334. The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Published December 2012 Macmillan

From the publisher:
The breathtakingly beautiful story of one little girl and her six paper dolls. A string of paper dolls go on a fantastical adventure through the house and out into the garden. They soon escape the clutches of the toy dinosaur and the snapping jaws of the oven-glove crocodile, but then a very real pair of scissors threatens.

Fans of Julia Donaldson will rejoice that she has a new book out, a great book to share with the little people in your life. It’s a story about imagination and memories and the joys of being young.  It’s a book that will make parents and adults think back to the things that made them happy when they were young.  I am also a fan of Rebecca Cobb, after reading her wonderful Missing Mummy and Lunchtime (which I didn’t write about), so the pairing of two stars is a real treat for me.

320. Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long

Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
Published September 2012

From the publisher:
Feast your eyes on a sumptuous reimagining of the Christmas carol beloved around the world. Each day brings a new gift, and just like the verses of the song, all of the earlier gifts are repeated – and hidden on every page. Search for golden rings, turtle doves, and all the rest, secretly tucked into the breathtaking artwork. Look closely. Can you find them all?

Laurel Long's magnificent style makes this exquisite volume a Christmas treasure that will be cherished by the whole family for years to come.

Here in Adelaide we have had the Christmas Pageant, and that means it’s not too early for a Christmas book.  I have been wanting to have a rave about this book since I first saw it a couple of months ago, but it felt wrong to start talking Christmas in September.

313. Footsteps through the Fog by Margaret Mahy illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Footsteps through the Fog by Margaret Mahy illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Published October 2012 Puffin

From the publisher:

Unlike her brothers and sisters, Anthea cannot see, so when they all go to the beach one day, their mother tells them to take care of her.  While they are all playing on the sand, a thick fog rolls in from the ocean. Suddenly it's up to Anthea to get everyone home safely Written by the legendary Margaret Mahy and with artwork by master illustrator Gavin Bishop, this is a beautifully told story that will give readers young and old a new perspective on blindness.
Mahy and Bishop have both donated their royalties for this project to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

This book is just wonderful, but I wouldn't have expected anything less from Margaret Mahy.  Through this book we can experience a world where, without sight, we can 'see' the world in a completely different way.

306. Nighttime Ninja by Barbara Da Costa with art by Ed Young

Nighttime Ninja by Barbara Da Costa with art by Ed Young
Published October 2012 Little Brown

From the publisher:
Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house in search of treasure. Soon he reaches his ultimate goal...and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission With spare text and lush illustrations, Nighttime Ninja is a fun, adventure-filled story about the power of play and imagination.

I know we probably shouldn’t say that certain books are good for boys, and certain books are good for girls.  All books are for everyone, regardless of gender.  That’s a good theory, but when a pink sparkly picture book is published, there is no doubt as to its intended audience.  I find that there are few picture books that are real 'boy' books, and that’s one of the reasons I like Nighttime Ninja so much.

303. Safari: A Photicular book Created by Dan Kainen and Written by Carol Kaufman

Safari: A Photicular book Created by Dan Kainen and Written by Carol Kaufman

Published October 2012 Workman

From the publisher:

Imagine a field guide to all the animals you'd encounter on an African safari, but instead of looking at a photograph of them in the book you're reading, you're actually seeing a small film clip on the page of the animal in motion. It's a "PhoticularTM Book" - a lenticular-based technology that transfers fluid 4-color movies onto a book page. Why just read about the way a cheetah can run up to 60mph when you can actually watch him running, too? It's like having a coffee table book come to life in your hands. Featuring eight gorgeous animals (cheetah, rhino, elephant, giraffe, gazelle, zebra, gorilla, and lion), "Safari: A PhoticularTM Book" is full of the information you'd expect to hear from a real safari tour guide about each animal - plus an evocative first-person essay about the safari experience by nature writer and safari traveller, Carol Kaufmann. This spectacular book of "motion pictures" will leave you breathless.

Ok, so I had been told that this book was going to be amazing, but I have seen amazing books before.  The scanimation titles by Rufus Butler Seder were amazing and unique, and I loved them.  Today I have been knocked over by this new book that uses Photicular technology.

300. The Land of Neverbelieve Explored and Documented by Norman Messenger

The Land of Neverbelieve Explored and Documented by Norman Messenger
Published October 2012 Walker

From the publisher:
On setting foot on the island I was immediately spellbound. There could be nowhere else on Earth quite like this. Such trees, plants, creatures and intriguing people you would never believe. This was a place I had to explore and record. When Norman Messenger stumbled upon the Island of Neverbelieve, he couldn't quite believe his eyes: here was a world where chocolate grew on trees, mountains told stories, and fish flew in the sky at night. Here is your chance to explore the delights of the island from the Hamlet and the Flowering Meadow to the Magical Lake and the Spooky Dark Mountains.


This is my favourite kind of book, the kind of book that doesn't really fit into any genre.  It's not a picture book because it's not a story.  It's set out like a non fiction title, a documented account of a particular island and the animals that can be found there, but it's not a non fiction title because the land of Neverbelieve doesn't actually exist.  So while I love this book, my book selling side knows that it will be difficult to sell...not everyone can appreciate a book for being 'what it is', especially when 'what it is' doesn't 'fit' anywhere.

299. Today We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin illustrated by Anna Walker

Today We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin illustrated by Anna Walker
Published September 2012 Penguin Viking

From the publisher:

A busy week, a slower day Brings time to dream and time to play.

From the creators of the much-loved All Through the Year comes a journey through a week in the life of an Australian family, celebrating those precious days that have no plans.

The title of this book captures my very favourite kind of day.  I am, at heart, a homebody and any day where I can be at home pottering about with nowhere to be and nothing that I HAVE to do are my favourite king of days.

292. Little Elephants by Graeme Base

Little Elephants by Graeme Base
Published September 2012 Penguin

From the publisher:
The wheat is ripe, but the harvester is broken and a plague of locusts is on the way. It looks as if Jim and his mother may lose the farm. But when Jim show kindness to a stranger, their fortunes are set to change in the most surprising way imaginable!

I found this book to be quite different from Graeme Base’s other books.  His books tend to be either completely based in reality or completely fantastical.  This story has elements of both.

285. This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
Published October 2012 Candlewick Press

From the publisher:
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it s a good thing that enormous fish won t wake up. And even if he does, it s not like he ll ever know what happened. . . . Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale.

My absolute favourite book last year was I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.  The book was laugh out loud funny, and clever to boot.  It was an exciting day when I heard there was a new Jon Klassen book coming out this year, and joy of joys it's here!

The last book followed a bear looking for his lost hat.  This book is also about a stolen hat, albeit a different one.  This book is told from the point of view of the hat thief, and his genius plan to get away with his thievery!



The cleverness of this story is that the humour is portrayed entirely in the illustrations.  The story is a running commentary from the hat thief explaining how he stole the hat and fool proof plan to get away with it.

The illustrations show that clearly the owner of the hat is on to him, and not far behind.  Without giving too much away, I will say that the hat isn't the only theme that is carried over from the first book.

Who will like this book: Boys and girls age 5+
Read it if you like: I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

278. Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Published October 2012 Macmillan

Climbing trees, playing with wool... Matilda is sure her cat will love these things, but he doesn't seem very enthusiastic. Undaunted, she thinks up new ways to amuse her reluctant playmate. Tea parties? Dressing up? Or what about a nice bike ride? As the beleaguered cat goes from nonplussed to terrified, Matilda gets more and more frustrated. After all, what use is a pet if it doesn't want to play?

What can I say…I am a huge Emily Gravett fan, she would be in my Top 3 picture book writers and illustrators!   So when a new Emily Gravett comes in, I am a happy girl.  To me a book that is so simple, and can still tell a good story is something to jump up and down about.  So many picture books are being released that are so deep and meaningful, that they aren’t written for children at all, but this one will be perfect for any young readers, even more so if that younger reader is a cat lover.

271. This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers

This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jefffers
Published September 2012 Harper Collins

From the publisher:

"Wilfred owned a moose. He hadn′t always owned a moose. The moose came to him a while ago and he knew, just KNEW that it was meant to be his. He called it Marcel."

Most of the time Marcel is very obedient, abiding by Wilbur′s book of extensive rules on how to be a good pet. But sometimes he doesn′t quite seem to be listening, plus he has a tendency to wander off wherever he pleases when they go out walking. But Wilfred is still very proud to have a pet like Marcel.

Until one day, deep in the woods, someone else seems to recognise Marcel! Is Marcel really Wilfred′s pet after all?

I am a bit of an Oliver Jeffers groupie, well a lot of one actually, and while I was planning on only featuring one book by any given author this year, I couldn't let this one go by, and it's hardly my fault if an author manages to publish more than one book a year.  So here it is.

264. Same, But Little Bit Diff'rent by Kylie Dunstan

Same, But Little Bit Diff'rent by Kylie Dunstan
Published August 2012 Windy Hollow Books

'Right up the very top of Australia there is a special place. My friend Normie comes from there, and he says, 'Things are different to what you might see in the city. Same, but little bit diffrent ' Told in the stunning collage artwork for which Kylie Dunstan is acclaimed, the story is related by a child living in a southern city and her friend Normie, who lives in the top end. As they compare notes about their lives, activities and interests, they discover how very much they have in common, despite their contrasting environments. 

For a long time now in schools there has been a focus on how 'we're all the same'. In many ways that is of course true, but with our schools bursting with multicultural uniqueness , there are also a lot of differences.

260. Sky High by Germano Zullo illustrated by Albertine

Sky High by Germano Zullo illustrated by Albertine

Published September 2012 Chronicle Books

From the publisher:

In this charming illustrated tale, two competing neighbours begin embellishing their houses, only to find themselves caught up in a race to build the tallest, most decadent skyscraper featuring solid gold doors, diamond-encrusted pillars, grand ballrooms, expensive paintings, live tigers, and indoor swimming pools—with consequences inevitable, and not. Kids will love spotting the funny details hidden in this witty take on an age-old moral, while their parents—particularly any who've ever undertaken a remodel—will chuckle with recognition.

A couple of days ago I talked about a book that was slightly taller than most novels, well this picture book is most definitely taller than a normal picture book, it’s actually 36.8cm tall, so that really does mean it probably won’t fit on your library shelf!  Again, I will say, don’t let the size put you off, when you have a closer look you will see that this book HAD to be the size that it is, otherwise it wouldn’t have been quite so special.

257. The Fishing Trip by Beatrice Rodriguez

The Fishing Trip by Beatrice Rodriguez
Published September 2012 Gecko Press

From the publisher:
Chicken, Fox and their soon-to-hatch egg are a happy family, but there is nothing to eat. Chicken leaves the island to catch some food. But the ocean is a dangerous place: she must battle toothy birds and a giant, hungry sea monster. Will Chicken's new family survive? When she finally gets home with her bounty, she discovers a worrying scene. Perhaps the real danger is inside her house

This is the third book about the unlikely pair, the chicken and the fox.  The first two being, The Chicken Thief and The Treasure Thief.  The books are wordless, but the storyline is very clear.

250. Mr McGee and the Elephants by Pamela Allen

Mr McGee and the Elephants by Pamela Allen
Published August 2012 Viking 

From the publisher:

Here's another adventure of Mr McGee, this time with elephants, one, two and three.
A chance to perform and share the fun, so come and join in everyone. 

From the one-and-only Pamela Allen comes a new adventure in the life of loveable Mr McGee. With its jaunty rhyme and lively illustrations, this is Pam at her classic best.

After the interesting picture book we had earlier his year from Pamela Allen, I was a bit wary of a new one.  This one though, features the ever popular Mr McGee, so I didn’t need to be too worried.

243. Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer
Published September 2012 Simon & Schuster

From the publisher:
In her newest hilarious endeavour, Olivia embarks upon a quest for identity and individuality. It seems there are far too many pink and sparkly princesses around these days and Olivia has had quite enough! She needs to stand out. And so, in typical 'Olivia' style, she sets about creating a whole array of fantastically dressed princesses… and shows us that everyone can be individual and special.

Olivia has always been an individual…that’s why we love her!  In this book Olivia starts to question her identity and her individuality.

240. Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle

Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle
Published September 2012 Allen & Unwin

From the publisher:
Nobody knows where they come from.
But they come.
Impossible birds of the big sky
and the long night...
So begins this timely and timeless story, told in magnificent images and words by master storyteller, Tohby Riddle. A triumph of quiet beauty.



Here is a book that will probably divide readers. It would be classed as a picture book, except that it is 128 pages long, and has a few carefully chosen words, it is really a beautifully illustrated poem, and the text is printed in full, at the back of the book.

236. A Hare, A Hound & Shy Mousey Brown by Julia Hubery and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley

A Hare, A Hound & Shy Mousey Brown by Julia Hubery and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
Published August 2012 Hardie Grant Egmont (Little Hare)

From the publisher:
There's a hare in the air, there's a hound on the ground, and watching them both is shy Mousey Brown … And so begins an enchanting adventure, complete with danger, silliness, bravery and romance. Mouse is tiny but bold, Hound is vast and menacing, Hare doesn't have a clue and, between them, someone has to come out on top.

Here’s another cover that I just love.  One of the reasons I like it so much, is that it doesn’t give too much away about the story, but it makes me want to read it and find out what this hare hound and mouse get up to. The word rollicking gets used a lot, but there is no other word for this story, it is a rollicking good read.  It is told in rhyme and it reads really well, as I have said in the past, if you were planning to read it to a group, read it through first. 

229. Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack

Good News, Bad News by Jeff Mack
Published August 2012 Hardie Grant (Chronicle)

From the publisher:
Good news, Rabbit and Mouse are going on a picnic. Bad news, it is starting to rain. Good news, Rabbit has an umbrella. Bad news, the stormy winds blow the umbrella (and Mouse!) into a tree. So begins this clever story about two friends with very different dispositions. 

There are so many worthwhile picture books coming out this month that I may have to waive my self imposed 'one picture book a week' rule.  Here's another one, surprise surprise no people get eaten in this one, so maybe my tastes are maturing!

226. Azzi In Between by Sarah Garland

Azzi In Between by Sarah Garland
Published August 2012 Walker (France Lincoln)

From the publisher:
A haunting story of a family's flight from danger to a new life in a new country. Azzi and her parents are in danger. They have to leave their home and escape to another country on a frightening journey by car and boat. In the new country they must learn to speak a new language, find a new home and Azzi must start a new school. With a kind helper at the school, Azzi begins to learn English and understand that she is not the only one who has had to flee her home. She makes a new friend, and with courage and resourcefulness, begins to adapt to her new life. But Grandma has been left behind and Azzi misses her more than anything. Will Azzi ever see her grandma again? Drawing on her own experience of working among refugee families, renowned author and illustrator Sarah Garland tells, with tenderness and humour, an exciting adventure story to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Endorsed by Amnesty International.

This is the first of three books I will be sharing this week that all deal with children and war. I am not sure where this picture book fits.  The story is told in a comic strip style, but it probably wouldn't be considered a graphic novel because of it's format (hardback and picture book sized).