Bookish - Little Readers

Kia ora readers,

How are things? It might seem like my world is only about reading books right now but there are lots of other things going on too! The part time work and half time study load and creative writing are keeping me from this space.

I’m always excited to get new books in the post and I love that there are so many I can share with my boys and with the little people in my world.

Recently I’ve been enjoying:

The Story of Tantrum O’Furrily by Cressida Cowell and Mark Nicholas. 

This book has such charm – the playfulness of the language and illustration blend perfectly together. The overarching message of the book is the power of story and the importance of remembering the kindness of another. A gorgeous book for sharing with someone special. Will appeal to a range of ages.

Details – Hachette NZ, September 2018, RRP$19.99 PB

love you more than remembering to leave a paw print xxx

and

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Incredible Cheese Heist by Dermot O’Leary. 

I started reading this book with Mr 9 and then I ‘let’ him read the rest as he snuggled down to sleep one evening. I get such pleasure from watching children enjoy reading and text. He loved this. It’s a very manageable read, with some fun illustrations that compliment and break up the text. The story moves at a good pace and has a sense of fun and mystery throughout. Easily enjoyed by a younger audience too but big enough for people who want to be seen reading ‘proper’ chapter books.

Details – Hachette NZ, September 2018, RRP$17.99

love you more than a blind ninja xxx

Bookish - Little People Big Contrasts

Hi Readers,

Today I'm celebrating the fact that little people can enjoy books that are silly and books that have beautiful poignant messages.

Oi Cat! by Kes Grat and Jim Field is a example of the silly.

For any fans of Oi Frog! or Oi Dog! the absurd humour and funny animal moments will be familiar, and I suspect well loved. Poor Cat has to sit on gnats, as per Frog's new rules. It's terribly itchy and not much fun and so the other animals try to come up with a another rhyming word that will give him some more comfort. Guaranteed laugh out loud moments and fabulous colourful illustrations are bound to make this a book that gets read again and again.

Details - Hachette NZ, September 2018 RRP $19.99 PB

Little Mouse and the Red Wall by Britta Teckentrup (author and illustrator) is a gorgeous example of poignant and beautiful.

Little Mouse wonders what lies behind the big red wall that has been around his, and the other animals, home for ever. No one seems to know or even care but Little Mouse is a wonderer and a determined little mouse. With the help of Blue Bird he will discover there is much more than any of them imagined. Stunning illustrations and a beautiful, courageous, adventure. Sure to be a favourite with little and big people.

Details - Hachette NZ, July 2018 RRP $19.99 PB

love you more than story time at school xxx

Bookish - More for Littles - The writer/illustrators

Hey awesome people,

More books for little people (can there ever be too many?). These are all created by amazing women who write and illustrate their books.

Zachary Quack Minimonster by the beloved Lynley Dodd is a new board book about the little duckling Zachary Quack.

As you can expect the book is full of mischief with delightful illustrations to compliment it perfectly. I love Dodd’s work and the ways in which she is obviously delighted by language and manages to make that accessible for small people.

A perfect gift for little people and Dodd fans.

Details – Penguin Random House, September2018, RRP $15.99 BB

love you more than a bootie for a hat xxx

Little Hector and the Big Blue Whale by Ruth Paul. Another wonderful NZ author/illustrator Parks won the NZ book award for Children and Young Adults for her book I Am Jellyfish in 2018.

This joyful book is perfect for little people who love the ocean and have an adventurous spirit.

Little Hector is full of spunk but he might just meet some others under the sea that will scare it right away!

Never fear a fabulous friend will see him right.

Perfect for littles who are about 4+

Details - Penguin Random House, September 2018, RRP $18.99 PB

love you more than a barnacled blue whale xxx

Puffin the Architect by Kimberly Andrews is a gorgeous offering by another talented writer/illustrator combo. 

This book features fabulous houses designed by Puffin. Floor plans, rhyme schemes and all sorts of clever nooks and crannies. This book is sure to delight children who love details and making huts, forts or construction.

Puffin is surely a genius but will she ever be able to satisfy her most demanding and fussy clients??

Perfect for littles about 6+

Details - Penguin Random House, August 2018, RRP $19.99 PB

love you more than a tunnel with all sorts of uses xxx