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!