Better Read Kids February 2016 Reading Guide

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Februar y Reading G u i d e 2 0 16 bet terreadkids.com.au

Welcome to the Better Read Kids February Reading Guide!

It might be time to go back to school, but there is still plenty to get excited about when it comes to new books!

Hello Ruby is a book to help all us kids - of any age - learn the basics of computer programming. There is a new stunningly illustrated book from Steve Light, SWAP! Right through to some great new timely and challenging YA reads like Bro from Helen Chebatte and The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson.

February’s Kids Book of the Month is the endearing primary novel Crenshaw by Newberry Medal-winner Katherine Applegate.

Better Read Kids

Happy Reading!

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Summer Trading Hours

Stay Up-to-Date

Monday-Thursday

9.30 am - 9 pm

Better Read Kids

Friday-Saturday

9.30 am - 10pm

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Better Read Kids 265 King Street Newtown NSW 2042 E books@betterread.com.au P (+61 2) 9557 8700 F (+61 2) 9557 8560 W betterreadkids.com.au

01 baby &

02 picture

toddler

books

Please click on the book images to link directly to the Better Read Kids website purchase area.

03 junior fiction

06 graphic novels

fiction

05 young adult

07 non fiction

08 activities

Better Read Kids

All our content for each category is now linked by clicking on a bubble.

04 primary

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Baby & Toddler

Steph’s Pick

Who is Happy: See & Say Your First Feelings | Peter Jarvis | $24.95 | Walker Books In this fun, interactive question-and-answer book, young readers can look carefully at the pictures to work out who’s feeling what, learning how to understand 12 key emotions and recognise them in others. The vibrant illustrations and simple language make this perfect for ages 2 and over.

Better Read Kids

“learn how to understand 12 key emotions and recognise them in others”

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A Ball for Daisy | Chris Raschka | $16.99 | Random House A Ball for Daisy relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy’s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka’s signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

“children dealing with the loss of something special.”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Baby & Toddler Smelly Louie | Catherine Rayner | $14.99 | Pan Macmillan Louie the dog has just had a bath - and he is NOT happy about it. He smells all wrong. Determined to get his Special Smell back, he goes on a hunt for it and meets lots of smelly things along the way. Will he ever get his smell back? Full of humour and richly textured artwork, this funny canine tale will be a sure-fire hit with children and adults alike.

It’s a Little Baby | Julia Donaldson & Rebecca Cobb | $14.99 | Pan Macmillan It’s five little babies, doing all the things that babies do - waving, clapping, pointing, and so on. Featuring a song written by Donaldson that will also be available online, this is a wonderful little book filled with colourful illustrations and simple rhyming schemes. Adults and children alike will find themselves singing along.

Better Read Kids

“full of humour and richly textured artwork, this funny canine tale will be a sure-fire hit”

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“Adults and children alike will find themselves singing along”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Picture Books

Amelia’s Pick

The Adventures of Beekle | Dan Santat | $14.99 | Hachette Somewhere out there is an island where imaginary friends are born. There they wait until their owner needs them most. But what if someone never needs one? Young Beekle is having none of that, so off he sets to track down his real-life friend.

This is a wonderful new story from a prize-winning illustrator.

Better Read Kids

“Somewhere out there is an island where imaginary friends are born”

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New Year Surprise! | Christopher Cheng | $24.99 | New South This latest offering from local children’s author Christopher Cheng is a tale of a small boy’s experience of Chinese New Year Spring Festival in rural China. Told by an older brother that he is too young to help in preparations for the festivities, the boy goes searching through the village to finds a way he can join in. And he is in for a surprise! Told with stunning illustrations and great authenticity, this is a wonderful way to explore another part of the world.

“a tale of a small boy’s experience of Chinese New Year Spring

Festival in rural China”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Picture Books Frankencrayon | Michael Hall | $24.99 | Harper Collins The costumes are made, the roles are cast, the pages are all set—but then disaster strikes.

Someone has scribbled on the page! Hideous!

Horrifying! The story can’t go on! Try as they might, the crayons can’t erase the scribble, and this picture book must be cancelled. Until the crayons playing the title role of Frankencrayon think of a solution, that is. A book about seeing beauty in unexpected places and the magic of storytelling.

“A book about seeing beauty in unexpected places”

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding | Linda Liukas | $16.99 | Penguin In Ruby’s world, anything is possible!

Part story, part activity book, Hello Ruby is a whimsical and creative introduction to the fundamental concepts of coding, programming and thinking outside the box. You can follow Ruby as she explores the world making new friends and solving puzzles. Included are playful exercises and activity that encourage your own exploration and creativity. This is a book for children of all ages.

“a whimsical and creative

introduction to the fundamental concepts of coding”

Better Read Kids

Karma’s Pick

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

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activities

Picture Books

Liz’s Pick

This is Not a Picture Book | Sergio Ruzzier | $29.95 | Hardie Grant This is a charming tale in which Duck and his friend bug discover that even books without pictures can be fun! While the friends struggle to understand their book with lots of words at first, they soon begin to learn how to read and to appreciate it the fun of words. Author and artist Serio Ruzzier has created a delightful picture book that proves books with words deserve a place on the shelf as much as books with only words!

Better Read Kids

“even books without pictures can be fun.”

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Swap! | Steve Light | $24.95 | Walker Books Let’s SWAP! This lively tale of bartering and learning mental arithmetic follows a young scallywag as he sets out to help his captain repair his vessel while cheering up his friend.

One button for three teacups. SWAP! Two teacups for four coils of rope. SWAP! And so it goes, until he has secured sails, anchors, a ship’s wheel, and more - But can he really barter his way to a nifty new ship for the captain in need?

Steve Light’s stunning intricate pen and ink illustrations are punctuated with blue colour and a rip roaring tale. This story is especially for all those pirate fans out there.

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Picture Books Mother Bruce | Ryan Higgins | $28.99 | Hachette What’s a bear to do when he discovers that some of the hard-boiled eggs he loves to eat are actually live goslings?! And then Bruce the bear, who much prefers to keep all to himself, discovers that the goslings are convinced he is their mother. But he just can’t seem to convince them to head south.

This is a hilarious tale of one grumpy bear, four gorgeous goslings and a case of mistaken identity from the up and coming author/illustrator Ryan Higgns.

“one grumpy bear, four gorgeous goslings and a case of

Where is Bear? | Jonathan Bentley | $24.95 | Hardie Grant No one goes to bed without their faithful bear. But this irresistible story has a surprise in store! Jonathan Bentley is an award-winning illustrator and artist and an international favourite. In this adorable book he again displays his talent for drawing dangerously huge yet endearing animals alongside delicately young but domineering children. A story that engages and astonishes on many levels.

“Engages and astonishes on

many levels.”

Better Read Kids

mistaken identity ”

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

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05 young adult

06 graphic novels

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activities

Junior Fiction The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Hoard | Shannon Hale & Dean Hale | $19.99 | Walker Books The princess in black encounters her biggest challenge yet in this third instalment of the popular series. After the sound of the monster alarm the princess and her faithful sidekick discover…. A field full of adorable bunnies! But are the bunnies as innocent and cute as they seem? This is another hilarious and action packed story for the lovers of princesses AND super heroes.

Better Read Kids

“hilarious and action packed story for the lovers of princesses AND super heroes.”

Steph’s Pick

Flat Stanley: The Australian Boomerang Bonanza | J Greenhut | $9.95 | Hardie Grant Flat Stanley and his brother Arthur have just won a trip to Australia! They fly down under on a private jet and go diving in the Great Barrier Reef. But when Arthur launches him into the air for a game of boomerang, Stanley is accidentally sent spinning off into the heart of the Australian outback!

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“Flat Stanley and his brother Arthur

have just won a trip to Australia!”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

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activities

Junior Fiction Jinny & Cooper: My Teacher’s Big Bad Secret l Tania Ingram | $14.99 | Penguin If only all pet guinea pigs were this charming, or as magical!

Jinny’s golden-haired guinea pig can talk, read, hover, turn invisible, and even teleport! Jinny is in for all kinds of trials and tribulations. This time Cooper is convinced Jinny’s lovely teacher Miss Bunney is actually a witch. Is Cooper onto something or is he furry paranoiac?

Trouble at Home | Cate Whittle | $9.99 | Scholastic Ages and ages ago about two weeks since next Thursday a giant green dragon stole my baby brother, Godfrey. Well, okay, the giant green dragon actually stole the house. … I saw it all happen.The only clues are potato chips and sarsaparilla drink.

Squishy Taylor and the Bonus Sisters | Ailsa Wild | $12.95 | Hardie Grant An apartment full of questions on a street full of mysteries ...Why does Squishy have to share everything with her new step-sisters? Why is her next-door neighbor the crankiest man in the world? Why are green jelly snakes the yummiest?

Who’s that hiding in the basement?

Better Read Kids

Can Georgia solve the mystery of the missing family home?

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

Primary Fiction

Better Read Kids

Book of the Month

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Crenshaw | Katherine Applegate | $14.99 | Harper Collins Not a typical imaginary friend story, Crenshaw follows Jackson, a boy whose family has fallen under hard times turning their lives upside down. This leads to the reappearance of the giant talking cat Crenshaw who is invisible to everyone but Jackson. A story of family, Crenshaw also centres around the serious themes of poverty, class and mental health.

Sweet and clever this is a great one for both kids and parents to get involved with.

“Sweet and clever this is a great one for kids and parents to

read and enjoy together!�

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activities

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Primary Fiction Anna and the Swallow Man | Gavriel Savit | $19.99 | Random House When her college professor father is sent by the Gestapo to a concentration camp, seven-yearold Anna travels the Polish countryside with the mysterious Swallow Man during World War II. Weaving elements of fairytale, folktale, historical fiction, magical realism, and the precarious balance between the adulthood and childhood world, Anna and the Swallow Man is a book of many facets that is nevertheless cohesive. Truly effecting and wonderful I cannot recommend this enough! 10+

Iris and the Tiger | Leanne Hall | $16.99 | Penguin Twelve-year-old Iris has been sent to Spain on a mission: to make sure her elderly and unusual aunt, Ursula, leaves her fortune – and her sprawling estate – to Iris’s scheming parents. From the moment Iris arrives she is embroiled in a strange and whimsical mystery of art, life and family. She is determined to discover exactly what her Aunt Ursula is hiding. Charming, delightful and utterly enchanting! 10+

Better Read Kids

Amelia’s Pick

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“Iris is embroiled in a strange and

whimsical mystery of art, life and family.”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

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activities

Primary Fiction Fat Boy Swim | Catherine Forde | $14.95 | Hardie Grant Jimmy Kelly is fat. Inside, Jimmy doesn’t feel like Smelly Kelly, Fat Boy Fat. If any of his classmates bothered to talk to him, instead of slagging him off, they’d find he was just as clued up as they were on films, on books, on telly, even on sport. But he wouldn’t tell them that his secret talent is cooking. And there is another secret that even he doesn’t know yet, and it’ll change him forever. Catherine Forde returns with a brilliant, bittersweet story of first love, forgiveness and a family coming to terms with the past.

Better Read Kids

Stormwalker | Mike Revell | $16.99 | Hachette Owen is a regular boy with a fairly predictable and stable life. Until one moment he is not. Sucked into an alternate reality, he finds that his hometown, now a wasteland, is plagued with a terrible darkness that is threatening everyone in it. What Owen does not understand is why he is here; but he does know that he has to help fight for it. But what if he never gets to go back home. A stunning new story that will hook fans of writers like David Almond.

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Alison’s Pick

The Green Bicycle | Haifaa Al Mansour | $16.99 | Penguin The novel that inspired the sensational Saudi Arabian film “Wadjda” is finally being released locally. All Wadja wants is a bicycle to race with the boys. Problem is she lives in Saudi Arabia, a place where girls are told they can’t ride bicycles. Not that she will let that stop her. In the vein of Yousafi Malala, this is a heart-warming story of a child’s innocence challenging the staus quo.

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Primary Fiction

Alice Miranda to the Rescue | Jacqueline Harvey | $16.99 | Random House It’s the beginning of term and Alice-Miranda is delighted to be back at school. There is excitement in the air with the news of Miss Reedy and Mr Plumpton’s engagement and fast-approaching wedding.

Nearby, in Winchesterfield, there is plenty afoot with the village about to host Chudleigh’s, the country’s most prestigious dog show.

Along with the event come a series of bizarre characters. Could their strange behaviour be hiding something more alarming? If so, AliceMiranda will need to act quickly to save the day!

First Term at Trebizon | Anne Digby | $14.95 | Hardie Grant Perfect for fans of the Naughtiest Girl and What Katie Did, this classic series has finally been brought back into print for the first time in over a decade! Following the hijinks of Rebecca, a new student at Trebizon Academy and her best friends Tish and Sue this series is destined for a new generation of readers!

Better Read Kids

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow | Katherine Woodfine | $16.95 | Hardie Grant You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair’s department store! Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of the priceless Clockwork Sparrow! Tremble as the most dastardly criminals in London enact their wicked plans! Gasp as our bold heroines, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose, CRACK codes, devour iced buns and vow to bring the villains to justice.

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Young Adult

Better Read Kids

Amelia’s Pick

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Bro | Helen Chebatte | $16.95 | Hardie Grant When you mix teenage boys, fight club and ethnic hostility you most certainly get war.

Romeo knows the rules about who to stick with and who to trust when it comes to friends and family. But some rules are also made for breaking.

Romeo finds himself and everyone around him tested to the limits. This is one explosive debut from Helen Chebatte.

“This is one explosive debut

from Helen Chebatte.”

The Art of Being Normal | Lisa Williamson | $17.99 | Scholastic David has always been an outsider. His parents think he’s gay. The school bully thinks he’s a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth – David wants to be a girl. When Leo, the new kid at school stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy.

Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long.

12+

“David has always been an

outsider.”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Young Adult

Passenger | Alexandra Bracken | $19.99 | Harper Collins Etta Spencer is a violin prodigy. When tragedy strikes and a mysterious power tied closely to her musical abilities manifests, Etta is pulled back through time to 1776 in the midst of a fierce sea battle. Etta learns her fate is entwined with an object of untold value from her past. Embarking on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind from a mysterious traveller, the true nature of the object and Ironwood’s dangerous game, could mean the end for Nicholas and Etta.

Max | Sarah Cohen-Scali | $22.99 | Penguin We first meet Max as a foetus, still inside his blonde, blue-eyed mother. And he begins to tell us the story of his destiny as an indoctrinated prototype of those produced to regenerate the Reich post 1945. That is until he meets a young Polish boy.

Despite the obvious evil and cruelty of Max, you cannot help but empathise with and understand this orphan. As gripping as it is confronting, this historical novel brings to life a little known aspect of WWII.

Better Read Kids

Mischa’s Pick

The Hired Girl | Laura Amy Schlitz | $27.99 | Walker Books Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs yearns for real life and true love, just like the heroines in her books. But what hope is there for adventure, beauty, or art on a farm in Pennsylvania where the work never ends?

Inspired by her own grandmother’s journal, Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz relates Joan’s journey from the muck of the chicken coop to the comforts of a society household in Baltimore (Electricity! Carpet sweepers! Sending out the laundry!), taking readers on an exploration of feminism and housework; religion and literature; love and loyalty; cats and hats.

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01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Better Read Kids

Graphic Novels

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The Throne of Fire | Rick Riordan | $29.99 | Penguin Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed on the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister, Sadie, have been in big trouble.

As descendants of the magical House of Life, they command certain powers. But now a terrifying enemy - Apophis, the giant snake of chaos - is rising. If Carter and Sadie don’t destroy him, the world will end in five days’ time. Can the Kanes destroy Apophis before he swallows the sun and plunges the earth into darkness...forever?

Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice | Derek Fridolls & Dustin Nguyen | $12.99 | Scholastic After their successful “Lil’Gotham” series, the folks at Marvel are expanding the scope of their Marvel universe into a brand new market. The DC Secret Hero Society details the school-time dramas of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. No doubt other heroes and villains alike will make an appearance or two as well. ***

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Non-Fiction Footnball Record Breakers | Clive Gifford | $19.95 | Hardie Grant From the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships to the record-breakers of Series A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League, football’s record-breaking stars are here. This book is packed with thousands of eye-popping stats about incredible trophy-winning teams and legendary goal scorers from around the globe, and contains all the needto-know facts and figures from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Amazing Animal Journeys | Chris Packham | $19.95 | Hardie Grant This is a beautiful, fact-filled picture book by BBC wildlife expert, Chris Packham. Every year billions of animals migrate from one part of our planet to another. Travel around the world to meet some of the masters of migration as they take you with them on some incredible journeys. From whales and wildebeest to butterflies and bats, discover each of their stories, pore over the migration map and uncover extra information in the Find Out More section. An excellent source of expert wildlife information for all young nature lovers, this is the perfect introduction to the natural world for 4 and 5 year old boys and girls.

Better Read Kids

“This book is packed with thousands of eye-popping stats about incredible trophy-winning teams”

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Claire’s Pick

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

07 non fiction

08 activities

Non-Fiction

Better Read Kids

100 Events That Made History | Dorling Kindersley | $29.99 | Penguin Applying quirky illustrations and fun, informative text, this book takes a look at the key events from blood thirsty battles and rebellious revolutions to curious coincidences and unfortunate accidents from the past that have helped shape our present. Divided into five chapters: Momentous Moments, Battling It Out, Weird or What?, Nasty Nature, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, major moments that have changed the course of history are showcased together with minor incidents to give full context to each event.From the Gold Rush to the moon landing, and the Great Fire of London to the sinking of the Titanic, 100 Events That Made History is perfect for book reports, school projects, or anytime reading to satisfy and educate curious minds.

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Timeline | Peter Goes | $34.99 | Scholastic This is a trip through time, past dinosaurs, Vikings, Aztecs and spaceships. It looks at wars and disasters; introduces artists, explorers and leaders; shows us living in castles, yurts and skyscrapers.

And it does not neglect the imagination—here too are dragons, mythical figures and TV characters, alongside world-changing inventions borne from the imaginations of scientists and explorers. Each scene puts global events in perspective, in space and time.

Steph’s Pick

“From the Big Bang to the present day, illustrated scenes tell the history of our planet in one continuous story.”

01 baby & toddler

02 picture books

03 junior fiction

04 primary fiction

05 young adult

06 graphic novels

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08 activities

Activities

Better Read Kids

Cut & Colour Playbook: Seasons | Anouck Boisrobert | $17.99 | Thames and Hudson Create beautiful, layered paper dioramas with this clever art activity book. With a combination of drawing, colouring and craft skills, children are taken page-by-page through creating four seasonal landscape scenes. The front of the pages contain line illustrations, created by Anouck Boisrobert, to which children can colour in and add detail. As each page is finished in turn, a layered landscape is slowly created. Flipping back to the first page will reveal the completed seasonal scene in all its glory!

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Better Read Kid’s Individualised Services Specialised Recommendations for All! • Do you have a voracious reader you just can’t keep up with? We can show you the latest and best new releases that they’re sure to love.

• Looking for a book on a specific topic or theme to match your child’s interests? We’ve got them covered, from dinosaurs to Frozen!

• Are you struggling to get your child enthusiastic about reading and are on the hunt for inspiration?

Let us help you find the one that might turn it all around.

• Sort of remember the vague colour and shape of a book you saw that one time and hoping to find it? Test our memory! You may be surprised.

Complimentary Gift-Wrapping with Purchase We use beautiful, Australian-made wrapping paper suitable for any celebration. Only $6.95 for standard shipping via Australia Post.

Gift Vouchers Available in any amount and valid for a whole year!

Book Clubs

Better Read Kids

We currently run numerous book clubs for kids out of our store most Saturdays in which Amelia and various groups of amazing kids aged 7-16 get together and dissect a book that we selected the previous month. Anyone is welcome to join!

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Special Events Better Read Kids regularly hosts author visits and signings. To keep alerted to these exciting events make sure you sign up to our mailing list!

Summer Trading Hours

Stay Up-to-Date

Monday-Thursday

9.30 am - 9 pm

Better Read Kids

Friday-Saturday

9.30 am - 10pm

@BetterReadKids

Better Read Kids 265 King Street Newtown NSW 2042 E books@betterread.com.au P (+61 2) 9557 8700 F (+61 2) 9557 8560 W betterreadkids.com.au