Squishy McFluff

Title: Squishy McFluff The Invisible Cat!

Series: Squishy McFluff

Author: Pip Jones

Illustrator: Ella Okstad

 

"This marvelous creature was fluffy and tiny,

As cute as a button, with eyes big and shiny,

A tail that swished proudly, first this way, then that.

A fabulous, friendly, invisible cat!"

This is the first book in the Squishy McFluff series.

Ava brings home Squishy McFluff, the invisible kitten which appeared in the garden. Her mum is happy to welcome this new family member, until Ava starts to blame Squishy for all her mischief. Her mum is not happy with the marks on the curtains, stains on the carpet, or sweaters that have unraveled. Will Squishy have to leave? Or will Great Grandad Bill talk some sense into Ava?

Join Ava and Squishy on their adventures, told in rhyming text and accompanied by adorable illustrations by Norwegian artist Ella Okstad.

This book won the inaugural Greenhouse Funny Prize.

Series Website

Series Activities and Games

Book Trailer

Dory Fantasmagory

Title: Dory Fantasmagory

Series: Dory Fantasmagory

Author and Illustrator: Abby Hanlon

This is the first book in the Dory Fantasmagory series.

Dory is the youngest in the family. She is sick of being called a baby, or RASCAL, by her older brother Luke and older sister Violet. If her siblings don't want to play with her, she will just have to play with Mary, who is always happy to play whatever games that Dory suggests. But no one can see Mary, except for Dory!

Author Abby Hanlon is a former 1st grade teacher. This book features plenty of humour and charming illustrations, bringing to life Dory, her imaginary friends and their adventures.

It was a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Parent's Magazine. It won a Golden Kite Honor for Fiction and is an American Library Association Notable Book.

Author website

Listen to a podcast with author Abby Hanlon

Activities, games and interview here

The New York Times Books: Live Illustration with Abby Hanlon on Facebook

Book trailer

Bunjitsu Bunny

Title: Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny

Series: Bunjitsu Bunny

Author and Illustrator: John Himmelman
 

This is the fist book in the Bunjitsu Bunny series.

Isabel, aka Bunjitsu Bunny, is better at bunjitsu than any of her classmates at school. Even though she can hit harder and kick higher than anyone else, she knows to NOT hurt other creatures unless she absolutely has to.

This book contains a series of short stories with plenty of heart and martial arts action. Isabel must learn to deal with challenges using her smarts, not her physical advantage.

The fun illustrations are in a red, white and black colour theme.

Books in the series

Author website

Listen to a reading here

The Princess in Black

Title: The Princess in Black

Series: Princess in Black

Author: Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

This is the first book in the Princess in Black series.

Princess Magnolia, in her glass slippers and frilly pink dress, is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when the monster alarm (her sparkly ring!) goes off. It’s time for her to change into her black super hero costume and go off to save the day. At the same time, she also has to make sure that nobody, including the suspicious Duchess, knows her secret identity.

The illustrations by LeUyen Pham are cute and colourful, and a perfect accompaniment to the action that Princess Magnolia gets into.

Series Website

Book Trailer

Listen to a reading here

Claude in the city

Title: Claude in the City

Series: Claude

Author and Illustrator: Alex T. Smith

Claude in the City is the first book of the Claude series.

Claude is a small dog who lives with Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes. He has never been to the city. One day, after Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes go to work, Claude decides to go the city with Sir Bobbblysock, his stripey best friend. He has a list of things for them to do – visit a café, do some shopping and tour a museum. Stopping a burglary was not on that list!

This story is accompanied by whimsical black, white and red illustrations.

Author website

Draw Claude with Alex T. Smith

Fun fact: Alex T. Smith was the official World Book Day illustrator in 2014

Claude has been turned into a TV series! You can watch some short epidoes and previews of longer episodes on Disney UK's Youtube channel here

Zac Blasts Off

Title: Zac Blasts Off

Series: Zac Power Spy Camp

Author: H. I. Larry

Zac Blasts Off is the first book of the Zac Power Spy Camp series.

To become a super boy spy for the GIB, which stands for Government Investigation Bureau, Zac Power starts training at Spy Camp to learn some important spying skills. First up, space training! What can be more fun than dodging space lasers?

If you like action, adventure, and explosions then this book (and series) is for you.

Kids with older siblings who are fans of the original Zac Power series, which has sold over 3 millions books in Australia, can now join in the fun with this series aimed at younger readers.

Goodreads

Books in the series

Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea

Title: Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea

Series: Narwhal and Jelly

Author and Illustrator: Ben Clanton

Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea is the first book of the series, Narwhal and Jelly.

"You don't look like any fish I've ever seen, but you do look kind of jelly-ish."

 

Friendly Narwhal has never met a jellyfish, and Jelly the jellyfish has never met a narwhal. When they meet unexpectedly, they become good friends. After all, they both love waffles, parties and going on adventures!

This graphic novel features whimsical doodle-like drawings and ocean themed jokes in 3 fun stories, as well as a bonus facts section about these sea creatures.

Series Website

Listen to the Narwhal and Jelly song

Meet the author

Learn how to draw Narwhal and Jelly

Book trailer

EJ Spy School

Title: The Test

Series: EJ Spy School

Author: Susannah McFarlane

The Test is the first book in the EJ Spy School series.

Emma Jacks is 8 years old. What does she love? Going to school. What else does she love? Maths! What doesn’t she love? Tests! But wait, what is this test about?

Join EJ as she starts her training as a special agent at SHINE Agency's Spy School. She will be playing with some fun spy accessories and gadgets along the way.

Kids with older siblings who have read the original series, EJ12, can now join in the fun.

Series website

Series activities and games

Book trailer
Author website

Ricky Ricotta

Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

Series: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

Author: Dav Pilkey

Illustrator: Dan Santat

This is the first book of Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series.

Ricky Ricotta is a little mouse who doesn't have any friends. When the evil Dr Stinky sends his giant robot to destroy the city, the robot disobeys his orders when he saw the scared little mouse. The robot is punished for his effort but is saved by his new friend Ricky. They must work together to save the world from Dr Stinky's evil grasp.

The current edition of this title has been expanded to include full colour illustrations and mini comics.

Series website

Book trailer

Listen to a chapter as well as a review

Water Beast

Title: Water Beast

Series: Boy vs Beast

Author: Mac Park

Water Beast is the first book of the series, Boy vs Beast.

In each book of the series, Kai must fight a new beast with new weapons.

Kai is a Border Guard in training, so that he can become a Border Guard just like his dad. It is his job to defend Earth from the mega beasts. Every time he wins a battle, new gear is unlocked to help him with his mission. He also has the help of B.C., his Dogbot.

In Water Beast, he has chosen the Torpedo Crossbow as his weapon. Find out if this will help him defeat the water beast, defend against toxic jellyfish, and defy a tsunami!

Series website

Series trailer