ten tiny things by Meg McKinlay

AUTHOR: Meg McKinlay who grew up in Bendigo, Victoria.
 
ARTIST: Kyle Hughes-Odgers is a painter, street artist and installation artist

STORY: This story is about slowing down, taking your time, and really seeing things. Tessa and Zachary have a machine that carries them from here to there and back again in cool calm comfort. It was smooth and swift and splendiferous. One day their machine breaks down and the children venture into the world beyond its metal walls – a place of secret somethings and hidden happenings. Getting from here to there may never be the same … And every day they looked for ten tiny things

ILLUSTRATIONS: This is the first story that Kyle Hughes-Odgers has illustrated and it was inspiration to get this unique Australian artist to transfer from massive murals to the book format. His illustrations have a quirky folk lore feel.

SNIPPET:
It was a red thing. It was a sparkly thing.
It was a tiny, tiny thing
This is the snippet you will see on most reviews of this book, 'cause we don't want to give it all away - we want you to read this amazing tale.

RECOMMENDED: for 4 year olds and older

AWARDS:
Won the 2013 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the Australia/New Zealand region.
Shortlisted for the 2013 Environment Award for Children's Literature.

PUBLISHER: Fremantle Press

Keep an eye out for Jeremy: coming in July

Wonderful Aussies Chris Faille and Danny Snell have a new book coming out soon.

 

Can you see who Jeremy is?

 

When tiny Jeremy falls out of his nest and is brought home by the family cat, he is only a few days old. Luckily, Jeremy is a fighter. As the weeks go by he grows stronger and stronger, until the time comes to say goodbye. PUBLISHER: Working Title Press

My thoughts: Looks like a good one and can't wait to read it.  I love Danny Snell's illustrations - have look at Bilby Moon and his website.

For the love of Vincent

 

 

AUTHOR: Brenda V. Northeast

For the love of Vincent is "my first children's picture book, is on bringing the joy of art appreciation to children and the young at heart." ARTIST: Brenda V. Northeast

STORY: Enchanting story of a small yellow Ted named Vincent van Bear who was born to paint. His journey takes him to Arles, the Yellow House, the countryside all echoing the life of Vincent van Gogh the famous artist.
ILLUSTRATIONS: There is a beautiful painting on every page which strongly echos Vincent van Gogh's work but have the teddy in them.

 

SNIPPET: "Vincent would head back towards Arles.
The sunset was often spectacular.
Colours seemed to dance through the leaves like flames flicering in a fire.
Vincent was able to capture the beauty of such skies in his paintings"
RECOMMENDED: for 3 year olds and older
PURCHASE: It currently seems difficult to purhase this book and we have only found it available on Lulu

Even as adults we love to read this book again and again, as we adore the the simple story and beautiful paintings that remind us of a great artist. Have you read it?

 

I Love My Grandpa

AUTHOR: Anna Walker
ARTIST: Anna Walker
STORY: Part of the I Love Ollie series with the lovable, stripey zebra. Grandpa and Ollie have fun in the garden, digging and planting seeds and other activities and having dinner together. Grandpa loves to listen, and Ollie loves to talk. 
ILLUSTRATIONS: Anna was first a freelance illustrator before she began to write and illustrate her own books in pen, pencil, collage and watercolour.
RECOMMENDED:  for 2 to 5 year olds
EXTRAS: There is also a softy Ollie and an I Love Ollie Activity Book
BOOK PUBLISHER: Scholastic

The Family Hour in Australia by Tai Snaith

AUTHOR: Tai Snaith

ARTIST: Tai Snaith 

STORY:  Numbats, Kangaroos, Echidnas, Black Swans, Frill-necked lizards, Sugar gliders and Hairy-nosed wombats are just a few of the 15 native Australian animal families featured, as they go about their daily lives.

ILLUSTRATIONS: 

Colourful and quirky drawings of animorphised animals in family groups shopping for vegemite in the supermarket and watching out door movies on a picnic rug. The illustrations are fun and imaginative and the information is factual. 

SNIPPET: 

" Feeling hungry, the platypus family goes swimming to search for snacks. Did you know they swim with their eyes closed?"

RECOMMENDED: for 2 year olds and older.

AWARDS:The Family Hour introduces young children to 15 fascinating Australian animals and their families. It presents unique facts about each animal in a  way.
BOOK PUBLISHER: Thames and Hudson

EXTENSION IDEAS: So many great Australian animal templates:

Echidna mask

Frill neck lizard mask

Kangaroo mask

Koala mask

Platypus mask

Possum Mask

Tasmanian Devil Mask

Tree Frog mask

Wombat mask

Australian animal masks to purchase

Sugar Glider Kite

Owl Kite

Many Australian animals - black and white drawings for craft, counting... Click on the animal you are interested in and it will open from the list
Australian Mammals - black and white illustrations

CONGRATULATIONS Tai Snaith on your first book. We love it.

You can purchase The Family Hour in Australia at Fishpond.au

Uno's Garden

AUTHOR: Graeme Base
ARTIST: Graeme Base
STORY: Uno is the first man to move into the forest. Other people follow Uno and move into the forest, and as the people and buildings increase, the plants and animals decrease. This theme of conservation is joined with counting the animals and plants in the book including the frinklepod, moopaloop, lumpybum, and 1 snortelpig which is hidden on every page.
Though the animals disappear, they make a comeback by book's end except for the Snortlepig which looks like part dog, part pig and part armadillo. The tally of animals on the top of each page, invite readers to participate in a seek-and-find game.
ILLUSTRATIONS: Rich, colourful pages of fascinating fantasy people, animals, plants and buildings create a magical world on every page.
SNIPPET:
The fishermen's children played games amongst the trees.
They counted seven Playful Puddlebuts, plus one Snortlepig.
A little village grew.
RECOMMENDED: for 4 and 5 year olds and older.
AWARDS:

2008 Young Australian Best Book Award  - Picture Book Category - Winner

2007 Green Earth Book Award, USA - Winner

2007 Speech Pathology Australia - Lower Primary Category - Winner

2007 Wilderness Society Environment Award - Picture Book Category - Winner

BOOK PUBLISHER: Penguin Group (Australia)

EXTENSION:
Activities for school age children
Maths activity for school age children

Caterpillar and Butterfly by Ambelin Kwaymullina

AUTHOR: Ambelin Kwaymullina
ARTIST: Ambelin Kwaymullina
STORY: There was once a caterpillar who lived all alone. Everything around Caterpillar seemed large and strange, and she was full of fear. Determined to escape any possible danger, Caterpillar hides away in the safety of her chrysalis. There, she finally discovers the inner strength she needs to truly live. Her fears discarded, she emerges triumphantly as Butterfly to enjoy all the wonders of the world.
ILLUSTRATIONS: Rich vibrant indigenous drawings View Book Page
SNIPPET: 
Soon Snake came sliding along the ground. ‘I know 
you’re there, Caterpillar!’ called Snake. ‘Come with
me to the top of Rock, and we’ll watch Sunset
together.’
But Caterpillar was afraid. ‘I can’t go to Rock!’ she
said. ‘Rock is full of crevices, and I might fall into one.
Go away, Snake.’
Snake sighed, and slithered off into the bush.

RECOMMENDED: for 4 year olds and older
EXTENSION:  CATERPILLAR AND BUTTERFLY TEACHING NOTES (for primary school teachers)

Olga the Brolga by Rod Clement

AUTHOR: Rod Clement
ARTIST: Rod Clement has created beautiful illustrations, featuring Australian native animals on each page: a crocodile, turtle, black faced cormorants, pelicans, water hens, frogs, snakes and more.
STORY: The moral of Olga the Brolga is that moaning and complaining gets you know where. "Olga the brolga is in a terrible mood. She desperately wants to dance-but no one will dance with her. Her parents have other things to do, Ellie the crocodile doesn't feel like jumping around and Joanna Jacana only wants to sleep. As for Lilly the long-neck, well, she's a bit grumpy, too! So Olga decides to dance by herself; and when she does, something absolutely wonderful happens . . ."

SNIPPET: 

 'I want to dance NOW,
I want to flap, kick and jump!'
'Well, don't jump on me!'
said a small brown lump.

RECOMMENDED: for 3 year olds and older
AWARDS: Shortlisted for APA Design Awards: Scholastic Best Designed Children's Book 2003.
BOOK PUBLISHER: Scholastic

EXTENSION IDEAS: So many great Australian animal templates:

Echidna mask

Frill neck lizard mask

Kangaroo mask

Koala mask

Platypus mask

Possum Mask

Tasmanian Devil Mask

Tree Frog mask

Wombat mask

Australian animal masks to purchase

Sugar Glider Kite

Owl Kite

Many Australian animals - black and white drawings for craft, counting... Click on the animal you are interested in and it will open from the list

Australian Mammals - black and white illustrations

A DREAM OF BUNYIPS DANCING

AUTHOR: Elise Hurst says "I loved the idea of creating a fairy-story that used Australian mythology in an accessible setting."
ARTIST: Elise Hurst who is a full time Melbourne artist. This is the first book she has both written and illustrated.
STORY: Set in the Australian rainforest. LuLu has heard of the legendary bunyips and is on a quest to find out what they look like. Has anyone ever seen one. Everyone she asks gives her a completely different description. Her quest takes her amongst the ferny undergrowth by the creek at the bottom of her garden - in the shining day and deep in moonlit night.
ILLUSTRATION: Watercolour and pastel with lots of soft colours and blues that set the mood of mystery and night when the rainforest comes alive.
SNIPPET:  "That night as the shadows grew long and the creek hid in purple mystery,..."
RECOMMENDED: for 5 year olds and older

Shoes from Grandpa

AUTHOR: Mem Fox

ARTIST: Patricia Mullins

STORY: This is a great story about family and appreciation. Jessie has lots of people who love her and want her to be happy. However, in the end they discover that no one has asked her what she wants. Everyone in the family is buying Jessie new clothes for winter as she has grown but all she really wants is...
ARTWORK: Mixed media : drawing, collage and photos of real objects such as feathers and a scarf added
SNIPPET: "When Grandpa saw Jessie he stood back and said 'My how you've grown. You'll need a new pair of shoes this winter and I'll buy them."

RECOMMENDED: for 3 and a half year olds and older
You can purchase Shoes from Grandpa here from Amazon

On the Way to Grandma's House by Odette Ross

AUTHOR: Odette Ross
ARTIST: Odette Ross
STORY:  An account of one little girl's journey to see her Grandma and all the things she sees along the way on her car trip with her mummy.
SNIPPET:  "I count cows and woolly sheep on the way to Grandma's house, until I yawn and fall asleep on the way to Grandma's house."
RECOMMENDED: for 2 to 4 year olds.

PURCHASE:
On the Way to Grandma's House

by Odette Ross
Best Price $11.23

Castles by Allan Baillie

AUTHOR: Allan Baillie
ARTIST: Caroline Magerl
STORY:  A day at the beach becomes a wonderful adventure in this magical story celebrating imaginative play.
SNIPPET:
'One day a Princess came to the beach.
She built a castle.
A wondrous castle.
All the days the castle rang with music and laughter.
But one day a rotten Pirate arrived... '
RECOMMENDED:  For 4 year olds and older
'The fast and furious action is brilliantly described in Baillie's lyrical prose which is ably extended by Magerl's flights of fancy in vivid watercolour and crayon. Together story and pictures sweep along in swirls of colour, visual and verbal. The effect is superb.' Magpies

AWARDS: 
White Ravens of International Children’s and Youth Literature (IYL).
CBCA Notable Book.
Magpies Picks of 2005.