A tragic death. A family divided. Only truth can set them free.
Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally walks away from his wife, Jade, after twenty-five years of her adultery. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, and in despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.
Lissy is tortured by the mystery surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? And why won’t Jade talk about what happened? Despite their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to have been enduring, but sensible
Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketchbook chronicling Jade’s affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.
Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers. And watching from afar, Banjo aches as he discovers what these men meant to Jade – until Lissy’s quest reveals an explosive truth …
Being Jade is story about the passion and the bond that is hard to explain but impossible to erase from one’s mind.
Available as eBook or paperback from all major book retailers.
Riveting from the first page, the author has great story telling abilities, the descriptions were so great that you could picture what was happening and what it looked like. Loved the characters, you felt like you knew them. Can't wait to read more.
emotional, thought provoking, encouraging you to question social values
I have enjoyed reading this novel. It had suspense as it unraveled who Jade is as a person. At times I felt sorry for her whilst other times I was left sheathing at her apparent selfishness. As the ending unraveled I was left still disappointment in her. I understood her behaviour better in some aspects but I felt her pride against Banjo's incorrect assumptions was devastating. I would read a sequel.
This book is just amazing it is so hard to put the book after you read the first page. The story line feels like a real story. I'm in love with the book.
I'm supposed to post two reviews on this book one when I start it and one when I finish it but I can't. I was so enthralled with this book that I couldn't put it down, I had it read in 5 hours from front to back. The story shocked me and moved me, I even teared up at the end which was a credit to the author. The storyline was dramatic yet you believed it all and you felt it all. Simply amazing, I can't wait to read another book by the incredible Kate belle.
BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can't put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.
I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn't see coming. It's not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.
Loved this book from cover to cover. Spellbinding, intriguing, mesmerising. So well written you thought you were in the story with the characters. Heart wrenching at times.
Being Jade is a wonderful book. Kate Bell brings the characters to life so the reader really cares what happens to them. It's a book you can't puts down. It is suspenseful and interesting, I loved it and have lent it to a couple of friends who love it as well.
I lent my copy of Being Jade to a friend who loved it. She is now wanting to buy her own copy so she can re read it and then hand it on to her family members. Nice to have a positive report when recommending a book as it can be a personal thing where tast differs.
This is a suspenseful book that will test your emotions. It covers lots of contraversial topics. It is a book you will find hard to put down and overall it is a good read. The author is very talented and even though this is not my usual type of book to read, I'm glad I took the time to enjoy it.
Not my usual type of book to read but it was a good read. A well written novel by a very talented author. The book covered many emotions. I found Jade to be selfish and her morality questionable. Having said that, once I started reading I couldn't put the book down.
This was a really good read as with all by this author.
I read it in a couple of days so for me not to put it down much says it was quite good. A friend of mine and my mum have read it and also enjoyed it.
Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums.
From the start, and all the way through to the end, it captivated me, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
It's not your normal romantic novel, and can be quite brutal in describing the behaviour of Jade however, I think that is part of the appeal, what will Jade do next?
I have read this book a few times now and whenever I get others to read it, the majority have enjoyed it to.
BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can't put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.
I found this book quite sad. It dealt with some pretty dark and serious topics, death, adultery, depression, but also love. It came down to all being about love. Some of it was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable. There were some ‘if only’ moments. Jade and Banjo had great love for each other and it was really interesting going back over her extra-marital “relationships”. Not your usual love story.
After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did.
It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go
I've not come across this author before, but will definitely follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
It's an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading along each night - I had trouble putting the book down at the end of a chapter to go to bed. The author has a clever narration that makes the book flow really well.
I've not come across this author before, but will definately follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
After reading the reviews I thought I'd give this a read. I'm sure glad I did. I couldn't put it down.definitely not what I was expecting,love, drama, suspense and at times depressing. Give it a read you won't be disappointed
I just finished reading BEING JADE by Kate Belle for a second time. This novel is a really great read. Be warned however, that it is not your usual chic lit romance story. It is dark, sad and at times depressing. A love story that endures, even though it is not typical of this genre.
I borrowed this book from the library and have just finished reading it. It was captivating but I thought the story itself and the character Jade was narcissistic and sad. It left me thinking about my own life situation and it is a thought provoking book but I would prefer a book with a happy ending as for me reading is an escape, so while it is a worthwhile read, if you are looking for happy and uplifting, this isn't it.
I brought the book an don't mind it at all... I'm finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go :-)
I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn't see coming. It's not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.
I can't say I enjoyed this book. A bit abstract for me... I like books that even though they are fiction, they could be about real life situations! Banjo's character still around is not believable and also I found this book depressing. I like novels that have uplifting moments and hopefully a happy ending! Life is hard enough and I like to escape into literature!
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Article
12 Best Kids’ Lunch Boxes For School In Australia
The right lunch box helps keep little humans nourished while making life a lot easier for mums and dads! So to help you find the perfect one faster, we’ve put the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia in one handy spot.
Kids’ lunch boxes have come a very long way. No longer just plastic boxes for toting treats, they’re now durable, washable, droppable and best of all, easy for kids to use. There are heaps of different styles to choose from, and if you head to the bottom of this article, you’ll find more information on what to look for, how to choose the right one for your child, and even what to put in it!
Whether you’re after a colourful lunch box to match that new drink bottle, or a machine-washable option that saves you time, there’s something in our shortlist for every type of foodie.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to lunch box shopping, check out our comparison table below as a handy guide. (Use the bottom slider to see all brands)
The table below is a guide only. Products are subject to changes by brands.
MontiiCo
B.Box
Frank Green Lunch Container
Yumbox
Sky Gazer
Bentgo Modern
The Somewhere Co. Mini
EcoCocoon
Bright Star Kids
Stuck On You
Country Road Elysia
OmieBox
Style
Bag
Bento
Box
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Bag
Bento
Colour variations
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Material
Fabric & aluminium lining
PP & silicone
Stainless steel & silicone
ABS, tritan & silicone
Fabric & PEVA lining
BPA-free plastic
RPET & aluminium foil lining
Stainless steel & silicone
Fabric & insulation lining
BPA-free plastic
100% cotton canvas & insulation lining
Stainless steel, plastic & silicone
Start price
$42.95
$27.95
$79.95
$49.95
$34.99
$39.95
$38
$84.95
$39.95
$54.95
$59.95
$89.95
Loved forits
Roomy size & machine washable design
Custom divider
3-in-1 design
Portion-controlled sections
Unique designs
Removable sandwich divider
Shoulder strap
Dishwasher-safe parts
Personalisation
Leak-proof silicone seal
Internal name label
Storage for hot and cold food
Mouths Of Mums Kids’ Lunch Boxes Comparison Table. (The products above are featured in our shortlist below.)
How to choose the best lunch box for school
When you’re searching for a kids’ lunch box, take the time to work out what will best suit their needs. If you make the right choice and invest in a quality one, it will last many years.
Box, bento or bag? If your child doesn’t like different foods touching, a bento lunch box is a great choice. Also, think about whether they prefer cut-up or whole fruit; a bento is better suited to cut food, while bags and boxes suit whole fruit. Bags are fantastic if you like to pack separate containers, like smaller bento or snack containers.
Freshness is a must – An insulated bag or box will keep everything cool and fresh until snack and lunchtime. But you can also get boxes that come with cold and ice packs. Remember, kids’ lunches often sit at room temperature for up to 5 or 6 hours before they’re eaten, so insulation and coolness are important. Check out how to keep school lunches safe in the heat.
Easy-to-clean design – Check if the box is dishwasher-safe, or for lunch bags, if they’re machine-washable.
Leak-proof – The last thing you want is a soggy mess at lunchtime, so if buying a hard lunch box, look for designs that are leak-proof with proper seals.
Child-friendly – Depending on your child’s motor skills and independence, you may need to start with a product that’s simple to open and close.
The right size – We tend to pack way too much in our kids’ lunches, so think about how much realistically you’ll need to pack for your child when choosing the size of their lunch box. You may also need to consider the size of their school bags.
12 Best Lunch Boxes For School Kids In Australia
Ready to get back-to-school sorted? From stainless steel gems to beautiful bentos, we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to. So sit back and enjoy our curated Mom Guide of the best kids’ lunch boxes for school in Australia.
These award-winning lunch bags have sold over 200,000 units – and it’s clear to see why. The interior of each large bag measures 29cm x 23.5cm x 7.5cm, making them big enough to fit multiple containers and even many popular bento boxes. Each bag comes with an ice pack for up to eight hours of cooling – and you have a massive range of designs to choose from.
Pros:
Interior name label
Fabulous large size fits everything!
Comes with an ice pack for day-long cooling
“A vote for montii co lunch boxes, lunch bags and freezer bricks (they really do stay frozen all day!!” (Megan)
“Montii lunch bags are the best and the freezer brick can stay frozen for ages I forgot one day and it was still cold after 24hrs”(Sarah)
Tired of apples not fitting in hard lunch boxes? b.box has solved this with its flexible ‘whole fruit holder’ that bends around the fruit rather than squashing it – genius! If you’re not keen on cutting up a fruit salad every day, this multi-compartment two-litre lunch box has handy homes for everything. It also comes with a gel cooler pack (a must for Aussie summer!), and it’s freezer-safe. Choose from a range of colours.
Pros:
Leak-proof silicone seal
Comes with a gel cooler pack
The square section is big enough for a regular sandwich
“B-box lunch boxes are the best…all parts come out so you can wash them super easy! So many awesome accessories available for them too!”(Kerrie)
“BBox lunch boxes are great and they fit in the large Montiico lunch bags. As someone has said, the ice brick that comes with it is amazing too”(Tash)
“I really like the B.Box lunch boxes.”(Kendal)
“Bbox is the winner in our community on repeat.”(Mums On A Budget)
Got a Frank Green fan on your hands? This is the lunch box to match their drink bottle. It comes in a gorgeous range of colours suited to all ages and uses 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel and quality silicone lids. Monograms, bumper guards and ice bricks are all available separately.
Pros:
Leak-resistant design for mess-free travel
Comes with two microwave-safe removable containers
Customisable with your choice of bumper, ice brick and monogramming (at an additional cost)
With the option of four, five or six compartments, it’s easy to see why Yumbox Bento Lunch Boxes are such a hit with Australian kids. They feature handy, pre-measured half-cup serving compartments to help pack a healthy lunch and contain absolutely no BPA or phthalates. Pop it straight into the dishwasher on the top rack for easy cleaning.
Pros:
Top rack dishwasher-safe
Includes five half-cup sections for portion control
Sections are labelled to help parents with a balanced lunch
If your little (or not-so-little) one wants a lunch bag everyone will comment on, this is it. Available in a range of stunning designs, they come with a long and strong handle and easy-use zippers. But good looks aside, what’s winning heart about these is their capacity – they hold up to seven litres of food!
After something a bit more mature? Bentgo’s Modern lunch boxes are a great option. They have a sleek matte finish in a choice of four stylish shades, including Mint Green, Orchid, Dark Grey and Navy. Each is cleverly designed with a removable divider that allows you to choose between using three or four compartments. Even better, they are leak-proof, microwave-safe and fine to pop in the dishwasher.
Colourful and easy to carry, these bags are insulated, eco-friendly and secure. It features aluminium foil lining that keeps food fresh all day long, and it comes with top-level carry handles and a shoulder strap, which is brilliant for those days when kids have a lot to tote. Choose from a range of styles.
Pros:
Roomy and stylish
Shoulder strap makes carrying easy (and great if schoolbags are too full!)
Zip-front pocket handy for cold packs or notes from mum
Large enough for the hungriest of school kids, this stainless steel wonder has a removable silicone seal in the lid to stop thick liquids from leaking. No more soggy anything! There are five handy compartments to make sure all of the food groups are ticked off, with a large compartment perfect for sandwiches, and smaller ones for snacks.
Pros:
Dishwasher-safe
Every compartment is leak-proof
Easy to open and close (suitable for younger kids)
Practical and customisable with your child’s name, these insulated bags tick all the boxes. You have a choice of five bag colours, and from there you get to choose from a huge range of designs and fonts to personalise it! Each comes with a mesh pocket for ice bricks, a top carry handle, a secure zip closure and enough internal space to fit a medium bento box.
Pros:
Machine-washable
Internal mesh pocket for an ice brick
With their name on it, you won’t need to visit lost property!
With a leak-proof silicone seal, these colourful lunch companions keep sauces and dips right where they belong. They come with six compartments, which convert to three for easy washing on the top shelf of the dishwasher. They’re free from any nasties and customisation with your child’s name – no more lost property, yay! Choose from box colours of Matte Navy, Pink Lemonade, Dusky Blue or Seafoam Green- if you can!
Uber stylish and as roomy as can be, these contemporary bags are perfect for kids of all ages who prefer to pack several separate containers. It has a 100% cotton canvas outer, an insulated lining and comes with a super handy internal name label. Just as great for preschool as they are for high school.
Pros:
Easy-carry handle
Internal name label
Stylish design, great for kids who prefer muted shades
Finally, a kids’ lunch box that stores hot AND cold food in one place! Designed out of necessity by a problem-solving mum, the OmieBox encourages low-waste lunches and ends the need to use multiple clunky containers (which always get lost!). The spill-proof individual compartments mean no mixing of savoury and sweet, and the 280ml double-wall thermos keeps soups and pasta hot for up to six hours!
Health professionals agree that kids need a good balance of lean protein, grains, fruit and vegetables throughout the school day. Skip the processed food and try to reach for whole foods that pack a punch in the nutrient department. Here are some great ideas:
Grilled chicken or turkey wraps with fresh salad
Crackers and vegetable sticks with healthy dips like hummus
Whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes and your choice of cheese
Zucchini slice cut into rectangles for easy stacking in an insulated box
That lunchbox comparison table is handy to have. It helped me make a decision on which lunchbox to buy next for my daughter who is starting kindergarten. I needed to upgrade her lunchbox but wasn’t sure which way to go. The table helped me with my decision. I ended up going with the BBOX and have found a cheaper lunch bag from a department store that it fits in.
I do not know if anyone else has picked up on this or not, but every bag mentioned in the table above is a ‘designer’ brand. There are plenty of more affordable options that aren’t over $40. I have never spent that much on a lunchbox – even from Smiggle. The cheaper brands last just as well too.
Getting ready for the return to school has started to kick in so this was a timely read. We have the yum box and i love it, it is so easy for my daughter to open and close on her own. I find the lunch cooler bags also a great idea however some days depending on what else needs to go to school, they can be quite bulky to include in the school bag. I need to do some more research this year as i like the idea of being able to watch it in the washing machine, that is a clever idea.
Along with all of the other back to school products; there is also a good range of lunch boxes available for people to buy. It has been fun to see the wide range of bottles and lunch boxes that are available for the new year for school and for work.
Lunch boxes have come such a long way since my eldest was a kid, he’s now 26! There’s really a solution to everything from food heating, cooling, dividers, pockets etc etc. Lunch boxes are a real fashion accessory and so on-trend these days. I personally love the Bento lunch boxes. They save on plastic and separate different foods.
I am such a huge fan of Bento lunch boxes and Bento. Food should be so many wonderful things; including delicious, fun, colourful and nutritious too. Lunch is a favourite meal because the body is ready for some more calories and a boost of energy. Food looks so good in Bento lunch boxes.
So so many fantastic options! We use the montii co ones for our kdis and swear by it. Its lasted 3 years so far and still standing strong, like new since the first day using it. They are so durable and i find cleaning them to be the easiest for us.
There are so many great lunch box option out there indeed ! I’ve always liked the Bento style lunch boxes for my kids. It reduces the use of plastic lunch bags and packaged food which aren’t very good for the environment and it encourages to present a good variety of foods (which is not only better nutrition wise but lao to prevent our kids from getting bored with same foods all the time.
There are some really fabulous options here. So many variations of colour, shape and size. I love the bento style lunch boxes, so handy to keep food separate and eliminate the use of plastic packaging. The machine washable bags are a great idea too. They can get grubby so fast, this would be so much easier to maintain
This has gotten much easier since my kids hit high school – they have strong opinions about their lunch boxes, so I don’t have to think about it so much anymore! However, I am strongly in favor of bento style boxes regardless of their age. They’re easy to clean, easy to pack, and invite appropriate sized portions.
Great article! Our kids are so lucky, when it comes to lunchboxes, they really are spoilt for choice. There are so many to pick from. Regarding sandwiches, my eldest son, used to hate sandwiches for school lunches. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that he’d throw out his sandwiches in the playground bins. My son’s an adult now and he still hates sandwiches. He only likes “hot” lunches. So glad he lives on his own now and can make his own “hot” lunches just the way he likes them.
This is an extremely useful article!! 2 schppl going kids and third starting kinder soon means we are always on the lookout for lunch ideas and lunch boxes. This is a great list with features and prices listed to make the search easier and help with decision making for purchasing of the lunch boxes
This is super useful article and thank you. I can see so variety of lunch boxes from every store. Always wonder which one would be more convenient to use by little hands. I love some of these lunchboxes to give it a try for this year. And then decide to go with suitable ones
Wow, lunch boxes have really come such a long way from when I was taking a lunch box to school. Feel old, like “back in my day”, but we were lucky to have options like are available now. While I like some of these designs, I feel like they aren’t super practical.
These lunchboxes are beautiful but are they really worth the expensive price tag? I have been through so many lunch boxes and bags over the years and found the best it to use an insulated lunchbox bag with ice brick and use small containers to keep individual items fresh and assessable.
I love the bbox lunch boxes. They are so reliable and tough when kids throw their bags around. Easy to wash and store. I have used the we can be tiny snackies at home too. The boys love choosing a certain animal shape. They wash well, are durable and great quality.
My kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches and I am so happy to see the great choices they are making. They take left over meals, cook food in the morning to take and now I am confident they aren’t throwing away sandwiches! I do have the chilly bags for them, I find they fit better into bags
My daughter uses a bento box now for work and sometimes an insulated bag in summer, but when she was at school it was a rectangular lunch box with no compartments. It was very easy to wash each day, just the box and lid, and it could still be filled with rolls/sandwiches and snacks.
Lunchboxes are so important these days. Back in my day it was a brown paper bag or the exact same lunch box that everyone else had and there were three compartments. Today its such a fashion statement and as much as the lunchbox itself is judged so are the contents.
3:38 pm
Terrific book !!
Very intriguing, interesting & suspenseful book.
Loved it !! :)
10:56 am
Couldn't put it down
8:43 pm
Fantastic read. didn't want to put it down
I love a book that i cant put down because its so good and this book did that.
Fantastic
10:52 pm
A good read
I enjoyed that the story wasn't predictable.
3:28 pm
emotional, thought provoking, encouraging you to question social values
8:26 pm
Great book
2:57 pm
Amazing, enthralling and moving
7:44 am
I read it in one sitting
3:05 pm
Captivating and enthralling
6:39 pm
Fantastic Author. Well written
5:17 pm
Jade needs to be read
11:29 pm
Being read
9:56 pm
Interesting
8:12 pm
Reading Jade
8:01 pm
Overall a great book.
I read it in a couple of days so for me not to put it down much says it was quite good. A friend of mine and my mum have read it and also enjoyed it.
Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums.
1:59 pm
Being Jade
From the start, and all the way through to the end, it captivated me, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
It's not your normal romantic novel, and can be quite brutal in describing the behaviour of Jade however, I think that is part of the appeal, what will Jade do next?
I have read this book a few times now and whenever I get others to read it, the majority have enjoyed it to.
9:20 am
Great Book!
From start to finish, this book grabbed my attention and held me interested as the story unfolded.
Some of the story I could see unfolding, other bits caught me by surprise.
It’s not the usual lighthearted chic lit but rather deep and heavy.
I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
3:38 pm
Terrific book !!
Very intriguing, interesting & suspenseful book.
Loved it !! :)
7:44 am
I read it in one sitting
3:04 pm
Sad but interesting
1:07 pm
Recommended
After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did.
It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go
I've not come across this author before, but will definitely follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
10:21 pm
Being jade
I've not come across this author before, but will definately follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
11:42 am
gripping
10:04 pm
Not your typical love story
5:03 pm
I love this book!
It was emotional and heartfelt
It was cold. But inviting
I could keep writing things but I loved it so much I want to go and read it again :D
I would recommend this book to anyone
It was one of the best books I've read this year
I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it and fall in love with it
4:53 pm
Captivating & Sad
11:52 pm
NOT TOO BAD
3:05 pm
Captivating and enthralling
11:38 am
addictive
3:30 pm
Not my style of book!!
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