Book reviews

Once Upon a Twice – Denise Doyen and Barry Moser (book review)

Once Upon a Twice / Denise Doyen and Barry Moser (Dragonfly Books, 2009) This book has become a firm favourite since my son received it for Christmas. Once Upon a Twice is a tale of caution. It's a fable told not in the straightforward ...

International Book Giving Day giveaway!

Happy Valentine's Day, lovers. And happy International Book Giving Day, book lovers! I'm back for the 2016 edition of my International Book Giving Day giveaway. And I'm super duper excited about the books I've selected this ...

The Distant Hours – Kate Morton (book review)

Six years ago, a dear friend of mine (let's call her Lisa) bought me a book for my birthday. Back then, my preference was crime, biography, other non-fiction and short stories. So when I first unwrapped The Distant Hours, which was not only ...

Rudie Nudie – Emma Quay (book review)

A little over two years ago, I shared our family's favourite books. The top twelve. The shining lights in our library. The list hasn't changed much since then. It's just grown. We'd now have to add The Worst Princess, The Magic Faraway Tree ...

My Mother, My Father – edited by Susan Wyndham (book review)

Last year, I attended the Bendigo Writers Festival. One of the sessions I attended was titled On Grieving. As someone who has lamented the lack of books available on the topic of grief, this was one of the first sessions I circled in my program. I ...

Boy, Lost – Kristina Olsson (book review)

In August, I went to the Bendigo Writers Festival and had a wonderful time. I thought I would enjoy it and get a bit from it, but my expectations were exceeded. Twice over. One of the sessions I attended was titled On Grieving. As someone who has ...

Click, Clack, Moo and more: A Barnyard Collection – Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin (book review)

When my (now five-year-old) daughter was still a bub, I had a vivid dream. It was about a group of cows that were owned by Peter Combe, and they went on strike until their demands for juicy, juicy green grass were met. I shared this incredible dream ...

Too Busy Sleeping – Zanni Louise and Anna Pignataro (book review)

I have been a bloggy fan of Zanni Louise's for a very long time. I met her late last year, and it was wonderful to chat words, blogs and children in the Queensland sun. I was delighted when she sent me an advance copy of her debut children's book, ...

Without My Mum – Leigh Van Der Horst (book review)

Earlier this year, I lamented the lack of books and stories about grief when I shared my own story of grief. I was, and remain, annoyed that grief is a largely taboo subject. We are expected to sweep feelings of grief and loss under the carpet, and ...

Bears in the Night – Stan and Jan Berenstain (book review)

Who loves the Berenstain Bears? Who sees a pic of them and is instantly transported back to childhood? Who couldn't wait to have kids just for the excuse to revisit them? Is your hand in the air? Mine is. And one day, I'm sure my son will ...