Summer reads are here! 11 must-have books for parents and kids

Posted in Entertainment and Technology.
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Sometimes summer break is the only time you get the chance to have a relaxing read, and the kids always love the time they spend poring over a beautiful picture book with their parents. If you’re looking for fun and helpful books as gifts for the kids or yourself these holidays, you won’t want to miss these essential summer reads.

6 must-have books for kids

Dymocks kids books

1. Bluey: The Beach

This interactive book is a must-have for little ones these holidays! When Bluey discovers a beautiful shell at the seashore, it leads to a series of encounters that excite and test her in unexpected ways. Bluey: The Beach is an award-winning lift-the-flap book that features our favourite blue heeler on a day out at the beach.

2. What We’ll Build by Oliver Jeffers

Picture books are one of the great joys of childhood and What We’ll Build is no exception. What We’ll Build sees a father and daughter set about laying the foundations for their life together. Using their own special tools, they get to work; building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe, and love to keep them warm. Oliver Jeffers is known for his beautiful and heartfelt stories for kids; this story about a parent’s boundless love is ideal for parents and kids to read together this summer.

3. Back To Sleep by Zoë Foster Blake

The tables are turned in this playful story! In Back To Sleep, little Finn is looking forward to drifting off to sleep in his cosy warm bed, when Mummy appears wanting a drink. Finn resettles her and has just fallen asleep, when he’s woken again – this time by Daddy, who’s had a bad dream. And so it goes. Just when Finn has one parent back to sleep, the other wakes up! When will these two sleep through the night? Kids and parents will both enjoy this bedtime tale that celebrates the ups and downs of family life.

4. Be Your Own Man by Jessica Sanders

Every child deserves to feel free to express their emotions and be completely themselves. Be Your Own Man encourages boys and men to embrace their vulnerability and put their hand up for help. By the award-winning author of Love Your Body, this book is essential reading for kids and parents.

5. Gods, Goddesses and Heroes by Marzia Accatino

From monster-slaying heroes to ancient accounts of gods and goddesses from all around the world, such as Thor and Odin, the beautifully illustrated Gods, Goddesses and Heroes is a fun and fascinating journey through the realms of mythology, with enthralling tales of creation, legendary fables, gods and beasts. Ideal for introducing your child to the world of gods, goddesses and heroes.

6. The Australian Women’s Weekly Kids’ Cookbook Volume 2 

These easy-to-make recipes will have aspiring young chefs bursting to get into the kitchen to whip up something delicious to eat. This book will show kids how to make simple breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners for the family, plus cakes, biscuits and desserts, too.

The Australian Women’s Weekly Kids’ Cookbook Volume 2 is the ideal source for getting the kids in the kitchen this summer.

5 fun and helpful reads for you

Dymocks adults books

1. The Wrong Girl by Zoë Foster Blake

Lily needs a break. A man break. She hadn’t exactly meant to sleep with her friend, Pete, and she certainly hadn’t expected him to confess his love – for another girl – the next morning. If men were going to behave like such pigs, well, she’d happily take some time out. It’s only when Lily accepts that good things don’t always come to those who wait and takes a leap into the great unknown that life starts making sense. 

The Wrong Girl by everyone’s favourite, Zoë Foster Blake, is the fun beach read you’ve been looking for.

2. Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

32-year-old Nina Dean is a successful food writer with a loyal online following, but a life that is falling apart. When she uses dating apps for the first time, she becomes a victim of ghosting. Not only that, her beloved Dad is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia, and she’s starting to think about ageing and the gendered double-standard of the biological clock. On top of this, she has to deal with her mother’s desire for a mid-life makeover and the fact that all her friends seem to be slipping away from her.

Ghosts is funny, relatable and filled with observations about relationships and the way we live today.

3. The Godmothers by Monica McInerney 

The Godmothers follows Eliza, the only daughter of a troubled young mother. Growing up in Australia, Eliza had the constant support of two watchful godmothers, Olivia and Maxie. Despite her tricky childhood, she always felt loved and secure. Until, just before her eighteenth birthday, a tragic event changed her life.

Thirteen years on, Eliza is deliberately living as safely as possible and avoiding close relationships, when an enticing invitation from her godmothers prompts a leap into the unknown. Amidst the chaos, Eliza begins to blossom. She finds herself not only hopeful about the future, but ready to explore her past, including the biggest mystery of all – who is her father?

4. Worry-Proofing Your Anxious Child by Bev Aisbett

If your child is often clingy, seeks reassurance, invents illnesses, avoids interactions, avoids trying new things, becomes emotional over minor upsets, is afraid to sleep alone, is reluctant to go to school, or is scared of numerous things … then anxiety could be an issue for them. Commonly, a child experiencing anxiety doubts themselves, lacks confidence and becomes easily overwhelmed. So how do you best help them?

From Australia’s bestselling anxiety expert, Bev Aisbett, comes Worry-Proofing Your Anxious Child; a calm, clear, commonsense and reassuring guide to help parents (and teachers) of anxious children. 

5. Dinner’s Done by Sally Obermeder and Maha Corbett

Sally Obermeder and Maha Corbett have come up with a system that will minimise the amount of time you spend preparing food each week. Dinner’s Done explains how you can spend just two hours in the kitchen, tops, and at the end of it you’ll have all your weeknight meals cooked for the whole family.

Each week includes a dinner cooked in the slow cooker, on the stove top and in the oven, and a big hearty salad too, all using the season’s freshest and most delicious ingredients. They’ve also included shopping lists to make your life even easier. 

Win the whole lot!

Thanks to Dymocks, you can win all the best books for parents and kids this summer! 

Included in the prize pack are the following titles:

  • Bluey: The Beach (RRP $14.99)
  • What We’ll Build (RRP $24.99
  • Back To Sleep (RRP $14.99)
  • Be Your Own Man (RRP $24.99
  • Gods, Goddesses and Heroes (RRP $26.99)
  • The Wrong Girl (RRP $22.99)
  • Ghosts (RRP $32.99)
  • The Godmothers (RRP $22.99)
  • Worry-Proofing Your Anxious Child (RRP $22.99)
  • Dinner’s Done (RRP $29.99)
  • The Australian Women’s Weekly Kids Cookbook (RRP $34.99)

Total value = $273.89

Enter Babyology’s massive 12 Days of Christmas prize bonanza and give yourself and the kids the gift of reading this summer!

WIN! 12 Days of Christmas prize pack worth over $5,000!
 

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