Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book; The Secret Ingredient
By Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Meg Rowe When the bells above Ariana’s mum’s thrift shop, the Treasure Chest, start to jingle, you can be sure something interesting is about to happen! Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern’s The Missing Book, is the
Tomato Sandwich
By Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tomato Sandwich is the latest release from celebrated author and illustrator Caroline Magerl. It takes place on an average day in the home of young Ottily and her dad. Otilly awakes, dons her fairy
Meet the Artist: Niña Nill
Niña Nill is one of the artists exhibiting her work at the 2025 Book Links Exhibition: StoryArt at the Richard Randall Gallery 4 -13 April. Niña Nill, a children's book illustrator based in Queensland, Australia. She says: I’m passionate about illustrating
Dinner Time! & Bed Time!
Aussie Baby's First Words 1 & 2 By Tom Jellet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tom Jellett is a Sydney-based illustrator. For over twenty years he has illustrated a number of books for children including Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, the My Dad Thinks
My Shadow is Blue
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour My Shadow Is Blue by Australian author Scott Stuart is part of his “shadow series” (including My Shadow Is Purple and My Shadow Is Pink). Stuart is an author committed to creating content that empowers
You Are a Wildlife Warrior! Saving Animals & The Planet
By Bindi Irwin & Ramona Kaulitzki Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bindi Irwin is a passionate wildlife conservationist, daughter of Wildlife Warriors Steve and Terri Irwin, who has inherited her parents’ love for wildlife and wild places. Ramona Kaulitzki is the illustrator of
Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles
By Corey Tutt Illustrated by Ben Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deadly Science founder Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists. has here teamed up with Ben Williams to produce a gorgeous and informative book celebrating First Nations knowledge about animals found on
March Book Links News
Here’s the news of all things KidLit for this month. March Book Links News HIGHLIGHTS include The Short Story Writing Competition for adults closes 4 April Please complete the retreats survey ASAP if this is of interest to you The StoryArt Exhibition
Kittens Do Not Care for Baths
By Ali Rutsteiin & Niña Nill Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is another successful collaboration by the creators of the CBCA Notable Ladybirds Do Not Go To Daycare. This time the story is about Maya who is playing in the back yard
Ladybirds Do Not Go To Daycare
By Ali Rutstein & Niña Nill Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ali Rutstein is also the author of A Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet and Kittens Do Not Care For Baths (again with NiñaNill). Her work is characterised by a gentle
Especially Good Greek Myths
By R.A. Spratt Reviewed by Helen Gearing One of R.A. Spratt’s most beloved characters, Nanny Piggins (a fabulously beautiful, supremely athletic nanny who firmly trusts in the power of chocolate to heal any ailment troubling the children in her care), returns in
The Thylacine and the Time Machine
By Renée Treml Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Renée has degrees in biology and environmental science, and her passionate love of natural history shines through in this fascinating, information rich, graphic examination of the history and possible future of the Tasmanian tiger or
Don’t Fall For The Trick: A guide to smashing gender stereotypes
Written by Jennifer Bain & illustrated by Scott Stuart Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Jennifer Bain is a graphic designer and author the picture book The New Kid. Scot Stuart is an author and illustrator of a number of books including best sellers,
Sunny at the End of the World
By Steph Bowe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Steph Bowe wrote three great YA novels Girl Saves Boy, 2010, All This Could End, longlisted for the 2014 Gold Inky Award, and Night Swimming, a Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Book in
Welcome to the World, Little Baby: A Baby Records Book
By Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melissa Greenwood was born on her Gumbaynggirr jagun (homelands) in Coffs Harbour and raised between both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung nations. Her carefully crafted stories include Miimi and Buwaarr, Mother and Baby, Giinagay Gaagal (Hello Ocean),
Spirit of the Crocodile
By Aaron Fa’Aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White Reviewed by Helen Gearing Co-writers Aaron Fa’Aoso (producer, actor and screenwriter) and Michelle Scott Tucker (biographer and author) have teamed with children’s publishing consultant Lyn White (editor of the middle-grade series Through
Cruel is the Light
By Sophie Clark Reviewed by Lucie Rose Cruel is the Light is an enthralling debut fantasy novel by Australian writer Sophie Clark following the perspectives of foot soldier Jules Lacroix and deadly exorcist Selene Alleva. The Vatican was born in blood and
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science
Written by Kate McKinnon and illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “I must write a book about Mad Science for the young, because it is the young who will save us, and indeed must save themselves. - Dr G. Edwina
Meet the Artist: Sue Wright
By Mia Macrossan Sue Wright is the owner of micro-press Tiny Owl Workshop. She publishes novellas, zines and children’s books and produces multi-media projects through the imprint Curious, with Terry Whidborne. She has a fondness for tea and a collection of picture books
The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants
By Suzanne Houghton Reviewed by Sophia Evans Have you ever heard of a meat-eating plant? Or a plant that traps spiders and flies? Let’s be honest, most of us know about of the Venus fly trap and its ability to catch flies,
The Deadly Fang (Super Epic Dragon Quest #1)
By Adam Wallace & James Hart Reviewed by Sophia Evans Super Epic Dragon Quest #1: The Deadly Fang is an action packed, humorous story that follows the fantastical adventures of Arlo. Because Arlo’s parents spend all day complaining and being grumpy, Arlo basically
Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History
By Mellissa-Jane Fogarty & Dylan Finney Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tubowgule: A Sydney Opera House History is the first in a series of illustrated information books about Australian landmarks. This is Melissa-Jane Fogarty’s debut picture book, though she has a substantial
Wombat Poos Are Square
By Sophie Gillies & Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Australian animals provide endlessly fascinating material for children to discover, and this book has a surefure topic that will have all the young ones hooked, poo! It's a book describing the different kinds
Little Bones
By Sandy Bigna Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ‘Night slides in with its warm-scented breath, swallowing up the shrinking sun and gently flicking its star-lights on. This lyrical debut verse novel immediately reaches out to touch your heart with its original imagery and evocative language. It
The Lovely and the Lost
By Jennifer Lynn Barnes Reviewed by Lucille Rose This action thriller follows SAR dog trainer Kira bennet and her adoptive family as they begin the hunt for a girl lost in the American wilderness. Kira’s life is split it two, it has
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
By Liz Flanagan Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Liz Flanagan is the UK writer of the middle grade fantasy series Legends of the Sky, and the YA thriller Eden Summer. Into the Wild is the first in her new Wildsmith
Meet the Artist: Terry Whidborne
Terry Whidborne has worked in the advertising industry for many years, and is now recognised as one of Brisbane’s most senior award-winning Art Directors. But as Terry’s family grew, so did his interest in illustration. He began developing his style
Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day
By Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent Jamieson is the author of the gorgeous children's book The Giant and the Sea as well as mnay adult books. He and Brent Wilson first teamed up with Mr Impoppable, a
Meet the Artist: Brent Wilson
Mia Macrossan talks to Brent Wilson, a prolific artist whose work is characterised by fluid expressive lines and subtle humour using a classic mid-century cartoon aesthetic. Books he has illustrated include Mr Impoppable and Koalas Like To
Aslan and Benny
By Jemima Shafei-Ongu & Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Aslan had the heart and name of a lion, scared of nothing and willing to try almost anything. His favourite day was Sunday because the family always had a barbecue with his
