Books - Picture
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ABC’s of Aboriginal Picture Book Authors
It’s no secret that I’m passionate about books, in particular Australian picture and chapter books. Sharing today an ABC list of Aboriginal Picture Book Authors. Most of the authors are Indigenous, though some aren’t. We are familiar with some of the authors here, enjoying their books in the past. Our personal favourite is Percy Trezise. Most excited that as I gathered names for this list I discovered many new authors for us to learn from:) There are about 500 nations in Australia each have their own stories and customs. Each author’s writing is mostly of  her/his own clan, consequently whilst there are several books for some nations, for others there…
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The Emperor Who Built the Great Wall of China
When Jillian Lin asked me if I would like to review a copy of her new book The Emperor Who Built the Great Wall of China, I was intrigued by the subject matter, and highly honoured as is the first time I’ve been approached by an author to review her book. (Though I have been asked previously on behalf of two authors.) A fascinating picture book that introduces children to the first Chinese emperor, whilst easily understood, the book is packed with information. We learn how the seven kingdoms became one, of the unity Emperor Qin Shihuang bought to China through the use of one coinage and one writing system, of…
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Mega List of Catholic Picture Books
Reading picture books together is not only enjoyable, is it an easy way to enhance our children’s Faith, one of my favourite pastimes with our children. I’d like to share our Mega List of Catholic Picture Books with you, this list focuses mainly on Saints picture books with a miscellaneous round up at the end. I haven’t included Bible books, that list is forthcoming, nor does this list include Lenten/Easter and Advent/Christmas books, they can be found here, as can previous posts focusing on the Life of a Saint series and a review of books for March. I am quite selective in my choices and spend hours reading reviews such as…
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Large Family Picture Books
Kendra’s sharing of her collection of picture books about large families, several of which we also enjoy, inspired me to search our boxes to see what further titles we had to add, happily I found several:) Princess Pam Fell Into the Jam – Cecilia Egan “A jolly king and queen had twenty-four daughters..” A hilariously funny rhyme about Princess Pam and her naughty sisters, whom are unique individuals, each natural princesses, who end up having a massive food fight. A hit with the children. The Story About Ping – Marjorie Flack Ping the duck lives on the Yangtze River with his father, mother, two sisters, three brothers, eleven aunts, seven uncles…
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Catholic Picture Books – March
An easy way to celebrate the liturgical year is through reading books. We are blessed to have collected many stories of various saints, mostly short stories and chapter books. Slowly our picture book collection is growing including a few saints stories. Sharing here our collection for the month of March, if you know of any others to recommend for this month please share! March 5th – St Kieren St Ciaran The Tale of a Saint of Ireland I have a brother Kieren so I was particularly excited to find this book. St Ciaran of Saigir was a hermit who lived in the 6th Century and was the first Irish born…
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Catholic Picture Books – Life of a Saint Series
Slowly we are building a wonderful collection of quality picture books to encourage the children to know and love their Faith. Recently we purchased four books from the Life of a Saint Series, published by Ignatius/Magnificat. I highly recommend this series!! 5 star quality, ‘meaty’ and accurate with lovely watercolour illustrations. They are long picture books, divided into small ‘chapters’ but can be easily read in one sitting. The best saints books we have seen for younger children, happily for us most of these are our children’s patron saints. John Marie Vianney: The Holy Cure of Ars John Vianney, from a devout family who attended underground Masses heard…
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World War 2 – Persecution and Internment Camps
*Denotes book is from our local library for the benefit of my local readers. *Hiding from the Nazis – David Adler The true story of a young girl who was ‘hidden’ with a Christian family in Holland during the Nazi occupation of WW2. Lore Baer’s family had escaped Germany a few years before and believed they were safe in Holland. When the Nazi’s invaded Holland they had to go in hiding, for extra protection many families split up, children separated from their parents. After the war Lore’s parents came to take her home but they were strangers to her. This was an incredibly well written book on a deep topic,…
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Fashion History
Different Like Coco – Elizabeth Matthews Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was always different; poor, skinny and an orphan and she turned that difference to an advantage. Creative with sewing skills she began making clothes that suited her figure, and soon a new generation of independent working women craved her sleek, comfortable designs. She revolutionised the fashion industry. An excellent picture biography, fascinating. 4 Star Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea – Tony Johnston What’s a Californian Miner to do when gold dust sifts right out of his holey pockets? Good thing Levi Strauss heads out west with his needle and full of bright ideas. Levi keeps all the gold rush miners in…
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A True Story From Afghanistan
Nasreen’s Secret School – Jeanette Winter Based on a true story, set in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime, in 1996-2001. Nasreen’s parents are taken away by the Taliban and she stops speaking. Her grandmother desperately enrolls her in a secret school for girls. A new friend, a devoted teacher and the world of books finally encourages Nasreen to talk. Excellent text, lovely illustrations. This book opened up a totally new world to my children and there was much to discuss, the Taliban, persecution, the importance of education, Afghanistan history and achievements, people’s determination to overcome adversity. 5 Star
