Grace the Amazing
By Aleesah Darlinson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Aleesah Darlinson is an award-winning author of more than 65 books for children, including the Super Sloth series, the Space Kids series and…
South with the Seabirds
Follow four remarkable scientists to the edge of the world By Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Non fiction picture books are having quite a moment right now, and…
Brittany & Co Take on Paris
Written by John Larkin Illustrated by Rebecca Timmis Reviewed by Jamie Willis John Larkin writes for both children and adults. His previous books include How to Avoid Being Eaten by…
The Kelly Gang Kids
By Coral Vass & Deb Hudson Reviewed by Barbara Braxton School’s out and four rambunctious boys chase each other through the streets of Avenel. a tiny town in Central Victoria, causing havoc…
Summer of Shipwrecks
By Shivaun Plozza Reviewed by Helen Gearing Shivaun Plozza’s previous middle-grade novel, Meet Me at the Moon Tree, was a CBCA notable and nominee for the 2024 Australian Book Industry…
How to Draw A Dragon
By Kate Talbot Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Kate Talbot is an Australian-born, New Zealand-based children’s picture book illustrator who enjoys creating quirky characters and vibrant illustrations. How to Draw a…
Say Hello
By Renae Hayward & Rebecca Mills Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This creative team also produced Say Hooray, a joyful celebration of some of the milestones in a baby’s first year.…
Landovel
The Poison Taster, The Secret Keeper, The Truth Teller By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Rodda is a well known and much loved Australian author of award winning…
Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe
Written by Joel McKerrow Illustrated by Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Joel McKerrow is a well-regarded poet, known for his poetry collections, poetry performances and spoken word/music albums, and…
Design & Building on Country: First Knowledges for younger readers
By Alison Page & Paul Memmott Illustrated by Blak Douglas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This title is part of the First Knowledges for Younger People series which celebrates the wisdom…
Dot! Scribble! Go!
By Hervé Tullet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hervé is well known for his innovative interactive picture books for very young children. They include Press Here, Mix it Up! and Tap!…
Riley’s Failproof Guide to BREAKING a School Record
Written by Dani Vee Illustrations by Jules Faber Reviewed by Sophia Evans Riley’s Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record is a pun-tastic middle-grade novel that follows Riley Noodle, who…
My Family and Other Suspects
By Kate Emery Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kate made her debut with the sparkling The Not So Chosen One, a YA fantasy. She has switched genres with My Family and…
Shadow Play
By Kate Forsyth & Rosalie Street Reviewed by Meg Rowe Renowned Australian author Kate Forsyth’s award-winning books span adult fiction, non-fiction, essays, poetry, and children’s writing, including the recently published…
Walls
By Tania Ingram & Ruth-Mary Smith Reviewed by Shan O’Shea A small book with a big message, this story is about building walls to feel safe, and then discovering that…
Penny Draws a Secret Adventure Penny Draws#3
By Sara Shepard Reviewed by Jamie Willis Sara Shepard has done it again with the third book in her Penny Draws series, Penny Draws a Secret Adventure. Sara might be…
My Brother, Finch
Written by Kate Gordon Reviewed by Jamie Willis Kate Gordon is an award-winning author of children’s and young adult fiction. Her novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of…
Jawsome: Jawsome 1 & Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2
Written and illustrated by R. J. Timmis Reviewed by Jamie Willis Rebecca Timmis is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 13 children’s books, including the Mertales series. In…
Words That Taste Like Home
By Sandhya Parappukkaran & Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira are both award-winning creators. Together, they have produced the picture books, The Boy Who Tried to…
The Best Present Ever
By Zoë Foster Blake & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan All children adore presents and here is a catalogue of imagined perfect gifts – ranging from magical creatures to…
Ferris
By Kate DiCamillo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kate DiCamillo writes whimsical and thought-provoking stories that have delighted and enchanted readers for the last twenty years. Her books have been awarded…
A Really Short Journey Through the Body
An illustrated edition of the bestselling book about our incredible anatomy By Bill Bryson adapted by Emma Young, illustrated by Daniel Long, Dawn Cooper, Jesús Sotés and Katie Ponder. Reviewed…
Yarn Quest series #1, 2 & 3
#1 The Search for the Story Realm #2 The Great River Rescue #3 The Power of the Heart By Brooke Scobie illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brooke…
I am Tree Rex
By Mo Davey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan A strong environmental theme gently delivered is at the core of Mo Davey’s debut picture book about a tree hugging dinosaur. Rex, a…
Bernie Thinks in Boxes
By Jess Horn & Zoe Bennett Reviewed by Meg Rowe Jess Horn’s debut picture book Bernie Thinks in Boxes is a quiet celebration of one little girl’s unique way of…
Stickboy
By Rebecca Young & Matt Ottley Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Stickboy is a unique and mature picture book from the collaborative team behind 2018’s much lauded Teacup. In a…
The Glass Horse of Venice
By Arnold Zable & Anita Lester Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The book was inspired by a chance meeting in Venice and speaks to one of Arnold’s core beliefs, that in…
Marringa Lullaby
By Emily Wurramara & Sylvia Wurramarrba Kkac Illustrated by Dylan Mooney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily is an Indigenous Australian singer and songwriter. Here she and Sylvia have teamed up…
Lights Out, Little Dragon
By Debra Tidball & Rae Tan Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is the award-winning Australian author Debra Tidball’s second interactive story for younger children. In The CBCA Notable Book 2018,…
How to Free a Jinn
By Raidah Shah Idil Reviewed by Helen Gearing It is difficult to believe this book is a debut. Malay-Australian author Raidah Shah Idil brings Kuala Lumpur to vivid (humid!) life…
