This month we had a massive influx of new books. Our February books may be the longest list of reads and reviews we’ve had in a long time.

We’ve got picture books and chapter books and an amazing non-fiction book for kids. I love non-fiction books! I love watching my children’s minds being expanded as they explore new concepts and ideas.

Of course with any of our book lists, I had a favourite (The Brightest Blue), my daughter had a favourite (Maddie’s first day of school) and my son had a favourite (Humanimal).

There are also a few strange titles in this mix this month but I’ve included them so you can make up your own mind.

What’s really interesting about this month’s books is how many of them convey a serious lesson behind the story. This would be the emotional equivalent of a non-fiction book I think…

To make life easier for you to purchase any of these books, I’ve started including the author and illustrator details. Something I should probably have done from the very beginning, sorry about that oversight!

Our February Books

Maddie’s first day

My daughter loves this book. LOVES it. So much so that she often just gives it a cuddle. I’m not sure why!? Actually I do know why it’s because of what the book conveys. I’ve tried to find it to take pictures of it but it’s not in her bookcase, she’s hidden it.

As is evident from the title, this is all about Maddie’s first day of school. Like my daughter was, Maddie is ready for school, so ready. Maddie has everything out, her uniform is waiting for her. But there is one thing that Maddie feels anxious to leave behind at home. One special item that means the world to her.

This makes me want to cry for all those little kids who go off to school and leave behind their special toy. This book is beautiful and speaks to a very hard situation little school going kids find themselves in.

Even if you’re not going to go out and buy this book, please do your child a favour and get this book from the library. Or at the very least have this conversation with them before the have to go to school because it is a big deal leaving that bit of security behind at home when you enter a brand new world.

Jelly Boy

Poor poor Jelly Girl! This the most unusual of our February books. Although my mother didn’t love this book I like it and I think it is an important read. Unfortunately so.

This is a picture book about a jelly fish – Jelly Girl who falls in love with a Jelly Boy. The problem is though that Jelly Boy is actually a plastic bag. He’s so strong and different to all the other Jelly Boys… Oh poor misguided Jelly Girl.

This is a brilliant resource for discussing environmental issues with your kids. Keeping it lighthearted so they don’t feel the weight of the world but also making them mindful of their actions.

Don’t be put out if your local bookstore or big store doesn’t have it – it’s a brand new book having only been release on 1 Feb 2020. You can find it on booktopia.

Wheels

This is one for the smaller kiddies, probably 2 – 4 years of age. It’s so cool. I can’t believe I have never read one of these types of books before, my son would have LOVED it when he was younger.

Each page starts with a big bold picture of a set of wheels and a short description. From that the reader (or listeners in this case) have to decide what the wheels belong to.

Rumbly wheels, grumbly wheels, Hauling-up-the-hill wheels. Wheels go fast, wheels go slow. Shout what’s coming, if you know!

Even though its generally aimed at littlies, my 5 and 7 year old loved trying to out-smart each other and be the first to guess what it was.

The Proudest Blue

Now this is my type of book. Diversity, understanding, empathy, determination, family. All the things I love.

I’m clearly not alone in my love for this book because it’s also a New York Times Bestseller. I do have great taste in kids books, clearly.

This is the story of Asiya’s beautiful blue hijab, starting from her going with her mum and sister to choose it. Asiya’s first day of wearing it also co-incides with her sister’s first day of school.

It’s not one that had the kids rapt but I will keep reading it to them for years to come.

I found that here in Australia, Dymocks actually had the best price for this book.

Ollie and Augustus

A really special story about two best friends – one boy, one dog. The boy has to go to school but he is so worried about his best friend who is stuck at home alone. He starts a search for his replacement. What he doesn’t realise is the depths of his best friend’s patience and loyalty.

Not only is this such a special story but it is so beautifully written. It’s simple for the little ones to read but it uses such stunning metaphors and similes.

Ollie was small – like a pickling jar or a shoe box. Augustus was big – like a fridge or a table.

Humanimal – the great non-fiction find

You will never look at animals the same way after you read this book!

This big book (not too big that you can’t hold though) explores how similar animals are to humans. Not in a physical sense but rather how some of our behaviours are the same.

Did you know that:

• rats tickle and laugh out loud
• elephants have funerals
• bees hold elections

It’s just mind-blowing to delve into the animal world like this and see the “human” actions of some animals. My kids loved this book. This was my son’s favourite of our February books.

On top of how interesting this book is, the illustrations are just awesome too.

The Big History Timeline Wallbook

To be honest, I bought this book but haven’t had the right time to read it to the kids. It’s a beautiful non-fiction book with a 6 foot long timeline that you pull out and I’m just so nervous about them damaging the timeline that I need to grab them in the right mood and at the right time.

I love this book, it was a close contender for my favourite on this list but I am a history buff.

The book spans the history of time from the dinosaurs to the invention of the smart phone. (I just feel old knowing that the smart phone is now part of history.)

Anyway, back to the book. The book is written as if its a compilation of newspaper articles.

If you loved this list of February Books, then have a look at some of these other recommendations:

• Three Excellent Books
• Last October’s Books
• DUCK!