Seasons Greetings
StoryLinks is taking a holiday break and will be back with news, reviews and all things children's literature on January 15, 2024. The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature shared a blog, 'a special Christmas blog, our holiday bon bon to
STAND OUT Middle Grade Novels 2023
Readers aged around eight to twelve have been fortunate this year with a bumper crop of great new novels this year. Established authors have continued to delight us with stories full of memorable characters, exciting plots and meaningful and relevant
Christmas books
A selection of new and old favourites for everyone to enjoy and share at Christmas. Christmas Books
STAND OUT Picture Books 2023
Picture book creators continue to amaze and delight with their imaginative response to our world. The boundaries of what is considered suitable for a picture book continue to expand. Writers, illustrators, authorstrators - all are gleefully ranging far and wide
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas
Written by Matt Lucas Illustrated by Forrest Burdett Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Lucas is a British actor and comedian best known for his work with David Walliams on the BBC comedy series Little Britain. He has previously published two picture books for
Run Pups Run
By Kerri Day & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras Kerri Day is a former primary school teacher who enjoys writing stories which encourage younger readers to discover the natural world, explore language, sounds, and creative thinking. This is her second book.
Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird
By Rosanne Hawke Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Sophia Evans Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird continues the journey of Pepper (a copper-eyed cat) and Zamir (a human). It begins with a quick recap so this book can be read as a
Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet
By Dianne Wolfer Reviewed by Sophia Evans Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet is part of the Aussie STEM Stars series that aims to provide inspiring stories of our world-leading scientists and inventors. The title is the reason I picked up
The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas
By Chanda A. Bell Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson and Theo, aged 8 Following on from the previous Elf on the Shelf books (2005 to present day) this title is the latest by this author who is affectionately known as Santa’s Chief Storyteller.
Parcel for Turtle
Written & illustrated by Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 'Parcel for Turtle!' shouts a dolphin-riding Post-Seagull. He skillfully delivers the beautifully wrapped parcel by fishing line and you soon discover why. Turtle and his friends are stranded! Pesky pelicans are blocking their
Hunter on Holiday, A Big Trip Around Europe
Written by Jessica and Stephen Parry-Valentine & illustrated by Ashlee Spink Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Hunter has a long, long list of places that she wants to see. She has her passport and boards a plane to take her on an adventure
Little Ash Sports Carnival! Book #7 Little Ash
By Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Little Ash is in Year Two at her school which is gearing up for a sports carnival. Ash is in Red Koala House whose members will compete with children in Yellow
Little Ash Puppy Playtime! Book #8 Little Ash
by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What child can resist a story about a playful puppy? It's a fail safe topic guaranteed to get a child to open the book and then the reading follows. Ash is celebrating
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023 This is a carefully curated list presented annually by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature whose mission is ' to preserve the richness of the many cultures in the field of children’s
What My Daddy Loves
Written and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa Reviewed by Margarite Igras Californian based Raissa Figueroa has written and illustrated this simple yet touching book about the special relationship between fathers and their children. She has dedicated this book to her dad and to
Never a Hero: Only a Monster 2
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Helena Never a Hero, written by Vanessa Len is the second in a three-book series, following Only a Monster. This fantasy-romance, set in England, tells the story of a high school girl named Joan Chang-Hunt, who is a
