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 the 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.
Music Camp
By Penny Tangey Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Penny Tangey is a qualified librarian who has written a variety of books for young people, including the picture book Granbad, an Aussie STEM Stars title about endocrinologist Creswell Eastman and the middle grade novel
When the World was Soft: Yindjibarndi Creation Stories
Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation illustrated by Alex Mankiewicz ; artwork by Judith Coppin [and ten others] Reviewed by Helen Gearing ‘When Minkala (God) created the Marrga (Creation spirits), most followed his laws and those of the Ngurra (country/land), but some crossed over to
2024 Aurealis Awards for speculative fiction
The winners of the Aurealis Awards, celebrating the best Australian speculative fiction, have been announced. BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION Andromache Between Worlds, Gabriel Bergmoser (HarperCollins Publishers) The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast, Karen Foxlee & Freda Chiu (ill.) (Allen & Unwin) The Apprentice Witnesser, Bren
May Book Links News
Here is the latest news about kidlit events near and far from Book Links The Centre for Children's Literature. May Book Links News
Longlist 2025 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
The aim of this award is to increase the understanding and appreciation of history by children. These seven titles are outstanding works of historical fiction for children, demonstrating literary merit, historical accuracy, and appeal to young readers. Topics range widely but
Boodja Barna: Land Creatures
By Jayden Boundry & Tyrown Waigana Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jayden Boundry is Wadjak Balardong Noongar and Badimaya Yamatji and a Noongar language teacher who has teamed up with Tyrown Waigana, a Wardandi Noongar and Ait Koedhal multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer. This
We’re Going to the Zoo
Taronga Conservation Society Australia Illustrated by Cate James Reviewed by Mia Macrossan 'Today is a special day. We're going to the Zoo!' begins this charming and informative account of mum and two children spending the day at Taronga Zoological Park. They do the
Taronga: Animal Opposites at the Zoo
Taronga Conservation Society Australia Illustrated by Emilie Tavaearii Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This board book highlights how all the zoo animals are different. Using an appropriate font for each characteristic we learn about short and tall, slow and fast, shy and bold and
Jo and the No
By Kyle Mewburn & Judy Watson Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Kyle Mewburn is a multi-award-winning author of over 40 books for children, including picture books and junior fiction series. Judy Watson is a multi-award-winning artist, writer and illustrator of many picture books and
The Ballad of Darcy and Russell
By Morgan Matson Review by Lucille Rose A botched music festival. A broken-down bus. A dead phone. Darcy never knew the best night of her life would start quite like this. Darcy Milligan is your classic hopeless romantic: a book nerd with
Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing In the final installment of her exciting portal fantasy series, Samantha-Ellen Bound keeps the stakes high (and mythological creatures flowing) while exploring themes of courage, friendship, and growing up. Celeste and her little sister Esme have
Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar!
Written by Tania Ingram Illustrated by A. Yi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd South Australian author Tania Ingram has published various picture books, junior fiction stories and the middle grade novel The Other Shadow since making her debut in 2013. Before becoming a full-time
I Dreamed of You
By Sharna Carter & Gabby Grant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ' I dreamed of your sweet giggles as you'd skip and hold my hand'. This is one of those picture books celebrating a parent's hopes and dreams for a child. It shows an
Odder
By Katherine Applegate & Charles Santoso Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This American writer has won awards too numerous to mention, including the Newbery medal for The One and Only Ivan. Odder, another story about animal welfare, is about the life of an
The Noisy Noisy City
By Andrew Kelly & Hélène Magisson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew Kelly is a Melbourne environmentalist and writer of numerous children's stories including Little Lon and Peregrines in the City . Hélène Magisson is a Brisbane illustrator, originally from France where she worked
Thunder City
By Philip reeve Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Philip's first book was the epic YA steampunk Mortal Engines, 2001, which created a world of 'municipal Darwinism', where rampaging motorised towns and cities are on the move, attacking and eating each other, prowling around
