The Goody
written and illustrated by Lauren Child reviewed by Mia Macrossan Former UK children’s Laureate, Lauren Child is famous for her Charlie and Lola picture books, the Clarice Bean series and the Ruby Redford detective series. I adore her books and The Goody
What Zola Did on Monday
by Melina Marchetta illustrated by Deb Hudson reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the first in a new series, by acclaimed Australian author, Melina Marchetta, most famous for her books for older children including Looking for Allibrandi, but here writing for emerging readers
Where is the Green Sheep?
by Mem Fox illustrated by Judy Horacek reviewed by Mia Macrossan This year Puffin Books celebrates 80 years of publishing. Puffin Books originated with Noel Carrington in 1940. It was thought that evacuated city children would need books on farming and natural history to
The Widow’s Broom
by Chris van Allsburg reviewed by Mia Macrossan This has recently been reprinted in a 25th anniversary edition and it’s a thing of beauty. Did you know witches’ brooms don’t last forever? They grow old and lose the power of flight. This happened to
The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst
by Jaclyn Moriarty reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the third book in the Kingdoms and Empires series. Moriarty is brilliant in that each of the titles in this series, The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone and The Slightly Alarming Tale
Skunk and Badger #1
by Amy Timberlake illustrated by Jon Klassen reviewed by Mia Macrossan This first in a series of stories about an unlikely and extraordinary animal friendship is filled with humour, whimsy and some heartache. Amy Timberlake, a much-awarded US writer, is ably supported by the
Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar
by Clara Vulliamy reviewed by Mia Macrossan Any cat lover will adore this story about Marshmallow Pie, a big fluffy independent cat who is now living in a small flat with his new human, a young girl called Amelia Lime. Pie is a
We Love You, Magoo
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is puppy, a red setter by the look of the illustrations and he has a mind and will of his own. He is interested in everything around him and wants to try
Grumbelina
by Esther Krogdahl illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This amusing and timely story is about a toddler who has missed the ‘terrible twos’ period but has become a grumbling contrary creature overnight at three and a half years old. It
Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club
by Tamsin Janu reviewed by Sarah Custance Tamsin Janu is the multi award winning author of the ‘Figgy’ books, most notably ‘Figgy in the World’ which received much critical acclaim. In ‘Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club’ Janu once again focuses on
Before the Beginning
by Anna Morgan reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul” Mark 8:36 This quote opens this gripping coming-of-age story from Anna Morgan author of All that Impossible Space, and provides
Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Ruta Sepetys is the award winning author of “Between Shades of Grey”. In “Salt to the Sea”, published in 2016 she presents a fictional account of one of the worst disasters in maritime history, the torpedoing
The Girl, the Cat and the Navigator
by Matilda Woods reviewed by Bryani-Rose, age 11 Eleven-year old Oona Britt is from Nordlor, the village of one thousand ships. She lives with her father, mother and six sisters. Oona is very unlike her sisters, instead of wanting to marry a
The World’s Worst Parents
by David Walliams illustrated in glorious colour by Tony Ross reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is a well known British comedian, actor, and writer. He is the author of over 20 children’s books including the acclaimed ‘The Boy in the Dress’, ‘Gangsta
Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Introducing a Unique, Comprehensive and Free Resource of Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature has produced a new Resource that celebrates children’s books by and about Australia’s Aboriginal
Small Town
by Phillip Gwynne and Tony Flowers reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne is an Australian author of Young Adult novels, middle-grade novels, and picture books. Some of his works include ‘The Debt’ series, ‘Deadly Unna?’, ‘Stuff Happens: Michael’, and more recently ‘The
Nevertell
by Katharine Orton reviewed by Sarah Custance There have been a number of authors over the past few years that have made remarkably strong debuts and I will absolutely be adding Katharine Orton to that list. ‘Nevertell’ is her first novel but
In the Key of Code
by Aimee Lucido reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel combines computers, music and poetry into an original package for young middle grade readers. Told in verse that often roams across the page, takes over, dominates or quivers in a corner, this story
Nala the Koala
by Penny Min Ferguson reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful picture book features a young koala looking for a new home after she becomes homeless due to bushfires. With a happy and hopeful face she sets off walking – but a beach is
Aussie Kids: Meet Taj at the Lighthouse
by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance This is the newest instalment in the ‘Aussie Kids’ series written about Australian children by Australian authors. Some of the other titles include ‘Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo’, ‘Meet
