The Month that Makes the Year
Written and illustrated by Inda Ahmad Zahri Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Described as a joyful celebration of the spiritual practice of Ramadan, The Month that Makes the Year fills an important gap in the contemporary Australian picture book landscape. Such books
Jacob’s New Dress
By Sarah and Ian Hoffman Illustrated by Chris Case Reviewed by Barbara Braxton There are many costumes to choose from in the class dress-up corner – firemen, dragons, farmers, knights in shining armour – but Jacob insists on wearing the princess dress complete
Duckling Runs Away
By Margaret Wild and Vivienne To Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another miniature masterpiece from Margarite Wild who has been writing for children for ever and never gets it wrong. She has published over seventy picture books for young children, been
Tulips For Breakfast
By Catherine Bauer Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Catherine Bauer is an Adelaide-based former journalist who works full time as a media adviser. Her previous titles include the picture books Dreaming Soldiers and Australia Remembers: Len Waters. Tulips for Breakfast is a gripping, impactful
Bobby’s Castle
Written & illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Bobby is set in his ways … he’s the king of his castle. Nothing changes and he likes it that way. Then Salma arrives … She wants to jump and dive and play
Hope is the Thing
By Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Hope is the Thing with Feathers’, first appeared in 1891. Over a hundred years later, dynamic creatives Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner have reframed the message in a
The Sun and the Mayfly
By Tang Tang & Zhang Xiao Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When curious Little Mayfly meets the Sun, they form an unusual friendship. But can the Sun answer Little Mayfly’s most intriguing question? This is the story of a Little Mayfly who hatches from
The Last Crayon
Written & illustrated by Fifi Colston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Fifi Colston is a New Zealand writer, illustrator, wearable arts designer and costume props maker for the film and television industry. Her previous work that she wrote and illustrated herself include Where's
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Lorikeet Tree
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Paul Jennings is a household name in the Australian children's book world. He has published numerous books, including Round the Twist which was made into a successful TV series. In 1995 he was made a
The Easter Bum Book
By Kate Mayes & Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This team has previously produced The Bum Book which is, in the words of Andrew, ' a book for anyone who has a bum or knows someone with a bum. It's a celebration of my bum and your bum and the whole
The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co Book One
By Jonathan Stroud Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jonathan is has written many original and engaging fantasies such as the The Bartimaeus Quartet for middle grade, Scarlett and Browne for older readers and the Lockwood & Co series for upper middle grade/ young
Short Story Competition for adults writing for children
The 2023 Short Story competition for adults aged 18+ is now open for submissions. Due date for entries is April 2, 2023, the Shortlist will be announced on May 6, 2023, and the winner will be announced at the annual Narelle
Little Ash Series#5Party Problem! & #6 Lost Luck!
By Ash Barty, Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Liane McDermott Party Problem! and Lost Luck! are the fifth and sixth books published in the Little Ash series. This junior fiction series is is a collaboration between three talented Indigenous women,
Timeless
By Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kelly is an award winning artist whose works include The Hole Story, which won the 2018 Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for Writing for Children, and Littlelight . She is also responsible for the vibrant
Dusty in the Outwilds
By Rhiannon Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Rhiannon Williams is the mind behind the award winning Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt Trilogy. Since the first book’s original publication in 2018, the trilogy has also been released in Dutch and
Spaceboy
By David Walliams and illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is the much acclaimed UK author of over 30 picture books and novels, including The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Fing, and The World’s Worst Children series.
The Gilded Ones #2: The Merciless Ones
By Namina Forna Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock Namina Forma is a Sierra Leonean American and young adult author based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel The Gilded Ones was published in 2021. The Merciless Ones is the sequel to The Gilded Ones,
Book Links February Newsletter
Find out what is happening in the world of children's books this month with the Book Links February newsletter - of particular interest is the information targeting young writers and illustrators, you have to scroll down for the links. It's
Going To Big School
Written by Laura Sieveking Illustrated by Danielle McDonald Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Making the transition from home, kindy or daycare to ‘big school’ is a huge milestone for kids and families alike. My youngest starts high school this year and, to
Friday Barnes 11: Last Chance
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest instalment of the popular Friday Barnes series by R A Sprat who also wrote The Peski Kids, and The Adventures of Nanny Piggins. It's a while since I read a Friday
Always, Clementine
By Carlie Sorosiak Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carlie is the author of two novels for young adults, If Birds Fly Back and Wild Blue Wonder and two other middle grade novels My Life as a Cat and I, Cosmo. She is very much concerned
Australia Remembers: Wartime Nurses – Care and Compassion
By Jacqui Halpin Reviewed by Liane McDermott Australia Remembers: Wartime Nurses – Care and Compassion is the sixth book in the Australia Remembers non-fiction series. The book takes the reader through a historical journey of Australia’s military nurses who have risked their
Koko and the Coconut
By Turia Pitt & Celestine Vaite Illustrated by Emilie Tavaearii Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caught in a grassfire while competing in a 100 km ultramarathon in 2011, Turia suffered full thickness burns to 65 per cent of her body but she survived to
Family All That You Dream It To Be (Teeny Tiny Stevies)
By Byll & Beth Stephen Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Teeny Tiny Stevies have written many cheerful popular songs for children. This particular picture book is a reimagining of their song, Family (Love is Love). A girl and her mum
Sleep Through the Night (Teeny Tiny Stevies)
By Byll Stephen & Beth Stephen Teeny Tiny Stevies Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sisters Byll and Beth Stephen are the band, Teeny Tiny Stevies which won an ARIA Award for the 2020 Best Children's Album 'Thoughtful Songs For Little People'. Now
I Can Be A Matilda
By Kyla May Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a companion to I Can Be A Socceroo also by the Australian illustrator, writer and designer Kyla May, and also part of the merchandise to cheer on the Matildas in the FIFA Women's
I Can Be A Socceroo
By Kyla May Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This official Football Australia licensed merchandise is part of a publishing program in the lead-up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This board book is aimed at the
Mia: Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Zones
By Dianne Wolfer Reviewed by Liane McDermott Mia is the third book in the Through My Eyes: Australian Disaster Zones series — a realistic historical fiction series recommended for children 11 to 14 years. Told through Mia’s eyes, the story gives insight
Kill Joy
By Holly Jackson Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is a great read for those that love a good who-done-it. It is a prequel novella to Holly Jackson’s award-winning A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Trilogy The writing is smooth and there are some
