Book reviews by kids

Book review: Matilda

Posted on March 10, 2020March 5, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY GIANNA, 10, VIC

Matilda, by Roald Dahl, ill. by Quentin Blake, Puffin Books, ISBN 9780141365466

Gianna reviewed her own copy of this book.

This book fascinates me. It is about a young girl whose parents think she is a twit. Mr and Mrs Wormwood are rare parents who don’t think about their child. Their child, Matilda, was an extraordinary child. She could easily recite the alphabet when she was only two. Matilda could spell words at the age of three and was able to read novels at the age of four.

Matilda got to know that she could move things with her eyes when she started going to school. Miss Honey, her teacher adores her. But Miss Trunchbull is furious when somebody speaks good about Matilda. Miss Honey and Matilda together face some difficulties.

To know about the happenings please read this famous book by Roald Dahl. This book is one of my favourites because it is an inspirational story that tells children that they should trust their abilities, fight back and face the challenges in their lives.

Read another book review by Gianna. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids

Book review: No one Likes a Fart

Posted on March 6, 2020March 5, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY CHARLIE, 4, WA

No one Likes a Fart by Zoë Foster Blake, ill. by Adam Nickel, Penguin Australia, ISBN 9780143786603

The publisher provided a review copy of this book and a fart plushie.

Fart and Burp artwork by Charlie

Charlie says, “The best part is when Fart and Burp make friends”.

This is Charlie’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book review: 3D Explorer: Oceans

Posted on March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

3D EXPLORER: OCEANS by Jen Green and illustrated by Laszlo Veres REVIEWED BY KOBE, 9, WA

Oceans by Jen Green, illustrated by Laszlo Veres

Silver Dolphin, ISBN 9781684123346

Kobe reviewed her own copy of this book.

Oceans is a very good book to read because it is filled with facts about the ocean, like we know more about the surface of the moon than the deep ocean.

It’s also full of fun pop-ups! Jen Green uses 3D see-through sections to make an illusion that it’s the surface of the water. She also includes layers upon layers of bits of the ocean habitat.

BUT be careful, please don’t rip or break her hard work! She probably spent a lot of time on it! TOP TIP: To not break it, you must open the book carefully and not quickly stretching the book.

My favourite part of the book is that she provides facts about the animals and plants she put in the scenes. After a fun pop-up, she includes facts about the environment they live in.

That’s why I encourage youth to read my recommended book of February. I’m sure you’d like this AMAZING book. If you like it you should introduce it to your friends!

Kobe is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read all her reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids

Book review: Geronimo Stilton Classic Tales The Secret Garden

Posted on February 25, 2020February 22, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY GIANNA, 10, VIC

Geronimo Stilton Classic Tales: The Secret Garden by Geronimo Stilton, Scholastic Inc,
ISBN 9780545872607

Gianna reviewed her own copy of this book.

This is a book full of mysteries: a girl whose parents had died. A mansion named Misselthwaite Manor. There are a hundred rooms in this mansion which are said to be locked. There are many gardens too. All of them are unlocked but one, which was the mistress’s favourite garden. But she had fallen from a branch while sitting, which had caused her death.

The girl makes a friend with whom she plays everyday in the many gardens. But soon, every night she hears a faint crying noise. The author very mysteriously finds the noise, where it comes from. Is it a ghost? A murderer who is crying every night so that someone comes, and he kills them? Or a boy? Read this mysterious book to find out.

This beautiful book by Geronimo Stilton consists of friendship, bravery and most of all trust and suspects.

This is Gianna’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Kobe

Book review: 100 Ways to Fly

Posted on January 28, 2020January 25, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

100 ways to fly by Michelle Taylor REVIEWED BY KOBE, 9, WA

100 Ways to Fly by Michelle Taylor,
UQP,
ISBN 978 0 7022 6250 0

Kobe received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Did you know that Michelle Taylor was the first person to ever make you fly? It’s the book I’m reviewing and when I read it I flew high in the sky!

100 Ways to Fly is a great book that’s full of interesting poems that make your heart soar (fly) over the clouds like a plane … no wonder it’s called 100 Ways to Fly!

Every time I read one of the book’s poems I seem to smile, so I’ll always try to read one or two poems before I go to sleep. I bet you’ll do exactly the same thing when you read this fabulous book. Try reading 100 Ways to Fly and you’ll be amazed when you find out you’ve been lifted off the ground by this book of wonder.

Kobe is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read all her reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Extras:

Read an interview with the author of 100 Ways to Fly.

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Kobe

Book review: Arabella and the Magic Pencil

Posted on November 12, 2019November 13, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY
KOBE, 9, WA

Arabella and the Magic Pencil by Stephanie Ward, illustrated by
Shaney Hyde,
EK Books,
ISBN 9781925820010

Kobe received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This AMAZING AND INCREDIBLE picture book is the most wonderful picture book that I have ever seen! So the story is mainly about a girl who was born from a duke and duchess who doted on their delightful child Arabella until … her new born baby brother, Master Archibald Vermillion Remington XV or Avery for short. He just destroyed everything, so she used her magic pencil from her wish to erase him! But does that make Arabella’s freedom? You have to read this book to find out!

The words might not be much but they are very important to learn from.

I admit Stephanie Ward is a great writer and that Shaney Hyde is a great illustrator! WOW! GREAT BOOK! I’m going to read it to myself every day!

This should be a popular book soon and be an award winning book too! THIS BOOK IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF A PICTURE BOOK!

Kobe is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read all her reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids

Book review: Total Quack Up Again

Posted on October 30, 2019October 28, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JANE, 7, WA

Total Quack Up Again, Edited by Sally Rippin and Adrian Beck, illustrated by Jules Faber, Penguin Australia, ISBN 9781760893583

Jane received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Total Quack Up Again is a collection of funny short stories. I really like it. It makes me laugh. It was hard to pick a favourite story, they are all so good. One of my favourites was ‘Clean The Car’ by Kim Kane — it’s hard for me to read it out loud because I’m laughing so hard. This is one of my favourite parts (pp 111-112) in ‘Clean The Car’:

‘What’s that?’ (Mumma-Sue) pointed to a small tree, which had sprouted in the leaves composting under Tom’s booster seat.

Mumma-Jacq bent down to pick it up. ‘It’s a small tree,’ she said.

‘I can see that.’ Mumma-Sue rolled her eyes.

‘Possibly a fig or a plum.’ Mumma-Jacq examined a tiny green leaf.

‘Well, that’s terrific. But what’s it doing sprouting in the back seat of the car?’ Mumma-Sue tried not to yell. She was not successful.

I think lots of people will like this book, including adults.

This is Jane’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Oxley Christian College

Book review: The Feather

Posted on October 21, 2019October 6, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 9, VIC

The Feather by Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood, Hardie Grant Egmont, ISBN 9781760124212

Elizabeth reviewed a school copy of this book.

The Feather, written by Margaret Wild, is a story about compassion, kindness and more importantly, about having freedom to be yourself. The characters, Maria and Nico, discover an extraordinarily bright feather floating through the gloomy sky. It brightened up everything it went near. It was such a precious treasure that all the village people wanted to keep it behind glass. Suddenly it started turning a muddy brown and the folk turned their back on it, except for Maria and Nico.

Freya Blackwood has used rough black pencil outlines and water colours to blend and capture the mood of this story. I recommend this book for 5-year-olds and above.

A wondrous book!

If you’d like to read more book reviews by Oxley Christian College students, you can click on ‘Oxley Christian College’ in the grey categories box in the right column of this blog. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by kids, Oxley Christian College

Book review: The Mediterranean

Posted on October 18, 2019October 6, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY RACHEL, 9, VIC

The Mediterranean by Armin Greder, Allen and Unwin, ISBN 9781760630959

****NB: The publisher recommends this book for readers aged 12 to 16.*****

Rachel reviewed a school copy of this book.

Armid Greder found it necessary to write a historical fiction about the plight of refugees. The Mediterranean is the sea between Libya and Sicily. Over twenty years ago, three hundred Pakistani and Sri Lankan refugees tried to make it across. They were all trying to get away from the war, a tough time for all.

This story is emotive with only seventeen words and pictures that tell it all! Even though this is a picture book I totally recommend it for twelve years and above because of the powerful and confronting topic and illustrations. We saw only parts of the book with our teacher, it was very sad but when we learn about the past we can learn from it for the future.

Book reviews by kids, Oxley Christian College

Book review: Cicada

Posted on October 16, 2019October 6, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY CINDY (8) and WEYLEN (9), VIC

Cicada by Shaun Tan, Hachette Australia,
ISBN 9780734418630

Cindy and Weylen reviewed a school copy of this book.

This riveting story by award winning author, Shaun Tan is about an office worker as a cicada, wearing a business suit! This makes the reader feel a little puzzled and surprised. A cicada in real life is an insect that goes unnoticed for two to seventeen years when it burrows underground and actively feeds on roots below. It comes out only when it decides to change into an adult and fly away.

It is set in a big city with offices where some workers don’t feel they are getting treated fairly like everyone else. They work tirelessly. It’s only until retirement that they can relax and start fresh with freedom to do what they want, whenever they want! Tok. Tok. Tok.

This book is for 6-year-olds to adults. It’s a must-read because the detailed pictures tell about how Cicada feels. We felt heart-warmed by this spectacular book.