Ask the Author: Annaleise Byrd talks about Losing the Plot
By Mia Macrossan Annaleise Byrd is a Brisbane writer whose debut middle grade novel, Losing the Plot, has just been published to much popular acclaim. It is a portal fantasy perfect for children who enjoy action and humour and aren't quite
Winning the StoryLinks Short Story competition by Ali Rutstein
Ali Rutstein won the 2023 Short Story Competition for adult writers 18+ with her story The Loophole. Originally from England, Ali Rutstein moved to Australia over twenty years ago. She is now firmly settled in Brisbane, where she lives with her partner,
Becoming a published author: A guest post by Annaleise Byrd
Annaleise Byrd writes funny books for kids. Her debut middle grade novel, Losing the Plot – a humorous portal fantasy set in the world of Grimms’ original fairy tales – will be published by Walker Books Australia this March. Annaleise agreed
Author Pen Pals – Connecting Australian Authors and Illustrators with Australian Schools
Local author Kate Foster shares her brilliant initiative that connects Aussie authors & illustrators with classrooms, and it is back for it’s second year! Author Pen Pals was created to support educators in encouraging the love of literacy in their students,
The Ena Noël Award Shortlist 2024
IBBY has announced the Ena Noël Award Shortlist 2024. The Ena Noël Award is the IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a young emerging writer or illustrator. Author Shortlist: Reece Carter, A Girl Called Corpse (Allen & Unwin) reviewed in StoryLinks Meg Gatland-Veness, When Only One
Ask the Author: Barry Jonsberg
By Mia Macrossan Barry Jonsberg emigrated from the UK many years ago and now lives in Darwin where he taught English for many years. He says he fell in love with Australian YA fiction, particularly the work of Scot Gardner, Phillip
Book Links January News
Enjoy the January Book Links Newsletter filled to the brim with news, events and all matters current in the world of children's literature.
2024 Short Story Competition now open for entries
The 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition You are invited! Writers aged 18+ are invited to enter the 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition Entries should be a short story, maximum of 1500 words, suitable for children of any age up to 15 years old. Due
Talking Translation – interviews with translators of Australian Children’s Books
by Lara Cain Gray Talking Translation is a new series where Lara Cain Gray interviews translators of Australian children's books. She delves behind the scenes and between the lines to learn more about the complex process of translating. These interviews offer a
Seasons Greetings
StoryLinks is taking a holiday break and will be back with news, reviews and all things children's literature on January 15, 2024. The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature shared a blog, 'a special Christmas blog, our holiday bon bon to
STAND OUT Middle Grade Novels 2023
Readers aged around eight to twelve have been fortunate this year with a bumper crop of great new novels this year. Established authors have continued to delight us with stories full of memorable characters, exciting plots and meaningful and relevant
Christmas books
A selection of new and old favourites for everyone to enjoy and share at Christmas. Christmas Books
STAND OUT Picture Books 2023
Picture book creators continue to amaze and delight with their imaginative response to our world. The boundaries of what is considered suitable for a picture book continue to expand. Writers, illustrators, authorstrators - all are gleefully ranging far and wide
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023 This is a carefully curated list presented annually by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature whose mission is ' to preserve the richness of the many cultures in the field of children’s
Reading about Penguins: NEW Reading Resource
By Mia Macrossan There are many books about penguins. They appeal to almost everybody. Here is a list of picture books that, while always having a penguin as the main protagonist, are about a great variety of themes. All are available
Nature Book Week
Karajia and Environment Awards for Children's Literature The Wilderness Society's annual celebration of the best new nature-themed children's books are definitely worth a look at any time of the year. The winners are: Karajia Award for Children’s Literature: Looking after Country with Fire by Victor
Reading Australia – new resources
By Mia Macrossan Reading Australia – which turns 10 this year – is a Copyright Agency initiative to support the teaching and reading of Australian literature in schools. The website features 275 freely available resources written for teachers, by teachers, on
Meet the Author: Zewlan Moor
By Mia Macrossan Zewlan (pronounced Shoolen) is a medical doctor who also has a literature degree and a passion for writing and sharing children’s stories. She started Byron Bibliotherapy after feedback from patients who found it helpful when she recommended specific fiction
Meet Jenny Stubbs – winner of the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award
By Mia Macrossan Jenny Stubbs has been awarded the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award, awarded by the Children's Book Council of Australia to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the field of Australian children’s literature. Named after the noted Tasmanian
Queensland Literary Awards 2023 Shortlist
Congratulations to all! Children’s Book Award 2023 shortlist The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (University of Queensland Press) Judges' comments: A mistreated puppy’s attempt to reconnect with his ‘ManPup’ becomes an odyssey of tragedy, hope, and love. Told in visceral poetry and illustration,
Winner of the 2023 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
PRESENTING The Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction WINNER - 2023 Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad Congratulations to all the shortlisted Authors and Publishers for 2023 Watch the presentation on YouTube Judges' comments When Polish Zophia becomes German Sophia adopted into a high
Meet Katrina Nannestad: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby Interned, and Claire Saxby - The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly
Meet Felice Arena: Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks; Pamela Rushby : Interned; Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly agreed to answer a few questions about writing
Meet Claire Saxby: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby : Interned, Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly agreed to answer
Reading Pictures – Drawing Words A Database of Picture Books for Older Readers
Welcome to Reading Pictures – Drawing Words the new Picture Books for Older Readers database produced by The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature with titles suitable for use from Grade 5 to secondary school. This database combined with its attendant resources
StoryArt Exhibition 2023 Meet the Artist Anil Tortop
by Mia Macrossan The annual StoryArt Exhibition is all set to start next month on Monday, June 26 and run until Sunday July 2 at the Richard Randall Art Studio at Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane. It will be a week of fabulous displays for everyone
Meet Pamela Rushby : Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
There are four brilliant writers on this year's Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby : Interned, Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the Green Each one has kindly
Speech Pathology Awards 2023 Shortlist announced
Book of the Year Awards Each year Speech Pathology Australia conducts its Book of the Year Awards to recognise and celebrate Australia's best books for children's language and literacy development and to promote the crucial role speech pathologists play in supporting
StoryArt Exhibition 2023 Meet the Artist Katrin Dreiling
The annual StoryArt Exhibition is all set to start next month on Monday, June 26 and run until Sunday July 2 at the Richard Randall Art Studio. It will be a week of fabulous displays for everyone to enjoy. As this is school holiday
