I’m so behind at the moment and now with a broken keyboard I’m only just getting this post out about our March & April Books. And we’re almost at the end of April.
Of course as with all of our book lists, we had our favourites. My daughter picked and added her favourite to the list (Do not Open this Book), I loved another (Silly Squid). My son didn’t have a favourite but enjoyed listening to them. He probably liked the Night Walk best.
You may be aware that the Premier Reading Challenge having just started in New South Wales. We’ve participated in the challenge every year since my son started school so of course my daughter also wants to get involved. She also wants her certificate from the New South Wales Premier. Of Course. If you’re not aware of the PRC you can check out our original post on in here. We’ve got a few great PRC books here on the website, if you’re looking to start the challenge.
Regardless of the PRC, we’re reading books outside of that list too. So any book we come across is fair game! I’ve included the author’s details after each book below so it’s easier for you to buy if you’re looking to purchase them.
Just so you know… I don’t get paid a thing to promote these books, I’m not affiliated to these stores in anyway. I just love sharing our great finds with you!
Our March & April Books
The very brave bear
This book makes me laugh so much! It’s essentially two boys trying to show each other up. Except they’re not boys, one is a bear and the other is a moose. And I shouldn’t laugh because I’m sure it’s very very serious if you are a bear or a 7 year old boy who would do the same.
The reason I love this so much is because my son was playing with a boy his same age when my daughter was at a ballet class. The other boy’s sister was in the same dance class and clearly both boys had been dragged along. Well, the entire first conversation comprised of them telling each other “I bet you can’t do this…” “I bet you can’t do that…” needless to say, once they had each show each other their amazing abilities, they continued to play together and play together every dance class to date.
Author: Nick Bland
Where to buy: Big W or Kmart have the best price for the hardcover version. Around $10. If you’re buying it online just make sure you don’t get the softcover – that is the earlier reader version.
Good Question
This is a great book! A really cool book that incorporates lots of different fairy tales but not expressly so. My son really enjoyed this book working out how the story intertwined with other stories he knew. I’m not sure my 5 year old daughter picked up on it to the same extent he did.
This story starts with a fox in a tree and the reader asks the “Good Question” why are you in the tree. So he tells us and that in turn leads the reader asking another “Good Question”. Eventually you drag the story out of fox.
It’s really neat and very smart! The authors have very cleverly put this story together. And I have high hopes that there were be a sequel.
Author: Sue Whiting & Annie White
Where to buy: You can get it from one of my favourite bookstores QBD for $25
Whale in the Bath
Do you know any little people who a) don’t want to get in the bath when they’re told to, b) do like doing what they’re told to or c) make up stories?? Well then this story is something you’re completely familiar with.
Bruno won’t get in the bath because there is a whale in the bath. He tries telling various members of the family but no one seems to take him seriously. Poor little Bruno.
This is a very simple story but it’s sweet and simple. Perfect for younger kids.
Authors: Kylie Westaway & Tom Jellett
Where to buy: Booktopia has the hardcover book for $17.50 which is one of the best prices I’ve seen.
Silly Squid
This has to be my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE from the list of March & April books! It’s a book of poetry, short poems about sea creatures and the odd river fish too.
Silly Squid is brilliant!! The poems are each very individual and structured in different poetic styles. It’s really incredible how much thought and literary structure has been put into these poems. A wonderful introduction to poetry for kids!
Aside from the short poems there are also little facts around the end of the page about each creature. So not only are the kids being introduced to poetry and different styles of poetry but little animals too.
The pictures are lovely too. This book would be an absolutely stunning gift for a little one who loves the sea!
Authors: Janeen Brian & Cheryll Johns
Where to buy: I can’t find this book cheaper than $25 anywhere which is what it is priced at Dymocks.
Seriously Do Not Open this Book
I did’t really enjoy this book but my daughter loved it. She specifically chose it from the dozens of books I showed her. Apparently, she’s read them all at school and this was one of the only ones she had not read.
This serious of books is from Andy Lee one half of the radio duo Hamish and Andy.
Essentially the story is from a little monster telling you not to open the book and from there not to open another page. It’s interesting the way these have been written because it must be hard to work out how to entice kids to turn the next page.
The images are bright and almost garish, very enticing to a five year old. My 7 year old also enjoyed it and could have easily read it himself.
Author: Andy Lee
Where to buy: we got ours from Kmart for around $10
Mother Fox and Her Cubs
This isn’t the type of book we really get but it was chosen for us from by the library because it’s a Premier Reading Challenge book. I’ve included a list of the books that are included in the PRC below.
This is a simple story of a mother fox going out to look for her baby cubs. It’s not the story that makes it so interesting, it’s the story combined with the structure of the book. The book is an old school cut out and the limited colours used combine to make it an interactive type story. It feels as though you are really looking with the mother for her cubs.
Author: Amandine Momenceau
Where to buy: It’s not cheap. I found it at Dymocks for about $27.
Night walk
This is a lovely lovely Australian book. It’s true to Australian landscapes and culture. The beauty of the story is not in what happens but rather how the story is told. It’s also got a very Australian feel to the way in which the pictures are drawn.
A little boy who is out camping with his friends goes off on a night walk. He thinks of his friend as he spots the moon and wonders where and how she is.
This beautiful book is enough to make even me want to take my kids camping!
Author: Alison Binks
Where to buy: I found Night Walk at Booktopia for $22
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Premier Reading Challenge Books
As we are in the middle of the Premier Reading Challenge, it would be helpful to know which of these March & April books are on the PRC List. The following of the above books are on the PRC list:
- The very brave bear
- Silly Squid
- Mother Fox and her Cubs
- Night Walk
- Whale in the bath
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