StoryArt Exhibition 2023 Meet the Artist Yvonne Mes
The annual StoryArt Exhibition is all set to start next month on Monday, June 26 and run until Sunday July 2 at the Richard Randall Art Studio. It will be a week of fabulous displays for everyone to enjoy. As this
Nice and Slow
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Margarite Igras We know how busy life can be and the importance of having time out to reset and spend quality time with the people we love. Well, take note of this family. They have
Desert Jungle
By Jeannie Baker Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Despite being surrounded by mountains of rock and cacti, the boy prefers to sit inside and experience the world through the screen of his tablet. He fears going far from his home because he has
Our Dragon
By Mem Fox & Linda Davick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox shot to fame with her instant classic Possum Magic way back in 1983. She has worked with many different illustrators such as Judy Horacek for Where is the Green Sheep?
Stay for Dinner
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the third time these two have teamed up and it is always a wining combination. You may remember The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name about a boy with
StoryLinks 2023 Short Story Competition Winner
The winner of this year's Short Story competition for writers aged 18+ was announced at the Narelle Oliver Lecture in Children's Literature given by the current Children's Laureate Gabrielle Wang. The winning short story is The Loophole by Alison Rutstein. Alison very kindly
When I’m Big
By Karen Blair Reviewed by Margarite Igras Karen Blair is an award-winning Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books. Here she has taken a new and humorous twist on welcoming a new baby to the family and more so, to the
What Will You Make Today?
By Maura Pierlot Illustrated by Triandhika Anjani Reviewed by Margarite Igras This non-fiction picture book, written by the award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot is packed with wonderful full-page illustrations by Triandhika Anjani. What will you make today? is a child centred book,
NSW 2023 Patricia Wrightson Prize
And the winner is The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia’s First Peoples by Corey Tutt and Blak Douglas. 'Original, unique, an illuminative read and an invaluable resource. You may have been taught that the first scientists were just
Monster Island
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance George Ivanoff is the author of over 100 books, both fact and fiction. Monster Island is Ivanoff’s latest fiction novel about a young boy who ends up on an island filled with dinosaurs. When his mum
Surprisingly Sarah
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmi & Friends graphic novel series. Surprisingly Sarah is the series 7th instalment about how one decision can change a friendship forever. Sarah doesn’t need
Selfie
By Allayne L. Webster Reviewed by Liane McDermott Real and fake friendships alongside the pitfalls of social media are explored in this young adult novel by Allayne L. Webster. An internationally published Children’s and Young Adult author, Allayne Webster has published ten
Parcel For Gorilla
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Parcel For Gorilla is a companion read to Parcel For Penguin, and part of a series of 4 – so far. This lighthearted story makes clever use of the ‘what’s inside the box’ narrative
Harriet’s Hungry Worms
By Samantha Smith & Melissa Johns Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Samantha's first eco picture book which she hopes will inspire readers to become young 'wormwarriors'. Melissa is an artist and illustrator whose artworks are predominantly made of recycled materials. In Harriet's
Shadow Catchers
By Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shadow Catchers is a charming romp through a day in the life of two siblings, their dad, and their shadows. In the early morning light, the shadows touch the ceiling as
A Message Through Time
Written by Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anna Ciddor has written around sixty non-fiction and middle grade titles, including 52 Mondays and The Family With Two Front Doors. A Message Through Time is a standalone companion to her previous release, The
Tumble Glass
By Kate Constable Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Constable has written almost a dozen books for middle-grade and YA audiences, including the CBCA award-winning book Crow Country. Tumble Glass is her newest novel about a girl who can slip through time. Thirteen-year-old Rowan
StoryLinks 2023 Short Story Competition short list!
And the wait is finally over. There were some fabulous stories entered in this year's competition but these four were standouts - excellent writing, delicious humour, vivid characterisation, deft plotting and loads of audience appeal. In Alphabetical order: Revenge of the Bush
Copyright Agency Reading Australia NEWS
The Copyright Agency provide some wonderful opportunities for teachers and teacher librarians. They have extended the deadline to apply for the Reading Australia Fellowship for Teachers of English and Literacy! This $15,000 Fellowship is open to English and literacy teachers AND teacher
The Wearing of the Green
By Claire Saxby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Saxby is an Australian author of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children, including the splendid Nature Storybooks series, The Anzac Billy and recently, the picture book Iceberg. The Wearing of the Green is her second middle grade
This Old Thing
By Cassandra Webb Illustrated by Tony Flowers Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Cassandra Webb has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator Tony Flowers to create This Old Thing, a poignant historical picture book. We follow a young boy as he searches his house
Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Long List Announced!
The Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction is for books with an implied readership up to the age of fourteen. Books may be fiction, graphic novels or illustrated fiction that fit the genre of historical fiction. The Judges assessed
It’s a Wonderful World
How to Protect the Planet and Change the Future Written by Jess French Illustrated by Aleesha Nandhra Reviewed by Margarite Igras This informative and practical book describes how each person has the potential to make informed choices that will make a difference to our
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray We Could Be Something is the latest release from acclaimed YA novelist Will Kostakis, who is openly leaning into autofiction with this intergenerational love story. The book’s title and cover design position it within the
Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray It feels like a long time since we’ve seen boats as main characters in a picture book. It’s a useful device, though, allowing a story about separation to unfold gently, without
Hello, Emma Memma
By Emma Watkins and Oliver Brian Illustrated by Kerrie Hess Reviewed by Margarite Igras The beloved character from the Wiggles has transformed into a new person called Emma Memma. This book introduces her and shows how she metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly called
The Hats of Marvello
By Amanda Graham Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Hats of Marvello is Australian author Amanda Graham’s latest middle-grade novel about magic, the environment, friendships, secrets, and lots and lots of rabbits! Olivia loves her life on her family’s farm in
The Garden at the End of the World
By Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Reading a picture book is often the first time a child is introduced to some interesting aspect of life on this planet. It is truly amazing to discover the range and variety
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle: Poem
By A B Paterson Illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This gorgeous new edition of the classic children’s picture book is celebrating 50 years in print. The Niland sisters have illustrated many children's picture books over the years and
Anzac Day resources from StoryLinks
Every year new resources are published as writers and teachers delve into the archives to find new ways to celebrate and honour a defining episode in Australia's history. Some titles reviewed in StoryLinks include: The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French, The Last