Elementals: Battle Born
by Amie Kaufman reviewed by Sarah Custance Amie Kaufman is the co-author of many well-known series such as ‘The Unearthed Duology’ and ‘The Starbound Trilogy’ both written with Meagan Spooner and the ‘Illuminae Files’ and ‘Aurora Cycle’ both written with Jay Kristoff.
The Daddy Animal Book
Written and illustrated by Jennifer Cossins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the companion title to THE MUMMY ANIMAL BOOK from the author of the CBCA Notable THE BABY ANIMAL BOOK and the bestselling 101 COLLECTIVE NOUNS. It is the same size, same format but in
The Painted Ponies
by Alison Lester reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Alison Lester is always cause for celebration. The Painted Ponies doesn’t disappoint. It’s starts with Matilda who loves to stay at her Grandma Lucky’s house with the pony called Luna, the
House of Dragons
by Jessica Cluess reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The author's website describes her new book House of Dragons as “the intrigue of the Three Dark Crowns meets the cast of The Breakfast Club if they rode dragons into battle” and it is difficult
Edie’s Experiments 2: How To Be the Best
by Charlotte Barkla illustrated by Sandy Flett reviewed by Barbara Braxton Edie has settled into her new school and is starting to make friends, despite her somewhat catastrophic early attempts (Edie's Experiments 1 How To Make Friends) to treat the process like a
Harrow Lake
by Kat Ellis reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This is the fourth YA novel for UK writer Kat Ellis, who professes to write“YA thrillers with a touch of the weird”. There is no doubt that Harrow Lake has a touch of the weird. With
Joey and Riley
by Mandy Foot reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Foot has been illustrating other people's stories for many years but this is one she has written and illustrated herself. It is about a working dog who is also a beloved companion. Pet seems
The Sloth and the Dinglewot
by Nicole Prust illustrated by Amanda Enright reviewed by Barbara Braxton Down near the banks of the lazy lagoon, Where the trees slowly swayed in the light of the moon, A family of sloths slept soundly asleep As the birds of the sunrise started to
The Fowl Twins
by Eoin Colfer reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is the brilliant Irish author responsible for the world famous ‘Artemis Fowl’ novels, with the first book now being released as a movie. This next book is the start of a new series
Extraordinary!
by Penny Harrison illustrated by Katie Wilson reviewed by Sandy Driessens Of course, a cover with sparkly metallics sprinkled all over a creature-filled forest makes me immediately desire this book. Does the rest of the book live up to the cover? … well
Bear Was There
written and illustrated by Sally Anne Garland reviewed by Sandy Driessens A huge bear and a tiny mouse gazing at each other with kind, gentle eyes is a delightful image that would draw a child of any age to this lovely book
Pink
by Margaret Wild illustrated by Judith Rossell reviewed by Mia Macrossan Many children’s books are full of lessons that adults want to teach the young. This admirable resolve can, and often does, create very tedious, what I call, teachy preachy books. Here is
Eco Rangers: Wildfire Rescue
by Candice Lemon Scott illustrated by Aska reviewed by Yvonne Mes This story of two adventurous, independent and eco-aware children on a mission is the third book in the series featuring Ebony and Jay, friends and eco rangers. In Wildfire Rescue, Ebony and Jay
The Republic of Birds
by Jessica Miller reviewed by Sarah Custance Jessica Miller is the author of the award-winning debut novel ‘Elizabeth and Zenobia’. Miller is Australian born but currently living in Berlin where the rich folk tales seem to have taken a grasp on her
In My Dreams
by Stef Gemmill illustrated by Tanja Stephani reviewed by Sandy Driessens The colourful, fantastical cover for this book speaks of adventure … of dreams. “When the world is quiet and I’m alone, I like to dream.” This opening sentence, floating through the darkness of
The Unadoptables
by Hana Tooke illustrated by Ayesha L Rubio reviewed by Mia Macrossan This runaway adventure story touches the heart while stretching the imagination in many extraordinary ways. Five babies are left at the Little Tulip Orphanage in Amsterdam in 1880, one in a
Yes, No, Maybe So
by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Yes, No, Maybe So is a collaboration, and the latest publication, from authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed. Albertalli’s novel, Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda has been made into a film,
The Power of Positive Pranking
by Nat Amoore reviewed by Sarah Custance Here is an incredibly funny, thought provoking, heart-tugging book that makes you feel anyone and everyone can make a difference. Nat Amoore is the author of ‘Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire’ and though ‘The Power of
The Betrothed
by Kiera Cass reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Kiera Cass is known for her best-selling Selection series and The Betrothed, the first book in a duology, has been highly anticipated by fans. The cover photo is of a young woman in a golden
Boo Loves Books
by Kaye Baillie and Tracie Grimwood reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘Boo Loves Books’ is a must-have on the shelf of any dog lover, especially those that have rescue pets. Kaye Baillie is still a relatively new name in picture books but teamed
Evie and Pog: Party Perfect!
by Tania McCartney reviewed by Sarah Custance Tania McCartney is a children’s book writer, illustrator, and editor. She is the founder of ‘Kids’ Book Review’ and the ‘Happy Book’ podcast. Tina has written and/or illustrated dozens of picture books and children’s information
The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle
by Brenda Gurr reviewed by Sarah Custance Brenda Gurr is an Australian writer who has worked on several educational resources and picture books. ‘The Fabulous Cakes of Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle’ appears to be her first early reader chapter book and
The Theory of Hummingbirds
by Michelle Kadarusman reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michelle Kadarusman is an Australian teen and middle-grade fiction writer. She grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and has also lived many years in Indonesia and in Canada. The Theory of Hummingbirds is her first publication
The Giant and the Sea
by Trent Jamieson illustrated Rovina Cai reviewed by Barbara Braxton There was once a giant who stood on the shore of the sea. She looked out across the water the water, because that is what she had promised to do long, long ago. On
The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper illustrated by Dan Santat reviewed by Mia Macrossan This famous story has been re-issued in a 90th anniversary edition with an introduction by Dolly Parton, the founder of the Imagination Library The popular tale of the little engine that could has
The Mummy Animal Book
by Jennifer Cossins reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jennifer Cossins has written the popular 101 Collective Nouns, A Flamboyance of Flamingos and The Baby Animal Book and now in The Mummy Animal Book she focuses on mothers and their offspring. She has chosen 14
Women Artists A to Z
by Melanie LaBarge illustrated by Caroline Corrigan reviewed by Mia Macrossan This thoughtful clever picture book works on several levels so as to appeal to a wide age range. It is both a simple alphabet book teaching a young child the letters we
Bedtime Daddy
written by Sharon Giltrow illustrated by Katrin Dreiling reviewed by Barbara Braxton It's 7.00 pm and it's time for bed. No more screentime or playtime and regardless of the protests, it's time. But it takes perseverance and patience to work through all the
As Fast As I Can
by Penny Tangey reviewed by Mia Macrossan Penny Tangey is a successful author with three well regarded novels to her credit: Two for older readers - Loving Richard Feynman , Clara in Washington and, for middle grade readers. - Stay Well Soon. As
Not My Fault
by Cath Howe reviewed by Sarah Custance Cath Howe is a London based teacher and writer. Her first novel ‘Ella on the Outside’ was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘Not My Fault’ is Howe’s second novel, it is a standalone book about
