I'm a dirty dinosaur

I'm a dirty dinosaur
By Janeen Brian and Ann James

Penguin, 2013

I liked this book. Fun. Whimsical. With a touch of adventure. Any young boy will like it.

It's about a dinosaur who loves to be dirty, mucky, grimy and the like. He starts by having a dirty snout, and, as you may guess, he gets dirtier and filthier from there.
Each part that gets dirty then has a little verb filled refrain to go with it.
Such is the lyrical nature of this book.

The down side: I know that the dinosaur is meant to be painted with dirt. But it simply looks like poo to me. That someone had illustrated the pictures and then wiped the contents of a dirty nappy on them. In this regard I really struggle reading the book.... or even touching it for that matter.

However, it is a book worth a read. And let me tell you, it's a good laugh that boys ages 2 to 100 will giggle whilst reading.

Ben and the Icky-Ooky-Sticky-Smick

Ben and the Icky-Ooky-Sticky-Smick

By Sally Sutton Illustrated by Gary Venn

Walker Books, 2013

Ben likes bugs. He likes all kinds of bug, but his favourite one is his pet bug, Icky-Ooky-Sticky-Smick, with whom he happily shares his popcorn. Ben’s family aren’t really fans of Ben’s bug. They think it’s ugly, weird and disgusting. But, oh no! Guess what? Ben’s favourite bug goes missing. Mum gets a shock when she finds one; his sister screams when one flies across the room; his dad spies a bug in the shed. It isn’t until Grandpa comes to visit that Ben has an idea on how to find his special bug. Will Icky-Ooky-Sticky-Smick come back? And how will they know it is Ben’s Icky-Ooky-Sticky-Smick?

 

I thought this was a great book. Full of fun and the frivolity of made up words to engage the imagination. The illustrations were delightful. And this book was a perfectly blended mix of language and illustrations.

Somebody’s House

Somebody’s House

By Katrina Germein, Illustrated by Anthea Stead

Walker Books March 2013

At the bottom of the town lies a long looping street.

I wonder who lives here. Who will we meet?

This whimsical rhyming story picture book is all about exploring the neighbourhood, and specifically the street at the end of town. Using the outer exterior of each house, the girl imagines what happens inside each place and who might live there. It has a sweet ending which will warm everyone’s heart who reads it. With brightly coloured illustrations created with mixed media including acrylic paint, oil pastels and sgraffito (which is produced by applying layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colours to a moistened surface).

Recommended for ages 3 – 5 years old

That's Mine

That's Mine
by Michel Van Zeveren
Gecko Press 2013

What fun! If you're looking for a short book to read with children ages 18 months to 3 years old, then this is one to read. Full of humour and a great sense of fun that every child (and adult) will enjoy the narrative arc, figuring out who's egg it actually is.

About the author: Michel Van Zeveren was born in Belgium in 1970. He studied animation before discovering the joy of children's book illustration. He lives in Brussels, Belgium with his wife and daughter.

Tom and Tilly by Jedda Robaard

Tom and Tilly
by Jedda Robaard
Black Dog Books


This very simple text-light and illustration-easy book is a delight to read. Tom and Tilly is about the undertaking of Tom, the boy protagonist, and his teddy bear, Tilly, embarking on sailing the seas of their bath time adventure. With a lovely light feel, this is a beautifully constructed book, which any young child will love to read over and over and over again.

The musicality in it's simply melody storyline is one many writers should take note of, for the enhancement of own writing styles. In fact, I think it is written so well, it leaves the reader or child consumer wanting more: more story, more adventures, more fun in the bath. This is the signature of a good book which has hit the mark!

An Australian author, Robaard, has used watercolour paints, pencil and recycled materials to create the superb illustrations for this book (as she does for many of her other books). I love the understated way she creates the scenes and the use of simple shadowing to create movement, as well as, stasis.

It's the kind of book that makes you feel happy in your tummy, and puts a smile on you face, from the sheer pleasure of reading a happy childhood adventure. I think I'll be buying this book for my friends babies this year. 

Troggle the Troll

Troggle the Troll

By Nick Falk and Tony Lowe, Random House

Under a bridge in a hole in the ground lived a troll. A small troll. Called Troggle.

Troggle is an unlikely hero, being a troll and all that! He is a good troll, who is obedient to his parents, as he eats up all the dinner his dad provides - PEOPLE! His mum and dad and little brother seem to like eating people. 

They eat the same thing every night: Who wants to eat people every night? Troggle wants variety. He desperately wants to eat vegetables.

Think this is a tale that all parents want to tell their kids to get them to eat vegies? Think again.

With it’s twists and turns, everyone in the family will love this story, which is superbly partnered with fun and bright illustrations.

The Lost Tail

The Lost Tail

By Patricia Bernard, Illustrations by Tricia Oktober

This beautifully illustrated book, uses simple but powerful pictures to blend perfectly with the written tale all about a young boy called Nura. Awoken one morning by Alfred, Nura is slow in getting moving ready for  their five day journey to Goroka.  

The dance troupe are lining up to carry the snake to the dance festival.:Alfred, the tallest is at the head, and little Nura us the smallest, so is carrying the tale. As they are travelling Naru recalls his mother’s words about the trip and all he will encounter on his journey. 

Is he scared? Should he be? What kind of people will he meet on his journey? And what will happen when he sleeps a little too long?

Wonderful book with great in roads to studying  colourful cultural activity in a celebration of Papua New Guinea’s diverse tribal rituals, talents, music and dances.

The Fair Dinkum War

The Fair Dinkum War

David Cox

Allen & Unwin

A wonderful perspective, told by David Cox, from a child’s point of view on how the war affected his little world. Though admittedly, by the author himself, his “family would remember events differently”, this book is based on the remembrances and impressions that the war had on young David.

Lovingly illustrated and written, this time capsule book seeks to portray an effect of the war, within a child’s memory. It’s Australian-ness oozes from each page and is a delight to enjoy a taste of yesteryear schooling and lifestyle. 

Text heavy for a picture books, the child and adult alike will enjoy the clarity of information given, and the brilliance by which it is imparted. The low modality illustrations also add to its authenticity of a child’s retelling. 

A must for every private and public library.

Pirate Gold

Pirate Gold

By Michael Salmon

Ford Street Publishing

This fun and over the top swashbuckling adventure is where we meet the Piganeers. We are warmly welcomed aboard the Hogwash ship where we join the Piganeers, “the most bumbling and of pig pirates ever to sail the seven seas” on their latest and greatest trip.

Having met the crew, we follow Captain Porker and his map towards treasure, which seems to be gone!! He thinks about who might have stolen it: The Piganeers, those naughty froggy sailors, maybe it was the grandee goats, or even perhaps it was Admiral Horatio? Who knows?! But Captain Porker won’t rest until he finds out who stole his treasure.

With wonderful Salmon illustrations, that never fail to delight and capture the imagination, this picture books is not for the faint hearted – but for those serious about pirates and treasure!!

Mister Whistler

Mister Whistler

By Margaret Mahy and Gavin Bishop

Gecko Press

Mister Whistler is a man full of music, which helps him get through the day, full of happiness and light. Mister Whistle wakes to a telephone call from his Aunty asking him to come and clean her windows, but he’s all bound up in his bed sheets as he’s been obviously dancing in his sleep. 

As he races for the train to get to his aunt’s house he put on his clothes and gets to the station, with his ticket in hand, but hilarity ensues as he looks for his hanky, his misplaces his ticket and has to get undressed in front of everyone and find his ticket. 

Will he find it in time to catch the train? And what will happen if he can’t?

A playful story which will bring a smile to everyone’s face, and a little twist in the end with is sure to amuse all readers.

Gracie and Josh - Beecroft Bookshop

On a cold and wet Friday morning, I arrived at the Beecroft Children's bookshop with 60 others for the launch of Gracie and Josh with the author, Susanne Gervey and illustrator Serena Geddes.

Lots and lots and lots of fun.

Gracie and Josh

Gracie and Josh

Susanne Gervay Illustrator Serena Geddes

Ford Street Publishing

Gracie and Josh is one of those rare books, which takes a hard and gut wrenching topic and approaches it in such a delightful way, both adult and child reader, will thoroughly enjoy and learn from it. A story about a brother and sister relationship, and the effect of battling cancer. 

So brilliantly created, with story and illustrations intricately blended, this book does not even mention the word cancer, but delicately assumes some knowledge of child illnesses. This illness does not become the focus of the book, but the means by which Gracie and Josh take every moment of life as a precious gift. 

A sweet telling of siblings loving each other, enjoying each others, and rising above what life throws at them.

Vinni Versus Bluebottle

Vinni Versus Bluebottle

By Gerry Bobsien, illustrations by Shande Von Westernhagen 

Walker Books

An easy read, though at times seemingly dark, this fantastical tale of Vinni versus Blue Bottle is a story full of Australian ocean traits. 

Vinni is sick of sitting in school, sweating out the long school day, and waiting for its blessed end when the bell will toll, marking, of course, the time where he can race to his private beach and wash away the heat and stresses of the day. This particular afternoon’s refreshing swim ends in disaster, with the dreaded blue bottle’s stingers wrapped around Vinni’s leg, even after he gave it the evil eye trying desperately to scare it away. 

Once stung, Vinni enters a fantastical sea world where he gathers sea world armour, and plans an awesome escape from under the water, avoiding the blue bottle and heading home to eat some of his mum’s wicked chocolate cake. 

But will he make it? And will his new sea creature friends help him escape?

Maxx Rumble Cricket Series

Maxx Rumble Cricket Series (Books 1 – 8)

By Michael Wagner, illustrations Terry Denton

Black Dog Books

Whether out on the cricket pitch,  weird things happen during the game.

Just imagine coming in to bowl and everything moving in slow motion, only Maxx can tell and no one else. 

Or what if everyone on the team falls asleep while fielding, like in Whacked, what would Maxx do? 

When facing the Grunting Bullies team, whose best players were Tarkyn and Wedgie? They’re big and tough and ferocious – will Maxx still be determined to win? That’s what happens in Hammered. 

Whatever the outcome Maxx Rumble is always ready to try his hardest, no matter what steps in his way. Cricket is his passion - he eats, breathes, and lives cricket… and the assortment of hazardous events which happen during each game.

Great for boys who are emergent readers, and want something easy and achievable to reach the end of a book quickly when reading to themselves.

A fun set of books, easy to read, enjoyable illustrations. Get the whole set.

LOLs: Best Jokes for kids

LOLs: Best Jokes for kids

By June Factor, Illstrations by Mic Looby

Allen & Unwin

Q: How do you make a tissue dance?

A: Put a little boogie in it.

Q: What do you get when you cross a dog with a lion?

A: A terrified postman.

Kids like jokes. And the more they tell them, slowly, after time, they get better at telling them. What about tall tales? Can you recount them with glee? Do you have a knack for deciphering text language? Or having fun with riddles? Then this book is your kind of book! June Factor has done it again with her wit and humour, delivering another hilarious book full of jokes, tall tales, farcical songs, riddles and new ways of speaking.

A cow was sitting on a railway track,

Her heart was all aflutter,

The train came roaring round the bend –

Crash! Bang!

Milk, meat, butter.

Recommended for all ages with a sense of humour.

Saving Orangutans

Saving Orangutans 

by Dr Carla Litchfield

Black Dog Books

Did you know that orangutans are the biggest arboreal or tree living mammals in the work? Did you know they are part of the great ape family? Like gorillas, chimpanzees bonobos and humans. But did you also know they are the most solitary? They don’t live in large groups or families. Saving Orangutans is a fun informational book, full of little tid-bit and pointers that you may not know about this special group of apes. With wonderful photography to display all their characteristics, Litchfield has made a compelling case study of which gives the reader the ready information needed to know all about the Orangutan, and how these animals desperately need our help.

Found: The art of recycling

Found: The art of recycling 

by Lisa Holzl

Walker Books

Everything you ever wanted to know about the recycle mode of art; specifically focussing on using and reusing recycling material to create masterpieces. This book is an inventive take on an old concept, with relevant and intriguing approaches to art recycling. For example, learning to paint, without paint with a focus on the great artist Pablo Picasso and his use of newspapers and other waste product. With an important timeline and introduction of art-recycling, this is a good book for children who like creating, art teachers looking for a new perspective and libraries wanting to expand their students intellectual horizons. And it’s more than meets the eye!! There are lots of ideas for stuff to do at home, using the very ‘rubbish’ around you.

Diary of a Taekwondo Master

Diary of a Taekwondo Master

By Shamini Flint , illustrator Sally Heinrich

Allen and Unwin

Oh, dear! Poor Marcus. His Dad wants him to try new sports and excel at them, but Marcus just isn’t the sporty type.  But he’ll try. By golly gosh he will try – even when he doesn’t feel like it – and he knows he won’t do super well. So far he’s tried to be a soccer star and a cricket god, but has failed. And in his latest effort, Marcus is reluctantly willing to take up Taekwondo. He’s not willing to be like Jackie Chan or Kung Fu Panda, and his dad is worried about him not wanting to fight. What happen is he actually gets hurt???? In the meantime he’ll keep a hilarious illustrated diary of his failures for us to read and enjoy. Writer Shamini Flint and illustrator Sally Heinrich have teamed up again to bring us another fun tale, in the vein of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but for children a little younger.

My Happy Life

My Happy Life

 By Rose Lagercrantz and Eva Eriksson, 

Gecko Press

What a fun and sweet book about a little girl called Dani and her happy life. Even though some sad things have happened to her along the way, this is a whimsical book about how Dani is able to look for and find happiness along the way. She starts school a little nervously, but is able to make a best friend called Ella. She loves having sleep overs with Ella and their Night Club, which includes midnight feasts, but sad times come upon her when Ella has to move away. How will she find happiness again? Read and find out.

This is a great book for emerging readers with lovely illustrations and bite sized chapters.

Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster

Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster

By Jacqueline Harvey

Random House

Clementine Rose is a five year old blonde haired girl who is busting to start school. But her first day doesn’t goes as planned with a different teacher than she expected; a snotty boy sharing her desk; and lunch that tastes awful. A bit of bullying is something Clemmie has never encountered before. The usually bouncy little girl, unhappily heads home after a hard day, and never wants to go to school again. Her mum and honourary uncle take her to the doctor who convinces her to give school another try, because of the big announcement by the school principal, of the Queen coming to visit to judge the pet show. All hilarity ensues as Clemmie’s great Aunt Violet’s cat is a late entrant, who ends up in a very sticky situation.

A wonderful and easy read. Harvey at her usual best. The story flows easily and would be read aloud in a classroom setting