One wonders what the ‘Other’ people are thinking about on the other side?

The second boy asks about the ‘Other’.

“Are there different kinds of people?”

 

Back and forth, they discuss the ‘Other’ people. One is sure they are very ‘Other’.

“They look different. They talk different. Everything about them is different.”

 

“Do they have heads and bodies? Do they have scales and feathers? Do they have hearts and brains?” asks the other.

 

More questions about the ‘Others’ reveal more and more that they’re not so ‘Other’ after all.

Even ‘here’ or ‘there’ is explored, until from the top of the hedge they discover that,

 

“Here is the same too!”

Kobi Yamada is a personal favourite, so I knew this full colour hardback picture book would be something special, even before I opened it.

Charles Santoso has captured the wonder and confusion of two boys talking, with a hedge between them and a strange, unknown, concept on the other side. The illustrations are on clear white backgrounds, without distractions from the boys or their dialogue.

The more questions asked and answered through the pages, the clearer the ‘Other’s become in the illustrations on the other side of the hedge, until in fact they look and feel and sound, just like us.

Maybe there isn’t really a here? Maybe there isn’t really a there? Maybe there’s just us?

Author – Kobi Yamada

Illustrator – Charles Santoso

Picture Book

(2026, Penguin Random, Empathy, Them & Us, Others, Refugees, Immigrants, Questions & Answers, Differences, Caring, Discovery, Family, Feelings, The Same, Racism, Prejudice, Real Life)

The post Others – A story for all of us Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

A renowned restaurant owner named Fabio Fangtooth has vanished from his restaurant. The police are soon on hand, but they don’t know where to start. Never fear, Monsieur Mustard is here!

He soon gets to work, following the clues, with the help of a creature who is not quite sure what kind of rodent he is, but knows he wants to be Monsieur Mustard’s assistant. Monsieur puts up with him, even though he always works alone. It’s not long before the famous detective is flying across Bath with the police, only to discover another Bath resident missing! What is going on in his new city?

Alas, the dastardly deeds aren’t over, when yet another goes missing. Can Monsieur Mustard crack he case, or are his detective days done?

This mouse mystery is funny, clever and richly illustrated throughout this junior chapter novel. There are illustrations on every page and sections of graphic novel which move the story on quickly.

The story is hilarious, with pigeon police, plenty of mishaps, and villains to track down. Toilet humour is rife with a detective’s assistant with a nervous disposition and a resulting bottom burp problem. It is both terrible and helpful in equal measure as a tiny fabulously dressed mouse works on a mystery.

This is a new series for emerging readers, and is sure to become a firm funny favourite.

Author / Illustrator – Charley Rabbit

Age – 7+

Publisher – Andersen Press

Learn a little about the Author / Illustrator here

See Inside here

If you liked this, you might like this

(2026, Action, Animals, Courage, Humour, Crime, Funny, Bath England, Mystery, Clue, Magic Show, Mouse, Cat, Rodents, French Detective, Famous, Pigeon Police, Investigation, Missing Animals, Snake, Crocodile, Baboon, Sleuth, Series)

The post Monsieur Mustard – The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Of course, to be able to do this, she had to post her parents somewhere else, so she could do as she pleased. It is a wonderful life.

When her nasty, dull, teacher Ms Thistle announces all her Year 3 children must invite their parents along to the upcoming school concert, Frances realises she must come up with a plan. Will grandparents do? It’s either that or Ms Thistle’s alternative of the Bleak Island Home for Unwanted Children & Dogs!

Frances needs to find some grandparents for her plan to work. She is a lot smarter than her devious teacher, and her new grandparents are a little different to most. Can she outsmart Ms Thistle?

Katrina Nannestad is an accomplished, award winning writer for children and Frances Bloom reminds me much of another title by this author – The Girl Who Brought Mischief. Both funny and with strong female main characters, Frances Bloom is for a slightly younger audience.

Requiring new grandparents is tricky to avoid trouble, but convincing others that a large, clumsy, honey coloured bear, and a fishing garden gnome fit the bill is hilarious, clever and a tiny bit bonkers. This makes Frances Bloom all the more readable for 6+, and would make a great read aloud in a year 3 classroom.

Finding a picture every time you turn the page is a treat, showing the cheeky, friendly, confident nature of Frances herself, and the sourness of her nemesis teacher. Throw in a large greedy bear causing chaos wherever she goes, a calm, quiet garden gnome and a giant pumpkin, and this early middle grade novel is a delight.

Author – Katrina Nannestad

Illustrator – Marina Zlatanova

Publisher – Harper Collins

Age – 6+

(2025, Harper Collins, Family, School, Funny, Humour, Animals, Mean Teacher, No Parents, Cheeky, Gnome, Bear, Grandparents, Secret)

The post Frances Bloom appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Frances Bloom must find a new Year 3 teacher for her class! Ms Thistle has been sent to Harsh Island and the Home for Unwanted Teachers and Cats. The School Principal Paulo is frightened of children, and the Year 2 are positively feral!

It’s Frances Bloom to the rescue!

Plot summary of Frances Bloom (2) Dangerous Days (No Spoilers)

With Ms Thistle gone, and her new carers in place, Frances Bloom thought everything would be fine. But her class needs a new teacher. Frances finds Roger Rowboat who spends their mornings on class beach adventures and piratey antics, and Mario Mecurio who teaches them music and songs all afternoon.

All is going well until strange cats and a purple haired person begin lurking around the town. Who could it be? Grandma Maude doesn’t seem bothered and Grandpa Harold just goes with the flow as always. But suddenly they are gone in the night! Have they been kidnapped?

Who could have taken them? Suddenly Frances is up against her arch rival, and they are both being threatened to be sent away to the Home for Unwanted Teachers and Cats, or the Bleak Island Home for Unwanted Children and Dogs. Who will it be?

Review

Diving back into another Frances Bloom lark is a treat! Her completely bonkers life with a honey bear for a grandmother and a garden gnome for a grandfather sounds too ridiculous to be true, but Katrina Nannestad’s brilliance makes it work.

It’s funny, a teensy bit scary this time, and lots of mysterious. There’s lots more zany characters to meet and tons more fun to be had. Wouldn’t you like a pirate or a musician for a teacher where you just play, sing and dance all day?

Book Style

132 Pages / 16 Chapters with titles

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

6+

Where is it set?

A fictional seaside town

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

1st person / present tense

What genre is ?

Junior Novel Humour

Themes

Humour/ Animals / School / Fantasy

Is it part of a series?

Yes – The Frances Bloom Series

1. Frances Bloom
2. Dangerous Days
3. ?

Author

Katrina Nannestad

Illustrator

Marina Zlatanova

Publisher

Harper Collins Publishers

Find the 1st Frances Bloom caper here

Find more Zany Tales here

2026, Harper Collins, Family, School, Funny, Humour, Chaos, Bonkers, Animals, New Teachers, Pirate, Musician, No Parents, Cheeky, Gnome, Bear, Grandparents, Secret, Series, Fantasy, Blended Family)

The post Frances Bloom (2) Dangerous Days Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

He even worries about his worrying because he knows his worries are not normal. There is worrying about the 1st day of school, or large animals, or noises. These worries are common. But his worries are far more frequent and long-standing worries. His worries hurt his tummy and fill his head with loud, buzzing bees.

People around him say, “Don’t worry about it.”

Or, “Wait until you’re an adult.”

But no matter what he does, he can’t stop worrying.

Worrying about stuff happening in his home and family is just making things worse. But he knows he’s loved by those around him, and has friends that like him too.

He begins to write all those names down, alongside his worries. Gradually, he discovers that he does have some control over his worries, and soon he feels more and more like his old, energetic pre-worry self.

With tips for parents and caregivers at the rear of the book, a place for young readers to write their worries down and a likeable, relatable narrator sharing his journey directly to the reader, this picture book is a great resource for all involved.

Many children are worriers like this young narrator, but with his help, they too can learn ways to dismantle their worries and get back to their pre-worry happy selves.

Beautifully illustrated in soft but full colours by Sarah Trolle.

Author Becky Overeem is passionate about mental health and education, and runs her own business developing teaching and mental health resources.

Author – Becky Overeem

Illustrator – Sarah Trolle

Age – 6+

Non-Fiction

Find a copy here

Find a companion book here

(2025, Mary Egan Publishing, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Worries, Worrying, Non-Fiction)

The post Is My Worry Worth Worrying About? appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

As they wait, they wonder what they will get. Will it be strength, speed or invisibility? Will it be flight, x-ray vision or maybe even speaking every language? But no. When they finally reach the front of the line, after hours and hours behind a large buffalo bottom, they are disappointed. No more than Zeb. He had grand dreams while he was waiting. This was going to be his chance to make his mark on the world…..

Marmalade and Barry are pleased with their new superpowers, but Zeb is already planning what he can do with his to finally get some recognition. But can he do it without his best buddies?

Swapna Haddow never fails to make readers laugh out loud with her animal antics. Add Minky Stapleton’s hilarious portrayal’s of Swapna’s characters and you have a dream team of giggles aplenty.

Three animals are best friends, and as in real life, friends can be close, but very different. They have their squabbles but are there for each other when things go pear-shaped, or crocodile shaped as in The Terrible Trio: The not so Superheroes.

Looking forward to the next in this trilogy of laughs. 

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Age – 6+

Graphic Novel

Find more Swapna Haddow books here

Find more books illustrated by Minky Stapleton here

Check out Swapna Haddow’s website here

Checky out Minky Stapleton’s website here

(2025, Graphic Novel, Scholastic NZ, Junior Fiction, Funny, Humour, Animals, Friendship, Series, Superheroes, Understanding, Recognition, Prison)

The post The Terrible Trio (1) The (NOT SO) Superheroes appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

He races to tell his friends Marmalade the Penguin and Barry the Lemur what just happened, but when he arrives at Marmalade’s cafe – it’s closed. Now Zeb is in bigger trouble.

When he finally gets inside to find out what’s wrong, he finds Marmalade in torrents of tears and Barry trying to placate her. What could possibly be so terrible? Marmalade has lost her superpower! She can’t make Mac ‘n’ Cheese with a whirl of her flipper anymore!

Oh oh. Zeb is in so much trouble, and now his friends probably are too! The lion that got involved at the zebra crossing, is EXPECTING Mac ‘n’ Cheese for his entire pride – or he will EAT Zeb!

It’s time to get Marmalade’s powers back. But how? Cooking? Cheese? MORE Cheese? A relaxing mountain retreat? Whatever they decide to do, they have to do it fast. The lion is waiting. His tummy is rumbling. If it isn’t going to be Mac ‘n’ Cheese, it’s going to be BBQ – Zebra, Penguin and Lemur!

They’re back and they are just as funny as the first episode which is a Finalist in the NZ Children’s & Young Adult Book Awards 2026.

Swapna Haddow & Minky Stapleton are the dream team for anyone who loves to laugh. I cracked up more than once at this terrible trio’s bumbling efforts to get a super power back.

Again, when the going gets tough, their friendship shines through – which might just save the day. There are lots of gags (beginning with a cockroach – sorry you’ll have to read it), all the way through with the promise of another adventure for these three buddies, on the way.

I for one, can’t wait!

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Age – 6+

Find more Swapna Haddow books here

Find more Minky Stapleton books here

(2026, Humour, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Fantasy)

The post The Terrible Trio (2) The Day the Mac ‘n’ Cheese Ran Out Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

When Barry the Lemur gets a chance for something more, he grabs at it. Barry and his friends Zeb the Zebra, and Marge the Penguin have been hanging out in Marge’s cafe. Business is slow lately so they have decided to pull out the lost property box.

Zeb is keen to have a dress up party and Marge wants to ‘borrow’ some items, but Barry is very strict that these ‘lost’ items belong to someone else. They are not to be messed around with. He decides to go through it and try and work out who they belong to. It’s not long before Barry discovers an item that looks and feels very interesting.

So interesting in fact, he can suddenly fly!

Finally having a decent superpower, Barry decides to make the most of it, along with his excellent handwriting. Soon everyone is wondering who is the Masked Crusader doing so much good around the town?

But the true owner of the cape isn’t far away. She has another superpower. Very strong butt kicking power! The terrible trio are very worried about their botties. Maybe they should just stick to what they know….?

The last in the Terrible Trio series from this fabulous Kiwi duo. Sure to make readers laugh out loud, the shenanigans of these three animals are priceless.

This time it’s Barry the Lemur’s time to shine and shine he does – but with a ‘borrowed’ piece of lost property. It was sure to go wrong.

The laughs come fast and furious, but it’s always the friendship that shines through in each conclusion of these black and white graphic novels.

Each character has their strange quirks and flaws, but their friendship always holds true, no matter what weird and wacky things they do.

A popular award winning series that is So Much Fun!

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Age – 6+

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Graphic Novel

Find more Swapna Haddow books here

Find more books illustrated by Minky Stapleton here

Check out Swapna Haddow’s website here

Checky out Minky Stapleton’s website here

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Graphic Novel, Humour, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Fantasy)

The post The Terrible Trio (3) The Mystery of the Lost Cape Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

A solemn ritual used to mark significant events, this ceremony welcomes special visitors, is part of a new chief’s appointment or used for marking important occasions in a village.

Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa – The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa takes the reader through each part of the ritual including blessings, speaker roles from both host and visitor, and the actual serving of the ‘ava drink itself.

‘Ava is a drink that is mixed by a son or daughter of the highest village and chief, then a young man from the village gives it out in a shiny coconut shell.

Gifts are exchanged between visitors and hosts, of food, cloth, mats and money.

There are also special places to sit in the ceremony.  At the end of this full colour non-fiction picture book, The House of Samoa and the assembling of participants in this custom are shown clearly to readers on the page.

A final section about the origin of the ‘ava plant, is told in the format of a well-shared myth.

Co-published by Oratia Books and Auckland Council Libraries, this picture book is perfectly timed for Samoa Language Week – 31 May – 6 June 2026. It shares an important part of Samoan Culture, allowing other cultures more understanding of another.

(Thanks to Oratia for my ARC)

Author – Tauanu’u Perenise Tapu Sitagata

Illustrator – Ani Huia Ligaliga

Picture Book

Non-Fiction

(2026, Oratia Books, Samoa, Ritual, Ceremony, Village, Samoan Language Week)

The post Sauniga O Le ‘Ava Samoa – The ‘Ava Ceremony of Samoa Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Talking with his farm boy, Digger Dan about the problem, they go through ideas together, from stealing fruit to having a garage sale. It’s not until Gumboot is reading his newspaper later, that an idea hits him.

Meanwhile, Pippa Davidson lives on a bigger, better and much happier farm near their town of Dargaville. They have cows, sheep, and it’s a sheep called Lulabelle that is Pippa’s very special favourite. Lulabelle feels the same about Pippa.

So when Lulabelle is stolen one dark night, Pippa knows she must do everything she can to get her wooly best friend back!

Gumboot Gary and Digger Dan’s terrible plans to make money for their farm are going well – until they enter a competition in the town show. Pippa is suddenly onto what they’ve been up to.

With the help of Dargaville’s top cop Mike Te Hira, they are quickly caught up in a dangerous mission to save many sheep along with Lulabelle.

Set in Dargaville NZ, many small-town Kiwi kids will love seeing themselves in a novel.

This Kiwi caper will bring lots of laughs as two criminals come up against a brave girl with a stolen sheep friend, and the local police, on hand. There is word play with many recognisable (but completely coincidental) items, authors, bands and books in the text – with funny footnotes. eg. SpongeGreg Rectangle Shorts.

Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers is illustrated throughout with all the sheep shenanigans and possum problems, making this story even more entertaining for Kiwi kids.

Author – Lauren Middleton

Illustrator – Robyn Glendinning

Age – 7+

Find more Great New Zealand Fiction here

(2025, Bateman, Dargaville, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Farm, Animals, Sheep, Rustling, Town Show, Possum, Traps, Police, Crime, Humour, Funny)

The post Pippa and the Sheep Snatchers Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Iris is an animal lover and is excited when she receives an invitation to attend a magical school that trains animal lovers like her to be carers of magical animals.

Plot summary

After saving a baby bird after it had been knocked out of a tree, Iris is pleased to have helped, even if her friends went on a bike ride without her.

Not long after, she hears the doorbell of her home and goes to check who might be at the door. It’s not a person, but a small dog with a postman’s hat, an envelope, and a wink. It’s an invitation to enrol in a magical school, that teaches children how to look after magical animals.

She knows she’ll miss her mum and dad, but attending a magical school is too exciting to turn down. She settles in, meeting other students and staff. Her only worry is whether she’ll make a bestie at her new school. Her roommate Luna is quiet and seems shy, and Iris wonders if they’ll ever be friends. It’s only when something goes wrong that they finally connect.

Soon after they are working on solving a mystery that has been upsetting to many.

Characters

Iris Marvels – loves animals, and will put them first before people. Is worried that the other students are achieving things she isn’t yet, which is a knock to her confidence.

Luna – is from a magical family, and knew about the magical school already. She doesn’t join in with the groups at first, keeping to herself. It’s only when she goes to help Iris, that they finally talk to each other properly, despite being room mates.

Writing Style

Told in 13 chapters with bold Chapter headings and illustrations on almost every page.

FAQs

What age is it for?

6+

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

3rd person / past tense

What genre is the Iris & Luna series?

Chapter Books to Middle Grade

Themes

Animals / Magic / Friendship

Is it part of a series?

Yes

If you liked this, you might like these?

Millie and Stella

Luna Grace

Author

Aurora Quirón

Illustrator

Isabel Escalante & Chezalbi

Publisher

Harper Collins

(2026, Harper Collins, Magic, Animals, Friendship, School, Animal Care, Unicorns, Magical Creatures, Series, Room mates)

The post Book Review – Iris & Luna (1) A School Full of Magic appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

(Little do we humans know that the animals that surround us, whether it be, mouse, rat, frog or cow, are always looking out for us.)

The meeting is for the animals of the town of Redhill to report in about their unsung kindnesses to humans.

They might not receive recognition for what they do, but like the Animal Creed says…

…Coexistence is our aim.

patience is the remedy.

Let’s never forget,

idiots are not the enemy.

Humans can’t help being stupid after all, and that’s why Duck and his fellow animals are always on alert to put things right. But when the Redhill humans do something unforgivable, Duck, and Mouse want revenge. Well, mostly Mouse, but Duck can totally understand his point of view.

Not only do a bunch of hi-vis humans destroy something important to them, Duck, Mouse and their dog friend Steve, find more humans acting strangely. They are all lining up outside a huge black dome which definitely was not there before. The sign outside says The Coffee Dome, and Duck has a bad feeling about it.

Determined to know more about this “…giant shiny butt cheek” of a building, Duck decides they need to get inside.

What he finds changes everything!

From the funny man himself (author & illustrator of Funny Kid), DUCK is the first book in a new series.

A side character in the hilarious Funny Kid series, DUCK is now the star. He and his mates Mouse and Police Dog Steve, mean well, but cause chaos in this novel which is part chapter book, part comic and a whole lot of laughs.

Scattered throughout the novel are small comic strips that add to the chapter with gags galore, instead of normal style illustration.

The tension rises during the novel, leaving readers wondering what DUCK is about to do…. Will he really change everything between animals and humans in the town of Redhill forever?

Author / Illustrator – Matt Stanton

Age – 7+

Find more funny books by Matt Stanton here

(2026, Harper Collins, Funny, Humour, Series, Animals, Duck, Mouse, Dog, Revenge, Cunning Plot, Coffee, Laugh Out Loud)

The post DUCK Look Who’s Talking! Book Review appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Readers will find themselves out in the ocean, far from any sign of land.

They are now in the realm of sea creatures that live, roam and die Through the Darkening Sea.

“A whale falls…”  beneath the waves and below the diving seagulls and dolphins that frolic above.

It falls past where the seals play, deeper and deeper past migrating krill and down into the depths of no light or colour at all. Only anglerfish, jellyfish and squid see it sink further until it reaches its resting place – the sea bottom.

The whale’s body then becomes another part of the life cycle of the sea. Fish feed. Crabs crawl. Worms wiggle.

These too become food for other creatures, which reaches up towards the light and another whale about to give birth to a calf.

Peter Cheong’s art takes readers down into the deep blue and then dark of the ocean floor. Readers then rise back up again through the water to new life.

Through the Darkening Sea is a picture book to savour, and a different way to experience the Circle of Life.

This would make an excellent starting point to Sea-Week studies in a classroom, encouraging students to learn about the many levels of the ocean and its inhabitants.

Read more books about Whales here

Author – Claire Saxby

Illustrator – Peter Cheong

Publisher – Harper Collins Australia

Picture Book

(2026, Harper Collins Australia, Whale, Death, Ocea, Sea, Circle of Life, New Life, Sealife, Fish, Animals, Science, Biology)

The post Book Review – Through the Darkening Sea appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

The tap tap at her window at night

The creaks and cracks of the whole house too

Then there are scary shadows, and ladders, balloons and more!

Another girl named Annie Venture isn’t so scared of everyday things. In fact she revels in all the things Bea fears.

Annie scales new heights with ladders

Calmly casts shadows aside

Blows balloons without popping a sweat!

But how does she do it? wonders Bea.

This hardback picture book shows two girls who are very different. Bea Ware can’t enjoy life with her fears swamping her days and nights. Annie Venture on the other hand, looks at things around her very differently.

Fearless is clever in text and illustration. The text has excellent word play that older children will appreciate, as younger siblings or students connect with the story itself.

The illustrations show waves of words. For Bea, they flow with uncertainties, but for Annie they are fun to splash in and enjoy every day.

Fearless is something different in stories about fears, worries and anxiety.

Author / Illustrator – Kelly Canby

Picture Book

(2026, Freemantle Press, Feelings, Anxiety, Worries, Courage, Resilience, Growing Up)

The post Book Review – Fearless appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

Timble enjoys Orris’ company because he always has great stories to tell from the discarded books in the abandoned barn where he lives.

One night as they gazed up at the stars together, Timble offered something to Orris. Would he like to see more of the world around them?

The thought of leaving his safe barn is too big for Orris, and his instant answer is a definite NO!

But Timble continues to offer this gift to Orris until one day Orris gives a different answer…

Another gorgeous story from one of America’s literary giants – Kate Di Camillo. Orris and Timble are firm friends, and this gentle early chapter book brings them even closer together.

This is part of a series, but there is no need to read the 1st two books to really enjoy this episode.

This story will make a perfect bed-time story, read-aloud to young listeners or stepping stone from early chapter books to longer reads.

Author – Kate Di Camillo

Illustrator – Carmen Mok

Age – 5+

(2025, Owl, Mouse, Friendship, Courage, Flying, Stories, Stars, Bravery, Choices, Barn, Animals, Series)

The post Book Review – Orris and Timble (3) Star Stories appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

He’s spent winter hunkered down out of the rain and cold, and now is a little thin and raggedy. He knows the first thing he must do is EAT. But to eat he needs to catch something, and to do that, he needs to be fit and healthy. It’s a catch 22 situation. But he tries to do a workout anyway. It’s an epic fail. So are his first attempts at filling his stomach.

He decides that the annual Wolf BBQ is less than a week away and he sets his sights on that. And his stomach. But the same reason he lives on his own away from the pack, is the same reason he fails at filling his stomach at the BBQ. He’s still not very popular among his ex wolf pack.

So it’s back to the basics. He thinks stealing sausages from the local town might do the trick. But the bridge troll has other ideas. The Three Little Pigs who skip along the paths, giggling and looking quite plump look like a tasty option. But Wolf still isn’t fit enough. What about the girl who is up and down the paths to her grandmother? But Little Red Riding Hood isn’t as innocent and cute as she seems. She’s savvy, and outwits the wolf again and again. What is a wolf to do?

The Big Bad Wolf is feeling very sorry for himself as he writes in his daily diary. He’s sad. He’s mad, and he’s still HUNGRY. Worms and louse just don’t cut it. Will he ever fill his belly?

From the actor in Bridgerton, Johnny English and dozens more movies and shows, Diary of a Big Bad Wolf is funny, clever and very entertaining.

Set out in diary format, the big bad wolf shares his life with the reader as Spring has sprung and he can finally leave his lair to find something to eat. This quest results in hilarious events which find The Big Bad Wolf still hungry and feeling quite sorry for himself. Many fairy tale characters are cleverly woven through wolf’s days as he tries everything to catch a snack.

Wolf is kidding himself however, because he might howl loudly and declare there is nothing badder out there than his mean and handsome self, but when it comes to actually killing anything – he’s all talk.

I really enjoyed the way fairy tales were woven through this funny story, but rewritten to bring new stories and personalities to the reader, all within the narrative of wolf’s ever growing hunger.

Who is the witch in the gingerbread house? Is Little Red Riding Hood’s granny really old and frail? In the rear of the book is an activity idea for children to write their own fairytale diary, which will be lots of fun.

There are illustrations throughout, lots of white space on the page, and large fun fonts, which make this novel perfect for reluctant readers or one for the quick reads shelf in libraries. 

I have enjoyed other Ben Miller middle grade novels, and this one is definitely one of my favourites.

Author – Ben Miller

Illustrations – Elisa Paganelli

Age – 7+

Find more reviews of Ben Miller novels here

(2024, Simon & Schuster, Animals, Wolf, Troll, Hungry, Food, Funny, Humour, Fairytale characters, Tricks, Plans, Kindness, Retellings, Diary format, Laugh out loud, Series)

The post Diary of a Big Bad Wolf appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

It’s not too much to ask for, is it?

When he comes upon a kingdom that hasn’t seen a dragon before, he thinks he’s made. He can’t believe they think he is a large bird. Really!!?

In this kingdom, he finds a job with Baby Bear doing deliveries. Perfect! Malc (for short) can steal things for his treasure hoard during his job, AND get paid two gold coins a week to do it!

Until… people start noticing things are missing. A spoon. A cowbell. Not to mention that Baby Bear’s accounts manager named Goldilocks has been looking at Malc funny…

A wonderful addition (No. 4) to this clever series set in the Fairytale Woods. A map in the front of the book shows where all of the Fairytale characters we know and love, live.

The three little pigs, Goldilocks, Rumpelstiltskin and more star in this Dragon Diary. This dragon discovers that following his natural dragoness is maybe not the right way to do things after all.

Author – Ben Miller

Illustrator – Elisa Paganelli

Age – 7+

Find more great reads by this author here

(2026, Simon & Schuster UK, Fairytale Woods, Series, Funny, Humour, Animals, Fairytales, Dragon, The three bears, Goldilocks, Stealing, Good vs Bad, Right vs Wrong, Kindness, Friendship)

The post Book Review – Diary of a Dreadful Dragon appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

He has confiscated many of the friend’s prank items over the years and now has the ultimate payback for all of the trouble they have caused in school.

He’s caught them in ‘prank mode’ red-handed. His threat to show it to the football teams they mercilessly pranked, leads to hours and hours of detentions and jobs around the school for the boys.

But George and Harold refuse to be beaten and have an idea to come back out on top.

The shocking and surprising result is – Captain Underpants!

Captain Underpants is back!

This hilarious character started it all, way before Dog Man, and Cat Kid.

Captain Underpants has thrilled and entertained readers for decades, and now this new full colour Manga version will enthrall a whole new generation.

The famous Dav Pilkey Flip-O-Ramas are here too, plentiful throughout this graphic novel, to add even more laughs.

Adapted by: Dav Pilkey

Illustrator – Motojiro

Age – 7+

Graphic Novel

(2026, Scholastic USA, Funny, Series, Humour, Manga, Superhero, School, Pranks, Tricks, Principal, Underwear, Writing, Illustrating, Comics, Detention, Payback, Friendship)

The post Book Review – Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga appeared first on whatbooknext.com.

One day he meets a girl called Tig who tells Cedric he is,

“…a spectacular dragon.”

They are chatting when a lizard arrives, accusing Cedric of being,

“…a pretend dragon.”

Other animals join in, making Cedric uncomfortable, despite Tig sticking up for him.

Cedric decides to leave Auckland Zoo home, with Tig along for the ride. She tells them all before he leaps into the sky with her on his back, that they don’t deserve him!

It’s not long before young zoo visitors come looking for their favourite dragon. They ask the zoo keepers where he’s gone, and all are left wondering whether he will ever return? How will they find him again?

This beautifully illustrated book will be a great read in kindys and classrooms alike.

Discussions about feelings, teasing or even bullying can be launched after reading, along with questions asked about how Cedric was treated and how he might be feeling?

The Dragon at the Zoo is a thought provoking story set in Auckland (NZ), with the Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge also starring in a dragon’s escape. New Zealand birds are here too – coming to the rescue.

Author – Melanie Koster

Illustrator – Craig Phillips

Picture Book

Find more books about Dragons here

Find more books about Feelings here

(2026, Scholastic NZ, Dragons, Animals, Bullying, Teasing, Auckland Zoo, Aotearoa New Zealand, Native Birds, Rescue)

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There is one slight glitch in his plan. The director has already cast Captain Kickbutt. Child star Spencer Daniels (aka Famous Kid) has got the part, but that’s not going to stop Max. He grabs any chance he can get to prove to the director he’s a much better fit.

In the meantime, Max’s mates are star struck by either Spencer or his entourage – Where is the loyalty? asks Max.

Still, he won’t give up. Captain Kickbutt is supposed to be funny like the comics, and everyone knows HE is Funny Kid. He sets up a brilliant prank at school (when assembly gets boring), becomes an alternate superhero (Thunderbutt), and shows Spencer Daniels and all of his fans, just who is the real superhero in their town.

FUNNY! and clever too, this episode of Funny Kid was one of my favourites yet.

Movie star hopes, cool pranks, a jewellery robbery, and superhero action…without the flying…or any actual superpowers.

Hilarious.

Author / Illustrator – Matt Stanton

Age – 7+

Read more reviews of books in the Funny Kid Series here

(2019, Harper Collins, Series, Funny, Slapstick, Friends, Loyalty, Starstruck, Pranks, Tricks, Superhero, Fame, Movie star, Humour, Crime, Mystery, Secret)

The post Funny Kid (6) Funny Kid Kicks Butt appeared first on whatbooknext.com.