On a recent trip to the library, Ashleigh chose the books she wanted to take home and we headed to the desk. I’d slipped in an extra book, and she noticed.
Ashleigh: What’s this book, mum?
Me: Just an extra one to borrow, Ashleigh.
Ashleigh: We’ve borrowed that book before, mum. You must really like it.
And I do. I like books generally. So I’m going to start reviewing them from time to time on the blog.
Starting with these four children’s titles, currently in the Hawker household on loan from the library.
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Spork / Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault
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Spork is one-of-a-kind. Neither spoon nor fork – in fact, a child of each – he’s a little bit round and a little bit pointy.
He feels out of place in the cutlery drawer, and dreams of making it to the table one day.
This is a cute book, and the illustrations are fantastic. It’s the cutlery take on the classic childhood tale of finding your place in the world when you just don’t quite fit in.
But it’s been written in Canada, and I can’t help thinking that in Australia, home of the splayd, the point isn’t as strong as it could be. I just ate my dinner with a utensil that looks a lot like Spork!
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Socks / Nick Sharratt and Elizabeth Lindsay
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Ashleigh and I both love Socks. Sockywockydoodah, how many words can you fit sock into?
In this book, you’ll find a sockerel (sock-a-doodle-doo!), a socktopus, a sockodile, a hipposockamus, a socksophone and Goldisocks, just to name a few.
And it’s always socks o’clock! Even at bedtime, when it’s time to put your bedsocks on.
(Just don’t let the team behind The Block get hold of this book, or the puns will get even worse next season.)
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That’s the Sound the Street Makes / Danny Katz and Mitch Vane
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Oh, how I want to love this book. I really do. Danny Katz is high on my list of funny folk, and the message – road safety and road awareness – is so important.
Ella and her father are walking to school. You follow their entire journey, from front door to school, with an accompanying noise every step of the way.
I do like elements of That’s the Sound the Street Makes. I like that the message is being delivered by schoolgirl Ella, instead of by one or more adults. I like how the noises structure the narrative. The screeeeeeeech of scooter brakes. The vrrrrrm brrrrm hrommmm of passing vehicles. The bip bip and plock plock of the button at the pedestrian crossing.
But if you think Peppa Pig is bossy, wait until you get a load of Ella. She’s bossy and rude to her dad every step of the way as she instructs him on road safety. While I don’t think all children’s book characters have to be constantly polite and lovely – far from it! – I found myself editing the words as I read the book aloud to Ashleigh. And something’s gone wrong when you have to do that with a book about road safety.
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It’s a Book / Lane Smith
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I’m saving the best for last. This is the book I sneaked into Ashleigh’s selections for the second third fourth time. At least.
Beautifully illustrated and beautifully told, It’s a Book introduces the concept of the book to the tech generation. You don’t need a username or password. It doesn’t text or tweet. You can’t make the characters fight. So why on earth would you want a book?
Too many reasons. I don’t know where to start. But I know that I really want this one.
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What children’s book(s) have you discovered lately? Any recommendations for review next time?
Ok, Shameless plug here (sorry in advance) but I’d love for you to review Cheer Chick Charlie at some point. Why? Because it’s my children’s book series. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy! LOL.
May not be ready for it though as the novels are aimed at 7-11 year olds. As for other books … well … my kids are 9 and 13 so I guess I am out of the children’s book genre. Can’t help …
Happy Friday!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
I’d love to! It is older than my children, but I’m currently reading through Roald Dahl books with Ashleigh so can’t imagine she’d have a problem. Or I’ll just read them myself!
We love books in our household too. We haven’t read any of the above yet. How old is Ashleigh? My three year old’s favourite at the moment is Twinkle. It’s a lovely little book.
Ashleigh is 3. And thanks for sharing another book!
We love reading books in this household too. We haven’t read any of the above yet. How old is Ashleigh? My three year old’s favourite at the moment is Twinkle 🙂
What a great idea to share some book reviews. Mind you I did slap myself on the wrist when I read this because we never seem to make it to the library and while we do have quite a collection at home there is nothing like finding a new book is there?
If Ashleigh had her way, we’d borrow every book in the library every time! We go to the library often, but there are two in walking distance – it’s great, especially when I’m struggling to settle Mitchell and I know a walk in the pram will do it!
We’re book lovers here too. We go to the library at least once a week – usually on the request of the {little} Big Girl. I’m not familiar with any of those you’ve mentioned, though. Love finding new reads!
I love it too! I’ve started scouting for next month’s review, and have found too many – I might have to make this a fortnightly thing instead of monthly!
Oh I adore finding new books to pick up or look out for in the library! Thanks for sharing. Am going to do a search for It’s a Book next time I’m there – sometimes unless recommended I fear I gloss over so many good ones.
It’s always hard to know! Hit and miss. I’ll include a few misses (like above) but will try to stick to the hits.
It’s a Book is one of our absolute faves. The kids pick it up to read all the time and it always makes me smile. Spork looks great too! x
Oh good, I love it when someone has already read one I recommend and loves it as much as I do!
I love love love It’s a Book. W owns it and I’m always cheering on the inside when he chooses it for bed time.
I would too!
Spork and Socks sound like my kinda books! Thanks for these recommendations! Always looking for books that have that quirky factor but still educational 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you can find them to check them out.
Great book reviews. I will have to keep an eye out for these at my local book store. I didn’t know Danny Katz co-authored a book, I find him very funny!
I think he’s written others – I’ll have to search, as I’d like to give him another chance. Hopefully Ella was a one-off!
I just love children’s books. All those gorgeous illustrations and lovely life metaphors! It’s one of the things I like most about blogging, sharing book chat. Thanks for sharing these 🙂
They’re the best, aren’t they? I love reading to the littlies.
great recommendations, and I had only heard of the last one before, so great! they seem a little old for my daughter (she’s 18 months) but I”m sure it won’t be too long.
Socks would be great for her!
Ooooohhhhhh I love the sock one – I will seeing if our local library has this. My daughter is 3 and loves the Pip and Posy series also at the moment she loves a Squash and a Squeeze and The Smartest Giant In Town. They are all great books by the same author Axel Scheffler. Money Mummy
Ah yes, we love Room on the Broom at the moment so I hear you!
Ooooohhhhhh I love the sock one – I will seeing if our local library has this. My daughter is 3 and loves the Pip and Posy series also at the moment she loves a Squash and a Squeeze and The Smartest Giant In Town. They are all great books by the same author Axel Scheffler. Money Mummy
I just wrote those names down as it’s often a hit and miss when we go to library and all 3 start going cray cray! I love the sound of It’s a Book!!!! xx
It’s divine! I hope it’s at your library. x
I love books. The real ones. I don’t get kindles and e reader thingymajigs. I get the convenience. I get the technology. I just don’t get the EXPERIENCE. I love the feel of a REAL book. I love the SMELL. I’m seeking out SPORK – I love it already 🙂
Tara ~ Gluten Free Hart
I haven’t read a book on an e-reader either. I like turning pages. And when you’ve read a book so much there are creases all over the spine and practically every page has been turned down at some point.