The Lost History: Talismans of Fate, Book Two
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sequel to The Wintrish Girl which delighted many readers with its originality, humour, engaging characters, and fast paced action. Here again are the same characters: Penn, still struggling to find her true
Days of Warmth
By Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Indigenous Kamilaroi, Gregg Dreise, is an award-winning author, illustrator, artist, musician, and storyteller. His work includes Mad Magpie, Kookoo Kookaburra and Circles of Life, reviewed in StoryLinks. This latest board book blends early learning concepts
The Opal Dinosaur
By Yvonne Mes & Sylvia Morris Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Yvonne Mes is a multi faceted creator who writes and illustrates children's books including Oliver's Grumbles, Trouble in the Henhouse, and Meet Sydney Nolan. Here she has teamed up with children's illustrator
Ingenious Insects
By Sarah Allen Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author and illustrator Sarah Allen shares her love of the amazing fauna and flora found on the Australian continent in this ingenious children's picture book. Her first book, Busy Beaks was shortlisted for the
Rock Dogs
By Sally Barns & Anil Tortop Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Looking for a book that Rocks? Well, this is the one. In a small, sleepy town thrashed a ROCK’N’ROLL BAND and on lead guitar was a dachshund named Dan. With Barry, the bulldog
Yanga Mother
By Cheryl Leavy & Christopher Bassi Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Yanga Mother is a story of motherly love, represented by the unbreakable bond between a kangaroo and her joey. With lifelike illustrations, richly coloured to showcase changes in daylight and seasons,
Peek-a-Boo Lottie
By Laura Holloway & Kristen Willis Reviewed by Margarite Igras Laura Holloway’s debut picture book engages the adult reader and the young non-reading child in a one-on-one playful game of Peek-a-Boo, that beloved game of hide and seek often played by a
Meet the Author: Lara Cain Gray
A picture’s worth a thousand words, but a great picture book? Priceless! The Grown-Up’s Guide To Picture Books explores the complexities of modern picture books, from why our favourites tend to linger so long in our memories, to how we can
The Grown-Ups Guide to Picture Books
By Lara Cain Gray, Lorena Carrington & Timothy Ide Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Lara Cain Gray is a librarian, children's book advocate and esteemed Storylinks reviewer. Her aim with this debut is to create a guide for teachers, parents and carers
Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1
By L M Wilkinson Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is an enjoyable fast paced adventure with an appealing central character created by L M Wilkinson who has written many other titles as Lili Wilkinson, including Deep is the Fen,
The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage
By Charlie Archbold Reviewed by Helen Gearing The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is the highly-awaited next in series from award-winning author Charlie Archbold. Its predecessor, The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat, brought Far-North Queensland to life through an edge-of-your-seat
The Book Star
By Bec Nanayakkara &Joanna Bartel Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Every night, Grace whispered, ‘Space is the greatest place!’ before she went to sleep”. Grace would know because she owns thirty-seven books about space, and she had read them all. So, when her teacher
Paper-Flower Girl
By Margrete Lamond & Mateja Jager Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Honour book 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Paper-Flower Girl is a work-of-art type of picture book that captivates with abstract, fantastical imagery. Slovenian-born artist Mateja Jager’s restrained colour palette and
This Is My Book
By Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray In the ever-popular ‘meta book’ tradition, This Is My Book invites the reader into a battle between the left-hand page and the right-hand page for ultimate ownership of the story. The
Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age (The Girls Who Changed the World #4)
By Jackie French Reviewed by Jamie Willis Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most popular authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children's Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian
Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Jamie Willis Amy Doak’s debut young adult novel and CBCA Notable, Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer, hooks the reader from the first line:‘Before I say anything, I’d just like to make one thing perfectly clear: I didn’t
Brilliant
By Rosi Ngwenya and Sandy Flett Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut picture book by African born Australian Rosi Ngwenya puts the spotlight, in 16-words, on the life journey of this single impressive ant. The theme of the word ‘ant’ is echoed
Hester Hitchins and the Falling Stars
By Catherine Norton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another fascinating glimpse into the lives of girls and women in Victorian England from a writer adept at bringing history to sparkling life for young readers. Norton's other books are Crossing and The
Alphabetter
A Better You and Me, from A to Z By Maura Pierlot & Jorge Garcia Redondo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author, playwright and ethicist Maura Pierlot, has written an alphabet book with a difference. She has combined the alphabet with purposely selected
Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Lucille Rose Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret is the sequel to Amy Doak’s Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer. This is the story of sixteen-year-old amateur detective, Eleanor Jones, as she continues to uncover the mysteries
The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes
By Frané Lessac Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Frané is an Australian author and illustrator. Her art has been called naïve, primitive, folk art but while her work here is simple (to suit the intended young audience), it is the considered expression of
What Do You Call Your Dad?
By Ashleigh Barton & Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian children’s author Ashleigh Barton has teamed up with Martina Heiduczek to create several notable picture books, including What do you call your grandma? (CBCA shortlist 2022), What do you call your
A Wish For Baby
By Caz Goodwin & Sara Acton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caz Goodwin is the author of the Little Matilda and Daisy series as well as Grace and Mr Milligan. Here she has teamed up with the prolific Sara Acton, whose lively illustrations
Superheroes for a Day
By Craig Cormick Illustrated by Lauren Mullinder Reviewed by Judy Wollin. Award winning Craig Cormick has written all his life and across a number of genres. He won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award in 2006 for A Funny Thing Happened at 27,000 Feet
Is My Phone Reading My Mind?
The real facts about Artificial Intelligence By Matt Agnew Illustrations by Hana Kinoshita Thomson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Matt Agnew has a doctorate in astrophysics and a masters in artificial intelligence so he knows what he is talking about. His mission here is
Book Links August Newsletter
Book Links aims to keep you informed of all that is happening and significant in the children's book world. Here is the latest newsletter to explore and enjoy. Book Links August Newsletter
Read At Your Own Risk
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Read At Your Own Risk is the latest middle grade graphic novel from Ghost Book creator Remi Lai. It’s creepy and kooky, and likely to displease some children’s literature gatekeepers as it plays around
QLA: Finalists in the Children’s Book Awards
Congratulations to the five finalists in the Queensland Literary Awards Children's Book Awards Leaf-light Trace Balla (Allen & Unwin) Judges' comments: Leaf-light is a delightful, child-centred celebration of family and community. Balla weaves a tale of springtime in Djaara Country with humour and compassion.
The Real Cowgirl
By Isabelle Duff & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author, Isabelle Duffy, has written this heart-warming story based on her experiences as a young girl living on a farm in NSW. It is about the special relationship between a girl
When the Lights Went Out
By Lian Tanner & Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Helen Gearing By the same powerhouse creators as the award-winning Ella and the Ocean, When the Lights Went Out is a visually stunning and warm-hearted story about new experiences and the joy of community. The
