Lego City Fire Station

Lego City Fire Station (Macmillan Children’s Books) HB RRP $9.99 ISBN 9781529048360

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Lego bricks are known throughout the world, allowing children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine. In this board book, push, pull, and slide moving parts help bring the Lego fire station to life. 

The fire chief and her crew need help to open fire station doors, load the kit, check the ladder and hose, put on helmets, then jump on board. Once the fire engine is outdoors, there is a slide mechanism to make the helicopter take off, and then slide the scene-changing mechanism is needed to drive off in the fire engine. The last page shows the fire engine with ‘the siren and the engine’s flashing light’ zooming through the streets on its way to the fire.

The thick pages with their rounded-corners will withstand many small fingers pulling and sliding the various tabs to make a helicopter appear, to make the fire engine appear to be moving forward, and much more. The illustrations are full colour with many details including a drone, inside the firemen’s office, preparations for leaving the station and, on the last page, a city scene with numerous walkers on either side of the road where the fire engine is speeding.

Another push, pull and slide board book in the Lego series is Lego City Building Site where workers toil in a huge pit on engines such as a bulldozer and crane (with a wrecking ball). They clear rubble (including Lego bricks) into a dumpster truck  and build walls, stacking them row by row. When the job is completed, the last page shows the final product of all the labours – a new school with a crowd of students ready to go indoors.

Small children from 3+ years are sure to have hours of fun with these two books in the Lego series.

I’m Ready for the New Baby and I’m Ready for Easter

I’m Ready for the New Baby and I’m Ready for Easter illustrated by Jedda Robaard (Puffin) HB RRP $12.99 each ISBN: 9781760891626 (New Baby) and 9781760891596 (Easter)

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

The I’m Ready series neatly fills the gap between basic concept books and narrative picture books. Aimed at three- to four-year-olds, each twelve-page board book gently introduces a milestone or event that is commonly encountered by young children, such as the arrival of a sibling or the preparations for Easter.

Written in the first person, the text invites the listening child into the moment and touches on worries that they may be having (‘Am I ready to be a big sister?’). Through positive actions, the young protagonist of each book discovers the joy within each situation (‘We read stories together and talk to the bump.’). By the end, they (and the child listener) are reassured that new experiences are exciting, and that they can cope with changes (‘I guess I am ready to be a big sister after all!’).

Australian illustrator Jedda Robaard has taken inspiration from the flora and fauna around her to produce her whimsical and endearing images. Slightly muted colours appeal to small eyes, while the curves used to create the animal characters ensure that they exude comfort and kindness.

A gorgeous new series, the I’m Ready books will take pride of place on pre-schoolers’ bookshelves. When life becomes a little overwhelming, kids will eagerly return to these books for solace and support.

Bluey (Penguin Random House) HB RRP $14.99. Bluey: The Beach ISBN9781760894054 Bluey: Fruit Bat ISBN 9781760894047. Bluey: Time to Play Sticker Activity Book ISBN9781760894030

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Airing on ABC KIDS in October 2018, the Bluey books have taken the coveted position of being the most watched program ever on ABC iView, with over 100 million plays. It has also topped the Australian iTunes Kids Chart with the series peaking at #1 and consistently remaining in the Top 5. Thus, it’s no wonder that the powers to be have decided to capitalise on its success and thus published a book series.

Bluey: The Beach is about a family’s day out together in a lift-the-flap board book. While Mum is walking along the beach, Bluey (a blue cartoon dog) discovers a beautiful shell. She runs to show Mum and has a series of encounters – such as confronting an army of crabs and an old sandcastle -- that both excite and test her.

Bluey: Fruit Bat starts with Bluey not wanting to go to bed. She wishes she was a fruit bat so when she goes to bed that night, she dreams adventures as one. This time the Bluey book is a glow-in-the-dark board book.

Bluey: Time to Play! is a sticker activity book perfect for engaging little Bluey Fans. The first page shows the Heeler family in their Brisbane front yard. Another page shows all of Bluey’s friends such as Muffin and Socks, and Mackenzie. Surely young children and their parents will have hours of fun with all the activities in this paperback book.

Bluey has been praised for its realistic yet joyous portrayal of modern Australian parenting.

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Dusky Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld (Chronicle Books) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781452146980

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Here are two #1 New York Times Bestsellers in this one boxed set. The books – both board books with rounded corners are titled Steam Train, Dream Train and Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. What is most unusual is that both of the books, obviously intended for very small children, are quite text-heavy whereas most board books are light on text. Both books use rhyming verse and full-page coloured illustrations.

Steam Train, Dream Train is the story of a steam train travelling through the country at night so all of the text is printed white on dark backgrounds. All of the crew are animals with monkeys, for instance, putting cargo on board when the train stops. Kangaroos have fun ‘… they get to work and have a ball!/Then with a bounce, a pounce, a leap/three boys jump in… and fall asleep.’ Elephants fill up the tankers, and when ‘The train car’s packed,/The crew sits back/and chills with/a midnight snack.’ Different parts of the train are mentioned which should help young readers learn, though the American ‘caboose’ is used instead of ‘carriage.’

In Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Sit, heavy machinery is building a road so machines such as cranes, cement mixers, dump trucks and bulldozers are mentioned. They work during the day, but at night, ‘No more huffing and puffing, team/It’s time to rest your heads and dream.

Obviously parents of small children buy plenty of these books so there is certainly a big market for out of the ordinary board books.

I Spy Pets ...

I Spy Pets ... by Edward Gibbs (Koala Books)

PB RRP $13.99

ISBN 978-1-74276-070-4

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

I Spy with my little eye is classic game played by many children. In this picture book version young readers are asked to guess what animals are pictured on the following page with the help of a clue - I like to munch lettuce - an eye, and a peek through a hole of the animal skin (fur, feathers etc.) This hole very cleverly becomes the creature’s eye when the page is turned.

This is a lovely, simple book for the very young. Babies can start their 'reading' life with animal recognition and toddlers will love the guessing and revealing ritual. Uncomplicated and bright illustrations show endearing animals which are commonly kept as pets and the peek-a-boo holes add a fun twist.

This is an entertaining book for story time with pre-schoolers.

His Day

His Day by Heather Potter (Walker Books Australia)

BB RRP $9.95

ISBN – 978-1-921720-35-2

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

One in a pair of gender specific baby board books, this title uses simple text alongside delightful softly coloured sketches of a very young boy going about what comprises every baby’s day. All  pictures will be easily identified with by any child and the book begins by showing how each day starts with waking before having a nappy change.

Breakfast is followed by getting dressed and playtime takes baby till lunch time. Baby’s nap is followed by a walk before visiting with an older child. The day draws to a close with dinner, bathing, a story and a cuddle before bed.

Not only do the whimsical and very appealing pastels show much emotion and wonder as baby makes his way through his day, they also provide plenty of well thought out detail that ensures the illustrations will be happily marvelled over again and again.

While the publisher states that one of the books is for boys and one is for girls, parents and preschools may consider reading them as a pair, one after the other, to help reinforce that while genders may be a point of difference, boys and girls are very much the same on the whole.

Her Day

Her Day by Heather Potter (Walker Books Australia)
BB RRP $9.95

ISBN – 978-1-921720-36-9

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

One in a pair of gender specific baby board books, this title uses simple text alongside softly coloured sketches of a very young girl going about those activities that make up every baby’s day. All  pictures will be easily identified with by any child and the book begins by showing how each day starts with waking before having a nappy change.

Breakfast is followed by getting dressed and playtime takes baby till lunch time. Baby’s nap is followed by walking before a visit. The illustration for the word visit shows readers the baby girl stepping through a doorway. Her day draws to a close with dinner, bathing, a story and cuddle before bed.

Not only do the whimsical and very appealing pastels show much emotion and wonder as baby makes her way through her day, they also provide plenty of well thought out detail that ensures the illustrations will be happily marvelled over again and again by the very young reader.

While the publisher states that one of the books is for boys and one is for girls, parents and preschools may consider reading them as a pair, one after the other, to help reinforce that while humans differ in gender, males and females share a great deal in common.

Aussie Animal Opposites

Aussie Animal Opposites by Elizabeth Lea, illustrated by Liz Faul (National Library of Australia)

BB RRP $14.99

ISBN – 9780642277664

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Using vividly coloured images of native animals, this sturdy board book displays actions that children will identify with as they are introduced to adjectives and their antonyms. It’s an excellent tool to help expand vocabulary in a fun way. I particularly like ‘quiet quokka’ with a finger to her lips, hovering over her baby in its cot and then, on the opposite page, ‘noisy numbat’ bashing drums. This effectively instills opposite emotions in readers.

Besides the commonly used emu, koala, dingo, wombat, goanna, crocodile, bandicoot and numbat, this production also displays our yabby, owl, frog, seal, quokka, honeyeater, mole, lizard, lorikeet, heron, cassowary, ant, snake, rat, turtle, and mouse. I found it refreshing to see such a wide range of species acknowledged and was pleased that ‘calm cassowary’ was not at all perturbed by ‘angry ant’. Ant was rather red with wrath too!

As ‘energetic emu’ heads for the finish line in a race, ‘lazy lizard’ lounges on a deck chair near the backyard shed. Toys are packed away by ‘tidy turtle’ but ‘messy mouse’ has spilled his breakfast.  A sand castle is kicked over by ‘mean mole’ while ‘kind koala’ helps baby put a band aid on its grazed knee. Clever use of everyday situations ensures young readers will easily understand the words.

The back of the book also includes a selection of images from the National Library of Australia’s own collection. Below each image are facts about each animal and suggested activities that will expand on the reading, ensuring the book is not quickly outgrown.

Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich

Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich by Lorraine Francis and Pieter Gaudesaboos (Book Island)
HB RRP NZD $24.99
ISBN 9780987669605
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

A book about food - that got my attention! And this super-sized board book is bound to get the attention of young children with its roll call of everything that could possibly go into a sandwich. The fantastic thing is that Sammy includes them all!

Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich will appeal to a child's idea of the ridiculous about something so simple as making a sandwich. Mum and Dad react as if building a sandwich which goes through the roof  and is 'as tall as a skyscraper standing on another skyscraper's shoulders on top of the world's tallest mountain' is an everyday event. Lorraine Francis adds lovely touches of humour with passers-by such as a boy in a hot-air balloon and a man with a megaphone commenting on Sammy's efforts.

Pieter Gaudesaboos' funky illustrations will delight child and adult alike with their 1950s retro feel and rich colours. Each page is an artwork to be pored over with plenty of humour to be found in the illustrations as well. Sammy carts the food in a car and wagons; swings from a trapeze, and then later a crane, to reach the top; and uses the help of a remote control plane to continue adding to his creation.

This is a perfect picture book with the text and illustrations both adding to the telling of the story and the joy of its reading. Cleverly, Book Island has published Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich in a board book format for it is bound to be read and reread (and reread and reread) with plenty for even the youngest of children to relate to.

Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich was first published in Dutch in Belgium and has now been released in its original language by newly established independent New Zealand publisher, Book Island. Ann Packer, the children's book editor for the New Zealand Listener selected Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich for her list of 50 Best Children’s Books of 2012.

Rocket into Space

Rocket into Space by Ragbir Bhathal and Johanna Davids (National Library of Australia Publishing)
HB RRP 19.95
ISBN 9780642277510
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Pre-school children and early readers can set out on a wonderful space adventure with Maddy and Jack in another superlative book from the NLA (National Library of Australia).  In this pull-the-flap and fold out interactive book, children discover the amazing world of space and the solar system while Maddy and Jack travel across the pages in their red rocket.

The information is relayed through brief, clear facts that accompany the pictures. Bold colours, large fonts and outstanding images grace every page. The reinforced pages cater to easy handling by young hands.

There is so much to see. The journey begins with the Sun, its distance from Earth in kilometres, its diameter, and the average surface temperature. The last is included with every planet picture. There are eight stops after that – one for each planet with significant facts hidden under flaps and pull outs. Three more references cover Asteroids, Comets and The Milky Way.

Children can undertake the projects that are at the end. One entails making a crater. There is a list of what you will need and instructions on how to do it. The second shows how the Sun shines on the Earth to create night and day. There is Name a Comet or an E.T.

The author of this superb production Dr Ragbir Bhathal is an award-winning author and astrophysicist. His latest books are Australian Backyard Astronomy and Aboriginal Astronomy. This book has been created in collaboration with his wife, Johanna Davids. It has been published by NLA Publishing ‘as a contribution to the 2012 National Year of Reading’.

Astronomy is an area well represented in the NLA by their outstanding and ‘diverse collections of beautifully illustrated charts, posters, maps, drawings and photographs of celestial objects that go back to the seventeenth century’. The images in this book and more can be seen online at the National Library of Australia’s website.  

Possum Magic Numbers

 Possum Magic - Numbers [Board book] by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Omnibus books)
HB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-972-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Possum Magic is one of Australia’s best loved and well-known picture books, still widely popular after more than 25 years in print. Possum Magic Numbers brings those much adored bush characters back to life in a counting adventure for the very young.

This beautifully presented board book starts with Grandma Poss, ‘one possum’ climbing a tree and ends with a branch full of sleepy animals watching the stars. The artwork of Julie Vivas, who illustrated Possum Magic, is full of magic as well. These are gorgeous pictures, soft and gentle, bringing Fox’s characters to life. They flow wonderfully. Grandma Poss drops a slipper, which falls past ‘two kookaburras’ on the next page, who lose a feather which ‘three koalas’ then play with. This creates the narrative in the counting book. The slippers weave in and out of the pages which also tie the book back to the original Possum Magic.

This is a board book any parent could happily read many times a day and is sturdy enough for babies and toddlers to look at and play with over and over again. It would be a lovely Christmas gift for any new babies in your life. Read it and revisit the bush magic of Grandma Poss, Hush and the lamingtons.

Gilbert the Great

Gilbert the Great [Board book] by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Charles Fuge (Simon and Schuster)
BB RRP $12.99
ISBN 978-085707223-8
Reviewed by Peta Biggin


From the time Gilbert the Great White Shark was a tiny pup, Raymond the Remora stuck to him like glue.  Raymond was always on Gilbert’s side.  But one day Gilbert wakes up to discover that Raymond has gone.  Mrs Munch does everything she can to help Gilbert come to terms with his loss.  Slowly, Gilbert learns to smile again.  He knows that Raymond will always be in his heart and, when Mrs Munch takes Gilbert to the wreck, a chance meeting brings friendship into his life once more.


Gilbert the Great [Board book] is a gentle story primarily about loss.  Gilbert’s best friend, his constant companion, has suddenly gone.  He is confused, lonely and hurt and the bulk of the book shows Gilbert working through these emotions and trying to come to terms with his grief.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though, as Gilbert stumbles upon Rita the Remora who has lost her shark.  They agree to stick together and a new friendship is formed.


Despite the heavy topic, Jane Clarke has still maintained a light and fun tone – helped by the inclusion of several ocean-inspired puns.  There are other more subtle aspects to the story as well: being mindful of the things we say to our loved ones (it may be the last time we speak to them); not bottling up our feelings (Gilbert has a long cry); that grieving is a process of many emotions.  


Charles Fuge’s illustrations are a lovely compliment to the story; colourful and including lots of detail.  Gilbert’s underwater world is brought to life with sea-creatures of every shape and colour.


Gilbert the Great [Board book] is a heart-warming story that celebrates the importance of friends in our lives.


Jane Clarke is the author of several picture books including: Smoky Dragons and Tusk Trouble.  She lives in the UK with her two sons and two Labradors.  Charles Fuge has illustrated more than thirty picture books including Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball and Bush Vark's First Day Out (Picturemacs S.).

1-2-3 Count to Ten with Gumnut Babies; Colours, A Bush Rainbow with Gumnut Babies

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie present 1-2-3 Count to Ten with Gumnut Babies and Colours, A Bush Rainbow with Gumnut Babies illustrated by May Gibbs (Scholastic Australia)

HB RRP $9.99 each

ISBN 9781742830230 and ISBN 9781742830421

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith

What a lovely way to revitalize the beloved characters of May Gibbs!  Part of the proceeds of this book go to benefit Cerebral Palsy Alliance and The Northcott Society. Awarded an MBE in 1955 for her contribution to children’s literature, May Gibbs bequeathed the copyright of her bush characters to charities. The proceeds have supported thousands of Australian children with disabilities and their families also.

This nicely presented 216x178mm board book with matt finish works beautifully with May Gibbs’ charming soft pastel illustrations. Each page is a different number on the way to ten:

One special hug,

two friends together,

three buzzing bugs,

four cuddly chicks…

I love these mythical little people, tucked up in their gum leaf beds, with their little wooden hats and chubby cherubic bodies! My favourite in Count to Ten would have to be ‘Seven soft floating flowers’ in which pink gum nut babies parachute earthwards beneath pink flowers and in Colours  the cover illustration, depicting two bush babies swathed in fluffy pale yellow wattle blossom sitting on a twig. The text is simple and evocative:

Gold sunrise glow,

Silver morning star,

Brown gum nuts roll,

Orange bees buzz…

These uniquely Australian drawings and concepts have a place in the hearts of every generation and I am so pleased to see them once more grace the shelves. That these lovely keepsakes also help charities help those in need is a wonderful bonus.

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains and is a May Gibbs Fellow 2011. Her new book, The Anything Shop will be launched October 15^th. See here for details: www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com