Phonobet
By Kathy Weeden and Kim Drane Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Most of us understand that there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, but far fewer could list the 44 sounds that make up everything we say when combining those letters
Where is Cheeky Monster?
By Mike Lucas & Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Where is Cheeky Monster? is a joyful, interactive read for the 2 – 5 year old end of picture book appreciators. The enticing, reflective cover invites the reader straight into a
Losing the Plot
By Annaleise Byrd Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane based debut author Annaleise Byrd has produced an action packed portal fantasy sure to appeal to middle grade readers who like their fairy tales funny, fast and full of surprises. Ever since young Lucy stepped
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
Life Lessons for Little Ones: You Can Do Hard Things
A little one's guide to not giving up By Jess Sanders & Martina Stuhlberger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Life Lessons for Little Ones is a new series that contains important life lessons, such as embracing vulnerability, listening to your body and embracing your
How To Be Invisible (Bunny and Bird, #2)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick is a very popular creator of picture books including The Very Cranky Bear series, The Runaway Hug and The Wrong Book. How To Be Invisible is the second in the delightful Bunny and Bird
Winning the StoryLinks Short Story competition by Ali Rutstein
Ali Rutstein won the 2023 Short Story Competition for adult writers 18+ with her story The Loophole. Originally from England, Ali Rutstein moved to Australia over twenty years ago. She is now firmly settled in Brisbane, where she lives with her partner,
Becoming a published author: A guest post by Annaleise Byrd
Annaleise Byrd writes funny books for kids. Her debut middle grade novel, Losing the Plot – a humorous portal fantasy set in the world of Grimms’ original fairy tales – will be published by Walker Books Australia this March. Annaleise agreed
Leo and Ralph
By Peter Carnavas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Peter’s first book, Jessica’s Box, was released in 2008, while he was working as a primary school teacher. Many picture books followed, including Last Tree in the City, The Children Who Loved Books and Blue Whale Blues. After focusing on
The Grimmelings
By Rachael King Reviewed by Helen Gearing From the author of Red Rocks, winner of the Esther Glen Medal in 2013, The Grimmelings is a beautiful and eerie middle grade mystery which transports Gaelic folklore into the stunning New Zealand Aotearoa landscape. Thirteen-year-old
When Cucumber Lost His Cool
By Michelle Robinson & Tom Knight Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Kevin the cucumber is so cool - everybody knows it! He wears cool sunglasses and struts around singing his own cool song. "I'm super cool Kevin and this is my song! Make
Homegrown: Blueberry Farm #2
By Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stephen Michael King is a much loved and much awarded writer and illustrator whose work includes Koala Ark, Three, Pea Pod Lullaby, The Man Who Loved Boxes, My Dad is a Giraffe and many
Alfie the Kind
By Richard Harris & Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alfie first appeared in Alfie the Brave, also reviewed in StoryLinks. Richard Harris is an Australian anaesthetist and cave diver who played a crucial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue who wrote Against
Author Pen Pals – Connecting Australian Authors and Illustrators with Australian Schools
Local author Kate Foster shares her brilliant initiative that connects Aussie authors & illustrators with classrooms, and it is back for it’s second year! Author Pen Pals was created to support educators in encouraging the love of literacy in their students,
Crow Baby
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her many publications include Bush Birds, Owl and Star and Backyard Beasties, all reviewed in StoryLinks. Long long ago a
As Bright As A Rainbow
By Remy Ash & Blue Jaryn Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Remy's (she/her) debut picture book. Her first novel Floundering was shortlisted for several awards. Blue (they/he) is an author/illustrator who illustrated Payden's Pronoun Party, a picture book introduction to nonbinary
Nova’s Missing Masterpiece
By Brooke Graham & by Robin Tatlow-Lord Reviewed by Helen Gearing From the author-illustrator team whose debut picture book Go Away, Worry Monster! was shortlisted for the CBCA New Illustrator Award in 2020, Nova’s Missing Masterpiece is a vibrant new story about
Tayta’s Secret Ingredient
By Amal Abou-Eid & Cara King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The whole atmosphere of Tayta’s Secret Ingredient is as warm as freshly baked biscuits. From the clever cover, which positions the viewer in the oven, to the gentle, conflict-free narrative. This
Secret Sparrow
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I have lost count of the number of books Jackie has written. She has been a constant source of inspiring and uplifting historical fiction my whole career and her interest and passion for history never
The Ena Noël Award Shortlist 2024
IBBY has announced the Ena Noël Award Shortlist 2024. The Ena Noël Award is the IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a young emerging writer or illustrator. Author Shortlist: Reece Carter, A Girl Called Corpse (Allen & Unwin) reviewed in StoryLinks Meg Gatland-Veness, When Only One
A Very Dinosaur Birthday
By Adam Wallace & Christopher Nielsen Reviewed by Margarite Igras Adam Wallace writes entertaining books for all ages and reading abilities, with captivating titles such as Why Won’t you Sleep, How to catch The Tooth fairy and There’s a Bull Ant in the
Two Rabbits
By Larissa Ferenchuk and Prue Pittock Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Unusually for a picture book, Two Rabbits comes with a subtitle: Even best friends argue sometimes. It sets itself up quickly as a book for the earlier cohort of picture book
One Hungry Spider
By Jeannie Baker Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jeannie Baker's work is renowned her miniature collage constructions impressive for their accuracy and detail. Her ground- breaking innovative approach has won numerous awards. Her many books, each a visual feast, include Where the Forest
The Beehive
By Megan Daley & Max Hamilton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Megan is well known in the children's literary and librarian world for her advocacy of children's reading. Her publications include Raising Readers, about how to nurture a child's love of books, and Teacher,
A Friend for Ruby
By Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray A Friend for Ruby is an example of the way the illustrations in a picture book can take a well-written but straightforward narrative and elevate it to marvellous. This is the
Ask the Author: Barry Jonsberg
By Mia Macrossan Barry Jonsberg emigrated from the UK many years ago and now lives in Darwin where he taught English for many years. He says he fell in love with Australian YA fiction, particularly the work of Scot Gardner, Phillip
Andromache Between Worlds
By Gabriel Bergmoser Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Bergmoser is an award-winning Melbourne-based author and playwright. His YA novels include Boone Shepard and True Colour of a Little White Lie. Andromache Between Worlds is his first middle-grade book. This is much more fantasy than
A Footy Tail
By Alex Johnston & Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book written by South Sydney Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston and illustrated by First Nations artist, storyteller and musician, Gregg Dreise will appeal to all those children interested in the various
Little Book Baby
By Katrina Germein and Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Katrina Germein and Cheryl Orsini are prolific contributors to Australia’s picture book industry, with a reputation for humorous and heartwarming stories for young readers. Little Book Baby explores the social and
Voice of the Sea
By John Williamson Illustrated by Andrea Innocent & Jonathan Chong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan John Williamson is an Australian singer songwriter who has had two of his popular songs produced as picture books Old Man Emu and Christmas in Australia. Voice of the Sea
