Weekend Reads: 30 November 2024

My First Animals. 

By Émilie Lapeyre. 

Ladybird Books, 2022. 

ISBN 9780241549018. 

Board book. 

A world of words book. Asks questions, so is good for demonstrating how to integrate that into your sharing of books with little ones. 

Simple and clear. 

Who Needs a Hug? 

By Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt. 

Candlewick Press, 2021. 

ISBN 9781536212495. 

Board book. 

Very cute, pretty standard board book. 

Shapes. 

By Sasha Morton. 

Boxer Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781915801456. 

Board book. 

A Spring Street touch and trace book. 

Tactile book. 

Encourages looking around you to spot the shapes found in the book. 

Run Like a Rabbit. 

By Alison Lester. 

Allen & Unwin, 2021. 

ISBN 9781915801456. 

Australian. 

Board book. 

Great book for interactive / movement storytimes.

Hello Dinosaur: Iguanodon. 

By David Partington. 

Campbell Books / Pan Macmillan, 2024. 

ISBN 9781035016952. 

Board book. 

A good introduction to the iguanodon, with sturdy pull and push tabs and slides. 

Hey! Look at You! 

By Sandra Boynton. 

Boynton Bookworks, 2024.  

ISBN 9781665953160. 

Rhyming text. 

Animal-shaped mirrors, and animal sounds make a magical combination. 

We Are Friends in the Sky. 

By Sue Downing. 

Dorling Kindersley, 2021. 

ISBN 9780241510629. 

Board book. 

Friendships between various creatures / beings / elements (what do you call them?) And, and introduction to the solar system, of a sort. 

Donut Touch! 

Seb Davey and Alex Willmore. 

Gemini Children's Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781917082099. 

Board book. 

Sharing and donuts. A good interactive book for younger children. 

Great read-aloud potential. Spot the differences between pages. Guess who ate the donuts. 

The Good Night Garage. 

By Tori Kosara. 

Flying Eye Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781838741778. 

Rhyming text. 

Andromorphic animals and vehicles. 

 

The Velvet Messenger. 

By Megan Hess. 

Hardie Grant, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761212666. 

Rhyming text. Unexpectedly darker than I expected. Definitely Disney evil queen territory. 

Long and aimed at older picture book readers. 

There's an audience for these, and it is pretty girly. 

Tiny Jenny: little fairy, big trouble. 

By Briony may Smith. 

Walker Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781529526806. 

A small human-like fairy (ie sans wings) is adopted by a family of wrens. She is teased, and sets off to find her people. She meets the fairies, and they are bad. 

With the help of good friends, and her family, good overcomes them. 

Alphabet. 

By Alain Grée. 

Button Books, 2024 (originally published in 2012). 

ISBN 9781787081628. 

Why are there only some lines of text? It just confused me. 

Lulu Gets a Cat! 

By Anna McQuinn  and Rosalind Beardshaw. 

Alanna Max, 2024 (originally published in 2018). 

ISBN 9781907825583. 

A quite earnest book about pet adoption, including practicing the skills needs to care for one. 

People Are My Favorite Places. 

By Ani Castillo. 

Little, Brown and Company, 2024. 

ISBN 9780316424660. 

A lockdown-inspired book. 

This would be interesting to share in a storytime about senses, as so many of the missing things are sensory experiences. 

The Monster Game. 

By Philip Bunting. 

Omnibus Books / Scholastic Aust, 2023. 

ISBN 9781760975197. 

Australian. 

Anxiety? Bedtime fear? It is sort of funny, might sort of work, but I'm not convinced this will help any little one struggling with monster at bedtime fears. 

Night Lunch. 

Eric Fan. 

Tundra Books, 2022. 

ISBN 9780735270572. 

Atmospheric and sepia-toned. Quirky and quiet. 

Older children. 

What's In a Name? He Aha Tō te Ingoa? 

By Renisa Viraj Maki, Hona Black, and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. 

Oratia Media, 2024. 

ISBN 9781990042638. 

A very earnest book, very well-meaning, and with an important message. The importance of names and pronouncing them correctly. 

Just it doesn't work 100%, as an enjoyable story. 

We're Moving Away. 

By Niña Nill. 

Bright Light, 2023. 

ISBN 9781761212321. 

Australian. 

The problems of moving countries: of leaving parts of yourself behind. But, also finding new things and experiences, and people, in your new country. 

Dear Moko. 

By Hinemoa Elder and Miriama Grace-Smith. 

Penguin, 2024. 

ISBN 9781776953417. 

Whakatauki and whakatauaki (Māori proverbs / sayings) aimed at mokopuna (grandchildren / descendants) provide life lessons. 

Look and Cook Breakfast: a first book of recipes in pictures. 

By Valorie Fisher. 

Astra Young Readers, 2024. 

ISBN 9781662620683. 

An earnest attempt at making a recipe book for visual learners, and those beginning to read. There is a fair amount of text to get through in order to understand the pictures.

Art of Protest: what a revolution looks like. 

By De Nichols, Molly Mendoza, Diego Becas, Olivia Twist. 

Big Picture Press, 2021. 

ISBN 9781787417663. 

Protest artwork from around the world, from the 1960s to now. 

Art Is Everywhere. 

By Joe Haddow and Ellie Hawes. 

uclanpublishing, 2023. 

ISBN 9781915235565. 

Non-fiction. 

I appreciated how broad the definition of art is. From sculpture, to comics, to poetry. 

Includes tips to make your own art. 

Gold Rush: the untold story of the First Nations women who started the Klondike gold rush. 

By Flora Delargy. 

Wide Eyed Editions, 2024. 

ISBN 9780711263871. 

I struggled to find the First Nations women in this book. Woman, yes. 

But, it seemed to be mainly a succession of white women. 

Weekend Reads: 10 November 2024

The Iguanodon's Horn: how artists and scientists put a dinosaur back together again and again - - and again. 

By Sean Rubin. 

Clarion Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9780063239210. 

Great introduction to dinosaurs, seen through the lens of whatever was known - or believed - at the time. 

Where's My Pet? Whiskers: with lift-and-find flaps.  

By Beth Hamilton and Carly Gledhill. 

Little Tiger, 2024. 

ISBN 9781838915650. 

Board book. 

Simple, fun, and a cute ending. 

Who's Jolly? 

By Camilla Reid and Nila Aye. 

Macmillan Children's, 2024. 

ISBN 9781035031702. 

Board Book. Lift-the-flap.

Christmas. 

Solid offering. Nothing dramatic. 

Cheese! 

By Felice Arena and Beatrice Cerocchi. 

Affirm Press, 2024. 

ISBN 9781922992833. 

Australian. 

Rhyming Text. And how do you get cheese names to rhyme like that! 

Read alongside Pasta by the same creators. 

Nose to Nose. 

By Thyra Heder. 

Abrams Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781419757518. 

Really interesting way to convey the importance of scent marking with dogs. And, of trying to fit in. 

The Young Queens Collection: The Curious Crown. 

By Megan Hess. 

Hardie Grant, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761212673. 

Christmas. 

Rhyming couplets. 

Serviceable, but slightly leaden rhymes. The creator knows her audience, and caters to it. 

Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present. 

By Reese Witherspoon and Xindi Yan. 

Puffin Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761047527. 

Christmas. 

A serviceable Christmas story about the importance of caring - and that it isn't about money or buying presents. 

Where To Hide a Star. 

By Oliver Jeffers. 

HarperCollins, 2024. 

ISBN 9780008579685. 

The sequel to: 

• How to Catch a Sar. 
• Lost and Found. 
• The Way Back Home. 
• Up and Down.

Exquisite as always. 

Maisy's Rocket. 

By Lucy Cousins. 

Walker Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781529520712. 

Board book. 

A lovely and educational addition to the Maisy books. Perfect for wannabe astronauts. 

Giinagay Juluum, Hello Mountains. 

By Melissa Greenwood. 

HarperCollins, 2024. 

ISBN 9780733343025. 

Australian. Indigenous creator. Bilingual. 

Part of a series of books by Gumbaynggirr artist Melissa Greenwood. A glimpse into the world view of one of Australia's first people. 

The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms.  

The Three Little Tardigardes: a slightly scientific fairy tale. 

By Sandra Fay. 

Henry Hold and Company, 2021 / 2024. 

ISBNs 9781250776082 and 9781250776099. 

Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Wonky, quirky, factual, scientific, subversive. What more could you want? Definitely aimed at school-aged children. 

To Stir With Love. 

By Kate Mildenhall and Jess Racklyeft. 

Simon & Schuster, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761426391. 

Australian. 

Dementia, in the early stages. Generational sharing. Family photos are included in the illustrations. 

Sometimes It's Nice to be Alone. 

By Amy Hest and Philip Christian Stead. 

Neal Porter Books / Holiday House 2023. 

ISBN 9780823449477. 

Something about this title caught my attention, for some reason. 

Saving Wānanga: the true story of a kea rescue. 

By Kris Herbert. 

Potton & Burton, 2024. 

ISBN 9781988550671. 

Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Non-fiction, told as a story in picture book form. 

I'm not sure about this one. It's ok. 

Secret Gardeners: growing community and healing the earth. 

By Maija Hurme, Lina Laurent, Jen Pulju Porter, Sofia Karlsson. 

Pajama Press, 2024. 

ISBN 9781772782479. 

A story of community and determined children. Includes tidbits of information about no-till gardening. 

The Cars and Trucks Book. 

By Todd Parr. 

Little Brown and Company, 2018. 

ISBN 9780316506625. 

What isn't there to love about a Todd Parr book? He is a master. 

A Really Short History of Words. 

By Emma Young, adapted from Bill Bryson; Daniel Long, Dawn Cooper, Katie Ponder. 

Puffin, 2024. 

ISBN 9780241666173. 

I'm a word nerd, and have read many Bill Bryson books about the English language. 

It's great to have this version of children available. 

One Upon a Word: a word-origin dictionary for kids: building vocabulary through etymology, definitions & stories. 

By Jess Zarafarris and Marco Marella. 

Rockridge Press, 2020. 

ISBN 9781646112593. 

Another one for my word nerd heart. 

The History of Information. 

By Chris Haughton. 

Dorling Kindersley, 2024. 

ISBN 9780241553916. 

Vibrant, full of information. Interesting choices in layout and typography. 

A weighty, for children, book. 

Weekend Reads: 1 December

Tell Your Own Story: pick a new story again and again!

By Adam Guillain, Charlotte Guillain, and Tony Neal. 

Ladybird, 2024. 

ISBN 9780241622254. 

Picture book level pick-a-path type story. 

Great for interactive stories for older children. 

I can see it as a flannel board, too. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat. 
• You Choose by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt. 
• A Monster + Princess + Shark Adventure by Sarah Coyle and Adam Walker-Parker. 

How Babies Are Made. 

By Philip Bunting. 

Scholastic, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761126277. 

Australian. 

As someone who grew up loving Where Did I Come From? I appreciated this book as a modern version. 

Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars. 

By April Suddendorf. 

NorthSouth, 2023. 

ISBN 9780735845480. 

Rhyming text and quirky illustrations combine to create a fun read. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Witch's Cat Wanted: apply within by Joy H. Davidson and Nikki Slade-Robinson. 
• The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs by Anika Moa and Rebecca ter Borg. 
• Moggie McFlea: the witch's cat by Anna Kemp and Adam Beer. 

I Am. 

By Dana Winter. 

Beatnik, 2024. 

ISBN 9781991165770. 

Aotearoa. 

Well-meaning and earnest. 

Possible companion reads: 

•  I Am Me: a book of authenticity by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds. 
• You Are Here by Zack Manbeck. 

Take Heart, Take Action. 

By Beci Orpin. 

Lothian / Hachette, 2019. 

ISBN 9780734419866. 

Australian. 

Simple ways to help live sustainably, and contribute to saving the environment. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Change Starts With Us by Sophie Beer. 
• Change Sings by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long. 
• Clean UP! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola. 

The Little Worried Caterpillar. 

By Christine Pym. 

Scholastic, 2023. 

ISBN 9780702323713. 

A caterpillar who likes being a caterpillar, and is worried about becoming a butterfly. 

Reassurance for those worried about upcoming changes. 

• What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter. 
• There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi and Laurel Mok. 

Amazing Animals with Astonishing Jobs. 

By Simon Philip and Adam Ming. 

Simon & Schuster, 2024. 

ISBN 9781471188169. 

The range of jobs is, truly, astonishing. And, a little liberal - a bit of a stretch for some of them. 

Possible companion reads: 

• ANZAC Animals by Maria GIll and Marco Ivančić. 
• Animal helpers by Štěpánka Sekaninová and Misha Bera. 

The Worst Dog in the World. 

By Michel Streich. 

Scholastic Aust, 2022. 

ISBN 9781743838778. 

Oh, the pain of not getting the pet you want - and are ready for. And, then trying to make the pet you did receive fit your preconceptions. 

The illustrations deliver so much more dimension to the text. 

Possible companion reads: 

• My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World by Gilles Bachelet. 
• Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly and Stephen Michael King.

Soon. 

By Libby Gleeson  and Jedda Robaard. 

Little Hare, 2020. 

ISBN 9781760501235. 

Australian. 

Waiting for a new baby. 

A positive spin on this perennial topic. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Kia ora, Baby by Donovan Bixley. 
• The Very Best Words by Erin Munro and Sarah Trolle. 

The Impatient Glacier. 

By Shaun Micallef and Rebel Challenger. 

Scholastic Aust, 2024. 

ISBN 9781760268589. 

Australian. 

Celebrity title. 

Rhyming text.

It's ok. Bordering on moralistic. 

Possible companion reads: 

• The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach. 
• Slowly, Slowly by Toni Yuly. 
• Have You Seen Tomorrow? by Kyle Mewburn and Laura Bernard. 

Amazing Sister. 

By Alison Brown. 

Farshore, 2024. 

ISBN 9780008529482. 

Rhyming text. 
Solid offering. 

Possible companion reads? 

• By Myself by Sumana Seeboruth and Maribel Castells. 
• Before We Met by Gabrielle Tozer and Sophie Beer. 

Solar Bear. 

By Beth Ferry and Brendan Wenzel.

HarperCollins, 2024. 

ISBN 9780063251731. 

Rhyming text takes the child, and the reader, on a trip around the world to meet endangered animals. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Watson the Detective Dog by Susan Brocker and Jenny Cooper. 
• Old Blue: the rarest bird in the world by Mary Taylor. 

Skyscraper Babies. 

By April Pulley Sayre and Juliet Menéndez. 

Godwin Books / Henry Holt, 2023. 

ISBN 9781250139771. 

A nice change from all the rural-set bedtime books. Very cute. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Puddling! by Emma Perry and Claire Alexander. 
• The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham. 

Busy Little Fingers: Music. 

By Eva Wong Nava and Eleonora Marton. 

Big Picture Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781800786455. 

A vibrant and entertaining introduction to music. 

Possible companion reads: 

• The Colour of Music by Lisa Tiffen and Matt Ottley. 
• The Day Bell Found Her Sound by Lizzy O'Donnell. 
• Sounds Good by Ole Könnecke, Hans Könnecke, and Melody Shaw. 

A Most Mysterious Manor. 

By Megan Hess. 

Hardie Grant, 2024. 

ISBN 9781761212659. 

I've mentioned previous books in this series. 

They are all much of a muchness. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Gemma and the Giant Girl by Sara O'Leary and Marie Lafrance. 
• Seen and Not Heard by Katie May Green. 

Mini Architects: 20 projects inspired by the great architects. 

By Joséphine Seblon and Robert Sae-Heng. 

Thames & Hudson, 2024. 

ISBN 9780500660249. 

Facts and crafts - what more could you want?! 

Well, for me, not to use food items in crafts. I think it is a bad idea, not to mention offensive, to use food items in crafts, which will not be eaten. Instead of marshmallows, maybe blu-tac, or playdough? (Playdough is borderline food, I know.) 

Possible companion reads: 

• Adventures in Architecture for Kids: 30 design projects for STEAM discovery and learning by Vicky Chan. 
• Atlas of Amazing Architecture: the most incredible buildings you've (probably) never heard of by Peter Allen and Ziggy Hanaor. 

Jessica's Box. 

By Peter Carnavas. 

New Frontier Publishing, 2024. 

ISBN 9781923145481. 

Australian. 

NB: The Horn Book review refers to another edition, in which Jessica uses a wheelchair. I read the review and wondered how I'd missed that! But, I hadn't. 
Anyway, this is about Jessica starting school and others teasing her. It is about finding her place and her kindred spirits. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Ruby's Tools for Making Friends by Apryl Stott. 
• I Really, Really Don't Like Parties by Angie Morgan. 

Boop! 

By Bea Birdsong and Linzie Hunter. 

HarperCollins, 2023. 

ISBN 9780063214804. 

An interactive read, which encourages readers to boop the snoot! 

A fun read for anyone. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Herve Tullet books. 
• Christie Matheson books. 

To the End of the World, Far, Far Away. 

By Ronda Armitage and Victoria Turnbull. 

Walker Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781406393637. 

Love between a mother and child. 

Possible companion reads:

• No Matter What by Debi Gliori. 
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram. 

We're Going On a Bear Hunt Nature Adventures: 30 outdoor activities for young explorers all year round. 

By Walker Books, with additional text by Michael Rosen; illustrations Helen Oxenbury, step-by-step illustrations by Lucy Burningham. 

Walker Books, 2024. 

ISBN 9781529518894. 

Divided into seasonal chapters, with easy and achievable activities. 

Possible companion reads: 

• Play Wild: nature craft projects for tamariki by Rachel Clare and Dena Aroha Bach. 
• The Nature Activity Book: 99 ideas for activities in the natural world of Aotearoa New Zealand by Rachel Haydon and Pippa Keel. 
• Quiet by Tomie DePaola. 
• A Recipe for Magic Potion by Jack Henseleit and Natasja Horne.