Sketch
By Jacques Goldstyn Translated by Helen Mixter Greystone Kids 2026 Reviewed by Dimity Powell Occasionally, one happens upon a book that resonates hard, impacts deep and lingers on. Sketch by Jacques Goldstyn is one such book; a picture book for older readers that speaks to those that feel
This is NOT the Diary of Izzy Dobson
By Abigail Balfe Penguin Books 2026 Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Abigail Balfe is an auDHD author/illustrator who lives in Brighton and previously led digital campaigns for famous pop stars and broadcasters. Her first book, A Different Sort of Normal – a memoir about
Shakespeare in the Orchard
By Danielle Binks Lothian Children's Books, 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Danielle Binks has returned to a winning formula with her latest novel, Shakespeare in the Orchard. Like in the award-winning The Year the Maps Changed, she has crafted a coming-of-age story about
Amazing Astro Animals
By James Foley Fremantle Press 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan James Foley is well known in the kidlit world for humourous picture book including Oh No!, Dungzilla and Stellarphant. With Amazing Astro Animals he has a more serious aim to inform while entertaining and
A New Kind of Beautiful
By Suzy Zail Walker Books Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Fifteen-year-old Paige had plans – big plans. A gap year with her best friend, Jazz. Art school in New York. Continue painting all the colours and details of real life. But the
The Garden of Lost Girls
By A.L. Tait Scholastic Australia Reviewed by Helen Gearing Best-selling children’s author and co-host of the ‘Your Kid’s Next Read’ podcast, A.L. Tait’s latest middle-grade mystery explores the intergenerational impacts of a young woman’s disappearance. Readers ten years and older who enjoy mystery
Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
By Graeme Base Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan How time flies! Graeme Base's Animalia is celebrating 40 years, a book that has enthralled and delighted generations of children. Graeme's is one of Australia's most acclaimed creators who has published many wonderful books
Tilly’s First Spell
By Mary Anastasiou & Giorgia Clerico Five Mile Press 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Just in time for Halloween is another adventure featuring Tilly and Sootie, first encountered in Tilly's New Broom. In Tilly's First Spell, the little witch Tilly is keen to
Meet the Artist & Author Simon Howe
Simon Howe is the author and illustrator of Going Home, The House That Walked Away, and Shoosh!. He has also illustrated many titles for other writers. Now he has branched out into junior reader territory with Betsy & Bon, a
The Baby Sleeps
By Lisa Dick & Laura Bee A & U Children NZ 2026 Reviewed by Margarite Igras Lisa Dick is a New Zealand author, journalist and editor who has worked across print, radio and TV news. This is her first picture book though she
Book Links September News
After the excitement of Book Week what is happening in the world of Children's Literature? Quite a lot, find out what's happening in the September 2026 Book Links Newsletter
Star of Deltora
By Emily Rodda A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Rodda is a well known and much loved Australian author of award winning books such as the Rowan of Rin series, His Name Was Walter, Eliza Vanda’s Button Box, The Shop at Hooper’s Bend and Landovel.
Betsy & Bon
Written and illustrated by Simon Howe UQP 2026 Teacher's Notes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Simon is a writer and illustrator who says he makes books about childhood, family, hope and home. He has also illustrated many books in collaboration with others including Boss of
Eleanor Jones is Not Drowning
By Amy Doak Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When school friend, Letisha claims, “It was Murder. I’m absolutely sure of it”, regarding the death of Xavi, her boyfriend, Eleanor Jones, almost reluctantly, goes again into junior detective mode. Year eleven student, Eleanor Jones,
The Wild Unknown
By Emily Gale Text Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor It’s 2045 and Eddie lives with his brother, Jude, and his parents in suburban Naarm. He’s starting to get anxious about his first year of high school, and is determined to make the
Belonging
Written and illustrated by Ambelin Kwaymullina Magabala Books 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ambelin Kwaymullina is an award-winning Aboriginal author and illustrator from the Palyku people of Western Australia. Her books for children (ranging from picture books to YA dystopian novels) have won
Witless Protection (Mega Rich Guinea Pigs, #2)
By Kate and Jol Temple HarperCollins 2026 Reviewed by Claire Monsour When we last left the Mega Rich Guinea Pigs, they had foiled their scheming relatives, secured their vast fortune, and settled down to a life of privilege and pampering. Everything was peaceful,
I Call the Ocean Wardan
By Ebony Froome Illustrated by Dallas Bennell and Korrine Bennell-Yarran Fremantle Press September 2026 Teaching Notes Teaching Activity Reviewed by Sue Wright There are over 250 Indigenous languages, including 800 dialects, across Australia, and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Islander Studies confirms that ‘Each language is
The Nardi Puzzle
By Gabriella Page Rhiza Press 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor The Nardi Puzzle is the third book about escape rooms I have reviewed this year, reflecting their huge and ongoing popularity with families and young people. It is the debut novel of Gabriella Page,
Animal Force
Written by Cerise Madsen Illustrated by Sally Heinrich Midnight Sun, 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Animal Force is an exciting adventure tale for ages 8-12 which will appeal to readers for a few reasons. First of all, it is a nice slim volume, with
Stuck in the Middle
By Anton Clifford-Motopi A & U Children 2026 Reading Notes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Clifford-Motopi’s second novel, after his debut To and Fro, is also a middle grade novel exploring themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendships. Leon is the middle child in a family
Real When I’m With You
By Lucy Powrie Scholastic Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every neurodiverse person has a unique experience of life – both the world around them and their internal world. Never before, as an autistic and ADHD woman, have I felt as seen and
Wonders Under the Moon A Collection of Night-Time Creatures
By Tai Snaith Thames & Hudson Australia 2025 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tai Snaith has created many appealing picture books including The Family Hour in Australia, Sticks and Stones Animal Homes and Wonders Under the Sun, the companion to Wonders Under the Moon. This
Butterflies Up Close
By Mark Russell Wild Dog Books 2025 Teacher's Notes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This splendid introduction to one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating creatures deserves to be in every school and home library. In clear simple language we learn about the life cycle
Grandpas, Piranhas, and other stories
By Rocio Bonilla Albatross Books (English edition), 2026 Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Rocio Bonilla is a prolific Spanish author/illustrator with over 50 titles published, translated into multiple languages around the world. She’s best known for the beloved Minimoni character and spinoff series
Floating by the Clouds
Written by Mohammad Awad Illustrated by Niña Nill Penguin Books, 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor When I heard an enthusiastic review of this book by teacher-librarian Megan Daley, on the “Your Kids Next Read” podcast, for some reason I braced myself for a sentimental,
Are You Bored Minimoni?
By Rocio Bonilla Albatross Books (Enlish edition) 2026 Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Rocio Bonilla is a prolific Spanish author/illustrator with over 50 titles published, translated into multiple languages around the world. Are You Bored, Minimoni? Is part of a series about the
Edwina the Emu: 30th Anniversary Edition
By Sheena Knowles & Rod Clement HarperCollins, 2026 Reviewed by Barbara Braxton There can be few 30-somethings who grew up in Australia who do not know the story about Edward the emu, who, bored with being in the zoo, set out to find adventure and
The Smuggler’s Curse
By Norman Jorgensen Fremantle Press 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Helen Gearing Norman Jorgensen, whose 2008 debut middle-grade novel ‘Jack’s Island’ and 2011 best-selling picture book ‘The Last Viking’ (with illustrator James Foley) were both highly awarded, has crafted another edge-of-your-seat, high-action adventure in
