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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The Wombles

The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford

Meet The Wombles Of Wimbledon!

Living under Wimbledon common and keeping the greens clean and tidy are a family of Wombles. For years it has been their duty to collect, clear and recycle any and all manner of things we messy humans leave behind. Form scarves and umbrellas to buses and cement trucks, the Wombles have managed to reuse and borrow all that they need. But it's not just at Wimbledon where Wombles can be found.

The Wombles introduces these much loved creatures to a new generation of young readers. With their mini adventures, various foods and capacity for finding the lost and discarded, these delightful Wombles will have you laughing along with them in their various antics. A much loved story that children of all ages will adore.

Elisabeth Beresford @ Bloomsbury Australia
The Wombles

On sale: 11 December 2010
Price (AU): $13.99
ISBN: 9781408808375
Recommended age: 4+
In a word: Womble
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Scariest Thing of All

The Scariest Thing Of All by Debi Gliori

I'm Not Afraid!

When a scared little rabbit one day finds himself all alone in a scary place hearing scary sounds, he makes a most shocking discovery. The scariest thing of all is not a gobbler blowing bubbles, not a vast hisster weaving its web, not even a giant wood troll thumping its teeth. The scariest thing of all is not at all what you'd expect.

The Scariest Thing Of All is a fun and exciting children's tale that will enchant it's young readers not only with it's tale of scary critters but also with its cute and shadowy images. This sweet and haunting little story will show that no matter how little one is, there is nothing scary about 'things'. A scary little tale that isn't really that scary at all.

Debi Gliori Webpage

Debi Gliori @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 01 December 2011
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780747599692
Recommended age: 2-6
In a word: Scarry
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Story Of Solomon Bear

The Story Of Solomon Bear by Phillip Laird

All You Need Is Love!

On the edge of a magical forest sits a lonely house that is under a spell. A spell of forgetting. All who dwell within this house have fallen under its spell, all that is but one girl and her teddy bear, Solomon. While the others living in the house have forgotten kindness, happiness and most importantly the power of love, one girl and her bear have promised to keep love alive.

The others living in the house pay little attention the girl and Solomon. Although left alone the girl is never lonely, not like the others, for the girl and Solomon are bound by an unbreakable bond of unconditional love. But when the worse happens and the girl leaves the house, something that no one must ever do for it is far too dangerous, Solomon is left alone to find a way to bring home the girl he loves.

The Story Of Solomon Bear is a short romantic fable of the courage of one special bear and his ability to love. The greater complexities of love, belonging and friendship are explored through the tender and heartfelt relationship of a girl and her bear. Although the in-depth look at these themes may be a little over the heads of smaller children, they and adults alike will enjoy reading this tale over and over, each time taking away something more and something precious.

eBook @ Smashwords
Beloved Teddy Bear

On sale: 14 June 2011
Price eBook (US): $3.95
ASIN: B0053ZMPJ6
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Thankfulness!

Minli's world is dull, shadowed by the dark mountain, lying beside the murky river with only the muddy rice fields for company. The only bright spot in Minli's world is the colourful stories her father told her in the evenings after a hard days work in the rice fields. Minli's father had many stories and Minli had many questions, but always her father told her 'that is a question you will have to ask the Old Man of the Moon'. So one day Minli decided to do just that.

On the instructions of a talking fish Minli leaves her home in search of Never-Ending Mountain, the home of the Old Man of the Moon. Minli has many questions, but the one she wishes to know the answer to most of all is how her mother and father may be happier and not have to spend their lives working so hard for so little. On the way Minli meets dragons, monkeys, Kings, tigers and a little white rabbit all in her quest to change her family's fortune.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a fable of friendship, belief and thoughtfulness. It is a timeless story about a girl who believes in fairytales and sets out on an impossible journey, along the way picking up both stories and friends in her quest. A cast of colourful characters demonstrate the true meaning of friendship, courage, good fortune, and happiness. It is easy to see why this delightful book was awarded the 2010 Newbery Honor.

Grace Lin Webpage
Grace Lin @ Hachette Children's

On sale: 01 June 2010

Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780316122696
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Moon
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Little Prince

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

'Matters Of Consequence!'

When a man's plane falls out of the sky to land in the Sahara Desert, the last thing he expected to find was a boy who had fallen from the stars. Like all children the Little Prince asks lots of questions and sees with his imagination. He is curious and charming and wise beyond his years, but he is also lonely and misses his home. Over a week the man and the Little Prince share stories and their lives as they form a friendship that, although only short lived, would last the rest of their lives. And neither will look at a star the in same way again.

The Little Prince is a beautiful story that will touch your heart. Imagination, something that seems to fade over time as many adults do not seem to appreciate it, here is cherished and encouraged. As is the importance of the little things in life, as many of us become more easily distracted from those oh so important things in life the older we get, such as tending a flower or a friendship. This is a book that asks you to not only to believe in a Little Prince from the stars but ask why not believe in a Little Prince from the stars.

Antoine De Saint-Exupery @ Hardie Grant Egmont

On sale: 02 October 1998
Price (AU): $14.95
ISBN: 9780749707231
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Stars
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Odd and the Frost Giants

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

A Long Winter!

Odd's father died when he was still young, it was also about this time that Odd had the accident that left his right leg crushed. Odd never really did fit in. So when one Winter refused to end and threatened the coming of Spring, Odd left the confines of the village for the woods, for peace. And it is there he makes some extraordinary friends.

Odd and the Frost Giants is a journey into the past where the Gods of Norse mythology come to life, only to be saved by a twelve year old boy. When a fox, an eagle and a bear seek help to defeat the frost giants whose very presence threatens an eternal winter it is an unlikely hero who comes to their aid. A timeless narrative style conveys a story that is a little Odd but has a Giant heart.

Neil Gaiman Webpage

Neil Gaiman @ Allen & Unwin
MouseCircus

On sale: 01 November 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780747598114
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Odd
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Kingdom of the Lost #1

THE KINGDOM OF THE LOST:

The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody

Go West!

Bily and Zluty live a quiet and happy life of routine, they spend the warmer months foraging, collecting and growing, baking, making and bartering all that they will need to sustain them for the cold winter months. While Bily, white furred and timid, completed the important tasks about their cottage, Zluty, yellow furred and adventurous, would setoff on long treks to gather what suppliers they need from the surrounding lands.

When one morning these two brothers woke to discover a redness in the sky nether could say for sure what that redness was. Weather a cloud, a mist or something else the only thing Bily and Zluty knew for curtain was that they had never seen it before and what ever it was it did belong. However with no answers Bily and Zluty did the only thing they could, they ignored the redness and went about with their tasks. However the red wind would not be ignored.

The Red Wind is a sweet and tender story of brotherly love, duty, kindness and courage. In the face of danger, destruction and the threat of death these two brothers demonstrate just how important all life is, whether that of a small bee or a large monster. Bily and Zluty are able to show how helping others in need is important, and that change no matter how scary or devastating is not the end of the world but can be the beginning of a new adventure.

Isobelle Carmody Webpage

Isobelle Carmody @ Penguin

On sale: 28 June 2010
Price (AU): $19.95
ISBN: 9780670074037
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Brothers
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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The Land Of Elyon Book 1

THE LAND OF ELYON:
The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

If I Could Talk To The Animals!

Twelve year old Alexa has spent her whole life confined within the city walls of Bridewell longing to see more, longing to explore a world beyond the walls. But the walls were built to protect those living in the city, they were built to keep the dangers out and it was against the law to leave. But what if the real danger was not outside the walls but within?

Alexa would spend her days in the city playing as a spy, hiding in the shadows. Then when she discovered a key, a secret passageway and a magical stone suddenly she wasn't playing any more. Things were getting very dangerous, and admittedly also very exciting, when a mystery reveals a traitor in there midst. But who would be willing to risk lives and how can one small girl stop them?

The Dark Hills Divide Bridewell from its criminal past, a past that cannot be ignored any longer. Through ingenuity, circumstance and a little help from her friends Alexa is able to not only solve a dangerous mystery but also bring about a change in her city that sees a better future for everyone. At only twelve years old this little heroin has a lot more adventures ahead of her.

Land of Elyon - map

Patrick Carman Webpage

Patrick Carman @ Scholastic

Patrick Carman's Land Of Elyon

Land Of Elyon @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 March 2005
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780439700931
Recommended age: 9+
In a word: Alexa
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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The Love You Book

The Love You Book by Andrew Wynne

illustrated by Emma Scott

I Love You Soooooo Much!

A little girl, Milly, and her magical friends, a flying fairy, two soft and cuddly bears and one cheeky little cat, do everything together. An enchanting adventure that endearingly demonstrates how these friends share and express their feelings of friendship and love. If hugs and kisses were words and pictures then this book would equal love.

The Love You Book is the sweetest message of love written in a simple yet charming format that makes it the ideal book for anyone who has ever loved or been loved. Bright playful images capture the feeling of warmth and innocence as this beautifully engaging rhyming story unfolds. The perfect story for everyone to share.

Andrew Wynne @ Murdoch Book
The Love You Book

On sale: 01 October 2010
Price (AU): $24.95
ISBN: 9781741969825
Recommended age: 5+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle:
The Thing Beneath the Bed by Patrick Rothfuss
illustrated by Nate Taylor

Once Upon A Time!

The Princess and Mr. Whiffle live alone together in a marzipan castle, but they don't mind for they are the best of friends doing everything together. They have many great adventures facing many dangers, though none of these dangers are real but for one exception; the Thing beneath the bed.

Here at the first of three endings you can decide to stop before things get too frightening and you can still pretend that there is nothing too terrifying about the Thing beneath the bed, or else you can go on if you dare.

If you are brave enough to read on then you, along with the Princess and Mr. Whiffle, will be given a great surprise. But that sudden joy will soon turn to sadness when curiosity takes hold, a sadness that leads to terror in the night.

However you can still stop here at the second ending, it is not too late, but if your curiosity has got you hooked and you must know more, then proceed with caution for you have been warned before.

You have come this far and there is no turning back now, but why would you want to when a happy ending is just around the corner... but happy for whom?

The most shocking twist so far is yet to come, a twist that will haunt you long after the last page is read, a twist that will also amuse you if you can get over the shock. You were warned.

The Thing Beneath the Bed is an original and beautifully illustrated fairytale filled with gorgeous images that create a feeling of both innocence and malice. It is a dark and quirky story with a disturbing ending that will leave a smile on your face. Definitely not for children! though I'm sure that they will love it.

Patrick Rothfuss Webpage
Patrick Rothfuss @ Subterranean Press

On sale: 31 July 2010
Price (US): $25
ISBN: 9781596063136
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Marzipan or the Thing
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Pocket Money Puffins: Vamoose!

POCKET MONEY PUFFINS:
Vamoose! by Meg Rosoff

Imagine That, A Baby Moose!

Apparently its not that uncommon to have a baby moose, it's rare, but not uncommon. When at seventeen Jess has to break the news to her mother that she is pregnant, she never thought that she would have to explain to her mother that her baby was not like other human babies, but a baby moose. An unwed teenage mother could have worse problems couldn't she?

Vamoose is a quirky little light-hearted story that manages to impress the pressures and difficulties of being a mother, especially when that mother is still only really a child herself and when that mother has a baby that is not altogether what was expected. But when life throws us something crazy, it just may be the best thing that ever happened to us; then again it just may be something crazy. The perfect bit size read for those on the go.

Meg Rosoff Webpage

Meg Rosoff @ Penguin

On sale: 01 June 2010
Price (AU): $7.95
ISBN: 9780141329147
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Moose
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Instructions

Instructions by Neil Gaiman
illustrated by Charles Vess

Follow Me!

A Puss in Boots has one day decided to take a walk following a path he has never used before. It is a path well hidden and only just discovered. But this will be no ordinary walk; it is a guided tour through a world of enchantment and danger. If you do not follow the Instructions you may never find your way home, but if you pay attention you may just learn the mysteries of a fairytale land.

Instructions will guide you through a light and magical story full of friendship, mysteries and oddities. If you have ever wondered how to survive the perils of coming up against princesses, giants or wolves, if you have contemplated how to endure in a fairytale land then these clear and decisive instructions will set you straight. But listen carefully for there is wisdom too in these words that will be of benefit in our own strange and wondrous world. Instructions is a book to live by.

Neil Gaiman Webpage

Neil Gaiman @ Allen & Unwin
MouseCircus

On sale: 01 June 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781408808641
Recommended age: 6-10
In a word: Instructions
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Leaf

Leaf by Stephen Michael King

Grow Your Own!

While escaping from a pair of scissors threatening to take his hair, a young boy runs outdoors and into a large green bush. When a little bird fling over with a seed in its mouth accidentally drops his seed on to the young boy's head a wondrous thing happens.

Leaf is an amusing and adventurous book where the words maybe absent but the story is loud, bold and a lot of fun. This is a book of noise and sounds about nature and life and how all things are connected. A wonderfully bright and engaging book that highlights the beauty of nature and the importance of taking care of the world around us.

Stephen Michael King Webpage

Stephen Michael King @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781741696776
Recommended age: 3-5
In a word: Leaf
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Wonderland

Wonderland by Tommy Kovacillustrated by Sonny Liew

'One Of Them Girly-Type Faces'

When Alice followed a talking white rabbit down a rabbit hole the events that followed became well known, but not only in our world. Wonderland was a world changed as Alice had left behind her a land in chaos and a kingdom now full of the curious.

But the most intriguing and unanswered question to arise from Alice's Adventure In Wonderland is the curious manner in which the white rabbit refers to Alice as Mary Ann. Just who is this Mary Ann and why is does the white rabbit insist Alice is she?

Would it surprise you to learn that, like Alice, Mary Ann was a girl who wore some sort of dress and had some sort of hair on her head. Under such circumstances could the white rabbit really be blamed for getting the two mixed up?

But then Alice turned out to be some sort of monster, creating chaos and in-sighting curiosity, while Mary Ann is but a humble and orderly maid who loves noting more then to clean and tidy. However when it comes down to it are Alice and Mary Ann really so different.

Wonderland is a graphic novel that tells the story of the elusive Mary Ann and what life was like for those in Wonderland after Alice. A combination of the comic book issues that comprised the Wonderland comic series are brought together in this vivid and intriguing hardcover edition. A quirky and curious tale for all those to dare to know more.

Tommy Kovac Webpage

On sale: 01 October 2009
Price (US): $19.99
ISBN: 97814423104513
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Wonderland
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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You

You by Stephen Michael King

You Make My Day!

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing colour to their life while sharing all the brightness and beauty of the world. But the most colourful thing in the world is his friend.

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing music to their life while sharing all the harmony and melody of the world. But the most musical thing in the world is his friend.

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing excitement to their life while sharing all the highs and lows of the world. But the most exciting thing in the world is his friend.

You demonstrates just how much more enriched, colourful, musical and exciting life is when shared with those you love. Just as this book is more enhanced, vibrant, sweet and moving when shared with a special little loved one. A dear little book as bright in imagery as it is touching in meaning.

Stephen Michael King Webpage

Stephen Michael King @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781741696226
Recommended age: 0-2
In a word: You
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Little White Horse

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

The Brave Soul And The Pure Spirit!

Maria Merrywealther had, for all her young life, always lived in London. She was a London lady born and bread and she loved her London home that overlooked London square. It was here that she had her only friend, a boy with a feather in his hat named Robin, but according to Miss Heliotrope he only imaginary.

Upon the death of her long absent father Maria became an orphan, and so her governess Mrs Heliotrope, Wiggins and herself were to leave London and move to the unrefined and ill-comforted country to a place called Moonacre to live with her last remaining relative, her cousin Sir Benjamin.

But what Maria finds at Moonacre is not at all what she expected, the country is a beautiful and enchanting place to live and its people are so nice that Maria finds that she instantly loves them all. But there is a darkness hanging over Moonacre and nothing is what it seems, especially not a little white horse and a large dark dog.

The Little White Horse is a symbol for purity and it is exactly Maria's pure heart and bravery that drives this classic story of morality, friendship and love. The wrongs of the past must be healed before those in the present are truly to be happy, and only through the actions of one girl can peace be found at last. Although set in the past it is a sweet and timeless story that has been enjoyed for generations, and will continue to bring joy for generations to come.

Elizabeth Goudge Webpage

The Secret Of Moonacre

On sale: 23 January 2009
Price (BGP): $6.99
ISBN: 9780745961187
Recommended age: 9+
In a word: Happiness
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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ICE

ICE by Sarah Beth Durst

How Impossible True Love!

Once upon a time there was a wind, a polar bear, and a promise; and a promise made can not be broken. It all began with a story, a fairytale of a young girl stolen and raised by the north wind. A young maiden who was promised to a polar bear. A young woman who risked all for love breaking her fathers promise.

When Cassie was little her grandmother would tell her the story of the polar bear who had stolen a child for the wind, a girl who was latter lost beyond the ends of the world trapped there never to return. It was the only story her grandmother ever told her, and in her frozen world of youth Cassie whole heartedly believed that her mother was lost there still.

As the years went by and Cassie grew up she came to see that this story was nothing more then a fairytale, a fantasy created to save her from the truth that her mother was dead. Nothing and no one could change the fact that her mother was gone and never coming back. But having her mother back was the only thing Cassie ever wished for.

ICE is an impossible love story that never gives up, never gives in and is never afraid. All the obstacles thrown in the way only prove to strengthen a love that can conquer any impossibility, even dangerous elements and an endless land of ice. A magical fairytale adventure with a modern twist that shows the power of true love and the importance of family, acceptance and following your heart.

Sarah Beth Durst Webpage

Sarah Beth Durst @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 January 2010
Price (AU): $17.99
ISBN: 9781847386571
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Bear with the Sword

The Bear with the Sword by Davide Cali

illustrated by Gianluca Foli

You've No One To Blame But Yourself!

Once upon a time there was a bear with a sword. No one knows how a bear came to own such a possession but own it he did. The bear was very proud of his sword; it was very sharp and very powerful and bear loved nothing more than to cut things with it.

The bears' sword could cut through anything, and just to prove how strong it was bear began cutting everything he could see, including a whole forest. But eventually bear became hungry and put down his beloved sword in order to find food.

Not long after, in the early morning, bear made a frightening discovery. His strongly built home that could keep out any enemy had failed to keep out water, and as the water flooded in bears' home was destroyed. Upset and very angry, bear set off to discover who was responsible for destroying his home so he could cut them with his sword.

As Bear travels from place to place he meets many different and unhappy creatures who have themselves been affected by troubling events, and somehow all these events are linked to the flood that destroyed bears' home. But who is ultimately responsible? And what will bear do once he finds them?

The Bear with the Sword is a beautifully presented tale that allows young readers to easily grasp the concept of actions having consequences. Through ignorance and lack of respect bear recklessly destroys more than just a few trees when he takes his sword to the forest, but realising his mistake bear is able to take responsibility for his actions. A strong role model for all young children, this is a book every parent should have on their shelves.

Davide Cali @ Wilkins Farafo

On sale: 01 March 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780980607048
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Thoughtlessness, Thoughtfulness
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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