Recommended August kids books, news & events
This month we’ve got anatomy! imagination! a lizard journalist! a baby that disgusts monsters! a very gorgeous cookbook! and more. Be prepared, because August is eclectic.
Find our August picks for YA books here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
You Might Find Yourself by Tai Snaith
This gorgeous new picture book from Australian artist Tai Snaith (The Family Hour in Australia, Slow Down, World) follows a child around the world, as they explore the possibilities of their imagination. Verdant jungles, sacred desert places, unusual buildings, and underwater gardens all come to life in colourful and detailed collages, as the text exhorts young readers to explore their imaginative potential.
Our reviewer Alexa gives this picture book that ‘shines with brilliant art and gorgeous imaginings’ her highest recommendation. For ages 3 and up.
You can read our full review here.
RECOMMENDED KIDS BOOKS THIS MONTH
Argh! There’s a Skeleton Inside You! by Idan Ben-Barak & Julian Frost
Quog and Oort are on their way to Kevin’s birthday party when their spaceship crashes and needs to be fixed. Their predicament is complicated by the fact that Oort is a gas cloud, and Quog is a jelly blob! The reader is asked to contribute by putting their hand to the book and using their bones, muscles and nervous system to push pages, lift the book and even demonstrate turning a page with your eyes closed. Creators of the best-selling Do Not Lick This Book, Ben-Barak and Frost have once more used a winning combination of humour, science, interactivity and bright graphic illustrations.
Our reviewer Dani loved this ‘excellent (and funny) introduction to basic anatomy for kids aged 4+.’
You can read our full review here.
Zanzibar by Catharina Valckx
When renowned lizard journalist Achille LeBlab goes looking for remarkable characters to feature in his newspaper, omelette-loving crow Zanzibar is inspired to attempt something remarkable and headline-worthy: lift a camel in the air using just one wing! In pursuit of his dream, Zanzibar heads south towards the desert where he discovers what it means to be extraordinary, and learns the importance of having supportive and encouraging friends.
Our reviewer Athina was delighted with this ‘quirky little gem of a book’, and admired its ‘delightful language, humour and simple childlike illustrations’. We can also highly recommend another of Valckx’s books, the charming and odd Readings favourite Bruno.
You can read our full review here.
The Monster Who Wasn’t by T.C. Shelley
When a group of subterranean monsters hatch their latest batch of progeny, they’re truly disgusted when one of them emerges looking exactly like a human boy. The boy escapes to the human world with a bunch of chocolate-loving gargoyles, who christen him ‘Imp’, but he struggles to know which world he really belongs to. Assisted by a kind angel, he begins to learn about his new surroundings and finds a family that may be his, but when a baby is taken away, he must re-enter the dark, gloomy and dangerous world beneath the earth to try to rescue her.
Our reviewer Kim describes this witty fantasy adventure as having ‘shades of The Labyrinth, Artemis Fowl and A Most Magical Girl.’
You can read our full review here.
Sincerely, Harriet by Sarah Winifred Searle
Harriet is thirteen and has just moved to Chicago with her parents. School hasn’t started yet and her parents work demanding hours, so Harriet, who lives with a chronic illness, is left alone with only books and her overactive imagination to entertain her. She writes letters to an old summer camp friend, visits elderly Pearl downstairs, attempts to read her school English texts, and investigates the mysterious sounds coming from the unoccupied third floor.
Our reviewer Kim enjoyed the gentle way this debut graphic novel highlights the benefits of reading and creative writing, and found it to be ‘a valuable and moving book that is absolutely perfect for readers of Raina Telgemeier aged 10+.’
You can read our full review here.
Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street: A Collection of Recipes to Share by Felicita Sala
In an apartment block, each of the neighbours is preparing a special dish for a communal dinner. Mr Singh makes dahl, Maria mashes avocados for guacamole, and Mr Ping prepares ‘little trees’ (broccoli). This illustrated cookbook takes young cooks on a tour of the world, celebrating community, cultural diversity, and offering manageable recipes. Each double-page spread introduces a new resident, lays out the ingredient list visually, and contains simple steps to cooking amazing dishes.
Our reviewer Angela has had great success in her household already with this beautiful cookbook, with her ten-year-old daughter producing Spaghetti al Pomodoro like a professional!
You can read our full review here.
Welcome to Your Period! by Yumi Stynes, Dr Melissa Kang & Jennifer Latham (illustrator)
Frank, practical and easy to read, this cute beginner’s guide to menstruation has been written by former Dolly Doctor Dr Melissa Kang, and TV/radio presenter and author Yumi Stynes. Welcome to Your Period! covers all the basics of bleeding for beginners, and is broken up with informative Q&A sections and personal anecdotes, bringing a range of experiences to the page. This pocket-sized book aims to prepare, demystify and reassure!
Our reviewer Bec was impressed with this much-needed book, describing it as ‘a welcome, positive introduction to anybody who might be about to experience their first period.’
You can read our full review here.
DRAW YOUR DREAM BOOKSHOP COMPETITION!
As part of our Love Your Bookshop Day celebrations (Saturday 10 August), we’re holding a very special and utterly madcap competition for primary-school aged kids.
Andy Griffths and Terry Denton are looking for inspiration for a fun and imaginative treehouse bookshop to include in their next Treehouse book, so each of our stores is holding a Draw Your Dream Bookshop competition for kids!
Sharpen your pencils and grab an entry form at your local Readings shop. One winner from each shop will receive a $30 Readings voucher, and the overall winner, selected by Andy and Terry, will win an additional $50 voucher. You have until Thursday 8 August to enter. Find all the details here.
NEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
The Melbourne Writers Festival is just around the corner, from 30 August to 8 September, and there are plenty of fabulous events for kids and teens. Family Day and YA Day are full of great sessions, but we’ve also put together our top picks for kids & teens at Melbourne Writers Festival 2019 in case you need it.
If you’re in need of more reading recs, our kids and YA staff have rounded up their favourite releases this year (so far).
We honour NAIDOC week in July every year, but every week of the year is a good week to read Australian children’s books by Indigenous authors! Here’s a list of recommendations that showcase Indigenous words and languages, and you can always browse our up-to-date collection of recommended Indigenous Australian children’s books.
The moon landing 50th anniversary has passed (19th July) but youthful interest in space and space exploration will never fade! Check out our suggestions of books to celebrate the moon landing anniversary.
And finally, winter is long and dark, so we’ve put together a list of kids books to make you giggle that will hopefully keep the winter blues at bay.
KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS IN AUGUST
Come along on Saturday 3rd August 2019, 2:00pm at Readings St Kilda for the launch of Suzanne Barton’s picture book My Unicorn Farts Glitter, an irreverent, playful tale of sibling love about a stinky but lovable unicorn, and ‘farty’ bathtimes. Free, no booking required.
Join us for a special visit from Jennifer Cossins, a Tasmanian artist and writer with a passion for nature, the animal kingdom and all things bright and colourful. Jennifer will talk about her books, including the gorgeous A–Z of Endangered Animals on Sunday 4th August 2019, 11:00am at Readings Kids. Free, but please book here.
We’re overjoyed to host the launch of Welcome To Your Period! by Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang (a former Dolly Doctor) – a frank, funny, age-appropriate guide for pre-teens about getting your period.The launch is on Friday 16th August 2019, 6:00pm at Readings Hawthorn. Free, no booking required.
We’re delighted to have story time with author Jess McGeachin on Saturday 17th August 2019, 10:30am at Readings Kids. McGeachin’s gorgeous picture book Fly is a beautiful story of determination no matter the odds, and love in the face of loss. Story time will be suitable for kids aged 8 and under. Free, but please book here.
Join comedian Simon Taylor on Thurday 22nd August 2019, 5:00pm at Readings Kids for the launch of his book Sally and the Magical Sneeze, in which Sally is sick at home and begins to sneeze up all kinds of wacky, fun creatures who want to play. Free, no booking required.
We are pumped for the launch of the charming middle grade novel How to Make a Movie in 12 Days, written by Readings’ own bookseller, Fiona Hardy! How to Make a Movie in 12 Days is a love song to movies, friendship and the summer holidays. Celebrate with us on Saturday 24th August 2019, 2:00pm at Readings Kids. Free, no booking required.
Take a look at our full events schedule here.
