An ABC Of Pirates

An ABC Of Pirates by Caroline Stills

illustrated by Heath McKenzie

Where Going On A Treasure Hunt!

A Pirates life is an exciting life that is full of Adventure, Mutiny and Treasure. It is a messy and unpredictable life on the seas that at any moment can erupt in a sword fight, be responsible for a kidnapping, or see one mutinied on a deserted island.

However things are not always as they seem when you sail with a Pirates, for there is a lot that is strange and unelectable, for example the astronaut on the anchor, the fairy in the netting, and the vacuum cleaner in the bathtub. Or possibly that's only just the start of what you'll find when you sail through these fulfilled pages.

An ABC Of Pirates is a whimsical and funny story full of surprises and hidden treasures. Offering hours of fun in a Where's Wally style hunt for items of the alphabet. A charming book to introduce your little Pirate or Landlubber to the alphabet.

 

Caroline Stills Webpage

(illustrator) Heath McKenzie Webpage

Caroline Stills @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 March 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272776
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Pirates
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: five out of five
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Little Blue

Little Blue by Gaye Chapman

'Little Blue Was Lost'

Little Blue had been lost for a very long time. Alone in the forest Little Blue was one day discovered by Will, a boy out walking in the forest.

Little Blue's home had steps to the mountains; Will's home has a path to the hills. Little Blue's home had blue trees; Will's home has green trees. Little Blue's home had Father and bluebirds; Will's home has Grandmother and hens.

Little Blue and Will searched all over but still could not find Little Blue's home. But as Little Blue followed Will to his home they made an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

Little Blue is a simple yet delicate and touching story that is absolutely beautifully presented. A charming book to treasure and share with those you love.

 

Gaye Chapman Webpage

Gaye Chapman @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

 

On sale: 01 December 2009
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781921541209
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Lost
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: five out of five
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Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush! by Margaret Wild

illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo

A Walk Through The Reeds To Create A Sleepy Hush!

Baby Hippo couldn't sleep; he was too awake and too full of energy for sleep. Baby Hippo played and rolled about, he wriggled and moved, and still he was too full of energy for sleep. Baby Hippo turned upside down and stood on his head, he waggled his legs and moved them about in the air, and still he was too full of energy for sleep.

It was time for Baby Hippo to sleep; his mum was calling him to sleep. But Baby Hippo was not sleepy, so he decided to take a walk instead. He trotted through reeds, mud, rocks, grass and trees. Along the way Baby Hippo meet with all kinds of baby animals, all with their mums, being called to sleep. Baby Hippo wanted his mum, he wanted to go to sleep.

Hush, Hush! is enchanting and warm. Baby Hippo's walk is highlighted by gorgeous and delightful illustrations that compliment its light and musical narrative. It's a lovely story of mothers and their babies, for mothers and their babies. A story both whimsical and sincere that will be well loved.

(illustrator) Bridget Stevens Webpage

(illustrator) Bridget Marzo Webpage

Margaret Wild @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 November 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272868
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Hush
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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Me and You

Me and You by Janet A. Holmes

illustrated by Judith Rossell

What I Like Best...!

Little rabbit is one happy bunny. There are many things little rabbit loves about being a rabbit, many things he can do that make him happy. Little rabbit can hop, skip and jump, swim like a fish, run with a kite and climb up a tree.

Everyday little rabbit does many different things that make him happy and everyday when he hop, skips and plays little rabbit plays with a friend by his side. Although little rabbit loves to play, nothing makes him happier than doing those things with his best friend, little mouse, by his side.

Me and You is a tender tale of friendship and fun. Little rabbit and little mouse are the best of friend doing everything together as they demonstrate just how important friendship is. Beautifully engaging with charming and bright illustrations, Me and You is a story best enjoyed with little friend.

 

(illustrator) Judith Russell Webpage

Janet A. Holmes @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

 

On sale: 01 November 2008
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272547
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Friendship
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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I could be a Superhero!

I Could Be A Superhero! by Chris Hornsey

illustrated by Gwyn Perkins

When I Grow Up...!

Murphy is a little dog with big ideas; he has many dreams of the future and imagines himself as all sorts of wonderful things, from a teacher, a pop star, and a magician, to a dinosaur hunter, a superhero and many more.

What little boy or girl doesn't have BiG dreams for when they grow up. Murphy embodies all the ideas and possibilities that children dream up about their future and the possibilities available to them through their imaginations.

Ultimately Murphy learns he could be marvellous just being himself, just as children learn that they too can be great just by being themselves. A charming and creative book that sparks the imagination, children will be delighted with the possibilities presented within these pages.

 

Chris Hornsey @ Little Hare Books

 

On sale: 01 September 2009
Price (AU): $14.99
ISBN: 9781921541186
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Imagine
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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Duck

Duck by Janet A. Holmes

illustrated by Jonathan Bentley

'Duck Is Where The Heart Is...'

A little boy introduces us to Duck. Duck is yellow and raggedy, smells like a blanket, feels soft and woolly, and can do nothing without the little boy. The little boy is Duck's hero.

One day the little boy discovers Duck is missing. The little boy looks everywhere for Duck, he asks all over town, even asking the dog next door, but still Duck could not be found. The little boy is so upset he is no longer able to do anything, not eat his dinner or splash in the bath.

Later as the little boy curled up in the corner between the cushions, he makes a discovery, Duck is hidden deep beneath the cushions. The little boy is so happy, he missed Duck so much and now that Duck is back he can do anything again. Duck is the little boy's hero.

Duck is a simple yet heartfelt story of friendship and love. It demonstrates that sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone, or just how much we care about someone till they are no longer there. Duck shows us that we need others as much as they need us, and that its no fun doing things on your own. A truly beautiful story to share with those you love.

  

(illustrator) Jonathan Bentley Webpage

Janet A. Holmes @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 April 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272875
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Duck
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: five out of five
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Little Horrors - Book 2

LITTLE HORRORS:
Mal the Mischievous Mermaid by Tiffany Mandrake

illustrated by Martin Chatterton

Being Mischievous Can Be Merry!

Mermaids are not the beautiful, peaceful creatures of the deep we have been taught to believe. True mermaids are, well, not so pretty, and are born to be bad. Mal the mermaid is not so good at being bad. Although she will tell you stories of bad deeds.

When one day Mal is forced to take action she surprises herself, but no one is willing to believe her. Not after all her stories. But someone has been watching, someone who sees potential in Mal.

A critter-fae, a gull, is sent to Mal with an invitation to earn a Badge of Badness from the Head Hags of Hags' Abademy of Badness. Mal is over the moon, finally everyone will have to believe that she is bad.

Mal is determined to earn a Badge of Badness, despite a cranky kraken, an elusive eel, a silly sailor and a mischievous plan. But things don't seem to be working out. Can being good be the way to earn a Badge of Badness?

Mal the Mischievous Mermaid is a merry and messy tale that is very entertaining; children will love it.

 

(illustrator) Martin Chatterton Webpage

Tiffany Mandrake @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 February 2009
Price (AU): $10.99
ISBN: 9781921272714
Recommended age: 7-10
In a word: Mischievous
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to children
Star rating: three out of five
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Little Horrors - Book 1

LITTLE HORRORS:

Flax the Feral Fairy by Tiffany Mandrake

illustrated by Martin Chatterton

Being Feral Can Be Fun!

Gone are the days of mischievous fairies who would 'borrow' items without asking, turn milk sour and lead folk to a water death in the swamps and lakes. Now fairies are good and sweet and do all they can to be helpful. But not all fairies are happy about this.

Two water hags, Maggie Nabbie and Auld Anni, are discussing the old days when fairies were tricky and bad. Lamenting that there are no more bad fairies, and blaming Miss Kisses' Academy of Sweetness for Little Fairies for it. But all is not lost.

A critter-fae happens upon the hags with news, Kristy Breeks, a hag and cleaner at Miss Kisses' Academy of Sweetness for Little Fairies has found a bad fairy. But they must get to her quickly before Miss Kisses turns her into another good fairy like all the others.

Flax is a student at Miss Kisses' Academy of Sweetness for Little Fairies, but she's not a very good student. While all the other fairies are busy going about performing sweet deeds for humans in an effort to earn a Seal of Sweetness, Flax is not. Flax would rather be bad. And one night she gets her chance.

Flax is awoken in the middle of the night by a tiny dog with wings, a critter-fae, with an invitation to earn a Badge of Badness from the newly formed Head Hags of Hags' Abademy of Badness. Flax cannot believe her luck.

Excited, Flax creates a plan that will gain her a Badge of Badness, but things don't seem to work out as planed. Despite kidnappers and mouldering mansion and banshees and an ogre. Will Flax be able to earn her Badge of Badness or have things gotten so bad, good, that she will instead be offered a Seal of Sweetness.

Flax the Feral Fairy is a fun and naughty tale that is very entertaining; children will love it.

 

(illustrator) Martin Chatterton Webpage

Tiffany Mandrake @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 February 2009
Price (AU): $10.99
ISBN: 9781921272707
Recommended age: 7-10
In a word: Feral
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to children
Star rating: three out of five
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