Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans by Liz Pichon, Scholastic UK, ISBN 9781743832868
Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.
Like other Tom Gates books, cheeky little Tom Gates is the star of this book as well. Tom loves to doodle but it’s hard in school when he sits right at the front of his classroom. He can even see through his report through his teacher’s nostrils! Mr Fullerman is basically bald and is a very strict teacher.
Tom, Derek and Norman have a band called ‘dogzombies’. They have a big mission which is to get this band well known.
On the other side is Delia, Tom’s sister. Delia hates Tom and Tom hates Delia. One day when Tom goes snooping into Delia’s room he finds something unusual. What was it? Little did he know that there could be a purple curse coming.
I would rate this book 10/10 because it is funny, interesting and mysterious. It would be a great book for 7–9-year-old kids.
Chickensaurus by James Foley, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781925815788
The publisher provided a review copy of this book.
I liked Chickensaurus because it had some humour in it and I thought it could have a bit more humour. My favourite part was when Sally found out about Dexter’s sister (Lyssa). My favourite character was Lyssa because I liked it when she was a nice sweet girl and then she becomes a strong character. It just goes that girls can be just as strong as boys. I also like the pictures. My favourite chickensaurus was the dinosaur that was in the egg.
This book would be great for people who like humour, dinosaurs and comics. If you have read any other James Foley books and you liked them, you would like this one.
This is Alexia’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Caz Goodwin lives in Victoria and writes picture books, junior fiction, short stories and poetry for children. Her latest picture book —Lazy Daisy— is a hilarious rhyming tale, illustrated by Ashley King.
From the publisher: All of Jasper’s dreams come true when he finds his very own ‘puppy dog’ to walk in Centenary Park. But Daisy the ‘dog’ isn’t much of a walker — she tends to spend most of her day climbing gumtrees and dozing. If only someone would explain to Jasper that Daisy is a koala, NOT a dog! Just as Jasper’s about to give up on his dream, he has a madcap idea of how Daisy can still join him on his daily walk, whether she’s asleep or not.
We’re thrilled to welcome Caz Goodwin to Alphabet Soup today!
Do you write on a computer, or use pen and paper?
When I’m writing a first draft, I use old-fashioned pencil and paper. I often use an exercise book, and only write on one side and use the opposite page for notes and ideas. I like to cross out and edit as I go, and make a lovely, scribbly mess. Later, I type it onto my computer.
You write picture books, novels, short stories and poems … how do you know which one to start writing if you get an idea?
My writing ideas usually start with a character. I toss the character around in my head for a while before I start writing, to work out what adventures they might have or what trouble they might get into. (I like to put my characters in lots of strife.) Once I have an idea of what the story will be, I can work out whether it would be best as a picture book or novel or short story.
What’s next for Daisy?
Daisy the koala causes a hullabaloo in the next book, called Daisy Runs Wild. While on her daily walk, she unexpectedly leaps into the air and takes off round the park. Jasper runs after her as she interrupts a yoga class, ruins a game of cricket and accidentally pushes poor posh Mrs Pallot into the pond! Can Jasper work out what is wrong with Daisy?
(Daisy Runs Wild, published by Little Hare/Hardie Grant Egmont, will be released in March.)
Which of your characters is most like you?
If I’m honest, I’m quite a bit like Daisy the koala. Two of my favourite things are eating and sleeping, and despite my best intentions, I often end up in trouble.
Do you have a tip for young writers?
Can I give you two tips? Read a lot. Write a lot. (Like anything, your writing will improve the more you practice. And don’t forget to edit your work.)
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick, ISBN 9780763645045
Do you love reading books with funny characters? Well then you’ll love to read about Mercy Watson. Mercy Watson is a pig who likes to eat hot buttered toast. She’s hilarious!
Do you like to read Mercy Watson to the Rescue? I love it. Chapter 1 is very good. For example, on the first page Mercy is getting put into bed. Tell me, isn’t that a funny story?
Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) have been guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup over the past few weeks. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Bad Kitty: School Daze by Nick Bruel, Scholastic, ISBN 9781250039477
Do you like kittens? Well, I know a kitty that is bad! The book is called Bad Kitty: School Daze by Nick Bruel!
This book is really funny because Petunia, who is a dog, thinks Bad Kitty is a cow! Bad Kitty gets in a fight with Puppy. But it’s weird because in pet school they do arts and crafts and stuff like that.
You will have to read this book to find out more! I give this book 10 out of 10 stars. I recommend this book for ages 2 to any age!
Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) are guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, Scholastic Inc, ISBN 9780545581608
Do you love Dog Man by Dav Pilkey? If you do, just so you know, I do too. Have you read every book in the series? Not me, but I think it’s a good book for these reasons:
The book is good.
It’s a good book to read.
People love to read it.
Also did you know when the chief said, “HEY!” Do you think it’s funny? I do because he was kind of yelling at the people.
Have you seen Dog Man Unleashed? It is the next book in the series. I would recommend this book for kids and teenagers ages 7-19.
Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) are guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
If you like talking animals, you will like this series. It is called The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey, and the characters are Piranha, Mr Shark, Legs, Mr Snake, and Wolfie. They saved 10,000 chickens from a hamster. In book 6 you will find out that the hamster is an alien with 6 butts and 3 mouths, and he turned every cat into a zombie kitten. Then he made a cute-zilla ray and turned every dog, bunny, pony, and dolphin into a zog, zunny, zony, or zolphin.
I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars. This book is good for ages 3–10.
Second grade students at Glenridge Elementary School (Missouri, USA) are guest reviewers at Alphabet Soup this month. Click here if you’d like to read more book reviews by Glenridge Elementary School. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Charlie finds a hole and puts it in his pocket and he puts it in his backpack, but everything falls out. So he goes to the shops to see who wants a hole, but they just don’t.
It’s Friday! And that means it’s time for Pass the Book Baton. Alphabet Soup features a book creator every Friday who will answer one question before throwing a new question to the next Friday visitor. (It’s kind of like a book relay in slow motion.)
We’re pleased to feature author Oliver Phommavanh as he takes the baton today. Oliver writes funny novels and short stories, he’s also a comedian and primary school teacher. Oliver’s first book — Thai-riffic — was published in 2010.
In your writing, you have this wonderful ability to create characters that feel real and who I very quickly feel I know and like. Do you know your characters really well before you write or do they come to life as you rewrite each draft?
xx
Oliver Phommavanh:
It depends on each story that I write. Sometimes it comes to me straight away like in Thai-riffic or Con-nerd and then I just write the draft with the voices of each character fully in my head. Other books, I have a faint voice of what the characters could be like and then I write the draft to build that voice. A lot of my characters are drawn from my own childhood friends and family, but more recently just from observing kids in schools when I visit them. I have a fair idea of what my characters will sound like, so I let them roam around in my head awhile, but some shout louder than others, haha!
And now Oliver passes the book baton to the next author — Catherine Carvell. Catherine is the author of Darcy Moon and the Deep Fried Frogs.
Oliver asks Catherine Carvell: What is one thing you’d like kids to walk away with after they’ve read your book?
Check in every Friday fora Q&A with children’s authors and illustrators. See you next week!
For other posts featuring Oliver Phommavanh at Alphabet Soup check out: