Alfie the Brave
By Richard Harris Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Some may know Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, not for writing children’s books, but for his work as a member of the international cave-diving team that rescued a young soccer team from rising
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams Bianco Illustrated by Helene Magisson Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran The Velveteen Rabbit, a classic tale written by Margery Williams Bianco, first published in 1922, has no doubt enjoyed a cosy place in many hearts, children and adults alike. This edition
Marmalade the Orange Panda
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is a powerhouse of children’s literature, his middle-grade fiction books have sold over 45 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 55 languages. Marmalade the Orange Panda is Walliams’
Shockingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is the NSW-based author of the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched a popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A. Spratt’, in early
Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest
Written by Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler Illustrated by Emma Long Reviewed by Des. Crump Diane Lucas moved to Kakadu in her late twenties; Ben Tyler is a Bininj man from Kakadu while Emma long is an accomplished art educator living in Darwin.
Story Doctors
Written by Boori Pryor Illustrated by Rita Sinclair Reviewed by Des. Crump Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region. His mother is a descendant of the Gurubana
Today’s Sun
Written and illustrated by Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Des. Crump Gregg Dreise is a proud Kamilaroi and Euahlayi writer and illustrator who shares stories and culture through his colorful books. Younger readers have been engaged with his previous books on birds, e.g.,
Lucky Bunnies
By Zanna Davidson Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Zanna Davidson has written many books for young readers including the popular Fairy Unicorns series as well as Billy and the Mini Monsters series. She has also written a few books for the
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Easter Picnic
By Eric Carle Reviewed by Sarah Custance German-American author Eric Carle is probably best known for his famous picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which was first published in 1969 and has gone on to sell over 50 million copies and been
The Unfunny Bunny
By Adrian Beck and illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author and TV producer Adrian Beck is known best for his children’s book series such as, Derek Dool, Stuff Happens, Little Legends (co-written with Nicole Hayes), and Kick it
Mim and the Woeful Wedding : The Travelling Bookshop #2
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Mim and the Woeful Wedding is the second book in The Travelling Bookshop series by Australian author Katrina Nannestad. Nannestad is also the acclaimed author of four other young reader book series:
Dogs in Disguise
By Peter Bently and John Bond Reviewed by Sarah Custance Perfectly paired in this wonderfully outrageous rhyming picture book, Dogs in Disguise, is author Peter Bently and illustrator John Bond. The book can be neatly described in its opening lines of: “Dogs
Let’s Go! On a Helicopter
By Rosalyn Albert & Natalia Moore Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest in the popular Let's Go! series by the same creators where children explore the world on various modes of transport such as a train, a submarine, a fire
Everything You Want To See
By Kyle Hughes-Odgers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kyle is an Australian artist who has worked here and overseas. This is his first book for children ( as far as I can establish) Everything You Want to See is a board book illustrating a
Amma’s Sari
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second book by this creative team who produced the CBCA Notable book The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name, about a boy whose very long name causes him
Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dinosaur
By Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dinosaur is part of the bestselling bedtime series by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton, where each book takes place in its own special section in ‘The Land
Poo. Spew and Other Gross things Animals Do!
By Nicole Gill & Romane Cristescu Artwork by Rachel Tribout Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Talking about natural bodily functions and secretions can make some laugh, some squirm with embarrassment and others instantly curious. So this book that looks at not just poo, but also
A-Okay
By Jarad Greene Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jarad Greene is an American cartoonist who has helped colour many younger reader graphic novels. A-Okay is his second graphic novel (of which he is both author and illustrator) after Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to
Ena Noël Award 2022
IBBY Australia Encouragement Award for a young emerging writer or illustrator . IBBY Australia and the panel of judges are proud to announce the winner of the 2022 Ena Noël Award is Gary Lonesborough, The Boy from the Mish (Allen & Unwin) Set in a contemporary Australia
Rainbow the Koala: Surviving the Wild 1
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Remy Lai is the award winning author of the middle-grade novels Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, and her first graphic novel, Pawcasso. Rainbow the Koala is the first book in a new
Star the Elephant: Surviving the Wild 2
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Brisbane based author/illustrator Remy Lai is well known for her middle grade novels, Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall. Star the Elephant is the second instalment of her new graphic novel series,
Rockstar Detectives
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Comedians writing children’s novels is a thing. It started with David Walliams’ highly successful The Boy in the Dress. Funny men David Baddiel and David O’Doherty have also contributed to this trend.
Binky the Bowerbird
Written by Barb Cromie Illustrated by Nandina Vines Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Binky the Bowerbird is on a mission to find his true love. His parents have tried to teach him all the skills required to face the world and find a mate, but
An Artist’s Eyes
Written by Frances Tosdevin Illustrated by Clémence Monnet Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Mo’s eyes and Jo’s eyes look the same. But Jo’s eyes are different. Mo has an “artist’s eyes”. She sees colours in a dazzling array of shades that conjure images of objects
Milo Finds $105: Bored #1
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Stanton is the Sydney-based co-creator of many humorous picture books—including There’s a Monster Under My Bed Who Farts and This is a Ball—as well as the author/illustrator of the popular middle grade series Funny
Mary & Marcus: The Crazy Dance & Other Stories
By Ursula Dubosarsky and Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Sarah Custance Award winning Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky has written over 60 books to much critical acclaim and was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-2021. For Mary & Marcus, Ursula has teamed up, for
The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Kate Gordon has a gift for writing lyrical prose which has seen her achieve critical acclaim both for her “Direleafe Hall” series, and “Aster’s Good Right Things” which was the 2021 CBCA Book of the
Skydragon: Brave the Storm #4
By Ahn Do Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Anh Do has topped the bestselling charts again and again with his series for both younger readers and now his middle-grade aimed series. Sky Dragon: Brave the Storm is the
Ouch: Tales of Gravity
Kate Simpson Andy Hardiman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Over 350 years ago, Isaac Newton saw an apple fall from a tree and he began to wonder why it fell straight down rather than floating upwards or sideways. Being a person of very great
Bella and the Voyaging House
By Meg McKinlay Illustrated by Nicholas Schafer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Meg McKinlay is best known for her award-winning books A Single Stone, Catch a Falling Star, Surface Tension, and Annabel, Again. Now Bella and her travelling house are back for
