Is it possible? With the swirling news cycle about climate action, covid and now freedom – we really need to start thinking about the amount of plastic waste we produce every day. I’ve come up with some simple suggestions that everyone can try at home for Christmas – and hopefully beyond!  – Make your own bon bons/Christmas crackers (out of toilet rolls and old wrapping or cloth napkins – which then get used for lunch) – If you do not have enough plates, cups & cutlery ask everyone to BYO. Washing up together isn’t the worst thing in the world after Christmas lunch, it saves loads ..read more

Themes: Food throughout history Changes in how we eat & celebrate Imagination Museums & the purpose of them This picture book is one for older readers with detailed yet fun text that allows them to jump into the mind of a young & imaginative historian who explores the different types of feasts people have had throughout time.  Readers can spend time pouring over the intricate illustrations which show people from history – Henry 8th, Emperor Claudius of Rome, Marie Antoinette, Emperor Puyi of China and Queen Nefertiti – and not only how they lived but also the food they enjo ..read more

Themes: Birth of new siblings Experiencing pregnancy through the eyes of a young child. Different types animals – especially baby animals This is the perfect book to read to children who are expecting a little baby in their family. Not only will it spark their imagination, it will help them to realise just how much fun they can have with a younger brother or sister. The idea of having someone else in the family can be very daunting for young children but this story and the bright and fun-filled illustrations allow this worrying concept to be a little less worrisome! It can also branch into ..read more

Based on a true story, this book will pull at your heartstrings as you read & watch the relationship between a penguin who has been washed ashore, 8000 km from home and a Brazilian local – Joao. Fondly named, Dindim, the penguin  – although encouraged by Joao to leave and go back to his home, chooses to stay for 8 months, eventually returning home. Dindim stays in his Patagonian home for some time frollicking in the ocean with his friends and eating up fish. However, he decides to return back to Joao – something that scientists have never seen before!  Children of all ages will l ..read more

Young children will delight in not only the cute sing-song rhyme but they will also devour the colourful collages that show the animals interacting with each other and their environment. Readers can see the animals as they act out the verbs as well as start to understand more about how adjectives help us to have a better understanding of what something looks like.  This book is one to share with young readers at home as well as preschool and the early stages of primary school to learn more about counting, rhyme, animals, verbs and adjectives!  Themes: Australian animals Counting Ve ..read more

The harsh Australian outback is vividly described in this beautifully illustrated picture book alongside the images of the people who work out in this harsh landscape day by day. Drover by Neridah McMullan has written a descriptive story about Edna Jessop, the first female boss drover who when in her early twenties led a team of drovers and 1600 head of cattle across Western Australia to Queensland. Children will be amazed by this story of outback beauty and the hard life these drovers have to lead to care for these animals. This is an excellent book to use in the History, Geography and Englis ..read more

Once there was a young princess who across the land was known for her kindness and compassion as she sat upon the throne. We all know a little person in our lives who is afraid of the various noises that the darkness brings and that is where Bella comes in. Bella is a kind and caring princess who has a brave cat called Max but despite all the happiness & kindness she spreads throughout the day, she just can’t seem to do that same at night -especially with the strange noises that come from her cupboard. However, with the help of her trusty pet cat, Bella learns to overcome her fears and di ..read more

“What if a tree branch breaks my window and a vampire bat comes in?” This is the perfect book for any child (or adult) who worries too often about the ‘What If’s’ in life. Meet little Issy, a young girl who worries about anything often pondering the question – ‘What If…?’ Her imagination runs wild with the different possibilities and because of this, cannot sleep with all of the worries she now has! Issy’s mum supports this mind of Issy’s not by telling her to stop coming up with possibilities but rather to turn the worrying ‘What if’s?’ into more exciting and happier possibilities! Lesson id ..read more

Ada loves stars. But in New York, the city lights make the night sky too bright to see the stars. Eye – catching & colourful illustrations Readers will love Ada & her love for the outdoors, fun activities and learning. Expose readers to the wonders of: Osprey Beaches – shells, crabs, sand and waves Star constellations Concept of the size of our universe & the many galaxies. Nature play Read along to explore scientific facts about stars and the distances in space along with how we can view these distance bodies. Children will love this story as Ada, the main character, displays e ..read more

As today’s sun stretched, I laughed like a happy kookaburra Children’s board book Indigenous author & artwork. Celebrates the sun & the animals that move about during the day time. Young children will love this book, enjoying the illustrations which show animals going about their lives at different parts of the day. Despite the illustrations being drawn in black & white, they still capture the minds of young readers & allow them to imagine not only the colours of the animals but the colours of the sky at that particular time of day. Early childhood teachers: Use this to learn ..read more