Meet the Author: Kirsten Ealand
By Lauren Spencer Kirsten Ealand is a children’s book author from the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Working part-time as a library assistant, Kirsten shares her love for books and reading with her community. It’s clear from her two picture
Meet the Author: Tim Winton
Mia Macrossan talks to Tim Winton about his new book Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder, reviewed in StoryLinks this week. Thank you for talking to StoryLinks You write with love and knowledge of this beautiful area. How, where when did you first get to
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) is delighted to announce the shortlists for the Adult and the Children & Young Adult categories. SHORTLIST - CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULT CATEGORY The three talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Shortlist for
Meet the Author: Zana Fraillon
By Mia Macrossan Zana Fraillon, award winner writer of The Bone Sparrow, The Lost Soul Atlas, The Ones That Disappeared, Etta and the Octopus, The Gargoyle, The Curiosities and more and has broken new ground again with a powerful and emotive
Meet the Author: Zanni L Arnot (aka Zanni Louise)
Alison McCaffrey talks to author Zanni L Arnot about her debut YA novel. Zanni is a multi-award-winning author, who has published more than 40 books for children over the past 10 years, spanning the gamut of ages from picture books for
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Longlist
The eight talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Longlist for the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category are: Moonboy by Anna Ciddor (Allen & Unwin) On Gallant Wings by Helen Edwards (Riveted Press) The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal (HarperCollins Publishers) Our
Meet the Author: Sandhya Parappukkaran
By Lauren Spender Sandhya is a children's author who believes owning one's cultural identity cultivates happy, holistic people. She lives in Brisbane and works as a library assistant in a public library. She says her experience there has given her great
Meet the Author: Ashleigh Barton
Ashleigh Barton is a prolific Australian writer for children, whose infectious enthusiasm for reading and creative expression makes her a hit with adults and children alike at schools and festivals. She enjoys inspiring young audiences to value books and to
Book Links News August 2025
Here is the latest roundup of all that is interesting, exciting, important in children's literature in our part of the world. Book events early as they often sell out. Book Links News August 2025
All the Beautiful Things wins 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
By Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Katrina Nannestad whose book All the Beautiful Things has won this year's Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. This is the third time that she has won this award having won in 2023 with Waiting for
2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards SHORTLISTS
Check out the incredible titles shortlisted for the 2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards! Books are awarded for their impact on language and literacy development in the following categories: Age-related award categories are: Birth to three years/ Three
Shortlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlist for the 2025 Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. Here are three outstanding works of children's historical fiction, where research and knowledge underpin exciting and relatable stories guaranteed to
Beyond Harry Potter: 50 Fantasy Adventures stories for girls
From A Mighty Girl, 50 well known and well loved and some not so familiar stories, many available in your local library or favourite book shop. Here is a list of titles well worth exploring. Each title is annotated and
2024 Aurealis Awards for speculative fiction
The winners of the Aurealis Awards, celebrating the best Australian speculative fiction, have been announced. BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION Andromache Between Worlds, Gabriel Bergmoser (HarperCollins Publishers) The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast, Karen Foxlee & Freda Chiu (ill.) (Allen & Unwin) The Apprentice Witnesser, Bren
May Book Links News
Here is the latest news about kidlit events near and far from Book Links The Centre for Children's Literature. May Book Links News
Longlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
The aim of this award is to increase the understanding and appreciation of history by children. These seven titles are outstanding works of historical fiction for children, demonstrating literary merit, historical accuracy, and appeal to young readers. Topics range widely but
April Book Links News
Settle in with your favourite beverage for a long read and immerse yourself in all things kidlit for April and May. April Book Links News compiled by Jenny Stubbs
Meet the author of Anomaly: Emma Lord
Emma loves all things sci-fi, fantasy and horror, but has a particular soft spot for reading and writing YA. Her debut YA novel Anomaly was published by Affirm Press in 2024 after an early draft was selected for the Varuna and Affirm Press
Emily Rodda & Bruce Whatley are Australian Nominees for the HCA Award
Australian nominees for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award IBBY AUSTRALIA HCAA WRITER NOMINEE 2026 Emily Rodda Emily Rodda AC (a.k.a. Jennifer Rowe) is one of the most widely published and translated Australian writers nationally and internationally and her passion for engaging her readers
Meet the Artist: Blythe Fielden
The beauty of picture books is the opportunity to illustrate aspects that the text does not include. After completing her illustration degree at Leeds Arts University in 2021, Blithe now lives in Brisbane, Australia. When not drawing, she can be found
Meet the Artist: Hélène Magisson
'It's about supporting the text, enriching it, trying to surprise.' Mia Macrossan talks to Hélène Magisson who is a critically acclaimed Australian illustrator of many books for children. Before Hélène turned to book illustration, she was a painting restorer in Paris,
Meet the Artist: Clare McFadden
Mia Macrossan talks to Clare McFadden, who is a writer, artist and educator. She has worked in arts education with children, young people, and communities in both Australia and the United States. Her first book, The Flying Orchestra, was awarded
Meet the Artist: Niña Nill
Niña Nill is one of the artists exhibiting her work at the 2025 Book Links Exhibition: StoryArt at the Richard Randall Gallery 4 -13 April. Niña Nill, a children's book illustrator based in Queensland, Australia. She says: I’m passionate about illustrating
March Book Links News
Here’s the news of all things KidLit for this month. March Book Links News HIGHLIGHTS include The Short Story Writing Competition for adults closes 4 April Please complete the retreats survey ASAP if this is of interest to you The StoryArt Exhibition
Meet the Artist: Sue Wright
By Mia Macrossan Sue Wright is the owner of micro-press Tiny Owl Workshop. She publishes novellas, zines and children’s books and produces multi-media projects through the imprint Curious, with Terry Whidborne. She has a fondness for tea and a collection of picture books
Meet the Artist: Terry Whidborne
Terry Whidborne has worked in the advertising industry for many years, and is now recognised as one of Brisbane’s most senior award-winning Art Directors. But as Terry’s family grew, so did his interest in illustration. He began developing his style
Meet the Artist: Brent Wilson
Mia Macrossan talks to Brent Wilson, a prolific artist whose work is characterised by fluid expressive lines and subtle humour using a classic mid-century cartoon aesthetic. Books he has illustrated include Mr Impoppable and Koalas Like To
FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK LINKS NEWS
Here's the news of all things KidLit for this month, events for the year ahead, including details of the annual Short Story competition, Romancing the Stars, the upcoming Illustrators Exhibition and more: FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK LINKS NEWS
Travelling Suitcases: Fantastic author/illustrator resources for schools, libraries, & emerging writers
A Travelling Suitcase is just that - a suitcase packed to the brim with original resources, activities, realia, everything you need to get your students immersed in the working world of a writer or illustrator. STORYLINKS spoke to Jenny Stubbs, one
Starting School – Picture books
By Mia Macrossan Starting school for the first time or starting a new school year is such an enormous step. That first day is a cocktail of excitement anticipation, fear, anxiety and joy that has inspired many writers. Here is a
