."

The children pick the country they will represent and the games begin. There is competition, fun, cheering and a few mishaps but most of all there is laughter and working together as they celebrate the ceremony and fun of the games.

As the light begins to fade medals are given and everyone's a winner in The Backyard Games.

 

This is such a fun book and perfect for the upcoming school holidays. The Backyard Games is the perfect inspiration to gather the kids outside and make your own Olympic games day. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🚲🏏🛹🏹🎾

Recommended age: 4 - 7 years 

 

 

 

Book Review: Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch

 In Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch take their readers on a fascinating exploration of Antarctica through a specially selected mix of their own and others' work, through the stages from early exploration to present day.

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Children's

Genre: Non Fiction

Pages: 96

RRP: AU$35.00 (hard back)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. It has been published under Allen & Unwin's Children's imprint and written with ages 8 - 14 in mind however Into the Ice will truly appeal to all ages. I've always had an interest in the early explorers of Antarctica and I love how this book shows the early history and also highlights the beauty and wonder of the continent.

You don't need to have an interest in Antarctica or its history to be captivated by this beautiful hardcover compilation of photos, paintings, sketches and notes from diaries of some of the most noted explorers.

Lester and Tulloch include their own reactions and feelings of awe as they see first-hand the wonder that is Antarctica.

Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica is the perfect coffee table book. A spellbinding book that you will be urged to pick up again and again.

My rating 5 / 5 ❄❄❄❄❄

I recommend Into the Ice for all ages - 96 pages of wonder and awe.

 

 

 

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/