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Posts tagged ‘Fun’

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

Category:

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

Category:

Picture Books

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Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth

I was sent this by the publisher

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By: Frank Cottrell Boyce

Prez is a Temporary, a kid who doesn’t live at home, he can’t he doesn’t have parents and his Granddad can no longer look after him. During the summer though Temporary kids are sent to stay with families. Prez’s family live on a farm, it’s not where he wants to be but it is better than nothing. He is at the farm when Sputnik comes into his life. Sputnik is a small, loud alien that wears a kilt, the thing is though everyone else just sees a dog. Sputnik tells Prez he is there to look after him and that the Earth is going to be destroyed unless they can find ten things worth doing or seeing. So a normal summer turns into a ridiculous time of learning to see things through another creatures eyes and hopefully saving the planet. Of course all Prez really wants is to see his Granddad again.

This is a fun and somewhat ridiculous story that turns some very familiar things on their head. Believe me some of the things Sputnik discovers will make you wish it really was that way. Prez is so relatable his ordinariness and Sputnik is a great counterbalance to that. The pace is cracking and the adventures they go on are so much fun, despite their bland kind of beginnings.A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Publisher: Pan MacMillan

Published: 7th April 2016

Key Words: Fun, Adventure, Space

Age: 8-12

ISBN: 9781509819973

 

Category:

Fiction 8-12, Uncategorized

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Kizmet and the Case of the Smashed Violin

I received my copy from the publisher.

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By: Frank Woodley

Part of the Kizmet Papancillo series

Kizmet and Gretchen are assisting Kizmet’s father Detective Spencer with another case. This time they are in Hugelstein and the job at hand is to protect a couple of priceless Stradivarius violins. Something disastrous happens and one of the violins is destroyed. The more they pursue the case, the more complicated things seem and the more dangerous the case becomes.

I have to admit that this series is quite a lot of fun. Silly moments, with the parental figure being somewhat of the bumbling detective and Kizmet being the brains of the operation. Kizmet follows the train of evidence with skill and learns a new trick along the way. Woodley has put together interesting stories and a strong character in Kizmet and used his experience in comedy to good effect.

Remains on the recommended list.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 29th July 2015

Format: Paperback, 112 pages

Genre: Detective, Fun, Adventure

ISBN: 9780143308553

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Kizmet and the Case of the Tassie Tiger

I received my copy from the publisher.

kizmet-and-the-case-of-the-tassie-tiger

By: Frank Woodley
Livestock are being attacked by a strange creature in the Tasmanian bush. Sightings are claiming it is the, supposedly extinct, Tasmanian tiger. Kizmet, Gretchen and Detective Spencer are called to investigate.
This is a fun little story, part of a new series written by comedian Frank Woodley. Kizmet is the daughter of Detective Spencer, a somewhat bumbling investigator from IMPACT – International Mysteries Puzzles and Crime Taskforce. She is the brains of the operation and is ably assisted by her pet currawong. The story itself moves at a good pace and is entertaining, written with a tone of humour.
Recommended.
Publisher: Puffin
Published: 29th July 2015
Format: Paperback 112 pages
Genre: Adventure, Fun
ISBN: 9780143308546

Category:

Fiction 4-9, Uncategorized

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The Long Haul

I received my copy from the publisher
the-long-haul
Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 9

The Heffleys are heading out on a road trip, not that this is something Greg thinks is going to be a good or fun thing. It all starts off pretty much as Greg expects, pretty chaotic, not brilliant but better than it could have been. Things quickly turn terrible though as their road trip is filled with uncomfortable travelling conditions, worse sleeping conditions, mad seagulls, unexpected and hungry piglets, lost property and car accidents. There is a high point, when Greg finally gets to go to a water park, but even that doesn’t turn out so well.
The tried and true Wimpy Kid format proves that it still works. This instalment is full of silly fun and takes the Heffleys out of their home comfort zone. Everyone knows road trips either make or break families and in this case it is very possible this family won’t be heading out on any more. A fun read and perhaps a few pointers for Mum and Dad on what not to do if planning a family road trip.
Publisher: PUFFIN
Publication date: 5 November 2014
Format: Paperback 224 pages
Key Words: Family, Holidays
ISBN 13: 9780143308591
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Playing Up

I was sent this by the publisher
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By: David Warner and JS Black
Illustrated By: Jules Faber
The Kaboom Kid bk 2

Davey Warner is never very far away from his favourite piece of cricket equipment, Kaboom – his cricket bat. When he is batting with Kaboom he feels that nothing on the cricket pitch can beat him. This becomes a very big problem when he misbehaves in class and has his bat confiscated. Mr Mudge is not in any mood to return the cat, apology or no, Davey needs to learn his lesson. This situations becomes even more horrible when Davey finds out a selector is coming to watch his team train. How is Davey going to manage without Kaboom? And just how far will he go to get his bat back, especially when he gets asked to play with the older team?

This is the second book in this series and is really good for cricket lovers, filled as it is with cricket references and action. Davey seems fairly one dimensional, cricket being his everything and so I’m not sure how that will hold up as a series, having said that though, these books have a very clear target audience and if you fit into that category I’m sure there will be plenty of crocheting adventures to keep you interested.
The format of the book is such that it is an easy read. The paragraphs are short, and there is a lot of white space on each page, separating the text and giving it a less overwhelming appearance. There are also simple line illustrations scattered throughout.

PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster
PUBLISHED: 1st Dec 2014
FORMAT: Paperback, 170 pages
KEY WORDS: Cricket, Sport
ISBN: 9781925030808

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Playground Pets

I was sent this by the publisher.
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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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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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

Category:

Picture Books

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The Blood of Olympus

Heroes of Olympus bk 5
By: Rick Riordan
the-blood-of-olympus
The conclusion to the heroes of Olympus series and a book I have been waiting all year for. Yay! It’s here.
There are still some very hairy challenges ahead for our seven demigods. They have come so far and battled through so very much, the end is almost in sight but so much still hangs on their decisions. Nico, Reyna and Coach Hedge are doing everything they can to get the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half Blood, it’s proving taxing, especially on Nico who has taken on most of the heavy lifting and the toll it is taking on him could be permanent. The others are on there way to the final destination but not without opposition as Gaia’s forces have obstacles and forces to push them back along the way. The demigods need to work together if they are going to win.
I loved this conclusion. It is action packed and moves all the way through at a lightening pace. Each demigod has grown throughout this story but this one is very poignant for Nico, Reyna, Leo and Jason. I particularly like the way Nico’s story is worked out but I won’t say any more about it. The blending of the mythologies works well, the twisted nature of Octavian who has a similar goal to the central heroes but he is driven by power and the desire to rule. The thing with a book like this is there really isn’t a lot to say at this point. The world is very familiar to those who have read the rest of the books, it is a well woven mix of the familiar and mythical. It is like stepping back into a place where you get to catch up with good friends. Riordan finishes this well.
The short story at the end with Annabeth and Sadie Chase, is a fun little teaser.
Loads of fun and if you haven’t read any of the Percy Jackson books, then I ask why not? Do yourself a favour and give them a try.
Highly Recommended
Publisher: Puffin Books
Published: 07 October 2014
Format: Paperback 565 pages
Categories: Science Fiction Fantasy
ISBN 13: 9780141339252
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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