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Archive for June, 2014

A House For Donfinkle

I received my copy from the publisher

 

a-house-for-donfinkleBy: Choechoe Brereton and Wayne Harris

Donfinkle Vonkrinkle is building a home. He builds a lovely house, but not everyone thinks it is so great. All the strange creatures he knows have suggestions as to what he can do to make it better. When too many people try to make a thing perfect often things end up just the opposite.

This is a lovely little picture book. It is a charming story about balancing what you want with what others believe is best for you. The text is presented in rhyming verse and the illustrations are quirky, done in muted colours that works wonderfully for the story. Silly creatures and silly words make for a fun story to read aloud and share with your young ones.

Recommended.

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Published: 01 May 2014

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Picture Books, Friendship, Self Awareness

ISBN 13: 9781921720536

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

 

Category:

Picture Books

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The Boy From Snowy River

I received my copy from the publisher

the-boy-from-snowy-river

By: Edwina Howard and Joe Bond

Part of the Mates series

George lives in Mumblegum and he really wants to go to Big Spills Water World but it would cost a bit of money to go. George’s grandma suggests he enter The Stockman’s Cup race at the local fair, the prize money could pay for his trip. The Cup is a horse race and they have a horse called Bandicoot that won the race more than once when it was younger, much younger. George isn’t sure it will work but to get to the theme park he’ll try anything. The race doesn’t quite go as expected.

This is a fun, modern take on Banjo Patterson’s The Man From Snowy River. There is a race, a rescue and plenty of fun along the way. The simple text, colourful illustrations and short chapters make it a perfect book for beginning readers. A great addition to the Mates series.

Publisher: Omnibus Books

Published: 01 April 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Fiction, Adventure

 

ISBN 13: 9781862919976

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Books to Check Out

Best-Of-2011-image-Horizontal

Different people look for vastly different things in the books they choose for their children. I try to read a wide variety of books but without question I am drawn more to the genres I love, this is why sometimes it’s a great idea to check out the best of lists. Now no-one is likely to agree with everything that makes these lists, but sometimes it is good to expand our horizons, you might be surprised. To be totally honest those Best of All Time lists, are filled with books I have absolutely no desire to read, but I still go through them and sometimes am reminded of books that I’ve been meaning to pick up.

So with that in mind here is a link to The Bank Street Centre for Children’s Literature list.

Some great titles here and a large number of ones I’ve never heard of. Oh if only I didn’t actually have a day job, but I have to pay for my book addiction somehow.

Category:

Lists - Topics & Recommendations

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Crooked Leg Road

I received my copy from the publisher.

crooked-leg-road

Jennifer Walsh

On the way to David’s house Andrea sees some strange men hanging around in the back lane. This freaks Andrea out, she thinks there is something very wrong with what she has seen but she has no evidence to back up her feelings. She tries to forget about. Then a few days later David has gone. He is just not to be found. David’s grandfather tells her not to worry but she can’t help it, something about this whole whinge feels very wrong. She ropes in Martin and Kitty to help. The first thing they need to do is find out some information about the new boy Skender, he is hiding something and his family speak the same language as the men Andrea saw in the alley. The friends are determined to find out what is going on and rescue their missing mate.

This is a tightly written mystery that wraps its fingers around you and before you know it, you too know something is wrong and you have to find out what it is. Each of the characters has strengths and weaknesses and they balance each other out. The addition of Sam, who comes across as very self obsessed, brings a strange kind of lightness to the tale. The underlying story has dark edges that can actually be a springboard to interesting conversations with your kids about what is going on in the world. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Recommended.

Publisher: Allen and Unwin Children’s Books

Published: 01 May 2014

Format: Paperback 216 pages

Categories: Mystery

ISBN 13: 9781743316931

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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8

I received my copy from the publisher.8By: James Phelan

The Last 13 bk 6

Things are moving fast, Sam has gone from the jungles, where they found another gear and only barely getting away from Han’s men. Lucky for Sam they were distracted by hidden treasures. When they ran into Stella they were found themselves flying away from a dart gun attack. Things seemed fine for a moment when they finally got to meet up with their associates. Unfortunately their plan was grounded in Cuba due to bad weather. This proves fortuitous  because Sam’s next dream tells him the next dreamer is in Cuba. On finding Maria they begin a search that involves her missing father and sunken trips. Hopefully in the process they will find another gear.

Meanwhile Lora and Eve are in Mac’s clutches and Alex is with a team that goes to a defunct Enterprise base where their initial genetic testing and experiments occurred.

This instalment sees Eve have an interesting character arc as she finds out more about her family and her aunt. Sam continues to stay the course, he is at the heart of the action which continues its non-stop forward momentum as the search for the gears continues flat out. The story is interesting, with enough different locations and story streams delivered in short, sharp chapters. This style works to keep reluctant readers interested. Locations all around the world add intrigue and interest. A fun, fast paced series.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 May 2014

Format: Paperback 192 pages

Categories: Adventure, Thriller

ISBN 13: 9781742831893

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

 

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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