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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
To and Fro
By Anton Clifford-Motopi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Brisbane-based author Anton Clifford-Motopi is a former teacher and lecturer who currently works as a health researcher at a university. Anton’s stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, and draw from ‘
Every Rock Has a Story: an A to Z of Australian geology
By Kitty van Cuylenburg Illustrated by Cher Hart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This informative book explores 26 iconic landforms, minerals, fossils or resources all with interesting tales to tell. Each letter has a keyword underneath it to show what type of geological feature
Wave Atlas: Everything you need to know about waves
By Sarah Zambello Illustrated by Susy Zanella Produced in collaboration with the University of Genoa, Sea Study Centre Translated by Emma Mandley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something different in information books - not only is Wave Atlas a carefully researched scientific explanation of
Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most beloved and awarded authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15. One of the
Chickenpox
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Remy Lai is the much awarded Brisbane based author/illustrator of the popular graphic novels Pawcasso, Ghost Book and Read At Your Own Risk and more. She is adept at showing the mixed emotions of teens
The Bee Squad
Boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood by Judy Friedlander Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dr Judy Friedlander is the founder of PlantingSeeds Projects, the environmental organisation whose flagship program is the B&B Highway. She is passionate about teaching children and adults how to create conditions
Subscribe to StoryLinks and go in the draw to win a pass to Dragonkeeper film
Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson, Book One in the Dragonkeeper series has won many awards, including the CBC Book of the Year, Younger Readers and the Queensland Premier Literary Award in 2004. In Ancient China, Han Dynasty. a young slave girl
Frog Squad Bungle in the Jungle (Frog Squad, #2)
By Kate and Jol Temple Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second adventure featuring the four intrepid frogs, after Frog Squad Dessert Disaster. This time they receive a distress call from an old pal whose island home, Croakomo, is
Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Mall Madness!!! (Book 3)
By Adam Wallace & Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adam Wallace says he aims to entertain kids and inspire them with a love of reading. His numerous books include Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans, and the 18,000 Holes in the
The Cave
By Victor Kelleher Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Victor Kelleher is a standout in the history of Australian children's literature. Born in London in 1939, he moved to South Africa with his parents and then settled in Australia as an adult. He has
Family Road Trip Games
A Pocket Book of Activities, Puzzles and Trivia to Play on the Go! By Jack Henseleit Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Normally Henseleit writes narrative fiction that aims to get children hooked on reading such as his middle grade horror series The Withing Hours
Australian Backyard Birds
By Myke Mollard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our backyards are the places where children first learn to observe and experience the unique environment that Australia offers. Birds that visit these spaces are many and varied and are an important part of learning
Alias Anna
Zhanna Arshanskaya: a biography in verse : a true story of outwitting the Nazis By Susan Hood with Greg Dawson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sometimes harrowing, always inspiring story of how a talented young Ukrainian Jewish pianist survived World War
A Matter of Cats
By Elizabeth Hutchins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The author was inspired to write this novel by the dilemma of being both a cat lover and passionate about the preservation of Australia’s endangered species. The story is told through the eyes of Kate, a
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 History of Information
Written and illustrated by Chris Haughton additional text and research by Loonie Park Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Chris Haughton is a prolific writer and illustrator who work includes A Bit Lost, which won the Dutch Picture Book of the Year, Oh No George!,
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
