Bella Grows a Bicycle
Written Lellie Lopter & illustrated by Chiara Franceschetti Five Mile Press 2026 Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Bella wants a bicycle – but her birthday is months away! ‘Bikes are expensive,’ said Dad. ‘Maybe we could grow one.’ Dad gives her a tiny seed. She
Once Upon Tomorrow
By Karen Comer Lothian Children's Books 2026 Reviewed by Dimity Powell Verse novels possess a certain magic that levels up emotion and crystalises conception. Award-winning Aussie author, Karen Comer's Once Upon Tomorrow is just such a lyrical foray into the past, the questionable future and
Scare B’n’B
By Catherine Doyle Illustrations by Rachael Dean Bloomsbury Childrens Books Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catherine Doyle is an Irish writer of fantastic fantasy adventures for young readers. Her novels include The Lost Girl King, the award-winning middle grade Storm Keeper trilogy and the YA
Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King (Heroes in the Ancient World, #1)
By Jackie French HarperCollins Classroom resource Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our national treasure Jackie French styles herself as 'author, ecologist, historian, dyslexic and honorary wombat'. She must be one of the most prolific writers on the planet creating stories for children and adults notable
The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks
By Fiona Harris Affirm Press Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Fiona Harris is an author, scriptwriter, and actor who has worked in publishing, television, and theatre. She has published many books for children, including Sleepover BFFs and The Rebound, and is the co-author of
Turtle Tears
By Megan Albany & Paul Seden Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Magabala Books, 2026 "Ever since Pop died, my Nan won't stop crying." Morning, noon and night the tears flow - she even makes her chips soggy at dinnertime
The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell
Written by Jess Galatola & illustrated by Lu Baker Larrikin House 2026 Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Wanda Spelled is a little witch with a BIG problem. At Spell Bright Academy, her magic is marvellous … until her spelling slips.” Each day of the week,
Golden*
*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit. By Jade Timms Text Publishing 2025 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every now and then, I finish the last page of a book and I’m compelled to immediately start again. Golden was one of
Detective Beans & the Map of Mystery
By Li Chen Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat, her first graphic novel was followed by Detective Beans
Of Flame and Fury
By Mikayla Bridge Macmillan Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Even in a world where humans move into the lands of powerful magical creatures, we will find a way to stamp out their presence for our own benefit. Of Flame and Fury is the
Mortal Engines: Bridge of Storms
By Philip Reeve Scholastic 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Philip’s first book was the epic YA steampunk Mortal Engines, 2001, which created a world of ‘municipal Darwinism’, where rampaging motorised towns and cities are on the move, attacking and eating each other, prowling around looking for
Wild Darling (The Darling Devils, Book 3)
By Alexandra Moody Electric Monkey 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey It feels like sports romances, especially ice hockey, are everywhere at the moment. The sub-genre is having quite a time in the spotlight, and Australian author Alexandra Moody has found a cozy spot
Tearing Myself Together
By Anna Whateley A & U Children 2026 Teaching resources Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey How do you tear yourself together? First, maybe, you need to allow yourself to be torn apart. Only then can you make sure it’s just the pieces that really fit
Meet the Author: Julia Lawrinson
Meet Dr Julia Lawrinson who is many things, presenter, teacher and consultant, living on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar (Perth, Western Australia). She delivers a wide range of author talks and workshops for people of all ages, as well as presenting interactive
Day of Now
By Miranda Reason Bloomsbury 2026 Reviewed by Sue Wright There’s a long and vivid history of apocalyptic stories where gods, viruses, infections, invasions or conflicts wipe out civilisation as we know it. Stories range from ancient tales of floods to more modern era
Handbooks for Little Humans: Fairness; Handbooks for Little Humans: Friendship
By Zanni Louise Art by Maja Veselinovic Affirm Kids 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Zanni Louise continues her excellent series of useful handbooks for teachers and caregivers to use with young children with these two additions to the list, one on fairness and
My Body is My Home
By Jasper Peach & Beci Orpin A & U Children 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Jasper Peach is a trans, non-binary and disabled writer, speaker and parent whose mission in life is to dismantle misplaced shame. The author’s first book
Dresses Are For Messes
By Elizabeth Pulsford & Janet Samuel File Mile 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Readers familiar with Elizabeth Pulsford’s rhyming texts will not be disappointed with her latest picture book, Dresses Are For Messes. Her previous titles include Boots, illustrated by Krista Brennan, also
Her Hidden Fire
By Cliodhna O’Sullivan Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey From the opening page, Her Hidden Fire draws you into the secrecy and clandestine nature of the world of Eadha (Eh-ya), a servant girl. Her best friend, Ionain (Yun-aw-in), is heir to the castle
Old Bertie
By Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn Fremantle Press 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Sue Wright Old Bertie by debut authors Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn is ridiculous fun. An absurd tale with an absurd premise threaded together by dreadful puns and slapstick situations which I’m
Book Links June 2026 Newsletter
Attention all lovers of KidLit. Here is the Book Links June 2026 Newsletter compiled by the indefatigable Jenny Stubbs, containing all the news and events for this month. Enjoy.
Bitsa 1
By Andrew Daddo Illustrated by Stephen Michael King Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan, Andrew Daddo is a well know television personality and writer of children's stories including Atticus Van Tasticus, Grandma’s Guide to Happiness, and Poo Face. His stories are characterised by warm-hearted appeal
The Farmer’s Pyjamas
By Ruth Paul Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Before the farmer’s day is done, she does her chores, one by one. She milks the cow, counts the sheep, sings the piglets off to sleep. But if she is to get a well-earned, sound night's sleep she needs
Ruby’s Web
By Ellen van Neerven Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Ellen van Neerven is a writer of Mununjali and Dutch heritage living on Yagera and Turrbal land. They have had multiple collections of short stories and poetry published. This is their first novel for
Time To Go To The Park
By Emma Bowd & Leila Rudge Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Emma Bowd is not only an Australian award-winning author who is passionate about writing inclusive picture books, but with a background in occupational therapy, she is also an advocate of imaginative, nature-based
Don’t Let Them Leave
By Mike Lucas Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Mike Lucas is a British-Australian author of picture books and young adult suspense. His latest young adult novel, Don’t Let Them Leave, starts with a compelling prologue in a mine shaft in North Cornwall, 1855. In
Forever & Ever
By Allanah Hunt Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Allanah Hunt is a Barkindji and Malyangapa woman and the first recipient of the inaugural Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship. The Brisbane-based writer also works as an editor, lecturer and researcher at the University of Queensland.
Through the Darkening Sea*
By Claire Saxby & Peter Cheong Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Claire Saxby is the master of lyrical non-fiction picture books. She has published many, including Emu, Koala, Kookaburra, Secrets of the Saltmarsh, and Volcano, across multiple publishers, collaborating with many of Australia’s
The Boy and the Shark
By Cate James Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Cate James is a Sydney-based illustrator and printmaker who has published more than 50 picture books with some of Australia’s biggest publishers. Her previous illustration work includes the CBCA-shortlisted Dear Broccoli (written by Jo Dabrowski)
The World From Here
By Cassy Polimeni & Mel Armstrong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Cassy has written both fiction and non-fiction picture books including Ella and the Sleepover Safari and The Garden at the End of the World. She is a writer adept at presenting children with challenging
