This is a book of fun poems for kids. They are all fun to read, and was enjoyed both by Liam (4 years old) and Henry (2 years old), though Henry did walk off towards the end. The poems are accompanied by fun illustrations, and is a good book to read.

When I was a kid my parents never read me books of poems, so I do find myself feeling a little uncomfortable with them. But Liam has found poems to be really fun and has continued to get a lot out of a previous poetry book that I reviewed Big Book of Verse for Aussie Kids by Jim Haynes. I’ve been surprised by how much he enjoys it, and even quotes poems in the bath to Henry (I recommend ‘Inky Pinky Ponky’). He thinks that it is HILARIOUS.

This book doesn’t have anything hilarious in it, but it is definitely fun and it will probably be reasonably popular with Liam.

This book has been incredibly popular since Liam (4 now!) received it for his birthday. For the first two weeks he was looking at it every morning as soon as he woke up, (though early in the morning he would skip the Tyrannosaurus page – too scary), and again in the afternoon. That rate of looking at it has reduced slightly now, but he still seriously loves it.

Dinosaurs has a couple of really cool things that together make it great.
First of all it is a popup book, and popups of big, fanged dinosaurs chasing GIANT herbivores makes for a really exciting page opening experience. When Liam first opened the wrapping on this book, we thought “this book isn’t going to last five minutes”, and indeed within (literally) minutes, a scaly bird had been ripped off from one of the pages. But surprisingly it has been very well looked after since, and no other real damage has been done. Still, I don’t expect it to last a really long time in the face of the high usage that it is getting.
Secondly, whenever you turn one of the popup pages, the book makes noises. Scary, Carnivore hunting through the forest noises.
But, for me the best part is that each double-page popup is accompanied by a detailed informational page. This informational page has a solid paragraph on each dinosaur shown in the popup, using big words and potentially difficult concepts. And Liam loves me to read these to him. “Read the Tyrannosaur one to me dad!”. He is also pretty keen on the Allosaurus (the lesser known awesome predator from the Jurassic period). This part is full of information to keep the kids happy and interested. It has text like

Allosaurus was the biggest of the Jurassic meat-eaters: twice the size of Ceratosaurus. Its huge three-clawed hands were as large as a human head, and its razor sharp, serrated teeth were perfect for tearing flesh from bone.

Liam loves that part.

Overall, this book is never going to be a keeper; in fact it is probably going to be a tattered mess in 6 months. But in the meantime Liam is getting immense enjoyment from it and learning something interesting at the same time. I fully recommend it.

Anna Fienberg (Author), Barbara Fienberg (Author), Kim Gamble (Illustrator)

We have a love/hate thing going on in our house with the Tashi books. Have you read them – do your kids enjoy them? I am on the hate side of these books – they seem inane and very very boring to read aloud (for grown-ups). However as an early reading book for kids they are a big winner – the kids are on the love side (and that’s the important thing). The simple language, repetitive themes, bit of magic and mystery and strange characters are enough to allow the kids to keep on reading. The pics are lovely too. They are pitched at early readers – the 6-8 age group – older than that and the kids get a bit bored.

Anna Fienberg (Author), Barbara Fienberg (Author), Kim Gamble (Illustrator)

So as a house with most of the Tashi series, we were quite interested in the Tashi activity book, the kids saw it in the bookshops and liked the look of it. Also it helps that we love activity books too. They extend the story and put some fun into reading – always a good thing. The Tashi activity book has mazes, a pull out board game, word puzzles and craft activities and how-to draw the characters + there is a story that runs through the book as well. Gets a thumbs up from me as well as the kids.

This summer has been a summer of books for us. A couple of beach weeks, then weeks and weeks of lazy reading, swimming and more reading. The kids especially have been enjoying their christmas books.

Finding books that I think my kids would enjoy is not easy though. My daughter – an average reader for her nearly 10 years is not interested in those girly pre-teen books about giggling school girls – instead she enjoys fantasy and make believe, and lots of silly naughty books.

Meanwhile my 7 year old son is quite the precocious speed reader and has a vast range of books he loves. Lots of adventure, some fantasy and of course silly fun.

Here is my list of books for 7-10 year olds – you won’t find any angst ridden pre-teen books on this list though – its all about fantasy and silliness.

1. Diary of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney – has been a favourite of both kids – so side splittingly funny and un-putdownable – with lots of late night reading and then reading aloud at the table so everyone can share the jokes. Its very visual – a so good for slow readers – and even though the main character is a boy – it has universal appeal. This is the most angst ridden of all the books the kids are into – but without that ‘seriousness’ and that saves it.

2. The trilogy of bum books by Andy Griffiths – I know how dreadful – but serously these books are apparently hilarious – everyone loves a good fart and bum joke (in America the title of these has been changed from bum to butt). My 7 year old boy loves LOVES these books – bad taste or not – they are perfect for this age group.

3. Continuing on the Andy Griffiths theme – we love this author – he really hits the nail on the head when it comes to early readers. His Just series – Just shocking, Just tricking, Just annoying etc contain short stories all about this one practical joking kid – the books are written using a variety of styles – cartoons, lists, choose your own adventure etc – so really mix it up – especially good for reluctant readers – but also for kids who like a bit of joking around.

4. Really we can’t get enough of Andy Griffiths – and his latest book was on our kids christmas list – The bad book - this is a such an easy read and the kids swallowed it whole in a day, then spent the next 3 weeks reading aloud various funny and silly bits to anyone and everyone who would listen.

5. Lovely old Enid Blyton is a firm favourite – not the mystery series though – our kids find them just a bit too serious and can’t quite get transported to another world – not like the Faraway tree series or the wishing chair series, where they are so entranced by the magical characters and mysterious lands. A must have for both boys and girls.

6. Pippi Longstocking – is amazing character – strong independent, funny and smart. With superhuman strength, a chest of gold, her own house with her horse living with her, and not going to school – instead she has adventures with two plain children who live next door and who are entranced with this incredible girl. My kids were also entranced – both of them – the main character is a strong female role model – but boys will also love the adventures she gets up to.

7. The Spiderwick Chronicles – We fell in love with the movie before we read the books – (we haven’t yet read the second series – beyond spiderwick). My 7 year old boy is the main one who loved this series – although he didn’t want to read it at night because it was a bit scary.

8. We still go back to Roald Dahl time after time. James and the Giant Peach,the BFG, The fantastic Mr Fox and Georges marvelous medicine are just a couple of our favourites – certainly the ones that the kids enjoy to read by themselves.

9. Paul Jennings in another author that has just the right amount of grossness, silliness and adventure to keep our kids interested. We have some of his collected stories – including Weirdest, Trickiest and Funniest stories ever. These are short stories and are also a joy for adults to read aloud – we took them camping one year and while I read aloud to the kids in the heat of the day I always had a gaggle of interested kids sitting around listening.

10. The captain underpants series is also a long time favourite – again lots of poo and bum jokes, naughty boys doing silly things, and a very unlikely hero – whats not to love.

As usual Martha Stewart’s impeccable taste and style win through with a very useful book for dinner parties. The recipes are broken into menus – each with a starter, sides + dessert. We (the family + but mainly me) love the preparation schedule at the beginning of each menu – what you can make in advance – what order to make it all it – how long it will take.

I haven’t made anything from this book yet – it is too perfect and I just am not quite sure where to start – I am content at the moment just to look and wait for the perfect combination of ingredients and inspiration to hit me.

The recipes all seem very achievable – lots of hearty home style cooking – nothing seems too fancy or overdone – the book is dedicated to hardworking families. With a seasonal chapter breakdown you can prepare your menus according to what is in season and the weather. Right now I am thinking spring/summer — baby lamb chops + asparagus with aioli + Quinoa, pea and mint salad + vanilla poached rhubarb – but all of you going into fall/winter how does this sound — Roast pumpkin soup + cheese flautas (deep fried wrap) with cilantro pesto + black eyed pea salad with baby green beans + apple cranberry crumble.

The Big Book of Verse is a fun book to read with Liam (my almost 4 year old). He enjoys the imagery, but he wishes there were some pictures in there… The poems are fun to hear, and fun to read, and already resonate with his ideas of the world.

This book is probably better suited for slightly older kids, there are many poems in here that we just have to skip over. I think it would be perfect for my niece and nephew (7 and 9) – and fantastic for in the classroom.

We read this one tonight, and it was probably his favourite. He asked me lots of questions though “What’s ‘gooze’?”
What hippos do by Anonymous

What can put a smile on a hippo’s dial?
What can make him run for a hundred mile?
No, it’s not a party with a paper hat
Or a cake and caramel that make him fat.

I’ll tell you
Just what hippos do…

They, ooze and gooze
They never get the blues
They wade in the water
Without any shoes.

I’m telling you
That’s what hippos do…

Allen and Unwin have agreed to send 3 of my readers (Australian only) a copy of this book. So please write in the comments your favourite kids author and books, contest will be open for 7 days – please use a real email address.

This is one of the nicest kids books I have read. The pictures are beautiful, the story is beautiful. It is great. You really must read this. Am I gushing??

When I read this book, Liam and I were both captivated. The story is superbly told, and the pictures make it really special. Liam (my three year old) loves looking at the pictures and talking about what is going on. The story itself has some twists which is surprising in a picture book.

Pictures The book is almost too nice to give to the kids. Liam enjoys looking through it by himself too.

Story The story is fun to read and we have read it now quite a few times.

Adults reaction My wife and I both love this book. It has a very special quality

Kids reaction Liam really enjoys it. We haven’t given it a go with Henry (my 1 year old) yet.

Overall Awesome. Buy it.

This is fun interactive and colourful book aimed and kids and parents with a curiosity for helping the environment. With simplified facts and stats, lots of online resources and practical advice, this book is relevant and useful. Both my kids were interested in some of the ideas presented and liked the look of the various projects they could get stuck into (such as making a solar oven).

Kids are naturally curious and intelligent and aware, they ask questions and notice their surrounding, they are not yet jaded by impossibilities instead they are full of what is possible. They love to recycle, to go camping, to time their showers, to grow vegetables, make their own soap, keep a worm farm – these are all activities that are in the book and that will fuel your kids imaginations while teaching them about the environment.

Fantastic book – as an adult I also really appreciated the larger font, the fun photos, the short and to the point explanations – all perfect for this age group.

Book review by Kathreen Ricketson of whipup.net

Published in Australia by Allend and Unwin

A beautiful graphic novel suitable for older teens and adults. It considers some big picture ideas, of relationships, art and expectations. The Silence explores these ideas through beautifully rendered black and white drawings and bubble conversations between the characters – a couple on the road in search of the ultimate piece of art and the artist who created it. The author has a powerful ability to convey emotion and mood through his imagery and invariably leaves the reader with more questions than answers.

Book review by Kathreen Ricketson of whipup.net

I wanted to like this book, I really do like the style of the drawings, they are done in a very expressive and beautiful style that I really enjoy looking at. But the words and the story are a bit dull and the story, language and rhythm seem disjointed I think that Henry (my 18 month old) will get to like it for it’s simplicity, but Liam (my three year old) has probably had enough of it.

Pictures The pictures are charcoal and watercolour and are incredible. Definitely the high-point of the book.

Story It has a certain repetitive style. I understand why it was written like that, but I just don’t like it.

Adults reaction Very mixed feelings. I wouldn’t mind leafing through the book showing Henry the pictures, but I am not looking forward to reading it again.

Kids reaction Liam got bored and didn’t really enjoy it, but Henry thought it was interesting to look through.

Overall I didn’t love it