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.

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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:

 

                                                                                           

   

Storybook Corner Book Review: The Truth Pixie Goes to School by Matt Haig

The Truth Pixie Goes to School

by

Matt Haig

Illustrated by Chris Mould

Publisher: Canongate Books
Publication date: 1st August 2019
Genre: Children's
Pages: 122
Format read: Hardcover
Source: Won in a giveaway

New school. New friends. Same old pixie.

'Aada started her new school,
And the pixie came too.
But this school was a place
Where it was hard to be true . . .'

An uplifting story that will delight younger readers and help them to be themselves in their school uniform. With words by the bestselling mastermind Matt Haig and pictures by the inky genius Chris Mould.

With Dot starting school this week I thought The Truth Pixie Goes to School an apt read.

There once was a girl

Who lived far away

And tried to be kind

Whatever the day.

Aada lived with her dad. She was sad because she was moving towns and had to start a new school. This is sad at the best of times but poor Aada’s Gran had died and her father had lost his job. But Aada had her best friend, the Truth Pixie, who went with her everywhere and when times were tough and Aada was sad the Pixie was always there to cheer her up.

When they started school the Pixie was outspoken and everyone laughed at her for being different. Aada was embarrassed and wanted to fit in with the other kids so she turns her back on the Pixie. The Pixie, rejected, leaves and goes home. Aada soon misses her quirky best friend but has she lost her forever?

The Truth Pixie Goes to School is a fun, enjoyable story told in rhyming verse. The quirky illustrations by award winning illustrator Chris Mould are as much a part of the story as the verse that accompanies them.

A poignant tale with themes of bullying, hurting a friend’s feelings, being true to yourself, saying sorry and not changing to fit in with the crowd.

Don’t try to be something

You really are not.

Your one true self

Is the best thing you’ve got.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Dot's rating  5/5

About the author:

Photo credit: Goodreads

 
As well as being a number one bestselling writer for adults Matt haig has won the Blue Peter Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize and been nominated three times for the Carnegie Medal for his stories for children and young adults.
In 2018, The Truth Pixie was a Sunday Times children's bestseller.



  

About the illustrator:

Photo credit: Goodreads

Chris Mould went to art school at the age of sixteen. he has won the Nottingham Children's Book Award and been commended by the Sheffield Children's Book Award. he likes to write and draw the kind of books he would have liked to have had on his shelf as a boy.






 

Storybook Corner Book Review: Arabella and the Magic Pencil (Children's Picture Book) +related craft

Arabella and the Magic Pencil

by

Stephanie Ward

Illustrated by Shaney Hyde

Publisher: EK Books 
Publication date: 1st September 2019
Pages: 32
RRP: $24.99 AUD
Format read: Hardcover
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Arabella is a very happy only child living a perfectly pleasant life.

Until she gets a baby brother who utterly upsets everything!

So Arabella erases Avery with her magic pencil. Problem solved.

She's sure her life will go back to being perfect now....wont it?

A fun-filled look at sibling rivalry and creative problem-solving!

“There once was a girl named Arabella”

We loved how the story started like a fairytale. A simple statement that sets the scene!

Arabella was the only child of the Duke and Duchess. She was granted a royal wish every year.

Arabella’s wishes were for fanciful things, wishes a child could relate to; a pink dog (that gave Dot a giggle). Dot’s wish was a real live unicorn.

Arabella didn’t wish for a little brother but that’s what she got. She loved Avery but he made lots of noise and ruined all her games until one day Arabella got so annoyed she made him disappear.

But life was too quiet, too calm and Arabella was sad. How can she get Avery back?

Anyone who has ever been a sibling probably knows what it feels like to wish that their irritating brother or sister would just vanish for a little while.

I remember when Jay first arrived on the scene Dot was not at all impressed and even drew family pictures without him in it. Luckily our young memories are short and she doesn’t remember ever not wanting her little brother around.

Stephanie Ward has produced a story that will never age. Sibling rivalry will be with us as long as little brothers and sisters keep arriving to change the family dynamics.

Arabella and the Magic Pencil is a charming story filled with magic and wonder to enhance a child’s imagination. The story includes words to extend the child’s vocabulary and Dot was quick to ask the meaning of ‘mayhem' and ‘acoustics’.  Alliteration is used at times to give a fun rhythm to the story; Dainty dolls dined, Pretty princesses paraded.

The watercolour illustrations are a feast for the eyes. Shaney Hyde has given the story extra meaning through little touches in her illustrations. A royal bird (wearing a crown) can be found on each double spread, Arabella in her tent, headphones on, listening to music, Avery’s little blue dinosaur makes quite a few appearances, dragonflies, ladybugs, singing flowers all displayed in beautiful pastel colours until Avery disappears. The colour also disappears leaving Arabella and her surroundings in a sepia tone.

Arabella and the Magic Pencil is a wondrous picture book, not only for a young girl or boy who has had a new sibling enter their world but for any girl or boy who is enthralled by magic and imagination.

Dot had a lot of fun colouring and playing with the Arabella and Avery paper dolls.

 

Visit Stephanie’s website to download the paper doll activity sheet and colouring pages.

https://stephaniemward.com/books/

End note: Jay stomped around the room making dinosaur noises while we read the book. (little bothers 🤣🤣)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Rated by Dot 5/5

About the author:

 

Photo credit: Goodreads

Stephanie Ward is an award-winning children's author and reviewer who splits her time between London, Seattle and Sydney. She spent 15 years in public relations before deciding to dedicate herself to what she loves - writing stories for children. Stephanie has five award-winning picture book manuscripts.

 About the illustrator:

Photo credit: EKBooks

Shaney Hyde is an Early Childhood Teacher from Melbourne who runs art workshops for children and draws inspiration from her own playful childhood. Arabella and the Magic Pencil is the first book she has illustrated, fulfilling a long-held dream. 

 

Storybook Corner Review & Giveaway: Don't Drink the Pink (Children's Picture Book)

Don't Drink the Pink

by

B.C.R. Fegan

Illustrated by Lenny Wen

Publisher: TaleBlade Press 
Publication date: 1st August 2019
Pages: 40
Format Read: eBook
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Madeline adores her Grandpa Gilderberry – she always has. To everyone else he might seem a bit strange – an eccentric inventor – perhaps even a little mad. Yet Madeline knows that these are his very best qualities.

One of Grandpa Gilderberry’s most secret inventions is his box of potions which he delights in giving to Madeline each year on her birthday. Each potion conveys an unexpected and magical experience for Madeline. Year after year, Madeline selects a new potion with exciting results, however each time she reaches for her enchanted birthday present, her grandfather reminds her of only one rule – ‘don’t drink the pink’.

Follow the special relationship between Madeline and her Grandfather as they both grow and share in the most magical birthday experiences. Filled with secrets to uncover and brimming with imagination, Don't Drink the Pink explores a number of basic concepts including colors, numbers and the reality of growing older.

 

Madeline loves her Grandfather Gilderberry. They have a close relationship.

Dad thinks he’s crazy

Mom thinks he’s just old

But I think he’s amazing

And worth his weight in gold.

Every birthday since her very first birthday Madeline’s Grandfather has arrived with a box of potions. Madeline gets to choose a colour, but always with the rule ‘just don’t drink the pink.’

As each year passes wonderful magical things happen when Madeline drinks each potion.

This is an absolutely enjoyable and magical book. The story is told in rhyming verse with a fun repetition that the children quickly learn to join in with.

“Happy Birthday Madeline.”

He said with a wink

“Take a potion, take a brew

Just don’t drink the pink.”

We loved Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 and BCR Fegan has given his audience another delightful picture book that builds on the anticipation of what will be revealed at the end.

As each birthday came around Dot and I tried to guess what colour potion Madeline would pick and what magical quality she would receive. Flying, strength, invisibility, controlling the weather and super speed are just a few of the magical elements in this story.

Don’t Drink the Pink develops a child’s imagination and colour recognition. It has a major, but subtle, theme of ageing. As Madeline gets older so does her beloved Grandpa. Until one birthday Grandpa is no longer there. Madeline has one potion left. What will the magical pink potion do?

Lenny Wen’s whimsical illustrations add spots of humour that need no words. Madeline’s cute little white cat makes an appearance on each page and the expressions on Madeline’s mother’s and father’s faces as each potion is consumed are not to be missed.

Don’t Drink the Pink is another addition to Dot’s all-time favourite books. Her favourite parts were when Madeline turned into a mermaid and when she built a theme park with her mind.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 rated by Dot 5/5

 

About the author

B.C.R. Fegan is an award-winning author who has written a number of fairy tales and fantasies for children and young adults.

Raised on a small hobby farm only minutes from some of Australia’s greatest beaches, Fegan grew up inspired by the power of natures ambience. His ravenous appetite for both reading and writing soon saw him drawing on the transformational influence of the world around him to craft short stories, poems and picture books.

As time wore on, Fegan also found inspiration in the magic and depth of authors and compositors like Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. He was mesmerised by the potency of small but beautiful phrases that were carefully carved from the minds of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Frost. He grew to appreciate the worlds meticulously created by David Eddings, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.

Eventually, he began to forge his own complete works. Weaving his own magic, piecing together his own phrases and crafting his own worlds. Agonising over plots that would inspire, characters that would be loved and circumstances that would delight. In time, his efforts saw a number of children’s books and young adult fiction produced. 
  

About the illustrator

Lenny Wen is a freelance illustrator from Jakarta, Indonesia. She started her professional illustration career in 2013. Most of her illustrations possess a mixture of storytelling and emotions. Her works can be found in  children’s books, mobile games, and advertisements. She is very passionate about illustration and storytelling. When she is not illustrating, she might be found watching movies, reading books or watching the online cooking channel.  

 

Thanks to TaleBlade Press you can win a paperback copy of Don’t Drink the Pink. Entry is open internationally via the form below and closes on 14^th August 2019.

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was - Katiria.