Brave

Brave adapted by Irene Trimble
 

'Book Of The Film'
 

Once there was an ancient kingdom ruled by a much loved king and queen. The king was a large and fierce man who had fought the great bear Mordu and lost a leg in the struggle. But that did not stop him from his bear hunts and for this he became known as the Bear King. The queen was a knowledgeable and beautiful lady who felt it her duty to pass on all she knew to her daughter Merida, the princess.

As a princess, Merida had many duties, responsibilities and expectations heaped upon her, but it was her mother, the queen who pushed her to be perfect.  Merida knew she could not live up to her mothers ideals and struggled to make her mother understand that she was not like her, that she would never be like her, but her mother, the queen refused to listen. So Merida took drastic action resulting in her mother becoming a bear, a dangerous thing when your father is the Bear King.

Brave, the book of the film, is not your typical Disney princess story. There is no handsome prince rushing to the rescue of a princess in distress. There is only a princess who through selfish actions creates a rift in her kingdom, not to mention turns her mother into a bear, and must stand alone to set things right, saving her kingdom from war and her mother from death.

Those who have watched the movie may note the numerous though minor changes that are present throughout the dialogue and the action within this novel. However despite this distraction, this is a heartfelt, humorous and entertaining tale to enjoy on its own or as an accompaniment to the movie.

Brave

(includes 8-page full-color insert of scenes from the movie)
On sale: 22 June 2012
Price (AU): $8.44
ISBN: 9781445495101
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Merida
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Brave (Little Golden Books)

Brave (Little Golden Books) by Random House Disney
  

A Princess Follows Her Own Path!
  

Merida is a princess who feels her mother does not understand her; Elinor is a Queen who feels she knows what is best for her daughter. Through miscommunication and a magical spell cake, Merida and her mother must learn to listen to each other and love each other for who they are.

Brave (Little Golden Book) is a charmingly simplistic story of a mother daughter relationship that is simple enough for your little one to follow along with, accompanied by adorable images children will enjoy. A loving story that will be a special favourite for little girls.

Random House Disney

Brave

On sale: 15 May 2012
Price (US): $3.99
ISBN: 9780736429016
Recommended age: 2+
In a word: Merida
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Wildlife

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

The Wildlife Can Be Dangerous, Feed At Your Own Risk!

When you're a shy, naive girl in high school, gaining a little popularity is pretty much the equivalent of throwing a lamb to the wolves; the only thing worse is having a best friend who is really a wolf in sheep's clothing. For Sibylla this is exactly what happens, but maybe if she can discover herself in time she may escape being eaten alive.

Being the new student is like being a fish out of water, you instantly don't belong, no one seems to want you and your very existence is a fight for survival. For Lou surviving a new school is nothing, she doesn't care about belonging, she doesn't care about being wanted, it is only life she is fighting to survive, only her grief she is struggling to breath through.

Wildlife is not about surviving the animals of the wilderness but the wildness in your fellow students. For these year 10 students, spending fourth term at Mt Fairweather, Crowthorne Grammar's outdoor educational campus, is more then an education on becoming self-sufficient, it is a lesson in becoming self-aware, of growing up and making discoveries on life, love and acceptance of ones-self.

Fiona Wood Webpage

Fiona Wood @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 June 2013
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742612317
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Wilderness
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed, as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Pandora English #3

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss

She Has A Date With A Green Eyed Monster!

Pandora is looking forward to her date with Lieutenant Luke, a ghost from the Civil War. This is despite the fact that she sees him most nights; he is her spirit guide after all. However this night will be different, on this night it will be the Crow Moon, on this night Lieutenant Luke will be flesh-and-blood.

When Lieutenant Luke disappears halfway through their date, Pandora is not just frustrated but frightened. What if he is gone for good? However there are other worries to occupy her, she is sure her boss Skye DeVille is now Sanguine and on the verge of firing her at any moment. Jay Rockwell posses a romantic complication and Athanasia and her friends continue their vendetta against her.

But most curious of all is the skeleton key Pandora now possesses and the doors it opens in her Specktor home. Repeatedly warned of the Powerful force in Specktor, Pandora comes face to face with the architect of her new home and finally learns the secret behind its powerful force. Too bad she may not live long enough to survive what comes next, the Revolution of the Dead.

The Skeleton Key gains access to doors and pathways previously closed to Pandora, however what she never expected to find was the entryway to underworld. As the dead rise up across New York City, Pandora can't help but think what lousy time they have, right in the middle of her second first date. A romantically complex, fashionable tale where the dead outnumber the living.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 December 2012
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742611631
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Revolution Of The Dead
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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FLOWER FAIRIES: Moments & Memories Photo Album

FLOWER FAIRIES:
Moments & Memories Photo Album
by Cicely Mary Barker

Treasured Moments Magically Preserved!

Let these fairies protect your most favoured and magical moments within the pages of this generous and gorgeous album. Sprinkled amongst your own images are those of these iconic and beautiful flower fairies.

Moments & Memories Photo Album is a beautiful way to show off precious memories or keep safe those photos that are most meaningful. A precious album that is a real treasure to house that special occasion or makes a wondrous gift for a loved one.

Flower Fairies

On sale: 1999
ISBN: 9780785334668
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Faeryland

Faeryland by John Matthews

illustrated by Matt Dangler

'The Secret World Of The Hidden Ones'
   

Here is a door, enter if you dare to discover a world both familiar and new, a world full of beings found both on the land and under the sea. These fanciful beings have many names and hide many secrets, but with this book to guide you, you can uncover their hidden places and discover their magical ways.

Faeryland opens the door to these elusive and enchanting beings that have long fascinated and frightened people the world over. With this personal invitation to Faeryland you will learn the secret faerie spells and charms, as well as own your very own personal map of Faeryland. A beautifully presented book any faery lover will treasure.

@ Thames & Hudson

John Matthews @ Abrams Books

On sale: 01 April 2013
Price (AU): $30.50
ISBN: 9781419706738
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Faeries
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Secrets of Carrick Book 1

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

A Sea-Girl's Story!

She is a wild girl, full of stories and covered in scales, growing up without a mother or a father. Although her aunt raised her it is the stories surrounding the island of Carrick that she lives on, stories of Other Ones, changeling's, the honey-tongued and cave people. But the stories she craves most are the stories of her own family, her great-grandfathers merrow wife, her fathers search for a sea wife, her mother's watery end.

With her affinity for water the long hot summer has driven her to the seabed for respite and answers, however it is through a hidden cave of hands, a man washed ashore in a net and an encounter with an ancient one that brings about the answers she so desperately needs. But when the truth is revealed it is not the story she had been hoping for, but with the truth she is finally able to find peace in her own story.

Merrow brings a young girls dreams of hope, magic and merrow's to life only to have those dreams transformed with the truth into memories of a woman who loved and was loved, a woman who was her mother. Neen's summer is one filled with stifling heat, enchanted stories, hidden truths, uncovered pasts and a new found affinity for bees. A notable story that is as wondrous as it is fulfilling.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031361
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Merrow
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Album

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Album by Brian Froud

A Hidden Past... A Secret Revealed Squashed!

On her sixteenth birthday Angelica Cottington discovers an album that had once belonged to her sister Euphemia. It had been twelve years since her sister had passed, a sister she bearly remembered but for a few kindnesses. However the entries with this album reveal to Angelica the character of a girl lead astray by the fairies, portraying Euphemia as she has never been revealed before.

Lady Clottington's Pressed Fairy Album continues Angelica's story, and fairy pressing, through the revealing entries of a lost album. In this we learn not only of Euphemia's life and love of capturing fairies in photos, we learn of Angelica's reactions to her sisters exploits. But the most shocking truth of all is still to come, if only Angelica could refrain from squashing fairies for a moment or too. Another beautifully constructed and elegantly pictured book in the cottington series.

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 01 October 2002
ISBN: 9781862055599
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Sookie Stackhouse #13

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE:
Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

And They All Lived Happily ... Well, The Lucky Ones Lived!

She was told there would be consequences for using the cluviel  dor, great magic like that could not be used without consequences. But even with her telepathic abilities she could never have foreseen this outcome. Saving Sam was a decision that she would gladly make again, saving Sam was a choice that made little difference to her life, and yet saving Sam was going to change her life forever.

Being framed for murder is no picnic, neither is sharing a jail cell with Jane Bodehouse the morning after one of her nights on the drink, which for Jane happened to be about every night. But even with little evidence against her there are those who will be glad to see Sookie go down, one way or another. But before this mystery comes to a conclusion there will be more then one revelation and more then one victim dead ever after.

Dead Ever After is one way to describe her past relationships. In this, Sookie's final adventure, old enemies return for a last showdown and final attempt to kill our favourite telepathic barmaid heroine. The last in this series, this story bring to a close all those questions you had about the fate of this fairy blooded southern belle and the small town she calls home. If you have been following this series then this book is a must.

Charlaine Harris Webpage
Charlaine Harris @ Hachette

Sookie Stackhouse

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780575096622
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: The End
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: four out of five
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