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

Naidoc Week & Indigenous Picture Books

7 July 20217 July 2021 ~ Brona's Books ~ 7 Comments

2021 National NAIDOC logo The 4th - 11th July, 2021 is NAIDOC week. Lisa @ANZLitLovers hosts an Indigenous Literature Week to coincide with NAIDOC week. Lisa is careful to acknowledge that as 'a non-Indigenous Australian, I am mindful that I do not and cannot know or understand all aspects of Indigenous Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and … Continue reading Naidoc Week & Indigenous Picture Books

First Day of School

27 February 20212 October 2021 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

This is a post I first drafted seven years ago as our eldest was starting his senior school years. I was already six years removed from my own teaching days, but once a teacher, always a teacher! This time of the year will always brins to mind those anxious, exciting first days of a new … Continue reading First Day of School

The Tailor of Gloucester | Beatrix Potter #ALiteraryChristmas

23 December 202020 December 2022 ~ Brona's Books ~ 5 Comments

Feeling very grateful, right now, that Tarissa @In the Bookcase is hosting A Literary Christmas this year. It made me search my shelves for something Christmassy that I hadn't read yet. It led me straight into the delightful and utterly charming arms of Beatrix Potter. I confess that I did not read any of the Peter Rabbit … Continue reading The Tailor of Gloucester | Beatrix Potter #ALiteraryChristmas

A Fairy Tale Revolution

28 October 2020 ~ Brona's Books ~ 7 Comments

The series, A Fairy Tale Revolution, consists of four picture books from Vintage Classics, that 'remix and revive' well-known fairy tales and give them a modern, feminist twist. Featuring four amazing UK authors - Jeanette Winterson, Kamila Shamsie, Malorie Blackman and Rebecca Solnit - flexing their authorial muscles in a new format.Like most fairy tales, however, they … Continue reading A Fairy Tale Revolution

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

The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf & Lillian Melcher

13 December 2019 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Invention of Nature, comes a breathtakingly illustrated and brilliantly evocative recounting of Alexander von Humboldt’s five–year expedition in South America. Humboldt (1769-1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, but his most … Continue reading The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf & Lillian Melcher

Indigenous Picture Books for Children

17 July 2019 ~ Brona's Books ~ 3 Comments

For Lisa's Indigenous Literature Week I had planned to post a selection of new Indigenous picture books, however my plans were bigger than my time management abilities!Fortunately, these beautiful books deserve to be shared at any time, regardless of NAIDOC week or ILW.Baby Business (2019) by Jasmine Seymour is a wonderful story for new parents, showing … Continue reading Indigenous Picture Books for Children

Dog Stories

7 November 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

I delightful batch of dog stories have turned up at work this month. I loved all three for different reasons, but my favourite of the batch was The Tales of Mr Walker by Jess Black.Based on a true story, Mr Walker is a delightful illustrated chapter book about the Labrador Ambassador at the Park Hyatt … Continue reading Dog Stories

Scary Books for Preschoolers

27 October 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ 1 Comment

As many of you know, I was a preschool teacher for 18 years. I read a good number of picture books to a good number of students during that time. Some of those books I could probably still recite, word for word, to this day.Every now and again, depending on my class and their various … Continue reading Scary Books for Preschoolers

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

For Audrey With Love: Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy by Philip Hopman

19 July 2018 ~ Brona's Books ~ 6 Comments

Over the years I have developed a rather strong love and admiration for both famous Hepburn's. Katharine for her fierce independence and uncompromising approach to life and love...as well as her wonderful, eclectic movie choices. And Audrey for her style, her big heart and her amazing cast of leading men!Therefore For Audrey With Love was always going … Continue reading For Audrey With Love: Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy by Philip Hopman