Tuesday 30 September 2014

How Exciting! A New Blog!





Guess what?!

After writing nothing but book reviews for months (and then nothing at all for months), I have finally started a new blog purely for children's book reviews.

It is called Bliss Amongst Books, and you can find it here!

So for all things 'chaos', stay tuned right here, but for all book reviews, please pop on over to my new site.


Thanks heaps! I'll see you back here real soon!







Tracey ♥














Thursday 13 February 2014

Children's Book Review: The Duck Song, by Bryant Oden.





Very rarely does a children's book come along that absolutely makes my day. Well, I am here to tell you that The Duck Song, written by Bryant Oden, has done exactly that!

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge lover of children's books, and there are so many beautiful children's stories that are an absolute delight to read. My two boys and I love story time every night before they go to bed, and never a night goes by without them asking for another one, after having already been read two or three.

 The Duck Song however, is in a category all of it's own.

Put simply, it is the funniest children's book I've ever read! 

The three of us were laughing hysterically, and I had tears pouring down my face, unable to keep reading until I had calmed down a little. My husband, who afterwards had to read it to see what all the fuss was about, also couldn't keep the stupid grin off his face!

A duck goes up to a man running a lemonade stand and asks for some grapes. Of course the man only has lemonade, but the duck isn't to be deterred. His persistence, however frustrating for the man, eventually pays off. 

Or so you think!




Colourfully illustrated by Forrest Whaley, the book comes with a free CD of three duck songs. Personally, I prefer to just read the book without the CD as I like to do my own duck voice.... (what the?).... but my boys listen to the songs over and over again.

The Duck Song is an incredibly silly, funny book that will have you in stitches.

A definite must read!






Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Category: Picture book
Title: The Duck Song + CD
Author: Bryant Oden
Illustrator: Forrest Whaley
Publication date: February 2014
Format: 250 x 240 mm
Extent: 24pp
Age: 4+
Australian RRP: $16.99
Binding: Paperback
Printing: Colour
ISBN: 978 1 74362 297 1







Tracey ♥














Thursday 19 December 2013

Children's Book Review: My Christmas Crackers, by Bronwen Davies.



My Christmas Crackers is a Christmas joke book for kids. 

Written and illustrated by Bronwen Davies, it has jokes from Santa to snowmen, and just about everything Christmassy in between!

I have to admit that I first thought most of the jokes in this book are a bit lame, but both of my boys laughed their heads off reading it. And, after reading one particular joke, I laughed so hard I nearly wet myself! That my friends, is no joke....pardon the pun!







All in all, I think Scholastic Australia are on a bit of a winner with this one!


Perfect for that last minute gift for a young someone! 





Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Category: Picture book
Title: My Christmas Crackers
Author/Illustrator: Bronwen Davies
Publication Date: November 2013
Format: 173 x 231 mm
Extent: 48pp
Age: Pre-school
Australian RRP: $9.99
Binding: Hardback
Printing: Colour
ISBN: 978 1 74283 958 5








Tracey ♥









Saturday 2 November 2013

Children's Book Review: A Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas, by May Gibbs.





May Gibbs' Gumnut Babies are back, and this time with a Christmas story that is sure to delight!

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are preparing for Christmas. They have only one day left and suddenly Cuddlepie realises he has left something very important off his list. Snugglepot's present!

Does he have time to find something special?





Once again written by Mark MacLeod, May Gibbs' timeless characters come to life in a brand new adventure.

Royalties go to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Northcott Society charities.






Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Category: Picture Book
Title: A Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas
Author: Mark MacLeod
Illustrator: May Gibbs
Publication date: October 2013
Format: 250 x 240 mm
Extent: 24pp
Age: 3+
Australian RRP: $19.99
Binding: Hardback
Printing: Colour
ISBN: 978 1 74283 022 3









Tracey ♥









Wednesday 30 October 2013

Children's Book Review: Where's Santa? Around The World, by Louis Shea




It is that time of year again, when all of the Christmas books start to be released, and the first one is a doozy! 

From the creator of the best-selling Where's Santa? comes a brand new look-and-find book with hundreds of things to find, and this time it also includes comic-strip illustrations that tell Santa'a story!

In Where's Santa? Around the world, Santa is off on a well deserved, relaxing trip after a very busy Christmas period. Unbeknownst to him, he is being followed by the world's naughtiest child, Nat, who is trying to steal Santa's naughty-and-nice list.

Will she succeed?




Follow Santa on his holiday, from Australia to New York City, and other amazing places in between. 

Giggle your way through all the colourful characters as you find the items listed for each individual country, as well as Santa, Mrs Claus, Naughty Nat and others who can be found at every stop.

Where's Santa? Around the World is both written and illustrated by Louis Shea, whose books have sold over 200,000 copies in Australia.

With so many things to find, it will keep children entertained for ages.




Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Category: Picture book
Title: Where's Santa? Around the World
Author/Illustrator: Louis Shea
Publication date: October 2013
Format: 300 x 235 mm
Extent: 24pp
Age: 5+
Australian RRP: $15.99
Binding: Hardcover
Printing: Colour
ISBN: 978 1 74283 685 0







Tracey ♥















Saturday 12 October 2013

Children's Book Review: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie's Sleepover, by May Gibbs




Here is a book I forgot to review back in August, and I feel awful about that as it really does deserve a mention!

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie's Sleepover is a new story in the Gumnut Babies series, from one of Australia's best loved authors and illustrators, May Gibbs.

 I remember reading the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie books back when I was a child, and now the timeless characters are being introduced to a whole new generation.

In this new adventure, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are helping Mrs Koala organise a sleepover. But when Mrs Kookaburra overhears and decides to send her six chicks along as well, they wonder if they're going to fit everyone in! Luckily there's more than enough room and it becomes a case of the more the merrier!




Written by Mark Macleod, with the classic illustrations of May Gibbs, this new tale will delight both adult lovers of the series, as well as children discovering it for the first time.



Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Category: Picture Book
Title: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie's Sleepover
Author: Mark Macleod
Illustrator: May Gibbs
Publication date: August 2013
Format: 250 x 240 mm
Extent: 24pp
Age: 3+
Australian RRP: $19.99
Binding: Hardback
Printing: Colour
ISBN: 978 1 74283 021 6






Tracey ♥













Friday 11 October 2013

Children's Book Review: What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween?, by Heath McKenzie




If your family is a fan of Halloween, then this new book from Scholastic Press will be right up your spooky, kooky alley!

Have you ever wondered what all the ghouls, ghosts and other scary creatures do for the rest of the year, once Halloween is over?

What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? will shed some gloomy light on the subject for you.

Whether it's Vampires, Mummies, Skeletons or Witches, when November 1st comes around they have to find something else to do to occupy their time. 




But what about Werewolves?

Well, they might be doing something you least expect......



Written and illustrated by Heath McKenzie, What do Werewolves do when it's not Halloween? is a funny Halloween treat for the whole family.




Publisher: Scholastic Press
Category: Picture Book
Author/Illustrator: Heath McKenzie
Publication Date: October 2013
Format: 250 x 240 mm
Extent: 24 pages
Age: 4+
Australian RRP: $14.99
Binding: Paperback
Printing: Mono
ISBN: 978 1 74283 879 3







Tracey ♥














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