Kid's Picks
Picture Books
Ella’s Night Lights Lucy Fleming
Ella is a very tiny little girl who has wings just like moth wings and like moths she is drawn to bright lights. Her one wish is to see a sunrise, which she has never done because the sunlight would damage her wings. Ella has a special power that enables her to collect the light from anything that sparkles and share it with people and creatures that need light. The drawings in this book are spectacularly attractive.
The Capybaras Alfredo Soderguit
Life in the hen house was comfortable and easy until one day strangers turned up looking for a place to live. The strangers were capybaras, which look like big guinea pigs. They were refugees from a place they couldn’t return to because the capybara hunting season had begun there. At first the hens were afraid, which made them seem unfriendly. However one day a chick was in great danger and a capybara was there to provide protection. From that day on the hens welcomed the capybaras and shared their space freely until the hunting season finished and the refugees were safe to go home. This is a really nice story and is beautifully illustrated with a lovely surprise ending.
7 - 9 years
Aroha Knows Rebekah Lipp
Aroha has become aware that nature is a great way to nourish her spirits. In this book she and her friends find solace in the beautiful New Zealand outdoors. They are depicted enjoying a variety of activities; frolicking in waves, running through wildflowers, admiring the wide open skies and hiking through native forest. The book is full of colourful graphics and at the end of the book there is a great section about Aroha and her friends aspiring to be guardians of the earth and what that means.
The Under Dogs Fake it Till They Make it Kate Temple
The Underdogs aren’t the most famous dog detectives in town but when Puplo Picasso’s paintings go missing they’re right there, hunting for the villain. Their arch rivals, the Top Dogs, are out of town and the Underdogs are keen to solve this mystery before they get back. This is a book full of laugh out loud moments with cartoon-type illustrations. Very entertaining.
10+ years
Pax: Journey Home Sara Pennypacker
Peter and his pet fox parted company a year ago and both of them have experienced huge life changes since then. Peter, now an orphan, has plans to join the Water Warriors, a group of young people who have taken on the task of cleaning up the polluted waterways of the region. Pax has met a mate and become a father. They miss each other terribly however they don’t expect to see each other again, ever. This is an account of their individual journeys. It is a tale about growing up, facing and conquering adversity and loyalty. This is a lovely story and is the sequel to Pax.
The Umbrella Mouse Anna Fargher
Pip and her family have been living in an umbrella shop for generations, ever since one of Pip’s ancestors journeyed from Italy to London and settled there. They live in the umbrella she brought with her. When the shop is hit by a bomb Pip finds herself all alone in the world. With the help of a Red Cross dog she finds herself in an underground animal shelter with the hope that she will make her way to Italy to find her long lost relatives. You will be amazed by what happens next.