Kid's Picks
Picture Books
Pokko and the Drum. Matthew Forsythe
Pokko’s parents have made a big mistake. They have given her a drum. This isn’t the first such mistake they have made and readers will be entertained by a rundown of these errors. Full of beautiful (and funny) pictures, this is a great read-aloud story with a surprising ending!
The Bookworm. Debi Gliori
Max really needs a pet, however none of his ideas are popular with his parents. For instance, puppies chew things, kittens are smelly and sharks have too many teeth! When he finally settles on a worm as his choice of pet Max is surprised to find that it enjoys books. It is a bookworm. As time goes on the worm makes an amazing transformation. It grows and changes colour and shape and becomes quite a dragon-like nuisance. Eventually Max realises that a goldfish would make the perfect pet. This great story is accompanied by quirky illustrations.
Books for ages 7 - 9
Wilf the Mighty Worrier. Georgia Pritchett
This is a very funny story that will have you laughing out loud as you learn about how Wilf helped to save the world. It all began when Wilf’s mother asked him to invite their new neighbour for dinner. The neighbour turned out to be a self professed evil person who very quickly threatened to shoot Wilf’s baby sister out of a giant bazooka. How will Wilf save his sister and then go on to save the world?
Under Suspicion. R.A. Spratt
Friday Barnes is an eleven year old private detective who, thanks to a $50,000 reward she was given for helping her uncle solve a crime, has enrolled herself in a private school. From there, assisted by her best friend Melanie, Friday continues to be a super sleuth. This, the second in the ‘Friday Barnes Mysteries’ series is another very readable story by the author of the popular ‘Nanny Piggins’ series.
Books for those aged 10+
Winter Magic. curated by Abi Elphinstone
This great book is full of short stories written by well known popular authors, including Emma Carroll, Piers Torday and Lauren St John. There are eleven altogether and while they differ in subject matter and style each one is entertaining and engaging. They share a common thread: winter magic. You’ll be taken on a spine-tingling time-traveling adventure, and meet snow dragons and snow queens as well as many other fascinating characters. This is a book that will be enjoyed by people of all ages.
The Mysterious Benedict Society. Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a group of four clever young people who have been friends since childhood. Each member has a unique and special talent. For example, one is telepathic and another has a great scientific mind. From their headquarters, a huge house in Stonetown, they combine these special gifts to save the world from evil using incredible gadgets and cunning. For this adventure the group is joined by Tai, a five year old that proves to be more useful than first expected. This exciting tale follows on from The Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy which began when the foursome were much younger.