#365PictureBooks 71. Because I Stubbed My Toe by Shawn Byous

Byous, S. (2014). Because I Stubbed My Toe. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Young Readers.

ISBN: 9781623700881
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 5 stars

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What a fantastic book for children young and old!  I love it!

One day a boy stubs his toe, which leads to a chain of events that are hilarious to follow,culminating in a rather delicious surprise. 

The story is just one sentence!  Each page describes the event's as they occur, presented in a large easy to read font.  The verbs (action words) are shown in bold so they stand out from the rest of the text.

Whilst it is not told in rhyme, it is a very easy text to read using lots of expression.  A sure-fire hit with the kids.

The illustrations are bright, bold and depict each event clearly.  The background images have been done in a greened-out wash which makes the focus images stand out.  After the initial page, many of the two-page spreads gives you a clue as to what the next event might be.

And you have got to check out the end-papers.  So many fantastic images!  See if you can match each image with the page they occur on.

A great book to add to your collection.  Good to use in class for prediction and cause & affect.

I got my copy of Because I Stubbed My Toe from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 69. Gigantosaurus by Jonny Duddle

Duddle, J. (2014). Gigantosaurus. Gosford, Australia: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781742761015
Pages: 32 - including 1 'fold-up' page
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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His feet go STOMP!  
His jaws go CRUNCH!  
In the blink of an eye you'll be his LUNCH!  

Are you ready to meet the GIGANTOSAURUS? 

Bonehead, Tiny, Fin and Bill are four tiny and terribly cute dinosaurs who like spending their days playing.  Their mums warn them to beware of the Gigantosaurus, but like most children do they take any notice?  Why, of course not!  Well actually ... Bonehead does.  He keeps tricking his friends by calling out the Gigantosaurus is coming.  But what happens when the Gigantosaurus really does come???  

What a gorgeous gorgeous book.  It initially reminded me of the Puff the Magic Dragon story, but the further through I read it appeared to be a dinosaur retelling of Peter and the Wolf.  Bonehead is a bit of a liar, and he eventually cries 'wolf' ... woops I mean 'Gigantosaurus' once too often. 

Told in rhyme, this is a great book to share with your dinosaur-loving children.  Younger children will enjoy having this read to them, while the language used is more suitable for older children to read alone.

Duddle's illustrations are fan-fraking-amazing.  I love love love Bonehead.  Each of his images seem to just pop with his courage and self-confidence ... especially the page where their mothers are trying to tell them to be careful.  He's like 'Yeah Yeah, whatever!'  While his friends are quaking in their boots.  Did I mention that they are really really cute???  

The amount of detail in each illustration is fantastic.  They are bright, clear and show so much.  If you look carefully you can see hints of all sorts of dinosaur formations hiding in the images.  And you also get to meet the dinosaurs in the book at the end.  There are two pages of dino facts for kids to enjoy.

What a great addition to your collection, whether it's because you are a dinosaur fan, you like a good read-aloud, or purely for the amazing illustrations.

I got my copy of Gigantosaurus from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 68. Doggy Ditties from A to Z by Jo van Dam, illustrated by Myles Lawford

Van Dam, J., & Lawford, M. (2014). Doggy Ditties from A to Z. Auckland, New Zealand: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781775431886
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Book / NZ Fiction / Poetry
Rating: 5 stars

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Doggie ditties, rather witty,
about a kid's best friend;
a crazy collection, a silly selection,
from A through to Z at the end. 

When I first read this book I thought "Huh, that's dumb, the story doesn't rhyme!".  Then I thought about it, flicked through it again and realised "Doh!  They're not supposed rhyme in a continuous and equal way!".  That's because each page is it's own separate and catchy ditty moving through the alphabet from A to Z.  " What a doofus!"

This gorgeous collection of poems (or ditties) takes the reader through the alphabet in a flurry of dogs.  Starting with Alfie the Affenpinscher and Buddy the Boxer, all the way through to the noisy Yorkshire Terrier and poor Jim the Zuchon.  Did you know there is actually a dog that starts with the letter X?  Very sad there was no Shih Tzu like our Charlie, but the Shar-Pei in his too-big coat is a very cute addition.  You can tell that Jo van Dam has done her research on the various types of dogs and their quirks and foibles.  And her love of wordplay shines through in the variety of poems in this collection.

Myles Lawford's illustrations are a beautiful contrast to the witty ditties.  They depict the dogs in a very realistic and easily recognisable way, whilst bringing out the humorous touches as described in the poems.  And to finish off, the final two-page spread is a park scene with all the dogs from within the book, for you to spy.  There is just so much fun to be had looking at the illustrations, regardless of whether you read the poems or not.

What a great book for bed-time reading and for sharing with dog-lovers.  Also good to add to your collection to update your poetry section, and provide some shorter ditties for the Year 3 & 4 poetry competitions.  And of course, for use as an exemplar in classroom literacy sessions, showing a variety of poetry techniques, and promoting that language can be fun to play with.

And as an extra bonus ... Jo is one of us.  A school librarian in New Zealand ... at two primary schools!  I look forward to reading what you publish next Jo :-)

I got my copy of Doggie Ditties from A to Z from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 66. Esau the Paw by Chris Gurney, illustrated by John Bennett

Gurney, C., & Bennett, J. (2014). Esau the Paw. Auckland, New Zealand: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781775431855
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / NZ Fiction
Rating: 4 stars

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Esau the Paw was a VERY cool cat.
No cat was fluffier, be sure of that! 

OMG! Esau the Paw is the cutest fluffiest cat!  One of the descriptions of him is that he looks 'like a big bloated fur ball'.  And he does!  His facial expressions as he plays are fantastic.  And his looks of absolute disgust I'm sure I have seen on my own cat!!!

Esau the Paw has a beautiful fluffy coat that his owner grooms when he gets it tangled.  Until ... one day it is just so bad that he has to go to the vet ... where he gets a trim - Doh!

Chris Gurney's rhyming text is easy to follow.  He humorously tells the tale of poor Esau's catastrophic results from playing in the mud.  Something many a pet owner can relate to - especially those of us with long-haired darlings, be they cats or dogs ;-)

John Bennett's illustrations are bright and colourful and clearly show Esau's delight in life ... and his disgust once he has been shaved bald!  Predominantly full of full-page illustrations like this one,  children will be able to relate to their own pet's predicaments when they get messy in the winter.

A humorous and colourful read-aloud that will be enjoyed again and again.

I got my copy of Esau the Paw from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 61. Ten monsters in the bed by Katie Cotton, illustrated by Aaron Blecha

Cotton, K., & Blecha, A. (2014). Ten monsters in the bed. Gosford, Australia: Koala Books.

ISBN: 9781742761176
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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This is going to be a 'Minimal Monday' review, simply because it's just a fun, noisy book that you HAVE TO read!

There were ten monsters in the bed,
and the farty monster said ...
"MOVE OVER!" 

A smelly, noisy (definitely boy humour) twist on the 'ten green bottles' ditty.  

The ten dirty, gross and disgusting monsters don't have enough room on the top bunk of their bed.  So they proceed to push, throw and sneeze their way off the bed, whilst down below one big monster is trying to sleep.

The illustrations are amazingly bright and colourful, even with a dark purlply/navy background.  And the monsters, even though they are rather disgusting, are really quite fantastic to look at.  Keep your eye on the moldy flea ridden sandwich during the story, as well as the monster in the bowl.  So many things to look at on each page as the monsters are constantly in motion.

A rollicking great rhyming read-aloud.  Mind you I wouldn't read it at bed-time as it is not the sort of story that children will settle down and fall asleep to!  It's more a noisy, gross, activity inducing read!

I got my copy of Ten monsters in the bed from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 48. Phylys the Farm Truck by Christine Fernyhough & Susan Elijas, photography by John Bougen

Fernyhough, C., & Elijas, S. (2013). Phylys the Farm Truck. Auckland, New Zealand: Random House.

ISBN: 9781775535096
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook / NZ Fiction
Rating: 4 stars

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Meet Phylys.  She's the shiny new farm truck at Castle Hill Station.  Will she be tough enough to get the jobs of a high-country farm done, or will she be to pretty to try?  And how are the animals on the station going to treat her? 

Christine Fernyhough & Susan Elijas have presented us with a humorous rhyming read-aloud about the every-day happenings on a working farm.  The verse reminds me of The Man from Snowy River (Yes I know it's Australian and this is a New Zealand story) but it's rhythm and language just has a 'down home' feel.

Interspersed with the actual verse are rhyming one-liners from the farm animals which add beautifully to the story.

The illustrations remind me of one of those felt boards that we had as a kid.  You could create & re-create your own 'story' by adding felt characters, buildings, vehicles, trees etc to a felt back-board.  Hours and hours and hours of fun was had.

Susan & Sam Elijas have taken John Bougen's photos, and with the use of collage have designed each spread in a way that is eye-catching.  Their humorous depiction of an everyday occurrence in the farming community is brilliant.  

What a great read-aloud with so many fantastic things to spot on each page.  Keep your eyes open for the little pink mouse who can be seen on each page getting up to all sorts of mischief.

I got my copy of Phylys the Farm Truck from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

Find out more about Christine Fernyhough here.

Check out Graham Beattie's blog post about Phylys the Farm Truck.

#365PictureBooks 42. The First Hippo on the Moon by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross

Walliams, D., & Ross, T. (2014). The First Hippo on the Moon. London, UK: HarperCollins Children' Books.

ISBN: 9780007494002
Pages: 32
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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OK, I admit it ... I'm a David Walliams fan.  Not so keen on Little Britain 'cause it's just a bit to 'camp' for me, but man is he clever.  And his chapter books for kids are fantabulous.  Very popular as read-alouds with our year 5 & 6 teachers. 

The First Hippo on the Moon is Walliams' second picture book.  It tells the story of Sheila (yes she is a hippo named Sheila - get over it!) and her attempt to be the first hippo on the moon.  Her competition is Hercules Waldorf-Frankiln III (I dare you to say this aloud and not use a posh voice!).  Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III, who happens to be extremely rich, pays to have a space rocket built.  Sheila, who is just a regular hippo, talks her friends into helping her build one.  Does Sheila's rocket even get off the ground?  And if so, who gets to the moon first?

This is such a hilarious read and full of humorous one-liners.  It's particularly good as a read-aloud, especially if you use different voices - Hercules just asks for a pompous voice, and Sheila for some reason just came out all high-pitched and squeaky.  I used it for book week last year with our year 5 & 6 classes.  They just 'get' Walliams humour.

Tony Ross's illustrations are amazing too.  They tie in perfectly with the story.  Using his signature style, combined with lots of bright colour the bring Walliams tale of these two hippos to life.  The animals are quite realistic in appearance so younger children will have no trouble recognising them.

The illustrations are a combination of full page images and graphic novel style images and include lots of speech bubbles as well as the main story text.  Make sure you read all the extra bits 'cause they ARE part of the story.

This is such an awesome book and well worth adding to your collection, whether you are a David Walliams & Tony Ross fan or just for the fun of the story.  Definitely a book for Middle childhood and older (including adults).

I got my copy of The First Hippo on the Moon from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 31. I am not a Worm! by Scott Tulloch

Tulloch, S. (2014). I am not a worm! Auckland, New Zealand: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781775432517
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook / NZ Fiction
Rating: 5 stars

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"Hello, little worm."

"I am not a worm."

"Are you sure?"

"YES!"

This is a humorous conversation, or should I say argument, between a caterpillar and a chameleon as the poor caterpillar tries to explain that He. Is. Not. A. Worm!

Watch as the caterpillar gets more and more and more worked up, until he manages to zip himself into his chrysalis.  And watch as the crafty chameleon just keeps winding him up!  I'm sure you know some people that are like this.  Soooooo annoying!!!!

Tulloch's illustrations are awesome!  Done in pale hues and in a graphic novel style format they work perfectly with the conversation that is occurring.  You can see the worms', woops! I meant caterpillars' annoyance building, while the chameleon's expressions are just so sly!




Such a wickedly awesome book.  Just watch out for the ending!  Ya know ... chameleons ... butterflies ... food!!!  It's a book that younger children will enjoy, for the humour of it and the illustrations.  But older kids will love it, because they will just 'get' what the chameleon is trying to do and what they think is going to happen.

I got my copy of I am not a worm! from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 30. Tortoise and the Hair by P. Crumble, illustrated by Louis Shea

Crumble, P. (2014). Tortoise and the Hair. Gosford, Australia: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781743625286
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 4 stars

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Tortoise's big day has arrived.  He's going to be a singing superstar,up on stage with his guitar.  But oh oh!  Tortoise has lost his favourite wig!  Can Hare help him get his hair back in time for the big gig?  

Crumble has given new life to the classic Tortoise and the Hare tale in this rocking and rhyming story with an Elvis twist.  The tale is told in an easy to follow hilarious rhyme.

Tortoises' self-doubt is clearly evident with the constant refrain "I'll never win now, it's just not fair!", while he hunts for his missing hair piece and slowly gives up hope of ever finding it.

Then we follow his wig's escapades as it travels from animal to animal after Bear's foot is tickled by something on the floor of the bus and is eventually found by Hare. 

Shea's bright and bold illustrations are fantastic.  They add beautifully to Crumbles' rhyme, while giving more depth to the story.  You can see Tortoises' absolute sense of impending doom as he slowly makes his way to the concert.  There are all sorts of awesome things in the images to spot, and the looks on the animals faces are gorgeous.  I quite like the business mouse talking on his bug phone, and Miss Hippo strutting her stuff in a lime green dress, shoes & painted toenails ... with Tortoises' wig!

This is a fantastic book to add to your collection.  Great for pre-school and early primary children.

I got my copy of Tortoise and the Hair from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 26. The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past! by Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter, illustrated by Garry Parsons

Fletcher, T., & Poynter, D. (2014). The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past! London, UK: Red Fox.

ISBN: 9781782951780
Pages: 32
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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Warning!  This book is not for the faint of heart!  If you are not a fan of Poo, or time travel, I beg you, do not read on!

Danny and his Dinosaur friend are back in a third poo-filled adventure.  After eating Grannies green sludge they head off to play on an old swing.  This is not a normal swing though.  It has time-travel powers and the duo find themselves flung back in time where they meet some new dino-friends ... in VOLCANO SEASON!  With a broken swing!!!  Oh oh!  How are they ever going to get back home?  Will Dinosaur be able to save them by pooping them back to the future??

Fletcher & Poynter have presented us with another rhyming and humorous story that is just as good as the first two (The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet! and The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas!).  I dare you to read it and not laugh.  It's got all the things that boys like; dinosaurs, time travel, adventure, oh ... and poo.  Lots and lots and lots of poo!  An three really really cute dinosaurs - Dino Dudes A, B and C. 

Young children will love the fun of a pooping dinosaur, though a lot of the humour may be over their heads.  There is a lot of quite complicated language and odd phrases that older students will be more confident with.  Also the older kids will just love the grossness of the story and it will make a great read-aloud for them to share with their younger buddies, as the rhyme is easy to pick up.

Parson's illustrations are a perfect match to the hilarious time-travelling historical story.  Most of the backgrounds use very muted colours, and some of his illustrations are predominantly monotone - like the scene with Granny serving her green sludge - with only Danny & the Dinosaurs being the main point of colour. 


This series of books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter are soooooo popular at our school.  Yes it's boy humour, but you'd be surprised just how many girls love toilet humour too.  Yep!  I'm one of them!!

A great read-aloud, though maybe not at bedtime when you are trying to settle your children down!   Perfect for young children and old alike.

I got my copy of The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past! from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 24. My dad STILL thinks he's funny by Katrina Germein, illustrated by Tom Jellett

Germein, K. (2013). My dad STILL thinks he's funny. Newton, Australia: Black Dog Books.

ISBN: 9781742032320
Pages: 32
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 4 stars

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My dad says, "I've told you fifty million times, don't exaggerate." 

This is the sequel to the really humorous My dad thinks he's funny.  It's full of wit & humour - or at least the kind that dads think are funny :-)  I don't know about you but I have a husband who could be this dad.  Sooooo annoying!!!  I'm sure you'll know someone in your family who thinks they're a real joker like this.

Germein has come up with another collection of sayings, some that are well known and some that I'm sure will be revived after reading this ... Quick, make sure you hide it from your dad!


Jellett's illustrations are simply awesome.  He uses colour sparingly or boldly.  Sometimes there is just the outline of the image with a pale wash of colour behind, and the main colour being the background.  Other times the whole image is saturated in bright bold colours.  It is really effective.  A lot of the backgrounds look as if they have been drawn on school books (lined paper or graph paper), and the end papers give you the impression you are looking at a school book.  I'm really loving Jellett's illustrations.  Kids will be able to understand the saying by how the illustrations depict each one.

This is a really funny book to read.  It is a good one to add to your collection for teaching language, sayings and wit & humour.

I got my copy of My dad STILL thinks he's funny from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.