a harrowing, important, triumphant and inspiring story

a harrowing, important, triumphant and inspiring story

One of the great things about picture books is their ability to help us feel the history as well as know the history, but they can do it in a way that leaves us with a sense of beauty and hope. Half Spoon of Rice does this brilliantly.
ages 10 years and up

Read More

science, friendship and a great idea for night-time adventure

science, friendship and a great idea for night-time adventure

ages toddler up to 7 or 8 years old
Ollie is the kind of kid who keeps on trying, who is determined and still thoughtful. He’s the kind of kid who other kids will be able to relate to. And he has the kind of experiences that many kids will be able to remember from their own lives. But Ollie is trying to work out the wind and when he figures out that the wind just wants to play, he takes a whole new approach. 

Read More

simple mistakes with outrageous consequences!

simple mistakes with outrageous consequences!

Dragons love tacos - but not salsa! When a young lad accidentally leaves out some salsa at a dragon party there are disastrous consequences. (It's all ok in the end of course.) Great for talking about mistakes, imagining dragon parties and whetting an appetite for tacos.
ages 2 to 8 years

Read More

a wonderfully rich book about loving and growing plants and people

a wonderfully rich book about loving and growing plants and people

ages 2 - 8 years. 

Tucked in and around this story about a young woman in the Great Depression are a myriad of really valuable thoughts and lessons. 

The Gardener is Lydia Grace, who is sent to live and work with her uncle in the city because her parents have no more work. 

She's worried of course, but also well aware of her own gifts and abilities. The story is told in a series of letters from Lydia Grace to her uncle in the city and then home to her family.

Read More

a bit of spunk and kindness can make a big difference

a bit of spunk and kindness can make a big difference

ages 2 to 8 years
Faith, Rose and Blossom have moved into a new house with their mum and dad. They settle into a delightful routine of watching the sun rise every morning from the roof of their house. But.. “The sun never touched the house next door. Next door, everything bristled. Next door lived Mr Wintergarten.

Read More

simply a lovely book to read, full of subtle teaching moments

simply a lovely book to read, full of subtle teaching moments

After World War II – as indeed after every war – there was a period of terrible poverty in the directly affected areas. And a terrible lack of consumer goods. In this story, a young girl, Anna, is in need of a new coat, in post-war Europe!
ages 2 to 8 years

Read More

hearing our own thoughts can lead to greatness!

hearing our own thoughts can lead to greatness!

all ages, baby to grownup
It's a pretty great book that can make you laugh out loud and still leave you with some deeper thoughts to ponder on. I AM HENRY FINCH is just that sort of book. Henry Finch follows the everyday flow of life until ... he doesn't. And that makes all the difference.
 

Read More