Tiny Miss Dott and her Dotty Umbrella by Michelle Osment

Meet Miss Dott the awesome charity store volunteer, who incidently, has a beautiful dotty green coat with mismatched buttons and a gorgeous green bag and tights. While at her volunteer job, her beautiful yellow dotty umbrella, which she leaves just outside the front door, has a little adventure all of its own. At hometime, Miss Dotty collects her umbrella from just outside the store where she had left it a few hours earlier. The sun has come out, it is a beautiful day and Miss Dotty is delighted that she didn't need her umbrella after all.

A delightful story, beautiful illustrations, bright and bold and I bet you can feel the raindrops as they fall. This is a story that bounces along with a lovely rhythm. A great book to read aloud and the kids are going to get the hang of those read out loud words really quickly. I don't know why it took me so long to notice it. Themes in the book surrounding kindness, sharing, friendship and appreciation. Miss Dott is one very cool lady and she is not afraid to give it a whirl "with a twist and a twirl" to an old gramophone on occasion.

This book was also the recipient of the Storylines Joy Cowley award in 2008. Other Michelle Osment books include the character Percy the Pukeko (a swamp bird). I like the one about crossing the road safely, a pukeko definitely needs to know how to do this (and perhaps a few children might as well). Beautifully illustrated, lovely to read aloud.

~Reviewed by Thyme

Red Rocks by Rachael King

Jake is staying at his father's around the coast of Wellington, exploring alone. He runs into a strange old guy around the rocks. He tries to avoid the local bullies... What he does do, is take a seal-skin from a cave and therefore attracts the attention of the local selkies.

The modern world and the world of Celtic mythology combine in this low-key action novel - it's not action-packed like, say, James Patterson or Chris Ryan - but there is some action there.

There are also some interesting relationships. Watching Jake and his dad negotiate their time together is interesting, as Jake's dad is used to living alone and becomes totally focussed in his work (hence Jake's solo explorations).

The writing is wonderfully descriptive, giving a real and vivid sense of place and time.

Something to try out for 10+ year olds who like thinking a bit about what they're reading.

~ Reviewed by Aud Selene.