Storybook Corner Book Review: Rosie Leads the Way by Renee Irving Lee

 

Rosie Leads the Way

by

Renee Irving Lee 

Illustrated by Lisa Coutts

 

 

Publisher: Empowering Resources 

Publication date: 24th February 2020

Pages: 38

RRP: $17.00AUD

Format read: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

 After talking with her Mum, Rosie believed she was the most beautiful girl in the whole entire world - but the day she met Penelope Pennington she wasn't so sure. Penelope Pennington had the perfect hair, perfect clothes, the perfect shoes and even the perfect cat! So, when Rosie and Penelope unexpectedly walk home together, they both make some meaningful 

discoveries along the way.

 

My review

 

Rosie's mum tells her she is smart, strong and has a beautiful heart. I love the concept of building self esteem without concentrating on outward beauty and skin deep perfection.

 

Penelope is the perfect princess and she won't let Rosie play because she doesn't look like a princess. Rosie turns away and starts to walk home but then Penelope needs Rosie as she doesn't want to walk home alone. The road is blocked but Rosie knows another way home. Penelope acknowledges that Rosie is smart. They encounter a few more misadventures on the way home and Penelope always falls apart. Rosie is calm and finds a solution to each problem. Penelope acknowledges with each problem that Rosie is smart, strong and kind.

Rosie tells Penelope she can be smart, strong and kind if she just tries.

 

We can see that Penelope isn't all that bad because she does acknowledge that Rosie helps her and is willing to try and be better.

The story teaches children to be kind and helpful to someone even if they are mean to you and that true beauty is on the inside in the way you act.

I think the ending was a bit abrupt. Penelope offers to teach Rosie to be a princess in return for her help. Rosie rejects this offer saying she is off to make mud-pies in the sandpit. I think they could have incorporated the two games by playing princess and serving royal mud pies or something that wasn't quite as dismissive. 

4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Renee is passionate about writing children’s books that promote life-long learning, social inclusion and improve self-esteem.   She has always loved working with children, so writing for children has been a natural progression from her work as a teacher and educational freelance writer.

 Her diverse background in education extends to teaching primary school aged children, young adults, and children with special needs.   Renee was awarded the Young Achiever of the Year Award by TAFE Queensland for her work as a dynamic, student focused teacher who is highly respected for her skills, intellect and dedication.  Renee was also inducted into the International Golden Key Honour Society while studying for her Bachelor of Education (Special Education) where she graduated with a Distinction. 

Renee lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her husband and three children.   When she is not writing, you can find Renee spending time with her family, running around on the Oztag field, climbing Emu Mountain, swimming, or sipping on a green tea!

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

  

Storybook Corner Book Review: I Know an Old Lady by Edward Miller

 I Know an Old Lady

Written & Illustrated 

by

Edward Miller

Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

Publication date: 5th January 2021

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 20

RRP: $12.99AUD (Board Book)

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

About the book

An updated and slightly different take on a classic folk song “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” with a new, kid-friendly ending, I Know an Old Lady is a humorous picture book for children featuring the iconic old lady that can’t stop eating the strangest things! With memorable lyrics, absurd illustrations, and die-cut elements that gradually build and build upon each other until the old lady’s stomach is filled with bizarre objects, from a small fly all the way up to a horse, this silly children’s book of a timeless tale will delight both kids and parents alike! 

 

My review

 

A new take on an old classic that many readers would have grown up listening to, or reciting themselves.

 

The images are colourful and wonderfully detailed in a cute cartoon style. I enjoyed the depiction of the old lady who always seems to have a cup of tea and a cupcake on the go.

 

With a conservative move away from the original verse of "perhaps she'll die" Miller ends each stanza with a different rhyming match to "fly" such as "It makes me cry" and  "I'd rather eat pie."

It is hard to get the full visual effect with an eBook as the hard copy board book has peek-through die cut holes that show the every increasing animals inside the old lady as you turn the page.

Reading this book was a treat for me as well as the children. The full spread illustrations had many elements to look at apart from the mounting collection of animals in the old lady's belly. I loved that the animal that was next to be eaten appeared on the page previous to it being mentioned and the children could speculate what was coming next. The repetitive nature of the rhyming is conducive of audience participation and it didn't take them long to start joining in.

I didn't particularly like the ending with it's veer away from "She died, of course." I really don't think children take their story books so literally that they think an old lady died. Do we really need to be so sensitive? However this is a good version if you have a child that is sensitive to these things.  Anyway, I liked it enough to seek out a hard copy to add to my home library. It was a lot of fun! 

My rating 4/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Dot & Jay 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Edward Miller is the author of many nonfiction children's titles. A prolific graphic designer and longtime art director in children's publishing, Miller lives in New York City.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Come Home Ella by Chelsea Davies

Come Home Ella

by

Chelsea Davies

Illustrated by Lisa Coutts

 

Publisher: Empowering Resources 

Publication date: July 2020

Genre: Children's / Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: $17.00 AUD

Format read: Soft cover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Come Home Ella is a children's picture book which light-heartedly follows the emotional journey of a family after their baby's early arrival. Told through the eyes of baby Ella's older sibling, it aims to educate children about premature babies and help families experiencing similar situations deal with the emotions involved.

 

My review

 

Come Home Ella is a heartfelt story from the point of view of a young child waiting to see their newborn sister Ella. Ella was born premmie and needs to stay in hospital.

 

Come home Ella goes through the different emotions that may be felt by a young child in this situation. Sadness at not being able to see the much anticipated new arrival, wariness after seeing a photo with all the tubes attached to the baby, anger as their mother leaves to go to the hospital everyday and then joy as they  are finally able to see and hold their baby sister.

 

Coping ideas are put into place with hug charts and calendar countdown.

 

Written through the eyes of a child Come Home Ella is simple and hopeful, giving just enough information for a young child to understand but not so much as to overwhelm.

 

I think this would be a valuable resource for any family undergoing the same situation.

 

Age: 2+years

  

5/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Chelsea is an emerging author and mother of three living in the picturesque Margaret River Region of Western Australia.  Forever gaining inspiration from her surroundings, Chelsea writes poetry and picture books to engage, empower and intrigue young minds. She aims to encourage children to understand and deal with emotions, and mental well-being, in a compelling, yet nurturing way.

When it’s time to put down the pen, Chelsea might be found practicing yoga, engrossed in a novel, trying her hand at arts and crafts, or enjoying sun, sand and surf with family and friends.

Chelsea describes creative writing as her ‘bliss’ and is excited to create a little magic of her own. Author facebook

About the illustrator

Lisa is a Melbourne based illustrator who has illustrated many books and items mostly in the children’s market thanks to her charming character based style, and because she is a bit of a kid at heart.

 She studied graphic design at Swinburne and has been a freelance illustrator since graduation.

 Lisa enjoys working in dry pastel for it’s light, soft texture and the colourful mess she can make. She also uses pencils and acrylic paints. With these she loves to create and draw characters and their worlds, whether real or imagined.

 Her favourite things in life inspire her illustrations. She is cat crazy and has two cheeky Devon Rexes called Coco and Elsa. She loves riding her bike especially long distances and up mountains. She also has a thing for striped clothing and often her characters are wearing something stripey just as she does. Oh, and she loves making and eating pancakes. Lisa's facebook

 

Challenges entered: Aussie author challenge  #AussieAuthor20

                                 Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2020

  

Book Review: Feathers by Karen Hendriks

Feathers

by

Karen Hendriks

illustrated by Kim Fleming 

 

 

 

Publisher: Empowering Resources 

Publication date: 1st September 2020

Genre: Children's / Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: $17.00AUD

Format read: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Back cover

 

'Dad, it's my wish feather.'

I gently place my dream treasure under my pillow,

Mum promised to always be with me....

 

My review

 

Feathers is a beautiful, gentle book about a young boy remembering his mother. The story starts with the boy running in the garden trying to catch some floating feathers. He tells his dad that mum said feathers help you capture good dreams. His father now joins in.

The delightful watercolour pictures are joyful as the boy and his father run around with smiles on their faces, catching feathers. With the feather under his pillow dad puts him to bed that night and he has lovely, happy dreams of his mother.

Picture books are a relatable way of learning how to talk about and explore difficult emotions in an engaging and meaningful way. 

Feathers gently explores the theme of loss. Death is never mentioned only that mum's star is shining in the sky. The young boy and his father are remembering his mother in a happy way. I loved that the inside cover has delightful watercolour illustrations of different feathers labelled with the relevant birds.

Symbolising loss has a beneficial effect on healing and I know people who have used sightings of rainbows, birds and cloud formations to remember loved ones. Karen Hendriks use of feathers as a symbol is soft, gentle and calming.

I think this would be a valuable resource for any family that has lost a loved one be it mother, father or grandparent. It would also be valuable for general classroom discussion.

ages 3 - 7 years

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Karen was a primary school teacher and has always loved using picture books to brighten children’s lives.

Karen lives on the south coast of New South Wales with her family and little dog Elmo.  Being by the sea, with sandy toes and close to nature is what makes Karen happy. She rides her pushbike with Elmo in the basket along the beaches.

Karen loves to travel anywhere, whenever she can.  She keeps on dreaming and planning of things to see and do. But to Karen the simple things in life are just as important, like writing and laughing and having fun. 

Karen can be found writing in local coffee shops or even on scraps of paper or typing some random idea into her phone.  She believes kindness is catching just like hugs from picture books.

With the lightness of a feather in the breeze Karen hopes her stories reach and find you.

 

About the illustrator

Kim can vividly remember being amazed at the age of 4 when she mixed red and white together and got pink. It was magic!

Her mastery of pink led Kim to many other colours, and a love of art began. 

A move to Melbourne, led Kim to discover the glorious world of children’s book illustration... and she often declares that she has ‘the best job in the world’.

She loves using layers of collage and watercolour washes, and creating sweet, heartwarming characters. She also sometimes uses ink, acrylics and hand-carved stamps

Challenges entered: Aussie author challenge  #AussieAuthor20

                                 Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2020

 

 

Book Review: My Daddy is Different by Suzi Faed

Over the next few weeks I will be showcasing books written specifically to help children understand feelings, emotions and the ever changing world around them. 

I find picture books are a wonderful go to if a child is frightened or overwhelmed over something they don't understand. Often written in a peaceful way with simple words they help children unravel feelings on their own level.

The first book I have to bring to you is:

My Daddy is Different 

by

Suzi Faed

Illustrated by Lisa Coutts

 

  

Publisher: Empowering Resources

Publication date: November 2019

Genre: Children's picture book 

Pages: 32

RRP:$17.00AUD

Format read: Softcover

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

  

I used to have a Daddy who was like all other Daddies. One who would go to work, and play with me when he was home. But one day, something changed. He started saying strange things, doing strange things. I was confused.

My Daddy is Different is a beautiful story, written to nurture any child who may have a loved adult in their life who is suffering from mental illness.

My Review

The story is told in the first person by a young boy as he notices a change in his father, as he sinks into a state of depression, and this confuses him and makes him afraid.

The story explains the highs and lows of a person with a mental illness as our narrator feels happy and safe when old daddy is back but confused when he withdraws again. Hospital stays are explained and the natural response of a child not wanting to go because it is strange and scary. He expresses his feelings of being afraid and worried that none of his friends would understand.

The emotional illustrations compliment the story with lots of sad faces and dark clouds when daddy is withdrawn and non-respondent but the pages are also interspersed with happy days and big smiles.

In the hospital he sees other children and realises he is not alone. There are other kids whose mummy or daddy had a mental illness too.

"Daddy looked at me and said, Remember I still love you. That will never change."

Filled with positive reinforcement I feel this book will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to explain mental illness to children.

Somethings I would have liked included in the story were:

• Words of encouragement and love from the boys mother.
• Acknowledgement that his friends would still be there for him.
• That it wasn't anything he did that made his father change.

Help lines are placed conveniently in the back of the book.


Children of Parents with a Mental Illness

www.copmi.net.au

Kids Helpline

www.kidshelpline.com.au

Kids Matter

www.kidsmatter.edu.au

Headspace

www.headspace.org.au

About the author 

Suzi is a qualified teacher, wife, full-time mother to an energetic and book-loving toddler, and a budding picture book writer.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and a Diploma of Education in Early Childhood Studies, hav

ing taught pre-primary before the birth of her daughter. Recently, she has completed a course in Writing Picture Books for Children.


Suzi is making her writing debut with her picture book, ‘My Daddy is Different’. Her father suffers from a mental illness, and this had a huge impact on her childhood. Her experiences inspire her writing, and she hopes that with this story, she can help children who are struggling with similar issues. She also has an interest in fostering children’s self-esteem, and hopes that her writing journey will offer opportunities to fulfil this.

Living in the coastal city of Bunbury, Western Australia, Suzi enjoys being close to the beach. With a toddler who is asserting her independence and two little dogs with big attitudes, life is busy, but in quiet moments, Suzi likes to read, write, play volleyball and tennis, and dream of the ever-elusive sleep in.

 

About the illustrator

 

Lisa is a Melbourne based illustrator who has illustrated many books and items mostly in the children’s market thanks to her charming character based style, and because she is a bit of a kid at heart.

She studied graphic design at Swinburne and has been a freelance illustrator since graduation.

Lisa enjoys working in dry pastel for it’s light, soft texture and the colourful mess she can make. She also uses pencils and acrylic paints. With these she loves to create and draw characters and their worlds, whether real or imagined.

Her favourite things in life inspire her illustrations. She is cat crazy and has two cheeky Devon Rexes called Coco and Elsa. She loves riding her bike especially long distances and up mountains. She also has a thing for striped clothing and often her characters are wearing something stripey just as she does. Oh, and she loves making and eating pancakes. 

 

 

 

Challenges entered: Aussie author challenge  #AussieAuthor20

                                 Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2020

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Searching for Seashells by Kerry Rosser

Searching for Seashells

by

Kerry Rosser

illustrated by Nicky Johnson

Publisher: Empowering Resources
Publication date: 8th February 2020
Genre: Children's
Pages: 32
RRP: $17.00AUD
Format read: Softcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via R M Marketing Services

Today I was angry. Mum said it's okay to be angry. We get angry because we want something we can't have.

I want Jimmy here to play with me.

Jimmy is gone now. I miss him lots.

Searching for Seashells is a comforting and gentle story that empowers families to talk about love, loss and remembering. Sharing in a simple way the many big feelings of grief, it reassures young readers that love and memories continue even after someone is gone.

A young boy tells about all the things his baby brother loves to do. Then one day his brother is gone. He goes through his emotions; sadness, anger, guilt, as his mother helps him through each emotion and shows him they will always remember the baby.

Together they do Jimmy’s favourite things, like blowing bubbles and searching for seashells. They celebrate Jimmy’s birthday with a picnic. As time goes by he starts to play and laugh which brings on feelings of guilt.

”Mum said it’s okay to be happy. Jimmy likes me laughing.”

Talking about death with a young child is a difficult thing and in particular the death of a sibling. Searching for Seashells is a lovely supportive book for parents as well as siblings.

Kerrry Rosser shows a compassion that comes from experience which led to her writing her debut children’s book to help her own children over the loss of their brother.

The text is simple and comforting and I loved how the mother is so calm, brave and supportive of her son. Telling him his feelings are okay and giving him ideas and help with coping when I am sure she is falling apart inside herself.

Searching for Seashells is a beautifully written story about love and loss that I am sure will be beneficial to any family suffering the loss of a loved one.

My rating  5/5         ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author:

Photo credit: Empowering Resources

Kerry Rosser is a writer with a background in psychology, bringing an analytical and inquisitive approach to her work. Her writing has spanned corporate and government communications, marketing and community engagement through to freelance, blogging and writing for children.

Her first children's book, Searching for Seashells, is a gentle story of losing someone loved. Written to help her children understand the loss of their baby brother, it shares the many different feelings of grief. It reassures young children that these emotions are normal and celebrates the love that remains even after someone is gone.

Kerry lives in country South Australia with her husband, three children and an ever changing array of animals.


About the illustrator:

Photo credit: Empowering Resources

Nicky Johnston is a mum to four boys, a primary educator, a speaker and children’s book author and illustrator based in Melbourne.

Passionate in raising awareness of the importance of children’s emotional well being, Nicky has written books to help children deal with anxiety and develop resilience. She is an experienced public speaker and presents at parent forums, seminars and conferences. She is also a speaker with Black Dog Institute Community Education.

Her illustration style is described as whimsical, playful, narrative, emotive and dreamy. She works mainly in watercolour, ink and pencil. She also produces work digitally using a variety of illustration software.

This book can be ordered directly from the publishers website. 

This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Australian Women Writers challenge  

 

Book Review: Go Away Glob! by Sarah Elliott Smyth

Go Away Glob!

by

Sarah Elliott Smyth

illustrated by Simon Howe

Publisher: Empowering Resources
Publication date: 2019
Genre: Children's
Pages: 32
RRP: $17.00AUD
Format read: Softcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via R M Marketing Services

Jimmy blinked away tears.What if I get it wrong like last time? Glob hovered over him, like an angry rain cloud blocking out the sun. Jimmy looked down and shook his head.
"Go away, Glob," Jimmy thought.

 Did you know that everyone feels anxious or scared from time to time? It is a normal human emotion. Like when you almost fall or when you see a snake. It’s your body’s natural ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response.

Go Away Glob encourages children to process and overcome feelings of anxiety, worry and self-doubt, to get back to enjoying the activities that they love.

 

Go Away Glob is sensitively written to help children who develop anxiety in social situations such as in the class room or around their peers.

Jimmy is worried about everyone laughing at him in class. His worry is so deep all he can do is emit a squeak when the teacher asks him a question. He isolates himself in the playground worried he might be teased.

This engaging picture book explains to a child that what they are feeling is normal. Sarah Elliott Smyth uses visualising techniques to show how the anxiety can grow and overwhelm a child.

The emotion of anxiety is embodied in the character of Glob, a small, sad alien like figure, who grows and multiplies as Jimmy’s worries build.

Jimmy uses breathing exercises to bring his anxiety under control and does eventually join in a game with the other children.

Glob never completely disappears. Jimmy brings him under control and he stands aside and allows Jimmy room to socialise, watching on if a little apprehension may be needed in a dangerous situation.

Recommended for anyone looking for children’s stories on social anxiety. 

My rating  4/5      ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author:  

Photo credit: Empowering Resources

Sarah is a passionate and vivacious primary educator, writer, wife and mother to one amazing toddler girl. She has completed a Bachelor of Education (K-7) and several writing courses. With a strong knowledge of the Australian Curriculum, Sarah has enthusiasm for child mental health and early literacy. Since the birth of her first child she has been excited to begin her long held dream of writing for children.
As a teacher, Sarah is faced more and more with the ever-growing emotional issues of her students and the community. Her writing endeavour is to empower young readers, parents and teachers in order to tackle difficult emotional issues head-on with sensitivity, confidence and love.


 About the illustrator:

Photo credit: Empowering Resources

Simon is a freelance illustrator and animator with a particular fondness for quaint and fanciful characters.

Born in the south-west of England and growing up up in Queensland, he eventually made his way to Melbourne where he began producing animation for music videos and online advertisements. In 2015, he illustrated a children’s picture book called Anthea’s Garden, which inspired him to pursue further work in children’s content. In 2016, he animated a series of four videos to songs by the Teeny Tiny Stevies, accompanying their debut children’s album, Useful Songs for Little People.

This book can be ordered directly from the publishers website. 

This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and Australian Women Writers challenge  

 

 

Storybook Corner Book Review: Kiki & Jax by Marie Kondo

Kiki & Jax

by

Marie Kondo

Co-written and illustrated by Salina Yoon

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia 
Publication date: 12th November 2019
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Pages: 40
RRP: $22.99AUD
Format read: Hardcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Kiki and Jax are best friends, but they couldn't be more different.

Kiki likes to collect things, Jax likes to sort things.

But when things start getting in the way, can they make space for what has always sparked joy..... each other?

Kiki, a squirrel, and Jax, an owl, were best friends but they didn’t like everything the same. Kiki loved to collect things whilst Jax loved sorting things.

Kiki had so many things collected all over her house she couldn’t find what she needed when Jax came over to ask her out to play or go swimming. Kiki always had to play at Jax house. She wished she could play with her best friend at her house but there was no room.

Jax said he could help Kiki sort her collections. It was his favourite thing to do. Together they sorted and piled and stored. Now Kiki had room for all her favourite things and most important….room for her best friend.

Marie Kondo has used her life changing magic of tidying theories to include your children in the tidying process. By making it fun, tidying can be something you can enjoy together.

Salina Yoon’s full page colour illustrations give a visual aspect to Marie Kondo’s sparsely worded story making it perfect for even the younger children in the family.

In this time when children are at home more than ever this is a gentle story about the benefits of keeping a tidy room.

Although I did like the idea of sorting and categorising items into keep, donate and throw out I think she could have included something on storage and labelling so everything has its place.

Kondo includes her mantra of “sparking joy” in this story and I’m not sure how this will convert to a child’s thinking. Everything sparks joy in a child, even if it is that stone, feather or string they found on a walk.

Dot loves this story. We have read it over and over. She always says “I can be Kiki”. She loves to collect things too and she loves to look at the illustration of Kiki’s house with all her stuff spread everywhere. We read this as a fun story about a squirrel and an owl but not so much a story about keeping everything sorted and tidy.

 

 Rated by Dot  4/5      ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit: Goodreads

 

Marie Kondo has been enchanted with organising since her childhood and began her tidying consultancy business as a nineteen year old university student in Tokyo. Today she is a renowned tidying expert, helping people around the world to transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. She stars in the Netflix show Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and is the founder of KonMari Media, Inc. Marie has featured in numerous magazines and newspapers and was listed as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Marie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two young children.

About the Illustrator:

Photo credit: Goodreads

 

Salina Yoon was born in Korea and emigrated to the United States at the age of four. She is an author, illustrator and format designer and has worked on nearly 200 books for young children, specialising in interactive and novelty books. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and their two sons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storybook Corner Book Review: The Gruffalo's Child (15th Anniversary Edition) by Julia Donaldson

The Gruffalo's Child (15th Anniversary Edition)

by

Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Macmillan Children’s Books

Publication date: 24^th September 2019

Genre: Children’s / Picture Books

Pages: 40

RRP: $14.99 AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood.

But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo's child disobeys her father's warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist … does he?
The Gruffalo's Child is the number one bestselling, much-loved sequel to the worldwide picture book phenomenon that is The Gruffalo. Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler's brilliant, characterful illustrations combine once more to ensure that the Gruffalo's Child has followed firmly in her father's footsteps and that her story is one that children will ask for again, and again … and again!

Children have always enjoyed tales of dark, scary creatures and the Gruffalo’s child is no exception. The Gruffalo tells his daughter she should never go out in the deep dark wood or the Big Bad Mouse will be after her.

The Gruffalo’s child decides to find this Big Bad Mouse. She isn’t scared. The story follows her through the snow swept woods as she comes across different animals; a snake, an owl, and follows tracks to see who they lead to. Will she find the Big Bad Mouse?

The Gruffalo’s Child is told in rhyming verse and the use of voice variation gives depth to the story. Scheffler’s illustrations give the Gruffalo’s child a human like dimension as she carries her favourite toy, a doll made of sticks.

The Gruffalo's Child 15th Anniversary Edition features:

- A wrap-around snowy wood play scene and press-out characters for an interactive reading experience.

- Plus additional book content including letters from author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.

- The Gruffalo's Child Song.

- A Gruffalo's Child quiz.

- And tips for putting on a Gruffalo's Child show!

We all enjoyed playing with the wrap around scene, acting out the story and also making up our own stories with the animals.

With this 15^th Anniversary Edition you can be assured the Gruffalo will delight yet another generation of children.

The Gruffalo’s Child is on the 2020 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge list for K-2.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Our rating  5/5

About the author 

Photo: Pan Macmillan Aus

Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. 
 

 

 

 

About the illustrator

Axel Scheffler is a star illustrator whose instantly recognisable, warm and witty illustrations have acheived worldwide acclaim and numerous awards. Axel is the illustrator of some of the world's best-loved picture books.

Other books we've read by Julia Donaldson: