The Book Cat
By Polly Faber and illustrated by Clara Vulliamy Reviewed by Sarah Custance British author Polly Faber is an author of both picture books and early readers novels. She writes about cats, horses, dogs, rabbits, buildings, and even tapirs! One of her early
Rainbow the Koala: Surviving the Wild 1
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Remy Lai is the award winning author of the middle-grade novels Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, and her first graphic novel, Pawcasso. Rainbow the Koala is the first book in a new
Star the Elephant: Surviving the Wild 2
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Brisbane based author/illustrator Remy Lai is well known for her middle grade novels, Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall. Star the Elephant is the second instalment of her new graphic novel series,
Mary & Marcus: The Crazy Dance & Other Stories
By Ursula Dubosarsky and Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Sarah Custance Award winning Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky has written over 60 books to much critical acclaim and was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-2021. For Mary & Marcus, Ursula has teamed up, for
Bella and the Voyaging House
By Meg McKinlay Illustrated by Nicholas Schafer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Meg McKinlay is best known for her award-winning books A Single Stone, Catch a Falling Star, Surface Tension, and Annabel, Again. Now Bella and her travelling house are back for
The Naughtiest Unicorn#10 On a Treasure Hunt
By Pip Bird Illustrated by David O'Connell Reviewed by Sarah Custance On a Treasure Hunt is the 10th instalment in The Naughtiest Unicorn book series by author Pip Bird. The series follows the misadventures of ever optimistic Mira and her UBBF (Unicorn Best
Archie & Reddie
By Candy James Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a new early reader graphic novel series for children aged 4 to 8. It features two friends, Archie, a fox, and Reddie who is also supposed to be a fox but looks more
A Whole Lot of Lemonade Jones
By Davina Bell Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Lemonade Jones likes making life loud and exciting and these three stories do just that. Story One: The First Day Back has Lemonade strutting confidently into Year One, but there could be a
Super Sidekicks #2: Ocean’s Revenge
Written and illustrated by Gavin Aung Than Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Finley, aged 8 This book is about
Super Geeks 2: Planet Pancake
Super Geeks 2: Planet Pancake Written and illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Finley, aged 8 This book is about
Rosie-May Blue: Mayhem at the Pet Show
By P E Woods Illustrated by Pene Chadwick Reviewed by Sarah Custance P.E. Woods is a keen lover of animals and literacy, both of which she strives to ignite a passion for in the children that she teaches. Rosie-May Blue: Mayhem at the
Spooky Books for Halloween for Readers in Primary School
Reading Resources for parents and teachers Here are lists of recommended reading arranged alphabetically under headings that you will find useful when looking for books on particular topics. New To celebrate Halloween here are some titles that children in primary school may enjoy.
The Magnificent Hercules Quick
By Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ursula is now the author of over 60 books for children and young adults, and her work is published all over the world. She has won many awards and is the current
Michelle Obama : Little People Big Dreams:
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Illustrated by Mia Saine Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Little People Big Dreams series has had much commercial and critical success in the last two years with over sixty books in the ever-growing series. Michelle Obama is the
The Best Friend Promise: MerTales 1
By Rebecca Timmis Reviewed by Sarah Custance Rebecca Timmis is an Australian author-illustrator based in the Queensland Gold Coast. The Best Friend Promise is her first book and the start of a series of MerTales about four young mermaids who gain magical
Hodge Podge: How To Make A Pet Monster #1
By Lili Wilkinson Illustrated by Dustin Spence Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lili Wilkinson is an award-winning writer of mainly Young Adult novels. Here she has written and amusing and appealing story, the first in a series, for middle grade readers. Artie is an eleven
Zinnia Jakes: The Tumbling Tortoises
By Brenda Gurr Illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance This is Australian author Brenda Gurr’s second early readers book and the sequel to Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle. Famous and elusive cake maker Zinnia Jakes is back, this time she has won
Elvis Eager and the Golden Egg: Monty’s Island #3
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The third and latest novel in the Monty’s Island series written by Emily Rodda is chapter book for a beginning readers profusely illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. Monty lives on a magic island with his friends, the
Nelson – Broccoli and Spies
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is a well known Australian DJ and food writer. Broccoli and Spies is the second book in the Nelson series all about a young boy who discovers that he has
Puffin Little Series
Reviewed by Sarah Custance Celebrating 80 years of Puffin the publishing house has chosen to go back to their non-fiction origins with this new series of informational books for young readers. Puffin was first introduced in World War ll to give children
What Zola Did on Tuesday
By Melina Marchetta Illustrated by Deb Hudson Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Cousins Zola and Alessandro live next door to each other – there’s even a gate cut into the fence by their Nonno Nino before he died so they could be together as
What Zola Did on Monday
by Melina Marchetta illustrated by Deb Hudson reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the first in a new series, by acclaimed Australian author, Melina Marchetta, most famous for her books for older children including Looking for Allibrandi, but here writing for emerging readers
Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar
by Clara Vulliamy reviewed by Mia Macrossan Any cat lover will adore this story about Marshmallow Pie, a big fluffy independent cat who is now living in a small flat with his new human, a young girl called Amelia Lime. Pie is a
Aussie Kids: Meet Taj at the Lighthouse
by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance This is the newest instalment in the ‘Aussie Kids’ series written about Australian children by Australian authors. Some of the other titles include ‘Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo’, ‘Meet
Eco Rangers: Wildfire Rescue
by Candice Lemon Scott illustrated by Aska reviewed by Yvonne Mes This story of two adventurous, independent and eco-aware children on a mission is the third book in the series featuring Ebony and Jay, friends and eco rangers. In Wildfire Rescue, Ebony and Jay
Evie and Pog: Party Perfect!
by Tania McCartney reviewed by Sarah Custance Tania McCartney is a children’s book writer, illustrator, and editor. She is the founder of ‘Kids’ Book Review’ and the ‘Happy Book’ podcast. Tina has written and/or illustrated dozens of picture books and children’s information
The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle
by Brenda Gurr reviewed by Sarah Custance Brenda Gurr is an Australian writer who has worked on several educational resources and picture books. ‘The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle’ appears to be her first early reader chapter book and
Aussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach
by Rebecca Johnson illustrated by Lucia Masciullo reviewed by Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Puffin Australia for producing a new series aimed at emerging readers who are just gaining a bit of confidence aged 5 – 8. The Aussie Kids series of 8 books
Young Engineers
by Andrew King illustrated by Benjamin Johnston reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew King, a Brisbane engineer, writer, and teacher is passionate about introducing young children to the boundless possibilities offered by the world of engineering. A couple of years ago he produced a series featuring
Ask Hercules Quick
by Ursula Dubosarsky illustrated by Andrew Joyner reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest offering from prolific and award-winning writer Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by the equally talented, prolific and award-winning Andrew Joyner is a gorgeously produced picture story book, rich in colourful illustrations,
