Author: Sandra BennettIllustrator: Maya BoraPublisher: Rosella Ridge BooksYear: 2024 From the first line of Sandra Bennett’s Dragons Drumming, I was caught! Rhyming, rhythm and beat are combined with onomatopoeia and alliteration, capturing the readers attention throughout. What is more perfect than a family of dragons making thunder? For a child who is afraid of thunder, […]
Author: Rebecca GrantIllustrator: Nina NillPublisher: Affirm Press/Simon & SchusterYear: 2025 Cover from Potion Commotion 2025 Since the moment she told me it was coming, I have been looking forward to reading Rebecca Grant’s, ‘Potion Commotion’. There is nothing better than sitting down with a cumulative story. So much fun can be had – and it’s […]
Author: Jean Lee Latham Publisher:: Houghton Mifflin Year: 2003 Image: cover from 1st Edition Jean Lee Latham’s ‘Carry on Mr Bowditch’ is based on the real life of Nathaniel Bowditch. Nathaniel loved the sea and spent 5 voyages at sea. A self-educated man – his education finished when he was 10 – his thirst for […]
An Australian Secret Author: Karen Hendriks Illustrator: Emma Stuart Publisher: Little Shell Books Year: 2024 Image: Cover of 2024 1st edition Australia has many hidden treasures. Shell Harbour is one of them. In this beautifully illustrated book, Karen Hendriks has brought the Shell Harbour region to life. Children will also love the onomatopoeia scattered throughout […]
DEAR EARTH Author: Isabel Otter Illustrator: Clara Anganuzzi Publisher: Little Tiger Press Year: 2020 I found this beautiful picture book the other day. Being an author who writes picture books about sailing, loves anything to do with the sea, and wants to see our world saved, the title and exquisite imagery on the cover drew me in. […]
It’s difficult to find boat stories that are written for little girls that aren’t based on dreams or imagination. ‘If I had a Big Blue Boat’ by Susan James Fry is an oldie, and based upon the imagination of a young lass. Beautiful, bright colourful illustrations bring to life the child’s dream of what she […]
GREAT FOR THE EARLY READER Author: Bill Martin Jr Illustrator: Eric Carle Picture Puffin; 1st edition (2 November 2021) ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ is one of my all – time favourite children’s picture books. When I taught, it was always a hit with the 5 to 6 year olds. It’s rhythm […]
Author: Paul Jennings Illustrator: Lea Bob Publisher: Puffin; 1st edition Year: 3 May 2004 I was going through my book library the other day and came across the Rascal series by Paul Jennings. It’s about 20 years since the first Rascal book was released, but they were great for children experiencing difficulties with learning, and […]
Hello World: Ocean Life Being a sailor, I love anything to do with the sea and was delighted when I found this lovely 26 – page board book, ‘Hello World: Ocean Life’ by Jill McDonald. Being a sailor, I love anything to do with the sea and was delighted when I found this lovely 26 […]
Back in the day, I was a youngster who preferred doing activities that were considered a ‘boy’s thing’ and was often referred to as a ‘Tom Boy’. Then at the age of 12 or 13, I found myself being informed that I had need to start behaving like a young lady… Being a female sailor, […]
