A Giant’s Trek
By Nick Stella Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut novel by Nick Stella, which he says, began as a bedtime story for his children is a fantasy adventure, about a village of giants, a rite of passage journey, and for the main
Against All Odds: Young Reader’s Edition
By Craig Challen and Richard Harris, with Ellis Henican Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Craig Challen and Richard Harris are the Australian cave divers who helped rescue the 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach, from a cave system
StoryArt Exhibition 2023 Meet the Artist Katrin Dreiling
The annual StoryArt Exhibition is all set to start next month on Monday, June 26 and run until Sunday July 2 at the Richard Randall Art Studio. It will be a week of fabulous displays for everyone to enjoy. As this is school holiday
A Friend for George
By Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Margarite Igras Award-winning creator Gabriel Evans, who has also illustrated works for Sonya Hartnett and Jane Goodwin has written a heart-warming and insightful book about the meaning of friendship and what it means to be a good
Sunshine on Vinegar Street
By Karen Comer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Karen Comer is a Melbourne author who runs writing workshops for both children and adults. Both her debut YA novel Grace Notes and her latest middle-grade novel Sunshine on Vinegar Street are written as verse
JJ and the Giant Panther: Smarty Pup 2
By Anh Do Illustrated by Anton Emdin Allen & Unwin Children's 2023 "'Okay, okay!' said Mr Hosking. 'Fine, JJ can come on school camp. But he has to be on his absolute best behaviour!'. 'Deal!' promised JJ. JJ the genius pup has Lily
Ratbags 1: Naughty for Good
By Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordan Puffin 2023 Let's face it -- rats are mischief. Rats are rule-breakers. Rats are ratbags. They're all the same. All, that is, except one
VEENA SAHAJWALLA: ‘Green’ engineer and recycling champion
Written by Julianne Negri Illustrated by Mirjana Segan Reviewed by Zewlan Moor The Aussie STEM Stars series is a series of highly readable biographies suitable for ages 9-13. They focus on the childhoods and careers of Australians working in the sciences, technology and
Book Links News for June
The Book Links June Newsletter contains a roundup of all that is happening here in the world of children's literature - awards, reviews, competitions, exhibitions and workshops and more. A must for anyone working or interested in the field.
We Are Matildas
By Shelley Ware & Serena Geddes Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray There are quite a few books in the early reader and middle grade space celebrating Australian sports and sporting heroes, but fewer to be found in picture books. We Are Matildas
The Odds: The Power of Being Odd
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Matt Stanton is the bestselling author of the Funny Kid series along with dozens of others, ranging from picture books to middle-grade novels. The Odds is Stanton’s first delve into the graphic novel genre, The
Leeva at Last
Written by Sara Pennypacker Illustrated by Matthew Cordell Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Delightful, but not entirely fresh, Sara Pennypacker’s latest book is a departure from the previous Pax and Clementine series she is best known for. Leeva Spayce Thornblossom is eight or nine. No
Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Short List
The Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction is for books with an implied readership up to the age of fourteen. Books may be fiction, graphic novels or illustrated fiction that fit the genre of historical fiction. The Judges assessed each entry
StoryArt Exhibition 2023 Meet the Artist Yvonne Mes
The annual StoryArt Exhibition is all set to start next month on Monday, June 26 and run until Sunday July 2 at the Richard Randall Art Studio. It will be a week of fabulous displays for everyone to enjoy. As this
Nice and Slow
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Margarite Igras We know how busy life can be and the importance of having time out to reset and spend quality time with the people we love. Well, take note of this family. They have
Desert Jungle
By Jeannie Baker Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Despite being surrounded by mountains of rock and cacti, the boy prefers to sit inside and experience the world through the screen of his tablet. He fears going far from his home because he has
Our Dragon
By Mem Fox & Linda Davick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox shot to fame with her instant classic Possum Magic way back in 1983. She has worked with many different illustrators such as Judy Horacek for Where is the Green Sheep?
Stay for Dinner
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Winner of the 2024 Multicultural NSW Award This is the third time these two have teamed up and it is always a wining combination. You may remember The Boy Who Tried To Shrink
StoryLinks 2023 Short Story Competition Winner
The winner of this year's Short Story competition for writers aged 18+ was announced at the Narelle Oliver Lecture in Children's Literature given by the current Children's Laureate Gabrielle Wang. The winning short story is The Loophole by Alison Rutstein. Alison very kindly
When I’m Big
By Karen Blair Reviewed by Margarite Igras Karen Blair is an award-winning Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books. Here she has taken a new and humorous twist on welcoming a new baby to the family and more so, to the
What Will You Make Today?
By Maura Pierlot Illustrated by Triandhika Anjani Reviewed by Margarite Igras This non-fiction picture book, written by the award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot is packed with wonderful full-page illustrations by Triandhika Anjani. What will you make today? is a child centred book,
NSW 2023 Patricia Wrightson Prize
And the winner is The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia’s First Peoples by Corey Tutt and Blak Douglas. 'Original, unique, an illuminative read and an invaluable resource. You may have been taught that the first scientists were just
Monster Island
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance George Ivanoff is the author of over 100 books, both fact and fiction. Monster Island is Ivanoff’s latest fiction novel about a young boy who ends up on an island filled with dinosaurs. When his mum
Surprisingly Sarah
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmi & Friends graphic novel series. Surprisingly Sarah is the series 7th instalment about how one decision can change a friendship forever. Sarah doesn’t need
Selfie
By Allayne L. Webster Reviewed by Liane McDermott Real and fake friendships alongside the pitfalls of social media are explored in this young adult novel by Allayne L. Webster. An internationally published Children’s and Young Adult author, Allayne Webster has published ten
Parcel For Gorilla
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Parcel For Gorilla is a companion read to Parcel For Penguin, and part of a series of 4 – so far. This lighthearted story makes clever use of the ‘what’s inside the box’ narrative
Harriet’s Hungry Worms
By Samantha Smith & Melissa Johns Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Samantha's first eco picture book which she hopes will inspire readers to become young 'wormwarriors'. Melissa is an artist and illustrator whose artworks are predominantly made of recycled materials. In Harriet's
Shadow Catchers
By Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shadow Catchers is a charming romp through a day in the life of two siblings, their dad, and their shadows. In the early morning light, the shadows touch the ceiling as
A Message Through Time
Written by Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anna Ciddor has written around sixty non-fiction and middle grade titles, including 52 Mondays and The Family With Two Front Doors. A Message Through Time is a standalone companion to her previous release, The
Tumble Glass
By Kate Constable Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Constable has written almost a dozen books for middle-grade and YA audiences, including the CBCA award-winning book Crow Country. Tumble Glass is her newest novel about a girl who can slip through time. Thirteen-year-old Rowan