Today we have a talented young writer from The Glennie School in QLD visiting Alphabet Soup. Bailey is the author of a picture book about minibeasts in peril. To read Bailey’s picture book (PDF) click here:
It’s time for some spring book launches — here are a few to get the season started:
WA, VIC, NSW BOOK LAUNCHES
This is a hilarious rhyming tale about a zombie bunny who comes back to visit his owner. Sketches and illustrations will be exhibited at the WA launch and The Dead Bunny will also be in attendance at all three launches.
WA Launch
When: 6pm for 6.30pm start, Wednesday 30 September 2015.
Where: The Place”, Mezzanine Level, State Library of WA.
RSVP essential: email James Foley.
—
VIC Launch
When: 12–3pm, 10 October 2015.
Where: Federation Square Markets (Books Illustrated Stall), VIC
—
NSW Launch
When: 3.30pm–3.55pm, 27 September 2015.
Where: Illustration Annex at Writers in the Park Festival (Free entry!) at Centennial Park, Sydney.
Includes ‘illustrators duel’ with three illustrators.
NSW BOOK LAUNCH
Forest Wonder is a rhyming picture book for 0 to 6 year olds and celebrates nature, magic and imagination. Come along for a storytime session and meet the author and illustrator.
When: 10.30am, Wednesday 9 September 2015.
Where: Snowprint Bookshop, Shop 6–8, 141 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne NSW.
QLD BOOK LAUNCH
Come along to the launch of picture book Meet Sidney Nolan. There will be kids’ craft and art activities, too.
When: 10am, Sunday 4 October 2015.
Where: The Mad Hatters Bookshop, Shop 3, 7 Day Markets, 50 Cambridge Pde, Manly Harbour Village, QLD.
RSVP: (07) 33935130
Why go to a book launch? Here are ten reasons why you should!
REVIEWED BY MATILDA, 9, WA
Bella and the Wandering House by Meg McKinlay, ill. Nicholas Schafer, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781925162301
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
This is another book by Meg McKinlay. I have also read Duck for a Day, Definitely No Ducks, and Ten Tiny Things. This is a novel with occasional pictures in black and white.
Bella is a girl who lives in a house that seems to be moving at night and then stops at different places. It’s hard for her mum and dad to get to work every day from a different place. But then things really get out of hand when Bella finds out the movers will cut her house in half to move it back to where it belongs.
A house that wanders around reminds me of Baba Yaga’s house with chicken legs from folktales.
It was a very imaginative book. I wouldn’t like it if my house walked away at night. I recommend this book for ages 6 and up.
–
Matilda is one of our regular book reviewers. Her most recent review (if you don’t count this one) was of Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
It’s spring here in Perth and it even feels spring-ish — warm days, blue skies (mostly!) and birds singing or twittering outside the windows at Alphabet Soup. A change of season (and a change of month) means it’s time to change those books stacked up by your bed. Here are some brilliant books recommended by our Top Reading team.*
You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reading Team on the last day of every month. If you missed last month’s, don’t forget to check out the July 2015 Top Reads.
*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!
Come along to celebrate the launch of Bring a Duck — a new picture book by Lesley Gibbes and Sue de Gennaro.
Afternoon tea and lolly bags for the kids.
When: 1.30pm, Saturday 5th September 2015
Where: The Children’s Bookshop, 6 Hannah St, Beecroft NSW
Cost: FREE but RSVP essential
RSVP: ph 94818811 or email staff @thechildrensbookshop.com.au
REVIEWED BY JOSEPH, 11, WA
Sister Heart by Sally Morgan, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781925163131
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.
Sister Heart is a book about Annie — an Aboriginal girl who is suddenly taken from her parents (part of the Stolen Generation). She’s taken to a government-run school where she meets Nancy, Janey, and Janey’s brother Tim. It’s a shock for Annie and she doesn’t feel like talking.
This is a verse novel told from Annie’s point of view and it’s about finding courage in a new place.
I knew a little bit about the Stolen Generation and this book deepened my understanding because it showed the emotions of the stolen children and how they coped. This is a serious and engaging read, it’s emotional and you feel everything that the characters feel.
I’d recommend this to readers aged 10 to 13.
—
Joseph is one of our regular book reviewers. His most recent review (if you don’t count this one) was of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
‘Tis the season for book launches (and we do love a book launch!). Check these out if you live in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, or Queensland …
VICTORIA
My name is Lizzie Flynn — A Story of the Rajah Quilt by Claire Saxby and Lizzy Newcomb
Come along to the launch of My Name is Lizzie Flynn — A Story of the Rajah Quilt.
When: 6.30pm until 8pm, Wednesday 19 August 2015.
Where: The Gallery, Williamstown Library, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown, Victoria.
RSVP: Bookings by phoning 1300 HOB LIB
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Bob the Railway Dog by Corrine Fenton and Andrew McLean.
Come along to the SA launch of Bob the Railway Dog by Corinne Fenton and Andrew McLean.
When: 2pm, Sunday 23 August 2015.
Where: National Railway Museum, 76 Lipson St, Port Adelaide, SA.
RSVP for catering: corinneking @bigpond.com
TASMANIA
Underneath a Cow by Carol Ann Martin and Ben Wood.
Come along to the launch of Underneath a Cow by Carol Ann Martin and Ben Wood — afternoon tea, storytelling, craft, music. Children especially welcome!
When: 2pm Sunday 23 August 2015.
Where: The Southern Swan, 12 Mary St, Cygnet, Tasmania.
RSVP: no need to RSVP, just go along!
QUEENSLAND
Fearless with Dad by Cori Brooke and Giuseppe Poli
Come along to the launch of Fearless with Dad by Cori Brooke and Giuseppe Poli.
When: 2pm, Saturday 29 August 2015.
Where: Where the Wild Things Are, 191 Boundary St, West End, QLD.
RSVP: events @avidreader.com.au
Why go to a book launch? Here are ten reasons why you should!
With the school holidays behind us, it’s a great time to find out what our Top Readers were reading during July. If you’re looking for a great read — here’s a pile of books for your bedside, recommended by Australian kids!
You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reading Team on the last day of every month. If you missed last month’s, don’t forget to check out the June 2015 Top Reads.
*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!
REVIEWED BY JOSEPH, 11, WA
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, Scholastic Press, ISBN 9780439813785
Joseph borrowed a copy of this book from his local library.
Hugo is an orphan and his job is to check that all the clocks in the Paris station are the correct time. It was really his uncle’s job — Hugo can’t show his face to anyone official (like the station inspector) because then they’ll realise his uncle is gone and send Hugo to an orphanage. His uncle’s uncashed cheques are no good because Hugo can’t cash them. One day he finds an automaton his father was working on before he died. When his father’s notebook (the only thing Hugo has left to remind him of his father) is taken away, he relies on a girl called Isabel to get it back.
Will the automaton write him a message that will solve his problems?
This book has words and pictures. It’s a combination of graphic novel and a regular novel and it means you are satisfied that you read about 520 pages, when 284 pages were text-free!
It’s definitely worth reading. It has an original idea and the setting is not something I’d come across in everyday life.
I’d recommend this book to readers aged 9 and over, particularly kids who are fascinated by machinery. I give it five stars.
—
Joseph is one of our regular book reviewers. His most recent review (if you don’t count this one) was of On Track. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
alphabetsoup.net.au 