The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child

Once again, Lauren Child has worked her magic and made a fabulous picture book that any child will love. The classic tale of the Princess and the Pea is captured in this wonderful interpretation of the timeless story.                                                          With illustrations that will take your breath away, and a story line that follows tradition, but with a small twist I recommend this book for girls of the age of 5 - 9.    Younger children may need to have the book read to them, but don't worry, it will keep you entertained aswell.                                                         As quoted by The Observer, "This exquisite picture book would make a perfect bed time story". This, I believe to be true.

To visit Lauren Child's website, follow this link.

http://www.milkmonitor.com/main.htm 

Here are some wonderful images from the book.

all pictures copyright Lauren Child 2009

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony Ditzirelli

The Spiderwick Chronicles     - Left To Right   1-5

1. The Field Guide

2. The Seeing Stone

3. Lucinda's Secret

4. The Ironwood Tree

5. The Wrath of Mulgarath

I Absolutely LOVE the Spiderwick Chronicles, they are some of my favorite books.

After the divorce of their parents, Jared, Simon and Mallory Grace move to an old house in the country with their mum. As they settle into the house strange things start happening that can't be explained. As chaos breaks out, they realise that their family  don't just have skeletons in the closet, but monsters too...

I recommend Spiderwick to boys of 7-8 upwards to 12 and girls who enjoy an adventure book of 8 to 12. These books don't use complicated words, which makes it easier for younger children to read and enjoy the series.

The series follows the adventures of Twins Jared and Simon Grace and their older sister, Mallory Grace as they discover the magical world that is "Closer than you think", as the movie slogan suggests.

NOTE:

The Movie.

In 2008, there was a movie released that was based on all 5 books.

The movie was, in my opinion, visually stunning and is enjoyable by all ages.

The Field Guide.

Holly Black and Tony Ditzirelli released a book called the Field Guide with illustrations and descriptions that make a great present for someone who loves the series.

The Pictures below are from the movie and display the wonderful beauty, and sometimes not so much, of the magical world.

The Fairies from Lucinda's Secret

To visit the Spiderwick Chronicles website, click here

All pictures copyright Holly Black and Tony Ditzirelli

All American Girl

Samantha Madison is an average, cool, Washington, D.C., teen: She loves Gwen Stefani (who doesn't?), can draw like nobody's business, and enjoys being opposite to her sister's annoying ultra-social personality. When she ditches art class one day, however, she doesn't expect to be jumping on the back of a wannabe presidential assassin. 
Soon, the young hero is receiving worldwide acclaim for her bravery, having dinner with her family at the White House, and is even being named teen ambassador to the UN. As if this weren't enough, she and David, the president's son, strike up a friendship that everyone wants the dirt on, which starts to give her romantic "frisson" feelings. 
Unfortunately, Sam thinks her sister's boyfriend, Jack, is the true love of her life, and she makes a few wrong turns that could screw up what she's developing with David. Will she ever stop following what she knows and start following what she sees?


This series is a great read that, once again, Meg Cabot has delivered in a humorous style that keeps you laughing, deep in thought and deals with issues that lots of teenagers deal with, but, the main character, Sam Madison has to deal with publicly, which ensures laughing...

This book is one that is hard-to-put-down and will have you running to the bookstore to get the sequel and always wanting more of Meg Cabot's witty writing style.

I recommend this books for any teenage girl for 13 upwards to about 17

This New York Times Bestseller is a must-read for the summer.

A Trip to the Bookstore...

I was at my Mum's friends bookstore (Subiaco Bookshop) on Rokeby Road when I stumbled across her pop-up book collection.
What a dazzling collection it was...

There were many books in the collection, but there were some that I just couldn't resist reading.

The first one was Snow White, pop-ups by Jane Ray.



This classic tale is told through the classic story of Snow White that we have all come to love, and the magnificent pop-up pages that Jane Ray has created.

The 6 scenes created in the book are set when:

Snow White's mother accidentally pricks her finger while sitting at the windowsill.

1. The Evil Queen looking into her Magic Mirror and becoming jealous of Snow White's beauty
2. Snow White lost in the Woods and finding the Dwarves' house.
3. The Evil Queen and her 1st attempt to kill Snow White
4. The Dwarves finding Snow White unconscious after eating the Poison Apple.
5. Snow White waking up with the Prince and the Dwarves at her side.

This book's wonderful illustrations make for a magnificent pop-up book that is timeless for any age. But if you are looking for certain ages:
I recommend this book for little children of 6 upwards to have it read to them, children up to the age of 11 would enjoy this book as well as adults.

all pictures copyright Jane Ray 2009


The second one was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Pop-ups by Robert Sabuda.



Robert Sabuda is one of my favorite Pop-Up Book Artists. His work stretches the Imagination to the limits with the amazing pop-ups and illustrations that usually go hand-in-hand with classic tales that we all love.



In my opinion, Alice in Wonderland is one of Robert Sabuda's best pop-up books. The Illustrations / pop-ups are exactly, I would imagine, what Lewis Carroll always imagined.



I recommend this book for any young child from 6 upwards to 11 and with no doubt, any adult.









all pictures copyright Robert Sabuda 2009

CHERUB by Robert Muchamore

If you want a book for teenage boys (even some girls)  from 13 - 16, and they like adventure and spy novels, then here is a series that they will love. Also, if your child /grandchild isn't a big reader, then this is a great series to get them reading...
 



CHERUB by Robert Muchamore
please note: these book contain themes such as: terrorism, drugs, animal testing, gangs, brainwashing, human trafficking and contain violence profanities.
1. The Recruit
2. Class A
3. Maximum Security
4. The Killing
5. Divine Madness
6. Man Vs. Beast
7. The Fall
8. Mad Dogs
9. The Sleepwalker
9.5 Dark Sun (Mini Book
10. The General
11. Brigands MC
12. Shadow Wave (released in late 2010)

I reccommend this series for boys aged 12 -16. If they are fans of adventure or spy novels then they will definitely enjoy these books. These books are not really aimed at girls,but, girls who enjoy these sorts of books will enjoy CHERUB.

These books capture you and put you into the novel that is written in a fast paced style. They keep you interested and use language that is commonly used among the readers so that they; understand more and don't have to keep a dictionary beside them!

The Experience of becoming a spy who goes on missions all around the world and gets into situations that will keep you guessing until the very last pages make for an enticing story that will be enjoyable for a wide range of ages.

This series, personally is a book that I always recommend when someone is looking for a good book and is a good read.

Websites:

CHERUB Website
http://www.cherubcampus.com/index.html

CHERUB series book list
http://www.cherubcampus.com/books.htm

all pictures copyright Robert Muchamore 2009

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

Deltora Quest is split into three series. They all use the same characters and continue on the story. It is the story of three quests that the characters must endure to save their country from the imposing threat of the evil shadowlord.

Series 1 - 8 Books to be read in the following order.

1. The Forest of Silence
2. The Lake of Tears
3. The City of Rats
4. The Shifting Sands
5. Dread Mountain
6. The Maze of the Beast
7. The Valley of the Lost
8. Return to Del

Series 2 - 3 Books to be read in the following order:

1. The Cavern of Fear
2. The Isle of Illusion 
3. The Shadowlands

 Series 3 - 4 Books to be read in the following order:

1. Dragon's Nest
2. Shadowgate
3. Isle of the Dead
4. Sisters of the South

NOTE: the second and third series follow on directly from the first series and include the same characters.

I recommend Deltora Quest for boys who like adventure and fantasy books from the ages of 9 - 12.

I also recommend these books for girls aged 9 - 12 who like to read books and prefer to read adventure and action books.

If they are fans of the Rowan of Rin series by Emily Rodda, they will most likely enjoy Deltora Quest as well.

The books put you into the shoes of the main character, Leif, who embarks on an exciting journey filled with fast-paced action, adventure. It is a fantastical journey that will stay with you for a long time.

With the combination of friendship, adventure, action and fantasy, this Australian author brings a unique experience that is not like any other book.

House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast

I reccommend the House of Night for teenage girls of 13-17

1. Marked      2. Betrayed      3. Chosen      4. Untamed      5. Hunted

6. Tempted      7. Burned      8. Awakened      9. Destined (out soon!)

Zoey Redbird is just your normal teenage girl. That is, until she is marked, destined to attend the house of night where she will learn about vampyre life as a fledgling before undergoing the change into a full vampire. But darkness is brewing at the House of Night. Can Zoey adjust to life at the House of Night and as a fledgling vampyre with extra powers before it is too late?

I recommend this book for 13 - 16 or 17 year old girls. If they like vampire novels or teen novels that they can relate to then these are the books for them. ***

The House of Night series is unique because it set in reality, the characters come across normal problems, but they come with a unique twist that gives you hours of entertainment.

The authors, mother, P.C. Cast and Daughter, Kristin Cast co-wrote this book together so that they could have, in my opinion, the sophistication of the writing style, mixed in with a vocabulary and personalities created by a teenager that make the books easy to relate to and hard to put down.

The story line is based around a 16-year-old girl named Zoey, and even though she is marked to become a vampire and attend the house of night, she still faces the problems that most 16-year-old girls go through.

The spin that is put on the everyday situations makes for un-put-down-able reading that can easily be read in one session.

So if you're not one for reading, I assure you, these books will get you hooked

*** NOTE: House of night series contains sexual references ***

Read the review of the seventh book, "Burned" here

for more information, go to the website of the series here:

all pictures copyright  P.C. and Kristin Cast