Book Reviews
See our latest book reviews and search for all previous reviews. We’ll be adding more over the coming months, so check back to see if your favourite book has been reviewed by us.
Peace and Me
Ali Winter, illus. Mickaël El Fathi
Peace and Me focuses on 12 women and men who received the Nobel Peace Prize, describes their stories and explains the reasons behind their nomination.
Tomorrow
Nadine Kaadan
This picture book focuses on the isolating impact of war on Syrian children, who are forced to always stay at home because the once safe and fun world outside has changed to a place of danger.
The King of Nothing
Raúl Nieto Guridi, transl. Saul Endor
The King of Nothing is about abstract concepts: stubbornness, imagination and the very nature of existence. With its witty text and beguiling illustrations, this picture book honours the absurd in a way that marks it as a true one-off.
The colours of history
Clive Gifford, illus. Marc-Etienne Peintre
A fascinating illustrated introduction to aspects of the role of colour in history.
Grandad Mandela
Zazi Ziwelene and Zindzi Mandela, illus. Sean Qualls
A story told in sounds and pictures from a versatile Italian illustrator. The mellow colours of the crayon illustrations bring reassurance and comfort as little croc goes to playgroup for the first time.
What does the crocodile say?
Eva Montanari
A story told in sounds and pictures from a versatile Italian illustrator. The mellow colours of the crayon illustrations bring reassurance and comfort as little croc goes to playgroup for the first time.
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me
Eloise Greenfield, illus. Ehsan Abdollahi
Pleasant poems about young Jace and his dog Thinker, which thread their way between fantasy and reality.
The Curious Lobster
Richard Warren Hatch, illus. Marion Freeman Wakeman
Once again the New York Review of Books Children’s Collection widens our horizons! The latest addition to their dozen or so titles is a collection of all of Richard W. Hatch’s Mr Lobster stories, originally published in the US in two books in 1935 and 1939, and here complete with the distinctive illustrations which Marion Freeman Wakeman created for them.
Riding a Donkey Backwards. Wise and foolish tales of Mulla Nasruddin
Sean Taylor & Khayaal Theatre, illus. Shirin Adl
Mulla Nasruddin is riding his donkey backwards while his donkey snatches a pomegranate, perhaps, on the sly. We must run outside to meet this funny character with his imposing beard and turban. So open the book...
15 things not to do with a puppy
Margaret McAllister, illus. Holly Sterling
What to do when a new member of the family arrives? No, not a baby, though this is a frequent theme in picture books – but a puppy? This is indeed a situation that many families will face and it is one that does need addressing.
Rusty the Squeaky Robot
Neil Clark
Rusty, the little robot on Planet Robotin, is unhappy. Wherever he goes, whatever he does, he squeaks. How can he enjoy life when he is unhappy with himself?
Is it a mermaid?
Candy Gourlay, illus. Francesca Chessa
When Benji and Bel meet a strange creature on the beach, what can it be? The creature states with confidence she is a mermaid. Benji with equal confidence knows it is a Dugong. Who is right? Or can you be two things at the same time?