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
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 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
The Midwatch
By Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has illustrated many picture
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.
Girl, Crushed
By Maggie Horne Reviewed by Jamie Willis Maggie Horne is a UK-based author of middle grade and young adult books. Her first novel, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One, was a 2023 LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lambda Literary Award finalist and a
Taronga Big Book of Animals
Over 200 fascinating facts for curious kids Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In the note to the reader the Taronga Conservation Society Australia states the facts in this book are based on the 'scientific worlds's current understanding' of the animals in the book,
The fingerprint code
By R. A. Stephens Illustrated by Em Hammond Reviewed by Renata Clarke R. A. Stephens runs publishing houses Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and also writes and edits individually both for their own company and for other publishers. They are primarily interested in
Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury If you are already a fan of R.A Spratt’s humorous Nanny Piggins series, then you will love reading Piggins’ origin story. If this is your first foray into the world of Nanny Piggins, then
Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie
By Shelley Burne-Field Reviewed by June Paisa Perkins Shelley Burne-Field’s debut middle grade adventure children’s book is a triumphant shift from her accomplished poetry, article writing and creative non-fiction for older readers. It is rich in language and cultural aspects drawn heavily
The Secret Garden Rewilded
By Anthea Simmons Illustrated by Rachel Dean Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In 1911, young readers were taken into the world of the imperious, emotionally-deprived Mary, animal-whisperer Dickon, and the apparently-doomed Colin as their lives gradually changed as they discovered the delights of nature,
Taronga Presents
Written by Kristin Darell Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Helen Gearing Created in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, ‘Taronga Presents’ is a well researched junior fiction series for animal lovers six years and older. Written by Kristin Darell (author of the
Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment
By Anna James Illustrated by David Wyatt Reviewed by Bethany Loveridge Chronicles of Whetherwhy is the newest middle grade offering from UK author Anna James. Readers may recognise James as the author of Pages and Co., the delightful series about a girl who
Out of Bounds (The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best, #1)
By Katherine Collette Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Katherine's first middle grade novel and its a cracker! It is the very funny story of Alma, twelve years old and six feet tall, who lives in a small town called Shellsville, (sometimes
Prank Wars: Game On
By Louise Park, Mo Johnson & Jules Faber Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Prank Wars, Game On is the first in a new series created collaboratively by Louise Park & Mo Johnson, with Jules Faber supplying the visuals. All three have a
Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica
By Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch Reviewed by Margaret Mckay-Lowndes These reflections are the culmination of the creators' many journeys, either as Arts Fellows with the Australian Antarctic Division or as artists in residence on tourist ships. The experiences related in this
Inkheart 4: The Colour of Revenge
By Cornelia Funke Reviewed by Helen Gearing With over twenty-five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Cornelia Funke is one of Germany's most celebrated children's authors. ‘The Colour of Revenge,’ exquisitely translated into English by Anna Achmitt Funke (Cornelia Funke’s daughter)
Turtle Moon
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Life has been unflash in the Trevelon household for some time as Silver's parents try unsuccessfully to have another child and discover that it is not going to happen. So much so
Dragonfire (18,000 Holes in the Universe, #1)
Written by Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Dragonfire is the first book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. Twins Noah and Jordie are shocked when their great-uncle announces he’s demolishing their mum’s
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Garth Nix has been writing carefully crafted, witty and original science fiction and fantasy for many years. YA books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s
The Minute Minders
By Mary Murphy Reviewed by Christine Pirrone. Mary Murphy is an Irish based author-illustrator who has published over 40 children’s books. She is celebrated internationally and some of her work has been adapted for the screen. The Minute Minders is her debut
All the Beautiful Things
By Katrina Nannestad with illustrations by Martina Heiducek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina Nannestad is one of Australia's foremost writers of children's historical fiction. She has won the Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction twice with We Are Wolves, 2021 and Waiting
Thunderhead
By Sophie Beer Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Sophie Beer is best known as a picture book writer and illustrator. Her vibrant art style is instantly recognisable and has successfully found its way beyond her books to a décor collection and promotional
Dare to Bowl (Howzat Pat #1)
Written by Pat Cummins and Dave Hartley Illustrated by Serena Geddes Reviewed by Helen Gearing Australian Cricket Captain Pat Cummins has teamed up with children’s author Dave Hartley and illustrator Serena Geddes to create a new middle grade series based on the cricketer’s
Marion and the Forty Thieves
By Sarah Luke Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah is a historian and writer who writes non-fiction histories for adults and historical fiction for children. Marion and the Forty Thieves is her first middle grade novel and introduces the reader to life on
The 113th Assistant Librarian
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stuart is the author of the amazingly fun, creepy, weird and macabre middle grade adventures set in Prometheus High, How to Make a Monster and its sequel The Books of the Dead, both reviewed in
The Secret of the Stone
By Kathryn Lefroy Reviewed by Helen Gearing Award winning screenwriter and author Kathryn Lefroy released her first middle grade novel, ‘Alex and the Alpacas save the World’ (shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award) in 2022. Her latest middle grade adventure,
PD McPem’s Agency for Mysterious Mysteries #3 The Baffling Beach Bandit
Written by Anna Battese Illustrations by Ruth-Mary Smith Reviewed by Melissa Elk The Baffling Beach Bandit is Case 3 in this engaging series of mysteries written for newly independent readers by author Anna Battese. It follows Case 1: The Recorder Racket, and Case
Millie Mak the Mender (Millie Mak, #2)
By Alice Pung Illustrated by Sher Rill Ng. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Alice Pung OAM is one of Australia’s most decorated contemporary writers, delivering the State of the (Writing) Nation Address in 2021 and receiving an Order of Australia for her contributions
Grace the Amazing
By Aleesah Darlinson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Aleesah Darlinson is an award-winning author of more than 65 books for children, including the Super Sloth series, the Space Kids series and the League of Llamas series. Aleesah has won or been shortlisted for
