Violin and Cello
Story by Catherine Greer Illustrated by Joanna Bartel Music by Alexander Lau Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is an inspiring story for any child beginning to learn a new instrument. Two children live in the same apartment block but they have never met. They
Honour Among Ghosts
By Sean Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sean Williams has written over fifty novels including the CBCA Notable Her Perilous Mansions. Here he has created an intriguing fantasy mystery, characterised by the same quirky original magic of the world of Her Perilous Mansions.
Dirt By Sea
By Michael Wagner Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michael Wagner is a children's author, speaker and storyteller. He writes for early childhood and for older children and his recent books include Why I Love Footy also illustrated by Tom Jellett. Tom
Finding You
By Robert Vescio Illustrated by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Robert has written more than 20 books for young children. He calls himself 'a storyteller because I love to spin a good yarn!' His writing is characterised by a sensitive understanding of
That’s Not My Turtle
That's Not My series An Usborne Touchy-Feely Book By Fiona Watt Illustrated by Rachel Wells Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Another excellent title by the bestselling and versatile Fiona Watt. Babies and toddlers need to explore their world at every waking moment and these board books
A Little Spark
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Most of Barry's novels are about complex family relationships negotiated by a teenage protagonist at the centre of the action. Here in his latest, A Bright Spark, he deals with the fallout from divorce. Cate is
How Do You Say I Love You?
Written by Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Sandy Driessens People express their love with different gestures and words. Come on journey around the world and learn how love is expressed in diverse languages, traditions and across generations. Ashley Barton has
Kind
Written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Margarite Igras This beautifully illustrated picture book has a surprisingly loaded title. Yes, it is about the different kinds of creatures that inhabit our tiny spinning dot/the perfect place, in all of space/And only
My Favourite Teachers
Written by Robin Feiner Illustrated by Beck Feiner Reviewed by Margarite Igras Teachers are not only found in schools. They are all around us – in the community, the family, sports coaches, neighbours and even volunteers. This book shines a light on the
The Agathas
By Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock In this YA thriller, American authors Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson, who have previously separately published YA novels, have collaborated to create a who-dunnit with characters and plot twists that would do
Be Careful, Xiao Xin!
Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran From award winning author Alice Pung and renowned illustrator Sher Rill Ng, here is a gem of a book. Be Careful Xiao Xin is a powerful story about love and conquering fears.
Growing Up in Flames
By Zach Jones Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock Growing up in Flames is the debut novel of Zach Jones. It is an insightful exploration of intergenerational trauma and grief set in a rural town in Australia focusing on four people. After her mother Ava dies
The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods
By Emily Barr Reviewed by Jane Swinton From the opening page, The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods by Emily Barr is a nail biting, page turner. Set in the deep forest of India, the story is the journey of an extraordinary
The Zebra’s Great Escape
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What a treat this is, a new book by two award winning creators. Katherine is the author of The Explorers, The Good Thieves and One Christmas Wish and more, while Sara creates
Ella and the Useless Day
Created by Meg McKinlay & Karen Blair Reviewed by Barbara Braxton When Dad takes a tumble in Ella's room because it is so full, just like the rest of the house, it is clearly time for a clean-out. And so, together, they
The Wintrish Girl: Talismans of Fate #1
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melanie is a successful Australian writer of adult novels, this is her debut novel for children. A Wintrish Girl just snaps, crackles and pops with action, humour and invention. Set in the Empire of Arylia its
And Everything Will Be Glad To See You
Poems by women and girls Selected by Ella Risbridger Illustrated by Anna Shepeta Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ella is a food blogger as well as a writer of historical fiction (The Secret Detectives), and has produced various other anthologies. Anna is a remarkable artist known
Milly and the Mulberry Tree
Written by Vikki Conley Illustrated by Deb Hudson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Milly’s Mulberry tree is the centre of her world. One Day Milly helped her Papa plant a tree, right in the middle of the garden, “so it can grow with us”. As
How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five
By Carla Fitzgerald Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Carla Fitzgerald is a Sydney-based author who has previously published the picture book Keeping Up with the Dachshunds. How to Be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five is her debut middle grade novel. The book opens
Where You Left Us
By Rhiannon Wilde Reviewed by Jane Swinton It was a joy to read Sunshine Coast author Rhiannon Wilde’s Where You Left Us. The book has captured Australian quirky humour and the darkly grim affection, that is typical of adolescents everywhere. The story is
Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon
By Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Sarah Custance Gabrielle Wang is an Australian author who has written over 20 books for middle-grade audiences. She is the current Australian Children’s Laureate (2022 – 2023) and Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
We Run Tomorrow
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by Mike Barry Reviewed by Sarah Custance Nat Amoore is the author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, The Power of Positive Pranking, and The Right Way to Rock all based around different children in the fictional school of
Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat
By Ursula Moray Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Ursula Moray Williams (1911-2006) wrote 68 books for children throughout her lifetime. The two books that she is most well known for are Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse and Gobbolino the
How to Repaint a Life – CBCA Honours Older Readers
By Steven Herrick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Brisbane born Steven Herrick has been writing fiction, poetry and verse novels for young people for many years. His latest, How to Repaint a Life is an honour book in the 2022 CBCA Older Reader
The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride
By Hayli Thomson Reviewed by Rose Hill As a fan of YA I was excited to be asked to review Hayli Thomson’s debut novel. I was hoping to love this book more than I did, the romance, coming of age story line
Australian Backyard Buddies
Created by Andy Geppert Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andy is an Australian illustrator based in Brisbane who previous books include Little Big Tree which won the Crichton Award for a new illustrator in 2010, and Meep, a CBCA Notable Book in 2016. For
My Baba is the Best
Written by Bachar Houli Illustrated by Debby Rahmalia Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bachar Houli is a noted AFL football player and devout Muslim who has successfully promoted various community initiatives. This is his first picture book. It is a colourful depiction of Muslim family
Ninni Yabini
By Cheryl Kickett-Tucker and Tyrown Waigana Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a dual language book written in English and the language of the Noongar people of SW Western Australia. The story is based on a tale, passed down in the oral
All the Words I Need to Know
Written by Jane Godwin & Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “All the words you need to know Will help you as you learn and grow. From ant and ball and yak and zoo, Here’s a word book JUST FOR YOU!” Jane Godwin, an
2022 CBCA Winners announced
Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers who won one of the prestigious CBCA awards this year. It is always a suspenseful and eagerly awaited event to see which book will win the coveted gong. Here are the StoryLinks reviews for
