Rodney
by Kelly Canby reviewed by Kerry Neary Younger children will be entranced by the visual treat of colour pattern and white separation in this story of a small tortoise with his head figuratively in the treetops. How Rodney would love to join
The Bogan Mondrian
by Steven Herrick reviewed by Dajo Finlayson From the very outset this book had me captivated. The vibrantly coloured front and back covers caught my attention as I’ve always been a fan of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s work. His wonderfully abstract,
It Sounded Better In My Head
by Nina Kenwood reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful debut novel deservedly won the 2018 Text Prize for fiction. It is the affecting story of Natalie and her friends in that limbo of time between finishing year 12 and starting university. Natalie
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History
by Bruce Pascoe reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowdnes Young Dark Emu is the latest offering from prolific indigenous author Bruce Pascoe of the Bunurong Clan, Kulin nation. This non-fiction picture book is an adaptation for young readers of the award winning Dark Emu,
Mr Walker Series
Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop written by Jess Black illustrated by Sara Acton reviewed by Leslee Anne Hewson These two new hardcover books in the series by Jess Black were published this year. Both are written in an
Ron the Royal Guard
Written by Deano Yipadee Illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Have you ever thought about being one of those Royal Guards at Buckingham Palace? Ron the Royal Guard alternates between marching and standing at attention. He is also the object of
Arsenal Board Books Series
The Arsenal ABC and The Arsenal 123 Official Arsenal Product reviewed by Kerry Neary Blatantly commercial, this series has only two titles to date – ABC and 123 – but if this marketing strategy succeeds there could be more to follow. The upside
One Tree
Written by Christopher Cheng Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri One Tree is a tender narrative about the changes through generations, seen from the eyes of a little boy. Although he has been told that his grandfather was once a
A Girl Called Justice
by Elly Griffiths reviewed by Mia Macrossan This traditional murder mystery set in a 1930s girl’s boarding school has all the ingredients of a classic whodunnit. Justice Jones is sent to Highbury House School for the daughters of gentlefolk after her mother
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery
Written and illustrated by Renee Treml Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Renee Treml is the author and illustrator of several successful picture books for very young readers, including: Once I Heard a Little Wombat, Ten Little Owls and Wombat Big, Puggle Small. She also has a
The Day Henry Met … series
The Day Henry Met Actions, Numbers, the ABC and Colours Written and illustrated by Gilly ( Gary Gill) Reviewed by Kerry Neary Already popular from his television series, feature character, Henry, now launches into the world of children’s books. Henry is based
Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star
Written by Gordon Winch Illustrated by Stephen Pym Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star, a picture book which highlights a particularly clever trait of the honeybee is the third from duo Gordon Winch and Stephen Pym, who both have
The International Space Station
Written by Clive Gifford Illustrated by Dan Schlitzkus Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This interesting work deals with the structure and workings of, and living conditions aboard, the International Space Station (ISS). With detailed, stylised illustrations complemented by simple, easy to understand fact boxes, a
Where’s Lucky?
Written by Jacqui Halpin Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Based on a true story, this is a beautifully illustrated, colourful and informative picture book highlighting both the tragedy of orphaned wildlife due to road kill and also the cost to,
Dragons in Picture Books
Our latest reading list is all about dragons - the fierce, the bold, the beautiful and also the hungry, the accident-prone, the sleepy, and the short-tempered. Here is a delightful introduction to the world of dragons for the very young
The Bug Collector
Written and illustrated by Alex G Griffiths Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Sunday is George’s favourite day of the week, because that’s the day he goes on adventures with his Grandad. On this particular Sunday, Grandad introduces George to the wonderful world of
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Mia Macrossan This story starts at the endpapers as all good picture books should with Squish Rabbit peeking out from behind a large egg. The opening sentence defines the scope of this story with an impressive statement:
Mummy Cuddle
by Kate Mayes Illustrated by Sara Acton reviewed by Kerry Neary Cute may be as cute may look but there’s more to this delightful creation than shallow, sweet appeal. It’s a companion to Daddy cuddle by the same partnership, released in hardcover in
The Bear in our Backyard
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Kerry Neary Still fresh and joyful even after being around for about a year, this is a companion book to The lion in our living room, which starred the same sibling pair looking for
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Kerry Neary You can’t take the cute out of books for early childhood readers. Where would iconic characters like Miffy and Spot be if they weren’t cute, as well as having their magical adventures. One of own
A Quiet Girl
by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Yvonne Mes Mary’s quiet conversations and ponderings are drowned out by the noise of tools, technology and toys used by her busy mother, brother and father. Mary is mostly content to be by herself surrounded by the
This Is Home: Essential Australian Poems For Children
selected by Jackie French illustrated by Tania McCartney reviewed by Mia Macrossan This beautifully produced book aims to to introduce young readers to the pleasures of poetry and to 'represent as many threads of our diverse past and culture as possible'. That is
Jane Doe and the Cradle of all Worlds #1 The Jane Doe Chronicles
by Jeremy Lachlan reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel just won the Australian Book Industry Book of the Year for Older Readers 13+ . I think that a good reader of 10+ would cope and really enjoy this rollicking fantasy adventure. Jane
Little White Fish series
Little White Fish, Little White Fish Is So Happy, Little White Fish Has A Party by Guido van Genechten reviewed by Mia Macrossan This popular series has now been re-issued in board books giving them a new and welcome lease of life. In
Under The Southern Cross
by Frane Lessac Reviewed by Kerry Neary This is a solo offering from the illustrating side of the partnership of Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood, who create fascinating picture book interpretations of Australian folklore figures: Simpson and his donkey, Ned Kelly, Midnight
The Sleeping Beauty: The Story Orchestra
Retold by Katy Flint Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle Reviewed by Kerry Neary Music is as much a way of telling stories as producing beautiful melodies. When the beauty of music is represented through visual images and words we have some of the most
Eva’s Imagination
Written by Wenda Shurety Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Kerry Neary When children start at school, along with all the physical things they need, they must pack their imagination. In this story, Eva’s Mum makes sure it is there. It starts with pet
The Second Sky
Written by Patrick Guest Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Kerry Neary This gem of a book slipped through my net when it was published in 2017 and shortlisted for the Picture book of the Year. I don’t know how I missed it
Ozzie Goes To School
Written by Jocelyn Crabb Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Kerry Neary Experts say that children should be made school-ready to lessen the anxiety of starting at school. This probably takes all their preschool lives, not just a few weeks beforehand or one
Hodge Podge Lodge ( A rubbish story)
Written and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Hodge Podge Lodge is the story of the higgledy-piggledy Pigwigs, a family of pigs. They all have a negative relationship to stuff in some way. Pa Pigwig is a compulsive online shopper.
