Family Beat

Sage Cookson’s – Sweet Escape – Book Review

Written by: Sally Murphy Illustrated by: Celeste Hulme Published by: New Frontier Publishing Age: 7 – 11 years of age

Sage Cookson series:   ‘Sage Cookson is a ten-year-old with a pretty different lifestyle.  Her parents are television chefs with, unsurprisingly, a passion for food.  They spend a lot of their time travelling Australia, and the world, sampling the food, learning new cooking…

Figgy and the President – Book Review

Written by: Tamsin Janu

Published by: Omnibus Books an imprint of Scholastic Australia Age: 8-12yrs of age

‘Figgy and Nana love to talk about their future.  Nana wants to be the President of Ghana. 

Deciding on a career isn’t as easy for Figgy.  Then she gets the role of a lifetime as an actress in a film.

But when Figgy’s mama arrives, sick and expecting a baby, and Nana’s father takes him…

Princess Parsley – Book Review

Written by: Pamela Rushby

Published by: Omnibus Books an imprint of Scholastic Australia Age: 9+ years of age

‘Could there possibly be anything more absolutely, mega embarrassing than being called Parsley? You bet.  Parsley’s dad decides to set up his own principality, making twelve-year-old Parsley… Princess Parsley.

But it’s the way Parsley approaches being a princess that really causes a…

Wild Science – Sleepover Party Mega Kit – Review

WILD SCIENCE is a range of collectible science kits with attitude! They are designed to have a great play value while exploring important scientific concepts and skills.

The Wild Science ‘Sleepover Party Kit’ includes 3 kits in 1!  A combination of our Perfume, Bath Bombs and Bracelets kits. A lot of fun that comes in a BIG box!

1. Mould your own Bath Bombs 2. Design your own Fashion Bracelets 3.…

My StudioGirl – Make-Your-Own Travel Buddies (Bunny) – Review

‘Sew a Travel Buddy, her teddy bear, blanket and pillow.

This kit comes with a portable mini suitcase tin so you can take your Travel Buddy wherever you go. Decorate her suitcase tin with adorable travel stickers. Includes two child-safe needles, pre-cut felt and pre-punched holes for easy sewing.

A fun and easy way to learn basic stitches. Collect them all!’

Review:

What’s included:

– Felt…

Trouble and the Missing Cat – Book Review

Written by: Cate Whittle Illustrated by: Stephen Michael King Published by: Omnibus Books an imprint of Scholastic Australia Age: 7 – 10 years of age

‘Trouble is in trouble at Georgia’s school. He has been banned from coming any more. He did a vertical landing in the playground and broke all the asphalt, and there are those burn marks on the oval … And then Georgia has to solve the mystery of…

WIN Beauty Prize from Ozsale

Win 1 x of 3 beauty prize pack from Ozsale valued at $70.00. The prize pack includes Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter and St Tropez Instant Glow tan which will leave your skin looking and feeling fresh and incredible.   Your skin will look and feel incredible with the Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter and St Tropez Instant Glow Tan.

Ozsale is Australia’s No. 1 members only shopping club which…

WIN a Fly Babee

Fly Babee is the world’s first multi purpose sleep cover to address the needs of travelling with a baby. Fly Babee clips onto any stroller or in flight bassinet. Fly Babee is 100% breathable, UPF 50+ and blocks out 97% of the light.

It’s great for parents who want to maintain their lifestyle whilst sticking to their baby/toddlers sleep routine. It’s also great for travelling or walks/jogs with…

Canvas Factory – Review

The Canvas Factory offers you the opportunity to turn your best memories into masterpieces on canvas wall art! They offer gallery wrapped canvas wall art for hanging on your walls or standing up on your desk. Any image you have in digital form can be printed out to create a piece of wall art near and dear to your heart.

We got to check out how easy it is to order your own canvas from The Canvas…

How Can Parents Help Kids Become Strong Readers

By Ryan Spencer, Dymocks Literacy Expert and State Director of the Australian Literacy Educator’s Association

Did you know that developing a strong interest in books at an early age is one of the strongest predictors of reading and learning success later in life?

As parents, our job is to encourage and support our children to be strong, resourceful and confident readers.

However, it can be…

Ella and Olivia – #17 Zoo Rescue – Book Review

Written by: Yvette Poshoglian Illustrations by: Danielle McDonald Published by: Scholastic Australia

‘Ella and Olivia are going to the zoo! But when a cheeky penguin gets into mischief, can the girls lend a helping hand?’

Review:

This is a cute little series that is aimed at the 5+ reader.  It has plenty of black and white illustrations, large text font and short chapters to help break up the…

EJ12 Girl Hero – #21 EJ Shines! – Book Review

Written by: Susannah McFarlane Illustrations by: Dyani Stagg Published by: Scholastic Australia

‘A1, the Head of the SHINE Agency has uncovered a secret laboratory that uses animals for cosmetic testing.  But now she is missing.

Special Agent EJ12 needs to find A1 and shut down the cruel laboratory – before it’s too late…

That’s the easy part.  As EJ12, Emma Jacks can do anything. 

So why does…

Crayola Colour Alive – Review

This product review brought to you by Nuffnang and Crayola.

We got to trial the Crayola Colour Alive colouring books. These are no ordinary colouring books, they actually come alive!

It’s really cool, even my husband got in on the action as he is into anything that uses technology. My boys particularly loved the Avengers and Mythical Creatures books.

First you colour in the pages, then you use…

Sanitarium’s Little BIG DASH is returning to Australia for 2016, offering an exhilarating obstacle adventure which puts the fun into physical activity for more than 20,000 kids and their parents.

Family teams from two to six will tackle 3km of wild and wacky obstacles to reach the finish line, forming part of Sanitarium’s long-standing mission to help Australian families improve their health and…

Noosa Gallery School Holiday Fun

Wednesday 29 June

5-8yrs 10.30 – noon 9-12yrs 1.30 – 3pm $8.00 per child

The adventures of Noosa Native Animals Painting and drawing workshops

Tell you own story about the Noosa River and the animals that make it home. Use symbols that are unique to the Gubbi Gubbi people to tell your story through your pain ng and drawing.

Thursday 30 June

Skate Deck Workshops with Brisbane Street artist +…

SeaLife Mooloolaba School Holiday Fun

FIND DORY AT SEA LIFE MOOLOOLABA’S NEW CORAL COVE THESE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

SEA LIFE Mooloolaba invites families to come along and ‘Find Dory’, the forgetful fish featured in Disney·Pixar’s latest comedy adventure film, in the all-new Coral Cove display these June/July school holidays, as well as enjoy a host of other exciting attractions at the family-favourite Sunshine Coast aquarium.

To celebrate…

Noosa Fair Shopping Centre School Holiday Fun

Noosa Fair Shopping Centre will host FREE school holiday activities this month.

The Centre, located on Lanyana Way Noosa Junction will host Sand Art Workshops on Tuesday June 28, Thursday June 30 and Saturday July 2, from 10am to 1pm.

Kids can also enjoy free face painting on Monday July 4, Wednesday July 6 and Friday July 8, from 10am to 1pm.

For more information on these activities please…