WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World
By Davina Bell & Sarah Zweck Reviewed by Zewlan Moor You might be surprised to hear that this picture book was quite controversial at our Last Tuesday Book Club (for adult readers of children's books).. How so? Written by much-loved children’s book author
The Midlands
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Kate Gordon is the award winning author of not only Aster’s Good Right Things which won the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year Award in 2021, but also many other delightful middle grade novels. Her
Fearless
By Kelly Canby Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Kelly Canby’s latest release, Fearless, continues to showcase her triple-threat picture book talent for words, illustrations, and epic spread design that becomes an integral component of the storytelling. At the heart of this story
Romeo V Juliet
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Jenny Ruge R.A Spratt is a prolific author in the junior fiction and middle grade space, with numerous best-selling books in the Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series, The Peski Kids books, and several anthologies of
Where Would You Go?
By Allison Lester & Jane Godwin and the children at Yalingbu Yirramboi- The Royal Children's Hospital School Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Explore the magic of imagination with the children of The Royal Children’s Hospital as they wonder where everyone at the hospital might
Running in Circles
By Shivaun Palozza Reviewed by Sue Wright Shivaun is a popular writer of YA and middle grade novels which include Summer of Shipwrecks, Meet Me at the Moon Tree, A Reluctant Witch’s Guide to Magic and The Boy, the Wolf and the
What Do You Call Your Mum?
By Ashleigh Barton & Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In every country around the world are mums – some short, some tall. Though they go by different names, we love them one and all. Whether it's Mummy, Mama, Mum or Ma, or a word
Raised by Wolves
By Tristan Bancks Reviewed by Sue Wright Tristan is the acclaimed author of Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, Scar Town, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs. His books for upper middle grade and young adults are fast-paced mystery thrillers with carefully considered serious themes at their
Make Them Say Poo
Written by Stephen & illustrated by Rudi de Wet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stephen Minon won the Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland writer for an adult novel and this is his debut picture book. He has teamed up with Rudi de
Storm
By Claire Saxby & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan These two talented creators have collaborated again to create a wonderful evocation of a storm at sea. Previous works reviewed in StoryLinks include Volcano and Tree, but they both have an impressive list
The Shadow Bride
By Shelby Mahurin Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Celie was just a girl. Then she was a Bride of Death. Now she has died and come back. Michal, king of the vampires, couldn’t watch Celie die. Instead he made her what she most
The Last Word
By A. L. Tait Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Scholastic’s new Two Hearts series is a collection of standalone novels written by well-known Australian authors and marketed as ‘All the sugar and no spice: Clean romance suitable for tweens and young teens’. The
Our History: A House Divided
By Clare Hallifax Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes November 11, 1975 is a date etched vividly into the minds of many Australians, not only because of Remembrance Day, but also because that was the infamous day upon which the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam,
Nerds VS Aliens
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Originally from Liverpool, England, Barry Jonsberg is an award-winning Australian author of children’s and young adult fiction. One of his most notable works, My Life as an Alphabet (2013), was adapted into the 2020 film,
Kep Barna Water Creatures
By Jayden Boundry & Tyrown Waigana Reviewed by Sophia Evans Kep Barna: Water Creatures is book two in the Noongar First Words series. This book invites babies and toddlers to discover water creatures and learn their names in Noongar and English. The final
Dungzilla
Written and illustrated By James Foley This edition colouring by Paulina Gamez Reviewed by Sophia Evans DUNGZILLA is a hilarious, action-packed graphic novel that follows the shenanigans of the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, Sally Tinker. Sally begins the story
Oh Brother: A Graphic Memoir
By Georgina Chadderton Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Georgina Chadderton is a freelance cartoonist from Adelaide. Her debut graphic novel, Oh Brother: A Graphic Memoir, is set in the early 2000s and details her experience of growing up alongside her younger brother, Rob,
Behind the Picture Book Exhibition Launched
by Mia Macrossan It was a hectic but wonderful day yesterday when all the artists came to the Richared Randall Art Studio to set up their exhibition Behind the Picture Books, which gives an insight into their art and craft and celebrates their
The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire
By Anna Fiteni Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni is a contemporary fantasy book following eldest daughter Sabrina Parry who, after her father’s sentence to ten years in Australia, becomes the sole protector of her
Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance
By Anita Fitch Pazner and Sophie Casson Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anita Fitch Pazner is an American author who was born in Germany. Sophie Casson is from Montreal, Quebec and has illustrated more than 30 books. Words Matter is the story of Hans
This Season’s Draft
By Jason Gent Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Jason Gent lives in Brisbane with his wife and two daughters. His debut YA verse novel, This Season’s Draft, was a 2026 CBCA Notable in the Older Readers category. This Season’s Draft features six teenagers (five
The Night Tiger
By Sherryl Clark & Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sheryll Clark is a prolific and much- awarded and beloved Australian author of more than 70 published children’s and YA books, including novels, chapter books, picture books and verse novels. She writes
The Brave Little Whale
By Charlotte Manning Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Author/illustrator Charlotte Manning uses mixed media, painting and stencil in her stiory of Uki, a little Humpback whale who faces some big challenges as he travels in the deep blue ocean with his pod. He is
Book Links April Newsletter
Here is the latest in what’s happening in the KidLit sphere compiled by the indefatigable Jenny Stubbs, essential reading for anyone interested and working in Australian children’s literature. BOOK LINKS APRIL NEWSLETTER
The Man From Snowy River: Australian Classics for Little Ones
Written By Banjo Paterson Edited by Kathryn England Illustrated by Cate James Reviewed by Sophia Evans The Man From Snowy River by Banjo Paterson is a well-known Australian classic poem studied in many primary and high schools. This version, edited by Kathryn England and
Meet the Author: Brenton Cullen
By Mia Macrossan Brenton Cullen is thrilled to publishing his debut middle grade novel The Prime Minister Problem, a book about a quiet kid who unexpectedly achieves much. He lives in Queensland, between the bush and the beach, in a little
Potion Commotion
by Rebecca Grant & Niña Nill Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Potion Commotion is a delightful cumulative tale in 24 pages, which is short enough for story time with a young audience, but long enough to pack a punch (or BOOM!) The rhyme and
I Love Me
By Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here's a little board book made by two well known children's book creators aimed at the very young which celebrates being yourself. Using occasional rhymes and the repetition of I love followed by lists
Are You the Easter Bunny?
By Janeen Brian & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are many books about Easter published at about this time and here is one that is timely and timeless. Are You the Easter Bunny? is about the Greater Bilby which was suggested
Anders and the Mountain: Anders 4
By Gregory Mackay Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gregory Mackay is a graphic artist and creator who has here produced the fourth in his highly popular cosy graphic novel series. Previous titles are Anders and the Comet, Anders and the Volcano and Anders
