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Faves of 2012

Okay it is that time of the year again where anyone and everyone puts together lists of their top picks of the past year. I am going to be no different, I will, however, not be doing a top 10. What I have put here are the ones that really stood out, but truthfully I had many wonderful reading experiences this year just about gone, and I did limit this list to those books published in 2012.

Let me start with the youngest first and believe me there were so many really cool picture books this past year but here are a few that stood out.

The Snorgh and the Sailor : Will Buckingham and Thomas Docherty

9781407116525

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore : William Joyce

9781442457027

I Love You Little Monster : Andreae Giles and Jess Mikhail

9781408314289

Plant a Kiss : Amy Rosenthal and Peter H Reynolds

9780061986758

What Does Daddy Do? : Rachel Bright

9780141502649

Fiction 4 – 9 years.

Secret of the Swords : Frances Watts and Gregory Rogers

9781742377285

Hey Jack! series : by Sally Rippin

9781742971254

Billie B Brown series by Sally Rippin

9781742971414Fiction 8 – 12

Floors : Patrick Carmen

9781906427900

Summer’s Dream :  Cathy Cassidy

chocolate-box-girls-summer-s-dream

Dork Diaries series : Rachel Renee Russell

9780857071194Young Adult Fiction

Stormdancer : Jay Kristoff

stormdancer-hi

The Fault in Our Stars : John Green

9780525478812

Team Human : Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

9781742378398

 

 

I Love You Little Monster

By: Andreae Giles

Illustrated By: Jess Mikhail

It is after bedtime and Small isn’t asleep yet, when Big comes in to take a moment to share with the child that should be sleeping.

This book leapt straight to the top of my highest recommends pile. Firstly Andreae wrote it and has such an excellent way with text (such a great track record as well). Michael’s illustrations are simply adorable. I could share stanza after stanza of these heartfelt words that almost bought a tear to my eye. As a parent you totally feel the same way Big does. Because I can’t not share something with you:

It’s the only sure way to be happy

The only sure way to be free

Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams

And you’ll be what you dream you can be.

Publisher: Orchard Books

Published: 06 September 2012

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Family, Monsters

ISBN 13: 9781408314289

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

Giraffes Can’t Dance

By: Giles Andreae

Illustrated By: Guy Parker

Gerald is a giraffe, he was very good at standing still and eating shoots but he was not good at all when it came to dancing. Every year there is a Jungle Dance and it makes Gerald feel so sad. Warthogs, rhinos, lions and chimps all dance but Gerald gets laughed at. Then one night a cricket speaks to Gerald, gives him some advice and he discovers that maybe all he really needed to do was find a different song to dance to.

This is a touching story that is a little sad, a little funny but ultimately gloriously triumphant. The great thing about rhyming poems like this is that they are great to read aloud. The illustrations are bold, bright and like the text – a little sad, a little funny but ultimately happy. A real pleasure to read.

Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books

Published: 31 January 2007

Format: Mixed media product

Categories: Picture Books

ISBN 13: 9781846167867

Purchase: here

The Magic Donkey Ride

By: Giles Andreae

Illustrated By: Vanessa Cabban

Treacle is a golden brown donkey who lives on a farm. Treacle’s closest friend is Flinny and they would ride together for hours. Treacle is a little unusual though, he never lets Farmer Jack take his saddle off. Treacle has a secret and asks Flinny to meet him one night in the meadow at midnight, he wants to share his secret with his best friend.

A magical story of secrets and friendship. The text gives the feelings of joy and wonder and the beautiful illustrations accentuate those feelings in a way that almost wraps around you. A truly delightful read.

Publisher: Hachette Children’s Books

Published: 06 September 2007

Format: Mixed media product 32 pages

Categories: Picture Books Fiction Animal Stories

ISBN 13: 9781846162749

Purchase: here

Pirate Picture Books

Here is a selection of picture books all about that very favourite of boy topics – pirates. Of course as a girl I really rather like a good pirate story. Once again these are in no particular order.

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs books – Giles Andreae

How I Became a Pirate -Melinda Long

Littlest Pirate – Sherryl Clark

Pirate Girl – Cornelia Funke

Jolly Roger – Colin McNaughton

The Night Pirates – Peter Harris

The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate – Margaret Mahy

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