Bug in a Book

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. Advertisements

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

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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Olivia’s secret scribbles. My (almost) perfect puppy.

Meredith Costain Danielle McDonald Scholastic ISBN 9781760277079 RRP $9.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 6+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Well Ella’s little sister Olivia continues to entertain readers (6+) with a story about her puppy called Bob. The book is in the familiar chatty diary style with plenty of highlighted words and purple illustrations. This book will easily find a following.

Categories: Children's Books, Diary, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reluctant readers, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Diary, Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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The bad guys #7 Do-you-think-he-saurus?

Aaron Blabey Scholastic ISBN 9781760279493 RRP $14.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 7+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Who would have thought the Bad Guys would reach The New York Times best seller list? Well they have. Catch the latest Episode 7 which features dinosaurs and more illustrations than text. A good book for early readers.

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, Graphic novel, humour, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: early reader, humour, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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Melowy #2 The song of the moon

Danielle Star Scholastic Inc ISBN 9781338151763 RRP $12.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 7+ Reviewer Megan Stuart A magical land called Aura which is home to winged horses with colourful manes and coats called Pegasuses. Some have a special symbol on their wings and these have magical powers and means they must attend school at the Castle of Destiny. This is a recipe which must surely fire the dreamy imagination of thousands of 2nd – 3rd graders world wide. The […]

Categories: adventure, Children's Books, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc

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Dogasaurus

Lucinda Gifford Scholastic ISBN 9781743810712 RRP $16.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Dogasaurus is a narrative about a girl who finds an egg in a mysterious forest. The egg hatches and a friendship is formed. Complications arise as the pet continues to grow … and grow! After “Cat wants custard” here is another good book from Lucinda Gifford to read out loud to children and discuss the ideas and illustrations presented.

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

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Miniwings Firestorm’s musical muck-up

Sally Sutton Kirsten Richards Scholastic ISBN 9781775434863 RRP $14.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 7+ Reviewer Megan Stuart The fourth book in the popular Miniwings series is here for readers reintroducing the tiny winged toy horses that only come to life when adults are not watching. These books bring likeable characters, colourful illustrations and a good strong plot together. A great series.

Categories: adventure, fantasy, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: fantasy, Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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The incredible freedom machines

Kirli Saunders Matt Ottley Scholastic ISBN 9781760275228 RRP $24.99 Publication date May 2018 Age 4+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This beautiful picture book by Kirli Saunders and Matt Ottley examines the idea of being free. It looks at the obstacles which can get in the way of that freedom and prevent us exploring and breaking through imposed boundaries. Carefully worded, cleverly and colourfully illustrated this book is strangely empowering.

Categories: Austrlalian, fantasy, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Books, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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Tracy Lacy for Classy Captain

Tania Lacy Danielle McDonald Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760275969 RRP $14.99 Publication date November 2017 Age 10+ Reviewer Megan Stuart It’s great to welcome Tracy Lacy back. In this volume Tracy is at her critical best in the secondary school setting. No matter how exaggerated the problems Tracy does triumph and show humility in the process. There are definitely laughs along the way!

Categories: Austrlalian, humour, Illustrated, Middle Grade, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia • Tags: humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic, School

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Hotdog!#3 Circus Time!

Anh Do Dan McGuiness Scholastic ISBN 9781760279028 RRP $12.99 Date of publication November 2017 Age 5+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a great book for children who learn to read early or who struggle to find a book to suit their reading age. The text, illustrations and jokes will appeal to a wide audience. Enjoy the work of Anh Do in this Hog Dog series.

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

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Prisoner of ice and snow

Ruth Lauren Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408872758 RRP $12.99 Date of publication October 2017 Age 9+ Reviewer Megan Stuart A stolen music box, a freezing prison from which apparently there is no escape, a disgraced family, twin sisters and an unsolved mystery. This is a book of intrigue and action with strong female role models.

Categories: adventure, Bloomsbury Children's Books, Middle Grade, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: action, Bloomsbury, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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The extremely inconvenient adventures of Bronte Mettlestone

Jaclyn Moriarty Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760297176 RRP $22.99 Date of publication 25th October 2017 Age 10 – 14 ebook available Reviewer Megan Stuart Such a delightful and enjoyable read which takes you with the heroine Bronte Mettlestone on a quest to some bizarre places and to meet some intriguing characters… many of whom are strong and independent women. A great read which will empower the spirit and feed the imagination. It also has a thoroughly satisfactory ending too. Highly […]

Categories: adventure, Allen & Unwin, Children's Books, Children's Recommended Read, fantasy, humour, Illustrated, Middle Grade, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: ebook available, humour, Illustrated, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Show stopper

Hayley Barker Scholastic UK ISBN 9781407179674 RRP $16.99 Date of publication October 2017 Age Young Adult Reviewer Megan Stuart The opening chapters paint a depressing picture (set sometime in the future) of life in a circus where the performers have been sold into the life by their impoverished parents. These children are overworked, underfed and suffer at the hands of the ringmaster. However the heroine Hoshiko emerges as brave, compassionate and talented. Enter Ben, whose mother (a high ranking government […]

Categories: action, adventure, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc, Young Adult • Tags: Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic UK, Young Adult

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Greta Zargo and the death robots from outer space

A.F Harrold Joe Todd-Stanton Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408869482 RRP $12.99 Date of publication October 2017 Age 7 – 10 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a funny and lighthearted book with a quirky heroine. It’s the sort of book that would suit a whole range of readers … early, late and in between. Greta (Great) Zargo, an orphan, is determined to win the Prilchard-Spritzer Medal for great journalism but is afraid she is never going to find a good story. It’s certainly […]

Categories: Bloomsbury Children's Books, Children's Books, humour, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reluctant readers, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Bloomsbury, Fun, humour, Music, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Ruben

November 22, 2017 by mstuart720

Bruce Whatley Scholastic ISBN 9781743810354 Publication date August 2017 RRP $29.99 Age 9+ Reviewer NJ Sandon Is returning to a book over and over again for yet another immersion, one criteria for a “good book”? You’ll return to this one just to dive onto the sketches but… Something in the sketches underscored by the story resonates, attracts, stimulates reflection and gets you hooked. The thing with Bruce Whatley’s book, like P Dick’s, Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep or G. Orwell’s, […]

Categories: Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Scholastic Australia, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Books, Neville Sandon, Scholastic Inc

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Stanley’s playing the trumpet

November 2, 2017 by mstuart720

John Field Tull Suwannakit Scholastic ISBN 9781743815892 RRP $19.99 Age 4+ Publication date September 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Here’s a book you don’t even have to read! The CD included really rocks along and will have children up and dancing… and a great way to introduce the trumpet and the drums too. It also reminds us that if we can’t quite make it in some areas we might just be highly talented in another. John Field was a founding member […]

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

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I want to be in a book.

October 31, 2017 by mstuart720

Narelle Oliver Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781743811634 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Cecil (great name for a character) exists only as a drawing pinned to a notice board waiting to be put into a story. He finally gets what he wants and the adventures begin. A very engaging book both text and illustrations which were created using collage of photography, sketches, lino cuts and objects. Narelle Oliver (1960 – 2016) was an Australian artist, print maker […]

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

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New York Christmas

October 25, 2017 by mstuart720

Lisa Nieschlag and Lars Wentrup Julia Crawley Murdoch Books ISBN 9781760631567 RRP $39.99 Date of Publication October 25 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Christmas in New York is magical and this book has a magic feel on every page. Recipes, photos and stories are all gorgeous. Candy cane cupcakes, snow caps, cheese cake, blueberry brownies and lots more luscious recipes which make you think of cold weather and New York. If you can’t get to New York this Christmas or if […]

Categories: Cook Books, Guide Book, Illustrated, International, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Murdoch Press, Non-Fiction, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Murdoch Books, New York, Recipes, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, travel

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Lullaby and Goodnight + CD

P Crumble Kim Dale Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760276331 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication September 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is such a sweet little book and although it is recommended for children 3+ I think younger children will love it too. How affirming to have a book read to you before going to sleep about love, warmth, security and permanence. The illustrations and bonus song all match the high quality of the text.

Categories: Animals, Austrlalian, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia • Tags: CD, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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The bad guys episode 6

Aaron Blabey Scholastic ISBN 9781760279486 RRP $14.99 Age 7+ Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Lots of children will be very happy to see the 6th book in this series.The books are very popular for children aged 7+ and even younger.The Bad Guys can’t be all bad when they have so many children reading!

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, humour, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc, Series • Tags: Australian, humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic, series

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Santa’s gone surfing

P Crumble Thomas Fitzpatrick Koala Books ISBN 9781743815663 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart A Christmas book with an Australian flavour. Once Santa arrives in Australia he decides he needs a break from his work to go surfing even though his schedule is tight. Fortunately Trev, his ute and some emus step in to help out. There is also a CD as part of the package if you still own a CD player – […]

Categories: Austrlalian, humour, Illustrated, Koala Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Christmas, humour, Koala Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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FACTS!

Tracey Turner Fatti Burke Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408884621 RRP $22.99 Age 4+ Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is an interesting book with some truly bizarre facts…. some I just can’t get out of my mind, for example tinned food was invented 45 years before tin openers, regular playing of the didgeridoo helps reduce snoring and most people fart 14 times a day. Who would have thought? A “must have” book to keep children entertained for hours.

Categories: Bloomsbury Children's Books, Children's Books, Children's Non Fiction, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Bloomsbury, Children, Non-Fiction, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Stubborn Stanley

Nathaniel Eckstrom Scholastic ISBN 9781760155025 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication August 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart At a time we are promoting STEM and maker space here is a child called Stanley who really can make some interesting inventions. It also happens that his neighbours are also inventors. However during the course of the story Stanley discovers that sharing and cooperation are also important. A great story supported by distinct and clever illustrations.

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

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The great rabbit chase