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Children’s book review – April

April 29, 2014 By Emily 16 Comments

It’s children’s book review time! This month, I’m reviewing some of the titles my little boy got for his first birthday earlier this month.


(My little boy is one! FREAK OUT! And… relax.)

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How to Catch a Star / Oliver Jeffers


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The book that started it all. Given that Oliver Jeffers’ Stuck made it onto our family’s favourite books list, it’s not surprising that we love his first title How to Catch a Star, first published ten years ago.

A boy loves stars very much, and wants one for his own. Gorgeousness ensues. Of course it does; I’m yet to see a Jeffers title that I don’t love. Highly recommended.

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The Little Fox who Lost his Tail / Jedda Robaard

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The Little Fox who Lost his Tail is a lift the flap book that is just right for one-year-old Mitchell and his love of interactive books. Fox looks everywhere for his tail, and even tries to make a new one. He’s then surprised when he discovers where it’s been all along.

A cute book that won’t blow your mind, but that younger kids will enjoy. After reading this, be prepared to search your entire house for things that can become tails.

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I Love to Sing and I Love to Dance / Anna Walker


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 Ollie is one popular zebra. I’m surprised we don’t have more of him in our library – I Love to Sing and I Love to Dance are just the second and third Ollie books we’ve acquired.

I have to admit I’m not blown away by Ollie books. And Mitchell can take or leave them. But Ashleigh loves the stripy zebra and beautiful illustrations. And I like that Walker doesn’t always go for the obvious rhyme, and that her words really do evoke the joys of dancing and singing. Ollie is quite the dancer!

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Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy / Lynley Dodd

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I feel silly including this book. Why bother reviewing Hairy Maclary? Who hasn’t heard of the shaggy little dog from Donaldson’s Dairy who meets with his canine friends for adventures?

Not so surprisingly, we already have this book. Two copies, in fact. And many more besides – Ashleigh loves reading about Hairy Maclary and his friends, and hissing at Scarface Claw. But the lovely friend who bought this for Mitchell included an exchange voucher. So we’re off to investigate Hairy’s latest adventure. Or perhaps to see what his friends Schnitzel von Krumm and Slinky Malinki are up to.

(I love the rhyming names. Instead of getting a pet dog one day, I’m going to get a pet pig and name it Porker Hawker.)

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What books have you and your children read lately?
And do you have a favourite Hairy Maclary character? What rhyming name would you give your family pet?

This post is the eighth in a series of children’s book review posts. Check out the others here:

Children’s book review (March)
Children’s book review (February)
Children’s book review (January)
Children’s book review (December)
Children’s book review – family favourites (November)
Children’s book review (October)
Once upon a book review (September)

Filed Under: Book reviews, For children Tagged With: Anna Walker, book review, books, children, Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, How to Catch a Star, I Love to Dance, I Love to Sing, Jedda Robaard, Lynley Dodd, Oliver Jeffers, The Little Fox Who Lost His Tail, words

« Quirky writer’s habits
The Thirteenth Tale – Diane Setterfield (book review) »

Comments

  1. Jodi Gibson says

    April 29, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Hairy McClary books are a favourite here!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      They’re a winner! Caterwaul caper is our fave.

      Reply
  2. bec @ The Plumbette says

    April 29, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    My daughter loves Hairy McClary. I love anything by Anna Walker too.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      I might have to investigate other Anna Walker titles. Ashleigh has adopted these books which are supposed to be Mitchell’s!

      Reply
  3. Kaz @ Melting Moments says

    April 29, 2014 at 6:21 pm

    Oh, I haven’t read a few of these. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them at the library 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Certainly do! I love testing books at the library before buying them.

      Reply
  4. Tegan Churchill says

    April 29, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Mr 4 has been reading to himself in the afternoons. He loves making up stories to go with the pictures. Although last week I busted him creating a story that included the line ‘I’m not scared of any of these bitches’ hmmm.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      HAHAHAHA *deep breath* HAHAHAHA

      Reply
  5. Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says

    April 30, 2014 at 8:22 am

    We might be the only household who doesn’t have Hairy Maclary! I might have to rectify this! Nick loves dogs and puppies and anything and everything about them. I smell a birthday present!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Definitely rectify it – he’ll love Hairy! Hercules Morse is my favourite. Love me a big dog.

      Reply
  6. Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says

    April 30, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    Ahh Hairy a firm favourite here, but not aware of the others, but thanks for list, always on look out for funny books – thanks for kinds words on my IBOT post yest xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Pleasure!

      Reply
  7. EssentiallyJess says

    May 1, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I think my comment got eaten? Testing

    Reply
  8. EssentiallyJess says

    May 1, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    It did!! Argh!
    Firstly, happy birthday to your little man.
    Secondly, I don’t think I’ve ever read my kids a a hairy maclairy book in their lives, and am now concerned they will grow up scarred and broken. What kind of mother am I????

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Sorry about the comment eating! I promise I didn’t mistake it for a Freddo.
      And thanks. I CAN’T BELIEVE MY BOY IS ONE.
      And a damn fine one from what I can tell. (Although the lack of Hairy-ness is a MAJOR oversight!)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Children’s book review – May says:
    January 18, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    […] post is the ninth in a series of children’s book review posts. Check out the others here:Children’s book review (April)Children’s book review (March)Children’s book review (February)Children’s […]

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Emily

I parent. I write. I blog. I play with words and numbers in my head. Constantly. It's crowded in there.

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