Author Archives: mstuart720

Tracy Lacy for Classy Captain

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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! Advertisements

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!

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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

January 6, 2018 by mstuart720

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

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

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

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

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

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

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!

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

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

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

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

October 24, 2017 by mstuart720

Freya Blackwood Scholastic ISBN 9781743811641 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Date of publication September 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart The Great Rabbit Chase introduces us to a neighbourhood. Unfortunately we don’t know our neighbours as well as I suspect we used to some years ago but for a short time the people in this neighbourhood join together while looking for Gumboots the rabbit. The neighbours all stop and enjoy their surroundings together. What a pity it only seems to happen in books! […]

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

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The awesome book of animals

October 23, 2017 by mstuart720

Adam Frost Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN 9781408885130 RRP $11.99 Age 4+ Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Well although I am mildly interested in the fact that elephants need to drink a bath full of water per day and a pig only needs a bucket full and a Chinese couple got married covered in bees in 2009 and gorillas east their own poo … there are simply thousands of children who are just delighted to read these facts. […]

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

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My dog Socks

October 6, 2017 by mstuart720

Robyn Osborne Sadami Konchi Ford St ISBN 9781925272826 RRP $24.95 (hc) $16.95 (pb) Age 3 – 8 Date of publication October 2017 (hc) March 2018 (pb) Reviewer Megan Stuart This book cleverly uses rhythm, rhyme and alliteration. There are some great words, ideas and illustrations to discuss in this beautifully written and illustrated book. This book is essentially about the love of pets but it has lots more to offer.

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

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Weirdo 9 Spooky weird

October 6, 2017 by mstuart720

Anh Do Jules Faber Scholastic ISBN 9781760276775 RRP $14.99 Age 6+ Date of publication September 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Anh Do has maintained the high standard of jokes throughout this series and in book 9 there is still plenty to laugh about. There are also themes for children to identify with, moving houses and schools and thinking of good costumes. When a change of school seems inevitable Weirdo dreams he might introduce himself as Hans Some! These books continue to […]

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

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The ugly five

October 6, 2017 by mstuart720

Julia Donaldson Axel Scheffler Scholastic ISBN 9781407174198 RRP $24.99 Age 2 – 6 Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Another wonderful book from the award winning combination of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. We all have heard people say that mothers love their babies no matter what … well this books turns that around. Julia Donaldson has been on safari in South Africa and this book was inspired by the visit. It is surly headed for the best […]

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

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Perfectly posh pink afternoon tea

October 5, 2017 by mstuart720

Coral Vass Gabriel Evans Koala Books ISBN 9781743811689 RRP $15.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Just when you think this book, about an afternoon tea party, is going to reinforce gender stereotypes the tables are turned.The girls throw themselves into the mud and the boys enjoy the elegant cakes and tea. It’s a great story and it rhymes too.

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

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Figgy takes the city

October 5, 2017 by mstuart720

Tamsin Janu Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781742992006 RRP $16.99 Age 8+ Date of publication September 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Figgy is a great story about family, friendship, courage and how being resourceful can be a great advantage in a tight situation. However the book also reminds us how difficult life can be for some children. Tamsin Janu spent time in Ghana and her novels are inspired by children she met there. Recommended read.

Categories: Children's Books, Children's Recommended Read, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Australia • Tags: Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Press

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Why can’t I be a dinosaur?

October 5, 2017 by mstuart720

Kylie Westaway Tom Jellett Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760294724 RRP $24.99 Age 3 – 6 Date of publication August 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Author Kylie Westaway and Illustrator Tom Jellett have produced a great story around a theme most parents know well. The problems which can arise when children are determined to choose what they want to wear…. usually at the worst possible time. However the parents show great patience and there is a wonderful family wedding too. An ebook is […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Austrlalian, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Allen & Unwin, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Bourke street bakery all things sweet

October 4, 2017 by mstuart720

Paul Allam and David McGuinness Murdoch Books ISBN 9781743369319 RRP $55.00 Date of publication October 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Owners (and I am one) of “Bourke Street Bakery” will be very excited to see that “Bourke street bakery all things sweet” has been published. In the time between the two books more shops have been opened and a social enterprise (The bread and butter project) has been set up. However there has still been time to develop beautiful sweet recipes […]

Categories: Austrlalian, Cook Books, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Non-Fiction, Parent Interest, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Australia, cooking, Murdoch Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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← Older posts

Bug in a Book

Celebrating Literacy for Everyone

Author Archives: mstuart720

Tracy Lacy for Classy Captain

Hotdog!#3 Circus Time!

Prisoner of ice and snow

The extremely inconvenient adventures of Bronte Mettlestone

Show stopper

Greta Zargo and the death robots from outer space

Ruben

Stanley’s playing the trumpet

I want to be in a book.

New York Christmas

Lullaby and Goodnight + CD

The bad guys episode 6

Santa’s gone surfing

FACTS!

Stubborn Stanley

The great rabbit chase

The awesome book of animals

My dog Socks

Weirdo 9 Spooky weird

The ugly five

Perfectly posh pink afternoon tea

Figgy takes the city

Why can’t I be a dinosaur?

Bourke street bakery all things sweet