David Legge David Legge Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743620212 RRP $15.99 Age 4+ Date of publication August 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart A 21st Anniversary edition of David Legge’s Bamboozled has been published. The fabulous illustrations and quirky humour in the book will have a whole new generation of readers captivated. This is such a great book it is only fair to re-introduce it! Continue reading Bamboozled
Peter Gouldthorpe Peter Gouldthorpe Scholastic ISBN 9781742990910 RRP $26.99 Age 10+ Date of publication 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Of course Nancy Wake more than deserves to be remembered for her bravery and the important role she played during World War 2. This book is a simply fabulous way to do it. Peter Gouldthorpe is an extremely talented author and illustrator and his graphic style art … Continue reading The White Mouse: The story of Nancy Wake
Mem Fox Julie Vivas Scholastic ISBN 9781742991214 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart There are some lovely cook books available for children but this one is really special because Julie Vivas has illustrated it. The recipes are relatively healthy and easy to make. It is a well planned and executed idea which offers a lot of Australia’s favourite foods … Continue reading The Possum Magic cookbook.
P Crumble Wendy Binks Scholastic ISBN 9781743626436 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a sweet little story which has gorgeous illustrations by Wendy Binks. Inside the front cover is a CD on which Deborah Mailman beautifully sings the lullaby. Three great talents in one package. For anyone kept awake at night by possums in their roof it … Continue reading Hush little Possum. An Australian lullaby.
Phil Cummings Owen Swan Scholastic ISBN 9781743622544 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Phil Cummings has had two outstanding books published this year. Ride, Ricardo, Ride! and now Newspaper Hats. This latest one has been described as “a gentle yet powerful story” and it certainly is. Owen Swan supports the story with wonderful illustrations and the inside covers feature … Continue reading Newspaper hats
Michael Gerard Bauer Joe Bauer Scholastic ISBN 9781742990675 RRP $12.99 Age 8+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Well known and highly respected Australian author Michael Gerard Bauer and his son Joe Bauer have released another book in the Eric Vale series. The target audience is for readers from 8+ years. This is another book in the visual literacy/comic book genre which is … Continue reading Secret agent Derek “Danger” Dale and the case of the really really magnetic magnet.
Dav Pilkey Dav Pilkey Scholastic Inc ISBN 9781760151553 RRP $12.99 Age 6+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart For fans of this series (and there are many of them) this new novel (the eleventh) will be enthusiastically received. Of course this new book follows the same format but there is plenty to read as well as the illustrations to enjoy. According to the … Continue reading Captain Underpants and the tyrannical retaliation of the turbo toilet 2000.
Aaron Blabey Aaron Blabey Scholastic ISBN 9781760150426 RRP $9.99 Age 7+ Date of publication July 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Aaron Blabey has turned his talents as both a writer and illustrator to a graphic novel for the 7+ age group. The bad guys (episode 1) features a wolf, a snake, a shark and a piranha. Although we associate all these animals with danger they are … Continue reading The bad guys: episode one
Heath McKenzie Heath McKenzie Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743626009 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication May 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book is in the form of a conversation between a boy and a dinosaur. A cute concept to point out some of the things dinosaurs can and can’t do. Lovely illustrations too. Continue reading I wanna be a great big dinosaur
L Pichon L Pichon Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760153663 RRP $16.99 Age 9 – 12 Date of publication May 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is the 8th book in the series. The books have been so popular in our school library that practically every student knows exactly where to find them on the shelves. This book continues to follow the anything but mundane life of Tom … Continue reading Tom Gates #8 Yes! No (Maybe)
Darrel and Sally Odgers Janine Dawson Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781743623015 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication May 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart The third book in the pup patrol series is out. Again it features the Border Collie called Stamp. In this story Stamp, Ace and James Barnaby are in Far North Queensland when cyclone Julia hits. The story gives a very good account of … Continue reading Pup Patrol #3 Storm Rescue
Sally Morgan Craig Smith Scholastic ISBN 9781742990705 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication April 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Sally Morgan is a great Australian author. This book is another in her series of “chapter books” for young readers. In this book Larni, who is feeling that she isn’t as smart as some of her class mates, learns during a visit to Gran that she … Continue reading Flying High
Yvette Poshoglian Danielle McDonald Scholastic ISBN 9781743627419 RRP $7.99 Age 5+ Date of publication April 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart These books are perfect for new readers. They are “chapter books” with large font and simple and effective illustrations. They are hugely popular with girls between from about 5 – 7 years old. In this book Ella is going on one of her favourite television shows … Continue reading Ella and Olivia Spelling Superstar
Aaron Blabey Aaron Blabey Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743625804 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication February 2015 Reviewer Neville Sandon “If only I could be different! I’m not perfect! I want to be something, someone different, anything but me!” Poor Thelma, rather than a beige pony, she wanted to be a pink unicorn. It’s all about packaging – she wanted bling to go with that. … Continue reading Thelma the unicorn
Emer Stamp Scholastic ISBN 9781407136387 RRP $12.99 Age 7+ Date of publication October 2014 Reviewer Neville Sandon On the theme of friends. I have giggled my way through this silly story The Super Amazing Adventures of Me, Pig without reading the first book by Emer Stamp. Pig, who is the “author”, is such a naieve character. Mr and Mrs Sandal, who are vege-loving characters, are … Continue reading The super amazing adventures of me, Pig
Darrel &Sally Odgers Janine Dawson Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743623008 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Date of publication March 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart Stamp (Barnaby Station Stamp of Approval) is back with another adventure and this one involves a bush fire and some new animal friends. Continue reading Pup Patrol: Bush Rescue
Knife and Packer Knife and Packer ISBN 9781743627242 RRP $12.99 Age 7+ Date of publication March 2015 Reviewer Megan Stuart The third Wheelnuts Craziest race on earth actually takes place in space. It is the same bright format with crazy pictures. The print is easier to read on some pages more than others. Of course black on yellow trumps black on pink or blue. However … Continue reading Wheelnuts! #3 Space Mash + poster game!
Paul Vance & Lee Pockriss (Performed by Deborah Mailman) Kerry Argent Scholastic ISBN 9781742839776 RRP 19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication November 2014 Reviewer Megan Stuart Wonderful illustrations by Kerry Argent are the striking feature of this book. The animals are out for a day at the beach but for those who know the song one member of the party is too embarrassed to be … Continue reading Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini + CD
Knife and Packer Scholastic ISBN 9781743627235 RRP $12.99 Age 7+ Date of publication November 2014 Reviewer Megan Stuart Read the first chapter for free on line at http://www.wheelnuts.net.au/images/read/Wheelnuts_Book2_sampler.pdf and see for yourself the colourful and imaginative pages first hand. This is the second book in the wheelnut series and like its predecessor it is cute and quirky. This time the race includes haunted castles, ferocious … Continue reading Wheelnuts! Spooky Smack Down
Kate Forsyth Scholastic ISBN 9781743624074 RRP $14.99 Age 9 – 12 Date of publication November 2014 Reviewer Megan Stuart Kate Forsyth has deservedly had a lot of publicity for this series and they have been well marketed. For readers caught up in the series there is a lot to support them. See http://www.theimpossiblequest.com/ (for quizzes and information) or follow Kate at http://www.kateforsyth.com.au/ Kate Forsyth is an internationally … Continue reading The Impossible Quest. Book 2 The Wolves of Witchwood
Craig Smith Scott Tulloch Scholastic ISBN 9781775432692 RRP $21.00 Age All Date of Publication October 2014 Reviewed by Megan Stuart As the name suggests this book aims to impress upon children the importance of exercise and warns about the dangers of spending too much time watching television. A worthwhile message! The illustrations are great and there is a CD enclosed if you still have the … Continue reading Square Eyes
Anh Do Jules Faber Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743627051 Published November 2014 RRP $14.99 Age 6 – 8 Reviewed by Megan Stuart Well Weirdo 3 is here and with the same animated cover too. It’s difficult not to like Anh Do”s third book featuring the very cool Weir Do. Jules Faber’s illustrations are fun and make this book appealing to children who may not find reading … Continue reading Weirdo 3
Julia Donaldson Scheffler Axel Scholastic UK ISBN 9781407144412 RRP $24.99 Age 3 – 8 Published August 2014 The creators of The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler) have produced another book called “The scarecrows’ wedding” which has for various reasons attracted a lot of publicity. Written by Julia Donaldson (a British writer who was Children’s Laureate from 2011 – 2013) the book has received criticism … Continue reading The scarecrow’s wedding
Geronimo Stilton series bk 51 Geronimo Stilton Scholastic ISBN: 9780545341035 RRP: $12.99 Age: 7+ Key Words: Adventure, Reading Schemes Published: 1st Oct 2012 Reviewer: Kylie Calwell Geronimo goes on a trip with beautiful Petunia, his nephew Ben and Aunt Sweetfur. Petunia is hoping Geronimo will get some time to relax and she sends him scuba diving. Geronimo isn’t very happy with this idea, even less so … Continue reading The Enormouse Pearl Heist
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