The Puppy Parade (Ella and Olivia's Puppy Club #1)

The Puppy Parade (Ella and Olivia's Puppy Club #1) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd 2025) PB RRP $9 ISBN 9781761642333

Reviewed by Sylvia Forbes

Meet Bob the puppy, and his humans, Ella and Olivia!

Bob is competing in the Grand Puppy Parade! 

But so are all the other puppies in the neighbourhood!

Can Bob learn his new tricks on time?

Will he and Ella be on TV?

Or will the competition be PAWsitively tough?

For those who are already familiar with (and fans of) the Ella and Olivia books, The Puppy Parade (first book in the new Ella and Olivia Puppy Club series), will be a most welcome addition. And adding cute, adorable puppies to the mix will make it super appealing to an even broader readership and generate some new fans as well. 

Yvette Poshoglian has written another engaging, easy to understand and age-appropriate story, making it ideal for children who are breaking away from picture book length texts. The book is short; only 64 pages long, broken up into small chapters, with large-print text and plenty of illustrations.

Danielle McDonald's charming cartoon-style illustrations bring the story (and its loveable characters) to life -- and having the pictures so closely matched with the text will help developing and newly independent readers confirm the story they are reading and encourage them forward. 

The Puppy Parade celebrates the loving relationship between a puppy - Bob - and his human - Ella.

The story is told from Bob's perspective - Bob is a sweet-natured Golden Retriever puppy who adores Ella and follows her wherever she goes (except to school). First, he introduces you to his world - his human family, his home-life and his puppy friends. Then you find out firsthand (first paw), what he thinks, how he feels and what he sees as he and his puppy friends prepare for the parade. 

The descriptions of Bob's behaviour and mannerisms -- relative to how he's feeling -- are spot on and will perhaps help kids recognise and understand a dog's body language. (Like how the wag of Bob's tail slows when he feels unsure about something. Or when he's nervous, how his tail points down.)

There will be prizes given for the best costumes and skills and the winners will get to star on a TV show called Celebrity Pups! So, Ella wants to find Bob's special skill -- she tries to teach Bob some new tricks, but he prefers his old ones.  

Soon Ella realises that the thing he does best is being her shadow. 

You will love the two Miniature Dachshunds called Bangers and Mash who arrive at the Puppy Parade dressed in hotdog costumes!

Familiar and relatable to young children, with its themes around love, friendship, support and trust, The Puppy Parade is a delightfully warm and gentle read with oodles of schnoodles and a cheerful ending.

This book is perfect for all those puppy-loving kids out there -- and a must-read for those who are developing their confidence in reading longer texts. Suitable for ages 5 to 7 years.

 

Big Kids (Ella’s World #2)

Big Kids (Ella’s World #2) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Camilla Frescura (Scholastic) PB RRP $9.99 ISBN 9781761528538

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Big Kids is an early reader about ‘big kid’ Ella getting herself ready to return to school. The text is written in simple sentences and is designed to be shared and read aloud between young children and their parents/carers. Children are encouraged to ‘sound out’ the bold word on each page, most of which can be decoded using basic letter-sound relationships and one digraph (ck).

Big Kids is the second book in the Ella’s World early reader series. Each book focuses the bold words on a different set of phonemes. There are currently three books in the series. The first book is Sit Bob, Sit!, and the third book is Munch Lunch.

‘Ella’ is the popular protagonist in many Scholastic book series, including Meet Ella, Ella & Olivia, The Ella Diaries, and Ella at Eden.

Dear Greta

Dear Greta by Yvette Poshoglian (Puffin Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781761043789

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

Alice Boghosian is a Year 6 student at Melwood Public School whose teacher Mrs Malouf has allocated classmates assignments to write to someone who is a leader. She has allocated environmental activist Greta Thunberg to Alice who would have preferred a social media queen (with 22 media followers), the captain of her favourite netball team, or Taylor Swift.

Thus, the book takes the form of a series of emails Alice writes to Greta. At first, she outlines her problems (for example, Jayden and his mates nickname her Bogus and Mothball), her life, her family, her neighbours, her surroundings, and her annoying sister, Annie. However, after a while, with research, she learns more about the activist. Another of her heroes is Malala Yousafzai who campaigns for girls’ rights and who is a winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace. She learns that Thunberg and Yousafzai communicate with one another. She writes, ‘When I think about all the amazing girls, you and Malala in particular, it seems like anything is possible’.

Alice’s continuing emails, which show she is being influenced by Greta’s life and work, also show she is becoming more aware of the possibility of using her time and energy to devote to the community. She starts to believe that she can make a difference, too, a big one. Soon she becomes involved in Harmony Day at her school. And it seems she will later develop more of a social and environmental conscience.

This easy-to-read book would suit keen readers aged nine years and older.

Ella and Olivia: Spelling Superstar

Ella and Olivia: Spelling Superstar by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-741-9

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella is excited. She has been chosen to be a contestant on her favourite TV games show Spelling Superstar. Her younger sister Olivia is excited for her too, but also a tiny bit jealous. She is almost a good speller. But through helping her sister, Olivia’s spelling gets better too.

 Olivia is also hoping her sister can win her a red bike. Ella is a very good speller but will the spotlights and cameras make her nervous? Will she remember the spelling rules like ‘i before e, except after c’ which Olivia has helped her with?

The Ella and Olivia books are gentle stories about two sisters and their families. The sisters have a lovely bond and their relationship is much like most sisters would experience – loving and close, but not always best of friends. Olivia helps Ella with her words but ‘Ella sometimes gets a bit grumpy with Olivia. She can be so bossy!’ And Olivia is the younger one.

This story is written simply for a young readership, but simply does not mean uninteresting.

Super Speller Sally glides across the stage. Her smile is brighter than bright. Her teeth are whiter than white. ‘Welcome to Spelling Superstar,’ Sally croons into her microphone. Her voice is louder than loud.

It is descriptive writing and the reader doesn’t actually need the illustration of the TV show host to get a picture of her. But the black and white images do add to the story, emphasising characteristics which help beginner readers with the experience of reading a chapter book.

Spelling Superstar is packed full of words, their meanings and how to spell, so readers get to learn many big words, making this title great for extending reading confidence.

Ella and Olivia: Beach Holiday

Ella and Olivia: Beach Holiday by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-054-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Sisters Ella and Olivia are going to stay at their grandparents’ beach house. Ella is excited; she is seven years old and is looking forward to the holiday. Olivia is not quite as sure. She is five-and-a-half and has only ever stayed away from home for one night before.  But she loves her grandmother and grandfather and she will have Ella and baby brother Max with her. So she bravely waves goodbye to Mum and Dad and Bob, the puppy, and they leave for their adventure in grandparents’ kombi.

Ella and Olivia is a lovely series for 5-7 year olds. Beach Holiday is a delightful story about adventures on the beach. There are good messages for young girls throughout and Olivia's nervousness about being away from home is acknowledged, but not made into a big deal.

The relationship between the sisters and the rest of the family is lovely. When Ella takes her sister’s hand in the ocean, 'Olivia forgets how cold she is and how much she already misses Mum and Dad.'

Ella and Olivia books are gentle stories about everyday life. There’s plenty for young girls to relate to, and the book contains just enough adventure to keep readers involved. The line drawings which illustrate every page make this an attractive book and add to the appeal for beginner readers.

Frankie Fox, Girl Spy: READY, SET, SPY

Frankie Fox, Girl Spy: READY, SET, SPY by Yvette Poshoglian
(Lothian/Hachette)
PB RRP $12.99
ISBN: 9780734415684
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Eleven-year-old Francesca (Frankie) Fox, motherless but with a millionaire Dad, has a boathouse for her room which she shares with Boss, her West Highland Terrier. It is located on a cliff 178 steps down from the main house called Griffin where Hanna the housekeeper keeps house for her Dad and cooks for the three of them when her Dad is home. He is a brilliant scientist and runs a secret set of labs on Fortress Island which Frankie can see from the boathouse window. Frankie's Dad protects his property with an electric fence, and is concerned that his wealth and scientific knowledge could make him a target of an evil group called the Alliance, a threat to the whole world.

Frankie has always wanted to be a spy. She is studying The Spy's Handbook which belonged to her Dad and pours over it every free moment. There is a code scribbled inside it that she needs to decipher and so far has been stumped. Unusual things have been happening. Frankie thinks she is being watched and her room has definitely been searched. Later, when kayaking, her boat is almost overturned by a woman in a kayak who she recalls later was the stand-in bus driver on the school bus. Also, strange underwater lights are puzzling.

James Jensen (JJ), a new neighbour but previous resident returned from Iceland who attends Frankie's school, arranges to kayak across to Fortress Island with Frankie and Boss. The two kayakers set off one evening and once again Frankie sees the underwater lights. When they land on the island, they come across soldiers and are captured. Their captors are agents for Griffin and are fighting the Alliance. When Frankie is told her father has been kidnapped by the Alliance, she is amazed to discover both JJ and herself have been in training as Griffin spies, and as things fall into place, she knows whatever she has to do to rescue her father, she will do it. It is vital she deciphers the code in her spy handbook and completes Mission Icefall. And Boss and JJ have a role to play, too.

Yvette Poshoglian, a Sydney-based high school teacher involved in creative writing workshops, has created an exciting story with plenty of intrigue and drama. She uses retrospect cleverly to keep the momentum charged and pacey. Each chapter is headed by a quote from The Spy's Handbook which alludes to the content and increases interest.

Christmas Wonderland: Ella and Olivia

Christmas Wonderland: Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-055-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

‘Ella and Olivia love Christmas. They love the smell of the tree. They love waking up early on          Christmas morning. They love giving and receiving presents.’

Christmas is just around the corner so Dad and Uncle Stu have a surprise for Ella and Olivia that is going to be big, bold and very, very bright. 

Christmas Wonderland is a Christmas title which captures the funny tale about a friendly neighbour Christmas decoration battle. The excitement of getting ready for Christmas shines through this story.  Ella, 7, and Olivia, 5, help Dad and Uncle Stu decorate the front yard, sing Christmas songs with Mum and wait excitedly for the Christmas street fair.  Of course baby brother Max and their puppy dog Bob share in this excitement with the rest of the family.

Written for beginner readers, the text is simple. Short sentences and chapters encourage reading and the sweet illustrations help make the book appealing and manageable. The writing is evocative too.

    ‘‘Into the tree we’ll wind flashers and blinkers and winkers,’ cries Dad.’

The Ella and Olivia series is a lovely family focused series with stories well suited to the five plus readership age.

Flower Power: Ella and Olivia

Flower Power: Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74362-053-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Ella is seven and Olivia is five. In Flower Power Ella has decided she would like to start a garden at home just like the one they have at school. She is happy for Olivia to help, but Ella wants to be in charge. Mum and Dad help the girls build and prepare the garden bed, then leave the panting to them. The only problem is Ella wants to grow just herbs and vegetables while Olivia wants flowers as well. Is Ella being too bossy? Can they find a compromise?

This is a great story about a family working together. Even baby Max is involved, mostly making mud pies but creating this garden is a family effort. There are discussions about making the garden bed, staking tomatoes, seedlings, different herbs and other gardening issues.

Ella and Olivia have a realistic sibling relationship which many young girls will relate too and the way the family interacts is also grounded and positive. This title explores cooperation, bossiness and responsibility.

The sweet illustrations add to the story, showing the family working together as well as the growing frustrations of Ella. Every page is decorated making the book appealing to young readers.

Ella and Olivia is a lovely series for young girls, five plus, who are starting to read.

Sports Carnival: Ella and Olivia

Sports Carnival: Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $7.99

ISBN 978-1-74362-052-6

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Ella is seven and Olivia is five. They live with Mum and Dad, baby brother Max and puppy dog Bob. Ella and Olivia are very excited. Their school is going to have a sports carnival day and they are training very hard for it with Ella's friend Zoe. Even Mum and Dad are training hard as they are part of the purple team the sisters are in.

Will the purple team get enough points to beat Zoe’s green team and the other two teams? Ella and Olivia would love to win the grand prize, a trip to the Slip and Slide Water Park.

The Ella and Olivia series is pitched to 5 plus beginner readers and Sports Carnival is a sweet story which this young readership will adore. The sisters have a lovely, but realistic, relationship and they are feisty and interesting without being naughty - the cheekiness is left up to Bob the puppy.

The illustrator creates fun characters that are friendly and lively. These pictures break up the text which is clear and easy to read with short sentences and short chapters.

A constantly growing series, there are plenty of titles for young girls to read and enjoy.

Ella and Olivia: The Christmas Surprise

Ella and Olivia: The Christmas Surprise by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-921-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia, the two young girls who star in the Australian series for five plus readers, are back in this seasonal special.

In The Christmas Surprise the two sisters help their mother get ready for Christmas. They decorate the tree, ice the Christmas cupcakes and help make up the spare room for Nanna and Grandad who are coming to stay.

But even all this activity cannot distract them from wondering about the presents beneath the Christmas tree. Will anyone notice if one or two are opened early? If they sneak down at night to try, will they ruin Christmas?

Ella and Olivia are not always perfect children, but do try to be good. These five and nearly eight year-old sisters are part of a realistic family and circle of friends which young readers will be able to relate to.

The series features simple, fun stories, told in large, bold, easy-to-read type along with pictures and borders which create attractive pages for beginner readers. There are already nine titles in the series and I’m sure there will be more to come for followers of Ella and Olivia.

Ella and Olivia: Cool Kitties

Ella and Olivia: Cool Kitties by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-799-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Ella is seven years old and Olivia is five-and-a-half. They have a little brother called Max and a pet dog called Bob. They also have fifteen Cool Kitties between them, eight are Olivia’s and seven are Ella’s. Cool Kitties are all the rage. Everyone at school collects them. Ella’s friend Zoe has sixteen all of her own.
Ella and Olivia are Cool Kitty crazy. They would love to collect the whole set but don’t have money to buy more. They decide to earn some by doing lots of jobs around the house for Mum and Dad. But they soon discover that it’s not quite as easy as they imagined. Will they ever earn enough for the Cool Kitties they want and a special carry case to store them in?

Cool Kitties is a sweet story about two sisters overcoming their frustrations and working together to achieve this goal. Large text, short chapters and plenty of cute illustrations throughout make this a great chapter book for young beginner readers. And the concepts of cute toy kittens, collecting, friendships, co-operation and family make this an entertaining and relatable read for this age group. There are many more titles also in this enticing series for young girls.

Pony Problem

Ella and Olivia: Pony Problem by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-798-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Seven-year-old Ella and her younger sister Olivia are a little teeny bit jealous of Ella’s friend Zoe. Zoe has a horse, Hattie, and Ella would love to have her own horse too. So when Zoe invites the two sisters to come and watch her equestrian competition they are very excited.

But when Ella is accidentally entered into the competition on a pony called Jett, she learns there is more to riding a horse than she thought. Zoe has to sacrifice her own entry in the competition to save her frightened best friend.

Ella, Olivia, Max and Zoe are sweet characters. Aimed at beginning readers, this series is a great one for young girls. Themes of friendships, family, and in this book, horse riding, are popular and universal.
The large clear font and delightful illustrations make this an attractive series for early readers from five years up.

Pony Problem is an entertaining read and there are many more in the series to be enjoyed. This book also comes with a pony necklace.

Ella and Olivia: Puppy Trouble

Ella and Olivia: Puppy Trouble by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-657-7
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Seven-year-old Ella and her younger sister Olivia have wanted a puppy forever. They have promised to look after him themselves, to train him and to take him on a walk every day.

Finally the day arrives when a new puppy Bob is in their arms and they have so much fun. But they also discover keeping a puppy is not so as easy as they expected. Bob can be naughty. Then on a walk, he runs away.

Ella and Olivia are sweet characters. Aimed at beginning readers, this series is a great one for young girls. Most young children would love a puppy so Puppy Trouble will strike a chord with many readers.

Bob is mischievous as puppies often are, and the sisters also, do not always behave perfectly which gives these books a realistic and relatable edge.

Puppy Trouble will be devoured by readers already familiar with Ella and Olivia and new readers can also start here. The books do not need to be read in order. There are already eight to collect and I’m sure there will be more to come.

Ella and Olivia: The Big Sleepover

Ella and Olivia: The Big Sleepover by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-658-4
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella has invited her best friend Zoe for a sleepover. They plan to stay up late, telling stories and having a midnight feast. Olivia is feeling left out.

Olivia is only five-and-a-half years old, almost two years younger than her sister and not old enough yet for a sleepover. But she helps Ella with all the jobs which need to be done in preparation for the night. When Zoe arrives, Ella hopes that the bigger girls will share the fun with her.

The Ella and Olivia books are a great series for beginning readers. The text is large and broken up with sweet black and white illustrations. The chapters are short and the words and sentences straight forward and not too complex.

The story is one grounded in reality. Girls will easily identify with the sisters and recognise the excitement of the first sleepover with a friend. The relationships in the story are lovely but real, especially the one between the two sisters. They sometimes get frustrated with, or envious of, each other but they work it through, often with a little help from Mum.

There are eight so far to collect, and these books, suitable for 5-8 year-olds, will keep young readers engaged in the lives of Ella and Olivia.

Ella and Olivia: The New Girl

 The New Girl (Ella and Olivia) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-499-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella is seven years old and starting year two. Olivia is five and a half and starting big school. Their brother Max is a baby and is “picking his nose. He is not quite ready for school yet.” But school starts a little more smoothly for Olivia than Ella because a new girl in year two presents challenges for Ella and her friends.

I love that the children in the Ella and Olivia series sort out their problems without teachers or other adults pointing the way too much. The issues explored are approached in a gentle manner. In this story, the problem is a new girl who is trying to fit in to the class, and comes across as mean and bossy.
The relationship Olivia has with her big sister’s friend is beautiful. Zoe loves and protects Olivia in the same way that Ella does. All the relationships in these stories have a realistic balance of jealousy, respect, love and annoyance.

Simple black and white illustrations of varying sizes are dotted throughout the chapter book. These are sweet but also enhance the text. One illustration shows Zoe and Ella sharing sandwiches at lunchtime while Millie, the new girl, sits by herself behind, watching them with a sad look. It is the first clue that Millie’s meanness may stem from loneliness. There is also a charming illustration of Ella’s family all walking to school together on the first day. It shows beautifully the togetherness of their family.

I highly recommend this series for all girls from the age of 5 up, regardless of reading ability. The large text makes it perfect for beginner readers, but it would be just as enjoyable for more experienced readers or as a read aloud at bedtime for those who are not reading yet. There is also a website to find out more, play games or do other fun stuff. Visit www.ellaandolivia.com.au

Ella and Olivia: Ballet Stars

 Ballet Stars (Ella and Olivia) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-498-6
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ella is learning ballet at Mrs Fry’s School of Dance. It is announced that Cinderella will be the ballet performed at the end of the year concert. Ella and all her friends dream of dancing the lead role, being the star ballerina on the stage. Ella’s younger sister, Olivia, watches Ella’s dance lessons and wishes she too could be a star. But she is too young for ballet lessons.

Ballet Stars is the third book in this delightful new series about two sisters and their daily exploits. The font is large for beginner readers and the sweet black & white pictures break up the text making these chapter books inviting for even the youngest readers. The interesting and amusing text allows for older children to enjoy the story as well. The ballet lessons take place in a Scout Hall which smells ‘a bit like old socks’ and Mrs Fry sometimes has to light a ‘sweet smelling candle to freshen the air.’
It is this sort of detail which makes every book in the series stand out as individual stories. They are simple narratives which girls from 5 to 9 will relate to and love.

The issues explored are relevant to this age range and things are explained without being condescending or lecturing. All the relationships, between sisters, friends and family, are lovely but still realistic. There are four books published so far and I hope there are many more to come. I really enjoy reading Ella and Olivia.

New Series: Ella and Olivia

 Cupcake catastrophe (Ella and Olivia) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $3.99
ISBN   978 1 74283 354 5






 Best Friend Showdown (Ella and Olivia) by Yvette Poshoglian, illustrated by Danielle McDonald (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN   978 1 74283 355 2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Cupcake Catastrophe and Best Friend Showdown are the first two titles in a new Australian series sharing the exploits of sisters Ella and Olivia.

Olivia is five and a half and looks up to her seven year-old sister Ella. They have a sweet and realistic sibling relationship which many young girls with sister of their own will relate to. Olivia wants to be just like her big sister, and although Ella sometimes wishes her little sister wouldn’t hang around quite so much, she knows Olivia can be helpful and fun.

In Cupcake Catastrophe, the first of the series Ella and Olivia make cupcakes for Dad’s birthday. Ella reads the recipe and measures while Olivia fetches ingredients and help to mix. They are happy to be able to bake them without Mum’s help. It is not until the party, when someone takes a bite of one of these perfect iced cupcakes, that they realise there is a problem...

In Best Friend Showdown Ella’s teacher announces that there will be a chocolate drive for the class to participate in and that there will be a gold star award for the student who sells the most. Will Ella’s best friend Zoe sell the most chocolate, or can Ella, with Olivia’s help, win that gold star award? And will the girl’s friendship survive the chocolate drive?

This is a series that young girls will enjoy. The large font and cute illustrations make these books perfect for beginner readers, as does the simple, fun and light text. Look out for the next couple in the series Ballet Stars and The New Girl.

You can find out more about Ella, Olivia and the series, read first chapters or download Ella and Olivia bookmarks at www.ellaandolivia.com.au.