A few Australian children’s books to finish off AusReading Month 2022

28 November 202229 November 2022 ~ Brona's Books ~ 9 Comments

Accidentally Kelly St illustrated by Briony Stewart with lyrics by Tim O’Connor from Frente! For people of a certain age, or perhaps people who had young children in 1992/93, you will remember the bubbly, joyful, effervescent pop group Frente! bouncing around our screens in colourful clothes, hair rollers and pearls. Accidentally Kelly Street was the … Continue reading A few Australian children’s books to finish off AusReading Month 2022

First Nations Reading Week 2022 #PictureBook

8 July 20229 July 2022 ~ Brona's Books ~ 16 Comments

*Cultural warning to Indigenous readers: This post contains the names of people who have passed away. First Nations Reading Week 2022 is an annual reading event hosted by Lisa @ANZ LitLovers to coinincide with NAIDOC Week. The 2022 theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! One of their aims is to 'amplify our voices'. As … Continue reading First Nations Reading Week 2022 #PictureBook

Indigenous Picture Books

8 July 2020 ~ Brona's Books ~ 9 Comments

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

Claris The Chicest Mouse in Paris | Megan Hess #PictureBook

1 July 2020 ~ Brona's Books ~ 11 Comments

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 by Charlie Mackesy

20 December 2019 ~ Brona's Books ~ 5 Comments

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

Junior Fiction – the rest!

19 December 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

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!

Iconic:The Masters of Italian Fashion by Megan Hess

20 November 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ Leave a comment

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

A Walk in the Bush by Gwyn Perkins

21 August 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ Leave a comment

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

Fantastically, Fearless, Rebel Women #PictureBooks

20 July 201711 October 2022 ~ Brona's Books ~ 6 Comments

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 … Continue reading Fantastically, Fearless, Rebel Women #PictureBooks

The Murderer’s Ape | Jakob Wegelius

11 July 20178 October 2022 ~ Brona's Books ~ 2 Comments

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 … Continue reading The Murderer’s Ape | Jakob Wegelius

My Brother by Dee Huxley

23 April 2017 ~ Brona's Books ~ 5 Comments

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

Blab-fest!

12 April 2017 ~ Brona's Books ~ Leave a comment

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 by Philip Bunting

11 April 2017 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

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

Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London by Kate Knapp

22 November 2016 ~ Brona's Books ~ 2 Comments

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

Snail and Turtle Rainy Days by Stephen Michael King

11 August 2016 ~ Brona's Books ~ Leave a comment

I adore snail and turtle, their friendship is so delightful.They display kindness, generosity and tenderness towards each other and Rainy Days continues this theme.Poor snail is unable to come out to play due to the rain. No matter what turtle says or does, snail refuses to come out of his shell.Turtle accepts snails situation and … Continue reading Snail and Turtle Rainy Days by Stephen Michael King