Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Bookish - Lynley Dodd

Hi Peeps,

If any of you have travelled through the toddler years you will be well familiar I am sure with Hairy MacLary and all his friends by the fabulously talented Lynley Dodd.

Dodd has such skill with words and illustrations and she never fails to hit the mark. Her rhyme schemes are impeccable and an absolute joy to read aloud.

Today I'd love to introduce you to two of Dodd's non-Hairy MacLary titles which I think are just as perfect and would be a gorgeous addition to any collection.

Sniff-Snuff-Snapp



Counting, animals and a bossy wart hog who doesn't want to share the watering hole. First published in 1995 I remember my very small number lover adoring this book when it came home with us one day from a library visit.

The animals are so lovely and the relationship between the warthog and the others may well be played out in kindy sandpits from time to time. One of my favourite ever counting books - it's a proper story that happens to be a counting book, rather than a counting book thinly held together with a story.

Details - Penguin Random House NZ, May 2018 $17.99

Find Me A Tiger



Again a book whose rhyme scheme absolutely delights me. Each page has a delightful four line rhyme with an accompanying picture to explore to find the animal hiding in the picture some where. I can see this being a firm favourite with any little animal lover or detective.

The relationship between the words and illustrations just sings.

Details - Penguin Random House NZ, May 2018 $17.99

love you more than hours of enjoying words with little people xxx

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Bookish - Finding

Aloha,

I'm enjoying squeezing in moments here and there to read. This year I am studying and working alongside my usual life so the time I have for leisure is precious and I am trying to guard it more carefully and use it more intentionally and joyfully.

Much better to lose an hour in a book than reading alarming things and social media rants online!

Finding by David Hill is a great novel that follows an intertwining of two whānau through seven generations.



The novel spans from 1886 through to 2018 and tells everyday mundane and extraordinary events of two Māori and Pakeha families. There has clearly been research that has gone into giving the book depth and plausibility.

Each chapter is told in the voice/s of a new generation and it is great to feel the link between the generations.

This sort of book makes me want to know more of the family stories that give me life.

A very readable novel. Suitable for competent readers of upper primary and beyond. A great way to delve into some of our history's events in a way that brings them to life.

Details - Penguin Random House NZ, May 2018 RRP $19.99

love you more than a wonderful discovery during a very near miss xxx

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Bookish - Kakapo Dance

Kia ora koutou,

I am always on the look out for New Zealand authors and topics in books to give to friends, near and wide, when they have little ones.



I think books are a fantastic gift and in the early years board books are worth their weight in gold. Little people go through rather a grabby phase and it's so good to still be able to share books with them without the heartache of ripped pages.

Kakapo Dance by Helen Taylor is a great size for sharing with little ones and the pages are nice strong card which makes them durable and the pages turnable. My favourite part of the book are the illustrations which remind me just how beautiful our birds are. They are brimming with life and colour and movement.

As I read it I was reminded how many of our birds we call by their Māori (original) names. I would love it even more if all the names were the Māori ones, I think it's such a great way for us to work towards more recognition of the names that were already given.

A fun, onomatopoeic, read aloud book for little birds who need to know we all dance and sing our own way.

Details - Penguin Random House, May 2018 RRP $15.99 BB

love you more than a tui on a kowhai tree xxx 

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Bookish - You Are Awesome

Heya,

How could I resist asking for a book called You Are Awesome? Turns out I am so glad I did. Matthew Syed author and former international table tennis champion has written this excellent, visually appealing and highly readable book.



In it he breaks down the difference being being average and being ordinary - and though there are plenty of big names scattered through out the book, he is at pains to paint the real story of how they got to where they are. There are sections of famous failures and what people see and what the reality is.

The book is a great exploration, at a upper primary to lower high school level, of the growth mindset. It has plenty of great tips along the way.

This is a book I will be recommending to our school library and encouraging my children and teachers I work with to read.

A timely, well written and challenging (must persevere more!) book to read.

Details - Hachette NZ, April 2018, RRP $24.99

love you more than a funny story about a bus to Norway xxx

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Bookish - Valdemar's Peas

'sup peeps,

Hope your reading lists are looking as fulsome and inviting as mine. Is it just me or do other people buy books at a much faster rate than they can read them??



Valdemar's Peas was a requested title from Gecko Press who publish fabulous books for children. This particular title is an English translation of a Swedish book by Maria Jonsson.

It's simple illustrations and pared back text are one of those combinations in great children's writing that I find so clever. Valdemar and his little sister are eating dinner and Valdemar must eat his 'boring round and pointless' peas before he'll be allowed chocolate ice-cream... how will he get around this dilemma? Has Valdemar got the smarts to outsmart Papa?

A fabulous book that we have enjoyed several repeats of already at our place.

Details - Gecko Press, May 2018 RRP $19.99 PB

love you more than a Papa in a pinny xxx