Six New Children's Books Worth Reading

'What's Going on in New Findville?'

It seems that every town is a little different and might well have many stories amongst it's occupants. 'New Findville' is no exception! 

This delightful book encourages readers to slow down, look closely, and discover the hidden stories behind every window, corner, and character.

Here we have a book that invites the reader to scan each page looking for this in predictable but also surprising places in ordinary everyday life. 

The book works well as a shared reading to a class or a bedtime story at home, in the classroom or as friends read it together. Enjoy!  

Charlie and the Big Oops! 

"Charlie loves being kind—sharing crayons, giving hugs, and saying "please" and "thank you." But when she tries out a word she doesn't understand, she hurts her best friend by mistake."

This is a great learning experience for Charlie as she discovers thanks to her teacher that words can hurt or heal. What can she do when this happens? She is to learn that sometimes all you can do is say I'm so sorry. And this for many of us is the hardest of all things to do whether young or old.

This is a book that young readers aged 3–7 will enjoy. Ideal as a shared book at school or at home with parents. 

'Baby Sisters Little Sister'

 It's fun to be a Baby-sitters Little Sister! 

"It’s Karen's birthday! She can’t wait for all those presents. Karen is even having two parties―one at Daddy's house and one at Mummy's. But what Karen really wants for her birthday is one big party and to celebrate the special day with her whole family together. Will Karen's birthday wish come true?"

I'm not sure that many sisters would say it's "fun" to be alittle sister, but it seems Karen does. 

This is the 11th book in the series Ann M. Martin has written, and they keep on being popular. Children aged. The first book was released in 1986 and so we've just passed the 40th Anniversary. What a success they've been.  

'Mrs Gourd'

Anyone who's had to put children to bed knows how unpredictable bedtime can be. Ah, but enter Mrs. Gourd.

"When Mom finds herself at her wits' end, Mrs. Gourd's unexpected arrival changes the course of bedtime-in a good way. Taking charge in her persnickety, silly way, Mrs. Gourd wrangles in bedtime, leaving the reader amused and, best of all, those little ones drifting off into dreamland."

How to describe this book? Is is a cross "..between the iconic nanny who floats in with her black umbrella" and your strict elementary school teacher, perhaps. But Mrs Gourd encourages all readers and story sharers, to use their own bag of tricks to help build connections between children's memories to create new ones that will last forever.

'Emmie Builds Something New' 

  

  

This is a Highly acclaimed, beautifully illustrated children’s book by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Books by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. It is a story about a mouse who invents fantastic contraptions out of attic scraps. One day a cat arrives on the scene. What to do?

Emmie has the answer! Build some machines to scare it away. But could there have ben another way? Ultimately she discovers that kindness and friendship, could not only work, but in the end be the best solutions.

This book will be enjoyed by children aged 3-7 years.The book continues to be a success with teachers, parents and children. 

A side benefit, this is a book that might just inspire young readers (especially girls) to explore STEM (science, tech and engineering). This is a wonderful book!

Mrs Porter the Coolest Teacher Ever

This lovely book from Monika Strand introduces young readers to Mrs. Porter, who is a very special teacher. In fact, "she might be the coolest teacher ever"! Somehow, she manages to share her wisdom and knowledge with her class that helps to change them. She embodies kindness and teaches her students how important it is to take care even for their environment. Mrs. Porter has a very 'green thumb'. As well, she encourages them to care for one another. This is a delightful book is perfect to share with younger readers.

 

Mrs Porter was the coolest teacher ever!

 

 

 

 

 

Six New Books for Children 5-10 years

1. 'Tomato Sandwich' by Caroline Magerl

Now here is a book for children with great imaginations. I know one or two children with imaginations that can take them to places, situations and adventures that only adults could dream off. 

This beautifully illustrated wordless picture book is intriguing. At first glance I thought "what?!' Then I spent time slowly flipping the pages to discover the story is about an imaginative young girl named Ottily. And how her puppy managed to take an old man, who was trying to get his vacuuming done, on a day he would never forget! 

Caroline Magerl was born in Frankfurt Germany, but came to Australia aged 2 (so we're claiming her as our's)! She lived on her families' yacht until she was 14. In 2001 she won the Children' Book Council of Australia Crighton Award for new talent in children's book illustration for 'Maya and Cat'. Her book 'Nop' was awarded a CBCA Honour book, and her latest book 'Piano Fingers' was awarded as a 'Notable Book'. 

2. 'One Day', by Shirley Marr and illustrated by Michael Speechley.

The first thing you will notice when you open this book, is that each 'page', covers two pages! Rather than opening it from right to left, you turn it on it's 'side' and flip the second page downwards and the 'page' becomes the size of some newspapers. 

The book tells the story of how a dragonfly, inspired by the words and threat of a frog, that a firefly will live at most for one day. 

The cover blurb for this stunning book suggests that the creators have come up with a book that "inspires us to look at things differently, to live life to the fullest and seize the day, every day. "For the world out there will eat you up," says a menacing frog waiting to catch it's breakfast. 

And as she flys away from him, a young girl spies Dragonfly and wonders how to celebrate her one and only birthday.

This is a beautiful and book with a simple message that we might all note. Life is for living, so get on with it.

 3. "Grandmas in Grand Cars" written & Illustrated by Mick Elliott 

What grandchild wouldn't want a Grandma in a grand car? And what car might she have? How about your Grandma in a 'Beetle'? Or perhaps a 'Buggy' open to the sky? Or maybe a 'Rally' car and mud to splash through? Or a 'Rocket car'? Now we're talking. But for novelty, a 'Sausage Car' would be hard to beat! Or a 'Puppy' car? But the grandest car of all would be one we've made ourselves.

This is a book that your toddlers will want read again, and again, and again!

The author and illustrator is Mick Elliott is a children's television producer, scriptwriter and animator. Since 2001 he has worked for Nickelodeon Australia overseeing award-winning series for children. 

4. 'The Terrakeet', Written by Jo Van Der Borgh & illustrated by Jo Beasley

"In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of Pincer Sea,

live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be." 

They spend their days just lomfing, or fishing fronds to cook."

 

Now here is a memorable lead for a picture book. Such an image of peace and solitude, now what could go wrong. There are 'fish fronds to cook'. Hang on, "fish fronds"?! So much to do and peace and tranquility in abundance. What could disturb this peace? Well, just maybe a "Frimbulitic Terrakeet!"

 

They've never seen this beast, "but it's said to be here". One day the youngest Finlock thought he might just "take a walk in all directions" to find other things to eat. What happens next? I'll leave you to buy this wonderful picture book and find out.

 

5. 'Hair Brain: Saves the Ocean' by Danny Katz & Mitch Vane

 

This very funny short 90 page book is suitable for the age group 8-12 or older in the case of poor readers. It is illustrated on every page with hillarious images. Danny's text is slightly tongue in cheek and is complemented beautifully by Mich Vane's equally funny illustrations. 

 

'Hairbrain' (not her real name) modestly sets out to clean up all pollution to "save the world". A modest goal to be sure! She has lots of ideas, in fact 10,782 (approximately). For example, to get kids to drink healthy water, why not "stick a lemon on the end of bubblers so when kids drink water, it tastes like lemon flavour". She gives herself 10 out of 10 for this idea. Or perhaps, get rid of pollution by getting a "massive pump that goes over the chimneys of the big factories so all the smoke gets sucked through a massively MASSIVE tube to another country far away like Finland".

 

Hairbrain has everything covered, for example, water pollution could be solved by her riding her bike through the water to clean up the rubbish. For the doubters she has a plan for an "ECO-Hydro-Turbo-propello Techno-Floato Ant-pollutionary cleaning craft.

 

How about that? She has 'everything' covered!

6. 'The Hippo Who Hated to Fight' by Milt Lowe and Illustrated by Stephen Bibb

 

"Hippos are famous for fighting and biting. But Kuno the hippo is unique. He refuses to fight even though he always gets teased.

'The Hippo Who Hated To Fight' is the sweet, fun, inspiring story of a hippo brave enough to be himself. Kuno leaves his family and friends to search for the love, kindness, and acceptance he is missing.

Colourful and creatively illustrated and written for kids aged 4-9, it teaches them fun facts about hippos and elephants, and that it's cool to be a different-you, everyone just need to find your herd."

  

This is the story of 'The Hippo Who Hated To Fight'. Kuno felt he needed to be above 'animal' behaviour. His four brothers were of course keen to toss their weight around if they had to. And they teased him for being different. Kuno was upset and felt unloved. 

Kuno had no desire to bite and fight, and yet, this was very common hippo behavior. Kuno was teased mercilessly by his four older brothers. He was sad, alone and felt like no-one liked him.

So he left his family to “figure things out.” By chance, he was to meet Zema a 12,000 pound elephant! And they help one another to understand how amazing both these new friends are. 

This would be a great book to share with children aged 5-8 who might have had the same experience as Kuno. It might just help them to be kinder to each other, and appreciate their fellow students for the things they are, not the differences they see.