The Saddle Club by Bonnie Bryant - book review

When I was at school The Saddle Club series was BIG!

I was a little bit old for them but my younger sister embraced them with all the enthusiasm that a 9-year-old, horse obsessed girl can muster (pardon the pun).

Years later, when I was a book publicist, I had the absolute delight of ringing my sister and telling her that I was looking after The Saddle Club author, Bonnie Bryant, at the Brisbane Writer's Festival. Brilliant.

So I think it is great that Random House have re-released The Saddle Club books with bright, modern new covers. After all, horse crazy little girls haven't changed that much in the last 15, oh fine, 20 years have they?

And I'm sure that a whole generation of young girls will fall in love with Stevie, Carole, Lisa and all the folk at Pine Hollow Stables!

The new editions have two of the original stories in each book and they only cost $12.95 so they are really good value.

Who'll love them: Horse crazy girls who are in primary school.
Cost: $12.95
Publisher: Random House Australia 

AFL range - book review

I am not at all that in to AFL. In fact, I'm so not in to it that when I started getting books from Penguin's new AFL series I had to ask my husband; "Is AFL the one with short sleeves...?"

Apparently it's the one with no sleeves!

But, if I was in to AFL (or had a child who was), I would love this new series...

Embracing the idea of 'get'm young' the series includes everything from AFL - My First Numbers Book (one stripey sock, two rugby boots, three whistles etc), to AFL - Game Day (a touch and feel book about going to a match) and then moves on to the AFL Sticker and Activity Book, Mascot Manor Colouring In Book and Doodlepedia (full of doodling fun and footy facts).

The finishes are classy and the books have obviously been created by someone who knows and loves AFL. So, although they aren't my idea of a good time, if you are in to AFL you are going to seriously love these books.

Who'll love them: Current and future AFL fans.
Cost: Range from $4.99 to $14.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Penguin Australia Children's Classics - book review

 I am an absolute sucker for a hard cover book so it stands to reason that these gorgeous little editions of classic Australian children's stories really float my boat!

If you add in their timeless and absolutely classy covers, how great they look lined up on a bookcase (books that look pretty together also make me really happy) AND the fact that they are new editions of some of Australia's best loved children's fiction you are definitely on to a winner.

I really love the Penguin Classics adult range but these are even better!

My only criticism is that, in amongst a bookshop full of bright book covers with with flashy photos these might get a little lost and only appeal to 'booky' type kids and adults. It's hard for me to say because I was a 'booky' kid and am now an adult.

The stories range from Hating Alison Ashley to A Fortunate Life and everything in between, and they are a great way to introduce your kids to some of your favourite books from your childhood!

In a nutshell, the stories are classics that have stood the test of time and the covers are gorgeous!

Who'll love it: Booky type kids, girls who love beautiful things and grown-ups.
Cost: $19.99
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia