Parmesan the Reluctant Racehorse, book review

Title: Parmesan, the Reluctant Racehorse
by: Jacqui Halpin
illustrated by: John Phillips
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books

Parmesan, the racehorse, thinks he’s a dog. Instead of training with other horses, he’s off with his doggy friends, playing doggy games. Will he be ready to run like a racehorse in the Spring Carnival? A humorous light-hearted tale that celebrates the joy of being yourself and running your own race.

Parmesan is the type of horse every child would like to own. He’s adorable, endearing and interactive, like a dog. In fact, he thinks he’s a dog!

Children will love this light-hearted story about a horse who doesn’t fit into the expected mould of his racehorse family.

Author, Jacqui Halpin, has woven a wonderful tale with some repetition throughout the story that will have children happily joining in with the reading, and sharpening their skill of prediction, which is vitally important for children learning to read between 3-7 years of age.

The illustrator, John Phillips, has beautifully portrayed the character of Parmesan with heart, connecting the reader on a deeper level through humour, adding that lovely extra dimension that illustrators give to picture books.

Parmesan the Reluctant Racehorse, isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s also about thinking outside of the box to solve a problem. Jacqui Halpin has succeeded not only in telling an enjoyable story, but also in creating an entertaining story where I can imagine the giggles of children as they sit and listen in shared story time, or where they use the book as an independent reader.

I look forward to Jacqui’s second picture book, “Where’s Lucky?” to be released in 2019, by Little Pink Dog Books.

Purchase a copy: https://littlepinkdogbooks.com/our-publication-list/parmesan-the-reluctant-racehorse/

Title: Parmesan, the Reluctant Racehorse
by: Jacqui Halpin
illustrated by: John Phillips
Publisher:  Little Pink Dog Books
ISBN: 978-0-9946269-2-9
Category: children 3-7 years
Pages: 32

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:

Clover’s BIG Ideas, book review

Title: Clover’s BIG Ideas
by: Georgie Donaghey
illustrated by: Emma Middleton
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books

Being the smallest in the paddock isn’t easy. Clover is always being teased. When three naughty lambs go too far, Clover and her big ideas step in. Discover how Clover shows being little makes her more determined and clever than they could ever imagine.

Spring is an exciting time of the year. Particularly on farms where spring means babies. And that is where the adorable Clover comes into the story, written by author, Georgie Donaghey. Clover is clearly loved by her mother, who tells her to stay on this side of the fence where it is safer. When Clover sees the bull in the next paddock and giggles, it is a clear indicator of her positive outlook on life and her sweet disposition. But you also get that bumbly feeling in your tummy that something is going to happen … so you turn the page with caution …

Enter Duncan, Stu and Shadow, the villains of the story. They tease Clover about being small and you instantly want to protect her from them. Clover bravely speaks up, ‘I may be small, but I have BIG ideas,’ before she turns her head away so they can’t see her tears.

Duncan, Stu and Shadow don’t just tease Clover. It seems anyone can be a target of their bullying. So they approach the bull and tease him (the bullies bully the bull…), Angus the bull is justifiably angry, and will have the readers cheering him on.

When Shadow gets stuck in the fence, there is only one small lamb who can help. Enter the heroine of the story, Clover, who also cleverly plans a stunt with Angus the bull for a little bit of light hearted revenge that will have kids sniggering and smiling.

Illustrator (and author), Emma Middleton, has gifted the readers will spectacular pictures using oil paints. You will fall in love with her painting technique that creates a visual softness for the wool and fur of the animals, that will make you want to reach out and touch the pages. Sometimes I have a favourite illustration or two in books, but with Clover’s BIG Ideas, I have twelve favourite double page spreads that draw my eyes, due to the variety and use of colour, or the love visually pouring from the pages.

Clover’s BIG Ideas is a beautiful, heartfelt story, written by author, Georgie Donaghey,  that has all the ingredients to make it a successful and popular story, and it certainly makes a positive impact with its message. There is no doubt that Clover’s BIG Ideas will become an ‘anytime’ favourite story to be read and reread, not just for bedtime.

Purchase a copy: https://littlepinkdogbooks.com/our-publication-list/clovers-big-ideas/

Title: Clover’s BIG Ideas
by: Georgie Donaghey
illustrated by: Emma Middleton
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books 
ISBN: 978-0-9946269-6-7
Category: 4 to 9 years
Pages: 32

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:

 

The World’s Worst Pirate, book review

Title: The World’s Worst Pirate
by: Michelle Worthington
illustrated by: Katrin Dreiling
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books

Will was the World’s Worst Pirate.
He didn’t want to be a swashbuckling, treasure hunting buccaneer.
He couldn’t even stand on deck without being seasick.
But when the ship is attacked by a terrible sea monster, a surprising hero saves the day.

Everyone loves stories about pirates, and everyone has a favourite pirate story. Somehow, I think The World’s Worst Pirate, written by Michelle Worthington and illustrated by Katrin Dreiling will become the mostest favouritest piratey-est story on everyone’s bookshelf.

This picture book is a treasure chest of surprises. There’s Will. There’s a Kraken. And there is a never ending game of chase with a cat and bird.

Will’s mother is the Captain of the Jolly Fishcake. Will tries really hard to be everything a pirate is meant to be, except … he is walking chaos. But there is one place where Will shines—the galley—it’s his happy place where he is the Masterchef of pirate foods.

Will’s mum isn’t happy though. She wants him to be a fearsome pirate on the seven seas, and one day captain the ship. What makes Will’s mum happy, makes Will miserable.

One particular day while sailing the seven seas, disaster strikes. A terrifying Kraken sticks its thick tentacles through the portholes of the ship searching for sailors. Will has to help. But what can a pirate chef do? Will that delicious cupcake in his hand save the day?

Illustrator, Katrin Dreiling has created fun, quirky piratey pictures for The World’s Worst Pirate. She has added movement with her skilled artistry so if feels like you are on the Jolly Fishcake with Will and the crew. Children will love the character expressions, and the cat and bird interaction going on in each page spread is a story in itself!

I highly recommend The World’s Worst Pirate as a shared picture book and for independent readers. It has something for everyone, with the underlying message to follow your passion, and it’s okay to be different to the rest of your crew.

Purchase a copy: https://littlepinkdogbooks.com/our-publication-list/the-worlds-worst-pirate-2/

Title: The World’s Worst Pirate
by: Michelle Worthington
illustrated by: Katrin Dreiling
Publisher: Little Pink Dog Books 
ISBN: 9780994626912
Category: children’s
Pages: 32

 

 

 

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace
(Dip T, B. Ed, Author, Illustrator, Tea Ninja, Cadbury Chocolate Annihilator)
www.facebook.com/julieannwallaceonethousandwords/
https://www.julieannwallaceauthor.com/

Julieann is a member of:
Queensland Writers Centre
Write Links
Share Your Story Australia