Better Read Kids 1 May Reading Guide 2015 betterreadkids.com.au
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M a y 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 May Reading Guide!
The kids may be back in school this month but we understand that the need to entertain them with a variety of books doesn’t end with the school holidays!
This is why we’ve hand-picked our favourite May new releases for all ages, from babies and toddlers all the way through to young adults, to help you select the best books for your children.
Of course, if you’re after specialised advice please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated children’s specialist directly at [email protected], or you can use the snazzy live chat function on our Better Read Kids website for immediate guidance.
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.
06graphic novels
05young adult
07non
fiction
03junior fiction
08activities
02picture books
01baby & toddler
04primary fiction
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02picture books
03junior fiction
04primary fiction
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06graphic novels
05young adult
Baby & Toddler
Get Out of My Bath! | Britta Tockentrup | $19.99
Ellie the elephant is having fun in her bath when, out of nowhere, she is joined by a crocodile, a pink flamingo, a mouse and a tiger! What is Ellie going to do? A beautifully designed picture book with bold, colourful illustrations, Get Out of My Bath! lets young readers interact with the story and get ready for bath time themselves.
“A beautifully designed picture book with bold, colourful illustrations...”
I’m a Hungry Dinosaur | Janeen Brian & Ann James | $19.99
I’m a Hungry Dinosaur tells the story of a little dinosaur who loves baking cakes, and the illustrations are actually coloured in with all the ingredients that make cakes delicious: flour, cocoa, icing and 100s and 1000s. With simple rhyming language and cardboard pages perfect for small hands, this bright, cheery book will no doubt inspire kids to bake cakes of their own.
“...the illustrations are actually coloured in with...flour, cocoa, icing...”
01baby & toddler
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07non
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03junior fiction
06graphic novels
02picture books
04primary fiction
Baby & Toddler
Adams’ Pick
01baby & toddler
Whose Tools? | Tony Buzzeo & Jim Datz | $11.99
It takes lots of different people to build a house, including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers and painters. This charming guessing game-style board book introduces 24 tools and the tradeswomen and men who use them. With lyrical, factual text by Toni Buzzeo, Whose Tools? is the perfect book for curious and playful young readers, especially aspiring young builders and the Lego-obsessed.
Walk This World | Lotta Nieminen | $34.95
This book can best be described as an exploration of global cultures. Celebrating the everyday similarities and fascinating differences that exist between these cultures, Nieminen takes kids on a journey around the world from Sydney to India, Russia and beyond. Travel to a new country with every turn of the page with surprises to discover and things to learn under each lift-the-flap.
Hi! | Ethan Long | $9.99
Hi! is the first title in a brand new series of board books about animal and human words by award-winning author/illustrator Ethan Long. Using masterful rhyming pairs–an owl’s “hoo”, answered by a cow’s “moo,” a bird’s “chirp” returned with an anteater’s “slurp,” all leading up to a toddler’s “hi” and “good-bye,” Long introduces kids to animal sounds in a comical, rhythmic and stylised way.
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06graphic novels
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Picture Books
The Eagle Inside | Josh Manning Bancroft & Bronwyn Bancroft | $24.95
Jimmy, the smallest bird at school, feels different to all the big, tough birds and is certain he’ll never fit in. But when Eagle reminds him that being small isn’t necessarily a weakness, Jimmy realises that the qualities that make him different are his greatest strength. Collaborating with his mother, Australian illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft, to produce his first book, Jack has created a timeless fable about difference, belonging and courage which will resonate with all young readers.
“Collaborating with his mother...Jack has created a timeless fable...”
How Big is Too Small? | Jane Godwin & Andrew Joyner | $24.99
This one’s for all the younger siblings out there who sometimes feel left out! Sam’s big brother won’t let him play with his friends because he says Sam is too small, but this gets Sam wondering about the difference between big and small and takes him on a rollicking little adventure. Jane Godwin’s exquisite rhyming narrative rolls off the tongue and is sure to soothe little minds while Andrew Joyner’s colourful illustrations add the right amount of whimsy to the story, making this a picture book everyone can enjoy reading and re-reading.
02picture books
Book of the month
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05young adult
07non
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03junior fiction
06graphic novels
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Picture Books
Pig the Fibber | Aaron Blabey | $16.99
Pig the pug is back in this hilarious sequel, and this time he won’t stop telling great big lies! Will Pig ever learn? From the award-winning picture book creator Aaron Blabey comes another fabulous story, perfect for reading aloud (and making you laugh-out-loud), and also teaches kids a great lesson on the importance of being honest.
“...perfect for reading aloud (and making you laugh-out-loud)...”
Kookoo Kookaburra | Gregg Dreise | $24.95
Kindness is like a boomerang – if you throw it, it often comes back. Kookoo the Kookaburra is the second heart-warming moral tale by Gregg Dreise, set within the cultural context of the Dreamtime. In the same vein as Silly Birds, Dreise tells the tale of Kookoo, a kookaburra with a gift for telling funny stories that don’t hurt the other animal’s feelings. But what happens when Kookoo runs out of kind stories and turns to teasing and making fun of his friends?
02picture books
Mischa’s Pick
“Kindness is like a boomerang —if you throw it, it often comes back.”
Everyone loves it!
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05young adult
07non
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08activities
03junior fiction
06graphic novels
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Picture Books
02picture books
The First Slodge | Jeanne Willis & Jenni Desmond | $16.95
Once upon a slime, there was a Slodge. The first Slodge in the universe. She saw the first moon and stars, the first fruits and flowers. “Mine, all mine!” she said. But what if there was not one Slodge...but two? This wonderfully original and witty picture book explores ideas of sharing and friendship and carries an important message: that the world belongs to everyone. With delightful illustrations from Jenni Desmond, First Slodge is a book you’ll want to read again and again.
Caravan Fran | Cheryl Orsini | $14.99
When three friends–Dave, Sam and Joe–set off on a beach holiday in their faithful old caravan, Fran, they run into some trouble! When Fran hits a bump, Ray the dog falls into the creek and they all band together to rescue him, just in time for dinner by the seaside. With gorgeous, whimsical illustrations, Cheryl Orsini’s rhyming tale explores the joy and adventure of a holiday with friends.
Who Puts the Animals to Bed? | Mij Kelly & Holly Clifton-Brown | $24.99
Who Puts the Animals to Bed? is a heart-warming story about bedtime, featuring a host of adorable animals and posing interesting questions such as, “Who sings a lullaby to the lion?” and “Who soothes the sea-lion pup?” With its dreamy, poetic writing style, this book is perfect for reading aloud while snuggling up in bed with all of your child’s favourite soft toys.
“...perfect for reading aloud while snuggling...”
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07non
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08activities
06graphic novels
02picture books
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Junior Fiction
03junior fiction
Lily the Elf | Anna Branford | $7.95 each
From the beloved author of Violet Mackerel comes the first two books in a new series! Lily lives in an elf house with her dad and granny under a bridge on which human children walk every day. Lily is perpetually curious and her daily adventures, such as those in The Precious Ring and The Midnight Owl, are filled with magic and good humour. With simple text and cute black and white illustrations, we think Lily will make an excellent friend to kids aged 5+ who are just starting to read on their own.
“Lily will make an excellent friend to kids aged 5+ who are just starting to read...”
Sporty Kids | Felice Arena & Tom Jellett | $9.99 each
This new series couldn’t be more perfect for kids super into their sport who are just beginning to read on their own. In the Footy book, Joe who is usually awesome at footy finds that he struggles with handballing, while in Swimming Emma learns that diving is VERY different from
swimming after suffering a few belly-flops. These stories are super relatable to athletic kids aged 6+ and helps them to deal with overcoming challenges. Keep an eye out for the Soccer and Tennis editions, coming out in September!
“These stories are super relatable to athletic kids aged 6+...”
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01baby & toddler
Junior Fiction
Rascal | Chris Cooper | $14.95
The first volume in a warm and exciting adventure series for kids aged 6+. Rascal isn’t the bravest dog in the world. In fact, he’s a little bit of a scaredy-cat but his owner Joel is always there to stand up for him when his curiosity and friendly nature gets him into trouble. When his exploring on holiday puts both of them in great danger, Rascal must find the courage to save his best friend!
“Rascal...is a little bit of a scaredy-cat...”
Woozy the Wizard: A Broom to Go Zoom | Elli Woolard & Al Murphy | $11.99
Woozy the hopeless wizard and his fabulous pet pig are back, and this time all he wants is a fancy new broom! Determined to turn his ordinary Hoover into a wiz-bang flying broom with all the bells and whistles has Woozy perplexed – NOTHING seems to be working. The bright illustrations and fun rhyming text makes A Broom to Go Zoom a perfect first reader or read-aloud for preschoolers.
“...a perfect first reader or read-aloud for preschoolers.”
03junior fiction
Amelia’s Pick
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01baby & toddler
Primary Fiction
Anyone But Ivy Pocket | Caleb Krisp | $19.99
Welcome to the world of hapless maid Ivy Pocket, a twelve-year-old with an over-inflated sense of self and an unfortunate willingness to trust the wrong people. Left alone and destitute in Paris by her frustrated ex-employer Countess Carbunkle, Ivy must rely on her wits and ingenuity to get herself back home. Full of hijinks and capers, this darkly hilarious tale is the perfect blend of Amelia Bedelia and Lemony Snicket for kids aged 9+!
“Full of hijinks and capers, this darkly hilarious tale is the perfect blend of Amelia Bedelia and Lemony Snicket for kids aged 9+!”
04primary fiction
Book of the month
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05young adult
07non
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08activities
03junior fiction
06graphic novels
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01baby & toddler
Primary Fiction
Watch This Space: Out to Launch | Colin Thompson | $15.99
From the strange and wondrous mind that brought us The Floods comes this new series about the greatest reality TV series EVER. Richest-Man-Alive Radius Limpfast, billionaire television producer, has a genius brainwave over a delicious bacon curry one morning–put an ordinary family in a rocket and send them to live in a giant glass dome on the Moon. Surely the whole world will tune in to watch? Filled with Thompson’s trademark wacky sense of humour, Watch This Space is ideal for kids who love to laugh! 9+
The Novice | Taran Matharu | $19.99
When humble blacksmith’s apprentice Fletcher learns he has the power to summon demons, he sets off for the Vocan Academy to be trained in his new gift. Put through a series of gruelling lessons alongside children of noblemen and lords, Fletcher quickly finds himself a pawn in a complex political war. Jam-packed with awesome magic, elves and dwarves, this new series is great for fans of Spook’s Apprentice. 12+
“Fletcher quickly finds himself a pawn in a complex political war...”
Ten | Shamini Flint | $12.99
Ten is an inspirational and heartfelt story about one young Malaysian girl’s determination to play soccer in the face of her family and friends resistance. Growing up in a small seaside town devoid of a girls’ soccer team has never deterred Maya from dreaming of a professional career in the sport, but there is one issue – she’s never actually kicked a ball! With a will of steel, Maya navigates various obstacles in an effort to take the first step towards reaching her goals. 10+
04primary fiction
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03junior fiction
06graphic novels
02picture books
01baby & toddler
Primary Fiction
88 Lime Street: The Way In | Denise Kirby | $16.99
Before Ellen evens moves in to her huge and creepy new home, she already suspects there is more to it than meets the eye. When she discovers a tower with no door she determinedly sets out to solve the mystery of the old house. Part ghost story, part puzzle-solving mystery, this is an immediately engaging new series. Perfect for strong younger readers looking to be challenged but who are not yet ready for anything too scary.
“Perfect for strong younger readers who are looking to be challenged...”
A Single Stone | Meg McKinlay | $16.95
Gripping, tense and spine-tinglingly unsettling, I cannot rave about this book enough! Jena lives in an island village governed by a group of women called ‘The Mothers’ and spends most of her life crawling through tight passages of stone searching for ‘Mica’–the islands most precious commodity and energy source. When Jena uncovers a terrifying truth about how far one Mother is willing to go to ensure the island’s success, she discovers that the world she lives in is rotten to the core. 10+
04primary fiction
Next in Series!
Amelia’s Pick
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07non
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03junior fiction
06graphic novels
02picture books
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Young Adult
You’re the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About | Daniel Herborn | $17.95
Tim is repeating the HSC, but he’s more into music than studying. Mandy is taking a gap year but has no idea what she wants to study at university. In this timeless tale of boy meets girl, Tim and Mandy meet at a gig and the attraction is immediate. Set in the cafés, pubs and hangouts of Sydney’s Inner West, You’re the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About is a ballad to that time of your life when you are trying to work out who you are, what it is you want and what it will take to get you there.
Magonia | Maria Dahvana Headley | $19.99
Aza Ray Boyle suffers from a lung disease which makes it hard for her to breathe and speak, but above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not weak; in Magonia she can breathe for the first time. But her new-found paradise catapults her into the middle of a conflict between Magonia and Earth… Caught between two worlds, two races and two destinies, her loyalties are put to the test. This is an epic fantasy starring brainy, idiosyncratic characters with deep emotional connections and a story that is wholly original.
05young adult
Mischa’s Pick
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07non
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08activities
03junior fiction
06graphic novels
02picture books
04primary fiction
01baby & toddler
Young Adult
05young adult
Me Being Me Is Exactly As Insane As You Being You | Todd Hasak Lowy | $16.99
Darren hasn’t had an easy year; his parents are getting divorced, his brother is leaving for college, d his best friend moved away and he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Then one Thursday morning his dad shows up at 6am with a donut and a revelation that turns Darren’s world inside out, and he sets off on an impulsive road trip. Told entirely in lists, Todd Hasak-Lowy’s debut YA novel is heartfelt, funny and very clever.
One True Thing | Nicole Hayes | $19.99
Frankie’s used to being a politician’s daughter, living her life in the public eye, but sometimes all she wants is to lose herself in her music. When her best friend invites Jake, a student journalist to interview her band, Frankie struggles to determine whether Jake’s growing interest in her is genuine or part of a bigger political scheme targeting her mum. One True Thing offers a fresh new perspective and explores the effect a political life can have on children.
Court of Thorns and Roses | Sarah J Maas | $16.99
This is the first book in a new sensational romantic fantasy trilogy by the bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series, and is a brilliant retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill, but when pursuing a deer she kills a competing predator that isn’t quite as it seems. Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie and brought before the court, Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse and resist the feelings she develops for her captor.
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07non
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01baby & toddler
Graphic Novels
Nnewts: Escape From the Lizzarks | Doug TenNapel | $22.99
Herk is a lovable nnewt who lives in a quaint village with his parents. The only thing that Herk wishes for is to have stronger legs, and his parents only wish that they could grant them. One day their village is suddenly attacked by the villainous and reptilian Lizzarks! Herk is forced to flee (despite his legs) and leave behind the only life he’s ever known. Our heroic nnewt is thrown into a world of strange and wonderful creatures with few friends and much to fear. The Evil Lord is in hot pursuit!
Roller Girl | Victoria Jamieson $25.99
This tale of triumph over “lad-versity” and girl power is written by real life roller girl and first time graphic novelist Victoria Jamieson. At first Astrid is overwhelmed by roller camp. She thinks it’s impossible to keep up with the other girls, and on top of that she can feel her friendship with her BFFFI Nicole (who went to dance camp instead – lame!) slipping away. As summer and roller camp draw to a close, Astrid begins to “she-alise” that she may be strong enough to deal with the “prob-hims” she’s facing.
06graphic novels
Amelia’s Pick
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01baby & toddler
Non-Fiction
The Really Gross Body Book | Emma Dodson & Sarah Horne | $16.95
This fantastically disgusting interactive book is packed with fun facts about farts, snot, vomit, spit and all manner of bodily bits! Find out how much snot we swallow in a year, how many times we fart in a lifetime, and whether it’s really true that some people use urine as a mouthwash… With fact-ridden text, repulsive artwork and noxious novelties, this book will fascinate those with a taste for all things yucky, while remaining a genuinely informative read.
“With fact-ridden text, repulsive artwork and noxious novelties, this book will fascinate those with a taste for all things yucky while remaining a genuinely informative read.”
Virginia’s Pick
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Activities
Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom: A Colouring Book Adventure | Millie Marotta | $24.99
Colouring-in books that are appropriate for both children and adults are, quite suddenly, all the rage. We can hardly keep stock on the shelves! And we don’t expect this latest addition to last long either. Millie Marotta’s illustrations of fauna and flora which the young or young-at-heart can colour in have been taken to the next level with intricate, precise patterns forming the fur or flesh of each creature. While some pages are so filled with gorgeousness you may hesitate to put pen to paper in case you ruin them, other pages feature large swathes of white in which you are encouraged to contribute to the landscape. This is a downright stunning book, and a must-see for all ages.
“Millie Marotta’s illustrations of fauna and flora which the young or young-at-heart can colour in have been taken to the next level with intricate, precise patterns...”
08activities
Alison’s Pick
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19Stay Up-to-Date
Better Read Kids
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Better Read Kids
265 King Street Newtown NSW 2042
E [email protected] P (+61 2) 9557 8700 F (+61 2) 9557 8560 W betterreadkids.com.au
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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.
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Book Clubs
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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