Proving that all good things start with a book, here are some ideas for the school holidays to suit all sorts of interests.

For Budding Writers (and Crafty Kids):

It can go either way with Andy Griffiths’ fans: either they want to build a 39-Storey Treehouse or they want to become writers like Andy. For the latter, Once Upon A Slime is full of prompts and inspiration, to encourage readers from 7 and up (way, way up) to experiment with stories and illustrations. Another neat approach is a set of Rory’s Storycubes, which come in Original, Actions or Voyages.

For crafty kids, Readings’ favourite, Iggy Peck, Architect, about a boy with BIG building ideas, now has a companion title, the equally brilliant Rosie Revere, Engineer. It might be a good idea to read these two to the kids before you let them loose with glue and scissors. Then again, it might not…

Here’s a handy article on things your budding architects and engineers can make out of boxes.

The answer to quiet downtime may be in this wildly popular colouring book, The Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book, which has been one of our bestsellers ever since it was first published.

For Masterchefs (and Backyard Buddies):

If you don’t mind letting them loose in the kitchen, this Star Wars cookbook may inspire them. There’s not too much damage they can do if they just make the ice sabers, though you might want to shove them out into the backyard once the sabers are ready to eat/fight to the death with.

And speaking of backyards…

I’m impressed that someone wrote an entire book about stuff you can do with sticks: The Stick Book! For younger readers, Tina Matthews sweet picture book, A Great Cake, perfectly captures the simple fun that kids can have when all they’ve got is a patch of dirt and a few pots and pans.

For Sport Lovers:

There are several very decent stand-alone novels or series for sports-mad children at the moment - and with grand final day approaching, a range of AFL-activity books will keep little hands occupied.

For teens The Whole Of My World is an absorbing read, while younger readers can choose from basketball (Athlete V. Mathlete), netball (Go Girls) or of course AFL (Specky Magee or Fox Swift).

For Film Buffs:

Great joy in my household this week as Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - the second of Rick Riordan’s bestselling Greek myth series to become a movie - has been rated PG. The movie opened last week and it was all I could do to prevent my nine-year-old from camping outside the cinema.

These are action-packed books, beginning with the slimmer, easier Percy Jackson stories (start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief) and moving onto the big fat Heroes of Olympus books, which keep them quiet for a bit longer. Children who like this series often want to take their interest in Greek mythology further.

Aimed at a slightly older audience (and plenty of adults too) is Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones movie, the start of her hugely successful Mortal Instruments series.

And finally, did you see the premiere of The Day My Butt Went Psycho cartoon on Channel 9 on Saturday September 21? Here’s The Age article about Andy Griffiths in case you missed it (including a great clip of Andy talking about his treehouse books).

Emily Gale