Firewheel Press 3/10/20 Firewheel Press 3/10/20

Phil

I gave my daughter your book an hour ago..... and she just finished it!!!! The first book she had ever just sat down and read by herself!😀

PB, parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Kaye J

Pets and chaos!

Lina and Cassie are excited to take the opportunity to pet sit Gus the haughty cat when Lina’s dad says “yes” (when he didn’t realise what he was saying yes to!) From escaping through an accidentally left open window, and a frantic search for the missing Gus, to the very strange revelation of a characteristic of Gus that is as surprising as it is funny, Lina and Cassie find that trying to care for a very grumpy and disobedient cat can cause all sorts of comical outcomes. When Lina and Cassie take responsibility for all the mess created by Gus, he surprises them again and they get to enter him in the local Pet Parade.

A really fun read for young readers and grandparents to read to grandchildren, with some surprising events for two friends and a cat who only wanted to be loved! I’m sure the next adventures of Lina and Cassie and their pet sitting enterprise will be well worth reading too.

Kaye J, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Sarah

Gus Makes A Fuss is a fantastic book for confident young readers. My daughter (9yrs) loved the descriptions of the characters and their clothing and personalities. Gus is a great cat with lots to teach the girls as they care for him and learn how to be responsible! The concept of “pet sitting” really appeals to the younger reader as it's more realistic for them to imagine themselves doing this important job! We also love love love the pictures!!

Sarah, Parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Myms

Well done Ella Shine - my girls enjoyed me reading this book to them for their bedtime story :) My seven year old is madly reading all the Billie B Brown books at the moment, so definitely catered to her level and interest 😉.

Myms, Parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

C S

A fun book that my daughter and I loved reading together!

CS, Parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Kim

What a fun and easy to read book! Gus Makes a Fuss was a great book to read with my daughter. It was engaging, exciting, had a little bit of magic thrown in and a few unexpected surprises along the way! The illustrations are simply gorgeous too. We can't wait to read the next book and find out what adventures the Pet Sitters get up to next time! What a lovely series!

Kim, Parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Hannah

Usually, children's books are only entertaining for the children and not so entertaining for the older person reading them, but this book is the complete opposite. I found myself laughing at the grumpy (and honestly quite relatable) stuff Gus says multiple times! This book is a super easy and fun read. The illustrations really make the story come to life. I would definitely recommend!

Hannah, Babysitter who always needs new kids books!

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Debra Tidball

This is a great, fun, fresh chapter book for early readers, sure to appeal to kids who love friends, animals and magic (which would be a LOT of kids). With short chapters and a sprinkling of illustrations, it will easily engage a young reader. I recognised myself as a child in the longing for a pet, and a magical pet is, well... magical. I look forward to more from Ella Shine. PS I love the clever cover artwork!

Debra Tidball, Friendly author

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

J F Saxby

Cassie and Lina long to have a pet to take to the Barefoot Springs Pet Parade. When their neighbour, Bernadette, leaves her ‘grumpy fur-ball’ cat, Gus with them, they think their wish is granted. Little did they know that disasters ahead would spoil their plans—and little did they guess Gus’s surprising secret. This is an easy-to-read book, first in a series, for 5 to 10-year-old pet lovers, especially cat lovers. There are themes of friendship, family, pets, and being prepared for any eventuality, with gentle humour and delightful illustrations by Lisa Flanagan.

J F Saxby, Educator, Librarian, Parent, Grandparent, Writer

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Josephine Anne

What an adorable book! I know my grandchildren would love this. Gus is so misunderstood, like so many children are (wink). With a bit of consideration and a lot of patience, most days can have a happily ever after.

Josephine Anne Griffiths, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Alexandra

A great story that is full of adventures and surprises!

Alexandra Reeve

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Jacqui

I liked Gus Makes A Fuss. It made me laugh and think about how sad it is to be misunderstood. I couldn’t put it down. I hope I can get to read it with my nine-year-old granddaughter someday. Ella Shine has made Gus alive. I hope there’ll be more stories about him.

Jacqui, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Christine D

A good addition to the 6-9 year-old chapter book options. A quick read with vocabulary that is neither too hard (like some Roald Dahl) or too simple. They’ll learn new words and enjoy the satisfaction of reading a fun story along the way. Excellent idea to have audio options immediately available too. Also, loved the cute list of ‘pet sitting’ rules at the back. I’d happily read this to my 6-9 year-old family members or more likely, they’d read it to me.

Christine D, Aunt

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Janet

My just-turned-4 year old granddaughter listened to the whole story in one sitting. She was keen to see the illustrations, but concentrated well throughout. When her dad asked her about it 3 hours later she said, “ It was fun!”. Her description of the story focused on pet sitting, Gus' escape and the chaos he caused. She has been read many books a day since tiny and loves them, and has advanced language skills, so has already listened to other 'chapter books'. I imagine some active 4-year-olds wouldn't yet be ready for this book.

Janet, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Laura Anne

We had fun reading this together as a family but I also think this would be a perfect first chapter book for a newly independent reader. Engaging text and a great premise sure to delight. Think 'Baby Sitters Club Little Sister' meets 'Zoe's Rescue Zoo'.

Laura Anne, Parent

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Katrina Roe

It's hard to find books for emerging readers (5-8) and this is a fun book to read together. My 8-year-old loved it and is keen to read more in the series. Wishing for a pet is a common experience for kids and this series allows kids to learn about caring for a range of different animals and to understand the challenges and responsibilities of pet ownership.

Katrina Roe, Radio Announcer, Parent, Author

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Robyn

It's all fun and games until somebody loses the cat! This delightful tale of fun and frolics is purr-fectly paced for younger readers. Join Cassie and Lina as they begin their pet-sitting adventures with Gus, the most interesting cat encountered in children's literature since Garfield, and with significantly more substance.

Robyn, Primary school educator, Librarian

Firewheel Press 2/10/20 Firewheel Press 2/10/20

Nanny Anny

I loved the book. I loved the descriptive language. I loved the talking cat. I think it would really appeal to children. It's fun to read so adults should enjoy reading it to children. The illustrations are cute.

Nanny Anny, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 25/9/20 Firewheel Press 25/9/20

B.E. grandparent, librarian

Miss 8, one of my granddaughters, loved reading this with me. We only made it to chapter 4 before she had to go home, but we're keen to finish it off next visit. (I did read ahead alone though...ssshhhh, don't tell her!) She really enjoyed it: giggled at the funny bits, loved picking out story details captured in the illustrations (figuring out which girl is Lina and which is Cassie, Gus' tail knocking over the pencil cup on his way out the window). The map at the beginning of the book really captured her attention before we even started reading, and she spent quite some time reading what all the buildings were and getting her bearings. Looking forward to seeing her responses when we finish it together. I promise I won't give away the ending!

B.E. Librarian, Grandparent

Firewheel Press 25/9/20 Firewheel Press 25/9/20

Zoe, parent

You know you are onto a good thing when your son’s, (who is older than the intended audience) reading of the book is punctuated by sighs and sudden exclamations. It’s got to be engaging when your six-year-old begs you to read “One more chapter” before she goes to bed. And you know it’s definitely fun when your 4-year-old wants to pore over all the pictures.

Zoe, Parent

I gave my daughter your book an hour ago..... and she just finished it!!!! The first book she had ever just sat down and read by herself!😀

PB, parent

Pets and chaos!

A really fun read for young readers and grandparents to read to grandchildren, with some surprising events for two friends and a cat who only wanted to be loved! I’m sure the next adventures of Lina and Cassie and their pet sitting enterprise will be well worth reading too.

Kaye J, Grandparent

Sarah, Parent

Well done Ella Shine - my girls enjoyed me reading this book to them for their bedtime story :) My seven year old is madly reading all the Billie B Brown books at the moment, so definitely catered to her level and interest 😉.

Myms, Parent

A fun book that my daughter and I loved reading together!

CS, Parent

Kim, Parent

Hannah, Babysitter who always needs new kids books!

Debra Tidball, Friendly author

J F Saxby, Educator, Librarian, Parent, Grandparent, Writer

What an adorable book! I know my grandchildren would love this. Gus is so misunderstood, like so many children are (wink). With a bit of consideration and a lot of patience, most days can have a happily ever after.

Josephine Anne Griffiths, Grandparent

A great story that is full of adventures and surprises!

Alexandra Reeve

I liked Gus Makes A Fuss. It made me laugh and think about how sad it is to be misunderstood. I couldn’t put it down. I hope I can get to read it with my nine-year-old granddaughter someday. Ella Shine has made Gus alive. I hope there’ll be more stories about him.

Jacqui, Grandparent

Christine D, Aunt

Janet, Grandparent

We had fun reading this together as a family but I also think this would be a perfect first chapter book for a newly independent reader. Engaging text and a great premise sure to delight. Think 'Baby Sitters Club Little Sister' meets 'Zoe's Rescue Zoo'.

Laura Anne, Parent

Katrina Roe, Radio Announcer, Parent, Author

Robyn, Primary school educator, Librarian

I loved the book. I loved the descriptive language. I loved the talking cat. I think it would really appeal to children. It's fun to read so adults should enjoy reading it to children. The illustrations are cute.

Nanny Anny, Grandparent

B.E. Librarian, Grandparent

Zoe, Parent

#petsittersbooks