More Christmas Gift Ideas

And these are just wonderful picture books that also need to be added to yesterday's list. Again these are some of my favourites that crossed my desk.

The Peasant Prince Li Cunxin & Anne Spudvilas (Viking)
This is a glorious visual celebration of Li's life story - Mao's Last Dancer - the story of a boy from a poor village in China who followed his dreams to become the principal dancer for the Australian ballet. This illustrations are created in an authentic Chinese brush-painting style and perfectly crafted for this story.
... A story of courage, determination, dreams, and remembering beginnings.


I Do It Andrew Daddo & Jonathan Bentley (ABC Books)
Every parent, uncle, aunt or grandparent knows that there is a time when a very young child's determination to be independant emerges and nothing, absolutely nothing will stand in their way. This picture book captures that moment when every young child says "I do it!" and they usually do.


Enjoy ... and have a wonderful book-filled Christmas time!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Need some last minute Christmas ideas? Well maybe some of these books will help.
These are some of my favourites that crossed my desk ... some recent and some from earlier in the year.

Hello God Moya Simons & Lisa Coutts (Harper Collins)
A beautiful book about a girl and her conversations with God. Questions are posed, discussions (although one sided) are entered into, and importnat issues like birth and death and God are covered. When Kate's new friend Stephanie falls ill some very deep conversations occur.


The Pixie O'Harris Fairy Book (PanMacmillan)
This gift book - a classic treasury of Pixie O'Harris' most popular stories and poems is perfect for any special occassion. It has eight colour plates and black and white illstrations. Many adults grew up with the stories and illustrations crafted by Pixie o'Harris and a new generation of aussies can do so once again.


That's Why I Wrote This Song Susanne Gervay (Harper Collins)
This is a brillinatly crafted gritty Young Adult book, especially for girls and especially for those who love music. It comes with a website link to free downloads of two songs with lyrics written by Susanne's daughter Tory. It is the story of four teenage girls and their sometimes uneasy family lives. The girls are united by one cause - their passion for music.


Really Really Pearlie Wendy Harmer Mike Zarb & Gypsy Taylor (Random House)
This is a hardback compilation of three earlier Pearlie titles. Great for younger readers who want a book with colour and easy reading text. Includes Pearlie and the Christmas Angel surely making this one to stick under the tree!

Cedar, Seals and Whaling Ships John Nicholson (Allen&Unwin)
For readers who love non-fiction this book about Australia's early white settlers is one they can devour. it describes those early days and the first attempts to make Australia a trading nation ... using the cedar and seal resources. Great information about whaling and the trading practises, the town and the industries, and the people involved in the trade.


Hope that your Santa stockings are filled with lots of wonderful Aussie Christmas books.

Fiction and not so Fictional Fiction

Fiction mostly and great reads - perfect for upcoming holidays, for competent readers and those early readers wanting solid chapter books.

What Bumosaur is that? Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, (Macmillan)
Here it is ... just what every Bumosaur fan has been waiting for -- the colour hardcover edition that is THE guide to prehistoric bumosaur life. With scientific names (appropriately in italics), stink ratings, and full colour illustrations, this is the essential reference for every bumosaur fan. Now you will know Why the Tyrannosore-arse Rex was so angry? Bumosaur fans will be cheering for this book!


The Frank Frankie, the newspaper that helps people, Ingrid Jonach & Cheryl Orsisi (Macmillan)
Imagine being in the last days of year four of school, although it is your fifth school year and you are planning and getting ready for the long holiday break with your best-friend-forever. Imagine that your boring teacher sets a school project about what you want to be when you grow up that must be handed in on the first day back at school next year. Imagine too that your best friend is going away to the beach without you. That's what happens when Anne Googanstein becomes a journalist and produces The Frank Frankie - with some spying and rescuing along the way!

Roland Wright, Future Knight Tony Davis & Gregory Rogers (Random House)
Here begins the adventures of Roland Wright, Future Knight, the second son of the village blacksmith who makes the best suits of amour in the land. Unfortunately for Roland being second son of a lowly blacksmith means his plans to become a knight seem almost impossible - until messanger arrives, a challenge is issued and Roland's knightly adventures begin - with his pet mouse nudge. A great read. Boys will love it. A 'chapter' book for competent early readers.

Dog Show Detective Penny Love (Lothian)
Here's a dog show mystery that has to be solved.When an aunt injures her ankle Tiff's holiday plans of scary rides and show bags are destroyed. Soon she is attending a dog show and parading her aunt's spoilt dog Muffin. She soon discovers that someones is sabotaging the winning dog entries - dog hair spray is replaced with spray paint and Muffin is dognapped! A fun read - especially for dog lovers!

Prime Suspect, The Floods #5, Colin Thompson (Random House)
This is the fifth title in the Floods series, the irreverant and humourous Addams familyish books where the monsters (well sort of) are the good guys!
This time the Flood children have been framed for murder. Now they have to stay hidden from the law and their evil enemy until, with a little bit of their own forensic and investigative work, they can prove their innocence. A bit of a ghoulish and freaky read ... lotsafun!

Christmas Books for Christmas

My computer tells me that there are 30 days left till the jolly red fat man plops down the chimney so here are some of the Christmas books for this year.

An Aussie Night Before Christmas Pops Up! Kilmeny Niland & Yvonne Morrison (Scholastic)
This classic aussie picture book is now a wonderful pop-up book that kids and collectors too will love! The pop-ups, sliding tabs and fold-outs are sturdy. There are surprises on every festive spread - even Santa's boxer shorts!
This story of course is the wonderful aussie verison of Clement Moores tradional verse written in 1822.

Fair Dinkum Aussie Christmas (Book & CD) Colin Buchanan, Greg Chapman & Kilmeny Niland (Scholastic)
Want to sing some rolicking Aussie carols this Christmas?
Then this is the book & CD for you where you can singalong to the songs by Bucko and Champs, the creators of the hugely popular 'Aussie Christmas' albums. And if by chance you don't know the words to Deck the Shed with Bits of Wattle or the other songs then you can follow along with the picture book. This book and CD will have everyone joining in for a corker of an aussie Christmas singalong. As the swagman at the gate said on the first day of Christmas - Have a ripper Christmas mate!

Aussie Jingle Bells Activity & Sticker Book Colin Buchanan & Nick Bland (Scholastic)
Here's the book to entertain the kids (both big and little) after all the present unwrapping and festing has been done. There are mazes, word finds, join the dots, puzzles galore, stickers to create a barkyard Christmas gathering and even Christmas Day recipes to make ... Far out! Educational activities even on Christmas Day!

Santa's Aussie Holiday Maria Farrer & Anna Walker (Scholastic)
So what does Santa do when he isn't getting ready for Christmas? He travels around Australia of course enjoying our down-under activites as he visits a few our of iconic places!!

Billabong Bill's Bushfire Christmas Kelly Gardiner & Jobi Murphy (Random House)
Recent Aussie Christmas times have had the bushfire or two so this Christmas picture book surely fits here as the drama of a fiery outback Christmas is brought to life!

Series Finals

These two books are the final titles in each series. They are wonderful reads and are books that both boys and girls enjoy.

Cairo Jim and the Astragals of Angkor Geoffrey McSkimming (Hachette)

Is this really Cairo Jim's final escapade? Since 1991 when the first adventure appeared kids young and older have been fascinated by the over-the-top adventures that this archaelogist adventurer have related to the chronicler (McSkimming).

In this the 18th title Cairo Jim has to unlock the meaning of ancient carvings from Cambodia, that have been found deep below the Old Relics Society in Cairo.

With great locations all around the world, memorable characters and a wonderful way with words these books have been constantly read and reread. And this book continue that great tradition. Classic Cairo Jim!

The Butterfly in Amber Kate Forsyth (Pan)

The final title in the 6 book fantasy series Chain of Charms is beautifully presented and written. These hardcover books with ragged pages set in mid-17th century England tell the adventures of two daring children, a monkey, a dog and a dancing bear. The children have been entrusted to find and unite the charms and return fortune once more to the gysies and save their family from the gallows.

This time the charm is a butterfly caught in amber. The children arrive in London, face the perils there, have to escape the vengeful Coldham and still have to rescue their families from the gallows. There's also a website: www.chainofcharms.com.au. I know a library where these books are in high demand!

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Posts coming very soon ...

the Christmas books that have been published for 2008 and

my favourite books that I have seen this year.

Fiction Fun

Here are some new fiction titles - fun and funny reads!

Just Shocking! Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton (Pan)
Okay it is true. This book is just shocking! But then what would you expect with the latest title from the crazy duo who also created the other Just books including Just Tricking! and Just Disgusting!
This latest addition will also be a hit with the kids ... especially the boys! And just make sure your reader also reads Terry's whacky illustrations scattered all over the pages!

Eric & Einstein John Heffernan (Pan)
Great for reading aloud or kids who have started reading 'chapter' books this book is fun. Younger kids will love reading about Einstein, a super intelligent mouse (created by the mad scientist Dr von Burpinburger) and Eric, a rather shy boy who doesn't do too well at school ... at least not until Einstein comes along. Suddenly Eric becomes quite the genius! Of course the mad scientist wants his mouse back.

Two New Board Books

Recently I wrote about a few board books but these two have just arrived and can't be left out. They are beautiful!


The Waterhole Graeme Base (Puffin)
This counting book will be a favourite for years to come with its beautifully illustrated pages of animals at a waterhole. It even has a 'hole' cut into the pages that reduces until the arrival of the 10 kangaroos when the water has disappeared. Will the water come back? Kids will love learning to count finding the specified animals - but don't miss the other less obvious and often amusing creatures on the pages.


It's Christmas Tina Burke (Puffin)
The excitement of Christams for young kids is alive with this board book. There is so much to do before the special guest arrives, like making cakes, visiting people, singing carols, preparing snacks and hanging stockings all in preparation for Santa's arrival - things that parents might also do with their children.Of course the hardest thing to do is wait ... and wait ...
Beautiful illustrations and simple text.

Easy Read Fiction

Here are some books published earlier this year that are just perfect to read aloud to children, or for the beginning independant reader who wants to read a real book on their own.

Pirates Drive Buses Christopher Morgan and Neil Curtis (A&U)

I love pirates, nearly as much as dragons, so this book instantly grabbed my attention.

This is a fantastic real aloud book, a great piratical tale about a pirate whose ship is stolen by monkey-crabs. He also runs a tour bus for sea creatures which is soon abandoned when he has to steal back the pirate ship. As well as human helpers the pirate's pig, which thinks it is a parrot also assists.

The reader will have nearly as much fun creating the voices as the child who is
being read to. Strong line drawings are also entertaining!

Oom Pah Pah! Cecily Matthews and Mitch Vane (ABC Books)

Maybe it was because I taught recorder in my classes at school. Maybe it was the references to practising every day of the week ... I loved this book too.

So how does a primary school student transport an E-flat tuba to school twice a week without the assistance of anyone else? Rosie finds the answer and plays a brilliant tuba!

Fiction

These books have been published in the past few months. They are great books and titles that I think many kids will really be able to sink their teeth into and even want to read more from these authors.

Give Peas a Chance and other funny stories Morris Gleitzman (Puffin)
Here is a collection of fiftenn funny stories that Gleitzman fans will love. Some of the characters from previous stories also appear. Boys will especially like the story called Greenhouse Gas. And in Give Peas a Chance we find out how not eating a plate of vegetables can really save the world and bring on world peace!


Lily Quench's Companion Natalie Jane Prior (ABC Books)
Back in print are the very popular Lily Quench books. This title, with two new short stories, is the book that every budding dragon-slayer needs to have so that they know about dragons and the art of quenching. The companion has articles, information about the nature of dragons and Quench family history and even exam questions (and answers) for Ashby Central School. Lily Quench is fun!

The Undys - Let's Get Physical Michael Wagner and Gus Gordon (Puffin)
There is a laugh or three on every page of this book as you read the slighly whacky and very funny tales of a boy and his dad. Each has a very competitive streak and they are constantly trying to outdo each other at just about anything like toe-wrestling or even dancing. This is the second book in the Undy's series.

Ranger's Apprentice - the Siege of Macindaw John Flanagan (Random House)
Just in case you have missed it, the titles in this series are hugely popular here and overseas. Boys especially love these books. They are riveting reads. I have only just seen this title (book 6 in the series) but was thoroughly grabbed.
In this title Will is on his first top secret mission as a Ranger. There is a castle to be saved, battles with bows and arrows, swords, traitors, criminals and there is treachery. Find out how Will fares!
Now to read the earlier titles because I want to find out how it all began. There's also a website: http://www.rangersapprentice.com/

Rondo

The Key to Rondo, Emily Rodda, (Scholastic)

Emily Rodda, the creator of the terrific Deltora Quest books that kids have adored reading has begun a wonderful new fantasty series. This is the first title.

An old music box has been handed down through the generations. It has rules that must never be broken. Leo, the new owner knows this but his least favourite cousin Mimi breaks the sacred rules. Soon they become immersed in the world of Rondo when the Blue Queen appears and kidnaps Mimi's dog Mutt. Now Leo and Mimi begin a thrilling quest as they too enter the world of Rondo. There are trolls, a very important talking pig, mice that run messages, and amazing hidey-holes ... oh and a whole lot more.

This is an exciting read but parents be warned ... like the Deltora books the kids will be asking for more and more!

More fiction titles soon.

For Pre-Schoolers

Here are a few recently published books for pre-schoolers. These titles are great to read. The pages are made from card, they have brightly coloured illustrations and the books are FUN!

Whose Wings? Jeannette Rowe (ABC Books)
Jeannette Rowe has created the brightly coloured and sturdy whose series of lift the flap books. In Whose Wings? children can flip the flap and discover who owns the different wings that are revealed on each page. This series has bold colours and animals or features or objects, easily recognised by pre-schoolers. other titles include Whose baby? Whose Teeth? Tail? House? and Whose Poo?

A Wiggly Word House The Wiggles (ABC Books)
The Wiggles are a HIT and they will be a hit with this new series of books especially designed for the pre-schoolers. In Wiggly Word House children explore and learn to love language. There are puzzles, word matching and other language activites to do with your kids. There are even riddles from the Wiggles!

Purr Alison Lester (ABC Books)
One of the titles in a new series - Talk to the Animals. In this book, with colourful images and rhyming text, children are introduced to pet animals (some they might even have) and the sounds that the animals make.

AND

Are You Hungry? Tina Burke (Puffin)
This book was published earlier this year. It is perfect for pre-schoolers. This nearly wordless picture book, about a little girl and her puppy who set off for a picnic and meet a lot of hungry animals along the way, is a story of friendship and sharing. It is a great book for adults and their preschoolers to 'read' and create a story -- together.

Books for Babies and the Very Young

Recently a few books for babies and the very young, especially board books have come across my desk. These books are strong enough to survive investigative teeth, gums and messy fingers and of course focus on the child.

So, have a look at these:

Playmates Jane Tanner (Puffin)

A beautiful book about a young boy Ben, his best friend teddy and the new puppy dog which changes the relationship - but just for a while! This book about sharing and friendship. It has minimal text and is perfect for pre-schoolers.

Cuddle Time Libby Gleeson & Julie Vivas (Walker Books)

Two award winning picture book creators have crafted this title.What do two toddlers do in the early morning when mum and dad are asleep. They visit the monster's cave that is their parents bedroom and when the monsters rise it is time to jump and roll and paly and it is also Cuddle Time.

The Midnight Feast Margaret Wild & Ann James (ABC Books)

What do cheeky babies do when they can't sleep at midnight? They raid the fridge, meet at the middngiht Cafe and feast and party and play dress-ups with the food with other babies. Then just before sunrise, they all say goodbye and waddle home.

A glorious celebration of babies and food!

Recent Picture Books

Here we go with some recent aussie picture books.

Harry Highpants Tony Wilson & Tom Jellett (Scholastic)
Wear your pants high or wear your pants low while reading this book and giggle. This is a picture book that young kids will love becuase they ALL know someone who wears high pants. Older kids will love it too because they don't always want to be like everyone else - and that's just what happens here!

Midsummer Knight Gregory Rogers (A&U)
The Bear is back! And this time he is staging a dramatic royal rescue in a magical faerie kingdom. Here is a swashbuckling story of friendship and courage told with Greg's amazing pictures and of course NO words. This wordless picture book is fantastic - have fun creating the story as you go.

Santa's Aussie holiday Maria Farrer & Anna Walker (Scholastic)
Just in time here comes the answer to the Santa question every child asks at some time ... what does santa do when he's not preparing for Christmas?! why he spends his holiday in Australia of course. this picture book is a cool new aussie Chistmas tale about Santa and his adventures.

An Aussie Night Before Christmas Pops Up! Yvonne Morrison & Kilmeny Niland (Scholastic)
This picture book has been crafted into a gorgeous pop up perfect for kids big and little. See the tale of the night before Christmas told from an Australian view and with pop ups it comes alive!

Ride with Me Jane Tanner (Penguin)
This tender picture books is a lovng story about a girl, her mother's horse and hope and healing. Heartborken because her mother has died, Emma can't tend to the horse they both cared about. As it becomes more timid Emma has a change of heart and with courage faces her loss ... the healing begins.

Annie to the Rescue Deborah Niland (Penguin)
Annie is a brave little girl even when her brother tries to scare her so when her cat gets stuck in a tree it is Annie to the rescue! But things change when Annie realises she is stuck until she works out the way down - all by herself. A great book for young kids about determination and courage.

Here we go

Over the next short time (I won't say how long but the next few weeks) I shall start listing some of the new books that I have received over the past few months with a few liines about each title. I hope that you can use these to add to your library or purchase for presents.

So ... here we go:

PICTURE BOOKS

What Will You Be? Simon French and Donna Rawlins (A&U)
by the wonderful team who created Guess the Baby. Full of insightful text about a school costume parade and a child wearing a rather unusual and very different dress-up costume and Donna's colourful illustrations ... imagine drawing all those kids!

Dimity Dumpty Bob Graham (Walker Books)
Everyone knows of humpty and his 'accident' but did you know he had a sister ... here is her story - by the creator of the Buffy, Max and Jethro Byrd.

Are You Hungry? Tina Burke (Puffin)
A fantastic new author/illustrator Tina's delightful nearly wordless picture book is a must for all pre-schoolers.

No Room for a Mouse Kyle Mewburn & Frey Blackwood (Scholastic)
I don't just like this book because the boy's name is Christopher. It is also a wonderful tale about busyness and friendship and sharing.