Bling Jollygood (The Fairly Secret Files)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is one of Australia's most popular and prolific creators, responsible for The Very Cranky Bear series, and the hilarious Bunny and Bird series which include How to Hatch a Dragon, How to be
Creature Corridors
By Billie Rooney & Anke Noack
Reviewed by Sandy Driessens
“We share the world with many creatures. Some move by day, others by night. In a town bustling with cars and buses, kangaroos thump, thump as if to say, ‘This road is too dangerous. How can we cross to the other side?’”
Australia’s precious native animals travel to find food, shelter and safe places to breed. Whether it is on land, in the sky or in water, because of human habitation and construction, the journey is more difficult and dangerous. However, across highways, through farming land and by waterways, wildlife corridors have been and continue to be built to help these animals reach safe havens.
In her debut work, Billie Rooney has written an educational story, semi-hidden as a warm children’s picture book. She skilfully parallels the animal and human habitat and how they interact. Her use of onomatopoeia brings the animals to life with the ‘snuffle, snuffle of platypus’ and the ‘scuttle, scuttle of red crabs’. Though not rhyming, her subtle use of alliteration provides a sense of rhythm to the animals and their habitat. She closes with a description of wildlife corridors, the corridors mentioned in the story and a glossary of terms, completing the educational component.
Award-winning illustrator, Anke Noack complements the tenderness of this story with images that typify the characteristics of specific animals, in colour, texture and facial expressions. The cover and endpapers are delightful, highlighting the stars of this book. She bleeds the human habitat into the natural habitat, in double page spreads, portraying the corridors with almost architectural detail whilst softening the images with native plants.
Produced by the CSIRO, this is a beautiful educational book that will appeal to young readers. Not only does it deal with major construction it also speaks to the importance of providing havens in our own back yards. It will engage them with their surroundings and also give them hope that we can share our world safely with many creatures. It should have a special place in homes, libraries, schools and early education centres.
CSIRO Publishing 2025 Billie Rooney Anke Noack
Bush Bubs
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “So many joeys, puggles and pups. Let’s look after our precious bush bubs.” Australian native animals range in size, characteristics and habitat, but when we talk about their babies, with their special names, they become particularly
Luna’s World #1 Library Dreams
By Hayley Gannon Illustrated by Michelle Conn Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hayley Gannon is a teacher librarian working in Canberra. She loves writing about real family and school life so that readers can see themselves in books. In her debut fiction Luna's World
Juniper’s Christmas
By Eoin Colfer Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Sophia Evans Here's a story for those who like to read about Christmas at any time of the year. Juniper’s Christmas follows protagonist Juniper Lane as she discovers the science behind the magic of
Volcano
By Claire Saxby & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Sophia Evans ‘Deep in the ocean, far beyond the reach of even the brightest sun, the earth quakes.’ Thorough research is interwoven with lyrical language to bring the journey of a new mountain to life.
Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo, #1)
By Tina Strachan & Max Hamilton Reviewed by Sophia Evans I’ve always loved a good book that includes a map at the front and this book fits that category to a tee. Neeka and the Missing Key is the first book in
The World We Can Build
By Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin, & Daniel Gray-Barnett Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The World We Can Build comes to us from the team behind award-winning title Come Over To My House (2022), and continues that book’s plea for a more
Hatch
By Heidi Cooper Smith Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Heidi Cooper Smith is a Brisbane based Illustrator and also author of her own picture books, Six Sleepy Mice, Too Many Ducks, Odd Sock Sid, and Secrets of the Seasons. At first glance, Hatch appears
My Mum is a Bird
By Angie Cui & Evie Barrow Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This clever subtle story, so beautifully extended by its sensitive illustrations, is a perfect package of artful storylelling, emotional engagement and gorgeous artwork. It's a remarkable achievement for Melbourne based debut author
My Mum is the Best!
By Nic McPickle & Tommy Doyle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This creative team also published the companion volume, My Dad Is the Best, while Nic McPickle is also the author of Fire Truck Santa and Tommy Doyle, an illustrator, ceramist and graphic designer,
Bigfoot vs Yeti, A Love Story
By James Foley Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Bigfoot vs Yeti (A Love Story) is the latest release from multi-talented author and illustrator James Foley. Like his previous hits My Dead Bunny and Stellarphant, this is a surprising, unconventional picture book that
April Book Links News
Settle in with your favourite beverage for a long read and immerse yourself in all things kidlit for April and May. April Book Links News compiled by Jenny Stubbs
Meet the author of Anomaly: Emma Lord
Emma loves all things sci-fi, fantasy and horror, but has a particular soft spot for reading and writing YA. Her debut YA novel Anomaly was published by Affirm Press in 2024 after an early draft was selected for the Varuna and Affirm Press
The Big Backyard Plan
By Kirsten Ealand & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Kirsten's second picture book after her charming debut Like a Gannet. She says: When I write, I often start with an emotion and go from there and my books often
Cassowary Dad
By Beverley McWilliams & Julian Teh Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson ‘Tap, tap, CRACK! Three stripy chicks hatch from forest green eggs
Emily Rodda & Bruce Whatley are Australian Nominees for the HCA Award
Australian nominees for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award IBBY AUSTRALIA HCAA WRITER NOMINEE 2026 Emily Rodda Emily Rodda AC (a.k.a. Jennifer Rowe) is one of the most widely published and translated Australian writers nationally and internationally and her passion for engaging her readers
Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin
By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This is yet another wonderful picture book created by the award-winning British partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, they of the well-known Gruffalo series. They have also collaborated on Zog, Super
11 Ruby Road 1925
By Charlotte Barkla Reviewed by Margaret McKay Lowndes Charlotte Barkla has structured her historical fiction series around a single address, 11 Ruby Road, and 1925 is the second instalment, the first having been set in 1900. In this story, the first family
Higher Ground
By Tull Suwannakit Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tull Suwannakit is best known in the children’s fiction world as an illustrator. His work has always included rich visual storytelling, but he is now emerging as an impressive writer, too. Higher Ground is clearly
Meet the Artist: Blythe Fielden
The beauty of picture books is the opportunity to illustrate aspects that the text does not include. After completing her illustration degree at Leeds Arts University in 2021, Blithe now lives in Brisbane, Australia. When not drawing, she can be found
Meet the Artist: Hélène Magisson
'It's about supporting the text, enriching it, trying to surprise.' Mia Macrossan talks to Hélène Magisson who is a critically acclaimed Australian illustrator of many books for children. Before Hélène turned to book illustration, she was a painting restorer in Paris,
Aslan and Benny
By Jemima Shafei-Ongu & Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Many children have an irrational fear of dogs and this story carefully explores how one child overcomes his fears and makes friends with the dog that suddenly enters his life. Aslan is an
Grandmother from the East Grandmother from the West
By Jacinta Liu & Freda Chiu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jacinta Liu's delightful debut picture book is about a girl who loves her two grandmothers, who each come with their own distinct heritage and traditions. They look different and offer contrasting ways
Meet the Artist: Clare McFadden
Mia Macrossan talks to Clare McFadden, who is a writer, artist and educator. She has worked in arts education with children, young people, and communities in both Australia and the United States. Her first book, The Flying Orchestra, was awarded
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
Tomato Sandwich
By Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tomato Sandwich is the latest release from celebrated author and illustrator Caroline Magerl. It takes place on an average day in the home of young Ottily and her dad. Otilly awakes, dons her fairy
Meet the Artist: Niña Nill
Niña Nill is one of the artists exhibiting her work at the 2025 Book Links Exhibition: StoryArt at the Richard Randall Gallery 4 -13 April. Niña Nill, a children's book illustrator based in Queensland, Australia. She says: I’m passionate about illustrating
Dinner Time! & Bed Time!
Aussie Baby's First Words 1 & 2 By Tom Jellet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tom Jellett is a Sydney-based illustrator. For over twenty years he has illustrated a number of books for children including Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, the My Dad Thinks
My Shadow is Blue
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour My Shadow Is Blue by Australian author Scott Stuart is part of his “shadow series” (including My Shadow Is Purple and My Shadow Is Pink). Stuart is an author committed to creating content that empowers
