The Duck Song

Apparently if you haven't heard of The Duck Song, you must have been living under a rock!  With over 150 million hits on YouTube, it is fair to say that this song/story has gone viral.

Colourful, bold illustrations by Forrest Whaley accompanies the oft downloaded words of the Duck Song. Based on the video, the book also comes complete with a CD.

Duck is after some grapes. With his persistent call of, 'Hey! Got any grapes?'  he repeatedly asks at the unlikeliest of places, a lemonade stand. Undeterred, he returns each day asking for grapes. This quirky story will have parents and children singing along... wishing for those grapes!

(NB Cover image indicative only. Australian published version includes a CD with 3 Duck songs)


Recommended for 4 + years

The Duck Song and CD
Author: Bryant Oden
Illustrator: Forrest Whaley
Scholastic Australia
RRP $16.99 paperback

Nugget and Fang

Unlikely as it seems, Nugget and Fang were great friends. Despite one being a shark and the other a minnow, they did everything together, until the day came when it was time for Nugget to go to school. What was Fang to do without his best friend?

While at school, Nugget was learning all about...sharks. In reading, the story was about the big bad shark! In maths, he was busy with maths problems involving minnow-eating sharks and in science, the marine food chain showed sharks eating everything!

Nugget was shocked, incredulous, amazed... and apparently tasty!

Nugget had to explain to Fang that sharks were scary and toothy and definitely not friend material for a little minnow! Fang was devastated, but determined to win his friend back!

This story is full of humour, charm and delight. The illustrations are bold and creative, lending further humour to the text. A great story with likeable characters that gently explore stereotypes and misconceptions.

I have a feeling if you like Finding Nemo - you will love this! Check out this Youtube preview.

Recommended for 4-8 years

Nugget and Fang
Author: Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Michael Slack
Koala Books (Scholastic), Jan 2014
RRP $14.99 paperback

Happy Baby series

Yet another series of board books for babies introducing simple vocabulary alongside clear and simple photographic illustrations.

The Happy Baby series includes Playtime, Bedtime, Bathtime and Mealtime. Each book capitalises on the theme by reinforcing colours, numbers, as well as vocabulary extension activities.

Sturdy, colourful, great size for little hands or to throw in a handbag!

Recommended for 0-2 years

Happy Baby series - Playtime, Bedtime, Bathtime, Mealtime
Scholastic Australia (Green Android publishing, UK)
RRP $4.99 board books 

The cuddliest hug

Little Baby Kanga has lost his mother - and only she can offer the cuddliest hug! All the other Australian bush animals offer to help with cuddles of their own, but they just don't feel right. Echidna is too spiky, Platypus is too wet! Where could she be?

All too soon, danger arrives in the shape of a big crocodile. Fortunately, Uncle Dingo and wise old Jabiru soon come to the rescue. 

Simple rhyming text with appealing illustrations brought to you by well-known Australian author Meredith Costain and illustrator Cee Bisoce.

Recommended for 0-5 years

The Cuddliest Hug
Author Meredith Costain
Illustrator Cee Biscoe
Scholastic, Jan 2014
RRP $14.99 paperback

Our Island

It's great to see the books are slowly coming in again after the festive break and today's offering is one that was worth the wait.

Our Island is a collaboration between the students of Mornington Island State School, Children's Laureate, Alison Lester and author/illustrator Elizabeth Honey.

Mornington Island is the largest island within a group of 23 in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. The largest community, Gununa, has a population of around 1200. Mornington Island is the traditional country of the Lardil people.

Alongside Alison Lester and Elizabeth Honey, the children of Mornington Island State School have beautifully captured the natural wonders of their home through poetic prose and crayon-resist illustrations. This book is definitely one to treasure.  

Our island lies beneath a big blue sky,

surrounded by the turquoise sea.

Our Island
By the children of Gununa with Alison Lester and Elizabeth Honey
Publication date: 23 April, 2014
RRP $24.99 hardcover

All of the royalties from this publication, as well as $1.00 from the sale of each copy, is being donated to Mornington Island State School to help support other innovative art projects in the community.