Readings staff customerservice@readings.com.au http://www.readings.com.au/feed/collection/top-10-children-s-books 2007-11-12T23:22:51Z 9781905654345 <p>Now in a Special Trade Demy Paperback Edition. An electrifying debut novel of a young woman's love for a vampire. In spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella. Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility makes her feel almost physically ill. He seems determined to push her away - until, that is, he saves her life from an out of control car. Bella will soon discover that there is a very good reason for Edward's coldness. He, and his family, are vampires - and he knows how dangerous it is for others to get too close.</p> 9781905654369 <p>Now in a Special Trade Demy Paperback Edition. The third book in the New York Times bestselling vampire romance series that has developed a cult following among teens. Readers captivated by TWILIGHT and NEW MOON will eagerly devour ECLIPSE, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?</p> 9781905654352 <p>Now in a Special Trade Demy Paperback Edition. The dramatic sequel to TWILIGHT, following the tale of Bella, a teenage girl whose love for a vampire gets her into trouble. I stuck my finger under the edge of the paper and jerked it under the tape. 'Shoot,' I muttered when the paper sliced my finger. A single drop of blood oozed from the tiny cut. It all happened very quickly then. 'No!' Edward roared... Dazed and disorientated, I looked up from the bright red blood pulsing out of my arm - and into the fevered eyes of the six suddenly ravenous vampires. For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of an evil vampire but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realise their troubles may just be beginning...</p> 9780761152514 <p>Published last November, Gallop! introduced the amazing technology called Scanimation and took the children’s book world by storm. An instant bestseller, it currently has over 1.2 million copies in print. Now introducting Kick! which does for kids what Gallop! does for animals - a boy rides a bike, a girl kicks her soccer ball, a swimmer cuts through the water, and a skater pirouettes on ice. The effect is joyous, magical, mesmerising, and perhaps even more compelling than Gallop! because of the endless fascination that children fi nd in watching other children. The second book created by Rufus Butler Seder, Kick! bursts with activity, with happy, rhyming text that captures in words the pure energy of the fi gures in motion. You can’t put it down.</p> 9780670072392 <p>As everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes...</p> <p>From two of the most gifted picture book creators of our time, here is a celebration of baby fingers, baby toes and the joy they - and the babies they belong to - bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world!</p> <p>Alexa Dretzke's, Picture Book of the week, Readings Hawthorn</p> 9780670072019 <p>Bestseller Graeme Base harks back to his classic bestselling solve-the-mystery story The Eleventh Hour in an all-new book that will “puzzle” and entice young readers.</p> <p>'Don't worry,' Bertie said at once. 'I'll solve this, have no fear, For magic things that vanish almost always reappear. . .'</p> <p>Bertie loves to visit the Retirement Home for Elderly Magicians and watch his grandpa perform magic tricks. But one day all the magicians' props go missing, so Bertie sets off to investigate. . .</p> <p>Can he solve the mystery in time to save the show?</p> <p>You can help Bertie find all the missing things. And there's a special magic panel at the back of the book - if you can unlock it, you will reveal all the mysteries of Enigma. Good luck!</p> <p>Graeme Base, creator of Animalia and many bestselling and beloved books for children, conjures up an inventive, irresistible tale.</p> <p>About the Author</p> <p>Graeme Base is one of the world’s leading creators of picture books. His alphabet book, Animalia, received international acclaim when it was first published in 1986 and has sold more than two million copies. Graeme lives in Melbourne, Australia.</p> 9781741755398 <p>Did you know that in Italy a kindly old witch called <i>Le Befana</i> delivers presents to the children? That in Holland Saint Nicholas arrives by steamboat in November? And that here in Australia we have some weird and wonderful traditions of our own?<br /> <br /> Christmas is celebrated in many ways around the world, and this book is full of interesting and surprising facts about how it's done. Roland Harvey has loads of stories to tell, easy and delicious Christmas recipes to prepare, and clever ideas for making thoughtful, eco-friendly presents and decorations.<br /> <br /> There's so much to keep you busy in the <i>Big Book of Christmas</i>, and when everyone is together on the big day, you can put on a puppet show, play some excellent games, and belt out your favourite Christmas carols!</p> 9780330424639 <p>I believe in Chloe and chocolate. I believe the best part is always before. I believe that most girls are shifty and most guys are dumb. I believe the more you spill, the less you are. I don't believe in life after death or diuretics or happy endings. I don't believe anything good can come from this.</p> <p>Riley Rose doesn't want to be at Spirit Ranch Holiday Camp. Riley wants to be partying with her best friend Chloe at the beautiful Ben Sebatini's house. She has a plan to get away from the jumpsuit-wearing counsellors, the feel-good mantras, do-gooder campers and the monotonous schedule of team-building exercises and outdoor activities.</p> <p>But is everything at the Spirit Ranch as it appears? What secrets are waiting for discovery in the abandoned Fraser house? And why doesn't anyone want to talk about the accident that landed the mysterious Dylan in a wheelchair last year?</p> <p>Everything Beautiful – a love story about the broken and the broken-hearted.</p> 9780975770887 <p>Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly’s famous song has here been turned into a beautiful picture book. Featuring the background story to the lyrics and the lovely artwork of Peter Hudon and children from Guringji country in the Northern Territory, this is a title that will appeal to adults and children alike.</p> 9781846468964 <p>The perfect first book for young children interested in the world they see around them. Packed with real questions children have wondered about, such as 'Why is the sky blue?' and 'What do birds say when they sing?', it also contains exciting flaps to lift and tabs to pull that reveal the child-friendly answers, encouraging hours of fun and discussion.</p>