I tend to run a tight ship when it comes to tidiness in our house. However, there is one exception. Books. There are baskets and piles of books in almost every room of the house. Unfortunately, our bathrooms are too small to accommodate books without wetting them, otherwise they’d be in there too.
I love the idea of reviewing books but, the demands of family life do not allow for composing in-depth insights right now. We all just want to find our next good book to get lost in so I hope these posts will help you do just that. I started sharing our current reads on Instagram but I’ve already tired of the confinements of their word limit. So, I’ll be aiming to do a weekly round-up here.
These are the books that are on coffee tables, bedside tables and in school bags this week:
Read Aloud
Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George
We always have a family read-aloud on the go. This series has been on my radar for a couple of years. The idea of a little hotel for animals in the middle of the forest is widely appealing. All three of my girls are enjoying this one. The series comprises of four books, each set in a different season of the year. My daughters are enjoying the coincidence that we are reading the book set in autumn during our Sydney autumn. A perfect read for cosy nights in front of the fire. I also LOVE this website that compliments the book series; a pretend hotel booking site for the Heartwood Hotel. Very sweet.
6-year-old
The Daredevil Princess and the Goblin King by Belinda Murrell
The second book in this series by Belinda Murrell. Miss 6 is very fond of Princess Tillie and her courageous escapades. A timely and relevant series for younger readers that challenges typical gender roles in an accessible way.
8-year-old (as of this week!)
Stick & Fetch Investigate by Philip Ardagh & Elissa Elwick
Miss 8 is enjoying this very sweet and highly illustrated chapter book which is great for readers still gaining confidence. Lots of action and a manageable number of words as well as plenty of white space.
Willa & Woof 2: Birthday Business by Jacqueline Harvey
I am quite surprised by how much Miss 8 is into this series. I know I shouldn’t be because Jacqueline Harvey is a genius when it comes to children’s literature. The books are on the more complex side of what Miss 8 usually reads independently so I honestly thought I’d be reading these to her. I expect it is the relatability of the girl her age with a big dog (like ours). She was genuinely gutted when her bookclub opted to read Little Lunch over Willa and Woof. I think she was ready to boycott but she can’t because it is at our house. Haha!
9-year-old
The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela
I like leaving verse novels on Miss 9’s bedside table. She is a speed reader verse novels force her to slow down and ponder the words a bit more deeply. That said, she finished this latest offering by Deborah Obela in a couple of days and really enjoyed it. A great story about kids learning to manage the complexities of friendship and embracing differences.
Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman and The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat
Graphic novels continue to be popular with Miss 8 & 9. There are always a couple lying around the house. These two graphic novels have been a hit this week. Miss 9 was highly engaged with the overtly religious references in The Tryout. I was so pleased to see a book highlighting the role that religion plays in the lives of many young people.
Mum
The Cryptic Clue by Amanda Hampson
I loved the first novel in this series, The Tea Ladies. Mystery isn’t usually my thing but it had all the hallmarks of a feel-good read with enough mystery and suspense to keep it interesting. I’m really enjoying this follow-up with all the wonderfully developed characters who we came to know so well in the first novel.
Let me know if you’ve read any of these or if you find these book suggestion posts helpful!
