I have been doing a guest post series on the theme “A Book My Child Adores” for Australian Book Week for 3 years now. That series, plus some of the ones I’ve reviewed here, make up a nice collection of books that kids have actually vouched for. So, I thought I’d round up the posts here so that you can have something handy when you’re at the library or bookshop looking for your kid’s next great read. (Click through the book titles for the full posts).
Picture Books
Busting
by Aaron Blabey
Claire from Life on Wallace says, “Toilet humour has plenty of appeal when you’re 7, 5 and 3! The boys love it because it’s a little silly. “
Pointy Pembleton Visits the Dog Park
by Nat Panzarino and Fer Wicker
Sales of this book benefit Greyhound Rescue. We said, of the book’s message, “In the end, diversity wins the day at the dog park, with the help of one good friend. “
Somewhere in Australia
by Marcello Pennachio and illustrated by Danny Snell
Ania from The Sane Mum took this book on a caravan trip around Australia. “It is relatively quick to read and it keeps smiles on mine and my daughters faces throughout, as the most peculiar Aussie animal mummies are presented with their babies.”
Oi Frog!
by Kes Gray and Jim Field
Rebecca from Story Addict shared that her 6 year old couldn’t get enough of this hilarious book: ” I do know that my husband and I have read it approximately eleventy-billion times.”
May Gibbs’ Gumnut Babies
These Australian classics are completely fresh for Kell from All Mum Said‘s daughters. ” They teach children about kindness and friendship, in addition to respecting nature and encouraging them to discover native Australia.”
Mopoke
by Philip Bunting
Mopoke was our pick for the 2018 Book Week series. “I think the illustrations are particularly charming, with the stone-faced, big-eyed owl having its situation changed on each page. “
All The Ways to Be Smart
by Davina Bell, illustrated by Allison Colpoys
This is a loved book in our home. ” Each page then lists ways in which kids can be smart – smart at arts and craft, smart at kindness, smart at math and science, smart at playing, smart at daydreaming, smart at noticing things, and many more ways to be smart. “
The Swap
by Jane Ormerod, illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Alyssa from The Kids Book Hunter shared that this darling book took on a new meaning when a new baby came into their family: “it wasn’t until our new baby was here and the home dynamic began to change that this book took on a whole new meaning and personal connection. “
Rapunzel
by Bethan Woollvin
Sian from Teach Investigate Play‘s husband and 3 year old daughter count this modern telling of Rapunzel as their favorite bedtime book. ” There are powerful messages within the text: stand up to the bullies and be the creator of your own destiny. “
Chapter Books
Thai-Riffic
by Oliver Phommavanh
Leah from The Kid Bucket List‘s 8 year old daughter thought this book had ” it had just the right amount of humour to keep her laughing all the way through.”
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls
by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Kate from The Online Watercooler says, “While I remind my daughter, and my son, each day of the things that make them special, its stories like these that bring the message home. “
The Bad Guys Series
by Aaron Blabey
Sian from Teach Investigate Play shared how this series turned her son into a reader: “He found the text utterly hilarious and as a six-year-old boy, that was exactly what he needed: a bit of silly fun.”
The Polly and Buster Series
by Sally Rippin
Polly and Buster is THE most beloved series in Miss 6’s life. “This series would be a great choice if your child is too young for the more mature Harry Potter books, but would enjoy the world of witchcraft, along with a big heart.”
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie
by Jack Zombie
Ania from The Sane Mum credits this series with getting her reluctant 8 year old reader to start reading. Her son said, ” The story is very interesting: some parts are funny and some parts are a little scary, but I kept wanting to know what happens next!”
The Captain Jimmy Cook – Alice Toolie Series
by Kate and Jol Temple
Miss 6 and I picked these books as our contribution to the 2019 Book Week series. They have given us so many laughs. Miss 6 “thinks they’re hilarious and she’s often gasping at how far Jimmy and Alice go with their plots. “
For more book suggestions, check out some of our lists, such as:
- 9 Children’s Books to Keep in the Birthday Drawer
- 20 Gorgeous Australian Picture Books From 2018
- 10 Picture Books to Celebrate Earth Day
- 5 Must-Read Adventure Books for Tween Girls
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