Age(s): 8-12 years Pages: 5 books each with 144 Format: paperback Series: Ella Diaries Author: Meredith Costain Illustrator: Danielle McDonald
From Australia
WARNING: You are about to read my UTTERLY BIGGEST SECRETS. Can I trust you? OK then, I'm Ella, and this is my diary.
The Ella Diaries series explores the real issues girls face at school and home. Ella is resourceful, caring and real, and the writing is sharp and funny. With the requisite doodles, pros and cons lists, and just the right amount of snark, each book is it's own juicy diary.
This set contains:
- Double Dare You
- Ballet Backflip
- I Heart Pets
- Dreams Come True
- Pony School Showdown
About the Author: Meredith Costain grew up on a dairy farm on the Koo Wee Rup swamps in West Gippsland, Victoria. These days she lives in an old bluestone house with her partner, children's author Paul Collins and heaps of pets: a kelpie cross named Jack, a red heeler called Molly, Harriet the cat, seven chooks, seven goldfish and several stray possums, lizards, flying foxes, parrots and bush rats.
About the Illustrator: Danielle McDonald is a children's book illustrator living in the Southern Tablelands in NSW. Danielle also designs plush toys, bedding, homewares, furniture, apparel and more-all for kids.
Following the story, back matter activities tie into the tale, including a make-your-own haiku, draw-your-own fashion, and a prompt for a top-10 list. Among a slew of other bubblegum-hued diary hybrids, this mean-girl tale is a gentle take, just right for a younger audience hankering for a fast, frothy read. … Cute and effervescent. -- Kirkus Reviews
The illustrations and the use of lists and poetry make this a great pick for reluctant readers. -- School Library Journal
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