The Last Bear
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Last Bear is Hannah Gold’s first ever published book and it is a powerful tale of how hope and love can overcome grief and loss . Eleven-year-old April Wood has been neglected
The Dragon and Her Boy
By Penny Chrimes Illustrated by Levente Szabo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan British writer Penny Chrimes, a former journalist, is also the author of Tiger Heart, set in the same alternate world as this adventure about a young boy, Stick, who lives with a
Azaria : A True History
Written and illustrated by Maree Coote Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson What happens when the truth gets lost? What happens when there is a gross miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the media and backed by questionable scientific evidence? Did the mother murder the
Zinnia Jakes: The Tumbling Tortoises
By Brenda Gurr Illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance This is Australian author Brenda Gurr’s second early readers book and the sequel to Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle. Famous and elusive cake maker Zinnia Jakes is back, this time she has won
Scoop McLaren: Waves of Mystery
By Helen Castles Illustrated by Beatriz Castro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Helen Castles is still a fairly new author with Waves of Mystery being her second novel and the sequel to Scoop McLaren: Detective Editor. Click! the online newspaper that Scoop McLaren and best
The Sad Ghost Club: Volume 1
By Lize Meddings Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lize Meddings is a UK author and keen advocate for raising awareness for mental health. The Sad Ghost Club is her first graphic novel. This is the story of an ordinary day in the life of
The Lost Soul Atlas
By Zana Fraillon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Zana Fraillon is the award winning author of The Bone Sparrow among other creative novels. In The Lost Soul Atlas she delivers another powerful story that, while firmly embedded in the fantasy genre, also provides
Once I Munched a Mango
By Samantha Wheeler Illustrated by Shannon Horsfall Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler is a versatile writer perhaps best known for her middle grade animal rescue stories such as Wombat Warriors, Turtle Trackers, and Mister Cassowary. She gained wide acclaim for Everything I've
Bears Don’t Wear Shoes
Written and illustrated by Sharon Davey Reviewed by Margarite Igras Bears Don’t Wear Shoes is the first title Sharon Davey has both written and illustrated herself. Born in England she has a background in theatre design and has illustrated a range of
Little Lion: A long way home
Written by Saroo Brierley; with Larry Buttrose Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Many readers will be familiar with Saroo Brierley’s story, as seen in the award-winning film, Lion. It is an incredible story of how 5 year old Saroo came
In the Deep End
Written & illustrated by Charlie Thomson Reviewed by Zewlan Moor In the Deep End is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated
Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas
By Sibeal Pounder Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sibeal Pounder is the award winning author of the Witch Wars series as well as the Bad Mermaids books. Her newest book, Tinsel, puts an imaginative twist to the classic Santa Claus story by asking
Aster’s Good, Right Things
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Gordon, an Australian librarian and writer, is the author of Girl Running, Boy Falling, Juno Jones: Word Ninja, and The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn which is the first in a trilogy of books. Aster’s
All Dogs Have ADHD
By Kathy Hoopman Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This delightful revised edition takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With all-new images from the canine world, it explores a variety of traits that will be instantly recognisable to
All Cats Are On the Autism Spectrum
By Kathy Hoopmann Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This book explains a little of what it is like to be a person who is on the Autism Spectrum. It was first published in 2006 under the title All Cats have Asperger Syndrome. The change
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First 100 Words
A lift-the-flap book by Eric Carle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Eric Carle has a long and distinguished career as a children's picture book creator. His distinctive colourful style in his stories and illustrations are immediately recognizable. He is especially notable for The Very
What Do You Call Your Grandpa?
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut book by Australian author, Ashleigh Barton is a delightful and informative read about the different names children call their grandpa in a culturally diverse world. And I am really pleased
Hotel for Bees
By Alison McLennan Illustrated by Erin Dunne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison is a Queensland children's writer, author of the graphic novel A Flood in the Village. Erin is an artist and arts educator based in Central Queensland. In her work she attempts
How to Avoid Witches/Roald Dahl
By Kay Woodward Illustrated by Quentin Blake Reviewed by Junior Reviewer, Ramona Naulty, aged 11 Inspired by Roald Dahl's spine-tingling story The Witches, this is a fun, interactive activity book suitable for kids as young as 5 to . . . everyone else. This helpful
Elvis Eager and the Golden Egg: Monty’s Island #3
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The third and latest novel in the Monty’s Island series written by Emily Rodda is chapter book for a beginning readers profusely illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. Monty lives on a magic island with his friends, the
Footprints on the Moon
By Lorraine Marwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lorraine is a much awarded author of children's novels including Leave Taking and collections of poetry. Here she has written a verse novel about loss and finding your own voice in her signature understated style. The
Three Dancing Frogs
by Leigh Hardingham Illustrated by Patrick Shirvington Reviewed by Margarite Igras Both author and illustrator have a love of the Australian bush which is reflected in the delightful watercolour illustrations as well as the text written like the lyrics of a song. The owl
Poo and Other Words That Make Me Laugh
By Felice Arena Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Zewlan Moor At last! A literary bum book that even a Literature professor would be proud to buy for a child. It starts as it means to go on: “These words make me laugh — BUMbershoot
Positively Izzy
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Positively Izzy is the second book in the Emmie & Friends series written by American award-winning cartoonist Terri Libenson. In this book we follow the lives of two very different 13 year old girls, Izzy, who
Just Jaime
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is the award-winning cartoonist of The Pajama Diaries and the Emmie & Friends series of which Just Jaime is the third novel. This book can be read on its own but I would
Invisible Emmie
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Terri Libenson is an American author/illustrator and creator of the Reuben Award-winning comic strip The Pajama Diaries. Invisible Emmie is the first book in a new series called Emmie & Friends, with each book delving
Becoming Brianna
By Terri Libenson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Becoming Brianna is the fourth book in the Emmie & Friends series written by American author Terri Libenson. I would discourage readers from picking up this book without first reading the rest of the series
The Great Realisation
By Tomos Roberts Illustrated by Nomoco Reviewed by Jillian Custance Tomos Roberts is a 26-year-old NZ filmmaker/poet who uses the pen-name Tom Foolery. The Great Realisation is his first picture book. The book was inspired by a poem “The Great Realisation” that Tomos released
Ruby and Graham
By Lucy Barnard Reviewed by Jillian Custance Lucy Barnard is the author and illustrator of a number of children’s picture books, including Squirrel’s Busy Day, and I’m Bigger Than You. Ruby and Graham is the story of two friends with differing personalities and
The Cow That Swam Out To Sea
By Pamela Rushby Illustrated by Nicola Hooper Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated by
