The Austen Girls
by Lucy Worsley reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Jane Austen was and is, an enigma. Her first novels were written anonymously, published with the words ‘by a lady’ under the title. Given that many of her private letters were destroyed after her death,
No! Never!
by Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn- Jarman illustrated by Mel Pearce reviewed by Mia Macrossan This amusing tale created by award winning author Libby Hathorn and her daughter Lisa Hathorn -Jarman shows a situation many families are familiar with: a contrary fractious toddler
Arthur and the What-Ifs
by Heath McKenzie reviewed by Mia Macrossan Arthur is a dog with a secret desire to play his violin. He has composed a tune but he is too scared to play it in public in case people hear it and laugh at
Get Out of my Bath
by Britta Teckentrup reviewed by Mia Macrossan Britta Teckentrup is a German born British author and illustrator of over 100 books. This interactive board book is about Ellie the elephant who loves to make waves in her bath. The reader is invited to
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch
by Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance Nicki Greenberg is a double banger author who both writes and illustrates her novels. Her works include the graphic novel adaptions of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Hamlet’; the younger readers series ‘The Naughtiest Reindeer’, and
Aussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach
by Rebecca Johnson illustrated by Lucia Masciullo reviewed by Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Puffin Australia for producing a new series aimed at emerging readers who are just gaining a bit of confidence aged 5 – 8. The Aussie Kids series of 8 books
This Is How We Change The Ending
by Vikki Wakefield reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This fifth novel from award-winning South Australian novelist Vikki Wakefield tells the story of anti-hero Nate McKee, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, as he journeys towards self-enlightenment and tries to escape
The Year the Maps Changed
by Danielle Binks reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel is set in Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula in 1999. It is an emotional drama that develops slowly gradually building up to an immersive picture of a family and community in conflict. Its
Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt
by Yvonne Mes illustrated by Jody Pratt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming board book contains a lot in a small package. It is the perfect way to introduce your child to the joy and fun of Easter egg hunting in an Australian context.
Mindy is Strange wins 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Desmond Doyle, the author of Mindy is Strange, which has won the 2020 Short Story Competition. Judges' comments: The story was well written and original. It was immediately engaging with suspense and interest well balanced. The focus stayed on the
Young Engineers
by Andrew King illustrated by Benjamin Johnston reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew King, a Brisbane engineer, writer, and teacher is passionate about introducing young children to the boundless possibilities offered by the world of engineering. A couple of years ago he produced a series featuring
The Race for the Red Dragon: Children of the Dragon 2
by Rebecca Lim reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Race for the Red Dragon’ is the second novel in the ‘Children of the Dragon’ series by Rebecca Lim, the first being ‘The Relic of the Blue Dragon’. Rebecca Lim is the award-winning author
Agents of the Wild: Operation Honeyhunt
by Jennifer Bell illustrated by Alice Lickens reviewed by Barbara Braxton Daughter of world-famous botanists who were killed on a flower-collecting expedition in Australia, 8-year-old Agnes now lives with her uncle who doesn't understand her and certainly doesn't understand her need or demand
SHORTLIST 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to the 2020 Short Story Competition Shortlisted authors Sharyn Abdullah: Ben's Secret Weapon Annaleise Byrd: Septic Tank Swim Team Desmond Doyle: Mindy is Strange Anna Quinlan: Stella Fey Joanna Wisbey: The Mystery of Bucket Man The winner will be announced on Hans Christian
E-Boy #1 : Lightning Strike
by Anh Do illustrated by Chris Wahl reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is now a household name in children’s books. The master of engaging reluctant readers alongside the likes of David Walliams with their ridiculously silly and funny books that have young
Nevertell
by Katharine Orton This debut novel is an interesting and unusual combination of historical novel and fantasy for readers of 8 to 12. Nevertell is set in Siberia in a prison camp during Stalin’s rule of Russia. 12-year-old Lina knows no other
The Australian Children’s Illustrated Dictionary
by John McIlwain reviewed by Mia Macrossan A dictionary can be a valuable companion when children are at the stage of becoming independent readers and writers. This revised and updated Australian Children's Illustrated Dictionary is a superb combination of information about words
Bluey: Bob Bilby
reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bluey is the award-winning and incredibly popular Australian cartoon tv series featuring Bluey, the blue heeler pup and her family: Mum, Dad and her sister Bingo. It is produced by the Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC
Azaria: A True History
by Maree Coote reviewed by Barbara Braxton On a cool August night 40 years ago, in the shadow of Uluru, a mother laid her baby to sleep in a tent while she and her husband and her other two children sat under
Coming Home to Country
by Bronwyn Bancroft reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Described in the blurb as ‘a visual and lyrical depiction of coming home to Country’, this phrase perfectly encapsulates what this book achieves through minimal yet evocative text and eye-catching illustrations. Written in first person, Coming
New Reading List – Verse Novels
Verse novels have seen a resurgence in the last couple of years with several new writers choosing to write in verse and winning awards and prizes for their work. While previously novels written in verse were perhaps for a niche readership
Kensy and Max 5: Freefall
by Jacqueline Harvey reviewed by Sarah Custance Jacqueline Harvey is a successful Australian children’s author best known for her ‘Alice-Miranda’ series (now at 18 books) and the ‘Clementine Rose’ series (now at 15 books). Kensy and Max is a relatively new series
Atticus Van Tasticus 2: The Map of Half Maps
by Andrew Daddo illustrated by Stephen Michael King reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Daddo is a versatile man with a career in TV shows, podcasts, and writing. His latest endeavor has been writing middle-grade fiction starting with ‘Atticus Van Tasticus’ and now here
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
