Category: Bookshelf

My bookshelf doesn’t usually hold children’s novels, unlike my daughters’ shelves that bow under the weight of their chapter books.  I’ve been (re)reading Peter Carnavas picture books, but was inexplicably drawn to his debut novel – and what a gem!  It tells the story of Olive, a young girl who lives with her father and […]

When I came to Australia way back in 2003, I didn’t know any better… and was put in my place by a 6 year old girl.  “Is that a gum tree?  Would there be koala bears in that tree?” I asked, ever so innocently.  “Uhm, it’s not a koala bear.  It’s just a koala.”  Oh.  […]

We were over in Canada during the Christmas season and I picked this book up from my dad, who’s name is Bruce … and who is a Grump! I can’t help but smile every time I even think about this book.  It has all the elements of a great picture book:  simple language, clever story […]

While the title of this book (the second gem from our outing to the Truck Library ) intrigued me from afar, when I picked it up and saw the author was Margaret Wild, I barely had to read it to know it was coming home with us for a few weeks!  Some authors have the touch […]

This is the first of the two little gems we brought home from the Truck Library (see my Out & About page).  The Dot tells the story of a little girl who is frustrated in art class – and haven’t we all had that feeling in a class where you just don’t think you can […]

Ooooeeee, this might be my new favourite (although it is very likely that I say this each time I finish a picture book that I love!)  How could one not love a story that starts out with a horse that is forlorn?   Picture books that come with a moral message can sometimes be awkward and […]

Oh, dear old Pamela loves pears!  Just looking at the cover brings me joy!  Amy must find a way to stop Pamela eating all the pears or there will be none left for the family!  Amy is a clever girl – see for yourself how she helps Pamela overcome her love of pears – it’s […]

We found this little gem at the library a few weeks ago – and we have already renewed it twice! Mrs Dog tells the story of a gentle old farm dog who takes an orphan lamb under her wing and raises him to be her own. When Mrs Dog gets into trouble, it is Baa-rah […]

What a very cute story!  I was lucky enough to go with my four-year old to see the show based on this story (see my Out & About page) so we read it several times leading up to our day out.  I love it when books can be read over and over, and not get […]

And out comes the teacher/mother in me… In a hilarious journey to help little i find his lost dot, we come across lessons in grammar, spelling and punctuation – boring, right!? But no way, we just keep coming back for more of this book.  I am continually amazed at the creativity and humour some people […]