Alexa Dretzke
Alexa Dretzke is a children’s & YA book specialist at Readings Hawthorn
Review — 20 Aug 2017
Once Upon a Small Rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay & Leila Rudge
There are those who are happy with their place in the world and how they are in it, and there are others who yearn for more. Small rhinoceros pines for…
Review — 24 Jul 2017
In My Room by Jo Witek & Christine Roussey
In My Room is the fifth book in the highly successful series of novelty books that started with the phenomenally popular In My Heart. Our little protagonist is back…
Review — 26 Jun 2017
Two Rainbows by Sophie Masson & Michael McMahon
Two Rainbows is an exploration of colour that works by juxtaposing how it appears in the city and then the country. A little girl finds highlights of colour in an…
Review — 26 Jun 2017
Under the Same Sky by Britta Teckentrup
Under the Same Sky celebrates the things that unite the natural world, with gorgeous artwork and a gentle, life-affirming text. It seems so simple, yet it is often so complex…
Review — 24 Jul 2017
Ruben by Bruce Whatley
On the outskirts of a big formidable, futuristic city, Ruben lives amidst the ruins of abandoned buildings. A street child, he ventures into the city to scavenge, always keeping to…
Review — 24 Jul 2017
Because of You by Pip Harry
One poor choice, feeling like you have no choices, shattered dreams, feeling shut out and hemmed in and then running away even when you want to go back: homelessness is…
Review — 29 May 2017
Is Bear Here? by Jonathan Bentley
The boy and the bear are back. Having delighted us in Where is Bear?, this companion volume sees the little boy returning home with a full shopping trolley, only…
Review — 29 May 2017
To the Lighthouse by Cristy Burne
When opposites meet, the chances are that things will come unstuck somewhere along the way.
Emmy and Isaac meet on a holiday island. Emmy is a dare-devil and Isaac is…
Review — 29 May 2017
Storm Whale by Sarah Brennan & Jane Tanner
Storm Whale starts off on a windy day when three sisters walk into town and are confronted with the tragic sight of a beached whale. The girls valiantly spend the…
Review — 27 Mar 2017
The Thank You Dish by Trace Balla
The Readings family is a big fan of Trace Balla and her fourth picture book just makes us love her more. In The Thank You Dish she celebrates community and…