Better Read Kids Christmas Reading Guide 2016

Tickle My Ears | Jorg Muhle | $12.99 | Scholastic It’s getting late and Little Rabbit must go to bed. Can you help him? He needs to clean his teeth and put on his pyjamas. A sweet and simple interactive board book that offers an irresistible new bedtime routine.

Magic Beach Board Book Edition | Alison Lester | $14.99 | Allen & Unwin A beautiful board book edition of Australia’s all-time favourite beach book. Come to Magic Beach, where adventure begins...

Ten Little Owls | Renee Treml | $14.99 | Penguin Random House Teach your own little critter to count in this beautiful board book, featuring baby native animals running, hopping, swimming, eating and playing.

Listen to the Pets | Marion Billet | $17.99 | Allen & Unwin Adults and children alike will be enchanted by this charming board book, distinguished by the sounds that bring every picture to life.

With a button on each spread that triggers a different sound, this book introduces young children to the real-life noises that pets make.

BOARD BOOKS

CHRISTMAS READING GUIDE

Supersqueak Comics: Mystery of the Missing Cheese | $9.99 | Scholastic A simple, rhyming story about superhero mice! The fun, comic strip-style layout is engaging for young readers, and touch-andfeel areas let them interact with the mice on each page.

The Crayons’ Book of Colors | Oliver Jeffers | $14.99 | Harper Collins Nelson says: Daywalt and Jeffers’ vastly popular crayon characters, introduced in The Day the Crayons Quit, return in this bright board book. Bringing together fun and quirky illustrations of firetrucks, dragons and even wheat, the crayons have come together to make a card for Duncan’s birthday, each bringing in something distinct to contribute.

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PICTURE BOOKS

The Darkest Dark l Chris Hadfield | $24.99 | Pan Macmillan Fabienne says: Astronaut Chris Hadfield shares how he was afraid of the dark when he was little. This is a good book for talking about overcoming your fears and following your dreams (and reaching for the stars – literally).

I whole-heartedly recommend this book. The message is great, the illustrations are fantastic, and the extra info included about Chris Hadfield adds to the overall charm.

Hiding Heidi | Fiona Woodcock | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster Jane says: Heidi is very good at hiding, and it’s the only game she will play with her friends. Then at her birthday party she hides so well that nobody finds her til right at the end of the party, and she realises that being great at hiding is fine, but she could have a lot more fun if she played other games.

Ducks Away | Mem Fox | $19.99 | Scholastic Five little ducks went out one day... over the bridge, and away! Mem Fox shows us, once again, why she is the queen of rhyming stories for the Under-3 year olds! Paired with the vibrant illustrations of Judy Horcek this is a guaranteed hit!

We Found a Hat l Jon Klassen | $24.99 | Hardie Grant Mariana says: We Found a Hat is the final instalment in Klassen’s beloved Hat trilogy. I love the way that Klassen illustrates his stories – the depth granted by their combination of tonal scarcity but intricate detail create a visually compelling world enjoyable by readers of all ages.

This time around, tortoises feature prominently in the narrative. Their eyes and faces are alluring and wonderful.

Lots | Marc Martin | $24.99 | Penguin From Hong Kong to the Amazon and Ulaanbaatar to Antarctica, come on a guided journey around the world and discover the many things that make each place unique. Sleepy sloths, colourful cows, prolific pastries, staggering skylines, burglarising baboons; you’ll be surprised by what you find along the way! A quirky fact-filled adventure for curious globetrotters, young & old.

Du Iz Tak? | Carson Ellis | $24.99 | Walker Books This marvelous, strange, and ultimately delightful picture book explores the small wonders evolving in the insect world. A lively cast of tiny creatures meet and discuss the curious occurrences happening around them in a language both familiar and foreign. Ellis gently suggests that we have no idea what is happening at our feet. Just wonderful!

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Here Comes Mr Postmouse | Marianne Dubuc | $26.95 | Dennis Jones Gin says: My favourite picture book of the year is a beautifully illustrated story about a spirited postmouse. Each drop off of the post captures a particular moment in the life of an animal, like Mrs Alligator sitting down to a good book and a snack. The drawings reveal cross sections of the elaborate and glorious homes of the animals. There is wit, humour and references to fairy tales that kids and adults will love.

Goodnight Everyone | Chris Haughton | $24.99 | Harper Collins Dean says: The perfect book for a bedtime! Little Bear wants to keep playing but soon he grows tired and yawns himself to sleep just like the mice, the hare and the deer. The rolling rhythm is a delight to read, the noises hilarious, the interactive lift-the flaps make for extra fun.

The illustrations are beautiful and saturated with colour offering a visual feast while the star map on the inner-cover is an extraordinary little extra. I read this each night to the delight of my son.

The Fabulous Friend Machine | Nick Bland | $39.99 | Harper Collins Popcorn is the friendliest chicken at Fiddlesticks farm! When she finds a Fabulous Friend Machine in the barn, she sets about making some brand new friends. But behind the screen of the Fabulous Friend Machine, maybe her new friends are not so friendly after all. A cautionary tale from the globally best-selling Nick Bland.

PICTURE BOOKS

Penguin Problems l Jory John | $24.99 | Walker Books Amelia says: A penguin levels with human readers about what penguin life is really like-and it isn’t all fun and games. Have you ever considered running away to Antarctica? Of course you have! This penguin has come to tell you that his life down there is no more a picnic than yours is here. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you. This book is sure to tickle kids’ funny bones and will elicit appreciative sighs from the adults reading it aloud.

The Patchwork Bike | Maxine Beneba Clarke | $26.99 | Hachette This is a charming story from multi-awardwinning author Maxine Beneba Clarke.

Evocatively illustrated by street artist Van T Rudd, it encapsulates an important perspective on childhood about living in a village at the edge of the No-Go Desert where you need to make your own fun. Beautifully written and incredibly powerful, it’s sure to be a classic!

The Story Orchestra | Jessica Courtney-Tickle | $29.99 | Harper Discover what it would be like to travel through the four seasons in one day, following a little girl called Isabelle and her dog, Pickle. Accompanied by pieces from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, this is the first title in a series of sound books that bring classical music to life for young children.

The Gobbledygook and the Scribbledynoodle | Justine Clarke | $19.99 | Penguin When a monster jumps right out of the Gobbledygook’s library book, it takes a bit of clever handling to stop the Scribbledynoodle from scribbling on things it shouldn’t! A delightful and fun book!

The Storm Whale in Winter | Benji Davies | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster It’s winter time and Noi’s island is covered in a blanket of snow. Even the sea is icing over. Noi is worried about the little whale he saved last summer: A magical and touching story about a lasting friendship. A truly beautiful work packing a real emotional punch.

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BEGINNER FICTION

Axel & BEAST | Adrian C. Bott | $12.99 | Hardie Grant BEAST is no ordinary robot, and Axel isn’t your usual gamer. But are they awesome enough together to escape from BEAST’s evil creators? This actionpacked new series will propel readers over the finish line as easily at their favourite TV series.

Ottoline & the Purple Fox | Chris Riddell | $24.99 | Pan Macmillan Amelia says: Ottoline and Mr Munroe return for another fantastical adventure guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!

Full of Riddell’s gorgeous, intricate illustrations, this next installment is filled with enough intrigue and suspense to hold the attention of even the wiggliest, squirmiest audience. Perfect for newly independent readers or to read aloud, I can assure you this will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

The Tales of Mrs Mancini | Natalie Jane Prior | $19.99 | Pan Macmillan Mischa says: I cannot articulate how stunning this delectable and endearing collection of illustrated stories is! In the vein of Ruby Red Shoes, The Cleo Stories, and Miss Petitfour, these stories are perfect for readers transitioning to chapter books. Mrs Mancini is a lazy cat with the big heart and greedy tummy, who brings lonely children together with the help of her human friend who runs a patisserie full of delectable treats!

The Unforgettable What’s His Name | Paul Jennings (illustrated by Craig Smith) | $14.99 | Allen & Unwin Even before all this happened I had never been like the other kids. I tried not to be seen. Then, one weekend, I got what I wanted. The hilarious story of a boy with an unusual problem, from children’s book legend Paul Jennings. Includes fantastic colour illustrations.

Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London | Kate Knapp | $19.99 | Harper Collins The third book in this best-selling series Ruby and her grandmother love to travel and now they are in London, the home of red buses, red telephone boxes and red letter boxes. No wonder Ruby’s red shoes feel especially at home in this wonderful city!

Pugly Solves a Crime l Pamela Butchart | $12.99 | Allen & Unwin The second book in a hilarious new series about a little pug with some very big ideas!

Pugly is a pug with aspirations and dreams. While his owner is at school, he bakes cakes, builds space rockets and solves crimes. Things never go entirely to plan, though.

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Hot Dog | Anh Do | $12.99| Schlastic Meet Hotdog, the sausage dog, and his friends! Theres Kev, the goofy cat, whos always dressed up in some silly costume, and Lizzie, the gutsy lizard, who eats bug burgers for breakfast!

Together theyre going on a mad adventure to help a baby bird find its missing mum!

The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation | Shannon Hale & Dean Hale | $19.99 | Walker Books Even monster-battling princesses get tired sometimes! But a peaceful time away is hard to find as the humorous this bestselling series continues.

The Song From Somewhere Else | A.F. Harrold | $17.99 | Allen & Unwin Frank doesn’t know how to feel when Nick rescues her from bullies one afternoon.

No one likes Nick. He’s big, he’s weird and he smells – or so everyone thinks. But there’s more to Nick, and to his house, than meets the eye. A poignant, darkly comic and deeply moving story about the power of the extraordinary, and finding friendship where you least expect it.

The Moonlight Dreamers | Siobhan Curham | $16.99 | Harper Collins Amber has 2 dads, and is being bullied at school.

She longs for a safe space, a friendship group that she feels she belongs to. She befriends 3 girls who are all experiencing struggles of their own.

Together they find the strength to transcend peer pressure, dress and act how they want be true to themselves. A beautiful upper primary read about friendship and identity.

Furthermore | Tahereh Mafi | $22.99 | Penguin Random House A spellbinding and whimsical modern day fairy tale adventure set in a world where colour is currency. In order to find her father, Alice travels through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong.

Tahereh Mafi is a master of language!

Clover Moon | Jacqueline Wilson | $32.99 | Penguin Steph says: Clover Moon is Wilson’s latest Victorian heroine; poverty stricken and struggling against the odds in London, she searches for a new place to call home. Wilson is renowned for her ability to tell difficult tales without compromising the exciting storyline and sensational characters required of every children’s novel. Interspersed with Nick Sharratt’s ink drawings, it’s the perfect gift for an inquisitive young reader.

PRIMARY FICTION

The Unintentional Adventure of the Bland Sisters | Kara LaReau | $19.99 | Thames & Hudson Jane says; Jaundice and Kale’s parents left on an errand 2 years ago and never came back. Being the types who avoid excitement at any cost, the sisters wait patiently for their parents ‘return. They are kidnapped by an all-female band of pirates and find themselves on a rollicking, high seas adventure. Quirky, smart, hilarious and unique, this story transcends genre, taste and age!

Tracy Lucy is Completely CooCoo Bananas | Tania Lacy | $14.99 | Scholastic Jane says: Tracy Lacy - hot-headed, loud-mouthed, fabulously loopy - has a Perfect Plan to become completely normal before high school starts. Alas, her plans, including a hilarious list of things she feels she must fix about herself, go awry. Tracy Lacy is so much more than a ‘Tom Gates for girls’!

The Icarus Show | Sally Christie | $24.99 | Scholastic Alex has worked out a foolproof way to avoid being picked on. Don’t React. It’s so simple, it’s brilliant! David does react and becomes an outcast.

A powerful story about friendship, loneliness and a strange kind of genius.

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill | Megan Shepherd | $19.99 | Walker Books It’s WWII, and at Briar Hill Hospital, magical horses dwell. They are invisible to all except a girl called Emmaline, who sees them only in the reflection of mirrors, until one finds its way into the sundial garden. Nobody knows if the horses are real.

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PRIMARY FICTION

The Mighty Odds | Amy Ignatow | $21.99 | Thames & Hudson From the renowned Ignatow, comes the first installment in a new series about a diverse crew of middle school kids who develop very limited superhero powers after a strange accident and manage to become unlikely friends on the adventure of a lifetime.

Artie and the Grime Wave | Richard Roxborough | $16.99 | Allen & Unwin Jane says: When best friends Artie and Bumshoe stumble across a Cave of Possibly Stolen Stuff, the most hilarious, mysterious adventure begins. Along the way we meet a gang of shady characters, the shadiest of all being Mayor Grime. My 8yo particularly loved the jokes between the two friends, laughed like crazy over them pioneering a new sport called bungee-wedgie, and he said the ending made him “really super duper happy”.

Some Kind of Happiness | Claire Legrand | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster Reality and fantasy collide in this heartfelt and mysterious novel for fans of Counting by 7s and Bridge to Terabithia, about a girl who must save a magical make-believe world in order to save herself. Finley’s only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her grandparents’ house and realizes the Everwood is real.

She sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood but she first has to save herself.

There May Be A Castle | Piers Torday | $26.99 | Hachette Eleven-year-old Mouse is travelling to see his grandparents on Christmas Eve with his mother and two sisters. But it’s snowing, and visibility is bad, and the car goes off the road, and crashes. This is a novel about love and death. It’s about the power of stories to change the way we view the world - and it’s about the power of a child to change their own world.

The Scourge l Jennifer A. Nielsen | $24.99 | Scholastic As a lethal plague sweeps through the land, Ani Mells is shocked when she is unexpectedly captured by the governor’s wardens and forced to submit to a test for the deadly Scourge. She is even more surprised when the test results come back positive. An explosively thrilling tale of adventure and intrigue, courage and heart.

A Most Magical Girl | Karen Foxlee | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin It’s Victorian England, and Annabel is being raised to be the perfect lady. Her life is turned upside down when she is sent to live with her eccentric aunts - who turn out to be witches, and Annabel discovers a magical world underneath the streets.

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The Secret Keepers | Trenton Lee Stewart | $32.99 | Hachette The Secret Keepers tells the story of Reuben, a solitary boy who discovers a mysterious antique watch with curious powers. This novel has enough hidden tunnels, concealed traps, enigmatic secrets, surprises, puzzles and quirky characters to satisfy even the most curious reader.

Henry and the Guardians of the Lost | Jenny Nimmo | $16.99 | Hardie Grant Henry has a secret. He is twelve, but he hasn’t aged a day since the moment he was thrust a hundred years into the future. Now his secret has put him in danger. His only hope is the protection of the Guardians of the Lost.

Wormwood Mire l Judith Rossell | $22.99 | Harper Collins Mischa says: This book not only looks like a gorgeous piece of artwork, it is also a delightful and imaginative Victorian fantasy/ adventure. Following on from the first award-winning Stella Montgomery Intrigue, Withering-By-Sea (my favourite kids book of 2014), Stella’s furious Aunts send her to the old family home at Wormwood Mire, where she must live with two strange cousins and their governess. Coupled with compelling shadowy illustrations akin to Kate DiCamillo’s, and reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Wildwood, and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, it is the dark humour and otherworldly atmosphere that brings this book to beautiful life. The perfect combination of history, fantasy, whimsy!

Dog Man | Dav Pilkey | $16.99 | Scholastic Dog Man is a the crimebiting canine who is part dog, part man, and ALL COP! When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a lifesaving surgery changes the course of history, and Dog Man is born. This new series from Pilkey is still full of all the same humour and fun of Captain Underpants!

Ghosts | Raina Telgemeier | $14.99 | Scholastic Mariana says: Telgemeier’s latest graphic novel is her most touching yet, and tells the story of the relationship between two sisters following their family’s relocation to a town reportedly inhabited by the ghosts of the town’s former inhabitants. When the sisters meet a local boy, he opens their eyes to the rich secrets of their new town.

Mighty Jack | Ben Hatke | $24.99 | Pan Macmillan What starts as a normal little garden behind the house quickly grows into a wild, magical jungle with tiny onion babies running amok, pink pumpkins that bite, and, on one night that changes everything…a dragon. An intriguing story about Jack, his sister Maddy and the best mistake they ever made!

Star Wars | Alessandro Ferrari | $39.99 | Disney Join Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and the rest of the heroes and villains from a galaxy far, far away in this graphic novel collection that retells the original three Star Wars films with new illustrations. Kids, teens and adults alike will experience the saga in a whole new way!

PRIMARY FICTION \ GRAPHIC NOVELS

NEXT-IN-SERIES

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YOUNG ADULT

Cell 7 | Kerry Drewery | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin Amelia says: When a beloved celebrity is found murdered, the prime suspect, Martha Honeydew confesses and becomes a contestant on Death is Justice; an incredibly popular reality show where criminals have their future determined by public vote. This dystopian thriller is a gripping and unique take on society’s obsession with fame.

Holding Up the Universe | Jennifer Niven | $19.99 | Penguin Random House Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. When Libby meets Jack Masselin at a group counselling session, everything changes.

The Graces | Laure Eve | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin Mischa says: From the very first haunting sentence I was intensely seduced by this young adult thriller; the world of River, and her obsession with the mysterious and magnetic Grace family, who are rumoured to have the ability to weave magic. This book is a maze of unnerving twists and turns; I reached the end and immediately wanted to go back and reread it to scramble for the clues I’d missed!

Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer | $19.99 | Harper Collins Mara Carlyle’s senior year is going as normally as could be expected, until fellow senior Katelyn Ogden explodes during third period precalc. Whip-smart and blunt, Mara, narrates the end of their world as she knows it while trying to make it to graduation in one piece. It’s an explosive year punctuated by romance, quarantine, lifelong friendship, hallucinogenic mushrooms, bloggers, and ice cream trucks. A darkly funny, spectacularly original exploration of friendship, goodbyes and spontaneous combustion. Age 15+

Replica | Lauren Oliver | $19.99 | Hachette Mischa says: Replica is centred on two female characters who have an inextricable (yet vastly different) link to a place known as ‘Haven’; a mysterious research facility that replicates humans in order to experiment on them.

Oliver masters the dual narrative!

Our Chemical Hearts | Krystal Sutherland | $19.99 | Penguin Random House Mischa says: Publishers have compared this debut Australian novel to John Green and Rainbow Rowell; a description that couldn’t be more accurate! Our Chemical Hearts reminds us of how first love can be an epic disaster between two people who are made up of complex layers, resulting in a messy and imperfect ending (which makes for a perfect ending in my book)!

The Diabolic | S.J. Kincaid | $19.99 | Simon & Schuster Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic new novel.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than deadly force.

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This Savage Song | V.E. Schwab | $15.99 | NewSouth Books In this dark urban fantasy a city is at war, and the violence has begun to breed living monsters. As heirs to this divided city, Kate and August must face monsters intent on destroying them from every side, including the monsters within themselves.

The Call | Peadar O’Guilin | $19.99 | Scholastic Mischa says: Anytime between the ages of ten and seventeen, every child will be called to a nightmarish dimension without warning, where they must fight to survive against the banished mythical monsters of Ireland.

A gruesome and atmospheric thriller that fills the void left by The Hunger Games and Michael Grant’s Gone series. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop!

YOUNG ADULT

Twelve Days of Dash & Lily | Rachel Cohn & David Leviathan | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin Ava says: In the years since we first met the characters, a lot has changed, and this Christmas isn’t looking so good for Lily. It’s 12 days until Christmas and Dash, ever the dashing hero, gathers together Lily’s family and friends to ensure that she has the best Christmas of her life. Told in chapters alternating between Dash and Lily’s perspectives, this is a delightful story about friendships, relationships and the magic of Christmas.

Tales of the Peculiar | Ransom Riggs | $19.99 | Penguin Random House Mimicking the style of a collection of traditional fairy tales, these ten haunting and enchanting tales enrich the world and history of Miss Peregrine, adding to the atmosphere and authenticity of the series. This compelling and truly peculiar anthology is to be enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike!

Words in Deep Blue l Cath Crowley | $18.99 | Pan Macmillan A quirky love story set in a second-hand bookshop, where letters are exchanged between the covers of old copies of poetry and novels. A beautifu exploration of love, the power of words and how we leave our histories in things we love.

NEXT-IN-SERIES A Million Worlds With You l Claudia Gray | $19.99 | Harper Collins Mischa says: In this epic conclusion to the Firebird Trilogy that began with A Thousand Pieces of You, the fate of the multiverse rests in young Marguerite Caine’s hands. Centred around her parents’ groundbreaking invention called the Firebird, which allows users to cross to alternate dimensions akin to time travellers, Marguerite must face her most diabolic challenge yet: herself. Another dimension’s Marguerite has been unleashed, and she’s wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead. Combining scifi, mystery and romance, Gray has created a intricate multilayered story world that makes for a dimension-bending page-turner!

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CHIDLREN’S NON-FICTION

Wonder Women l Sam Maggs | $29.99 | Penguin Random House Liz says: A great addition to the increasing number of books about women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) being written for young readers.

In this book, Maggs covers women’s historical achievements, from Huang Daopo (a textile industry pioneer), to Mary Sherman Morgan (a scientist who invented hydyne - a rocket fuel) to Alice Ball (a chemist responsible for revolutionising the treatment for leprosy). This wonderful book also includes interviews with women currently working in STEM fields and a guide for further reading on the area.

Illuminature | Rachel Williams | $35.00 | Murdoch Books Discover the dark and mysterious creatures of the night, whose super-sensory powers allow them to live and survive in the shadows, then switch the lens to step into daylight, where the heat of the sun supercharges the secret lives of creatures big and small. Finally, use the third lens to reveal the luscious plant life of every habitat as you travel through a jungle, a reef, grasslands, woodland and uncover a world that never sleeps.

Danger Really is Everywhere | David O’Doherty & Chris Judge | $16.99 | Penguin Random House The world’s greatest (and only) Dangerologist is back to make YOU into a Level 3 Dangerologist in his new School of Danger handbook.

Note: Schools are full of danger, like: Vampire teachers, haunted Books and sneaky beasts like the ruler anaconda! So put on your danger helmet and don your T-Cod (Tiny Cape of Dangerology). We are heading out on Danger Patrol!

The Way Things Work Now | David Macaulay | $49.99 | Penguin Nelson says: An update to the worldwide bestseller, Macaulay captures the latest developments in technology and how they impact our lives. From windmills to Wi-Fi, this extraordinary and accessible book shows us the fundamental principles of machines and technology of the past and how they inform our future. Including visual puns, running jokes and a plethora of memorable characters, this book is the perfect gift for a curious mind.

The Book of Bees | Piotr Socha | $35.00 | Thames & Hudson Fergus says: Here’s a book that any person above the age of 5 is likely to pore over with interest and delight featuring 72 big, informative, colourfully-illustrated pages, all about bees. Prehistoric bees, the bee’s body in close-up, life in the beehive and surrounds, hives natural and artificial, honey and wax, various histories and cultural styles of human-bee interaction, industry and ecology… All in this beautiful bee encyclopedia!

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Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World | Kate Pankhurst | $14.99 | Allen & Unwin Mischa says: From Jane Austen to Anne Frank, this interactive picture book takes you on a journey through time to meet some of the astounding women from around the globe who have helped shape the world we live in. Created by a descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, this book combines beautiful and charming illustrations with fantastic facts.

The Curious Guide to Things That Aren’t | Abby Carter & John Fixx | $17.99 | Murdoch Books The Curious Guide to Things That Aren’t features 26 thoughtful riddles, one for each letter of the alphabet, with clues to solve about intangible items, teaching creative thinking through deductive reasoning, listening skills, and imagination.

101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up | Bianca Schulze | $17.99 | Murdoch Books 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up is a fun handbook for book lovers and their families to read, check off, and give their own book reviews.

This must-read review list acts as an interactive journal where kids can document the books they read, why they like them, and how they rate them. Divided into sections by subject, from fairy tales and fantasy to sports and nonfiction, Books to Read Before You Grow Up celebrates the importance of reading and encourages family participation to develop lifelong readers.

Big Dogs, Little Dogs l Jim Medway | $29.99 | Thames and Hudson Morgan says: There are so many beautiful dogs in this book it makes it hard to pick which breed is your favourite and even harder to resist the temptation of adopting one of your own. Grouped based on traditional functionality, the 300 dog breeds that are illustrated in this book make it easy and fun to learn and identify the dogs your encounter in your everyday life. A definite must for any dog lover!

CHIDLREN’S NON-FICTION

Aliens, Ghosts and Vanishings | Stella Tarakson & Richard Morden | $27.99 | Penguin Random House Have you heard the most bizarre tales from around Australia? Did a UFO drag a family’s car off the road in the middle of the outback? And what became of the prime minister who went into the surf and was never seen again?

Explore the strangest tales, most incredible encounters and creepiest urban legends in Australia’s history.

Guinness World Records 2017 | $44.99 | Pan Macmillan The record-breaking record book is back with a fresh new design and 13 chapters containing thousands of new and updated records, awe-inspiring never-before-seen photographs and a bucketload of facts, stats, figures and trivia. Look out for an all-new Factographic features and a chapter dedicated to helping you become a record breaker.

Hello, Sydney! | Megan McKean | $24.99 | Thames & Hudson A charming introduction to the harbour city for children ages 3-6. Kids will delight in spotting the mischievous seagulls hidden amongst these beautiful illustrations.

Coupled with facts about each of the locations that will appeal to both kids and parents, this book is illustrative and playful celebration of one of Australia’s greatest cities.

How Cities Work | James Gulliver Hancock | $24.99 | Lonely Planet What goes on behind the scenes, under the streets, and within the houses of our cities?

From Lonely Planet Kids comes a fascinating book for young readers aged 5+ all about the city—from skyscrapers, subways, to sewers.

Each page is beautifully illustrated by author of the All The Buildings That I’ve Drawn So Far series, James Gulliver Hancock. There are lots of facts, images, and details to find, unfold, and discover!

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ACTIVITY BOOKS

Smartphone Movie Maker | Bryan Michael Stoller | $29.99 | Walker Books Smartphone Movie Maker is a complete beginner’s guide to making movies with your smartphone. The film-maker’s handbook features expert advice on all aspects of film making, from planning a story to casting, shooting and editing. The box transforms into a film projector with a lens slot your smartphone into the box and play your film on a large screen.

Art Play | Marion Deuchars | $27.99 | Thames & Hudson Play with art like never before in this exciting new activity book. Marion has created a surprising and engaging range of activities and games organised into seven sections of Drawing, Colour, Shapes, Paint, Paper, Printing and Pattern. Each section is not only a great opportunity to play, but also helps to shape and form artistic ability. Art Play will bring out the artist in everyone.

Number Crunchers | Adam Spencer | $19.99 | New South Books Australia’s funniest maths dude is back with another bumper activity book for young and eager minds!

Packed full of games, puzzles, quizzes - along with heaps of stuff to draw, cut out, decipher and decode, this is the perfect book for kids aged 8+ They won’t believe numbers could be this much fun!

Lego Pop-Up | Matthew Reinhart | $39.99 | Scholastic Best-selling pop-up master, Reinhart takes fans on the ultimate journey through LEGO history with a little help from narrator Professor Wolfgang von Brickhausen, who heads the department of LEGO Studies at Baseplate University. This one-of-a-kind book is positively bursting with humour and interactivity!

Slot-Together Theatre | Anna Milbourne | $45.00 | Usborne Press out the pieces and slot them together to create a stunning model theatre. Includes scenery and characters for performances of The Nutcracker and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a QR link to download specially recorded music. There’s also a book with instructions for building the theatre, and stage directions for the shows.

Press-Out + Colour Birds | Zoe Ingram | $19.99 | Nosy Crow Each press-out bird is intricately decorated with foil and perfect for all ages to colour in and slot together to create gorgeuous hanging ornaments.

Alison Lester’s Wonderful World | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin Pick up your pencils, pens and crayons, and colour the pictures from the stories you’ve enjoyed over the years - Imagine, Kissed by the Moon, Noni the Pony and more.

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The Magic Show Book | DK | $39.99 | Penguin Random House Abracadabra! Amaze friends and family with this pop-up magic show book. The book becomes part of the show as young magicians use the book to make magic happen as they interact with props, pop-ups, and pull-tabs to perform card tricks, mindreading predictions, and much more. This is unlike any ordinary book about magic!

A Classic Treasury | Dr. Seuss | $19.99 | Harper Collins The perfect gift – five of Dr. Seuss’s best-loved tales in one attractive book. A wonderful gift, featuring five of the hilarious classics that made Dr. Seuss one of the best-loved children’s authors.

GIFT BOOKS

Vincent’s Starry Night | Michael Bird & Kate Evans | $45.00 | Laurence King An enthralling journey through 40,000 years of art, from prehistoric cave paintings right up to the present day. Discover artists and their art around the world, in exciting and imaginative tales about artists and the way they created their work.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | J K Rowling | $59.99 | Bloomsbury Ava says: Having been an avid Harry Potter fan for 11 years now, I absolutely adore Jim Kay’s latest work. The illustrations are stunning, with intricate detail and gorgeous colour, bringing to life J.K. Rowling’s enchanting series. With pages and pages of illustrations, from Leonardo Da Vinci-inspired botanical sketches to a full page portrait of Hagrid, the book is endlessly delightful. The illustrated edition is a perfect introduction to the series, and yet is equally appealing to older fans, for whom Jim Kay’s illustrations make it feel as if you were reading the books for the first time.

Tales from Outer Suburbia Book + 750-Piece Puzzle Box Set | Shaun Tan | $35.00 | Allen & Unwin Do you remember the water buffalo at the end of our street? Or the deep-sea diver we found near the underpass?

Do you know why dogs bark in the middle of the night? Tan reveals the quiet mysteries of everyday life: homemade pets, dangerous weddings, tiny exchange students, the unexpected edge of the world and secret rooms filled with darkness and delight.

Botanicum | Katie Scott & Kathy Willis | $39.95 | Five Mile Imagine if you could wander through every field, wood, tropical rainforest and flower glade in the world. Think what it would be like if you could see the most beautiful, exotic and weird plants all at once. Have you ever wondered what you would see if you could stroll back in time, to the start of life on Earth? You can, in the pages of Botanicum.

Thelma the Unicorn Book + Plush Toy Box Set | Aaron Blabey | $29.99 | Scholastic Thelma is an ordinary pony who longs to be more. One day, she spots a carrot on the ground and comes up with a brilliant idea. She ties it to her head, just before a skidding truck spills pink paint and glitter all over her. Presto Thelma is a unicorn! Thelma quickly rises to fame, but does she really want all the attention?

The School for Good and Evil Box Set l Soman Chainani | $34.99 | Harper Collins Steph says: I adored these novels for their clever exploration of what it means to be good and evil, for the way Chainani defines beauty and morality, and of course, for the laugh-out-loud escapades of Sophie and Agatha at their magical school.

Chainani tackles an awful lot in this series; from popularity and beauty to perceptions of gender and age without compromising the exciting and engaging storyline, relatable characters and remarkable setting required of all children’s novels!

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