Who doesn’t love a unicorn?  Sophie Johnston: Unicorn Expert loves them so much she ‘owns’ 17 unicorns of her own. Or course there’s a lot of work involved in training them and looking after them but Sophie rises to the challenge with style.  But who’s that hiding in plain sight on every page?

“All evening the North wind roared.” These evocative words set the atmosphere for the story about the night Harry and his family hole up inside while a storm roars around them.

Acclaimed illustrator and author Oliver Jeffers has a new book to share with little children everywhere: an introduction to the world. Written on the birth of his son, this reads as an intimate guide to Earth and its inhabitants – both human and animal.

“When I see a work of art, something happens in my heart. I cannot stifle my reaction, my body just goes into action.” The Museum is a gorgeous picture book that celebrates the many varied reactions a little girl has as she twirls through an art museum.

A new Ottoline is cause for celebration. In this latest adventure of Ottoline and her hairy side-kick Mr Munroe, Ottoline is throwing a dinner party and she’s invited all sorts of old and new friends.

By E.G Lutz (Lom Art – an imprint of Micheal O’Mara books) First printed in 1921, this is the book credited with inspiring Walt Disney’s animation career. A simple step-by-step breakdown of how to draw using basic shapes and drawing everything from birds and animals to people, actions and objects.  Joe, 10, loves drawing and this is the book he chose from French book shop L’ecume des pages on St Germain Boulevard in Paris. He sat and started breaking down the things he loves to draw, explaining that he will still put his own style on them, but use this as a building block.  Any book that inspires that has to be good! And Walt did go on to have a rather memorable career – so this could be a great investment… Available from Amazon.com and all good book stores. Try your local art stores too.   Joe’s artworks in Paris… (and yes, that is a baguette pen 🙂  Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Swimming season can be a splashing joy for some children and a nightmare of swimming lessons and the scary deep end for others. When Annie’s mom buys her a new swimming costume Annie doesn’t want to swim – the water is wet and splashy and deep.

Charlie is the kind and clever big brother, Lola his inquisitive busy-body little sister. In this latest book, Lola is confused by numbers – if mum says they can choose one thing from the shop each, is that two things?

This is the off-beat tale of a boy who is left with his younger sister in his dad’s care while his mom goes out. All dad wants to do is read the paper. All the kids want to do is play. Then he gets offered two goldfish – what will he find to swap…

The adult colouring-in movement is on trend – and this little book is a gem to keep in your handbag for trips, queues, waiting rooms or just some relaxing creative time. French illustrator Farrarons has filled her book with beautiful scenes and intricate designs that prompt you to meditate as you mindfully colour in.

“Not everything makes sense, Zu. Sometimes things just happen,” says Suzy’s (Zu’s) mom when her best friend Franny dies from drowning.  Heartbroken and confused, 12 year old Suzy refuses to accept this and begins a journey to find out what could have caused her to drown.  The Thing about Jellyfish is a beautiful story of friendship, grief, forgiveness and acceptance. 

Who doesn’t love a unicorn?  Sophie Johnston: Unicorn Expert loves them so much she ‘owns’ 17 unicorns of her own. Or course there’s a lot of work involved in training them and looking after them but Sophie rises to the challenge with style.  But who’s that hiding in plain sight on every page?

This is about a 14 year old teenager who is desperately wanting to sort his life out because everything is going wrong. He wants to kiss a girl before the end of the year and he also wants to get revenge on a bully who gives him a very rough time. This book is the funniest book I have ever read.

Written by Gary D Schmidt (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Aimee (13) Orbiting Jupiter is a heartwarming story about a teenage boy called Joseph, who has a baby. Joseph moves in with a foster family but all he can think about is meeting his daughter. The story is told from the viewpoint of Jack, his foster brother. As Joseph tells him all about Madeleine, the girl he loves, we learn more about how Joseph came to be such a young father. Joseph also explains why he was a troublemaker at all his old schools. There is a story that goes around that he tried to kill his teacher and this could make you judge him but then you learn the circumstances. This book is about a journey with a 14 year old boy, a foster family and new characters along the way. One of the main themes is brotherhood and love. I found this story page turning and exciting. It was hard to read as it was sad but beautiful. It is for an older audience (13 and above) because it has difficult and mature themes. Orbiting Jupiter is one for your bookshelves. Parent note: The book deals with teenage pregnancy and abusive fathers and is better for more mature young readers.  That said, it is beautifully written and it deals sensitively with these issues, impressing that you should never judge someone until you know their story. Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

“All evening the North wind roared.” These evocative words set the atmosphere for the story about the night Harry and his family hole up inside while a storm roars around them.

Oi Frog! is a fun rhyming caper though all the places animals sit.  It starts with Frog saying he does not want to do what everyone tells him to and sit on a log. He wants to sit on a sofa. As you do.  

What a delightful, happy little book by South African author Jenny Hatton.  Swimming in the Sun follows a typical day at the beach with glorious illustrations by Joan Rankin.

We’re dotty about this wipe-clean book for little ones.  Dot-to-dots are brilliant for hand-eye co-ordination (that magic word) and they also help kids see the connection between lines making a bigger picture.

by Sarah Webb (Pan Macmillan) Guest reviewed by Eva Rose Agulnik (9) I liked The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin very much because it was interesting. It’s mainly about family and friendship. I think dolphins are beautiful and reading taught me a lot about how clever and amazing these creatures are. It makes me think that people should pay more attention to dolphins. This book made me really realise that (like Aurora without a mother) , it must be very difficult for children without any mothers. Also, if this were a true story, I would be amazed how Aurora got over her mom dying. I loved this book. I would like to read more in The Songbird Cafe Girls Books.   Parent’s Note: This is the third book in Sarah Webb’s heartwarming series about friendship and family, set on the fictional Cork island of Little Bird.  After the death of her mum, Aurora – nicknamed Rory – finds solace and healing in the fascinating world of dolphins.  When she bonds with a dolphin called Click she realises that all the dolphins are threatened by the use of dolphin nets.  She’s determined to do something to protect the dolphins and her friends at the Songbird Cafe are only too happy to help. The healing bond between animals and humans is beautifully explored. Perfect for readers aged 9 – 12. Find out about the other books in this lovely series here.   SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveShare this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

By Megan McDonald (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Lily Todes (Age 9) Judy Moody and the Bucket List was about a girl called Judy Moody. She had a grandmother who had a bucket list and Judy wants to create a bucket list of her own. A bucket list is a list of all the things people desire to do in their lives – things that they want to experience. Her bucket list has things like ‘learning to do a cartwheel, riding a horse and inventing something rad.’ To be honest, unfortunately, this book wasn’t my kind of book. I enjoy books that have more action and more mystery in them. Although her lists were quite amusing and interesting, so I am glad I read it. Parents Note:  Judy Moody is a bestselling series about a funny and feisty young girl in Grade 3 and all the adventures and escapades she gets into.  Judy is precocious, moody and full of individuality and attitude. Peter Reynold’s illustrations and the easy writing style make this the perfect first chapter book series for 6-9 year olds.  There are 13 books in the series – the most well known is Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer which was made into a feature film. There is a companion series of books about Judy’s young brother, Stink which fans may love too. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

“Not everything makes sense, Zu. Sometimes things just happen,” says Suzy’s (Zu’s) mom when her best friend Franny dies from drowning.  Heartbroken and confused, 12 year old Suzy refuses to accept this and begins a journey to find out what could have caused her to drown.  The Thing about Jellyfish is a beautiful story of friendship, grief, forgiveness and acceptance. 

by Sarah Webb (Pan Macmillan) Guest reviewed by Eva Rose Agulnik (9) I liked The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin very much because it was interesting. It’s mainly about family and friendship. I think dolphins are beautiful and reading taught me a lot about how clever and amazing these creatures are. It makes me think that people should pay more attention to dolphins. This book made me really realise that (like Aurora without a mother) , it must be very difficult for children without any mothers. Also, if this were a true story, I would be amazed how Aurora got over her mom dying. I loved this book. I would like to read more in The Songbird Cafe Girls Books.   Parent’s Note: This is the third book in Sarah Webb’s heartwarming series about friendship and family, set on the fictional Cork island of Little Bird.  After the death of her mum, Aurora – nicknamed Rory – finds solace and healing in the fascinating world of dolphins.  When she bonds with a dolphin called Click she realises that all the dolphins are threatened by the use of dolphin nets.  She’s determined to do something to protect the dolphins and her friends at the Songbird Cafe are only too happy to help. The healing bond between animals and humans is beautifully explored. Perfect for readers aged 9 – 12. Find out about the other books in this lovely series here.   SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveShare this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

By Megan McDonald (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Lily Todes (Age 9) Judy Moody and the Bucket List was about a girl called Judy Moody. She had a grandmother who had a bucket list and Judy wants to create a bucket list of her own. A bucket list is a list of all the things people desire to do in their lives – things that they want to experience. Her bucket list has things like ‘learning to do a cartwheel, riding a horse and inventing something rad.’ To be honest, unfortunately, this book wasn’t my kind of book. I enjoy books that have more action and more mystery in them. Although her lists were quite amusing and interesting, so I am glad I read it. Parents Note:  Judy Moody is a bestselling series about a funny and feisty young girl in Grade 3 and all the adventures and escapades she gets into.  Judy is precocious, moody and full of individuality and attitude. Peter Reynold’s illustrations and the easy writing style make this the perfect first chapter book series for 6-9 year olds.  There are 13 books in the series – the most well known is Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer which was made into a feature film. There is a companion series of books about Judy’s young brother, Stink which fans may love too. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

By Lauren Wolk (Dutton Books) An award winning book about a young girl called Annabelle coming of age during the 2nd world war.  While the war rages on she deals with a much closer threat – another young girl who bullies and manipulates her way into their community and rips it apart. Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. Toby is a local vagabond of few words who has become something like a friend of Annabelle’s family. Betty’s violent malice only grows, until one day she goes missing. Toby immediately becomes the prime suspect in Betty’s disappearance and Annabelle is determined to prove Toby’s innocence.  The narrative is powerful and beautifully written and at times possibly too adult for young readers.  Some may find the story arc a little depressing – you’ll have to judge your child’s maturity levels. Life is not sugarcoated – there are pointlessly cruel people, courageously kind people, and those who simply pass the gossip. Brilliantly crafted, Wolf Hollow is a haunting and pertinent tale for all times that will make you think of To Kill A Mockingbird.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

The Word of Mouse is about a sky-blue mouse called Isaiah “whose life has been one big fright fest”. Isaiah gets separated from his family and has to find his way back.

Ellie is a puppy with a purpose. Trained as a search and rescue dog she will be able to track down a lost child in a forest or find an injured man in a burning building. She does this all – and more – when she finds a way to ‘rescue’ her handlers, the widowed Jakob and the lonely Maya.

What can one young girl do in the face of Islamophobia and ignorance? How do we work out what’s right and wrong in an increasingly complex world? One cold and misty morning Alix and Samir save a drowning man who turns out to be Muhammed – an undocumented Iraqi immigrant escaping torture and seeking asylum.

Just in time for Christmas look out for Elsa the Mistletoe Fairy. Rachel and Kirsty are looking forward to spending Christmas together but then Jack Frost gets up to his usual mischief and steals Elsa the Mistletoe Fairy’s magical objects.

The Rainbow Magic series of books is perfectly aimed to take your beginner reader through to a chapter book reader level. The safely predictable story lines all focus on the friendship between best friends Rachel and Kirsty and their adventures in fairy land and the mean goblin Jack Frost who is always looking to stir up trouble.

Nicholas and The Wild Ones is another Niki Daly delight – this time dealing with the eternal issue of bullying. It’s Nicholas’s first day at school and already he’s noticed the ‘wild ones’ a group of wild kids who do mean things and rule the school.

“Not everything makes sense, Zu. Sometimes things just happen,” says Suzy’s (Zu’s) mom when her best friend Franny dies from drowning.  Heartbroken and confused, 12 year old Suzy refuses to accept this and begins a journey to find out what could have caused her to drown.  The Thing about Jellyfish is a beautiful story of friendship, grief, forgiveness and acceptance. 

Who doesn’t love a unicorn?  Sophie Johnston: Unicorn Expert loves them so much she ‘owns’ 17 unicorns of her own. Or course there’s a lot of work involved in training them and looking after them but Sophie rises to the challenge with style.  But who’s that hiding in plain sight on every page?

This is about a 14 year old teenager who is desperately wanting to sort his life out because everything is going wrong. He wants to kiss a girl before the end of the year and he also wants to get revenge on a bully who gives him a very rough time. This book is the funniest book I have ever read.

Written by Gary D Schmidt (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Aimee (13) Orbiting Jupiter is a heartwarming story about a teenage boy called Joseph, who has a baby. Joseph moves in with a foster family but all he can think about is meeting his daughter. The story is told from the viewpoint of Jack, his foster brother. As Joseph tells him all about Madeleine, the girl he loves, we learn more about how Joseph came to be such a young father. Joseph also explains why he was a troublemaker at all his old schools. There is a story that goes around that he tried to kill his teacher and this could make you judge him but then you learn the circumstances. This book is about a journey with a 14 year old boy, a foster family and new characters along the way. One of the main themes is brotherhood and love. I found this story page turning and exciting. It was hard to read as it was sad but beautiful. It is for an older audience (13 and above) because it has difficult and mature themes. Orbiting Jupiter is one for your bookshelves. Parent note: The book deals with teenage pregnancy and abusive fathers and is better for more mature young readers.  That said, it is beautifully written and it deals sensitively with these issues, impressing that you should never judge someone until you know their story. Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

“All evening the North wind roared.” These evocative words set the atmosphere for the story about the night Harry and his family hole up inside while a storm roars around them.

Oi Frog! is a fun rhyming caper though all the places animals sit.  It starts with Frog saying he does not want to do what everyone tells him to and sit on a log. He wants to sit on a sofa. As you do.  

What a delightful, happy little book by South African author Jenny Hatton.  Swimming in the Sun follows a typical day at the beach with glorious illustrations by Joan Rankin.

We’re dotty about this wipe-clean book for little ones.  Dot-to-dots are brilliant for hand-eye co-ordination (that magic word) and they also help kids see the connection between lines making a bigger picture.

by Sarah Webb (Pan Macmillan) Guest reviewed by Eva Rose Agulnik (9) I liked The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin very much because it was interesting. It’s mainly about family and friendship. I think dolphins are beautiful and reading taught me a lot about how clever and amazing these creatures are. It makes me think that people should pay more attention to dolphins. This book made me really realise that (like Aurora without a mother) , it must be very difficult for children without any mothers. Also, if this were a true story, I would be amazed how Aurora got over her mom dying. I loved this book. I would like to read more in The Songbird Cafe Girls Books.   Parent’s Note: This is the third book in Sarah Webb’s heartwarming series about friendship and family, set on the fictional Cork island of Little Bird.  After the death of her mum, Aurora – nicknamed Rory – finds solace and healing in the fascinating world of dolphins.  When she bonds with a dolphin called Click she realises that all the dolphins are threatened by the use of dolphin nets.  She’s determined to do something to protect the dolphins and her friends at the Songbird Cafe are only too happy to help. The healing bond between animals and humans is beautifully explored. Perfect for readers aged 9 – 12. Find out about the other books in this lovely series here.   SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveShare this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

By Megan McDonald (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Lily Todes (Age 9) Judy Moody and the Bucket List was about a girl called Judy Moody. She had a grandmother who had a bucket list and Judy wants to create a bucket list of her own. A bucket list is a list of all the things people desire to do in their lives – things that they want to experience. Her bucket list has things like ‘learning to do a cartwheel, riding a horse and inventing something rad.’ To be honest, unfortunately, this book wasn’t my kind of book. I enjoy books that have more action and more mystery in them. Although her lists were quite amusing and interesting, so I am glad I read it. Parents Note:  Judy Moody is a bestselling series about a funny and feisty young girl in Grade 3 and all the adventures and escapades she gets into.  Judy is precocious, moody and full of individuality and attitude. Peter Reynold’s illustrations and the easy writing style make this the perfect first chapter book series for 6-9 year olds.  There are 13 books in the series – the most well known is Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer which was made into a feature film. There is a companion series of books about Judy’s young brother, Stink which fans may love too. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Do you wish there were more books about kick-ass female role models to share with your kids? Superwoman is all well and good but Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is the real deal. Real women doing extraordinary and inspiring things.

Long journeys and lazy holidays are always easier with one of the Where’s Wally? Activity Books. Look out for the latest additions to this super successful series – Where’s Wally? Takes Flight and Where’s Wally? At Sea.

A beautiful, soulful baby book about the magnificence of each child, who is born with a sparkling glimmering crown of ‘moonlight, fireflies and dragonfly wings’ on their heads – their souls.

Making art fun is Marion Deuchars’ calling. Her range of Let’s make Great Art books inspire creativity, design and art for people of all ages. Making place mat art is just what it sounds like – fun activities that can be made at the dinner table.

Eric Carle’s lovely illustrations make the perfect Christmas counting story. Starting from 1 Father Christmas and ending with 10 presents, this is a cute way to introduce Christmas ideas and counting for little ones.

If you have a Minecraft fan in the house this is a great gift compilation of four bestselling handbooks, including the Essential Handbook, Redstone Handbook, Combat Handbook, and Construction Handbook.

Little Louie is so excited to tell his story but nothing goes as planned. From jelly to chunky peanut butter falling on his head, Louie keeps on, admirably trying to get his story across. Kids will learn that no matter what happens, persevering cheerfully is what’s important, not finishing perfectly.

This charming Dr Seuss-inspired rhyming book about a little girl who likes herself no matter what is the perfect gift to encourage a little self-love. The heroine is a little girl who lists all the ways she likes herself no matter what she looks like and no matter what anyone thinks of her.

One of my children’s favourite things is to pore over The Guinness Book of Records and read out some of the most bizarre and ridiculous things people do to make a record. They love the sports records and amazing achievements humans have made. And inevitably they pore over the Extreme bodies section and giggle and gasp.

An absolute must-have for any child’s library – the tale of a father and his three children going on a bear hunt ticks all the boxes. Beautiful, whimsical illustrations by award winning Helen Oxbury. A clever funny and slightly scary interpretation by Micheal Rosen and a delightfully theatrical chorus: “we can’t go over it, we can’t go under it, oh no we’ll have to go through it!”

Nicholas and The Wild Ones is another Niki Daly delight – this time dealing with the eternal issue of bullying. It’s Nicholas’s first day at school and already he’s noticed the ‘wild ones’ a group of wild kids who do mean things and rule the school.

The series offers a very clever way of getting children to discuss emotions and personality types and how we need all types in the world. In each story the character is given a challenge – Little Miss Sunshine comes across Miseryland – she is reprimanded for breaking all the rules and when she asks why people aren’t allowed to smile and laugh she’s told because that’s the rule!

When 12-year-old Rusty returns home to England after being evacuated to America during the Second World War, she has a dismal welcome. Five years is a long time and she no longer remembers her home country – everything really has been bigger and better in America.

Little Louie is so excited to tell his story but nothing goes as planned. From jelly to chunky peanut butter falling on his head, Louie keeps on, admirably trying to get his story across. Kids will learn that no matter what happens, persevering cheerfully is what’s important, not finishing perfectly.

A little girl grows up with huge excitement about learning to read. Her grandfather takes a book and pours honey over it, telling her that knowledge is sweet, but to get to the sweetness, she has to read through the book. When she gets to grade 1 she is puzzled that the other children move on to other readers while she stays stuck on the beginning reader.

Spud 2 takes place in 1991, when Spud is attending his second year of high school at an elite boarding school in the Natal Midlands. The book juggles between Spud’s privileged boarding school and his small stuffy suburban house in Durban, where he lives with his mom and dad.

Freak. Bully. When Miriam Fisher enters Grade 7 her life becomes unbearable. Tormented by a group of popular girls, ridiculed for having a small bust and for saying what she thinks and being a little ‘weird’, Miriam finds herself pushed to breaking point.

Considering he drew the designs for some of the objects we now use most often, Leonardo da Vinci is the perfect inventor/artist to introduce to your children. This beautiful book showcases six great inventions from flying machines to architecture, hydraulic power to mechanical inventions, war machines and a mechanical man.

This delightful book was lent to us by a friend and we hardly wanted to give it back. Katie and her grandma visit the art gallery for her grandma’s birthday. Katie is gazing at a picture of The Luncheon by Claude Monet when she spies a garden in the backdrop.

It’s Junie B Jones’ first day in Grade 0 and she has to ride on a bus. She manages to get to school but when it’s home time she decides there’s no way she’s repeating that experience – so she hides in the school until everyone leaves.

My Cape Town ABC is a treasure trove of all things Cape. Parents will enjoy being reminded of some of the history of Cape Town and the surrounding areas, while kids will learn new words, including uniquely South African words, such as koeksister and Zeekoevlei.

This humorous diary of what wombat did with her day will have little kids laughing out loud. Monday: Morning: Slept. Afternoon: Slept. Evening: Ate grass. Scratched. Night: Ate grass. Slept. By Wednesday the gorgeously lazy little wombat is starting to interact with humans and their home: ‘fought a major battle with a flat, hairy creature’ which is in reality a door mat, ‘and won the battle’ and by Sunday she’s demanding rolled oats and observing: ‘Am constantly amazed how dumb humans can be.’

This is not a guidebook, states the opening page. It’s more of an introduction to everything London is famous for and everything your child will probably be fascinated by. From the Royals to the punks, Jack the Ripper to The Great Plague, The London Eye to the huge cultural mix that makes up modern day London, its an entertaining and easy read that should be looked through before you travel so that you can refer back to things you’ve read.

This retro style introduction to famous cities like New York, Paris and London gets huge points for its artistic style. Follow a mother and her daughter as they take a tour of London, hopping on a red bus, stopping over at the main sightseeing attractions and learning little bits of interesting info on them.

This interactive book for little ones introduces them to the highlights of London, from the Tower Brigdge that moves up and down, the tube with doors that open and close, The London Eye that spins around, and Buckingham palace where the royal family wave regally.