Unreal
Can you tell fact from fake? by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I learned a new word today, cryptid, an animal that some people believe…
Billy and the Epic Escape
By Jamie Oliver Reviewed by Sophia Evans Billy and The Epic Escape is the exciting sequel to Jamie Oliver’s children’s debut, Billy and the Giant Adventure, both illustrated by Mónica…
Jeff Giraffe The Great Escape
By Amelia McInerney & Alexandra Colombo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Amelia McInerney has written several funny stories for young children, each with endearing characters, engaging storylines and appealing titles, such…
The Unexpected Mess of It All
Written by Gabrielle Tozer Reviewed by Jamie Willis Gabrielle Tozer is the award-winning author of seven books, including Remind Me How This Ends, Can’t Say It Went to Plan and The Intern, and her…
Astrochimp
Written by David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Jamie Willis David Walliams is the bestselling author of more than 40 books for children, and Astrochimp is his debut…
Jack’s Island
By Norman Jorgensen Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jack’s Island is an award-winning book by Norman Jorgensen, which was first released in 2008, and has been re-released with a very appealing…
Rebecca Lim wins the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
Congratulations to Rebecca Lim, winner of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction for her middle grade novel Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky, Allen & Unwin Children,…
Something Special (40th Anniversary Edition)
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan If you are looking for a writer whose stories appeal to children of all ages, try a book by Emily Rodda, you won’t…
Breaking Pointe
By Chenée Marrapodi Reviewed by Helen Gearing In 2023, Chenée Marrapodi, host of the Writers off the Page podcast, released her debut middle-grade novel One Wrong Turn which explored the…
Xander and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe David Lawrence’s background in comedy writing for TV productions such as Comedy Inc. and Hamish & Andy has held…
Rainbow Volume 1
By Sunny Gloom & Angel Gloomy Reviewed by Lucille Rose Rainbow Volume 1: Sunny and Gloomy is a charming graphic novel that tells the tale of imaginative teenager Boo Meadows.…
100 School Days
By Deborah Frenkel & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Deborah Frenkel has written this story based on her daughter’s experiences in her first year of school. It…
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
By Claire Mabey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Mabey is very active in the New Zealand literary world – she is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis.…
The Little Street Library
By Amy Adeney & Erin McClean Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Street libraries have become very popular in Australia and they are a common sight in the major cities. In Australia…
The Truck Cat
By Deborah Frenkel & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a bit of a dream team of writer and illustrator: Deborah Frenkel has written quite a few picture…
Mackenzie Arnold 1: Finders Keepers & Mackenzie Arnold 2: Caught in the Middle
By Mackenzie Arnold, Jess Black & Hannah McCaffery Reviewed by Jamie Willis In 2023, Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was in the spotlight as the Matildas won a spot in the…
Cheer Up, Blobfish!
By Julie Murphy & Rachel Tribout. Reviewed by Margarite Igras Julie Murphy has written this wonderful story about a real but very unusual fish that exists in the very deep…
Boots
Written by Elizabeth Pulsford & illustrated by Krista Brennan Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Boots was waiting … waiting for his Farmer”. “Boots was just a pair of boots” but his…
Fluff: Mess Up!
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Barbara Braxton When Gilbert’s father left – this time it’s because he was eaten by a sea monster – Gilbert’s mum gave him a big…
Ask the Author: Lorena Carrington
By Lara Cain Gray Lorena Carrington is best known as an illustrator whose books have been published in Australia and internationally. Her works are created using photography and digital montage…
Mr McGee and his Hat
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Generations of children have grown up enjoying the iconic picture books of Pamela Allen. Her many titles include the popular Who Sank the…
The Kindness Project
By Deborah Abela Reviewed by Helen Gearing Deborah Abela has written over 30 books for children, including the bestselling Max Remy series and the CBCA Notable The Book of Wondrous…
The Dragon’s Treasure and The Vanishing
By Mark Greenwood Reviewed by Sandy Driessens On a summer morning in 1931, four children on a remote beach in Western Australia, discovered ancient coins buried, like treasure in the…
Meet Rebecca Lim, author of Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky – Book Links 2024 Children’s Historical Fiction award shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children,…
Meet Catherine Norton, author of The Fortune Maker – Book Links 2024 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children,…
Liar’s Test
By Ambelin Kwaymullina Reviewed by Helen Gearing Ambelin Kwaymullina is an award-winning Aboriginal author and illustrator from the Palyku people of Western Australia. Her books for children (ranging from picture…
Always Anthony
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Always Anthony is the eighth book in the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends series, which include Invisible Emmie, Just Jaimie, Positively…
Leaf Letters
By Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray If there is a formula for creating a wonderfully engaging junior fiction novel it must surely involve intrepid friends, hidden treasure and…
The Sea in Me
Written by Cody Simpson with Jess Black, illustrated by Amandine Thomas Reviewed by Margarite Igras Cody Simpson, Australian swimmer, singer-songwriter, and actor has now added author to his list of…
Be True to You!
Written by Maggie Hutchings and illustrated by Hayley Wells Reviewed by Margarite Igras Using her background as a counsellor dealing with children struggling with aspects of their identity, free-spirited mother…