19 Love Songs
by David Levithan reviewed by Sarah Custance David Levithan is the author of Every Day, Someday, Two Boys Kissing, and the co-author of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist among other works. 19 Love Songs is a collection of short stories that arose
New Reading List: Bushfires, Droughts & Floods
This has been a tough time for many people in Australia and children will be asking questions and looking for explanations. Here are some fiction titles that will help parents and teachers talk to children about what has happened. The list
Edie’s Experiments: How to Make Friends
by Charlotte Barkla reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlotte Barkla is the exact person you want to have written a book about a young girl having fun with science while getting into a bit of mischief and trouble. Having worked as both a civil
Orphans of the Tide
by Struan Murray reviewed by Sarah Custance Struan Murray is a Scottish author making a strong debut with his middle-grade novel Orphans of the Tide. The novel draws the reader in so quickly with a fast-paced plot, believable characters and a fantastical
The Surprising Lives of Animals: How They Can Laugh, Play and Misbehave
by Anna Claybourne illustrated by Stef Murphy reviewed by Mia Macrossan This book is bursting with fascinating facts about animal behaviour that is sure to appeal to a young inquiring mind. In five chapters Claybourne uses familiar and some not so familiar examples to
Are These Hen’s Eggs?
written and illustrated by Christina Booth reviewed by Mia Macrossan Christina Booth is an award-winning author of eight books, and illustrator of over twenty. Trained as a teacher and painter, she was awarded a CBCA Honour Book Award for her book Kip, and has won
Where’s Baby Chick
by Ingela P Arrhenius reviewed by Mia Macrossan This colourful introduction to the world of books for a baby is a small and sturdy board book with brightly coloured felt flaps covering up all the hidden baby animals. Little fingers can lift the
Ask Hercules Quick
by Ursula Dubosarsky illustrated by Andrew Joyner reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest offering from prolific and award-winning writer Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by the equally talented, prolific and award-winning Andrew Joyner is a gorgeously produced picture story book, rich in colourful illustrations,
No Place for an Octopus
written and illustrated by Claire Zorn reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a new beginning for Zorn who has previous won awards for her serious young adult fiction. Both The Protected and One Would Think the Deep won CBCA Book of the
Bitsy
by Nikki Greenberg reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greenberg is well known for her graphic adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Hamlet (joint winner of the 2011 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year award) but here she has come
Scruffle-Nut
by Corinne Fenton illustrated by Owen Swan reviewed by Mia Macrossan The story starts quietly with a memory as winter leaves tumble and twirl in the park. Sitting on a bench in Central Park grown-up Olivia notices a squirrel which immediately takes her back
The Dog Runner
by Bren MacDibble reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bren MacDibble burst onto the children's literary world with her award- winning How To Bee, a heartwarming dystopian novel set in a world where bees are extinct. The Dog Runner, an exciting fast -paced thriller,
Duck, Apple, Egg
by Glenda Millard Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek reviewed by Mia Macrossan Glenda Millard is a much-loved Australian writer well known for her middle grade novels, especially the Kingdom of Silk series. Here she has teamed up with the illustrator Martina Heiduczek to create
Mr Archimedes’ Bath
by Pamela Allen reviewed by Mia Macrossan A very old and popular favourite is celebrating 40 years in print! I am sure that many of you will recognize it and remember it fondly. Mr Archimedes’ Bath by Pamela Allen was first published in
