With her internationally best-selling series, Rachel Renée Russell has created for girls what Jeff Kinney did for boys with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Nikki Maxwell, Queen of the Dorks, is back in a brand new instalment of the internationally bestselling series, now with 13 million copies in print worldwide.
After a bump on the head, Nikki has a wild dream in which she, her BFF’s Chloe and Zoey, her crush Brandon, and mean girl Mackenzie all end up playing the roles of some familiar classic fairy tale characters.
Will Nikki’s dream turn into a nightmare?
Find out more about DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK here.
Available as eBook or paperback from your prefered book retailer.
My 9 year old daughter got this book for her birthday and she absolutely loved it. It was read within a week, she loved it that much! Reading is very important, so as a mum The Dork Diaries is a great series of books, that also makes reading lots of fun. I highly recommend The Dork Diaries.
My daughter and I knew of the Dork Diaries but, had never read one before. Miss Eight started reading right away and didn't want want to put the book down. I got told that yes she was enjoying the book, it was great and could I please stop interrupting so she could keep reading! I'd say this book is a winner!
The newest Dork Diaries book is a big hit with my 11yr old!!
This book just turned up an hour ago and I think the photo says it all about how excited my 11 year old daughter is to have the NEWEST Dork Diaries book in her hot little hands!
She hasn't put the book down since I handed it over, is almost half way through and this is what she has to say about it...
"It's really interesting and well written with EPIC pictures and a really good storyline and overall so far it's AMAZING!".
My 10 year will quite happily sit and have a read on her own. She loves this time to herself. I originally bought the book as a joke as she can be dorky sometimes but she fell in love. This is the start of her next book collection. All I can say is I am happy for her to read and she enjoys these books.
Since reading DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK by Rachel Renée Russell my eight year old is a mission to read the whole series. I think what appeals to her is the what that it is written, being journal entries, the large print and the funny illustrations. She has re-read this book a few times now however, I still hear her chuckling to herself as she reads.
Miss Eight recognised the brand of Dork Diaries from school but had never actually read any of the books in the series until now. She enjoyed reading DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK so much that she download all the other books extracts to read. Miss Eight rated this book a 4.5 out of 5 saying that is was funny and dramatic, giving it a big thumbs up.
My 8 year old daughter loved this book. She read it cover to cover, in one sitting. She rated it a 10/10, saying it was hilarious and really enjoyed the pictures. Miss 8 is now very keen to read the rest of the Dork Diary series. I'd highly recommend this book to other parents with kids of a similar age.
It was pretty fun, but not as good as some of the other books in the series. Nikki’s dream where she’s in a fairy-tale world was kind of cool, and I liked the funny parts, but the story felt like I’d read something similar before. I was hoping for more surprises or new things to happen.
The drawings are still really awesome and made the book fun to read, but the story just didn’t grab my attention as much as other Dork Diaries books. I still like Nikki and her adventures, but this one wasn’t my favorite.
My daughter has got a whole collection of these and they have kept her entertained and intrigued for hours at a time. The style is fun and engaging and great for inspiring creativity. She shares her collection with friends and loves to see what new ones are coming out. These have an aspect of "comic style" and she especially enjoys this. These are highly recommend and a keeper .
My niece loves the Dork Diaries. It is like reading a diary, and quite different from the usual books they read. It's funny and is great as it encourages kids to read. There is a whole series of dork books for them to enjoy. Be a great Christmas gift fo her.
A good overall read for the kids. I personally don't think the word dork is necessary as so many children get bullied and called dorks. The kids tend to love books from this brand and series though and reading is important so it wins for me. There's a few like this in the Xmas stocking for this year and going to give some to my nephews and cousin. Thanks Mouths of mums for posting options for reviews to make decisions easier
Well judging by the group of girls all huddled around in a circle giggling and laughing and reading out their favourite section then having a huge discussion about the book, I would say it's a winner. I must admit I do not like the giving of children or groups names like dork, nerds or academics etc but if a book can get children reading and loving it I'm all for it. The girls loved the fact that they felt like they had stumbled onto someone's private diary and was secretly reading it also the fact that it was that well written it could well have been there life and diary. They thought the book was more suited to the age bracket of 8-10 maybe 11 and they rated it a 4.5 out of 5.
DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK was the first book from the Dork Dairies series that my daughter read. From there she had gone on to read the whole series.
Overall, I think it is the way the Dork Daires are written and presented that make it a hit with independent readers.
The font is large, the writing format used is dairy entries, making the book easy to put down or pick up as required, and there are lots of illustrations.
For parents with tween girls in particular, who are wanting to get their kids to read more,
My daughter loves the Dork Diaries. They are always requested for her birthday or Christmas. As I love reading myself I like to see the enjoyment my daughter gets from reading the Dork Diaries collection and way she is always eager to tell me what it entails. I always encourage her love of reading as I think it is very important.
My 10 year will quite happily sit and have a read on her own. She loves this time to herself. I originally bought the book as a joke as she can be dorky sometimes but she fell in love. This is the start of her next book collection. All I can say is I am happy for her to read and she enjoys these books.
My 8 year old daughter is an avid reader, and the dork diaries series are books she could not put down and has read over and over. She says they are very funny. My 7 year old daughter who is not quite as confindant a reader as her sister has also loved reading these books. Great books for all ages, Mum might just have to read them too and see what all the fuss is about!
My 9 year old daughter got this book for her birthday and she absolutely loved it. It was read within a week, she loved it that much! Reading is very important, so as a mum The Dork Diaries is a great series of books, that also makes reading lots of fun. I highly recommend The Dork Diaries.
I applied to review books for Mom’s and was overjoyed to be chosen to review the book ‘YOU’. ‘Dork Diaries’ was also on the list. I have read the reviews for ‘Dork Diaries’ and it seems the book is a brilliant read. I have decided to get the book for the kids.
Since reading DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK by Rachel Renée Russell my eight year old is a mission to read the whole series. I think what appeals to her is the what that it is written, being journal entries, the large print and the funny illustrations. She has re-read this book a few times now however, I still hear her chuckling to herself as she reads.
Child one got this for Christmas after reading the reviews. Miss 13 said she was too old for it but was very happy to sit down and read it. Saying afterwards that it was the best one she has read in the series.
Master 11 loved this as again it shows him that it is ok to be him and that it is fine not to be like everyone else
Master 7 loves them and they are so easy to follow for him and he finds that he gets a lot out of them.
Love the fact I can get one series off books that 3 totally different children love to read
Miss Eight recognised the brand of Dork Diaries from school but had never actually read any of the books in the series until now. She enjoyed reading DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK so much that she download all the other books extracts to read. Miss Eight rated this book a 4.5 out of 5 saying that is was funny and dramatic, giving it a big thumbs up.
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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.
9:52 am
Great book!
10:37 am
This book is a winner!
7:03 pm
The newest Dork Diaries book is a big hit with my 11yr old!!
She hasn't put the book down since I handed it over, is almost half way through and this is what she has to say about it...
"It's really interesting and well written with EPIC pictures and a really good storyline and overall so far it's AMAZING!".
Definitely a winner!!
9:49 pm
Dork diaries party time
1:49 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
7:32 am
Now wants to read the series!
3:11 pm
Fascinating Interesting Funny Read
8:03 pm
A big thumbs up
2:25 pm
Recommended reading!
10:09 am
This is the best book I have ever read!
I love the pictures throughout the book especially the one on page 99.
It's like reading someones real private diary .. It could be mine ...I can see my group of friends in the characters through the book.
I have recommended all my friends read it ..It really is a great book!
1:14 am
Mid range addition
It was pretty fun, but not as good as some of the other books in the series. Nikki’s dream where she’s in a fairy-tale world was kind of cool, and I liked the funny parts, but the story felt like I’d read something similar before. I was hoping for more surprises or new things to happen.
The drawings are still really awesome and made the book fun to read, but the story just didn’t grab my attention as much as other Dork Diaries books. I still like Nikki and her adventures, but this one wasn’t my favorite.
6:09 am
All part of my daughters reading journey
5:55 pm
Dorks rule
10:49 am
Good overall!
9:22 pm
It's a winner.
Dorktastic.
1:17 pm
A winning format
Overall, I think it is the way the Dork Daires are written and presented that make it a hit with independent readers.
The font is large, the writing format used is dairy entries, making the book easy to put down or pick up as required, and there are lots of illustrations.
For parents with tween girls in particular, who are wanting to get their kids to read more,
DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK is a good start.
11:17 pm
Daughters long time favourite
10:22 pm
A great read
For parents wanting to encourage their daughters reading the dork diaries are a wondeful place to start.
Since reviewing DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK, I am much more familiar with the brand and Miss Nine has read the whole series.
9:49 pm
Dork diaries party time
11:16 pm
Amusing story!
You know it must be funny when you hear them chuckling out loud.
The text is large and easily read and it is written in a diary entry format so it is easy to stop and start without losing your place.
The illustrations also add to the story, usually being very amusing.
Since reading DORK DIARIES: ONCE UPON A DORK my girls have gone on to read more books from the series.
12:31 pm
My daughter loves these books
9:52 am
Great book!
8:53 pm
Has now read most of the series!
Whenever Miss (now) nine gets hold of a dork diaries book, she starts reading right away and wants to read it cover to cover in one sitting.
The dork diaries is most definitely one of her favourite series to read and often looks for other titles when at our local library,
1:49 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
11:29 am
Great book
1:44 pm
Dork Diaries
7:32 am
Now wants to read the series!
3:11 pm
Fascinating Interesting Funny Read
8:15 pm
Well Loved
Master 11 loved this as again it shows him that it is ok to be him and that it is fine not to be like everyone else
Master 7 loves them and they are so easy to follow for him and he finds that he gets a lot out of them.
Love the fact I can get one series off books that 3 totally different children love to read
8:03 pm
A big thumbs up
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