Meet the Artist: Sue Wright
By Mia Macrossan Sue Wright is the owner of micro-press Tiny Owl Workshop. She publishes novellas, zines and children’s books and produces multi-media projects through the imprint Curious, with Terry Whidborne. She has a fondness for tea and a collection of picture books
The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants
By Suzanne Houghton Reviewed by Sophia Evans Have you ever heard of a meat-eating plant? Or a plant that traps spiders and flies? Let’s be honest, most of us know about of the Venus fly trap and its ability to catch flies,
The Deadly Fang (Super Epic Dragon Quest #1)
By Adam Wallace & James Hart Reviewed by Sophia Evans Super Epic Dragon Quest #1: The Deadly Fang is an action packed, humorous story that follows the fantastical adventures of Arlo. Because Arlo’s parents spend all day complaining and being grumpy, Arlo basically
Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History
By Mellissa-Jane Fogarty & Dylan Finney Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History is the first in a series of illustrated information books about Australian landmarks. This is Melissa-Jane Fogarty’s debut picture book, though she has a substantial
Wombat Poos Are Square
By Sophie Gillies & Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Australian animals provide endlessly fascinating material for children to discover, and this book has a surefure topic that will have all the young ones hooked, poo! It's a book describing the different kinds
Little Bones
By Sandy Bigna Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ‘Night slides in with its warm-scented breath, swallowing up the shrinking sun and gently flicking its star-lights on. This lyrical debut verse novel immediately reaches out to touch your heart with its original imagery and evocative language. It
The Lovely and the Lost
By Jennifer Lynn Barnes Reviewed by Lucille Rose This action thriller follows SAR dog trainer Kira bennet and her adoptive family as they begin the hunt for a girl lost in the American wilderness. Kira’s life is split it two, it has
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
By Liz Flanagan Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Liz Flanagan is the UK writer of the middle grade fantasy series Legends of the Sky, and the YA thriller Eden Summer. Into the Wild is the first in her new Wildsmith
Meet the Artist: Terry Whidborne
Terry Whidborne has worked in the advertising industry for many years, and is now recognised as one of Brisbane’s most senior award-winning Art Directors. But as Terry’s family grew, so did his interest in illustration. He began developing his style
Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day
By Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent Jamieson is the author of the gorgeous children's book The Giant and the Sea as well as mnay adult books. He and Brent Wilson first teamed up with Mr Impoppable, a
Meet the Artist: Brent Wilson
Mia Macrossan talks to Brent Wilson, a prolific artist whose work is characterised by fluid expressive lines and subtle humour using a classic mid-century cartoon aesthetic. Books he has illustrated include Mr Impoppable and Koalas Like To
Aslan and Benny
By Jemima Shafei-Ongu & Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Aslan had the heart and name of a lion, scared of nothing and willing to try almost anything. His favourite day was Sunday because the family always had a barbecue with his
When You’re Going to the Moon
By Sasha Beekman & Vivienne To Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “There’s a lot you’ve got to fit in your little green bag. Your pet iguana, tap dancing shoes, and inflatable moose … What else might you need when you’re going to the
The Humongous Humdingle Family and the Tiny House
By Michelle Wilson & P.J. Reece Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The Humongous Humdingle Family and the Tiny House is a big title and barely fits on the cover of this book, but as such, tells the whole story. The endpapers introduce you
To and Fro
By Anton Clifford-Motopi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Brisbane-based author Anton Clifford-Motopi is a former teacher and lecturer who currently works as a health researcher at a university. Anton’s stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, and draw from ‘
Lexie Moon & the Word Burgling Bungle
By Melissa Garside Illustrated by Lauren Mullindor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel reflects the author's love of wordplay. It is a fast paced story about a girl who loves to invent things, more since her Grandad moved in with the family.
My Big Secret
Written and illustrated by Felice Arena Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felice has often been reviewed in StoryLinks. His many books are always rewarding and fun to read. Titles include the iconic Specky Magee series, the Sporty Kids series, the historical adventure novels and CBCA
Little Love List
By Bethany Clark & Summer Macon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Summer Macon has illustrated more than 30 picture books, most of them focused on early childhood and here she has teamed up with Bethany Clark whose debut picture book was You've Got
Baby and Me
By Angela Casabene & Hilary Jean Tapper Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Angela's first picture book All You Can Be, a love letter to children everywhere, was inspired by her daughter. Here she has teamed up with Hilary Jean Tapper, an illustrator who
Our World of Wild Wonders
By Jevita Nilson & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a companion to Our World Full of Wonder by the same creators which focused on natural wonders. Here they explore a careful selection of wild animals that inhabit our world.
Every Rock Has a Story: an A to Z of Australian geology
By Kitty van Cuylenburg Illustrated by Cher Hart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This informative book explores 26 iconic landforms, minerals, fossils or resources all with interesting tales to tell. Each letter has a keyword underneath it to show what type of geological feature
Wave Atlas: Everything you need to know about waves
By Sarah Zambello Illustrated by Susy Zanella Produced in collaboration with the University of Genoa, Sea Study Centre Translated by Emma Mandley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something different in information books - not only is Wave Atlas a carefully researched scientific explanation of
Why are there wars?
By Katie Daynes & Mairi Mackinnon Illustrated by Oksana Drachkovska Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Sadly, in a time when in most countries, it has recently been a time of "peace and goodwill to all", our news bulletins have remained peppered with stories about
FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK LINKS NEWS
Here's the news of all things KidLit for this month, events for the year ahead, including details of the annual Short Story competition, Romancing the Stars, the upcoming Illustrators Exhibition and more: FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK LINKS NEWS
Searching for Treasure
By Johanna Bell & Emma Long Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Johanna Bell lives in Tasmania and is the author of The Colour Catchers, Hope is the Thing, illustrated by Erica Wagner, and many more. Emma Long is an accomplished artist, exhibiting regularly in
The Backyard Games
By Alister Nicholson and Tom Jellett Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian sports broadcaster Alister Nicholson has covered Summer and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, AFL Grand Finals and Test cricket. This wealth of knowledge and love of sport was incorporated in his
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most beloved and awarded authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15. One of the
Boss of Your Own Mind
By Byll Stephen Beth Stephen Teeny Tiny Stevies Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a fun and insightful picture book written by the writers behind the ABC TV Teeny Tiny Stevies, aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. The pages are filled with Simon
The Sweetness Between Us
By Sarah Winifred Searle Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Sweetness Between us is a graphic novel following the lives of teen vampire Amandine Lavigne and diabetic Perley Culpepper. What’s worse than having to go back to school after the summer holidays? The answer
Dragon Guest Handbook
By Jeanette Stampone & Novia Heroanto Reviewed by Margarite Igras Dragon Guest Handbook is an imaginative debut from an author who dedicated the book to her sister for “rolling your eyes at me when I said I couldn’t do it.” Aimed at
