StoryLinks Short Story competition opens
It's that time of year again. Calling all writers of short stories for children to enter in the StoryLinks Short Story competition. This is a fabulous opportunity for every writer, aged 18 +, who is working on their craft. You
How to Avoid Witches/Roald Dahl
By Kay Woodward Illustrated by Quentin Blake Reviewed by Junior Reviewer, Ramona Naulty, aged 11 Inspired by Roald Dahl's spine-tingling story The Witches, this is a fun, interactive activity book suitable for kids as young as 5 to . . . everyone else. This helpful
Elvis Eager and the Golden Egg: Monty’s Island #3
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The third and latest novel in the Monty’s Island series written by Emily Rodda is chapter book for a beginning readers profusely illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. Monty lives on a magic island with his friends, the
Footprints on the Moon
By Lorraine Marwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lorraine is a much awarded author of children's novels including Leave Taking and collections of poetry. Here she has written a verse novel about loss and finding your own voice in her signature understated style. The
Three Dancing Frogs
by Leigh Hardingham Illustrated by Patrick Shirvington Reviewed by Margarite Igras Both author and illustrator have a love of the Australian bush which is reflected in the delightful watercolour illustrations as well as the text written like the lyrics of a song. The owl
Poo and Other Words That Make Me Laugh
By Felice Arena Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Zewlan Moor At last! A literary bum book that even a Literature professor would be proud to buy for a child. It starts as it means to go on: “These words make me laugh — BUMbershoot
Positively Izzy
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Positively Izzy is the second book in the Emmie & Friends series written by American award-winning cartoonist Terri Libenson. In this book we follow the lives of two very different 13 year old girls, Izzy, who
Just Jaime
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is the award-winning cartoonist of The Pajama Diaries and the Emmie & Friends series of which Just Jaime is the third novel. This book can be read on its own but I would
Invisible Emmie
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is an American author/illustrator and creator of the Reuben Award-winning comic strip The Pajama Diaries. Invisible Emmie is the first book in a new series called Emmie & Friends, with each book delving
Becoming Brianna
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Becoming Brianna is the fourth book in the Emmie & Friends series written by American author Terri Libenson. I would discourage readers from picking up this book without first reading the rest of the series
The Great Realisation
By Tomos Roberts Illustrated by Nomoco Reviewed by Jillian Custance Tomos Roberts is a 26-year-old NZ filmmaker/poet who uses the pen-name Tom Foolery. The Great Realisation is his first picture book. The book was inspired by a poem “The Great Realisation” that Tomos released
Ruby and Graham
By Lucy Barnard Reviewed by Jillian Custance Lucy Barnard is the author and illustrator of a number of children’s picture books, including Squirrel’s Busy Day, and I’m Bigger Than You. Ruby and Graham is the story of two friends with differing personalities and
The Cow That Swam Out To Sea
By Pamela Rushby Illustrated by Nicola Hooper Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated by
Pea and Nut: Go for Gold! (Pea and Nut, #2)
Written & Illustrated by Matt Stanton. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens With bright colours, glossy water drips and two endearing characters on the cover, the second in the Pea + Nut Series, looks to be full of fun. “This is Pea, who want to
The Tree
Written and illustrated by Graeme Base Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Naturally, when you see a book cover with the iconic design and unmistakeable art of Graeme Base, you have to pick it up. “The Tree … is a story of a cow, a
Stories for little Queenslanders
The State Library of Queensland has published a new series of picture books 12 in all, and made them available to download. You can also watch them on YouTube. It is part of the First 5 Forever program which is
Whine Guide, Find your voice and start sweating the small stuff & Sleep 101, How to sleep like a baby
By Beck & Matt Stanton Reviewed by Yvonne Mes Those poor babies, all they do is poop, sleep and cry, and even then they can’t seem to figure out where they are supposed to sleep! Sleep 101 is a message for babies on
Fancy Nancy
By Jane O'Connor Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book was a success in New York when it was published in 2005. The author went on to write several more books in the Fancy Nancy series including Fancy
Little Elephants
Written and illustrated by Graeme Base Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Young Jim, his pet mouse Pipsqueak, and his mother live on a wheat farm in rural Texas, USA where the crop is ready to harvest but the harvester is broken, and a
Is This Your Egg?
Written by Ella Kris Illustrated by Emma Cracknell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This title is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and
The Little Queenslander’s Alphabet Book
written by Sally Scudamore Illustrated by Sophie Beer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This large format alphabet book is firmly aimed at young Queenslanders. Each letter of the alphabet introduces a Queensland animal performing some activity somewhere in Queensland. Alliteration is the guiding principle so
Koalas Like To …
Written by Shae Millward Illustrated by Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shae Millward is a Queensland writer and this is her second picture book. Brent Wilson is an Australian-based illustrator whose art echoes children's books from the 1950s and 1960s. Koalas Like
Shoosh!
Written and illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Simon Howe is a picture book illustrator who has worked on many projects including Natalie Pryor's Naughty Dragons series. This is the first book that he has both written and illustrated. A tired
Code Name Bananas
By David Walliams Illustrated by Tony Ross Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro David Walliam’s latest children’s book, Code Name Bananas is a heart-warming tale of overcoming grief, parental death, living in war and animal kindness. David Walliam’s history as an actor, writer
Nelson – Broccoli and Spies
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is a well known Australian DJ and food writer. Broccoli and Spies is the second book in the Nelson series all about a young boy who discovers that he has
Future Friend
By David Baddiel Illustrated by Steven Lenton Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro This interesting tale of time travel, cloning, friendship, compassion and environmental care entertains the reader through regular humour and unique characters. Rahul Agarwal is a lonely genius. He creates inventions with
The Common Cormorant
By Christopher Isherwood The common cormorant or shag Lays eggs inside a paper bag. The reason you will see no doubt It is to keep the lightning out. But what these unobservant birds Have never noticed is that herds Of wandering bears may come with buns And steal
Little Gem
Written and illustrated by Anna Zobel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan 'All Gem wanted was to be a good witch who helped people, but every time she tried a spell it went wrong somehow.' This is main idea in Anna's debut novel about a
A Tale of Magic
By Chris Colfer Reviewed by our Junior Reviewer, Leonard Cavallaro This is one of Chris Colfer's many bestselling books, his most iconic series being The Land of Stories. The themes here are equality, magic, witchcraft, corruption and medieval life. Brystal is fourteen and
The Crayon’s Christmas
By Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the team that brought you The Day the Crayons Quit and the Crayons Book of Numbers, both very popular with young children. The Crayons’ Christmas is a lot of fun even
