November 2012 Children's Books

Bookish Potpourri

This is Not My Hat

     by Jon Klassen

     Candlewick Press, HB, $27.99

When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it's a good thing that enormous fish won't wake up. And even if he does, it's not like he'll ever know what happened. . . . 

The second hat-centric title from Jon Klassen, This is Not My Hat features the same slightly wicked humour as Klassen's previous, #1 New York Times Best-selling title, I Want My Hat Back. The wry, clever tale is accompanied by Klassen's beautiful illustrations, which are sure to delight. Buy now

Click through to view more of Klassen's art.

 New Famous Kids' Books in Maori

Let's Make Some Great Placemat Art 

     by Marion Deuchars

     Laurence King Publishing, PB, $23.95

Marion Deuchars has devised some fun and educational art activities to keep kids, young and old, occupied at mealtimes. Featuring 36 generously sized mats printed on art activity paper, and nine different designs, including three all-new illustrations.

Make up your own pasta shapes. Picture your favourite meal. Draw Mona Lisa's smile. Invent a meal for an alien. Let's Make Some Great Placemat Art! Buy now

Kids' Librarian Literary  Tattoo

Archie

     by Domenica More Gordon

     Bloomsbury Publishing, HB, $29.99

Archie leads a quiet life with his faithful pet. One day, he gets a sewing machine and what ensues is a charming story of creative energy and news travelling fast.

As Archie begins to make matching clothes for himself and his pet, admiring friends and fellow dog walkers commision him to make clothes for them too. Soon sartorial standards are greatly improved and Archie's fame spreads far and wide . . . all the way to the most royal of corgis. Buy now

Foods from Children's Books

The Great House Hunt

     by Davide Cali

     Gecko Press, HB, $34.99

Hello, I'm Mr Weevil! You might have heard of me. I'm a famous real estate agent. Whether you're house-hunting or homeless, I can find the house for you! I'm the king of home and habitation, a magician of sheds and shells! My motto: Ready, set, hunt! Enough about me. Let me introduce you to my clients, the Polka-Dots. My mission is to find the nest of their dreams, their burrow of happiness, their castle in the air. Ah, but as you will see, it's not so easy because the Polka-Dots expect the very best! Come on! Let's go! Buy now

Interview with Philip Pullman

This Moose Belongs to Me Slipcase Edition

     by Oliver Jeffers

     HarperCollins, HB + Print, $34.99

"Wilfred owned a moose. He hadn't always owned a moose. The moose came to him a while ago and he knew, just KNEW, that it was meant to be his. He thought he would call him Marcel."

Most of the time Marcel is very obedient, abiding by the many rules on How to Be a Good Pet. But one dark day, while deep in the woods, someone else claims the moose as their own ... Is Marcel really Wilfred's pet after all?

Oliver Jeffers has created another exquisitely-illustrated, witty and thought-provoking story. This special slipcase edition also includes an exclusive numbered print, perfect for fans of Jeffers' touching and always beautiful work. Buy now

Beatrix Potter Quiz

At the Seaside

     by Germano Zullo

     Tate Publishing, BB, $25.95

Ideal for any family planning a holiday trip to the shore, At the Seaside is beautifully illustrated with fun and humour; an oversized board book that lets readers share in all the excitement of the beach as they follow the characters from page to page. There's so much to see -- every page crammed with adventures and whimsical happenings. Can you find them all? Buy now

More Children's Book Inspired Tattoos

Whether it's treasure hunting, swashbuckling, or just a bit of deck swabbing, this dastardly crew is set for adventure. Select from the scallywags below, all constructed from natural canvas with pellet-weighted bases that keep them on their feet and ready for action:

Captain Longbeard Bartimus, $39.99

As leader of the crew, the Captain stands tall at twelve inches, give him a jostle and the bell in his gullet will ring. Buy now

Curly Pete, $23.99

The Captain's right hand man, Curly Pete has everything a good pirate should: a snaggle-toothed grin, a jaunt in his step, and an admirable set of bushy sideburns. Pete stands six inches tall. Buy now

Pirate Sue, $23.99

Pirate Sue may be the only woman on the crew (as of yet), but she doesn't take any guff and no one's quite sure how she lost that eye... Sue stands 6 inches tall. Buy now

Shaggy Dan, $23.99

The most hirsute of the crew, Shaggy Dan has always been admired for his tattoo, his scar, his chest hair, and his way with a cutlass. Dan stands 6 inches tall. Buy now

The United States of YA

Attack of the 50 Foot Baby Stacking Blocks, $39.99

Standing thirty inches tall when fully stacked, these seven nesting blocks are purpose built for knocking over.  Each is illustrated with characters and stories that lend a further dimension to play as toddlers create and destroy the skyscraper again and again. Buy now

C. S. Lewis to be honoured in Poets' Corner

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