A fascinating introduction to life on earth. Complex ideas are clearly expressed in age-appropriate language. The landscape format includes detailed illustrations that repay close inspection. Indeed this is encouraged as readers are asked to search for items including creatures that are hiding in the landscape. I found it surprisingly addictive and it helps makes the…
This is not a conventional biography of Mahatma Gandhi. Instead, an outline of the life story of ‘one of history’s greatest leaders’ serves as a trunk from which spring lively examinations aspects of his life and times. Using Gandhi as a starting point, we are invited to explore topics such as vegetarianism, meditation (with practical…
Effra belongs to a hidden community who live in boats on the tidal River Yore. Like her fellow Larkers, Effra searches in the mud for treasures to trade. Great caution is needed though as rewards are offered for the capture of her kind: those with gills which allow them to breathe underwater. Following the death…
The bright endpapers with their images of seeds, fruits and leaves of wild areas introduce the theme of the book, gloriously illustrated by Gill Smith. Written with the voice of a young girl who lives surrounded by wild spaces, one day the family moves to live in a city. In contrast to the natural browns…
The idea for this book originated at the Museum of Concrete Art and Design in Ingoltstadt, Germany. Sven Völker has created an imaginary Museum of Shapes and Alma, the curator of the museum, guides readers through the shapes that are kept at the museum, starting with a point – the simplest of all shapes. The…
This book is about fossicking – searching for treasure along the seashore when the tide has gone out. With a simple rhyme as its narrative, the beautifully drawn illustrations and design show the wealth of ‘treasures’ that can be found along one of Australia’s beaches. The first image focuses on the lower legs of a…
A most attractive book. The cover is eye-catching with bright colours and good graphics. It is written in the style of a quiz show and invites readers in. There are quick-fire warm-up questions which are true or false, and then a series of rounds – The Solar System, Galaxies, The Universe, The Big Bang, Inner…
I have always been a fan of Simon Mole and this book does not disappoint. The artwork on the cover is enticing with a range of fascinating bugs. Throughout the book Adam Ming’s large, colourful illustrations complement the text and reflect the diversity of insects. There is a clear contents page and the insects are divided…
The Green Team’ of Fern, Verdun, Jade, Silas and Selva the toucan puppet visit Unity Street school and talk to the children about climate change. The children are inspired and decide to take action themselves to help look after the planet. In the old playground there is an area of has been neglected. The Green…