A Little Bookshelf

HarperCollins Publishers, Place, 1999

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-0602-3710-3

Suggested reading age: 9+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

In this lavishly illustrated book, Ms Lattimore tells the story of three Irish brothers who worked on illustrating the Book Of Kells. The brothers lived in a time invasion from Viking lords and Irish kings. Beautiful Celtic knot work and sensitive illustrations compliment the story of an artist finding his voice. 

Other books in this series: The Flame of Peace: A Tale of the Aztecs; The Prince and the Golden Axe: A Minoan Tale; Why There is No Arguing in Heaven: A Mayan Myth

DK Publishing, London, 2000

Hardback, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-0-7513-7217-5

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is the true story of Ishaq, a young boy who lived in Baghdad in the ninth century. At that time the west was struggling in the dark ages while in the east, scholars discovered and translated the works of the great Greek philosophers.  Ishaq becomes a scholar like his father and travels far to collect manuscripts for the house of wisdom. The House of Wisdom was the centre of new ideas and learning, drawing scholars from all over the works. 

I loved the glimpse into another culture and time that this book offered.  As a lover of books, I wish that I could have visited or worked in the House of Widsom.

Clarion Books, Boston MA, 2011

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 13 digits

Suggested reading age: 9+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

A young boy journeys across the desert with his father, collecting tears. The tears are pearls of sap that seep from a stunted, knotty, spiny tree when his father cuts the bark with his axe. His father knows by smelling a leaf and feeling the bark, which trees we give the best tears. The tears dry on the tree and are broken off quickly and carefully. They are used for medicines, to flavour wines and the most expensive ones are used for funerals. However, this time, the biggest tear has another destiny.

Random House Australia, Milsons Point, 2013

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-8579-8017-5

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ***

This book is one in a great new series featuring famous Australians who helped create Australia.  I'm really excited that there are such fabulous books available for young Australians to learn about their history.  As a kid I can remember being frustrated by the emphasis in books on the northern hemisphere experience.

In Meet Captain Cook, we learn about the famous explorer's life as well as his epic voyage to discover and map the east coast of New Holland.  Did you know that 58 animals went on the trip along with the rest of the crew and their supplies?

Walker Books, London, 2014

Hardcover, 40 pages

ISBN: 13 digits

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Shirley Hughes is another of my favourite author / illustrators.  Daisy Saves the Day is a good picture book for older readers curious about what things used to be like for children.  As well as a glimpse into the past, it is also a great story.  Daisy Dobbs is sent far from home by her mother to be a scullery maid.  Although Daisy works very hard, she isn't very good at housework and longs to be able to go to school again.  This could be a good book to read to kids who are having a hard time at school.  Perhaps things aren't so bad for them after all!

Candlewick Press, Massaachuesetts, 2007

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 9780763624002

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This lovely book tells the story of how the secret of silk was smuggled out of China by a young princess.  Her parents arranged a marriage for her with the Prince of a nearby desert kingdom.  She was young and did not want to leave home.  Her maid buried within her elaborate hairdo the seeds of the mulberry tree and the eggs of the silk worm so she would have something from home to comfort her.