Flubby Will NOT Take a Bath (#4) by J. E. Morris

06 Mar 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 21 September 2021Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

It’s time for Flubby to take a bath, but the fussy feline won’t get in the water. Bubbles, shampoo, and even a toy cannot convince the cat to get clean. Kami is determined to get the job done, though–even if she has to get creative!

Flubby has returned with another adventure as Kami tries to give him a bath.

There are a lot more elements than in previous Flubby books. More trial and error, more opportunity to see our little Flubby’s expressions and apprehensions. Toys and the lure of bubbles aren’t enough to get Flubby into the bath and I enjoyed seeing Kami try to get Flubby into the tub.

The usual layout of words and pictures is great as we see idea opposite execution and the simple sentences bringing an amazing dead pan vibe to the whole book. I loved the little joke at the end, and as always the illustrations are divine so the extra addition after the final page is gorgeous.

Once again, these books a relatable to anyone who has a cat or any pet who is sneaky enough to escape needing a bath even when it’s for their own good. But they are also fun books to read if you don’t have a pet like this as Flubby is a great character and brings so much to the page with a simple look or flop upon the ground. It’s also good to see I’m not the only person who tries to reason with their pet when you need them to do something or cooperate.

You can purchase Flubby Will NOT Take a Bath via the following

Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

 Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

 

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold

05 Mar 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Audiobook, Young Adult Tags: , , , , ,

Published: 1 April 2017 (print)/16 November 2017 (audio) Goodreads badge
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab/HighBridge Audio
Pages: 200/5 hrs and 19 mins
Narrator: Amy Melissa Bently
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
★   ★   ★ – 3.5 Stars

When Nina Faye was fourteen, her mother told her there was no such thing as unconditional love. Nina believed her. Now she’ll do anything for the boy she loves, to prove she’s worthy of him. But when he breaks up with her, Nina is lost. What is she if not a girlfriend? What is she made of? Broken-hearted, Nina tries to figure out what the conditions of love are.

A lot has been said about the contents of this book but while it is confronting at times, it’s real. It’s about real experiences and while it’s not a manual or a how to guide for how every girl will live or act, it’s honesty about the mess of growing up and the battle against society, family, and yourself is important.

Nina’s journey to finding herself and undoing the damage of the lessons she was taught by her mother, about what she’s told to do and say by her boyfriend is empowering. There’s always time to learn and to change. Nina proves you are the captain of your own ship and you can steer your life into whichever direction you choose.

Love is at the centre of the book and the complicated relationship Nina has with her mother is woven through the story and a catalyst for many of her actions. For a short read there is a lot of story to digest. Arnold doesn’t glorify or exaggerate but there is a collection of emotional and traumatic experiences that the characters experience so it’s clear it isn’t for everyone.

It is a hard book to explain in words but the teen experience is laid out in full detail. The narrative explores sex, abortion, animal death, the raw emotion of growing up, the hypocrisies of society, and the expectations of girls. And as hard as it was to read at times, the honesty and seeing familiar emotions, reactions, and experiences on the page was reaffirming. I truly believe every girl has had a burning fire of anger inside her from a young age and it’s no wonder why when you see what we’re up against.

I will admit I rarely read authors notes, but given my experience of this book it was only right to read what the author had to say about it. It’s a great addition because in simple terms Arnold lays out that are young girls we are often acutely aware of how unpleasant it is being a girl. Our bodies do weird and gross stuff as it develops and long afterwards. We are constantly told how to be and how to act, how we can’t be unpleasant or imperfect, our body must look a certain way, we must act a certain way, and any deviation is mocked, repulsed, and shamed. All of which can contract what we want to do and how we want behave and worst of all it can warp our own sense of joy when we do try and embrace girlhood.

It was refreshing to see a story that breaks down that sometimes it’s hard and absolutely sucks to be a girl, as it does to be human. As a human, girls should be allowed to exist in whatever way they want and seeing a great flawed, messy character like Nina break through the bonds of what women should be and find herself was refreshing.

You can purchase What Girls Are Made of via the following

 Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

Blogiversary Winner!

26 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in Giveaway Tags: , , ,

An image of a brown cartoon owl with a top hat holding a purple balloon with the words Giveaway Winners! underneath. To the left of the owl is a set of three balloons - red, blue, and green - with two champagne glasses and a bottle, leaning on a present. There is a rainbow bunting along the top with a trio of balloons - red, purple, and green - in the centre with streamers hanging down.

The time has come to announce the winner of my blogiversary giveaway! Thank you to those who entered despite Rafflecopter doing the dirty on us.

I will hopefully have a solid system up and running for next year, but in the meantime I have added all your names into a random generator to draw the winner.

I am pleased to announce that the winner is

Rohan87

 

The winner has been notified by email.

Congratulations!

Flubby will NOT Play with That (#2) by J. E. Morris

20 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 15 April 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Flubby, the lovably lazy feline, embarks on his next non-adventure

When Kami brings home a bag full of toys for Flubby, the uninterested cat isn’t enthusiastic about the choices. A wind-up mouse? No thanks. A fish hanging from a stick? Yawn. But after Flubby rejects each offering, one unexpected option may be the best fit for Flubby after all.

The charming illustrations, simple text, and comic-like panels by J. E. Morris, author-illustrator of the Maud the Koala books, make this a unique format with a narrative style perfect for storytime and progressing readers.

Flubby returns with Kami trying to give him a nice big bag of new toys to play with. In true Flubby fashion it has very little success. What I enjoy is they are all cat based toys. This isn’t a story trying to make a cat play with unsuitable things, but Morris has captured the disinterest and attitude of a cat very well.

The illustrations are delightful once more. I loved how we get to see a lot of Flubby’s emotions and thoughts through simple facial expressions, and a solid cat stare manages to say so much.

The text and story is basic, ideal for those learning to read, but it is also comically funny and the short sentences manages to bring possibly unintentional humour to poor Kami’s situation. Seeing the hope slowly turn into uncertainty turn into disappointment that all of the toys bought Flubby won’t play with. The twist at the end is well known and expected but it is still fun to see. I have become quite fond of Flubby and wish only the best for him. Spoil him with all the things!

You can purchase Flubby will NOT Play with That via the following

 Dymocks | Booktopia

 Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Flubby Does NOT Like Valentine’s Day by J.E. Morris

06 Feb 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 26th December 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Penguin
Illustrator: J. E. Morris
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Flubby, the cute but aloof cat, is not a fan of Valentine’s Day!

Kami wants to give Flubby a gift for Valentine’s Day. But cats can’t read cards, and flowers make Flubby sneeze! Can Kami find the perfect present for her pal?

Once we get Flubby into the holidays the stories falter a little, but the sentiment is still there, as is Flubby’s Flubbyness. I love that Flubby doesn’t need any gifts, and like we see with the toys in previous books, Flubby is a cat of simple means. However Kami still wants to shower him with love because she loves him so much, which is something all pet owners can relate to.

I loved the ending, Morris always manages to wrap up each book with a simple scene or line that encapsulates everything and this book is no different. As Kami tries to shower Flubby with gifts it’s soon discovered that sometimes simple is best.

The illustrations are still cute but there are a lot more close ups and dramatics. There is something to be said about the formulaic structure of previous books but this one works just fine.

You can purchase Flubby Does Not Like Valentine’s Day via the following

Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Amazon | Amazon Aust

 

 

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