Making the Moose Out of Life, by Nicholas Oldland

Once upon a time there was a moose – a timid, anxious, scaredy-cat of a moose. Apparently, no-one had told him he was supposed to be a wild animal. He wouldn’t go kite-flying, skiing, or puddle-jumping with his friends, Beaver and Bear. But Moose senses he’s missing out on something, although he can’t quite put [...]

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Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. by Jen Corace

Little Hoot is a happy little owl most of the time – he likes going to school and playing hide-and-seek, but, like most little critters, he does not like bedtime. All Little Hoot wants is to go to bed early, like his friends, and he is hopping mad when Mama and Papa Owl insist that [...]

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The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood, illus. by Renata Liwska

The Quiet Book is a very gentle, soothing picture book, featuring a series of vignettes about the different kinds of quiet we experience during the day – from the quiet of being the first one awake, to “sound asleep quiet” at the end of the day. The author has imagined all sorts of quiet – [...]

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Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illus. by Kevin Hawkes

“One day, a lion came to the library. He walked right past the circulation desk and up into the stacks.” I was absolutely sold on this book from the first line. Mr. McBee, the circulation assistant, is shocked to see a lion in the library. But as far as the head librarian, Miss Merriweather, is [...]

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Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Harry Bliss

This very entertaining and quirky picture book gives an amusing insight into life from the perspective of a worm family’s young son, as he goes to school and begins to learn what it means to be a good worm.  Diary of a Worm follows a young, baseball-cap-wearing worm’s various misadventures through one spring and summer, [...]

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Traction Man Is Here! by Mini Grey

Oh no, who will rescue the Farm Animals from the Evil Pillows, and who will protect the Dollies from the Wicked Professor Spade?! Never fear, Traction Man is here! The latest Traction Man action figure arrives just before Christmas, equipped with his “dazzle-painted battle pants”, “combat boots” and an outfit for any occasion – including [...]

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Muti’s Necklace by Louise Hawes, illus. by Rebecca Guay

My last review for the week features another story with a strong female lead – this time set in Ancient Egypt. Hawes has taken an ancient Egyptian tale and adapted and expanded it for modern audiences to create a story about the importance of familial love and standing up for what you value the most. [...]

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The Scarlet Stockings Spy by Trinka Hakes Noble, illus. by Robert Papp

This beautifully illustrated book is set in Philadelphia in 1777 and stars a plucky young heroine – Maddy Rose – whose brother Jonathan has gone away to bravely fight in the war that has already claimed the life of her father. Not content to sit at home just helping her mother earn a living with [...]

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Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman, illus. by Sarah McMenemy

Get ready to say “Bonjour” to an exciting, fun-filled trip to Paris! This vibrant, colorful picture book follows a little girl and her family’s vacation to Paris and describes in rhyming text the many ways to use the greeting “Bonjour” when visiting France. They visit all the famous spots, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc [...]

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The Gardener by Sarah Stewart, Illus. by David Small

Continuing with the week’s theme of letters, The Gardener is another delightful, heart-warming tale about the difference one individual can make in the lives of those around her. Set during the Great Depression, The Gardener features a charming series of letters from the young Lydia Grace Finch to her family. When her father loses his [...]

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