Bug in a Book

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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