Author Archives: mstuart720

New Pizza

August 15, 2017 by mstuart720

Stefano Manfredi Murdoch Books ISBN 9781743368817 Date of publication August 2017 RRP $39.99 Reviewer Megan Stuart Stephano Manfredi introduces us to new-wave pizza. In the book he not only looks at the flours used in making the base but also focuses on quality ingredients to go on top. If you are even vaguely interested in pizza (is it the worlds most popular fast food?) then you will love this book. The publication does the topic justice too with a stiff […]

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

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The book of me

August 15, 2017 by mstuart720

Adam Frost Sarah Ray Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN 9781408876817 RRP $14.99 Date of publication July 2017 Age 8+ Reviewer Megan Stuart This is a very thoughtful book and although it is presented in a light-hearted fashion it nevertheless makes us think about ourselves and our world. There are also some very interesting facts … for example did you know that brothers and sisters fight (on average) between there and four times an hour? (p 23) There are jokes, quizzes, facts, […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Bloomsbury Children's Books, Children's Activity Books, Children's Books, humour, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Special Topic Books (For Children) • Tags: Allen and Unwin, Bloomsbury, Children, humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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The anti-boredom book of brilliant outdoor things to do.

August 15, 2017 by mstuart720

Andy Seed Scott Garrett Boomsbury children’s books ISBN 9781408870099 Date of publication July 2017 RRP $14.99 Age 5+ Reviewer Megan Stuart Forget being indoors because Andy Seed has just had published a book with brilliant outdoor things to do. Admittedly there are some inside activities for rainy days. Some of the suggestions are making natural paints, sock golf, making a volcano, paper spinners, jokes and shadow puppets to name a few. A “must have” before the school holidays.

Categories: Bloomsbury Children's Books, Children's Activity Books, Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: Activity books, Bloomsbury Children's Books, Megan Stuart

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Veneto: Recipes from an Italian country kitchen

August 15, 2017 by mstuart720

Valeria Necchio Faber ISBN 9781783351084 Date of publication August 9 2017 RRP $39.99 Reviewer Megan Stuart Take a trip to Italy, via this beautiful book, to the farm lands and kitchens near Venice. The food is simply Italian and has evolved through three generations. Note the history of the chicken liver risotto on page 58. The book is also part family history as recipes from the grandmother are explained. See the crumbly Easter cake for an insight into life where communal […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Cook Books, Faber, Memoir, Miscellaneous, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: cooking, Recipes Faber Allen & Unwin Megan Stuart

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All the things that could go wrong

August 1, 2017 by mstuart720

Stewart Foster Simon & Schuster ISBN 9781471145421 RRP $16.99 Age 9+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Barbara Hoodless The story is told by two high school boys and gives a brilliant insight into their minds. One suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and is being bullied. The other is the bully. How brave and honest is Alex? How thoughtless and angry is Dan? This is an encouraging story for young readers.

Categories: Middle Grade, Miscellaneous, Reviewer Barbara Hoodless, Simon and Schuster, Young Adult • Tags: Barbara Hoodless, Middle Grade, Simon and Schuster

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Have you seen my giraffe?

July 25, 2017 by mstuart720

Michelle Robinson Claire Powell Simon & Schuster ISBN 978085707598 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Barbara Hoodless What a delightful, imaginative story for young children with plenty of good ideas about how to hide a giraffe too. The book has gorgeous illustrations, great vocabulary and a very satisfactory ending.

Categories: Children's Books, Miscellaneous, Picture Books, Reviewer Barbara Hoodless, simon and schuster australia • Tags: Barbara Hoodless, Picture Books, Simon and Schuster

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Glitch

July 23, 2017 by mstuart720

Michelle Worthington Andrew Plant Ford St ISBN 9781925272710 Date of publication July 2017 RRP $16.95 ($24.95 hardback) Age Preschool Reviewer Megan Stuart Great to see another book published by Michelle Worthington. Michelle aims to inspire children and create in them a desire to read and she achieves this with “Glitch”. Get caught up in the piles of “scrap metal, spoiled spaghetti and single socks” as Glitch and his friend June compete in a billy cart race. This book is another […]

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

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Living on Hope Street

July 17, 2017 by mstuart720

Demet Divaroren Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760292096 RRP $19.99 Age 14-18 Young adult fiction. Date of publication June 2017 Reviewer Barbara Hoodless Any young teenager reading this book will find it confronting, as the issues of domestic violence, bullying, refugees and multiculturalism are addressed. In the case of domestic violence, quite explicitly. However there are equally as many positive outcomes to be gained from reading this book. Those of love and friendship, care and respect for others and even humour are […]

Categories: Allen & Unwin, Austrlalian, Miscellaneous, Young Adult • Tags: Australia, Fiction, Multi-cultural, Young Adult

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A dog’s tale

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Barry Jonsberg Tom Jellett Omnibus Books ISBN 9781782991399 RRP $12.99 Age 8+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is one of the Omnibus Mates Series which are designed for early readers. This book also illustrates how to write to persuade. Mike (Michael when he’s in trouble) really wants a dog. We all know the arguments for and against but they are done well in this book and you have to admire the way Mike persists.

Categories: Austrlalian, Children's Books, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Omnibus Books, Reluctant readers, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: early reader, Mates Series, Omnibus for Scholastic, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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The perfect thing

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Sally Morgan Ambelin Kwaymullina Scholastic ISBN 9781742991122 RRP $24.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This book promotes grandparents, wisdom, creativity and imagination. It’s a lovely story and beautifully illustrated. It’s a book you can read aloud and then discuss.

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

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Dinosaur trouble #2 The great egg stink

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Kyle Mewburn Donovan Bixley Scholastic ISBN 9781775433675 RRP $7.99 Age 5 – 7 Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart The author Kyle Mewburn has had over 40 books published in nine countries…. including the Dinosaur Rescue series. There are some facts in these books and jokes which in The Great Egg Stink centres a lot around vomit. As has been said before “There is no such thing as a bad book for children”.

Categories: Children's Books, humour, Illustrated, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Pre historic animals, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic Inc • Tags: early reader, humour, Reviewer - Megan Stuart, Scholastic

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Diary of a minecraft zombie

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Zack Zombie Scholastic ISBN 9781743818343 RRP $9.99 Age 8+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart There are many Minecraft enthusiasts out there and these books are aimed at them. There are jokes and references to Minecraft which really do amuse and delight children and therefore encourage them to read. Zack Zombie is the pen name for the writing team of William and Genie Pena and their 9 year old son Matthew.

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

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Ella Diaries: Going Green

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Meredith Costain Danielle McDonald Scholastic ISBN 9781760279059 RRP $12.99 Age 7+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart This is the 11th book in this series which first appeared in 2015. The books get my support because they really do promote reading.

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

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The very sleepy bear

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Nick Bland Scholastic ISBN 9781743812549 RRP $16.99 Age 3+ Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Thank you Nick Bland for another bear book. This latest “The very sleepy bear” is just as great as the other 5 books about the bear. Perfect to read aloud and plenty to discuss.

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

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D-Bot Squad Series #1 Dino Hunter

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Mac Park (Louise Park and Susannah McFarlane) James Hart Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760295974 RRP $9.99 Age 5 – 7 Date of publication July 2017 Reviewer Barbara Hoodless Hunter Marks is a lover of dinosaurs. He knows all about dinosaurs. How lucky is Hunter to be in his school library and with the help of Mrs Stegg be introduced to a whole world of dinosaur adventures…… all through a special computer game. Hunter becomes a member of the D – Bot […]

Categories: action, adventure, Allen & Unwin, Children's Books, Junior Novel, Miscellaneous, Reviewer Barbara Hoodless • Tags: Children, Early Chapter Books, early reader, Reviewer Barbara Hoodless

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Tuck In

July 2, 2017 by mstuart720

Ross Dobson Murdoch Books ISBN 9781743368619 RRP $39.99 Date of publication July 1 2017 Reviewer Megan Stuart Are you thinking of changing your usual standard meals but don’t know what to Google? If so, then this is one of those cookbooks with recipes you immediately think about trying on almost every page. Although they are straightforward the recipes are from world wide cuisines and look fantastic. There is a savoury mince bake from South Africa and Beijing spicy pork noodles […]

Categories: Cook Books, Miscellaneous, Murdoch Books Australia, Non-Fiction, Organic food, Reviewer - Megan Stuart • Tags: cooking, Murdoch Books, Recipes, Reviewer - Megan Stuart

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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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← Older posts

Bug in a Book

Celebrating Literacy for Everyone

Author Archives: mstuart720

New Pizza

The book of me

The anti-boredom book of brilliant outdoor things to do.

Veneto: Recipes from an Italian country kitchen

All the things that could go wrong

Have you seen my giraffe?

Glitch

Living on Hope Street

A dog’s tale

The perfect thing

Dinosaur trouble #2 The great egg stink

Diary of a minecraft zombie

Ella Diaries: Going Green

The very sleepy bear

D-Bot Squad Series #1 Dino Hunter

Tuck In

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!