How to Hatch a Dragon
How to Hatch a Dragon is the first book in Nick Bland’s new Bunny and Bird series and is sure to captivate younger readers as they revel in the highly entertaining story, particularly as they discover the narrative that unfolds in the illustrations. I suspect some readers will become very vocal in an attempt to […]
The Fix-it Princess
Title: The Fix-it Princess Author: Janeen Brian Illustrator: Cherie Dignam Publisher: Walker Books Publication date: March 7, 2023 Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from Walker Books here. This review is part of a Books on Tour campaign From the Castle-by-the-Woods the indomitable, inventive, resourceful Princess Shona, together with a singing, empathetic dragon embark on a […]
Wild Bush Days
Title: Wild Bush Days Author: Penny Harrison Illustrator: Virginia Gray Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: August 2022 Wild Bush Days by Penny Harrison and illustrated by Virginia Gray is a picture book about the power of story, imagination and possibilities and how these drive two young girls to set out on a quest to explore […]
Books for Anzac Day – Part 2
Books for Anzac Day (first blog post containing seventeen books can be found on the Reading Opens Doors blog here). One way for children to learn about Anzac day, in a way that is accessible for them is through books that sensitively tell stories about the men and women who served – stories about their […]
The Sweetest Egg of All
The Sweetest Egg of All by Helen Milroy, a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia and published by Magabala Books is the third book in the Tales from the Bush Mob series. The Bush Mob is a group of birds and animals who live in outback Australia. They enjoy […]
Saving the Butterfly
Saving the Butterfly by Helen Cooper and illustrated by Gill Smith sensitively explores, through the eyes of two children, the different responses and emotions refugee children may experience as well as the trauma and barriers they endure when seeking safety in their new homeland. In this picture book a brother and sister are the only […]
Your School is the Best!
Your School is the Best! by Maggie Hutchins and illustrated by Felicita Sala draws the reader from the very beginning of this story (including the endpapers) into the vibrancy, colour, diversity, rich experiences, fun, friendship and adventure that children enjoy in a primary school setting. This story is told from the point of view of […]
Books to Explore at the Beginning of the School Year and Revisit Regularly
The following collection of books either promote a growth mindset, celebrate difference and inclusivity, or are a source of inspiration for creating a class inquiry task. These books serve to open up conversations about values, goals, expectations and what the classroom could look, feel and sound like. This list is by no means exhaustive and […]
Advance Australia Fair
EDIT TO ADD (Tony has generously shared some additional information about the steps he undertook for this book as he was acutely aware of the controversial nature of this book): Tony Flowers intention has always been to create a celebratory book about a country, not a tribute to a particular day, or despite the text, […]
Ella and the Ocean
Ella and the Ocean by Lian Tanner and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley is a moving story about the power of the imagination, believing and sharing dreams. This is also a story that sensitively explores the human impact of isolation and living in the harsh outback during drought. The front cover sets the scene as the […]