Author Archives: mstuart720

Tiny Timmy #5: On Tour!

May 19, 2017 by mstuart720

Tim Cahill Scholastic ISBN 9781743816509 RRP $12.99 Age 7+ Date of publication April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is the fifth book in what has become a popular series. I believe the reason for this is not only because Tim Cahill is a respected Soccer player but because the books have a realistic message. This book deals with being away from home for a few days. There are plenty of students who can relate to this.

Categories: Austrlalian, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc, Sport • Tags: Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic, sports

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My Meerkat Mum

May 19, 2017 by mstuart720

Ruth Paul Scholastic ISBN 9781775434894 RRP (NZ) $27.99 Age 2 – 6 Years Date of publication April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Out in time for Mother’s Day this picture book is more than about motherly love. There is information about meerkats, rhyming text, words which will lead to discussion about position and place and lovely illustrations too.

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

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The cat wants cuddles

May 11, 2017 by mstuart720

P Crumble Lucinda Gifford Scholastic ISBN 9781743811412 RRP $16.99 Age 4+ Date of publication May 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book sees the welcome return of the wily Kevin who has made up his mind this time that he does not want a cuddle. The skills of Lucinda Gifford always enhance our impression of Kevin on every page. He is certainly a cat with personality.

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

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Boy

May 9, 2017 by mstuart720

Phil Cummings Shane Devries Scholastic ISBN 9781760277055 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Date of publication May 2017 Reviewer Neville Sandon This is a great book. I should declare my passion for his new book “Boy”. As the firstborn child of deaf parents, I can not recall any children’s book addressing “deaf-ness”. “So few of them” (but is this accurate?) so why bother? Phil Cummings is a sensitive observer of people and he bothered to write about people who surround us but we […]

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, Children's Recommended Read, Guest reviewer, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Scholastic Australia • Tags: Guest reviewer Picture book, Scholastic Australia

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9 Months

April 30, 2017 by mstuart720

Courtney Adamo and Esther Van de Paal Lizzy Stewart Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781847808172 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication 26 April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Two successful bloggers, Courtney Adamo and Ester Van de Paal have published ( Months. The book illustrated by Lizzy Stewart (and endorsed by Dr Pippa Kyle) is designed for families to share a pregnancy and prepare for a new family member. The book discusses the mother and the baby but also gives interesting […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Children's Books, Children's Non Fiction, Miscellaneous, Parent Interest, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Allen & Unwin, family, Health, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, truth

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Lands of long ago: Spot the mistake

April 30, 2017 by mstuart720

Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley Frances Castle Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781847809636 RRP $24.99 Age 7+ Date of publication April 26 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart There are some really great books published and this is one of them. It is beautifully presented, colourful, humorous, thoughtful and educational. A statue of Henry V111 on the Acropolis, a medieval knight marching with Roman soldiers and a pirate flag on a Viking ship are some examples of mistakes you can find on the […]

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

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The Cave

April 26, 2017 by mstuart720

Rob Hodgson Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781847809117 RRP $24.99 Age 2+ Date of publication April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Now here is a book which will delight both reader and listener. The illustrations are clever and there are plenty of things to discuss … such as colours, creatures, shapes, position, size, seasons, weather and more. A great story with a great ending. Recommended.

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

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Busting!

April 17, 2017 by mstuart720

Aaron Blabey Scholastic ISBN 9781743812389 RRP $16.99 Publication date March 2017 Age 3+ Another humorous book from Aaron Blabey which we can all relate to. We get into the swing of the rhyming pages but just when we think we can predict the end we are caught out! Aaron Blabey is a very popular children’s author and this book illustrates why.

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

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Epic Fail Tales: Snow Man and the Seven Ninjas

April 16, 2017 by mstuart720

Matt Cosgrove Koala Books ISBN 9781743811696 RRP $5.00 Age 8+ Publication date February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is the first book in a series that looks at traditional fairy stories in a completely new way. The author Matt Cosgrove also illustrates the book and his emphasis is on humour. This is definitely a good book for reluctant readers.

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

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Kebabs

April 16, 2017 by mstuart720

Derrick Riches and Sabrina Baksh The Quarto Group ISBN 9781558328723 RRP $27.99 Publication date: 1 April 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book gives barbecuing a new spin – and because they’re kebabs there are no bones to deal with! There are sauces, marinades and advice about what skewers to use too. There are plenty of interesting recipes for skewered and barbecued meat and vegetables from around the world. Think of fig and pork, coconut Thai prawns, Tuscan Halibut and sweet […]

Categories: Cook Books, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, The Quart Group • Tags: Books, cooking, Murdoch Books The Quarto Group, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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I’m Australian too

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Mem Fox Ronojoy Ghosh Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760276218 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ A new book by Mem Fox is always an event and this new one “I’m an Australian too” certainly is worth discussing. The message is simple and straight forward and it rhymes too. Ronojoy Ghosh’s illustrations give each page greater depth and meaning. Another classic.

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

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Captain Jimmy Cook discovers X marks the spot

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Kate and Jol Temple Jon Foye Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760291945 RRP $12.99 Age 7 – 10 Reviewer Megan Stuart Jimmy Cook chatters along in his new book Jimmy Cook discovers X marks the spot. He has a very straight forward view of the world and through his eyes we become involved in a secret dinosaur dig at school while at home his father has lost his job. Jimmy’s father thinks his son “has a great outlook on life” and there […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Austrlalian, Children's Books, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Allen & Unwin, humour, Junior Novel, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Dog Man Unleashed

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Dav Pilkey Scholastic ISBN 9780545935203 RRP $15.99 Age 7+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Dog Man #2 Dog Man Unleashed has joined the list of most sought after books in our library. It has to be acknowledged that Dav Pilkey has found another hero who encourages children to read alongside his famous Captain Underpants.

Categories: Children's Books, Graphic novel, humour, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: Graphic Novel, humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc

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Coastline

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Lucio Galletto and David Dale Bree Hutchins Murdoch Books ISBN 9781743367346 RRP $59.99 Age Adult non fiction Reviwer Megan Stuart This is a book to look at again and again – You can even cook from it too. The photographer (Bree Hutchins), David Dale (travel writer) and restaurateur Lucio Galletto have combined their knowledge and skills to create this lovely book. The book while examining the history and culture of food along the western Mediterranean actually shows “how societies that sometimes […]

Categories: Adult, Cook Books, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Non-Fiction, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: cooking, Culture, Europe, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Australian animal atlas

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Leonard Cronin Marion Westmacott Allen & Unwin ISBN 978176029414 RRP $29.99 Age 6+ Reviewer Megan Stuart There are many layers to this book in both the presentation and information supplied. The book shows the regions on a map where species of particular animals are found in Australia and then a detailed picture of each habitat. It’s really beautifully done. The book also reminds us of how many dangerous animals live in Australia and in my experience there are a lot of […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Animals, Austrlalian, Miscellaneous, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Young Adult • Tags: Allen & Unwin, Non-Fiction, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Our last trip to the market

April 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Lorin Clarke Mitch Vane Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781925266962 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Reviewer Megan Stuart The regular market visitor (especially one with young children) will recognise many authentic moments in this story. The early morning energy and the many temptations to distract a young visitor. The text flows in a jaunty rhyme and the illustrations are beautiful. Water colours flow across the pages and give the characters expressions which are easy to recognise … and relate to.

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

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Down the line

February 17, 2017 by mstuart720

Michael Panckridge Ford St ISBN 9781925272635 RRP $14.95 Age 10+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Yes more books in the Legend Series are available in March. In the 3rd book in the series there is plenty of action involving tennis and our friends Mitchell, Luci and Travis. Books about sport and winning and losing always get an audience and these books also appeal to less confident or reluctant readers. The books also offer interactive Q codes for the home and the classroom. […]

Categories: action, Austrlalian, Children's Activity Books, Children's Multi-media, Ford St Publishing, Middle Grade, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Sport • Tags: Ford Street Publishing, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, series, Sport

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Where’s the ballerina?

February 14, 2017 by mstuart720

Anna Claybourne Abigail Goh Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781782404507 RRP $19.99 Age 5+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a beautiful book featuring 10 well known and loved ballets. The stories of each are told to help understand the ballets. To add to the layers of this book each picture features a hidden ballerina. Fortunately the answers are included!

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Children's Activity Books, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Allen & Unwin, Ballet, Picture Book, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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Eddie Frogbert HB

February 3, 2017 by mstuart720

Sue deGennaro Scholastic Press ISBN 9781760276782 RRP $24.99 Age 4+ Date of publication February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart It’s easy to identify with the picture of Eddie Frogbert clinging to the edge of the diving board on the front cover of the book. We all have things we don’t like having to do. The story is about courage and planning which are two themes especially relevant as children get ready for school at the end of the long Summer holiday. […]

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

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Diary of a minecraft Zombie #3

January 27, 2017 by mstuart720

Zack Zombie Koala Books ISBN 9781743811528 RRP $9.99 Age 8+ Date of publication February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart For children who are Minecraft enthusiasts these books are extremely popular. In fact they are encouraging children who like games to read more! This is the third book in the series and is called “When nature calls”. It is not surprising that they are on Amazon’s top ten best sellers list.

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

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Toffee apple + CD

January 27, 2017 by mstuart720

Peter Combe Danielle McDonald Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760275082 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Three songs from Peter Combe in a book with a bonus CD and illustrated by Danielle McDonald which are fun and remind us of the past. We don’t see toffee apples or newspapers around as much these days. However this is a fun book with lots of colour and zany characters. The songs are of course performed by Peter Combe who […]

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

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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

January 27, 2017 by mstuart720

Matt Shanks Scholastic Australia ISBN 9781760158668 RRP $14.99 Age 1+ Date of publication February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Twinkle twinkle little star is probably one of the best known nursery rhymes. Matt Shanks has more than done it justice in this new Australian edition. Each page features Olive the owl who with her old leather satchel across her chest delivers a book to her many friends. The illustrations are great and there is plenty in them to discuss with children […]

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

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One keen koala

January 27, 2017 by mstuart720

Margaret Wild Bruce Whatley Scholastic Press ISBN 9781743629291 RRP $19.99 Age 3+ Date of publication February 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart The great combination of Margaret Wild and Bruce Whatley have done it again. One Keen Koala combines jaunty text and truely delightful illustrations with some very expressive faces on the animal students. Who wouldn’t want to start the new year with this lot?

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

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Magnificent Creatures: Animals on the Move!

January 13, 2017 by mstuart720

Anna Wright Allen & Unwin ISBN 9780571330683 RRP $24.99 Age 3 – 7 Date of publication January 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart It is interesting that the word “magnificent” appears on the cover (in gold) as part of the title because this is a magnificent book which focuses on how animals move. In the book the author and illustrator Anna Wright uses her skills as an artist to make the animals move across the pages mixing pen and ink and watercolour. Lovely.

Categories: Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children)

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← Older posts

Bug in a Book

Celebrating Literacy for Everyone

Author Archives: mstuart720

Tiny Timmy #5: On Tour!

My Meerkat Mum

The cat wants cuddles

Boy

9 Months

Lands of long ago: Spot the mistake

The Cave

Busting!

Epic Fail Tales: Snow Man and the Seven Ninjas

Kebabs

I’m Australian too

Captain Jimmy Cook discovers X marks the spot

Dog Man Unleashed

Coastline

Australian animal atlas

Our last trip to the market

Down the line

Where’s the ballerina?

Eddie Frogbert HB

Diary of a minecraft Zombie #3

Toffee apple + CD

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

One keen koala

Magnificent Creatures: Animals on the Move!