Yes it’s that time again, school holidays are with us. To help, we have put together a selection of activity books from Usborne. There are puzzle books, mazes, activities and stickers. They vary in age levels and cater to a wide range of interests. We also have lots of the packs of Snap card games with different themes for the younger child.
Get snapping, or sticking, or puzzling, or……………….
Filed under Activity books, Uncategorized
We all have a soft spot for an epic adventure and Moira Young’s Blood Red Road is undoubtedly an adventure of mammoth proportions.
When their father is mysteriously killed and their brother kidnapped, the only thing Saba and her younger sister can agree on is that their brother must be saved. NON-negotiable. Having never been close, the sisters must venture out together into a world ruled by The Wreckers – they have a long journey ahead of them for more than one reason. The quest to save their brother takes them across a desert sea, in and then out of the clutches of an evil sand ship captain and even into a gladiator’s ring. The journey will change the sister’s relationship forever and though at times impossibly hard, they never once question their path down the blood red road.
With an unsettling edge that will keep you guessing, Blood Red Road (#1 in the Dustlands series) is an enthralling tale about just what people can do when faced with death, and the death of a loved one.
Highly recommended for any one who loves Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games as much as we do! Best for 13+, $19.
Filed under Young Adult (14+)
Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger
PB, $25.00
Weisberger once again has produced a winner with her most recent novel, Last Night at Chateau Marmont. We follow thirty-something nutritionist Brooke who works two jobs to support her struggling musician husband, Julian. When Julian scores a huge recording deal with Sony, they are catapaulted immediately into the glitzy rock star lifestyle.
Unprepared for the paparazzi and hectic travel schedule, Brooke and Julian start having some problems and one fateful night at Chateau Marmont threatens to bring their marriage to a crashing halt.
Set in the incredible city of New York, Weisberger creates realistic characters that will make you laugh, cry and empathise. This novel is a really enjoyable read and will have you looking forward to her next story!
***Also by Lauren Weisberger:
The Devil Wears Prada
Everyone Worth Knowing
Chasing Harry Winston
Filed under Fiction Reviews, Mums' books, Reviews
As many of you may have heard, Dandenong and its 140,000 residents are now without a single bookshop. But as we at Fairfield books are well aware, some local bookshops are still very much alive and kicking! Check out our news story below.
Filed under Jottings
Let’s be honest, is there anyone among us who doesn’t love Sir David Attenborough? I think not! It is impossible not to be charmed by his fascination with all creatures great and small. His enthusiasm is still palpable, even after almost sixty years immersed in the natural world. This latest collection of Life Stories is taken from the second BBC Radio 4 series where he discusses twenty marvels of nature – plants, animals and people. As an added bonus, he has chosen incredible pictures to illustrate each topic, which range from chameleons to quetzalcoatlus. Written in his inimitable relaxed and engaging style, these stories are sure to fascinate and astonish even the most jaded city folk! Hardback $50
Filed under Non-fiction Reviews
This lovely book is a collection of five adventures had by Maudie and her dear friend Bear. Maudie loves Bear very much, but can also be rather demanding. Luckily for her, Bear is patient and loving and always there for her! The stories are sweet and funny, and charmingly illustrated by Freya Blackwood.
The book itself is a thing of beauty – a gorgeous hardback with a ribbon marker, so would make a lovely gift. This delightful book has also recently been named the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Early Childhood Book of the Year for 2011. Destined to become a classic, I’m sure! Hardback, $29.95
Filed under Picture books (0-5 years)
For anyone who missed it, the Man Booker Prize 2011 shortlist has been announced. The shortlisted titles are:
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Jamrach’s Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
Snowdrops by A.D. Miller
It’s an interesting list which, unusually, includes a western and a psychological thriller. Julian Barnes has been shortlisted for the fourth time – will he take home the award this year? – and there are two first-time novelists on the list. The shock exclusions this year are Alan Hollinghurst’s The Stranger’s Child (originally the favourite to win this year!) and Sebastian Barry’s On Canaan’s Side, both of which have been getting rave reviews. We have all the shortlist titles on order, so all should be available soon. The winner will be announced on the 18th of October.
Filed under Jottings
Night is falling, and Nicholas is trying to coax his cat down from the roof. She won’t come down, even though he tries to help her. Eventually Nicholas has to go to bed and leave her there, but he worries about the scary things she might encounter during the night – maybe monsters and ghosts. Nicholas thinks his cat must be very brave to be out there all by herself. Later, when Nicholas wakes to hear his cat crying, he doesn’t hesitate but runs out into the scary dark and rain to rescue her.
Sonya Hartnett is a gifted storyteller, and seems just as comfortable writing for younger readers as she does for adults or young adult readers. She has won many awards, including the recent Children’s Book Council Award for Older Readers. Gorgeously illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, Come Down, Cat! is a beautiful book about friendship and the bravery we are capable of to help those we love. Hardback $24.95
Filed under Picture books (0-5 years)
Greater Melbourne 2012 Melways Street Directory, PB $62.95
Update your old Melways with the brand new 2012 edition which includes coverage of country regions including Mt Macedon, superior coverage of Geelong, Kinglake, Phillip Island and many more!
Sections such as public transport, community services and touring are some more excellent reasons to get a hold of the most updated street directory for our great city of Melbourne.
Filed under Uncategorized
The winners of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards 2011 have been announced. The winners of the various categories are:
Older Readers
Winner: The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett
Honour: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Honour: The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher by Doug MacLeod
Younger Readers
Winner: The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody
Honour: Just a Dog by Michael Gerard Bauer
Honour: Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot by Anna Branford
Early Childhood
Winner: Maudie and Bear by Jan Ormerod & Freya Blackwood
Honour: The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies by Tom Niland Champion, Kilmeny Niland & Deborah Niland
Honour: Look See, Look at Me by Leonie Norrington & Dee Huxley
Picture Book
Joint Winner: Mirror by Jeannie Baker
Joint Winner: Hamlet by Nicki Greenberg
Honour: Why I Love Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft
Honour: My Uncle’s Donkey by Tohby Riddle
Eve Pownall Book of the Year (for information books for children from birth to 18 years)
Winner: The Return of the Word Spy by Ursula Dubosarsky
Honour: Drawn form the Heart: A Memoir by Ron Brooks
Honour: Our World: Bardi Jaawi: Life at Ardiyooloon by One Arm Point Remote Community School
Congratulations to all!
Filed under Jottings
