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
Reading Australia – new resources
By Mia Macrossan Reading Australia – which turns 10 this year – is a Copyright Agency initiative to support the teaching and reading of Australian literature in schools. The website features 275 freely available resources written for teachers, by teachers, […]
The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish; The Pet Wish
By Allison Rushby Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Helen Gearing A baby sister who can make wishes come true. A mischievous imp who likes to twist wishes and make them go wrong. A nosy neighbour. A very public sports […]
Just Because
By Matthew McConaughey & Renée Kurilla Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Just because I’m in the race, doesn’t mean I’m fully ready. Just because I’m shaking, doesn’t mean that I’m not steady. Using a series of rhyming couplets accompanying compelling vignettes, this […]
Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan R A Spratt is the hugely popular author of the Friday Barnes series, The Peski Kids and the hilarious Nanny Piggins series. Quite a few of the stories in this collection are […]
Liar’s Beach
By Katie Cotugno Reviewed by Liane McDermott New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno, who is best known for her ‘complicated, feminist YA love stories’, shifts her talents to a YA murder mystery—Liar’s Beach. Promoted as a fresh take on […]
The Gargoyle
By Zana Fraillon & Ross Morgan Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Forced off his rooftop to make way for a new urban development in a barren cityscape, the old gargoyle packs a battered suitcase and boards an train going who knows […]
The Spider and her Demons
By sydney khoo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan sydney khoo is a nonbinary and aromantic asexual writer, born to Malaysian Chinese parents. They are the recipient of Penguin Random House Australia’s Write It fellowship which aspires to find, nurture and develop […]
The Daring Tale of Gloria the Great
Written by Jacqueline Harvey illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jacqueline is one of Australia’s most popular authors having sold over two million copies of her Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof series. […]
That’s not my monster…
By Fiona Watt & Rachel Wells Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest in the updated editions of this popular series of touchy feely books published by Usborne. Touchy feely means that on each page there are panels with […]
Winners receive cash prizes and will have their stories published on this website.
Latest Interviews
Meet the Author: Zewlan Moor
By Mia Macrossan Zewlan (pronounced Shoolen) is a medical doctor who also has a literature degree and a passion for writing and sharing children’s stories. She started Byron Bibliotherapy after feedback from patients who found it helpful when she recommended specific […]
Meet Jenny Stubbs – winner of the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award
By Mia Macrossan Jenny Stubbs has been awarded the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award, awarded by the Children’s Book Council of Australia to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the field of Australian children’s literature. Named after the […]
Meet Katrina Nannestad: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby Interned, and Claire Saxby – The Wearing of the Green Each […]
