Awesome Aussie Things to do with Mum

Awesome Aussie Things to do with Mum illustrated by Simon Williams (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $12.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-995-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

With Mother's Day approaching it's the perfect time to start thinking of Mum and activities you can do together. Awesome Aussie Things to do with Mum is the perfect book to help with this. Whatever your Mum's interests, this book can show you some awesome things to do together.

From indoor activities, to gardening, games, backyard projects and beach fun, there are so many ideas for you to explore.

Does your Mum like trees? Learn the art of Bonsai pruning together. Choose a suitable Australian species - eucalyptus, Grevillea, or Banksia - and get snipping. Does she want to put her feet up at meal time? Maybe you can make her some Home Cooked Tucker with a Twist? Teach her some new dance moves so she doesn't embarrass you at the next party, or build the most awesome sandcastle ever together next time you are at the beach.

There are recipes, excellent illustrations teaching skills such as knitting, and instructions for games from Mum's childhood such as Cat's Cradle, Knucklebones (Jacks) and Elastics.

Filled with quirky illustrations, fun facts, great tips, awesome ideas and step-by-step instructions this book will help you to discover just how amazing your Mum really is.

10 Hopping Bunnies

10 Hopping Bunnies by Ed Allen, illustrated by Simon Williams (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-636-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

  Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

  Ten hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

  And if one hopping bunny drops the egg too soon,

  There’ll be nine hopping bunnies with their egg and spoon.

Easter is coming and for most young children this means the thrill of the egg hunt and Easter Bunny. None of these bunnies is Easter Bunny, but they are just as fun. From the front cover - with them all heaped on a collapsed trampoline – to the last page – where they jump on the bed, these vibrant, bouncy bunnies keep the energy and entertainment high.

Ed Allen’s newest version of 10 Green Bottles has an easy, smooth rhythm and great rhymes. And William’s illustrations bring out the fabulous humour of each situation. 10 Hopping Bunnies is a great example of illustrations, being more than just decoration. Young children will be enchanted by these bunnies, their different personalities and the activities they get up to.

As with previous versions - 10 Smiley Crocs, 10 Funny Sheep, 10 Green Gecko’s (just to name a few) there are numbers hidden on every page for children to find as they enjoy this reverse counting book.

This is a great book for preschool children who love numbers, bunnies and slapstick fun.