Archives

Bush Bubs

Mar15
Bush Bubs

Bush Bubs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bush Bubs

Helen Milroy

Fremantle Press, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781760994471

Baby anythings fascinate young readers and this new addition to this series which focuses on some of the iconic babies of the bush will delight them, not just because of the bright, eye-catching illustrations but also the additions to their vocabulary.  While they probably know that a baby kangaroo is called a joey, do they know whose baby is a puggle?  And if a dingo baby is a pup, what is a baby wombat?

Once again, as with Bush Bugs, what seems like a book for a baby with brief, rhyming text and colourful pictures becomes the conduit for a lot of learning far beyond the page, with teachers’ notes offering even further suggestions for art, movement, science and environmental awareness.  Why does Milroy implore us to look after these “precious bush bubs”? 

A descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Milroy has a distinctive illustrative style that is probably quite different to the pictures that the young reader is familiar with, particularly with the pattern and detail being in the background rather than the focal point, and so this series could also be a starting point to exploring this technique, perhaps even emulating it in their own artwork.  

Such a rich series to invite little ones to start thinking about and exploring the world around them.

The series so far...

The series so far…

 

Fly, Mama, Fly!

Mar11
Fly, Mama, Fly!

Fly, Mama, Fly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fly, Mama, Fly!

Anna McGregor

Scribble Books, 2025

26oo., board book., RRP $A19.99

9781761681539

Against the striking backdrop of the night sky the baby Grey-headed flying fox clings to its mother’s belly as they soar under the stars, over the seas, past the clouds, and through the trees until they find the sweet, juicy treats they seek and it’s time to “eat, Mama. eat!”

Throughout the night they fly, not only satisfying their appetite but also playing a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds throughout the native forests of south-eastern Australia. 

As well as being a charming bedtime story that introduces this threatened species to our youngest readers – one that they can read for themselves because of the simple rhyming text that perfectly matches the illustrations – but it also shows them that just because they are going to sleep, not everything does.  There is a whole different world that comes alive at night, the flying fox is just one species, and there is the opportunity to explore what else might be awake at that time.  Imagine a mural of a night sky with moon and stars and silhouetted trees, that is gradually populated by pictures of those creatures that are awake while the child sleeps.  

Anna McGregor says her driving purpose is “to delight and entertain children through timeless storytelling” by “turning the mundane on its head” and she has certainly done this not only in this book that celebrates the bond between mother and child through choosing a new species not usually seen in stories, but also through books like Spiro which features a spider, and the CBCA shortlisted Anemone is not the Enemy.

I am going to have fun sharing this with the three-year-olds at the local preschool and then leaving it there for them to explore further. They will love it!!

And 5% of profits from each copy sold will be donated to the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Maisy Big, Maisy Small

Mar8
Maisy Big, Maisy Small

Maisy Big, Maisy Small

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maisy Big, Maisy Small

A Book of Rhyming Opposites

Lucy Cousins

Walker, 2025

48oo., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781529514209

Every Friday I go to a local preschool to read to the little people so they can learn to love stories as much as I do.  I take one of the latest books that I have been lucky enough to review and after we have shared it, I leave it for them so they can read it for themselves over and over.  They love it and so do I.  

Today I knew I was going to be reading to the tiny three -year-olds, children who have only been at preschool three weeks and who are learning all sorts of new things, including sitting still for a story.  Knowing what I do about that age group responding to familiar characters and rhyme, rhythm and repetition it seemed that this new release about Maisy the Mouse would be ideal.  And I was right.

Maisy has been in the literary life of our youngest readers since the 1990s and with a new television series My Friend Maisy soon to be released, they were able to tell me a lot about her as well as about mice in general so their minds were focused on what they were going to hear.  We talked about what “opposite” meant and how we could find clues to the words by looking at the pictures – pictures that are bright and colourful, almost simple on the surface but which sparked lots of conversations.  Like the initial stanza of Maisy stop, Maisy go, had us talking about traffic lights and what the colours mean which is important if you live in a town without any as we do; and then Maisy hot,  Maisy cold with its illustrations of sun and snow evoked experiences of being in the snow, which they are familiar with.  Maisy naked in the shower meant a few giggles, but wrapped in a large towel was memory-making. All the while they were predicting the words, especially because they were already familiar with the concept of rhyme.  We finished the session with suggestions for extra pages that Cousins could have added if she had space, and I think my favourite was Maisy happy, Maisy sad contrasting when she had a book to read and when she didn’t!

Such a seemingly simple book using the concept of opposites that is a staple in stories for littlies provided so many opportunities for sharing personal anecdotes, clarifying thinking and expressing those thoughts, having confidence to speak in front of others, developing vocabulary and the concept of ‘opposite’, and learning to use the cues and clues to predict the text became such a good time for all of us.  

And yes, I already have next week’s story sorted.  

 

My Mum is the Best

Mar6
My Mum is the Best

My Mum is the Best

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Mum is the Best

Nic McPickle

Tommy Doyle

Albert Street, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781761181160

My mum is a Super Mum, the best I’ve ever known.
She loves her trackies and her uggs, her coffee and her phone.

Is it just my mum? Or is it other mums too?
Does your mum say this stuff to you?

In this joyful, picturesque celebration of mothers, Nic McPickle and Tommy Doyle once again team up to help our youngest readers really appreciate their mums no matter who they are and what they like.  Because no matter what they look like, bow they sound, what they do or where they live, mums are mums everywhere.  They even say the same things like, “Have you got a jumper?  Do you need  snack?  If you got it out, then you can put it back.” But even if the “nagging” is universal, then so is the love…”You are caring and smart, You are funny and tough.  You love me so well that I know I’m enough.”

Just as My Dad is the Best shone the spotlight on fathers and all the little things they do to show their love for their child, so does this make the invisible, visible as mothers go about their day.   While Mothers Day is not till May 11 this year,  this could be the opportunity to encourage little ones to really focus on all those things their mothers do to ensure they are safe and loved so it might be  fun to share the special thing each child’s mum does and make a Love you, Mum display and cards for a just-because day.     

I Will Swim Next Time

Mar5
I Will Swim Next Time

I Will Swim Next Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Will Swim Next Time

Emily Joof

Matilda Ruta

Floris Books, 2023

34pp., hbk., RRP $A35.99

9781782508298

When the child’s mother takes them to the sea for the first time, they are scared and confused by its size, noise and constant movement and they are happy to be snuggled in the baby carrier, safe in their mother’s arms.  As they grows and gets older, their mum takes them to the lake and the river but they still remain unknown and scary although each time the child gets a little braver as they learns more about who lives there through the storybooks their wise mother shares.  Will they ever have the courage to dip their toe in the water?

Fear of new experiences beyond our comfort zone is common, particularly for our youngest and this is a gentle reminder that it is okay to be cautious and take time to adjust to new things.  It’s also a reminder to parents that development is not a competition and patience and support are more likely to succeed in the long run, whether that is overcoming a natural reticence for water or something equally as daunting.

While this is an American publication with a Junior Library Guild sticker, (an indication of quality that many US school librarians rely on for collection development), it is particularly relevant to Australian audiences because so many children live in close proximity to water. and the non-gender specific text and illustrations mean it can work with both boys and girls – there is no differentiation with fear, and it could spark conversations about other things that are causing concerns and venturing forward one step at a time, because there is most likely going to be a next time.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Little Wombat!

Mar3
Happy Birthday, Little Wombat!

Happy Birthday, Little Wombat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Little Wombat!

Charles Fuge

Walker Books, 2025

28pp.,. hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781760655341

It’s Little Wombat’s birthday and it is going to be a great day.  Koala gives him an explorer’s stick “for bashing through the undergrowth” and Bilby has made him his very own flag to “stick in the ground when you discover somewhere new.”  

And that’s just what they did as they made their way to the river where Mum has made a special surprise picnic.  But not only did Little Wombat discover his other friends waiting for him,. but also an even better use for his new presents!!

Little Wombat and his friends are fast becoming a preschool favourite series as not only are the creatures familiar and seemingly the same age as they are, they do the sorts of things that little ones do while there is always a subtle message to gently absorb as they read –this one about being safe when messing about on boats.  But even if they haven’t spent a birthday on a boat, nevertheless young readers will have plenty of stories to share about their own birthday celebrations and wishes while there is also the opportunity to learn about calendars, months and making a graph of who celebrates when with each creating a candle or a cupcake to add to the relevant column. 

We’re Looking for the Perfect Hug

Feb28
We're Looking for the Perfect Hug

We’re Looking for the Perfect Hug

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re Looking for the Perfect Hug

Martha Mumford

Cherie Zamazing

Bloomsbury, 2025

24pp., pbk., RRP $A16.99

9781526671370

We’re looking for the perfect hug.
Come and join the fun!

Once again, the bunnies are off on another adventure – this time they are on a mission to find the perfect hug.  But who gives it? The prickly hedgehog?  The woolly lamb?  The snappy crab? Or the  fluffy chick? Surely it can’t be wily Mr Fox!  

As with the others in the series, this is a joyous romp for our youngest readers through the countryside with lots to discover in the colourful, detailed illustrations and hidden under the flaps so cleverly disguised.  As they join in the repetitive phrases that take them through the fields to the vegetable patch, across the lake to the farm and even to the seaside, there are lots of opportunities to help them build their vocabulary about the sorts of things they might expect to find at each location so even if it is unfamiliar to them, they are building a mind-picture for the next story they encounter with that setting.  For example, while they are trying to predict where there might be a hug in the Giorgio’s Fruit and Vege Patch , they could not only identify the vegetables they know (giving them a sense of empowerment) but learn words like “shed”, “wheelbarrow” and “hedgehog” . Sharp eyes might even see the beanstalk which could lead on to the story about Jack’s adventure, while others might notice the colour of the leaves in the wheelbarrow and not only be able to identify the season, but perhaps explore why they are no longer green.  Such wonderful opportunities for conversations and explorations – there might even be an opening to talk about who and why and when we hug, and sadly, how sometimes it might not be what we want or from someone we like. 

A peek inside...

A peek inside…

Reading the pictures is such an essential early reading behaviour to enable the child to more precisely predict the text, that there is so much more to this series than just the interactivity of lifting the flaps. Add to that, familiar characters doing everyday things that the child will relate to and this is a winning series for our youngest readers.  

 

 

 

 

Will You Be My Friend?

Feb22
Will You Be My Friend?

Will You Be My Friend?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will You Be My Friend?

Sam McBratney

Anna Jeram

Walker Books, 2024

26pp., hbk., RRP $A16.99

9781529514988

Are there any more endearing characters for our youngest readers that Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, from the classic Guess How Much I Love You? 

In this new story from the same team, Little Nutbrown Hare goes exploring on his own looking for a new friend to play with.  When he comes across his reflection and then his shadow, he is not fooled and continues till he comes to Cloudy Mountain where a little white hare is waiting.  They have a lovely time together until they play hide-and-seek and there is a misunderstanding.  Both hide and wait for the other to seek until it is time to go home for tea.  Will Little Nutbrown Hare find his friend again?

In board book format, perfect for little hands, this is a charming story about being curious, making new friends and playing together that will delight our youngest readers.  

 

 

 

 

The Greedy Wolf

Feb14
The Greedy Wolf

The Greedy Wolf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Greedy Wolf

Timothy Knapman

Jean Jullian

Walker Books, 2025

48pp., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781406385175

There was once a greedy wolf. He was so greedy that every day he would eat enough food for TEN birthday parties and still be hungry for more…

But his favourite food was young goats so when he comes across  Mother Goat heading off to buy food, leaving her seven kids alone he believes all his dreams have come true.  So, disguising himself as a postman he rings the doorbell….

But the little goats are not fooled and refuse to open the door, even though the wolf tries other disguises.  But then, when he says he is “a talking rosebush with a flowerpot on his head”, they relent and…

Highly reminiscent of the original tale by the Brothers Grimm, but with significant, modern twists, this is a story that also has elements of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs that young readers may recognise, setting it up for some interesting compare-and-contrast discussions as they look for the similarities and differences. Older students could even investigate the concept of plagiarism to understand how much an original piece has to be changed to be considered new and unique as this is – they can’t just copy and paste and change a few words to call something their own.

Bold text and bold illustrations, along with the kids’ innovative way of saving themselves not only make this an engaging read but may also open up doors to read the original and other variations while also being a golden opportunity to talk about stranger danger and keeping themselves safe. 

Elephant and Piggie (series)

Feb8
Elephant and Piggie (series)

Elephant and Piggie (series)

Elephant and Piggie (series)

I Am Going

9781529525243

Listen to My Trumpet

9781529525212

Waiting is Not Easy

9781529525267

I Will Take a Nap

9781529525298

Mo Willems

Walker Books, 2025

64pp., pbk., RRP $A12.99

Gerald the elephant is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald’s favourite colour is pink, his favourite food is quiche and he enjoys being a safety monitor.
Piggie also likes pink and her favourite food is bubblegum and slop. She enjoys dancing and is always ready for an adventure.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

From the author of the renowned Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is this engaging series for very young readers that focuses on everyday events that will be familiar to them.  Told entirely in speech-bubble conversation between the two characters who show that we can be friends with anyone even though they might appear to be very different, each has a humorous twist to make it even more appealing, such as when Gerald has to tell Piggie that the noise he is making with his trumpet is not music.  

Delightful for sharing with a little one, especially if you ask them to predict what each might say using the expressive illustrations as clues (thus building their understanding that the words and pictures are integral to each other and essential for the whole), they also enable the little one to tell themselves the story.  

This series, now with 25 on the collection, has endured with readers since its inception in 2007 and certainly deserves a place in the library of our littlest ones as they figure out this reading thing,