Author Archives: mstuart720

Jacaranda Magic

October 16, 2018 by mstuart720

Dannika Patterson Megan Forward Ford St ISBN 9781925804003 Date of publication September 2018 Age 4 – 7 RRP $24.95 hardcover ($16.95 paperback February 2019) Reviewer Megan Stuart The author says that this is a book “for children with bare feet and wild imaginations” but it’s magic goes much further. It’s a joy for the reader to share with small children too….. due in part to the author’s use of rhyme, alliteration and assonance. The illustrations are soft watercolours and the […]

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, Ford St Publishing, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Rhyme • Tags: Ford Street Publishing, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Pig the Grub

September 20, 2018 by mstuart720

Aaron Blabey Scholastic Press ISBN 9781742769691 RRP 17.99 Date of publication September 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Most children (and those reading to them too) see a little bit of this lovable pug in all of us. The message is always the same … whatever the failing Pig never quite gets away with it.

Categories: humour, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Rhyme, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, rhyming, Scholastic Press

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The unscary book

September 19, 2018 by mstuart720

Nick Bland Scholastic Press ISBN 9781742994147 Publication date September 2018 Age 4+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Everyone from 4 – 84 is delighted that Nick Bland has released a new book and that Nicholas Ickle is back in our lives. This time Nicholas Ickle is faced with the problem of presenting a book full of scary monsters. There are plenty of laughs.

Categories: Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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Olivia’s secret scribbles: amazing acrobats.

September 13, 2018 by mstuart720

Meredith Costain Danielle McDonald Scholastic ISBN 9781760277086 Date of publication August 2018 RRP $9.99 Age 6+ Reviewer Megan Stuart It’s worth acknowledging that this series does a lot to encourage reading. They are very popular and it is hardly surprising that there are currently half a million copies of the Ella Diaries in print!

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, Diary, humour, Illustrated, Miscellaneous, Reluctant readers, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia, Series • Tags: Children, Diary, humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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New York Capital of food

September 13, 2018 by mstuart720

Lisa Nieschlag Lars Wentrup Murdoch Books ISBN 9781760523633 RRP $39.99 Date of publication 1st September 2018 Reviewer Megan Stuart “New York Christmas” by the same authors was a fabulous book. Can the same team do it again? Well yes they have. Lars Wentrup’s and Lisa Nieschlag’s photographs again manage to create the atmosphere as well as the food in some of the best places to eat in New York. Combined with their knowledge of cooking and their knowledge of the […]

Categories: Cook Books, Food, Information, International, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Press, New York, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: cooking, Murdoch Books, New York, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Hide and seek with grandpa

August 28, 2018 by mstuart720

Ed Allen Nicky Johnston Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781742765426 RRP $17.99 Date of publication August 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart With Fathers Day in September it is a good time to think about Grandfathers too. This is a gentle book with soft colours, humour and family fun. A book to share.

Categories: Children's Books, Illustrated, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Rhyme, Scholastic Australia, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: family, humour, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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How did I get here?

August 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Philip Bunting Omnibus books ISBN 9781742769660 RRP $24.99 Age 6+ Date of publication August 2018 Reviewer Megan Stuart The illustrations are distinctly Philip Bunting but although the story may be an abbreviation of the history of the world it undoubtedly took a long time to write with such brevity and humour. A class act!

Categories: Children's Books, Children's Recommended Read, humour, Miscellaneous, Omnibus Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Omnibus, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Detective Gordon. A case for Buffy

August 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Ulf Nilsson Gitte Spee Gecko Press ISBN 9781776571796 RRP $15.99 Ages 7 – 9 Date of publication August 2018 This is essentially a detective story but it is full of gentle characters who are wise, gentle and caring. Many of them we have met before in “The first case” and “A case in any case”. The books are well written and beautifully presented. The illustrations, the colours and even the paper they are printed on all contribute to making this book […]

Categories: Children's Books, Gecko Press, humour, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Series • Tags: Children, Detective Stories, Gecko Press, humour, Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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The heart of a whale

July 30, 2018 by mstuart720

Anna Pignataro Scholastic ISBN 9781743817629 RRP $24.99 Publication date August 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a love story full of hope, magic and wonder. It is written and beautifully illustrated by Anna Pignataro. We join the whale on his journey and realise the importance of this majestic animal and his song in the oceans.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Animal Stories, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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Th cat wants kittens

July 30, 2018 by mstuart720

P Crumble Lucinda Gifford Scholastic ISBN 9781742769097 RRP $17.99 Date of publication August 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Hooray the cat is back again. This time the cat has some company to deal with. Although there is a new story line there are the same great illustrations, wry humour and the cat hasn’t changed much either. You don’t have to be a cat lover to appreciate this book.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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My old man he played rugby

July 30, 2018 by mstuart720

Peter Millett Jenny Cooper Scholastic ISBN 9781775435280 RRP $17.99 Date of publication August 2018 Age 3 – 7 years Reviewer Megan Stuart New words to “This old man” which actually fit very nicely and are good fun to read. The illustrations support the text beautifully and are full of action. There is a CD of Jay Laga’aia singing the words included. Even if your Dad plays soccer, tennis or golf you’ll like this book.

Categories: Children's Books, humour, Illustrated, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc, Special Topic Books (For Children), Sport • Tags: humour, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, sports

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Fizz Boom Bath!

July 30, 2018 by mstuart720

Isabel Bercaw, Caroline Bercaw Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781631064623 RRP $32.99 Date of publication July 25 2018 Reviewer Megan Stuart Well this book is “the bomb”. With increased interest in everything everything we eat and use this book enables you to make your own products and have some control over the ingredients used. The authors also contribute to organisations that clean up the world’s oceans from the sale of their products. Everyone’s a winner. The story behind the bombs is interesting […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Guide Book, Information, Miscellaneous, Non-Fiction, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Allen & Unwin, Environment, Non-Fiction, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, science

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Cauliflower is King

July 15, 2018 by mstuart720

Leanne Kitchen Murdoch Books ISBN 9781760523602 RRP $19.99 Date of publication 27th June 2018 Reviewer Megan Stuart It is difficult not to begin this review by asking “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” I do love cauliflower and there are 70 recipes in this book (which has gold rim around the pages) which will excite even those who are indifferent to the vegetable. The cauliflower must be embraced as the king of vegetables because it has the […]

Categories: Cook Books, Food, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Food, Murdoch Books, Recipes, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Ella and Olivia. A wild adventure

July 10, 2018 by mstuart720

Yvette Poshoglian Danielle McDonald Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781742761947 RRP $7.99 Date of publication June 2018 Age 5+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Another book in the series. The topics are always relevant, the price is fair and the books encourage reading …… The books certainly tick a lot of boxes.

Categories: Animals, Austrlalian, Children's Books, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia • Tags: early reader, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia

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Thimble

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Rebecca Young Tull Suwannakit Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743811627 RRP $24.99 Date of publication June 2018 Age 4+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a lovely story which in a very gentle way looks at the death of a grandmother. A thimble is the key which unlocks some great memories for Mable and in her own way Mable is able to help her Grandfather and her mother begin to adjust to a different life. The book is beautifully written and illustrated.

Categories: Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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It’s hard to love a tiger

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Anna Pignataro Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743817582 RRP $16.99 Date of publication June 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart It’s easy to love this book about a tiger who causes a lot of trouble. The story is written in rhyme and the illustrations have plenty of detail to generate discussion. It’s a winner!

Categories: Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Rhyme, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, rhyming, Scholastic Australia

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Pig in a wig

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Chrissie Krebs Omnibus Books ISBN 97817422762654 RRP $16.99 Date of Publication May 2018 Age 4+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Pig in a Wig by Chrissie Krebs has a “pick me up” cover in bright pink, green and black. The pig has definitely got great energy but how much is driven by the gorgeous wig? Is there a follow up with a cat in a hat?

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Omnibus Books, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: humour, Omnibus for Scholastic, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Zoo House

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Heath McKenzie Scholastic Press ISBN 9781742767628 RRP $16.99 Date of publication June 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Zoo House really caught the imagination of my “trial audience”. This I think is because the illustrations ignited discussions and activities. There is humour and rhyme and plenty to examine and reflect on.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, humour, Illustrated, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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Errol!

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Zanni Louise Philip Bunting Scholastic Press ISBN 9781742766300 RRP $16.99 Date of Publication June 2016 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Philip Buntings illustrations are so distinctive and suit the character Errol perfectly. Zanni Louise is a mother but anyone who spends time with children will recognise Errol’s traits and i think children will recognise them too!

Categories: Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia • Tags: humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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Alpacas with Maracas

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Matt Cosgrove Koala Books ISBN 9781743816349 RRP $17.99 Date of publication July 2019 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart The friends Macca and Al are back. This book is about entering a competition but coming first isn’t always the perfect ending to a story. This is a very good choice for the ALIA Simultaneous Read for 2019 because there is plenty to discuss about competing as well as friendships, talent, Alpacas and making music.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, humour, Koala Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Rhyme, Scholastic Inc • Tags: humour, Koala Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Barney

July 9, 2018 by mstuart720

Catherine Jinks Stephen Michael King Scholastic Press ISBN 9781742996226 Publication date July 2018 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Here is a great book and a treat to read aloud. It’s flowing rhythm, great illustrations and lovable central character Barney all prove why Catherine Jinks and Stephen Michael King are both multiple award winners.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: animals, humour, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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The Mapmakers’ Race

July 7, 2018 by mstuart720

Eirlys Hunter Gecko Press ISBN 9781776572038 RRP $24.99 Age 8-12 years Date of publication July 2018 Reviewer Megan Stuart The story begins with 4 children (and a parrot) on a train with no money, no home and no parents. This desperate situation calls for courage and action. Uplifting and well written the story shows that honesty and truth can win through. Along the way there are bears, kidnapping cowboys, some skilful map making and children working together as a […]

Categories: Gecko Press, Miscellaneous • Tags: Adventure, Books, Children, Gecko Press

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Ocean Lullaby

May 7, 2018 by mstuart720

Sally Odgers Lisa Stewart Scholastic ISBN 9781742769110 RRP $24.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Ocean Lullaby is a really lovely publication. Rhyming song-like text gently moves beneath the waves with a variety of sea life. Page colours and illustrations are soft and dreamlike. The themes of babies and parents and silently moving sea animals and plants is very restful. A perfect bed time story.

Categories: Animals, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Oceans, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, rhyming, Scholastic

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Diary of a Minecraft creeper #2 Silently but deadly

May 7, 2018 by mstuart720

Pixel Kid and Zack Zombie Koala Books ISBN 9781742768724 RRP $9.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 8+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Welcome to book 2 of the diary of a minecraft creeper. This series is by the creators of the very popular Diary of a minecraft zombie, William and Genie Pena and their nine year old son Matthew. The books are very popular with children who like to play games on a screen.

Categories: humour, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Koala Books, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Series • Tags: humour, Junior Novel, Koala Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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← Older posts

Bug in a Book

Celebrating Literacy for Everyone

Author Archives: mstuart720

Jacaranda Magic

Pig the Grub

The unscary book

Olivia’s secret scribbles: amazing acrobats.

New York Capital of food

Hide and seek with grandpa

How did I get here?

Detective Gordon. A case for Buffy

The heart of a whale

Th cat wants kittens

My old man he played rugby

Fizz Boom Bath!

Cauliflower is King

Ella and Olivia. A wild adventure

Thimble

It’s hard to love a tiger

Pig in a wig

Zoo House

Errol!

Alpacas with Maracas

Barney

The Mapmakers’ Race

Ocean Lullaby

Diary of a Minecraft creeper #2 Silently but deadly