Review: Foothand Elbownose

Foothand Elbownose is a hilarious and quirky picture book that pushes imagination totally outside the square!

When Max’s foot gets sick of being a foot, Max lets him be a hand.

Things work okay for a while, but then Max's elbow wants to be a nose, his head wants to be a bottom and more and more body parts decide they’d like a different job.

Max tries to be diplomatic and let his body parts try something new, but soon he gets all muddled up.

What do you do when your mouth is your ear but it can’t really hear? Or your fingernail decides it wants to be an eyelash?

Foothand Elbownose is a creative window into the human body, exploring all the things our bodies do for us. It’s also about identity and acceptance of self. It’s about learning that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but it’s fun to give it a try. 

I imagine this was a challenging story to illustrate, but Connah Brecon has nailed it, infusing humour and whimsy into every page. With bright colours and hilarious details, it’s a lot of fun to explore.

This is a picture book to trigger laughs and giggles. It’s a great one for reading to a crowd, and in the words of my six-year-old when I closed the cover, “I really like this book. I want to read it again!”

For more great reads from Kiah Thomas and Connah Brecon, check out Allergic Alpaca.

Title: Foothand Elbownose

Author: Kiah Thomas

Illustrator: Connah Brecon

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99

Publication Date: 1 November 2019

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781760502027

For ages: 3 -6 

Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2pN0oJ1

Junior Review: The Wizards of Once

Guest Post: Heidi Bryant on How To Learn Languages

Review: Antarctica

Antarctica beautifully introduces the coldest, windiest, driest continent in the world and continues to inform with flowing text, sequential counting and gorgeous artwork.

This informative, fact filled story counts through ten of the creatures who call Antarctica home. With lyrical prose, from one speckled leopard seal to ten vermilion sea stars, it’s wonderfully satisfying to read aloud. Four pages of more detailed information about Antarctica follow the story covering topics such as temperature, snow, the various south poles and the creatures in the story.

Working in perfect harmony with the text, Antarctica is illustrated with handmade artwork of layered collage, woodblock and screen-prints, it feels original, textural and inspired by nature.

You can tell this book is made with passion, great research and admiration for Antarctica, it would be a fun educational resource for young children, and could inspire further activities, artwork and discussions.

Moira Court is an Australian based artist, Antarctica is her first author illustrated title, her other illustrated books include My Superhero and Colour Me.

Title: Antarctica
Author/Illustrator: Moira Court
Publisher: Freemantle Press, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 November 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781925815757
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book




from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2qejMP7

Review: The Science of Breakable Things

Review: Pea and Nut!

Meet Pea and Nut.

Pea is a panda. She's pretty chilled and likes to take her time.

Nut is a flamingo. He's active (hyperactive, really), asks lots of questions, and does things his own way.

They are the creations of author and illustrator, Matt Stanton, and they really jump off the page.

When Nut boasts he can make the best cakes, Pea tricks and teases him into baking and decorating a super dooper spectacular-looking cake.

Although Nut's cake looks amazing, he is in so much of a rush he doesn't realise all is not quite right. The result is a spectacular mess, but Pea has a treat for her friend.

Pea and Nut! is written in rhyme and will induce laughter. The story moves along at a quick pace. The characters have real personality and are each endearing in their own way.

The illustrations are big and bright. The black and white of panda and pink of flamingo are bold, and the main colours throughout, joined by occasional splashes of other colours (like blue icing on the cake).

If Pea and Nut don't remind you of someone you know, I'd be surprised. I felt like I knew them quite well indeed, and hope to see more of their adventures in the future.

Pea and Nut! will remind you that everyone is different and has their own approach to things, but also that being patient and taking your time can have its rewards.

Title: Pea and Nut!
Author/Illustrator: Matt Stanton
Publisher: ABC Books, $17.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733340673
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book




from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2JJHCJu

Review: Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum

Dr. Seuss was renowned for turning ideas upon their heads. Perhaps it is not so surprising then to discover that Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum, is not so much about horses but very much about art. This is an enticing and welcoming story about art in all its variety, individuality and non-conformity. The subject of choice happens to be horses - speedy horses, powerful horses, sculptural horses and wildly-imagined horses.

As the children in the book canter through a museum filled with horse-related artworks, the reader learns about artistic styles and history. Publisher's notes explain that a manuscript and sketches by Theodore Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) were discovered many years after his death, leading to the development of this book. Illustrator Andrew Joyner's lively style conveys the whirlwind of discovery the children embark upon, whilst also doing justice to the original sketches by Dr. Seuss.

The essential premise of this book is that art lies within the individual and the way in which each person sees, imagines, understands and portrays the world around them. Different artistic styles are explored, with each page detailing examples of various artists' depictions of horses. This book encourages thinking, talking and sharing different perspectives whilst also enjoying every aspect of art.

Title: Dr. Suess's Horse Museum
Author: Dr. Seuss
Illustrator: Andrew Joyner
Publisher: Puffin, $27.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2019
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780241425725
For ages: 7+
Type: Picture book




from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2WBQaqZ

Giveaway: Sound Stories Complete Set

Review: Maisy's Preschool

 

And our lucky winner is ... 

Vanessa Pallant, Queensland 

 

Congratulations! 

You have won a copy of Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures 

 by KBR Founder, Tania McCartney! 

We hope you enjoy this prize. 

Thank you to ALL who entered. 

 

 

 

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/337zdHw

Review Final Storm

A shadow has fallen over New City. It comes shrouded in stealth and insidious manipulation. Future World Solutions claim to be building a better world for the young people with renewable, solar systems and robotics. All the rescue eagles are been replaced by robot look-alikes. Human-identical robots are being programmed to act as subservient people.

Sneddon, believed dead, returns incognito. His now refined and respectable image backed by wealth and power, masks the emotional cauldron that boils within him. Ambitious and uncompromising, he now totally controls the weather patterns.

Jeremiah, the climatologist and children’s guardian, has lost his job at the Bureau. After being accused of not foreseeing the mysterious out-of-control weather snaps that brings with them cold and sickness, he now lives in squalor. Isabella, Griffin, and Xavier are forced to move from his home into the mansion where Aleksander, the mysterious new boy at their elite school resides supported by an unknown patron.

A woman appears claiming to be Isabella’s lost mother. Isabella accepts her unconditionally. But is she really who she says she is?

All these shifts from the normality of the children’s lives stem from one agenda. There is an obvious flux in the story as well, in sync with the change of weather and its destructive force - pressure exerted by Sneddon on the climate.

Isabella is drugged and kidnapped and again finds herself trapped in flooded Grimsdon facing another tsunami. Is this the end for Isabella this time?

The lead character Isabella is outstanding. She is indomitable, strong, smart and courageous. The secondary characters’ individual gifts complement Isabella’s strength of character and reveal all that they are when together. They are emotionally, tightly bound to one another due to their shared experiences. This is the issue that propels the story. The end brings a surprising and unexpected twist.

The third book in the trilogy, Final Storm is a novel full of action and adventure. I regret not having read the former two titles, Grimsdon and New City, as I would have enjoyed the connecting continuity to this story.

Deborah Abela has created a powerful series that expresses hers and most people’s underlying concerns regarding the lack of immediate action toward climate change. It also demands strong attention to the increasing introduction of robotics which carries with it, the slow but definite dissolution of human capacity.

Title: Final Storm
Author: Deborah Abela
Publisher: Penguin, $16.99
Publication Date: August 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143794462
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/320InnT

Review: Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World

Ed Emberley's more than 80 books for kids include picture books like Go Away, Big Green Monster!

He's also produced a series of drawing books, including this one, Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World. It sets out to show you easy it can be to create a world on paper with a few simple shapes.

The 32 pages are mostly comprised of a list of items accompanied by the step by step drawing process. And at the end are some examples of how you can use your new found skills (a comic strip, poster, games, etc).

Learn how to draw lots of different vehicles, animals, people in various poses, elements of buildings and their furniture; plus outside stuff like trees, bridges, and other parts of the landscape.

Each thing comes with a five to ten step diagram. These are separate shapes which progressively build the picture.

The horse, for example, starts with a rectangle, to which you add a triangle, then an upside-down V for the back legs, an II for the front legs, a swishy tail, pointy ears, mane and eyes.

Ed's approach to drawing is so simple and rewarding to try. I loved it! Kids of all ages will love creating recognisable drawings and building their world in this way.

Once you've worked your way through Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World, visit Ed's website for other drawing and activity downloads.

Title: Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make A World
Author/Illustrator: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company, $15.99
Publication Date: 2007
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780316789721
For ages:  7+
Type: Activity book




from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2WviHyi

Review: The Trespasser's Unexpected Adventure

The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold is a wild ride packed with action, adventure and mystery.

It’s a story about family and friendship, finding your place in the world and learning not to judge people before you get to know them.

Logan doesn’t have the kind of family most kids have. He lives with his best friend Nate and his parents, plus two more foster kids adopted by Nate’s mum and dad. Logan loves living with Nate’s family, but he’s never really felt like he belongs.

When he decides to go rock climbing on private property, looking for some fun and maybe time to reflect on why his own father didn’t contact him on his birthday, Logan kicks off an adventure he never, ever expected.

The private property Logan goes to explore is a holiday home, and while Logan expected it to be vacant, it absolutely isn’t. He meets a family there — a family unlike any he has met before. But despite the fact he trespassed, Logan fits right in, and he has a great time at the beachside holiday home… until he starts to notice unusual things. 

Like the boat that watches them from sea, an old coin in the basement and people acting strangely. Something is going on, and Logan is determined to figure it out.

This is a middle grade novel for kids who love lots of action and a mystery to solve. But it’s more than that. I love that the story dives deep into family life and the ups and downs of being a kid, particularly because it’s from a boy’s perspective, which isn’t something that is often explored in children’s literature.

This is a story about family and the variance in families. It’s easy to assume every family is the same. It’s easy to assume every family lives in the same kind of house and has the same kind of life. But the truth is every family is different, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Filled with action, adventure, mystery and heart, The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold has something for every young reader. 

And as the first in a series, it’s filled with characters kids can fall in love with and follow from book to book.

Title: The Trespasser’s Unexpected Adventure, The Mystery of the Shipwreck Pirates Gold
Author: Karen Cossey
Publisher: Stolen Moments, $21.99
Publication Date: November 2015
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780473359676
For ages: 9 -14
Type: Middle Fiction 

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2N0tSvV

Review: The Night Flower

A rare miracle of nature is captured in this exquisite non-fiction picture book from acclaimed artist Lara Hawthorne.

It's a unique and true tale of a spectacular annual event in the Sonoran desert, in Arizona, where wildlife gather to witness the saguaro cactus as it blooms for just one night each year.

Written in lyrical and informative rhyming text, the story sets the scene of the vibrant desert, which becomes a haven for wildlife in the spring.

Hawthorne builds the anticipation beautifully, introducing the reader to the diverse range of animals and insects that gather to wait for the night flower show.

Her delicate watercolour illustrations fill each page with life and colour, revealing the beauty of the desert through rich, earthy tones and elegant brush strokes.

From the thick, matte pages, to the magical cover, adorned with flecks of gold, this is a true celebration of nature and the synergy between animals and plants. It's sure to delight everyone from young artists to budding naturalists.

Title: The Night Flower
Author/Illustrator: Lara Hawthorne
Publisher: Big Picture Press, $24.99
Publication Date: January 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781536206166
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

from Kids' Book Review https://ift.tt/2JuY1kH

Review: The Bug Collector