Scarlet Morning
Written and illustrated by N D Stevenson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan N D Stevenson is a cartoonist and animation producer. He is the creator, and executive producer of the animated television series She-Ra and the Princess of Power and science fantasy graphic
The Last Tiger
By Julia Riew & Brad Riew Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Inspired by the forbidden love story of their Korean grandparents – who married across classes for love in a time of arranged marriages for standing – Julie Riew and Brad Riew have
Skull River
By Pip Fioretti Reviewed by Lauren Spencer This is Pip Fioretti’s second crime novel and follows on from the highly successful Bone Lands (2024). Pip has previously published books in women’s fiction and recently switched genres, a risky move that proved to
I’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Oliver Jeffers has won many awards for his work including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Gold Award, the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and the Irish Children's Book of the
Mum’s Busy Work
By Jacinda Ardern & Ruby Jones Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Children's books written by famous people whose field of expertise is something totally different can be interesting and challenging for all sorts of reasons. Jacinda Ardern was Prime Minister of New Zealand
Raising Readers (revised edition)
By Megan Daley Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Megan Daley is a celebrated Brisbane teacher-librarian and co-founder of the Your Kid’s Next Read Facebook community and podcast. Her debut non-fiction title, Raising Readers: How to nurture a child’s love of books, was published
Neighbourhood Nest
By Sarah Jane Lightfoot Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author and illustrator Sarah Jane Lightfoot is known for her informative and visually appealing picture books aimed at 3- to 7-year-olds. Her debut work, Down the Road Little Bee sent the young reader
Fairy Beach
By Sheila Knaggs & Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Sheila Knagg’s inspiration for this story came about one day during the COVID lockdown. She was walking along the beach and heard what she thought was giggling and chatter. It came from
Rosewood Then & Now
By Karen Tyrell & Megan Forward Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a charming history snapshot of a small Queensland town aimed at primary school readers but can be enjoyed by people of any age. The book is an initiative of the
The Beat I Drum
By Dusti Bowling Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Connor in Dusti Bowling's award winning Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, the story of Aven Green who was born without arms. Now in the third instalment of the Life
Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy)
By I.V. Marie Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Six ‘inconvenient acquaintances’, four trials, one chance to escape an eternity of nothingness. New York Times Bestseller Immortal Consequences, the debut novel by American author I.V. Marie, is the first half of a duology about
The Lost Girl King
By Catherine Doyle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catherine is the author of the award-winning middle grade Storm Keeper trilogy and the YA Blood for Blood trilogy and with The Lost Girl King she is back in familiar middle grade territory with a
Countdown to Christmas
Compiled and reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here are some Christmas books published this year to entertain and amuse a young audience. Countdown to Christmas by Evie Garland & Rachel Gyan A sturdy book book in the shape of a Christmas tree, brightly coloured
Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop
By Krystal Sutherland and Martin Seneviratne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Krystal Sutherland the winner of the Prime Minister's Award for the YA novel The Invocations has here teamed up with her husband Martin Seneviratne to create a thrilling middle grade page turner,
The Lone Husky
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hannah Gold has carved a reputation for writing emotionally rich stories with strong environmental themes. From her first novel The Last Bear, its sequel, Finding Bear, to Turtle Moon and now The Lone Husky,
The Colours of Nature
By Catherine Barr & Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our natural world provides many examples of gorgeous, stunning animals and plants that fascinate young readers. A book that celebrates the beauty and diversity around us is a perfect way to engage
World of Colour
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess is a versatile illustrator who has worked with many writers including Claire Saxby (Tree, Whisper on the Wind, Iceberg) to create outstanding picture books, as well as carving out a name for herself as a sole creator (There’s
The Invocations
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Literature, The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland has it all: strong girls protecting each other; older women listening to younger women; occult magic based in
Robbit the Job-Hopping Frog
By Michael Gerard Bauer & Katrin Dreiling Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian multiple-award winning author Michael Gerard Bauer is well known for his many books aimed at both children and young adults. Titles such as The Running Man (CBCA 2005 Book of
Catch
By Sarah Brill Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Catch opens with Beth walking home one afternoon, minding her own business on a busy sidewalk, when a sudden and intense urge to throw up hits. Instead of bending over, she looks up and a
Feature: Why Children Love Scary Stories – And Why It’s Ok!
By Claire Monsour As parents, carers, and educators, our primary role is to protect the children in our care – so it’s only natural to be concerned or resistant when children show an interest in the scary, the gory, and all
Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors
Written and illustrated by Meredith Downes Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Liam is an echidna destined for trouble.” Echidnas, known for their docile temperament and tendency to hide from conflict, are not an Australian animal that is usually ‘destined for trouble’. But Liam is
Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble: Legend of the Fang
By Nick Long Illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord. Reviewed by Lauren Spencer When he isn’t searching for lost cities in the Amazon and filming Netflix documentaries, Nick Long is writing his children’s book, Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble. Wait! I probably wasn’t supposed to
10 Dogs: A Funny Furry Counting Book
Written & illustrated by Emily Gravett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 10 DOGS … another cute counting book? No, not at all. For a start, there are also 10 sausages involved which makes this far more fun, but also challenging. '3 dogs with more sausages
A Good Kind of Trouble
By Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Brooke Blurton is the first Indigenous and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. Her advocacy for First Nations people and the LGBTQ+ community continues, alongside writer, editor and Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman,
My Pet Croc
Written by Dani Vee Illustrations by Jules Faber Reviewed by Sophia Evans If you’re after a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle-grade story with a splash of chaos and a lot of mischief, My Pet Croc is the perfect choice for you! Felix is asked by his
You Choose Mega: Prehistoric Peril
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Colby, aged 9, who writes his own comic books called Millipede Man and Green Rocket. He also loves The Beatles, and is learning the guitar. Thank you Colby for talking to us about You Choose
Heir of Storms
By Lauryn Hamilton Murray Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey At the end of Heir of Storms, the debut YA Romantasy from Scottish author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, one thing was left wanting – what happens next?? Luckily, this moody, intense and captivating story will
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
By Craig Silvey Illustrated by Sara Acton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Craig Silvey is rapidly becoming a household name in Australia. Two of his books Honeybee #25 and Jasper Jones #24 were voted amongst the recent Top 100 Books in Radio National's 2025
Meet the Author: Kirsten Ealand
By Lauren Spencer Kirsten Ealand is a children’s book author from the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Working part-time as a library assistant, Kirsten shares her love for books and reading with her community. It’s clear from her two picture
