CBCA Notables Announced
Congratulations to all the brilliant creators, the writers, illustrators, designers, everyone who helped create such a wonderful collection of books for children. Here is the FULL LIST for you to check out the titles. Below are all the ones StoryLinks reviewed
A Case of Grave Danger #1 The Violet Veil Mysteries
By Sophie Cleverly Illustrated by Hannah Peck Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sophie Cleverly is the UK author of the Scarlet and Ivy series which has now been published in six different languages. A Case of Grave Danger is the first book in her
Listen Layla
by Yassmin Abdel-Magied Reviewed by Zewlan Moor From the first few pages, main character Layla demonstrates her energy and irrepressible spirit by dancing around “like a whirling dervish from Sudan, the country of her birth.” She is singing in Arabic, while welding
The Last Bear
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Last Bear is Hannah Gold’s first ever published book and it is a powerful tale of how hope and love can overcome grief and loss . Eleven-year-old April Wood has been neglected
The Dragon and Her Boy
By Penny Chrimes Illustrated by Levente Szabo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan British writer Penny Chrimes, a former journalist, is also the author of Tiger Heart, set in the same alternate world as this adventure about a young boy, Stick, who lives with a
Azaria : A True History
Written and illustrated by Maree Coote Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson What happens when the truth gets lost? What happens when there is a gross miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the media and backed by questionable scientific evidence? Did the mother murder the
Zinnia Jakes: The Tumbling Tortoises
By Brenda Gurr Illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance This is Australian author Brenda Gurr’s second early readers book and the sequel to Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle. Famous and elusive cake maker Zinnia Jakes is back, this time she has won
Scoop McLaren: Waves of Mystery
By Helen Castles Illustrated by Beatriz Castro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Helen Castles is still a fairly new author with Waves of Mystery being her second novel and the sequel to Scoop McLaren: Detective Editor. Click! the online newspaper that Scoop McLaren and best
The Sad Ghost Club: Volume 1
By Lize Meddings Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lize Meddings is a UK author and keen advocate for raising awareness for mental health. The Sad Ghost Club is her first graphic novel. This is the story of an ordinary day in the life of
The Lost Soul Atlas
By Zana Fraillon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Zana Fraillon is the award winning author of The Bone Sparrow among other creative novels. In The Lost Soul Atlas she delivers another powerful story that, while firmly embedded in the fantasy genre, also provides
Once I Munched a Mango
By Samantha Wheeler Illustrated by Shannon Horsfall Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler is a versatile writer perhaps best known for her middle grade animal rescue stories such as Wombat Warriors, Turtle Trackers, and Mister Cassowary. She gained wide acclaim for Everything I've
Bears Don’t Wear Shoes
Written and illustrated by Sharon Davey Reviewed by Margarite Igras Bears Don’t Wear Shoes is the first title Sharon Davey has both written and illustrated herself. Born in England she has a background in theatre design and has illustrated a range of
Little Lion: A long way home
Written by Saroo Brierley; with Larry Buttrose Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Many readers will be familiar with Saroo Brierley’s story, as seen in the award-winning film, Lion. It is an incredible story of how 5 year old Saroo came
In the Deep End
Written & illustrated by Charlie Thomson Reviewed by Zewlan Moor In the Deep End 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
Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas
By Sibeal Pounder Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sibeal Pounder is the award winning author of the Witch Wars series as well as the Bad Mermaids books. Her newest book, Tinsel, puts an imaginative twist to the classic Santa Claus story by asking
Aster’s Good, Right Things
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Gordon, an Australian librarian and writer, is the author of Girl Running, Boy Falling, Juno Jones: Word Ninja, and The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn which is the first in a trilogy of books. Aster’s
All Dogs Have ADHD
By Kathy Hoopman Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This delightful revised edition takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With all-new images from the canine world, it explores a variety of traits that will be instantly recognisable to
All Cats Are On the Autism Spectrum
By Kathy Hoopmann Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This book explains a little of what it is like to be a person who is on the Autism Spectrum. It was first published in 2006 under the title All Cats have Asperger Syndrome. The change
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First 100 Words
A lift-the-flap book by Eric Carle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Eric Carle has a long and distinguished career as a children's picture book creator. His distinctive colourful style in his stories and illustrations are immediately recognizable. He is especially notable for The Very
What Do You Call Your Grandpa?
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut book by Australian author, Ashleigh Barton is a delightful and informative read about the different names children call their grandpa in a culturally diverse world. And I am really pleased
Hotel for Bees
By Alison McLennan Illustrated by Erin Dunne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison is a Queensland children's writer, author of the graphic novel A Flood in the Village. Erin is an artist and arts educator based in Central Queensland. In her work she attempts
