Arnold the Prickly Teddy by Kym Lardner

Prickly fur is definitely not a teddy bear's best asset, it endears you to no-one, so it seems. Arnold sits day after day gathering dust  in a toy shop in the midst of the fast-selling pink and softer variety of ted. Despite a price reduction, he still doesn't sell and finds himself unceremoniously tossed into a rubbish skip. Luckily, after almost two days of lying among broken toys and wrapping paper, a small had reaches up and liberates Arnold, and his life suddenly takes a turn for the better. This is a heart-warming story that really illustrates the power of love. Kim Lardner has a straight-forward engaging writing style and his huge, detailed and very colourful drawings bring the text to life. 

Kym spends a lot of time touring around and entertaining children with his story-telling, illustrations and songs. He came to Illawarra Primary School a few years back when I was teaching there, and I think I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed another performance as much as his.

If you would like to hear Kim Lardner and appreciate his sense of humour, click on the following link:

http://www.summerreadingclub.slq.qld.gov.au/archive/src08_09/listen_to_kym_lardner

The Simple Truth About Love by Bradley Trevor Greive

If you enjoyed Greive's The Blue Day Book, you will most like enjoy this little book too. In fact, there are quite a number of his books in our little classroom library now. They are great for lifting the spirits and can be read within one of two quiet reading sessions. The black and white photos along with the quirky texts will bring a smile to your face.

The Man Who Loved Boxes by Stephen Michael King

The man had a son. The son loved the man and the man loved the son. This beautifully illustrated hard back picture book is well worth the visit. It examines a very unusual relationship between a father and his son. It is all about how love can be communicated in many another ways apart from words. With all its charming simplicity it gently tackles a quite complete theme; father son relationships. It is both a whimsical and wise story. This is one of the most beautiful and moving books in the Little Library of Rescued Books. The book was first published in 1995 and won the Autralian Family Therapist's Award and was also shortlisted for the Chricton Award for Children's Book Illustrations.

Love Me, Love Me Not by Libby Gleeson

This one's for all those who love a little bit of romance or exploring those complex feelings that come with growing up. Crushes, love at first sight, friendship that may become something more all these ideas are explored in this collection of nine stories. There are ten individuals, all students in year 8, whose stories are woven together to create something more than a simple collection. From loving self to loving another person, all are struggling with growing emotions.