StoryLinks interviews Inda Ahmad Zahri
Inda Ahmad Zahri talked with Mia Macrossan about her writing life and her debut picture book Salih About Inda Books have got her into a number of sticky situations… 'As a little girl, I read in the dark when I should’ve been asleep.
StoryLinks interviews Claire Zorn
Claire Zorn talked with Margaret McKay-Lowndes about her latest book When We Are Invisible and a writing life. Claire Zorn is the author of three highly acclaimed novels for Young Adults, as well as a picture book for children entitled No
Book Links Award for 2021 Children’s Historical Fiction Longlist announced!
The waiting is over, the longlist is out. Out of sixty entries eighteen titles have been selected as outstanding works of historical fiction for children. Historical fiction is an important way for young readers to engage with our history. It’s also
Shortlist for 2021 Story competition announced.
Four stories were chosen that, in the opinion of the judges, had interesting characters and relevant themes, were well structured, and had child appeal. Pigpen Apples by Annaleise Byrd Abbie plays a trick on her sister Ellie that goes spectacularly awry. Abbie
Interview with Katrina Nannestad
Here is a fascinating YOUTUBE Interview with Katrina where she answers questions about her writing and her book We Are Wolves. Katrina is an Australian author who grew up in New South Wales. Her writing celebrates family, friendship and belonging. Her novels
CBCA Notables Announced
Congratulations to all the brilliant creators, the writers, illustrators, designers, everyone who helped create such a wonderful collection of books for children. Here is the FULL LIST for you to check out the titles. Below are all the ones StoryLinks reviewed
StoryLinks Short Story competition opens
It's that time of year again. Calling all writers of short stories for children to enter in the StoryLinks Short Story competition. This is a fabulous opportunity for every writer, aged 18 +, who is working on their craft. You
Stories for little Queenslanders
The State Library of Queensland has published a new series of picture books 12 in all, and made them available to download. You can also watch them on YouTube. It is part of the First 5 Forever program which is
The Common Cormorant
By Christopher Isherwood The common cormorant or shag Lays eggs inside a paper bag. The reason you will see no doubt It is to keep the lightning out. But what these unobservant birds Have never noticed is that herds Of wandering bears may come with buns And steal
StoryLinks Best of the Best in 2020
Our reviewers have made a list of those titles that most impressed them in this remarkable year. Here are some ideas for late minute gifts or for leisurely and guaranteed enjoyable reading in the holidays. All good wishes for the
Leonard Cavallaro wins the Children’s Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Leonard Cavallaro who won the 2020 StoryLinks Children's Short Story competition with his entry Gratitude. He had some tough competition as the standard of entries this year was very high. The judges were impressed by the range and scope of
Shortlist 2020 Short Story competition written by children in year 4,5 & 6
This year there were a record number of entries, nearly 300, from all across Australia. Children wrote across genres and styles - fantasy, emotional realism, detective stories, science fiction, choose your own adventure, graphic novel, adventure and escape. The judges were
New Award in Australian Children’s Literature!
Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Book Links, the Centre for Children’s Literature in Queensland is very excited to announce a new biennial award in Australian children’s literature for historical fiction. A prize of $1000 will be awarded to a book
New Reading List: Autobiographies for Younger Readers
Our latest Reading List contains many awesome stories about real people, young and old, who have made a difference. People from all over the world who have overcome insuperable difficulties, who have triumphed over adversity and have succeeded in having
Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Introducing a Unique, Comprehensive and Free Resource of Books for Children by and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature has produced a new Resource that celebrates children’s books by and about Australia’s Aboriginal
New Reading List: Biographies for Younger Readers
Here are many books that will delight and interest everyone. Many publishers produce series aimed at a particular age range. Some are light on text and big on pictures. Many present the salient points of a person's life in a
STORYLINKS 2020 Short Story Competition for Young Writers
Children in Grades 4, 5 and 6 are invited to write a short story of between 1000 and 1500 words - on any subject. The winner will receive $100 and have their story published on the StoryLinks website. IMPORTANT DATES Entries due by
Matilda Children’s Literature Prize Shortlist announced
Three manuscripts shortlisted for Australia’s inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize HarperCollins Children’s Books Australia is delighted to announce the shortlist for the inaugural Matilda Children’s Literature Prize. Launched to discover the country’s next great voice in children’s literature, The Matilda received nearly
News: Caroline Magerl talks about the value of illustration
Caroline Magerl, author of CBCA shortlisted picture book Nop, is talking about her work as an artist and the value of illustration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DptM4iYPvW8&feature=youtu.be StoryLinks is thrilled to announce that she has agreed to be one of our exhibitors at our next StoryLinks
New Reading List: Being Different
Being Different is an annotated list of novels and picture books for children and young adults about children with special abilities or disabilities. Many writers have tackled this challenging topic including Samantha Wheeler writing about her daughter in All the Things
NEW! Australian Animals Reading Lists
We have prepared two Reading Lists for use by teachers and parents. Australian Animal Books for Younger Readers features popular classics and many popular titles, written by awarded Australian children's writers, all about iconic Australian animals with a recommended reading
Mindy is Strange wins 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Desmond Doyle, the author of Mindy is Strange, which has won the 2020 Short Story Competition. Judges' comments: The story was well written and original. It was immediately engaging with suspense and interest well balanced. The focus stayed on the
SHORTLIST 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to the 2020 Short Story Competition Shortlisted authors Sharyn Abdullah: Ben's Secret Weapon Annaleise Byrd: Septic Tank Swim Team Desmond Doyle: Mindy is Strange Anna Quinlan: Stella Fey Joanna Wisbey: The Mystery of Bucket Man The winner will be announced on Hans Christian
New Reading List: Bushfires, Droughts & Floods
This has been a tough time for many people in Australia and children will be asking questions and looking for explanations. Here are some fiction titles that will help parents and teachers talk to children about what has happened. The list
2020 Short Story competition now open!
All writers of children’s stories aged 18+ are invited to enter the 2020 StoryLinks Short Story competition Entries should be a short story, maximum of 1000 words, suitable for children of any age up to 15 years old. Due date for entries
Christmas Books Reading List
Yes, it is that time of year again. If you are thinking of starting a collection of Christmas books or just looking to add some gems to your collection here are some tried and true favourites, ranging over the humourous,
Be Careful What You Wish For by Toby Adeney is the 2019 winner of the Children’s Short Story competition Year 4 – 6 category
WINNER! Be Careful What You Wish For by Toby Adeney The Little Nightingale by Violet Beck Winning! (Multiplied by 2) by Sienna Emelia De Carlo Toilet Travelling by Oliver Harcourt-Cooze The Lost Diamond Earring by Nonoka Sasazawa Judges' comments: These stories were commendable for careful
Children’s Short Story Competition Shortlist Young Writers Grades 4 – 6 announced
The Shortlist for the StoryLinks Children's Short Story Competition for Young Writers in Grades 4 - 6 is (in alphabetical order of author) : Be Careful What You Wish For by Toby Adeney The Little Nightingale by Violet Beck Winning! (Multiplied by 2)
IBBY Australia Honour List books 2019
IBBY Australia proudly announces its selection of two books to be included in the biennial IBBY Honour List for 2020. One highlights Indigenous history and the environment, and the other, the experiences of a teenage asylum seeker. Every two years an
A Flight of Dragons
What is the collective term for a lot of dragons? Apparently terms used include : a flight of dragons; a weyr of dragons; a school of dragons; or a wing of dragons. The term 'weyr' comes from Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders
