14.4.11

The Big ELEPHANT In The Room

Written and Illustrated by:Lane Smith


Two friends are talking about The Big Elephant in the room Are they referring to the embarrassing problem of ...

- the baby bike incident?

- the rainbow pony backpack?

-the suspicious pool colour?

- or none of these things?

See what happens when a small misunderstanting becomes a Big problem!

Reviewed by Neeshika and Malakai


Zoo

Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne. Dad mum and two brothers spend a day at the zoo, looking at the animals in the cages or is it the animals that are look at them? Reviewed by Kaya and Matthew

Matariki


Written by Melanie Drewery

Illustrated by Bruce Potter

'Tonight we have to go to bed early,' said mum. 'Tommorow morning we are going to have a surprise.' But what event would be so special to get you up in the middle of a cold New Zealand winter.

Reviewed by Kataraina and Alvin

Stefania's dancing slipper

Written by Jenniffer beck
Illustrated by Lindy fisher

"Choose one thing that's most precious to you. Thats all we can take."

Stefania's choice helps bring her comfort through years of hardship, separation,and ajourney of thousands of miles. Set against a background of war, this is a story of courage and love, brought to life by awarding-winning team , Jenniffer Beck and Lindy Fisher.

Reviewed by Milly and Jason


The Mysteries Of Harris Burdick

Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg When Chris Van Allsburg was invited to the home of Peter Wenders, he discovered fourteen drawings that were, like pieces of a picture puzzles, clues to larger pictures. By Shridhanjily and Rushil

Free To A Good Home


Written and Illustrated By Colin Thompson


Most people don't like being different. They want exactly the same things as their neighbours, only bigger and more of them. But no matter how much they have , they always feel there is something missing. The Smiths are not like other poeple.

Reveiwed by Joshua and Raizel

Castles

Written and Illustrated by Colin Thompson Enter a fantastical world where castles are created out of thin air, flourish under the sea and grow overnight in your own back garden. Reviewed by Zane and Angela

My Uncle is a Hunkle says Clarice bean

Written and illustrated by Lauren Child
This Book is about me, Charice Bean. And my uncle Ted Too. Someone
has to babysit for us because mum and dad have to go away on Important Business.

Reveiwed By: Christine and Joseph

How Dogs Really Work




Written and illustrated by Alan Snow

Does a dog have a sniff motor or a tail wagging unit? What is a nasal temperture sensor? How do you control the supply of food in a dogs body?

Reviewed by Taa and Chih-li

Dracula's Late-Night TV Show

Written & Illustrated by Victor G Ambrus What are all those grown-ups watching late at night when you're in bed? Yes, they're watching Dracula's Late-night TV show. But now you too can see such frightening programmes as Miss Marbles Investigates, Wish you were Here?, and Elliot Naff and the Untouchables. But why does Mrs Werewolf use Hairy Liquid? What are the Sisters Grimm doing on Weekend sport? Why has King Kong turned into a window- cleaner? Watch it if you dare... Reviewed by Jesse and Raeesah

How To Live For Ever


Written and Illustrated by Colin Thompson

"You've came for this haven't you!' said the man holding out a small book. Peter took it and read the faded words. HOW TO LIVE FOREVER or IMMORTALITY FOR BEGINNERS.

Reviewed by Toto and Peaches.


Tom Thumb The True History of Sir Thomas Thumb

Written and Illustrated by Gavin Bishop "Tom Thumb is no bigger than his father's thumb but his life is a huge adventure. There is danger -he is swallowed by a cow, a fish and a giant. And there is also great excitement-flying on the back of a raven, a butterfly and a dandelion. Reviewed by Aaliyah and Reenay

The Tower To The Sun


Written and illustrated by Collin Thompson


"I'd give anything to see the sun once more," said the richest man alive. And with his grandson he sets out to build a tower tall enough to break through the thick yellow blanket of fog and reach the sun.

Reviewed by Kara

The Tin Forest


By Helen Ward And Wayne Anderson


There was once a wide, windswept place... but where there is a dream, hope can grow.


Reviewed By Maxim And Sophia

13.4.11

Glass Tears

Written by Jane Jolly Illustrated by Di Wu Tian and her family make a special glass bouquet to place on their fathers grave. Some years before, he had left Vietnam on a ship bound for wider, browner lands, but never came home. As Tian threads the tiny glass beads onto wire stems she remembers her father. Reviewed by Shavarnah and Sindy

The Big Elephant in the Room

Written and illustrated by Lane Smith
Two friends are talking about THE BIG ELEPHANT in the room.

Are they referring to the embarrassing problem....... or the baby bike incident? Reviewed by Waqa and Brooke.

Castles



Written and illustrated by Colin Thomson

Enter a fantastical world where castles are created out of thin air, flourish under the sea and grow overnight in your own back garden!
Reviewed by John-j H.

Voices In The Park

Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
I called his name . . . I settled on a bench... I was amazed... I felt really, really happy...

Four different voices tell the story of a walk in the park.


Reviewed by Glory and Zane.

How To Live Forever

Written and illustrated by Colin Thompson The story of a missing book, a child who holds the secret of everlasting life and a library that comes to life at night.....children and adults will love it. Reviewed by Ellecana and Reo

Draculas Late Night Show.


Written an illustrated by Victor G Ambrus.


What are all those grown-ups watching late at night when youre in bed? Yes, they're watching Dracula's late night tv show. But now you too can see such frightening programmes as Miss Marbles.

Reviewed by Alex and Christian

The lost thing

Written by Shaun Tan
I guess you want to know what this book is about just by reading this.

Fair enough too; time is short, lives are busy, and most smart thinking people have better things to do than stand around looking at picture books about some big red thing lost in a strange city. Will reading this book make you better at any of those things? I don't think so!

Reviewed by Kirkwood and Sam


Tulevai And The Sea


WRITTEN By JOY COWLEY ILLUSTRATED By MANU SMITH
Day after day, the sea watches Tulevai. 'What a strong boy he is. I think I will make him my slave. ' It asks the wind to help capture Tulevai. Tulevai's mother believes her love is stronger than both the sea and the wind, and determines to get her son back. Reviewed by Shohab and Joshua

Matariki

Written by Melanie Drewery and illustrated by Bruce Potter This story is about... Matariki rising and new year is on its way. Reviewed by Miriama and Afereti

Zoo


Written and illustrated by ANTHONY BROWNE


Dad, Mum and two brothers spend a day at the zoo, looking at the animals in the cages - or is it the animals that are looking at them?
By Caylis and Ziyaad

My Uncle is a Hunkle says Clarice Bean


Written and Illustrated by Lauren Child


This book is about me, Clarice bean. And my Uncle Ted too.

Someone has to babysit for us because Mum and Dad have to go away on Important Business.

I say what about Uncle Ted? Mum goes pale but it turns out she can't be so choosy.

Then before you know it there's a Guinea Pig on the loose, Grandad goes missing, and THEN Minal Cricket gets Stuck in the railings like a giant squeaking tamato.

Luckily Uncle Ted is here.

He'll come to the rescue... won't he?

My Uncle is a Hunkle.

Mum says we get on like a house on fire.

I think this book is very interesting and has great pictures.


Reviewed by Julia and Natasha

Free to a good home


Written and illustrated by Colin Thompson





Most people don't like being different.

They want exactly the same things as their neighbours only bigger and more of them. But no matter how much they have, they always feel that something is missing.

Reviewed by Jada and Renav

The Tin Forest

Written by Helen Ward Illustrated by Wayne Anderson
There was once a wide, windswept place ... but where there is a dream, hope can grow.


Reviewed by Jakaiya and Hokimai.




How Dogs Really Work?


Written by Alan Snow




Does a dog have a sniff motor or a taill wagging unit? What is a nasal temperature

sensor? How do you control the supply of food into a dog's body?

Reviewed by William/Jayvon

Tear

Tear

Tear

What planet are you from Clarice Bean

Written and Illustrated by Lauren Child This book is mostly about me, Clarice Bean, and saving the planet of earth. My brother Kurt says the trees in our street are going to be chopped to pieces. But Kurt can't save the planet all on his own? Reveiwed by Seemal and Zian.

7.4.11

DRACULA'S Late-Night Show


Written and illustrated by Victor G Ambrus

What are all those grown-ups watching late at night when you're in bed? Yes, they're watching Dracula's Late-Night TV Show. But now you too can see such frightening programmes as Miss Marbles Investigates, Wish you were here?, and Elliot Naff and the Untouchables. But why does Mrs Werewolf use hairy liquid? What are the sisters Grimm doing on weekend sport? Why has King Kong turned into a window-cleaner ? Watch it if you dare ....

And I think this is suitable for 8 and up.


Reviewed by Hope & Munira

Pigtalis The Pirate

Written and Illustrated by David Elliot When Jess sets sail to find her lost father she runs into a problem of truly gigantic proportions. On a stormy island, a giant pirate called Pigtails holds her father captive. DAVID ELLIOT is an award-winning New Zealand author and illustrator. He won the Honour Award at the 2000 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards for Sydney and the Sea Monster. Reviewed By Darshna and Jaden

Voices in the Park

Written and Illustrated by AnthonyBrowne. I called his name . . . I settled on a bench . . . I was amazed . . . I felt really, really happy . . . Four different voices tell the story of walk in the park. Reviewed by Tarena and Luisa

The Book Of Dragons


Written by: Michael Hague


For thousands of years,the legendary dragon has inspired awe and wonder in cultures the world over. Now Michael Hauge, one of America's most beloved painters of fantasy, boldly captures seventeen classic dragon tales. "Take one first-rate collection of fire-breathing, scale flashing, wing-flapping, tail-lashing dragons.

Reviewed by: Ashneel D3

How Smudge Came

Written by Nan Gregory Illustrated by Ron Lightburn "If there is one thing Cindy knows, this is no place for a puppy. Up goes the puppy, tucked into her bag. Home goes Cindy." Cindy is developmentally challenged. In the home where she lives, no dogs are allowed, so she must hide her new-found puppy in her room and bundle him up when she goes to work as cleaning woman in the house called Hospice. There she meets Jan, who is ill. He is so blind he can barely see the dog; it looks like a smudge in the dark to him. But oh, how nice to hold the puppy. What will Cindy do? Strong-willed and loving as she may be, rules are rules. Who will care for Smudge? Reviewed by Nikita & Roanna.

The Race

Written by Christobel Mattingley Illustratted by Anne Spudvilas Greg is alone. He wants to join in, but he doesn`t quite belong. And he`s always last. Last in spelling, last in arithmetic and last in races-even though he can run very fast. This book is suitable for children 8 and over. Reviewed by Caleb and Titan. D3

Tom Thumb


Written and Illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Tom Thumb is no bigger than his father's thumb but his life is a huge adventure.

There is danger- he is swallowed by a cow, a fish and a giant. There is also great excitement -

flying on the back of Raven,a Butterfly and a Dandelion. Tom is adopted by the king's court and enjoys a fine life, until the danger proves too much. Reviewed by Sariaan and Merzian

My Uncle Is A Hunkle Says Clarice Bean


Written and illustrated by Lauren Child


This book is about me, Clarice Bean. And my Uncle Ted too. Someone has to babysit for us because mum and dad have to go away on Important Business. I say, How about Uncle Ted? Mum goes pale but it turns out she can't be so choosy. Then before you know it there's a Guinea Pig on the loose, grandad goes missing, and then Minal Cricket gets stuck in the railings like a giant squeaking tomato. Luckily Uncle Ted is here. He'll come to the rescue.... won't he ? My Uncle is a Hunkle. mum says we get on like a house on fire.


Reviewed by Wendy and Matthew D3

Uno's Garden

Written and Illustrated by Graeme Base
When Uno arrives in the forest one beautiful day, there

are many fascinating and extraordinary animals there to

greet him. And one entirely unexceptional Snortlepig.


Uno loves the forest so much, he decides to live there.

But, in time, a little village grows up around his house.

then in a town, then a city... and soon Uno realises that

the animals and plants have begun to dissapear ?...


Reveiwed Keighley and Trindall D3

Tulevai and the Sea

Written by Joy Cowley Illustrated by Manu Smith. Day after day, the sea watches Tulevai. "What a strong boy he is, I think I will make him my slave." Tulevai's mother knows her love is stronger than the sea and wind combined. Tulevai's mother was determined to get her son back. This book is suitable for children 8 yrs & over. Reviewed by Kyndall & Elisa D3

The Fangtastic Adventures Of Dracula's Dentures

Written by Philip Hawthorn Illustrated by Kim Blundell Philip Hawthorn's hilarious narrative verse is both inventive and easy to read and is matched in wit and vitality by Kim Blundell's lively illustrations. Read it to yourself or read it aloud if you dare and find out what happens when Countess Dracula is left with the fangless task of terrorizing the town while the Count takes a vacation. Reviewed by Horace and Malu

Lao Lao of Dragon Mountain

Written By Margaret Bateson-Hill Illustrated By Francesca Pelizzoli Lao Lao is known all over Dragon Mountain for her simple, yet beautiful, paper-cuts. But when the greedy Emperor finds out about her skill, he has her locked in a tower, forgetting about the dragon who lives nearby... reviewed by: Joyce L. and Jasmine K. D3

The Immigrants

Written by Alan Bagnall Illustrated by Sarah Wilkins Maria must leave Sydney and go to New Zealand to find her father. A flock of a tiny green birds cross the Tasman with her. Reviewed by Rhea and Janataul D3

Look What I've Got!

Written and illusrated by Anthony Browne Jeremy, it seems, has everything: a new Bicycle, a Pirate outfit, an enormous bag of Lollipops...but he won't share anything with Sam. Could it be, though , that Sam has something far more valuable. i think this book is good for age six years and up. Reviewed by Josh and Boran D3

Hemi,the Skateboard and Susquatch Harrison

Written by Ron Bacon and illustrated by Richard Hoit When Hemi becomes the proud owner of a super-skateboard, life takes a new and exciting turn. A further episode in the day to day doings of Hemi, shared this time with several school friends including the formidable Susquatch Harrison. Reviewed by Mathais & Karl.

Look what I

6.4.11

Matariki

Written by Melanie Drewery Illustrated by Bruce Potter 'Tonight we have to go to bed really early' said mum. 'Tomorrow morning we are going to have a surprise'. But what event would be so special to get you up in the middle of a cold New Zealand winter? Matariki is rising and the New Year is on the way. Reviewed by Josephine and Ino-Lee

Smudge's Day Out

Written by James Herriot


Illustrated by Ruth Brown

Smudge is a Swaledale lamb who should be happy in the field with his mother and Sally his sister, but he becomes bored with his fellow playmates and decides the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Smudge noses his way under the wire, and is delighted with the exciting world he discovers outside.

I think ages 8 and over would enjoy this book.


Reviewed by Renee & Arama D2

Nico's Octopus

Written By Caroline Pitcher and Illustrated by Nilesh Mistry When Nico rescues an octopus from a fisherman's net he soon discovers that his friend is amazing, amusing and always surprising. It can pull a cork from a bottle and drill a hole in a shell with it's beak. One day the octopus gets ill, and when Nico's friend the old fisherman tells him why, it's sad news-but wonderful too... Reviewed by Dimitris and Ravikash D2

Dracula's Late Night TV Show

Written and illustrated by Victor G Ambrus What are all those grown-ups watching late at night when you're in bed? Yes, they're watching Dracula's Late-night TV Show. But now you too can see such frightening programmes as Miss Marbles Investigate, Wish you were Here, and Elliot Naff and the Untouchables. But why does Mrs Werewolf use Hairy Liquid? What are the Sisters Grimm doing on Weekend Sport? Why has King Kong turned into a window-cleaner? Watch it if you dare... Reviewed by Pei-Wen and Jiahui D2

ZOO


ANTHONY BROWNE

Dad, mum and two brothers spend a day at the zoo, looking at the cages -

or is it the animals that are looking at them. ? ''A teasing examintion of the relationship between man and animals , and the role of zoo. Droll, bitingly satirical, and moving, this is a land mark book.''

Reviewed by Aslan & Steven

Tulevai and the Sea

Written by Joy Cowley & Illustrated by Manu Smith Day after day, the sea watches Tulevai. "What a strong boy he is. I think I will make him my slave." It asks the wind to help capture Tulevai. Tulevai's mother believes her love is stronger than both the wind and the Sea, and determines to get her son back. Reviewed by Tui B and Dante T.