Better Read Kids 1 June Reading Guide 2015 betterreadkids.com.au
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J u n e R e a d i n g G u i d e 2 0 15
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Welcome to the Better Read Kids June Reading Guide!
June is here and what a month it is! Some of my favourite titles from last year have finally been released as paperbacks (such as The Boundless & Bad Magic) and we also some keenly anticipated next-in-series from Anh Do, which will no doubt keep the Weirdo fans happy!
It is also an absolutely stunning month for picture books. The queen of visual humour, Pat Hutchins, has written and illustrated the sequel to Rosie’s Walk we didn’t even know we needed with Where, Oh Where, Is Rosie’s Chick, and the beautiful monochromatic My Pen is a must read.
As always, these titles are just the top of the iceberg of the amazing new releases we receive in every month so make sure you pop in for a visit or go to our website to browse through the other books that didn’t make it into these pages.
Until next month readers,
Amelia
All our content for each category is now linked by clicking on a bubble.
Please click on the book images to link directly to the Better Read Kids website purchase area.
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Baby & Toddler
Big Fat Cows & Brave Dave | Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton | $14.99 each | Pan Macmillan
In Big Fat Cows there are cows on trains, cows on planes, cows in space and an exploding cow! Kapow! Or meet Brave Dave, who is really, really, really brave… until night-time. With the rhyming mayhem and comic madness we all know and love, Griffiths’ books for young readers will entice and engage the most reluctant kids to read and have them laughing the whole way through. Accompanied by Terry Denton’s delightfully wonky illustrations, these side-splitting classics are even better in board book form.
“...these side-splitting classics are even better in board book form.”
Uno’s Garden Counting Book | Graeme Base | $14.99 | Penguin
Graeme Base’s books have delighted multiple generations of young readers over the last thirty years. His latest book, specially adapted from the classic Uno’s Garden, is no exception. With Base’s gorgeous illustrations celebrating nature and imagination, this playful book guides children as they learn their numbers, discovering a whole menagerie of surprising and delightful creatures along the way.
“...celebrating nature and imagination...”
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Baby & Toddler
01baby & toddler
Follow Me! | Ellie Sandall | $24.99 | Hachette
Full of fun and energy, this rhythmic, rhyming story by Ellie Sandall stars some very mischievous lemurs. Follow them on their journey through the jungle as they meet a snappy crocodile, climb tall trees and get absolutely exhausted from all the fun! This is a colourful and playful picture book about curiosity, exploration and–most importantly–the value of a journey with friends.
“...a colourful and playful picture book about curiosity, exploration...”
Touch the Brightest Star | Christie Matheson | $19.99 | HarperCollins
What happens while you’re sleeping? In this interactive bedtime story you can touch, tap, blink and whisper to make magic happen in the gorgeous night sky. With lush, beautiful watercolours and paper collage, Matheson reveals the magic of night with the same soothing rhythm and clever interactive elements that made its companion novel, Tap the Magic Tree, so successful.
“...reveals the magic of night with...soothing rhythm...”
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Picture Books
Where, Oh Where, is Rosie’s Chick? | Pat Hutchins | $24.99 | Hachette
Rosie’s Walk | Pat Hutchins | $21.99 | Random House
It’s here! The highly-anticipated and delightfully clever sequel to best-selling Rosie’s Walk has arrived! Rosie has lost her baby chick. She looks under the hen house. She looks behind the wheelbarrow. But little baby chick isn’t there… Watch out Rosie–there’s someone following you, and it’s not just your baby chick! Hutchins once again demonstrates why her books have been beloved for decades, and brings her trademark visual humour and interactivity to this new title.
“Hutchins once again demonstrates why her books have been beloved for decades, and brings her trademark visual humour and interactivity to this new title.”
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Book of the month
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Picture Books
My Pen | Christopher Myers | $26.99 | Hachette
My pen can ride dinosaurs, hide an elephant in a teacup, tap dance on the sky and draw clouds with its feet. What can your pen do?! My Pen is a phenomenal book, inspiring kids to create and imagine worlds through art and design. Acclaimed author and illustrator Christopher Myers uses rich black-and-white illustrations to bring a sketchbook to life, demonstrating how a kid can do anything with a simple pen!
“... inspiring kids to create and imagine worlds through art and design.”
Sir Lilypad | Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie | $14.99 | Simon & Schuster
Once upon a time, in a deep dark bog, lived a teeny, tiny speckled frog who dreams of becoming a knight! Sir Lilypad the brave and wise, slayer of dragonflies, just needs a kiss from a princess to complete his transformation and prove to the other frogs that he can be great. This is the new and fantastically funny tale from the internationally best-selling picture book duo Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie.
“...the new and fantastically funny tale from the internationally best-selling duo...”
02picture books
Everyone loves it!
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Help! The Wolf is Coming! | Cedric Ramadier | $16.99 | Scholastic
Oh no! The wolf is coming! He’s a little scary. Maybe he wants to eat us! But here’s an idea: if we hold the book on a slant, maybe the wolf will slip and fall... And if he holds onto a branch, maybe we can shake the book so he drops off... Or maybe it’s enough to turn the page to make him disappear... Let’s try! This quirky, interactive picture book is guaranteed to delight fans, both little and big, of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here.
“...guaranteed to delight fans...of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here.”
Billy’s Booger: A Memoir (Sorta) | William Joyce | $24.99 | Simon & Schuster
Billy loves to draw. He draws on books and on his homework and even on his math tests! The school librarian has an idea to help Billy apply his illustrations to his learning: a book-making contest! This wildly fun story-within-a-story for kids aged 4+ is based loosely on the childhood of children’s book legend William Joyce, and includes a sewn-in mini-book that tells the tale of the world’s smartest booger.
A Tower of Giraffes: Animal Bunches | Anna Wright | $22.99 | Murdoch
A tower of giraffes, a drove of pigs, a romp of otters; the names of the animal groups in this book are as intriguing as the illustrations, which feature a sophisticated yet accessible, fun and very recognisable mix of pen and ink, watercolour and fabric collage. Anna Wright’s unusual pictures reveal the character behind the familiar animals to create an engaging and amusing read for little ones aged 3+.
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Picture Books
Adams’ Pick
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Picture Books
There’s a Bear On My Chair | Ross Collins | $22.99 | Allen & Unwin
Poor Mouse! A bear has decided to settle down in Mouse’s favourite chair, and that chair just isn’t big enough for them to share. The bouncy and hilarious rhymes, reminiscent of Dr Seuss, make this the perfect book for sharing and reading aloud. This joyously illustrated picture book by a multi-award-winning talent is bound to become a steadfast classic for readers aged 3-103.
“...bouncy and hilarious rhymes, reminscent of Dr Seuss...”
The Cloudspotter | Tom McLaughlin | $22.99 | Allen & Unwin
From the author of The Story Machine comes a charming tale about Franklin the Cloudspotter, who spends his time spotting not just clouds but adventures in the sky. This way, he doesn’t feel so alone. Then, one day, an unexpected visitor appears in his adventures and it throws everything up in the air. Could it be that two Cloudspotters are better than one? This quirky and adventurous picture book is perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers!
“...quirky and adventurous...perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers.”
Everyone loves it!
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Junior Fiction
Tashi 20th Anniversary Edition | Anna Fienberg | $12.99 | Allen & Unwin
Ever since Tashi fled to our world on the back of a swan twenty years ago, he’s been regaling us with accounts of his fabulous adventures. This special anniversary edition presents the original Tashi adventure along with a new story about Tashi’s first birthday, Tashi and the Silver Cup. This is a beautiful gift for someone who already loves Tashi or a great way to welcome new Tashiophiles to the fold. Suitable for ages 5-8.
“...a great way to welcome new Tashiophiles to the fold.”
Evangeline the Wish Keeper’s Helper | Maggie Alderson | $14.99 | Penguin
Evangeline is a toy elephant and she lives under the bed. Evangeline wishes more than anything in the world for something to happen. She lies under the bed waiting and waiting. Will her wish come true? This adorable tale is brought to us by the beloved best-selling Australian novelist Maggie Alderson and is sure to enthral children aged 5-7.
“...is sure to enthral children
aged 5-7.”
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Junior Fiction
Completely Clementine | Sara Pennypacker | $24.99 | Hachette
Everything around Clementine is changing, but does that mean that she has to as well?! Summer is drawing nearer–Clementine isn’t ready for that. Her mum has a new baby on the way–Clementine isn’t ready for that either. But most of all Clementine isn’t ready to say goodbye to her fabulous and fabulising Year 3 teacher Mr. D’Matz. Completely Clementine is ideal for kids 6-8 who might need help adjusting to change in their own lives.
“Everything around Clementine is changing...”
Coco Banjo is Having a Yay Day | N.J. Gemmell | $14.99 | Random House
Coco is living the life of which so many of us dream: she sleeps in a tiger onesie, wears diamonds whenever she pleases, and she lives on a secret island in the middle of Sydney Harbour. But one day she spies the secret signal and knows that one of her friends is being bullied. Quick thinking Coco is set on a rescue mission but matters are complicated by the unsympathetic Miss Trample (the prickly headmistress) who takes issue with Coco’s ‘customised’ school uniform. Coco’s adventures will appeal to children aged 5-8.
Young Hank Zipzer Books 1 & 2 | Henry Winkler | $9.95 each | Walker Books
The Fonz has published a chidlren’s book at last! Our beloved Fonzie has drawn upon his own experience as a child growing up with dyselxia and the font is epsecially designed to be accessilbe for kids who suffer from dyslexia themsleves. Hank Zipzer doesn’t try to be funny, but whenever he reads his classtames laugh at him. In these adventures, he must overcome the daunting task of performing in a school play, getting through a spelling test and learning how to be responsible for a pet dog! Kids aged 6-9 will have a ball, and these books are great for getting reluctant readers started.
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Primary Fiction
Bad Magic | Pseudonymous Bosch | $14.99 | HarperCollins
From the pen that brought you the mad-cap Secret Series comes another gripping mystery! While attending a camp for wayward children located on a volcanic island, Clay discovers a magical book that drags him into an investigation full of twisted and dangerous secrets. Both funny and chilling, this is an absolute cracker start to another great new series from the mysterious Pseudonymous Bosch for ages 10+!
The Boundless | Kenneth Oppel | $17.99 | David Fickling Books
I absolutely loved this cross-continental Canadian steam-punk circus train treasure-seeking adventure! When Will Everett boards The Boundless he has NO idea of the adventure he is about to embark on. When he ends up in possession of the key to a train car full of priceless treasures, he becomes the target of sinister figures hell-bent on capturing him. In order to survive, Will teams up with young escape artist Maren and joins the travelling circus to hide in plain sight. With villains fast on their heels, can they save The Boundless before someone winds up dead? 10+
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Amelia’s Pick
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Primary Fiction
All Four Stars | Tara Dairman | $14.99 | Penguin
When eleven-year-old Gladys Gatsby accidentally sets the kitchen curtains on fire whilst attempting to brûlée some crème, her parents react the way ANY sane parents would—namely, by completely banning her from any and all food-related activities. This would be fine, except Gladys is one of New York City’s foremost restaurant critics! All Four Stars is a charming and endearing read that will connect to the chef (and eater) in everyone.
“...a charming and endearing read that will connect to the chef (and eater) in everyone.”
Weirdo Book 4: Super Weirdo! | Anh Do | $14.99 | HarperCollins
Weir is back in the SUPER weird fourth book in Anh Do’s hilarious Weirdo series. Dad’s working on his cool dance moves for the local talent quest, while Weir’s trying out for the school soccer team! Will Weir score a spot, or fall flat? It won’t be easy... But it will be funny! As well as being a laugh-out-loud, engaging series, it’s also an important read for kids aged 6-9 that tackles bullying, multiculturalism and being different.
“...a laugh-out loud engaging series...that tackled bullying, multiculturalism and being different.”
Arena 13 | Joseph Delaney | $15.99 | Random House
Leif has one ambition: to become the best fighter in the notorious Arena 13. To do this he is going to take on Hob, an evil being that delights in torturing people and who destroyed Leif’s family–even if it kills him. This first book in an exhilarating new fantasy sequence from the author of The Spook’s Apprentice is the perfect dystopian read, action-packed with a Gladiator vibe, for kids aged 11+.
“...the perfect dystopian read, action-packed with a Gladiator vibe for kids aged 11+.”
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Primary Fiction
The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones | Will Mabbitt | $14.99 | Penguin
Have you ever picked your nose and eaten it and, by doing so, opened a portal to a world run by PIRATES? Mabel Jones has. Her voyage takes her across the Greasy Pole of Certain Death, into the belly of a whale, and underground to a decrepit crypt. And she does it all in pyjamas! With the promise of an unlikely adventure in the style of Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman, and Philip Reeve, Will Mabbitt has created a hilarious new fantasy series for readers aged 8-12.
“...an unlikely adventure in the style of Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman and Philip Reeve...
Notebooks of a Middle-School Princess | Meg Cabot | $14.99 | Pan MacMillan
The much-loved author of the Princess Diaries series tackles middle school! This time we see Genovia through the illustrated diaries of a spunky new heroine, 12-year-old book-and-music-loving Olivia Grace Clarisse Harrison, who happens to be the long lost half-sister of Princess Mia Thermopolis. In classic Meg Cabot style, this fast-paced, dramatic, and emotional story for ages 8-12 is an entertaining and empowering read.
“The illustrated diaries of a spunky new heroine...”
Adams’ Pick
Fuzz McFlops | Eva Furnari | $14.99 | Murdoch Books
Fuzz McFlops is one of the most famous rabbit-writers in the land, but ever since his classmates teased him about his lopsided ears at school he’s led a lonely life, writing sad stories such as The Withered Carrot. One day he receives a letter from a fan who wants to brighten up his day with positivity. Translated from Portuguese, Furnari has created a quirky and lovable book with gorgeous illustrations for children aged 5-8.
“Translated from Portuguese...a quirky and lovable book with gorgeous illustrations...”
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Young Adult
05young adult
I’ll Give You the Sun | Jandy Nelson | $17.95 | Walker Books
The publishers claim that this radiant novel will leave you laughing and crying, all at once, and I can personally attest to that. I didn’t know it was possible to sob while grinning through a whole 400-page book, but it is and it is QUITE an experience! Jandy Nelson spent four years writing this story about twins Noah and Jude and it shows. The characters are vividly and authentically drawn, which makes the devastating story of their mother’s death even more heartbreaking. These inseparable twins suffered a rift after this tragedy and the story tracks their trajectories away and then back towards each other. It’s also a story about art, the production and destruction of it, as well as of superstitions and growing up. It is the most finely written and crafted book for young adults I have ever read, and I will be recommending it to every person over the age of 12 I meet until everyone in the world has read it!
Book of the month
...but everyone
loves it!Adams’ Pick
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Young Adult
It’s About Love I Steven Camden | $16.99 | HarperCollins
From the author of Tape comes a bold, thought-provoking novel about love and life in the real world for readers aged 13+. He’s Luke. She’s Leia. Just like in Star Wars. It’s as if they’re made for each other. But real life is messier than in the movies… in real life, monsters from the past come back to take revenge. And, sometimes, it’s you that’s the monster…
“...bold, thought-provoking...”
Extraordinary Means | Robyn Schneider | $16.99 | Simon & Schuster
Lovers of John Green will devour this! At seventeen, Lane finds himself at Latham House, a sanatorium for teens suffering from an incurable strain of tuberculosis. Here Lane encounters Sadie, a girl he knew years ago. But as they begin to fall in love, they fall sicker and their insular world threatens to crash down around them. Told in alternating points of view, Extraordinary Means is a darkly funny story about doomed friendships, first love and the rare miracle of second chances for teens 13+.
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Young Adult
Hidden Talents | David Lubar | $14.99 | Pan MacMillan
This reprint of the first novel in the hit supernatural duology by award-winning author David Lubar is a hilarious coming-of-age story starring the misfits at Edgeview Alternative School. Martin and his friends don’t like being called losers, until Martin makes an incredible discovery: each of his friends has a special hidden talent. But it’s in the acceptance of personal imperfection where true talents lie. Lubar has created an utterly engaging, unique, and timeless read for children aged 11-14.
Othergirl | Nicole Burstein | $19.99 | Random House
Life isn’t a comic book–it’s WAY crazier than that. Being a superhero’s BFF is not easy, especially when trouble has a way of seeking you both out. For Erica, teenage library assistant, and her best friend Louise (Superhero name: Flamegirl) life is a confusing mix of villains, crushes and family dramas. But with each other’s support they can handle anything… right? Clever, cute and lots of fun, Othergirl is one of the best depictions of friendship I have seen in a long time and perfect for readers aged 12+.
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Amelia’s Pick
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Biography
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer | $29.99
The best-selling memoir of the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village by building an innovative windmill is now brilliantly retold for younger readers, complete with photographs, illustrations and an epilogue that will bring kids up to date on William’s story. This memoir demonstrates how, even in a desperate situation, one boy’s brilliant idea can light up the world and is an inspirational story that kids aged 8-12 will want to share with the whole family.
Guarding Eden: Champions of Climate Action | Deborah Hart | $17.99 | Allen & Unwin
Guarding Eden tells the personal stories of twelve ordinary people from all walks of life, twelve people who were so concerned about climate change that they altered their lives to do something about it. Some did quiet back room work in research, others decided to go public. It is a surprisingly touching read and makes an issue as complex and controversial as climate change feel human and deeply real.
“...human and deeply real.”
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Non-Fiction
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fiction
100 Things to Know About Science | Fiona Watt | $24.99 | HarperCollins
Presented in a visual and pictorial ‘infographic’ style format, the book provides snippets of information about all aspects of science, from particle physics to genes and DNA! 100 Things to Know About Science is a very accessible introduction for children aged 9+ who want to find out more about the vast subject.
“...provides snippets of information about all aspects of science, from particle physics to genes and DNA!”
You Are Here: An Interactive Book of Maps & Worlds | Katherine Jacobson | $29.99 | Thames & Hudson
You are Here is a playful and interactive introduction to maps and geography. Cities are compared to one another in terms of geographical size and population size. Countries’ resources, foods, languages, and landmarks are brought to life with readers asked to doodle, complete, redesign and embellish the existing illustrations. There is plenty of space for maps to be drawn and there is also a fold-out poster for kids aged 8+ to create their own world.
“...readers asked to doodle, complete, redesign and embellish the existing illustrations.”
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Activities
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The Field Guide: Creatures Great and Small | Lucy Engleman | $24.99 | Allen & Unwin
This incredibly detailed colouring guide offers the perfect balance of creativity and learning for ages 5+ (and we really mean “plus” as we expect this will appeal to grown-ups too!). It features animals from all over the world–from exotic fish to big cats to incredible insects–with information on each species included on the reverse of each print. You can also pull out each of the 36 prints and colour them in as you wish, either by following the colouring tips on the back or by letting your imagination run wild.
100 Colouring Book | Dominica Lipniewska | $19.99 | Thames & Hudson
This generously-sized colouring book invites children to look closely at the details that make everything (people, animals, plants and objects) visually unique! With literally hundreds of objects to colour–100 beasts and birds, 100 quirky characters, 100 things to eat, 100 household items, to name just a few–this activity book is sure provide hours of fun for kids aged 5+.
“...invites children to look closely at the details that make everything...visually unique!”
The Line: A Colouring Book | Alice Bowsher | $19.99 | Thames & Hudson
A clever look at how a simple line can transform into so many different scenarios and wonderful things. It starts out as a tightrope, and then turns into a washing line, a table, a road… meanwhile circus animals, crazy garments, and unusual vehicles dance upon it. And they’re all ready to be coloured in by little ones aged 3+! Every page is gate folded and, when expanded, stretches over three pages to create even more of a plot.
“A clever look at how a simple line can transform into so many different...things!”
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