Gangsta Granny, by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross (HarperCollins, RRP $25): It’s refreshing to find a book aimed at younger readers that doesn’t focus on either girls and horses or teens and vampires. Little Britain star David Walliams has…
Category: Younger readers
Not cheap but very cheerful
Yucky Mucky, by Malanie Drewery and Trevor Pye; Big Mac, by Karen and Samantha Lane; That Dog at the Beach, by Janene Cooper and Evie Kemp (all published by Duck Creek Press, RRP $30 each): These hard-cover gems are both…
After a slow start, picture book gains fans
Funny Bums By Dr Mark Norman (Walker Books) This book loses its appeal as soon as you look at it. The rear end of an elephant does not make for a very interesting cover and the title is somewhat vulgar.…
Embrace your inner child
Green Eggs and Ham & Oh, The Places You’ll Go, both by Dr Seuss (HarperCollins, RRP $26.99): People who know about these things (like Oprah) are always telling us how important it is to embrace our inner child and when…
Book highlights real role models for young Kiwis
New Zealand Hall of Fame, by Maria Gill and Bruce Potter (New Holland Publishers, RRP $35): All too often youngsters adopt sportspeople and entertainers as their role models and overlook the other incredibly talented people out there. And, sadly, all…
Appeal for all age groups
Zero Hour, by Leon Davidson (Text Publishing, RRP $25): Leon Davidson is one of those rare authors who can write good non-fiction for young adults that makes history both real and engaging. His first book, Scarecrow Army, was about the…
Simplistic but still a good read
Witch & Wizard, by James Patterson with Gabrielle Charbonnet (Random House, RRP $36.99): James Patterson must be the most prolific writer out there, this time coming up with Witch & Wizard, a fantasy novel for younger readers. This, like so…
Gorgeous book for Kiwi kids
Cowshed Christmas, by Gavin Bishop and Joy Cowley (Random House, RRP $24.99): This is a fantastic Kiwi Christmas picture book for your favourite littlie. Gavin Bishop and Joy Cowley will be familiar names to lots of our future readers, and…
Good wee horror for the young’uns
Slawter, by Darren Shan (HarperCollins, RRP $16.99): If your kids are like I was growing up and enjoy a good horror, this is the one for them. The third book in horror master Darren Shan’s Demonata series, Slawter works just as…
Latest book lives up to expectations
Shooting the Moon, by V M Jones (HarperCollins, $18.99): Following on from the award-winning Juggling With Mandarins, Christchurch author V M Jones’ latest novel picks up the story of 14-year-old Pip McLeod. The teen faced up to some tough challenges…