Fearless With Dad
By Cori Brooke Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This carefully observed picture book shows the many ways in which young boy and his Dad interact all day every day. Because Dad is always there, supporting and encouraging, the boy has
Always
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad. Then I had a plan for me and Zelda. After the Nazis took my parents I was scared. Soon I hoped the Nazis would be defeated and
The Bark Book
By Victoria Mackinlay Illustrated by Beth Harvey Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Dog bark. Tree bark. Let’s go see bark.” You can feel the joy and excitement when you first see this cover so … is it about Dog bark or Tree bark? When
To the Bridge: The Journey of Lennie and Ginger Mick
By Corinne Fenton Illustrated by Andrew McLean Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Corinne Fenton is an established picture book author with an affinity for animals and research, while Andrew McLean's lengthy illustration career includes many titles bestowed with CBCA accolades. Clearly, they are a
Super Sporty Girls
Reviewed by Margarite Igras Be Inspired and Celebrate Australia’s Amazing Sportswomen This picture book is a compilation of some of Australia’s successful sportswomen with the aim of introducing a range of sports to young girls who need some inspiration and information for
The Forest of Moon and Sword
By Amy Raphael Illustrated by August Ro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Amy Raphael is a freelance journalist and a non-fiction book writer and The Forest of Moon and Sword is her first children’s novel. Set in 1647 at the height of the British witch
The Vanishing at the Very Small Castle : The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries, #2
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jackie French is the award-winning Australian author of over 140 books. Her impact on children’s literature led her to become the 2014-2015 Australian Children’s Laureate as well as being awarded 2015 Senior Australian of the
Treasure in the Lake
By Jason Pamment Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jason Pamment is an Australian author/illustrator and Treasure in the Lake is his debut graphic novel. Iris and Sam have been friends their whole lives but over the last few years they have found themselves drifting
The Song of Lewis Carmichael
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Marc McBride Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sofie Laguna has won numerous awards for her children's fiction and the 2015 Miles Franklin award for her adult novel The Eye of the Sheep, about an autistic boy, so you can
Gold!
By Jackie Kerin Illustrated by Annie White Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book set in Victoria during the 1850’s gold rush, is based on a true story. The author, Jackie Kerin, captures our imagination with the personal story of four young men
Nowhere on Earth
Written and Illustrated by Nick Lake Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro Leonard is 13 years old, an aspiring writer and loves fantasy novels. Three hearts out of five - I enjoyed this book Who is your favourite character? Describe them and tell us
Gone
By Michael Grant Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Aaron Ding is 11 years old with a passion to write stories, and is always looking for ways to improve them! Go and read it!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ First published over a decade
Mim and the Baffling Bully : The Traveling Bookshop #1
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katrina Nannestad is the award-winning Australian author of over a dozen middle-grade novels including the much acclaimed The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome series as well as the CBCA
House of Hollow
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes In House of Hollow, Krystal Sutherland has tapped into a rich store of fairy tales and folklore to mine the concept of the changeling, a tradition found in many nations from Ireland to Scandinavia to
Afghanistan Reading Resources
People have been writing fiction and non-fiction about the plight of children living in Afghanistan for many years. Here is a timely collection of reading resources that cover a multitude of subject - the subjugation of women and girls, the
Illuminae – Absolutely BRILLIANT! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (+♥)
By Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Aaron Ding is 11 years old with a passion to write stories, and is always looking for ways to improve them! What is your favourite character? (And why?) The Artificial Intelligence Defence
Devils in Danger
By Samantha Wheeler Reviewed by Sarah Custance Samantha Wheeler is the bestselling Australian author of Smooch & Rose, Spud & Charli, Everything I’ve Never Said, and her wildlife focused books Mister Cassowary, Wombat Warriors, and Turtle Trackers. Devils in Danger is her
Amira’s Suitcase
By Vikki Conley Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens How endearing is the cover of this book? The luggage label, stains, stickers and earthy colours draw you to this little girl with the hopeful look on her face. “It was growing in
Great British Illustrators: their life and work in pictures
The Guardian newspaper does a wonderful series called Great Children's Illustrators. Here are some to enjoy: John Burningham over a long career has created much-loved characters such as the balalaika-playing mouse Trubloff and the mighty, bully-defying Avocado Baby Angela Barrett's striking and
The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name
By Sandhya Parappukkaran, Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something completely different. Debut author Sandhya Parappukkaran has written a charming and thought-provoking story about a boy who is struggling with his very long name. As you can see the
Hello World
By Lisa Shanahan Illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lisa is the author of several award winning books including Bear and Chook by the Sea and Big Pet Day. Here in collaboration with the talented Leila Rudge she has created another
We Go Way Back
By Idan Ben-Barak Illustrated by Philip Bunting Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Idan Ben-Barak is the author of Do Not Lick This Book and actually has a PhD in the history and philosophy of science. Philip Bunting is author and illustrator of many books
Who Fed Zed
By Amelia McInerney Illustrated by Adam Nickel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia McInerney is a humorous picture book author. Her titles include The Book Chook illustrated by Connah Brecon, My Bird, Bertie, illustrated by Shane McG and Bad Crab, illustrated by Philip Bunting. Adam Nickel's illustration style
The Very Itchy Bear
Written and illustrated by Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is an author/illustrator who now lives in Darwin. This is one from his popular Bear series which include The Very Cranky Bear, The Very Noisy Bear and The Very Sleepy
Gordo the Guardian
A Nigh-Time Adventure by Inge Daniels Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Inge Daniels was born in The Netherlands and now lives in Melbourne. Gordo the Guardian is her debut picture book as author/illustrator. This engaging story is set in the Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Fil and Harry
By Jenny Blackford Illustrated by Kristin Devine Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jenny Blackford is an Australian author whose previous book The Girl in the Mirror won the 2020 Davitt Award for Best Children’s Crime Novel. Fil and Harry is Jenny’s second middle grade
Train Party
Created by Karen Blair Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This is a perfect picture book by experienced creator, Karen Blair, illustrator of With Nan and Puddle Jumpers. The rhyming text is a delight to read, from the first moment of being drawn in: We’re
Michelle Obama : Little People Big Dreams:
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Illustrated by Mia Saine Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Little People Big Dreams series has had much commercial and critical success in the last two years with over sixty books in the ever-growing series. Michelle Obama is the
Mr Bat Wants A Hat
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucy Black is an Australian author who has written several picture books and her latest features a cute little black bat who exhibits all the self-centredness of a very young child without
Sugar Town Queens
By Malla Nunn Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Malla Nunn, a South African now living and working in Australia, writes adult crime novels as well as YA fiction. This is her second YA title after the much praised When The Ground Is Hard.
