Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town
By Li chen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hooray! The wonderful Bedective Deans
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor 4
By Jessica Townsend Reviewed by Helen Gearing Sunshine Coast author Jessica Townsend explores themes of family belonging, secrecy, and shame in the gripping fourth installment of her middle-grade fantasy series Nevermoor. ‘Silverborn’ sidesteps from high fantasy to murder mystery as 13-year old Morrigan
Goodnight Glow Worms
By Aura Parker Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Aura is a creator whose previous published books include Meerkat Splash, Meerkat Christmas, The Silly Seabed Song and Goodnight Glow Worms now published as a board book. Her work is characterised by a joyful energy, a sense
Where Shall We Travel Today?
By Kristin Martin & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray With the competing pressures of busy lives and a crowded school curriculum, some commentators are saying it has never been more important to foster the soft skills associated with literacy in
The World of Maxime
By Lucile de Pesloüan, illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn, translated by Helen Mixter Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Lucile de Pesloüan is from Montreal in Canada and previously wrote the graphic novel What Makes Girls Sick and Tired. Jacques Goldstyn is a Canadian illustrator
Mim and the Mother Muddle (The Travelling Bookshop, #6)
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Imagine being a young girl travelling the world in an old wooden caravan pulled by a horse that decides where they will go and which seems to have magical powers that mean
Song of a Blackbird
By Maria van Lieshout Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Maria is a Dutch-American illustrator and graphic novelist.who has written many picture books for children. Her graphic novel Song of a Blackbird is inspired by historic events, including those that affected her own family, during
The Year We Escaped
By Suzanne Leal Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another gripping World War II story from the author of Running with Ivan, a CBCA Notable book. We first meet Klara Gold, a Jewish child, living in a Germany changing under Hitler's leadership. Klara
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
Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl
By Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a beautifully told story of an idyllic childhood presented in two languages, Djambarrpuyŋu and English, making it one of a small but growing collection of dual language resources available to children, parents
Clutterbugs
By Maura Pierlot & Maya Bora Reviewed by Meg Rowe In a world obsessed with acquiring more and more ‘stuff’ Clutterbugs message that less is best is a timely and important one. Maura Pierlot’s imaginative rhyming narrative, coupled with Maya Bora's vibrant
Too Many Dogs
By Maura Finn & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Percy is tired of being one dog all alone in a house FULL OF CATS! He’s leaving for a magical place where he can be free: THE DOG PARK. Percy always gets
Learning Country
A First Nations Journey Around Australia's Traditional Place Names by Ryhia Dank Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman who grew up in a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. She got to know her Country though the stories
Taking the Long Way Home
By Jake Hope and Brian Fitzgerald Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jake, the author of Lola Loves Walking and Cheesed Off!, is an active reviewer and a passionate advocate for libraries, books and reading. Brian has illustrated numerous books and won the Bologna Fair
We Won’t All Survive
By Kate Alice Marshall Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Two years ago, Mercy Gray was hailed as a hero for saving lives during a shooting. So, when billionaire turned TV host Damien Dare recruits Mercy to compete on his new survivalist reality show,
Lulu is a Rhinoceros
Written by Jason Flom with Allison Flom & illustrated by Sophie Corrigan Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s not necessarily what she sees when she looks in the mirror, but it is how she feels. In her heart and
No More Room in the Bed
By Deborah Abela & Marina Verola Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deborah Abela has won many awards for her work including the KOALA, YABBA, Aurealis and Speech Pathology Awards and the Maurice Saxby Award for service to children’s literature. Marina Verola is the
Down the Plothole
By Annaleise Byrd Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is another fun adventure in Grimm's fairytale world featuring those two reluctant reading partners and neighbours Basil and Terry whom we first met in Losing the Plot, Annaleise's debut middle grade novel. She has
The Girl Who Cried Bird (The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best, #2)
By Katherine Collette Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This second instalment in the Too-Tales of Alma T Best is just as entertaining as the first volume Out of Bounds. It's not necessary to have read this as The Girl Who Cried Bird works
Our Dance
By Jacinta Daniher, Taylor Hampton & Janelle Burger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Taylor Hampton, a Ngiyampaa/Wiradjun man has a passion for educating young people about Aboriginal culture and has teamed up with Jacinta Daniher, an early childhood educator and Janelle Burger, a
The Colt from Old Regret
By Dianne Wolfer Illustrated by Erica Wagner Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Dianne Wolfer, the creator of many Australian themed historical fiction and award-winning picture books, responds to Banjo Patterson's poem The Man from Snowy River, by imagining the tale from the colt's perspective
Koala Koala
By John Williamson & Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a picture book version of the song by Australian entertainer John Williamson augmented and extended by the colourful illustrations of Jonathan Bentley. Koalas are a popular topic for Australian children's
Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire: Bravepaw 2
By L M Wilkinson Illustrated by Lavanya Nidu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is the continuation of the story of the brave mouse Titch and her loyal friends Huckleberry and Dollop begun in Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1. Titch has the
Don’t Trust Fish
By Neil Sharpson & Dan Santat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Neil Sharpson debut picture book. He has written adult novels and writes Unshaved Mouse, a comedic review blog mostly focusing on animated film and comic book movies. His team mate Dan
SoXiety
Society by Tamlyn Teow Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tamlyn Teow is an artist and creative designer whose children’s book credits include illustrations and cover art for Sandy Bigna’s Little Bones and Helen Edwards’ On Gallant Wings. SoXiety gives Teow an opportunity
You Are Not a Pup!
By Annaleise Byrd & Sandra de la Prada Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Annaleise Byrd has written two sparkling portal fantasies for junior middle grade Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole and this is her first foray into picture books. Her
We’re Moving Away
By Nina Nill Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Nina Nill is best known as an illustrator in the children’s literature world, having brought two highly praised picture books to life with author Ali Rutstein. Here, Nina is both author and artist of
Celeste Express 1: The War of the Wurms
By Alexander Slater Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Alexander Slater is a British author, artist, animator and TikToker. His debut middle grade novel, Celeste Express: The War of the Wurms, is a highly illustrated cosmic fantasy. Nine-year-old Celeste is a spoiled, bratty princess who
Maggie the Dragon: Chase Your Dreams
By Tony Armstrong & Emma Sjaan Beuker Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray In the same colourful creative universe as 2024’s George the Wizard, Maggie the Dragon is a tale of self belief and acceptance from popular TV personality Tony Armstrong and illustrator Emma Sjaan Beukers.
