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Thelma The Unicorn

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By: Aaron Blabey

Thelma only wants to be a unicorn. She believes everything would be wonderful if only that would happen. One day it does, a happy accident transforms Thelma into a magnificent unicorn and she becomes ever so famous. It doesn’t take long for Thelma to realise that maybe just being herself is better, that being a unicorn isn’t everything she thought it would be.

Aaron Blabey stories are always such fun and often have a good little gem of a message in them. This story is about being true to yourself and those who are good to the real you. Also how being famous may not in fact be the best or most important thing in life. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story, dealing with a big topic in an easily accessible way, accompanied by wonderful illustrations.

Highly Recommended

Publisher: Koala Book Company

 

Published: 1st August 2017

Key Words: Fun, Fame, Dreams

ISBN: 9781742764085

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Picture Books

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Flapper VC

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By: Mark Wilson
Flapper is a homing pigeon whose life became one big adventure that began at a young age when he was trained to be a homing pigeon. It took on grander dimensions when he was shipped off to war.
Based on a true story of war time communications this tale will give readers a glimpse of history. The story is a little dark by nature of the topic. The illustrations beautifully detailed and varied to give additional dimension and emotion to the story. Mark Wilson always does a wonderful job with these historic picture books.
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Published: 31st January 2017
Key Words: Historic, Animals
ISBN: 9780734416759

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Picture Books

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The Great Paper Caper

the-great-paper-caper

By: Oliver Jeffers

Something is happening in the woods. Something is happening to the trees. Something must be done so the animals get together to investigate. At first they find nothing, no clues, then they catch a break. Bear hasn’t meant to cause trouble, he’s just trying to practice for the great paper plane race. He really wants to win. Will bear achieve what he wants, and will he stop taking the trees?
A fun mystery story, with easy to read text. Jeffers stylised illustrations are always wonderful and tell the story more completely than just the text can. An enjoyable read.
Publisher: Harper Collins
Published: 1st Nov 2009
Key Words: Crime, Mystery, Paper Planes
ISBN: 9780007182336

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Picture Books

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Hughes Douglas and the Great Cake Bake

hugless-douglas-and-the-great-cake-bake
By: David Melling
Hugless Douglas has woken up hungry but all his honey is missing. Following the sticky trail of honey footprints, he finds the sheep have taken it so they can bake honey cakes. Douglas is still hungry but he likes honey cakes so he helps. Will Douglas get something to eat when all the messing around is done? Will he try something new.
Fun, familiar characters for those who’ve read other books from this series. Easy to understand text, accompanied by fun illustrations.
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Published: 9th August 2016
Key Words: Humour, Fun, Animals
ISBN: 9781444919899

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Picture Books

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Rules of Summer

rules-of-summerBy: Shaun Tan

Summer is a time of fun, of holidays and of adventure. As this book is a Shaun Tan book there isn’t an intricate plot but honestly there doesn’t need to be. Tan’s books have an appeal all of their own which can be attributed to the flexibility of the story told mostly in pictures with limited text, thus leaving a whole lot up to the imagination. I think I’d say the plot revolves around using your imagination to while away the days, having an older brother make up the rules and be the one to save you when the days turn dark. The illustrations are, as always whimsical and amazing, conveying the width and breadth of what can be achieved when you walk away from technology and allow yourself free reign. An amazing book that left me wanting to explore it again.
Recommended

Publisher: Arthur A Levine Books
Published: 29th April 2014
Key Words: Adventure, Family, Imagination
Format: Hard cover or paperback picture book
Pages: 48
ISBN: 9780545639125

Category:

Picture Books, Topics and Recommendations

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Friendly Day

I was sent this book by the publisher
9780340981283
By: Mij Kelly and Charles Fuge

Cat catches Mouse, it’s not looking too good but then Mouse informs cat that today is Friendly Day, a day where old grudges are put aside and everyone is friends. It is a fun day when foxes croon to entertain geese. Then Cat tells Bear who thinks and knows that know such thing exists, but wouldn’t it be really awesome if it did.

This is a really fun story about what it is to be a friend, and the possibility of how things could be. The animals do silly things that kids will get a giggle out of and Fuge’s illustrations are recognisable, fun, simple and expressive. And really, wouldn’t it be awesome if there was an Friendly Day.

Recommended

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Format: Paperback 32 pages
Publication date: 7 August 2014
Genre: Friendship, Animals
ISBN 13: 9780340981283
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of page

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Picture Books

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The Last King of Angkor Wat

I was sent this book by the publisher
the-last-king-of-angkor-wat
By: Graeme Base
Tiger, Gibbon, Water Buffalo and Geeko are sitting around talking about who would be the best king. They each think they are the best for the role. An Elephant appears and sets them a task, if they truly believe they are worthy of being king. Each set off to the temple convinced they are the best. Throughout the journey each discovers more about themselves and about what it takes to be a king.
This is a beautifully illustrated (as always) picture book. The story can be as simple as a challenge between friends or a deeper lesson of working together and learning that it takes a collection of traits working together to make someone a good leader.
Highly Recommended.
Publisher: Viking Australia
Published: 24 September 2014
Format: Hardback 32 pages
Categories: Storybooks Fiction
ISBN 13: 9780670077151
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

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Picture Books

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Sam & Dave Dig a Hole

I was sent this by the publisher.
sam-and-dave-dig-a-hole
By: Mac Barnett
Illustrated By: Jon Klassen
Sam and Dave are on a mission. This mission involves a hole. They decide they are not going to stop until they find something spectacular. They keep stopping and changing direction. They dig for a very long time. In the end they agree they had a very spectacular adventure.
This is a simple, fun little story. Easy to understand text accompanied by illustrations of muted autumn colours. The illustrations though, somehow highlight the simplicity of how easy it is to have an adventure. A wonderful picture book.
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Published: 02 October 2014
Format: Hardback 40 pages
Categories: Storybooks Fiction
ISBN 13: 9781406357769
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of page

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Picture Books

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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

 

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Picture Books

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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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