Yes yes! the celebrations are well and truly underway – as you will have detected with some recent posts 🙂 but it’s not just about the always-fantastic titles, both classic and new. It’s time for excitement and give-aways too!
Did you know that if you buy two Puffin books from participating bookstores you too can have your own Puffin water bottle? I absolutely adore mine and you can have one just like it!
Participating local-ish stores include:
Dymocks, North Lakes, Chermside & Brisbane
Harry Hartog’s, Maroochydore
But wait – there’s more! One lucky Australian school will win a mural painted by Stephen Michael King and a visit from Andrew Daddo plus class sets of Atticus von Tasticus books to mark the release of the second book in the series! The individual student who creates the winning entry will receive a signed limited edition Stephen Michael King drawing and a set of books.
What are you waiting for? Get your kiddos onto it NOW! and happy happy birthday Puffin! We love you loads!
These new Puffin collections for the younger readers in your mob are just terrific! Not so long ago I reviewed Puffin Little Cook: Snacks which took its place with our cookbooks to aid The Kid in her learning to be self-sufficient. These would be just as useful in her home school program as though her reading competence has exploded spectacularly, simpler information texts are still the ones I supply. Beautifully designed and with a format that lends itself to clear understanding of big concepts, this series will not only intrigue younger readers but will prove a valuable component in relevant classroom units.
Puffin Little Scientist: The Solar System
July 2020
ISBN:Â 9781760897031
Imprint:Â Puffin
RRP:Â $12.99
First up is this super exploration of our Solar System sectioned into easy-to-digest chapters starting with an overview and then of course details of our centrepiece, the sun. Following this, the planets are grouped together in their categories of rocky planets and gas giants concluding with a great section of fast facts. Each celestial body’s description begins with a simple fact spread and then goes onto to expand on various fascinating informational snippets.
Perfect for the budding astronomer, for your class unit on space for little ones or simply for those filled with scientific curiosity.
Puffin Little Scientist: Robotics
September 2020
ISBN:Â 9781760897680
Imprint:Â Puffin
RRP:Â $12.99
Surely one of the hottest topics in schools with both little and big kids getting into this area of science, this is going to be a real boon for the programs involving those primary kiddos (such as those at my school).
Find out exactly what is a robot, what makes them work, robots in various settings e.g. home, agriculture, fire-fighting and more, programming and a whole lot more.
Aside from the kiddos, if like me you’re a bit of a robot novice this provides a terrific, easy-to-understand and comprehensive overview of this super interesting topic.
Puffin Little Explorer: The OceanSeptember 2020
ISBN:Â 9781760897666
Imprint:Â Puffin
RRP:Â $12.99
From the heights of space to the depths of the sea, little scientists can explore underwater with this one, with facts that range from the biodiversity of the oceans to geographical features such as hydrothermal vents and seamounts. Readers will love the sections on Atlantis, the Arctic Ocean with creatures such as the narwhal (such a hugely popular creature with my students!) and additionally inspiration for protecting our precious oceans.
Again this would be a fabulous adjunct to any unit of work on the ocean as well your readers interested in the natural world.
Puffin Little Environmentalist: Composting July 2020
ISBN:Â 9781760897017
Imprint:Â Puffin
RRP:Â $12.99
And last but certainly not least, particularly in view of the popularity of being more caring and mindful in our current parlous times, this valuable volume on the ways and means of composting will be gold for either units of work or indeed, your environmental group.
Carefully explaining the science of composting including concepts such as micro-organisms and the needed components as well as big issue ideas like greenhouse gases, your young activists will jump onto this and be keen to put their new knowledge into transformative action.
I can’t tell you how impressed I am with these little books. In my experience, quality and contemporary non-fiction for our youngest readers is not always easy to come by and these with their attractive design and clear format are just fantastic additions to your shelves.
Highly recommended for curious minds from around six years upwards as well as inclusion in your classroom.
Another stunning book from Puffin as the anniversary celebrations roll out and let’s face it, Roald Dahl is a gift that keeps on giving. I know I wouldn’t be the only one to need to keep replenishing RD books as they become increasingly battered due to much borrowing and joyful reading.
This super-fun compendium of activities, facts, quizzes and games will absolutely delight any Roald Dahl fan and with holidays fast approaching (and not much chance of anyone going anywhere) could well be the perfect antidote to the dreaded “I’m borrrr-ed.”
Given that it is Roald Dahl Day during this coming week, I think I’m going to offer this up as a super give-away for our junior school kiddos and feel pretty confident that there will be much finger-crossing to be the lucky winner!!
This will make a superb gift for any small human bean of your acquaintance and if not soon then a terrific present to put away for Christmas!
It goes without saying that I highly recommend it for your avid RD fans.
Generations of children have grown up with Puffin Books and I am one of those. I was a voracious reader from the age of three but my first memory of Puffins is around my 7th birthday when I received my copy of Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass. I still have it, albeit, as you can see from the photo, it’s a little worse for wear, after many repeated readings. In the (many) ensuing years there have been many Puffins read and quite a number of those have remained firmly on my shelves.
You can well imagine my pleasure when in primary school our reading program consisted of a steady diet of Puffin books with the accompanying ‘comprehension’ activities. I didn’t need to be encouraged – I just ‘ate’ my way steadily through them all and was especially delighted with titles that I didn’t have on my home bookshelf.
Now the iconic ‘children’s branch’ of Allen Lane’s vision for books for all is turning 80 and the celebrations are happening worldwide. Read Dot Tonkin’s article about the history and the future of Puffin here.
There will be several posts around the anniversary on this blog but the first is for this gorgeous omnibus of stories from leading authors, illustrators and poets.
The Puffin Book of Big Dreams
Penguin Australia
September 2020
ISBN: 9780241438206
Imprint: Puffin
RRP: $32.99
Showcasing the work of such stellar talents as Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, Anne Fine, Jamie Littler, Jeremy Strong, Tom Fletcher, Sam Copeland, Ed Vere, Nadia Shireen along with such firm family favourites as Eric Carle, Beatrix Potter, Allan Ahlberg, Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson and Roald Dahl this is a kaleidoscope of creativity. But it’s not just about the stories, poems and illustrations as it includes quotes and anecdotes from leading scientists, actors and world leaders outlining their own dreams.
The absolutely glorious dust-jacket sparkles with all the pizzazz one would expect from such a momentous ‘party’ book and it would undoubtedly be a coveted gift either for a special little reader – or frankly, yourself!
This will be a volume into which children will dip again and again, re-visiting their favourites and one which will become a treasured memory of their childhood reading – just as my Puffin memories are :-).
With Christmas fast approaching this will make a very welcome stocking stuffer for any lucky reader. I urge you to pick up a copy and take delight in the beautiful wealth within.
Here are some personal Puffin favourites from my long-distant primary school days – but there are just so many from which to choose! As well – another still on my shelves the Laura Ingalls Wilder collection which my dear mum bought me as part of my 21st birthday gift – proving indeed that you never outgrow Puffins!
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