#BookReviews: Ariana Treasure, Book 1: The Missing Book and Book 2: The Secret Ingredient by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern (author), Karen Erasmus (illus.), Wombat Books/Rhiza Press, March 2025.
When kindness, empathy, community building, and looking after our environment all combine in a delightful new set of books for early readers… you’re gifted with the Ariana Treasure series! The most important values of caring for the people and the world around us are beautifully weaved into six fun, easy to read stories with an intuitive young girl called Ariana at the helm. Set around her Mum’s thrift shop, the Treasure Chest, Ariana navigates through problems like an explorer in search for treasure, and there’s most certainly treasure to be found in every adventure she has!
A little bit about the first two titles…
In The Missing Book, Ariana is tested when her late Grandpa’s book, her favourite book, is accidentally sold at the thrift shop to a new boy in town, Alex. The book means the world to Ariana, but Alex is not convinced to return it… until they both come up with a solution. Through clear communication and incredible kindness, the two children demonstrate how empathy and compassion can result in a great friendship.
In The Secret Ingredient, there’s an exciting food truck competition in town, and Ariana’s friends, Hunter and Jake, will be helping their parents cook up a ‘winning’ Mexican menu for a highly esteemed judge. The thrift shop is their greatest source (or sauce, rather!) of inspiration, but can Ariana help this time? It seems Ariana and her late Grandpa have all the secrets for success, even when things with the competition (and the boys’ cooperation skills) go awry. Another ‘delicious’ tale of valuing teamwork and sportsmanship in every situation.
International award-winning author, Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern pens her stories with such heart and gentle humour to keep her readers fully immersed in these enclaves of treasure; always emerging with newfound wisdoms of gold at the other end. Each short chapter embodies language that is a playful blend of simplicity, emotion, and new word discoveries to explore. These aspects are perfectly paired with the gorgeously animated illustrations by Karen Erasmus, expressively highlighting the nuances of different relationships between friends and family, old and new, and the feelings associated with those various situations.
The Ariana Treasure books, covering themes of friendship, community, resilience, courage, wellbeing, sustainability and creative thinking come highly recommended for newly independent readers, or readers who love to be read to. This series is truly a treasured gift to the world. Look out for the next set of titles coming soon!
Review by Romi Sharp.
With thanks to Wombat Books for providing complimentary copies for review.
Please find Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern at her website: HOME – de-Rose Ahern Stories and on Instagram and Facebook.
Please find Karen Erasmus on Instagram and Facebook.
The Ariana Treasure books are available for purchase through Wombat Books.
Join in the excitement with Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern and her charming Ariana Treasure, gifting readers with treasured delights across the blogosphere!
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