Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: The Kangaroo and the Porpoise

The cover of a children's book: The Kangaroo and the Porpoise

This is a beautiful, Australian First Nations story from The Dreaming. It’s told by Agnes Lippo and compiled by Pamela Lofts. 

This is a story about how the porpoise came to live in the sea. I really liked this book because it talks about lots of unique, cute creatures and what they eat.  

I also liked how the kangaroo is trustable at the start and then changes at the end.      

I disliked how the story was a bit challenging sometimes, because I don’t like fighting among characters.

This book made me feel happy and sad at the same time! This is a good book for ages 3 to 8. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.  


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Eva’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: How the Birds got their Colours

The cover of a picture book: How the Birds got their Colours.

How the Birds got their Colours is a lovely book told by Mary Albert, compiled by Pamela Lofts.

This is an Australian First Nations story from The Dreaming. It tells the story of how the birds in the beginning had no colour. They were all black. Then one day a little dove changed everything forever.

I loved this book because there’s a happy ending. It made me feel inspired with the marvellous colourful illustrations.

I give this book five out of five stars and recommend it for all ages, but especially for ages 4 to 8.


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Isla’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: Cats

The cover of a nonfiction book for children called Cats.

Cats by Kathryn Walker is an information book about many different types of cats.

This book has adorable, cute photographs that kids would love. The more you read the more you can learn about cats.

The best thing about this book is learning about how cats act so if they behave a certain way you know if they are happy or angry.

In the book cats there are little facts about cats. For example, there is one that says “Most cats love to climb. Their strong muscles and sharp claws make them good climbers.” There are many other amazing facts you can learn from this book. This book is quite old but you can find similar information books about cats at your library. 

The only part I disliked in this book was a photograph of a cat and a crow because the cat could fall or the crow could eat the cute kitten.

On the contents page, it has cool headings like ‘A Kitten is Born’ which sounds really cute and interesting. At the end it has an interesting index to look for topics in the book.  

Cats made me interested in getting a cute little cat. I am rating it 5 out of 5!


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Frankie’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: The Lost Hero

The cover of The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost hero is a fantastic book that I recommend. Rick Riordan has done a fantastic job writing adventures with heroes, monsters, and brilliant battles. Heroes of Olympus connects to the Greek Myths, with gods, demigods, and secrets for how to solve the puzzles. 

One of my favourite parts is the twist. Some parts are scarier than others and some are funnier than others. This book made me feel happy when reading it and sad when I finished it. 

The main character, Jason Grace is brave, powerful, and funny once you get to know him. He has woken up on a school wilderness bus with a psycho coach. He and his new friends must go on a serious mission to save the wonderful Camp Half Blood but if you want to find out all the serious secrets of this mission, you must read this awesome book. 

I recommend this book for people who are into mystery, solving puzzles, fantasy, and the Greek Myths. But still, in my opinion, anyone would love this book. I give this book 5 out of 5. It is suitable for ages 8+, but again, anyone could read this amazing book. 


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Stefan’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: Five on a Treasure Island (graphic novel)

The cover of a graphic novel for children: Five on a Treasure Island.

This adventure graphic novel is about five amazing friends on a treasure island by the famous author Enid Blyton and illustrated by Béja and Nataël.

I like this book because it has lots of action, drama and it makes me feel emotions. The youngest kid cried for her mum when she got dropped off at her aunty’s house. But then they travel far and wide, and explore new places no one has discovered before – they find valuable things too.

If you like this book, you should read the rest of the series. There are some illustrated versions and some non-illustrated versions.

This book makes me want to read the rest of the series. I would recommend this book for ages 8 and over. I am rating it 4.5 out of five.


We’re pleased to be sharing book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Jack’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: Matilda

The cover of a children's book, Matilda.

Matilda is a funny fantasy story for every age even if your parents are reading to you. It is a story that stands out because it teaches you an important lesson to stand up for yourself.

Matilda is also very entertaining. It is good for bed time stories and helps kids from ages 3 to 6 get to sleep quicker. It has scary bits and funny bits for everyone.

Matilda is brave when she stands up for herself in front of the head mistress. She is also charming and likeable and what’s more, she has special powers. The author Roald Dahl and illustrator Quentin Blake did an excellent job of making Matilda come to life.

I give this book five stars because I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed it. 


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Ara’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: The BFG

The cover of a children's book, The BFG.

The BFG is a humorous adventure book by Roald Dahl that will have you laughing every page.

I love The BFG because it’s about Sophie meeting the Big Friendly Giant and saving the world. It’s so entertaining and makes you never want to put it down.

I think it’s a great book because it teaches you about being different and even if you are different you can make a big difference. It’s also awesome because it’s all about teamwork and trying hard. 

It makes you emotional but has a happy and funny ending. It teaches you that the littlest (or biggest) things can make a big difference.

I give the book five stars and suggest it for kids aged 7–12. 


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Abby’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks

The cover of a children's book The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks.

The Lottie Brooks series is a funny, day-to-day diary written and illustrated by Katie Kirby. 

Lottie is 11 years old going on to high school but doesn’t want to start without her best friend Molly because she moves to Australia. She is all alone. But shortly after she starts school she makes three best friends, Amber, Jess and Poppy. 

At the start of the book she creates a plan so she can be popular by changing her look and personality. She gets involved with all the school drama and you won’t be ready for all the twists.

My favourite part of the book is when she first started high school and made her new friends. And when people give her funny nicknames.

I love this book because it is hilarious and entertaining. It made me laugh over and over again. It is great for ages 9–13.

The Lottie Brooks series is all about school drama, day to day life, best friends, sleepovers and most importantly extremely embarrassing moments that everyone has experienced.


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Clementine’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: We Are Wolves

The cover of We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad.

We Are Wolves is a beautiful war fiction novel by Katrina Nannestad. It will leave you crying, laughing and grieving for the characters, living through WWII. 

Liesl and her family have fled from their home in East Prussia at the end of the war. They are scared, confused and hungry but all of that is amplified when the siblings, including their 2-year-old baby sister Mia, get separated from their parents. They must learn to fend for themselves and to realise that family is more important than anything in the world.

We Are Wolves brings out so many emotions, I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time! I love this book because of the children’s hope, persistence and survival skills. The kids never give up, they eat slugs and frogs but they are grateful that they are not hungry. 

I think kids that love the Morris Gleitzman Once series and kids that love sad war stories will love this! This book is best suited for ages 10 to 15 – even my dad enjoyed it. 

I give this book 5 stars out of 5 because of the characters’ persistence, hope for finding happiness, and the love they have for each other. 

After a long wait, happiness breaks through at last. Crying, laughing, grieving, this book will leave you full with a smile.


We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Margot’s first review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!