The Complete adventures of Blinky Bill

Author: Dorothy Wall

Publisher: Angus and Robertson copyright 1939.

Recommended age group: 8+

Summary:

Blinky Bill is a cheeky, mischievous anthropomorphic koala who loves to go out and have misadventures with his bushland friends. Written in the late 1930’s, some of the themes such as violence is not what you would find in a modern day children’s novel, but all the same it is counted as an Australian classic, and surprisingly has never been out of print. The book has a theme of conservation, as at the time the logging of forests was disturbing the Australian wildlife. Blinky Bill was adapted into a tv show which ran from 1994 to 2003 (which is arguably the most well-known version) and later made into an animated film in 2015.

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Charlotte's Web

Author: E. B. White

Publisher: New York: Harper, 1952.

Recommended age group: 6-12 years

Summary:

Though this novel was written well over 50 years ago, the story and themes that make up this book still resonate with readers today. The plot revolves around Wilbur the pig, who is about to go to the slaughter house, Fern, the girl who raised him and Charlotte the spider, who begin a campaign to save him. Throughout the novel, the themes of death and friendship shine through, in Wilbur’s friendship with Charlotte and her sacrifice, creating a timeless story that both children and adults can enjoy.

Since its release, Charlotte’s Web has claimed many awards, including but not limited to; the Newbery Honor Award and The Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. It has also been adapted into a motion picture, a musical production and a video game.

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The Complete adventures of Peter Rabbit

Author: Beatrix Potter

Publisher: F. Warne 1987, copyright 1982.

Recommended age group: 3-7 years

Summary:

The Tales of Peter Rabbit centre around the titular rabbit, Peter and his family. Against his mother’s wishes, Peter Rabbit explores Mr. McGregor’s garden and starts nibbling on his vegetable garden. Mr. McGregor spots him and the chase is on!

There are twenty-three little spinoff stories in the Complete Adventures by Beatrix Potter that include Peter’s cousins Benjamin Bunny and Flopsy as well as the fox Mr. Tod.

First published in 1902, Peter Rabbit has become a classic, making its way into many bed time stories and films, the latest being an animated film released in 2018.

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Further Information:

Beatrix Potter website
Goodreads

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Author: Roald Dahl

Publisher: New York: Puffin Books, c1998.

Recommended age group: 9-12 years

Summary:

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a classic Roald Dahl tale, about Mr. Fox and his family who outwit the local farmers to steal their food. After stealing from three of the meanest farmers around, they band together to catch out Mr. Fox, forcing his family and the local animals who live underground to starve. Read along to find out how Mr. Fox finds a way to feed his family and their underground neighbours!

The idea that became Fantastic Mr. Fox began under a 150-year-old Beech tree known as the “witches tree” near Roald Dahl’s property. He would tell his children the tale of a family of foxes who lived beneath it, which evolved into the book we have today. This book has since been adapted into a critically acclaimed film, play and opera.

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Other Information:

Roald Dahl website

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The Jungle Book

Author: Rudyard Kipling

Publisher: New York: HarperCollinsPublishers, 2016.

Recommended age group: 9-12 years

Summary:

Many may know of the lovable Disney film adaption of the Jungle Book, but the novel by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1894, is much more down to earth and gritty, divided into smaller stories and interspersed with poems. Based around Mowgli the ‘man cub’, who was taken from his parents and raised by wolves, the novels all revolve around the complex relationships between the creatures of the jungle and the hunt. Read about Mowgli’s adventure’s with Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, learning the way of the jungle and avoiding the dangerous Shere Khan.

This book has been adapted into symphonic works, comic books and tv cartoons, with the live animation feature film released in 2016 receiving many awards.

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Author: C. S. Lewis

Publisher: New York: HarperCollins 1997, c1950.

Recommended age group: 8+

Summary:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the first book in the hit Chronicles of Narnia series. Written by devout Christian C. S. Lewis the series, though it may have Christian themes throughout, can be enjoyed by anyone. The story follows four siblings; Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they find and explore a fantasy world hidden in a wardrobe. As they meet the inhabitants of this strange new land, they learn that their arrival has been prophesised, they are the only hope to overthrow the evil White Witch.

Released in 2005, the feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been followed by three more movies.

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Other Information:

C. S. Lewis webpage

Goodreads

The magic pudding: the adventures of Bunyip Bluegum

Author: Norman Lindsay

Publisher: Pymble, N.S.W.: Angus & Robertson 2010, c1918.

Recommended age group: 8+

Summary:

The magic Pudding is an example of classic Australians children’s literature. Published in 1918, the story starts with Bunyip Bluegum the koala leaving his house to go on an adventure. When he eventually gets hungry, he meets two friends, Bill Barnacle the sailor and Sam Sawnoff the penguin, who own Albert, the magic pudding. Albert the pudding is a bad-tempered, ill-mannered magic pudding that regenerates itself after being eaten. Of course, some pudding thieves decide to try and steal Albert and it’s up to Bunyip Bluegum and his friends to rescue him.

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Further Information:

Norman Lindsay website
Goodreads