Congratulations!!
Leigh Hobbs has just been named Australian Children’s Laureate. he is the fantastic author and illustrator of many books including favourites such as Old Tom, Mr Chicken, and Mr Badger.
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Posts tagged ‘Animal Stories’
Playground Pets
I was sent this by the publisher.
By: Rebecca Johnson
Illustrated By: Kyla May
Juliet Nearly a Vet bk 8
Juliet is ten and has a real passion for animals. Most schools don’t have many pets but hers does and that is just fine with Juliet because she loves animals and wants to be a vet when she is older. Also she loves to help out. One day they get a replacement teacher for science class, Miss Fine, but it turns out that Miss Fine doesn’t know very much about looking after animals so Juliet and her best friend Chelsea volunteer to help her. All is going well until it isn’t and then they lose someone and some babies might be coming early. It seems it is going to take more than two of them to get things back on track.
This is a real team story and as such a good addition to the series. The story itself is fun filled, with silly things than can happen when animals are involved. Scattered throughout are also plenty of little facts about different animals that are part of the story, so the book could also be a teaching device but shhhh, don’t let the reader know that. There is even a short quiz at the end of the book. A good little read particularly if the reader likes animals.
PUBLISHER: Puffin
FORMAT: Paperback 96 pages
PUBLISHED: 27th August 2014
KEY WORDS: Animals, Friends, School
ISBN: 9780143308270
Friendly Day
I was sent this book by the publisher
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
Blood Ties
I received my copy from the publisher.
By: Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Spirit Animals bk 3
Meilin has had enough of waiting and working with the others, she wants to help her father, her people. She has no idea what state her land is in but that isn’t going to stop her, she knows what she wants and she knows how capable she is, so she chooses to leave the group and go home, where she feels she might at least be able to do some good. The welcome she receives though is not quiet what she expected. Whilst she is trying to get home, the enemy are still pushing forward and her friends face a deadly foe.
This is Meilin’s story, it is a very interesting arc for her, because as capable as she is she is ruled by emotions and to find she isn’t always right and can make mistakes is a big thing for her to try and come to terms with. The others still have their part to play and ultimately it turns out that they really work best when they work together. This is a story of adversity and coming together as a team to deal with the challenges thrown up in front of them.
Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Published: 01 April 2014
Format: Paperback 208 pages
Categories: Science Fiction Fantasy
ISBN 13: 9781743620007
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
Zookeeper for a Day
I received my copy from the publisher
By: Rebecca Johnson
Illustrated By: Kyla May
Juliet Nearly a Vet bk 6
Juliet loves animals, so much in fact that she is certain one day she will be a vet. Juliet entered a competition to be a zookeeper for a day and she won. She is so excited. She’s so happy that it is an experience she gets to share with her best friend Chelsea, who wants to be an animal trainer and groomer. There are so many jobs at the zoo and some the girls really weren’t prepared for, the most exciting thing though is that a baby elephant is due to be born.
This is such a charming story about a young girl who is incredibly passionate about animals and her dream job and she does what ever she can to work towards that goal. Juliet’s passion and positive attitude are contagious and she is ably assisted by her best friend. They have an exciting day at the zoo and I’m sure readers will find the easy language and fun pictures a good way to learn a little of how a zoo might run behind the scenes.
Publisher:Â Puffin
Published:Â 28 May 2014
Format: Paperback 96 pages
Categories: Â Animal Stories, Friends
ISBN 13:Â 9780143308256
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
Beach Buddies
I received my copy from the publisher.
By: Rebecca Johnson
Illustrated By: Kyla May
Juliet Nearly A Vet book 5
Juliet and her family are going on a holiday to the beach. Juliet is excited because there are all sorts of animals at the beach and you never know what animals may need help, that is why Juliet is taking her vet kit. When you take your own dog to the beach you never know what sort of mischief it will get up to so it’s a good thing vets are prepared for anything.
A sweet story about family, friends and holidays with plenty of information about different animals thrown in as well. The text is interesting and easy for young readers to understand. The illustrations are appealing, innocent and somehow convey exact emotions for certain moments of the story. Enjoyable stories about an interesting young girl with a passion for animals.
Publisher:Â Puffin
Published:Â 28 May 2014
Format: Paperback 96 pages
Categories:Â Animal Stories
ISBN 13:Â 9780143308249
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
Figaro & Rumba & the Crocodile Cafe
I received my copy from the publisher.
By: Anna Feinberg & Stephen Michael King
Part of the Figaro & Rumba series
Figaro and Rumba are strange best friends, Figaro is a dog who likes to run and Rumba is a cat for whom song and dance are part of his life. Figaro wants to catch the fast train to the beach but when a friend of theirs goes missing, plans change. When they finally get to the beach they meet a charming crocodile with a musical waistcoat and conga drums. Rumba doesn’t think anything could be wrong but Figaro is sure the crocodile is up to something.
Figaro and Rumba may be unexpected friends but they work well together, different in temperament but still happy to spend time in each other’s company. They like to do things together. This story is made up of a number of different incidents that could each be their own little tale, which makes this an easy book to share with beginning readers, or for someone starting on chapter books. King’s illustrations are appealing water colours that seem light and friendly. The package is just one hard to walk past,
Highly Recommended.
Publisher:Â Allen & Unwin Children’s Books
Published:Â 14 August 2014
Format: Paperback 96 pages
Categories:Â Animal Stories, Friendships,
ISBN 13:Â 9781743314883
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page
Mission One : The Catier Emerald
I received this book from the publisher
By: Eileen O’Healy & Heath McKenzie
Kitten Kaboodle bk 1
Kitten Kaboodle is no ordinary kitten, in one part of his life he is Judy’s kitten Buttons, but in his other part he is a top agent for CAT. His mission this time is to infiltrate the DOG fortress disguised as a pedigree kitten and discover what it is that DOG are up to this time. Kaboodle has to be careful that he doesn’t draw too much attention to himself and blow his cover. Then if at all possible the plan has to be sabotaged.
This is a fun little adventure/spy book where the central character happens to be a kitten. The chapters aren’t very long, the text is large and simple to understand, and the black and white illustrations are fun. Kaboodle is charming, if a bit self important, he is brave and determined. For someone who loves adventure and animals this looks like it could be a good series for them. It’s pace is good and descriptions clear. Worth a look.
Publisher:Â Walker Books Australia
Published:Â 01 February 2014
Format:Â Paperback
Categories:Â Animal Stories, Spy, Adventure
ISBN 13:Â 9781921529931
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page.
The Great Monster Hunt
By: Norbert Landa
Illustrated by: Tim Warnes
Duck hears a funny noise early one morning whilst still in bed. Scared she runs outside and tells Pig. As it goes from animal to animal the story of the noise gets scarier and scarier, until they are convinced that Duck has a monster under her bed. Together the friends get prepared to hunt this monster down and save Duck. What they find is not at all what they expected.
I love books by these guys. Landa’s stories are fun and somehow always engaging. There is plenty of action and text to keep the older picture book reader/listener engaged. There are also plenty of sound words to allow for interaction. Warne’s illustrations are expressive and compliment the story so well. This combination of creators never miss.
Recommended.
Publisher:Â Little Tiger Press
Published:Â 01 February 2011
Format: Paperback 32 pages
Categories:Â Animal Stories, Monsters, Friendship
ISBN 13:Â 9781848950238
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.
Boy Verses Rat Dog
I received my copy of this book from the publisher
By: Justin D’Ath
Lost World Circus Series
Colt has a secret, he has superpowers, only his best friend knows this about him. The problem with superpowers is that it is difficult to gauge his own strength. When he is attacked by a very expensive Rat Dog the consequences are disastrous. Officer Katt from the Department of Rat Flu Eradication believes he did it on purpose. She is eager for revenge against Colt. Then one of the things Colt loves most in the world is taken. He knows she is behind it but how to prove it? No matter what Colt and his friend Birdy won’t give up, even though it seems Colt’s superpowers have also gone.
Colt is struggling to adapt to his powers, whilst trying to keep them secret. The world D’Ath has created is a bleak one, there are very few animals and so a circus is an amazing thing, all these rare animals, things we take for granted. It is an intriguing world. The background for the story – the Rat Flu, is also interesting and I’m curious to see where D’Ath  takes this. Full of action and baddies you really want to see get beaten, (Officer Katt seems really nasty). An entertaining read.
Published:Â 24 July 2013
Format: Paperback 184 pages
Categories:Â Action, Animal Stories
ISBN 13:Â 9780143307297
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.
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