Lisa @ANZLitLover is hosting her annual Indigenous Literature Week. Normally this week is also NAIDOC week, but due to Covid it has been postponed until 8th -15th November. The 2020 theme is Always Was, Always Will Be. Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 … Continue reading Indigenous Picture Books
Every time I see these very chic, very elegant picture books, I want to say Cla-reece. I have an acquaintance called Cla-reece. However to read these stories, I have to make a huge mental effort to say 'Paris-Claris' in my head a few times to find the rhyme. I've been saving this post for today, … Continue reading Claris The Chicest Mouse in Paris | Megan Hess #PictureBook
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse has been one of this year's runaway hits at work in the lead up to Christmas. We cannot keep it on the shelves and the UK publishers (Ebury) cannot seem to print enough for demand. School librarians are buying this book by the bucket load. And … Continue reading The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Following on from my recent post featuring several fabulous Australian junior fiction titles, I thought it was time to venture further afield to see what the rest of the world (or at least the US, UK and Japan) were doing in this field.The Afterwards is a new story by U.K. poet A. F. Harrold, illustrated … Continue reading Junior Fiction – the rest!
By all accounts Megan Hess' books about fashion should not be my thing at all. I'm not into fashion, haute couture or otherwise. I don't give a fig about luxury brands or prestigious designers. But Coco Chanel has always fascinated me - it's her rags and riches story that intrigues me more than her fashion … Continue reading Iconic:The Masters of Italian Fashion by Megan Hess
I feel that the CBCA has slightly tweeked their judging criteria this year. The categories for the Early Childhood Prize and Picture Book of the Year have been clearly differentiated by how the illustrations are used and by the ages of their readers.CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood:Entries in this category should be books … Continue reading A Walk in the Bush by Gwyn Perkins
It would be nice to think that books were one of the places where equality of access and representation were available to both sexes, especially given that over half the authors of all books written are now women. Sadly, though, it is still not the case.Reviews of books in leading newspapers and journals around the … Continue reading Fantastically, Fearless, Rebel Women in Books
Sometimes the perfect book lands on your doorstep at exactly the right time.This past month or so has been pretty ordinary. The loss of a much loved family member to cancer has left us all exhausted and numb. I'm sure many of you know the drill we've been through lately. The shock, followed by hope … Continue reading The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius
My Brother is a CBCA shortlisted book that is all about family. It is written and illustrated by Dee Huxley, with the visual characters drawn by her son Oliver and the book designed by her daughter Tiffany. My Brother is dedicated to Morgan.The story is also very personal.This book came about because of the loss … Continue reading My Brother by Dee Huxley
Busting! is the latest in Aaron Blabey's incredible run of hilarious, rhyming picture books. Poor Lou is desperate to go the loo, but there's a queue!Blabey once again deals with an embarrassing, uncomfortable issue that we've all had at one time or another and reminds us that a good belly laugh makes just about any topic … Continue reading Blab-fest!
Mopoke is my new favourite picture book. I've always had a bit of a thing for owls, especially owls in literature and art. As a (former) teacher, I was often given owl cards and trinkets. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell is one of my favourite picture books and who doesn't love Harry Potter's Hedwig?Philip Bunting … Continue reading Mopoke by Philip Bunting
I have come to love this gorgeous little series of early readers.Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London is full of love and kindness and tenderness.Quiet humour also infuses the story which keeps it from being sickly sweet. Instead we have a book that delights and charms and thrills the hearts of all its readers - young … Continue reading Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London by Kate Knapp
