Cranky Chicken: Party Animals
By Katherine Battersby Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katherine Battersby is an Australian author/illustrator now living in Canada with her family. Before heading into the world of children’s literature she worked as a paediatric occupational therapist, to date she has written over a
Song of the White Ibis
By Phillip Gwynne and illustrated by Liz Anelli Reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne is an Australian author with over 20 books to his name, spanning from picture books to YA. Song of the White Ibis is an interesting picture book as it
Cop and Robber
by Tristan Bancks Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tristan Bancks has written books for children and teens which include the thrillers Two Wolves, The Fall and Detention. He has won many awards and is the writer-ambassador for Room to Read. He has a
How to make a clay tablet with ancient Greek writing
Shared by author of Cuckoo's Flight, Wendy Orr A fabulous resource here for anyone studying Dragonfly Song, Swallow's Dance or Cuckoo's Flight (Minoan Wings series). Or anyone just interested in ancient history or who wants to have some fun! A video
The World’s Worst Pets
by David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Walliams needs no introduction as he has been a popular fixture in the children's book world for many years. His 'World's Worst' series has featured children, parents and teachers and now
The Callers
By Kiah Thomas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are so many middle grade stories where the protagonist has a special power that sets him/her apart from the rest of his family and community. The Callers has an interesting beginning because Quin who
The Imagineer
By Christopher Cheng Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Christopher Cheng has written more than 40 books for children. The recently released - Wombat, Bear and Rat, and The Imagineer have been listed in the Children's Book Council of Australia 2022 Notable
A is for Activism Bibliography
We are delighted to announce that the Bibliography discussed by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright in the Book Links Narelle Oliver Lecture in Children's Literature is now available and free for you to download. It is an extensive list 14 pages long covering
A Best Friend for Bear
by Petr Horàcek Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Black Bear is feeling lonely, so he decides to look for a friend. Luckily, he meets Brown Bear, who is in the same situation! The bears decide to search for a friend together. They search
The Champ!
By Anh Do Illustrated by David Atze Reviewed by Sarah Custance Vietnamese-Australian author Anh Do has written some of the bestselling children’s book series over the last decade and created a devoted fan base of readers. For younger readers he has written the
The Mysterious Rainbow Thief MerTales #4
Written and illustrated by Rebecca Timmis Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Squibbering squids! The bright colours of the coral reef and creatures are disappearing from Cockleshell Cove! Sandy Starfish and her secret crew from F.I.N.S (Fish In Need Society) will have to catch and
A Feather on a Wing
Written and illustrated by Maria Speyer Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Are you there? It’s so lonely in the dark!” The lights are off, it’s bedtime and a little girl calls to her sister, who shares her room. Sensing her fear, the older sibling
Built by Animals
Meet the Creatures Who Inspire Our Homes and Cities Written by Christiane Dorion Illustrated by Yeji Yun Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Humans think they can build anything, but the fact is, they have a thing or two to learn from Nature. Following on from Invented
Remarkably Ruby
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is an American graphic novelist; Remarkably Ruby is the 6th book (7th if you count a journal with some short stories mixed in) in the Emmie & Friends series. The first book was
Great Big Softie
By Kaye Baillie and illustrated by Shane McG Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Kaye Baillie is a writer of both fiction and non-fiction picture books, one of her books, When the Waterhole Dries Up, has been shortlisted by the Children’s Book
The ABC Kids Guide to Loving the Planet
Written by Jaclyn Crupi Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Margarite Igras This delightful and informative picture book is aimed at young children and packed with ideas and activities on how to care for our planet. The book is child focused with adult
Alex and the Alpacas Ride Again
By Kathryn Lefroy 2022 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Alex and the Alpacas Ride Again is a fast-paced sequel to Alex and the Alpacas Save the World, although it can be read as a standalone. Lefroy’s debut novel was shortlisted for the West
The Ice Whisperers
By Helenka Stachera Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Helenka Stachera grew up with her British mother and Polish father, surrounded by legends and fairy tales. The Ice Whisperers is her debut novel written about family and belonging which, as an adopted
The Book Cat
By Polly Faber and illustrated by Clara Vulliamy Reviewed by Sarah Custance British author Polly Faber is an author of both picture books and early readers novels. She writes about cats, horses, dogs, rabbits, buildings, and even tapirs! One of her early
Seal Child
By Robert Vescio and illustrated by Anna Pignataro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sydney based author Robert Vescio has written over a dozen picture books and has achieved international success with actor Tom Hardy reading Under the Same Sky as a bedtime story
All the Little Tricky Things
By Karys McEwen Reviewed by Sarah Custance In her spare time, Australian author Karys McEwen is the president of the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Victorian branch, a school librarian, and a columnist for Books+Publishing. All the Little Tricky Things is
Horror Heights: Now Livescreaming
By Bec Hill Reviewed by Sarah Custance Now Livescreaming is the second book in the Horror Heights series by Australian author, performer, and presenter, Bec Hill, the first in the series being The Slime. Inspired by his favourite influencer Grimmf, young Ryan has
Sophia the Show Pony
By Kate Waterhouse and illustrated by Sally Spratt Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Waterhouse is an Australian journalist, model, and media personality. Sophia the Show Pony is the debut picture book for both Waterhouse and illustrator Sally Spratt. Sophia is a show pony,
Shortlist for 2022 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction announced!
The results are in. Here, in alphabetical order, are the four shortlisted titles for this year's Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction. The winner will be announced during Library and Information Week, on Wednesday July 27, at a special
Cuckoo’s Flight
By Wendy Orr Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Cuckoo’s Flight is a companion novel to the critically acclaimed Dragonfly Song and Swallow’s Dance, but totally successful as a standalone. All three are set in the Bronze Age Minoan civilization in Crete. This third
Main Abija – My Grandad
By Karen Rogers Reviewed by Sue Wright There are books that fictionalise events in history to make history accessible, and then there are books which play an important role in recovering history and connections that have been lost. Main Abija – My Grandad by
Underground
Marsupial Outlaws and Other Rebels of Australia’s War in Vietnam A graphic novel by Mirranda Burton Reviewed by Sue Wright War, civil conflict, racism and division are part of the long legacy of colonialism. When colonial France withdrew from Vietnam, division split the
Meredith Downes wins 2022 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Meredith Downes who won the 2022 StoryLinks Short Story competition for adults aged 18+. Here is our spotlight interview with Meredith (before she was announced the winner). The judges declared her story, The Pop Girls, the winner at this
The Ghost Locket
By Allison Rushby Reviewed by Sarah Custance Brisbane author Alison Rushby is quickly making a name for herself in spooky middle-grade mystery novels. With the success of her previous novels, The Mulberry Tree, The Turnkey series, and When This Bell Rings, there
Spotlight Please… it’s Stevie Louise
By Tanya Hennessy with illustrations from Leigh Hedstrom Reviewed by Sarah Custance Tanya Hennessy is a Jill of all trades with careers as a TV presenter, comedian, radio announcer, podcaster, and author. Spotlight Please is the second book after Drum Roll Please
