< Back Ken Waldecker Princess Ella and the Missing Kittens Princess Ella enjoys playing with her cat in her big castle. One day, she goes into town to visit the kittens in the pet store. But, when she arrives at the pet store, she learns that the kittens are missing. Someone, or something, has crashed into the pet store and stolen the kittens. Princess Ella joins the search and starts to look for clues. She follows some large footprints through the forest, up into the mountains, to a scary cave. Inside the cave, she finds a huge, scary and very smelly troll. Ella is scared, but is determined to find the kittens. With strength and courage, Princess Ella approaches the troll. Did the troll take the kittens? Will Princess Ella ever see the kittens again? Princess Ella and the Missing Kittens is an illustrated picture book, by author Ken Waldecker. Part of the ‘Princess Ella’ series, the book follows the adventures of a young princess. In this book Princess Ella turns detective, as she goes in search of missing kittens. With lots of humor, and an unexpected twist, this book will delight and entertain young readers. Many young readers enjoy scary characters, and they will love this green troll. The book will help children learn that appearances can be deceiving, and will encourage them to show kindness towards others and look for the good qualities in people (and trolls!). Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun and delightful story about a sweet princess, and a not so sweet troll. Purchase here

< Back Renee Hamilton Norey Loo Glory's Adoption Story Book blurb... Celebrate adoption through the eyes and heart of nine year old Norey Loo Glory, as she sets the record straight that "adoption is an awesome option". Purchase here

< Back Elisa Stad Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice Jade lives in two worlds. Her mom is Chinese, and her dad is American. Jade notices that her mom is different to the other parents. She doesn’t give hugs like the other parents, and she asks Jade lots of questions about school. Sometimes, other people do not understand Jade’s mom because of her accent, and she is embarrassed by her. Jade wants to be like all the other kids in her class, and she doesn’t like what she sees when she looks in the mirror. Jade is upset when her mom tells her she is Chinese. Jade does not want to be Chinese, she wants to be American like all the other kids. Jade’s dad explains that she is made up of both her mom and her dad, and she is both Chinese and American. As Jade learns more about her mom’s family and her childhood, she soon understands why her mom is the way she is. While her mom may not give hugs like the other parents, she shows her love in different ways. Mama's Love Language: Sometimes Tastes Like Hainan Chicken Rice is a touching, thoughtful and beautifully illustrated children’s book that explores the challenges and joys of growing up with mixed heritage. The book follows Jade, a little girl who is half Chinese and half American, as she begins to notice how different she is from other children. As Jade learns more about her mom’s life and culture, she learns to accept and embrace her Chinese heritage. The book is particularly valuable for children who come from mixed cultural backgrounds, but is also an excellent resource for all children, helping them to understand and appreciate different cultures. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A touching, thoughtful and beautifully illustrated children’s book, celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism. Purchase here

< Back Brett Rumfelt Get Through This Book Get Through This Book by author Brett Rumfelt is a delightfully inventive and funny picture book that turns the act of reading into an interactive adventure. At first glance, the book presents itself as a challenge: the narrator openly admits that the book looks boring and expresses a desperate desire to simply "get through it." This self-aware, tongue-in-cheek premise immediately sets the tone for a playful journey that both children and adults can enjoy. The story follows a character who tries a series of increasingly silly and imaginative methods to get through the book. From attempting to walk through the pages, running at full speed, and even diving into a (fake) hole, the protagonist's antics are both absurd and endearing. Each failed attempt is met with humor "(BONK!) Ouch!" and "(SPLAT!) OUCHIE!" that will elicit giggles from young readers. The book cleverly uses visual gags, such as a picture of a hole that turns out not to be real, and interactive moments where the reader is asked to help turn pages or swing a rope. The character is aware of the reader, frequently asking for help and commenting on the book's own structure. This creates a sense of partnership between the reader and the protagonist, making the reading experience highly engaging. The book also pokes fun at itself and the conventions of reading, culminating in the realization that the only way to truly get through the book is to read the words - "Maybe if we read the words, that will get us through the book. Eh? Good idea?" Get Through This Book is a perfect choice for parents, teachers, or anyone looking to make reading a more engaging and enjoyable experience for kids. The book's humor, creativity, and self-referential style ensure that readers will want to "get through" it again and again. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A witty, energetic, and interactive read that transforms the challenge of finishing a book into a fun-filled adventure. Purchase here

< Back Jennifer Welborn Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals Dr. Rosie finds alternative treatments for her animal friends. Rosie loves to help animals, just like her mom. She asks lots of questions as her mom treats and cares for the animals in her veterinary practice. She watches her mom treat a puppy with a cut on his ear, and then Rosie decides to go out and help real live animals. She uses her new skills to treat a rabbit with a poorly ear, a pig with a swollen tummy, a giraffe with a sore throat, an elephant with a stuffy nose, an ostrich with an injured knee, a crocodile with a painful tooth, an octopus with a bump on his head, a beluga whale with a nasty rash, a polar bear with a fever, and an owl with an allergy. Rosie uses natural remedies, including gel from the aloe plant, honey, salt water, a cold compress, and rest and water. But most importantly, she offers lots of kisses and cuddles! Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals by author Jennifer Welborn is a children’s picture book about a little girl who loves animals and wants to help care for them and make them better. This is a cute, engaging and funny picture book that will appeal to younger readers who love animals and nature. The book explores a range of animal symptoms, diagnoses, and natural treatments, informed by real-life veterinarians and scientists. The book will help children learn about different animals, their symptoms and natural remedy treatments. It will encourage children to show empathy towards animals and could inspire them to get involved in animal health and welfare, for example as a veterinary surgeon, nurse, or volunteer. I particularly like that the book focuses on natural remedies and could help to support further discussions about alternative treatments, for both humans and animals. I enjoyed the colourful illustrations by Rozillia MH and the diversity of the characters represented. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A cute, engaging and funny picture book for younger readers who love animals and nature. Purchase here

< Back David L. Gillespie Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue by David L. Gillespie follows the charming protagonist, Miss Floo Flocky Doo, a spirited young girl with a knack for turning everyday events into exciting escapades. The story begins with Floo discovering a baby squirrel, whom she names Lucky Lou, and decides to rescue and care for him. As Lucky Lou grows, he becomes an integral part of Floo’s life, leading to a hilarious adventure when he escapes during a trip to the grocery store. The chaos that ensues, including Lou leaping into Miss Nellie Faye’s wig and racing through the aisles, is both entertaining and endearing. Floo’s determination to capture her mischievous pet, with the help of her hummingbird friend Peanut, showcases her resourcefulness and love for her furry companion. The book’s illustrations by Ronnie Rooney are vibrant and engaging, perfectly complementing the lively narrative. The expressive characters and dynamic scenes bring the story to life, making it visually appealing for young readers. The colorful depictions of Floo, Lucky Lou, Peanut, and the bustling grocery store add depth to the storytelling and captivate the audience. The writing is playful and rhythmic, with repeated phrases like “Hootie Hoo, Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!” The narrative is easy to follow, with a mix of humor and heartfelt moments that emphasize themes of love, responsibility, and problem-solving. The book also includes a touching “Story Behind the Story” section, where the author shares the real-life inspirations for the characters and events. This personal touch adds depth to the book, making it even more special for readers. Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue is a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf. It’s a perfect read for young children, and a delightful experience for both children and adults alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A funny and entertaining tale, with captivating characters and a delightful protagonist. Purchase here

< Back Ashley Wall The Day I Had a Dinosaur Luke and his friends have the best-osaurus day ever. Luke is playing in the garden with his dog, Bobo, when the ground starts to shake. He spins around and finds a real-life Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) in his garden. Luke and the T-Rex become instant buddies. But when the ground starts to rumble, Luke discovers his friend, Noah, riding a Brachiosaurus. Luke and Noah take their new dinosaur pals to the park, but the dinosaurs are way too big to enjoy the playground. So, they make their own playground instead, climbing up and sliding down their new dinosaur friends. They hear a roar, and their friends Emma and Mikey join in the fun riding their own dinosaurs, a Triceratops and a Pterodactyl. The friends decide to play hide and seek in the park, and soon realise it is not so easy to hide a dinosaur! They play fetch with the dinosaurs, using dinosaur sized tree stumps instead of sticks, they play basketball and baseball, and they even take part in a little dino-yoga – adapting each activity to make sure even the biggest dinosaurs can take part. The Day I Had a Dinosaur is an illustrated picture by author Ashley Wall about a young boy and his friends, who meet a bunch of dinosaurs and have the best-osaurus day ever, playing in the park. This is a delightful and fun picture book, featuring some of the most popular and famous dinosaurs in the dinosaur family. The illustrations are bright and playful, and the characters are charming. I liked the diversity of the characters and the adaptation of the activities, so all dinosaurs could take part. Perfect for young children who love dinosaurs and enjoy imaginative storytelling. Young people love dinosaurs, and they will laugh out loud at this dinosaur filled playground adventure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A laugh-out-loud, fun-filled playground adventure, with a dino-sized twist. Purchase here

< Back Charlene McIver Nature Study Buddies A wonderful, third instalment in the Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures series, by author Charlene McIver Friends, Tara, Cosmo and Leigh are conducting a nature study project at school. Their task is to take an animal picture, record an animal call, and find a food sample and a biological specimen. Leigh suggests they study nocturnal animals, and Cosmo agrees the creatures in Leigh’s tree would make a great study project. But Leigh is disappointed he cannot help his friends search for specimens in the tree. Tara and Cosmo do not want Leigh to miss out on the night-time adventure, and they practice hoisting him up into the tree by the ropes on the swing. As Leigh enjoys the view from the tree, he is attacked by an angry magpie protecting her babies. Leigh thinks the tree swing is unsafe and decides not to join in the tree climbing activities. As Tara and Cosmo climb the tree, Leigh feels left out. But Leigh is surprised to find a number of nocturnal creatures on the ground, and photographs a strange bird, a bandicoot and a frog. Tara and Cosmo descend from the tree disappointed not to find any nocturnal creatures, while Leigh finds a tawny frogmouth feather and shows his friends the photographs he captured. The friends find everything on their list and look forward to sharing their discoveries at school. Nature Study Buddies is a fun picture book by Charlene McIver and the third in the series of Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures. This is a super addition to the series about Leigh, a child with a disability, who loves to have fun with his friends Tara and Cosmo. This time, a school nature project sees the friends climbing trees and exploring nature in the dark. Leigh doesn’t want to miss out on the activities and his friends make sure he is included by hoisting him into the tree. But Leigh recognises his own limitations and puts his own safety first, while at the same time, finds alternative methods to join in the fun. This is a wonderful book about friendship, inclusion and diversity, beautifully illustrated in a traditional style by Claudia Gadotti. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful and fun picture book about friendship, inclusion and diversity. Purchase here

< Back Mariam Latifi A to Z of Mini Muslims A unique and educational book about Islam and being a Muslim, from author Mariam Latifi This is a unique and educational A to Z picture book for children, exploring Islam and being a Muslim. The book is ideal for young Muslims who want to learn a little more about their religion, or for anyone interested in learning about this beautiful religion of peace. Latifi presents a range of interesting facts in an alphabet style picture book, from A which represents the Almighty, All-wise Allah SWT, right through to Z which represents Zakah, which means giving to charity to the poor and needy. This is a great resource for those with limited knowledge of the religion and want to learn more, or for those who want to enhance their knowledge in certain areas. The book also includes a useful glossary of terms and an A to Z of frequently asked questions. This easy-to-read book will help both children and adults to learn about the religion in a really fun and engaging way. It will help them to learn the alphabet, whilst at the same time supporting the development of new knowledge and new vocabulary. The book would be a valuable resource in any home, public or school library to promote religious awareness and diversity. The illustrations by Saba Yasmeen complement the book perfectly. The vibrant and diverse images show the beauty of the religion, and unity of Muslims across the world. We particularly liked the subtle themes and references to Australia. Latifi set out to promote diversity, inclusivity, religious awareness and tolerance, and the book does exactly that. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fantastic book which promotes diversity, inclusivity, religious awareness, and tolerance in a fun and engaging way. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Joe Ciccarelli When You Meet a Hangry Howard Meet a Hangry Howard, by author Joe Ciccarelli Have you ever felt angry and irritable as a result of hunger? Have you ever seen someone snap if they skip breakfast? Or, become bad tempered if they miss out on lunch? I’m sure you have, as it’s quite common for people to experience some irritability when they have not eaten in a while. That sudden, irrational rage when we are hungry is often referred to as "hangry" (a combination of "hunger" and "anger"). So, what do you do when you meet a Hangry Howard? How would you satisfy his hunger, and tame his temper? You could bake a delicious cake, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You could cook a three-course dinner, but I wouldn’t advise it. You could even provide a menu of scrumptious options, but that might not be the best solution. When it comes to Hangry Howards, only the fastest foods will do. Whether it’s beef stew, or cheese fondue; handmade strudel or homemade noodles; you better feed him, and feed him quick! When You Meet a Hangry Howard is a fun and entertaining picture book by Joe Ciccarelli, about the common phenomenon of feeling angry when you have not eaten. Written in verse, with lots of fabulous, tongue twisting rhymes, this is a fun book to read out aloud. Young children will laugh out loud at all the Hangry Howards, and may even recognise themselves too! There are some unusual foods listed that might not be familiar to younger readers, but there is a useful glossary at the end of the book to prompt further discussions. The cartoon like illustrations by Gary Ciccarelli are superb. Vibrant, eye catching and amusing, they capture the story and humour perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, fast-food filled book, for foodies Purchase here

< Back Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay The Tales of Charlie Wags: European Christmas Adventure Charlie Wags is an adventurous dog with a unique ability to travel the world by wagging his tail. This festive edition of the series follows Charlie as he travels to Europe and celebrates Christmas in five iconic European destinations: Amsterdam, Brussels, the Swiss Alps, Munich, and Vienna. Each place is beautifully depicted, highlighting its unique charm and holiday traditions. In Amsterdam, Charlie skates on frozen canals surrounded by gingerbread-like houses, capturing the magic of winter in the Netherlands. Next, Charlie visits Brussels, where he explores the historic Grand-Place, adorned with gold-lined buildings and a towering Christmas tree. The journey continues to the Swiss Alps, a winter wonderland known for its breath-taking peaks and world-class skiing. In Munich, Charlie experiences the magic of Germany's famous Christmas markets, which have been a tradition since the 14th century. Finally, Charlie arrives in Vienna, the City of Music, where he enjoys the holiday festivities at the Schonbrunn Palace. The beautiful illustrations capture the essence of each city with vibrant colors and intricate details. The text is engaging and rhythmic, making it perfect for young readers and a joy for parents to read aloud. Additionally, the book includes fun facts about each destination, encouraging curiosity and love of travel. The Tales of Charlie Wags: Christmas in Europe is a charming and educational picture book that combines the magic of Christmas with the wonder of travel. It is a perfect read for families looking to explore holiday traditions around the world while enjoying the heart-warming adventures of an extraordinary little pup. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A delightful children's picture book featuring an adorable little pup who takes readers on a magical journey across Europe during the holiday season. Purchase here

< Back Amelie Patel and Harriet Hessam Saachi the Angel A beautiful and special angel is born, named Saachi Helen Patel Ravi the Raccoon and Mahaley the Meerkat lived in a forest, with their large family and their daughter Amelie the Alpaca. Amelie loved to play in the forest with her cousins, but wished she had a baby sister. Ravi the Raccoon and Mahaley the Meerkat decide to give Amelie the Alpaca a baby sister. They decide to call her Saachi Helen, but they cannot agree what type of animal she will be, so agree to wait until she is born to decide. After months of preparation the family are excited to welcome Saachi into the world, but Saachi is not born an animal, she is born a beautiful and special angel. Amelie the Alpaca is sad, but her parents remind her that Saachi the Angel was a gift from God and would always watch over her. The forest was a more vibrant and beautiful place, all because of Saachi the Angel, and Amelie the Alpaca felt more love than ever before. Saachi the Angel is a tender and beautifully written illustrated picture book by Amelie Patel and Harriet Hessam about a little alpaca named Amelie, and her baby sister named Saachi, born an angel. The book is dedicated to Saachi Helen Patel, the authors sister and granddaughter. The book gently introduces young children to the concept of infant death, in a sensitive and age-appropriate way that young people will understand. Through animal characters, the story follows a family as they navigate the emotions and questions that arise following the loss of a baby. The compassionate storytelling will help children understand complex feelings, while offering reassurance and hope. A valuable resource for any parent or caregiver, to help initiate conversations about loss and grief with very young children. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A tender and beautifully written picture book that gently introduces young children to the concept of infant death. Purchase here