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Archive for February, 2014

Annabelle and the Missing Turtles

I received this from the publisher

annabelle-and-the-missing-turtles

By: Rose Inserra

An Australian Girl book

Annabelle is very interested in turtles, in fact she is really determined to find the hatchlings that have gone missing. It’s a real mystery that no one seems to be able to figure out, not even the people at Marine World know where they went. Annabelle enlists the help of her friends Matilda, Emily, Amy and Jasmine to track the missing hatchlings. In the process they meet a famous explorer, act as pirates and run a successful campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the hatchlings.

This is an appealing story. The five friends are very different and complement each others strengths and weaknesses. The added element of time travel gives the story the interesting aspect of including a real life explorer in the tale, which is a cool little detail to encourage little ones to look at Australian history. The chapters are short and the text easy to understand. A good choice to look at if you have a little one who is just getting into reading chapter books and is interested in animals.

Publisher: Wombat Books

Published: 01 November 2013

Format: Paperback 90 pages

Categories: Animals, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9781921632389

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Lilli-Pilli’s Sister

I was sent this by the publisher.

lilli-pilli-s-sister

By: Anna Branford

Illustrated by: Linda Catchlove

Lilli-Pilli’s mother is going to have a baby. Lilli-Pilli is very excited about having a baby sister, she knows it is going to be a sister because she can feel it in her wings. Lilli-Pilli is helping her dad make the baby’s crib and he sends her out to collect some soft things to put in it, so it is comfortable for baby. As Lilli-Pilli speaks to others she begins to wonder if her wings are right because they seem so sure the baby will be a boy. Is Lilli-Pilli wrong to trust her wings?

This is a totally adorable book about getting a new baby in the family. It shows how a big sister (or brother) can help out even before a baby is born. The lovely thing here is the feeling of family and community, if you are looking for a picture book to help with the concept of a new sibling this is a great choice. The text is beautifully descriptive and the illustrations delightfully whimsical. A real delight to read and re-read. I am unashamedly a fan of Anna Branford’s work.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Published: 01 February 2014

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Family, Siblings, Pregnancy, Fairies

ISBN 13: 9781921977589

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Picture Books

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Shh! We Have A Plan

I was sent this by the publisher.
shh-we-have-a-plan

By: Chris Haughton

There in the woods is a pretty bird, now Shh! because they have a plan to catch this bird. Unfortunately things don’t go quite according to plan. The three big companions think they know best, but sometimes it’s the little people that have the good ideas.

This is a very simple little story accompanied by very stylised illustrations. The text is repetitious and basic, making this a perfect choice for introducing little ones to books. The silly nature of what happens along the way is bound to entertain them.

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

Published: 06 March 2014

Format: Hardback 48 pages

Categories: Humour

ISBN 13: 9781406342321

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Picture Books

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Mystic

I received my copy from the publisher.

mystic

By: Alyson Noel

The Soul Seekers series bk 3

Daire Santos tried to kill Cade Richter but things didn’t go according to plan and she finds herself separated from everyone she loves, she is in the Upperworld seemingly trapped. She comes up with a plan because there is no way she is going to be kept away from Dace and the others she cares about. When she finally gets back she discovers she isn’t the only one who is missing. No-one knows where Dace is and yet Cade seems to be doing just fine. As soon as she is able Daire sets out to rescue Dace and then they will see what can be done about the Richter’s, though with Cade and Dace being so connected no-one is sure what that will be.

Daire and Dace drive this story along, their love, their torment, their individual destinies, but the supporting cast are what flesh this tale out. The older characters providing wisdom and mentorship (both good and evil) and peers such as Xotichl and Lita providing support and grounding. The introduction of a third party set on the destruction of the Richters provides another level as in this case the often used plot device ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’, simply doesn’t work here, with the destruction of one boy equalling the destruction of both.

The time Daire and Dace spent separated has changed them, it has altered their abilities and as the story progresses they start to understand to what extent these changes are. I find the integration of the spirit animals and spirit world interesting, it gives what could just be another story of good verses evil a different spin. I still look forward to finding out how Noel is going to continue this and wrap it all up.

Publisher: MacMillan Children’s Books

Published: 04 July 2013

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Romance

ISBN 13: 9781447206835

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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Skateboard Stars

I was sent this by the publisher.

skateboard-stars

By: Felicity Carter

Illustrated By: Louis Shea

Double Trouble series bk 2

Tommy and Coop love skateboarding almost as much as they love pranking people. One day, Jed Michael’s, one of their skateboarding heroes announcing a competition where the winner gets to go on his show. The twins are so excited, they just have to enter. Then they realise only one might get chosen, so they come up with a prank that, if it works, will give them both the chance to get on the show.

The twins are clever and tricky, this makes for a fun story. Though as a parent I’m not sure I’d want to be giving prank inclined kids more ideas, particularly as so many pranks are aimed at their parents. The series continues in the same vein as it began, simple language, fun action and expressive illustrations.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 February 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Twins, Pranks, Humour

ISBN 13: 9781742838571

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Prank Alert

I was sent this by the publisher.

prank-alert

By: Fiona Regan

Illustrated By: Louis Shea

Double Trouble series bk 1

Tommy and Coop are twins who’s favourite thing to do is to pull pranks on people. They love pranking their parents, though it may sometimes have consequences they don’t like. They also love to prank at school, and this time they end up having to stay back afterwards to help clean up, but this just gives them an idea for another prank.

This is a fun story that will appeal to many young readers. The text is simple to understand, and the story moves at a good pace. The illustrations are just as fun as the story. This is a good choice for young readers looking at getting into chapter books though the chapters come in around 10 pages so they are longer than some.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 February 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Humour

ISBN 13: 9781742838564

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Stink and the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers

I was sent this by the publisher.

stink-and-the-world-s-worst-super-stinky-sneakersBy: Megan McDonald

Illustrated By: Peter H Reynolds

Stink is super excited to be going on the school excursion because they are going to the Everybody Stinks exhibit at the Science Museum. Whilst there Stink discovers he has an amazing gift, he has a really good nose, he can tell the difference between all sorts of super smelly things.

Stink decides to enter his stinky sneakers in the competition for the worst smelling sneakers but his sister Judy ruins his plans. This is when Stink sets out to make his shoes as stinky as they used to be. Then he discovers that his gift gives him an amazing new opportunity.

Stink is a lot of fun, a good match for his sister Judy Moody. The stories are fun filled and even have snippets of interesting information. The language is perfect for young readers and the illustrations complement the stories wonderfully. A great little series.

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 130 pages

Categories: Family, Humour, Fun, Friends,

ISBN 13: 9780763664244

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker

I was sent my copy by the publisher

stink-and-the-incredible-super-galactic-jawbreakerBy: Megan McDonald

Illustrated By: Peter H Reynolds

Stink uses his money to get himself a jawbreaker, but he soon finds himself disappointed as it doesn’t break his jaw. Stink decides his best course of action is to write a letter of complaint to the company that makes the jawbreakers. This turns out better than he hoped because he gets a huge box of jawbreakers sent to him. Due to his success Stink decides to write a whole lot more letters in the hope he will get more stuff sent to him.

Grandma send Stink some glow in the dark pyjamas to wear to the school sleepover, even when things goes wrong it’s not so bad because Judy does something cool to fix it. Then it seems his best friend Webster isn’t talking to him and Stink doesn’t know what he has done wrong. Turns out that Stink in his excitement at getting big things in the mail overlooked a very important small letter.

A fun instalment from the world of Stink. These stories show what you can do and what some important things are that may be easy to miss. Stink is a bright character, who is proactive in things he does. The stories are a lot of fun and perfect for early readers who want the challenge of a chapter book that isn’t too tricky for them.

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 118 pages

Categories: Family, Friends

ISBN 13: 9780763664206

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

 

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Stink : The Incredible Shrinking Kid

I was sent this by the publisher.

the-incredible-shrinking-kid

By: Megan McDonald

Illustrated By: Peter H Reynolds

Stink series bk 1

Stink gets measured every morning, Stink is desperate to grow but the result is always the same. Until the one day it is different, the only problem is the difference is in the wrong direction, is it possible that Stink is shrinking?

Stink gets to take the class newt home one weekend. It’s a privilege and Stink is excited, all he has to do is look after him and keep a record of everything he does. That won’t be do hard because after all newts don’t do an awful lot. But then it all goes kind of wrong.

Presidents’ Day is coming up and everyone in Stink’s class has to pick their favourite president. Stink picks James Madison and decides that Madison should be featured on the state quarter.

This is almost like three stories in one. The themes from each story run into each other which gives the whole things good flow. Stink is enthusiastic and that is catching, he can be a bit silly and a lot of fun. The language is perfect for those beginning to gain confidence in their chapter book reading. There are fun illustrations as well, which help break up the text making it seem less daunting. The Stink books are thoroughly enjoyable.

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 102 pages

Categories: Family, Humour, School Stories, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9780763664268

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page.

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Poison Boy

I was sent this book by the publisher

the-poison-boy

By: Fletcher Moss

Dalton Fly has a job, it’s not one that guarantees a long life but for an orphan it is better than nothing. Dalton is a food taster for the rich. He has the unenviable job of testing to ensure food and drink on the tables of the wealthy is not poisoned. Dalton has had a narrow escape, his mate wasn’t so lucky. This though thrusts Dalton into a world he has only ever been part of on the fringes. Along with his best mate and Scarlet Dropmore, one of the rich and privileged, he sets out to find who killed his friend only to discover he has wandered into something far bigger and way more unexpected than his wildest dreams could ever have come up with.

From the first blood filled moments this book takes the reader on quite a ride. The world Moss has created is gritty, grotty as you would expect when the characters come from the poorer parts of the world. It is contrast to the the parties and lifestyle of the wealthy whose lives they end up meddling in. Dalton and his best mate Sal are a great team, Dalton’s courage and Sal’s smarts are a good balance. I like their loyalty, it is a thread that runs through the story and gives Dalton a more rounded character which he needs as the story progresses. The plot is tight and action packed. If you are looking for a mystery dashed in blood and back handed goings on, this is well worth a look.

Publisher: Chicken House Ltd

Published: 04 April 2013

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9781908435446

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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