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
Saturday, Sunday
Busy Day, Fun Day By Natalie Kate Forbes & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Natalie has had many different jobs in her life and is now starting out as a published author. It is a complement to her work that she has
The Bee Squad
Boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood by Judy Friedlander Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Judy Friedlander is the founder of PlantingSeeds Projects, the environmental organisation whose flagship program is the B&B Highway. She is passionate about teaching children and adults how to create conditions
Brave In Every Which Way
By Maddy Mara & Lauren Degraaf Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Maddy Mara is the pen name of creative duo Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger who have collaborated for neary 20 years. Laure Degraaf uses pencil, watercolour and pencil crayon to achieve her
Subscribe to StoryLinks and go in the draw to win a pass to Dragonkeeper film
Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson, Book One in the Dragonkeeper series has won many awards, including the CBC Book of the Year, Younger Readers and the Queensland Premier Literary Award in 2004. In Ancient China, Han Dynasty. a young slave girl
Frog Squad Bungle in the Jungle (Frog Squad, #2)
By Kate and Jol Temple Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second adventure featuring the four intrepid frogs, after Frog Squad Dessert Disaster. This time they receive a distress call from an old pal whose island home, Croakomo, is
Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Mall Madness!!! (Book 3)
By Adam Wallace & Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adam Wallace says he aims to entertain kids and inspire them with a love of reading. His numerous books include Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans, and the 18,000 Holes in the
A New Day
By Emmaline Carroll Southwell & Heather Dryden Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This book aims to guide young readers when they are feeling challenged by whatever is happening or about to happen in their day. Emmaline, a television personality, says that A New
Karma is Three Cats: Life According to Taylor Swift’s Kitty Best Friends
By Bella Montgomery & Carolina Marando Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Aimed firmly at cat lovers and Swifties this is a celebration of everything feline. Taylor Swift's three pampered pets Meredith Greyk, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button accompany her everywhere. According to them
Cubby Hunting
By Coral Vass & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Coral has written many picture books including Walking Together, The Kelly Gang Kids and the Amanda Commander series. Nicky has illustrated many picture books, collaborating with a number of writers to produce
Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat
By Maura Finn & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Maura is a Melbourne based author of several charming picture books including Birdsong by the Billabong and Too Many Cats. Lucinda has a well- deserved reputation for appealing illustrations with numerous picture
Cheese!
By Felice Arena & Beatrice Cerocchi Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felice Arena is well known as an actor, speaker, TV presenter and playwright. He has written many award winning books including the Specky Magee series, the historical novels Fearless Frederic, The Boy and the
Australia: First Numbers & Australia: First Colours
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess is a versatile illustrator who has worked with many writers including Claire Saxby (Tree, Whisper on the Wind, Iceberg) to create outstanding picture books, as well as carving out a name for herself as a sole creator
House
By Dan Giovannoni & Charlotte Lane Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Sometimes it feels like all you need is a little shelter from the storm…’ This is the story of a lonely little house who has no one to open its front
The Cave
By Victor Kelleher Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Victor Kelleher is a standout in the history of Australian children's literature. Born in London in 1939, he moved to South Africa with his parents and then settled in Australia as an adult. He has
Subcribe and win a family pass to the film Magic Beach
Subscribe to StoryLinks to receive your weekly update of insightful reviews of the latest children's books, and you go into the draw to win a family pass to the film Magic Beach, based on Alison Lester's much loved classic, out
Family Road Trip Games
A Pocket Book of Activities, Puzzles and Trivia to Play on the Go! By Jack Henseleit Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Normally Henseleit writes narrative fiction that aims to get children hooked on reading such as his middle grade horror series The Withing Hours
Australian Backyard Birds
By Myke Mollard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our backyards are the places where children first learn to observe and experience the unique environment that Australia offers. Birds that visit these spaces are many and varied and are an important part of learning
Alias Anna
Zhanna Arshanskaya: a biography in verse : a true story of outwitting the Nazis By Susan Hood with Greg Dawson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sometimes harrowing, always inspiring story of how a talented young Ukrainian Jewish pianist survived World War
A Matter of Cats
By Elizabeth Hutchins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The author was inspired to write this novel by the dilemma of being both a cat lover and passionate about the preservation of Australia’s endangered species. The story is told through the eyes of Kate, a
Celebrity Children’s books
Many celebrities, famous for achieving in their particular field of endeavour, whether it be sport, cooking, acting, marrying a royal person or whatever, decide to write a book for children, with varying success. Recently Jamie Oliver's book Billy and Epic
Cozy Christmas
By Coco Wyo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Coco Wyo is a group of artists and colorists who share a simple goal: to inspire emotional expression through colors by creating a variety of coloring books that inform, comfort, and connect people everywhere. As
Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants
By Tania McCartney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This companion volume to Fauna: Australian’s Most Curious Animals is a treasure trove of information stunningly illustrated in precise detail and glorious colour. Australia is well known for having unique plant life, about 90%, 24,000 species,
The History of Information
Written and illustrated by Chris Haughton additional text and research by Loonie Park Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Chris Haughton is a prolific writer and illustrator who work includes A Bit Lost, which won the Dutch Picture Book of the Year, Oh No George!,
The Hotel Balzaar
A Norendy Tale By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan American author Kate DiCamillo can always be relied on to deliver an engrossing story that touches the heart. She is the author of numerous prize-winning titles such as
The Hullabaloo about Elephant Poo
By Dee White & Christopher Nielsen Reviewed by Helen Gearing “A poopy pyramid, a massive load – enough to make your nostrils explode. But don’t be alarmed, I promise it’s true, there are treasures to be found in elephant poo.” Award-winning creators Dee White (whose numerous
The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia's debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne's real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She
18,000 Holes in the Universe 2: Snack Attack
By Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Snack Attack is the second book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. In the first book, Dragonfire, twins Noah and Jordie travelled through a magical
The Midwatch
By Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a judge for the 2024 Aurealis Awards. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Aurealis Awards management team. Judith Rossell
Standout Children’s Books of 2024
This year we have reviewed so many wonderful books, too numerous to list here. Browsing through StoryLinks we chose 20+ our reviewers consider outstanding. Many thanks to members of WriteLinks and the Last Tuesday Book Club for their recommendations.
