In a world of digital, well, everything, there’s nothing better than curling up somewhere comfortable with books – whatever your age.
There are so many great quotes encouraging us to pick up a book. CS Lewis stated “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough” and we couldn’t agree more. Groucho Marx joked that he found television very educating – “Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book”. And Ernest Hemingway put it plainly when he said, “There is no friend as loyal as a book”.
Whatever your preferred genre, it’s important to instill a love of books in our youngest children so they grow up to be avid readers.
Here are some of the latest releases that might suit your mini bookworms…
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT TOO by Karl Newson
These children and animals are all very different to each other. Some are big, some are small. Some are gentle, some are rough. Everyone is playful, but who’s the best at hiding? One thing’s certain: they all love a good bedtime story! With its humorous introduction to comparisons and opposites, this is the perfect picture book for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world. For ages 3-6, $24.99
DEAR GRANDPA by Kate Simpson and Ronojoy Ghosh
This picture book is about the special relationship between a boy and his grandfather who stay close even when they are separated by distance. As Henry measures the distance between his new apartment and Grandpa’s wooden house under the mango tree, Grandpa works out how close they really are. A moving story that celebrates the bond between a boy and his grandfather and a perfect book for those children who live away from their extended family. For ages 4 and up, $24.99
ELLA AND THE OCEAN by Lian Tanner and Jonathan Bentley
Ella lived in the red-dirt country where the earth was as dry as old bones and it hadn’t rained for years and years and years. One night, Ella dreamt of the ocean. This is a very Australian story of drought and renewal, of family, imagination and the power of hope. In a local twist, Jonathan Bentley has illustrated books for Margaret Wild, The Wiggles and Andrew Daddo as well as illustrating ‘Ella and The Ocean’. Jonathan lives here in Brisbane. For ages 4-6, $24.99
ARGH! THERE’S A SKELETON INSIDE YOU! by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
Quog and Oort are on their way to Kevin’s birthday party. Unfortunately, there’s been a slight detour. Their spaceship has crash-landed. If only someone could lend them a hand. A highly-entertaining and interactive picture book about two party-going aliens that also explores the scientific concept of biomechanics and the anatomy of the human hand. For ages 4-8, $19.99
SOUNDS OF NATURE: WORLD OF OCEANS by Rob Hunter
Travel the world with the Sounds of Nature series and press the note on each page to hear over 60 separate marine animal sounds, exploring 10 habitats as you go. You’ll hear the squawk of penguins in the Antarctic, the squeaks of dolphins in the Pacific Ocean and the splash of a great white shark leaping out of the water to seize a seal. Learn fascinating facts about the animals who live in these amazing places, then use the number key to listen out for each one when you press the note. For ages 5-7, $27.99
SAVED!!! by Lydia Williams
Little Lydia loves sport. She lives in the outback and is friends with all the animals. When she asks Emu, Kangaroo and Koala to play sport with her, she soon discovers that each of them has a special talent. But does Lydia have a gift for sport too? And if she does, how will she discover it? An inspiring celebration of self-belief, the joy to be had in sport, and the importance of persistence. It’s written Lydia Williams – an Indigenous Australian soccer player who is the first-choice goalkeeper for the Australian Matildas and for Melbourne City in the W-league 2019. For ages 5-8, $19.99
NO BALLET SHOES IN SYRIA by Catherine Bruton
Aya is 11 years old and has just arrived in Britain seeking asylum from the war in Syria. In a local ballet class, a teacher spots Aya’s talent and believes she has the potential to earn a prestigious scholarship. But Aya and her family must fight to remain in the country, and to find Aya’s father separated from them during the journey from Syria. With wonderfully authentic ballet detail and an important message championing the rights of refugees, this is classic storytelling filled with warmth, hope and humanity. For ages 10 and up, $14.99
