BOOK REVIEW: There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers Harper Collins October 2021 Hardcover, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Picture Book / Mixed Media / Pantomime 85% Rocking A captivating new picture book with interactive transparent pages, from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers. Hello, come in. Maybe you can help me? A young girl […]
BOOK REVIEW: The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon and Phil Lesnie Lothian Children’s Books September 2021 Hardcover, $26.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Diversity 78% Rocking A lyrical and moving story inspired by the people who see the world differently, from the award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow and Wisp. With the […]
BOOK REVIEW: Where’s Wally? Santa Spotlight Search by Martin Handford Walker Books September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Classic Collection / Picture Search 70% Rocking The spotlight search is back with a fabulous festive edition! Use the paper spotlight-searcher as a magic torch to illuminate six scenes buzzing with […]
BOOK REVIEW: Wandi by Favel Parrett Lothian Children’s Books September 2021 Hardcover, $19.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Australian Animal / Children’s Fiction / True Stories 90% Rocking A young cub is snatched from his family and home by a giant eagle, then dropped, injured and alone, in a suburban garden. This is where he meets […]
BOOK REVIEW: The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature by Sami Bayly Lothian Children’s Books September 2021 Hardcover, $32.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Young Reader Encyclopaedia / Non-Fiction / Animal Art / Natural History 85% Rocking Come along for another fresh take on the animal kingdom from bestselling author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. Discover […]
BOOK REVIEW: A Cornucopia of Fruit and Vegetables by Caroline Ball Bodleian Library May 2021 Hardcover, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Botanical Art / History 65% Rocking Plump apricots, juicy mangoes, crisp lettuce. We’re used to seeing close-up photographs of beautiful fruits and vegetables in cookbooks and garden guides. But these detailed illustrations of fruit […]
BOOK REVIEW: Lily Takes a Walk by Satoshi Kitamura Scallywag Press September 2021 Hardcover, $22.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Modern Reprinting 55% Rocking When Lily takes a walk with her dog, Nicky, she notices many lovely things. But poor Nicky only sees monsters lurking at every turn… A charming book for […]
BOOK REVIEW: What’s Eating the Universe? by Paul Davies Allen Lane | Penguin Books September 2021 Hardcover, $35.00 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Science / Astrophysics / Cosmology / Particle Physics 85% Rocking Combining the latest scientific advances with storytelling skills unmatched in the cosmos, an award-winning astrophysicist and popular writer leads us on a tour […]
BOOK REVIEW: PrankLab – Practical science pranks you and your victim can learn from by Wade David Fairclough, Chris Ferrie, Byrne Laginestra Sourcebooks Explore June 2021 Paperback, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell STEM / Children’s Non-Fiction / Humour / PopScience 97% Rocking Age range 9 to 12 Learn about science while performing fun and hilarious […]
BOOK REVIEW: Dulcinea In The Forbidden Forest by Ole Könnecke Gecko Press September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Translated / Beginner Readers / Early Reader Chapter Book 70% Rocking A funny illustrated fairy tale for early readers about the brave and capable Dulcinea, who must save her father from […]
BOOK REVIEW: Plan B by Shannah Kennedy Penguin Life July 2021 Paperback, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Non-Fiction / Self-Help / Motivational 95% Rocking Shannah Kennedy, bestselling author of The Life Plan, takes you on a journey to accept change, heal, reset and move forward with clarity, direction and purpose once again. Change can turn […]
BOOK REVIEW: The Story of Us by Michael Wagner & Beck Feiner ABC Books September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Record Books / Non-Fiction / Family History 85% Rocking Every family has their stories … An heirloom in the making. Remember the time when Mum … How about when Dad found the … […]
BOOK REVIEW: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with Tom de Freston Orion / Hachette Children’s Books September 2021 Hardcover, $19.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Middle Grade / Adventure / Mental Health 90% Rocking A captivating, powerful and luminous story from a bestselling, award-winning author about a mother, a daughter and the great […]
BOOK REVIEW: Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke Hodder Studio September 2021 Paperback, $22.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Science Fiction / Dark Humour / Satire 88% Rocking Is it still WFH when you’re now just binary code? Whilst working on a spreadsheet for a New York-based PR firm, Gerald has his consciousness uploaded into […]
BOOK REVIEW: Slow Down… And Sleep Tight by Rachel Williams, Illustrated by Freya Hartas Magic Cat September 2021 Hardcover, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Relaxation / Mindfulness 65% Rocking The sun is getting low, and moon is on her way. It’s time to slow things down… and hug this lovely day. […]
BOOK REVIEW: Ada and the Galaxies by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv, illustrated by Susanna Chapman Mit Kids Press September 2021 Hardcover, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Books / Space / Educational 75% Rocking Stargazers rejoice! In his first book for children, renowned physicist Alan Lightman and collaborators, with help from the […]
BOOK REVIEW: My First 100 Dinosaur Words by Chris Ferrie, pictures by Lindsay Dale-Scott Sourcebooks eXplore August 2021 Paperback, $12.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Baby Books / Non-Fiction / Science 90% Rocking Age range 0 to 3 Introduce your little genius to the essential first words related to all things dinosaurs! From the #1 bestselling […]
BOOK REVIEW: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury Michael Joseph | Penguin Books September 2021 Hardcover, $29.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Philosophy / Buddhism / Self Help 95% Rocking The charming, illustrated story of two friends, who travel through the seasons sharing the lessons they learn on their way; the perfect gift […]
BOOK REVIEW: The Curse of the Vampire Robot by Graeme Base Angus & Robertson September 2021 Hardcover, $24.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Children’s Picture Book / Humour 100% Rocking Deep in the Scottish Highlands, Many years from now … Gertie Gif, a lowly cleaning droid from the village of Loch Lan, sets out on an […]
BOOK REVIEW: Nelson 3 – Eggplants and Dinosaurs by Andrew Levins, illustrated by Katie Kear Puffin Books August 2021 Paperback, $12.99 Reviewed by Steph O’Connell Middle Grade / Humour 65% Rocking The third book in the totally outrageous adventures of Nelson Hunter – the boy who hates vegetables. Featuring a serious spy mystery and an […]
