Up, Up, and Away: The History of Aviation
Written and Illustrated by Tomáš SMOT Svoboda Translated by Andrew Oakland Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Tomáš SMOT Svoboda is a graphic designer and illustrator from Brno, Czech Republic. Although Tomáš has previously illustrated three books, Up, Up, and Away is his debut as
Book Links News December 2025
Book Links News December 2025 The December issue of Book Links News contains important dates for your 2026 calendar. You can look forward to another wonderful year filled with carefully curated children's literature programs, events, and reviews. Happy holiday to everyone and many
Ella and the Sleepover Safari
By Cassy Polimeni Illustrated by Hykie Breeze Reviewed by Helen Gearing The second title in a new junior fiction series by the author of the multi-award winning picture book The Garden at the End of the World, Ella and the Sleepover Safari is
The Puppy Project: Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever
By Josephine Moon Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Helen Gearing Josephine Moon’s second installment in the heartwarming Millie and Stella series continues exploring rich friendships, family relationships, and classroom dynamics in a story perfect for animal-lovers eight years and older. This time, the
Throne of Khetara: His Face is the Sun: Book 1
By Michelle Jabès Corpora Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Michelle Jabes Corpora describes herself as ‘a humble student of Egyptology.’ With her Egyptian heritage spanning two generations, her passion for Ancient Egypt developed early in life. Michelle notes in her author’s note that
The Wheels on the Bus and Other Songs
A celebration of classic songs with Australia's favourite Play School toys By Playschool Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The iconic children’s program Play School is celebrating 60 years on TV, encouraging generations of Australians to wonder, to feel and to imagine. Their books such
A Barney Gumnut Christmas (Barney Gumnut, #2)
By Tamsin Ainslie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a beautiful Christmas book that shows the true Christmas spirit of giving, sharing, and celebrating our blessings. Tamsin Ainslie has illustrated for ABC Books, Scholastic and UQP. Her books include In My Garden
My Name is Samim
By Fidan Meikle Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Fidan Meikle is an Azerbaijani-British writer and linguist based in Scotland. My Name is Samim, her debut novel, was inspired by the true story of an Afghan refugee boy. The author worked with Afghan photojournalist
Meet the author: D J Taylor
Jenny Ruge talks to author DJ Taylor about her debut novel, Anna’s War. Thank you for taking the time to speak with StoryLinks, Di. Anna’s War is your first novel. How would you describe the experience of being a debut author, and
The Wildest Dreams Bookshop
By Gracie Page Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Anna is the girl who had her whole life planned – from a summer internship after high school to what she would do after graduating college. But when everything that could go wrong, does, Anna
The Awesome Physics in Your City
By The Amazing Theatre of Physics. Illustrated by Tomáš Kopecký Reviewed by Lauren Spencer The Awesome Physics in Your City is part of the ‘Science is all around us’ series and follows on from the first book, The Awesome Physics in Your Home.
The Disappearing Circus
By Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Kate Gordon is the award-winning author of numerous books, including the Aster series, the Secret Detectives Club series, and My Brother Finch. Helen Edwards has published three previous novels including Legend of
Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World
A curious question for every day of the year By Molly Oldfield Illustrated by Folasade Adeshida, Neil Badenhorst, Belinda Chen, Sophie Escavy Lim, Marta Antelo, Fernando Martin, Juliana Eigner, Andrés Landazabal, Henry Rancourt, Francesca Tiley, Daniel Gray-Barnett, and Meg Rennie Reviewed by Mia
Being Indy
By Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Zoe Gaetjens is a children’s and YA author. Her board book Little Angler was shortlisted as a Speech Pathology Book of the Year in 2024 and her debut YA novel, will be
Best (Worst) Farmer Ever
By Pat Cummins & Michael Wagner Illustrated by Louis Shea Reviewed by Margarite Igras Well known Australian cricketer Pat Cummins shows his other sides in this heartwarming picture book for ages 3 to 7. Author Michael Wagner has captured the life of the cricketer away
The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
By Karen Foxlee Reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Karen Foxlee is always something to celebrate and The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe is a wondrous and wonderful tale indeed, full of mystery and magic, inventive and memorable characters and
Rock Paper Incisors
By Amy Timberlake Illustrated by Jon Klassen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the third instalment in the adventures of Skunk and Badger, first encountered in Skunk and Badger #1, which was followed by Egg Marks the Spot: Skunk and Badger #2. Amy
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Fast and Slow Animals
Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sami Bayly who describes herself on her website as ‘author and illustrator of all things weird and wonderful’, combines a deep knowledge and love of animals with a remarkable ability to write
The Lost Ponies: Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever
By Josephine Moon Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the first book in the Millie and Stella Best Friends Forever series by Noosa based Josephine Moon who usually writes adult novels. Jedda Robaard is an Australian author, illustrator and
What Have They Done to Liza McLean?
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Quiet, studious Meg has just started at uber-elite boarding school Douglas College, with her younger sister – fun-loving, party-girl Liza. But when Liza suddenly seems to embody all the serious, school-focused, hard-working ideals Meg has
Lady’s Knight
Written by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner are a writing dream team. This dynamic duo, comprised of two exceptional science fiction and fantasy authors in their own right, successfully flex their creative skills
The Drought Kangaroo
By Jackie French & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French's publications take up two whole pages of very small print so I won't try to summarise here. Suffice to say that she was a very much loved Children's Laureate in
A Song for the King
By Katrina Nannestad & Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Both Katrina Nannestad and Freya Blackwood have been much awarded for their children's books. Katrina's books include the CBCA-shortlisted We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, The Travelling Bookshop series, The Girl,
There’s a Prawn in Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy
By Annabel Crabb & First Dog on the Moon Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Annabel Crabb is an ABC journalist, political commentator and host of TV shows including Kitchen Cabinet and Back in Time for Dinner. First Dog on the Moon is the
Wandering Wild
By Lynette Noni Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Lynette Noni is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Fantasy series The Prison Healer, the Medoran Chronicles and the Whisper duology, but in this novel, she has moved from her usual fantasy genre to
The Girl and the Ghost Book 2: Family Secrets
By Jacqueline Harvey, 2025 Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Following on from her first, wonderfully appealing novel in this new series aimed at older readers, the award-winning Jacqueline Harvey has written this intriguing sequel to The Girl and the Ghost and has continued
Scarlet Morning
Written and illustrated by N D Stevenson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan N D Stevenson is a cartoonist and animation producer. He is the creator, and executive producer of the animated television series She-Ra and the Princess of Power and science fantasy graphic
The Last Tiger
By Julia Riew & Brad Riew Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Inspired by the forbidden love story of their Korean grandparents – who married across classes for love in a time of arranged marriages for standing – Julie Riew and Brad Riew have
Skull River
By Pip Fioretti Reviewed by Lauren Spencer This is Pip Fioretti’s second crime novel and follows on from the highly successful Bone Lands (2024). Pip has previously published books in women’s fiction and recently switched genres, a risky move that proved to
I’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Oliver Jeffers has won many awards for his work including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Gold Award, the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and the Irish Children's Book of the
