Books Kids Love

🇦🇺📚 This book is a gorgeous guide to life’s awkward moments, giving little readers a gentle nudge in the right direction. Short, easy-to-understand prompts guide children towards new challenges, such as meeting a new baby, riding an escalator and caring for animals. Each prompt is beautifully illustrated in soft pastel shades.
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This is a great book to prompt conversations, particularly with kids who feel anxious about new experiences.
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What to do when you’re not sure what to do Is written by Davina Bell, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper, published September 2023 by .
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*gifted

🇦🇺📚 The illustrations in this book are divine! The artist uses pops of colour on an otherwise grey palette to successfully highlight movement, bustle and noise. Little readers will relate to the character’s boredom tagging along with the grown-ups - and hopefully be inspired by the wonder he discovers in nature when he stops and really listens.
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Night song is written and illustrated by Korean-Australian artist Sally Soweol Han, published October 2023 by .
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*gifted

I loved this story about loss and love and letting go! It's beautifully-told and woven with Filipino mythology. I found it hard to put down! Swipe to read the blurb and a snippet of the book's introduction by Rick Riordan.
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The Spirit Glass is written by , published by Disney. I received my copy from - thank you! Subscribe to Owlcrate Jr with my rep code BOOKSKIDSLOVE and receive a new release hardcover specially chosen to resonate with readers aged 8-12+ and a box full of bookish goodies to engage young readers and 15% off your first subscription! The new theme is Pirate's Trove.
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*gifted

🇦🇺📚 This book is SO relatable! It’s a cheeky ode to toddler mealtimes and a celebration of the joy parents feel when their child learns to feed themselves - even as food ends up absolutely everywhere!
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“Now there’s carrot on your bum cheek, and porridge on your lip. There’s potato in your fingernails … you look just like a tip!”
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The story is bursting with love. It’s told with a jaunty rhythm and rhyme, paired with delicious illustrations and fun banana endpapers.
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You’ve Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils is written by Bethany Clark, illustrated by Sara Acton and published 2023 by .
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*gifted

🇦🇺📚 This book gives boys permission to be more than their stereotype. It’s a gentle, considered reflection of the qualities typically expected of males, alongside the realisation that a broader, softer approach to life is worthwhile and satisfying.
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The book follows a boy and his dad taking a walk through nature, using similes and metaphors to compare boys to roaring oceans and thunder.
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There’s certainly been a big shift in society’s expectations of boys during my generation and this book is a gentle way to explore that with boys growing up today. It’s important for them to know where they have come from so they can keep heading in a positive direction.
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When You’re A Boy is written and illustrated by Tassie writer Blake Nuto, published July 2023 by .
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*gifted

🖤💛❤📚 Glorious artworks flood the pages of this book that celebrates First Nations’ connection to the ocean. Every page is exquisite.
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From greeting the vibrant morning sun, to the stunning vista where land meets sand and then ocean, the artwork is unmistakably Aboriginal, but also contemporary. And so beautiful.
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This book is the artist’s third and my favourite as she shares both the joy of time spent at the beach and personal insight into what makes it so meaningful for her family and First Nations people.
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Giinagay Gaagal Hello Ocean is written and illustrated by Melissa Greenwood and published October 2023 by .
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*gifted

🇦🇺📚 Now this is how you do a special anniversary edition right! The Ruby Red Shoes books were already exquisite, arguably THE MOST beautiful children’s books ever. To mark the books’ 10th anniversary, the covers of the new editions are tinged pink, shimmer with coloured foil highlights and feature a different illustration. And the page edges have been sprayed!! I don’t think I’ve seen that before in a children’s book, so hurrah! This latest book, Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris, has blue foil highlights and sprayed page edges, while the original story has pink. We’ll have to wait until next year to see how Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London is presented!😊
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The Ruby Red Shoes books are about Ruby, a kind young hare who lives in a charming caravan with her grandmother and always wears red shoes. The pair enjoy drinking tea and tending to their garden. The books are written and illustrated by Brisbane artist Kate Knapp. The 10th anniversary edition of Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris publishes in October 2023 by .
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*gifted

Here’s a series that gently explores the treatment of animals in captivity through the eyes of silverback gorilla Ivan, dog Bob and young elephant Ruby. The endearing characters and their special friendship make these books an uplifting read and a testament to the power of friendship. This is a must read for any young animal lover or conservationist and makes for a great family read aloud too.
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The One and Only Ivan (Newberry Medal winner), The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby are written by Katherine Applegate, with black and white illustrations by Patricia Castelao and published by . I was first introduced to the series by .
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*gifted

Ooh. This is a story to get you thinking… What if you could erase someone? The world would alter so no-one remembered them, so they wouldn’t be missed. It wouldn’t cause anyone pain. And, after all, they hurt you first, so it's ok, right?😬
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There’s an accident in the woods and Hex is blamed, punished. Then he finds an old lady in a cottage in the woods who offers him the chance to set everything right. It’s a compelling story with a moral quandary and a hint of a Hansel and Gretel vibe.
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The story is beautifully presented with plenty of moody black and white illustrations throughout. There’s illustrated chapter headings, shiny white accents on the cover and an illustration on the hardcover under the dust jacket that’s repeated on the endpapers.
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The Worlds We Leave Behind Is written by AF Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold, published 2022 by .
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*gifted

A girl can never have too many bags... or books! Every time I go looking for a tote, one of my girls has usually borrowed it, so this Scooby Doo-inspired tote is sure to come in handy. It's from Owlcrate Jr's "Whodunit?" box, which also included TWO books, including two pictured here along with some of the middle grade mysteries my kids have loved.
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Subscribe to with my rep code BOOKSKIDSLOVE to save 15% on your first subscription.
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*gifted

Here's a showing off this year's Owlcrate Jr's books with their matching enamel pins, inspired by each cover and designed by Jane Mount. Wildwood is my favourite book and pin! What's yours?
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Use my rep code BOOKSKIDSLOVE to subscribe to and save 15% on your first subscription.
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*gifted  

This is a book to entice kids away from screens and help turn them into readers. It is a joy to share!
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Children are invited to put their hand right on top of the illustrations and wriggle, tap and dance their fingers across the pages. It’s delightful. While they’re fully engaged, demonstrating leaps, jumps and twirls, you can encourage them to name the bright colours used and identify different shapes and sizes. Once the book has been read, I reckon it’s time to pop some music on and turn those finger leaps and twirls into full-body dancing! Or pull out your paper and paints and create your own.🎨
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I’m a huge fan of this artists’ earlier books Press Here and Mix it Up. If you haven’t yet read them, please check them out too - kids love them.
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Tap! Tap! Tap! Is written and illustrated by French artist Herve Tullet, published May 2023 by .
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*gifted