There’s such a tremendous range of books available for children that we’re spoilt for choice. However, finding the best and most suitable books on our own isn’t always easy. We’ve asked our reviewers – professionals in the genre of children’s books – to give us some good leads. We hope you enjoy some of their suggested top reads. Happy reading!
This section includes chapter books for children who have a newly acquired grasp on reading skills. These kids need stories with language that is not too challenging, but with enough interest to foster a long-term love of books that comes from practising their reading skills.
Edited by Barbara Else Illustrated by Phillip Webb Random House, 2011 Hardback $29.99 This is a collection of stories about something important to everyone – friends. Not just school friends, or best friends, but people who start as definitely not being your friend (Cowardly Cushla by Feana Tu’akoi), or a squishy space creature as big [...]
By Peter Millett Illustrated by Steve May Faber and Faber, 2011 Paperback, $15.99 Charlie Applejack is Junior Superhero of the Year, but during the award ceremony it’s announced that General Pandemonium, Charlie’s arch enemy, has escaped from jail. The General plans to use special cupcakes to gain world domination – cakes that will make whoever [...]
By Aleesah Darlison Illustrated by Jill Brailsford Walker Books 2011 Paperback $7.50 This is the first in a series sure to lure girls beginning to read on their own. The four riders, Quinn, Willow, Krystal and Ellabeth, each have special talents, as do their unicorns. They are trained as trick riders by their leader, Jala, [...]
By Leonie Agnew Scholastic, 2011 ISBN 9781869439996 Paperback $19.50 Finn is always in trouble at school. When the teacher asks what they want to be when they grow up Finn chooses “superhero”, even though it’s not a proper job. He’s going to have to do a great job on his project or he’ll be kept [...]
By Anna Branford Illustrated by Sarah Davis Walker Books Australia, 2011 ISBN 9781921529184 Hardback $24.99 Violet Mackerel is having her tonsils out and she not very happy about it, although she is tempted by the ice-cream and the possibility that she’ll have a new voice after it’s done – she quite fancies being an opera [...]
By Elizabeth Pulford Illustrated by Philip Webb Scholastic, 2011 ISBN 9781869439668 Paperback $16.50 Hopeless Sir Omelet is on a quest to save his sister, Lady Eggwena. Morris the Magician says they must find a dragon’s toenail, an empty baked bean tin and the egg of the Rotten bird if they are to have any hope [...]
By Janice Marriott Mallinson Rendel 2009 ISBN 9781877423253 Paperback $18 Sequel to Chute Thru. Arlo is invited to go to space to show the scientists his inventions. He thinks he’s in for fame and fortune but when he gets there people try to steal his inventions, and he finds out what a bad state the [...]
By Fleur Beale Illustrated by Phillip Webb Mallinson Rendell 2009 ISBN 9781877423284 Paperback $15.00 Quin and his family are always in trouble on Tidy Street, where there are strict rules about how to look and behave. Fred Smart wants to be friends with Quin, though his mother disapproves, but when Fred’s dad gets stuck on [...]
By Kyle Mewburn Illustrated by Heath McKenzie Little Hare Books 2009 ISBN 9781921272769 Paperback $12.99 Pop Hooper drives a crazy truck and promises to provide the perfect pet. Flyn wants a fierce guard dog to protect him from the school bullies. Pop asks Flyn to look after a fat little lapdog called Pumpkin, with a [...]
By Raymond Huber Walker Books Australia 2009 $16.99 (Pb) Ziggy is a feisty little bee who doesn’t fit in at the hive. During his adventures, he is kidnapped for a human military experiment, meets wild bees and bumblebees and fights wasps and killer bees. An exciting story full of information and some brave characters who [...]
