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
Copyright Agency Reading Australia NEWS
The Copyright Agency provide some wonderful opportunities for teachers and teacher librarians. They have extended the deadline to apply for the Reading Australia Fellowship for Teachers of English and Literacy! This $15,000 Fellowship is open to English and literacy teachers AND teacher
The Wearing of the Green
By Claire Saxby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Saxby is an Australian author of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children, including the splendid Nature Storybooks series, The Anzac Billy and recently, the picture book Iceberg. The Wearing of the Green is her second middle grade
This Old Thing
By Cassandra Webb Illustrated by Tony Flowers Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Cassandra Webb has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator Tony Flowers to create This Old Thing, a poignant historical picture book. We follow a young boy as he searches his house
Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Long List Announced!
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
It’s a Wonderful World
How to Protect the Planet and Change the Future Written by Jess French Illustrated by Aleesha Nandhra Reviewed by Margarite Igras This informative and practical book describes how each person has the potential to make informed choices that will make a difference to our
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray We Could Be Something is the latest release from acclaimed YA novelist Will Kostakis, who is openly leaning into autofiction with this intergenerational love story. The book’s title and cover design position it within the
Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray It feels like a long time since we’ve seen boats as main characters in a picture book. It’s a useful device, though, allowing a story about separation to unfold gently, without
Hello, Emma Memma
By Emma Watkins and Oliver Brian Illustrated by Kerrie Hess Reviewed by Margarite Igras The beloved character from the Wiggles has transformed into a new person called Emma Memma. This book introduces her and shows how she metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly called
The Hats of Marvello
By Amanda Graham Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Hats of Marvello is Australian author Amanda Graham’s latest middle-grade novel about magic, the environment, friendships, secrets, and lots and lots of rabbits! Olivia loves her life on her family’s farm in
The Garden at the End of the World
By Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Reading a picture book is often the first time a child is introduced to some interesting aspect of life on this planet. It is truly amazing to discover the range and variety
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle: Poem
By A B Paterson Illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This gorgeous new edition of the classic children’s picture book is celebrating 50 years in print. The Niland sisters have illustrated many children's picture books over the years and
Anzac Day resources from StoryLinks
Every year new resources are published as writers and teachers delve into the archives to find new ways to celebrate and honour a defining episode in Australia's history. Some titles reviewed in StoryLinks include: The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French, The Last
The Great Gallipoli Escape
By Jackie French Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nipper lies about his age to join the army and do his bit for King and Country. He and his mates are in Gallipoli having a cricket match with the Turks during a brief ceasefire
The Glow
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Marc McBride Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Megan and Li live in a small coastal town and share a passion for creating stories. Megan draws fantasy monsters and Li brings them to life with her amazing tales. School holidays
Cloudspotting
By Samantha Tidy & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Sandy Driessens ‘When the light changes through my bedroom window, it’s time.’ It’s time for the sun to appear on the horizon and the adventure to begin, for a little girl and her father. This
Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance!
By Hervé Tullet Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Hervé Tullet’s interactive picture book, Press Here, was ahead of the curve when first released to delighted readers in 2010. It’s now quite common to find these ‘meta’ books on our shelves; titles that break
The Isles of the Gods
By Amie Kaufman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amie is a New York Times bestselling writer adept at writing books that attract a loyal following. These include the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff. She tends to
Earth Day 2023 Saturday April 22
The theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest in our Planet. Here are some resources that may inspire and support your work if you are thinking of doing something in your classroom or home. StoryLinks has a list of Environmental Fiction:A selection
The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan
By Felice Arena Reviewed by Sarah Custance Felice Arena is the Australian award-winning author of books such as The Boy and the Spy, Fearless Frederic, and A Great Escape, along with the Specky Magee series. An avid football fan and a keen
Ming and Marie: Spy for Freedom
By Jackie French Reviewed by Sarah Custance Former Australian Children’s Laureate, Jackie French is a fundamental figure when it comes to children’s literature within Australia. Whether she is writing her Diary of a Wombat picture books or critically acclaimed middle-grade novels, there
Augustin and the Hot Air Balloon
By David Metzenthen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Metzenthen has written over thirty books for children and young people and has won many honours, including the 2010 winner CBCA Book of the Year Jarvis 2010, 2003 winner Victorian Premier's Literary Awards prize for
Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow Book 1
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense
Queenie in Seven Moves
By Zanni Louise Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Zanni Louise’s first middle grade novel is a rewarding and heart-warming story inspired by her own family’s experience of temporary homelessness during COVID. When twelve-year-old guitar-playing Queenie, and her mother Clare, are evicted from their home,
Bored: Evie Dreams Big
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Matt Stanton has written and co-authored over 35 books for children, including the very popular Funny Kid series and the graphic novel series The Odds. Evie Dreams Big is the 3rd instalment in Stanton’s middle-grade
