About StoryLinks
StoryLinks is a children’s book review site supported by Book Links.
We believe that children’s literature plays an important part in shaping culture, expanding knowledge, increasing empathy and empowering children and we will review children’s books accordingly.
We aim to be champions for children’s literature, children’s authors and illustrators and hope to inspire children, families, librarians, teachers and anyone else to value story and this art form.
Book Reviews
We publish reviews on the latest books for children and young adults, including board books, picture books, junior fiction, middle grade and YA.
Reading Lists
Popular lists of recommended reading arranged under headings, useful for both parents and teachers when looking for books on particular topics. Prepared by Dajo Finlayson.
Interviews
Read our interviews with a growing list of people who are significant in the world of children’s literature, including authors, illustrators, teacher librarians and more.
Competitions
Every year StoryLinks runs two short story competitions, one in the beginning of the year for adult writers of children’s stories and one, in the second half of the year for young writers in grades 4,5 & 6.
Latest Reviews
The Ghost Locket
By Allison Rushby Reviewed by Sarah Custance Brisbane author Alison Rushby is quickly making a name for herself in spooky middle-grade mystery novels. With the success of her previous novels, The Mulberry Tree, The Turnkey series, and When This Bell […]
Spotlight Please… it’s Stevie Louise
By Tanya Hennessy with illustrations from Leigh Hedstrom Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tanya Hennessy is a Jill of all trades with careers as a TV presenter, comedian, radio announcer, podcaster, and author. Spotlight Please is the second book after Drum […]
Wombat Can’t Sing
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Author/illustrator Katie Stewart was born in the UK and moved to Australia when she was 9. Having lived on a farm for a great deal of her life, Stewart’s picture books are all […]
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune
By Sophie Cleverly Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Sophie Cleverly is best known for her middle-grade series Scarlet and Ivy, which is comprised of 6 books. The Violet Veil Mysteries is Cleverly’s newest mystery series with A Case of […]
Whisper on the Wind
By Claire Saxby and illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Claire Saxby has almost 30 books to her name, ranging from non-fiction to picture books and novels. Whisper on the Wind is one of her latest […]
Wild Australian Life
Written by Leonard Cronin Illustrated by Chris Nixon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Leonard Cronin trained as a biologist and is a prolific writer of books and articles about the Australian flora, fauna and environment, bringing his own fascination with the […]
Gus and the Starlight
By Victoria Carless Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Victoria is a Brisbane based writer who has previously published the YA coming-of-age novel The Dream Walker. Gus and the Starlight is a touching story about a family trying to establish itself in […]
Eyes That Speak To The Stars
Written by Joanna Ho Illustrated by Dung Ho Reviewed by Margarite Igras This poignant picture book is a companion to Eyes That Kiss In The Corners . Eyes That Speak To The Stars is about accepting who you are, your […]
The Love That Grew
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Sarah Ayoub’s first picture book, her previous titles, Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance are all for YA readers. […]
Winners receive cash prizes and will have their stories published on this website.
Latest Interviews
Spotlight on 2022 Short Story Shortlist: Marian McGuinness
Here is the second of our Spotlights on shortlisted writers. Marian McGuinness has been shortlisted for her story Queenie’s jiggly-Jolly Holiday – Queen Clarabelle enjoys being alone at the Get Lost Caravan Park but then makes some new friends. Marian […]
Spotlight on 2022 Short Story Shortlist: Meredith Downes
Here is the first of our spotlights on our shortlisted writers. Meredith Downes has been shortlisted for her short story ‘The Pop Girls’, a subtle story about a girl immersed in swimming but who still observes what happens around her […]
‘Born in history, immortalised in story.’ Six award winning writers reveal how they write historical fiction
The excitement and anticipation is mounting as we get to the countdown to the announcement of the winner of the inaugural Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction. The six writers on the shortlist have revealed the how and why […]
