The Sea in Me
Written by Cody Simpson with Jess Black, illustrated by Amandine Thomas Reviewed by Margarite Igras Cody Simpson, Australian swimmer, singer-songwriter, and actor has now added author to his list of achievements. Throughout his varied career, he has always maintained his love of
Be True to You!
Written by Maggie Hutchings and illustrated by Hayley Wells Reviewed by Margarite Igras Using her background as a counsellor dealing with children struggling with aspects of their identity, free-spirited mother and grandma Maggie Hutchings has written this positive and uplifting picture book
Meet Suzy Zail, author of Inkflower – Book Links 2024 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U Children, 2023. The Fortune Maker by Catherine Norton, Harper Collins, 2023. Inkflower by Suzy Zail, Walker
The Apprentice Witnesser
By Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bren MacDibble burst onto the children's literature world with How to Bee, a post apocalyptic story that won many awards including 2018 CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers. That was followed by The Dog
Eat My Dust – The exhibition
Review by Sandy Pottinger The intrepid Swiss-born adventurer and writer, Isabelle Eberhardt (1877-1904) once said: “…The open road is the essence of freedom. Take the decision to break the chains that bind us, the courage to pick up the pilgrim’s symbolic sack
The Very Polite Knight
By Ian Smith Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a charming picture book for children aged 3+. I hope they are not put off by the title, since they may expect a boring story about the value of being well- mannered. The king
Detective Beans & The Case of the Missing Hat
By Li Chen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat is her first graphic novel. Detective Beans, in trench coat and
Sunday Skating
By Andrea Rowe & by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Claire Monsour “When the weekend settles, and Sunday rolls around…”, five friends set off on a Sunday skate. With a click, a clatter, a whoosh, and a whirl, the friends are ready to
Alone
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour It’s hard being alone, especially in the darkness of space. So, Earth decides to look for a friend; but the other planets aren’t exactly friendly. When something strange comes hurtling towards her, Earth’s hope for
Shower Land 2: Feel the Freeze
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury The unstoppable Nat Amoore returns with the second book in her junior fiction Shower Land series, titled Feel the Freeze. After taking a shower sends Felix on a medieval adventure in the first
A Teaspoon of Light
By Peter O’Connor & Nisaluk Chantanakom Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran A Teaspoon of Light is a stunningly beautiful picture book which stands out like a ray of sunshine on a dark day. Peter O’Connor is the Director of the Centre for Arts
Shortlist of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlisted titles for this year's Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. These three titles are outstanding for their perceptive writing, immediate appeal, and the sensitive way they present complex issues
Reading to Baby
By Margaret Wild & Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margaret Wild is the award winning author of many picture books including Jenny Angel (which was inspired by her brother's death at the age of seven), illustrated by Anne Spudvilas, Fox, illustrated by Ron
Esme in the Limelight
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Helen Gearing Kate Gordon’s poignant middle-grade novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2021 and its companion title, Xavier in the Meantime, was shortlisted in the same category
The Garden of Broken Things
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Garden of Broken Things is the latest offering from lauded author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. As may be expected of an accomplished creator, it’s a beautifully constructed journey in which the pictures and
Ask the Author: Richard Yaxley
Liane McDermott spoke to Richard Yaxley about his writing. Richard is a Brisbane-based author whose short story Fly High won the 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition. His novels include This Is My Song (winner of the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Award
Grey
By Laura Dockrill & Lauren Child Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Today I am grey. I don't feel sunshine yellow, or balloon orange bright, or treetop green
Three Dresses
By Wanda Gibson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This richly illustrated picture book by Nukgal Wurra author–artist Wanda Gibson is a retelling of her joyful childhood beach holidays in Far North Queensland. Wanda Gibson is a Nukgal Wurra woman of the Guugu Yimithirr people
Miimi and Buwaarr, Mother and Baby
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 Giinagaay Gaagal, Hello Ocean, My Little Barlaagany, Sunshine, and Miimi
Richard Yaxley wins 2024 StoryLinks Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Richard Yaxley who won the 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition with his subtle, emotive story Fly High, announced this week at the Narelle Oliver lecture. Read Fly High By Richard Yaxley 2024 Short List Hedgewhale by Genevieve Young-Evans It Would Never Have
Where is the Green Sheep
By Mem Fox & Judy Horacek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox has written more than 40 books for children, including the award-winning and much-loved picture books Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? which is celebrating 20 years in print this year
Quokka Finds a Friend
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katie Stewart is a West Australian author who has written several picture books all featuring iconic Australian animals. They include When I Can Fly, Wombat Can't Sing (both reviewed in StoryLinks), Where Do The Stars
How to Measure the Ocean
By Inda Ahmad Zahri Review by Zewlan Moor Inda Ahmad Zahri is an author, illustrator, surgical doctor and scuba diver. She was inspired to create this book when her daughter said, 'What I love about numbers is that they go on and
Aurealis winners announced!
Congratulations to all the winners in the 2023 Aurealis Awards. The winners include BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION: Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow Book 1, Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin) and BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL / ILLUSTRATED WORK: Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures, Jason Pamment
Listen Hippo!
Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Evans is a Western Australian children’s book author and illustrator who works primarily in watercolour and pencil. His books include Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book
Boss Cat
By Sarah Speedie & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah Speedie's debut picture book, Mozzies vs Flies was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia, 2022 Book of the Year awards. Tom Jellett has illustrated many children's picture books including Why I Love Summer
What Stars Are For
Written and illustrated by Margeaux Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margeaux Davis is a soft toy and sewing pattern designer, who has a background in environmental education. This beautifully illustrated story is her debut picture book. Henry is a garden snail who normally
Inkflower
By Suzy Zail Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Suzy Zail used to be a lawyer but quit to become a writer. Her books include The Tattooed Flower, The Wrong Boy, and Alexander Altman A10567 - all stories based on or inspired by her
Book Links News: May 2024
Here is the latest newsletter from Book Links containing a wealth of information about events, programs, competitions reviews and more from the children's literature world. Grab a favourite beverage and get ready to dive deep into Book Links News: May 2024
Bluey Trains
Illustrated by Rafferty Amor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan One for young readers just starting to read on their own, this illustrated chapter book for 6+ readers features a famous Australian tv icon. Yes, I am talking about Bluey, that Australian blue heeler
